SAVED TO SERVE
But the story does not end here. It is possible to go on to tell a
little of the life of Mrs. Lü as a follower of Him whose Name she
bears. The more we saw of Mr. and Mrs. Lü the more we loved and
appreciated them, and many happy hours were spent in true fellowship
with them and a few other Christians at Kucheng. We felt indeed that
we were one family, united in one Lord and Master and in His service.
As they lived next door to the chapel they had special opportunities
for service, and the way in which they took up the responsibility of
the place, and of the people there, often awakened surprise. At times
it seemed as though they were taking too great a share in the burden.
But they did it so joyfully that it was not easy to restrain them.
When any newcomer attended the meeting, who did not know the rule that
each person must bring his own dinner with him, Mr. and Mrs. Lü would
invite him to their house, "just to make him feel at home the first
time"; and they did it in such a way that the visitor did not feel that
he was receiving any grace from their hands. If, after some of the
Christians had gathered together on a Sunday, it began to snow or rain,
Mr. and Mrs. Lü would persuade them to stay with them for dinner--"Just
that we may be able to have the afternoon meeting together," they would
say quietly. When remonstrated with about doing too much, they
answered cheerfully, "Oh, we like to do it. We put two or three loads
of rice aside for that purpose every year. We give that to the Lord
who has blessed us so greatly." What more could be said? They were
doing it joyfully for the Master, and He who "is not unrighteous to
forget the labour of love" done for Him and for His sake, will surely
reward them "according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." And He
did reward them even here.
When they had been coming to the services for about a year, they were
asked if they had any want, or if they had lost that year, seeing they
had given all their Sundays and many evenings, whereas they had worked
hard all the time in former years. They replied that they had lost
nothing, but had a greater surplus at the end of the year than
formerly. And the following year that surplus increased, and they
declared laughingly, "Why, we are richer than ever." Is not this a
practical testimony to the way in which God keeps His promise--"Seek ye
first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things
shall be added unto you"?
They also taught some of us practical lessons, which will not soon be
forgotten. One year they had some building and repairs done, and had a
number of workmen working for them by the day. When Saturday came, the
question was what was to be done with all these men for the Sunday.
The men said they must go on working, or leave for a few days, as they
could not begin work somewhere else for one day. Mr. and Mrs. Lü were
in great need of their house; and yet what were they to do, for they
felt they could not let the men work for them on the day of rest? The
whole day they were ill at ease, but towards evening Mrs. Lü said to
her husband, "I know what we will do. We will just give them their
food and their wages the same as any other day, but tell them they need
not work. And then those who are willing can come with us to the
meetings."
"But what about the money for all these men?"
"The Lord is able to give that back to us in some other way," she said,
"and, at any rate, we shall have the assurance that we have done our
best to let them have a chance of hearing the Gospel." So it was all
settled, and their hearts were at rest.
The writer arrived at Kucheng that Saturday evening, and was surprised
to see some of the workmen in the meeting, listening very attentively.
The following day, Sunday, three of them came again, but others went to
some of the shops for a talk and a smoke.
"But why are you not working to-day? How can you play about like
this?" thus some of the shopkeepers addressed them.
"We were working at Mr. Lü's house, but he told us not to do any work
to-day."
"But how can you afford to lose a day's money like that?"
"We do not lose anything. Mr. and Mrs. Lü give us our board and wages,
just as if we were working for them the whole day."
"Well, that is strange. They used to be careful over their money, and
they seem to be so even now."
"That is quite true, but they say they will not sin against their God
in making us work for them on Sunday."
"That doctrine about Jesus is really good: surely there must be
something in it."
Thus the people reasoned, and it need hardly be said that Mr. and Mrs.
Lü, through their steady and careful walk with God, gained a respect
among the people which only few in their position could attain. It was
to them that the people came in sickness and sorrow, counting upon
their help and prayers. It was from them they sought advice when in
perplexity and uncertainty. And it was in their home the Christians
often gathered for a helpful talk before or after the meetings.