THE following account was verified by a Mrs. H―, who evidently knew the old man. Among his friends, he went by the name of “OLD LI.”
Soon after turning from heathenism he was much impressed by a sermon on the text: ― “Covetousness which is idolatry.”
While attentively listening, he was greatly concerned to think that, though he had given up idolatry, he might be betrayed into the same sin by allowing a covetous spirit to have a place in his heart. To avoid this danger he determined to keep no money of his own, and to possess no property. He accordingly turned over his house and little farm to his nephew, and devoted himself mainly to making known the Gospel, sustained in a great measure by the simple hospitality of those to whom he ministered. He opened a refuge for the cure of opium smokers, and by this made himself a blessing to many unfortunates. His labors in the Yoh-Yang district were wonderfully blessed of God.
After some years, however, the “higher criticism,” and the scoffing of materialism, reached the far-off field of the old man’s endeavors. Some passages in the Holy Book were looked upon as fables, or at least but allegories to impress an ideal or sustain a contention. Old Li was told that in the story of Elijah’s miraculous provision it was not ravens that fed the prophet, but Arabs who shared with him their own supplies; that it was absurd to suppose that birds would act in the way described!
This point of view did not at all commend itself to the old man’s simple faith. He himself was to disprove it, and bear direct testimony, in his own case, to the truth of the sacred narrative. A time came in his refuge work when he reached the end of his resources. There were no patients coming in for treatment, and all his supplies were exhausted. At this juncture Li’s cousin, a heathen priest of the village temple, came to his aid. The priest brought him supplies of bread and millet. Every time Li would receive the gift of food, he would murmur, “Tien-Fu-to-en-tien” ― “My Father’s grace.”
At length the pagan priest became offended by these words. “I supply the food,” he exclaimed, “and if I did not bring it, you would starve.”
“But it is my Father who puts it into your heart to care for me,” returned the old Christian.
“Well, we’ll see what will happen when I bring no more food.”
For two weeks the priest did not visit Li.
The latter had neither food nor money to buy it, but he trusted in God. With simple faith he went into his chamber and poured forth heartfelt prayer. As he knelt he heard an unusual clamor and cawing and flapping of wings in the courtyard. He rose and went to see what was happening. A number of vultures and ravens, common in that part of China, were flying above him in great commotion and as he looked up a large piece of pork fell at his feet.
Thankfully the old man picked up the unexpected food, saying, “My Father’s kindness!” Glancing around, he saw a large piece of Indian meal bread dropped by another bird. Thus was old Li provided for by these feathered messengers of God, as Elijah was (1 Kings 17). Happy old Li! Who, in so-called Christian countries, would not be glad to have his simple, artless faith? H. T.