Having visited the College, and made every possible arrangement for its present emergencies; and having some time before fully accomplished the three great duties assigned him—either of which was almost enough for any ordinary man—to learn the language, to translate the Bible, and to compose a Dictionary, Dr. M. felt himself now at perfect liberty to visit his native country, which he reached in the spring of 1824.
As Dr. Morrison had been so much and so deservedly anticipated by his fame, an intense anxiety was every where manifested to see and hear him. Hence he was expected to appear at every public meeting of the Missionary and Bible Societies: and to preach on almost every occasion. From the long prevalence of retired and studious habits, and I may add of Asiatic manners, this was no easy or pleasant task for him; and it is not wonderful, if, on some occasions, he disappointed the expectations excited. But you, my Christian friends, can testify the powerful appeals which he made here, and how much his soul was evidently inspired with zeal for China; wherever he was, this was his ruling passion. Hence he wished all to love China, and to seek her evangelization by every means in their power; and not to mind silver or gold, friends or comforts, except as they might become the honoured means of promoting the Redeemer's kingdom. And it is highly gratifying to state, that his visit was productive of considerable zeal and exertion on behalf of the same. The greatest attention and kindness were every where shown him, by all ranks of the community. He was honoured by being introduced at court, where he presented to his Sovereign a copy of his Chinese Bible, which was most graciously received, as was also a large Map of China, which he subsequently transmitted. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and of several other literary institutions, both at home and abroad; and he had, some years before, in the most handsome manner, been created Doctor in Divinity by the University of Glasgow, for his distinguished labours. He prolonged his stay in England a second year, in order to instruct some missionaries and others in Chinese; and to promote the interests of Oriental literature, in connexion with missionary efforts.
About this time, he again entered into the marriage state, by leading to the altar Miss Armstrong, of Liverpool, well known to many of you: in whose recent and unspeakable sorrows, I am fully convinced, you will most deeply sympathize.
Having sent to the press his "Parting Memorial," he left, for the last time, his native shores, with Mrs. Morrison, now his disconsolate widow, and an infant, and his two elder children, in January, 1826, to return to China, "the land of his adoption," as he called it; with the intention of preparing a short Commentary on certain portions of the Scriptures, and such other elementary Christian Essays as appeared desirable for the right understanding of the word of God, now in extensive circulation there. These works he was enabled, to a very considerable extent, to accomplish before his decease.
But I must read you an extract from his last letter to myself, which I received only eight days before his death, dated Macao, February 24, 1834:—
"My dear friend,
"Two days ago, your welcome letter, accompanied by a report of your kind Association for our poor college, arrived and afforded me much joy; for I had several months been wondering at your silence. The death of Milne and Collie, and the removal of Kidd and Tomlin, were impediments to the prosperity of the institution. But I am happy to say that, judging from Mr. Evans's letters from the College, he will soon restore it to all that piety, learning, and zeal can do for it. I have been depressed about it of late, but my hopes now revive.—The American missionaries in Canton are persevering in the good work, without any immediately great results. They are more zealously supported from America, than we are from England.—The church of Christ on earth, and also in heaven, is from all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues. It should know nothing of earthly nationalities. The kingdom under the whole heaven belongs to Christ, our blessed Saviour, of which I hope, my dear—we are citizens. I love the land of my descent, 'Canny Scotland;' the land of my birth, 'Old England;' and the land of my sojourn—my adoption, although not recognized by it—China. I would not set up one against the other. O that in point of fact (as in point of right they are) all the kingdoms of this world may soon become the kingdoms of our God and of his Christ! At present I am engaged on Notes on the Gospels, with marginal references in Chinese. My progress is but slow. My strength for labour has much diminished; and I have many calls on my time from various quarters. Adieu.
"My dear brother and faithful friend, ever yours affectionately,
Robert Morrison."