A Maker of the New Orient

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1902. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... XI Ho for Japan! HOW the Reformed (Dutch) Church in America determined to plant a gospel mission among the hermit people, whose doors Matthew Perry and Townsend Harris had persuaded them to open, has been told in "Verbeck of Japan." Happily it was the angel of the olive branch, and not of sulphurous war, that had persuaded the Japanese to do this, and thus again attract Robbins Brown to the ends of the earth. At nearly fifty years of age many men would have shrunk from entering an unknown and untried field like that of Japan, but Samuel R. Brown had the spirit of a pioneer and leader. He was probably the very first to receive appointment as an American missionary to Japan. Both the American Episcopal and Presbyterian missionaries preceded him in actual arrival on the ground, though he had urged his church to be first. In his letter of application, dated Springside, December n, 1858, he expressed himself as ready for either China or Japan, as the Board might direct. Further, he believed in " the reflex influence of missions." Hear him as he closes his letter: "I think my going abroad would benefit the Church here more than my stay. It would be a trial to an affectionate people to part with their pastor, but, if I mistake not, it would open their hearts and purse strings in favor of the missionary work not a little." After returning from China, in 1847, Mr. Brown had hoped to go back to his work there in two years, but the health of his wife would not then permit. As soon as her health was settled, came the agitation consequent upon Commodore Perry's treaty with Japan, and later the determination of the Reformed (Dutch) Church in America to plant a mission in Japan, as already told in "Verbeck of Japan." Appointed senior missionary, with Rev. Guido F. Verbeck and ...