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THE K I N G ’ S BU S I N E S S measure. It was perhaps a surprise to many that Dr. Dixon took the themes he did and treated them in the manner he did, for the idea seems to prevail that the big men in the larger churches do not take up purely Biblical subjects but deal with industrial and political ques tions that answer the demands of the world. Not so with Spurgeon’s succes sor. He has satisfied us all that strong expository sermons in direct pungent English, bathed in prayer and delivered in the power of the Spirit, make a divine impact upon the heart that can not he resisted. Afternoon gatherings beneath the shade of the apple trees in the quiet of the country and addressed by several of the Institute speakers will he unfor gettable. It was something different and inexpressibly tender. In deep contrast, yet not out of this zone was the humor and good fellowship of the Institute. It is doubtful if Montrose ever heard more hilarious and uncontrolled laughter than occasionally went up from hearts that were, for the present, free from the cares of pastorate and parish. The mock trial in which a preacher was arrested for stealing a sermon, and a still more humorous debate, with afternoon sports and ball games all went to contribute to the joy of living a full orbed Chris tian life. Ministers, missionaries and Christian workers left with tired bod ies rested, troubled minds and hearts assured and established, and a deep de sire that the enthroned Lord should sway his scepter of power over all their life and work.—Rev. E. J. W. Burston. “And a Little Child Shall Lead Them.” Shanghai, China, July 19, 1919. These tender words flashed through my mind a couple of weeks ago when Mr^ Cheng told me the touching story recorded below, and while the words were used originally THE INSTITUTE in a slightly differ- IN CHINA ent sense, they are equally applicable to the following incident. Our evangelists were located at the village of Niang Hsi, going out every day into the homes within a radius of five miles, and hold ing evangelistic and enquirers’ meet ings in the village every evening. Little Suen Chung-Tien, nine years of age,
came every evening with many other children to the special children’s meet ings. Although his home was nearly a mile away the dear little fellow came most regularly and showed a deep and intelligent interest in what he heard and learned. The children learned both verses of Scripture and verses of hymns, and every evening Chung-Tien would go home and repeat to his parents and friends the things he had learned. He also taught his parents and some of their neighbors to pray. It was some time before our evangelists were able to visit his home, but at last they got there, and when the two workers reached the house the father said to Chung-Tien, “The preachers have come to our home, you should lead in prayer,” so the little fellow knelt reverently and led in prayer. Some ignorant by standers laughed but Chung-Tien said to them: “You should not laugh, you may cause me to commit a sin.” Through the testimony and changed life of this little boy his father, mother, elder sister and several neighbors have been led to definitely accept of Jesus as their personal Saviour, and they were regularly attending the enquirers’ classes to learn more of the Gospel. Another little chap, Liu Meo-Seng, lived right opposite to the inn where our evangelists were staying, he learned several hymns, and prayed most intelli gently. Every day he prayed God to bless the evangelists. As soon as he rises in the morning he wants to pray, and before each meal he offers thanks. One morning he overslept and when he arose the family had already had their breakfast, Meo-seng said to them: “What, have you eaten your breakfast without me? How could you eat your breakfast when I was not there to ask God’s blessing?” Meo-Seng’s father is away on a business trip so has not yet heard the Gospel. His grandfather has accepted of Christ, but his mother does not yet believe. Meo-Seng has con tinued this earnest prayer life for more than six months, and he prays daily for his mother’s salvation. Shall we not join him in this prayer? Are you praying for our eighty evan gelists? They are out in storm and sunshine. They meet with curses often. Oh that our friends at home could fully realize how much the success of the preaching of these men depends upon the friends far away.—Frank A. Keller.
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