{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_75863/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_75863","id":"gutenberg_75863","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/75863","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Biographies","Category: History - British","Category: History - Modern (1750+)","Category: History - Religious","Category: Religion/Spirituality","Church of England -- Bishops -- Biography","Church of England -- Missions -- India","Corrie, Daniel, 1777-1837"],"text":"MEMOIRS\n\n OF THE\n\n RIGHT REV. DANIEL CORRIE, LL.D.\n\n\n\n\n [Illustration:\n _Woodman, Sc._\n _Daniel Corrie, LLD._\n _First Bishop of Madras._\n London, Published by Seeley & C\u1d52. Fleet Street Jan\u02b8. 1847.]\n\n\n\n\n MEMOIRS\n\n OF THE\n\n RIGHT REV. DANIEL CORRIE, LL.D.\n\n FIRST BISHOP OF MADRAS.\n\n\n COMPILED CHIEFLY FROM HIS OWN LETTERS AND JOURNALS,\n\n BY HIS BROTHERS.\n\n\n SEELEY, BURNSIDE, AND SEELEY,\n FLEET STREET, LONDON\n MDCCCXLVII.\n\n\n\n\n LEONARD SEELEY, PRINTER,\n THAMES DITTON.\n\n\n\n\n PREFACE.\n\n\nAs the greater portion of these Memoirs of a loved and honoured\nbrother, have been derived from his own papers, it is hoped that the\nrisk of representing him other than he really was has, in a great\nmeasure, been avoided. In making use, however, of such materials\nas were in the possession of the Editors, they judged it to be\ndesirable to give somewhat copious details of their brother\u2019s earlier\nministerial labours, because they conceived that it was then that\nthe principles and motives by which throughout life he desired to be\nactuated were most severely tested. The Editors were of opinion, too,\nthat whilst many of the particulars connected with their brother\u2019s\nearlier labours in Northern India, would be new to the great\nproportion of the present generation, these records of \u201cthe day of\nsmall things\u201d could not be without interest and use to all who may be\nengaged in the work of Missions.\n\nTo account for the delay attending the appearance of this Volume,\nit may be proper to state, that, independently of the time consumed\nin the transmission of some papers from India, many unforeseen\ncircumstances prevented the brother who had undertaken the task,\nfrom preparing any portion of these Memoirs for the press until\nAugust, 1845. At that time it pleased God to visit him with a serious\nillness, which ultimately brought him to the grave; and thus the\nresponsibility of completing what an abler hand had commenced,\ndevolved on the only surviving brother, who, in his turn, has not\nbeen altogether free from those interruptions which arise out of the\nduties and afflictions of ordinary life.\n\nIt remains to acknowledge, with thanks, the obligation of the Editors\nto the Lord Bishop of Oxford, for the Letters which the subject of\nthese Memoirs addressed to the Rev. D. Brown, the Rev. H. Martyn, and\nthe Rev. J. Sargent; to the Lord Bishop of Calcutta, for the account\nof the Visitation of the Upper Provinces, which appears in pp. 529\nand seq; to the widow of the late Rev. J. Buckworth, for letters\naddressed to her husband; and to the Archdeacon Harper for letters\nand information connected with the Diocese of Madras. It will be seen\nalso, that the Editors of these Memoirs have been much indebted to\nthe correspondence of their brother with Mr. Sherer, of the Bengal\nCivil Service,--himself recently numbered with the dead who are\nwaiting for the resurrection to eternal life.\n\n _January 28, 1847._\n\n\n\n\n CONTENTS.\n\n\n CHAPTER I.\n\n HIS EARLY LIFE--AND MINISTRATIONS. _page 1_\n\n CHAPTER II.\n\n DEPARTURE FOR INDIA--VOYAGE--ARRIVAL AT CALCUTTA. _page 23_\n\n CHAPTER III.\n\n AT ALDEEN--APPOINTED TO CHUNAR. _page 47_\n\n CHAPTER IV.\n\n SETTLEMENT AT CHUNAR. _page 65_\n\n CHAPTER V.\n\n RESIDENCE AT CHUNAR. _page 88_\n\n CHAPTER VI.\n\n VISIT TO CALCUTTA--ARRIVAL OF HIS SISTER. _page 118_\n\n CHAPTER VII.\n\n REMOVES FROM CHUNAR--ARRIVES AT CAWNPORE--ILLNESS OF\n MRS. MARTYN. _page 140_\n\n CHAPTER VIII.\n\n RESIDENCE AT CAWNPORE. _page 178_\n\n CHAPTER IX.\n\n CAWNPORE--COEL--RETURN TO CALCUTTA. _page 201_\n\n CHAPTER X.\n\n CALCUTTA. _page 227_\n\n CHAPTER XI.\n\n AGRA. _page 245_\n\n CHAPTER XII.\n\n VOYAGE TO ENGLAND. _page 280_\n\n CHAPTER XIII.\n\n RETURN TO CALCUTTA. _page 295_\n\n CHAPTER XIV.\n\n REMOVAL TO CALCUTTA. _page 320_\n\n CHAPTER XV.\n\n CAWNPORE--CALCUTTA--RETURN OF MR. THOMASON--DEATH OF\n BISHOP HEBER. _page 371_\n\n CHAPTER XVI.\n\n ARRIVAL OF BISHOP JAMES--CONSECRATION OF THE BISHOP\u2019S\n COLLEGE--DEATH OF BISHOP JAMES--VISIT TO THE UPPER\n PROVINCES. _page 415_\n\n CHAPTER XVII.\n\n GOVERNMENT RETRENCHMENTS--PLAN FOR A COLLEGE--DEATH OF\n MR. THOMASON--ABOLITION OF SUTTEE--ARRIVAL OF BISHOP\n TURNER. _page 446_\n\n CHAPTER XVIII.\n\n DISQUIETUDE CONCERNING THE ANGLO-HINDOO COLLEGE--DEATH\n OF BISHOP TURNER. _page 481_\n\n CHAPTER XIX.\n\n ARRIVAL OF BISHOP WILSON--BAPTISM OF NATIVES--\n ORDINATIONS--VISITATION OF THE UPPER PROVINCES. _page 519_\n\n CHAPTER XX.\n\n DELAY IN HIS NOMINATION TO THE BISHOPRIC--NARROW ESCAPE\n FROM DEATH--SUMMONED TO ENGLAND--VISITS THE CAPE AND\n ST. HELENA--HIS CONSECRATION--INTERVIEW WITH THE\n KING--ARRIVAL IN MADRAS--VISIT TO TANJORE AND\n TINNEVELLY. _page 563_\n\n CHAPTER XXI.\n\n CHURCH-BUILDING FUND--SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THE IRISH\n CLERGY--THE MADRAS GRAMMAR SCHOOL--MEMORIAL TO\n GOVERNMENT--PRIMARY VISITATION--DEATH OF MRS.\n CORRIE--ORDINATION--DEATH OF BISHOP CORRIE. _page 603_\n\n\n\n\n MEMOIRS,\n\n ETC.\n\n\n\n\n MEMOIRS,\n\n ETC. ETC.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER I.\n\n HIS EARLY LIFE--AND MINISTRATIONS.\n\n\nDaniel Corrie, the subject of this Memoir, was born on the 10th of\nApril 1777, and was the eldest surviving son of the late Rev. John\nCorrie, for many years Curate of Colsterworth, in the county of\nLincoln, and Vicar of Osbournby in the same county, and afterwards\nRector of Morcott, in the county of Rutland. The history of the early\npart of Mr. Corrie\u2019s life will be best told by the following extract\nfrom his private Journal, dated on his twenty-seventh birthday:--\n\n \u201cAlas, when I look back, what a dreary waste appears!\n Seventeen years spent at home without a thought of God or\n salvation, though I had the benefit of family worship,\n and abundance of good advice. The succeeding four years\n I spent with Mr. E.,[1] principally in London, and its\n neighbourhood, exposed to every temptation. The first\n serious resolution I made of reformation was on the night\n of February 10, 1798, on which I heard of my mother\u2019s\n death, which, occurring suddenly, was a great shock to\n me. I loved her most dearly, and had much reason to do\n so. Being totally ignorant, however, of my own depravity,\n and in darkness as it regarded the work of the Redeemer,\n I soon broke all my resolutions. In May 1798, I returned\n to my father: and, being removed from my temptations, I\n was in hope of effectually reforming myself; but, alas!\n on every convenient occasion, I became the prey of my\n former temptations. In the October of that year, we removed\n from Colsterworth to Grantham, where I became still more\n strict, attending every month at the Lord\u2019s Table; but\n I was still ignorant of the way of salvation. In the\n summer of 1799, I was entered of Clare Hall, Cambridge;\n and before going into residence, I met frequently with\n Mr. G. N., who took much pains to direct my views aright;\n but I obstinately withstood him, and succeeded too\n fatally, I fear, in hardening C. against his admonitions.\n Still, I was destitute of true peace, and determined on\n greater strictness, such as fasting and penance, &c. &c.\n I went into residence at Cambridge, October 1799; but\n instead of further reformation, I spent my first year\n in a round of dissipation. Still, however, I maintained\n appearances, being seldom out of gates after ten o\u2019clock,\n or being absent from chapel. I went occasionally to\n Trinity Church,[2] though I was much disgusted with what\n I heard there. During the summer of 1800, I had time for\n reflection, and returned to college in the autumn, with\n some faint desires of doing better. At Christmas of that\n year, I was appointed to an exhibition at Trinity Hall,\n and removed thither in the January of 1801. I now began\n to feel a growing attachment to Mr. Simeon\u2019s ministry,\n although I seldom ventured to take a seat. Returning home\n in June 1801, reformed in a great degree in my outward\n conduct, and with desires the world could not satisfy,\n it was my happiness to find John Buckworth,[3] at his\n father\u2019s; who, taking me to visit some religious people,\n I insensibly began to love their society, and to perceive\n that it was the way of life I desired to follow. I reflect\n with much gratitude on the kindness and forbearance of my\n friend Buckworth, who led me on by degrees, till I ventured\n to speak to him of my state; and from that time I have\n experienced a pleasure in the ways of God before unknown.\n Yet, alas! I began to be proud; and returned to college\n in October 1801 full of self-conceit. I now attended\n Trinity Church regularly; but my walk was very uneven.\n About Christmas I fell grievously, and continued for\n about a fortnight full of terror, and without resolution\n to proceed. It pleased the Lord, however, to raise me up\n again; and since that period I have had no distressing\n apprehensions respecting God\u2019s willingness, and the\n Saviour\u2019s sufficiency, to save to the uttermost.\u201d\n\nWith reference to what Mr. Corrie terms in the foregoing extract, a\ngrievous fall, he expressed himself to his friend Buckworth, in a\nletter dated Dec. 25, 1801, as follows:--\n\n \u201cI was too forward and presumptuous in my notions of\n acceptance with God, and of an interest in the Saviour; and\n God has thus left me to myself, to prove to me the pride\n and deceit of my heart. I have been ashamed of my Saviour,\n and he has withdrawn from me the sense of His presence; and\n dismay and a fearful looking for of judgment has taken\n possession of my soul. Yet the anxiety and longing after\n His presence, which I feel, leads me to hope that He will\n not cast me off for ever. God, Thou knowest my heart: Thou\n knowest that I trust not in my own self for strength to\n serve Thee. O shut not Thy merciful ears to my prayers!\u201d\n\nAfter keeping the usual number of Terms in Cambridge, Mr. Corrie was\nordained Deacon on Trinity Sunday, June 13, 1802, by Dr. Tomline,\nBishop of Lincoln, to the curacy of Buckminster, in the county of\nLeicester. His views and feelings with respect to the christian\nministry, are expressed in the following extract from a letter\nwritten about the time of ordination to Mr. Buckworth:--\n\n \u201cThe ministry appears to be indeed an awful undertaking:\n the nearer the time approaches, the more difficult do the\n duties of it appear. At C. the obstacles seem to be greater\n than elsewhere. O for a firm reliance on that grace that\n can overcome all obstacles, and make even a bed of thorns\n easy!\u201d\n\nShortly after Mr. Corrie had been ordained to the curacy of\nBuckminster, he received an appointment to that of Stoke Rochford\nalso. On this latter curacy he resided, until in 1806 he accepted a\nchaplaincy to the East India Company; and his correspondence with Mr.\nBuckworth, affords us some notices of his early ministerial life. In\na letter dated November 10, 1802, he writes,\n\n \u201cI yesterday met a large party from Skillington at N.\u2019s.\n You know I never was among them before. I felt little\n edification: their manner of expression, and many passages\n in their hymns, were not in unison with my frame. I felt\n not that \u2018Nature\u2019s last agony was o\u2019er;\u2019 or that \u2018all was\n torn from my bleeding heart;\u2019 but thought that \u2018would to\n God this were my experience!\u2019 O that I might love Him\n supremely--that I might burn with love in return for His\n matchless goodness! But, what I most objected to was a\n hymn, beginning, \u2018Abraham when _severely_ tried,\u2019 and in\n the third line, \u2018He with the _harsh_ command complied.\u2019\n I may not be correct in any except the _marked_ words;\n but surely nothing can be \u2018severe,\u2019 or \u2018harsh,\u2019 which\n proceeds from a God of love, who is engaged to make all\n things work together for our good. Send me word, dear B.\n what you think of these things: whether these remarks\n are not the offspring of a captious and weak head; or\n whether it is an artifice of Satan to prevent me from\n profiting by their company; for, certain it is, I feel\n little of that elevation I have often felt after religious\n conversation. I spent the evening of Sunday at Mrs. B.\u2019s,\n I trust profitably. Some of their relations were there,\n and went away seemingly impressed. May God fix what was\n said on their hearts! I spoke to them from my favourite\n subject, 2 Cor. viii. 9. The subject of our poverty, and\n the way in which we were made rich in Christ, were the\n principal topics I dwelt on. O that He would be pleased\n to own the labours of the very least of his servants, who\n am not worthy to be called a servant! Blessed be He who\n has \u2018laid help on one that is mighty;\u2019 and blessed be He\n who knows how to pity our infirmities, and will send his\n Spirit to teach us what to ask for. How my praise for ever\n flows, to the adorable Trinity for that grand scheme of\n redemption! While I write, I feel the efficacy of Christ\u2019s\n atoning blood to purify souls polluted as mine. O when\n shall redemption in its fullest import appear! When shall\n we begin the triumphant song of the redeemed, \u2018To Him who\n loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood!\u2019\u201d\n\n\n \u201cMarch 7, 1803.\n\n \u201cMy time, sorry am I to say, has passed heavily of late.\n Such backwardness to communion with God, such slothfulness\n in His service: so many painful apprehensions with regard\n to temporal inconveniences: so many distressing doubts with\n regard to retaining Stoke! You, perhaps, will not wonder\n when I tell you that, what with inward conflict and outward\n service, I am brought very low; or that these unbelieving\n fears have provoked the Holy Spirit of God to leave me,\n in some measure, to wrestle with those inward and hidden\n corruptions of my heart, which, like a troubled sea, throw\n up mire and dirt in abundance. Yet by this, if by nothing\n else, do I know that the Lord favours me, since my enemies,\n who have assaulted me so continually, have not prevailed\n against me. And though my soul is cast down; yet do I not\n doubt but that, when the Lord sees fit, I shall praise Him,\n and again rejoice in the God of my salvation.\n\n \u201cYou desire to know how I go on, that is, I suppose, how\n the work of the Lord prospers. O that I had more to tell\n you on this head! At Sewstern, I have reason to fear\n that my hopes were too sanguine. Miss N. was last week\n attacked very suddenly with a fainting fit. It happened\n to be the day I was to drink tea with them. I found them\n much alarmed; and, it gave me an opportunity of speaking\n on the necessity of a speedy application to Christ.... May\n the Spirit of God apply it to their hearts! At Easton, I\n was called to visit a woman who has been long confined,\n though till lately unknown to me. I trust that the Lord\n has indeed visited her in mercy. I found her at first in\n a very contented state, supposing, (in her own words),\n that she had \u2018a good repenting heart.\u2019 I endeavoured to\n convince her that by nature no one has a repenting heart,\n but on the contrary that it is only evil, yea \u2018desperately\n wicked.\u2019 On my return a few days after, I found her in much\n anxiety, saying that she had been deceived in her opinion\n of herself, &c.; and though her doubts are not yet removed,\n I trust she disclaimed all other ground of confidence but\n the Redeemer\u2019s merits. This is matter of much comfort to\n me; and O what comfort that I have myself been taught\n these things! Might I not have been \u2018a blind leader of the\n blind.\u2019 Might I not still have been the slave of Satan, and\n been his instrument in destroying souls? \u2018O to grace how\n great a debtor!\u2019\u201d\n\n\n \u201cApril 25, 1803.\n\n \u201cSoon after my last letter to you, peace began to dawn\n upon my soul; and by imperceptible advances gradually to\n increase. I have since then enjoyed in general a settled\n calm; though of late I have been severely exercised by\n the revival of corruptions which I had hoped were in a\n great measure subdued. The Lord has let me plainly see\n that the seeds of these evils still remain. At the same\n time I have reason to bless His name, who has made me more\n than conqueror. Mr. Newton\u2019s letter on Temptation suits my\n experience on that subject; and it has been the instrument\n of much comfort and strength to me.\n\n \u201cYou perhaps have learned from the newspapers the sudden\n death of Mr. Cholmeley.[4] He was riding with some friends\n near his own house, and fell from his horse in a fit, and\n expired in a few minutes, without speaking a word: he was\n buried last Saturday. How loudly do such providences call\n upon us to be in continual readiness; not only to awake\n from sin, but to be diligent in the improvement of our\n talent, that when our Lord cometh, He may receive His own\n with usury.\u201d\n\n\n \u201cColsterworth, June 8, 1803.\n\n \u201cYour letter directed to High Street, followed me hither. I\n should have answered it sooner, but have been much engaged\n in catechising, attending visitations, &c., besides my\n usual avocations. With yourself, I have to complain of much\n deadness of soul; though I enjoy now and then a passing\n glimpse of the Divine goodness, for which I have much\n reason to be thankful, and which keeps my soul athirst for\n God, and leads me to long for brighter manifestations of\n His love. I cannot but adore the condescension of Jehovah,\n who, I trust, smiles upon my labours, and owns His own work\n in the most worthless of His creatures.\u201d\n\n\n \u201cStoke, October 31, 1803.\n\n \u201cWhat obligations am I under to you for the part you have\n taken, in leading my feet into the ways of peace! But,\n what infinitely greater obligations do I owe to the Friend\n of Sinners! That name, the \u2018Friend of Sinners,\u2019 endears\n the adorable Saviour to my soul; and gladly would I leave\n all things here below to see Him as he is, and love Him\n as I ought. But His time is best: and it is infinite\n condescension that He grants us here some visits of His\n love, and gives us to taste a blessedness begun. When\n I read your letter, I was almost ready to envy you the\n pleasure you must have enjoyed during your stay in London;\n but a little reflection reconciled me to my confined\n situation. Though you were feasted with spiritual dainties,\n yet unless your spiritual appetite was good you would pine\n in the midst of plenty; and, blessed be His name, where He\n creates an appetite, He will surely satisfy it, were it in\n a desert. \u2018If Elijah wants food, ravens shall feed him.\u2019...\n I have in general enjoyed much comfort in private, but my\n public duties have not brought me so much consolation. So\n much of self mixes with all I do, that it mars my peace;\n and, I fear, hinders the success of my labours; though it\n seems the highest presumption to limit the Almighty, or to\n suppose that a \u2018potsherd of the earth\u2019 should obstruct His\n designs. The Sunday preceding the Fast-day, I endeavoured\n to prepare the minds of the people for that occasion; and\n was happy to find that it was not without effect. The three\n churches were crowded. I took my text from Psalm lix. 1,\n 2. I have read lately two of the Homilies, \u2018the Homily on\n the Misery of Man,\u2019 and \u2018the Homily on Salvation.\u2019 By the\n advice of my father, I reserve the others for the festivals\n for which they are appointed. I hope this may have the\n effect of removing prejudice--the Lord grant it may! I\n can appeal to Him that my desires are to be useful in His\n vineyard. May that sovereign grace be magnified which has\n inspired the desire! Yesterday my father administered the\n Sacrament for me at Buckminster; the number of communicants\n was unusually large, though it is a time of the year in\n which the people do not usually attend in numbers. I hope\n this is a token for good, and an encouragement to persevere\n and wait the Lord\u2019s time....\n\n \u201cMy dear friend, forget me not at the throne of grace:\n thither I always bear you in my mind, and I have much\n need of your prayers, that I may have utterance given me\n to declare the mysteries of the Gospel. This is all that\n is worth living for, to make known the riches of Divine\n grace, and to be instrumental in winning souls to Christ.\n Yet, O what coldness and backwardness I feel even in this\n delightful service!...\n\n \u201cDid you, my friend, partial as you are, but know the\n thoughts that haunt my soul, and pursue me even into the\n pulpit, your good opinion would, I fear, be turned into\n disgust. But \u2018this is a saying worthy of all acceptation,\n that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.\u2019\n This is all my salvation, and all my desire; and this shall\n be all my theme, \u2018Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. From\n this hold, Satan has not prevailed to drive me of late. To\n this hold will I cling, for He that is my righteousness is\n also my strength, and in His strength I shall be more than\n conqueror. May the soul of my friend \u2018blossom as the rose;\n and be as the garden of the Lord, well watered every where\n and fruitful!\u2019\u201d\n\n\n \u201cLondon, December 20, 1803.\n\n \u201cI rejoice that you seem to expect no further hinderance to\n your ordination at Easter. I hope you will be abundantly\n blessed in your labours, for truly nothing else can satisfy\n a soul thirsting after the honour that comes of God. We\n need much patience, dear B., that after having done the\n will of God we may inherit the promises--\n\n \u2018God moves in a mysterious way,\n His wonders to perform,\u2019\n\n and, when our finite capacities can discover no good working,\n He is bringing about the purposes of His own will. Often has\n he given my impatient soul to see this: in a moment hushed\n the storm of raging and impetuous passions; and made, even\n when all in prospect seemed gloomy, a great calm. This\n experience has been of great service to me, in enabling me\n to impart consolation to others, and to comfort them with\n the same comfort wherewith I myself have been comforted of\n God. O the heights and depths, and lengths and breadths,\n of the love and condescension of God, to submit, as it were,\n to the caprices of the creatures of His hand, yea, of the\n rebels against His government! \u2018Is this the manner of men,\n O Lord?\u2019 I feel, indeed, according to your expression,\n that \u2018without all-sufficient grace, quickly would my heart\n return to the indulgence of those things which my judgment\n tells me, are nothing but vanity and sin.\u2019 In the review\n of my experience since I came hither, much cause of praise\n appears. That promise has been very abundantly realized,\n \u2018He will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are\n able, but will with the temptation make a way to escape.\u2019\n And having this experience I would gladly \u2018cast all my care\n upon Him,\u2019 who, I trust, \u2018careth for me,\u2019 in expectation\n that He will \u2018keep me by His mighty power through faith\n unto salvation.\u2019\u201d\n\n\n \u201cStoke, February 14, 1804.\n\n \u201cI anticipate much pleasure in your company and from\n hearing you preach in some of my churches. I have, however,\n I trust, learned in some poor measure to \u2018cease from man;\u2019\n nor do I expect either pleasure or comfort further than as\n a Divine blessing shall attend our communications. The work\n of the ministry seems to be followed with little effect\n in this place: for my own part, however, I have felt much\n freedom from slavish fear; and have delivered my message\n with boldness. If it were the will of God, I should rejoice\n in some visible effects; but I desire to resign myself to\n His pleasure.\n\n \u201cThe Methodists have at length established preaching at\n Sewstern; and, I understand, some have been brought under\n convictions by their means. If the work be of God, I would\n gladly bid it God speed; and if it be of man, it will\n come to nothing. The ministers of the Established Church\n labour under some disadvantages, from the necessity of\n having so many parishes to attend to, &c.... Every day\n convinces me more of the necessity of subordination in\n religious, as well as civil affairs. The want of this is\n the cause of that mania, if I may so speak, which prevails\n among the Methodists, and bids fair in time to turn them\n all into preachers and no hearers. They seem to look\n upon preaching as the only instrument of conversion, and\n overlook other means, such as reflection, self-examination,\n &c.; hence their various backslidings, falling from grace,\n &c., with the many reproaches that are brought upon the\n gospel thereby. These things make me lament sincerely,\n the defection which, I fear, daily takes place from the\n Establishment. Pure in her doctrines, and apostolic in her\n constitution, our Church seems, indeed, \u2018the pillar and\n ground of truth;\u2019 and the best means, under the great Head,\n of keeping men in the simplicity of the gospel. I would\n not, however, say with Mr. D. that there is no salvation\n out of her pale. I would rather pray, earnestly pray,\n for a revival of vital godliness in her sons.... O that\n it would \u2018please God to illuminate all Bishops, Priests,\n and Deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of His\n word;\u2019 and enable them to shew its real power both in their\n preaching and living....\u201d\n\n\n \u201cApril 4, 1804.\n\n \u201cI should have answered your letter sooner, but have been\n both very unwell and very much engaged. Mrs. B. left this\n life for a better, in the night of the 26th ultimo. I was\n in the house at the time of her departure, and I trust\n profited by the awful event. She was sensible at the last,\n though for some days she had been wandering. Frequently\n during her illness, she confessed that she had no hope\n but in the blood and righteousness of Christ, and wished\n to receive Him as her King to make her holy, as well as\n her Prophet to teach her, and her Priest to atone for her\n transgressions. It was matter of surprise to me to hear\n her express herself with a correctness on the work of the\n Redeemer, which had been unusual to her; and did not seem\n to be expected from one who had become so late in life\n acquainted with the way of salvation. I have felt more than\n I had expected to feel from the departure of one of my most\n constant and attentive hearers. May the effect be lasting!\n\n \u201cI have of late had reason to bless God for some visible\n testimony of His acceptance of my labours. Soon after you\n left us, I went to visit an old person and his wife at\n Sewstern, and trust that the man is in a hopeful way.\n Some persons at Easton, too, have been awakened, and now\n meet for the purpose of social worship. The multitude,\n alas! continue inattentive: but, one soul saved, and that\n the meanest or weakest of God\u2019s creation, is abundant\n recompense for a life of toil and labour.\n\n \u201cLast Sunday, I exchanged duty with Mr. G. at W. It is\n grievous to observe so small an attendance at public\n worship. It seems a beacon to warn us of the ill\n consequences of irregularity. When a man shews a contempt\n for the institutions of the church to which he belongs,\n the _profanum vulgus_, though dull enough in general, can\n easily see the motive that keeps him in the church, and\n they learn to despise the person who, for the sake of\n emolument, will continue a member of the church.\u201d\n\nTo the foregoing notices of Mr. Corrie\u2019s early ministerial labours,\nmay be added an extract from his Journal, dated April 10, 1804.\n\n \u201cOn Trinity Sunday, June 13, 1802, I was ordained Deacon.\n I trust I had a desire to do good to the souls of men; but\n it was, as I now perceive, very faint, though I hope my\n labours have not been in vain. And now, O Lord, I desire\n to adore that sovereign grace, which plucked me as a\n brand from the mouth of the devouring flame! I would pour\n out my soul in gratitude, to that dear Redeemer, whose\n intercession has delivered me from so great a death; and\n would bless the Holy and Eternal Spirit who has enlightened\n my dark understanding, so that though I know not the\n hour, nor the day, nor the month, nor even the year, when\n He graciously wrought savingly upon me, yet I can say,\n \u2018Whereas I was blind, now I see.\u2019 O Holy, Blessed, and\n glorious Trinity, let thy choicest blessings descend on\n Mr. Simeon, who, regardless of the frowns he might incur,\n faithfully warned me of my danger; and let thy watchful\n Providence ever protect my friend Buckworth, dearer than\n a brother; and, O, pardon my manifold sins! This is all my\n hope, that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all\n sin, and that His Spirit is powerful to subdue the most\n inveterate corruptions.\n\n \u2018On thee alone my hope relies,\n At thy dear cross I fall,\n My Lord, my Life, my Righteousness,\n My Saviour, and my all.\u2019\n\n Impart to me from thy fulness, and let me evermore be\n abounding in thy work. I trust thou hast given me to\n desire the furtherance of thy glory. Enable me to act\n accordingly, and to live to Him who loved me and gave\n himself for me. Let nothing ever prevail to allure me\n from Thee, neither the hope of preferment, nor the fear\n of opposition. I have a deceitful and desperately wicked\n heart, but I trust thou wilt never leave me nor forsake me,\n seeing thou hast given me to hope in thy word.\u201d\n\nDuring the Easter Term 1804, Mr. Corrie returned to Cambridge for the\npurpose of keeping his Law Exercises;[5] and on Sunday, June 10th,\nof that year, was ordained Priest at Buckden, an event which he thus\nnotices:--\n\n \u201cThis day I have been admitted to the sacred Order of\n Priests. I have much, O Lord, to be grateful to Thee for!\n I was kept calm and collected during the examination;\n and, (glory be to Thy name!) I have been given to feel,\n in some measure, my insufficiency for these things. Make\n me, I beseech thee, more sensible of this, and grant that\n the solemn transactions of this day may never rise up in\n judgment against me! Let me be a light in the world,\n showing forth thy praise; and make me, both in life and\n doctrine, an example to Thy flock. Lord, excite in my heart\n strong desires after the welfare of immortal souls; and\n grant that those to whom, I trust, thou hast sent me, may\n be \u2018turned from darkness to light, and from the power of\n Satan unto God.\u2019 To thee I look: on thee I would depend.\n Blessed Jesus! be thou my righteousness and my strength.\n Fulfil all the good pleasure of thy will in me.\u201d\n\nIn answer to a letter received from Mr. Buckworth, who, the Easter\npreviously, had been ordained to the curacy of Dewsbury, he writes,\nAugust 24th, 1804:--\n\n \u201cI rejoice to hear of the success of your ministerial\n efforts. O that the Lord would hasten the time when Satan\u2019s\n kingdom shall be finally demolished, and the kingdom\n of the Messiah established on its ruins! You will now\n have another snare to contend with; the Lord having been\n pleased to own you for his servant, Satan will now seek\n to exalt you beyond measure. We tread in a narrow path:\n dangers stand thick around: a single false step may lead\n to consequences most ruinous. O what need of watchfulness!\n May the \u2018Watchman of Israel\u2019 guard you; then will you be\n secure indeed! For myself, I can but just discern the pulse\n of spiritual life to beat, and that chiefly by the struggle\n between sin and grace. Alas! I have no active exertions to\n reflect on. That I am not the willing captive of natural\n inclination is all that I can say. Since you were here, I\n have been obliged to apply for medical aid, and have found\n considerable relief (thanks be to the chief Physician!) so\n that I am now in usual health, except that I am oppressed\n with a languor which distresses me exceedingly, and\n leaves me only able to sigh and cry. How cheering the\n consideration that \u2018our life is hid with Christ in God!\u2019\n There it is secure. How animating the thought that \u2018when\n Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we also\n appear with him in glory!\u2019 O the wonders of redeeming\n love, that worms, rebellious worms, may not only hope,\n but confidently expect such transcendent blessedness! For\n Christ our Head having endured the cross, to deny Him the\n rewards of His sufferings would be an injustice incapable\n of entering the Eternal mind. What shall I render [to the\n Lord] that amidst all my deadness, this hope is not taken\n from me? My help it standeth only with the Lord; and though\n I am destitute of sensible comfort, yet I am enabled to\n rest upon the unchangeable word of promise, that those\n whom He has justified, and to whom He has given the love\n of holiness, the inseparable companion of justification,\n He will infallibly glorify. With respect to the work of\n the Lord, I hope it prospers among us. I hear of good\n being done, and that is some comfort to me. Amongst your\n numerous friends, let me beg of you to remember me at the\n throne of grace: none more stands in need of your earnest\n supplications. Whilst I can keep hold of the promise, I\n am encouraged: but I assure you, it is indeed a warfare,\n a struggle, a race. You are often, _often_ present to my\n mind; and while I have any apprehension of the inestimable\n value of spiritual blessings, I will not cease to pray that\n you may be enriched with the choicest of them; and that we\n may be permitted to join in the songs of the redeemed.\u201d\n\n\n \u201cStoke, November 12, 1804.\n\n \u201cIt is some time since I heard of you, but hope you are\n well: if so, the less matter whether I hear of you or not.\n However, pray snatch some passing hour to let us know how\n the work of the Lord goes on at D.; for, let matters go\n how they may with ourselves, still will we say respecting\n the success of the Gospel, \u2018Good luck have thou!\u2019 There is\n in man a desire to be _something, somewhere_; and this\n desire is, beyond a doubt, the moving spring of much of\n that forwardness we see in many touching the promotion of\n religion. Howbeit, the Gospel is furthered.\n\n \u201cYou will be surprised to hear of the death of James P. He\n was buried at Colsterworth about a fortnight since. With my\n father\u2019s permission, I preached at his funeral to a crowded\n church. The effect I know not, but my own heart seemed hard\n and insensible as a rock; and, indeed, though I have proof\n that my labours are owned by my gracious Lord, yet I seem\n like Gideon\u2019s fleece, dry in the midst of divine dew. My\n hope, however, and my confidence, is kept immoveably fixed\n on the rock of ages; and I have to bless God for a growing\n devotedness to his service, an increasing determination to\n be the world\u2019s fool for the sake of Christ, and to count\n His reproach my highest honour.\u201d\n\nAn entry in his private Journal, dated January 27th, 1805, manifests\nthe same distrust of self, and the same earnestness for the good of\nhis people.\n\n \u201cAt Skillington, this morning, I felt an earnest desire,\n had it been God\u2019s will, that I were able to preach\n extempore. I had so strong a desire to communicate to the\n people what I felt of God\u2019s goodness, that it seemed a\n restraint to confine myself to my paper. But, Lord, thou\n knowest what a proud creature I am. Thou seest how I covet\n the praise of man, and in mercy to my soul hast made me\n \u2018slow of speech.\u2019 O make me of quick understanding in the\n ways of godliness! At Stoke, I felt something of the same\n spirit remaining, some longings after God in prayer, and\n some breathings for his blessing on the people during\n the sermon; but at Buckminster, how changed! Wandering\n thoughts and imaginations. How manifold are the mercies,\n how infinite the patience of God! O when will it be that\n my heart shall be immoveably fixed on God: when shall my\n soul become as a weaned child? Blessed Saviour! thou art\n my Friend, my Advocate, my Head of influence: visit me\n with thy salvation: smile upon my poor, imperfect, defiled\n labours, and glorify thy name in my weakness!\u201d\n\nApril 10th, being his 28th birth-day, is thus noticed:\n\n \u201cYesterday, I was twenty-eight years of age: but, my heart\n ever prone to forget the Lord\u2019s mercies, I forgot to make\n any reflections on the Divine goodness in bringing me thus\n far. Lord, I would remember, to the glory of thy rich and\n free grace, that thou forgivest my transgressions, and\n coverest all mine iniquities. I have to praise thee that\n thou hidest me from the strife of tongues: thou makest my\n way very pleasant: thou strewest my path with flowers:\n thou hast also given me some tokens that I have not run\n unsent, by blessing my poor attempts to the consciences\n of my people, and awakening some of them, I trust, from\n the sleep of sin, making them to hear thy sweet voice\n speaking peace to their souls. If a worm may be permitted\n to plead with his Maker, O let my cry enter into thy ears,\n and awaken many sinners amongst us to come to Christ that\n they perish not! Yea, Lord, give me to see Jerusalem in\n prosperity: nor would I cease to plead with thee till thou\n hast answered my prayer. I would praise thy holy name for\n a growing determination to glory in nothing save in the\n cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. I would bless thee for a\n disposition to count reproach for his sake as my highest\n glory. I plainly perceive that \u2018all who will live godly\n must suffer persecution.\u2019 I cannot hope to enter into\n heaven but \u2018through much tribulation,\u2019 even as thy choicest\n servants have done. O enable me to keep my eye ever fixed\n on Jesus, that I may not be weary, or faint in my mind!\n When I look back, the brightness of thy favour makes my\n unprofitableness dark indeed; and I should have just cause\n to fear, that the avenging sword of thy justice would cut\n me down as a cumberer of the ground; but Jesus liveth,\n making intercession, and therefore I am not consumed. Nor\n shall I ever be consumed, seeing, \u2018He is able to save\n to the uttermost.\u2019 To all thy other favours, O Lord, add\n a heart to trust thy word; and henceforth let the love\n of Christ constrain me to a more constant and uniform\n obedience. Thou knowest that I love thy law; and though I\n come far short of its requirements, yet there is not one\n jot or tittle that I desire to have altered. I consent to\n it that it is \u2018holy, just, and good,\u2019 and desire to conform\n my whole spirit, soul and body, to its divine precepts. Let\n thy Holy Spirit, then, carry on the work thou hast begun!\n Write thy law upon my heart; put it into my mind; and let\n me be changed from glory to glory, till I become \u2018meet for\n the inheritance of the saints in light:\u2019 whither, in thine\n own good time and way, bring me of thine infinite mercy,\n for Christ\u2019s sake. Amen.\u201d\n\nIn the Easter term of 1805, Mr. Corrie was admitted to his L.L.B.\ndegree. It was during this visit to Cambridge that the subject of a\nchaplaincy to the East India Company was strongly urged upon him by\nthe late Mr. Simeon. After much and serious consideration, it seemed\nto Mr. C. to be his duty to devote himself to the spread of the\nGospel amongst the heathen. An appointment to India was accordingly\nobtained for him, through the influence of the late Mr. William\nHoare; and the following extracts from Mr. C.\u2019s journal and letters\nwill exhibit the state of his mind, in the prospect of quitting his\ncuracy, for the purpose of exercising his ministry in a distant land.\n\n \u201cJuly 25th, 1805. I have for a long time neglected to note\n down the workings of my soul; but I would now remark, that\n when I have been in my best frames, my mind has been most\n resigned to the work of the Lord in India. Yet I feel much\n cleaving to creatures, and a want of resignation. Lord,\n teach me to know, and do thy will!\n\n \u201cOct. 6th. As the time approaches for leaving England, more\n anxiety of mind arises; though blessed be God, no desire\n to draw back from the work. O may I be found but faithful!\n Lord, strengthen and support me in the work. \u2018Give what\n thou commandest,--and then command what thou wilt:\u2019 let thy\n will be done _in_ me, and _by_ me; and in life and death\n let me be thine, through Jesus Christ, thy dear Son, and my\n beloved Saviour. Amen!\u201d\n\n\n TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.\n\n \u201cNovember 12, 1805.\n\n \u201cFrom my last you would, perhaps, expect to hear from me\n before this; which might have been the case, but that\n I received information, when in London, that the fleet\n does not sail for India before January next. It is not\n likely, therefore, that I shall leave this place [Stoke]\n before that time; unless, indeed, Mr. D. should meet with\n a curate to supply my place. He is now in London; and, as\n my engagement with him ceases at Martinmas, should he meet\n with any person at liberty to enter on the curacy, I cannot\n expect, nor do I desire, to continue longer. He returns\n this week, when it will be determined. On my way from\n London, I stopped at Cambridge, and read prayers for Mr.\n Simeon on the Thursday evening. It was highly gratifying\n to see very many gownsmen attentive hearers of God\u2019s word.\n One might compare it to so many messengers waiting for\n instructions, with which they were about to post off in\n all directions. The Lord increase their number, and long\n continue Mr. Simeon at Cambridge, an invaluable blessing\n to the church and nation!--I feel some degree of regret\n at leaving [this place]; and, especially on account of\n some who manifest an attachment to the cause [of God],\n whilst yet they are far from being what I could wish them.\n I experience something of what the Apostle expressed\n towards his people, when he declared he \u2018travailed in\n birth of them till Christ were formed in them.\u2019 O that the\n Lord would \u2018cut short his work in righteousness,\u2019 that I\n might leave them with a prospect of rendering an account\n of them with joy! I reflect with much dissatisfaction on\n my conduct whilst among them: so little of the example of\n Christ, so little of warmth in public, so little of zeal\n in private, so much ignorance, and inexperience in stating\n the truths of God, that I fear lest their blood should be\n required at my hands: almost involuntarily my soul cries\n out, \u2018Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O Lord, and my\n mouth shall sing aloud of thy righteousness!\u2019 O the horrid\n wickedness of soul-murder! How infinitely valuable must\n that blood be, that can wash out so foul a stain! O may\n I ever experience its healing and cleansing power; and\n may the consideration of the richness and the fulness of\n redeeming love animate me to greater exertions, and fill\n my mouth with more exalted praises! Lord Jesus, let thy\n power rest upon me, and thy strength be perfected in my\n weakness! Out of the mouth of a babe and suckling in Divine\n knowledge, ordain praise and glory to Thyself! Let my dear\n friend say, \u2018Amen,\u2019 to these unconnected petitions; whilst,\n through grace, my prayers shall continue to ascend, that\n every needful gift and grace may be bestowed upon you,\n that you may be enriched with all spiritual knowledge and\n understanding; and that you may have utterance given \u2018to\n declare the whole counsel of God.\u2019\u201d\n\n\n \u201cJanuary 13th, 1806.\n\n \u201cI have not heard further respecting the time of sailing\n for India, but am getting ready for a removal on the\n shortest notice. With much thankfulness I inform you,\n that my mind is quite tranquil in the prospect of\n leaving everything dear to human nature. I have, indeed,\n sometimes, painful convictions of my insufficiency for the\n great work before me; but am in general enabled to believe,\n that \u2018as my day is, so shall my strength be.\u2019 The affection\n my people express for me fills me with shame, that I do not\n more deserve it, and with fear lest I should be tempted to\n think of myself more highly than I ought to think. It has\n pleased my gracious Lord, however, to give me of late a\n deep experience of my own depravity, and of my unworthiness\n of the least of his mercies. My dear friends seem entirely\n reconciled to a separation. I trust that we shall be able\n to part without the sorrow of those \u2018who have no hope.\u2019 O\n how great the condescension of our Redeemer God, who stoops\n to so close an union with sinful worms: who allows the sons\n and daughters of corruption to address Him as their Husband\n and their head; and salutes them as His spouse and His\n beloved! Methinks such honour, so undeserved, might well\n engage our every thought, and make our every inquiry only,\n \u2018What shall I render, &c.?\u2019\u201d\n\n\n [1] A friend who had expressed an intention of providing\n in life for Mr. C.\n\n [2] The church of which the late Rev. Charles Simeon was\n then Incumbent.\n\n [3] The late Rev. John Buckworth, Vicar of Dewsbury,\n whose father was an inhabitant of Colsterworth.\n\n [4] Montague Cholmeley, Esq. of Easton Hall, near\n Grantham, one of Mr. Corrie\u2019s parishioners,\n and grandfather of the present Sir Montague J.\n Cholmeley, Bart.\n\n [5] It was now that Mr. Corrie became more intimately\n acquainted with Henry Martyn than he had before been.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER II.\n\n DEPARTURE FOR INDIA--VOYAGE--ARRIVAL AT CALCUTTA.\n\n\nEarly in the year 1806, Mr. Corrie took leave of his relatives and\nparishioners to embark for India. At that time, a voyage to India\nwas looked upon as a much greater undertaking than it is considered\nat the present day. Accordingly on Mr. Corrie\u2019s departure from his\nfather\u2019s house, the parishioners pressed round to take their leave of\nhim; many of them deeply affected, believing \u201cthat they should see\nhis face no more.\u201d\n\nAfter a prosperous journey to London and Portsmouth, he embarked\n(March 30, 1806) on board the _Asia_ East Indiaman, bound to\nCalcutta. Mr. C. was accompanied by a brother-Chaplain, the Rev.\nJoseph Parson, one of his most attached College friends. Among the\npassengers were many cadets, to several of whom Mr. C. was made\nuseful, and became in after life their friend and counsellor. Some\nparticulars of the voyage are subjoined from Mr. Corrie\u2019s Journal and\nLetters, which shew the lively interest he took in the welfare of all\naround him, and indicate the steady purpose with which he kept in\nview the great work before him.\n\nIn his journal, Mr. C. writes under date of\n\n \u201cApril 10th. This day I have completed my twenty-ninth\n year. In the review of the past year, O what reason have\n I to adore the divine mercy. Soon after I had determined\n on going to India, which was in June last, it pleased God\n to work by his word, and to raise a general attention to\n eternal things, amongst my people at Buckminster and Stoke,\n giving me real favour in their sight, for which I desire to\n praise Him, confessing that I am not worthy to be ranked\n amongst the meanest of His ministers. Some amongst them,\n I hope, were brought to God. O that they may continue\n to walk in the truth; and may each amongst them become\n Christians, not in name only, but in deed and in truth!\n Since I have been on the point of departing from England,\n every objection to the undertaking has been removed from\n my mind. My heart is set on the work of the Lord in India;\n and I would not draw back, as far as I know myself, to\n be made Archbishop of Canterbury. I have taken leave of\n my dear friends, most likely for ever in this world. I\n would dedicate every faculty of my soul and body to my\n redeeming God. Lord, accept me, working in me that which\n is well-pleasing in thy sight, through Jesus Christ my\n Lord and Saviour; to whom with Thy blessed self, and Holy\n Spirit, Three persons in one Jehovah, be all glory, and\n honour, and praise, now and for evermore. Amen!\n\n \u201cApril 14th. On Saturday afternoon, and yesterday morning,\n the wind blew quite a hurricane. In the night of Saturday,\n I could not sleep for the tossing of the ship: I lay\n meditating on death, and found my mind calm and resigned;\n but saw nothing in whatever I had done on which I could\n rely for a moment; saw nothing, in fact, but what was\n deficient and defiled with sin. Yet, in the consideration\n of the atonement, and intercession of Jesus, I could look\n _without dismay_, though not with any sensible joy, to a\n judgment-seat.\n\n \u201cYesterday the wind was too high to admit of divine\n service. Much consideration about our danger during the\n preceding night; but, alas, little disposition to praise\n the Lord for his goodness! Some few of the passengers\n listened with attention, whilst I read a sermon on the\n poop. I had much conversation at intervals with several of\n them, on the subject of religion; and found some disposed\n to attend. Yesterday, passed one of the Salvage islands:\n to-day one of the Canaries (Palma.) No one who has not been\n for some time out of sight of land can conceive the delight\n which the view of these created; or the refreshment they\n afforded the eye. As stupendous monuments of the divine\n power, they ought to have raised more adoration in my heart\n to the great Supreme. But, alas! I find the more I get\n familiarized to the wonders with which I am surrounded, the\n less sensibly I feel my dependence on Him in whom I live\n and move. Blessed Saviour, O let me be accepted, and ever\n preserved through thy intercession, and kept by thy power\n through faith unto salvation. Amen.\u201d\n\nWhilst off the coast of Africa, Mr. Corrie relates that the Lady\nBurgess, one of the Indiamen in company with the Asia, struck upon a\nrock:\n\n \u201cThe masts were cut away: the pinnace, contrary to\n expectation, floated, (for she filled with water,) and\n soon after was driven clear of the breakers, with about\n forty persons. As many as could swim plunged in, and about\n seventy at length got into her. The boat also was manned,\n and, by the exertions of the chief mate, the ladies, (six\n in number,) were put into her, and none allowed to go\n with them, lest, being crowded by too many, she should be\n swamped. The captain and some others who could not swim,\n were saved by laying themselves on planks; and, being\n drifted by the waves, were afterwards picked up by the\n boats. The Leopard\u2019s boats saved about twenty-five. The\n ladies were received on board the Nelson; the greater part\n [of the crew] were taken up by the Melville, and some by\n the Sovereign and Alexander. About fifty perished; amongst\n whom were the first and sixth mates, the purser, and\n twenty-four cadets; the greater part of the others were\n Asiatics, with some soldiers.\u201d\n\nWith reference to this melancholy occurrence, Mr. C. writes:\n\n \u201cSunday, April 20. This morning has been spent in great\n anxiety. About two o\u2019clock, I heard guns firing as signals\n of distress. When day broke, the wreck of a vessel was\n seen on the rocks, off the island Benevento. About eight\n boats were observed at a distance, and at ten o\u2019clock\n we perceived one making towards the Asia. Soon after,\n a passenger of the Nelson, and one of the mates of the\n Lady Burgess, came on board, from whom we learnt that the\n unfortunate ship was the Lady Burgess, which was gone down\n with every part of the cargo. Six ladies, passengers,\n reached the Nelson in safety. The mate, after putting the\n ladies on board the Nelson, returned to the wreck, when\n her poop remained above water sufficiently to preserve\n life: on returning a second time, nothing was seen but part\n of the bowsprit, every creature had disappeared; but the\n Commodore, having sent several boats to their assistance,\n suggests a hope that all are saved. What reason have we of\n this ship to adore a kind Providence for being directed\n a different course! Alas, that such indifference, nay\n base rebellion [against God] should still appear! O let\n me not be as those who know not God, but grant me such a\n due sense of all thy mercies, O Lord, that my heart may be\n unfeignedly thankful, and that I may show forth thy praise\n not only with my lips, but in my life! Amen.\u201d\n\nThe Journal proceeds:\n\n \u201cApril 23rd, St. Iago.--Went on shore with the purser. On\n landing was struck by the scenery, which was quite new\n to me, and highly picturesque. Within the beach there\n is a low valley, having the appearance of a marsh, with\n shrubs growing in the shape of a pine-apple; it had a very\n pleasing effect. Water was here procured for the fleet.\n The town stands on a hill, on the right of the valley; and\n within the fortifications. At the foot of the ascent, and\n on the beach, were three officers riding on small lean\n ponies. Their clothes, ragged and much worn, were such a\n contrast to an Englishman\u2019s idea of the word \u2018officer,\u2019\n as to excite a smile. Further on were some slaves, in a\n state of nature, employed in breaking cocoa-nuts. At the\n entrance of the garrison stood a sentinel, without shoes or\n stockings, his other clothes hanging in rags, and having no\n lock to his musket; altogether, he reminded me of one of\n Sancho Panza\u2019s guards. In the town, which consisted of two\n rows of huts, we found poultry, pine-apples, cocoa-nuts,\n &c. &c. for sale. The natives perfectly understood what are\n called \u2018the tricks of trade.\u2019 I am told they sell a kind of\n Port wine of inferior quality, mixed with rum to keep it\n from going sour; they have also a kind of gin, extracted\n from the sugar-cane. Their women are the most disgusting\n figures that can be conceived; many of them having only a\n covering round the waist; the men too like men in general;\n but one, a Caffre slave, was about seven feet high. The\n country presents a most barren appearance, being very\n hilly, and seldom visited with rain. After staying about\n three hours, I returned to the Asia, most thankful that my\n lot had been cast in Britain, and admiring the kindness of\n providence to that happy isle. Long may a gracious God\n exercise the same fatherly care over it! Long may England\n flourish, as the place which God hath chosen to put his\n name there!\n\n \u201cSunday, April 27th. I had service on deck to-day, the\n sailors being very attentive; was much affected with\n languor, so that the day has passed in an unprofitable\n manner. I had a long conversation with G., and hope well of\n him again. Thought much of my dear relations; and had an\n affecting sense of the value of former privileges, \u2018when\n I went to the house of God, with the voice of joy and\n gladness.\u2019 O for the happy time when I shall be privileged\n to draw near to God without restraint! Blessed be His name\n for some sweet seasons in private. O may the impression of\n them remain, and be productive of holiness in heart and\n life!\n\n \u201cMay 3rd. Yesterday the wind sprung up, a light breeze, and\n continues to drive us two knots an hour, after a calm of\n three days. In the night, we had a very narrow escape from\n running foul of the Alexander; the boats were about to be\n lowered from the idea that the ship might go down by the\n concussion. What reason to be thankful for preservation! O\n for a due sense of all thy mercies, my God and Saviour!\n\n \u201cFriday, May 11th. This day had divine service on deck: in\n the evening had a conversation with V. on the doctrine of\n the Atonement. He seemed much impressed, and said he had\n never before considered it; but hoped he should now make it\n the study of his life. Lord, work in him both to will and\n to do for Jesus Christ\u2019s sake! Amen. I would record, to my\n shame, how feeble my efforts are for the eternal welfare of\n those around me; and, when I think of the shame I feel, I\n desire to be roused to greater exertions, lest Jesus Christ\n should profess himself ashamed of me at the last day. O the\n piercing thought of being excluded from thy blessed vision!\n Prevent it by thy grace! let me not fall, I pray.\n\n \u201cMay 18th. Service on deck. Found much sweetness in\n private devotion, with a disposition to pray for my dear\n relatives and friends by name. My mind tolerably fixed on\n divine things, with boldness to speak to any that came\n in my way, on the subject of religion. I have of late\n observed with pleasure a great change in P.\u2019s views and\n sentiments respecting scriptural truths; and a practice\n more correspondent thereto than formerly. This morning, he\n spoke with much feeling, on several experimental truths\n of Christianity; and I humbly hope, is no stranger to the\n power of them. O that I may be enabled to walk in wisdom\n towards him, and that he may be an honoured instrument in\n turning many to righteousness!\n\n \u201cSunday, June 1st. I have neglected to make memoranda\n during the past week, and fear it is a symptom of spiritual\n decay: yet, I find, in general, much fixedness of mind in\n private prayer; and sometimes much tenderness of spirit.\n The Bible is my delight and daily counsellor; and I think\n I watch every opportunity of calling the attention of\n those around me to the things of eternity. Yet, I would\n confess to my shame, that these attempts are feeble,\n generally very unskilfully conducted, and little calculated\n to produce a good effect, and chiefly confined to more\n intimate associates. I plainly perceive that without a\n great exercise of divine power, I am totally unfit for\n the work of introducing the Gospel amongst the heathen;\n and much fear lest the objects of time and sense should\n divert me from that pursuit. Yet, Lord, thou knowest that\n to be instrumental in turning many unto righteousness is my\n highest ambition. This is the determination of my judgment;\n though, alas! my affections draw me powerfully to court\n the favour of man, and to covet ease. I perceive myself\n poor and blind, and miserable, and wretched, and lost, and\n undone; but O the joyful sound of wisdom, righteousness,\n sanctification, and redemption in Christ Jesus for ruined\n sinners! Blessed Lord, grant me a spirit of faith, that I\n may apprehend this dear Redeemer; and by virtue of union\n with Him may obtain acquittal from all condemnation, and\n daily become more like Him, in righteousness and true\n holiness!\u201d\n\nTo the Rev. J. Buckworth he wrote as follows:--\n\n \u201cWe are in hopes of reaching Madras in nine weeks from this\n time; so that before you receive this, which comes by way\n of St. Helena, I shall, by the divine permission, be in\n India. Indeed, on this element, in a peculiar manner is\n the apostle\u2019s limitation to be attended to, \u2018If the Lord\n will, we shall do this or that.\u2019 My dear friend will be\n ready to fear that an account of our spiritual voyage is\n to be excluded from this paper. Would that I could gladden\n your heart with tidings of a large fleet steering for the\n haven of everlasting blessedness; but on this subject my\n materials are scanty, though, blessed be God, some news of\n this kind I can send you.... We have twenty-two youths on\n board, going as cadets to India: of these a few allow me\n to talk freely and familiarly on the best subjects; the\n others treat me with civility, though sometimes they are\n shy of my company. One I sincerely hope is pious, though\n very volatile in his disposition: another attaches himself\n very much to me, and is much separated from his companions.