David-Absalom's Revenge

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 13

From Absalom's Journal

photo courtesy of christianimagesource.com

Two years ago, Amnon, my half brother did a cruel thing. He hurt my sister, Tamar.

I still remember the day when she ran to our family home, crying. This wasn't a girly cry, or a spoiled, I-didn't-get-my-way cry, this was a hurt cry from the depths of her heart.

She had been asked by our father, King David, to go to Amnon. Apparently he claimed to be sick and asked for her to make bread and spend time with him. King David agreed and told Tamar to go to his home.

While there, Amnon hurt her. She tried to make him happy by offering to be his wife, but he became angrier and threw her out of his house.

Rage boiled inside of me. I tried to control my temper by soothing her aching heart. I promised to care for her by providing a home and food for the rest of her life. It wasn't what her heart wanted, but it was all I could give.

I felt trapped. We all had the same father, and he was the king. King David became furious over the situation. I wanted more. I wanted Amnon to suffer for hurting Tamar.

I kept silent about the situation for two years. In that time, I found no forgiveness in my heart to give Amnon. Instead, my anger grew.

One day I devised a plan. I planned a sheep-sheering party. I went to my father and invited him and the whole household.

He said. "No, not this time, Absalom. And not the whole household, we'd be a burden." 

I asked again but he refused. "If you and the whole household won't come, at least send my brother, Amnon."

"Why do you want him to come?"

"Please father, please let them come celebrate what God has given."

He finally agreed, and to my surprise sent all my brothers with Amnon. Everything happened as I hoped. I returned to finish preparations for the party. It was magnificent, fitting for a king. I wanted my brothers to return to my father and tell him the wonders of the party.

Before my brothers arrived I instructed my servants. "Now, when Amnon has drunk his fill of wine so he can no longer speak clearly, strike him dead. You have my permission, and my instruction. Do not be afraid to carry out my orders."

Later that afternoon my brothers arrived. We sat down to eat, drink, and share our adventures. After a while Amnon drank more than he should. He could barely sit up in his chair. My servants took advantage of the situation and killed him, as I ordered.

All my other brothers hurried from their chairs, mounted their mules and rode off.

I sent a spy to the castle. He returned and reported rumors reached the king saying I had killed all the brothers. The king ripped his clothes and fell to the floor in mourning. His servants did the same. 

The situation became quite out of control until my advisor, Jonadab hurried to the king's side.
"My lord, please hear me. All your sons are not dead, only Amnon. Absalom planned his death now for two years because of what he did to his sister, Tamar."

He lead my father to a window and pointed. "See, your sons are returning."

King David ran out to greet his returning sons and cried with them over the death of Amnon. 

Fearing what my father would do, I ran away to Geshur and stayed there three years.

And waited for him to ask for me. He never recovered from the death of Amnon, but he did desire to see me.

*******************************
1.  Why was Absalom upset?
2.  Two years later Absalom hosted a party. Who did he invite?
3.  At first his father, king David said, _____
4.  Then David gave permission for _________ to attend.
5.  What happened at the party?
6.  What wrong news did David receive.
7.  Jonadab told David the right news. What did he say?
8.  Did Absalom do what God wanted him to do?
9.  Who's job was it to punish Amnon?

David- Absalom Comforts Tamar

By Mary Vee
II Samuel

From Tamar's Journal

courtesy of christianimagesource.com

My brother, Absalom, called to me as I ran by.

Tears poured down my face. I swiped away as many as I could, but it didn't help. His eyes grew wide with understanding. He knew something horrible upset me.

"What happened, Tamar?" 

I blubbered a few words. None of them made any sense even to me.

He held me like the loving brother he is. "There, there. You're safe. Tell me. What happened."

"Amnon." Sobs jerked at my voice. I swiped more tears away. "Amnon said he was sick. He called for me to make bread for him. The King honored his wish and told me to do as he asked." I sobbed some more.

He held his arm out, leading me to a chair. "Come over her and sit. I'll get you something to drink."

He came back a few minutes later with a glass. After a few sips, I continued. "I made the bread at his bedside as he asked and served it to him. He didn't eat any. Instead, he sent the servants out of the house and then...then he hurt me.

