104 Snapshots from the North Pacvfe.

hard. You know, Bishop, Chinaman not much know God.
Some know little, plenty not know nothing. China country
dark, very dark.’ So he ended in a slow, serious manner of
speaking as if he remembered how the darkness felt. Then
he opened wide his arms till they touched the wall he stood
against, and began to try to express God’s all-embracing
love. He looked as saintly as artist ever painted. There
was a far-offness in his eyes; his lips parted as if unable to
express the feeling flooding his soul. Wad I been a French-
man I would have sprung to my feet and embraced him
as he tried and tried to tell me how much God loved
dark China, ‘Oh, you know, you know, Bishop.’ Then,
bringing his extended arms together, he clasped himself to
show how God had lifted him out of darkness into light.
Relapsing again from his rapid utterances to slow, solemn
tones, he said, ‘I know God, I love God, I love God very
much.’

“What a sight it was! I could hardly restrain myself
from saying, ‘And I love you.’ I spoilt it by saying, ‘I
am very glad you know and love God.’ I think my voice
by its tone expressed more than the poor woras. I hope so
God’s grace makes all races lovable. I could not but
reverence this Chinese servant because of his beautiful
confession. I kept awake many hours meditating on the
transforming power of this grace and love. I no longer
envied my men the church floor. |

“The Chinaman waited on me most assiduously, and I
found on embarking that he had prepared for my dear
invalid a delicacy, because, as he said, Mrs. Ridley ‘not
eat too much,’ meaning that she had a very poor appetite.
His last words were to commend my new Chinese servant to
my sympathy, saying, “He know God only very much little,
but by-an’-by know Him more and be very good Chinaman.’
His great object was to stimulate me to take a spiritual
interest in my servant.

“ Away we went, rowing out of the river with the remain-
ing ebb tide and into the offing, until by close sailing we