\n These are the most promising among us, \u2018the gleaning\n grapes, one or two, on the top of the uppermost boughs.\u2019 I\n have distributed several Testaments, and other books; but\n observe no increase at present....\n\n \u201cMy thoughts lead me now to Dewsbury, where I fancy I\n behold my dear friend and his dear partner, happy in each\n other, and happy in the love of Jesus; but not without\n some thorn, to remind them that their God has a more\n complete happiness in store for them. You will not need\n assurances that my daily prayers ascend on your behalf; nor\n need I ask you to believe that words cannot express the\n interest I feel in your welfare. May the richest blessings\n of Providence and of grace descend upon you both; and\n may you bring much honour to the ways of truth, by your\n lives and conversation, till, full of days, and full of\n grace, like shocks of corn in harvest, you be gathered\n into the heavenly garner! I long to be publishing glad\n tidings of salvation to poor Indians, and am daily studying\n their language for this purpose: an Asiatic on board\n helps me in acquiring the pronunciation, and in return,\n receives instruction in the New Testament: he evidences a\n teachable disposition; laments the folly and idolatry of\n his countrymen, and I trust will one day become a witness\n against their abominations.\u201d\n\nBut to return to the Journal:--\n\n \u201cJune 8th, 1806. On a review of this week, I feel\n much cause for humiliation, and much for praise; for\n humiliation, that I gather no more boldness in the\n cause of God and of his Son. Yet, I am thankful that my\n silent refusal to conform to the vanities around me is\n not unobserved; and that a sneer about saintship is not\n unfrequently indulged in, when I am present. I rejoice in\n these tokens of my separation from the temper and practices\n of the world; yet I would look to more certain evidence of\n my love to Jesus than this, even in the devotedness of my\n heart to His service and glory; and in the love I feel for\n perishing souls around me. Alas, my evidences are very few:\n yet I think I would rather be a door-keeper in the house of\n God where I might see His face, than live in the richest\n palace on earth; and to be instrumental in turning sinners\n \u2018from the power of Satan unto God,\u2019 is more desired by me\n than to be Emperor of the world. These are my sentiments\n and desires: O Lord, let them not evaporate in empty\n speculations for Jesus Christ\u2019s sake!\n\n \u201cThursday night. I would record to the honour of Divine\n grace, the goodness of God to my soul. Rose this morning at\n half-past five, found much earnestness in prayer, and my\n mind much disposed to that duty, but little if any sensible\n comfort. Prayed particularly for a believing, waiting\n spirit, which has been graciously vouchsafed. I have\n observed two or three instances of answers to prayer, in\n the waiting frame of my mind; in the attention I have been\n able to give to study, and in some other particulars. Lord,\n keep me humble and thankful for Jesus Christ\u2019s sake, Amen!\n\n \u201cJune 29th. I have neglected to make memoranda of my\n state. Abstained from dinner, with a view to afflict\n my soul before God, on account of my own sins, and the\n sins of those around me. O Lord, without thy divine\n influence I fast and pray in vain. The sins in myself I\n would particularly note are, a backwardness to think on\n divine subjects; a general deadness in religious duties;\n a coldness of affection towards the Lord Jesus Christ; a\n want of zeal for God, and of love for souls; and a fear\n of censure and reproach, which leads me to suffer sin on\n my neighbour unreproved. With respect to those around\n me, their profane swearing, their neglect of God and His\n worship. O will not God be avenged on such a people as\n this? Will not this floating city be sunk in the mighty\n waters, for the wickedness of its inhabitants? O Lord, let\n my cry come before Thee, in behalf of this ship\u2019s company,\n through the mediation of Jesus Christ!\n\n \u201cSunday, July 6th. This morning a most tremendous gale came\n on. Went on deck at five o\u2019clock. The vessel rolling so as\n once to ship a sea on the lee-side; every person seemed\n apprehensive of danger. For my own part, I do not recollect\n to have been afraid, but I felt much awe and seriousness,\n in the thought of appearing before God. In the afternoon\n (two o\u2019clock), a man fell overboard from the foremost\n main-yard. By the uncommon exertions of Mr. Walker, the\n third mate, and four of the men, he was taken up alive, and\n gives hopes of recovery. Mr. W.\u2019s conduct on this occasion\n merits the greatest praise, and has much endeared him to\n every one on board.\n\n \u201cJuly 20th. Read Church History and Persian. The Commodore\n spoke an American, which left Calcutta on May 28, and\n which on June 22nd, spoke a ship at sea, and received\n information that a frigate, supposed to be detached by\n Jerome Buonaparte,[6] put into the Cape and was captured\n by Admiral Popham; from whence it is concluded that Jerome\n Buonaparte either followed the frigate into the Cape and\n was taken, or proceeded to India. Two country ships had\n been captured in the straits of Malacca.\n\n \u201cThursday, July 24th. In addition to the news heard on\n Tuesday, learned from the Commodore, that the American told\n him a general peace had been brought about in India. O that\n \u2018the Prince of Peace\u2019 would establish His dominion among\n those perishing heathens! Every day brings me acquainted\n with some new proof of that wretched slavery which they are\n under to the powers of darkness. My mind is bent on the\n work of the ministry amongst them. I think with delight\n on the time when I shall be able to address them, in\n their own language, on the glorious truths of the gospel;\n and am thankful that I find diligence and ardour in the\n acquirement of Hindoostanee. Yet, when I reflect on the\n backwardness and timidity that possesses my mind in this\n matter, among my present associates, I am ready to fear\n lest I should be diverted from my purpose. Lord, hold me\n up, and bring me through, more than conqueror, for His sake\n who, I believe and feel, \u2018loved _me_, and gave himself _for\n me_!\u2019\n\n \u201cThursday, August 21st. This morning heard that Ceylon\n was in sight; went on deck soon after, and saw land, but\n very indistinctly. At half-past one the shore presented\n a beautiful object; a great variety of trees, hills, and\n plains. My mind more affected than I can express, with\n a sense of the goodness of God, in bringing me thus far\n in health and safety. I feel no inconvenience from the\n climate, and very little of that listlessness I so much\n feared. O for a heart to praise the Lord! Surely, surely,\n I am more ungrateful than any of God\u2019s children; for His\n child I feel I am! O write thy law on my heart; and let my\n obedient life bring glory to Thee, through Jesus Christ!\n O how I long to be declaring the way of salvation to\n perishing souls! O let me have that faith which overcomes\n the world; set me free from every entanglement; keep\n through thy word those on board whom thou hast disposed to\n consideration; fortify their minds, and keep them from the\n tempter\u2019s power, to the glory of thy grace, Amen, Amen!\n\n \u201cSunday, August 24th. Rose this morning at five o\u2019clock.\n After prayer--in which I found earnestness, and tolerable\n fixedness of mind, though no stirring of affection--went on\n deck. Read in the epistle to the Hebrews, and found much\n light flash on my mind in reading. Saw more clearly than\n ever the _distinction_, yet _consistency_, between the old\n and new covenant. At eleven, read a sermon from Walker;\n afterwards joined in prayer with W, P, G, and V.[7] I found\n much enlargement of heart, and much freedom of expression\n in prayer. Lord, keep me humble; and, O bless these my\n associates! Convince them of sin; lead them to Jesus;\n make them strong in the Lord; and be a spirit of adoption\n in their hearts, for Jesus Christ\u2019s sake! Lord, bless my\n dear relatives. O give them grace to walk before thee\n with perfect hearts; and supply them with every needful\n earthly blessing. Feed them \u2018with food convenient\u2019 for\n their station, and finally crown grace with glory. Amen! No\n prayers on deck, or in the cuddy.\n\n \u201cMonday. Yesterday afternoon, a strange sail came in sight\n to the northward. Cleared for action, and lay at quarters\n all night. Expect to reach Madras to-morrow morning by six\n o\u2019clock. Every one seems unsettled in prospect of going\n ashore; my own mind has caught the contagion. Nothing to\n advantage has been done to-day. \u2018Lord, save or I perish.\u2019\n\n \u201cWednesday. Were disappointed in our expectation, by a\n strong current which set us so far to the westward that we\n were obliged to tack, and wait for the sea-breeze, which to\n our great joy sprang up about three o\u2019clock; and brought\n us into Madras roads, where we cast anchor exactly at ten\n at night. Yesterday morning the air was much impregnated\n with the flavour of the productions of Asia, having a smell\n like the sickly smell arising from sweetmeats. The entrance\n into the roads was very delightful: the light-house before\n us, the European residents\u2019 houses on the left, showing\n lights from various quarters; the Nabob of Arcot\u2019s palace\n lighted so as to appear brilliantly illuminated. All these\n were pleasing objects to eyes accustomed to look only upon\n the wide extended ocean for four months past. The striking\n of clocks, too, was most gratifying to the ear. My mind\n was much affected with a sense of the Divine goodness,\n in bringing us thus far in safety and peace. As soon as\n we were anchored, two boats came from Admiral Trowbridge\n for despatches; and a _Catamaran_,[8] with three natives\n charged with letters from the Town-major to the Commanding\n Officer. These natives presented a most disgusting\n appearance to a stranger, especially an European stranger.\n They have no covering, save a small piece of cotton round\n their waists; and a cap, like a fool\u2019s cap, of fine\n basketwork, in which they carry their letters: and, being\n entire strangers to our language, my mind was affected with\n dismay and horror. Retiring to my cabin, despondency almost\n overcame me. My native country, with its healthy climate,\n and hospitable inhabitants, came forcibly to my mind. Those\n loved objects seemed for ever gone: dear relatives for\n ever fled! In exchange, a sickly climate, a burning soil,\n a heathen population, were to be my associates. Alas! how\n these considerations depress my spirits, while a sense\n of my own unfitness to encounter any of these obstacles,\n leads me to consider this as a place of banishment, and an\n untimely burial-ground! Yet have I not freely chosen this\n undertaking? And, has not God power to bring me through?\n And, is He not sovereign of Asia, as well as of Europe?\n And, is He not ready to save here, as there? O my foolish,\n unbelieving heart! I see the truth of these suggestions;\n yet unbelief prevents me from taking the comfort of them. O\n Lord, work faith in my heart; and enable me to glorify thee\n by a firm reliance on thy promise, that thou wilt not leave\n me, but wilt make me \u2018more than conqueror through Him that\n loved me,\u2019 even Jesus thy Son: to whom with Thee and the\n Holy Ghost be glory for ever!\n\n \u201cThis morning several boats filled with natives came off:\n the rowers, like the Catamaran Jacks in appearance and\n dress: the masters or duboshes,[9] having white muslin\n coats and petticoats. These duboshes are very obsequious,\n very pressing of their services; and have written\n characters, as from former masters; but many of these are\n evidently forgeries. Many of our Bengal passengers are\n gone on shore. I felt too depressed to go; and too much\n interested in V. and Y. to leave them on board. Y. I hope,\n seems in some measure, established in sound principles and\n practice. V. alas, discovers a backwardness to converse on\n religious subjects; and I fear, shuns me, lest I should\n trouble him with them: he is, however, very regular in his\n conduct; and much respected by his associates. But, Oh!\n what avails a mere name to live?--He is now gone on shore.\n Y. remains on board, with the other Madras cadets, until an\n order for their disembarkation arrives. O Lord, keep them\n by thy power! O let not Satan triumph over them, for Jesus\n Christ\u2019s sake. Amen.\n\n \u201cMADRAS, Wednesday evening, Aug. 27th, 1806. Went on shore,\n and was much annoyed by the clamorous importunity of the\n natives, who were waiting in hundreds on the beach to carry\n the luggage, or otherwise serve the new comers: their\n harsh language, and their almost naked bodies, their eager\n and obtrusive offers of service disgusted and wearied me\n exceedingly. With some difficulty, I got through the crowd;\n and, on arriving at the New Navy Tavern, found some of my\n old shipmates. Here we were again importuned by duboshes\n who were eager to serve us. We made choice of one who\n proved a notorious cheat: he made off with six rupees given\n him to hire a _bandy_;[10] and I know not yet how much\n linen he may have stolen. The profusion of silver or gold\n rings which the natives wear on their arms, their ancles,\n their ears, and their toes, appeared odd to me; their\n offers of service and their whole conduct, whilst I was on\n shore, have impressed my mind with an opinion of their deep\n depravity, and their entire want of principle....\n\n \u201cOn Thursday, August 28th. Parson and I went to call on\n the London Society\u2019s missionary. Though unknown to him,\n and though carrying no letter of introduction, yet I was\n certain that if he were a real missionary, we should be\n welcome; and I was not disappointed in this expectation.\n We received a cordial reception: Martyn having mentioned\n my name, we soon became cordial. He appears a humble pious\n man, not destitute of ability, with a degree of zeal: his\n education appears to have been confined. Here we learned\n that Dr. Ker, the Senior Chaplain, had a letter for me from\n Martyn; and that, being obliged to go to Seringapatam for\n the recovery of his health, he had left it at the house\n of Mr. Torriano. Thither Mr. L. drove me in his bandy,\n leaving Mr. Parson to walk back to the inn. On arriving\n at Mr. T.\u2019s, I found the letter, enclosed in one from\n Dr. Ker, recommending me to accept Mr. T.\u2019s invitation to\n take up our abode with him; which we did, and experienced\n much hospitality and kindness. Mr. T. is a self-taught\n Christian indeed: his son is a sensible and very pious\n youth, and showed us much brotherly love; and from the\n Lieutenant we received great regard. Next day Mr. P. and\n myself called on Mr. V. and found him very reserved: he\n afterwards, on further intercourse, became more sociable;\n and engaged me to preach for him on Sunday the 31st; which\n I did, and took for a subject the character of Josiah. The\n Governor, &c., were present; and the church was pretty\n full: the congregation was very attentive; though some, I\n hear scoffed; but others expressed their approbation. In\n the evening P. officiated at the chapel, Black Town, and\n expounded the first chapter of the Epistle to the Romans.\n I went to hear Mr. L. who preached from Psalm xxxvii. 40.\n During our stay on shore, I went often to the cadets\u2019\n tents, and have reason to be thankful. Found V. and Y. kept\n free from the vices of the place.\n\n \u201cFriday evening, Sept. 5th. I read a portion of the church\n prayers, and addressed an exhortation to the boys at\n the Asylum. There are about two hundred half-caste boys\n educated there, and maintained by public subscription.\n Dr. Ker is Superintendent; and Mr. L. is acting Master.\n During our stay at Mr. Torriano\u2019s, our apartment was a tent\n comfortably fitted up, where Mr. T. generally (his son V.\n always), comes morning and evening to join in worship. The\n fort is a most complete structure, seemingly defying the\n power of man to take it: the buildings within it are very\n sumptuous. The Black Town far exceeds my expectation, in\n the commodiousness of its houses, and in their structure;\n but the streets are narrow; and the dust and filth in\n them render the town exceedingly unwholesome. I do not\n find the heat by any means so oppressive as I expected:\n morning and evening it is as cool as summer in England.\n I frequently walked several miles. The Europeans are,\n in general, very averse to the idea of evangelizing the\n natives. The chaplains consider it as a hopeless case; and\n others look upon it as needless and impolitic. I lament\n that my mind was not more affected with the stupid idolatry\n of these depraved people. Their pagodas abound; and their\n attention to them might shame people of purer principles;\n whilst their depraved morals show that their religion is\n confined wholly to externals; and that they are incapable\n of communion with a holy God. These considerations ought\n to impress me more. O the unconquerable hardness of this\n stupid heart! Yet, blessed be God, who has reconciled\n my mind more to the work of the ministry here; and has\n influenced me to prefer the honour which cometh of God,\n more than the favour of men. I think I am more determined\n than ever on publishing salvation to these ignorant\n heathen. I have to lament that my mind seldom experienced\n any sensible comfort in God, whilst on shore: deadness and\n oppression overspread my soul for the most part; yet, I do\n not recollect, except on one occasion, that I attempted\n to shun the reproach of the cross; and, in general I was\n enable to introduce serious subjects.\n\n \u201cSunday, Sept. 7th. Came on board the Alexander, in\n consequence of the Asia being ordered round by Penang, to\n take troops to Bengal: much heaviness of mind on account of\n the state of those around me....\n\n \u201cSaturday, Sept. 13th. On Tuesday evening last, we came\n to anchor off Masulipatam. During that day, in making\n in to the shore, the ship was found in three and a half\n fathoms (she draws three fathoms;) consequently great\n alarm prevailed, every one expecting that she would strike\n instantly. The wind being brisk, the ship answered the\n helm; and, by the Divine favour, we got clear of the\n danger. In the afternoon, a ship which had been in sight\n for some days, hauled her wind and stood our course: this\n raised a suspicion of her being an enemy; the drum beat to\n quarters and every preparation was made to prevent her\n boarding us. After some time, she hoisted Danish colours,\n and came to anchor near us off Masulipatam. During these\n two times of alarm, I recollect to have been much more\n anxious as to the event, than on former times of danger\n during the voyage; and have reason to fear I have suffered\n damage, especially since we left Madras. This I know has\n been the case, and I bless God who has given me to feel it,\n and to lament it, and to strive and pray against it; and\n (blessed be His name) not in vain.\n\n \u201cOn Wednesday, Parson and myself went off together with two\n officers of the king\u2019s regiment: after a most unpleasant\n passage of twenty-four hours, we arrived at Masulipatam, a\n distance of not more than six miles in a straight line. Our\n delay was owing to the land wind, which, blowing directly\n opposite, drove us far to leeward, and obliged the men to\n push the boat along shore with long poles; a tedious and\n laborious operation. On entering the fort, we found that\n Colonel Norris (to whom we had a letter of introduction\n from his father-in law, Mr. Torriano,) was in the fort. We\n went to his house, and on being introduced to his lady,\n presented our letter, which she opened, and sent to the\n Colonel, who was on a committee at the barracks. Breakfast\n was got for us immediately, and every attention shown\n us; after breakfast, the Colonel came in, and ordered us\n change of clothes; after we had dressed, he came and shook\n us very kindly by the hand, and said, he had an order in\n his pocket, which obliged him to be particularly kind to\n us. This order he punctually obeyed, shewing us every mark\n of attention possible, and even regard.... The propriety\n of conduct necessary in ministers, the characters of\n many eminently pious missionaries, and of Christ and His\n Apostles, were the principal subjects of conversation. May\n God give a blessing to our poor attempts to spread the\n savour of Jesus\u2019 name; and may the Colonel\u2019s kindnesses to\n us be abundantly repaid out of the fulness of Christ! After\n passing twenty-four hours very agreeably, and I trust not\n unprofitably, we left Masulipatam yesterday about three\n o\u2019clock, with the purser; and though detained a short time\n at the entrance of the river, from want of water, we got\n on board the Alexander by five o\u2019clock: the anchor was\n weighed, and we set sail as soon as possible.\n\n \u201cTuesday. Yesterday I was very unwell in consequence of\n drinking too much water: the day passed in a restless,\n unprofitable manner to myself. In the evening, I was\n enabled to speak to the surgeon on the utility of prayer;\n which I did because of some sarcastic remarks made, as\n to the uselessness of the Bible and Prayer-book in time\n of action; we being suspicious that there was an enemy\u2019s\n ship in view. He was silenced, and afterwards showed me\n more than usual attention. We were looking out all the\n afternoon of yesterday for a pilot; and came to anchor\n at ten in the evening in Saugor roads, amidst a fleet\n of Indiamen homeward-bound--two ships of war, with many\n country ships--a most gratifying sight; though, I confess,\n I felt little pleasure. The remembrance of dear relatives\n filled me with deep regret, whilst the prospect of being\n instrumental in furthering the Lord\u2019s work in India filled\n me with joy; and I felt I could forsake all for Christ\u2019s\n sake.\n\n \u201cThursday. We came to anchor in Diamond harbour. The\n sailing up the river was delightful; the green herbage\n and foliage most refreshing to the eye; and the numerous\n population raised wonder how provision could be found for\n so many persons. The whole shore, as far as the eye could\n reach, appeared one continued village on each side. The\n sight of a burying-ground for Europeans at Diamond harbour,\n with several monuments erected therein, tended to lessen\n my joy; as did the death of Captain ---- of the 77th, for\n whom the colours were hoisted half-mast high, and who was\n buried in the sea the evening we lay at anchor, in Saugor\n roads. Captain C----, Ensign W., Parson, and myself, left\n the Alexander in a budgerow,[11] about nine o\u2019clock, and\n sailed from Diamond harbour about half past ten in the\n evening.\n\n \u201cFriday, Sept. 19th. I went on shore in the morning at\n Fulta, and sending some provisions on board to my chums,\n remained till flood-tide, which was not till two o\u2019clock.\n My mind was much gratified with the scene; the green fields\n appearing here and there between the groves, were very\n much like scenes I remembered in England; many birds were\n singing much like the nightingale; herds of cattle, of the\n buffalo breed, with herdsmen tending them here and there on\n the bank. A dead body floating on the river created much\n horror in my mind; and the bird called the adjutant excited\n much surprise. At Fulta I found a very elegant inn, and\n accommodations very reasonable. Having placed a chair at\n the gate-way on the elevated situation on the bank of the\n river, the opposite bank appeared covered with villages,\n and the surface of the river with boats. I took out my\n bible, and read the 60th chapter of Isaiah. The precious\n promises of the enlargement of Christ\u2019s Church came with\n much power to my mind; the last verse was very encouraging,\n and raised much joy, from the hope that I might be honoured\n to be one of \u2018the little ones\u2019 who should \u2018become a\n thousand, and a strong nation.\u2019 The prospect of all these\n swarms of people bowing to the sceptre and dominion of\n Jesus, filled my soul with exultation. I found much freedom\n in prayer, and spent some time in joy and rejoicing. The\n budgerow being much longer in coming up than was expected,\n occasioned great anxiety; and, to my shame be it spoken,\n impatience. O how fickle is my mind: but Jesus liveth, and\n He changeth not! Blessed be God for Jesus Christ! I came on\n board about two o\u2019clock this afternoon; and we are now at\n anchor about ten miles below Calcutta.\n\n \u201cSept. 21st, 1806. Yesterday morning, being tired of\n waiting any longer for a fair wind, I left the budgerow\n about five o\u2019clock, and came up in the tow-boat to\n Calcutta. The scene on each side of the river was much\n the same as during the preceding day; but being indisposed\n from want of food, and by exposure to the sun, I felt but\n little lively joy. Read in the Bible, and Newton\u2019s Hymns;\n and found much desire to be grateful for preservation\n during the voyage, for meeting with kind friends, and for\n the abundant supply of every temporal want; above all, that\n notwithstanding my manifold failings, some sense of my\n obligations to God in Christ still remains. The sight of\n Calcutta afforded me great satisfaction: the approach to it\n was tedious; and I felt some impatience at the perversity\n of the boatmen. Alas, the depravity of my nature is but\n little subdued! I walked up to the church, and inquired\n in vain for Martyn: went to Doughty\u2019s hotel, where I met\n V. at the door, who, I feared, was oppressed in spirit\n and suffering from the effects of climate. I took some\n refreshment, and was about to go forth in quest of Martyn,\n when a note arrived from him, desiring me to go to him in\n the college.[12] I set off immediately, and was received\n by him with the most lively demonstrations of joy. Here I\n was desired to take up my abode; and here I am fixed for\n the present. Mr. Brown,[13] to whom I am indebted for my\n present entertainment, appears a sensible, determined,\n pious man; very different from the descriptions I heard of\n him during the voyage.\u201d\n\nOn the same day, in which these particulars are noticed in his\njournal, Mr. C. sent a letter to his sister; written, as it appears,\nat intervals during his voyage, and communicating information up to\nthe period of his arrival at Calcutta. The letter itself is not less\nremarkable for its plain good sense, than as manifesting that strong\nnatural affection and love of country, which entered so largely into\nthe character of the writer:\n\n \u201cFrom the date of this letter, (Sep. 21st.) you will\n perceive how much longer our voyage has proved than at\n the beginning of it we hoped it would. Twenty weeks are\n completed since we left Portsmouth: the usual time a voyage\n of the kind occupies is about fifteen weeks. The chief\n part of our delay was between St. Iago, and the Cape of\n Good Hope. Before we arrived at St. Iago, we had fair and\n strong winds; and since we got round the Cape, the weather\n has proved most agreeable. A thousand anxious thoughts\n daily fill my mind on your account: separation from you has\n only tended to show how much my comfort depended on you:\n scarcely for two successive waking hours has your image\n been out of my remembrance. I am very anxious that you\n should come out to me; and I am very anxious respecting\n your voyage. You have little, humanly speaking, to fear\n from dangers of the sea. Your greatest inconvenience\n will arise from not having a person with whom you can\n communicate freely: to be under a restraint of this kind,\n for five months, is a greater evil than you can at present\n suppose. You will, no doubt, hear of some lady coming\n out, with whom you can take half of a cabin; and if such\n an opportunity offers, you need not hesitate to embrace\n it. But you will need to use great caution how you trust\n strangers; and by no means be too familiar with any of\n the passengers, till you have had time to observe their\n dispositions: the evil of a contrary conduct has appeared\n very strikingly with us; and still more so in some other\n of the ships of our fleet. It is very easy to assume an\n appearance of gaiety and good-humour, when people only\n meet occasionally, and for a short time; but when they\n come to live together, and are obliged to meet each other\n at every turn, without Divine grace, few tempers are found\n sufficiently accommodating to maintain that forbearance,\n and to make those concessions, which are absolutely\n necessary to peace and comfort. Hence, when by an unguarded\n confidence, persons of contrary dispositions and habits\n have committed themselves to each other, they soon become\n mutually disgusted; family circumstances are exposed;\n weaknesses ridiculed; and contempt and hatred follows. You\n see I write under the idea that you will not leave England\n till you hear of my arrival in India. I have only to add,\n that my health is much improved since I left you.\n\n \u201cSince I began this letter, a variety of events have taken\n place, and crowd so fast on my mind, that I know not\n where or how to relate them. On entering Madras roads in\n the evening, the lights reflected from the houses built\n on the shore, with the sound of the sentinels\u2019 voices\n passing the word, and the striking of the clocks, formed\n altogether the most remarkable impression I recollect in\n life. After having for five months been separated from the\n civilized world in a great measure, and having seen only\n the boundless ocean, and occasionally hailing some of our\n consorts, you may suppose the entrance into society was\n highly gratifying. My joy was silent, and chiefly expressed\n in ejaculations of praise to Him who had so graciously\n preserved us through the great deep; nor were wanting\n prayers for my native land, and for the many dear objects\n left behind. This pleasant temper of mind was, however,\n of short continuance, as soon as we came to anchor, some\n of the natives came off in catamarans; they were almost\n naked, and very savage in appearance. The consideration of\n being, in all probability, to spend the remainder of my\n life among such wretched beings, filled me with melancholy;\n and rendered me sleepless during the greater part of the\n night; and the whole of the next day, I was very unhappy.\n But you will perceive my sin and unbelief in this matter;\n as their wretchedness should rather have excited compassion\n and anxiety for bettering their condition: the idea of no\n further comfort remaining for me, certainly arose from the\n absence of the proper influence of that precious truth, \u2018If\n He give peace, who then can cause trouble?\u2019 I perceive this\n clearly now; and I am thankful that I am able to take the\n comfort of it to myself. During the whole of our stay, the\n anniversary festival of one of their idols was celebrating\n at a pagoda or temple, in sight of the house where we were.\n Their chief solemnities were celebrated during the night;\n and consisted in most wretchedly bad music, something like\n bad bag-pipes, accompanied with a tom-tom, or small drum\n unbraced, and incapable of music; with these, at intervals,\n loud shouts were set up by the people, and something of a\n song in praise of their idol sung in alternate strains,\n which were responded by the people to each other in a\n sing-song tone of voice. O what a blessing is the Gospel\n to mankind! Well might the angels sing at Messiah\u2019s birth,\n \u2018goodwill towards men,\u2019 no less than \u2018glory to God!\u2019 How\n lovely does Christianity appear, contrasted with the\n absurdities of these pitiable heathen! O, how privileged\n is Britain, where Divine truth shines forth in all its\n purity! May my happy native land know the value of her\n privileges, and improve them: O that, to latest ages, her\n rulers may continue nursing fathers, and nursing mothers\n to the Church; and use their widely-extended influence in\n rendering their colonies happy as themselves!\u201d\n\n\n [6] In 1806, Napoleon placed his brother, Jerome\n Buonaparte, in command of a squadron of eight ships\n of the line, which were ostensibly destined for the\n West Indies.\n\n [7] Cadets.\n\n [8] A species of raft used by the natives of Madras.\n\n [9] A kind of general Agent.\n\n [10] A kind of gig.\n\n [11] A native travelling boat.\n\n [12] The College of Fort William.\n\n [13] The late Rev. David Brown, at that time Chaplain at\n the Presidency, and Provost of the College of Fort\n William.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER III.\n\n AT ALDEEN--APPOINTED TO CHUNAR.\n\n\nOn Mr. Corrie\u2019s arrival in Bengal both he and Mr. Parson took up\ntheir abode with Mr. Brown at Aldeen, a short distance from Calcutta,\nand remained under the same hospitable roof until they proceeded\nto the stations that had been assigned to them respectively by the\ngovernment. Henry Martyn was their fellow-guest for a time, and with\nthat honoured servant of God Mr. Corrie\u2019s intimacy was close and\nbrotherly. Mr. C. was also in the habit of preaching regularly during\nhis residence with Mr. Brown, and of maintaining constant intercourse\nwith the whole body of Christian Missionaries in Calcutta and\nSerampore. In his Journal, too, occur many intimations of the anxious\naffection with which he regarded such of the Cadets as remained\nwithin reach of his visits, or were willing to correspond with him.\nA peculiar regard for the welfare of young persons was, in fact, a\ndistinguishing feature of Mr. Corrie\u2019s character.\n\nEarly in December 1806, Mr. Corrie and Mr. Parson left Aldeen, the\none having been appointed at Chunar, the other at Berhampore. As\nrespects Mr. C. it will be seen, that during the whole of his journey\nto the place of his destination, the subject of the conversion of the\nheathen occupied a large portion of his thoughts.\n\n\n FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF CALCUTTA.\n\n \u201cCalcutta strikes me as the most magnificent city in\n the world; and I am made most happy by the hope of\n being instrumental to the eternal good of many. A great\n opposition, I find, is raised against Martyn, and the\n principles he preaches; this gives me no uneasiness--by\n the help of God, I will stand fast in the doctrine of\n Christ crucified, and maintain it against all opposition.\n But, Lord, grant me the wisdom that is from above, that I\n may act with discretion, and in nothing give unnecessary\n offence!\n\n \u201cAt three o\u2019clock,[14] Martyn preached from Rom. iii.\n 21-23, the most impressive and best composition I ever\n heard. The disposition of love and good will which appeared\n in him must have had great effect; and the calmness and\n firmness with which he spoke raised in me great wonder.\n May God grant a blessing to the word. O may it silence\n opposition, and promote religion for Jesus Christ\u2019s sake,\n Amen.\n\n \u201cTuesday, Sept. 30th. I have neglected for some time to\n make a memorandum of occurrences; but remember, that in\n general, my mind has been without any lively sense of\n divine things; though my heart has been going out much\n after God. The joy expressed by the few serious people here\n is very great; and were not those comforts withheld which\n I have been some time favoured with, their kindness would\n have a tendency to make me proud: for, Oh! I feel an evil\n heart cleaving to the world, though not under its former\n shape. I am not without a secret uneasiness, that I have\n not talents to render me equally acceptable with others.\n This is not to be content with God\u2019s appointments; though,\n I think, I would not have others brought to my standard,\n but would rise to their\u2019s, that God may be more glorified.\n I have received great kindness from Mr. Brown, and much\n benefit from his conversation. Blessed be God, I feel no\n disposition to shrink from the shame of the cross, but\n hope, with boldness, to declare myself a fellow-labourer\n with Martyn, in the controversy excited by his preaching.\n\n \u201cI preached on Sunday [Sept. 28,] evening, at the Mission\n Church, from 2 Thess. i. 7-10: my mind was somewhat\n impressed with the importance of my office, both before\n and during the service. I trust the furtherance of God\u2019s\n glory, and the good of souls, was, and is, my prevailing\n desire. Went up to Serampore yesterday, and in the evening\n was present at the marriage of Mr. Desgranges.[15] Mr.\n Brown entered into their concerns with much interest. The\n pagoda[16] was fixed on, and lighted up for the celebration\n of the wedding; at eight o\u2019clock the parties came from\n the Mission house, [at Serampore] attended by most of\n the family. Mr. Brown commenced with the hymn, \u2018Come,\n gracious Spirit, heavenly dove!\u2019 A divine influence seemed\n to attend us, and most delightful were my sensations. The\n circumstance of so many being engaged in spreading the\n glad tidings of salvation,--the temple of an idol converted\n to the purpose of Christian worship, and the Divine\n presence felt among us,--filled me with joy unspeakable.\n After the marriage service of the Church of England, Mr.\n Brown gave out \u2018the Wedding hymn;\u2019 and after signing\n certificates of the marriage, we adjourned to the house,\n where Mr. Brown had provided supper. Two hymns given out by\n Mr. Marshman[17] were felt very powerfully. He is a most\n lively, sanguine missionary; his conversation made my heart\n burn within me, and I find desires of spreading the Gospel\n growing stronger daily, and my zeal in the cause more\n ardent. But O \u2018my leanness\u2019 in comparison of these \u2018burning\n and shining lights\u2019 around me. Yet, in the strength of\n Jehovah will I go forward, and will tread in their steps,\n and pursue them at a distance, though I may not hope to\n come near their attainments.\n\n \u201cOct. 10th. I have for some time past been oppressed with\n a sense of the want of spiritual affections: my heart as\n cold as ice, no mouth to speak of, or for God: deadness in\n prayer, and languor in every spiritual duty. I perceive\n my great insufficiency for the work of the ministry; and\n lament exceedingly my small opportunities of education,[18]\n and my sinful negligence in not better improving those I\n had. \u2018God be merciful to me a sinner,\u2019 and perfect praise\n to Himself out of my weak and unskilful mouth! Last night\n I went to the Mission-house, [at Serampore] and supped\n at the same table with about fifty native converts. The\n triumph of the cross was most evident in breaking down\n their prejudices, and uniting them with those who formerly\n were an abomination in their eyes. After supper, they sang\n a Bengalee hymn, many of them with tears of joy; and they\n concluded with prayer in Bengalee, with evident earnestness\n and emotion. My own feelings were too big for utterance.\n O may the time be hastened when every tongue shall confess\n Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father!\n\n \u201cOn Friday evening, [Oct. 10th.] we had a meeting in the\n pagoda, at which almost all the missionaries, some of their\n wives, and Captain W. attended: with a view to commend\n Martyn to the favour and protection of God in his work. The\n Divine presence was with us. I felt more than it would have\n been proper to express. Mr. Brown commenced with a hymn and\n prayer, Mr. Desgranges succeeded him, with much devotion\n and sweetness of expression: Mr. Marshman followed, and\n dwelt particularly on the promising appearance of things;\n and, with much humility, pleaded God\u2019s promises for the\n enlargement of Zion; with many petitions for Mr. Brown and\n his family. The service was concluded by Mr. Carey,[19]\n who was earnest in prayer for Mr. Brown: the petition that\n \u2018having laboured for many years without encouragement or\n support, in the evening it might be light,\u2019 seemed much\n to affect his own mind, and greatly impressed us all.\n Afterwards we supped together at Mr. Brown\u2019s. The influence\n of this association remained on my mind, and shed a divine\n peace and composure through my soul.\n\n \u201cSunday 12th. This day I preached at the New Church from\n Gal. vi. 14. The Governor General, &c., attended. I felt a\n good deal of palpitation before I ascended the pulpit, but\n afterwards experienced great composure of mind; and had no\n idea that any one would be offended, being conscious that I\n was speaking the truth. I found much earnestness in prayer\n before, and after, divine service. God grant an increase to\n His own word for Jesus Christ\u2019s sake!\n\n \u201cOct. 13th. I came to Serampore to dinner. Had a\n pleasant sail up the river: the time passed agreeably in\n conversation. In the evening a fire was kindled on the\n opposite bank; and we soon perceived that it was a funeral\n pile, on which the wife was burning with the dead body of\n her husband. It was too dark to distinguish the miserable\n victim of superstition; but by the light of the flames\n we could discover a great crowd of people: their horrid\n noise, and senseless music, joined with the testimony of\n some of the servants, convinced us that our apprehensions\n were founded on fact. The noise continued till ten o\u2019clock,\n and the fire was kept burning till that time. My mind was\n struck with horror and pity. On going out to walk with\n Martyn to the pagoda, the noise so unnatural, and so little\n calculated to excite joy, raised in my mind an awful sense\n of the presence and influence of evil spirits. O that\n the Lord would command his word to run and be glorified,\n in casting them out, and placing in their stead the mild\n influence of his Gospel!\n\n \u201cOct. 18th, 1806. On Wednesday last, Mr. Brown, Parson\n and myself proceeded up the river with Martyn, to set him\n on his way to Dinapore. We landed at Ghyretee, and walked\n through a most delightful avenue; afterwards through a neat\n village (for this country), and arrived at Chandernagore\n about seven o\u2019clock: we took tea at a tavern, and went\n on board our budgerow, about nine o\u2019clock. After joining\n in prayer, we retired to rest. On Thursday morning,\n we proceeded to Chinsurah, on foot, through groves of\n fruit trees; we arrived at Chinsurah soon after seven\n o\u2019clock, and received a most hospitable reception from\n Mr. Forsyth:[20] after dinner, we went with Mr. F. above\n Bandell; and after worship, returned to Chinsurah in &\n _paunchway_.[21] Yesterday morning, the weather having\n commenced rainy, we determined to return to Aldeen, on\n account of Mr. Brown\u2019s boat becoming uninhabitable. We\n first engaged, according to arrangement, in alternate\n prayer. Mr. Brown commenced with reading a portion of\n Scripture, singing a hymn, and prayer, which order was\n observed by P., myself, and Martyn. A sense of the Divine\n presence was experienced by each of us, and our consolation\n in Christ Jesus abounded; so that we left our friend\n without regret, and he parted with us cheerfully; each\n persuaded that God was with us, and would be our \u2018shield\n and exceeding great reward.\u2019\n\n \u201cOct. 22nd. On coming down the river, I saw the figures\n of Doorga[22] paraded on the river, and the indecencies\n of idol-worship. My mind was inexpressibly grieved; and\n most earnestly did I desire to be able to address the poor\n deluded heathen.\n\n \u201cNov. 3rd. For some time past I have made no memoranda\n of the state of my mind. Alas, my wretched backwardness\n to any really good thing! In general my heart has been\n hard and insensible, though my desire has been to the\n contrary; and I have had but little inclination to pray,\n though no disposition to give up prayer; and sometimes have\n experienced enlargement of heart, and melting of soul in\n prayer. I have preached several times at the Old Church,\n and once at the New. My purposes of labouring among the\n heathen are, I bless God, more fixed; and a desire to be at\n my station, and about my proper work, grows upon me.\n\n \u201cWhen I hear of a spirit of covetousness which has affected\n many, I fear and tremble; and I think something of that\n disposition was working within me this morning. Oh! how\n often have I said that I desire not to leave one shilling\n behind me at death. I would record my own declaration,\n beseeching thee, O Lord, that I may be enabled to trust\n thee for future supplies, and to live by faith upon thee\n for daily bread!\n\n \u201c24th, For some days past my mind has enjoyed quiet and\n peace with God; my indisposition has been in a great\n measure removed, and I can speak and act as usual. \u2018Praise\n God from whom all blessings flow.\u2019 My mind has been calm\n and resigned to the will of God, in the prospect of my\n destination, and in my preparation to set out for Chunar;\n but little, alas! of lively affection, with much wandering\n of heart in prayer. The youths who came out with me have\n been much on my mind. My dear relatives have not had so\n particular an interest in my prayers as at some other\n times; but their welfare is exceedingly dear to me, and the\n prospect of having my sister with me very cheering.\n\n \u201cNov. 29th. This morning Mr. Brown, Parson, Mr.\n Thompson[23] (of Madras), and myself, met in the pagoda\n at Aldeen, to consult in what way we may most effectually\n promote the glory of our redeeming God in the earth. After\n prayer by Mr. Brown, and after some conversation, we\n agreed, 1st. To join in the views, and aid to the utmost of\n our power, the purposes of the British and Foreign Bible\n Society: 2ndly. To help forward the translation of the\n Scriptures into the languages of the East, as much as in\n us lies; and to take the expense of the Sanscrit and Greek\n Testaments upon ourselves: and 3rdly. To make a quarterly\n report of our prospects, our plans, and actual situation in\n our various stations, as far as the Church is concerned, to\n Mr. Brown; who will add his own, and cause a copy of the\n whole to be transmitted to each individual. After prayer we\n separated.\n\n \u201cDec. 8. To-day set off for Chunar. In the strength of the\n Lord God I go forth. O, prepare a people for Thyself, and\n make me the instrument of gathering them into thy fold!\n Keep me by thy mighty power in body and soul; and enlarge\n my heart that I may delight in Thy will, and lay out all my\n time and labour in Thy service! Amen, Lord Jesus. Amen!\n\n \u201cDec. 13th. On Monday last Parson and myself left Aldeen,\n to proceed to our stations; Mr. Brown and Mr. Thompson\n accompanying us. We arrived at Chinsurah about three\n o\u2019clock, after a quick sail up the river, the tide being\n in our favour: we called on Mr. Forsyth, with whom we\n spent the evening. Mr. F. conducted family worship, and\n was excellent in the application, and very fervent for\n the fulfilment of many precious promises. The presence of\n God was with us. Mr. F. gave me favourable intelligence\n respecting General M. at Chunar, to which place Mr. L.\n had sent tracts, which had been noticed with approbation\n by the General. I hope the Lord has prepared my way.\n Yesterday morning, after breakfast and family worship, we\n set forward, Mr. Forsyth accompanying us. In the evening\n we walked on the bank, whilst the boatmen hauled our boat\n along. The encouragement and comfort his conversation\n raised in my mind will, I hope, never be forgotten: much\n lively and spiritual conversation passed, chiefly on\n the means most suitable for us to employ under present\n circumstances. We concluded by commissioning Messrs. Brown\n and T. to buy Bibles, Testaments, and Common Prayer-books,\n to be sent to us from time to time for distribution. Our\n friends left us to return to Calcutta. A sweet composure\n fills my heart: and, without regret, I leave all that earth\n and sense hold dear, to do thy will, O my God! Let me find\n strength according to my day; and call Thou me to any\n thing in which I may most glorify Thee. Leave me not for a\n moment; for though now, \u2018by thy goodness, thou hast made\n my mountain strong,\u2019 yet if thou hide thy face I shall be\n \u2018troubled!\u2019\n\n \u201cDec. 14th. Yesterday morning we left Sook Saugur: in the\n afternoon our attention was arrested by loud lamentations:\n we observed a dying man put into the river to expire; this,\n in the opinion of the Hindoos, insuring Paradise. We were\n much shocked at the spectacle. Lord, how long, how long\n shall Satan triumph? Four out of six are killed in this\n way, and hurried out of life.\u201d\n\nOn the 16th of December, Mr. Corrie writes to his father:--\n\n \u201cI am now on my way to my station at Chunar, five days\u2019\n journey from Calcutta, and three from Berhampore. To this\n last place Parson is appointed, and we are together in\n the same boat; after which I have eight weeks\u2019 journey\n alone. I have, however, several introductions to christian\n friends on the way, and Martyn\u2019s station is before me,\n where I intend to stay a few days with him. My mind is at\n perfect ease, and my soul happy in the love of God, and\n overflowing with gratitude to the Giver of all good. Much\n and unexpected kindness has been shewn me in this strange\n land; and I have found that whosoever forsaketh aught for\n Christ shall reap an hundred-fold \u2018in the present life:\u2019\n how, then, can I doubt the fulfilment of that part of the\n promise which relates to the life to come? In the house\n of Mr. Brown, every attention that affection could think\n of has been shewn me.... The country through which we\n have come, is, in general, very pleasant, though flat. We\n walk on the bank morning and evening; and amuse ourselves\n with finding out resemblances, or fancied resemblances to\n scenes we remember in Britain. We have every comfort we can\n wish for; and our morning and evening worship, consisting\n of singing, prayer, and reading the Scriptures, tends to\n revive our souls; whilst we walk as friends, and take sweet\n counsel together on the ends and means we purpose in our\n ministry. I have written so often that I forget what I\n may have said to you; but you who know how much I am the\n creature of impulse in every thing--except my expressions\n of affection for you all, and in matters of fact,--will\n not judge of the state of my mind from one single letter.\n I allude especially to what I have written respecting the\n conversion of the heathen. _You_ know, what _I_ now know,\n how sanguine I am in schemes that my soul enters into; and\n oft have I made calculations and statements which have\n afterwards made me blush.--The state of society among our\n own countrymen here is much altered for the better within\n these few years. The Marquis Wellesley openly patronized\n religion; whether from motives of state policy or not, it\n is not ours to judge. He on every possible opportunity,\n made moral character a _sine qu\u00e2 non_ to his patronage,\n and sought for men of character from every quarter to fill\n offices of trust. He avowedly encouraged, and contributed\n to, the translation of the Scriptures into the native\n languages; and wherever he went, paid a strict regard to\n divine worship on the Sunday. Before his time, all causes\n were tried in the courts of justice, through the medium of\n interpreters; but by the College which he instituted, he\n furnished the natives with judges capable of determining\n from their own knowledge of the language, and judgment on\n the evidence; and has thus laid the foundation of peace\n and justice, such as Asia before knew not. _He has been\n the saviour of India to Britain._ The state of the natives\n in a moral point of view is deplorable; the most shocking\n indecencies form a part of their worship; and lying,\n cheating, &c., are not considered crimes. Two youths who\n were seriously impressed during the voyage, and one who\n was our fellow-passenger, and has since been brought to\n consideration, are going on consistently in the ways of\n wisdom. These first-fruits of our Indian engagement afford\n me the most lively encouragement, and the strongest hope\n that God is with me of a truth. O may He be a spirit of\n power in my own heart, and a word of power in my mouth,\n that many may be turned unto righteousness: then I am sure\n that you will bless the day that took me from you, and we\n shall rejoice together in the loving-kindness of our God!\u201d\n\nBut to return to the Journal:\n\n \u201cDecember 18th. This evening we are at Plassy. Walking on\n the bank of the river, we passed an old man brought down to\n die by the river-side: he exhibited signs of considerable\n vitality; and certainly no symptoms of immediate\n dissolution. My spirit was stirred within me; and a Brahmin\n coming past, I began to talk to him on the wickedness of\n killing men in this way. He said his shasters[24] commanded\n it, and that the doctor had pronounced the man dying. I\n told him that God did no injury to man; that He was good;\n and, therefore, the shasters were not God\u2019s word; and that\n God was displeased at such proceedings; he understood me,\n and pleaded their customs. I answered, that the custom,\n the shasters, and the people, were all bad; and that\n when he died he would go down and lie in fire for ever.\n He evidently understood me and seemed confounded. I then\n told him that at Cutwa, a Sahib lived, who would give him\n the true word of God, and recommended him to go there. It\n appeared, however, that he came from Moorshedebad, and\n showed no disposition to return to Cutwa. Passing on, we\n found a party going to Juggernauth. I asked one of them,\n Why he went there? What use it would be to him, and what\n good it would do to him? He seemed confounded, and made no\n reply. I told him also of the anger of God, and of the fire\n after death. A Birajee[25] came running after us to beg; he\n was an old man. On being told by him what he was, I said\n to him, that he was a lazy man that would do no work, but\n only eat, and that God was angry with him, and that when he\n died he would go down to fire for ever. He was surprised at\n this reception, and could only plead his age. I recommended\n him to Cutwa. This is my first effort at missionary work:\n but O, how I blush, and abhor myself, for the imperfect\n manner I speak for God. I know enough of the language to\n have conveyed different ideas, and more of them, but I\n am nothing, and know nothing. Lord, grant me wisdom and\n utterance; and, O, smile on my feeble attempts for the\n furtherance of thine own glory, through Christ Jesus!\n\n \u201cDec. 21st. We are now by the kind providence of God at\n Berhampore. On Friday Mr. Grant and Mr. Ellerton stopped\n our boat, about one o\u2019clock, and we stayed at that place\n all night. We met, also, with Messrs. B. and their\n friends; one a youth from England, by the Nelson. They\n also stayed with us; and in the evening, we were joined by\n two officers, going down to Calcutta. We made a party of\n eight, and sat up till twelve, talking to little profit,\n chiefly about the siege of Bhurtpore. Yesterday morning\n we separated, and were accompanied the whole of the day by\n the Messrs. B., who joined with us in morning and evening\n worship.\n\n \u201cDec. 23rd, 1806. (Bogwongola). Yesterday morning we waited\n on General P. and afterwards visited the place appointed\n for public worship, a large upper room. In the afternoon,\n we visited the hospital. I drew near the bed of a man\n apparently in the last stage of disease, who received the\n word with tears, and requested me to pray with him. Having\n made this known, P. invited the others to draw near: a\n large party collected from all parts of the hospital. I\n expounded the third chapter of St. John\u2019s Gospel, and\n prayed. Much attention in the poor men.\n\n \u201cI left Berhampore this morning at seven o\u2019clock; and,\n after passing through a well-cultivated and fertile\n country, arrived here at twelve. I am now on the great\n river, proceeding to Mr. Creighton[26] at Gomalty. I am\n much pained at heart on account of separation from dear\n Parson, and disheartened at the prospect of being so long\n on the way to Chunar; and tired with the importunity of the\n natives. Never, never have I felt so keenly the separation\n from dear relatives; but I have no wish to draw back, but\n would pray and hope that \u201cGod will be the strength of my\n heart, and my portion for ever,\u201d in and through Jesus\n Christ.\n\n \u201cDec. 26th. Last night I arrived at Gomalty, and found\n a very kind reception from Mr. Creighton. In the course\n of conversation, I have learned that he, with Messrs.\n Ellerton and Grant, have instituted about twelve schools\n in the villages, in this neighbourhood, in which many\n children of the poor natives are taught to read and write;\n and christian tracts, and the New Testament in Bengalee\n are read to them, and by them. One Brahmin objected to\n the reading the Holy Scirptures; but, some parts of them\n being read to him, his objections were removed, and he\n considered that they were very good. In one of the schools\n the master is a Brahmin, who teaches these tracts, &c.;\n though he says, that if the sentiments contained in them\n prevail, the Brahmin\u2019s power will soon be at an end.\n The salary allowed the teachers is five rupees[27] per\n month; for which they teach as many children as choose\n to come. In one school about seventy or eighty children\n attended at first; and about forty still continue to\n come. In this school thirty have been taught, and are\n gone off to different employments. Many of the boys have\n made considerable proficiency in reading and writing; and\n through them, the knowledge of the Scriptures is diffused\n to a considerable extent; the consequence is, that much\n less dissension is found in the neighbourhood; so that when\n the native missionaries come amongst them, the people are\n much more ready to hear them than in other districts. They\n hear, also, with much attention, and in general approve of\n Christian truth.\n\n \u201cDec. 27th. To-day Mr. Creighton sent for the schoolmaster\n of the place with his little charge, about fourteen: some\n others were in the habit of attending, but were at this\n time absent. The method of teaching is by writing the\n character in the sand, and then pronouncing the letter;\n thus they learn both to read and write at the same time:\n some of the children have made considerable advancement.\n The manners of the children are much the same as those\n of children at home; and much gratification did their\n contented faces and their little tricks afford me.\n\n \u201cDec. 29th. Yesterday morning Messrs. W. the two B\u2019s and\n A. came over to attend Divine worship. At ten o\u2019clock we\n went and heard the Bengalee missionaries preach to their\n countrymen: the three appear to be humble and sincere\n Christians. Those who understood them say, that the\n preaching was very energetic and eloquent.\n\n \u201cGomalty, Jan. 1st. 1807. I would begin the new year by\n reviewing the old. The mercies of the past year are\n many and great; and, for these mercies, I am bound to be\n exceedingly thankful. During the voyage, my attempts were\n not without some good effects on the minds of V. and Y.