Alaska sentinel., 1907-07-18
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A Century Since Morrison.
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 English lastmaker set forth from En- gland by way of America to make his home In China
 What can you do alone In that great nation2' asked the captain of the ship on which be sailed
 Nothing alone" was hls replJ, but with God I can do all things"
 Before he died he stood before kings; and in this centennial year of his be- ginnings China rises up to honor his memory.
 Robert Morrison was born at Mor- peth in Northumberland Jan. 5, 1IS2. Apprenticed to his father as a maker of lasts, be spent his spare time In study, working with his book open be- fore him, and reading far into the night Uniting with the Scotch church at the age of 15, 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- timate of the difficulty, nor yet with out such preparation as was possible did be undertake this work. For two years he studied Chinese under ns- 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. 31. 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 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 be was able to do anything was little less than a miracle.
 Arriving h Canton Sept ', 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- lute 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 translating the Gospels. and waiting work would have an open door.
 Suffering from incessant study and overwork. and compelled at times to stop and rest, he nevertheless achieved the purpose of his labor; and in 1910 he printed the first portion of the Bi- ble, a translation of the book of Acts, which be followed two years later with the Gospel of Luke. In another two years the whole of the New Testament was ready. And such was the infu- ence of Morrison by this time with his employers that the East India Con- pany advanced large sums of money then and later, and furnished him with a press and a printer; 50 that even the hindrance that compelled him to enter commercial life became a help.
 In 1921, with the aid of pr. Milne, he published the entire Bible, the Old Testament forming, In the Chinese character, twenty-one volumes. And the Chinese dictionary, published not long afterward, cost seventy five thou sand dollars, which was advanced by the East India Company.
 Mir. Morrison returned to England to receive the highest honors that the uni versailles could bestow. Learned socie- ties elected him to membership. Great statesmen showed him honor. King George ". gave him eager audience. The world learned his name and hon. cred 1t.
 What had this man done, alone with God In that great nation? He had won the respect of the people among whom he labored, broken down deep preju- dices and become their friend He had secured the confidence of great business interests, and enlisted their support In large spiritual concerns. He had paved the way for coming civili- zation. and had given to a nation the Word of God.-Youth's Companion. The Double Blessing.
 The truly Christian life takes as Its motto: "As we have opportunity, let