"I offered to be his wife and take care of him, but my words only made him angrier. He told me to leave. I begged him, oh how I begged him, Absalom, not to embarrass me, but he wouldn't listen. He called his servant and ordered me from his house. They locked the door to make sure I wouldn't try to go back inside.

My brother didn't speak for several minutes. I felt his muscles tighten with anger. He lowered his arm and moved a few inches away from me. Not because he didn't want to soothe my sorrow, but for his anger against Amnon.

He took my hands and held them in his lap. "My sweet sister. I will take care of you for all your days. You do not need to go near Amnon ever again. I promise to take care of you. I will give you a home and food. You will never be in need."

The next day a messenger reported King David heard what Amnon did to me and became very angry. He also heard Absolom agreed to take care of me.

I am thankful God has given me family to take care of me.

*****************************************

1. Who saw Tamar crying?
2. Absalom is Tamar's ____________________
3. Tamar said she was asked to make _______________
4. What did Absalom say he would do for Tamar?

Hudson Taylor-So Embarrassed

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

.

I had served as the only missionary from the Chinese Evangelism Society in Shanghai. 

When I heard the Parker family would arrive soon I couldn't wait for their arrival. I had so many questions about England, wanting to hear any news about my home country.

I had rented a home in Shanghai with lots of rooms for them. Unfortunately the imperial army burned it to the ground two days before they arrived. 

I rented a second home which had six rooms. Not six bedrooms, six rooms. This may seem like enough, but a complication arose. To have enough money, I had to rent half the house to another missionary family. When the Parkers arrive, we would have two families with children and one one single man squished into the six room home. 

This would prove interesting.

I remembered the day I stepped off the ship at the Shanghai dock, not knowing where to go and feeling lost. I hurried down to the water's edge the moment their ship arrived. "Hello! Welcome Parkers."

They wobbled sideways along the dock. "Oh, yes, Taylor. So good to see you. You'll have to excuse us, I'm afraid we haven't found our land legs yet."

I laughed. "I remember all too well. We'll walk slow. Follow me."

We hired natives to carry the Parker's luggage to the six room home. I pointed out the embassy where they could find their mail and other useful businesses in the city. I led them up a hill to the home and opened the door.

It had been my responsibility to arrange housing for the Parkers, but I had never received the funds to do so. I used all but three of my dollars to pay the first month's rent on the home. The three remaining dollars would provide food for me for one week.  I didn't know how the Parkers would get food.

The home had little furniture, two or three square tables, six chairs, and one Chinese bed. I gladly gave them all I had, but it wasn't enough to meet their needs.

Missionaries from other agencies, who regularly received adequate funds, came to visit the Parkers. They saw the meager furnishings I had provided for the Parkers. They wasted no time saying, "Taylor, why haven't you cared for this family? We know you like to live with litte, but really, did you have to treat these missionaries of God with such inconsideration?"

I didn't feel I should speak cruelly of the mission that sent me. The other missionaries didn't know I had to borrow more money than I should to pay the rent, or that I only had three dollars left, or that the mission had not sent the letter of credit promised to pay for housing and food for the Parkers.

Dr. Parker wrote the mission in London right away and explained my money situation, or rather lack of money to the committee. He told them of the extreme deprivation conditions I had lived in since arriving. My earlier letters had no effect, so I didn't think anything would happen. But, thanks to his letter, and God's leading, the committee raised my salary three times from what they had given me. This still was much less than other agencies gave their missionaries.

I will pray and ask God for his direction regarding not only my needs but the future needs of any other missionaries sent from CES.

I want to serve the Lord with all my heart, and I am willing to live with little, but a missionary needs to have funds to do the job.

Pray for me as I deal with this difficult and embarrassing matter.

Thank You,

J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions?

David- Amnon and Tamar

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 13

Amnon loved Tamar. He wanted to spend time with her so much he felt sick.

Since he was David's son, he had an advisor to help him. His advisor, Jonadab, also happened to be his cousin.

One day Jonadab came to Amnon. "Why do you look so worn out every morning? Something must be wrong. Tell me. I'd like to help."

Amnon shook his head and sighed. "I'm in love with Tamar and I don't know how to spend time with her."

