"Where is our friend, Wang," asked Mr. Crawford, smiling.
"He managed to get away in the rush," replied Mr. Li, "but I do not think he will be able to do much harm, indeed I think we are well quit of him."
"Are we quite safe now?" asked Mrs. Ross of Mr. Li.
"Yes, I think so," he replied, smiling. "This is a very wonderful house, if you will not think me vainglorious for saying so, and the egress is well out of Pekin. I shall be able to secure provisions, and get messages, I hope, into Pekin, and by easy stages to conduct you to Wei-hai-wei. At any rate you may rest in safety here for a time."
"Rest and peace," said Mr. St. John, gently, "what a gracious God ours is, giving His children just what they require. ’He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’"
"Uncle," said Nina, "I wish you would sing a verse of that lovely hymn you and Aunt Christine sang to us in the garden at Chen-si; it was hearing you sing that hymn that made me long to lead the new life. I thought it would be so nice to rest under the shadow of His wings."
"And have you not found it so, dear child?"
"Yes," she replied, softly, "I have; there _is_ rest and peace under the shadow of His wings. Sing for us now, dear uncle, that we may rest."
"I will, if you will all join with me in the refrain."
In the shadow of His wings, There is peace, sweet peace; Peace that passeth understanding, Peace, sweet peace that knows no ending, There is rest, sweet rest; There is peace, sweet peace, There is joy, glad joy, In the shadow of His wings!
One more scene, a few months later, at the old Rectory belonging to Mrs. St. John’s father. It was Christmas time—that sweet season when, because of the love of Christ, the coldest heart warms, the most unforgiving relents and forgives.
The rambling old Rectory was bright with sweet faces and glad young voices. Mr. and Mrs. St. John, Cicely, Rachel, and the boys were there, only one little flower was missing, especially cherished in her mother’s heart, the little one that had been with God so many months now. Cicely had grown much in the last few months, her eyes were deeper still—she was very near the stream which can never be recrossed, where the child and the woman meet. Colonel Leicester and Nina were also there, Captain and Mrs. Ross, and Mr. Li. The latter had been baptized, and had made giant strides in the spiritual life. "What splendid Christians these Chinese make!" exclaimed Paul St. John more than once.