MEMOIR OF THE LATE REV. DR. MEDHURST. H is early life is soon told. W a l t e r H e n r y (that was liis Chrisian name) was born in London in 1796, and was educated at St. Paul’s Cathedral School. H e went to Glou­ cester at the age of fourteen ; was ap­ prenticed as a printer in that city; was converted under the ministry of the late Rev. W illiam Bishop; joined the Congregational church assembling at Southgate Chapel; evinced some zeal and tact in Sabbath-school instruction, tract distribution, and village preach­ in g ; had his heart inflamed with a desire to be engaged in Missionary toils; responded to an advertisement for a printer to join the Mission at Malacca; was accepted by the Directors of the London Missionary Society, at the earnest recommendation of the Christian friends in Gloucester; spent a few months prior to his departure at Hackney College, then under the charge of Dr. Collison ; and embarked from England in September, 1816, at the age of twenty. It is to the subsequent forty years of his life that our attention is chiefly called, during which period our deceased friend gradually rose into notice and eminence as a Christian Missionary, remarkable for energy, devotedness, and efficiency. The vessel in which Walter Henry Medhurst left his native shores was obliged cn route to put in at Madras. The Christian intercourse which he enjoyed in the Missionary circle at that station was very beneficial to h im ; and he never failed to speak with affec­ tionate interest, especially of the la!e Rev. W . C. Loveless, and Richard MEMOIH OF THE LATE BET. BE . MEDHUBST. Knill, whose acquaintance he had made 1 as a Chinese student, and becoming, at during that stay. It was here likewise no distant period, a useful coadjutor in he formed an alliance by marriage with the mission ; an expectation which has the lady who is now left to mourn over by no means been disappointed. * her loss, after a happy wedlock of full Having shown remarkable fitness for forty years. Mrs. Medhurst was the preaching, he was ordained to the work first person converted in India by the of the ministry by Ur. Milne and his instrumentality of Richard K n ill; and colleagues, in 1819. Among the private the importance of this providential i papers of the deceased, there has been connexion with the subject of our me- ! found the certificate of his ordination, nioir can only be appreciated, by those j — the style and simplicity of which that are cognizant of her devotion to document, not to say also the material the interests ever dear to her husband’s ' on which it is recorded, afiord a singular heart. 1 contrast to ordination-articles of the Mr. Medhurst reached his destina- ; the same class popular now-a-days. It tion at Malacca in June. 1817. where ! reads:— his arrival was hailed with delight by “ This is to certify, that the Rev. the late Dr. Milne, who was at the : Walter Henry Medhurst, a member of time quite alone, without any helper in the Ultra-Ganges Missions, under the his work, and struggling under a load j patronage of the Missionary Society, of cares and labours, far too heavy for usually denominated the London Mis­ an enfeebled constitution. sionary Society, was ordained to the The special duties immediately un­ saered office ofaMinisterandMissionary dertaken by Medhurst were connected of Jesus Christ, by prayer and laying with the mission press at Malacca. on of hands, the 27th day of April, one The “ gift of tongues,” however,— of thousand eight hundred and nineteen, which he had more than an ordinary share of endowment,— naturally enough was directed to the acquisition of the Malay language, spoken among the natives of that peninsula, and especially by us— Malacca, W il lia m M iln e, John Slater, James M ilton, to the study of the Chinese, which was April 27, 1819. J. I n c e .” professedly the mother-tongue of tho Subsequent to being thus “ set apart,” thousands, who even at that day were Mr. Medhurst pursued his Missionary emigrating from “ the middle kingdom” labours successively at Penang and to the various dependencies in Malaysia. Batavia,— chiefly at the latter place, And that tribute which Dr. Milne, so where he worked efficiently among Ma­ early as 1820, paid to the lingual lays, Chinese, Javanese, as well as powers of his junior colleague, not only Dutch and English residents. Among was well merited at the time, but was other monuments of his labours at fully confirmed during his subsequent Batavia, there is the Orphan Asylum history as a Chinese Missionary. The at Parapattan, which still preserves its eulogy referred to runs thus:— vigour and perpetuates its success; “ Mr. Medhurst began his Chinese studies with teachableness of spirit, which never fails to secure respect and affection for a young man’s character, and to produce a cheerful readiness in many who were once its inmates cherishing with feelings of gratitude and reverence the memory of its founder’s name. In 1836, Mr. Medhurst paid a visit others to assist him when they c a n ; to his native country.wherehe sojourned and he pursued them with a persever­ ing ardour which excited in the n,md of his associate the pleasing expecta­ tion of his making good progress for two years. During that time his travels on deputation were extensive, * Retrospect of Chinese Missions, n. 19.5. 52G M E M O IR OF TH E LATH HEV. 1)11, M E D H U R S T , his addresses taanly and straightfor­ facility for improving each “ golden ward; and his appeals on behalf of spot in time,” and indomitable per­ China very effective,— particularly in severance, the Father of the Shanghai the work entitled “ China, its State and Mission devoted all to his high vocation Prospects,” which he prepared previous as a Missionary of Jesus Christ among to quitting England a second time. the Chinese, and has left behind him But there was one special purpose on a perfect example of what a real Mis­ which Mr. Medhurst’s heart was set, sionary of the times should be,— a and which he sought during that visit, thorough student of the language of the viz. that there should be a thorough people among whom he labours, a ready revision of the Chinese translation of preacher in it, an invaluable translator, the Scriptures. This met with a refusal, a man-of-all-work and of-work-at-all- which at the time greatly disheartened times, a considerate, thoughtful fellow- our friend. His natural elasticity of labourer, an earnest, faithful Christian, temper, however, helped him to rise — “ instant in season and out of season,” above the disappointment, as well as “ diligent in business, fervent in spirit, the testimony of a “ good conscience ” serving the Lord,” “ with goodwill, doing that he was seeking to do God service. service as to the Lord, and not to men.” It was perhaps a suggestion rather By his untiring industry, he acquired premature then ; but it led to further an extensive knowledge of the several inquiry; and our honoured Missionary languages common in the Indian archi­ lived long enough to see his “ darling pelago, where he first laboured, and scheme ” (we can call it nothing else) chiefly of the Chinese tongue and liter­ cordially approved of, taken up with ature, in which he became facile promptness, carried out with vigour, princeps. He acquired an unwonted and crowned with success, in what is familiarity and facility in the spoken denominated “ The Delegates’ Version language of that empire, and became of the Scriptures.” thoroughly au fait in the Mandarin, Mr. Medhurst returned to his station Puhkien, and Shanghai dialects. Thus in Java in 1838; but, when the five he was able to converse and preach, ports wereopened to foreign intercourse, with marvellous ease and readiness, to under the treaty of Nanking, Dr. Med­ various classes of natives, that were hurst moved up the whole Mission from unreachable except through their own Batavia to Shanghai, about 1843. peculiar patois ; an attainment, indeed, There this standard-bearer of the truth of which very few of the natives continued at his post, until he was com­ themselves can boast. But probably pelled, by n worn-out constitution, to re- his knowledge of the written language embark for England in September last was still more astonishing. By this year. means he gained most extensive in­ Thus thrown at Shanghai into the formation on the literature, philosophy, Chinese Empire, and having his lot cast and ancient history of China, which, EimdRg genuine Chinese, Dr. Medhurst had his life been spared, might have gave full play to liis reinftfkable “ gift.” been of value now* to people in the But foi us te specify Within the “narrow W est/ whose attention appears at last pages assigned foi' An obituaty in the to be a little awakened towards China E v a n g e l i c a l MACfAziSE, tile abun­ and her people. dant labours of this Missionary vetera hr Possessed of talents such as these, eveil during his Bervice at Shanghai of Dr. Medhurst gave himself earnestly to fouttseii years, is utterly inipos&ible. the preaihing of the W ord and to It iS'enough fbf us to eay tliit God translfttorial labours. In preaching ho having Messed hifH with ft Xviry frame, was pre-eminent, and to this he gave $ood heqrlth,overflowing spirits,aptness apioiaLprominence r ¿0 that, no matter for everything, promptitude in actioiii what othei equally important duties M E ilO IH OJ? THE LATE UKV. B it, MEOHVK8T. 527 pvessed upon him, ho never relaxed iu neighbouring towns and villages, in this department. On week-days as on conducting correspondence with the the Sabbath-day, in the country as in Missionary, Bible, and Tract Societies, the city, in the chapel as in the open and in watching over the native church thoroughfare, he was alike assiduous in and the general interests of the Mis­ commending tho grace of God and pro­ sion (all which involved no iuconsidorclaiming the blessed gospel. A small able amount of physical labour), ho church of native converts was built up w'as regular and indefatigable, per­ at Shanghai, under the watchful caro forming those varied duties, not in a of Dr. Medhurst; and the loss they feel perfunctory mode, but throwing his now at his removal is great— the an­ whole soul into them, as matters in nouncement of his decease creating a which he felt the greatest interest and panic. Besides this, his facility of delight. Unmistakably China was the speaking the dialect intelligibly, and I right sphere of labour lor such a one; his advanced age, obtained for him respect and attention in the surrounding country ; so that “ his very .name forms to tho present day a general cognomen for all missionaries ” * in towns and and as this field became wider and wider, he was ever ready to suggest new plans of usefulness for those imme­ diately associated with him, and at the same time was foremost to lead tho villages inland. His translatorial duties it is impos­ sible to overrate. O f works of this class wo have before us an incomplete way. O f his bearing towards his fellow- labourers, we quote what Mr. Muirhead, speaking in the name of his list; but, upon it there are named no brethren on the spot, says :— less than G2— 8 in the Malay tongue, “ Fromhis many years’ residenco and !H in Chinese, and 20 from Chinese labours as a Christian missionary, it into English— the latter consisting of might be supposed that ho would look aids to tho study of the Chinese lan­ for more than an ordinary amount of guage in the shape of manuals, voca­ deference and respect, in tho ease of bulary or dictionaries, and pamphlets those associated with him, but who or books explanatory of Chinese notions, were so far below him in age and customs, and history. But under this position. Doubtless ho did receive it head the works in which he has ren­ at their hands; but it was tendered, not dered tho most efficient assistance in so much from their feeling that he was establishingthe Chinese