' Y THE DAY J MISSIONS LIBRARY 13 ADDEESSES MEDICAL STUDENTS DELIVERED AT THE INSTANCE OP THE EDINBURGH MEDICAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY 1855-56. EDINBUKGH: ADAM AND CHAELES BLACK. 1856. yale Divinity Library " New Havsn, Conn. t_&e Le Clerc's History of Medicine. " Ordinarily," says Owen, " there were some outward means and tokens, that were to be made use of in the exercise of this gift of healing. Such were (1.) Imposition of hands. Our Saviour himself, in healing of the sick, did generally ' lay his hands on them,' (Matt.ix. 18 ; Luke iv. 40.) And he gave the same order nnto his disciples that they should ' lay their hands on those that were sick, and heal them,' which was practised by them accordingly. (2.) Anointing with oil. 'They anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them,' (Mark vi. 13.) And the elders of the church, with whom this gift was continued, were to come to him that was sick, and praying over him, ' anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord,' and he should be saved, (James v. 14, 15.) For these reasons, I judge that this gift of healing, though belonging unto miraculous operations in general, is every where reckoned as a distinct gift by itself. And from that place of James, I am apt to think that this gift was communi cated in an especial manner unto the elders of churches, even that were ordinary and fixed, it being of so great use ANOINTING WITH OIL. 1 69 tion to use oil, the apostle meant to indicate that, along with prayer, medicinal agencies of some kind, adapted to the case, were to be employed ? If so, the passage in question may be regarded as introductory to the age following that of the apostles, when the power of work ing miracles having been withdrawn from the church, the cure of diseases was left to the ordinary treatment of the physician.* In the history of Christianity, during the ages that succeeded that of the apostles and primitive Christians, I find very few indica tions of the workings of charity in the care of the sick. We read in one of Clement's and such singular comfort unto them that were poor and per secuted ; which was the condition of many churches and their members in those days." * The great German historian of the church writes, " The passage in the development of the church, from that first period in which the supernatural, immediate, and creative power pre dominated, to the second, in which the same divine principle displayed its activity in the form of natural connection, was not a sudden transition, but proceeded by a series of gradual and insensible changes, We should not be warranted, as neither are we in a condition, to draw so sharply the line of demarcation between what is supernatural and what is natural in the effects proceeding from the power of Christianity, when it has once taken possession of human nature.?' 170 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. epistles to the Corinthians that " an unwearied desire of doing good, and a plentiful effusion of the Holy Ghost was with the believers ; " that "their care was, day and night, for aU the brethren ;" " that they mourned over the faults of their neighbours, sympathized with their infirmities as their own, and were ready to every good work." But of the specialties of these good works we learn but little. Again, — in the account of the dreadful persecutions of the Christians at Lyons, in the second century, we read of Alexander, a physician, a man generaUy known for his love of God, and zealous regard for Divine truth, who was suddenly con demned to be thrown to the wild beasts in the amphitheatre, because he had been seen to encourage other martyrs, while in their agonies, to confess Christ ; — but we find Uttle recorded of the antecedents of this medical martyr; nothing of his making his profession subservient to the spread of the Gospel ; yet we may con jecture that, as he came originaUy from Phrygia, where the Gospel was well known, he may have been one of the agents by whom it was carried into France, where it took deep root, and bore much fruit then and long afterwards. COLUMBA. 1 7 I It is certain that not a few Christians of the third and fourth centuries devoted themselves, with the utmost assiduity, to the relief of the sufferers from plague and other epidemic diseases. It is recorded, for instance, of Columba, the laborious and much honoured apostle of the ancient Scots and Picts, that, when the multi plicity of his business allowed him to stay at home, he was resorted to for aid and advice, as a physician of both soul and body, by multitudes of all ranks; that his knowledge, skill, and success were so remarkable as to lead many to regard his cures as miracles ; and that, when ever he heard any was in sickness, he not only visited him, and prayed for him, and that too with such tender emotion as shewed how much his heart Was affected, but also administered medicines, with which he often sent messen gers as far as other kingdoms. And " it is undeniable that the spread of the Gospel was advanced by such means. Let us bring before our mind some of these in aU their vivid connection with the character and spirit of the times. A Christian meets with some unhappy individual, sunk in heathenish super stition, who, diseased in body and soul, had in I 7 2 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. vain hoped to get reUef in the temple of Esculapius, where so many in those days sought a cure for their diseases in dreams sent from the God of Health. To no purpose also had he tried the various incantations and amulets of Pagan priests and dealers in enchantments. The Christian bids him to look no longer for help from impotent and lifeless idols, or from demoniacal powers, but to betake himself to that Almighty God, who alone can help. He hears, He assures him, the prayers of aU who invoke His aid in the name of Him by whom He has redeemed the world from sin. The Christian employs no formulas, no amulets ; but simply calling upon God through Christ, he lays his hand on the sick man's head, in faithful reliance on his Saviour. The sick man is healed ; and the cure of his body leads to that of his soul." * Laurentius was particularly dis tinguished by his zeal and energy in such good works. At a later period of the middle ages, and onwards, there were instituted, in various coun tries, many societies of monks, whose chief * Neander, vol. i. p. 100. MONK-PHYSICIANS. I "J 3 object it was to provide physical and spiritual relief for the unfortunate and for the outcast. Can we doubt that the seU-denying sacrifices, which many of these men made with cheerful ness, were the fruits of a true faith in Christ, not of a vain desire to work out a righteousness of their own ? But, whatever were the internal springs of action, the work aimed at outwardly and, to a large extent, accomplished, was the same which we desire to promote. It is, therefore, in consonance with our present object to refer to the noble examples of Christian charity and devotedness which were manifested by not a few, even in the darkest periods of the church's history. It is recorded that, during the eleventh and twelfth centuries, erysipelas, then called St. Anthony's Fire, prevaried widely throughout Europe, and everywhere caused most extensive ravages. Gaston, descended from a family of consideration amongst the French nobiUty, in gratitude for his own recovery, and that of his son, founded a society, of which the express object was to furnish nurses for persons affected with this disease. Other societies were formed of laymen and ecclesiastics, who, foUow ing the so-called rule of Augustin, under the 174 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. direction of a superior, spent their time in taking care of the sick in hospitals ; and there were still other societies of men, who devoted them selves more especiaUy to taking care of the leprous, and founded large establishments for the express purpose of receiving and nursing them. " The ecclesiastics, in such societies, attended to the religious wants of the patients ; preached to them, gave them the benefit of their pastoral care, and the sacraments. The laymen under took to do everything necessary for their bodriy relief and comfort; also, to provide for the decent burial of the dead, according to the usual forms. The Dominican, Humbert de Romanis, who Uved near tlie close of the thirteenth century, remarks, with regard to the care of the leprous, that, ' owing to the danger of infection, the impatience and the ingratitude of the victims of this disease, it was one of the most forbidding labours to wait upon them. Amongst thousands, but very few were to be found who could be induced to live with them ; for, with many, nature herself revolts at it. And had there not been some, who, for God's sake, fought down the repugnance of nature, they would have been left absolutely deprived CAEE OF LEPERS. 175 of all human assistance.' Jacob of Vitry says, concerning the persons who devoted their lives to this arduous work of Christian charity, ' For Christ's sake, they bring themselves to endure, amidst filth and disgusting scents — by driving themselves up to it — such intolerable hard ships, that it would seem as if no sort of penitential exercise, wliich man imposes on himseU, deserved a moment to be compared with this holy martyrdom.' Female societies, having the same object in view, were also formed. " But by way of warning, it must be added that that which began in the spirit of a Chris tian charity, that shrunk from no sacrifice, was, like so many other noble undertakings, imitated and abused in the thirteenth century by a worldly spirit that masked itseU under the seemly guise of religion. Jacob of Vitry was forced to make the bitter complaint that many, who pre tended to devote their Uves to this nursing of the sick, only used it as a cover under which to exact, by various and deceptive tricks, from the abused sympathies of Christians, large sums of money, of which but a trifling portion was expended on the objects for which it had been I76 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. bestowed. Innocent the Second passed an ordi nance against such fraudulent coUectors of alms for Spitals." * The care of the sick has ever stood out as a prominent feature in aU the operations of the Jesuits. Its importance is acknowledged by them ; and they have recorded some remarkable instances of the advantages which it has secured for them in various circumstances. But on these we cannot now dwell ; we beUeve that the active members of the world-renowned Society of Jesus have proved how possible it is to wield a good instrument in a bad cause, and to wield it with great effect. May we be enabled to choose the good and to refuse the evil of their example. It is now exactly three hundred years since the first missionaries to the heathen were sent forth by the Protestant churches ; but I am not aware of any one of these, nor of their successors during several successive generations, having devoted himself especially to the healing of the sick. For at least one hundred and fifty years, there is no record of any Protestant physician or * Neander's History, vol. vii. p. 358. GEN. CODRINGTON S BEQUEST. 177 surgeon having consecrated his profession to the service of Christ in connection with the preaching of the Gospel. But, in the beginning of the eighteenth century, the importance of caring for the sick amongst those to whom the Gospel is preached was most impressively set before the Church by General Codrington, an Englishman, who bequeathed to the Society for the Propaga tion of the Gospel in Foreign parts (founded in 1701) some property which he possessed in the West Indies. The objects which he had more particularly in view will be seen from the follow ing abstract of that part of his will which relates to them : — " General Codrington gives and bequeaths his two plantations in the island of Barbadoes, and part of his island of Barbuda, to the Society for the Propagation of the Christian ReUgion in Foreign Parts, erected and esta blished by his good master King WilUam the Third ; and desires that trie plantations should continue entire, and 300 negroes, at least, always kept thereon, and a convenient number of professors and scholars maintained there, who are to be obliged to study and practise physic and chirurgery as weU as divinity, that by the appa- I78 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. rent usefulness of the former to aU mankind, they may both endear themselves to the people, and have the better opportunity of doing good to men's souls, whUst they are taking care of their bodies ; but the particulars of the consti tution he leaves to the Society composed of wise and good men." Since that period, after many difficulties arising from law-suits with the executors, the erection of a coUege at considerable expense, and the devastations occasioned by frequent hurricanes, an establishment was formed and supported by the produce of the estates, consist ing of a president and twelve scholars ; stipends being aUowed to those who were desirous of prosecuting their studies in England, either in divinity, law, or physic* The benevolence of General Codrington in devising this scheme cannot be questioned ; but - Brown's History of Missions, vol. iii. p. 410. It is stated elsewhere that the value of the property bequeathed for the above-mentioned object was £2000 per annum. General Codrington was the ancestor of the present Baronet of Dodington. CODRINGTON COLLEGE. 