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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour etre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de Tangle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 ^ %. 7 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES jfirat Series SEVEN PIONEER MISSIONARIES liWi Portraits and Illustrations, Tho messengers of the churches and the glory of Christ. ___ —2 Cor. via. BY REV. J. E:. SANDERSON, M.A. TORONTO WILLIAM BRIGGS Montreal: C. W TOATpc; u 1900 .RMoeRSCN.T.C-:. Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand nine hundred, by William Dri&?h, at the Department of Agriculture. PREFACE. This little volume is an effort to supply a lack of readily available information regarding some representative early missionaries. This want has been specially felt by Sunday Schools, Christian Endeavor Societies and Epworth Leagues, and also by general readers and many ministers. The names selected represent several Churches and countries, but they are of men marked by such catholicity of spirit as to be claimed by all Christians. We have started with the rise of our present- day missionary enterprises in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and hope, in future series, to trace the record towards our own times. To place the book within easy reach of all we have condensed gleanings from many sources' IV PREFACE. into the smallest space consistent with a reason- ably adequate presentation of the men and their work. We are persuaded that the " facts will prove stranger than fiction," and help to incite a deeper interest in world-wide evangelization. We gratefully own our obligations to many writers for materials gathered for these pages. '' i J. E. S. Toronto, December, 1900. Til W Gil He Wi Ro JOF CONTENTS. Thomas Cokr, D.C.L., 1747-1814 William Carky, D.D., 1761-1834 GiDKON OUSELEY, 1762-1839 Henry Martyn, M.A., 1781-1812 William Case, 1780-1855 - Robert Morrison, D.D., 1782 1834 John Williams, 1796-1839 - PAOK 9 35 57 83 103 129 155 *. ... LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. I I'AQR Thomas Cork, D.C.L. '^ Kingston, St. Vincent, West Indies - - - 18 Bombay ^^ William Carey, D.D. ^'^ A Brahman Woman - 42 Gideon Ouseley ^^ Blarney Castle "^^ Henry Martyn, M.A. ^'-^ Arab Chief ^^ William Case 102 Peter Jones' House at the River Credit - - 115 Indian Village at the River Credit - - - 117 Robert Morrison, D.D. ^28 Bible Colporteur, China 1^0 John Williams ^^^^ The Messenger of Peace ^^^ i I'AaK 8 18 33 34 42 56 72 82 96 102 115 117 128 140 154 165 •kT I THOMAS COKE, D.C.L. messe\(;kus of the churches. » 1 I THOMAS COKE, D.C.L. Amn-ira, WrsI Indies, Novn Scf'.i, Ireland, Wales, Africa, Indi t. 1747-iol4. EARLY MhK. THE widesprecad evan^-elisric mov rnents of our day owe their ori^ri^ largely to the religious awakenings of the latter half of the eighteenth century. In giving that newly-found Christian life a world-wide extension, no one appears to have been in advance of Thomas Coke. He was born in Brecon, Wales, October 9th, 1747, In a quiet Christian home he was care- fully nurtured. He was dark, rather short, bright and active. In the "Old Grammar School," and " College of the Church of Christ," he was prepared to enter Jesus College, Oxford, in his sixteenth year. 9 U i 10 MESSENGERS OF THE CHtTRCHES. ■I ! Amid the beauty and grandeur of that old city he found superficial religion and a low moral tone. Voltaire and Rousseau made dis- ciples in England. Professors and students had weakened under the terrible fusillade of atheis- tic taunts and sneers. From the dark days of Charles II. it had been the ambition of many to undermine the authority of the Bible and the faith of the people. To withstand this avalanche of iniquity, John Wesley and his Oxford asso- ciates had been called of God and sent forth, Thomas Coke, for the first time away from the restraints and safeguards of home, was caught and well-nigh submerged amid the waves of scepticism. The conflict was severe, but resulted in a firm belief in divine Revelation and the beginning of a new life. GRADUATION. In Febraary, 1768, he received his Bachelor's degree and returned to Brecon. His agreeable manners, education, and wealth gave him access to the highest society. He was elected to his father's place as chief magistrate of the town. Three years of public life deferred, but did not defeat, his purpose of entering Holy Orders. As yet, like Wesley in Georgia, he felt himself a servant — not a son. " I believe in the for- giveness of sins," he said ; but his experience did THOMAS COKE, D.C.L. 11 not warrant the confession. He read books of practical divinity, made re ^uest for a curacy, and received Roads, in Somersetshire. In June, 1770, he was ordained Deacon and received his Master's degree. In 1772 he was admitted to priest's orders and ordination. Listening to the solemn words : ' ' Come, Holy Ghost, Creator, come, Inspire these souls of Thine, Till every heart which Thou hast made Is filled with grace divine " — he mourned unfitness for his solemn vows. m •■■3- ;f CONVERSION. Coke read Witherspoon on " Regeneration," and " AUeine's Alarm." Manuals of prayer gave place to prayer. As John Wesley met Peter Bohler, Coke met Thomas Maxfield, the first Methodist lay preacher, and was soon able to smg "My God is reconciled, His pardoning voice I hear, He owns me for His child, I can no longer fear." In liis new charge, South Petherton, he began to preach extempore. Souls were converted — consternation among the people and opposition from the clergy resulted. Appeals to the Bishop were answered with commendations of his zeal. 12 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. "i 'i ! , 1 I \ 1 Coke began a more careful examination of Methodism ; read " Wesley's Journals " and "Fletcher's Checks"; drove twenty miles to meet Wesley ; was instructed and captivated by the " Apostle of Methodism," and would have followed him straightway, had not Wesley counselled him to let his light shine where he was. His zeal was rewarded with persecution. He was driven from his parish. J3ut as one door closed another opened, and he ENTERED METHODISM. Thus wrote Wesley, August 19th, 1777 : " I went to Taunton with Dr. Coke, who has bidden adieu to his honorable name and cast in his lot with us." The Methodists of London welcomed the curate of South Petherton. Thousands were eager to hear him. In the fields multitudes were drawn by his earnestness and simplicity. Mr. Wesley found him an agreeable and help- ful companion. Preaching in an open square, in Ramsbury, he was attacked by a mob, headed by the Vicar. Their uproar failing to silence the preacher, the Vicar called for the fire engine. The crowd was scattered. Coke warned them that they " might need their engine for better use." They recalled his words, a couple of weeks after, when their square lay in ashes. Dr. Coke THOMAS COKE, D.C.L. 13 the visited his old parish, and was greeted with ringing of bells. " We rang him out," said they, " and now we rino; him in." The sick and the poor had missed their open-handed benefactor. The people came for miles, in thousands, to see and hear him. In 1782 Coke was sent by Wesley to preside in the Irish Conference. Listening to the words of his leader : " The world is my 'parish" he began to consider " the regions beyond." The Roman Catholic Church, through its orders, its Loyolas and Xaviers, had been reaching out to the ends of the earth. The Waldenses and Bohemians had borne their steadfast witness to the most aggres- sive truths of Revelation. The Moravians had found their way to India, Africa and America. The English and Nonconformist Churches were slow to undertake missionary efforts. John VV'^esley had preached to the colonists and the Indians in America. Coke caught his spirit, and, from a flaming evangelist at home, became an inspired missionary abroad. The infant societies planted in New York by Barbara Heck and Philip Embury were keeping pace with those at home. The War of Independence had snapt political ties, but failed to sever Methodist relationship. In those " Free and Independent States" Wesley saw that the Church must be 14 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. I , free. Methodists had a right to the sacraments from the hands of their own ministers. He confided these conclusions to Coke, in 1784, and asked him, with Asbury, to undertake the superintendency of those societies. At the next Conference he was so appointed. On the 18th September, 1784, with Messrs. Whatcoat and Vasey, he set sail on his FIRST MISSIONARY VOYAGE, and landed in New York, November 3rd. After preaching in New York and Philadelphia, he undertook a tour of a thousand miles through Delaware, Virginia, and Maryland. Like another John the Baptist, he traversed the wilderness, calling men to repentance, preaching to thou- sands, baptizing "more in one tour than I should in my whole life in an English parish." Some doors were closed against him, but the fields and forests were open. Like his Master, he was ready to break the bread of life wherever hungry multitudes were waiting to be fed. He met the Conference in Baltimore. The joint superintendency of Dr. Coke and Mr. Asbury was unanimously accepted. Sixty-three preachers were present, representing 15,000 members. An educational institution was pro- jected, $5,000 subscribed, and the corner-stone of Cokesbury College laid June 5th, 1785. «* THOMAS COKE, D.C.L. 15 Dr. Coke enjoyed the romantic scenery of the New World — " heavy falls of snow, trees of ice, the woods one vast palace, almost too dazzling to behold ; vegetable forms converted into emeralds and sapphires — so beautiful a sight 1 never saw before." Long journeys on horse- back, fording dangerous rivers, threading vast forests, lodging in log cabins, proved trying and dangerous. Crossing a swollen river, his horse was swept from under him ; seizing the branches of a tree, it was dislodged and bore him down with the current till arrested by another tree. Bruised and crushed he escaped, made his way to a house, where a negro dried his wet clothes and a stranger came up with his horse and saddle bags. SLAVERY, that " sum of all villanies," was daily before his eyes. Wesley, Wilberforce and Clarkson were fighting the traffic. The American Methodists, generally, were of the same mind. The Confer- ence of 1780 declared against the system. Dr. Coke entered the lists and championed the cause of the slaves. He was hunted and threatened by armed slave-holders. After another Confer- ence he sailed for England. Wesley was cheered by Coke's account of harmony and success. At home all were by no means agreed as to the wisdom of the system I £ ; I \ ! 16 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. i li I II of church government their venerable Founder had authorized for America. Even his brother Charles, "the Sweet Singer of Methodism," could not agree with him on questions of church polity. Dr. Coke reported that "not 5,000 out of 100,000 adult hearers in our Sunday congrega- tions ever attended any other ministry than ours." But he found more practical work than controversy. He carried his burning message into Scotland, striving to arouse the Church to a perception of Christian obligations to the heathen, everywhere crying: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord." He contemplated the possi- bility of a mission to Africa and was in cor- respondence with India. Not forgetting those distant lands, he laid his plans for Newfound- land and Canada. In 1786 he visited the Channel Islands. He regarded them as the key to France, and ordained M. de Queteville and others, forerunners of many French missionaries. He made an extensive tour through Ireland and presided at the Irish Conference. At Bristol measures were adopted regarding the work in America, which demanded his departure on his SECOND MISSIONARY VOYAGE. Three missionaries were appointed to Nova Scotia, under Dr. Coke's leadership, and they I "m THOMAS COKE, D.C.L. 17 Founder brother lodism," f church out of )ngrega- ry than rk than message Church 1 to the ye the e possi- in cor- g those vfound- :ed the the key le and Dnaries. reland Bristol ^ork in on his Nova 1 they i M embarked September 24th, 1786. A succes- sion of storms delayed them, the vessel sprang a leak ; tempestuous weather continued ; the captain eyed the black coats suspiciously. " We've a Jonah aboard," he said, and, seizing Dr. Coke's papers, cast them overboard, and seemed intent on throwing their owner after them. That night, amid the storm, a hasty message came from the captain's wife : '* Pray for us. Doctor ! " The ship was on her beam ends as the little company knelt in prayer. 1'he tempest subsided, and they sang a hymn of praise. But other storms came on and they were driven to THE WEST INDIES. Some years previous to this unexpected landing, Mr. Gilbert, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Antigua, had met Mr. Wesley in England. He went home rejoicing and began to publish the glad tidings. Hundreds of poor negroes were gathered into the fold. After Mr. Gilbert's death, Mr. Baxter, a local preacher, kept up the work for eight years, until the arrival of Dr. Coke. He had built a chapel, the first in the torrid zone, collected congrega- tions in several places, and enrolled 2,000 mem- bers. December 25th, Dr. Coke wrote : " Going up to the town of St. John's we met Bro. Baxter 2 If: I II I ' i 7. y. /. V. I. THOMAS COKE, D.C.L. 19 / •J. .n ■ "^ h- -/^'■v. ^.a % ^ '^ m. y. •f. V. V. m and his Imnd f:joing to divine service. I went to the chapel, preached, and administered the Sacra- ment. I had one of the cleanest audiences I ever saw ; all the negro women were dressed in white linen frowns." Twice daily he preached, the chapel not holding the people. A gentleman ottered him £500 to remain. " God be praised!" replied Dr. Coke, " £500,000 a year would be to me a feather when opposed to mv usefulness in the Church of Christ." Invita- tions came from St. Vincent, St. Eustatius, St- Christopher, etc. With two of the brethren and Mr. Baxter, whom he had ordained, he visited St. Vincent, Dominica and Roseau. The planters offered generous support. Mr. Hannah was stationed at St. Christopher's. To St. Eustatius, Harry, a slave from America, had brought the Gospel. Several were converted and a chapel built. Forbidden by the Governor to preach, Harry endeavored to try praying instead, but suffered the lash, and, finally, transportation. To Dr. Coke, permission to preach was granted reluctantly ; but six classes were formed. The beautiful scenery of the islands, the spirit of the people, and the prospect of introducing the Gospel, made this a memorable visit. On the 10th of February Dr. Coke left for Charleston, " laden with seed-cake, biscuits, and oranges," from his black friends, in such abun- 20 MESSENGERS OF THE CHUllCHES 1'' 'ii, dance that he was able to minister to his fellow- passengers. After the Conference at Charleston, " provided with a good strong horse," he jour- neyed through Georgia.. South Carolina and Virginia, riding a hundred miles a week, often through morasses, and in the saddle till mid- night, yet in good spirits. " I have got into my old romantic way : preaching in great forests, with hundreds of horses tied to the trees." A slave-holder, who had followed him with a gun, was converted. A letter from Kentucky asked for help : " but observe, no one must be appointed who is afraid to die, for there is war with the Indians." With Mr. Asbury, he visited the college and the societies, then sailed for Dublin, where he met Mr. Wesley. They discussed the West Indies and America on their way to the English Conference. Nearly 3,000 members on the new missions, and 25,000 in the United States, were reported. Dr. Coke spent the year among the Channel Islands and in England, then departed on his THIRD MISSIONARY VOYAGE, taking with him Messrs. Lamb and Gamble for the West Indies, and Mr. Pearce, for Newfound- land. The passage was delightful. At St. Vin- cent they sought fresh openings, and crossed the ■ j«jwt f ■^ > fellow - Tleston, le jour- na and k, often ill niid- ;ot into I forests, jes." A li a gun, y asked ^pointed Nith the ege and ^here he e West English nissions, eported. ■^hannel )n his nble for wfound- St. Vin- ssed the f THOMAS COKE, D.C.L. 21 mountains to the Caribs, a warlike people, even their women carrying knives and cutlasses. Mr. Baxter was left among them. Twenty-five members had been gathered at Roseau, 700 at St. Christopher, and over ] ,000 at Antigua. At St. Eustatius persecution was raging ; fines, im- prisonment or transportation were visited on any who dared to preach ; yet, even there, the mem- bership had grown to 258. A beginning had been made in ten islands, with a population of 260,000, four-fifths of whom were in heathen darkness. After visiting Jamaica, Dr. Coke sailed for Charleston, arriving February 24th, and imme- diately took horse for Conference, in Georgia. On the way, " a most astonishing illumination — I seemed surrounded with fires. Sometimes the flames catch the oozing turpentine of the pine trees and blaze to the very top. Travelling was dangerous, provisions scanty ; in several places we had to lie on the floor ; sixteen or eighteen miles without seeing a house, deep rivers to ford and many times nothing to eat from seven in the morning till six in the evening." The Georgian Conference was " a time of peace and love." A college for Georgia was determined on, and 2,000 acres secured. Thence he hastened to the South Carolina Conference. " The country abounded with peach orchards in full bloom. For two days we rode on the ridges 22 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. rising on mountains for I I fi I of liills : mountains twenty to forty miles." Next, the Virginia Conference, where an in- crease of 2,000 was reported. At tlie Balti- more Conference " souls were awakened and converted by multitudes. I do most ardently wish that there was such a work in Encfland," Cokesbury College, Philadelphia, and Trenton, were visited, then Dr. Coke sailed for the Eng- lish Conference. He reported seven missions in the West Indies, with 45,000 members ; four in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, with 800 members, and 43,2G5 in the United States. Visiting his old home, he erected a beautiful monument over the graves of his parents. During the year the first Methodist Mission- ary Committee was appointed. After sixteen months of earnest work the Doctor embarked, October l()th, 1790, on his "■^' i FOURTH MISSIONARY VOYAGE, with Messrs. Lyons and Worrell, for the West Indies. In five weeks they reached Barbadoes. After visiting many of the islands, he left for Charleston Conference. The work extended over 7,000 square miles and embraced seven con- ferences. Several of these he had attended, when he saw in the papers the death of Mr. THOMAS COKE, D.C.L. 23 lins for 3 an in- B Balti- led and irdently ngland." Irenton, lie Eng- t Indies, otia and i3,2G5 in lome, he graves of Mission- sixteen abarked, he West irbadoes. left for extended iven con- ittended, \i of Mr. Wesley, wliich hastened his ' % 1 I WILLIAM CAREY, D.D. liU \\l\f Mt ^i"^. II. WILLIAM CAREY, D.D. India. 