mission are,the in the circumstances naturally entitled translation of the Holy Scriptures and to it, but from the kind, encouraging, the English Liturgy into the Chinese considerate manner in which he acted language. The special aid afforded by towards them. There was no assump­ him in completing these works presents tion on his part, hut the humblest a lasting memorial of his ability and unpretending fellow-labourer felt him­ scholarship; and through these writ­ self at ease in his presence. H e might ings, although he be now dead, he appear distant and reserved to a will continue to speak to that people to stranger, but the feeling was more in tho latest period of time. that individual’s own mind, from hi« Every one that saw tho man could previous ideas of the man ¡— on further not but remark his energy, activity, acquaintance with him, it was found and diligence in missionary operations that he was marked by an unwonted generally. In the superintendence of degree of mildness, blandness, and the press, in itinerating through the openness, both in manner and dispo­ sition. Those who were more imme­ * Sermon by ltev. W . JIuirUeail, ofdiately connected with him iu missionary Shanghai, preached on occasion of the work, and had constant opportunities death of Dr. Medhurst. of intercourse with him. ever felt that 528 MEMOIR Of THE LAl'E BEV. DE. MEDHUEST. in him they had a true and warm- '■merchants of various Christian deno­ hearted Christian friend. There was minations, who came to have his last no restraint in their feelings towards farewell. His address on that occasion, him, or their communications with him ; founded as it was on Matt. xxv. 1— 10, but, while rendering ‘ honour to whom and dwelling on a due and early pre­ honour was due,’ they were encouraged paration for the coming of the bride­ by his uniform bearing to regard him groom, was remarkable — remarkable, writh more than usual affection and as it seemed (we were going to say) esteem. Their reminiscences of their anticipative of the event over which venerated and now lamented friend we now mourn, and remarkable too for will long remain with them, and will the effect ,•so that one (who was on the be precious to them as they- tread this spot) observes, “ for many were deeply wilderness-world without him.” impressed on that occasion with the Then, adverting to “ the Christian searching and solemn character of his tone of his spirit, and the fervour and appeals.” spirituality of his prayers: he was A sea-voyage of four months and a evidently advanced and advancing in half provedJ>W . I.,.' s««»« • - î'feii» , . a,. < : . i.', cite» ■ .ist* ÊS®c i6 «p U á p te- ’ -a « c ; ..<•> (a rd a » ; - h » ; «t :i.i- ..p-. r. fit rast tc. Sik i a i tnt <.*)•■ i»»- - «*»•• i o j' i: <»p ro k b: Jr- ■■ ■ ■ t l: - ; r r . ï -.. :\ t * (« à * ■ ' = ni: . :>tte ùtÿ p T o b o t«; ajiiïi.i 161 THE LATE REV. DR. MEDHURST. A t their last Anniversary, the Direc­ tors of the London Missionary Society announced that, having learnt that the health of the Rev. Dr. Medhurst had begun seriously to fail, they had in­ vited him to revisit England, for the purpose o f recruiting his enfeebled strength. Dr. Medhurst accepted the fur­ lough kindly granted by the Board, and the Christian public longed to welcome to his native shores, one who had served the cause of Missions for forty years,— a longer term of actual service than hitherto enjoyed by any Missionary on the Asiatic continent. A t a crisis, imminent as the present in the history o f our various relations with the Empire o f China,— the arrival of this honoured servant of the Church was looked for with more than usual eagerness. Our Missionary, Bible, and tract Societies were to have special interviews with him; some private friends were planning a public recep­ tion; and auxiliaries in the country had “ put down his name for their meetings.” But, before it was gene­ rally known that he had embarked for England, Dr. Medhurst had landed ;— before the friends of China were aware that he had reached their shores, Dr. Medhurst had crossed “ the narrow s e a ;” and, to most people, the first tidings o f our revered brother was in the short summary, that he had landed, had expired, and was buried. The melancholy news took every one by surprise, filling each heart with profound sorrow,— we may add, with painful disappointment,— that this dis­ tinguished man had closed his eyes in death. The life and labours o f our devoted friend were brought to a close under circumstances that greatly aggravated the affecting character o f the event, and, in some respects, were peculiarly touching. The invitation of the Direc­ tors reached Dr. Medhurst early in the beginning of last year. On receiving it, however, he resolved to complete some arrangements and various Chinese translations, on which his heart was set, and, rather against the advice of his personal friends at Shanghai, VOL. XIV. to whom his state of health had become a matter of some concern, he delayed his departure till the au­ tumn. He continued at the station long enough to see those works brought to completion. But there is reason to apprehend, that this delay of eight months was not healthful, and that labours of such a character, with some unforeseen causes o f anxiety, tended to sap a constitution already reduced, and, at his time of life, accelerated the ravages of the chronic disease which ultimately terminated his life. His cheerful spirits never flagged; and to others on the spot, as well as to him­ self, there was every reason to hope that he would recover strength by a run home to his native land. A Missionary on the same station wrote of him to a friend, under date Aug. 29th: — “ He looks much reduced since you saw him, but the sea-voyage may restore h im ; ” and the last note that friend received from himself, reads, “ I have taken my passage in the AngloSaxon, and we sail the day after to­ morrow (Sept. 10th). What an intole­ rable drudgery this packing and moving is. To an old man like myself, it is almost overwhelming ; b u t1come what come may, time and the hour run through the roughest day.’ W e are all well in health, and expect to be in England about the beginning of the year 1857.” Dr. Medhurst embarked, with his family, at Shanghai, on the 10th o f September last. During a voyage o f nearly four and a half -months, his health underwent various alternations, but awakened no material anxiety in his own mind, or in that of the family. Throughout the greater part o f the voyage, he daily pursued his Chinese studies and translations, until at length, almost by compulsion, he was induced to desist. It was as he came within these cold latitudes, that the disease that preyed on him, before and during the voyage, became more aggravated. But, not­ withstanding his extreme exhaustion, on the last Sunday before leaving the vessel (which was only five days pre­ vious to his death), Dr. Medhurst col- M 162 BIOGRAPHY. lected the passengers together, con­ ducted Divine service, and delivered an address on the words, “ Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men ; ” in which he recounted the mercies of the voyage, and related other instances in which he had been witness of “ the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.” As the vessel was coming up the river, our dear friend showed signs of impatience, and unusual anxiety to set his foot on shore ; and, at his earnest solicitation, he and his family were landed at Southend, on the evening of Wednesday, January the 22nd. He reached London on the following day, and was conveyed to apartments at Pimlico, provided by his relatives. From the time o f his landing, how­ ever, he became so enfeebled, that but faint hopes were entertained of his recovery; for what was most appre­ hended, was the effect of such extreme and long continued exhaustion at his advanced age. What the best medical advice, and the affectionate solicitude of his family and friends, could devise to arrest the disease and to sustain his weakened frame, was tried, but in vain. He sank rapidly, unable even to communicate his thoughts, wishes, or feelings to any around him. On the morning of Saturday, the 24th, he became unconscious, and continued in­ sensible and speechless until half-past eight o’clock of the evening o f the same day, when, without a word, without a moan, without a struggle,— in a quiet deep sleep he expired,— within three days o f landing. Thus terminated the days o f the Rev. Dr. Medhurst, in the sixty-first year of his age, and the for­ tieth of his Missionary labours. Theimmediatemembers ofhis family, who are left to mourn over the loss of so eminent a father, are his widow, three daughters, and one only son,— Her Britannic Majesty’s consul at Foochow, China. And without seeking to feed a prurient curiosity by such recitals, it is mournful for us to relate, that one daughter returned with her father, a wi­ dow, with an infant charge,— -that ano­ ther daughter met him on his arrival in London, to break theunexpectedintelligence, that she too had been left, a few weeks previous, in the same desolate cir­ cumstances,— that mother, two daugh­ ters, and only son, have all been widow­ ed within two years of each other; and that, since the decease of their beloved parent, they have had to commit to the cold grave one ofhis grandchildren. On the Monday following the death o f the Rev. Dr. Medhurst, when the startling intelligence first reached the Board, the Directors of the London Missionary Society at once resolved to take charge of the funeral, in order to testify their high regard for the de­ ceased. Accordingly, due arrange­ ments were made for the interment to take place, on Friday, the 30th of Jan­ uary, at Abney Park Cemetery; the place of the honoured dead of the Non­ conformist body, A deputation from the Missionary Society, together with representatives from the Bible, Tract, and Church Missionary Societies, met at the Mission-Housc, Blomfield-street. From this the mournful cortege moved to the cemetery grounds. The service was conducted, in an adjoining chapel, by the Rev. Dr. Bennett, aided by the Rev. Dr. Burder,— both surviving mem­ bers of the Board at the time of Dr. Medhurst’s appointment to China. On that occasion, we recognised a variety of faces at the grave,— laymen of diffe­ rent professions, and ministers of vari­ ous denominations, with Missionaries from each quarter of the globe, some of whom had been fellow-workers with the departed, and one, the Bishop of H ongkong;— all were there to bear their silent but willing and affectionate tribute of respect to this great and good man, who had consecrated so many years with an unwavering pur­ pose to the important work o f spread­ ing the Gospel in China, and who had left a noble example behind him of one who, in the Missionary circle, was pre-eminent for being “ diligent in bu­ siness, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” It is impossible, with the space allowed in these pages, to enter into a lengthened or minute narrative of the life and labours o f the subject of this notice. W e can only mention a few salient points in his history, with pass­ ing reflections thereon. 1st. His conversion is an instance that affords encouragement, both to the minis­ ter in the pulpit and to the earnest Chris­ tian in the family circle.— Our friend, Walter Henry Medhurst, was born in London, in 1796, and left the Metro­ polis for the city of Gloucester, about the age o f fourteen. In Gloucester he was known as an interesting youth, b io g r a p h y . 