“Black Little Sister,” he said, “do you know the next verse?” It had been the golden text, repeated by the children at the Bible service on the previous Sunday.
“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The poor dried lips slowly repeated the precious words to the end.
Then Poah and Ah Lin prayed. When they had finished Black Little Sister put his hands together and said: “Thank you, God, so much for giving your only born son, that I, a sinful one, believing on Him, might have everlasting life.” Then the room was very quiet, for the boy was tired and neither Poah nor Ah Lin could speak a word.
Soon after this the fever died out of Black Little Sister’s face and eyes. The fight was over. He had left the narrow room and its useless idols, and gone to the home of love and everlasting life.
Whilst Poah told the story to the good teacher, he cried for joy and sorrow, until the tears ran down his cheeks.
In the fourth moon of the next year, the plague came to the city once more. On the 15th, Yo-ah was taken ill after morning school. When his minister went to see him, he said:
“Please do not say anything to my father about my sickness, for I am the last of six brothers, and if he were to hear that I was ill, he would be so sorry.”
But the minister of course felt he must send for the father as quickly as possible.
When Poah reached the school he found Yo-ah sitting in bed reading his Bible. He seemed bright enough, and had just finished doing up accounts for one of the Christians, who had been out selling fish.
“What is wrong with you, Yo-ah?” asked his father.