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« -ft

ROBERT MORRISON

THE

i^ionnv of Chinese ^lissions

WILLIAM JOHN TOWNSEND

Crnerai Secretary of the Meihodnt Men. Conne.rion Mis.icar,. Socu-ty
A.-TwoR OP "The Grrat Sckoolmen of thr MinoLB Agrs."

Toronto:

TORONTO WILLARD TRACT DEPOSITORY.

A. G. WATSON, Manager.

UNIFORM WITH "ROBERT MORRISON '

Cimvn 8vo., \G0 pares, viauy Jlliistratiom, cloth extra,
\s, M. each.

William Carey, the Shoemaker wholhecame a Missionary. By

Kev. J. 15. MvRRs, Association .Secretary, liaptist Missionary
Society.

Robert Moffat, the Missionary Hero of Kuruman. l!y David j.

Dbank, Author of "Martin Luther, the Reformer," "John WicHfTe,
the Morning Star of the Reformation," etc.

James Chalmers, Missionary and Explorer of Rarotonga and

New Guinea. By William Rodson, of the London Missionary
Society.

Bishop Patteson, the Martyr of Melanesia. By Jesse Pagb.
Griffith John, Founder of the Hankow Mission, Central China.

By William Rohson, of the London Mi.ssionary Society.
S. W. Partridgr & Co., 9, Paternostbr Row.

flid

?MASa£B UfcUVERSlIX iXWiWL

PI\EFAC£;.

rriHE \viu".ly-extended interest now being manifested
J- in the v^vangelisation of tlie Chinese Empire
makes this a favourable opportunity for issuing a
brief memoir of the first Protestant Missionary to
th:i country, and of diffusing a knowledge of his
noble life and character, especially amongst the
young of our Churches and Sunday Schools. May
his spirit of earnest devotion rest on the youth of
this generation.

The Author has been indebted for the materials of
this volume to the following works : " A Memoir of
the Life and Labours of Rev. E. Morrison, D.D.,"
compiled and published by his widow ; " A Retrospect
of the First Ten Years of the Protestant Mission to
China," by Dr. W. Milne, but chiefly compiled from
a M.S. written by Dr. Morrison; "The Life and
Opmions of Rev. W. Milne, D.D.," by Robert Philip ;

PREFACE.

and, " China, its State and Prospects," by Dr. W
H. Medhurst.

The Author also expresses his fervent thanks to his
revered friend, the Eev. J. C. Bruce, D.D., for having
kindly allowed him the use of several letters written
by Dr. Morrison, which have not previously been
published, and for having permitted him to extract
a few facts of interest from an unpublished lecture on
" Morrison and Chinese Missions," given by him in
Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1859.

While Newcastle has not been backward in honour-
ing the memory of several of its great townsmen, it
IS astonishing that it has never erected a statue or
even a tablet, or, better still, established a benevolent
institution as a memorial of the name and character of
Eobert Morrison. What citizen of the good old town
has better deserved such honour?

coKtbnts.

CHAP

I. Introductory

II. Childhood and Youth

III. Preparation for the Great Work

IV. Initial Life and Work in China .
V. Persecution.— Dk. Milne

VI. Visit to Pekin.— Malacca College .

VII. Bible Comi'letb.— Death of Milne

VIII. Work in England.— Return to China

IX. Renewed Labour.- Closing Scenes

X. What Hk was.— What He did

page
9

112

130

155

ROBERT MORRISON.

■'=J=®=j<'-=—

CHAPTER I.

Introductory.

••-*-

"It is Christ alone who can lead iu the gloiious dawn of the Chinese
renaissance ; the new birth of a mighty nation to liberty and right-
eousness, and an ever-exijanding civilisation,"— G. Johns.

-^j«-

OROCK, rock, when wilt thou open?" exclaimed
the apostolic Xavier, as he lay burning with
fever on an island off the coast of China in 1552.
Similar ardent longings have stirred the souls of con-
secrated Christian workers during many periods of
the Church's history. But China remained a sealed
rock to Christian effort until about the middle of the
present century. No one can be surprised that it has
attracted to itself a variety of interest, and especi-
ally that it should enkindle the enthusiasm of the
Christian missionary. The tenacious life which has
prolonged itself for upwards of four thousand years,
and has survived the tempests of time— which have

ROBERT MORRISON.

carried down into utter destruction the great empii-es
of antiquity, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece,
and Eome— stamps the Chinese as a peculiar people,
and invests them with a halo of romance well calcu-
lated to fire the imagination of the adventurous spirit
Their hoary systems of religion and philosophy, their
attamments in various sciences, their skill and pro-
ficiency in many arts and manufactures, and the
mmeral wealth of their country, have all tended to
attract the attention of the student, the merchant,
and the statesman. But the enormous population,'
long reckoned at the inconceivable number of four
hundred millions, and recently ascertained to be
about three hundred and ninety millions, in a low
degraded moral condition, might well stimulate the
benevolent impulses of the philanthropist, and rouse
the enthusiasm of the Christian, whose soul vibrates
m response to the command, "Go ye into all the
world, and preach the Gospel to every creature."

One insuperable difficulty prevented for centuries
Christian efi^ort being put forth for the conversion
of the empire of China. The nation has been rootedly
andperseveringly opposed to intercourse with foreign-
ers, especially with such as would attempt to pro-
selytise from the accepted religions of the people.
Therefore it has hermetically sealed itself at every
point against the Christian propagandist. The result
was that, up to the commencement of the present
century, no evangelical teacher of truth had been
able to enter the country; and, until the middle of
the century, no real foothold for the Gospel had been
obtained.

It is true that upwards of a thousand years ago

INTRODUCTORY. J J

an attempt was made to enter China by Christian
missionaries. The Nestorians, in the sixth or seventh
century, sent out messengers to China; and an inte-
resting relic of their labours remains in a monument
at Se-ngan Fu. This monument contains a short
history of the Nestorian sect from the year 630 to
781, and also an abstract of the Christian religion.
Scarcely a trace remains of the work done through
this movement. When Eoman Catholic missionaries
entered the country in the fourteenth century, they
found the Nestorians swaying considerable influence
both amongst rich and poor; and it may be reasonably
hoped that, through the eight centuries of their his-
tory m this land, great numbers of the Chinese were
brought under the sanctifying power of the Gospel.
Ihe sect eventually lost its simplicity of faith and
became extinct, any lingering remnant becommg
absorbed in the Eomish Church.

In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries an
ardent longing sprang up in the Eoman Catholic
Church to draw China into its fold. John de Corvino
a man of remarkable boldness and zeal, went to
I'ekin m 1293. He was created an archbishop, and
numerous bishops and priests were sent out to aid
him. The enterprise was not successful. It was soon
abandoned, and for two hundred years China and the
western world were cut off from all intercourse with ^
each other. In 1652, Francis Xavier made an attempt
to enter the country. He was smitten with fever, and
died on the island of Sancian, within sight of the
coast. But in 1581, Matteo Eicci, a Jesuit of great
learnmg and acuteness-one who combined intense"
zeal with prudent caution-reached Canton in the

IIOJJEIIT MOKlllSON.

garb of ca Buddhist priest. He was successful in
preserving a residence, and in IGOl made his way to
Pekin, assuming the garb of a literary gentleman
He acquired considerable influence amongst the
learned orders and ruling powers; and, as th^ result
of the labours of himself and his companions, many
churches were established. Since that time Eoman
Cathohcism has maintained an existence in China, in
the face of much persecution and opposition.
^ One result of the great evangelical revival of the
eighteenth century was the intense desire for the
conversion of the heathen which possessed Pro-
testant Christendom. As the result of that desire
and through the agency of chosen instruments,'
modern missionary societies arose, and the great
evangelistic movement of the present century came
into bemg. It was impossible that, in the urgent
desire to scatter the Gospel amongst the nations still
given up to superstition and idolatry, China could
be overlooked, or that it should fail to absorb to
Itself much prayerful attention. Its antiquity, its
exclusiveness, its peculiar civiHsation, its overwhelm-
ing population, made it at once the most interesting
the most difficult, and the most extensive field opene'd
out for conquest by the Church for the Lord Jesus
Christ. The Apostles themselves had no grander
or wider sphere opened before them, as they went
out m faith to attack the strongholds of sin in the
Eoman empire. The faith, zeal, and unction required
by them m their great work, were also imperatively
demanded of the men who should undertake the task
of attackmg this hitherto invulnerable fastness of
sin.

INTRODUCTORY. 13

To briefly trace the career of the first modern
apostle to China, who. witli indomitable and perse-
vering zeal, went forth to tliis giant enterprise, is the
object of these pages ; and it is earnestly hoped that
the narration of this story will fire many hearts
with a generous and Divine enthusiasm in aid of the
great work for the conversion of this enormous nation
comprismg one-fourth of the world's population. The
motto of every Christian just now should be—

China for Christ, and in this Generation.

•j^^^^^S-- J

CHAPTER II.

Childhood and Youth,

-•^^

" J>'air boy ! the wanderings of thy way,
ft iff not mine to trace,
Throngli buoyant youth's exulting day,
Or manhood's nobler race.
" AA'hat discipline thine lieart may need.
What clouds may veil thy sun,
Ihe eye of God alone can read,
And let His will be done."

•^

EGBERT Morrison was born on January 5th 1782
at Buller's Green, ^ in the little VcturesnS
town of Morpeth, Northumberland. His father Jam s
Mornson, was a farm-labourer, who removed, when
Robert was three years old, to Newcastle-upon-Tyne
where be established a business as a last and boot-tree'

rrn^"?"?' '^, *^' ^r^ ^^'^'^- T^^ P^^^e where
he and his family resided was long called by the name

of "Morrison's Close," in remembrance of his famous
son Here he employed several workmen, earned a

eight children m the fear of God.

The house was in existence till loef van,. r\^ ■\t i -., .
it was razed to the ground ^ "'''' ^^'''' ^^^^'

CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH. IK

He was a Scotchman by birth, his wife was a North-
iimbrian and both of them were people of fervent and
consistent piety. They became members of an old
Presbyterian church in the High Bridge, the entrance
to which was through a public-house yard. Mr Mor
rison was held in high esteem by the church, and
an old inhabitant, who knew him and his son Eobert
we.l, and who was a member of the same church
over which the Rev. J. G. Potter now presides, us d
to tell her pastor that the father was a most worthy
old man, highly respected, and that, though not an
elder, yet no elder in the church was bo highTy
esteemed, nor so worthy as he to be one Thl
minister at that time was the Eev. John Hnffnn !
man faithfully devoted to the interests of h^th„r;h
and one who exercised a healthful and powerfulTnflu:
ence on the mmd of the subject of this Vemol
Eobert was sent to a school kept by James Nichol

Tnts" itT:' ""^^n^-- ^f respectable Sfn
ments. Here he received a sound elementary edu
cation. For some time he showed great slowness in
learmng, and has been ranked amon^.f +L ;n f •
dunces of history; but aftertrl h'el ^^^^^^^^^^^^
manifested great delight in his studies, and Se lanfd
and satisfactory progress. ^"*

He was also carefully trained in Scripture know
ledge and re igious duties by his pastor, Mr HutZ"
who frequently catechised him, both at ho^P «.] "'
public, after the fashion long in vogue 'n^'n 'S
and in the North of England THp Jf° • T °*^^"d

ROHEIIT MOUHrsON.

to further test his memory, the pastor exercised him
on different parts in various wayn, the boy passing
through the ordeal without a single error.

On leaving school at the age of fourteen, he was
bound apprentice to his fatlicr, and wrought at his
trade with great diligence and industry. I'or a brief
period he seems to have been led into evil courses by
careless companions ; but in 171)8 he relinquished his
bad habits, separated himself from all friends that
were evil or doubtful, and became soundly converted
to the service of God. Tlie great change seems rather
to have been the outcome of long previous training,
and of healthful religious influences around himi
than of any special instrumentality ; but he at once
sought union with the Church, and joined a meeting
for prayer which assembled in his father's workshop
on Monday evenings. He also began a course of
devotional reading, chiefly of the Scriptures ; drew
out a plan for the regulation of his time, which he
carefully observed; and even learnt a system of
shorthand to facilitate his studies. He formed an
intimacy with a young mn,n at Shields of kindred
religious fervour, and they met almost daily for prayer
and pious conversation. They also visited together
the sick poor, and engaged in work for God in various
ways as they had opportunity.

Gradually his soul became more deeply engrossed
with rehgious subjects. In 1800 he removed his bed
into the workshop for the sake of greater privacy, and
often till one or two o'clock in the morning was
engaged reading Eomaine's "Life of Faith," or
Hervey's " Meditations," or Marshall on " Sanctifica-
tion," but most of all searching the treasures of
Matthew Henry's incomparable "Commentary." This

CHILDHOOD AND VoUTil.

workshop remained till lately in much the same con-
chtion as It WHS in those days. In I85i) a lecture on
China and Dr. Morrison was delivered in Newcastle-on-
lyno, m reply to an address hy Hev. li I. AVilberlbrce
ni which a rude attack had been made on Dr. Morri'
«on It was given by the Hey. J. (j. ]^ruce D D
and contains the following passage :— ' ' "

v;«r"^l'?, '^''^' ''/'* P'''"'- "''^^^l^^^^ ^y ^ joiner. I
visited the room last week in company with my friend

^^ John Fenw ck. The place is in a somewhat fraii

state and its whole aspect is such as rather to depress

than to excite any noble elevation of soul. My friend

oil entering, felt himself carried back fifty years'

He pointed to the bench where he had scores of times

seen Morrison at his work, and told me that he

generally ound him with a book lying open before

Inn^"' r ^"''^^' ''''^^'^°i^ ^''^ °^ iNorthumber-

land s greatest men must frequently have met-

Kobert Morrison and George Stephenson. The fami-
lies ol each were mutually acquainted. Mr. Stephen-
son when a young man, filled up his spare time with
makmg shoes. He made his own lasts, and boasted
12 P^^'^^^-^f ^^^f in this way. On one occasion
Stephenson entered mto competition with a fellow,
artist, and, in order to exclude the possibility of pre-
ndre on the part of the umpire, obtained le'ave

ducTion.'' """ " '®' ^^''' '*"^P *^ ^"« P^-o-

Young Morrison also rented a little garden in Pan-

vbU f' ^^1^^^-^ing suburb of Newcastle, but

which has now disappeared beforp fho march of
aS"^S ^nd commei-ce. Here he often repaired for
quiet meditation and prayer ; and, even when at

JWBEllT MOllllISON.

vioiPV, the Bible or some oiiin' book was open bolbro
him, in order that his heart and mind might be re-
freshed while his hands were busily occupied. On the
Sabbath he regularly attended the services of the
church, and his soul became intently earnest in seek-
ing the conversion of his kindred and friends. He
appealed to one young relative — a sailor — with such
pertinacity, imploring him to seek the Lord, that the
young man said his words were never out of his ears,
and he was led to come to Jesus. Thus from his
earliest Christian life he manifested those profound
convictions of duty, that intensity and fixedness of
purpose, and that desire for the salvation of souls,
which characterised all his future course.

His early Christian life is very interestingly de-
scribed in a letter he wrofu to the Committee of
Hoxton Academy, when, in 1802, he ofi'ered himself
for the work of the ministry. In it he states as
follows : —

"In the early part of my life, having enjoyed the
inestimable privilege of godly parents (a blessing for
which I ever desire to be thankful), I was habitu-
ated to a constant and regular attendance on the
preached Gospel. My father was ever careful to keep
up the worship of God in our family, and e^l atod
me in the principles of 'he Christian reJig. 'i>
When farther advanced in life, I attended tl c \>\\hYu:,
catechising of the Eev. John Hutton, from whose
instructions I received much advantage. By these
n '^jns (under the good hand of God) my conscience
wa., '••aiowhat informed and enlightened, and I was
kepi OLJ ri^aning Lo that excess of riot to which
miuiv p:«?jiiB in a" unregenerate state do, though
as vet 1 lived witLout Christ, without God, and

CHILDHOOD AND Yoini. nj

witliout hope ill the world. I was a stnui-er to the
plague ot my own heart ; and, notwithstanding that
I often telt remorse and the upbraiding^ of coiiHciencc.
yet r < .atered myself that somehow I should have
peace though I walked in the ways of my own heart.
It was about live years ago that I was much
awakened to a sense of sin, though I cannot recollect
any particular circumstances that led to it, unless it
was that at that time I grew somewhat loose and
pro aiie, and more than once, being drawn aside by
wicked company (even at that early time of life) I
became intoxicated. Reflection upon my conduct
became a source of much uneasiness to me, and I was
Inought to a serious concern about my soul. I felt
tilt dread of eternal condemnation. The fear of
death compassed me about, and 1 was led to cry
nightly to God that He would pardon my sin, that
He would grant me an interest in the Saviour, and
that He would renew me in the spirit of my mind
hill became a burden. It was then that I experienced
a change of life, and, I trust, a change of heart too.
1 broke oft from my former careless company, and
gave mysel to reading, to meditation, and to prayer.
It pleased God to reveal His Son in me, and at that
time I experienced much of ' the kindness of youth
and the love of espousals ; ' and, though the first flash

aftection wore oft', I trust my love to and knowledge

01 the Saviour have increased. Since that time (soon
alter I joined in communion with the Church under
the Eev. John Hutton, my present pastor, and like-
wise became a member of a praying society) the Lord
has been gradually pleased to humble and prove me •
and, though I have often experienced much joy and
peace in believing, I have likewise experienced much

■m, ,

KOBERT MORRISON.

opposition from the working of indwelling sin—' the
flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against
the flesh '—and these being contrary the one to the
other, * I could not do the thing that I would.' I have
gradually discovered more of the holiness, spirituality,
and extent of the Divine law, and more of my own
. vileness and unworthiness in the sight of God, and
the freeness and richness of sovereign grace. I have
sinned as I could ; it is ' by the grace of God I am
what I am.'"

In 1801 he began to entertain definite ideas as to
entering the Christian ministry, and prepared to study
systematically with this object before him. The fol-
lowing passage from his diary indicates his state of
feehng at this time : —

" Friday, June 19.— This day I entered with Mr.
Laidler^ to learn Latin. I paid ten shillings and
sixpence (the entrance money), and am to pay one
guinea per quarter. I know not what may be the
end— God only knows. It is my desire, if He jjlease
to spare me in the world, to serve the Gospel of
Christ as He shall give me opportunity. Lord, my
God, my whole hope is in Thee, and in Thee alone.
God be merciful to me a sinner through Christ my
Saviour, and grant Thy blessing with this attempt, if
it please Thee. Amen."

This extract plainly shows the direction of his
thoughts, and he arranged all his movements ac-
cordingly. He wrought at his trade from six to six,
save that from nine to ten he waited on Mr. Laidler.
He arranged his meals so as to facilitate his studies, and
nightly he was at work with his books when the rest

' A minister resident in Newcastle.

CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH.

Of the household had retired to sleep. So assidu-
onsly did he cultivate knowledge that, eighteen
months afterwards, when he entered Hoxton Academy
as a student, he had not only a fair knowledge of
Latin but had also acquired the rudiments of Greek
and Hebrew.

In 1802 he lost his excellent, pious mother. She
Avas a woman of great strength of character and
religious fervour, and, like many other great men,
Itobert Morrison seems to have inherited many of the
qualities which made him great from his mother. He
showed her great filial devotion, and received her last
blessing as he closed her eyes in death.

CHAPTER III.

Preparation for the Great Work.

•^i^-

" Great offices will have
Great talents, and God gives to every man
The virtues, temjier, understanding, taste.
That lifts him into life and lets him fall
Just in the niche he was designed to fi]l."_CowrKn.
^

A s Mr. Morrison laboured diligently in his prepara-
XX tions, his purpose became more definite and settled
The way into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church
was not open, and his thoughts were directed to the
Congregational Theological Institution, then known
as Hoxton Academy, afterwards as Highbury College.
The two following extracts indicate the yearnin^^'of
his soul both as to progress in the Divine life, and a
ministerial course : —

" blessed Jesus, long have I sought for rest to
my immortal soul, at one time in the gratification of
' the lusts of the flesh,' and at another ' of the mind.'
When very young I was a companion of the drunkard,
the Rabbath-breaker, the profane person ; but in these
my heart smote me, I had no rest. Then I made

PREPARATION FOR THE GREAT WORK.

learning and books my god ; but all, all, are vain.
I come to Thee : ' Come unto Me, all ye that labour
and^ are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'
Fatigued with unsuccessful pursuits after happiness,
and burdened with a sense of guilt, Jesus, Thou Son
of God, I come to Thee, that I may be refreshed and
my burden removed.

' ' Jesus, my Lord ! Thou art possest
Of all that fills the eternal God !
Oh ! l)ring my weary soul to rest,
Remove my guilt, that ponderous load."

On September 25th, 1802, he wrote thus :—

" This day I wrote to desiring to know some

things respecting the Hoxton Academy. What shall I
say on this day now closing? Lord, pardon my
sms, and make me Thine in that day when Thou
raakest up Thy jewels ; in ' that day when God shall
judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ.' 'Have faith
m Jehovah with thy whole mind; but lean not to
thme own understanding. In all thy ways acknow-
ledge Him, and He will direct thy paths.' ' Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with
all thy mind, and with all thy thought. This is the
first and great commandment.'"

On November 24th, he made formal application for
admission to the Academy. His letter deals at great
length with his early religious impressions and his
conversion to God, and then proceeds in the following
sentences to refer to his doctrinal sentiments and his
call to the ministry : —

"As the compass of one letter will not suffer me to
enlarge with respect to my principles, it will perhaps
be sufficient to observe that being educated in the
doctrmes of the Church of Scotland, as contained in

I3i

ROBERT MORRISON.

the Westminster Confession of Faith, so far as I have
been enabled to examine them as yet, I liave espoused
them from pnnciple. Hence also my views with re-
spect to the ordinance of baptism will be known.

" As to the motives that induce me to wish to be a
mmister, they are these, viz. :— An earnest desire of
bemg mstrumental (under the good hand of God) in
turnmg sinners from darkness to light, and from the
power of Satan unto God-of being instrumental in
biuldnig up the Church-being zealous of spiritual
gitts, I seek that I may excel to the edifying of the
Church. I covet to prophesy, for he that prophesieth
speaketh to men to edification, to exhortation and to
comfort ; and I would moreover observe that these
passages not only express my motives, but also con-
tarn what I considered a warrant for my present
undertaking, as they come from the apostle to the
Church of Corinth in the form of an exhortation,
beek that ye may excel.' ' Covet to prophesy,'
"However, I would willingly resign myself to the
direction of my heavenly Father. He knows best, and
will choose and use what instruments He seeth meet
His will be done."

He was immediately accepted by the Committee
and summoned to London, where he arrived on
January Gth, 1803.

Hoxton Academy was then under the care of the
Eevs. Dr. Simpson andW. Atkinson, and amongst the
students he found congenial spirits in men known
aftemirds as Eevs. H. F. Burder, D.D., of Hackney,
J. Llume, LL.D., of Manchester. J. Fletcher DD
of Stepney, and G. Payne, LL.D., of Exeter, with ail
of whom ho maintained a firm friendship, and with
the two former a close intimacy until his death,

- i ial i W^

PREPARATION FOR THE GREAT WOPK.

He had scarcely settled at the College before a trial
came which deeply moved his spirit. His father's
health had been feeble for some time, and the business
had been largely dependent on the exertions of Robert.
His father grew worse, and an urgent and affectionate
summons came for his son to return home and resume
his former position. His heart was too fixed and his
enthusiasm for his new calling too imperative to permit
him to do so, and he wrote a reply which, whilst
brimming with tenderness and filial piety, yet expressed
his unalterable purpose to pursue his sacred calling.

^ February 5, 1803.

'Honoured father, brother and sisters,

"I received your letter on the 19th ult.
The account of my father's leg growing worse and
worse concerns me ; but what can I do ? I look to my
God and my father's God. ' He doeth all things well*'
and He will make all things work together for good
to those that love Him. My father, my brother, my
sisters, I resign you all and myself to His care, who I
trust careth for us. Are not our days few? Yet I
desire if the Lord will, that He may grant you
wherewithal to provide things honest in the sight of
all men during the few days of your pilgrimage. I
trust He will; and may the Lord bless you with rich
communications of saving grace and knowledge. You
advise me to return home. I thank you for your kind
intentions : may the Lord bless you for them. But
I have no inclination to do so ; having set mv hand
to the plough, I would not look back. It hath pleased
the Lord to prosper me so far, and grant me favour
m the eyes of this people."

His family were still not satisfied with his decis

ion,

! i
i i p

20 ROP.ERT MORIUSON.

and it was a painful subject for him to write about ;
l)ut he never swerved for a moment from wliat ha
firmly believed to be a sacred duty, and both his
father and brother and sisters lived long enough to
recognize that he had been led by Divine Providence
in his chosen path.

He had not been 1-ng in the Metropolis before he
presented himself to Eev. Dr. Waugh, a minister of
fervent piety and affectionate spirit, who then presided
over a large church in Wells Street, Oxford Street.
He was received into membership, and shortly after-
wards preached his first sermon in St. Luke's Work-
house, and from that time he became a frequent
preacher in the villages around London. He also
found many opportunities to visit the poor and sick,
after the habit he had formed at Newcastle.

He pursued his studies at Hoxton with untiring
assiduity, and his fellow students above referred to
have left glowing testimonies as to his fervid pursuit
both of mental and spiritual attainments. Dr. Clunie
suras up a very full description of his student life in
these words : " Others possessed more brilliant talents,
a richer imagination, a more attractive delivery, or
more graceful manners,— but I trust I may be per-
mitted to say that there was no one who more happily
concentrated in himself the three elements of moral
greatness,— the most ardent piety, indefatigable diH-
gence, and devoted zeal in the best of all causes."

After he had been a f^hort time at College a desire
for foreign Missionary work, which had occasionally
arisen within him at home, became a definite and
ruling purpose of his soul. He made this known to
the tutors and treasurer of the Institution. They
represented to him the arduous nature of the work

■.■■iAj,jt^^-^^,^\-~^-._:.-tMls^.-.~,*^f^

PREPARATION FOR THE GREAT WORK.

and the special opportunities he had for great iisc-
fiihiGss in the home field, and offered him the privi-
lege of a training at one of the Scotch Universities.
They advised him to carefully pray and think ahout
the matter. This advice he readily adopted, with the
result that his purpose became greatlv strengthened ;
and on May 27, 1804, he wrote to the Directors of the
London Missionary Society, offering himself for labour
in a foreign sphere. His letter has been often referred
to as a model one. It briefly records the facts of his
conversion, of his desire to enter the ministry, and of
his growing interest in mission work. He says :—

" My first wish was to engage as a missionary. " This
was tha burden of my prayer. I avowed this design
to my friends. I frankly own it was the wish of my
heart when I came to Hoxton ; and had the question
been asked of me I should have professed it. I had
no design to conceal it ; but I then considered myself
unfit, and believed learning necessary. I knew nothing
of a missionary academy. I still cherished the desire
of being a missionary, but thought it premature to
come to a determination, and therefore entered upon
the foundation at Hoxton."