163 but without the fear o f G o d ; fond of the theatre, dancing, etc., and, indeed, the life of the parties he joined. Shortly after he removed to this city, — an elder brother, William, a midship­ man, returned to England on sick leave,— also a very wild irregular fel­ low. However, it happened one Sun­ day evening as William was strolling through the heart of London, he stumbled into Weighhouse Chapel, the pulpit o f which was, at that time, occu­ pied by the late Rev. John Clayton. Mr. Clayton’s sermon was the means of arresting the young man’s serious attention. H e was pricked to the heart, and he went home that night a new creature. Feeling extremely anx­ ious about the soul of his younger brother Walter, William forthwith opened a correspondence with him, on the necessity of personal religion and religious decision. residence were open on the Sunday afternoons, this young convert took to distributing tracts in those drinking rooms, till persecution arose, and he was forcibly expelled. Nothing daunt­ ed, he next undertook Sabbath-school instruction. Indeed, the first interview the Christian friends at Southgate Chapel had with him was on a Sunday afternoon, when, without ceremony, and without introduction, he walked into their Sunday-school rooms, and, on being asked what his errand was, replied, “ Have you anything for me to do here? I want to teach some chil­ dren.” About this time (December, 1813) he joined the congregational church, under the pastoral care of the llev. William Bishop; after which, partly at the instance o f his brother already named, he began to direct his attention to the inhabitants o f the benighted villages around Gloucester. To redeem a promise he made at the earnest request of his elder brother, Walter went on a Sunday evening to the Southgate Chapel, Glouces­ ter, to hear the Rev. Mr. Bishop. The minister had begun his sermon, but in its course repeated his text, which was in these words: “ A firebrand plucked out of the burning.” The youth felt the words as if addressed to him, and, through the Divine spirit, they fell upon him as the power of God unto salvation. This was the time in his Christian history, to which the departed one used to refer as that ot his true conversion to God. What may not a converted elder bro­ Earnest zeal for his Saviour’s glory glowed in his bosom, as he gave him­ self on the Sabbath-days to these village efforts; sometimes iu a small chapel, sometimes in an humble cottage; or, if prejudice denied that, on an open village green, addressing the assembled villagers, and urging sinners to repent­ ance, and faith in Christ Jesus. While he was engaged in these home labours, the perusal of letters from Drs. Morri­ son and Milne kindled in him a desire to go as a Missionary to distant lands, and at last, the dying request o f bis brother, that he would devote himself to the work in China, fixed his deter­ mination. ther do, as an instrument in converting W e see here the germ of the Mis­ and guiding the young ideas o f juniors sionary spirit, first manifesting itself in the family ! The seed that was cast in “ charity at home,” gradually matur­ in Weighhouse Chapel, almost fifty ing in tract distributing, Sabbath-school years ago, fell on good soil; was car­ teaching, or village preaching, and ried by a brother’s hand into a brother’s ultimately developed in “ labours more heart, and, through that brother, has abundant ” iu the populous empire of been sown in China. God grant that China. And is it not so, more or less, it may yet bring forth a hundred fold with every active Missionary to the 10 hisi own glory and honour ! heathen abroad? Where is there one, 11 • ^ atc^‘ the rise and progress of who, before he went forth to Pagan life mnary spirit in his early religious lands, was not first trained and pre­ pared lor the arduous enterprise, by Immediately upon his change of labours at home,— along the highways mind, he conierred not with flesh and blood, but strove to be useful to those with whom he came iu direct contact. His first step was to separate himself from his gay companions; but not un­ til he had invited them to join him in his new course. Then, finding that the public houses in the vicinity of his and hedges,— or in the streets and lanes, in various departments o f Chris­ tian service? 3rdly. Murk his entrance into the Mis­ sionary field. His early education was limited,— chiefly received at St. Paul’s Cathedral School, London. On going to Glouces- M2 164 BIOGRAPHY. ter with his parents, he was apprenticed to Mr. Wood, a printer and stationer in that city. But, as his heart began to fire with a desire to seek a place in the Missionary field, an advertisement appeared for a printer to join the Mis­ sion at Malacca. This seemed as if Providence had opened the door for him. He applied for the appointment; and, in the spring of 1816, being in his twentieth year, he was recommended by his pastor to the Directors of the London Missionary Society. They accepted the offer of his services, and appointed him to co-operate with Dr. Milne at Malacca. Preparatory to hi3 departure, he was sent, for three months, to Hackney College, and placed under the instruction of its president, the late Rev.Dr. Collison. In Septem­ ber o f the same year he sailed for his destination.— That youth, a printer’s lad from Gloucester, o f but scanty education, and without collegiate in­ struction, w'ent forth in the simple capacity of Missionary printer; but, by untiring self-application, in course o f time he became a proficient in the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages ; qualified himself for the work o f the ministry; and ultimately rose to emi­ nence as the first Chinese scholar of his day, and, without disrespect to others, we may say, the most laborious Missionary of this century. It is a remarkable coincidence, that the three pioneers o f the Protestant cause in China, were at first youths of humble estate, unpretending education, and, humanly speaking, little promise ; Morrison, a last maker ; Milne, a shep­ herd b o y ; Medhurst, a printer’s la d ; but, under the eye o f heaven, these were chosen as the early Ambassadors to the “ land o f Sinim,” and “ in all things approved themselves as the ministers o f God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in labours, in watchings.” In other parts of the Missionary field, instances o f the same character have occurred. And now that our Missionary So­ cieties are looking through our col­ leges, as if without hope, for young men o f talent and education to go forth to the heathen, — is there not something in the instances cited, to chide such highflying ambition ? Are our Missionary Boards safe, if they look out only for educated talent, or refined genius, in the candidates for Missionary service? Had the last- maker, or the shepherd boy, or the printer's lad, in these days applied to be sent forth as labourers into the harvest, would not their addresses have been rejected? In this time of lack o f men for the Missionary field, a voice speaks from the tomb o f such a man as Medhurst: “ Wherefore, bre­ thren, look ye out among you men of honest report, full o f the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom ye may appoint over this business.” 4thly. A brief outline o f his Mission­ ary labours will suffice to show, that no Missionary was ever better fur­ nished for his work, or, under God, accomplished more to justify the most sanguine expectations. The more im­ mediate object o f Mr. Medhurst’s first duties was to superintend the Mission­ ary press at Malacca; but, showing suit­ able qualifications for preaching the word, he was ordained by the Rev. Dr. Milne and his colleagues to the work o f the ministry, in „1819. During a number o f years, he continued to labour, in succession, at the various stations occupied by the Society in the Malayan Archipelago, and more espe­ cially at Batavia, where he laboured continuously for twenty-two years. Throughout this period, he made rapid and remarkable attainments in the Malay, Javanese,and Chinese languages, devoting his various attainments in the promotion of the single aim of his life, the glory of God in saving sinners. In 1836, he paid a visit to England, returning to Batavia in 1838. Upon the five ports of the Chinese empire being opened to foreigners, by the Nanking Treaty of 1842, Dr. Medhurst removed to Shanghai, and, in conjunc­ tion with his colleagues, commenced that Mission,— which he never quitted until last September, when, with a broken and enfeebled constitution, he embarked for England. W ith exemplary diligence Dr. Med­ hurst employed his “ gift o f tongues ” during his prolonged residence among the Chinese, till he acquired a perfect mastery of some of the chief dialects in China (the Fuhkien, the Mandarin, and the Shanghai), and was enabled, not only to converse, but to preach the Gospel to natives o f different parts of the country, with a fluency and a clearness that very— very few even of the natives of China can boast of. But his acquaintance with the “ book language ” of China was perhaps more b io g r a ph y . 165 remarkable than his knowledge of some of their spoken languages. By his acquisitions in the literature depart­ ment, he could wade with facility through very obscure writings, and offer perspicuous explanations of pas­ sages sometimes unintelligible to the literati that visited him. Independently of various transla­ tions of tracts, too numerous to par­ ticularize here, the great work of trans­ lating the New Testament into the colloquial Mandarin (aided by the Rev. John Stronach, of Amoy), the Liturgy of the Church of England (which he undertook at the request of the Bishop o f Victoria), and last, but not least, the revision of the entire Bible of the Old and New Testament Scriptures, which was brought to a completion by 5thly. O f his character as a Christian, we can say from personal acquaintance and reminiscence, that he was a true and faithful disciple o f Jesus ; not sin­ less, not without fault;— but pure in doc­ trine, deriving all his views of Chris­ tian truth from the fountain o f evan­ gelism— “ the Bible, the Bible only,” which he daily consulted ; full o f faith, through life humbly relying on the blood of the Lamb for pardon and sal­ vation, and leaning on the arm o f the Almighty Spirit to give success to his labours in seeking to save the lo s t ; earnest, fervent, ardent, glowing with love to God and zeal for h im ; cheerful, not dull, gloomy, or unlively, but him­ self happy, and making others “ joyful in the L o rd ; ” honest, without guile, without hypocrisy, open, candid, our honoured brother in conjunction straightforward, and transparent; given with the other associated delegates, to prayer, endowed with a gift for will form a signal memorial o f his prayer, and always ready for it ; active, success in improving the “ five talents” never inert, never slumbering, but delivered to him by his Lord and “ instant in season and out of season ” Master. Besides, we may observe, about his Master’s business; firm, and that in preaching the Gospel he was consistent, steadfast in his profession, as ready and diligent as in translations; and for nearly half a century one of in the temple or the market, the chapel “ the faithful in Christ Jesus ; ” and to or the shop, the town or the country, the end animated by the hope of the glory distributing the message of glad tidings o f God, anticipating, as his favourite to all alike, proclaiming peace on earth hymn says (the last hymn, too, in and good will to m en; and, till within singing which he called together his a few months of leaving Shanghai, family to join with him a day or two preaching once every day, and often before landing), “ Jerusalem, Jerusa­ three times on the Sabbath. He yearned lem, my happy home.” to see souls converted among the large His Christian hopes are already audiences that frequented his ministry ; realized, sooner realized than he him­ and during the latter years of his self expected,— sooner than we wished, residence he was gratified to see a but so soon as the Lord o f heaven saw church growing around him o f thirty he was “ meet for the inheritance o f or forty members, gathered from sur­ rounding pagans, some of them giving the saints in light.” Thither hath our friend and brother gone, not to spend themselves to works o f faith and la­ an eternity in idleness or inactivity. bours of love among their countrymen. He hath gone to a sphere o f light and To the last we find this servant o f the glory, in which the gigantic talents Church, with estimable singleness of that had been developed in his labours mind, devoting his generally robust for an empir« o f darkness, are already health, his untiring zeal, and marvel­ consecrated “ to serve God and the lous energies to the great work of Lamb day and night without ceasing.” evangelizing the Chinese; throwing Cthly. W e cannot overlook the singu­ into this service all his natural and lar coincidence, that the Rev. Dr. Morri­ acquired endowments, his large expe­ rience, his profound knowledge of the language and the institutions of his adopted sphere; so that, while we are now called to mourn over his loss, we have great reason to thank the Head of the Church that he had raised up, and long spared to us, one so eminently qualified to do the work of an evan­ gelist in the empire o f China. son first embarked for China on the 31st o f January, 1807, and that the funeral of our esteemed friend Dr. Medhurst took place on the 30th of January, 1857. Thus endeth the fiftieth year of our Protestant Mission to China, with an event unexpected and mournful— a loss that can only be fully appreciated by his colleagues in the field, to whom his 166 DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. various labours have become familiar — a loss that we in this country deeply feel at a juncture in the history of China like the present. Still, the work of evangelizing China is to proceed, it will go on, it must advance; and, among other lessons impressed on the friends o f the Chinese mission, this is ptominent, that it is not in man to direct its steps, and its crowning suc­ cesses rest not with human talent or influence, but with him alone who hath all power in heaven and on earth. To our missionary brethren in China gene­ rally,— in Shanghai especially,— the ti­ dings that their senior in the mission has been summoned away will be peculiarly afflictive ; and if, to their stricken hearts, any expression of sym­ pathy or condolence can even afford a mite o f comfort, we do assure them, with all our heart, they have the fra­ ternal sympathy of the Churches of Christ in Great Britain. In connection with the decease of this veteran missionary, another inci­ dent has been brought to our know­ ledge, fraught, we believe, with lessons of no mean importance to the Christian church o f the present day. In their preliminary arrangements for their next anniversary (in May of the pre­ sent year), the Board of the London Missionary Society had selected the Rev. Dr. Harris and the Rev. Dr. Medhurst to preach the missionary ser­ mons,— the one in Surrey Chapel,— the other at the Tabernacle ; and that day was anticipated with satisfaction when the one should awaken our Congrega­ tional churches by his pious, silvery eloquence, and the other by his stern, stirring facts. But— both are already gathered to their fathers. Both are now slumber­ ing in the vaults of the silent dead at Abney Park. To each the command had come forth, “ Go thy way, for the words are closed up and sealed.” “ My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord : for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” W . C. M. g om esifc A ffa irs. PARENTAL UNFAITHFULNESS. BY DR. CHALMERS. How strange it is that the same parent who is so intent on the preferment of his children in the world, should be so utterly listless of their prospects, nor put forth one endeavour to obtain for them preferment in heaven— that he who would mourn over it as the sorest o f his family trials, should one o f them be bereft of any of the corporeal senses, and yet should take it so easily although none of them have a right sense of God or a right principle o f godliness— that he, who would be so sorely astounded did any of his little ones perish in a conflagration or a storm, should be so unmoved by all the fearful things that are reported o f the region on the other side o f death, where the fury of an incensed Lawgiver is poured upon all who have not fled to Christ as their refuge from the tempest, and they are made to lie down in the devouring fire, and to dwell with everlasting burnings — that to avert from the objects of our tenderness the calamities, or to obtain for them the good things o f this pre­ sent life, there shall be so much of care and of busy expedient, while not one practical measure is taken either to avert from them that calamity which is the most dreadful, or to secure for them that felicity which is the most glorious. W hy there is indeed such obvious demonstration in all this of time being regarded as our all, and eternity being counted by us as nothing — so light an esteem in it o f that God, an inheritance in whom we treat as of far more value for those who are dear to us than that they should be made richly to inherit the gifts o f his pro­ vidence— such a preference for our­ selves, and for the fleeting generations that come after us, of the shortlived creature to the Creator who endureth for ever, as most strikingly to mark, even by the very loves and amiable sen­ sibilities o f our hearts, how profoundly SUNDAY AT HOME. a25 our pleasure; now , they are our frien d s; and it is no disgrace among us for a man to love his wife and show kindness to her, and bear the burdens himself which were aforetime laid spent his teens at St. Paul’s cathedral grammar school, and then removed to the city of Glouces­ ter, where he was apprenticed to a printer, of the name of W ood. The sprightly character of upon the poor squaw.” the youth had already begun to be developed. In brief words, after this, and at painful H is face was open, frank, liv ely , un cloud ed; intervals of weakness and fainting, Tekoma his manners were brisk, quick, w in n in g ; his bade farewell to his friends individually. speech ready, off-hand, straightforward, some­ Where was their boasted native stoicism now ? times blunt, and often racy with humour : what Gone ; swallowed up in natural sorrow. Tears he did, he did from the heart, promptly and ran down faces unused to weep, even in the w ithout d e la y ; and what he enjoyed, he en­ extremity of bodily pain. They wept freely joyed to the very core and thoroughly. This now, as to some the dying chief whispered— was all right and legitimate. It was perfectly for his voice had now sunk to a whisper-— ex­ natural to him. It was the man him self— just hortations to live in peace, and to love one w hat the same man afterwards was in Java and another, even as Christ had loved th em ; and China— precisely what he was at twenty, and in not to separate from their fellow Christians, his declining days. H is original vivacity never because it was the natural warmth of Christian forsook him, as all that knew him can testify. love that kept the flame of love to Christ burn­ But, before he was fourteen years of age, his ing brightly in their souls. Others he ex­ native liveliness gave way to an insidious horted to seek the Lord while he was to be influence. It ran in “ the broad road to destruc­ found, and to abandon the evil practices which tion,” assuming a type objectionable and hurt­ still clung to them, and to put no trust in the ful ; for he became a frequenter of theatres, vain and false Manitous, but in the living and other places of questionable amusement. Saviour. H e exhorted them all to obedience There he was plunging fast intq the whirl of to the laws, which, with the assistance and by giddy dissipation. But, through a kind provi­ the advice o f Tuweeksung, their friend and dence, ho was stayed, in a manner not strik­ teacher, had been framed for the government ing or wonderful, but so decided that a visible of the to w n ; * and to follow peace, as m uch as change came over the complexion of his life. ■wag possible, w ith all men, especially with H e had an elder brother, named W illiam , who their heathen brethren around. was a sailor. B y a fall from the topmast, he Then lie laid bis hand affectionately on Semo- broke his leg, and was sent home to London. quin, intimating rather than expressing his A t first, one would say that this accident was desiro that their choice of a future chief might fall upon h im ; and last of all in this solemn scene, and while the cold dews o f death stood on his brow, and the film of death glazed his eyes, the lips of Tekoma moved as though in fervent though inaudible prayer, while he gently sank back into the arms of Mark Thoresby. The scene was o v er; the shades of evening had fallen ; the inanimate body of the old chief unfortunate, but the ultimate results of this disaster mado “ the lame man leap as a hart,” and say, “ it is good for me that I have been afflicted.” H e had hitherto lived “ without the fear of God before his eyes ;” but, one sabbath evening, as he hobbled along the centre of Lon­ don, he sighted the old W eigh-House Chapel, at that time occupied by the congregation under the pastoral eare o f the late Rev. John had been tenderly conveyed to its former habi­ Clayton. Partly weary, partly curious, he tation, and the spirit had returned to God who walked in to take a seat. The straggler’s gave it. attention was caught. A message from God that evening fell upon the youth’s ear, “ quick, THE LATE DR. MEDHUEST, powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword,” and was the effective means of softening his MISSIONARY TO CHINA. heart. Im m ediately on his conversion, \Yilliam T he first ^epoch o f W alter H en ry Medhurst’s felt intense anxiety about the spiritual state of life is easily and briefly told. H e was b o m in his brother W alter, and wrote to him from 1796, “ within the sound of B ow b e l l s ;” he London, affectionately urging him to attend to the concerns o f religion. W illia m also exacted * ‘ At an assembly of Sachems and other principalfrom his younger brother a promise that he Indians, they agreed to repress, by heavy fines, all in­ temperance, conjuring, falsehood, theft, profanation of the Lord’s day, impurity, gambling, and quarrelling. They to seek after God, to understand and escape the tempta­ determined to punish adultery and murder with death; tions of Satan, to improve their time, to live peaceably they resolved to abandon their old practices of howling witli one another, to labour after humility, to pay their for the dead, and of adorning their hair and greasing debts, and to establish prayer in their habitations.' their bodies; they expressed their desire and resolution Life of the Rev. John Eliot. 