false teachers

Inspiring Christians Samuel Morris

false teachers

Samuel Morris started life in in Liberia (western Africa) as Kaboo. He was the eldest son of a Kru tribe Chieftain. Kaboo was taught the religion of his tribe; the worship of the dead and the worship of Idols. He was taught that there was a god of war, a god of sickness, a god of the lake, a god of cattle, and many others. As a child Kaboo made altars to these gods, and filled bowls of food for the dead, in hopes that he could make these gods and the dead happy, and in their happiness they would protect his village from their enemies the Grebos. But, Kaboo also heard about another god. His people called this god, the "Creator God". Kaboo was taught that this God created man so that the sun would have someone for whom to shine! Then God created plants and animals for food for man; then a wife so man would have someone to talk with! *[note: these people had never read the Bible, yet notice how similar the creation story is to Genesis! Not surprisingly the Bible says: "Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible manand birds and four-footed animals and creeping things." Romans 1:19-23 ] Then the Grebos attacked Kaboo's village. They killed most of the young men in the tribe, including Kaboo's best friend. The enemy burned everything, including the altars. Because of this, Kaboo realized that these "gods" had no power. Kaboo was eventually kidnapped and tortured by the Grebos. The Grebos used him as a pawn. They agreed not to kill the rest of the village, as long as they had Prince Kaboo, and the Kru paid regular ransom to the Grebo. As Kaboo became weaker and sick from being beaten with a poisonous vine; his father knew that he would surely die, if not released soon. So, Kaboo's sister was offered in trade, for Kaboo. She was willing, but Kaboo loved his sister, and did not want her to suffer as he had. He refused to leave- he would die so that his sister could live! When the Kru had nothing left to pay the Grebos, the Grebos prepared to kill Kaboo. They planned a particularly gruesome death for the boy, to make a statement to all who would oppose them. They planned to bury him up to his neck, and prop his mouth open with a stick, and rub honey all over his face to attract the horrible driver ants. Those ants would then enter his body from his mouth, and eat him bit by bit. While the Grebos dug the hole for this horrid death, they tied Kaboo to a cross. He was beaten, weak and barely able to move. Suddenly, a bright light like a flash of lightening shone out over Kaboo and his wooden cross. "Aiiee!" yelped the terrified Grebo cheif and his men. The light blinded their eyes. They were stunned and helpless! Another Kru boy had been brought out to witness the killing of his prince, so that he could tell the rest of his village of the Grebo victory. Instead he was a witness to the most fantastic event that anyone had ever seen! Suddenly there was a loud voice which commanded , "rise up Kaboo! Rise up and run away!" Instantly the rope that bound Kaboo fell from his hands. Strength surged through his body. Thoughout that day, he had had nothing to eat or drink, yet he felt neither hunger nor thirst nor weakness. He jumped up, and ran through the jungle. The bright light led him through the dangerous jungle, which was filled with poisonous Cobra's, vipers and lizards, as well as wild boars and leopards who would love to eat him! The light shone through the jungle and led him to a Christian Mission! There Kaboo was given food, a job and he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. The missionaries told Kaboo that there is only one God found in three persons. He learned that those who die live in heaven with Jesus, if they believe in Him; and to hell if they do not believe in Him. He learned that there is no need to make altars and leave food for the dead, God would listen to him whenever he prayed. They taught Kaboo that God's ears are not opened by anything that Kaboo could do! He learned that God is not moved to act because of what men do, but because of their hearts. When Kaboo heard the story of Paul on the road to Damascus, suddenly he knew that the bright light that had spoke to Paul, was the same bright light---Jesus Christ---who had spoke to him! Kaboo could readily understand the concept of Jesus being taken as a pawn to save the lives of others. Tears streamed down his face as the missionary told Kaboo how the Father gave up His Son, and how the blood of Jesus was the payment made to redeem the people of the world. Kaboo readily accepted this newfound Savior of souls as the "unknown God" who had saved his body when death had seemed so certain. Kaboo's experience with the Lord changed him. He was a different person, filled with joy and confidence in his Heavenly Father. The Lord had saved him, healed him and filled him with the Holy Spirit. He was hungry for the Lord! Kaboo was taught to pray and it became his custom to pray aloud. He always spoke of prayer as talking to his father. In the bunk house at night he would pray aloud and his companions would complain that they wanted to sleep so he went outside in the woods to pray! In time, Kaboo was baptised, and he he took the english name, "Samuel Morris" in honour of a banker in Fort Wayne