Carstairs Douglas --Letter by Dr. Talmage (The Amoy Mission--1840-1951)

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[Memorials of Douglas Carstairs]
Part 7 Extracts from Letter by Rev. Dr. Talmage, Amoy

CONTENTS
Part 1. LIFE, EDUCATION,TRAINING, OBJECTS, HABITS,WORK
Part 2. Extracts from his LETTERS
Part 3. PREFACE to his AMOY DICTIONARY
Part 4 Extract from AMOY DICTIONARY
Part 5. His CLOSING DAYS, by REV. WM.McGREGOR, Amoy
Part 6. His MISSIONARY CAREER, by REV. W. S. SWANSON, Amoy
Part 7. Extract from LETTER of REV. DR.TALMAGE, Amoy
Part 8. Extracts from LETTERS of REV. H. L. MACKENZIE, Swatow
Part 9. Missions in China of PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ENGLAND;STAFF, STATIONS,and LONDON OFFICE-BEARERS
Part 10. Statistics of whole PROTESTANT MISSIONS IN CHINA, and of the SHANGHAI MISSIONARY CONFERENCE

EXTRACT FROM LETTER from Rev. J. V. N. TALMAGE, D.D., of the American Dutch Reformed Church Mission, Amoy, published in the "Christian Intelligencer" (American), of 11th October, 1877. (Dr. Talmage is one of the older Missionaries, and was intimately associated with Dr. Douglas in Mission work.)

"I suppose almost all who take an interest in missions in our Church are well acquainted with the name of Dr. Douglas, and would be glad to get some more particulars concerning the character of the man. By over-work he had worn himself out, and made himself an old man while he was yet comparatively young in years. He came to China quite young, and at the time of his death was only about forty-six years of age, and yet men who had recently become acquainted with him thought him over sixty. Is any one inclined to blame him too much for this, as though he wore himself out and sacrificed his life before the time? If so, he did it in a good cause and for a good Master. And besides this, he did more work during the twenty-two years of his missionary life than the most of men accomplish in twice that time. And then he reminds us of One who, when only a little over thirty years of age, from similar causes, seems to have acquired the appearance of being nearly fifty (John viii. 57).
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LEARNING; LABOURS; USEFULNESS.
"Recently, especially during the last year, it was manifest, at least to others, that his physical strength was fast giving way. Yet he could not be prevailed on to leave his field for a season for temporary rest, or even to lessen the amount of his work.

"I never knew a more incessant worker. Consequently he was a man of most extensive general information. I think I have never met with his equal in this respect. He was also acquainted with several modern European languages, and was a thorough student of the original languages of the Holy Scriptures, as witness the fact of his study of the Hebrew Bible even after his last sickness had commenced. As regards the Chinese language, he was already taking his place among the first Sinologues in this land. We are indebted more to him, perhaps, than to any other one man, for the success of the recent Missionary General Conference. As a member of the Committee of Arrangements he laboured indefatigably by writing letters and in other ways to make it a success, and, though comparatively so young, he well deserved the honour bestowed on him in making him one of the presidents of that body. 'Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?'"
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EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS OF REV. H. L. MACKENZIE, SWATOW,
One of the Missionaries of the Presbyterian Church of England.

EXTRACTS FROM TWO LETTERS, dated August, 1877, by Rev. H. L. Mackenzie, Swatow, to friends connected with the Mission.

"Few beyond those intimately acquainted with Douglas knew how very hard he worked, and how wisely, and to what good effect his work was directed. For more than twenty-two years his labours have been unceasing, and the great day of the Lord's coming will alone declare how this beloved man, so ' steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord/ did not labour in vain. In the Church of Christ gathered from among the heathen in the Amoy region, much sweet and precious fruit has been brought forth, manifest to all, through his and his fellow-labourers' work. And, I think, there is not one of these fellow-labourers but will be ready to say, to the praise of God's grace in this brother, that he was indeed facile princeps and primus inter pares in all their work.
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CHINA FOR CHRIST! WORK AND PRAYER.
"Most useful, most stimulating to his brethren have been these twenty-two years of hard, unremitting toil; of rare unreserved devotion to the cause of God in China. His record is on high, but his fellow-labourers abroad, and the Church at home that sent him forth, do well to cherish his fragrant memory with loving admiration, and with thanks and praise to God for the grace so abundantly bestowed on him. Of his abundant labours as an Evangelist, of his loving and wise care for the Churches which he was so largely instrumental in planting, of literary labours, both as a lexicographer and in the revision of the Chinese version of the Scriptures, you are aware. And you know, too, how, while at home on furlough, he toiled, and thought, and wrote on behalf of China. In fact he was a wonder to many of us, though he himself all the while, quietly, unobtrusively, and as if it were a matter of course, wrought on, ' China for Christ!' being still his goal. For this he lived; for this, it may be truly said, he died."

"I remember a little incident that for seventeen years has exercised a helpful influence on me. When traveling with him to or from one of the Amoy stations, in 1860, I noticed him looking at some writing on his fan. I asked him what it was, and was told that it was the names of four men at Anhai, the first four converts of that whole north-eastern region, where there are now flourishing stations. From his manner and way of speaking of these four I was quite sure at the time, and have often with advantage to myself remembered since, that he had written them on his fan that he might be constantly reminded of them and might pray for them. I mention this as one of many such indications, showing how his whole heart was given to the salvation of this people, and the establishment of Christ's kingdom among them.

"I feel bereaved and very sad, but he rests from his labours; he is with the Lord, and on his account I must give thanks and praise. I like to think of him resting."
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HELP the AMOY MISSION!!! This photo of the May, 2007 RCA China Missionary Reunion (courtesy of Wendell and Renske Karsen) show that some RCA folk are still around--and we need their help!
   The John Otte Memorial on Gulangyu Islet finishes with, "This stone may crumble, his bones may become dust, but his character and deeds are imperishable.” But too many characters and deeds will be forgotten if we don't record them while those who remember are still with us. Please E-mail to me stories and photos for the Amoy Mission site (and planned book) so present and future generations can appreciate the character and deeds of those who served in the Amoy Mission.
          Thanks!
Dr. Bill   Xiamen University MBA Center
E-mail: amoybill@gmail.com
Snail Mail: Dr. William Brown
Box 1288 Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian PRC   361005