Griffith John, founder of the Hankow Mission, central China

Front matter

BY

WILLIAM ROBSON

Of the London Missionary Society.

Contents

CHAP,

vii. Literaky Work

PAGE vin. Second Marriage. — Stoned by the Heathen. — Endued with " Power from on High." — Continued Success. — Death of Mrs. John . . . .127

Chapter I

The Boy Preacher of Wales— Losing and Gaining a Father by the same Grave— Covenanting to be a Missionary, — * —

" Far away, far away, in heathen darkness dwelling, Millions of souls for ever may be lost. Who, who, will go, salvation's story telling ; Looking to Jesus — counting not the cost ? '

For many years the Church of Christ had prayed that its missionaries might be admitted into China. Ancient heathenism, in proud possession of a literature the mastery of which demanded the effort of the most talented intellects, was quite satisfied and contented in the belief that it had little to learn from foreigners. But the mighty empire which for ages had imperiously forbidden the barbarian to tread upon her shores, suddenly found her gates of brass thrown open by the hand of Omnipotence.

That same power had also urged the Church to prepare men, and, when the golden opportunity arrived, promptly sent forth these messengers of salvation into China's crowded cities. Further events pushed the door more widely open, and the vast interior was made accessible to missionary operations.

This book purposes to give some account of one of these pioneer missionaries. A man able and bold, yet full of tact withal. We prefer, however, to allow our readers to form their own conclusions respecting his character from the events here narrated, and would only add in explanation that they must be taken as illustrations, and not in any sense as a full and adequate account of his active and successful career.

Griffith John was born at Swansea on the 14th of December, 1831. His parents were religious, and comfortably situated in life, rather above the class to which they belonged. The father of Mr. John was much respected, and until his death continued in the employ of Messrs. Vivian and Sons.

His mother died of cholera in 1832, and his father's sister, who is still living, performed to Griffith a mother's part.

He was from childhood under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and loved to be with older Christians. At eight years of age he was admitted a member of the Church at Ebenezer, Swansea, and when between nine and ten years old took part in religious services. The first public prayer of this child, uttered with quivering lips and falling tears, consisted of only one petition : " Lord, pardon my sins, through Jesus Christ. Amen."

When twelve years of age he entered the employ of Mr. John Williams of Onllwyn, who was a godly man, and soon perceived the promising character of the lad. He invited him to become an inmate of his house, and treated him as one of his own family.

At fourteen he commenced to preach the Gospel, and from the first gave evidence of possessing oratorical gifts of the highest order. The people delighted to hear him, and invitations reached him from various

THE BOY PEEACHER OF WALES. 11

churches. Among the crowded audiences many were heard to say, "What manner of child is this? " and the strongest hopes were entertained that a brilliant future awaited him in the ministry of the Gospel.

Much surprise was therefore occasioned when he suddenly withdrew from all public efforts, justifying his conduct by modest references to his youth and consequent inexperience. For a time he exercised his gifts in more private forms of Christian work. At length, yielding to the solicitations of the more prudent of his friends and his minister, he began in his sixteenth year to preach in different parts of the Principality, with good result. Everywhere he went it soon became manifest that in Griffith John God was preparing a mighty witness for Himself, and predictions were not wanting of a fame and career of usefulness awaiting him, as great as that of the venerated Christmas Evans, the Apostle of Wales.

It was pointed out that a course of study would be of great benefit, and his father asked the Eev. E. Jacob, the pastor of Ebenezer Chapel, Swansea, if " he would teach Griffith a little." The kind-hearted pastor had gratuitously rendered similar help to other young men who were preparing for the ministry, and from the 13th of November, 1848, until September, 1850, Mr. John resided with him, and received daily instruction at his hands.

