David Sandeman & the Amoy Mission

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David Sandeman in Amoy
Born Scotland, 1826; died in Amoy, 1858 Adapted from “MEMOIR of the Life and Brief Ministry of REV. DAVID SANDEMAN,” by Bonar, Rev.
Andrew A.,JAMES NISBET & Co., LONDON, 1861.
Sandeman's Brief China Career Voyage to China
Example of Chinese Believers His Epitaph His Last Days

Sandeman spent just a little over a year in Scotland, but left a great mark on both Chinese and foreigners, and his generosity (he’d given up his wealth to serve in China) enabled the Amoy Mission to expand (after his untimely death of cholera, 1/8 of his fortune went to missions in Scotland, and 7/8 to work in Amoy. Below are excerpts from his memoir: a brief account of his younger life and conversion, excerpts from his letters, and how he died.

PREFACE In complying with the request made to me to undertake the Memoir of a beloved friend, who, in his thirty-second year, fell asleep in Jesus, I felt that in so doing I might be said to be writing "words concerning the King.”

DAVID SANDEMAN, second son of Glas Sandeman, Esq. of Bonskied, was born at Perth, 23 April 1826. The pleasant residence of this prosperous family was Springland, close to the river Tay, within a mile of the town, and not far from a locality renowned in Scottish history, the old palace of Scone, where the kings of Scotland used to be crowned.

EDUCATION. In his infancy he was somewhat more sedate than children usually are, and in boyhood shewed no great interest in games that delighted his companions; yet he "Was always fearless in manly exercises, a bold rider, skater, and swimmer. It was not quickness, but perseverance, that distinguished him from other boys, along with regularity in all his habits and a strong sense of duty. At school, while his companions loved him for his kindliness, his teachers remarked his diligence and conscientious industry, which enabled him to outstrip cleverer scholars, so much so, that the rector of Perth Academy, Dr Miller, testified, in referring to his mathematical studies, that to him belonged the praise of bringing forward the entire class of which he was a member.

The only incident of his younger years which seems marked by any special interest is his being sent, at the age of fifteen, to the Pestalozzian Institution at Worksop, in Nottinghamshire, conducted by Dr Hildenmaier. There, besides laying the foundation of other acquirements, he began to learn French and German, for in that Institution conversation was carried on in both these languages; and it may be that this circumstance contributed to foster his liking to foreign tongues, and may thus have had some remote influence, in after years, in deciding his mind toward China.
At this place, too, his youthful affections ere drawn out by the kindness of his instructors, and his mind developed amid pleasant scenery; his common excursions even in seasons of recreation, being to such spots in the neighbourhood as Chatsworth or Welbeck Abbey.

At this period he rose early, was thorough in the preparation of lessons, acted conscientiously, shewed great respect to the teachings of the Word of God, and observed the forms of godliness as others round him did. Many would have thought that he had the fear of God before his eyes. It was not so, however, at that period, though the Lord was keeping abundant mercy for him. The instrumentality in bringing about his change was of various kinds, as is perhaps most frequently the case with the Lord' work in conversion. He himself, in reference to agents employed by the Lord in effecting such changes, made the interesting remark in after years to a friend at Jordanhill—“It is just like a large vessel returning laden with goods; it will be found at last that every individual believer has had a share in the ingathering of souls. As for myself, when letting down the Gospel0net, I always feel that other believers are letting it down along with me.”

CONVERSION We have his own testimony that he lived eighteen years without God. Thus, in 1819, he writes in looking back

“For eighteen years of my life I believe that I was truly without the knowledge of God. During a11 that time, my conduct was never influenced by the thought of His existence as a person, or of any thing I did being pleasing or displeasing to Him. Assuredly I worshipped as the heathen at Athens, an 'unknown God;' or as the Samaritans, I 'knew not what.'

“Anything like a knowledge of Him was a vague, undefined sense or fear of future retribution for evil done, and that a God, a powerful Being, would inflict it.

"An undefined sense of duty, my parents, masters, emulation among my fellow-pupils, carnal lusts, and above all-'self;' these, I believe, were my gods; at least, they held all the place where God should have been.

“I was dissatisfied or happy, entirely as I managed to please or displease them. Of the worship due to Jehovah, the God of Abraham, I was as ignorant as a stock or stone."

And yet from infancy he had been taught by his parents the way of salvation, and had been moving among those who not only knew the Lord, but also adorned the Gospel by their holy life. Often does he refer, at a later period, to his mother’s prayers and anxious yearnings over him in those days; sometimes to books put into his hands; and also to faithful ministers whose preaching of Christ and His salvation he felt to be impressive. Still for eighteen years his soul was dead to God. In the years 1839 and 1840, the ministry of Mr. Millar, then minister of St. Leonard’s, Perth (now of the Free Church at Clunie), and next that of Mr Milne, his successor, produced a considerable impression on his mind, which was deepened by attending the services conducted by Mr. W.C. Burns, now missionary in China, during a season of revival. It was only then that he began to see what the sinner is by nature, and what is the way of escape. A friend remembers meeting him and his two brothers in the lobby of the church, after a sermon by Mr. Burns on the words—“Deliver from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom,” and how, with a solemn expression of countenance, he said,

"I never knew till to-night what my Saviour did for me." Sacramental seasons also, at that period, used to give an impulse to his feelings. For about two years' he remained in this half-awakened state.

In December 1842, he came to Glasgow to learn business. Blameless from infancy to the world's eye, ever ready to shew kindness to others, kept, too, by the hand of a gracious God from all outward vice, and even the appearance of evil, nevertheless he was, and knew that he was, unconverted. He had gone only so far as nature may go; 'he was not born of God. One step onward he seemed to take in Glasgow-namely, he was taught the lesson of the world's utter insufficiency to give the soul what it craves. “He that drinketh of this water shall thirst again," was his experience.

He maintained the form of prayer, and even of Christian converse, with those with whom he boarded. The ministration of Mr. Somerville of Anderston, whom he had fixed on as his pastor, interested him, and roused his soul from time to time; while visits to a circle of Christian friends, to whom he was introduced, contributed to keep the things of salvation more and more before his mind. Then came the memorable Disruption of the Church of Scotland in 1843. Having carefully watched the progress of the great controversy, he had no hesitation in following his minister out of the Establishment, and in giving his hearty adherence to the principles or the Free Church, persuaded as he was that the Free Church held the truth by which the Great Head of the Church is honoured, and might therefore expect His blessing.

In the beginning of April 1844, being about to leave Glasgow, he called upon Mr. Somerville, who took the opportunity of frankly inquiring into the state of his soul. The conversation made such an impression on his mind, that he has recorded part of it in his journal:_”You say" (said Mr Somerville to him) "that you do not care for the world-that it is not that which keeps you from Christ, or anything connected with it. You have now been more than a year in this place. You came anxious about your spiritual state, and you go away in the same manner. How long is this to continue? If it is nothing in the world that prevents your coming to Christ, it must be the unwillingness of your own heart" He then added, "I would beseech you not to rise from your chair till you have accepted Christ's free, full, and open offer of salvation to all who will come to Him!"

Both the words and the solemn earnestness with which they were spoken affected him deep!y. It was an interview which he never ceased to remember.

In this state of soul he returned to Springland. The time of the dispensation of the Lord's Supper was drawing on, which naturally led his mother to say to him, “David, did you ever give yourself to Christ? You have no right to remain one week without loving Him."