Jonadab said, "Pretend to be sick. When your father, King David comes to visit you tell him you would like to have Tamar bring you something to eat and make the food in front of you."

This sounded like a good idea to Amnon.

He pretended to be sick, King David came to ask how he felt, and he asked to see Tamar.

David called one of the servants, "Go to Tamar, tell her to vist Amnon and make bread for him in his house."

Later that day, Tamar arrived at Amnon's house. She took some dough, kneeded it, made the bread in his sight and baked it. Then she took the bread and served it to Amnon.

He told all the servants to leave because he wanted to spend time with Tamar.

Tamar said, "Amnon, we should not be alone. This could bring trouble. If you ask the king, he will let you marry me if you want."

But Amnon didn't listen. He hurt Tamar and then yelled, "Get out of my house."

Tamar begged him. "No, please, Amnon. This is wrong."

But he wouldn't listen. "Guard! Get this woman out of my house and lock the door. Do not let her back inside.

Tamar had been wearing a beautiful robe, the kind that lets everyone know she wasn't  married. She changed to plain clothes and put ashes on top of her head. Tears flowed as she walked.

Psalm 4
Answer me when I call to you,
    my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
   have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

How long will you people turn my glory into shame?
   How long will you love delusions and seek false gods
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself;
   the Lord hears when I call to him.

Tremble and do not sin;
   when you are on your beds,
   search your hearts and be silent.
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
   and trust in the Lord.

 
 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
   Let the light of your face shine on us.
 Fill my heart with joy
   when their grain and new wine abound.

 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
   for you alone, Lord,
   make me dwell in safety

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1.  Who is Amnon?
2.  What was Amnon's problem?
3.  Who is Jonadab?
4.  What did Jonadab tell Amnon to do?
5.  What did Amnon do wrong?
6.  What did Tamar do?

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

To read more about this story, ask your parents to read II Samuel 13 with you.

David-Conquest of Ammonite Capital

By Mary Vee

II Samuel 12

David's Thoughts

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

The Ammonites lived on the other side of the Jordan River, land which had been conquered in Moses' time. God had commanded us to conquer the people living there and take over the land.. 

I recently reported to you about their new king, King Hanun who disgraced my men by cutting off their beards and sending them back to me with their clothes torn. These men only wanted to give King Hanun our sympathy for his father's death and did not deserve the ill treatment.

Rabbah was the capital city for the Ammonites. King Hanun lived there. Located in the mountains, the city had a strong position to fight any attacking army.

Joab, my captain, reported finding a strong citadel (a fortress protecting the city). And near the citadel he found a large underground cistern containing the city's water supply.

Our army would need to travel forty miles to get there. Not very far. To conquer Rabbah, would be to conquer the source of life for the Ammonites. 

I sent Joab and my army to take the city. This was a dangerous mission. Climbing the mountains with weapons and remaining undetected required careful commanding. 

I received word from Joab a few days later. "My lord, we have fought the people of Rabbah and conquered the land with their water supply."

This was great news! He must have crushed the citadel to get to the water.The messenger continued, "Joab also said, 'Gather the rest of the people and camp outside the city. It's yours for the taking, King David. If you don't come, I will take it for myself and call it the city of Joab.'"

Oh he is a funny one. Yes, of course I want to join the battle. I called every available man and marched to Rabbah. We fought, and with the Lord's help, successfully conquered the city. 

Joab took the king's crown from Hanun's head. It was made of pure gold and had precious stones decorating the sides. Joab delivered the crown to me and set it on my head. The army brought spoils from the city into one place. We gathered more than we could take back with us.

We then put the remaining Ammonites who were alive to work with saws, iron picks, iron axes and made them labor in the brick works.

I left a group of soldiers to guard our new workers, and took the rest of my army to all the cities belonging to the Ammonites. God blessed us with a victory in each battle.

Once we conquered all the Ammonite cities, we returned to Jerusalem. Thanks be to God for His protection and help to conquer the Ammonites. My men who had been disgraced from King Hanun have received justice.