In 1849 his father was smitten by the disease to which his mother had succumbed, seventeen years before, and died of cholera. The bitter grief which the son manifested at the grave so kindled the compassion of Mr. Jacob, that he said Griffith should never know the lack of an earthly father as long as he lived. That vow he faithfully kept, and the relationship thus created has been maintained with touching ardour on both sides to this day.

Mr. Jacob was most assiduous in preparing his young charge for the career of great usefulness which he felt lay before him. In answer to the questions of the College authorities at Brecon, when Mr. John was seeking admission, Mr. Jacob penned a series of replies beautiful alike for their simplicity and truthfulness. While the love and esteem which he bore towards his young friend might at that time be regarded as likely to increase his estimate, the truth of his statements, made in March, 1850, has been fully confirmed by the lofty and steadfast Christian character maintained by Mr. John, as well as by the unanimous testimony of strange audiences during nearly forty years of successful work.

All cannot be recorded here, but a few may be noted. After claiming the right to speak emphatically, by reason of the "long-continued and most advantageous opportunities " for observing and judging of his pupil, Mr. Jacob says :

" Considering his age, he is decidedly the nearest to being a perfect or complete Christian of any I ever knew. He is amiable. I have never seen the slightest indication of bad temper. He is as humble as a babe .... at all times willing to do whatever he is asked by those to whom he looks for direction.

" His preaching talents are in my opinion of an extraordinary character. His voice is sweet, his delivery easy and fluent. Judging from the present, he will in five or six years be the most popular minister in Wales. I have heard him talk like an orator for a whole hour, and then in a few moments arouse the whole congregation to a state of astonishing excitement ; not by unmeaning declamation, but by sound sense and real eloquence.

" He does not apply to the College because he cannot get a sphere of usefulness. Young as he is, several of the leading men in some of our churches, where he occasionally preaches, have told me, ' We do not care to hear any one else if we can have Griffith John ; ' but he is far from being of the same

AT COLLEGE. 13

views, for he is aware that a minister should have his mind well- stored with useful information.

" I have watched him as carefully as I have been able, and the fact is, I have not found a single drawback."

Mr. John entered college in September, 1850, and on the evening of the first Sabbath Mr. Jacob penned a characteristic letter full of loving counsel ; particularly laying stress upon piety, adherence to his pledge of total abstinence, " to avoid acquaintance in the way of courtship," rigid adherence to promises, forethought, courtesy towards those who showed him hospitality, punctuality upon all occasions ; concluding with the injunction, " Eemember ! whatever you are at college, so to a very great extent you will be through life."

The last sentence is elucidated for us by the Eev. Josiah Jones, who occupied the same study with Mr. John, and says that at the time of his entrance into college, Mr. John " was a short and slender youth, with a frank face and full well-formed forehead, the hair curving out as a canopy." Of his moral character while at Brecon, which was most exemplary, Mr. Jones states, " I don't remember any expression falling from him that betokened a low taste, and much less an inward moral impurity." Also : " Among Mr. John's chief characteristics as a student, showing that during all his life there has been a uniform continuity in his character, the following may be mentioned : diligence, perseverance, and efficiency."

Mr. John had the advantages of the stimulating tuition of the Eev. Professor Henry Griffith, F.G.S., who was at the time Principal of the College. Alike in mathematics, philosophy, and theology, Professor Griffiths showed himself an able and energetic leader in study, never evading a difficulty, or contented until his students had grappled with and mastered it.

Mr. John had entered college indulging in the hope of becoming one day a successful and popular minister ; but he was not allowed to entertain this long without challenge, for God met him, and cast out the earthly ambition, putting in its place an ardent longing for missionary work among the heathen.

