The Darjeeling Disaster ITS BRIGHT SIDE THE TRIUMPH OF THE SIX LEE CHILDREN BV 3705 .L4 BY L4 ADA LEE 1912 tihvavy of 1:he Cheolo^ical ^tminavy PRINCETON . NEW JERSEY FROM THE LIBRARY OF ROBERT ELLIOTT SPEER ?V 3705 r' "- Ada.' ' ^^ 1912 bri^^fJ'eeJi _2^t Side °^saster .J yL ^-< -c-t J- ^9 A i'r y^^^ * ^^' FED 20 1959 THE TRIUMPH of the SIX LEE CHILDREN BY ADA LEE 1912 FRED KELKER Harrisburg, Pa., U. S. A. Rev. D. H. Lee Mrs. Ada Lee LEE MEMORIAL MISSION 13 Wellington Square CALCUTTA, INDIA. MRS. FANNY L. SPERRY Home Secretary HARPER'S FERRY, W. Va., U. S. A. To whom all communications should be sent. Copyright, 1912 BY FRED KELKER Harrisburg, Pa., U. S. A. The Darjeeling Disaster Its Bright Side THE TRIUMPH of the SIX LEE CHILDREN BY ADA LEE 1912 FRED KELKER Harrisburg, Pa., U. S. A. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 1. The Lee Family, frontispiece FACING PAGE 2. Baby Frank In His Basket, ii 3. ViDA AND Lois, 32 4. Wilbur and Herbert, 59 5. Ada and Esther, 80 6. Frank and Albert. 113 7. Ada Lee, 129 INTRODUCTORY. I esteem it a personal privilege to call the at- tention of the reading public to *'The Darjeeling Disaster — Its bright side" a book telling the story of the greatest tragedy in the life of any mission- ary family in all the history of missions. This book has passed through several editions and now a new edition is being published. I desire to express my abiding conviction that it would be of great benefit to have this book placed in the Sunday School libraries of the Christian world. It contains a story more thrilling than fiction, but it is not fiction. It is the story of the Christian living and marvelous triumphant translation of real children, I knew them well and loved them dearly. It sets forth an ideal Christian home, in which there were active, vigorous boys and girls, and earnest Christian parents. The story of this family presents a standard of Christian living for both parents and children. I have known lively boys and girls to read and re-read this book until the pages were worn and soiled, and in so doing their lives were transformed. The book will tell its own story, but I wish in this introductory note to tell a comforting part of the story not contained in the book and not generally known. As the book will tell, I went with the Rev. D. H. and Mrs. Lee and their baby, Frank, from Calcutta to Darjeeling as soon as it INTRODUCTION was possible after the terrible disaster. After much walking and many difficulties in getting over the parts of the mountains where the rail- road had been washed away, we reached Darjee- ling early on Friday morning. Wilbur, the one boy of the family who had been picked up alive after the disaster, was in the hospital and there was some hope for recovery. Almost imme- diately after his mother's arrival he begged the privilege of telling the story of the disaster, the mother urging him to wait until he was feeling better, but he insisted on telling it at once. Shortly after the story was- told he was taken with te- tanus. If he had not told it that day, to the great loss of the Christian world, it never would have been-told. His sufferings all day Saturday, Sat- urday night, Sunday, and Sunday night were heartrending for those who waited by him with the helpless parents. On toward midnight Sun- day, J. Campbell White, and myself were waiting with the distressed parents. Mrs. Lee had not slept since her arrival on Friday morning, and was almost exhausted. After all hope of Wilbur's recovery was gone we persuaded Mr. and Mrs. Lee to go into an adjoining room and rest, with the promise that we would call them when the end came. A more crushed and heart-broken couple could not easily be imagined than those bereaved parents were as we saw them go out of that room for rest. This was about midnight, about half-past two in the morning the end was drawing near, and I went to call them, but when INTRODUCTION Sister Lee reentered the dying-room the verv form of her visage was changed. Her face was radiant with a light from another world, and she told us that while lying in the room there came to her a heavenly vision. She saw heaven's glories and the lieavenly throne, and the other five children come ont in glorified glory to meet, greet and embrace Wilbur and escort him into the heavenly home. With the vision there was given her a spiritual illumination that seemed to lift her so far above her unspeakable sorrow that she was really in spirit dwelling with her children in heavenly palaces. I look back to that awful night and that manifestation of abundant grace as the greatest fulfillment of the promise "^ly grace is sufficient" that I have ever been privileged to wit- ness. The losing of Wilbur, the last of the six children who went down in that disaster, was a sorrow calling for superhuman comfort, and the grace manifested was sufficient for the almost incomparable emergency. My faith was marvel- ously strengthened as I witnessed the consoling power of grace sufficient. I most sincerely believe that the reading of the story of the translated Lee children — will be very helpful to the family life of the Christian world, and I heartily commend the reading of this book to parents and children throughout the nations. Frank W. Warne. Bishop, Methodist Episcopal Church in India. "God holds the key of all unknown, And I am glad ; If other hands should hold the key, Or if He trusted it to me, I might be sad. "I cannot read His future plans ; But this I know : I have the smiling of His face. And all the refuge of His grace, While here below." — /. P. The Darjeeling Disaster. CHAPTER I. On September 24, 1899, in the landslide at Darjeeling, God called upon us to return to Him the jewels He had loaned us; and took away that which was dearer to us than all the world besides — our six precious children. The motive which prompts the sending out of this little volume is the same that led us to write a sketch of their lives in the first place, viz., a de- sire to extend, as long as possible, the influence of their lives in the earth, hoping that other young people through reading of them, may be led to ''seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness ;" and that other parents may, with God's blessing, be helped to realize their won- drous privileges and awful responsibilities be- fore the golden days of opportunity are gone forever. We also desire, through this little book, to be used, if possible, in comforting those who, like us, have had the heart-breaking sorrow of giving up their little ones, by the comfort wherewith God in His mercy has, and continues to com- fort us. We are encouraged to publish this, be- cause several thousand of the first edition, edited by Bishop Warne, under the title "The Darjeel- ing Disaster — Its Bright Side," have gone out 9 10 THn DARjnnUNG DISASTER into the world; also another edition, entitled ^'Seven Heroic Children," gotten out by Morgan & Scott, of London, is nearly exhausted, and during the years we have had and continue to have letters telling of the help these sketches, under God's blessing, have been to others — leading some to conversion, strengthening oth- ers in their Christian life, and comforting many a sorrowing mother. The editor of the London edition asked us why, in writing the sketch of Vida's life, we had included her conflicts and sometime failures? My answer was, I must write of them as they really were — a true story, or not at all. These sketches were written just after they left us, when the life of each was intensely vivid, when their sayings and actions and affectionate caress- es were so a part of my life, that I felt often, I could not live without them. I have been thankful for having done as I was prompted, I believe, by God's Spirit. As Vida's struggles and victories have encouraged and help- ed many another who found it difficult to live the Christ-life, and like her, has been led to triumph by faith in Jesus to save and keep. I wish here to testify to the never-failing grace of God, which is sufficient for any sorrow and has sustained me during the years. He, in mercy, spared to me my husband and ''Baby Frank," who helped us to live and who seemed to think it his mission in life to cheer and comfort us. During that terrible march to Baby Frank. INTRODUCTION ii Darjeeling', to reach Wilbur, he was our com- panion. Bishop Warne wrote of him at the time in the following words : *'We came to a break in the railway line over which the ponies could not pass. We scrambled up the mountain side on our hands and feet and then picked our way over boulders and through slush down to the road again. When we began to travel thus, a novel and interesting method was devised for carrying 'Baby Frank.' A little coolie girl who carries bundles on her back up the mountains, was secured, who had an inverted cone-shaped basket, which we cushioned with an overcoat, and 'Baby Frank' sat in this, with his laughing- face above the brim. Throughout the journey this little man proved himself an excellent trav- eller, and soothed his parents with his smiles and baby talk. At this stage he appeared to the best advantage ; for notwithstanding his new sur- roundings and mode of conveyance, he was full of fun, screaming with laughter, and kept one of us busy watching, that, in his dancing, baby glee, he did not jump out of his basket." Two years later, in the same dark month of September, God gave us another bright, laughing baby boy — "Albert the good," as a friend called him. He has also greatly cheered and helped us. God has also given us numbers of forsaken and famine- stricken children to care for, and a great work to do for Jesus, which has given us no time to waste in thinking of ourselves and brooding over our own sorrow. 12 THE DARJBEUXG DISASTER God has raised up innumerable friends, the salt of the earth, who have faithfully stood by us and aided us in the work we love. We wish also to praise Him for the commodious mission building he has given us — large enough to house three hundred children, and which furnishes a comfortable home for us and a half dozen other missionaries. This building is called "The Lee Memorial," being dedicated to the memory of those dear children who expected to work with us for the salvation of India. They are working with us and seem very near to us, and maybe have accomplished more for Christ on the earth, in the higher service, than if their lives had been spared. God has also given us those wdio faithfully work with us for the salvation of the people of India, and who have done much to comfort us in our home life. So we can say from our hearts : there has not failed one w^ord of His good prom- ises. We still go forward, our faces toward the ''Morning Land," knowing that ''there we will understand," and will prove that it was for some great purpose that He took our darlings and that it was best. "I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." "God knows the way He holds the key, He guides us with unerring hand ; Sometimes with tearless eyes we'll see ; Yes, there, up there, we'll understand." CHAPTER II. ViDA Maud. In the clear morning of that other country In paradise With the same face that we have loved and cherished She shall arise. Let us be patient we who mourn, with weeping, Her vanished face. The Lord has taken but to add more beauty And a diviner grace. And we shall find once more beyond earth's sorrows Beyond those skies. In the fair city of the sure foundation These heavenly eyes. The name of our first born, Vida Maud, would have been David had she been a boy. A friend suggested the feminine of David, which is Vida, so her name is that of her father's, and the pro- nunciation suggests the country of her birth — the Land of the Vedas. She opened her eyes first in a little rnud cottage in the beautiful city of Bangalore, July 26, 1882. She was dedicated to God at her birth, and again publicly in bap- tism, September 10, the Rev. Ira A. Richards officiating. She went to America with her parents, — her father being very ill, — starting when only seven 13 14 THE DARJBELING DISASTER months old, by sailing vessel. The moon and the stars and the sea-birds were her first friends, in all of which she took a lively interest. After nearly four months on board she landed in the noisy bustle of New York City, which so fright- ened and bewildered her that she never was happy while there excepting the day we returned to the ship where she saw her friends, the sail- ors, and the only home she knew — the dear old vessel which had brought her safely through many a storm. She began her missionary work in travelling from place to place with her father and mother while they were speaking on India. After a few months she settled down as a preacher's baby, who is usually the centre