I HAVE read the interesting story “Caught by Robbers,” that appeared on Nov. 13th in “Messages of Love”, and I thought perhaps you would like to hear another story of how the Lord wonderfully saved two of His servants from just the same sort of men.
Four years ago this December two of the Lord’s servants, named Mo and Li, were traveling together in the hilly country in the Southwest of Kwang Tung Province, near a town named Ho T’au, (meaning “Head of the River”). As they traveled they preached the Gospel in the villages or at little lonely hillside houses, or gave away tracts to the people they met on the path, or perhaps little pictures to those who could not read, and sold little copies of one of the four Gospels for five cash each, to any who would buy.
They had been traveling since morning, till in the afternoon the villages and houses grew fewer and fewer, the hills grew more and more steep and the scenery more and more grand.
At last there seemed to be no more houses, and finally the path disappeared altogether, and our two friends had to scramble down the side of the hill, take off their sandals, roll up their trousers, and take to the bed of the river.
They had been wading only a short distance, when they came to a sand bar on the other side of the river, and noticed a man standing on it watching them. They quickly made their way to him, gave him some tracts, and asked him if he would like to buy a gospel.
He did not reply, but suddenly Mr. Li noticed that Mr. Mo’s knees were shaking together, and even before he saw the big ugly gun the man had brought from under his coat, he knew they were in the hands of brigands! As he watched the hard, cruel, wicked face, such a face as he had never before looked upon, and rather hopes he may never again see, a silent prayer went up to God, that if it was His will, He would send His angel and deliver them.
Brigands in China, for the most part, are cruel, wicked men who care little or nothing for murder or theft, —men to whom mercy is almost unknown.
The robber began to question the Christians, and as they were talking, they noticed a number more men of a similar type, each armed with a gun, slowly strolling over from the woods, and in a few moments they found themselves quite surrounded by brigands.
Mr. Mo. and Mr. Li each carried a canvas bag over their shoulder, for tracts, books, etc. These bags were carefully searched, and when Mr. Li warned them to be careful of his little old Bible, as it was very precious, they eagerly grabbed it, but as quickly were prepared to throw it under their feet when they saw what it was.
They then asked for their cards. It is the custom in China for almost every one to carry what we would call “visiting cards” with them. Mr. Mo had none, and Mr. Li had his in his pocket-book, and in the same place had a lot of money, as he had a long journey before him.
After the first fright, God had given both Mr. Mo. and Mr. Li great quietness of heart, with no fear whatever, so Mr, Li said nothing, nor did he attempt to get out his pocket-book, but Mr. Mo quietly answered that he had no card, and thee added,
“But I have a card of a friend of mine who told me that I might meet some of his friends and acquaintances in these parts.”
As he spoke he handed the robber chief the card. A name was printed in large Chinese characters in the center, and cone side the official position of the owner was written. On the back in the owner’s own hand was written a message of several lines.
The brigand took the card in surprise and the others all crowded round to see it. Long they examined it, reading each side again and again. Then followed a muttered conversation amongst themselves, and the chief asked shortly,
“How did you get this?” Mr. Mo replied,
“A friend of mine gave it to me, and told me I could be sure of help and protection, from any of his friends to whom I showed it. We are on our way to the next village. Won’t you come with us with your guns and protect us in case we should meet any bad men?”
“No,” the chief replied, “we have business in the other direction; you may go.”
At once the chief insisted that every book and picture and tract that the brigands had taken should be returned, and then they quietly strode off into the woods. Our friends lost no time in retracing their steps, and were deeply thankful once again to get into the little old punt that served as a ferry from the region of robbers to the region of safety, but were a little amused at the amazement of the old woman who poled it, as she asked,
“How ever did you manage to return in safety from such a district?” Yet she had never warned them of their danger as she had taken them over in the other direction a few hours before.
Perhaps some of my readers are traveling a more dangerous road with a more terrible foe waiting to seize them, and drag them down to hell forever. If so, be warned now, to “flee from the wrath to come.”
But you will be asking, “What was the magic card that saved them?” That is easily answered. Two days before, Mr. Mo had been traveling alone in another direction, and had met a high official, and given him some tracts and hooks. The official showed much interest and even sympathy, but was amazed to find one man traveling alone and unarmed in such a country, and so had given him his card with a note on the back, saying,
“If you meet either soldiers or brigands who wish to harm you, show them this card.”
This man was head of the soldiers in that district, and his brother was head of the brigands! So they worked together! Mr. Mo had treated the whole thing as a joke, and never thought of really using the card, and quite by accident had it in his pocket. But so God cared for His dear servants.
Mr. Mo has been laboring in those parts ever since; amidst dangers, difficulties and sickness. There are many, many others of God’s laborers in China who are daily suffering dangers and difficulties such as you know nothing of.
Is it not a privilege for those who know and love the Lord Jesus to pray for these dear men and women, —fellow-members of the body of Christ? He has said,
Happy are the children
Who trust in Jesus’ name;
Although they cannot see His face,
He watches over them.
Safely on their Shepherd’s breast
All His little lambs may rest.
ML 12/25/1927