In coming to this decision he had a painful struggle
with his home relatives, who were strongly opposed to
it. He pleaded the case most tenderly and affection-
ately with his father, offering to desist from his
purpose, " If my father or other friends can give such
reasons why I should not take this step as will satisfy
my mind on a dying bed." No such reasons were
forthcoming; but the struggle of mind he endured
may be imagined from these words, extracted from, a
letter he addressed to his very intimate companion
Cuthbert Henderson : "My brother Thomas has sent

ROnERT MORRISON.

a letter which grieves me very much. Ho represents
the situation of my father's affairs in sucli a distress-
ing hglit . . . and then charges me with wilfulness
that I can help them, and won't. Shall I see my
father's house thus thrown into confusion ? I myself,
my dear hrother, wander from day to day, mournin^'
an ahsent Lord. I M'ander under the hidings of my
Father's countenance, under a sense of my own ignor-
ance and weakness. What can I do? For years
past I liave desired and prayed and lahoured night
nnd day for that whicli the Lord has heen pleased to
hnng ahout ; and now when my wishes are gratified,
my prayers are answered, shall I turn hack ? my
God, I lift my soul to Thee. How shall I stand
before Jesus in the day of judgment, should I now
forsake Him and His work when a difficulty arises ?
my friend, pray that the Lord may remove all my
sins, that He may make my way plain before me,
that He may be near to my precious and immortal
soul ; pray for my brother and father, I entreat thee,
my good iriend, go often to see them ; and may the
Lord bless thee and keep thee througl^ faith unto
eternal salvation."

On Monday, May 28th, he appeared before the
Missionary Board. The interview was so satisfactory
that the usual cusfom of a second examination was
dispensed with. He was accepted at once, and ordered
to proceed to the Missionary Academy at Gosport
then presided over by the venerable Dr. Bogue.

He prepared to obey the order at once. His fellow
students affectionately commended him to " the special
grace of God," in a meeting for united prayer ; and on
the Wednesday following his acceptance, he proceeded
to Gosport, where he received a warm welcome from

PllEl'AUATlON FOU THE GREAT WolUv.

'29

the Governor of the Institution. His stay there was
but a short one ; his fitness and preparedness for the
work being soon demonstrated; and arrangements
were quickly made for his appointment to a spliere of
labour. For some time he was in uncertahity as to
his destination, and writing to his friend Mr. Clunie,
on July 31st, he says : —

"My future destination is altogether unknown to
me. It is in agitation to send a mission to China.
Mr. Bogue seems quite fond of it. I have had some
thoughts of going into the interior of Africa, to Tim-
buctoo. I give up my concerns to the Lord. I hope
He will open a door of useful missionary labour in
some part of the world, and give me souls for my hire."
At the same time al^'o he wrote to his sister
Hannah : "It is in agitation to send me on a mis-
sion to China ; however, it is altogether uncertain as
yet. I have thought of going to Timbuctoo, in Africa.
I hope the Lord will carry me out to some situation
where He will make me abundantly useful to the
souls of men."

The references to Timbuctoo may be ex^jlained by
the tact that the brave but unfortunate traveller,
Mungo Park, was at this time contemplating the
formation of an English settlement there. It was in
deliberation to send a medical gentleman, Mr. Ander-
son, to Africa, and a clerical missionary with him.
Mr. Morrison seems to have been anxious to go ; but
the Committee of the Society designed him for other
work, and at first were disposed to send him to Prince
of "Wales' Island, in the Malacca Straits.
^ He was not left long in uncertainty as to his des-
tination, but was appointed to China, and directed to
turn his attention to gaining an elementary know-

Ill

IfoUKUT MOlUtlSOX.

lodge of the Chinese language, with the object of
(inahfynig himself to .translate the Bible into that
tongue. Mr. Morrison ever firmly b Ueved that the
appointment to China was providential. He had made
his appointment a matter of special and prolonged
prayer, and had even poured out a supplication that
lor^ lofty ^ self-forgetfulness was truly apostolic— viz.,
" That God would station him in that part of the
missionary field where the difficulties were the
greatest, and, to all human appearance, the most
insurmountable." The sequel seems to show that
this prayer was certainly answered.
_ The idea which was in the mind of the Committee
in making the appointment was that the a^ent
selected should proceed to China, either seekin- a
residence in the country itself, or finding a r- fnge^'on
one of the adjacent islands, and should there obtain
a knowledge of the language, and proceed with a
translation of the Bible. More than this was not
contemplated just then; when it was accomplished,
the next step was to be considered.

The design of the Committee also included the
appointment of two or three others to accompany Mr
Morrison ; and a son of the celebrated Eev. Dr. John
Brown, of Haddington, was actually selected, but he
declmed the invitation. Then Dr. Vanderkemp was
requested to leave Africa, and proceed to China to
supermtend the mission. This also came to nothing.
Evidently Providence was directing the movements of
the bociety by unrecognisable means. As we look
backwards from our standpoint to-day, it seems quite
evident that if a company of agents had gone to
Caina, they ^^ould have drawn towards themselves
the virulent opposition of the ruling powers, and

rilEPAHATlOX Fun THE GUEAT

WOHK.

i]l

rendered all efforts to obtain an introduction for the
Gospel unavailing. The appointment of Mr. I^Iorrison
tlierefore remained, no companion bc'ng found to
share with him the trials and responsibilities of the
enterprise.

In August, IbOr, he left Gosport, and proceeded to
London, that he might gain some useful knowledge
in astronomy and medicine, and also th, t he might
gather up as much knowledge of the Chinese lan-
guage as was there practicable. He walked St. Bar-
tholomew's Hospital, and attended a course of
lectures on medicine given by Dr. Blair. He went
to Greenwich, and studied astronomy under Dr.
Hutton. He resided in Bishopsgate Street, and
M'alked to and from Greenwich, carrying his various
mathematical and other instruments, and reading
the whole of the way. He also engaged the services
of a Chinese teacher then residing in London, called
Yang-Sam-Tak. This man was possessed of some
learning, but was of a most impetuous, passionate,
and proud spirit. Mr. Morrison was greatly tried by
his fierce and domineering temper ; but he bore with
him with marvellous patience, for the sake of attain-
ing his great object, and also for the sake ot the man
himself, whose spiritual welfare he greatly coveted.
On one occasion Mr. Morrison burnt a piece of
paper on which Sam had written some characters.
He had committed them to memory, and had no more
use for them ; but such was his teacher's indignation,
that for three days he refused to continue his instruc-
tions ; and to avoid similar offence, his pupil after-
wards wrote on a piece of tin, from which he could
rub out the characters whc

len they
needed. It is gratifving to know that S

no longer
am was so far

UoltEUT MOUUIsOiV.

\von by the kiiulness anil patienco of liis pupil, as to
jom lum in reading tlu; Hcriptures, and also to unite
in the worship of the hoiisehold-a thing he had pre-
viously regarded with seorn. He afterwards obtained
through Mr. JMorrison's inlluence an excellent situa-
tion HI the warehouse of a merchant at Hong Kong.

In the Uritish Museum a manuscript had been dis-
covered by the llev. W. Moseley, Congregational
mnnster ot Long liuckby, Northamptonshire, which
contained the principal portion of the New Testa-
ment translated into the Chinese language. It was
a loho volume, and by mistake had been lettered,
Eviitujdia Qnatuor Sinicc. On a blank leaf at the
begnnnng of the volume is this note :— " This tran-
script was made at Canton m 17^7 and 1738, by
order of Mr. Hodgson, who says it has been collated
with great care, and found very correct. Given to
him by Sir Hans Sloane, Bart., in 1731)." Mr. Mose-
ley was incited by this discovery to publish a treatise
on " the importance and practicability of translatino-
and publishing the Holy Scriptures in the Chinese
language." After Mr. Morrison had acquired some
lamilianty with Chinese cliaracters, he commenced to
transcribe this MS., and also a MS. Latin and Chinese
Dictionary, which was possessed and lent to him by
the Royal Society. By extraordinary appHcation, he
copied these MSS. m the few months of his residence
in London, besides pursuing with ardour the other
studies previously mentioned, and engaging in many
works of practical benevolence. Speaking of these
endeavours to prepare himself for his work. Dr. Milne
says : " What was acquired of the language proved
afterwards of trifling utility. The Dictionary and
the Harmony of the Gospels were more useful. These

I'llKrAUATIOS I-Oll TIIH fl

IlKAT WdltK.

were oriRhmlly the work of sorao of the Romish rais
Bjonancs .n China. Ijy ,vl„u i„,livi,|„„l„, „r at what
time thcHo wcijis wore compiloil lian not been asccr-
tinned ; hut Providenco ha» prcsem!,! thorn to bo
««o ul and tho j„.st raorit of thoii- authors will
doubtless one day bo reckoned to thorn "

Dnrius this period of preparation, his mind was

deeply conoernod for tho salvation of his hrotirer

and ,.ster», and their ohildren. He wrote mZ

otters thorn ovorflowins with affection and dos re

for then- >velfaro. He paid a farewell visit to hem

'L"l'- ,"'■' "■"'"'"^ «""'«■«' '-o^nd him, and man"
fosted such > acbment to him as greatly to try h ,
esolufon, although without in any degree shakta^
t Ho spent a fortn ght amongst them, preaching
thn-teon tnnes, and visiting all his friends and a"
quamtances, gomg down also to Edinburgh and filn,
gow Then he returned to London, and !« fo
IS departure. On October 23rd, ho wrote to hi
ather : I met the Directors on Tuesday last, who
t was agreed by tl,e Committee that I should proceed
hy ho first conveyance to Madras, thence pass on to
Malacca there leave my luggage, and pay^^. visS to
Canton, o see whether or not I can settle there If I
can, I will send to Malacca for my hooks • and if n„t
I shall return and take up my re'idon ^11 lace '
wdiero there are a few thousands of Chinese and
where I shall endeavour to learn the language an '
also as soon as I can preach the Gospel to the Mal'ays '
Agam, on December 23rd, he wrote to his brXr

;™rnn.theirt-;t^^rf:s;dT^-^^^^^^^^

have been so ; but owing to the indisposition of

"-n

ROBERT MORRISON.

Messrs. Hardcastle and Cowie, the necessary steps
were delayed. You must understand that none of our
missionaries can go out to India in an English vessel,
without the express leave of the East India Company.
Their leave was solicited for the Baptist missionaries,
who are now at Serampore, near Calcutta, and they
refused it. Our missionaries who are now in India
went out in foreign neutral vessels. Our Society never
asked their leave, but now think of doing it for me."

The permission, however, could not be obtained. A
passage was secured for him and two fellow students
—Messrs. Gordon and Lee— who, with their wives,
were about to proceed to other portions of the mission
field, in the good ship Remittance to New York, whence
he would proceed to Canton direct or by way of India,
as might seem most fitting on his arrival in America.

His feelings at the near prospect of bidding fare-
well to home and fatherland may be judged by the
following words from his journal under date January
2nd, 1807 :—

" This is one of the most important periods of my
life. Lord ! * except Thy presence go with me,
carry me not up hence.' May the blessing of God
Almighty accompany me. May the angel of His pre-
sence go before me. I feel not much cast down. I
endeavoured this evening to recollect some of the pro-
mises on which I hope. • Fear not, for I am with thee,'
came into my mind ; and again, ' Fear not, thou worm
Jacob.' I hope to be enabled to lean always and only
on the arm of God ; none else can hold me up."

He was ordained and consecrated to his sacred and
apostoUc work on January 8th, 1807, in the Scotch
Church, Swallow Street, in company with the two
missionaries above named. Prayer, reading of the

PREPARATION FOR THE GREAT WORK. 35

Scriptures, and exhortation, were conducted by the
Kev.^ T. Townsend ; questions were proposed to the
missionaries by the Eev. G. Burder, D.D. ; the band of
missionaries made a confession of the solemn truths
they thei;eby undertook to teach the heathen, and
then a dedicatory prayer was offered by the venerable
and venerated pastor of Mr. Morrison, the Eev Dr
Waugh, accompanied by the laying on of hands ; then
the Eev Dr Nicol delivered an affecting charge from
Acts XX. 17, 27, and the Eev. C. Buck concluded with
prayer. It was a deeply touching and impressive
service and was long remembered by those present,
not only because of the memorable addresses and
prayers of the venerable brethren, but even more bv
the simple and natural statement by Mr. Morrison of
his experience and faith.

His letters to his father, his brothers, and sisters,
on bidding farewell to England, overflow with affec-
tionate feeling, especially regarding those who had
not become Christians. Thus he wrote to his sister
Hannah : My dear, dear Hannah, do think of your
soul now, set heaven and hell and a dying Saviour
before you My brotherly love to your dear partner ;
tell him these thmgs from me. Bow down together,
and call upon God with tears, and for the sake of
Jesus ask for mercy. I hope to go to-morrow, or
Wednesday mormng at the latest, to Gravesend, to
embark for New York. I am in good health, and am
no depressed ; I sorrow to leave you all, but I do hope
aiid pray (oh, God grant it !) that we shall in a httle
time be brought to glory everlasting. But, dear sister
Hannah, I stand m doubt of you lest you should be in
an unconverted state. Forgive me, forgive me ; it is
not m harshness but in love for your precious soul

u. u

BOBEIIT MORRISON.

that I speak. Come to Jesus ; come to Jesus. There
is nothmg worth attendmg to till that be done." The
i'ltensity of this pleading shows the spirit of a true
evangelist and missionary'.

In his farewell letter to his father he gives the
following particulars as to the arrangements made for
his voyage and settlement : " I have letters of intro-
duction to a great many Christian friends in New
York who will endeavour to obtain for me a residence
in the American Factory in Canton. The Society puts
into my hand i;l50 in dollars, which I am to keep
untouched till I arrive in China, as I have my passage
paid. I have, moreover, ,i'20 for current expenses.
They give me likewise letters of credit to the amount
of .i'200 on persons in Canton, Malacca, and Prince of
Wales' Island. I am instructed to act very much as
circumstances may arise, and to provide either in
whole or part for myself if I possibly can. Thus you
see that there is not any care wanting, but every pre-
caution that can be is taken."

Mr. Morrison proceeded to Gravesend, and em-
barked in the ship which was to convey him across
the Atlantic. His feelings were profoundly stirred.
He wrote : " I am alone ; to go alone. Oh, that I may
not be alone ; but that the good hand of my God may
be upon me, and the angel of His presence go before
me. What is my object in leaving friends and country ?
My object was at first, and I trust still is, the glory of
God in the salvation of poor sinners. Oh, for faith in
God ! Oh, for strong confidence in the great and
precious promises ! "

On Saturday, January 31st, he went on board, and
sailed out'of the river on his way to his chosen sphere
and calling.

.a^i.'SSir^.

1. There
e." The
if a true

;ives the
made for
of mtro-

in New
•esidence
iety puts

to keep
' passage
ixpenses.

amount
?rmce of
much as
dther m
'hus you
'ery pre-

md em-
n across
stirred,
it I may
lod maj'
;o before
ountry ?
glory of
faith in
eat and

ird. and
1 sphere

CHAPTER IV.

Initial Life and Work in China,

■•^-

" There i. no «ub.tiiute fur thorough-going, ardent and sincere
earnestness. '— Dickens.

••^le-

A FTER leavmg Gravesend, the ship Remittance, con-
■Ly. tammg Mr. Morrison and his fellow-missionaries,
who were bound for the mission-field in India, was
detamed in the Downs waiting for a fair wind. On
February 7th, 1807, a tremendous storm raged, which
occasioned great destruction of shipping, so that a
number of vessels were sunk, and many driven on the
shore Out of a large fleet which was anchored in
the Downs, the Remittance was the only one that was
able to pursue the voyage. Ifc was indeed a serious
time. Mr. Morrison wrote as follows concerning it on
the 19th : —

" God has preserved us. Yesterday morning I
hoped to have sent this letter on shore by the pilot
l>at the gale came on so suddenly that he could not

KOBERT MORIUSON.

%■ !■

!i !'

leave the ship. Before daylight our anchor snapped
m two, our mizen and fore sails split, and we scudded
down the Channel under bare poles. The sea ran
mountains high, and the atmosphere was so thick
with snow that we could not see the length of the ship
around us. In the midst of our extremity, an alarm
was raised that the ship was on fire owing to the
bursting of sorje bottles of vitriol. The pilot and
one of the men leaped into the mizen-chains in order
to jump overboard— which was to cast themselves
mto the arms of death— as they preferred death in
that form to being burnt to death. Happily, however,
the other men had courage enough to seize the bottles
and push them overboard. My mind, in the midst of
this, was only exercised in casting my burden upon
the Lord."

^ After a long, tedious, and trying voyage, Mr. Mor-
rison at length reached New York on April 20th, and
at once took steps to secure a passage to Canton. He
obtained intercourse with several of the leading Chris-
tian ministers and laity of the city, and then pro-
ceeded to Philadelphia, in order to obtain, if possible,
from the Government the interest and protection of
the United States Consul at Canton. There he found
friends, who used their utmost influence at Washing-
ton, and succeeded in obtaining a letter from Mr.
Maddison, then Secretary of State, addressed to Mr!
Carrmgton, the Consul at Canton, requesting him to
do all he could, consistently with the interests he
represented, to further the designs of the mission.

The gentleman at whose house Mr. Morrison was
entertained in New York communicated, many years
afterwardR, a paper to the Observer, which narrated
many interesting particulars in reference to this v'isit.

INITIAL LIFE AND WORK IN CHINA.

A few extracts from this paper will throw further light
on the character of Mr. Morrison, and the spirit in
which he anticipated entering upon his work. The
writer says : —

"I shall never forget the evening on which the
missionary company was brought to my house by
Dr. Mason. The appearance of a missionary of the
cross then was a lare thing, and that of a company of
missionaries still more so. The countenance of Mor-
rison bore the impress of the effect of grace on a
mind and temperament naturally firm and somewhat
haughty. His manner was civil rather than affable,
serious and thoughtful, breathing a devoted piety.

The interview was solemn, but pleasant In a day

or two after Mr. Morrison was seized with sudden
indisposition. As I sat by his bed, he took my hand,
and, adverting to the uncertain issue of the attack,
expressed, in language which told of a mind at ease
and prepared for every event, his resignation to the
Divine will. After urging me to greater devotedness
to the cause of Christ's glory, he closed with these
^yords, which, I afterwards found, were ever on his
lips, • Dear brother, look up, look up ! '

"As the notice had been very short, he was placed
for the first night in our own chamber. By the side
of his bed stood a crib, in which slept my little child.
On awaking in the morning, she turned, as usual, to
talk to her mother. Seeing a stranger where she ex-
pected to have found her parents, she roused herself
with a look of alarm ; but, fixing her eyes steadily
upon his face, she inquired, ' Man, do you pray to
God?' 'Oh, yes, my dear,' Mr. Morrison replied.
' every day. God is my best friend.' At once reas-
sured, the little girl laid her head contentedly on her

t i

llOBERT JIORRISON.

h 'I !

■ r If

pillow and fell fast asleep. She was a great favourite
with him ever after.

''There was nothing of pretence about Morrison.
An unfriendly critic might have said he was too proud
to be vam; a Christian would more willingly have
said he was too pious to be proud. Nothing could
be more plain, simple, and unceremonious than his
manners. His fellow-missionaries looked up to him
as a father, resorted to his room for prayer, and took
his advice in all their movements. He exhibited less
ot the tenderness of the Christian than they did; his
piety had the bark on, theirs was still in the green
shoot. His mind stood fom, erect, self-determined ;
theirs clung to it for support, and gathered under its
shadow for safety .... I will only add a brief notice
ot the partmg scene as he left us for his destination.
On the morning he sailed, his missionary companions
assembled in his room, and there had a most solemn
mterview-their last in this world. Poor Gordon was
completely overwhelmed. Morrison was <-mposed
and dignified. He reproved the excessive grief of his
brother, and conducted their parting devotions with
great firmness and self-possession. We then set out
together to the counting-house of the shipowner, pre-
vious to his embarkation. I cannot forget the air of
suppressed ridicule which lurked in the merchant's
features and in his speech and manner towards Morri-
son, whom he appeared to pity as a deluded enthusiast,
while he could not but secretly respect his self-denial,
devotion, courage, and enterprise. When all business
matters were arranged, he turned about from his desk,
and, with a sardonic grin, addressing Morrison, whose
countenance was a book wherein men might read
strange things, said, 'And so, Mr. Morris°on, you

INITIAL LIFK AND WOlUv IN fJUTNA. 41

really expect that you will make an impression on
the idolatry of the great Chinese empire ? ' « No sir '
said Morrison, with more than usual sternness ; ' I
expec God will.' We soon left the man of money
and descending to the wharf, took our last farewell
of the future apostle of the Chinese, as he stepped
into the stern-sheets of a hoat that was to carry him
to the ship that lay off in the hay. He said little, he

MACAO,

moved less ; his in.,>osing figure and solemn counte-
nance were motionless as a statue. His mind was
evidently full, too full for speech: his thoughts were
^^lth (rod and he seemed regardless of all around
nm. By the return of the pilot I received an affec-
tionate note."

He sailed for his destination in the Trident about

he middle of May, and arrived at Canton on Sep-

tember 8th, 1807. Many difficulties surrounded liii

He first went ashore at Macao, an island on the

Chinese coast, about ninety miles from Canton, then

'•U

iui 1

I f

ROBERT MORRISOX.

under the Portuguese Government. Here the East
India Company had a Factory, and on landing he was
surprised to find there Sir George Thomas Staunton,
the President of the Select Committee of the East India
Company. He also met Mr. Chalmers, chief of the
Factory at Macao, and presented to him a letter of in-
troduction he had brought from Mr. Cowie, one of tlie
Directors of the Missionary Society. Mr. Chalmers
welcomed him heartily, and wished him success, but
said, " The people of Europe have no idea of the diffi-
culty of residing here or of obtaining masters to teach."
He told Mr. Morrison that the Chinese were pro-
hibited from teaching the language under penalty of
death. He also promised to talk the matter over
with Sir George and Mr. Eoberts, the chief of the
English Factory at Canton. Then Mr. Morrison
waited on Sir George, and presented a letter of intro-
duction from Sir Joseph Banks, the President of the
Eoyal Society. Sir George also spoke seriously as
to the difficulties of the enterprise, stating that the
East India Company forbade anyone to stay there,
save on account of trade; but' eventually he promised
that he would do all hi his power to promote the
object Mr. Morrison had at heart. Sir George was
supposed to be the only Englishman living who had
a proficient acquaintance with the Chinese language.
He was a gentleman of noble spirit, and this intro-
duction ripened into a life-long and ardent friendship
between hit i and the missionary.

On his arrival at Canton, Mr. Morrison sought an
interview with Mr. Carrington, the United States
Consul, and presented Mr. Maddison's letter. He
receiveu a cordial WGlcomc, and was offered a room iii
the Consul's house, which he gratefully accepted.

INITIAL LIFE AND WOJtK IN CHINA. 43

But as this house was thronged with visitors, he soon
removed to another, occupied by Mr. Mihior, where
he was more retired and able also to live at less
expense. This house was part of the old French
l^aciory at Canton, then in charge of Mr. Milnor and
his partner Mr. Bull, as super-cargoes. He received
great kmdness from these gentlemen, and as an
American citizen he remahicd under their protection.
As an Englishman he dared not be known

From Canton he wrote to Sir George Staunton, as
loilows :— Sir George is most respectfully informed

• 7^ ^^f'T'' *^'^^ ^^ ^^'^^ ""^ l^^e^ent an apartment
in the old French Factory at Canton. If Sir George
thmks any particular line of conduct necessary for
Mr Morrison to pursue, in order to his being per-
mitted quietly to reside in Canton, to communicate
It will be rendermg Mr. Morrison an essential service.
Mr. Morrison will wait the arrival of Sir George at
Canton, before any attempt be made to procure
assistance m learning the language."

When Sir George came to clnton, he at once in-
troduced Mr. Morrison to Mr. Roberts, the chief of
the English Factory, and also obtained for him a
teacher. This was Al I Yun, a Roman Catholic
Chinese from Peldn; and from this time he devoted
himself with extreme diligence to learning the Ian-
guage. It is scarcely possible for us to realize the
cautious prudence required from Mr. Morrison at this
point in his career. One false step must have pre-
cipitately closed his career in China, but the difficulties
which gathered round him only seemed to fire his
zeal and develop the resources of his nature In
writing to the Society, he detailed his various move-
ments at great length, and gave utterance to the deep

KOIJEUT MOHHISON.

Icelin^r within his breast, in words us follows : " It is
a hazjirdous hut not a doul)tful enterprise on which
we enter, doubtful, I moan, whether we be right or
wrong. We shall not have to reproach ourselves for
having pul)lished the truth of the Gospel amongst
ignorant, deluded, guilty men. The missionary "of
Jesus will have cause to reproach himself that he
served not his Lord more fully, but not that he was
a missionary. Calvary, Calvary, when 1 view
the blood of Jesus streaming down thy sides, I am
amazed at my coldness of affection towards the Lord,
of my slothful performance of the duties which the
authority of God, but shall I say, which the love of
Jesus moro strongly imposes upon ^ne. Yes,
Father, Thy love in sending J.jsus, and my Savio-r,
Thy love in giving Thyself for me, and Thine, Holy
Spnit, in applying the salvation of Jesus to my guilty
conscience, unitedly overcome me, and con-'rain me
to live not to myself but to Thee."

He gives also an account of the opportunity opened
to him of le irning the language, a work that must
necessarily precede any other step in the direction of
the accomplishment of his great task.

" There are two Chinese who will, I hope, be useful to
me ; at present, however, they are so. The name
of one is Le Heensang. He possesses considerable
knowledge of Chinese, writes an excellent hand, and
havmg obtained one degree as a man of letters, is not
so afraid as sbme of the tradespeople are. The other
person, Abel Yun, was sent to me by Sir George.
Abel is here the agent of the liomish missionaries at
Pekin, a native of Shan-si, wdiere the Mandarin
language is generally spoken. A great part of his
life (he is about thirty years of age) has been spent

w
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O
PI

r.
>

I '!

