04/08/2026
Samuel Morris, originally known as Prince Kaboo, was born into a royal family in Liberia during the late 1800s. During a tribal war, he was captured by enemy warriors and brutally tortured in an attempt to force his father to surrender his kingdom. Bound with ropes and left outside under heavy guard, Kaboo cried out to the God he had heard about through Christian missionaries. Suddenly, a brilliant supernatural light flashed around him, he heard a voice say, "Run!" His ropes fell away, his captors fled in terror, and he escaped into the jungle. Convinced that the God of the Christians had miraculously delivered him, Kaboo set out to find the One who had saved him.
As he journeyed toward the coast, Kaboo testified that the Holy Spirit guided him from village to village until he reached Christian missionaries. There he heard the story of Saul's conversion and immediately recognized the same heavenly light that had rescued him. He gave his life to Christ, was baptized, and received the name Samuel Morris. His greatest desire became to know more about the Holy Spirit. When the missionaries told him of Methodist pastor Stephen Merritt in New York, Samuel determined to travel to America to learn more. During the voyage, his simple faith and constant prayers profoundly affected the crew, and several sailors came to faith in Christ through his testimony.
When Samuel arrived in New York, he sought out Stephen Merritt and told him, "I have come from Africa to learn about the Holy Ghost." Merritt left him for the evening at a rescue mission, but when he returned, he found seventeen men kneeling in prayer around Samuel after hearing him speak of Jesus. Many believed Samuel ended up teaching Stephen Merritt more about the Holy Spirit than Merritt ever taught him. Samuel later enrolled at Taylor University, where his humility, prayer life, and unwavering faith sparked a spiritual awakening. Students and professors were deeply moved by his life, many surrendered to missionary service, and his influence helped strengthen both the spiritual life and future missionary vision of the university.
Samuel Morris died in 1893 at only about twenty years of age, yet his influence continues to this day. His remarkable story of miraculous deliverance, childlike faith, and complete dependence on the Holy Spirit has inspired generations of believers to pursue a deeper walk with Christ and to carry the Gospel to the nations. His life proves that God can use someone with little education but complete faith to impact the world.
📖 Want to read the full story? Samuel Morris: A Spirit Filled Life follows Prince Kaboo's incredible journey in greater detail, from his miraculous escape in Liberia to the lasting spiritual awakening he helped ignite in America. It's a short but deeply inspiring read that will challenge your faith and stir your hunger for the Holy Spirit.
Revival Press. LINK IN COMMENTS 👇👇👇