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the young men, written before their departure, is here reproduced: "Do you desire to become a firstclass missionary? Put in six hours each day, hard, systematic study-neither more nor less. Remain single until you have passed the examinations that shall entitle you to a junior missionary certificate. This will leave you free to itinerate for weeks at a time, so that you will pick up many Chinese expressions direct from the natives. Future success depends largely upon the first two years. Prove yourself worthy, so that God may trust you; and when you have been sufficiently tested, He will open up the way for you to become real pioneer missionaries in China.

"Be strong!

We are not here to play, to dream, to drift.
We have hard work to do and loads to lift.
Shun not the labor; take it, 'tis God's gift.
Be strong!'"

After the board meeting above referred to Miss Leffingwell hired a room in Chicago, not far away from the Publishing House, where she remained for some time. She was thus near by to afford better opportunity of consultation as to the many things incident to the sailing of the band. She called this her "upper room."

She surprised and delighted her friends at Bradford by arriving home the night before Christmas, and then still further astonished them by remaining in the vicinity till just before her departure for the West. She held some evangelistic meetings in

the meantime, however, and saw some of her rela tives and friends saved.

Miss Leffingwell left her home in Bradford, Pennsylvania, for her trip to the Pacific coast in February, 1905. She held many meetings at different places along the route. She was in Chicago March 1st making her final arrangements for the sailing of her party. She also held many enthusi astic meetings in and around Chicago. She writes especially of one held in the Dearborn Street Free Methodist church of that city, which was her last one in the East: "The pastor called for donations. 'Who would give five dollars? It went along nicely till the amount pledged had reached about fifty dollars. Then a quiet man remarked that the individual pledges had been started too low and that they should have been started at twenty-five dollars rather than at five. A brother on the front seat turned and said: 'You may give twenty-five dollars, Brother Peterson, if you desire.' 'I will, if the rest will bring up your donations to one hundred dollars,' was the reply. Then there were responses from all over the church, 'Double my subscription! And the money came in very rapidly, even hilariously, until quite a sum was realized. It was very blessed indeed. They gave as if it were a privilege to do so. I was greatly refreshed and strengthened. It was so different from raising money by an oyster supper or by giving people something to eat. Yours, kept in perfect peace by the power of God."

She arrived in Seattle, March 23rd, where she met the two ladies, Misses Graves and Meyers, who

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were to go out with her. The farewell meetings which were held at Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Buckley and some other places were very impressive and very enthusiastic. Miss Leffingwell, however, was able to be present at only one of these meetings. Her excessive and protracted labors had weakened her so that she was compelled to cancel all her engagements except the one mentioned. Mrs. Adelaide L. Beers writes regarding these meetings and the ladies of the band as follows: "Miss Leffingwell was greatly exhausted when she reached Seattle, and two days later was taken with a severe attack of tonsilitis. She struggled bravely and held on to God for deliverance, but was unable to attend but one missionary service. She was so ill three days before sailing that it seemed impossible for her to go at the time appointed, but faith in God triumphed. All was done that was possible to relieve her, and her courage was very remarkable. After much prayer we secured for her a skilful physician and a trained nurse. She was greatly helped, and although still very weak, she sailed with Miss Graves and Miss Meyers at 5:30 Saturday morning, April 8th. Let much prayer ascend to the throne for this brave soldier and leader of our 'China Band.'

"Miss Graves was a former student of Seattle Seminary, having graduated here four years ago. She was definitely called to China while she was finishing her course. As a student she was thorough and efficient, always striving for the highest excellence. Miss Meyers was attending school at Greenville College at the time the missionary secre

tary wrote her to start for China. Both these young ladies are teachers of some experience and fine ability. We believe they will make very capable missionaries. They were left alone to hold the missionary meetings, which had been advertised for Miss Leffingwell; but trusting in the Spirit, they spoke in a very interesting manner and the people were very greatly edified.

"Much missionary interest was aroused, and about two hundred dollars was raised, one-half of this being given by Mr. Peterson. About fifty of the students and friends accompanied them to the ship last evening; and after songs, prayers and testimonies, we bade them a loving farewell."

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CHAPTER XXXII.

CHINA AGAIN.

I travel to a distant land

To serve the post wherein I stand,
Which He hath bade me fill;
And He will bless me with His light,
That I may serve His world aright,
And make me know His will.

-Paul Fleming.

Without Thy presence, wealth is bags of cares;
Wisdom, but folly; joy, disquiet sadness;
Friendship is treason, and delights are snares;

Pleasures but pains, and mirth but pleasing madness; Without Thee, Lord, things be not what they be

Nor have they being when compared with Thee.

In having all things, and not Thee, what have I?
Not having Thee, what have my labors got?
Let me enjoy but Thee, what further crave I?
And having Thee alone, what have I not?
I wish not sea nor land; nor would I be
Possessed of heaven-heaven unpossessed of Thee.
-Francis Quarles.

The three ladies who composed the party had a very pleasant voyage across the Pacific. In one of Miss Leffingwell's letters she mentions the fact that they were having a remarkably smooth voyage, and says, "The captain declares that he never knew the like of it, and says he knows that I am praying the

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