this is the end of the worst that man's malice can bring upon us.
"While we were walking along, Mr. Burdon tried to give away one or two books that were under his arm, not knowing whether we might have another opportunity of so doing; but the fearful rage of the soldier, who made those who had received them give them up to him, and the way he insisted on manacles being brought (which fortunately were not at hand), convinced us that in our present position we could do no good in attempting book-distribution. There was nothing to be done but to quietly submit, and go along with our captors.
"Once or twice there was a quarrel as to how we should be dealt with; the more mild of our conductors saying we ought to be taken to the magistrate's office, but the others were for killing us at once without appeal to any authority. Our minds were kept in perfect peace; and when thrown together on one of these occasions, we reminded each other that the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer in the cause of Christ. Having succeeded in getting my hand into my pocket, I got out my Chinese card (if the large red paper, bearing one's name, may be so called), and after its production was treated with more respect. I demanded that this should be given to the chief official of the place, and that we should be led to his office. I also told the man who was tormenting me so, that he had better be cautious how he treated foreigners, and Englishmen; or he might learn some day to his cost, that they were not to be maltreated with impunity. On this he left me and went to Mr. Burdon, to whom he said, with fiendish malice and rage depicted on his countenance, 'You are no foreigners;' and do what we would, we could not persuade them that we were (though we were both in English attire).
"Oh! the long weary streets that we were dragged through; I thought they never would end; and seldom have I felt more thankful than when we stopped at a place where we were told a mandarin resided.
"Quite exhausted, bathed in perspiration, and with my tongue cleaving to the roof of my mouth, I leaned against the wall; and Mr. Burdon was in much the same state. I requested them to bring us chairs, but they told us to wait; and when I begged them to bring us tea, I received the same answer. Round the door was a very large crowd, and Mr. Burdon, collecting his remaining strength, preached Christ Jesus to them. Our cards and the books had been taken in to the mandarin, but he proved to be one of low rank; and, after keeping us waiting some time, he referred us to his superiors in office.
"We were told to go on, but now most positively refused to move a single step, and insisted on sedan chairs being brought. After some demur this was done: we seated ourselves in them, and were carried off. On our way we felt so glad of the rest which the chairs afforded us, and so thankful at having been able to preach Jesus in spite of Satan's malice, that our joy was depicted on our countenances; and, as we passed along, while we heard some say that we did not look like bad men, others seemed to pity us. When we arrived at the magistrate's office, I could not think where we were being carried to: for we passed through some great gates that looked like those of the city wall, but when we got through we were evidently not outside the city. A second pair of gates suggested the idea that it was a prison to which they were taking us: but when we came in sight of a large tablet, on which was inscribed, Ming-chï-fu-mu,—'the father and mother of the people,'—it shewed we were all right, for this is a title assumed by the magistrates.
"Our cards were again sent in, and after a short delay, we were taken into the presence of Chen Ta Lao-ye,—the Great Venerable Father Chen; who, as it proved, had formerly been Tao-tai of Shanghai, and consequently knew the importance of treating foreigners with courtesy.
"On coming before him, some of the people fell on their knees and bowed down to the ground, and my conductor motioned for me to do the same; but, it is needless to say, without
