美國第一位來華傳教士裨治文在第一次來華途中的信
Letter from the First American Missionary, Rev. Elijah Coleman Bridgeman, to China During His First Trip to China

圖一是美國第一位來華傳教士裨治文（Elijah Coleman Bridgeman, 1801年4月22日—1861年11月2日）第一次來華途中和剛抵達不久後的兩封信。他是由美部會差派，1829年10月14日搭乘「羅馬號」(Roman)從紐約啟程前來中國，1830年1月22日抵達澳門， 2 月 26 日抵達廣州。在華31年，直到在上海過世。他在中文聖經翻譯、中西文化交流、開啟中國人現代化教育、西醫在中國的推廣以及反對鴉片貿易等方面都曾起了開拓性的重要作用。

圖一、美國第一位來華傳教士裨治文寫於第一次來華途中和剛抵達廣州不久後的信（正面）。Ref.# 20240315.

圖二、美國第一位來華傳教士裨治文寫於第一次來華途中和剛抵達廣州不久後的信（背面）。Ref.# 20240315.

討論裨治文的來華，不可避免要提及被裨治文稱為「美國人來華傳道之父」 的美國遠東貿易商人大衛•奧利芬特(David Olyphant, 1789－1851)。大衛是美部會創始人之一和長期捐助者，後來被選為美部會的理事會成員。1807年馬禮遜從美國來華，就被認為是大衛安排的船艙。1820年大衛來到廣州，開始了他與馬禮遜的終身密切友誼和對來華傳教工作的參與。他們的關係變得如此親密，1824年大衛的兒子出生後，他為兒子取名叫「馬禮遜•奧利芬特」。

米憐（William Milne，1785-1822)過世後，大衛看到馬禮遜工作的繁重和身體健康的惡化，而倫敦傳道會遲遲未能差派接替米憐工作的傳教士，他開始呼籲美部會派傳教士來華。 1829年當他的羅馬號船來中國前，他再次呼籲並提供免費船艙。美部會是1829年9月下旬確認差派裨治文的，10月6日按立他為牧師，14日就啟程。他也是當年剛從神學院畢業。裨治文信中說從美部會成立中國傳道部到他啟程來華相隔僅三週。同行的還有傳教士雅裨理（David Abeel, 1804-1846）。

這封信是一張紙分四頁（正反兩面）。除第一頁充當信封外，另三頁上實際上是寫於不同日期的兩封信。第2-3頁是1830年1月21日寫於前往中國的船上。第4頁是1830年3月31日寫於抵達剛一個多月的廣州。裨治文說抵達後受到了馬禮遜無微不至的幫助。收信人是亨利•謝德牧師（Henry Shedd， 1803-1886）。他是裨治文在安多弗神學院的同學。裨治文啟程時亨利在紐約，信到達時他已經去了當時俄亥俄州待開發的邊遠地區。他是今俄亥俄吉列山長老教會的創辦人。以下是信的中文翻譯。

1830 年 1 月 21 日羅馬號船上
亨利‧謝德牧師，我親愛的先生：
神，按照祂的旨意，似乎呼召我們到相距甚遠的地方，但這只是一小會兒，然後我們的工作就結束了。我來中國，對我和你來說幾乎都是出乎意料的，但這條路似乎太平坦了，不允許我猶豫或徘徊。

我們在安多弗一起度過的許多愉快且我希望有收穫的季節不會很快被忘記。直到我們在安多福週年紀念日的早上，中國傳道部門才被提出，距那時僅三週，我就踏上了告別祖國的旅程。到目前為止，我們的旅程是愉快和舒適的。我們現在在大洋島嶼中間的布羅小島附近。這附近有某些東西。當一個人在這個巨大群島的島嶼之間航行時，很難不對那些不幸的居民產生一些感情。許多來自基督教世界的船隻曾經造訪過這些島嶼，但次數太多了，我擔心會散播火把、箭和死亡。這裡有一項偉大的工作要做。數以千計的不朽靈魂正走向毀滅，對福音一無所知。我的兄弟，我沒有時間在現場多想；但我請求你們不要忘記地球的這些角落。你可以經常、大聲、以良好的目的就宣教主題講道。我知道你的心在做善事，如果你在這裡，你會感到痛苦，並為這些可憐的島民悲哀。為他們祈禱，也為我祈禱。願全能者永遠祝福你。我希望在廣州寫完這封信，然後再告別。 裨治文

1830 年 3 月 31 日，中國廣州
我的兄弟，我終於到了中國。我們於 2 月 26 日抵達廣州。到達後，我立即見到了馬禮遜博士，他非常熱情地接待了我們。他為我提供一切可能的幫助。學習中文不是件容易的事，什麼時候能用中文講道，就很難說。但我相信那一天一定會到來，而且我希望能盡快到來。我現在不能給你很多細節 ，但總而言之，我的境況很愉快並且忙於學習語言、寫佈道、寫信件等等。目前我每週講道一次──不是在廣州向居民講道，就是在黃埔向（美國）海員講道。我們經常一起談論異教徒的狀況，但我承認，直到我親眼所見之前，我對異教徒的可悲狀況都沒有充分的認識。這座偉大的城市似乎完全陷入了偶像崇拜。今後，如果上帝保守我繼續履行使命，我希望能夠提供給你更多細節。這是一個非常奇特的領域——我不能倉促地陳述看似事實的事情。詢問對您的 ?? 有興趣。我仍然真心屬於你 – 裨治文
# 該城市和郊區之間幾乎沒有什麼真正的區別。Ref.# 20240315.