326 SUNDAY A T HOME. would go to the Independent chapel, in Southgate-street, Gloucester, and hear tho licv. W illiam Bishop preach. To redeem that promise, W alter went. Seeing the chapel door open, ho slunk in, and took a pew nearest the door, not daring to hold up his head. Ho felt he was a stranger in a strange place, and ex­ perienced no little awkwardness. Mr. Bishop had already commenced his serm on; but, re­ peating his text shortly after the wandering youth had entered— “ a firebrand plucked out of the burning,” (Amos iv. 11)— the words came w ith divine power on the heart of this hearer. H e thought that he himself was ad­ dressed personally, and he left the chapel con­ vinced that Mr. B. must have known all about his former life and his giddy irreligion. The impressions thus made, deepened, till he became “ a new creature in Christ Jesus.” A t this era of his history, W alter, w ith the life, warmth, and promptitude so characteristic of him, betook himself to various plans of work­ ing in his Saviour’s service. D uring the week-days ho kept to the printer’s desk ; but on Sunday, he wjis up with the lark, teaching tho young in sabbath schools, givin g away tracts in the highways and lanes, or in villages around, and addressing the people on the way of salva­ tion. In spite o f occasional opposition, his zeal in the service of God increased, and his heart burned w ithin him to be em ployed in some pagan sphere as an evangelist. A n opening at last appeared. The services o f a missionary printer were much needed at Malacca, a station occupied by Dr. M ilne in the Malayan Archipelago. Hearing of this, Mr. Medhurst applied to the London Missionary Society, tendering his services as a printer. H is application being supported by his pastor a t Gloucester, and the church o f w hich he was a member, he was acceptod. H aving turned his twentieth year, Mr. Medhurst em­ barked from his native shores, in September, 1816 ; but, through the detention of the vessel a t Madras, he did not reach Malacca for nearly a twelvemonth afterwards. H is arrival was hailed w ith delight by D r. M ilne, who at once transferred to his new colleague the sole care of the printing department. From the period of his arrival at his destina­ tion, Mr. M . continued till 1843 to labour in succession at the various stations occupied by the London Missionary Society in the Indian Archipelago, especially at Batavia. H e devoted this entire period of twenty-seven years to every conceivable scheme of missionary effort in the straits o f Malacca— to tho study of various languages, to translations, school-instruction, printing, itinerating and preaching, being “ instant in season and out o f season.” H o paid a short visit to England in 1837 and 1838, where he was laboriously engaged in making his appeals to the Christian churches on behalf of China, and likewise prepared his interesting work, entitled, “ China, its State and Prospects.” On the five Chinese ports being opened to foreigners by the Nanking treaty of 1842, Mr. Medhurst was removed from Batavia to Shang­ hai. In conjunction w ith his colleagues, ho opened that mission, where he laboured with exemplary patience and zeal till he re-embarked for England in September, 1856— just forty years after he had first quitted his native shores as an ambassador to the Gentiles. A s neither time nor space w ill admit a lengthened detail o f his useful labours, a few brief notices o f the prominent scenes of the last fourteen years of his life must suffice. Adventure was an element in th e character o f our deceased friend, but it was accom­ panied w it h discreet and cautious prudence. While in his occasional flightB of enterprise the appetite for the curious and romantic was satisfied, his chief object in undertaking them was the prosecution o f his missionary work, or, as he in one case observed, “ to discover facilities for tract distribution and free inter­ course among the natives of the interior.” O f t h is nature was h is voyage along t h e coast of China as far as the Shantung promontory. This was taken in 1835, during the months of September and October, several years previous to the opening o f th e ports o f China. A small foreign brig was placed at h is service by some Christian merchants at Canton, manned by English seamen, and commanded b y an English captain. H e w a s accompanied by an American missionary, Mr. Stevens. Dr. Medhurst was greatly delighted w ith this trip, and was san­ guine as t o t h e results lik ely to f o l l o w from it. A t the end of that voyage, he drew up the follow ing summary o f i t :— “ I have gone through various parts of four provinces and many villages, giving away about 18,000 volumes, of which 6000 were portions of Scrip­ ture, amongst a cheerful and willing people, without meeting with the least aggression or in ju ry ; having been always received b y the people w ith a cheerful smile, and most generally by the officers w ith politeness and respect. I pray that the Divine blessing may descend on the seed sown, and make it bring forth an abundant harvest.” But, shortly after opening the Shanghai mission, he undertook another journey, still more novel and hazardous, into the interior of the country— extending to a distance of GOO or 700 miles from the coast. H is companion or guide in this undertaking was a converted SUNDAY AT HOME. 327 Chinese. Under his pilotage, Dr. M . quitted Shanghai on the 27th of March, 1845, leaving his wife and family at that mission station; and, having taken a glance at the interior of China, or rather at the silk and green tea districts, he returned in safety to the circle of his friends on the 14th of M ay, after an absenco of more than six weeks. During this rapid run through some o f the middle provinces of the empire, D r. Medhurst learned a great deal of the real condition of the country and the people, but was greatly em­ barrassed in any attempt to distribute tracts or preach the gospel, by the natural fear that the detection of a foreigner in disguise might in­ volve his confidante and guide in serious con­ sequences. One conclusion to which lw was then led was, that a Christian missionary could not carry out the purposes of his mission effectively under the assumed garb and guise of a Chinaman. Throughout these six Weeks o f interior travels, he had been disguised as such. H e “ put on ” the dress and manners of a native. B eing an fait at the language, there was little in this to lead to discovery. But there were three things which he felt very awkward about, and which he considered likely to place his incognito in je o p a r d y : first, his light-coloured e y e s ; secondly* his want o f a queue; and thirdly, eating with chopsticks. On the first occasion o f difficulty, Dr» Mi himself subsequently rem arked: “ Should the eyes of the traveller be of a light colour, it would be better to conceal them by spectacles, plain or coloured; both o f which m ay bo obtained, made o f rock crystal, affording suffi­ cient protection to the eye from the glare, and, as they are very large, screening it, when pass­ ing through large cities, from the curious gaze of spectators. The best kind to be worn are glasses made of (what is called) the tea stone, about two inches in diameter, with black var­ nished rims and made to fit w ith strings behind the ears. W h en travelling through mountain­ ous districts or secluded villages, spectacles made of plain crystal would answer the purpose, as the country people are not so much accus­ tomed to seo persons walking about w ith coloured glasses, as are those who live in towns. The foreign traveller had better be particular in this matter, as the eyes are the first things that attract notice, and may be the most likely to lead to tlie discovery of his origin.” A second desideratum, which Dr. Medhurst found essential in his preliminary arrange­ ments, was to assimilate his coiffure to that of a Chinaman, that he might pass unobserved through the interior. For this purpose, he underwent the shaving o f the head, all but the crown, and the appending of a long plait (which wo call “ a tail ”) to the hair of the crown. That an artificial queue like this should some­ times drop off was to be expected ; and that, in the case o f a foreigner in disguise, its falling off should awaken some anxiety, was not to be wondered at. In his journal of their tour, Dr. Medhurst mentions the following incident: “ After sitting at table sometimes, engaged in discussion (w ith a party of natives), I rose and retired to the bedroom ; but, in a few minutes afterwards, I observed m y guide coming in with m y queue in his hand. It had dropped off whilst I was sitting in the chair, and had been left behind» M y guide was greatly agitated as he brought in the detached queue, and I could not help sym pathizing with him. H e said that he had just escaped a fearful danger; for, had the queue become loose or fallen off during our previous march, or at any one of the numerous iuns and tea-shops at which we put up, we could not have prevented our secret being dis­ covered. H o proceeded as speedily as possiblo to remedy the dalnage. This he did by un­ winding the locks o f hair in the queue and tying them separately with thread on to tho locks o f m y own hair behind the crown. 11is fear lest another accident of the kind should happen, made him tie the knot so much faster as greatly to inconvenience me. This, however, was cheerfully borne, and greater care of course was taken in future* lest a like mishap should occur in a more public place, where the evil might be irreparable.” There was a third dilemma in which our missionary traveller found himself, as ho got amongst the genuine natives o f the interior of tho empire. It was occasioned by his clumsy and awkward use of the “ chopsticks.” Here­ tofore, he had always used the English knife, fork, or spoon ; but to do in China as tho Chinese do, ho must put these utensils aside for the “ nimble lads,” as they designate the pair of common sticks employed in eating their food. Dr. M . jotted down his account of a visit he paid to an intimate friend of his guide, at a large town in tho grcen-tea dis­ trict. “ M y fellow traveller being well ac­ quainted with tho manager of one of tho tea establishments, we stopped at his house for tho night. On alighting from our sedan chairs, we were greeted with a kindly welcome by the host, who entertained us in a hospitablo man­ ner, and treated us with every mode of kind­ ness and respect. W e were first regaled with basins o f hot verm icelli s o u p ; and, as tho evoning set in, a large feast was prepared for us in the central hall. Tho lights upon tho table, however, were very dim, and as I wore a pair of dark-coloured spectacles, to prevent any remarks being made upon my eyes, I was <328 SUNDAY AT HOME. P O R T R A IT O P 2. M KDH L'R ST. unable distinctly to see what was in the dishes before me. W ith a great deal of difficulty I was enabled to take up w ith the chopsticks a few pieces of meat from the dishes in the middle of the table, which I not unfrequently let fall before they reached my plate or could be con­ veyed to m y mouth. Our kind host saw the dilemma I was in, and persisted in assisting me to secure the most dainty bits and lodge them in m y plate. H e must liavo seen, however, that I behaved myself most awkwardly, and acted as no Chinaman would have done under the circumstances. Indeed, nothing but his native politeness could have led him to over­ look the slips, or prevented him from attributing them to the right causes, namely, a want of familiarity with the instrument employed. H is son, a young man between twenty and thirty, certainly suspected something unusual in the strange guest, for I could perceive him watching m y motions and eyeing me from top to toe. I was glad, therefore, when the feast was ended, and we removed from the ill- lighted table to a still more gloom y part o f the room.” After sundry encounters and novel adven­ tures, our traveller at the expiration o f six or seven weeks returned, gratified with his rusti­ cation in the heart of China, and resumed with his wonted energy the ordinary duties of his station at Shanghai. In a future paper we shall see the result of his exertions. i, SUNDAY AT HOME. 341 security and civilization, and domestic comfort, j They met generally in a square or open place, which might have been sought for in vain where the passengers could not be incommoded, in that or any neighbouring spot, a few years and at the close of these public harangues qui- before; while the spacious edifice for Christian worship, now thronged w ith devout listeners to the Word of L ife — the great word— and the quiet which reigns in the town, where scarcely an inhabitant can bo seen, would tell o f at e ly retired, or made a way for Laou-mih (as they designated their foreign teacher) to pass out. On these interesting