The Baptist Magazine, Vol. 27, 1835

The Rev. Dr. Morrison was born at Morpeth, Jan. 5, 1782, but was early removed to Newcastle-upon-tyne. His parents, though in humble circumstances, were industrious and pious members of the Scottish church; and they educated their family in the fear of the Lord. When a boy, he was, with other young persons of the congregation, frequently catechised by the Minister; and this has inadvertently led to an erroneous report, that he was originally a Sunday School scholar. He was afterwards taught a mechanical trade, which he diligently followed till he left home. I believe he "feared the Lord from his youth;" and that the pious instructions of his father's house, and the faithful ministrations of his pastor, were so blessed to him, that at the age of sixteen he solemnly devoted himself to God. When engaged in his secular calling, his mind, thirsting for knowledge, sought its own improvement, first by general reading, and, after a few years, by diligently acquiring the rudiments of Latin. He used to steal hours from rest, and often to work with his book raised before him, so that his eye could cast a rapid glance on its pages, while his hands were actively employed at his daily labour. Thus he at once prepared his lesson for the Minister who kindly instructed him, and discovered the first indications of that diligence and talent for the acquisition of a foreign language, which laid the basis of his future fame.

At this time, in consequence of his manifest love of study, and his ardent desire for usefulness, his mother entertained many fears, that she should soon be deprived of the object of her affections, by his removal from her: but her fears, so far as she herself was concerned, were groundless; for she was called to her rest, the year before he left home for the Academy. Thus she neither felt the pain of his anticipated absence, nor rejoiced in the participation of his subsequent honours.

On entering Hoxton Academy, January, 1803, I found that Mr. Morrison had arrived a few days before me; and as we both regularly attended, with our friends, the ministry of that eminent servant of God, the Rev. A. (afterwards Dr.) Waugh, we were very soon intimately acquainted with each other: the result was an indissoluble friendship of nearly thirty-two years, during the whole of which period, we frequently interchanged our joys and our sorrows, and reciprocated our congratulations and our sympathies; while fidelity and affection mutually tendered, when necessary, admonition and reproof. His character was even then distinguished by those qualities which subsequently rendered him so illustrious—the most ardent piety, indefatigable diligence, and devoted zeal. His natural disposition was grave and thoughtful; so that, as his mind was often the subject of anxious and desponding views, especially of himself and his attainments, he probably occasionally appeared to some as gloomy and melancholy. But those who knew him best were fully convinced, that most of his anxieties arose from his deep sense of the importance of the work for which he was preparing, of his own utter incompetency for its faithful discharge, and of the consequent obligation under which he was laid, to exert himself to the utmost, to secure the full benefit of every advantage placed within his reach. Hence he was a most exemplary student, and always aimed at distinction, even in some branches of study for which he appeared very little adapted. But his chief reliance to secure success, was not on any effort of his own, however diligently and constantly exerted—but on the divine blessing. Hence few ever entered more fully into the great Luther's favourite axiom, to pray well is to study well; for of him it may be very justly said, that prayer was the element in which his soul delighted to breathe.

His mind had long mourned over the deplorable state of the heathen world, to which he wished to publish "the unsearchable riches of Christ;" though he then knew not how it could possibly be accomplished. But after having attended two Missionary Anniversaries in London, he saw the door effectually opened before him, and instantly resolved to enter on the arduous task. The appeals of Thorpe, Bennet, Dickson, and Scott, the commentator, at the last of these anniversaries, were to him irresistible; and he "immediately conferred not with flesh and blood," but consecrated himself to the work of the Lord among the heathen, saying, Here am I, send me. No sooner, however, had he signified his intention, than every objection was made, and every difficulty thrown in his way; and when these failed, he was tempted by favour and honour, to remain at home; but all proved equally in vain. This opposition doubtless arose from a mistaken estimate of the superior claims of home; as it was manifested by some of the "excellent of the earth," who afterwards most cordially rejoiced in his success abroad. Thus, while faithfully following his own convictions of duty, he not only exhibited that decision of character which he ever displayed, but eventually found the truth of that sacred declaration, "Them that honour me I will honour; and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed."