179 it admits of a doubt whether his wisdom were as great as his charity. The circumstances of the West India islands were not such as to make any of them fit for the establishment of a school of medicine, even on a small scale. It is not, therefore, wonderful that General Cod- rington's plans could not be carried out to the letter ; nor that the coUege failed to fulfil the purpose of its founder. Nevertheless, it becomes us to honour the memory of a man, who may weU be called the father of modern medical mis sions, who seems to have thoroughly appreciated the importance of medical agency in connection with evangeUstic operations, and who devoted larger funds for the promotion of the object thari any other person ever did before him, or, so far as we know, has done since. And it stands out as a remarkable fact that the man who devised such liberal things for the furtherance of the work which we also desire, however humbly, to promote, was a member of the military pro fession. The first instance of the consecration of medi cine to missionary work, that we have any account of, in the eighteenth century, was. in I BO THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. the sending forth, by the Moravians of Germany, of two weU educated medical men, Dr. Chris tian F. W. Hocker, and J. Rueffer, surgeon, to Persia, to labour amongst the Gaures, a people supposed to be descended from the Magi, or wise men of the East, who came to Bethlehem at the birth of Christ. Hocker and his com panion went by Aleppo, through the desert to Bagdad. On their journey thence to Ispahan, they were attacked by Kurd robbers, and despoUed of aU their property. In great misery they reached Ispahan, where they were kindly treated by some fathers of the Roman Catholic Church. They might have settled at Ispahan in a medical capacity, with the fairest prospects of success, as the Persians have a very exalted idea of the learning and skUl of physicians from Europe ; but having no hope of being useful in their principal character as missionaries, they resolved to go to Cairo, there to await advices from Europe. On their way thither they were again robbed and reduced to the utmost extremity. Rueffer died at Damietta ; Hocker returned to Europe in 1750. In 1752 he again set out with the intention of practising as a HANS-EGEDE. physician in Cairo, and preparing himself for a mission to Abyssinia ; but, after much toil and years of suffering, in which he visited Constan tinople, and returned for a time to Germany, he was obliged to abandon his purpose of entering Abyssinia. Nevertheless, he continued in the patient exercise of his medical profession at Cairo until 1783, hoping that a door might at length be opened for promoting the interests of religion in Abyssinia. As an example of what missionaries are some times brought into contact with when pestilence spreads amongst the people of their charge, I may mention here the account given of a dread ful epidemic of small-pox, of which the celebrated Danish missionary Hans-Egede was an eye-wit ness, in Greenland, in 1733. Egede was not a medical man, but he felt constrained to do all he could for the suffering people. The disease (unknown previously in Greenland) had been imported from Denmark. It assumed at once a most malignant form, and spread rapidly, in consequence of those affected running from place to place seeking relief. Most of the patients died within four days. Some in despair stabbed themselves, or plunged into the sea to put an I 82 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. end to their sufferings. Such was the general consternation, that the living did not as usual mourn for the dead, not even for their nearest relations. In his efforts to render the miserable people such help as he could give, Egede exerted himseU with superhuman devotedness. He tra velled everywhere, and, with the aid of the other missionaries, he lodged aU the sick who fled to him. The missionaries laid as many of them in their own houses, and even in their bedrooms, as the places would hold, and attended and nursed them as well as they were able, though the stench of the sick and dying was almost insufferable. Of how great advantage to aU parties, and in every sense, would a regularly educated physician have been in these trying circumstances ! It was about the time when Hocker was ter minating his medical missionary labours in Egypt, that John Thomas, an English surgeon, who had previously made two voyages from London to Calcutta, as surgeon of the Oxford East Indiaman, began to feel a deep interest in the miserable condition of the Hindus, which led him to resolve to remain in Bengal, and to preach to its benighted people the unsearchable riches of Christ. Mr. Thomas JOHN THOMAS. I 83 laboured amongst them from 1787 till 1792, when he returned to Europe. As several of the Hindus had manifested no small interest in spiritual things under Mr. Thomas's ministry, the Baptist Missionary Society, just then formed at Kettering in Nortriamptonshire, were encouraged to request him to return to Bengal as theiragent, Having consented to this, the Society supplied him with a colleague in the person of the well-known Dr. Carey. These reached India together at the end of 1793. Many difficulties and trials were encountered by them for several years ; not a few of which trials were occasioned by the imprudence and pecuriarities of temper of Mr. Thomas. Yet there can be no doubt of his having been a sincere Christian, and a most devoted missionary. It was through the exer cise of his surgical skill, that, after thirteen years of apparently fruitless labour, a deep im pression was made on the heart of a Hindu of the name of Krishnu, who became a true convert, and as such, the first-fruits of the mis sion. This man had had his shoulder dislocated, and sent for Mr. Thomas, who reduced the luxation, and then talked to the patient of the good news of salvation by Jesus Christ. The 184 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. man had heard the Gospel before, and was struck with it. He now confessed he was a great sinner, and, with many tears, cried out, " Save me, Sahib, save me." Three or four weeks after, Krishnu, and another of the natives named Gokul, came and ate publicly with the mission aries, and thus broke caste, which had hitherto seemed a fortress next to impregnable. It is said of Mr. Thomas that " he had exquisite plea sure in doing good ; it was a perfect luxury to him." Happriy, his medical skill enabled him largely to gratify his feelings to the great ad vantage of the poor Hindus, multitudes of whom flocked to him for advice ; many from great distances ; there were almost always patients at his door; and, when he traveUed through the country, his progress was often hindered by the crowds who sought earnestly for his advice. Contemporaneous with the labours of the last-mentioned missionary were those of Dr. John Theodore Vanderkemp, who went to South Africa in 1798 as one of the agents of the London Missionary Society. In the history of this remarkable man, you will, I am sure, take a lively interest, when I tell you that, although born in Holland, he received his medical edu- DE. VANDEEKEMP. I 8 5 cation at this university, where he graduated in 1782. In early life, he was an officer in the Dutch army. Having made a narrow escape from drowning in a canal, his mind was brought under serious impressions of the importance of sacred truth, and he resolved to devote himself to a ltfe of activity in the service of his Divine Master. With this view, he commenced the study of medicine. His thesis is an elaborate disquisition on life in its physiological aspects, and on the vivification of the material consti tuents of the human body. He seems to have aimed at the production of a'testimony in favour of the doctrine of a special providence, in opposi tion to the gross materiarism, which, at the time when he studied and wrote, was so rampant in this, as well as in most of the other medical schools of Europe. As sixteen years elapsed between the time of his graduation and that of his going to Africa, Dr. Vanderkemp must have been rather too far advanced in life at the latter period to admit of his entering with success upon the study of the native tongues. Nevertheless, it is stated that, by dint of the greatest assiduity and perseverance, he was enabled to acquire as much of the Caffre language as was required for I 86 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. his useful intercourse with the people. He laboured amongst them with the utmost zeal ; living habitually in their society ; conforming to such of their habits as he considered innocent ; and even marrying one of the native females. By this last act, and others, more or less of a piece with it, he incurred the displeasure of not a few, who yet regarded him as an eminently useful, as he was, undoubtedly, a most zealous and self-sacrificing man. It is understood that he made use of his medical skill to a large extent, and that, through its instrumentality, he was enabled to secure a high place in the affec tionate regards of the people. There can be no question as to the strong footing which Chris tianity has latterly obtained in South Africa, and it is probable that not a little of this has resulted from the effects of the indefatigable labours of Vanderkemp. Notwithstanding the apparently useful labours of Thomas and Vanderkemp as medical mis sionaries, the societies which sent them out (namely the Baptist and the London Missionary Societies) appear to have done little or nothing for many years, in the way of inviting or encouraging weU-qualified medical men to devote P. CAREY IN BUEMAH. I 87 themselves to their service. It seems Ukely that the imprudences, of which they had had cause to complain, in the conduct of both of these pioneers, led the directors of the societies to stand in doubt of all members of the profession, which they represented. This doubt was pro bably strengthened by what they heard about this time, of the inconsistent proceedings of a son of the excellent Indian missionary Carey, who, having studied medicine, went to Ava (in 1807) where he was soon employed by the imperial family, received a title from the emperor, and was so caressed by the grandees of the empire, as to be tempted to forget his high caUing, and to sink the missionary in the mere physician. There is good reason for believing that poor Carey's fall was long after remembered and pointed at, to the disparage ment of the employment of medical men as mis sionaries. To you and to us, although we rnay be able to look above and beyond such individual instances of the working of human frailty, and to beUeve that they are exceptional, these occur rences are yet fraught with lessons of solemn warning, to which we ought aU to take heed ; I 88 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. remembering ever, that " he who thinketh he standeth" is most in danger of falling. Carey was succeeded in Burmah by Colman (1818) and Price (1821), who were intimately associated with the Rev. Dr. Judson, whose praise, as a laborious and wise herald of the cross, is in all the churches. Of Dr. Price, it is recorded that, " immediately after his arrival, he commenced the practice of his profession in Rangoon. His success in several opera tions, specially on the eyes of those suffering from cataract, was made known in Ava ; and, only seven months after his arrival, an order was received from the king, summoning him to the capital, on account of his medical skiU." So that he ran the same risk of being spoiled by the flatteries of the great, as did his predecessor at the same court, but, providen- tiaUy, without suffering from the evil as Carey did. We now come to speak of the progress of medical missions in our own times, or, at least, of the doings and writings of those who are still with us. It is more than thirty years since Mr. Dou glas of Cavers directed public attention to the DOUGLAS' HINTS ON MISSIONS. 1 89 importance of employing medical men as mis sionaries. This he did, first, in his interesting little book entitled " Hints on Missions," pub lished in 1822 ; and subsequently, in the article " Missions," in the 7th Edition of the Encyclo paedia Britannica. From these I quote a few sentences : — " If, with scientific attainments, missionaries combined the profession of physic, it would be attended with many advantages ; for there is something suspicious in a foreigner re maining long in a country without an openly- defined object. The character of a physician has' been always highly honoured in the East, and would give . an easy and unsuspected ad mission to a familiar intercourse with all classes and creeds." " He who is a physician is par doned for being a Christian ; reUgious and na tional prejudices disappear before him ; all hearts and harems are opened ; and he is welcomed as U he were carrying to the dying the elixir of immortality. He, more than any one else, pos sesses the mollia tempora fandi." " In many cases the cure of the body, as in the early mir acles, might precede the cure of the soul ; but if not, some positive good is done when science is enriched, diseases removed, and the gratitude I90 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. and respect of many are secured." " The em ployment of physicians as missionaries, which has only very lately and very partially been practised, has been attended, on the Umited scale on which it has been tried, with yet hap pier results than could reasonably have been expected. It has opened a new fountain of humanity in the hard and selfish breasts of dis tant nations, to see the strange spectacle of a man, in imitation of his Saviour, ' going about doing good,' and hearing the sick. Those who are insensible to the diseases of the mind, feel with sufficient acuteness the diseases of their bodies ; and though missionaries may complain of the want of Usteners, a missionary physician has no reason to complain of the want of pa tients ; nor has he reason to lament the want of success in treating the cases that are submitted to him." " What interest would the residence of an intelligent physician possess at Jerusalem, — of one who was a physician indeed, in the lar gest sense of the term, and wise in the know ledge of nature ? We need such a commentator even for the Scriptures ; an intelligent and resident spectator, to view and to record again the same natural appearances which were viewed CHINESE MISSION. 191 by the sacred writers of old, that we may stand again in their position, see anew the same objects, and affix the same significance to their terms. What a benefactor he might be to the weary and superstitious pilgrims from distant lands, who might return home with prolonged life, and carrying with them the words of that life which wiU never end ! The Moslems despise the Franks, but not the Frank physician." Views such as these, so eloquently expressed, could scarcely fail, it might be imagined, to lead many to think seriously on the subject, and to desire to devote themselves to so good a work. But their effect in this way was not very ob vious at the time of their publication. Doubt less, however, their promulgation has contributed not a little to the increase of general interest in the subject, which of late years has taken . place. It was in 1807, that Protestant Christian phi lanthropy first broke ground in China. Dr. Morrison was then sent forth by the London Missionary Society; and in 1819, Dr. Livingston, a surgeon in trie service of the East India Com pany, furnished to Dr. Morrison some very important information on the condition of the I92 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. poor in China, their diseases, treatment, etc. Soon after, " Dr. Morrison began to form a Ubrary of Chinese books — procured a complete assort ment of Chinese medicines, — and opened a dis pensary for supplying the Chinese poor with advice and medicines, which he superintended himseU for an hour or two every morning. Dr. Livingston also gave pretty constant attendance and rendered valuable assistance, which his long residence at Macao had prepared him for in a very eminent degree." With simUar views, Dr. Colledge opened an eye-infirmary at Macao in 1827. In ten years, 4000 patients were treated there. We cannot, however, venture to affirm that it was with a distinctly evangelistic object that Drs. Livingston and Colledge set them selves to practise medicine gratuitously amongst the poor Chinese ; yet, undoubtedly, the effect of their benevolent labours was eminently con- ciUatory, and must have tended greatly to prepare the way for the more complete develop ment of that system of medical missionary operations, which was soon after introduced, and which is now so efficient. The Rev. Dr. Peter Parker was sent to China by the American Board of Commissioners for EEV. DE. P. PAEKEE. 