\n especially: the Lord made my presence a restraint on some\n who would otherwise have been more profane, and gave me\n favour in the sight of many: kind friends have been raised\n up for me in India, wherever I have come, and all my wants\n have been abundantly supplied. These mercies call for the\n loudest praise to Him who rules on high; but especially do\n spiritual mercies call for gratitude: that I have been kept\n from gross sins before men; that I have not been permitted\n wholly to restrain prayer before God, or to cast off His\n fear; that I have been enabled in public preaching to\n declare what I believe to be the whole counsel of God; and\n that some tokens of Divine approbation have been granted\n to His word. I feel a growing boldness to speak for God in\n private, and something more of a power to cast off the fear\n of man. These are subjects which may well furnish matter\n for everlasting songs. I would record what I feel still\n wrong, that I may be disposed to live more simply on Christ\n for strength as well as righteousness. I find a disposition\n to seek the applause of men, which sometimes leads me into\n words and actions which grieve the Holy Spirit, and wound\n my own soul. There is a sinful nature; a disposition to\n rest in the form of godliness; and a spirit of indolence\n which causes me to waste hours and days to no profit.\n These things grieve and bow down my soul. I would, also,\n record my purposes, that I may be bound to perform them. I\n intend to keep aloof from visiting parties at Chunar, as\n much as I can; to establish worship as often as possible;\n and to teach and preach Jesus Christ, \u2018publicly and from\n house to house,\u2019 both to professed Christians, and to the\n heathen. But, when I reflect how most of my resolutions\n have hitherto come to nothing, O Lord, let thy power rest\n upon me! I would record my most earnest desires, to mark\n the Lord\u2019s dealings with me, and His answers to prayer. My\n first desire is, that a \u2018door may be opened\u2019 at Chunar,\n and that I may have power to enter in thereat, that so\n \u2018the word of God may have free course and be glorified\u2019\n in the conversion of souls. Secondly, that my dear family\n may be the special objects of the favour of Jehovah; and\n that my dear sister may come out to me, _if it be the will\n of God, otherwise not_. Thirdly, that V., Y., and B., may\n be kept from the power of the devil, the world, and the\n flesh; and that they may be redeemed and preserved from\n all iniquity, and have liberty to serve God without fear.\n Fourthly, that the choicest mercies both of Providence and\n Grace, may descend on all whose hearts have been disposed\n to favour me; and that the Government of India may be\n disposed to _permit_, at least, attempts for the conversion\n of the natives; and that the kingdom of Christ may come.\n And, O Lord, I would devote my life, my strength, my every\n faculty, and every gift of grace, nature, or providence,\n wholly to thy service and glory! I offer myself to Thee.\n O pardon, accept, and bless me, through Jesus Christ; and\n bring these purposes to good effect, for thy name\u2019s sake!\n\n \u201cJan. 6th. Left Mr. Creighton at Gomalty yesterday morning.\n In travelling, found my mind somewhat stayed on God. I\n welcomed the budgerow, and the dreary river, as old though\n inconvenient friends, who would put me in the way of active\n usefulness. I was much pleased with the school in Mr. C.\u2019s\n bungalow; and, from the pleasure the Brahmin showed, in\n making the scholars read the Bengalee New Testament, I have\n a hopeful presentiment that the kingdom of Satan, thus\n divided against itself, cannot stand long.\n\n \u201cJan. 16th. This morning, I visited the wells near\n Monghyr.[28] One of the wells is cold; but close to it,\n another bubbles up water, like the bubbles that rise from\n the bottom of a caldron as the water grows hot. I found\n this water so hot, that I was scarcely able to bear my\n hand in it. Here, they say, Ram\u2019s wife bathed, after she\n had been stolen away, and recovered again by her husband.\n Many Brahmins and Faqueers were staying there; and were\n very importunate for money. With a _buckshish_[29] I\n offered tracts, and was immediately told that a Sahib, a\n short time since, had left many. A very interesting boy,\n about fifteen years of age, read in one of the tracts, and\n told me that it meant, There is only one God, and that all\n their poojahs, &c., are vain. I spoke to him, and an old\n man, with several around; the boy seemed to understand\n perfectly what I meant; and said, that when he understood\n the matter thoroughly, he should leave off poojah; and,\n as I spake of hell as the portion of wicked men, several\n behind showed symptoms of scorn. The old man discovered\n much impatience, but, for the _buckshish_, stayed till I\n had said all that I thought necessary. The boy\u2019s father\n manifested uneasiness, and evidently wished his son away;\n but for the same reason permitted him to stay. The father\n said, that Adam was first created, and that all men are his\n children: that the world was drowned, and then Noah became\n the parent of us all. I replied that it was true; and that\n Adam and Noah worshipped God, and paid no regard to poojahs\n and the river. Why, then, did they pay that regard to the\n creature, which was due only to God? He answered, that when\n God should give all the world to be of the same opinion, it\n would be so. To which I replied, That it was true; and that\n in England we worshipped God as Adam and Noah did; and that\n now the word was sent to him.\n\n \u201cJan. 26th. On Friday, I left the budgerow, and came\n through a most fertile country to Dinapore. I observed some\n of the customs of the natives which explained passages of\n Scripture. In the evening, the conversation of dear Martyn\n seemed to drive away all pain; but weakness soon made me\n wish for rest. Yesterday, I preached here to an attentive\n people, from Matt. vii. 21-23. Some of the officers\n scoffed. Oh! what cause for thankfulness in the sweet\n communion I am favoured with in Martyn, and in the kindness\n I meet with on all hands! O for a heart to praise the Lord\n for his goodness! O for power to do His will, to love His\n work; and for a spirit of compassion for perishing souls!\n\n \u201cJan. 29th. Just leaving Dinapore to proceed to Chunar, in\n tolerable health and spirits. I have found but little of\n spiritual comfort; though much pleasure in communion with\n dear Martyn. My purposes of labouring amongst the heathen\n are much revived, encouraged and strengthened, by the\n conversation of this dear friend: we agreed to exchange\n letters every other Monday. I found the vanity of worldly\n pursuits in the society I went into; and perceive afresh\n that God is alone the fit and satisfying portion of the\n soul. O may I live under this impression, and may my life\n and conduct testify that it is a divine impression!\n\n \u201cFeb. 15th. On approaching Chunar, the appearance of\n the fort struck me as beautiful; but, from the reports\n of its unhealthiness, I was ready to consider it as my\n grave, and approached it with a heavy heart. I have found\n some earnestness and liberty in praying for a blessing\n on my entrance in amongst them. I trust the Lord will be\n entreated.\u201d\n\n\n [14] On Sunday, Sept. 21.\n\n [15] One of the London Society\u2019s Missionaries.\n\n [16] The Hindoo temple of the idol Bullub, which the\n Brahmins had deserted. Mr. Brown had repaired,\n and fitted it up as a family chapel and study.\n The pagoda was, also, sometimes appropriated\n to the accommodation of Mr. Brown\u2019s particular\n friends.--MEMORIAL SKETCHES OF REV. D. BROWN, p. 137.\n\n [17] Baptist Missionary.\n\n [18] During the four years that Mr. Corrie resided in the\n neighbourhood of London, little or no attention was\n paid to his education.\n\n [19] Baptist Missionary.\n\n [20] One of the London Society\u2019s Missionaries.\n\n [21] A small covered boat.\n\n [22] One of the principal Hindoo female deities.\n\n [23] The Rev. Marmaduke Thompson, late Chaplain at Madras.\n\n [24] Holy books.\n\n [25] A kind of religious mendicant.\n\n [26] Superintendent of Indigo works.\n\n [27] About ten shillings sterling.\n\n [28] The celebrated hot-well named \u201cSeetacoom,\u201d--the\n fountain of Seeta.--BISHOP HEBER\u2019S JOURNAL.\n\n [29] Present.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER IV.\n\n SETTLEMENT AT CHUNAR.\n\n\nChunar, the first scene of Mr. Corrie\u2019s stated ministry in India,\nused to be a place of greater importance than it is now that the\nfrontier of the British Empire has been so much extended in all\ndirections. The fortress is spread over the sides of a high rock\nwhich is washed by the Ganges; and although the place is not\nconsidered unhealthy, yet during some months in the year, the heat\nat Chunar is intense. The Europeans stationed there, when Mr. C.\nwas chaplain, were all military, and for the most part invalids,\nwho, though unfit for active service, were equal to garrison-duty.\nBesides those Europeans and some Sepoys, there were a few half-castes\nof Portuguese extraction, and some native women who followed the\narmy. Without the cantonments was a Hindoo and Mahomedan population\namounting to 10,000 or 12,000 souls. The Europeans, also, at Secrole\n(about twelve miles from Chunar) became afterwards part of Mr.\nCorrie\u2019s charge; whilst the vast heathen population of Benares, with\nits cruel and senseless superstitions, opened out a large field for\nthe exercise of missionary zeal and christian philanthropy.\n\nThe extracts given below from Mr. Corrie\u2019s journal and Letters,\nwill explain the nature of his official duties, and missionary\noperations. It will be seen that he had many obstacles to encounter\nin his efforts to impart the knowledge of Christ to those \u201cwho lay\nin darkness and in the shadow of death.\u201d[30] Among the many trials,\ntoo, which his faith had to sustain, not the least will appear to\nhave arisen from the determined hostility to all missionary labours,\nmanifested by the Government of India; in forgetfulness, it may be\npresumed, of the great truth, that as \u201cthe kingdoms of this world\nare\u201d destined to \u201cbecome the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,\u201d\nall opposition to the spread of Christianity is hostility to the\n\u201cKing of kings.\u201d[31]\n\n \u201cSunday, Feb. 22nd. This day I begin my labours at Chunar,\n and have much reason to adore him who heareth prayer, for\n smoothing my way, and opening a door of hope that good will\n be done. I arose at five o\u2019clock this morning and prepared\n for divine service. At seven o\u2019clock, I went to the place\n of worship, and found there the effective artillery-men,\n the garrison invalids, and several of the others, with the\n Colonel, Captain P., Lieut. A., and the invalid officers\n D. and H. with some other officers of the Fort. Observed\n several very attentive. At half past nine o\u2019clock I went to\n the hospital, and found a table set, and the people very\n ready to hear, and attentive. Now, O Lord,\n\n \u201cDo thou the gracious harvest raise,\n And thine alone shall be the praise.\u201d\n\n \u201cFeb. 25th. This evening I went to see the Roman Catholic\n chapel, a small place of about eight feet square,\n surrounded with a veranda. A dish with spices, and another\n with flour, were placed on the altar. A Padre comes\n occasionally, but he has not been here for the last two\n years; he has baptized several native women connected with\n Europeans; but I cannot find that any other natives have\n been baptized by him.\n\n \u201cFeb. 27th. Yesterday and to-day, I had an opportunity of\n talking with some poor women, Portuguese Roman Catholics,\n about Jesus Christ; and found some relief to my own mind in\n recommending Him to their regard. From one I learned (what\n indeed I had heard before) that at Bettiah, situate in what\n used to be the old kingdom of Nepaul, eight days\u2019 journey\n inland from Chuprah, all the inhabitants are Roman Catholic\n christians: a padre resides amongst them, and they have a\n church.\n\n \u201cMarch 8th. The week has passed with little profit. I\n received a letter from dear Martyn,[32] which comforted\n me not a little. On returning from public service, I\n found some earnestness in prayer to God for my flock;\n for the Church in India; and her ministers; for my dear\n relatives; for my former flock, and all who pray for me;\n but especially for my dear country, her government, her\n ministers, her people; and for all christians. After dinner\n I called in the Bettiah-christian,[33] and found him\n intelligent, and very attentive to his padre. He gave me\n the history of the creation and fall of man, with a mixture\n of fable, and some confusion in the connexion. He seems to\n know nothing experimentally of Christ; and, if I understood\n him rightly, considers that the sin of Adam, which fell\n upon his posterity, is removed by Christ; and that now by\n attending to the sacraments we obtain pardon of sin. God\n grant me wisdom to deal prudently with him: he appears\n sincere, but not very humble.\n\n \u201cMarch 9th. This morning I went to the hospital, in\n consequence of a message from a native woman, who is\n desirous of baptism: she appeared anxious to go in God\u2019s\n way, as she expressed it; and with tears said, that from\n her heart she desired baptism. On my asking her whether she\n was a sinner? She replied, That before, or towards God, she\n was a sinner: but on being further questioned, confessed\n she did not know wherein she had done amiss, except it were\n in living in an unmarried state; looking wistfully at the\n man. I took occasion, from this confession, to speak of the\n evil of this circumstance, and of the only way of obtaining\n forgiveness, through the blood of Christ. She promised to\n keep this word in her heart, and to pray according to my\n directions. The man appears sensible of the evil of his\n present habits; and promises that, if the woman lives, he\n will marry her. I am at a loss how to proceed: to refuse\n her baptism will evidently be a grief to her; and I hope\n she is awakened to a sense of her sin. May the Lord direct\n me!\n\n \u201cMarch 15th. I went yesterday evening to the barracks; and\n if circumstances had been favourable, should have married\n the persons above-mentioned; but find I should have broken\n military regulations if I had done so. To-day, the man\n seems unwilling; but the woman expressed dread at the\n thought of continuing in sin. I have observed, on several\n occasions, when explaining christian subjects through a\n native who understands English, that they [the natives]\n have a great reluctance to speak of Jesus Christ, and never\n do it till I urge it again.\n\n \u201cMarch 17th. A letter from dear Martyn dispirits me;[34]\n as, from the dislike manifested to his schools, I may see\n how little is to be hoped for: yet we expect opposition;\n why then should I be dismayed? O my soul! hope in God!\n Notwithstanding, I have engaged a schoolmaster, and am\n waiting to see the result. I have employed myself to-day in\n translating the ten commandments into Hindoostanee, with\n the assistance of a moonshee. He could not, for a long\n time, understand why God is called a \u2018jealous God.\u2019\n\n \u201cMarch 18th. A native woman has been with me, expressing\n her desire for baptism. I made the moonshee read to her\n the ten commandments; and could not help smiling to hear\n one Hindoo explain the law of God to another: she exhibits\n no humility. The Bettiah-christian pleased me much this\n evening: he mentioned four good works which God approved\n of; three of which I understood to be faith, love, and\n obedience to the law. I replied, that if faith was in the\n heart, all the other good works would follow; if we really\n believed the love of Christ to sinners, we must love Him\n in return. He answered, that it was true; and said, If\n faith is not in the heart, none of the other graces would\n be there. All this was said with a seriousness and gravity\n which looked very like sincerity, if it was not really so.\n A female attending the woman who has applied for baptism,\n interfering very improperly, was desired to hold her peace.\n She left the room with marks of great anger, having before\n exhibited symptoms of uneasiness; especially when the\n seventh commandment was repeated. So does Satan rage when\n his strongholds are attacked!\n\n \u201cMarch 22nd. In conversation with Mooney Lol and Moonshee,\n on the necessity of making inquiry for ourselves in matters\n of the soul, I remarked an expression which has dwelt\n much on my mind: \u2018When we have a king of our own to order\n us in the right way, we will then walk in it.\u2019 This, with\n other circumstances, convinces me of the impolicy of the\n Government, in withholding Christianity from the natives.\n They are tasting of British liberty; but, having no\n principles to guide them, when they feel their strength,\n they will expel the British; whereas now, if missionaries\n were permitted, they would, in two generations, probably\n all embrace Christianity.\n\n \u201cMarch 26th. This evening, after conversation with the\n native woman, I baptized her, with earnest warning not to\n trust to the outward sign. She said, She had been a sinner,\n but that she would pray to Jesus, night and day, to make\n her free from sin, and would be His slave, and serve Him\n for ever. After the service she cast her eyes up to heaven,\n and kept them fixed for some time, with an appearance of\n most ardent supplication. Afterwards I went home with\n Sergeant M\u2019D., whose wife, though a Roman Catholic, wishes\n to communicate.\n\n \u201cApril 2nd. Yesterday morning I went to the barracks. I\n asked the native woman whom I lately baptized, whether she\n prayed? She answered, \u2018Yes.\u2019 \u2018What do you pray to God for?\u2019\n \u2018To make me well in this world if He pleases; and if not,\n to take me to Himself.\u2019 I endeavoured to impress on her\n the necessity of asking all in Christ\u2019s name; which she\n seemed to attend to very diligently. The man was impressed.\n In the evening I went to bury a child; and spoke to three\n invalids, plainly and at length, on the necessity of\n winning Christ.\n\n \u201cApril 6th. I learned from the Moonshee that the old\n schoolmaster, in order to keep his scholars from the free\n school, circulated a report that I should send the children\n to Calcutta; which, it seems, keeps many back; but this\n notion, however, is now done away with.\n\n \u201cApril 8th. Yesterday the Bettiah-walla came again after an\n absence of a fortnight. He said he had been unwell; and\n his appearance bespoke it. He told me that he was poor and\n helpless without Jesus Christ. To-day he came again, and\n read, with evident interest, the fourteenth and fifteenth\n chapters of St. John; especially the promise of being one\n with God and Christ. The account of the fruitless branches\n also impressed him; and he confessed that his heart was\n backward towards God. This morning the children of the\n school came to me: I was much struck with their appearance,\n and artless manners. The Bettiah-walla received the ten\n commandments with reluctance: the second is not in his\n number. I took several occasions of pointing out to him the\n name of Jesus, as the only medium of access to God; and\n observed that we must not pray to saints. At hearing this,\n his countenance fell. O that the Lord may lead him into all\n truth!\n\n \u201cApril 10th, 1807. This day I have completed my thirtieth\n year. I have been reviewing my birth-day memoranda, and\n I feel quite abased. Alas! where is the blessedness I\n experienced some time back; or was I then under a mistake\n as to my real state? I suspect that much of animal feeling\n mixed with my former experience, for I think my soul is as\n fixed as ever, in knowing nothing upon earth but \u2018Jesus\n Christ and him crucified.\u2019 Yet, O my God (for mine thou\n art) search me! The Lord\u2019s mercies to me are innumerable:\n if I should attempt to number them, they exceed the minutes\n of my existence; but alas! my heart is insensible; my\n affections are as cold as ice: I am become a stone to the\n fear of death; and the terror of the Lord, rather than\n the sweet love of Jesus Christ, seems to constrain all\n my doings. There is not a desire, I think, to keep back\n a tittle of God\u2019s word. I even feel the time long till\n the Lord\u2019s day returns, that I may have an opportunity of\n warning poor sinners: yet when it comes my heart is heavy;\n and I go with a kind of sullenness and desponding tardiness\n to God\u2019s work. O that it were with me as in months past!\n The Lord has marvellously hid me from the strife of\n tongues, has wonderfully supported my feeble mind, has\n enabled me to seek the salvation of souls with a boldness\n unusual to my nature; and has given testimony to the word\n of His grace in this place. He supports me in solitude, and\n enables me to spend days alone without weariness: praised\n be His name! The undivided and glorious Trinity are worthy\n of my adoration and love. O rather let me go mourning thy\n absence to the grave than attempt to satisfy my soul with\n contemptible trash! Yet, in thy manifold mercies, let me\n taste thy love, and praise thee in the use of all that thou\n bestowest! The prosperity of Zion is my earnest desire:\n the conversion of the British and the heathen, the success\n of my preaching, schools, and private attempts [to do\n good] are the subjects of my daily prayer. O that the Lord\n would bless these feeble efforts, would perfect that which\n belongeth unto me! Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my\n soul and body: and look with humble hope to be kept by thy\n power through faith unto salvation.\n\n \u201cMartyn alarms me by expressing a wish for my removal.[35]\n I feel very reluctant to it; and am enabled to resign\n myself to God in prayer, even to die here; if, in this way,\n He will be more glorified.\n\n \u201cApril 12th. This evening, I buried the native woman whom\n I lately baptized; and spoke to the people from 1 Cor. xv.\n 33. \u2018Evil communications corrupt good manners.\u2019 O Lord,\n grant thy blessing! Let thy promise come, and then shall\n sinners in great numbers be converted unto thee!\u201d\n\nThe following Letter to Mr. Buckworth dated May 22nd, 1807, contains\nsome interesting particulars of which there is no record in the\nJournal:--\n\n \u201cFrom the first of January till the beginning of this\n month, I was much affected by this climate; and did\n not begin to recover till April. Thanks to a kind\n Providence, I am now quite well; and have escaped that\n first attack on arrival, which has carried off four of my\n fellow-passengers. The effect of this climate was felt as\n severely by my mind as my body: a listlessness and languor\n rendered any little exertion a burden: even my devotion was\n for the most without life or activity; and, alas! little\n of that lively spirit I, in some poor measure, enjoyed\n in England, remains with me. I bless God who enables me\n to live on Christ as my \u2018All in All\u2019 and keeps alive in\n my heart a sense of the value of His favour, and the\n excellency of the \u2018purchased possession.\u2019 The absence of\n lively feeling I conceive to be occasioned by the want\n of \u2018the communion of saints;\u2019 and I remember, with tears\n sometimes, those days \u2018when I went to the house of God with\n the multitude of those that kept holy day.\u2019 I am very far,\n however, from being without marks of the Divine favour: I\n am enabled to spend weeks alone without weariness; and to\n find pleasure in those studies which may qualify me for\n extensive usefulness. We have here about three hundred\n Europeans, invalids, and officers; of the latter I see\n little, although we exchange mutual civilities: perhaps, I\n am not three hours in a week, on the average, in civilized\n society; though I might be much more if I chose, but find\n it my duty and privilege to avoid much visiting.\n\n \u201cOne Sergeant has embraced the truth in love, I trust; and\n some others are hopeful. A native, descended from Roman\n Catholic parents, has been daily with me; and we read\n the gospel in Hindoostanee together: he is a man of good\n understanding. When I found him here (February) he had\n not seen the Scriptures: he now understands much of the\n general sense of the gospels; and evidences a pleasing\n spirit of enquiry. I am not at present, however, without\n fears respecting his real conversion. Should it please\n God to work effectually in him, the blessing to his poor\n countrymen might prove incalculable. You will wonder,\n perhaps, that I do not speak with rapture on the subject\n of the conversion of the natives; be assured, dearest B.,\n no subject is nearer my heart; and this I feel assured of,\n that whilst health and strength remain, my life shall be\n devoted to the furtherance of this work, as well as the\n more immediate objects of my present appointment. The works\n of the devil are here manifest, and excite an abhorrence\n in my soul, which, by the grace of God, will to the last\n make me labour to destroy them: but the effects of my\n labours are not, according to human appearance, likely to\n be immediate. The rising generation seem to be the most\n likely subjects; and some favoured servant of Christ may,\n probably, lay my head in the dust, and enter on his labour\n here among \u2018a people prepared for the Lord.\u2019 But \u2018they who\n sow and they who reap shall rejoice together\u2019 in the day of\n our Lord\u2019s appearing.\n\n \u201cThe superstition of this country is of such a complicated\n kind, that I can say nothing with certainty about it, at\n present. Almost every person has a different idol; or a\n different account of the same idol; and the objects of\n their worship are innumerable. A circumstance that took\n place yesterday morning, may help to shew you the folly of\n their worship: its wickedness, in some respects, cannot be\n named. The fort of Chunar (in which I live) is a fortified\n hill of about two miles in circumference; the ramparts\n command an extensive view on all sides, and most mornings\n I take a walk upon them before sun-rise. It seems, that\n the first founder of this fort and his tutor are both\n canonized, and are supposed to preside here still, and are\n worshipped as tutelar deities. Yesterday morning, at the\n south end, most remote from the guard-house, I found the\n firelock, turban, and sacred drinking-vessel of one of the\n sentinels: a brahmin was placed by the sentry-box, and was\n observed by me below. I passed on. As I returned, he spoke;\n but I did not stop. Thinking afterwards that he might be\n ill, I called a servant, and sent him to see. Now observe.\n He said that, at three in the morning, he had seen two\n figures of men approaching, that he challenged them, and\n that they immediately flew upon him, beat him unmercifully,\n and, after he was stripped, kicked him off the rampart,\n ten feet at least (the ramparts were certainly seven feet\n high). The Jemadar (a native officer) who, with others, was\n come to his assistance, was very angry with him, and said\n these figures were the identical founder of the fort and\n his tutor, who dwell in this part of the fort, and have\n thrown two sentinels over the parapet for interrupting\n them: this the brahmin before mentioned believed, and this\n opinion was current. I asked how this god came to beat him,\n a brahmin, so sacred a man? He readily answered, That the\n tutor is not a good, but a bad spirit; and they worship him\n to keep him from doing them injury. I said to some others,\n that it was quite plain that even a brahmin himself was\n not beyond the power of these demons; how then could they\n expect the brahmins to defend them? They were silent; but\n evidently not convinced, as they offer goats in sacrifice,\n and pour out wine in libations, which they fancy the demon\n eats and drinks. I told them not to be so profuse in their\n offerings, lest Bhyzoon\u00e1t should become so wanton as to\n destroy them all.\n\n \u201cA rich Brahmin told me yesterday that if any one died in\n Benares, or within ten miles of it, he would undoubtedly\n go to heaven, though he were ever so great an offender. I\n told him I would come some night and plunder his house,\n and then go to Benares, and so secure both present and\n future riches. He saw my meaning, and said with a smile,\n \u2018there is no need for Sahib to take any money by force;\n my wealth is all at his feet,\u2019 and so evaded my argument.\n I could fill volumes with conversations of this kind, but\n they have no more seeming effect than words spoken to the\n air; so deeply-rooted is error in their minds, and so\n congenial are their lying idols to the corrupt nature of\n man. I should not, however, forget the power of God, nor\n limit its operation. This I feel sure of, that the young,\n with means of instruction, will grow up ashamed of their\n idolatry; and means of instruction are not now entirely\n wanting. My three dear sons in the faith (young officers\n who were fellow-passengers) continue to walk in the truth.\n O, were the British all true Christians, the conversion of\n the heathen world, humanly speaking, would be comparatively\n an easy work! The appointment of Chaplain is, in this point\n of view, important.\u201d\n\nIt will be recollected (p. 62), that a short time before Mr. Corrie\nleft Calcutta to proceed to Chunar, he had consulted with Mr. Brown\nand other friends, as to the means by which they \u201cmight best promote\nthe glory of God in the earth,\u201d and that among other means that were\ndeemed likely to contribute towards so noble an object, one was, that\neach of the parties then present should forward a quarterly report of\nhis ministerial plans and prospects, to Mr. Brown in Calcutta; who,\nhaving appended his own observations, should transmit a copy of the\ncombined reports to each individual.[36]\n\nIt was considered that a mutual knowledge of the facts and\nobservations which might be accumulated in the course of each other\u2019s\nlabours and experience, would tend greatly to encourage and direct\nthem as individuals, amid the difficulties which the Missionary\nand Chaplain had then to contend with. The first of these Reports\nseems to have been made on the 6th of April 1807, but no copy of Mr.\nCorrie\u2019s communications is met with among his papers, of an earlier\ndate than the Report which is here subjoined.\n\n \u201cChunar, July 6, 1807.\n\n \u201cThe same routine of engagements and employments offers\n little of variety, either to amuse or profit my honoured\n brethren; but the idea of being under an engagement to\n communicate something on this day, has been no little spur\n to activity, that I might have something to relate to them.\n The motive I feel to be an unworthy one; but those among\n whom I am placed may have been benefited from it, and our\n plan will redound to their benefit at least.\n\n \u201cMy mind has at times, been sorely exercised with\n temptations to give up all exertion in the cause of Christ,\n and take my ease like those around me; more especially,\n about a fortnight since, the improbability of success,\n the sneers of the world, the dread of singularity, were\n the chief engines the enemy attacked me with, respecting\n the Europeans; respecting the Heathen, his suggestions\n were chiefly, the opposition of government, the extreme\n ignorance of the natives, the fear of commotions in the\n country, should I attempt their conversion. These, like\n fiery darts, were at different times, and in divers ways,\n cast into my soul, and grievously wounded me. I bless God,\n whose love is everlasting, that He has rebuked the tempter.\n I look back as one who has escaped shipwreck, barely with\n life; and I feel determined, through the grace of Christ,\n to count not even life dear unto myself, so that I may\n finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have\n received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the\n grace of God.\n\n \u201cWe have had divine service regularly every Sunday morning,\n at sun-rise, in the fort. Our commanding officer has for\n some time left off attending, though he continues very\n civil and obliging. He makes ill health an excuse; although\n he has occasionally been in the fort soon after the time\n of worship, and without any cause but his own pleasure.\n Another officer has also left off attending, although\n for some time after my first arrival, he was regularly\n among us. Some others have all along been irregular in\n their attendance, and continue to come occasionally. The\n gentleman and his wife, I alluded to in my last report,\n do not go on as I had hoped, though they are very kind,\n and my only intimate associates. Although he does not\n enter into my views, he yet talks familiarly with me on\n the subject of religion, and tells me his own views and\n feelings respecting it; which, together with their regular\n attendance on public worship, made me to hope they were\n under a divine influence. But, oh, the love of this present\n evil world, is a clog which weighs down the souls even of\n those who know more of its vanity, than these [persons] at\n present do.\n\n \u201cAmong the common men, I trust some good has been done,\n although little to lasting benefit, as yet. I mentioned a\n sergeant of Invalids, who joined himself to me soon after\n my arrival. He is now in the hospital, and seemingly in the\n last stage of sickness. He made a profession of godliness\n in his youth, in England, it seems. He is now greatly\n alive to the consequences of death. He is become extremely\n communicative, and in comparison of what he used to be,\n eloquent. His experience is such a lesson to backsliders,\n as makes me anxious to communicate it separately, when the\n final scene may be closed; and, therefore, I shall say\n nothing more of him here.\n\n \u201cA Serjeant on the pension-list, has, since my last,\n evinced considerable concern for salvation; and is, I\n trust, in a fair way. Another Serjeant also reads, and\n assents to the books I lend him, and I am told, is somewhat\n reformed in conduct; but still is by no means a hopeful\n character.\n\n \u201cThe native woman whom I baptized, died and was buried,\n April 12th. The man with whom she lived, is since married,\n having expressed great concern for his former conduct,\n and thanks for my admonitions; declaring, at the same\n time, that he never before was told he was doing wrong,\n in this respect; and that, for the fifteen years he has\n been in this country, he had not seen a clergyman, to his\n knowledge, till I arrived here. Another has put away his\n native woman; and another is now desiring to be married,\n but his commanding officer refuses to give permission, on\n the score of the woman\u2019s character.\n\n \u201cNo public worship as yet has been established at the\n barracks, chiefly in consequence of my health having been\n very unsettled. I am anxiously hoping to be able soon to\n have opportunity of speaking to them publicly the word of\n life. It oppresses me with grief, when I can feel as I\n ought, that many, perhaps 150, of the number of Invalids,\n seldom, or never join the public worship. The man who\n for some time has read prayers in his dwelling on Sunday\n mornings, continues to do so, being lame, and so unable\n to come up to the Fort; I fear, however, he is without\n experience of the love and grace of Christ. On Whitsunday I\n administered the Lord\u2019s Supper to four. Thus far respecting\n the Europeans here, whom I consider myself, in a peculiar\n manner, called to attend to.\n\n \u201cAt Secrole, which I visited last week, I found a merchant\n of real piety, though from his relating of a vision, he is,\n in my opinion, something enthusiastic. He devotes much time\n to the relief of poor and sick natives. He, for some time,\n read prayers on Sunday mornings and evenings, to the few\n artillery-men in their barracks; till, on his imprudently\n administering medicine to a sick man, he was forbidden all\n communication with them. He, however, still reads prayers\n and a sermon, in his own house, on Sundays, and some join\n him. One artillery-man, he speaks of, as a true christian.\n He had not before met with any who could understand him,\n and had frequent thoughts of writing to Mr. Brown; but\n feared that his letter would not be welcome. He is a stiff\n churchman; and when I asked him whether he had read the\n Missionary Magazine, which I saw in his shop, he started\n at the idea, and said \u2018He never had any connection with\n Dissenters.\u2019\n\n \u201cRespecting the heathen, I have instituted four schools for\n the instruction of children; two on each side the Fort. On\n either side, one for Hindoos, and one for Mussulmans. In\n one Hindoo school are thirty-seven: in the other thirteen.\n In one Mussulman school, are twenty-two; in the other\n sixteen. In all eighty-eight children. Of these a few\n now know their letters, and I am much exercised in mind\n respecting the introduction of the Scriptures among them.\n The Gooroos are quite averse to any books; it has never\n been the custom, they say, for them to read books; and the\n Mahomedans have books. I trust the Lord will guide me,\n and not suffer me to mar his work by my extreme ignorance\n of the best mode of proceeding. The nearer I approach the\n work, the greater appears its difficulty, the more I feel\n my own insufficiency. If any good is done among us, how\n evidently will it appear to be of God.\n\n \u201cNot having a copy of my last report, I know not whether\n I mentioned some native Roman Catholic Christians who\n daily attended me for reading the Scriptures. Only\n one of four continues to come, and he seems to be in\n earnest. He has with great reluctance been brought to\n confess, that at least the purgatory of the Papists,\n their transubstantiation, and prayer to saints, have no\n foundation in Scripture. He has read the Gospels through;\n St. John twice, and we are now going through St. Matthew a\n second time. He has brought his wife and family to Chunar;\n and has expressed a wish to instruct his native brethren,\n if I will find him subsistence. After many expressions\n of this kind, I told him, that he must consider that the\n Company give no authority for this; that he must expect no\n more favour than others, from the British; that I would\n only support him with necessaries, but should expect\n his children would be taught to earn their bread; and\n desired him to reflect seriously on the subject, and make\n it matter of prayer to God. He has not expressed so much\n eagerness since this, as before. He, however, has much\n conversation with the native baptized persons; tells them\n faithfully of their sin and heathen practices; and I think\n is himself a true Christian. He yesterday explained to me\n the Parable of the Sower very exactly, without reference to\n our Lord\u2019s explanation. It may not be amiss to transcribe\n a few remarks I have noted down respecting this man\u2019s\n knowledge of divine truth. I understand him better than he\n understands me, but I enquire of him the meaning of what\n I have said, till I find he has caught the idea I wish to\n convey.\n\n \u201cSaturday, May 16th. The Bettiah-walla remembered very\n exactly what I explained to him yesterday of our Lord\u2019s\n discourse with Nicodemus; he, also, remembered very\n correctly the explanation of the allusion to the brazen\n serpent, repeating what I had told him of that transaction.\n On asking him, in what sense must we look to Christ; he\n answered, Jesus Christ is not now on the cross: but, as He\n said to Thomas, who seeing the prints of the nails in his\n hands, cried out \u2018My Lord and my God,\u2019--\u2018Blessed is he that\n hath not seen, and yet hath believed,\u2019 so it is with our\n hearts that we must look to Him; and believing that He hath\n given his blood for us, and having our hearts made clean\n by His Spirit, we shall not perish, but have everlasting\n life. He explained John iii. 17. (without being asked) very\n scripturally, and evidently with a sense of its value.\n\n \u201cMay 18th. In the afternoon, I had pleasure in acquiring\n the Hindoostanee. On asking the Bettiah-walla what was\n meant by the declaration, \u2018No man can come to me except the\n Father which hath sent me draw him;\u2019 he answered, \u2018No one\n desires to come to Christ unless God enlighten his mind,\n and dispose his heart.\u2019 On asking him, What is meant by the\n expression, in John vi. 40. \u2018Seeing the Son;\u2019 he replied,\n \u2018Seeing Him in his word, and with our hearts.\u2019 He has\n had a conversation with a Mahomedan, who concluded with\n saying that Mahomet was the last prophet. The Bettiah-walla\n answered, \u2018According to their own book Jesus is Noor-Ullah,\n i. e. the Son of God, that He died, and rose, and went\n up to heaven, and will come to judgment:\u2019 The Mahomedan\n consented. Bettiah-walla: \u2018Your prophet is sleeping, as\n you allow; whether is greatest, a sleeping or a living\n prophet?\u2019 He allowed that the living one was the greatest,\n and promised to come again to-morrow. The Bettiah-walla\n answered to my question, \u2018How it is that if any man will\n do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of\n God.\u2019 (John vii. 17.) \u2018The Holy Ghost will come upon him\n and make his heart glad and holy.\u2019\u201d\n\n \u201cOn one occasion I discovered him in a fault, which he\n confessed with tears, making no attempt to conceal it, and\n I believe has not fallen into it again. It was at a time I\n perceived him to be much puffed up with his attainments,\n and would gladly have made him feel the force of the\n apostle\u2019s words, \u2018Let him that thinketh &c.\u2019\n\n \u201cMy chief employment has been the study of Hindoostanee,\n in which however I have made but little progress, from\n frequent indisposition. My experience has in general been\n of a very painful kind. Accustomed to enjoy the communion\n of saints, and the comfort of their faith and love, I know\n but little, I perceive, how to live by faith. That passage\n has been the food of my soul for some time past. 2 Cor.\n i. 22. The name of Jesus has been refreshing \u2018as ointment\n poured forth;\u2019 and in this name, I doubt not finally to\n triumph.\u201d\n\nIt may not, perhaps, be considered foreign to the purpose of these\nMemoirs to relate, that the sergeant of invalids referred to in\nthe foregoing Report of Mr. Corrie\u2019s proceedings, was the son of a\ndissenting minister at St. Albans, and had been religiously brought\nup; but that, having cast off the fear of God, he had run a sad\ncareer of sin and intemperance, until arrested in his course by the\nsickness which proved fatal to him. Many short notices occur, in\nMr. Corrie\u2019s journal, of the sergeant\u2019s last illness; and a fuller\naccount of him appeared at the time, in the Cottage Magazine. It may\nsuffice, therefore, to state that after the unhappy man had passed\nthrough many alternations of terror and despair, in the fearful\nexpectation of a judgment to come, there was reason to believe that\nhe went down to the grave in hope. Respecting the Bettiah-christian\nand the Mahomedan who are noticed in the Report, some further account\noccurs in a letter to the Rev. J. Buckworth.\n\n \u201cAugust 2nd. 1807.\n\n \u201cBy a letter received this day, from my sister, I learn\n the very agreeable tidings of your presentation to the\n vicarage of Dewsbury. This event takes away indeed, every\n latent hope that your lot might have been cast in India;\n but the souls of the people of Dewsbury are of equal value\n with those of Asia; and I earnestly pray that you may reap\n a rich harvest of souls as a reward of your labours among\n them....\n\n \u201cBut whilst I am taken up with those whose faces I have\n seen in the flesh, you are wanting to know how the work\n of the Lord prospers in India. I can only say that the\n general aspect of spiritual affairs is pleasing. Were you\n to ask particulars, I could not, perhaps, satisfactorily\n tell you why I say so; yet the progress of translation of\n the holy Scriptures, with the increased numbers of faithful\n enquirers, is surely matter of hope. I could dwell much\n on the labours of that dear servant of Christ, Martyn,\n in translating, and in exerting himself to propagate\n the knowledge of salvation among Europeans and heathen;\n but, without an intimate acquaintance with this country\n and people, much explanation would be necessary. For\n myself, the climate has so much affected me as to make the\n retrospect of my life nearly a blank: some fruit, however,\n has already appeared. Praised be He who \u2018giveth the\n increase!\u2019...\n\n \u201cThe native Christian I formerly mentioned, has renounced\n the errors of Popery, of his own accord, after a good deal\n of argument in favour of his old opinions. I believe him to\n be sincere, and that his heart is right with God. Sometimes\n he seems amused rather than grieved with the opposition of\n the Jews to our Lord; but this, though it gives me pain,\n is not so much to be wondered at, from the extreme want\n of reflection manifested by all the natives. I now allow\n him support for himself, wife, and two children. He is\n very ready in reproving and exhorting a class of people,\n descendants of the Portuguese, who are very numerous in\n India, and are nominal Christians. He warns them faithfully\n of the sin and folly of people called Christians, living as\n do the heathen; and, at my instance, he reads to them the\n Scriptures very frequently: so that I hope he may be made\n an instrument of good. By his means, also, a Mahomedan has\n been brought at least to doubt the divine commission of\n the lying prophet. This man now frequently comes to me. He\n has read the Sermon on the Mount (which I happily had by\n me, translated into Persian, by a Mr. Chambers, now dead)\n and manifests a very pleasing earnestness in search of\n truth. Nearly one hundred and twenty children are learning\n to read, at my expence: the circumstance of being able to\n read the Scriptures when put into their hands will be of\n no small advantage; as the custom of the son\u2019s persisting\n in the business and steps of the father, precludes the\n multitude from ever thinking the knowledge of letters\n desirable. Indeed the character in which their sacred books\n are written is not allowed to be read by any but Brahmins.\n The written and printed characters are the same; as they\n have had no printed books till of late; so that in learning\n they have an advantage over us, as they learn to read\n and write at the same time, first making the letter with\n chalk, or in the dust, and then pronouncing it. I have had\n much pleasure at times in exercising the proficiency of\n the children. Some of them have countenances expressive\n of every good quality: the difference of the complexion\n is forgotten under the impression that \u2018of one blood hath\n God made all the families of the earth.\u2019 A small present\n delights the little fellows; and they sometimes come up to\n me with smiling faces, as I pass; and make _salaam_ with\n great appearance of attachment.\n\n \u201cI have said that appearances are pleasing: you will\n conclude that I speak comparatively. Alas! I ought to weep\n day and night at the reflection, that in this small place\n there are about 10,000, souls \u2018sitting in darkness and the\n shadow of death!\u2019 O that the Lord may speedily open a door\n for the entrance of Divine light among them! I am learning\n the native language as fast as my slothful nature, and\n the unsettled state of my affairs, calling me continually\n here and there, will let me. My Moonshee can now perfectly\n understand me: and when I tell him my meaning, he points\n out the proper word. In this way, besides my reading for\n instruction, I have translated the history of Joseph; and\n also to the sixth chapter of Genesis; and have got to the\n seventh of Acts. These will soon be useless, as better\n translations will be to be had; but they are of use to the\n above-mentioned native Christian for himself, and those who\n listen to his conversation; and these exercises improve\n myself. I shall begin Persian soon (D. V.) The Hebrew\n is a key to the Arabic; and Arabic and Persian are so\n blended with the Hindoostanee, the popular language of this\n country, that without the knowledge of Arabic and Persian,\n Hindoostanee cannot be perfectly understood.\n\n \u201cIn order, too, to translate accurately, you know, the\n knowledge of Hebrew and Greek is necessary. You would\n be astonished at the subtilty with which the Hindoos (I\n mean learned Hindoos) argue on religious points. A rich\n man of this place one day visiting me, we entered into a\n discussion respecting one of their incarnations of the\n deity. The incarnate God, from their account, married many\n wives, had many children, &c. and when I observed that\n these things could not be the actions of God, assigning my\n reasons, &c. he readily answered, that the deity having\n taken to himself a human body, these actions were the\n actions of the man, and the godhead residing in him had\n no part in them; that I acknowledged Messiah ate, drank,\n slept &c., which were as little the actions of God, as\n those related of Krishnoo. I answered, that the body being\n the instrument of the soul, needs refreshment to support\n it in its labours; but that the body cannot accomplish\n any of its desires without the concurrence of the spirit\n that actuates it; so that this multiplying of wives, and\n other acknowledged sinful actions, would not have been\n accomplished by Krishnoo without the animating spirit. He\n at length left me, something in anger.\n\n \u201cI have written this at different intervals, which may\n apologize for its blots and inaccuracies: but why should I\n make apologies to you? With what inexpressible tenderness\n does the remembrance of the sweet counsel I have taken with\n you, return at times! I can now, in my mind\u2019s eye, view\n the roads we walked together, the houses we visited, the\n companies we frequented;--the hymns we sang together, the\n petitions we joined in at the throne of grace, are many\n of them fresh in mind; and, when I am in tolerably good\n spirits, they delight me exceedingly.\n\n \u201cBut, my general experience is of a more painful nature:\n doubts and temptations press hard upon me. The enervating\n effects of the climate make all my graces wither; and I go\n on rather in the spirit of sullen obstinacy than under the\n influence of the constraining love of Jesus.\n\n \u201cI hope you have written to me. Think of a solitary being,\n on the top of a hill ninety feet above the level of the\n water, without a creature near to speak a word of comfort,\n or to suggest a word of advice; and you will not think an\n hour thrown away that may support and animate his soul in\n the pursuit of \u2018a kingdom that cannot be moved.\u2019\u201d\n\nThe anniversary of the day on which Mr. Corrie arrived in Calcutta,\nis marked by the following entry made in his journal,\n\n \u201cSeptember 20th, 1807. On this day of the month last year,\n I arrived in Calcutta from England. I have determined,\n through grace, to keep new-year\u2019s-day, my birth-day,\n days of ordination, and of my arrival in India, as days\n of examination into my state and views. On reviewing the\n memoranda connected with this day, I find great cause\n for thankfulness and praise. What I proposed, in the\n first place, in coming to India, was the propagation of\n Christianity amongst the heathen. I had little idea of the\n difficulties attending this work; yet, blessed be God! I\n have not lost sight of it. Four schools will, I trust,\n prepare many for reading the word of life, when it is\n ready for distribution. The native Christian has profited\n greatly by the New Testament: he appears truly pious; and\n his desire to instruct others, whilst, I hope, it proves\n his own sincerity, will, no doubt, be beneficial to many.\n My prayers, also, have been answered as it regards this\n place. One is departed in peace: one or two others are, I\n hope, impressed; most are attentive; and favour is shewed\n me by all. I have experienced much mercy in restoration to\n health; and especially in the restoring to me the joy of\n God\u2019s salvation; and the Lord continues to \u2018defend me with\n His favour as with a shield.\u2019 I feel in danger from the\n love of the world; yet, I hope, I shall be able to overcome\n it. I have often dedicated my all to God; and I do again\n now devote my all, especially _myself_ do I give up. I\n ought to have made greater proficiency in the Hindoostanee;\n but I trust, through the power of Christ, to be more\n assiduous for the future.\u201d\n\n\n [30] Luke i. 79.\n\n [31] Rev. xi. 15; xix. 16.\n\n [32] See the Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, vol.\n ii, p. 21.\n\n [33] Mr. Corrie relates (below, p. 73.) in what way, his\n acquaintance with this Bettiah-christian commenced.\n\n [34] See Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, vol. ii.\n p. 28, 29.\n\n [35] On account of the effect which the heat of the\n climate seemed to be producing on Mr. Corrie\u2019s\n health. See JOURNALS AND LETTERS OF HENRY MARTYN,\n vol. ii. p. 42.\n\n [36] Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, vol. ii. p.\n 41. See some of the like quarterly communications\n from Mr. Brown, printed in Wilkinson\u2019s Sketches of\n Christianity in North India, pp. 145 and 169.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER V.\n\n RESIDENCE AT CHUNAR.\n\n\nAlthough Mr. Corrie had been but a short time at Chunar, yet it\nwas evident that his ministerial labours there had begun to excite\nattention both among Hindoos and Mahomedans. He had not, indeed,\nacquired such a knowledge of the language of the country as satisfied\nhis earnest desire to make known among the heathen the glad tidings\nof salvation, yet he had made progress in Hindoostanee sufficient to\nenable him to hold important communications with the people of the\ncountry. We accordingly find in his Journal and Letters more frequent\nnotices of his personal intercourse with the native population.\n\n \u201cSep. 21st. An Old Brahmin came from Benares, whom Wheatly\n told me of. He knows most of our church-catechism. He told\n me that the [answers to] two questions, those respecting\n our duty towards God, and our duty towards our neighbour,\n contained the sum of all good. For a long time he had a\n very bad opinion of the English. The Mahomedans, he said,\n do abstain from _one_ kind of meat; but the English eat\n every thing. This bad opinion was confirmed by hearing a\n gentleman, whom every person praised as a good man, in a\n great rage, using many abusive expressions to a servant\n for killing a rabbit which should not have been killed.\n But when he read the holy Scriptures, he found them pure,\n and that our practices were not consistent with them. This\n led him to ask whether I thought all the English would\n be saved? I answered, No: which startled him very much.\n \u2018I greatly fear,\u2019 said he, \u2018on that account.\u2019 \u2018If I lose\n caste, and afterwards come short of heaven, I shall fail\n in both worlds.\u2019 This he said with tears. \u2018But,\u2019 said he,\n \u2018I thought it must be so, because the tenth commandment\n says, Thou shalt not covet, &c.\u2019 and then he told me a\n story of an English collector, who took by force a little\n spot of ground that he had devoted to the reception and\n entertainment of sick travellers, when he would not sell\n it to him: which stumbled him greatly. Baptism, and the\n eating of meat, which, he says, disagrees with him, are\n the rock he appears likely to split upon. I told him the\n _truth_, and pointed it out to him from the Scriptures. The\n Lord render it effectual to his salvation! I gave him a New\n Testament, at which he expressed great surprise, saying, he\n supposed it would cost several rupees; nor did he think my\n reason (viz.) the love of God, in giving his Son for me,\n sufficiently constraining to induce me to _give away_ a\n thing of such value.\n\n \u201cSep. 27th. The Brahmin came on Tuesday; and, after many\n endeavours to evade the force of God\u2019s word, agreed, with\n much weeping, to be baptized. I have some doubt of his\n sincerity on this point. He is gone to Calcutta.\n\n \u201cDec. 11th. Yesterday, an old Mahomedan called on me: we\n had a long conversation on religion. After some previous\n talking, he said \u2018The deity is above our comprehension; we\n are blind, and speak of Him as blind men do from handling\n an elephant; each one according to his apprehension of\n the part he handles.\u2019 I answered, \u2018True; but if a man\n possessing sight were to behold the elephant, he would\n describe it properly; and we might believe his report.\u2019\n He answered, \u2018Yes.\u2019 \u2018Such,\u2019 I replied, \u2018were the prophets\n and apostles,\u2019 &c. This led him to speak of the various\n prophets in whom, he said, we trusted. \u2018Our services [said\n he] are confessedly unworthy of God, therefore there is\n need that a worthy Mediator be found, &c. one who wants\n nothing for himself, but can merit for us.\u2019\u201d\n\nAgreeably to the resolution which Mr. Corrie had formed, to observe\nNew-year\u2019s-day as one of several days for self-examination, we find\nhim observing in his journal:\n\n \u201cChunar, January 1st. 1808. I praise God who has brought\n me thus far in mercy; and I perceive a good monument of\n praise on the review of the past. My first desire, on\n last New-year\u2019s-day, was to be enabled to be useful here;\n and I mark an answer to prayer in that I am heard with\n attention, and have evidently obtained some influence\n amongst the people. One, I believe, is gone home to Christ;\n whilst I trust, three others have entered on the narrow\n way. The Government yet prohibits attempts at conversion;\n and the kingdom of Christ, to outward appearance, has\n made but little progress in this land; but there is mercy\n vouchsafed sufficient to encourage me to pray; and there is\n still cause for prayer. The Bettiah-walla and two others\n have been raised up to me; with other hopeful appearances\n amongst the native women. I bless God for renewed health\n of body and vigour of mind; and for somewhat of increasing\n patience and diligence in the work of the ministry. With\n respect to my resolutions, I find I have visited more than\n I wished to do; but less than I might have done, and more\n than I hope to do for the future. I praise God that I am\n not so much ashamed of the Gospel of Christ as I have been;\n and that I have been enabled to preach Jesus Christ from\n house to house, in some small degree; but, I have done far\n less than I might have done: Yet, O Lord; I ought to praise\n Thee for thy mercy: Thou hast wrought all my works in me!\n I know I am a sinner; but thy grace is sufficient for me,\n and by thy grace I am what I am. The native schools have\n refused books; but I hope to establish a Christian school,\n and desire that my whole life, spirit, soul, and body, may\n be occupied in the work of the Lord.\u201d\n\nThe quarterly report transmitted by Mr. Corrie to Mr. Brown, on the\n4th of January, 1808, supplies us with an outline of the progress\nof religion at Chunar up to that date; and touches upon the great\npractical difficulty, inseparable from that loss of the means of\nsubsistence, which converts from heathenism usually have to endure.