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prepared to do the will of God, whatever it might mean, as she counted that Will the source of her highest peace and joy, though she confessed at the same time that the thought of giving up her beloved work was costing her more than she could describe. A few days after she had advised the friends in Toronto of the necessity that was upon her of returning to her father at Edmeston, the outbreak of rebellion in her city occurred. Here in the city she had loved and served, she quietly, and, we have no doubt, willingly, laid down her life at the feet of the Lord Jesus. H. W. FROST.

I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Manchester when travelling in the province of Cheh-kiang in June 1898. We spent three happy days together in Bishop Moule's hospitable home. She had great joy and encouragement in her itinerations round K'ü-chau. The city work was hard and ofttimes discouraging, but not so the out-station work. She loved the people, and having got on well with the language, constantly spent weeks together itinerating from village to village.

When Mr. Thompson took me out to Ta-cheo to see the work there, he spoke of how greatly the Lord had used Miss Manchester in that little town. Many women had been brought to Christ, and there were many inquirers. The meetings there were deeply interesting, and the evenings we were there the Mission Room was crowded.

It is touching to recall this little centre of Gospel light where one dear sister now in glory spent many happy months. A ladder staircase led to the upper room where a wooden partition divided off the little bedroom, so bare and unfurnished. A tiny cupboard made out of a packing-case contained a few stores from the homeland. Here we spread our Chinese bedding on the boards for the night, and, looking out of the tiny casement (without glass), we prayed for the multitudes around us "in darkness and the shadow of death."

How she enjoyed telling of her "dear people." There was promise of a rich harvest then, which has been gathered in during the last two years. Mr. Thompson's last letter told me of baptisms at Ta-cheo, and of great encouragement in the work all around.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Like Stephen of old, did not our beloved sister see "Heaven opened," and the glory of God, and Jesus standing "to receive her"? H. E. SOLTAU.

MISS EDITH S. SHERWOOD

K'Ü-CHAU, CHEH-KIANG

Suffered martyrdom July 24, 1900.

A friendship formed with Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Thompson, when they were at home in 1892, was the link in the chain of Divine purpose which led to Miss Edith Sherwood definitely devoting her life to China, although to do so had from girlhood been a cherished desire with her. On the return of these friends to China in January 1893, she accompanied them, another of the party being Mr. George Ward.

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Endowed by nature with a strong will and a powerful mind, she was yet characterised by great patience and tenderness; and, wherever she went, her ready sympathy with needs the most varied, fitted her for becoming, as a friend writes of her, a centre of hope and love to old and young." Besides work among the poor and sick-latterly in connection with Christ's Church, Barnet-and among children and girls, she had also worked among soldiers (Aldershot and Colchester), and militiamen (Barnet), and for a short time assisted in Miss De Broen's Mission in Paris.

The following reminiscences are from two of her many friends -one who knew her intimately in England, and one who, at different times, had the privilege of her society in China:

Edith Sophia Sherwood was born on April 11, 1854, a darkeyed, winsome little maiden who never lacked a friend. Very early she found the "Friend that sticketh closer than a brother," and to Him the first vigour of her young days was consecrated, her bright example being blessed to many of her school companions. She never seemed to 66 weary in well-doing," and even during the happy journeys home for the holidays she would produce little penny Gospels that she had bought with her pocket-money, and confidentially present them to fellow-passengers whose eyes were getting too old to read small print! At the end of every summer fortnight at the seaside she had a few poor people to whom she must say "Good-bye." One of these was discovered after a lapse of twenty-five years, still blessing her.

With womanhood, the power and opportunities for service increased, and she threw herself unreservedly into Christian work. Wherever she went she was the "willing horse" of the parish-time, energy, and rare talent being freely lavished in response to constant demand ; while at home she was ever ready to put a clever hand, a sanctified common-sense, and bright humour at the disposal of the family.

To eighteen nephews and nieces she was the ideal aunt, whose memory will live and blossom for ever in their hearts. In the midst of joyful home service and happy home ties came the call for foreign work, and willingly she rose up and obeyed. "To him that hath shall more be given"; less than eight years later came the still louder call to drink of the cup that her Master drank of, and through the glorious gate of suffering to pass to the life immortal, where "work never can bring weariness, for work itself is love."

The first time I met Edith Sherwood was in the autumn of 1892. She was seated with a number of others in a room, helping to prepare outfits. I felt almost from the first, this was no ordinary worker God was sending out to China. Her helpful suggestions about the work in progress showed a thoroughness and ingenuity far above the average; and when she was drawn into conversation, her remarks revealed a sweetness of character and originality of thought, together with a deep and yet simple trust in her Saviour. She was ready to take a sugges

tion from any one who loved Him.

There we spent

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We met again at the Yang-chau Training Home. a few happy months. She soon drew a few of the students round her for Bible study every evening after the ordinary work was done. chose the difficult Book of Zechariah, and found this a most helpful study. She put her whole heart into it, and while not appearing to take the lead, helped us to get a clear grasp of the contents of this wonderful book. Then came the call for her to leave us and join Mr. and Mrs. Thompson at K'ü-chau. This was a sore parting to not a few.