1761-1834. WILLIAM CAREY was born August 17th, 1761, in Paulerspury, Northampton- shire, England. His father was school-master and parish clerk. William had his little room filled with birds, eggs, insects, botanical speci- mens, books of science, history, voyages and — " Pilirrim's Pro":ress." He cultivated flowers and trees. At the age of seventeen he was apprenticed to a shoemaker. Findinfj some Greek characters in a commentary, he sought an instructor. He read " Jeremy Taylor's Sermons " and other good books, attended church services and an evening prayer-meeting. His awakening anxiety about religion deepened into conviction ; and — " I was, I trust, brought to depend on a crucified Saviour for pardon and salvation." The preaching of the Rev. Thos. Scott proved ver^^ helpful to him. By reading and attending conferences, in the village meeting-house, his religious experience deepened. 35 36 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. On the death of his master, he took over the business, and married at the age of twenty-one. He also opened an evening school. In the Association meetings, at Olney, he met Andrew Fuller, who encouraged him to exercise his gifts in preaching. He united with the Baptist Church at Olney, and in August, 178.'), was called to the ministry. In 17'S7 he was settled in a church in Moulton, with a stipend ot* £15; to which he made some addition by teaching or working at his trade. ,i,! THE EVANGELIZATION OF THE HEATHEN began to engage his mind. The Protestant churches appeared to disregard this responsi- bility. Propagation societies were acting, but mainly for colonists. The writings of Jona- than Edwards and Andrew Fuller touchincr the " Advancement of Christ's Kingdom," quicken- ing his perception. The subject was taken up by the Northamptonshire Association, with special prayer for the spread of the Gospel. Carey brooded over the condition of the world and the rcH|'Onsibility of Christians. In his school, on liis bench, the missionary idea burned in his heart. Being asked at one of the mission- ary meetings to suggest a subject he asked : " Was the command to the Apostles to ' teach all nations' obligatory on all succeeding ministers?" m WILLIAM CAREY, D.D. 87 er the by-one. [n the indrew is gifts Olney, inistry. [oulton, ie some s trade. HEN otestant esponsi- ing, but f Jona- ling the uicken- aken up n, with pel. le world In his \ burned mission- asked : teach all misters ?" Several thought nothing could Le done before another Pentecost, when an effusion of miracu- lous gifts would give effect to the commission, as at the first ; but Mr. Fuller took his part and advised him to pursue his incjuiries. In 1789 he accepted an invitation to the pastorate of Harvey Lane Church. This was an improve- ment — for books and association with men of culture, though not materially in finances. The formation of a Missionary'- Society was still uppermost in his thoughts. Having to preach at the annual meeting, he took for liis text Isaiah 55 : 2, 3, making two divisions : " Expect great things from God," and " Attempt great things for God." A resolution w^as adopted in favor of a society to send the Gospel to the heathen. A meeting for the purpose was called October, 1792, at which plans were submitted and ap- proved. A collection of £13 2s. 6d. was made. Mr. Carey's " Inquiry into the Obligations of Christians " was ordered to be published, the profits to be added to the collection. Thus THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY W^AS ORGANIZED. The fund was increased to £70 and an appeal made for further aid. Mr. Thomas, a surgeon to the East India Company, waa then in Eng- land endeavoring to arrange for a mission to Bengal. It was eventually decided that Carey ""xmmmemai 38 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. and Thomas should be sent together to India. " But remember," said Carey, " that you must hold the ropes." His congregation consented with regret to his leaving. His wife preferred to remain in Eng- land. Farewell services were held, Mr. Fuller giving the parting charges. The passage money, £250, was paid and the missionaries went aboard The Oxford April 3rd, 1793. But the vessel was delayed, and the missionaries, having no license from the directors, were ejected, for- feiting £100. They repaired to I^ondon, found a " Danish East Indiaman," and engaged their passage. The delay enabled Mr. Carey to see his wife, who consented to go, on condition that her sister should go also. The party was increased to eight and the expense to 300 guineas, which was provided in time for the sailing of the vessel, June 13th. After a stormy voyage of five months they reached Calcutta. Mr. Carey had improved his time studying Bengalee under Mr. Thomas. His enthusiasm found vent in Wesley's hymn : "O that the world might taste and see The riches of His grace ! The arms of love that compass me Would all mankind embrace." His faith was tested. I am in a strange -1 ^^i! w^»rv„f--'^ j:3 ■■», WILLIAM CAREY, D.D. 39 to India, ou must L-et to hia L in Eng- r. Fuller je money, ies went But the )S, having jcted, for- on, found ,ged their ey to see ition that \ increased as, which the vessel, of live ^arey had lee under vent in :^ a strange land ; a large family and notliing to supply their wants. All my friends are but One. 1 rejoice, however, that He is all-sufhcient." He heard of some jungle land that might be had for the clearing: took his family forty miles, built a hut, and began his work. " We sliall have all the necessaries of life, except bread, for which we must substitute rice. Wild hogs, deer, and fowl can be procured by tlie gun." Thus hopefully he wrote ; but a brighter prospect soon opened. An indigo manufacturer, a former friend of Mr. Tliomas, re(|uired two managers for new fac- tories and gladly engaged Carey and Thomas at £250 a year. This position would allow much time for mission w^ork. Mr. Carey was soon able to preach in Bengalee. His business called him to many places, with frequent opportunities of speaking to the natives. He opened a school and began a translation of the Scriptures. By an attack of fever he was greatly prostrated, and his little boy, Peter, was taken from l.hn. Business reverses caused his employer to dispense with his services; but he had gained valuable experience — Methods of agriculture, ways of the natives, Iha.' dveeping, etc. — which would turn to good account. During the six years lie had gathered a congregation of several hundreds. In 1755 some Danish merchants had pur- 40 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. chased twenty acres of land, fifteen miles from Calcutta and founded a settlement named SERAMrORE, which attained great commercial prosperity and afforded protection to missionaries. Four addi- tional men were sent out by the Society to assist Carey. Arriving at Calcutta, they pro- ceeded at once to Serampore, presented their letters, were welcomed by the Governor, and offered a permanent home. One of them, Mr. Ward, who had known Mr. Carey in England, went to see him. The visit resulted in a decision to make Serampore their headquarters. Thither, on the 10th of January, 1800, Carey removed. They purchased, for £800, a large house, which became the home of the missionaries. They were greatly encouraged and appointed a day of thanksgiving. Shortly after their arrival two of the missionaries, Messrs. Grand and Brunsden, died, and, later, Mr. Fountain, while busy in his mission. Mr. Carey had obtained a printing press, and Mr. Ward had been a printer. While j'^et a student, he had been selected as a suitable helper for Carey. Mrs. Mnrshman's presence and help were found specially acceptable. By com- mon consent she was installed directress of the home in which the missionaries and their families lived together, under one common ^'jl WILLIAM CAREY, D.D. 41 management. She became an efficient mis- sionary to the women of India. In 1800 she opened a boarding school for girls, out of which grew many similar schools — fourteen in and around Serampore, with as many more in other places, containing, in 1820, about 500 pupils. One of her daughters became the wife of Sir Henry Havelock. The early experiment of the missionaries living together developed into a fixed arrange- ment, embracing particulars of their whole work. FIRST HINDOO CONVERT — KRISHNU PAL. He was a carpenter, and the breaking of his arm led him to Mr. Thomas for treatment. He became a true Christian. His example was followed by another native — Gokool, who brought his whole family, his wife declaring that she " had received great jo}'' from the Oospol." These two men partook of a meal with Carey and Thomas, thus renouncing caste, " much to the astonishment of the native servants." Car' y and Ward rejoiced together over these first-fruits, and exclaimed : " The door of faith is opened to the Gentiles, who shall shut it ? The cliain of caste is broken, who shall mend it ? " But great disturbances arose. ** Two thousand people gathered, cursed the converts, and dragged them before tlie Danish magistrate ; but to no A BRAHMAN WOMAN. WILLIAM CAREY, D.D. 43 purpose. Krisknu and Carey's eldest son were baptized; and, afterwards, Gokool and the women. Krishnu wrote the communion hymn, which, in English, begins : " Oh thou, my soul, forget no more The Friend, who all thy misery bore ! Let every idol be forgot, But, oh, my soul, forget Him not. " FIRST BENGALEE NEW TESTAMENT. In 1796 Carey had the translation of the New Testament into Bengalee almost completed. He wrote Mr. Fuller that the probable cost of print- ing 10,000 copies would be about £3,000. Con- siderable .delay occurred, during which he was working on the Old Testament. In 1801 an edition of 2,000 copies was struck off. A special meeting, for thanksgiving, was called, for which Mr. Marshman composed the hymn : "Hail, precious Book Divine ! Illumined by thy rays, We rise from death and sin, And tune a Saviour's praise. " The Governor-General, Lord Wellesley, had founded, at Calcutta, !$i( FORT WILLIAM COLLEGE. In his search for instructors the publication of the New Testament directed his attention to it 'l:.|i:l 44 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. Mr. Carey as a suitable person for the Bengalee chair. In this position he received a salary of £600. He was afterwards made Professor of Bengalee, Sanscrit and Mahratta, and his salary increased to £1,500, the whole of which, except about £40 for the support of himself and family, he devoted to the mission. Beyond his own expectation, and to the satisfaction of all con- cerned, Mr. Carey succeeded in filling his high position. Brown University, United States, pi^^nified its appreciation of his high attain- ments by conferring the degree of Doctor of Jji inl'cV. In 1804, at the students' annual disputation, held at the Viceroy's official residence, Dr. Carey was elected Moderator. In this office, before the most distinguished Europeans and natives, he presented an address to the Viceroy, who said, in his reply : " I am much pleased with Mr. Carey's truly original and excellent speech. I esteem such a testimony, from such a man, a greater honor than the applause of courts and parlia- ments." And this is the man, who, but twelve years before, w.*s trying to make ends meet by teaching school and mending shoes ! The hostile attitude of the East India Com- pany made it unlikely that the work at Seram- pore would escape opposition. In 1806 two native regiments mutinied. The cause was WILLIAM CAREY, D.D. 45 galee ,ry of lor of salary sxcept unily, i own 1 con- 3 high States, Eittain- ;tor of itation, . Carey ore the ves, he said, in '^arey's esteem greater parlia- twelve leet by a Com- Seram- 36 two use was :*- found to be purely military, but it served as an excuse for a close watch on missionary operations. When two additional missionaries arrived, they were detained in Calcutta. Efforts were also made to restrict Dr. Carey in his work. A Mohammedan translator, by fur- tively inserting certain objectionable strictures, created irritation, which, for a time, threatened trouble. The service in Calcutta was ordered to be closed and the printing press removed ; but Carey's straightforward appeal to the Governor caused the order to be revoked. Further oppo- sition was kept up by hostile Anglo-Indians issuing various misrepresentations. As the time for the renewal of the East India Company's charter, 1813, drew near, the friends of missions determined to ask greater liberty for the spread of Christianity. Witli Mr. Fuller as their leader, they laid representations before Parliament. A Bill permitting the free entrance of missionaries into India, passed the Commons on the 13th of July, and was accepted by the Lords. Permission having been secured for the erection of a place of worship in Serampore, a chapel was built in 1809. Though Carey's duties at Fort William College called him con- stantly to Calcutta, he took mis.sion work regularly. In translating, proof-reading, compilation of I'^l 46 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. 1 1 grammars and dictionaries, consulting, visit- ing, preaching, he spent about sixteen hours daily. " The number seeking salvation con- tinues to increase. Mr. Carey's room was filled yesterday." Mrs. Carej^ after many years of mental and physical affliction, died in 1807. Her condition had been the cause of ceaseless anxiety to her husband, often making the discharge of his duties all but impossible. He was subsequently married to Miss Charlotte Emelia Rumohr, who had become identified with the missionary work. 1 1 ' TRANSLATIONS. William Carey's boyish curiosity regardinfr the characters of the Greek alphabet and the Latin dictionary found wonderful development later in his amazing linguistic studies and attain- ments. Within two months of landing he was translating Genesis, " a chapter a day." Of the Bengalee and Hindoostanee, he wrote : " I understand a little and hope to be master of both in time." In August, 1795 : "The translation of the Bible is going on. I hope we shall be able to put Genesis, or more, to the press before Christmas." In that year he was preparing n grammar, and had entered upon the appallini,^ task of compiling a dictionary. By the middle of the following year he ha*! WILLIAM CAREY, D.D. 47 f, visit- 1 hours on con- as filled ,ntal and jondition ^y to her e of his ficquently [\ohr, who ary work. regardinir it and the velopment and attain- ng he was Of the wrote : "1 ster of both analation of lall be able )ress before preparing a be appallin^i year he ha»t, 60 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES lost all. To his old home, Dunmore, he took his young wife to weep over vanished possessions and companionships she had never enjoyed. Her husband's fondness for lively associates was soon rekindled. In a scuffle an accidental discharge of shot destroyed the light of one eye. A sufferer, and helpless, he learned to prize the gentle ministrations of his loving wife. She tried to lighten the tedium of enforced idleness by read- ing to him " Young's Night Thoughts," which riveted his attention. The early scriptural les- sons of his mother floated through his brain- Good purposes began to take root ; he must and would " turn over a new leaf." But " the evil that I would not, that I do " ; so he lamented and declared himself incurable. HIS CONVERSION. A detachment of Irish Guards was sent to Dunmore Barracks. There were strange carry- ings on in the large room at the public house — the guards were making it a rendezvous. Singing was heard, and prayer, but no drinking ! The quarter-master was the leader — the soldiers were Methodists ! Everybody was asked to go, to see and hear — what ? A man, in military uniform, preaching and praying without paper or book, Gideon was minded to go, but halted, irresolute, In April, 1791, he went, blind of an eye, but watching every movement Again he went, 11 1: I^.?