4(5

R0DF:RT MORRISON.

with the missionaries at Pekin. They have taught
him the Latin language, wliich he speaks fluently.
He came to me to-day, accompanied by another
Christian. Being the Lord's Day I could not receive
instruction from him. The Vulgate translation of the
Scriptures was lying on my table. On his looking at
it we entered into conversation respecting its contents.
1 turned to the fourth Commandment in Exodus, and
to the closing verse of the 58th of Isaiah. He read
them, explained them to his Chinese friend, and if I
understood him rightly, said he had hitherto erred
respecting the Sabbath. He alluded with readiness to
the discourse of our Lord respecting the Sabbath, when
some said that He profaned it by healing on that day."
Mr. Morrison's position was a trying one, because
of its isolation and uncertainty. He knew that
at any moment he might l)e ordered to leave the
country, and his expenses were very great. His rooms
in the Factory cost him 850 dollars a year. His
board 400 more. He had to keep [i boy, which cost 100
dollars. Then he had the expense of . i teacher, candles,
furniture, books, and other necessaries, besides which
he on several occasions became a prey to the merci-
less and deceitful covetonsness of the natives. He
employed a Chinese to buy him a few books in the
city, and this person bribed the boy to aid him in
defrauding his master, which he succeeded in doing
to the amount of thirty dollars. His early impres-
sions of Chinese superstition and idolatry he wrote
to bis friend Cuthbert Henderson, at Nevcastle, thus :
" By the Lord's good hand upon mo 1 am preserved
in health amidst very close application to the Chinese
language, s. iiavi; Bome oppoiiunities of saying a few
things concerning Jesus in private conversation, but

INITIAL LIFE AND WORK IN CHINA.

cannot make myself understood for want of words. I
find much difficulty in speaking of God, for the Chinese
have no proper idea of one livinp; and true God, and

, ■„ fi

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I. 'I'll . ' ; ''

h'' -ij _«]

It. .,

itflirJl

CHINESE WORSHIP.

consequenlly have no words to express such an idea.
Your heart, dear Cuthbert, would be grieved to see thciu
falhng down prostrate, or on their kn. cs, touching the
earth with their foreheads, before large figures in the

'ij

HOHERT MORRISON.

form of men. Sometimes, instead of a graven image,
they have a painting of a man. The person worship-
ping kneels, and on his knees, keeps the body erect a
short time, then bends forward, and placing his hands
on the floor to support his body, brings the forehead
into contact with the stones or earth, of one or the
other of which their floors generally are. He again
raises his body erect, and again bends forward three
times. He then stands up for a short time, after
which he kneels and goes over the same number of
prostrations a second and a third time. To what a
low state has sin reduced man ! Why this external
adoration of a lifeless image ? Blessed book the Bible,
which reveals to man the true God, and which reveals
man to himself. Blessed Jesus, who was in the bosom
of the Father, and who has declared Him to us."

The rooms which Mr. Morrison occupied were called
in Canton *' a go down." They were, in fact, simply
a basement story, and had been commonly used as
warehouse rooms. In these he studied, ate, and slept.
In order that he might attract less attention, he
adopted the dress, food, and habits of the natives.
He wore a pig-tail and loose dress, he ate with chop-
sticks, he allowed his nails to grow long. So closely
did he devote himself to study, and so little did he
oat, that in a short time his health failed, and his
life was in serious peril. Without questioning the
excellence of his intentions, the wisdom of some of
these steps he himself afterwards doubted, as the
following lines from Dr. Milne's Betrospcct of the First
Ten Years of the Chinese Mission,^ which was mainly
prepared from an account written by Mr. Morrison
himself, will show : —

1 Pages G4-5.

INITIAL LIFE AND WORK IN CHINA.

" At first he supposed it would greatly facilitate his
object to live in the manner of the natives ; and under
this idea he supplied himself with such articles as are
commonly used by the Chinese in dress and at meals ;
but he shortly perceived that the idea was erroneous.
To make himself remarkable in external appearance
would have been proclaimi-q to the Chinese that he
was not in circumstances • nilar to those of other
foreigners at Canton, and thu- he had objects different
from those of commerce, which is the only one sanc-
tioned by the local and general authorities. Again,
as religion does not consist in the form or colour of
one's dress, he not only declined assuming a native
dress, but also did not make a point of being always
dressed in black ; the white jacket and straw hat were
worn, as other Europeans do in warm climates. What-
ever may be becoming in other countries, in those
places where the Governments are averse to the dif-
fusion of Christianity, all external distinctions of this
kind had much better be laid aside by missionaries ;
let piety towards God and benevolence towards men
be the characteristics which distinguish them.

" At first, as above observed, he ate in the Chinese
manner, and dined with the person who taught him
the language. His mode of living was rigidly eco-
nomical. A lamp made of earthenware supplied
him with light ; and a folio volume of Matthew
Henry's Commentary, set up on its edge, afforded a
shade to prevent the wind from blowing out the light.
He did not find, however, that dining with a native
increased his knowledge of the language ; in the time
of taking a hasty meal little advantage was gained.
The same reason which led him to pare his nails, cut
off his hair, and give away his Chinese dress, induced!^

'•ill

ROBERT MORRISON.

him to desist from being singular in his manner of
eating also. His nails were at first suffered to grow
that they might be like those of the Chinese. He
had a tail (i.e., a tress of hair) of some length, and
became an adept in the use of chop-sticks. He
walked about the Hong with a Chinese frock on, and
with thick Chinese shoes. In this he meant well ;
but, as he has frequently remarked, was soon con-
vinced that he had judged ill."

EATING WITH CHOP-STICKS.

Soon after his settlement in Canton he attempted
to hold public worship in his rooms, and invited a
few American and English gentlemen to attend. He
had much discouragement and disappointment in the
effort. In order to conciliate some who were members
of the Church of England, he made use of the
^Liturgy; but ho found to his sorrow that residence in
a heathen land too often fostered indifference to

li »

INITIAL LIFE AND WORK IN CHINA. 61

Divine worship, rather than imparted a greater desire

As Mr. Morrison became more accustomed to his
position, he removed from the small and unhealthy

u^'TL' ''^''^ ^' °^^"Pi^^' ^^^^ ^-ented a building
called "The Factory," which had been occupied by
the Irench, but which was offered to him by Mr
Parry. He had here more room and convenience'
and here he resided till he was obliged to leave
Canton by reason of failing health.

His character and pursuits began to draw towards
himself the attcition and friendship of the lead-
ing foreign a Canton. Mr. Roberts, the chief
01 the E .%... Factory, showed increasing dis-
position to further both his literary studies and
missionary aims ; Mr. Ball, another leading employe
of the East India Company, also offered him con-
siderable sympathy; the Hon. J. Elphinstone sent
him a present of a Latin-Chinese Dictionary, valued
at ^50 ; and Dr. Pearson, the medical attendant of
the Company, offered to him and his family the most
ethcient and considerate attention for twenty-five
years. Above all. Sir George Staunton showed himself
a friend indeed, and in every need, as long as he hved

The anxieties of his situation, and his unremitting,
apphcation to study without sufficient air and exercise"
so told upon his strength that he was unable to walk
across the room. His physician advised a change of
air, and by the agency of the gentlemen just referred
to, a residence was obtained for him at Macao, where
he removed on June 1, in a condition of great mental
depression. There is no doubt that his desire to
economise the funds of the Society led him to
exercise a measure of self-denial that must have been

(•I

i.-i

;:. ^

ROBERT MORRISON.

injurious o the strongest constitution. But as to his
mission he maintained a firm spirit, and ** bated not
one jot of heart or hope, but still held on most bravely."

He remained at Macao till the end of August, 1808,
studying with his Chinese assistants, and his health
improved so much that he was able to return to
Canton. In November political difficulties arose,
which led to all Englishmen being commanded to
leave the city. He remained for a brief period on
board shiri, and then returned to Macao, where he
took up his residence in his old quarters. A few
days afterwards Low Heen, one of his teachers,
ventured also to Macao, but he was in great peril
from his countrymen, who were strongly opposed to
any Chinese residing with foreigners.

A few days after Mr. Morrison's arrival at Macao, a
young gentleman called upon him to say that his
father. Dr. IVIorton, had a letter for him from the Eev.
Mr. Loveless, a" e-'ent which had a very serious in-
fluence upon his luture. He invited Mrs. Morton and
family to come to his house, and unite with him in
social prayer. On the following Sabbath the whole
family spent the day with him, and united in Divine
worship. The young man, William Morton, mani-
fested great desire for the salvation of his soul, and
Mr. Morrison entertained hopes that he might be
induced to give himself to missionary work altogether.
The loneliness of his position was greatly relieved by
intercourse with this Christian family, and between
Miss Morton and himself there soon sprang up a
warm attachment, which, by-and-bye, culminated in
their marriage. She was led by Mr. Morrison to give
herself entirely to God's service, and he thus became
the instrument of her salvation.

I i

INITIAL LIFE AND WORK IN CHINA. 68

Meantime difficulties as to his continued residence
as a missionary at Macao, or in any part of China,
mcreased around him so seriously that he resolved to
leave his residence and proceed to Penang, and there
continue his study of the language until his way to
re-enter China was open. He made preparations for
his departure, when Providence interfered to arrest
his flight. The opposition arose from the jealousy of
the Chinese and the enmity of the Eoman Catholic
missionaries combined, and in addition to this decided
opposition was displayed by some of the chief em-
ployes of the Factories. What, therefore, must have
been his surprise when, on the very day of his mar-
riage to Miss Morton, February 20th, 1809, he received
a request to become the official Translator of Chinese
for the East India Company, at a salary of ^'500 per
annum. If any fact could testify to his proficiency in
the language and to the prudence and consistency of
his character, this does so in the most ample way.
This offer decided his destiny, and to a great extent
the future of Christian missions in China. There was
no need now to embark for Penang ; Macao or Canton
were both open to him for residence and for pursuing
the great enterprise of his life.

Mr. Morrison had so far succeeded in obtaininc^ a
knowledge of the language, that he had prepared a
Chinese Vocabulary, made considerable progress with
his Anglo-Chiiiese Grammar and Dictionary, besides
havmg given much attention to the translation of the
JNew Testament, which he was slowly preparing. He
was, however, greatly troubled by the capriciousness
and ill-temper of his Chinese assistants. One of them,
when Mr. Morrison was alone one evening, tore his
coat from his back, and was proceeding to assault

■m

i^i

K It >

•m

I .

ij ■!•

ROBERT MORRISON.

him, when his master called some gentlemen in the
neighbourhood to his assistance. Yang-Sam-Tak, who
had come out to China, and had been engaged to teach
him, sent away his other two helpers, and gave him
intense distress by his violent temper and his high-
handed doings. Still he did not venture to resent
this ill-treatment, or he might have been left without
a teacher altogether. On the contrary, he bore with
them, prayed with them, expounded the Word of Life
to them, and yearned night and day for their salva-
tion. Then his house was a miserable one. The roof
fell in ; but he would still have clung to it, only the
landlord raised the rent by one-third, because his
house, he said, had been turned into a chapel. There-
fore Mr. Morrison had to seek another residence. So
afraid was he of being noticed by the people of Macao
that he never walked out, much to the injury of his
health. The first time he ventured to walk into the
fields, skirting the town, was on a moonlight night, in
company with his two teachers. Indeed, his standing
in Macao was so precarious that he was strained with
continual anxiety lest by any step he should bring
about his dismissal. This severe mental tension
occasioned a renewal of tortuiing headaches, to which
he was constitutionally prone, and subjected him to
other attacks of illness. His marriage with Miss
Morton also added to his other trials, as her health
began to fail shortly after their union, and she became
a permanent invalid. One more disappointment also
tried him. His brother-in-law, William Morton, was
obliged to relinquish his studies, give up the calling
of a missionary, and seek a more favourable climate
by reason of his delicate health.
The offer which came to him from the Ea. '. India

{

INITIAL LIFE AND WORK IN CHINA. 65

Company was undoubtedly a great relief to his mind.
In accepting it he had the full approval of the Directors
of the London Missionary Society. There are some
who have blamed him for accepting an office of a civil
character, and the functions of which were outside of
his sacred calling as a missionary of the Cross. But
•^uch do not seem to thoroughly grasp the difficulties
of his situation. In eDf..ring on these duties Mr.
Morrison saw at once that he would have new facili-"
ties afforded him of becoming familiarized with the
language, that he would be able to remain in the
country, and that he would not be burdensome to the
Society; whilst he would be able to discharge fully
his duties to the Company, and still give the major
portion of his time to the work of his life. The course
of events fully ju;^ tilled tlie step taken. By becoming
an employe of a great wealthy company, he would be
protected at once from the hostility of the natives
and the Eomish emissaries.

The steps he took to make known the Gospel to the
Chinese were necessarily of the most quiet and limited
character. Indeed, to preach publicly had never been
the purpose of the Society until the conditions of
things should entirely alter in China. Still Mr.
Morrison could not rest without doing something to
make known the way of salvation to the heathen
around him. His own teachers and servants were his
first hearers. On the Sabbath, the Harmony of the
Gospel in Chinese, which he had taken out with him,
was read. The enormous difficulties to an English-
man of learning the language, made it for a long time
impossible for him to give any fair view of Chris-
tianity, or to argue with the Chinese as to their false
systems. But the effort was made; one or two,

..' I'
1'

'1^

ROBERT MORRISON.

sometimes from four up to ten Chinese would be
gathered in an inner apartment and the door securely
ocked; then the opportunity would be afforded to
the missionary of declaring his message. For a long
time this was done without any cheering result to
encourage or reward his faith.

At the end of 1810, he wrote to his friend the Rev
follows^"''' ''"''"^"'^ ^'^' l'''°Si-es. and position as

" I have experienced since I wrote to you a con-
siderable snare of affliction ; not indeed in my own
person, but in the person of my dear Mary A
nervous disease strongly agitates body and mind ; she
IS, 1 thank the Lord, now somewhat better, and I hope
will recover her former health and peace. Affliction
m a foreign land lies doubly heavy, no kind relatives
to assist, no Christian friend to cheer. The mind in
perfect peace will, I know, sustain any deprivation, or
merely bodily calamity, but a wounded spirit who can
hear ? My daily occupations are the same as when I
ast wrote to you in the beginning of this year. I
believe I was then in Canton. I continued there till
March, carrymg on a discussion with the Chinese
government respecting the alleged murder of a China- •
man I obtained great Mat by the public exnmination
ot the witnesses ; everybody was astonished that in
two years I should be able to write the language and
converse m the Mandarin and vulgar dialects. In
consequence of that, three of the Company's servants
determmed to begm the study of the Chinese language
and I have during the summer been a regular Chinese
tutor. In addition to these three, a gentleman who
has been twenty years in the country attended ; these
remained two hours every day, and my fifth pupil

IXITIAL LIFE AND WORK IN CHINA. 57

a Dutch youth, remained all the day. Through the
summer I have had much translation to do for the
t^ompany, and frequent conferences with the Man-
darms ; neither the one nor the ot ier, I am sorry to
say, was amicable. The Mandarins are extremely
haughty, overbearing and clamorous, sometimes three
or our of them will speak at the same time, and as
loud as if they were all scolding. My tutor Ko Seen-
sang yet continues with me, and also my assistant
Low Heen I employed him to get 1000 copies of the
Acts of the Apostles printed in Chinese, and he
connived at my being charged twenty-five or thirty
pounds more than the proper price. He told me so
this evemng, and confessed his fault. It grieves me
very much, as I cannot now trust him. It is very
desirable to have persons in whom we can place entire
confidence, but that is not the case with the Chinese
A want of truth is a prevailing feature in their charac-
ter ; hence mutual distrust, low cunning, and deceit."
It was shortly after this that the translation of the
Acts of the Apostles just referred to was published.
Une thousand copies were printed. The charge for
printing was exorbitant, amounting to about half a
dollar per copy, the price at which the whole of the
New Testament was afterwards printed. But, as it was
considered to be a prohibited book, some risk was in-
curred by the printers, and they expected to be propor-
tionate y compensated, besidesthatthe Chinese thought
themselves at liberty to impose .1 any way open to
hem upon the foreigner. Three ambassadors from the
islands of Lekyo, who had come with tribute to China
had copies presented to them, on their landing, and the
book was cautiously circulated at every opportunity.
Mr. Morrison next prepared a tract, called Shin-

in*

■ '1'"'
«(

Mi* I

. *'•

■ -fill

ROBERT MORRISON.

taou, or the Divino doctrine concerning the Redemp-
tion of the World. This was printed, and 1000 copies
issued. Then he translated the Gospel of St. Luke,
which was also printed. He also composed a Catechism
to put into the hands of inquirers. At this time the
authorities of China evidently bt;gan to be disturbed
at the promulgation of other religious views than
those long established in the empiro, and an imperial
edict was issued prohibiting the teaching of Chris-
tianity, and four Roman Catholics were expelled from
Pekin. These steps rendered Mr. Morrison addi-
tionally cautious as to his next movements.
^ His Chinese Grammar had been ready for some
time, but he found it dilficult to obtain its publication.
He submitted it to Sir George Staunton, who wrote
his most cordial approval of it in these words :—

"I return you the Chinese grammar with many
thanks for the perusal. I am happy to congratulate
you on a work which will prove both in regard to its
plan and its execution a most valuable acquisition to
the student of the Chinese language. He will no
longer be under the hard necessity of working his way
through the ponderous volumes of Fourmont, Boyer
and others; and which, after all, are often very
inaccurate and defective. I hope therefore you will
soon proceed to the press."

The Grammar was sent by Mr. Roberts to Lord
Minto, the Governor- General of India, in order that
it might be printed. For some reason, never explained,
it was kept back nearly three years ; then it was
printed at the Serampore press, in 1815, at the
expense of the East India Company, and was of signal
service to many who hitherto had found the acquisi-
tion of the language a task too difficult for them.

CHAPTER V.

Persecutio'n.-a Fellow-Labourer,
— «- —

" He holds no parley with unmanly fears ;
Where duty bids, he confidently nteera,
Faces a thousand dangers at, her call, '
And, trusting in his God, surmounts them all."

^^j, COWPER.

Qevebal important events in relation to Mr Mor-
U rison's domestic and family affairs transpired in
the year 1812. His good and pious father died ; two
of his brothers also passed away ; and he was cheered
by the birth of a daughter, and the prospect of im-
proved health to his afflicted partner.

As Sir George Staunton had been withdrawn from
Chma, Mr. Morrison's official duties becnme much
more responsible, and his salary was increased to
a thousand pounds per year, with allowances for
teachers, a place at the public table, and other privi-
leges. His services were represented as being of the

highest valup, inrl f,ho TTr>r>nn""i-i- P ^ -e-r^-

when asked to sanction the appointment which had
been made by the Select Committee, gave "a kind of

■ffi

ill

,^M

ii;,i

;; I

; n

ROBERT MORRISON.

consent to it." Tlie meaning of this apimrontly tardy
cor ent was that the Directors of the East India
Company, both in England and in China, considered it
a visionary enterprise to attempt the conversion of the
Chinese to Christianity, and also feared that such
efforts might be opposed to the commercial interests
of the Company. But the prudent and unostenta-
^tious, though invaluable labours of Mr. Morrison,
Von their esteem and admiration, and led them to
treat him with great confidence.

He now gave himself with renewed enthusiasm to
the preparation of the Anglo-Chinese Dictionary— a
formidable undertaking, which involved an acquaint-
ance with Chinese classical literature such as no
Englishman or European had ever possessed.

Three copies of his translation of the Acts of the
Apostles, which he forwarded to England, aroused
the deepest interest in the minds of the lovers of
missions. The Directors of the London Missionary
Society presented one copy to the British and Foreign
Bible Society, which liberally voted £500 towards the
printing of the whole Bible in Chinese, when the
translation should be complete ; another copy was
unstitched, and its leaves distributed amongst the
friends of the Society in various parts of the United
Kingdom. It seemed to them to be the first demon-
strated step towards the eventual conquest by the
Gospel of the whole heathen empire, and they re-
joiced accordingly. In the same letter that told him
of the welcome reception of his translation, the glad
tidings were communicated that at last, in response
to his frequent and earnest pleadings, a helper had
been appointed to come and share his labours. This
was Mr. William Milne, a young man of most devoted

PERSECUTION— A FELLOW-LABuUHEU. 61

piety, and of perfect fitness for the work to which he
was designated.

Mr. Morrison's apprehensions were now painfully
excited by an edict against Christianity issued by the
Emperor. The following extract from his letter to the
Society, dated April 2nd, 1812. will hIiow at once his
danger and his calm resolutf ui :—

"By the last fleet, which Dailed al -ut a month ago,
I wrote and enclosed you a royy of i. y translation of
the Gospel by Luke, and a Gb^r^fim Lract on the Way
of Salvation, which I hoped svould reach you in safety.
I now enclose you a translation of a Chinese edict by
which you will see that to print books on the Chris-
tian religion in Chinese is rendered a capital crime. I
must go forward, however, trusting in the Lord. We
will scrupulously obey governments so far as their de-
crees do not oppose what is required by the Almighty.
I will be careful not to invite the notice of Govern-
ment. I am, though sensible of my weakness, not
discouraged, but thankful that my own most sanguine
hopes have been more than realised. In the midst of
discouragement, the practicability of acquiring the
language in no very great length of time, of trans-
lating the Scriptures, and of having them printed hi
China, has been demonstrated. I am grateful to
the Divme Being for having employed me in this
gooa work ; and should I die soon, it will afford me
pleasure in my last moments."

Mr. Morrison was working with great diligence at
his work of translating the Scriptures and compiling
his Dictionary. He had printed most of the Epistles

and also thp Gnsnpl nf Sf T n1'- .1.."-^,-- - T . '

, , , . -~~- ~-~r- ---. i-iUixc aiiuady rererred to:

but he found the preparation of the Dictionary a task
which severely tested his patience and his resources.

Ml
''11

li""

1' if

> <

ROBEKT MORRISON.

To the Grammar, which still lay in the hands of the
Company, waiting for their decision as to printing, he
added a volume of Dialogues.

He was also painfully anxious to see some visible
result of his efforts to affect the hearts of those
natives to whom he had access, and was greatly
cheered by being informed that the life of one per-
son, a Chinese police orderly in Canton, had been
reformed through reading the tract published by him
on the Way of Salvation, which tract this orderly had
taken up by chance from the table of a relative. He
h.id been a notoriously bad man— too bad in the esti-
mation of the person who had distributed the tracts
to receive one. The reform in his life was marked
by many, but did not result m his becoming a
Christian.

Mr. Morrison regularly held service m his room,
with a number of boys and his Chinese helpers and
attendants. One man, A-Fo, cheered him by apparent
earnestness in his inquiries after Scripture doctrine.
Ko Seen-sang manifested growing interest in sacred
subjects ; but the young boys gave him most pleasure
and encouragement. One day A-Fo brought him
some idols to look at. He desired that his country-
men might not be told he had brought them, because
they would be extremely angrj if they knew of it.
They were greatly opposed to selling or parting with
thoir idols, lest they should be insulted. " For my
part," said A-Fo, "I believe in Yay-soo (Jesus), and
hearken to what you say of the vanity of worshipping
wooden, clay, and other images." On November the
8th, 1812, A-Fo inquired about baptism, and declared
his willhigness tc be baptized if his brother might
not know of it. Mr. Morrison endeavoured to explain

PERSECUTION— A FELLOW-LABOURER.

to him that if his motive was a prudential one, in
order to avoid drawing the attention of the civil
authorities to himself, it was allowable ; but if he
was ashamed to be known as a Christian, it was not.
He remained with the missionary after the others had
gone for further instruction.

The Eoman Cathohc Bishop at Macao issued an
anathema against any who had intercourse with Mr.
Morrison, or received his books, or suppHed him with
Cliinese books; but it had no appreciable effect ni his
work. He reports as to his efforts for the conversion of
the natives thus : ** I have endeavoured to communi-
cate to a few, by oral instruction, the knowledge of the
truth. (Here follow the names of eleven persons.)
These have attended with the utmost seriousness and
the utmost decorum. In Macao every Sabbath day I
conducted worship with the above persons. I began
by prayer, next read a portion of the Scriptures, some
part of that which I have already printed, or some
portion translated for the occasion. These I endea-
voured to explam and enforce, and then concluded by
prayer and singing a psalm or hymn."

Mr. Morrison's time was now spent about equally
at Macao and Canton. His wife and baby resided at
the former place, and he was under the painful neces-
sity of being separated from them half of the year.
Her health was much worse when she was in Canton,
and improved by residence in Macao.

It is impossible to adequately realise the delight of
Mr. and Mrs. Morrison when, on July 4th, 1813,
being the Sabbath, and just as they were sitting down
at the Lord's table, a note arrived with the news that
Mr. Milne, the brother missionary, long promised and
expected, had arrived with his wife at Macao. A more

: I',

iii-

' i:

V Mi

'III

■■ '*!

ROBERT MORRISON.

welcome or admirable fellow-labourer never entered
he mission field. It may be convenient at this po n

L vt '" ' 'ri ''°''""'=' ^°°'^"™g concerning S
eaily days and training for the great work.

TTif IT ''Tl" t^^"^"^"^^"^-^' i" Scotland, in 1785.
His father died when he was six years old and his
mother gave him ouch education as was common to
boys m humble life. Soon after his father's death he
was put under the guardianship of a relative who
neglected his morals, until he' became no orionsly
wicked, especially as a profane swearer. But he was
not long to be given up to sin. In his early years h'
attended aSabbath evening-school, which waftaugW
m the neighbourhood of his residence. Here his
knowledge of evangelical truth increased, and its value
was impressed upon his mind. Sometimes he Liked
home from the school alone, about a mile over the
brow of a hill, praying all the way. At this time he
began to conduct family worship in his mZi^s
house ; and he also held meetings for prayer wtth hi
sisters and other children in a barn that belonged to
the premises. ^ ''"

When removed from his home, he was placed in a
situation near a very poor man who was rich in f^th
and hohness. He often went to his house at the W
for fami y prayer, and united in the worship. Afte •
readmg the Scripturo., this man was in the habi of
expoundmg them for the instruction of the childi^n
and ns remarks deeply interested young Milne and
greatly helped to increase his affecfion L the BiWe
Religion was presented to him in this household in
such an attmctive manner, that he was led to make a
full and ddiberate choice of Christ as his Saviour and
Friend. The family in which he lived were not on"y

1
I
\
r

a
c

M*.

alls

^^ I] ' clAAjiaa^ ^ ■ -^

PERSECUTION— A FET.LOW-LABOURER.

irreligious themselves, but derided the youth for his
piety, making his position most uncomfortable. The
only place obtainable for meditation or prayer was a
sheep-cote where the flock was kept in the winter, and
here, surrounded by animals, he often knelt m prayer,
on a piece of turf kept for that purpose. Many hours
were thus spent on winter evenings, and here he often
had sweet refreshment while the members of his
master's household were contriving some fresh morti-
fication for his spirit. He read some books at this
time which greatly influenced him, especially The
Cloud of Witnesses, and Boston's Fourfold State. He
became a member of the Congregational Church at
Huntly, saying on his reception, " What a wonder am
I to myself! Surely the Lord hath magnified His
grace to me above any of the fallen race." Hours
were spent by him every day in prayer for the con-
version of the world to Christ ; but it was not till he
was twenty years old that he consecrated himself for
mission work, and then he had many obstacles in his
path. ^ He spent five years in hard labour to make
provision for his widowed mother and sisters; and
when this object was accomplished he at ' on'-o
offered himself to the local Committee of the London
Missionary Society.