of much loving atten- tion and kind thought. When only three years old her grandfather, who lived with us, and of whom she was very fond, died. As the funeral passed out of the church and she saw her grandma leaning on her father's arm weeping, she ran up to her, and catching her by the dress, called out, "Don't cry, grandma, Vida will take care of you now." Her little heart was almost broken to see her grand- ma's grief. • PVom infancy she was a child very difficult to control. One of strong passion, with a temper beyond any power to subdue, and yet a child with a most affectionate nature and of sterling- honesty. She hated falsehood and deception with all the powers of her being. VIDA MAUD 15 Many times we knew not what to do,, and confessed our inability to guide and control this strange child, and earnestly prayed for the day when Vida should find Jesus and the new nature He alone could impart. This was constantly kept before her, and she, too, became desperate about herself, and often sought earnestly. That blessed day came, and she was converted at a camp meeting held at Mountain Lake Park, Maryland, July 2, 1893, when eleven years old. She and her sister Lois, two years younger, at an invitation for seekers, knelt at the altar to- gether. The first meeting closed without her getting into the light. She came home deeply convicted of sin, and after prayer together and a bit of instruction she returned to the afternoon service and again went to the altar. She was brightly converted, and testified before a large audience to Jesus' saving power. Her face beamed with joy, and many hearts were moved by her sweet, childish testimony. She was a changed girl from that time, although she had much to contend with, and it was no easy thing; for her to live out her high ideal of what a Christian life should be. vShortly after this, in a holiness meeting, she sought definitely for the blessing of sanctification, and no one who knew her ever doubted her receiving it. Her joyous, childish simplicity in it only made her a greater blessing to others. She did not always retain this blessed experience, but she was never satisfied without it. i6 THE DARJEELIXG DISASTER A young man, a backslider, came to that con- vention 50 dejected that he was almost in despair and ready to take his own life. He was a per- fect stranger, but the child noticed his sad, hope- less face, and went to him with so much joy that the man was overpowered by her influence. "You look so sad." she said : "it's because you want Jesus. Come along with me and find Him." He went forward as a seeker, and never left the place of prayer until he too was happy in Jesus. He wrote of this to us after our return to India, saying he could not resist her, and that he felt she had been the means of his salvation. She went to school but little in America, and found it difficult to get along with her studies, but being desirous of having a good education, she became a persevering student. She was spe- cially fond of history and mathematics. She was also a great lover of the beautiful in nature as well as in character. Flowers and ferns were her delight; buttercups, daisies and wild flowers being special favorites. She had a passion for music and motion, and had she been thrown into such surroundings in her younger years she might have been led away by gaiety, dancing and dress. She was a splendid letter writer for one of her age, and could write most interesting letters. At twelve years of age she returned to India with her parents and soon entered on her school duties with a persistency which showed that she would win in the end. She had dedicated herself VIDA MAUD 17 to God for mission work, so took up the study of the BengaH language, and living with the Bengali girls in our school she soon understood and spoke it very well. She was also able to read and write it. For a year she had been helping in mission work. She had been conducting a native Sunday- school, taking two of our Bengali girls with her to help in teaching the children. After the Sun- day-school she would go into the homes among the women and talk and sing with them. Her Sunday-school numbered seventy-five children. She loved the children and women very much. They afterward gathered around and asked for her, and wondered why she did not come to them. She also helped me in the prayer-meetings among the girls, and we had looked forward to her help in after years. She, at her own request, had been appointed the Sabbath-school superintendent for the next year. How can we do without her ! The following is an extract from an unfinished letter written to a friend in America which we found in her writing desk : "I am vice-president of our Epworth League and head of the Spiritual Department and work- ing for the conversion of the young people. ''I know I am right with God myself, and do want others to feel the sweet peace I have in following Christ. There are very few young- people who profess the baptism of the Holy Ghost. There are a good many converted, but i8 THE DARJBBLING DISASTER they don't know that there is a higher life for them. ''I was talking of our English girls, but there are several of the girls in mamma's school (na- tive girls) who have found that place in Jesus. ''I do want to tell you about a little Sunday- school which mamma opened away out in a village where the people are very poor. I call this my Sunday-school. I go there now on Sun- days. First, we open with a hymn ; and you should hear those dear children try to join us, one making awful faces, another holding the notes too long in one place and racing in another place, while most all are flat; but it is so touch- ing. They are all little boys and girls, some with only a little cloth tied about their waists. We then have prayer, and it is pretty hard to keep their little tongues quiet and their eyes shut. I take two Bengali girls with me ; then two boys from the boys' school come and help us. ''After the prayers we have the lesson ; then the children receive a picture card. We use hun- dreds of picture cards every year — what a pity so many are lying unused in people's drawers at home. ''While Sunday-school is going on I take one of the girls and go to visit the zenanas where we meet such nice hos (young wives), and we sing and give them the lesson also. It is so nice, but I feel very sorry for the poor people, and wish that I could help them." Vida was an earnest Bible student, — read her VIDA MAUD 19 Bible from real enjoyment of it. She often read it as some girls read novels, — sitting down and finishing a whole book without putting it aside. She at other times carried out prescribed plans for Bible study ; was always anxious to attend Bible readings, working out subjects suggested, and had many verses memorized and their places fixed. The most enjoyable hour of the day of late years has been the evening hour, spent with the other members of the family in music, and in calling up old texts and learning new ones. Vida played the violin, but her special instrument was the guitar. She played sweetly, often accompa- nying with her voice, which was so adapted to its soft music. Her sister Lois was the organist ; and the two boys with their violins, together with Vida and Lois with their instruments, often formed a quar- tette whose home concerts made the evenings a delight. Now there is a blank in our home which can never again be filled. How perfectly they must play and sing together now ! The piece which Vida and Lois often sang together, Lois singing the alto, was: "In our Father's blessed keeping I am happy, safe and free : While His eye is on the sparrow I shall not forgotten be." Vida's plaintive soprano rings in our ears yet. They all sang together so often, "Behold the Bridegroom comes, be ready," "When the Roll 20 THE DARJHBLING DISASTER is called up yonder I'll be there," these being the favorites of the boys. A favorite, and one sung so much during the past year, was, ''Peace, Per- fect Peace," and "There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes," and ''We'll never say good- by in Heaven." Oh, those darling children ! How can we ever do without them ! Some days the dreadful si- lence seems unbearable ; but in the morning we will have them all again, praise His name. For the encouragement of others trying to overcome evil dispositions and to live a true Christian life, there are many things in Vida's diary which should be known. In her diary for 1896; three years before she left us, she had written : April 1st. "Had a nice talk with mamma. I am going to try to be a better girl and let my light shine. — 'Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works.' " May 5. "I solemnly promise, with God's help, to never speak another unkind word as long as I live. People may think it impossible, but I do believe with all my heart what God says : 'Things which are impossible with man are possible with God,' so I go to Him. . . .God helping me I try. V. Lee." Underneath we find the word "Broken" un- derscored. July 2nd, this year, 1896, we find the words, "Three years ago to-day I was converted." An- other entry on July 4th, shows her playfulness : VIDA MAUD ?i **I received such a nice little dolly, only two inches long. I don't know what to name her, Lois is her godmother." I find in the back of her diary a little play for the youngest children, Ada and Esther. She evidently said to them sometime. Ada is — ^My honey, — violet-bud, — rosie-bud Ink-pot, — duck-pie, — curly-burly, — Pearly, — Pussy-cat : Esther is, — Vida's Dumpling — Daisy-bud Honey-suckle, — lily-bud, — chika-biddy, Ranee, — darling*, — lovie-dovie, — pigeon'-pie, — mieti. So often she speaks of having been naughty during the day, and being so troubled about it. She comes away and seeks pardon, and can not rest until she has obtained peace. Sunday, August i6. "I got a blessing this evening; I had a great treat — a nice talk with mamma, which I hardly ever get. I am going to be a better girl." If mothers only took more time for confidential talks with their boys and girls, how much trouble it would save. Some of us would give worlds for the blessed opportunity again. We would make more use of it than ever before. Her diary for the year 1897 could not be found. Her text for the year 1898 was, "He that rul- eth his own spirit is better than he that taketh a city," and all throughout the year her struggle to live out that text was most heroic, as many entries show. 22 THE DARJEBLING DISASTER February i8. ''I am afraid I am not getting along as nicely as before. I am naughty again .... I feel very bad because I have not read my Bible. I believe that I can not be good without my 'morning watch.' " Sunday, April lo. "I did something against my conscience ; I read some in the book, 'Out to the Wilds.' I felt bad, but had a real nice talk with mamma on 2 Thess. 3:3: 'The Lord is faith- ful who shall stablish you and keep you from evil.' I John 1:9: 'If we- confess, — He is just to forgive. . . .and cleanses me from all unright- eousness.' " April II. "God has kept me to-day, except once I scolded mamma about giving Esther rhu- barb." April 14. "Had my 'morning watch,' and was the only girl in the class who had her physiology lesson. Mamma is so szveet. Read to-day Josh. 9, 10, II, 12, 13, 14 chapters." April 15. "I am longing for a talk with mamma. I was helped by reading about His care for his people, Luke 14th chapter." April 21. "Lots of lessons. I did not go for a drive, but stayed at home to pray and talk with Jesus. I got a blessing. I had spoken cross to mamma about my dress. I read three chapters of Peter, and nine chapters of Joshua." April 29. "Miss C , my teacher, is very nice. I played my guitar at literary society." May I. "The last Sunday before going to the VIDA MAUD 23 hills. Mr. Warne preached a nice sermon, and I said good-by to friends." May 2. "Started for Sonada to-day. Miss Gardner gave us a nice box of sweets, cake, etc." May 3. "Very sick while in the sleeper and coming up the hills ; but our verse which we took for the journey, was, *In everything give thanks.' It did not rain, and Mrs. B had a nice din- ner for us." The following shows her taste for reading: "Started to read 'Quixote.' I would rather have a history book ; but shall read my Bible first always." Sunday, May 15. "I wished to read all of Second Samuel to-day, but read from the first chapter to the twentieth. Oh, I do want to be God's child !" May 19. "Had a long walk of about two and a half miles. Dr. Mulford sent word to us to keep on pads* (spiritual pads) and 'keep hips back' (physically). I read First Kings from the seventh to the seventeenth chapters. I feel Jesus' presence." May 20. "I was not very happy to-day because I did not read God's Word and did not talk to God. In the evening I practiced my guitar." Sunday night. May 22. "I read Second Kings, the first fourteen chapters. I do want to be a good girl to-morrow. I do not feel at all good or comfortable and peaceful, but all bad and * Referring to pads used in cricket. 