\n\n \u201cLet us begin our correspondence with erecting an Ebenezer\n to our gracious Lord, who continues us in the land of the\n living, and gives us opportunities of obtaining a great\n nearness to His blissful presence, and a more exalted\n station among those who turn many to righteousness. I might\n well, in the review of the past year, dread the imputation\n of unprofitableness, but yet I perceive it a dishonour\n to the grace of our Redeemer, to disparage the smallest\n appearance of His grace in myself, or in others; and though\n I am sure I must say, \u2018Lord, when saw I thee a stranger,\n &c.,\u2019 I consider it my duty to credit the precious\n declaration spoken by our great Bishop, respecting himself\n and his \u03b4\u03b9\u03ac\u03ba\u03bf\u03bd\u03bf\u03b9, \u2018Though Israel be not gathered, &c.\u2019 Is.\n xliii.\n\n \u201cPursuing the plan suggested with so much propriety by our\n senior brother, I have to observe that since my last, some\n changes have taken place in our society, which seem upon\n the whole to have been for the better, as we have gained\n a captain of artillery, of great decorum of manners, both\n in public and private. Of our old members, I am persuaded\n that the seed of the word has put forth the \u2018tender blade\u2019\n in the lady and gentleman I have before alluded to; whilst\n considerable alteration in the outward conduct of another\n gentleman is noticed; but I fear, \u2018one thing\u2019 at least is\n lacking in him. By four out of the six families here, I am\n asked to say grace at dinner, which when I first arrived\n was unusual. I know not what I ought to think of this,\n knowing well that in Christ, nothing availeth but \u2018faith\n that worketh by love;\u2019 yet perhaps something is gained. The\n Lord help me to be more devoted to his glory, that I may\n not seem to countenance them in stopping short of the \u2018new\n creation!\u2019 One person is often very contemptuous towards\n me, but finds no one to join him at present. Among the\n common Europeans little but discouragement appears: only\n one seems entirely from under the dominion of outward sin.\n He is the sergeant I have mentioned, and appears a subject\n of divine grace. Several are approvers, and attendants on\n public worship, but the sad abuse of the late holy festival\n has damped my hopes respecting them.\n\n \u201cThe first Sunday in November, having prepared a moveable\n tabernacle, it was erected at the barracks, and divine\n service has been performed there every Sunday evening\n since. On the first few occasions forty or fifty attended,\n yesterday there were about twenty-five. These are, for the\n most part, very attentive, and a good deal of devotion\n appears among them in making the responses, &c. About\n six, perhaps, attend divine service twice a day. At the\n hospital one man seems piously affected, another humble\n and resigned; both these have been long ill and seem\n daily decaying. One, the first time I spoke expressly to\n him, declared with much earnestness, that he believed he\n had never offended his Maker; he now speaks a different\n language. One man, who was greatly alarmed during a fit of\n sickness, is, I fear, resting in a \u201cform of godliness,\u201d\n though his outward conduct is decent, and he comes every\n Sunday evening to join in worship with me.\n\n \u201cAt Benares, where I occasionally go, the pious merchant\n I have mentioned, appears much grown in \u2018grace and in the\n knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, &c.\u2019 He\n reads the service of the Church of England and a sermon\n from some author, twice every Sunday and every Wednesday\n evening, in a tent erected for that purpose. One Wednesday\n evening I officiated there among twenty-seven, who heard\n the word with much attention. One artillery-man of the\n lately arrived party, the merchant speaks of as hopeful.\n But I find that last week a restraint was laid upon the\n artillerymen from attending: I trust it will soon be\n removed.\n\n \u201cAmong the Company\u2019s servants there, one known as a\n proficient in Hindoo literature, has discovered himself\n well acquainted with evangelical principles. Another\n Company\u2019s servant seems to me one of the Lord\u2019s secret\n ones. I trust there is among us \u2018as the gleaning grapes\n when the vintage is done,\u2019 one or two.\n\n \u201cBut what I have to say on personal experience will cast\n further light on the religious state of our society,\n or rather, it will cast a shade on the prospect.\n Notwithstanding these agreeable particulars already\n presented, there is little farther outward acknowledgment\n of God among us; there appears as yet no disposition to\n speak and act openly as the dependent creatures and avowed\n subjects of the Most High; so that, except now and then\n in private, I cannot give vent to those feelings which I\n find it my duty and happiness to cherish. On this account\n much of my religious exercises pass without that delight in\n God which His love and mercy demand; and my experience in\n general is that of the Psalmist, when he said, \u2018my heart\n breaketh for the longing &.\u2019 yet our state before God\n depends in no respect on frames and feelings; and though\n miserably defective still in every point, some greater\n degree of boldness for Christ in public, and something\n of resignation to labour in his vineyard though no fruit\n should appear, I acknowledge as the work of his free\n Spirit, by whom I trust to be upheld unto the end. My\n preaching since my last, has been on the following among\n other subjects, \u2018God is not a man, &c.\u2019 (Numb. xxiii. 19.)\n \u2018In this was manifested, &c.\u2019 (1 John iv. 19.) \u2018How shall\n we escape, &c.\u2019 (Heb. ii. 3.)\n\n \u201cThe state of the natives here has lately attracted much\n of my notice. From their long intercourse with Europeans,\n native habits are much laid aside. They are generally\n greatly addicted to drunkenness, and are proverbially\n dissolute. They are, in consequence, very little awed by\n the European christians. I am assured that they are usually\n ready to enter into personal contest with any of the\n European invalids, who may attempt to lord it over them;\n and except from those who eat the salt of the settlement,\n none of us have many tokens of respect paid us. In the four\n native schools, there are at present seventy-five scholars;\n those mentioned as reading books have left the schools from\n some cause or other, and no more books have been received.\n\n \u201cThe native women connected with the Europeans, have\n assembled on Tuesday evenings in the Fort, and on Friday\n evenings at the barracks. The usual numbers at both places\n is from ten to sixteen. For these much of my time has been\n taken up in translations, &c. Yesterday, in the fort, a\n congregation of nineteen attended prayers in Hindoostanee.\n I used the translation our dear brother Martyn favoured\n me with, excepting a few words altered to the dialect of\n this part of the country. On these occasions the native\n Christian, I before mentioned, is of the greatest service.\n He has acquired a tolerably accurate idea of the plan of\n salvation, and enlarges, with much evident feeling, on the\n heads I suggest from the portion of Scripture before us.\n He officiates as clerk in the Hindoostanee congregation,\n and yesterday read the lessons, and explained and applied\n them as I suggested to him. The effect of his exhortations\n lasts. This man is afflicted with an asthma, which lays\n him up now and then; but the eagerness with which he\n returns to teaching the native women, indicates, I trust,\n his heart to be right with God. Some differences took\n place in his family some time since, which disturbed me a\n good deal; but no fault has appeared in him. In a late fit\n of illness, I found he had a book of prayers, containing\n addresses to angels, &c. Several of the women have learned\n from him the Ten Commandments, the Lord\u2019s Prayer and the\n Creed; and it excited a gleam of holy joy yesterday to\n hear several repeating these after me, and also whispering\n some of the responses. This reminds me of a school in\n which an European teaches ten children for me, some of\n them orphans, and some who are not eligible to the school\n in Calcutta. Since the establishment of evening worship,\n one of these children has repeated the Church catechism\n and some questions of Scripture History, with an accuracy\n rather surprising considering their years. These also join\n in the responses and in singing the Psalms, and increase\n the \u2018Hosanna to the Son of David.\u2019\n\n \u201cTwo youths, one the son of the native teacher, are on my\n premises, and read twice a day in the Hindoostanee gospel.\n One discovers no capacity whatever, nor does the word\n seem to affect him in the least. He has made considerable\n proficiency in the knowledge of the letters and reads the\n gospel without much difficulty, but can seldom at the end\n of a verse, tell the contents of it. The other discovers\n considerable quickness of apprehension, and gains knowledge\n readily; but as yet gives no evidence of any heart-work\n begun. Him I intend, if it please God, to appoint teacher\n of a school, in a short time. I know now of six children,\n the offspring of native Christians, whom I wish him to\n instruct; two children now attend him.\n\n \u201cOf the women who were candidates for Baptism, one, it\n appears, is living in sin: and on my refusing to baptize\n her till the fruits of repentance [should appear] has given\n up seeking instruction. The other appears very sincere;\n she comes a considerable distance, into the Fort, twice a\n week (on Tuesdays and Sundays) and is herself, as far as I\n know, of unblemished life. But some circumstances connected\n with her daughter, has made me defer Baptism, which seems\n to afflict her; and she promises to pursue whatever line of\n conduct I may point out. The difficulty is in suggesting\n what these people are to do for an honest livelihood. I am\n already engaged in disbursements beyond what my pecuniary\n circumstances point out as prudent; and to tell them to\n trust in Providence whilst no means of subsistence appear,\n seems to savour too much of fatalism.\n\n \u201cLet me, therefore, conclude with proposing to the\n consideration of my brethren, The best mode of employing\n native Christians who may be destitute of subsistence? And\n I think to ascertain this, it may be of service to enquire,\n What are the manufactures most engaged in at our different\n stations? And, perhaps, a barter might be established among\n themselves, without much of our personal interference,\n if communications were opened between them; which would\n certainly be desirable.\u201d\n\nIn a Letter to Mr. Buckworth, written a few days later than the\npreceding Report, Mr. Corrie enters more into detail respecting his\nministry among the heathen, and the method of teaching employed by\nthe native Christian of whom mention has so frequently been made.\n\n \u201cYour welcome letter of February last reached me November\n 1st: and I sat down instantly to read and answer it; and\n have filled three sheets of paper which would have been\n sent had opportunity offered; and, from your affection for\n myself, would have amused you. I find on review, however,\n they are very unsatisfactory; and must select from them\n a moderate-sized epistle. You rightly suspected that the\n climate might affect my body, and by consequence my\n spirits also; as some of my letters to you will shew; but,\n thanks to the Lord our healer, I am as well, and have been\n for some time, as at any period in my life. Mary had told\n me of your presentation to D; had it taken place before I\n left England, the pleasure of being a fellow-helper with\n you would probably have kept me there for life; but He who\n knows what is best for us has ordered it otherwise; and I\n am unspeakably content. At the same time, I little knew\n my own unsuitableness for the work I am engaged in; yet\n \u2018hitherto hath the Lord helped me:\u2019 and, though I groan\n under a sense of my shortcomings, He has not suffered me\n to go back from His sacred ways: and has, moreover, given\n of His Divine presence. These opportunities of writing\n call forth all my former feelings towards you; and I am\n conscious, that though so widely separated, we are one in\n the Lord Christ. But I must refrain, and give you some\n account of matters here.\u201d\n\nAfter having adverted to the fears of the Indian Government lest the\nanimosity of the natives should be excited by any attempts to convert\nthem to Christianity, Mr. Corrie writes:\n\n \u201cI suppose we should be taken to task, were we to preach\n in the streets and highways: but other methods not less\n effectual are to be used, and less likely to produce\n popular clamour. Natives themselves may and can be\n employed, with the greatest advantage, in Evangelizing\n their brethren, whilst the Minister superintends, and\n directs and encourages. I have great reason to be thankful,\n that the Lord has raised up a native christian, born of\n Roman Catholic parents, who, from March last, has been\n daily with me; and now, having acquired a sufficient\n knowledge of the way of salvation, is daily employed in\n instructing others! A despised race, whom the Europeans\n have attached to themselves, hear him with great\n attention; and some with evident profit. He is at present\n very ill; but I trust the Lord will spare him to us, when\n more extensive plans will be engaged in.\n\n \u201cAt present, there are seventy-five children in my native\n schools learning to read, which will tend to undermine the\n superstructure whose basis is ignorance; and I purpose\n establishing a school for [native] Christian children,\n of whom I know now of six, and shall find more. The bulk\n of the people are wretchedly poor from their indolent\n habits, which never let them lay up for a rainy day.\n When a Mahomedan gets a little money, he usually spends\n it in debauchery; and a Hindoo works no more till it is\n gone. This is the character of the people: hence, beggars\n innumerable swarm; many truly wretched objects, who often\n make one retire with overflowing eyes, unable to supply\n them all. Of the Europeans, several are very attentive; and\n my labour is evidently not in vain, though I know only of\n one or two I can speak of with good hope. Of my three dear\n young friends, two are going on delightfully: one of these\n has lately been with a detachment against a native prince\n who refused his tribute, and saw some hot work: twelve of\n his brother officers fell on the occasion, but he received\n only a slight wound in the knee: the dear lad is much grown\n in spirituality since then; and is not without trials\n of \u2018cruel mockings:\u2019 he writes to me once a week, and I\n endeavour, by writing constantly to him, to encourage him\n to stand fast. Away from the means of grace, and without a\n single companion like-minded, he plainly stands by faith.\n The other at Madras goes on well, and has the \u2018communion\n of saints\u2019 to resort to. The third, a most affectionate,\n sensible youth, is, I fear, led captive; though not, I\n think, with his will. Oh! my heart yearns over them, in\n consideration of the many, many obstacles in their way!\n The demon that oppresses Europeans in this land, \u2018goeth\n not out but by prayer and fasting.\u2019 Example, opportunity,\n solicitation allure them to the paths of death; and few,\n alas, return from them! Those I allude to, are from\n eighteen to twenty or thereabouts; from which you will see\n at once the danger they are in.\u201d\n\nOn the subject of missions Mr. Corrie adds:\n\n \u201cThe nature of missions seems little understood, even by\n those whose hearts the Lord inclines for the work, till\n they come into it. Mr. Cecil\u2019s sermon, before the Church\n of England Missionary society,[37] of which I have only\n seen extracts, is, I think, an excellent discourse on\n this subject. The work requires the patience of a Job,\n with the prudence of an Apostle: and O, the self-denial\n required! How little I am fit for the work, my brother well\n knows; yet here, by the good providence of God, I am well\n content, and determined to count not even \u2018life dear\u2019 so\n that I may make \u2018full proof of my ministry,\u2019 and \u2018finish my\n course with joy.\u2019 I could fill sheets with conversations\n respecting religion, which I have had most days, with some\n one or other of the natives. Their duplicity makes it,\n beyond measure, difficult to know when they are convinced,\n or even silenced. The least appearance of impatience on\n my part makes them consider me angry; and not a word more\n will they argue, but yield every thing. I may say to you,\n the friend of my bosom, that my natural impatience is\n somewhat abated; and I am not conscious of having offended\n in this way often; but even what is the effect of eagerness\n and zeal, is construed into a passion, by a people whose\n highest perfection consists in restraining the feelings,\n and whose despotic government rendered disguise necessary\n to existence and peace.\n\n \u201cThe same submissive disposition in the people makes it\n difficult to know when I am understood; as they do not\n either acknowledge their ignorance or ask explanation. The\n dialects of the different provinces are so different as to\n make them nearly different languages.... Among the learned\n and the Mahomedans, much Persian and Arabic is introduced\n into their language, which to the Hindoo is unintelligible;\n and, it is now well known that a person who learns the\n language from books only, will not be understood by the\n bulk of the people. This I am aware of, and ask questions\n from the women above-mentioned; when I often find the\n meaning has been imperfectly, or not at all understood;\n which leads to fresh explanation. One specimen of our mode\n of proceeding, I have made a memorandum of, and which may\n amuse you:--After having read the first chapter of Genesis,\n which I translated, I suggested to this native Christian\n to enlarge upon the following heads, which he did in this\n manner, \u2018Learn, first, the honour put upon man by God: He\n gave him dominion.\u2019 \u2018See,\u2019 continued he, \u2018the elephant;\n one blow of his would be instant death, yet he goes here\n and there at man\u2019s word.\u2019 \u2018Observe the power of God: He\n commanded, and it was done, &c.\u2019 \u2018Let a man try to create\n an ant, he cannot do it; let him try to make a hair, he\n cannot do it: yet look at the hills, &c., God made them;\n and think not that He used labour: no, the word of His\n mouth was sufficient.\u2019 I suggested, \u2018How ought we then to\n fear this great God!\u2019 He proceeded, \u2018are you not afraid\n of your masters; are you not fearful to offend them lest\n they should punish you?\u2019 This was so feeling an appeal that\n they answered, \u2018Yes, yes!\u2019 \u2018O then,\u2019 said he \u2018how ought\n you to fear an infinitely powerful God! He is infinite\n in strength; and, if you sin against Him, you deserve\n infinite punishment: and think how great punishment He will\n inflict!\u2019 One of them at this fell a weeping. I observed,\n \u2018See the goodness of God in providing such comforts and\n accommodation for man in this world.\u2019 He went on to speak\n of the greater love of God in providing a salvation\n for our souls, which he spoke of with much warmth; the\n women hanging upon his words. These occasions are often\n productive of sweet sensations to my soul: whilst yet the\n want of positive evidence of grace in them [the people so\n instructed] generally makes me to go heavily. Most days\n are devoted to close study of the native languages: the\n Hindoostanee proper I can understand, though not to speak\n it with any fluency or accuracy: and I also begin to know a\n little Persian, which is a very agreeable study. I rise at\n day-break, breakfast between seven and eight, take a slight\n repast about one, and make my principal meal when evening\n sets in. Then my mind is usually too exhausted for study,\n and sweet would be the society of some with whom I could\n talk freely of what Christ did, and said, and suffered for\n us here below. For the want of such society, very little\n of the lively feeling I enjoyed in England enters into\n my experience: yet I am conscious of some more boldness\n for Christ, and fewer deviations from His holy ways than\n before; for which I adore His free grace by which alone I\n stand. These expressions I owe to your affection, who will\n fear, perhaps, for me; lest by any means the tempter gain\n the better of me. O, that I could say this were never the\n case! Yet, though I should justly be deemed a fool for thus\n boasting to others, yet I may call upon you to rejoice with\n me that I have obtained help from the Lord thus far, and\n have a hope that I shall never be ashamed.\n\n \u201cFrom all that has passed, I see further proof that to\n preach nearly or quite Christianity, and live as the world\n lives, is the way to popularity: to live and preach so as\n to fancy to _recommend_ Christianity to the carnal mind,\n is the way to be little esteemed: to live godly in Christ\n Jesus is the way to win souls, and to obtain friends,\n with persecution here, and with the certain expectation\n of glory hereafter. O Holy Ghost, write these truths with\n deep conviction on my mind; and let my soul know nothing on\n earth but Jesus Christ and him crucified!\u201d\n\nWhen it is considered that the labours of a native Teacher cannot\nbut be of great importance, even in the most effective state of\nMissionary arrangements, it will not excite surprise that in\nMr. Corrie\u2019s circumstances at Chunar, the illness of the Bettiah\nChristian should occasion him anxiety. Mr. C\u2019s journal, however,\naffords pleasing evidence that the Bettiah-walla in his sickness,\nfound consolation in that gospel which he seems to have been\nearnestly desirous of making known to his countrymen.\n\n \u201cJan. 7th. I sent off to-day a copy of the Gospels, and of\n the Morning Prayer, and Ten Commandments, to Bettiah, at\n the request of a person who is said to be the Sirdar[38]\n of the Christians there, and of whom even the padras stand\n in awe: he is represented, also, as understanding Persian,\n Portuguese, and a little Latin. I dined with Captain\n M----; after sitting silent for some time, I was induced\n by some remarks of Major General ----, to enter into a\n long argument in behalf of Christianity, as the General\n maintained Mahomedanism to be equal to Christianity: the\n argument arose from my remarking that I thought men would\n invariably be guided in their conduct respecting temporal\n affairs by their religious opinions. \u2018This,\u2019 he said,\n \u2018was a great mistake, and had led to the most disastrous\n effects: that no greater misfortunes had come on mankind\n than the contentions between Christians on religious\n pretences.\u2019 I answered, that these were not caused by\n Christianity; and Gibbon himself being judge, Christianity\n was only the pretext: and on a comparison between\n Christianity and Mahomedanism, I was enabled so to speak as\n to leave him without reply.\n\n \u201cJan. 11th. Yesterday, the Bettiah-walla was seized with\n fever. I asked him how he was, as it regarded spiritual\n things: he said, \u2018Happy.\u2019 To-day he is worse: but, in\n answer to my question, he told me, \u2018that he was not afraid\n of death, but of sin.\u2019 In the evening I took Mr. G. to\n see him, who kindly offered his services. We found him\n in danger: he told me that \u2018his mind was fixed on Christ\n Jesus: who could do all things.\u2019 \u2018I am,\u2019 said he, \u2018in His\n hands;\u2019 and, in answer to my question, he told me \u2018he found\n comfort.\u2019 I have prayed that the Lord will spare him; and I\n trust he will be continued to the Church here.\n\n \u201cJan. 17th. The Bettiah-walla better: but very low: he\n speaks of every event as proceeding from the mercy of\n Jesus. After having spoken to him of the Redeemer, I asked\n him if he remembered Christ\u2019s words, (John iv. 13, 14.) \u2018he\n that drinketh, &c.\u2019 he took up the words and finished the\n passage, adding, with a significant expression, \u2018How can I\n forget Him?\u2019 And many other declarations were added of His\n grace and greatness.\n\n \u201cJan. 18th. Twenty-two women attended, and heard the\n history of Ishmael, with much attention. The Bettiah-walla,\n speaking of the trouble occasioned to Abraham and Sarah,\n by the strife which arose from their sin in the matter of\n Hagar, spoke so feebly, yet with such affection, of the\n love of Christ, through whom they received forgiveness, and\n through whom we too must seek forgiveness, that most of\n them wept. I could scarcely contain myself for joy. O Lord,\n make thy word effectual!\n\n \u201cA Tickour woman [who was desirous of baptism] in answer to\n my questions, and without any suggestion that could lead\n to such answers, said, \u2018that her heart is much employed in\n thinking of her Creator: if it were not, what could she\n expect of good either here or hereafter.\u2019 2ndly, \u2018that God\n as Creator and Lord has a right to command us; and that\n she is disposed to obey His will in all things.\u2019 3rdly,\n \u2018that Jesus Christ is God, who came into the world for\n us sinners, and through whom we may obtain forgiveness,\n and the favour of God.\u2019 4thly, \u2018that in order to this, we\n must lay hold of Him with the heart, pray to Him, and beg\n forgiveness.\u2019 5thly, \u2018that to be baptized, and not to act\n thus, must needs brings down greater evils upon us; and\n in the world to come, surely great destruction will be our\n lot, &c.:\u2019 with much more to the same effect, in a spirit\n of seeming sincerity and earnestness.\n\n \u201cJan. 31st. 1808. On Friday evening, thirteen women\n (native) attended at the barracks. Sergeant W. told me that\n his native wife, a short time since, entered into a long\n conversation with a Brahmin, and exhorted him to forsake\n his idolatry, which he acknowledged to be unreasonable; but\n the loss of caste frightens him.\n\n \u201cSaturday, [Feb. 6.] Just returned from burying a drummer\u2019s\n wife. The Bettiah-walla explained that I was not praying\n for the dead, but that we might have grace to walk in God\u2019s\n ways. He told them, that when the breath is gone, the soul\n is fixed in an eternal state; and that in the last day,\n the body too will be raised and partake with the soul of\n happiness or misery: [he concluded] with an exhortation (in\n which he mixed many quotations from scripture) to watch and\n pray that that day might not come upon them unawares. Many\n natives were present, who listened with deep attention;\n except one or two who laughed. At my gate I found a blind\n beggar, whom the Bettiah-walla also exhorted and who went\n away; as I have often seen the poor glad to get a rupee and\n to be off.\n\n \u201cFeby. 10th. This morning a Brahmin came to me, who\n declared \u2018that the Sanscrit language is not the invention\n of man, but came from Maha Deva\u2019s[39] B\u00e0ni: that four\n genii, who remain about the size of children of eight\n years of age, hearing the sound of the drum, repeated the\n sounds, from whence, having written them, they collected\n the twenty-five letters of the alphabet. On my asking him,\n how so many letters could be collected from one sound;\n after some dispute he said, \u2018Maha Deva\u2019s B\u00e0ni was not like\n to any now in size, but at the day of judgment it will\n sound again, and strike all with horror.\u2019 I then inquired,\n who committed this language to writing in the Shasters?\n He answered, \u2018three Fakeers, to whom the four genii\n communicated it.\u2019 On asking where they lived, he mentioned\n \u2018a jungle near the hill:\u2019 on asking where the hill was,\n he could not tell; and, after a long argument, went away\n promising to bring a map, and shew me the situation of the\n hill; \u2018which, however, is beyond the snowy mountains, in\n the land of the genii.\u2019 To this I objected, that as the\n Shasters confined the residence of the Hindoos to this\n country, the religious men would never call their own place\n of residence unholy; and, therefore, it must be in this\n land. We parted with the promise of his coming again.\n\n \u201cFeb. 12th. Yesterday, the Brahmin came again; and, after\n much conversation said, \u2018there is no difference in places;\n and that only the ignorant worship stones, &c., but the\n fear of popular displeasure keeps them silent.\u2019 In the\n evening, he came again, and we had a sharp dispute, chiefly\n on the distance of places: his Shasters describe Hindoostan\n as seventy-five millions of miles long. My moonshee and the\n Brahmin had a warm argument.\n\n \u201cFeb. 21st. The Tickour woman gave notice that she had\n found sponsors. On calling her, I asked her if it was the\n intention of her heart to be the slave of Jesus Christ; to\n which she replied in the affirmative, with great fervency,\n saying, \u2018that it was her desire to walk in His paths\n always.\u2019 I reminded her of what I had been reading in John\n xiv., \u2018He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them,\n he it is that loveth me;\u2019 to which she answered, \u2018that\n her desire was to obey His will; that it may be well with\n her both in this life, and the next.\u2019 She then used some\n expressions of admiration at the grace of God to sinners;\n and on my saying, that when the Bettiah-walla returned, I\n would appoint a day for baptism, she fell on the ground\n at my feet in tears, putting her hand on my shoes, and\n raised her hand to her forehead. On being asked [a few\n days afterwards] \u2018why she so earnestly desired baptism;\u2019\n she said, \u2018that she might be directed in the right way;\n obtain pardon of sins and receive God\u2019s mercy; both in\n this world and that which is to come.\u2019 She then entered\n on a long history of her life, told me that her husband\n died and left her in poverty, that she went about begging,\n till her daughter was married, who, after much ill usage,\n was at length left destitute; and now, to her grief, is\n connected with P. \u2018It was of no use,\u2019 she said, \u2018to walk in\n God\u2019s laws, and in this way, for three or four days; or,\n in attempting to deceive me, for that God knows her heart;\n and should she attempt to deceive me, God would punish her\n both in this world, and the next.\u2019 I left her, desiring her\n to consider whether she would cause her daughter to take\n a separate house; which is evidently a trial to her, and\n which will, in good earnest, prove her sincerity, if she\n does.\u201d\n\nThe first anniversary of Mr. Corrie\u2019s ministerial connexion with\nChunar is thus commemorated in his Journal:\n\n \u201cIt is a year to-day [Feb. 22.] since I commenced my public\n duty at Chunar; and, on considering the way in which the\n Lord hath led me during that period, I find great cause\n for thankfulness that I have not laboured in vain: some\n doors of usefulness have been opened, and some good has\n been done. Many amongst the invalids are altered for the\n better in their conduct; several of them have married,\n and two artillery-men, I would fain hope, are serious and\n impressed. Amongst the Hindoos, some, I trust, have been\n brought to the knowledge of Jesus Christ; yet, I think,\n I am not so spiritually-minded as I was before I left\n England: though, I think, I am more constantly fixed, and\n more undeviatingly aiming, at the end of my ministry; yet I\n fear that the warmth of spiritual affection is gone; but I\n will \u2018do again my first works.\u2019 O thou whom my soul loveth,\n grant me that \u2018gold, white raiment, and aye salve,\u2019 which\n thou hast in store for needy creatures; heal me for thy\n mercies\u2019 sake!\u201d\n\nIt has been already stated that the Europeans at Secrole were\nregarded by Mr. Corrie as part of his ministerial charge; but as\nSecrole was a kind of suburb to Benares, he was necessarily brought\ninto contact with the Hindoos resident in and about that \u2018very\ncitadel of Idolatry.\u2019 Hitherto, however, it does not appear that any\nopportunity had occurred to Mr. C. for seeing much of the native\ncity. Under date, therefore, of March 2, 1808, he writes:\n\n \u201cYesterday morning, desiring to see Benares, I went down\n the Ganges in a small boat; but was greatly disappointed\n at the appearance of the city, which stands entirely on\n the west side of the river. One place, the residence of\n Badshahzada, has the appearance of ruined magnificence;\n and several ghauts are extensive and laboured monuments\n of superstition: but the smallness of dimensions of the\n buildings around makes them appear nothing, to an European.\n Amidst them all, I came to the British flag, flying at the\n Ghaut Mangees stairs, which excited grateful sensations.\n Idolatry is plainly on the decay. Our boat line getting\n entangled with another boat, much abuse was bestowed on the\n Feringhee.\u201d\n\nMr. Corrie relates, that on this occasion he preached to some\nnatives of Benares, as well as gave instruction to the European\nsoldiery. Three weeks later than this visit he was called upon to\nbaptize a Brahmin, who after many strugglings of conscience had been\nstrengthened by the grace of God to \u2018confess the faith of Christ\ncrucified.\u2019 An account of this event is given by Mr. C. in a letter\nto his father, dated March 25, 1808.[40]\n\n \u201cI have to tell you of the baptism of a Brahmin at Benares,\n on Wednesday last, when I was down there, which will\n gratify you much. You must remember that he understands\n enough of English for common purposes; and most of our\n conversation was in English. He came to me in September\n last, as I wrote to some of you; he had before been\n seeking after truth; and a pious merchant at Benares had\n given him a Book of Common Prayer: this was the chief\n instrument in his conversion. The two answers respecting\n \u2018our duty towards God and our duty towards our neighbour\u2019\n struck him forcibly; and he learned many of the prayers,\n and much of the catechism by heart. He was, however,\n greatly averse to baptism in September, and argued that\n he could serve God in private, and even promote His\n cause more, whilst he refrained from the open profession\n of Christianity. I pointed out from Mark xvi. 16, and\n John iii. the necessity of attending to \u2018the outward and\n visible sign, as well as the inward and spiritual grace,\u2019\n if we would \u2018make our calling and election sure.\u2019 He\n left me with tears, acknowledging that I spoke truth;\n but absented himself until January last, when he again\n went to the pious merchant, saying he had been very ill,\n and now found that none but Jesus Christ could save him:\n he would, therefore, give up all for Christ. After much\n intercourse, on Tuesday last I asked him, \u2018Are you willing\n to be baptized?\u2019 Answer, \u2018Yes, I have no other Lord, no\n other Saviour, but Jesus Christ: He is God, and my God.\u2019\n What makes you think Him God? Answer,--\u2018Why, Sahib, I don\u2019t\n know how many times I may have been in the world before,\n or whether born at all, or not, before this time; but I\n have continued a great sinner still, (the Hindoos believe\n in the metempsychosis,) a very great sinner, I believe: I\n went to Juggernaut and here to Benares, and here and there\n (mentioning other places) to poojah (worship;) but I was\n still very bad, Sahib, very great sinner. When I found no\n good among Hindoos\u2019 worship, I went to Musselmans,\u2019 to\n Lucknow, (mentioning a great mahomedan doctor there,) to\n enquire; but found no good in Musselmans\u2019 religion; but\n all bad, very bad. Then I met with the ten commandments,\n and these two, my duty towards God, and my duty towards\n my neighbour: this my heart say good, very good: this is\n Jesus Christ\u2019s word, and I pray to Him for His grace, and\n He gave me understanding: now I know the true God; my\n heart love His word; and I no more love sin, or bad way;\n therefore, I know Jesus Christ is God,\u2019 with more to the\n same effect. (You will perceive that if men set themselves\n to seek Christ in this way, we should have no Arians or\n Socinians.) I then asked, What do you think will be after\n death? Answer, \u2018I shall go to God; what else, Sahib? Now\n He has given me grace, I am all light within: will He put\n light with darkness again? No, I shall go to God after\n death.\u2019 Will you forsake your family and friends? Answer,\n \u2018My father, Sahib, very old: he wash in Ganges, and make\n poojah: I cannot help him, but I will love him, I will\n honour him, as Jesus Christ\u2019s word is: O! I cannot help\n him, but I will make prayer for him: I must follow my Lord\n Christ; there is no Saviour but He: Hindoos, Musselmans,\n all worship devils,\u2019 with more to that effect--adding\n \u2018Ever since I was with you, Sahib, my heart was full, and\n now, if you please, I will be baptized.\u2019 After prayer, we\n separated: next day when he came to me, I asked him, \u2018Have\n you thought much of the matter, and are you willing to\n forsake all for Christ?\u2019 He answered, \u2018I have made much\n prayer to God for His grace; and now I will forsake all for\n my Lord Christ: you will pray, Sahib, that He will wash\n me, and make me clean: you will mention before Him for the\n old sinner, a very great sinner, an old rogue, very bad,\n very bad sinner; that He will save me, and give me grace,\n that I may love Him with all my heart. I cannot keep His\n commandments without his grace; but I will pray always, and\n love Him, and cleave to Him (laying hold of his own garment\n with eagerness;) and, I will always speak truth, and take\n care of my words.\u2019 All this with the expressive action of\n the natives, who have more action than even the French in\n conversation. At the time of administering the sacrament\n of baptism, he made the responses from the Book of Common\n Prayer, with much feeling: when addressed in the service,\n he shewed the most lively attention, and was very earnest\n in the prayers: after the service, he shook hands with all\n present, expressed with tears his thankfulness to God for\n his mercy to so great a sinner; and said he would serve Him\n for ever, and devote all his time to learning His word more\n perfectly that he might instruct others.\u201d\n\nAlthough there was much to comfort and encourage Mr. Corrie in this\nmanifest example of the power of divine grace, in the conversion of\nthis Brahmin; yet by an entry in his journal, dated March 31st, we\nfind him complaining:--\n\n \u201cI have for several days laboured under sad spiritual\n decay; and have been dreadfully oppressed with the fear of\n man; and very backward to every good word and work. When\n the Brahmin consented to be baptized on Tuesday, the enemy\n raised an alarm in my mind respecting what the effect might\n be; tumults among the natives; anger on the part of the\n Europeans; removal by the government: these suggestions\n greatly distracted me: and I got me to my Lord right\n humbly, who mercifully delivered me from all these fears;\n and all these difficulties vanished; yet, at the time, I\n felt none of that joy or gratitude I ought, on account of\n the triumph of the cross.\u201d\n\nThe Journal proceeds:\n\n \u201cApril 10th, 1808. To-day I am thirty-one years of age. I\n praise God that I am in the land of prayer; I have been\n praying for a right spirit of self-examination. It strikes\n me as remarkable in my experience, that although I could\n be always on my knees, I am usually straitened, perplexed,\n and confused in prayer: wandering thoughts perplex me\n beyond measure; and my imagination is wild and troubled,\n yet without order, even in vainly flying from one scene to\n another, and musing on the greatest improbabilities. My\n mind is, through grace, settled and grounded in the ways\n of Christ; and, I am persuaded that I shall never leave\n the heavenly way, because the Lord will keep me in fear\n of forsaking it. I have no enjoyment in worldly company,\n or amusements; otherwise, I have nothing of _assurance_,\n as I have understood it: and though I consent to every\n tittle stated in our 17th Article, it works nothing of\n \u2018unclean living or presumption.\u2019 It does, however, preserve\n me from despair; for, I never should be delivered but by\n the Spirit of Christ: nor, could I hope that His gracious\n influence would be granted to my prayers, were it not\n for the unconditional, covenanted, love of God in Christ\n Jesus. I have many short, but sweet, visits of heavenly\n grace. My soul is frequently melted down in praise, for\n the Divine condescension towards me; but little of abiding\n joy, or realizing faith, stays with me. I find \u2018the work\n of righteousness\u2019 to be \u2018peace.\u2019 More of my time has been\n employed for God, than I could once have thought possible\n to give; yet few days pass that my soul is not overwhelmed\n with a sense of short-coming: hence, Thou, O Christ, art\n all I want!\n\n \u201cWe have had some slight awakenings here (Chunar) during\n the past year: one in August; but it is, I fear, come\n to nothing, except H. who may have found mercy of the\n Lord: the others have turned backward, and ----, died in\n consequence of intoxication. At present a greater enquiry\n is excited than ever: three are come out (from the world)\n and several are anxiously concerned. \u2018The Lord knoweth them\n that are His.\u2019 Now, my soul, look to it lest thou let any\n of those things \u2018slip\u2019 which thou hast heard and learned\n of Jesus. O, for a spirit of grace and supplication: for\n \u2018good understanding in the ways of godliness.\u2019 O, for\n the conversion of souls! Lord, hear me in these matters:\n prosper thy work; let thine own kingdom come. Bless my\n country, my family, my friends: and, O, accept a poor worm\n who offers himself unto Thee. Take me, as thy dear-bought\n purchase; and secure me unto thyself. Let my life bring\n glory to thy name; and my death bear testimony to Thy\n faithfulness and truth: let me live, and die to Christ\n Jesus, Amen!\n\n \u201cIn the afternoon, I baptized the Tickour woman, by the\n name of \u2018Mary.\u2019 Satan continues to mar my comfort; though\n he cannot, through the grace of Christ, prevent the word of\n God. When I baptized the Brahmin, he raised in my mind such\n a fear of the anger of those in power as almost drove me\n to my wits\u2019 end: but now I see that all was over-ruled for\n good, in order to prevent my overweening conceit of myself\n in this matter.\u201d\n\nIt will have been observed, that Mr. Corrie not unfrequently\ncomplained of the loss of health. The cause might no doubt be traced\nto his want of due regard to the trying nature of the climate of\nIndia to an European constitution. Repeated notices occur, therefore,\nin Mr. C.\u2019s Journal and Letters, of a languor and general debility\nwhich threatened to lay him altogether aside from duty, if not to\nrender it necessary for him to quit the country. At this time,\nhowever, a material change for the better seems to have taken place\nin his health; for in writing to his father under date of April, 20,\n1808. Mr. C. remarks,\n\n \u201cA gracious Providence who has followed us with goodness\n and mercy all our days, has prospered me thus far. You\n will bless God with me, who upholds me in perfect health\n ... a most surprising change seems to have passed upon my\n constitution, so that I feel very little inconvenience\n from the heat. Last year I was obliged to have recourse\n to medicine to keep me from fainting; now, though the\n hot winds have been blowing some weeks, I feel active\n and cheerful as when with you. A sigh of regret at our\n separation often, indeed, interrupts my joys, and sends\n me with tears not unfrequently to your Father and my\n Father, to your God and my God. O, praise to a precious\n Redeemer, through whose love and grace so lasting an union\n has been brought about, which swallows up even natural\n ties, or rather rivets them by an indissoluble bond! All\n painful idea of separation and distance is lost in the\n consideration of that better country, where we shall meet\n to part no more for ever!\n\n \u201cYou will rejoice to hear that the word of God is\n not without increasing witness among the soldiers.\n Eighteen attended the sacrament of the Lord\u2019s supper\n on Easter-day, most of whom are serious and attentive;\n and many are regular at our evening worship, where\n they attend voluntarily. Among their wives also great\n attention continues to be paid; and knowledge, at least,\n is increased. The Brahmin whom I baptized came up (from\n Benares) last Sunday; and after attending worship in\n Hindoostanee, expressed much delight. He proposed, as\n a doubt, what would once have been an article of faith\n with him:--\u2018Sahib, you have been so little while in this\n country, and [yet] know the language so well, I think you\n must have been a Hindoo before you were born in England,\n and, therefore, your fresh language came to you so quick\n again.\u2019 A fortnight since, I baptized a woman, who is\n evidently seeking sincerely the kingdom of God. Yesterday,\n she expressed her gratitude for instruction, by saying,\n \u2018I am a poor woman, and have nothing to offer to Sahib in\n return for his favour, except three fowls which I shall\n send to-morrow, if he will please to accept them.\u2019 On\n my saying, God has given me plenty, she said, \u2018True,\u2019\n but it is my duty to lay my neck beneath Sahib\u2019s feet.\u2019\n The language of the common people is, indeed, full of\n compliment; but none of them show a disposition to give\n any thing away, except in some instances where grace seems\n to open their hearts. Another, the wife of an European,\n who seems the best Christian of them all, on my noticing a\n little dog, sent it to me next day, begging my acceptance\n of it. To excuse myself, I said it was too young, and she\n is now keeping it for my sister, and takes great pains in\n teaching it to beg, &c. that my sister may be amused with\n it when she arrives.\u201d\n\n\n TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.\n\n \u201cApril 25, 1808.\n\n \u201cThe heat of the climate induces a despondency entirely\n unknown to you. I perceive plainly that this despondency\n not a little infected my mind most of the last hot weather;\n which was, perhaps, increased by continued ill health. I\n have been enabled, however, to hold fast my integrity; nor\n ever have handled the word of God deceitfully; nor has the\n word been without witness. A great increase is now made\n to my evening congregations, which are my only joy, they\n coming voluntarily; and on Wednesday next, I begin a weekly\n lecture.... I am, through mercy, now in perfect health,\n and usual spirits; and see it \u2018good for me to have been in\n trouble.\u2019 My present mode of passing my time will give you,\n perhaps, pleasure, certainly amusement. On an average I do\n not dine from home above once a week, and seldom see any of\n my equals here, except a family, who, I hope, are pious,\n though their progress is slow. From morning (five o\u2019clock\n till eight) I attend to my own private affairs, with a\n little exercise: then till three or four, learn the native\n languages; when every day, either some of the natives come\n to me to read the Scriptures, or I attend some place of\n meeting for that purpose. Mr. Martyn writes to me weekly:\n he is preparing a copy of the gospels in Hindoostanee for\n the press; this will be an invaluable acquisition: the\n one we have is so learned as to be unintelligible to the\n vulgar for the most part. I have altered [the version of]\n St. John\u2019s Gospel which we use. The Acts of the Apostles\n especially delight the native teacher: I have told you of\n ----; you would be surprised to see the effect it has upon\n him; and the eagerness by which it is heard by others.\n I feel it to be too little regarded by myself, and am\n too apt to consider the divine manna a common thing. I\n send my father by these ships the history of a Brahmin\u2019s\n conversion, whom I lately baptised.[41] I baptized a woman\n a fortnight since; and several of the soldiers\u2019 native\n wives. Sinners are plainly under good impressions; but, Oh!\n the patience and perseverance necessary to deal with them!\n\n \u201cDr. Buchanan is on his way home: whatever he may publish\n will give you a true and clear insight into religious\n affairs here; except that you can have no idea of the\n magnitude of the work of conversion, unless you were here.\u201d\n\nIn the Journal, Mr. Corrie relates\n\n \u201cMay 14th. Yesterday morning, I went to Wheatley\u2019s\n hospital. The Dhobee[42] only seems truly in earnest: he\n said that since he first heard the word, his heart had been\n much taken with it; that the more he hears it, the more he\n esteems it; and that he is happy in it. \u2018Jesus Christ,\u2019 he\n says, \u2018is the creator and preserver of all things, who will\n take him to God\u2019s presence; or if not, His will be done:\n yet he will serve Him; and has forsaken Satan\u2019s works, and\n will return to them no more. Satan\u2019s works are worshipping\n stones, poojah, &c. &c.\u2019 Here one of the bystanders said,\n \u2018Satan\u2019s works are also lying, stealing, &c. &c.\u2019 To-night\n Anselmo[43] is ill. On my speaking to him, he said,\n \u2018Whether well or ill, I am always begging for pardon of sin\n from Jesus Christ: I am not deserving of it, but am worthy\n of hell; yet, as He died for sinners, God for His sake will\n hear me: this is my constant hope; but now, indeed, I need\n more grace and support.\u2019--Praise God for these things. O\n for patience and perseverance in the Lord\u2019s work!\n\n \u201cSECROLE. July 25th. According to leave obtained, and\n notice given, I came down on Friday evening with the view\n to perform divine service yesterday. On Saturday morning,\n I waited on the general, who received me with the most\n chilling coolness. He told me that he had nothing to do\n with divine service, or the artillery-men; and that he\n should not interfere: he had heard nothing of divine\n service, except from my application. Mr. ----, who had been\n forward for my coming down, on hearing of my arrival flew\n quite off, and said, \u2018they could do as well now as before,\n without divine service,\u2019 he, however, came yesterday\n morning. A congregation of at least sixty assembled; and\n after service, Mr. A. thanked me, and said he hoped they\n should give me encouragement to come amongst them oftener.\n Afterwards, the Brigade Major came with a message from\n the general, (who did not come to church) saying, that\n I was \u2018at liberty to come and go as I pleased, but the\n artillery-men and officers could not be permitted to attend\n so far from the lines, for fear of the natives seizing the\n guns whilst they were at a distance: if the court-house\n were used to assemble in, or a place of worship erected\n near the lines, he should have no objection; but all\n this was to be kept a secret.\u2019 Well: blessed be God, who\n hath opened a door here for His word! Had there been no\n obstacles thrown in the way, it would have been unusual.\n Satan never yet freely and without a struggle, resigned\n his dominion. O Lord, I have no might or skill to resist\n this great enemy; neither know I what to do; but mine eyes\n are towards thee! In the morning service, I was sadly\n amazed by the presence of so many of the great ones of the\n earth; but after the service commenced, these feelings\n vanished.\n\n \u201cAug. 24th. On Monday I went to Mirzapore, where I saw an\n old Fakeer, the most wretched victim of superstition I have\n met with. He has been a great traveller, and by the strange\n noises he utters, and the inhuman appearance he puts on,\n causes the people to take him for some great one. He struck\n me as strongly under Satanic influence. I endeavoured\n to gain from him some idea of his creed; but could not.\n Narsingha, who is celebrated in the Bhagavat Geeta,[44] is\n his titular deity, whom he considers equal to the other\n gods. I am confounded at the thought that, from the conduct\n of the English present, I was prevented warning him as I\n ought of his danger.\n\n \u201cAug. 31st. Yesterday was spent at Ghazeepore; much talk\n about religion, and religious people; but little religious\n conversation. In prayer, I have been sometimes enabled to\n make my \u2018requests known with thanksgiving;\u2019 but have felt\n great backwardness to the public services of the Church.\n \u2018Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!\u2019 for that I suffered the\n rain to prevent me from going to the evening worship; and\n that when I have spoken unto the men, it has been in a cold\n and indifferent manner! I see in Robinson[45] of Cambridge\n (whose life I read yesterday) how far a person, and even a\n minister of religion may go, and yet be as \u2018sounding brass\n or a tinkling symbol.\u2019\u201d\n\n\n [37] Printed in the Proceedings of that Society, vol. i.\n p. 179, and seq.\n\n [38] Head.\n\n [39] The Chief Deity.\n\n [40] The substance of this account was afterwards printed\n in the Missionary Register, vol. i. p. 317, and seq.\n\n [41] See above pp. 110, &c.\n\n [42] A Native washerman.\n\n [43] Formerly a Roman Catholic. See below p. 125.\n\n [44] A poetical Exposition of the doctrines of a\n particular school of Hindoo Theology. It forms\n an Episode in the Maha Bharat, one of the great\n Hindoo Poems, and has been translated by Wilkins.\n An abstract of it is given in the Quarterly Review,\n Vol. 45.\n\n [45] An Anabaptist preacher, celebrated in his day for\n his extreme opinions, both as respected politics and\n religion; who, after having written a \u2018Plea for the\n Divinity of Christ,\u2019 rejected Christianity and died\n a Socinian.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER VI.\n\n VISIT TO CALCUTTA--ARRIVAL OF HIS SISTER.\n\n\nIn the beginning of September 1808, Mr. Corrie left Chunar, for\nthe purpose of meeting his sister at Calcutta on her expected\narrival from England; and on his way thither he spent some weeks\nwith Mr. Martyn, at Dinapore. Several foreboding expressions occur\nin Mr. Corrie\u2019s Journal respecting the possible termination of the\nunsatisfactory state of health in which he found Mr. Martyn. With\nthe purpose, therefore, of relieving that excellent person from the\npressure of clerical duty, Mr. C. remained longer at Dinapore than he\nhad at first intended. Of Mr. Martyn, also, he writes,\n\n \u201cHe entertains the opinion that he shall die before long;\n and desired me to tell Mr. Brown that should he die before\n my return, he trusted he is in the Lord, and happy. He\n wishes, if it please God, to be spared on account of the\n translations, but with great earnestness he said, \u2018I wish\n to have my whole soul swallowed up in the will of God.\u2019\n He then observed, \u2018When I look back, I see nothing that\n affords me satisfaction: all my consolation flows from the\n free grace that is in Christ Jesus:--that grace which is\n now offered to-day, this is alone what comforts my soul.\u2019\u201d\n\nConsidering the brotherly affection that subsisted between the two\nfriends, it cannot be a matter of surprise, that when, under these\ncircumstances, the time for parting approached, Mr. C. should have\nexperienced some depression of spirits.\n\n \u201cThis morning,\u201d he writes, \u201cwas a mournful time with me.\n I could scarcely express myself from the acuteness of my\n feelings, but tried to suppress them. I have no idea,\n however, but that I shall meet him again, if I am spared to\n return; but O! let me not boast of to-morrow, but learn to\n die daily.\u201d\n\nWhen Mr. Corrie reached Calcutta, his joy on meeting a beloved sister\nwas somewhat modified by the intelligence which she brought that one\nof his letters[46] had been printed in an English periodical. The\ndistress and alarm which this circumstance occasioned Mr. Corrie will\nbe readily accounted for, when it is recollected that a violent dread\nof Missionary operations in India, had at that time taken possession\nof the minds of many influential persons, and that a motion had even\nbeen submitted to the Court of East India proprietors for expelling\nfrom India, all the Christian Missionaries who were then labouring\nthere; and for preventing the circulation of the Scriptures in any of\nthe languages of the East. Nothing could be more probable, therefore,\nthan that the publication of any accounts of Mr. Corrie\u2019s labours\namong the heathen, would draw down upon him the displeasure of the\nIndian government. That such, at least, was the persuasion of Mr. C.\nis plain enough, for in announcing to a relative, the safe arrival of\nhis sister in Calcutta, he adds:--\n\n \u201cI received little of painful intelligence [by her] except\n the news of my letter to Buckworth being published. I trust\n he has not published any more of them. I cannot write to\n him just yet on the subject, lest I should say something\n that might wound his feelings: he has caused me more grief\n than any event of late has caused me.\u201d\n\nSoon afterwards he more fully expressed his apprehensions in a letter\nto Mr. Buckworth himself.\n\n \u201cI heard some time since by a friend, that \u2018a letter from\n one of the Bengal chaplains who came out in 1806,\u2019 had been\n published, and in the then state of the court of India\n Directors towards the evangelization of this country,\n might be of great detriment. Mary afterwards brought me\n word who the offending chaplain is, and who the friend is\n that has published his letters. I confess that for a time\n I felt myself wounded in the house of friendship. In the\n eyes of the world, pride told me that my character would\n suffer; and I still expect to see myself caricatured by\n the Edinburgh Reviewers, or by some such enemies to all\n serious acknowledgment of God. My brother will say, what is\n character &c., to being useful to the cause of the gospel?\n And so say I, if loss of character stand in competition\n with that cause; but really I am sure there must in my\n scrawls, written in the fulness of my heart, be ample\n matter for criticism; and truly the gospel needs not such\n a sorry assistant; especially if the publication should\n operate either to my recal, or to restrictions being laid\n upon me here. So well assured am I, however, of the purity\n of my much-loved friend in his motives for thus sending\n me into the world as an author, that I shall love the rod\n even that smites me by his hand: and he will rejoice that\n I stand ready to glory in the cross of Christ, and count\n myself honoured, if thought worthy to suffer shame for\n His sake. I hope you have not sent any more of my letters\n to the Christian Guardian; and that if you judge any\n description of the people or customs, &c. interesting, you\n will give it as an extract, and without my name and place\n of abode, further than India. I must absolutely forbid\n you to publish what I am doing. Let the great day of the\n Lord make that manifest. I am sure I shall be found an\n unprofitable servant, and \u2018this shall be my only plea, that\n Jesus lived and died for me.\u2019\u201d\n\nDuring the whole of Mr. Corrie\u2019s stay in Calcutta he took up his\nabode with the Rev. David Brown, from whose counsel and directions\nhe seems to have derived at all times the greatest advantage. To the\nrelative referred to above, he writes on this occasion;--\n\n \u201cWe are now under the roof of Mr. Brown. I cannot tell you\n how much we are indebted to this man of God: he has been,\n and is to us younger chaplains, a father in Israel. His\n affection for us exceeds the affection of most fathers for\n their children. His letters convey the instructions of a\n Bishop, with the tenderness of a brother. I trust we feel\n his worth and value it aright.