"Owing to the delays mentioned above in the printing of the 'Occasional Paper,' it was not ready for the publisher until March 12th. On this day I again examined my mission cash-book, and the comparison of the result of the two similar periods of one month and six days each, one before and one after special prayer for £1500 to £2000, was very striking:-- "Receipts from December 30th to February 6th, £170 8 3 " Feb. 6th to Mar. 12th £1774 5 11 "Funds advised, since received 200 0 0 --------- £1974 5 11 "This, it will be noticed, was _previous_ to the circulation of the 'Occasional Paper,' and, consequently, was not the result of it. It was the response of a faithful GOD to the united prayers of those whom He had called to serve Him in the Gospel of His dear SON. "We can now compare with these two periods a third of the same extent. From March 12th to April 18th the receipts were £529, showing that when GOD had supplied the special need, the special supply also ceased. Truly there is a LIVING GOD, and HE is the hearer and answerer of prayer." But this gracious answer to prayer made it a little difficult to circulate "Occasional Paper, No. I.," for it stated as a need that which was already supplied. The difficulty was obviated by the issue with each copy of a coloured inset stating that the funds for outfit and passage were already in hand in answer to prayer. We were reminded of the difficulty of Moses--not a very common one in the present day--and of the proclamation he had to send through the camp to the people to prepare no more for the building of the Tabernacle, as the gifts in hand were already too much. We are convinced that if there were _less_ solicitation for money and _more_ dependence upon the power of the HOLY GHOST and upon the deepening of spiritual life, the experience of Moses would be a common one in every branch of Christian work. Preparations for sailing to China were at once proceeded with. About this time I was asked to give a lecture on China in a village not very far from London, and agreed to do so on condition that there should be no collection, and that this should be announced on the bills. The gentleman who invited me, and who kindly presided as chairman, said he had never had that condition imposed before. He accepted it, however, and the bills were issued accordingly for the 2nd or 3rd of May. With the aid of a large map, something of the extent and population and deep spiritual need of China was presented, and many were evidently impressed.