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® I j z C h r i s t i a n CONTAINING OVER ONE HUNDRED LIFE-LIKE ILLUSTRATIONS: WITH BIOGRAPHIC SKETCHES. LONDON: MORGAN AND SCOTT, (O ffice of CJje Christian,) 12, PATERNOSTER BUILDINGS, E.C. A n d may be ordered of any Bookseller in Great Britain or the Colonies. llfir. (B. Jtenknts, Itt.JL, 1C1C.D. 16 1 Foreign Missionary Secretaries; and from that Dr. Jenkins, and the volume containing his Presi time \he Missionary Committee has had the dential Sermons and Addresses takes a leading benefit of his great missionary experience and position amongst the homiletical works of the knowledge in its councils. In 1884 he again day. Besides this book, the Fernley Lecture, visited the\East, one main object of his visit and the Madras Sermons, he has also published being to lay plans for the establishment of a Sermon preached before the London Mis primary schools in the villages of India. He sionary Society in 1883; a Sermon preached was gladdened dVing this tour with many proofs before the Baptist Missionary Society in 1886; that the missionary societies had made no and a little volume entitled “ My Sources of mistake in adopting, education as one of the Strength,” which appeared in a series of devotional means for the evangelization of India. Every manuals, issued by Messrs. Cassell. ■ At the Con where he spoke to audiences which were largely ference of 1888 he retired from the full duties of composed of men who \ had been trained in the Missionary Secretariat; but the Conference, mission schools, and who'.listened to him with desiring to retain the benefits of his counsel at the eagerness as he preached Chrkt to them. And he Mission House, requested him to accept the office returned home convinced that, outside the Christian of Honorary Secretary. Though verging upon the churches, the education given in the mission boundary line of human life, he is still full of schools has disseminated a leaven which is vigour, and is able to speak and preach with un creating a longing for the knowledge of God, diminished power. and which will at last draw the vast populations of To analyze the elements of his greatness would India to the feet of Jesus. be beyond our ability. He has a penetrating The Wesleyan Conference of 1880 conferred upon intellect, which has been cultivated by a very wide Dr. Jenkins its highest honour by making llim its and closely critical study of English literature. President. The year of his presidency was \ery In addition to this, he has acquired a wonderful memorable; for during its course Sir Francis mastery of the English tongue, and expresses his Lycett, Rev. W. O. Simpson, and Dr. Punshon' thoughts in a style so nervous and fresh, that his passed away to their rest. The Sermons and' clear, crisp, incisive sentences, delivered with a Addresses which he delivered, in connection emarkably distinct enunciation, always enchain with their funerals, are fine models of what is ; attention of his hearers. Above all, every one appropriate to such occasions. Never was the must feel that his one aim is not to achieve a Connexion more ably represented to the general • intellectual success, but to seek the glory of Christian world than during the presidency of God in\ the edification of believers, and in the * A sketch of Dr. Punshon will be found on Pages 302-305. salvation of mankind. REV. GRIFFITH JOHN, D.D. (From Photograph by Mr. E. Smith, Cheapside.) REV. GRIFFITH JOHN, D.D. Founder of the Hankow Mission, China. ---------------------- OR between thirty and forty years of which has a peculiar power over a heathen Rev. G r i f f i t h Jo h n has labour people unaccustomed to such addresses. ed in China under the auspices of That he has great linguistic aptitude is evident the London Missionary Society, from the fact that in sixteen months after his and by his speeches and writings arrival in China, he was able to preach in Chinese has excited a deep and wide so as to command the unqualified admiration of spread interest among English- those who were well acquainted with the language. speaking nations in the great Besides these qualifications, our brother has strong work of opening Central China to Christian mis faith that it has “ pleased God to reveal His Son sions. Others have had more tragic tales to tell, in him, that he might preach Him among the but few missionaries of recent times have kindled heathen.” deeper emotions in the breasts of old and young It may interest the reader to know something than he, when he has related, in words on fire of of his early life. He was born at Swansea in 1831, God, the simple