\u201d\n\nYet Mr. Corrie\u2019s anxiety to get back again to his people at Chunar,\ndid not allow him to remain long in Calcutta. In the letter just now\nquoted he observes:--\n\n \u201cMy few sheep are in the wilderness without a shepherd, and\n some of whom I hoped better things I hear are gone astray:\n these thoughts make every place strange to me except\n Chunar. There is no one thing on earth worth living for,\n but to be employed in our blessed master\u2019s service, to be\n ministering in obedience to His will to the spiritual and\n temporal good of mankind. When my soul ceases to labour\n after this, life will be no blessing to me. How precious\n the idea that saints are kept by the power of God! This is\n the ground on which I build my hope, of perseverance to\n the end; and I know whom I have believed. He who has given\n me to know the name of Christ, and to trust therein, will\n enable me to draw out all the virtues contained in that\n precious name to support me under temptation, and to enable\n me to holiness of living.\u201d\n\nOwing, however, to the tedious nature of the passage up the Ganges,\nMr. C. did not reach Chunar till the middle of January 1809. On his\nway, he spent a week with Mr. Martyn at Dinapore, and preached there\non Christmas-day 1808. On the following New year\u2019s day, he placed on\nrecord his recollections of the past year:--\n\n \u201cChuprah; on the way back from Calcutta to Chunar. Sunday,\n Jan. 1st. 1809. I desire to review this year past, as in\n God\u2019s presence, and to note down His dealings, as I shall\n give account at the judgment-seat of Christ.\n\n \u201cFirst, let me note His mercies _ministerial_, in the\n success of my labours at Chunar; where a society of\n fourteen are united in the ways of God; second, _personal_,\n in the preservation of life, and the vouchsafing of\n excellent health; the bringing my sister, who is now with\n me, and promises to be indeed a helpmeet for me. Third,\n _spiritual_, inasmuch as the Holy Spirit is not withdrawn\n from me; nor has the purpose of living only to God forsaken\n me: I see that nothing is worth living for, but to live\n to God. I determine, the Lord being my helper, to live\n to no other purpose.... I am not so watchful of myself\n as formerly; but I renew my purposes, would do my first\n works, and go on unto perfection. I seem, as far as I know\n myself, kept from the love of wealth; but this is, in some\n degree at least, from lavishness, which hurries me often\n into the other extreme: against this, too, do I resolve;\n and would use this world\u2019s goods as one that must give an\n account. The work of the Lord among the heathen shall be\n attended to, with fresh vigour. I can say nothing of the\n Hindoostanees at Chunar, nor of the Schools; but I hope to\n do more for them than ever. O Lord, let past mercies be\n remembered, as a constraining motive to future exertion;\n and, whilst I would mourn for my sins and short-coming, O\n keep me in time to come for Christ\u2019s sake. Amen.\u201d\n\nUnder the date of Chunar, Jan. 24, 1809, he writes,\n\n \u201cHave been at home ten days, and I trust have not been\n quite forgetful of the goodness of God, in taking me out\n and bringing me back in safety: but I feel and deplore my\n hard heartedness and corruption. On Sunday week resumed\n duty at Secrole, twenty attended. Here, on Sunday last,\n five services have renewed something of my former pain in\n the breast. But, alas! my labours seem all to have been in\n vain. Not one seems to have stood his ground. My heart is\n greatly cast down, and would fain shrink from any further\n trial. Self and worldliness combine to dishearten me from\n the work of the Lord. O Lord, leave me not, but revive thy\n work in me for Jesus\u2019 sake! Amen.\u201d\n\nIn a letter addressed to Mr. Buckworth on the 8th. of Feb; Mr. C.\ngives utterance to similar feelings of discomfort:--\n\n \u201cNotwithstanding the many objects new to you, with which I\n am surrounded, I scarce know what to write to you about: it\n is a time of great spiritual dulness with me; and, owing\n to the indisposition of the native teacher, the great work\n we have chiefly at heart seems at a stand. My strength is\n laid out, in the mean time, among the European soldiers;\n and, alas, to little seeming purpose ... I am ready to be\n weary of what appears so hopeless a task as the turning\n of men, so incorrigible, from the error of their ways:\n these workings of my mind are too glaringly impious to\n escape even my half-awakened perception, and the greatest\n of all opposition I find to spring from my desperately\n wicked heart: I trust something of self-abasement, for this\n horribly rebellious spirit, exists at the same time.\n\n \u201cYou know all the controversy that has arisen at home\n respecting missions to this country:[47] there is no\n knowing what the end of such opposition to Christ\u2019s kingdom\n will be. We have been in expectation of a visit from the\n French over land. The late events in Spain may be the means\n of keeping us longer quiet here. The French would perhaps\n have established their system of worship where they could\n have got footing; and any mode of Christianity would have\n been preferable to the idolatry and superstition that\n overwhelms this unhappy land. My principal employment now\n is with a school of Christian native children, five in\n number: some of them read easily the Holy Scriptures in\n Hindoostanee; and a gleam of joy sometimes enlivens my mind\n while hearing them.\n\n \u201cFeb. 15th. Since writing the above, the old native\n Christian has been enabled to renew his labours; and\n another christian child is come to school. I have had\n one of those sudden attacks you happily know little of\n in England; it has not yet left me; but my times are in\n God\u2019s hand. I find it is good to be afflicted: my soul\n returns unto her rest; and, I bless God for a desire only\n to know and glorify Him: this I think I can say is all in\n all with me. You will have heard of the Roman-catholic\n mission established in this country. My Catechist is a\n fruit of this mission; and four men and four children in\n my employ besides. They are natives of Bettiah in the\n kingdom of Nepaul, i. e., the old kingdom of Nepaul; for\n now the British posterity of Japheth are dwelling in almost\n every corner of the tents of these sons of Shem; and the\n old limits of most of the states of this country are in\n consequence altered.\n\n \u201cOne man from the same place passed the whole of your\n summer with me here; and daily read the Scripture with me;\n in which he seems to be taught of God. On returning last\n September, he withstood the Missionary (an Italian) to his\n face, respecting the praying to saints, bowing to images\n &c.: he was, in consequence, excommunicated; and, on being\n taken ill soon afterwards was beset by two agents of the\n missionary, who sounded threatenings of hell, &c., in his\n ears; and declared his body should be cast on the dunghill.\n Distressed, it seems he paid a fine to be restored to the\n Church, and soon after died. In his last days, he begged\n some one of his relations to convey his thanks to me,\n and to commend his children to me. The message is come,\n and the unfeigned tears of these few Christians here on\n learning the end of Anselmo, were a striking proof of the\n sympathizing spirit induced by Christianity, compared\n with the hard and unfeeling spirit of the heathen. On the\n map of Hindoostan you see the country of the Seiks; their\n capital is Lahore. The state consists of a number of\n independent chiefs, under a nominal head; many of these\n chiefs have sought our aid against the oppression of their\n head; and, as the country they inhabit lies in route of any\n overland invading army, we have sent a force in aid of the\n petitioners. Two of my young friends (very dear to me in\n our common Lord) are with this force. The principal matter\n of interest to us in this expedition is, that these Seiks\n are, as a nation, Deists.[48] Much superstition, indeed, is\n among them; but they are neither Hindoos nor Mussulmans;\n and profess themselves worshippers of one invisible God.\n Such a state of mind seems favourable to a reception of\n Christianity; and, may we not hope our intercourse among\n them may be the means of bringing them acquainted with that\n only name whereby they must be saved? Martyn is going on,\n in company with the converted Arabian,[49] in translating\n the Scriptures into Persian. I have seen the Edinburgh\n Reviewer\u2019s remarks on the Missionaries[50] and critique\n on their Journals. It is to be regretted, perhaps, that\n in some expressions they are open to ridicule; but it is\n a subject of gratification that in none are they open to\n reproach. These same gentlemen would gnash their teeth\n to find Hindoostan, from near Delhi, yea from the Seiks\u2019\n country, to Cape Comorin, planted with Christians, who\n daily pray for the coming of Christ\u2019s kingdom in their\n lands; and who, in their intercourse with those around\n them, recommend the gospel of God our Saviour in a way not\n such as will excite insurrection, but induce veneration\n and ultimately conversion. A preaching life these\n Edinburgh reviewers themselves cannot gainsay; and these\n less enlightened heathen are less disposed than they to\n withstand it. But little visible effect will appear in our\n day; the next generation will find a people \u2018prepared for\n the Lord.\u2019\n\n \u201cOur dwelling is on the banks of the Ganges. The common\n mode of travelling is by water, in commodious boats,\n dragged, when the wind is adverse, like barges. At this\n distance from home, hospitality to strangers seems to me a\n peculiar though painful duty, as it breaks in too much upon\n my leisure. There is no such thing as an inn; and very many\n of the passers-by are young officers, whose situation is,\n in general, far from being comfortable. To these I would\n be especially kind, as being also less noticed by many who\n judge of the attentions due to them by the wealth and rank\n they possess. Those youths who are now here join readily\n in our family worship, and delight me when I hear them\n repeating the Lord\u2019s prayer after me with seriousness. Dear\n lads, my heart yearns over them, exposed as they are to\n every kind of temptation, without a rudder or a pilot. May\n God take them into His direction!\u201d\n\nSoon after the date of the foregoing letter, Mr. Corrie was again\nsuffering from illness. An attack of fever rendered it necessary for\nhim to place himself under medical care; but throughout the months of\nFebruary and March, his disorder seems to have yielded so little to\nthe remedies applied, that he was almost laid aside from duty. Thus\nin his Journal under date of March 19th. he remarks:--\n\n \u201cMarch 19th (Sunday.) To-day--not in a condition for\n public worship: so there was none in the morning. A\n merchant and others came to breakfast; and I had family\n worship with them. I have been considering my ways, but am,\n alas I sadly clouded, so that I can remember but little.\n My impatience respecting the backsliding professors has\n appeared, as it is, sadly inconsistent: I ought to have\n pitied and prayed for them more, and felt less anger. I\n bless God for more composure of mind, and drawing out of\n soul towards God. I see, however, I have little of zeal\n for His glory and house. I would have a more single eye in\n this matter. I would desire my own salvation as a means\n of displaying the glory of His grace. I would desire the\n salvation of sinners, that He may be glorified. I would\n engage in proper means for these ends, with a single\n intent that I may bring glory to God, and that God may\n be glorified in me. Let my own personal trials be all\n sanctified to this end! Give grace, O God of grace, to this\n end; and the glory shall redound to Thee, through Jesus\n Christ, the Saviour!\u201d\n\nAnd again, a fortnight later, he writes:--\n\n \u201cEaster eve. To-morrow the Lord\u2019s Supper is to be\n administered. Alas, my soul, how many sacred opportunities\n of this kind have been little better than profaned. Long\n did I attend the Lord\u2019s Table in my own self-confident\n spirit, and the same day saw me break the vows I had\n solemnly made. When this self-confidence was in some\n measure discovered, the ordinance became more profitable\n indeed, but the contrary spirit grew upon me; and for\n some time, I fear, the consecrated elements have been too\n little considered. Lord! never let me fancy the means any\n other than the channels of thy grace; but O, enable me to\n discern the Lord\u2019s body at his Table, and \u2018with meek heart\n and due reverence,\u2019 feed upon Him by faith! My illness, I\n fear, does not leave me; at least, weakness grows upon me.\n I seem anxious to live.... I would live to glorify God,\n too, though he needs not my wretched poor services. I would\n have my will swallowed up in His. O [Lord] grant me grace\n to this end, then come life or death, all will be well.\n\n \u201cEaster-day morning, 2nd April. Both in public worship,\n and afterwards, I trust the Lord was present to heal us:\n the people were very attentive. I remembered my native\n land, with sweet recollection, the tabernacle of God, and\n the communion of saints. For my companions\u2019 and brethren\u2019s\n sakes will I seek thy good, O Britain, the Zion of the\n earth! O may these impressions of love and grace remain\n upon my soul! Enough I see, even in this day\u2019s services,\n though unusually joyous, to render precious Him who bears\n the iniquities of his people\u2019s holy things.\u201d\n\nIn the beginning of the following month, however, a letter to the\nRev. David Brown contains the intelligence that it had pleased God to\nrecover Mr. Corrie from his illness:--\n\n \u201cChunar, May 11, 1809.\n\n \u201cI ought to have made known to you before this, the safe\n arrival of the Bibles and New Testaments. We have no troops\n here at present to dispose of them to. The Europeans\n hereabout will take a few to distribute at prime cost. A\n fortnight since beloved Martyn passed this by _dawk_.[51]\n He staid only three days, and you will have heard by this\n time of his safe arrival at Cawnpore on the 29th. ult.\n Sabat has left us this morning. The heat of his temper\n broke out against a washerman who had changed a sheet,\n but there seems no doubt of the grace of God being in\n him. He lived with us since the 7th. At Benares, he had\n intended to pass some days, but about forty persons who\n had formerly known him, came tumultuously to the boat,\n and after much confused dispute, he thought it prudent to\n come on here. We have for some time been engaged about a\n Church at Benares; a subscription of about 3000 Rupees has\n been made, and a spot of ground is fixed on. I trust now\n all opposition is silenced, though not entirely done away.\n The hearts of some haters of all good have been brought\n to give money even. One family is highly respectable and\n regular in religious duties. One young officer has become\n a new creature. Of the rest, few alas! seem willing to\n go any further. Martyn wishes for my removal. I did not\n desire it before he came, now I should have no objection to\n it. Less labour than is now put forth on, perhaps in all,\n eighty people, (for the remainder give me no opportunity\n of labouring for them,) would serve for eight hundred,\n and if winning souls be our highest wisdom, the more we\n win, the wiser we shall be accounted. Yet the fear that\n my Benares congregation would be left without a shepherd,\n makes me glad to continue. At Chunar, all seem dead and\n lifeless. Some of the poor women are indeed, growing in\n grace, and that should not be accounted little. One of them\n two days since, on asking her in what way she must attain\n to God\u2019s presence with peace, replied, \u2018If I remember the\n name of Jesus Christ: and repenting of my sins, put my\n trust in him, I shall doubtless attain God\u2019s presence.\u2019\n Several are equally well informed, and Martyn expressed\n great satisfaction at their attentive repetition of the\n responses, in prayer &c. Sabat holds my poor old man in\n utter disdain for his comparative ignorance. Sabat is\n indeed a very superior man; none of the Moonshees can\n stand before him. He is most amusing with his logic on\n all occasions. Some of the gay friends of a pious young\n officer, asked him if it were not written in Scripture,\n that men shall become bears? He, in the simplicity of his\n heart, asked Martyn and myself at Dinapore, before Sabat,\n if there were such a passage of Scripture? Sabat replied,\n \u2018O if there is such an expression in the word of God, it\n must be true; and we will prove it by logic.\u2019\n\n \u201cI think I expressed a wish for the tables you mentioned,\n of Arabic &c. with a copy of the Persian of Matthew when\n ready. Mr. Myers[52] would send them and they would be\n highly useful. I am happy to say the complaint I was ill\n of has quite left me, and I trust it is good for me that\n I was in trouble. It is good in any way to have the heart\n separated from this ensnaring world; to be led to have all\n its fresh springs in God. Would it were more thus with me!\n I groan being burdened with an earthly, sensual, devilish\n nature. I wish I could hear oftener of you and your\u2019s. I am\n in hopes those communications that respect our project may\n pass through my hands to Martyn; it would cause only one\n day\u2019s delay. The subject of the conversion of the natives\n is much more discussed among us. I know two converts to the\n subject from reading Buchanan\u2019s Memoir which I lent them.\n\n \u201cMy Christian School goes on well.\n\n \u201cBeside the Christian children, I have six Christian men,\n and some families.\u201d\n\nThe anniversary of Mr. Corrie\u2019s ordination is thus noticed by him:--\n\n \u201cSaturday, June 10th. This day in 1802, I was ordained a\n Deacon at Buckden, and on the 12th of June 1804, a Priest,\n at the same place. To-morrow may suit my purposed season of\n examination; and I pray God to enable me to this needful\n work. First, to look over my present spiritual state.\n Secondly, To examine my views in the ministry. Thirdly, To\n pray for my Native School. O Lord! vouchsafe a spirit of\n grace and supplication for Christ\u2019s sake!\n\n \u201cSunday, June 11th. Have been considering my ways; and\n respecting my personal experience, it is but too apparent\n that I have for some time laboured under a spiritual\n decay. The commencement of it seems to have been soon\n after this time last year, when my spirit began to faint\n in outward duties; and I hurried away from them to\n Calcutta. The Lord does not leave me; and I trust will\n not leave me; yet, O my soul, fear being given up to work\n iniquity. Much reserve, I am aware, in my outward conduct\n is worn off: respecting this, I would hope the needless\n scrupulosity I indulged is going; yet connected with my\n private experience, I would be jealous over myself with\n a godly jealousy. Frivolousness and levity in tongue and\n action, I would watch against. Lord, instruct me, and teach\n me in thy way! In the ministry, I have failed greatly in\n respect of searching out the lost sheep of Christ\u2019s flock;\n nor have I a proper sense of the hurt and hinderance\n arising from this negligence. Lord, grant me a due sense\n of the Saviour\u2019s dying love, and of the soul\u2019s worth! I\n think I do attempt the edification of those who come in my\n way; and have less fear of shame and reproach for Christ\n than once I had. I find a growing facility in speaking\n Hindoostanee; and I trust of late more earnest intention\n of seeking opportunities of propagating the Gospel. My\n views in coming to India I would hope are not altered; to\n live and die here; and to spend my strength and substance\n in this land is, I think, my purpose. The little children\n are becoming very interesting to me. O, that they may\n become partakers of the grace of God in truth! My native\n servants I would try to make wise unto salvation, and often\n am earnestly engaged in instructing them. Lord, grant\n me sincerity and simplicity in dealing with these; and\n enable me to repent of my sins, to \u2018do my first works;\u2019\n and \u2018leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, go\n on unto perfection.\u2019 I feel how entirely it is Thy work\n to accomplish this in me, then grant me thy Holy Spirit\n graciously for Christ\u2019s sake. Amen!\u201d\n\nWith what sincerity of spirit, this recital of his inward resolves\nand feelings was penned, may be gathered from the renewed activity\nwith which Mr. Corrie\u2019s restored health was devoted to the employment\nof every means within his reach, that was calculated to extend the\nknowledge of Christ. To Mr. Brown he writes early in June 1809:--\n\n \u201cI have at length begun the Arabic and Hebrew; and with the\n help of the Arabic, Hebrew and Hindoostanee, hope to get a\n correct Hindoostanee version of the Psalms for the black\n flock. The 51st Psalm they are learning by heart.\u201d\n\nSimilar notices of his application to the study of the Oriental\nlanguages occur, also, in Mr. Corrie\u2019s letters, about this time,\nto Mr. Martyn. Yet the external circumstances with which himself\nand fellow-labourers in the work of the Lord, were all this while\nconversant, were far from encouraging. In the letter to Mr. Brown\nquoted above, Mr. Corrie complained:--\n\n \u201cMy harp has long been \u2018hung upon the willows.\u2019 Every thing\n around us bears the image of spiritual death. What little\n profession there was among us, has issued in nothing that\n appears decisive.\u201d\n\nAnd a few weeks later, after recording in his journal that he \u201chad\noften experienced the Divine Presence and grace,\u201d whilst lecturing in\npublic \u201con the Epistle to the Galatians,\u201d Mr. C. adds:--\n\n \u201cI am, nevertheless, cast down greatly with the little\n appearance of good working among us: the soldiers seem\n hardened to all addresses I make: the old native Christian\n has not been lively of late. When not living near to God,\n I seem afraid of the doctrine of grace, as it is called;\n when my soul is deeply affected with divine truth, I can\n trust God with the consequences of His own declarations.\u201d\n\nWhilst having thus to lament the spiritual apathy around him, Mr.\nCorrie did not on that account slacken his exertions toward hastening\non the day, when \u201cthe stream of Ganges shall roll through tracts\nadorned with Christian churches, and the holy hymn be heard beneath\nthe shade of the tamarind.\u201d Accordingly he writes to the Rev. Charles\nSimeon:--\n\n \u201cAug. 2, 1809.\n\n \u201cA door of usefulness has been opened \u2018among those of mine\n own nation\u2019 at Benares, where I have been enabled to attend\n every third Sunday, and now materials are collecting to\n build a place of worship with, by subscription. Some of the\n principal people there oppose the measure by their private\n influence, though they have given money for the work.\n The report of the death of one of the chaplains above,\n renders me anxious, lest I should be removed before this\n scheme is accomplished; but I know the accomplishment of\n it rests not with me. I now confine my public engagements\n to the mornings, except one service in Hindoostanee on\n Sunday evenings. I have mentioned a native Christian who\n reads and expounds the lessons on these occasions, so\n that my labour is but small when he is present. Just now,\n he is at Benares, with a view, if possible, to establish\n Christian worship among a number of Portuguese and native\n Christians, who reside in various capacities there. He\n goes from house to house among them, but has hitherto had\n little success. Only three attend worship. I may remind\n you, [that] he conducts public worship according to our\n Church form, translated. The Gospels we have, and I have\n translated the principal particulars of the Old Testament\n history. I may mention that the wisdom of God is manifest\n here, in recording the faults of the Old Testament saints.\n A maxim among all classes of Natives, seems to be, that\n every person, by obeying his own religious guide, will\n attain eternal blessedness, and several of the Mahomedans\n have been offended, at my asserting that Moses, Abraham,\n David &c., were sinners: the proving these saints to have\n been sinners by nature, as ourselves, overturns this\n conceit and makes them to seek out a Saviour, who is\n himself in no need of salvation. To this point, when I have\n opportunity, I always bring a Mahomedan, carefully avoiding\n disrespectful mention of his Prophet. The Hindoostanee\n women attend, though not in such numbers as at first, yet\n regularly, and I have no doubt some of these most despised\n of the human race, will be found at the right hand of the\n Judge, in the great day. A few evenings since, a poor\n blind creature caused my heart to joy exceedingly, by her\n artless commendation of the Redeemer; any praise of myself\n might have arisen from servility, but, the epithets she\n applied to our Lord, could have been learned only from the\n Scriptures. For some time much of my attention has been\n directed to the education of some native christian boys.\n Watts\u2019 first Catechism they can repeat, and a prayer for\n morning and evening in private; two of them have begun\n Persian and make quick progress: there are in all five,\n from seven to twelve years old, and some younger children\n will soon be admitted. I am attempting to introduce\n our own mode of teaching, and when at home, hear them\n twice a day.... No pains have been spared by the Italian\n Missionaries, at Bettiah to frighten, or allure my old\n teacher from me, and one man, who had learned the way of\n God more perfectly here, and on going back refused to\n pray to saints, &c., was excommunicated and grievously\n persecuted until his death, which took place soon after.\n The uproar about Missions has been heard of here, but\n no one feels any of the alarm expressed at home. I hear\n occasionally, from some friends at Malda, of Mr. M. who\n has very poor health; some poor helpless creatures have\n lately received baptism there. You will not suspect me of\n depreciating his labours, by this expression; those among\n whom I myself minister, are as despicable as human beings\n can well be. Their influence on the general cause can be\n none, their individual souls are precious.\u201d\n\nMr. Corrie had now been three years in India, and it will have\nbeen seen that those years had not been spent in self-indulgent\ninactivity, or had been unfruitful in great moral results. Yet he\nwrites:--\n\n \u201cSept. 20th. 1809. This day completes my third year in\n India; and though I could write a journal of events that\n would set me off in the eyes of men, I know myself to be\n an unprofitable servant. I have reason to cry, \u2018Deliver me\n from blood-guiltiness, O God;\u2019 from the blood of souls! The\n perverseness of the natives draws out my perverse temper. I\n perceive my mind of late too much taken up with the dignity\n religion inspires the mind with, raising it above the petty\n cares and mean jealousies of an earthly mind: yet, O let\n me never be high-minded but fear. I desire to renew my\n dedication of myself, my all to God; to purpose greater\n exertion and more labours among whites and blacks. Lord, I\n pray thee, grant an increase of spiritual influence, that\n I may go on from grace to grace! O, let me not faint nor\n tire, for Jesus\u2019 sake, Amen!\u201d\n\nThe following letters to his Christian friends, bear witness that Mr.\nCorrie was enabled, in some measure, to carry out the desires and\npurposes which his Journal records.\n\n\n REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cChunar, Oct. 12. 1809.\n\n \u201cI have had our meeting service this morning. Cold myself\n and lifeless and stupid. I wonder the people attend at all,\n they are so little excited to run the Christian race.\n\n \u201cThe Christian Native School goes on as well as it can.\n The children, sometimes nine in number, are reading\n the Scriptures in Hindoostanee. I have nearly finished\n a corrected edition (about the 4th) of the history of\n creation, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Joseph, Moses,\n the children of Israel, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon,\n the division of the Tribes, Elijah, Elisha, the Acts of\n the Apostles, the first Epistle of John. Four of the\n children have Watts\u2019 first Catechism perfect, with prayers\n for morning and evening. Two of these have begun Persian\n Grammar, on a new plan of my own, after the English mode\n of question and answer. We have ten Christians about us\n with whom I read and pray, most mornings, in Hindoostanee.\n One youth appears truly pious and reads and explains the\n Scriptures, admirably to others, most evenings after dark.\n A few of the Hindoostanee Women appeared [to be] guided by\n the fear of God,--perhaps four or six. The others complain\n of hearing nothing but severe language, and told the Native\n teacher lately [that] \u2018as he was paid for instructing them,\n he ought not to deal so severely with them! He told them,\n he was not paid to flatter them.\u2019\n\n \u201cI have lately been looking into the Arabic and Hebrew, but\n I entirely despair of making any proficiency in them. The\n Hebrew I shall go on with. Even by the help of the Lexicon,\n I gain great pleasure in observing the roots and their\n connection with the languages around us. If ever you pray\n for me particularly, pray that I may _endure_ to the _end_:\n that _patience_ may _hold out_: that I may be faithful\n _unto death_. May richest grace be multiplied to you and\n your\u2019s.\u201d\n\n\n TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.\n\n \u201cNov, 1. 1809.\n\n \u201cI often turn a look of regard towards highly favoured\n Britain, and a tear starts whilst I bid it a long adieu;\n but to a weary pilgrim any lodging is welcome, any place\n of abode agreeable; so in Hindoostan, my weary head shall\n rest, and my longing soul mount up from hence to meet her\n redeeming God. There, my brother, we shall meet; till\n then, let our willing feet, our heads, and our tongues be\n employed in spreading the Saviour\u2019s glorious name.\n\n The Saviour! O what endless charms\n Dwell in the blissful sound!\n\n Your sermon referred to would have suited my people here.\n In much weakness and fear, indeed, I have been among them.\n The Evening Lectures I told you of exhausted me entirely;\n and conspired with other circumstances to bring on a liver\n complaint, from which, I sometimes think, I am not quite\n free: but I am able to endure my labour.\n\n \u201cYou expect to hear of my black flock. My native teacher\n is, at this time, laid up with Asthma: his notions\n of divine truth grow more clear daily. Some of the\n Hindoostanee wives of the soldiers have, also gained good\n information on christian subjects; and from forty to sixty\n regularly attend public worship on Sundays, and once in the\n week. I have nine Christian men and women, and six children\n about me; with these I read and pray in Hindoostanee every\n morning I am at home. One lad of them appears truly pious;\n he has been with me most of the time I have been here; he\n reads and prays in the evenings with the others generally.\n\n \u201cOne night lately I heard him expounding part of the\n sixteenth chapter of St. John with much feeling and\n propriety. I have the charge of him entirely; I begin\n to love him, and think his disposition gentle and\n well-inclined: he always attends at meals for his portion.\n The other servants, at times, I hear tell him he is become\n an Englishman; and seem to envy him not a little.... I\n could fill sheets with the conversations I frequently\n have with the natives. Several promising appearances in\n individuals, have come to nothing. I am, therefore, glad\n that I have not written any thing about them.\n\n \u201cThere has been a serious disturbance here (and it is not\n now quite over) between the Mahomedans and Hindoos. The\n former destroyed a pillar, long an object of superstition\n amongst the Hindoos: on which account the latter carried\n swine and slaughtered them in the Mosques. One hundred and\n forty have lost their lives; but not all from religious\n difference, many taking occasion of the affray to gratify\n private revenge.[53]\n\n \u201cI can say nothing of my prospects: all you can picture of\n the difficulties attending this work is far short of the\n reality. I can only say, to live and die in this work, or\n to labour until I can do no more, is my not hasty purpose,\n formed, I trust, on no self-sufficient grounds, but on the\n grace, mercy, and comfort of an unchanging God and Saviour.\n\n \u201cI am writing a little daily in Hindoostanee, Persian,\n Arabic, or Hebrew. My school employs me two portions of\n the day. I am cheered sometimes with the hope, that I am\n educating Missionaries; but it seems hardly possible they\n should escape the pollutions around them.\u201d\n\n\n [46] That dated Aug. 2, 1807.\n\n [47] The controversy alluded to grew out of the\n publication of Dr. Buchanan\u2019s Memoirs on the\n Expediency of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for\n India.\n\n [48] See Ward, View of History, &c. of the Hindoos. Vol.\n II., book 7, ch. 4.\n\n [49] Sabat. For some account of this person, see\n Buchanan\u2019s \u201cStar in the East.\u201d pp. 23. &c. He\n afterwards apostatized, left the British territory\n in India, and went into the service of some of the\n native princes; but in some quarrel that occurred he\n was suspected of treachery to his patron, was put up\n into a sack and cast into the sea.--Hough\u2019s \u201cHistory\n of Christianity in India.\u201d vol. 4. p. 389.\n\n [50] An article in the Edinburgh Review for 1808,\n entitled \u201cIndian Missions,\u201d written by the late Rev.\n Sidney Smith. At the head of this article are given\n the titles of the principal controversial pamphlets,\n which appeared at that time on the subject of\n Missions to India.\n\n [51] Post. Mr. Martyn was then on his way to his new\n station at Cawnpore.\n\n [52] Mr. Corrie\u2019s future father in-law.\n\n [53] A more particular account of this affair is given\n below, in a Letter to Mr. Simeon.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER VII.\n\n REMOVES FROM CHUNAR--ARRIVES AT CAWNPORE--ILLNESS OF MR. MARTYN.\n\n\nAt the end of the year 1809, Mr. Corrie having been directed to\nremove from Chunar to Agra, made preparations for proceeding to the\nlatter station. In the meantime, however, he suffered so much from\nthe illness mentioned in the preceding letter to Mr. Buckworth, that\nfor three months he omitted to keep any record of his proceedings. On\nthe 3rd of Feb. 1810, he observes:--\n\n \u201cFebruary 3rd. 1810. I have had much searching of heart in\n review of my purposes and projects at different seasons of\n my life, often purposing diligence in acquiring languages;\n at other times my chief desire and labour being wholly in\n the immediate duties of the ministry; and, to be altogether\n separated from mere visiting society. I perceive myself\n to have succeeded in no one scheme; and am to this day\n unprofitable and without ability to any good. Long, long\n have I known this in theory, but evidently did not think\n it of myself. May this sad experience lead me to true\n humility and deep contrition; may it lead me to prayer,\n and to diligence in the means of grace! The sickness upon\n me is more violent than last year, but seems yielding to\n medicine; for which I would bless the Lord, and devote\n myself to His cause. These two Sabbaths I have been laid\n aside from public work, and fear I am not sufficiently\n humbled. O, how I ought to thirst after the courts of the\n Lord! I think I should greatly regret being kept from the\n ministry another Sabbath, but am ready to give up all hope\n of success from my own labours. I know this is from a\n forgetfulness of the Scripture, and of the power of God.\n Lord, awaken a spirit of faith and prayer! The old man goes\n on instructing the native women, successfully, in a few\n cases, I hope.\n\n \u201cThe Roman Catholic padre, with a fair carriage towards me\n tries all he can in private to counteract this old man. O,\n that I were as in days and months past: and, O, that the\n Lord would make His word to prosper among us: and, O, that\n He may direct and prosper my way to Agra, and make me there\n a blessing for Jesus\u2019 sake!\u201d\n\nThe chief circumstances of interest connected with the remaining\nportion of Mr. Corrie\u2019s residence at Chunar, are related in the\nfollowing extracts from his letters and Journal. As, however, in\nthose extracts there occur some allusions to an Institution, which\nabout this time sprung up in India, a few words of information will\nnot be out of place.\n\nThe patronage which the Marquis Wellesley (then Earl of Mornington)\nextended to a plan for translating the Scriptures into the languages\nof the East, had excited the hope that our rule in India would become\nthe means of imparting the knowledge of the true God to millions of\nour fellow men: but the retirement of that large-minded Nobleman\nfrom the government of India, was followed by that determined\nopposition to the diffusion of the gospel among the natives of\nHindoostan, of which so many traces have already appeared in the\npages of this Memoir. The consequence was, that notwithstanding\nall attempts of Dr. Buchanan, Mr. Brown and others, to procure\ntranslations and copies of the Scriptures; and though aided in\ntheir efforts by grants of money from the Bible Society in England,\nyet there was a famine of the word of God even among the native\nChristians of India. This dearth of Bibles seems to have pressed\nmore especially upon the Christians of Tanjore, so that in a sermon\npreached in Calcutta, on New-year\u2019s day 1810, Mr. Brown was induced\nto make an appeal on their behalf. The result was that a liberal\nsubscription, headed by General Hewitt, the commander-in-chief,\nwas raised for the purpose of forwarding the distribution of the\nTamul Scriptures in Tanjore. Encouraged by the success which\nattended this effort to procure a larger circulation of the Word\nof God, Mr. Brown and his friend proceeded to originate measures\nof larger enterprise. They established a _Bibliotheca Biblica_, an\ninstitution which consisted of a \u201cTranslation library\u201d and a \u201cBible\nrepository.\u201d The \u201clibrary\u201d was intended to contain the Scriptures\nin the original languages, Lexicons, Grammars, works on Biblical\ncriticism, and generally, all such books as were likely to be useful\nto translators. The \u201cBible repository\u201d was designed to contain Bibles\nand Testaments in all languages, European as well as Asiatic, to be\ndisposed of at moderate prices.[54] It will be seen that with \u201cthis\njudicious and efficient instrument\u201d for good, Mr. Corrie readily\nunited himself.\n\n\n TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.\n\n \u201cMarch 12, 1810.\n\n \u201cI cannot recollect how long it is since I was favoured\n with a letter from you: so many are the accidents to which\n our letters are exposed between Britain and India, that I\n attribute the little intercourse we have had to some of\n these; and, therefore, add one more to the many letters I\n have sent you; and trust to hear of you when opportunity\n serves. Sometimes my mind has been deeply affected with\n the idea of growing old without a friend, or solace of\n declining years. Gray has well described the feelings of\n Nature in the lines:\n\n \u2018On some fond breast the parting soul relies\n Some pious drops the closing eye requires.\u2019\n\n \u201cIt is the privilege of faith, indeed, to raise the soul\n above creature dependencies; and, I bless God that, in\n general, I am enabled to say \u2018none of these things move\n me.\u2019 Still, I cling, with the fondest recollection, to the\n hours I have spent with you, and the advances in knowledge,\n and I would hope in grace, my soul made in your society;\n nor can I endure the thought of our intercourse being at an\n end.\n\n \u201cIn this strange land, God has also supplied several\n whose letters and occasional visits are a source of great\n comfort and encouragement to me. I believe the number\n of true Christians is increasing among us, and as these\n abound \u2018the desert will blossom as the rose;\u2019 and this\n wilderness shall be glad for them. The only principal\n cause of concern is the small advances that are making\n towards the evangelization of the Hindoos and Mahomedans.\n If you cast your eye over the map, you will perceive the\n distance between the different abodes of the Europeans;\n and then, suppose even at those stations something may be\n doing toward this work, how is the intervening space to be\n supplied?...\n\n \u201cI am recovered from another attack of the liver,\n much severer than last year\u2019s, and which prevented me\n from public duty for three Sabbaths: I reckon these\n interruptions as the choicest blessings. The vain mind\n is tempted, in full health, to lay up for many years;\n but these warnings strongly impress the exhortation,\n \u2018whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.\u2019\n\n \u201cMy European flock, as to numbers, has been at a stand\n of late: some of them, however, are now grown unto some\n stature in Christ; and are a source of great refreshment at\n times....\n\n \u201cThe old native Christian has improved of late, and some\n of the native Christian flock give good evidence of a true\n conversion. At times, whilst ministering among these, my\n heart overflows with delight; and the simplicity with which\n they express themselves is very striking. I only wish the\n number of them was greater: for, alas! who, in comparison\n hath yet \u2018believed our report?\u2019\n\n \u201cI am removed from this station to Agra, once the imperial\n city, where are the most splendid remains of fallen\n greatness in Hindoostan. One of my dear young friends,\n whom I heard of yesterday, says, \u2018You are the first who\n has been commissioned to preach in that Nineveh repentance\n and remission of sins. I see a peculiar honour conferred\n upon you by this appointment. May God prosper you!\u2019 My\n soul responds, Amen! The Lord grant my entering in among\n them, may be \u2018not in word only, but in power, and in the\n Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.\u2019 Hitherto I have been\n prevented from proceeding, but trust shortly to go on my\n way, by the will of God, rejoicing. One comfort attending\n the journey is, that it will take me by the abode of\n dearest Martyn; and with him I shall make some stay.\n\n \u201cWe regret deeply that no more chaplains, who would lend a\n helping hand, are coming over to assist us. In three years,\n I have been preparing myself, I would hope, for greater\n exertions, by learning languages, &c.; and have done some\n little here towards founding a Christian church; but now,\n alas! the work, to human appearance, will be at a stand. My\n old deacon wishes to go with me though, and I shall take\n him; though at first it seemed better to leave him with\n these \u2018few sheep in the wilderness:\u2019 but those of them who\n are most serious have husbands somewhat like-minded, and,\n therefore, are less likely to suffer wrong; and the old man\n will be very useful in a new place. Most of the Christian\n men go with me, in one capacity or another; though they\n are a heavy expense to me. Where we are going, I purpose\n to colonize them, if God in his providence shall supply\n opportunities. Oh! were you but here to talk over these\n subjects with me! You cannot well have a due idea of this\n country, nor of our proceedings, unless you were to be with\n us; but I must restrain my feelings, and rather give you\n some information that will amuse you.\n\n \u201cTwo days since, a Brahmin in authority here, and with whom\n I have had many disputes, took away a copy of the gospels,\n after I had read to him some particulars of the death of\n Christ, which impressed him greatly at the time. My removal\n has made him very anxious; and sometime ago, when I was\n first ordered away, he came, and after many expressions of\n concern said, \u2018Sir, I have a great favour to beg before\n you leave this place; pray cause to be written for me\n your account of the first beginning of things, with the\n genealogies of the first ages. Before you came, I never\n heard these subjects spoken of, and when you are gone, no\n one will take the trouble to unfold us any hidden thing.\u2019\n He has now the beginning of Genesis, and the four Gospels.\n Affairs on the continent have taken a most disastrous\n turn[55] to our apprehension; but \u2018the Lord reigneth;\u2019 and\n one thing we cannot but rejoice in, _the fall of the man of\n sin_.\u201d\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cMarch 15, 1810.\n\n \u201cI yesterday sent off by _banghy_[56] De Coetlegon\u2019s\n Sermons, and some chapters of Genesis in Persian,\n translated by my Moonshee from my Hindoostanee\n translations. It is on this account I sent the Sermons,\n as the Moonshee would give me no peace until you should\n have a specimen of his performance, and give your opinion\n whether or no it will be of any use to go on in this\n way. The occasion of doing thus much arose from some\n Mahomedans about the court at Mirzapore desiring from me\n some account of the books of Moses. Mr. Ricketts, the\n judge, was passing this, and some people in his train.\n They called upon me and immediately expressed a wish to\n see some of the translations they had heard I employed\n myself about. I produced the epitome done by Gladwin, it\n seems, at the request of Mr. Clarke. This they read for an\n hour at least, and on going away begged a copy. Afterwards\n the Molwhee told the moonshee that the Koran gives a more\n particular account of things than our books. To this the\n moonshee answered, that what he had seen was a very concise\n abridgment, but if he were to see the original he would\n forget the Koran. This brought on a violent dispute. To\n make good his assertion, the translation you have a copy\n of was made, and the remainder of the epitome added. One\n chapter was first sent to Martyn, who approved of it,\n and now you must also see it. Our Cutwal[57] here is a\n Hindoo, and has often, with heat, contended with me about\n the comparative authenticity of our books; but on the\n prospect of my leaving seems softened, and has of his own\n accord begged a copy of the beginning of Genesis and of\n the Gospel; which he has got. He often contends eagerly\n with the Mahommedans, and puts them to silence by the\n arguments he has learnt; and on the riots at Benares a\n great concourse of Mahomedans came to him and my moonshee.\n One night they continued to dispute until midnight, not\n respecting Hindooism and Mahomedanism, but entirely\n respecting the Mahomedan and Christian writings. I hope I\n am getting better, but not so speedily as last year. My\n flock is already as without a shepherd. I have not been\n among them for a month. A few came to the house on Sunday\n evening, but the exertion on the occasion, though little\n more than family worship, has thrown me back.\u201d\n\n\n \u201cApril 3, 1810.\n\n \u201cYour last letter found me very unwell, so much so, that\n greatly as I wished, I could not engage in answering it. I\n have no fear of being forgotten by you, yet these tokens of\n your regard are indeed very acceptable. It seems a weakness\n in my nature that makes me cling to creatures as I do; and\n the same weakness is the source of what you are so kind as\n to call by a softer name.\n\n \u201cIt would be a cause of deep regret to me to be excluded\n from your \u2018Translation library;\u2019 you will really oblige\n me by inserting my name among the subscribers, and I will\n make an effort to set all straight with you and all the\n world. After deducting the amount of the house here, which\n I have sold and am to be paid for in August, I do not owe\n above 3000 rupees: yet I do owe all I am, and all I ever\n shall have in my power, to such purposes as you propose. I\n will endeavour first to be just, and then I will glory in\n devoting my all to the propagation of the gospel in India.\n The doctors say there is no occasion for my going down the\n country, but I shall be guided much by Mr. Robinson.[58]\n He is near at hand; yet come I shall not without some\n alteration for the worse. I have now very little pain, but\n am weak and incapable of application. I should rejoice more\n in visiting Aldeen than Cawnpore even, for the children are\n all very dear to me, and their playfulness delights me. I\n hear Martyn has received the packet from you, and has heard\n from Mr. Simeon that Cambridge university voted Buchanan,\n a D.D. degree.[59] I hear general M. wishes to reside at\n Ghazeepore with the 67th. The poor old man has thrown\n obstacles in the way of our church till the materials\n are likely to be lost, but the congregation increases in\n proportion to the general\u2019s opposition. W. has often 30 at\n Divine Service, and usually about 20. They sing hymns, and\n are generally a very interesting people; though but a few,\n as usual, give evidence of any change.\u201d\n\n\n \u201cChunar, April 28, 1810.\n\n \u201cYour papers have reached me in safety;--viz. 1st. a\n report for 1809. 2nd., the Agra books and papers. 3rd.,\n the Bibliotheca Biblica &c. The \u2018Translation library\u2019 must\n prove highly useful. I have some of the books you have\n mentioned--A Golius, Dictionarium Arabicum, Schultens,\n Life of Saladin, Stillingfleet\u2019s Origines Sacr\u00e6, Wells\u2019s\n Geography, and others, which shall be sent down, if\n you please; except Golius, which is to be delivered to\n Martyn\u2019s care on my arrival at Cawnpore. But the \u2018Bible\n repository\u2019 delights me. This is beyond all your other\n highly meritorious labours, for the benefit of the present\n generation. I shall send it round here, if I have time,\n but I have only eight days more here, and on my arrival\n at Agra will make it public. On receipt of the Report, I\n sent it to some acquaintance here. One sent it to a rich\n Native[60] in the city, who reads English; he has returned\n it with a _Hoondee_[61] for 100 rupees, and an address\n to the Bible Society. I shall, D. V. send it off to the\n Secretary in due form on Monday, and he may send it for\n publication; it appears to me an event that would interest\n at home, but you will judge when you see the whole. It\n has delighted me highly. I have been this week at Benares\n taking leave. E. is not yet arrived. The old gentleman\n there is most gracious always to myself, but is a raging\n bear behind my back against all our measures. It has called\n forth all my little energy to make the poor stand I have\n against his influence. The Church has been delayed under\n various pretexts twelve months, but the materials were\n collected. I made those efforts since March, and at length\n got permission to begin last week. Robinson undertook the\n superintendence as a last resource--and his offer was\n accepted. The gentleman, however, attacked him when the\n work was begun, and called me by name, Augustus Brooke, and\n the Salmons, fanatics, &c. I fear this will make E. less\n forward than he might otherwise have been, but I have left\n a few Bibles and Testaments at Wheatley\u2019s for sale: most\n are already supplied. Though I have not sold one Bible,\n Robinson is anxious to get the Church ready by the time you\n arrive. You can find a congregation. Several families and\n some individuals spoke out on my coming away, the fulness\n of a gracious heart. I often think of an expression in a\n prayer of old Carey\u2019s, in the pagoda, \u2018that in the evening\n of your residence in India you might see the light of truth\n shine abroad.\u2019 Your\u2019s and his prayer are, I trust, heard.\n There will be a change in European India, yea there is a\n change; infidels are beginning to hide their faces, and\n the young are growing up at the different stations, with\n a reverence for the ways of God. I perceive the married\n especially most easily prevailed with. Yesterday, on an\n occasion of extraordinary awakening, I, after two or\n three visits, administered the Lord\u2019s Supper to a young\n Captain and his wife, and the wife of another officer. The\n latter had called her husband from a party, and entreated\n him to join our worship; he could scarce refuse. She\n appears serving God with all her mind, though not with\n all understanding: I have just been sending her a book.\n It pleases God to continue me still in much weakness, and\n no little fear as to my long continuance among you. If I\n desire any thing in life but to speak and act and write\n for Him, I pray He may graciously disappoint me and hide\n from me the evil that would follow; but if He has given me\n a desire to glorify Him, I trust He will spare me a little\n that I may shew forth His praise!\u201d\n\nIt may not be uninteresting to mention, that the letter which Mr.\nCorrie states to have been written by a Hindoo to the committee of\nthe Bible Society, is printed at length in Mr. Owen\u2019s History of that\nSociety, (vol. 2. pp. 36-38.) In transmitting the letter, Mr. C.\nobserved:--\n\n \u201cThis native has acquired a considerable fortune, in\n some employment under our government, in which it was\n necessary for him to read and write in English. On being\n pressed by arguments urged for the supreme importance of\n Christianity, he excused himself by saying, \u2018He thought\n if it were so, the British government would have made the\n Christian religion known to their subjects in this land.\u2019\n This objection he urged in a variety of ways, and here the\n discussion ended. On receiving the report for 1809, in\n answer to this, he sent an address to the Bible Society,\n written by himself, and now in my possession, requesting\n that it might be corrected; which was done, retaining his\n own expressions as much as possible.\u201d\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cMay 7th. 1810.\n\n \u201cThis morning we left Chunar, and are now on our way to\n Cawnpore. I have recovered greatly of late, but now my\n sister is fallen unwell, and thus we are kept dependant,\n and trust we find it best to be so. On Saturday morning,\n Mr. E. arrived, but did not let me know. I however heard\n about mid-day, and straightway sent an invitation to our\n house. In the evening he came, and next morning Mrs. E.\n and the infant; and we have left them this morning in our\n former habitation. I preached a farewell sermon yesterday\n morning, from Romans x. 1., first: pointing out the meaning\n of salvation as including deliverance from danger:--the\n danger arising from sin, the necessity of salvation from\n sin if we would avoid its consequences, as well as to\n make us meet for the inheritance &c. and second: Why I\n wished them to be saved, viz., from the consideration of\n the misery of Hell, the joys of Heaven and the pleasures\n of religion here. There was great attention. I said a\n good deal too, in the conclusion, on the strain of my\n preaching among them,--that I was aware many did not like\n it,--but pointed out the necessity of delivering my own\n soul, as well as my desire not so much for their favour\n and approbation, considered in itself, but as connected\n with salvation. Here I intended my successor should hear\n something of my opinion of our works. In the evening,\n my little flock were full of expressions of kindness,\n and I think it was a season that will be remembered. The\n Hindoostanees came in a body, and made loud expressions\n of regret at my departure, many of them weeping aloud. In\n the evening too I baptized three Caffres, the servants\n of a gentleman, and who had for some time been under\n instruction. Many were present, and we begun the service by\n singing some verses from _Veni Creator_. Two of them gave\n pertinent answers to some questions on Christianity; and\n on their repeating the creed in Hindoostanee most present\n were melted to tears. Mr. G. has, it seems, professed to\n the General that he will never go to Benares, unless he is\n ordered, and the general has declared he will never order\n him. The Church however is going on under Mr. Robinson,\n and much interest is excited about it. The military have\n desired him to make the building a handsome one, and they\n will add to the subscription. Thus in spite of Satan and\n those he leads captive, the work of the Lord prospers and\n will prosper. I have had packets of letters on leaving, and\n am astonished at the kind acceptance my little more than\n abstaining from evil has met with. It seems to be a wonder\n among them, that I performed my official duty when called\n upon; and especially that I should express my readiness\n to serve them. Dear Mr. R. is greatly excited of late\n towards the best things; his heart has been deeply touched\n by the death of his youngest sister, and he is tenderly\n alive to the blessedness of those who die in the Lord.\n This is a happy event just now, when some of the society\n there, (especially one Captain) seem seriously seeking to\n secure the better part. They know his Father\u2019s character,\n and the advantages he has enjoyed; and also they have\n seen him more retired and more attentive to his duty than\n most; and they seem now to look to him for information.\n We know however, how slow of growth the heavenly plant\n is, from the untowardness of the soil it falls into; we\n know how many blights and thorns it is exposed to: though\n some good appears, we still are not content, but, filled\n with hopes and fears, we watch for the event. I told you\n I had sent the plan of the library to Major Wilford.\n He had not understood me, so I intend writing again. I\n enclose his note with the papers, it will give you a more\n correct idea of his mind towards this work than I can. I\n fear E. will not take any trouble to make known the Bible\n Society proceedings. I send a copy of the advertisement\n to Wheatley\u2019s shop, where it will be seen by many; and\n have left one dozen Bibles, and two dozen New Testaments,\n with Mr. E. at Chunar. Dr. W. I find, does our cause good\n against his will, by his incivility and grasping after\n fees. Do you indeed come up the country? Martyn talks\n of my remaining a month at Cawnpore: at any rate I hope\n to leave there to conduct you to the imperial city. It\n perhaps would be of importance to get Martyn to resign the\n service, and give himself to the translating and printing\n the scriptures. He will not eat the bread of idleness, and\n it is clear his present labours will bring an early period\n to his life. I scarce know how to write it, but so it is. I\n will give you a faithful account from Cawnpore.\u201d\n\nThe following letter, addressed to the Rev. Mr. Simeon of Cambridge,\ncontains a kind of retrospect of Mr. C\u2019s labours at Chunar, and is on\nthat account given at length, at the risk of the repetition of a few\ncircumstances which have been already mentioned.\n\n \u201cMay 9th. 1810.\n\n \u201cI know it will be agreeable to you to hear of the\n progress I am making, if it may be called progress, in the\n appointment I hold. Three years last February, I arrived at\n Chunar, with very imperfect views of the nature of the work\n I had engaged in; the habits and character of Europeans\n undergo an almost entire change, after a few years\n residence here, so that our work among the Europeans takes\n a different turn from the work of the ministry in England.\n We have to argue for the sanctity of the sabbath, the\n extensive import of the seventh commandment, &c., before we\n can speak of the evil of breaking these commandments. The\n necessity of caring about the example we set is decried,\n as, say they, \u2018those we live among do not own the authority\n of the scriptures &c.