His pastor also, Mr. Milne, met him, and urged on him the duty of professing his faith in the Lord Jesus, by taking his place in the number of communicants. He objected, specially stating his fear of bringing dishonour on the cause of Christ by his inconsistency, as well as the difficulty he felt regarding his personal state. This same month his eighteenth birthday came round, in connection with which a thought had been very seasonably presented to his mind by a passage in Angell James's “Father"s Present to his Children"-a passage in which it is remarked that the usual time when persons decide for the Lord, or for the world, is from the age of fourteen to eighteen. "I felt," says he, as if this might be the case with me." The fact that the Lord's Supper was to be dispensed in the congregation roused his conscience to the anxious inquiry, Am I in a state fit for that ordinance? His honest conclusion was that he could not go to the Lord's table, for as yet he was not willing unreservedly to give himself to the Lord. “I was still rejecting" (these are his words) "the waiting Saviour's free calls to come. I was willfully sinning against what I knew so well. I was an open rebel, sm much the guiltier because brought up near Him, and we11 acquainted with His law."

On the Sabbath evening with these feelings disquieting him, he had engaged in prayer with his sister, and retired to his room. Then it wsa that the Lord found the sheep that was lost, and laid it on His shoulder. While pondering alone on his spiritual condition, his heart was drawn out, "by the omnipotent hand of God to think simply of Christ and the "willingness of Christ to receive all who have a true wish to come to Him.” He says he knew that this wish was not of man, but of the Holy Ghost; it was the Lord who enabled him now to take Christ as all his salvation and all his desire. That was the evening (7th April) when he for the first time felt his soul cast anchor on the Rock of Ages.

From Chapter Two, “First Year After Conversion.” NEITHER stranger nor friend could fail to notice something sombre in his character in his early days. But after his conversion, this shade no longer hung on his brow. One knew bim well remarked, "It was the love of Jesus which first put that smile on his face which never left it."

While he could say, "Solitude is a continual heaven to me," he was now full of joy in the expectation of his future life of action-his preaching of the gospel everywhere to small and great. For a time he seemed somewhat irresolute as to applying for licence, as if the time were not come; and besides, in the midst of all home-work, there opened to his view the vista of his possible departure for China. While he writes that a letter from Mr. Moody Stuart (whose ministry and whose prayerful counsel he so valued) had gone far to decide his mind in applying for licence, he "is seeking daily to mention the matter of China before God. O for the wind from God, if it is His will, that our ship sail thither!”

DECISION TO GO TO CHINA (p. 159) He had not laboured quite three months there [Hillhead], when his mind became decided as to his duty regarding China. For five or six years the desire had been cherished, or rather encouraged; sometimes when laid aside, back it came, like a tide returning in full force. Such incidents, too, as the interest taken in the Chinese Bible Fund by his two young nephews, whose lives were so brief, no doubt contributed to swell the tide of feeling that had already begun to flow in that direction. For a time, the masses of heathenism at home in our large cities kept the balance of his mind in equipoise; but now the Lord whom he served brought him to an unwavering decision: "My only regret is not seeing more souls brought to God among my own countrymen, before I go to the heathen."

He has written out his reasons in full, and they bear the broad stamp of impartiality and disinterestedness. Still he was constrained to write:-“14th March.-I see there is more cleaving to home than I was aware of and to what I love there; but now it is as if Jesus said, Come with me; forsake all, and I shall give thee an hundredfold for all these, mother, brothers, sisters, &.c. A remarkable heavenly sweetness pervaded my soul since then. I could only look up, believing the love of my Lord."

April 9th Letter:
He writes, 9th “First lesson in Chinese from Mr. M” And then came his farewell days at Hillhead. …Often in China did he revert to those happy scenes…

Ordination on April 26th 1856 (a day or two after his thirtieth birthday).

In Torquay, musing on China. 1st October-Visiting Torquay, and in my favourite seat among the rocks, and in prayer to God, was drawn out concerning the work before me. For the first time that word came to me: 'Ask of me, and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for my possession.' And: 'I will declare the decree.' My soul was given to behold it as the declared decree of Jehovah to the Lord Immanuel. Then, to faith's eye, China and its vast millions of souls floated before me, like the sea. It spread away to the horizon of vision, and under that word I saw it to be the sea of God, every creature absolutely His, and according to the time and purpose of the decree, given over to the Lord Jesus for His inheritance, kingdom, and glory. Also, I saw the heathen as a mighty flood, whose stirred waves might swallow me up, or whose seductions, managed by Satan, might draw me in. My spirit was overwhelmed and prostrated by the shore of that awful depth. Into that sea I seemed to be about to plunge alone and weak, with all its trials, and it might be dangers; but I was caught up and was sustained by these words: ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' 'Depart, for I will send you far hence, unto the Gentiles.'
I rose up and went my way; but the vision remained with me."

Perhaps we should have stated more fully that Mr. S. was led to go forth in the service of the English Presbyterian Synod, by the fact that that Synod had taken up the cause of China in 1845, had sent forth Mr. W. C. Burns as their first missionary in 1847, and having at last selected the island of Amoy and the province of Fuhkien as the seat of the mission, were desirous of finding more labourers. Mr. James Johnstone, after little more than a year's labour, was compelled, by the failure of his health, to return in 1855; and, though Mr. Carstairs Douglas had gone forth that same year, there was ample room and urgent need for as many labourers as could be sent. The mission was not in the advanced state in which it is now, when even the young have hymns prepared for their use in native Chinese, e.g., that one well-known in Sabbath-schools, “There is a happy land".

But the Lord had been sealing the work; for, in 1854, both in the island of Amoy, and in the province of Fuhkien, at Pechuia, Mr. Burns told of an evident outpouring of the Spirit, of scenes resembling those recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, and of a native church formed by the missionaries from this country in conjunction with those from America. It was in full knowledge of how the missionary work was proceeding there, that Mr. Sandeman prepared to take up the sickle and go forward to the fields that were "white and ready for harvest.”

He is now at last on his way to the closing scene of his earthly labours, though all who knew him regarded his departure as the beginning of a new season of successful work for Him whom his soul loved.

CHAPTER VII. His Brief Career in China. MORE than thirty years ago (it is related by an American writer), two young gentlemen, while traveling in opposite directions, met at a brook; and as their horses were drinking, the elder addressed the younger about his souls eternal interests. They soon parted; but those faithful words of love were, by the blessed Spirit, made the means of leading the younger traveler to the Saviour. That young man was Champion, the idol of his family; for he was an only son, the last bearing his father's name, and already the possessor of great wealth. No sooner was he saved, than he consecrated himself to the missionary service, and chose as his sphere Africa, as the most benighted and neglected of countries. His father opposed his son's resolution of becoming a missionary, and proposed to support twenty missionaries out of his ample means, if only he personally would stay at home.
"No," was his calm reply; "the Saviour left richer possessions, and sacrificed His life for me; I cannot stay." He lived to labour five years in Africa, devoting all his property to the cause of missions. Often did he desire to know who that stranger was that had addressed him by the brook side, but could get no clue to it; till one day, in Africa, he opened the memoir of J. Brainerd Taylor, just sent out to him from home. His eye fell on the likeness prefixed to the memoir, and instantly he knew who it was that had been the means of saving his soul.

It is not unlikely that there will be some one who may thus recognise the subject of this Memoir when they look at the prefixed portrait. For, like J. Brainerd Taylor (to whose life I have heard him refer as one that had helped to stimulate him to covet earnestly the best gifts), he used to seize such casual opportunities as that related in this incident, speaking a word in season to passing travelers who knew not the man that so kindly cared for their souls.

But we had another reason for mentioning the above anecdote, namely, the subject of our Memoir was, in some respects, a parallel to young Champion in self-sacrifice, and in the shortness of his ministry. If he had not so large a fortune as Champion, yet he had lately, by the death of his father, come into possession of very ample means, and might have remained at home to enjoy its comforts, while he could, at the same time, have spent his income in sending out others in his stead. Nothing, however, would satisfy his devoted, single-minded spirit, but personal consecration to the mission cause. As for worldly wealth and position in society, “none of these things moved him," any more than Paul was moved by the opposite; and yet it is even more difficult to withstand the insidious smiles of affluence, than to resist the frowns of the bitterest adversary. When some one made reference to the delightful scenery and sweet dwelling which might have all been his, his reply was, "Can anyone suppose that that could make any difference? Ah, those many mansions! that city that hath foundations; these things look solid and substantial, but they shall all pass away."

