Kaboo (Samual Morris) 1872 - 1893 *****
Kaboo
was born in Africa, his tribe the Kru tribe, was at war with another
tribe. His tribe lost the battle, and
as was the custom, Kaboo being the chief's son was taken as a "pawn". When the victor of a tribal war was unhappy
with the spoils of war, he took the son of the chief, as "pawn" until
such time as the proper payment was made.
Then the "Pawn" would be released.
After
becoming a "pawn", Kaboo was whipped, because the required payment
had not been made, this also was a custom.
Kaboo's father could not raise the payment, and the opposing chief was
going to make an example out of Kaboo, by beating him to death, with a poison
vine. Kaboo saw a bright light, and was
able to escape the torture.
Kaboo
was lead to a special place where he met another young lad that told him about
Jesus Christ. He surrendered his life,
quickly and started following Jesus.
Kaboo wanted to know as much about the Holy Spirit as possible, and was
told that a special man of God lived in a far away place called America. He decided to go to this far away land so
that Mr. Stephen Merritt could tell him more about the Holy Spirit.
How
he (a very young lad without any money) was able to get to New York city is a
very interesting chapter in his life, but for this brief description of this
very special young man, I will not be able to
tell about the voyage. When he got to New York, he went in search of Stephen Merritt, and
with God's help was able to find him quickly.
Mr. Merritt had an appointment, and of necessity needed to leave Kaboo
at his "mission." When he
returned later, he received a shock, Kaboo, who could barely speak English, had
told the people at the mission about Jesus, with the result that seventeen of
them had repented and received Christ!
Mr. Merit found Kaboo with all seventeen men on their knees,
praying.
Mr.
Merritt took Kaboo home with him that night, and as he showed Kaboo his room,
Kaboo asked him to knell down beside him to pray. The soul of Kaboo was on fire, the light that had lead him to New
York, was to be shared with his new found friend. Mr. Merritt, who had been preaching the Gospel for many years,
received a visitation from the Holy Spirit that very moment, with a reality
such as he had never known before
Kaboo
had been given a new name from the missionary in Africa, his new name was
Samual Morris, I prefer to use his real name, Kaboo.
On
the following Sunday Mr. Merritt asked Kaboo to go with him to Sunday school. Mr. Merritt introduced Kaboo as Samual
Morris, a yound man who had come from Africa to learn more about the Holy
Spirit. The school laughed. After this introduction Mr. Merritt was
called away to another room. Oo his return a few moments later he found the
alter was full of young people, weeping and sobbing, and Kaboo was standing by
the alter praying. What prayers when
the Holy Spirit owns a soul, in the way that He owned Kaboo!
Mr.
Merritt was taught about the Holy Spirit from the one who had traveled so very
far in order to learn about the Holy Spirit!
Mr. Merritt, knowing in his spirit, that he could not add to Kaboo
anything new about the Holy Spirit, suggested that Kaboo go to a Bible school
to learn more about the Holy Spirit.
Upon
arriving at the college, he was asked which room he would like to have, Kaboo
answered, if there is a room nobody wants,
give that to me. Of this
incident Dr. Reade later wrote,I turned away for my eyes were full of tears. I
asked myself if I were willing to take that which nobody else wanted! This is an example of God's precious spirit
having His way in a soul, a complete absents of selfishness.
Kaboo
did more in his short life than most "Christians" do in fifty
years. God bless Kaboo, for he is truly
with You now.