in Lucille’s presence, of the King of kings, who always filled her heart and life. One of the large floral pieces contained in yellow flowers the Chinese characters of her favorite verse, ‘As for God, His way is perfect.’ On the wall high above the simple grey casket which you so wisely had chosen, was a beautiful large portrait of Lucille. This was in accordance with Chinese custom. Throughout the service it was as if she herself were speaking to us. We moreover were reminded to rejoice with her that she was at last in His presence, not dead, not here—but There. “ Tributes were given in Chinese by Luoille’s servant and her landlord. Now, dear Mother and Dad Falconer, that speaks volumes for the quality of work done by your missionary daughter! Her servant and her land lord! If there are any other Chinese out here who have more opportunity to see us at our worst, I don’t know who they would be. But what did they see in Lucille? They saw the Lord in her life moment by moment through every hot, dusty, crowded Tainan day. “ Dr. Graham’s message was in Chinese with no translation since nearly everyone there could under stand. I have never heard Dr. Graham speak any better. His message was powerful, and he placed the issues before us. What were we seeking: the things of earth or the things of heaven? There was no doubt concerning Lucille’s goal or her reward. She had never let one leave her presence without the final question, ‘Are you sure that you have eternal life, that you have been bom again?’ How much do we value a lost soul? What is the quality of the ministry of us Christians? Then what about the lost ones there at Lucille’s funeral? She would not have one person there leave before making sure of his relationship to the Lord. The Gospel was clearly pre sented as she would have wanted it. “ Dick, Dorothy, Don and Darlene had sat through the whole service on the front row. There was no hidden ‘family room.’ Here was evidence before us of the strength of the Lord. He is able to succor. His grace is sufficient. Does His child ever know this better than on such an occasion? The casket was lovingly lifted and carried out by those who had loved her, worked with her, been encouraged, by her, and her family followed the casket of that dearest wife and mother. They walked down that long aisle and showed us the meaning of Isaiah 40:31. Tears were running down our faces and theirs, and we were comforted by the One who wept with Mary and Martha even at the very moment of their brother’s resurrection. His grace is sufficient. We wound our way down a little hill and up again to the place of burial on the Mount of Olives. “ Our heads remained bowed for a moment of silent prayer and personal committal. Then we looked up at Dick, whose face reflected the peace and strength of Christ. Dick smiled at his friends standing all around, and then he led us down the little hill. . . . In a building nearby the youth choir had gathered, and they were singing hymns in the background as we came together for a final time of fellowship before parting to return, greatly strengthened and encouraged by the Lord, to our various places of ministry. “ Lucille’s funeral was like her — a time of triumph of spirit over flesh, of life over death.” “My ways are higher than your ways, saith the Lord,” and “ As for God, His way IS perfect.”
West. The nurse answered the phone and said he had just left to come out here to see us. I figured it must be news about Lucille, so I had 30 minutes to get ready before he arrived. However, when he came he hadn’t any news about Lucille. They just came out for a visit which was very nice of them. “After they left I went for a walk to thank the Lord that it was not news about Lucille, but somehow I couldn’t seem even to get happy over the fact that she had once more been spared, but rather almost wished that she, for her sake, had been released from her sufferings. “ Then about 1 A.M. someone tapped on our window, so I got up. It was Dr. West. He immediately told me of the phone call from Dad (about Lucille’s death). He stayed about half an hour, prayed, and left. “For Lucille’s sake I was glad, but a feeling of lone liness seemed to come over me, so I took out one of my translations and read through Ephesians. It happened that this was the one that Lucille had underlined. I never before so appreciated the book of Ephesians. “ I just read and wept and thanked the Lord for His great mercy all the way through. I then went to bed for a couple of hours but of course didn’t sleep. I just thanked the Lord for His goodness in ever giving me Lucille. I was most unworthy, but my heart is overflow ing with thanks to you and to the Lord. Your son, Dick.” * * * * . When the plane arrived in Formosa, a great number of Lucille’s friends, Chinese and Western, gathered at the airport for a brief service around the casket. The Gospel was poignantly presented; even the customs of ficers were touched, tears coming to their eyes. Reporters became interested in the story of Lucille’s life and the development of her beloved Mount of Olives. As a result, articles appeared in all the Chinese newspapers and a detailed account was presented over the Chinese radio. In the days that followed, twenty publicly dedicated their lives to the Lord and twelve accepted Christ as Saviour. On July 23rd, a host of Chinese and Western friends met together at the Mount of Olives, Tainan, Formosa, for a beautiful and triumphant funeral service for this one who had so inspired their lives. In a letter to Lucille’s parents, Mrs. John West, the wife of Lucille’s doctor in Formosa, writes a stirring description of that service. “ It was a glorious day, as we met together in Tainan to celebrate Lucille’s entrance into her great and eternal reward. 'It was a time of searching our own hearts also, and I am sure that no one left that place without committing himself anew to the Lord. You were truly led of the Lord in your decision to have the funeral in Tainan, the place of Lucille’s fragrant testimony and abundant fruitbearing. “When we arrived 45 minutes ahead of time, the meeting hall was already packed with people. I found a seat at the rear. There were so many there — students and student workers from all over the island, and many others — missionaries and Chinese who had known and loved her. I do not know how many had been personally led to the Lord by Lucille. The Lord Himself has kept that record, but not a few of those present were stars in her crown. The front hall was banked with flowers, the yellow color predominating. It spoke to me of the bright, radiant joy of the Lord which one always felt
Even am id sorrow, souls were brought to Christ
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