The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1907-07-25
PHz q
A Centary Since Morrison.

home In China.
L What can you do alone in tha
great nation?" asked the captain Of
the ship on which he sailed.
J'Nothing alone" was his reply, "but
with God can do all things
II Before he died be stood before kings
and in this centennial year Of his be
ginnings China rises up to honor bis
memory.
Robert Morrison was born at Nor
peth In Northumberland Jan. 8, 1882
Apprenticed to his father as maker
OF lasts, he spent his spare time in
study. working with his book open be-
fore him, and reading far into the
night. Uniting with tie Scotch church
at the age Of Is, he manifested an
earnest desire to make his life OF use
in helping men, and soon determined
to enter the ministry. While pursuing
his studies to this end, he determined
to go to China. Not without some es-
innate Of the difficulty nor yet with
out such preparation as was possible
| 0lQ liz lhhC Ills WI ~ L VI W.
years he studied Chinese under q ma
tive teacher In England; and several
hours day he spent in the British
Museum copying Chinese manuscripts.
He was ordained, and sailed for
China Jan. 81, 1897; but the Chinese
being hostile to the English on ac-
count of the opium trade, he made the
journey by way of New York. James
Madison, afterward President, was
then Secretary of State, and gave him
letters to the American consul at Can
ton which were of great advantage to
him. ~
To tell of his trials would make a
long story. He was hindered by poor
health, by Chinese hatred of England,
by lack of support, by direct opposl-
ton, by obstacles that were all but in
superable. That he was able to do
anything was little less than a miracle.
Arriving in Canton Sept Z, he made
his first home in the basement of an
American factory, but later. finding 1t
unwholesome, secured more sanitary
quarters. Just as he was established,
a Chinese law was passed making 1t
Illegal to print Christian books or
preach the gospel A man of less reso-
lutte purpose would have returned
home But he secured employment as
translator for the East India Com
pany, and held his position to the day |
Of his death, period of twenty five
years, giving his business hours to the |
work for which he was paid, and |
meantime compiling a dictionary and
the Gospels, and waiting
Tor. the time, sure to come, when his
work would have an open door.
Suffering from incessant study and
'verwork, and compelled at times to
top and rest, he nevertheless achieved
he purpose of his labor; and in 1910
lie printed the first portion of the BIZ
lie, translation of the book of Acts,
which he followed two years later with
he Gospel of Luke. In another two
7as ready. And such was the infu-
nee of Morrison by this time with his
Employers that the East India Com
any advanced large sums of money
hen and later, and furnished him with
press and a printer; so that even
he hindrance that compelled him to
nter commercial life became a help.
In 1921, with the aid of Dr. Milne,
e published the entire Bible. the Old
testament forming, in the Chinese
laracter, twenty-one volumes. And
lie Chinese dictionary, published not
ng afterward, cost seventy-tive thou
md dollars, which was advanced by
e East India Company.
Mr.. Morrison returned to England to
ceive the highest honors that the uni :
,rsties could bestow. Learned socie- )
IS elected him to membership. Great .
atesmen showed him honor. King
Gorge ". gave him eager audience. /,
ne world learned his name and hon
ed 1t. >
What had this man done, alone With =
I'd in that great nation? He had won =
Z teSptCl VI Tue peOpiS dillOuS WuOlu Z.
labored, broken down deep preju- =
ces and become their friend He ;,
d secured the confidence of great :,
siness interests and enlisted their u
pport in large spiritual concerns. He n
d paved the way for coming civili- 8,
ton, and had given to q nation the
ord of God.-Youth's Companion. Il