It was my joy to see her working in her station just six years after, and to spend a fortnight at that city. Her companion then was Miss Manchester. We all seemed to have more liberty and freedom in going through the streets of K'ü-chau (said to contain some 80,000 people) than at any other station. The people knew the missionaries so well, and seemed to respect them highly.

Edith Sherwood's home was right in the midst of native houses. She told us, when looking out upon them from the balcony, how she longed and prayed to see these people brought to own Jesus as their Saviour. She visited freely amongst them, and they welcomed her, but not her message.

We

We never met again, but every recollection of her is sweet. heard afterwards of a wave of interest coming to the dark city of K'üchau, and that the women's classes had increased fourfold. This must have greatly cheered our dear sister before she went to be "For ever with the Lord." Of the final sharp suffering we know nothing, and perhaps it is better so. We would rather think of her sharing the joy of her Master, for whom she laboured in loneliness, having little encouragement from without, and yet sustained with His promise, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end."

J. W.

MR. AND MRS. G. F. WARD

AND CHILD

CH'ANG-SHAN, CHEH-KIANG

Suffered martyrdom July 22, 1900.

I became acquainted with Mr. George F. Ward about the year 1889. It was, I think, early in 1890 that he accepted Christ as his Saviour at a meeting held in the Aldersgate Street Y.M.C.A.

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From the very day of his conversion he greatly desired to be used of God, and an intense earnestness characterised all his labours. For some months he devoted his spare time to evangelistic work, but the urgent need of "China's millions" soon engaged his attention, and the conviction grew upon him that China was the field in which God wanted him to work. asked me to join him in prayer for guidance, and, the way opening up, he decided to offer himself to the C.I.M., undertaking to pay all his own expenses. It was agreed between us that his acceptance by the C.I.M. should be regarded by us both as a proof that the Lord was directing him. His joy and satisfaction upon receiving a favourable reply were unbounded.

ARTHUR E. JENNINGS.

I became acquainted with the late Mr. G. F. Ward about four years before his departure to China, and enjoyed intimate fellowship with him in Christian work. Naturally of a retiring disposition (at that time)-abhorring formalism and show-he found a congenial sphere of work in searching the streets from midnight to dawn during the winter months for homeless wanderers, and presenting them with tickets for a free breakfast in the early morning.

The following incidents will reveal the man he was: Our Treasurer reporting that funds did not permit us giving the usual Free Breakfast, "Give the breakfast, and I'll pay for it," was all he said. Even after his departure to China he paid the rent of an aged Christian until the time of her death. Hearing of one to whom financial assistance would be a boon, he sent a £5 note by post to her, accompanied by nothing to indicate the donor, and I have in my possession now a letter written by him in which he distinctly forbade me to mention the services he had rendered to our work in the Annual Report, which I was then writing.

The needs of the heathen were laid upon his heart, and his acceptance by the China Inland Mission deprived us of the presence of a valued worker, whose martyrdom we now mourn. J. GILCHRIST.

Mrs. George Frederick Ward went out to China as Miss Etta L. Fuller, in connection with the North American work. She was born in Iowa, U.S.A., in 1866, and was left an orphan at an early age. When twelve years old she was brought to a knowledge of her lost condition, and through the blessed strivings of the Spirit, was led to accept of Christ as her Saviour. In later years she connected herself with the Minneapolis Training Institute, under the direction of Rev. C. C. Herriott. Her studies in this institution were continued for some time, but before they were completed, the Lord had spoken to her concerning the need of China, and she gladly offered her life to Him for service in that land. It was in December 1894 that the Lord opened her way to go forth, which she did, accompanied by two lady friends. On arrival in China, she went at once to the Training Home at Yang-chau, where she spent a number of happy months. She was then designated for the province of Cheh-kiang, and was finally located in the city of Ch'ang-shan, being united there in service with two German sisters, Miss Bäumer and Miss Müller. Not long after she had arrived at Ch'ang-shan, these two sisters were withdrawn, in order that they might be connected with the other Germans in the province, and work in their district. But Miss Fuller had the joy soon after of welcoming to the station a North American worker, Miss M. E. Manchester. These two laboured together until 1897, when Miss Fuller was united in marriage with Mr. George F. Ward. The work at Ch'ang-shan, although it had been carried on by former missionaries with great devotion, took on new life from the time that Mr. and Mrs. Ward went there, and in two years' time it doubled itself in the number of Church members and inquirers, and more than doubled itself in its activities. To the joy which Mrs. Ward had in such God-blessed service, there was added in February of the present year the trust of a little son, Herbert Calvin, who-as has occurred so many times in China-became a new centre of loving attraction to the natives. Thus doubly blessed, Mr. and Mrs. Ward went on in their happy service, full of courage and hope. It was into the midst of such surroundings that the calamity of July 22 fell. Thus ended the earthly service of two devoted missionaries, of whom the world was not worthy. H. W. FROST.

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