\u2019 My labours have not, however, been\n in vain among the Europeans. A small society among the\n soldiers, I left at Chunar, and some of them will no doubt\n endure unto the end. Of the higher classes many individuals\n are exemplary. A church, or rather chapel, is erecting at\n Benares,[62] and though my successor expresses no zeal for\n the success of it, I doubt not instruments will be raised\n up, and sent forth in due time. I would to God, some of\n the many young men around you, were but excited to engage\n in this service. As to privations, save that of separation\n from dear earthly ties, which is indeed a severe privation,\n we have only to fear being lulled into indolence and fatal\n security. Our countrymen here ought to be held in high\n estimation, and a soul saved in India is indeed a brand\n snatched from the burning, whilst it is usually, also,\n a valuable member restored to society; for scarcely any\n motive, but that which the gospel supplies, can rouse from\n the apathy and overwhelming influence of an enfeebling\n climate and systematic lust.\n\n \u201cSoon after February 1807, I met with a Native Christian,\n who engaged in reading the Hindoostanee gospels with\n me, and in September following, we began worship in\n Hindoostanee, to the native wives of the soldiers. These\n had been baptized by Roman Catholic priests, but were\n deplorably ignorant of every christian truth. I began\n also with a Moonshee to translate from the books of\n Moses; and though I blush often in review of these first\n attempts, they were useful in conveying some idea of the\n truth, as the Native Christian, by repeated efforts on my\n part, gained a correct notion of the subject, and by his\n exhortations &c. conveyed it to them. About forty continued\n to attend once in the week, and once on the Sabbath, till\n last Lord\u2019s day; some of these I trust to meet at the right\n hand of the Judge \u2018in that day.\u2019 Two of them are truly\n spiritual, and many of them unexceptionable in conduct.\n The change in those who attended instruction, is manifest\n to all. I baptized during my residence at Chunar, two men\n and three women; the men and one woman unconnected with\n Europeans, and all except one man are walking unblameably.\n Beside these, many Roman catholic christians come from time\n to time, and several of these are in my service. I have\n five christian children also, who are going with me, that\n their education may not be hindered by my removal. There\n is with me also, a youth about seventeen, whose parents\n are the children of Europeans; this lad gives hope that he\n is a partaker of the grace of God, and is going with me\n for the express purpose of learning the way of God more\n perfectly, that he may become a teacher of the christians\n here, in general lying in darkness as much as the heathen.\n His purpose at present is, \u2018according to the language of\n each people,\u2019 so that he requires instruction in English\n and in the native languages also. My native flock, on my\n coming away, expressed their regret by many tears, and\n some by loud lamentations. The old teacher goes with me,\n as there are many native christians at Agra. I wished to\n have left him behind; but circumstances, with the advice of\n beloved Martyn, induced me to let him come as he desired.\n He will probably soon return. The tumult about missions\n has subsided here, though the generality of the English\n are as averse to it as ever. A riot took place at Benares\n last September, which the alarmists here will no doubt\n make all the use they can of, in their reports home. A\n quarrel[63] took place between the Hindoos and Musselmans,\n in which some lost their lives. Report at first magnified\n the number to three hundred, but I have seen a copy of the\n official report to government, and the following, you may\n depend, is the truth. In the reign of Aurungzebe, a Hindoo\n place of worship consisting of a Temple with a sacred Well\n within the enclosure, (or church-yard) was seized upon by\n the king\u2019s order. The temple was appropriated for Mahomedan\n worship, but the Hindoos had still access to the well.\n Whilst the Mahomedans were in power, no disputes arose, for\n the Hindoos consider the king\u2019s order one road to heaven.\n Since the English have had dominion, many causes of\n mutual complaint have risen up, from the disrespect shewn\n by the different sects to each other in their worship.\n The Mahomedans, in their petition to government, state,\n that amongst other indignities, the Hindoos had on a late\n festival, placed an idol in the pulpit of the temple by\n way of contempt, whilst the Hindoos, in their petition,\n relate similar instances of disrespect, shewn to them by\n the Mahomedans. The immediate cause of the riot was as\n follows. An idol being some time since dug out of a ruin, a\n Fakeer began to make it the object of his worship. For this\n end he built over it a mud shed, and afterwards a thatched\n little house, on the border of the disputed ground, where\n the Mosque and Well are. A rich merchant at last vowed\n before this idol, that if he might but have a child, he\n would build a stone house over it: he had a child, and in\n building the house, encroached on the ground the Mahomedans\n claimed, who straightway collecting, demolished the idol,\n and killing cows, sprinkled their blood on many temples of\n the Hindoos, and destroyed a sacred pillar. The Hindoos\n retaliated, and killing hogs, sprinkled their blood on the\n Mosques. To prevent these fancied pollutions there was much\n violence on both sides; and five men were killed and many\n wounded. The soldiery put an end to the tumult.\n\n \u201cMay 17. I dispatch this from Allahabad. I heard here from\n Martyn, who is in usual health, and with whose company\n I hope to be refreshed in eight or ten days, if the\n Lord will. This is a large station of Europeans, and is\n highly deserving of a chaplain. It is, at present, in the\n Cawnpore district. I have several occasional duties as\n they are called, to perform for Martyn, and am detained\n three days on that account. I may have mentioned, that at\n Benares a merchant calls the soldiers and people of his\n own description to worship in his house on the Sunday and\n once a week; and here an inferior officer in the ordnance\n department does the same. He tells me he had last sabbath a\n congregation of fifteen. I have lent copies of the Village\n Sermons at both places, and they use the Church of England\n prayers. But the unhappy pride of rank &c. which prevails\n here to an extent you have no idea of, prevents their\n influence from reaching far, though they are witnesses of\n God, \u2018epistles of Christ, known and read of all men.\u2019 Had\n we a few more Colonel Proles, (whom I believe you know,)\n the presence of more chaplains might be better dispensed\n with. He officiates unweariedly, as priest, as well as\n prince of the host; and you will be gratified to hear,\n that very decided marks of favour from the commander in\n chief have been shewn him of late. He is just put into an\n important command at Delhi. I have had a more severe attack\n again in the liver this spring, from which I am, through\n mercy, recovering, and perceive these visitations to be\n most merciful appointments; I hope they may be sanctified\n to me. I trust your health may be restored by this, or that\n at least, you may be continued to keep open the doors of\n Trinity Church for many years.\u201d\n\nThe spirit of self-devotion in which Mr. Corrie left Chunar to\nproceed to his new station, may be seen in these letters: in his\nJournal, also, he repeatedly expresses his desire, that his removal\nto Agra may be for greater usefulness in the ministry, and \u201cthat\nhis profiting might appear unto many.\u201d Very earnest, too, are his\nexpressed prayers, that the Christian youths who accompanied him\nmight by his means be \u201cled to God, through Christ, in holiness of\nlife;\u201d and that he might be \u201cenabled to walk circumspectly, so that\nthe Lord might sanctify his intercourse with them.\u201d And his petition\nwith regard to his own soul was:--\n\n\u201cO Lord, my inmost thoughts inspect, and teach me to know myself as\nthou knowest me; and not to think of myself above what I ought to\nthink, but to think humbly! O, help me, mighty Lord, and make me a\nblessing to many!\u201d\n\nMr. Corrie reached Cawnpore on Saturday, June 2. 1810, and next day,\nwrites:--\n\n \u201cJune 3rd. 1810, (Sunday.) I arrived here yesterday\n morning. For some days preceding I have been unsettled,\n and unable to apply myself to any good purpose. To-day I\n have had much sweet conversation with Martyn, but ought\n to lament a want of spiritual affection. In prayer dead\n and lifeless, unaffected with the importance of what I am\n about. O Lord, revive me! This morning I preached to the\n 8th Light Dragoons, but sadly without feeling myself; and\n I fear they too were. O thou, who canst make the dead to\n hear thy voice, raise us to a life of righteousness! The\n General here is very attentive to religious duties. I love\n him for what he does; and pray, as do others, that he may\n be blessed in well doing. O Lord, direct my way to Agra,\n and make me a blessing there!\u201d\n\nOn the following Sunday we find him noting:--\n\n \u201cJune 10th. 1810. I have been endeavouring to review my\n ways, as connected with the ministry I engaged in this day,\n in 1802. I perceive how greatly I have offended against my\n engagements, in respect of personal holiness, of motives\n in my ministrations, and of intercourse with the world. I\n would admire the goodness of God, my Saviour, in hiding me\n from the strife of tongues, in bearing with the unhallowed\n fire of my public services, in preserving me from returning\n to the world. Especially ought I to praise Him for any\n acceptance he has given me in my work. I have been made\n acceptable to many who know God, and it is no small honour\n to be instrumental in building up God\u2019s church. Some are\n gone to the grave with hope in the name of Christ, through\n my instrumentality, especially Dr. B., and a young man\n at Sewstern. On the voyage to India, R. Y. was roused to\n consider the instructions a pious father had given him;\n and G. V. led to choose the better part. A young man I was\n told, was alarmed on account of his sins from the first\n sermon I preached at the Old Church, Calcutta. B. at Chunar\n is walking in the narrow way: and I hope G. will lay hold\n on eternal life. Among the soldiers, I reckon three at\n Chunar, who seem truly seeking life eternal, beside many\n others more or less hopeful there. But, I fear for them\n all; so desperate are their situations, and trying their\n circumstances. But, perhaps I ought to bless God above all\n for the three native women, viz., the wife of sergeant\n W. of William B. and of John W., they seem to be truly\n \u2018partakers of the benefit;\u2019 and may the Lord grant that\n James may go on unto perfection. O may the S\u2019s be found\n among the happy few; with Mr. and Mrs. Y. now in Calcutta!\n I often think I labour in vain; and alas! in comparison of\n the world lying in wickedness, what are these few? But,\n how far do they exceed any reward I could possibly have\n reckoned on, considering my own weakness, inattention and\n worthlessness. My God, I bless thee for these! These are\n my joy and crown: now, let me watch over my own soul; and,\n O thou Spirit of life, and love, and liberty, accomplish\n in me complete redemption! Prosper my way to Agra, and\n prepare much people to thyself there, for Jesus Christ\u2019s\n sake! This evening attended the funeral of Captain W.--H.\n M. 53rd. Regiment. The band played before the corpse; and\n a more affecting scene I have not witnessed for a long\n time. God, I praise thee that I have not been cut down as\n a cumberer of the ground. O, teach me so to number my days\n that heavenly, holy wisdom may be my _only_ pursuit!\u201d\n\nMr. Corrie had not been long at Cawnpore before it became apparent\nthat Mr. Martyn\u2019s health was in so unsatisfactory a state, as to\nrender it necessary that he should be relieved from the duties of\nthe station. Mr. C. was in consequence detained there to assist\nMr. Martyn. His own account of this circumstance is contained in a\nletter:--\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, July 10th. 1810.\n\n \u201cI have been upon writing to you daily for a long time,\n till at last I know not well what I have to tell you. When\n I arrived here, Martyn was looking very ill, and a very\n little exertion laid him up. Since then you will know that\n I have been ordered to remain here for a time, to assist\n him; and he is already greatly recovered. His appearance\n is much improved. His rest and appetite much more regular,\n and he is altogether better. It will be well, however, if\n his former weakness does not return, when he shall again\n be left to the whole duties of this large station, for his\n frame is by no means suited for strong labour. For myself,\n I am well, and as strong as ever I recollect to have been.\n If I can but avoid a return of the fever, I may last a\n long while; but it is not for us to boast of the morrow. I\n am under the same roof with Martyn. Sabat is within call;\n and of him you will be glad to hear that he is far more\n respectful and careful in his intercourse with Martyn,\n than he used to be. He seems to feel that he has gone the\n \u2018length of his tether,\u2019 and is evidently anxious to keep\n on good terms. He seldom omits doing something in the\n translations daily; so they proceed regularly. I am greatly\n pleased with his corrected Persian gospels, which I can\n read with facility; and having read much of the Shah Nameh,\n think the style much like that book. The Hindoostanee New\n Testament will, I suppose, become a standard for future\n editions. To any one acquainted with the Hindoostanee of\n Gilchrist, it will not be very difficult. I am decidedly\n of opinion that the style of any translation for this\n country, ought to be high rather than low; as it will be\n the duty of expounders to understand and explain it; and\n one low expression will make the whole appear contemptible.\n Hard words, also, when judiciously inserted, are no great\n detriment to the sense, whether understood or not, as I\n have often found from the children. I have seen very little\n of the people here, beside the religious soldiers. I hear\n sad accounts from my former flock at Chunar. A young man, a\n physician beloved in the Lord, writes me from thence, that\n those I thought most staunch among the men, are fallen into\n sad drunkenness again; and one of my native Christians,\n too, has turned out very ill there. I had fitted up a small\n church there, and left it for the use of the serious men;\n but it is turned into worse than a \u2018den of thieves.\u2019\u201d\n\nIn the letters which follow, will be found many particulars connected\nwith the studies and habits of life of Mr. Martyn, which cannot\nfail to be read with melancholy interest. Somewhat minute accounts,\ntoo, of the progress of the last illness of that sainted person,\noccur in the letters to Mr. Brown, and which it has not been deemed\nrequisite to omit; for it can never be thought superfluous to relate\n\u201cafter what sort\u201d the servants of God \u201chave closed up their days on\nearth.\u201d[64]\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, July 31. 1810.\n\n \u201cYou will have received mine of the 14th. which will\n have set you somewhat at ease. Martyn is much affected by\n your anxiety about him; but he says, he does not consider\n himself in danger; and this morning said, he thought a\n month\u2019s silence would entirely restore him. I try all\n methods to induce him to leave the translation for a few\n months, and sometimes seem to have prevailed; and then a\n little refreshment makes him think himself well. The worst\n sign seems to be that for a month past he is rather weaker\n than stronger. On my first arrival he recruited greatly for\n a fortnight, but is now, to say the best, at a stand. He\n has agreed to go on the river to try the effect of change\n and silence; and as soon as a boat can be procured will go\n towards Futtygur. He objects to going to sea at present,\n that the cold season here will be beneficial, and that\n the damps and fogs of Calcutta would be less so at this\n time; and that he is determined to leave this in February\n next, in order to get to sea in March. But, the truth is,\n he expects the New Testament to be done in Arabic by that\n time, and that then he shall be more at liberty. The state\n of his health seems this: he is easily fatigued, and then\n gets but broken rest, with confused and distressing dreams.\n A very little exertion in speaking produces pains in the\n chest, with almost total loss of voice, and almost all\n these symptoms are produced by the evening of every day. He\n is sparing in his food &c., as usual, but takes sufficient\n nourishment, although, he says, with little appetite,\n but from a sense of necessity. I think you will consider\n immediate relaxation necessary, as I do, and have urged so\n repeatedly, and in such a variety of ways, that any one but\n himself would think I wanted to succeed him here. But that\n to me would be one of the painful circumstances attending\n his removal. I think the wisdom and goodness of God evident\n in my former appointment and in my present destination. I\n can do a little in a quiet way for the furtherance of our\n common cause, but this large station would both occupy my\n whole time and make my deficiencies more conspicuous.\n\n \u201cAug. 1st. My heart is seldom so much at ease as I wish\n it to be when I write to you. Our dear brother will not\n believe that he is in any danger; nor is it likely he will\n die immediately. A little care makes him feel better, and\n now he hesitates about going on the river at present. He\n has for some days been from morning till night with Sabat\n at the Arabic, getting ready the first seven chapters of\n Matthew: when that is done he is going on with Fitrut in\n Genesis. I wish it had been convenient for you to come up;\n you could have taken him back with you, _vi et armis_:\n but that is past. He speaks of himself as threatened with\n consumption, with all the composure others speak of a\n legacy; but thinks it is not yet begun in him. The failure\n of his voice, and his poor thin frame, make me fear the\n worst; and I tell him freely my chief hope of a cure in\n him is from a removal from this [place] and cessation from\n labour immediately.\n\n \u201cI can write you of nothing else at present. This subject\n occupies most of my thoughts; I dare not dwell upon the\n probable issue. But we may \u2018have all things and abound,\u2019\n whilst we have our God and Saviour. That hymn I sang with\n a heavy heart, when I first left your paternal roof for\n Chunar; and daily find it suitable. The \u2018sin that dwelleth\n in me\u2019 makes my life heavy; and but for the invisible hand,\n I should entirely faint, or \u2018become a rebuke unto the\n foolish.\u2019\u201d\n\n\n TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Aug. 16, 1810.\n\n \u201cI am now under Martyn\u2019s roof: you know of my removal to\n Agra. On our way thither, we found our brother so unwell\n that I applied, and was ordered by the General commanding,\n to remain here for a time to assist him. We enjoy all the\n comforts of religious society we can desire. I am as happy\n as I can desire to be on earth. Had I been with you, as\n you kindly suggest, I could not have been more so; and,\n perhaps not so useful. I am thankful no such temptation\n offered to detain me in England; the wish to have been a\n \u2018helper together with you,\u2019 would probably have prevailed\n above all others. It is in vain to conceal that my health\n has suffered from the climate; and chiefly from imprudence.\n The necessity of cessation from labour it imposes is most\n painful. I bless God for these sicknesses, above all His\n other mercies, as connected with the salvation which is\n in Christ Jesus. I trust I know that he is blessed who is\n instructed whilst undergoing correction. At times, I have\n had such views as I cannot describe, of the excellency\n of the rest remaining for God\u2019s people, so as to make me\n \u2018desire to depart and be with Christ;\u2019 but, these sweet\n moments are alas! only of short duration. How does the\n corrupt nature emit clouds of vain and vile passions, which\n obscure and darken the greater part of my days! Blessed be\n God for Jesus Christ!\n\n \u201cThe account of one day will give you a general idea of\n our whole manner of life. We usually rise at day-break,\n and ride out. Martyn and I breakfast between six and seven\n o\u2019clock: then read the scriptures with a Polyglott before\n us, and pray. Martyn then goes to his study. I go to see\n Mary; and she and Mrs. S. are learning Hindoostanee in\n order to be able to speak on religion to their female\n servants; and if circumstances favour, to get a school of\n female native children. I am their teacher. Mrs. S. has\n a school of European children belonging to the regiment.\n I return to reading, usually Hindoostanee or Persian. At\n eleven, my Christian children come to say the lesson they\n have been learning with the native schoolmaster. In the\n middle of the day we have a repast; and then resume reading\n till four, when the Christian children come again to read\n in the Hindoostanee gospels. In the evening we meet,\n usually, at Captain S\u2019s, or Martyn\u2019s, when we sing some\n hymns, with reading and prayer before we separate. This\n is the peaceful tenor of our way. At the intervals, two\n days in the week I visit, and pray with, the sick in the\n hospitals: on the Sabbath, public worship; in the morning\n at the drum-head of one of three European corps lying here,\n in rotation; in the evening of Sunday and Wednesday, we\n have social worship with a goodly number of pious soldiers\n in a public building fitting up, but not yet ready to open\n as a church: besides these [services] once a fortnight\n there is public worship in the General\u2019s house. Except the\n soldiers, all our other English rank as gentlemen. We have\n here only these two classes, except a very few persons in\n trade.\n\n \u201cI do not consider myself at home here; and am longing for\n Agra, that I may commence more extensive plans among the\n heathen. My Christian boys are becoming very dear to me;\n one especially is very intelligent and hopeful: they will\n be well grounded in principles; and I pray God to give them\n spiritual understanding. They come to me with their little\n complaints, and their Arab black faces often make me very\n merry; nor would I leave the often painful, because tedious\n task, of attempting to make them wise unto salvation, even\n to be the helper of my beloved Buckworth.\n\n \u201cI know not if I wrote to you on our leaving Chunar in May.\n The native teacher has returned thither; and I reckon some\n of the native christians there to be truly spiritual. I\n hope to have a large native flock at Agra: there are few\n Europeans there, which will leave me more leisure than I\n have here. Respecting our brother Martyn, his health is far\n from good, his constitution far from strong: he is going to\n sea before long, (D. V.) to try sea-air. May God render it\n effectual to his restoration! His life is beyond all price\n to us. You know what a profound scholar he is, and all his\n acquirements are dedicated to the service of Christ. If\n ever man, since St. Paul, could use these words, he may,\n \u2018One thing I do, &c., (Philip. iii. 13, 14.) He has, with a\n learned native, finished the translation into Hindoostanee\n of the whole New Testament; which is ready to be sent to\n the press, when money is supplied. He is going on with\n the books of Moses. Sabat has finished the four Gospels,\n the Acts, and to 2nd. Corinthians, in Persian and Arabic,\n which Martyn compares with the Greek. The Bible Society\n helps nobly, and will continue to foster \u2018the day of small\n things\u2019 among us.\n\n \u201cIt is in my heart to live, if health permits, and to die,\n among these people. This, my brother, is my true life, I\n find; and often, in the anguish excited by the idea of\n seeing you all no more, I use those words, \u2018Cease, fond\n nature, cease thy strife; and let me languish into life.\u2019\n To live to God is life indeed. I am infinitely unworthy of\n the place I fill, and miserably defective in every part of\n it; but no one else offers to supply my lack, so that the\n little I do would be left undone, were I not where I am.\n May God keep me faithful unto death! Yea, faithful is he,\n therefore I shall endure: through his power, I shall meet\n you before the throne. It matters not, then, where we are\n for the short time of our day.\u201d\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Aug. 17. 1810.\n\n \u201cI have made three attempts at a report respecting our\n brother\u2019s health. On the 15th. he was very lively, and then\n talked of not going even on the river. Yesterday he was\n weaker, and last night had a violent attack of sickness,\n which has not entirely left him yet, and has brought him\n to a lamentable state of weakness. What to do I don\u2019t\n know. I have urged his leaving his studies and trying\n change of air, in every possible way. To-day, indeed, he\n talks again of going on the river, and I hope to keep him\n in this mind. Your applications for Arabic have set him\n to work anew with an ardour that nothing but death can\n repress. From seven in the morning till near or after six\n in the evening (save a little interval at mid-day,) he is\n at work with Sabat, and Mirza Fitrut. In vain I warn him\n of the consequences. Never was any one so inattentive to\n health, or so unskilful in sickness. I was up with him much\n of the former part of last night: and without somebody\n he would be worse from his unskilful applications. He is\n indeed most tractable as to meats and drinks, but there my\n authority over him ends. He will have told you of the delay\n occasioned by want of an Arabic scribe. I don\u2019t know how\n many copies, but Sabat says ten, have been attempted of\n the beginning of Matthew for you, and have failed. I wrote\n to Major Wilford lately, to ask him if he would read and\n give his opinion of the Sanscrit Gospels. I have received\n his answer this morning. He says, \u2018I rejoice to hear of\n the progress that is making in the attempt to diffuse the\n knowledge of the word of God among the Gentiles, but I\n lament that hardly anything has hitherto been done worth\n notice, to diffuse it among the Hindoos. Every thing seems\n calculated for the Mussulmans.... The Sanscrit translation\n of the gospels is useless, for the proud and stubborn\n Brahmin will never read it. We want a good translation in\n Hindee, pure Hindee.... Where the Missionaries at Serampore\n have learned the Hindee, I am at a loss to divine. I hope\n their assistants do not understand a word of Persian. With\n regard to the Sanscrit translation, I am very unwilling\n to have anything to do either directly or indirectly with\n the Serampore school; but in the sincerity of my heart I\n wish them success. It was my intention to have leisurely\n erased all the Persian words out of my friend\u2019s\u2019 (Hunter\u2019s\n translation, a copy of which I gave Major W.) \u2018version;\n for I am not in the least afraid to revise his or any\n other version, _even publicly_. It has not been in my\n power hitherto (from ill health), and God alone knows\n when I shall be able to resume my studies _con amore et\n spirito_.\u2019--Thus far Major Wilford.\u201d\n\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Sept. 4, 1810.\n\n \u201cOur brother it seems, has told you, he is so well, all\n further reports respecting his health are needless. I\n would, however, prove how ready I am to comply with your\n wishes, though, I hope too, all anxiety respecting Martyn\u2019s\n recovery is at an end. It seems he requires only rest.\n It is to be hoped, his constitution is not unsound, but\n has been greatly tried by his continual exertions. During\n the last fortnight the change for the better in him has\n been very evident, but on Sunday evening, the pain in\n his breast returned, sufficiently to shew him, he must\n not fancy himself what he once was. He began to ask, why\n he should go to Calcutta?--being so much better; but\n this feeling of his former complaint, has, I hope, put\n all doubts on the subject to flight. Indeed I have made\n his leaving the station a condition of my remaining. The\n General has consented to my being put in orders to remain\n here, till Martyn\u2019s return, and to give Martyn an unlimited\n leave of absence. So now, on the 1st of Nov. he purposes\n leaving this for Calcutta, and is meditating schemes of\n usefulness on his way down, and among the native, Armenian,\n and Arabian christians in Calcutta. It will be of much\n importance that you should see him, and talk with him face\n to face, about the translations, &c. Sabat, I told you, is\n much more on his guard and more respectful towards Martyn,\n but causes him great uneasiness, by the slow progress he\n makes in his work. It is indeed very trying to our brother,\n as, without some change, the translations will hardly ever\n be brought to an end. It is needless for me to say anything\n about the subscriptions, &c. as Martyn writes to you so\n fully on those subjects. For my own part, I am anxious,\n that some translation should be got ready for circulation\n in India; there is yet, none that seems suited to the\n population we are among; and my views are chiefly confined\n to these people; among these I shall probably live and die,\n but no extensive good can flow from the labours of any,\n till the Scriptures are ready to be delivered to them. I am\n therefore more delighted with your intention of publishing\n the Hindoostanee gospels, than the Arabic, whilst I pray\n you God\u2019s speed with both. About one fifteenth of the\n population of this country is Mahomedan, and of that\n fifteenth part, not one in five hundred knows Arabic; but\n many of them are acquainted with and admire the Persian,\n and all of them understand the Moors, as it is called. Many\n too of the Hindoos understand it, and a skilful reader\n could easily make it understood by all.\n\n \u201cSep. 12. Thus far I had written as above, but your\n frequent letters from and to Martyn, made me think it\n unnecessary to send this. In consequence of your last,\n Martyn intends leaving this, as soon as boats can be\n procured for himself and Sabat, but it is uncertain when\n that may be, as boats are in great request for the General\n and his suite. Martyn had frequently expressed to me his\n opinion respecting the incorrectness of Sabat\u2019s Arabic,\n as well as complained of his slow progress. It is likely,\n however, that his work will be found better than your last\n would suggest: so few are qualified to criticise Arabic,\n that probably many of the objections raised, will be\n found groundless. I think, however, dearest Sir, to give\n the light of life to the population of India is no small\n honour put upon your Committee, and I hope you will put the\n Hindoostanee translation, Martyn is bringing down, to the\n press straightway. We have, during last week, been often on\n the river in a borrowed pinnace, and the effect has been\n good to us all. Our dear brother continues to mend, but the\n length of his life will depend much on his desisting, or\n not, from public duties. He would soon be laid up again,\n were he to begin to preach. He would, at all events, take\n half of the duty last Sunday, but beside not being heard by\n half the Regiment, he was obliged to shorten the service,\n and with the Faqueers in the evening, brought on the old\n pain in his breast. The same employments as before occupy\n me, so I have nothing new to write to you. Our society\n of soldiers increases, and we are inexpressibly happy\n together. Mrs. S. has been unwell, but is recovering, and\n indeed we have mercies multiplied upon us without number.\n May we have grace to be more thankful.\u201d\n\nIt may be proper here to state, that the Committee referred to in\nthis letter, as being instrumental in giving \u201cthe word of life to the\npopulation of India,\u201d was a Committee formed in Calcutta for holding\ncorrespondence with the British and Foreign Bible Society in England.\nThis corresponding Committee was definitely organized in August,\n1809, having Mr. Brown for its Secretary; and measures were then\nadopted for carrying forward approved translations of the Scriptures\nin the Arabic, Persian, Hindoostanee, and Telinga languages.[65]\n\nThat to \u201clive and die among\u201d the people of Hindoostanee, which is\nhere only expressed as a probability, had become a settled purpose\nwith Mr. Corrie, may be gathered from his Journal:--\n\n \u201cSept. 20th. This day has completed my fourth year in\n India. My intention of remaining in India continues the\n same, and of seeking the furtherance of the gospel among\n the heathen. These Christian children engross much of my\n time; but not so much prayer as they ought. I would purpose\n to pray more for them. Oh! may I have grace to be devoted\n to the ministry! I do determine to be so, the Lord being\n my helper: my determined choice is the doctrine of Christ\n and him crucified. O may my affections be more taken up\n with God! A variety of circumstances have of late made me\n feel that the best of creatures are subject to vanity.\n I would complain of none, for the most vain are far\n preferable to me; but, O may my soul be more taken up with\n God! Draw me, O Lord the Spirit, and I will run after Thee!\n Martyn is now going to Calcutta and to sea; and I remain\n here for a time. I feel my bodily health far from strong.\u201d\n\nAnd in writing to a near relative, about the same time, after\nmentioning the intended departure of Martyn from Cawnpore, and the\nconsequent changes, Mr. C. adds,\n\n \u201cThese uncertainties make us more and more to feel that\n this is not our rest. I do rejoice in the blessed hope of a\n rest remaining for the people of God.\n\n \u201cOne of the godly soldiers departed this life last night.\n His end was peaceful and blessed. His last words to me,\n yesterday morning, were, \u2018I desire to depart and to be with\n Christ as soon as possible.\u2019 A day or two before, on my\n asking him how he was, he said, \u2018Waiting to be made free\n from corruption and fit for God.\u2019 And at the same visit he\n said, \u2018Blessed Saviour! He has done great things for my\n soul.\u2019 His life, for some time past, had been suitable to\n the gospel. This is the third who has been taken from the\n little flock since we came here. Blessed be God, who raises\n up one and another to supply their places.\n\n \u201cOne of the officers has joined himself to our meetings for\n worship, &c. and is a hopeful and pleasing young man, and\n a great encouragement to the poor soldiers, who for a time\n were much discouraged by their superiors.\n\n \u201cWe have had several instances of very awful awakenings of\n conscience in the prospect of death. One person, a week\n or two since, could not contain his feelings in the midst\n of the many sick around him, in the hospital, but openly\n accused himself, and loudly called for mercy. However, the\n generality, alas! are careless, notwithstanding these and\n other solemn warnings. A gay, smart young Captain, a short\n time since was seized with a fit in a large company, at\n dinner, and died during the night. A great crowd attended\n his funeral, and all the solemnity and pomp of military\n parade attended, but alas! the impression passed away....\n There are indeed a few (and the number is increasing) of\n godly people, scattered up and down, who are each a light\n in his place.\u201d\n\nThe references which are found in the foregoing letter and in the\nletters which follow, to the \u201cincorrectness of Sabat\u2019s Arabic,\u201d\nand to the \u201crage\u201d of that unhappy man, \u201cagainst the moonshees of\nCalcutta,\u201d are explained by the circumstance, that just before Mr.\nMartyn left Cawnpore, he had received intelligence from Mr. Brown\nthat the translations of the Gospels into Persian were considered\nto be too imperfect for publication; whilst it was insinuated that\nSabat\u2019s translations into Arabic were but copies from some old\nversion.[66] This apparent failure in an object so near his heart, as\nthe translating of the Scriptures, occasioned great distress of mind\nto Mr. Martyn; and all the evil passions of Sabat were exasperated by\nthe imputation cast on his learning. In these letters, may be but too\nplainly traced the unrestrained workings of that pride, selfishness\nand violence in Sabat which afterwards ended so mournfully, though\nnot unnaturally, in his apostasy from the \u201cfaith which\u201d always\n\u201cworketh by love.\u201d\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Oct. 4, 1810.\n\n \u201cOur brother Martyn left this on the 1st for Calcutta,\n in better health than for some time, so that, but for\n the Arabic translation, he would perhaps not have been\n persuaded to leave this at present. Since I wrote to\n you, I have had a specimen of the violence of Sabat, and\n the inexpressible trouble Martyn must have had with him.\n It began before the last letter of yours came, about\n boat-hire. He began by writing that Martyn ought to pay\n for his boat. On this Martyn referred him to you, but he\n evidently wished not to speak to you on the subject. Soon\n after this, your last arrived, and Martyn did not tell him\n the whole of its contents; at first only said, you were\n more than ever urgent for their going down speedily. As\n the time drew near, he one day came in, and after much\n cross-purposes, demanded to see the order for his going\n down, or he would not stir; intimating that Martyn had\n some sinister motive and interested purpose in taking him\n down with him. It is impossible to convey to you an idea\n of the aggravating manner and expressions he used. I lost\n patience, and told him plainly, how unchristian his conduct\n was, and how little like the gentility he pretended to.\n Martyn then read him your letter, which filled him with\n rage against the Calcutta moonshees, &c., and he determined\n to set off instantly, and put them all to flight before\n Martyn could arrive. This manner lasted two or three days,\n when an invitation he had asked for, came from Baillie,[67]\n and away he went to Lucknow, purposing to return the third\n day. Instead of returning, he sent a note to say, he\n would stay twenty days, or a month, and would translate\n and Baillie would inspect; and so he would come down to\n Calcutta armed for the contest with the objectors there.\n Martyn was hurt at this, and wrote a statement of the\n circumstances to Baillie; telling Sabat also, he should set\n off as he intended, should go to sea, and that the disputed\n translation would remain in suspense; and of course, as he\n could not go on with the work, it was likely his salary\n would be stopped; adding also, that his family would be\n obliged to remove into another bungalow, as my sister\n would come here. On this, Sabat wrote in the most earnest\n manner, for Martyn not to go without him; at the same time\n saying, he should stay four or five days longer. To this\n Martyn paid no attention, but set off, and yesterday Sabat\n returned, full of rage against him, and purposing to set\n off to-morrow or next day to overtake him if possible, and\n at all events to procure from you full redress of his many\n wrongs. There is little hope that any person but Martyn,\n supposing them capable and willing to superintend Sabat\u2019s\n translations, could bear with him; and indeed when the\n work would be finished by him, it is difficult to say. His\n unsteady and haughty temper is likely to prevent his ever\n doing extensive good, not to say, that the love of money\n has too evident hold of him. He has procured boats. He is\n now full of expressions of concern about his wife, who is\n within a month of having a child: and indeed his concern is\n proper enough, but had he set off as was first agreed, he\n might have been now in Calcutta. For my part, I feel quite\n alone and a stranger in the midst of this large society.\n Parson, you may have heard, is wishing to come here under\n the idea, as he says, that I was going away, to leave\n Martyn sinking under the duty. I had not thought of so\n doing; but heartily glad shall I be to give place to him,\n as my own strength is not likely to hold out long under the\n constant duties of this station. The folly and dissipation\n of the higher sort, cast me greatly down. How to deal\n with them, I know not. The church was opened last Sunday,\n which may give me more opportunities with them, than I\n should otherwise have had. A few of the poor receive the\n word gladly, and they are our joy and crown. Your opinion\n of the Native boys, has caused me great disquietude. I was\n convinced of danger as to their turning out well, but hoped\n not quite so much as you describe. It has made me more\n watchful over them: but I shall make a fair experiment with\n them. I trust all your family are enjoying good health, and\n as much comfort as this world of sin and sorrow will admit\n of.\u201d\n\n\n TO THE REV. H. MARTYN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Oct. 8, 1810.\n\n \u201cYours of the 3rd. from Allahabad, came only yesterday.\n We were thankful to hear you had got so far in safety. I\n received the enclosed also yesterday, and sent one or two\n of less consequence for you to Calcutta. We had a very\n large congregation yesterday, beside the morning service\n with the 53rd. I have escaped with a severe head-ache this\n morning; I trust to be quite well to-morrow. I called at\n R----\u2018s, G----\u2018s, E----\u2018s, and B----\u2018s this morning, so\n am making great progress in my work, I hope; though this\n of calling is a very insignificant part of it. I have,\n since you left, seen in the life of President Edwards,\n that he thought ministers should consider their talent for\n conversation, and, if they cannot improve conversation &c.,\n should stay at home. If I had the least pretension to his\n usefulness in the closet, I should be inclined to dwell\n there. The gateway to the church shall be put up as you\n wish; at present we are busy making Sabat\u2019s house sweet. I\n have got the christian children close by the book-room, and\n hope to have a watchful and effectual eye over them now.\n\n \u201cI wrote to Mr. Brown on Thursday, and gave him a\n particular account of my opinion of Sabat. I told him,\n what, I fancy, I did not tell you in the former cover\n enclosing Mr. Brown\u2019s, that on Sabat\u2019s return from\n Lucknow, he expressed great warmth about your going without\n him, and the subject of your letter to Baillie. It seems he\n was sorely hurt at your writing to Baillie on the subject;\n Baillie had shewed him the letter, &c. He wished me to\n side with him in thinking you had treated him as a Hindoo,\n &c. After many words, I told him, that no other person\n I knew, would have borne with him as you have done; and\n that all the christians in Europe would think so, if the\n circumstances were known. This stopped his violence; and\n during the few remaining days he shewed great humiliation,\n and at parting _seemed_ much cast down. I hear he had\n been beating the _dandees_,[68] and they all ran away at\n Georgemow, but as I have heard no more, suppose he got off\n somehow. The Mirror is come this week as usual; when you\n arrive, be so good as to order it to come in my name, as I\n wish to continue it. There have been enquiries respecting\n you, from everybody I have seen, and as many kind wishes\n for your speedy return in health.\u201d\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Oct. 10, 1810.\n\n \u201cI sent off yesterday by banghee, a correct copy of\n the Hindoostanee New Testament, for Martyn at your\n house; he has one copy with him beside. I heard from\n him from Allahabad on the 3rd., he was going on his way\n prosperously. I have sent some letters that came here for\n him, to meet him at Patna. Shepherd will be here in a few\n days. He was to leave Meerut on the 1st. I have then the\n whole range of the Doab.[69] Our new church was opened,\n as I told you, by Martyn, and we had a larger attendance\n on Sunday last. The natives are greatly pleased with the\n bell; they argue for the antiquity and holiness of their\n own use of bells in their temples, from the English also\n using them. The Sherwoods are living next door, and have\n made a gate into our garden. The continual calls of duty\n of one kind or other, leave me very little time with\n them. I have got the christian children within call of\n my window, and entirely separated from the other parts\n of the premises. Mary talks of beginning a school for\n native christian girls. She can read the Persian character\n pretty readily, and we have a promising half-caste boy,\n who will be her schoolmaster. We are progressing, I think,\n both among the Europeans, and in our little establishment\n for the natives; yet, I know not why, my mind is almost\n always cast down and without hope. The select meeting of\n the poor soldiers is a source of much, and almost the\n only refreshment to me. I would desire greatly to begin\n a meeting with the 8th Light Dragoons, where many of the\n men are hopeful, but I fear my bodily strength would sink\n under it, for as it is, I cannot keep quite rid of a cough\n and other symptoms of weak lungs. I know, however, that my\n Redeemer liveth,--let me quietly leave all with him, and\n he will bring it to pass! When will the chaplains Dr. B.\n mentioned, arrive? Simeon says, he can get no chaplains to\n come out; even worldly men dread our climate so much, they\n will not encounter it.\u201d\n\n\n [54] Owen, Hist. of the Bible Society, Vol. 2. pp. 1-32.\n\n [55] Alluding probably to the successes of Napoleon in\n Germany, which terminated in the treaty of Sch\u00f6nbrun.\n\n [56] Carrier.\n\n [57] A kind of Police officer.\n\n [58] Son of the late Rev. T. Robinson, of Leicester.\n\n [59] Pearson\u2019s Memoirs of Dr. Buchanan, vol. 2. p. 211.\n\n [60] Named _Jounarain Ghoshaul_, a resident in Benares.\n\n [61] Bill of Exchange.\n\n [62] Mr. Corrie laid the first stone of this Church, on\n the morning of Tuesday, April 29, 1810.\n\n [63] A full account of this religious tumult is given in\n Bishop Heber\u2019s Journal.\n\n [64] Hooker, \u201cA remedy against Sorrow and Fear.\u201d\n\n [65] Owen\u2019s History of the Bible Society, vol. ii. pp.\n 14, 15.\n\n [66] See Martyn\u2019s Letter to Mr. Brown, dated Sept. 10,\n 1810.\n\n [67] The English resident at Lucknow.\n\n [68] Native boatmen.\n\n [69] The whole country lying between the rivers Ganges\n and Tumna.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER VIII.\n\n RESIDENCE AT CAWNPORE.\n\n\nAfter Mr. Martyn had taken his departure for Calcutta, the clerical\nduties connected with Cawnpore devolved upon Mr. Corrie. Some idea\nof the varied and laborious nature of those duties will have been\ngathered from the foregoing correspondence, and will have been\nsufficient to explain the anxiety with which the arrival in India of\nadditional Chaplains was made the subject of enquiry. Not the least\nfatiguing portions of a Chaplain\u2019s duty were the long journeys he\nwas repeatedly called on to make, for the purpose of solemnizing\nmarriages between Europeans, and administering the Sacrament of\nBaptism to their children. Two journeys of this kind Mr. C. had\nto undertake within a month after he had been in the sole charge\nof Cawnpore:--one into Bundelcund, the other to Coel, distant at\nleast 200 miles up the country. In the latter journey Mr. C. was\naccompanied by a young friend; and under date of Nov. 20, remarks,\n\n \u201cCOEL. Arrived here this morning, to marry a couple. I have\n reason to be thankful that my pride, and angry feelings\n have been more in subjection towards the servants this\n journey. I have, however, to lament one instance of undue\n anger; but, in general, their perverseness has not caused\n the impatience and excitement as on former occasions; \u2018be\n not high-minded, but fear:\u2019 \u2018by faith ye stand.\u2019 During the\n journey to Mynpoorie, G., expressed, on the whole, true\n christian conduct, love of the word of God, and prayer, and\n often feeling impressions of his own unworthiness before\n God, and the need of the Holy Spirit\u2019s grace, to perfect\n him in holiness; which, also, on Sunday evening, he spoke\n of, as if he felt their comforting and sanctifying power.\n May the Lord God, the Saviour, confirm, strengthen, and\n establish him!\n\n \u201cAt Mynpoorie, the proposition for public worship was\n readily entertained, and most of the station, (in all\n fifteen,) attended at the judge\u2019s house on Sunday. I\n preached on the benefit of the scripture history, with some\n boldness, and comfort to myself; and there was a great\n attention given; and afterwards two baptisms.\u201d\n\nIt would seem from circumstances noticed in his Journal, that\nin consequence of his declining to take part in some frivolous\namusements that were going on at Coel, Mr. Corrie did not meet\nwith that kindness and social regard which he might naturally have\nexpected; and his affectionate spirit seems to have been somewhat\ndeeply wounded.\n\n \u201cO my God!\u201d he observes, \u201cI bless thee that thou didst\n deign to look upon me, and to call me to the adoption of a\n son, through the grace of Christ! I have said unto my soul,\n \u2018The Lord is my portion in the land of the living.\u2019 Why\n should a soul its thirst bemoan, who has a fountain near?\n I would not take one step backward to conciliate their\n [favour.] \u2018Let them return to thee, but return not thou\n to them.\u2019 [Jerem. xv. 19.] My soul adores the divine will\n in this command. No more would I go to the world. I have\n observed much of late, what Newton expresses in the hymn,\n \u2018Prayer answered by crosses.\u2019 I have been desiring to be\n more dead to the world, and the Lord has been pleased to\n make it bitter to me.\u201d\n\nHis Journal then proceeds:--\n\n \u201cAgra, Nov. 26th. Arrived here yesterday morning from Coel.\n In the morning, on viewing the magnificent remains of this\n city, I was not duly sensible of the vanity of earthly\n glory. O that my mind were always alive to the vanity of\n present things, in comparison of eternal!\n\n \u201cIn consequence of orders from Colonel B., the European\n artillery, to the amount of four hundred, attended divine\n service in the dewan. I stood on the marble slab which was\n occupied formerly by the vizier, when handing up petitions\n to the emperor, in the balcony above. Many of the officers\n attended; I preached from Malachi iii. 18. I much fear they\n did not understand me, but a general attention was given:\n in the afternoon, I went out to Nonilla, and baptized\n three children; several of the young officers attended,\n and kneeled down very devoutly. My heart rejoiced, and was\n raised to God for a blessing upon them. To all appearance,\n they are such as our Lord, in the days of his flesh, would\n have loved; my soul desires their salvation. Oh, that the\n Lord would take them effectually in hand! Oh, the depth\n of divine wisdom and knowledge! Alas, that these engaging\n forms of human nature should be slaves of sin, and so,\n objects of the divine displeasure. Just and righteous\n are thy ways, O king of saints! Oh, how I ought to praise\n God for the acceptance He gives me among men who yet are\n by no means conformed to His word! Oh, may the good Lord\n make them willing and obedient, that they may be blessed\n with all spiritual blessings in Christ; and, may all their\n kindnesses be returned a hundred fold into their bosoms!\u201d\n\nSome further particulars of Mr. Corrie\u2019s journey up the country, as\nwell as of his flock at Cawnpore, are found in the following letter.\n\n\n TO THE REV. H. MARTYN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Dec. 21, 1810.\n\n \u201cI returned last night from Muttra and Agra, and found\n your\u2019s of the 3rd instant.... If I were in Calcutta, I\n should vote against your preaching every week. If you\n will not take rest, dear brother, come away back, and\n understand, if you can, from those in power, if I am to be\n permitted to remain with you here, or not. At Agra there\n will be little labour among the Europeans; some good, I\n suppose, might be done among the native christians. I this\n time visited the Roman Catholic place. The premises are\n large, but every thing going to decay from the covetousness\n of Angelo. There is a church of one long room, the roof\n arched, at the east end a round recess, like the Mosques of\n the Mahomedans, and a picture of the Virgin with a child\n half as large as herself, over the high altar. At Agra\n we had no public worship on Sunday; there was nobody in\n garrison, and the Artillerymen were a far way off. Colonel\n M. sent after me a draft for 1600 rupees!!! I suppose he\n meant to try, whether a mighty bribe would not prevail to\n draw me from our purpose.[70] I returned it with thanks,\n and have heard no more of the matter. I have been with\n Captain P. who commands the 53rd, and he will send to\n desire the Regiment to be marched to Church on Sunday. I\n hear from C--, that the society continues to walk in the\n fear of the Lord, and are, I hope, multiplying in number.\n Some new members are to be admitted to-night, I do not\n know how many. I regret to hear, the man of the 8th. you\n remember, has been behaving ill since I was here, yet there\n is one it seems, who is disposed to come out from among\n them. He has been often with C--, so I shall go down as I\n intended and fixed with the schoolmaster of the 8th. though\n the above man was the first encouragement, and must now be\n kept at a distance. I should not forget to tell you, of\n dear Harrington\u2019s continued stedfastness, and attention\n to the men when I am absent, which is no doubt one reason\n of their consistency. S. has invited the religious men to\n a dinner on Christmas day. They must be greatly comforted\n by these circumstances, no longer constrained to hide\n themselves through fear of man. We are all well, blessed be\n the Lord our Saviour. May you increase in strength of body,\n and be strengthened with all might by the Spirit in the\n inner man. Love to all the saints. All here wish you grace,\n mercy, and peace.\n\n \u201cI shall proceed with all care with Mirza. There is no\n fear of any further inconvenience. I have resisted; he\n has submitted; we are now as before. I have not seen him\n to-day, but will, (D. V.,) write fully about him in a few\n days.\u201d\n\nLetters which Mr. Corrie addressed to Mr. Martyn and Mr. Brown\nrespectively, a week later than the preceding date, give a pleasing\naccount of the state of the congregation at Cawnpore; and supply,\nalso, a specimen of the difficulties with which the earlier\nMissionary labourers in India had to contend, in their efforts to\nsecure translations of the Word of God into the native languages.\n\n\n TO THE REV. H. MARTYN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Dec. 26, 1810.\n\n \u201cYesterday divine service was appointed at eleven. Few of\n the soldiers came, but the body of the church was entirely\n filled with the gentry. Colonel and Mrs. W. came, and\n brought many of the officers of the 8th. The civilians too,\n were all present. We had upwards of fifty at the Lord\u2019s\n table:--three complete tables. Among them the above and\n Dr. M., Captain and Mrs. E., Mr. G. S. and Harrington of\n the 53rd, with many of the soldiers beside the society....\n There were three more admitted to the society on Friday\n night. On Sunday one part of the 53rd were marched to\n Church. At two, I therefore went to the school-room of the\n 8th, and about thirty came. One of them has lately been\n several times to the Church: several of them were disposed\n to be attentive. S. had a number of the religious men at\n dinner. Harrington dined with us, and after dinner we went\n over and staid awhile at S.\u2019s. It was a very happy time....\n Mr. G. has been reading Newton on the Prophecies, and\n has now Edwards on Redemption. This, with his attendance\n yesterday, and general sobriety, looks well. Captain G. and\n P. are both unwell; E. is better: I fear his impressions\n are gone; B. has been unwell too; perhaps you do not know\n him, he is an acquaintance since you left. Indeed, I have\n seen them almost all, but have not been at the mess.\n\n \u201cYesterday I baptised my little boy by the name of Osman\n Daniel.[71] The child afterwards was reading the Gospels\n almost all day. I have not shewn your _muvishtee_ to\n Fitrut. He has got to the end of Joshua, and does on an\n average more than two chapters a day. Beside that without\n your reviewing his work, it will be but little worth; and\n if he were doing it by task work, it would be still more\n incorrect. The first discontent he shewed was only the\n usual policy of an Indian to try how far his influence\n extended; I took no notice of it, but positively refused\n his demands; and for two or three weeks made no inquiry\n after him, on which he came entirely into the old plan. He\n comes every day, and we translate a collect or two: and in\n this way I shall have the Prayer book, as well as the Bible\n translated. We have begun a little work of Mrs. Sherwood\u2019s\n also, in the manner of the Pilgrim\u2019s Progress, which I tell\n him, he shall receive some gratuity for doing. This seized\n upon him instantly, and he would fain have taken the book\n with him; but I would not allow that, lest the greater work\n be hindered.\u201d\n\nMr. Corrie\u2019s private reflections on the religious services mentioned\nabove, were as follow:\n\n \u201c25th. [Dec. 1810] A large attendance at church, and above\n fifty attended at the Lord\u2019s table. O may their souls be\n nourished by grace divine! My own heart all the morning\n unfeeling and hard, during the whole of divine worship;\n and at dinner on going to S.\u2019s. to see their party of\n godly men, and joining in a hymn with them, my soul melted\n under a sense of the Lord\u2019s grace and love to me. O may\n this impression remain; and may its constraining influence\n attend me! Prepare me for my evening work, O Lord the\n Spirit, Amen!\u201d\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Dec. 26, 1810.\n\n \u201cI send enclosed a letter to Martyn; if he is gone to sea,\n you will peruse it, and send it after him. The account of\n Fitrut and the translation, you are concerned in, as much\n as he is, and I shall give you an account of our progress\n from time to time. We are all here very busy in one way or\n other, but with all our bustle we should not be missed if\n taken away from the face of the earth. I trust, however,\n some seed is sowing, that may spring up another day. The\n half-caste lad, I have had now a year, during which,\n not one instance of misconduct has come to my hearing.\n Yesterday he seriously devoted himself to the work of a\n Missionary, after a free choice, on my part, given him, to\n be a writer, or any thing else, I could serve him in. He\n has begun to-day to learn Latin from Lieut. Harrington,\n who is teaching one of the officer\u2019s sons, and an orphan\n European boy, Latin. He is now about eighteen; he is\n reading and writing Persian too, and learning to translate\n into Hindoostanee his native tongue. The other native boys\n make considerable proficiency. I keep a strict hand over\n them.\u201d\n\nOn the first day of the new year, Mr. Corrie again wrote to Mr.