
E-text prepared by Al Haines
\[Frontispiece: EVERLASTING PEARL. The photo was taken after her marriage to Mr. Lü.\]
In the quiet river town of Yüshan, a missionary expedition chronicles the life of a remarkable Chinese woman whose path moves from ancient customs toward an unexpected faith. The narrative opens with vivid observations of daily travel, plain blue garments, and the simple yet profound presence of a woman described as an “evangelist, pastor, and Biblewoman all rolled into one.” Through careful description, listeners are drawn into the rhythms of early twentieth‑century China—footbinding, arranged engagements, and the tightly woven fabric of family and village life.
As the story unfolds, the woman’s inner conflicts surface, spotlighting her resistance to new ideas and the gradual surrender that reshapes her destiny. Her conversion becomes a catalyst, not only for her own transformation but for the people around her, illustrating how personal testimony can ripple through a community. The account balances cultural detail with a heartfelt exploration of spiritual awakening, offering a poignant glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of faith crossing cultural borders.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (148K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2006-09-24
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Written by a missionary who spent sixteen years in China, these pages bring everyday life, faith, and change into sharp human focus. The result is a personal early-20th-century portrait of Chinese womanhood told with warmth and close attention.
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