Robert Morrison's Grave

Yesterday we, (Michelle, Vivian, and Elaine) had a chance to visit Macau and walk around. Since Pastor Anthony had mentioned that we should go visit Robert Morrison’s grave the last time we were there with him, we went to take a look this time. It was the highlight of the trip for me – much better than sampling free meat jerky on the side streets :)

Some background on Robert Morrison can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Morrison_(missionary)

Robert Morrison was the first protestant missionary to serve in China. He endured years of loneliness, rejection, and hate by the locals he came to serve. He learned a language many thought was impossible to learn from scratch and did thankless work translating the Bible into Chinese. And for his 25 years in Asia led only 10 Chinese to Christ. Such seemingly fruitless work for the Kingdom with little to show.

We stumbled upon the Protestant Cemetery tucked away in the corner of a park oasis amidst the dirty grimy streets of Macau. We would have overlooked it if it weren’t for the tourist signs pointing us to this direction. Beyond the humble gates was a small protestant church. Behind the church was the cemetery.

Something about being in a cemetery just gives proper perspective to the sheer brevity of life. All are laid to rest here. There are no exceptions. Many died at sea, and other dies by disease, but they are all confronted by the end of their life here and the beginning of another one. It was odd and almost outrageous how some epitaphs showed a glimmer of hope of something beyond this side of world. Many souls buried here had faith of an eternity spent with their Maker where the pains of this world would cease and no longer infirm and wane their joy. Such hope was inspiring.

We found Morrison’s grave and epitaph shaded by a large tree in the back corner of the cemetery. Such a meagre monument for a giant hero. I’ll let the photos tell you the story:

And the one for his wife:

 

His colleague Samuel Dyer:

 

What faith!

Lord, let me cheerfully spend my life for your Kingdom and fame. And if there should be no reward, it would be fine because you are my reward. Amen.