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 MEMOIR 
 
 OF THE 
 
 KEY.. DAYID ABEEL, D.D 
 
 LATE MISSIONARY TO CHINA. 
 
 BY HIS NEPHEW, 
 
 REV. G. R. WILLIAMSON 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 ROBERT CARTER, 58 CANAL ST. 
 
 1848. 
 

 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 18-48, by 
 
 ROBERT CARTER, 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for 
 
 the Southern District of New York. 
 
 /3v 
 
 THOMAS B. SMITH, STKRKOTYPKR, ROBERT CRAIGHEAD, PRINTER, 
 
 216 WILLIAM STREET, N Y. 112 FULTON STREET. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The following Memoir, now presented to the Christian 
 public, has been prepared at the suggestion of friends, 
 who believed that the interests of vital godliness and of 
 the cause of Missions called for its publication. 
 
 It is compiled from the Journal, Diary, and Correspon- 
 dence of Mr. Abeel. The part of the Compiler has con- 
 sisted, chiefly, in arranging and connecting these mate- 
 rials, and thus the work appears partly in the character 
 of an autobiography. It has necessarily assumed this 
 shape, as the distance of Mr. Abeel's field of labor has 
 precluded any knowledge of the events which occurred 
 during the greater part of his life, farther than they are 
 recorded by himself. 
 
 It has been found difficult to give to this work that pe- 
 culiar interest which has been thrown around many Biog- 
 raphies. The difficulty has been two-fold — consisting in 
 the impossibility of recalling to any extent a correspon- 
 dence which was scattered over every part of the globe 
 — and in the want of knowledge respecting those little 
 facts and incidents of life which often develop the char- 
 acter in its most delightful aspects, and which can only 
 be known by the intimate acquaintance arising from con- 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 tinual personal intercourse. Consequently, the reader 
 must not expect to find those points of peculiar interest 
 which characterize Biographies prepared where these dif- 
 ficulties have not been experienced. 
 
 Whether the fact, that the principal events of Mr. 
 Abeel's life are recorded in his own language, compen- 
 sates for this deficiency, the public will judge. The work, 
 as it is, has been prepared with care ; and the object of 
 its publication will be fully attained, if its perusal shall 
 lead to more expanded views of Christian duty, and more 
 earnestness and zeal in following those, " who through 
 faith and patience inherit the promises.' ' 
 
 West Ghent, Columbia Co., N. Y. > 
 January, 1848. \ 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PAOS 
 
 Birth and Parentage — Development of Character in Youth — 
 Seeks to enter the Military Academy at West Point, and re- 
 linquishes his plan through delay — Studies Medicine — His 
 Conversion — His Resolution to devote himself to God's Ser- 
 vice in the Ministry — Enters the Theological Seminary at 
 New Brunswick, New Jersey — Graduates and is Licensed to 
 Preach, 9 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Is Settled at Athens, Greene County, New York—Is Ordained 
 to the Work of the Ministry— His Reflections— The Nature, 
 Extent, and Success of his Labors in this Field — Labors 
 much in other Places during Revivals — Private Diary — 
 Health fails, and he is forced to give up his Charge, . .17 
 
 CHAPTER IH. 
 
 Account of the Exercises of Mr. Abeel's Mind in regard to the 
 Work of Missions, from the time when he first turned his at- 
 tention to it — Difficulties in regard to leaving his aged Par- 
 ents — Overcomes all, and resolves to offer himself to the A. B. 
 C. F. M., just as his Health fails and he leaves Athens — 
 Health so precarious that he sails to St. Johns, expecting 
 to Preach there — Is partially hindered from Preaching by the 
 Government — The Difficulty is removed, and he Preaches — 
 Returns to New York — Preaches in the Reformed Dutch 
 Church in Orchard Street, . . . . . . .38 
 
Vi CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 PAGK 
 
 The Way is opened in Providence for his Entrance on Mission- 
 ary Labor— Prepares to visit China under the care of the 
 Seamen's Friend Society, with the intention of being trans- 
 ferred to the care of the A. B. C. F. M. when his term of ser- 
 vice as Chaplain shall have expired— Farewell Meeting- 
 Reflections on leaving his Native Land— Labors as Chap- 
 lain during the Passage— Reaches Canton— Enters on his 
 Labors as Chaplain for Seamen— Incidents showing his Suc- 
 cess—His Views of the Mode of addressing Sailors on Relig- 
 ious Subjects— Closes his Engagement with the Seamen's 
 Friend Society, and is transferred to the care of the A. B. C. 
 F. M.— Private Diary, 49 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Mr. Abeel leaves Canton on a Missionary Tour to some of the 
 Islands of the Eastern Archipelago— Sails in the Castle 
 Huntley to Java— Arrives at Angier, and crosses to Batavia 
 by Land— Labors there with Mr. Medhurst, studying the 
 Chinese Language — Sails from Batavia to Singapore, where 
 he meets Rev. Mr. Tomlin, his Fellow-Missionary— They sail 
 to Siam — Remains in Siam six months laboring as a Mis- 
 sionary — Letters Home — Description of his Labors, and their 
 Success— Leaves Siam for Singapore — Visits Malacca — Con- 
 tinually Engaged during this Tour in Missionary Labor — 
 Extracts from his Private Diary, 79 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 His Health is partially restored, and he returns to Siam — La- 
 bors there alone as a Missionary for six months — Journal of 
 his Labors — Encouraging Appearances — Number of Hear- 
 ers, &c, &c. — His Health fails — Leaves for Singapore — La- 
 bors as Missionary there, and assists the Chaplain, Rev. Mr. 
 Burns — Attends him in his Sickness and Death — Description 
 of Mr. Burns' s Character by Mr. Abeel — Assumes his office 
 as Chaplain — Is greatly Blessed in his Efforts — Continues at 
 the same time his Missionary Labors — Health again fails — 
 Sails for London in the Cambridge 104 
 
CONTENTS. Vll 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Mr. Abeel reaches England — Passes over to the Continent, vis- 
 iting Holland, France, and Switzerland, dispensing Mission- 
 ary Information — His Labors excite much Interest in the 
 Cause — Returns to London — Preaches at different places in 
 England— Founds Ladies' Missionary Society in London — 
 Sails for America — As soon as he reaches the United States 
 commences operations, in travelling and extending Mission- 
 ary Knowledge — Visits New England — Goes to the South, 
 and during the Winter Labors in the Southern States— Let- 
 ter stating the Effect of his Labor — Returns to the North, 
 and Visits and Preaches in many Churches of his own De- 
 nomination — Attends Medical Lectures in New York — Is 
 taken Sick and confined four months — Travels when suffi- 
 ciently recovered to the Sulphur Springs of Virginia — Spends 
 the Summer there — Returns Home and prepares for Sailing 
 to China, 132 
 
 CHAPTER VHI. 
 
 Mr. Abeel is Disappointed in his Expectation of Sailing to 
 China by sudden Sickness — Forced to spend the Winter in 
 the West India Islands, principally St. Croix and St. Thomas 
 — Learns now of the existence of an Organic Disease of the 
 Heart — His Reflections on the subject — Sails from West In- 
 dies and reaches New Brunswick, New Jersey — Labors in 
 the Great Revival which was then at its height in that place 
 — Is attacked with the Varioloid in New York — Goes again 
 to the Southern States for the Winter, and Labors for the 
 Heathen as his Health permits — Returns to New York, and 
 is again Disappointed in Sailing for China by Sickness — La- 
 bors in different Theological Seminaries in Increasing the 
 Missionary Spirit — At length his Wish is Gratified, and he 
 prepares to Sail for Canton — Farewell Service — Journal 
 during the Passage, 161 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Mr. Abeel arrives at Canton — Great Changes since he left — 
 Dr. Morrison Gone to his Rest — Missionaries Increased in 
 
Vlll CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Number — Opium Difficulties soon commence — His Views of 
 these Difficulties — His Journal Describing the Course of 
 Events during the first two years of the Opium Troubles — 
 Describing the Course of the Chinese Authorities in regard to 
 the Trade — The Resistance of the English — Engagements 
 and Battles — Seizure of Mr. Stanton and his subsequent 
 Release, &c., &c. — His Religious Feelings during this time, 177 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Mr. Abeel leaves China on a Missionary Tour, a favorable op- 
 portunity being afforded by the continuance of the War — 
 Sails for Singapore — Remains there until September — Visit- 
 ing Malacca — Labors as a Missionary, and Preaches during 
 this time — Then Visits Borneo — His Delight and Pleasure 
 from this Visit — Returns to Macao — Sails for Kolongsoo to 
 Examine its Fitness as a Missionary Station— His Favora- 
 ble View of its Position — Settles there — Alone in his Labors 
 for two months, then is joined by others — His Parents called 
 to leave the World — His Reflections — Journal of his Labors at 
 Kolongsoo — Missionary Excursion in the Country — Is joined 
 by Messrs. Polhman and Doty of the Reformed Dutch Church 
 — His Health again fails entirely, and after trying without 
 success to receive benefit by short sea voyages, he prepares 
 to return to America, 204 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Mr. Abeel Returns once more to America — His Increasing De- 
 bility — Religious Comfort and Enjoyment of the Divine Pres- 
 ence — Travels from place to place — Dies at Albany, and is 
 Buried at Greenwood Cemetery, 1846, .... 256 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Sketch of the Character of David Abeel, . . . .266 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 1. Religious Vade Mecum, 290 
 
 2. Sermon on Heaven, 299 
 
MEMOIR. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 David Abeel, the subject of this Memoir, was 
 born on the 12th day of June, 1804, in the city of 
 New Brunswick, New Jersey. His father, David 
 Abeel, Senior, was a son of James Abeel, of the city 
 of New York, a Deputy Quartermaster in the Conti- 
 nental army ; and an elder brother of the Rev. Jno. 
 N. Abeel, a pastor of the Collegiate Reformed Dutch 
 Church, whose memory is still precious in the hearts 
 of many who owned him as their spiritual father. 
 David Abeel, Senior, was an officer in the United 
 States Navy, during the time of its most severe ser- 
 vice in the course of the Revolutionary war. He was 
 engaged in several actions ; and was so distinguished 
 for his bravery, that, in connection with a few others, 
 he received the special thanks of Congress for his 
 devotion to the service of his country. He was a 
 man of strict morality and worth. The mother of 
 the missionary was Jane Hassert, of New Bruns- 
 wick, a lady possessed of deep piety, great benevo- 
 lence of character, and gentleness of spirit. The 
 
10 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 Abeel family were originally from the city of Am- 
 sterdam, Holland. Both his father and mother had 
 passed frtfm earth before his last return to his native 
 land. 
 
 We have no record that in his early youth, he 
 was the subject of any peculiar religious impressions. 
 These years were characterized by a great vivacity 
 of spirit, a depth of generous feeling, a high sense 
 of worldly honor, and a remarkable devotion to 
 friends and friendships. He was also exceedingly 
 fond of all athletic exercises ; and at this time his 
 constitution became well developed, and acquired 
 that strength which enabled him in after-life to per- 
 form an immense amount of intellectual labor ; and 
 to struggle, for so many years, against the ravages 
 of a deeply seated disease, which seldom continues 
 so long in the system without producing fatal re- 
 sults. 
 
 When fifteen years of age, he made application 
 to be admitted into the Military Academy at West 
 Point, but on account of the number of those who 
 had made previous application, he was led to with- 
 draw his request. In this disappointment it is easy 
 for us, at the present time, to see the hand of Provi- 
 dence preparing the way for his engagement in the 
 service of that Master, whom as yet he did not own 
 as his Lord. 
 
 He then turned his attention to the study of medi- 
 cine, with a view of spending his life in its prac- 
 tice. He had been engaged in this study for about a 
 year, when, in the providence of God, his mind was 
 brought under the influence of religious truth, which 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL \\ 
 
 resulted in his conversion. He has left no account 
 of his exercises at the period when it was thought 
 that his soul passed from death unto life ; but all the 
 circumstances connected with that change are re- 
 membered distinctly by the surviving members of 
 the family. His convictions were so deep as to pro- 
 duce in his mind the fear that he had sinned against 
 the Holy Ghost. They increased, as by reflection 
 he became more deeply impressed with the incon- 
 ceivably fearful nature of that sin. The Spirit of 
 God operated on his conscience with great power, 
 and the very strength of mind which he possessed, 
 only served to deepen his anguish, by enabling him 
 to view eternal things more clearly. 
 
 His soul was racked with deep anxiety and tor- 
 menting doubts, and many weary days and sleepless 
 nights were appointed him. At this time there was 
 no settled pastor in the Reformed Dutch Church of 
 New Brunswick, where he w r as in the habit of at- 
 tending divine service ; and he sought the instruc- 
 tions of that venerable father in God, Dr. Living- 
 ston, who had the oversight of the vacant church. 
 
 His peculiar treatment of the awakened, while it 
 displayed his knowledge of the human heart, also 
 unfolded to their view their own guilt and true con- 
 dition, and led them more quickly to the cross of 
 Christ for pardon. He thoroughly probed the heart 
 of this young inquirer, and showed him all its vile- 
 ness, before he led him to hope for any relief. It 
 was a severe treatment, but it was needed ; and al- 
 though the natural heart tor a time rebelled against 
 the development of its guilt, yet, under the blessing 
 
12 MEMOIR OF DAVID A3EEL. 
 
 of God, the faithful teachings of that venerable man 
 were the instruments of producing clear and correct 
 views of religion in the mind, and of leading the 
 penitent soul to resign itself to the mercy of Christ, 
 in hope. 
 
 After a long season of deep distress and darkness, 
 hope dawned upon him. But when he first found 
 relief from his convictions, his peace was by no 
 means complete — the clouds did not pass away 
 immediately, but they were gradually dispelled, as 
 his views of truth and duty became more expanded. 
 From this time there arose a lasting intimacy be- 
 tween himself and Dr. Livingston. It is to be 
 regretted that Mr. Abeel never committed to writ- 
 ing the incidents connected with his conversion, 
 that we might possess the narrative of his religious 
 feelings and exercises, even from the very com- 
 mencement of his Christian course ; but from the 
 testimony of those who were witnesses of the re- 
 markable change which then manifested itself in 
 his walk and conversation, and from their recollec- 
 tion of his own expressed views, we are well assured 
 of the fact, that he himself conceived this to have 
 been the season of God's mercy, as displayed in the 
 conversion of his soul. 
 
 Then those traits of Christian character began to 
 be developed, which distinguished him in all his 
 course, and which became more marked as the work 
 of sanctification progressed in his soul. 
 
 From the very commencement of his religious 
 life, he was led to take a high position in regard to 
 duty, and the extent of his consecration to the ser- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 13 
 
 vice of God. Firm conscientious principle took the 
 place of mere manliness and worldly honor, and be- 
 came his guide in all his conduct ; leading him to 
 exercise the most scrupulous care in regard to the 
 feelings of others, and the greatest watchfulness 
 over his own spirit. 
 
 And that love for souls which burned so brightly 
 and steadily in his bosom, and seemed to be his mas- 
 ter-passion, was kindled there by the gracious Spirit, 
 when he felt the mercy of God in his own salvation. 
 Under its influence his great inquiry was, " How 
 can I be of greater service in the cause of my Mas- 
 ter ?" Nor did he cease to seek an answer to this 
 question, both by wrestling with God in prayer, and 
 by watching the course of his Providence, until, by 
 devoting himself entirely to God, as an ambassador 
 for Christ, he was able to satisfy in some degree the 
 desire which burned within him, to take up his cross 
 and deny himself and follow Jesus. 
 
 We know not what were his peculiar exercises in 
 reference to the work of the ministry; but it is 
 hardly probable that possessing such views he should 
 falter in the matter ; except when overcome with a 
 sense of his unworthiness, and a fear of future un- 
 faithfulness — feelings which he often experienced, 
 and recorded in his journal. But, whatever were 
 his doubts as to his ability, he does not appear to 
 have had any with regard to his duty ; and accord- 
 ingly we find that, ere long, he addressed himself to 
 the study of theology. In the fall of 1823, he en- 
 tered the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, 
 where he remained for three years. He engaged in 
 
14 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 all the studies of the course with conscientious dili- 
 gence, and enjoyed not only the respect, but also the 
 intimate friendship of his Professors. 
 
 The records kept in his private journal at this 
 time, tell us of a spiritual course, chequered by al- 
 ternate hopes and fears, yet displaying one great 
 aim and desire, which manifested itself in a constant 
 struggling after more holiness and devotion to the 
 service of Christ. 
 
 During his course in the Seminary, he was as 
 much engaged as he could be in accordance with the 
 rules of the institution, in lecturing, in visiting the 
 sick, the suffering and the poor, and administering 
 to them religious instruction and consolation. He 
 labored much for the poor at the almshouse, thus 
 evincing that missionary spirit which was the gov- 
 erning motive of his future life. While he was in 
 the Seminary, that great and good man, Dr. Living- 
 ston, was called from his labors to his rest in heaven. 
 He felt his loss most deeply, and mourned over the 
 departure of his spiritual adviser. 
 
 Among his papers the following resolution was 
 found, which was formed and subscribed by him, 
 while in his preparatory course ; — " Conscious of the 
 importance of making an unreserved surrender of 
 myself to the service of Him under whose banner 
 I have enlisted, I would solemnly determine, (not 
 in my own strength, but by the co-operation and 
 restraining influence of the Spirit of God, in whom 
 alone I trust,) on this, the 15th of September, 1825, 
 henceforth to renounce every known sin, though it 
 cost me the pain of plucking out an eye, or cutting 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 15 
 
 off a hand ; and of living', as far as possible, a life 
 consistent with my high vocation. May the Lord 
 grant me his strength, and the glory shall be given 
 to him." 
 
 The records in his journal during his last year in 
 the Seminary, display his feelings of distrust in re- 
 gard to his fitness for the work of the ministry. His 
 theological course was finished on the 15th of April, 
 1826. On the 20th of the same month he received 
 his license to preach the Everlasting Gospel, and his 
 written reflections show how highly he valued the 
 privilege, and how deeply he felt its responsibilities. 
 
 ''April 20, 1826. — Never before have I written 
 under such peculiar circumstances. This day I have 
 been licensed to preach the Everlasting Gospel of 
 my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I feel impressed 
 with a view of the solemnity and deep responsibility 
 of my office. Oh, how unfit am I to undertake a 
 w r ork which involves such eternal consequences. 
 Blessed be God, I do not go forth in my own name, 
 I do not depend upon my own sufficiency. My 
 strength and confidence are in the Almighty Being, 
 who, I trust, has called me. His promises are en- 
 couraging ; and his faithfulness, though repeatedly 
 proved, has never failed. It is my desire now, be- 
 fore I commence the duties of my office, to make a 
 solemn and unreserved surrender of myself to the 
 great Lord of the vineyard. My life, my health, my 
 time, my talents, all that I have, I sincerely desire to 
 consecrate to his service. Lord Jesus, take me, and 
 make me thine. And now would I come to the de- 
 termination, in my Father's strength, to live a life of 
 
16 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 faith and holiness — to keep myself unspotted from 
 the world — to live in the habitual commission of no 
 sin — and to mortify the old man, with his affections 
 and lusts. Oh, how shall I preach to others that 
 which I practise not myself. Oh, thou great God, 
 I have no strength of my own, I look to thee for thy 
 grace. Now I am thy servant, intrusted by thee 
 with the office of the ministry ; keep me, Oh keep 
 me, from sinning in thought, word or deed. Let me 
 experience the power of godliness in my heart, and 
 from this day walk in newness of life ; and hence- 
 forth spend and be spent in thy service." 
 
 The next Sabbath he preached for the first time 
 in the church of English Neighborhood, and the 
 Sabbath after, in the city of New York. 
 
 Large extracts might have been taken from his 
 journals, during his life in the Theological Semi- 
 nary ; but as the chief end of their compilation is 
 to present him to view as the active laborer in the 
 vineyard of the Lord, it has been deemed expedient 
 to use this journal but sparingly. It is sufficient to 
 say that all the records of his early diary display the 
 firmness of his Christian character, from its very 
 commencement. As the circumstances and duties 
 connected with a regular settlement as pastor served 
 more fully to develop that character, the extracts 
 in the next chapter shall be more copious. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 On the 26th of May, 1826, David Abeel received 
 his commission to labor as Pastor in the village of 
 Athens, Greene county, New York ; and in the course 
 of two weeks he became established at this place. 
 
 In speaking of its moral condition, he says : " It is 
 much like the famous city from which it derived its 
 name, in regard to religion. Vice appears to reign 
 in all her multiplied forms. Blasphemy and intem- 
 perance abound. The Sabbath is in great measure 
 disregarded ; and were it not for the power of that 
 Master who has promised to be with his ambassa- 
 dors, I would shrink from the task and retire in de- 
 spair. The place abounds in brick-yards, in which 
 the most vulgar and abandoned are engaged." 
 
 When he first reached Athens the church edifice 
 was not yet completed, and he used the school-house 
 as the place of worship. 
 
 From the very commencement of his labors, he 
 manifested the greatest anxiety in regard to their 
 result. He was so deeply affected by the appear- 
 ance of the wickedness around him, and by thoughts 
 of the responsibility of his station, as the one ap- 
 pointed of God to lift up the standard against the pre- 
 vailing iniquity, that he ceased not, day and night, 
 
18 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 to struggle in prayer with God for his blessing. He 
 then displayed one great principle of his life, which 
 always influenced him, and gave additional energy 
 to all his labors. He hoped for great things ; and 
 his desires, and supplications, and expectations knew 
 of no limits, but the broad promises of God's word. 
 The record in his diary a short time after his settle- 
 ment, testifies to the extent of his anticipations, and 
 the depth of his anxiety for his flock. " My earnest 
 desire, my prayer, and, I had almost said, my expec- 
 tation is, that God would visit us in mercy. There 
 are some favorable appearances. Oh, that the Lord 
 would make his unworthy servant instrumental in 
 arousing his people, that, by co-operation in prayer 
 and active exertion, the spiritually dead may be 
 awakened." "O God, strengthen and assist thine 
 inexperienced, feeble servant." Again : " My heart 
 feels deeply anxious for a revival of pure and unde- 
 fined religion. The appearances are encouraging, and 
 we sincerely hope and pray that God will bless us." 
 In October he was ordained as an evangelist by 
 the Rev. Classis of Rensselaer. He thus records 
 the event and his own feelings : — " On Tuesday the 
 Classis met, and ordained me as evangelist in the 
 church of Athens. The exercises were solemn, and 
 I trust sanctified to my soul. Oh, the responsibility 
 of my sacred trust!— 'who is sufficient for these 
 things V May that God in whose name and strength 
 I desire to go forth, from this time bless me with 
 strength equal to my day. If my heart deceive me 
 not, my desire is, to be a workman who need not be 
 ashamed. I wish to be earnestly devoted to the ser- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 19 
 
 vice of my precious Jesus. Feeling impressed with 
 an idea that my race will be short, may my cove- 
 nant God give me the utmost diligence to work 
 while the day lasts. O Lord, never leave me/' 
 
 In examining his labors as pastor of this church, 
 we cannot fail to notice their extent and variety. 
 He used every means, both direct and remote, with 
 the most indefatigable diligence, to affect the hearts 
 of his people. The effect produced by his labors 
 during his brief sojourn in that place, teaches us 
 what can be done by an entire consecration of the 
 ministry to the service of the Master. His morn- 
 ings were spent in his study, his afternoons in going 
 from house to house for the purpose of religious con- 
 versation with all who attended on the services of 
 the church. 
 
 He carefully recorded all the incidents which oc- 
 curred in these visits : 
 
 "Sept. 2. — I spent several afternoons last week 
 in visiting families, particularly the sick. My anx- 
 iety in behalf of this people is continually increasing, 
 and I have reason to hope that my labors have not 
 been in vain in the Lord." 
 
 "July 9. — This day has been partly spent in vis- 
 iting. Among a variety of characters which I saw, 
 was one which exceeded all others in obduracy that 
 I had ever witnessed. It was the case of an old 
 man, probably upwards of seventy years of age. 
 Before speaking to him, I understood that he was 
 addicted to intemperance, blasphemy, and doubtless 
 many other vices equally heinous. When I inquired 
 respecting the condition of his soul, he acknowl- 
 
20 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 edged his wickedness and unpreparedness for heav- 
 en. I spoke of his age — he knew that he soon must 
 die. I alluded to the future state of his soul — he 
 acknowledged that it was not prepared for heaven, 
 and thought it never would be ; and was aware, that 
 if removed soon, his soul would sink to hell swifter 
 than a ball escapes from the cannon's mouth. He 
 said the mere thought of hell distressed him dread- 
 fully. I spoke of the Saviour — he knew his power 
 and willingness. I asked him, why then he did not 
 believe in him ? He replied with emphasis, ' Be- 
 cause I won't.' He said he knew it was nothing 
 but disinclination. Seeing his awful hardness, I en- 
 deavored to move him by the terrors of the Lord, 
 but all in vain. He knew that he could not stand at 
 the day of judgment. He knew that he would be 
 speechless, believed that eternal torment was insup- 
 portable, acknowledged that the mere reflection 
 shocked him, and yielded his assent to every awful 
 and awakening truth which could be mentioned in 
 relation to his own future state. He said he knew 
 them all, was familiar with the word of God, and 
 pretended to believe the whole of it, even the most 
 alarming descriptions of judgment and destruction ; 
 and yet remained as insensible as a rock. I spoke 
 of his death-bed scene — he enlarged on the subject, 
 and mentioned the principal causes of agony at that 
 trying hour. In a word, the most terrifying truths, 
 though fully acknowledged, had no effect — the most 
 moving and persuasive considerations were entirely 
 unheeded. He candidly confessed that he had ex- 
 perienced great convictions of conscience, and been 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 21 
 
 deeply impressed with religious truth. He had a 
 pious mother, who had often conversed with him, 
 but had hardened himself and braced himself against 
 the truth. He was the only sinner that I had ever 
 seen, who, while he admitted a state of eternal pun- 
 ishment, was not supported in his course by the vain 
 hope of future preparation. Hope, it appeared, was 
 a stranger to his breast ; and yet there appeared 
 nothing like despair — nothing, but total stupidity. 
 Such is the depravity of the human heart. ' Who 
 then hath made me to differ V " 
 
 He preached frequently, as the state of the people 
 demanded. His regular services consisted in preach- 
 ing twice, and holding a Bible class on the Sabbath, 
 and lecturing twice during the week. That his 
 labors were often still more abundant, will be seen 
 by reference to his diary. 
 
 "December 11, 1826. — For every evening this 
 week I have been engaged in some meeting, be- 
 sides delivering a funeral address on Tuesday, and 
 a thanksgiving sermon on Thursday. This day I 
 have preached twice, as usual. My soul was moved 
 in prayer this evening, and I felt as if I might com- 
 mit sin in something like an impatience for a revi- 
 val at the present time. Although my concern for 
 sinners is sometimes as an oppressive burden ; yet, 
 I wish to say in all cases, ' Thy will be done.' " 
 
 " December 24. — For the last two weeks I have 
 been engaged in some exercise almost every night 
 in the week. Sometimes I possess much enlarge- 
 ment and assistance in the discharge of duties. I 
 find myself also at times oppressed with gloomy 
 
22 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 doubts and fears. I often feel much distressed to 
 think that all these services will tend to harden, if 
 they do not benefit. I wish I could realize more 
 deeply the wretchedness of ruined souls. Oh that I 
 could weep and pray for them with all anxiety and 
 feeling. 5 ' 
 
 " October 10. — During the past week I have been 
 much engaged in preaching, attending prayer meet- 
 ings, and visiting families. I sincerely hope that 
 the Spirit of God will be poured out in copious ef- 
 fusions upon this place. There will doubtless be 
 much opposition. The enemies of the Saviour are 
 already taking a stand, and we may anticipate much 
 resistance. But the strong man has a stronger than 
 he with whom to contend. I think that I feel will- 
 ing to stem the current of opposition." 
 
 He was faithful to souls, in dispensing to them 
 advice in his daily intercourse, and in preaching by 
 the power of a holy walk and conversation. And 
 perhaps this, under God, was the great element of 
 his success. His aim was to make his life an ex- 
 emplification of the blessed constraining influence 
 of the religion of his Master. Hence his words al- 
 ways possessed a power, which can only be derived 
 from the conviction on the minds of men, that the 
 preacher of the Gospel is sincere and earnest in his 
 desires for the spiritual welfare of his flock. He 
 never permitted an opportunity to pass, without en- 
 forcing on the consciences of those with whom he 
 came in contact, the necessity and beauty of holi- 
 ness. It was remarked by one under whose roof 
 he found a home during the time of his labors at 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 23 
 
 Athens, " I never knew him to sit with the family, 
 or even to pass through the room in which they 
 were engaged, without making some remarks of a 
 religious character — saying something to impress 
 the mind with its importance." Such was his in- 
 tercourse with all his people. Although he never 
 intruded his religious views in conversation so as to 
 offend, yet he always managed skilfully to say some- 
 thing for the honor of his Master. Nor did this 
 constant or frequent introduction of such topics 
 leave any impression on the minds of men of a 
 gloomy or unpleasant nature. This was not the 
 character of his own spiritual exercises ; and he 
 chose to commend the cause of his Master by show- 
 ing the pleasures connected with it, rather than to 
 terrify by the language of warning. Hence, even 
 the impenitent were pleased to listen to his lan- 
 guage of affection and kindness, and were willing 
 to believe in the worth of a religion inculcating 
 such joyful truths, and bestowing on the soul such 
 glorious hopes. Never, except in peculiar circum- 
 stances of guilt and depravity, did he apply to any 
 the severe threatenings of the word of God ; and 
 then, his manner testified to his sorrow that duty 
 demanded such a severe treatment, and showed that 
 he was led by love, and not in anger, to warn the 
 wanderer. 
 
 As may be expected, the labors of Mr. Abeel, in 
 this place, were attended with the blessing of God. 
 There never was any season of great excitement, 
 but the power of truth manifested itself rather in 
 the continual spirit of inquiry, and constant in- 
 
24 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 gathering of members to the church. Almost from 
 the very commencement of his labors, good effects 
 were visible. Audiences increased in size and so- 
 lemnity, and many were brought to a knowledge 
 of the truth as it is in Jesus, who never before had 
 experienced the influence of religion on their lives 
 in any way. He often mentions in his diary, the 
 pleasant state of religious feeling among his people. 
 
 " September 5, 1826. — Thus far I have been en- 
 gaged in the duties of my avocation. From all that 
 I can learn, the state of things is becoming interest- 
 ing. There appear to be a number under great con- 
 cern of mind. This evening we had a solemn 
 meeting. The Lord assisted me, and I was happy 
 to see a number there, who a short time since, of all 
 others, appeared the most profane and abandoned." 
 
 " October 22. — This afternoon I conversed with a 
 young convert, who appears to be very joyful. She 
 thought that my previous conversation with her 
 had, through the effectual application of the Spirit, 
 led her to where Christ had found her." 
 
 "November 11. — This week I have been engaged 
 at my usual labors, and am pleased to find that the 
 Lord blesses such an unworthy servant. Lectured 
 on Wednesday evening, after which, held the anx- 
 ious meeting, and found a number of new cases. 
 Every day, almost, brings some news to my ears on 
 this joyful subject. The Lord is evidently among 
 us. Some of those who before were impressed, 
 profess to have a hope. Others, who at first 
 mocked, are brought under concern of mind — the 
 cases are principally confined to females. To-mor- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 25 
 
 row I administer the Sacrament of the Supper for 
 the first time. I trust the Lord will be with us. 
 I have been distressed on account of my want of 
 humility. I have not those feelings which I desire, 
 although the Lord, I think, gave me more enlarge- 
 ment in prayer to-night, than ever in this place." 
 
 "March 11, 1827. — The Lord continues the gra- 
 cious operations of his Spirit. Since I last wrote 
 there have been apparently some conversions, and 
 the solemnity appears at present very encouraging. 
 To-day I was strengthened to preach with consider- 
 able feeling. My mind and soul were drawn out in 
 prayer more than usual, and I have reason to trust 
 that good has been done. Many of the Christians 
 appear sanguine in their expectations of a great 
 shaking; their hearts have been drawn out partic- 
 ularly in behalf of some of the men. Oh, that God 
 would save them, and bring them up to his help 
 against the mighty. There are seasons when my 
 spirits flag ; not that I am gloomy, but feel languid. 
 I have reason to think that this is owing to morbid 
 sensibility in the digestive organs ; and my impres- 
 sion is, that I would feel more deeply and constantly 
 engaged, were it not for this species of bodily dis- 
 ease. I hope not to mistake animal excitement for 
 true piety, nor to distrust when not excited. Oh 
 that my faith was exceedingly firm, and every grace 
 in lively and vigorous exercise." 
 
 " March 25. — I have great reason to be thank- 
 ful and encouraged, in view of the success of my 
 labors. Since I have been here, twenty have united 
 themselves to the church, on the confession of their 
 
 2 
 
26 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 faith. In the commencement of the past week my 
 feelings for lost sinners rose to a degree of agony. 
 The burden of my prayer is, that God would bring 
 in those who will be useful in his service.' ' 
 
 The fruits of Mr. Abeel's labors were not re- 
 stricted to the awakening and conversion of sinners, 
 but their good effect was also manifested in the up- 
 building of the body of Christ in faith and knowl- 
 edge, and the elevation of the standard of personal 
 piety. One fact has often been repeated to the 
 writer, and it testifies the faithfulness, care, and de- 
 votion of this servant of Christ. Not one of all 
 the number who joined during his ministry in the 
 place, ever returned to the beggarly elements of 
 the world. Twenty years have elapsed, and those 
 who have not been called away by death, still re- 
 main firm in doctrine and practice, and zealous sup- 
 porters of religious truth. Thus did God graciously 
 own and bless his exertions. 
 
 But although he labored so faithfully among his 
 own people, and manifested the greatest interest 
 and anxiety in behalf of their spiritual condition, his 
 efforts for the promotion of his Savior's glory were 
 not confined to them. 
 
 He was eminently catholic in his views of Chris- 
 tian intercourse, and he delighted to go whitherso- 
 ever his services as a preacher of truth were needed. 
 He spent as much time as he could consistently with 
 his first duty to his own charge, in visiting the 
 neighboring congregations, and especially those in 
 which there were special indications of God's pres- 
 ence. His assistance was eagerly sought for on 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 27 
 
 these occasions,, and readily given ; and he often 
 returned from such services refreshed by the signs 
 of God's presence, and encouraged to more earnest 
 endeavors and prayer for his own flock. He thus 
 records the fact that he engaged in these extra la- 
 bors, and speaks of the pleasure derived from them. 
 
 "January 29, 1827. — Agreeably to arrangement, 
 my brother Chester and myself started on Monday 
 morning of last week for Canaan, the scene of a re- 
 vival. We arrived there towards evening, and 
 attended a meeting appointed for prayer ; in which, 
 in compliance with the solicitations of the pastor 
 and others, I delivered a lecture. I remained there 
 until Friday morning, and was engaged during the 
 greater part of the time in visiting, holding small 
 prayer-meetings, and preaching. I preached every 
 evening in the week, except one ; the meetings were 
 well attended, and exceedingly solemn. My own 
 spirit has been refreshed, and I sincerely hope the 
 souls of others benefited : the Lord assisted me in 
 my exercises, and, I trust, applied the word by his 
 Spirit to the souls of those present. 
 
 61 May, 1827.— The last Sabbath I spent at Scho- 
 dack and Stuyvesant. Preached three times, and 
 rode nearly twenty miles. On Monday I visited 
 Kinderhook, where I had been informed that there 
 were convincing evidences of God's presence and 
 power. My spirit was greatly refreshed. I was 
 pleased to find that the children of God were earn- 
 est in prayer. Preached on Monday and Tuesday 
 evenings. The Lord was with me, and strengthened 
 
28 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 me for the services. While there, I spent the days 
 in visiting and conversing with those whom I met." 
 
 "June 10. — Two weeks have elapsed since I 
 have written. During that time I trust much good 
 has been done. Besides my usual labors at home, 
 I have been engaged more than a week at Kinder- 
 hook. My time was spent in visiting all day, and 
 preaching and lecturing in the evening. I sincerely 
 hope, that, at the judgment, it will be found that 
 these labors were not in vain in the Lord. There 
 are many who express much anxiety concerning the 
 salvation of their souls. In almost every house in 
 the village there appear to be either uncommon 
 solemnity, or impressions of their lost state. I visited 
 almost every family, and was strengthened and em- 
 boldened to converse freely with those whom I saw. 
 My heart was warmed, and I felt, and still feel, deeply 
 interested for that people. What will be the result 
 God alone knows. The appearances now are very 
 favorable, and it is the hope of His people that many 
 souls may be gathered in the fold of the Great Shep- 
 herd. I have great reason to bless the Lord that he 
 will deign to acknowledge so weak an instrument as 
 I am ; and, Oh, that such great and unmerited favors 
 might abase me in the dust at his footstool. I am 
 exceedingly unworthy of his favorable notice, and 
 especially of such signal acts of his mercy." 
 
 Thus did he display that spirit which afterwards led 
 him to leave all, and consider the world as the field of 
 his exertions for the glory of God, and the good of souls. 
 
 We have now spoken of him only in reference to 
 his labors for the souls of others. But it must not be 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 29 
 
 concluded that, in their multiplicity, he neglected his 
 own spiritual interests. If this had been the case, he 
 never would have been so successful in his ministry ; 
 for these things come not, save by fasting and prayer, 
 and full personal consecration to the service of God. 
 We again quote from his private diary, to show how 
 earnestly he strove after the spirit of his Master, and 
 fought against the corruptions of the flesh. The 
 extracts are illustrations of the fact so often observed, 
 that the true children of God can see none so vile as 
 themselves ; and that the symmetry of their Christian 
 character consists in their spirit of consecration, their 
 care and anxiety in the great warfare, and their de- 
 sire to keep themselves " unspotted from the world." 
 His exercises were doubtless much deepened by an 
 afflictive dispensation, which occurred a few months 
 after his settlement at Athens. His youngest sister 
 died in the flower of her youth, and although she ap- 
 peared well prepared for her change, yet the loss to 
 him was great. He thus notices the event : 
 
 " Oct. 22, 1836.— I received a letter on Friday, 
 stating that my dear sister Joanna had left this world 
 of sin and sorrow, on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 
 18th. I feel sorrowful, and yet can say, ' The Lord 
 gave,' &c. I trust, and think, that her soul is in 
 heaven, and that I shall soon meet her again. Oh, 
 that this afflictive dispensation may be sanctified to 
 my soul. I am a poor sinner, and need the chas- 
 tising hand of God upon me. I feel very anxious 
 that it may be sanctified to all the family. Oh, that 
 the Lord would convert every member." 
 
 u Oct. 29. — I often think of dear Joanna — can 
 
30 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 scarcely realize that she has left us — and yet can 
 give her up. I trust that she is with her Jesus." 
 
 The following are extracts from different parts of 
 his diary during this period : 
 
 "November 19. — My mind has been in its usual 
 frame. At times I feel as if I really had the spirit 
 of prayer, and then again I cannot, or rather do not 
 possess those exercises. I am still reaching at some- 
 thing which I have never attained. I wash to be 
 emptied of self, to feel my entire dependence on God, 
 and to realize that I am nothing. I wish to know 
 that I have the purest motive in wishing the blessing 
 of God upon my labors. Oh, that the Lord would 
 purify my heart. I desire to enjoy the continual 
 presence of my Saviour, and especially do I wish to 
 have that compassion for lost souls, which will lead 
 me to give God no rest until he pour out his Spirit 
 upon them. Oh, that I might have all the qualifi- 
 cations of a devoted, useful, approved steward. I 
 sometimes am troubled with doubts, and fear that I 
 may be deceived. Oh, that God would forbid, that 
 while preaching to others, I myself should be a cast- 
 away." 
 
 "December 3\. — This day closes another year, and 
 Oh, that I could add, everything that has the appear- 
 ance of lethargy and sin in me. When I look back 
 to the close of the last year, and compare myself 
 with my situation at that time, I scarcely know what 
 to say. I think that this year has been partially 
 spent with some degree of devotedness to God's 
 service. I have enjoyed pleasant seasons, labored 
 more for the Lord than ever, and, blessed be his 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 31 
 
 name, he has crowned my weak exertions with his 
 blessing. If my heart deceive me not, my chief joy 
 is found in those services which God requires, and 
 particularly in knowing that the w T ork of the Lord 
 prospers in my hand. But, alas ! there have been 
 seasons when my soul has been distressed on account 
 of the strength of indwelling corruption. Unhal- 
 lowed principles remain to be mortified. I must 
 endeavor to guard every avenue and avoid every 
 temptation." 
 
 "January 29, 1827. — Yesterday I preached as 
 usual. The Lord was with me, and I trust I felt 
 the influences of his Spirit. My feelings were, and 
 have been for some days much excited. In prayer, 
 I have seldom, if ever, realized that solemnity, hu- 
 mility, and awe, which I have lately felt. I think I 
 know from experience the meaning of that passage, 
 which speaks of the Spirit ' making intercession for 
 us with groanings which cannot be uttered/ The 
 salvation of souls weighs as a heavy burden upon 
 my spirits, and when I attempt to pray for them, 
 my feelings are at times too big for utterance. I 
 have been particularly interested for the spiritual 
 welfare of my dear relatives. That which has 
 greatly conduced to this tenderness of feeling, is a 
 piece which I read in my religious paper, represent- 
 ing the dream of an individual in regard to the 
 damnation of one who ministered in holy things, 
 and who had the appearance of exemplary piety 
 and devotedness in the cause of Christ. 
 
 " I often call in question my motives ; and my ear- 
 nest prayer and deep anxiety have been, that God, 
 
32 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 in infinite mercy, would deliver me from unhallowed 
 principles, and make me perfectly willing to be es- 
 teemed a fool for Christ's sake. I wish to be actu- 
 ated by a strong desire to promote the glory of God 
 in the salvation of my fellow-men. I wish to have 
 not the least concern to obtain the favor of men, 
 only as far as the glory of God may be advanced. 
 My fear often is, that after preaching to others, and 
 having even seals to my ministry, I myself may be a 
 castaway. May God, of his unmerited kindness, for- 
 bid it." 
 
 "February 19. — I have been endeavoring this af- 
 ternoon, to obtain the spirit of fervent agonizing 
 prayer, but my efforts have been unavailing. My 
 heart really appeared as insensible as the rock ; and 
 this is one great cause of my distress, that I cannot 
 have those awakening views of eternal realities, 
 which are deeply impressed on the minds of some of 
 God's people. If I know my own heart, I wish to 
 feel more deeply for poor sinners ; that I may pray 
 with more earnestness, and preach with more im- 
 pressiveness. Oh, that God would qualify me for the 
 responsible office which I occupy, and make me re- 
 gardless of everything but the promotion of his glory." 
 
 " August 24. — This day I have set apart as a day 
 of fasting ; and I sincerely hope that it may prove 
 a day of deep humiliation, and fervent prayer. A 
 view of the corruption of my heart, has, for some 
 time past, filled my mind with doubts and fear. My 
 object to-day is, to humble myself before my much- 
 abused and neglected Saviour; to implore him for 
 the effusions of his Spirit, that I may feel more emi- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 33 
 
 nently devoted, more earnestly engaged in his sacred 
 cause, and less troubled with those temptations and 
 sins which have been mentioned. May the day be 
 more profitably spent than any preceding period of 
 my life." 
 
 " December 23. — My health still feeble, but my 
 mind composed and solemn. I have been strength- 
 ened to preach as usual. The subjects selected 
 were the most savory and nourishing food for the 
 Christian — * Who is he that condemneth V &c. ; and 
 * Nay, in all things we are more than conquerors, 
 through him that loved us/ I was strengthened, I 
 trust, in the inner man, and made to rejoice in God 
 my Saviour. Oh, what a Saviour! How admirably 
 adapted to the circumstances and wants of his peo- 
 ple. I mourn that I do not love him more. It dis- 
 tresses me to find that any object can produce as 
 lively emotions in my bosom, as the mere mention 
 of his name. I often feel inexcusable for not real- 
 izing the strongest possible affection at every thought 
 of my beloved Saviour. To love him with feel- 
 ings which none of God's creatures can awaken in 
 my heart, has been my effort ; and I sincerely hope 
 shall be my invaluable attainment. I have long 
 cherished the pleasing idea of loving him with ar- 
 dent, nay, supreme affection ; but I have regretted 
 that I was obliged to deduce this opinion, rather 
 from the general bent of my inclinations and tenor 
 of my actions, than the unwavering feelings of my 
 heart. When this love is more sensibly realized, 
 than the emotions produced by the combined charms 
 of the most excellent and estimable creatures in 
 
34 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 existence, I shall then be prepared to deny myself 
 everything, take up my cross, and, without a pang, 
 nay, with exceeding joy, follow him to the most dis- 
 tant and unpleasant parts of the earth. Then shall 
 I be qualified to become a missionary, and, if neces- 
 sary, a martyr to the truth of his religion. My heart 
 has been touched with compassion for the ungodly 
 in this place, and my prayer to God is that they may 
 be saved." 
 
 * December 30. — In the review of the past day, I 
 feel like expressing my grateful acknowledgments to 
 the Lord for the communications of his Spirit. 1 
 do not recollect when I have been more deeply hum- 
 bled in view of the depravity of my heart. I have 
 again had such an insight into its deceitfulness and 
 desperate wickedness, that I feel unworthy of lifting 
 mine eyes to heaven. It appears to me that, if a 
 child of God, I am less than the least of all saints ; 
 and I am frequently led to doubt whether the prin- 
 ciples of corruption could be so vigorous in their 
 operation, if ' the law of the Spirit of life in Christ 
 Jesus, had made me free from the law of sin and 
 death.' The fear of impure and selfish motives 
 checks my exertions, and even straitens me in my 
 prayers. I have seen so much of the pride of my 
 heart, that I often fear that I have never done any- 
 thing for God. Even when I feel most engaged, 
 and preach and pray with the greatest earnestness, 
 I am led to question my motives, and distrust all my 
 exercises." 
 
 " January 27, 1828. — This day I trust that I have 
 enjoyed * peace in believing/ I have been refreshed 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 35 
 
 and edified, by reading the memoirs of that devoted 
 servant of Christ, David Brainard. I think my ex- 
 perience accords in a measure with his, while I feel 
 condemned at the vast disproportion in holiness and 
 activity of life. My mind for a considerable time 
 has been much impressed with the wonderful conde- 
 scension of God in the whole work of Redemption. 
 The theme is, at times, so presented as to absorb all 
 its powers. When I think of the majesty of the 
 Godhead, illustrated in the possession of absolute 
 perfections, and displayed in his sovereignty over 
 numerous worlds — and when I contrast this with his 
 strange dealings towards the degraded and hell- 
 deserving children of men, — I am lost in profound 
 and adoring wonder. I enter into the exercises of 
 the Psalmist, when he contemplated the heavens, 
 and asked ' What is man V The doctrines of God's 
 sovereignty, discriminating grace, &c, are often im- 
 pressed upon my mind with peculiar power. While 
 my heart bleeds for the multitude of impenitent sin- 
 ners around me, I cannot but ask, ' Who hath made 
 me to differ ?' What wondrous loyel That one so 
 unworthy as I should have been loved with ever- 
 lasting love, is sufficient to awaken every sensibility 
 of my soul. If I mistake not, the frequent contem- 
 plation of this theme has had a sanctifying influence 
 on my heart. While it leads me to such views of 
 myself as humble my soul, it fills my heart with 
 emotions of sincere gratitude.'' 
 
 These are the breathings of a soul ardent in its 
 pursuit after high attainments of piety, and devoted 
 to a life of holiness. They show that he had already 
 
36 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 learned much of the depravity of his heart, and was 
 unwilling to trust it, even in its highest spiritual ex- 
 ercises and enjoyment, lest he should make a false 
 estimate of his Christian character. It was the 
 study of his life to know himself; to understand his 
 own heart, and realize the depths of his own vile- 
 ness. This knowledge formed the secret of his suc- 
 cess in unfolding to view the depravity of others, 
 and teaching them the great practical truths of 
 Christianity. This enabled him to guide other 
 Christians in their course, and build them up in 
 their most holy faith. His experience, even at this 
 early stage of ministerial labor, was of no ordinary 
 character; for he was unwilling to be contented 
 with ordinary attainments. And as was before ob- 
 served, his ministerial course at the place of his set- 
 tlement derived its influence, in a good degree, from 
 the force of his example, from his sincerity and de- 
 votedness, and the consistency of his Christian life. 
 Even to this day, the remembrance of his character 
 exerts an influence over those with whom he spent 
 the first years of his ministry ; and they delight to 
 honor his memory, and recall to mind his holy walk 
 and conversation. 
 
 His labors at Athens lasted two years and six 
 months. His incessant exertions, operating on a 
 feeble frame, soon produced its effects ; and he be- 
 came so great a sufferer from disease, that he was 
 at last forced to leave his charge, and seek relief in 
 travelling, and in a change of air and scene. It 
 was a severe trial for him to leave the people of his 
 first affection ; but it was in some degree mitigated 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 37 
 
 by the views which he already entertained in regard 
 to missionary labor, and which reconciled him to the 
 dissolution of his connection with the church of 
 Athens. 
 
 He did not leave this place, however, until he had 
 sought and found one who might supply the vacancy, 
 and break to his people the bread of life. He says : 
 " Before I leave Athens I feel very anxious to see a 
 faithful brother in the discharge of the duties of this 
 station : then I shall depart in peace." Having ac- 
 complished this labor of love to his own satisfaction 
 and that of the congregation, he bade them farewell ; 
 desirous of renewing his health by a cessation from 
 labors, and ready to go whithersoever the Lord 
 might guide him as a missionary of the cross. His 
 experience as respects his duty to the heathen is so 
 interesting, even from its very commencement, and 
 so important in the development of his character 
 and future course, that although it commences during 
 his labors at Athens, yet it will be more profitable to 
 present it continuously ; for it may be said that after 
 the relinquishment of his pastoral charge, his mis- 
 sionary life commenced. 
 
 The day of final account will show the results of 
 his labors in this, the commencement of his ministry, 
 and his only pastoral charge. Doubtless he has met 
 many in the upper sanctuary, whom he could pre- 
 sent to God as the fruits of those labors, as his spir- 
 itual children and the crowns of his rejoicing. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 The work of preaching the Gospel to the heathen 
 is so arduous, and calls for so much self-sacrifice, 
 that no one who views it aright would undertake it 
 without much reflection and prayer. It requires 
 no small share of moral courage, and contempt for 
 personal considerations, to lead any man to engage 
 in its labors and privations. The amount of intel- 
 lectual and moral strength which will enable one to 
 preach the Gospel in opposition to the force and in- 
 sults of heathenism, and to bear up under the mul- 
 tiplied cares and vicissitudes of missionary life, 
 w r ould be sufficient to secure for him a high posi- 
 tion in the Church, in an enlightened Christian com- 
 munity. He who would be a faithful missionary of 
 the cross, must expect to endure the loss of all 
 things ; walking in the footsteps of his Master, by 
 partaking of his sufferings, and, if necessary, by seal- 
 ing the truth with his own blood. Or, if he is not 
 called to anticipate such a conclusion to his course, 
 he must, from the very commencement, relinquish 
 all worldly prospects ; and, leaving his kindred, per- 
 form his labors and meet his difficulties alone. 
 Surely no one could entertain ideas of joining this 
 self-sacrificing band of God's servants, without 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 39 
 
 counting the cost, and seeking the light of God's 
 Spirit to unfold clearly the path of duty. 
 
 David Abeel was not of that cast of character 
 which would lead him to rush impetuously into any 
 important undertaking, although, after he had deter- 
 mined his course, his energy and moral courage 
 would cause him to persevere even to the end. For 
 a long time he reflected on his duty, and made it a 
 subject of special supplication to his Master. He 
 used every means to enlighten his mind in regard 
 to the claims of the heathen. 
 
 He collected missionary intelligence with eager- 
 ness, and perused prayerfully the memoirs of those 
 who had devoted themselves to this work. The life 
 of Henry Martyn, which he studied with care from 
 the time of his first impressions in regard to the mis- 
 sionary work, is still preserved; and it bears the 
 marks of his pencil, designating every paragraph of 
 peculiar interest. 
 
 But some extracts from his diary, will show how 
 faithfully, and at the same time how cautiously, he 
 sought to obtain correct views on this subject. 
 
 "March 29,1827. — I have thought whether the 
 Lord is not preparing me, by the peculiar circum- 
 stances under which I am placed, for a scene of labor 
 far from home and friends. I can only say, in the 
 possibility of the event, that I have no inclination to 
 urge a single objection ; but if the Lord prepare the 
 way and make the inquiry, I hope with the Prophet 
 to reply, 'Here am I, send me.' I know the difficul- 
 ties attending the life of a missionary in foreign 
 lands, and I presume that I am treating the subject 
 
40 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 more as a dream, than anything which shall take 
 place. I often think that something is preparing in 
 Divine Providence, of which I have no present con- 
 ception. 
 
 " April 9. — Spent part of the day in reading the 
 life of that man of God, Henry Martyn; an admira- 
 ble character. The dreams of heathen countries 
 and missionary labors often possess my imagination ; 
 though, while God continues to bless my labors, I 
 must remain in the field of my present exertions.'' 
 
 " October 28, 1827. — My mind, for some time past* 
 has been in a state of great agitation. The subject 
 which has often exercised it, has been impressed 
 with more than usual solemnity. I refer to foreign 
 missions. When in the seminary, my attention 
 was awakened to this subject; and ever since, it 
 has been a matter of the deepest interest to me. I 
 think the intelligence from the Sandwich Islands 
 was the instrumental cause of enlisting my feelings 
 in behalf of this important object. Since I have 
 been at Athens, my mind has been frequently and 
 seriously exercised in relation to my duty on this 
 subject. Often have I conversed with my friends, 
 often has the feeble voice of my petition ascended 
 to God for the direction of his Spirit. 
 
 " So deeply have my feelings been enlisted at the 
 consideration of becoming a foreign missionary, that 
 I have feared that these thoughts were the sugges- 
 tions of Satan, to take my attention from present 
 labors. Thus, for years has my mind been exer- 
 cised, at longer or shorter intervals. Sometimes I 
 have almost relinquished the idea, at the considera- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 41 
 
 tion of becoming more useful in some other sphere 
 of labor ; but though there have been a variety of 
 plans, and all generally disconnected from a perma- 
 nent settlement, yet that of becoming a missionary 
 among the heathen has been the subject of my most 
 frequent meditations and prayers. 
 