On his appearance before the Committee at Aberdeen,
he seemed so rustic and unpromising that a cautious
member took Dr. Philip aside and expressed his doubts
whether he had the necessary qualificatioLs for a
missionary, but he added that he would have no
objection to recommend him as a servant to a mission-
ary, provided he would bo willing t<^ engage in that
capacity. " At the suggestion of my worthy friend,"
says Dr. Philip, " I desired to speak with him alone.

'Hi

- 1

■f ■

.!-

Wi i

[l i

ROr.EHT M()ni!lS(lN.

Having stated to him the objection which had been
made, and asked liim if he would consent to the pro-
posal, he replied ^Yithout hesitation, and with the most
signilicft'it and animated expression of countenance,
* Yes, sir, most certainly ; I am willing to be anything,
so that I am in the work. To be a hewer of wood
and a drawer of water is too great an honour for me
when the Lord's House is buildina.' "

He was then accepted by the Committee, and
directed to Gosport, where he went through a regular
course of training under Dr. Bogue. In July, 1812,
he was ordained to the work of the ministry, and
dedicated to the service of Christ among the heathen.
Shortly afterwards he married Miss Cowie, daughter
of Charles Cowie, Esq., of Aberdeen. She wa^. an
eminently pious and prudent woman, and contributed
greatly to his happiness and usefulness unti^ her
death, in 1819.

A month after his ordination, they embark, a at
Portsmouth for China, and having touched at the
Cape of Good Hope and the Isle of France, were
warmly welcomed at Macao by Mr. and Mrs. Morrison.
Mr. Morrison says : " I went down immediately to the
tavern, about ten minutes walk from our residence.
On the way I lifted up my heart in prayer to God for
His blessing and direction in all things. After we
recognised each other, Mrs. Milne was sent home in
a palanquin, and brother Milne and I called on the
Minister and Governor according to. the custom of the
place. They both received us with civility, - ^\
offered no objection to Mr. Milne at the moment.

" The next day I called on Mr. to state il. _i

Mr. Milne had arrived, and asked his pcrmi;si;ion to
allow him to remain. He demurred for soiae time,

,%■ I

her

PKllSECUTrOX-A FEU,OW-I.ABOUnEll. 07

alleging that no person is allowed to como hero-thii
ho object of the English hero had been Mty „tate.
be pure y morcantile-that the Chinese wonld chs

allow a rcl,g,ous establishment, etc. He finally con-

isa

MR. AM) MKS. MILNE.

Tmt^° A°-'""« '"''^'y- He would consider
Ml. Afilno a Chmcse student."

The following prayer was entered in Mr Morrison',
Journai.-..l,„, far (blessed be the s^ui:^:

•it

',■■•

ROBERT AfORRISON,

:»?'*■'■

of events) the door has bi;en opened. Oh, that the.
Lord's servant may be spared in health, may soon
acquire tlie language of the heathen, and be a faith-
ful missionary of Jesus Chri, I."

When the news circulated as to Mr. and Mrs. Milne's
arrival, there was excitement both amonpat tiie Eng-
lisli and Portuguese. Hostility at once broke forth.
The Roman Ct»' holies appealed to the Governor, the
Senate met, arid il was decreed in full council " that
Mr. Milne shonld \iot remain." In a few days a
messenger from slia Governor waited on Mr. Mori 'son
with a message, ior him to go up to his hoase.
When the missionary arrived, he was coolly receir-d.
The following conversation took place. "Does rhe
Padre," said the Governor, "at your house purpose
to remain here ? " " Please your Excellency for the
present, if you please," was the answer. " It is," said
the Governor, " absolutely impossible, he must leave
in eight days." Mr. Morrison entreated him on one
knee not to persist in this order, but to at least
extend the term. The Governor said his orders were
not to allow people to remain, that the Senate and the
Roman Catholic Bishop had required him to act, that
he had been appealed to against Mr. Morrison for pub-
lishing books in Chinese at Macao, but from motives
of friendship he had forborne to act. Finally, he
extended his permission for Mr. Milne to remain
eighteen days. All further efforts in the same direc-
tion proved fruitless.

On July 20th, Mr. Milne left Macao in a Chin; -n
fast boat. He could get no legal conveyance, i(i,-i
therefore had to p:. -^eed by stealth to WTpm' ,,
thence taking ship t i ,nton. This treatmer ; :m :,'.ie
part of the authorities at Macao greatly grit, \, • Mr.

PHISECUTION— A FELLOW-LAUOtrUEU,

§1

^■{t;
^

H
//f

Morrison, the more so as an intimation was given

him that he ought to surrender

his mission work and devote

himself exclusively to the affairs

of the Company. But they had

not properly understood the man

if they thought such a thing

possible. Mr. Morrison was a

missionary first and essentially ;

he was a servant of the East

India Company for its conveni-
ence and his own.
A few days later he went to

Canton, where he found Mr.

Milne well, busily engaged with

his studies, but in very uncom-
fortable quarters. Thence he

returned to Macao; and on

September 30th, again arrived at

Canton, having just finished the

translation of the New Testament

in Chinese. Ho now devoted
himself increasingly to the
Anglo-Chinese Dictionary, which
severely taxed his powers and
resources. In the midst of
these labours, his position was
rendered the more trying by
the death of Mr. Roberts, the
chief of the English Factory,
who had proved a warm friend
to him since his arrival in
China.

The year 1814 opened with fresh opposition from

mm ^

THR lord's PRAYRR
IN CHINESE.

, nil

1 1 ^3

Ji'*

-;■ "I

• i

i ' H

;

ROBEllT MOKIUSON.

tl e Chinese aii honties. The Viceroy had reported Mr.
Morrison to the Government as becoming fully ac-
quainted with the language and customs of the country
and as being the translator of all English official dociu
ments which were received by the Government. The

tVZ'ZT^ f^^* ^ ^^°^"^^^^'"* denouncing in harsh
eims all ^yho were concerned in imparting to

l"m a^^:^ ^^^P "^ the composition of official des-
patches, and the Viceroy issued an order for their
jipprehension. Ko Seeng-sang and his son were
herefore dismissed and sent to a place of safety.
But on the other hand, the New Testament was
printed and ready for circulation, so that there was
the prospect of good being done through its finding
a way into the homes of many of the people. Two
housand copies were frst printed, which were
taken fi-om wooden blocks. From these blocks one
hundred thousand copies might have been printed
without material damage being done to them. Mr
Morrison also issued simultaneously ten thousand
copies ot a tract containing an outline of the Christian
system, and five thousand copies of a Catechism.

It was soon found that Mr. Milne would not be
permitted to remain at Canton, and that he must
look out for a residence elsewhere. The earnest
attention of both missionaries was directed to the
hnding of a place which might be considered the
head-quarters of the Mission, where means could be
taken for extending the work, and which might be,
It needful, a resting-place for the agents of the
bociety in declining years. It was therefore settled
tha Mr. Milne should go through the chief Chinese
settlements in the Malay Archipelago with the fol-
lowmg objects in view : first, to circulate the New

PKUSECUTION— A FELLOW-LABOUKEK.

fc'

Testament and tracts just published amongst the
tens of thousands of Chinese who lived in those
islands; secondly, to seek a quiet and peaceful
retreat, where the chief seat of the Chinese mission
could be fixed and its lal)Ours pursued without the
harassing persecution of a bigoted and exclusive
Government; thirdly, to gather up such informa-
tion as to populations, etc., as might afford good
grounds for deciding as to the best means of pur-
suing mission work among them ; and fourthly, to
ascertain what opportunities there were of printing a
volume of dialogues in Chinese and English to assist
other t.rrents in the acquisition of the language.
With the purposes of his voyage thus defined, Mr.
Milne proceeded to visit Java, Malacca, Penang, and
other places.

During Mr. Milne's absence Mr. Morrison proceeded
with his work of publication. He issued in Chinese a
pamphlet in which he traced a concise outline of
Old Testament history, chiefly relating to the
Creation, Deluge, Exodus, giving of the Law, and
principal events of the kingdom of Israel. He also
translated and printed a selection of Hymns to be
used in Divine warship; consisting mainly of psalms
rendered frojn the Scotch version, and tlie hymns of
Watts, Cowper, and Newton, in most general use at
home.

So many copies of the New Testament had been
required by Mr. Milne for distribution on his travels
that a new edition was quickly called for. The book
had been prin;".;. in large octavo form, and Mr.
Morrison decidi . to print it in duodecimo, as being
more generally convenient. Besides, inthg critical
condition of the Mission, it was of importance to

ill

ii. i

i'obua' ututRisoN.

have two sets ofMocks, to be kept in different places,
o lie 1 might be m reserve. New woocD.locks were

^!:^"I"T1' u \'''' '' ' ^ ^^^--^ Spanish
dollais besides half-a-doHar each copy for pointing

ott. But this cost was -reatly increased by the dist
^Z t^' ''-''-'' ^^^- ^^ ^^-^-ris^i

con?." •^''^^';^^""''' ^i^tionary now approached
comp taon. Immense labour had been spent upon
It, and fcs pubhcation became a matter of extreme
anxie y o Mr Morrison. It wouki have been com-
paiatively useless to have remaine 1 in manuscript.
The expense of transcribing it for the use of other
missionaries or the employes of the Con.pany w u d
ha e been immense. To copy the Dictionary pre-
paiet previously by Eomisli missionaries had cost
wo hundred Spanish dollars, and it was only one
sixth the size of this prepared by Mr. Morrison,
iho expenses mcurrcd already in gathering un
ma enals for its composition had 1 .en very freat
and the cost of its p.Micati n was .like beyond the
means of the author and of the Missionar/society
It was, therefore, with thnnkfulness and a sen.n of
gracious relief that Mr. Morrison, after much nego-
tmtion obtamed from the Company a promise to
imt It at Its expense. At once the Sel :i Committee
made arrangements, and shortly ^terwards Mr. P
1 . Thoms was sent out from En; ad China, with
presses types, and all requisite, for the work, to
supovmtend its publication.

The translation of the Old Testeni.ent was then in "
progress, and Mr. Morrison finished the Book of

> Theu valued at five sliillings per dollar.

I'lilKBUWION-A ratLOW-LAlloUlitU. 7a

Genesis, which was printed separately at the be-
gmmng of 1815. '

In the moautime Mr. Milne returned from his
travels. He liad visited Java, and received mudi en
couragement and help in his enterprise from tl"o
enhglitened and truly Christian Governor, Z- T

card tt n"- ^''"l "^"'■"' ">"'- "'-» ^0

laiiuhai, tlc.Ec.sK.ent and Commandant, with -reat
he :"\ ^]"f, «'""-»» showed much interest in
" n ;r >, " ™'-'o"™-. a-t proved a warm
fuend to hem m tlu ,r future operations. On Mr
H.lne s return to Canton, it was deci.led blveo a
.Ir. Morr,son and himself that Malaca sho he

nmv t "' 1"'' "'*"'™"'' '""' ''^ ""^ "^-^ of a

new mission. The reasons for this choice were

seve. and very weighty. Mala, .a was nea o

Det«eeu it all the islands in the Eastern \rchi.
pe ago, where the Chinese resided in large nnmhers •
. lay convenient to Cochin-China, Siam, and Prnang ■
It was .„ ro„tc between India and Canton, and ships'

No I'll 'r'" ""■".'t"^ ""1«™"^ exiled thtf
No other place pres nted such advantages for mter-

va"heai; "'"r'""'" °' l-oo'-- etc. She clSiate

desh^l P ^'-f ''/ '"''"'°" '''"«°" it«ouIdbea
deuable residence for any agents who were ill or m
fai Img health. Then it was a ndet place th^
anthorit ies were friendly. Colonel Farquhaf eo dia^
^0, and here could he established a missionary sett e^
ment where children could be . ducated, nativ. ag nts
ni'^.v?. Piepar- ana pabiished, the languages

1^ t. "T ,*' ^i^-°"--^« coming out^to L
^voik, and, m the largeness of Mr. Morrison's soul,

1 -^

-: -

ItoHKUT MoltHKSON.

tho Idea was tosterod. Jiat hero might bo maintained
a retreat for aged and disabled missionaries or their
widows and also an institution for the education of
then- children.

This was a large programme. How much of it lAfr
Morrison and his faithful coadjutor were able to carry
out, we shall see hereafter.

The year 1814 brought to Mr. Morrison what was
the greatest joy he had hitherto experienced in his
arduous work. For seven years he had hoped, prayed,
scat ered the seed of the kingdom, yearning that it
might lall into good ground and bear fruit ; but time
seemed to pass by only to try his faith and patience
moi-e severely. But at length he was to be refreshed
by having one convert to his prolonged ministry.
Ihis was Isae-Ako, one of his early teachers, and
bro her ot A-IIeen, still employed by him, who now
made application for baptism, giving the following
confession of faith :— ^

" Jesus making atonement for us is the blessed
sound Language and thought are both inadequate
to exhaust the gracious and admirable goodness of
the intention of Jesus. I now believe in Jesus, and
rely on His merits to obtain the remission of sin I
have sms and defects, and without faith in Jesus for
the remission of sins should be eternally miserable.
Now that we have heard of the forgiveness of sins
through Jesus, we ought, with all our hearts, to rely
on His merits. He who does not do so is not a good
man. I by no means rely on my own goodness. When

Jfii!'^'''''^ '^''''^^^" '^^''^^^■' ^ perceive that from
chi dhood until now I have had no strength, no merit,
no learnmg. Till tliis, my twenty-seventh yeai I have
done nothmg to answer to the goodness of ^od in

PEHSECUTION-A raLl.,>W-LAli„i;K,i«. 75

1 have not rcccmponaoa the kindness of my friend"
ay parents, my relations. Shall I repine? Sim 11

S •• """ °'' '" "°"''"' "'""' '"° ""'Holy

corfvtt'to n" f r",> ■*''•• "°'"»''" °f "- «-'
n" "A, f,^^ ''•'"'''»"' ■"''«''°»'' i» """■■est-

1; f • 7,'''" ,'"■ ™'' 'wenty.one, he eame to my

ouse and heard „,e talk o( Jesus, but says he Z

not understand well what I meant. That was my

"pctkitt':'"?' n""^ ^■^"'•^ ""-•' «he"T:„"j

speak better and eould write, he understood better •
Z ^,"'"8 ?7'°y«l by his brother in superh.tendi, g
the l\ew Testament for the press he savs th«t S

s^rall m"" *""n"'^ "^'-"^^^ ''^ "- »"

"His natural temper is not good. He often dis
agreed with his brother and other domestie and I
thought. t better that he should retire from my " L-
vice. He however, eontmued, whenever he was withu,
a few mdes, to eome to worship on the Sabbatirdav
He prayed earnestly morning and evening, and S
av, rr T "'.r''^'^^ '" *'"' Catechism. He
tuends he saw h.s great and manifold errors, that his

he' "d Z Jmn^'iT^V""' ''''' ™J-'' -""^

or o b»rt,;n Fi^'lf^V- '" "-^-'■•''■oth--.
hmU^7i\ , i!- • "'o«'««g«. of course, is very
hm ted, and his views perhaps obsenrej but I hope
that lus farth m Jesus is sincere. I took for my guide

• 1

'4' (,

ROBERT MORRISON.

I 1

what Philip said to the eimuch— ' If thou beHevest
with all thine heart, thou mayest be baptized.' Oh,
that at the great day he may prove to be a brand
phicked from the burning ! May God be gloritied in
his eternal salvation ! "

In his journal, under date July 16th, 1814, Mr.
Morrison thus recorded the baptism :—

"At a spring of water issuing from the foot of a
lofty hill by the seaside, away from human observa-
tion, I baptized, in the name of the Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, the person whose name and character have
been given above. Oh, that the Lord may cleanse
him from all sin by the blood of Jesus, and purify his
heart by the influences of the Holy Spirit ! May he
be the firstfruits of a great harvest— one of millions
who shall come and be saved."

Tsae-Ako adhered to his profession of the Gospel
until his death, which took place from consumption
in 1819. Mr. Morrison was not with him at his
death ; but he never doubted as to his faith in the
Lord Jesus in the last moment.

CHAPTER VI.

Visit to Pekin.-College at Malacca,

•*-

" Every great and commanding movement in the world is the triumph

of enthusiasm." — Emerson.

rriHE apprehensions which Mr. Morrison had felt as
X to the firmness of his position were fully justified
by the reception of a letter from the Select Committee
of the East India Company, dated October 14th, 1815,
which contained the following paragraphs :—
^ ^ We feel it necessary to acquaint you that the Hon.
Court of Directors, having been informed that you have
printed and published in China the New Testament, to-
gether with several tracts translated into the Chinese
language, and having further understood that the cir-
culation of these translations has been effected in defi-
ance of ah edict of the Emperor of China, rendering
the publisher of such works liable to capital punish-
ment, are apprehensive that serious mischief may
possibly arise to the British trade in China from these
translations, and have in consequence directed that
your present connection with the Honourable Company

^nt^

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ROBERT MORRISON.

i !

should be discontinued. The Honourable Court re-
mark at the same time that they nevertheless enter-
tani a very higli respect for your talents, conduct, and
character, and are fully sensible of the benefits derived
from your services ; in consideration of which they
have dn-ected us to present you with four thousand
dollars on the occasion of carrying the orders into
eiiect.

"Notwithstanding the tenour of these orders, which
we have implicitly communicated to you, we are under
so strong an nnpression of the importance of your
services to the affairs of our honourable employers
and so well assured, from our personal knowledge and
past experience of your prudence and discretion in
orbearing to place yourself in a situation which may
be calculated to implicate the national interests
through your connection with the Factory, that we
have resolved to postpone giving effect to any part
ot the above instructions until we receive further
orders upon the subject."

Explanation and vindication on Mr. Morrison's part
were offered by him in a voluminous correspondence,
m wiiich It became apparent that the local officials of
the Company were loath to carry out the decision of
the Chief Board ; and in a few weeks such complica-
tions arose between the Chinese Government and the
Company, that an embassy, headed by Lord Amherst
as Ambassador Extraordinary, was despatched from
England to the Court at Pekin to accommodate and
arrange the matters in dispute. Mr. Morrison's ser-
vices as secretary and translator to such an embassy
could not be dispensed with, and he was requested to
accompany the Ambassador to Pekfn.
For a considerable time Mrs. Morrison's health had

ill

VISIT TO PEKIN.

caused her husband and friends much anxiety, and
her medical adviser strongly urged that she should try
a sea voyage and change of climate as means to benefit
her. Her husband's presence in China at the par-
ticular juncture of circumstances was deemed too
important to be dispensed with, and therefore without
him, but with her two children, Mrs. Morrison em-
barked for England, on -January 21st, 1815.

One more trial was in store for Mr. Morrison during
this year. The spirit of religious intolerance was so
fully aroused that the type-cutters engaged in prepar-
ing the blocks for the Dictionary were arrested, and, in
alarm, the blocks which had just been completed for
the fresh edition of the New Testament and the Book
of Genesis were destroyed by the printers to prevent
discovery. This was a deep disappointment to the
indefatigable and dauntless labourer ; but he at once
took heart of grace, and set about the preparation of
new types. Very soon the intelligence reached him
that the British and Foreign Bible Society had made
a grant, as liberal as it was timely, of one thousand
pounds, which enabled him to have blocks cut, not
only for the duodecimo edition of the Testament, but
tor the Book of Psalms, the translation of which was
J ust complete. In writing to inform him of this grant
the Eev. J. Owen, secretary of the Bible Society, said — !
, .1?'°"^^ y^^^' translation be on the whole a
taithtul image of the sacred original, and the under-
standing of the Chinese be opened by its Divine
Author to understand and admire it, what an honour
^vl be conferred on your labours, and what blessing
will you have been called upon to inherit ! Desirous of
participating in that honour and that blessing the
British and Foreign Bible Society has furnished' you

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ROBERT MORRISON.

from time to time with contributions of pecuniary
aid, and you may assure yourself that it will continue
to assist you in the prosecution of an undertaking so
congenial with the object of its appointment and'the
wishes of its conductors."

It may bo mentioned here that a short time before
this an English merchant had died in China, and had
left Mr. Morrison one thousand pounds for the purposes
of his mission, which sum had been devoted to the
printmg of the New Testament and other Christian
books.

Lord Amherst and his attendant officials arrived at
Canton in the Alceste on July 13th, 1816, and took on
board Sir George Staunton and Mr. Morrison ; then
the vessel proceeded on its way, till, on July 28th it
anchored at the mouth of the river Peiho. On August
13th they were entertained in the city of Tien-tsin at
a great banquet given by two Imperial Commissioners
m the name of the Emperor. Mr. Morrison gives an
mterestmg description of the reception and entertain-
ment. The Imperial Commissioners and the English
Ambassadors and Commissioners sat on very low
cushions raised about six inches from the ground
while the suite of the Emperor sat on the ground, on
which a red cloth had been placed.

On August 20th they all arrived at Tung-chow a
day s journey from Pekin. Here eight days were
spent in disputing a question of ceremony. It was
required of the English Ambassador that, on bein^
brought before the Emperor, he should perform what
is called m China '' The Ceremony," or San Kwci
Keiv Row, rendered in English, " Three kneelings and
nine knocks of the head." The mode of performing
18 that the person introduced to the Empero - kneels

VISIT TO PEKIN.

on the ground, places his hands when bowing forwards
on the floor, and strikes his forehead against the
earth thrice ; then the person rises, and, again kneel-
mg down, repeats the performance; and then, rising
once more, repeats the whole a third time. Thus it is
the Chinese worship their gods— some by three knocks,
others by six, and others by nine, according to the
veneration in which they are held. Lord Amherst
was not very likely to go through such a foolish and
degrtiding ceremony, and, after prolonged disputes,
the Chinese nobleman professed to waive the require-
ment. On the 29th the company arrived at the
Imperial Palace. The hour appointed by the Em-
peror for giving audience had arrived. The Ambas-
sador and his suite had travelled all night, were
unwashed and unrefreshed, and ill-prepared for the
interview with royalty. His lordship therefore pleaded
with the nobleman who received him that the fatigues
of the night had been so great that he must beg His
Majesty to defer the reception until the following
morning. To effect this the messengers went into the
] :- iperor and told him the Ambassador was so ill that
he could not stir a step. The Emperor graciously
permitted him to retire to his lodging, and sent his
physician to attend him. The physician did not find
Lord Amherst ill, and no doubt made a representation
to the Emperor that did untold harm. His Majesty
thought he had been imposed upon. A special meet-
ing of the Cabinet was called. No one dared to
explain the real facts of the case, and an order was
issued that the Ambassador should depart immedi-
ately. The order was obeyed. The whole party left
Pekin the Ramc afternoon, and, after incurring a"
journey of 50,000 miles there and back. Lord Amherst

Hi. »

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ROBERT MORRISON.

[

had to report a reBult of nothhr,/ The Emperor
afterwards chscovered the real facts of the case and
degraded froin office those who could have placed
them before him ; but his false pride would not
permit him to offer any explanation, or retract hi
treatment of the Ambassador.

Although_ the object of the Embassy had thus
iailed, the journey gave Mr. Morrison a few months
of relaxation which his health greatly craved He
was able to extend his knowledge of the country and
the people, and especially he was able to gather un
some knowledge of the various dialects of the pro-
vinces through which he passed, which was of g -eat
service to him afterwards. During his absence a
^olume of Dialogues in Chinese and English, which
he had prepared, had been carried through the press

::JSStiS^tcior'^^^^

Mr. Milne and his family had left China and taken
up their residence m Malacca, to carry out the great
sclieme so long a day-dream with Mr. Morrison? bu
which was now about to become, in great part i
reality by the agency of his faithful fellow-labourer
M. Milne had collected Chinese books, printing Ze'
and other needful materials, secured a teachei ofThe
\f.fT' u"^""^'"^ ^vorkmen, and sailed on April 17th
1815, for his new home. On the voyage his famil^
was increased by twins ; and, after thirty-five days'
sail,^ he i^ached^ his destination, and was cordially
receivecl by Major Farquhar, who proved himseff
to be a friend indeed.

The scheme indicated previously in regard to the
mission at Malacca had been carefully formulated bv
Messrs. Morrison and Milne, presented to the London

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ROBERT MORRISON.

