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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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his owtt' increasing acquaintance with the language , and the opinion of his Chinese assistants , to be exceedingly valuable , and which must , from the excellency of the style , have been produced by Chinese natives . Mr . Morrison has also obtained other unexpected helps in
reference to the scriptures ; particularly an Exposition of the Decalogue ^ in three volumes in Chinese , which a native , professing ^ the Raman Catholi c religion , furnished him with . It is but justice to notice the constant and grateful attention paid to Mr . Morrison by Yong
Sana Tak , the Chinese native who assisted him when iri London ; and whose friendly services on many occasions , where a native only could serve him , have evinced his good disposition , and the favourable impression made
upon his aiind by Mr . Morrison ' s uprightness and benevolence . The recent political disputes between the Chinese and our countrymen had occasionally interrupted his studies , and constrained him , with all the Europeans and Americans , Repeatedly to remove from Canton to Macao , where he continued at the date
of the last letters . His talents , and assiduity in acquiring the language ,- have already opened to him a prospect of such support as will in future lessen the -gireat but unavoidable expenses of this important mission , and probably secure td him a permanent residence . He had providentially ' met with a respectable
and pious English family at Macao , ( Mr . Morton * s ) who . brought letters from Mr . Loveless ; and shortly afterwards , he entered into the conjugal relation with Miss M . whose " brother , an interesting youth , received his first serious impressions from the conversation
otour Missionary Read at Ceylon . He liad afterwards been greatly assisted , when at JMladras , by Mr . Loveless ; and by reading the works of Alieine and & J > ddr idjte % He immediately attached himgelfto Mr . Morrison , and was very desirous to devote himself wholly > to the Lord , and the study of the Chinese language , with a view to missionary labours . We cherish a hope that this yout ) i will prove a great help to him ; a * Hi at Mr . Morrison s recommendation , J ^ have empowered him to receive Mr . Mortoii into the service of the Society , if his perseverance , p iety , and suitableness , should be manifested as h « f advances fa year * an ( J experience . ** T ^ c following extracts will afford an
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interesting view of the state and progress of the great work in which our beloved brother is engaged ; and of the unabating piety which supports and animates his mind , under a privation of the outward means and ordinances enjoyed in Christian society .
" ' I have not to rejoice over any brought from the error of their ways , and from their dumb idols , to serve the living and the true God ; yet I have to bless the Lord that he has granted me considerable success in the attainment o £ > the language . I trust that the period of acquiring it thoroughly is by no means
so distant as I once supposed it would be . In the grammar , dictionary , and scriptures , and essays on the Christian religion , which are proposed , I aee an extensive field of labour that may be cultivated with advantage on the confines of this empire ; and whilst that if effecting , the Lord may prepare the hearts of civil governors to open to us a great and effectual door .
< c < Should you not have written to me as to what extent you will accredit me in publishing the grammar and dictionary , or any part of the scriptures , I hope yob will be very particular in your next communications on that head ; and in contemplating the extent of their circulation , include the nations of Japan and Cochin-china . I hope considerable
benefit will accrue to your future mis - sionaries front the grammar and dictionary , and from the collection , of Chinese books which I have made at your expense . " * The grammar is prepared for the press , and the dictionary is daily filling up . The MS- of the New Testament is ir ) part fit to be printed . All these , however , are deferred till I shall be more
deeply versed in the language , that what shall be done may not be hasty and imperfect 4 CC The whole expense for the first year , including food , house-rent , books , tmition , domestics , and the expenses of
removing to and from Canton , was upwards of 500 I . The danger of incurring still greater expense , prevents any steps being taken at present towards printing . Indeed nothing can be done tilL I be instructed to what expense I
may go . ««* I have said above , that , at present I have no prospect of entering the empire ; and indeed , unless it were with great freedom , it is not desirable . The works I propose , and my personal
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Intelligence *—Missionary Society . 125
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Feb. 2, 1811, page 125, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2413/page/61/
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