IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

{./

'Q.A

i/.

1.0

I.I

1.25

^"MIIIIM 11.2.5

IM |||||Z2
* 2.0

U IIIIII.6

<^:^'

'c^l

cr-:

e),

^^>^ .^

//A

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y 14580

(716) 872-4503

£?5

L^r

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHM/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institiit Canadian de microreproductions historiques

Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques

The Institute has attempted to obtain the best
original copy available for filming. Features of this
copy which may ba bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the images in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usual method of filming, are checked below.

L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire
qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details
de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la m6thode normals de filmage
sont indiqu^s ci-dessous.

n Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

□ Covers damaged/
Couverture endommagee

□ Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul6e

□

Cover title missing/

Le titre de couverture manque

□ Coloured maps/
Cartes gdographiques en couleur

Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/
ere de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)

Coloured plates and/or illustrations/
Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
Relid avec d'autres documents

□ Coloured pages/
Pages de couleur

D
D

□

Pages damaged/
Pages endommag6es

Pages restored and/or laminated/
Pages restaur^es et/ou pelliculees

Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/
Pages d6color6es, tachet^es ou piqu^es

Pages detached/
Pages d^tach^es

Showthrough/
Transparence

Quality of print varies/
Quality in^gale de I'impression

□ Includes supplementary material/
Comprend du materiel supplementaire

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La reliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge int6rieure

Blank leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^es
lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas 6t6 film^es.

Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponible

Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partiellement
obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont 6t^ film^es A nouveau de facon d
obtenir la meilleure image possible.

□

Additional comments:/
Commentaires suppl^mentaires:

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indiqui ci-dessous.

10X

14X

18X

22X

26X

30X

12X

16X

20X

24X

28X

32X

The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks
to the generosity of:

National Library of Canada

L'exemplaire fijm^ fut reproduit grace d la
g6n6rosit6 de:

Bibliothdque nationale du Canada

The images appearing here are the best quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
of the original copy and in keeping with the
filming contract specifications.

Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et
de la nettet6 de l'exemplaire film6, et en
conformity avec les conditions du contrat de
filmage.

Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.

Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en
papier est imprimSe sont filmds en commenpant
par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la
dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second
plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont film§s en commengant par la
premidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par
la dernidre page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol — ^ (meaning "CON-
TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.

Un des symboles suivants annaraitra sur la
dernidre image de chaque irt'jrofiche, selon le
cas: le symbole — ♦■ signifie "A SUIVRE", le
symbole V signifie "FIN".

Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure are filmed
beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames as
required. The following diagrams illustrate the
method:

Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre
filmds A des taux de reduction diffdrents.
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.

32X

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.

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'

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

103

129

155

*. ...

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

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'AaK
8

102

115

117

128

140

154

165

•kT

THOMAS COKE, D.C.L.

messe\(;kus of the churches.

» 1

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.

U i

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.

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.

•■■3-

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.

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.

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

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.

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

\ !

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

THOMAS COKE, D.C.L.

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

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

I '

THOMAS COKE, D.C.L.

•J.

.n ■

-/^'■v.

^.a

•f.

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-

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

■^
>

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

his

nble for
wfound-
St. Vin-
ssed the

THOMAS COKE, D.C.L.

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

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

"■^'

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.

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 <leparture for Eng-
land. The death of the venerable Wesley, and
the consequences to the connexion, were every-
where the themes of consideration. Dr. Coke
earnestly endeavored to do his share for the
general good. At the Channel Islands he en-
listed missionaries for Fi-ance, but met only
discouragement. Those were dayn of judgment,
and the "Reifni of Terror" was at hand.

Returning to England, he assisted in the pre-
paration of a memoir of Mr. Wesley. March
14th, 1792, he wrote : "The last sheet is now in
press. Our volume is not large enough to con-
tain a tenth of the precious anecdotes of Mr.
Wesley." The first edition of ten thousand went
off at once ; and the second was out before July.

In the Conference of that year Dr. Coke was
again elected Secretary, and Alexande-* Mather,
President. September Ist he sailed on his

FIFTH MISSIONARY VOYAGE

and reached Newcastle, Delaware, October 30th.
Questions of weighty import came before the
General Conference. The Constitution of 1784
was unequal to the demands of 179-J. Fifteen
days were spent in prayerful consultation. Both
Superintendciits preached on the last evening.
The service continued till midnight, and twelve
conversions were reported. The Discipline was

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

11^

revised, a discourse published, and then Dr.
Coke sailed for the West Indies, in the pleasant
company of the Rev. Wm. Black, the patriarch
of Methodism in Nova Scotia, At St. Eustatius
persecution was still rampant ; some negro
women had been publicly flogged for attending
a prayer meeting. At St. Vincent the mission-
ary was in jail. The law demanded, for the first
offence, fine or imprisonment; for the second,
corporal punishment ; for the third, death !
Coke resolved to lay the case of St. Vincent be-
fore the British Government, and that of St.
Eustatius before the States-General of Holland.

War had been declared between England and
France. The vessel in which he sailed escaped
a French privateer only by the timely appear-
ance of Lord Hood and his fleet. In England
several questions of church polity were agitat-
ing the connexion, especially the right to admin-
ister the Sacrament. Dr. Coke favored liberty ;
which came to be generally regarded as reason-
able, necessary, and scriptural. He laid the case
of St. Vincent before the Government and the
law was disallowed. He crossed to Holland in
behalf of St. Eustatius, but the Dutch Govern-
ment would brook no interference with their
prerogatives.

In 1795 Dr. Coke attempted to found a colony
among the Foulahs, in Africa, but his hopes

el
fl

THOMAS COKE, D.C.L.

were not realized. After a severe illness he
sailed, August (jth, on his

SIXTH MISSIONARY VOYAGE.

The expense was great — eighty guineas, for
himself and a friend — and the captain was un-
bearable. Coke was delighted when again roam-
ing through the forest, "superbly tinted with
autumn hues." He met a minister who had
missed his way, lost his horse, travelled sixteen
days through two hundred miles of forest, and
barely escaped starvation. The two Superin-
tendents met at the General Conference, May,
1797, and spent much of the year in labor and
travel together.

Dr, Coke left for Scotland and landed at
Greenock, March 22nd, in earnest desire that the
living witness of Methodism should be borne
throughout the North. He found Ireland sorely
distracted, but moved among the people as an
angel of peace, calming, as he could, the violent
political agitation. At the English Confer-
ence he was elected President, and an earn-
est request was sent to the American Conference
for his release from official obi igEi,t ions.

August 28th, 1797, Dr. Coke departed on his

SEVENTH MISSIONARY VOYAGE.

The President, on which he sailed, was

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

captured by the French and taken to the West
Indies. He was set at liberty, but lost most of
his baggage. He reached Virginia, attended the
Conference, and was again in the saddle. Mr.
Asbury was in poor health and could not release
Dr. Coke, who, therefore, remained until the
next summer, when official duties called him to
Ireland. Notwithstanding the rebellion, the
Irish preachers met for conference. They com-
mended the efforts of their President and still
desired his help. He crossed to Bristol for Con-
ference.

The next year he again visited Ireland, intent
upon establishing

IRISH MISSIONS,

by itinerant missionaries, speaking to the Irish
people in their own Celtic.

Having initiated this new and promising
agency with such laborers as Graham, Ouseley,
and others, he again set his face toward the West
and sailed on his

EiailTH MISSIONARY VOYAGE,

visiting the missions in the West Indies, and
reacliini: Baltimore, for General Conference, in
May. Consent was reluctantly given for his
release, and only on condition of his return for

THOMAS COKE, D.C.L.

