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Show The presents brought often represent a real heart gratitude, wholly incommensurate with the intrinsic value of the gift. We will never forget the old man, poor and almost blind, who came with his frail wife to bring their only son, a boy of eight years, for an operation. The child did not rally promptly after the operation, and the mother herself became ill. Then one of the nurses reported that for days the mother had eaten nothing but coarse millet bread in order that she might so save money for better food for the boy. Condensed milk bought with money sent by children in America was most gratefully received. When the child was well and they went home the mother left as a donation for the hospital four hundred cash, about nine cents, all the money she had. A few days laterwhen the first peaches were ripe she came again and with tears of gratitude shining in her eyes said. ''See the boy, how well he is! His father is so thankful. He said to me that such poor people as we have no way of really showing our gratitude, but he sent these few peaches and we want to say, 'thank you' again' ' . It is hard to put a money value on such a gift and write in the hospital account-book, contribution, five cents. That tells so small a part of the truth. The father of another little patient, whom his parents had received after operation as a gift from the dead, walked twenty miles one hot spring day carrying carefully in a bowl five little goldfish. He also brought three small fragrant - alanthus trees, that he hoped might some day make a pleasant shade around the Doctor's house. He assured us many times that they would never forget the truths they had learned at the hospital, that they always intended to keep Sunday (if they could remember what day it was) and that they would never worship in the temples again. Would that we had a teacher to follow up these friendly families and help them keep the teaching they have received! A number of our outcalls have been to families of wealth in villages several miles from the city. As conveyance is furnished by those who call the Doctor it is not always easy to regulate the time of one's return. Upon one occasion the hospital party found themselves one of the attractions connected with a family feast, and at another time became unwilling guests over-night. The thought of many pressing duties at the hospital makes such delays seem useless and most trying, but when people ask to have our ''teaching'' explained to them and listen attentively the delay becomes a welcome opportunity for scattering Gospel seed. The more we see of these homes of wealth and education the more we appreciate the charm and culture found in them and the more clearly too we see in some of these same homes ignorance and sorrow and sin. Truly there is nothing but the power of Jesus Christ that can save men from their sins and from the misery sin brings. |