24 THE DARJBBLING DISASTER mean and unhappy without Jesus. I won't go to sleep before I get blessed." May 25. "Read eight chapters in Second Kings. Mamma sang, 'Oh my Redeemer,' while I played the accompaniment on the guitar. We are reading 'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' " May 27. '1 wrote to Grandma Jones and Cousin Eddie. I am not very happy ; did not do just right. Oh ! that I were in the 'secret place.' " She speaks of this so often. Again, on Sunday, May 29 : ''I do want to get into the 'secret place.' Read Psalms i8th to 36th and First Corinthians i8th to 29th chapters [19 Psalms and 12 chapters in one day]. I did not go to sleep in the afternoon, but read instead." Sunday, June 5. ''We had a nice little meet- ing (at home). I do wish I was in the 'secret place' and had a real strong Christian character. Went for a long walk in the morning, and read the Songs of Solomon and five chapters in John." Tuesday, June 7. "I did not have a nice day. Mamma feels heartbroken about Lois and I dis- agreeing. I am sick of myself. Read six Psalms, from the thirty-eighth to the forty-third." June 8. "Lois taken ill. She was caught in the rain. Mamma is so sweet. She says that she believes God will answer her prayer and save me." June 12. "I started a few days ago the study of the Kings. It's very interesting. I have lost Mr. Campbell White's Bible reading on 'Personal VI DA MAUD 25 Work.' I do feel so badly about it. I do hope that Jesus will show it to me. (I found it.)" This last entry shows her habit of taking ev- erything to God in prayer and expecting an an- swer. Prayer during that terrible night of the landslip, was not just forced by the fearful occa- sion ; it was the habit of her life. She knew what it was to turn to God about everything. During this month of June, 1898, she seemed to have one of the greatest conflicts of her life. Satan seemed to beset her on every side. I, in trying to bring it to a crisis, told her that her spiritual condition was alarming, as the follow- ing entry shows : ''Mamma said if I died to- night she did not think I would go to heaven. I am feeling badly. Read Ezra from chapter sec- ond to the end of the book. I will try again with God's help." The next day she writes, "I made a spiritual pad for myself. I was a much better girl to-day, through Jesus only. Mamma said so, too." June 18. "Mamma is so sweet to-day. I played my guitar. Papa still very sick. I do hope he will get well very soon." Sunday, June 19. ''Papa is better. Started Christian's journey in 'Pilgrim's Progress.' Had a great victory to-day. I feel so happy to-night. I am reading Job." June 21. "We had a 'state dinner' for mamma and papa (play), and a home entertainment aft- erwards. Had my geography lesson, but I did not have my 'watch and pray' to-day, so I do not 26 THE DARJBBUXG DISASTER feel so happy. Read Proverbs, first five chap- ters." June 22. "I went to see the Bengali women. We are reading 'James Garfield.' We are trying how many new words we can get from this new book. Read to-day eighth chapter of Proverbs." June 26. "I wish I had not played train to- day with the boys. I did not get a real blessing, so am not happy. Mamma promises me a gold mohur when I can play my guitar book through." The above shows how tender her conscience was, and how she looked daily for special bless- ings. This she felt she missed by taking part in some game she felt not suited for Sunday. How many of us are content to miss the blessing which comes from communion with God and spend our time on Sunday in a trifling way, if not in out- and-out worldly amusements, or in otherwise violating the day. June 27, Monday. "I wish I was hid in the 'secret place.' I do not feel safe out of it." June 30. ''Mamma went to Calcutta to-day. I fixed all the children's clothes. I feel happy to- night. I want to do right." July I. "I bathed the children and looked after home. Papa said, mamma would be de- lighted." Sunday, July 3. "I did not take time to read my Bible during the day, but to-night read the twelfth chapter of Isaiah. I never saw the sec- ond verse as I do now: 'Behold God is my sal- vation. I will trust and not be afraid. Jehovah VIDA MAUD 27 is my strength and my song.' 'My Song' — so I can be happy if I have Him." Oh ! if we could all learn this secret which our dear girl had learned ; i. e., that our happiness is in Him, not in the world, nor in worldly things. July 8. "Mamma wrote that she laughed over my letter as much as she did about Wilbur's slipping over the pony's head the day we went to C . I played 'Blue Bells of Scotland' per- fectly, and walked nearly three miles." July 12. "I am not very happy because the house is not very tidy, and I know papa does not like it. I am a real naughty girl." July 21. "I weigh 130 pounds." July 31, Sunday. ''We are back in Calcutta. Mr. Campbell White preached one of his beau- tiful sermons in the morning. He said, "We each have 499 souls to save in India alone." Sept. 18, Sunday. "Mr. Warne preached a sermon on Holiness. I do not feel as if I was holy enough by far. Mr. B died, and I spent the day and night with his daughter A." Sept. 26. "Test examination again to-day. My verse *He will bring all things to your re- membrance.' I do hope I will pass." She did pass ; also -passed her eighth standard in the final examination, to her great delight. This year she was taking the two years' course of high school examination in the one, and had set her heart on passing the "high school" in November, 1899, and the Entrance Examination of the Calcutta University the following March. 28 THE DARJBBLING DISASTER Vida from her childhood always had special love for old people. She liked to be with them, and in nearly every place we have had a home, she has had some old, blind or helpless person whom she visited regularly. When only five years old there was a crippled saint of His, to whom she and Lois used to carry their little bas- ket of fruit, or flowers, or some other dainty, regularly. When only ten years old she used to take her Testament every Sunday afternoon and go over and read to an old blind lady. Many of these old friends, we believe, gave them a warm welcome that night when the an- gels carried them through the gates of heaven. She was anxious that her old friend in Calcutta might be visited while she was away. We all went to Darjeeling together, May ist, this year (1899), after much prayer about the selection of the house, and when we saw the beautiful two-storied building covered with ivy and surrounded with lovely flowers, we thanked God for selecting us such a beautiful place. As we rejoiced over it, how little we thought it was to be our darlings' tomb, and that with this beautiful spot should perish our happy earthly home with so many of its delights. During the two months we remained Vida seemed to grow more affectionate and cling to her mother, and so much of the time wished to be with me. About two weeks before I returned to Cal- cutta she seemed so disturbed about herself, be- VI DA MAUD 29 cause she sometimes spoke impatiently and un- kindly to the others. One day she said, "Mamma, I feel I must get the victory over this habit, or I fear I will lose my religion. I must get back that blessing I once had, of full salvation, or I fear I will lose all." I said, ''Yes, Vida, you must get a victory or your life will be ruined. Why not get it to- day?" • It was Sunday, and neither she nor I were very well, so, while the others went to church, we got our Bibles and had a blessed search to- gether. After selecting a number of His promises on which to lean, we got down before Him and poured out our hearts to Him. We together sought for the fullness of His love. Oh ! that blessed hour together. I fear I did not fully realize all it meant. As we finished, I said, ''Vida, dear, do you take your Saviour in all His fullness and trust Him to keep you at all times?" "Yes, mamma, I do. I trust never to let go of Him again." She arose so comforted and threw her arms about me, calling me her "sweet little mamma" (for she was so much taller than I and bigger in every way that of late this had become a favor- ite expression of hers — "my little mamma"), pressing her cheek to mine with a caress I shall never forget. 30 THE DARJEBLING DISASTER The next three weeks, which were my last with them, she was gentle and loving, and so helpful in every way that the joy of those days will linger until I clasp that dear, brave girl in my arms again in the Homeland. After much prayer we decided that it was best to leave the children with Vida while we returned to our work in Calcutta, as we were buying property and altering the house there which would require three or four months. it was so hard for us to leave them, but the children were so happy going to school together, and Vida was so proud of being trusted in charge of them, and all were so sure they could get on nicely together. I remember the last night ; I could hardly sleep, and kept praying that if it was not the right thing to leave them, the Lord would show us so plainly we could not be mistaken. I decid- ed, should the Lord send us, before the train left that morning, a good cook-woman to stay with them night and day, I would go ; if not, I would remain until we could make other arrange- ments. Next morning a nice hill woman came, and everything was arranged and we came away. Vida and Lois fixed our tiffin, and then came to the station. I remember how erect and brave Vida looked as she bade us good-by at the sta- tion, and how I had to harden my heart and call up all the courage I had, to leave them. Many regrets have since come, but He whom we have always trusted, Who promises to lead in VIDA MAUD 31 the way we shall go and to guide with His eye. must have guided us in leaving them, and it was a part of His great plan to prepare them for the higher work for which He felt He must take them at any cost. Their papa returned in August and spent three delightful weeks with them, taking Esther back ; whom it seemed advisable to leave with her brothers and sisters until we got settled. It was arranged even after her papa's return, to bring her down, but Vida felt it was so much better for her to remain, and we yielded. Some- times we can hardly bear the regret for this de- cision, but the Lord had need of this dear child, too, and we believe we will understand why by- and-by. By-and-by when our work here is finished And the gates of the city appear, And the beautiful songs of the Angels Float out on our listening ear. Wihen all that now seems so mysterious, Will be bright and as clear as the day. Then the toils of the road will seem nothing When we get to the end of the way. CHAPTER III. Lois Gertrude. She is not dead — the child of our affection — But gone unto that school Where she no longer needs our poor protection, And Christ himself doth rule. Day after day we think what she is doing In those bright realms of air ; Year after year, her tender steps pursuing, Behold her grown more fair. — Longfello-dj. Lois, "Timothy's Grandmother," as she called herself — was born in Freeport, Ohio, U. S. A., July 2, 1884, and was baptized by our presiding elder, Dr. E. Hingsley, August 10. After the dear old man had baptized her he put her again in my arms, saying, ''As Pharaoh's daughter said to Moses' mother, so the Lord says to you : 'Take this child away and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages.' " From that moment the care of this child be- came a sacred trust, a special work for God, and what a sweet, blessed work it has been. How I did enjoy that darling girl. She never gave me one hour of sorrow, not one moment of anxiety, in all the fifteen beautiful years of her life. She was our joy and sunshine, our never-failing com- fort. Can it be possible any one so real, so full of life, so a part of my life, could be dead ? Oh, 32 3 < Q > LOIS GERTRUDE zz I am so thankful she is not dead, only just crossed over ahead of us, and is living, rejoicing, and loving us just the same to-day. But the greatest wonder of all is that zve still live and she gone. I had for a long time thought I could never part with her, not even for a few years to allow her to finish her education. I said over and over again, "It will kill me to send her home." The Lord knew He could not trust me to tell me beforehand what he intended to do, but did it without our knowledge ; for our dar- lings were nearly twenty-four hours in heaven before we knew they had gojie. How can I portray