In March, 1853, Mr. John offered his services to the London Missionary Society, and when replying to the question, "How long had he entertained the desire to be a missionary?" said that it had entered his heart soon after the commencement of his college course; and that, though there had been fluctuations in its strength, he could fairly say that it was a progressive one. In confirmation of this it should be stated that not long after he entered college, a fellow student and himself entered into a solemn covenant to become missionaries. This meant a great deal to the popular young preacher, who henceforth had to put away all the seductive offers of eager churches. One from the important Congregational Church of Aberaman severely tested his resolution. But God puts one thing against another for the proving of His children ; and while this invitation was awaiting an answer, the veteran missionary, the Eev. David Griffiths, of Madagascar, visited the College, and addressed the students with great earnestness, concluding by an appeal for labourers. Mr. John then openly declared his wish and determination to be a missionary.

Having been accepted by the London Missionary Society, Mr. John was removed to Bedford in January, 1854, to give him better opportunities of preaching in the English tongue. At the time of his going there, one of the tutors said, " I find that Mr. John is so well read up, that I do not think I can do much for him."

Hitherto the bent of his mind had been towards Madagascar as a sphere of labour. He writes : " Oh, how glad I would be if the doors were opened. My heart is there now ! " At that time Madagascar was closed to European missionaries by the cruel Queen

COVENANTING TO BE A MISSIONARY. 15

Banavalona. But he did not offer any objection when asked to go to China, and soon was aglow with enthusiasm for the dark-minded millions of the Flowery Land.

Before leaving England, Mr. John married Miss Margaret Jane Griffiths, daughter of the Bev. David Griffiths, of Madagascar, who was then settled in a pastorate at Hay, Breconshire. A more happy selection could not have been made, and Mrs. John proved herself a successful worker among the women of China.

His ordination took place at Swansea on Good Friday, the 6th of April, 1855, when Ebenezer Chapel was packed with an enthusiastic audience, which did not conceal the strong emotion felt at parting with their eloquent young preacher. Special services were also held in the afternoon and evening of the same day. On the following Thursday Mr. John preached a farewell sermon in the same place, after which a testimonial was presented to the young missionary as an expression of the esteem and good wishes of his friends.

The Bev. Griffith John and Mrs. John, and the Bev. A. "Williamson and Mrs. Williamson, being appointed to reinforce the Chinese Mission, sailed for Shanghai on the 21st of May, 1855 ; eager for service in the "Land of Sinim," as they listened to the distinct, though distant cry, "Come over and help us!"

CHAPTER II. 'Thy long night is ending

Of sorrow and .wrong, For shame there is glory,

For weeping a song.

The new morn is dawning,

Bursts forth the new sun ; The new verdure is smiling,

The new age is begun."

-*-

Dr. Bonar.

On September the 24th, 1855, the good ship, Hamilla Mitchell, bearing the missionaries, reached Shanghai after a pleasant and uneventful voyage of one hundred and twenty days. Mr. John could not have arrived at a more opportune time. For forty years missionaries had longed for and prayed that an opportunity might be afforded for the free proclamation of the Gospel to the country people of China. Their prayers were about to be answered. For five years the Taiping rebellion, headed by Hung-sew-tsuen, had ravaged the fairest part of the country; while the growing influence of the Western Powers of Europe claimed the attention of the Imperial Government. For ages this Government had exercised a strong conserving power, now its grasp slackened, and the growing laxity of its sway was utilised by the missionaries in the seaports to make evangelistic tours inland. Under the treaty of Nanking, made between Great Britain and China in 1842, foreigners were only allowed to go a day's journey from the Treaty ports. The door had been gradually opening, and at the time of Mr. John's arrival the country was practically free to travellers with peaceful objects in view.

Mr. John entered upon his work with characteristic ardour. He had studied hard during the voyage, and now applied himself to the acquisition of the language, with the hope that in six months he would be able to preach. He writes in his first letter to England : " I am anxious, I long to be able to speak of Christ to the people. I can just ask them at present if they believe in Jesus, and tell them that it is the best thing they possibly can do. Pray for me that I may be made eminently useful in China." This request was responded to by many hearts, and we trust that the facts recorded in these pages will prove that those prayers have been answered.