He was generous in all his dealings and actings: the love of money seemed to have no place in his heart. Open-handed liberality was characteristic of him; but he acted on his Master's rule, "When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.” (Matt. Vi.3) On his deathbed he confirmed the arrangement which he made before leaving home, to the effect that, of all his property, “One-eighth should be devoted to the spread of the gospel at home, and seven-eighths for the spread of the gospel in China."

He was one who, in true Pentecostal spirit, called nothing that he had his own. And now he has reached China, that vast empire of benighted souls, where not less than 360 millions of our fellow men are "walking in darkness and in the shadow of death." He is cheerful, happy, full of hope, abounding in prayer, busy in preparation for future usefulness. He has sacrificed all earthly comforts for love of Christ and of souls; he has already, by the past, gained much experience in the divine life, so that every way we would have said that here was one with a sharp sickle in his hand, fit to be sent into these fields that are so white and ready to the harvest. He has health of body, too, and is more likely than many others to bear well the burden of the climate. We might almost say (as Montgomery does of Spencer), "He carried victory in his face." But man's ways are not God's ways…

He himself had often contemplated the possibility of an early close to his ministry, though we cannot say he had any presentiment of it. Hopefulness, and therefore, of course, happy cheerfulness lightened up his soul, so that he never dwelt on the dark side of the cloud, but fixed on the silver lining; so much so, that one of his friends used to be reminded by his character of Bunyan's Hopeful, and used to think that he was one whom, of all others, he should like to have with him when fording the cold waters of death.

His earlier journals contain references to the subject, just such as any man of God, who realized the uncertainty of life, might be led to make. At the same time, it is interesting to have the opportunity of observing how the Master did all along warn His disciple, and prepare him for whatever might be the, issue. We therefore insert these references here; for putting them side by side, they are the more impressive.

We find them successively in the years 1845, 1847, 1848, 1851. And to these we may append his allusions to the Lord's Second, because he sometimes passes from the one to the other. He did not, however, confound the two events, Death and the Coming of Christ the second time. He keeps them quite distinct in his view, though (it will be seen in one of the extracts) he had not come to any positive conclusion regarding the questions of time connected with that doctrine. Mr. Sandeman sought to realise both the passing out of the body at death into the Lord's presence in glory, and the resurrection of the body, when the Lord returns and we sha1l be made like Him, seeing Him as He is.

"18th April 1845.-The longer I am on the way to the ministry, the more happy am I that the Lord in His infinite mercy has placed me in it. A glorious work! And yet my heart often dwells on the thought, that I may be laid in the grave before ever these apostolic words are mine, 'Necessity is laid upon me to preach the gospel' And would not that be far better! Yea, Lord; for to be absent from the body is to be present with Thee."

A few days after, he has again returned to the subject:- "I don't know how it is, but often I dwell on the thought of being taken soon to the Lord, before even I enter the ministry. It is a thought which is pleasant to my heart, and which it cannot be wrong to entertain if I use it rightly. It ought to quicken me in the discharge of present duty. It ought to gladden my heart with the hope that I may be with Jesus before long. Let me then entertain it only to stir me up to more earnest discharge of my duties now."

DEATH CONTEMPLATED. 19th January 1847.-Am I prepared joyfully to quit this scene, and, passing through the valley, the dark valley it might be, of death, in order to join my King and Head? O my soul, examine thyself on this. What if thou hadst been taken away last week when the ice gave way? What if this day a messenger of glory were to summon thee to go and to be with Jesus? Wouldst thou far rather depart, leaving this world,and friends?

Would I be willing to forego in its present form the pleasure of thinking out subjects for myself in which I have found lately so great delight? (for there, knowledge is swallowed up in love). I know not the realities of a deathbed, yet I see that Payson was ready, and more than ready, to depart; that Brainerd was, that Janeway was, that Brainerd Taylor and H. Page were. O may Jesus enable me, and so abide in me now, that it will be but a slight change, as it were, to go and abide in His bosom of everlasting love! I, yet not I, but the grace of God in me, can say, that I think this spirit would not be unwilling now to depart and to be with Jesus."

16th December 1847.-Death should take none of the Lord's chosen by surprise, any more than the entrance into the room of a child should a mother, or the sound of the horses' tread at the ordinary hour of her husband's carriage, should a loving wife, on his return from labouring for her welfare. The surprise should be, Why tarry the wheels of His chariot?”

In November 1848:-"To be with Christ, which is far better.' Are the pinions O my soul, wearying for the flight."

“18th Apil 1850.-Spenoer (of Liverpool) met an early grave. May his beautiful example of grace be blessed to my tardy soul, and also lead me to remember how short my time may be. Remarkable that one should be so eminently fitted by the Lord for the ministry, and then be removed to glory. Some intimations lately of the glory to be revealed.

“To depart and to be with Jesus is a blissful thought. The idea of it makes the eyes of the soul sparkle, and is omething like the fixing of the marriage-day."

“18th April, 1850”:-….”And now, O my Lord, living or dying, let me be Thine. I do, through Thy free, infinite grace, mercy, and love, surrender my whole spirit, soul, and body into Thy hands, that Thou mayest do with me as seemeth good in Thy sight. O Lord, make Thou this effectual by Thy Holy Spirit. Amen.”

16th February:--John M’Intosh is dead. How has his sun gone down at noon! How beautiful and winning was he by grace, and also by gifts.”

VOYAGE TO CHINA We see, then, how the Lord had prepared His servant's soul for any event. Still it was the high felt wish of his heart to live to proclaim Christ in China, and his own vie w of his qualifications is thus stated: ”I have often thought that the work of an evangelist is better fitted to my kind of mind than that of a pastor. But who can say that I sha1l live to declare the gospel of Jesus!"

His brother Frederick and Mr. G. F. Barbour, his brother-in-law, brought him on his journey as far as Berlin, and there they parted, not to meet again till the “day of our gathering in Him.” He sailed, 11th October, from Marseilles. At the instant the anchor was hove up, and the sails spread, the heavenly Pilot came on board."

He describes his voyage through the Middle East and by India….

"Point de Galle, 8th November, 1856-The quiet of a room to pray in, after the bustle of the steamer, was unspeakable relief." He preached in the Reformed Dutch Chapel, and then gave a parting word to several of the passengers, just in time to get on board the Chinese steamer. Every day, something of Chinese engages his attention. Then; “no swearing on board this ship, which was a sore evil in the last."
“The crowds of ants marching along the table are a novel sight."

“Entered Penang harbour in a thunderstorm-welcomed by Mr Mair-preached for him. Nearly missed the steamer again.” 18th November, Singapore, where he notes the fearful opium-trade at work. On 30th, Sabbath, meditating on “”eouo1a;’ the appearing of Christ; on Enoch, also; and on Psa. xcvi and xcviii"

It was on 1st December that, as soon as he awoke, he saw the Hills of China; and, kneeling down before the Lord, asked Him to lead him forth by His Spirit. He realized again the sovereignty of his Lord, who might "remove me before anything has been done, or make the language so hard that I should never acquire it, or turn me home, or throw me useless at some out-post."

He landed in Hong Kong. The spirit bounded with delight to meet the missionaries already on the field, and soon every one of those whom he there met, and others who arrived, had a deep seat in his affections. His letters tell this affection, how real it was, whether he is speaking of Mr W.C. Burns, whose preaching in Perth during the revival in 1840 he never could forget, and whose thorough devotedness to his Lord has stirred the zeal of very many; or of other brethren from Scotland; or of the American brethren, Mr. Talmage and Mr Doty, with whom he felt entirely at one; and so, also, when he speaks of the brethren to the ondon Missionary Society, and the native missionaries. It is the testimony of some of these brethren that, young comparatively as he was, he exercised almost immediately a most healthful influence on their circle by his single-minded, decided, uncompromising, devoted conversation, for they felt he “held communion with the skies."

