Prayer was answered, and to me was granted the joy of telling Flower of Love the good news. "My life shall henceforth be wholly for God," was her reply. Months passed, and when the Revolution of 1911 broke out, her parents once more sought for her a heathen husband, a man whose wealth was accumulated by wrong-doing, and before any step could be taken Flower of Love was his bride. For months she struggled alone in the city to which she had been taken, and then his orders were given that intercourse with foreigners must cease. The fight was too hard, and weary she yielded and allowed herself to drift with the tide. To-day, in her husband's house, where men are too frequent visitors, she seeks to get from the life she has to lead what pleasure she can. She is beyond my reach, but her broken heart will yet, I believe, find a resting-place upon her Saviour's breast. FOOTNOTE: [10] This remarkable custom is declared by Marco Polo to be peculiar to North China. PREACHING THE GOSPEL, HEALING THE SICK "You make a very great mistake in thinking Christianity is a religion. It is not a religion, it is a person."--Words of a converted Mohammedan. "Lord! how wouldest Thou deal with this sick man--in body, or spirit?" S. VINCENT DE PAUL. "A sick person does so enjoy hearing good news." FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. CHAPTER XXII PREACHING THE GOSPEL, HEALING THE SICK TELLING OF THE DAILY ROUTINE LIKE the apostle of old, the missionary must be ready, however heavy the claim upon his time, to receive all who come. At any hour of the day, we may hear the clatter of sticks upon the ground indicating that some of our neighbours, whose minute feet prevent them from walking unaided, have found their way through the open front door and brought some friends to see the house of the foreigner. The Chinese woman is an inveterate sightseer, but unfortunately the attractions of Hwochow are not many; there is no end, however, to the marvels found within the walls of the Mission compound. The leader of the party is frequently our old friend, Goat's Mother, the members of her clan being numerous and of an inquisitive nature. The well-favoured Goat, aged five years, wears a brilliant yellow cotton jacket, on which are sketched in bold brush work every species of venomous insect. On his left shoulder is a scorpion, while centipedes, beetles, and other forms of poisonous insect life cover his back and chest. To his right shoulder is stitched a diminutive pair of red-and-green trousers. The yellow coat is his protection from stings and bites, the tiny trousers from measles, and longevity is secured by a heavy silver padlock, which hangs from his neck by a silver chain.