193 Foreign Missions in 1835. He commenced his labours at Singapore, where, in the course of eight months, upwards of one thousand Chinese were treated by him. He then removed to Canton, and there opened an Ophthalmic Hos pital in October 1835. The extreme frequency and severity of diseases of the eye amongst the Chinese, pointed out this as the means of doing good best adapted to the necessities of the people. The successful labours of Dr. Parker quickly produced a great sensation ; and patients of all ranks, and from aU parts of the empire, flocked to the hospital. All kinds of treatment, even to the use of cutting instruments, of which the Chinese have a great abhorrence, were cheer- fuUy submitted to. Advantage was taken of the deep impression which was made on the minds of the patients by the results of practice, to direct them to the great Source of all heal ing influence. In the course of two years, 4575 persons were treated at this establishment, at an expense of Uttle more than £900 sterhng. Reports of the cases were published quarterly in the " Chinese Repository" by Dr. Parker. These contain many interesting particulars re lative to the history and treatment of Diseases 194 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. of the Eye, and are an earnest of the valuable contributions to medical science which may be looked for from more extended operations of the same nature. Dr. Parker was mainly instrumental in establishing the Medical Mis sionary Society in China, which undertook to provide hospital accommodation and drugs for medical missionaries. Other missionary societies in America have sent medical agents to China, namely : — The American Presbyterian Board, the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, the Southern Baptist Convention, the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Society, the Board of Foreign Missions of the Protestant Episcopal Church ; in all thirteen Medical Mis sionaries. The London Missionary Society, in 1839, sent WiUiam Lockhart and Benjamin Hobson, M. B., to Macao. Hobson, first at Macao, then at Hong Kong, and latterly at Canton, has laboured most abundantly. His hospital at Kum-le-foo, one of the suburbs of Canton, has had, for a long time past, about 20,000 patients a year. He has done much to pro mote a spirit of enquiry amongst the people, by publishing epitomes of some branches of LOCKHAET AND HOBSON. 195 Natural Science, viz., a work on anatomy, and another on comparative physiology. He has also trained several Chinese youths in the science and practice of medicine ; and these now assist him to a considerable extent. His hospital is daily visited and used as a preaching station by some other missionaries and native evan gelists. Mr. Lockhart has remained at his post, amid various changes, for nearly twenty years, and has proved a most valuable missionary. He has resided at Shanghae ever since the opening of that port, where he has seen many vicissitudes. The Reports of his hospital, copies of which have been sent to us yearly for a long time, are always deeply interesting ; and not unfrequently contain notes of cases, remarkable in a profes sional point of view. Mr. Hobson was succeeded at Hong Kong by Mr. Hirschberg, who, however, has latterly removed to Amoy, where he had, till within the last two years, as an associate, a graduate of this university, Dr. James Young, whose early removal by death we are now mourning. He was an agent of the English Presbyterian Church, and the fellow-labourer of the Rev. W. C. Burns, I96 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. who bears the strongest testimony in favour of the efficiency of the aid he lent to the mission, than which there is not at present a more pros perous one in China. I might mention the names and the labours of many other medical men, who have for years been strenuously devoting all their skill and energies to the good work of aiding in the evan gelization of China. Dr. Cumming (a Self- supported missionary from America) at Amoy, where he resided five years, and then returned to America, Dr. M'Gowan at Ningpo, Drs. Devan, Ball, and Happer at Canton, Dr. Burton at Shanghae, Dr. Hepburn at Amoy, and others, have aU distinguished themselves in this important field. We have enjoyed the great privilege of receiving many communications from some of these gentlemen ; Drs. Hobson and Happer have visited us personally ; we have heard the strongest testimony borne to the faithfulness and efficiency of their work by a few friends, ministers, merchants, and medical men ; and all concur in assuring us that it is a great and a good work that they carry on, and that it has been instrumental in spreading far and wide over the nation an influence in favour DR. WILSON S TESTIMONY. I 97 of the Christian religion, which is perceived to inspire its followers with benevolence, and to confer evident blessings on the poor and needy. | Of one of them it is published that " his influ ence as a Christian physician is such as might well be envied by the most favoured of his pro fessional brethren in the greatest city of the civilized world." In his "Medical Notes on China," published in 1846, Dr. John Wilson, Inspector of Naval Hospitals, thus strongly gives his opinion of the medical mission work, (p. 179) :- " Among the most promising means now employed for reforming or rather revolutionizing the moral, intellectual, and social condition of the Chinese, the writer would rank the Medical Missions, lately established on their shores. In thus expressing himself, he does not wish to be understood as undervaluing, much less disparag ing the other instruments, and the men who use them, for the same philanthropic purpose ; but the medical missionaries have the advantage of addressing themselves, in the first instance, and in a way not to be overlooked or misunderstood,, to the senses of "the people whom they wish to enUghten. Without fee or hope of pecuniary I g8 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. reward, they heal the sick and give sight to the blind, knowing that they thus do unconditional good, and hoping, through the palpable benefit thus conferred, to open an easy channel of access to the affections and inteUects of those with whom they deal ; who may become, in their turn, instructors and guides to the people with whom they shall afterwards associate. In their frequent, and, from its very nature, famiUar intercourse with the afflicted, trie medical mis sionaries possess advantages, which the man who addresses himself to the understanding only cannot obtain. They have, consequently, more potent means of touching the heart, and turning feelings of gratitude into instruments by which they may act powerfully on the dark mind." In the hospitals " everything which benevolence can devise, and which care and zeal can accompUsh, is effected for the patients, and thence a large proportion of those admitted return to their native towns and hamlets, to tell their neigh bours what the strangers have done for them." Let us enter somewhat into detail with regard to these missionary hospitals, of which, even as they existed in 1842, so competent a witness as Dr. Wilson wrote in such hopeful terms. HOSPITAL AT CANTON. 199 Of the existing hospital and dispensary at Canton, Dr. Hobson writes thus : — " The entire length of the premises is not far short of 500 feet, and the width is 45 feet, excepting towards the water, where they become narrower. There is a good accommodation for the residence of the missionary and his family, for the native medical assistant, tract distribu tors, and others connected with the Mission. There is a spacious chapel, which has seats for 200 persons, and is sufficiently large to seat 500 ; a good dispensary with separate entrances for men and women ; a depository for tracts ; a reception-room for Chinese visitors ; and there are twelve rooms now on the ground floor, which hold 45 beds, besides room for more wards to accommodate- 100 patients, whenever needed. The situation is most advantageous for an hospital, and is easy of access both by road and water. The place is light and airy, and being fitted up in Chinese style, is pleasant to the Chinese taste. The lease is for ten years, at a rental of #730 per annum. A simUarly sized building placed near the foreign factories would be nearly #2000. A few years ago, a Chinese paid #1400 a year to stow tea and other goods 200 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. in it ; but since the opening of the ports, such buUdings have much deteriorated in value, and not haU that sum could now be obtained from a Chinese. " The number of persons who have come to the hospital, including those on the Sabbath, (who are also mostly invaUds), amounts alto gether, from January to December 1853, twelve months, to 21,965 ; from January to the end of June 1854, to 13,554. In May, it amounted to 3023, and in June to 3420 ; the proportion being about two men to one woman. The patients are chiefly of the poor class, and the diseases generally of a chronic, cachectic form, the result of poverty, dirty habits, a foul atmos phere, and bad diet. Continued attention to sucri cases requires one to remember the com mand and promise, ' Be not weary in weUdoing, for ye shall reap if ye faint not.' " Four days every week, the sick are pre scribed for, and, on these occasions, during the summer months particularly, the hospital is like a market, and a good opportunity is afforded for teaching the things concerning ' the kingdom of God.' There are also never less than four reUgious services weekly, besides familiar in- HOSPITAL AT SHANGHAE. 201 struction and the distribution of the New Tes tament and reUgious books, at the close of the services." "At Shanghae, the daily routine of the hospital is as follows : — At haU-past seven o'clock in the morning, the beU rings, and shortly afterwards, such of the in-patients as can attend, with the servants and others on the premises, assemble in the hall, when a portion of Scripture is read, and prayer is offered up in Chinese ; at nine, anything that is wanted early in the day for the in-patients is attended to ; at half-past eleven, the bell rings for half an hour, to give notice that it is the time for the general work of the hospital to commence ; when the out-patients are assembled, a religious service, in Chinese, for the instruction of aU present, is held. This part of the duty is kindly performed by the Rev. W. Muirhead, and Rev. J. Edkins ; after this is finished, the female out-patients are admitted into the dispensary, when their diseases are inquired into, and trie medicines given to them ; then the male patients are admitted ; bamboo tickets are given to them, after the Chinese service, by the door-keeper, and they are called into the dispensary, ten at a time, 202 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. according to the number of their tickets, when they are examined one by one, and the medi cines given to them ; any case requiring special attention being reserved till the others are finished. As the patients leave, paper tickets are given, teUing them when they are to return. From 50 to 100 and 150 out-patients are thus attended to on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On Tuesday and Friday, a dispensary is opened at one of the chapels belonging to the London Missionary Society in the city, when the same general plan is adopted. In the evening, the in-patients are again seen, and at all times accidents and cases of sudden sickness are relieved. There is much that is imperfect in the carrying out of all these arrangements, but an endeavour is made to have each day's work done as efficiently as, under the circumstances, can be accomplished, and, it is hoped, not without benefit to those who seek relief." The following interesting account of the proceedings at the Canton hospital on Sabbath was lately published by an eye-witness in one of the London journals : — " We recently spent a Sabbath there ; and AN HOSPITAL SABBATH. 203 the scenes of that day — and they are the scenes of every Sabbath-day there — were such as would enlist the interest and prayerful hope of every friend to Christian missions. At eight o'clock a.m. we joined a company assembled in an upper room. Three native members of the Christian church were there ; and, seated round, were upward of a score of Chinamen, most of whom were patients, or their attendants from the wards. A copy of our Testament was handed to each man, and, for many of them, the place was found ; for they had never seen that Book of Life before. A promising young Christian gave a simple, clear, and earnest ex position of the appointed verses ; which was followed by a fuller statement, or more fervent application, from Dr. Hobson. Then came prayer ; but, first, a pause : for one-half were utter strangers to the worship of the ' eternal, immortal, invisible, and only true God.' They had never bowed but before some image or some tablet representing deity; and, as the heathen idolators always do, they wondered greatly at our kneeling dowTn for prayer to the unseen God. " The patients were mustering early on the 204 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. chapel seats— which, by the hour of eleven a.m., were well-nigU fiUed ; and the places appro priated to those connected with the hospital were occupied. At that riour, the aged evan gelist, Leang Afah, walked to the preacher's seat.* The order of conducting service was similar to that of congregational churches at home, but the aged man adopts the custom of his country sages, and sits to teach. On the occasion we refer to, he expounded, closely and vigorously, the apostle Paul's address to the Athenians, and his hearers were attentive. As he concluded his address, the l foreign teacher ' stepped forward to the table. With the earnest affection and effort of an acknowledged friend, (for such is the medical missionary) are they urged to lay hold on eternal life. But the heart of the Chinaman is darkness, hardness, and indifference. ' Master, we have toiled aU the night, and have taken nothing,' is often the saddened and depressing thought with which the missionary surveys his labour. But there is, at times, a stillness and a drinking-in atten- * This remarkable man, the first fruits of Dr. Morrison's mission, died shortly after the above was written. AN HOSPITAL SABBATH. 