Chapter II: Preface

The accompanying resolution of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church in America, November 16, 1892, explains the origin of this volume:

"Resolved, That the Board of Foreign Missions, being firmly convinced that a biography of the late John V. N. Talmage, D.D., for over forty years identified with the Mission at Amoy, would be of great service to the cause of Missions, heartily recommend to the family of Dr. Talmage the selection of an appropriate person to prepare such a memoir, and in case this is done, promise to render all the aid in their power in furnishing whatever facts or records may be of service to the author of the book."

The writer raised his pen to this task with hesitancy. He had known Dr. Talmage only little more than a year; long enough, indeed, to revere and love him, but not long enough to tell the story of so rich and fruitful a life.

Dr. Talmage was a man of unconscious greatness. If he could have been consulted it is doubtful whether a public record of him would have ever seen the light. His life to him would have seemed too commonplace and unworthy. He was exceedingly careful in the use of language. He could not endure exaggeration. Nothing so commanded his admiration as honesty and accuracy of statement. That ought to be sufficient to guard any one who speaks of such a man against indiscriminate eulogy.

We have endeavored as far as possible to make this memoir an autobiography. To carry out this purpose has not been without difficulties.

Dr. Talmage did not keep a continuous diary. He did not preserve complete files of his correspondence as if anticipating the needs of some possible biographer.

The author's enforced retirement from the mission field in the midst of collecting and sifting material, has been no small drawback.

It is hoped, however, that enough has been gleaned to justify publication. Sincerest thanks are due to those brethren who contributed to the concluding chapter, "In Memoriam."

If these pages may more fully acquaint the Church of Christ with a name which it should not willingly let die, and deepen interest in and hasten by the least hair-breadth the redemption of "China's Millions," the author will feel abundantly rewarded.

JOHN G. FAGG.

ARLINGTON, NEW JERSEY October 1, 1894.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Rev. John Van Nest Talmage Chinese Clan House Buddhist Temple, Amoy Pagoda near Lam-sin Chinese Bride and Groom Traveling Equipment in South China Pastor Iap and Family The Sio ke Valley Glimpse of the Sio-ke River Scene in the Hakka Region Girl's School; The Talmage Manse; Woman's School. (Kolongsu, opposite Amoy) Pastor Iap

CONTENTS

I. The Ancestral Home
II. Call to China and Voyage Hence
III. The City of the "Elegant Gate"
Description of Amoy and Amoy Island
Ancestral Worship
Infanticide
Is China to be won, and how?
Worship of the Emperor
IV. Light and Shade
The Chiang-chiu Valley
Breaking and Burning of Idols
The Chinese Boat Race and its Origin
The Chinese Beggar System
Two Noble Men Summoned Hence
V. At the Foot of the Bamboos
Opium
Romanized Colloquial
Chinese Sense of Sin
Primitive Lamps
Zealous Converts
The Term Question
What it Costs a Chinese to become a Christian
Persecuted for Christ's Sake
"He is only a Beggar"
Printing under Difficulties
Carrier Pigeons
VI. The "Little Knife" Insurrection
How the Chinese Fight
VII. The Blossoming Desert
Si-boo's Zeal
An Appeal for a Missionary
VIII. Church Union
The Memorial of the Amoy Mission
IX. Church Union (continued)
X. The Anti-missionary Agitation
XI. The Last Two Decades
Forty continuous Years in Heathenism
Chinese Grandiloquence
XII. In Memoriam
Dr. Talmage--The Man and The Missionary
By Rev. W. S. Swanson, D.D.
Venerable Teacher Talmage
By Pastor Iap Han Chiong
Rev. John Van Nest Talmage, D.D.
By Rev. S. L. Baldwin, D.D.
The Rev. J. V. N. Talmage, D.D.
By Rev. Talbot W. Chambers, D.D., LL.D.
Rev. John Van Nest Talmage, D.D.
By Rev. John M. Ferris, D.D.
APPENDIX