With such feelings, he said "he would have gone to _any_ quarter of the globe, where the people were as yet without a Divine Revelation." But China, most happily, was the sphere allotted to him by the Directors of the Missionary Society. To that immense empire their attention had been directed by their first devoted Treasurer, Mr. Hardcastle, who judged it highly important to attempt the acquisition of its difficult language, and the translation of the Scriptures by some competent Missionary. This, be it remarked, was at a time when it was quite uncertain, whether any Briton would be allowed to go thither from England, or permitted to reside even on the borders of China, if he should be able to reach its shores. So strong then were the prejudices, in certain quarters, against attempting to evangelize the East, that the Directors for a time avoided the use of the term _Chinese Mission_; and actually were obliged to send Dr. Morrison and others round by way of America. For this station, China, he was eminently adapted: as it was well remarked by the lamented Dr. Milne, that "talents rather of the _solid_ than the _showy_ kind, rather I adapted to accomplish important objects by a course of persevering labour, than to astonish by any sudden burst of genius, were the most proper for the first Missionary to China: and such exactly were the talents which the Giver of every good and perfect gift had conferred on him." But it was thought highly desirable that he should have a fellow-labourer, though subsequent events proved that this would _then_ have been quite impracticable in China. But every effort was made, especially by himself, to prevail on some kindred soul to accompany him. And here I must be excused slightly touching on one who was more than half-disposed to respond to the call; but who was ultimately prevented, by what appeared to him _imperative duty at home_. But he trusts his heart was ever with him: and whatever sympathy and encouragement might be, at any time, in his power to command, were most cheerfully rendered, and the act considered as his highest honour. What views Dr. M. entertained both of the missionary and ministerial character, will best appear from what he desired for himself and his friend. In a letter dated March 24, 1805, he thus writes:--