205 tion, which are, at least, encouragingly signifi cant of the Spirit's work of preparation. It was thus at the service we attended. " After the preaching of God's word, we entered the consulting-room, and saw ability to relieve the suffering mixed with the charity ' which careth for the soul. Like a market was the place outside, for the patients were numerous, but two tract distributors were busy among them, and, now and then, a knot of listeners would gather round them to receive some expla nation ; and, seated at a table, was Leang Afah, explaining to a goodly circle of those waiting to be healed, the Book of God, or answering their objections to his preaching. Surely it was a goodly sight, and the Lord of the harvest will bless such labours, if His servants ask it of Him. " The afternoon was no less profitably em ployed by the indefatigable missionary. He was seen leading on the two native Christians from ward to ward, and, in each ward, they read, conversed, and prayed, until aU in that hospital heard of that Saviour ' whom to know is life eternal.' " On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of every week, the hospital is again opened for 206 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. preaching and healing the diseased. At the time we write, the attendance is greater than has ever been known, although in the month of June it amounted to upwards of 3400. From the hours of ten a.m. to 3 p.m. is the morning engaged, in addition to the attention called for by in-door patients. The wards are fiUed with wounded soldiers, and three large boats are lying close to the hospital, which have brought men from the country parts, where there is now fighting. Including attendants on the sick, there are 100 people residing in the hospital — October 1854." And what, you are ready to ask, do the reports of these hospitals tell of the state and treatment of disease, as it is met with amongst that remarkable people, who are the objects of the medical missionaries' care. To satisfy you fully on this head, would require a much longer time than it is possible to devote to it at present. But I must state that the reports published by Drs. Parker, Hobson, and Lockhart are deeply interesting, and, professionally, of much value. In all, great prominence is assigned to diseases of the eye, which are especially prevalent throughout China. Severe catarrhal ophthal- EYE-DISEASE IN CHINA. 207 mia and its consequences are very common. For instance, amongst 11,028 cases treated at the Shanghae Hospital in 1853, there were of— Cages. Catarrhal ophthalmia 410 Granular lids 402 Chronic conjunctivitis 300 Opacity of cornea 378 Pannus 184 Leucoma 120 Ulceration of cornea 180 Conical cornea 25 Staphyloma 15 Cataract 15 Amaurosis 12 Synechia 32 Cases. Irregularity of pupil 50 Hernia iridis 19 Loss of both eyes 58 Do. one eye 70 Fistula lachrymalis 6 Contraction of tarsi 24 Trichiasis 130 Entropium 81 Ectropium 13 Pterygium 134 Lippitudo 200 Making in all, 2852 cases of eye disease, while there were only 939 of pulmonary disease ; of dyspepsia, 980 cases ; rheumatism, 612 ; ulcers, 726 ; and intermittent fever, 570. Again, at Amoy, under Dr. Hepburn, in 1845, of 1862 cases, 571 were of diseases of the eye and its appendages, while there were only 244 of the respiratory organs, and 393 of the digestive organs. At the hospital in Canton, conducted by Dr. Parker, and chiefly known as an ophthalmic hospital, in two and a haU years, 8247 cases were prescribed for ; of these, upwards of 5000 208 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. were of eye diseases ; 1633 of chronic ophthal mia ; 365 of acute ophthalmia ; 941 of nebulse ; 762 of entropia ; 456 of pterygia ; 329 of cata ract ; 300 of Uppitudo ; 136 of complete amau rosis, etc. What a field is here presented for studying diseases of the eye ! The comparison of their features in China with those whicri they present in this country is very interesting and sugges tive ; but into such topics I must not at present enter. The reports of Dr. Parker's hospital have fre- • quently contained histories of very remarkable cases. Not a few of these were of stone in the bladder, in patients who had endured much suffering before applying to Dr. Parker. Con sequently, some of the stones removed were of a very large size ; and the necessary operations correspondingly severe. A curious feature of the reports of the medi cal mission in China is the translation which is sometimes given of the scrolls, written by patients who have been cured, in expression of their gra titude. This seems to be frequently done ; and is sometimes repeated yearly for a long time. Let me give you one or two examples of these CHINESE GEATITUDE. 2O9 scrolls of gratitude : — " February 26th, 1849. Chtishu, a Manchu, set, 54, had a fungoid tumour of the size of an orange, situated upon the back, • near the right scapula and spine. The tumour was readily and successfuUy removed. Before leaving the hospital, the patient made repeated solicitations to be allowed to send an artist to take the portrait of the surgeon ; his importunity was at length acceded to, and soon there was pre sented a portrait, taken in water colours, by the side of which, on the same canvas, was the follow ing inscription in poetry, and an account of his case, and what he had seen in the hospital. " What man is that? America's noble and disinterested man, who does to others as he would that others should do to him. His coun try is different from ours, his feeUngs are the same. In all distresses and diseases, he feels the sorrows and joys of others as though they were his own. Those cases which require the use of instruments, and which are difficult to others, are easy to him. He cherishes a mind that is divine, and bears the visage of Budha; a full halo of glory surrounds his deeds, and he deserves immeasurable longevity. Parker's meritorious virtues are innumerable p 2 10 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. as the sands of the ever-flowing river. I denominate him a ' YS-Sd.' What say you, yes ¦or no?" A note from a patient, from whom a calculus was successfully extracted five years since, is here given. " On a former occasion (1845), I was indebted to the 'great nation's arm' from America for extracting a calculus. By simply administering one golden pill, the dangerous disease was in stantly expeUed, and, by his assistance, the drought-withered vegetation (i. e. the patient) was vivified, so that he may be compared to the [ancient] Pien Tsioh. I am heavily laden with (a sense) of his exalted goodness, and I not merely bear upon my head his kindness, [weighty] as the mountains Hwd and Lui (said to be the loftiest mountains of China), but I have received his no slight favour. I respectfully present him these ten fowls and hundred eggs, as a slight manifestation of my heartfelt gratitude, and, pro strate, pray he will be pleased to receive them. His younger brother, Yieh Kiuen, of the district of Sz'hwui, knocks head." I give you one other extract froin one of Dr. Parker's interesting reports. SUEGEEY AT CANTON. 2 I I " No operations in this hospital have ever excited so much surprise and attention on the part of intelligent Chinese, and officers of Govern ment, as the three first cases of lithotomy. They were also much struck by the case of a beggar from Macao, who had a tumour of extraordi nary magnitude, upon the side of his face and head. When it became so large as to disable him from labour, he had no resource but that of begging. This burden, though one that would weary a man to bear an hour, he could not put off for a moment, day or night. He had long been a loathsome and pitiable object to the citi zens, and when I was at Macao, as I passed him in the streets, he presented written appeals, from unknown authors, to my sympathy, and requests that he might be relieved of his burden. The tumour, measuring two feet and six inches cir cumference, and weighing a few ounces short of nine pounds, was lately removed. The man quite recovered in three weeks. The magnitude of the operation, the elliptical incisions being about 18 inches in length, and the adhesion of the base over the carotid artery and the parotid gland being deep and strong, rendered it im possible it should be performed without solicitude. 2 12 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. Mingled hopes of success, and fears for the worst possible consequences, rendered earnest in the use of means to prepare him for whatever might be the divine allotment. He was informed triat others had fervently entreated the Most High God to save him, but that it was a desire that he should lift his own heart to Him who alone could succeed the means about to be used. When laid upon the operation table, he was again reminded, that, after the most careful attention to his case, the conviction was strong that the operation was feasible and judicious; still it could not be denied that it was formidable, and he was urged to lift Iris heart to the God of heaven, and to the only Saviour. Our prayers were so far heard as to grant perfect success to the means used for prolonging his life. He is now porter to the hospital, where he acquits himself well. Let me here request the prayers of all Christians, that not only temporal, but spiritual and eternal blessings may be granted to these objects of deep and protracted solicitude." All the missionaries in China have done some thing in the way of conveying instruction in the science and practice of surgery and medicine to promising Chinese youths, some of whom have DR. WONG FUN. 2 I 3 proved apt pupils, and subsequently, able prac titioners. But it is obvious enough that the missionaries are so much Occupied with their own work that they have very little leisure to teach. In their most laudable attempts, they ought to obtain from us every possible encour agement. Of the excellent capacity of the Chinese for the reception of scientific truth, you and we have had a most satisfactory example in the progress of our friend Dr. Wong Fun, who, having passed through his medical curriculum at this University with much credit to himself, is still amongst us, to improve his practical skUl and exercise his talents, before entering upon that " mighty and magnificent mission " (as Professor Simpson characterized it in his graduation-address) which we trust awaits him on his return to his native land. In presence of my esteemed friend, I will not venture to say more than to assure him and you that he has our best wishes and earnest prayers for his future welfare and usefulness.* During the year 1854, I find, from a docu- * While these sheets are passing through the press, Dr. Wong Fun is preparing to return to China, whither he goes as a medical agent of the London Missionary Society. 2 I 4 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. ment lately received, that about 52,000 per sons were treated in the five mission-hospitals now established in China. The foUowing gentlemen have recently been added to the medical mission staff : — Dr. Wiley (American) at Fuhchau. Mr. Points (Am.) at Shanghai. Dr. Kerr (Am.) at Canton. Dr. KeUy (Am.) and Dr. Parker (Eng.) at Shanghai. Dr. Goeking (Prussian) at Hongkong. Before passing on to review the proceedings of medical missionaries in other foreign fields, let us advert to the reflex effect of these pro ceedings in China on the minds of the friends of missions at home. This certainly was of weU- marked character, leading to some earnestness of action, although, alas ! it must be admitted, lamentably incommensurate with the magnitude and growing importance of the object. The first notable expression of interest in the work carried on in the east, which was given publicly, was contained in an oration delivered at a meeting of the CoUege of Physicians of London in December 1834, " On some of the Results of the successful Practice of Physic," by Sir Henry Halford, then president of the coUege. Proceeding from such a source, and addressed SIR H. HALFOED S OEATION. 2 I 5 to such a body, this address must ever be re garded with much interest. I therefore quote a few sentences : — " I do not," said Sir Henry, " intend to advert to the pecuniary fruits of our toil, nor do I mean to speak of the honours awarded to physicians, for those distinctions are more limited and rare in our profession, than in either of the kindred ones. No — I contem plate the moral influence which the cure of the ills of the body has upon the minds of patients. I allude to that deference to the physician's judgment on other subjects, which follows his successful exercise of it over pain and sickness — to that gratitude and attachment, which is the sweetest reward of our anxious and labo rious life. " It is your peculiar privilege, my brethren, in the daily exercise of your calling, to go about doing good ; and, from the moment you have made choice of your profession, it ought to be a gratification and an encouragement to you to recollect, that the great Author of our salva tion first conciliated tne attention and good-will of the multitudes which followed him, by heal ing their sick. This first disclosure of His 2 I 6 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. miraculous power was, indeed, foUowed by a still more awful manifestation of it, by raising the dead — a display well calculated to awaken the whole world to His Message of Mercy." * * " Nor is it possible to find a happier moment to create and establish a confidence and a regard in the heart of the sick person, and of those who are attached to him, than this, in which his own hopes and fears, and those of his friends, hang upon the physician's counsel and his decision." * * * " We cannot expect the Chinese to grasp with eagerness at our improvements ; yet trie cure of diseases, set down at once as fatal in their experience, must be Ukely to facilitate the introduction of our knowledge, and add most humanely to their comfort and civilization, and not to their temporal happiness only, but to their future felicity, by trie introduction of the Holy Scriptures amongst them by this avenue. " With those who practise upon the Chinese system of physic, if system it can be caUed, is it possible that the acquired knowledge of his profession in an English medical practitioner should come into competition,' without the greatest advantage in his favour ? Is it pos- SIR H. HALFORD S ORATION. 