\nMartyn, but it was chiefly about private matters. The letter,\nhowever, to Mr. Brown, which enclosed that to Mr. M. is of more\ngeneral interest.\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Jan. 1, 1811.\n\n \u201cI send another note for Martyn. He tells me you must\n wait for paper from England before you can print the\n Hindoostanee. The late arrivals in our department are not\n favourable specimens of their labours at Cambridge and\n Leadenhall street. They are frightened, I fancy, by the\n Twinings,[72] &c.: but yet what can they do if men will\n not offer themselves? During my late journeys in these\n parts, I observed the idol-temples and the mosques, in\n most places falling to decay, and with little appearance of\n being frequented. Here and there a rich underling of some\n of the Company\u2019s servants has retired and built a pagoda\n to commemorate his ill-gotten wealth; but in general,\n the spirit and fury of idolatry does not appear. I have\n thought much, if the time were but come for the labourers\n to enter in, the gospel would not fail to be attended to.\n But where are the labourers? At best, I was never but an\n under-servant, and now my hands are full of Europeans:\n and the Company\u2019s Chaplains will always be so, unless\n there were more of them. May we have more of the spirit of\n prayer, that the Lord may \u2018give the word,\u2019 and then \u2018great\n shall be the company of the preachers!\u2019\n\n \u201cI have very little comfort in the work of the ministry\n among the Europeans. I consider it always a secondary\n consideration, yet how to be doing it more for the heathen,\n I know not. At Agra, I suppose there may be greater\n opportunities; but Martyn will not hold up many months\n under the duties of this station, so I hope to be continued\n with him.\u201d\n\nThe following extract from his Journal informs us of Mr. Corrie\u2019s\nprivate occupations and purposes:--\n\n \u201cJanuary 2nd, 1811. I am much occupied in reading Greek,\n and other exercises, tending, I hope, to mutual benefit\n with H., but let me not deceive myself in fancying it all\n duty, when it is all so agreeable. The children have made\n considerable progress during the past year: as much as I\n could expect. James has begun Latin, under the express idea\n of becoming a teacher of others: and may he have grace to\n give himself willingly to this work! I am very much taken\n up with schemes for the furtherance of the gospel; but\n little is yet done. The Europeans require more time and\n labour than I have to give [to them.] Blessed be God for\n some success among them. O may they [who fear God] increase\n in number! During the year, my proficiency has been very\n scanty: some knowledge of the history of this country, some\n proficiency in Hindoostanee; the Hindoostanee catechism:\n these are my chief employments, beside my ministry among\n the Europeans. I purpose to be more in the study of these\n languages, more in writing sermons, more attentive to\n the children; to translate the Pilgrim\u2019s Progress, the\n Prayer book, and any other work that may be useful to the\n children. Lord, direct my steps, and make me an instrument\n of good for Jesus\u2019 sake, Amen!\u201d\n\nIt will be recollected that, in consequence of a sermon which Mr.\nBrown preached on New-year\u2019s day, 1810, an important effort was made\nto supply the Christians of Tanjore with Bibles. Encouraged, it would\nseem, by the success which attended that effort, Mr. Martyn, whilst\nin Calcutta was induced to occupy Mr. Brown\u2019s pulpit on the 1st of\nJanuary, 1811, for the purpose of making \u201cAn appeal on behalf of\n900,000 Christians in India who were in want of a Bible.\u201d This Sermon\nnot only produced a lasting effect on those who heard it delivered,\nbut having been printed and widely circulated, called forth among the\nEuropeans in India, a strong feeling of sympathy in behalf of the\nnative Christians, and contributed mainly towards the formation of\nan Auxiliary Bible Society in Calcutta. It is to these circumstances\nthat allusion is made in the following letter; although the Auxiliary\nSociety was not actually formed till the 21st of February.[73]\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Jan. 28, 1811.\n\n \u201cI am much pleased with the idea of an Auxiliary Bible\n Society. I wonder the thought had not occurred before. When\n we receive Martyn\u2019s sermon I hope we shall be able to get\n you help from this [place]. I have mentioned the sermon\n in several places, and it will be read here with great\n eagerness. We have no support from our new General: he sets\n but a very indifferent example to the community, whilst\n he is quiet and civil enough in private. \u2018To the poor the\n gospel is preached,\u2019 and they receive it, though not in\n great numbers.\n\n \u201cI have had five long journeys since November, and expect\n to go to Bareilly next week to attend two marriages. At\n the other end of the cantonments I have lately begun to\n assemble the Light Dragoons on a Thursday evening. At first\n many came, and a few still continue to attend. Most of our\n Hymn-books are distributed, and numbers of the Bibles, but\n few of the New Testaments....\n\n \u201cI am at present in very good health, and strong to labour.\n We have service three times on Sundays, and on Wednesday,\n Thursday, and Friday evenings. The distance between the\n two European regiments, makes double labour, but (blessed\n be God!) it is not labour in vain. And whilst there is no\n service that could well be dispensed with I can do nothing\n better than patiently \u2018spend and be spent,\u2019 while strength\n remains. Even now the hospitals are sadly neglected, but\n the godly men, and especially Harrington, supply the lack\n with great diligence.\u201d\n\nOf the journey to Bareilly (about 170 miles distant from Cawnpore)\nthere is a short notice in Mr. C\u2019s Journal, dated,\n\n \u201cFebruary 21st. I have had a journey to Bareilly. H. went\n with me to Futtyghur. I have reason to bless God for\n preservation from angry tempers during the journey, and\n for the much sweet converse I had with H. In riding along,\n our manner was to read a sentence from a book, and to\n converse upon it; or sing a hymn. In this way weariness\n was prevented, and my heart often burned within me. Let me\n however watch and pray that the things which I have wrought\n be not lost. O, may I never be suffered to faint or grow\n weary in the heavenly way! My inward frame and spirit is\n sadly prone to this. I have to drag this \u2018body of sin\u2019\n along with me. How often would my spirit sit down to rest;\n or, wearied with the constant load, yield to the death!\n Lord, preserve and uphold me to the end! Amen.\u201d\n\nDuring the two months following the date of this extract, Mr. Corrie\nwas chiefly occupied with the ordinary clerical duties at Cawnpore.\nBesides these however, he did not cease to employ himself in urging\non the translation of the Old Testament into Hindoostanee, which\nMirza Fitrut had commenced under the superintendence of Mr. Martyn;\nand Mr. C\u2019s correspondence about this time shews him, also, to have\nbeen actively engaged in furthering the objects contemplated by the\nCalcutta Bible Society, and in collecting subscriptions for it. Thus\nin a letter to Mr. Brown, Mr. C. observes,\n\n \u201cApril 8, 1811.\n\n \u201cI wrote to Fitrut on the receipt of your last. He sends\n word, that he is unwell, but will come over soon. I expect\n him daily, but suppose he will raise obstacles. The copy\n of Martyn\u2019s sermon which Mr. T. sent me, has not been at\n home a day since it arrived. Applications from all hands\n are daily made for it. The people are astonished at the\n _number_ of Christians in India. Whilst they have been\n objecting to conversion, behold a harvest is already\n gathered! I have the promise of many subscriptions,\n chiefly, indeed, from those who have not much to give; but\n till I can tell them all about you in Calcutta, I know not\n exactly on what ground to ask for subscriptions.\u201d\n\nAnd, again, in a letter to Mr. Brown, during the same month:--\n\n \u201cBy Fitrut\u2019s desire I send you the enclosed. Before it\n arrives, you will have determined on his request. He is\n now ready to set off, but that I do not choose absolutely\n to promise the increase of salary he wishes for. In the\n meantime, he is going on translating, and he comes every\n morning for an hour or two, to superintend my translations\n also. No _banghy_ has yet arrived with sermon &c., but Col.\n P. has written to Lieut. L., assistant commissary here,\n requesting his aid and exertions for the Bible Society. He\n sent a sermon and a copy of the proceedings, &c.[74] Mr.\n Lumsdaine, accordingly, is getting subscriptions from his\n friends. The general has given 200 rupees, and the plan of\n the society is generally approved. The public attention\n has been greatly excited, and our friends here thought it\n advisable to give the subject all the publicity possible;\n so yesterday, I gave notice from the pulpit, that on Sunday\n next, I shall preach a sermon on the subject of the Holy\n Scriptures, and state the views of the society lately\n formed in Calcutta, in aid of the British and Foreign Bible\n Society in London, &c. I had before waited on Mr. L. and\n agreed to act in concert. Thus, more advantage to the cause\n is likely to arise than we ever hoped for; we want only\n copies of proceedings, &c., to gratify the attention thus\n far excited, before it subsides.\n\n \u201cThe religious men of the 53rd., I understand, mean to\n give each a month\u2019s pay. They say, they have before been\n called upon for a month\u2019s pay, to help to carry on the war,\n much more will they contribute \u2018to the help of the Lord\n against the mighty.\u2019 I have great reason for thankfulness\n for the acceptance the word of God has among us. The church\n is usually crowded in the part allotted to the gentry,\n and our societies increase considerably. Even the wild\n Irish Roman Catholics of the 8th Light Dragoons, pay great\n attention, and the Thursday evenings attendance increases.\n A sergeant, his wife, and several others of them, appear in\n good earnest seeking salvation. The Company\u2019s Europeans are\n the least attentive, and indeed, with a few exceptions, the\n Company\u2019s officers are the least constant at church. I have\n a Hindoostanee congregation of nine, every morning, and am\n going through the Epistles with them. The half-caste lad\n I have mentioned, has began to read to them. He continues\n to give good hope that his heart is in the work; and the\n children also, continue improving. I am often greatly\n exhausted from the frequent public services, and feel often\n much inward weakness. Should I ever be relieved from this,\n I would try to get to sea for a few weeks, just recruit\n strength, and prevent the frame from giving way entirely.\n I have many thoughts about Benares; if you send the copies\n of proceedings to E., I fear he will never distribute\n them. You should send some to Robinson. I am desirous to\n see the proceedings of Martyn, when you can spare his\n letter. You cannot suppose how widowed I feel from his\n absence.... Mr. Y. tells me there is a Bible Depository in\n Calcutta. Who has the charge of it? I have been applied to\n for information about it, but could give none.... To-day,\n I have a letter from Martyn dated 19th March, \u2018Bombay,\u2019\n containing extracts from Simeon, on _not_ taking fees, far\n more pointed than his cautions to P.\u201d\n\nBut assiduously occupied as Mr. Corrie thus appears to have been in\nfurthering every plan that promised to yield moral benefit to his\nfellow-men, he was nevertheless alive, at the time, to the importance\nof watching over the state of religion in his own soul. On the\nanniversary of his birth-day he writes:--\n\n \u201cApril 10th. This day I am thirty-four. It was the night\n I heard of my mother\u2019s death, February 1798, that I first\n remember my resolutions made to be religious. Till the\n summer of 1801, I went on sinning and repenting, as I\n thought; but quite ignorant of the author and finisher of\n salvation. In the latter end of that year, my views of\n scripture truth became more distinct; and, since then,\n I have gone on my way, \u2018looking unto Jesus;\u2019 but every\n year has brought me, it should seem, only experience\n of my own depravity. True, I have experience of \u2018the\n Lord\u2019s mercy,\u2019 too, in that I am \u2018not consumed;\u2019 and the\n fulness, freeness, and efficacy of the \u2018fountain opened\u2019\n to purify my guilty soul is so fully known to my soul,\n and my own hope in that \u2018blood shed for the remission\n of sins,\u2019 so stayed, that my own guilt does not dismay\n me, as it otherwise might well do: at the same time, one\n propensity after another to evil starts up so unavoidably,\n that doubtless, my soul is \u2018full of wounds, and bruises,\n and putrifying sores:\u2019 to Thee, therefore, O divine\n Physician, do I turn my fainting eyes. I come to Thee for\n healing, that it would please Thee to cast the salt of\n Thy grace into this impure fountain, that the streams may\n be purified from the noxious qualities, which now render\n unfruitful the whole field of the soul. O Lord, I pray\n that the overflowings of sin may be restrained; teach me\n to watch and pray; quicken me to diligence in this work,\n and service; enable me to \u2018give attendance to reading, to\n exhortation, to doctrine;\u2019 to \u2018give myself wholly to them,\n that my profiting may appear\u2019 in the edification of thy\n people, through the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!\u201d\n\n \u201cJune 10th. This day nine years ago, I was ordained a\n deacon; and on the twelfth of June, two years after, a\n priest. I have sinned grievously in respect of personal\n holiness; and, during the last year, also, I fear, as\n much as ever. I know not what to do against my strong\n foe, \u2018whose name is legion.\u2019 The Lord knows I purpose\n perpetual enmity with every sin; and, I think, if it were\n the will of God to take away every disposition to evil,\n I should rejoice; but, at the same time, should require\n such measures of grace to keep me humble, as seem out of\n the way of God\u2019s usual method to bestow. Indeed, when I\n feel such a disposition to self-importance in a very short\n time, if my evil dispositions are quiet, what devilish\n pride should I not be puffed up with, if my heart were\n freed from corruption. Blessed be God, I can say, that no\n sin hath dominion over me; yet do I not justify myself:\n though I am often surprised, and get a spiritual fall, yet\n the enemy cannot keep me down: by faith I rise, by faith I\n stand; and \u2018in the Lord have I righteousness and strength.\u2019\n I have been at Cawnpore about a year; and since October\n have had the whole charge: ten are added to the (religious)\n society since then; and several are enquiring after the\n ways of godliness. Some of the light dragoons, (especially\n sergeant R.) are, I hope, seriously impressed. Gracious\n God, I praise Thee for these fruits! I have to mourn my\n unprofitableness among the better sort. I think I am not\n suited to do good by much visiting, and, therefore, stay\n at home. I have been employed a great deal in translating\n for the children; and Nicholas is very hopeful: these in\n all are six, besides those who came yesterday. God of all\n grace, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give me a\n larger portion of the Holy Spirit\u2019s grace: make me holy\n in body, soul, and spirit; \u2018holiness becometh thy house.\u2019\n O Lord, my soul is athirst for holiness. Teach me how to\n preach holiness through the Spirit, and by the Saviour!\n But, I am forbidden by the doctors to preach, on account\n of this liver. May I pray the more for the souls around\n me: O for a spirit of grace and supplication! To Thee, O\n Lord, have I dedicated myself; at thy table, yesterday,\n did I give myself away to Thee; and, though the watchful\n enemy robbed me of part of the benefit, yet, I know, thou\n hast accepted me: Thou didst sit at thine own table; it\n was a season of refreshment to many, as well as to myself;\n about fifty attended; in the evening, a large congregation.\n I hope soon to establish worship for the Hindoostanees;\n James, I trust, is fully bent on this work, though he has a\n good deal of youthful levity about him. Lord, bless all my\n flock, my dear family, and friends! Bless my soul, O Lord,\n and let my soul praise Thee at all times!\u201d\n\nThe following letter to Mr. Simeon, whilst giving a general outline\nof the religious condition of Cawnpore, as presented during Mr.\nCorrie\u2019s ministrations at that station, explains also, the lofty,\nself-denying principle on which both Mr. Martyn and himself had\ndecided to waive the accepting of any fee for the celebration of\nmarriages, &c.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, June 4, 1811.\n\n \u201cAs your Indian friends are, at this time, widely\n separated, I shall not be likely to trouble you with\n repetition of intelligence from this quarter, and I know\n you will take part in the hopes and fears attending the\n work of the ministry in this place. You will, I hope, hear\n from Mr. Martyn himself from Persia; the last I heard of\n him was from Bombay, March 19th. He had benefited little,\n or nothing, from the change. Since his departure, I have\n had much encouragement in my work. I began with a very\n discouraging impression of my unfitness to stand up in\n his place, but the word delivered in weakness, has been\n attended with power to several. Ten have been added to the\n religious society, and several are on probation, in one\n of the European Regiments; in the other, some good has\n been done, and even from among the Company\u2019s Artillery-men\n (surely the most hardened against all good, of any set of\n men I ever saw) five are become regular attendants at the\n Lord\u2019s Table. We might have hoped for more abundant fruit;\n but that it was the Divine will I should be laid up a third\n time with the liver, and obliged to desist from all labour\n but the Sunday\u2019s duty. I am now so affected with mercury,\n that I cannot appear next Sunday, but I am happy to say,\n that for several days the pains have left me, and I trust\n the disease has subsided. I hope the life, thus repeatedly\n renewed to me, will be more than ever devoted to the work\n of the ministry, for truly I find no life like living to\n Christ. His service is perfect freedom and a great reward!\n\n \u201cMy absence from the Irish regiment has been most felt;\n as in the English regiment, one of the officers, a nephew\n of the late Dr. Elliston of Sidney College, has supplied\n my lack of service, by reading &c., having \u2018first given\n himself unto the Lord.\u2019 We have every Wednesday evening\n a party of friends, who take sweet counsel together. It\n consists, when altogether, of a Lieutenant of Dragoons\n and his wife, the Paymaster of the 53rd and his wife, an\n Assistant Surgeon, the above Lieutenant, my sister, and\n a young lady who is living with her; we sometimes have\n beside, another Surgeon and his lady, who have been brought\n up among religious people; an officer on the staff here,\n and, now and then, a friend from the country; and there are\n others, who approve and are hopeful, though they do not yet\n care to come out from the world. When we thus happily meet,\n we are encouraged to think, the whole world must speedily\n bow before the word of the Lord; but, alas, we return again\n with the complaint of Melancthon. The multitude, alas,\n tread heedlessly the broad way!\n\n \u201cYou will know of the formation of an Auxiliary Bible\n society in Calcutta. It has raised \u2018no small stir about\n that way.\u2019 Here we have had good success, but the enemy\n also has been at work. My application to the Commander\n of one of the corps here, was yesterday returned, with\n many concessions as to the purity of our motives, but\n representing this new association as the most dangerous\n thing imaginable, and praying me, and others, to desist\n from promoting the objects of it. In two entire regiments,\n out of the five, we have been thus hindered, but blessed\n be God, we have a majority, even in point of numbers. One\n undeniable benefit has arisen from it, even to the English;\n for after a sermon I preached on the subject, April 28th,\n we had a greater number of applications for English Bibles,\n than for many months together before.\n\n \u201cDuring this month my school of Christian boys has\n increased to nine. I hear them myself twice a day, and\n find they learn even quicker than many English boys. Some\n of the parents, seeing how desirous I am to retain these\n children at school, plague me not a little for money to\n support themselves also, saying they must otherwise remove\n to some other place, and take their children with them. The\n Christian man I left at Chunar, has within these few days\n arrived here, having left his charge. The house I fitted\n up, is still used for public worship by the Europeans, but\n no one pities my poor black flock, so they are again left\n in the wide wilderness. A few of them, who have, I trust\n been made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted\n of the good word of God, attend the service in English,\n though they understand nothing of what is said, yet they\n hear the name of \u2018_Jesu Kreesht_,\u2019 and, that, they say,\n \u2018is pleasure.\u2019 At this place there are many Christians of\n Portuguese descent, but, in language and manners, quite\n Hindoostanees. Through two of my Christian people, who,\n I trust, are real Christians, a desire has been excited\n among them for hearing and reading the Scriptures. The\n youth I have mentioned, of European descent, is with me\n still, and very promising. I hope to establish worship in\n Hindoostanee, in a month\u2019s time, for the above native\n christians here, and to make this lad officiate. If I were\n able to officiate myself, I would not set him so forward\n yet, but our friends here advise that, considering the\n difficulty of again putting affairs in the train they now\n are, we had better secure the present opportunity, and\n hope and pray that the Lord will be with us, till Martyn\u2019s\n return, when he will find the way he had prepared, somewhat\n carried forward, and may enlarge it after, as he judges\n proper. He had addressed himself to the multitude at large\n who used to assemble every Sunday evening, on his lawn,\n till his health and strength were exhausted. My health and\n strength have been brought nearly as low, though I have a\n stronger constitution to renew upon; so I set the above\n servants to work at the houses of individual Christians,\n and now hope to establish a small congregation from among\n them, against our brother\u2019s return.\n\n \u201cFrom Bombay, M. sent me a part of a letter of your\u2019s, on\n the subject of fees, which he desired me to consider. I\n beg leave to state a few particulars on that subject for\n your information. First, all in the army, below the rank of\n Captain, are obliged to use the strictest economy, in order\n to maintain a family. A Captain may live without care,\n but, if it be considered that he must send his children to\n England for education, it will be easily believed, that\n every married military man, who has a family, is likely to\n be poor to the end of his service, with the exception of a\n few, who get staff-appointments, and they are almost the\n only ones who are ever able to return home. When we are\n sent for to a distance, the expences of travelling are paid\n by the parties, which usually costs from forty to sixty\n pounds. It is usually the younger officers who marry, for\n the old ones almost all live in sin: and indeed from the\n above circumstances, together with the few opportunities of\n religious instruction, most of the young ones too; and some\n have told me plainly, that they could get nobody to marry\n them, and if they could, they had not money to give, as\n was usually expected by the Chaplains. For these causes,\n from the first, I wished to decline being an obstacle in\n the way of any. Sometimes young men marry the daughters of\n old Indians by native mothers, but though the father could\n often give a fee in this case, he has himself sacrificed\n conscience to money, and thinks any one would do the same,\n and how are we to convince him to the contrary, but by\n refusing his money? The civilians who marry, are also\n usually of the younger part, and have nothing to spare\n without borrowing, which they can do indeed too easily.\n The elder civilians are altogether as preposterously paid\n to excess, and indeed there are very few of them, who are\n not in consequence, so vain, and carry themselves so high,\n that I know not how we can shew them the folly of trusting\n in these things, but by refusing the opportunities of\n obtaining them. On this head, there will he difference of\n opinion, but my humble judgment is, to renounce the fee,\n to convince them by all possible means, that a man\u2019s life\n consisteth not in these things. In so doing, we are not\n injuring our successor, because he has a sufficiency of\n income for all the purposes that his station in life can\n require. I suppose you do not care whether we be able to\n keep a carriage, or not, if we should ever return; and\n suppose we save but enough to pay our passage to England,\n the retiring pension is an abundant provision for our\n necessities. I suppose, that even a chaplain marries, and\n has children, then even he has plenty to educate them,\n though his usefulness here may be thereby confined, and\n in what situation would it not be so? I see no motive for\n receiving fees that ought to be entertained a moment, but\n that of taking them to give to the poor, and such has been\n the state of things among the British here hitherto, that\n the mention of such a motive would have excited derision,\n as mere hypocrisy. It has never been conceived, that a man\n came to India, except to make money. After all, dear Sir,\n we have no such thing as a regular fee; we are military\n chaplains, and the general could order us to officiate, in\n any part of the district, there being no legal impediment:\n _you_ can recover the accustomed offering by law; _we_ have\n no law on the subject, nor do the soldiers ever, on any\n occasion, offer a fee. We have indeed custom on our side,\n but it is a custom that has made the name of Chaplain an\n offence. Would government but appoint a regular supply of\n Chaplains, and let any reasonable fee be appointed, for\n occasional duties, as a part of their subsistence, it would\n be well. O, I wish that some of the young men around you,\n did but see the different stations of India, where numbers\n of their countrymen are actually falling into the jaws of\n infidelity and deism, for the want of some one merely to\n remind them of the customs and opinions of their native\n land. They come out boys; they leave the Sabbath and public\n worship behind them; they straightway fall into sinful\n habits, and grow to argue for that, which they would once\n have blushed to mention. But what, if the young clergy\n knew, and pitied, and were willing to come over and help\n us, what could they do whilst the way is shut against them?\n Consider, this district contains, I know not the exact\n number, but I know twelve subordinate stations, at each\n of which, there will be from twenty to forty English and\n native Christians in the Company\u2019s service; at Allahabad,\n one hundred miles to the east, there are about two hundred\n Europeans alone; at Futtyghur eighty miles to the west,\n there are at least as many, and at Bareilly not much less\n than a hundred. To these places, the Chaplain of Cawnpore\n must go, to celebrate marriages, for this is the only\n duty he cannot be dispensed with for; but as to all other\n religious services, they are left entirely destitute, and\n from the long habits of indifference they have been in, it\n is not always, even when we do go, that we can have public\n worship. O, dear Sir, ought the immense revenues of this\n fruitful land to be wholly appropriated to the purposes of\n merchandize! Ought the souls of our own countrymen, not to\n speak of the natives, to be weighed in the balance against\n bales of silk and cotton! Surely this system will have an\n end!\n\n \u201cMr. Thomason was so kind as to send me some Christian\n Observers, with the paper war with the Christian\n Advocate.[75] These are exceedingly interesting to us, and\n you cannot confer a greater favour, than by forwarding to\n this country, supplies of Christian Guardians, Eclectic\n Reviews, Christian Observers, &c. We can lend them about,\n they are read with avidity, and excite much conversation\n about religious books.\n\n \u201cI hope this will find you renewed in the outer, as well as\n in the inner man. The Lord can send by whom he will, but\n my soul would mourn to hear, that that candlestick, which\n was the means of guiding me into divine light and peace,\n was removed from Cambridge. May your latter days, dearest\n Sir, be more blessed than the former, and when heart and\n strength shall fail, may you have the assurance in your own\n soul, that God is the strength of your heart, as well as\n the portion you have chosen for ever!\n\n \u201cIf there were to be a quantity of copies of the Christian\n Guardian sent out yearly, they would be eagerly purchased\n by the religious soldiers, and would be highly useful. The\n Christian Observer is above their modes of thinking.\n\n\n [70] Mr. Martyn and Mr. Corrie had agreed to decline\n all fees for the solemnizing of marriages, &c. The\n reasons for their decision on that matter are given\n at length in a letter to Mr. Simeon, dated June 14,\n 1811.\n\n [71] A little boy who was rescued from death, during a\n famine, and brought up by Mr. C.\n\n [72] Twining was the name of the gentleman who was for\n expelling all Missionaries from India. See above p.\n 119.\n\n [73] History of the Bible Society, vol. ii. pp. 108, and\n seq.\n\n [74] The Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society printed 1000\n copies of the first six Reports of the Parent\n Society, for circulation in India.\n\n [75] Dr. E. Pearson, Master of Sidney Sussex College,\n Cambridge, between whom and Mr. Simeon, some\n Pamphlets were exchanged on the subject of Mr.\n Simeon\u2019s preaching.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER IX.\n\n CAWNPORE--COEL--RETURN TO CALCUTTA.\n\n\nThe illness which Mr. Corrie mentions in the foregoing letter, as\nhaving \u2018obliged him to desist from all labour, except the Sunday\nduty,\u2019 now continued to increase upon him; so that, in the beginning\nof July he was not only laid aside from duty, but confined to the\nhouse. From his Journal it appears, also, that he suffered greatly\nfrom the exhaustion consequent on fever; and that he was much\nharassed by impatience and a nervous irritability of temper. Added to\nthis, Mr. C., states himself to have been distressed by the \u2018mournful\nview,\u2019 which his mind took \u2018of the desolate state of professing\nChristians in India, scattered as sheep upon the hills.\u2019 With the\nhope, therefore, of recruiting both health and spirits, he spent a\nfortnight or more on the river. His correspondence at the same time,\nshews that the pressure of bodily sickness did not prevent Mr. C.,\nfrom occupying his mind with plans for the permanent welfare of India.\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, July 11, 1811.\n\n \u201cSince I wrote to you, I have been entirely laid aside.\n A fever seized me, and I thought I was following Des\n Granges;[76] but after some days, through divine mercy, it\n left me, exceedingly weakened, so that although now, in my\n own opinion, able to officiate in public, those about me\n will not let me.\n\n \u201cI had a letter from Martyn, dated 24th. April, at Muscat.\n He gets no stronger, I fear; but you will have heard from\n him yourself: I begin greatly to wish him back again. Since\n I have been confined to the house, Mr. Sherwood and Mr.\n Harrington have, in turns, read to the people in church of\n an evening. I am much gratified by this help; it relieves\n my mind greatly. At the same time the numbers fall off. The\n _preaching_ of the Cross is the usual means of salvation. I\n am well aware that none of my sermons can be compared with\n those they read, in point of composition, &c. and yet the\n people go to sleep under them; and those who shewed some\n love begin to \u2018wax cold.\u2019 I wish, therefore, to renew my\n public work, that \u2018through the foolishness of preaching,\u2019\n some may believe and be saved.\n\n \u201cMy Moonshee, as you will expect, is on the way to\n Serampore, he left this [place] near a fortnight ago.\n Fitrut alarmed him greatly at last, by telling him that\n he knows Sabat is his great enemy, and that nothing but\n disgrace and loss of character will ensue to him. Fitrut\n is himself gone to Lucknow, he is at work on the Psalms,\n having passed by Esther and Job; he has given in as far as\n the 37th. The translation is, in general, very excellent.\n I hope that the Psalms, when properly corrected, will be\n printed separately; no good will be done to any extent,\n till the Scriptures are printed; therefore, God be thanked\n for the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society! Y. told me of the\n opposition to the measure at Madras. \u2018It must needs be that\n offences come, but woe to that man by whom they come.\u2019 I\n expect there will be a \u2018Hue and Cry\u2019 raised by the opposers\n at home to this society: but it is founded on a rock.\n\n \u201cI have been thinking much about a representation being\n made to somebody or other at home, (perhaps the Archbishop\n of Canterbury), on the subject of the want of Chaplains\n in India. As everything is in a state of tranquillity\n here, and the revenues [are] flourishing, perhaps it\n might be attended to. At Allahabad there ought to be a\n Chaplain, and at Futtyghur, and at Rewaree and Kurnaul.\n At Allahabad there are always two companies of Artillery,\n and a large society besides; and at Rewaree, and Kurnaul\n about the same. At Futtyghur, one company, and a large\n society of Commissioners, Civilians, &c. And at Benares,\n there is certainly need of a chaplain; there should also,\n at Cawnpore and Chunar, be one King\u2019s chaplain, at least\n at each station, or an additional Company\u2019s chaplain. I\n am told how little likely such a representation would be\n to produce the desired effect, but there is no saying. If\n you, the senior, were to draw up and sign something of this\n kind, and send it to the juniors for their signatures,\n it appears to me, it would certainly be attended to,\n especially if the King should recover, and the present\n ministers remain in office.\n\n \u201c15th. on the river. I have been so out of spirits as not\n to be able to write to you as I could wish, so delayed\n sending off this. I ought not however to detain the\n Society\u2019s money. I fear a voyage to sea will be necessary\n to get me quite well. I was reduced so much that the\n doctors made me leave off mercury; but they talk of making\n me begin again to use it, three times a day. They say,\n there is little or no danger in the complaint; it may be\n so, but I would have my \u2018loins girded about\u2019 and my \u2018lamp\n burning.\u2019 I lament the falling off of the people at church,\n whilst I rejoice I am much comforted by the faith and love\n of the helpers supplied to me.\u201d\n\nBut notwithstanding the means used by Mr. Corrie for the recovery\nof his health, it pleased God still to afflict him. The medical men\naccordingly continued to prohibit his performance of any public duty\nfor at least six weeks or more. During this cessation from duty, he\ntook advantage of a summons to marry a couple at Coel, to perform\nthe greater part of the journey to that place by boat on the river,\nand purposed to spend a short time at Coel for the benefit of change\nof air. Many days, however, had not passed over before Mr. C. took\ncold, and his \u2018frame began to sink and his spirits to languish.\u2019\nHe therefore decided on returning to Cawnpore, and proposed taking\nAgra in his way, having been engaged to solemnize a marriage there.\nBut before he reached Agra, the fever returned upon him with great\nviolence, so that he was detained on the road and reduced to a state\nof extreme debility. Some account of this journey is given in a\nletter.\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCoel, August 27, 1811.\n\n \u201cI made a journey by water to this neighbourhood, and then\n by _dawk_ to this place. We convened the settlement for\n public worship on Sunday, and had evening service with the\n family. They are very kind to me, and I hope I help to\n remove the prejudices of some against the cause we wish to\n serve, by bringing before them sometimes the other side of\n the question about missions. The commanding officer here is\n an intelligent man; he favours the Bible Society, as you\n will know. I have lent him a copy of Martyn\u2019s Hindoostanee\n New Testament: he says that he will have it copied and sent\n to the Portuguese, drummers, &c. He is somewhat acquainted\n with Persian and Arabic, and expresses himself gratified by\n what he has seen of the translation.\n\n \u201cI ought to have written to Moonshee before this, but for\n a month I have not been near a post-office, except just in\n passing Futtyghur. I am greatly benefited by change of air,\n and hope my little flock are suffering no lack, through the\n kindness of Harrington and Sherwood. But I fear staying\n away longer than needful, and am now anxious to be at\n Cawnpore.\n\n \u201cAgra, Saturday, 31st. I have had a severe attack of\n illness, which laid me up on the road to this [place]. A\n whole day I was in a wretched Bazaar, and learned something\n of the value of home and friends to a sick man. But my mind\n was undisturbed.\n\n \u201cLord, I believe thou hast prepared,\n Unworthy though I be,\n For me a blood-bought, free, reward\n A golden harp for me.\u201d\n\n \u201cI am confined to Colonel Bowie\u2019s quarters, and was only\n just able last night to marry the young people. I am sorry\n to find the Bible Society has been so little encouraged\n here; but I cannot go out to see people on the subject. The\n surgeon here tells me, I must go to sea.\u201d\n\nYet after a few days repose, added to God\u2019s blessing on the kind\nattentions of his host at Agra, Mr. Corrie was sufficiently recovered\nto allow of his proceeding on his journey, and before his arrival at\nCawnpore he found himself much recruited in strength. As, however,\nhe seems now to have been convinced, that his illness was chiefly to\nbe attributed to the frequency of his preaching; Mr. C. considered\nit to be his duty to resolve to be more careful in that respect for\nthe future. Still, with reference to that matter he remarks in his\nJournal:--\n\n \u201cI trust it is with a single eye to future usefulness that\n I purpose to be more careful of my health, and to be less\n engaged in preaching.\u201d\n\nBut when he was again settled among his flock at Cawnpore, Mr. C\u2019s\npurpose to be \u201cless engaged in preaching,\u201d was but partially carried\ninto effect. He writes, for example, under date of\n\n \u201c18th. Sept. [1811.] I have been thinking of three\n separate courses of sermons. First, for Sunday mornings:\n to begin with man\u2019s ruin; justification; illumination;\n separation from the world; progress in the \u2018fruits of the\n Spirit.\u2019 Secondly, for the Wednesday evenings: a view of\n the church of Christ; its establishment; progress; and\n final triumph in the world, notwithstanding the opposition\n of Satan: a course from Matt. xvi. 18., on the plan of\n Edward\u2019s History of Redemption. Thirdly: to translate into\n Hindoostanee, to be read by James to the Hindoostanees, a\n Commentary on Genesis i: on the original state of man; the\n fall; the promise in succession, on to the history of our\n Lord in the gospels.\u201d\n\nAnd, again, in a letter:\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Oct. 10, 1811.\n\n \u201cI could put twenty copies of the New Testament into\n immediate use, and we go on very lamely without them.\n Writing is slow, incorrect, and expensive. Nothing will be\n done to purpose, till we get printed copies in abundance.\n Three of the pious soldiers are learning Hindoostanee,\n that they may, as they say, be able to exhort the heathen.\n One of them is a superior young man, and very humble and\n unobtrusive. He has long wished to be able to talk with the\n Brahmins at a certain pagoda, near the river, where he goes\n often; and purposes reading the New Testament to them, when\n he can get one.[77]\n\n \u201cThe Lord adds to us one by one, according to his promise.\n Since my return, three have joined the society, and all\n walk orderly. Our Hindoostanee worship was well attended\n last Sunday. Moonshee Fitrut is come back from Lucknow; he\n yesterday gave me the 21st. chapter of Proverbs, the Old\n Testament is completed so far. I have given him a place of\n abode on the premises, and done every thing to induce him\n to go on quietly. This work will, I hope, be done in three\n or four months; and, please God to spare Martyn to put the\n finishing hand to it, will be the greatest work, as to\n utility, ever accomplished on this side of India.\n\n \u201cBeside my other employments, I have now to translate\n from Henry\u2019s Commentary on Genesis, which serves as a\n Hindoostanee sermon on Sundays. I know nothing else you\n will desire to hear of, from this [place.] The miserable\n squabbles which disgust the world at this place, I am happy\n to know little about. Happy privilege to be \u2018redeemed from\n a vain conversation,\u2019--to be delivered \u2018from the present\n evil world!\u2019 O, for more power to proclaim aloud the year\n of release! My strength increases, but not a third in the\n way of public duty is done, that might be done. I preach\n twice on Sundays, and on Wednesday evening; and meet the\n society on Fridays. I hope to begin my weekly meeting with\n the Dragoons on Thursday next: but I believe it would\n be right for me to leave off, in that case, my present\n Wednesday evening engagement. But the three hospitals are\n sadly neglected; I can only visit those who are very ill.\n I dare not preach in the wards: my breast and side are on\n fire this morning, from last night\u2019s exertion. Yet, the\n cold season being set in, increases my strength, and I have\n no expectation but of doing well enough, until the heat\n commences again.\n\n \u201cWe have had lately a remarkable instance of the freeness\n and fulness of redeeming love, in the case of a soldier\u2019s\n wife, who died here. I am collecting a few particulars\n which I may send you.\u201d\n\nThe \u201cparticulars\u201d here referred to, do not occur in Mr. C\u2019s\ncorrespondence or Journal; but a notice of an interview he had with a\ndying soldier a short time before the preceding letter was written,\nmay not be omitted:--\n\n \u201cYesterday evening I went to the hospital, to visit J. He\n has been ill some time. He considers himself in a decline,\n and indeed, seems to be so; he began by saying, that \u2018he\n felt very composed in his mind, looked upon the world as\n done with, and no longer any thing to him, and would be\n happy, if it were the Lord\u2019s will to take him to Himself.\u2019\n I asked him when he supposed the Lord began to make him\n a partaker of His grace? He said, \u2018it was at Chunar he\n first began to consider, and there he became somewhat\n enlightened, but lately his mind had become more confirmed\n and strengthened.\u2019 Not wishing him to be deceived, I\n reminded him of some improprieties since he left Chunar:\n he acknowledged \u2018that he had been often led astray, and\n found his heart often going wrong; but for these things\n he was heartily sorry, and hoped by the grace of God to\n prevail against them: indeed, for some months past, he had\n been more alive to religion than ever.\u2019 I asked him the\n ground of a sinner\u2019s hope towards God: he replied with some\n cheerfulness, \u2018only the Lord Jesus Christ.\u2019 I asked what he\n expected Christ would do for him: he said, \u2018to save him,\n and make him a partaker of salvation with the saints in\n glory.\u2019 I pointed out the meaning of the word \u2018saint,\u2019 and\n asked him \u2018if he considered that Christ, if he saved us,\n would make us holy, and that heaven was the enjoyment of\n a holy God, and therefore, a happy place.\u2019 He said \u2018that\n even now he was happy only when sin was subdued within\n him; and to be freed from sin in heaven, would be complete\n happiness.\u2019\u201d\n\nAmid labours such as these, Mr. Corrie writes:\n\n\n TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Oct. 30, 1811.\n\n \u201cI am recovering from an illness, that has nearly laid\n me aside, ever since the 24th of April last. The Lord my\n healer, I hope I may say, renews my spiritual strength, as\n the outer man is brought low. It was brought on by undue\n previous exertion. I trust I am taught that this is not the\n Lord\u2019s will. Without a miracle, we cannot hope our flocks\n will be fed with the bread of life after our decease; to\n abide with them is, therefore, most desirable, and to use\n the means for preserving health to minister among them,\n necessary.\n\n \u201cYou will have heard of the establishment of an Auxiliary\n Bible Society in Calcutta. Doubtless the night has passed\n away, and the true light is now arising upon India. Mr.\n Martyn is gone for change of air, hoping to recover\n health, and, perhaps, avoid the threatened beginning of\n a consumption: he was at Shiraz, in Persia, on the 26th\n of June; and is at work on a Persian translation of the\n New Testament. His translation of the New Testament into\n Hindoostanee, is just put to the press; we greatly long for\n this work to appear. You know, he was assisted by a learned\n native,[78] who passed six years in England, and is well\n acquainted with the English language also. The translation\n of the Baptist missionaries into Hindoostanee, is really\n too defective to be useful to any extent. You will not\n accuse me of depreciating their labours: \u2018I speak the truth\n in Christ.\u2019 I have the greater part of their work. The\n Christians about me lay it aside, and prefer the parts of\n scripture they have of Martyn\u2019s translation.\n\n \u201cThe above [mentioned] learned native is living on our\n premises, and goes on translating the Old Testament; in any\n difficult passage he consults me about the meaning. He has\n translated to Isaiah, and is now engaged on that book. This\n work, please God to spare Martyn to come back to correct\n it by the Hebrew, will be a glorious work for Hindoostan\n Proper. This part of India is still without a translation,\n except that of the Baptist missionaries. Two of these\n missionaries have gone to Agra: I was there lately and saw\n them; they had not then got quite settled. The natives\n of that quarter are very independent and fierce in their\n manners, the Mahomedans especially. You have heard of the\n population of India, but can have no idea of its immensity\n unless you saw it; so that a man may visit I cannot tell\n how many villages of three hundred, four hundred people and\n upwards, in a circle of six or eight miles: there seems,\n therefore, little need of itinerating according to your\n idea of the word; but you may think to how little an extent\n all that the whole of the missionaries now in India can do\n is likely to be felt. Yet the day, I am certain, has dawned\n that will never set till all India shall see the glory of\n the Lord.\n\n \u201cOf my own proceedings, I have little to say; my native\n school consists of ten; four of whom can say the whole of\n Watts\u2019s scripture catechism (but indeed one of the four\n has just left me to go to his friends who live far away).\n I read the scriptures and prayers in Hindoostanee with\n them in the school-house every morning, and am helped\n greatly in these exercises, by the youth I have mentioned,\n of European descent. Since September, we have had worship\n in Hindoostanee; in church on a Sunday afternoon, fifty\n or sixty native Christians sometimes attend, and usually\n thirty or forty; my own people have learned to sing\n translations of psalms and hymns to English tunes: they are\n very fond of them, though I know the poetry is very poor: I\n hope an Indian Watts may be raised up ere long, to regulate\n the psalmody of the Indian church.\n\n \u201cYou would wish to know what success I perceive in the\n midst of our labours. Of the Europeans, about fifteen or\n sixteen have been added to our society during the last\n year: of the natives, I cannot speak so certainly. One\n servant of our own has been piously inclined sometime,\n and I hope he is now a decided character; and one, whom\n you would call a footman, who used to have all the vanity\n and foppery of that class at home, is become attentive,\n not only to his employment, but serious in worship, and\n diligent in reading at leisure hours. I have a particular\n regard for this youth, and shall greatly rejoice in his\n turning to God: he is married, has good natural talents,\n is of a pleasing appearance; and though one is often\n short-sighted and deceived, I fancy he would make a good\n missionary, if he had a heart to it, which I often pray may\n be granted him.\n\n \u201cI must not forget to tell you how happy I am at my beloved\n sister\u2019s having commenced a school for native christian\n girls. She has so far mastered the language as to be able\n to read Hindoostanee easily, and to understand it pretty\n well. The little girls work as little girls do at home, and\n say a lesson, and learn the Assembly\u2019s shorter Catechism,\n which I translated long ago, and by frequent corrections\n have got nearly worthy of printing. These things were\n hardly ever thought of for women in this country: now and\n then among the Mahomedans, a woman is found who can read,\n but I have not heard that this is ever the case among the\n Hindoos.\n\n \u201cAt leisure hours, I am abridging Milner\u2019s Church History,\n and have finished the first two centuries, and even\n translated about half the first: the scholars I have had so\n long are growing great lads, and want something now beyond\n mere school-books: one is a promising boy, and the others\n are as children at that age usually are.\u201d\n\nThe expectation which this letter shews Mr. Corrie to have\nentertained of his recovery from the illness, under which he had been\nsuffering during the preceding six months, turned out not to be well\nfounded. Although he had latterly been somewhat more attentive to\nhis health, yet the disease of the liver now returned upon him with\nincreased severity, and altogether laid him aside from public duty.\nYet in a letter to Mr. Simeon, dated early in November, 1811, Mr. C.\nwrites:--\n\n \u201cOne expression in it [a letter from Mr. S.] has brought\n before me an entirely new train of ideas respecting my duty\n in the ministry. You express thankfulness, that you are\n enabled to do the little you do now, compared with former\n exertions. I perceive it is an inexpressible favour to be\n employed in the Lord\u2019s service at all; and instead of being\n uneasy at not being able to do more, I ought to be thankful\n for some health, and inclination to do something; and when\n health is withdrawn, it is as much a duty to _suffer_, as\n in health to do, the Lord\u2019s will. Alas! I seem to arrive so\n slowly at proper views of divine things, that opportunity\n is gone before properly understood.\u201d\n\nWith reference to a friend, who after having decided on going to\nIndia as a chaplain, changed his mind, as the time for his leaving\nEngland approached, Mr. Corrie adds:--\n\n \u201cMr. L\u2019s family I know, and regret that he has withdrawn\n his hand from the plough. It is true, that the pain of\n separation from relatives, and dear, dear Britain, can\n be known only to those who have endured it; but truly an\n hundred-fold recompense attends it. No one can understand\n the pangs I endured, at times, between the time when first,\n in your rooms, the idea of carrying the gospel to heathen\n lands took possession of my mind, and the period of my\n leaving England. Yet dear as all the places, persons, and\n privileges enjoyed at home still are, I would not return to\n them on any consideration I am at present acquainted with.\n Here the light of the glow-worm even is splendid, so gross\n is the surrounding darkness; and every stone put into moral\n order is so much rescued from chaos.\u201d\n\nThe following extract from Mr. C.\u2019s Journal will explain the nature\nof the communings which he held, at this time, with his own heart:--\n\n \u201cSunday, Nov. 17th. I am prevented this day from\n [attending] public worship. O, that I were more alive to\n the importance of the ministry, and more fitted for the\n sacred duties of it. I do not lament, as I ought, the\n interruption of any duty, nor am humbled, as I ought to be,\n under the mighty hand of God. I think that the world and\n the fear of man have less hold, [of me] but am afraid it\n is more from a spirit of misanthropy than faith. I see the\n folly of natural men: I feel the best of creatures [to be]\n miserable comforters; I fear I despise them, rather than\n look above them to God. How deeply do I perceive and feel,\n that nothing but the power of God can make me \u2018a right\n spirit,\u2019 or \u2018create in me a clean heart.\u2019 May the Almighty\n God, the Lord, whose office it is to quicken the souls of\n men, renew my whole body, soul and spirit, and command a\n blessing upon those around me, who all need his influence\n as much as I do myself; some to be converted, some to be\n guided in the narrow way; one and all to be fitted for\n heaven!\u201d\n\nThe continued absence of Mr. Martyn from India, induced the\ngovernment to appoint another chaplain to Cawnpore, without, however,\nsuperseding Mr. M. This, therefore, left Mr. Corrie at liberty to\nproceed to Calcutta, for the purpose of recruiting his health. As,\nhowever, it was not unlikely that the new chaplain might think it his\nduty to confine his ministrations exclusively to the Europeans at\nCawnpore, it became desirable to provide for the carrying on of those\nmissionary operations for the instruction of the native christians\nand others, which had been originated by Mr. Martyn. The idea of\ntraining up a class of scripture-readers for that purpose, presented\nitself to the mind of Mr. Corrie and his friends at Cawnpore: and\nin this they seem to have anticipated a project to the same effect\nwhich had been about that time adopted by the Society for Missions\nto Africa and the East, at the suggestion of their corresponding\ncommittee in Calcutta.[79] With this purpose in view, therefore, Mr.\nand Mrs. Sherwood had for some time been learning the language of the\ncountry, and had been teaching a class of natives and half-castes to\nread the Hindoostanee, that these might become readers of the word\nof God to their heathen, as well as to their christian brethren. It\nwas with reference to this, among other matters connected with his\nremoval from Cawnpore that Mr. C. writes\n\n\n TO THE REV. D. BROWN.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Dec. 3, 1811.\n\n \u201cI do now purpose, D. V. to bend my course to Calcutta,\n at the close of the cold weather; which will be just two\n months from this. A constant head-ache oppresses me, and\n makes it necessary to avoid the violence of the hot winds;\n but I could not be better even in England, at this season,\n than here; and till E. arrives, I cannot move; and he will\n not be here till relieved by the Chaplains from below.\n Your letter of yesterday rejoiced us all exceedingly--the\n reading scheme I had determined to pursue, to the utmost\n of my ability. We had prevented your views on the subject,\n by measures for continuing the gospel here. One of the\n Christian youths that has been with me almost five years,\n has been induced of his own accord to offer himself to\n this work. He seems truly pious, and labours indefatigably\n to qualify himself to teach others. He is about twenty\n years of age, and under the management of the Sherwoods\n will be one of your first readers. Another of the boys is\n better qualified than the above, but is not old enough; he\n gives every evidence of seriousness. Another of the boys\n is as forward in learning; but I have no hope at present,\n that his mind is at all under the influence of what he\n learns. I have seen no occasion for any Committee for the\n management of this affair. Take the whole management of it\n yourself; especially as the less that is said of it among\n the English the better. No one can find fault with me, or\n any individual, for supporting readers; but the Alarmists\n would be up in arms, if they heard of supplies from home,\n appropriated to such a purpose.\n\n \u201cI know not how to account for the story of the Pilgrim.\n I was asked about such a book by some Natives, when I was\n at Chunar: I think it must be a work of a former Roman\n Catholic Missionary, of whom I have heard, and who seems\n to have been a true Evangelist. I know the Christians of\n Bettiah have a book, written in the way of a Dialogue, in\n which the errors of the Brahmins are refuted. The Pilgrim,\n by Mrs. Sherwood, I translated in part, but Fitrut got so\n angry with it at last, he would not go on; and the copier,\n who is a Hindoo, said he should be obliged to give ten\n rupees in a feast to the Brahmins, to atone for his fault\n in writing such a book.... Fitrut is to-day employed on\n Isaiah lxiii. He has for some time been very much out\n of humour; a perfect comment on the apostle\u2019s words,\n \u2018hateful and hating.\u2019 I let him fume, till his ill-humour\n is evaporated, when he becomes humble. He has been in\n to-day, to beg he may go with me to Calcutta. \u2018In heaven or\n in earth, he has none but me to depend on; and he cannot\n be happy if I leave him behind.\u2019 I told him I have no\n authority to take him down, and no boat-hire to give him.\n He said, \u2018he would pay his own boat-hire, if you should not\n see fit to give it him, when he got to Calcutta.\u2019 I told\n him, \u2018he must not expect anything of the kind:\u2019 and so he\n left me. The Roman Catholic Priest is over from Lucknow,\n and seems greatly altered from last year. He now professes\n to be desirous his people should be taught to read the\n Scriptures; and I hope we shall get something established\n under his inspection. It is true he has little appearance\n of serious religion; but he affects at least great\n indifference to the sign of the cross, &c., and may serve\n as a drawer of water for the temple-service. He has taken\n away a copy of Genesis for himself, which, he says, he will\n read and expound in church.\u201d\n\nAnd in another letter to Mr. Brown, of somewhat later date, Mr. C.\nobserves:--\n\n \u201cWe have been expecting to hear from you about the reading\n system, and especially we have been longing for news\n about the printing of Martyn\u2019s Translation. Mr. E. is on\n his way to this place, and will be here about the 10th\n proximo. The work we wish to carry on will, I fear, suffer,\n especially among the Light Dragoons. There is a little\n leaven evidently implanted there; some of them begin to\n assemble for reading and prayer; but they are only as\n children beginning to walk, and I see no one to take them\n by the hand: but the Lord will provide. We are got into\n a plan that promises well, if pursued. I say _we_, for\n you know my helpers of the 53rd; and Mrs. D. of the Light\n Dragoons, has been induced to offer herself to superintend\n the school of the Light Dragoons. I have added questions\n and scripture proofs to the Church Catechism, which the\n children are getting off. At Christmas, we had the children\n of both regiments at church, to be catechised, and my\n sister gave them tea and cake. We had several to see them,\n and it was the most festive day that has been known here.