West

lost of
ed the
. Mr.
release
bil the
him to
a, the
y com-
nd still
)r Con-

111

tent

Irish

3mising
)useley,.
le West

es, and

ence, in

for his

turn for

the next General Conference. Ireland again
claimed his attention, especially the Irish mis-
sions. Their great success encouraged similar
efforts in Wales. The Conference sanctioned the
proposal, and sent several volunteers. After four
years they reported seventeen chapels, with
eleven more in building, ten itinerant and
twenty local preachers, and eighty societies. In
the autumn of 1803 Dr. Coke made liis

NINTH AND LAST MISSIONARY VOYAGE

to America. He had the honor of preaching
before Congress. The General Conference opened
May 4th, 1804. Mr. Whatcoat had been elected
to supply the absence of Dr. Coke. His leave-
taking of the Conference and of Bishop Asbury
was pathetic, and proved to be his last. " We
lay no claim," said Asbury, "to the Episcopal state
of the Latin, Greek, or English churches.
Will their bishops arrange for 700 preachers,
ordain 100 men annually, ride five or six thou-
sand miles a year, in all kinds of weather and
roads, for $80 a year ? "

Dr. Coke returned to England and, on his
rounds, collecting for missions, reached Bristol.
Inquiring for contributors he was directed to a
visitor, Miss Penelope Goulding Smith, who
offered the Doctor £100, for which he was to call

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

at her home, in Bradford. Their acquaintance
ripened into friendship and marriage.

Dr. Coke had been described as " handsome,
his face remarkably pleasing, his eyes dark, and
his hair very black. The animation which
beamed in his face, was the index of his natural
disposition." Mrs. Coke became his active
assistant in missionary work.

Dr. Coke had found some time for literary
work — addresses, sermons, controversial papers,
" Doctrines and Polity of Methodism," " Life of
Wesley," " History of the West Indies," and a
Commentary. He was much concerned for the

NEGLECTED POOR OF ENGLAND,

and advised home missions, such as had proved
so successful in Ireland and Wales. He made
an earnest appeal for them at the Conference of
1805, where he was, a second time, elected
President. Eight missionary districts were
named, and others added, which became wonder-
fully successful.

He had a missionary sent to Gibraltar for

THE ARMY AND NAVY,

where a chapel and school were opened. Other
agencies were set in motion for ministering to
the thousands of foreign sailors and soldiers,
who, in time of war, were pent up in prison

THOMAS COKE, D.C.L.

intance

id some,
,rk, and

which
natural

active

literary

papers,

' Life of

" and a

for the

i proved
e made
rence of
elected
were
wonder-

' for

Other
ering to
soldiers,
n prison

ships about English harbors. Dr. Coke's first
endeavor to send

MISSIONARIES TO AFRICA

was defeated by the slave trade. The abolishing
of that odious traffic, in 1807, by the British
Government, made another attempt seem feasible.
Sierra Leone, an extent of 800 scjuare miles on
the West coast, purchased by an English com-
pany, became a Crown colony for rescued slaves.
There a mission was opened in 1808, and extended
to the Gambia, the Gold Coast, and Ashanti, on
the west; and to the Cape, among Kaffirs,
Hottentots, Fingos, Zulus and other tribes.

In January, 1811, Dr. Coke suffered the loss
of his wife — a sudden break-up of his domestic
life.

He had labored earnestly for England, Ireland,
Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, France,
Africa, America, and the West Indies, crossing
the Atlantic eighteen times.

THE EVANGELIZATION OF INDIA

had been, for years, upon his mind and heart.
Clive's brilliant victory at Plassey, 1757, opened
India to British rule. To see this great country,
so fabled for gold and shrines, brought under the
sceptre of the Prince of Peace, became his
supreme desire. The East India Company

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

i.i,- ■ ;

resisted missionary efforts ; but Ceylon, at the
very thresliold, was open. The Chief Justice, on
a visit to England, had expressed a desire for a
Methodist mission. Dr. Coke accepted this
favorable omen, and accumulated information for
the Connnittee and Conference. Great hindrances
barred the way ; staunch friends advised delay.
Coke could brook no delay ; " I am now dead to
Europe and alive for India. God himself has
said to me, ' Go to Ceylon.' You will break my
heart if j^ou do not let me go." 'J'hus earnestly
he pleaded. The Conference adjourned. Next
morning Mr. Clougli called, and found that he
had not been in bed ; he had " continued all
night in prayer," connnending his cause to the
great Disposer. In the morning session Dr. Coke
offered himself and all he had, some £6,000, for
the service. His intensity, his faith, his gener-
osity, moved every heart. The general consen-
sus found expression in : "The will of the Lord be
done ! "

He was authorized to go, and to take with
him seven others : one for Java and five for
Ceylon. Dr. Coke prepared a plan for organized
action — the foundation of the " Wesleyan Mis-
sionary Society." The missionaries appointed
met in London for preparation. Letters of in-
troduction, clothes, books, printing press, etc.,
were obtained. Their passages were engaged

THOMAS COKE, D.C.L.

and impressive farewell services held, Dr. Coke
uttering these almost prophetic words : "We are
under Divine protection. It is of little conse-
quence whether we take our flight to glory from
the trackless ocean or the shores of Ceylon."

They embarked December 30th, 181.S— Dr.
Coke, Mr. and Mrs. Harvard, and Mr. Clough,
on the Cabal ua ; Mr. and Mrs. Ault, Messrs.
Lynch, Erskine, Squance, and Mc Kenny on the
Lady Melville, with many other passengers,
soldiers, and a fleet of thirty-three vessels. In
the heavy gales the Fort Williavi, on which
they had intended sailing, was reported missing.
Mrs. Ault died February 10th, and the flags of
all the ships were at half mast. Preaching was
not allowed on the Company's ships, but the
Doctor read from his Commentary, on Sunday
evenings. Many became interested in meetings
for prayer and conversation. They were off
the Cape by the end of March, amid perilous
storms. Dr. Coke was at home on the sea,
ministering to others and studying his Portu-
guese Bible. On the 1st of May, Mrs Harvard
saw signs of illness in his face. The next morn-
ing he was worse ; but towards evening spoke
cheerfully, retired to his cabin, took some
medicine, declined Mr. Clough's off'er to remain
with, him, and retired. Next morning his body
was found lifeless on the floor. So sudden a

LI JJU "11^.

MESSENGERS Of THE CHURCHES.

removal of their leader was a severe stroke to
the little missionary party. Every token of
respect was shown by the captain and all aboard.
The soldiers were drawn up on deck, and at five
o'clock in the afternoon the body was solemnly
committed to the ocean-grave — fitting burial-
place for this dearly-beloved servant of God,
whose sympathies and efforts had reached every
shore. So, doubtless, felt all the ship's company,
as they heard the comforting words : " Blessed
are the dead who die in the Lord."

On the 21st of May the Bombay guns wel-
comed the fleet. The captain introduced Mr.
Harvard to the Governor. The great work was
entered upon with faith and courage. No land
was more in need of the Gospel, and none has
yielded more abundant harvests. In the great
day Dr. Coke and his fellow missionaries may
be found in close connection with Dr. Carey,
Marshman, Martyn, and many other men and
women who freely gave their lives for the
evangelization of India.

'oke to
ken of
aboard,
t at five
)lenmly

burial-
3f God,
id every
)mpany,

Blessed

ans wel-
iced Mr.
^ork was
No laud
lone has
;he great
:ies may
:. Carey,
men and
for the

■■'>'

WILLIAM CAREY, D.D.

liU

\\l\f

^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.

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?"

WILLIAM CAREY, D.D.

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

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.

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-

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.

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.

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

'l:.|i:l

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.

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

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.