217 sible that his knowledge of anatomy, by whichv he is enabled to detect the seat of disease, his acquaintance with chemistry, and all other resources of his art, by which he administers effectually to maladies within the reach of human skill, should not give his patients, and those who surround them, a greater confidence in his judgment than in that of a feeble native practitioner ? Be it understood, however, that I do not claim your acknowledgment of supe riority for an Englishman of superficial know ledge only. In our profession a little knowledge may be a dangerous possession. And it is on this conviction that I humbly propose that those who are to be educated to become missionaries, after having had their minds thoroughly imbued with moral and religious principles in their first scholastic discipUne, shall then attend to anatomy and chemistry and other courses of medical lectures, and, for a certain time, frequent some one of the great hospitals, so as to qualify themselves to practise physic and surgery, as if they were to prosecute our profession as their means of living." Soon after the deUvery of Sir Henry HaUord's oration, articles on the subject of Medical Mis- 2 I 8 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. sions were published in the Scottish Christian Herald. These attracted the notice of several members of the medical profession in this quarter, and prepared their minds to welcome further information on the same subject. Taking advantage of the interest which had been excited both in Britain and America, Dr. Parker of Canton came hither in 1840, visited London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, and several other large cities, for the purpose of stirring up both the members of the medical profession and the public to lend substantial aid to the Medical Missionary Society in China, to enable it to establish and support hospitals at various places on the coast of China. Dr. Parker met with a most cordial reception in this country. He held intercourse with all the leading men in our profession, and was patronised by not a few of the highest digni taries, both civil and ecclesiastical. The object of the Medical Missionary Society was heartily approved of, and considerable sums of money were placed in Dr. Parker's hands for the for warding of the good work to which he had devoted his life. The Royal College of Surgeons of London resolved to educate, at their own EDINBURGH MOVEMENT. 2 I 9 charge, such Chinese youths as might be sent to this country for medical education. Three scholarships were founded in King's College, London, for the education of medical mission aries. At the meeting held in Edinburgh to receive Dr. Parker (on the 26th July 1841), a committee was formed, to co-operate with the Medical Missionary Society in China, which com mittee formed the basis on which the Society, whose interests have brought us together at this time, was afterwards reared. Dr. Parker about the same time visited his native country, and held public meetings in New York, Washington, Philadelphia, and Bos ton, everywhere receiving the same favour and support. He returned to China soon after the conclusion of the war, and expended part of the funds collected in America and Britain in esta blishing hospitals at some of the ports opened by the treaty of peace. After this, differences of opinion arose between the medical missionaries from America and those from Britain, which resulted in the British ceasing to derive aid from the Medical Missionary Society in China. They were, therefore, obliged to depend for the sup port of their hospitals chiefly upon the contri- 2 20 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. butions of their fellow-countrymen resident in China. Dr. Parker has latterly been much occupied in political business ; his long resi dence in the country, his acquaintance with, and influence over, all classes of the people, his knowledge of the language and business-habits, together marked him out as highly qualified for the management of the poUtical relations between the United States Government and that of China. He was, therefore, appointed, first, Charge d' Affaires, and then (quite lately) Chief Commissioner. It is gratifying to learn that Dr. Parker continues to attend at his hospital some part of each day. The conjunction, in one person, of such functions and such powers, as those of a medical missionary and the represen tative of a great nation like the United States, may seem to be anomalous, and perhaps incon gruous. Assuredly, it must prove a severe trial of faith. Let us hope and pray that our friend may be supported under it, and be enabled to use the influence of his office to promote the spread of the Gospel around him, at the same time that he exhibits an example of meekness, forbearance, and love, as becometh a servant of the lowly Jesus. SOCIETY FORMED IN EDINBURGH. 2 2 1 I have adverted to the fact that it was on the occasion of Dr. Parker's visit to Edinburgh that the first movement was made towards the formation of our Medical Missionary Society. The committee that was then formed had for its object, exclusively, the collecting of funds, as an auxiUar.y to the Society in China, on whose behalf Dr. Parker visited us. Only a few months had passed, when (in November 1841) Sir Cul ling Eardley came to Edinburgh to plead the cause of the Syrian Medical-aid Association, which had just before been formed in London. Finding that most of those Ukely to take an interest in the Syrian scheme were already at work in connection with that on behalf of the Chinese Mission, Sir Culling suggested the for mation of an independent society in Edinburgh, which should endeavour to form a centre of interest and action with regard to all medical missionary matters, but which should direct its first efforts to the supply of pecuniary aid to the Medical Missionary Society in China, and to the Syrian Medical-Aid Association of London. This suggestion having met with the approbation of the friends of the cause, a public meeting was held (on 30th November), and the Society was 2 22 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. formed, under the title of the Edinburgh Associa tion for Sending Medical Aid to Foreign Coun tries. The objects were declared to be — To circulate " information on the subject of Medical Missions ; to aid other institutions engaged in the same work ; and to render assistance at mis sionary stations to as many professional agents as the funds placed at its disposal would admit of." And such continue to be the objects of the Society. Dr. Abercrombie was the first president. He took a lively interest in the proceedings, and frequently attended the meetings, proving him self as wise in counsel as he was energetic in action. In 1843, the name of the Society was altered to that which it now bears. The name of " Missionary" was at first avoided, in defer ence to the views held by our friends of the Syrian Association, who believed that the agents to be employed in the East, would have to encounter less of the usual prejudice amongst the natives, if they were known to have been sent out by a society not " Missionary" in name, whatever it might be in reality. We have had no occasion to regret having made the change. PEOGEESS OF THE EDINBURGH SOCIETY. 223 The Edinburgh Society occupied itself during the first three years of its existence, partly in the coUecting of funds for the Chinese and Syrian Associations, and partly in diffusing infor mation on the object and working of Medical Missions. But, in 1844, it was resolved to take up an independent position, and to send an agent of our own into trie great mission-field of China, as soon as a suitable person could be found. But such a person was not easUy obtained. Many advertisements were issued, many inquiries made, and not a few applications received and attended to ; but no one was found altogether such as the situation required ; and, to this day, we are without a missionary in China. In 1848, the Society was earnestly besought to send an agent to aid in the mission established at Parsonstown, in Ireland, under the direction of the late Rev. Dr. Carlile-. The request was complied with ; and, for six years, our exceUent friend Dr. Alexander Wallace laboured amongst the Roman Catholics of Par sonstown, as our agent, with great acceptance. He has lately settled in the same town as a medical practitioner on his own account. In endeavouring to carry out its object of 224 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. diffusing information on the subject of Medical Missions, the Society has issued various publica tions. These are the foUowing : — 1. An Address to Students at the Scottish Universities, 1842. > 2. An edition of Dr. MacGowan's tract, entitled " Claims of the Missionary Enterprize," 1847. 3. " Lectures on Medical Missions," by several members of trie Society, 1849.* 4. " The Scriptural Warrant for the employ ment of Medical Agency in connection with Christian Missions," by the Rev. Dr. Andrew Thomson, 1850. * This volume of lectures was favourably noticed in many journals and reviews, medical as well as religious. Its object was fully commented upon, and generally approved of. Thus, although the sale was not very large, it seemed to be instru mental in diffusing a knowledge of the operations of our Society, and an interest in its plans, to a greater extent than could have been reached by any other means. I may here refer to an able article on Hindu Medical Missions, which appeared in the British Quarterly Review for November 1847 ; and to one on Medical Ethics, in which the publications and objects of our Society were noticed by Professor Laycock, pub lished in the British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgical Beview, in 1848. This last has lately been republished in a separate form.— {Edin. A. and C. Black, 1855). PUBLICATIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 225 5. " Address to Medical Students," by William Brown, Esq., president of the Society, 1852. 6. "Physiology of the Sabbath," by Pro fessor Miller, 1854. 7. " Address to Students of Medicine," by Dr. Andrew Wood, 1854. 8. " The Medical Profession the Comple ment of the Christian Ministry," by the Rev. Dr. Robertson, Professor of Church History, 1855. 9. •" A Biographical Sketch of Dr. Golding Bird," by Professor Balfour, 1855. 10. A journal of progress, published quar terly, under the title of " The Occasional Paper" of the Society, of which eight numbers have now appeared. Besides these, which have been issued at its own charge, the Society has been instrumental in educing an interesting essay " On Medical Missions," written in competition for a prize, offered by the Society, by Mr. Wm, Burns Thomson, and published in 1854 ; also, two pamphlets by Kenneth Macqueen, Esq., entitled " Considerations addressed to the Friends and Contributors to the Funds of Foreign Missions, on the subject of Missions to India." Q 226 EDIN. MEDICAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The first prize of £20, offered by the Society, was adjudged to Mr. Marley, surgeon, London ; the second of £25 (given by a generous friend, George Forbes, Esq.) was adjudged to Mr. David H. Paterson, then a student of medicine at this University. At the annual meeting of 1850, it was resolved to take advantage of trie peculiar faci lities for medical missionary operations existing in British India, and to occupy that field as soon as the means and a proper agent should be procured. One of the first steps taken to carry out this resolution was to request the co-operation of friends at a distance ; and, with a view to encourage this, it was resolved to grant to any local association that sriould raise £150, or a sum that should amount to one-half the annual expenses of the missionary station, the privi lege of recommending any particular locarity in India for occupation by a Society's missionary, or to select any station previously occupied, for nomination as the Foreign Missionary Sta tion, especially in connection with this local committee. Subsequently, a second and similar resolution was adopted, by which the Society MISSION TO MIEZAPORE. 227 was pledged to place a medical missionary in connection with the mission of any evangelical church or association, having an agency in India, that should contribute to the funds of the Society such a sum as would cover half of the expenses of trie agent. Nearly three years more elapsed before a properly qualified agent presented himseU; but, at last, in 1853, Dr. John Owen Evans was appointed, and sent to labour at Mirzapore, in Northern India, in connection with the Mission aries of the London Missionary Society, who cordially entered into the arrangements proposed by our Society. Dr. Evans received his medi cal education at University College, London ; he is a graduate of the University of London ; and had a few years' experience of private prac tice, before offering himself for mission-service. He has now been about two years in India, whence he has forwarded some interesting and valuable reports of his progress. He is not yet provided with an hospital ; but he has a dispen sary in a good situation. Upwards of 1000 cases were prescribed for during last year. Diseases of the digestive organs prevail. When Dr. Evans shall have mastered the language of 228 EDIN. MEDICAL MISSIONAEY SOCIETY. the people amongst whom he labours, we confi dently expect that he will find a very large field of usefulness open to him, and that he will energetically cultivate it. Our Society has been requested to send mis sionaries to Calcutta, Madras, Benares, Culnah, Khatgur, and Saugor ; but, alas ! neither men nor money are supplied to enable the Society to meet all these demands. It is, however, .probable that, ere long, an agent will be sent to Madras ; * and, in due time, it may be hoped that many of trie large cities of British India will be provided, through the instrumentahty of this Society, with men able and wilUng to trans plant all the best of modern science and art for the rerief of human suffering, and, at the same time, to scatter the leaves of the tree of life for the healing of the nations. And here I must advert to the qualifications which are required for the office of a medical missionary, according to the view taken of his duties by our Society. These qualifications * Since the lecture was delivered, Mr. David H. Paterson has been designated and sent forth as a medical missionary at Madras, where he has the prospect of co-operating with the missionaries of the Free Church of Scotland. INSTEUCTIONS TO AGENTS 229 are, good health and soundness of constitution ; freedom from physical peculiarities likely to im pede usefulness in practice ; a license to prac tise medicine and surgery ; some experience in practice ; a considerable degree of aptitude for the acquisition of foreign languages ; prudence and self-control in conduct, and courtesy in manner ; energy and patience ; but above all, personal expe rience of the quickening and sanctifying power of the Gospel, and of the constraining power of the love of Christ. And, to give you an idea of how it is expected that these varied talents should be employed on the field of labour, I quote from a code of instructions to agents, which was issued by the Society four years ago : — The agent is instructed " to make his professional skill as extensively useful as possible to the inhabitants of the place of his abode — -first, to the missionaries and their families ; secondly, amongst the people who are the immediate sub jects of the evangelistic operations of the mis sionaries ; thirdly, to other persons. He is directed to visit as many as possible at their own homes, and to prescribe for others, either in dispensary or hospital, according to the means that may - be placed at his disposal on the 230 EDIN. MEDICAL MISSIONAEY SOCIETY. spot. While his first duty, in every case, is to do his best in the use of means to remove physical suffering and to restore health, he ought to take advantage of all suitable oppor tunities to promulgate the Gospel, to commend the missionaries and their message to the con fidence and acceptance of his patients, and, in general, to bring his influence to bear upon the promotion of the great object of aU missionary undertakings. In case he be provided with an hospital for the reception and treatment of the sick poor, he ought to commence and close the services of each day in it with prayer and reading of the Holy Scriptures in the native tongue, excepting in cases where such duty may be undertaken by a missionary brother. Fur ther, he should seek for opportunities ' to speak a word in season' to his patients, and distribute amongst them Bibles, tracts, etc. Should he have any available leisure, after discharging these several duties, the Committee would highly approve of his preparing and delivering, with the aid of such illustrations and apparatus as he may be able to procure, courses of lectures on some branches of science, for the instruction of the natives, varying these to suit the particular EEFLEX INFLUENCE. 