 " November 2. — This day I have set apart as a sea- 
 son of prayer, and fasting, and for the consideration 
 of the arguments in favor of going on a foreign mis- 
 sion, or remaining in this country. My object has 
 been to ascertain, with strict impartiality, the cir- 
 cumstances which induce me to believe that the 
 Lord designs me for the work ; and those which are 
 calculated to convince me that this is not the sphere 
 of my labor ; and after determining, as nearly as pos- 
 sible, to submit the final decision to Him, in whose 
 hands are the hearts of all men. With regard to my 
 exercises on the subject — for years I have been oc- 
 casionally impressed with its importance. I have 
 long cherished the thought, that the Lord was open- 
 ing the way for my labors in heathen lands. Often 
 have I been induced to present this subject before 
 the Lord, and beg the direction of his Spirit. Long 
 has the intelligence of missionary labors and suffer- 
 ings been regarded with the deepest interest. In 
 general I have had no desire to be permanently set- 
 tled, no inclination to be encumbered with a family. 
 At present, my mind is entirely witling to leave all 
 my friends ; and live, and labor, and suffer, and die 
 in a land of strangers. My fears arise from not be- 
 ing able to determine with precision the great ob- 
 ject which at first awakened these feelings, and 
 
42 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 brought my mind to its present frame. I distrust 
 my motives. Another objection arises, from having 
 my mind occasionally diverted from this subject to 
 other spheres of labor." 
 
 The difficulties which lay in the way of his devot- 
 ing himself to the foreign work, were peculiar and 
 delicate. He was the only son of his parents, whom 
 God had spared to them. They were already in the 
 decline of life, and depended on him as their earthly 
 prop. They could not readily enter into his views 
 in regard to duty ; for it is hard for a mother to give 
 up a beloved object of affection, or for a father to 
 consent that his child, the son of his old age, should 
 depart to climes so distant, that he might not hope 
 again to meet him in this world. He went again 
 and again from his field of labor to his father's 
 house, to reason with his parents and friends, and 
 prevail on them to consent to his wishes. 
 
 He recorded his resolution in December, 1827, 
 to offer himself to the American Board the ensuing 
 spring, but it was a resolution made with much fear 
 and trembling. His affection for his kindred was 
 deep and abiding, and it increased in view of his 
 departing from the land and home of his fathers. 
 But his chief fear was, that he had decided to en- 
 gage in missionary labor from some improper mo- 
 tive. 
 
 "February 2, 1828. — For some weeks past my 
 mind has been considerably exercised, in respect to 
 the motives which governed me in determining on 
 the life of a missionary. I have thought that perhaps 
 an indisposition to close mental application, or some 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 43 
 
 other purely selfish principle, may have induced me 
 to decide on the measure. And hence my prayer 
 has been, that the Lord would prevent me in his 
 providence from going to heathen lands, if I have 
 not been called to the work ; or from remaining at 
 home, if it be his will that I should embark in this 
 lofty and responsible enterprise. The consideration 
 that God reigns — that Jesus holds the stars in his 
 right hand — that even the great apostle of the Gen- 
 tiles was hindered from going where he purposed — 
 and particularly, that if I commit my way unto the 
 Lord, he will direct my steps — have afforded me un- 
 speakable consolation, and greatly relieved my mind 
 from that distressing anxiety on the subject which I 
 have experienced." 
 
 But he was not deterred by these considerations 
 from the performance of his duty. He says, " while 
 I am sorrowful, my determination is still unshaken 
 to make any sacrifice, and labor in any capacity, if 
 by these means I may be instrumental of good in 
 the Redeemer's kingdom." His spirits soon recov- 
 ered their usual serenity : he writes — 
 
 "December 13, 1827. — Since I last wrote, my 
 mind has been composed and cheerful, in view of 
 the great subject with which it has been absorbed. 
 I find that the depression of spirits with which I was 
 afflicted, arose from a dependence for comfort and 
 happiness on created objects, rather than the great 
 source of spiritual consolation ; and hence I have 
 been endeavoring to cultivate that disposition of 
 soul which is delightfully expressed in the language 
 of the devoted Psalmist, ■ Whom have I in heaven 
 
44 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 but thee, and there is none upon the earth that I 
 desire beside thee/ I have arrived at the conclu- 
 sion, and doubtless facts will confirm it, that a mis- 
 sionary is of all men most miserable, without pos- 
 sessing an elevated tone of pious feeling. As he 
 takes the last look of all that is dear on earth, the 
 bitterness of death will seize hold of him if he cannot 
 realize the reviving truth that his best and most be- 
 loved Friend is with him, and will never leave nor 
 forsake him. I pray the Lord that this may be my 
 consolation in every time of trial." 
 
 It was at this time, that his health declined so rap- 
 idly, that he was forced to leave his pastoral charge ; 
 and on account of his debility, he did not deem it 
 advisable to make any arrangement in regard to 
 future labor. He was thus in a most trying posi- 
 tion, and the ;very nature of his disease, which was 
 a chronic dyspepsia, caused a deep depression of 
 spirits ; so that he found it necessary to walk alto- 
 gether by faith, and not by sight. 
 
 He sought strength and relief from bodily exhaus- 
 tion, in travelling ; and the Lord in his goodness 
 blessed the means which he used, so that he became 
 comparatively comfortable. As winter approached, 
 a door was apparently opened for his labors, where 
 he might escape the cold and stormy season. 
 
 With the advice of his friends and brethren, he 
 sailed for the Island of St. Johns, W. I., where he 
 expected, with the permission of the government, to 
 preach the Gospel to its inhabitants. He arrived at 
 St. John's November 30th, 1828. The passage was 
 tedious and stormy, and his health so feeble, that he 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 45 
 
 realized the great necessity of the constant exercise 
 of faith and patience. 
 
 November 30, 1828, he writes : — " Since I left 
 my native land, God's dealings with me have been 
 peculiar, and the exercises of my heart have also 
 been peculiar. Contrary to every expectation, we 
 were twenty-eight days from the time of embarka- 
 tion until we reached the port of destination. Du- 
 ring almost all of this time, I suffered exceedingly 
 from a short attack of sea-sickness, and a consequent 
 prostration of strength, and weakness of stomach. 
 Day after day we were opposed by contrary winds, 
 or prevented from proceeding by light breezes and 
 calms. I have never been placed under circumstan- 
 ces where the exercise of faith, and patience, and 
 resignation were so necessary, since I commenced 
 the Christian course. I constantly felt that the very 
 events which were the cause of my distress, were 
 necessary ; while it seemed almost impossible not 
 to be over anxious in regard to a change. While 
 my mind was fully convinced of the wisdom of my 
 Heavenly Father, in every dispensation, it was with 
 great difficulty that I could suppress the murmurings 
 of my rebellious heart. Oh, what a struggle my 
 bosom felt ; alternate peace and anguish, hope and 
 fear, resignation and murmuring, possessed my mind. 
 It was not only a scene of affliction, but, if I mistake 
 not, the system of discipline was salutary to my soul. 
 During all the passage my mind was principally oc- 
 cupied with spiritual subjects, and my heart exer- 
 cised with those feelings wich evince the presence 
 and operation of the Spirit of God. There was a 
 
46 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 fervor and importunity in my prayers which urged 
 me often to the throne of grace, and gave me pleas- 
 ure in remaining there. I have never realized my 
 dependence upon God more constantly, than during 
 this length of time. I was enabled to resign all my 
 concerns in his hands ; while I dwelt with pleasure 
 upon the passage, ' Casting all your cares upon him, 
 for he careth for you.' Amid all the dangers to 
 which we were exposed, and the trials which I ex- 
 perienced, I felt always the sweetest assurance that 
 all things were working together for my good. I 
 have reason to bless God for the discipline of his 
 providence, and sincerely pray that its effects may 
 be witnessed in all my future course." 
 
 His hopes, and those of his friends, in regard to 
 his enjoyment of the privilege of preaching the Gos- 
 pel at the island of St. Johns, were doomed to be 
 almost entirely disappointed. The inhabitants of 
 the island were anxious to hear the word of life from 
 his lips, but the government refused permission. 
 Here was another trial of his faith, and he felt it 
 deeply ; for his heart yearned over those immortal 
 beings, and he longed to show them " Christ and him 
 crucified." Yet he did exert a beneficial influence 
 by his walk and conversation. In the midst of men 
 who made not even a profession of attachment to 
 religion, he was as a shining light. He also ad- 
 ministered spiritual consolation to others, who, like 
 himself, were called to pass the wintry season in the 
 mild climate of the south. He pointed them to the 
 only hope of the suffering and the dying, and exert- 
 ed himself in relieving their physical distress. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 47 
 
 P 
 
 In April, 1829, he was permitted to preach the 
 Gospel for a short time to the inhabitants of St. 
 Johns. He says : — " Thirty-six years have elapsed 
 since the stated preaching of the Gospel in this 
 island. There has scarcely been one sermon 
 preached in the English language since that time." 
 This permission lasted only two months, when an 
 order from government led him to relinquish pub- 
 lic service. " The occurrence of unexpected events 
 has determined my mind on the subject, which pro- 
 duced no small conflict of feeling. I received in- 
 formation that I must desist from preaching, until 
 further instructions. I received liberty to preach 
 for two more Sabbaths, and I published that our 
 last service would be held to-day. I selected the 
 subject, ' The fashion of this world passeth away/ 
 and endeavored to apply it to the present occasion. 
 The attention was good, and the solemnity deep. 
 It remains with God's gracious Spirit to make the 
 exercises profitable." 
 
 While spending this winter at St. Johns, he felt 
 deeply the want of religious society. There were 
 none with whom he could hold communion as fel- 
 low Christians. He occasionally visited the Mora- 
 vian missionaries in the neighboring island of Tor- 
 tola, and was delighted with his intercourse with 
 them. Speaking of these brethren, he writes : — 
 
 " June 20. — I started early in the week to the 
 end of this island, and crossed from thence to Tor- 
 tola. I enjoyed the pleasure and privilege of spend- 
 ing two days with these fellow-laborers in the vine- 
 yard. It was truly a refreshing season, and the 
 
48 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 remembrance of it will ever be sweet. Trifling 
 points of disagreement were forgotten, and every 
 minor consideration merged in the essential and 
 mutually received truths of religion. They are 
 principally men from England, and though the term 
 of service is ten years, yet some prefer a permanent 
 residence in these distant islands. I have seldom, 
 if ever, enjoyed communion of saints more than in 
 the society of these brethren. Oh, how sweet is 
 the anticipation of meeting them, and all the de- 
 voted servants of Christ, in our Father's house. 
 Our views on important subjects harmonized, and 
 nothing interrupted the warm and mingled current 
 of our feeling. They have my prayers and best 
 wishes ; and had it not been for my present engage- 
 ments, and the strong prejudices existing in the men 
 of authority against them, I should have rejoiced to 
 have co-operated with them, and thus spent my leis- 
 ure time in these islands, in the scene of their labors. " 
 
 His season of usefulness having closed, and the 
 winter having passed, he left St. Johns in July, and 
 arrived in New York in August, grateful for being 
 permitted once more to visit his native land. He 
 was again in doubt as to the path of duty, when the 
 Lord opened a field of labor for him in the city of 
 New York, where he remained until his final course 
 could be decided. He preached in the Protestant 
 Reformed Dutch church, in Orchard street, for some 
 weeks, with great acceptance and profit. 
 
 While engaged here those events occurred which 
 directed his attention to China, and led him to the 
 determination of spending his days among its de- 
 graded inhabitants. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 It is the peculiar consolation of the servant of 
 Jesus, that his ways are in the hand of the Lord ; 
 and that his chief duty is to watch the indications 
 of Divine Providence, assured that all things will 
 work together, not only for his own personal benefit, 
 but also for the glory of " Him who doeth all things 
 well." Such a frame of mind will produce confi- 
 dence and holy enjoyment. And in reviewing the 
 life of the eminent servant of God whose earthly 
 career we are now tracing, we cannot fail to ob- 
 serve his peculiar watchfulness, in regard to the will 
 of his Master, as developed by the course of his 
 providence. His first views of missionary duty had 
 been entertained in connection with the idea of la- 
 boring in the Holy Land, and spending his days in 
 traversing the ground beaten by the footsteps of the 
 Son of God, when he was engaged in his mission of 
 love. But it w T as not the will of God that he should 
 live or labor there ; and he yielded up his wishes 
 readily, when the finger of Providence pointed out 
 to him another path. He thus notices the circum- 
 stances which combined to direct his attention to 
 the idolaters of China : — 
 
 "September 24, 1829. — How wonderful are the 
 
 3 
 
50 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 ways of God. Again has a circumstance occurred 
 in his providence, which turns my attention to for- 
 eign lands ; and appears, from its appropriateness 
 to my situation, to decide the subject of my duty. 
 Since I determined by the advice of my friends to 
 leave this northern region, and pass the winter in a 
 more congenial clime, I have consulted with a 
 young gentleman on the subject, who came to the 
 north to obtain laborers. He mentioned some facts 
 in regard to the limited support of their missiona- 
 ries, which determined my mind in regard to the 
 impracticability of accepting his proposal ; and left 
 me in the uncertainty of any other engagement, 
 should I not comply. I had not concluded on the 
 precise course I should take, when I was sent for by 
 a gentleman, who mentioned that the Seaman's 
 Friend Society, and the A. B. C. F. M., were desi- 
 rous that I should proceed to Canton in a vessel 
 which sails in less than a month, to see what can be 
 done in behalf of the sailors who visit that port ; 
 and also in behalf of the multitudes of natives, who 
 reside on the waters, and in the accessible regions 
 of the country. I have not had an interview with 
 the Society, but understand that they are anxious 
 to see me and engage my services. I may return 
 and report, or remain, at option. Certainly the 
 opening in Providence is very apropos ; an unsought 
 and unexpected opportunity. The time of depart- 
 ure, direction of the passage, field of usefulness, ad- 
 vantages of health, and accordance with previous 
 exercises and determinations in regard to foreign 
 lands, connected with no serious obstacle, render 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 51 
 
 my duty in the opinion of all with whom I have ad- 
 vised, unequivocal. I know from experience the 
 privations and trials of a sea voyage, and a resi- 
 dence in foreign lands. I apprehend many difficul- 
 ties and sufferings ; but I go in the humble confi- 
 dence that God will support, strengthen, and com- 
 fort me. I go with the hope of extensive usefulness, 
 and believing that my health will be restored, and 
 my life protracted and more energetically employed. 
 I know many of these expectations are uncertain ; 
 but there is a probability connected with them, and 
 that is the only ground of calculation on the subject. 
 May God direct me. I am happy to know that he 
 can change my purpose, if it be his will, as he did 
 in regard to my previous scheme/' 
 
 Acting in accordance with these indications of 
 duty, he sought the advice of his friends and rela- 
 tives ; and having consulted calmly and fully in re- 
 gard to the matter, he offered his services to the A. 
 B. C. F. M. and the Seaman's Friend Society. His 
 offer was unanimously accepted, and the necessary 
 preparations commenced. 
 
 " October. — My ultimate object, as they were in- 
 formed, was the introduction of the Gospel within 
 the extensive unevangelized regions of Eastern 
 Asia. My present employment will afford me, not 
 only a safe residence among that benighted and 
 strongly prejudiced people, but also the means of 
 such information, as may originate some practicable 
 plan of evangelizing this populous nation. After 
 preaching one year in the service of the Seaman's 
 Friend Society, 1 shall probably visit the Islands of 
 
52 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 the Eastern Archipelago, ascertain the best means 
 of introducing religion, and devote myself as far as 
 possible to its dissemination. At present I have no 
 definite purposes of labor, beyond the termination 
 of the first year after my arrival. Whether I shall 
 conclude to remain in the employment of the So- 
 ciety which sends me out — or whether I shall visit 
 the neighboring islands — or whether I shall turn my 
 attention to the acquisition of the Chinese or Malay 
 or Dutch language, — or whether I shall immediately 
 return to my native land — must be left to the deter- 
 minations of the future. I go to do all the good I 
 can ; I go, at least, with a strong desire to be unre- 
 servedly and eternally dedicated to the service of 
 God. I go with the prayer, that nothing but duty 
 may call me back, and nothing but duty may keep 
 me there — that the glory of God may be my only 
 object in all my plans, in all my exertions." 
 
 The time allowed for preparation was very lim- 
 ited ; and he was so greatly hurried, that he declares 
 it to have been a season of but little spiritual enjoy- 
 ment. Still he was enabled to make every neces- 
 sary arrangement. 
 
 The farewell meeting previous to his departure 
 for China, was held in the Reformed Dutch Church 
 of Garden street, New York. He then received his 
 instructions from the Secretary of the Seaman's 
 Friend Society, and delivered his parting address to 
 his Christian friends. 
 
 Mr. Abeel and his fellow-missionary, Mr. Bridg- 
 man, sailed for China in the ship Roman, Captain 
 Lavender, on Wednesday the 14th of October, 1829. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 53 
 
 After weighing anchor, the Roman had not pro- 
 ceeded far below the Hook when she was becalmed, 
 and was obliged to remain there two days. These 
 were days of severe trial to those who had left their 
 all, and whose feelings of affection were revived and 
 quickened by this continued view of their native 
 land. Mr. Abeel notices it with deep feeling: — 
 
 " After our friends left us, we weighed anchor and 
 endeavored to get to sea ; but the wind was so light 
 and adverse, and the opposing current so strong, 
 that w r e found ourselves at evening but a few miles 
 below the city, and we were obliged once more to 
 anchor. The next morning we took an early start, 
 but again we were prevented from reaching the 
 wide ocean ; and after making many fruitless at- 
 tempts to proceed, were compelled, from our situa- 
 tion, to run back some distance and w r ait the approach 
 of a new day. Thus, for two days we were lying in 
 sight of the harbor of the city, which contained at 
 that time the majority of our immediate family. 
 Many tender thoughts passed my mind, and awak- 
 ened, while they lingered, a host of sensibilities. I 
 thought most of all of my aged parents — -the feelings 
 which this step had aroused in their bosoms — the 
 conflict of restrained tenderness and resignation to 
 the will of God — the many anxious fears which dis- 
 tance and time, connected with the great infrequency 
 of receiving information, shall produce — and chiefly 
 the uncertainty of meeting again this side the eter- 
 nal world. These, and many more of the same 
 character, would obtrude their frequent visits, and 
 for a season fill me with sorrow. But I have reason 
 
54 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 I 
 
 to bless God that, in the sense of the Apostle, none 
 of these things moved me. My determinations, my 
 engagements, my prospects, all the steps which I had 
 taken, were approved to my reason and conscience ; 
 and, though flesh and blood revolted, I had strength 
 imparted to rebuke these unchristian emotions, and 
 to thank God for counting me in the least worthy 
 of this distinguishing honor. Long have I desired 
 to be an instrument of more than ordinary good in 
 the kingdom of my Lord ; and though I had but little 
 expectation of such an arrangement, on account of 
 my unfitness for the work, yet, since my prayer has 
 been answered, I have cause for the strongest grati- 
 tude." 
 
 Thus faith conquered, and enabled him to rise 
 above these feelings of tenderness. After they had 
 succeeded in clearing the land, he sent back by the 
 pilot a letter to his parents, full of expressions of 
 hope, and even of cheerfulness. 
 
 "October 15th, 1829. 
 
 " Dear Friends, — About daylight, we got under 
 way and proceeded as far as the Narrows ; when the 
 tide being against us, and the wind too light to stem 
 it, we again anchored. Now I hear the cry of the 
 sailors, and perceive that they are once more weigh- 
 ing anchor, and spreading the canvas. If the wind 
 'breezes up,' we will soon lose sight of the shores 
 of happy America, and probably see land again only 
 when we make our destined port. You may be sur- 
 prised to learn that my spirits have recovered their 
 wonted elasticity, and that I feel happy. I rejoice 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 55 
 
 in the Providence which has opened this door ; and 
 believe, with all the painfulness of leaving friends 
 and country, it will redound to my everlasting wel- 
 fare and the glory of God. I do not feel as though 
 / should say a word against the leadings of Provi- 
 dence ; for of all the passengers, it is doubtful whether 
 any will return in years if they can find employment. 
 One goes to seek business for the support of himself, 
 his widowed mother and sister, and feels happy, w T ith 
 this motive, to submit to the separation of many years 
 from these dear relatives. Why, then, should I com- 
 plain ? Why should I not rather rejoice ? Only con- 
 sider the object which takes me away from home, and 
 all the connected circumstances, and you will find 
 much cause for gratitude, and none for despondency. 
 Again I would assure you that I am happy. Though 
 slowly losing sight of one object after another, I am 
 cheerful, and far from regretting my choice, because 
 I feel that I have only yielded to the plainest indi- 
 cations of duty. 
 
 " This ship is so much larger and more comforta- 
 ble than any vessel which has ever borne me above 
 the waves, that I anticipate but few of the horrors 
 of the sea. My great desire is, that God would pour 
 out his Spirit upon the souls of those on board, and 
 grant us a refreshing from his presence ; but my 
 strongest desire is, that every one of your number 
 may improve this providence, and become the living 
 members of Jesus, the living Head. May his bless- 
 ing rest upon you all, and his grace adorn your spir- 
 its. I hope you will not be unhappy on my account. 
 
56 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 I am in the hands of my Father, and he shall be 
 ' my confidence ' when ' afar off upon the sea.' 
 
 " Yours, most affectionately, D." 
 
 The vessel in which he sailed, was fitted with 
 suitable accommodations even for an invalid ; and he 
 enjoyed the society of those who were passengers 
 with him in his voyage. His health during the 
 greater part of the time was exceedingly delicate ; 
 and when in the region of the Cape of Good Hope, he 
 hardly knew whether to proceed, or to land and take 
 some return vessel. He feared, lest having arrived 
 at China, he should only be a burden to the cause of 
 his Master, and unable to perform the work assigned 
 him. He thus describes his feelings : — 
 
 "December 17, 1829. — Never have I experienced 
 such a trial of my faith, and never have I had more 
 reason for gratitude, than since I left my native 
 land. Whether it be necessary to stop, or dutiful 
 to continue, — whether, if my health demands a 
 speedy change to other scenes and habits, w r e shall 
 be so fortunate as to meet a vessel bound to the 
 Cape, or some adjacent port, (as it is deemed im- 
 proper for the ship to stop), — whether, if I proceed 
 1 shall ever reach the port of destination, — whether 
 I shall recover, and attend to my official duties should 
 I arrive, without the exercise which has proved ne- 
 cessary in times past, and which cannot be enjoyed 
 at Canton — in fact whether I shall live or die, or 
 labor or remain inactive, or continue at Canton, or 
 be obliged to leave it, or remain from home or re- 
 turn, are all matters of extreme uncertainty ; and 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 57 
 
 all demand the exercise of strong confidence in the 
 Lord. It has grieved me to find an undue anxiety 
 on the subject, while I pondered on the future. I 
 have been able to mourn over the least restlessness 
 of spirit which I have detected ; and, in faith, to com- 
 mit my way unto the Lord. Lately my mind is 
 composed, and my heart gladdened at the kind care 
 of my covenant God. Long have I discovered 
 what I thought a determination to save me, and the 
 conclusion is strengthened by the present dispensa- 
 tion. I am obliged to rebuke those thoughts of 
 home, and comfort, and friends, which may never 
 again be enjoyed ; and look with a steady eye to 
 the Lord. His grace has proved abundantly suffi- 
 cient for me, and his strength has been made perfect 
 in my weakness. I find great pleasure in casting 
 all my care upon him, in contemplating his perfect 
 government, and in studying his holy word. My 
 attention is given alm6st exclusively to the cultiva- 
 tion of vital godliness. My disease has not inca- 
 pacitated my mind for calm reflection, except in a 
 few instances. I think I can kiss the rod that smites 
 me, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 
 My anxiety is to reach Canton, if it be the Lord's 
 will." 
 
 But with the advice of his fellow-missionary, Mr. 
 Bridgeman, which fully accorded with his own views 
 of duty, he determined to persevere. He now re- 
 viewed his course, unswayed by excitement, and felt 
 that he had obeyed the call of his Master, in devot- 
 ing himself to his service. He says, " Thus far I 
 have reason to thank God for that unexpected dis- 
 
 3* 
 
58 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 pensation of his providence, which has separated 
 me from all that is dear in life, and turned my face 
 towards regions of darkness and death. If I am 
 not deceiving myself, I enjoy much of his delightful 
 presence and communion. Here I can take a calm 
 and impartial retrospect of the past. Removed from 
 the distracting bustle of the world, I can enter the 
 recesses of my own heart, investigate its motives, 
 watch its operations, and, by the grace of God, 
 mortify its evil propensities, and cherish its gracious 
 principles. Undeceived by the vivid, though unreal 
 pictures of a heated imagination, I can look forward 
 through the medium of reason and religion, to the 
 great work, in which I am about to engage ; and 
 with which so many wild vagaries of fancy are con- 
 nected, in the mind of the youthful missionary. I 
 have never been so deeply impressed with the mag- 
 nitude of any undertaking in which I have ever 
 been engaged, as at present. I have seen enough ; 
 to fasten upon my mind a conviction of the diffi- 
 culty of laboring among nominal Christians in hea- 
 then lands. Their only object is wealth ; and with 
 no higher principle of action than this, alas ! they 
 deem no conduct inadmissible. But the greatest 
 difficulty opposes the introduction of the Gospel in 
 China. Faintheartedness and presumption, carnal 
 ease and popular applause, with every other unhal- 
 lowed motive and feeling, must be sacrificed. My 
 only object is the glory of God in the salvation of 
 the heathen ; and if anything which I can accom- 
 plish or suffer, though most abhorrent to flesh and 
 blood, can secure this end, the path of duty and 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 59 
 
 happiness is plain. My constant prayer is, that I 
 may have grace to go where duty calls me, and to 
 suffer what it bids me. Oh! that I may be pre- 
 pared for every trial of toil and suffering ; and, if ne- 
 cessary, for death. I wish my mind brought to a 
 perfect willingness never again to mingle in scenes 
 of my greatest earthly pleasure ; and, if it be re- 
 quired, to spend my days where no improper motive 
 could lead or keep me. And yet, if I knew my 
 heart, I should probably find a hidden expectation 
 of contending with no serious difficulties, and of 
 soon revisiting the land of my fathers. Something 
 supports me in the undertaking, and it scarcely re- 
 quires even as partial an acquaintance as I have with 
 my heart, to regard with jealousy and distrust its 
 deeply concealed operations. Yet, with all my sus- 
 picions of its treachery and deceitfulness, as far as I 
 am able to determine, I have not embarked in this 
 project without deliberation, advice, and prayer. I 
 am not conscious of the operation of any principle 
 as the impulse of my conduct, which will not stand 
 the test of the judgment ; and yet, while inditing 
 this sentiment, I turn to the idea of unconsciousness 
 as my refuge, for I believe I am at times actuated 
 by motives, of whose existence I have no suspicion. 
 One thing comforts me. In a previous scheme of 
 missionary labor, God in mercy disappointed me, 
 although I had engaged myself to an association for 
 this purpose. This strengthened my confidence in 
 committing the determination of the subject into 
 his hands. Another consolatory reflection is, that it 
 did not depend entirely upon my decision ; for even 
 
60 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 after I had come to a conclusion, under the impres- 
 sion that it rested exclusively with me, the expe- 
 dience of sending two missionaries was submitted 
 to the judgment of those Christians, who were most 
 familiar with the subject. The consultation of the 
 first meeting left the matter in such a state, that I 
 felt as though the wisdom of my Heavenly Father 
 might again change my expected course. I felt happy 
 that He vouchsafed such convincing evidences of 
 overruling and directing the deliberations of His peo- 
 ple in my behalf; and confident that if I 'committed 
 my way to the Lord, he would direct my paths.' 
 My constant prayer was, ' Thy will be done ;' and 
 when the practicability of sending two missionaries 
 to engage at first in behalf of the different societies 
 was decided, I could not but regard it as the expres- 
 sion of my Father's good pleasure. So that while 
 1 distrust my own heart, I think I have another 
 source of support and comfort, to which to flee — 
 the prayerful deliberations of unprejudiced Chris- 
 tians/' 
 
 It should be distinctly understood, that Mr. Abeel 
 sailed to China under the commission of the Sea- 
 man's Friend Society, which was limited, and taken 
 by him with the ulterior object of being transferred 
 to the care of the Am. B. of Commissioners. He 
 freely officiated as chaplain during his passage to 
 China. His soul was filled with anxiety in behalf 
 of those who were with him in the vessel. " There 
 is one subject," he wrote, " which for a few days 
 past has affected my mind with unusual anxiety, — 
 the spiritual benefit of those on ship-board. It w r as 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 61 
 
 my hope that much would have been effected in 
 their behalf, and that the fruits of my labors among 
 seamen would have appeared before we reached 
 the port of destination. Since we embarked, this 
 solicitude has been increased by the circumstances 
 and prospects of some of the young men who go out 
 as our fellow-passengers. In the way of public or 
 private exertion, little has been done. Thus far we 
 have been prevented from public exercises on the 
 Sabbath, by indisposition and unfavorable weather. 
 To-morrow that sacred day returns, and I hope that 
 our labors may then commence. I feel under many 
 restraints, from what has been expressed by those 
 who are placed in authority. I did hope to have 
 free access to the sailors at all times, but this is 
 thought an infringement of the system of subordi- 
 nation which is deemed necessary in a ship. I am 
 happy that there is so much time intervening be- 
 tween the present and the termination of our pas- 
 sage ; not that J have any predilection to a sea life, 
 but that I cannot endure the thought of leaving the 
 ship, without the conversion of the immortals which* 
 it carries ; or at least, without relieving my con- 
 science of the burden of neglected duty. Baxter's 
 Reformed Pastor, which I have been reading, has 
 filled my soul with sorrow for past unfaithfulness, 
 and revived the impression that, what your hand 
 findeth to do must be done with your might. Yes- 
 terday, I looked over my instructions from the com- 
 mittee of the American Seaman's Friend Society. 
 It appears to me, that I have attempted a work 
 
62 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 which demands more zeal and energy than I have 
 ever yet evinced." 
 
 Services were held regularly on the Roman, ex- 
 cept when interrupted on account of the weather, as 
 will be seen by this extract from his diary. 
 
 "Sabbath, November 1, 1829. — The most delight- 
 ful day since we left our native land. Wind and 
 weather favorable. Sick, (from the motion of the 
 vessel,) but much improved ; and what is far more 
 important, public worship celebrated. This morn- 
 ing our cabin was consecrated to the service of the 
 living God. It was thought the most appropriate 
 place in the ship. While it is sufficiently large to 
 admit all our number, it is so confined as to prevent 
 them from gazing at distant objects, and indulging 
 in improper conduct. The behavior of those pres- 
 ent was becoming — their attention riveted. They 
 were addressed familiarly on the talents which had 
 been intrusted to them — the obligations under which 
 they are placed — the judgment to which they are 
 destined — and the consequences of profitably em- 
 ploying, or criminally neglecting their advantages. 
 In the afternoon, conversed with some of the young 
 men on the importance of personal religion. It 
 was gratifying to see the sailors perusing tracts af- 
 ter service ; while in some instances, others would 
 be looking over their shoulders, either reading or 
 listening, and spelling." 
 
 " November 20. — This afternoon I summoned up 
 resolution, and made a visit in the forecastle. I did 
 apprehend harsh treatment from some who have 
 openly and unblushingly blasphemed the name of 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 63 
 
 God in my presence. One of them has been indis- 
 posed for some time, and I conceived it a favorable 
 opportunity of conversing with him on the great 
 subject which he neglected in health, and to which 
 God's afflictive hand, in an especial manner, directed 
 his attention. As I entered his apartment, my ears 
 were assailed with oaths ; and instead of finding the 
 sick man in a serious mood, I soon ascertained that 
 they proceeded from his lips. Pale, emaciated, and 
 enfeebled by disease, I was shocked at his insensi- 
 bility and hardihood, and immediately endeavored 
 to convince him of his guilt and danger. I re- 
 mained probably an hour conversing with him ; 
 and intentionally, though without a direct refer- 
 ence, to those who mingled with us. Silence, and 
 as far as I can judge, a conviction of the truth, 
 were the consequence. It has doubtless produced 
 a good effect; for, though it may never have a 
 sanctifying influence on the mind, it has opened a 
 door of labor, and emboldened me to enter. To 
 enlist the kind feelings of his heart, I sent him some 
 of my private stores." 
 
 " November 30. — Yesterday we enjoyed our estab- 
 lished privilege of morning and afternoon service. 
 The crew were generally present, and especially in 
 the afternoon. Never, since we commenced preach- 
 ing, did I witness such fixed attention ; and never, 
 since we sailed, has the Sabbath been so well ob- 
 served. Silence, and more suitable engagements, 
 took the place of much unprofitable conversation ; 
 although, alas ! there are many things still to be de- 
 plored. To-day I received a note from one of the 
 
64 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 sailors, desiring an interview, with a special refer- 
 ence to religious information. As it bore the ev- 
 ident marks of sincerity, it afforded more pleasure 
 than any object my eyes had seen during the pas- 
 sage. In the evening, I saw the young man by 
 whom it was signed, walking the decks alone. 
 When he saw me approaching, he waited ; and 
 when I addressed him, unhesitatingly entered into 
 conversation. He mentioned that his attention had 
 been previously directed to religion, by a tract 
 which he read during the last voyage ; but as he 
 could find none disposed to converse on serious 
 subjects, but on the other hand, as there was a dis- 
 position prevalent among them to ridicule religion, 
 and deride its adherents, he became indifferent to 
 his best interests ; and on his return, yielded to 
 the temptations which beset the homeless mariner. 
 Within the last week his convictions have revived. 
 He feels the necessity of religion, but finds his heart 
 a stone. He inquired with anxiety, whether there 
 was a class of human beings for whom there was 
 no salvation. His sins, and particularly the aggra- 
 vated guilt of resisting the Holy Spirit, and stifling 
 strong convictions, probably suggested the idea." 
 
 " These are the principal facts recorded on the 
 way. The sick man of whom I have spoken, re- 
 covered, after affording many an opportunity of 
 visiting the forecastle, and conversing with the sail- 
 ors. Though he gave no evidence of regeneration, 
 he was punctual in his attendance on the means of 
 grace, and by no means backward in reproving his 
 shipmates of sins, which, I understood, he had not 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 65 
 
 altogether renounced. The young man who ad- 
 dressed the note to me continued serious ; and sub- 
 sequently gave the clearest evidences of piety of any 
 of our number ; I speak comparatively, for ' the 
 time' to judge has not yet arrived ; and I know not 
 how he will appear without the excitement of the 
 means which were enjoyed. He was probably the 
 subject of more conversation than any of his com- 
 panions. Some scoffed, others justified ; those who 
 appeared to me the most unpromising when we em- 
 barked, became his advocates ; and though uncon- 
 verted themselves, were so far convinced of the pro- 
 priety of such conduct, as to avow their sentiments, 
 and rebuke the ungodly caviller. I took the oppor- 
 tunity of private conversation with the majority of 
 them, and should have had more frequent interviews 
 had the state of my health permitted ; the effect was 
 evident in the immediate seriousness produced, as 
 well as in their subsequent conduct." 
 
 The voyage passed on rapidly, during which time 
 his spirits often declined and rallied, being very 
 much influenced by his physical state. As he came 
 near to the lands of heathenism, his heart was filled 
 with strong desires for their spiritual welfare. The 
 ensuing letter was written at this time. 
 
 " A few more days, under ordinary circumstan- 
 ces, will bring us safely to our destination ; and as 
 no homeward bound vessel has greeted our eyes 
 thus far, I have determined to take time by the fore- 
 lock, and be prepared, should an opportunity occur, 
 immediately upon our arrival. Since we lost sight 
 of our native land, many days have elapsed, and not 
 
66 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEITL. 
 
 until we had enjoyed the prospect of sky and water 
 for nearly three months, did w r e catch a glimpse of 
 what might be termed land ; and even that, by 
 strict propriety of speech, could scarcely be called 
 ' terra firma, for it has frequently trembled to its 
 base under the action of volcanic fires. Since that 
 time, one island has arisen in the prospect after 
 another, until we have stretched beyond the Indian 
 Archipelago, and gained the wide expanse of the 
 Pacific Ocean. 
 
 " While sailing so near the habitations of these 
 pitiable heathen, my mind, (as is naturally the case,) 
 has been filled with projects, or rather imaginations, 
 for their conversion. Millions inhabit these islands f 
 who, so far from possessing any correct ideas of 
 religion, are represented in some cases, as but little 
 superior to the brute creation. And yet these are 
 immortal, accountable beings, subject to the same 
 general law of mortality as Christian nations, and 
 with no other preparatory state but the present ex- 
 istence. It is a consolatory reflection that God will 
 deal justly with them ; but we all know that the 
 Gospel is necessary to faith, and faith to salvation. 
 The greatest barrier to the introduction of Chris- 
 tianity in these numerous and thickly populated 
 islands, lies in the heart of Christians. Worldly 
 enterprise with equal advantages, would conquer 
 these difficulties ; and if wealth was the object, and 
 the Gospel the means of obtaining it, men would 
 weep with the ancient hero, that there were no 
 more islands of the sea to evangelize. I should de- 
 light to have those persons who are ever objecting 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 67 
 
 to Foreign Missions, visit some of these regions of 
 mental and spiritual darkness ; and learn from ob- 
 servation whether the necessities of our own land, 
 which they think should engross the attention, and 
 limit the efforts of Christians, are to be compared to 
 the condition of those who have never heard of a 
 Savior, and possess no means of information. It 
 is true, that our own country should be supplied 
 with the Gospel, and the living teacher ; but, while 
 this should be done, certainly the other should not 
 be left undone." 
 
 Thus every new sight touched his heart with sad- 
 ness, in view of the destitute and guilty condition 
 of the poor heathen ; and strengthened his resolu- 
 tion to serve them. He reached Canton, February 
 25, 1830. His diary contains this record of his first 
 impressions. 
 
 " On heathen lands, surrounded by millions who 
 worship stocks and stones, who are more ignorant 
 and more fully stupid on the first principles of natu- 
 ral religion than I believed possible — whose minds 
 are so warped by error, or unaccustomed to truth, 
 that it is with difficulty you can communicate a 
 just sentiment. Pitiable, miserable beings! I can 
 scarcely reconcile the idea to my mind, that the 
 persons whom 1 daily see. are the pagans of whom 
 I have thought, and read, and heard so much ; and 
 for whom I have joined God's people in so many peti- 
 tions. ' Bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh/ with 
 features, actions, intellect, feelings like our own — so 
 similar that they remind me of my Christian friends, 
 whom they resemble, and yet in gross darkness. 
 
68 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 Having no God — without a knowledge of the blessed 
 Redeemer, though under the same necessity of 
 knowledge with Christians — bound to the same eter- 
 nal destiny, w r ith no other season of preparation 
 than the present — withering under the same infirm- 
 ities, and daily dropping in the grave. My heart 
 melts with tenderness at the thought of them ; but 
 I know not their language, neither will my other 
 arrangements allow its present acquisition ; and 
 even if I were sufficiently acquainted with it, I could 
 only work interruptedly and silently." 
 
 On their arrival, he and his companion, Mr. Bridg- 
 man, were kindly welcomed by the residents of Can- 
 ton, and especially by Dr. Morrison. " On Thurs- 
 day we reached our destination, and were most 
 kindly received by C. N. Talbot, Esq., the consular 
 agent, whose father and brother had been our fellow 
 passengers, and to whose hospitality we were com- 
 mended by our friends in America. Upon learning 
 our arrival, we were visited by Dr. Morrison ; who, 
 as might be expected, welcomed fellow-missionaries 
 into this long neglected field with no ordinary joy. 
 A career of more than two-and-twenty years' labor, 
 under the many embarrassments and trials which 
 were experienced, especially at first — without the 
 permanent assistance of a single companion — and 
 particularly after the sentence of death begins to be 
 felt in a body shattered by toil and anxieties — might 
 be supposed a sufficient preparative to the welcome 
 reception of those whose avowed object is the same, 
 and who are expected to find their highest interest 
 in its promotion. From many of the residents, and 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 69 
 
 especially from those of our own countrymen, to 
 whom we had letters, we soon enjoyed all those 
 polite and kind attentions which are calculated to 
 reconcile a stranger to an abode in foreign parts." 
 
 With his characteristic energy Mr. Abeel com- 
 menced his labors as seamen's chaplain. There 
 occurred many interesting incidents in the course 
 of his duties, some of which are recorded in the fol- 
 lowing extracts from his journal. He writes, — 
 " Before and since the absence of my fellow-labor- 
 ers, applications were made to hold service on board 
 the few vessels in port ; but the haste to discharge 
 and reload was more powerful in its influence than 
 the desire to * lay up treasures in heaven/ My of- 
 fers were received with much politeness — the laud- 
 able object highly appreciated — the kindest wishes 
 expressed — but from some cause, perhaps as un- 
 pleasant to the officers of these vessels as to us, no 
 arrangements were made ; and of course, nothing 
 was effected. This is by no means unexpected, 
 neither is there any reason to believe there will be 
 the same obstacles after divine worship is regularly 
 established at the place. 
 
 u Early in the summer, a sailor from one of the 
 ships had his limb fractured, and was brought to 
 Canton for surgical attendance. His escape from 
 death appeared miraculous. He fell from a great 
 elevation, struck the rigging, was turned from his 
 perpendicular descent, and thrown into one of the 
 * tops/ This marked interposition of an overruling 
 power produced no impression of gratitude or re- 
 pentance. He was attended by a companion who 
 
70 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 had been educated in one of the Lutheran churches 
 in Germany, was circumspect in his deportment, 
 but by no means satisfactory in the evidences he 
 gave of Christian character. He had possessed a 
 Bible, but a mischievous monkey had destroyed it. 
 They were each furnished with the word of God by 
 us, and with such books as were deemed most appli- 
 cable. It was not long before the mind of the Ger- 
 man received such an impression from the truth, as 
 favored the conclusion, that if he was previously 
 converted, he had been aroused from a deep slum- 
 ber ; and, if not, had now experienced ' the grace 
 that bringeth salvation.' He evinced a deep inter- 
 est in behalf of his shipmate — deplored his stupidity 
 — endeavored to arouse his slumbering conscience 
 by exhortation and reading — and kneeling at his bed- 
 side, besought the gracious interposition of Almighty 
 power. 
 
 " His efforts were not without effect. At times 
 the invalid appeared to realize all the horrors of the 
 most hopeless condition, in the associations of a sea- 
 man. One morning he told me, with the tear trem- 
 bling in his eye, ' John has made me feel that I am 
 on a lee-shore.' But, alas ! to retain his own figure, 
 he soon imagined himself off again, and with sea- 
 room enough to apprehend no danger from the gath- 
 ering storm. After an absence of three weeks at 
 Macao, I found his health improved, but his heart 
 unchanged. His praying companion had resigned 
 his office to a youth, whose slender frame had been 
 reduced by the corrosion of a lingering fever, and 
 required the regular attendance of a physician. He 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 71 
 
 had the most partial and incorrect ideas of religion, 
 and had mistaken himself for a Christian, and sup- 
 posed that he had always been prepared to die. 
 
 " One of the works put into the hands of the elder, 
 was Baxter's Call ; which, upon inquiry, he acknowl- 
 edged had been consigned to the shelf, because its 
 truths were too pungent for his conscience. He 
 was urged so strenuously to its serious and prayer- 
 ful perusal, that he engaged to recommence it with- 
 out delay. About this period, the indifference of 
 the one and the ignorance of the other appeared to 
 yield simultaneously to convictions of guilt and dan- 
 ger ; and, after a severe struggle through anxious 
 days and sleepless nights, the elder gave all those 
 evidences of a renovation of mind which generally 
 result from this operation of God's Spirit. 
 
 " Two months have since elapsed ; and the revo- 
 lution and correctness of sentiment — the firmness 
 of purpose — the humility, resignation, love, and sin- 
 cere devotion of spirit, the fruits of which his cir- 
 cumstances have elicited — afford very satisfactory 
 evidence, and make even the ungodly and sceptical 
 ascribe the work to its legitimate cause. 
 
 " Concerning the other, there is reason to fear he 
 remains in 'the bond of iniquity.' The utmost 
 caution has been necessary, to prevent the cry of 
 * peace, when there is no peace.' His views are 
 daily enlarging; but, though his knowledge precludes 
 the same danger of delusion to which his peculiar 
 constitution of mind, shrouded in previous ignor- 
 ance, exposed him, he appears yet destitute of such 
 
72 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 a sense of depravity and helplessness as drives the 
 sinner to his last, but only safe retreat." 
 
 In one of his communications to the Society, he 
 gives the following hints in reference to the true way 
 of conversing with the sailor on subjects of religious 
 interest : — 
 
 " Conversed with some of the seamen, and was 
 met with an excuse to which many have recourse, 
 when reminded of their guilt and danger — that a 
 sailor's life, being so peculiarly exposed to hardships 
 and temptations, God will overlook their iniquities, 
 and lay no additional sufferings upon them in a fu- 
 ture world. It requires but a few words to convince 
 them of the inefficacy of such a palliative, and make 
 them admit, with their characteristic candor, that 
 there is no necessity of being as bad as they are, 
 and that on land they are no better than at sea. 
 When they find themselves obliged to let go this 
 hold, there is another at hand at which I have found 
 the majority of sailors to grasp, and to which they 
 cling, without taking the trouble to look whether 
 they are safe or not. This is the absurd system of 
 fatality, if it merits the name of system ; which, in 
 their belief, answers almost every question, though 
 in fact they can scarcely make it apply to a single 
 one. Talk to them of the general uncertainty of 
 life — of their constant exposure to death — of the un- 
 expected and alarming providences they frequently 
 witness — and to all they make the old, foolish, and 
 worn-out reply : ' You can't die before your time 
 comes/ But suppose your time should come while 
 you are cursing God's name or breaking his laws, 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 73 
 
 will it be any benefit to know that your time had 
 then come ? — that you could not have died before, or 
 lived beyond this period? Is it the right of any 
 man to determine how long he shall live, and when 
 die ? And if not, does his ignorance on these points 
 entitle him to a general license for sinning ? Is it 
 not his duty, and the express command of God, to 
 be always ready ? Beyond this they often become 
 serious, at least in appearance and conversation, and 
 are prepared for such exhortations as are calculated 
 to impress the mind with religious conviction. The 
 wide prevalence of such sentiments is the reason 
 why I have detailed the conversation. It may not 
 be improper to mention the absolute necessity of 
 fearlessness in those who desire to benefit this class 
 of men. That cautious reserve, and those prudent 
 preliminaries, which are unquestionably expedient in 
 introducing topics of religion to many, are, with 
 perhaps a few exceptions, superfluous, and even 
 injudicious, in conversing with ordinary seamen. 
 Level the separating wall which their imagination 
 has raised between you. Show them that you are 
 a man like themselves, and that they are under ob- 
 ligations to be as you are, except your bonds ; and 
 you will find that the appearance of candor, sin- 
 cerity, and a deep interest in their eternal welfare, 
 will produce as much effect upon the weather-beaten 
 tar as on the common class of landsmen/' 
 
 After a course of successful labor, he closed his 
 engagement with the Seaman's Friend Society, 
 December 20th, 1830, and was transferred to the 
 
 4 
 
74 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 care of the American Board of Commissioners for 
 Foreign Missions. 
 
 During this time his religious feelings were ac- 
 quiring greater solidity, and his piety becoming more 
 elevated. The following extracts from his private 
 diary will serve to show his growth in grace ; and, at 
 the same time his increasing distrust of his own evil 
 heart, and desire to be actuated entirely by the holiest 
 and most unselfish motives in his duty. The high 
 tone of his piety was produced by wrestling with 
 God day by day, and by striving earnestly to reach 
 forward to new attainments, like St. Paul, " pressing 
 toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of 
 God in Christ Jesus." 
 
 "June 13, 1830,-^Wandering thoughts in prayer, 
 particularly in joining with others, with a want of 
 general solemnity and concentration of heart and 
 mind in spiritual things, render me odious in my own 
 eyes ; how much more offensive to a holy God. 
 Occasionally I am strengthened to wrestle ; but the 
 fervor is but momentary, and the chill of death suc- 
 ceeds. I suppose my proud heart would never be 
 abased, if God did not leave me to myself; but the 
 discipline is exceedingly painful. May none of the 
 purposes of his grace be defeated. I think I have 
 been assisted to gain the advantage in a number of 
 struggles over my unyielding, impatient spirit. The 
 passive virtues of the Saviour's character I greatly 
 admire, and wish never to contradict or be excited 
 by contradiction, when merely my own honor, and 
 not his glory, is concerned. The idea of living and 
 dying in a heathen land, gathers force every day. I 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 75 
 
 wait upon the Lord to know his will. Yesterday I 
 completed my twenty-sixth year. I have evidence 
 of growth in grace for which I am thankful, and pray 
 that I may be more holy and devoted in future 
 May God awake me from my present torpor. 
 
 "June 20, 1830. — The passage, 'For God, who 
 commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath 
 shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowl- 
 edge of the glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ/ 
 has been again the subject of awakening and profit- 
 able reflection. The glory of God is the greatest 
 object which can engross the attention of intelligent 
 beings. In its promotion, Jehovah, in all the per- 
 sons and attributes of the Godhead, is constantly 
 engaged. Every angelic and redeemed spirit in 
 heaven — all the holy beings in the universe — give 
 not a moment's attention to any other purpose. Ev- 
 ery event of Providence in the natural and moral 
 world, throughout all the realms of universal do- 
 minion, is produced or controlled with this simple end. 
 Even the permitted rebellion and everlasting ruin of 
 myriads from heaven and earth, finds an adequate 
 principle of interpretation here. Now this glory 
 shines conspicuously in the face of Jesus Christ ; in 
 other words, the redemption of Jesus is pre-emi- 
 nently calculated to display and promote the glory 
 of God. It was ' the light of the knowledge/ or a 
 clear discovery ' of the glory of God, in the face/ — 
 connected with the redemption of Jesus Christ — - 
 which so deeply affected the Apostle's mind. He 
 had been appointed to the ' ministry of reconcilia- 
 tion/ the great means by which the work of Jesus — 
 
76 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 the glory of God — is displayed on earth. A flood of 
 light was shed into his mind. He felt the obligations 
 that bound him to his Savior's work ; he saw the 
 connection between that work, and the glory of God. 
 He knew that his daily efforts had a direct and most 
 powerful bearing upon the great aim and highest 
 enjoyment of all holy beings — upon the exaltation 
 of the Savior — the greatest honor of Jehovah 
 Himself in the estimation of his creatures. This 
 discovery was overwhelming ; and, as his conduct 
 proves, continued most energizing to the close of his 
 career. Everything else sunk in utter insignifi- 
 cance. Trials and troubles were overlooked, ' they 
 could not faint.' Every unlawful, every inferior 
 object, was renounced. Even self, with its many 
 and artful solicitations, was forgotten. He was 
 bound, as by a mighty spell — bound to 'Christ 
 Jesus the Lord,' and to the service of every one ' for 
 Jesus' sake.' Oh blessed influence, and blessed 
 Spirit that produces it. I thank the Lord for the 
 application of this subject to my mind. I know not 
 that any passage has ever awakened me so much 
 to the infinite results of the ministry, as this. In 
 dreams of earthly comfort, it has acted like a charm. 
 What am I, what those trifles which have wasted so 
 many of my thoughts and hours ? What the posses- 
 sion of all honors and the world itself, to the glory 
 of my God — the results of my ministry?" 
 
 "July 18. — Nothing of importance during the 
 past week. Greatly disturbed with the workings 
 of an aspiring heart, and a vain imagination. To- 
 day my thoughts have been much fixed upon the 
 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 77 
 
 overwhelming interests of the Redeemer's kingdom. 
 May God sanctify this consideration to the destruc- 
 tion of every selfish motive. When I reflect upon 
 the plans of God's wisdom and benevolence, and 
 remember that in nothing these attributes are so 
 strikingly displayed as in that kingdom in which I 
 am engaged, and especially, when I think of the 
 obligations resulting from the Savior's sufferings 
 and death, I feel like forgetting self forever, and 
 rising superior to everything but my Master's plea- 
 sure. Alas ! that I should so soon forget these im- 
 pressions." 
 
 "August 16. — Was awaked last night by a se- 
 vere dash of rain ; mistook it for a typhoon, and en- 
 joyed a delightful confidence in my Savior's love. 
 Oh how inestimably precious religion appears in the 
 hour of danger." 
 
 For a time during his residence in Canton, Mr. 
 Abeel suffered much from depression of spirits, 
 doubtless produced by the state of his health, which 
 deeply affected his religious enjoyments. He 
 mourned over his apathy and indifference. He 
 longed for those heights of enjoyment which he had 
 been before permitted to ascend. He fasted and 
 prayed that the root of bitterness might be removed. 
 But he continued to labor with all his accustomed 
 energy, and his soul breathed the same holy desires 
 to spend and be spent in the Master's service. He 
 was soon relieved from this depression ; yet, it was 
 his lot, like all the children of God, to walk in dark- 
 ness as well as in light. He now devoted " one 
 day in the week exclusively to personal religion." 
 
78 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 His seasons of private devotion were observed with 
 the greatest care, for he sought and found all his 
 strength at the mercy-seat. He also framed a re- 
 ligious guide or vade mecum, which he used for his 
 assistance in the important duties of meditation and 
 self-examination. He thus speaks of it. 
 
 " I have drawn up a number of rules to be care- 
 fully pondered every morning, as a preparation for 
 the day ; and inquiries for the evening, relative to 
 the manner in which it was spent. Such a system 
 I regard as highly useful, both as a restraint, and 
 incentive to the mind, and a means of ascertaining 
 and improving its operations." 
 
 This vade mecum will be found in the appendix 
 to this work. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 The time had now arrived, when in obedience to 
 his instructions, Mr. Abeel was called to leave Can- 
 ton ; and proceed under the patronage of the Amer- 
 ican Board of Missions, to make an exploring tour 
 to Java, Malacca, Siam, and the islands adjacent to 
 Eastern Asia. His object was to obtain informa- 
 tion in reference to the religious condition and 
 wants of the different islands, and the practicability 
 of establishing missions among them. 
 
 The following letter, written a few days before 
 his departure from Canton, shows the course of his 
 proposed tour. It was sent to his parents, for the 
 purpose of calming the fears which they entertained 
 in regard to his health, in view of his visiting those 
 islands where sickness and death had wrought such 
 devastation among the foreign residents. 
 
 " Canton, Dec. 24, 1830. 
 
