First Missionary Conference—The Chinese Language—Second Missionary Conference—Consultation as to New Version of Scriptures—The Plan—Selection of Translators—Translators at Work—Difficulties—Style—Sessions—Final Meeting—New Testament Finished—Lessons Learned—Conference of 1907—Translators of the Old Testament. CHAPTER XIV INCIDENTS BY THE WAY 275 Trials—Deaths—The “Rebels”—Tientsin Massacre—Japanese War with China—Boxer Uprising—Famine—Controversies—English in the College—Pleasures—Distinctions and Honors—Journeys—Furloughs—Marriage—The Siberian Trip—Scenes of Early Life. CHAPTER XV FACING THE NEW CHINA 305 The Great Break-Up—Past Anticipations—A Maker of the New China—Influence of Missionaries—Present Indications—Dangers—Duties—Future of Christianity. CHAPTER XVI CALLED UP HIGHER 319 The Last Summer—Increasing Illness—Taken to Tsingtao—The End—A Prayer—Service at Tsingtao—Funeral at Chefoo—Tributes of Dr. Corbett, Dr. Hayes, Dr. Goodrich, Mr. Baller, Mrs. A. H. Mateer—West Shantung Mission—English Baptist Mission—Presbyterian Board—Secretary Brown—Biographer—“Valiant for the Truth.” INTRODUCTION It is a privilege to comply with the request of Dr. Fisher to write a brief introduction to his biography of the late Calvin W. Mateer, D.D., LL.D. I knew Dr. Mateer intimately, corresponded with him for thirteen years and visited him in China. He was one of the makers of the new China, and his life forms a part of the history of Christian missions which no student of that subject can afford to overlook. He sailed from New York in 1863, at the age of twenty-eight, with his young wife and Rev. and Mrs. Hunter Corbett, the journey to China occupying six months in a slow and wretchedly uncomfortable sailing vessel. It is difficult now to realize that so recently as 1863 a voyage to the far East was so formidable an undertaking. Indeed, the hardships of that voyage were so great that the health of some members of the party was seriously impaired.