Hunter Corbett
Encyclopedia
Dr. Hunter Corbett (December 8, 1835 – January 7, 1920) was a pioneer American missionary to Yantai
, Shandong
China
, he served with the American Presbyterian Mission
. He was a controlling advocate of the missionary enterprise.
He founded the Yi Wen School at Tengchow ( also known as Boy's Academy / Hunter Corbett Academy Tengchow) afterward converted into a institution of higher education as Cheeloo University
in 1928. It was the first university in China.
in United States
, He graduated from Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
(now Washington & Jefferson College
) in 1860. and from Princeton Theological Seminary
. With his wife, Lizzie (Culbertson), he sailed for China in 1863.
(Chefoo) in the middle of winter, 1863. After several years in Dengzhou
(P'eng-lai, or Tengchow), they established a permanent residence at Yantai and began evangelistic work. Along with colleagues Calvin Wilson Mateer and John Neius, Corbett developed the methodology that would plant the gospel in the soil of northern China and make Shandong the strongest Presbyterian mission in China. Wide itineration throughout the countryside, rather than concentrated efforts in the cities, was the main feature of the Shandong plan. Corbett was described as an "Indefatigable Itinerator," and he traveled over the whole province by horse, mule cart, and foot. Added to his travel difficulties were incidents in which he was reviled and stoned. In 1886 Washington and Jefferson College awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity
degree.
Corbett believed in using unconventional methods. He rented a theater and converted the back rooms into a museum stocked with objects of interest from around the world. After a service, the museum doors would be opened. In 1900, about 72,000 people listened to his preaching and visited the museum. A crowning achievement was the organization and development of Shandong Presbytery. By the year of Corbett's death, there were 343 organized churches and chapels throughout the province, with more than 15,000 communicant members. In 1906 he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly
, the central governing body of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America
or reformed
church.
Hunter Corbett ministered
in China for 56 years. He died in Yantai
, China
on 7 January 1920.
In 1907 his daughter, Grace Corbett married Ralph C. Wells (1877–1955). In 1908 his daughter, Jane Lea Corbett married John Lawrence Goheen
.
Others
Yantai
Yantai is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. Located on the southern coast of the Bohai Sea and the eastern coast of the Laizhou Bay, Yantai borders the cities of Qingdao and Weihai to the southwest and east respectively.The largest fishing...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, he served with the American Presbyterian Mission
American Presbyterian Mission
American Presbyterian Mission was an American Presbyterian missionary society, operated by the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, that was involved in sending workers to countries such as China during the late Qing Dynasty and to India in nineteenth century...
. He was a controlling advocate of the missionary enterprise.
He founded the Yi Wen School at Tengchow ( also known as Boy's Academy / Hunter Corbett Academy Tengchow) afterward converted into a institution of higher education as Cheeloo University
Cheeloo University
Cheeloo University was a university in China, established by Hunter Corbett American Presbyterian, and other English Baptist, Anglican, and Canadian Presbyterian mission agencies in early 1900 in China.-History:...
in 1928. It was the first university in China.
Early life
Hunter Corbett was born on December 8, 1835 in Clarion County, PennsylvaniaClarion County, Pennsylvania
As of the census of 2000, there were 41,765 people, 16,052 households, and 10,738 families residing in the county. The population density was 69 people per square mile . There were 19,426 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile...
in United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, He graduated from Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Canonsburg is a borough in Washington County, Pennsylvania, southwest of Pittsburgh. Canonsburg was laid out by Colonel John Canon in 1789 and incorporated in 1802....
(now Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, also known as W & J College or W&J, is a private liberal arts college in Washington, Pennsylvania, in the United States, which is south of Pittsburgh...
) in 1860. and from Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary is a theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church located in the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey in the United States...
. With his wife, Lizzie (Culbertson), he sailed for China in 1863.
China Mission
After a six-month voyage around the Cape of Good Hope and shipwreck off the China coast, they finally arrived at YantaiYantai
Yantai is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. Located on the southern coast of the Bohai Sea and the eastern coast of the Laizhou Bay, Yantai borders the cities of Qingdao and Weihai to the southwest and east respectively.The largest fishing...