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<l

about completed the translation of the New
Testament. He wrote: "I would not, for the
finest stations in England, abandon the mission
to the heathen. I am in my element, beginning
to enjoy the pleasure of communicating my
heart to these people of so very strange speech."
The translation of the Old Testament was
completed and published in 1809. To Carey,
undoubtedly, belongs, chiefly, the honor of
intrcducing the Scriptures to the people of
India. So early as 1804 he was contemplating
translations into seven languages. Two years
later he had almost finished the translation
of the Sanscrit grammar and dictionary into
English.

In 1811, he wrote : " The necessity which lies
upon one of acquiring so many languages, obliges
me to study and write the grammar of each and
to attend closely to their linguistic peculiarities.
I have, therefore, already published grammars of
three : Sanscrit, Bengalee, and Mahratta. To
these I have resolved to add trrammars of nine
others. Two of these are now in press, and I hope
to have two or three more out by the end of
next year."

Paper and books were so subject to destruction
by insects that sometimes the first sheets were
destroyed before the last were printed, and often
l?ooks would last but five or six years. The

MESSENGERS OF THE CHUUCUKS.

(Ill

' 1

iiiiili:

missionaries found an effective preventive.
They also imported

A STEAM ENGINE

for their paper mill, which created almost as
much excitement as the first steamboat.

On the 10th of March, 1812, they suffered a
most calamitous fire. Printing office, type, paper,
manuscripts, especially of the Bengal dictionary,
were destroyed. The loss was estimated at
£10,000 ; but so great was the sympathy at
home that the whole amount was made good in
fifty days.

A Bible Society was established in Calcutta,
from which the Serampore Mission received sub-
stantial help in publishing the translations. The
seventh report to the committee, after particulars
of each translation, adds : " Besides these fifteen
in which the New Testament is completed, there
are six other languages in which it is brought
more than half through the press. About ten
months more, they hope, will finish these. Then
in twenty-one of the languages of India, and
these by far the most extensive, the New Testa-
ment will be published."

Dr. Carey lived to see the entire Scriptures,
or portions of them, translated into forty lan-
guages or dialects.

AS A SOCIAL REFORMER.

To prevent the sacrifice of children at the

WILLIAM CAREY, D.I).

^entive.

most as

affered a
)e, paper,
ctionary,
Liated at
pathy at
e good in

Calcutta,
iived sub-
ions. The
jarticulars
tese fifteen
eted, there
is brought
About ten
liese. Then
India, and
^e\v Testa-
Scriptures,
, forty lan-

dren at the

great annual festival at Guvija S((ugor, Dr.
Carey, through his friend, Udncy, called the
attiention of Lord Wellesley to the inhuman
practice. He was instructed to inquire into and
report to the Government on that and other
superstitious rites.

Carey investigated and reported that the sac-
rificing of children had no warrant in the
Hindoo Shasters. The Governor-General issued
an edict forbidding the usage.

THE BURNING OR BURYING OF WIDOWS

on the death of their husbands, he also re-
ported on, proving, by statistics, that, within a
radius of thirty miles around Calcutta, some four
hundred such cases occurred annually. But no
decisive action was taken for twenty- four years,
when Lord Bentnick succeeded in abolishing the
cruel custom. It was Carey's great happiness
to receive instructions from the Governor-Gen-
eral to translate the proclamation into Bengalee
for general circulation.

Another project of the missionaries was

A FREE SCHOOL FOR POOR CHILDREN.

In May, 1811, Carey wrote: "A ycai ago we
opened a free school in Calcutta. This year we
added a school for girls. There are now about
one hundred and forty boys, and thirty girls.

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

They are taught writing, arithmetic, and to read
the Bible in English." There were American,
European, Hindoo and Mu^suhvian children.
Many of them had peculiar histories. A gen-
erous captain, touching on the coa^ Sumatra,
saw three boys in a cage. Learning that they
were being fattened for the knife, he bought
them for SI 50, and took them off in his ship.
One of them was in the school. The Govern-
ment, after a time, made the school an annual
grant of £240. Similar efforts were made for
poor children wherever Carey founded missions.
By 1817 the number had grown to forty-five.
Another beneficent work was

;!i!

A LEPER HOSPITAT

for the care and relief of the poor victims, whose
woes and ill treatment were daily witnessed.

The love of botany and ornithology, which
made William Carey, when a boy, a diligent col-
lector of specimens, grew stronger in his man-
hood. In 1795 he wrote:

" THE NATURAL HISTORY OF BENGAL

would furnish innumerable novelties for curious
inquirers. I am making collections, with minute
descriptions, of whatever I can obtain. Tlie
undescribed birds are surprisingly numerous.
New species are frequently coming under my

mm m

"AlLl.lAM CAHEY, D.D.

to read
tuericari,
iluUlren.

A gen-
^vimatra,
hat tbey
e boug^^t

bis sbip.
; Govern-
in annual

made for
\ missions.

Itorty-ftve.

;tin^s,wbose

|tnessed.
^ogy, wbicb
idUigentcol-
n bis inan-

&NGAL
for curious

witb minute
lobtain. The

ly nmnerous.
[ig under w)'

notice, entirely unlike Kuropean birJs. I liavo
eiMit or ten sorts of ants. The wliite ants would
eat tlironti^h an oak cliest in a day or two and
devoiu' all its contents."

He j^ave considerable, attention to mineraloofy
and ireolotrv, and was elected a Fellow of the
Geolo(rical Society. In horticulture and agricul-
ture he (leliL,dited and excelled. He wrote home,
yearly, for an as.sortment of flower, garden, and
fruit seeds, with supplies of agricultural imple-
ments. At the mis.sion he had a large piece
of land under such thorough cultivation as to
compare favorably with the Company's Botanical
Gardens in Calcutta. His garden was his delight.
He taught his gardeners the names of plants and
trees. He succeeded in the formation of an

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY,

for which India owes him a debt of gratitude.
" I hope it will contribute to prepare the inhab-
itants of that land to beat their swords into
ploughshares."

Carey depended much on native assistants ;
and, seeing the necessity for a native ministry,
projected a

f MISSIONARY TRAINING SCHOOL.

"I conceive that the work of preparing as
large a body as possible of Christian pastors

MESSENGERS OF THE CUUUCHES.

,ii'

and itinerants is of immense importance." He
issued a prospectus. Lord Hastings, the Gov-
ernor-General, gave his approval and offered to
be the first patron. The ]3anish Governor
offered his assistance. A plot of ten acres was
secured, buildings were erected, and an appeal
sent to Great Britain and America. £15,000
were contributed in Serampore towards the
buildings, which cost £20,000. The King of
Denmark presented a large house, yielding in
rent £100 a year. Great Britain and America
sent £4,000. Nearly fifty natives were already
employed, but fifty thousand would be needed.
Under Dr. Carey, as President, Professor of
Divinity, and Lecturer on Natural Science, with
the co-operation of his brethren, the annual
reports have shown the w^ork of the College
in the evangelization of India. An Act of
Incorporation was secured, granting the power
of conferrmg degrees. In 1882 he issued his
last report. Forty-one years he had labored
with unllagging zeal. In 1881 he thought his
work done ; but, by 1888, Mr. Leechman reported :
«' Our venerable Dr Carey is in excellent health
and takes his turn in all our public exercises."
He w as advised to relax his labors ; but not till
necessity compelled him, could he desist from his
chosen work, revising, even on his couch, proof
sheets of his translations. Through the summer

WILLIAM CAREY, D.D.