2 3 I capacities and circumstances of his audience, but always endeavouring to make them subservient to the diffusion of truth and righteousness. Lastly, the agent is recommended to keep a journal of all his proceedings (including observations on all cases of interest that may occur in his prac tice, and accounts of whatever remarkable objects or phenomena of nature he may happen to see), selections from which journal ought to be sent home, for the inspection of the Committee, from time to time." In the diffusion of information regarding the progress of Medical Missions, the Society has always had in view the acknowledged reflex influence which the reception of such informa tion exerts on the mind. The specialties of the work of the Divine Spirit on the heart are often connected with the hearing of what bre thren are doing for the good of the perishing heathen. We are stirred up to consider why we take so little interest in a work that engages all the energies of so many devoted self-denying men ; or, if we be conscious of feering some interest in it, " why," we ask, " is it so feeble and inoperative ? " ' If these men give their lives, their all, and 232 EDIN. MEDICAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY. spend their time chiefly in scenes very different from what they were accustomed to at home, and this with no prospect of increasing their substance in the present world, shaU we not exert ourselves to aid them, and to cheer them on in their labour of love ? Such questions, faithfully put to the conscience, must lead some of us to perceive that we want the internal spring of action which has moved these men to take their lives in their hands, and to go into the utter most parts of the earth, in obedience to Christ's command. Yet what they have found, we may find if we seek for it. Such are the views which have led the Society to issue various papers, and to arrange for the deUvery of various courses of lectures, especially addressed to students of medi cine. We thus hope, with the needed blessing from above, to see one and another brought to attend to the things which belong to their own eternal peace ; and led ultimately to rejoice in the possession of the " pearl of great price." Should this result be produced, we are assured that a larger number of men than hitherto wUl be made wiUing to say, "-Here am I, send me;" and that many will be constrained to enter upon public life, in the practice of their profes- SYMPATHY WITH MISSIONARIES. 233 sion, in whatever land, resolved to regard it, not as the way to pleasure and seU-indulgence, but as the scene of high duties and awful respon sibilities, where each man has his place and his duties assigned him, and the eye of the eternal God is over all. We cannot all be missionaries ; but aU of us can do something to forward the good work in which missionaries are engaged. They go as our representatives, to heal the sick, and to spread the glad tidings of great joy which are to all people, and we must help them. At our leisure, and with all the comforts of civilised life around us, we do what we can to relieve human suffering, and to augment the resources of the healing art ; let us see to it that we make our brethren in the foreign mission-field par takers of the benefits which flow from our researches and observations. In this way, we both increase their usefulness, and extend to them a proof of our sympathy, which is very cheering, and highly prized. But this requires money, and concentration of effort. As a chan nel through whicri to make benefactions to our self-denying brethren abroad, our Society offers its services ; and it has already been instru mental in supplying not a few 01 them with 234 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. books, instruments, and drugs. It would be very satisfactory if we were enabled to do this to a much larger extent. We are deeply con scious of the insignificance of our past proceed ings, when we consider the greatness of the work before us. Although I have dwelt at some length on the history of these proceedings, it has, certainly, not been to magnify them ; but merely that I might illustrate the object and the aims of the Society, and so lead you to take a lively inte rest in thege. I have said that it was to a stimulus applied here by the representatives of trie Medical Mis sionary Society in China, and of the Syrian Medical Aid Association in London, that our Society owed its origin. The proceedings of the first have been adverted to ; I have still to narrate the history of the second. Dr. Kerns was the first agent employed by that Society. He was stationed at Beyrout. At first, very few Turks or Mahommedans came to his dispensary, such was their bigoted hatred of the Christian name ; but, latterly, in applying for medical relief, religious prejudices did not appear to have much, if any, influence ; MISSIONS IN SYRIA. 235 — Jews, Druses, Maronites, and Greek Chris tians sat side by side with Turks ; and, generally, the females outnumbered the males. Dr. Kerns, after some years of practice as a missionary phy sician, took orders in the Church of England, and acted for some time as a missionary in connection with the London Society for Pro moting Christianity amongst the Jews. He is now settled in Yorkshire. Dr. James B. Thompson was then sent to Damascus, where he found a large field of usefulness. Soon,, however, there arose a difference of views be tween him and the directors of the Society, with regard to the best mode of carrying on the mis sion ; and this seemed to have operated very un- . , favourably on the progress of the Society at home, which has latterly been almost extinct. Dr. Thompson himself, deeply impressed with a sense . of the importance of the Syrian field, returned thither two years ago, and settled at Antioch.* Jerusalem, also, is the scene of the labours of medical missionaries. It is now several * Since the delivery of the Lecture, we have learned with much regret that, having been induced to go to the help of his medi cal brethren in the military hospitals at Scutari, Dr. Thompson fell a sacrifice to fever in the course of last winter. 236 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. years since the London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews sent out Dr. Dalton, to assist Mr. Lewis in establishing a Mission there — this was in 1824. He, how ever, died in 1826. In 1835, the American Mission Board sent Dr. Dodge as a missionary priysician, but lie also died very soon. The London Society again employed medical agency in 1838, when Dr. Gerstmann and Mr. Bergheim, his assistant, (both converted Jews) settled in Jerusalem. A remarkable proof of the effici ency of Dr. Gerstmann' s labours was afforded at a time of great commotion amongst the Jews, occasioned by the awakening of Rabbi Joseph. It is thus noticed in the narrative of the Mission of Inquiry to the Jews, from the Church of Scotland, in 1839. " When Rabbi Joseph was awakened, a herem or ban of ex communication was pronounced in the syna gogues against the Missionaries and all who should have dealings with them. But when Dr. Gerstmann came in December, the Jews immediately began to break through it ; another herem was pronounced, but in vain — no one re garded it ; and Rabbi Israel refused to pro nounce it, saying that he would not be the cause HOSPITAL IN JEEUSALEM. 237 of hindering his poor sick brethren from going to be healed." This interesting fact shews the immense value of the Medical Missionary. But, in the midst of his work, the result of which promised to be so valuable, Dr. Gerst mann was cut off. His place was supplied, at the time of the settlement of Bishop Alexander in Jerusalem, by Dr. Macgowan, who is now zealously prosecuting his .arduous and self- denying vocation amongst the poor tenants of the Holy City. The latest accounts shew that he is fully established in their confidence and esteem ; and he himself states that his profes sional character has placed him on such a footing of intimacy with them, as enables him , to become acquainted with their habits, opinions, and mode of life, to an extent wholly unattain able in any other way. Very strong testi mony has of late years been borne by many traveUers to the great efficiency of Dr. Mac- gowan's Missionary Hospital. The following is Dr. Macgowan's own account of the materiel and service of the hospital : — " The edifice was constructed almost anew from an old dilapidated building, and has been rendered fit, though with much expense, to 238 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. answer the purposes of its present destination. It contains two large wards of eight and ten beds each, and three smaller ones of ten beds, besides a smaller one of two, making in aU thirty beds. Attached are kitchen, wash-house, baking-house, etc. The servants of the esta blishment are four nurses, two men and two women — a cook and kitchen-maid, a porter and baker, and an errand-boy — nine servants in all. The officers, a physician, a surgeon, an apothe cary or dispenser and assistant, an almoner or steward — five in all. The patients are pro vided with linen and dresses during their stay in the hospital ; and, on their leaving, receive a small sum in money, or an article of dress from a separate charitable fund. Family prayers in Hebrew are said every morning in the hospital ; and a copy of the Holy 'Scriptures in the same language is placed by the bedside of each patient, which is offered for his acceptance on his leaving the establishment. " The number of patients annuaUy admitted into the hospital amounts to from 360 to 400, and that of out-patients to, from 6000 to 7000. " The dispensary is placed in an adjoining house, where also reside the dispenser and his assistant. HOSPITAL IN JERUSALEM. 239 " The expenditure of the hospital, exclusive of the salaries of the officers, amounts to about £500 per annum. " The accommodations for the patients and the service of the riouse are equal to those of our English hospitals in every respect. But you may easily believe that this effective working of trie establishment has not been accomplished without great difficulty and pains in a country like this, in which the habits of the natives are so contrary to order, regularity, and cleanliness. We riave riad much also to contend with in the strong prejudices of the Jews themselves to receiving relief of this pecuUar domestic charac ter from Christians ; and these prejudices are more inveterate in Jerusalem than in any other part of the world. Excommunications have followed each other without number against those of their own people who should cross the threshold of our hospital; but, though these interdictions have, for a time, deterred patients from applying for relief, yet their effect has at length proved unavailing, and triey are now laid aside as worse than useless. " Upon the whole, I may say that it has pleased the Lord to bless our' efforts far beyond 24O THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. our poor deserts and most sanguine expectations. Our hospital has been rendered a real blessing to the poor sick outcasts of Israel, not only in relieving their bodily ailments, but in opening their hearts to the warmth of Christian love, which has sympathized with their sufferings, and poured oil and wine into their wounds. That a few should look upon the Christian as a friend and brother is a great result ; it is the best and surest preparation to his receiving the blessed truths of the Gospel." At a public meeting in London in 1852, Lord Claude Hamilton, in speaking of the mis sion hospital at Jerusalem, said — " The success which has attended our efforts in connection with this institution is greater than we had any right to look for. Gradually, the opposition and repugnance exhibited towards it on its first esta- bUshment have faded away. I think any one who remembers the amount of opposition Dr. Macgowan met with in carrying out that insti tution, the prejudice he had to contend against; and considers what God has now done, — how He has made the institution, despite the pre cautions taken, to become a means, not only of healing the bodily sufferings of the inhabitants HOSPITAL AT JEEUSALEM. 