occasions for scat­ tering “ the good seed,” tho “ sower” met with encouragement from the people everywhere. least an outward observance o f the sabbath, such as in Christian communities of larger op­ portunities and longer standing, would scarcely Indeed, the only trouble experienced was from the too great anxiety of the natives to crowd round the preacher, and to obtain from, him a be found. j tract. A t present, this difficulty is what every Enter the habitations— you m ay, for they are | missionary in China has to encounter; so that, unsecured b y locks or bolts— and you w ill find 1 in the distribution o f books, he is compelled to them deserted by all but here and there the give them carefully and cautiously to those who sick or infirm, and their needful attendants. seem able to read. A n y attempt at distributing The mystery, i f there be one, is explained ; for them in the face o f a crowd generally ends listen, from yonder Christian assembly, the in the tracts being pulled in pieces, through song of praise rises and fills the air with music to which angels do not disdain to listen, from the united voices of “ young men and maidens, the eagerness o f the people to secure copies. But there was one missionary tour of the above description, from which D r. Medhurst old men and children,” whose only songs would returned after a narrow escape from death. once have been the war-whoop, the yell of The danger in question was incurred in tho triumph or defeat, and the boasted and boasting month of March, 1848, at a town thirty miles death-song. from Shanghai, called Tsingpoo, from which every year a large fleet of “ grain junks” pro­ ceeds along the imperial canal to the metro­ THE LATE DE. MEDHUEST, polis, Pekin, bearing the taxed produce o f each MISSIONARY TO CHINA. PART II. province. A good opportunity was thus af­ forded for distributing tracts among the mari­ F r o m the very opening of the mission, Dr. ners of China, and, through them, for circulat­ Medliurst had been in the habit of preaching ing G od’s W ord in the northern parts of the to large numbers o f Chinese, first in his own empire. Tsingpoo had been visited for this house, and latterly in chapels built in the city purpose in 1847 with great success. On the for that purpose. One of them was erected return o f D r. M edhurst in 1848 to this door of partly by the subscriptions of native residents entrance, he found that many of these inland and merchants, who, although they were them­ sailors were out o f employ, and that most of selves bigotted idolaters, so far resigned their them had their claims on the Chinese govern­ religious prejudices, that they m ight give somo real and tangible evidence of good-w ill to the foreigners, who had come to them from a far country with the view of teaching them the way of salvation. The success of the m is­ sionary was daily apparent; at least, his power ment unadjusted. There was, in consequence, dissatisfaction prevailing among them. They had grown reck less; and, in this condition of indolenco and impatience, they seemed ready for any disturbance, and especially to annoy or insult foreigners, if not to rob them. in gathering large audiences that had never D r. Medhurst reached Tsingpoo early on the heard a syllable of Jesus and his truth. Some­ m orning o f March the 8th, w ith two o f his col­ times, in that chapel, as m any as five hundred leagues ; and, as his custom was, proceeded to natives have been assembled. D uring the whole distribute tracts from house to house. From of the services, they preserved the greatest the turbulent temper existing among the junk­ decorum and stillness, and, at the conclusion, the people invariably dispersed in order and quiet to their respective homes or avocations. D r. Medhurst was also in the habit o f preach­ ing in the various towns within the lim it of °ne day’s journey from his station at Shanghai. At these places he often gave notice of his ap­ proaching visit a short time previously, by Cleans o f small hand-bills stuck upon the walls, and on reaching the spot he used to find the people assembled in hundreds to hear him. men, no public preaching was attempted. W h ile engaged in tract distribution, how­ ever, a number o f Shantung navigators came behind the missionaries, pushing and striving to get a larger number o f tracts than would properly fall to their share, throwing stones also, shouting, and yelling. Dr. Medhurst turned about, and facing tho mob, asked what they meant by making such a disturbance ; ho desired, too, to know who the ringleaders were, that they and lie m ight both appear before tho 342 SUNDAY A T HOME. native magistrate. Upon this, the mob became still, and m oving to each side of the street, left a free passage for the missionaries, who proceeded quietly in their work till it was time to return to their boats. They had not got above half a mile, however, from the gates of Tsingpoo, when they observed a crowd of peo­ ple rushing after them with the most infuri­ ated looks and gestures, and armed with poles, bars, swords, and chains. Dr. Medhurst, with his companions, began to talk calmly with the mon, but to no purpose ; he was attacked most furiously by the rabble. A t last, unable to make head against such numbers o f armed men, he and some missionaries that accom­ panied him ran for their lives. The race con­ tinued for more than a mile ; but they were overtaken. The pursuers came on in increas­ ing numbers and with redoubled fury, cutting off all chance of retreat. Another attempt at parley was made, but in v a in ; for they ap- roached nearer and nearer, w ith long poles, eavy hoes, ponderous rakes, and other rough weapons. W h ile warding off the blows aimed at him, D r. Medhurst was struck from behind on the crown of the head; and being stunned, he fell on the ground. The cowardly assailants, seeing their victim prostrate, rushed upon him, struck him w ith their clubs while ly in g on his face, and wounded him severely on the knee w ith a blunt sword. A s plunder was their main object, they proceded to rob him of his watch, spectacles, cane, cap, etc. The other missionaries shared a similar fate : but Dr. Medhurst, felt the attack the more severely at his tim e o f li f e ; and it was only through the watchful providenpe of God that the blows did not cause immediate death. After the work of pillage was over, the ruf­ fians forced their captives back to the city, dealing out fresh blow s when any reluctance was shown, or any appeal for rescue was made. But, by the time the escort reached the city gates, the grain junkmen had, o n e . by one, slunk away. The townspeople disowned the savagery which had been perpetrated on their foreign visitors, and showed the utmost sympa­ thy. The looal magistrate conducted the suf­ ferers into his audience-room, and having given them refreshment, put down the particulars of the outrage. H e further promised to punish the aggressors, and to use every means for restoring the stolen articles. H av in g provided sedans to convoy the disabled missionaries back to their own boats, he despatched two m ilitary and two civil officers to escort and protect them from further harm. They at last reached their station at Shanghai in safety, but smarting (especially D r. Medhurst) under the wounds and miseries inflicted. This, we believe, was the only instance in which, on the shores of China, our venerable friend met with such rough handling, from people who hitherto and hereafter invariably respected and honoured the very name of Medhurst. As a missionary, Dr. Medhurst united the unwearied application of a student with the active duties of an evangelist. H is attainments in oriental languages and literature were ex­ tensive ; but his knowledge o f the Chinese tongue was, both for its accuracy and extent, unrivalled. In addition to several philological works, designed to facilitate the acquisition of Chinese, D r. M . was the author of numerous treatises and tracts, explanatory of the divine principles o f Christianity— works which have had an extensive circulation in the interior of the empire. B ut the revision and transla­ tion of the entire Bible, in which (while he was greatly aided by his surviving coadjutors, Messrs. Stronach and M ilne) ho was the most efficient labourer, w ill bo his memorial through future ages among the myriads of the Chinese, who, b y the grace and power of the H oly Spirit resting upon it, m ay be turned front dumb idols to serve the living God. Dr. Medhurst was the translator of the N ew Tes­ tament version, of which a few years since the Christian churches of Great Britain voted one million copies to be given to the Chinese people. This great and useful man, having been in the missionary field full forty years, left the adopted land of his toil and labour on the 10th of September, 1856. lie quitted it, thank­ ful that God had spared his life to see that the country was opened to Christian enter­ prise ; that the interest of the churches had been directed to the claims of C h in a ; that there were already in the field one hundred missionaries from various nations and Christian denominations, w hile every' form of effort was in active operation. H e rejoiced especially that three great objects of his life had been realised ■— the preparat ion o f a Chinese dictionary to help English students, the foundation of a Christian church over which he was pastor at Shanghai for several years, and the revision of the whole Bible in the Chinese tongue. But, though he left China at the advanced age of sixty, and with a broken constitution, he still hoped to return to it and spend the remnant of his days there. H ow ever, it was otherwise arranged by an allwise Providence. A chronic disease, which had hung about him several months pre­ vious to his leaving Shanghai, continued to un­ dermine his strength, so that when he landed in England on the 21st of January of the current year, he was a wreck, so shattered that he was not even recognised by those who had been most intimate with him abroad. H e died SUNDAY AT HOME. 343 ■within throe days o f his landing. D uring a advantage o f correspondence w ith D r. M ed­ part of this brief space allotted him in his hurst, and were anticipating the gratification native land, he, from prudential motives, was of personal conference with him on various kept, very quiet, so that ho spoke little to any subjects connected w ith the dissemination of person about him, and towards the close he the Scriptures in the country to whose re­ was quite insensible and speechless. H e ex­ ligious well-being he had devoted his life, pired at half-past eight o’clock on tho even­ when the tidings of his death reached them ; ing of Saturday the 24th of January, without and while they cannot avoid the conviction a struggle. Thus ended the life of a Hercules that the removal of D r. Medhurst is an event in missionary labours and success. Th e London deeply to be deplored, they desire to bow in Missionary Society provided for the burial of submission to this mysterious dispensation of their veteran a gen t; and deputations from that Providence, and would earnestly pray that body, as w ell as from the Bible, Tract, and God m ay raise up and richly endow with all Church Missionary Societies, followed his re­ needful qualifications, many who shall conse­ mains to A bn ey Park Cemetery. There his crate their lives to the same noble service as “ mortal ” was committed to the dust. But his that in which Dr. Medhurst felt it his privilege “ immortal ” had already entered into tho full to spend and be spent.” enjoyment of the new Jerusalem. Thither may The following letter from the Bishop of V ic ­ we and our readers follow the departed one. toria (H ong K ong), addressed to the Foreign Upon receiving intelligence of his death, Secretary of the London Missionary Society, the B ible Society