---" '*■??■ GIDEON OUSELEV. 61 )ok his lessions >d. Her as soon large of iufferer, ! gentle tried to bv read- " w)nch ,\iral les- is brain- nust and ' the evil lamented sent to ye carry - house — Singing ^ ! The iers were go, to see uniform, or book, rresolute, eye, but he went. attracted by the words, the songs, the prayers. He began to see liimself, his sins, and to desire a cliange. Thinking tlie quarter-master a good, true man, he asked him liome with him. ^lethudist preachers came to help the soldiers. Tlieir words dropped into the heart of young Ouseley ; the meetings, the preaching, the testi- monies, strange as they were, met the yearnings of his soul. Soon a new song was put into his mouth — a song he sang while he lived. After some months his wife rejoiced in the same experience and joined in the song. Gideon Ouseley became a zealous Methodist. He was laughed at, derided, and avoided, even by some professors of religion ; but his lips were touched with the live coal, and he must tell what the Lord had done for him. His first attempt to speak to the people was at a funeral, in the Dunmore Churchyard, giving his experience. The priest was excited ; the curate was indignant, and from the pulpit de- nounced the Methodists. He was answered by Ouseley, on the spot. The people heard the truth as, perhaps, never before. The Rector, with his father, admonished the over-zealous young Methodist. He replied gently, but tirmly : " We must obey God rather than men." The father sought to enlist the efforts of Harriet, but she answered : " When he spent his BSS 62 MESSENGERS OB^ THE CHURCHES, nights in dissipation, there was no reproof ; now when he has quit his evil ways, you oppose him." That was enough. The father owned " Gideon is right, and we are wrong." He took to PREACHING IN THE STREETS, through several counties, telling the people, in their own Irish tongue, the wonderful works of God. His home was made a class-room and a resort for young disciples, to whom Mrs. Ouseley became a nursing mother. For five years he continued these earnest efibrts, and was encour- aged by seeing much good done, and some "sons in the Gospel," one of whom, Rev. W. Cornwall, was the instrument in the conversion of Gideon's own father. He visited " stations " and "wakes," where, suddenly, his ringing words came in strange contrast to revelry and mirth. To one of these " wakes " Ouseley rode up, dis- mounted, and entering, translated portions of the priest's Latin prayers into Irish, adding, " Listen to that ! " till the priest was awed, and the people melted ; then departed, suddenly as he came — the people asking, " Who is that ? " and the priest answering, "Sure he is an angel; no man could do that ! " In his journeys and conversations he was study- ing the lives and hearts of the people, that he might be able to break to them the bread of life. GIDEON OUSELEY. 63 ; now i him." jideon aple, in orks of ft and a Ouseley ears he encour- d some Rev. W. aversion ations " lor words d mirth, up, dis- 113 of the Listen le people ,me— the he priest an could las study - that he id of hf e. Beinf,' mnrrie me out id they preach- th zeal d to pre- ,ssembled block he y \ " cried ,he drums mediately dshed,the from the oved, left Ichapel, he :he youn^ knelt and .m, while n wonder, determined llack-caps," iier parson Loughall." to hear at GIDEON OUSELEY. 67 Armagh. A Roman Catholic declared she " had never lie;ird the way of salvation before." Ousek'y was always looking for the promised power. "All jL^lory to God ! He met me here hi a manner I can Iiardly describe. So much of his love and power did He let down into my soul that nature could hardly su.stain itself." At Lowtherstown some of the officers threat- ened to bayonet tiie missionaries ; but their threats pn)ved idle words The Catholics at Cavan were alarmed when told that "neither salt, nor water, nor oil, nor beads could ever save them." TERRY M'fiOWAN's CONVERSION. Terry lived near Ma^^uire's Bridge. On his way to the cock-pit on market day, carrying a game cock, he came suddenly upon the " Black-caps," on horsel)ack, speaking in Irish. He halted, listened, heard of the great and terrible dny, and, forgetting his bird, knelt, and wept and prayed there ui)on the street, and was converted. Hurrying home, he called for his wife and children to give thnnks to God. She, thinking him beside himself, sent for the priest, who asked, " What's the matter ?" " Never better in my life," answered Terry. ] " Did you hear the ' Black-caps ' ? " m 68 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. " I did, thank God ! " " So I thought. Now, Terry, just mind your own business and go to your duty Sunday next." " So I will, if your Reverence will do one thing for me." " What is that, Terry ? ' " Come with me to Maguire's Bridge to get the Lord to undo what He did for me this day." " What did the Lord do for you ? " " He said to me, ' Terry McGowan, your sins, which were many, are all forgiven you.' " " I give you up as a lost case." Terry became a worker, holding prayer-meet- ings and carrying the message of mercy to many. In 1802, Mr. Davis, Superintendent of Clones Circuit, wrote to Dr. Coke that " his fears were all gone. The second year was better than the first. Numbers were melted down and sought mercy; meetings lasted six or seven hours; love feasts in the fields, and seven hundred and forty-six members added. The mighty power of God accompanied their word with such demonstrative evidence as I have never known." On their way to another Conference they heard from many witnesses what gracious things the Lord had wrought after, as well as during, their visits. The increase was over five thou- sand, and the missionaries were congratulated. GIDEON OUSELEY. 69 Thouft-h the nine counties of Ulster seemed a large field for Graham and Ouseley, they were soon in the South. In the streets of Clonmel, Tipperary, though met by a mob, they, for three days, fearlessly preached the Gospel, and left the town " little hurt." Mr. Graham wrote Dr. Coke : " By the time we have been seven times round the island, wo hope the walls will come tumbling down." In Limerick and Kerry they met little oppo- sition. In Tralee, "you would liave thought hell let loose. Magistrates and officers availed nothing." Yet, under a guard of soldiers, they preached in the court house. At Skibbereen, " the way of the Lord seemed prepared. They preached in the markets, and on Sunday the people flocked about them by hundreds. The priest thought to try cavalry preaching also, '• riding furiously through the crowd, whip in hand.' Hearing that Mrs. Graham was ill they left for Monaghan, preaching at Cork, Kinsale, and other places. They soon returned on a twelve weeks' tour. The next year they labored in Ulster and Munster. Of Roman Catholics, Ouseley wrote : " I do think, instead of being more embittered, they are still more pleased the more they hear. Drawing near a church, before the hour for 70 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. service, and finding many waiting outside, we had an unexpected congregation, who would scarcely permit us to leave, even when the priest entered and the bell was rung." " Nov. 26th. — Left Dublin for Hosanna. On the way, seeing a number of people about a door, apparently drinking, I rode up to them, spoke gently and gave them some tracts. They were pleased and thanked me." " Dec. 7th. — We came to friend Tackaberry's. A young woman came in, looked at me, then at Mr. Graham, and said to her mother, ' That man I saw in my dream. I thought he did me good, and many were blessed.' So it was. That night I preached, and God blessed his word. Fossey Tackaberry became a preacher." Riding into Arklow market, they met cursing fishermen and an excited young clergyman ; but spake the word and some were awakened, one man saying, " There is no use delaying any longer ; I will begin and serve the Lord." " In Gorey the people gathered in crowds to hear the ' Black-caps,' tears flowed, and I thought, what a pity we had not time to stay a night or two more. " In Ferns they heard as if they had no souls — so very careless. " At Ross we met the people coming from mass. Some were very bitter, but a few soft GIDEON OUSELEY. 71 e, we v^ould 1 the . On out a them, They )eiTy's. ,hen at \i man e good, That J word. cursing m; but led, one g any crowds and I stay a had no tig from few soft words subdued them. A girl, meeting her clergyman, said : ' O Sir, you have known me so long, and why did you not tell me of my danger?' " On market day, in Kilkenny, the mob rushed upon us, frightened our horses and followed us with stones, ready to murder us. We escaped with some bruises." At Atliy, with the protec- tion of some Orangemen, they had a good hear- ing. On Sunday, Ouseley rode down the street, singing, ard was followed by a crowd, who heard him attentively as he spoke of " Christ : the Rock, the Foundation, the Chief Corner- stone." Through the Midland districts they had similar experiences. In the market of Stewarts- town the Catholics wished to make a collection for tliem. In Cavan, Ouseley spoke to a man about to be executed, then addressed the crowd in English and Irish. The Rev. Dr. Hales had published an attack on the missionaries, charging them with teaching the doctrine of assurance, or conscious experience of the pardoning love of God ; and with preach- ing in the street, on horseback, thus courting persecution. He was answered through the Christian Observer. These items of controversy opened the eyes of multitudes, making them anxious to see and hear for themselves. Graham and Ouseley had worked together for I' • 72 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. six years. At the Conference of 1805 they were divided, four new men being sent. Mr. Onseley •i r* BLARNEY CASTLE. had his old friend, William Hamilton, for his col- league. He would often soothe an excited crowd with a story. On one occasion he proposed tell- OlDEON OUSELEY. 73 his col- 1 crowd jed tell- ino- a story of the blessed Virgin ; he graphically described the wedding in Cana, the company, the young couple, the wine, the Virgin's appeal to her Son, ending with : " Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it" — a good text, for which he had skilfully prepared the way. Riding on his way, he heard the merry voices of girls scutching flax. " There is work for us here," he said, and dismounting, entered the open door with : " God save you, children ! " " Save you kindly," came their answer. After sundry (juestions about their work, weaving the " strikes " (fibres), and burning the " shows," he told of the great day — the gathering of the good and casting the bad into the furnace. "The Lord save us ! " cried the girls, and " Amen ! " the preacher. " Let us pray ; " and all were on their knees in tears as he fervently prayed for their salvation. Rising, he blessed them, mounted his horse, and was gone. Seeing some men cutting peat, he rode up and asked, " What are you doing, boys ? " " We are cutting turf, sir." " Sure, you don't want turf, this fine weather ? " " No, sir, but w^e ^hall want it in the cold days and long nights." " Why not cut it when you want it ? " " Sir, it would be too late then." Thus he had another text for a way-side sermon. A favorite name for Mr. Ouseley, among the M 74 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. country folk, was " Sheedd-no-V((r," " The silk of men" — their hearts were so impressed by the love he felt for them. In 1807 he published a series of letters to Dr. Bellew, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ardnaree, criticising the Bishop's methods, and tracing many unjust attacks upon Protestants to his unfair instructions to his priests. In IcSOO, for the first time, Mr. Ouseley speaks of serious illness, caused by lying in a room with a damp floor. Seldom is a hint given as to how he fared or where he slept : but sometimes he found " the best portion of the house in the loft, between the rafters, because the only dry one." Crossing into Tipperary he entered the town of Borrisokane, " no ^Methodists, a most wicked place, in which many efforts to preach the Gosp> had been baffled," yet even there his preaching was attended with remarkable power. A London city missionary told of the first time he heard Mr. Ouseley : " I see him now — his gestures, his fire, his pathos, his smiles, his tact, his peculiar shake of the hand, as distinctly as ever I did. I was told to hasten to the corner of Church Street, where Mr. Ouseley was to preach. He read the hj^mn : " When I survey the wondrous cross," first in English, then in Irish. The crowd increased ; the noise ceased : the sermon was short, pithy, on Peter's teaching : ^ ■;4B. GIDEON OUSELEY. 75 silk y the DO Dr. naree, L-acino; to bi« 8peaks in witii to how mes he ;he loft, i-y one." town of wicked Gosp« • L-eaching the first low— his his tact, inctly as he corner y- was to I survey then iw se ceasefully sneral ixiety 3V. T. ilessed I next Scott .therly idom I ith bis hing — )U sure t men oiibt if uls for monies States, Itee, he a year, I was not lot again .■;!»■ '^^ until (loocl Friday. He was then seventy-six. Still he wrote letters and a pamphlet. In May lie went to Queen's County, for a week, " in a coach," as he had lost his horse, '" and was nothing worse, not e\'en fatigued." He attended tlie Conference, in 1837, in Cork. In August he preached nine- teen times, in eight days; and thought his friends " miirht be at ease ^about his health." Instead of the saddle he took to a gig— preach- ing three or four times a day, " pretty well tired, an«] slept well, thank God!" From Belfast he went into Down, xVntrim, an'■■'•'■'< m 11 ill ; i'ii ' I HI'NRY MARTYN. Indio mul Persia. 1781-1812. LIKl^ many other early toilers in the *;reat missionary tieM, Henry Martyn seems never to have n-aineJ the place, in popular attention, to wliich his devoted life and tra^'ic death entitle him. Many have heard of a brave young life, early in the century, nobly consecrated for the good of other's, and breathe?y of the clergy, and the " Evanpfolical " movement, which found representatives lilie Xewton and Cecil within the pale of the F^stablishment, made the fox-hunting parson and the absentee rector at last impossible."— 'r'm'x'x History, p. 710. .1 88 ME;.SENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. 'B. When he saw the East Indiaman on which he was to sail — " The sudden sight affected me ahnost to tears." As the Union moved off, he waved his farewell to many friends on shore, sent thanks to others for tokens given him, and asked their prayers. The vessel made a brief stay at Fal- mouth, which permitted him to make a final call on Miss Lydia Grenfell, who would probably have sailed with him had not her mother refused to sanction her going to India. A hasty fare- well, and they parted. The conflict had been severe. " But now again," he wrote, " through the mercy of God, I am more at peace. I may henceforth have no one thing upon earth for which I would wish to stay another hour, except to serve the Lord, my Saviour, in the work of the ministry." And she — " Thou, God, that knowest, canst alone give comfort ! O may we each pursue, in different paths, and meet at last around our Father's throne." With his glass he scanned the coasts of Corn- wall until overcome with memories of the past, and the impression that he was leaving the home and friends of his childhood forever. On the vessel he found relief in active efforts for those aboard. After great peril from storms and reefs, the loss of two ships of their fleet and many of the crew, they reached St. Salvador. Martyn made some visits ashore, conversing with Catho- 1 1 I a )l HENRY MAllTYN. 89 as to tiis iks leir ^al- inal bbly isetl are- been 3Ugh may 1 for |bour, tbc God, may jet at Corn- past, ; borne )n tbe tbose reefs, any of artyn Catbo- lics and Mobammedans. Sayinf]r good-bye to bospitable strangers, he left, singing : "Let the Indian, let the negro, Let the rude barlwrijui see That Divine and glorious concjuest Once ol)tained on Calvary ; Let the Gospel Loud resound from pole to pole." The soldiers a])oard were for the war with the Dutch at the Cape; and while the vessel remained Maifcyn had a chance to initiate his military chaplaincy by ministering to the wounded. The long voyage of nine months was over at last. The ship sailed into the Madras Roads, and the young missionary stood on the shores of India. For this beginning he had been prepar- ing by fasting and prayer, especially during Good Friday — I'eading the prophecies and promises. He gazed upon the vast field before him with faith and hone. The missionaries there before him, Carey, Ward and others, gave him a hearty welcome. Martyn found a comfortable home with Rev. David Brown, fifteen miles from Calcutta. In that great city his educational attainments were highly prized and he was desired to remain. " But," said he, " to be prevented going to the heathen would almost break my heart." Taking a walk he saw the smoke of a funeral pyre and made an earnest »M 90 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. effort to rescue the widow, but in vain. The cruel customs of idolatry, daily before his eyes, intensified his desire to give the Gospel to the benighted people. He suffered a severe attack of fevei', but, rallying, he wrote: " In the cloudy climate of England I was ahvays oppressed ; but here I feel as light as air and go rejoicing all the day." In October he was ordered to Dinapoor, far up the Ganges. He embarked in a budgero, taking with him a Moonshee, as assistant in the study of Sanscrit. Leaving the boat and taking his gun for a stroll, he heard the noise of cymbals and drums. He was soon in the midst of idol worshippers and reasoning with the Brahmin. His time on the route was taken up in learning the language of the natives about him, translating, distributing tracts and beginning the Persian. Indications of antipathy towards Englishmen gave him intimations of possible trouble. He found strength reading Heb. 11. " What a wretched life shall I lead, if I do not exert myself from morning till night where I seem to be the only light." Feeling keenly the need of companionship, he wrote the only one who could supply the lack, proposing that she join him in India. He sought relief in more complete devotion to the work before him — " forced to believe that I should live, in every sense, a stranger and pilgrim on this earth." HENRY MARTYN. 