On the 6th he sailed to Swatow. “Went ashore, and called on Dr. De La Porte. A door opened, and out came, in full Chinese dress and tail, W. C. Burns! Taking me into his room, according to his old wont, he said, 'Let us engage in prayer,' in the identical old Perth tones! Accompanied him on board a ship, and preached from Gal. iii. 13." On the 9th be reached his destination, Amoy, where he writes, “My soul would be bowed in thankfulness to God for the unbroken train of mercies all the way from home to this my destination.”

Soon after he writes home-" Were it not for the vile opium traffic, the whole society here might be called agreeable. This, however, must divide them. It is England’s clamant shame to tolerate this traffic. She is known in China as the nation that deals in it; and the missionaries are constantly met with the objection, '.If you are Christians and good men, why do you bring that bad opium to our shores?’ I would ask you to pray that this sin and shame of our country may be removed.

It is by the acknowledging of sin that God is pleased to make way for its removal. We might specially remember it on Saturday evenings as a great barrier in the way of evangelizing this nation." The beginning of 1857 found him busy with the language, day by day. In the morning of that day, the Chinese Christians, according to their custom, came in to bid the brethren a good new year. In the afternoon we find him wandering away alone, till he arrives at a rock, where he prays for that land and for all the world. He began about the same time to write out a translation for himself of the book of Job, from the Hebrew, to keep up his knowledge of that language, and got on in this self-imposed task as far as the end of the 9th chapter.

Every day, also, went on cheerfully and pleasantly with Chinese roots and tones, and was able to record; “As to the language, feel that my prayer for help has not been altogether unanswered, so that I am kept from discouragement, and the study is made pleasant to me. Never had the sense of shame for my native country till I saw her flag hanging over a large opium-receiving ship. Britain assuredly will have to answer to God for this traffic. It is in defiance of His laws and of this nation itself; and she knows it all. Do they not die fast enough in their wickedness and idolatry, without England supplying poison for mind and body? The coolie trade, likewise, is most iniquitous.”

And now see him again in close dealing with his Lord. '
"26th February, 'Thursday.-Day of fasting and prayer-lst, against sin; 2d, for help in the language; 3d, for the sins of China, and the coming of Christ’s kingdom in it; 4th, for the sin of England in directly increasing the crime of this people, by supplying them with opium; the abominable coolie trade, also!

Week by week, at the same time, he visited the Seamen's Hospital, and watched for opportunities of visiting British and American ships. Eager to use every acquirement for Christ as soon as possible, we find him trying to say a little about Christ to a Chinese father and three sons under a tree, as early as 11th May, though it was not till next year, 17th February, that he could record-"For the first time spoke to about a dozen Chinese in a village. Would not have stopped, but a man called to me to come and speak to him. This I could not refuse, and spoke as I was able for five or ten minutes.'" Anxious to express his own and draw forth others' smpathy, we find him penning the following letter to the female teacher at one of the scenes of his former work at home:-

Amoy, 5th May 1857.
"My DEAR MISS R.-I write you as the easiest means of getting intelligence of Hillhead and of the believers there, and peradventure to hear if there are any precious souls seeking Jesus among them, as of old time. But may I first ask after the progress of your own soul?

I feel it a great condemnation of myself, after having journeyed this length for the service of Christ, and having professedly no other aim but the salvation of souls and the kingdom of God, to see the power of the old man, the strength of the old sins. It is to me a terrible proof of the power of sin in our members, that is, of the whole old man. Change of scene and place, alas! do no more for this than they do for the black face of the Indian. But I trust it may have been different with you, and that your soul may have been carried on in the ways of God. Next to the joy arising from souls being gathered to Christ, is the news of believers prospering in the life of their souls. I trust and pray that the Lamb of God hath been seen more frequently sitting with you in the house, walking with you by the way and in the school, and meeting you at the seasons of secret devotion. O what joy and glory to Him that these blood-bought ones are to follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth...

[In referring to believers in England]…”Let them be stirred up by the example of Chinese believers. The boatman always takes the word with him to his boat; the servant has it lying beside him, and at intervals of work you hear him reading out of the Book of Life, and the name of Jesus sounds both above and below. One day I was out in a boat, the rower was an idolater, but the Chinese Christian who was along with me began at once to speak to him of Jesus, and the folly of worshipping pieces of wood. When we came to the landing, I observed something in the Christian's hand, and asked him what it was. He said it was the boatman's idol, which he had given up, not being able to withstand the words of truth. So the stock was thrown to the moles and bats. There are souls being added to the Church in these parts; are there any turning to the Lord in Hillhead or Maryhill? Are the next empty seats around the gospel table to be taken by men and women, young men and maidens, at Hillhead? or is China to have them? Lately, an old man and his wife, of seventy years, and at the same time two young men, took places, I trust, at Jesus' table. Oh may these not rise up at the last day and double the damnation of hangers on and the between-two-opinion-holders of Hillhead! Tell me all about the blessed children of the kingdom. I cannot name them all, hut I bear them much love in Christ Jesus. Ask them to pray and plead on behalf of this vast empire, and for my soul, and for my progress in the language, that I maybe able to speak of the Saviour to perishing sinners. Let them pray also for the abolition of the abominable opium traffic, killing the bodies and souls of many, many poor Chinese. What of Mr. Allan? Tell me of God's work in any part of my dear native land. It is the only news that is cold water to my thirsty soul in this far land. With kind remembrances to all my friends and brethren, who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity,
"Your servant,
"D. S."

How natural is 16th May.-“Scenes of labour at home often rise before me-Westfield, Hillhead, &c. On 9th July he writes-"Some of the older missionaries say this is the hottest day they have known during twenty years." 27th July-"Grapes from Formosa, from the Master's hand!" 30th July-" A day, not of fasting, as, on account of the heat, I found support necessary, but of prayer." 3d August
-"Good news from home. Pleasant letter from Frederick."

At this time, 1st August, in a letter to his mother, he relates an interesting conversion. A young Dutchman met in with Christians at Hong-Kong. Entering the sitting-room of a friend's house, he saw one in Chinese garb, and marveled what Chinese could be reading "The Times.” It turned out to be the missionary, W. C. Burns. Soon after, he went to hear Mr. B. preach, and never could forget the expression he used in preaching-"My dear fellow sinners!” Other circumstances helped him on, till he joined the meetings of the missionaries. After telling this incident, Mr. Sandeman adds-"You will join, I know, beloved mother, in that word, ‘It is meet that we should make merry and be glad; for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' Pray for him and for me.”

He differed from his brethren in giving his first attention to the Mandarin dialect. Without pronouncing a judgment upon the soundness of his view, we give his reasons. "1st, It was common to the whole of China; 2d, It is the source whence the colloquial, by various digressions, has fallen off and formed itself; 3d, The help of dictionaries and colloquial manuals suffice to carry a student on in the ordinary books; 4th, If the opportunity is not embraced at the first of thus acquiring the Mandarin language, there would be very many inducements afterwards to rest content without it” His attention to this dialect stood in the way of more immediate usefulness; but the truth is, Mr Sandeman had evidently a cherished hope of being one day able to carry the gospel before the princes of the empire. It was in perfect consistency with this hope that, along with this direct aim at high attainments in Chinese, he was at the same time cultivating his intellect in other departments.