After the usual examination, he was most cheerfully accepted by the Missionary Society; and, having been affectionately commended to the special grace of God, by his fellow-students, he left the Academy at Hoxton for that at Gosport, to enjoy the missionary training of the venerable Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Bogue. Few students ever left the house more irreproachable in their conduct, or more generally respected, by all, for their real worth, and unfeigned piety; or more beloved by those who enjoyed the felicity of their faithful friendship. Though it was little apprehended that he would so soon be called to fill one of the most arduous and important spheres which could be conceived; or, that he would ultimately rise to such an eminence in it, as to command the admiration of all classes of the christian church, and of the community in general; yet, it is impossible to reflect on his diligent and devoted course at Hoxton, without clearly recognizing the incipient elements of all his future success. Others, indeed, possessed more brilliant talents,—a richer imagination, a more attractive delivery, or more graceful manners,—but, I trust I may be permitted to say, that there was no one who more happily concentrated in himself the three elements of moral greatness already enumerated—the most ardent piety, indefatigable diligence, and devoted zeal in the best of all causes.

Thus devoted to the glory of God and the salvation of the heathen, he reached Gosport. To show his feelings and sentiments at that important crisis, I shall quote his own words, from the first letter I ever received from him, dated Gosport, June 9, 1804:

And again, July 31st, he thus writes:

With such feelings, he said "he would have gone to any quarter of the globe, where the people were as yet without a Divine Revelation." But China, most happily, was the sphere allotted to him by the Directors of the Missionary Society. To that immense empire their attention had been directed by their first devoted Treasurer, Mr. Hardcastle, who judged it highly important to attempt the acquisition of its difficult language, and the translation of the Scriptures by some competent Missionary. This, be it remarked, was at a time when it was quite uncertain, whether any Briton would be allowed to go thither from England, or permitted to reside even on the borders of China, if he should be able to reach its shores. So strong then were the prejudices, in certain quarters, against attempting to evangelize the East, that the Directors for a time avoided the use of the term Chinese Mission; and actually were obliged to send Dr. Morrison and others round by way of America. For this station, China, he was eminently adapted: as it was well remarked by the lamented Dr. Milne, that "talents rather of the solid than the showy kind, rather I adapted to accomplish important objects by a course of persevering labour, than to astonish by any sudden burst of genius, were the most proper for the first Missionary to China: and such exactly were the talents which the Giver of every good and perfect gift had conferred on him." But it was thought highly desirable that he should have a fellow-labourer, though subsequent events proved that this would then have been quite impracticable in China. But every effort was made, especially by himself, to prevail on some kindred soul to accompany him. And here I must be excused slightly touching on one who was more than half-disposed to respond to the call; but who was ultimately prevented, by what appeared to him imperative duty at home. But he trusts his heart was ever with him: and whatever sympathy and encouragement might be, at any time, in his power to command, were most cheerfully rendered, and the act considered as his highest honour.

What views Dr. M. entertained both of the missionary and ministerial character, will best appear from what he desired for himself and his friend. In a letter dated March 24, 1805, he thus writes:—

And again, May 30:—

After spending about fifteen months at Gosport, he came to London, to obtain some knowledge of medicine, and to study the elements of astronomy at the Observatory, Greenwich; from a misapprehension that these, especially the last, would be essential to his success in China. But however much they tended to expand his own mind, they were subsequently found almost superfluous in practice: nevertheless, another object was obtained by his residence for nearly eighteen months in the metropolis. An amiable Chinese was found willing to reside with him, to assist him a little in the acquisition of the language, and in transcribing a Chinese Harmony of the Gospels in the British Museum, and a Latino-Chinese Dictionary, borrowed from the Royal Society, both composed by some unknown Roman Catholic missionaries. It was with reference to him, while employed on the former, that an eminent individual afterwards remarked, that he then little thought, as he passed through the Museum, that that stripling sitting at the table transcribing an unknown tongue, would one day translate the Scriptures into Chinese! Well may we exclaim, "Who hath despised the day of small things?" —"Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