Here is a Psalm we sing. You call it Psalm 20

May the Lord answer you when you are in trouble!
    May the God of Jacob protect you!
 May he send you help from his Temple
    and give you aid from Mount Zion.
 May he accept all your offerings
    and be pleased with all your sacrifices.
 May he give you what you desire
    and make all your plans succeed.
 Then we will shout for joy over your victory
    and celebrate your triumph by praising our God.
May the Lord answer all your requests.

 Now I know that the Lord gives victory to his chosen king;
    he answers him from his holy heaven
    and by his power gives him great victories.
 Some trust in their war chariots
    and others in their horses,
    but we trust in the power of the Lord our God. Such people will stumble and fall,
    but we will rise and stand firm.

 Give victory to the king, O Lord;
    answer^[ us when we call.

****************************

Photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

1. Who was the king of the Ammonites?

2. What cruel act did he do to the Israelites?

3. What is the name of their capital and where is it located?

4. What captain did David send.

5. Why would a battle against this Ammonite city be difficult?

6.  What did Joab's messenger say?

7. What was the result of the battle?

Hudson Taylor-Danger at the Door

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes



photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

I had returned to my residence, feeling refreshed and filled with joy.

Two missionaries and I went on an adventure up the river to give New Testaments to Chinese men and women, on our trip back, God rescued us from the imperial army. It gave my heart more than a boost. I couldn't wait to go on another adventure and tell others about the love of God.

My residence, as you recall from an earlier post, brought me great concern. I didn't know why the large home hadn't been rented until after I paid. It's location outsideof the city wall made it unprotected from the imperial army's daily shellings. In truth, as I stood on the upper balcony at night, I trembled with fright.

One day a cannonball fired at my home, struck the roof and landed a few feet from a child. I had started a school for local children in my home with the help of a local man. The child belonged to the teacher. Had the cannonball landed a foot further, it would have killed the child. 

The next night I smelled smoke. I ran to the upper balcony and found a house only four doors down drenched in flames. The houses had been built close together and made of wood. A stirring wind fed the flames and threatened the other homes nearby, including mine.

I fell to my knees. Only God could save us. I didn't know how he'd solve the problem, but I knew He could. Lord, we need your help to spare these homes from the blaze. Please, Lord, help us.

I stood and looked to the sky. I smelled rain in the air. Shortly after, a cloud burst released the needed rain.

The trouble continued. Bullets flew against the homes on my street, cannonballs crashed into the homes spitting fragments on me and anyone standing close.

I hid inside, not sure what to do. The new doctor from Scotland and his family would land in Shangahi any day. I couldn't make them stay in an unsafe home. Time to make other arrangements.

About the same time, Dr. Burden, the surgeon who let me stay in his home when I first arrived, decided to abandon his residence and flee the city. He offered his home for me to rent. This may sound like a foolish idea, moving from one unsafe place to another, but my home was outside the city, unprotected. His home was inside the city wall.

I didn't have enough money to pay the rent. An American missionary family asked to live in part of the home. Their rent money provided what I needed. I felt sad about leaving the school at my residence outside the city, but safety for everyone became my main concern.

I packed my belongs and transported some to my new home in the city. I walked back toward my former home to get the rest of my things and stopped at the city gates. My former home had been set on fire. The flames filled the building and reached out the windows.

I couldn't get the rest of my belongings, but I was safe.

The Scottish doctor and his family landed in Shanghai two days later. If they had come three days earlier, they would have been caughtg in the fire.

Bullets, cannonballs, soldiers, and fire had threatened my home outside the city from the first day I stepped on the property. I had never felt the need to leave until moments before the rebels set my house of fire.

Who helped me escape? God, of course. How loving and kind God is to stir our hearts when danger stands at our door.

Thank you. Thank you, God for protecting me and the Scottish family who didn't even know about the possible danger.


J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions for me?

David- An Earnest Prayer

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 12

From David's Journal

The Lord sent Nathan to tell me something important, I wrote to you about it the last time. Click here to read the story.

Why did God send a prophet to tell the king of his chosen nation a message in story form? God wanted to open my eyes to the great sin I had committed. 

I became greedy and took another man's wife. To cover my sin I sent the husband to battle and ordered the captain to place the woman's husband where he would be killed. He, of course, died. Months later,the man's wife gave birth to my child.

