Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 585

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Morrison Education Society.

OCT

in the service of the Morrison Education Society, I take pleasure in making the following statement respecting his qualifications for this office.

"Mr. Brown passed through the regular course of four years study in this institution, and received the degree of A. B. in the year 1882. During his residence here, he was distinguished for the activity of his intellect, the ver- satility of his talents, and the elegance of his taste. In every department of sciences pursued in this college, he maintained a distinguished rank. He was generally beloved for his amiable deportment, and respected for the spirituality of his mind, and the consistency of his life as a professed Christian.

"At the close of his collegiate course, he was selected, in concurrence with my own views, as one eminently qualified to fill the station of teacher in the Institution for the deaf and dumb in the city of New York. Of the manner in which he discharged the duties of that office, I can speak only from the information I have received from those who were associated with him there in the duties of instruction. From them I learn, that he distinguished himself, at an early period, for the accuracy and extent of his acquaintance with the language of signs, and that his whole course of instruction, during a num- ber of years while he was connected with the Institution, was marked by un- common zeal, energy, and perseverance.

“I feel authorized, therefore, to express the hope and belief, that Mr. Brown will be found peculiarly well qualified for the important station to which he is now called; and I would cordially commend him to the Christian courtesy and friendly patronage of all who are interested in the cause of learning and true religion." (Signed) "Jeremial Day, president of Yale College." Having passed a few days in Canton, and become acquainted with the views and plans of the trustees, regarding the course they desired it him to pursue, Mr. Brown returned to Macao and entered upon ïminediately. On the 29th of April, 1840, he laid before the trus tees a brief statement respecting his labors up to that date, and from it some extracts are here introduced.

"It is now a little more than fourteen months since my arrival in China. My destination to this country was entirely unlooked for till twelve days before I left America. Indeed, I had, for a twelvemonth previous to that period, been accustomed to think of an early and in- timate friend as the chosen agent of this Society. But a singular in- terference of Providence, detained him at home, and sent me hither in his stead. I came in haste, but with an eager desire to be employ- ed in promoting the cause of education among this people, under your auspices.

"At first, the political and commercial troubles in China cast a shade over my prospects; but, finding that the president and mem- bers of the Society, notwithstanding circumstances so unfavorable to deliberation upon any subject not connected with politics and trade,

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