Background
JOHN, Griffith was born on December 14, 1831 in Swansea.
JOHN, Griffith was born on December 14, 1831 in Swansea.
Studied at Brecon College Bedford. Doctor of Divinity.
Began to preach in Welsh when 14 years old. Offered services to London Missionary Society 1853, and was accepted. Ordained, 1855; sailed for Shanghai, 1855.
Spent more than 5 years at and around Shanghai, doing evangelistic work and establishing churches. Travelled widely in all the region round about Shanghai. Left Shanghai and arrived at Hankow, 1861.
The first missionary in Central China. Travelled extensively in Hupeh, Hunan, Szechwan, Kiangsi, and several other provinces as a pioneer missionary. Established, in connection with his colleagues, more than a hundred missionary stations in the provinces of Hupeh and Hunan, and planted scores of churches.
During 49 years, been home on furlough only twice, only about 4 years been spent out of China. Chairman of the Central China Religious Tract Society, and editor of all its publications. Principal of the London Mission Theological College at Hankow. Missionary of the London Missionary Society at Hankow, China; translator of the Bible for the Bible Society of Scotland.