91 The iyes, ► the btack oudy ; but icf all 3d to Led in lee, as ncT the heard LS Hoon isoning ite was natives cts and itipathy tions of reading lead, i£ ill night Feeling vrote the )roposing relief in fore him in every larth." ■ m ■I Reaching Dinapoor, he was much discouraged on tindiui: the lanj^uao'e so different. His knowledge of Hindustani would not avail where the natives spoke only Beharee. To meet the exigency he redoubled his efforts. " I fair as hard as ever I did for deforces at Cand^rido-e." He had fre(juent discussions with his Moonshee, us they translated. In his sphere, as chaplain, he found such indifference as aroused his spirit. The arrival of 12,000 Mahratta troops seemed an ()])ening for the work he had at heart : but opposition to preaching to the natives was so strong as to bar his way. He undertook the opening and management of schools in the hope that the children, at least, would break off the shackles of idolatry. Five such schools he maintained at his own expense. Special meet- ings were held in the evening for those desiring instruction, and on Sunday afternoons for the wives of soldiers. He prepared a translation of the parables, with simple notes. Around the pagoda, in which he dw* It, and under the verandahs, he gathered the poor by hundreds, and ministered to their wants, both temporal and spiritual. Martyn's kindness and sympathy won the confidence of many natives. In their alleviation and defence he ran great hazards, saying : " I thought it duty I owed to A IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V '^o {■/ €?■ ij.. Q., I 1.0 I.I IIIIM IIIIM m IIIM 1 2 2 M 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ■^ 6" — ► .<^ V] s^ p^ O A / /^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WFST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N V )4580 (716) 872-4503 I WP.^ % &. €?■ IP., C/j 92 MESSENGERS OF THE CHUllCHES. God, to the oppressed natives, and to my country; and I felt authorized to risk my life." In the conversion of an officer and in seeing the soldiers begin to read their Bibles, he was encouraged. His Mohammedan teacher parried his pleas for Christianity by referring to the lives of its professors, as he saw them : " devo- tion only once a week, prayer or no prayer, and general carelessness." A learned Brahmin copied the Ten Command- ments, as Martyn had translated them into Sanscrit, saying, he " intended to keep them." That he might be able to preach freely to the people, Martyn was diligently studying their languages ; also Arabic and Persian, into which he was translating the New Testament. " The precious Word is now my only study in the work of translation. Though in a manner buried to the world, neither seeing nor seen by Europeans, the time flows on with great rapidity. It seems as if life would be gone before anything is done." He was then but twenty-seven. Mirza, a gifted Hindustani scholar, gave him much help in translating, and in the study of their sacred books. Sabat, an Arab, caused him great disappointment. An apostate official of the Company, in his new-found zeal for the False Prophet, took a prominent part in awaken- ing prejudice against the schools and translations. HENRY MARTYN. 93 i i Martyn received the sad news of the death of his elder sister, but with the comforting assur- ance of her good hope. His own delicate con- stitution caused him increasing anxiety. " Lying in pain I turned my thoughts to God ; and, oh, praise be to his grace and love, I felt no fear ! but I prayed earnestly that I might have a little relief, to set my house in order." With improving health came an order to remove to Cawnpore, a journey of 400 miles, in violent heat. He was thoroughly exhausted. So soon as able, he began talking to the people and preaching in the square. His health again gave way. The death of his younger sister added to his trouble. He was cheered by the friendship and sympathy of Mrs. Sherwyod, who wrote interesting reminiscences of the young missionary. " He was dressed in white and looked very pale ; his hair, a light brown, was raised from his forehead— a remarkably fine one. His features were not regular, but the expression was so luminous, so intellectual, so affectionate, so beaming with Divine charity, the out-beam- ing of his soul would absorb the attention of every observer." He opened his gardens to the poor, who flocked in hundreds and there listened to the glad tidings. These were his first attempts to preach in the native language. "No dreams could surpass the realities — a II m m mi ^i 4 ■ple come to an explanation ! " With a Persian of high rank he found a liome and a helper in translating. Some of the great and learned called on him, thinking him likely to embrace their religion, and asked all II !'■ 98 MESSENGERS OB^ THE CHURCHES. manner of (juestions. His assistant was specially inquisitive and not unwilling to learn. From the Professor of Law he received per- mission to discuss religious q^ >stions publicly. Martyn's knowledge of the Koran and his exposure of its errors soon awakened hostility and threatenings. The MoUahs were incensed by his presentation of " Christ the Crucified " in opposition to their Prophet, and doubly so because he was so well able to defend his position. Had it not been for his English nationality and his official relations they doubt- less would have shed his blood. The Governor issued a proclamation in his defence. His attacks upon Mohammedanism were answered in a pamphlet : " A Learned and Weighty Apology for the Religion of the False Prophet," to which Martyn speedily replied in the same language. Having thus spent ten weeks, he started on a wearisome journey of eight weeks to Tabriz, wishing to obtain from Sir Gore Ouseley an introduction to the Shah, that he might present his New Testament. The journey proved most distressing. Storms, heat, lack of food and shelter were too much for Martyn's feeble strength and brought on a raging fever. He was hospitably entertained by Sir Gore Ouseley, and was compelled to leave to him the presenta- tion of his translations to the Shah. They were HENRY MARTYN. 99 jrnor backs in a ryfor vhich ;e. on a abriz, ey an resent most [ an1 le con- !?1 elusion of the meetinjr. The last night was the most awfully impressive and yet delightful scene my eyes ever beheld. The stars studded the firmament and the glory of God filled the camp. The forest seemed vocal with the echoes of hymns and the voice of prayer. Every moment was precious : parents praying for children, children for parents, neighbors for neighbors — all anxious for each other's salvation. I will not attempt to describe the parting scene; it was indescribable — the preachers, tlie people, the strangers, the friendships, the partings — as they wept, prayed, sang, shouted, then marched away, songs of victory rolling along the highways." Thus, but more full}'', wrote Nathan Bangs. William Case was receiving his baptism of tire, a preparation for his next year's work by tlie St. Lawrence, among the descendants of Paul and Barbara Heck, and adjacent regions. Mrs. Heck had died, but her son, Samuel, was on the old homestead; near the " Blue Church." He found also John Van Camp, Peter Brouse, Michael Carman, John Bailey and other "men of renown." Case, by his humility, earnestness, and close walk with God, commended himself to all, and his labors were greatly owned of God. At the Conference of 1807, near Albany, he was ordained deacon ; and, much to his grief, appointed to the Catskill mountains. But hia ■in III 108 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. sorrow was turned into joy. He regained his health and witnessed great revivals. He was admitted to elder's orders, and the next year volunteered for Canada. He was appointed to Ancaster Circuit. On his arrival at Black Rock, he found the embargo prohibited the transport of property across the line. Some one said : " I wouldn't wonder if the missionary should jump into the boat, take his horse by the bridle and swim round the embargo." "I did so; swam the Niagara River and landed in Canada." His circuit included the townships of Ancaster, Beverly, Flamboro', Nelson, Trafalgar, and perhaps York. After a year of great success, he reported 800 members. He became deeply interested in the Indians — bands of the " Six Nations " — meeting them continually along the lake or at the mouth of the Credit, and began efforts for their welfare. The next year he w^as sent westward as far as Detroit. He wrote Bishop Asbury : " I set out from Ancaster, June 22nd, not without many fears that I had neither grace nor gifts for so important a charge. I waded through deep waters and mires on my way to the river Thames, more than two hundred miles, and one hundred yet from Detroit, preaching in different places and thinking of an unsuccessful mission- ary returning in disgrace. But the Lord greatly \l' WILLIAM CASE. 109 blessed my soul, and showed ine in ta dream that this 'wilderness should blossom as a rose.' I took courage and was kindly received. Sin- ners wept under the Word in many settlements till I reached Maiden, fifty miles below Detroit. This part of the country is perhaps the most dissipated and wicked of any in America. The anmsements are racing, dancing, gambling, and drinking. The Sabbath is the choice day for visiting, hunting, and fishing. One rough fellow brought a rope to the meeting and threatened to hang me ; but some received me with true Christian affection. Under my sermons there was much weeping. While they mourned I re- joiced. * What shall I do to be saved ? ' was heard almost through the settlement. Our enemies ceased their opposition and many mem- bers were enrolled. " At Detroit the Governor ordered the Council House to be opened for meetings. On the Thames a gradual revival has been kindled, ex- tending over thirty miles. We have about seventy-eight members and forty praying fam- ilies. When I came there was not one that I knew of. My expenses, about $30, I have received ; also my salary, S80, for the year. I left $10 on the circuit for the next preacher. " I must earnestly request that men of stability and faithfulness be sent into this new work, for m m ! I j i i ■ no MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. some will seek to destroy it. To engage in such a mission may be a sacrifice ; but what good have we attained without sacrifice ? God will more than repay. My life has been many times exposed and worn down with toil ; but, glory to God, I never felt such support, either in body or in soul. If it be judged proper, I am willing to remain another year." In 1867, Dr. Carroll bore testimony to the permanency of the work. " The converts con- tinued the steadfast friends of Methodism to their dying day. By the results Mr. Case justi- fied the Bishop's judgment in the choice of a pioneer." * The next year Case, though but thirty years of age, was placed in charge of the Cayuga District, N.Y. Owinof to hostilities between the United States and Canada, he did not return to Canada until 1815, when he was made Presiding Elder over the " Upper Canada District," extending from Kingston to Detroit. The war had made havoc of the churches, one half the members being scattered. The next year Elder Case was in charge of the Eastern district, from Kingston to Montreal. He found many fi lends by the St. Lawrence, through the Ottawa country, and down the river. f ' I "Case and His Contemporaries.' WILLIAM CASE. Ill mch rood will imes rlory body lUing 3 the con- im to justi- ) of a years ayuga Jnited anada Elder ending arches, The of the Dntreal. wrence, e river. On one of his long rides through the woods, feeling weary and dejected, he dismounted, cut a twig, made a whistle, and quickened his pace, his horse as well as himself revived by the music. Long journeys and scarcity of books did not harmonize with his love of reading, but by early hours and borrowing he sought to meet these disadvantages. At Point Fortune, on the Ottawa, Mr. Donnelly lent him " Har- mon's Narrative " of his sojourn among the the Indians of the North- West, which he read on horseback, and thought of our own Indians. In 1818, we read of Elder Case in York, where his " mild manner " was much appreciated. At the first Canadian Conference, 1820, he was chosen Secretary. For the ensuing four years he was in charge of the Upper Canada District. During this term he originated those INDIAN MISSIONS, which became his chief care for many years. Dr. Fitch Reid wrote : " I was impressed with the high and affectionate regard in which he was held by all classes." Preaching to some Indians, he told them of Christ dying for guilty men. They shook their heads disapprovingly. So he told them of Po- chahontas offering to die for Mr. Smith and iiiiiii ! I 112 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. saving the man her own father had condemned to death. They were quick to catch the lesson and approve the plan of salvation. At the Genessee Conference, 1822, Elder Case was elected Secretary. In 1823 he wrote : " To the friends of Zion it will be a matter of joy to hear that the work of religion is progressing among the Indians on the Grand River. At our quarterly meeting many of them told of their conversion. It is most affecting to hear these children of the for- est giving glory to God and to see others weep- ing over their sins. On the 24th of September we arrived at the hour of their morning devo- tions. They assembled, sang, listened attentively, and an Indian closed with prayer. The use of ardent spirits seems to be entirely laid aside, meetings attended regularly as their mcds. They are desirous of education and a school house is commenced." The first session of the " Canada Conference " opened August 25th, 1824, in Hallowell. Mr. Case reported $144.08 missionary money. Ho was again over the Bay Quinte District, con- stantly travelling, laying corner-stones, opening churches, holding missionary meetings, and look- ing up recruits. He visited the Indians at Grand River ; examined the Sunday and day :li WILLIAM CASE. 113 Id look- lans at id day schools ; was entertained by the Chief and delighted with the wonderful change. The missionary meeting at the Conference of 1825 was addressed by a Mohawk Chief, of whom Bishop Hedding said : " Never before did I hear so perfect an orator." The Indian schools were making a good be- ginning: twenty-five children in the Mohawk school; fifteen in the Muncey ; one hundred Mississaugas, twenty Wyandotts, at Grand River. December 1st, Elder Case wrote : " Upon several villages the Spirit is being poured out. Last Sabbath, at quarterly meeting, twenty-two found peace. A fine work at Kingston." April 26th, his notices were : "Camp meetings, June 25th, Cornwall ; June 30th, Matilda ; quarterly meeting, July 7th, at the Seigniory, Ottawa. New accessions among the Indians ; conversion of a chief. Lower Muncey Indians want a school. The Mississaugas commencing their settlement at the Credit." He wrote Richard Jones : " By the kindness of Dr. Hitchcock, you will be furnished with a horse. Bro. K. Smith, Augusta, will provide saddle and bridle. Now, my young brother, enter into this great and good work with the dependence of a child, with the courage and perseverance of a man, with the faith, pru- 8 ;ili ,. t,.. ?m 114 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. dence and piety of a Christian. God will be your support and crown your labors with encouraging success." At Ottawa Mr. Case had a pleasant interview with Mr. Pope, one of the British missionaries. His prudence and courtesy helped to smooth the differences between the Canadian and British elements of Methodism. At the Canada Conference of 1826, Bishop Hedding presided and Elder Case was Secretary. About seventy Chippewas pitched their tents near the Conference. The Bishop and Secretary preached to them. A prayer meeting followed, the Indians joining heartily. The Chief trembled , then fell to the ground ; others also fell, but soon arose, praising God. A score or more told what the Lord had done for them. Elder Case had the Bay District, and visited the missions on Niagara District. In January he was at York, taking some Indian boys to Port Credit. He had the Indians taught to make willow baskets, straw hives, etc. The next year, 1827, in addi- tion to being Presiding Elder, Mr. Case was appointed SUPERINTENDENT OF INDIAN MISSIONS and schools. He had in charge the Credit and Grape Island missions, and was planning for another at Rice Lake. " They have been wait- and tor rait- WILLIAM CASE. 115 ing all the season for a