As soon as the news of Mr. Ahok’s death reached England, a letter of sympathy signed by nearly five hundred of Mrs. Ahok’s friends in England was sent to her.  Its closing paragraph must have brought her comfort in the knowledge that her journey had not been made in vain: 

“We bless God for your coming to England.  We have learned to know and love you.  Your words are not forgotten.  The seed God enabled you to sow is already bearing some fruit, and will, we believe, bring forth much more.  One sister has gone with you; we send this by the hands of three more.  We know others who were led by your words to offer themselves for Christ’s work in China.  Two of them are now being trained for the mission field.  This will cheer your heart.”

To this, Mrs. Ahok replied: 

“I thank you all very much for your sympathy, and for sending such good words to comfort me.  I rejoiced greatly to hear your words.  When I was in England I was a great trouble to you, and I must thank you for all your kindness to me then....”

“After leaving England I reached Foochow at the end of the seventh moon, and then heard that my beloved husband had left this world and been called home by God to His kingdom in heaven.  At that time I was very sad and distressed, and my distress was the greater because I had no one to carry on our business.  Being anxious about money matters, therefore, these many days, I have failed to reply to your letter and to send you my salutations, and thank you all for your great love.”

“Now because I cannot carry on trade myself, therefore I have determined to close our business and pay all debts; and the British consul has kindly acted for me in this matter.  My hope is that God will enable me to sell this house in which I am living, and then I shall have a competency.  It is because I fear that I shall not have enough to feed, clothe, and educate my children that I wish to sell this house.  As soon as I have done this I think I shall be able, with the missionary ladies, to visit the houses of the gentry, and have worship with the Chinese ladies, and exhort them all to embrace Christianity.  Thus I shall be doing the Lord’s work.  I trust you will all pray for me, and trust that in some future time an opportunity may be given me of again visiting England and America to work for the Lord.  This is the true desire of my heart.”

“At this time I seem to have no heart to write, but I send this letter to you to express my thanks.  Another day I may write again.  My two little children send their greeting, and I add my own.  After my return home an additional trouble came upon me because my mother was called home to God.  But so far as she is concerned death must be reckoned happiness.  She with my husband, earlier than myself, are enjoying the eternal bliss of heaven.  I will thank you to give my salutations to all the sisters