16
The thought came to me that here was a chance to wrestle against evil by using God's word. Before I pray for a thing, I feel I must analyze the prayer, whether it is selfish, or for a necessity. There was no doubt in my mind as to the wrong being attempted, and therefore it was a permissible prayer. Not only so, but it was a time when God would not act without our faith. The lock could hold only by a miracle, and a miracle is performed only by God and man being in accord. It was as though I clutched at that verse with my clenched hands "I will not forsake you." "You can't forsake us. The lock must hold-it will hold. There is nothing can break it so long as I know God's finger is there."
And it did hold.
The following morning we were visited by several ruffianly Japanese who rudely demanded why we had not opened the gate for their inspection of the premises. We replied that as the hour was very late, we supposed that it might be housebreakers. A girl whose mother was Japanese and who spoke Japanese had joined us. She was able to translate in a dignified way. Clyde said, "Did they see the guardian angel standing at the gate?" The next night the Chinese ground floor tenant suggested that we should all prepare gongs to beat. This was what they do in Japan when a thief is discovered. We thought it would shame them into going away because Japanese do not like being called thieves. We, therefore, all prepared kettle and pot tops, and sticks to beat them. The relief of a quiet night was only equaled by Clyde's disappointment that the preparations had been unnecessary. Mrs. Clift decided to try and see the head Japanese officer to procure a signboard for the house stating that the house was used as a medical clinic and was the home of a doctor.
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