Abeel, David

Abeel, David D.D., an eminent missionary, was born at New Brunswick, N. J., June 12th, 1804, studied theology at the seminary in that place, and in 1826 was licensed to preach in the Dutch Reformed churches. In October, 1829, he sailed for Canton as a chaplain of the Seamen's Friend Society; but at the end of a year's labor placed himself under the direction of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. He visited Java, Singapore, and Siam, studying Chinese, and laboring with much success, when his health failed him entirely, and he returned home in 1833 by way of England, visiting Holland, France, and Switzerland, and everywhere urging the claims of the heathen. In 1838 he again returned to Canton. The "opium war" preventing his usefulness there, he visited Malacca, Borneo, and other places, and settled at Kolongsoo. His health giving way once more, he returned in 1845, and died at Albany, Sept. 4, 1846. He published Journal of Residence in China, in 1829-1833 (N. Y. 8vo); The Missionary Convention at Jerusalem (N. Y. 1838, 12mo); Claims of the World to the Gospel (N. Y. 1838). See Williamson, Memoirs of the Rev. D. Abeel (N. Y. 1849, 18mo); Amer. Missionary Memorial, p. 338.