 " As we expect to sail on the 27th of the present 
 month, rather sooner than was anticipated when I 
 last wrote, this is probably my last letter from Can- 
 ton. I believe I mentioned that a passage had been 
 offered, and, as far as then could be determined, I 
 expected to accept it. Since that, I have been 
 
80 MEMOTR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 endeavoring to obtain a passage in a French vessel 
 of war which visits Cochin China, and some of the 
 islands ; but the captain cannot possibly take me, 
 * because all the space which could be appropriated 
 to passengers has been pre-engaged by Catholic mis- 
 sionaries/ — I suppose in truth, because I am a her- 
 etic, employed in scattering the seeds of heresy. 
 The name of the ship in which I sail, (if I have not 
 already mentioned it,) is the Castle Huntley, Capt. 
 Drummond — an elegant vessel, well manned and 
 armed ; and with a crew of perhaps one hundred 
 and thirty or one hundred and forty men. What a 
 fine congregation for the short time I am in her. 
 My ultimate destination is Siam, but I will be 
 obliged to go by an indirect route ; which, as I 
 should like to visit some of the Dutch islands, will 
 probably afford an opportunity. 'But don't visit 
 Batavia,' I hear you say. If I was an imprudent 
 sailor, or if I expected to live in the town, the ad- 
 vice would be necessary; but your apprehensions 
 should subside, when you learn, that if I go near it, 
 as I probably shall, I neither expect to approach it 
 by sea, nor spend a single night in the town. The 
 Dutch consul here, informed me a short time since, 
 that they have been clearing out the canals, and 
 opening a communication to the sea ; so that every 
 tide admits the pure element, and of course carries 
 off the offensive substances. Besides this, the Dutch 
 have left their sickly location, and moved out of the 
 town ; and an American gentleman who came from 
 there recently, mentions that he does not remember 
 to have seen a burial during a visit of six weeks. It 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 81 
 
 is generally among the shipping and in the camp, 
 where sailors and soldiers reckless of danger expose 
 themselves to the damps of the night, or fever their 
 bodies by large draughts of spirituous liquors, that 
 disease and death are so prevalent. I expect to pro- 
 ceed as far as Angier, on the Island of Java — about 
 sixty miles from Batavia, in the Castle Huntley. 
 From that place I shall probably cross over to the 
 residence of some of the missionaries, who have 
 been living many years in the country, out of the 
 
 limits of w T hat G terms ' The Golgotha of the 
 
 East/ When I shall leave that place, and whither 
 proceed, must be determined in future. Pray dis- 
 miss your fears about my welfare. I am in the 
 hands of One who is more interested in my happi- 
 ness than all of you ; and who will protect me from 
 all dangers, until He sees proper to remove me be- 
 yond their influence. What more could you desire, 
 if you really desire my best interest ? Oh, how we 
 mistake on these points. We can trust our senses 
 farther than our God; and every calculation we 
 attempt, proceeds on the unwarranted principle that 
 the continuance of mortal life is more desirable than 
 the enjoyment of heavenly perfection and bliss. We 
 can ask no more — we can possibly desire nothing 
 so much — as to meet in the presence of God ; and 
 spend an eternity in admiring and praising the ex- 
 ceeding compassion and grace of Him who has re- 
 deemed us with His own blood, and made us kings 
 and priests unto God ! Though I should be, as you 
 may suppose, delighted to meet you all again on 
 earth, it appears a matter of the least importance, 
 
 4* 
 
82 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 if we dwell together forever. I leave Canton with 
 some regret. I believe there are some sincere 
 friends whom I leave. I go with many good let- 
 ters, and to Christian friends who know of my 
 coming." 
 
 At midnight December 25th, he left Canton, and 
 reached the English ship Castle Huntley, whose 
 chief officer, Capt. Drummond, was a fervent Chris- 
 tian ; and had offered him a gratuitous passage to 
 Java. In his diary he reviews his labors at Canton 
 as follows. 
 
 u December 29, 1830. — Another season and scene 
 of ministerial labor have closed. I have great rea- 
 son for gratitude for the unexpected and multiplied 
 blessings enjoyed during my residence here. I 
 came a stranger, and the Lord graciously inclined 
 them to take me in. As it regards temporal mer- 
 cies, every want has been supplied. Not a fear has 
 been realized, nor a hope blasted. In respect to the 
 objects of my mission, I hope they have, at least in 
 a measure, been gained. Without one exception, I 
 have preached every Sabbath, either at Canton, 
 Whampoa, or Macao. Part of the time two ser- 
 vices have been held. Much of the time has been 
 spent in preparing such sermons as were deemed 
 applicable. This, in connection with what was de- 
 voted to the language and other necessary engage- 
 ments, has consumed the year. In my motives and 
 efforts to adapt discourses to my auditories, I have 
 no particular convictions of guilt. Whether the 
 best plan was pursued, I am unable to decide ; but, 
 that the object was the best interest of the commu- 
 
MEMOIR OP DAVID ABEEL. 83 
 
 nity, I hope I am not deceived in believing. I hope 
 good has been effected ; but I have much reason to 
 suppose that more could, and should have been ac- 
 complished. 
 
 " And now I am again unsettled, on the wide world 
 of waters, and with the expectation of spending a 
 year or more in wandering. All is dark before me, 
 and I can but pray that my spirit may be kept from 
 the distracting and deadening influence of traveling 
 — that I may be strengthened to gain all the objects 
 of my tour — and that my body may be preserved 
 from the many dangers to which it will be probably 
 exposed. In Thy hands, great Redeemer, I leave 
 myself. To Thy service I would renew the dedica- 
 tion of my soul, my body, my all. Oh, direct me in 
 the path of duty. Preserve me from all sin. Lead 
 me not into temptation. Make me a blessing to 
 every brother whom I may meet. Make me an in- 
 strument of awakening the slumbering churches — 
 of bringing many to a knowledge of the truth — of 
 gaining every object of my tour — and, Oh, grant 
 that my interest in this important cause, may be in- 
 creased a hundred fold ; and that the time to favor 
 this extensive and populous region of the world — 
 promised to thyself as thine inheritance — may speed- 
 ily come. From this hour, Oh, keep, direct, pre- 
 serve, animate, and comfort my soul. Let me not 
 follow the devices and desires of my own heart. 
 May every way be closed but the one in which I 
 should go, — may every obstacle be removed to the 
 conversion of the heathen." 
 
 While on board this vessel he exercised all the 
 
84 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 privileges, and performed the duties of a chaplain 
 among its numerous crew ; receiving at the same 
 time, much assistance from the commanding officer 
 himself. He writes, — " The Castle Huntley, though 
 rather inferior in dimensions to some of the vessels 
 in the same service, exceeds thirteen hundred tons 
 in burden, carries twenty-six guns, and has a crew 
 of a hundred and forty men. Every ship of this 
 kind affords scope for the most zealous chaplain ; 
 and if, as in the present instance, favored with the 
 advice, the co-operation, and the prayers of the 
 commander, the prospect of success is highly ani- 
 mating. Whenever the weather admitted, we had 
 divine service every Sabbath morning, on deck ; 
 and every evening in the cuddy. A part of almost 
 every day was spent on the gun-deck among the 
 crew, visiting the sick, instructing the ignorant, and 
 exhorting all ' to repent and believe/ " 
 
 Having arrived at Angier, the port of supplies for 
 vessels that stop at the Island of Java, he crossed 
 the island by stage to Batavia, which place he 
 reached on the 20th of January, 1831. He found 
 a home in the family of Mr. Medhurst, whom he 
 assisted in missionary duties while he remained in 
 Java. He also employed himself in studying the 
 Chinese language. A view of his labors may be 
 obtained from the following extracts from his jour- 
 nal : — 
 
 " Having accepted the kind invitation of Mr. and 
 Mrs. Medhurst, to take up my residence with them, 
 I employed my time principally, in accompanying 
 the missionary in his daily labors among the heathen, 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 85 
 
 and in studying that dialect of the Chinese language 
 which is most current in their foreign settlements." 
 
 " January 26. — Spent part of this morning among 
 the Chinese residents in town. Mr. M. generally 
 devotes a portion of every day to visiting the na- 
 tives and Chinese, for the purpose of conversing, 
 and distributing tracts. In every house where there 
 appears a probability of engaging the occupants in 
 conversation, he enters — sometimes by invitation — 
 generally, ' sans ceremonie.' The Chinese sense of 
 politeness is such, as always to secure him a recep- 
 tion sufficient for his purpose. If not too much oc- 
 cupied, they listen with apparent attention, and re- 
 ceive the tracts readily. To the dwellings of the 
 Malay, there is not the same liberty of access." 
 
 "February 14. — Yesterday, (Sabbath) besides the 
 ordinary English and Malay services in the mission 
 chapel, we visited a large prison containing about 
 three hundred native convicts. The missionary, or 
 one of the young men who assist him, holds service 
 here every Sabbath. It was a subject of consider- 
 able anxiety to the prisoners, chiefly Mahometans, 
 at the commencement of these religious exercises, 
 to ascertain the precise objects of the preacher. 
 Some imagined that the redemption to which he re- 
 ferred, was deliverance from chains and imprison- 
 ment. Others were filled with apprehension, and 
 fancied from his statements of the evil and demerit 
 of sin, that they were forthwith to be sold as slaves, 
 and transported to some distant country. With a 
 few exceptions, they all assembled beneath a cluster 
 of large shady trees, and remained in a sitting pos-' 
 
86 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 ture until the services were closed. The counte- 
 nances of many of them disclosed an interest in the 
 subject which could not fail to animate the speaker. 
 One of the prisoners who died a short time since, 
 gave pleasing evidence of the benefit of these in- 
 structions ; and confided his departing spirit into the 
 hands of the Savior, of whom he had first heard 
 in this place of confinement. Thus the very prison 
 may become the gate of heaven ; and the fetters of 
 the guilty, the appointed instrument to keep them 
 back from destruction, and ' compel them to come 
 in/ " 
 
 *• March 29. — Having made arrangements to make 
 a tour of about sixteen or eighteen miles in the 
 country, we arose this morning, and pursued our 
 journey some distance by the light of the moon. 
 The undisturbed serenity of the hour, the sombre 
 shade of the forest, and the pale beauties of the open 
 landscape — the freshness of the dewy morning — 
 and, above all, the tranquilizing influence of the 
 moon with its thousand associations — combined to 
 produce the most delightful effect upon the mind, 
 sobered by a temporary suspension of thought, and 
 still unruffled by the cares of the day. One of the 
 descendants of the royal family joined us on horse- 
 back, and continued some distance in the way we 
 were traveling. He conversed sensibly on the sub- 
 ject of religion ; and although professedly Mahom- 
 etan, did not pretend to palliate the evil conse- 
 quences of some of the prophet's doctrines, nor refuse 
 to receive a Christian book. About nine o'clock 
 \ve reached a small settlement of Portuguese, whose 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 87 
 
 ancestors, by the might and power of the sword, 
 were obliged to renounce Catholicism, and embrace 
 the Protestant faith. Having left word that we 
 would return in time to preach, we continued our 
 journey about three miles farther, to the market- 
 place. 
 
 " In this part of our way, the country was adorned 
 with the most extensive groves of cocoanuts I ever 
 beheld. The oil of this nut is much employed by 
 the natives, both in their cooking and in anointing 
 their bodies. By the time we reached our place 
 of destination the rays of the sun were very oppres- 
 sive ; but the shade under which the natives assem- 
 bled, afforded some relief, and enabled us to prosecute 
 our labors. Mr. M. and the Amboynese convert 
 who accompanied us, spent two or three hours in 
 preaching to the natives, and distributing books. 
 The crowd was not as great as at other places we 
 had visited, although the tracts were disposed of 
 with little difficulty. 
 
 " We returned to the Portuguese settlement about 
 mid-day ; and after resting an hour, and taking some 
 refreshment, were invited to the house of God by 
 the familiar tones of the church-going bell. About 
 thirty convened in an old building erected in 1674, 
 after the ancient style of Dutch architecture. Mr. 
 Medhurst addressed the assembly, endeavoring to 
 impress some of the lessons of Christianity, which it 
 is very evident they knew merely in theory. They 
 had been favored with the labors of a missionary, 
 whose bones now repose before the door of the 
 church. To me the occasion was unusually impres- 
 
88 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 sive ; and though I understood but little of the lan- 
 guage, my reflections were, I hope, not without profit. 
 It was strange to find a house dedicated to God 
 amid these wilds of heathenism; — strange that it 
 should have stood a century and a half in such a 
 place — and still more deplorable than strange, that 
 its light should have been so completely lost during 
 all this time, iiflfche darkness that surrounds it. 
 
 " These facts show the extensive sphere for mis- 
 sionary labor in Java. At the same time they give 
 but a very partial view of the various scenes of 
 labor and interest, which might have been daily 
 visited, had our number borne some trifling propor- 
 tion to our opportunities of usefulness. The towns, 
 the roads, the native schools, and, above all, the pas- 
 sees or bazaars, (as they are termed in India,) which 
 are held in every part of the surrounding country, 
 furnish scope for the zeal of a large number of mis- 
 sionaries. 
 
 " These labors, with the regular services in Eng- 
 lish and Malay — the visitation of the Chinese — su- 
 perintendence of schools — the never-ending study of 
 languages and preparation of books — besides all the 
 various charitable objects in which the missionary 
 must be the chief agent, — and his own duties of 
 every day's recurrence, — constitute the immense 
 burden which is made to rest with its chief weight 
 upon the shoulders of one man. Soon may this 
 neglected island receive the attention it claims from 
 the Christian world." 
 
 On the 4th of June, Mr. Abeel left Batavia, to 
 prosecute his investigations in regard to other places. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 89 
 
 He reached Singapore after a passage of ten 
 days. There he met his fellow-laborer Mr. Tom- 
 lin, who was awaiting an opportunity of going to 
 Siam. They found a vessel, which was about to sail 
 after such a delay as was needed by them for nec- 
 essary arrangements. They embarked on the 17th, 
 and reached Siam on the 30th of June, where they 
 were kindly entertained by the Portuguese consul 
 resident at Bankok, a Roman Catholic by birth and 
 profession, but a man of very liberal views and 
 great hospitality. 
 
 Mr. Abeel had anticipated much pleasure from 
 the thought of meeting that indefatigable laborer, 
 GutzlafF, at Siam ; but he was disappointed, as that 
 gentleman had left the island the preceding day. 
 
 His visit to Siam extended to six months, during 
 which time he engaged with great diligence in mis- 
 sionary labor, as will be seen by the following ex- 
 tracts from letters written at this time. 
 
 " Bankok, Siam, July 6, 1831. 
 " I wrote you before I left Singapore. On Fri- 
 day morning, June 17, we embarked in an Arab 
 vessel, commanded by an English captain ; and af- 
 ter a pleasant passage of two weeks, arrived at this 
 place. On our arrival here we were well received 
 by Mr. Carlos, the Portuguese consul — a Catholic 
 by education, but too wise to be captivated by their 
 foolish ceremonies. He proved a real friend to the 
 missionaries before, and has again evinced his hos- 
 pitality and good feeling. He has no especial re- 
 gard for religion, but appears to be governed by the 
 
90 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 impulses of an amiable and benevolent heart. The 
 Lord has certainly raised him up for his own pur- 
 poses, and we have much cause of gratitude. 
 
 " We have brought with us a good supply of medi- 
 cines and books for gratuitous distribution. Expect 
 to have our establishment well filled with invalids, 
 and our hands with labor. My little attention to 
 medicine has not been in vain. It produced a spirit 
 of inquiry on the subject; and resulted in qualifica- 
 tions which I shall now begin to find useful. How 
 wonderful are the Lord's ways! How far from my 
 thoughts was the ministry, or the missionary work, 
 when I commenced the study of medicine. 
 
 " We have seen so little of Siam, that I will defer 
 a description of the place. Our prospects we con- 
 sider encouraging, and our hearts rejoice in the 
 privilege of laboring in such a cause. 
 
 " For my own part, I know not whether I have 
 ever enjoyed clearer indications of the Lord's will, 
 than in my present engagements. I can live and 
 die with pleasure in heathen lands. Instead of be- 
 ing disheartened by the difficulties and privations, 
 which, I acknowledge, once appeared appalling to 
 my weak faith and slothful spirit, I can scarcely 
 find the mountains over which the path ascends ; 
 and feel as though I had sacrificed nothing at all. 
 Not that I love you and country less than formerly, 
 but that the Lord has mercifully revealed the mag- 
 nitude of the work in which I am employed ; and 
 given me such an interest in it, as leaves no dis- 
 position, to engage in any other department of min- 
 isterial duty. I am fully convinced that he who is 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 91 
 
 wise enough to sacrifice all for Christ, shall be happy- 
 enough, to regard his loss of no comparison with his 
 gain/' 
 
 " Bankok, Sept. 1, 1831. 
 " Nearly two months have passed since Mr. Tom- 
 lin and myself reached this place — during which 
 time we have had our hands, and heads, and hearts 
 quite occupied. We expected to find Mr. Gutzlaff 
 here ; but, as I mentioned in my last, he had sailed 
 for China a short time previous to our arrival. Our 
 house was soon opened for the reception of inva- 
 lids, and all who might feel disposed to call for more 
 important objects ; and not a day has passed, with- 
 out applications for medicines and books. Of the 
 former we brought a good supply, sent out by the 
 London Missionary Society. Chinese books we 
 have in large quantities, and three hundred Siamese 
 tracts, (the first Christian works, of any size in the 
 language,) were brought with us from Singapore. 
 Until the tracts, with the exception of a few un- 
 bound copies, were gone, the house presented a 
 lively scene. Men and women of almost all ranks 
 have called, or sent for the Nung soo Prah Chow 
 Sa-see, as they call it, (the book of the Lord Jesus.) 
 It is to us a cheering fact, that the books have been 
 so widely circulated ; and that there are such num- 
 bers in the kingdom, both willing and able to read 
 them. Education is very prevalent. My teacher 
 informs me, that nearly all the community can read. 
 This, and other considerations, render Siam a most 
 promising missionary field. I know not that I have 
 
92 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 ever felt so interested in the conversion of the 
 heathen world, as lately. How is it possible to 
 resist the impression, when you find such numbers 
 around you, in gross ignorance, willing to read 
 Christian books, and some few of them apparently 
 anxious to know the truth. Thus far there has been 
 a barrier between my tongue and their understand- 
 ings ; and I can assure you, I feel as though I can 
 have but little rest, until it is removed. My health 
 continues very good, and enables me to study with 
 no ill effects. Occasionally, I receive a flying visit 
 from my old companion ; but since I landed on the 
 shores of China, I have known very little of former 
 troubles. The Lord has dealt with me in infinite 
 mercy. I never expected to have the bodily vigor 
 and endurance, with which I have been blessed. I 
 recollect, when the thought of attacking a difficult 
 language was quite appalling. But, ' as thy day, so 
 shall thy strength be.' I find, so far as it regards 
 application of mind, I have been strengthened to 
 make some head against one of the most difficult 
 languages in the world ; and am by no means dis- 
 couraged in attempting another. I did not know 
 whether I should commence these studies, when I 
 left Canton, at least for the present; but when I 
 reached Batavia, and saw my brother, to whom I 
 soon found myself warmly attached, engaged from 
 day to day instructing the ignorant of other tongues, 
 my mind soon became fixed, on the subject of duty; 
 and has never swerved a moment since. I do not 
 know how often I have felt grateful since, that the 
 Lord inclined me to that step. In fact, I must have 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 93 
 
 remained miserable, as long as I deferred it. I had 
 time and strength ; and was called to see what mul- 
 titudes were pleading with resistless eloquence, for 
 what I scarcely should have known how to employ. 
 Now, though with a very stammering tongue, I can 
 tell the heathen of the true God, of whom many of 
 them declare they have never heard; and of the 
 only Savior to whom they can look for eternal life. 
 The Lord has plainly taught me, that I have not 
 mistaken my duty. My own conscience bears am- 
 ple testimony, and the dispensations of His provi- 
 dence are quite unequivocal. In all probability, my 
 fellow-laborer will be obliged to leave Siam before 
 many months. Besides having a family at Singa- 
 pore, his health is so feeble, that I do not believe he 
 can remain here long. He was compelled to leave 
 before, as you may see in his journal ; and the same 
 events I have constantly anticipated since we land- 
 ed. The consequence would have probably been, 
 that one of the most promising fields in heathen 
 lands must be deserted ; and that, at the very time, 
 when the minds of the people appear most stirred 
 up for Christian instruction. Thus, you may see, 
 my way for the present is hedged in. I have heard 
 some mention made about the London Society ap- 
 pointing missionaries to Siam ; but whether the men 
 have been found, and when they will be sent, are 
 uncertain. They may be here by the first arrival, 
 or may delay years. I intend to press the point with 
 the American Board ; and sincerely hope, that they 
 may send out a detachment to these destitute re- 
 gions. 
 
94 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 " I doubt whether any mention was made in my 
 last of Bankok — I mean its appearance, &c. I have 
 been but once in the thickly inhabited parts of what 
 may be termed the city, although the circumjacent 
 country, or rather that part of it bordering the river, 
 deserves that name. For some miles the river is lined 
 with houses, many of them built on rafts ; beneath 
 which is such a depth of water, that the ship in which 
 we came, parted from her moorings, and came in con- 
 tact with them without touching the bottom. These 
 buildings are generally frail and contracted, and ap- 
 pear much like an Indian's wigwam. The walled 
 city contains a number of rather splendid edifices. 
 The palace, and many of the pagodas, are quite 
 gaudy, if not imposing. We live about two miles 
 below the palace ; and between us and the city, is 
 an extensive Chinese settlement. The houses ex- 
 tend quite a distance below us. For miles, espe- 
 cially in our vicinity, there are no streets, nothing 
 but a narrow pathway, constructed in many places 
 of slabs of timber, raised about a foot above the 
 muddy surface of the ground. These paths wind 
 in almost every direction, and lead you through all 
 kinds of places. Beyond the range of houses are 
 gardens, cultivated, and kept in good condition. 
 Then come the rice fields, which extend over a 
 level, uninteresting surface, for many miles. The 
 whole country is exceedingly low, without the least 
 hill for a long distance; and generally so satura- 
 ted with water, that, were it not for the plank 
 walk, you could not get along. In the dry season, 
 it is said to be better, and to admit of quite exten- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL, 95 
 
 sive ranges, even in the rice fields. The people 
 have very little idea of refinement, or even of de- 
 cency, if our standard be correct. They go almost 
 naked, and in their conduct are very puerile. We 
 are often amused with their simplicity ; and led to 
 hope that they will more readily yield to religious in- 
 fluence, than the self-exalted Chinamen. Even men 
 of the first respectability, will examine your clothes 
 and person with a monkey's curiosity, and express 
 all the surprise of children as they proceed. The 
 proportion of priests is almost incredible, probably 
 no less than 10,000 in Bankok and the suburbs. 
 They are among our daily visitors, and some days 
 there will be about twenty at one time. Oh, how I 
 long for the language, to embrace these favorable 
 opportunities/' 
 
 The following are extracts from the journal of his 
 labors at this time : — 
 
 " July 25. — Since our arrival, the medical depos- 
 itory has been a scene of much activity, from the 
 numerous -calls for aid. The diseases of the natives 
 are various ; many of them brought upon them- 
 selves by their iniquities, and some of a deep and 
 desperate malignity. Our want of extensive sci- 
 ence and practice, more especially my own, proves 
 rather inconvenient in cases of a complicated na- 
 ture ; but generally, and at times, strikingly, our 
 prescriptions are made to answer the desired end." 
 
 "August 1. — Whenever the weather would ad- 
 mit, we have spent an hour or two before breakfast, 
 in teaching the people from house to house. They 
 listen to the Gospel with attention ; and though 
 
96 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 their own idolatry is plainly denounced, say nothing 
 in its vindication. We daily meet with the very 
 counterpart of characters in Gospel lands ; men 
 who will take the subject from your lips, and des- 
 cant upon it with eloquence to those around them, 
 but who evidently know little of its import, and 
 nothing of its power. Their eloquence is exhausted 
 upon minor topics ; and when reminded of the great 
 mysteries of the Gospel, — the points of difference 
 between Christianity and the ethics of Confucius — 
 they show by their silence that they are quite as ig- 
 norant as their audience." 
 
 The missionaries were frequently visited and en- 
 couraged by the royal family of Siam. Their in- 
 tercourse with them was frequent and unrestricted. 
 They had no lack of visitors of every description, 
 and hearers on all occasions. Everything gave in- 
 dication of success, if the labors could be carried on 
 with a sufficient force. 
 
 But the instructions which he had received, as 
 well as the state of his health, demanded that Mr. 
 Abeel should make further explorations. Accord- 
 ingly, on January 14th, 1832, he left Bankok for the 
 purpose of visiting Singapore and Malacca. In the 
 former place he had remained for three days on his 
 way to Siam ; the latter he had not as yet visited. 
 
 He arrived at Singapore on the 22nd of January, 
 and continued there until March. Having opportu- 
 nities for exercise, which were denied him at Siam, 
 he soon recovered. His strength returned ; and he 
 then made a short but delightful visit to Malacca, 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 97 
 
 to the Chinese college established there by Dr. Mor- 
 rison. 
 
 During these visits he was continually engaged 
 in missionary labors. He was now able to com- 
 municate with the Chinese, and he assisted the mis- 
 sionaries at Singapore, as well as at Java, by dis- 
 tributing books, and conversing with the sailors and 
 Chinese residents. He never rested from his labors 
 except when so much indisposed as to be unable to 
 endure any exertion. He was a co-worker with 
 the missionary wherever he went, it mattered not 
 what was the denominational difference between 
 them. His spirit was eminently catholic ; and he 
 paid no attention to any distinction of creed, if men 
 only built upon the rock Christ Jesus, and labored 
 for His glory. He was filling to be the servant of 
 any, if he might thereby serve Christ. 
 
 Thus far, there have been no extracts made from 
 his diary, showing the state and growth of his re- 
 ligious feelings during the time embraced in this 
 chapter. The diary is so full of lofty sentiment, 
 and manifests so devoted, humble a spirit, that it 
 seems expedient, instead of disconnecting it, to pre- 
 sent the extracts at the close of every chapter in a 
 continuous manner. Thus the reader can compre- 
 hend more easily the great moving principles of his 
 conduct, and the chief themes of his meditation ; 
 and learn more fully what manner of man he was, 
 in all zeal, and spiritual knowledge, and consecra- 
 tion. 
 
 "January 29, 1831. — My mind has been more 
 than ordinarily aroused, by the eternity which I 
 
 5 
 
98 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 hope to spend with my God and Savior. Strange 
 that such a hope would admit the least approach to 
 apathy and slothfulness ; and yet, alas! I sink into a 
 torpor, and often remain for weeks without an ani- 
 mating thought of my eternal home. Oh, I cannot 
 but question whether ' my life is hid with Christ in 
 God,' when I am so much of my time unconscious 
 of the motives to effort, and sources of happiness 
 which are fully perceived when the soul awakes 
 to its true relations and condition. While on this 
 island, I humbly pray that I may impart and receive 
 benefit. My time I expect to spend in preaching, 
 and studying the most prevalent languages in these 
 regions — the Chinese and Malayan. The Lord 
 direct whether and when to leave, that my life may 
 not be wasted in preparing for labor, or in laboring 
 where neither the field or myself is prepared." 
 
 u February 13. — Have enjoyed more than an 
 ordinary spirit of prayer through the week. The 
 Lord has strengthened me to wrestle with Him for 
 deliverance from sin, and for zeal and energy in His 
 service. Have seldom, if ever, felt stronger faith 
 in the promise and determination of the Lord to 
 convert the world. How delightful to plead with 
 earnestness for an object of such incalculable im- 
 portance, when the Lord has revealed it as his gra- 
 cious purpose. Besides, the signs of the times are 
 more encouraging in these regions, than ever. We 
 are greeted with pleasing intelligence from our 
 brethren in other fields, and cannot but believe that 
 the day is approaching, when ; the kingdoms of this 
 world shall become,' &e. The ability of God to 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 99 
 
 convert the world by the means now employed, 
 though always admitted, has never been so deeply 
 impressed on my mind as recently. Should every 
 sermon, and exhortation, and conversation, be at- 
 tended by the operation of His Holy Spirit, how 
 soon the world would be converted. And until that 
 Almighty Agent deigns to co-operate with human in- 
 struments, what can be expected from these means 
 though multiplied a hundred fold." 
 
 " April 3. — Enjoyed the blessed privilege of com- 
 memorating the Savior's dying love this morning. 
 It was a pleasant season, and I pray God that it 
 may tend to strengthen my Christian graces, and 
 destroy the principles of strong depravity in my 
 soul. My spirit is often refreshed and enlarged in 
 prayer, and I have reason to hope some sins are 
 losing their power. I believe I feel not only recon- 
 ciled to the thought of seeing my dear friends no 
 more, but anxious that such scenes of interest and 
 labor may be presented, as shall demand my pres- 
 ence. I desire this night to surrender myself into 
 the hands of my gracious Redeemer, to be employed 
 through all my remaining days as shall be most con- 
 sistent with His will and glory. Lord Jesus direct, 
 sanctify, enliven ; and may I be thine in time and 
 through eternity." 
 
 " August 17. — The Lord continues to deal most 
 mercifully. He has given me some idea of the ex- 
 ceeding grace conferred upon me, — ' Unto me who 
 am less than the least of all saints, is this grace 
 given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the 
 unsearchable riches of Christ/ I esteem it a great 
 
100 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 honor. Oh, Lord, 1 bless thee for it, and beseech 
 thee for a daily conviction of my weakness. Oh, 
 for the deepest humility — for such a knowledge of 
 myself, without the evidence of outbreaking iniqui- 
 ties, as shall force home the conclusion that I am 
 not worthy to be called a saint. Alas ! the want of 
 lowliness of mind is a principal source of grief. If 
 I loved Jesus more, I believe I should be more af- 
 fected by my want of conformity to His holy image, 
 and my rebellion against his laws. Greatly have I 
 been favored. The Lord's Spirit often refreshes 
 me. Seldom have I possessed such lively views of 
 my heavenly rest, — seldom such a firm belief of the 
 Lord's willingness and determination to save me. 
 Faith is indeed the ' substance of things hoped for.' 
 The certainty of its object has been impressed upon 
 my mind to the expulsion of all recent doubts. A 
 sight of Christ and eternity could add nothing to the 
 reality. If my Father has given His Son, what can 
 be withholden ? The question of salvation is settled. 
 He must be exceedingly desirous to redeem sinners ; 
 and how is it possible that any can perish who fix 
 the eye of faith upon a bleeding Saviour. It appears, 
 that the apprehensions of many Christians, are con- 
 sistent only with the deepest ingratitude, and most 
 unprovoked suspicion of the Lord's mercy and truth. 
 When I sin, I know I think differently and reason 
 differently ; but how can my sins invalidate God's 
 truth. If He was not infinitely more desirous to 
 save us, than we are to be saved, would He have 
 given His only Son ? I have reason to believe, that 
 my mind is becoming more exclusively devoted to 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 101 
 
 the Savior's glory. I feel more than ever, as 
 though I should have no hesitancy, were the points 
 determined, in laboring where I can be most useful. 
 My mind, I thankfully believe, is losing above its nat- 
 ural and self-indulgent predilections ; and begins to 
 look at the blessed Redeemer, and His kingdom, with 
 an interest more consistent with the perfection of 
 His character, the magnitude of His love, and the 
 benevolence of His purpose. Oh, my God ! I desire 
 nothing so much as the triumphant ascendency of a 
 Savior's love in my heart, and the privilege of be- 
 ing instrumental in aiding in the conversion of the 
 world. Grant me the gifts and graces of thy Spirit, 
 and from this hour, keep me from deviating from 
 the path of duty, for thy Son's sake. 
 
 M 21. — Ebenezer ! What shall I render to the Lord 
 for his many, many mercies. My health experienced 
 something of a shock, but the Lord has again res- 
 tored it. I have enjoyed the marrow and fatness 
 of the word, and have been enabled to pour out my 
 soul in prayer for the whole world. But alas ! I am 
 daily reminded of my pride and corruption of heart. 
 The passage, ' Ye are dead and your life is hid with 
 Christ in God,' has startled me. I often fear that 
 these strong expressions cannot apply to me, without 
 an unwarranted latitude of meaning. Oh, Jesus! 
 may I be crucified with thee, and live only to thee. 
 My dear relatives, Christian friends, and ungodly ac- 
 quaintances, with all who call upon the Lord Jesus » 
 in sincerity, and all who stand in need of his grace, 
 are subjects of especial interest on this sacred day." 
 
 " 28. God's exceeding kindness to His prodigal 
 
102 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 son has greatly encouraged my confidence. ' For 
 thou Lord art good, and ready to forgive, and plen- 
 teous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee/ 
 What a joy inspiring truth ! What have I to fear ? 
 I think my mind has received something of a new 
 impression ; before, I knew the rapidity of time, but 
 felt it more forcibly when past — now I seem to see it 
 gliding by me. Oh, the fleetness of its wings ! Lord 
 help me to improve it. Still much to mourn over — 
 too little of Jesus in my last and first collected 
 thoughts, too little in my dreaming fancies. Often 
 am I distressed for the latter. My mind has been 
 dwelling with strong emotions upon my past sins 
 and omissions of duty. But little on which I can 
 dwell with satisfaction, and probably shall never 
 have an opportunity to amend or undo ; this would 
 be no ground of justification, I know, but my mind 
 is more troubled for others than myself; I humbly 
 trust God has forgiven my sins, for His dear Son's 
 sake. The wretchedness of the heathen, has also 
 been impressed upon me. I see them passing by 
 in multitudes — full of cares and sorrows — without 
 any rational support — without hope — without God 
 in the world. Not as contented as the brutes, and 
 yet as ignorant of their real superiority. Bent 
 upon trifles — and even asking, what is existence, 
 without some of the most beastly indulgences, to 
 render it tolerable ? These are to live forever. 
 Oh, are they not to die forever ? The Lord in mercy 
 fill my soul with His own compassion, and graciously 
 pour out His Spirit upon this wilderness." 
 
 "March 24. — I find, that without coming fre- 
 
HiMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL, 103 
 
 quently to a stand, opening my eyes, and ascertain- 
 ing where I am, and whither going, all my diligence 
 is like the hasty step of a blind man, out of his fa- 
 miliar road. I desire to awake with a glow of love 
 to Jesus, to seek him first of all, and never be con- 
 tented until I have found him — to take him with 
 me where I go — and detain him where I stay — to 
 find him in every duty — recognize and enjoy him in 
 every event — consult him in every undertaking — 
 cling to him in every trial — search for him in the 
 heart and conversation of all whom I meet — and if 
 the search is vain, endeavor to commend him to the 
 warmest affections of all." 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 In the last chapter, we mentioned the visits of 
 Mr. Abeel to the different islands of the Eastern 
 Archipelago, for the double purpose of benefiting 
 his health, and obtaining missionary information. 
 The providence of God smiled upon the means used 
 to restore his strength, and he again returned to his 
 former interesting station. 
 
 This second visit of Mr. Abeel to Siam was event- 
 ful in missionary toils. He arrived there May 19th, 
 1832. Unaided by a single fellow-laborer, he en- 
 tered upon all the duties connected with the mis- 
 sionary station, performing the double office of phy- 
 sician for the diseases of the body and the soul. 
 He was entirely excluded from Christian intercourse 
 and sympathy, yet he persevered with energy in the 
 prosecution of his work. As it was one of his most 
 arduous seasons of missionary effort, and tended to 
 display the extent of his consecration, and devoted- 
 ness to the service of his Master, it is deemed ex- 
 pedient to make copious extracts from his journal 
 during this time. It must be remembered that these 
 labors were performed while he was enfeebled by 
 disease. His spirits were often depressed through 
 the influence exerted by the body upon the mind, 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 105 
 
 but this did not diminish his activity. He was only- 
 willing to yield when his strength was entirely ex- 
 pended, and the sufferings of the body demanded 
 rest and quiet. But his own description will present 
 more clearly the nature and extent of his efforts in 
 this wide-spread and promising field. 
 
 " My second residence in Siam consumed be- 
 tween five and six months. The object which hast- 
 ened my departure from the Straits, before there 
 could be a rational hope of the restoration of health, 
 was the supplying of the Chinese junks about re- 
 turning to the empire, with Christian books. It ap- 
 peared so doubtful, whether, even if I remained 
 longer at Singapore, I should not be eventually com- 
 pelled to try a change to a cold climate, that I felt 
 determined rather to hazard the experiment upon 
 my health, than to suffer an opportunity of such ex- 
 tensive usefulness to pass unimproved. With the 
 blessing of the Lord, striking and encouraging in 
 many respects, I arrived in time to furnish about 
 fifty junks, bound for China, and Hainam, its de- 
 pendency, with the Scriptures and Christian books. 
 The delay of a week would have lessened the num- 
 ber materially. Nearly thirty had already sailed, 
 and the rest were hastening away with the greatest 
 dispatch. 
 
 " The medical department commenced with the 
 mission, is well adapted to the place. It is calcu- 
 lated to give influence to the missionary, if success- 
 ful in his practice. It attracts many from different 
 and distant parts, to whom we could otherwise have 
 no possible access. It affords an opportunity for in- 
 
 5* 
 
106 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 structing those who come, and lays them under such 
 obligations as can be employed in securing both 
 their attention to your remarks, and their attend- 
 ance upon the established ordinances of religion. 
 But this charity is dictated by a regard to the wel- 
 fare of this life, as well as of the life to come. The 
 most common complaints are those which yield 
 readily to our applications, but whose permanent 
 cure baffles the skill of the natives, and resists the 
 power of all their medicines. 
 
 "21. — A busy day. Great numbers for books. 
 More than I remember ever to have seen before. 
 They were principally Hainam men, from a vessel 
 which they are building in our neighborhood. This 
 afternoon commenced visiting the China junks, to 
 supply them with the Scriptures and other religious 
 books. Having a letter to the captain of the port, 
 who acts as interpreter between foreigners and the 
 Prak Klang, I called at his house, and was informed 
 that the king had commanded his officers to pro- 
 hibit me from distributing the books, which he had 
 heard I brought with me. ' If we wanted to dis- 
 seminate our religion,' his majesty remarked, 'we 
 must go to some other country.' A number of con- 
 siderations prevented a change in my plans ; and 
 looking for wisdom to Him in whose hands are the 
 hearts of kings, I went from the interpreter's house 
 to the- great business on which I came forth. In 
 four of the five junks visited, the books were well 
 received. Occasionally you meet with those who 
 are full of all suspicion, and with whom little can 
 be done." 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 107 
 
 "31. — Yesterday afternoon the Prince Chow Fah 
 sent for me to dine at his house. The message was 
 committed in such a manner, or to such a messen- 
 ger, as would admit of no refusal, although it was 
 raining at the time and likely to continue. We are 
 often obliged to gratify them contrary to our incli- 
 nations, that we may secure their favor, and be bet- 
 ter enabled to benefit them and their nation. The 
 entertainment was in European style, and consisted 
 of a variety of dishes. He did not partake with us, 
 it being the custom of the princes to eat alone. He 
 offered as an apology, that he had dined. 
 
 "After dinner, he amused us with music upon 
 some of their native instruments, being himself an 
 amateur, aided by the vocal strains of one of his 
 attendants. Between the musical powers of the 
 Chinese and Siamese, there is a striking contrast, 
 altogether in favor of the talent and taste of the 
 latter. The instruments are much more melodious, 
 and their voices softer and more natural. They 
 usually employ two instruments of percussion, pro- 
 bably borrowed from the Javanese. The one is 
 made of transverse pieces of bamboo, suspended by 
 strings upon a small shallop frame-work ; the other 
 consists of a number of hollow copper vessels of 
 different sizes, hung upon a circular frame. Their 
 sweetest wind instruments are borrowed from the 
 Laos. They are made of a number of reeds of un- 
 equal lengths, put together, and perforated so as to 
 give the necessary distinction of notes. On this in- 
 strument the prince performs with much taste. The 
 more we see of this young man, the more we are 
 
108 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 struck with the variety of his talents. Oh that the 
 Savior would verify the prediction and promise in 
 him, ' Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall 
 worship.' " 
 
 " September 2. — Our little worshipping assembly 
 has just dispersed. About twenty were present. It 
 is so affecting to see a company of poor pagans as- 
 semble on the Lord's day to hear the doctrines of 
 the Gospel, and bow the knee to their great Author, 
 that I can scarcely endure the thought of leaving 
 them ; and am at times perplexed to know, whether, 
 even measures for self-preservation, ought not to 
 yield to the claims of a whole kingdom. I must 
 however remember, that if the first be necessary, 
 the other must in any case be abandoned. The har- 
 vest truly is great, but the laborers are few. Two 
 events have recently occurred, which tend to pro- 
 mote the objects of the mission. They have been 
 constructing a brick foot-path between our premises 
 and the Chinese settlement. The way was almost 
 impassable before, even to the bare-footed peripa- 
 tetics. It is now made of materials, and in a man- 
 ner, which will probably surmount the height of the 
 annual flood, and resist the action of its waters. 
 Though a miserable place to walk for exercise, on 
 account of the narrowness of the way, the crowd of 
 passengers, and what is worse than all, the number 
 and annoyance of the dogs, yet it is the only alter- 
 native during the greater part of the year, to remain- 
 ing within our own little inclosure ; and it is neces- 
 sary to the prosecution of those external duties 
 which ought not to be neglected in this mission. Its 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 109 
 
 chief advantage, however, is the facility with which 
 visitors, patients, and worshippers can come to the 
 house. 
 
 " The other event is an agreement entered into 
 with Chow Fah, which affords to me advantages 
 for the acquisition of their language, and opens a 
 door for instructing him. Every second day he 
 sends for me to come and teach him the English, 
 and the alternate day he sends a teacher to instruct 
 me in Siamese. Want of health prevents me from 
 availing myself of the benefits of the arrangement, 
 except in a limited measure ; and I am sorry to find 
 that want of inclination, or fear, debars him from 
 the full advantage of that information which I am 
 principally anxious to impart. He bids fair for the 
 throne, and is, perhaps, afraid of anything which 
 might render his success doubtful. He hears con- 
 siderable, however, in the way of circumlocution. 
 In fact I am withheld from the plainest, most pointed 
 conversation, only by the apprehension of defeating 
 my own object ; and when there are sufficient 
 grounds for dismissing this apprehension, the effort, 
 in the Lord's strength, shall be made. Still I very 
 much fear, that an imperfect knowledge of his lan- 
 guage renders all my instructions comparatively un- 
 availing. 
 
 " September 25. — My visits to the prince have 
 been suspended some time, on account of the death 
 of an aunt who was living with him. On these oc- 
 casions, all the servants and subjects are obliged to 
 have their heads shaved. To-day he took me to see 
 the style in which the body is preserved, and wit- 
 
110 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 ness some of the ceremonies preparatory to its be- 
 ing burned. It is partially embalmed in a sitting 
 posture, with the feet drawn up, and the elbows be- 
 tween the knees. The shrine or case in which it is 
 preserved, is constructed like a pyramid, and decked 
 with canopies and other ornaments. The priests 
 were present, and had been repeating their prayers 
 in a funeral tone of voice. At six in the evening 
 twenty -four drums were beaten and trumpets blown : 
 to frighten away the evil spirits, as I conjectured, 
 by way of interrogation — but from mere custom, as 
 my quick-sighted informant replied. He admitted, 
 however, that they did believe they could drive 
 away evil spirits, though guns and not drums were 
 the proper instruments. 
 
 " October 7. — To-day our number exceeded twenty 
 by one or two. In the evening the priest called and 
 returned three volumes of the word of God, which 
 he had taken to copy. Not knowing whether I 
 should ever have another opportunity for private 
 conversation with him, and feeling a strong interest 
 in his eternal welfare, I spoke as freely as I could on 
 the importance of having the heart interested in the 
 truths which he had taken some pains to learn. I 
 mentioned that his was the simple knowledge of the 
 head, which could be of no avail toward his salva- 
 tion, as long as the affections were unmoved, and 
 his idolatry retained. By a word or two and a very 
 significant gesture, he made me to understand that 
 the fear of decapitation was the great preventive to 
 a change of his faith. I told him what the Savior 
 commanded his disciples about not fearing those 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. Ill 
 
 who could kill only the body, and that thousands for 
 the love of Jesus and eternal life, had been trans- 
 ported on fiery chariots to heaven. 
 
 " His case reminds one of the priests in the 
 Savior's day ; who, it is said, believed, but did not 
 confess him openly, for the same reason. I think 
 there is but little doubt, but that if a change of cir- 
 cumstances should dissipate these fears, he would be 
 among the first in the kingdom to embrace Chris- 
 tianity. Alas ! that such a change of circumstances 
 should be at all necessary. 
 
 " October 14. — Since the commencement of our 
 Sabbath service, I have not seen such fixed and 
 thoughtful attention as was apparent towards the 
 close of this morning's exhortation. The Spirit of 
 the living Savior was doubtless with us ; and the 
 hearts of many, I sincerely believe, felt his sacred 
 presence. Again the sadness of separation came 
 over my spirits, and again I commended this little 
 band to the ' Shepherd and Bishop of souls.' The 
 more we labor for the heathen, the more we see the 
 necessity of laboring with our own hearts. It is 
 difficult to say w T hich is the most painful, to toil with 
 no encouragement, or to leave unaccomplished the 
 most encouraging labors. If there were others to 
 take the place of those who are compelled to retire, 
 or if the flock from whom their pastor is removed 
 had attained to strength, the trial is comparatively 
 light. To labor with patience and perseverance, 
 expectation and prayer, is not sufficient, at least for 
 the comfort of the instrument; he must learn to 
 have his spirit so attuned, that the animating strain, 
 
112 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 ' I can do all things through Christ which strength- 
 ened me,' may allow of the interlude, c not my will 
 but thine be done.' During the last week I have 
 supplied the Burman camp with tracts brought with 
 me, in their own language. The books were well 
 received by priests and people. 
 
 " October 24. — Have been informed upon good 
 authority, that the Roman Catholics in China are re- 
 inforced this year, by a bishop and four missiona- 
 ries ; and in Siam by one missionary. The vice- 
 roy of Saigon, in Cochin China, who was very 
 favorable to that religion, and a man of vast power 
 in the kingdom, has lately died ; which has produced 
 such apprehensions among the priests in regard to 
 their safety, that they have begged the Bishop of 
 Siam to offer public prayers for their preservation. 
 The same authority states that the number of Chris- 
 tians in Corea is about ten thousand. They have 
 no European priests, but are supplied by natives 
 from China. A bishop and several missionaries are 
 soon to be appointed. 
 
 " November 4. — Expecting to leave the place be- 
 fore this day, I had made arrangements for those 
 who were disposed to continue the Sabbath services, 
 to meet in future in the same place and at the same 
 hour. All whom I had any reason to expect, came, 
 and these brought others with them, so that the 
 number was as great as usual. Having, in the pres- 
 ence of all, mentioned the person by whom I desired 
 the exercises to be principally conducted, I resigned 
 the office to him, and sat as a listener. The audience 
 were very silent and attentive, and the expounder 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 113 
 
 animated and happy in his views and illustrations. 
 It was very evident to me, that, exclusive of the 
 obligations which would probably bind a greater 
 number to me than to the substitute, or to their own 
 best interests, the change is in many important 
 respects desirable. In power of language he has 
 greatly the advantage, at least in his own dialect, 
 which is more familiar to others, and less to myself 
 than the Fokien. His knowledge is quite extensive ; 
 the result evidently of much reading, and I hope of 
 spiritual illumination. Besides he knows their modes 
 of thinking and reasoning on moral subjects, and the 
 objections they entertain against Christianity, which 
 have been often urged against his faith, but which 
 they are more backward to express in my presence. " 
 
 After six months of labor almost uninterrupted, 
 Mr. AbeePs health entirely failed, and he was ob- 
 liged to leave Siam. His constitution suffered 
 greatly from the confinement which he was forced 
 to undergo, on account of the situation of the coun- 
 try. His residence was elevated above the water 
 on spiles, and his only means of conveyance was by 
 boats. 
 
 He found it necessary to seek some place where 
 he could exercise freely, both in riding and walking. 
 He left the Mission of Siam in a prosperous condi- 
 tion. The seed was beginning to bear fruit ; and 
 others came in after and reaped the harvest. 
 
 He writes, " Since I left Siam, other missionaries 
 have entered the field. Mr. and Mrs. Jones of the 
 American Baptist Church arrived early the follow- 
 ing year. In a communication made to the Society 
 
114 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 to which he belongs, Mr. J. states, under the date of 
 September 22d, 1833, that the little congregation of 
 which frequent mention has been made, continue to 
 worship in the place appointed them, and that twen- 
 ty were present on the preceding Sabbath. In ano- 
 ther letter written in December of the same year, 
 he says, ' Our little assembly of Chinese still con- 
 tinues, conducted by Bunty as usual. We have had, 
 for some months, as good evidence as I could ex- 
 pect, that two or three of his associates were true 
 converts ; but, owing to my ignorance of their lan- 
 guage, and their slight acquaintance with Siamese, 
 I had hitherto declined their repeated solicitations 
 for baptism. At length, circumstances were such, 
 that I did not feel at liberty to decline any longer ; 
 and on Sabbath morning the 8th inst., I administered 
 the rite to Chek Bunty, Chek Peng, and Chek Lang 
 Seak. Chek is a familiar appellative among the 
 Chinese, signifying uncle/ " 
 
 After his arrival at Singapore in November, he 
 experienced much benefit from the change of air 
 and constant exercise. But as soon as his strength 
 was renewed, his time became doubly occupied in 
 labor both as a pastor and missionary. 
 
 He was called to watch at the bedside of a be- 
 loved Christian brother, the Rev. Mr. Burn, Eng- 
 lish chaplain at Singapore. During his whole illness 
 he was with him continually, ministering to his per- 
 sonal wants, and at the same time performing the 
 duties of the chaplaincy. Mr. Burns died ; and the 
 circumstances of his decease made a lasting im- 
 pression on the mind of this servant of Jesus, who 
 
MEMOIR OP DAVID ABEEL. 115 
 
 had dispensed to him the consolations of religion 
 even to the end. 
 
 His notice of his death, and sketch of his char- 
 acter, are full of feeling, and display that humility 
 which honors devoted piety wherever found. 
 
 "January 18, 1833. — Yesterday at half-past nine 
 in the morning, I had the mournful satisfaction of 
 witnessing the departure of my beloved Christian 
 brother, the Rev. Robert Burn, Chaplain of Singa- 
 pore. I feel thankful for the privilege of attending 
 his sick bed for about a month and a half, and for 
 receiving and endeavoring to communicate such 
 lessons, as fit the dying to depart in peace, and the 
 surviving to live with profit. Mr. Burn was an 
 ornament to the ministry. In him were united some 
 of the rarest qualities of intellect and heart. In the 
 private circle and in the pulpit, he often manifested 
 such efforts of genius and judgment as are seldom 
 combined. His views of divine truth were uncom- 
 monly expansive and consistent, and w T hat gave 
 them a double charm and impressiveness, was the 
 tenderness and humility of spirit which they had 
 produced in himself. His judgment was too un- 
 biased, and his experience too comprehensive, to 
 consider important those trifling points which divide 
 into parties the Christian Church. He had his 
 peculiar views and predilections, but in his inter- 
 course with those of other sects, they were never 
 obtruded, and in his ordinary conversation they 
 were seldom mentioned. Wherever he saw the 
 image of Jesus he acknowledged a brother. Mis- 
 sionaries of every name and from every country 
 
116 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 were welcomed to his house ; and while he gladly 
 co-operated with them in their missionary labors, 
 he availed himself of all their aid in his own sphere 
 of duty. Such Christian magnanimity how rare, 
 and yet how conducive to the interests of all par- 
 ties — the salvation of a world — the glory of an un- 
 divided Saviour. But there was another peculiarity 
 in this beloved brother, which not only won the 
 hearts of all who knew him, but perhaps more than 
 anything else, improved those other traits of charac- 
 ter in which he excelled. He was not simply an 
 Apollos in the Scriptures, but an Israel in prayer. 
 Before I had the pleasure of his acquaintance, he 
 was described to me as one who appeared ready, 
 under all circumstances, to 'fall upon his knees before 
 God ;' and the first time and the last, and every time 
 I heard him give utterance to the sanctified impres- 
 sions and desires of his own heart, exceeded every 
 expectation I had formed. Such a fervor and con- 
 fidence of spirit — such power in employing the argu- 
 ments which a covenant God has furnished, and 
 which he cannot resist — such a tender concern for 
 all his friends, his scattered brethren in Christ, and 
 his perishing fellow sinners in every place — I believe 
 is rarely exhibited, scarcely ever surpassed. The 
 admiration of all who ever heard him pray is uni- 
 form. God grant that many such spiritual wrestlers 
 may adorn and bless the church. 
 
 "In his own estimation, he was below all things 
 None were so unqualified for his office, or so un- 
 faithful in the discharge of its responsible duties. 
 He could weep and tremble when this was the 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 117 
 
 theme, and wish that he might escape from the 
 station he so miserably filled, and shrink into his 
 beloved retirement — an unknown obscurity. This 
 was well as far as it respects its influence on his 
 own spirit, but it evidently interfered with his use- 
 fulness. That which he most deplored upon the 
 bed of death, was the singular aversion which he 
 had felt from his infancy, to mingling with society, 
 or being made at all conspicuous. I never knew 
 such diffidence connected with such capabilities of 
 intellect. He was almost paralyzed at confronting 
 those with whom he was not intimate, and in a 
 degree proportioned to the part he was expected 
 to sustain in their presence. This characteristic, 
 though perfectly natural, proved a detriment to his 
 extensive usefulness. It was our earnest desire, 
 and not without some grounds of expectation, that 
 this sickness might not be unto death ; but for the 
 glory of God, in the eminent devotion of his ser- 
 vant's future course. A large majority with the 
 same complaint, and under the same treatment, had 
 recovered ; and it was not until he had sunk under 
 an irrecoverable relapse, that the thought of dying 
 was admitted with any seriousness to our minds. 
 We were much together, both waiting for the first 
 favorable opportunity to embark for England. The 
 evening of the sudden change which decided in our 
 minds his earthly destiny, I was with him until a 
 late hour. We engaged in devotion, as usual, and 
 separated for the night, without the least expectation 
 of his hastening departure. The next morning the 
 •news came that he had passed a night of extreme 
 
118 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 illness, and would probably not survive the day. 
 Agonized with the unlooked-for change, I hastened 
 to his bedside ; but though he recognized me, and 
 expressed his full knowledge of his approaching end, 
 his mind soon lost its balance. At first he was agi- 
 tated. It was a midnight summons, and we were 
 all slumbering ; but when he trimmed his lamp, and 
 found his vessel replenished, nay, when he looked 
 up and beheld the Bridegroom, he recovered from 
 the shock, and became composed. From this change, 
 which preceded his departure about three days, he 
 was generally in a state of delirium, and continued 
 unconscious of his situation, until his spirit was 
 released from its prison, and admitted into ' the joy 
 of his Lord.' 
 
 " Eternity probably never appeared so much of a 
 reality, a present reality. Never did the glories of 
 heaven so powerfully possess the minds of the few 
 who stood around this departing brother, as at the 
 moment when we believed he awoke, from utter 
 unconsciousness, to the enjoyment of his Savior's 
 perfect likeness and fruition. Oh, how solemn was 
 the place. We felt that the King of saints and His 
 ministering angels were with us ; and as we com- 
 mitted the spirit in silence to the favor of its cove- 
 nant God, a thrill of rapture chased away the an- 
 guish with which we had been oppressed. One of 
 our number was the bereaved companion whom he 
 held most dear in life, and whose delicate frame and 
 sensitive heart were wonderfully sustained in this 
 hour of overpowering sadness, and overpowering 
 joy. Another was a friend, who had ministered 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 119 
 
 most kindly to his wants, and from beneath whose 
 hospitable roof he took his heavenward flight. God 
 grant that we may all live under the impressions of 
 that hour. Then shall we not live in vain. 
 
