Having visited the College, and made every possible arrangement for its present emergencies; and having some time before fully accomplished the three great duties assigned him--either of which was almost enough for any ordinary man--to learn the language, to translate the Bible, and to compose a Dictionary, Dr. M. felt himself now at perfect liberty to visit his native country, which he reached in the spring of 1824. As Dr. Morrison had been so much and so deservedly anticipated by his fame, an intense anxiety was every where manifested to see and hear him. Hence he was expected to appear at every public meeting of the Missionary and Bible Societies: and to preach on almost every occasion. From the long prevalence of retired and studious habits, and I may add of Asiatic manners, this was no easy or pleasant task for him; and it is not wonderful, if, on some occasions, he disappointed the expectations excited. But you, my Christian friends, can testify the powerful appeals which he made here, and how much his soul was evidently inspired with zeal for China; wherever he was, this was his ruling passion. Hence he wished all _to love China_, and to seek her evangelization by every means in their power; and not to mind silver or gold, friends or comforts, except as they might become the honoured means of promoting the Redeemer's kingdom. And it is highly gratifying to state, that his visit was productive of considerable zeal and exertion on behalf of the same. The greatest attention and kindness were every where shown him, by all ranks of the community. He was honoured by being introduced at court, where he presented to his Sovereign a copy of his Chinese Bible, which was most graciously received, as was also a large Map of China, which he subsequently transmitted. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and of several other literary institutions, both at home and abroad; and he had, some years before, in the most handsome manner, been created Doctor in Divinity by the University of Glasgow, for his distinguished labours. He prolonged his stay in England a second year, in order to instruct some missionaries and others in Chinese; and to promote the interests of Oriental literature, in connexion with missionary efforts. About this time, he again entered into the marriage state, by leading to the altar Miss Armstrong, of Liverpool, well known to many of you: in whose recent and unspeakable sorrows, I am fully convinced, you will most deeply sympathize.