her sweet, beautiful life! Oh that I could tell the half of what her life was to us ! She was unlike any other child we had. I seldom ever had to reprove her, and when it was necessary, just the mention of her fault was enough, and it nearly broke her heart to think she had done wrong or had in any way displeased us. Her sister Vida used to say, "Oh, it's noth- ing for Lois to do right ; she is naturally good ; but it means something when I succeed." When our Lois was a baby, even then she wa.s no trouble, and was so quiet and gentle. The winter she was a year and a half old I taught a Sunday-school class. Every Sabbath morning I would go into the Sunday-school room and find the seats arranged for the class, with two chairs side by side facing it — one for myself and one for Baby Lois. Placing her in one she would sit 34' THE DARJEELISG DISASTER quietly without a word for an hour, until 1 had finished my work ; and yet she was anything but pokey. At other times she would run and romj: and play equal to any of them. She was very bright and quick in her lessons as a little girl, and began the study of music when but seven years old. She used to play the organ for family prayers when her little feet could hardly reach the pedals. Her music was more the result of every-day home practice rather than constant work under a professor. She had about three terms of lessons at different times with the best professors to be had, but it was the every-day practice, and her playing for prayers and our times of singing in the evening in our home, that made music such an easy thing for her. There were many girls who had taken more lessons, and upon whom more had been spent, who could not begin to play as well, — in fact, who seemed unable to play much sacred music ; but it was in this that Lois felt at home. I sav this to encourage some parents who may regret not having the money to give their children a musical education. It is surprising what can be done by oneself in the home to stimulate in the children a taste for music, even though not a professional musician. I believe we as parents are more responsible for our children's so-called talents than we think, and our children are much more what we make them than any of us has any idea. 1 loved music so much, though I had no special musical educa- LOIS GHRTkUDE 35 tion, and I so longed for our children Ic be musi- cians. I used to sing a great deal myself, avid each baby that came was sung to sleep night after night. But we were disappointed to find thai Vida and Lois seemed to have no gift in that direction. I tried to teach them the simple child- song, "Jesus loves me," singing it to them daily, and having them re- peat strains with me, but they were neither of" them ever able to carry a tune until Vida was: about nine years old. At last they began to sing; and to play, and how rejoiced we were. We had a desire that each should choose andl learn to play a different instrument, and after- the two girls could read notes they made their- choice, Vida taking the guitar as hers, and Loi.i. the piano and organ. We afterwards gave our boys each a violin, and by keeping them all at it a little each day they had become able to play a number of pieces together in such a way as to be a great joy to us. The evening hour of music was my rest hour, and their papa's interest in their music had much to do with cheering them on over the hard places. It is wonderful what an effect even a child's toys will have in moulding the child, and tlit' bent in life is often had from some familiar ob- ject €een daily or used in childhood. I have known instances where a desire to go to sea had been kindled in a boy's heart by the picture of a 36 THE DARJEEUSG DISASTER ship which hung on a wall in the home; also., a thirst for war and to be a soldier, by pictures ot battles. If so, how careful we should be in choosing even our pictures and picture books for the home. We found that our children got a love for the Bible in the same way. Illuminated wall-texts — ver}' beautiful ones — were hung in the famil) room for this purpose, and those special text> they learned before they could speak plainly, and to the last they could tell where each text hung, and seemed to learn to love it. as it w^s associated with their daily lives. So, too, I believe many children who may not have inherited any special talent, would become beautiful musicians if before they knew even how to use them they were given musical instru- ments to play with. The same might be said about drawing and painting ; also a love for read- ing might be induced in the same way. The Bible stor\- was the charm of our chil- dren's lives and next to it was our music, and the helpful books read to them before they were able to read for themselves. What a responsi- bility- rests upon us parents. We make or ruin our children by the use of the God-given power we have over them. Oh, that we all felt more awake to this and taught our children the Word of God more like the people of Israel were com- manded to do — writing it on the posts of the house ; '*'And these words shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them dihgently unto thy LOIS GERTRUDE 27 children, and shalt talk of them as thou sitteth in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down and when thou riseth up." How much more conformed to God's will would their lives be, and mothers would have less cause for heartache. I prefer this way, to that of giving them an education in worldly things (such as teaching them to dance, that they might shine in society, and all the other paraphernalia to prepare them for this style of life.) This latter way I consider most dangerous, and while some children may be able to withstand the influence and yet become spiritual Christians, I believe the majority will choose the world instead of Christ, and by these very things we teach them, they will be weak- ened for life's duties and totally unprepared for eternity. My one regret is that I was not more alive to all these things while the blessed day of opportunity was mine. If these words might only be used to stir up other mothers to realize more fully their responsibility and privilege, I shall be thankful. Lois, like the rest, was passionately fond of flowers. When a wee child she used to watch for the first dandelions and white clover. With the latter they used to weave great wreaths and play with them every day. Buttercups and dai- sies were her delight, and many were the offer- ings brought home to me, and a bouquet I must always wear, pinned on with her own hands. Pansies and chrvsanthemums were other favor- 38 The dArjeelixc disasthk ites of hers. Hei' favorite fruit, flOW^rSj books and songs — all seem to suggest to lis our great loss. Her songs we feel we can never sing with- out her, and everything about us seems changed because of her absence. She was a natural elocutionist, and many were the home entertainments which she helped to make delightful with her witty or touching reci- tations,— one moment making us laugh with de- light, and the next, cry. If this talent had been specially cultivated, certainly she would have ex- celled in it. She was a most tender-hearted o:irl, and could not bear to give pain or see anyone in distress. This only increased as she grew older. She was converted in July, 1893, when but nine years old She had been attending a meeting for children, at which her sister A'ida had given herself to Je- sus a few days before. Lois did not seem to have anything to repent of, as we could see, and Ave thought she was all right ; but one evening on coming in from some gathering, instead of find- ing all the children asleep as I had expected, I found them in a great commotion. Wilbur met me in his night-clothes, and said, '*Mamma, what's the matter with Lois? She woke us up singing, and now she is laughing and crying." I went to her room and found her rejoicing in a most natural, childlike way. She threw her arms around my neck, her face just beaming with the light of heaven, and said, "Xow, mamma, I'm ready to go to India, or any- Lois GEKTRUDU 39 where God wants me to go." From that time she reckoned herself a child of God, and was al- ways ready to testify or pray in her sweet, child- like way. We have often known her to work for the conversion of others, praying for persons by name. She and her sister Vida, although such oppo- sites in disposition, were from childhood devoted to one another. They were together in every- thing, one not being able to enjoy anything with- out the other. If one's doll was broken, the doll of the other w^as carefully put away until the broken one was replaced. A box of sweets could not be enjoyed until the other one had them, too. One seemed to be the complement of the other. I am glad they were saved the sorrow of separa- tion. Lois was, as we called her, grandmother to all the children, and had a wonderful motherly way with the little ones, which was a great help in the home. She always said she was going to study medicine and be our medical missionary, a saying which during the last year or two had grown into a deep conviction. She loved her Bible, and read many chapters daily, as her diary shows, and had many uncommon verses wdiich she had memor- ized and could tell where they were. She had special verses for every day in the month, and often gave us her ''find" for the day. On the 9th of May, 1898, I find in her diary this entry, — "My verses for to-day are Matt. 9 : 29 : 'Ac- cording to your faith be it unto you' ; Mark 9 : 40 THE DARJEEUNG DISASTER 23, 'Jesus said, if thou canst believe, all things are possible with him that believeth,' and 2 Cor. 9 : 8, ''God is able to make all grace abound to- ward you * ^= ^ / " Once, when I was talking to them about their education, and regretting that we had not the money to send them home to finish their school- ing, she said, "Mamma, 'the Lord is able to give thee much more than this ;' this is my verse in 2 Chron. 25 : 9." Since that day it has been one of my anchor texts. In her diary for 1896, we find several notes of great interest to us, such as, "My text for this week is, 'Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watching,' " and in another place, "I am sorry I was naughty to-day ; I will try and never be so again ; 'Be- lieve on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.' " The following gives us a glimpse into her inner life : "I have been trying to be good and get full marks this week in conduct and in everything (this was about her school life). One of the girls put my name down when I never spoke, so one mark is ofif already. Mamma is away to the South Villages, so we all have to be mamma, and are trying our best. I read Psalm 20. I must go to bed now ; so good-night, my dear old diary." In the beginning of 1897 we find under notes for that year : "I am going to be a very good girl, with God's help." LOIS GBRTRUDB 41 2. "I am going to try and make everybody happy." 3. "I wish to remember the Golden Rule." 4. ''I wish also to have good lessons." 5. *'My text for the year is, 'Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it' Ps. 127: I." On Sunday, March 6, 1898, we find this sweet entry: "I went to all the Sunday services to-day. I got a blessing. God help me to be good. 'Oh, how sweet the glorious promise Simple faith may claim ; Yesterday, to-day, forever, Jesns is the same.' " Another in the same month : ''We went to the Zoo to-day. Mamma could not go, so I brought her a pansy." A few days later, she writes: "I am asking Jesus for an organ." She had saved different sums of money since quite a little girl, hoping to gather enough to buy an organ. When only four years old her papa gave her a little pig. which she fed and cared for, and when we re- moved from that place, it was sold, she keeping the proceeds for her organ. Later, when we came to India, the old melo- deon on which she had practiced as a child was sold at our sale. When the men carried it out of the house, the children hid their faces, as though they could not bear to see the old friend go. Lois had a quiet cry to herself. 42 THE DARJEBUXG DISASTER Her papa handed her the money it brought, and told her to keep it for a new one. Another friend gave her a sovereign, and often even her pocket money went into this fund. At the beginning of this year we found she had money enough to buy a httle American or- gan which was offered very cheap, so her papa purchased it for her, and she was dehghted with it. We took it to the hills, and this organ, and the boys' violins, and Yida's guitar lie beneath those awful ruins. They each had their bank account, and han- dled their own money. We find they had saved a good bit of their pocket money; for there are still sixty rupees ($20) to their credit. This we have put into their ''Memorial Building Fund." Another entry, dated March 27, 1898, runs: ''To-day I read Luke from the 13th to the 20th chapter. I got a great blessing this evening. Oh, God, help me to help Wilbur and Herbert. 