Andrew P. Happer (1818–1894) was a nineteenth-century American Presbyterian missionary who is known for his educational, medical, and religious endeavours in South China.
Born on October 20, 1818, in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, to two Christian Presbyterian parents, Andrew P. Happer is one of the most renowned missionaries who carried out his work in China, most notably the city of Canton.
[2] His mother, Ann Harper, had the most impact on his future career choice as she directed him towards Christian missionary work through placing him in the preparatory department of Jefferson College in Pennsylvania at age 11.
[1] Originally he had wanted to travel to India to do missionary work, however after the Opium War and China's opening to the West, he decided he could start his career there.
He, John G. Kerr (medical administration), and WAP Martin (language) are considered the pioneering Presbyterian missionaries in China.
[1] Upon Happer's arrival in Macau on October 23, 1844, the Opium War had previously blocked most forms of western and missionary influence in China.
Although access to Canton was still officially restricted, Happer reached the people through the provision of medical aid and preaching the gospel.
Foreigners were not allowed to live in Canton so Happer moved to Hong Kong and worked and later led at the Morrison Education Society.
Although the Opium War treaties had declared that foreigners could access Canton, the Chinese officials refused to let Happer enter the city.
[1] Happer carried out Christian evangelism through the dispensary in various ways, including preaching to his patients and holding chapel services for community residents.
After transferring the responsibility of the dispensaries to Kerr, Happer focused more on providing a Christian-focused western education to Chinese youth.
By December 1853, Happer opened a day school for Chinese girls which offered courses in reading, writing, and economics.
By introducing Christian teachings within his courses, he continued his mission of evangelism and observed the gradual growth of Canton Presbyterians.
Happer became the first president of Canton Christian College which offered various courses in both liberal arts and pre-professional fields, including medicine and science.
As in the case with the boys training school and his own college, Happer had always desired to expand the education of the students to prepare them for all types of careers, not only Christian workers.
As a devout believer in higher education, Happer constantly made decisions reflecting his desire to train his students to one day leading the economic and social advancement of China.
While residing in the United States, Happer was able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the work of the Foreign Missions as an evangelist by the Presbytery.
His legacyis known for igniting the missionary and English language educational movement in China and the youth that he described as “certainly full of promise for the future.”.
Within a journal article written by Happer in 1872, was his hope for the future of China, the Chinese youth, and the spread of the Christian Gospel message.
He discussed introducing new programs that would allow some Chinese youth to study in the United States for a period of time in the hopes that they too could receive a proper Western education and assume the roles of missionaries.
Referring to the work of various missionaries, including himself, towards introducing Western education to Chinese youth, Happer describes China as such:“Now, since China has taken her place among the nations of the earth, she greatly needs men of her own country, with a thorough education in Western language and science, to carry on the international intercourse that this now position requires of her.”.