马士曼与近代最早的铅印中文书籍

Marshman and the Earliest Chinese Books Printed with Lead Movable Type

在苏精对 19世纪传教士中文印刷历史研究的基础上,笔者通过实地考察印度 塞兰坡英国浸礼会旧址和收集保存在当地的一些书籍和资料,进一步探讨 19世纪早期马 士曼等英国浸礼会传教士在印度塞兰坡所开展的中文铅活字印刷事业,认为马士曼等人 于1813年翻译出版的新约圣经中的《若翰所书之福音》(《约翰福音》),应系近代应用铅 活字印刷技术所印出的第一本中文书籍。而且,塞兰坡的铅活字印刷影响到马礼逊、台约 尔等伦敦会传教士在中国沿海和南洋的铅活字印刷活动,两地之间既有竞争,也有相互激 励和相互影响,共同推进了近代早期西方铅活字印刷技术在中国的引进与发展。同时,还 探讨了新教在亚洲传播过程中传教与经商、宗教与文化传播相互交融的复杂关系。

Based on the field study in the original location of the British Baptist church in Serampore, India and books and materials preserved there, the author argues that the Gospel of John in the New Testament translated and printed by Joshua Marshman and other Baptist missionaries was the first Chinese book printed with lead movable type. Moreover, the lead movable type used in Serampore had influence on Robert Morrison and other missionaries from the London Missionary Society who printed books using the same technology in coastal China and Southeastern Asia. The competition as well as the mutual encouragement and influence between Serampore and China promoted the introduction and development of the Western printing technology using lead movable type in China. This article also discusses the complicated relationship between the missionary activities and trade, and the interwoven religious and cultural communication in modern Asia.