When the time of his departure from his native shores drew nigh, as I was then at the University of Glasgow, he thus took his affectionate leave of me by letter, January, 1807—

Thus inspired, he departed for China, instructed by the Directors to learn its difficult language, and, if possible, compose a dictionary of it, and, above all, to translate the Scriptures into a language understood by a third part of the human race; and counselled by a beautiful letter, officially signed, but evidently composed by my venerable father, Dr. Waugh. At New York he was very kindly received, and obtained a letter of introduction from Mr. Maddison, then secretary of state, to the American consul at Canton, which proved highly beneficial to him there.

He reached China, Sept. 4, 1807, after a speedy but rough passage and, being a perfect stranger, he landed at Macao, with the mate of the ship, who left him next day. He was soon known to be a missionary, and became the object of suspicion to the Roman Catholic clergy there. During that season at Canton, he lived in a cellar, in the most retired manner, and laboured incessantly at the language, with very little success, compared with what his subsequent efforts attained; for he then had only an ignoramus for his tutor. But hear himself from Canton, Sept. 14th, addressed to my own beloved mother:—

He subsequently resided in the factory of some American agents at Canton, who showed him great kindness, and promoted his views to the utmost of their ability. At first he conformed to the Chinese manners, both as to eating and dress, from an erroneous idea that this would recommend him to their kind notice; but when he discovered his error, he resumed the manners of a European. But so anxious was he to learn Chinese, that he prayed even in secret in it, when he was but very imperfectly acquainted with its idioms. He quite secluded himself from society for months, till his health began to suffer; and the first time he ventured out into the fields was in a moonlight night, under the escort of two Chinese.

In the beginning of 1809, he married Miss Morton, the eldest daughter of a medical gentleman there; and, accepted an appointment in the Company's factory, as Chinese translator, which unquestionably facilitated his perfect acquisition of the language, and added much to his domestic comfort. Such diligence and perseverance could not fail of success. From Macao, December 28, 1810, he thus writes:—

He regularly spent six months alternately at Macao and Canton, in compliance with the requisition of the Chinese policy, whose jealousy permits few foreigners to reside in the "celestial empire," as they proudly denominate it; but which, in consideration of an annual revenue, tolerates the Portuguese settlement on the insignificant island of Macao.

In a letter dated December 29, 1811, he states:—

This appointment, however, greatly increased his comforts and influence, and enabled him to perform some of those noble acts of Christian benevolence to be hereafter noticed.

About this time, though he had before been turned out of a miserable house, because its owner said he had converted it into a chapel, he commenced his exercises on the Lord's-day, by reading the "Harmony of the Gospels;" and afterwards continued it, by exhorting a few Chinese who attended, principally from his own household. These humble efforts were rendered, under the Divine blessing, the means of enlightening and converting several who are now actively engaged in the dissemination of Christian knowledge among their pagan countrymen. In 1810, he tried the practicability of printing the Scriptures, by revising and publishing the Acts of the Apostles, which he had brought out with him; for printing which he had paid the large sum of a dollar per copy—the price at which the whole New Testament has since been published—on account of the personal risk which those who engaged in it were supposed to run. Yet he was encouraged; and next year he finished his Grammar, and sent it to the press at Serampore, where the East India Company afterwards honourably defrayed the expense of its publication. About the same time he published his own translation of Luke's Gospel, and a tract which the Missionary Society had requested him to write, on "The Redemption of the World," and a catechism for the use of the Chinese. Thus he proceeded, step by step, till, in 1813, he finished his translation of the New Testament, having thus successfully toiled six years alone at the most difficult language on earth, and done what was quite enough to immortalize his name. The whole expense of the mission and translation had hitherto been borne by the Missionary Society; but about this time, on the presentation of a copy, first of one of the Epistles, and then of Luke's Gospel, translated into Chinese, the British and Foreign Bible Society twice voted £500. And soon after, on the presentation of the whole New Testament, they voted the noble sum of £1000; and this was subsequently munificently repeated, at different times, till, on the completion of the whole Bible, it amounted to the princely sum of £5000, without which, the work of translating the entire Scriptures would, probably, not have been accomplished.

