Ever  since  his  visit  to  Barnsley  the  conviction  had  been
growing  upon  him  that  the  time  had  come  for  some  step  in
that  direction.  He  was  now  twenty  years  of  age,  and
realised  the  importance  of  making  the  best  use  of  the  little
while  that  might  remain  to  him  in  England.  London
attracted  him  because  of  its  advantages  for  medical  study.
He  had  not  forgotten  the  help  proffered  by  Mr.  Pearse  and
the  Chinese  Evangelisation  Society,  before  he  came  to  Hull.
They  had  then  been  willing  to  bear  the  expense  of  his  fees
at  the  London  Hospital  if  he  could  obtain  employment  that
would  leave  him  time  for  study,  or  otherwise  provide  his
board  and  lodging.  Did  that  offer  still  hold  good,  he
wondered,  and,  if  so,  could  he  avail  himself  of  it  ?

Gradually  as  he  prayed  over  the  matter  it  became  clear
to  him  that  he  ought  not  to  remain  in  Hull  much  longer.
He  had  learned  all  he  could  from  Dr.  Hardey  under  present
conditions,  and  to  stay  on  meant  loss  of  time,  as  far  as  pre-
paration for  China  was  concerned.  Yes,  go  he  ought  and
must,  in  faithfulness  to  his  future  service.  But  how  ^Ya•5
it  to  be  accomplished  ?


IF  IT  BE  THOU,  BID  ME  COME  145

And  just  then  a  test  of  faith  was  permitted  that,  coming
suddenly,  found  him  unprepared.  His  father  at  home  in
Barnsley  had  for  some  time  been  more  or  less  unsettled  in
his  business.  He  was  still  an  active  man  of  only  five-and-
forty,  and  something,  it  may  be  his  son's  missionary  spirit,
had  stirred  in  him  longings  for  a  wider  field  of  usefulness.