school, and we concluded to build a house for school and meetings." October 15th, 1827 : '* I have a hundred things to say, which you would be glad to hear, about PETER JONES' HOUSE AT THE RIVER CREDIT, WHERE EGERTON RYERSON RESIDED, 1826-7. the good work among the Indians. The Bishop asked them : " ' How many have become sober men ? ' " ' All give up drink.' " ' How many pray ? ' " ' All but one — he pray much — know nothing about it in his heart.' " ' Do you want schools ? ' 116 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. " ' We will leave our children, when we go to hunt, to learn to read, and our women to make baskets and brooms to get flour ; and they catch fish till we come back in the spring.' " The school \\ " s to be opened in December. At Grape Island we have a house for school and meetings, with a room for the teacher, and a house for the missionary. The Indians have ten houses, built by subscription and their own labor. They number 150, and one hundred aie members of society. About S200 will complete the houses, and I have become responsible. The whole expense of the Rice Lake School also rests on me, and that of the female school at the Credit ; also part of that at Lake Simcoe. This may be a venture, but we cannot hesitate. "A field of many thousands is now opened and calling for our instructions. They must be provided with missions and teachers. The avails of our societies the past year are $1,000, a sum inadequate to the expense of three missionaries, six. schools, stationery, translations, etc. The Rice Lake School will be the eighth, and the female school at the Credit the ninth." "In January, at Saugeen, they showed the work of two weeks: 172 axe handles. scoop shovels, 57 ladles, 4 trays, 44 broom handles, and 415 brooms, a splendid exhibition of native industry. It was followed by a prayer-meeting. On Sun- Ithe In of 57 a 5 lun- 118 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. day we had love-feast, preaching, and the Lord's Supper administered to about ninety natives." In the spring Elder Case took Peter Jacobs with him to the United States, seeking aid for the missions. He engaged teachers: Mr. Ben- ham, Miss Barnes, and Miss Hubbard. Their arrival at Grape Island was the signal for great rejoicing, addresses, display of native work, etc. In June Mr. Case was at the Credit, amid the farm work, arranging for books, and outfits for west and north, then at a camp-meeting on Yonge Street, where he had the assistance of Peter Jones, Peter Jacobs, Egerton Ryerson, and others. After a time of great power and blessing the missionaries followed the Indians to their homes, on the shores and islands of Lake Simcoe. At one meeting about three hundred were present, and many desired baptism. A difficulty arose about those who had more than one wife. This was a trying ordeal. One, a chief, had three wives. When asked if he were willing to do as the Christian religion required, he said : "I have now embraced Christianity and am willing to do anything you tell me. I took these women when I was blind, and did not know it was vv^rong. So I will keep the first and part with the other two, with this request, that I have the privilege of supporting their children." William case. 119 l-^S When the women were asked if they were will- ing, they answered with tears : " Yes, because they loved Jesus, and would not break His laws any more." " About 130 were baptized. The presence of the Lord was in our midst and His power rested on the people. In the evening we arranged them in classes and appointed fourteen leaders. " Before we separated a novel incident occur- red. A young Indian told us he wished to marry a certain young woman. As Methodist ministers had not then the legal right to marry, we told him he must apply to his Chief. The Chief agreed and asked us to assist him in the ceremony. When all were in expectation of seeing an Indian wedding, up jumped another Chief and said he had asked for that young lady long ago for his son, and thought he had the first claim. • They then asked the young woman, who said neither of them had ever spoken to her about it; and as she wished to go to school, slie would not marry either of them. Thus were we all disappointed." In August, Elder Case was at the Credit, where he buried the young wife of one of his helpers and licensed two exhorters : Joseph Sawyer and John Jones. He visited Mr. Joseph Gardner, Centre Road, and at the official meet- ing took a pledge of all the members that they 120 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. would give no intoxicating liquor at their bees and raisings. He did the same at all his quarterly meetings. In September he had a camp-meeting at Snake Island. At the Conference of 1828, Elder Case was elected President, and made Superintendent of all the Indian missions. He resided at Grape Island, where, with Peter Jones, he set the Indians to work digging potatoes, ploughing, etc., until the whole island became busy as a bee hive. At Rice Lake he enlisted James Ev^ans, afterwards the pioneer missionary in the great North- West. With Mr. Jones he visited the United States, arranged for printing hymn books, etc. He had with him some Indian boys, and was given a grand welcome at Baltimore and other places. One afternoon he addressed 2,000 ladies, who were eager to shake hands with the Indians. In Philadelphia Presbyterians and Quakers opened their churches and contributed liberally. In Boston and New York also they told the story of their Canadian work. They took part in the anniversary of the parent Missionary Society, after which Elder Case and Miss Hubbard were married by Dr. Bangs. They crossed to Kingston and home to Grape Island. Elder Case presided at the next Con- WILLIAM CASE. 121 i m- ference, attended the Presqu'Isle Camp-Meet- ing, and visited Muncey. May 1st, 1830, he wrote : " I find myself im- mersed in care and much correspondence ; encouraged by the stability and perseverance of native converts, by the sixteen schools and 400 children, 100 of them reading the New Testa- ment. Through the labors of John Sunday some of tlie natives on the north shore of Lake Ruron were converted ; the Oneidas and Onan- dagas have made great progress." In 1830 Mr. Case was appointed Superinten- dent of the M. E. Church, in Canada. In February, he despatched Peter Jones to England on behalf of the missions, advising him to consult Egerton Ryerson, then in England ; to visit Ireland and Scotland, but not France, where they seem " prepared for nothing but tumult, revolution and war." " Five tribes : the Grape Island, Rice Lake, Simcoe, Sah-kung and Credit, have embraced Christianity ; and the work is going on well at Bay of Quinte, Grand River, Muncey and Mackinaw. When the Scriptures .shall be translated and read by the 400 children to their parents and friends ; when ten, even twenty, native missionaries shall be preaching the Divine word among our 30,000 natives, ' the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them.' I desire that you and Mr. m ■ ■" I r 122 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. Ryerson obtain authority from the Bible Society for us to print more of the Bible, in both Iroquois and Chippeway — so extensive is the Chippeway that the work will extend through Hudson Bay. Mrs. Case continues quite ill. It is doubtful if she recovers soon, if ever." She died shortly after. Very encouraging words came from Sault Ste. Marie, with probable openings for the North- West. In February, 1882, Mr. Case wrote about the erection of a mill at Grand River, for which they had a grant of £100. "To-day has been a gracious season : prayer-meeting at six o'clock ; Sunday School at nine ; preaching at eleven ; Miss Barnes' address to the children and sisters at two ; class at four ; and, while I write, they are in prayer meeting. " February 8th, the Indians from Grape Island are in Council, at the Credit, to petition for: (1) a title to their lands ; (2) a township and a saw mill." In the Conference of 1832 the question of union with the British Conference was favorably considered and the Rev. Egerton Ryerson ap- pointed a delegate. Elder Case continued his oversight of the missions, translations, etc. In June he was at Saugeen — baptized several, ad- ministered the Lord's Supper to twenty-three, and married four couples. " All walked down m WILLIAM CASE. 123 li to the camp with the newly married, to teach the husbands to pay attention to their wives." During the summer he took a tour to Notaman, Saugeen Bay, Sturgeon Bay, etc., 180 miles, " using the paddle most of the way." The Articles of Union with the British Con- ference were adopted in October, 1833. Elder Case was appointed " General Missionary of the Ind!r,,n tribes," and made his home at the Credit. In May he sent off four missionaries to Sault Ste. Marie and Grape Island. In mid- winter he had a series of appointments from Rice Lake to Brockville. A letter from Rev. James Evans told of the ingathering of a whole people at St. Claire and the opening of other missions. In May he accompanied the Rev. Mr. Lord to the General Conference, United States. In 1836, a year of great political excitement, the Conference met in Belleville. The Rev. William Lord, of the English Conference, pre- sided. Elder Case was elected Secretary. Alder- ville, thenceforth, became his home. He began an industrial school, the girls learning spin- ning, knitting and general house work. Of the children gathered some were homesick. " I asked if they would go with me and make hay ? They brightened up and followed me to the meadow. Raking up a few bunches I asked them to carry them all to make one large bunch. ! 124 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. This amused them and they were soon in a merry glee. Another time we put up swings in the shed, where they played between school hours. We are all much gratified in finding the children so well fitted out for school. Miss Smith, on opening the baskets, exclaimed : ' Everything suitable to their wants, from a well- made dress to thimble and pins ! ' " At the dissolution of the Union, in 1840, Elder Case was found with the British brethren. The missions were practically in their hands, and he preferred remaining in his position. The restoration of the Union, in 1847, caused great rejoicing, into whicli none entered more heartily than Mr. Case. He was Chairman of the Cobourg District and remained at Alderville Mission. " Twenty years ago this people were without house, field or cattle ; roving bands, drinking, murdering — a terror to the white settlements. Now they have a block of 8,G00 acres, forty dwelling houses, barns, saw^-mills, oxen, cows, pigs, horses, farm implements, purchased with their annuities ; paganism renounced ; the Sabbath observed; religious worship attended ; widows and aged provided for ; savage warriors become ministers, teachers and interpreters." By the Conference of 1852, the venerable Case had seen forty-seven years of service, and presented a request, not for superannuation, but WILLIAM CASE. 125 for relief. He was, therefore, released from local charge and desired to visit through the work as his health and circumstances might permit. He had married Miss Barnes and she often went with him to the scenes of his early labors. From the " Thames Country " he wrote to Dr. Bangs, March 16th, 1855 : " What changes since we began our ministry ! Early associates gone. The membership grown from hundreds to thousands. Then we preached in houses and barns, now beautiful churches in towns and cities." Eastward also he journeyed, from Belleville to Ottawa, in quest of familiar names and places, not forgetting his missions and workers. To Allan Salt and Henry Steinhaur, translating the Scriptures and looking up the lost sheep in the far North- West and many others, carrying on his work, he sent frequent words of cheer. At the Conference of 1855 in London, were many eminent men : Rev. Enoch Wood, President; Dr. Beecham, from England ; Dr. Richey, from the Eastern provinces; several American visitors; " and last, but not least, the Apostolic Case, with- out title or office, the toil-worn veteran of half a century." Just fifty years before he had crossed the St. Lawrence to Kingston in a ferry, horse and saddle-bags his sole possession — ill 126 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. " With my pastoral crook, I went over this brook, And, lo ! I am spread into bands.' At the request of the previous Conference Mr. Case, "seventy-five years of age, tall, unbent, his step elastic, his ample locks of snowy white- ness," preached a jubilee sermon, a review com- memorating the loving kindness of his heavenly Father. His text was Psalms 103 : 17, "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to ever- lasting upon them that fear him, and his right- eousness unto children's children." The sermon was a fitting closing to his lengthened ministry. The evening of his life was bright and blessed. Writing Dr. Green of his trip down the lake on the Maple Leaf, he said : " How little we thought of such accommodations when we rode in mud, knee deep, from York to Cobourg in three or four days, and not a village by the way. Now ten or twelve villages, and Cobourg with eight common schools, three ladies' schools, and the college, with youth from all parts of the Province. My feelings were intense while addressing them." About the 1st of October, mounting his horse, in front of his own door, and reaching over to adjust the stirrup, he lost his balance, fell over and fractured his thigh bone. After some days he sank rapidly, and died on the 19th of October, 1855. WILLIAM CASE. 127 He was buried in Alnwick. The Rev. John Carroll preached the funeral sermon, many other ministers taking part in the service, sadly bid- ding adieu to a tried and trusted leader. Many old friends wrote sympathetic and appreciative references : Dr. Luckey : " One of the most charming and attractive preachers of his day, devoted to his work, ready to enter the most forbidding fields, and endeared to his associates." Dr. Reed : " That humble, zealous, faithful minister of Jesus ! Who that knew him did not love him ? " From the Conference obituary we quote : " He was never robust in body, but his habits were always temperate. In presence he was dignified and prepossessing. His mind was vigorous, searching and tenacious, enriched by much read- ing and observation, with knowledge adapted to his diversified positions." While living he seemed to say : " I must work the works of Him that sent me," and when dying was doubtless better able than most to say : " I have finished the work Thou gavest me to do." Note.— We gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness to Dr. CarroU's excellent volumes, " Case and his Contemporaries," for the principal facts in this sketch.— J. E. S. III ROBERT MORRISON, D.D. VI. ROBERT MORRISON, D.D. China. 1782-1834. TOLERATION AND PERSECUTION IN CHINA. CHRISTIANITY was probably first intro- duced into China by the Nestorians in the seventh century. Persecution was started at the close of that century by the Buddhists, and renewed in the next by tlie Confucinnists. In the year 845, the Emperor, Wee Tsun^-, issued an edict commanding three thousand Nestorian priests to cease the observance of their religious rites. They were there in considerable numbers and influence when the Roman Catho- lics entered, in the end of the thirteenth century ; but afterwards dwindled, and were finally absorbed by the Roman Church. In 1 362 the entrance of Christian missionaries was forbidden. The Roman Catholics renewed their efforts in 1555, and from that date, until 1844, they experienced alternate toleration and persecution. By treaties made with Great Britain, France » 129 130 MESSENGERS OF THE CHUKCHES. and the United States in 1842-4, protection was granted missionaries from these countries, with the privilege of residing at all open ports and travelling in every province. On the 13th of June, 1891, a supplementary edict was issued, parts of which read : '* The propagation of Christianity by foreigners is pro- vided for by treaty. . . . Let the Gov- ernors-General issue, without delay, orders to the civil and military officers to cause the arrest of the leaders of riots and inflict capital punish- ment, as a warning to others." In 1895, missionaries were authorized to go where they pleased, buy land, and establish themselves permanently in the interior. By the warrant of solemn treaties, absolute and complete toleration is granted throughout the empire. The trouble is that very few of the officials know anything about the treaties. If the imperial edicts and commands were observed, perfect toleration would result. These historical facts show that the mission- ary occupation of China is not responsible for the recent outbreaks. They are the outcome of unrelenting hostility to foreigners. BIRTH, CONVERSION, EDUCATION. Robert Morrison was born January 5th, 1782, in Morpeth, England. His father moved to ROBERT MORRISON, D.D. 131 Newcastle, where he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. Robert received a fair education and good training in the Scrip- tures. At the age of sixteen he was converted and united with the church of his parents. He was careful in the choice of companions ; took time for prayer, reading the Bible and good books. In 1801, while yet working with his father, he felt drawn towards the ministry and began studying Latin, Greek, and Hebrew. In 1802 he suffered the loss of his devoted mother. Not seeing his way open into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, he applied to the Hox- ton Congregational Institute, and was admitted in January, 1803. In May, 1804, he offered himself to the London Missionary Society for foreign work. He was accepted, directed to the Gosport Missionary Academy, and welcomed by the venerable Dr. Bogne. In due time he was considered available for work, and wrote : " I hope the Lord will open a door of useful mis- sionary labor in some part of the world, and give me souls for my hire." It was settled that he should PROCEED TO CHINA, or some adjacent island, where he miMit learn the language and become able to translate the Scriptures, 132 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. ;i ; I, .