AN ENGLISH missionary who has spent many years in China was anticipating a furlough. He had told his children, who had never been away from China before, the wonders of the western civilization and of the many delightful things to be seen abroad. And quite naturally the children were enthused about their anticipated pleasure; but none, however, were so alluring as the fact they were going to get a sight of the Royal family at Buckingham Palace. This was their supreme anticipation!
Their furlough was filled with delightful journeys and sights, but owing to crowds and unavoidable circumstances they were not able to realize their great desire and thus were profoundly disappointed.
So great was their disappointment that finally the father wrote to the Secretary of State. He received a gracious reply to the effect that they should be at the gate of Buckingham Palace on a certain morning at a certain time. With great excitement they took their places, anxiously awaiting the arrival of the royal carriage, but it failed to appear. Suddenly they saw a uniformed gentleman who came to them and showed them the grounds of the palace. Aer doing so he led them into the conservatory and then into a certain room where they were introduced to none other than King George the Fifth himself.
At last in parting the King placed his hands on the shoulders of the children and said, “So you were anxious to see your King, and you love him? Well, you know I want to see a King too, and I love this King who is the very one your father and mother are serving in far-off China —He is the King of kings.”
ML-03/23/1969