While the house intended for them was being repaired, Mr. and Mrs. John stayed with the veteran 1 missionary, Dr. Medhurst, whose forty years of pioneering toil were fast drawing to a close. Like Israel of old, he had long sought to enter the goodly land his heart was set upon, and during the previous year he had been able to make a few preaching journeys into the country about Shanghai. His reward was at hand, and a part of it would be the revelation that the man who stood by him in his latter days was designed by God to carry the Gospel to the central and western provinces of China. Shanghai was at that time the residence of twenty-five missionaries belonging to various British and American societies. These all accorded a hearty welcome to the new comers, who soon felt at home with their fellow-

c labourers in the mission-field. In January, 1856, the heart of the young missionary was gladdened by the birth of a son, whom he named Griffith ; but the child was usually spoken of under his Chinese name of Mei-foh. In June of the same year Mr. John modestly says, respecting his first direct efforts, "For some months I have been in the habit of going into the temples, the tea gardens, and other places to distribute tracts and preach in my humble way. I am able now to speak for half-an-hour or three-quarters with considerable ease and fluency. To my great satisfaction, I find that I am very well understood. This is a great thing in speaking the Chinese language, because so much depends on the tones and mere rising or falling, shortening or lengthening of the sound makes all the difference imaginable in a word which is in every other aspect the same, that is, if written in the Eoman character. This makes the acquisition of the spoken language both a tedious and difficult task. The written language is a colossus of an affair. It is decidedly difficult of acquisition, as will appear from the fact that no European has hitherto mastered it. I like the study of it very much. It is no tiresome work to me. Its difficulty only intensifies my desire to grapple with it, and finally to lay it prostrate at my feet. The conquering of this language is worth a long and manly struggle. Who would feel it a burdensome task to learn a language which is intended by the providence of God to be a channel through which Divine truth, like a life-giving stream, is to flow into four hundred millions of thirsty but immortal souls. Such a thought is sufficient to call out all the energies of one's being. Where is there a nobler object or a higher end for the entire consecration of all the powers and faculties of the soul ? The glory of God in the salvation of souls is the noblest work under heaven." This may be taken as the key-note of Mr. John's life and work in China,

After a few months he accompanied Mr. Edkins and other missionaries in various preaching journeys, being absent two or three weeks, and penetrating 150 miles inland. He says, " We have access to millions of the most callous, indifferent, worldly-minded, and irreligious people."

For several months in the latter part of 1856 the country surrounding Shanghai suffered much from drought, and at first both mandarins and people were most assiduous in praying to their idols to send fertilising showers. As these did not come, the people left off religious services, and said the idols were useless. The priests went round the streets for several days in solemn procession, but in vain. They were then spoken of with contempt by all the people, who seemed inclined to listen to the missionaries and to appreciate their efforts. Alas ! when the rains did fall they soon sank into their former indifference.

Mr. John had hitherto accompanied older missionaries on preaching journeys, but on October 31st, 1856, he started upon an expedition, taking only Wong the colporteur as assistant.

The first place of importance which they visited was the large city of Swong Kong, 40 miles distant from Shanghai. They anchored for the night four miles below the city, and upon awaking the next morning, Mr. John found they were entering the west gate of the city. It was the time for the Annual Examinations, and candidates for literary honours crowded the streets, affording intelligent audiences wherever the missionary and his helper chose to preach. They had a good supply of books, which were eagerly sought after. No marks of displeasure or ill-will were manifested by any of the people.

In the afternoon, as they were walking about distributing books, Wong offered one to a respectablelooking man, who after reading the title-page, tore the book in pieces. Wong was much disconcerted,

SHANGHAI — BUCKLING ON HIS ARMOUR. £ A1

and began to remonstrate with the man in a loud tone for not returning the book if he did not like it. Mr. John stood astonished, as notwithstanding the thousands of books and tracts he had distributed, he had never seen this done before. When the people around saw that the missionaries were annoyed at the unprecedented insolence, they begged them not to be angry, as the man \vas a Roman Catholic.