' He
Gov-

red to

vernor

es was

appeal

•15,000

•ds the

Ling of

Jing in

America

already

needed.

essor of

ce, with
annual
College
Act of
power
ued his
labored
orht his
ported :
health

lercises."

not till

[rom his

|h, proof

summer

he was very weak, but somewhat better in the
autumn, and wrote tranquilly home: "I trust
the groat point is settled, and I am ready to
depart ; but the timx^ wdien, I leave unto God."
He still delighted in his garden, and, when no
loncrer able to be borne to see it, had his head
gardener sunnnon- d to his room for instructions.
Among many friends who gave him kind atten-
tion during his last days were Lady Bentnick,
Dr. Wi'son, Bishop of Calcutta, and Mr. Duff,
the young Scotcli missionary, to wdiom he said :
" Mr. Dutf, you have been speaking of Dr. Carey.
When I am gone, say notliing about Dr Carey —
speak about Dr. Carey's Saviour."

While yet able to converse, he said : "I am
sure Christ will save all w^ho come to Him ; and,
if I know anything of myself, I think I know
that I have come to him."

On tlie 9th of June, 1884, in the seventy-third
year of his age, he fell asleep in Jesus. In the
mission burial-ijround his bod ' was laid to rest
amid expressions of esteem and sorrow from
representatives of the British and Danish
Governments, sister societies, missionaries and
native Christian.s. In his will he bequeathed to
the College his museum, a collection of Bibles
and other books in many languages. The
Religious Tract Society, the British and Foreign
Bible Society, the Asiatic, the Horticultural,

.-JU,„__LJL J„.lJllji»lu«.„j,

F.wu'jmiiiuiim

MESSENGERS OF THE CIIUHCHES.

Agricultural, and other societies, sent expressions
of highest a-ppreciation.

The Rev. Robert Hall referred to him as " a
man who, from the lowest poverty and obscurity,
without assistance, rose to the highest honors of
literature, became one of ^'. j first of Orientalists,
the chief of missionaries, and the '-"^trument of
ditfusinor more reliofious knowlea^e among: his
contemporaries than has fallen to the lot of any
individual since the Reformation."

In closing, we quote Dr. Carey's own words :
"I rejoice that God has given me the great favor
' to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable
riches of Christ.' I would not change my station
for all the society of England, nor for all the
wealth of the world. May I but be useful in
laying the foundation of the Church of Christ in
India. I desire no greater reward and can receive
no higher honor."

On his tomb we would reverently lay the
homage of all missionary societies and of the
messengers of everj^ Clmrch, assured that his
example of faith and patience and triumph has
tended miglitily to quicken the conscience of
Cliristendom and to rally the hosts of laborers
in the Gospel field. Plaving through life sought
"the honor that cometh from God only," we can
well believe, " when the Chief Sliepherd shal)
appear," he " shall receive a crown of glory that
fadeth not away."

essions

I as "a
jcurity,
nors of
italists,
iient of
)ng his
of any

words :
it favor
Lrchable
' station

all the
seful in
'hrist in
1 receive

lay the
1 of the
that his
mph has
uenee of
laborers
.'e sought
" we can
3rd shall
lory that

.A*

.in.
'f

GIDEON OUSELEY.

III.

GIDEON OUSELEY.

Ireland.

1762-1839.

INTRODUCTION.

SMALL as is the extent and population of
Ireland, she has sent her sons to share the
lot and influence the destinies of every people.
The early religious, as well as political, history
of the Green Isle, is shrouded in obscurity. It
would appear that her Patron Saint labored
zealously. That he was succeeded by many
like-minded religious teachers is attested by
many manuscripts of portions of the Holy
Scriptures in Celtic, copied with great care.
There are also very ancient ecclesiastical remains.
John Wesley's Journals contain many pointed
references. " I think there is not such another
river in Europe as the Shannon. It is here ten
or twelve miles over, though scarce thirty from
its fountain head There are many islands in it,
once well inhabited, but now mostly desolate.
In almost every one of them is the ruins of a
church — in one no less than seven."

" I read to-day what is accounted the most
correct history of St. Patrick. The whole story

-.•,,'.f

wmmmm

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

smells strongly of romance. The Bishop of
Rome had no such power in the beginning of
the fifth century as this account supposes. I
never heard before of an Apostle sleeping thirty-
five years and beginning to preach at three score.
But his success staggers me most. No blood of
the martyrs is here ; no reproach nor scandal of
the Cross ; no persecution ; notliing — but kings,
nobles, warriors bowing down before him.
Thousands are converted, twelve thousand at
one sermon ! If these things were so, either
there was no devil then in the world or St.
Patrick did not preach the Gospel of Christ."

"I looked over Mr. Smith's well- written book.
He plainly shows that, twelve hundred years
ago, Ireland was a flourishing kingdom. It
seems to have been declining ever since. In
Queen Elizabeth's time, it began to revive, and
it increased greatly, both in trade and inhabi-
tants, till the deadly blow which commenced
October 23rd, 1641 : 800,000 Protestants, by h
moderate computation, were then destroyed in
less than a year, and more than twice as many
Papists within a few years following — losses
the nation has not recovered yet." *

* Green says, p. 527 : " Fifty thousand people perished in a
few days, and rumor doubled and trebled the number. Tales ol
horror and outrage, such as maddened our own England when
they reached us from Cawnpore, came day after day over the
Irish Channel."'

hop ot*
Qing of
OSes. I
r thirty-
ee score,
blood of
andal of
at kings,
)re h.m^-
usand at
lo, either
Id or St.
Ihrist."
bteii book,
red years
crdom. It
since. I"
3vive, and
id inhabi-
oninienced
nts, by H
troyed in
e as many
[y^ct — ^losses

perished in «
nbcr. Tales oi
Kiiglaiul when
I- day over the

GIDEON OUSELEY.

, "At least ninety-nine in a hundred of the
native Iri.sh remain in the religion of their fore-
fathers. The Protestants are almost always
trans])lanted from England. Nor is it any
wonder that those who are born Papists gener-
ally live and die such, when Protestants can find
no better way to convert them than by penal
hiws aiid Acts of Parliament."

BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE.

Gideon Ouseley was born at Dunmore, County
of Gal way, in 17()2, of a stock distinguished in
military and literary annals His father intended
him for a clergyman. His mother took him
faithfully to church and taught him the Scrip-
tures. Under a private tutor he was prepared
to enter Trinity College. This, however, bein^
deferred, he had time to study the daily life of
the people, and the Irish language. He did not
go to college ; his father thought land might suit
him better than divinity. Gideon had formed an
ac([uaintance with Harriet Wills, and they were
married. At the age of twentv-one he was com-
fortably settled and spared the worry of study.

His natural love of sport found free course
among new friends, to whom drinking, racing,
even duelling, were pastimes. He was strong, bold,
agile, and not wanting in wit or words. His
reckless career soon involved his wife's property
i*-the Woodhill House and lands — and she

^^^f-iUmWIilllillit.HliM AM!!i.jHili|ai|iM^>»t,

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,

I^.?---"

'*■??■

GIDEON OUSELEV.

)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

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.

; 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<l and of middle a^^e he could not
enter tlie re^nilar mini-try. His wife nobly
said: "I will (;o with you, and you can preach
from town to town." In 1797 they settled in
Sliiro and continued

EVANGELISTIC WORK.

Through Connaiight, Leinster and Ulster he
rode on horseback, enteriiif]^ all kinds of ^ather-
in^rs to deliver his message of salvation. He
di«l not forget the jails, the debtors, and crim-
inals. The storm of 1798 was biewing. Law-
less bands were fomenting the outbreik. Many
of them, imprisoned and under tlie st-ntence of
death, were ministered unto by Ouseley.