'Walk while ye have the light.' " 'Tis done, the great transaction's done, 'I am my Lord's and He is mine.' " On her birthday in 1898, we find these verses, taken for the last year of her life, — Isaiah 54: 10, 14: "For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not de- part from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee," LOIS GERTRUDli 43 The fourteenth verse is underscored: "In righteousness shall they be established. Thou shalt be far from oppression, for thou shalt not fear ; and from terror, for it shall not come near thee." These seem to us like prophecies fulfilled in her death. The mountains did depart, and the hills were removed, but I believe the Lord's kindness did not depart from that dear girl, and it was in the keeping of His covenant of peace that he snatch- ed her out of the destruction caused by the fury of the elements on that awful night, and this prophecy was literally fulfilled in saving her from the fear and terror in the hour of death. He folded her in His loving arms and bore her away to be forever with Him. A part of her diary for 1899 was dug out of the ruins. It has a few characteristic entries. On June ist, we read, "To-day I made out a routine, and mean to keep it with God's help. I took the daily prayer-meeting this afternoon at the school. My verse was, 'Call upon me and I will answer thee and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.' " June 2nd. "I did not go to school to-day as it was very rainy, but wrote letters instead. I found out that my great-grandfather on mam- ma's side was a Methodist preacher ; my grandpa on papa's side was a (local) Methodist preacher; my honorable dad is a Methodist preacher, and my kids will most likely be Methodist preacher's 44 THE DARJEBLIXC DISASTER kids." This last shows how full of wit and mis- chief she was. No girl ever got more joy out of life than she. She speaks in these entries very affectionately of her bosom friend, Flora, the daughter of one of our missionaries. On June 24th, our last Sat- urday before we left them to return to our work, she speaks of the glad, joyous time, and says, "Flora came. She is such a sweetheart. I love her so much. I think God meant us for each other." June 27th, "Mamma and papa, with Frank and Esther, left for Calcutta to-day." She afterwards writes of the Fourth of July they had together, and the state dinner, as they called it, which they cooked and served them- selves, having invited their principal. Miss Stahl, and Flora, to dine with them. Her spiritual life seemed to develop rapidly this year, and to her joyousness there seemed no bounds. She had a way of getting around her papa ; in fact, every one. It was difficult for anyone to refuse a request she made. She seemed to make only reasonable ones, and had such a loving, ir- resistible way about her that we would deny our- selves anything to please her. And gladly would we have given our lives to have saved her from pain and death. Oh, how cruel it seems that her bright life should have been crushed out and that dear form bruised and mangled. Just* think — thrown nearly LOIS GERTRUDE 4S 200 feet down the mountain side and found bur- ied in the sand, all but her pretty white hand. She was dug out by friends, and carried to where kind strangers prepared her for the burial. Then from the spot where she had often heard the Word of God, and had played the organ for Sunday-school, and united her voice in the sing- ing of the beautiful hymns of praise — from the little church in the hills, they bore her all covered with her favorite chrysanthemum, and laid her away, long before w^e could reach her. No "good- bye, mamma," nor parting word. But our hearts would break should we dwell on this part of this awful mystery. So we try to drive it away and think only of her glorified spirit, happy with God in Heaven. She wrote just a few weeks before: "Mamma — you have written to all the rest, but not to me for a long time. I think you have forgotten you have me." The thought of not having her would kill me — and the future without our darlings is so dark and dismal that to-day we feel we can never face to-morrow. But as we turn from the busy whirl of life to see the sunset each day, we say to ourselves : It is one day less until we shall go to them, — one day nearer home. As we think of Christmas without them, it seems impossible for us to ever live through that once joyous tide again — and we catch ourselves breathing the prayer, "Come Lord Jesus, come not only for our sakes — but for others — and make this sad world glad. Usher in the time John 46 riUi DARJEELISC DISASTER spoke of when he said, 'Behold the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away.' " In her writing desk we found the following in her own handwriting. Surely her ambitions have been realized and she is now all she hoped to be. "J\ly ambitions in life : — "To be gentle and loving and loved by all. "To have my secret hopes fulfilled. "To be able to play the organ and piano per- fectly. "To be a doctor. "To be the perfect model of a true woman. "Lois Lee." "March 6, 1899." How perfectly she must play and sing now. I remember on two occasions — once on my birth- day anniversary, I was awakened from a sound sleep, by Vida playing her guitar at the door of my room. Another time, only a year ago, I had gone to sleep earlier than usual, and was awak- ened by Lois playing on the piano and she and Vida singing so sweetly. I thought, at first, I was in Heaven — so sweet were the sounds, that it seemed the angels were singing. Tears of joy flowed down my cheeks. LOIS GBRTRUDB 47 Methinks one day I will be thus awakened by their music, and will open my eyes in Heaven with them all about me — each one trying to be first to greet me. When I shall meet with those that I have loved, Clasp in my arms the dear ones long removed, And find how faithful Thou to me hast proved, I shall be satisfied, — Horatius Bonar, CHAPTER IV. Wilbur David. Peace ! perfect peace ! with loved ones far away, In Jesus' keeping we are safe and they. Peace ! perfect peace ! death shadowing us and ours, Jesus has vanquished death and all its powers. Wilbur was my little Samuel — asked of God. Mr. Lee's health had failed the year before, and he had to give up preaching and take a year's rest. I remember the test to our faith when the last of our year's salary came in and there was 110 prospect of more for another year. We had always given God His tenths. Should we tithe this, which was all we had, and it not half enough to support us and our two little girls for the three months ahead of us, let alone a whole year? We hesitated only a moment, then said, ''H we use God's tenth it will be taking what does not belong to us. It would also be doubting Him who has never failed us. We must live up to our principles." So we took the usual part and gave it to the Lord's work, as we had always done. It Avas not two weeks afterwards until God sent us, from a most unexpected source, ten times as much as we had given, and we were able to take the year's rest. This was one of the great les- sons of my life. I never was afraid after that 48 WILBUR DAVID 49 to take out our tenth for the Lord, even if it was our last penny. The Lord keeps His accounts balanced, and gives back in gospel measure. Mr. Lee was soon well and strong again, but our going back to India seemed doubtful. On August 26th, 1886, (the year we were resting) in Mountain Lake Park, Maryland, U. S. A., Wilbur was born. How delighted we were with our Boy Baby ! We gladly dedicated him to God for India, but soon after, he took ill, and was so ill, that he came near dying. Day and night he cried until it was almost unbearable. He was not able to retain nourishment, and went down, down every day until he was nothing but a skeleton. We called in an old doctor, who did everything that could be done. Finally he told us nothing could save the child, and it was only a question of a few days, and then he left us. Still I worked with the little fellow, hoping and praying, but he grew worse, until he weighed less than five pounds, and the skin seemed to dry on his bones. He was the most wretched sight I ever saw. For three months I never slept more than two hours at a time, and then usually with him in my arms. Many times I have prayed over him all night. Finally, one morning after such a night, I laid him down to go and get the others something to eat. Suddenly the plaintive wail ceased, and I rushed back to my baby to find his eyes set, his arms and legs stiff, and he dying, as I thought. 50 THE DARJEBLIXG DISASTER I took him in my arms and prayed for grace to give him up. His papa said, "Shall I baptize him and name him before he dies?" I said "Yes," and not asking each other about the name, his papa took him in his arms and baptized him, calling him Wilbur. Although unable to draw his tongue into his mouth all day, still he lived. Some kind friend came in to watch with him, and they sent me off to rest. While praying and waiting before God, I heard a little cry, and went to my baby, to find the change had come, and he was able to take nourishment. I got out his clothes again and went to work nursing him, saying to his papa, "Never mind; he'll live to be a man yet." A few days later an abscess seemed to break and come away, and the little fellow, although he looked to be a cripple, grew strong and became a nice, hearty child. The old infidel doctor said: **If this child lives I will believe there is a God." When Wilbur was ten months old I met him on the street one day, and he looking on our fat, bonny boy, said, "Well, I have seen one miracle in my life; there must be a God." A year or two later Wilbur came nearly being washed away by a wave on the shore of Lake Erie. I caught him by the dress just as he was being swept under the water. He has had several other narrow escapes. Two or three times in his life he had been very ill, and we were very anxious about him ; but I was always so sure he WILBUR DAVID Si had a special mission that I never feared but that his Hfe would be spared. Can it be he was born for the Darjeeling disaster? Was that his mis- sion ? There is something mysterious about prayer. We are told it wields a wonderful power with God. I have had many wrestlings with God in prayer for the dear ones and the work, and great victories. Is it not strange that in this one awful hour of their lives we did not even know of their danger, and had no chance with God in prayer for them? Surely, this was also a part of His purpose. After his recovery I added the name David to Wilbur, for his papa, and especially for the meaning — beloved of the Lord; and never was a boy dearer to his mother, too, than he. I found him, when very young, a boy who could entertain himself. Always building little sand-houses, making mills and light-houses, and even to the last, always inventing play engines and machines, building forts and equipping them. He was also ingenious in inventing or discover- ing ways of doing things. We noticed this on the last day of his life. When he could not get his jaws apart so as to drink from a glass or cup and we were all wondering what to do for him, he said, ** Mamma, if I had a straw I could suck the water through it," and acting on this sugges- tion we got a glass tube with a rubber attached, and he was able to take nourishment for many hours. Then when he could no longer swallow 52 THU DARJBELIKG DISASTER such quantities, he suggested a sponge, and the dear boy used this to the last. When the two brothers were old enough to play together they seemed perfectly happy in each other's company. This was a great protec- tion to both. Friends used to criticise our policy ; for w^e never allowed them on the street, or to play with other boys. I have been told that in thus doing I was totally unfitting them for life's battles. But I knew our Wilbur was so quick to imitate, that until stronger I must shield him from the sin about him, — this policy I would practice if I had a hundred boys. He also learned at home ; never having gone to school until eight years of age, so I am sure the boy never heard an oath until he w^as about nine years old, and then he did not know what it meant. When it was explained to him he thought it was an awful thing, and his whole nature re- volted against the use of profane language. He was naturally a brave boy, and I have known him to stand any amount of jeers and taunts rather than to do a mean thing. I was his confidant, as every mother should be to her son. There would