passed the follow ing resolu­ w ill be read w ith interest, as the testimony tion :— of one w ell acquainted with the character and “ Th e committee cannot receive the intelli­ services o f the deceased missionary :— gence of the death of the Rev. Dr. Medhurst without recording their deep feelings of regret on the mournful occasion. The period during which D r. M edhurst has laboured for the spiritual welfare of China, spreading oyer forty years ; and the zeal, intelligence, and de­ voted piety b y which his efforts have ever been distinguished, render his removal a loss of no ordinary magnitude to tho cause of Christian missions. B ut this committee feel it incumbent to make special reference to the invaluable services rendered by Dr. Medhurst in translating the Scriptures into the Chinese language. W ith powers of mind singularly adapted for the acquisition of that most diffi­ cult language, combined with untiring patience and indomitable perseverance, it is believed that he has left no equal in accurate and ex­ tensive acquaintance with the language and literature of China. The knowledge thus possessed was devoted with undeviating fide­ lity and constancy to the work o f furnishing the Chinese with an intelligible, lucid, and laithful translation of the H oly Scriptures. Availin g him self, as far as practicable, o f the labours o f his predecessors in the same de­ partment, he was mainly instrumental in pre­ paring a version of the Scriptures, possessing, in the opinion of competent, judges, far higher merit as to general correctness and adaptation than any translation previously completed. And the Committee cannot help regarding it as a matter o f devout thankfulness that his life was spared to witness the conclusion and printing o f that translation o f the entire Bible “ Loudon, 2nd March, 1857. “ It is scarcely necessary that I should re­ m ind yoli (who know it so w ell) that our lamented friend might, if he had chosen, have left his w idow in circumstances of affluence. H o declined the offer of the British g o v em ifieht to fill a situation w ith nearly 1000/. a-year as interpreter, and preferred labouring as a missionary on the limited stipend furnished by your society. “ H is Christian zeal, activity, and disin­ terestedness, were as apparent as his ability and learning as a Chinese scholar. Instead of livihg in luxury and leaving wealth to his family, he preferred, in the singleness of his heart, the more honourable calling of a preacher o f tho gospel, and to remain in connexion w ith the missionary work. For forty years ho laboured most industriously and faithfully. H is various works in Chinese, Malay, and other tongues, form almost a literature in themselves. Besides many Christian tracts, and helps to assist learners of Chinese and Japanese, he principally performed the dis­ tinguished work of translating the last version of the whole Bible into Chinese; and it is with special thankfulness that I add, that he trans­ lated our English Liturgy into Chinese among the latest labours of his life. “ I long and intimately enjoyed his friend­ ship, and I revere his memory ; and pray God abundantly to bless the beloved ones who sur­ vive him. “ I remain, dear Sir, known by the designation of the ‘ Delegates’ “ Yours very sincerely, Version.’ The committee have long had the “ (Signed) G. V ictoria.” 344 SUNDAY A T HOME. M E M O IR OF THE LATE REV. DR. MEDHURST. {Reprintedfrom, the Evangelical Magazine.) M EM O IR OF THE LATE REV. DR. MEDHURST. H is early life is soon told. W a l t e r H e n r y (that was his Chris­ tian name) was born in London in 1796, and was educated at St. Paul’s Cathedral School. He went to Glou­ cester at the age of fourteen ; was ap­ prenticed as a printer in that city ; was converted under the ministry of the late Rev. William Bishop; joined the Congregational church assembling at Southgate Chapel; evinced some zeal and tact in Sabbath-school instruction, tract distribution, and village preach­ in g; had his heart inflamed with a desire to be engaged in Missionary toils ; responded to an advertisement for a printer to join the Mission at Malacca; was accepted by the Directors of the London Missionary Society, at the earnest recommendation of the Christian friends in Gloucester; spent a few months prior to his departure at Hackney College, then under the charge of Dr. Collison ; and embarked from England in September, 1816, at the age of twenty. It is to the subsequent forty years of his life that our attention is chiefly called, during which period our deceased friend gradually rose into notice and eminence as a Christian Missionary, reniarkable for energy, devotedness, and efficiency. Ihe vessel in which Walter Henry •h'dhurst left his native shores was obliged en route to put in at Madras. " e Christian intercourse which he enjoyed in the Missionary circle at that station was very beneficial to him ; and he never failed to speak with affec­ tionate interest, especially of the late Rev. W . C. Loveless, and Richard Knill, whose acquaintance he had made during that stay. It was here likewise he formed an alliance by marriage with the lady who is now left to mourn over her loss, after a happy wedlock of full forty years. Mrs. Medhurst was the first person converted in India by the instrumentality of Richard K n ill; and the importance of this providential connexion with the subject of our me­ moir can only be appreciated by those that are cognizant of her devotion to the interests ever dear to her husband’s heart. Mr. Medhurst reached his destina­ tion at Malacca in June, 1817, where his arrival was hailed with delight by the late Dr. Milne, who was at the time quite alone, without any helper in his work, and struggling under a load of cares and labours, far too heavy for an enfeebled constitution. The special duties immediately un­ dertaken by Medhurst were connected with the mission press at Malacca. The “ gift of tongues,” however,— of which he had more than an ordinary share of endowment,— naturally enough was directed to the acquisition of the Malay language, spoken among the natives of that peninsula, and especially to the study of the Chinese, which was professedly the mother-tongue of the thousands, who even at that day were emigrating from “ the middle kingdom” to the various dependencies in Malaysia. 4 M EM O IR OF THE XATE EEV. B it. MEDHTJEST. And that tribute which Dr. Milne, so labours successively at Penang and early as 1820, paid to the lingual Batavia,— chiefly at the latter place, powers of his junior colleague, not only where he worked efficiently among Ma­ was well merited at the time, but was lays, Chinese, Javanese, as well as fully confirmed during his subsequent Dutch and English residents. Among history as a Chinese Missionary. The other monuments of his labours at eulogy referred to runs thus:— Batavia, there is the Orphan Asylum “ Mr. Medhurst began his Chinese at Parapattan, which still preserves its studies with teachableness of spirit, vigour and perpetuates its success; which never fails to secure respect and many who were once its inmates affection for a young man’s character, cherishing with feelings of gratitude and and to produce a cheerful readiness in reverence the memory of its founder’s others to assist him when they can ; name. and he pursued them with a persever­ In 1836, Mr. Medhurst paid a visit ing ardour which excited in the mind to his native country,where he sojourned of his associate the pleasing expecta­ for two years. liuring that time his tion of his making good progress travels on deputation were extensive, as a Chinese student, and becoming, at his addresses manly and straightfor­ no distant period, a useful coadjutor in ward, and his appeals on behalf of the mission ; an expectation which has China very effective,— particularly in by no means been ’disappointed.” * the work entitled “ China, its State and Having shown remarkable fitness for Prospects,” which he prepared previous preaching, he was ordained to the work to quitting England a second time. of the ministry by Dr. Milne and his But there was one special purpose on colleagues, in 1819. Among the private which Mr. Medhurst’s heart was set, papers of the deceased, there has been and which he sought during that visit, found the certificate of his ordination, viz. that there should be a thorough — the style and simplicity of which revision of the Chinese translation of document, not to say also the material the Scriptures. This met with a refusal, on which it is recorded, afford a singular which at the time greatly disheartened contrast to ordination-articles of the our friend. His natural elasticity of the same class popular now-a-days. It temper, however, helped him to rise reads:— above the disappointment, as well as “ This is to certify, that the Rev. W alter Henry Medhurst, a member of the Ultra-Ganges Missions, under the patronage of the Missionary Society, usually denominated the London Mis­ sionary Society, was ordained to the sacred office ofaMinisterandMissionary of Jesus Christ, by prayer and laying on of hands, the 27th day of April, one thousand eight hundred and nineteen, by us— W illia m M il n e , John Slater, Malacca, J ames M ilto n , April 27, 1819. J. I nce.” Subsequent to being thus “ set apart,” Mr. Medhurst pursued his Missionary the testimony of a “ good conscience ” that he was seeking to do God service. It was perhaps a suggestion rather premature then ; but it led to further inquiry; and our honoured Missionary lived long enough to see his “ darling scheme ” (we can call it nothing else) cordially approved of, taken up with promptness, carried out with vigour, and crowned with success, in ’ what is denominated “ The Delegates’ Version of the Scriptures.” Mr. Medhurst returned to his station in Java in 1838; but, when the five ports were opened to foreign intercourse, under the treaty of Nanking, Dr. Med­ hurst moved up the whole Mission from Batavia to Shanghai, about 1843. * Retrospect of Chinese Missions,There this standard-bearer of the truth p. 195. continued at his post, until he was com­ M EM OIR O r THE LATE IiEY. DR. MEDHURST. 