The Conference of 1799, on Dr. Coke's earnest
appeal, adopted a

MISSION TO THE IRISH PEOPLE,

in their own tongue, and appointed James
McQuigg, Charles Graham and Gi<leon Ouseley.
This appointment tilled Ouseley with surprise
and gratitude. On Saturday evening, August
11th, he reached Rivertown. On Sunday morn-
ing the priest took care to warn his flock ; but
no sooner were they out of mass than a gentle-
man of middle height, pow^erful frame, his right
eye closed, a black velvet cap on his head, and
well mounted, rode into their midst, and flUed

it-

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

their ears with the sweet speech of their fire-
sides. For an hour they listened, despite the
priest's efforts to draw them away. Mr. Graham
thouglit him "one of tlie best Irisli preachers he
ever heard. Next to no money, hut plenty of
brains; every fibre of his powerful frame quiv-
ering with love and joy, as he scattered amon^-
the poor people the unsearchable riches." Foi'
six weeks Graham and Ouseley kept in close
touch, entering fairs and markets, preaching on
horseback, in the Irish of the masses, and cheered
by almost daily conversions. The poor, shoeless
peasants would be surprised and pleased on
hearing a gentleman on horseback speak so
freely and so kindly of the love of the Son of
the Virgin.

Coming upon a company of Catholics kneeling
and weeping among the graves in the church-
yard, he knelt with them and poured forth his
fervent prayer.

At Boyle the Rector and mob were joined by
the military in attacking the missionary; but he
gave his testimony and " went on his way
rejoicing." " We do more in spre 'ding the truth
at one fair or market ^ ' an we do in months
in private places. A vcnings an ' conversions
were constant. I can ^iv you but a faint
idea of the power that attended the Word."

Sligo, Jan. 6th, 1800: "We spent the last

(IIDEON OUSELEY.

leir fire-
pite the
Grab aw
,chcrs he
plenty oi
me quiv-
ed amon^-

les." t"o^'
b in close
aching on
nd cheered
ov, shoeless
pleased on
^ speak so
the Son of

ics kneeling
the church-
ed iorth his

t-e joined hy
nary; hut he

on his way
ug the truth
do in month?
conversions

but a faint
e Word."
pent th( last

month in Ballyshannon, Enniskillen, and their
vicinities. We preaclied two market days and
one Sah])ath in the streets to vast congref,'a-
tions, wlio licaril witl the greatest attention.
Tlie rich and learned .seemed OHtonished. Roman
Catliolics followed us from place to place. So
through Ballintra, Pettigo, Fermanagh and
Enniskillen, where our meetings continued five
or six hours."

Mr. Ouseley determined on another effort in
Sligo. " On this occasion, contrary to our expec-
tations, a crowd of Catholics stood quietly, while
Bro. Ouseley proved to them that they were
deceivx'd ; that their priests were blind guides,
took their money, but did them no good." They
returned to Clones; preached at Maguire's
Bridge, Smithborough and Monaghan, the people
asking: "When will you come again?" Or
they pressed to every place of note in that
region. On the 12th of July at Clones they
preached to the Orangemen.

At the Conference, in Dublin, the missionaries

received credit for a large share of the three

thousand increase. The next year they were

given the Province of Ulster. Their success had

encouraged the Conference to appoint six other

brethren for evangelistic work. In August

Ouseley and Graham were at Drogheda,at Ardee,

in the streets at Kingscourt, among the Cath-
5

st^S!s*bShatetMi^(rjiip

•aeiu^swjwwmnjuiuuimw^

"rmmiSSSSSi

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

,,,j

.'111
/(111

olics ; at. Shirock, where the clergymaii came out
to hear, and some Catholics were " afraid tliey
would not come." " Travelling and local preach-
ers, leaders and hearers are flaming with zeal
for the glory of God."

James McQuigg issued two editions of

THE IRISH BU^LE,

and was preparing for a third.

At Clones the magistrate was resolved to pre-
vent street preaching ; but the people assembled
at Mr. Ouseley's door. Ascending a block he
began to preach. " Call out the army ! " cried
the Recto •. The captain appeared, the drums
beat, and the men were drawn up. Immediately
some ran for arms. Then, fearing bloodshed, the
magistrate tried to pull the preacher from the
block ; but, finding him not easily moved, left
him to finish his sermon.

Meeting a wedding party near a chapel, he
began affectionately to speak to the young
couple, and alighting from his horse, knelt and
prayed for the bride and bridegroom, whih'
tears flowed. The priest looked on in wonder.

At Charlemont some of the officers determined
to stand their ground against the " Black-caps,"
but found themselves foiled. " Neither parson
nor colonel could withstand them at Loughall."

All, " except the rich," turned out to hear at

'*%>

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.

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 ' ? "

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.

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

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.

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

• 72

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

six years. At the Conference of 1805 they were
divided, four new men being sent. Mr. Onseley

•i

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.

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

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.

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 cease<l ;

teaching;

frequent changes from English to Irish, keeping
perfect quiet."

Jolin Nelson and William Reilly were his col-
leagues in 1810. They found their leader to be
a man with

"A soul inured to pain,

To hardship, griuf and loss ;
Bold to take up, tirui to sustain,
The consecrated Cross."

Searching out-of-the-way tracts on the coast,
the bogs and the mountains, he came upon a
secluded cabin, and, entering, sang a hymn of
thanks<rivini{. The w^oman went to the field
l»rouglit a sheaf of oats, toasted the grain, and
ground it for her visitor.

" How often," said one of his fellow-laborers,
" have I known this blessed man, wdien all the
family had retired, spend hours together wrest-
ling in mighty prayer for the conversion of
souls."

He read much, especially the old divines, often
in the saddle : and where he lodged withdrawing
early for reading and meditation. In company
and conversation, he was ever an evangelist.
Sitting by a lady, he asked : " Is this lady next
to you born again ? " An almost instantaneous
conversion was the result. Halting to water his
horse, he saw a young woman in her father's

V\
I'

MESSENGERS OP THE CHURCHES.

doorway. He went up to her, spoke a few
earnest words, and prayed that the blessing of
the Lord might descend upon her. Two years
afterwards she told him his words led to her
conversion. He helped to build many chapels,
and was overjoyed when Mr. Averell, then in
England, sent him £400. A Congregationalist,
from London, heard him preach in a dark room,
and said : " This will never do." He sent £250
towards a chapel.

Ouseley's " Old Christianity and Papal Novel-
ties," was originally a small pamphlet in answer
to a boastful champion. It was expanded into
a volume and several editions sold. To it and
the Irish Bible, the priests attributed the loss of
many of their people.

When Dr. Coke, at his last Conference in
Ireland, 1813, asked for volunteers to go to
India, Ouseley offered himself ; but he could not
be spared. He was sent to England to raisf
funds for the Irish missions. Leeds, Hull, and
other places witnessed the overwhelming powei
of his appeals and the wonderful revivals whicl
resulted. Returning, he visited the south of
Ireland. February 22nd, 1819, he wrote : " Have
not been able to see my dear wife, but onco,
since November ; am hurried night and day. In
the last ten days no less than 400 have joine<l
the Society, in Wicklow and Carlow ; besides

GIDEON OUSELEY.

, few
12 of
years
o her
lapels,
en in
nalist,
room,
i £250

I^ovel-
answer
3d into
it and
loss of

ence in
go to
)uld not
to raise
ull, and
powei
s whicV,
outh of
; "Have
)ut once,
day. Ii^
re joinc'l
besides

Imiidreds in other places, during the preceding
weeks."

" Is Mr. Ouseley eloquent ? " asked some one.
" If eloquence be the art of persuasion, will you
tell me of another man so eloquent as he ? " He
was highly esteemed and kindly entertained by
many rectors and vicars, who bore testimony to

the irood he was

doing.

Public discussions

hetween Protestants and Catholics were some-
times held ; but often the Catholics " flinched,"
dreading exposure as they did Ouseley 's " Old
Christianity," and other writings, which had cost
til em so dearly. In 1828 he was asked, by Dr.
Hunting, to assist at the missionary anniversary
in Manchester. The occasion proved a great
delight to him. In York, Leeds, and Bradford,
he found fruits of former labors. He had also
the pleasure of meeting Dr. Chalmers.