(Chefoo) in the middle of winter, 1863. After several years in Dengzhou
Dengzhou
Dengzhou , formerly Deng County , is a city in Nanyang, Henan, China. it has an area of 2,294 km² and a population of 1,500,000. The urban area is 35 km², and the urban population is 300,000. The city is located in the southwest of Henan province, adjacent to the borders between Henan,...
(P'eng-lai, or Tengchow), they established a permanent residence at Yantai and began evangelistic work. Along with colleagues Calvin Wilson Mateer and John Neius, Corbett developed the methodology that would plant the gospel in the soil of northern China and make Shandong the strongest Presbyterian mission in China. Wide itineration throughout the countryside, rather than concentrated efforts in the cities, was the main feature of the Shandong plan. Corbett was described as an "Indefatigable Itinerator," and he traveled over the whole province by horse, mule cart, and foot. Added to his travel difficulties were incidents in which he was reviled and stoned. In 1886 Washington and Jefferson College awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
degree.
Corbett believed in using unconventional methods. He rented a theater and converted the back rooms into a museum stocked with objects of interest from around the world. After a service, the museum doors would be opened. In 1900, about 72,000 people listened to his preaching and visited the museum. A crowning achievement was the organization and development of Shandong Presbytery. By the year of Corbett's death, there were 343 organized churches and chapels throughout the province, with more than 15,000 communicant members. In 1906 he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly
Moderator of the General Assembly
The Moderator of the General Assembly is the chairperson of a General Assembly, the highest court of a presbyterian or reformed church. Kirk Sessions and Presbyteries may also style the chairperson as moderator....
, the central governing body of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America
Presbyterian Church in the United States of America
The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America was a Presbyterian denomination in the United States. It was organized in 1789 under the leadership of John Witherspoon in the wake of the American Revolution and existed until 1958 when it merged with the United Presbyterian Church of North...
or reformed
Reformed churches
The Reformed churches are a group of Protestant denominations characterized by Calvinist doctrines. They are descended from the Swiss Reformation inaugurated by Huldrych Zwingli but developed more coherently by Martin Bucer, Heinrich Bullinger and especially John Calvin...
church.
Hunter Corbett ministered
Presbyterian polity
Presbyterian polity is a method of church governance typified by the rule of assemblies of presbyters, or elders. Each local church is governed by a body of elected elders usually called the session or consistory, though other terms, such as church board, may apply...
in China for 56 years. He died in Yantai
Yantai
Yantai is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. Located on the southern coast of the Bohai Sea and the eastern coast of the Laizhou Bay, Yantai borders the cities of Qingdao and Weihai to the southwest and east respectively.The largest fishing...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
on 7 January 1920.
Legacy
His widow, Helen Sutherland Corbett, died in 1936.In 1907 his daughter, Grace Corbett married Ralph C. Wells (1877–1955). In 1908 his daughter, Jane Lea Corbett married John Lawrence Goheen
John Lawrence Goheen
John Lawrence Goheen was an American missionary, educator, administrator, agriculturist, social worker, and writer who spent most of his career working in India. He made a major contribution to literacy through the Bombay Literacy Campaign of 1939. He established Adult Education Associations in...
.
Books
Author: Hunter Corbett- Twenty-five years of missionary work in the province of Shantung, China : Author: Hunter Corbett,OCLC Number: 21833096
- A Record of American Presbyterian mission work in Shantung Province, China, 1861-1913 : Author: Hunter Corbett Book-ISBN:0524078602 9780524078600
- 聖會史記 : [2卷] / Sheng hui shi ji : [2 juan] : Book -Chinese, Author- 郭顯徳撰. ; Hunter Corbett
Others
- Hunter Corbett: fifty-six years missionary in China: Author-James R.E.Craighead, Publisher- Revell Press, 1921
- A tribute, Hunter Corbett, 1835-1920 : Publisher: Chefoo : McMullan & Co (1920?), OCLC Number: 16876989
- Hunter Corbett and his family : 'Biography' Author: Harold Frederick Smith, Charles Hodge Corbett. Description:185, [14] p.:ill., geneal. tables, ports. ; 24 cm.
- Goheen family papers, 1864-1951.
- Sketch of Dr. Corbett's life : Promotional material for Hunter Corbett Academy building program, issued in conjunction with Dr. Corbett's 80th birthday. Cover title: Hunter Corbett : his 80th birthday: a plan for celebration, a history, an opportunity, an appeal.