MEMORIALS OF R. HAROLD A. SCHOFIELD M.A., M.B. (Oxon.) (Late of the China Enland Mission) FIRST MEDICAL MISSIONARY TO SHAN-SI, CHINA CHIEFLY COMPILED FROM HIS LETTERS AND DIARIES A. T. SCHOFIELD, M.D. WITH INTRODUCTION BY REV. J. HUDSON TAYLOR NEW EDITION, WITH PORTRAIT LONDON: HODDER AND STOUGHTON 27 PATERNOSTER ROW 1898 PREFACE THE subject of the following memorials has already had his earnest prayers for more labourers in the Chinese field richly answered. Even at this moment the heart is cheered by fresh tidings of the work of God's grace in Pekin by His servants Messrs. Stanley Smith, Cassels, and Hoste. And it is in the earnest, prayerful hope that this book may be used to stir up others that it has been written. As far as possible my brother has been allowed to speak for himself, and his letters and papers have therefore been given without any attempt to work them up into a regular biography. After the book was compiled, I came across two papers of interest. The one was written for his wife, who had the greatest difficulty to induce him to give it to her, and contains a list of his scholarships, amounting to over £1400. The other MS. was a small bit of torn notepaper, inserted in a portfolio containing over forty certificates of honour from the Victoria University, certificates of the London University, showing he was first in the honours list in zoology, and third in honours in geology, paleontology, and classics, and also containing all his numerous diplomas. On the paper was written "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." Such was indeed the motto of his life, and the fear of ignoring it has prevented any description of his brilliant successes at Oxford and London. All he longed for was to bring glory to his Master; and it is hoped that these imperfect memorials (compiled in the uncertain intervals of a busy professional life), though they may not stand the test of literary criticism, will yet find their way as a living voice into the hearts of many that shall read them, constraining them to be men wholly devoted to God's service, whether in the home or foreign mission field. He is worthy; and the only life worth living is to live for Him who died for us and rose again, that we should be His, and His alone. ALFRED T. SCHOFIELD. 141 WESTBOURNE TERRACE, W., October 1885. |
