At the expiration of that time our relieving officer reported to me that the man was evidently much worse, and I had better see him as soon as I conveniently could. Accordingly I went to his house. It was a pretty little country cottage, with a good garden attached, which had been made very productive by prudent management and attention; but during the poor man's absence in the asylum it had been much neglected, and was no longer what it had been. Since his return home he had done what he could to put it in order, and had given evidence of his old skill in the management of some pretty flower beds in front of the cottage.

poison out of her royal husband's wound with her own | visit for two or three weeks, and see how he went on. mouth, and that King Edward 1. marked by a cross each place where the bier rested which carried her remains on their way for interment, and determined thus to immortalize her great affection. Hervey thereupon spiritualizes the circumstance :-" Should not your hearts be a monument of gratitude to the blessed Jesus, who drew the deadly venom, not from our veins, but from the immortal part of our nature, and not at the hazard, but at the loss-the certain and unavoidable loss-of his own most precious life? He opened his breast opened his very soul-to the keenest arrows of vindictive justice, that transfixing him, they might drop short of us. 'The poison whereof drank up his spirits,' that the balm of peace might refresh ours." And then pointing to the visitors' inscriptions upon the monument, he continues:

V. THE GARDENER.

AMONG the many cases brought before the Board of Guardians of which I was a member, was one that in an especial manner called forth the sympathy of us all; it was that of a poor afflicted gardener. This man had a family of seven children; the eldest only twelve. He lived in a cottage in a rural part of the district, and had been for some years employed as a gardener by many respectable people in the neighbourhood. About eight months previous to the time in which my little history commences, symptoms of insanity had manifested themselves in the unfortunate man; and for a considerable portion of this time it had been found necessary to place him in an asylum. This was a weekly expense of eleven shillings to the parish; and as the wife, a hard-working woman, could not leave her family to do more than two or three days' work in the week as a charwoman, it was found necessary to allow her six shillings per week, to aid in supporting her children, so that the family at this time was costing us seventeen shillings per week. Such an unusually heavy charge upon our funds caused much discussion, and made us anxious to reduce it at the earliest opportunity.

I was requested to personally investigate the case, and ascertain what was best to be done. Just at this time the man was discharged from the asylum, with a report from the medical superintendent that he was very much better, and able to work; but if he had any great anxiety or excitement, it was very probable he might be again obliged to be sent to the asylum.

In consequence of this I determined to postpone my

I found him at work. He had been prepared for my visit, and said he was glad I had come, as he was anxious the guardians should have every information relative to his state.

"I am greatly grieved, sir," he said, "to have been such a heavy burthen to the parish; while I was in health I never troubled them for aid; but when my sad affliction came, my poor wife was obliged to apply. She works like a slave, sir; but what can a woman do with seven such young children to attend to, and one of them a poor suffering little fellow that makes one's heart bleed to look at? I am sure I am very grateful to you gentlemen for all your kindness; but I fear I shall be again obliged to go to the asylum; I am not nearly so well as when I first returned home; my head is so confused, and my brain feels as though on fire. (There was so much wildness in his eyes, and excitement in his manner, I was satisfied this would be the result.) It is the trouble and anxiety that has caused all this, sir, and now matters are worse than ever; no one scarcely will employ me: I suppose," he observed with a sad smile, they fear I may plant cabbage where there should be potatoes, or beans where there should be lettuce; and I don't know but they are right, for I scarcely know what I am doing half my time; and then when I go into the house and see the misery there, you will not be surprised to hear I am nearly off my head again. If God would in his mercy restore me to health, I should not fear but we could maintain our family, without being a burden to any one. Please to come into the cottage, sir, and you shall see my poor boy."