Amoy 3rd July, 1857.
"Please (writes he to his brother F.) send the Athenaeum and Evangelical Review. One finds more the need of such helps to thinking abroad than at home. One is not at all aware at home how much of real intellectual products which keep the mind alive (for ideas form the days of the mind's life), are caught up, here and there and everywhere, in a highly cultivated reading society. When all, or nearly all, these external sources are stopped, and you are dependent upon the internal spring alone of your own unaided mind, it is most humiliating to observe how, day after day, the longer you have been removed from these other streams, the narrower and narrower does that solitary one become. . . .

"The trying part of the day here is between nine and eleven or twelve in the forenoon. The comparative cool of the morning passes into strong heat, with, perhaps, scarcely a breath of air, often none whatever. You feel languid, sleepy, uneasy; and how one longs for the first breath of the sea-breeze. At last it comes with a stealthy sweetness, and pours gently and softly upon you as if it fanned you.”

"After that there is generally a fine strong breeze till sun-down. Everything seems changed; the mind and body, and Chinese characters teacher, all awake, and you trot on quite cheerily.”

On 15th September he accompanied Mr. Burns to Pechuia, where the Lord so remarkably began a work of awakening in the year 1854 [see Talmage’ “40 Years”] and where He has never ceased to work. He has described the place and the people in some of his letters. The hills and the estuary, altogether, have a great resemblance to the Firth of Clyde-the same beautiful variety of water and island, and far reaches of the sea, which you lose sight of and then catch glimpses of again, as their winding arms enclose island and mainland, washing at times the base of considerable hills. The town stands on the bank of the river; its population is only 5000, a small population comparatively for a Chinese town; and yet here it was the Lord, in His sovereignty, chose to work so remarkably in that year. Many souls, also, in the neighbouring glens and hamlets, were led to Christ. He wrote home the following letter, describing his visit to one of these scenes of labour:
"Pechuia is about twenty miles from Amoy-perhaps some ten of them frith or estuary, and the remainder a fine winding river. We started (Mr. Douglas and myself) on Saturday morning, about nine o'clock, in the 'Gospel Boat,' [A river boat was afterwards purchased for the use of the missionaries, for occasional living in, as well as by traveling by from the funds left to the mission by Mr. Sandeman] which is well-known to many of the scholars whom I had the pleasure of seeing last year. By eleven o'clock we had reached the entrance to the Pechuia river, after an interesting sail.

"As our purpose on this occasion was principally to visit Ma-ping, we then took the road for that place across the hills. These are not very high, but rich in the products of Chinese industry. At every available spot of their ascent the ground is leveled, a soil prepared, and wheat, barley, rice, or the betel root, is seen growing. The valleys at that season were covered with the rich blossom of the peach tree.

"At Ma-ping a good many of the Christians were waiting to receive us; and though I could not understand their tongue, it was easy to make out the warm and village-like welcome they gave us. The whole scene reminded me much of what I had witnessed among the highlands of Scotland At evening worship the room was full of eager and earnest faces, anxious to hear the Word of Life.

"Next morning, the Sabbath, they were early astir, and prayer and praise were poured forth as from the heart. There was some meaning in the confession of these people, for during the previous weeks some of them had had their fields bared of their ripe produce, and were otherwise persecuted for the name of Jesus. But they stand fast, by the strength of their Lord, and, as it may be supposed, would be among those to whom Christ's word was precious on that His holy day. The church was a large room, and the minister (Mr. Douglas) was placed at the side opposite the street, so that his voice reached not only the members who were in front, but any in the street who stopped to listen. At the outside were two forms filled with Chinese women, several having children in their arms. Among them were some awakened souls seeking the salvation of Jesus. From their secluded habits, it shews there is a work going on, when such hearers are among the congregation.

“As betimes it has happened among the highland glens, so in this region; souls have been brought to the knowledge of Jesus up among these secluded Chinese valleys; one here, and another there, set as single lights in the few hamlets or small villages of dark idolatry; and all to the glory of Him who passes by the rich and the learned, and oftentimes seeks out his own in quiet places of the earth.

"They shewed much Christian affection at parting, asking us to come soon back again; and it pleases the Master still to be adding souls to the number of believers in that region." It was just such a visit as was fitted to brace the soul of one who could so truly say, while at home-“Nothing so draws me to ministers as their success in winning souls to Christ."

"My life at present" (he writes to his brother F.) "is made a very happy one to me. Learning a difficult language, but with all the necessary means at hand; its antiquity; and the vast multitude who read it, and the aim ever to be had in view, to carry the message of the salvation of God to these as perishing sinners-these cause each day, with its heat, or damps, or winds, to pass cheerily over my head. As Jacob's time seemed short because of the love he bore Rachel, my months pass sweetly and quickly over because of the love of the divine Masater.”

"3d October.-Every second person of the foreign mission community laid aside with fever; myself remarkably well till this evening. After finishing some letters for home, called at the hospital to see some sailors, and returned by Dr Hirschberg's. Did not feel quite so well; and now my pulse is at 106o. Whatever be the will of God, my soul is for Jesus only: Jehovah-Tsidkenu-Jehovah, my righteousness.
"18th October. On looking back to the illness from which I am emerging, I think that I was rather incautious in rowing in the morning after the sun was up. One is constantly liable to forget the difference between this climate and home; but common sense and experience, with the consideration that the work of God is interrupted by illness, should put me on my guard in future.

"Should aim at being back from morning exercise by sunrise, that is, when it has got above the hills to the east-also, always to have an umbrella in case of being overtaken, and not to row in the sun in the morning, though with a sun-hat. All kinds of over-exertion, mental or physical, it is necessary to guard against in this climate; and the least lassitude or symptom of exhaustion should not be unheeded. Temperance [Greek: Egxpareia] in all things seems peculiarly necessary in this climate till one is seasoned. Exposure to the sun and over-exertion are the two points to be watched. Prayer and care-let these be my motto; results are wholly with God; and my soul bows down before Him in whose hands are my life, and light, and joy, and all in all. Truly we are crushed before the moth, and vain is the help of man.

"Satan is ever on the alert; and, after the period of sickness, is already resuming the attacks incident to a time of health.

"29th October.—A day of some help from above, some glimmerings of the true light which now shineth, seemed to penetrate the darkness of the earthly and carnal nature. How different from mere natural ideas or thoughts, which may amuse or for a while distract the mind from ennui or fatigue. The latter may exhilarate the spirits, may relieve the mind by giving it some pabulum; but any of the annoyances of life, any of the crosses, any of the little smarts which must incessantly meet us, upset one very quickly; but the tranquility which light and peace from God bring, seems to be of a kind made for passing through these little troubles or great, made to stand and overcome them. It fits of its own nature for the performance of duties that may be irksome. The former, having respect to the imagination or the mere reasoning faculty, begins and ends very much there; but this breathing from God, this true light from Jesus Christ, penetrates equally through all parts of the soul and of the entire person, illumi-nating, sweetening, sanctifying, tranquillising, and strengthening the whole man, and fitting it for the sober reality of things, and also for their truest enjoyment."

Here follows a letter breathing something of home:-"

Amoy, 9th December 1857.
"My DEAR MOTHER-I am sorry you are to spend this winter alone. I trust that He will be with you in this as in other trials. I believe in the constancy of the love of Him, who Himself when about to drink the cup which the Father was giving to Him, had an angel sent down to strengthen Him. He will sustain you, either by some 'messenger' of his, some believer, or some gracious providence of His; or He will Himself draw near as the Angel of the everlasting covenant, and comfort your heart by the pure consolations of His love and peace.

He will say, 'Canst thou, a mother, not forget thy poor son, and shall I forget thee?’ Believing in the sweet, holy unchangeable love of that shining heavenly One, by faith I would look and see the outspread wings of His everlasting love, and my own mother once more and nearer than ever embraced under their ample shadow.