 " Mr. Burn was the son of Major General Andrew 
 Burn, whose interesting memoirs are before the 
 Christian public. Like Henry Martyn, his chief in- 
 ducement in accepting a chaplaincy to the East, was 
 the desire of usefulness among the heathen. He 
 had a considerable acquaintance with two of the 
 languages of the country, and wrote several Chris- 
 tian works in one of them. May his example stim- 
 ulate many who occupy similar stations in India, 
 and beyond the Ganges, and whose influence and 
 exertions are much needed for the conversion of the 
 heathen nations.'' 
 
 After the decease of Mr. Burn, Mr. Abeel occu- 
 pied his place as the chaplain at Singapore for more 
 than five months. But he still made the work of 
 the missionary the paramount object of his efforts. 
 
 May 26, 1833, he writes : — " Since I have been 
 at Singapore, I have aimed at supplying the vacant 
 chaplaincy, preaching twice on the Sabbath, and once 
 on a week evening, besides the missionary prayer- 
 meetings, and extraordinary services. A few, I 
 thankfully believe, have been regenerated; others 
 have been considerably enlightened, and I hope will 
 be led to a saving knowledge of the truth. Besides 
 this, I have continued the study of the Chinese, and 
 commenced the Malay ; have attempted to supply 
 the whole place with Scriptures and religious books ; 
 
120 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 but, from all these engagements, I have been obliged 
 to desist, for want of health/' 
 
 His short ministry at Singapore as chaplain, was 
 very successful. The death of Mr. Burn, and some 
 other providences of an equally solemn nature, had 
 arrested the attention of the people ; and he endeav- 
 ored to improve them to spiritual edification. Some 
 were brought to a knowledge of the truth as it is in 
 Jesus, especially among the higher classes, who 
 were able to exert a powerful influence in behalf of 
 true religion. He mentions the success of the Gos- 
 pel in a letter written at this time. 
 
 " Singapore, Feb. 14, 1833. 
 " I have no small reason to believe that this letter 
 will prove less welcome than myself; but I have 
 been disappointed by a peculiar dispensation of Di- 
 vine Providence, and as the Lord has thus expressed 
 his will, ' what am I that I should resist it V It was 
 our plan that Mr. Burn, Mrs. Burn, and myself (the 
 two former being the Chaplain of Singapore and his 
 lady), were to embark for England in the same ves- 
 sel ; we were waiting for a good opportunity, when 
 Mr. B., whose health appeared slowly recovering, 
 relapsed and died. Seldom have I been so much 
 affected at any event. He was one whom I ad- 
 mired and loved vastly. We were congenial spirits, 
 together much of our time, and looking forward 
 with joy to the hope of mutual improvement and 
 enjoyment upon the passage. While waiting for 
 the opportunity I found my health sufficiently im- 
 proved to preach, and consequently helped to supply 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 121 
 
 his pulpit every Sunday. There were some signal 
 events of Providence, which occurred in such strik- 
 ing correspondence with the subjects preached 
 upon, that the people, or many of them, became im- 
 pressed with the necessity of changing their mode 
 of life ; perhaps previous impressions w r ere revived. 
 It was this that made me hesitate, even at that time 
 when we thought of going, whether the place should 
 be left under such circumstances. I determined to 
 leave the decision of my duty on this point to the 
 Lord ; and now, the removal of my beloved bro- 
 ther, and the interest existing among the people in 
 regard to their own salvation, have determined my 
 mind in regard to present duty. I would not have 
 you believe there is anything like what has been 
 so frequently witnessed in America lately. Even 
 the word ' revival', would probably frighten not a 
 few. There is scarcely anything to revive, as but 
 little that ever had life has been able to survive the 
 ravages and dominion of spiritual death in these re- 
 gions. But, blessed be the Lord, a few have been 
 awakened to their spiritual interests, who scarcely 
 
 gave the subject a thought before. Mr. , who 
 
 was very kind to me when here before, but who 
 was then a proud profligate character, has become, 
 I verily believe, an humble disciple of the meek and 
 lowly Jesus. I am living with him at present, and 
 hope to derive benefit from his profession, while, 
 with the Lord's blessing, I may impart as well as 
 receive. There is considerable opposition to the 
 preaching. 
 
 " At first I was surprised and somewhat grieved 
 
 6 
 
122 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 to find so much admiration. The novelty of bold, 
 extempore speaking, which they had seldom heard, 
 called forth this ; now, they forget the style of ad- 
 dress, and look at the subject. Oh, if there were 
 many prayers and better means, I should hope for 
 better things. The Lord in mercy convert all who 
 are impressed with the truth, and impress all the 
 careless. When some few weeks or months have 
 rolled by, I shall be able to write you more fully." 
 
 The following note, found among his papers, was 
 received just before his departure from Singapore, 
 from one who then found peace in believing. 
 
 "I humbly beseech Almighty God, for Christ's 
 sake, to forgive my stubborn opposition to His divine 
 truth for so long a period : and praise His holy name 
 that in compassion to my soul, He sent you, my best 
 friend, to be an instrument of His gracious mercy in 
 awakening my mind to the importance of the relig- 
 ion of Christ Jesus. May the Spirit of the true 
 God long continue to bless your labors, and may 
 you find your reward among the saints in heaven. 
 May Christ forgive my ungrateful opposition to His 
 cause when so often and so earnestly set forth by 
 you ; and if it is the will of Jehovah we should meet 
 no more on earth, may I, through the Redeemer's 
 saving mercy, be allowed to greet you the first in 
 another and better world. Adieu." 
 
 Such instances of gratitude for spiritual favors 
 are indeed cheering to the heart of the ambassador 
 of Christ ; and cases of the same kind are abundant 
 among the number of those who were brought to 
 the Savior through his instrumentality. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 123 
 
 His strength again failed under the pressure of 
 multiplied labors, and he found that he could expect 
 no permanent benefit, unless he sought another and 
 more congenial climate. His relief was only tem- 
 porary when passing from one place to another, and 
 he determined to sail for America by the way of 
 England. 
 
 Accordingly, he embarked on the 25th day of 
 May, 1833, for London, in the packet Cambridge, 
 a vessel supplied with every convenience for the 
 comfort of an invalid — affording accommodations 
 which the state of his health demanded, and which 
 could not be obtained in merchant vessels sailing 
 directly to the United States. 
 
 During th& time embraced in the events occupy- 
 ing this chapter, the religious diary of Mr. Abeel 
 tells of severe spiritual trials, and often of depres- 
 sion of spirits, and powerful temptations. He could 
 not always preserve his accustomed tone of relig- 
 ious feeling, and often he mourned the hidings of 
 God's countenance, and felt the power of trial. It 
 would require a skilful and experienced Christian, to 
 analyze all his character as displayed in the feelings 
 recorded in this diary. Every child of God can 
 learn from them his privileges and duties, and be en- 
 couraged by his attainments, and hence they are 
 useful and worthy of record ; but none but an Elder 
 in Israel, could fully enter into his spirit. The rec- 
 ord is presented as essential to a complete view of 
 his Christian character, and for the benefit of all, 
 who like him, would fight the good fight of faith 
 filled with lofty hopes and burning zeal, and be fol- 
 
124 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 lowers of him as he was of Christ. One truth is 
 worthy of notice, that while he experienced all 
 these changes in his spiritual feelings, the journal 
 of his labors contains records of constant exertion 
 for the glory of God. He resolved to struggle on, 
 whatever might be his discouragements, or the de- 
 pression of his spirits. He never lowered the stand- 
 ard of his duty, but desired to do the will of God, 
 knowing that His blessing did not depend on the 
 strength or weakness of the instrumentality, but 
 only on His own good pleasure, who guides all things 
 in infinite wisdom for His own glory. 
 
 The following extracts extend through the time 
 embraced in this chapter : — 
 
 " April 22. — On Tuesday evening embarked in a 
 China junk, for Siam. Saw much of the Lord's 
 goodness in ordering events before I left. As soon 
 as objects which seemed somewhat important were 
 accomplished, the junk (for which I was waiting in 
 daily expectation of sailing), was declared ready for 
 sea. Since we sailed, have had some delightful im- 
 pressions of the love of the Father, and His Son 
 Jesus Christ. When my soul is healthful, this sub- 
 ject is a theme of ever new and amazing contem- 
 plation. Oh, if creature love has the effect we 
 sometimes witness, what must be the fulness of the 
 love of Christ. I desire no other heaven. There 
 can be none of equal or comparable delight, I find 
 the Song of Solomon peculiarly adapted to my best 
 frames of mind. It has often refreshed me. In 
 the same relation between creatures, there is a dan- 
 ger of having the mind so much engrossed with 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 125 
 
 mutual affection as to impair the love of Christ in 
 the soul ; but here we can say with Isaiah, ' Thy 
 Maker is thy husband, the Lord of Hosts is his 
 name ; and thy Redeemer the Holy one of Israel, 
 the God of the whole earth shall he be called/ Let 
 the affection rise to transport, yet, the higher the 
 transport, the more consistent with reason, gratitude, 
 and duty. I have been struck and benefited by an 
 idea met with in reading — 'Would you rejoice in 
 being the instrument of placing one of the many 
 crowns upon the brow of your glorified Redeemer 
 Christ ?' What a motive to every exertion, for one 
 who feels his obligations to his beloved Lord. Jesus 
 grant thy sinful servant this unspeakable privilege. 
 
 " May 8. — Still on the passage. Temporal bless- 
 ings exceed my expectations. Mind was dull, but 
 is more lively. No friend to divert my thoughts 
 and affections from Jesus. None to exchange an 
 idea with on spiritual things, or any subject of real 
 importance. Spirit of prayer at times, for every 
 creature living, especially for relatives and friends 
 individually, who often detain me long and delight- 
 fully in my Father's communion. Am struck with 
 the wretched condition of the heathen. Feel deeply 
 my unfitness for my great work in every respect. 
 Still cheering views of the eternal rest. 
 
 " May 27. — Again on heathen land, engaged as 
 before. Though alone as to the presence of man, 
 feel the presence of that Friend that sticketh closer 
 than a brother, and know very little of a sense of 
 loneliness. For a day or two, have been quite ab- 
 sorbed in wonder, at the opening of the first chapter 
 
126 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 of Ephesians to my mind. For these delightful evi- 
 dences of spiritual life, and means of advancing in 
 that life, I would praise the blessed Spirit to whose 
 condescension I am infinitely indebted. Have been 
 endeavoring to search my heart, to see whether I 
 keep anything back from the Savior. I hope the 
 surrender is unreserved, though sins and infirmities 
 are very distressing. Am at times cast down with 
 a constant sense of unfitness for my great work, and 
 an idea of the slow progress I make in every qual- 
 ification. I do not believe that any one has ever 
 been placed under similar circumstances, without a 
 better preparation for his work. Knowledge of their 
 languages very deficient. 
 
 " June 3. — Body again affected, and mind sympa- 
 thetic. To-day considerably relieved. Whether 
 climate, or want of active exercise, riding, or want 
 of objects for the diversion and recreation of the 
 mind, I know not. Have made some change in 
 mode of living as a trial, upon which I would look 
 for the Savior's blessing. I believe one important 
 object is to reduce my pride. A want of ability for 
 much application keeps me ignorant, and a sense of 
 this ignorance leaves no reason or desire to look 
 upon myself as anything. I feel happy in throwing 
 myself upon the Savior's promises. If He is with 
 me, and my steps are ordered by Him, what more 
 do I want. 
 
 " 17. — The past has been a week of bodily de- 
 pression, and sympathy of spirit. I am distressed to 
 find, that at such times my thoughts should not run 
 upon spiritual things, as in a natural channel. It is 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 127 
 
 clearly evident that such reflections demand exer- 
 tion, and at such times the whole man shrinks from 
 exertion of any kind/' 
 
 " July 8. — The past has been a pleasant, and I 
 believe a profitable week. Have been enabled to 
 devote much time to spiritual exercises, and the ad- 
 vantages are evident. Heaven has appeared nearer, 
 and its glories more attractive. Was called to see 
 a poor heathen just passing into eternity. Was dis- 
 tressed at his situation, (in gross darkness,) but 
 thrilled at the idea of changing places, and being in 
 the same dying condition, so near my Father's pres- 
 ence. Considerable encouragement in the mission. 
 Oh for better qualifications. Health somewhat im- 
 proved. See more and more the wisdom of improv- 
 ing each day, without looking to the perad ventures 
 of the future ; * For the morrow shall take thought 
 for the things of itself.' 
 
 "22. — Much time and attention still given to 
 spiritual exercises. Aim and attainments almost as 
 widely different as extremes can be. The more I 
 experience, the more I am impressed with the duty 
 and happiness of a life of heaven upon earth. Am 
 quite shocked at the inconsistency of vital godliness 
 with anything short of this. Yet, alas ! how many 
 obstacles and enemies are opposed to such a hal- 
 lowed life. Rutherford's 'Prison Enjoyments' shows 
 what might be experienced, and what ought to be 
 aimed at. 
 
 " 26. — The greatness of God expressed in the 
 striking language of the Prophet — ' Behold the na- 
 tions are as a drop of the bucket,' and the connected 
 
128 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 verses — detained me in profitable reflection two or 
 three days. How encouraging and animating to 
 our weak faith, when overwhelmed with a sense of 
 the grandeur of Jehovah, to remember, that 'God 
 is love.' All that infinite nature is one infinite at- 
 tribute — love. Oh what a source of pure, inexhaust- 
 ible happiness for the glorified spirit, both in the in- 
 vestigation of the nature, and the direction of this 
 love. Another portion of Scripture, which it ap- 
 peared almost impossible to leave, is the first chapter 
 of Colossians, especially that part which refers to 
 the illustrious conqueror. What a victory ! What 
 weapons ! ' And having made peace through the 
 blood of the cross,' &c. Millions of captives torn 
 from hell, and drawn by that love to eternal glory, 
 shall cease not to celebrate the triumphs of their 
 Conqueror. 
 
 11 September 22. — The last has been a week of 
 peculiar dulness. There are times when it seems 
 improper to say I languish, for that implies strength ; 
 or to say I am an infant, for that lives. I appear 
 truly dead. Then I feel my especial need of the 
 Spirit, of the free sovereign grace of God. Then 
 my mind is the thorough-fare, and too frequently the 
 resting-place of every unprofitable worldly thought. 
 It is misery indeed to endure the absence of Him 
 whom my soul loves. No worldly scheme or hap- 
 piness can prove the least substitute for this enjoy- 
 ment. Though the mind flies from object to object, 
 it only wearies itself, and like the dove finds no rest. 
 Oh, Jesus ! return. Other trials I can endure when 
 thou art with me, but thine absence is insupportable. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 129 
 
 "November 27. — Many changes since I wrote. 
 Have again left Siam, and returned to Singapore. 
 Very little spirituality of mind. Oh, what depravity 
 I discover in my heart. Such a want of love to my 
 Savior and brethren. Such a want of interest in 
 the successful instrumentality of those whose honor 
 I should prefer to my own. Such pride, envy, 
 worldly-mindedness. Oh, my God, what shall the 
 end of these things be ? I want to be moulded anew 
 in my Savior's image, to emerge from the world 
 and dwell in another, even a spiritual one. I groan 
 and sigh, Jesus make me holy and fit for my work. 
 Oh, how little profitable communion there is among 
 the expectants of glory. We talk rationally, but 
 much is wanting. Our conversation results in but 
 little holiness. Lord, make me useful to .my breth- 
 ren. What a difficult thing it is to preserve genuine 
 zeal in the Lord's service. What constant watch- 
 fulness, self-examination, love to our brethren, entire 
 deadness to the world, and heartfelt humility, are 
 required to be cherished. Upon such a soil, and 
 such only, zeal, pure and approved in the sight of 
 God, can flourish. 
 
 "January 1, 1834. — Another year passed, com- 
 menced — still spared. In reviewing the year I hope 
 I can see some little improvement. In what ? Cer- 
 tainly nothing very evident — perhaps nothing at all. 
 I believe a little has been attempted for Jesus, but 
 Oh, how little ! Part of the time considerable en- 
 joyment of religion, heavenly-mindedness — part stu- 
 pidity. Not so much from neglecting the means of 
 grace, (I mean the principal of them — private„devo- 
 
 6* 
 
130 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 tion,) as, I scarcely know what : a withdrawing of 
 the Spirit's influence from my heart. I do long for 
 perfect holiness and fitness for my work. Oh, my 
 Father, for thine own sake forgive the past. And 
 now I am where I have often been — in much uncer- 
 tainty of the future. At Singapore, hesitating about 
 my course, whether to return home for a time. My 
 prayer is for light, and I feel like praying in faith. 
 Are there not many promises ? I fear that my mind 
 may be too much disposed to return, and yet I have 
 no definite prospect of happiness before my mind. 
 Still who knows the heart ? Lord, my Father, thou 
 who searchest the heart, instruct me and teach me 
 in the way I should go. 
 
 "March 31. — Mind has been in a calm and happy 
 frame, disposed to relish the word ; and absorbed in 
 wonder at its most wonderful theme — Jesus — re- 
 demption. Have enjoyed some impression of my 
 relation to the Savior, and dependence upon him 
 as a co-worker, ' a star in his right hand.' With 
 what encouraging perseverance we can preach, 
 when we remember what we are, instruments in 
 Christ's hand — what our object is, His glory — how 
 that object can be promoted, by His power — who is 
 principally concerned in its promotion, Himself — 
 what he has promised in regard to our labors, ' My 
 word shall not return unto me void,' — and in what 
 light God in mercy regards us, if faithful, ' We are 
 unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are 
 saved and in them that perish? Such views com- 
 pose and sustain the mind, when our work appears 
 to be hindered by those events which are beyond 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 131 
 
 our control. With such things our instrumentality 
 has nothing to do, and in regard to them we have 
 nothing to say or think. Whatever may be effected 
 through effort or prayer, it is our duty to attempt ; 
 but when our vigorous efforts and most importu- 
 nate prayers are unsuccessful, it would be sinful 
 to despond or imagine we may not be acceptable, 
 though Israel be not gathered, as though every pur- 
 pose of Infinity was found to square with our views 
 and wishes. Have received a loud call from the 
 Board to return home, but wait to know the Lord's 
 pleasure. 
 
 "April 10. — Jesus is everything to my soul. Oh, 
 what a wonderful subject, a wonder almost equalled 
 by my indifference to it. He is my Creator, my Pre- 
 server, and my Lord ; my Friend and my Brother, 
 my Husband, my Head, my food and drink, the gar- 
 ment of my soul, nay my life. He is to me, what 
 everything else is, what every one else is." 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Mr. Abeel started from the East for London on 
 the 25th of May, 1833. His passage occupied five 
 months, during which time his health rapidly im- 
 proved. We find the following reflections in his 
 diary recorded after a few days of his voyage had 
 elapsed, in reference to his past course and present 
 position. 
 
 "June 9, 1833. — How short has been my mission- 
 ary career. I have done very little in the way of 
 direct labor. I thankfully believe, more, indirectly. 
 I hope others will be stirred up to attempt what my 
 health forbad, and what may much more redound to 
 the glory of God than the labors of a single indi- 
 vidual. Why my health has declined, I have no 
 right to know. If for the punishment of my sel- 
 fishness and unfaithfulness, the Lord in mercy for- 
 give and save me. If for correction, may every 
 gracious object of my Father's mercy be gained. 
 If to remove me to other scenes — may I be much 
 better fitted for the future than I have been for the 
 past. If for death — may its fear, and sting, and 
 dreadful pangs be mercifully taken away. I have 
 many advantages for the cultivation of living piety. 
 Excellent accommodations, much leisure, and good 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 133 
 
 books ; but find my body something of a clog — dull 
 and drowsy, even when the most animating subjects 
 are under consideration. Have been refreshed with 
 thoughts of my Father's compassion and love, and 
 of my Savior's wondrous sacrifice, especially ' to 
 give His life a ransom for many.' " 
 
 The time consumed in this voyage, was a season 
 of great enjoyment to his soul. The silence of the 
 sea, and freedom from the pressing cares of mission- 
 ary life, afforded him much opportunity for that spir- 
 itual communion in which he so greatly delighted. 
 That he improved it, will be seen by the following 
 extracts. 
 
 "June 2. — A short week has hastened away since 
 we sailed. My mind through much of the week has 
 been composed, and, I trust, resigned to living or 
 dying. Notwithstanding a deep sense of my sins, 
 my confidence in the Savior is unshaken. Jesus 
 prepare me for thy glory. 
 
 " June 23. — How admirably the Sabbath is adapt- 
 ed to holy joy and praise, and all the nobler exer- 
 cises of the sanctified heart. Oh, what a day of 
 hallowed rejoicing, its associations how animating. 
 Jesus our Life arose, His stupendous work accom- 
 plished, never again to suffer ; but, triumphant over 
 all his foes, to reign until every object of His media- 
 torial kingdom is gained, and every one of His 
 redeemed family exalted to the perfection of His 
 likeness, and the participation of His joy. Can 
 there be a communion of feeling and interest with 
 the Divine Redeemer, and no rejoicing upon this 
 day? And then, too, the prospect of an eternal 
 
134 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 Sabbath, of its deliverance from sin, temptation, 
 infirmity, indisposition, inability to do good, prone- 
 ness and power to do evil, weariness, dulness, vex- 
 ing sights and sounds, uncongenial companions, and 
 dissatisfaction with self. If existence could be con- 
 tinued in the absence of these evils, it would be ex- 
 ceedingly desirable ; add to this, the unimagined 
 and unimaginable enjoyment of heaven — the high- 
 est perfection of the spirit with the greatest capa- 
 bilities for comprehending, admiring, loving, and 
 serving God and the Lamb — continually transported 
 with the smiles of His favor, the fulness of His joy, 
 and the possession of His likeness ; — overflowing 
 with gratitude for the wonders of redemption, and 
 the leadings of Providence, — in sweetest co-opera- 
 tion with unnumbered millions of the most excel- 
 lent, loving, and beloved companions — these consti- 
 tute a portion of the blessings which make up 
 heaven : but how small a part do v^e know ! These 
 should awaken the soul to praise and joyfulness 
 upon this day." 
 
 " September 8. — The past week has been a season 
 of peculiar spiritual enjoyment. My heart has been 
 overflowing with the goodness of the Lord. At 
 these times of the Savior's special visitation, how 
 ready the soul is for every duty of devotion. The 
 word is like oil, which causes the fire to blaze, when- 
 ever it is applied. The earth loses its attraction ; 
 and all its creatures, inanimate objects, and events 
 are converted into mirrors, to reflect the infinite 
 excellence of a faithful Creator. As the eye glances 
 over the past, 'discriminating love* appears in- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 135 
 
 scribed on every object it meets. Rapture is in 
 every thought of the transmundane future. Praise 
 and prayer, and glowing contemplation, become the 
 very element of the soul. There is a spirit to at- 
 tempt every labor, to conquer every difficulty, to 
 welcome every trial. In a word, there is a heart 
 for everything that comes from God, or partakes of 
 God, or leads to God. ' God in Christ reconciling 
 the world/ is then, and it ever must remain, the 
 theme beyond all conception. Am passing the lati- 
 tude of my West India friends, and have been inter- 
 ceding for them at a throne of grace." 
 
 During the greater part of this voyage, he was 
 engaged on Sabbath, in preaching the Gospel to the 
 passengers and crew of the ship, and in religious 
 conversation. Nor were his efforts in vain, for we 
 find it recorded in his diary, that there had been 
 two or three conversions during the passage. Thus 
 the Lord gave^him success wherever he went, 
 whether among the heathen, or those who enjoyed 
 the means of grace. 
 
 He reached England October 21st, 1833. He 
 thus writes to his friends from London : — " With 
 great pleasure I inform you that we have arrived, 
 and have once more escaped the dangers of the sea. 
 About a week ago we made the land ; and the day 
 before yesterday took the steamboat about forty 
 miles below London, and arrived in the evening. I 
 have the greatest reason for gratitude. My health 
 is greatly improved, and all the alarming symptoms 
 are mitigated. Another source of gratitude, is the 
 deliverance we have had from great apparent dan- 
 
136 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 ger, during a gale encountered off the Western 
 Islands. # # * # 
 
 " I am very busy, delivering letters of introduc- 
 tion, &c, &c. With kindest love to all, and many 
 prayers that we may all meet as Christians. Yours 
 most affectionately, D. A." 
 
 He soon formed many interesting acquaintances, 
 enjoying religious intercourse with a keen relish, 
 increased by the circumstance of his having been 
 so long in a great measure deprived of it. He thus 
 expresses the delight which he experienced : " Dec. 
 18th. — Arrived in England a month and a half ago. 
 Found hosts of Christian friends ready to welcome 
 me to their houses and hearts. Have made many 
 delightful acquaintances. Much overcome by the 
 difference, the infinite difference, between heathen- 
 and Christian lands. The very sound of another's 
 voice in prayer like music. Have heard much good 
 preaching of different denominations — all one in 
 Christ." % 
 
 After remaining for a short time in London, he 
 was advised by his physicians to continue in Eu- 
 rope, and to defer crossing the Atlantic until the 
 winter had passed. He followed this advice ; and 
 in December, passed over to the Continent, and 
 journeyed to Paris, where he remained for a con- 
 siderable time preaching and sustaining missionary 
 meetings among the Protestant residents. 
 
 He was in Paris at the commencement of the 
 new year, and we find this record of his reflections 
 on the events of the year past. 
 
 "January 1, 1834. — I am again brought to the 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 137 
 
 close and the commencement of another vear. The 
 rapidity of the last annual period astounds me. My 
 thoughts are thrown powerfully back upon the 
 event which occurred nearly a year ago, and I can 
 scarcely imagine that my beloved Brother Burn 
 has been in eternity one year. I remember my 
 emotions and desires on that solemn occasion ; but 
 alas ! I do not find those fruits, which I hoped would 
 result from the event. The first five months were 
 spent principally in Singapore. I hope and believe 
 good was done. The Lord taught me some lessons 
 which should have kept me in the dust all my life. 
 I saw the folly of regarding myself as anything in 
 the kingdom of Christ, and was forcibly reminded 
 to put no confidence in an arm of flesh. At the 
 close of May, I embarked, in great weakness, for 
 England. All the future was like midnight. The 
 next five months were spent at sea. My fears 
 were dissipated, my hopes more than realized. God 
 spared me, gave me back my life from the grave, 
 and blessed my soul with the joys of His commun- 
 ion. Here too, there is reason to believe the Lord 
 made me useful. To Him be all the glory, for He 
 showed me His power as separate as possible from 
 my feeble efforts. The remainder of the year has 
 been passed in England and France. On my re- 
 turn, my mind was greatly excited in the enjoyment 
 of Christian communion, and the ordinances of re- 
 ligion. I fear it was not profitable ; as since that, 
 there has been a mournful state of mental distraction 
 and diversion from heaven. Is this to be the effect 
 of changing scenes ? Shall I have no power to re- 
 
138 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 sist these temptations ? Jesus forbid it. Grant me 
 thy power — forgive all my sins — sprinkle my con- 
 science from dead works — and let the opening year 
 prove much more profitable to me, and witness 
 much more love, and zeal, and self-denial in me, 
 than any preceding period. For forgiveness, pres- 
 ervation, every motion of spiritual life, every ray 
 of heavenly wisdom, everything acceptable to Thee, 
 and beneficial to myself and others, I am totally, 
 and must be constantly dependent upon Thee. Oh, 
 what shall occur during this year ?" 
 
 From Paris he journeyed through different parts 
 of the Continent, diffusing missionary information, 
 and at the same time recruiting his physical powers. 
 He visited Holland, and parts of Prussia, Germany, 
 and Switzerland. In Holland, he expected to trans- 
 act business in reference to the connection of his 
 own church at home with its parent, in the work of 
 Missions ; but having arrived before the meeting of 
 the Synod of the Church of Holland, and not being 
 able to delay in his arrangements, he was in some 
 degree disappointed. 
 
 He describes in a letter, his travels through 
 France and Switzerland. " More than a fortnight 
 has elapsed since my departure from London ; since 
 which I have visited, very hastily, the principal parts 
 of Holland, and some of the most interesting sec- 
 tions of Germany. My object was to form some 
 kind of a connection between the churches at home 
 and in Holland, with a view of co-operating in 
 Foreign Missions. As there has been no meeting of 
 Synod here since I arrived, and as there is no prob- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 139 
 
 ability of convening a meeting before next month, 
 (July,) it is quite impossible to say how far I shall 
 succeed in my plans. The Dutch have almost for- 
 gotten that there is a church in America, called by 
 their own name. Still I have reason to hope, that, 
 as I have engaged some of the chief and the best 
 men to assist, something will be accomplished. Be- 
 ing so near many of the most interesting and talked- 
 of objects on the Continent, I concluded to spend a 
 few more days, in gratifying curiosity; especially 
 as it could be done with evident advantage, both to 
 my health and my higher pursuits. I have sailed 
 up the celebrated Rhine, passed through parts of 
 Prussia and Germany, and expect to reach Switzer- 
 land to-morrow. I calculate on as rapid movements 
 as possible or consistent. Being in the vicinity of 
 the celebrated mountains of Switzerland, I hope to 
 see them all, spend a few days in Geneva and other 
 parts, and then proceed as quickly as possible to 
 Liverpool to embark. I fear it will be nearly the 
 middle of July before this can be done. I find 
 friends wonderfully provided for me, wherever I go. 
 I am now in company with a young man whom I 
 met in the steamboat on the Rhine, and with whom 
 I hope to proceed to Geneva. By the time of my 
 return, I shall have traveled considerably, and I 
 hope with profit. This letter I am writing piece- 
 meal. We are at this moment in a small town near 
 the borders of Switzerland, where we see none but 
 those rough-looking Germans, importations of which 
 I have seen, when a little fellow, in New Brunswick. 
 They appear to me as filthy as possible. Men, 
 
140 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 women, horses, dogs, everything together and much 
 alike. They form a most striking contrast to the 
 ever scrubbing and washing Hollanders. Crosses 
 with images are stuck up in every direction. Cath- 
 olicism, of course, reigns where these are seen ; but 
 this is not the case with all the states of Germany. 
 Still my interest is considerably diminished by the 
 strong desire to see you all, and commence my im- 
 portant duties at home. I am now writing at Basil, 
 the seat of the most celebrated missionary institution 
 in Europe. I have received the greatest kindness 
 and hospitality from all, and am staying in the Mis- 
 sion-House." 
 
 He also recorded these incidents in his private 
 diary. 
 
 16 July 27 ', 1834. — Have wandered through many 
 countries since the last date. Visited much of Hol- 
 land, many places in Germany and Prussia, and 
 some most interesting portions of Switzerland. 
 Have been quite overwhelmed with the wonders of 
 the Lord in the works of creation. Oh the grandeur 
 of my God and Savior! Have made numbers of 
 most interesting Christian acquaintances, and been 
 profited by their spirit and devotedness. Have 
 awakened considerable attention and Christian sym- 
 pathy, in behalf of China, and neighboring regions. 
 To the Lord, the source of all good, be all the glory. 
 Have returned sick, and been detained in London 
 under the hands of the physician. By the Lord's 
 especial kindness, have aided in forming a society 
 for female education in China and the surrounding 
 countries. An auspicious commencement. Bodily 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 141 
 
 weakness very great, and the future uncertain. Oh 
 how necessary to be brought to a frequent pause. 
 I fear that I seldom live as I ought, except when I 
 feel the sentence of death in myself. Left London 
 yesterday, and am now in Birmingham. Hope to 
 be at sea before next Sabbath. How much I feel 
 attached to dear friends, with whom I have been 
 passing much time. To-day, thoughts of my God 
 most cheering. My Father, my Brother ! what more 
 can I wish or have. Alleine's ' Heaven Opened' 
 shows impressively what "a covenant God and Sa- 
 vior He is to those who believe. I am convinced, 
 and have long been persuaded, that one most im- 
 portant means of grace, and comfort, and transport, 
 is having these subjects frequently before, the mind. 
 Under any circumstances, we may ask ourselves the 
 question, What do I most desire ? Perhaps it is 
 holiness — the power of resisting evil — zeal — dead- 
 ness to the world — spirituality of mind — a single eye 
 — a simple motive — love to every brother — and the 
 death of all selfishness. Are not these things prom- 
 ised ? And does not the possession of God, our Sun 
 and Shield — our Portion and Rest — include these 
 very blessings ? Perhaps we sigh for friendship — 
 congenial, inseparable friendship. What a friend we 
 have in Jesus and his Father. All the excellencies 
 we most admire and desire are here, and are ours. 
 Do we wish deliverance from infirmities and pains, 
 and support and direction under them ? Or are we 
 sighing for a better state of things without us ? God 
 is our refuge now ; and in the best time will remove 
 us to a society where nothing will be wanting to 
 
142 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 answer our strongest desires, but much enjoyed to 
 exceed them all. A few such questions and con- 
 siderations will often raise the soul to heaven ; and 
 the more frequently the infinite goodness of God our 
 Portion, and the infinite fullness of Jesus our Advo- 
 cate, are contemplated, the more happy and holy 
 must we be on earth, and the more willing and 
 ready to leave the world." 
 
 Wherever he went, he endeavored to extend in- 
 formation in reference to that portion of the heathen 
 world, in which a part of his life had been spent. 
 He met with much success in all these efforts, and 
 much interest was excited by his representations of 
 the subject in France and Switzerland, as well as in 
 England. 
 
 He returned to England, July 25, and travelled 
 through different parts where there were objects 
 worthy of inspection. He preached at London, 
 Birmingham, and Edinburgh. The following letter 
 has been received since his decease, from a lady, 
 under whose roof he passed much of his time while 
 in London. 
 
 " Twelve years have elapsed since his brief so- 
 journ in this land ; but none who had the privilege 
 of knowing him then, are likely to forget him, for 
 he was indeed ' a burning and a shining light.' He 
 came to us immediately on his arrival from the 
 East, worn by disease, and apparently disqualified 
 for active service. Such was his prevailing spirit- 
 uality of mind and devotedness to the Redeemer's 
 cause, that it was impossible to be within the circle 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 143 
 
 of his influence without deriving advantage from 
 it. There was nothing austere, narrow-minded, or 
 extravagant in his religion. There was a beautiful 
 symmetry, a holiness, refinement, and tenderness 
 about it which struck the most ungodly. Every 
 one felt that he was in earnest, that he had a deep 
 enjoyment of divine things, and an aptitude to seize 
 upon every occasion of usefulness, far beyond what 
 is usually attained. There was in his character 
 that combination of faith, hope, and charity, which 
 the Apostle Paul so well delineates ; and as it re- 
 garded his daily life, it might indeed be said that he 
 'walked in the Spirit.' During his abode in our 
 family, his physical debility and suffering were, at 
 times, great ; but he knew how to rejoice in tribula- 
 tion, and could say from the heart, ' The will of the 
 Lord be done.' Often after seasons of pain and 
 exhaustion, he would ask one of us to read him a 
 portion of the Bible ; and as he became interested in 
 the subject, his spirits gradually revived. It was his 
 custom, while rising of a morning, to sing a hymn ; 
 and he always left his Bible open on his dressing- 
 table, that whenever he went into his room some 
 passage of divine truth might arrest his eye. At 
 the breakfast-table he generally asked what we had 
 been reading in our closets ; and, whether others 
 were prepared or not, he was always ready to fur- 
 nish his quota of spiritual entertainment. This plan 
 greatly interested the younger members of our fam- 
 ily, and even the servants lingered in the room at 
 meal-times, to catch some gracious word that fell 
 from his lips. During his voyage from China, he 
 
144 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 had been useful to three persons on board the vessel; 
 and whilst he was in England, the same success 
 attended his efforts to win souls to Jesus. To more 
 than one individual in our circle he became pecul- 
 iarly endeared as a father in Christ ; and to others 
 he lent the helping hand, and was regarded by them, 
 in every sense, as a brother and friend. I might 
 introduce many touching incidents, which are en- 
 graven on their hearts, but I forbear. I would, 
 however, notice one point of no small importance, 
 as accounting for his remarkable success. He was 
 unusually devoted to prayer. He could indeed say, 
 ' For this thing I prayed :' for there was nothing 
 vague and indefinite in his petitions. Usually he 
 spent some time in his chamber towards noon, 
 for the purpose of remembering certain individuals 
 on whose conversion his heart was set; and at other 
 times, he would unite with Christian friends for the 
 same purpose. He loved to speak of heaven ; for 
 it was a theme on which he was peculiarly at home. 
 His favorite view of it, was that of being with Christ, 
 to behold His glory. At that time he scarcely ex- 
 pected to reach America, much less to return to 
 China ; but he was always urging upon us to do our 
 utmost for that vast land. His representations of 
 the state of the heathen, and of the responsibility of 
 the Christian Church, were most solemn and affect- 
 ing. He had no sympathy with a hollow, half- 
 hearted attachment to the cause of Christ. His 
 had never been the ' middle walk of Christianity ;' 
 having himself forsaken all for Christ, he could, and 
 did insist in every case, upon the same surrender. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 145 
 
 Not in private alone, but at the anniversary of our 
 Bible Society at Exeter Hall, he came forward, 
 notwithstanding his weakness, and challenged the 
 young students in our colleges to join the missionary 
 host. I think I see and hear him now, turning to 
 them, and saying with unusual energy, ' And who 
 has given you a dispensation to remain at home, 
 when the whole world is calling so loudly for as- 
 sistance V 
 
 " Whilst Mr. Abeel was in this country he visited 
 distinguished characters, — ministers and others, of 
 all religious persuasions, taking little notice of their 
 distinctions, so that they were sound in the great 
 principles of the Gospel. In every true Christian 
 he recognized a brother, a child of God, an heir of 
 glory ; and this was at all times enough to ensure 
 his affectionate sympathy and co-operation. His 
 language seemed to be, whenever a discordant note 
 was struck — ' Dear friends, the world is perishing ; 
 let us first look to its salvation, and then settle our 
 differences.' Before he quitted England, he united 
 with the Rev. Baptist Noel, and a few ladies, in 
 forming the Society for promoting Female Educa- 
 tion in China and the East, The first appeal was 
 drawn up by him, and the profits of his missionary 
 narrative were devoted to its support. Nearly forty 
 ladies, of different denominations, have been sent 
 out as the result of this effort : and much assistance 
 has been rendered in other ways, towards the en- 
 couragement of mission schools. 
 
 " As the time drew near for his departure, our in- 
 tercourse became increasingly serious and prayer^ 
 
 7 
 
146 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 ful. We felt it very unlikely that we should meet 
 again in this world ; and from the maturity of his 
 Christian character, it appeared as if he might soon 
 be summoned to his heavenly home. Never can I 
 forget the energy with which he continually spoke 
 of the believer's privileges and responsibilities. In- 
 deed his whole residence under our roof, formed an 
 appropriate comment on that passage, ' Be not for- 
 getful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have 
 entertained angels unawares.' The last sentence 
 uttered at the moment of separation, deserves to be 
 recorded ; it was this — ' Farewell ! while we seek 
 with increasing diligence the salvation of others, 
 may we never be guilty of neglecting our own 
 souls.' Such a caution is indeed peculiarly appro- 
 priate to the period in which we live ; and to those, 
 who, from their situation in the church, are neces- 
 sarily much engrossed by all that is going on." 
 
 In August, he sailed for America, where he ar- 
 rived in September. It was a season of joy, when 
 he was permitted again to meet in the body those 
 whom he loved. This delight was only alloyed by 
 the recollection, that the failure of his health and 
 strength was the cause of his return. 
 
 Immediately after his arrival in the United States, 
 Mr. Abeel commenced his labors in behalf of that 
 field of operations in which he had always been en- 
 gaged. As his strength allowed, he went from one 
 place to another, preaching the Gospel, and forming 
 associations for the purpose of regular contributions 
 toward the cause of foreign missions. He visited 
 the principal pities of New England in the course 
 
MExMOIR OP DAVID ABEEL. 147 
 
 of these efforts. In January, 1835, he left the north 
 for a warmer climate ; designing to prosecute his 
 labors in that part of the country where he would 
 be able, at the same time, to cherish his bodily 
 strength. The following letter, written at this time, 
 will show, that, although he was then in a critical 
 state of health, he did not in any way spare himself 
 in his exertions for the perishing heathen. 
 
 " Near Richmond, Virginia, February 27th, 1835. 
 " I wrote you from Washington, and expected to 
 find a reply at Richmond, but was disappointed. 
 Perhaps I may receive one on my return to that 
 city. Since I wrote, I have been travelling almost 
 incessantly. I visited Alexandria, and held a meet- 
 ing — thence to Fredericksburgh — thence to Char- 
 lottesville, the former residence of Mr. Jefferson — 
 thence to Richmond, whither I am now returning — 
 and thence to Union Seminary, Prince Edward's 
 county, Virginia. The stages are so infrequent and 
 loaded, that I have not been able to return to Rich- 
 mond, to fulfil my appointments there. I am now 
 writing in a miserable old tavern, forty miles from 
 Richmond ; where I came to-day, hoping to get a 
 passage. But alas ! if I succeed at all, I must wait 
 till to-morrow, and then take the mail cart, a ve- 
 hicle on two wheels and without springs, — I fear 
 without seats. Since I left Washington, my time 
 has passed swiftly, and I trust profitably. The 
 meetings I have appointed, have been well attended 
 and interesting. A few days ago, I spent a season 
 in the house of a pious lady, who has opened her 
 
148 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 dwelling for the education of young ladies f not 
 from necessity, but to employ her leisure time and 
 spacious mansion to the most advantage. Female 
 education, and especially Christian education, has 
 been sadly neglected in Virginia. I conversed with 
 her pupils about the heathen, and about themselves, 
 and the Lord appeared to bless the*efforts. Several 
 of them became deeply affected in view of their 
 own sinfulness, and all of their small number, with 
 many sobs and tears, agreed when I left them, to 
 meet me in heaven. I have seldom witnessed a 
 more solemn scene. What will be the result can- 
 not be definitely foreseen ; but that the solemn vow 
 of many of them will be remembered and fulfilled, 
 I will not hesitate to believe. 
 
 " At Prince Edward, whence I am now returning 
 to Richmond, I have had a very profitable time. 
 The seminary contains upwards of twenty students, 
 and the college about fifty or sixty. Three or four 
 of their number are decided on becoming foreign 
 missionaries, and many more have been stirred up to 
 a solemn and prayerful investigation of their duty. 
 Last year, four of the students from this seminary 
 embarked for heathen lands. After preaching in 
 the church, and in the chapel of the seminary, the 
 students of the college requested me to deliver an 
 address in the college, on the moral condition of 
 China. The meeting was crowded, and I was en- 
 abled to speak with plainness, not only on the con- 
 dition of the heathen, but on the fearful responsi- 
 bilities of each one of them. The Lord in mercy 
 grant, that the solemn exercises of that evening 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 149 
 
 may result in the conversion of many of their num- 
 ber ; and through them, in the eternal happiness of 
 many of the heathen. The intercourse with the 
 professors and students of this institution has been 
 delightful and edifying. I have met with several 
 men of distinguished piety and excellence in Vir- 
 ginia. Their example proves most influential, and 
 every Christian who comes within their atmosphere, 
 must feel its sanctifying tendency. Oh, how neces- 
 sary is living, glowing, active godliness, to our per- 
 sonal happiness, and the benefit of others. What is 
 a cold external profession — ' a name to live T I be- 
 lieve there is no other good influence which acts 
 with such amazing power as that of vital godliness. 
 How it arouses, and rebukes, and stimulates, and 
 restrains. Oh, let us all strive more than ever, for 
 great attainments in the divine life. Why are we 
 living in Christian lands ? Why is our lot not cast 
 among the heathen ? Surrounded as we all are 
 with every sanctifying influence, what ought to 
 prevent us from eminent sanctity. My mind has 
 been much on these and similar subjects, since we 
 parted. Travelling has not the effect upon me of 
 which many complain. Instead of distracting my 
 mind, I am now so accustomed to its vicissitudes, 
 that I can employ the leisure it furnishes to much 
 profit. I often enjoy riding alone, or unknown, in 
 stages. It affords so much time for meditation, and 
 I repeat what I have so often remarked, that noth- 
 ing is more beneficial to the soul, than solemn and 
 deliberate reflection. 
 
 " I hope to-morrow to reach Richmond, where I 
 
150 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 shall probably spend the greater part of a week ; 
 thence go to Petersburgh and Fayetteville, Raleigh 
 and Columbia, in which place I hope to arrive about 
 the middle of March. Whether I shall proceed im- 
 mediately to Charleston, or whether I shall leave 
 that place for the port of embarkation, I have not 
 determined. I wish to visit as many churches and 
 institutions as possible, and hope to receive advice 
 at Columbia. If you have not written, or when 
 you write, address to Charleston, South Carolina. 
 The roads are miserable, probably six inches of 
 snow on the ground." 
 
 " Richmond, March 1. 
 
 u Arrived here on Saturday evening, after the 
 most uncomfortable ride I ever took. Forty miles 
 in a cart, with a miserable seat, and still more mis- 
 erable roads. Yesterday preached. A very cold 
 day, and not many out. To-night will be a concert 
 of prayer. To-morrow hold a meeting for ladies, 
 in regard to female education in China. Thursday, 
 go to Petersburgh, and thence to Columbia," &c. • 
 
 He left a deep impression in behalf of his cher- 
 ished cause wherever he preached. Much of his 
 time was spent in visiting Colleges and Theological 
 Seminaries, in raising the tone of piety and conse- 
 cration of spirit among their members, and inciting 
 all to labors in behalf of the heathen. The follow- 
 ing letter has been received from a clergyman who 
 was then connected with one of the seminaries 
 which he visited. He records in it, the impressions 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 151 
 
 in regard to the character and work of Mr. Abeel, 
 made on his own mind in listening to his appeals, 
 and conversing with him. 
 
 " I had the pleasure of making acquaintance with 
 Mr. Abeel, during a visit he made to Virginia, in the 
 year 1834 or '35. I have still in my possession two 
 or three letters I subsequently received from him, 
 but they contain nothing of special interest. Yet I 
 have thought it might not be amiss to give you some 
 little information in regard to what I saw of him 
 during that visit. I was then at Union Seminary ; 
 and, I suppose few of those then connected with it, 
 or any of the other institutions about Prince Edward 
 Court House, will have forgotten to this day, the 
 time spent among us by Mr. A. I well recollect the 
 day that he reached the seminary. Some of us 
 were in the public hall, looking at what the mail had 
 brought that morning, when a stranger of genteel 
 appearance presented himself at the door, and in- 
 quired the way to Dr. Baxter's. We were greatly 
 surprised to hear afterwards who it was ; for he had 
 dropped in upon us in our quiet retreat without any 
 notice of his coming — at least, without any knowl- 
 edge of it on the part of the students. He spent 
 but a few days with us, but they were filled up with 
 labors in behalf of the cause he had so much at 
 heart. Indeed I thought he labored almost beyond 
 his strength ; for his health, as you know, was fee- 
 ble. Besides a sermon at the college church in the 
 morning, he addressed the students of the seminary 
 on the afternoon of the Sabbath he was with us. 
 
152 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 On Monday afternoon, he addressed the students of 
 Hampden Sydney College, and the night of the 
 same day, visited the large female institution of 
 Mr. Root, at the Court House. The impression left 
 upon the institutions and the neighborhood seemed 
 to be a most happy, and I believe it was not a mere 
 transient one. Mr. A.'s manners were very gentle- 
 manly and engaging, and I thought that he often 
 rose, in his public addresses, to a high style of ora- 
 tory. But his influence for good was based upon 
 something more substantial than either of these. 
 He manifested an ardent devotion to the cause of 
 Christ and a lost world. Indeed he seemed to me 
 to possess very much the kind and degree of enthu- 
 siasm, which is necessary to those who have to 
 operate in behalf of a good cause on colder minds. 
 And then, in laying down the duty of Christians in 
 respect to missions, he placed the foundation in 
 radical principles. He urged especially, the obliga- 
 tion of an entire consecration to the cause of Christ, 
 as involved in the Christian profession itself. He 
 presented the whole world as the field, where not 
 only candidates for the ministry, but all pious young 
 men, and even those who were not pious, were call- 
 ed of God to enter, and labor -at His discretion and 
 for His glory. I shall never forget the impressive 
 manner in which he held up this view before the 
 students of the college. The effect was, I thought, 
 a most happy illustration of some of the principles 
 which he had himself advanced, in regard to the re- 
 flex and collateral influence of the missionary spirit. 
 The general piety of the seminary, as well as the 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 153 
 
 interest in Missions seemed to be quickened. Some 
 of the young men of the college who were before 
 professedly pious, seemed at that time to rise to a 
 higher tone of Christian character. Indeed I know 
 of one young man at least, who then decided to 
 study for the ministry. The one I refer to is now a 
 settled minister. A few letters passed between Mr. 
 A. and myself after this time, but I never saw him 
 again. His few days' visit to us at Union Seminary 
 has always been in my memory, one of those hal- 
 lowed and delightful seasons, which in after life we 
 look back upon, as, in more than a worldly sense, 
 the green spots of the past. 
 
 " I have not thought of undertaking to pay a 
 tribute to Mr. A., except to give a simple statement 
 in regard to the visit spoken of, and the impressions 
 of him then made on my mind. So far, at least, as 
 the circumstances I have mentioned formed a part 
 of his history, I thought this statement might be of 
 some value." 
 
 Mr. Abeel thus records his efforts and success in 
 his own diary : — 
 
 "May 10, 1835. — Just returned from the South. 
 Have been far more favored in exciting a zeal for 
 missions, than I had reason to anticipate. Blessed 
 be the Lord, for his abundant blessing upon my ex- 
 ertions. I have been strengthened to preach often, 
 and with some effect. Health improved, though not 
 restored. Made hosts of delightful acquaintance. 
 Still far from enjoying that high tone of spiritual 
 feeling which I earnestly covet. At first my mind 
 
154 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 was more lively than now. Have been searching 
 for the cause of my stupidity ; too little meditation 
 and private devotion, and, in consequence, too much 
 worldly-mindedness. My judgment is so convinced 
 of the emptiness of earthly sources of happiness, 
 that I look for scarcely anything of that name in 
 this world, and yet I find little worldly trifles occu- 
 pying and vexing my mind. ' Walk in the Spirit, 
 and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh/ " 
 
 On his return from the South, Mr. Abeel em- 
 ployed his time in the same manner, with a special 
 view of visiting all the churches of the denomination 
 with which he had always sustained an ecclesiasti- 
 cal connection — the Reformed Dutch Church. He 
 visited almost every part of the church, preaching 
 to all the principal congregations ; and endeavoring 
 with unwearied diligence, to produce impressions of 
 the importance of that work to which he had de- 
 voted himself. He thus effected much for the cause 
 he loved, and for his Master's glory. Perhaps as 
 much, if not more benefit to the missionary cause, 
 was derived from his efforts in producing correct 
 views of its extent and obligations, among Christians 
 and Churches at home, than when he was engaged 
 in the foreign field. 
 
 During his journeyings in the prosecution of this 
 work, he complained of the effect of such constant 
 changes upon the tone of his personal piety. He 
 was often obliged to exert himself until he was al- 
 most entirely exhausted, and he was thus unfitted 
 for the enjoyment of private devotion. This was 
 
 i 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 155 
 
 to him a sore trial, and he deplored the necessity 
 for it. 
 
 "November. — To-day, I have felt the necessity 
 of more genuine, self-denying engagedness in the 
 blessed cause of the Redeemer. Expecting to leave 
 America in the spring, how ought my mind to be ex- 
 ercised, and my talents employed. I desire my zeal 
 for the Savior and His work among the heathen, 
 to become so absorbing, so energizing, so necessary 
 to my happiness, that I may say, partly in the lan- 
 guage of my great Exemplar, * How am I straitened,' 
 until Jesus is known and glorified in all the earth. " 
 
 " December 12, 1835. — Have been spending the 
 afternoon of this precious day in my chamber. 
 Nothing so quickly brings me to my senses — noth- 
 ing so effectually opens the eye of faith, and removes 
 all the interposing objects of earth — nothing so pow- 
 erfully awakens the deepest and best emotions of 
 my soul, and enables me, for the time, to see what 
 and where I am, and whither and how I ought to 
 proceed — as retirement and meditation, uninter- 
 rupted by objects without, or pressing cares within, 
 and continued, ad libitum." 
 
 At the close of 1835 he was in New York attend- 
 ing lectures at the Medical College, increasing his 
 knowledge of the profession which he had already 
 applied to practice among the heathen. He was 
 also preparing a course of sermons on the subject 
 of Missions, which, however, he did not finish. The 
 following are his reflections at the close of 1835 and 
 the commencement of 1836. 
 
 * Another year has reached its last hour. The 
 
156 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 night is delightful. The moon sheds her loveliest 
 radiance over the earth, and the air is only suffi- 
 ciently cold to brace the system, and exhilarate the 
 spirits. I have been strolling, meditating, and solilo- 
 quizing. The past has been held in review. Noth- 
 ing but mercy from the beginning, through every 
 moment. The first part of the year was spent at 
 the South, where I made many good friends, and 
 was enabled to preach with profit. Was favored at 
 the anniversaries, and have been aided since, in my 
 visitation to the churches. Last two months have 
 been devoted to medicine. I find the very highest 
 honors in the kingdom of my Redeemer have been 
 conferred upon me. Not only a Christian, but a 
 Minister, a Missionary. I have been ungrateful and 
 forgetful, during the past year. Oh, how little I have 
 thought of the infinite obligations under which Jesus 
 has laid me. Dear Savior, assist me to be more 
 prayerful, spiritual, single in aim, and self-denying 
 in effort, than ever. Where shall I be at the expi- 
 ration of the next year ? Probably, if spared, in 
 China." 
 
 The new year had scarcely commenced, when he 
 was seized with sudden and serious illness, which 
 compelled him to suspend labor for a time, and suffer 
 the will of God ; which he did with all patience. 
 Writing to his parents at New Brunswick, he says : 
 
 " There is one advantage in sickness, which, if 
 gained, must ever render it a blessing. It diverts 
 the mind from the many distracting engagements of 
 life, and leaves it more time for the higher duties of 
 religion. By unfitting you for other pursuits, it pre- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 157 
 
 pares you for communion with God, and meditation 
 upon eternal things. Oh, there is mercy in every 
 trial of the kind. We are dying creatures. Every 
 day hastens us to the grave. A few more will fill 
 up our earthly allotment, and then comes the un- 
 known, or rather, untried future." 
 
 The same sentiments are conveyed in his diary 
 at this time. 
 
