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every Tuesday on some Chinese families; but as San Avong's mother was known to Miss L., she did not object to go without my escort. This woman was, however, so delighted by the call, that she could not get away till the poor woman procured, prepared, and prevailed upon Miss L. to eat some Chinese food. The neighbours also crowded in, until she could scarcely move or breathe; among them, two very well-dressed females, with their servants; they promised to call on us, and be present when Miss L. should next talk with the women who meet here on Thursday. Dear San Avong is very anxious about her mother's religious interests, and is much in prayer for her. I trust she may see her prayers answered.

"Jan. 3.-Yesterday, after writing the above, we received a visit from San Avong's mother, formerly my servant; and she was accompanied by a rich female relative, whom she had great difficulty in inducing to come, because of the reports abroad concerning me. The daughter of this friend and relative positively refused to come, not expecting to escape being murdered. The mother was a very pleasant woman, but was evidently ill at ease. She sat, however, pretty quietly, until I had occasion to put my hand in a bag, for the key of the closet containing biscuits &c., which I wished her to partake of. She immediately arose, fearing I was drawing out my knife. I jocosely told her I was not about to slay her, but she became very fidgety; nor would she eat anything, fearing lest I should poison her. I ventured to invite myself to her house for Tuesday next; so Miss L. and myself are to go. All the Chinese are very fond of Miss L. I only am the murderer. I am now charged by some with traversing sea and land to collect soldiers. Some say that I have left Ningpo altogether, in order to avoid the murders with which foreigners have been threatened. Some say I accompanied the French consul and his lady to Shanghae. All these are devices of Satan

to keep these poor women from my house. I am the more anxious to call on them. One of my missionary friends remarked the other day, that I was the most notorious person in Ningpo.

“In the prospect of the threatened war with the fearful band of pirates now around Ningpo, this poor people have been taxed most unjustly to the amount of a fourth of their property. I suppose the greater part of this sum will be appropriated by the mandarins to their own use.

“Jan. 6.—A Chinese lady came on Saturday to my little chapel on the premises, with two little boys and two or three servants. She said that she heard that a lady was in the habit of talking on religious subjects to women. Miss L. does talk in a private room on Thursday, but Mr Martin preaches on Saturday. This lady is the wife of the solicitor attached to a mandarin's office. She has been an opium-smoker for six years, having begun the habit to soothe pain. After service, she begged me to give her some remedy to destroy the habit. I told her she must destroy her pipe, and then I would give her something which tends to keep up strength and spirits. She is to bring her guitar on Friday, and take a sort of tiffin with us: she and Miss Leisk are to try their skill at their guitars together.

“Jan. 12.-As she appears in good earnest desire of relinquishing her destructive habit, and has brought her pipe to me, I felt anxious to watch and assist her as symptoms might require; I invited her, therefore, to go through the painful weaning here under my eye rather than at her own house. She is therefore now our guest, but it is truly no joke to have such a guest. She has been in the habit of rising at three or four o'clock in the afternoon, and taking her second meal about that hour-she then amused herself for a few hours, and went to bed; and in the middle of the night she would perhaps call up her servant to prepare a meal. I am trying to get her into reasonable hours.

Her habits are an annoyance to Europeans; but when I think of the possibility of her ultimately receiving the Gospel, all such little matters appear nothing to me. She is decidedly better to-day, and I hope she will persevere. Mrs. Wang (that is her name) has a superior mind, and remembers what she hears of the Gospel. The dear young widow read to her yesterday an excellent tract, and on inquiry I found she had not been inattentive. I am particularly thankful for this visit and see the hand of God in it, at a time when mischievous reports are raised about us; and I cannot but admire Mrs. Wang's courage, for she was urged by neighbours to avoid so hazardous a visit. She and the servant are astonished at all they see and hear, especially my great care of the children's morals. The ser

vants are anxious, when I have vacancies, to place two young relatives here."

ONWARD AND UPWARD.

ONWARD! Onward!-like the streamlet
Softly gliding to the river-

Pouring forth thy glad existence

In sweet music to its Giver;

Fertilising and refreshing
All around-a daily blessing

To this dusty world of ours

Heaven's own loveliness pourtraying;

Never in thy progress staying;

Haste through sunshine and through showers.

Pilgrim to eternity,

Onward! rest is not for thee.

Upward! upward!-like the eagle

In his rapid flight untiring-
Elevated in thy feelings,

And to heaven itself aspiring;
Soaring on faith's outstretched pinion
Far above the world's dominion;
Basking in truth's radiant light;
Low, ignoble deeds despising;
Ever higher and higher rising,
Till thou passest from our sight.
Upward Christian! for above

Lies thy HOME of peace and love.

W. N. P.

"SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD."

Ir was a bright day in early summer, when with a beloved friend, I went for the first time to visit an afflicted child of God. A walk of two or three miles through lovely meadows brought us to the cottage where this lowly Christian dwelt. My friend entered the cottage, bidding me rest on a fallen tree whilst she went first to see the invalid, and announce my arrival; she soon returned, and told me to come with her.

I entered the cottage; the afflicted one was in bed below stairs. On that bed she had lain for the last five years, without once leaving it; she was partly raised and supported by pillows. The calm pale face bore marks of suffering, though not of sorrow, and as I extended my hand, and expressed sympathy with her in increased illness, she replied with calmness, and even with a smile, "It is the Lord's will." My friend talked with her on subjects of deepest interest, whilst I sat quietly by, drinking in, I trust with profit to my

own soul, remarks that fell from the lips of one in whom dwelt the Spirit of God; and whose love to the Saviour was so warm, and whose faith shewed itself in that patience which those who are untaught by the Spirit, and who trust in their own righteousness, can never possess. It was with true peace, perfect peace, for her mind was stayed upon God. This servant of God was suffering, dear reader, from a severe internal disease. She was never free from pain; and yet, in the midst of all, she could sweetly smile, and talk of God's great love to her. Her soul rested unwaveringly on Jesus, and to her was given the full assurance of eternal glory purchased by Jesus for her.

My friend inquired of the invalid for her husband (who had been most kind and attentive during her long illness); and then for his mother, who lived in the adjoining cottage. Hearing that she was ill, she bade dear good bye, and went to see the aged one; she quickly returned, and wished me to accompany

her.

The old woman was sitting up in bed; her bed on the ground floor, busily working with her needle. A large Bible lay beside her. She gave me an affectionate greeting, and then resumed her work.

But she paused a moment, and looking into my friend's face, said, with quickness, "I have been thinking so of that verse that you repeated the last time you were here. Cast thy burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain thee.' I have been thinking so of the little word 'sustain'; you told me that God would not take away the burden; but that He would sustain me; and so He has, and so He does, and so He will. What comfort there is in the thought."

The old woman was suffering from asthma, and was very deaf. I asked her in a loud tone, what she was making; she answered, "Children's pinafores." She begged old print dresses from some of her richer friends, and made them into pinafores for the poorest

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