not be so many boys go wrong if every mother insisted on knowing where her boy was and all about what he was doing, from the time of his infancy. She would be able to save him from many a snare, and I believe if we begin in time — we mothers — we can build so strongly around our boys' hearts that Satan and IV I LB UK DAVID 53 all his powers can not invade successfully our domain. He was frequently asked about how each hour was spent while out of the house, and was so in the habit of telling me everything, that should he do wrong or engage in anything he had been requested to keep from his mother, his con- science so troubled him, he could not long endure it without telling me all about it. He was also a great protection to his younger brother. Many a time the one might have been unable to with- stand the temptation alone. About a year ago some boys were trying to get him to fight another, and because he would not, called him a coward. He answered, ''I am not a coward, but I was taught that it was wrong to fight ; besides, this boy is smaller than I am, and a Bengali boy. I could never do so mean a thing as to hurt such a boy," and he took the sneers and cuffs of the boys, but would not yield. He hated dishonesty and cruelty, and felt most indignant toward any one who had robbed a bird's nest or injured a young bird. I have known them to hide and protect nests from other boys until the birds were ready to fly. Should any one destroy one of these birds he would cry bitterly ; he could not bear to see anything suffer. Notwithstanding this, he was a great, rollick- ing boy, full of play and mischief, even boister- ous at times ; but the moment he was alone with me, a place he liked so much to be, he was as 54 TUB DARJBBLINC disaster gentle and manly as a boy could be, always ready to help me in whatever I was doing, — cooking, sewing, or whatever it might be. ''Mamma, can't I help you ?" rang out so merrily on my ears that the words themselves seemed to do half the work and lift the burden from everything. He w^as my right hand. Oh ! the companionship ! I think we were more together than the others. His eyes not being very strong, I had always read much to him, and used to help him in his lessons, so that every day we had one or two hours alone to- gether. How I used to enter into their play. He and his brother were both very fond of soldiers, and much of their play was in imitation of them, — marching and drilling with all sorts of uni- forms and make-believe swords and guns. The two little sisters were always ready to join in with all sorts of tin pans and broken bottles for drums and bugles, wath streamers and flags fly- ing— the trophies of many a battle. In their play during the year of 1898, the Spanish were routed and Manila taken many times over. How fitting it was for the brave men of the Munster Regiment at Darjeeling to carry our boy to his last resting place ! There were no others whom he would have preferred. Wilbur, too, was a singer, and of late years his voice had become very strong and musical. He was also learning the violin, and played several pieces very well. One of his special songs was. WILBUR DAVID 55 "The hand-writing on the wall ;" others, "Tell it to Jesus," and, "Someone will enter the pearly gates, Shall you, shall I?" He was very fond of visiting the hospital and taking flowers and papers to the sick, and en- joyed distributing tracts. I find an entry in Vida's diary of last year, as follows : "We were out in the square this evening, the boys distributing tracts as usual. "Wilbur gave a gentleman one, and he, mak- ing fun, said, 'Where will this ticket take me, my lad?' " 'To heaven, I hope,' said Wilbur, and walked on." He was a very sociable boy. He liked to meet people, and had many friends among young and old. He had such a gentle way with little chil- dren, and he knew how to win them. Then, too, he was so full of play. He could amuse and in- terest others. He was a great boy to tell stories and inci- dents, and if he ran out of those he actually knew, invented one for the occasion — such as a shipwreck. If I would say, "Why, Wilbur, where did you read that interesting story?" He would answer, "I did not read it, mamma ; it's, just one I made." When I suggested a doubt as to its being the thing to do, he would say, "Why, mamma, people 56 THE DARJEELING DISASTER imagine these stories and write them in books ; what harm is it for me to imagine a shipwreck and tell it to others?"- Herbert would listen to him by the hour. While he was a natural boy and enjoyed boys' toys and games, he was also very fond of dolls and girls' play. Only two years ago he was very ill, and had to be in bed two or three weeks. One of our missionary's daughters came to see him, and said, ''Wilbur, what can I do for you? What can I send you?" "Have you not a lot of dolls?" he said, "sup- pose you send me one of them." She sent him one dressed as a sailor-boy. He then coaxed me for a wife for his sailor. A few days afterwards he saw a beautiful little baby doll only about three inches long, and said, "Let me have that for a baby for my sailor-boy ; then I will have a whole family." These he kept among his treasures to be brought out whenever little friends came in, and we found them still among his things after he was gone. He was very quick to understand that boys are sometimes unwelcome guests. He and his brother had a lady friend who often invited them to her place, and always seemed glad to see them. I overheard Wilbur remark one day concerning this friend, "She is a fine lady. She does not think boys are in the way." Herbert chimed in and said, "Yes, and she knows what boys like, too." Then "Hip ! Hip ! Hurray for Miss G ! !" and WILBUR DAVID 57 all, little and big, joined in the three cheers. Wilbur was very fond of flowers and ferns. He delighted in the mountains, and was contin- ually finding some new flower or leaf to bring home to' me. What jolly times they had climb- ing and racing ! Could other children ever have a grander time together than they ? During their two months' vacation, each hot season, for four years, they roamed those dear old hills over and over from Kurseong to Darjeeling ! Oh ! the freedom and the enjoyment of those times! Is it possible these days are gone forever? This last year was also one full of joy. In spite of the excessive rains they would have their picnics and outings and days with their ponies, often coming home drenched. Wilbur was one to propose their staying up at the hills during the hot weather while we were s^ettine their home ready for them in Calcutta, and he took no little share of the responsibility about the house. He looked after things, and he and Her- bert did all the buying and keeping them in food. He was so helpful and kind that Vida often spoke of it in her letters. He was also happy in his school relations, and seemed to be studying hard. In my last letter to him I said, ''If you pass your examination this year, Wilbur, papa and I are going to give you a bicycle," the thing he so much coveted. He replied how pleased he was as he had so long wished for one, and assuring me he was trying to win it. 58 THB DARJEBLING DISASTER "But," he said, ''mamma, do you know who de- serves a bicycle more than I? It is Vida. She has been so good to us children ever since you went down — just like a mother to us. I think she ought to have a bicycle if no one else does." Vida as the oldest sister was faithful to her trust until the last. So was our darling boy to his, and their reward — what can it be? Some- thing far better than a bicycle, — something that fills them with joy supreme. Oh! how we long for one glimpse of their bliss ! Just one look at our boys' cheery faces, how it would comfort our tired, aching hearts. But the Lord only took us at our word when we gave them to him, and had need of them on the other side. Instead of the strong arm of my boy that I had hoped to lean on, He puts underneath us His everlasting arms, and we just rest there until His time comes to bear us home : There'll be songs of greeting when Jesus comes. There'll be songs of greeting when Jesus conies: And a glorious meeting when Jesus comes, To gather H'is children home. There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes, To gather His children home. w Oi X CHAPTER V. Herbi<:rt Wilson. If we could push ajar the gates of life, And stand within, and all God's working see, We could interpret all this doubt and strife, And for each mystery could find a key. And if, through patient toil, we reach the land Where tired feet, with sandals loose may rest. When we shall clearly know and understand, I think that we will say, "God knew the best." —M. R. Smith. With the birth of our fourth child, Herbert, dawned the busiest year in all my life as mother. With four little ones looking up into our faces, helpless, dependent, with no one to earn their support but their father, whose small salary re- quired the most careful management to make it meet our necessities, and no others' hands but ours to provide for all the little wants and to do the work in the home, I found my moments full. How to keep the little bodies clean and com- fortably clothed ; the best way to keep them nour- ished with food suited to produce the best results in the healthy development of the entire physical structure ; how best to execute that greatest of all missions — the caring for and training of the young minds and souls entrusted to our keeping by God Himself ; these were all engrossing sub- jects, which kept me busy, and happy too, in that 59 6o THE DARJBBLING DISASTER dear little country parsonage on the shore of one of America's greatest lakes. I can remember how often my arms and back ached from the toil of the day and, when one was ill, from wakefulness and anxiety of the night; for, although a healthy lot of children, there came times now and then when disease would make its attack on one and another, and often for days, and even weeks, I have seemed to have to fight death in hand-to-hand struggles. With tears and prayers, and an anxious heart would I hold the little form all night; and yet how many times God heard and answered and gave us back our darlings again in health. Sometimes there was a temptation to be irrita- ble and displeased because, try ever so hard to keep them so, the once tidy rooms would become a chaos of books, slates, broken toys, dolls, baby garments, shoes and stockings, filling floor and chair, so that they looked as though (as their patient papa said) a cyclone had struck the room. But, oh ! how little those things seem now, and how gladly we would welcome back the untidy rooms. How beautiful in our eyes would their torn shoes and stockings now appear ; in- stead of the backache and armache we now have a heartache from which there seems no re- lease. We often catch ourselves listening for the rush of our darlings on the stairs to see who will beat up, and our lonely hearts long for the sound of their merry voices. We sometimes think if HBRBBRT WILSON 6i we could but feel their cheeks pressed to ours and their arms twined about us with the loving good-night kiss, we could work day and night, or dare anything, with a light heart. It used to be a nightly habit before retiring, to go into their rooms and see that each one was safe and sleeping soundly; and at two o'clock to revisit the little beds and tuck each one in. Many a time have I dropped on my knees be- side their beds and thanked God for them, and committed them to His keeping for the remain- der of the night, and returned to my couch and slept such sound and peaceful sleep as only a tired, happy mother can. Now the rooms and beds are empty, and ev- erywhere we turn, the blank and silence seem to mock our yearnings, until we walk into the star- light and turn our tear-filled eyes to heaven. There they all seem to gather about us, their bright faces seeming to peer down at us, and we can almost hear them speak, so real is the vision, and we return to our couch comforted as only God can comfort, and we seem to rest on Jesus' bosom, "where nought but calm is found." I have many things to regret ; but how I thank God now that I never felt we had one too many ; nor did I ever tire of their noise or of doing for them. I am glad that several years ago I wrote the lines, "The highest honor God has ever be- stowed upon me in this life is that of mother- hood and the privilege of living for the children He has given me. Next is the honor of being a 62 THE DARJBELIXG DISASTER missionary of the Cross, and the privilege of living for the women and children of Bengal."'