Tainan Council Minutes, July 12, 1892. Revs.
Campbell, Thow, and Ferguson; Dr. Anderson. 1. The Minute
referring to Dr. Russell’s death was read and approved of after
several slight changes had been made, the Secretary being
instructed to forward copies to the Convener, Dr. Barbour, and
Mr. Russell. The following is a copy of the Minute as sent home:
It is with sincere sorrow that we have to
record the death of our colleague, Dr. Russell. He died at Kagi
on 3rd July when being conveyed from Chianghwa to
Taiwanfu. As a Mission, we deeply feel our loss, and when we
call to mind his true-hearted genuineness towards both Chinamen
and Englishmen, we cannot help despairingly asking the question.
Who will ever be able to take his place in the work of Christ in
Formosa? As individuals, too, each of us feels he has lost a
true friend. Cut off at the early age of twenty-five, and having
spent only about three years and half in China, he yet
accomplished a noble work. The greater part of his first year in
China was spent in Chinchew; and five months ago, when he
revisited that city, it was most pathetic to see the love and
true respect all had for him. His skill as a physician , his
kindness and firmness as a man, coupled with his sterling
Christian character, won for him the highest regard and
friendship of the Chinese with whom he came into contact. Even
on his deathbed, although the names of those dearest to him were
oftenest on his lips, still he frequently regretted his
inability to render any further service to some on whom he had
operated a few days before his own illness began. His career was
too short for him to see much direct spiritual fruit from his
work, but those who saw his daily intercourse wit patients fell
that the great aim of his life was to win them for Christ. He
has gone from us, and our hearts are sore. We keenly feel our
own loss, but the loss sustained by his loved ones at home calls
for our deepest sympathy and earnest prayer.