Ouseley seldom reported assaults made upon
him, but in 1830, at Tuam, he wrote: "For
several ye'\rs not a drop of blood has been
spilled ; but last night I had a shower of stones,
which made me bleed a little." Some of his
teeth were knocked out ; but, so soon as able, he
went on with his discourse. He had occasional
eatHictions: " Here I lie, in peace, upon a bed of,
doubtless, salutary affliction, under the care of
my kind wafe and my merciful Father, who
never slumbers nor sleeps." The letter told of

samm

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

inHammation : " sixteen cups ot* blood, thirteen
leeches, and a blister ! " He also had a serious
accident, by the stuniblinoj of his mare, from
which he suffered while he lived.

In 1832, at three score and ten, he gratefully
recorded the recovery of his brother, General
Sir Ralph Ouseley, and expressed deep anxiety
for his spiritual welfare. He wrote Kev. T.
Lessey, at 11.80 at night, "after all the blessed
labors of the day," and having to preach next
morninij at 6.30. The Rev. Robinson Scott
wrote of him : " He greeted me with fatherly
affection and spoke to me words of wisdom I
then deeply felt. I was much struck with his
zeal, aptitude, and power in parlor preaching —
* Is your soul happy in Jesus ? ' * Are you sure
you love Him ? ' Among all the eminent men
raised up by God in Irish Methodism, I doubt if
an}^ other was so successful in winning souls for
Christ, as Mr. Ouseley." Similar testimonies
were often heard in Ireland, the United States,
Canada, and other places.

Aided by the Missionary Committee, he
established a

SCRIPTURE readers' SOCIETY,

employing ten men, to which he gave £50 a year,

He reached home in November, but was not

able to preach until New Year's ; and not again

tilDEOX OUSELEY.

•teen

L-i0U8

from

>fully
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<l was " the guest
of Lord Roden, Tolly more Park."

In May he was in Enniskillen, preaching a
dozen times a week.

Violent attacks of illness were becoming
fre(|uent, but usually soon over ; so he thanked
God and took courage.

In October he had been preaching fifteen times
a week. A kick from a horse compelled him to
rest until his leg should be better " or nearly so."
Hundreds were giving in their names.

In Dublin he was attacked by robbers, " for
the tirst time in my life ; but they got little, and
I am now cjuite recovered, thank God ! "

Closing his seventy-seventh year, he wrote :

" ' Throu|,'li wjivos and clouds and storms
He gently clears my way ;
W ait thou His time, so shall this night
Soon end in joyous day.'

iiii

li.fA

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

God be thanked ! Amen. The end shall soon
come. Joyful news ! "

"There, there, at His feot, we shall suddenly meet,
And be parted in spirit no more."

He found it necessary to consult a surgeon,
who told him an operation would be necessary.
" So I must put myself under his care for about
three weeks after I return from the country."

*' Having preached four times and met the
class on the first day of my seventy-eighth year,
I was not even fatigued. Thank God ! Thank
God, O my soul ! Amen and amen."

In April he returned to Dublin, preaching
five times on the vvay, and took the names of
many, saying to each : " I write your name before
God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge
the dead at his appearing." To Mrs. Ouseley he
wrote : " On Tuesday night a dense crowd at-
tended in Mountmellick ; and on Wednesday
night, April lOtli, iS'il), the like, and in the
morning a few. About twenty gave in their
names. Our meeting lasted from seven to ten
o'clock. May the Lord continue to bless this
fresh revival also." This was his last ingather-
ing and his last sermon. Taking the canal boat
he was soon in Dublin, saw the surgeon, and
" thinks that all will be well." To his wife, wlic
for fifty-six years liad shai'ed his lot, he wrote :

*ti

■i

GIDEON OUSELEY.

ioon

et,

ffeon,

about
ntry."

at the
ti year,
Thank

iachin^-
allies of
3 before

I judge
seley he
•ovvd at-
(biesday

in thr
in their

II to ten
)less tins
ngatiiev-
anal boat
eon, an'l

iwife, wii^'
lie wrote :

" My work was the Lord's, who never left nor
forsook me in my labors and dangers. Glory,
glory, glory be to Him! Amen." This was the
last sentence he wrote.

The next day his symptoms became alarming.
Mrs. Ouseley saw that the end was near. His
sufferings were intense, but he said :

" O what are all my sufteiings here,
If, Lord, thou count me meet ;
With that enraptured host to appear,
And worship at Thy feet ! "

On the 13th of- May he took leave of his
relations, dictated messages to many friends, and
testified to all, " God is love ! " Being asked
what now he thought of the Gospel he had
preached all his life, he replied : " Oh, it is light
and life and peace ! " and asked for the reading
of John 14. "I have no fear of death," he
said, " the Spirit of God sustains me. God's
Spirit u< ui^^ support," then closed his eyes and
" Wi\6 I'ot, fur God took him."

A service of unusual solemnity was held in the
old Methodist chapel, Whitefriars' Street; and to
the grave, in Mount Jerome, was committed the
body of one of Erin's noblest sons, " in ure and
certain hope of a blessed resurrection."

11'^

HENRY MARTYN, M.A.

IV.

)>'■■'•'■'<

11 ill ;

i'ii '

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<l out " friendless and alone "
in the wastes of Persia. But the brief stoi'y of
his heroic life, and the recoi'd of the noble work
he was enabled to accomplish in so short a space,
have not been so widely told among the churches
as their thrilling interest demands.

I'.Iinfl AND K.AHLY LIFE.

At Gwenap pit, John Wesley a<ldressed thou-
sands of Cornish minors; and John Martyn, father
of Henry, may have been among them, probably
as mine agent or captain. Through the father,
the voice of the great evangelist may have
reached the son.

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

Henry was born Febr'jary 18th, 1781. He
was of delicate constitution, shy and retiring.
At the age of seven he entered one of the best
schools in Cornwall, under Dr. Cardew, who said
of him : " His proficiency in the classics exceeds
that of most of his school-fellows. He is of a
loving, cheerful temper." When only fourteen,
he was indr.ced to become a candidate for a
scholarship at Corpus Christi College, Oxford.
He did not succeed, however, and for his failure
he was afterwards thankful. " Had I entered
the University at that time, the profligate
acquaintances I should have had there would
have introduced me to scenes of debauchery in
which I must, in all probability, have sunk for-
ever." Two years more he remained under Dr.
Cardew. In October, 1797, he entered

ST. John's college, Cambridge.

At the end of the first term he gained a first-
class place. Up to that time he had not become
truly a Christian. To the example and influence
of a sister, he was specially indebted. She did
not cease to urge upon him the claims of Christ,
the importance of a decision, and the happiness
in store for those who serve Him. " I left my
father and sister, and him I saw no more. I
promised my sister that I would read the Bible ;
but at college Newton engaged all my thoughts."

:;|

■;S

HENRY MAllTYN.

iny
I

blc;
its."

His mother had died early. The sad news of

his father's death drove him to his neglected

Bible for comfort. He knelt down and sincerely

prayed. Dodridge's " Rise and Progress " led

him to deep heart-searching.

At the next examination his name stood first

on the roll. His devotion to study diverted his

mind too much from religion. He wrote his

sister, owning his belief of all she had told him ;

but the struggle of the flesh against the Spirit

was going on. His eagerness in study seemed

to excuse the lack of a humble and contrite

spirit.

GRADUATION.