And now the baby lay in a bed nearby. The little one had a terrible illness which could kill him. This was the punishment God gave me. The moment I heard of the baby's sickness I fell to the ground, crying, pleading with God for the child life. I lay there on the earth, refusing to get up for food or meeting or conversation.

Oh, Lord, hear my aching heart. 

I fasted, devoting every moment to asking God's grace, to change His mind and save the life of the child.

The elders came to me. They tried words to console me, brought food, to get me to get up from the ground. They didn't understand my ache. My need to plead to devote every bit of strength to pleading with the Lord.

Seven days later, servants stood near the room. They whispered softly, but I could tell from the tone that the child had died. 

"Is the child dead?" I asked.

"Yes, my lord, he is dead."

I pressed my body up from the earth and stood. God had answered and now I needed to go back to my duties. I washed, anointed myself, changed my clothes to present myself clean before the Lord and walked to the house of the Lord and worshiped Him for a long time.

Praise your Name, oh Lord my God.

I didn't dance, but I sang and praised Him with my whole heart. After a time I walked back to my house and asked for food. My servants hurried to the kitchen and brought me something to eat right away. 

The servant's eyes had grown wide, as if surprised. He said, "I don't understand. You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive, but when the child died you got up from the ground and ate food."

"While the child was alive," I said, "I fasted and cried to God. I said to myself, 'Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me and let the child live?' But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him one day, but he will not come back to me.

I went to my wife, Bathesheba, and comforted her.

This is a Psalm I have sung. You call it Psalm 19

How clearly the sky reveals God's glory!
    How plainly it shows what he has done!
 Each day announces it to the following day;
    each night repeats it to the next.
 No speech or words are used,
    no sound is heard;
 yet their message^[b] goes out to all the world
    and is heard to the ends of the earth.
God made a home in the sky for the sun;
     it comes out in the morning like a happy bridegroom,
    like an athlete eager to run a race.
 It starts at one end of the sky
    and goes across to the other.
    Nothing can hide from its heat.

 The law of the Lord is perfect;
    it gives new strength.
The commands of the Lord are trustworthy,
    giving wisdom to those who lack it.
 The laws of the Lord are right,
    and those who obey them are happy.
The commands of the Lord are just
    and give understanding to the mind.
 Reverence for the Lord is good;
    it will continue forever.
The judgments of the Lord are just;
    they are always fair.
 They are more desirable than the finest gold;
    they are sweeter than the purest honey.
 They give knowledge to me, your servant;
    I am rewarded for obeying them.

 None of us can see our own errors;
    deliver me, Lord, from hidden faults!
 Keep me safe, also, from willful sins;
    don't let them rule over me.
Then I shall be perfect
    and free from the evil of sin.

 May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you,
    O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer!

********************************
photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.com  scripture from the Good News Translation

1. Who had God sent to speak with David.
2. What sin did David do?
3. When the baby became sick, what did David do?
4. Who tried to comfort him?
5. What happened to the baby?
6. When David heard the news what did he do?
7. David's servants were surprised when he asked for food. David gave this explanation:

David-Nathan Tells Me A Story

Mary Vee
II Samuel 12

David Thoughts

Nathan the prophet asked to speak with me one morning. I of course invited him in to my chambers.

"Here, sit with me and tell me what is on your mind."

Nathan sat and accepted a drink. "I have a story to tell."

I liked hearing stories and was grateful he came to tell me one. "Yes, please go ahead."

He said, "All right. There were two men in one city, one rich and the other poor. The rich man had many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb which he had bought, and gave the best care he could. The little lamb grew u with him and his children. It ate from his table and drank from his cup. It slept in his lap and was like a daughter to him. 

"A traveler came to the rich man's home. The rich man wanted to treat the guest well, but did not want to offer any of his own flock to be used as food. He went to the poor man's house and took his one and only lamb. He had the lamb prepared as food for his guest."

The rich man in the story made me angry. If Nathan is talking about a real person, this man needs to be punished. I raised my fist, "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this will die. And he will give to the poor man four times the value for the lamb because he did this awful deed with no pity."

Nathan leaned forward. "You are the man! The Lord God of Israel says, "I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your keeping and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that wasn't enough I would have given you much more! Why have you hated my law?

