Fed By Ravens.

The following experience of a Chinese convert was related by Mrs. Howard F. Taylor, of the China Inland Mission.
Soon after Mr. Li's conversion, he heard an impressive sermon by Mr. Stanley Smith upon the words. "Covetousness . . . is idolatry." He was greatly concerned to think that having given up idolatry, he might be betrayed into the same sin through allowing a covetous spirit to have any place in his heart. To avoid this danger, he determined to keep no money and to possess no property. His little house and farm, he handed over to his nephew, and devoted himself entirely to making known the gospel, sustained by the simple hospitality of those to whom he ministered and to whom his prayers brought help and healing for body as well as soul. His labors were wonderfully owned of God and resulted in building up a church in the Yohyang district, which he has long shepherded with loving care. As time went on, he opened a refuge for the cure of opium smokers, and in this way, was made a blessing to many.
After some years, a breath of what we may call perhaps, "higher criticism," reached this far-away province, and the old man heard in connection with the story of Elijah's being fed by ravens that they were not real birds that brought the bread and meat, but some kind of dark-skinned people, probably Arabs, who shared with him their supplies, for it was absurd to suppose that birds would ever act in the way described. It would be miraculous. But this way of explaining the matter did not at all commend itself to the old man's simple faith. Miracles were no difficulty to him. He had seen far too often, the wonder-working power of God put forth in answer to prayer. And besides, in this very connection, he had an experience which no amount of arguing could gainsay. The story has been carefully verified on the spot, by Mr. Lutely and others.
At one time, in his refuge work, old Li had come to an end of all his resources. There were no patients coming for treatment; the refuge was empty; his supplies were exhausted, and his faith was a good deal tried. Quite nearby, in the large temple of the village, lived a cousin who was a priest-in-charge, and who, when he came to see his relative from time to time, would bring a little present of bread or millet from his ample store. The old man, on receiving these gifts would always say, "T'ien Futih entien"—"My heavenly Father's grace," meaning that it was through the care and kindness of God that these gifts were brought. But the priest did not approve of that way of looking at it, and at last remonstrated: 
"Where does your heavenly Father's grace come in, I should like to know? The millet is mine. I bring it to you. And if I did not, you would very soon starve for all that He would care, He has nothing at all to do with it."
''But it is my heavenly Father who puts it in your heart to care for me," replied old Li.
''Oh, that's all very well," interrupted the priest. "We shall see what will happen if I bring the millet no more." And for a week or two, he kept away, although his better nature prompted him to care for the old man whom he could not but esteem for the works of mercy in which he was engaged.
As it happened, this was just the time in which dear old Li was especially short of supplies. At last, there came a day when he had nothing left for another meal. The refuge was still empty, and he had not the cash to buy a morsel of bread. Kneeling alone in his room, he poured out his heart in prayer to God. He knew very well that the Father in Heaven would not, could not, forget him, and after pleading for blessings on his work and upon the people all around him, he reminded the Lord of what the priest had said, asking that for the honor of His great Name, He would send him that day his daily bread.
Then and there the answer came. While the old man was kneeling in prayer, he heard an unusual clamor and cawing and flapping of wings in the courtyard outside, and a noise as of something falling to the ground. He arose and went to the door to see what was happening. A number of vultures or ravens, which are common in that part of China, were flying about in great commotion above him, and as he looked up, a large piece of fat pork fell at his feet. One of the birds, chased by the others, had dropped it just at that moment on that spot. Thankfully the old man took up the unexpected portion, saying, "My heavenly Father's kindness." And then glancing about him to see what had fallen before he came out, he discovered a large piece of Indian meal bread, all cooked and ready for eating. Another bird had dropped that also; and there was his dinner, bountifully provided. Evidently the ravens had been on a foraging expedition, and, overtaken by stronger birds, had let go their booty. But whose hand had guided them to relinquish their prize right above his little courtyard?
With a wondering heart over-flowing with joy, the dear old man kindled a fire to prepare the welcome meal; and while the pot was still boiling, the door opened, and to his great delight, his cousin, the priest, walked in.
"Well, has your heavenly Father sent you anything to eat?" he somewhat scoffingly inquired, saying nothing about the bag of millet he had brought, carefully concealed up his sleeve.
"Look and see," responded the old man, smiling, as he indicated the simmering vessel on the fire.
For some time, the priest would not lift the lid, feeling sure that there was nothing boiling there but water; but at length, the savory odor was unmistakable, and, overcome by curiosity, he peeped into the earthen pot. What was his astonishment when the excellent dinner was revealed!
"Why!" he cried, "where did you get this?"
"My heavenly Father sent it," responded the old man gladly. "He put into your heart, you know, to bring me a little millet from time to time, but when you would do so no longer, it was quite easy for Him to find another messenger." And the whole incident, his prayer and the coming of the ravens, was graphically told.
The priest was so impressed by what he saw and heard, that he became from that time, an earnest inquirer, and before long, confessed his faith in Christ by baptism. He gave up his comfortable living in the temple for the blessed reality that now satisfied his soul. He supported himself as a teacher, became a much respected deacon in the church and during the Boxer troubles of 1900, endured terrible tortures and finally laid down his life for Jesus' sake.
We are dealing with the Living God today, just as really and truly as did Elijah and the saints of old. I have told this incident just to bring home to your hearts, a fresh realization of the blessed fact that what He was, He is. Our heavenly Father is unchanged. He acts on the same principles still.
"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4: 19. "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things may abound to every good work." 2 Cor. 9: 8.
"Triumphs of Faith" Aug. 1939