After a long day's toil, Mr. John and his assistant returned to the boat, and gathering the boatmen around him, Mr. John read with them, and explained the New Testament and prayed. He declares that this was the happiest hour of the day. The morrow was the Lord's Day. Alas ! there is no Sabbath in China. There is nothing but noise, bustle, tumult, confusion and impiety, as at any other time. The preachers, however, had larger and more attentive congregations of the graduates.

The following day they returned to Shanghai, Mr. John having an attack of fever and ague ; but thanks to the prompt and energetic treatment of Dr. Lockhart, he soon recovered.

Whilst thus energetic in the country, Mr. John and his helpful wife were not neglectful of those in and around their own home. They had engaged a female servant who knew nothing of God, of a Saviour, or of the future. Mrs. John instructed her daily, and Mr. John at family worship had opportunities of speaking to her. She became very anxious to know the truth and to feel its blessed influence. She soon desired baptism ; and with her two children was admitted into the church, of w 7 hich she afterwards proved herself to be a worthy member.

As early as September, 1857, Mr. John had projects for going far into the interior, beyond the reach of foreign influence, and labouring for the spiritual welfare of the people. But the time had not come, and he remained at Shanghai, studying and working so as to

22 GKIFFITH JOHN.

make himself " a workman that needeth not to be ashamed." He informed his friends that his two years' residence had corrected his estimate of the work, and the immense difficulties w T hich lay in the way of the Gospel in China. He says : " The good work is moving but very slowly. The people are as hard as steel. They are eaten up both soul and body by the world, and do not seem to feel that there can be reality in anything beyond sense. To them our doctrine is foolishness, our talk jargon. We discuss and beat them in argument. We reason them into silence and shame ; but the whole effort falls upon them like showers upon a sandy desert. Sometimes I am ready to think that China is doomed ; but there is a promise which dissipates the gloom, viz., that those ' from the land of Sinim ' are to come. The teachers China has listened to for thousands of years have taught only things respecting the present life. Confucius, while speaking admirably on propriety, justice, faithfulness, the proper governing of the family, the ruling of the kingdom, and the promotion of peace on earth, says, 6 Eespect the gods, but keep them at a distance.' The Chinaman's way of doing this is to think of them as little as possible."

In October, 1857, Mr. John and the Eev. J. Edkins visited Soochow, which is regarded by the Chinese as one of their richest and most beautiful cities. They say that to be happy on earth one must be born at Soochow, live in Canton, and die in Soochow, for in the first are the handsomest people, in the second the richest luxuries, and in the third the best coffins. It lies north-west of Shanghai ; and within the city walls, which are twelve miles in circumference, there are about one million and a half of people.

No foreigner had previously visited this city undisguised. No sooner had the missionaries got within the gates than they were very politely invited by an official to walk into his house and be seated.

In about two minutes another official of higher rank appeared and cross-questioned the visitors, after which he said that he could not permit them to proceed into the city. They remonstrated with him, upon which he said, " Well, you cannot go through this gate, you had better try another." Seeing it was useless to press the matter, they returned to their boat, and gave the boatmen orders to enter one of the water gates. This was successfully done, and they visited the chief places of attraction. Then, having preached to a large number of people, they returned to the boat, much pleased with their success. Their presence excited much curiosity, but they were not molested ; so on the following day they penetrated to the heart of the city, and distributed several hundred copies of the New Testament.