5 pelled, by a worn-out constitution, to re- |his knowledge of the written language embark for England in September last was still more astonishing. By this year. ! means he gained most extensive in- Thus «thrown at Shanghai into the ; formation on the literature, philosophy, Chinese Empire, and having his lot cast and ancient history of China, which, among genuine Chinese, Dr. Medhurst had his life been spared, might have gave full play to his remarkable “ gift.” been of value now to people in the But for us to specify within the narrow West, whose attention appears at last pages assigned for an obituary in the to be a little awakened towards China E v a n g e l ic a l M a g a z in e , the abun­ and her people. dant labours of this Missionary veteran, Possessed of talents such as these, even during his service at Shanghai of Dr. Medhurst gave himself earnestly to fourteen years, is utterly impossible. the preaching of the Word and to It is enough for us to say that God translatorial labours. In preaching he having blessed him with a wiry frame, was pre-eminent, and to this he gave good health, overflowing spirits,aptness special prominence; so that, no matter for everything, promptitude in action, what other equally important duties facility for improving each “ golden pressed upon him, he never relaxed in spot in time,” and indomitable per­ this department. On week-days as on severance, the Father of the Shanghai the Sabbath-day, in the country as in Mission devoted all to his high vocation the city, in the chapel as in the open as a Missionary of Jesus Christ among thoroughfare, he was alike assiduous in the Chinese, and has left behind him a perfect example of what a real Mis­ sionary of the times should be,— a thorough student of the language of the people among whom he labours, a ready preacher in it, an invaluable translator, a man-of-all-work and of-work-at-alltimes, a considerate, thoughtful fellow- commending the grace of God and pro­ claiming the blessed gospel. A small church of native converts was built up at Shanghai, under the watchful care of Dr. Medhurst; and the loss they feel now at his removal is great— the an­ nouncement of his decease creating a panic. Besides this, his facility of labourer, an earnest, faithful Christian, speaking the dialect intelligibly, and — “ instant in season and out.of season,” his advanced age, obtained for him “ diligent in business, fervent in spirit, respect and attention in the surrounding servingthe Lord,” “ withgoodwill,doing country ; so that “ his very name forms service as to the Lord, and not to men.” to the present day a general cognomen By his untiring industry, he acquired for all missionaries ” * in towns and an extensive knowledge of the several villages inland. languages common in the Indian archi­ His translatorial duties it is impos­ pelago, where he first laboured, and sible to overrate. O f works of this chiefly of the Chinese tongue and liter­ class we have before us an incomplete ature, in which he became facile list; but, upon it there are named no princeps. He acquired an unwonted less than 62— 8 in the Malay tongue, familiarity and facility in the spoken 34 in Chinese, and 20 from Chinese language of that empire, and became into English— the latter consisting of thoroughly au fait in the Mandarin, aids to the study of the Chinese lan­ Fuhkien, and Shanghai dialects. Thus guage in the shape of manuals, voca­ he was able to converse and preach, bulary or dictionaries, and pamphlets with marvellous ease and readiness, to or books explanatory of Chinese notions, various classes of natives, that were customs, and history. But under this Unreachable except through their own peculiar patois; an attainment, indeed, ° f which very few of the natives themselves can boast. But probably * Sermon by Rev. W . Muirhead, of Shanghai, preached on occasion of the death of Dr. Medhurst. 6 M EM OIR OF THE LATE REV. DR. MEDHUR8T. head the works in which he has ren­ I considerate manner in which he acted dered the most efficient assistance in towards them. There was no assump- establishing the Chinese mission are, the |tion on his part, but the humblest translation of the Holy Scriptures and unpretending fellow-labourer ielt him­ the English Liturgy into the Chinese self at ease in his presence. He might language. The special aid afforded by appear distant and reserved to a him in completing these works presents stranger, but the feeling was more in a lasting memorial of his ability and that individual’s own mind, from his scholarship; and through these writ­ previous ideas of the man;— on further ings, although he be now dead, he acquaintance with him, it was found will continue to speak to that people to that he was marked by an unwonted the latest period of time. degree of mildness, blandness, and Every one that saw the man could openness, both in manner and dispo­ not but remark his energy, activity, sition. Those who were more imme­ and diligence in missionary operations diately connected with him in missionary generally. In the superintendence of work, and had constant opportunities the press, in itinerating through the of intercourse with him, ever felt that neighbouring towns and villages, in in him they had a true and warm­ conducting correspondence with the hearted Christian friend. There was Missionary, Bible, and Tract Societies, no restraint in their feelings towards and in watching over the native church him, or their communications with him ; and the general interests of the Mis­ but, while .rendering ‘ honour to whom sion (all which involved no inconsider­ honour was due,’ they were encouraged able amount of physical labour), he by his uniform bearing to regard him was regular and indefatigable, per­ with more than usual affection and forming those varied duties, not in a esteem. Their reminiscences of their perfunctory mode, but throwing his venerated and now lamented friend whole soul into them, as matters in will long remain with them, and will which he felt the greatest interest and be precious to them as they tread this delight. Unmistakably China was the wilderness-world without him.” right sphere of labour for such a one; Then, adverting to “ the Christian and as this field became wider and tone of his spirit, and the fervour and wider, he was ever ready to suggest spirituality of his prayers; he was new plans of usefulness for those imme­ evidently advanced and advancing in diately associated with him, and at the this frame of mind, and the more so, same time was foremost to lead the it seemed to us, as he was drawing near way. the close of his residence in China. The O f his bearing towards his fellow- bereavements he was called to sustain, labourers, we quote what Mr. Muir- the afflictions that he felt coming upon head, speaking in the name of his himself, and the more serious aspect he brethren on the spot, says :— was led to take of things generally, “ Fromhis many years’ residence and made it appear as if he felt his end labours as a Christian missionary, it approaching, and imparted a solemnity, might be supposed that he would look an earnestness, and a heavenliness to for more than an ordinary amount of his devotions that often deeply im­ deference and respect, in the case of pressed us. Alike at the domestic altar those associated with him, but who and at the social meeting, have we were so far below him in age and witnessed this holy characteristic ; and position. Doubtless he did receive it the remembrance of it will be cherished at their hands; but it was tendered, not by us, and many besides, with sacred so much from their feeling that he was interest and pleasure.” in the circumstances naturally entitled Early in 1856, without solicitation to it, but from the kind, encouraging, on his part, he received an invitation M EM OIR OF THE LATE REV. DR. MEDHDEST. 7 from, the Board of Directors to return to England for a season, as they had reason to apprehend that his health was failing. He accepted that proposal; but being desirous to complete certain plans that he had already laid out, he deferred his departure till the fall of the year. During the summer months, his strength by no means improved; but at length, along with his family, he embarked from Shanghai on the 10th of September, the very month on which he first left England, in 1816. Upon the Sunday previous to his em­ barkation, he preached in the “ Union Chapel,” at Shanghai, to an English audience, composed of Missionaries and merchants of various Christian deno­ minations, who came to have his last farewell. His address on that occasion, founded as it was on Matt. xxv. 1— 10, and dwelling on a due and early pre­ paration for the coming of the bride­ groom, was remarkable — remarkable, as it seemed (we were going to say) anticipative of the event over which we now mourn, and remarkable too for the effect; so that one (who was on the spot) observes, “ for many were deeply impressed on that occasion with the searching and solemn character of his appeals.” A sea-voyage of four months and a half proved anything but beneficial;— still, through the greater part of such a dreary and wearisome confinement within “ wooden walls,” he pursued his Chinese studies and translations, until he was actually compelled by his friends to desist. W hen he espied the shores of England on the horizon, he seemed cheered up, and yearned to set his foot once more on Albion’s strand. It was not deemed prudent that he should land anywhere immediately on the coast, and he was content to pro­ ceed to the first anchorage in the Thames. On January 18th, the Sunday before landing, the passengers were collected in the cabin, where, with more than accustomed vigour, he con­ ducted Divine service, and addressed them from the words, “ Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men !” in which discourse he alluded specially to the mercies ex­ perienced during the voyage; and also recounted some striking instances that had formerly come under his own ob­ servation of “ the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.” On the same evening he called the members of his family to the side of his couch, and joined with them in singing his favourite hymn— “ Jerusalem, my happy home, Name ever dear to me! When shall my labours have an end, In joy, and peace, and thee ? ” This was a happy index of the bent of our friend’s thoughts towards “ the things that are above;” and how soon, in his case, were the joys and glories chanted forth in that hymn realized! W ith the members of his family he dis­ embarked at Southend, on the evening of January 2 1 s t ; and next day reached London; but his already exhausted frame sank rapidly; and the shadow of death came over him before it was known to those immediately around him that the time of his departure was at hand. From the early part of Saturday, the 24th, he became quite unconscious, and unable to communicate his wishes, thoughts, or feelings; and on the even­ ing of that same day he expired, in a quiet, deep sleep, without a sigh, with­ out a struggle, without a syllable. Thus died Dr. Medhurst, in the 61st year of his age, and the 40th of his missionary career. When the tidings of his decease reached the Mission House, the Direc­ tors, with a noble generosity and promptness worthy of the body they represent, at once determined, in token of their respect and esteem for their valued agent, to take the conduct of the funeral. The cemetery chosen was that at Abney-park ; and on the 30th of January a deputation of the London Missionary Society was joined by representatives from the Bible, Tract, 8 M EM OIR OF THE LATE REV. DR. M EDHURST. and Church Missionary Societies, to commit to the dust the remains of the honoured dead. Service was con­ ducted by the Rev.' Dr. Bennet and Dr. Burder, both surviving members of the Board at the time of Dr. Medhurst’s early appointment to China. In conjunction with some personal friends of Dr. Medhurst, the Directors of the Missionary, Bible, and Tract Societies, likewise determined to use their in­ fluence in securing a sufficient amount to purchase an annuity adequate for the comfortable support of Mrs. Medhurst, as a tribute of regard for the memory of her departed husband. The response to this appeal (which has been prudently confined within certain limits,) has been promptly and amply given,— his friends of the foreign community in China coming forward with a readiness and liberality significant alike of their con­ cern for the bereaved family and of their esteem for the deceased. It is a remarkable coincidence, scarcely to be overlooked, that Morrison embarked on the China Mission,.Tanuary 31, 1807, and Medhurst returned from it to die and be buried, January 30, 1857. Thus was completed the cycle of 50 years in the history of our Pro­ testant Mission in China. But, though Morrison, Milne, Collie, and Medhurst are no more, the work of evangelizing proceeds in China. “ They may rest from their labours, but their works do follow them.” Their example inspires their successors. Their labours have given an impetus to the work. The seed which they sowed has been cast abroad, and already we are beginning “ to find it after many days.” Truly they have departed; yet, as truly we shall see that such lives have left be­ hind them foot-prints not only on the sands of time, but on the shores of “ the land of Sinim.” The present is but the dawn of glorious days for China, “ that hive of nations,”— when the glory of the Lord shall fill it, as the waters cover the channel of the deep. W . C. M. London : Reed and Pardon, Printers, Patemoster-ro\v.