 ''March 13. — My mind for some weeks past has 
 been calm, and at times cheerful, yea, triumphant, 
 in God my Savior. I have been committing the 
 Epistle to the Ephesians to memory. I believe it 
 most edifying to have the word dwell in the mem- 
 ory abundantly. You can reflect upon it in the 
 house, and by the way-side, when you lie down and 
 when you arise. Instead of that endless succession 
 of fancies and recollections which occupy so much 
 precious time, you can form the habit of repeating 
 portions of the sacred volume, until the letter be- 
 comes familiar to the mind, and its spirit imbues the 
 soul — until ' the word of Christ dwells in us richly.' 
 My health continues feeble, but God's mercies 
 abound. * It is good for me to be afflicted. The 
 rapidity of time — the vast work to be accomplished 
 in life — and the glorious heaven in prospect, are 
 sufficient to banish worldly-mindedness, despond- 
 ency and indolence, from every Christian heart. 
 
 " March 28. — My prospects are uncertain. In all 
 probability, my disease will yield to returning health. 
 I expect now, to remain longer in America than I 
 at first anticipated. It is not credible that I can be 
 sufficiently restored during the short interval, to 
 
158 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 venture back into a tropical region. Whether this 
 is designed by the Lord to indulge me in my love of 
 ease and worldly comfort, or to direct me to a 
 sphere of labor where I can do more for his cause 
 than by personal effort among the heathen, I cannot 
 determine. I sometimes fear that I am receiving 
 according to the selfish and unholy desires of my 
 own heart. If I remain, it is thought that I ought 
 to travel. I hesitate to know whether this is right. 
 It appears so much like self-indulgence. The phy- 
 sicians advise it, but I am not sure that it is neces- 
 sary. What makes me anxious to know whether it 
 is my duty or not, is the consideration, that I might 
 be of service to the missionary cause by visiting the 
 seminaries and colleges, and cities and villages ; and 
 spending the summer in advocating the claims of 
 the heathen, and impressing the duty of Christians. 
 God has graciously blessed my efforts in this behalf, 
 and 1 believe he would bless them still more. My 
 kind indulgent Father, lead me not to my own cor- 
 rupt judgment, but guide me in thy way." 
 
 He was confined by his sickness to the city of 
 New York until June, when he travelled tcvthe Sul- 
 phur Springs of Virginia, for the purpose of trying 
 the effects of the water on his system. While there, 
 he pursued a course of religious instruction for those 
 who, like himself, were brought together to that 
 place, for the restoration of their declining health. 
 The prayer-meeting, the Bible-class, and personal 
 conversation, were the only means which he was 
 able, in his weak state, to employ for the salvation 
 of souls, and their growth in grace. Thus, wher- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 159 
 
 ever he was placed in the dealings of Providence, 
 he used all his energies and strength in the service 
 of God. When he could not preach the Gospel 
 from the pulpit, he delighted to preach from house 
 to house ; and when too weak to move, it was his 
 chief pleasure to instruct all who would come to 
 him. Nor did he ever deny any, as long as he 
 was able to speak of the goodness and mercy of 
 God. He literally spent himself in the work of his 
 Master. 
 
 He returned from Virginia in September, and 
 sought repose and quiet under the paternal roof. 
 He now expected to sail for China in the course of 
 a few weeks, and commenced the preparations for 
 his departure. Yet he was full of fear lest he should 
 do aught contrary to the voice of duty, and of God's 
 providence : — " I have thought seriously of return- 
 ing to China this autumn," he writes. " If it be for 
 the best, Lord Jesus favor the plan ; if not, let it be 
 defeated. 
 
 " I desire to have the way made plain before my 
 face. I pray that no reluctance to separation from 
 friends, and entering upon trials and toils may be 
 felt. I want my Savior's glory to be essential to 
 my very existence. I covet above all the honors 
 and wealth of the earth, a burning love to the Re- 
 deemer ; and a panting desire to have him ' See of 
 the travail of his soul and be satisfied.' The ques- 
 tions of greatest interest in reference to my future 
 mission are, — when, where, and how to go. My 
 gracious Father, sympathizing Savior, and blessed 
 Comforter, help me to repose confidence in thee, 
 
160 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 and keep me from trusting to my own understand- 
 ing." 
 
 With such a confiding and inquiring spirit as this, 
 the disciple was ready to pursue any course, which 
 Providence might indicate, resigning all to the hand 
 of Him who doeth all things well. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 We have now arrived at a period in the life of 
 Mr. Abeel, which was fraught with events that tried 
 fully the nature and extent of his confidence in God. 
 It cannot be distinguished as a period of labor ; for 
 his physical powers were so much exhausted as to 
 preclude the possibility of great exertion. And yet 
 it is astonishing to see how much he effected in his 
 feeble and diseased state. He received at this time 
 some of the most severe lessons of affliction that 
 he ever experienced — lessons that were effectual, 
 through Divine influence, in cultivating and strength- 
 ening the passive graces of his soul. 
 
 The Christian character is never fully developed, 
 unless there has been a free exercise of the spirit in 
 endurance and submission, as well as in action and 
 labor. It is easier to do than to suffer with resig- 
 nation. The latter tries the depth of the Christian's 
 character and spirituality, more fully than the for- 
 mer. If that character is but feeble and imperfect, 
 its deficiencies soon discover themselves in the hour 
 of trial, and the training then received will lead to 
 the source of all grace that these deficiencies may 
 be supplied. 
 
 When the child of God has undergone this severe 
 
162 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 process, he can say from his own experience of its 
 spiritual advantage, " When thou hast tried me, I 
 shall come forth as gold." 
 
 The character of David Abeel received much of 
 its peculiar formation and symmetry, from the na- 
 ture and extent of his afflictions. The events which 
 occurred at this period of his life, he considered to 
 be the most severe of all the trials he ever experi- 
 enced. 
 
 He was engaged in his preparations for sailing to 
 China, in the middle of October of this year (1836), 
 and all his plans had been formed with reference to 
 that event. The circumstances which prevented 
 him from accomplishing his resolution, are recorded 
 in his diary. 
 
 u November 10. — Since I last wrote, I have passed 
 through one of the most profitable periods of my life. 
 I returned to New York, to make preparations for 
 my embarkation to China. The ship was expected 
 to sail in ten or twelve days from that time. The 
 very day of my arrival, while I was making a call 
 
 in Place, I was seized so suddenly with 
 
 alarming symptoms of illness, that I was unable to 
 proceed farther ; and, in the course of a week, I was 
 brought very near to the gates of death. I was per- 
 fectly aware of my situation. At first, when I felt 
 that death was probable, there was a slight agita- 
 tion. Still, blessed be God there was no oppressive 
 fear of dying. My mind soon became placid ; and 
 such was my confidence in the perfection of Divine 
 wisdom and goodness, that I would not have altered 
 the least purpose of the infinite mind, for the uni- 
 
MEMOIR OP DAVID ABEEL. 163 
 
 verse. The word was precious; the great truths 
 of redemption unspeakably supporting. Before I 
 became too much enfeebled, I read with delight, 
 1 Owen on the glory of Christ,' — the very book (of 
 human composition, or rather compilation,) for a 
 dying man. While ' lying on my back and looking 
 upwards/ God my Father revealed himself to me as 
 ' Love.' I had read and preached that ' God is love* 
 before, but I never saw or felt this glorious truth as 
 then. Heaven appeared to me to be made up of 
 beings who possessed but one attribute — love. Six 
 weeks have elapsed since I was attacked. I am 
 much better, but not recovered. The ship sailed 
 four weeks ago ; and here am I, waiting, and inquir- 
 ing, ■ Lord, what wilt thou have me to do 7 Oh, to 
 retain every sanctifying impression of my past indis- 
 position. I thought if I did recover, that I would 
 endeavor to spend every day with reference to 
 dying, and thus avoid being surprised or in the 
 least agitated at the summons, whenever, and wher- 
 ever, it may come. Father, without the unremitted 
 influences of thy Spirit, I cannot live as I ought : — 
 Oh, bless me every day and hour." 
 
 As soon as he had sufficiently recovered, he was 
 advised to sail to the West Indies. He saw the ne- 
 cessity of this course, and complied with cheerful- 
 ness. Though this involved a relinquishment of his, 
 cherished wish, yet he evinced in the whole matter 
 a childlike resignation to the will of God. He 
 writes : — 
 
 " December 4. — The physicians have recommend- 
 ed a winter in the West Indies. My health remaiift 
 
164 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 so precarious, that I have been obliged to abandon 
 the idea of soon returning to my Eastern home. I 
 have nothing to say. Sometimes I fear it is more 
 indifference than resignation, and yet reason con- 
 vinces me that my energies are all paralyzed by dis- 
 ease. 
 
 " My future course is enveloped in darkness. I 
 thank my covenant God, that I feel no apprehen- 
 sions in regard to it. I hope to be Med in the right 
 way,' (however circuitous,) ' to a city of habitation.' 
 I wish to lean from hour to hour upon an Omnip 
 otent arm, while I look for guidance to infinite 
 wisdom." 
 
 His heart yearned as tenderly as ever over the 
 perishing heathen ; and though absent from them, 
 yet he performed for them all the services that his 
 health and position permitted. His anxiety on their 
 behalf may be seen in the following reflections : — 
 
 " December 5. — Monthly concert evening. To- 
 night the most devoted of God's people meet to 
 pray for the unevangelized world. I retire to my 
 apartment for the same delightful purpose. Though 
 prevented from being with the assembled multitude, 
 ' in the same place/ I trust we are i all with one 
 accord.' This is far more important. I feel the 
 necessity of besieging the throne of grace, and giv- 
 ing God no rest, until ' He make Jerusalem a praise 
 in the whole earth.' Oh, the deplorable condition 
 of the nations. My heart sickens at this thought. 
 What glory will accrue to the Triune God, when 
 the kingdoms of this world shall become the king- 
 doms of the Lord, and of His Christ. How will 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 165 
 
 this event thrill the heart of the blessed Redeemer. 
 He is even now expecting it, and never shall He 
 see the full travail of His soul, and be satisfied, un- 
 til it is accomplished. Wake up, then, my drowsy- 
 spirit. Lord Jesus, waken thy slumbering church. 
 What motive can energize my soul if this cannot ? 
 I desire to live and die for no other object, than to 
 glorify the Redeemer ; especially in laboring for the 
 salvation of those, who thus far, have never heard 
 of him. Dear Savior, help thy assembled people — 
 help thy solitary servant to pray this night, and 
 henceforth, as we have never prayed before/' 
 
 He sailed in December for the West Indies, where 
 he remained until the month of May, in the follow- 
 ing year. During this time, he was incapacitated 
 for public labor, yet he was diligent in the cultiva- 
 tion of his own heart. His communion and fellow- 
 ship with the Father, and His Son Jesus Christ, ap- 
 pear to have been more exalted and uninterrupted, 
 than ever before. 
 
 A new and severe trial now awaited him. While 
 at St. Thomas, he was examined by an eminent 
 physician ; and it was ascertained for the first time, 
 that the most of his difficulties and sufferings could 
 be traced to an organic disease of the heart — an 
 enlargement which interfered with the action of the 
 lungs, and might prove fatal at any moment. This 
 discovery was new, and entirely unexpected, by him, 
 and it produced a severe shock upon his mind. He 
 could not at first realize the fact that his situation 
 was so dangerous. He writes, — 
 
166 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 " April 2. — To-day has been a season of uncom- 
 mon spiritual conflict. Yesterday it was ascertained 
 by examination, that my heart and the contiguous 
 parts are in a very critical condition. This brings 
 death and the eternal world very near; and the 
 want of strong faith, and lively hope, and an earn- 
 est desire to depart and be with Christ, have filled 
 me with sadness. Oh, how strange, that I am not 
 yet prepared to hail every evidence of approaching 
 dissolution with rapture." 
 
 In a short time he was reconciled to his situation, 
 as he became more familiar with the thought ; and 
 his religious feelings resumed their usual composure. 
 
 Returning to New York, Mr. Abeel reached the 
 paternal roof at New Brunswick, N. J., on the 8th 
 of June. He arrived at the time when the great 
 revival of religion was in progress in that place : a 
 revival, which was as remarkable for exhibitions of 
 the power of divine grace, as any that ever occur- 
 red in the United States. It may be imagined that 
 to him it was a season of the greatest spiritual en- 
 joyment. He remarks in his diary — 
 
 " As I approached New Brunswick, I heard the 
 church bell tolling ; and, upon inquiry, ascertained 
 that there was a revival of religion in the place, and 
 public worship in all the churches, every evening. 
 One week has passed since I arrived ; and it has been 
 perhaps the most exciting week I have spent in this 
 place, since my own conversion. God is here with 
 mighty power ; and there is reason to hope that 
 some two or three hundred have already been res- 
 
MEMOIR OP DAVID ABEEL. 167 
 
 cued from the second death. Blessed be His name, 
 I am enabled to lend a little aid in the work." 
 
 In the fall of this year, (1837,) he was again at- 
 tacked by sickness, which prostrated his already 
 feeble energies ; and when he had sufficiently recov- 
 ered, he was obliged once more to journey to the 
 South. Yet, in all his illness, he was never so much 
 discouraged as to abandon the hope of future use- 
 fulness in his Master's service in foreign lands. His 
 trials led him to compare his own position with that 
 of the Apostle Paul, when his plans were frustrated 
 by the providence of God — " Thrice he suffered ship- 
 wreck ; which, together with the time when he was 
 cast away on the coast of Malta, make four events 
 of that kind, while fulfilling his high commission : — 
 how many would have concluded that God disap- 
 proved his course, and hence these frequent re- 
 bukes and obstacles/' With such thoughts did he 
 comfort his soul, and strengthen his faith, in this 
 season of darkness and doubt. 
 
 At the time when Mr. AbeePs prospects of visit- 
 ing China seemed to be almost destroyed by provi- 
 dential interferences, he met that eminent servant 
 of God, the late Dr. Griffin. They were conversing 
 in reference to the spiritual condition of Eastern 
 Asia ; and the missionary expressed a fear which he 
 could not always resist, and which was entertained 
 by many of his friends — that he would never again 
 be permitted to reach his longed-for field of labor. 
 Dr. Griffin answered him as with the ken of a pro- 
 phet — " My son, your work is not yet done in China 
 — the Lord has yet much for you to accomplish in 
 
168 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 that place for his glory." This remark was treas- 
 ured up ; and in the end it almost appeared as if 
 that aged saint had seen the future, for his declara- 
 tion was fully verified in the workings of God's 
 providence. 
 
 At the close of 1836, Mr. Abeel was at Charleston, 
 S. C. He thus mentions the events which had oc- 
 curred during the year. 
 
 " Another hour, and the year will close — what 
 have I accomplished since its commencement ? 
 Have been unwell much of the time ; suffering, I 
 trust, the will of God. Until June absent from 
 the country — two months or more at home — after- 
 wards travelling, and at times able to preach ; — then 
 sick again, and now improving, with the prospect 
 of usefulness. I scarcely know what to conclude on 
 the retrospect — I thank God I am ' still pursuing,' 
 * not weary in well doing,' — * holding on my way.' I 
 trust too, there has been some progress in spiritual 
 attainments." 
 
 During this winter, his strength so far increased, 
 that he was enabled to labor with considerable suc- 
 cess at the South. When he returned from the 
 Southern states, (in the first part of April,) he ex- 
 pected soon to sail for China : but he was again 
 disappointed, on account of the *feeble state of his 
 health — yet he bore this renewed disappointment 
 with patience and humble submission to the will of 
 God. 
 
 This summer was spent chiefly at the different 
 theological seminaries, seeking to produce in the 
 minds of those who were preparing for the ministry, 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 169 
 
 correct views of their obligations to the heathen. 
 Thus he aimed to increase the number of devoted 
 missionaries, who might fill the station which he was 
 unable to occupy. He visited the theological semi- 
 naries at Andover, Princeton, New Brunswick, and 
 other places. Nor were his labors in vain ; for the 
 conscientious could not but be impressed with his 
 earnestness, and affected by the power of his argu- 
 ments, and his touching descriptions of the wants 
 of the world that lieth in wickedness. Many were 
 raised up through his instrumentality as missionaries 
 of the cross, who are at present in foreign lands, 
 preaching the Gospel to the degraded heathen. 
 
 But the time had now arrived, when the dearest 
 wish of his heart was to be realized. After earnest 
 solicitations, his physicians consented that he should 
 return to China, although they warned him that it 
 was an experiment which his strength might or might 
 not endure. He was willing to try the experiment, 
 and leave the result in the hands of God. Accord- 
 ingly on the 17th day of October, he sailed with a 
 band of fellow-missionaries for Canton, embracing 
 besides himself, Messrs. Brown and Keasberry and 
 their wives. The farewell services were held in the 
 Middle Dutch Church, New York. 
 
 The following extracts are made from the journal 
 of this voyage, w r hich was rendered exceedingly 
 pleasant by the numerous employments and amuse- 
 ments that were afforded them ; and above all, by 
 Christian sympathy and communion. 
 
 " October 17, 1838. — The scene of parting is 
 over. My feelings I will not attempt to describe. 
 
 8 
 
170 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 The tears, and prayers, and farewell benedictions, I 
 can never forget. Oh, shall we all meet again where 
 this intense agony can never be repeated ? 
 
 " Sabbath, November 4. — A day of peculiar pleas- 
 antness has been succeeded by an evening to be 
 enjoyed only at sea. The moon, which is about 
 two days in the wane, arose behind a bank of dark, 
 broken clouds, piercing their crevices — varying their 
 shades^ — illuminating their edges — and shooting her 
 brightest beams up the arch of the heavens — while, 
 for some time, her disk was entirely concealed. 
 What rays of Sabbath softness she threw over the 
 surface of the dark-blue waters ; and what myriads 
 of little waves, as if instinct with life, arose to catch 
 her light and sport in its brightness. What a scene 
 for reflection and prayer ! Besides our Sabbath 
 morning services, and the usual evening worship, 
 we succeeded to-day in organizing a Bible-class ; 
 which we divided into three parts, that we might 
 make the instructions more familiar and personal. 
 We were all much gratified with the commence- 
 ment of our engagements. May the Lord render 
 the study of His own word effectual to the conver- 
 sion of all. What a day of holy sympathy this has 
 been. The feelings which swell our hearts, and the 
 prayers which express them, for those beloved ob- 
 jects whom we have left, will not be known till we 
 meet in a better world : — 
 
 * Though sundered far, by faith we meet 
 Around one common mercy seat.' 
 
 " Monday, December 3. — Our Sabbaths return in 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 171 
 
 great haste, and afford us seasons of much enjoy- 
 ment. They are days of holy sympathy with all 
 our beloved Christian friends, and with the Church 
 universal. Yesterday Mr. Brown preached. His 
 sermons are calculated to be very useful. We di- 
 vide all the religious services of the Sabbath, and the 
 w r eek. He and his wife are amiable, intelligent, and 
 pious. They will no doubt make very valuable mis- 
 sionaries. If I had been privileged with a selection 
 among all the detained missionaries, I do not think 
 I could have chosen more agreeable companions. 
 Probably no missionary band has ever left their na- 
 tive country, who were favored with more numerous 
 sources of occupation and enjoyment, than have 
 fallen to our lot. One of the principal ones is sacred 
 music. Mr. Brown is our leader. He sings admi- 
 rably, and plays on several instruments. The ser- 
 aphin, base viol, flute, and violin are all put in re- 
 quisition, though not all at one time. Mrs. Brown, 
 Keasberry, and last and least, myself, all assist. We 
 have a variety of books with us, and have selected 
 from them a number of exquisite pieces of music. I 
 wish our friends at home could listen to us, when in 
 full tune. But if faithful unto death, we shall all 
 soon meet again ; and join in that sweetest of all 
 songs, whose strains shall be prolonged through the 
 unwasting ages of our blissful being. ' Unto Him 
 that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own 
 blood/ 
 
 "Monday evening, December 24. — This night 
 commemorates the time of the Redeemer's advent 
 to this world. 'God so loved the world that he gave 
 
172 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 His only begotten Son' — a truth which finite intelli- 
 gences can never appreciate, because they can never 
 comprehend it. There is something in the love of 
 God the Father, which the experience of many 
 Christians never embraces. They clothe Him with 
 terror, and arm Him with vengeance; and place 
 Him in the attitude of opposition to the merciful 
 designs of the Savior, as if it demanded all the ad- 
 vocacy of the Mediator, to preserve the saints in 
 the favor of the Father. Many scarcely dare ad- 
 dress the first Person of the adorable Trinity, as if 
 He were so difficult to propitiate, that it required 
 the constant intercession of His Son for years after 
 their conversion, to render his people acceptable to 
 Him. Oh, how dishonorable, how unjust, thus to 
 regard the very Being who originated the scheme 
 of redemption : who, ' according as He chose us be- 
 fore the foundation of the world/ sent His Son in 
 the fulness of time, to redeem us, that He might 
 adopt us as ' children by Jesus Christ to Himself, 
 according to the good pleasure of His will' — from 
 whom cometh down every good and perfect gift. It 
 is most animating to regard all the persons of the 
 Trinity as our covenant God, perfectly harmonious 
 and co-operative in the salvation of dying souls. 
 To my own mind, the character and love of God 
 the Father, has long been a subject of unspeakable 
 satisfaction and delight. Its glory dims all created 
 lustre, and fills the soul with a mixture of wonder 
 and transport which arises to 'joy unspeakable.' 
 The greatest exhibition and fruit of God's infinite 
 love, we are called on to remember this evening. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 173 
 
 * Herein is love/ to deliver up freely, such a Son, — 
 so beloved — so exalted — to such a life and death ! 
 
 1 Oh, love beyond conception great, 
 
 That formed the vast stupendous plan 
 Where all divine perfections meet, 
 To reconcile rebellious man.' 
 
 "January 7, 1839. — First Monday in January. 
 — Though almost twelve hours in advance of our 
 friends, we have observed this day by prayer and 
 fasting ; that we might unite with them as nearly as 
 possible, in pleading the promises of God on behalf 
 of this rebellious world. Oh, that the people of God 
 may enjoy a double portion of the spirit of grace 
 and supplication, while they cast themselves before 
 His throne, and cry mightily for the salvation of 
 their ruined race. Such seasons are to the mis- 
 sionary the brightest periods of time — the rays which 
 infallibly proclaim the approach of a glorious day — 
 nay, the earnests of all that he desires, and labors 
 to realize upon earth. God has set the seal of His 
 approbation upon this day. In one or two instances, 
 He has connected with it, the application and fulfil- 
 ment of that most remarkable promise, ' And it shall 
 come to pass that before they call I will answer : 
 and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.' The 
 confidence of * them that are afar off upon the sea/ 
 has been with our little band to-day ; refreshing our 
 own souls, and making intercession for (within) us, 
 on behalf of the whole world. We are the weeping 
 sowers in this great Eastern field. A work we see 
 before us, which demands all our faith, and shall 
 
174 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 continue to tax all our patience. The dragon 
 sways his iron sceptre over these myriads of dark 
 minds, and not a subject will he lose without the 
 most vigorous resistance. But he cannot retard the 
 wheels of time, nor defer the purposes of Jehovah. 
 Though we may be at times oppressed to weeping, 
 joy shall shine through our tears. ' Our labor is not 
 in vain.' The harvest shall come, and they that sow 
 and they that reap shall rejoice together. Heaven 
 and earth shall unite in this joy. ' Sing ye heavens, 
 for the Lord hath done it : shout ye lower parts of 
 the earth, break forth into singing ye mountains, Oh 
 forest and every tree therein, for the Lord hath re- 
 deemed Jacob and glorified Himself in Israel.' ' Re- 
 joice over her (antichrist) thou heaven, and ye holy 
 apostles and prophets, for God hath avenged you 
 on her.' 
 
 " The Church's afflicted state has been continued 
 with scarcely any intermission to the present time. 
 Soon the Lord shall be her everlasting light, and the 
 days of her mourning shall be ended." 
 
 COPY OF THE HYMN SUNG AT THE FAREWELL MEETING OF THE 
 MISSIONARY ABEEL, COMPOSED BY G. W. BETHUNE, D.D. 
 
 Farewell brother ! tongues that falter, 
 Hearts whose love no tongue can tell, 
 
 Christians weeping round God's altar — 
 Bless thee, as we bid farewell. 
 
 Loving brother, tears are starting 
 
 From thine own responsive eye : 
 Bless us in our holy parting, 
 
 While we yet may see thee nigh. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 175 
 
 Once thou didst go from us weeping, 
 
 Precious seed afar to bear ; 
 Soon thy sheaves of mercy reaping, 
 
 We thy distant joy would share. 
 
 Then we met thee home returning : 
 
 A stricken man, and worn, and weak ; 
 Fever in thy bosom burning, 
 
 Faint thy brow, and wan thy cheek. 
 
 Yet thine eye with ardor glistened, 
 
 As thou badst us all draw near ; 
 And to thy low words we listened, 
 
 Melting tales of woe to hear. 
 
 Dearest brother, thou hast taught us 
 
 By thy glowing lips and page, 
 Zeal, like His whose life-blood bought us, 
 
 Heathen sorrow to assuage. 
 
 Now again, thy spirit yearneth 
 
 O'er the pagan's fearful doom ; 
 And from home and kindred turneth, 
 
 To the lands of sin and gloom. 
 
 Go then, brother ; God is calling, 
 
 And thou know'st His welcome voice : 
 Go, though fast our tears are falling, 
 
 Yet in sorrow we rejoice. 
 
 Go, though we no more behold thee, 
 
 Till we meet in heaven above ; 
 God's own promise shall enfold thee 
 
 Safely in eternal love. 
 
 Go, for our weak hearts are growing 
 
 Closer to thee as we cling ; 
 Go, for bosoms overflowing, 
 
 Choke our accents as we sing. 
 
176 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 COPY OF VERSES SENT TO THE PARENTS OF MR. ABEEL SHORTLY 
 AFTER HIS DEPARTURE TO CHINA. 
 
 Art thou going again to the land where thy Lord, 
 
 Thy Redeemer, thy friend is unknown, unadored 1 
 
 Where the heathen bow down to the gods they have made, 
 
 And revile Him on whom their transgressions were laid 1 
 
 Thou hast taught, thou hast prayed in their midst, thou hast tried 
 
 To remove their delusion, enlighten, and guide 
 
 Their dark minds to Jesus — the strength and the shield 
 
 Of thy poor feeble frame in that far foreign field. 
 
 Say, art thou not awed by the fearful array 
 
 Of diseases and dangers that hedged up thy way — 
 
 That darkened thy prospects, induced thee to fear 
 
 Thy work was accomplished — thy end drawing near ? 
 
 Or say, doth thy Healer encourage thy heart — 
 
 Doth He promise assistance with grace to impart — 
 
 Doth He say that to Him all these kingdoms belong, 
 
 And the heathen's salvation shall yet be thy song % 
 
 That, redeemed from idolatry, many shall sit 
 
 The willing, the waiting, with thee at His feet, 
 
 And count it all glory, to labor and pray 
 
 That the kingdom of Christ may have absolute sway ? 
 
 Then go in His strength, in the mighty array 
 
 Of His word, and His Spirit : and Christians will pray 
 
 That the winds and the waves, while thy home is the deep, 
 
 May the vessel, thyself, and thy friends safely keep. 
 
 They are servants at will to thy God and thy guide, 
 
 To the God who thus far all thy need has supplied : 
 
 Who hath helped thee to sacrifice much, and whose grace 
 
 Is as ample as when he first said " Seek my face" — 
 
 With thy wants and thy weaknesses Jesus will bear, 
 
 What thou leavest and lovest, He'll take in his care, 
 
 E'en thy father and mother, in life's wintry day, 
 
 Shall find in His covenant, their strength and their stay. 
 
 Then go in His name, in His panoply clad, 
 
 And win for thy Master fresh jewels, to add 
 
 To His crown of rejoicing — Bright jewels to shine 
 
 In the kingdom of glory — His own home and thine. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 After a pleasant voyage, made under every 
 favorable circumstance, the Missionary Company 
 reached Canton on the 20th day of February, 1839. 
 Mr. Abeel had been absent from Canton for eight 
 years. Many great changes had occurred during 
 that time. His friend and former co-worker, Dr. 
 Morrison, the father of China missions, had been 
 taken to his last resting place. " I went on shore at 
 Macao/' he writes, " on Friday, and remained until 
 the next afternoon. The change to me was strik- 
 ing. Dr. Morrison lies slumbering in his last dor- 
 mitory, * where the wicked cease from troubling and 
 the weary are at rest.' I shall never again be 
 welcomed to his hospitable home upon earth ; but, 
 through grace, I trust he will be one to welcome me 
 to the mansions of our common Father, whence ' we 
 shall go no more out/ But though he has been 
 taken to a better world, others have taken his place 
 in this. Five missionaries of different denomina- 
 tions are now residing at Macao. Our reception at 
 Canton w r as most gratifying." 
 
 Among the many delightful evidences of the in- 
 creasing influence and usefulness of the missionary 
 work in this field, none affected him more favorably 
 
 8* 
 
178 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 than the operations of the hospital, under the care 
 of Dr. Parker. " Since my arrival, I have been in 
 the daily habit of visiting the hospital under Dr. 
 Parker, and spending an hour in that interesting in- 
 stitution. I am surprised at the crowds of patients 
 who visit it. Persons of all classes of society, even 
 the highest officers in this part of the country, have 
 sought and obtained medical and surgical aid from 
 the missionary. Its influence must be very salutary, 
 as it is certainly very extensive. It affords an op- 
 portunity, too, for private conversation on the truths 
 of Christianity. If those who have questioned the 
 propriety of medical practice among the heathen 
 were to pass a day in this hospital, they would be 
 impressed with the mercy of God in opening so 
 wide a door of usefulness to this guarded empire." 
 
 Mr. Abeel immediately recommenced the study 
 of the language, and was enabled to enter upon all 
 the duties of missionary life with energy, as the voy- 
 age had produced the usual effect of strengthening 
 his system, and increasing his bodily vigor. Al- 
 though the band of missionaries had increased, and 
 many important and beneficial changes had taken 
 place since his former residence in China, yet he 
 found the character of her inhabitants unaltered : 
 and his eye was pained, in beholding the same vain 
 and soul-destroying superstitions. 
 
 Owing to this increase of missionaries, there was 
 a greater amount of religious privileges than before. 
 In his journal, under date of March 4th, Mr. Abeel 
 notices the various means of grace enjoyed even in 
 this land of heathenism. "Yesterday was the first 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 179 
 
 Sabbath we have spent on shore since the middle of 
 October last. The scene has changed since I was 
 here before. Then a chaplain belonging to the East 
 India Company officiated in their chapel, and we 
 held a service in the dining-room of Talbot, Oliphant 
 & Go's residence. Now the Company's privileges 
 being annulled, its servants are dispersed, and the 
 missionaries occupy their chapel on the Sabbath. 
 The English service, or rather, parts of the Ameri- 
 can Episcopal service are read, and a sermon either 
 preached or read, according to the time which the 
 missionaries can spare from their other duties. A 
 very respectable auditory were present, and Mr. 
 Dickinson, from Singapore, preached the sermon. 
 He has frequently supplied the pulpit during his 
 visit, and his services have been very acceptable to 
 the foreign residents. In the afternoon at five, we 
 had a Bible class ; at which the professors of religion, 
 and a few others who are disposed to serious pur- 
 suits, usually are present. In the evening, as is the 
 custom here on the first Sabbath of every month, 
 the sacrament was administered in the mission 
 house. Eight partook of the emblems ; being dou- 
 ble the number that celebrated this feast, when I 
 resided here before. These, with a Thursday eve- 
 ning meeting for prayer, constitute the social privi- 
 leges of the place." 
 
 This was far different from his situation, when 
 among the benighted inhabitants of Siam he stood 
 alone, shut out from the enjoyment of all the public 
 ordinances of religion. 
 
 He had not labored long at Canton and Macao, 
 
180 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 before the whole operations of the missionaries were 
 impeded by the difficulties which arose between 
 Great Britain and China, in relation to the opium 
 trade. As to the justice or injustice of these diffi- 
 culties, and of the course of policy arising from 
 them, Mr. Abeel says but little, in his journal or 
 letters. While he considered the opium trade as 
 fraught with ruinous consequences to the bodies 
 and souls of the inhabitants of China, on the other 
 hand he deemed the war necessary to overcome the 
 prejudices, and destroy the exclusive policy of these 
 self-styled subjects of the " Son of Heaven." He 
 looked beyond political questions ; and saw in these 
 difficulties, the providence of God working great 
 results for good out of seeming evil, and causing the 
 wrath af man to praise him. Nor were his antici- 
 pations in regard to these things disappointed. This 
 is a most interesting point in the history of China, 
 as it develops at the same time the singular charac- 
 ter and policy of her inhabitants, and the move- 
 ments of the Divine hand, in opening a way that 
 this benighted kingdom might receive the Gospel of 
 life. Hence the greater part of this chapter will be 
 filled with extracts from the journal of Mr. Abeel, 
 describing these difficulties. His descriptions pos- 
 sess all the interest which are found in the journals 
 of those who are eye-witnesses, and careful observ- 
 ers of the great events of Providence : who observe 
 not from motives of worldly policy, but to learn the 
 will of God. We commence our extracts with the 
 notice of the events which produced the first oppor- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 181 
 
 tunity for the display of the belligerent feelings 
 which had so long existed between these nations. 
 
 "March 22. — A great excitement, mingled in 
 some minds with no small' degree of apprehension 
 for personal safety, prevails throughout the foreign 
 community. A commissioner invested with pleni- 
 potentiary powers from the Court of Pekin, arrived 
 in Canton several days ago, with the avowed and 
 apparently sincere intention of putting a perpetual 
 end to the opium traffic. It has grown to such a 
 frightful magnitude, and has so long eluded the laws 
 of the country, and set at defiance the edicts of the 
 Emperor, that now the power of the empire appears 
 to be summoned to crush it. All the opium ships 
 lying in the outside waters, are demanded to sur- 
 render their entire cargoes, some fifteen or twenty 
 thousand chests. This demand is made by the com- 
 missioner to the hong merchants; and the public 
 execution of two of them is threatened, in case of 
 any failure. For a few days these unfortunate, in- 
 nocent men have been a state of the greatest alarm 
 and agitation. They have never participated in the 
 trade, and never received the least consideration for 
 conniving at it. Indeed, it is questionable whether 
 their silence or non-interference can be interpreted 
 into a criminal connivance. Their business is lim- 
 ited to the trade within the custom-house districts. 
 But the opium traffic has been carried on, at least 
 by foreign ships, with which alone they are connect- 
 ed, beyond these limits. Besides, such is the custom 
 of the country, that it is said by the residents here, 
 the hong merchants are not at liberty to volunteer 
 
182 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 information on any subjects. When called up before 
 the authorities, they are expected to reply to ques- 
 tions, but permitted to say nothing farther. They 
 have been to see the merchants on several occasions, 
 and are represented as objects of real commisera- 
 tion. The opium, or much of it, belongs to persons 
 in other countries, and the merchants here say they 
 have no right to give it up. Yesterday the poor 
 hong merchants were in such distress, in dread of 
 the execution which was threatened this morning, 
 that the foreign merchants subscribed a thousand 
 and thirty-six chests of opium to appease the com- 
 missioner, and preserve their lives. What will be 
 the effect, we are all waiting to ascertain with no 
 small degree of interest. The hong merchants are 
 in the city, holding an interview with the viceroy ; 
 but it is scarcely possible, that one thousand chests 
 of opium, will be received as a substitute for fifteen 
 or twenty thousand, which the commissioner knows 
 is in the ships on the coast. If he persists in his 
 original demand, and especially if he proceeds to the 
 infliction of the threatened punishment, the mer- 
 chants will be compelled to surrender all. Indeed 
 even then, if one or two of these innocent men 
 should be first sacrificed, it is thought by some that 
 the giving up of the drug will be of no avail to for- 
 eigners. The mob, seeing men of reputation and 
 some standing in society delivered up as victims for 
 the crimes of foreigners, will break through all 
 restraints, as they came near doing a few months ago, 
 and make the lives of us all answer for the offence 
 of the guilty. The plea of foreigners who have 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 183 
 
 dealt in the drug, is, that the Chinese themselves 
 have participated largely in the contraband traffic — 
 that the officers, and some of the high officers of 
 the government, have derived large sums from its 
 profits — that they had reason to expect from the 
 petition of some of the greatest mandarins in the 
 empire, as well as the opinion of the hong merchants, 
 that it would have been legalized before the present 
 day — that it is impossible to carry on any commerce 
 with the Chinese, without infringing some of their 
 unreasonable laws, &c. &c. To-day we are all pre- 
 vented from leaving Canton. Several government 
 boats have taken their stations near the landing- 
 place, and while they allow foreigners to enter the 
 city, none are permitted to leave it. 
 
 " Our teachers on all such occasions are obliged to 
 keep aloof. Their engagements with us contravene 
 the laws of the country. Indeed we can scarcely 
 stir without stumbling over some absurd prohibition 
 or other. The commissioner has been informed 
 that the house of Oliphant & Co., in which I am 
 living, has maintained as decided an opposition to 
 the traffic, as their situation would allow. In his 
 public edicts he discriminated between the good and 
 bad foreigners, and professes to know the names of 
 all. Indeed there is no doubt of his having obtained 
 the most minute information, respecting the mer- 
 chants and their business. He knows there are men 
 here who understand the Chinese language. These 
 are all engaged in commercial affairs. Of Bridge- 
 man, Dr. Parker, and myself, he has probably not 
 been informed. The hospital will unquestionably 
 
184 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 come under his notice. But I must leave the future 
 to disclose its own events. ' The Lord reigns/ and 
 ' the gates of hell shall not prevail ' against His king- 
 dom." 
 
 This is the commencement of those difficulties, 
 which at last produced, or were a part of the causes 
 producing the war between England and China. 
 The whole course of it is developed in this journal, 
 and for this reason large extracts are published. 
 
 "March 23. — The excitement continues. A crowd 
 of inquisitive Chinese have spent the day in front 
 of the factories. The hong merchants, and several 
 of the high officers of the government, have been 
 passing many hours in one of the buildings in the 
 rear of us, endeavoring to persuade one of the prin- 
 cipal opium dealers to comply with the wishes or 
 commands of the commissioner, to meet him in the 
 city. The gentleman has refused to go without a 
 guarantee, under the seal of the commissioner, that 
 he shall be permitted to retire after the interview. 
 The hong merchants and officers are evidently 
 afraid to carry this reply to the commissioner, and 
 have consequently been employing all arguments 
 and appeals to change the purpose of the person in 
 demand. A company of four foreigners, one of 
 whom is connected with the same house with the 
 individual whose presence is required, have gone 
 into the city to bear the reply which the native of- 
 ficers were afraid to return to their superior, and to 
 answer such questions as the great man may feel 
 disposed to propose. We all wait with anxiety for 
 the result of the interview. It is now past nine 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 185 
 
 o'clock, lanterns are hung around the entrances of 
 all the foreign buildings, and the crowd which had 
 partly dispersed is again deepening. All commu- 
 nication is cut off. Foreigners are not allowed 
 even to approach the city. The place is evidently 
 under martial law. 
 
 " March 25. — The party who went into the city 
 were Very well treated, and returned about ten in 
 the evening. They did not see the commissioner, 
 and it is to be feared that their going gained no im- 
 portant point. The demand for Mr. Dent still con- 
 tinues. Yesterday, all the operations on the part 
 of the Chinese were suspended, in deference to our 
 opinions of the Sabbath. At least such was the 
 general impression, and the day passed quietly away 
 until about the middle of the afternoon, when the 
 scene suddenly changed ; and such a change, per- 
 haps, none have ever witnesed before in Canton. 
 Captain Elliott, the superintendent of the British 
 commission, hearing at Macao of the excitement 
 here, and the demand for one of her Majesty's sub- 
 jects, took his cutter and proceeded as far as one 
 of the forts near this city : when, leaving the cutter 
 at anchor, he embarked in a ship's boat, and forced 
 his way, against the opposition and threats of the 
 mandarin galleys, to the factories. The news spread 
 with great rapidity, and the boats and streets poured 
 forth their contents like swarms of bees from their 
 hives. The British flag was immediately hoisted. 
 Captain E. called upon all foreigners to stand by 
 him, and then went in full uniform to the residence 
 of Mr. Dent, and took him out, surrounded by Eng- 
 
186 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 lish and Americans, to the large British factory. 
 Very soon afterwards, though in compliance with 
 an order issued before this event was known in the 
 city, all the servants of the foreigners were com- 
 manded to leave their places. The approach to the 
 factories has been completely blocked up by officers 
 and soldiers at the corners of the streets opening 
 into the square ; and by solid rows of boats, pre- 
 venting all communication by the river. This 
 morning we were obliged to prepare our own break- 
 fast ; and until this order is revoked, we shall have 
 the pleasure of waiting upon each other and our- 
 selves. The object of the Chinese, is to starve or 
 annoy the foreign community into subservience to 
 the commands of the Emperor's minister. We 
 shall probably be able to endure the siege for many 
 weeks, having a pretty good supply of provisions, 
 and Parsee neighbors, who have their own servants, 
 and who evidently feel disposed to assist us. 
 
 " Matters are approaching a crisis. What will 
 be the denouement, none can tell ; Capt. Elliott is 
 resolved not to give up Mr. Dent, or any of the 
 opium, having received the latter under British pro- 
 tection. Last night he said he was going instantly 
 to demand passports for all English subjects, and all 
 others who would place themselves under their flag. 
 He would allow the Chinese government ten days, 
 after which he would interpret a refusal to grant 
 his request, into hostile intentions, and would act 
 accordingly. 
 
 " The square is perfectly clear, with the exception 
 of the officers and soldiers, who keep it so. I never 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 187 
 
 saw a mob assemble and disperse so hastily, as yes- 
 terday evening. Though their curiosity was greatly 
 excited, before we knew the cause, we saw them 
 scampering in every direction, as if they felt the 
 rocking of an earthquake, and feared immediate in- 
 humation. A few officers of government occasioned 
 this precipitate retreat : it shows their dread of the 
 civil authorities. 
 
 " Since I began to write the square has again 
 been the scene of great commotion. Numbers of 
 soldiers stationed in the boats, rushed out with their 
 spears, and, as usual, made a great noise. Two 
 Englishmen, under a Dutch chop or passport, came 
 from Macao, and after many detentions succeeded 
 in reaching Canton. The streets are said to be 
 again open, if indeed they were shut at all ; for re- 
 ports are numerous and contradictory. Our Chi- 
 nese studies are in a great measure suspended. 
 The teachers are not allowed to approach us, and 
 everything is in a state of excitement and expecta- 
 tion. The 121st Psalm presented itself in the course 
 of private reading this morning. This is quite 
 enough for personal safety, and the security and 
 increase of the church are equally promised. 
 
 "April I. — The changes of the weather at this 
 season are as sudden as in America. The variation 
 is not so great, but its effects are quite as trying. 
 As soon as the wind comes in from the north you 
 perceive the difference ; and until its return to the 
 south or west, invalids especially with weak or dis- 
 eased lungs, must expect to suffer. As in Amer- 
 ica, three or four days generally exhausts the 
 
188 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 strength of the wind, and the chilliness of the at- 
 mosphere. These changes are very common in 
 the spring ; but when the monsoon changes, about 
 the close of this month, the weather becomes per- 
 manently hot. 
 
 "May 16. — Several changes since the last date. 
 The commissioner promised, upon the delivery of 
 the opium, forgiveness for all past offences and the 
 full enjoyment of former privileges. The first was 
 specified, the last implied, if not declared. Instead 
 of fulfilling this part of his agreement, he has de- 
 tained sixteen men, whom he supposes to be the 
 leading opium dealers, but some of whom have never 
 partaken in the trade, as hostages, until the drug 
 is surrendered. Several of these gentlemen have 
 been ordered to leave Canton never to return. The 
 rest are expecting the same ejectment. A new law 
 has been promulgated, threatening confiscation and 
 death to every foreigner who shall engage in smug- 
 gling the drug. There are two serious objections 
 to this law. The Chinese system of suretyship, or 
 mutual responsibility, involves the innocent with the 
 guilty — their mode of trial is exceedingly exception- 
 able, as past experience has proved — and they are 
 constantly committing egregious mistakes in their 
 transactions with foreigners. They have misjudged 
 with regard to several of the sixteen whom they are 
 holding in Canton. A few months ago, it was with 
 the greatest difficulty that an innocent gentlemen 
 could extricate himself from the most serious em- 
 barrassments, occasioned by a remote resemblance 
 in the name. Their language is so different from 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 189 
 
 ours, that here they are liable to constant errors. In 
 this case the officers of government were so bent 
 upon expelling the one whom they mistook for the 
 offender, that the hong merchants came and besought 
 him to acknowledge the crime, and submit to the 
 penalty. So much for Chinese justice. 
 
 a A very perplexing mistake has been committed 
 in the returns of the opium. The merchants who 
 held the drug, gave in to the English Superintendent 
 the amount of 20,000 chests, and upwards ; which 
 now proves to be some two or three thousand chests 
 more than the smuggling ships contained. From 
 the manifest absence of reason and justice in the 
 Chinese authorities, there is no possibility of con- 
 vincing them of the error. The opium which ar- 
 rived since, has been employed to supply the defi- 
 ciency, and yet some hundreds are lacking. These 
 will probably arrive before long." 
 
 This number of chests was finally obtained and 
 delivered to the commissioner, who destroyed them. 
 
 "Augusta. — About a month ago, a Chinaman 
 was killed at Hong-Kong, in an affray with some 
 English sailors. The men have been tried, and some 
 of them sentenced to imprisonment by a court com- 
 posed of British subjects. It was impossible to as- 
 certain who gave the fatal blow, and it was very 
 certain that no malice prepense could have existed. 
 The commissioner, ignorant of what the English 
 have done, or determined to have his own way, has 
 issued an edict, demanding the murderer. The 
 Chinese servants in the English houses, are ordered 
 to withdraw within three days, and threatened with 
 
190 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 execution, if they disobey. The consequence is, 
 there is great excitement among the English. Many 
 are apprehensive that a man of their number will be 
 seized as a substitute for the guilty sailor. Some 
 of them are embarking on board the ships. The 
 edict of the day before yesterday, was an order, not 
 only for the immediate withdrawal of the servants, 
 but also for the stopping of supplies. The reasons 
 assigned were not simply the murder, but some of 
 the old grievances ; principally the refusal of the 
 British merchants, either to send their ships to 
 Whampoa for trade, or to send them out of the Chi- 
 nese waters. A discrimination is made between the 
 English, and the other foreign Barbarians, which is 
 a new feature in Chinese policy. This, however, 
 must in a great measure defeat their object ; as they 
 cannot well distinguish between them, and if they 
 could, they could not prevent the one from assisting 
 the other.'' 
 
 The events recorded under the last date and in 
 the ensuing extracts, occurred at Macao, whither 
 Mr. Abeel had removed from Canton. 
 
 "August 28. — We have been passing through 
 scenes of great excitement. After the removal of 
 the Chinese servants from the English families, the 
 Portuguese were engaged as substitutes ; and for a 
 day or two the inconvenience was not very great. 
 The commissioner, finding that they could purchase 
 as freely as the Chinese, and that his object had been 
 defeated, limited the supplies that were brought to 
 market ; and challenged or watched the purchasers. 
 But soon finding that he could not distinguish the 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 191 
 
 servants of the English, from those of the Portu- 
 guese, or even fror^the poorer class of Portuguese, 
 he directed an edict to the Portuguese themselves 
 commanding them to withdraw from the service of 
 the English ; and menacing them with the stoppage 
 of provisions, if they refused. Captain Elliott waited 
 to see that this was likely to be executed ; and then, 
 with the members of the commission, retired to 
 Hong-Kong. It was hoped that this would pacify 
 the commissioner ; but scarcely had a day inter- 
 vened, before the Portuguese governor received of- 
 ficial notice, that if the English did not deliver up 
 the murderer, or instantly leave the place, a band 
 of some thousands of soldiers would be let loose 
 upon them. This left no alternative to the subjects 
 of her Britannic majesty. They all prepared to take 
 a hasty departure. The following day was fixed for 
 their embarkation. But 'the decree was so hasty/ 
 that, that very night, the governor received word 
 that the English houses would be attacked by the 
 Chinese soldiers before morning. 
 
 " The governor is a soldier by profession ; and his 
 reply was, that the English were preparing to leave 
 the place, and if an attack was made he would re- 
 pel it with his utmost force. It was the Sabbath 
 night. Of course the calmness of the day had been 
 greatly interrupted. The moon shone brilliantly, 
 and disclosed almost every object in the surround- 
 ing regions. The soldiers were called out, the Por- 
 tuguese inhabitants and the foreign merchants armed 
 themselves. The governor spent the night in the 
 Monte fort, which arises over our house ; and when 
 
192 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 the morning returned, we found that the guns had 
 been ready to perform their aw#d work. The Chi- 
 nese, if they seriously meditated an attack, doubtless 
 saw that it would be hazarding too much. The 
 succeeding day witnessed the departure of nearly 
 all who bore the British name. My host, who, by 
 the way, since the troubles, has become my guest, 
 was obliged to depart. The dwelling had been 
 transferred to me, and now passed as an American 
 house. Whether this transfer has been acknowl- 
 edged by the Chinese authorities, is a question of 
 which there has been a diversity of opinions. Up 
 to the time of the threatened attack, it remained 
 very doubtful ; although, as we have not been dis- 
 turbed, we have reason to believe it is recognized as 
 American. Two other English ladies, on account 
 of ill health, have been obliged to remain on shore. 
 They are both living in American houses." 
 
 " November 4. — Yesterday there was a naval en- 
 gagement between the two English vessels that are 
 here, and a fleet of Chinese war junks. The com- 
 missioner issued threats of expulsion to the English 
 who had recently returned to Macao, and extinction 
 to the English fleet at Hong-Kong, by means of 
 fire-boats. The ships of war went to the Bogue to 
 demand of the commissioner the withdrawal of 
 these threats, and to inform him of their intention 
 in case of a refusal. While lying at anchor not far 
 from the Bogue, waiting a reply from the commis- 
 sioner, the Chinese Admiral sent a request to Capt. 
 Smith of the Volage, to change his position to an- 
 other which he specified. The reasons which he 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 193 
 
 assigned, induced Captain S. to accord with his 
 wishes. The ships removed some distance, and 
 anchored. Soon after, the Chinese fleet, consisting 
 of nine and twenty junks, bore down upon the frig- 
 ate and sloop, and almost surrounded them. Capt. 
 Smith sent them word that this was very incorrect, 
 — that he had complied with their request in re- 
 moving— -and that now, he must demand of them to 
 leave him immediately, or he should feel himself 
 under the necessity of opening a fire upon them. 
 This message being entirely disregarded, and the re- 
 quest to the commissioner having been returned 
 sealed, the ships weighed anchor, and commenced 
 the work of destruction. The fire was returned by 
 the Chinese, and they acted with great bravery ; 
 but their resistance was of no account. Two of 
 their boats were sunk — one blew up — and several 
 ran on shore. Hundreds of poor creatures were 
 destroyed, while the English lost not a soul. Not 
 an individual was even wounded. The mast of the 
 Hyacinth, the sloop of war, was split ; but no other 
 damage was sustained. They might have destroyed 
 all, but mercy triumphed. The Chinese are silent. 
 They say the fates are against them. 
 
 * On the day before yesterday, one or two parties 
 were attacked at Kow-Loon, near Hong-Kong, 
 having gone on shore for exercise. Two men were 
 wounded. We hear there has been a skirmishing 
 since, but the rumor is vague. The ships have gone 
 to Hong-Kong. May He who rides upon the whirl- 
 wind and directs the storm, overrule these sad events 
 
 9 
 
194 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 to the speedy establishment of universal peace in 
 the world. 
 
 "November 10. — The cool weather which set in 
 with the month, lasted only a few days ; since which 
 it has been sufficiently warm to be agreeable. The 
 atmosphere is delightfully pure, although occasion- 
 ally we have a cloudy day, and a little rain. No 
 farther news." 
 
 "February 5, 1840. — I am often out among the 
 Fokien part of the population, talking to them about 
 the true religion. Generally the reception is very 
 good. They are a frank, lively, unsuspicious, hos- 
 pitable race. They gather round, and listen at 
 times with interest ; although, very frequently, they 
 evidently care very little about what is said. A 
 few days ago, I entered a hut in the fields, where the 
 owner was employed weighing out driblets of opium, 
 to poor miserable objects, who could only afford to 
 purchase a few cash worth at the time. There is 
 much reason to believe its use is very prevalent. 
 
 u Yesterday, the priests in a Budh temple ap- 
 proached very near where we were standing, and 
 went through their mummeries as if no one was 
 present. The day before several laymen expressed 
 the same shamelessness in the worship of their dumb 
 idols. Mahommedans I have seen do the same. 
 
 "February 11. — Weather fine and healthful, nei- 
 ther too warm nor cold. 
 
 " To-day, in our rounds among the natives, we 
 entered a house in the fields, where thev were smok- 
 ing opium. Being very poor, they could not afford 
 to smoke expensively, and hence could consume 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 195 
 
 only between one and two cents worth at the time. 
 Two of them were lying down, as is their custom, 
 one of whom very fearlessly prepared his pipe, and 
 indulged himself in our presence. Vain are all the 
 threats of government. The menace of death itself 
 does not alarm them. In the company was a young 
 man of twenty-five, whose complexion and eyes and 
 teeth all gave infallible signs of the powerfully dele- 
 terious influence of the drug. He said he had been 
 addicted to the habit several years ; and wished to 
 know whether I had any medicine, which would as- 
 sist him to overcome the effects of abandoning its 
 use. His appearance w r as prepossessing ; and the 
 facility with which he spoke three of the dialects of 
 the language, deeply interested me in his case. I 
 spoke to them of the evils of the vice, and endeav- 
 ored to impress upon them the grand truths of 
 Christianity. In two or three other houses we were 
 received with so much cordiality, and they listened 
 with so much apparent animation and intelligence 
 to what was said about their eternal interests, that 
 I felt encouraged. In one house, several women 
 opposed us by all the arguments they could muster, 
 in favor of their idolatries. 
 
 " The Catholic priests appear to enter the country 
 and return at pleasure. We often see strange faces 
 among them ; and then they disappear, as if there 
 was a constant tide setting into the empire and re- 
 turning. Yesterday, two of them were seen com- 
 ing from within, in Chinese clothes, and with a gun 
 on the shoulder of one of them. When shall we be 
 able thus to enter ?" 
 
196 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 "June 5. — Last evening, commenced a social 
 meeting for the Chinese. Five were present — four 
 strangers, and my teacher. They read understand- 
 ing^, and appeared to comprehend perfectly all 
 my explanations. Oh, for the Lord's presence and 
 blessing." 
 