tale of what God has done for of parents who were remarkable for their Christian him and his beloved Chinese converts. zeal and piety. His mother died of cholera in 1834. The first impression of every one who meets When about eight years of age, he was received Mr. John is that he was born to be a missionary. as a member of Ebenezer Chapel, Swansea, and The conviction deepens as you converse with him. even then he frequently took part in the public One more gifted with the human qualities which prayer meetings. Shortly after this, he entered are so advantageous in “ winning souls,” or endued the employ of Mr. Williams of Onllwyn, It was with more of the tact and power needful to “ be at that place, at the early age of fourteen, he began come all things to all men,” could not be imagined. to preach in Welsh. A. charming frankness, both in speech and manner ; From the first he gave evidence of possessing the power to put a question which would entail a oratorial gifts of the highest order. The people confession, in such a way as to extract that admis were delighted to hear him, and invitations flowed sion without giving offence ; a voice which conveys in from various churches in the neighbourhood ; sympathy through the medium of the simplest and the strongest hopes were entertained that a words ; and an easy self-possession which wins brilliant future awaited him in the ministry of the confidence yet ensures respect. These are com Gospel. Much surprise was, therefore, occasioned bined with a strong and attractive physique, great when he suddenly withdrew from all public efforts, intelligence and energy ; whilst, beyond all, is a until, yielding to the solicitations of his minister, power which makes you feel that you are with one and the more prudent of his friends, in his six in whom dwells the “ fulness of the Spirit,” and teenth year he re-commenced his pulpit efforts in who is “ furnished completely unto every good different parts of the principality, and with similar work.” The involuntary eulogium, recently passed results. Everywhere he went it was soon manifest by one of the heathen, whose claims he had been that in Griffith John, God was preparing a mighty opposing, was, “ That foreign teacher is a good witness for Himself; and predictions were not man.” wanting of a fame and career of usefulness as In Mr. John’s preaching there is great power of great as that of the venerated Christmas Evans, expression. The simple language and apt illustra the Apostle of Wales. tions adopted, always suffice to convey the thought It was represented that a course of study would or emotion. In this he shows some of the chief re be of great benefit; and his father asked Rev. quirements of the orator. There is also a clear and E. Jacob, who was then minister of Ebenezer well-modulated voice, the persuasive earnestness Chapel, Swansea, if “ he would teach Griffith a Ueii. (Sriffttlj Iflljit, D.£). little.” The kind-hearted pastor had given help Hankow to reside in the neighbouring city of to other young men who were preparing for the Wu-chang, the official capital of the two provinces ministry. So in November, 1848, young John went of Hu-peh and Hu-nan. The opening of Wu-chang to reside with Mr. Jacob; and remained until 1850, is one of the greatest triumphs of Mr. John’s when he entered Brecon College. In 1849, his career. After a survey of the place, he determined father died of the same complaint as his mother. to visit the Viceroy, preparing the way by a pre The bitter grief which he manifested at the grave sent of his writings and tracts. This was a bold so kindled the compassion of Mr. Jacob that he proceeding; and the mandarins, who were averse said Griffith should never know the lack of an to his coming, were alarmed. They, with the earthly father so long as he lived. The relation literati and officials, went in a body to the palace, ship thus assumed was maintained with touching and indulged in the most vehement protests and ardour on both sides. in virulent abuse. The interview' of Mr. John, From his own statement to a personal friend, we however, was so far successful that the verbal learn that Griffith John applied himself earnestly consent of the Viceroy was obtained. This “ lip- to study, with much success, and entertained the sanction” was ignored by the mandarins, and a hope of becoming a popular preacher. Whilst long struggle ensued ; but the authorities eventu indulging in this prospect, God met him and cast ally authorized the erection of suitable Mission out the earthly ambition, and in its place inspired premises. a desire to be a missionary to the heathen.