>Mr. Pao, too, had encouraging experiences in the difficult matter of keeping Sunday. He had been burdened with a debt of seven hundred dollars [in the 1930’s], and felt that to be sufficient excuse for working on the Lord’s Day. How could he hope to pay the exorbitant interest (three per cent a month) unless he kept his shop open seven days a week, like everybody else! But a visit from Mr. Birch set him thinking. The missionary had shown him some wonderful promises from the Bible, God’s own promises to those who please Him by keeping His commandments. Faith was strengthened, and Pao determined, at any cost, to close his business on Sunday.
Right opposite, across the street, was another silver-smith who hoped to profit by what he considered Pao’s foolishness, and openly reviled him for having “eaten of the foreigner’s religion.” But Pao was quiet and patient, and his business did not suffer. Just then gold began to be in demand. Pao kept in touch with the exchange in other places, and was able to make considerable profits, to the envy of his rival. Before long the entire debt was cleared away. A little later, strange to say, fire swept that part of the city. The houses opposite Mr. Pao’s were completely destroyed. The flames came right up to his premises. His roof, even, was slightly damaged. But, suddenly, as he was crying to God for protection, the wind changed. His whole place was saved, as by a miracle. No wonder he loved to tell the power and watchful care of his Heavenly Father.
Taken from: To Die is Gain-The Triumph of John and Betty Stam. (Recommended)