He came out Senior Wrangler, the highest
honor he could attain, and many were his con-
gratulations. His own record was : " I attained
my highest wishes, but was surprised to find I
had grasped a shadow." The happy greetings
of sisters and friends failed to calm his troubled
spirit. In his old home he received and prized
his sister's affectionate counsels. Returning to
Cambridge he sought solitude and spiritual
communion. *' Not till then had I ever experi-
enced any real pleasure in religion." The minis-
try of the Rev. Charles Simeon was very helpful
to him. He resolved to devote himself to the
service of God. Writing his sister he snid :
" Blessed be God, I have now experienced ihat

!?■*■

MESSENfiERS OF THE CHURCHES.

Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of
God 1 No heart can conceive the excellency of
the Gospel unless renewed by Divine grace,"

HIS LIFE WORK CHOSEN.

" I would the precious time redeem,
And longer live for this alone,
To s[ end, and to be spent, for tliem

Who have not yet my Saviour known ;
Fully on these my missicm prove,
And only breathe to breathe Thy love."

-—ChmieH Wpdey.

The attention of Henry Martyn was specially
drawn to mission work by a sermon in which
Rev. Chas. Simeon spoke of Dr. Carey, in India.
He thought also of Brainerd, at his own age,
seekinof the wanderino; Indians in American
forests, and felt a strong bond of sympathy
between these devoted men and himself. He
resolved to consecnite his life to mission work
among the heathen, should God so permit. He
wrote his sister, to whose advice he was con-
stantly indebted, of his convictions and purposes.

With ccmscious unfitness, he offered himself to
the Church Missionary Society. A year elapsed,
during which his faith was strengthened l)y
reading " Butler's Analogy," and his zeal kept
burning by letters of missionaries.

In IHOJi he was ordained deacon, and became
curate to the Rev. Chas. Simeon, in Holy Trinity
Church, Cambridge. A financial loss overtook

HENRY MAUTYN.

iself to
lapsed,
^ed by
|.l kept

)ecaine

'rinity
revtook

his family which might render his sister depen-
dent on him and affect his proposed missionary
career. He hastened to London for consultation.
His way was not clear. The East India Com-
pariy was hostile to missions. The Company,
however, would accept a chaplain to the troops
and civil servants. The offer was made him,
and, believing that thus his way might be opened
to the work he sought, he accepted. He wrote :
" It is the beginning of a critical year to me,
yet I feel little apprehension. I see no business
in life but the work of Christ, neither do I
desire any employment to all eternity but His
service."

By the marriage of his sister he was relieved,
and wrote : " I never had so clear a conviction
of my call as at present, so far as respects the
inward impression. Never did I see so much of
the excellency and glory and sweetness of the
work, nor have so favorable testimony of my
own conscience, nor perceive so plainly the smile
of God." On the 2nd of April he preached his
farewell sermon in Trinity church. In London
he began studying Hindustani, and heard the
evangelical preachers, Mr. Cecil and Mr. Newton.*

* Hut the Methodists tlieinselves were the leaat result of the
Methodist revival. Its action upon the Church broke the
lethiir>?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.

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-

HENRY MAllTYN.

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

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.

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

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

'^o

{■/

€?■

ij..

Q.,

1.0

I.I

IIIIM

IIIM

1 2 2

1.8

1.25

1.4

1.6

■^

6" —

►

.<^

<p^i

>p^

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

23 WFST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N V )4580

(716) 872-4503

WP.^

€?■

IP.,

C/j

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.

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

4 ■<!

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

.'ii

congregation clothed with abominable rags, or
nearly without clothes, or plastered with mud, or
with long matted locks streaming down to their
heels, every countenance foul and frightful
with evil passions." To these " poor" the Gos-
pel was preached by the meek Cambridge
scholar.

To a pundit. Sheik Salah, sitting with other
young Mussulmans for amusement before the
missionary, the word came as an arrow. He was
afterwards ordained by Bishop Heber and
known as Abdul Messeh. Through his ministry
over forty Hindus were converted. Thus was
Henry Marty n permitted to sow and others to
reap. Under the severe stress of daily toil his
feeble strength gave out. Hereditary lung
trouble was telling upon him. He was anxious
to complete his translation of the New Testa-
ment into Persian, and determined on leaving
Cawnpore for Persia.

He had been building a place of worship, and
before leaving had the pleasure of preaching in
it. He thought he saw the dawning of a brighter
day ; but, returning to his bungalow, he sank in
utter exhaustion. That same evening, he gave
a parting address to the Fakeers, then resigned
his field to the Lord of the harvest. Prostrated
in weakness, yet jubilant in spirit, he was often
singing :

HENRY MARTYN.

E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream

Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme.

And shall be till I di*^ .

Then in a nobler, sweeter song,

I'll sing Thy power to save ;
When this poor lisping, stammering tongue

Lies silent in the grave."

bVing

and

ijT in

Ighter

Ink in

gave
kignetl
irated

often

He took the boat for Calcutta, where his
friends were grieved to see the great change four
years of toil and illness had wrought upon him.
One of them wrote : " He is going to Arabia, in
pursuit of health, with some great plans in his
mind — too grand and much beyond his feeble
and exhausted frame."

On January 7th, 1811, he left India, with-
out companion or attendant, aboard a vessel
for Bombay, and wrote in his journal : " I now
pass from India to Arabia, 'not knowing the
things that shall befall me there,' but assured
that an ever faithful God and Saviour will be
with me. May He prosper me in the thing
whereunto I go and bring me back to my de-
lightful work in India. I am, perhaps, leaving
it to see it no more; but the will of God be done.
' My times are in thy hand.' " At Bombay he
was kindly cared for by Sir John Malcolm, who
gave him a letter of introduction to Sir Gore

iJ._,JUJJl-!!aEH

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

Ouseley, British Resident in Persia. He visited
the tomb of Francis Xavier, at Goa.

ARAB CHIEF.

For a time he had the company of an Arabic
scholar who spoke Persian. April 14th, 1811,
he landed at Muscat, in Arabia. To an African

HENRY MAllTYN.

Lrabic

1811,
iricau

slave boy he gave a copy of the Gospels, in
Arabic, which he began to read. He conversed
with a company of Arminians and their priest.
In Persia he adopted the native costume: red
stockings and boots, blue trousers and bright
chintz coat. He let his beard grow and learned
to sit cross-legged on the carpet. After paying
his respects to the Governor of Bushire, he
journeyed with a party to Shiraz, moving in
almost perfect silence through the night. Next
morning, the thermometer at 126, he was in a
great fever, but relieved again by the cool night.
They had, in succession, hot days, scorpions,
mountains, robbers, cold winds, and finally a
crystal stream, with the spring temperature of
England, where they pitched their tents and
enjoyed a rest.

In Shiraz, the centre of the false religion of
Persia, he discussed witli some learned Mollahs
the tenets of the False Prophet, and was pleased
to find them willing to read with him the first
chapter of St. John. One of them said : " How
much misapprehension is removed when pef>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

!'■

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.

jrnor
backs
in a
ryfor
vhich

;e.

on a
abriz,
ey an
resent
most
[ an<l
feeble
He
seley,
senta-
y were

subsequently printed at St. Petersburgh, and
sent forth, witnesses to the deluded followers of
the great apostacy. Travellers have told how
they were asked by some Persians if they knew
the " Man of God ? " " He came here," they said,
" in the midst of us, sat down amid our wise
men, and made such remarks upon our Koran as
cannot be answered. We want to know about
his religion and the book that he left among us."
Mohammed Rahem told of " a beardless youth,
enfeebled by disease," visiting their city. " That
visit sealed my conversion. He gave me a book.
It has been my constant companion ; the study
of it has formed my most delightful occupation ;
its contents have consoled me."

In that short visit, and in a time of great
affliction, the precious leaven was dropped into
the vast measure, to be leavened. He was thank-
ful that he had been permitted to provide for
another people the Word of Life in their own
language, believing "The Persians will proba-
bly take the lead in the march to Zion ; " and
trusting the promise : " My word shall not
return unto me void., but sliall accomplish that
whereunto I sent it."