Missionary Society, and fully.approved and sanctioned
by it. The programme was an ambitions one, and
whilst successful to a degree which fully justified the
outlay of its founders, it did not realise all that
their faith and enterprise merited. According to the
plan sketched out, a portion of land was to be pur-
chased, on which buildings could be erected suitable
tor the purposes contemplated and intended. A free
school was to be established as a preparation for a
more advanced seminary, in which native minipiers
might be trained and educated. A monthly magazine
m Chmese was to be issued. A printing-press was to
be set up, and kept at work, for the purpose of issuing
the Scriptures in Chinese and for the diffusion of Chris-
tian hterature generally. An English periodical was
to be issued also, with the view of promoting unity and
co-operation among Missionary Societies in the East
Divine services were to be held, and places of worship
to be erected as quickly as practicable. The whole
scheme was to be called " The Ultra-Ganges Mission "
as denominating the scene or area of the enterprise '

Mr. Milne quickly began the attempt to realise the
scheme A small house in the British compound,
which had formerly been used as a stable, was fitted
up as a school. Notices in Chinese were posted up in
the town, announcing the commencement of a school
for the children of the poor. Great unwillingness was
at first shown by the people to send their children
and when the school opened on August 5th, only five
scholars had been obtained ; but, by sedulous effort
and wise caution, the number increased, until by the
end of the first year the number in daily attendance

was fourteen, who receivfid the ordi"""" -i ^^- -

Chinese education. By-and-by the Catechism pre-

■ 1 ■
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■ i

COLLEGE AT MALACCA.

pared by Mr. Morrison was introduced, and the chil-
dren were familiarised with the leading words of
religious character, such as God, Creation, Soul,
]:>cath, and many others. Then the teacher and
children were drawn to attend divine worship.
Great prudence was required here. First, a few
domestics brought from Canton were drawn to attend
and then the school teacher and his pupils were in'
duccd to follow them. Thus very slowly had Mr
Milne to take step after step towards the attainment
of his great object. A email church of Dutch Chris-
tians in Malacca was at this time without a pastor
and they invited Mr. Milne to occupy the vacant
place. This he declined, on the ground that he was
commissioned for another purpose ; but he undertook
to conduct divine service for their benefit once a week
For about a year no land was obtained for the erection
of the meditated buildings; but at the beginning of
1816 Mr. Milne obtained a grant of land from the
l^nghsh Governor at Penang, subject to approval
from the Dutch authorities. This was a considerable
distance from the town, and not suitable for the pur-
poses of the mission. It was therefore exchanged for
a smaller piece near the city gates, a sum of about
two hundred pounds being paid as a further recom-
pense to the vendor. Thus was a site obtained in a
most eligible situation. It has been mentioned that
workmen as printers had accompanied Mr. Milne
from China. He now procured a printing-press,
founts of English and Malay types, and all neces-
sary apparatus for setting to work. In order to keep

f if ?, -7^-^'""' ^^ ^'''''^^^ '^^^^ edition in English
of Doddridge's Eise and Progress of ReUyion in the
bold, and Bogue's Essay on the Truth of the Christian

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KOBERT MORRISON,

pS'T' ^-^r'. ''''' r^'^ '' ^^«*"buteci amongst the
i^nghsh residents and a.lventurors in Ch.iia, India
and in the wide Archipelago of the East.

On Mr MorriHon resuming his work at Canton, he
was qu.Hdy tried by fresh difficulties which beset him.
A quarrel broico out among his workmen at the press •

TJ 7^;^^' *° .'"^^^"S^ himself on others, took a
sheet of the Dictionary to the Tso-tang, a district
magistrate. This official was only too 'glad of an
occurrence which seemed to aiibrd an opportunity of
extortmg money, and sent his police runners to seize
the prmtmg materials, and the natives who were en-

nrfnMr n" "^'f '""'^ '^ "^^^^^^"^ ^^^eigners to
punt the Chinese anguage. Sir Theophilus Metcalf,
the Enghsh Chief of the Factory, interfered with
great iirmness, mvl prevented the presses and types
bemg impound( ..L The Viceroy of Canton issued
prompt ordei-, ihut no natives should aid foreigners
m prmtmg the Chinese character; the names of Mr.
Morrison s teachers and transcribers were recorded
lor arrest ; Ivo Seen-sang al)sconded, while Sam-Tak,
A-J^o and A-Heen were in great apprehension. The
result was that Portuguese workmen had to be in-
structed to cut the Chinese characters on wood blocks
tor the printing of the Dictionary.

Besides his incessant labours on the Dictionary
usually occupying six or eight hours a day, Mr.
Morrison translated and published the morning and
evening prayers, as they stand in tiie Book of Com-
mon Prayer also Hor^ Siniccc, a series of transla-
tions from Chinese classics, and a Chinese Primer, all
of which, with other works already recorded, prove a
zeal and diligence of application that must have tried
the most patient mind and tested the strongest con-

COLLEGE AT MALACCA.

stitutioh, The progress the translation of the Bible
was making is indicated in the following letter to the
Bible Society, under date Novemher 24th, 1817 :—

'' During the ensuing ycur Mr. Milne and I* hope
to hnish a translation of the ^vhole Bible, 't- has
completed Deuteronomy and Joshua. Th< ,k of
Genesis has been printed some time. I have inade a
irst draught of the Br )k of Exodus and the Book of
Ituth. The Psalms I have finished, and they are now
in the press. -The Book of Isaiah is about one-half
translated. Several type-cutters are engaged to go
down to Malacca for the purpose of printing Deutero-
nomy, Joshua, and an edition of the Psalms in duo-
decimo ; that which I am perfecting here is smaller
than our duodecimo New Testament."

A letter from America at this time informed Mr.
Morrison that a young Chinaman, about twenty-six
years of age, from Macao, who had settled in New
York, had been led, through the reading of the Chinese
New_ Icstament, to profess faith in Christ, and was
manilesting the utmost earnestness and consistency. '
ihese tidings, amidst the dry, monotonous grind of
translation work, were peculiarly refreshing to his soul.

Mr. Morrison's labours now began to excite atten-
tion and interest in all parts of Great Britain, and
also m many parts of Europe and America. He
received letters from some of the most learned pro-
lessors in Germany and France, most warmly recog-
nismg his eminent attainments and services. Dr
Vater, Professor of Konigsberg University, and M.
Bemnsat, Professor of Chinese, etc., in the Eoyal
College of France, one of the most erudite men in
Europe, with others, frankly and cordially congratu-
lated him upon the thorough and varied knowledge he

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

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IIOBEIIT MORRISON.

vei-ri V of n!^ ^™'""' ^-""demicus of the Uni-
tlie Ji^nghsh merchants, years of sevprp «.,^ J

£;,rsi7.=zf. Sis -

rpRiilfa nf +u^ X KtrengtU. And certamlv the

me luture. Aa amiJe knowledge of the mo,t AM,.„u
anguage a^d the most obscure litoratureW be! «"
tamed. Large plaoit of prmt>n,,o,re,oe. tv",-- 5"
Mocks, and other material, had been acrJSdTone"

COLLEGE AT MALACCA.

large edition of the New Testament in Chinese had been
printed and circulated ; another edition of 9000 copies
was nearly pnnted off ; a Chinese grammar, a volume of
tianslations from Chinese classics, a psalter, a book of
prayers, several small publications on Christian doc
tune and histoiy, had also been issued as the result

the Ol^T T 'f'T' "'* *" ^i^^^k «f *i^^ ^«oks of
hpl fi''^''' .^^''^^^ translated, and some of
them printed, awaiting the completion of the whole
before passing into circulation. Besides this must be
taken into account the help given to Mr. Milne in his
acquisition of the language, and the establishment o
the_ mission in Malacca. All this was accomplished,
besides the invaluable services rendered by Mr
Morrison to the East India Company as its official
translator and secretary.

Nor had the ten years been utterly fruitless as to
the mam work of the Christian missionary-the con-
version of souls to God. Two persons at least had
given up Idolatry and professed faith in Christ; one of

tTandtr^^^^^^^
sion, and the other was givmg promise , f such growth in

Chritian knowledge and piety as to warrant his recep^

Ztl P'' T ""f"'' '''''' ^^^ -P---es of other
to T M '^"''^ missionaries had been far different

dan^ ;« r^''" '• ^^'^ ^'^ ^^''^ g^-^-t^r risks and
dangers from savages and barbarians, they had passed

Wad'f "1 adventures and romanti'c trlr:
they had also been cheered and inspired by great
successes; and it may be doubted whether any of fh m
lad shown greater calmness in presence of dange^

hei^ismmoregrand.ordeterminationmoreunwaverfig
m spite of repeated disappointments, than had be n
manifested by Robert Morrison during this period

, ; .1 1

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If ' i II

CHAPTER VII.

Chinese Bible Completed, -Dr. Milne's Death.

-^•

"Great men Btaml like .solitary towens in the City of God, and secret
pa««ages, running deep beneath external nature, give the r Zu 'hi

tliem, and of ^Much the labourers on the surface do not even dream."

_ LOiVGKELLOW.

•-*-■ •

An November 10th, 1818, the foundation-stone of
\J the Anglo-Chinese College at Malacca was laid

Tcf'riTi ^' ^^y^^^^^^-' i^ the presence of the Hon.
J. S T. Thyson (the Governor), Hon. J. J. Erskine
(Judge of Penang), the members of the College of
Justice, and many other distinguished persons. Mr.
Mih,e represented Dr. Morrison, and delivered a suit-
able address. The object was announced as the reci-
procal cultivation of Chinese and European literature •
aiid tjie machinery was to comprise a library fui lished
with books treating on the language, history, science,
etc., of European and Oriental nations. European

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ROBERT MORRISON.

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professors of tlic Chinese language, aided by native
Chinese tutors, were to impart knowledge; a printing-
press was to be made use of in divers manners, and it
was also mtended soon to form a botanic garden, so as
to have in one focus the plants of the Eastern Archi-
pelago. To the advantages of the institution Euro-
peans were to be admitted, to be fitted and prepared
for missionary, commercial, scientific, or official pur-
suits in the East, and also youths from Chinese-
speaking countries, who desired to be trained for ser-
vice under Europeans or in the Christian Church
Dr. Morrison contributed one thousand pounds to-
wards the establishment, and promised a hundred
pounds a year for five years towards its maintenance,
ile otherwise, especially in respect of the library, con-
tributed largely towards . ac College. Another gentle-
man gave the sum of four thousand Spanish dollars
t. wards the building, the London Missionary Society
gave five hundred pounds, and European residents in
Canton five hundred pounds. One friend wrote :

*;i confess that the plan far outstrips my expectations.
It IS benevolent and liberal to a degree ; it is extensive
also, and so ought our donations therefore to be I
shall be obliged to you to draw on me at any time you
hke for 420 dollars, that being equal to 100 guineas.

" ' In faith and hope the world will disagree,
But all mankind's concern is charity :
Thus God and nature linked the gen-.^ial frame,
And bade self-love and social be the same.'"

No words can describe the bright visions of useful-
ness which Dr. Morrison entertained as to the results of
this institution. Malacca was to be not the Athens
only, but the Jerusalem of the East. Streams of
knowledge and spiritual grace were to flow from

•JHINESE niRLE COMPLETED. 93

thence until the Chinese world was sanctified thereby
For some time there was great disappointment in the
mmds ot the promoters, as the natives refused to
send their children, until Mr. Milne was obliged to
offer a small weekly payment to each child to induce
Its attendance. As the natives became familiarised
to the presence of the College, and understood better'
the spirit of Its conductors, they became more trust-
tul, and the school prospered. Pupils and students
were trained, during Mr. Milne's life, varying in num-
ber from twenty up to sixty at one time ; and of these
several were converted and became consistent Chris-
tians. Books-some of them of great importance-
were poured forth from the press, periodicals were main-
tained, aid vigorous methods taken to make Malacca
the centre of Christian propagandism on a large scale.
Several volumes of the Dictionary were now com-
pleted and issued, but any estimate of it must be
reserved until its completion shall be recorded. Ifc
was the unutterable pleasure of Dr. Morrison to be
able to write to the Directors of the London Mis-
sionary Society, on November 25th, 1819, conveying
the information that the whole of the Bible had been
translated into Chinese. He, of course, had by far
the larger share of the great work ; but Mr. Milne
had given most effective and willing service since his
acquamtance with the language had enabled him to

t r*. ^^\,^^°.l^ «^ the New Testament was the
woi-k of Dr. Morrison, the Chinese MS. found in the

,1^ n^.r^^^"""^ ^^'""^ ^ ^^^'^ foi* a part of it ; and of
the Old Testament he had done, the whole, with the
exception of the Books of Deuteronomy, Joshua,
Judges Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah,
and Job, which had been translated by Mr. Milne. In

'':'h

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ROBERT MORRISON.

his letter to the Society, Dr. Morrison expressly dis-
owns any claim to perfect correctness, and only
professes to have laid a foundation for other and
more perfect translations in after years. A few
extracts from the letter will be interesting. He says :
If Morrison and Milne's Bible shall in Chma at
some subsequent period hold such a place in refer-
ence to a better translation as Wickliff's or Tyndale's
now holds in reference to our present English version.

Tlf ''^V'iV''^^' ^'^''' ^^^^ ^^^- *h^ attempt; and
neither the Missionary Society nor the Bible Society
will ever regret the funds they have, or shall yet
expend, m aid of the object.

" It is not yet 500 years since Wickliff's bones were
dug up and burnt, chiefly because he translated the
bcriptures ; and it is not yet 300 years since Tyndale
was strangled by the hands of the common hangman
and then burnt, for the same cause. The alleged
inaccuracy of Wickliff's and of Tyndale's translations
was the ground of cavil with all those who were
adverse to any translations of the sacred Scriptures ;
and It IS but 277 years since the English Parliament
decreed that all manner of books of the Old and New
Testaments, of the crafty, false, and untrue transla-
tions of Tyndale, be forthwith aboliohed and forbidden
to be used and kept.' If such things occurred so
recently, more modern translators need not be sur-
prised if their works are censured and condemned.

King James' translators were fifty-four in num-
ber, and rendered into their modern tongue in their
native country under the patronage of their prince.
Our version IS the work of two persons, or at most of
three (mcludmg the author of the MS.), performer! in
a remote country, and into a foreign and newly-

CHINESE BIBLE COMPLETED.

idge

acquired language, one of the most difficult in the
and the least cultivated in Europe. The candid luci
of men s works will not forget these circumstances.

^ m my translations I have studied fidehty, per-
«picuity, and simplicity. I have preferred common
woids to rare and classical ones. I have avoided
technical erms which occur in the pagan philosophy

Inf "JT- i' ^'"'^ ^^^^^^ ^« deemed'inelegant
than hard o be understood. In difficult passages I
have taken the sense given by the general consent of

^hnTri'T'^ ^'''''' '"^^ ^'^'^ ^^«^^*™ divines to
wnom 1 had access.

''To the task I have brought patient endurance of
long labour and seclusion from society; a calm and
unprejudiced judgment, not enamourecfof noveUy and
eccentricity, nor yet tenacious of an opinion merely
ratTmnd "" ^^ '}']'. '^^'^.'^^^e, somewhat of an accu-
late mode of thmking, with a reverential sense of the
awful responsibility of misinterpreting God's word.
Such qualifications are, perhaps, as indispensable as
theTbt' "^ ^ translating such a book as

rJ'-? ^^^^.Mose^' David, and the Prophets, Jesus
Christ and His apostles, using their own words, and
thereby declaring to the inhabitants of this land the
wonderfu works of God, indicates, I hope, the speedy
mtroduction of a happier era in these parts of Ihe
world, and I trust that the gloomy darkness of pagan
scepticism will be dispelled by the Dayspring from on
high and that the gilded idols of Buddha, and the
numberless images which fill the land, will one dav
assuredly fall to the ground before the force of God%
word, as the idol Dagon fell before the ark.
" Tyndale, while he was being tied to the stake

-t^:-

3 'I

ROBERT MOTIRIRON.

■ !

said, with a fervent and loud voice, in reference to
Henry VIIL, 'Lord, open the King of England's
eyes ; ' and his prayer seems to have been heard and
answered. Let us bo as fervent in a similar petition
in reference to the Sovereign of this Empire.

'' In the Apostle's words I conclude this letter :—
' Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the
Lord may have free course and be glorified, even as it
is with you.' "

The joy entertained by the friends of Christian mis-
sions throughout Europe and America on the accom-
plishment of this great work was intense. Congratula-
tions to Messrs. Morrison and Milne poured upon them
from many quarters, the University of Glasgow con-
ferred the degree of D.D. on Mr. Milne, and fervent
gratitude was expressed to the bsneficent Providence
which had presided over their labours. The Rev. G.
Burder, D.D., secretary to the London Missionary
Society, wrote :

•' The herculean task is at length completed. To
Him alone who gave the power to effect this great
work, and who alone can render it effectual for its
intended purpose— the illumination and renovation of
human minds— to Him alone be the glory now and
evermore. But, my dear friend, we ought not, we
will not, we do not, forget the laborious agents whom
He has been pleased to employ for this great end.
We thank Him for you and for your helper, Mr.
Milne. We bless God, who has continued your lives
in a sultry climate, maintained your mental and cor-
poral powers, and spared you to see the completion of

your great labour Never mind what opponents

say. The work is done, and God will bless it ; nor will
He forget this work of faith and labour of love when

W- u

)

CHINESE BIBLE COMPLETED.

)

He shall render to every man according to his works
Blese God. my dear sir. that ever you were bor^lnd
born again, and enabled to effect this great work You
have hved to good purpose in havinglived o jtbhsh
a Chmese B.ble Thank God, and take courage."

The Committee of the British and Foreign Bible
Society wrote m a similar strain of thanksgiving and
oongratula ,on. and granted a fresh sum of one thou
sand pounds m aid of the multiplication and circula-
tionof copies of the translation. The Committee of
the American Bible Society presented Dr. UoZm
with a copy of the best edition in octavo of the Kble
in splendid binding, as an expression of its elteem
and approbation, and the American Beard of Commis-
sioners or Foreign Missions wrote offering their most
cordial thanks and congratulations. Befides thes
Sir George S aunton and many other eminent schola.^
wrote m similar strain, giving proof of the intend^
of interes felt throughout the Christian world in the
great achievement.

Dr. Morrison pursued his labours with unwearied
assidmty. The Eev. Dr. Baud, principal of Ata'
deen UiCTersity. had written to hi. .eeWng informa-
tion as to the poor of China. Ihis lecl him .„
connection with Dr. Livingstone, the surgeon of the
East India Company m Canton, to give attention to the
normous numbers of destitute poorand sick people who
mfest all Chmese towns afld cities. The blind the
ame the leprous, often filled the highways, and 'their
condition excited little concern or compassion Th"
melancho^. condition of these sufferers was onlv
equalled by the gross ignorance that prevailed as o
luedicaJ science. In the public streets and markets
might be seen here and there a stall on which dried

llOUKUT MOURISON.

vegetable substances were exposed for sale, these
being sold for any, and some for every, complaint,
without an attempt at discrimination. To meet this
crying evil. Dr. Morrison opened a dispensary for
supplying the poor with advice and medicines, super-
intending it himself for one or two hours daily, and
being assisted in its management by Dr. Livingstone.
Ho also purchased a Chinese medical library, consist-
ing of upwards of 800 volumes, with a complete
assortment of Chinese medicines, and engaged a
respectable Chinese physician and apothecary, with
the occasional attendance of a herbalist (whose com-
plete stock he purchased for Dr. Livingstone's
analysis), to explain the properties of the various
herbs he collected and sold.

The afflicted Chinese of Canton and the adjacent
districts crowded to this dispensary, and in a few
months thousands of cases had been under treatment
with^ gratifying success. This institution must be
considered as the forerunner of a crowd of similar
institutions, which have been established in connection
with Christian missions in the East, and which are
increasingly vindicating their claim to be considered
an integral part of Christian propagandist enterprises.
On April 23rd, 1820, Mrs. Morrison, in much im-
proved health, embarked with her two children in
the Marchioness of Ely, to rejoin her husband in
China. On August 23rd he had the great happiness
of receiving them at Macao, and of spending a few
weeks of blessed home enjoyment in their society.
Then he had to leave them, to undertake again his
official duties in Canton. In the following spring he
returned again to IVfacao, and he o-lyes a "lo\vin«^ pic-
ture of the holy family life he enjoyed : "My beloved

Ic, those
»mplaint,
neet thin
isary for
8, super-
lily, and
iigHtonc.

consist-
3ompleto
gaged a
ry, with
3se com
igstone's

various

adjacent
n a few
eatment
nust be
similar
inection
tiich are
isidered
jrprises.
[ich im-
dren in
jand in
;ppine88
g a few
society.
;ain his
ring he
;ng pic-
beloved

CHLVESK ltfII[,K COMI'I.KTKI).

Mary, horn the last time of her arrival in China
enjoyed remarkably good health, seldom re^uh^g
medical aid. We were pleasantly situated, and h d
a piece of ground before our house by the easkle
Macao, where we and the children walked h^'pi^
together every evening. We then, after family prayers
sa down round a table, all occupied in somcSrg
useful or amusing. My Mary was occupied inno
ccntly and pleasantly in making clothi orTr
expected babe, and got all her house in order mo
comfortably; yet amidst this she never wen o

onsTi ^^ '''''r' '''''''^ considerable por-
lons of her Bible, and since she came out to China
he read, believe, the whole of Milner's Church Z

Mas suddenly taken lii, and notwithstanding that
doctor, husband and friends did all that human skill
01 affection could devise, she died in her husband's
arms on bunday evening, the 10th. Dr. Morrison
wished to bury her by the side of her little son

but the Chmese would not suffer the grave to be re
opened The lioman Catholics refused to aUow^^o
fw f %^^'^J,^^^'^"^ t° i-epose in their cemetery, and
therefore the Committee of the English Factory pur-
chased a piece of ground, worth about a thousand
pounds, as a Protestant burying-place, and here the
remams of Mrs. Morrison were reverently placed.
_ Ihe blow was so sudden and afflictive to Dr. Mor-
rison, and the desolation was so awful, that he

spiiits suffered for a considerable time ; and while
he dihgently fulfilled his official duties, aiid wrong
with undiminished ardour for the completion of h s

\ <i

■m

.1
r
''i

100

llOBERT MORRISON.

Dictionary, his correspondence, generally so varied
and multitudinous, was limited to his nearest relatives.
When his duties required his presence in Canton, he
took his son with him, leaving his daughter in the
care of his kind friends, Dr. and Mrs. Livingstone,
at Macao, intending to send both children to England
as soon as a convenient opportunity occurred.

His skill and tact as an interpreter and diplomatist
were to bo very severely tested on his arrival at Can-
ton, in consequence of a fracas which broke out
between the English and Chhiese authorities. Some
men irom an English frigate had gone ashore at the
island of Lmtin, adjacent to the Chinese coast, for
the purpose of obtaining water. Although they were
unarmed, a party of Chinese attacked them, and
S3veral_ were wounded. A .ompany was sent from
the ship to defend them, and in the struggle two
v^hinamen were killed. Th. local government de-
manded that the murderers, as they were called,
should be given up, to be executed according to law.
ihe English denied that there was any murder in
the case, and refused the demand. Both parties
lirmly maintained their ground, and as a result trade
was mterfered with, the relations of the two nations
were strain .d, the English Factory at Canton was
closed, Its employes and stock were put on board ship,
and an mifriendly attitude was taken up. Some of
the Chinese merchants deeply regretted the affair,
and did their best to end the unfortunate quarrel by
seeking to induce the English to accommodate matters
somewhat. They even suggested to the officers of the
rigate that they should say that two of their men
had fallen overboard, and that, as these were the
murderers, they could not be given up. They would

and

102

ROBERT MORRISON.

have been content to allow the matter to blow over
on such a wild story as this ; but their pride would
not allow them to acknowledge the plea that the men
had been killed by the English in self-defence. The
English would not concede any point, and especially
would not give up the men to be strangled to death,
as they certainly would have been, if surrendered.
Ihe result was that two months were spent in weary-
ing and vexatious correspondence, ending at last in a
compromise to the effect that friendly relations were
to be re-estabhshed and trade resumed, on the condi-
tion that the English Government would cause full
examination to bo made into the circumstances of the
melee Mr. JVIorrison's services in the discussion were
invaluable, and on its conclusion a report was drawn
up by Sir James Urmston, in which the following

IZlr^-'' r^;T" *^^ l^^'^Si-ess of this affair,
which had involved the East India Company's repre-
sentatives in one of the most serious, vexatious, and
harassing discussions they had ever been engaged in
with the Chinese, the zeal and exertions of Dr
Morrison were unremitting. His extensive and
indeed ex raordmary knowledge of the Chinese lan-
guage, both written and colloquial, and of the system
character, and disposition of the Chinese Government'
enabled him clearly and fully to comprehend its senti-
ment, views, and meaning, as well as to detect the
sophistry, duplicity, and even falsity, which but too fre-
quently marked the official documents of the ^ocal au-
thorities, as well as the language and arguments of the
Hong merchants; the latter being always the vehicle
of communication between their Government and
-„-i„H. inin CiOae ami correct maight into the
Chmese documents proved of the utmost importance

CHINESE BIBLE COMPLETED.

103

to the Select Committee, who were enabled thus to
frame their correspondence and communications with
the Chinese in a form, language, and spirit, suitable to
meet and to resist the arrogant language and preten-
sions and the unjust demands of the Viceroy of Can-
ton and his colleagues. These communications were
translated into such perfect Chinese by Dr. Morrison
as to render it impossible for the Chinese Government
to misunderstand, or even to affect to misunderstand,
the feelings, sentiments, and determination of the
East India Company's representatives ; and this cir-
cumstance is at all times of immense importance in
negotiations or discussions with the Chinese. Dr.
Morrison's invaluable talents and services were fully
understood and appreciated by those whose vast and
important interests he had on this, as well as on
various former occasions, so essentially benefited."
_ The Company's ships returned to their usual sta-
tions, the trade resumed its course, and Dr. Morrison
arranged for his children to return to England. His
daughter sailed in the good ship Kent, in the care of
Mr. and Mrs. Maloney, from whom she received
almost parental kindness ; the little boy sailed in
the A this, under the protection of Mr. Dill, the sur-
geon. In writing to his brother, announcing their
departure, Dr. Morrison said : "I desire that my
children may be taken good care of, and be brouglit
up in a plain way ; but above all things be taught to
' fear the Lord betimes '—that is wisdom."

Dr. Morrison now retired to his desolated home at
Macao, and devoted himself with renewed application
to his missionary duties and the completion of his
Dictionary. He was, however, alarmed at the intel-
ligence which speedily reached him as to the failinfr

I ■

Jl'

k:<

'•1

I !

V t

^^^ I^ORERT MORRrsON.

S« m','"' T''"°" °' "'^ •'^'"-O fellow-
dearest earthly friend Dpp+i. i, T i . *^ ^^^

on"hirii' '7;;~dVo?r '-^^''"^ ""^""^

cernc nf +1, • • ^^^^^^^ ^^ two years the con-

lets Jr hl'ni * V """ ^°"''8''> ''-anslated pamph-
He had th. h ' ^"'' '•''8'"''''-'y P^^^^ed the Word
Lean.' Aft !!rr''' °' '"'P"^»'8 'h" "ative tntor
Manlrt :;ro; 1,"""^ ^""'^ ""'■■""•™<' »- Ch.I'
his wo k in We „ tl' ? ''?«'"'' P"-«evered in

and i»,n;iri' nt hL ; rthefl T''.'^' ^f "'«'"«'
evangelist, and ™ ^pWd' by the Z' >''Tr
fi onary Sociefv rj,.f n ^K , ^ ^ London Mis-

|^i;.:trsrh::^SdertJ;trtet

Chinese or English not less thir fiff.->. / 7

inff frnm f «« ? ' i " nitCL-n tracts, vary-

mg fiom ten to seventy Jeaves each, besides a Ml

1 m

-M

til

III

106

ROBERT MORRISON.

