The following sketches are as photographically true as my knowledge of Chinese life and people can make them. They are written primarily as an answer to the oft met questions, "Do missions pay?" and, "After all, are there any real Christians in China?" We missionaries are frequently told that the average church member at home has come to think of missionaries’ letters as "too dry to read." Wherefore, my attempt to give missionary facts in a different, possibly more readable, form. With what success remains to be seen. The little book is sent forth with the earnest hope and prayer that those who read these sketches may come to see the truth of what Paul said: "God hath made of ONE BLOOD all men under heaven." ROSALIND GOFORTH. Kikungshan, South Honan, China, July 24, 1920. *CONTENTS* SKETCH I. AS SILVER IS REFINED _Part 1._—THE BIRTH OF A SOUL _Part 2._—FROM GLEAM TO GLORY SKETCH II. CHARACTERS FROM ONE VILLAGE _Part 1._—WANG-EE _Part 2._—WANG-EE’S NEIGHBORS SKETCH III. THE MAN WHO PROVED GOD SKETCH IV. OPENING A NEW STATION _Part 1._—THE MISSIONARY’S HOME _Part 2._—AS RAIN FROM A CLEAR SKY _Part 3._—SOWING BEFORE THE STORM SKETCH V. TESTING GOD SKETCH VI. A CHRISTIAN GENERAL SKETCH VII. A CHINESE NOBLEMAN SKETCH VIII. MR. DOONG SKETCH IX. HEATHENISM AS I HAVE KNOWN IT _Part 1._—HEATHEN VERSUS CHRISTIAN WORSHIP _Part 2._—FACTS SKETCH X. THE BLIND FAMINE REFUGEE SKETCH XI. LINKS IN A LIVING CHAIN SKETCH XII. OUR FIRST WOMAN CONVERT—A MERE MEMORY SKETCH XIII. TWO "RICE" CHRISTIANS _Part 1._—THE "WOLF BOY" _Part 2._—THE WOLF BOY’S MOTHER SKETCH XIV. DAYBREAK IN ONE HOME _Part 1._—LITTLE SLAVE _Part 2._—SLAVE’S FATHER _Part 3._—SLAVE’S RELEASE *SKETCH I* *As Silver Is Refined* PART 1: THE BIRTH OF A SOUL. PART 2: FROM GLEAM TO GLORY. *As Silver Is Refined* *Part I. THE BIRTH OF A SOUL.* One sultry afternoon in June, 19—, an elderly woman. seated in the shade of her front gateway, the coolest spot she could find, was fanning vigorously in vain attempt to keep cool, discontented mutterings keeping time to her fan. It was time the long summer siesta ended and for folks to get to work, so thought Mrs. Dwan, but "folks" evidently thought otherwise, for the whole village seemed as still and lifeless as a graveyard.