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It was a beautiful day towards the end of the month of June. Many of the flowers were in bloom, and all without looked gay and cheerful; but what a contrast I found within. The wife, with four of her children, was in the room; on a couch placed under the open window, lay a poor afflicted little fellow of eight, who had been suffering from a diseased hip joint for many months. He had been a bright and sunny child, the constant companion, and the special favourite of his father; and the wife told me she believed this boy's illness, and the anxiety to provide for his family, had been the main cause of the poor husband's affliction. A magnificent rose and honeysuckle in full bloom had been trained round the window, and the room was filled with their perfume. The pale emaciated face of the little sufferer formed a striking and painful contrast with the fresh and gorgeous beauty of the rose, which bloomed so near him.

When the father bent over the couch and looked upon his suffering son, he could no longer restrain himself, but burst into a flood of tears. The poor little fellow tried to comfort him in his childish way: "Don't cry, father-don't cry," he said; "Johnny will soon be

MISSIONARY SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN CHINA.

better; or perhaps Jesus will take me home to him, and then there will be no more pain;" and he passed his little wasted hand lovingly over his father's face to try to soothe him. The deeply-moved man seized that little hand, covered it with kisses, and turned away quite convulsed with grief. His wife at once went to him,-"Don't distress yourself so, husband; I hope you and Johnny will soon be better, and then we shall do more comfortably; be of good heart, and all will be well." But the silent tears which coursed each other down her cheek, and the look of agony she cast on her husband and son, gave unmistakeable evidence how little faith she had in her own words. I did what I could to cheer and console them, and promising to place their sad case in the most favourable light before my brother guardians, took my leave.

My thoughts as I walked home were sad enough. The scene I had witnessed at the gardener's cottage had strangely impressed my mind. How little do we know the misery which is passing around us-how true a type is that cottage of many another. How frequently bright and beautiful without; but within, misery, anxiety and pain. It is an old saying, "that many an aching heart rides in a gay carriage;" and many of the beautiful villas of this our favoured country, gay with lawns and flowers and shrubs without, may, like the poor gardener's cottage, have happiness, pain, and anxiety within. How little can we judge by externals: the inner life of both rich and poor could furnish many a sad tale of hearts broken, hopes blighted, and prospects ruined.

un

It has often been said that boards of guardians are hardhearted and unfeeling; but when I gave in my report, and described the scene in the poor gardener's cottage, the quivering lip and moistened eye of nearly every one present proved that humanity and sympathy could be found even in the hearts of Poor Law guardians.

In a fortnight after my visit the poor little boy died. This event caused such an aggravation in the father's malady that we were again obliged to place him in the asylum.

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hong, where we landed and preached, and distributed tracts. This town had been often visited, and consequently we found a welcome reception, and our tracts already in circulation. One we found in a barber's shop. Passing on, we sailed all night, and the next morning were far on our journey.

The day being fine, we walked some miles along the bank of the river, calling at the farm-houses on our way, and speaking to the people. Their stack-yards are like our own; and it was intensely interesting to us to stand among the stacks and speak to the simple farmers the precious truths of God's word. Some wero thrashing their rice by beating the sheaves on a wooden frame; some were cleaning the grain by means of fanners, exactly resembling our own; some were preparing it for shipment by riddling it; and some were bruising the husk by grinding it between two flat circular pieces of heavy wood bound together by iron, like the wheels of a carriage. The women were spinning and weaving; and many boys and girls were playing among the stacks, just as at home. They were rather afraid as we approached; but, gathering confidence, they left their employments, and listened with marked attention to our addresses. We preached at many farms that morning, and hope that the good sced of the word did not fall altogether on the way-side.

Returning to our boat we passed rapidly on, and reached Foon-Kuing that night. Next day we went ashore, and distributed books and tracts through the principal streets. This town is a very large one, and a great deal of business is done in it. Here we saw stacks of pork. Stacks of what? does our reader ask; stacks of pork? Yes. This must be a deadly place for pigs; for there on the quay are multitudes of their bodies skinned, laid flat out and cured, and piled one upon another in large stacks. Do the Chinese eat pork? Yes; it is pork, pork everywhere; and little else to eat, except you come upon a Mohammedan colony, where you get mutton, or rather goat's-flesh.

