the known facts some perhaps are too trivial, others too sacred to bear mention. T

kept the toll-gate. John was a fine horseman, and found great sport in jumping on his horse and chasing the people who had "cheated the gate" by not paying their toll. John knew the law a

hers and sisters. In any little dispute which arose, J

ser and arbitrator whom foreigners and Chinese alike soug

tend to me, for I am the well-rubbed Palm-stem." The figure Hobab used represented a palm-trunk left for the beasts to come and rub themselves upon. It was a metaphor for a person much resorte

put him through the required course. Here he joined the Church at the age of seventeen. From Blawenburgh his brother Goyn and he went to New Brunswick, New Jersey, joining the Sophomore class in Rutgers College. John and Goyn roomed together, swept and garnished their own quarters and did their

ed as professor of these languages in the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, he was talked of as Dr. McClelland's successor, and but for t

hu Doty, one of the pioneers of the Amoy Mission. It was plain that he must go to the "regions beyond." He must break the news to his mother. John's love of missionary literature and his eager attendance upon missionary meetings had filled the family with a secret fear that he thought of going. One day he invited his younger sister, Catharine, to take a walk with him across the fields. He began to talk about missions to foreign lands. Finally he

plied to the American B

ugh Dr. Thomas De Witt

tter is still in posses

ad

friends and the Church, I have been enabled to pursue the usual course of study preparatory in our Church to entering upon the duties of the Gospel ministry. I graduated at Rutgers Co

with the Church (Reformed Dutch) at Blawenburgh, New Jersey, of which my brother, Rev. James R. Talmage, was then and still is pastor. Was living in his family at the time, and studying with him preparatory to entering

long time, yet I have not felt at liberty to decide the question where duty called me to labor until the last month. In accordance with t

lmage might have been his successor. But no sooner was the Board ready to send him than he was prepared to go. The day for leaving home came. Father Talmage and the older brothers accompanied John. They left the house in three carriages. A younger sister (Mrs. Cone) recently said: "When we saw the three carriages driving down the lane it seemed more like a funeral than anything else." Silent were those who drove away. Silent,

usively, is the separation from friends like the farewell of death. Though ignorant of the future

ther, but during the last days the enfeebled widowed mother's courage failed her. She could not relinquish her daughter to what seemed to her separation for life. Mr. Talmage had to choose between the call of duty to China and going alone, or tarryin

f the voyage. A few extrac

the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Heber is a ship of 436 tons, 136 feet long, 27 wide. Among the passengers are Rev. E. Doty and wife, and Rev. Moses C White

ear though the earth be removed. Besides, there are Christian friends praying for me. Oh, the consolation in the assurance that at the throne of grace I am remembered by near and dear friends! Will not their prayers be heard? They will.

nd walk together. From present appearances we shall feel towards each other as David and Jonathan did." Mr. Collins was a man of intense mi

Mr. Doty, Collins, and myself have organized ourselves into a Hebrew class. We exp

hink of home. Wonder where and how my many friends are? Are they happy? Are they well? Are they all alive? Is it strange that sadness sometimes steals over my mind, when I

editation, following the order in a little book publis

Christ suffered for us, leaving us an e

his Lord.' The 'King of Glory' suffered, and shall a sinful man complain? Besides, the Christian should be willing to suffer for the

day noon have made

lmage kept faithfully every day, we find that the

on from head-winds and calms. About a week ago we were put on an allowance of water, one gallo

. This evening about 8 o'clock, after a very severe blow and heavy dash of rain, 'fire balls,' as the sailors termed them, were see

System of Phonography." That Mr. Talmage became proficient in the use of it

the forecastle instructing the sailors. Many of them seem pe

island in the Indian Ocean). It is a small island about ten miles square. This is

ordering on the Straits of Sunda. Remained at Angier until Wednesday afternoon. Capt. Patterson laid in a good s

ived at Macao. This morning set sail f

, Mr. and Mrs. Doty and Mr. Talmage emb

I suppose, for the opium trade. Our passage from Hongkong was not very pleasant. Our quarters were c

, the day before yesterday, we arrived safely at Amoy. The brethren gave us a very hearty welcome. The missionary company at this place consists of Brother Pohlman, o