"I have a good letter from Mr. Milne of Calcutta, introducing the engineer of one of the steamers. The news you gave of the birth of souls through the preaching of Mr. North is very cheering. May the people of God be only stirred up by this beginning of blessing to plead the more earnestly and constantly, until the large blessing for Scotland and England come. The felt dryness and lack of spiritual blessing was one good token, and now God has given a little rain. Oh that none may stay their asking or panting 'as the hart for the water brooks,' till God be pleased to send-what?-floods, ‘I will pour floods upon the dry ground.' How blessed a work to spend part of every day in pleading for this glorious blessing for souls in Scotland. I long to hear souls there and in England, almost as if I were still labouring there. Tell those in Perth with whom I used to unite in prayer, that in spirit I am still amongst them pleading for souls, and that as they look for their Master's reward, they must never cease to plead and watch for the blessing, the kind of blessing which they have known in times past, and which their Lord hath promised still, and then I know they will not forget to pour out prayers for the vast sea of perishing souls which lies around me here.

There were twelve baptisms in the London Missionary Society Church on Sabbath last. In one case a father and his child were baptized at the same time, first the water poured on the old father's, then on the child's head.
"Your affectionate son,
“D. S."

“26th December.-Took my Saturday walk to the top of Sam-To. A day to be remembered for the rich mercy of God."

29th.—By the alarum clock, enabled to rise at four o'clock, and find it as ever a great help. My inner life becomes more definite, and in some degree, through the mercy of God, I know that I live. Prayer is then indeed prayer, relaxation is true relaxation, and study true study."

"The effect of yesterday's fast, as usual, felt to-day, as if there was nothing between the soul and spiritual things; clearing the vision of the soul" as the glasses of a telescope, soiled and covered with dust, are cleaned" and it is again raised to the eye."

"31st December.-By some false view of the gospel, I have too little of that experience, “Stand in awe and sin not;’ ‘pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.' I believe that through want of this I have tended to turn the liberty of the gospel into licentiousness, and have been oftentimes, and deeply, and in several respects defiled before God thereby. He has put my foot into so large and wide a room, that I have not feared in coming near to the verge of evil. I believe that very uniformly for many days this has been the tempter's plan with my soul. Deliver me, O God, and put in my heart the godly fear of sin; keep me clinging every moment to the Saviour Jesus Christ, for Thy great name's sake.

“What I may call my only cross since coming here is the opium trade. The extent of this trade, and my own countrymen standing as the chief agents in it, have been a, heavy weight upon me during all the months of my sojourn here. The unashamed manner of it is an aggravation.

"I feel also the strong current of worldliness prevalent. Lord, keep me, enable me ever to feel the necessity of making a decided stand for God and His gospel, against the spirit of the world."

“On the other hand, when I review the mercies of the year, I have been altogether crowned with His lovingkindness. Since the day that I stepped into the ship which was to bear me on the way hither, even to this hour, I have only to sing of love, and tender mercy, and compassion. There has been as manifest an increase of heaven's bliss and heavenly income as I have ever experienced. Since quitting my native land and friends, and dear believers and children in Jesus, for His name's sake, in some way He has "made all things new;" but in such a way that my soul thirsts still as dry land for the manifestation of His love, and truth, and power. He has borne me (but how calmly and peacefully) as on eagles' wings. I have never had a pang, or shadow of real grief or bitterness, on account of what I have left behind; the love of Jesus, the tender mercies of God, have so calmly and continually filled my heart and soul. The divine joys and the love of God which have been poured into my needy, thirsting soul, have passed in depth and calmness, and a kind of naturalness and simplicity, all that I have ever known. Though sought for by prayer, and supplication, and fasting, yet when they have come, it has been as those showers which tarry not for man nor wait for the sons of men. Grace, the freest and the loveliest, has reigned through righteousness throughout all and every movement.

"I would have three things specially before me:

"I. That there be full time each day for prayer unto the God of my life; and for the reading and diligent searching of the Scriptures; and for this purpose, if possible, to rise at four o'clock.

“II. Attainment of the language.

"III. Prayer on behalf of China and her perishing millions.

“8th March.-I am taking a brief holiday; sailed to Pagoda island; a beautiful day. Sang praise to God and my Saviour, with the concertina for a harp. Soul in exercise before the great God, and drawn out in love to Immanuel The time on that solitary isle, in these distant seas, much to be remembered. It was a strangely sweet and heavenly season.

"My mind recurred again to the solemn scene through which I had been recently passing, and I sang over the hymns which I used to sing with the departed Mrs. Doty. I seemed to rise above death and the grave, and to sing again these pilgrim songs, as if myself on the threshold of glory, yea, almost within it.
"On my way home the stars shone out beautifully.”

Here is a part of a pleasant, playful letter to his brother, in the midst of Chinese work:-

"Amoy, 8th March, 1858
“My DEAR F.-You will have heard all the news from Canton. Lord Elgin passed up by Amoy to Shanghai; and with whom should he spend two hours at Swatow, but with that 'diligent man in his business,' W. C. Burns. He invited him to breakfast with him on board her Majesty's Plenipot. ship. Thus does that man 'stand before kings.' Lord E. was present at our service on Sabbath, conducted by the missionaries, none of whom are Episcopal He came in undress, so that scarcely any body knew him. He is little and stout, but quite like a man to carry through business. He asked the Consul a good deal about the mission affairs, and had introduced to him the senior of the missionaries. Another magnate was the Bishop of Victoria, who, the previous Sabbath, officiated and dispensed the Communion. His lawn sleeves looked rather odd in these distant parts; but Episcopacy is shorn of much that gives attraction to her at home when the State pedestal is removed, and she stands pretty much on her own merits. The real bishops are the missionaries, who could point to some three or four hundred of a gathered flock from among the heathen, and whom, we trust, a higher power than any supposed apostolical succession has made overseers.

"Two magnates of the lower species have lately come to Amoy, the former being a fine tiger. He had swum across from the mainland The story is, that very early one morning two fishermen had just roused themselves from sleep in their boats, when one of them saw, as he supposed, a foreigner’s dog swimming towards them.

Hoping to get some reward by the stranger, he offered to help him into their boat, when a good firm bite in the shoulder told him to mind his own business! The next that was heard of the striped gentleman was his landing at Emung Hang, a suburb of Amoy, where I pass almost daily. An unwonted collection of gongs and shouting drove him into a temple; and at last, some twelve soldiers having been obtained, they succeeded by shots from the roof in bringing him low! I saw him afterwards.

From snout to tip he measured more than seven feet; the body about five. The stripes were not so finely marked as in the ordinary Bengal tiger, but he is said to be of the same species; so that you see we are favoured with some of the Carnivora in this region. The flesh was purchased by the Chinese as an extraordinary and exquisite meat! The bones are used for medicine, it being rationally supposed that the powder made of such strong stuff must give corresponding strength to all who imbibe it! The other visitor, or rather capture, is a pelican, taken in a net at Swatow, and sent to the naturalist whom I once mentioned to you. This bird measures fourteen feet across the wings, and eats no end if of pounds of fish. The albatross, of different species, is also found in these parts, though not usually so large as the famous Cape birds. I don't know if I mentioned that hawks and kites, of all sorts and sizes, are continually hovering about the harbour and among the hills. Yesterday, I counted thirty, sailing and swimming in the ‘balmy air,' at one single solitary island, where I had gone for a sail. As many as sixty have been seen at such a place in a still evening.

"Do you remember a young Episcopalian student, a clergyman, who took breakfast with us in Edinburgh, about five years ago? He was introduced by Mrs. M'Intosh, Geddes. He had then, as you may remember, some thoughts of China. He dropped in upon us the other day, just arrived from England, and on his way to Ning-po as a missionary. As he did not at all know that I was in China, the meeting was to both of us very unexpected and pleasant. My paper is done.
"Your ever affectionate brother."

