Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

The Children's CornerCu-Song's ForgivenessFounded on factBy Amelia O. StottIt was a dark, starless night, and old Mr. Wong feltas if the blackness had somehow got right inside him.Against his better feelings he had overheard his new wife'sorders and got a neighbor to remove his little motherlessdaughter. He felt ashamed after the baby girl had beentaken away, he knew not where."It was better so," the neighbor said, — she wouldleave the child somewhere safe.Old Mr. Wong had lost his very young wife a.yearbefore when the baby was born, and things had gone badlywith him since. He had no relatives to keep house or takecare of the baby and felt he must marry again. His newwife, a widow, had three children of her own, and refusedto have another in the house."Get rid of that she-burden. You are far too poor tofill so many mouths. I cannot bear the sight of the child —she is weak and sickly. If I am to help you in your shop,that wretched little monkey-one must go. I cannot attendto her."Mr. Wong was sorry, but he soon Sew this new wifewould have her own way. He felt she would likely starveand ill-treat the child, who certainly was sickly andtroublesome. The neighbor woman thought it best to getrid of her, too.Still Mr. Wong felt worried that he had agreed, but itwould make him "lose face" to ask any questions, so hegave the neighbor some money and asked no questions.Cu-Song ("God's Gift"), as her dying mother hadcalled her, was gone from his home. She was notforgotten, however, by her mother's God, as she lay in thecold night air wailing feebly on the steps of the "JesusChurch Compound." Somebody awoke and listened attentively.It was Nyi Wong ("All-Goodness"), thegatekeeper, who thought he heard a starved kittenmewing outside. His kind, old heart would not let himsnuggle down in his wadded quilt, for he had the veryspirit of his loving heavenly Father for anything or anyonein trouble. "I am sure that is some poor little thing crying.Oh, well, I must see to it," and he shuffled out in his softcloth shoes and silently slipped out the great wooden baracross the compound gate, afraid of disturbing the missiondoctor and his household. Then, stooping down, hegroped around near where the faint wail was, and soonfound the baby girl wrapped up in a torn piece of matting.10"Poor little one," he whispered, holding her close."Left here by some heartless or despairing one. Oh, well,the Savior loves thee well. Had I not found thee this coldnight thou wouldest likely have perished."Tenderly the old man carried her across to theWoman's Hospital where Lu-teh ("Ruth") the night nursewas on duty. She was a young widow full of love for alllittle children, and she took this one to her kind heart."What shall we call her?" said the doctor's wife sometime after, when they saw that the baby, who had beenvery sick at first, was going to live. "You must choose, Luteh,because you have really saved her life."The nurse smiled rather sadly as she thought of theprecious baby daughter whom she had lost a year before."I should like her called Cu-Song, the Gift of God,"she said softly, and that, strange to say, was the name thatthe baby's mother had given her at birth."Name her Cu-Song," the child's own mother hadwhispered then, "that is God's gift. She would have beenthat to me. Promise me, my baby's father, to be alwaysgood to our little Cu-Song."Sister Lu-teh had adopted the little one, and thedoctor and his wife were delighted to see her comforted.Cu-Song was very happy in her new home, and grew up asweet little girl, pretty as a flower, healthy and intelligent.When she was big enough to go to the mission school sheheard the children talking of their fathers. They askedabout hers, but Cu-Song could say nothing. She eagerlyinquired about him."Is my Pang ('father') gone to live in Heaven withGod?""I know not, I cannot tell thee," said Lu-teh quietly,who was always truthful and often feared that some daysome one might come to claim the child."That is very strange," said Cu-Song, "surely thoumust know where he is?"'Ask me not, Cu-Song, I can give thee no light," andLu-teh would say nothing more.One day Dr. Smith came across from the hospitalafter talking to his patients one by one. He ever tried toget to understand them personally, so that the message ofGod's love might get right over into their hearts. Onepatient in particular puzzled him—an old man, extremelysick, who refused to believe in God's pardoning mercy.to be continuedCOVENANTER WITNESS