1 t ''

commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians, and an
elaborate work in two volumes, called Essay on the
Soul. Some of his tracts published in Chinese are
unequalled for their acceptability and their adapta-
tion to particular cases. Amidst his manifold labours
his health failed ; he had many premonitions of
danger, followed by partial recovery. Profuse spit-
ting of blood indicated disease of the lungs ; but it
was afterwards ascertained that the liver was the
seat of his complaint. He took a voyage to Penang
hoping thereby to recruit his health ; but deriving no
benefit from the change, he returned, utterly worn
out, to Malacca, only anxious to die at his post.
Then he passed peacefully to his rest and reward,
being thus re-united to his faithful partner, and
eavmg four children utterly orphaned and cast desti-
tute on the Fatherhood of God. He had written to
his recently-widowed friend. Dr. Morrison, from
Penang, and on June 3, 1822, the following reply was
penned: "I have received your letter from Penang
and deeply regret the afflicting news which it con-
tarns Oh that God may spare your life and restore
your health ! I am going on mourning all the day—
an unprofitable servant ; Lord, pity me !

" Aheen has written to me from Canton, saying
that he is convmced of sin, and desiring to be washed
therefrom by the Saviour of the world, in token of
which he asks if he may be baptized. The lad Asam
the younger, seems to understand the outline of the
Gospel, and says he believes it. I really hope Aheen
''•f TT~^' ^^« ^IWB too proud, as well as a con-
ceited Tuh-shoo-jm (a literary person), to say now
that he was convinced of sin and wanted salvation, if
It had not some reality in it. He is a man of few

DEATH OF MILNR.

107

words and naturally cold-hearted. If indeed be now
looks to the Saviour, God be praised for givin- to
worthless me some fruit of my feeble labours ! Alas '
I write this fearing you are already beyond the reach
of letters.

He was indeed beyond the reach of letters ; on
June 2nd, he had been called to the eternal home.
His character was summed up by Dr. Morrison in
these fittmg words: "Dr. Milne appears to have
possessed .naturally a very ardent, impetuous, deter-
mined mmd, yet softened by mildness of manner •
and after it was converted, turned from Satan to God'
it retained its natural ardour and impetuosity, but
directed to new and very different objects from what it
previously was. He was now fully convinced that the
cause of missions was the cause of heaven, and neither
lire nor water could impede his onward course. He
served with courage and fidelity ten years^ and then
wn out by useful toils and hard service, died at
his post."

Dr. Morrison was at this time meditating a journey
to England in order to visit old friends and kindred,
and to enjoy a well-earned furlough. But on the
news of Dr. Milne's death, he gave up for the present
all thought of a holiday, and resolved to repair to
Malacca to arrange for the future working of the
Mission and the College. With characteristic bene-
vo ence also he resolved to adopt as his own son,
httle Robert Milne, named after himself, and to pro-
vide for his maintenance and education with his own
children.

In November of this year, a fire broke out on the
west side of Canton, about a mile north of the
European Factories. It raged furiously for several

"51

108

ROBERT MORRISON.

clays, and burnt every building westward frr a mile
and a half, and indeed did not cease to burn till no
buikhngs were left. Thousands of Chinese shops and
houses were destroyed, and millions of pounds worth
of property was lost. The East India Company's loss
was estimated at one million ; and the loss of life
through the fire, terror, trampling to death, and attacks
of cruel banditti was awful and horrible. This was an
additional trial to Dr. Morrison, as he lost much
property by the fire, and especially a hundred pounds
worth of paper he was about to send to Malacca for
a fresh edition of the New Testament.

On January 17th, 1823, Dr. Morrison left Canton
for Malacca, and on the 29th of the same month
landed at Singapore, then a newly-formed English
settlement in the Malayan Archipelago. He°was
received by the Lieutenant Governor, Sir T. Stamford
Eafiies, with great friendliness. They were men of
sympathetic feeling ; and earnest conference on several
subjects for promoting the welfare of the colony and
the Malays occupied the period of the visit. The
result of the interview was the resolve to establish at
Singapore an institution similar to that at Malacca
and as the latter settlement was under the Dutch
Government, to unite both under one management
with .he title of - The Singapore Institution." A
meetmg of the principal inhabitants of the settlement
was summoned, and the proposal laid before them. It
was decided to adopt the scheme : the College at
Malacca to be carried on as at present with its special
departments, and the new institution to take up
branches of knowledge and science which the older one
had not been ^hh to embrace. A liberal subscription
followed ; Dr. Morrison was appointed Vice-President

"r a mile
rn till no
shops and
ids worth
my's loss
ss of life
d attacks
^s was an
st much
i pounds
lacca for

Canton
) month
English
He was
tamford
men of

several
my and
. The
blish at
falacca,

Dutch
(ement,
n." A
element
em. It
lege at
special
i.ke up
ier one
ription
sident,

HIS ANGLO-CHINESE DICTIONARY.

109

and subscribed upwards of fifteen hundred dollars,
besides spending much more in the clearing of a site
of land which he obtained as a grant from the Govern-
ment. On February Ist, he arrived at Malacca. He
found everything in a healthy and hopeful condition.
He says : " The College and the native students gave
me great satisfaction. The Chinese youths sang the
hundredth Psalm to Luther's tune. It was composed
in Chinese by my former assistant, Ko-Seen-sang.
Finding the good use which had been made by my
dear William of my books in Chinese, and of my funds,
and the freedom of worshipping God without Man-
darin interference, altogether produced on my mind
a most pleasing effect. Oh! how grateful should I
be." He filled up the vacant post of principal of the
College by the appointment of the Eev. David Collie,
who had been sent out by the London Missionary
Society in 1822, and who had shown remarkable
aptness in gaining acquaintanceship with the Chinese
language. Mr. Collie fulfilled the duties of the office
with great ability up to the time of his death in 1828.
The year 1823 was a memorable one in the life of
Dr. Morrison, owing to the publication of the Anglo-
Chinese Dictionary, which must be considered as the
great work of his life. He had been engaged upon it
sixteen years, and in connection with its composition
he had accumulated a library of about ten thousand
Chinese volumes. It was now issued at a cost of
twelve thousand pounds by the East India Company.
It filled six large quarto volumes, each equalling in
size a family Bible ; it contained four thousand five
hundred and ninety-five pages, and recorded forty
thousand words expressed by the Chinese character.
Having accomplished so marvellous a work, it was not

*ii

110

ROUERT MORllLSON.

wonderfu that his name became universally famous
Tes monies as to the value and importan'^.e oToie
publication came from all sides. Di- Montucci of
Dresden, an erudite Oriental scholar, said " 'am
ree to assert that Dr. Morrison within these ten ve™
has published volumes by far more usefulo tTm

enturt •• M ^ °"«™™"'i^ i" the course of the last
century. M. Eemusat, o. :r',-,,r;s, said : " The Ando-
Chmese Dictionary by Dr. Morrison is incomparabi:
superior to every other." The book is indeed^
as much an encyclopaedia as a dictionary; biORi-aphies
histor.es, and notices „f national custom , cefZnfes
and systems abound, makuig it a reporter; of infant
tion on aU matters touching Chinese life and htera ur .

18?.f: =^Xr°",,"'"' "'"''^'' ^^^' November 10th
uiZi Afa, whom our dear Milne baptized has led
his wife to embrace Christianity, and proposes to brn«

w/ott "Trdav?' "tr"-" ^'"''^^ ^Otli h?
wiote. To-day Leang Afa, our Chinese fellow discinle
brought his son Leang-tsin-trh (entering on v iS'
and had hun baptized in the name of God the Fathe '
mav'belb "'"'■ ") ' "'^' "™ small Christian famS;

The time had now come when Dr. Morrison felt he
might gratify his long-deferred desire of visaing his
native land and associating once more for a brie
period with his beloved distant friends. He therefore
wrote to the Select Committee of the East Ind a
Company: "Having spent sixteen years hi CWnl
subjected to sedentary occupation, in translatZ'
writing the Chinese Dipimn»n' -n-" -'V ,^*''"S:
now feelmg indications of my constitnMon beil^g

HIS VISIT TO ENGLAND.

Ill

aflected by the want of bodily exercise, I have deter-
mined to avail myself of the liberal permission granted
l>y the Honourable the Court of Directors to visit
England, with certain allowances. I intend going in
the Wateiiuo, with Captain Alsager. Thus I shall
leave China in the end of December, 1823. In the close
of December, 1824, I purpose to quit England and
return to China, via Bengal ; by which means I hope
to resume my duties in the Factory in August, 1825.

" For the benefit of Chinese literature in England,
I purpose taking thither and leaving there my Chinese
library, consisting of several thousand volumes, to
ship which on board the Waterloo I request the
Committee's permission. And if the Committee can
authorize me to draw such part of my allowance
during absence as they may see fit, in England, on my
arrival there, it will be a great accommodation to mc,
and will be considered a favour."

The Select Committee willingly granted all he
desired. He sailed in the Company's ship Waterloo
early in December, 1823, and arrived in England in
March, 1824, accompanied by a Chinese servant who
had lived with him for several years, and had made a
consistent profession of Christianity. One deep regret
he had in leaving China, that he was unable to leave
behind him a missionary to continue his work in
Canton or Macao. He had urgently besought the
Societies of England and America to appoint a helper,
who might be his successor in the event of his death,
but no provision had yet been made. He therefore
ordained Leang Afa to the office of Evangehst. He had
maintained a good confession for eight years, and he was
now commissioned to carry on spiritual work amongst
his countrymen in Canton as opportunities allowed.

f .

CHAPTER VIII.

WORK IN EngLAND.-RetURN TO CHINA.

•• The true a,„l,iHou there Hl,.nere«i,le.,
^V .CMC ju.uce vindicate. „„,Uvis.k.a guides.

Where,,uUiebWug.. ,.uh,ic,,,.ai^la^:^•
Where glo.^- iH our .notive, not ..ur end

B^ave .en .ou,d aeUhough .and^ t:;l:^;r;:,,,,
-«-.

T"i.7^"l'"" r'"* "'■• '^^'"■"■«°" had won for him

J- belt, tor his devotion as n r^i,v,-c+- . .

and his erudition as a Airio^it" ^^^d kZT7'
arnva in EnLrlnnJ o x •. • ^^^"^®" "ini, on his

persons o all rS Lfl^'"'^ ""^"«°" <">^
and learned so ie ies ClT ""T^ Phila^Uhropio
ever, attended hi. 'J^-H-al rt f e„S J^ ""' ''°"-
Clnnese library he had brougl tTt him TIT'
to lea-mg China ho hnri ci T i . -^^^^evious

authoritief his otjeet" i:;^^ ^^ ," ,f^, British

:' fhior:* ■" '^r ' "/° -™ p«-^«c°ns1«!S'

cdleotionof ,;. mI^T'^'^' ."™» a valuable
D-. . J-tonj "f ..cui had been Obtained

4P«»

WOIIK IN ENGLAND. ug

rr™ '-: T-^p-^^-at reel.";:

Dr. .vioi rison had been upwards of f wn n ,

anZv 1"T '""''' "1'™ ""^ occui-ronce it seem"
» paltry method of treatijig a liberal offpr w T

pnbhc good,.o insist on a°tax, sti'y btant tt
benevolenee is the act of „„ individif ratW til
an association of individuals unde'Tl'o'^' ^ f.^

^ZeTZZlu" "'"Z™"' ''' Geo '«: Stafnt;

t^re dTposited i?°^^ were allowed to pass free, and
were aeposited m a room on the premispq nf ih^
London Missionary Society until they eouM be L
toorUy disposed of. This matter settled, no le str'
honour was to be offered to Dr. Morrison fbl T T

veyea tne news to him "> ^b- — ^ *'__

has very handsomely -agreed trpr;:nr;o'u htasTt'o
the King on Wednesday, and to consult wtth Mr. Petl

ilU

114

ROBERT MORRISON.

I 1

about the best mode of laying before His Majesty
your translation of the Scriptures, Under these cir-
cumstances it might not be necessary for me to go ;
but as you are a stranger, Mr. Wynn wishes me to
accompany you in order to ensure your finding him,
and putting you at the proper moment into his hands,
and this I shall be happy to do, and shall therefore
as before settled, call for you in Berners Street, on
Wednesday, at half past one."

At the appointed time, Dr. Morrison accompanied
Sir George Staunton to the Levee ; and on being
presented to the King, His Majesty recognised him in
a manner which showed he was well acquainted with
his merits and the value of his public services. He
very graciously accepted a copy of the translation of
the Bible and a map of Pekin, which were acknow-
ledged in the following letters, the first from the
Et. Hon. Sir E. Peel, then Home Secretary, and after-
wards Prime Minister, and the other from Dr.
Sumner, afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury ; —

" To Sir George Staunton, Bart., etc., etc.

"Whitehall, April 12th, 1824.

*' My dear Sir, — In laying before His Majesty the
Chinese Biolc> I have not failed to mention to His
Majesty the very singular and meritorious exertions
which have been made by Dr. Morrison to promote
religion and literature in the East.

" His Majesty has commanded me to convey through
you to Dr. Morrison, the exj)ression of his marked
approbation of that gentleman's distinguished and
useful labours.

'* I have the honour to bo, my dear Sir,
"Your most faithful and obedient servant,

"EoBERT Peel."

WORK IN ENGLAND.

115

I Majesty
these cir-
e to go ;
es me to
ling him,
is hands,
therefore
street, on

Dmpanied
on being
id him in
ited with
ices. He
slation of
acknow-
Prom the
md after-
rom Dr.

■T ;—

1824.
jesty the
n to His
exertions

promote

r through

marked

hed and

iir,

irvant,
c Peel."

" To the Eev. E. Morrison, D.D., etc.

"Carlton Palace, April 14ih, 1824.

" Sir,— I have received His Majesty's commands to
convey to you His Majesty's acknowledgments, and
to express his sense of your attention in presenting
through Mr. Peel, a copy of your Chinese Bible.

"His Majesty has been pleased to direct me to take
it into my particular care, as an important and
valuable addition to his library.
" I have the honour to be, Sir,

" Your obedient and faithful servant,

" Charles E. Sumner, Librarian."

The Select Committee of the East India Company
also introduced Mr. Morrison to the Court of Directors
in the following flattering words, showing how ground-
less had been all the fears entertained that his official
connection with the Company would be inimical to
its commercial interests : —

" Dec. 5th, 1823. We cannot permit Dr. Morrison
to depart from the situation he has held for sixteen
years in this establishment, with eminent advantage
to the interests of the Honourable Company, without
expressing the strong sense we entertain of the im-
portance of his services, and of the perfect satisfaction
we have derived from his abilities and general de-
portment during his residence in this country. We
trust, therefore, we may be permitted to introduce
Dr. Morrison to the notice of your Honourable Court
as a gentleman meriting your best attentions."

This was signed by all the members of the Select
Commit^^^ee, and consequently from the Directors as a
body, and from many of them personally he received
attentive courtesy. The Court allowed him half his
income while on furlough, and he was invited to a

116

ROBERT MORRISON.

public dinner given in his honour by the Directors,
where he formed acquaintance with some of the most
distinguished persons of the time. Public engage-
ments crowded upon him, leaving him no opportunity
for rest, or for enjoying private fellowship with his
friends. As soon as he could tear himself from
pressing engagements in London he went down to his
native county, Northumberland, and in Newcastle
found himself again amongst many friends and
relatives, who accorded him an enthusiastic reception.
He arrived on the 18th of April, and on the Sabbath
preached to crowded congregations, hundreds being
unable to gain admission. He proceeded, on the
23rd, to Edinburgh, to visit his daughter, and ac-
companied by her, returned to Newcastle, en route to
Manchester, in order to take with him to London his
son, to be present at the meetings of the various
benevolent and religious Societies in May. He was
waited upon by the civil authorities, and invited to a
public dinner given in honour of his visit. One
gentleman still survives who recollects, with great
distinctness, this visit to Newcastle. The venerable
and much-esteemed Hev. J. C. Bruce, D.D., LL.D.,
etc., etc., remembers ])r. Morrison paying a visit to
his father's house, and says of his appearance : "As
I remembor him, he was a well-formed man about
middle size, with dark and rather curly hair." Dr.
Bruce also possesses a copy of his translation of
the Bible and the Anglo-Chinese Dictionary.

In reference to this visit he wrote to Sir G.
Staunton : «' My reception in this town is as kind as
I could possibly wish. It is interesting to rac to
revisit the streets and fields where I lived happily as
a poor bashful boy, thirty years ago." His experiences

WORK IN ENGLAND.

117

Directors,
the most
! engage -
portunity
with his
elf from
ivn to his
Newcastle
nds and
eception.
Sabbath
ds being
on the
and ae-
ro?/ fe to
iidon his
various
He was
ited to a
t. One
h great
3nerable
LL.D.,
visit to
e : "As
n about
■•" Dr.
i/tion of

Sir G.
kind as
> me to
opily as
jriences

in revisiting old haunts, he afterwards described in
writing to his niece on his return to China : " I felt
deep interest in travelling over again the walks of my
boyhood ; St. John's Church, the Forth, Maiden Lane,
the riverside, once so lovely to me ; noWj the dirty new
coal shaft has disfigured all the high bank healthy
walks, with the river between and the windmill hills
opposite. At four or five in the morning, winter and
summer, have I sallied forth to the walks I have now
alluded to— but ah ! how changed the circumstances.
Holy Scripture, prayer, the Sabbath and the assembly
of God's people, were then my delight, days never to
return. But there is a better country, Hannah, and
in China, I am as near to it as in England."

He was overwhelmed with solicitations from all
parts of England, to preach and speak on behalf of
various Missionary and other Societies, and he was
obliged to appeal to his friends to be more considerate
of his strength and ability. Wherever he went his
presence was hailed with overflowing and devout
enthusiasm, and the claims of China to the Gospel
more fully acknowledged. He attended the May
Meetings of several of the leading religious Societies,
especially those of the London Missionary, the British
and Foreign Bible, the Eeligious Tract, the Prayer
Book and Homily, and the Port of London Societies,
with all of which he had become closely associated
by his work in China, and which bonds were drawn
the closer the longer he lived. In all these meetings
the references to Dr. Morrison and his work were so
eloquent, and were received with such enthusiastic
applause that his retiring modesty was very much
tried. One interesting incident was afterwards re-
corded by the Rev. T. S. Grimshaw, in relation to the

r il^

118

ROBERT MORRISON.

Anniversary Meeting of the Bible Society. He says :
•' The day had been signalised by Dr. Morrison having
presented to Lord Teignmouth, the President, before
a crowded and distinguished auditory, the Chinese
version of the Bible, executed jointly by himself and
the late Dr. Milne. The undertaking was said to
have been the result of nearly twenty years' laborious
toil and study, and justly considered to be an extraor-
dinary monument of Christian piety and perseverance
Never shall I forget the deep interest of that im-
pressive occasion. Dr. Morrison appeared in the
front of the platform, holding the precious volume in
his hand. Beside him stood his youthful son, brought
forward as it were, like another Hannibal, not indeed
to stand pledged against his country's foes, but to be
consecrated, on the altar of the Bible Society, against
those of his Eedeemer, and to share with his father
m the honour of extending His everlasting kingdom.
...... Mr. Butterworth stated the following fact ;

• It is now many years ago, that in visiting the library
of the British Museum, I frequently saw a young
man, who appeared to be deeply occupied in his
studies. The book he was reading was in a language
and character totally unknown to me. My curiosity
was awakened, and apologising to him for the liberty
I was taking, I ventured to ask what was the language
that engaged so much of his attention.' * The Chinese,'
he modestly replied. 'And do you understand the
language?' I said. 'I am trying to understand it,'
he replied, ' but it is attended with singular difficulty.'
'And what may be your object,' asked Mr. B., 'in
studying a language so proverbially difficult of attain-
ment, and considered to be even insuperable to
European talent and industry?' 'I can scarcely

He says :
on having
nt, before
i Chinese
mself and
s said to
laborious
1 extraor-
everance.
that im-
i in the
ohime in
, brought
ot indeed
3ut to be
•, against
is father
b'ngdom.
ing fact;
e hbrary
a young
i in his
language
curiosity
e Hberty
anguage
Chinese,'
;and the
tand it,'
fficulty.'
B., 'in
f attain-
able to
scarcely

WORK IN ENGLAND.

119

define my motives,' he remarked; ' all that I know is
that my mind is powerfully wrought upon by some
strong and indescribable impulse ; and if the language
be capable of being surmounted by human zeal and
perseverance I mean to make the experiment. What
may be the final result, time only can develope. I
have as yet no determinate object in contemplation,
beyond the acquisition of the language itself.' ' Little
did I think,' said Mr. B., * that I then beheld the germ
as it were of this undertaking, the completion of
which we have witnessed this day, that such small
beginnings would lead to such mighty results, and
that I saw before me the honoured instrument, raised
up by the Providence of God, for enlightening so large
a portion of the human race, and bringing them under
the dominion of the truths of the Gospel.' "

The remainder of the year was spent in visits to
France, Ireland, Scotland, and all parts of England,
with a view to excite deeper interest in tlie spiritual con-
dition of China and other Oriental nations. With an
entire disregard of his own ease. Dr. Morrison power-
fully advocated the claims of the heathen, urging the
various Christian churches to renewed efforts to
evangelise the far-distant and ancient countries of the
East. In crossing over to Calais, he met with Lord
William and Lady Bentinck, who offered him great
attentions, taking him to their own hotel, and pro-
curing for him the services of an agreeable guide and
interpreter while he was in Paris. Lady Bentinck
entered most sympathetically into his views for the
enlightenment of the lands of the East, and when after-
wards her husband was Governor-General of India, she
fervently strove to use her influence in encouraging
efforts for the diffusion of knowledge and religion.

120

ROBEliT MdlllllSON.

In Paris, ho hail interviews with, and received mnM,
courtesy from Baron Humboldt M. «em„Tat M
lUaproth, Baron ,Ie Stael, M. de Sac another
of !.e leadmg literary men of France. He was n

he ht T,L Y "'""""^ '" ^"Sland satisfied that
he had produced a deep impression on many minds
farouraWe to efforts for the moral elevation oHhe eTs]

Jle7T:^" i""' ''\ "™'"»8 tour in S oUa'd
he went to Aberdeen, for the purpose of seeinc the
orphan eh,ldren of Dr. Milne, in whom he toot an
affectionate interest, and earnestly enjoined upon Z
ownohildi^n toeherish towards thema fratei™ relrf
Scotland, lie Paris and Dublin, which he hadaS

™s ™;r""f °"' '""'"^^ "*"'- of admS'ttn fo^
Ins voik; and amongst many invitations from distu,
gmshed persons, was one from Sir WalterTcott 1
questing him to visit him at Abbotsford. This courtesv'
liowover, with many others, he was-obliged o deeS'
He was ^-eatly encouraged by a gift of fifteen Tun

SoSteCoT ^'"•Vr^''"''"«" '-'"^» 'he
of ? 1 1 , ^ '^Se, and also three hundred volumes
of valuable books for the library of the Colle™ S
George Staunton also contributed two hundred pounds

institution The British and Foreign Bible Society
vo^ed a further ™m of a thousand pounds to aid hTmn
the circulation of the Scriptures, and authorised him o

to them, to be usefully engaged in such work. Much
other encouragement and help was volunteered for tte

of h s vast ?r'"f ? ''°™"' "' '° "'^ destination
01 his vast accumulation of Chinese books, which lay

WORK IN ENGLAND.

121

in the meantime in the premises of the London Mis-
sionary Society. He had hoped to have induced one
ot the great national Universities toestabhsh a Chinese
1 rofessorship, and to have accepted the library in
connection therewith. This hope was not to be realised
or at least two generations. The learned and religious
mind of England was as yet but little prepared to
adopt or embody the broad views of the large heart
"\\^hinese missionary as to the future of China,
and the disposition of the Hbrary became a difficult
problem. Ultimately it was presented to the Council
of University College, London, and called " The
Mon-ison Library," on the condition that it might be
used by students of any denomination free of charge
_ Another arduous and well-meant effort by Dr Mor-
rison to promote the evangelisation of the East,
but which, like some other grand projects, was before
Its time was the establishment of what was called,
rhe Language Institution." The object of this
effort was .^ated as a plan -for a more extensive
diffusion of Divine truth, by means of a Society which
should promote the cultivation of all the languages
of mankind, and afford to those benevolent persons
who leave their native country with a view of im-
parting to the heathen the knowledge of Christianity,
every degree of assistance before they quit their native
county He was urged to write an appeal on this
project by the London, the Church, the Baptist, and
the Wesleyan Missionary Societies, and the Society
was launched under the high patronage of Earl Roden,
Loi-ds ^althorpe and Bexley, Sir George Staunton,

W. VVilberforce, and many other distinguished philan-
thropists. A suitable building was taken in Holborn

122

llOBERT MORRlSOxV.

and the business of the Society set on foot. Dr
Morrison granted the Society the use of his hbrary
and museum and opened the Chinese department
by a course o lectures extending over three months,
rhnteen students attentively followed him through
this course, lour of whom were dedicated as Christian
missionaries m Malacca and the Indian Archipelago.
Dr. Morrison s services M'ere so eagerly sought, and
were deemed so important, that he was induced to
piolong his stay m England for another year, a-id
he formed classes of young men and women, to ^-hom
he gave instruction on subjects relating to mission
hfe among the heathen. He entertained the strongest
conviction that women could never be elevated Ind
sanctified m eastern countries, except largely through
the agency of Christian women. ^

This institution did not long continue after his
return o Chma; but through its instrumentality
during Its brief existence, till 1828, several eminen
missionaries were partially prepared and fitted for
their great work. The Eev. Samuel Dyer, for sixteen
S -fi \ fw u ^"^ ^"'^^e^^f"! missionary in Penang,

iectuies of such advantage, that they were able to
converse wih tlie people in six or seven weeks aft r
then arrival, and that Mr. Dyer then preached in the
language so as to be understood

In consequence of Dr. Morrison's determination to
emam a longer period in England, he removed to a
quiet house m Hackney, attending however thrice a
week to lecture at the Institution, and on the other three
days teachmg a class of ladies at his own house, who
were studying the language with a view of .nine; into
the mission-field. He also fulfilled many publ7c en-

en-

WOIIK IN ENGLAND. i23

was muclJty'Tll Tl- u"'""?? ""'"'^
apprehensions Z hU heZ h" '"'"'', "'T"

sidence, was the longest interval of Zf f^f ,

.tr,,"" £'"'«• ':;■= ?'■" ~'t o ;:-

MMVUbe.- force andtoEev. C. Simeonf at C m It^
1826, he prepared to return with her and his children

s" crsso^s TcT' '" f r ^"- "-'- ™^ " hS

successors in China. Letters of farewell and bene
diction poured upon him from distinguished schoar
and philanthropists, and benevolent Societieshed

ztv^:rr'. ■^^ '° «°^. »d°:rx. ' m

the Wtr„f ?,*tr'"' S°'"'-"'"- 0™ "'"'■■act from
the letter of Dr Adam Clarke, the Commentator muS

he Xf- ' Commentary on the Holy S.riptures,

■I

<-; I

I H'

124

ROBERT MOHIUSON.