24I of Jerusalem, but of ministering to their soul's health, — how he has turned the arts and machi nations of man to contribute to the glory of His holy name, and brought those who were most bitter in their hostility, even the Rabbis, to recog nize the services of Dr. Macgowan, and bless him for them ; — any one who considers these things must acknowledge that this is marvellous in our eyes, and wiU be sure that it is the Lord's doing." I have been favoured with an account of a visit paid to this interesting hospital, during the last summer, by one of your own number, Mr. Alexander G. Duff. An extract will, I am sure, gratify as weU as instruct you. " It affords me much pleasure, in compUance with your request, to state briefly my impressions of the Mission Hospital at Jerusalem. " From the first establishment of the London Society's Mission, the necessity for such an institution was felt to be urgent. The Jews are nowhere so difficult of access as in their own metropolis. There Rabbinism reigns tri umphant ; and aU the Jews being supported by contributions from Europe, distributed by the Rabbis, these latter exercise unlimited sway over B 242 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. the mass of the Jewish population. Under these circumstances, the erection of an hospital for the gratuitous treatment of their sick seemed to offer the only certain medium for trie com munication of Criristian truth. Accordingly, in 1842, Dr. Macgowan, having been appointed physician to the mission and superintendent of the hospital, accompanied Bishop Gobat to the Holy City, and commenced his phUanthropic labours. " Having resided with Dr. Macgowan during a recent visit to Jerusalem, I enjoyed ample opportunity of examining into the nature' and working of the Mission Hospital. It is a plain unpretending erection situated on Mount Zion, on the western aspect of the city, and in close proximity to the physician's dweUing house. Of beds, it numbers thirty, and they are gene rally fully occupied. These are distributed nearly equally over the upper and lower storeys, the former being devoted to females, the latter to males. The nurses seemed uniformly civU and attentive, and Dr. Macgowan appeared thoroughly satisfied with their conduct. Those at present officiating in that capacity are, I beUeve, natives of Switzerland. Attached to the hospital is an HOSPITAL AT JEEUSALEM. 243 excellent dispensary and armamentarium. The former is supplied with medicines obtained direct from London, and is conducted by an able as sistant, under the immediate superintendence of Dr. Macgowan. The assortment of instruments placed at the disposal of the physician is most complete, and furnished from the warehouses of the first European makers. I must not omit to mention the unexceptionable cleanliness and symmetry of the culinary ¦ department ; — in short, from the last-named upwards, everything is admirably conducted, and bears the impress of a most efficient regulating mind. " By the bedside of each hospital inmate is placed a copy of the Holy Scriptures ; so that, although direct interference with their ancestral faith is not permitted, the all-important truths of Christianity are thus brought indirectly before them. The patients consist principally of Jews ; the Mahommedans exhibiting a strong aversion to have any dealings with despised and forsaken Israel. " Having accompanied Dr. Macgowan in his hospital rounds, I am enabled to record the thorough familiarity with the practical details of his profession manifested at the bedside of his 244 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. patients. To his accomplishments as a physician, Dr. Macgowan adds the highest quaUties that can adorn a Christian and a gentleman. Mild, yet firm in his deportment, he inspires confidence into the minds of those who place themselves under Ids professional care ; and from all I could learn, he is universally respected and beloved. " In addition to the superintendence of the Mission Hospital, Dr. Macgowan has an extensive out-door practice among the Jewish population. This is another most important mean towards the same glorious end. " In conclusion, I cannot but record the intense satisfaction afforded to my father and myseU by our visit to Jerusalem, and stay under Dr. Macgowan's roof." * Besides the American physicians, akeady * " Dr. Macgowan received, not long ago, a visit from the chief Babbi, and several of the other Babbis, to thank him for all the good he does to Israel. Some of these Babbis were once among his bitterest enemies. Gladdening, too, are the official reports of the number of those who have received help, either from Dr. Macgowan himself, or from his assistant, Mr. E. S. Caiman. Not less than 457 patients have been treated in the hospital during the past year (1851); 5113 have been out patients, relieved at the establishment; r.nd 2713 patients have been visited at their own dwellings.'' PHYSICIANS IN SYEIA. 245 mentioned, as having been sent to Jerusalem as missionaries, Drs. De Forest and Van Dyck were sent, the one to Beyrout, the other to Abeih, in Mount Lebanon, about twenty years ago, by the American Board. At a later period, Dr. Paul ding settled in Damascus. The services of these devoted missionaries, still in the field, have been acknowledged as of no small value. They have been successful in communicating much sound medical knowledge to some of the very intellectual people among whom they labour. A few of these have come to Britain, and have passed through complete courses of medical study. Assaad Jacoob Kayat is one. He distinguished himself very much during the educational career which he passed at Cambridge and in London ; and, at its close, was presented by the Royal College of Surgeons of London, not only with their diploma, but with a special gift in the form of copies of all the publications issued by the College, as a mark of their esteem and good wishes. He was further honoured by receiving the appointment of British Consul at Jaffa, where he now resides, practising gratui tously amongst the poor, and supporting himseU by farming and merchandise. He opens his 246 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. house for divine worship, according to the Pro testant rites, every Sabbath. Before he left Britain, Assaad Kayat pubUshed an interesting book, entitled a " Voice from Lebanon," which consisted mainly of an appeal to the Christians of Great Britain on behaU of the comparatively neglected and degraded Chris tians of Syria. This book contained also strong testimony in favour of the working of medical missions in the East. A similar work was published two years ago, under the title of " Tlie Thistle and the Cedar of Lebanon" by Habeeb Risk Allah, also a Syrian, who passed through a complete course of medical education in London, and returned to the East, where he is now in the medical service of the Sultan's army. Another Syrian, educated by the American missionaries in medicine, has of late years done much good amongst his countrymen. I mean Mr. John Wortabet of Hasbeia, a brother of Mr. Gregory Wortabet, who visited this country eighteen months ago, and startled us by his fervid eloquence. Mr. John Wortabet has riever been out of Syria, but has made, it is said, astonishing progress in the acquisition of Euro- DE. KALLEY. 247 pean science. He is now pastor of a church at Hasbeia, but labours much as a medical mis sionary. In a letter which I received from Mr. Wortabet last year, he remarked — " While, undoubtedly, the preaching of the glad tidings of salvation by Christ alone is the primary and principal human means in the conversion of sinners, the acting out of the benevolent spirit of the Gospel by the medical missionary, and the private instruction and con versation on this great subject, for which the missionary physician, of all others, has the best opportunities, are very important helps. So far as I have observed, the physician has the readiest ear ; and, in alluding to the diseases of the body, he has frequent opportunities to speak of the great disease of the soul, and of the sure remedy in the blood of Jesus ; and, if he is faithful, trie Gospel will turn out, as often as sovereign grace orders, to be the power of God unto salvation." We can point to few more striking instances of the advantage of combining the practice of medicine with the preaching of the Gospel, than what occurred a few years ago at Madeira, under the ministry of Dr. Robert Kalley. This 248 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. gentleman studied medicine and graduated at Glasgow. In the midst of a gay and thought less career, he was arrested through the effectual preaching of the cross, and constrained to devote himseU entirely to Christ's service in the field of missions. He offered himself to the London Missionary Society, and was accepted, with the view of being sent to China. Meanwhile Mrs. KaUey sickened, and was advised to spend some time in Madeira. Being in independent circum stances, Dr. Kalley resigned his connection with the Missionary Society and accompanied his wife to Madeira. This was in 1839. Having soon made himself master of the Portuguese language, he opened a dispensary for the sick poor, which was resorted to by persons from all parts of the island. Dr. Kalley read the Holy Scriptures to the assembled patients, and distributed copies of them in Portuguese ; many purchased bibles for themselves. In the course of two or three years, a considerable effect was produced on the minds of many previously bigoted Romanists ; crowds of them came to hear Dr. Kalley expound the Scriptures in his own house and garden ; and he was frequently invited to go to considerable distances in the interior, where he was encouraged • MADEIEA. 2 49 to proclaim the Gospel in public places, and eagerly listened to by large numbers of persons. He literally went from village to village, minis tering to the sick as a physician, and pointing all writh whom he came into contact to the only medicine provided for the healing of the soul's diseases. When it was obvious that many persons were beginning to question the infalli bility of Rome, and were disposed to accept as of infinite importance the simple truths of the Gospel, the priesthood was roused, and incited the public authorities to institute proceedings against Dr. Kalley, which ended in his incarcer ation on a charge of " blasphemy, and abetting heresy and apostasy." Through the interfer ence of the British Government, Dr. Kalley was set at liberty in the beginning of 1844. Soon after, in his reply to a letter of sympathy which had been sent to him during his imprisonment by the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society, he wrote thus : — " The medical servant of the Lord Jesus enjoys many advantages in his service. After having experienced the benefit of the physician's advice, with regard to bodily ailments, and been per suaded of the sincerity of his desire to do them i5o THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL, good, men listen with deep attention to his counsels respecting the soul ; and it often happens that the mask under which they hide themselves from others is laid aside before him. He has a better opportunity than other men for ascertain ing the true state of the heart, and enforcing with power appropriate truths. " — " The cure of the body is as much trie work of God as is the resurrection of the soul. Of both, He ought to have all the honour, for He alone can achieve them ; but in both He employs human instru mentality. In both, men are responsible for what they do, and for what they neglect to do ; and in both, the instrument may participate in the joy of his Lord." Take these words as the sincere utterance of an experienced labourer, who had well counted the cost of the service to which he had devoted himself, and who had suffered, even in the way of bonds, reproach for his Master's sake, and you will find them very impressive, as well as interesting. Once more at liberty, Dr. KaUey resumed both his medical and his evangelistic labours, under the belief that he did not there by contravene any law of Portugal. But he was soon made to feel that a powerful enemy MADEIEA. 25I was at work against him. Some of the converts were apprehended and condemned. Dr. Kalley himseU was pointed at as meriting public ob loquy, and was threatened with personal violence by the mob ; he failed to obtain the protection of the British authorities ; and, to save his Ufe, he was obliged to flee from the island clandes tinely. But, notwithstanding all these un toward events, the good seed sown by Dr. KaUey took root and yielded mucri fruit. Several hundred (800) persons threw off the yoke of Rome ; and found the means of riaving themselves transported, first to Trinidad, and ultimately to the vaUey of the Mississippi, where they found that liberty to worship God according to the dictates of their own enlightened consciences, which was denied them in their native island. Triis work at Madeira has well been desig nated " The greatest fact of modern missions." Dr. Kalley's own simple statement of the part he was honoured to take in it was as follows : — " Gratuitous medical aid induced many to visit me, and experience of benefits which they prized led them to regard me as a friend. While conversing with them about the diseases of their 252 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. bodies, and the remedies which they were to employ, it required little effort to turn their attention to the soul, the physician, the remedy, and the result, and thus they listened with less prejudice than they would probably have done in other circumstances." I am happy to be able to add, that Dr. Kalley, after having been usefully employed for some years in Malta and in Palestine, and having visited the Madeira refugees at Illinois, has recently settled in South America, where he has found a field of labour in which he can avail himself to the full of his acquaintance with the Portuguese language. There are few circumstances in the history of Christian missions more remarkable than the zeal and success with which our American brethren have carried their evangelistic labours into some of the most inaccessible regions of the old world. In places obviously much more within the reach of British Christians, the mis sionary societies of the United States have had flourishing missions for many years. And in not a few of these, the pioneers, and even the most useful agents, have been physicians. But it is especiaUy in the mountainous wilds of Kurdistan DR. ASAHEL GEANT. 