Samuel Morris Morris, Terry. Heroes

¶ … Samuel Morris

Morris, Terry. Heroes of the Faith: Missionary to America. Uhrichsville, OH Barbour, 2006.

Ten Events from the life of Samuel Morris.

Samuel Morris is born in Liberia.

Morris is born Prince Kaboo, destined to become a great leader of his tribe -- or so he thinks!

Morris' tribe is conquered by another tribe.

Morris is taken captive.

Morris escapes. While escaping, he sees a bright light in the sky.

Morris is converted to Christianity by a missionary of Taylor University in Liberia's capital city.

Morris helps the missionaries build homes and preach.

Morris goes to New York City, exchanging his passage for hard labor.

Morris becomes sick in America.

Morris dies.

Identity Bag map of Liberia cross small Bible paintbrush (Morris painted missionary homes in Liberia) small model of an old ship picture of New York City, circa 1890 college view book for Taylor University, from which the missionary who converted Taylor was a graduate, and where Taylor attended before he died.

A picture of Jesus Christ.

African beads.

Describe the early life of your subject. What advantages did this person have? What disadvantages? How did the advantages/disadvantages of the person's family affect his or her life choices and prospects?

Samuel Morris was born in Liberia. Liberia was a nation founded by former African slaves from America, who wished to go back to Africa to escape oppression. He was born a prince. He was not born a Christian. His given name was Prince Kaboo. He was the eldest son of a tribal chieftain and was supposed to become a great king. But then his tribe was defeated and Prince Kaboo was kidnapped.

Describe the person's family relationships. How did the person's parents nurture and help him or her to succeed? Was the family a handicap? What values or beliefs did the parents pass on to their child? Did the parents inspire the child in the biography to achieve?

Because Kaboo was born a prince, his parents respected and loved him, as he represented the future of the tribe. But this great advantage turned into a disadvantage. Kaboo was kidnapped because of his high status by an opposing tribe. So Kaboo's great name and family were both a plus and a minus in his life. Because he was separated from his family when he was so young, Kaboo had to look for other role models in his life. Miss Knox, a Christian missionary, made him believe that God had saved him from captivity and brought him to her faith's mission. Kaboo was willing to be humble and help the missionaries any way he could, even painting houses.

Describe how education (may be self-educated or have obtained formal education) either helped or hindered your subject. What did this person do to improve his or her abilities? What values did the school foster? How did education help this person to succeed?

Kaboo went through several educational phases in his life. First, his parents mentored him, and encouraged him to become a great chief. Then, the missionary who protected him from the tribe that kidnapped him helped Prince Kaboo. Miss Knox taught Kaboo about God, and converted him to Christianity. Jesus was also an influence in Kaboo's life. Kaboo believed he saw a great light in the sky, when he fled his captivity and found the missionaries who saved him. This is why Prince Kaboo was converted to Christianity, and took the Christian name of Samuel Morris. Finally, in America, at Taylor University, Morris was able to receive a higher Christian education

What obstacles did this person encounter? Who, other than family members, inspired this person? What dreams did this person have? What convictions? What made this person decide upon success, no matter the obstacles? What good habits did this person develop that helped him or her achieve success?

Samuel Morris' early captivity was his first great obstacle. He had to flee on foot to the capital city. There, to survive, he helped the missionaries with hard, manual labor. To go to New York and realize his dream of becoming a missionary he had to overcome the obstacle of his poverty. He exchanged his passage for work. The men on the ship treated him badly because of his race, but Samuel was not deterred. He arrived in New York and realized his dream. Even though he died young, he died realizing his dream. It was a different dream than the dream his parents had for him as a child, but it was still his dream.

What qualities of greatness did this person show? What qualities do you need to develop in order to become more like the person you have studied?

Samuel Morris was able to weather any obstacle. Some princes would have raged at the unfairness of their life after they became captive and poor. Samuel drew strength from his adversity. I need to become just as strong inside, and learn to never give up. Just because life is unfair does not mean that you should stop trying. Samuel was also open to new ideas, like Christianity. I also need to learn to keep a more open mind. Samuel also educated other people by his noble example of the fact all races should live together in harmony.