Indiana who had sponsored Miss knolls, the missionary who told Kaboo about Jesus. This was the custom for converts at that time. Missionaries likened it to God changing Abram and Jacob's names, when they accepted his covenant. Samuel lived at the mission for another 2 years. He was given lessons in reading and writing English. Then Miss knolls urged him to go to the headquarters of their missionary group, which was in Monrovia. There, Sammy, as he became known, went to work for a painter. He often told his story to missionary groups. He also shared his knowledge of God with another native boy, who worked for the painter. One day, Sammy asked this boy, whose name was, Alabo, what his tribe taught about the first man and woman. Alabo answered, "Ho, we learn they had everything the wanted in paradise." Sammy asked Alabo what happened. "God told them not to eat the eggs of the birds, and they did. God separated from them", was the reply. Alabo said that there was no way that the first man and woman could ever get back to God.  "That is how Christianity is different", Sammy explained. "The Bible shows a way to God. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ to take the punishment of man. Jesus made a way by dying in place of all men----for all sin. 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shall be saved.' Sammy was glad he had memorized this verse! Alabo accepted Jesus Christ, too! Sammy loved being at the headquarters. He tried to learn from all of the missionaries. He especially loved to hear their songs of praise to God! He memorised many of the hymns. It was obvious to the believers who came in contact with Sammy, that the presence of the Lord was with this dedicated young man. When he prayed, things happened! One day, to his surprise, Sammy met another Kru boy, from his own tribe! He was the boy captured to be there as a witness to Kaboo's death! The boy cried in astonishment, when he saw Sammy! He could not believe that Sammy was alive! "I remember that night when they were going to kill you! I remember how the strange light suddenly flashed over you. I heard someone call to you........and suddenly you were gone! What happened Kaboo, what happened to you?!" The boy asked. Sammy's eyes filled with tears, because he could indeed tell the boy what happened, and introduce his fellow Kru to Jesus! During one Church service, the pastor gave a sermon on John 14.  The focus was on the Holy Spirit. Sammy and experienced the blessings of the Holy Spirit, but this was the first time he had heard the name and the significance of the Holy Spirit! Chapter 14 became a chapter that Sammy read often. He visited and asked the missionaries lots of questions about the Holy spirit till one of them said, "Look I have told you everything I know about the Holy Spirit." Sammy replied, "Well who taught you about the Holy Spirit?" This woman replied, "Stephen Merritt." Sammy asked, "who and where is Stephen Merritt." The missionary replied, "He is in New York." Sammy exclaimed in his usual style, "Well, I will go and see him." Sammy had no money but to him, barely 17 years of age, the Holy Spirit was more important than money. He would find the way. Sammy went to the local port. Off the coast he saw a sailing ship. He thanked his father for answering his prayer. A small boat came ashore with the captain and some of the crew. Sammy approached the Captain and told him, "My Father told me you would take me to New York to see Stephen Merritt." The captain said, "Where is your father?" Sammy replied, "He is in heaven." The captain was a very gruff man. He swore and pushed Sammy aside. Sammy stood by the small boat all day. When the captain returned Sammy asked again but the captain pushed him aside and returned to the ship. Sammy slept on the sand that night. He prayed through the night aloud in his usual way. He boat came ashore again but once again they refused to help Sammy. He had nothing to eat for several days. The next day the captain came ashore again. Once again Sammy told the captain that his father told him he would take him this time. The captain looked at him in amazement. Two of the crew had deserted during the night. He recognised Samuel was from the Kru tribe and assumed he was an experienced sailor as his countrymen were. "How much pay do you want?" "Just take me to New York to see Stephen Merritt," Sammy replied. The captain agreed and asked the men to take this 17 year old boy to the ship. Samuel was delighted! The ship was owned by the captain. It had 3 masts and was 350 feet long but a very rough riding vessel. Sammy was to spend almost 6 months aboard the ship. On boarding the ship Sammy saw a young boy lying on the deck. He was a cabin boy. He had been hurt and couldn't walk. Immediately Sammy knelt down and prayed aloud to his father to heal this boy. The boy stood up amazed that he was healed! The captain soon learned that Sammy was not a sailor and he wanted to return him, to the shore but his cabin boy pleaded with the captain. "Look what he has done for me." That night they weighed anchor and Sammy was on his way to America! Life on the ship was rather cruel. The crew was a motley group from many countries. Sammy was the only African on board. The crew resented this black boy and they wanted to get rid of him. They beat him and abused him at every opportunity but it didn't deter Samuel's determination to find his way to New York. On the third night out the ship ran into a terrific storm. Sammy was lashed to a spar to work on the sails. All night he was drenched with spray and water. He became very sick. At last he was untied and he fell to the deck in a heap. The captain came and kicked him.  