Just before this, Mr. Milne rejoiced his heart and strengthened his hands by coming out from England and joining the mission; and having commenced under very different circumstances, he soon acquired the language, and greatly assisted Dr. M. in his subsequent translations and labours. But the jealousy of the Portuguese very soon drove Mr. Milne from his embrace, and obliged him to retire, first to Canton, and then to Malacca. This, however, eventually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, by the establishment of the Malayan mission, and thus preparing the way for the establishment of the Anglo-Chinese College there, for the instruction of Chinese youths in the principles of Christianity and the cultivation of Chinese literature in general, which, by the numerous publications that have issued from its press, has proved of incalculable value to the populous nations around. From Canton, December 19, 1812, he thus writes:—

In 1814, he happily completed the first part of his Chinese dictionary; and the whole work was generously published at the expense of the East India Company, in three thick quarto volumes. It was the first ever published in the English language; and it must remain a lasting memorial of his astonishing diligence.

In 1816, he went as interpreter with our ambassador, Lord Amherst, to the imperial court of Pekin; and subsequently published an account of that unsuccessful embassy. He founded the Anglo-Chinese College, already mentioned, in 1818, and liberally presented £1000 for its establishment, and £100 per annum, for five years from its actual commencement. In 1819, he completed the translation of the whole Bible, having been assisted in several parts of the Old Testament by his late excellent colleague, Dr. Milne. With great propriety he once observed in conversation, "I could have died, when I had finished the Bible." —On that memorable day he wrote a long memoir, in which he described the principles which he had adopted, and the plan which he had pursued, in its execution; and concluded thus:

It is painful to observe here, that during a considerable portion of his unwearied labours, he was visited by the heaviest afflictions. His own health suffered exceedingly at different periods, under a most painful disorder; his beloved wife also was, for several years, still more grievously afflicted; and just before he had the happiness of finishing his Bible, the wife of his colleague was early taken away, leaving four fatherless children to mourn their unspeakable loss.

As Mrs. Morrison's complaint appeared to baffle the medical skill there, and as it was quite impossible for Dr. Morrison to leave the sphere of his important labours, she was obliged, in 1815, to visit England, accompanied only by her two children. Having sojourned amongst us several years, and finding herself greatly improved in health and spirits, she returned with the same charge to China in 1820, to his unspeakable delight. But the following year, she was suddenly removed, after an illness of a few hours, and he was once more, and for ever here, separated from "the wife of his youth." He had formerly lost his first-born, on the very day it saw the light; and the Portuguese had cruelly refused permission to inter the child of a heretic in their consecrated ground. He was therefore obliged, under the shades of night, to carry his own babe under his arm, attended only by a servant; and to fee some of the Chinese, to let him pass the brow of a hill which was behind his house; where he dug a grave, and buried his dead, purposing in future an occasional visit to the interesting spot. And now he wished to lay his beloved wife by the side of her babe; but the Chinese threatened to oppose force, if he attempted it; and the Roman Catholics were as inveterate as ever. But that kind Providence which had in so many instances appeared for him, roused the indignation of the gentlemen of the factory at Macao; and they subscribed and purchased a plot of ground, just outside the walls, and devoted it as a perpetual Protestant burial-ground. There he honourably buried her.

Next year, 1822, he was deprived of his able and beloved colleague, Dr. Milne, who, on the 2nd of June, fell a sacrifice to his close and unwearied application, and left the Anglo-Chinese College, of which he was the Principal, the mission in general, and Dr. Morrison in particular, to mourn his almost irreparable loss.

