. The story of the China Inland Mission . ping host, and onlythree summers before Mr. Duncans visit had thefall of the rebels been signalised by the recaptureof the city and the massacre of seven thousand ofthem within its walls. Desolated thus by carnageand war, Nan-king was only beginning to recoverits grandeur and prestige as a notable centre of PIONEERING DIFFICULTIES. 341 learning, commerce, and arts. No settled missionarywork was being carried on amongst its large popula-tion, and great difficulties awaited the lonely strangerwho had come as a pioneer with the Gospel. Thefollowing intere
. The story of the China Inland Mission . ping host, and onlythree summers before Mr. Duncans visit had thefall of the rebels been signalised by the recaptureof the city and the massacre of seven thousand ofthem within its walls. Desolated thus by carnageand war, Nan-king was only beginning to recoverits grandeur and prestige as a notable centre of PIONEERING DIFFICULTIES. 341 learning, commerce, and arts. No settled missionarywork was being carried on amongst its large popula-tion, and great difficulties awaited the lonely strangerwho had come as a pioneer with the Gospel. Thefollowing interesting record from Mr. Hudson Taylorspen conveys some idea of the hardships that had tobe encountered in those early days, and well illus-trates the simple faith and unswerving devotion ofthe quiet Scotch missionary who was privileged tobe first to settle in this needy sphere :— The city of Nan-king was first visited by our brotherGeorge Duncan in September 1867. It then containedabout half a million inhabitants; and his heart was moved. CITY OF NAN-KING. 342 THE CHINA INLAND MISSION. vith compassion as he beheld the multitudes passing toand fro as sheep having no shepherd. He was led todetermine to live and labour for them. The authorities,professedly favourable, sent secret orders to every house-holder and innkeeper not to harbour him. He succeeded,however, in making terms with the priest in charge ofthe Drum Tower, who allowed him to remain from sunsetto sunrise in one of the upper rooms of that building. Itbeing a place of public resort, he had to roll up his bedand leave early in the morning. His meals he took inpublic eating-houses; his orriy resting-places were the tea-shops ; and all day long he spent his time in preaching theGospel and selling tracts. After continuing this sort of life for a considerableperiod, the authorities concluded that our brother was aharmless sort of man, and ceased to take notice of he was able to rent half a house in a quiet part of
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