Sammy didn't say a word, he just got up and resumed his work. The next day he was about to go aloft again when the cabin boy saw him, and talked him into trading places.  So Sammy went below to work in the cabins, and the boy who was healed went aloft. When Sammy reported to the captain, the captain was drunk. He hit Sammy and knocked him unconscious. Later when Sammy woke up, the captain (who had sobered a little) looked in amazement as this boy didn't say a word and went about cleaning the cabin as if nothing had happened. And not only that, but Sammy began to sing about Jesus as he worked! The captain noticed a look of peace on his face. Sammy asked the captain if he knew about Jesus. Some vague memories of his mothers teachings stirred in the mind of this rough man. Sammy then knelt down and prayed aloud to his father that the captain would discover the love of God in Jesus Christ.  Something stirred in the captain, and he yearned for the strength and peace that Sammy possessed. It was the beginning of a change for the rough sea captain. For several months they continued up the coast trading with the natives and then finally they decided to head for the open sea and America. To celebrate the captain gave the men some extra rum, in fact he paid the men with rum on a regular basis. Later that day a big fight started. A big Malay took a sword and intended to kill some of the crew. Sammy stepped in front of this big man and begged him not to kill his companions. The big man didn't like Samuel,  as he hated all blacks. The Malay with sword raised came rushing at Samuel but he stood and stared at this big man.  For some reason, the Malay could not kill Samuel. He dropped his sword and went back to his bunk. At that moment the captain came on deck with a pistol in both hands ready to shoot the trouble makers but he saw that the fighting had stopped because of Sammy.. The captain recognised that this boy possessed a "mysterious" power that was stronger than these rough men. Sammy went down below with the captain where he prayed for the entire crew. In time the captains heart softened. He stopped giving the men rum and a peace came over this ship that they had never experienced before. The fighting ceased. The captain began to call the men to his cabin, not for rum, he called the crew to his cabin for prayers! Sammy sang to the men and in time they learned the hymns that Sammy sang. The Malay who tried to kill Sammy, became ill. Sammy sought him out to pray for him. They couldn't understand each other but this rough man came under the influence of the Holy Spirit and a man who was ready to kill Sammy, was now ready to give his life to protect this black boy! Eventually they reached New York. Sammy had come on board with nothing. Just trousers and a shirt but no shoes. This once motley crew had undergone a complete transformation. Sammy had now become their friend. The crew got together and gave him some clothing and shoes. They gave him a hat and a suit so he could go ashore with some belongings but Sammy still had no money. As he reached the shore a man walked past. Sammy asked, "Where can I find Stephen Merritt." This stranger had heard of him so he offered to take him there for a dollar. Sammy had no money but believed his father would provide. When they arrived at Stephen Merritt's office it was dark and Stephen was closing up for the night. Sammy ran to him and said, "I have come from Africa to talk to you about the Holy Spirit." Merritt was amazed and amused by this greeting. He said he had to go out but he would come back later to see him. He pointed to a mission that Merritt ran nearby for homeless men. Stephen Merritt was a wealthy man that ran a number of missions for the homeless. The stranger looked at Sammy and asked for his dollar. Sammy looked at Merritt and replied. "Stephen Merritt pays all my bills now." Merritt smiled and reached into his pocket for the dollar. Merritt kept his appointment that night and then went home but suddenly he remembered the African boy so he went to see him. To his amazement when he arrived he found Sammy kneeling on the platform of the mission. He was surrounded by 17 men who were on their faces; weeping and praying in repentance! Sammy had shared his testimony of God's grace and salvation. The power of the Holy Spirit fell on the men and they cried out to God!  