Amongst all the many worthy men who, because of their faithful work or public position, are well known in China, there were few so well known and none more respect ed and loved than the Rev. David Hill, 'A fortnight ago he was quietly carrying on his missionary work in the city of Hankow, a few days later he was laid low, as it was, supposed, by malarial fever. Instead of rallying he rapidly grew worse, and what at first was presumed to be fever was afterwards seen to be typhus. On Saturday, the 11th of April, he passed away, having been unconscious for two or three days.
'Mr. Hill came to China in 1864 as a missionary of the Wesleyan Methodist Society, For over thirty years ho has worked for the Chinese, living' upon the sinallest possible part of his private income, spending his money as he has spent his strength in ministering to the wants of the needy and suffering, and in furthering any efforts that might hasten the coming of the Kingdom of God in China, During the year of the great famine he worked in Shansi distributing help in the famine districts; since then his work has been confined to Hupeh. For many years he was the chairman of the Wuchang District of the Wesleyan Mission; when the Missionary Conference was held in Shanghai Mr. Hill was one of the presidents. All who knew Mr. Hill loved and honoured him; amongst the native Christians of his own church he was a a beloved father. During the last few days I have seen the eyes of old, unemotional Chinese filled with tears when speaking of him, wh outside the Church one was ever meetin: men who enquired kindly about the old pastor" and spoke of his good deeds. What a loss his death will be to Christian Missions in China and to the Wesleyan Missionary Society in particular it is hard to realise. I suppose the majority of the workers in that Society have come to China through the direct. or indirect influence and help of Mr. Hill. Hardly any branch of work carried on by that Society is not greatly indebted to Mr. Hill, whilst some branches of philanthropic work such as the Hankow School for the Blind, and Alms-houses for aged Chinese, would never have been but for him. During his life Mr, Hill's one object was to learn the will of Christ and to lovingly obey him, Faithful in his service upon earth he has now been called tchis reward.
19th April.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.