He was fond of rowing in the Chinese boats; and his tall figure, as he stood erect, working with two oars, often elicited the surprise of the natives, who could not understand why a man who did not need to do it, should occupy himself in such an exercise. But we are now approaching the scenes that ended his career. On 27th February, he stood by the deathbed of Mrs. Doty. He writes: “The strongest of her sex in the community has been removed.” Then he speaks of "Yearnings of heart over the motherless children;" and adds, “Never seemed to reach farther into death and the hereafter." It had been a night of most brilliant moonlight, while he stood with Mr. Doty in that chamber of death. "There was not prayer so much, as the soul wholly God's-burning up as a steady flame unto Him!" One of his last home letters thus refers to the sad event:- "The death of the wife of one of the American missionaries seemed, and has been, a great loss. She met with the Chinese women for prayer and the reading of the Scriptures once a week, and was much beloved and looked up to by them. But He, in whose hands are all events for the good of His Church, knoweth how to bring spiritual blessing out of temporal trial The large number of Ohinese who followed the earthly remains to their last resting-place were deeply moved-many in tears. And since then there has been a marked quickening among the native brethren; and there may have been a looking more closely to their 'lamps,' and a firmer 'girding up of their loins,' lest the Son of Man,' the glorious Bridegroom, should come on them suddenly. Inquirers have been led to a deeper searching of heart, seeing that death, to all out of Christ, is but the prelude to everlasting woe, and this may arrive on them at any moment of any day.
“Among other hopeful cases, I understand that five Chinese women are applicants for baptism in Amoy at present. We may not complain when Jesus removes well-established believers, even though they be missionaries or their helpmates, when He causes many to stand up in their room, new precious souls from among the heathen.

"Nor let anyone remain at home merely for the sake of relations, how dear soever they may be to them. While the eparted sister in Jesus lay a-dying here—having quitted a home in America, the only converted child, I believe, out of a large family-what was God doing in that house? The father, if a Christian, had been buried in, and the seed all but choked by, the cares of this life-but his soul then got a quickening; the old praying mother called it a baptism, which she believed would remain in him even to the end. The eldest brother of the family had been hopefully converted, and the youngest daughter, and many acquaintances. Faithful is he that hath promised…”

"3Oth March.—Monday after preaching. After forenoon work, set sail in a boat, and proceeded far on the sea. Struck the mainland, and climbed to the top of one of the high hills there. Seemed to get the good now to myself of the services of the Sabbath, as if the finest of the wheat were given. At the summit it was made as a sacramental season -my soul was filled with the truth and the love of Jesus. The 110th Psalm was given me to sing, and especially the third verse, over and over again, thinking of China. "A willing people in Thy day of power shall come to Thee,’&c.

"Realised, in some measure, Heb., i. 14-'Are they (the angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.'

"Saw Pagoda Island in the distance, and remembered my day spent there. The larks were singing beautifully overhead.

"6th June 1858.-Communion with the native Chinese; made a happy time at the table, and afterwards; viewing the bread and wine as tokens and sensible proofs that Jesus had died, and was to come again.

“Where is assurance or peace to be found, but in walking by faith in the altogether completed work-the entirely-filled-up righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ? The great love of Christ has been drawing somewhat nearer."

Some of the next extracts are surely remarkable, now that we know the event.
]3th June.-“A blink in the morning of the Song of Solomon-'Let him kiss me.' To me to live is Christ. Sometimes my life in some of its phases seems like a romance of love and joy.” Then he speaks of warnings from the climate. 17th.June, he meditates on "Jacob's request to his son Joseph as to his burial" 30th-“Doty's child died;" and he cries for sanctification, and the preparing of himself for death. 18th July-“Breathe, of thy sanctifying, illumining Spirit, into my heart, and, as it were, through the outward frame of the body; for it is written-' Your whole spirit, soul, and body.'"

"Tuesday, 20th July.-Still many said to be dying. Preserved hitherto of the mercy of God.

"Up earlier-4.30. Row; and Scriptures and Psalms made good. Found, as usual, the good effect of an early start; and time for the thoughts to be collected before God previous to meeting with men.

"Forenoon reading and prayer with my friend, Mrs T. Evening prayer-meeting with Smith and Grant; yet soul much darkened by my sin. Though long kept oft, the enemy is ready to return again. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation."

24th July, Saturday.-Gracious Saviour, my Lord and sole abiding friend, be Thou near to keep and sanctify. Deeply hast Thou been pleased to satisfy my heart with Thine own love; nor hast Thou withheld all those human founts for which man naturally yearns. Come Thou near now on this day of preparation for preaching the holy and blessed, though searching, truth. Thy service, O my Saviour, is sweet beyond all thought-to preach in the name of Jesus.

"Dwelling in this large, high-roofed dwelling, with its broad verandahs, the evenings especially I much enjoy. A touch of sickness, with health restored; dwelling near kind friends, so that 1 have society and solitude combined; an instrument of sacred music; moonlights of surpassing yet mild brightness; with now and then a passing sail; combined with the notes of two snow-white turtle-doves, whose gentle cry, morning, noon, and night, re-echoes to my heart the sounds and scenes of my far-distant, native land"-these are some of the things which he enumerates, that awoke peculiar feelings in his soul.

And now the end was at hand. On the 25th of July he preached on 2 Cor. xiii. 5, “Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith," a word in season previous to partaking of the Lord's Supper. Then, on the 26th, he writes:-" Hundreds said to be dying daily in Amoy from cholera. 'Be ye also ready'--midnight-cockcrowing-or in the morning.”

“Next day, July 27th, 1858:-"Day somewhat darkened by the flesh. Afternoon; reading in the Lamentations, found it good" Then (though the connecting link is wanting) follow the words, "Love and Liberty."

These were the last words he wrote. "LOVE AND
LIBERTY!” Surely this is the breathing of asoul almost already free! It is like Henry Martyn's aspirations, which were the last words that man of God ever wrote: "Thought with sweet comfort and peace of my God; in solitude, my company, my friend, and benefactor. O when shall time give place to eternity! When shall appear that new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness?”

Dr Legge, missionary at Hong Kong, on speaking of his death, remarks, "When I looked at him I thought, 'You will have the desire?¤ of your heart, in living many years among the Chinese to see them converted!' But I little thought how soon that armour on him would be laid aside.' One in his native land sang of him no more than the truth in the following lines:-
China for Christ,
Count not the price;
'Twas written on his brow;
Even while his hand,
Through his own land,
Lov'd still the seed to sow,
The distant prize
Would ever rise
And whisper, "Let me go."
Did not the flash of his dark eye
Foretell of early victory?

China for Christ,
Count not the price!
‘Tis written on his tomb-
Upon the sail that bore him far,
Upon his standard in heaven’s wwar,
Upon the volume in his hand,
In cipher strange of Minim’s land,
Upon his heart where like a shrine
Affection clasped the love divine,
Nor bathed in any shallower love,
Than of the Bridegroom from above,
Upon his soul that kindled high
To finish faith's fight gloriously,
Upon his pallid, stately form
Dark pestilence has seized by storm,
Writ with a hieroglyphic pen
In lines of love beyond our ken,
Gleams the device,
China for Christ,
Count not the price.—M.P.R.

Perhaps nothing more characteristically true could have been said of his death, than was said of him by one of his bosom friends, Mr. Coventry: "Here is one man, at least, who, when he comes to die, has nothing to add to the daily, hourly, thoughts and experience of his ordinary life!"

On hearing of his death (Dr James Hamilton said), that saying of John Foster was the first thought that rushed into his mind: "The grandest use of a lifetime on earth is the opportunity it gives of advancing the glory of God."

Mr. W. C. Burns wrote home: "When, little more than a year ago, I visited Amoy, 1 had much sweet intercourse with him; and as the vessel that conveyed me back to Swatow left the harbour, he stood on the balcony above and waved to me until we were out of sight. Now we may imagine him from a higher elevation beckoning us to follow on in the Christian race, laying aside every weight, and running that we may reach the prize."