"You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword and you have taken his wife to be your wife. I will bring trouble against you from your own house. I will give your wives to your neighbors. What you did in secret, I will do before all Israel."

He was right. I bowed my head in shame. "I have sinned against the Lord."

Nathan stood. "You won't die for this sin, but the baby will die."

My heart ached because of my terrible sin. I sang this Psalm to the Lord (Psalm 57)

Be merciful to me, O God,
    because of your constant love.
Because of your great mercy
    wipe away my sins!
 Wash away all my evil
    and make me clean from my sin!

 I recognize my faults;
    I am always conscious of my sins.
 I have sinned against you—only against you—
    and done what you consider evil.
So you are right in judging me;
    you are justified in condemning me.
 I have been evil from the day I was born;
    from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful.

 Sincerity and truth are what you require;
    fill my mind with your wisdom.
 Remove my sin, and I will be clean;
    wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
 Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;
    and though you have crushed me and broken me,
    I will be happy once again.
 Close your eyes to my sins
    and wipe out all my evil.

 Create a pure heart in me, O God,
    and put a new and loyal spirit in me.
 Do not banish me from your presence;
    do not take your holy spirit away from me.
 Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation,
    and make me willing to obey you.
 Then I will teach sinners your commands,
    and they will turn back to you.

 Spare my life, O God, and save me,
    and I will gladly proclaim your righteousness.
 Help me to speak, Lord,
    and I will praise you.

 You do not want sacrifices,
    or I would offer them;
you are not pleased with burnt offerings.
 My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God;
    you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.

 O God, be kind to Zion and help her;
    rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifices
    and with our burnt offerings;
    and bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.

*******************************************
To read more about David's sin go to II Samuel 11

1. Who came to visit David?
2. Why did he visit David?
3. What did the rich man do to the poor man?
4. What punishment did David want to give the rich man?
5. Who did David say was the rich man?
6. What punishment did God give David
7. What is Psalm 51 about?

Hudson Taylor-Laughing in the Face of Death

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Notes

click on image to learn more about junks

Last week I told about my first venture from Shanghai. If you missed part one to this story you can click here for part one

I'd learned a few phrases of Mandarin, watched other missionaries dress, eat, and walk, and felt I could leave the comfort of my lodgings. We hired a boat for one day and floated up the river to meet people and tell them about Jesus.

The trip back did not go as expected.

Our boat scooted in range of imperial army's guns surrounding Shanghai. We repeated one of the hymns loud and strong, hoping the army could hear our voices and realize missionaries occupied the boat not spies.

As we sang the last words of the chorus, our junk pulled into view of the largest imperial vessel of them all. Apparently they could not hear our songs. 

A deep gong rang from the ship as an alarm. The soldiers ran to their gun stations ready to fire at us.

The problem with traveling with two other missionaries who grew up in different places than I was not knowing the same hymns. Quarterman bellowed out "Blow Ye the Trumpet, Blow!" I had never heard the hymn. 

When Quarterman finished his hymn I sang one I knew. Of course the other two didn't know it. We looked like three bumbling singers trying to sing a song we all knew.

Soldiers from the ship shouted at us. I would tell you what they said if I could have understood them. Between the noise and my little knowledge of Mandarin, I had no clue.

We were singing, they were shouting, no one understood. I realized how ridiculous we all looked and broke into laughing. I couldn't help myself. It was like a teenage giggle fest, laughing and not able to stop. Quarterman and Edkins couldn't help themselves either. They laughed too.

This did not make the imperialist soldiers happy. They must have thought we were laughing at them.  Never laugh at a soldier standing on a warship with loaded guns.

One soldier leaned over the side. "Who goes there?"

Our boatman cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted, "White devils."

Oh, that didn't sound good. Edkins and I yelled, "We're from the Great English nation."

Quarterman, the American, hollered, "From the Flowery flag country." This was one phrase the Chinese used for Americans.

The soldiers asked a few more question then finally let us go by.

Well, that certainly put an extra helping of excitement on our trip down the river. My heart returned to normal speed as my foot stepped into my home.

Did the adventure scare me away from missionary work in China? No. It did quite the opposite. I saw God perform a miracle. He also told me, through the whole incident, He wanted me alive for at least one more adventure.

J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions?