Page 109 - Living Epistles

good deal for Mr. and Mrs. Frost since Mr. Taylor's previous visit, but their
home seemed, if anything, more attractive than before. The marriage gift of
his father, it had been beautified by the addition of paneled wooden ceilings,
to replace the plaster ones which had fallen in the lower rooms, a detail that
was to have a good deal to do with the direction of their lives at this time.
With every comfort in their surroundings, a large circle of friends and
nothing but happiness in their children, there seemed little of earthly good
left to desire. But an unseen Hand was stirring up this nest, and Mr. Taylor's
second visit found them in the midst of strange experiences.

For their income, which had hitherto been amply sufficient, had suddenly
been cut off through the failure of a flourishing business. At his father's
express desire, Mr. Frost had given up his own business some years
previously, to devote himself entirely to evangelistic work. The father was
well able to supply the needs of the family, and rejoiced to have fellowship in
this way in his son's service for the Lord: But now, to his sorrow, this was no
longer possible. To have gone back into secular employment would have
greatly curtailed Mr. Henry W. Frost's usefulness as an evangelist, and
would have necessitated his giving up much active participation in the work
of the China Inland Mission. This he could not feel to be the will of God, after
all the way in which he and Mr. Taylor had been led, and it practically came
to be, as he expressed it, a question- "Which father are you really trusting?"

Outside the immediate family no one knew of their position, and both Mr.
and Mrs. Frost saw it to be a special opportunity for putting to the test, not
their faith only, but the definite promises of God. A few months previously
they had determined never, under any circumstances, to go into debt. Amid
the apparent comfort of their surroundings, therefore, and with wide
margins of credit in the stores of the little town, they found themselves
directly dependent upon their Heavenly Father even for daily bread. How
searching as well as precious were the experiences through which they were
learning more of His infinite faithfulness is a story to itself that we may not
enter upon here. Suffice it to say that their joy in God was growing deeper
and their desire to be wholly engaged in His service stronger, although they
little anticipated the sacrifice that would be involved.

Great was the encouragement to Mr. Frost, as to Mr. Taylor, of the welcome
with which they were received at the Niagara Conference of this summer.
The interest in China seemed deeper and the sympathy for the Inland Mission
stronger than the previous year. The gifts of 1888 for the support of