Embarking, we soon reached Kan-ze, a large city in the province of Cheh-Kiang. And what a stir! Few foreigners had ever been there previously—perhaps no one openly, as we went-and accordingly the excite

MISSIONARY SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN ment was immense. As we passed through the long

CHINA.

XVI. ANOTHER TRIP INTO THE INTERIOR.

IN company with a brother missionary we left Shanghai
one forenoon-it was on the 15th January, some years ago
--and set out upon an itinerancy to the south-west, Pass-
ing cautiously through the crowded harbour, we safely
gained the open stream, and proceeded up the Wang-po
river. This river, though only a third or fourth-rate one
in China, is a noble stream. It is about a mile broad at
Shanghai, and continues from three-quarters to half-a-
mile in breadth for forty miles, until it is divided into
two branches-one leading to Ning-po, and another to
Kan-ze, etc. It admits of being navigated by
very large vessels; and it is a most magnificent sight
to see them starting from Shanghai when the tide
begins to flow. There are literally hundreds which
hoist their sails and scud up the river on the first wave
of the tide; and many a time have we stood entranced
at the animation, bustle, energy, and joy which marked
The country around is much the same as
that described in our last tour. A pagoda on the right
hand enlivens its aspect; but this is the only prominent
feature which attracts the traveller's attention till he is
many
miles on
his way. By-and-by we reached Ming-

the scene.

suburbs the crowds increased, and the bustle became terrible. We went ashore, and preached in the open spaces. At length we came upon a fine pagoda, in the square of which we preached to a very great concourse; and while the native assistant was speaking, we ascended the stair, and from the top of it saw the walls of the large city not far distant, which convinced us that we were still only in the suburbs. After preaching again we returned to the boat, and dined early, and prepared for the hard work which was clearly before us. The boat meanwhile moved on towards the city, and passing under a bridge we saw the head of some thief or other stuck on a pole, and placed in the centre of it, as a warning for all evil doers, and certainly no pleasant omen to us. At last we reached the gate of the city, and I certainly witnessed a sight, the like of which I had never seen before, and which I can never forget. The canal by which we entered went right through the city from the east gate to the west gate. The two principal streets ran parallel to the canal, and the backs of the houses looked into the canal. There was a wide pavement between the canal and the houses on both sides; and as our boat passed through the gate, we found the pavement on each side densely lined with people as far as the eye could reach.

And every

412

MISSIONARY SCENES AND ADVENTURES IN CHINA.

back door was filled, and every close and lane was
packed; every window was open and packed; every
terrace was packed; the top of every available house
was crowded; the attics were packed-every side,
and every conceivable place was filled with Chinamen.
And the ladies were there also; we never had such a
sight of them. Indeed the windows and terraces were
filled chiefly by the fair, and this imparted no small
charm to the scene. Then they were in every kind of
dress and half-dress: some with their hair yet un-
braided; some with their faces half painted; some
with their dresses yet unfastened; some in full array-
head-dresses gaudy-their apparel showy, and all
things properly adjusted. Some were old, some young;
mistresses and maids, all were there in all sorts of
costume. They certainly amused us; they did just
what their sisters at home would have done. They
looked down upon us, and smiled as we passed under
their windows; they noticed everything about our
apparel; and when any fresh matter of wonder was
discovered, they shouted to one another and laughed
over it.
All shyness and etiquette were laid aside for
the time; and merriment and wonder, and demonstrative
amazement, were upon all. This continued without
interruption during nearly the whole day, from about
twelve at noon until we passed out at the opposite gate.
We certainly for once were "the observed of all
observers." On our way through, we stopped every
now and then and preached to the crowds. One of
the views struck me as particularly fine. We reached
a high-arched bridge where the pavement was much
wider, and where there was an open square on one side.
The bridge was crowded with people, the pavement
was crowded, the square was crowded towards the
water's edge, and the houses were filled with on-lookers.
Here we got to the top of the boat, and one after ano-
ther-my friend, the assistant, and myself-proclaimed
the good news of salvation. The people listened with
great attention. The anxiety to obtain books was
nearly as great as to see us; and we were often afraid
they would push one another into the water. They
asked for all kinds; but some few came enquiring for
scientific books which have become known, and are
greatly prized by the native scholars.