^ Tired mothers, may God help you understand how rich you are, and how blessed your lot with all your little ones about your feet. Be thankful and murmur not, and do not let unnecessary work crowd out of your life the time you need to enjoy their prattle and play, and the time necessary to teach them to sing and to pray and to love God's Word while they are young. I repeat, zvhile they are young. I feel their first years are the most important of their lives to you. My antidotes for scolding and worry were singing and story-telling, Bible stories being the favorites. The hours spent thus did me as much good as it did the children, with whom it was a delight. Oh ! the weight of the story, the value of the word of encouragement, the power of prayer and song upon the children, — yes, upon all. No one of us rightly realizes this, or we would use them more. How proud I was when Herbert came and we had two boys — ''a team," as Wilbur called them. He was born August 31, 1888 (on his grandmother's birthday, although but little chance did the dear boy ever have to enjoy a a grandmother's love), at Saybrook, Ohio, U. S. A. He weighed eleven pounds, and seemed a baby almost three months old to begin with. The Sabbath he was four weeks old I attempt- *From Ada Lee's Book. "Chundra Lela." HERBERT WILSON 63 ed to get all four children ready for Church, and told my husband I never could do it ; I would have to give up going to church while they were so little. His answer was, "Well, dear, if vou give up now I fear you will never go again." So I got ready and went, and did it every Sunday afterwards. I found about this, as everything else that was right to do, that there was a zvay, and the children need not be a hindrance, but if looked at in the right light, they were always a help and a blessing. He was dedicated in church that morning by the rite of baptism, we thinking the Lord had a great work for our baby boy to do, and praying for strength to guide him to it. When six months old he came nearly dying with pneumonia. For twelve long hours one night he struggled for his breath. We were six miles from a doctor. The snow was so deep and the storm so great no one dared to venture out. We did all we knew ; still he grew worse. We two bent over him all the night, with tears and prayers, begging our heavenly Father to spare his life. Near midnight the struggle for breath became desperate. I could hardly hold him in my arms. I felt relief must come soon, or our darling would leave us. We had done everything in our power. In our helplessness, his papa flung himself down on the bed in desperation and my heart gave one agonizing cry to God for help. With this Mr. Lee sprang to his feet, saying, ''Why, Ada, you forget that opossum oil the old lady 64 THE DARJBBUNG DISASTER brought you some weeks ago. It can do no harm; give him some." He handed it to me, and warming a spoonful I gave it to him, believ- ing God had told us what to do, and in a few minutes the phlegm was thrown up. He was immediately relieved, and before morning was able to take nourishment and was soon well again. Herbert was different from all the rest. From his boyhood he was a child with a determination seldom equalled. He would attempt the impos- sible, and it nearly killed him to fail or to have to give up anything he wished to do. This used to give us trouble, until we learned better how to manage him. There was no "give up" to him. I used to say to his papa, ''The only thing to do with Herbert is to make the thing right that he wishes to do," so together we learnt to shift the little fellow about and to guide him into the right and then let him drive ahead. He was the most tender-hearted child I ever knew. He was wonderfully fond of music, of which he had no little share in his make-up. There was a young lady who used to visit us who was a noted whistler. The little fellow caught it up, and used to creep about the floor whistling, and before he could walk he could hum the tune, "There is a land that is fairer than day." How I used to delight in singing to him. he humming with me the tune before he could talk. It was just as easy for him to learn his books, and no one ever taught him his letters, — he learned them HERBERT WILSON 65 by hearing the others recite them, and while only a wee tot used to surprise us by his achievements with his pencil on the nursery blackboard. He was converted when only five years old. He deliberately and definitely gave himself to Jesus once and forever in a children's service held at a camp-meeting one Sunday afternoon. He dated his new birth from that hour, and never hesitated to tell any one when and where he gave himself to Jesus. Ever after that day, his even- ing prayer was a settling up with God the ac- counts of the day. Often it had to be done with tears, for his im- petuous nature repeatedly got him into trouble with others, and the difficulty he had in yielding the point, or giving up what he had undertaken, used to lead to slight exaggerations or little sto- ries, which he called his ''besetting sin." Gain- ing the battle in discussions sometimes led to hot words. These all had to be repented of. Our Sunday evening prayer-meeting with the children was the special time of reviewing the week's work, with its temptations and triumphs or failures. Such a time as this used to be! With Herbert it was usually a time of confession, with tears for failures to live up to the high standard we had before us, of what the Bible said our lives should be. So common was it for him, in praying, to break down and cry, that little Esther in late years used to say on Sunday even- ing, "Come, children, let's go to mamma now; it's time to pray and cry." Herbert was so anxious to become a member 66 THE DARJBELING DISASTER of the Church, and to partake of the Lord's Sup- per that, often, his earnest entreaties bewildered us. After coming to Calcutta he would give us no rest on Communion Sunday. I would say to him, "Herbert, I fear you do not understand what it means." ''Well, mamma, you tell me it's to remember Jesus' death. I love Him ; do I not want to re- member His death, too? I try to please Him every day, and I belong to Him. Why should I not take the sacrament with you?" I could resist him no longer, and when he was but little past six years old he was permitted to kneel with us at the Lord's table and take Com- munion, a sacred privilege which we have all enjoyed together for the past five years. I never saw two brothers more devoted to each other than he and Wilbur, and I have known months to pass without a single jar between them. They were together in everything; what one had the other had. Even in their lessons, they studied together, until during this last year, Wilbur failing in his examination led to Her- bert's being promoted to a class higher, a state of things which we greatly regretted, and which re- quired much wise management, on our part, on account of the thoughtless remarks dropped by others as to the younger being brighter than the older, etc. But even this God overruled, I be- lieve, for good. Herbert was full of life and activity. It was cruel to make him sit still. He was fond of his HERBERT WILSON 67 violin, and had learned to play many pieces for us. How proud I was of our boy and of his straight, manly little form as he stood up to play in concert with his brother, his sister Lois play- ing the organ, and Vida often joining them with her guitar. "Blue Bells of Scotland," "Annie Laurie," "The Old Folks at Home," and "Home, Sweet Home," as well as many of the dear old hymns, such as "Oh for a thousand tongues to sing," and "What can wash away my sins?" used to make our home ring with joy and have become doubly sacred to us. It seems to me sometimes that I can never sing again until He comes and takes us home. Herbert would take up a new piece and insist on playing it when he had not tried it before. Nothing would daunt or discourage him, and I used to silence the dissenting voices of the others by saying, "Let him try it, children, even if he fails." He would turn to me, so grateful, and say, "Mamma, they think I can't; but just listen: I will show them I can." Sure enough, he would surprise us all with the degree of accuracy with which he was able to execute it. Oh that darling boy ! With what delight now that spirit, unfettered, must dive into the unknown and untried of heaven ! How I picture his beaming face as he succeeds up there ! We had hoped he would be a preacher and do a wonderful work for God. The Lord 68 THE DARJBBLING DISASTER will not disappoint us in spite of the mists which hang over us now. He was so tender-hearted ; he would give away almost his last penny, and he delighted to take out a card and write on it his regular gift of two annas each Sunday evening from his pocket money for the church collection. He could not bear to see others suffer, and had many friends among the poor, and the native people. He was a great boy for fun, and was tempted sometimes to go too far. A year before they left us, the two boys went Dn top of the flat roof which was without balus- trades, to play, a place where they had been for- bidden to go. In their fun Herbert sprang back, not knowing he was so near the edge. He stepped off backwards, falling nearly twenty feet to the stone steps below. We were afraid to look at him, thinking, of course, he was dashed to pieces. He was greatly shaken up, but not a bone was broken, nor was there hardly a scratch or bruise. As we laid him on the bed nearly wild with anxiety, he assured us he was not hurt ; that God had sent an angel who caught him and saved him from falling hard. He quoted that verse in the 91st Psalm: "He shall give his angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways ; they shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone," and said, ''Mamma, that i? my verse. How good God was to save me ! 1 would not like to have died disobeying you and HBRBBRT WILSON 69 papa/' and he could not rest until he had sought and found pardon. He had many verses so fixed that he could un- hesitatingly repeat them and tell where they were found. He had a special liking for Malachi 3 : 16-17, ''Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and the book of remembrance was written before him .... And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.'' Another favorite was Rev. 22 wy, "And the Spirit and the bride say come, and let him that heareth say come, and let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." He was greatly interested in a concert given the Saturday evening before that terrible night, and was busy selling tickets and inviting friends to come. This was his last work of the kind. He was only eleven years old, but could be trust- ed to transact business, and helped us in many ways in our work. They were both naturally strong, healthy, rollicking boys, and it does not seem possible that we can live without them. I am thankful — oh ! so thankful, for the assurance that they are living to-day, active and happy in the homeland, and are getting up many little surprises for us and counting the days, — not until they can come to us, but until we shall come home to them. In our rambles they used to enjoy running up a pakdandi (a short cut) in the mountains and 70 THE DARJBBLING DISASTER coming out ahead of us on some higher elevation, and then waiting for us, and greeting us with some new thing they had found — a flower, orchid or fern. They have only gone a shorter cut and beaten us home, and are waiting for our slower, weary feet to reach home by the longer way. Then — oh the greeting! We can hardly await the dawning of that bright morning, the begin- ning of that beautiful, endless day. Until then we shall travel with our eyes fixed on the eternal city, and our hearts rejoicing even here in the hope of the glory awaiting us, "Some day," we say, and turn our eyes Toward the fair hills of Paradise; Some day, some time, a sweet new rest Shall blossom, flower-like, in each breast. Some day, some time, our eyes shall see The faces kept in memory ; Some day their hand shall clasp our hand, Just over in the Morning-land — O Morning-land ! O M'orning-land ! — Edzvavd H. Phelps. CHAPTER VI. Ada Eunice:. ■'Saviour, for the little one Safely gathered in Thine arms, Ere the battle had begun, Victor, spared from war's alarms, W^ who toil and struggle sing Praise to Thee, the children's King." Ada Eunice was named by her papa, — Ada for me. I called her Eunice, ''Happy Victory," say- ing, "With her God will give me victory in rais- ing our missionary fund for India." Ada, my name-sake, my little curly-head, how can I write about her ! I can never picture her life so others can understand. We were so proud of her. If she were someone else's child I should say she seemed perfect, physically and mentally. She had feet and ankles like a deer; was as fleet as the wind ; could climb like a squirrel, and was the companion of her two older brothers in all their walks and rambles, and they liked it because she could go wherever they could, and seemed per- fectly fearless. She was full of play and mis- chief; entered into all their games and races; could ride or walk equal to any of them — just the kind of a sister brothers Hke to have about. She seemed gifted in many ways. For one so young she wrote a beautiful hand, was neat at sewing, and loved music and flowers passionately. 