Having sent to the press his "_Parting Memorial_," he left, for the last time, his native shores, with Mrs. Morrison, now his disconsolate widow, and an infant, and his two elder children, in January, 1826, to return to China, "the land of his adoption," as he called it; with the intention of preparing a short Commentary on certain portions of the Scriptures, and such other elementary Christian Essays as appeared desirable for the right understanding of the word of God, now in extensive circulation there. These works he was enabled, to a very considerable extent, to accomplish before his decease. But I must read you an extract from his last letter to myself, which I received only eight days before his death, dated Macao, February 24, 1834:-- "MY DEAR FRIEND, "Two days ago, your welcome letter, accompanied by a report of your kind Association for our poor college, arrived and afforded me much joy; for I had several months been wondering at your silence. The death of Milne and Collie, and the removal of Kidd and Tomlin, were impediments to the prosperity of the institution. But I am happy to say that, judging from Mr. Evans's letters from the College, he will soon restore it to all that piety, learning, and zeal can do for it. I have been depressed about it of late, but my hopes now revive.--The American missionaries in Canton are persevering in the good work, without any immediately great results. They are more zealously supported from America, than we are from England.--The church of Christ on earth, and also in heaven, is from all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues. It should know nothing of earthly nationalities. The kingdom under the whole heaven belongs to Christ, our blessed Saviour, of which I hope, my dear--we are citizens. I love the land of my descent, 'Canny Scotland;' the land of my birth, 'Old England;' and the land of my sojourn--my adoption, although not recognized by it--China. I would not set up one against the other. O that in point of fact (as in point of right they are) all the kingdoms of this world may soon become the kingdoms of our God and of his Christ! At present I am engaged on Notes on the Gospels, with marginal references in Chinese. My progress is but slow. My strength for labour has much diminished; and I have many calls on my time from various quarters. Adieu. "My dear brother and faithful friend, ever yours affectionately, ROBERT MORRISON." This was his last salutation: and the spirit of the whole is so truly worthy of him, that to offer any comment would only be to weaken that impression which I am convinced it has made so powerfully, as not soon to be forgotten by many--for _he, being dead, yet speaketh_.