Having created such a tremendous hubbub in the city, we resolved that we would not stay that night within its precincts, lest we should have the offer of lodgings for nothing, and a free passage home to Shanghai, in a magnificent boat decked with flags and streamers and ornaments, in which there were no holes nor rats. Not long before this, two of our fellowmissionaries enjoyed this honour. They were waited on by the officials, and politely invited to the ya mun (the government quarters). Here they were shown into a pleasant room, had tea and fruit presented to them, and next morning were accompanied to a fine boat by some Chinese gentlemen. Every attention was paid to them. They were attended by these finely dressed gentlemen in all their doings; they had the luxury of living for some days on the pure Chinese food; and the opportunity of gaining a perfect insight into all the private and domestic customs of their polite companions.

How delightful! some of our readers perhaps exclaim. Delightful enough; but liberty is sweeter. They were prisoners. Caught preaching the gospel beyond the boundaries allowed by the authorities, they were arrested and conveyed hence to Shanghai, and delivered to the British consul. His Excellency of

course reprimanded them with official frowns and threats, and afterwards dismissed them, to repeat the experiment. Not being exceedingly envious of a similar experience, we pushed on through the canal. As we got nearer the further side of the city the crowds became less; and at last darkness falling upon us, we passed through the gate and entered another large suburb. Retiring within the boat, we sailed quietly on, and anchored for a short time beyond the houses.

THE PULPIT IN THE FAMILY.

THE YOKE OF CHRIST.
"Take my yoke upon you."-Matt. xi. 29.

HAT is it to take the yoke of Christ upon us? Is it to be governed partly by his word, and partly by our own inclinations-to be partially subdued to his yoke, and partially devoted to the yoke of self? O no. Such a submission will be chastised until it is brought to an entire surrender. It would not be taking the yoke of Christ in the scriptural sense if anything was reserved, or taking the yoke of our own wills whenever his will crossed our purposes. Yet how many do take it upon them, without an adequate idea of the extent of the change it implies, which requires nothing less than a whole transformation of not only the outward, but the inward life, which includes a total change of tastes, pleasures, purposes, and pursuits-in fine, a creature.' "For if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.' "Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." "He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them and rose again (2 Cor. v. 15-17)-should not live unto themselves even partially. Taking his yoke upon them, and living unto him, is one and the same thing.

66 new

It is a very high standard that he himself sets for us. "For he that overcometh, even as I overcame, shall sit down with me on my throne, even as I am set down with my Father on his throne." How did he overcome? He overcame, in the most complete sense of that term, every temptation to worldliness, and every allurement of the flesh. His triumph over the tempter was not less victorious. He "was in the world, but not of it"-in the flesh, yet not subject to its control; beleaguered by Satan's most powerful wiles, he yet more than triumphed over these threefold snares. And he offers to bring us off "more than conquerors," by clothing us in "the armour" of his Spirit-nothing less than "the whole armour of God;" and he commands us to "put it on." Clothed in this splendid outfit from the Divine armoury (Ephes. vi. 10-18), who could fail of victory? Are we not to wrestle to overcome the world and the flesh, with all the allurements the tempter can offer us through them? Indeed, if we do not this, we have no badge whatever of identity with those who shall inherit that blessing promised to such only as overcome. "For if ye do live after the flesh, ye shall die." We see from this Scripture that it is impossible to preserve the life of Christ in the heart, without renouncing the works of the flesh. And "if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." (Rom. viii. 13; 1 John ii. 15, 16.)

THE YOKE OF CHRIST.

MATCHES AND MIGNONETTE.