These taunts were at first disregarded.

But there came a time when living children were brought to the mission for sale as food; whereupon the mission made formal complaint in the yamen, and the Fu at once issued a proclamation checking the absurd tales about the foreigners, and ordering the citizens, under many pains and penalties, to treat the foreigners with respect.

There has been no trouble since, and, as we walked through the crowded streets, I could see nothing but friendly indifference.
Reference to this and other sorrows is made in the missionary's report to _China's Millions_, November, 1893:-- "Soon after this trial had passed away (the rumours of baby eating), still more painful internal sorrow arose.

One of the members, who had been baptised three years before and had been useful as a preacher of the Gospel, fell into grievous sin, and had to be excluded from Church fellowship.

Then a little later a very promising inquirer, who had been cured of opium-smoking and appeared to be growing in grace, fell again under its power.