^•|;>i In 1805 he went to London and spent two years in the study of medicine and the Chinese language. A manuscript had been discovered in the British Museum, containing the greater part of the New Testament translated into Chinese. Mr. Morrison began the copying of this manu- script. During the summer he visited his family and friends. Much delay was caused by the difficulty of securing a passage for a missionary to China. It was finally arranged that he should sail to New York and thence to Canton. January 2nd, 1807, he wrote : " ' Except thy presence go with me, carry me not up hence.' I hope to lean always and only on the arm of God." With some other missionaries he was ordained, January 8th, in a deeply impressive service. He wrote his father, brothers and sisters : " To- morrow I hope to embark for New York. I am in good health and not depressed. I sorrow to leave you all ; but I do hope and pray that we shall, in a little time, be brought to glory ever- lasting. I am instructed t( act very much as circumstances may arise, and to provide for myself, either in whole or in part, if I possibly can. My object was at first, and I trust still is, the glory of God in the salvation of poor sinners. O for faith in God !" ROBERT MORRISON, D.D. 133 With missionaries for other parts he went aboard, January 31st, and SAILED FOR NEW YORK, arriving April 20th. From the Secretary of State, Mr. Morrison obtained a letter to the American Consul at Canton. He was taken suddenly ill and was kindly cared for. By the bed where he slept stood a crib, with a little child. When she awoke in the morning and saw a stranger, where she expected to see her parents, she was alarmed, and asked : " Man, do you pray ? " " O yes, my dear, every day — God is my best friend." She was comforted and dropped off to sleep. As he was about to sail, a gentleman said : " So, Mr. Morrison, you reall}^ expect to make an impression on the idolatry of the great Chinese Empire ? " '* No ; but I expect God will." He bade farewell to his new friends about the middle of May and sailed for the " Flov/ery Kingdom," ARRIVING AT CANTON September 8th, 1807, He presented his letters, but found great difficulties in his way. Tl Chinese were prohibited, under penalty ol death, teaching their language ; but Sir George Staunton, President of the East India Select Committee, very kindly secured him rooms in m 134 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. the English Factory, and a teacher. So he wrote : " By the Lord's good hand I am pre- served in health ; am giving close application to the Chinese language, with some opportunities of saying a few words about Jesus in private conversation. He invited a few English and American gentlemen to his rooms for worship, but did not find them eager to come. He rented an old French factory, with more conveniences. Mr. Roberts, Chief of the English Factory, Dr. Pearson, Sir George Staunton, and others continued to befriend him. So difficult, however, did he find his position, that his anxie- ties and close study affected his health. For rest and change he spent a few months in Macao and returned much improved. But all English- men were required to leave Canton, and he found a home with Dr. Morton, at Macao. Op- position to his residing there soon became intense, and he was preparing to leave ; but on the 20th of February, 1809, the day of his marriage to Miss Morton, he received a re- quest from the East India Company, to become their official translator, on a salary of £500. This relieved him from the necessity of removing, and secured him choice of residence at Macao or Canton. He made good progress in the language, compiled a Chinese vocabulary, was at work on an Anglo-Chinese grammar and nOBERT MORRISON, D.D. 1 "^ dictionary, and preparing for the translation of the New Testament. Interruptions were fre- quent. His teacher and helpers were unreliable ; the roof of his house fell in; the rent was raised, and he had to leave. He could neither teach nor preach publicly ; but to his teachers and servants he endeavored to make known the way of salvation. In the end of 1810 he wrote of his wife's illness, their occupations and privations. " I was in Canton until March carrying on a discussion with the Chinese Government respecting the alleged n urder of a Chinaman. Everybody was astonished that in two years I was able to write the langua-ge and converse with the Mandarin. To three of the Company's servants I have been Chinese tutor, and to others ; have had frequent conferences with the Mandarins, and much translating for the Company. My tutor allowed me to be charged £25 too much for the printing of 1,000 copies of the Acts of the Apostles. A want of trutli is a prevailing feature of Chinese charaet')! '' Mr. Morrison had also published 1,000 copies of a tract on " Redemption," the Gospel of St. Luke and a Catechism. Then an edict was issued, prohibiting the teaching of Christianity. When the Chinese grammar was leady, it was sent to India to be printed. After three years' E'; m 130 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. ill delay it was printed by the East India Company, at the Serampore press, in 1815. Sir George Staunton was withdrawn and Mr. Morrison's official duties becoming more onerous his salary was doubled. His Anglo- Chinese Dictionary involved much labor and very exten- sive acquaintance with classical literature. The London Missionary Society became greatly interested in his tianslatiors, voted £500 towards printing the Bible, and a^^ oinfed Mr. Milne as a fellow-laborer. But almc - mraediately Mr. Morrison had to write : " By an edict it is made a capital crime to print Christian books in Chinese. I must go forward, however, trusting in God." He had printed St. Luke and most of the Epistles. His tract on the " Way of Salva- tion " had been the means of reforming a notori- ously wicked police orderly. Some of the boys attending the services in his rooms and some of his helpers were manifesting increasing interest. One brought his idols and desired baptism. The Roman Catholic Bishop uttered an anathema against any one having intercourse with Mr. Morrison or reading his books. He received word of the death of his father and two brothers. Joyful relief came in the arrival of Mr. Milne and his wife, July 4th, 1813. ** A more welcome or admirable fellow-laborer never entered the mission field." When asked by the ROBERT MORRISON, D.D. 137 Committee, at Aberdeen, if he would be willing to go out as servant to a missionary, he replied : "Yes, most certainly. I am willing to be anything, so that I am in the work. To be a hewer of wood or drawer of water is too great an honor for me when the Lord's house is building." Mr. Morrison sought permission for Mr. Milne to live with him; but opposition developed and he was obliged to leave, in eighteen days, for Canton. The death of Mr. Roberts, Chief of the English Factory, was a sad blow to Mr. Morrison. The Chinese Government de- nounced all who had aided in the translations ; but the New Testament and thousands of tracts were finding their way among the people. Mr. Milne was to circulate them th.-oughout the Malay Archipelago. He soon required another edition of the New Testament. Malacca was fixed upon as his centre, affording easy access to the islands inhabited by Chinese. The authorities were friendly and the place suitable for school, native agents, books, etc. Mr. Morrison prepared an outline of Old Testament history and some hymns. He con- tinued his labors on the ANGLO-CHINESE DICTIONARY, and was both relieved and encouraged by the Company undertaking to print it. 138 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. The book of Genesis was printed in 1815. After seven years of patient waiting, the missionary's heart was cheered by the conver- sion of one of his early teachers — Tsac-ako. " May he be the first-fruits of a great harvest, one of millions who shall come and be saved." He proved faithful until his death, in 1819. In 1815 the East India Company became alarmed on account of Mr. Morrison continuing his translations in the face of prohibitory edicts, and gave him notice of discontinuance in their service. This led to extensive correspondence, and an embassjT^ from England, ,/itii Lord Amherst, as Ambassador Extraordinary. Mr. Morrison's ser- vices were required at Pekin, as Secretary and Translator to the Embassy. During his absence Mrs. Morrison made a visit to England. On August 13th, 1816, Lord Amherst, Sir George Staunton, the attendant officials, and Mr. Morri- son were tendered a grand banquet in Tientsin, by the Imperial Commissioners, in the name of the Emperor. On the 20tli they arrived at Tung-Chow and spent eight days on questions of ceremony. They reached Pekin on the 29th, just at the hour appointed for presentation to the Emperor. But having travelled all night, the Embassy requested a postponement until the next day. The messengers reported Lord Am- Robert Morrison, d.d. 139 herst " so ill that he could not stir a step." The Emperor sent a physician, who found him quite well, only weary. When the Emperor heard this, he thought he had been imposed on. A special meeting of his Cabinet was called ; no one dared explain the mistake, and an order was issued for the immediate departure of the am- bassador. The order was obeyed and the jour- ney of 50,000 miles, there and back, was fruitless. When the Emperor learned the facts he dis- missed those who had allowed him to be de- ceived ; but Mr. Morrison had gained useful knowledge of the languages and customs of the " Celestials." In Canton the spirit of intolerance was ram- pant. The type cutters, cutting blocks for the dictionary, were arrested, and the blocks for the New Testament destroyed. In the midst of these discouragements word reached Mr. Mor- rison that the Bible Society had made a grant of £1,000 to have blocks cut for the New Testa- ment and the Psalms. A similar sum had been left by a merchant who died in China. Mr. Milne had collected books and paper, en- gaged a teacher and workmen, and sailed for Malacca. Land was to be purchased, buildings erected and a school opened, preparatory to a college for the training of native missionaries. A printing press was to be set up, translations ijiiiii 140 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. printed, Chinese and Eng^lish periodicals issued, and a place of worship built. He secured a small building for the school and BIBLE COLPORTEUR, CHINA. had fourteen scholars the first year. The next year he obtained a site, press and types, and ran off several small books. Mr. Morrison's work tiA— ^— ^ ROBERT MORRISON, D.D. 141 in Canton was persistently retarded by prohibi- tions, arrests, and seizures. But engaging Portu- guese workmen, he published "Morning and Evening Prayc.'," translations from Chinese classics, and a Chinese primer. Word was received of a young Chinaman from Macao, then in New York, who had been converted through reading the New Testament. Mr. Morrison also received letters from many persons in Europe and America, manifesting deep interest in his work. By the University of Glasgow the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him. Ten years of intense labor, amid unceasing discouragements, brought ap- preciative recognition from sympathizing friends. In Malacca the corner-stone of THE ANGLO-CHINESE COLLEGE was laid by Col. Farquhar in the presence of the Governor, the Judge, and other eminent persons. Dr. Morrison contributed £1,000, and promised £100 a year for five years. One gentleman gave 4,000 Spanish dollars ; another a hundred guineas ; the London Missionary Society, £500 ; and European residents in Canton, £500. As many as sixty pupils were attending, after a time, many of them becoming true Christians. 142 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. Hi ! f i 1* By November, 1819, THE WHOLE BIBLE had been translated — "a foundation for other and more perfect translations in after years. I have studied fidelity, perspicuity and simplicity, preferring common words to rare and classical ones, and avoiding technical terms used in pagan philosophy and religion. To have Moses, David, the Prophets, Jesus Christ, and the Apostles declaring in their own words to the inhabitants of this land the wonderful works of God, indi- cates, I hope, the speedy introduction of a hap- pier era. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified." No wonder that congratulations poured in upon the successful translator and his faithful assistant. The University of Glasgow conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity upon Mr. Milne. The London Missionary Society and the British and Foreign Bible Society sent grateful acknow- ledgments, the latter adding £1,000. The American Bible Society and the American Board of Foreign Missions sent congratulations. A DISPENSARY wrs opened by Dr. Morrison to meet the neces- sities of the poor, the lame, the blind, the leprous. He purchased a Chinese medical library of eight ROBERT MORRISON, D.D. 143 hundred volumes, a supply of medicines, and erigaged a phj^sician and apothecary. He also devoted one or two hours daily to the thousands of poor and afflicted applicants. On the 23rd of August, 1820, Mrs. Morrison and her two children returned, much improved in health. Only for a few weeks, however, could the husband and father enjoy the happiness of home and family. Official duties called him to Canton until the following spring. When he returned his expectations were cut short by Mrs. Morrison's sudden illness on the 8th of June, and her death on the 10th. The Committee of the English Factory pur- chased a piece of ground for about £1,000, as a cemetery, and there the remains of Mrs. Morrison were reverently interred. No wonder that by this sudden bereavement Dr. Morrison was almost paralyzed. But thouo-h health and spirits drooped, he courageously re- sumed his official duties and missionary labors. His skill, tact, and accurate knowledge of the Chinese language and people, made his services invaluable to the Company and to British inter- ests. As diplomatist or interpreter he was, on important occasions, the essential medium of communication. His Christian candor stood often in bold contrast to Chinese cunning and duplicity. 144 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. i : i; 1 Dr. Milne, amid incessant labors of school and missions, was called to drink deeply of the cup of affliction, losing in quick succession, two children, and, in 1819, his beloved wife. " They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." He bap- tized his native tutor, Leang Afa, the first ordained Chinese evangelist. In editing, trans- lating, teaching, negotiating, and evangelistic work. Dr. Milne's strength was overtaxed and threatened collapse. He sought rest in a voyage ; but returned ex- hausted, and died at his post June 22nd, 1822. The sudden vacancy demanded Dr. Morrison's presence in Malacca, and threw upon his shoulders a weighty load of responsibility. Tribulation, in another form, followed quickly. A great fire in Canton burned every building over a mile and a half. The loss to the Com- pany was estimated at £1,000,000; Chinese losses at millions more. Dr. Morrison's personal loss was heavy, including a hundred pounds' worth of paper. In January, 1823, he visited Singapore, an English settlement in the Malayan Archipelago. He was welcomed by the governor and assisted in founding an educational institution. At Malacca " the college and native students gave me great satisfaction. They sang the one hundredth Psalm to Luther's tune. For the ROBERT MORRISON, D.D. 145 good use made of my books and funds, without Mandarin interference, how thankful should I be ! . Dr. Milne's work has been taken up by Rev. David Collie." THE PUBLICATION OF THE ANGLO-CHINESE DICTIONARY was the great event of 1823. Upon this work Dr. Morrison had been engaged sixteen years, and had gathered about ten thousand Chinese volumes. It was issued by the Company in six large volumes, at a cost of £12,000. Not only was it a Dictionary, but an Encyclopedia as well, with biographies, histories, customs, ceremonies and all Chinese affairs. It contained about orty thousand words. Dr. Morrison was preparing for a VISIT TO ENGLAND, and sailed in December, taking with him his Chinese servant and Chinese library. He left his mission work in charge of Leang Afa, wdiom he ordained. In England he was received with many dem- onstrations of grateful appreciation. He had the honor of being presented to the King, and of laying before his Majesty his translation of the Scriptures. By the Select Committee he was introduced to the Court of Directors. The 10 146 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. til i: Court allowed him hali pay while on furlough and gave a public dinner in his honor. Foregoing many invitations in London, he hastened to his own county, and received an enthusiastic reception at Newcastle. Invitations poured in upon him, beyond his power of acceptance. He attended the principal May meetings in London, and was " honored with many honors." Through England, Scotland, Ireland, and France he strove to deepen Christian interest in foreign evangelization. In Scotland he visited the orphan children of his departed friend and fel- low-laborer, Dr. Milne. Lord Kingsborough made him a gift of £1,500 and three hundred volumes for ohe Anglo- Chinese College. The Bible Society voted an additional £1,000, and other sums were given to aid his work. He had intended his Chinese library for one of the great institutions, in tlie hope of a professor- ship of Eastern languages being established, and finally presented it to University College, Lon- don, to be free of charge to all students. It had cost him over £2,000. At the solicitation of missionary societies he projected :i i A LANGUAGE INSTITUTION to afJbrd intending missionaries preparation for ROBERT MORRISON, D.D. 147 work in foreign fields. The institution was launched, and he opened the Chinese department with a three months' course of lectures. He was induced to remain another year, and gave instruction to many young men and women. Much of his time was taken up filling public engagements, writing and publishing. His fur- lough affording him little rest, he accepted in- vitations from Sir George Staunton, Leigh Park, Hampshire, and a few other gentlerxien, for a brief respite. He was made a Director of the London Missionary Society, and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Sir Walter Scott, Dr. Adam Clarke and other men of letters showed their appreciation of his work. He had married Miss Eliza Armstrong, of Liverpool, and early in 1826, prepared to leave for China. He had hoped to take his boys with him and train them for his work, but the Com- pany would not consent. With his wife he set sail on the 1st of May, and after a voyage of nearly five months, LANDED AT SINGAPORE. The condition of things there, and the shame- ful misuse of funds by his agents, were very disappointing. Having enlisted Rev. Robert Burn and other helpers, he proceeded to Macao. 