 " July 20. — In the evening I went out among the 
 people, and some of them spoke lightly of the name 
 of Jesus. I endeavored to reprove them, and rea- 
 son with them ; but my own inability to impress 
 them, and the carnality of their minds, appeared so 
 exceedingly great, that I felt that a lively faith is 
 indispensable in such a work. Other minor trials 
 have been added to the above, to wean me from 
 self — from any inordinate dependence upon others — 
 from the world — and to fix my eye and heart upon 
 Him who is with us alway. 
 
 u 27. — This morning, in passing without one of 
 the city gates on my way to the sea-shore, I saw a 
 woman almost in the path I was pursuing, with 
 some one lying near her, apparently asleep. As I 
 approached her, she manifested signs of deep grief, 
 and I then thought that the object lying near her 
 was a sick child. On coming up to the spot, I per- 
 ceived that the lad was lying as though in a very 
 gentle sleep — rather pale, but not emaciated. The 
 woman's sorrow induced me to examine him ; when, 
 to my surprise, I found that life was extinct. His 
 body was very warm, and my conclusion was that 
 he had just expired. The grief of the mother be- 
 came very great, when I told her that he was dead. 
 My own heart sank within me at her deplorable 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 197 
 
 condition. I could offer her no relief. Indeed I 
 could scarcely understand a word of her dialect. 
 There was no indication of much poverty, either in 
 her dress, or that of her deceased child. On my 
 return, I found them engaged in their superstitious 
 rites — burning tapers — covering the body with gold 
 and silver paper — and offering fruits to the departed 
 spirit. The father, and another fine looking child, 
 were then present. The poor mother was dressing 
 the body of her eldest son (as she called him), with 
 a bleeding heart, for his interment. The coffin was 
 brought before I left the scene. Oh, the horrors of 
 heathenism ! — the ignorance of everything spiritual 
 — the absence of everything consolatory. 
 
 "August 10. — Yesterday we heard definitely — - 
 what rumor had whispered a day before — that Mr. 
 Stanton had been seized, and was at Canton. We 
 thank God that he has not perished, and pray that 
 he may be yet restored unto us. As far as we can 
 gather from the Chinese, he was seized by six men ; 
 led on by the petty officer who was promoted for 
 burning the Spanish vessel Bilbaino, and for destroy- 
 ing several of the crew of the Black Joke. He 
 had been watching a good opportunity two days. 
 Whether Mr. Stanton resisted or not w^ cannot 
 tell ; although he was seen at Tae Peng, at half-past 
 five in the evenin*g, wounded in the head, and his 
 clothes stained with blood. His hands were tied 
 behind him, and he appeared very languid. He had 
 neither hat, stockings, nor shoes. The following 
 day he was taken to Canton ; and was soon after- 
 ward brought before many of the high officers of 
 
198 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 government — the hong merchants and others — and 
 underwent a course of questioning which lasted 
 about six or seven hours. The questions were on 
 very many subjects, and very minutely on some of 
 them. He answered with great candor and intre- 
 pidity. They began by asking of what country he 
 was. He replied of England. For what object did 
 you come ? As a teacher. To whom ? To Mrs. 
 Turner's family. Why did you remain after she 
 returned ? To teach the Gospel. Mr. S. gave a 
 brief outline of its precepts and doctrines. Upon 
 which, the Kwan Chow Foo, endeavoring to frighten 
 him, said that all this was a mere fabrication : that 
 he had secretly inquired, and ascertained that he 
 was engaged in the opium traffic. Turning to the 
 hong merchants, he asked whether they were not 
 aware that he dealt in opium. They all replied that 
 he was not a merchant, but was what he professed 
 to be. Then, said the inquirer, you are guilty of a 
 high misdemeanor in attempting to propagate a cor- 
 rupt religion, and are liable to punishment accord- 
 ing to law. He then asked, Are there other English 
 at Macao? Yes, many. This created much ex- 
 citement, and many whispers ; it having been offi- 
 cially reported that all the English had been driven 
 from Macao. They inquired about his opinion of 
 the opium trade, w r hich he did not hesitate to give 
 them. 
 
 " They were very particular in their interroga- 
 tions respecting the English expedition ; their num- 
 ber — their object in coming — why they had taken 
 Chusan — fired on Amoy and captured the junks. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 199 
 
 " Whether from the fearlessness of his manner, or 
 the boldness of his replies, or some other cause, they 
 tried to terrify him. They threatened him with 
 torture ; to which he replied that they might take 
 his life — it was of very little consequence — and he 
 had no dread of dying — but that such an act would 
 expose them to a fearful retribution from his coun- 
 trymen, who w r ould now demand him as soon as 
 they heard where he was, and would probably take 
 the forts if he was not surrendered. The Chinese 
 who heard the examination were astonished at his 
 courage. They said, * he had very strong heart ' — 
 ' he no fear that mandarin. 5 Our last reports are, 
 that he is in a pretty comfortable situation — has 
 changes of garments allowed — fowls to eat — attend- 
 ance, and Chinese books to read. 
 
 " August 19. — A memorable day for Macao. We 
 have witnessed an engagement between the English 
 and the Chinese ; if it be an engagement when the 
 fighting is almost all on one side — which lasted from 
 about two p. m. to five. Captain Smith, who has 
 charge of her Britannic majesty's forces here, de- 
 manded the release of Mr. Stanton from the Portu- 
 guese governor, on whose territory — understood to 
 be neutral ground, and where the English would be 
 protected — he had been seized. The authorities of 
 the place immediately applied to the To Tae, the 
 officer appointed by the Chinese to conduct business 
 with the Portuguese ; and the To Tae proceeded in 
 person to Canton, to intercede for Mr. Stanton. 
 Two days ago he returned, not only without effect- 
 ing his object, but with a reinforcement of soldiers, 
 
200 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 for the express purpose of seizing all the English 
 they could. Upon the best authority, it was ascer- 
 tained that some thousands of soldiers were to be 
 here soon, with a high Chinese military officer at 
 their head, to aid in seizing and fighting the English. 
 Captain Smith had an interview with the governor 
 last evening, and the latter promised that he would 
 not interfere, should Capt. S. attack the soldiers at 
 the barrier and in the adjacent temple. Two sloops 
 anchored at less than half a mile from the place, and 
 opened their batteries upon the fort at the barrier. 
 The fire was returned for a short time and then 
 ceased. At about three or half-past three o'clock 
 the troops landed — probably two hundred and fifty 
 or three hundred of them — and after firing several 
 volleys from a field-piece, which was scarcely an- 
 swered, they proceeded to the barrier ; and finding 
 none or very few Chinese there, immediately took 
 possession of it and kept up a sharp fire for a while, 
 apparently upon the war junks near. There was a 
 great deal of firing upon the temple and the war 
 junks, although both were almost entirely protected 
 by an intervening hill. The people and soldiers ran 
 in almost every direction, scarcely offering any 
 resistance. The Chinese say that they were not 
 prepared to fight, their powder being in another 
 place, and their officers being greatly alarmed. Af- 
 ter burning the lodgings at the barrier, and blowing 
 up some of the buildings, the troops re-embarked. 
 The greatest confusion prevailed among the Chinese. 
 They made off as fast as possible from the neighbor- 
 ing villages, carrying their valuable articles with 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 201 
 
 them. The cries of the women and children, and 
 their attempts to flee, were distressing. Oh, the hor- 
 rors of war ! We w T ere on a neighboring hill, and 
 had a good view of the engagement. 
 
 u August 20. — This afternoon we walked out to 
 the scene of conflict. Never have the Chinese ap- 
 peared so civil, indeed, so deferential. We passed 
 through the barrier on ground seldom trodden by- 
 European or American feet, meeting with no resist- 
 ance — not a soldier to be seen. The uniform testi- 
 mony of the Chinese is, that not more than six were 
 killed. The authority is too good to be questioned : 
 our own friends and servants living near the spot, 
 affirming the same. The reason is obvious. They 
 soon fled from the barrier, where they were screened 
 by battlements of sand, which no ball could pene- 
 trate : and the temple, and the junks, and the shore 
 on the inner harbor were nearly all protected by a 
 central swell of land extending over almost all the 
 space at which they directed their fires. The tem- 
 ple was hit in only one or two places ; but the 
 buildings at the barrier were nearly demolished. 
 Five or seven-and-twenty guns (I have forgotten 
 which) were spiked — seventeen of them command- 
 ing the ships ; but as they were not on wheels so as 
 to be drawn behind the banks of sand, the soldiers 
 preferred running to exposing themselves to the fire 
 of the ships. 
 
 " A letter from Canton, about our dear brother 
 Stanton, states that while he has enough to eat and 
 clothes to wear, he complains much of the noise. 
 We fear from this, he is in apartments in the com- 
 
 9* 
 
202 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 mon prison, and that these are the noises of the poor 
 depraved prisoners." 
 
 "September 10. — For two or three weeks, or per- 
 haps more, there has been a very perceptible change 
 in the weather. The nights have been cooler, and 
 no part of the day quite so hot as before. It is still 
 very warm, especially when there is little or no 
 wind, which has been the case lately. The atmos- 
 phere is hazy, having the appearance of Indian sum- 
 mer in America. 
 
 "All quiet. No news from our captive friend. 
 None from the north." 
 
 " October 23. — We hear to-day, through a Catho- 
 lic priest, that an Italian missionary had been put to 
 death by the express command of the Emperor. The 
 one they have in prison at Canton has been cruelly 
 treated. Of Stanton we hear nothing." 
 
 "December 12. — This evening, our beloved friend 
 and brother Stanton was restored to us. Thanks to 
 Him who ruleth in the heavens." 
 
 These last entries conclude Mr. Abeel's journal 
 in reference to the opium war. It was not brought 
 to an end until months after this date ; but he was 
 called to leave the scene of excitement, and perform 
 a missionary tour to the different islands of the 
 Eastern Archipelago. His journals and letters, 
 however, allude to its termination, and describe the 
 important consequences arising from it — conse- 
 quences which operated in deciding the future posi- 
 tion of the missionary, and greatly increasing his 
 usefulness. 
 
 We see but few remarks of a strictly religious 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 203 
 
 nature in the journal, as it is purely historical in its 
 character. But we have a full record of his spiritual 
 exercises during this time ; and one point is remark- 
 able, that amidst all the tumults, excitements, and 
 changes connected with and arising from these hos- 
 tilities, he was undisturbed in his religious feelings. 
 His communion with God was as calm as though 
 every external event was propitious. He had striven 
 long and prayerfully to acquire the ability to live 
 above the influence of temporal changes ; and in 
 some degree, and, it would seem in a great degree, 
 he had succeeded. One would scarcely judge of his 
 position as being in the midst of all the excitement 
 and uncertainty of war, by reading the accounts of 
 his feelings as described at this time in his diary. 
 His uninterrupted and quiet enjoyment, is a beauti- 
 ful exemplification of the precious elevating influ- 
 ence which faith exerts in the soul ; leading man to 
 live as seeing Him who is invisible, and to realize 
 the strength of the Almighty arm on which he 
 leans. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 According to previous arrangement, and in pur- 
 suance of the advice of the American Board of 
 Missions, Mr. Abeel prepared to visit the different 
 islands of the Eastern Archipelago. He designed 
 especially to examine the field at Borneo, where the 
 denomination with which he was connected had 
 established missionary stations. As the difficulties 
 between Great Britain and China had not yet termi- 
 nated, a favorable opportunity was afforded him to 
 engage in this service without injury to the interests 
 of the field he had left. In company with Mr. and 
 Mrs. Brown, who had been laboring with him in the 
 Chinese mission, he sailed for Singapore, where he 
 arrived the last of April, 1841. 
 
 During the voyage, he found the usual delight 
 and enjoyment in the solitude and silence of the 
 ocean. These seasons of rest not only strengthened 
 his physical powers, but also quickened his spiritual 
 graces, by the undisturbed opportunities for reflec- 
 tion and devotion thus afforded. He writes : — 
 
 " This is the third Sabbath we have spent at sea 
 on the way to Singapore. The change has been 
 profitable to me, for I enjoy the sea, when I can 
 have a place to myself. I love to trace the constel- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 205 
 
 lations, and have the mind expanded by the magnifi- 
 cence of Jehovah's works. What conceptions are 
 we thus enabled to obtain of the character of our 
 God and Savior ! My faith is sometimes staggered, 
 but why should it be ? His love is equal to His 
 power. The more I am overwhelmed with His glo- 
 rious majesty, the more ought I to be satisfied with 
 His infinite love/' 
 
 At Singapore, Mr. Abeel found a home in the 
 house of Mr. Keasbury, one of his own spiritual 
 children, and a missionary of the London society. 
 He remained here, (with the exception of one month 
 spent at Malacca) until September. He preached 
 the Gospel at Singapore during his visit, every Sab- 
 bath, both in the Chinese and English languages. 
 He was invited to occupy the pulpit of the Eng- 
 lish Chapel, w T hich was then without a regular 
 preacher ; and performed all the duties acceptably 
 and usefully. In this place, it will be remembered, 
 he had in former days been very successful in win- 
 ning souls ; and now the people were ready and 
 anxious to hear the word of life again from his lips. 
 If we may judge of the character of his public ser- 
 vices by his personal experience at this time, we 
 may suppose that he was deeply spiritual in his 
 preaching ; for we have records in his diary, of sea- 
 sons of peculiar enjoyment and engagedness in the 
 Master's service. He surely must have communi- 
 cated some of these feelings to those to whom he 
 preached Jesus. He writes, — 
 
 "July 25. — A day of spiritual life. For more 
 than a week I have been dwelling on the inexhausti- 
 
206 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 ble 1st chapter of Ephesians, particularly the third, 
 fourth, and fifth verses. How near it brings God to 
 the soul, to think, that before the foundation of the 
 world He had us in His unchangeable purposes pre- 
 destinated unto the adoption of children by Jesus 
 Christ unto Himself; and that all the spiritual bless- 
 ings we now enjoy, are in accordance with this de- 
 cree. Oh, how holy and blameless should I be be- 
 fore Him in love. To-day I have been sitting at the 
 feet of the heavenly- minded Fletcher, hearing his 
 last words, and attending his death-bed. How glo- 
 rious heaven appeared." 
 
 " August 1. — A week of more than ordinary spir- 
 ituality. To-day, though tried by feelings of bodily 
 discomfort, I was mercifully assisted in preaching 
 the everlasting Gospel to a large and attentive audi- 
 ence. 
 
 " August 15. — Have been struggling for more life. 
 I long to get up to the height which Fletcher calls 
 a trifling acquisition ; ■ so to hang upon God by 
 faith, as to feel no departure from him, and no ris- 
 ing in the heart against him.' Of the latter, I am 
 not sensible ; but if insensibility is wandering, I can- 
 not speak thus of the former." 
 
 " September 12. — There is a life, which, like some 
 of the richest mines, lies far beneath. It is delight- 
 ful to be in a lively and spiritual frame of mind ; but 
 it is important to know that the work of grace can 
 go on with great power when we ' walk in darkness 
 and see no light,' or when * the fig-tree does not blos- 
 som ;' or even when it appears as though God means 
 to slay us. Submission to the divine will — humbling 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 207 
 
 the soul before God — laboring to subjugate all its 
 evil thoughts and feelings — striving to cultivate holy- 
 tempers and affections, such as forgiveness, forbear- 
 ance, fervent love to others, disinterested and ex- 
 pansive kindness to all,* and every mode of self- 
 denial which can withdraw the soul from sensible 
 objects, lay it low in the dust, and make Christ all 
 and in all in its estimation — are far more conducive 
 to sanctification, than a more joyous frame of mind, 
 or a longing after the ' rest that remaineth.' While 
 the Spirit is purging the corruptions or restoring the 
 disorder of the heart, there cannot be uniform happi- 
 ness. Faith in an Almighty, all-sufficient Savior, 
 will keep the soul in peace ; but the struggle at 
 times will be severe, and the power of the enemy 
 within, will take away comfort if it ctnnot hope. 
 God too will at times withdraw a lively sense of his 
 presence, that he may teach us our total dependence 
 and other important lessons. At least such are His 
 usual dealings until the worst enemies are subdued, 
 and there is a good degree of conformity to the will 
 of Christ." 
 
 In October, Mr. Abeel visited his brethren at 
 Borneo. His heart was greatly encouraged and 
 refreshed at beholding laborers from his own land 
 and of his own denomination, who were striving to 
 fight against and overcome every difficulty which 
 met them in their peculiarly arduous field, and to 
 plant the standard of the cross on this benighted 
 island. In letters written to the United States at 
 this time, he alludes to this visit, and to the work 
 in which these brethren were engaged. 
 
208 MEMOIR OP DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 " Pontianak, Borneo j Oct. 20, 1841. 
 u I commence this letter as you perceive, on this 
 most benighted island. It has been a great gratifi- 
 cation to spend nearly a fortnight with the beloved 
 brethren here. I did not anticipate leaving them 
 so soon, but I find myself affected by the climate, 
 and there is no certainty when another ship will go 
 to Singapore. I came first to Sambas, where Bro- 
 ther Doty spent a long time. I knew before leaving 
 Singapore that he had gone to Pontianak, but as no 
 vessel offered for that port, I took this opportunity, 
 knowing that the places were not far distant, and 
 there must be constant communication between 
 them. We were most kindly received and hospi- 
 tably entertained by the acting president, who sent 
 us in a gov?rnment prow to Pontianak. Borneo is 
 quite a new scene, a place suited to the character 
 of the men who inhabit it. At the Dutch stations 
 there is some appearance of civilization, but other 
 parts are wild indeed. With the exception of Mrs. 
 Youngblood, who feels the effects of the climate, 
 they are all in good health. The' field is very dif- 
 ferent from China. The inhabitants, J mean the 
 Aborigines, are almost as degraded as their nature 
 will admit of ; they are not numerous, and do not 
 live in compact towns. Where the missionaries 
 now are there are no Dyaks. They have a Chinese 
 and a Malay school, but hope, when their number is 
 increased, to give their principal attention to the 
 Dyaks, who reside farther in the interior. Their 
 own journals in the Missionary Herald will give 
 you the best information respecting . the country 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 209 
 
 and its inhabitants. I wish they had a couple of 
 well educated young physicians, to go with them 
 when they feel strong enough to take up their line 
 of march in the interior." 
 
 "Singapore, Nov. 3, 1841. 
 
 " I have just returned jrom a visit to Borneo. 
 Myself and a young brother missionary took pas- 
 sage in a native vessel, commanded and sailed by 
 Bugis and Malays, and went first to Sambas, one of 
 the Dutch settlements, and thence to Pontianak, the 
 station of our missionaries. Much of this island 
 has the appearance of extreme wildness. As we 
 passed up and down the large rivers, it scarcely 
 seemed, a part of the way, as if any human being 
 had preceded us. The jungle encroached upon the 
 banks of the rivers ; and, but for the sparseness of 
 the forest trees in some places, we should have had 
 no evidence of the presence of man. We were 
 greatly amused and entertained, at the number and 
 variety of monkeys, and especially at their adven- 
 turous gambols. The Dutchmen treated us with 
 great kindness, and after entertaining us several 
 days at Sambas, sent us in a government boat to 
 Pontianak. The coast is so infested with pirates, 
 that it is not safe to venture in an unarmed vessel. 
 The most numerous of these pirates are in pursuit 
 of human heads. They go forth sometimes by 
 thousands, and woe to all who are not prepared to 
 resist them. A Dutch schooner of war had an en- 
 counter with a large fleet of their prows just before 
 our arrival ; and by the aid of a well-managed 
 
210 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 eighteen-pounder, destroyed several of them, and 
 put the rest to flight. You can easily fancy my 
 pleasure in meeting a number of my old friends in 
 this distant, desolate island. One of the families 
 had left the place a few months before, on account 
 of the illness of Mrs. Nevius ; but all the rest were 
 well and happy. Perhaps I should except Mrs. 
 Youngblood, whose health is not as good as we 
 could wish. Borneo has every appearance of a 
 missionary field. It would soon prove fatal to all 
 missionary romance. The missionaries are hoping 
 soon to advance in the interior, and fix themselves 
 among the Dyaks. I visited one of their villages. 
 They certainly need all our help to raise them from 
 their extreme degradation, and restore to them the 
 consciousness of their rational and immortal nature. 
 Let us always remember those self-denying laborers, 
 who have cheerfully attempted such a work of faith, 
 and patience, and extreme toil. I very soon found 
 that the low, damp soil of Pontianak would not suit 
 my delicate lungs ; and having fulfilled my errand, 
 I took passage in a Bujis prow, and returned to this 
 place." 
 
 After remaining for a short time at Singapore on 
 his return from Borneo, he embarked for Macao, 
 which place he reached on the 21st day of Decem- 
 ber, after having been absent nine months. 
 
 Under date of January 1st, he reviews his labors 
 and the course of events during the past year. 
 
 " The greater part of the past year was spent in 
 other places; visiting Singapore, Malacca, and Bor- 
 neo. I have suffered in health, and realized that 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 211 
 
 life was very uncertain. The blessed Spirit has, I 
 trust, been carrying on his work, but I am distressed 
 to find how much remains to be done. I want my 
 inmost soul regulated by the spirit of holiness. 
 
 ' Jesus, if mine indeed thou art, 
 Give me Thy meek and lowly mind, 
 And stamp Thine image on my heart.' — 
 
 The circular issued by the missionaries at China 
 will show what events had occurred during Mr. 
 Abeel's absence. It is inserted because it continues 
 the history of the mission — affords an interesting 
 view of affairs — and expresses the anticipations of 
 the brethren concerning the results of the war, 
 founded on the promises of Divine revelation, which 
 were afterwards partially realized. 
 
 " Macao, January 1, 1842. 
 
 " The near approach of the appointed time for 
 the promulgation of the Gospel in China, we think, 
 was never so clearly indicated by the signs of the 
 times as at present. We seem to be on the eve of 
 a new era, when the barrier against ingress to this 
 empire must fall. Those who have ruled here for 
 near two centuries, and who always have been 
 more or less inimical to the religion of Jesus, must 
 soon either grant free intercourse, or allow the reins 
 of government to be wrested from their hands. Af- 
 ter the violent rupture in March 1839, conciliatory 
 measures were pursued toward this government for 
 a long time, but without any good results. Settle 
 the existing difficulties on any just principles, this 
 
212 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 government would not. If, as some think, her Bri- 
 tannic majesty's plenipotentiaries erred on the score 
 of pliancy, by receding too far from the high ground 
 which they had a right to take, yet certain it is, 
 that by their so doing, the very worst features of 
 the Chinese government were more fully developed. 
 After many months had been occupied in vain at- 
 tempts to negotiate, it became clear to every ob- 
 server, that, in order to lay the foundation for free 
 and friendly intercourse with this nation, on safe 
 and honorable terms, such as are recognized by all 
 civilized states, recourse must be had to restraint 
 and coercion. 
 
 " Regarding the character of the Chinese govern- 
 ment, wrong opinions are entertained by many, if 
 not by most people, who view the constitution and 
 laws as being equitable in their character, and mild 
 in their operation. They are so indeed, as far, 
 doubtless, as those of any pagan nation ever were. 
 Still in many respects they are unjust in the letter 
 and cruel in their action. It was the opinion of 
 Dr. Morrison that no man could hold office under 
 this government, and conform to its rules and cus- 
 toms, and at the same time live in obedience to the 
 doctrines and precepts of the Bible. According to 
 the penal code of the Chinese, the profession and 
 practice of Christianity are capital crimes ; and it 
 is scarcely a twelvemonth since an European mis- 
 sionary suffered the penalty of this law. The for- 
 eigner, however peaceful and well disposed, may 
 not go into the interior of the empire. The native, 
 too, without even the shadow of guilt, may be, and 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 213 
 
 not unfrequently is involved by the evil doings of 
 others. High officers of state are made responsible 
 for events, over which it is impossible for them to 
 exercise any control. The degradation of Lin, 
 Keshen, and others, are instances of the unjust and 
 cruel bearing of the Chinese policy ; and the self- 
 immolation of Yakien and several others during the 
 present war, are melancholy proofs of the same. 
 So averse is this policy to any amicable arrange- 
 ment with foreigners, that the Emperor has threat- 
 ened with the utmost severity of the laws any and 
 all who may presume to propose terms of reconcili- 
 ation with the ' rebellious barbarians.' 
 
 " Such being the character of the Chinese gov- 
 ernment, and all attempts made by the late pleni- 
 potentiaries having failed, a change of policy, and 
 the appointment of a new representative on the part 
 of the British crown, with a view to meet and over- 
 come the existing difficulties, were no matter of 
 surprise. Sir Henry Pottinger, her Britannic maj- 
 esty's plenipotentiary, arrived in China on the 10th 
 of August, and landed next day at Macao. 
 
 " Our former letters will have made you ac- 
 quainted with public occurrences here down to the 
 10th of July last. On the 21st and 26th of that 
 month, this part of the empire was visited by two of 
 those awful hurricanes called tyfoons, which make 
 such dreadful devastation wherever they move on 
 sea or land. On both the occasions no inconsider- 
 able damage was sustained by the foreign shipping, 
 and her Britannic majesty's plenipotentiaries hardly 
 escaped with their lives from shipwreck. Great 
 
214 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 numbers of Chinese perished, and their losses were 
 many times greater than those of the English. Yet, 
 strange to say, the Emperor and his court consider 
 these storms as divine judgments sent by the gods 
 to punish the barbarians. 
 
 " Sir Henry Pottinger having remained ten days 
 at Macao, repaired to Hong-Kong, and there joined 
 the expedition, ready to proceed northward. On 
 the 25th of August the forces reached Amoy. The 
 next day its fortifications were destroyed and the 
 city taken, but not without severe losses on the part 
 of the Chinese. 
 
 " The northward movement of the ships was so 
 impeded by adverse winds, that Tinghai was not 
 taken till the 1st of October. Chinghai, on the 
 main, with all its defences, fell on the 10th, and 
 Ningpo on the 13th of the same month. At Ting- 
 hai and Chinghai, as well as at Amoy, the Chinese 
 made great resistance, and suffered severe losses, 
 all their forts and ships being destroyed, and large 
 numbers of their troops left dead on the field. The 
 number of killed during the year is probably not 
 less than four thousand. 
 
 " You will be anxious no doubt to learn what has 
 been the effect of all these operations. They have 
 shown the Chinese the superior skill and power of 
 the foreigner, have filled multitudes of the people 
 with distress and consternation, and excited the 
 wrath of the Emperor and his advisers. At the 
 same breath the Son of Heaven reproaches his high 
 officers for their weakness, and the invaders for 
 their temerity. Two sovereigns, he says, cannot 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 215 
 
 stand together under the same firmament. The de- 
 cree for extermination has gone forth, and the forces 
 are rallying at all points, determined to contend 
 unto the uttermost. Aware of this, large accessions 
 of strength will soon be made to the invading forces : 
 and by midsummer, w T e expect that Sir Henry Pot- 
 tinger, her Britannic majesty's * minister extraordi- 
 nary to the court of Peking,' will be at the capital. 
 Once there, he must either receive overtures of 
 peace, or enter the court and become dictator. The 
 reigning dynasty must yield, or perish in the strug- 
 gle to maintain its supremacy. Possibly this strug- 
 gle may be prolonged for years ; but whether it be 
 long or short, we feel certain that it will eventually 
 introduce a new and better order of things. 
 
 " Hence we have drawn the cheering conclusion, 
 that the acceptable year of the Lord — the set time 
 to favor the land of Sinim — is at hand. In either 
 case, whether the Emperor yield or resist, toleration 
 must be obtained. God has often made use of the 
 strong arm of civil power to prepare the way for 
 his own kingdom, that kingdom which is righteous- 
 ness and peace, which cometh not with observation, 
 and is not of this world. Of this there are many 
 instances : a very recent one is afforded in Western 
 Asia. There the power of the false prophet claimed 
 supremacy, and the worshipper of Immanuel was 
 stigmatized as a dog. But political revolutions, 
 without any reference to creeds, have there entirely 
 changed the aspect of the religious world. Since 
 the termination of the hostile operations in the 
 Mediterranean last year, a firman has been issued 
 
216 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 by the Sublime Porte of Constantinople, scarcely 
 less favorable to the interests of true religion, than 
 was the decree of Cyrus, when he gave to the chil- 
 dren of the captivity permission to go back to their 
 own land, and there rebuild the temple and revive 
 the worship of Jehovah. 
 
 " In China we see a supremacy no less lofty and 
 unjust in its pretensions, not only taking inalienable 
 rights from man, but presumptuously encroaching 
 on Jehovah's prerogatives, attempting to abrogate 
 his laws, and stigmatizing the religion of Jesus 
 Christ as base and wicked. This supremacy is, we 
 think, about to be broken down, and so much tolera- 
 tion and protection granted, that every man may 
 worship God according to the dictates of his own 
 conscience. 
 
 " In view of such prospects, we know that you 
 and all our Christian friends, will anxiously with us, 
 watch the progress of events and each opening 
 scene. Amid the distresses and perplexities which 
 have overtaken the inhabitants of this land — by the 
 introduction of opium, by the continuance of war, 
 by inundations, by divisions of councils, by the 
 tumults of the people — God is evidently carrying on 
 His own great designs ; and in wrath He will remem- 
 ber mercy, bring order out of confusion, good out 
 of evil, and make even man's wickedness promo- 
 tive of the Divine glory. His promises are sure, 
 none can stay His hand ; the heathen shall be given 
 to His Son, and all the ends of the earth praise Him 
 as Lord of all. China and Japan are included in 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 217 
 
 the Divine promises, and ere long will both be visited 
 with the day-spring from on high. 
 
 " The prospect of soon having access to 400,000,- 
 000 of souls, or even to any considerable part of 
 this number, ought to stimulate every true believer 
 in Jesus, to awake to righteousness, to put on 
 strength, and to come up to the Lord's help against 
 the mighty. How great is the work here to be ac- 
 complished ! How few are the means now in op- 
 eration ! 
 
 " In our religious services — social and public — 
 the interest hitherto manifested has been continued. 
 But, confined and restricted as we long have been, 
 we ardently desire to enlarge our operations, to in- 
 crease our labors, and to extend widely the influ- 
 ences of that holy religion, for the propagation of 
 which we have devoted our lives. We hope the 
 great and dreadful evils which now affect this na- 
 tion will soon be checked. It is painful to see thou- 
 sands of our fellow-men cut down by the sword — 
 tens of thousands reduced to beggary and death by 
 an insidious poison — and hundreds of millions going 
 mad after their dumb idols. It is impossible to dwell 
 long on such scenes without deep emotion. But 
 who can interpose? Who is able to hush these 
 contending hosts and give peace ? Who can stay 
 this flood of poison, and bring in the waters of life ? 
 Who can cast down all these idols of wood and 
 stone, and convert these millions of immortal beings 
 to the worship of the living and true God ? Awake, 
 put on thy strength, Oh arm of the Lord ! Awake ! 
 For art not thou it, that shall wound the dragon ? 
 
 10 
 
218 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 " Brethren pray for us — pray for China — pray 
 that God will turn away His wrath, avert these 
 evils, and save the people through the influences of 
 the glorious Gospel of His dear Son." 
 
 At his return, Mr. Abeel prepared to visit Ko- 
 longsoo and examine its fitness as a missionary sta- 
 tion. This was one of the ports in possession of 
 the British, and afterwards opened to foreigners by 
 the treaty between Great Britain and China. He 
 thus records his impressions of the place : — 
 
 " March 6. — Several Sabbaths w r ere spent at sea 
 in the passage to this place. More than a week 
 has elapsed since our arrival. I have reason to 
 thank God for bringing me to this place. It ap- 
 pears like an excellent opening for missionary labor. 
 It is the very sphere I have desired and prayed for 
 many years. This appears more like the beginning 
 of missionary work in China, than anything I have 
 yet seen. Now I feel my need of grace to improve 
 the opportunity — I desire to look up for direction 
 and assistance." 
 
 It was concluded to settle at this point perma- 
 nently, as affording a most favorable locality for 
 missionary operations. Accordingly, in his next 
 letter to the United States, he notices the fact of 
 his settlement, and his delight at being permitted in 
 the providence of God to occupy this new field. 
 
 " Amoy, March 1st., 1842. 
 
 "From the letters which I left at Macao, to be 
 sent by the first opportunity, you knew my inten- 
 tion to visit this place. It is the answer to many 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 219 
 
 prayers, and the partial consummation of some of 
 my most cheering hopes. Mr. Boone and myself 
 left Macao on the 2nd ult., and Hong-Kong on the 
 7th. We were seventeen days beating up the coast, 
 with the exception of a day or two at anchor at one 
 of the opium depots. The opium smugglers have 
 taken possession of a small island on the coast, 
 where they go on shore every day for recreation 
 and amusement. They have formed roads, and 
 purchased horses, and take their morning and af- 
 ternoon exercise, although they prefer living in their 
 ships. We have reason to believe that the smug- 
 gling of this pernicious drug into the empire is at- 
 tended with the loss, and often reckless destruction 
 of life. It is doing incalculable injury to the nation. 
 " On our arrival at this place, we went immediately 
 to the commandant of the station, to whom we had a 
 letter from Sir Henry Pottinger, the English pleni- 
 potentiary, and whose wife is a pious lady and an 
 acquaintance of Mr. Boone. We were most kindly 
 received both by Major Cowper and his excellent 
 lady, and have had every attention showed us. 
 There is a multiplicity of empty houses on the island 
 which Major C. took us around to see, and among 
 which he allowed us to select a residence. The 
 English have taken possession of a small island 
 called Kolongsoo, separated from the city of Amoy 
 by a strip of water probably less than half a mile 
 wide. It is on this island that we have taken up our 
 residence. It was thought safest for us to live within 
 the line of the sentries ; and accordingly we are 
 guarded every night, and cannot stir out ourselves 
 
220 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 after eight o'clock, without knowing the watch-word. 
 It is sad to see the destruction of the houses and fur- 
 niture, since the place was taken. The English 
 scarcely injured the place at all ; but the unprinci- 
 pled part of the native population have turned parts 
 of it into a ruin since. We had not a door, nor a 
 window-shutter, nor a whole floor when we selected 
 our house. Some of this destruction, however, must 
 be laid to the charge of the Bengalee camp followers ; 
 who tear the houses to pieces, merely to get the wood 
 for burning. As soon as we made choice of a house, 
 we called in carpenters and masons, and have been 
 most busily occupied ever since, in directing and 
 overlooking them. The ship in which we came 
 w T ent away quickly, and left us with no other quar- 
 ters. No one here has accommodations for a guest. 
 The first day we had the house cleaned, the brick 
 floor repaired, and the front door made. Then came 
 the Sabbath, and a pleasant one it was, in the qui- 
 etude of our own dwelling. Monday morning we 
 had window-shutters made, and bought a few chairs 
 and a table, which were very good substitutes for 
 our old boxes. To-day is Tuesday, and improve- 
 ments are rapidly going on. I bought a Chinese 
 bedstead of a soldier on Saturday. Our food is 
 bought ready cooked at Amoy, and it tastes quite as 
 well as if done by European cooks. True we have 
 no great variety, but w T e need none. The Chinese 
 make a kind of cake which is a substitute for bread. 
 Indeed we want nothing but lively gratitude and cor- 
 responding zeal." 
 
 He now commenced missionary labor with an 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 221 
 
 earnestness which was increased from the fact that 
 he had been so long unable to work in his Master's 
 cause, through the operations of the war. He thus 
 describes his first missionary tour to the city of 
 Amoy from Kolongsoo. 
 
 " Kolongsoo, March 28, 1844. 
 
 "I begin this letter to have it in readiness for the 
 first opportunity. It must be sent to Macao, there to 
 await the first ship, which ship may sail on its ar- 
 rival or several months after. In regard to commu- 
 nication, I feel that I have made another remove 
 from you. In the favorable monsoon we are only 
 about thirty six or forty-eight hours from Macao ; 
 but this distance keep us in as much ignorance of 
 the arrival and departure of ships there, as if we 
 were so many days away. I wrote you soon after 
 our arrival. Everything has gone on prosperously 
 since. The repairs and necessary improvements of 
 the house are finished. We have furnished it in 
 missionary style, w T ith the cheapest articles. 
 
 " April 5. — For several evenings, I have either 
 been exhausted or engaged at the usual time for 
 writing. During this interval, we have made our 
 first visit to the city of Amoy. We went in com- 
 pany with the chief man who comes to this place. 
 He took us through a few streets to his own house, 
 where he gave us a sumptuous Chinese dinner which 
 made us both sick. There were about a dozen dif- 
 ferent courses, each dish consisting of a mixture of 
 several kinds of meats, fish, and vegetables, in a va- 
 riety of combinations. When we came away, he 
 
222 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 sent with us a present of tea and Windsor soap. He 
 spent several years in visiting different settlements 
 of the English and Dutch, which accounts for his 
 having the soap. On our way through the streets 
 we attracted great attention, and drew together a 
 crowd of the idle and curious, but they did not at- 
 tempt to molest us. Some boys attempted to frighten 
 us by crying out, ' Seize them, seize them.' We were 
 struck with the number of vessels of all sizes ; and 
 with the compactness of the buildings, and the 
 crowded population of the place. This is the great 
 feature of China, and this renders it so important as 
 a missionary field. We had a nice little congrega- 
 tion to preach to in our friend's house. Oh, that 
 God would soon raise up native helpers in this 
 work. 
 
 "April 9. — My fellow missionary leaves me in 
 the morning for Macao, hoping soon to return with 
 Mrs. Boone and children. I shall be alone ; but 
 seasons of aloneness I find to be profitable. I say 
 seasons, for no missionary ought to be alone in a 
 station for a continuance. Lately we have had a 
 spell of dull, damp weather, which has prevented 
 our doing much direct missionary work, but we have 
 no lack of visitors. To-day we hear there are seven 
 Roman Catholic priests on their way to this place. 
 God reigns, and this must be our confidence. We 
 have come hither to do His work, and to carry out 
 His plans." 
 
 Thus, for two months Mr. Abeel was left to labor 
 alone at Amoy, suffering part of the time from sick- 
 ness. But he was exceedingly happy, in his new 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 223 
 
 position. He was then relieved by the arrival of 
 other missionaries. 
 
 During the time embraced in this chapter, he was 
 called to experience severe trials in the loss of both 
 of his parents. Although in the providence of God 
 he had been removed from them for years, yet few 
 persons ever possessed a deeper affection for thei^ 
 kindred. Hence he was deeply affected, when the 
 message came that they had been cut down by the 
 hand of death. He received intelligence of his 
 father's death while at Singapore, in May. This 
 event had been expected, for there had been a lin- 
 gering disease of many months' duration. As soon 
 as he heard of it he sent the following letter to his 
 mother. 
 
 " Singapore, May 5th, 1841. 
 
 "My dear Mother. — Since my arrival I have heard 
 through Keasbury of the long expected event. It 
 has appeared so inevitable for a long time, that 1 
 was but little surprised when he gave this reply 
 (which under other circumstances would have been 
 so shocking) to my inquiries. He had lately received 
 several letters from New Brunswick. Those for me 
 have probably gone on to China. I should like to 
 know all the particulars of the last sad scene ; but I 
 conclude that he was never restored to full con- 
 sciousness until he awoke in eternity. I feel for 
 you, my dear mother, in the change it has made in 
 your life. It grieves me to think how lonely you 
 must be, and how much at a loss for employment. 
 Poor dear father was an object of such incessant 
 
224 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 care, that the change must be very great. I am 
 thankful that there are so many alleviations, and I 
 feel particularly happy at such a time, that you and 
 
 have residing with you. May the 
 
 Lord render this event exceedingly profitable to us 
 all. Oh, that we all might dwell much upon the 
 eternal state of the soul. A few more years, and 
 we shall all meet, if we are faithful unto death. 
 You, no doubt, realize, (probably now more than 
 ever,) that the time of your departure draws nigh. 
 I hope you feel, that there is nothing dreadful in 
 death — that Christ has extracted its sting — and that 
 He is yours, and you are His. May you feel that 
 desire to depart to be with Him, which renders 
 every thought of death delightful. Having much 
 time at your command, you will have the opportu- 
 nity of keeping your mind fixed upon those truths, 
 which are so animating and sanctifying. The char- 
 acter and work of our blessed Redeemer is the most 
 precious of all subjects ; and, in and through Him, 
 the love and kindness of our Heavenly Father, is 
 full of consolation to the -soul. What a heaven is 
 before us — the presence, and likeness, and favor of 
 the great God ! To see Him whom our souls love, 
 who first loved us — to be more intimately related to 
 Him, than we can be to any on earth — to have Him 
 admit us to His warmest affections, and show us His 
 whole heart — to be forever filled with His fulness — 
 incapable of sinning against Him, and qualified to 
 love Him with all our powers — are some of the 
 sources of that enjoyment to which we shall so soon 
 be translated. May the prospect be a continual 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID AJ3EEL. 225 
 
 feast to my beloved mother. Then when the hour 
 comes, you shall lift up your head with joy. Oh, 
 that we all may prepare for this glory, by cultivating 
 those tempers and habits of mind which can alone 
 render the prospect cheering, and fit us for the 
 reality." 
 
 In July of 1842, he was again bowed down by the 
 sad intelligence that his mother had also gone to her 
 rest. This was a greater affliction, because it was 
 unexpected, having occurred after a very short ill- 
 ness. Her death was a precious exemplification of 
 the power of religion to sustain the timid soul in the 
 last trying hour ; and to enable the saint who had 
 lived in many doubts, to behold the face of the Mas- 
 ter in the end, " without a cloud between." She 
 was deeply pious, but at the same time often filled 
 with fear and doubts because of her unworthiness ; 
 fears which had but little ground if aught could be 
 judged by the fruits of her life and her devotion to 
 God's service. They often manifested themselves 
 in a feeling of great timidity in regard to the ap- 
 proach of death. But when the closing scene 
 arrived, the Lord unveiled to her so clearly his love, 
 and the fulness of Jesus, that she forgot to doubt or 
 fear ; and her soul was filled with rejoicing. She 
 died in peace, enjoying in her own heart the expe- 
 rience of the Psalmist, u Though I walk through 
 the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, 
 for thou art with me : thy rod, and thy staff they 
 comfort me." 
 
 The intelligence of his mother's death affected 
 
 10* 
 
226 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 Mr. Abeel very deeply. He notices the event in his 
 diary. 
 
 "July 24. — Two days ago I received the afflictive 
 news of my beloved mother's demise. I feel that it 
 has rendered desolate the brightest scenes of earth. 
 * I shall never see you again in this life,' was one 
 of her last expressions. I believed it ; but though 
 the parting was something like the bitterness of 
 death, it was not death. Now, I feel that she is no 
 more among the living — I thank the gracious Re- 
 deemer for her triumph of faith. How often have I 
 prayed that she might leave the world in this frame 
 of mind. Oh, that this event may make me realize 
 more than I do, that I am a stranger and sojourner 
 here. Lord, I crave one blessing, a heart perfectly 
 and perpetually consecrated to thee." 
 
 In the following letter he makes mention of this 
 same bereavement. 
 
 "Kolongsoo, August 2, 1842. 
 
 " Since I last wrote the sad news of our great be- 
 reavement has reached me. Though I never ex- 
 pected to see our dear departed mother again in the 
 flesh, yet I feel that I have lost my best, my firmest 
 earthly friend ; and that the light which gave the 
 greatest charm to my native place and earthly 
 home, has gone out. How desolate it must appear 
 where she always was, to give us such an affection- 
 ate welcome. Her's was a mother's deep, unvary- 
 ing love, and we could always calculate upon it. 
 How pure and free from selfishness it was. How 
 the mind likes to dwell upon those qualities ; some 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 227 
 
 of which, I have long thought, rendered her supe- 
 rior to any other mother I ever knew. I become 
 overwhelmed with sorrow when I think of our loss. 
 Oh, how I long to receive the particulars of the 
 closing scene. I received an overland letter from 
 
 Mrs. — , which had been written before the 
 
 event, but had not been mailed ; it contained a sen- 
 tence or two, and referred to others which had been 
 written, and were in readiness for a ship. I hope 
 they may soon arrive, and give me such evidences 
 of the triumphs of faith as I have prayed might be 
 witnessed at this hour. We can have no other con- 
 solation in the loss of our relatives and friends. I 
 am exceedingly anxious, too, to hear what effect it 
 has had upon you all. God in great mercy grant 
 that it may arouse us all to the most diligent self-ex- 
 amination — that if any of those of us who profess 
 to be prepared for death, have rested our hopes 
 on a false foundation, those delusions may be torn 
 from us, and true repentance and genuine faith be 
 wrought within us. And, Oh, may those of the 
 family who evidently have no conception of the 
 worth of their own souls, or the price which their 
 redemption demanded, at last be brought to realize 
 the pressing necessity of obtaining an interest in the 
 great salvation without delay." 
 
 Thus, new ties were formed to draw his soul from 
 earth to that heaven of rest to which he was imper- 
 ceptibly though rapidly hastening. 
 
 We will occupy the rest of this chapter in quoting 
 extracts from the journal of his labors at the new 
 
228 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 i 
 
 station at Amoy and Kolongsoo. One fact imparts 
 even greater interest to the many pleasing incidents 
 recorded. This is the closing journal of Mr. Abeel's 
 missionary labors. When it was finished his health 
 entirely failed ; and he came to the land of his fath- 
 ers to lay his bones with his kindred. And from his 
 own expressions and the statements of facts, it will 
 be seen that this was the most successful part of his 
 missionary life. His knowledge of the language was 
 more enlarged, and his influence increased ; so that 
 he was able to preach the word, enjoying the confi- 
 dence of those to whom he dispensed it. Dark and 
 mysterious was that Providence which removed 
 him from this field, when so well qualified for his 
 work. 
 
 The following extracts, while they are as brief as 
 could possibly be made, present a faithful view of 
 his closing missionary labors, and display the char- 
 acter of that singular people to whom he broke the 
 bread of life. 
 
 "May 15, 1842. — The people at large are ex- 
 tremely indifferent in respect to their religious senti- 
 ments. Indeed they appear to have no systematic 
 creed ; but they hold a confused jumble of opinions, 
 often contradictory to each other. I asked the boy 
 who has been living with us since our arrival, and 
 whom we have endeavored to teach the unity of the 
 Godhead and the wickedness of idol worship, what 
 god he worshipped now ? He replied, ' Oh, I am 
 not at all particular ; any one whose birth-day hap- 
 pens to come along.' An abandoned, desperate fel- 
 low, had been speaking of murdering men, with 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 229 
 
 fiendish pleasure. I told him, if he pursued such a 
 life, his soul would sink to hell after death. With a 
 broad laugh he answered, ' That is a matter of the 
 least consequence ;' meaning that if he did not suf- 
 fer in this life, he had no solicitude about the suffer- 
 ings of the next. The future is too indistinct and 
 uncertain to arouse their fears. 
 
 " May 17. — To-day we were reading about the 
 poor widow, whose small offering was cast into the 
 treasury.' My teacher attempted to illustrate the 
 text by an anecdote. He said there was an old 
 woman, who lived in a part of this province, and 
 who requested the privilege of putting down her 
 name to a subscription for a bell. It was an offer- 
 ing to Budh, and the rich were giving of their abun- 
 dance. When the old woman made her request, 
 they looked with astonishment, and asked what she 
 had to give. She took a cash, less than the thous- 
 andth part of a dollar, and handed it to the collector. 
 He threw it with disdain into a pond of water, add- 
 ing that he supposed from her request that she had 
 more than that to give. She replied, and her reply 
 has been a proverb since — 'One cash, cheerfully 
 bestowed (from penury,) is as meritorious as tens of 
 thousands (from abundance.') The bell was cast, 
 but its tones were most defective. It was recast, 
 but with no better effect. At last, after many un- 
 successful efforts, Budh appeared to the collector in 
 a dream, and informed him that the bell would 
 never give forth a good sound until the identical 
 cash of the old woman was added to the materials. 
 The pond was drained, the rejected cash found, the 
 
230 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 bell once more cast, and the tones were rich and 
 clear. Thus, the deceiver sustains his cause by 
 associating with a proverb which is in the mouths 
 of many, a gross and fatal falsehood, which they 
 equally believe/' 
 
 "June, 1. — Yesterday, at the invitation of the 
 senior naval officer, I embarked with him and oth- 
 ers on board the iron steamer Medusa in the direc- 
 tion of Tang-Wa, the capital of the district in which 
 Amoy is situated. Our course lay east of north. 
 We had the island of Amoy on our right the greater 
 part of the distance. For the first few miles, the 
 hills wore the same rugged barren aspect which is 
 characteristic of the coast of China. Fertility and 
 cultivation grew upon us as we advanced. The 
 mountains on the Amoy side gradually descended 
 until the range was continued by arable hills, cov- 
 ered with green fields. In some places the villages 
 were very numerous. The want of trees was the 
 principal defect in the scenery, although there were 
 some most luxuriant exceptions. Numerous well- 
 poles were scattered over the cultivated hills, the 
 water being used in irrigation. Whole villages 
 seemed to turn out to see the strange object as she 
 passed ; indeed the hills were frequently darkened 
 with spectators. From the tops of the rocks which 
 crowned the highest elevations, they were watching 
 our movements. Even the women could not re- 
 strain their curiosity, but stood gazing at us in little 
 groups. Our steamer drew but four and a half feet 
 water, and of course could go where no sailing ves- 
 sel of any considerable size would have ventured. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 231 
 
 We proceeded about seventeen miles, when we 
 grounded. We then took boats, and went two or 
 three miles farther. The tide was so excessively- 
 low that the smallest boat could not approach within 
 two miles of Tang-Wa. Had we waited, we might 
 have gone up to the town in eighteen feet of water. 
 On our way back we landed at one of the villages 
 where the crowd of spectators was the greatest. 
 Some of them recognized me, and were very civil. 
 
 " June 7. — This morning, I had the great gratifi- 
 cation of welcoming back to this field, my friend and 
 fellow-laborer Mr. Boone, accompanied by his fam- 
 ily, Mr. and Mrs. McBryde, and Dr. Cumming. 
 After being so long alone, it is a delightful change. 
 May the blessing of the Lord rest upon us all." 
 
 "July 10. — Our number somewhat reduced to- 
 day. The inhabitants of the western village were 
 engaged in gathering the produce of their fields. I 
 had before endeavored to prove to them that this 
 was not a sufficient reason for absenting themselves, 
 but they are not yet alive, either to the law of the 
 Sabbath, or to its invaluable privileges. 
 
 " 11. — We have been kept exceedingly busy to- 
 day in our different spheres of labor. Several re- 
 spectable families were present at our family wor- 
 ship. I endeavored to make known to them the 
 leading truths of revelation. The applications for 
 books have seldom been so numerous, or so pressing. 
 Among the patients were fifteen who had been taken 
 by pirates, some of whom were shockingly mangled. 
 They had been a week in the hands of these cruel 
 
232 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 men, during all which time their wounds had never 
 been dressed. 
 
 "July 23. — To-day I have had a conversation with 
 one of the merchants who came to Kolongsoo, on 
 the subject of female infanticide. Assuming a coun- 
 tenance of as much indifference as I could com- 
 mand, I asked him how many of his own children 
 he had destroyed. He instantly replied, ' Two/ I 
 asked him whether he had spared any. He said, 
 ' He had saved one.' 1 then inquired how many 
 brothers he had. He answered, * Eight/ I asked 
 him how many children his eldest brother had de- 
 stroyed. He said, ' Five or six.' I inquired of the 
 second, third, and all the rest. Some had killed 
 four or five — others two or three — others had none 
 to destroy. I then asked how many girls were left 
 among them all. The answer was, ' Three.' ' And 
 how many do you think have been strangled at 
 birth ?' ' Probably from twelve to seventeen/ I 
 wished to know the standing and employments of 
 his brothers. One, he said, had obtained one of the 
 literary degrees at the public examinations — a sec- 
 ond was a teacher — one was a sailor — and the rest 
 were petty merchants like himself. It was not ne- 
 cessity then, but a cold, inhuman calculation of the 
 gains and losses of keeping the children, which must 
 have led to their destruction. It is so seldom that 
 we can find a man as candid as this merchant, that 
 I am quite incapable of saying whether he and his 
 brethren, have or have not exceeded their neighbors 
 in this respect. At present I think they have. I 
 have asked Mr. Boone's teacher whether any of his 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 233 
 
 children had been deprived of life. He said, no — 
 adding that it was a very wicked act. He con- 
 fessed, however, that his sister or sister-in-law has, 
 with her own hands, destroyed her first three chil- 
 dren successively. She was afraid to lay violent 
 hands on the fourth, believing it to be one of the 
 murdered ones reappearing in a new body. The 
 question had arisen in our minds whether mothers 
 could ever be brought to participate in the destruc- 
 tion of their own offspring. Here was a heart- 
 rending reply." 
 
 66 August 31. — This afternoon, we committed 
 to the tomb the remains of our much-esteemed 
 and deeply-regretted fellow-missionary, Mrs. Boone. 
 She departed this life yesterday, about five, p. m. 
 She had been delirious through the day, and par- 
 tially so for two or three days previous. Before her 
 illness became at all alarming, she expressed her ap- 
 prehension that it would result in death, and 'set 
 her house in order.' She said she had no fear of 
 the king of terrors, but felt an unshaken confidence 
 in God her Savior. She was deeply impressed with 
 the honor which God had conferred upon her, in 
 calling her to the missionary work. This she ex- 
 pressed in strong language ; and this she acted out 
 in all her duties. I have known no one more ener- 
 getic, efficient, and uniformly cheerful, than this de- 
 voted and beloved sister." 
 
 " September 9. — To-day, a steamer brings us the 
 unexpected news of peace between Great Britain 
 and China. The treaty quite equals our expecta- 
 tions. The opening of so many large cities to com- 
 
234 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 merce and foreign intercourse — the appointment of 
 consuls to whom alone their countrymen are to be 
 amenable — the regulation of trade by a fixed and 
 published tariff — the liberty, so often and effectually 
 resisted, of having ladies accompany their husbands, 
 are points gained, which will promote the interests of 
 the missionary quite as much as that of the merchant." 
 
 " October 31. — During the last week an event has 
 occurred which may have important -bearings. We 
 were all invited to visit the Hae-Hong, at present 
 the highest mandarin at Amoy. Sedan chairs were 
 sent for us, and all went except myself, as I was 
 unwell at the time. They were received and en- 
 tertained with the greatest courtesy and kindness. 
 Their host was so affable and engaging, that the at- 
 tendants thought he committed the extreme fault of 
 rather slighting the important duties of the table. 
 He was informed of our object in coming to China, 
 and listened attentively to the most prominent doc- 
 trines and duties of our religion. Mr. Boone prom- 
 ised to send him our books, which he said he would 
 take pleasure in accepting and reading. What an 
 advance upon the old system." 
 