Elijah Coleman Bridgman was the first American missionary to come to China, sent by the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM). He arrived in Canton on Feb. 26, 1830. When discussing Bridgman’s decision to come to China, it is inevitable to mention David Olyphant (1789-1851), an American Far East trader whom Bridgman called “the father of the American Mission to China”. David was one of the founders and long-term donors of the ABCFM, and was later elected as a board member of the ABCFM. The ship that brought Robert Morrison to China from the USA in 1807 was also considered to be arranged by David.

In 1820, David came to Canton and began his lifelong close relationship with Morrison and his participation in missionary work in China. Their relationship became so close that after David’s son was born in 1824, he named his son “Morrison Olyphant”. After William Milne (1785-1822) passed away, David saw Morrison’s heavy workload and deteriorating health, and the London Missionary Society had been slow to send missionaries to replace Milne. He began to call on the ABCFM to send missionaries to China. Before his ship Roma came to China in 1829, he called again and offered free sailing passage. Bridgman was ordained and appointed for service in China by the ABCFM on October 6, 1829 as their first appointee. In the letter, Bridgman said that it was only three weeks from the establishment of the ABCFM’s Chinese Mission to his departure. He was accompanied by missionary David Abeel (1804-1846).

The letter is one sheet of paper with four pages. Except for the first page which serves as an envelope, the other three pages actually are two parts written on different dates. The first part on pages 2 and 3 were written on the ship to China on January 21, 1830. The second part on page 4 was written on March 31, 1830, over one month after he arrived in Canton. The recipient was Rev. Henry Shedd (1803-1886), who was Bridgman’s classmate in Theological Seminary of Andover, graduated in 1829. He was in New York when Bridgman set out, but moved to the remote areas of Ohio that were to be developed when the letter arrived. Henry was the founder of the Mt. Gilead Presbyterian Church in Ohio. Here is what the letter says.

On Board Ship Roman Jan. 21, 1830
Rev. Henry Shedd, My Dear Sir：
God, in his providence seems to have called us to fields widely separated, but it is only for a little while, then our work will be ended. My departure for China was almost as unexpected to me, as to you, but the way seemed too plain to allow me either to hesitate or linger.

The many pleasant & I hope profitable seasons that we enjoyed together at Andover, will not soon be forgotten. It was not until the morning of our anniversary at A.(Andover) that the Chinese Mission was proposed, just three weeks from that time, I had embarked & bade adieu to my nation land. Our passage thus far has been pleasant & agreeable; & we are now off the small island of Booro, in the middle of the islands of the Ocean. There is something in proximity of place. It is difficult for one to sail among the islands of this immense archipelago, without having some feelings for the wretched inhabitants. Many a ship from Christendom has visited these islands, but it has been too often, I fear to scatter firebrands, arrows, & death. A great work is to be done here. Thousands of immortal souls are going down to destruction, ignorant of the gospel. My brother, I have no time to dwell on the scene; but do not, I beg of you, forget these ends of the earth. You can preach often & loud, & to good purpose on the subject of missions. I know your heart is in the good work, and if you were here it would ache, & mourn for these poor islanders. Pray for them, & pray for me. And may the Almighty bless you forever. I hope to finish this letter at Canton, till then farewell. E.C. BRIDGMAN

CANTON, CHINA, March 31, 1830
I am at length, my Brother, in China. We arrived at Canton on the 26 of Feb. The remainder of our passage from Booro, was equally as pleasant as the first part of it. On arriving here I met immediately with Dr. Morrison, who received us most kindly; he afforded me every possible assistance. The acquisition of the Chinese language is no small labor, when I shall be able to preach in it, it is not easy to tell. That time, I trust, will come, & I hope speedily. I can not now give you many details – but say, in a word, that I am pleasantly situated & busy in the study of the language – writing of sermons – letters & (so on). At the present I preach once a week – either at Canton to the residents, or at Whampoa to the Seaman. We have frequently conversed together on the condition of the heathen, but I confess that until I had seen with my own eyes, I had no adequate views of the very lamentable condition of the heathen. This great city seems wholly given to idolatry. Hereafter, I hope, if God preserves me in the mission, to give you many particulars. It is a very peculiar field – & I must not be hasty in stating what seems to be fact. Asking an interest in your ?? I remain yours truly – ELIJAH C. BRIDGMAN
# There is but little if any real difference between the city, & its suburbs.

作者：方金琪（信望愛小屋），2024年09月22日，作者保留所有文章及圖片版權。歡迎轉載。轉載電子版文章時，請註明文章作者和轉自www.healthChinese.ca，並請注意在轉載時，不得對文章進行任何刪改。若需書面轉載本刊文章，請先徵得作者書面許可。