One thing you must indulge

will iiut mo to pain. I

mo in, otherwise you

, , - ^'^^' Hoi"o time I have purposed

to beg your acceptance of a copy of this woi:: for your
own ibrary. I am sorry it is not a la,yc paper copy
but there ,s not one of them left, they have lonr, been
out o prmt. I present this, out of high respect for
your labours, and affection for your person. I have
ordered It m good hoaHs, for it could not (a few parts
excepted) be bound without being spoiled ; as the ink
ot the latter parts, not being sulhciently dried, would
set-off. ^ Your prayer for me, at the conclusion of your
note, IS worth a thousand copies of my work I re
turn you mine, in your own words : 'May the power
Christ ,r.^ upon your person, your family, and your

t'il fi ''?r-' ''"^ ^^"^ '''' ''^'^'y ^^^^'-' J

hmk the finest I ever saw. I have carried them on mv
knees, kissed them often, and have borne them in my
arms. It is many years since I saw them, and thev
can have no remembrance of me : please to tell them
however, that they have an old man's blessing and
bis heartiest prayers. When you sail, may His
presence go with you, and give you rest. Amen "

According to usual etiquette. Dr. Morrison notiiied
to the Court of Directors of the East India Company
his mtention of returning to China, requesting that
he might be permitted to resume his duties at the
Factory, and that his family might be allowed to
accompany him. He waited before making final ar-
rangements for the voyage, until he received an official
answer o his application, not, however, anticipating
any hesitation m granting his request. He was, there-
lore, much surprised on being informed that he was
permitted to return in the CompnnVo cc>.vice "for
the term of three years," but that his two children

WORK IN ENGLAND. 125

were not permitted to return with him. Dr. Morrison
submitted witli as much grace as possible to this
ungracious refusal, contenting himself with sending
a memorial to tlie Directors, recalHng the services he
had rendered to the Company in China for sixteen
years, and expressing his disappointment that so small
a lavour had been refused.

A valedictory service, held in Hoxton Chapel, and
attended by many eminent ministers, the venerable
^r. Waugh amongst them, was profoundly affecting.
Dr Morrison gave a powerful address, concluding
with the words : " Let us look to Christ-to Christ in
all His love and mercy and mediatorial work. Let
this over dwell in our hearts. So shall we be cheered
in every bereavement, and find ourselves at home in
every clime. Farewell ! "

On April the 21st, 1820, he and his partner and little
baby, accompanied by a party of friends, went down
to Gravesend. He intended to sail by the Orwell
a ship m poor repute with seamen, on account of its
inferior accommodation ; but the captain was a re-
hgious man, and Dr. Morrison preferred congenial
company to creature comforts. His friends gathered
round him for parting prayer, and left him. The
vesse , however, was detained at Gravesend until
May 1st As he was waiting to sail, he was greatly
pleased receive from his tried and proved friend,
bir G. btaunton, the present of a beautiful and valu-
able inkstand, which he acknowledged in these words •
1 have received the beautiful inkstand which you
have sent me, and done me the honour to inscribe
with your own name. In China a,nd in England you
havefor twenty years condescended, I may say (con-
sidering my humble circumstances), to favour me

i'^

'! ;

^^^ ROBERT MOUUISON.

With .your iriendshii). Tli's last token of voiir kfnrl

w you, goodncs , to mo. Accept, dcai Kir Goorw nf
.«y smceroly grateful tl,„„I« o- all your Wu Ino,"
and for your substantial aid to the cauL of 2 Mv
«li«.o„, through ,„c. its humble servant! indlcce^
my best thanks for this parting expressio" of yet

God our' S "■'™"!'""- '"'^ ">■= l*'™" W-'i'g
t-od our Saviour rest upon you ' "

On July 24th, as the ship pursued its cnnr.. o
«er.„us mutiny occurred on board. Tit mo, ™ le ge d
they had been treated with harshness a^ yranny
and some bold spirits had enticed their co,nSns
to swear an oath on the Jjible to stand by eacho ,er
A plot was laid to resist the officers, a,,d'^ont.e first
L ^"ie *'-'=<I <^i «ie'«. it was arranged tha evo,T
man should draw his knife and rush on his supe nors
either to murder or overpower them iZ "'*"°"''
was called l.„ ti,„ "-'i;'"'*" tnem. A consultation

accido,it or design onUf themThfttetdtgter^^
foot, which was afterwards amputated. Dr MorZn

the tSe:™" '""J P"™-™" '» 80 and ^eal':^ h
t.r trVScSn.lt fXnT ''
:Mp' 'tC i:n''^7 '° obey-oSsrdtSe

weapon in the chief officer's face L °"

attend. He was -od"::; u^I. d^Cgrd"";"!
three others who camo to assisf their leadTsLared
the same fate, and wore then put in irons tL™
be no doubt but that the co,nnor,."™ d -d'! "*"
™„ Of Dr. Morrison on the oc'casron pStellttd'mrch

HIS RETUHN T(J CHINA.

127

loss ot life. As lie fearlessly approached the aiva-y
mutineers, they showed him no resistance, hut lis
tened witli the utmost respect as he appealed to their
better feelings, and urffed them to return to their
duty. He had great reward for his efforts in the con-
version of one of the sailors. He says • " The
gunner has been awakened to the most serious con-
cern lor the salvation of his soul, and is, I hope, a
true penitent. I have visited, prayed with, and read
good booL-s to him daily, at his own desire. He has
seen many wicked companions cut off in their sins
and, although he has lost a leg, blesses God that he
was no shot dead on the spot. The blessed Saviour's
tull and free salvation, ' without works,' has afforded
peace to his mind."

On August 20th, after a trying voyage of nearly
five months, Dr. Morrison and his family landed at
bmgapore, and were hospitably entertained by Cap-
tain ihrt^ the brother-in-law of Sir T. Stamford
Kaffles. Here they stayed about a fortnight, and Dr
Morrison took the opportunity of ascertaining how
tar the plans put into operation by Sir T. S. Eaftles
and himself had been carried out. He was bitterly
grieved and disappointed at the res:ilt. He found
that the large funds had been nearly all expended in
the erection of buildings which were not half finished,
while the Malayan Professor was drawing his salary
without attempting to discharge any duty. A large
tract of land granted by the late Governor, and on
which Dr. Morrison had laid out large sums of money
had been entirely neglected by the agent in charge of
It, and the various measures taken by Sir Stamford to
improve the moral atmosphere of the settlement had
been allowed to fall into neglect. The work seemed

128

ROBERT MORRISON.

to require entire reorganisation. Dr. Morrison secured
the assistance of the Eev. Robert Burn, chaplain
to the settlement, a man of piety and ability, and
who entered warmly into the scheme. He became
a trustee of the Institution, and manifested the
deepest interest in its success. Dr. Morrison pur-
chased at his own expense a portion of land near the
Chinese quarter, to be occupied as a mission station.
He proceeded with his family to Macao, and here
experienced further disappointment. He found his
house and furniture in such a state of dilapidation as
to require the former to be virtually rebuilt, and the
other to be renewed. His books also were found to
be almost utterly ruined by white ants and other
insects, which abound in Eastern climes. As quickly
as possible he made arrangements for the comfortable
settlement of his family, and then proceeded to Can-
ton, entering upon his duties there in October.

Dr. Morrison wrote to the London Missionary
Society a very cheering and interesting account of
Leang Afa, whom he left in charge of the religious
work of the mission : "On the 6th of September we
left Singapore, and on the evening of the 19th landed
at Macao. All my former native domestics and my
old Chinese teacher were waiting to receive me. The
next day the native Christian, Leang Afa, made his
appearance, and in social prayer we returned thanks
to God our Saviour for His kind preservation of our
lives, and that our minds were still kept looking to
Jesus. The following Sabbath I recommenced the
religious services in which we formerly used to engage.
" Afa presented me with a small Chinese volume,
containing explanatory notes to the Book of Hebrews,
which he had composed during my absence. It is

HIS RETURN TO CHINA.

129

designed to communicate to pagans those views of
religion which he derived from the late lamented
Milne. I have read a part of it, and considering the
few advantages Afa has had, the work evinces that he
has made the Bible his study, although some parts of
his composition receive a shade of colour in the
phraseology from his recent paganism. He wrote
also a small essay in favour of the Christian religion,
which he entitled The True Principle of the World's
Salvation."

Leang Afa had been most faithful and diligent in the
discharge of the important duties with which he had
been entrusted. Dr. Morrison found also that in the
hearts of otliers the truths he had imparted to them
had taken firm hold, and especially so in the case of
the person who first assisted him in writing out the
Chinese New Testament for the press.

The gentlemen of the Factory at Canton gave him
a cordial welcome, and, unsolicited, made a subscrip-
tion in behalf of the College at Malacca, which
amounted to upwards of five hundred pounds.

Acting upon the instructions he had received from
the Bible Society, he arranged for the Eev. W. H.
Medhurst (afterwards D.D.), who was then at Java,
to take a tour throughout the Indian Archipelago,
visiting Borneo, Siam, and other places, to distribute
copies of the Scriptures and various religious tracts
and treatises. The mission press at Malacca was
kept busily at work for this purpose, and many
thousands of pages of Christian literature were
thrown oft' by it. Than Mr. Medhurst, no one more
suitable for such a work could be found ; he had been
ten years in the mission field, and had extraordinary
knowledge of the Chinese language.

n i

■If

CHAPTER IX.

Renewed Labour.— Closing Scenes.

-^-

"There is a book
Ly BorapliH writ with beams of heavenly light,
Oil which the eyes of God not rarely look,
A chronicle of actions just and bright." — Cowpeb.

-*-

DR. MoRKisoN speedily settled down to his various
duties and engagements in his chosen sphere.
He spent half the year at Canton in attendance at the
Factory, as his official duties required, from the arrival
of the Company's ships in August until the last was
despatched in February or March ; and then he went
to Macao to rejoin his family. He had a busy life.
He commenced the gigantic work of preparing a Com-
mentary on the Bible in Chinese, and laboured at it
with all the marvellous patience and assiduity of
which he was capable. He conducted public and
private worship with as great frequency as he could
induce either Europeans or Chinese to attend, and he
was in daily demand when in Canton to execute com-
missions for missionaries and friends at Pcnang,
Malacca, Singapore, and many other places, who were
obliged to send to Canton for domestic articles of

RENEWED LABOUR.

131

lES.

I various
sphere,
se at the
e arrival
last was
he went
usy life.
I a Corn-
red at it
duity of
jlic and
tie could
, and he
Lte com-
Pcnang,
,'ho were
tides of

nearly all kinds. Then he had to obtain all printing
materials, books, teachers, and workmen, and keep all in
active employment. Missionaries on the other stations
in the East applied to him for advice and direction in
every^ matter of difficulty or intricacy, and his long
experience and excellent judgment made him an in-
valuable counsellor on every question of Eastern
mission work.

As the East India Company was without a chaplain
in Canton at this time, and usual prayers were there-
fore not read on the Lord's Day, Dr. Morrison offered
to read the prayers and preach without any pecuniary
reward until another chaplain could be obtained. He
stated that unwillingness to see pubhc worship dis-
continued was the sole reason of his offer. He
received the following answer from Sir W. Eraser, the
President of the Select Committee :—

" I have mentioned to my colleagues the purport of
your note, and they coincide in opinion with me that
we are not authorised to accept your kind offer, which
I am well assured was only made from the best
motives and wishes for our welfare." Dr. Morrison
remarks : "It is a lamentable state of religious or
irreligious feeling, that, in the true spirit of Popery,
under no circumstances (except readmg prayers over
the dead) will they have communion with any who
will not bow down to absolute authority, and yield an
implicit uniformity. If such persons * believe; they
don't act upon the article in the Creed, * communion
of saints.' " Under these circumstances a European
gentleman offered his room to Dr. Morrison, and
collected as many as he could for Divine service.

^ About twenty attended, and very refreshing spiritual

fc meetings were held.

*;l

132

ROBERT MORRISON.

At the beginning of 1827 a fire occurred in his
neighbour's rooms at Canton, and burnt into his
apartments. All his books and many valuables were
destroyed or rendered useless. A friend comforted
him by saying it was a judgment upon him for
being so vain of beautiful bindings.

A new periodical, called the Canton Register, was
commenced, to circulate in the British settlements of
the East ; it was chiefly a commercial paper, but Dr.
Morrison was asked to contribute to it regularly, and
to this he agreed on the condition that he should be
fully at liberty to express his opinions on the moral
and religious subjects it was the object of his life to
piomote. This opportunity was granted him, with
an ofifer of 300 dollars a year to be bestowed on any
benevolent institution he chose. To this paper he
contributed regularly till his death.

He was greatly cheered and encouraged by learning
that in response to his frequent appeals to the
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis-
sions, two agents, the Eev. David Abeel and the Eev.
E. C. Bridgman, had been appointed to China, and
were likely soon to arrive. They reached the Flowery
Land in 1829, and were welcomed by Dr. Morrison
with great joy. The service they rendered to the
cause of Christianity in the East will preserve their
names in undying fragrance.

Christian sentiment in England at this time on the
subject of liberal giving to the cause of God was not
very elevated. Dr. Morrison published a tract en-
titled Christian Devotedncss, in which he urged strongly
the propriety of all property and riches being con-
sidered as from the Lord, and to be used in refere. ce
to Him; in fact, of being devoted for Him and to

RENEWED LABOUR.

133

ed in his

into his

ibles were

iomforted

him for

ister, was
iments of
, but Dr.
arly, and
hould be
be moral
is life to
im, with
I on any
)aper he

learning
to the
ign Mis-
the Eev.
ina, and
Flowery
Jorrison
I to the
ve their

3 on the
was not
ract en-
3trongly
ng con-
Bfere. ce
and to

Him. The Eclectic Revmv fiercely criticised the pro-
duction, and said the man who wrote it could have no
children and no living mother. Concerning this Dr.
Morrison says : " But I have a wife and children, and
yet I am a good deal of an anti-carth-treasure-hoarder.
But my principles go to ' lending to the Lord '— * He
will provide.' ' Yes,' say the others, * by your instru-
mentality;' and so carping and caring becomes a
duty imposed by Providence. * Jehovah -jireh,' says
the Bible. 'Yes,' says the commentator ; 'the Lord will
enable you to provide ; you are not to look beyond
yourself for any provision.' Now, I ask, does not this
reasoning convict itself? for, trusting Providence,
according to it, only means trusting to one's-self ; and
the word of God is made just to mean nothing at all."
About the same time also the Quartcrhj Review
made an attack upon him as to the imperfections of
his Translation of the Bible. It taunted him with
being " self-instructed," and that his " humble pre-
tensions in any other case should have disarmed
criticism." It also severely blamed almost every step
hitherto taken by the Bible Society. It was a need-
lessly cruel attack. No one was ever more ready to
admit the drawbacks of his translation than was Dr.
Morrison, and all he ever professed to have done by it
was to have laid a foundation on which others could
build a more perfect superstructure. He felt this
attack, therefore, most keenly, and wrote a reply to it,
which was not published, but contained the following
paragraph: "What good scholar ever existed who
was not in a great degree ' self-taught '?.... But
putting this aside, who was to instruct the modern
missionaries in Sanscrit, or Chinese, or Otaheitean,
but the individuals themselves? There had been

184

ROBERT MORRISON.

* regularly educated ' civilians and commanders, and
chaplains, too, in India, and commercial agents in
China, long before the English missionaries were
born ; but had they learned or had they provided
means to teach those languages ? England had drunk
Chinese tea, and raised millions of revenue from it,
for a century ; but England had not furnished one
page, nor established a single school to teach Chinese,
till a • self-instructed ' English missionary did it."

Such a reproach came with ill grace from a period-
ical which at the very time was edited by a man,
who, however much to be condemned for narrowness
and asperity of spirit, was yet greatly to be com-
mended for having raised himself from a shoemaker's
bench to a high position in scholarship and author-
ship.

Dr. Morrison was destined also to experience much
disappointment through the failure of two institutions
he had been the principal instrument of esta.>lishing.
The Language Institution was dissolved in England
for want of an enthusiastic spirit to keep it alive.
But indeed it was before its time by fifty years. Then
the Singapore Institution also failed entirely through
the mismanagement of persons who were entrusted
with the carrying out of the project. Thus the bene-
volent intentions of Dr. Morrison, who had spent
about six thousand dollars upon it, and of Sir Stamford
Eafiles were frustrated. On the other hand, he was
cheered by the success of the Anglo- Chinese College
at Malacca ; and the Select Committee of the East
India Company drew up a memorial to the Honourable
Court of Directors in Ensland. settin0 forth vpw nlooriTr
the good it was doing, and the excellent influence it
was likely to exercise on the interchange of commerce

RENEWED LABOUR.

135

between the nations, by facilitating intercourse with
China and extending to Europeans the knowledge of
the Chinese language. The memorial, which was signed
by Sir W. Fraser, the chief of the Factory, and the
other members of the Committee, adds : " It is but
justice to Dr. Morrison to state, that (,he College en-
tirely owes its origin to him, and its continuation to
his exertions ; and he has thus added to pre-eminent
success in Chinese literature his unremitting exer-
tions for the diifusion of useful knowledge."

A few weeks later, he had the sorrow of losing by
death, a firm friend in Sir W. Fraser. He was buried
in the cemetery at Canton, the service being read by
Dr. Morrison.

So carefully was he observed by the Eoman Catholics
on the one hand, and Chinese officials on the other,
that he was entirely shut out from preaching or teach-
ing the Gospel to any, save the few Chinese in his own
employ, and occasionally one or two who might be
induced to join them. He was therefore compelled,
almost exclusively, to make attempts to reach the
heathen through the press, and for this purpose he
laboured incessantly and devotedly. He persevered
in the preparation of his Chinese Commentary ; and,
in order to train native inquirers into clearer views
of Divine truth, he prepared a system of reference
to each book, chapter, and ver3e of the Bible, with
chronological, historical, and literary notices. He
also commenced a Dictionary of the provincial dialect
of Canton, which was then coming into use almost
equally with the Mandarin dialect. He employed
many means of disseminating the Bible and religious
tracts, and succeeded in sending large quantities to
Gorea, Cochin China, Siam, the Islands of the Archi-

1.30

KOUERT MORRISON.

pelago, and by means of traders, into the very heart
of the mterior of China. ^

The native teacher, Leang Afa, meantime laboured
assiduousy for the benefit of his countrymen a
opportunity permitted. He went up the X'.trv

his or^amif "^t "^^"-"^^"^^^ ^ ^- ^"^^^

" The people are all deceived and sunk in Btupiditv
specljng va.n idols. Although I take the tn,"h ani

Ion th?R,m-/ '"''™'' '""""8 *e seventh

oTti; t^r^ k" t"'"'"^ "'" P'^°l"^ ^ythe rites
ot the Yu Ian shmg hwuy. Every family, without

exe tri;"r''V'r' '' '^ "'^^"'"'^'■^ nec;ssay
exeit the r utmost strength in burning multitudes of

paper before the tablets of their ancestors, and also

burn some m the streets, that destitute gl^st com?

ng a,K gomg, as well as the spirits of their ancestors

o we, ' T^ ''"""'" "'''° *'""«''• ^"'1 l"^ve elothes

o wear and money to spend in the other world If

these thmgs be not done, the hearts of the pool are

anclT;- "°' 'V'° " '^ ^°"^'"-«' - ™" pie y
and affection and virtue. When I look on such stun d

nonsense I am exceedingly grieved, and at a loss S

to do. I can only meditate and attend to my own
onduct night and day; carefully and firmly adheri™
the truth, and look up and pray to the Lord on

high to convert the hearts of men, and turn theh fee
ato the straight road which will lead th m f™,

everhistmg misery."

A curious testimony as to the vahie of Dr. Morrison's

iterary labours occurred at this tim. bein- rofbTL

less than the translation of his enorm^urDic W?

RRNEWED LABOUR.

137

into Japanese. He was also informed that the pre-
vaihng fashion in Japanese fans, was to have them
covered with extracts from the Dictionary, arranged
alphabetically and written with extraordinaiy neatness.

IIUDDHIST PRIESTS IN CHINA.

At the close of the year 1828, he was called to
attend two young officers on the ship Orwell, by which
he had come out from England after his visit, and

i.\i

^11

138

RORERT MORRISON.

|i ■«

if.

the most tender an<l careful attention, and was rc-

8ouls ''" '''''"''=^' '" ""^ '"l™-!"" of llieir

The Sunday evening meetings previously referred to
cmit,n„ed. and grew in interest and importa, o D

?^2r°"Tr^' •"' "r' ""''^'- 'l-'o^anuary Is i
1829 : The anion winch takes plaee in my room a
Canton of pious books and pious persons of all coun

tot^hii^^fssL-irtrrK

Dr. Morrison next appears as the savour of an
mnocen man from the hands of the -xe utle.
The captam, crew, and passengers of a French e"i
hound to Manilla, when within a short distance fri
Mac«>, were all, save one, murdered hy a n„mbe"
of Chinese, whose cupidity had been excited by the
timsure on board. The survivor supported himself
on a plank when he was taken up by a fishin" boa
and brought to Macao. He deposed to tto awft l'
crime before the Portuguese authorities, and info
mation was forwarded to .he Chinese officials ai

he'tkenl:. 'thr'"' *^' '"""'P' measures sh^u
ue taken foi the apprehension of the murderers

They were traced, captured, tortured, tried aid

condemned to be executed ; but before b inVso thev

Piinnoi of the murdered crew, The ceremony took

^vod them
! was re-
estimony
:lio naniG
of their

ferred to
ce. Dr.
Eiiy 1st,
room at
ill coun-
nirution

n called

he had

putated

of an

itioner.
I vessel
e from
lumber
by the
limself
j-boat,

awful
infor-
ils at
ihould
erers.
and

they
[i the

toolv

*■•

J-f

A CHrXEHE COURT OF JUSTICF..

liO

IJOIlKnT MORHISOX.

I'lnco in tlio Ifoiif; Mcvliai.K' 7r„ii i

i'y many f„,.„i«„„".„, a .X-tl "'■"'«:" """'"'"'

pied a front position TL^.^ »f"m.son oecu-

ftiid on nnpli no«> . "*''^^'^' ^cgs, and wrists

offend r a, thf .'T '"'""'"'^ "'« '»'»« of the

onoman ,va, bron°Tf °V'"™' "'"' '""'of all

attention He wa an T"1-''''? ""™'^'^'' Senera
fifty year, of age a"d thn '"^"'°p'''"« ""»"' '^''°»'
was on the ca^c He i !™ T'w' fr-'""'«-<''"'o..,

^«t was nnabfe io ^tS ^^^Z'T'^'H
his own countrymen nrn«nnf « i ''. ^^'^'^ood. Isone of
ho .spoke tI,o fS afee" vMm '7^"' 'f ''»»' »»
the Canton. Dr. Crhon r °™ ""''''y ''■"»'

and conver,sed wi 1, 1,,?' !"■" ™" f°"™'-<I

«hare in tho a,vf„ or e wi 1" '""T,"" "^ •''"y
Court on behalf o tl,l "'™ •'"''h-™sed tho

rcmandednti mo, ir" •" '""''''j' "'^' he was
with the res" that n '?"'?' '";"'' ""^ """""od,
at Dr. Morrison' ho l/r' ^^' ' """" '"•"«"•«
tucie to hinr asr "crX^i^r ^S' r' «n
Chinese were loud in fi, • ■•■"' resident

who thus p,:S t'esTr ;",.? "f '''■"^"
their countrymen '"'"^'"J 'o'' the hfe of one of

in 'ttonrSeV?n,tt"'^',r'?' ''''•' "^ '"»
Morrison, „ th two ofZ n "'"' P™'™' »f »>••

was engr;vod at t elpe'se of":r; "1f"'^' ">'*
Factory, in testimony'of that esteomtT °' ""^
impressions of the picture „L,,, " ■""■ ™''

of the Coll».e a "1- » ' '^°'' ">' ''™oflt

"-„e at .Ua.acca (see JmnlispieeeJ.

i attended
isoii OCCll-
diHplayed
ot 8it up.
ikI wrists,
e of the
m. The
!ast of all
• general
n> about
g-chaou,
JO court,
None of
' Jiim, as
3ly from
forward
lie was
of any
•sed the
he was
tituted,
'l)eared •

grati-
3sident
shman
one of

J then
3f Dr.
which
)f the
, and
eneiit

UKNEWED LAllOUH.

141

a wicked superstition, and seeking to sell iTs coun "v
to foreigners. He was obli<.ed therlrn T !/
refuge at Macao with Dr. Mor^^on."'' '' *''^"
The duties of Dr. Morrison at the Factory now
became more ardnn7i« n^^A te • -^ acioi} now

always been unconge™:.,'" t tZ^,J!7 ''^^

<liligently di.eharg«Uhe;, tcato only CwT'
preserved a foothold in the country and bt' lu Y
pursue hi« mission «ori without -e^d^.?" '°

pense fi-om the Missionary Society 2 ^T'
death nf q;.. w t-. -^ ^^ut-iccy , but smce the

f^-itj:;-to^-jrrutS^^^^^^

more arbitrary than he could bear. Ho iZLt
tl-relore, to resign his office, and devotl hireJto

142

ROBERT MORRISON.

!«' li T

higher wort, although it might necessitate his con
finmg himself to Macao or Malacca. With this v^X"
wrote a letter to the Select Committee, giving UB his
position Very suddenly and unexpectedr* chant

Zrlr t It"" "' "^^ ^-Pany.'aaVa^r
tieman-Mr. J. F. Davis-was afterwards appointed

Lieang Afa left hun in December to go and nrint
two tracts which he had prepared, and by She
hoped, as his school had been broken up, to circulate
a knowledge of the Gospel. Dr. Morrison says tf
him: -His prayer m partmg was very appronrLe
and shows clearly that his heai-t is in his woricTs Cell
pravet'Tfld. "' '^f ' °'P-y»«- He dtC'h

blesstg." ^ "''' ^''^ ™^ ""*^ bim a

In the beginning of 1880 Dr. Morrison had the
happiness of baptising another Chinese, and receive
hiru as a member of the chnrch. This was Kew a Z.^
Until h^ mtroduction to Dr. Morrison he had led an
Idle and unprovident life, neglecting to provide for
his wife and children, whom he had entirely forsaken
and not settling to a^y regular occupttion But
from the moment the truths of the Gospel touched his
spin he became as anxious for the happiness of h
family as before he had been careles^T t He
learnt the art of printing from Leang i/a and
worked dihgently at it; meantime receivig Srtiuc
tion from Dr. Morrison, until he maaifestrrteadfls '

if.™ - ■''"'; ''' ''""8 '"»P"^«'J ^^ became
the .u^ijanion of Leang Afa in the distribution of the
Bible, religious books, and tracts.

