A Chinese Christian’s Self-Sacrifice
Dr. Griffin John speaks of the suspicion which prevails somewhat widely that the Chinese are so essentially money loving that it is almost impossible to instill into their minds the Christian idea of benevolence. In denying the charge he gives the following instance of a self-sacrificing spirit: A Mr. Hiung had a brother-in-law of considerable influence in Pekin, through whom Mr. Hiung had the offer of a lucrative post as head of an important custom house. This position would have brought him about $90 per month clean money, with a chance of increasing this two or three fold. When the offer came, Mr. Hiung brought the letter to Dr. John, who asked him what he was going to do about it. "You are in the wilderness with Christ," said the missionary. "The devil is offering you wealth and position, the two things which the Chinese covet most. What are you going to do?" Mr. Hiung's reply was: "I have fully made up my mind to decline the offer. Matthew left the customs to follow Jesus. The devil wants me to leave Jesus to follow the customs. That will never do." Mr. Hiung's wife, though a professed Christian, did not see the matter in the same light. She wished him to accept the post, on account of the good he could do with the money. But he remained firm, though he felt the trial of opposing his wife's wishes more than he did the money temptation. "I understand," said he one day, "the story of Eden better now."—London Missionary Society Chronicle.