p. 315 | ON FOR THIBET

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Mar 19, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 20.

ON FOR THIBET.

THE quality of courage and persistency has incessant illustration among missionaries. They have desire to push on to larger conquests. The bolder the enterprise, the more ardent the impulse that seizes them to pursue it. We have heard of that little company of Moravians, who now for some years have planted their station on the high Himalaya ascents, as close as possible to the forbidden land of Thibet, hoping that soon the way will be open to pass the border.

The same passion has taken possession of an English woman who bears the name of Taylor. Has that surname some charm of adventure in it? A few years ago she also volunteered to get as near to Thibet as she could on the side of the British occupation, and wait her opportunity to penetrate the interior. She learned the language, and, what was perhaps more fortunate, she gained a devoted Thibetan servant. After a time she concluded it would be more possible to reach Lassa by way of China. So she organized her little force, and proceeded around by Shanghai toward the Chinese border.

The story of her adventures will soon appear in a volume from her own hand. It is of as great interest as any that can be found in the most thrilling stories of modern travel. It is a marvel that she lives to relate it, for that country has guarded itself from the entrance of the foreigner with zealous solicitude, and against the most importunate endeavor. The approaches are inhospitable, both on account of lack of good roads and of climate, more inhospitable by being beset by brigands. It is astonishing that this woman should, nevertheless, have succeeded in getting within three days' journey of Lassa, and then have only turned back by being met by an officer from the city, telling her that, though she might escape death if she went on, he would not, but would certainly pay for his failure to prevent her by his life. So, rather than expose the life of another, she turned back, after running the gauntlet of many dangers. She returned, after refreshing her energies by a visit to her English friends. She is now about ready to renew her quest.

The present plan is to secure twelve souls pledged to watch the opportunity of entering Thibet, and to be quick to move in upon that land the moment the divine Hand shall open the way.—Pacific.