SAMUEL MORRIS

SAMUEL MORRIS

Evangelist from Africa

Prince Kaboo was born in 1872 in Liberia (western Africa). His father was king of the Kru tribe during a time of warfare with the neighboring Grebos. The Grebos won.

Because the king could not pay his war taxes, he had to surrender Kaboo as a "pawn" until the debt was paid. This happened once when Kaboo was a small child, but his father was able to redeem him quickly. However, when Kaboo was a young teenager, new fighting broke out. His people were defeated, and he was again taken as a pawn.

When Kaboo’s father was unable to pay his ransom, the Grebos began torturing Kaboo to force his father to pay.

Once when Kaboo was being whipped, a blinding light flashed and a voice from heaven said, "Rise up and run."

Strength returned to Kaboo’s wounded body, and he ran into the jungle. Grebo warriors followed him until dark.

Nighttime did not stop Kaboo though. God provided a miraculous light to guide him. During the day he slept in hollow logs. Finally, he arrived at the town of Monrovia where missionaries told him about Jesus.

When Kaboo heard the story of Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, he exclaimed, "That happened to me, too. A light flashed, and God spoke from heaven."

Kaboo (called Samuel Morris by then) went to the United States to study God’s Word at Taylor University in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Whenever he spoke at the university or while traveling, powerful revivals broke out. Many people gave their hearts to Jesus.

However, the old injuries from being tortured had weakened Samuel’s body. During the harsh winter of 1892-93 he became ill and finally died in the spring.

Though Samuel’s death at the age of twenty seemed tragic, God used it to inspire many students to be missionaries in Samuel’s place. A Taylor University Bible School was even started in Africa.