148 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. ilit < >. '"3^ There he found his house dilapidated, and his books destroyed by white ants. Having settled his family, he hastened to Canton. He was much pleased to find Leang Afa faithfully fulfilling his duties. He had written and printed notes on Hebrews, and an essay in favor of the Christian religion. From the gentlemen at the factory Dr. Morrison received a hearty welcome and a contribution of £500 towards the college at Malacca. He engaged the Rev. W. H. Medhurst for a tour through the Indian Archipelago to distribute the Scriptures and other books. To meet the demand the press at Malacca was kept running. During his six months in Canton Dr. Morrison began a Chinese commentary and conducted both private and public worship. A second time by fire he lost valuable books and manuscripts. In March he was with his family in Macao. He had the pleasure of greeting two missionaries from America, Revs. D. Abeel and E. C. Bridgman. The success oE the college at Malacca and the efficiency of the press in reaching the natives were very encouraging. Supplies of printed matter were sent to Corea, Cochin China, Siam, and into the interior by merchants and travellers. The Japanese showed tlieir appreciation of his great Dictionary by translating it into their ROBERT MORRISON, D.D. 149 I language. The missionary's efforts were often in aid or defence of persons unjustly accused or condemned. After the death of his steadfast friend, Sir W. Fraser, some officers of the Company so greatly embarrassed Dr. Morrison that he determ- ined on resigning; but a sudden change in the executive relieved him. In the beginning of 1830 he baptized another Chinaman, who from leading an idle life became a zealous assistant of Afa in circulating books. The American missionaries found the transla- tions and books wonderfully helpful ; while their labors gave cheering assurance that the work would be vigorously and permanently sustained. Dr. Morrison's eldest son, John Robert, was sent out as translator to China merchants. Eventually, he succeeded his father in the Com- pany's service. Some base attempts to undermine Dr. Mor- rison in the confidence of the Company were repelled by Mr. J. F. Davis, who said: "I agree with Sir George Staunton in considering him as, confessedly, the first Chinese scholar in Europe." In 1831 Leang Afa baptized several converts. The annual grant to the college at Macao hav- ing been withdrawn by the English Governor, the Select Committee promptly replaced it, say- 150 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. 1 f II 'III N . ■ t 1 (lul f ' f '\ " h ing : " We believe it to be eminently calculated to diffuse the light of knowledge through the most remote possessions of Great Britain, and to assist in removing those prejudices which have so long fettered the public mind in this country." Another missionary, the Rev. E. Stevens, arrived from America by the Morrison. " Domestic Instruction " and " Scripture Lessons" were the next issues from the press. The conversion and baptism of the Mandarin teacher at the college encouraged the mission- aries. In 1832 Dr. JMorrison wrote: " There is now in Canton a state of society totally different from 1807. Chinese scholars, missionary students, English presses, Chinese Scriptures, the public worship of God, have all grown up since then." The charter of the East India Company was soon to expire and Dr. Morrison's position likely to be affected. For twenty years, under its protection, and largely by its assistance, he had been able to pursue his work. The Select Committee had suggested a pen- sion ; but no answer was received. He must, therefore, depend on the Missionary Society or seek some other source of income. Mrs. Morrison's state of health demanded a voyage home. The Roman Catholics were nOBERT MORRISON, D.D. 161 awakening opposition to the translations. The Select Committee requested that they be sus- pended. Dr. Morrison was perplexed, but went on with the circulation of publications already issued. His health became seriously affected, but he hoped that after the departure of his family, with rest, he would be better. They sailed December 10th, 1833. He returned to Canton. The East India Company's adminis- tration was transferred to the Government. Difficulties arose between the Chinese and Eng- lish governments. Lord Napier was appointed Ambassador to China. Members of the East India Council advised that Dr. Morrison be retained as translator ; but the known hostility to missionaries made this unlikely. Lord Napier arrived at Macao July 14th and made Dr. Mor- rison an immediate offer of becoming his secre- tary and interpreter, with a salary of £1,300. "Pray for me, that I may be faithful to my blessed Saviour in the new place I have to occupy." On the 25th he accompanied Lord Napier to Canton. Quitting the frigrate, he was all niglit in an open boat and was utterly spent. On the 25th, in the hot sun, he was overcome and con- fined to his couch. The next day he attended tlie Council. On Sunday he conducted a Chinese service. His 152 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. official duties the following day were very bur- densome. He spent a wretched night. Wed- nesday a surgeon was sent for. A raging fever had set in. Friday, other doctors were called ; but in vain. At ten o'clock that evening he closed his eyes in the sleep of death. He was buried by the side of his first wife, at Macao. Upon his tomb is a lengthy inscription, indicating his manifold services, and ending : " Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." The sad news of Dr. Morrison's death was learned with deep sorrow throughout the Chris- tian world. Religious societies of all lands ex- pressed their sense of great loss in his death, and their appreciation of his character and labors. Commemorative services were held. Personal friends in China raised a fund of £2,000 and established a " Morrison Educational Society." Many other testimonies were borne to the strong hold he had gained on the hearts of men, and the grief felt in the sudden death of so devoted a servant of the Lord Jesus as Robert Morrison. In view of his great works — the Anglo-Chinese Dictionary, and especially his Chinese Bible — we may say for him what he would not have said for himself: " Exegi mo7iuonentum aere per- ennius " — " I have completed a memorial more lasting than brass." ir- jd- -^er d; he at ig: ras is- nd irs. lal nd ihe Bn, so 3rt 3se ive er- )re \\\t hi 1 .1" 1 ti;: - ! all lit: I' I * JOHN WILLIAMS. ' 1. J • . . i ''i' • • • VII. JOHN WILLIAMS " THE MARTYR OF ERROMANGA." South Pacific Islands. 1796-1839. INTRODUCTORY. T^O Captain Cook we are indebted for open- 1 ing to the world the beauty and wealth of the Southern hemisphere. He had a share in the capture of Quebec, in 1759, and in the re-capture of Newfoundland, in 1762. In 1769, as lieutenant on the Endeavor, he sailed into the South Pacific on a voyage of scientific investigation. He reached Tahiti, sailed round New Zealand, landed in Australia,' and took possession in the name of Great Britain. In 1772, as Captain of the Resolution, he was commissioned for other explorations, and spent two years among the coral reefs and gorgeously clad islands of Polynesia— until then a " terra incognita " to Europe. His reports stirred the pulse and whetted the appetite of the British people for further dis- covery. He was given command of the Diacov- 155 156 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. erer, in 1778, with instructions to penetrate Northern latitudes. At Behring's Straits his course was blocked with ice, and he returned by the Sandwich Islands. At Hawaii the intrepid explorer Avas clubbed to death, February 14th, 1779. His marvellous discoveries revealed not only possibilities for trade, but vast fields for evangelistic enterprise, and fanned the flame which Wesley, Coke, Carey and others were kindling. EARLY BEGINNINGS. On a Sunday evening, in 1814, a young man of eighteen was standing by a lamp -post in City Road, London, awaiting some young friends who were to go with him to the Highbury Gardens. As he stood there the wife of his employer was passing and kindly asked if he would accompany her to the Tabernacle. He consented and went. Thus was John Williams reminded of his mother, who, in earlier years, had taken him faithfully to the house of God. Away from home, and among new associates, more worldly than wise, he was tempted to leave the highway of duty, and, like Bunyan's Pilgrim, step over the stile into softer paths. In his own words : " My course, though not outwardly immoral, was very wicked. I was regardless of the holy Sabbath, a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God." That night, listening to an earnest appeal JOHN WILLIAMS. 157 from, " What shall a man crive in exchange for his soul ? " he heard the call of God and turned his feet into the way of life. He entered the Sabbath School and the Church. In 1815, at a missionary meeting in the Tabernacle, young Williams heard of the conversion of Pomare, King of Tahiti, and an urgent call for mission- aries. He was almost ready to say : " Here am I ; send me." As an apprentice in an iron-monger's shop, he was learning habits of business, and, in the workshops, giving such practical proofs of his mechanical genius as made his presence a neces- sity ; but when he told his master of his call to different work, he generously consented to release him. In July, 1816, he offered himself to the Lon- don Missionary Society for the foreign field, and was accepted. A few months were spent in earnest preparation, and on the 3rd of Sep- tember, with eight others, he was solemnly set apart for missionary work. He was proposed for South Africa with Kobert Moffatt; but finally his destination was fixed for the Southern Pacific. On the 25th of October, he was mar- ried to Mary Chauner, a member of the T'aber- nacle Church, glowing with missionary fervor, and even praying " that she might be sent to the heathen to tell them of the love of Christ." 158 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. On the 17th of November, 1816, they iff: in M' EMBARKED FOR SYDNEY, on the Harriet. At Rio de Janeiro they were joined by Mr. and Mrs. Threlkeld. For nearly six months the ship was their home, and John Williams made it a special study. At Sydney they re-shipped, sighted Tahiti, November 16th, and landed the next day on Eimeo. The rich and varied foliage of the islands, the dangerous coral reefs, the lofty volcanic cliffs, and especially the new races of men, excited their admiration and inflamed their zeal. Williams soon found that one of their first requisites would be a vessel, and he undertook the completion of one that had been begun some years before. King Pomare named her 21ie Haweis. She plied between the islands and New South Wales, opening a market for native productions, as well as directly assisting in the work of the missionaries. Thus speedily was Williams' skilful handicraft and his minute study of the Harriet turned to good account. Not only was he instructing the natives in useful arts, but by familiar contact he was learning their ways and their speech, so that within a year he was able to preach to them. A request was brought by some JOHN WILLIAMS. 159 CHIEFS OF THE SOCIETY ISLANDS for teachers. They had assisted Pomare, of Tahiti, in his wars and gone home with a favor- able impression of the new religion. . A vessel with some missionaries aboard had drifted to their islands, and a few lessons from these visitors had begotten a desire for more. King Tamatoa favored the application and ac- companied his chiefs on their mission. The proposal was readily accepted. Messrs. Ellis and Orsmond were sent to Huahine, the most easterly of the group, where they set up their press and began prmting books. The island soon became an important station. Messrs. Williams and Threlkeld ACCOMPANIED THE KING TO RAIATEA, the principal island of the group. They found the people prepared for their coming. The king himself had been their fore-runner. From the Christian king, Pomare, he had received such impressions of the new religion as made him an anxious inquirer. The people brought presents of pigs, yams, cucuanuts and bananas. Raiatea, the residence of ^he king, and the chief seat of idolatry, with its lowering mountains and fertile plains, was transformed into a mighty centre of Christianity. Williams' 'leart overflowed with love, and he ~-^d~ii',Lm«3iS!^msmmimmm. U'M iM 160 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. t .1 . was not long in winning disciples for Jesus. He found faniiiies and communities living apart in jaalous isolation, with little communication, except by dangerous mountain passes, and sought to draw them into closer and more friendl}?' association^ He built a house, finished and furnished it with taste and skill — the work- manship of his own hands. The king and others followed his example, cvnd with such alacrity that in one year a thousand natives were living in houses along the shoie. In morals they had been most debased. Lyi ag, theft, polygamy, infanticide were their constant practices. Hatred, revenge, thirst for war seemed common to the tribes. The adventurous herald of the Cross taught them to abandon these vices, to give up their idols, and to worship the true God. He showed them how to build boats, and almost without nails, which were very scarce. Many were learning to read, and several hundred copies of the gospels were distributed. A Mis- sionary Society was formed. The king and queeii set the example of preparing, with their own hands, arrowroot and other products as contributions. £500 were raised the first year, as they said, " To cause the word of God to grow." Williams was ambitious to teach them habits JOHN WILLIAMS. Igj Of industry, and enlisted tl.eir aid in building a place ot worship. It was 190 by 44 feet and was opened in May. 1820. with aL.regatn of 2 400. A new code of laws was enacted and the fangs brother made a judge to see to their due observance The cultivation of the sugar cane was taught and a mill erected. ThoD^h the kmdness, skill and devotion of the entrgetic nussionary had won the admiration and confi- dence of the people generally, certain sons of Behal were plotting his destruction. Bv the men row.ng hhn to his Sunday service he was to be drowned; but the boat had been painted was no dry and he did not go. Failing'in this' 1 ey attempted to stab him, but did not succeed. l^.e nng eaders were condemned to die. but at Williams interces,sion they were spared In May ]«20, seventy persons were baptized and united in a church. The next year .300 children marched in pro- cession passed an examination, and enjoyed a feast, saymg: "Had it not been for the Oospel we would have been destroyed." An aged chief lamented the destruction of his chil- dren and exclaimed : "Oh that I had known the Go.spel wa« coming-that these blessings were in store for us !" * The missionary contributions at the anniver- sary, in May. amounted to £1,800. About 500 162 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. t iffi: more were baptized. Mr. Williams was informed of the death of his mother and wrote a sympa- thetic letter to his father, which led to his conversion. Owing to his wife's illness and his own, they took a trip to Sydney. He engaged a ship for trade with the islands, and returned bringing a general cargo and a contribution of domestic animals from the Governor of New South Wales, reaching Raiatea on the 6th of June. A deputa- tion from England visited the missions and returned liighly pleased. Though the health of both Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liams was still poor, h3 wrote : " I cannot contain myself within the narrow limits of a single reef." With six native teachers he visited those he had left at Aitutaki, and was delighted with the changes — idolatry and cannibalism abandoned, chapel and houses built and whitewashed with lime made from coral rock. They then sailed IN QUEST OF RARATONGA, visiting several islands and leaving some teach- ers. Many days were spent in the tedious search. On arriving they were well received by the king, and i)romised protection ; but were so treated on the first night that Williams declined leaving any teachers. One of them, however, Papeilia, volunteered to remain, and did so. JOHN WILLIAMS. 