Directory_and_Chronicle_1850 — Page 42

1850.

Letter from B. J. Bettelheim.

19

awaiting me. I think I can not better describe my state of feeling, than by quoting a few sentences from my journal of April 30th :---

"The aspect of the great Lewchew is truly picturesque; hills crowned with trees, fine verdant slopes running down to the sea, and all on which the eye can rest, like the garden of the Lord. May soon the Rose of Sharon glow here in its original hue!”—“ I just hear the report, 'The town is in sight!' How my heart beats! Is it zeal for God's glory that agitates my whole frame? Lord, forbid that any other emotions than those of a devoted servant of the Cross occupy my heart. Oh, that the Lewchewans may know the day of their visitation! How many anxieties would my poor mind be spared, were they tho- roughly to understand my friendly mission to them. Oh, Lord Jesus! it is now time for thee to work; thy church has found out this distant spot in thy creation, where to plant a new abode for thy truth. Prayer, and gold, and silver, have been offered upon thine altar for this cause; thy humble slave has devoted himself, and wife and children to this dif- ficult task. Thy grace and favor have brought us to the threshold of our herinitage; wilt thou bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? Oh Lord, disappoint not thy praying, wishing, longing servant ; let us be received; let thy word find a place; let thy truth be valued ; give us prudence and wisdom to know in what way best to gain the confidence of thy sheep in Lewchew. May they hear thy voice, and follow thee, for thy own dear name's sake. Amen!”

From these extracts, you will easily see that I feared the worst, but I had one to look to able to uphold me. Though I might be defeated, I had prepared for retreat—a retreat into the stronghold of every be- liever, before I ventured on the war; and it was this which gave the Cross the victory. My anxieties were many, my supports were also many; and the guiding Star of Bethlehem sparkled brighter amid the thick gloom covering every step before me. In the instructions I had receiv- ed in London, was an entry to the end that if refused reception at Lew- chew, I should settle down in Fuhchau, and there try to work my way over; a plain proof that our Committee itself had strong doubts as to the practicability of an immediate opening of the mission on its own ground; and it was but natural I should share in its misgivings.

However, one day more proved the Lord to be mighty and strong to the pulling dowu of every imagination that seemingly obstructs his way. We had scarcely anchored when the Rev. Mr. Forcade came on board. Conceive my joy and exultation, not only to meet a European, but to have a palpable proof that they may and do reside in Lewchew ; this was all I wanted. I had English feeling enough not to allow that