71 n "THB DARJBBLING DISASTER Oh, how much we hoped for this child in the future ! I am glad for the faith we have that our dreams for her are not to be disappointed; that she will have unbounded opportunity for the de- velopment of those faculties we so admired, and when we see our beautiful Ada again we will be satisfied to a degree we never could have been here. She was born in Dell Roy, Ohio, U. S. A., Jan- uary 9th, 1 891, and was baptized the following March 14th, by our presiding elder. Dr. R. M. Freshwater. She soon after began her work as my companion in holding missionary meetings in dif- ferent parts of the country, helping more than oth- ers could ever understand. So good was she, that, night after night, she would go to sleep before the service and sleep until all was over, giving no trouble to any one. One night after a longer service than usual, on returning and finding her sound asleep and happy, her uncle said to me, "Well, Ada, I think your babies are made to or- der; they seem never to interfere with your work." And so it seemed. It was during her babyhood that the fund for our return to India was raised, so she travelled many thousand miles with her mother during the first two years of her life. When thirteen months old she took a trip of seven days, by train, to California. We had word that my mother was dying, and she wished so much to see me. Our engine broke down the night before we entered Denver, Colorado, and ADA BUNICB 73 we were delayed several hours. I remember how earnestly I prayed that the train with which we were to connect in Denver might be detained so we might catch it. I felt so sure that the Lord was planning this trip for a purpose, and believed he would not let me and my baby miss the train. When we arrived, to my great disappointment the train had left two hours before, and there was no other train until night, and I must spend the day in some strange hotel. I left it all with Jesus and sought out a hotel and sat down to think. I turned over the leaves of my address-book, and found the name of a gentleman whom I had never seen, but who had written to me sending an offer- ing for our fund from his Sabbath-school class in Trinity Church. I found his office was just near the hotel. I sent him a note, and soon after he called. I asked him if there was anything I could do during the day. He told me that, not knowing beforehand, he could not leave his office, but he would give me a letter of introduction to two of the leading ladies of the church, and if I would call on them they would be able to open up work for me. It was a cold, stormy day, the snow filling the air, almost blinding one's eyes. While talking, he noticed my baby on the floor near me, and said, "Is this your baby, Mrs. Lee ?" I answered in the affirmative. "Oh, then it will be impossible for you to go out." "Oh, no," I said, "she is my partner in my mission work and always helps me." So I went, and the baby, as well as I. met 74 THE DARJBBLING DISASTER friends who have ever since been active helpers in our work. From this opened up a whole week's campaign in Denver which we conducted on my return trip a month later. This campaign was characterized by two very large and influen- tial gatherings which did more than we can ever tell for our mission work. With a fresh, delicious luncheon for the road, I returned in time to catch the train in the evening, and hastened on west- ward to California. When I reached my mother I found her much better, all of which God knew and I did not, or I would not have murmured when the train broke down and my plans seemed frustrated. This taught me a lesson that I have learned many times over: that God leads us in the right way even when everything seems to be going wrong. The companionship of Ada, but little more than a year old, on that trip and during my mis- sionary campaign in Southern California, I shall never forget. As we crossed the Great American Desert, and after long hours of confinement in the train, on reaching the stations, she would race from one end of the platform to the other so rapidly that she seemed almost to fly. She was such a mite that it attracted everyone's attention. Even the Indians and squaws who had gathered at the station to see the train, would call out, ''Och ! papoose, papoose!" ("The baby! the baby!") At another time during her second year she went with me on a missionary trip. After arranging the home affairs so they could • ADA BUNICB 75 get on without us for a few days, we drove five miles to catch a train. We had agreed to be present at a certain place in time for a meeting in the afternoon, and had been praying much concerning it. When we drove up to the station, imagine our dismay to find the time-table had changed and our train had left two minutes be- fore. Three or four hours must pass before an- other train would be due and this would take us in too late for our first engagement. It seemed at first God was against us. I said to my husband, "It will be so hard for Baby Ada to wait so long at the station. Drive us up to Mrs. , whom I have met before, and I will wait at her house." We drove up, and alighting with baby in my arms I mounted the steps and rang the door-bell. Mrs. met me herself, and exclaimed, "Oh, Mrs. Lee! who told you I was wanting to see you so badly ? I was just about to write for you. Come in," and giving me a seat, she began to talk. I found her in great distress of mind. She had sometime before lost her only child, and Satan had taken advantage of her in time of sor- row and had gotten her to doubting God, and she had almost decided there was no hope of her own salvation. We had a good time together with God's Word and in prayer, and she was greatly comforted and helped. She then told me she wished, in the name of this child whom God had taken, to build a room in our mission house for our native work in India, costing $300, (Rs. 900), to be paid in 76 THE DARJBBLING DISASTER yearly installments of $50 each. I thanked God for this, and hurried away to the train, and on arriving later in the afternoon I found that on account of some picnic the meeting" had been ar- ranged for the evening instead of the afternoon, and that I was in plenty of time for it. All this God had arranged, and the missing of the train was only a part of his great plan that he might turn me aside to do another errand for him, and in doing this, accomplished more for the work itself than anything I had planned* Now, when He takes our darling girl, for whom we had planned so much, although it seems so hard and we cannot now see why, yet we do be- lieve with all our hearts that our Father has planned it all, and that one day we will praise Him for all the way He has led us. In all our travels before, and when on our way to India, Ada was the favorite with everyone, making friends both for herself and us wherever she went. She was so interested in all the sights, and shared in all the enjoyments along the way. In London she insisted on going with her papa and the other children wherever they went. I got the benefit of the day's sight-seeing in her childish recitals to wee Esther, in baby talk, of all that had occurred while they were out: "I have been to see the great Bittish Museum. Oo ought to been 'ere too. We saw big kings and elephants, and pitty itty angels wif wings. But mustn't touch ; if 00 do, a great big policeman would take 00 away to jail. Then, too, we saw ADA BUNICB 77 such lots of pigeons, and beautiful green grass — wif no 'keep off the grass' on it either. We could roll and play all over it. Baby sister, wouldn't 00 like to see the Bittish Museum ?" Her fearlessness often led her into trouble. Soon after we arrived in Calcutta, when she was only four years of age, a boy with his little drum and monkey came along. Ada was delighted with the tricks played, and the novelty of everything seemed to charm her. The next evening she heard him coming, but he did not stop. After a while our Ada was missing. The house and the compound were searched, but no trace could be found of her. It began to grow dark ; everyone was anxious, and we flew up and down the street in search of her. After a while she was found standing in a street in another part of the city, crying. Some gentleman gathered from what she said, some- thing about the direction from which she had come, and led her down the street. After a while she espied the house, and turning to him said, ''See! this is where my papa lives." We asked her where she had been. She began to cry, and said, "Mamma, I only went to find the monkey- boy, but I don't know where his house is." She became interested in kindergarten work, and the kindergarten songs and plays were a part of our home life. A year ago she became very anxious to learn to read her Bible, and so deter- mined was she that in a very few weeks she was able to read with us at prayer time. Her papa 78 THE DARJBBLING DISASTER gave her a Bible of her own, of which she was very proud, and was constantly finding special verses in it, many of which she had beautifully memorized. Her favorites were, "They that trust in th; Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever ; as the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth, even forever." Ps. 125 : I, 2. And another, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee ; trust ye in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26 : 3, 4. The grand meaning of these verses must have flashed into the mind of this darling girl during that last hour on earth, when, having none else to whom they could look for help, that precious little group cast themselves on God, and His presence was so real that even the younger chil- dren rejoiced in Him, and that hour of terror was turned into an hour of joy and victory. He failed them not ; He Himself became their refuge ; and although all material things were utterly de- stroyed, our Ada abideth forever. She had a joyful summer in school, romping and playing, climbing and racing all over those beautiful mountains. Her part in our little Sun- day evening prayer-meeting was always very real and striking to me. She often asked God for a new heart, but she definitely sought Jesus one ADA BUNICB 79 Sunday evening a few weeks before their trans- lation, Vida and all the other children helping her with their prayers. She accepted Him and re- ceived such peace and joy that even her very countenance was changed. In her last letter, written the day before the land slip, she speaks of her desire to have always a pure heart. We do thank God that our darling is now like Jesus, rejoicing in His presence, and that when Jesus comes He' will bring them all with Him, and when we see her glorified body we shall then be satisfied and she shall be ours forever. " 'Till He come !' Oh, let the words Liiiger on the trembh'ng chords. Let the little while between In their golden light be seen. Let us think how heaven and home Lie beyond that — 'till Hie come.' "When the weary ones we love Enter on their rest above, Seems the Earth so poor and vast, All our life joy overcast? Hush ! Be every murmur dumb : It is only 'till He come.' "See, the feast of love is spread. Drink the wine, and break the bread. Sweet memorials, — till the Lord Call us 'round His heav'nly board : Some from Earth, from Glory some, Sever'd only 'till He come.'" CHAPTER Vll Esthe:r De:nne:tt. The gates of life swing either way On noiseless hinges night and day. One enters through the open door, One leaves to return no more. And which is happier, which more blest, God knoweth best. We greet with smiles the one who comes Like sunshine to our hearts and homes. And reach out longing hands with tears To him who in his ripened years Goes gladly to his heavenly rest. God knoweth best. He guards the gates. We need not dread The path these little feet must tread, Nor fear of him who from our sight Passed through them to the realms of light. Both in His loving care we rest. God knoweth best. — Mary Wheat on Lyon. Our little Queen Esther was born in Mountain Lake Park, Maryland, U. S. A., August 24, 1894. We were stopping in Hotel Dennett, a rest home for weary workers in the Lord's vineyard. We were there at the urgent request of its founder, — that noble man, A. W. Dennett. He wished us to spend our last four months in America in that de- 80