Mr. John now devoted himself almost exclusively to itinerating, and visited a large number of towns and cities. Early in 1858, accompanied by a brother missionary, he visited the two large cities of Kia-hing and Kia-shan, about one hundred miles from Shanghai. They resolved to alter the usual plan of preaching two or three long sermons in the course of the day, and adopted the method of making short and simple statements of Gospel truth, and earnest and affectionate appeals to the hearers' consciences. These occupied only a few minutes ; and by commencing early in the morning, and preaching simultaneously till late in the evening for several days, there was hardly a street or the corner of a street in these two cities in which the glad tidings were not proclaimed to thousands for the first time. The multitudes listened attentively, no one interrupted or expressed any ill-will. Many seemed touched, but the majority treated the message with indifference or contempt. Mr. John at this time expressed his conviction that the old idea that China must be w T orked upon from above — first the wise, rich and noble, and then descending to the lower classes — was utterly absurd. He stated that the experience of both Eoman Catholic and Protestant missionaries, proved that China was no exception to the general rule, and said, "If we would convert China, we must begin with the common people, and devote our energies principally to their enlightenment."

On the 29th of March, 1858, Mr. John and his family left Shanghai for Ping-hu (the peaceful lake), which is about 200 Chinese miles distant. Here they rented a house outside the city, and during the summer he spent much time there, preaching daily to excellent congregations. A catechumen class was formed of six inquirers, and afterwards a church was established. His purpose was to establish similar stations in the various cities near Shanghai, and itinerate among them, superintending the native assistant missionaries and the work.

Soon his eyes and heart moved in the direction of Hang-chow, the Athens of China, and events allowed him to carry out his purpose in the succeeding month. Starting with his family on the 19th of April, they arrived at Sung Kiang the following evening, and the next morning visited the residence of the native assistant missionary, which was called " Zion House/' where the members of the church had assembled. Several female inquirers, hearing that Mrs. John was accompanying her husband, had also come together. Social affairs in China then caused it to be thought very imprudent for females to meet a man who was a stranger, and especially a foreigner. Mrs. John's presence, however, dispelled all fear, and these good women gladly came forward to make a public confession of their faith in Jesus.

When Mrs. John entered the house, an immense crowd followed, and as many as possibly could crowded into the " ka-dong " (guest room) where she sat. The host and hostess found it impossible to restrain the curiosity of the people, and Mr. John had to go out and exhort them to be quiet. Upon his return, the visitors sat down to a repast of fruit, cakes, and tea. The food was placed upon the table in plates, but there were none to eat from. The guests were helped to food by the lady of the house, who taking a portion with her fingers, placed it upon the table, which was not very clean. When all had finished, the table was cleared, and wiped down with a piece of paper.

Mr. John examined the female candidates, and those who satisfied him were admitted to the church by baptism. One was the widow of a mandarin who had been killed by the Taiping rebels. The other two women admitted were mother and daughter, the infant of the latter being also baptized. Her husband had been received into the church several months previously.

A service for the men was next conducted by Mr. John in the adjoining room, and five were admitted as members. Meanwhile, the women were employed in critically examining Mrs. John. Some remarked that Yang-sian-sang's wife was much handsomer. One thought Mrs. John must be clever ; while another was struck with the smoothness of her hair, and praised it volubly. They agreed that she spoke the Shanghai dialect very well. This conversation was sustained until the men's meeting ended, and the missionaries left. They stayed over Sunday at Ping-hu, and arrived at Hang-chow on Wednesday. They visited the Si-hu (west lake) the following day, which happened to be the birthday of the goddess Quaning. On the way several boats and junks were seen full of passengers returning from the worship of this goddess. This is the most flourishing seat of the Buddhist religion, and some of these pilgrims had travelled more than 200 miles to attend these ceremonies. The lake is nearly round, and the city of Hang-chow skirts the eastern shore ; while opposite are hills, with numbers of Buddhist monasteries placed

26 GEIFFITH JOHN.

amidst what is said to be the most beautiful scenery in China. There is a most picturesque island in the lake, connected with the city by a bank, which is used as a promenade. This bank was the work of the poet Su-tung-p'o. When standing in the Tang-tsi (summer house) on the island, a remarkable echo can be obtained from the opposite hill. After several words have been uttered they are distinctly repeated.