163 Some preparation had been made by a heathen woman bringing reports of the Gospel from Tahiti. The king, Makea, was so influenced by these tidings that he named one of his boys Jehovah and another Jesus Christ. After five weeks Mr. Williams was home again in Raiatea, but soon out on another cruise ammio- his missions. In Rurutu he administered the Lord's Supper to sixteen persons. On New W's Day he held a meeting for rededication A vessel with ardent spirits visited the island but found no purchasers. On account of th- death of his wife, Mr. Threlkeld wr:s obliged to return to England with his small children Nine hundred had been baptized in Raiatea The settlement was changed to a better location. In April, 1827, the adventurous Evangelist made a SECOND VISIT TO RARATONGA, taking his wife and also Mr. and Mrs. Pitman who had been sent out to labor there. _ Though a very beautiful island, it is not fer- tile ; and for months the missionaries had noth- ing to eat but a scanty supply of herbs. They found the people practising many cruel and bar- barous customs, which they endeavored to abol- ish. A long procession laid their idols at the feet of the missionaries. The next Sabbath a congregation of 4,000 assembled. 164 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. IM'! The chapel was much too small and they de- termined to build a larger one, and did so — a veritable Polynesian cathedral, though its pillars were trunks of trees, and its sides of wattles. It accommodated 3,000, and was built in seven weeks. The tireless herald of the Cross felt impelled to visit THE SAMOAN GROUP. Mrs. Williams dreaded his exposure and long absence on a voyage of thousands of miles, but courageously bade him go. For this purpose he built a ship of some seventy tons burden, which he named the Messenger of Peace. Having few tools suitable for ship-building, and espe- cially no means of working iron, his task was a difficult one. For the making of a bellows, three out of four goats on the island were killed and their skins prepared. When made, the bellows were destroyed by rats ; but other means were devised and the vessel built. It was an amaze- ment and an education to the natives. On the trial trip the King of Raratonga was a passenger. They sailed to Aitutaki, 170 miles, and returned with a cargo of cocoanuts, pigs and cats — so much needed. In Februarv, 1828, Mr. and Mrs. Buzzacott arrived with a valuable supply of iron. The sad news came of the o smsm 166 MESSENGERS OP THE CHURCHES. i , death of the teacher at Eaiatea and the loss of two mission boats with seventy-six persons at Rurutu. Leaving Mr. Buzzacott with Mr. Pit- man, Mr. Williams made a trip to Tahiti and thence to Raiatea, arriving April 26th, 1828. He then placed the Messenger of Peace at the dis- posal of Messrs. Pritchard and Simpson for a visit to the Marquesan Islands. During their absence Mr. Williams was kept busy at Raiatea. Many came from the other islands — as many as ten boats in the harbor to- gether. The next year he again visited Rurutu, where he met the chief of Tubal, who had been waiting there two years to secure a teacher. Returning to Raiatea, Mr. Williams had the pleasure of seeing two American ships and H.M.S. Seringapatayn, whose officers evinced great interest in the missions. In Raratonga a storm demolished many houses and partially unroofed the chapel. The resolute builder sum- moned all hands to repair damages. He had his reward in seeing idolatry renounced throughout the island, and some seven thousand persons in one year accepting Christianity. But his heart was set on wider conquests. The long-delayed project of entering THE SAMOAN ISLANDS was again to the front. Their cry, " Come over and help us ! " had been ringing in his ears. JOHN WILLIAMS. 167 The blessing of God had so signally attended the work in Raratonga that it could be safely entrusted to his fellow-laborers. The Messenger of Peace had just returned after a cruise ' of twelve months, and the set time seemed to have come. On the 24th of May, 1830, he sailed on his new expedition to visit the largest and most populous group of the Pacific. He touched at Magaia, where his teachers had been so shame- fully treated, and was greeted by some five hundred converts. There was still much violent opposition, which Mr. Williams' example of kindness and good-will did much to allay. He hoped to have taken one of the teachers, but he could not be spared. At Atiu he found the teachers making good headway. In Aitutaki each family had given a pig to help the Mis- sionary Society, realizing a total of £103. A chief came aboard at Savage Island, but as both he and his companions seemed utterly untam- able, no teacher was left with them. They made a quick run of 350 miles to Tonga where they found the Wesleyan missionaries having great success, and were induced to re- main a fortnight. There Mr. Williams had the good fortune to meet Fauca, a Christian chief from Samoa, and took him aboard. After seven days sailing through violent storms, they sighted 168 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. ifi!^ m\ the peaks of Savaii, the largest of the Samoan or Navigator's group. Preparation for their coming had been made through a dying chief prophesying of a great White Chief, by whom their religion would be overthrown. Another sign was the death of Tamafainga, the supposed possessor of all power and the impersonation of the evil spirit. When Fauca heard, while yet aboard ship, of the death of this monster, he shouted, " The devil is dead ! Our work is done ! " He had been murdered, and when the Messenger of Peace arrived the king, Malietoa, was making war upon the mur- derers. He was called home to receive the mis- sionaries, who were introduced by Fauca. Wil- liams had a narrow escape from death while the king was examining a gun. Great kindness was shown and protection promised to the teachers. The soil of Samoa is very fertile, and since the entrance of the missionaries large crops of maize, cotton, nutmegs, coffee, sugar cane, arrow-root, tapioca, barley and rice have been raised. They have canoes of ingenious workmanship, and spacious houses, thatched with sugar cane. Before leaving Samoa, Mr. Williams received a visit from Matatau, chief of Manono, re- questing a teacher for his island. He took him home on the Messenger of Peace, accompanied by JOHN WILLIAMS. 169 Malietoa. Of this visit Mr. Williams said- iTou know not what you can eifect until you try, and if you make your trials trusting in God mountams of difficulty will vanish." Thev en deavored to steer for Savage Islands, but con- trary wmds prevented, and they made for Karatonga. The wonderful " White Man " and his Messen- ger of Peace, called by the natives "The Ship of Ood, were becoming known throughout the Polynesian world, and their coming hailed with dehght by tens of thousands. Ve:-ses were writ- ten in their honor, such as : " Let as talk of Viriainu,— Let co.oa„„ts grow for him in peace for months, When^..rong the Ea»t wind blows, our hearts forget hi.n Let us^gj^atly love the Christian land of the great Whi,. His own testimony was : " Christianity has triumphed not by human authority, but by its own moral power, by the light which it spread abroad, and by the benevolent spirit which it disseminated ; for kindne.ss is the key to the human heart." Mrs. Williams' illness seemed to render neces- sary a visit to England; but she improved, and he endeavored to complete his Raratonga New Testament. War was threatening for the pos- 170 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHfiS. i!i! session of Raiatea. The old king Tamatoa was dying, and said to the missionary: " Nothing has ever separated us; now death is doing what nothing else has done. But who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? " Through Mr. Williams' efforts the war was averted. On the 21st of September, 1831, he LEFT RAIATEA FOR RARATONGA. With Mr. Buzzacott he visited several islands of the Heivey group, and was well received. Again he was rescued from a watery grave. Rara- tonga was visited with another great storm, levelling nearly one thousand houses. The Messenger of Peace was borne on the crest of the waves several miles inland, and it was some months before she could be brought back. Mrs. Williams had a narrow escape, and lost her infant in the wreck. When the vessel was repaired it was sent in quest cf provisions, and returned with supplies of food, also some horses and horned cattle, purchased from an American captain. In October, 1832, the sea-faring evangelist SAILED AGAIN FOR SAMOA, and took with him Makea, King of Raratonga. In five days they made a run of eight hundred miles to Manua, the most westerly island. They were yet two hundred miles distant from the JOHN WILLIAMS. 171 teachers, but several visitors came aboard, say- ing: "We are sons of the Word;" and others, who had drifted from their Christian home— Raivavae — and built a chapel. The chiefs and others were anxious for teachers. In Upolu, KING MALIETOA's SETTLEMENT, a congregation of seven hundred assembled— "the wildest company he had ever seen, and the women more savage than the men." The king said: "For my part, my whole soul shall be given to the word of Jehovah, and I will use my utmost endeavor that it may encircle the land." In the evening about one thousand came to the service. Mr. Williams helped the teachers to build a vessel. At Amoa two young chiefs had built a chapel, and their people were at least nominally Christian. One woman had visited the teachers, taken home the good news, and persuaded about one hundred others to give up their idols. Seventy of them came to make a presentation to the " White Chief." Leaving Samoa Mr. W^illiams took Malietoa to visit Chief Manono and brought about a recon- ciliation. One island had a record of 197 wars— a sample of South Sea vengeance. They touched at other islands and found the leaven spreading. 172 IflESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. The leakage of the vessel caused much labor and alarm. At Vauvau they found Wesleyan missionaries, and went ashore with King Makea, " who is always ready to land where a mission- ary resides." On Sabbath two or three thousand assembled ; 200 were meeting in class and 800 candidates for baptism — after only four months' labor. Two years before, the king had threat- ened with death any of his people who should become Christians. They were six days reach- ing Tonga — the vessel still leaking. In 1796 a party of ten missionaries had landed at Tonga ; three were murdered and the others rescued by a passing ship. The King of Tonga sent Makea an invitation to visit him, and made him a great feast. On Sunday about 600 assembled. The leaking of the vessel was found to be due to an auger hole, left open. Strangely enough the car[)cnter left it still open, and on putting to sea they sutfered the loss of their provisions and were delayed two weeks. Mr. Williams witnessed the curious rites of a wedding ceremony ; visited the sacred burying-place of the chiefs — carefully kept and shaded by gigantic trees — also the home of the Chief, whose six wives were painting a piece of native cloth, fifteen or twenty yards long by ten wide. The missionaries had a printing press, and during the year had run off nearly 30,000 small JOHN WILLIAMS. 173 books. In January Raratonga was reached, after fifteen weeks' absence. Mr. Williams had spent eighteen years on these missions. His fellow-missionaries and native teachers were successfully working in many islands ; so that " there is not an island of miportance within 2,000 miles of Tahiti to which the glad tidings of salvation have not been conveyed." He prepared for A VISIT TO ENGLAND, and sailed with his family, October 14th 1833 arriving in June, 1834. He was greeted by en- thusiastic audiences. The recital of his won- derful experiences and the triumphs of the Gospel awakened deep interest in missions. He published " Missionary Enterprises in the South Seas," and 38,000 copies were sold. Contribu- tions to the amount of £4,000 were received of which £2,600 were spent in the purchase and equipment of the Camden, the balance towards a Polynesian college. On the 4th of April, 1838, a farewell meetino- was held in the Tabernacle, and addresses o'f deep interest delivered, especially by the veteran missionary himself. On the 11th, several hun- dreds saw the missionary company— Mr. and Mrs. Williams, their eldest son and his wife, with sixteen new missionaries and their wives— ^ 174 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. aboard the Camden, and commended them in earnest prayer ard deepest sympathy to the tender and watchful care of Him who neither slumbers nor sleeps. In September they arrived at Sydney and reshipped for Samoa, and to Fasetootai, in the island of Upolu, where Mr. and Mrs. Williams made their home. One of the new men, the Rev. J. Bamden, was drowned shortly after landing. Mr. Williams visited Raratonga, distributed FIVE THOUSAND NEW TESTAMENTS, and began preparations for the college. He vi jted other missions and for the seventh time was saved from drowning. On the 3rd of November he went aboard the Camden for his perilous TRIP TO THE NEW HEBRIDES. He owned to forebodings of danger, and Mrs. Williams besought him not to land on Erro- manga. By the 12tli they had covered 600 miles and reached Rovuma. Mr. Williams wrote : " We live in a dying world. The grand concern should be to live in a constant state of preparation. I am all anxiety, but desire pru- dence and faithfulness in the attempt to impart the Gospel to these benighted people, and leave the event with God. The approaching week is JOHN WILLIAMS. 175 to me the most im.portant of my life." They touched at Fatuna, and on to Tauna. On the 18th he wrote : " This is a memorable day ; a day which will be transmitted to posterity, and the results of this day will be "— But the broken sentence was left unfinished. On the 191th the Camden was off Erromanga, and Mr. Williams thought of passing on to Annotam ; but on the 20tli they were wafted to the south of the island, where a spacious bay and peaceful shore seemed inviting. Natives were clustered among the rocks, apparently pleased with the new arrival. The boat was lowered and Captain Morgan took Messrs. Williams, Harris and Cun- ningham ashore. A chief brought ihem water ; others cocoanuts, and the children were playing on the beach. Mr. Williams distributed a few presents; then he and Mr. Harris walked a short distance inland. T^nmediately a yell of the savages was hoard, and they were seen in pursuit of Mr. Harih, whom they struck down with clubs and spears. Mr. Williams started for the beach when he heard the war-shell blown, but was overtaken and ruthlessly clubbed to death. The Captain and Mr. Cunningliam, hastening to the rescue, were driven off with stones and arrows and rowed to the Camden wiih the sad news of the double tragedy. They set sail for Sydney, arriving November 30th. wmmmmmmmmimmmm ^m 176 MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES. The Governor of New South Wales despatched a war vessel, the Favorite, to recover the remains, but only a few doubtful bones were obtained. She arrived at Samoa March 24th, and the ter- rible tidings were broken to Mrs. Williams. No one may know the sadness that ended the long suspense, nor the darkness of that desolate mission home. Deep sympathy was manifested by the thousands and tens of thousands who had been won to Christ through the devoted missionary. The converts resolved to carry on the blessed work in whicli their heroic leader had fallen. In 1842 Mrs. Williams returned to England. " " Heathens, I weep for you," said she ; and " Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.' Tn tlie sorrow of that grief-stricken widow over the tragic death of a loving husband and heroic evangelist, at the early age of forty- tiiree, the inhabitants of many isles of the sea and Christians of every land join in tenderest sympathy. The man, who ignorantly struck down Poly- nesia's noblest apostle, lived to welcome others who took up his work ; and surrendered to them the very club with which he had blindly made of the devoted missionary, " The Martyr of Erromanga." itched Tiains, ained. le ter- . No i long lission y tlie been 3nary. ilessed fallen, gland. ; and what ricken Lsband forty - lie sea iderest Poly- others ) them ' made byr of