Having visited the College, and made every possible arrangement for its present emergencies; and having some time before fully accomplished the three great duties assigned him—either of which was almost enough for any ordinary man—to learn the language, to translate the Bible, and to compose a Dictionary, Dr. M. felt himself now at perfect liberty to visit his native country, which he reached in the spring of 1824.

As Dr. Morrison had been so much and so deservedly anticipated by his fame, an intense anxiety was every where manifested to see and hear him. Hence he was expected to appear at every public meeting of the Missionary and Bible Societies: and to preach on almost every occasion. From the long prevalence of retired and studious habits, and I may add of Asiatic manners, this was no easy or pleasant task for him; and it is not wonderful, if, on some occasions, he disappointed the expectations excited. But you, my Christian friends, can testify the powerful appeals which he made here, and how much his soul was evidently inspired with zeal for China; wherever he was, this was his ruling passion. Hence he wished all to love China, and to seek her evangelization by every means in their power; and not to mind silver or gold, friends or comforts, except as they might become the honoured means of promoting the Redeemer's kingdom. And it is highly gratifying to state, that his visit was productive of considerable zeal and exertion on behalf of the same. The greatest attention and kindness were every where shown him, by all ranks of the community. He was honoured by being introduced at court, where he presented to his Sovereign a copy of his Chinese Bible, which was most graciously received, as was also a large Map of China, which he subsequently transmitted. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and of several other literary institutions, both at home and abroad; and he had, some years before, in the most handsome manner, been created Doctor in Divinity by the University of Glasgow, for his distinguished labours. He prolonged his stay in England a second year, in order to instruct some missionaries and others in Chinese; and to promote the interests of Oriental literature, in connexion with missionary efforts.

About this time, he again entered into the marriage state, by leading to the altar Miss Armstrong, of Liverpool, well known to many of you: in whose recent and unspeakable sorrows, I am fully convinced, you will most deeply sympathize.

Having sent to the press his "Parting Memorial," he left, for the last time, his native shores, with Mrs. Morrison, now his disconsolate widow, and an infant, and his two elder children, in January, 1826, to return to China, "the land of his adoption," as he called it; with the intention of preparing a short Commentary on certain portions of the Scriptures, and such other elementary Christian Essays as appeared desirable for the right understanding of the word of God, now in extensive circulation there. These works he was enabled, to a very considerable extent, to accomplish before his decease.

But I must read you an extract from his last letter to myself, which I received only eight days before his death, dated Macao, February 24, 1834:—

This was his last salutation: and the spirit of the whole is so truly worthy of him, that to offer any comment would only be to weaken that impression which I am convinced it has made so powerfully, as not soon to be forgotten by many—for he, being dead, yet speaketh.

The particulars of Dr. M.' s lamented decease, were announced in the Canton Gazette, and in an excellent letter from his son,[B] who long worshipped with us here, to the Directors.

He expired at his residence in the Danish Hong, on the 1st of August, 1834. His remains were followed from thence to the river side by Lord Napier,[C] and all the Europeans, Americans, and Asiatic British subjects in Canton. The corpse was forwarded to Macao, and attended to the grave by about forty European gentlemen, on Tuesday evening, August 5th, and interred in the private Protestant burial ground in that settlement. The service of the church of England was read by the Rev. Mr. Stevens, seaman's chaplain in the port of Canton, who was present at his decease, and affectionately ministered to his comfort in that trying hour.

Hear then the voice from the tomb: Be ye also ready! His work of faith and labour of love were ended. The day of Jubilee to Africa, was the day of mourning to China! Then its first Protestant Missionary—its first translator of the sacred volume—its devoted apostle—not to say, he who unlocked the treasures of its literature to the western world, was summoned to his glorious rest—his eternal reward! Then he was hailed by the voice of his Saviour: "Well done, good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord:" while he joined the chorus of the redeemed; "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy and thy truth's sake." Only a month before, the venerable Carey, the apostle of India, ascended to his glory; and with what rapture must they have embraced each other, in the presence of their common Lord! —But, if no talents, no zeal, no labours, no usefulness, can elude the sentence of death—should not we then "prepare to meet our God?