What Missionary Motives Should Prevail?
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“Yes,” she replied, “what is it?” “It is this,” I answered; “do you love the Chinese ?” I shall never forget the look of astonishment which she gave me. “Why,” she said, “what do you mean? Of course, I love the Chinese !” “I was just wondering,” I replied, “if, having gone through such an experience at their hands, you were sorry you had come to China, and if possibly you now almost hated the Chinese.” This remark perplexed her more than my first had done. But I then reminded her of our conversation in Toronto, which had quite passed from her mind. “Oh,” she finally answered, “I had forgotten that I ever said tha t; but that was before I knew the Chinese; I love them all now!” But Miss Stayner was not at an end of her appointed trials. For only a few years had passed when she became afflicted with a climatic disease, which is terrible in its process and effects, It soon became evident that she must leave the coun try. This she did, coming home to Canada, and later going to a certain “Spa” in Germany. Happily she got better, and at last she was able to go back to her much loved work. But still later, her old trouble returned. She fought against it, and for a considerable time would not give up. But at last it was a question of life and death, and she reluctantly took her way back, first to Germany and then to England. Here, her strength gradually failed, and, finally, she finished her earthly course by falling asleep in Christ. It was my privilege to see our friend during this last visit. She was, in spite of her youth, a physical wreck, her hair being gray, her face being thin, and her strength and vigor having departed. But she had not one word of regret to express at having gone to China and was full of grateful praise to God that such a privilege had been hers. And she confessed that the one thing which had led her on and which gave her ever ample compensation for all that she had suffered was the knowledge that she was
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