I t

RENEWED LABOUR.

143

te his con-
his view he
ing up his
^ a change
and a gen-
appointed
ssionary.
and print
which he
) circulate
fi says of
propriate,
'k, as well
esires the
ithful till
ce him a

had the
receiving
v-a-gong.
id led an
)vide for
brsaken,
•n. But
ched his
3S of his

it. He
ia, and
instruc-
eadfast-
ism as a

became
n of the

Messrs. Abeel and Bridgman arrived in Canton in
March, and were most joyfully received by Dr. Morrison.
He at once furnished them with books for the study
of the language, procured a teacher, and gave them
personal help and instruction. The American Board
most gratefully acknowledged his kindness to them,
and most warmly did he ^ "oice that at last he had
fellow labourers in the fi , and that now it was
likely that, though he should be shortly removed,
there would never cease to be earnest witnesses for
the gospel of Christ in China.

His eldest son, John Eobert, although only sixteen
years of age, now joined his father at Canton. He
was appointed as Chinese translator to the British
merchants there. It may be stated that he succeeded
his father as Translator to the East India Company,
and became a member of the Legislative Council in
the British settlement of Hong Kong. He died of
fever in 1845, and was buried by the side of his father
and mother in the cemetery at Macao.

Dr. Morrison was not allowed to proceed for any
long period in hij work without being assailed by
some calumnious or offensive criticism. Towards
these he generally maintained a patient and silent
reserve, satisfied with the purity ot his motives, and
believing that time would preserve his reputation from
any ultimate misunderstandings. A French philologist
of eminence, M. Klaproth, in the year 1830 proposed to
a gentleman in the Company's service, and afterwards
Chief- Superintendent of His Majesty's Commission in
China, that he should become the enemy of Dr.
Morrison, in which case he undertook to laud him in
the public press. Mr. J. F. Davis, the gentleman in
question, was celebrated as one of the most learned

144

llOBERT MORRISON.

men ol his day in Chinese literature as well as Western
erudition, and he had a heart as honourable as a mind
well informed. He returned the following answer to
this insidious offer: —

" I cannot help regretting that you should indulge
in such hostility to Dr. Morrison, concerning whom I
must declare (and I could not without the greatest
baseness do otherwise), that I agree with Sir^Geo^e
Staunton m considering him as 'confessedly the first
Chinese scholar in Europe.' It is notorious in this
country (England) that he has for years conducted on
the part of the East India Company a very extensive
eorrespondence with the Chinese, hi the written cha!
lacter ; that he writes the language of China with the
ease and rapidity of a native; and that the natives
themselves have long since given him the title of ' Le
Docteur Ma.; This testimony is decisive, and the
position It gives him is such, that he may regard all
Ji^uropean squabbles concerning his Chinese knowledge
as mere Batrachomyomachia, battles of frogs and mice "
The year 1881 opened with the happy tidings that
Leang Afa had baptized three persons. These were a
ather, in his sixty-second year, and his two sons, one
twenty-two and the other seventeen. The father was
hifW T'^ education, and his sons had been
hithei to employed in native literature. The son of
Leang Afa was placed under the care of Mr. Bridgman

tLTitTh " "' *^'' ^"^^''^ ^''''^''^^' ^''^ "^ ^^'''•
Up to the present time the English Government of
lenang had made an allowance of one hundred dollars
a month to the Anglo-Chinese College at Maln.ca!
This was now withdrawn in connection with a system
of retrenchment carried out by Lord W. Bentinck. The

KENEWED LABOUR.

145

Select Committee of the East India Company at
Canton, with its usual liberality, at once made a grant
of an equal sum, under " the firm conviction of its
excellence," saying, " We believe it to be eminently
calculated to diffuse the light of knowledge and cf
useful instruction through the most remote possessions
of Great Britain, and to assist in removing those
prejudices which have so long fettered the public
mind in this country."

Another missionary, to the joy of Dr. Morrison,
now arrived at Canton from America. This was the
Rev. Edward Stevens, who came in a vessel named
the il/orm t'ter the subject of this memo- r. Its
owner wa Olyphant, a devoted Christian and a

faithful fnend to the missionary, who opened his
Factory in Canton, for Christian worship and service
at any time.

Dr. Morrison's "Domestic Instructor," and " Scrip-
ture Lessons," were now printed and published. He
himself gave two hundred pounds towards the printing
of the former ; which was issued in four octavo volumes.
The two works were intended to afford an historical,
doctrinal, and practical view of the Christian religion,
and they were widely circulated by the agents now
being employed for that purpose.

His generous sympathies were daily aroused to-
wards all cases of individual necessity and of public
objects of benevolence. The claims on his practical
liberality were endless, nor were any refused that
seemed to merit assistance. Especially his desires
were drawn out towards the English sailors, who,
when at liberty from their duty on board ship, became
the victims of Chinese land sharks, who supplied them
with distilled spirits, rendering them liable to shame-

146

ROBEllT MORRISON.

ful Gxtortic ., and exciting them to riot and outrage.
In order to do something to preserve such from over-
indulgence and robbery, Dr. Morrison engaged a
respectable native to take charge of a " coffee shop ; "
and had handbills printed inviting sailors to partake
of the cheap and refreshing beverage provided for
them there, and warning them against the poisonous
and fiery liquids sold by the natives for the purpose of
robbing them.

He gave 'he English Service on the Lord's Day
into the hands of Mr. Bridgman, and devoted himself
to the Chinese. He was greatly cheered in having to
baptiae the Mandarin teacher at the Anglo-Chinese
College. His name was Choo-siJen-sang, and he had
been an earnest student of the Christian system for a
long time, but had for a period resisted conviction on
account of opium smoking. At length he was able to
break off the habit, a^id professed to believe with all
his heart in the Lord Jesus. In his testimony he
stated that "he believed Jesus to be the Son of God,
that he believed what He taught, obeyed what He
commanded, and hoped for what He promised." In
sailing from Malacca to Canton he had been nearly
shipwrecked, and thus was led to see his wickedness
in not professing Christ, after he had become con-
vmced of His truth. Leang Afa also had the
happiness of baptizing several others, making seven
in all who had professed conversion through his
teaching. At the beginning of 1832, Dr. Morrison
wrote : —

" There is now in Canton a state of society in
respect of Chinese totally different from what I found
m 1807. Chinese scholars, missionary students
English presses, and Chinese Scriptures, with public

RENEWED LABOUR.

147

worship of God, have all grown up since that period.
I have served my generation, and must— the Lord
knows when— fall asleep."

A very important change in his prospects was now
threatening. The charter of the East India Com-
pany in China was soon to terminate, and the
condition of all in the English Factory at Canton
would be greatly a£fected thereby. No one more so
than Dr. Morrison. He had served the Company
twenty years, and the Select Committee had sponta-
neously^ sought to induce the Court of Directors to
grant him a pension in consideration of the important
services he had rendered. To this appeal no answer
was made, and he had, therefore, before him the
alternative of either seeking some secular employ-
ment, or of having recourse to the Missionary
Society, to which he had given such splendid
gratuitous service for the period in which he had
been employed by the Company. He resolved to
wait the unfolding of the Divine Will, but of the two
paths undoubtedly to choose the latter, in order that
he might still devote his powers to the evangelising of
the^ heathen. To the uncertainty of his pecuniary
position was added also the sorrow of being separated
from his family. The health of Mrs. Morrison had
for some time been poor, and a voyage home was
necessary for her restoration. And to crown his
anxieties at this time, he received a letter from the
Select Committee of the East India Company in-
forming him that the Portuguese governor of Macao
had been appealed to by the Soman Catholic digni-
tary of the diocese, as to some of his publications,
which were alleged to be opposed to the Eomish faith,
and stating that the use of a printing-press was pro-

148

ROBERT MORRISON.

hibited in the Portuguese territories, except under
previous censorship, and that the press must be
discontinued. The Select Committee, therefore, re-
quested Dr. Morrison to suspend the issue of any
further publications from the press at Macao.

This was an ungenerous and annoying act of in-
tolerance ; but as there was no appeal from the
decision, Dr. Morrison had to content himself with
onenng a strong expostulation, and to obey. Still
he did not abate any energy in the circulation of the
many publications from the pens of himself. Dr.
Milne, Leang Afa, and others, which were now ex-
tensively distributed, and many of which had
penetrated as far north as the ancient wall. He
devoted himself with increasing zeal to preparing his
Commentary; he continued his public service on
Sabbath mornings ; and, as the habit had sprung up
in Macao among the foreigners of spending the
Sabbath evenmg in recreation and amusement, he
strove to draw them to a higher enjoyment by com-
mencing an evening lecture. At the close of the
raormng service for the foreigners he conducted one
tor the Chinese. In this he ever took great delight
never omitting the singing, although he often had it
all to himself. In the intervals of worship he was
occupied in reading, or in hearing his children repeat
hymns and Holy Scripture. At these times he used
to resort to a retired terrace in the front of his resi-
dence beyond which lay the Bay of Macao, encircled
by bi Is. The terrace was shaded by beautiful flower-
ing shrubs, and bordered with western plants and
flowers. Here, accompanied by the whole of his
family and attendants, a favourite Newfoundland dog
being always present, most happy hours of con/erse

RENEWED LABOUJ{.

14i)

were spent. Often after a Sabbath's labours, in-
volving five or six hours standing and speaking, has
he sat thus conversing on the blessings and mercies
of life. And if sometimes asked whether he was not
tired, his reply would be, " Yes, tired in the work,
but not of it. I delight in the work."

Symptoms began to appear that his constitution,
so strong and wiry, was l^eginning to fail. A sensa-
tion of weight in the top of his head, sleeplessness,
loss of appetite, pain in the right side, and great
prostration of strength, caused him and his partner
serious apprehension. He consulted a doctor, who
appeased his fears by stating it was an affection of
the liver, and that it was only an apparent and not
a real loss of strength, and that when the excitement
caused by the departure of his family to England
was past he would be quite restored. With these
assurances he returned to Canton, in order to conduct
a correspondence having reference to an affray on
board one of the opium ships, in which a Chinese had
been killed. Here he remained until within a fort-
night of his family leaving Macao. Then the Com-
mittee accepted the services of his eldest son, and he
returned to his family. Arrangements were made for
them to sail on Dec. lOth, 1838, and they were to
embark at Lintin, a safe anchorage eighteen miles
from Macao. On that day, therefore, he and his
family, save Mr. J. R. Morrison, who was to remain
at Canton, sailed in a small passage-boat to Lintin,
and arrived after a painful passage, the whole com-
pany being cold, sick, and dejected. The party was
taken on board the ship Luilis, prayers were offered,
farewells were taken, and the family separated, never
again to meet in this world.

150

KOBEKT MOlmiSON.

In the uncertainty of his future prospects, Dr.

lrc?t:'cir"'''''^''°-^'*^--»<'

The exchange of the East India Company's rcaime
EnM„ ." "' "" '^'Jministration by the Governmen of
England gave rise to much and prolonged difficulty

noir tn ". ''[^ "^"^ «™8 *e Government
power to do much as it pleased in carrying out a

system of commercial interchange, customs, el. and

fCi- Tf ;™' "PP""'^'' *'■<' «">'«' AmbLsador of

East S r?"-,^''"?- '^^^^'" •"'"'"^- "f '1-
i^-ast India Council strongly urged upon him and his

smte to secure the valuable services of Dr. Morrison

^ter'^l ft '""' T*"'^ '° "'<' ^»'«'«^y- But
after all the worse than coolness which had been

manifested by the English Government towS

Zr b " '^T^T' ™'"""y 'hat a niJoZZ
should be employed by it for the transaction of
business so important and delicate as must attach to

tntilthe" T; ,N° "^'-'"'"'y «o„ld be attained
until the arrival of Lord Napier and his attendants.
. On May Is , 1834, Dr. Morrison wrote this entiy
n his journal: "On the 28th of this month, U is

Mr. Hardcastle's countmg-house, at the end of the
old London Bridge. Eowland HUl was there and
asked me if I looked upon the heathen as angts'^ ?
As I did not know the mind of angels, of course I
could not say ' Yes.' " b . oi course i

1 "^"/"'^ ^^"^ '"' ™°'o fro™ Macao : " Lord Nanier

anded yesterday about 8 p.m. The frigate S a

Salute when he left the ship, and the Portuguese fired

"- when he reached the shore. I went d^wn to the

CLOSING SCENES.

151

Chinese custom-house, where he landed, and handed
one of his daughters from the boat to my chair, in
which she went up to D's. I introduced myself to
him in going upstairs. He took me oy the hand, and
said he was glad to make my acquaintance. He was
dressed in naval uniform. Lady Napier rose from
her chair and walked towards me to shake hands,
with a smiling countenance and civil speech, saying
she seemed to have been long acquainted with me,
being so familiar with my name.

"At noon to-day a meeting of all the Factory
people was summoned at Lord Napier's to hear the
King's commission read. That which concerns you^
and our beloved children I will tell first. I am to be
styled 'Chinese Secretary and Interpreter,' and to
have £1,300 a year, without any allowances whatever
for domine, house-rent, or anything else. I am to
wear a vice-consul's coat with King's buttons, when
I can get one. Government will pay one hundred
dollars a month to the College, instead of the Company.
His lordship asked whether I accepted of the appoint-
ment or not. I told him at once that I did. He then
said he would forthwith make out my commission. . .
Pray for me that I may be faithful to my blessed
Saviour in the new place I have to occupy. It is
rather an anomalous one for a missionary. A vice-
consul's uniform instead of the preaching gown."

On July 20th, Lady Napier wished him to preach in
the Company's chapel at Macao, and he prepared to
preach a sermon he had just composed from the
words, *' In My Father's house are many .mansions,"
John xiv. 2 ; but an objection was raised by Some
narrow-minded sectarian, and no service at all w«s

^ Addressed to his wife.

152

KOJJEHT MOHIUSOX.

considered better than one conducted bv a minister
who was not propcrlij ordained.

On the 23rd he accompanied Lord Napier to Canton
his presence being necessary in any interview between
the Ambassador and the Chinese Government officials.
He suffered frightfully on the voyage. He quitted the
irigate at the Bogue, and remained all night in an
open boat exposed to the extreme heat and a storm
ot rani. He was, therefore, utterly spent when he
h-mded and had the prospect of exciting and anxious
negotiations before him. On the 25th he writes • " In
wa lung through the hot sun to-day from this house
to the Company's, where Lord Napier is, I was like to
(h-op m the streets, and have been groaning on my
couch ever since, being now past eight in the even"-

T^\ .u ''^''^ '^""^ ^'^ attended the Council from
ten to three, occupied in the work of translating letters
On Sunday, the 27th, he conducted service with the
Chinese, having, perhaps, the largest congregation he
had been privileged to see, and he was cheered l)y old
Le who had long transcribed for him, telling him
that he had been led to believe in Christ Jesus. The
day before, his name had been published with those of
the officers of the King's Commission, being placed
above those of the surgeons, chaplains, and private
secretai-y. On the following day he dragged himself
his official duties, and had a wearisome time, with
tlie squabbles between the native and English officers
and then his earthly labours were over. He spent a
wretched night on the Tuesday, and on Wednesday a
surgeon was sent for. Everything that doctors or his
son or attendants could do was attempted, but a fever
raged withm him that apparently nothing could
assuage. Leave of absence from Canton was ^iven

Ill

CLOSING SCENES.

163

•

liim, but he was too feeble to be removed. On I^riday
evening the doctors in attendance tried other means
for his relief ; but he was rapidly sinking, and at about

DR. MORRISON'S TOMl! AT MACAO.

(Krum 11 ilniwiiiK by CiUHNEnv.)

ten o'clock in the evening he closed his eyes and slept.
It was the sleep of the righteous, from which he awoke
m glory. He passed thus quietly into the mansion in
the Father's house, prepared for him by the Saviour,

154

ROBFniT MORRISON.

and concpining which, as if prophetically, he had pre-
pared his last discourhe.

He wns buried by the side of his first wife, in the
resting-place for the dond at Macao. His remains
weio attended from the house to the place of em-
barkation by Lord Napier, and all the Europeans,
Americans, and Asiatic British subjects then in Can-
ton. Several gentlemen accompanied them to Macao
and the service was read by the Eev. E. Stevens!
Seamen s Chaplain at Canton.

The following inscription was placed upon his tomb :
(Satrtb to iht memorg xif
ROBERT MORRISON, D. D.,

THK FIRST PROTESTANT MISSIONARY

TO CHINA,

Where aftn- a service of twcnty-seven year» chetrfnlb, spent in cxtendhn

tkek.n,d<nn of the blessed Rmr^r.Mm, durln, Jhick ^od he co^iM

and published

A DICTIONARY OP THK CHINESE I.ANGDAOK,

founded the Anglo-Chinese CoUege at Malacca,
and for several years laboured alone on a Chinese version of

THE HOLY SCllIPTUBES,

Which he was spared to see completed and widdy circulated

amon<r those for whom it was destined,

he sjveet/y slept in Jesus.

He was born at Moi-peth, in Northuviberlaml,

January 5th, 1782. .as sent to Chinu by the London Missionary

Society in 1807,

was for tu-enty.Jive year. Chinese translator in the employ of

The East India Company,

and died at Canton, Augmt \st, 1834.

"Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from hencefm-th :

Y(a, saitk the Spirit,

that they may rest from their labours; and their works dofollmc thcm^

CHAPTER X.

What he Was and »^^it<\T h^ Did.

'"Who sow good seed with tcara shall reap in joy.'
So thought I as I watched the gracious rain,
And deemed it like that silent sad employ
Whence sprung thy glory's han-est, to remain
For ever. Ood hath sworn to lift on high
AVho sinks himself by true humility." Kkdlk.

rpiiE intelligence that so great and good a man had
1. passed away from this life produced a profound
sensation, not only in China and in England, but hi
every part of Christendom. The religious Societies
of England, America, and even of the Continent of
Europe, were prompt to express the lofty esteem in
which they held his character and the work he had
sought to perform. The London Missionary Society
appointed a public service commemorating his long
devotion to the mission causp, at which a sermon was
preached by the Rev. Dr. Fletcher, of Stepney, to an
overflowing and much impressed audience. The per-
sonal friends of Dr. Morrison in China, very numerous
and influential, promptly resolved to establish a me-
morial institution by which a portion of his work
could be permanently conserved, and the public es-

156

ROBERT MORRISON.

.!,?■

teem in which he was held could be suitably expressed.
A liberal subscription was opened, by which about
two thousand pounds were collected, and, in 1835,
"The Morrison Education Society" was established
and put into operation.

His life was an unbroken course of self-sacrificing
effort for the attainment of the great end he had scl
before him at the beginning of his student course—
the salvation of the heathen. His attainments in
philology were all consecrated to this, the civil and
official duties he discharged through so many years
were only undertaken and fulfilled for the sake of the
opportunity afforded of maintaining a standing in the
country, and of being permitted to pursue his higher
work unmolested, and yet they were discharged so
efficiently as to merit and receive the most flattering
and grateful acknowledgments of the wealthy and
influential Company that employed him. The large
salary he for a time received, enabled him to live
without drawing on the funds of the Missionary
Society for his personal support, and to give with
even princely liberality, considering his means, to
promote the work of education and religion in the
East. By the learned and distinguished personages
with whom he came in contact he was treated as
an equal, because his own extensive attainments in
learning, and his natural dignity, diminished all sense
of distance which might otherwise have been felt on
account of their different social positions ; and by his
Chinese, Portuguese, and Enghsh dependents, he was
revered as a friend whom they could approach without
fear and confide in with assurance. The work he
accomplished will ever remain as a monument of
indefatigable an- 1 patient industry. The translation

WHAT HE WAS AND WHAT HE DID.

157

of the Scriptures, carried out mainly by his own
agency, has long since been surpassed by others, more
perfect in their renderings, and more idiomatic in
style, but this does not detract from the praise due to
his untiring labour in having laid a foundation on
which others have nobly built. The Anglo-Chine°o
Dictionary was a miracle of plodding and sagacious
diligence, prolonged through many years, and for its
proportions and encyclopaedic character stands perhaps
unrivalled in human literature as the' work of one
man. The catalogue of his other works camio.. be
enumerated; but books of doctrine, history, educa-
tion, catechisms, prayers, hymns, etc., flowed from
his unceasing pen until the list is contemplated with
amazement. Dr. Medhurst, in Chma, its State and
Prospects, says that no fewer than 751,763 copies of
tracts and books were poured forth from the Chinese
mission presses from 1810 to 183G. A very large
proportion of these came from the pen of Dr. Morrison,
and indeed Dr. Medhurst declares that his list making
up that number was by no means complete.

To his literary labours must be added also the time
and effort consumed in establishing and aiding to
carry on the various benevolent and religious institu-
tions which owed their origin to his energy and zeal.
The Anglo-Chinese College at Malacca occupied much
of his thought, and to its welfare he devoted time and
money ungrudgingly. It accomj)lished much good,
although it came far short of the idea of its founder.
It was afterwards removed from Malacca to Hong-
Kong, where in partial form it still exists. That it
did not accomplish more, and that the Singapore
Institution and the Language Institution failed, was
in no sense due to Dr. Morrison, but rather to the

iV :i

158

ROBERT MORRISON.

unfaithfulness Of agents in the one case, and the slow-
ness of the Christian sense of England to appreciate
the possible benefits to be derived from the other

His character presents many features and qualities
which must command fervent admiration. He had
an ardent thirst for knowledge ; he cultivated a fine
sensitiveness of nature as to moral uprightness ; he
manifested unswerving conscientiousness ; he had an
inexhaustible genius for patient, persevering, plodding
industry ; and, as an internal fire, there ever glowed
withm him the steady flame of love for Christ and
zea for His glory, which lighted with lambent glow
all he quahties of heart and mind which made up a
noble personality. He was precisely fitted to the
position he was called to fulfil. His caution, his
common sense, his soundness of judgment n)ver
failed him and the result was that he never had to
take a backward step. If he baptized few converts,
he had great reason to rejoice that those who were
received mto the Church by baptism gave him no
cause to mourn over their defection or apostacy ; and
If be gathered no crowds to hear him preach the
(:rospel, It must be remembered that his conditions
and circumstances forbade him exercising such public
ministrations, and forced him to adopt the only other
way open to him of reaching the Chinese intellect by

Sd bnf r"f .?' 'T'' ^'' ^^''''''' ^^« «^^-^rely
tiled, bu his faith m . he ultimate success of the work

anrhitr'' 'r""! '''''' ^^^^^^^^ *^ persecution,
and his life was threatened by imperial edict, but his

cheek never paled nor his heart palpitated with appre-

hension. He did all that he could, and what few men

could have done, and he lives to-day in the deep and

growing mterest in the Chinese Empire, and in the

WHAT HE WAS AND WHAT HE DID.

159

the slow-
ppreciate
ther.
qualities

He had
cd a fine
less ; he
3 had an
plodding
f glowed
I'ist and
snt glow
ide up a

to the
ion, his
; n iver

had to
inverts,
10 were
him no
y; and
ich the
iditions
'■ public
y other
iect by
eyerely
e work
cution,
)ut his
appre-
w men
ip and
in the

intense enthusiasm which is being manifested for its
conversion. The influence of such a life and character
can never die, but must extend and diffuse itself in
ever widening fragrance and blessedness, wherever
his name is known, or his deeds are recorded.

The veteran apostle of China passed to his rest and
reward in 1834, and for some years the policy of
exclusion was rigorously observed by the Chinese
authorities towards both Christian missionaries and
foreign merchants. Therefore, little progress was pos-
sible as to the conversion of the heathen population.
A door, however, was opened in 1842, when by virtue
of a treaty made at the conclusion of a war with Chma,
five ports. Canton, Amoy, Foo-chow, Ningpo, and
Shanghai, were opened to foreigners, and Hong Kong
was ceded to us as a British settlement. Each of
these places was filled with a vast population, and
by their commercial importance formed avenues to
the interior. At once various Missionary Societies in
England, America, and Germany, prepared to occupy
these providential openings, and many agents were
despatched to bear testimony in them for the Lord
Jesus. They met with much encouragemeiit in their
efforts.

In 1858 the English Government found occasion to
ask for a revision of this treaty, and also for an apology
for certain grievances which had occurred on the part
of Chinese authorities in the South. These demands
being refused, war was commenced, the Taku forts
were taken, and the Chinese army was driven to bay.
The English forces were joined by the French, and
pushed their way to Tientsin and thence to Pekin,
and there dictated a treaty, which was signed. This

it'

160

ROBERT MORRISON.

treaty virtually laid open the whole of the Empire for
the entrance of the Christian missionary. Prom that
time the propagandism of the Gospel has been vigor-
ously prosecuted in China ; one province after another
has been entered uy the Christian agent, until the
name of Jesus has been proclaimed in all the eighteen
provinces of the Empire. And now, it is our happiness
to know that there are at work in this enormous field
not less than thirty-seven Missionary Societies, and
others are preparing to share in the great work.
These various Societies are represented by four
hundred and forty-nine foreign male agents; three
hundred and eighteen married ladies, and one hundred
and fifty-eight single ones, are also labouring with
them ; making a total of nine hundred and twenty-five,
sent forth from various lands to evangelise China.
Besides these, there are one hundred and twenty-thrr-^
ordained native helpers, one thousand three hundre i
and sixty-five unordained native helpers, twenty- eig> o
thousand five hundred and six communicants, and
eleven thousand three hundred and seventy-five pupils
in schools. Every mail brings reports from China,
informing the churches that openings for successful
uission work are occurring there on every hand, and
that from all parts of the country is heard the
Macedonian cry

((

Come ovex anb Ipelp us."

LONDON ; KN'IGHT, fRINTBR, MIDDLE STREET, ALDERSGATE, EX.

npire for
com that
3n vigor -
anothel•
ntil the
eighteen
appiness
ous field
Aqb, and
it work,
by four
i ; three
hundred
ng with
nty-five,
3 China,
ty-thrr-:'
bundre
ty-eig}-
its, and
e pupils
L China,
Lccessful
nd, and
ird the