Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-06-20
A Century since Morrison.

gland by way Of America to make his
home In China.
"What can you do alone in that
great nationT asked the captain OF
the ship on which he sailed.
Nothing alone" was his reply, but
with God can do all things"
Before he died he stood beforeklngs; !;
and in this centennial year Of his be-
glnnings China rises up to honor bis
memory.
Robert Morrison was born at Nor
peth In Northumberland Jan. 8, 17S2.
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 the Scotch church
at the age Of 10, 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 90 to China. Not without some es-
innate of the difficulty, nor yet with
out such preparation as was possible
did he undertake this work. For two
wears he studied Chinese under 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
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 oil but In
superable. That he was able to do
anything was little less than a miracle
Arriving In Canton Sept. 7, 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.
Chinese law was passed making It
illegal to print Christian books or
preach the gospel. 4 man Of less reso-
lutte purpose would have returned
home. But be 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 dictionary and
translating the Gospels, and waiting
for the time, sure to come, when his
york 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 b.
BILE, a translation Of the book Of Acts,
which he 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 infiu-
ence Of Morrison by this time with his
employers that the East India Com
pany advanced large sums Of money
then and later, and furnished him with
a press and a printer; so that even
the hindrance that compelled him to
enter commercial life became help.
In 1921, with the aid Of DR.. 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.
Mr.. Morrison returned to England to
receive the highest honors that the uni
versities could bestOw. Learned socie-
ties elected him to membership. Great
statesmen showed him honor. King
George Nv. gave him eager audience.
The world learned his name and hon.
ored 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-
cation, and had given to nation the
Word of God.-Youth's Companion.
The Double Blessing.
The truly Christian life takes as its
motto: AS we have opportunity, let
US do good unto all men," 1t finds 1t
contrives to make such opportunities,
and, in helping others, the follower Of
Christ Is helped himself. For Chris
tian service Is twice blessed; any deed
of love you render will not only bene-
At him you seek to aid. but 1t will
prove a blessing to yourself. You will
Eot be thinking Of recompense, but
Jesus will see to 1t that II you give
even q cup Of cold water In His name
to a thirsty soul, 1t shall not be left
without reward.-C, A. Salmond.
Our Best for God.
II Ia not wise for a man to waste |
too rnuch time comma ring hia aeyersf |