Merritt immediately knew that only God could have empowered Samuel Morris and sent him to the United States! Merrit took Sammy to his home that night and gave him the room that was reserved for the bishop when he visited New York. The Rev Merritt was a busy man. Church work took up most of his time. One day Merritt had to conduct a funeral. He asked Sammy to come with him in his coach. On the way there Merritt pointed out the interesting places around New York but Sammy had other interests. Putting his hand on Merritt's knee he asked if he had ever prayed while riding in a coach. Merritt replied he had blessed several times but had never entered into formal prayers. So Sammy said we will pray. He began to pray. "Father I have been months coming to see Stephen so I could talk to him about the Holy Spirit. Now that I am here, he shows me the harbour, the churches, the banks and buildings, but doesn't say a word about the holy spirit that I am so anxious to know more about. Fill him with yourself so that he will not think, or talk, or write, or preach about anything but you and the Holy Spirit." Well, Stephen Merritt was a minister, but that prayer marked a dramatic change in his life! It gave him a new spirit. Many people came to that funeral to honour the person who had died. When Stephen Merritt spoke he forgot his formal address that he had prepared and gave a tender message as if from the comforter himself. Those who listened couldn't help but notice how different he was. After the funeral Merritt took Sammy to his office and they talked about the Holy Spirit. They searched the scriptures, and they both felt renewed.  Now, this was the United States, 20 short years after the civil war.  Churches and public areas were segregated. But, on Sunday, Rev. Merritt invited Sammy to attend his church's sunday school, and give a speech.  There were over 600 young white people in attendance that day.  Sammy began his story. Mr. Merritt had to attend to a problem and left the room, for a few moments. When he returned, and again he found Sammy kneeling in prayer surroundedby a told him he would like to see him have an education.  Merritt wrote a letter to the president of Taylor University. He said that he was sending a diamond in the rough for them to polish and to send him out to enlighten the world.  Sammy arrived at the University but he was hardly any better off than when he arrived in New York. He had a few books that he couldn't read, some clothes and no money but Sammy revealed a spirit that changed everyone he met. Sammy was given opportunities to speak in Church. When he prayed there was rarely a dry eye as this boy prayed with power. On one occasion he sought out a particular black church. On the Sunday morning Sammy walked in the door as the minister was about to speak. Samuel's usual words were "I am Samuel Morris. I have just come from Africa and I have a message for your people." The ministers first reaction was to refuse Sammy but he asked, "Have you prepared a sermon." Sammy replied, "No but I have a message." The minister gave him the pulpit. Sammy told his testimony but when he prayed in his usual style a power came over the congregation that they had never witnessed before. The power of the Holy Spirit was at work. It wasn't long before news about Sammy spread throughout the community. He was sought after. It was clear that this uneducated now 18 year old boy was being used by the Holy Spirit. But when it came to his education that was a different matter. Though physically he was 18 years of age, in book learning he was but a child. They realised he couldn't enter regular classes so they decided to tutor him privately. Teachers were arranged and they started the long task of his formal education. What Sammy lacked in education was made up for by the power of the Holy Spirit. Many folk came to see and listen to Sammy. It wasn't long before a change came over the university. Taylor University was a training centre for teachers and ministers for the Methodist church. Winter came again and even though Sammy enjoyed watching the snow fall but the long winter took a toll on his life. The hardship he had endured as a boy had weakened his health. He caught a severe cold but he said nothing about it. He continued his classes. It wasn't long before he became very ill and he realised that he was going to die. At first he couldn't understand it. He recalled the time in Africa where he nearly died but he was rescued for a purpose. He said, "Now I have fulfilled that purpose. My life on earth has finished." He died not long after. He was barely 20 years of age. The University and community were shocked. It was a very large funeral. On his tombstone they wrote the words: Samuel Morris 1873 -1893, Prince Kaboo Native of West Africa Famous Christian Mystic Apostle of Simple faith Exponent of the Spirit filled life. After the shock of his death passed the significance of his life and mission began to dawn upon the minds of his teachers and the university. God's plans for Samuel was wiser than theirs. God sent him as a messenger to the university. Samuel thought he was coming to prepare himself for his mission to his people but his coming was to prepare Taylor University for their mission to the world. At the first meeting after his death 3 men volunteered to go to Africa and they were the first of many others. His influence continued after his death and his story still has a power that influences lives today. Several years later the ship that brought him to New York returned. The captain sought out Stephen Merritt to ask after Samuel. When he was told that Samuel had died he was overcome with grief. Then he told how most of the crew were still with him and they wanted to know about their hero and minister. Then he told Stephen Merritt how Samuel's witness and prayers had changed his crew.