 "November 10. — Our intended visit had been so 
 far divulged that we could scarcely enter the gate, 
 so great was the crowd who were desirous to catch 
 a glimpse of a foreign lady. The curiosity of the 
 other sex had likewise brought together a large con- 
 course. Mrs. McBryde was received by the wife 
 of our friend with a freedom and gracefulness of 
 manner, which showed that Chinese ladies are not 
 ignorant of these external accomplishments. May 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 235 
 
 the cultivation of their minds soon claim the atten- 
 tion of their parents and guardians. The first part 
 of the day was spent in company with Yew-Ako, 
 our host, and his friends who had assembled to see 
 us. To my surprise, the former asked me to ad- 
 dress the people on the religion of Jesus. He him- 
 self professes Mahommedanism. It is the religion 
 of his fathers, though he evidently knows but little 
 of its peculiar tenets. He agrees with us in de- 
 nouncing image-worship. Probably he is not aware 
 of the difference between us and the more enlight- 
 ened adherents of the false prophet. Mr. McBryde 
 and myself, were invited to take Mrs. McBryde to 
 view the extensive and highly improved grounds. 
 This brought us near the apartments of the women. 
 As we approached, they rushed out in a crowd to 
 see us. Probably two hundred of all classes and 
 ages were there. I learned from Mr. McBryde that 
 Yew-Ako had spoken to him about having me ad- 
 dress the women. Not knowing the fact, and find- 
 ing such a favorable opportunity, I asked the liberty 
 of speaking to them, which he readily granted. It 
 was difficult to get them silent, and quite as much 
 so to keep them from interrupting me. They broke 
 out very often, generally repeating what I had said, 
 or making remarks upon what they saw. From 
 the attention of some of them, especially those more 
 advanced in life, I should hope that some of the 
 truths lodged in their minds. All restraints were 
 so far removed that they spent hours watching us 
 wherever we went, and looking at us while dining. 
 What a triumph over their old customs and preju- 
 
236 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 dices, and what a cheering earnest, in the light of 
 God's word, of the privileges which Christianity 
 shall bring them. 
 
 " November 17. — We are greatly encouraged. 
 Our number on the Sabbath was about fifty. Af- 
 ter service, Yew-Ako, with about twenty friends, 
 came for the same purpose. Mr. Boone, who was 
 the Chinese preacher for the day, had a second ser- 
 vice for them. Yesterday morning, an old man, 
 who mistook the day for the Sabbath, came to our 
 usual morning worship. His manner and conver- 
 sation had impressed me favorably before. He 
 wanted a new supply of books. He said he read 
 the books we gave him every night and morning, at 
 which times he prayed to the true God. I inquired 
 whether he worshipped the idols. He replied, ' None 
 of them.' May not the Spirit be leading him to the 
 truth?" 
 
 " November 23. — We have just had a visit from 
 the Hae-Hong. He came in mandarin style, with 
 a large train of attendants. He examined almost 
 everything he saw, and was as friendly and free 
 from affectation here as in his own house. Such a 
 public call, witnessed by so many, and soon to be 
 talked of in every quarter, must give us favor in 
 the eyes of the people, and remove their fears in res- 
 pect to having intercourse with us. He told us that 
 the commander-in-chief of the marine forces, who has 
 just returned to Amoy, was coming to call upon us. 
 
 " November 24. — We have actually had the honor 
 of a call from the Te Tuk, the naval commander-in- 
 chief of this province. He is the highest mandarin 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 237 
 
 that resides at Amoy, and wears a button of the first 
 rank. We were much struck with the blandness of 
 his countenance, and the absence of all airs in his 
 manner. We stand astonished at the favor God is 
 giving us with this people and their rulers, and hum- 
 bly pray that wisdom and zeal may be granted us to 
 make the best improvement of the means afforded 
 us for the promotion of his glory. 
 
 "November 30. — The governor-general of this 
 and the neighboring province arrived a few days 
 ago, and sent his card to us. The individual who 
 brought it assured us that his excellency had in- 
 tended to call upon us, but was prevented by what 
 our informant supposed to be the misunderstanding 
 of one of Sir Henry Pottinger's interpreters." 
 
 66 December 3. — During the present week we have 
 returned the visit of the Te Tuk — the Generalissimo 
 of the naval forces of the province ; and called upon 
 the Tow-Tae — Intendant of Circuit — the highest 
 civil officer of the place. The Tow-Tae sent his 
 card with that of the Governor-General. We found 
 the officers upon whom we called as affable and as 
 kind as possible. To each of them we have pre- 
 sented a copy of the New Testament, and other 
 books." 
 
 "February 4, 1843. — Every day this week has 
 been interesting on account of the number who have 
 called, and to whom the character and works of the 
 true God have been explained. It is gratifying to 
 have those return who have evidently reflected upon 
 what they heard and read, and in whose mind there 
 is a faint glimmering of light. Some of our visitors 
 
238 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 sit a long time, and listen attentively to the new and 
 strange doctrines. It is to be regretted, however, 
 that the Chinese, with the fewest exceptions, never 
 contradict you. It is evidently the result of indif- 
 ference to religious subjects. They have so few 
 connected or consistent ideas in regard to things 
 spiritual and eternal, that they act like children when 
 you converse with them. Say what you please 
 against their superstitions, they are never offended. 
 On the contrary, they appear as much delighted with 
 the force of the arguments, as if they themselves had 
 wielded them in favor of some cherished tenets." 
 
 " March 24. — Days and weeks fraught with cheer- 
 ing opportunities for preaching the Gospel, have 
 passed since my last entry. During the last week 
 an unusual number of intelligent persons have 
 seemed readily to comprehend the statements and 
 arguments which I generally employ, and to be 
 somewhat impressed with their force. They are 
 generally struck with the absurdity which I endea- 
 vor to point out ; and especially when I descend to 
 particulars, and remind them who their most popular 
 deities were. One of them — Budh — was not even 
 a Chinaman, but a 'black demon,' as they call the 
 natives of India : another, Kwan-te-yay, was a mere 
 warrior ; a third, Ma-tsoo-po, was a young girl, who 
 was not able to prolong her own life beyond the pe- 
 riod of youth. They profess to believe that their 
 Sinming, or clear-sighted gods, though they were 
 men, have been deified for their meritorious works. 
 But here I beg leave to question their knowledge of 
 these things, reminding them that their most vene- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 239 
 
 rated sage, Confucius, when questioned about the 
 dead, asked ' How can we understand their state V 
 Besides, I sometimes inquire, ' How is it possible for 
 men who have lived only a few years to become the 
 Eternal God, of whom I have spoken/ I tell them, 
 according to their own mode of discrimination, — not 
 very metaphysical, I acknowledge, but strangely 
 powerful with them — that ' men are men, and God is 
 God/ 
 
 "April 15. — The newly appointed Hae-Hong, 
 (prefect,) called upon us this week, and begged me 
 to go with him on ship-board. He is a fine-looking 
 man, of courtly manners, and expresses the greatest 
 kindness of feeling. If I had never lived in China 
 before the new order of things, I should probably 
 not be so much struck with the astonishing change 
 in the conduct of the mandarins. Their present 
 condescension and suavity were quite equalled for- 
 merly by their disdainful pride. While returning 
 their calls, we proposed visiting our old displaced 
 friend. The old Cham-Hoo excused himself from 
 seeing us ; he takes his reverses very much to heart. 
 The old Hae-Hong received us, but how changed. 
 He who appeared in such splendid robes on their 
 new year, reminded me now of a peacock with its 
 feathers plucked. He received us kindly, but the 
 call was a sad one. Poor man ! The people have 
 petitioned to have him pardoned, and I hope it may 
 succeed. He was formerly known by the name of 
 * the flayer,' on account of his exactions, but his re- 
 cent kindness has turned the tide of public feeling 
 in his favor. 
 
240 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 " April 24. — Yesterday was a lovely day, and the 
 house was crowded with ' hearers of the word/ As 
 it is our custom to kneel in prayer, it is interesting 
 to see such numbers of idolaters, many for the first 
 time, prostrating themselves before Jehovah. May 
 the Holy Spirit descend upon some of them, and 
 qualify them to become teachers to their country- 
 men. I can scarcely conceive how any place can 
 furnish greater facilities for spreading, far and wide, 
 the truths of Christianity, than this station. There 
 is no necessity of leaving the house ; indeed, it is 
 scarcely possible to do so. They come in succes- 
 sive companies, keeping us busy for several hours 
 of almost each day, until we are often quite ex- 
 hausted. At this moment they are sitting on each 
 side of me, and have been surrounding me so much 
 since I began to transcribe this journal, that I have 
 had difficulty to proceed. Not wishing to have any 
 leave the house untaught, I am frequently obliged 
 to lay down my pen, that I may converse with them 
 and give them books. After living in China, fet- 
 tered and tongue-tied, to enjoy such perfect liberty, 
 and so many advantages as we now have, is most 
 delightful. Had we but fellow-missionaries enough 
 to help us in our work, to open schools, establish 
 out-stations in the surrounding country, and carry 
 on a vigorous system of operations, what happy re- 
 sults might we not effect. 
 
 " But, alas ! how sad the recent news from our 
 native land. Few young men coming forward to 
 devote themselves to the ministry ; scarcely any to 
 offer themselves a living sacrifice on the altar of 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 241 
 
 missions. Fields the most extensive ever opened 
 to the Christian church, now inviting the messen- 
 gers of Christ to enter ; the prayers of many an- 
 swered in the most striking manner; and yet, 
 scarcely any giving heed to these clear indications 
 of Providence ; very few responding to the Heav- 
 enly Call, ' Here am I, send me/ " 
 
 Under date of October, 1843, we have the fol- 
 lowing description of an excursion undertaken by 
 Mr. Abeel and Mr. Lowrie, to Cheang Chau, the 
 capital of the province of that name. 
 
 " Having been greatly favored with wind and 
 tide, we reached our destination about two o'clock 
 p. m. Its distance from Amoy, is probably be- 
 tween thirty and thirty-five miles. Cheang Chau 
 stands on the northeast bank of a small river, hav- 
 ing a very limited suburb on the opposite side, with 
 which it communicates by two stone bridges. Im- 
 mediately on our arrival, we landed, entered the city 
 by what is called ' the river gate,' and proceeded, 
 through several ordinary streets, to what our guide 
 said were apartments assigned to mandarins and 
 strangers, but which we were afterwards told belong- 
 ed to an ordinary inn. For the honor of the country, 
 and the comfort of its guests, it is to be hoped that 
 it was a mere tavern, and that of the common- 
 est description. It consisted of suits of contracted, 
 filthy rooms, with a table, a few old chairs, and two 
 or three apologies for bedsteads. Travellers, I un- 
 derstand, may be accommodated with bed and 
 board, if they prefer it ; otherwise, they may take 
 furnished apartments and find themselves. 
 
 11 
 
242 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 "The crowd, which began to collect on our 
 reaching the shore, and which followed us through 
 the streets, now urged its way into our temporary 
 abode. Finding ourselves too much hemmed in 
 for comfort, our Chinese companion wrote a request 
 to the highest civil officer of the city, begging him 
 to send men to keep away intruders. Poor inno- 
 cent man ! Knowing our standing with mandarins 
 of more exalted rank than any to be found here, he 
 felt himself safe in reasoning from the greater to the 
 less, and fully concluded that the announcement of 
 our arrival, and the expression of our wishes, would 
 meet with all due consideration. Soon a military 
 officer of the fifth rank, wearing a crystal button 
 and a peacock's feather, abruptly entered, and in- 
 quired respecting our object in coming, our names, 
 the time of our expected return, &c. ; all of which 
 he committed to writing. He was soon followed 
 by another of greater dignity, and more politeness, 
 who satisfied himself with looking at the paper, 
 making a few inquiries, and talking on other sub- 
 jects. Three others soon arrived in succession, 
 and made very much the same inquiries. They as- 
 sured us that we were in a common tavern, and 
 that they had little or no control over the populace ; 
 and begged us to return to our boat, and thence to 
 Amoy. To this unreasonable request I made no 
 reply ; but merely told them, that if they were not 
 satisfied with the place in which we were, I hoped 
 they would provide a better one. They said the 
 principal magistrate of the city and district would 
 soon be with us, and that he might be able to fur- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 243 
 
 nish us with other apartments. It was not long be- 
 fore a tall man, wearing a gold button of the seventh 
 rank, entered in great haste ; and, without saluting 
 or scarcely noticing us, began to talk with our 
 Chinese friends in a loud and hurried strain. As 
 his button did not indicate any very appalling dig- 
 nity, I waited awhile, and then inquired who the 
 animated speaker was. He proved to be the magis- 
 trate we were expecting. He descanted on the im- 
 propriety of our coming to the city, and the injury 
 which was likely to accrue to him for not keeping 
 us out. He spoke of the -danger of interrupting the 
 peace now happily established, and of the danger 
 he apprehended from the gathering crowd. He 
 touched on everything which he thought would 
 alarm or move us, not even omitting the treaty, in 
 direct violation of which, he said, we were acting, 
 as he could show us to our conviction. He wound 
 up with a practical application, to which he, no 
 doubt, thought he had predisposed our minds ; which 
 was, that we should leave the place immediately, 
 and return to Amoy. I told him briefly our object 
 in coming, and attempted to show that the argu- 
 ments he had urged were powerless, except in one 
 or two instances, where they operated against him- 
 self. He had spoken of peace, of the friendly rela- 
 tions now existing between the Chinese and foreign- 
 ers. I told him this was the very time to visit them, 
 and that the way to receive and treat friends was 
 not to urge them to depart as soon as they arrived. 
 That the treaty specified the opening of certain 
 ports for commerce, I admitted ; but not that it pre- 
 
244 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 vented all strangers from visiting other parts of the 
 country. The tone he at first assumed gradually 
 gave way as our conversation was prolonged. He 
 laid his hand upon his heart, and then upon mine, 
 and said we were all brothers. I told of the cus- 
 toms of the western world ; how common it was 
 for men of different countries to visit each other ; 
 and as it regards the crowd, of which he had ex- 
 pressed such fears, I had no apprehensions what- 
 ever from that quarter ; the multitude was actuated 
 by a very innocent curiosity — a curiosity common 
 to all countries. 
 
 Finding that we had no disposition to yield to his 
 polite proposition to return before we had seen the 
 place, and before any good could accrue from the ex- 
 cursion, he wished us to accept a large boat, as our 
 place of residence while we remained ; assuring us 
 that we should then be safe from the pilfering pro- 
 pensities of the rabble, and have no annoyance from 
 their presence. I suggested to my Chinese com- 
 panion that we might possibly find ourselves on our 
 way to Amoy in the morning ; which suspicion he 
 turned round and expressed aloud, not by my direc- 
 tion, though I hope to their edification. The mag- 
 istrate again went through the manoeuvre of touching 
 hearts, adding that we must repose mutual confidence 
 in each other. 
 
 "Having signified our willingness to comply with 
 the request of the magistrate, we were escorted to 
 a large boat by almost all our official friends. We 
 were just preparing to retire, or more strictly, to lie 
 down, when an inferior officer entered, and told us 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 245 
 
 that the magistrate had seen the To Tae — the high- 
 est civil mandarin — who had urged him to get us 
 away immediately, and that he had sent down to beg 
 us once more to depart. He w r as reminded of the 
 suspicion we had expressed, before we consented to 
 take up with such a movable lodging, and of the 
 assurance we had received that we should be as 
 permanent here as on shore. Laughing at the ad- 
 vantage we had gained over his superior, he dropped 
 the subject, and said he would be with us early in 
 the morning to accompany us in our excursions. 
 
 " I must acknowledge that I was somewhat disap- 
 pointed at the strength of opposition manifested to 
 our visiting the place. I hoped, without sufficient 
 grounds, that there would be no serious objection 
 to our dwelling among this ' great people/ My 
 mind was soon relieved from a gloomy train of 
 thought by the remembrance of the wonderful change 
 which had already been effected. I thought of the 
 four large and important cities which had been 
 thrown open to us, and of the multitudes of towns 
 and villages lying in their vicinity. Here are fields 
 that will give full employment to all the missionaries 
 who are likely to be furnished by the Church of 
 Christ for years to come. Let these be occupied, 
 and others like them will probably be opened." 
 
 " October, 5. — We had just breakfasted, when one 
 of the mandarins whom we had seen the preceding 
 evening, came with sedans^ to take us to a temple 
 still more celebrated than the one we had just vis- 
 ited. We passed through a number of streets, some 
 of them rather wider than any I had seen of equal 
 
246 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 length in other cities of China. They were lined 
 as usual with shops, well filled and showy. Having 
 reached the northeast angle of the city, we alighted. 
 Here on the gentle slope of a hill, stand an array of 
 Budhist buildings, with a far-famed hall, dedicated to 
 Choo Bun Kong, the most distinguished commentator 
 on the classical books of China, and one of the un- 
 corrupt magistrates of this city. 
 
 " The grounds are beautifully verdant, and orna- 
 mented in part with fine trees. Broad flights of 
 steps lead from the gates to an antique temple, 
 built very much in the style of the one already visited 
 by us, but on a larger scale. Our official companion 
 told us it was erected in the Tong dynasty, some- 
 where between the seventh and tenth centuries 
 of our era. The spacious monastic buildings occu- 
 pying each side of the temple, and the area in front, 
 are almost entirely deserted of the class by which 
 they were originally inhabited. In such a place the 
 mind is thrown back to bygone ages, to the succes- 
 sive multitudes of deceived beings who came to this 
 temple to pay their devotions to these ' dumb idols,' 
 and then passed away in their ignorance. 
 
 " In the temple there stand two very old-looking 
 book-cases, which they gravely told us must not be 
 opened, lest some deadly influence should issue 
 forth. They declared, that a man who made this 
 rash attempt was destroyed on the spot. The hall 
 dedicated to Choo Bun # Kong stands behind this 
 large temple ; it contains his image, with a short 
 tablet giving his name and place of birth. On each 
 side are the representations of a few men distin- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 247 
 
 guished for literary attainments. The civil manda- 
 rins resort here, twice a year, to burn incense and 
 invoke the favorable regards of the sage. Literary 
 men at some of the examinations write their themes 
 in this hall and the ranges of rooms connected with 
 it. By them his auspices are also sought for. 
 
 "We ascended a hill immediately behind these 
 buildings, which rises probably two hundred feet 
 above the level of the surrounding country, and were 
 surprised at the magnificent prospect that burst -upon 
 us. The city lay reposing beneath us ; the roofs of its 
 compact houses were alone visible, interspersed with 
 innumerable trees, with here and there a portion of 
 the wall and part of a small stream or canal. But 
 the city filled only a part of the space within our 
 horizon ; we were nearly in the midst of an am- 
 phitheatre of hills, inclosing a plain, which could 
 scarcely have been less than thirty miles in length 
 and twenty in breadth. Towns, villages, and ham- 
 lets, were visible in every direction ; those too far 
 to be distinguished being indicated by groves or 
 clumps of luxuriant trees. These, with the sugar- 
 cane and rice fields, intersected by rivers, canals, 
 and artificial ponds for irrigation, gave a variety and 
 richness to the scene which almost deceived us into 
 the forgetfulness of its less distant appearances. 
 
 " I wished to get an estimate of the population 
 from an intelligent man who accompanied us ; but 
 as is generally the case when this subject is intro- 
 duced, he expressed as much wonder at my question 
 as if the sum were incalculable. I tried to talk him 
 out of his mysticism, when he recollected that at 
 
248 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 the close of the last dynasty, more than two cen- 
 turies ago, the census gave seven or eight hundred 
 thousand ; to which he thought a large number had 
 been since added. Though the city and suburbs 
 are exceedingly compact, they can scarcely contain 
 such a population. The space appeared to us too 
 limited. What must be the number scattered over 
 the whole country which our position commanded. 
 
 " On our return, we entered a number of shops, 
 and walked through some of the best-looking streets. 
 It is needless to say that we were honored with a 
 large concourse of attendants and spectators. Prob- 
 ably neither of us ever attracted so much attention 
 before. We passed through a street which we saw 
 decorated with lamps and hangings the preceding 
 evening. This was intended as a peace-offering to 
 the gods, by whose visitation, as they believed, they 
 had suffered severely from sickness and death. The 
 cholera had committed fearful ravages among them, 
 at times carrying away four or five hundred a day. 
 The crowd which followed us was so large, that 
 we made the boatmen pull out and anchor in the 
 stream. 
 
 " Our visit was interesting, as bringing to light a 
 number of facts. It shows what a change has been 
 effected, if not in the disposition, at least in the pol- 
 icy of the government toward foreigners. A very 
 short time since, and no stranger could have pene- 
 trated to Cheang Chau except in disguise. Then, 
 instead of condescending to reason with us, brute 
 force would have been applied. The least they 
 would have done, would have been to convey us un- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 249 
 
 ceremoniously to a boat, and command the boatmen 
 to be off without delay. Now, they not only allow 
 us to reason with them, but they yield, at least prac- 
 tically, to the force of our arguments. It is highly 
 probable that the Emperor, having been compelled 
 to throw open certain ports for commerce, has sent 
 down his command requiring his officers to prevent 
 any intrusion into other places; but to do so by 
 means which will not disturb the present peace. 
 Hence their firm but not invincible opposition. At 
 present it would be very difficult, perhaps impossi- 
 ble, to make the larger cities missionary stations. 
 Still, I see no reason why they might not be consid- 
 ered as outposts, to which we could make frequent 
 visits for preaching the Gospel, and scattering the 
 good seed in the written page. At the smaller 
 places where there are no mandarins, it would be 
 less difficult to get a foothold. That the missionary 
 might visit villages almost without number, and of 
 all sizes, with little or no molestation from govern- 
 ment, appears highly probable. As far as our obser- 
 vation goes, the country is extensively open to itiner- 
 ant labors. We confidently believe that any number 
 of enterprising men, having their head-quarters at 
 Amoy or Kolongsoo, could find abundant employ- 
 ment in this populous region. That there is any 
 necessity for having our permanent residence at 
 Kolongsoo or Amoy, remains to be seen. We need 
 a larger force to make such experiments, and until 
 the work prepared to our hands is less neglected, it 
 is folly to look out for more. Our prayers have been 
 heard — our sanguine hopes exceeded. God has done 
 
 11* 
 
250 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 great things for China, whereof we are glad. And 
 now who is there that will ' come over and help us V 
 Who will go up, and in the name of its Sovereign, 
 take possession of this goodly land ?" 
 
 Thus, much of Mr. Abeel's time was spent in 
 making excursions to different points, in the distri- 
 bution of religious works ; and in personal religious 
 conversation with the heathen, when he could not 
 obtain the opportunity of preaching to numbers the 
 Gospel of grace. 
 
 In June, 1844, he had the pleasure of welcoming 
 at Amoy, Messrs. Doty and Pohlman as fellow-labor- 
 ers in this same field. This was an opportune arri- 
 val, displaying the goodness and wisdom of Divine 
 Providence. In August, Mr. Abeel was obliged to 
 leave Amoy. His health had been sinking rapidly, 
 and he sought once more the benefits which he had 
 often obtained from a voyage. He sailed to Hong- 
 Kong, another missionary station, where he remained 
 until September, when he returned to Amoy. His 
 symptoms had not been in any way mitigated by 
 this change ; and, after laboring at his post for a 
 time, he was forced to give up all exertion and leave 
 the field entirely. The following is the account of 
 his last missionary excursion. It is written under 
 date of November 23, 1844. 
 
 " We have just returned from a visit to Quemoy. 
 It is the largest and most projecting island which is 
 passed in the approach to Amoy. Our kind friend, 
 the chief magistrate, assisted us in procuring a suit- 
 able boat ; and this to go to a place interdicted by 
 treaties ! 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 251 
 
 " We started at nine in the morning, and arrived 
 at three in the afternoon. Our vessel could not ap- 
 proach within half a mile or more of the dry shore. 
 When we arrived, a cloud of human beings were 
 gradually moving out with the receding tide. They 
 were picking up shell-fish and sea- weed, and what- 
 ever else they could turn to the least profit. A large 
 proportion were women and girls. We were car- 
 ried on men's backs to the shore, and on their 
 shoulders, (in sedans,) when we returned. We 
 were obliged to walk over a barren tract before 
 we reached the chief town, Aou Poi. It proved to 
 be by far the largest and most business-like place 
 we have visited in the vicinity of Amoy. It has 
 diverted the trade from the walled city, which lies 
 some three or four miles in the interior, and was 
 once the emporium of the island. Though rather 
 late, we started for the city ; but after travelling 
 about half the distance, (myself being the only one 
 in a sedan.) the pedestrian powers of some of our 
 party began to fail, and it was concluded to defer the 
 visit until we had more time for the examination of 
 the island. 
 
 "We were pleased with the gently undulating 
 surface of the country. We saw no abrupt black 
 hills, no immense granite rocks. The soil is very 
 light, and the chief production is the sweet potato ; 
 an article far inferior, as cultivated in China, to that 
 which is obtained in either of the southern or mid- 
 dle states of America. As usual, the eye caught a 
 village almost wherever it turned. 
 
 " Such was the dense crowd at a temple where 
 
252 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 we stopped on our return, that it was impossible to 
 make the people listen. We noticed a large admix- 
 ture of well-dressed, intelligent-looking persons, who 
 requested books, both for themselves, and the man- 
 darins in whose offices many of them are probably- 
 employed. This place is considered of sufficient im- 
 portance to be governed by a mandarin of high rank. 
 
 u One object which we had in view in going to 
 Quemoy, was to obtain a correct idea of the salu- 
 brity of the island. I had often inquired about it, 
 and had been led to believe that it was remarkably 
 free from the fevers and other epidemics which are 
 common in the neighboring places. The dryness 
 of the soil, the absence of extensive paddy grounds, 
 and the appearance of the entire face of the coun- 
 try, strengthened the impression which I had derived 
 from others. There are many excellent situations 
 for dwellings, and no doubt many dwellings in such 
 situations might be obtained. But should we be 
 permitted to live here ? It would doubtless be more 
 difficult than to obtain a footing where there are 
 no mandarins ; but still, I think, in the course of 
 time, it might be effected. It would make a desira- 
 ble missionary station, irrespective of its healthful- 
 ness. The island is said to be as large as Amoy. 
 Whether this be true or not, it must contain a large 
 population." 
 
 Mr. Abeel concludes his journal with the following 
 reflections : — " I am glad that I was permitted to re- 
 turn to Amoy for a short time, if it were only for 
 these experiments. True, they do not prove all 
 that we wish to know. They do not show, for in- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 253 
 
 stance, whether missionaries will be allowed to re- 
 side permanently in these towns and villages ; but 
 they do show that these and similar places are per- 
 fectly accessible to us, and that labors, which re- 
 quire only transient visits, such as preaching and 
 superintending schools, may be performed. And 
 labors of this description, I have little doubt, will 
 very soon open the way for permanent stations, 
 wherever it may be thought desirable to establish 
 them. When God's Spirit shall be poured out, and 
 native converts and evangelists shall have been 
 raised up to our assistance, what ample scope there 
 will be for the employment of all their time and en- 
 ergies. 
 
 " Never before has the missionary work appear- 
 ed so inviting — never have I been placed in such 
 agreeable circumstances — never has labor been so 
 easy, so animating — never have the prospects been 
 so encouraging. I have lived through a part of 
 China's long night of exclusiveness, and have seen 
 the morning spread itself upon her eastern moun- 
 tains. I consider the country now to be sufficiently 
 open for all missionary purposes ; and it is a re- 
 markable fact, that while the prospects of trade have 
 not been realized, and merchants have thus far ac- 
 complished but little, missionaries have been quietly 
 coming in, and taking possession of the large com- 
 mercial cities. The very spot, which those of us 
 who were studying the Fukien dialect, always spoke 
 of as our most desirable residence, myself and others 
 have occupied. This difficult dialect has been ac- 
 quired to a useful extent, and its further acquisition 
 
254 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 has been rendered easy and agreeable. A congre- 
 gation has been gathered, which, with care may be 
 indefinitely increased ; and an interesting meeting 
 for social prayer and catechetical instruction, has 
 been well attended for several months. The favor 
 of the mandarins and of all classes of the people, has 
 been secured \ and the whole surrounding country, 
 with its teeming population, is, for a wide circuit at 
 least, accessible to us. A band of missionaries has 
 lately arrived to strengthen our hands, and greatly 
 increase our social privileges and comforts. Our 
 literary labors have never been so interesting. A 
 part of the Bible has been assigned to our mission 
 to translate, and the whole to revise. Great as is 
 the trial of leaving the place and the beloved com- 
 panions in it, yet I have been spared to see so many 
 hopes realized, and the dispensation which calls me 
 away has been so mercifully delayed, that I have 
 cause only for gratitude. Oh, that many young 
 men may be constrained to go forth to this field, 
 and assist in giving the Word free course, that it 
 may be glorified among the people !" 
 
 He essayed once after this to preach to the Chi- 
 nese, but on account of the weakness and irritation 
 of his lungs, he was almost forced to relinquish 
 the effort. His sermon was founded on the text, 
 u Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy 
 laden, and I will give you rest." A fit subject to 
 close his career as an ambassador for Christ among 
 the poor, benighted, and hopeless heathen. 
 
 We have now followed this servant of Jesus 
 through all his labors. His last efforts in the ser- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 255 
 
 vice of his Master were performed under the pres- 
 sure of severe and distressing disease, and yet they 
 were carried on with all the energy which he dis- 
 played when he first entered upon the duties of his 
 missionary life. It only remains for us to trace his 
 course as he was compelled to leave this field of his 
 exertions, and return to his native land, to die and 
 be buried with his fathers. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Worn out by exertions made while the body was 
 suffering from the weakness incident to a constantly 
 feverish state, Mr. Abeel was again forced to leave 
 his post, and seek the home of his fathers, if by the 
 good providence of God he might be permitted to 
 reach it. As has been seen, he first sought to relieve 
 his physical distresses by short sea voyages about the 
 coast of China, hoping that he might be so much im- 
 proved in health as to preclude the necessity of en- 
 tirely discontinuing his labors. But these expedients 
 failed ; and he felt that he must hasten, before his 
 strength was so far exhausted as to place him be- 
 yond the hope of the reviving influence of the sea 
 air. In all this trial he possessed his soul in patience. 
 
 His journal says, — "I have been ill and absent, 
 spending some weeks at Macao, and some at Hong- 
 Kong. My increasingly feeble health has brought 
 death and heaven near. I trust I have nothing to 
 fear. Simply to the cross I cling. Animating pros- 
 pects of my Home. Am still afflicted by trying 
 pains, but am praying and striving for patience with 
 cheerfulness/' 
 
 By the advice of his friends, he embarked on the 
 14th of January, 1845, in the Natchez, Capt. Wa- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 257 
 
 terman, for the port of New York. So enfeebled 
 was he at this time, that the night before his em- 
 barkation he feared to give way to the influence of 
 sleep, lest his respiratory organs should cease to act. 
 After he had been on board a few weeks he was 
 greatly relieved ; and he then entertained the hope, 
 which, at the commencement of the voyage he 
 hardly dared indulge, that he might once more reach 
 his native land. When but two weeks of his voyage 
 had elapsed, we find this record in his diary. 
 
 "February 2, 1845. How wonderful ! Again on 
 the mighty waters bound for America. After re- 
 turning to Amoy, under the confident expectation 
 that the winter, would revive me, I remained in a 
 very weak state. No cold, or very cold weather 
 came on. I tried different expedients in vain. A 
 low exhausting fever set in ; and as there was no 
 prospect of improvement, Heft Amoy, December 19, 
 1844, to try the effects of a change either to the 
 south of China, Manilla, or America. At Hong- 
 Kong and Canton I felt better in unimportant re- 
 spects, but became worse in the symptoms which 
 were the most serious. On the 14th of January, I 
 embarked, doubtful which home I should reach first. 
 We have been out nineteen days, and I feel greatly 
 relieved. The goodness of the Lord fills me with 
 surprise. Every event has been so mercifully or- 
 dered." 
 
 He who holds the winds and the waves in His 
 hands, sent prosperous gales to waft that vessel 
 across the broad ocean. 
 
 The Natchez made one of the shortest trips on 
 
258 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 record ; and the good providence of God was dis- 
 played in restoring this servant of Jesus so quickly 
 to the bosom of his friends, and to the comforts and 
 care which his weak state demanded. On the 3rd 
 day of April he arrived at New York, after an ab- 
 sence of six years. He was then so exhausted and 
 worn out by disease, that it hardly appeared as though 
 he could survive from day to day ; and it was with 
 great difficulty that he could converse. 
 
 He came to the home of his fathers, but its chief 
 attractions had been removed. His parents had al- 
 ready been gathered to the silent tomb ; and the joy 
 experienced at meeting with surviving relatives, was 
 mingled with sadness. So weak was he, and un- 
 able to endure any exertion, that he could not even 
 enjoy the privilege of leading in supplication to God ; 
 and but once after his return, was his voice heard 
 pleading at the family altar, and then his frequent 
 pauses and difficult breathing gave evidence, that 
 even that privilege must be denied him. 
 
 After remaining in New York for a few weeks, he 
 was obliged to leave the place on account of the 
 distressing effects of the air upon his lungs. He 
 hastened to Philadelphia, where he remained until 
 the weather became more pleasant, when he sought 
 the pure air above the Highlands of the Hudson 
 River. When summer closed, he left the hospitable 
 roofs under which he had been so kindly sheltered, 
 where every comfort and luxury had been adminis- 
 tered to him by friendly hands, and travelled to Bryan 
 county, Georgia ; where the kind providence of God 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 259 
 
 had raised up other friends, who delighted to bestow 
 their hospitality upon him. 
 
 During all this time his health was exceedingly- 
 precarious, and affected by the slightest change. 
 He was almost constantly oppressed by a sense of 
 physical exhaustion, which could only be tempo- 
 rarily relieved. He w&s unwilling to use any an- 
 odynes, fearing that they might have the effect of 
 benumbing his mental faculties, and thus of destroy- 
 ing his ability to perform and enjoy the great duties 
 of religion ; consequently he did not find that relief 
 which is often obtained from the use of such expe- 
 dients, by those who are in the last stages of pul- 
 monary disease. 
 
 But though his sufferings were so severe, yet his 
 spiritual enjoyment during this time was constantly 
 increasing. As the outward man decayed, the in- 
 ward man was renewed day by day. Under date 
 of March 9th, he writes : — " Bless the Lord, O my 
 soul. Health but little improved, but God's pres- 
 ence and loving kindness fill me with wonder and 
 joy. I see such unchanging goodness in all the 
 past, and find such tender love in His present deal- 
 ings, that gratitude and praise fill my soul. ' He 
 delighteth in mercy ;' and that notwithstanding my 
 past sins and present deficiencies. How delightful 
 the thoughts of heaven have been. The long days 
 and sleepless nights have often been turned into 
 seasons of high enjoyment. The Lord has aroused 
 my mind to the necessity of cultivating Christ-like 
 forbearance, kindness, meekness, and universal love. 
 This can be done only by watching the unceasing 
 
260 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 operations of the mind, and endeavoring to correct 
 every wrong thought and improper course, in the 
 scenes which the imagination is ever presenting." 
 
 On the 1st of January, 1846, (the year of his 
 death,) he made the following entry. He was then 
 in Georgia, and had repeated evidences of approach- 
 ing dissolution. It is the bfeathing of a soul ripe 
 for heaven. 
 
 " I have probably enjoyed more of the Divine 
 presence and favor the last year, than in any pre- 
 ceding one. Very ill, much of the time expecting 
 to die. Blessed be God, I have no fear of death. 
 This has come through confidence in the power and 
 faithfulness of my Redeemer. Floods of light seem 
 sometimes to have poured into my soul. God has 
 made His goodness to pass before me. He has dis- 
 closed to me the love and tenderness of his past 
 dealings with me — how He led me out to the hea- 
 then — sustained me all the way — and brought me 
 back to die among the dearest friends, and in the 
 most ameliorating circumstances. All, all is of 
 grace, and my heart often swells with gratitude. 
 Oh, who has ever been more tenderly and delicately 
 provided for in all things. I have eternal life in 
 bright and animating prospect, through Jesus Christ 
 my all — and besides, I have ' The world and things 
 present and things to come.' Oh, for more resem- 
 blance to Jesus. With so little, I wonder at such 
 manifestations of love." 
 
 In the spring of 1846, he journeyed slowly from 
 Georgia to the north. He again found it impossible 
 to remain in the city of New York, as he was im- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 261 
 
 mediately seized with a most acute and distressing 
 bronchial affection, from which he could obtain no 
 relief until he breathed the pure air above the High- 
 lands. He continued at Albany until June, when 
 he started for Rhode Island by the way of New 
 York. On his way down the North River, he 
 gratified a desire whigh he had often expressed 
 since his return, of visiting the village of Athens, 
 the place of his first settlement as a preacher of the 
 Gospel. Twenty years had rolled by, since he had 
 been permitted to preach there the unsearchable 
 riches of Christ. The scene which ensued when 
 he reached that place, was solemnly affecting. The 
 fathers of the church had already gone to their rest ; 
 but numbers were left, who hastened to greet him, 
 and behold his face once more in the flesh. And as 
 his spiritual children gathered around him, and be- 
 held his weakness and suffering, and recalled those 
 scenes of interest through w T hich they passed when 
 he broke to them the bread of life, their hearts were 
 overcome by deep feeling, and even the eye of man- 
 hood was dimmed by the tear of sorrow. 
 
 This interview was so painfully interesting and 
 exciting, that it seemed almost too much for him to 
 bear ; and after exerting himself greatly to adminis- 
 ter advice and consolation to these weeping friends, 
 he was forced to bid them farewell, and hasten away 
 from the trying scene. 
 
 He then visited Rhode Island ; and in four weeks 
 returned to the State of New York, and travelled as 
 far west as Geneva, to visit there a relative, the 
 Rev. Gustavus Abeel, D.D. Now, he was nearly 
 
262 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 at the end of the journey of life, and his physical 
 sufferings became almost insupportable. Yet he 
 endured as seeing Him who is invisible. The 
 greater part of his time was spent in devotional ex- 
 ercises. Unable to maintain a sitting posture, he 
 would lounge on the sofa, or lie on the bed with his 
 open Bible at his side ; and spend hours in contem- 
 plating its truths, and committing it to memory. 
 He also delighted greatly in repeating hymns, with 
 which his mind was richly stored. He was but lit- 
 tle affected by worldly considerations, and his hopes 
 were growing brighter day by day. It might truly 
 be said of him, if it could be applied to any of his 
 generation, that he " walked with God ;" and the 
 whole tenor of his conversation, savored of deep 
 spirituality, and weanedness from the world. 
 
 He returned from Geneva to Albany, but it was 
 the will of God that he should proceed no farther. 
 He had remained in Albany but a few days, when 
 most unfavorable symptoms appeared which termi- 
 nated in his speedy dissolution. From their first ap- 
 pearance he sunk rapidly. This decline was more 
 obvious to others than himself. His mind was fully 
 prepared for his departure. For months previous, 
 and in fact, from the time of his return, he always 
 spoke of death as an event which might occur at 
 any time ; and when his attached friends — who could 
 hardly enter into his feelings, and feared that a con- 
 stant contemplation of the great change might af- 
 fect his remaining strength — chided him for speaking 
 of it with such familiarity, his countenance would 
 light up with a smile of holy confidence ; and he 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 263 
 
 would assure them, that he had meditated on the 
 subject so long, and realized the blessedness con- 
 nected with the change so fully, that he was no 
 more disturbed by referring to it, than by mention- 
 ing any circumstance that might occur in his life. 
 This was also manifest from the fact, that he made 
 every minute arrangement in reference to the dis- 
 position of his affairs with perfect composure ; and 
 directed where his body should be laid to rest, when 
 his spirit was released from the earthly tabernacle. 
 Still, it may be said in one sense, that death came 
 upon him suddenly, and in a measure unexpectedly. 
 He had before rallied under like symptoms : and he 
 was under the impression, when they first appeared, 
 that he had sufficient physical stamina to resist their 
 power. But he soon saw that nature could not en- 
 dure the shock, and that the last struggle had ar- 
 rived. And physically speaking, it was a struggle ; 
 for his frame had not lost all its energy, and it re- 
 sisted the inroads of the great destroyer. Nervous 
 relaxation and the intense heat of the weather com- 
 bined to render his sufferings most acute. So great 
 was his agony, that he would permit no one to be 
 present in his room but the physician, who watched 
 over him with the greatest solicitude. Through the 
 grace of God, he was able to maintain his patience 
 and composure, when he found that death was at 
 hand. He used his remaining strength in commu- 
 nion with God, and a calm contemplation of his ap- 
 proaching end. There was no sound heard in that 
 chamber of death ; for the sufferer chose rather to 
 collect all his energies and employ them in viewing 
 
264 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 eternal realities. There was no shout of triumph 
 heard ; for the sting of death had long since passed 
 away. As the prophet of old awaited in silence the 
 still small voice, so now he remained calm, resigned 
 and silent, awaiting the call of his Master. It was 
 not the silence of fear, but of composure, and deep 
 peace which flowed like a river in his soul. 
 
 His last wish, was to be left undisturbed : and in 
 the stillness of that chamber he communed with his 
 Master, till the summons came, and he saw him 
 face to face. Before his death his pains and suffer- 
 ings ceased ; and he lay as if in a gentle slumber, 
 when he died. No groan or sigh was heard. He 
 fell asleep in Jesus. Then was fulfilled that lofty 
 desire, expressed in his journal : — the last record — 
 written, as if with painful difficulty — which is the 
 full expression of his hopes and feelings. It was 
 written but fourteen days before his death. 
 
 " August 20, 1846. — Wonderfully preserved ! 
 With a kind and degree of disease which generally 
 has a speedy issue, I live on. All things are mine. 
 God sustains me through wearisome days, and te- 
 dious, painful nights. Simple faitflr in his word 
 keeps my mind in peace, but he generously adds 
 strong consolation. When I embarked for home, 
 the latter part of the 5th chapter of Hebrews was 
 blessed to the production of the assurance of hope, 
 or something akin to it I have not lost it. Death 
 has no sting. Oh, may the Conqueror continue with 
 me till the close, and then ! ! !" 
 
 This is the closing sentence of the diary. The 
 pen could write no more, but in a few days the faith- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 265 
 
 ful disciple was permitted to realize the object of his 
 desires. 
 
 He died on the 4th of September, 1846, aged 
 forty-two years. The Rev. Dr. WyckofF of Albany, 
 pronounced the funeral discourse, and his body was 
 conveyed for interment to Greenwood Cemetery, 
 near the city of New York. A monument erected 
 by Christian friends now marks the place where re- 
 pose the remains of David Abeel, the first Foreign 
 Missionary ever sent by his own denomination, to 
 preach the Gospel to the heathen. 
 
 12 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 We have now finished the pleasant labor of trac- 
 ing the personal history of David Abeel. And as a 
 fitting conclusion to this work, we propose to draw 
 a brief sketch of his character. The narrative of 
 his life distinctly develops its chief traits. But 
 there are some points, which, on account of the 
 form that the work has assumed, have not been no- 
 ticed in the preceding pages, and yet must be intro- 
 duced to render the description faithful and com- 
 plete. 
 
 As yet, nothing has been mentioned in regard to 
 the intellectual character and attainments of 
 David Abeel, although the reader must have formed 
 some conclusion on this point, as he has perused the 
 different extracts from his journals and diary. It 
 should be remembered, however, that the diary was 
 written only for personal use. 
 
 He was not a man of remarkable power of intel- 
 lect, or of peculiar genius ; if he had been, perhaps 
 he would not have engaged so successfully in the 
 severe intellectual drudgery connected with the 
 study of a difficult language. 
 
 But while there was no peculiar brilliancy in his 
 mental formation, it was characterized by solidity 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 267 
 
 and strength. He was emphatically a man of sound 
 mind, in the true acceptation of the term. He was 
 a clear and close thinker; — he could appreciate 
 nice distinctions of thought, and always expressed 
 himself with discrimination and force. 
 
 This strength of mind, which God had given him, 
 was the foundation on which he built the intellec- 
 tual superstructure carefully and assiduously. From 
 the time of life when he first felt deeply the neces- 
 sity of cultivating his mental powers, he had been 
 under the influence of religious principle ; and was 
 impressed with one great desire — one object of am- 
 bition — the improvement of his talents to their ut- 
 most extent, that he might use all for the glory of 
 God. He did not spare himself in any way to at- 
 tain that object. He was an indefatigable student. 
 We must, as a matter of course, make much allow- 
 ance for the disadvantages he experienced in literary 
 pursuits, arising from his feeble health ; but this fact 
 only serves to show us what energy he displayed in 
 cultivating his intellect, and acquiring the knowl- 
 edge which he possessed, not only on theological 
 subjects, but also on all points of general literature. 
 
 He was critically acquainted with several differ- 
 ent languages. He was a thorough master of his 
 mother tongue, which he used in conversation and 
 extemporaneous speaking with peculiar beauty and 
 force. His study of the Chinese language, doubt- 
 less led him to accurate habits of scholarship, and 
 to an intimate acquaintance, especially with the an- 
 cient languages, that he might be prepared for the 
 work of faithfully translating the Word of God. 
 
268 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 It would be difficult for us to ascertain the extent 
 of his knowledge of the Chinese. That he was en- 
 dowed with peculiar natural capabilities for its ac- 
 quisition, we are well aware. His ear for musical 
 sound was correct and delicate, and he was thus 
 fitted for observing and using correctly the different 
 intonations, on which the meaning of words in that 
 language chiefly depends. He often made the re- 
 mark, that it was almost useless for any one to at- 
 tempt the study of the Chinese who had not a criti- 
 cal ear in distinguishing sound. His acquisitions 
 were restricted to one dialect of this peculiar lan- 
 guage. To say that he had an accurate knowledge 
 of it, would be declaring too much ; for such an ac- 
 quaintance would have required more years of study 
 than he could have bestowed, had he always pos- 
 sessed good health. He was also acquainted with 
 the Siamese and Malay languages. 
 
 As a preacher, his discourses were clear and for- 
 cible. He was not given to abstract discussions of 
 truth, but was rather plain and practical. His ser- 
 mons were commonly prepared with great care. It 
 was his custom to choose his subject the first day of 
 the week, and meditate on it, feeding his own soul 
 with it, and drinking in the spirit of its teachings, 
 before he presented it to the people ; — and thus 
 be brought " beaten oil," into the sanctuary. He 
 preached on the Sabbath during the greater part of 
 his missionary life — on two different occasions offi- 
 ciating as chaplain at Singapore — at Canton, for the 
 foreign residents in connection with the other mis- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 269 
 
 sionary brethren — and at Kolongsoo, as chaplain for 
 the British army. In the appendix to this work will 
 be found a sermon, which is inserted as a speci- 
 men of the depth of practical piety which charac- 
 terized his discourses. His manner in the pulpil 
 was unaffected, and at the same time winning and 
 impressive ; and the musical and pleasing intona- 
 tions of his voice added force to his language. 
 
 As an author, Mr. Abeel contributed to the cause 
 of missions by writing a description of his residence 
 in China and the adjacent countries during his first 
 visit to the East ; and by publishing a work advo- 
 cating the importance of the great object to which 
 he had devoted his life, entitled " The Claims of the 
 World to the Gospel." The former work was pub- 
 lished soon after his return from China in 1835: the 
 latter shortly previous to his departure for Canton 
 in 1839. "His ' Residence in China' discovers a 
 quick apprehension, and a just perception of the 
 beautiful and the repulsive, in nature and in morals. 
 His 'Discussion on Missions' bespeaks close discrim- 
 ination, accurate representation, with candid and 
 powerful argumentation. "* 
 
 Mr. A's strength of mind exhibited itself in con- 
 l^ection with his missionary labors, in his prudence 
 and energy, and the correctness of his judgment. 
 He rose above the contracting influence of preju- 
 dice, and always embraced expanded views of duty. 
 He was very discriminating in his plans, and was 
 rarely if ever mistaken in his course. 
 
 * Funeral Discourse of Mr. Abeel, by Isaac N. Wyckoff, D.D. 
 
270 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 Such was the intellectual character of David 
 Abeel, exactly fitting him for usefulness as a mis- 
 sionary of the cross : — enabling him to engage and 
 interest by the power of his preaching — and to com- 
 mand the respect of all men by the strength of his 
 mind, and the prudence of his course. 
 
 Let us now examine his religious character. 
 In this we are more deeply interested ; for we can 
 meet daily many who have made the highest attain- 
 ments in science and literature, and who possess 
 great strength of mind ; but there are few who give 
 as much diligence to keeping their hearts, as to the 
 cultivation of their intellects — who value spiritual 
 truths as fully as they do the truths of natural sci- 
 ence. 
 
 It would be folly to say that these pursuits are 
 incompatible ; for some of the most ardent students 
 of the natural sciences and of general literature, 
 have manifested the same eagerness in their search 
 for spiritual knowledge ; and have been humble 
 learners at the feet of Jesus — the Great Teacher. 
 But the majority of intellectual men are so dazzled 
 by the splendor of worldly wisdom, and fascinated 
 by its pursuits, as to neglect that heavenly wisdom 
 " which cometh down from above/' Hence it is 
 more pleasant to turn from these traits, in which 
 David Abeel has been often equalled, and even ex- 
 celled ; and to view him in a higher and holier light 
 — as the child of God, who consecrated himself en- 
 tirely to his Master, and sought chiefly intimate ac- 
 quaintance with divine things. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 271 
 
 It may be truly said that few attain the heights 
 of piety which he reached. 
 
 In looking at the characteristics of that piety as 
 displayed in his views of spiritual subjects, and de- 
 veloped in his life, we are led to notice particularly : 
 
 HIS EXALTED CONCEPTIONS OF THE NATURE AND 
 
 EXTENT OF THE WORK OF SANCTIFICATION IN THE 
 SOUL. 
 
 It is doubtless true, that the great deficiencies in 
 the extent of piety and self-consecration of profes- 
 sors of religion, can be traced to their incorrect 
 ideas of the work of personal sanctification. Many 
 are so careless and worldly-minded, that they do not 
 make this a subject of meditation, and inquiry, and 
 prayer ; while others learn to cherish low and con- 
 tracted ideas in regard to it. They " compare them- 
 selves with themselves," taking as their standard 
 some creature as fallible as themselves, though per- 
 haps more holy ; and consequently are satisfied with 
 limited attainments in personal piety. 
 
 David Abeel acknowledged as his only rule in the 
 pursuit of holiness, the one laid down and enforced 
 in God's word — " Be ye holy even as I am holy :" — 
 "Be ye perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect." 
 In other words, he knew of no other bounds to his 
 desires and prayers than the perfection and holiness 
 of God. This was a point on which he would often 
 expatiate in his conversation with Christians. If he 
 referred to the example of men, it was to show how 
 far they had advanced in their pursuit after this 
 great object. He frequently spoke of the Apostle 
 Paul as an example of great attainments in piety, 
 
272 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 and declared as his belief, " that these were made 
 under the same difficulties which all Christians have 
 encountered — that although, an inspired apostle, he 
 had no special assistance in this work, farther than 
 is vouchsafed to every seeking child of God, and that 
 any Christian who made a right use of his privi- 
 leges, might attain the same heights of sanctifica- 
 tion through the grace of the Spirit;" and yet he did 
 not point others to Paul as having reached the high- 
 est degree of sanctification, nor did he place his 
 character before his own soul in this view: he looked 
 beyond, to the great example — the perfectly holy 
 Savior. His spirit and desires resembled those of 
 the same apostle as expressed in the third chapter 
 of Philippians, — " Pressing toward the mark, for the 
 prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." 
 
 Acting in accordance with the promptings of this 
 one great desire, he was led to use with peculiar 
 diligence the different means of grace, appointed by 
 the goodness of God for the increase of His likeness 
 and spirit in the hearts of His children. While he 
 loved the house of God, he placed a far greater value 
 on the private than the public duties of religion. A 
 portion of each day was spent in secret communion 
 with God. He counted his seasons of private de- 
 votion, not by minutes, but hours ; and frequently 
 whole days would be spent in prayer and fasting, 
 although his health often forbade the recurrence of 
 the latter seasons. Wherever he went it was soon 
 obseved that a man of God was there. Much of 
 his time was spent in his own apartment, and when 
 he came out after his seasons of retirement, and 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 273 
 
 rejoined the circle, his spiritual conversation told of 
 the happiness which he had enjoyed. 
 
 He was an ardent student of the Bible — feeling 
 the force of the prayer which Jesus offered for his 
 disciples: "Sanctify them through thy truth, thy 
 word is truth." He studied it on his knees, with a 
 teachable spirit. For days he would pore over some 
 precious passage or chapter, until his soul was filled 
 with its spirit. He would often peruse it in many 
 different languages, that, to use his own expression, 
 he might perhaps find some beauty or striking 
 thought brought to view in one translation or ver- 
 sion which was not in another. His Greek Testa- 
 ment and French Psalter were always near him. 
 His views of divine truth were deeply spiritual. It 
 was delightful to hear him expatiate on passages of 
 Holy writ, for he seemed almost to catch the in- 
 spiration of the writer. When he returned from 
 China, he formed a Bible class in the family ; and 
 the savor of his instructions yet remains in the 
 minds of those who were permitted to enjoy his ex- 
 planations of the sacred volume. 
 
 Wherever he went, the Bible was his companion ; 
 and as often as opportunity offered in his journey- 
 ings, he would refresh and strengthen his soul by 
 its perusal, and thus preserve himself from the power 
 of worldly influence. In his hours of sickness, it 
 was his delight to comment on different portions of 
 the word, while some person would read it to him 
 slowly. And after his strength failed, the study of 
 the Bible was the chief source of his consolation. 
 
 12* 
 
274 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 He was a man of prayer. — He strove always 
 to possess the spirit encouraged in that direction. 
 "Pray without ceasing." Prayer was the chief 
 element of his spiritual enjoyment — the air which 
 he loved to breathe. When in the Theological Semi- 
 nary, he found a secluded place in the woods near 
 the residence of his parents ; and there he formed 
 a bower, to which he retired for meditation and 
 prayer, where he might be undisturbed by any 
 intrusion. Daily he repaired to that little Bethel, 
 and in the silence of nature's sanctuary worshipped 
 his God. In that place, in answer to prayer, he first 
 became impressed with the claims of the heathen, 
 and received light in regard to his duty towards 
 them. In all his course, he drew his spiritual 
 strength directly from God, and owed his attain- 
 ments in piety to his habit of secret prayer. It may 
 truly be said of him, as it was of one whose char- 
 acter he delighted to study, the heavenly-minded 
 Fletcher — " His closet was his favorite retirement, 
 to which he constantly retreated whenever his du- 
 ties allowed a season of leisure. Here he was pri- 
 vately hidden, as in the presence of God ; here he 
 would plunge himself into the depths of humiliation ; 
 and from hence, as from another Pisgah, he would 
 take a large survey of the vast inheritance which is 
 reserved for the saints. Here he would ratify his 
 solemn engagements to God; and here, like the 
 good King Hezekiah, he would spread the various 
 circumstances of the people at the feet of their com- 
 mon Lord. In all cases of difficulty he would re- 
 tire to this consecrated place to ask counsel of the 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 275 
 
 Host High ; and here in times of uncommon dis- 
 tress, he has continued during whole nights in prayer 
 to God." 
 
 Connected with his study of God's word, and de- 
 light in secret prayer, we must not forget his re- 
 markable habits of meditation. He did not, like 
 some, spend his time in this duty to the neglect of 
 active labor in the service of his Master. All his 
 meditations were of such a character that they led 
 to greater diligence in that service ; and he had ac- 
 quired the habit of pursuing them while engaged 
 in other duties, and journeying from place to place. 
 It was in this way that he obtained such rich and 
 deeply spiritual views of divine truth. Thus, for 
 instance, he records in his diary the delight which 
 he experienced for weeks, in contemplating the 
 ideas suggested by the passage which forms the 
 text of the sermon appended to this memoir. 
 