Another wrote: "Do not think his labours in China have been in vain. I believe he has been one of the greatest blessings to all the missionaries in Amoy. Through his unwearied prayerfulness, through his labours of love, through his great humility and fidelity, he contributed greatly to raise the tone of godliness in the entire missionary circle, and to effect a more distinct separation between the Church and the world."

His Tombstone (p. 305,306) Mr. Grant conducted the Eng'ish service at the grave, and MrTalmage and Mr J. Stronach the Chinese. He is buried in the small island of Kolongsoo, right opposite Amoy. The tombstone has on the main slab at the top the inscription:-"'Sacred to the Memory of the Rev. David Sandeman, Missionary to the Chinese from the Presbyterian Church in England. He died of cholera at Amoy, July 31. 1858, aged 32 years. From the time when he gave himself to his Lord's work, he entered upon a career of self-surrender which seemed to know no pause, and no abatement till he entered on his blessed rest.’
And again below are the words, ‘Surely I come quickly: Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.’”

On the green-coloured stones of the two sides which support the upper one, there are quotations from Scripture in English; the one is, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” On the opposite side are the verses on which Mr. Sandeman preached on board ship at Swatow, when he arrived there on his way to Amoy on a Sabbath. The words are, "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.” On the corresponding stones of the two ends of the tomb are inscriptions in Chinese, the one giving the name, country, and occupation of the deceased, with the date of his death, and the other consists of some Chinese verses on the victory of the Christian over death. The tomb may be seen from the windows of the house in Amoy where he used to study.
That grave will teach its lessons from year to year.

Two of those who most recently went forth, Mr. Swanson and Mr. Mackenzie, tell in their letters how on that spot they felt themselves drawn anew to devote themselves to their Lord, and to think of the reward of His servants at the Resurrection of The Just.

HIS LAST DAYS The letters of his friends have supplied a few interesting details of Mr. Sandeman’s last moments. His illness lasted only twenty hours, and it was at the close of a busy week that he was called away. On the Thursday of that week, the child of one residing in Mr. Talmage’s house died of cholera. Mr. Sandeman was much occupied ministering to the bereaved mother, praying often with her, and after the child's death plaiting a wreath of flowers for the coffin to soothe and gratify maternal feeling. He did not attend the funeral on Friday, feeling unwell The same day he met Dr. Bell, who remembers that he left him Saying, "We can't tell which of us may be the next; but none of us liveth to himself, and no one dieth to himself; for whether we live unto the Lord, or whether we die, we die unto the Lord." That day, Mr. Doty's little child sickened; and at midnight Mr. Sandeman himself was obliged to seek medical assistance, for unmistakable symptoms of cholera had appeared. His case soon assumed an alarming aspect.

All the missionaries successively, in true brotherly love, were at his bedside in the course of the morning, to whom he said, "Don't come too near, for your own sake and for the sake of the work." Mr. Smith mentions, that the fourteenth chapter of John was among the last portions of Scripture read to him, and which he was able to follow. To a question of Mr. Grant's, as to what gave him confidence in that hour, his reply was, “From-head-to-foot, righteousness!"—a reply most characteristic of the man, his soul's delight having ever been to proclaim Christ's righteousness as the sinner's robe. When Mr. Talmage asked him if he had any message to leave for his friends, his reply was not less characteristic, “Tell my mother I thought of her, because she taught me the way to Jesus." To Mr. Talmage he said, "Tabernacle dissolving!” and spoke of the love of Jesus being "like a cloudless sky; the one dark spot in it has been my sins:" Mr. Doty quoted the words, 1 John i 7, “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” “I know it does! I know it does!” was his prompt response. He replied to Mr. A. Stronach, who asked him if the Great High Priest was precious to him in that solemn hour: "He always has been, He always has been, exceedingly precious, exceedingly precious, from the moment I knew Him till now." Soon after, he said, “May grace be given you to pray earnestly for China and its perishmg millions!"
Mr. John Stronach inquired if he felt much pain? He said he did not, and that his only pain since he had known Christ had been sin. Then he spoke again: "The love of Jesus is like the sea around you!” And he sent this as his last message to his friends, “Tell them, it was only last night, when I had a little more strength, that the love of Jesus came rushing into my soul like the waves of the sea—as if it would rend me—that I ad to cry, Stop, Lord, it is enough! O the height, and depth, and length, and breadth, of the love of Jesus!" (as he said this, he waved his hand with a motion expressive of desire to see nothing else), “and I was constrained to cry out, All too long have we been parted! Let my spirit speed to His.”

Rallying in the afternoon, he arranged some temporal affairs, making everything bear directly on the glory of His Lord. Once, when he had said, "I am cut off in the midst of my days-how sad!" Dr Bell asked if he wished to live for the sake of preaching the gospel to the Chinese, “Aye, that is it!" he exclaimed. He then sent discriminating messages to several individuals, whose state of mind he had been well acquainted with. To one who had long “hung about the doors of the kingdom," he sent this warning, "There is nothing but hell for those who go no farther than the door! There is no middle place.” This message he solemnly repeated a second time.

The pain increased; the want of air distressed him; but he was able audibly to join in the 116th Psalm to some extent, giving fervent thanks to his Lord for His mercy and kindness toward him throughout all his life. After that he gradually sank, till about eight o'clock he ceased to breathe.

That was Saturday night. The funeral took place next day, at half-past five in the evening. What a Sabbath he had that day begun!

One of the brethren, Mr. Carstairs Douglas, was absent that Sabbath, preaching to the members of the little church in the neighbouring village of Ma-ping. Returning next morning, he was shewn the new-made grave! and then entered the very room where his fellow-labourer used to study and pray. He found books and papers lying as they were left three days before, ready for use again, if it had been the Lord's will. The tent was there-the soldier was gone. The Captain of salvation had called him away to stand near His person within the vail.

And now, what shall we say as to the Lord's ways? We have not sufficient light to enable us to interpret providences aright. "Let us judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come," (1 Cor. iv. 5). One thing, however, we may ask, Was it not thus that the Master dealt with one of His most loved apostles? James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John, was prepared (as we would say) for great services, by being shewn things which others were not, time after time. Did not the Lord select him as one who, in the house of Jairus, should witness death conquered? and on the Transfiguration-hill, see the glory of the coming kingdom revealed? He was one of four who, on the Mount of Olives, sat over against the temple, and heard the Lord tell the ruin of Jerusalem, and the signs of His Coming again. And did not this man share in the precious privilege of being taken down to Gethsemane, with only two companions, there to be present when our cup of wrath was put to the lips of the Surety? And did he not receive power from the Holy Ghost as fully as anyone on the day of Pentecost? Who, then, more fit than James to testify fully of Jesus the Saviour? Who better furnished? Yet, he is cut off ere ever he has been more than a few months engaged in His Master's work. His remarkable training in the school of Christ, as proved by the event to be as much a preparation for soon leaving earth and being with Christ above, as for labour and service here. It seems to have been even thus with Mr. Sandeman. And an important lesson is taught us by such cases as these. They say to us, Reckon not upon an after time for using what the Lord gives; make immediate use of all: attend much to ordinary, daily living. It may be, this is all the opportunity of serving the Lord that is to be afforded you.

The Son of Man sends forth many labourers into His fields, but He has many more whom He could send, if He chose. He employs the one, because He likes to honour His servants by using them as instruments; He sends home the other soon, because He would have us know that He does not need to use instruments any further than pleases Him. He is seen in vision coming in the white cloud, having on His head the Golden Crown, and in his hand the Sharp Sickle, (Rev. xiv. 14). The voice from heaven cries, "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord; for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them;" and when He has thus called them to rest, He Himself finishes the reaping which they, by His grace, had so well begun.

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Dr. Bill   Xiamen University MBA Center
E-mail: amoybill@gmail.com
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Box 1288 Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian PRC   361005

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