253 that the medical missionaries have distinguished themselves. Having commenced a mission to the remarkable people inhabiting the central region of that territory, the Nestorians, the American Board soon saw the desirableness of having a medical missionary as one of the staff. Dr. Asariel Grant was led to offer his services. He had been for some years settled in medical practice at Utica. It was on the occasion of an annual meeting of the Board of Commis sioners for Foreign Missions being held at Utica in October 1834, that Dr. Grant was first led seriously to entertain the idea of devoting himself to missionary work. He then learned that the Board had, for many months pre viously, sought in vain for a physician to join the Nestorian Mission ; and he was constrained to put to himself the question, " Is it my duty to go ?" Letters addressed to his mother and sister remain, which prove how deeply exercised his mind was, while deliberating on the important step he was about to take. " I have solemnly vowed," he said, " m the presence of men and angels, that I will consecrate myself and all I have to the Lord ; and I dare not go from that altar, to stand impeached before an assembled 254 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. world of having been an unfaithful steward, of having loved the world more than God — more than the souls of my dying fellow-men." In a paper, written and published two years after he had entered upon his work in. Kurdis tan, Dr. Grant gave the following abstract of the reasoning which led him to decide upon devoting himself to missionary service : — " Am I most needed at home, or in foreign lands, to promote the great work of the world's conversion? Here, I have many opportunities to relieve a great amount of human suffering, and perhaps to save valuable lives. But, were I gone, other physicians might do it as well. In the missionary field, I may relieve a hundred fold greater amount of human misery, and per haps be instrumental in saving the lives of some of our missionaries, which are of inestimable value to the Church and the heathen world — and that, too, when no one else would do it. " In the practice of my profession here, I have many opportunities for recommending the religion of Jesus, and advancing his cause. But what are these in comparison with those in Mohammedan or heathen lands, where I may- be the only spiritual guide to thousands DE. GEANT S MOTIVES. 255 who could never be reached by another mis sionary ? " If I remain here, and my business continues to prosper, I can give liberally to the support of missions, and may labour for the heathen by proxy. But money will never do the work alone ; and labourers — especially those from the medical profession — are not to be found in any thing Uke adequate numbers, while there are mUlions of wealth in the Church. "As an office -bearer in a large and influential church, and in various religious and benevolent societies, I have opportunities to exert an im portant influence ; and many of my brethren think I ought not to leave such a field of use fulness for one of uncertainty. But do I not know that those churches which send forth the most labourers, and do most for the heathen, are most blessed by the Spirit of God ? And can I not do most for Christian benevolence at home, by going forth to labour amongst those who are sitting in darkness ? " But there are other ties which cling close around the heart, and entwine with the ten- derest feeUngs of nature ; and how shall they be severed ? How shall my parents, in their 256 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. declining years, give the last parting hand to their son? How shall my sister and brothers say farewell to the companion of their child hood and youth ? Nay more, how shaU I leave my two little sons in this cold unfriendly world? So far as mere feeling is concerned in these questions, although it may penetrate the deepest recesses of the soul, it should never turn the Christian from the path of duty. My parents are not dependent upon me ; my be coming a missionary may be the greatest bless ing to my brothers and sister ; and what can I do for my children, which wiU not be done if I am gone ? The only intrinsic good which can be done for a chUd, is to prepare him for the greatest usefulness in this world, and the en joyment of God in heaven. For this, the means and the agents can be provided, and, super added, wiU be a parent's example, to turn their attention to the great work, which it will ever be his most earnest prayer that they may be qualified to enter. If God calls me to leave them for his service, he wril take care of them." Such was the spirit in which Dr. Grant counted the cost of devoting himseU to mission DE. GEANT'S SUCCESS. 257 work. And his career corresponded with his entrance upon it. In the midst of great diffi culties and great trials, Dr. Grant was enabled to persevere, and was honoured to do much good. "Behold him," wrote Dr. Macgowan, (now of Ningpo), in 1842, " armed only with his needle for the removal of cataract, forcing mountain passes, and, amidst ferocious war riors, winning his way to their homes and their hearts. On account of his professional skill, he was enabled to traverse in safety regions heretofore untrodden by civilized man ; where inevitable death met the ordinary tra veller, and in whose defiles an army would perish in attempting to effect a forcible en trance." * Did time permit, I might give you particu lars of the labours of other medical missionaries, both American and British, who have, within the last twenty years, in various parts of the world, done good service in the work of evan- * An admirable memoir of Dr. Grant, who died in 1814, has been published hy the Bev. Thomas Laurie, and reprinted in this city, as one of the volumes of the " Fireside Library," by Johnstone and Hunter. S 258 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. gelization. Ward in Ceylon, Scudder in Madras, Bradley at Baukok in Siam, Wrigrit in Oroo- miah, Azariah Smith at Mozul, Baldwin, James Smith, and Andrews in the Sandwich Islands, have all been enabled to persevere, and to exer cise their gifts -of healing for the good of many. Chiefly because he was a native of Edinburgh, and but recently a pupil at this University, would I advert more particularly to the late Rev. Charles Leitch, whose early death we are still mourning. Mr. Leitch applied himseU assiduously to the study of medicine here and at Glasgow, at the same time that he pursued a theological course. He was Ucensed by the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, was accepted of as an agent of the London Mis sionary Society,- and was sent in 1851 to Ne- yoor, S. Travancore, South India, where he eritered, with the greatest energy and self-denial, on the work of a medical missionary. His associates in the mission were much struck by the zeal and success with which he prosecuted his labours, and looked forward with hope to a career of great usefulness. But it pleased God to make that career a short one. Mr. Leitch REV. CHAELES LEITCH. 259 was, in August last year, drowned while bathing, ere he had completed the second year of his residence in India. Within the first year, he treated 5318 persons at his dispensary. He stated his own firm belief to be, that the mission -dispensary was productive of moral results, and that it was truly auxiliary to the higher forms of Christian agency. Mr. Leitch possessed no ordinary quaUfications for the sphere wliich he was led to choose. His bereaved associates in the mission thus wrote after his death : — " From what we witnessed during the time Mr. Leitch was carrying on his labours, and from what we have since seen, we are all deeply convinced that a medical missionary, devoting himself as such, with kindness to the suffering, and with constant piety towards God, has very great advantages over a missionary not medically qualified. In his medical capacity he can ob tain an introduction where, as a missionary, he would meet with repulse ; and in times when the spirit is softened by affliction, he is allowed to direct the mind to the great Physician of souls." And another brother missionary said of him — " I knew none whose prospects of use- 260 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. fulness compared with his. I have often thought that he was almost a perfect missionary." * ^ I wished to have spoken to you also of others, such as Wilriams, who perished at Tierra del Fuego, and of Bettelheim, who has laboured for several years at Loo Choo, with no smaU success. Further, I desired to advert to the formation of the Chinese Evangelization Society of London, which intends to employ medical men chiefly as its agents, and wliich has already three in the field. And, as subsidiary to the cause which we advocate, I wished to have mentioned some par ticulars regarding the objects and constitution of the Christian Medical Association of London, which has the spiritual good of medical students especiaUy in view. But I must hasten to conclude. By such a retrospect as I have set before you, we are re minded of the responsibility laid upon us in having access to, and influence over, the minds of our fellow-men in the most critical circum stances of their existence ; and of the import ance of endeavouring to avail ourselves of these * Since this lecture was delivered, a remarkably interesting memoir of Mr. Leitch, by the Bev. Dr. Smith, of Biggar, has been published by Messrs. Oliphant of this city. CHRISTIAN BENEFICENCE. 2 6 1 occasions to employ that influence for their good in a spiritual point of view. AU of us are apt to forget that the fellow-creatures who come under our professional care possess a compound being — that there is an immortal spirit, as well as a body, in every patient that presents himself. We ought not to forget this ; we ought not, at any time, to be indifferent to it ; that we are both forgetful and indifferent, in ever-varying measure, is at once a proof of the moral obli quity of our fallen nature, and a cogent reason for our seizing upon all fitting opportunities to provoke one another to consider what our duty in this matter is, and to endeavour to do it as in the sight of Him who will one day call us to give account of our stewardship. Certainly, no true Christian engaged in the practice of medicine can be habitually, or for .any consider able time, neglectful of the spiritual interests of his patients ; the love of Christ constrains him to seek for their good in the highest sense. But even the most zealous and considerate amongst Christian medical men will be the most ready to acknowledge their need of such provocatives to faithfulness and driigence in the exercise of the gifts that are given to them, as 2 62 THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL. such meetings as the present are fitted, and (in part) intended to supply. The same, we are persuaded, may be asserted of the medical student who has been privUeged to receive the Gospel into his heart. He hails with thankfulness all opportunities of having himseU roused to " give more earnest heed to the things that concern his eternal peace, and to those whereby he may edify his brother." We humbly trust, therefore, that, with the needed blessing from above, our meetings wiU prove both acceptable and useful to all who care for these things, both old and young. And, should we be favoured with trie com pany of some who have not hitherto felt any interest in Gospel truth, or in the missionary enterprise, we would take the liberty of beseech ing them to apply themselves earnestly to the prayerful study of the Holy Scriptures, that they may learn for themselves whether these things be so. Now is the time. We are here to endeavour to assure you that knowledge of the way of sal vation through Christ Jesus is the best of all knowledge ; that it is a source of internal peace and joy, such as nothing else we have heard of ADVICE AND WARNING. 263 can give on this side the grave,- and such as nothing in the world can take away ; that in all the temptations, hardships, difficulties, and sorrows of life, it is as " light in the darkness," a harbour in the storm, bread to the hungry, and deliverance to the captive. We would urge you to seek to attain this knowledge for your selves without any delay. Who amongst you is not at this moment ready to admit that he feels the need of some such guiding-star for life ? The priceless boon is offered freely to all. " Ask and ye shall receive.'' Persevere in prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, that, being yourself led into aU truth, you may have understanding of the spiritual necessities of your patients, and be qualified to counsel and to comfort them as occasions offer. You must, however, be prepared to meet with many, and to hear of more, even distinguished members of our profession, who do not regard it as either a duty or a privUege to interest themselves in the moral or spiritual condition of their patients. They think they have done aU that is required of them when they have determined the nature of the disease under which the sick man labours, 264 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. and have efficiently carried out the proper treat ment. It may be that the disease with which the patient is affected has had its origin in some error of conduct, unquestionably indicative of the existence of moral evil, such as is corrigible under the sanctifying influences which the Bible tells us of, and such as the patient might be helped to contend against by the earnestly expressed warning, or friendly counsel of his medical attendant (who, perhaps, is the only person conversant with the circumstances of the case), but he has nothing to say; it is not his business to take account of his patient's state of mind, or of his habits dependent upon that ; he is not his brother's conscience-keeper; let him seek his spiritual counsellor, if he will ; but, alas, the probability is, that he will not ; and so, the precious opportunity of doing good, in the best sense of the word, passes away unim- proyed. We earnestly hope and pray that you may be preserved from the evil of adopting such views. Be assured, at all events, that a large proportion of the people of this country now desire and expect to find their medical advisers living under the habitual influence of Christian DISEASE FOLLOWS CRIME. 265 truth, and able intelligently to confer with them on spiritual subjects. "No intelligent physician,"* says Dr. Tweedie, " can practise for a single month, without hav ing the connection between sin and disease forced upon his notice. He may be too thought less to attend to it, or too gross to think of it at all ; but whether he think of it or not, the fact is unquestionable — there is a necessary, a divinely-appointed connection between crime and disease. The bloated drunkard, and the wasted debauchee, the premature death of many a youth, the madness of many a maniac, all pro claim the beneficent decree of God, that suffer ing shall follow sin. Now, can it be rational for men to be daUy cognizant of that connection, and do nothing to counteract it ? Maintaining a daUy conflict with pain, shall they ignore its origin ? Are they benevolent or merciful, who assail the bodily disease, but neglect the divine antidote for the soul? Nay, am I not con spiring against the immortality of seU-deluded man, if I know a cure for that mortal ailment * "A Lamp to the Path." Edin. 1853. 266 THE SPEEAD OF THE GOSPEL. which has seized on the very vitals of his being, and yet hide it from his view ? Rather let me press it kindly on his notice ; and that I may learn to do so with tenderness and tact, let me make sure that it has attracted my own, that my soul is illumined by its radiance, and ani mated by its hopes." -: UNIVERSITY LIBRARY