VOYAGE TO CHINA SOON after this the time so long looked forward to arrived--the time that I was to leave England for China. After being set apart with many prayers for the ministry of GOD's Word among the heathen Chinese I left London for Liverpool; and on the 19th of September 1853 a little service was held in the stern cabin of the _Dumfries_, which had been secured for me by the Committee of the Chinese Evangelisation Society, under whose auspices I was going to China. My beloved, now sainted, mother had come to see me off from Liverpool. Never shall I forget that day, nor how she went with me into the little cabin that was to be my home for nearly six long months. With a mother's loving hand she smoothed the little bed. She sat by my side, and joined me in the last hymn that we should sing together before the long parting. We knelt down, and she prayed--the last mother's prayer I was to hear before starting for China. Then notice was given that we must separate, and we had to say good-bye, never expecting to meet on earth again. For my sake she restrained her feelings as much as possible. We parted; and she went on shore, giving me her blessing; I stood alone on deck, and she followed the ship as we moved towards the dock gates. As we passed through the gates, and the separation really commenced, I shall never forget the cry of anguish wrung from that mother's heart. It went through me like a knife. I never knew so fully, until then, what GOD _so_ loved the world meant. And I am quite sure that my precious mother learned more of the love of GOD to the perishing in that hour than in all her life before. Oh, how it must grieve the heart of GOD when He sees His children indifferent to the needs of that wide world for which His beloved, His only begotten SON died! Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear; Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; So shall the KING desire thy beauty: For He is thy LORD; and worship thou Him. Praise GOD, the number is increasing who are finding out the exceeding joys, the wondrous revelations of His mercies, vouchsafed to those who follow Him, and emptying themselves, leave all in obedience to His great commission. It was on 19th September 1853 that the _Dumfries_ sailed for China; and not until 1st March, in the spring of the following year, did I arrive in Shanghai.