 " I am dwelling on ' And so shall we be ever with 
 the Lord.' The theme is refreshing, enrapturing. 
 I know not how near I am to death. Blessed be 
 God, there is no bitterness in the thought of a speedy 
 departure. ' I shall be satisfied when I awake (as I 
 literally may) with thy likeness.' " 
 
 " The theme of last week is still in contempla- 
 tion ; and as I am in no haste to finish it, I hope it 
 may furnish animation for weeks to come." 
 
 His diary contains frequent notices of this kind. 
 He derived many subjects for meditation from the 
 different hymns with which his mind was stored. 
 He was exceedingly fond of poetry of every kind, 
 but his chief enjoyment was found in such as tended 
 
276 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 to sanctify the heart. It was his delight when the 
 hour of twilight approached, to sit with the family 
 and converse on eternal things, and illustrate his 
 spiritual emotions in the language of expressive 
 hymns, on which he had so long reflected, and whose 
 sentiments he felt so deeply, that they seemed as the 
 very breathings of his soul. In repeating a hymn, 
 he would impress its beauties and holy thoughts upon 
 the mind in a way which could never be forgotten. 
 " I shall always remember," remarked a friend, " the 
 impression made upon my mind by Mr. Abeel's 
 manner of repeating sacred poetry — I can hear him 
 now, as I once heard him quoting that beautiful 
 hymn, ' Ye angels who stand round the throne' — 
 and when he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and his 
 voice expressed the desire of his soul as he uttered 
 that line, * I long, Oh I long to be there/ it seemed 
 as if he was ready to rise from earth and enter into 
 the enjoyment of his Father's house above." 
 
 Heaven was the great subject of his meditation, 
 and many of the hymns in which he delighted were 
 descriptive of its holiness and enjoyments. After 
 his last return from the East, he became acquainted 
 with that beautiful hymn, " I am weary of straying, 
 Oh fain would I rest." For weeks, he lingered in 
 delight over its touching sentiments, so applicable 
 to his own case — and often, as he became excited 
 and interested in conversing on his favorite theme 
 of the saint's rest, he would utter its language as the 
 thought and feeling of his soul. The writer has 
 heard him repeat it, when he had scarcely sufficient 
 strength to undergo the physical exertion of speak- 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 277 
 
 ing ; and yet his languid eye would light up with in- 
 terest and unwonted brilliancy ; and as he would 
 pause and rest between each line, it seemed as though 
 the Christian pilgrim felt his weariness — while at the 
 same time the earnest tones of his voice told how in- 
 tense were his desires, if it was the will of Provi- 
 dence, to be " near and like his God," and " rest in 
 His presence above." 
 
 " I am weary of straying — O fain would I rest 
 In that far distant land of the pure and the blest, 
 Where sin shall no longer its blandishments spread, 
 And tears and temptations forever are fled. 
 
 I am weary of hoping — where hope is untrue, 
 As fair, but as fading, as morning's bright dew ; 
 I long for that land, whose blest promise alone, 
 Is changeless and sure, as Eternity's throne. 
 
 I am weary of Joving what passes away — 
 The sweetest, the dearest, alas ! may not stay ; 
 I long for that land, where these partings are o'er, 
 And death and the tomb can divide hearts no more. 
 
 I am weary of sighing o'er sorrows of earth, 
 O'er joy's glowing visions, that fade at their birth ; 
 O'er the pangs of the loved, which we cannot assuage, 
 O'er the blightings of youth and the weakness of age. 
 
 I am weary, my Savior, of grieving thy love — 
 
 when shall I rest in thy presence above — 
 
 1 am weary, but Q ! let me never repine 
 
 While thy word, and thy love, and thy presence are mine." 
 
 The use of these means of grace was the secret 
 of Mr. Abeel's success in holy attainments. He 
 constantly sought to be more and more like Jesus ; 
 and it seemed to others, though not to himself, that, 
 
278 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 in many respects, he did possess the spirit of the 
 Savior. 
 
 Yet in all his attainments he was very humble, 
 and this humility was the crowning beauty of his 
 spiritual character. He was placed in circumstances 
 of peculiar temptation, from the very fact that his 
 piety was acknowledged, and secured for him a high 
 position, and the respect of men. He was in dan- 
 ger of spiritual pride, and yet he only valued his 
 growth in grace, as God enabled him to exercise the 
 feeling and humility of the child. He was a lowly- 
 minded Christian, ever desirous of receiving spirit- 
 ual instruction from all, especially from those who 
 were the poor of earth, but rich in grace and relig- 
 ious experience, and who " w r alked with God." 
 
 It must not be thought that Mr. Abeel possessed 
 any natural advantages, leading to a peculiarly rapid 
 growth of grace in his soul. His attainments were 
 made in opposition to a heart whose every thought 
 was evil. His diary tells us of a great spiritual con- 
 flict, carried on with ardor from the time when he 
 first espoused the cause of Christ, until he received 
 the " crown of glory." There was no cessation in 
 this warfare. It was a continual strife — fightings 
 without and fears within — now resisting natural de- 
 pravity, or crying for relief from the power of evil 
 propensities — now conquering, and anon almost 
 fainting in the contest — still going onward and 
 upward, though the body of sin dragged like a heavy 
 load, and forced him to cry out in the bitterness of 
 his soul, "O wretched man that I am, who shall 
 deliver me ?" Every victory was gained after a 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 279 
 
 hard contest ; and his songs of gratitude to God tell 
 us how deeply he felt His goodness, when permitted 
 to conquer through grace. 
 
 The only possible advantage which he could have 
 possessed over others, might perhaps be found in the 
 feeble state of his health, which tended to impress 
 on his mind the shortness of life, and the necessity 
 of full consecration in the service of God, and con- 
 stant preparation for death. And yet this physical 
 weakness must have given greater strength to the 
 evil propensities within him, while it lessened his 
 power of resistance. Yet he was assisted to over- 
 come all, and to say from a full heart, in grateful 
 acknowledgment of Divine assistance, "By the 
 grace of God, I am what I am." 
 
 In order to complete this sketch of the character 
 of David Abeel, it only remains to notice his ex- 
 alted views of the Christian's duties and res- 
 ponsibilities. This will develop his public life and 
 labors, as the consideration of his views of the work 
 of sanctification displayed his private life. Thus 
 we will see that he recognized the claims of duty 
 in regard to the eternal welfare of others, as well as 
 in reference to the cultivation of his own spirit. 
 
 Mr. A. was a firm believer in the declaration of 
 the apostle, and the reasoning founded on it : " For 
 ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in 
 your body and in your spirit which are God's." He 
 conceived that there should be a yielding up of every 
 energy to the service of God, to be used in promot- 
 ing the spiritual well-being of others. It will assist 
 much in forming right conceptions of his character, 
 
280 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 if we understand how fully he realized this idea of 
 complete self-consecration to the service of the 
 Master — how he connected it with every view of 
 duty, and graduated all his conduct by it. It not 
 only affected his course in his active labors in the 
 service of God, but it also controlled him in every 
 respect, leading him to adopt such plans and mani- 
 fest such dispositions, through grace assisting, as 
 would tend most to "glorify God" in that sense 
 in which the Apostle Paul uses the term ; or, at least, 
 would preserve from injury the cause of religion, 
 which he so dearly loved. 
 
 It exerted this influence by producing and pro- 
 moting a peculiar care in his walk and conversation, 
 that his life might operate in favor of religion. 
 
 Perhaps this point, and the ideas connected with 
 it, in this sketch, may seem to many to be of too lit- 
 tle importance to notice. But any one acquainted 
 with human nature, knows full well that the weight 
 and authority of personal influence are founded on 
 example rather than precept ; and, that especially in 
 regard to matters of religion, men may promulge 
 doctrine most successfully, if the life attests to its 
 truth and beneficial effects, when they might speak in 
 vain, if there was no example to show the sincerity 
 of the speaker, and witness to the constraining influ- 
 ence of the truths which he delivers. And it has 
 already been noticed, that the success of the labors 
 of Mr. Abeel could be traced to the consistency 
 and moral beauty of his character as sanctified by 
 grace. Hence we conceive that this point is of 
 importance, and should be developed. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 281 
 
 He cultivated a meek temper of mind, like that of 
 Christ his great example, and held expansive and cath- 
 olic views in reference to the great duty of Christian 
 charity. He abhorred everything that savored of 
 fault-finding, or resentment, or angry and narrow- 
 minded feeling. Although he was naturally of an 
 ardent temperament, as ardent as he was brave and 
 manly ; yet, by the assistance of Divine grace, he 
 subdued the former feelings, while he retained the 
 latter. The spirit of God ennobled and strengthened 
 the commanding points of his character, while it 
 corrected and restrained the dispositions founded on 
 selfishness and other false principles. He was a 
 meek Christian. He was the victim of a disease, 
 which in all its stages produced great nervous irrita- 
 bility, and rendered it the more difficult to preserve 
 an even disposition — yet he was not given to the 
 exercise of angry and impatient feelings. He in- 
 sisted greatly, in his preaching and conversation, on 
 the cultivation of those expanded views of benevo- 
 lence which are the best safeguards against the in- 
 dulgence of anger. He looked at all persons in a 
 charitable light, and always desired to find some 
 good trait in the character even of the most aban- 
 doned. He never would mention aught to the det- 
 riment of any one, and protested against the exercise 
 or possession of such feelings by any follower of the 
 meek and forgiving Savior. And when, in his inter- 
 course with others, he felt the risings of any of these 
 unholy and selfish principles of his heart, which, if 
 indulged, would have led him to speak evil of others, 
 he would check them, and go his closet and weep 
 
282 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 over his wickedness, and seek for grace to be freed 
 from feelings so opposed to the true spirit of the 
 Gospel. He often records in his diary, that these 
 thoughts of evil, never expressed, have caused sea- 
 sons of penitence and deep contrition, when he 
 could not rest until he had obtained pardon from 
 God. 
 
 We can trace, as the effect of this training, the 
 truly Catholic spirit of Mr. Abeel. Though he was 
 attached to his own church, yet he hardly recog- 
 nized the dividing lines of denominations. He was 
 a friend of all of every name who loved Jesus. He 
 labored for all, and prayed for all. He expressed 
 deep sorrow whenever he beheld the operation of 
 sectarian feelings. His work led him to feel the 
 wants of the world, and the necessity of united 
 prayer and action to secure its evangelization ; and 
 he wept over the divisions and disputes between 
 denominations, because professing Christians thus 
 wasted precious time, and perverted their talents, 
 while thousands and millions were passing into 
 eternity, and none came to help or save them. To 
 this charitable and catholic spirit we may ascribe 
 his influence among all denominations. 
 
 The exalted views of duty entertained by Mr. 
 Abeel, also led him to exercise the greatest care in 
 pursuing a strictly conscientious course of conduct. 
 He was scrupulously exact in all his affairs, and all 
 his declarations. Having cultivated the nice dis- 
 tinctions suggested by a sanctified conscience, he 
 was always able to solve questions of duty for oth- 
 ers in such a way, that their subsequent course 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 283 
 
 would testify to the correctness of his decision. 
 He never made, unguardedly, any statement, al- 
 though of the smallest importance. Trifling affairs 
 in business were always transacted with as scrupu- 
 lous a regard to the rights of others as if they were 
 of the greatest magnitude ; for, he conceived that 
 the principles of right could be violated as fully in 
 the former as in the latter case. He often declared 
 the paramount necessity of strictly conscientious 
 conduct, not only as testifying to the correctness of 
 religious feeling, but also as giving consistency and 
 influence to the Christian character. 
 
 These views also led Mr. Abeel to the exercise 
 of refinement of feeling and manner, in his inter- 
 tercourse with all. He was not only a gentleman 
 by birth and education, but by principle. He often 
 referred to the courtly manners, and refined senti- 
 ment, and polished language of the Apostle Paul, as 
 giving a charm to his character and adorning his 
 office. To this, he owed much of his influence as 
 a missionary. Wherever he went he was greeted 
 by the most refined, and received into circles whose 
 powerful influence he enlisted in behalf of the work 
 of his Master. During his residence in Canton and 
 the East, he possessed the confidence of all classes. 
 It was lately remarked to the writer by a gentle- 
 man who was for many years a merchant, resident 
 in Canton, " that no person, not possessing offi- 
 cial rank, ever obtained such unbounded influence 
 among the foreign residents in that place, as Mr. 
 Abeel." This was the result of his bearing as the 
 true Christian gentleman — and the circle of his 
 
284 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 friends in Europe, Asia and the United States, who 
 mourn his loss, numbers among it many of that 
 class who seldom are interested either in the person 
 or labors of the humble missionary, whose friend- 
 ship he had won by his urbanity, and whose hearts 
 had been benefited by his devout life and holy con- 
 versation. 
 
 Yet there was neither cant in his religion, nor 
 false refinement in his manner ; nor did his careful- 
 ness in these different respects arise from any feel- 
 ing but that of earnest desire, in the strength of God, 
 to fulfil his whole duty as one who was " bought with 
 a price." 
 
 To this carefulness and conscientiouness, he owed 
 his success in elevating the standard of personal piety 
 among those with whom he associated, and in being 
 the instrument of saving so many precious souls. 
 
 We may affirm with all truth, that Mr. Abeel ac- 
 complished more spiritual good in .his private inter- 
 course with men, and by the power of his holy life, 
 than as a preacher. The fruits of his ministry are 
 unseen of men. They were gathered as he went 
 from place to place in his missionary labors, or 
 when seeking for a renewal of his physical strength. 
 They were gathered from different families, where 
 in the providence of God he tarried from time to 
 time. Cases are known where whole households 
 have been won to the service of his Master through 
 the instrumentality of his holy life and conversation. 
 Often a passage of Scripture, or a prayer, or a part- 
 ing word would be the appointed means of bringing 
 light and peace to some precious soul. All felt that 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 285 
 
 it was a privilege to receive him and tender to him 
 every hospitality, for he always left a blessing be- 
 hind, in his prayers, and the savor of his heavenly 
 conversation. 
 
 A notice of the public labors of Mr. Abeel will 
 conclude this sketch. In regard to these also, he 
 realized the duty of the Christian to give himself 
 wholly to them. He was a zealous laborer in the 
 vineyard of the Lord ; he literally spent his strength 
 in the cause of Christ, and was remarkably charac- 
 terized by fidelity and prudence. 
 
 He was unwavering in the performance of duty. 
 He lived under the constant impression that his life 
 would be short, and he aimed at using every mo- 
 ment of time to advance the cause of Jesus his 
 Savior. His course of duty was sometimes very 
 difficult, at other times very uncertain, and not to 
 be traced by human wisdom. His health, and other 
 dispensations of Divine Providence, often appeared 
 as barriers in his way, but he never faltered ; he 
 was a man of faith and zeal, and as far as God 
 opened the way, he labored with diligence. 
 
 His steadfastness and energy are displayed in the 
 course he pursued when he sailed the last time for 
 China. The physicians advised him of the dangers 
 attending his departure, and the uncertainty of the 
 prospect that he would ever reach the port of desti- 
 nation. His debility and sufferings called him to 
 remain where he might obtain all the comforts of 
 home, and medical aid. Weeping friends urged 
 upon his mind the consideration that his presence 
 at home was of great benefit to the cause of mis- 
 
286 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 sions, and besought him to tarry — but he had de- 
 voted himself to the ignorant inhabitants of China, 
 and there he felt that he must go, if he could only 
 labor for a short time. To all his answer was, " No, 
 I shall not forsake the heathen, while I have any 
 strength to employ for their salvation ; and if it is 
 the will of God that my grave shall be on heathen 
 ground, it will be the more delightful in the morning 
 of the resurrection, to rise from the post which my 
 Savior assigns me." The result proved that his 
 work was not yet all done in that place ; for the 
 most interesting and useful part of his missionary 
 career is embraced in the time of his last visit to 
 China. Then God broke down the partition wall, 
 and bade him and his fellow-laborers enter in, and 
 have free intercourse with her degraded inhabitants. 
 
 His labors only ceased when his strength failed. 
 His last sermon to the Chinese was preached under 
 the pressure of severe debility and with much exertion. 
 When he returned again to the land of his fathers, 
 he was worn out and broken down by toil and dis- 
 ease, and it was evident that his work was all done. 
 It had been well and faithfully performed, under the 
 smiles and directing providence of his covenant God. 
 
 A letter has recently been received from the Rev. 
 Dr. Anderson, Secretary of the A. B. C. F. M., 
 containing the following views of the character and 
 public services of Mr. Abeel ; with which we con- 
 clude this sketch. 
 
 " On turning my thoughts to the subject of Dr. 
 Abeel's missionary character, I do not find myself 
 in circumstances to do any sort of justice to it. My 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 287 
 
 acquaintance with him was not sufficiently personal ; 
 it was too exclusively that of a correspondent and 
 distant observer, to get at those nice shades, which 
 are essential to an accurate portraiture of his char- 
 acter. It does not yield to my opportunities for 
 observation or powers of analysis. I will suggest 
 such facts, however, as readily occur to me. 
 
 " Dr. Abeel had his own appropriate sphere. His 
 gentlemanly manners and fine feelings made him ac- 
 ceptable and gave him access to the more wealthy 
 and cultivated classes, both of Christians and hea- 
 thens. If he was frequently found among these 
 classes, it was because such was his vocation and he 
 yielded to it, and sought there to exert an influence 
 in behalf of his favorite object. So far as I have 
 had the means of knowing, he was never less the 
 Christian missionary when among the wealthy and 
 accomplished, than he was when among classes of 
 less pretension. All who knew him will acknowl- 
 edge the truth of this. It required no more effort 
 for him to maintain everywhere the character of the 
 missionary, than it did that of the Christian. The 
 whole development of his religious character was 
 indeed missionary, owing probably to the singularly 
 benevolent cast of his piety, and to his having so 
 early devoted himself to the missionary work. The 
 benevolence of his piety, the ease of his manners, 
 the attractiveness of his conversation, combined to 
 endear him to many of the finest Christian spirits 
 among us of both sexes, when he was at home, who 
 delighted to alleviate his sufferings, and were in 
 turn much benefited. I wish there might be others 
 
288 MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 to succeed him ; for the rich find it hard to enter 
 the kingdom of heaven ; and the harder, because so 
 few approach them, as our brother always did, in 
 the simplicity and frankness of the Gospel. 
 
 " So far as the prominent men among the apos- 
 tolical and other missionaries of the first age of the 
 Christian church are known to us, they were unlike 
 each other, notwithstanding their resemblance in 
 spirit to Christ. Our brother was not a Paul ; nor 
 was he a Peter; he more resembled the beloved 
 John. He was fitted to conciliate, to win ; he was 
 a good pioneer in a mission. Men could not help 
 reposing confidence in him. His countenance, 
 voice, and manner, all tended to disarm prejudice, 
 and predisposed men to listen and assent. It was a 
 good thing for the Amoy mission, that he was one 
 who commenced it ; and to this, among many other 
 favoring providences, we owe much of the pecul- 
 iarly tolerant spirit among the leading Chinese of 
 that place. The impression he made during his brief 
 visit to Bangkok, in Siam, was also singularly happy. 
 It was hard even for prejudiced and bigoted pagans 
 to resist the impression, notwithstanding his imper- 
 fect use of their language, that his aim was to do 
 them good ; and the grace of God had taught him, 
 that the secret of the missionary success is in 
 preaching Christ, as the only name under heaven 
 given among men whereby we must be saved. 
 Grace also inclined him everywhere to make direct 
 efforts for the salvation of individual men, as he 
 had opportunity. In this respect he was a true suc- 
 cessor of the Apostles. 
 
MEMOIR OF DAVID ABEEL. 289 
 
 "What he would have accomplished as a mis- 
 sionary, had he possessed more health and a more 
 vigorous constitution, and been able completely to 
 master that most difficult of all languages, the Chi- 
 nese, and to spend a series of years in continuous 
 missionary labors, we cannot know. Nor is it nec- 
 essary, to a high appreciation of his character and 
 usefulness as a missionary, that we should know. 
 He did what he could — he was faithful unto death 
 — he illustrated the spirit of his Lord and Master, 
 in the view of the heathen, and in view of the 
 churches at home ; and his memory will be cherished, 
 not only in the Reformed Dutch Church,* but by 
 multitudes in other kindred bodies of Christians as- 
 sociated in the work of foreign missions." 
 
 Such is a sketch of the character of David Abeel. 
 It is believed to be a faithful picture of his views 
 of duty, and their effect on his life. It testifies to 
 the power of the grace of God to convert, to sanc- 
 tify, and to make useful in the service of the Re- 
 deemer. Who would not seek the same grace, 
 and profit by its happy influences. He has gone to 
 his reward. The ardent, devoted child of God has 
 now realized the happiness of that state, which, 
 when he dwelt on earth, was the chief object of his 
 hopes and desires. 
 
 "The path of the just is as the shining light 
 which shineth more and more unto the perect 
 
 DAY." 
 
 13 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 RELIGIOUS VADE MECUM, 
 
 PREPARED BY DAVID ABEEL, AT CANTON, 1830. 
 
 DAILY GUIDE. 
 
 [to be read carefully every morning.] 
 
 Commenced another precious day. 
 
 An important part of temporal existence. 
 
 A minor cycle of human life. 
 
 Cannot be spent without great spiritual benefit, or 
 injury. 
 
 Has a bearing upon all the future, and must result 
 in unspeakable gain or loss, to yourself and 
 others. 
 
 Can never be recalled. 
 
 Must leave the remnant more contracted than be- 
 fore. 
 
 May be the last. 
 
 Is equally important as though it closed the season 
 of preparation. 
 
 Must be reviewed under circumstances of the great- 
 est solemnity and interest. 
 
 " Have more and greater business to do with God 
 this day, than with all the world all my life." 
 
RELIGIOUS VADE MECUM. 291 
 
 IN GENERAL, CONSIDERING THE PROBABLE EVENTS 
 OF THE DAY. 
 
 What duties are to be performed ? 
 What sins to be avoided ? 
 
 PARTICULAR REGULATIONS IN PRIVATE. 
 
 1. What your hand findeth to do, do with your 
 might. 
 
 2. Guard against distracting haste, and wandering 
 
 thoughts in duty. 
 
 3. Read the word with close and prayerful attention. 
 
 4. In singing, attend to devotion, not style. 
 
 5. Give a season to solemn meditation. 
 
 6. If dejected, fly to your ever present, sympathiz- 
 ing Friend. 
 
 7. Cultivate habits of holy intimacy with the 
 Savior. 
 
 8. Avoid temptation. 
 
 9. Obsta principiis. 
 
 10. If tempted, look to Jesus for strength; and 
 remember that your Savior endured tempta- 
 tions and agonies for you, " and ye are not your 
 own." 
 
 11. Labor to be as much detached from the world 
 as possible. Exclude the future of life from 
 your plans, desires, and thoughts, except as 
 dictated by evident duty. To-day ! To-day ! 
 make everything of to-day ! 
 
 12. Cherish a strong interest in the cause of Christ, 
 
 especially in the conversion of the heathen, sea- 
 men, and ungodly friends. 
 
292 APPENDIX. 
 
 13. Keep hourly in mind, that even should you do 
 your best, which is rarely the case, you are an 
 unprofitable servant ; and that nothing, but the 
 infinite sacrifice of Jesus, can be of the least 
 avail to justification and eternal life. 
 
 REGULATIONS FOR CONDUCT IN THE SOCIETY OP 
 
 OTHERS. 
 
 1. Indulge no levity, wit, or anecdote, without a 
 correct motive and good tendency. 
 
 2. Avoid the appearance of dullness, dejection, un- 
 
 amiableness, &c. 
 
 3. Say and do nothing which appears like self- 
 praise, or can possibly foster pride. 
 
 4. Be tender of the feelings of all, and avoid retali- 
 
 ation, censure, sarcasm, &c. 
 
 5. Never hear with the least expression of pleas- 
 ure, nor utter a word, which can be interpreted 
 into anything like a momentary forgetfulness 
 of the importance and necessity of religion. 
 
 6. If occasion requires, or circumstances will ad- 
 mit, show the deepest interest in commending, 
 explaining, and enforcing truth. 
 
 7. Labor to create opportunities of promoting the 
 eternal welfare of your fellow-men. 
 
 8. Never forget your station, responsibility, and 
 
 final account. 
 
 9. Dwell upon the inconceivable and eternal con- 
 sequences of your ministry to others. 
 
RELIGIOUS VADE MECUM. 293 
 
 EVENING RETROSPECT. 
 
 1. With what feelings arise ? 
 
 2. How engage in private devotion ? 
 
 3. How family, or social ? 
 
 4. What frame of mind until noon ? 
 
 5. How discharge devotional duties then ? 
 
 6. What exercises since ? 
 
 7. Any solicitude for missions, or the cause of 
 Christ in general ? 
 
 8. Any for friends and acquaintances ? 
 
 9. Any animating glimpses of heaven ? 
 
 10. Any new arguments to self-denial, sacrifice, ex- 
 
 ertion, prayer ? 
 
 11. Any new views, or salutary impressions from 
 
 the word ? 
 
 12. Any discoveries in your own heart from thoughts, 
 
 wishes, imaginations, &c. ? 
 
 13. What sins in private or public ? 
 
 14. What temptations and how resist them ? 
 
 15. What done for salvation of fellow-immortals ? 
 
 16. Did you seek opportunities of usefulness, and 
 
 avail yourself of all ? 
 
 17. Done or said nothing to injure religion, or the 
 
 souls of men ? 
 
 18. What progress in studies ? 
 
 19. With what motives ? 
 
 THIS WORLD AS OPPOSED TO SPIRITUAL RELIGION. 
 
 1. God hath shown its worthlessness : — 
 In the life and death of Jesus, 
 
294 APPENDIX. 
 
 In case of the Apostles, and best men, 
 
 In giving it to greatest enemies. Nero, Helioga- 
 
 balus, &c, 
 
 In utterly disappointing the expectations of men. 
 
 2. He hath curtailed our life, so that we cannot 
 
 enjoy it. 
 
 3. He hath allowed it to be our greatest tempta- 
 
 tion ; and, at the same time declared, " If any 
 man love the world the love of the Father is 
 not in him." 
 
 OF THE CHRISTIAN'S RELATIONS. 
 
 To your daily associates, 
 
 Intimate friends, 
 
 Whole circle of acquaintances, 
 
 Society by which employed, 
 
 Church to which you belong, 
 
 Christendom, 
 
 World, 
 
 Future generations, 
 
 Eternity. 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 The most important of all duties. 
 
 If ever successful in any personal or relative duty, 
 it must come exclusively from God. 
 
 The deepest solicitude for the cause of Christ, in- 
 stead of diverting the attention in prayer, should 
 increase its spirit. 
 
 Thus, in the presence of the ungodly, instead of 
 aiming to affect their hearts, our hearts should 
 
RELIGIOUS VADE MECUM. 295 
 
 be fixed upon Him whose power alone can con- 
 vert. 
 
 Should regard prayer as the greatest assistance, or 
 means of success in everything. 
 
 How unwise to have the mind so distracted by the 
 other duties of the day, as to be in the least in- 
 disposed to that, which is the most direct means 
 of giving them any avail. 
 
 HELPS IN PRAYER. 
 
 1. Remember your entire dependence on God, 
 We are not " sufficient of ourselves." 
 
 2. Send up petitions for Divine assistance. — " My 
 soul cleaveth unto the dust ; quicken thou me 
 according to thy word." 
 
 3. Engage your heart previously — " Who is this 
 
 that hath engaged his heart to approach unto 
 me, saith the Lord." 
 
 4. Seek to gain a spiritual mind. — " Be thou in the 
 fear of the Lord all the day long f and then 
 you can and do pray without ceasing. 
 
 5. Persevere in prayer, notwithstanding distrac- 
 
 tions. 
 
 6. Neglect not the Holy Scripture.— " He that 
 turneth away his ear from hearing the law, 
 even his prayer shall be abomination." 
 
 7. Mortify all sin. — "If I regard iniquity in my 
 
 heart, the Lord will not hear me." 
 
 8. Watch for the answer, as well as the spirit of 
 prayer. In the evening ask, " Have I received 
 what I prayed for ?" 
 
296 APPENDIX. 
 
 9. Meditate before prayer. — " While I was musing 
 the fire burned ; then spake I with my tongue." 
 10. Renounce all known sin. — "If our heart con- 
 demn us not, then have we confidence towards 
 God ; and whatsoever we ask we receive of 
 him, because we keep his commandments, and 
 do those things which are pleasing in his sight.'* 
 
 ENCOURAGEMENTS TO PRAYER. 
 
 "Remember not the sins of my youth nor my 
 transgressions ; according to thy mercy remember 
 thou me, for thy goodness sake, O Lord." 
 
 " For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine ini- 
 quity, for it is great." 
 
 " O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, 
 do thou it, for thy name's sake, for our backslidings 
 are many, we have sinned against thee." 
 
 "Oh the hope of Israel, the Savior thereof in 
 time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger 
 in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turnest 
 aside to tarry for a night ?" 
 
 " Why shouldest thou be as a man astonished, as 
 a mighty man that cannot save ; yet, thou, O Lord, 
 art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy 
 name, leave us not." 
 
 " Call upon me, and I will answer, thee, and will 
 show thee great and mighty things, which thou 
 knowest not." 
 
 " He is able to do exceeding abundantly above 
 all that we ask or think." 
 
 " And this is the confidence that we have in him, 
 
RELIGIOUS VADE MECUM. 297 
 
 that if we ask anything according to His will, He 
 heareth us." 
 
 " Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities, 
 &c. He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what 
 is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh inter- 
 cession for the saints according to the will of God." 
 
 " Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter 
 into the holiest, by the blood of Jesus." 
 
 " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to 
 forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- 
 righteousness." 
 
 " Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deli- 
 ver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." 
 
 HEAVEN. 
 
 Heaven consists in the perfect enjoyment of the 
 presence and communion of the exalted Savior. 
 
 In the full display of the infinite love, goodness, 
 grace, wisdom, and power of God, through Jesus 
 the Savior — the revelations of the eternal counsels 
 of His will, especially in the glorious work of Re- 
 demption. 
 
 In the delightful society of myriads of Angelic 
 Spirits, and of Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs and 
 Saints, redeemed from earth, all constituting one 
 harmonious family, with Jesus the Head. 
 
 Heaven is 
 
 A separation from The enjoyment of 
 
 Defiling corruptions, Perfect purity, 
 
 Heart-sinking sorrows, Fulness of joy, 
 
 13* 
 
298 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Think 
 of 
 
 Everlasting freedom 
 Full rest, 
 
 Universal supplies, 
 Highest security, 
 Substantial good. 
 
 experience with Heaven. 
 
 The fulness of joy in 
 
 Heaven, 
 Its unabating excitement, 
 Immortal energy, 
 Liveliest affection, 
 No wish, inducement, pos- 
 sibility of sinning, 
 Free, full, forgiveness, 
 Perfect holiness, 
 Glories of the New Jeru- 
 salem, 
 Inheritance of all things, 
 Multitude innumerable, 
 Husband, hosts of breth- 
 ren, 
 Disesteemed, slighted? Disinterested love, 
 Opposed ? Perfect unanimity, 
 
 Separated from friends ? Everlasting fellowship, 
 
 Sick ? Perfect health, 
 
 Longing for the love and Every desire perfectly gra- 
 likeness of Jesus ? — tified, enjoying as much 
 for anything ? of God as the soul can 
 
 desire. 
 
 Entangling temptations, 
 Distressing persecutions, 
 Pinching wants, 
 Distracting fears, 
 Deluding shadows. 
 
 Daily associate all your 
 
 Are your spirits 
 excited ? 
 Depressed ? 
 Wearied ? 
 Stupid ? 
 Tempted ? 
 
 Sin-burdened ? 
 
 Sin polluted ? 
 Fascinated by earthly 
 grandeur ? 
 
 Profusion ? 
 Animated by crowds ? 
 Left to loneliness ? 
 
SERMON ON HEAVEN. 
 
 BY DAVID ABEEL. 
 
 " And so shall we ever be with the Lord."— 1 Thess. iv. 17, last clause. 
 
 As man's chief duty consists in the cultivation of 
 the affections, so his highest happiness results from 
 their proper exercise. 
 
 Man was formed for society. Unlinked from the 
 chain of sympathy which unites him to his fellow- 
 beings, he cannot be happy. This law of our na- 
 ture admits of no infringement. The uniform ex- 
 perience of the heart — its hopes and fears — and joys 
 and sorrows — its plans and pursuits — all demonstrate 
 this truth. Amiableness, benevolence, gratitude, 
 sympathy, all those principles which are essential to 
 perfection of character, are quite as indispensable 
 to enjoyment, and have no element but society. 
 But man was not simply designed for companion- 
 ship, he was originally intended for the highest class 
 of society. The Creator formed him for Himself. 
 He impressed his spirit with His own image — He 
 endowed it with powers capable of endless advance- 
 ment — and He Himself must become the infinite 
 object of adoration and love, or no immortal being 
 can be perfectly and unchangeably happy. 
 
 This may require demonstration to some minds ; 
 
300 APPENDIX. 
 
 but only to those who forget that the present is our 
 infantile state of existence, and, that here, ignorance 
 and error completely enwrap the majority of our 
 race. When the spell of sin is broken, when the 
 sinner is brought to love and serve his God and 
 Savior, the soul aspires to her original destination. 
 Or, should the delusion continue until death, it can 
 survive no longer. When we awake to immortality, 
 God must be our Friend and Portion, or the uni- 
 verse cannot compensate the loss. With such a 
 Friend, who can measure the degree or assign the 
 duration to our bliss. Inquire of the most enlight- 
 ened and experienced man on earth — the aged 
 Christian — whose heart has long been the temple 
 of the Holy Ghost — what defines the heaven he is 
 struggling to obtain ; and if the depth of his soul 
 could give utterance to its strongest emotions, it 
 would cry out — " To be ever with the Lord — to be 
 ever with the Lord." 
 
 I. This is heaven. It is essentially a state 
 of social felicity. " Our fellowship is with the 
 Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ." 
 
 Friendship the most intimate and enduring, al- 
 ways claims for its support those moral and intel- 
 lectual qualities which the judgment approves ; and 
 where there is a capacity to appreciate excellence, 
 the more elevated the character, the more intense 
 will be the interest it creates. What then must be 
 the enjoyment of God to all those whom His own 
 mighty power has wrought to this high destiny. 
 Here is esteem and love heightened by boundless 
 admiration. Infinite majesty — infinite mercy, com- 
 
SERMON ON HEAVEN. 301 
 
 bined. His glorious incommunicable attributes — 
 His independence, eternity, immutability, immensity 
 — must fill the mind with the most profound vene- 
 ration and filial complacency ; while His condescen- 
 sion and kindness overwhelm it with wonder and 
 delight. 
 
 Zophar desired that God would show Job the 
 secrets of wisdom. This is impossible on earth, but 
 in heaven there are no secrets, none, at least, which 
 may be comprehended. Mysteries incomprehen- 
 sible to finite minds, there ever must be, and this 
 secures the eternity of intellectual enjoyment. 
 
 The soul shall drink in knowledge, pure and copi- 
 ous, from its original living Fountain, without ever 
 being able to exhaust the source ; nay, with no other 
 restriction than that which limits its own capacity. 
 Who can conceive the animation with which we 
 shall explore those purposes which are developed in 
 the grandeur and variety of creation, and fulfilled in 
 the vast, the minute, the simple, the complex events 
 of universal Providence. Then we shall see through 
 this magnificent scaffolding and perceive the design 
 of its erection. All that was dark, and dubious, and 
 perplexing on earth, shall here appear in the most 
 admirable order and connection ; the fruits of infi- 
 nite benevolence. And above all, with what incon- 
 ceivable joy shall " the redeemed from among men," 
 be admitted to those "treasures of wisdom and 
 knowledge, which are hid in Christ Jesus, which 
 God ordained before the world unto our glory." 
 Herein, we are taught, is displayed u the manifold 
 wisdom of God," which "the principalities and pow- 
 
302 APPENDIX. 
 
 ers in heavenly places" now bend their mighty en- 
 ergies to comprehend. That which has occupied 
 the Divine mind from eternity, will surely furnish 
 themes of exhaustless interest to all the intelligences 
 of heaven through their endless career. 
 
 Omnipotence is another attribute, which is fitly 
 consorted with infinite wisdom. " God hath spoken 
 once, twice have I heard this, that power belongeth 
 unto God." 
 
 Here is the primal source of power — that power 
 which created all things — which supplies, and, of 
 course, controls all the energy that can ever be 
 brought to resist it — and yet, which only moves to 
 accomplish purposes of paternal kindness to the uni- 
 verse. How gratifying to every holy mind, that this 
 glorious, perfect Being can perform all His pleasure. 
 
 In Him we shall see combined with infinite wis- 
 dom and power, infinite purity and rectitude. " He 
 is glorious in holiness." This attribute is the crown- 
 ing excellence of His character, adorning all His 
 other perfections, and rendering their operations im- 
 mutably right. It inspires boundless and universal 
 confidence, and awakens the unceasing praises of 
 the heavenly host. 
 
 But there is still another aspect in which He has 
 delighted to commend Himself to us, his erring crea- 
 tures. " God is love." Such is the sum of the rev- 
 elation He has made of Himself in His word, and in 
 His Son — essential, eternal, unchageable love. In 
 yonder bright world we shall be able to account for 
 that love which gave up its dearest object to death 
 for its enemies. The face of this love, beaming in 
 
SERMON ON HEAVEN. 303 
 
 all its radiance, without one gathering frown, or in- 
 tervening cloud, shall pour its tide of light and life 
 into our souls forever. Mightily strengthened by 
 the Spirit, we shall then be able " to comprehend 
 what is the breadth and length, and depth and height, 
 and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowl- 
 edge." 
 
 But it is not in the contemplation of His attributes 
 separately that we shall then, as we do now, become 
 acquainted with our Father and God. 
 
 He has declared, that " we shall see Him face to 
 face" — that " we shall see Him as He is." We shall 
 behold this perfect character in its undivided integ- 
 rity. It is the glory beaming from all these insepa- 
 rable attributes, in the presence of which our blessed 
 Redeemer has promised to present us. To bring 
 this infinite nature more within our view, it has been 
 embodied in the mediatorial person of God's co-equal 
 Son. " In Him dwells all the fulness of the God- 
 head bodily." An infinite Being can never be fully 
 comprehended but by Himself; and doubtless much 
 of the brightness of that glory, which would other- 
 wise have been too dazzling for even immortal vision, 
 shall be transmitted through the glorified humanity 
 of the Redeemer. Here our minds, even now, find 
 a resting place. Though His Deity was almost con- 
 stantly veiled while upon earth, yet we well remem- 
 ber this exhibition of love, stooping to the lowest 
 conditions of life, to the humblest offices of affection, 
 displaying a benevolence which the universe never 
 witnessed before ; while, occasionally, the rays of 
 the Godhead would gleam forth — and death and hell 
 
304 APPENDIX. 
 
 recognizing His majesty would resign their prey — 
 and nature would suspend her uniform laws — and 
 her most ungovernable elements would instantly 
 obey His voice. This character, with all its lofty 
 attributes, is presented to the mind as simple and 
 entire. We grasp it at once. If so lovely in His 
 humiliation upon earth, how must He appear on His 
 own throne, in His own glory, and the glory of His 
 Father. 
 
 " I beseech thee, show me thy glory/' said Moses. 
 But though God made His goodness to pass before 
 him, and proclaimed His name, yet He added, " Thou 
 canst not see my face, for there shall no man (no 
 mortal) see me and live." Nothing less than Divine 
 power can fortify the soul to behold Divine glory. 
 This is reserved for heaven. It is the beatific vis- 
 ion of the blessed. With an eye which blenches not 
 at uncreated light — with a heart whose element is 
 perfect holiness — what must it be to dwell in the 
 presence of this glory. Well might the Apostle de- 
 clare, that the sufferings of this present time, and his 
 sufferings too, are not worthy to be compared with 
 the glory which is to be revealed. Happy spirits ! 
 who have escaped from the sins and infirmities of 
 the flesh, and are now before the throne of God, and 
 the Lamb. " They see His face, and His name is in 
 their foreheads." It is the admiration of this glorious 
 character which sustains the ceaseless praises of the 
 ransomed and angelic throng. " They rest not day 
 or night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Al- 
 mighty, which was, and is, and is to come." " Bless- 
 ing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and 
 
SERMON ON HEAVEN. 305 
 
 honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for- 
 ever and ever. Amen." Who that loves truth, 
 knowledge, purity, perfection, does not long for such 
 a destiny. Who does not cry out, " My soul thirst- 
 eth for God, for the living God; when shall I come 
 and appear before God." " Whom have I in heaven 
 but thee, and there is none upon the earth that I de- 
 sire besides thee." 
 
 This, then, must ever be the chief source of hap- 
 piness in heaven — the admiration, the love, the en- 
 joyment of a Being of infinite perfections — who is 
 as condescending and lovely, as He is exalted and 
 powerful. 
 
 II. But this happiness is increased by the 
 
 STRONGEST SENSE OF GRATITUDE FOR God's MANY 
 
 most unmerited favors. " Thy Maker is thy hus- 
 band, the Lord of Hosts is his name : and thy Re- 
 deemer, the Holy one of Israel ; the God of the whole 
 earth shall he be called." It is the Lamb that was 
 slain who fills the eternal throne. What a world of 
 transporting interest does this open to the mind. The 
 mysterious union of the creature with the Creator — 
 of the victim with the Being whose inviolable justice 
 and universal government demanded the sacrifice — 
 are themes which can only be named in this world. 
 Our low and lost condition — our exposure to eternal 
 misery — our deep and repulsive depravity — our ten 
 thousand thousand provocations and sins — shall all 
 be remembered to enhance the mercy which saved 
 us ; while the voluntary abasement of this exalted 
 Being — his assumption of all our liabilities — and the 
 privation, and reproach, and toil, and agony which 
 
306 APPENDIX. 
 
 His love cost Him — shall produce the deepest impres- 
 sion upon the mind. We must see Him on His 
 throne, — we must hear the pealing acclamation, 
 *' Worthy is the Lamb that was slain," as it breaks 
 from the whole ransomed multitude, and awakens 
 the responses of all the angelic choirs, before we 
 shall be qualified to look back to the scenes which 
 He enacted in Bethlehem, and Nazareth, and Geth- 
 semane — in the hall of Pilate, and on Calvary. 
 When we see the very highest honors of heaven 
 paid to the Lamb of God, His sacrifice shall appear 
 in its true light. Not till then, shall we be fully pre- 
 pared to sing that new song, which none can learn 
 but they who were redeemed from the earth. Then, 
 too, shall we be able to appreciate the condescension 
 and forbearance of the Holy Spirit, in renewing our 
 hearts and educating us for heaven. "We shall 
 remember all the way which the Lord our God led 
 us." Every blessing we have ever received shall 
 be traced to this love. 
 
 " He bowed beneath our heavy woes, 
 To raise us to His throne : 
 There's ne'er a gift His hand bestows, 
 But cost his heart a groan." 
 
 From the depth of the bottomless pit which we 
 have escaped — from the height of the excellent glory 
 which we have attained — from the past eternity, in 
 the counsels of which we were chosen in Christ 
 Jesus — from the scenes of the endless future, which 
 have opened in radiant perspective before us — 
 wherever we turn, we shall find subjects for the 
 purest gratitude and most profound astonishment. 
 
SERMON ON HEAVEN. 307 
 
 Every emotion of happiness which the redeemed 
 enjoy in heaven finds but one appropriate expres- 
 sion ; " Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from 
 our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings 
 and priests unto God and His father, to Him be 
 glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." 
 
 III. Again, the happiness of heaven is greatly 
 
 ENHANCED BY THE DEGREE OF INTIMACY WITH WHICH 
 
 this great Being honors us. To be received as 
 subjects, servants, vassals, with the privilege of behold- 
 ing His glory and with the gratitude of redeeming 
 love upon our hearts, would be heaven. But this is 
 not the heaven to which we have been called. We 
 are admitted into a union with Himself, the nature of 
 which cannot be fully represented by the analogies 
 of earth. Every relationship of life has been laid 
 under contribution to shadow it forth. He calls 
 Himself our Friend, our Father, our Husband ; and 
 when He appeared among men, the Son of God 
 employed every conceivable simile to make it 
 known. He compared it to the branches and vine 
 — the head and its members — the living principle 
 and the being whom it animates — not only to dif- 
 ferent parts of the same material body, but to the 
 same indivisible spirit. He asumed our nature, and 
 united it in one person with His own, that He 
 might become one with us. He gives us His own 
 Spirit, to make us one with Him. Nothing upon 
 earth, nothing in creation, could satisfy Him as a fit 
 emblem of this union ; and hence, leaving all infe- 
 rior subjects of relationship, He points us to the in- 
 comprehensible oneness which exists between Him- 
 
308 APPENDIX. 
 
 self and His Father, while He prays " That they 
 all may be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in 
 thee, that they also may be one with us." " I am 
 in my Father, and you in me, and I in you." No 
 king has ever admitted his greatest favorite on such 
 terms of intimacy — no mother her only child — no 
 husband the wife of his strongest affections. Noth- 
 ing less than such a union, can explain those parts 
 of revelation which confound our faith, and even 
 overpower imagination. For example : — " I in them 
 and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in 
 one, and that the world may know that thou hast 
 sent me, and hast loved them even as thou hast loved 
 me" " I appoint unto you a kingdom as my Father 
 hath appointed unto me, that ye may eat and drink 
 at my table, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve 
 tribes of Israel/' " Heirs of God, and joint heirs 
 with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that 
 we may be also glorified together/' 
 
 " To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with 
 me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am 
 set down with my Father in His throne." u Behold 
 the tabernacle of God is with men ; and He will 
 dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and 
 God himself shall be with them, and be their God, 
 and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; 
 and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, 
 nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for 
 the former things are passed away." 
 
 IV. This happiness will be perpetuated and 
 
 CONTINUALLY HEIGHTENED BY BEHOLDING THE BLESS- 
 EDNESS AND GLORY OF HlM WHOM WE LOVE SUPREMELY 
 
SERMON ON HEAVEN. 309 
 
 — to whom we owe our all. This, most emphati- 
 cally, is the heaven of the redeemed. This is their 
 final rest. As they enter the higher and purer regions 
 of the spiritual life on earth, all other interests suc- 
 cessively expire ; and when they reach that point 
 where the light of heaven often mingles with the 
 shades of earth, and the visions of the blessed break 
 in upon the entranced spirit, their energies become 
 concentrated in one absorbing desire, that their Re- 
 deemer may be glorified and infinitely happy. This 
 our blessed Lord well knew. In His memorable 
 prayer to His Father, He makes no request for our 
 personal happiness. His petition was — " Father, 
 I will that they also whom thou hast given me be 
 with me where I am, that they may behold my glory 
 which thou hast given me, for thou lovedst me be- 
 fore the foundation of the world." Just in propor- 
 tion as our love to Him exceeds the love we bear 
 to self, or to any other being, must the joy from 
 this source transcend all other joy. This gives a 
 double intensity to our being " glorified together 
 with Him." Though we shall be exalted to His 
 own throne, and be made partakers of His own 
 honors, yet our highest bliss will not arise from our 
 exaltation but from His. As the members of the 
 body are perfectly subservient to the head, and only 
 move to obey its directions, so shall we lose almost 
 the consciousness of a separate existence, and only 
 live in Him who is our Head and Life. Even be- 
 fore His final advent to make up His jewels, those 
 who have passed into His heavenly kingdom are 
 represented as exulting in the triumphs of His Gos- 
 
310 APPENDIX. v 
 
 pel upon earth. Moses and Elias met Him on the 
 mount of transfiguration, and conversed with Him 
 of His decease. Many arose with Him from the 
 dead, and most probably attended Him to His 
 throne. At the return of every prodigal — at the 
 repentance of every sinner — all the happy family in 
 heaven rejoice. And when the power of Anti- 
 christ — that greatest obstacle to the universal prev- 
 alence of Christianity — shall be destroyed, the Pro- 
 phet, wrapt in the visions of the future " heard as it 
 were the voice of a great multitude, and as the 
 voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty 
 thunderings, saying, Alleluia, for the Lord God Om- 
 nipotent reigneth ; let us be glad and rejoice, and 
 give honor to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb is 
 come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And 
 the seventh angel sounded, and there were great 
 voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world 
 are become the kingdoms of the Lord, and of His 
 Christ, and He shall reign forever. And the four 
 and twenty elders (the representatives of the church 
 on earth) which sat before God on their seats, fell 
 upon their faces, and worshipped God, saying, We 
 give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, 
 and wast, and art to come ; because thou hast taken 
 to thee thy great power, and hast reigned." That 
 will be a time of exaltation to them — which, for 
 the honors their Redeemer shall reap, is desig- 
 nated " The day of Jesus Christ," — when He shall 
 raise the dead, and change the living, and sit 
 as Judge over assembled worlds ; — when all His 
 ways of mercy and of justice shall be brought to 
 
SERMON ON HEAVEN. 311 
 
 light — when His enemies can find no fault except 
 with themselves — when " every knee shall bow, of 
 things in heaven, and things in earth, and things 
 under the earth ; and every tongue shall confess 
 that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the 
 Father." 
 
 What events shall transpire beyond the judgment, 
 we are not informed. Of one fact we are certain ; 
 the Son of God shall lose none of His honors, but 
 most probably new glories will be clustering upon 
 His head forever. The infinite resources of His 
 nature, the immensity of His works, and His own 
 eternal majesty, all require this. 
 
 The drama of redemption must have a prospec- 
 tive bearing, and when the great family of the re- 
 deemed are gathered home, we shall unquestionably 
 witness other consequences by which we shall learn 
 still more of " the manifold wisdom of God." 
 
 " And so shall we be ever with the Lord." 
 
 " Millions of years, our wondering eyes 
 Shall o'er His beauties rove ; 
 And endless ages will adore 
 The glories of His love." 
 
 " Because I live, ye shall live also." What secu- 
 rity ! All the instincts and aspirations of our immor- 
 tal nature are here perfectly satisfied. No dreaded 
 contingency — no unfulfilled condition— no possibil- 
 ity of change — shall disturb the delightful assurance 
 that all we ever enjoy, shall be enjoyed forever. 
 " Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the 
 temple of my God, and he shall go no more out." 
 
312 APPENDIX. 
 
 This is a distant, dim view of the glories of the 
 upper world — " Now we see only through a glass 
 darkly." 
 
 These are parts of our Father's ways with His 
 children ; " but how little a portion is heard of 
 Him/' 
 
 Thus far we have scarcelv referred to what is 
 called the subjective glory of the saints — the new 
 and inconceivably improved state of the soul — its 
 vastly augmented capacity of knowledge and sus- 
 ceptibility of enjoyment — its perfection in holiness 
 — its eternal exemption from all moral or physical 
 embarrassments ; — and after the resurrection, its 
 possession of a body which we are taught shall be 
 incorruptible, glorious, powerful, spiritual, an instru- 
 ment to assist its operations, and supply it with new 
 faculties, and sources of joy. The testimony of in- 
 spiration on this subject is, " When that which is 
 perfect is come, then that which is in part shall 
 be done away." " Now I know in part, but then 
 shall I know even as also I am known :" a surprising 
 passage, and one on which I scarcely dare venture 
 an opinion, for it evidently compares our knowledge 
 with that of Omniscience itself. 
 
 The glorified humanity of the Son of God is the 
 type of our future advancement. " It doth not yet 
 appear what we shall be, but we know that when 
 He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall 
 see Him as He is." And being ever with the Lord, 
 these faculties shall be in the progress of rapid and 
 endless improvement. 
 
 We have just hinted at the subjects of thrilling 
 
SERMON ON HEAVEN. 313 
 
 investigation, which countless worlds, in all their 
 physical variety, and the nature and condition of 
 their occupants, shall furnish. 
 
 We have made no allusion to those most interest- 
 ing services with which we have reason to befcve 
 we shall be honored, services which are the spon- 
 taneous expressions of ardent love — in the perform- 
 ance of which, instead of a momentary suspense of 
 our highest bliss, we shall be like the angels in their 
 earthly ministrations ; who, while guarding the little 
 ones of the Great Shepherd's flock, " do always be- 
 hold the face of our Father which is in heaven." 
 They carry heaven with them, and increase their 
 enjoyment by their benefactions. 
 
 Not an allusion has been made to the delight of 
 intercourse with the innumerable company of holy, 
 exalted, most united beings, many of whom we knew 
 and loved upon earth — the glory and honor of the 
 nations — the elite of the universe. The intimate 
 relationship, and perfect affinity which unites this 
 great family of angels and men, of whom Jesus is 
 the Head, shall endear them to each other beyond 
 all the ties of earth. And here, too, the friendship 
 of brethren can be no interruption to the enjoyment 
 of the Great Head of the household. Nay, we 
 shall assist each other's mighty joys. Shining forth 
 as the sun in the kingdom of our Father, we shall 
 multiply the exhibitions of the divine glory, and re- 
 flect its light upon each other. 
 
 These, pre-eminently, as the chief of the ways of 
 God's creative power and redeeming mercy, will en- 
 chain our souls w r ith new wonder to the Redeemer. 
 
 14 
 
314 APPENDIX. 
 
 Nothing can divert us from the great central object 
 of admiration and of love in heaven, but all things 
 shall combine to increase our knowledge, and en- 
 hance our appreciation of Him who is all in all. 
 
 r e " Thou art the Source and Centre of all minds, 
 Their only point of rest, Eternal Word ; 
 Thou art, of all thy gifts, Thyself the crown." 
 
 That infinite Being who is the heaven of yonder 
 bright world, is the only heaven enjoyed by His 
 people on earth, — " Whom having not seen ye love, 
 in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believ- 
 ing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of 
 glory." Just as far as we delight in his presence 
 and communion here, may we indulge the hope 
 that we shall be ever with him. Let us often dwell 
 upon these ineffable glories. They were revealed 
 for our sanctification ; for " every man that hath 
 this hope in him, purifieth himself even as He is 
 pure." 
 
 How admirably adapted is their influence to com- 
 pose the mind under the shocks which it daily en- 
 counters from sins, and infirmities, and sickness, and 
 change, and death. We are orphans indeed without 
 this hope ; but with it, under every trial, we may 
 hear the soothing voice of our heavenly Friend, ex- 
 claiming, — " Let not your heart be troubled — ye 
 believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's 
 house are many mansions, if it were not so I would 
 have told you. I go to prepare a place for you ; and 
 if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come 
 
SERMON ON HEAVEN. 315 
 
 again and receive you unto myself, that where I am 
 there ye may be also." 
 
 " This glorious hope revives 
 Oar courage by the way, 
 While each in expectation lives, 
 And longs to see the day. 
 
 " From sorrow, toil, and pain, 
 And sin we shall be free ; 
 And perfect love, and friendship, reign 
 Through all Eternity." 
 
 THE END. 
 
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