So soon as he felt able, he set out for Constan-
tinople, a long journey of 1,300 miles, in the
saddle, hoping to reach England. His Persian
companion knew little of the language, their

4«

lilil

100

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

horses were of the poorest and the heat intense.
A stable or wash-house was the best place he
could find for rest. He bef^uiled the weary
hours repeating the 23rd Psalm or conjugating
an Arabic verb. In the distance he descried the
peaks of Ararat and reached Ech Meazin — the
"Three Churches" — some hospitable Arminians,
and monks, able to speak English, French, and
Italian.

He resumed his journey, armed, like his fel-
low-travellers, with a sword, because of robbers.
At Kars he heard the alarming report that the
plague was raging in Constantinople. " Thus
am I passing into imminent danger. Lord,
Thy will be done — living, dying, remember
me!" That was written Oct. 1st, 1812. In
fever, his strength failed fast. His merciless
Tartar companion hurried him on, until Martyn
was compelled to say he " neither could nor
would go further." A stable was his only rest-
ing place.

In helpless weakness he was taken the next
day to Tokat, where on the 16th of October,
alone, no earthly friend or loved one near, his
spirit returned to the Great Giver.

A little before he had written : " No horses
being ready, I had an unexpected repose. I sat
in the orchard and thought, with sweet comfort
and peace, of my God — in solittrde my Com-

HENRY MARTYN.

101

se.

iry

ing

the

-the

ans,

and

, fel-

)bers.

t the

Thus

Lord,

pmber
In

rcUess
artyn
I nor
r rest-

le next
October,
jar, his

p.
if

panion, my Friend and Comforter. Oh, when
shall time give place to eternity ! "

His remains were subsequently discovered and
reinterred at Bagdad, the Britisli Resident in-
scribing over them : " A pious and faithful ser-
vant, called by the Lord Himself as he was
returning to his Fatherland. "

An obelisk of native stone was erected by the
East India Company, bearing his name : " One
who was known in the East as a man of Gotl."
It is still to be seen on an eminence, overlooking
the Persian town.

The tidings of his death reached England
when Parliament was considering the renewal
of the East India Company's charter, and aided
in opening India to unrestricted missionary-
operations.

" He being dead yet speaketh." In the few
brief years allotted him Henry Martyn bravely
did his part in preparing the way of the Lord ;
and who may tell how many stars, from those
he sought with tears and for whom he gave up
his life, shall adorn his crown.

horses
I sat
Iconifort
Com-

.-^i'

WILLIAM CASE.

Ctintuhi,
1780-185.").

INTRODUCTION.

IN 171)0 the population of Lower CannJ i was
about 180,000, and of Upper Canada 20,000
At that tiiii^ there seems tc have been ')rly
about ! alf a dozen Protestant ministers in t)ie
country, located at Quebec, Montreal, Lan-
caster, Kingston, Bath, and Niagara — and not a
Methodist among them. Occasional Methodist
services, however, had been held by Mr. Tuffy,
of the 44th Regiment, in Quebec ; by the Hecks,
in Augusta ; by Lyons and McCarty, in Bay of
Quinte country, and by Col. Neal at Niagara.

During the summer of 1790 the Rev. Mr.
Losee crossed the St. Lawrence, preached in
Augusta and on the way up to Bay of Quinte, on
a tour of investigation. He took a favorable
report of the country to the New York Confer-
ence and was sent back the next year. Other
ministers followed: Dunham, Coleman, Wool-
sey, Keeler, Coate, Wooster, Jewell and others.

103

'..111

104

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

There were nine ministers and 1,700 members
in the Methodist Church in Canada, by 1805,
when the subject of this sketch joined their
number.

BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE.

William Case, " the father of Indian Missions
in Canada," was born Auf(ust 27th, 1780, in Swan-
sea, Mass. In the schools of New England
he received a fair education and became a
teacher. This early training fitted him for the
important clerical duties of later years and
awakened a life-long interest in education.
Removing with his father to the interior of
New York, he had his share in the activities of
frontier life, not without exposure to the pre-
vailing wildness of the times.

At the age of twenty-three he was converted,
made an exhorter and local preacher. In 1805 he
was received by the New York Conference
and sent to the Bay of Quinte District, which
euibraced all the missions from Montreal to St.
Claire. His superintendent was Henry Ryan, a
tall, athletic young Irishman. Ryan and Case
became, in time, the two Presiding Elders over
the whole Canadian work. Samuel Coate, popu-
lar and instrumental in the conversion of hun-
dreds, was the Presiding Elder.

Another of the small but heroic band of

WILLIAM CASE.

105

mce

tiich
St.

In, a
'asc
)ver
)pu-

hun-

e:M

pioneers was Nathan Bangs, who in 1799 left
tlie Eastern States, with his surveying instru-
ments, for Canada. On an ox-sled he passed the
present site of Buffalo, then three log huts;
heard the great Niagara : in the solitude of
Canadian forests read Milton, Bunyan, and other
good books; listened to Coleman and Sawyer,
and found peace through believing. In 1801 he
became Mr. Sawyer's assistant, and afterwards a
prince in the Methodist Israel.

Thomas Madden, with his father, had moved
into Canada and settled in Ernestown. He
entered tlie ministry in 1802, and in 1824 suc-
ceeded Henry Ryan as Presiding Elder.

With these and some half dozen more men of
tireless nerve and dauntless spirit — Bishop,
Pearse, Pickett, Keeler, Perry and lluter — t "ase
cast in his lot. He was young, tall, amiable, an
excellent singer, welcomed b}'' old and young.
After an earnest sermon he would often sinof a
hymn, pass tlirough the company, shaking hands
and entreating all to give their hearts to God.
With his superintendent, Ryan, he traversed ten
townships.

THE FIRST CAMP-MEETING

in Canada was held in 1805, near Adolphustown,
by Ryan and Case, assisted by Pickett, Keeler,
Madden, and Bangs. Announcements were

mil

¥,

106

MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES.

widely given and much preparation made. As
the time drew near, great processions, in wag-
gons, boats, and on foot, were wending their way
to this modern "Feast of Tabernacles." The
itinerants from distant parts came singing,
praying, preaching by the way, and awakening
high expectations. On September 27th, the
voice of prayer and praise was heard in the
forest, sanctuary. Preaching and exhortation
followed in quick succession, the audiences
growing from hundreds to thousands, and inclos-
ing with their tents the spacious area, seated
and prepared for worship. From the sunrise
prayer-meetings to the solemn midnight, closing
with t'ellowsliip and prayer, the sweet melody of
song, the ringing appeals of the preachers, the
earnest prayers of the people, the mournful cries
of penitents and the joyful shouts of the new-
born resounded through the camp. Sunday was
a high day. The encampment full ; the singing,
praying, preaching earnest and appropriate ;
deep solemnity controlling all the host ; conver-
sions by scores, so that closing seemed impossible,
the central gathering branching into minor
clusters for prayer, thanksgiving and praise.
Through several days and nights the services
continued. The waters were troubled and the
healed were many.

" The time was at hand, at last, for the con-

WILLIAM CASE.

107

' . >1

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

! I

j i
i ■

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.

' 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-

;ili

,. t,..

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

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.

■ ■"

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

WILLIAM CASE.

123

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

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';

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.

! 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 :

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

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

'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

ig:

ras
is-

irs.
lal
nd

ihe

Bn,

3rt

3se

ive
er-
)re

\\\t

.1"
1 ti;:

- ! all

lit:

I' I *

JOHN WILLIAMS.

' 1.

•

. .

''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:

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

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.

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

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!^

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

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