The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-05-18
LETTER FROM REV. JOHN L. STUART.
GU-CHow, CHINA, Feb. q, 1871.


GU-CHow, CHINA, Feb. 27, 1871.
I have nothing special to report from this
station. Brother Helm is still absent am
living in peace and comfort.
The man of whom wrote you in my last,
Li-sien-shen Mister, has continued to visit
me, and gives considerable evidence OF true
faith in Christ and trust upon him alone for
salvation. He has asked me several times
to baptize him, and l have promised to bap-
tie and admit him to the Lords Supper
next Sabbath. For six weeks he has visited
me almost daily, and have read the Scrip
lures with him and given him many tracts
setting forth the plan of salvation. Being
man of education, he reads the character
readily, and seems to apprehend and per-
sonally apply the truth with great correct
ness. / cannot perceive any interested
motives in him, and he most fully asserts his
sincerity. If can trust his word, and |
think I can, he has already suffered for
Christ. About three weeks ago, he told me
that two days before that, five soldiers, who
had heard that he had money, came to his
boarding place and robbed him of three hun
dred and fifsy-four dollars, and then carried
him before the governor of the city and ac-
cused him of believing in Jesus. The gov
ernor drove them from the Judgment, warn
ing them not to bring such cases before him.
Lii did not inform us then, as suppose be-
cause he did not wish to be recognised. In
telling me of the affair, he exhibited all the
forbearance, yea JOY, in suffering that we
might expect to find in matured Christians.
He said they might kill the body, but not
the soul-that Jesus suffered for him, and
he was willing to suffer for Jesus. He asked
whether, if forced to leave here, he could
preach the gospel in any other place.
They left him with more than four hun
dred dollars remaining. He had now leased
a house, and expects to live here. lie says
he wishes to preach.
Not long since he gave me an account OF
himself, which he had kept back previously.
He says that he was high military officer
general paymaster for a provincc-in HUI
pen province. He was accused Of dishonesty,
but was acquitted. He then, fearing further
accusations from his enemies, and not wish
ing to hold his life at the mercy of the EN-
peror, resigned, and left the place to avoid
being forced to serve. He wishes to remain
unknown in this city. He says that he has
found something better than worldly wealth
and honor and power, even the pardon OF
his many sins, through the blood of Jesus.
Such is the account he gives of himself,
which 1 have no means of verifying but by
observing his manner and trying his words.
I am fully satisfied of his sincerity of heart;
and'Ms intellectual apprehension of the plan
of salvation is very clear and correct. lie
had heard of Jesus, and seen and heard be-
levers worshipping; but he says that ne be-
Eeves Jesus led him more than thousand
miles to hear more fully and to believe on
his name. l rejoice and tremble at this
great blessing the Lord has bestowed on me,
in making me the means of leading one of
the lost to the Great Shepherd. My desire
now is that he may be induced and prepared
to preach the gospel. He is thirty-two years
of age, intelligent and energetic, and seems
well fitted by nature for great usefulness.
He only needs the sanctifying influence OF
grace and the blessings of the Spirit. think
1 will try to get hin. to open free school
for day-scholars. :,
With such encouragement, you may well
imagine that we will be very reluctant to
give up this station; and l am willing, and
more than willing, to suffer all justihable
hardness to retain it.
have written letter to the students at
Columbia. Would that I could reach every
ear with such arguments as our situation
furnishes us. Could any refuse to come
forth, if they knew how much we need their
help? Your mention of Mr.. DuBose gives
ray Of hOpe.-The Missionary.