SPEER, William, missionary, born in New Alexandria, Pennsylvania, 24 April, 1822. He was graduated at Kenyon college, Ohio, in 1840, studied medicine under his father, a surgeon of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and divinity at the Presbyterian theological seminary, Alleghany City. He was licensed to preach in 1846, and in the same year was sent with two colleagues by the Presbyterian board of foreign missions to establish their first mission in Canton, China. He devoted himself specially to hospital work and tract distribution. In 1850, having lost his wife and child, and with failing health, he returned home. In 1852 he was sent on a mission to the Chinese in California, as the first preacher in their own tongue. He soon established a Chinese school, opened a dispensary, lectured on the Chinese in various towns, and largely from the funds thus obtained built a brick mission-house. He organized the first Chinese Christian church in the New World. He founded, and maintained for two years, "The Oriental," a religious and secular paper in Chinese and English devoted to the interests of the emigrants. He greatly influenced religious bodies and thinking people toward throwing open to the Chinese the benefits of Christian civilization. His efforts led to the repeal of the legislative act of 1854-'5, designed to exclude the Chinese from the mines. After devoting five years to this mission he was again obliged to go in quest of health. In 1865 he was called to Philadelphia, to be corresponding secretary of the Presbyterian board of education, which he aided in reorganizing, a measure that resulted from the reunion of the two branches of the church, which took place in 1869. In connection with his duties on the board of education he prepared a series of publications, some of which are of permanent value. Relinquishing his educational labors in 1876, Dr. Speer travelled in Japan and China, and has since served the cause of missions on both continents. The degree of D.D. was conferred upon him in 1866. His works include "China and the United States" (Hartford, Connecticut, 1870); "The Great Revival of 1800" (Philadelphia, 1872); "God's Rule for Christian Giving" (1875); and sermons, pamphlets, and reviews.