\n I am sure I have never felt so attached to any place as\n this; yet it appears to me that I should not remain here.\n The Hindoostanee worship will be carried on under the\n inspection of Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood. The youth I mentioned\n labours diligently to qualify himself for instructing the\n children and women, and appears more and more devoted to\n the work in spirit and in truth. At this time there are\n on these premises (i. e. on Sherwood\u2019s farm) about twenty\n children learning to read the Hindoostanee gospels. We are\n greatly perplexed for books for them, though no time has\n yet been lost with them.\n\n \u201cI am beginning to pack up Martyn\u2019s books; but have not\n disposed of his house yet. Indeed I am loth to think he\n will not come back to this place; you well know how much\n the funds of the Bible Society may suffer if there be\n no one here to recommend the subject: and, indeed, the\n disposition of the British in these parts, in general,\n towards the evangelization of India, will be no little\n affected by the opinions held at this large station. This\n makes me greatly desire Martyn\u2019s return hither. But have\n you, or has any one in Calcutta, heard from him lately? We\n have begun here to lose our care for the objects of his\n journey, in the care for himself.\u201d\n\nRespecting the progress of the translation, Mr. C. adds:--\n\n \u201cFitrut left me about New-year\u2019s-day, for Benares, and\n parted by no means friends. He was at Lucknow, July,\n August, and September: in October he came back and went\n on well with his work till November 20th, he then came to\n say, he wished to go to Benares, I begged him to finish\n Isaiah, of which only a few chapters remained. He wanted\n to borrow money also, which I refused, as I know he is not\n in want, but has many hundred Rupees out at interest. He\n went on sullenly till the end of the year, doing only the\n few remaining chapters of Isaiah. I wished him to have 100\n Rupees for forty chapters, which he refused: so at length I\n was obliged to say, \u2018I should expect the whole to be done\n in four months\u2019. He then asked, if his salary was not to\n be continued till Martyn\u2019s return? I told him, if he would\n stay and help me in my Catechisms, &c., his pay should be\n continued, but that I could not think of going on in the\n trifling way he had been doing lately. He then talked of\n applying personally to you, with a vast deal of nonsense\n about sharing in the profits of the Translation, &c. I told\n him, you had not sent for him; that he must not expect\n boat-hire, or any indulgence from you: and thus we parted.\n I have sent him this month\u2019s salary through Mr. Robinson,\n but hear nothing further of him or of his Translation. I\n have got the whole of the Old Testament from him to the end\n of Isaiah, and bound up in small volumes.\n\n \u201cYou will by this time have heard of or seen Mrs. H. They\n were here the first Sunday in the New-year. I preached on\n the uncertainty of life, not knowing she was in church.\n The subject affected her greatly, but she was in a most\n heavenly temper of mind. I fear her end is near. May my end\n be like hers! O, how little can the world spare such lovely\n examples of piety; but he who gave her as a light for a\n season, can raise up other more numerous instruments to\n shew forth His praise.\n\n \u201cWhen we shall be able to leave this I cannot say. I have\n five months\u2019 leave of absence from the 10th of February.\u201d\n\nBut before Mr. Corrie left Cawnpore, a portion of his European\ncongregation was called into active service, by some disturbances\nin Bundelkund. It was on the day before Christmas-day that he\nparted with the soldiers who were members of \u201cthe society,\u201d so\noften mentioned; and in recording this circumstance, he adds that\nmany of them were persons whose \u201clight so shone before men,\u201d that,\nhe trusted \u201cglory was brought to God thereby.\u201d He seems to have\nbeen much depressed in spirit on the occasion; and was made more\ndeeply sorrowful by the intelligence which reached him early in the\nfollowing February, that some of his military friends had fallen in\nan unsuccessful attempt to gain possession of Callinger, an extensive\nhill-fort, about 150 miles from Cawnpore. Mr. C\u2019s first impulse, on\nhearing of this disaster, was to proceed direct from Banda, (where\nhe then happened to be) to the scene of action, for the purpose of\nattending to the wounded men; but being unable to obtain any \u201chelp\nfor the journey,\u201d he reluctantly returned back to Cawnpore. He states\nhimself, however, to have \u201cfelt as if he had neglected his duty; or,\nat least, had been sadly deficient in Christian love.\u201d He, therefore,\nwrites, on the 11th. Feb. 1812:--\n\n \u201cI had prepared all to set off into Bundelkund on Monday\n [Feb. 9.] when news came of all being settled.\n\n \u201cGod grant that the impression made on some may be\n lasting! And, O, may I have grace to give myself to follow\n the Lord fully, and to be ready to every good word and\n work! I have been considering my unprofitableness this\n morning, and have much reason for deep humiliation.\u201d\n\nAnd under date of Friday, Feb. 13th. Mr. C. observes:--\n\n \u201cFrom the conversation in the Society this evening, it\n appears that most of the men had their minds exercised with\n thoughts of death during the late march. A. H. sent word\n \u2018that his mind was more refreshed with the considerations\n of the grace of God, and love of Christ, than ever he\n experienced before; that one morning especially, whilst\n marching along, he felt such a hatred and weariness of sin,\n that the hope of being speedily removed from the seeing,\n hearing, and feeling of it, was highly agreeable to him.\u2019\n Here was real and rational courage.\u201d\n\nThe chaplain who had been appointed to supersede Mr. Corrie at\nCawnpore, having arrived toward the end of February 1812, and entered\non the duties of the station, Mr. C. made immediate arrangements for\nhis journey to Calcutta. He lingered for a short time in the hope of\nbeing able to see some of the soldiers who were expected back from\nCallinger, but failing in this, he left Cawnpore on Friday the 28th\nof February, having first placed four native youths and a native\nChristian reader under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood. The\nyoung person of European descent, of whom mention often occurs in\nthe preceding Journal and letters, accompanied Mr. C. to Calcutta,\nin order that he might there follow out the study of Greek and\nLatin, with a view to his being afterwards employed as a missionary.\nRespecting the religious condition of the native congregation which\nMr. C., left at Cawnpore, he observes, under date of March 1, 1812:--\n\n \u201cIn September last, we began Hindoostanee worship,\n which has been attended sometimes by fifty or sixty,\n but irregularly, and generally by about twenty-five. I\n have read among them Genesis, with the Gospel of St.\n Matthew. Left Goon[80] reading Exodus, and the Acts. I had\n translated Henry\u2019s Commentary on many parts of Genesis,\n which is left with Mrs. S. Some of the women had learned\n more or less of the shorter Catechism, and one the whole\n of it, and had been baptized and married: several of the\n people manifested great concern at my coming away. I ought\n to feel more thankful, and may well have great searchings\n of heart on my own account. I have done much duty as to\n _quantity_, of late; but have much cause for humiliation in\n respect of the formal manner of doing it. O Lord! enliven\n me, and let me be enabled to profit by this journey! Enable\n me to be a witness for Thee in every place; and to fit\n myself for further usefulness by due observation of Thy\n providences! Restore me to health, if it be Thy will, that\n I may shew forth Thy praises!\u201d\n\nAs Mr. Corrie was now passing through the scenes of his former\nlabours, some portions of his Journal are subjoined.\n\n \u201cMarch 8. Above Mirzapore, last night, when on shore, I\n observed a Brahmin at his devotions, and wished to enter\n into discourse with him. After some questions, I asked him,\n \u2018What benefit he expected from his devotions?\u2019 Another\n Brahmin answered, \u2018What but that Narsingha should supply\n food to fill his belly.\u2019 I observed, \u2018that many who never\n made _poojah_[81] were supplied with food:\u2019 He said, \u2018If\n any would make _poojah_ he might serve us, and we would\n provide for him; but they that lived there by themselves\n made _poojah_, and Narsingha provided for them.\u2019 But I\n asked, \u2018In the world to come what do you expect from your\n devotions?\u2019 To this he answered, \u2018Who knows what will be in\n the life to come?\u2019 One of my Dandees on this said, \u2018Sahib\n asks about your Shasters and your religion: he is a Brahmin\n among the English as you are: he marries, says his prayers,\n and gives to the poor as you do, if not, why should he\n enquire about your religion, who else of the English would\n enquire?\u2019\n\n \u201c15th March. I have to-day been officiating to the\n congregation in the new Church at Secrole: on going, had\n felt thankful for being permitted to worship in this place,\n and prayed that it might be indeed a house of prayer. O\n may the Lord grant a blessing to his own truth, and bring\n many sons unto glory at Chunar! On Wednesday, had public\n worship at Church for the English and Hindoostanee; many\n attended. I was grieved at the spirit manifested by Mr.\n ----and others there. The bitterness of their spirit is\n what I lament, and their contempt of all subordination. O\n may my own soul be more attentive to obey my Lord in spirit\n and in truth! I seldom enjoy nearness to God: I do not walk\n closely with him, but suffer company, reading, and undue\n indulgence of myself to interfere with time of devotion.\n Lord, I beseech thee to enable me to lay aside every\n weight, and to run, looking unto Jesus!\n\n \u201cSunday, March 22nd. At Chunar, Serjeant Williams\u2019 wife,\n on my asking her if she yet knew the way of acceptance\n with God, answered, \u2018It is through Jesus Christ: He is,\n indeed, himself the way; and I continue day and night in\n the consideration and expectation of his mercy.\u2019 At Buxar,\n an old woman who seems in a dying state, on my asking her\n how sin could be forgiven, said, \u2018Surely in no way but\n through the Lord Jesus Christ; He took our nature upon\n him, and endured suffering and death for our sins, and now\n through the mercy of God we shall be saved.\u2019 I asked her\n what she thought of the employment of heaven? She said \u2018She\n should there see the Lord Jesus, and love and worship him\n for ever; and that those who do not love and worship him on\n earth cannot enter heaven.\u2019\u201d\n\nIn a letter to Mr. Brown, dated 6th. of April, after mentioning\nseveral of the foregoing particulars respecting the state of things\nat Chunar and Buxar, Mr. Corrie adds:--\n\n \u201cDuring the short stay I made at Gazeepore, I could find\n never a vestige of dear Martyn\u2019s labours. One man expressed\n great love for his former pastor, but lamented that all are\n fallen into decay. Perhaps the latent spark may again be\n lighted up, if they again come under \u2018the joyful sound;\u2019\n but, O, what are they doing at home, that none are found to\n come and help us?\u201d\n\nThe recurrence of his birth-day was not forgotten by Mr. C. as an\noccasion for self-examination and thanksgiving.\n\n \u201cApril 11th. Yesterday, I was thirty-five years old; the\n day did not pass unnoticed, though I fall sadly short in\n the spirit with which I would serve God at all times. I\n praise Him who hath kept me wonderfully of late, so that\n though I am conscious of many falls, yet he hath raised me\n up, and restored my soul, and made me watchful: I have\n devoted myself anew to the Lord my Saviour, and hope my\n conscience witnesses truly that to me to live is Christ,\n though in no one duty do I live as I ought: the heathen\n especially I would live and die with. I praise God who\n renews my bodily strength: to Him would I surrender myself.\n O give me to live more simply by faith in Jesus, and to\n live a life of closet communion with the Father and the\n Son!\u201d\n\nIn a like happy and watchful spirit, Mr. C. continued to pursue his\njourney:--\n\n \u201cSunday, April 19th. During the last week, I have been\n in the Muta-bangha Nulla,[82] the shore on either side\n presents a gaudy, flattering view; I have in general been\n enabled to keep in mind the harbour of eternity, and trust\n to attain to the desired haven through the abounding grace\n of God the Saviour. This morning I was a good deal favoured\n in prayer; may the savour of thy grace, O Lord, remain with\n me! O how much to be desired are thy courts: how happy the\n men who, with joyful experience of thy grace are always\n praising Thee: one day, O Lord, in thy heavenly sanctuary,\n O how will it blot out the remembrance of all the trials\n and conflicts attending this militant state.\n\n \u201cTuesday. From the very winding course of the stream,\n we are not yet at Chinsurah: I hope to reach there this\n forenoon: yesterday I was unable to attend to any thing,\n and am much the same to-day: the journey thus finishes\n miserably. I forget mercies in a manner that ought to\n humble me exceedingly, and become in consequence, a prey to\n temptation. Instead of being thankful for preservation &c.,\n I kick against the hand that upholds me, so that I must\n close with acknowledging it to be \u2018of the Lord\u2019s mercy that\n I am not consumed;\u2019 and \u2018what shall I render unto the Lord?\u2019\n\n \u201c22nd. Arrived yesterday about four at Chinsurah, and\n passed the evening with Mr. Forsyth: learned many\n gratifying particulars from him respecting the progress of\n the gospel; and had much profitable conversation on the\n signs of the times. O may I have that preparation of heart\n which is from the Lord, that my journey may not be in vain!\n Thanks to the Lord, who healeth my bodily infirmities; and\n I trust, my spiritual ones also. O may I have grace to give\n myself wholly to him!\u201d\n\n\n [76] The missionary mentioned in p. 49, and who died of\n fever at Vizagapatam, July 12, 1810. Hough\u2019s History\n of Christianity in India, vol. iv. pp. 265, &c.\n\n [77] After relating this circumstance, in a letter to\n Mr. Simeon, Mr. C. adds, \u201cThe Edinburgh Reviewers\n need not be alarmed, for he is a man of superior\n understanding, as well as superior piety, and will\n neither profane the temple, nor insult the Brahmins.\u201d\n\n [78] Mirza Fitrut.\n\n [79] Proceedings of the Society for Missions to Africa\n and the East, Vol. iii. pp. 238-242, 426.\n\n [80] A native Christian reader.\n\n [81] Worship.\n\n [82] One of the channels which connects the Ganges with\n the Hooghley.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER X.\n\n CALCUTTA.\n\n\nOn the 24th of April 1812, Mr. Corrie arrived in Calcutta, and took\nup his abode with Mr. Thomason. He found his friend Mr. Brown in a\nvery debilitated state of health. During the preceding six months,\nMr. B\u2019s strength had been manifestly failing; but now his illness had\nassumed so threatening an aspect, that a sea-voyage was recommended\nas the only human means, that promised to ward off the danger of\ndeath. Mr. Brown accordingly consented to make trial of that remedy;\nand having expressed a great desire that Mr. Corrie should accompany\nhim in the voyage, the two friends left Calcutta early in May, and\non the 14th of that month, embarked on board the Dover Castle, with\nthe intention to visit Madras. The first effect of the sea-air was\nbeneficial to both. Respecting his friend, Mr. Corrie observed:--\n\n \u201cMr. Brown, since his coming on board is much recovered,\n though still very weak. He has, at times a great deal\n of his former wit, and sound sense in conversation.\n He observed, that he had generally found considerable\n scrupulosity attended with little understanding, and some\n defect in morality.\u201d\n\nThis record is dated on the 17th of May: and on the 30th, Mr. Corrie\nwrites:--\n\n \u201cMany events have taken place since writing the above,\n which I would remember. We lay at Saugur till the 23rd.\n during that time I was much occupied about Mr. B. and\n cabins, &c. I had time, however, to get near some of\n those around me; our discourse was all upon religion: on\n the 23rd., we weighed anchor, and went down to the first\n buoy: on Sunday the 24th, owing to the confusion attending\n heaving the anchor, &c., we could not have worship. I\n employed myself most of the morning in reading Paley\u2019s\n Sermons. Mr. B. was too ill to attend to any thing; about\n 2 o\u2019clock on that day, as Mr. B. and I were talking, we\n perceived the ship to touch ground; and, after two or three\n scrapings of that kind, fairly stick fast: all appeared\n alarmed on deck; the masts were ready to go over-board,\n and the decks began to heave: during this time the rudder\n broke off: in about half an hour we were carried into deep\n water, but obliged to anchor, the ship being unmanageable:\n she was found to leak, and all hands ordered to the pumps:\n on her first striking, Mr. B. quietly observed, \u201cIt is the\n Lord, let him do as seemeth him good;\u201d then quietly putting\n on his clothes, we came up into the captain\u2019s cabin, and\n remained there all the time: on Monday, we attempted to\n float up with the tide, but the wind failing, the ship went\n toward the sand, and the anchor was lost: in consequence of\n this all became dismayed, and it was recommended that the\n Colonel and Lady Elizabeth Murray, with Mr. B. and myself,\n should go on board the pilot schooner; we went accordingly,\n but here great troubles awaited us. Mr. B. fainted through\n fatigue; and as there was only one private cabin, he would\n not take it, but remained on deck the whole of that day\n and night, and till the evening of Tuesday, when we were\n taken on board the Baring: here we had a quiet night, and\n next day Mr. B. appeared quite revived; but the following\n night, having got chilled in his sleep, he arose very\n unwell, and from what I observed, I first began to think\n he would not recover: on Friday, we got up to Fulta, where\n Mr. B. again appeared better, but having been worse during\n Saturday night, he resolved to come to Calcutta on Sunday,\n where he now is, in a very weak state, at Mr. Harrington\u2019s.\n During all these changes, I have felt little of either\n hope or fear, pleasure or pain; the plague of a hard heart\n has seized me. God grant me never to think well of myself,\n till I can feel more of his hand in my daily history! This\n insensibility began on going on board the yacht, where my\n retirements were interrupted, and my time broken up; being\n hourly with Mr. B., and constantly on the watch to wait\n upon him, destroyed my time on board; and now, O Lord,\n I would return to Thee, do thou quicken me, as thou art\n wont! I found the evening prayers in church very grateful\n on Sunday, and the sermon suitable. God! I thank thee for\n these visits: O enable me to remember them thankfully!\n The general temper of Mr. B. was deep humiliation; the\n penitential psalms he said were just suited to him, and\n often he praised God for his word, and for the record of\n his dealings with his saints: often he said, \u2018the Lord\u2019s\n will is best; His way is best, His time is best; He doeth\n all things well!\u2019 He said, \u2018a man does not know the\n wickedness of his heart till he grows old:\u2019 he had been\n more sensible of Satan\u2019s attacks during the last two years\n than at any period of his life: the Office for visiting\n the Sick he often read, and expressed his feeling of how\n suitable it was.\u201d\n\nFatigue and exposure to the weather, added to the want of sustenance\nproper for an invalid, so worked upon the exhausted frame of Mr.\nBrown, that notwithstanding all that medical skill and the attention\nof friends could do for him, he closed his mortal career within\nabout a fortnight of his return to Calcutta. As regarded Mr. Corrie,\nhis health still required that he should try the efficacy of a\nsea-voyage, and therefore he made arrangements for embarking for the\nIsle of France, at the beginning of July. In the meanwhile, however,\nhe was occupied in various clerical duties, and paid the last tribute\nof affection to his deceased friend, Mr. Brown, by a funeral sermon\npreached in the Presidency church. With reference to this and the\ncircumstances connected with his intended voyage, Mr. C. remarks:--\n\n \u201cDiamond Harbour, ship Bengal, merchantman, July 5, 1812.\n Since my last memoranda, how many striking events have\n occurred, and how little, alas, improved!\n\n \u201cOn the fourteenth of June, Mr. B. departed this life.\n I have learned, from this event, the absolute necessity\n of keeping the mind in a humble, waiting posture. Lord,\n may I watch and pray, and have patience to endure, that\n I may inherit the promises. I have had frequent public\n ministrations; amongst others, preached on the twenty-fifth\n in the new church, a funeral sermon for Mr. B., it had the\n effect of removing prejudice from the minds of some; the\n enmity of ---- is too apparent, but he can go no further\n than permitted. O Lord, look in mercy on the congregation\n at the new church, and take not the light of thy truth\n from them! The frequent calls into the heat, with many\n interruptions, rendered it needful for me to seek change,\n and behold I am here, I think by the will of God. I hope\n to get rid of the disease of the liver, but the failure of\n my lungs, I am conscious of, will not be so easily repaired.\n\n \u201cI am in the Lord\u2019s hands. Agra seems on all accounts best\n fitted for me, presenting less labour among Europeans, and\n more opportunities of schools, &c. among the natives. Lord,\n bring me thither, if it be thy will!\n\n \u201cJuly 12th. I have been detained here beyond my\n expectations; my mind generally at peace through Jesus\n Christ. I have humbled myself, and renewed my repentance,\n and trust I am at peace through the blood of sprinkling.\n During the week have had many conversations with P.; and, I\n hope, with good effect; he has been extracting the passages\n that refer to Justification, and said last night, he is\n determined to give the subject thorough consideration. In\n prayer I have had more freedom than on shore, and have been\n led, from reflecting on God\u2019s care of his church, to pray\n for the enlargement of it in India.\u201d\n\nWhilst detained on the shores of India, Mr. Corrie received a letter\nfrom Mr. Buckworth, which called forth the following reply:--\n\n \u201cJuly 20, 1812.\n\n \u201cA letter of your\u2019s without date, reached me yesterday, and\n delighted me much. I have had many apprehensions respecting\n your continuance in this \u2018vale of tears:\u2018--fears for myself\n and for your flock and family, not for yourself. I trust\n that as it is better for us that you should remain; you\n will be given to us for a season longer.\n\n \u201cYou and I have both erred in excess of labour; we know\n who hath said, \u201cI will have mercy and not sacrifice.\u201d I do\n not, however, regret having done what I could. It is here,\n I trust, we do not presume in expecting pardon for our\n iniquities; and though we might have served our generation\n more effectually by simple dependence on the promised\n blessing, on quiet unconsuming labour, we may hope when\n our head is laid low, others shall enter into our labours.\n The prospect in this land is indeed very discouraging on\n this head. Government continues its determined opposition\n to every thing tending to bring the light of the Gospel\n before the heathen. It is now, also, a melancholy\n consideration that so many of their native subjects,\n bearing the Christian name, are left to \u2018perish for lack of\n knowledge.\u2019 Would to God something might be done on this\n subject in the new settlement of the Charter! Surely the\n religious public at home, will make an effort to bring the\n circumstances of the Indian Church before Parliament.\n\n \u201cI am highly gratified by the account of your young\n friends who have devoted themselves to missionary labour.\n \u2018Say unto them, be strong, fear not.\u2019 How earnestly do I\n wish a way were opened for them to this land; how gladly\n would I hail them as brethren; but, unless they could\n come in some way accredited from home, such is the state\n of things here, I could not serve them much. There is\n no hindrance cast in my own way, but such as the Gospel\n meets with every where; but what I mean is, that very\n little could be done to procure the consent of Government\n to their stay, unless they had leave from home. By the\n Charter, the Company ought to have schoolmasters as well\n as Chaplains for their European regiments; could none of\n the London friends procure schoolmasters to be sent here?\n Mr. Thomason is greatly in want of an assistant in the old\n church, Calcutta; could not one of your young friends get\n ordained, and come over to us? Whilst Mr. Brown was alive,\n Mr. Thomason had help; now he stands alone in Calcutta.\n Besides, the \u2018Society for Missions to Africa and the East,\u2019\n want to send a missionary to Ceylon, a most important field\n of labour. I would urge their coming to this land, if a\n way were opened, in preference to Africa, because here the\n natives are not sanguinary, and the land is under European\n government; and also, because though I have lost my health,\n and others also, yet I think another who should follow my\n advice might here live to the age of man, notwithstanding\n the difference of climate. Mr. Desgranges destroyed\n himself; \u2018the zeal of God\u2019s house ate him up,\u2019 I think may\n be said of this member of Christ, in his measure; and the\n same of beloved and honoured Martyn. Notwithstanding the\n opposition of Government, a work is working in this land,\n which the despisers wonder at, and know not how to resist.\n The public sentiment appeared gloriously on the foundation\n of the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society; even those who\n oppose officially, saying they obey orders from home,\n cannot resist the Christian argument in behalf of the many\n already baptized. Missions have uniformly been discouraged\n by the British government here, yet we find ten or twelve\n thousand converts among their subjects; and now many, very\n many of our British fellow-subjects here are awakened\n seriously to their own state, and to a sense of the duty\n we owe them. Some young officers, I know, have schools in\n their own house, where they educate the native christian\n children they find about them. At every European station,\n there are some of these children. One married officer and\n his lady have collected about twenty, and pray with them in\n Hindoostanee every morning. Let these considerations, my\n brother, excite a spirit of prayer for us here; among your\n young brethren, at your quarterly meetings, make mention\n of our affairs, that we may have a place in your joint\n supplications; and God grant that some of them may be led\n to offer themselves to the help of the Lord!\u201d\n\nThen, after mentioning some particulars respecting the state in which\nhe left his flocks at Cawnpore, Chunar and Benares, and which have\nalready been related, Mr. Corrie proceeds:\n\n \u201cWhat a dreary waste from Benares to Calcutta! There are\n indeed, several worthy individuals in that place; but\n\n \u201cThe sound of the church-going bell\n These beautiful plains never heard;\n Never sighed at the sound of the knell,\n Nor smiled when a sabbath appeared.\u201d\n\n \u201cMr. Martyn is in Persia; I heard from him, dated March\n 20th from Shiraz; he had finished a copy of the New\n Testament, and of the Psalms, in Persian, and was employed\n on the book of Daniel: he purposes going into Arabia, to\n prove specimens of Arabic translation, before his return.\n I baptized four converts a few days ago, the fruits of a\n Native brother\u2019s labours, who possesses good ministerial\n abilities, and promises great usefulness. Of the Baptists,\n I may speak in a body. Their chief success is in Calcutta,\n where some, in most months, are added to them. They have\n some brethren at Agra; some at Dinapore, or Patna (which\n are close together,) but I hear of none persuaded by\n them except a young officer, who was awakened by some\n means at a distance from Christian society, and having\n none that he could advise with, wrote to them; and from\n one step to another seems now disposed to join them. He\n has been persuaded to pause. Their labours in Chinese\n and Sanscrit are valuable, because they have proper helps;\n but their other productions are inferior. Of those who\n have joined them in Calcutta, it is no disparaging of\n their individual worth to say that they are mostly of\n inferior rank. I hesitate not to say, they prevail by legal\n considerations for the most part; and I lament that their\n prejudices against the Church of England will not suffer\n them to take one step beyond their own narrow enclosure.\n But may the work of the Lord, as far as it is His work,\n prosper in their hands, no less than in ours: and may we\n all be found one in Christ Jesus! For myself, I write this\n on board of ship in Saugur roads, at the entrance of the\n river leading to Calcutta. I am going to sea on account of\n a liver-complaint, which has afflicted me now upwards of\n three years, and does not give way to medicine. I am told,\n it has not yet injured my constitution, but ministerial\n labours completely counteract the effects of medicine, so\n that I can only hope for a cure from rest and change of\n air. I feel it a duty to try these; and for this purpose\n came down from Cawnpore.\u201d\n\nScarcely had Mr. Corrie put to sea, when he again had to encounter\nthe perils of the deep. Writing on the 31st July, he remarks:--\n\n \u201cOn the 27th it began to blow a gale, which continued the\n whole day with great violence: and though its violence\n abated in the evening, it has been blowing weather ever\n since. Yesterday, we were obliged to heave overboard\n 370 bags of rice, it having got damaged from the water\n we shipped continually, and gave the ship so great a\n lurch that we were afraid she would sink, the pumps not\n being able to keep her clear. On Monday especially, our\n danger was apparent, and my mind was at first a good deal\n discomposed. I retired to my cabin, and on a review could\n say that I have not wasted my health in self-pleasing, that\n however mixed my services have been with sinful motives,\n yet the furtherance of the gospel has been my chief aim,\n and now I am here seeking renewal of strength, much against\n my own inclination; but at the urgent importunities of\n friends: and if it please God to restore me, I intend no\n other work or way but to serve Him in the gospel of his\n Son. Such reflections encouraged me to draw near with\n faith to God in Christ. I was favoured with freedom of\n access, and by prayer and thanksgiving, was enabled to\n \u2018cast my burden on the Lord,\u2019 and to hope for and expect\n the preservation afforded. I, at the same time, devoted\n my body, soul, and spirit anew to the service of God my\n Saviour; and I do now renew that dedication, and purpose\n through thy strength, O blessed Saviour, to know nothing,\n and follow after nothing, but the knowledge of my Lord\n Jesus Christ, and the diffusion of his blessed truth.\n\n \u201cAugust 3rd. The wind still boisterous, and often stormy;\n this destroys our comfort with the poor attendance we have\n on board. I endeavour to improve my mind by reading and\n conversation with ----, who seems to come more and more\n into true notions on religion; may grace be vouchsafed him,\n that he may feel their importance, and rest upon them!\n During yesterday and to-day we have been returning to\n nearly our former way; the wish of putting into some port\n has been much present with me, and the hope of being able\n to return, without going to the Isle of France, has made\n me too anxious. O Lord, give me grace to be submissive to\n thine appointments! I know not what is best: thou, Lord\n well knowest: O direct, controul, and support my soul!\n The sight of the raging sea, which at times made me feel\n powerfully the presence and majesty of God, ceases to have\n that effect: because others apprehend no danger, I am ready\n to conclude there is none, and so live without that looking\n unto Jesus which is my duty and my privilege. O Lord,\n though to human apprehension danger is not nigh; yet my\n life is in thy hands, and thine are all my ways; and in the\n practice of these words I desire to live and die. Amen!\u201d\n\nOwing to this stormy weather, contrary winds, and a strong current,\nthe ship made but little way, for after a fortnight\u2019s sailing,\nMr. Corrie found himself no further on his voyage than the Cacoas\nislands. The captain then decided to retrace their course somewhat,\nwith a view to getting to the westward, and that object was\naccomplished so far that toward the end of August, the ship was\nslowly working her way down the coast, and on the 6th of September\nentered the Vizagapatam roads. It appears however, from Mr. Corrie\u2019s\nJournal, that the prospect of a long and tedious voyage, and the\nconsequent uncertainty as to the time when he might get back again\nto India, often \u2018filled his mind with painful anxiety.\u2019 The return,\ntoo, of former pains in his side, he regarded as being chiefly\noccasioned by \u2018the want of regular food and exercise.\u2019 These and\nother considerations weighed so powerfully on his mind that for\nsome time previously to coming within sight of the coast of India,\nhe had decided to abandon the voyage to the Isle of France, and to\n\u2018disembark at whatever port the ship might put in.\u2019 On reaching\nVizagapatam he carried that purpose into effect. This place had\nthen been occupied for about eight years as a central station by\nthe London Missionary Society; and was, moreover, a place of much\ninterest to Mr. Corrie, as being the scene of the labours and death\nof Mr. Desgranges, who is so feelingly mentioned in the foregoing\nletter to Mr. Buckworth. Here, therefore, Mr. Corrie remained for\nmore than a fortnight in the house of Mr. Pritchett, the London\nSociety\u2019s missionary. During his stay at Vizagapatam, Mr. C. notes on\n\n \u201cSeptember 20th. This day six years I arrived in Calcutta:\n I scarcely know what to say or think of the time gone by. I\n feel myself an unprofitable servant. My coldness in prayer;\n my want of love to the Bible; my generally reading other\n books in its stead, oppress me with a sense of guilt. The\n favour shown me here is very humiliating, being so much\n more than I deserve. O God, give me grace to know and do\n thy will, and to delight in thy law!\u201d\n\nMr. Corrie\u2019s departure from Vizagapatam is noticed as follows:--\n\n \u201cSeptember 23rd. On board the ship Union, leaving\n Vizagapatam. Arrived here on the 6th, wrote to Mr.\n Pritchett, and went on shore by invitation, in the evening,\n to their family worship. I have been hospitably entertained\n ever since, at the mission-house, though owing to the\n lowness of the place, and consequent heat, I should have\n preferred a higher situation. I have observed in general\n that the missionaries are men of true piety, and of more\n candour than I expected: they receive ten pagodas per month\n from Government (a pitiful sum,) for which they officiate\n as Chaplain to the station; but do not baptize or marry.\n They have public worship in the court-house on Sunday,\n and at the house on top of the hill; the attendance is\n generally good.[83] I officiated at the latter place the\n two Sundays I was there. On Sunday last I administered the\n Lord\u2019s Supper to twelve; and last night married a couple;\n baptized eight children, and preached in the court-house in\n the evening, and afterwards administered the Lord\u2019s Supper\n to six....\n\n \u201cThough the missionaries are doubtless good men, yet I\n see decidedly the advantage men who have been brought up\n from youth with attention to learning, have over them. I\n suggested a native Christian school, and it will, I expect,\n be adopted; and according to my views of the subject, will\n supply a door of entrance among the heathen. May I remember\n their Christian love, and be excited to imitate it! May the\n remembrance of the attention shown me operate to render me\n more anxious to deserve it!\n\n \u201cSeptember 24th. Last night we were obliged to come to\n anchor off Vizagapatam. This morning a slight breeze\n sprung up; and we are now, 4 a. m. losing sight of\n hospitable Waltere. My heart, ever cleaving to creatures,\n viewed Mr. P\u2019s house several times during the day, with\n regret at leaving it.... I know, O Lord, that thy salvation\n is life eternal, and that in thy light alone does light and\n joy appear to the soul. O Lord my God, lift upon me the\n light of thy countenance for the sake of thine Anointed!\u201d\n\nThe following are also extracts from Mr. C\u2019s Journal:--\n\n \u201cSunday, 27th Sept.--This has been a most unprofitable day;\n the temper of those on board seems more removed from the\n christian temper than any thing I have seen. A contemptuous\n disregard of every thing sacred reminds me continually of\n the caution not to cast pearls before swine; yet let me not\n suffer sin upon my neighbour unreproved. I have attempted\n to pray, and have gone over the usual subjects; but, alas,\n with little heart: it occurred to me the increased number\n of names I have to mention ought to make me mark more\n decidedly the power of God towards me.\n\n \u201cOctober 6th,--Below Kedgeree. During the last week, I was\n occupied a good deal with some writings of Madame de Stael;\n and could not but be thankful for more comfortable views of\n religious truth than she can afford: I felt how absolutely\n absurd all her theories of happiness are, and how insane\n her most exemplary characters. At the same time, I felt a\n fear lest any foolish pride of sentiment, or fine feeling,\n should tempt me to forsake the fountain of living waters,\n and was led to pray with some fervency for a more simple\n regard to the word of God, and more attention to it. On\n Sunday, the 4th, we fell in with a pilot, and yesterday\n evening anchored in Saugur roads. To-day, we are at anchor\n below Kedgeree light-house. I have felt much thankfulness\n for a safe return to this land. I know not whether or not\n my side is well, but feel that I am weaker than formerly;\n easily affected by the heat, and do not soon recover from\n the use of medicine. I have, however much reason to adore\n the love and kindness of God my Saviour, that this land,\n once the land of banishment to me, is become a land of\n promise. I return to it not by constraint, but as a home:\n there are sisters, brothers, and dear friends in the Lord,\n to whom my soul cleaves, and to whom I am welcome. O my\n God, surely I owe thee myself, my soul and body!--I have\n owed to thee my days; thou hast delivered me from the\n great deep, and my soul shall praise thee! My work among\n the British, my native schools and teaching, to these\n employments I consecrate my days.\u201d\n\nOn the evening of Thursday the 8th October 1812, Mr. Corrie reached\nCalcutta, and on finding that Mr. Thomason was laid aside from duty,\nby an attack of illness, Mr. C. undertook the services at the Old\nChurch for a few weeks, until his friend should be convalescent.\nIt was not his desire, however, to remain long absent from his own\nstation, now that his health had been in a great measure restored\nto him, and he, therefore, made preparations for proceeding to\nAgra. But before leaving Calcutta, Mr. C. was united in marriage to\nElizabeth, the only child of Mr. W. Myers, a gentleman whose name\nhas already occurred in these memoirs as among the friends of the\nRev. D. Brown. Respecting Miss Myers, the observation of Mr. Thomason\nwas, in reference to her marriage with Mr. Corrie, that she was\n\u2018one who entered into all his missionary views, and was indeed a\nhelp-meet for him.\u2019 It was now, also, that the Christian friendship\nwhich subsisted throughout after-life between Mr. Corrie and Abdool\nMesseeh, may be said to have commenced; for the sincerity of Abdool\u2019s\nprofession of the gospel having by this time been well proved, it was\ndecided that he should accompany Mr. Corrie to Agra, as a Scripture\nReader and Catechist. An outline of the history of this remarkable\nconvert to the Christian faith, was drawn up at the time by Mr.\nCorrie,[84] and has been frequently reprinted; so that it would be\nsuperfluous, in this place, to do more than to supply such a brief\nsketch of Abdool\u2019s earlier life, as may serve for the elucidation\nof some particulars respecting him, which are given below. It will\nbe remembered, then, that Abdool was a native of Delhi; but that\nwhen arrived at man\u2019s estate he accompanied his family to Lucknow;\nbeing all the while a zealous Mahomedan. From thence he removed\nto Cawnpore, where he was so impressed by the preaching of Mr.\nMartyn, that he became a candidate for baptism, accompanied Mr. M.\nto Calcutta, and was, after due probation, admitted into the church\nof Christ, by Mr. Brown, on Whit-Sunday, 1811. From that time until\nhe joined Mr. Corrie\u2019s family, Abdool lived in Calcutta or the\nneighbourhood, suffering much opposition from the Mahomedans, but\nbeing the instrument of much good to many of his countrymen.\n\nAt the latter end of November 1812, Mr. and Mrs. Corrie took leave\nof Calcutta for Agra, Abdool with several Christian native children\noccupying a boat by themselves. Abdool employed himself during the\njourney in teaching the children to read, &c., and in composing hymns\nto native measures. These he was in the habit of singing with the\nchildren and servants when the party came to anchor for the night. As\nalso, the journey from Calcutta occupied many weeks, it was customary\nto remain at anchor throughout every Sunday that occurred on the way;\nand on those occasions Abdool used to collect together the boatmen\nand others on the banks of the river, and explain the scriptures\nto them. On many occasions, too, he maintained arguments with\nBrahmins and Romanists on subjects connected with their respective\nsuperstitions; but, as copious accounts of those disputes are given\nin the printed journal of Abdool\u2019s proceedings, it is not considered\nnecessary to repeat them. The result usually was to call forth much\nhostility to Abdool, and to expose him to personal danger. Thus, from\nCawnpore, 17th Feb. 1813, Mr. Corrie writes to his brother-in-law:--\n\n\n TO J. W. SHERER, ESQ.\n\n \u2018We expect to leave this about the 25th; we should have\n gone before now, but that Abdool Messeeh is gone to\n Lucknow to visit his family, and will not return until\n the 24th. I was not for his going, nor did he intend to\n go, but on his writing from Allahabad, a brother and\n nephew of his came over here, and received him with\n much affection, and told him, that his father, mother,\n another brother and three sisters, with their children,\n had determined on coming over, if he would not go to see\n them; professing also, that all his family wish to become\n Christians together with him. There has been a great stir\n at Lucknow about his conversion. A crowd assembled one\n night about his father\u2019s house and demanded that he should\n openly renounce Abdool, or they should suspect him also of\n becoming a Christian. He and the brothers said, they would\n not renounce Abdool, who had always behaved kindly, and now\n wrote to them with great affection. A tumult ensued, which\n required the interference of the Cutwal; and the report\n was carried to the Nabob\u2019s son, if not to the Nabob. The\n great men took the part of Abdool\u2019s family, and reproved\n the others; but under these circumstances, I did not think\n it advisable for Abdool to go over, nor would he but for\n the desire manifested by his family to cleave to him. This\n made him determined to run all risks, and also because his\n sisters\u2019 husbands threatened to forsake them, if they came\n over here; and Abdool argued it was not right for him to be\n the cause of their disobeying their husbands, so he would\n go to them. Indeed his whole conduct manifests a great deal\n of discretion and good sense, though no superiority in\n understanding; so that I fear nothing from indiscretion,\n and have sent a servant of my own with him, and hope the\n Lord will be his defence.\n\nIn a letter, however, which Mr. Corrie addressed soon after this to\nLieutenant (now Captain) Peevor of H. M. 17th foot, he states that\nAbdool \u201cwas obliged to retreat privately,\u201d from Lucknow, the rage of\nthe Mahomedans was so great against him. Yet it appears that \u201chis\nfather, mother, two brothers and two nephews, had all professed their\nreadiness to embrace the gospel,\u201d and that the nephews returned with\nAbdool to Cawnpore.\n\n\n [83] From the period of their first arrival at\n Vizagapatam, the Missionaries seem to have been in\n the habit of conducting public worship according to\n the ritual of the church of England; and proceeded\n to translate the English liturgy into the Teloogoo\n language.\n\n [84] Missionary Register, vol. i. p. 261-266.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER XI.\n\n AGRA.\n\n\nMr. Corrie and his party reached Agra on the 18th of April 1813.\nThere he was made acquainted with the death of Mr. Martyn. In a\nletter to Mr. Sherer, and with reference to that event, Mr. C.\nwrites:--\n\n \u201cWe arrived here in good health, and found your letter\n containing the affecting intelligence of Martyn\u2019s\n death:--to us afflictive, to him happy beyond expression.\n I thought of writing immediately, but could find nothing\n beyond lamentations to express; lamentations for us, not\n for him. He was meet for the \u201cinheritance of the saints\n in light,\u201d--my master is taken away from me, O for a\n double portion of his spirit! The work of printing and\n distributing the scriptures, will henceforth go on more\n slowly. It is impossible to have so lively an impression of\n the importance of supplying the written word, where people\n have not intercourse with the spiritually needy. You all\n feel for the poor English, because you now and then talk\n with them, and have demonstration of their ignorance on\n eternal things. Thus those who enter among the heathen have\n a demonstration on the subject, which constrains them to\n pity them, and to exclaim, \u2018O that they had but a Bible!\u2019\u201d\n\nShortly after his arrival at Agra, Mr. Corrie enquired for, and\nobtained a house, every way suitable for the residence of Abdool\nMesseeh. The rent was agreed upon, and possession in part given, but\nin the meantime Abdool\u2019s circumstances becoming known, the owner of\nthe house, a Mahomedan, departed from his agreement, and would not\naccept Abdool for a tenant. But shortly afterwards a property called\nBoottats Kuttra, a court in the middle of the principal street in\nAgra, being put up for sale, it was bought by an English gentleman,\nwho generously gave it for the purposes of the mission. In this place\nAbdool Messeeh regularly conducted Divine Service twice on Sundays,\nand once, sometimes twice, during the week. He had family worship\nalso, daily with the Native Christians, who resided in or near the\nKuttra. Some account of these missionary proceedings is given by Mr.\nC. in answer to a letter from Mr. Sherer. He writes, on the 8th June\n1813:--\n\n \u201cThe plan of a Native Free-School I admire greatly; and\n have no doubt of its utility and success. I have been\n proceeding on that plan ever since I came to the country.\n James[85] failed me, and one of the boys, (Simon) through\n the wickedness of his parents, is likely to fail me also;\n yet I do not despair. Osman is one of the cleverest of any,\n in English; Nicholas, most solid; Abdool\u2019s two nephews are\n promising, especially the younger, Shumsher Rham. We have\n a tribe of younger ones, and a whole host of little sons\n of drummers. J. A. is coming, on the first opportunity, to\n be my English master for them; which will relieve me much,\n both as to time and labour; after two disappointments,\n and many attempts, we have at length obtained an old\n premise in the city. This is the fourth day we have been\n in possession; and a school is already collected there.\n The whole city rings with this, to them new doctrine; and\n copies of the New Testament are eagerly sought for: not\n a tongue moves in opposition; which is a matter both of\n surprise, and congratulation. Abdool Messeeh is greatly\n called forth; and his heart becomes more and more in the\n work, as people come forward. Two or three, indeed many,\n have professed their wish to be baptized; but perhaps these\n are not the most hopeful, for being most forward. The\n subject has now got amongst the English; and they evidently\n don\u2019t know what to make of it.... The people in the city\n generally speak of the school with great approbation, and\n hope it will be made a college. The establishment for the\n whole is now, a Molwee 20 Rs.; an Ostad 10 Rs.; a writer 7\n Rs.; and a schoolmaster for the little boys 8 Rs.; besides\n Durwan 3 Rs.; and about 25 Rs. for the maintenance of\n children, &c. &c. So that, I fear, I cannot enlarge much\n our present establishment.\u201d\n\nAlthough it had hitherto been the unchristian policy of the Indian\ngovernment either to discountenance all efforts to raise the moral\nand religious condition of their subjects, or to leave them to be\naltogether dependent for instruction in the great truths of revealed\nreligion, on the personal zeal and narrow resources of a few private\nindividuals, yet a better state of things appeared now to be at\nhand. The various missionary societies, and the religious portion of\nBritain at large, regarded the renewal of the company\u2019s charter to\nbe a favourable opportunity for pressing upon the attention of the\nlegislature, the destitute condition of India with respect to the\ngospel. This was accordingly done, and the result was, that during\nthe month of June 1813, the parliament affirmed the necessity for a\nChurch establishment in India; voted that it was the duty of England\nto promote the moral and religious improvement of her subjects\nin India; and that facilities ought likewise to be afforded to\npersons desirous of going to India for the purpose of accomplishing\nthose benevolent designs. This favourable change in the policy of\ngovernment was of course unknown to Mr. Corrie, when he addressed the\nfollowing letter:\n\n\n TO THE REV. MR. SIMEON.\n\n \u201cAgra, June 23, 1813.\n\n \u201cWhat will the new charter bring to light in respect\n of our \u2018project,\u2019 as Mr. Cecil used to speak? The\n desirableness of some extension of our present\n establishment, is beyond all dispute: the most careless\n among us cry shame on the want of attention of our\n governors to this point. If we had a sufficient\n establishment of proper chaplains, there need be little\n further anxiety about evangelizing India: but who are\n to supply the places of Brown, Buchanan, Jeffreys, and\n Martyn? It seems almost as if Mr. Carey\u2019s prophecy were\n coming true, that God would not employ _us_ in the work\n of evangelization. Amidst the great attention we hear of,\n excited to the distribution of the scriptures, how comes\n it, none of our Brethren offer _themselves_ to come and\n _distribute_ the word of life? And what are we, who believe\n Episcopacy to be the Order of the primitive church, to do\n for duly ordained pastors, from among the native converts?\n I write thus freely, my honoured father in the gospel, for\n now Mr. Brown and Mr. Martyn no longer bring these subjects\n before you, and Mr. Thomason, though he is nearer the scene\n of action, has really no more to do with the _natives_ than\n you have, nor does Mr. Parson give himself to this work.\n Mr. Thomason has more to do as Minister of the Old Church,\n Secretary, etc. etc. than one man ought to have, and this\n situation must always occupy one: and Mr. Parson gives\n himself wholly to the British soldiers, among whom he is\n eminently useful.\n\n \u201cI am now next on the list of Chaplains to be appointed\n to Calcutta, and if I must go, there will then be no\n chaplain out of Calcutta, to enter into the affairs of\n the Natives. There is no town in India, where a person\n may not be usefully employed in missionary work, and for\n superintendance, Calcutta is a preferable situation, but\n then there must be something to superintend. At present, I\n am in some perplexity on this subject. God has been pleased\n to make the labours of Abdool-Messeeh very acceptable in\n this place in general. I yesterday sent off to Mr. Bates\n a copy of his journal from March to this time; there are\n eighteen children at his school in the city, and six\n candidates for baptism: the whole city, containing a\n population of upwards of fifty thousand, is moved, and very\n little opposition has appeared; _none_ that deserves to be\n called opposition: the Kazee[86] has begun to move against\n us. I trust we shall give no occasion for tumult, nor have\n I the smallest fear on that head. Martyn\u2019s translation\n is admired as a composition, no less than as containing\n important truth; could he look from Heaven and see Abdool\n Messeeh, with the translated New Testament in his hand,\n preaching to the listening throng, and could he know of\n Mr. M.\u2019s wish to follow his steps in this work, it would\n add fresh delight to his holy soul! Now this prospect of a\n rising native church makes one reflect, what is to be done\n for them. Could Abdool Messeeh be properly ordained, he\n is, in my opinion, for humility, zeal and discretion, most\n eminently worthy of the ministry. Fervent and experimental\n piety with such matured judgment, I never expected to\n meet with in a native of Hindoostan, and such are the\n sentiments of Mr. M. and another Christian friend, now\n with us, respecting him. But according to my views on the\n subject, he cannot with propriety administer the Christian\n Sacraments; and my successors would not, perhaps, admit\n him to their presence. It seems my duty, to decline all\n removal, as far as I may be permitted, and, I trust, I\n shall be able to do so, though it would, in many respects,\n prove a trial both personal and otherwise. The Armenian\n bishops, and the bishops of the Syrians, have occurred to\n me, if their ordinations be considered valid.[87] If I had\n any suitable helper to whom the work might be committed,\n I should perhaps, think it advisable to take the privilege\n of furlough, for the recovery of my strength, if it please\n God. The great quantity of medicine, I was obliged to take,\n reduced me much, and the right side is still very tender.\n I trust in this, and all my ways, to acknowledge the Lord,\n and doubt not, he will guide me aright. May his kingdom\n come more fully in my own heart, that I may do his will in\n all things!\u201d\n\nThe success which, under the divine blessing, had so signally\nmarked the labours of Abdool Messeeh at Agra, was not unattended by\ncorrespondent difficulties. The loss of caste and the consequent\ndestitution which followed the native converts, required to be\nalleviated by supplying them with sustenance, until some employment\ncould be found for them. The schools also, which had been established\nunder the favourable circumstances, mentioned in the foregoing\nletters, were necessarily attended with a certain regular expense.\nAs, therefore, Mr. Corrie\u2019s resources were altogether inadequate\nto meet the stated and increasing demands upon them, he applied to\nthe Calcutta agents of the Society for Missions to Africa and the\nEast, to ascertain how far assistance might be looked for from that\nSociety. He suggested to them, at the same time, that an auxiliary\nmissionary society might be formed in Calcutta, which might aid\nthe work he had in hand, by monthly subscriptions. He advised,\nmoreover, that a few friends of missions should form themselves into\na committee, for the purpose of considering how native converts\ncould be best employed, and their children be brought up to trades.\nThe result of this application to Calcutta, was the formation of an\nassociation, and the collecting of subscriptions to the amount of\nfour hundred pounds, the express objects of which were to enable\nMr. Corrie to \u201cestablish and support native schools at Agra and\nelsewhere.\u201d Subscriptions from private sources also, were not\nwanting. To a friend who took an interest in the Agra mission, Mr.\nCorrie writes on the 2nd of Aug. 1813.\n\n \u201cI was far from expecting any separate contribution to the\n work here, but do not even wish to refuse it; for sure I am\n that of money thus spent, we shall be able to say at last,\n \u2018what I have given away, remains.\u2019\u201d\n\nHe then goes on to inform his correspondent, that\n\n \u201cThe Sunday (July 25.) before yesterday was the beginning\n of our visible edifice. The foundation is, I am persuaded,\n laid in Christ. The Hukeem[88] and Abdool\u2019s nephew, are\n both not only enlightened in mind, but informed also in\n judgment. The former once led a party to fight for Islam,\n consequently his conversion has called forth more of the\n spite of the enemy than we before have seen. Several have\n told Abdool plainly, that under any other government\n they would have risen upon him. I observe without saying\n anything to any around. Mr. H. talks to every body in the\n same strain, and then tells E. the remarks people make.\n Why! I know before hand what such people will say.\u201d\n\nThe Hukeem mentioned in the preceding extract, was a Mahomedan\nfrom Bhurtpore, and physician to the Rajah\u2019s family. His first\nacquaintance with divine truth was through the medium of the\nPentateuch in Arabic, which a Romish priest had lent him some years\nbefore the date of the letter just quoted. Afterwards, meeting with\na copy of the gospels translated into Persian, by Sabat, the Hukeem\nbecame convinced of the truth of Christianity, but made no open\nprofession of the gospel; until under the instruction of Abdool, he\nlearned \u201cthe way of God more perfectly,\u201d and was baptised by the name\nof Talib Messeeh Khan, on the Sunday above-mentioned. His baptism\noccasioned so great a sensation among the Mahomedans, that Abdool\u2019s\nhouse in the city was for some days a constant scene of comers\nand goers. The disciples of the various Musselman saints came in\nbodies (sometimes of upwards of forty) to enquire about the mode of\ninitiation into the Christian Religion. The eldest nephew of Abdool\nwas baptised at the same time with the Hukeem.\n\nThese promising appearances, however, brought with them correspondent\nanxieties, so far as respected Mr. Corrie; for in writing to Mr.\nSherer (Aug. 18, 1813,) he remarks:--\n\n \u201cI never before felt the care attending the winning of\n souls as now; and never before so entirely felt my own\n perfect insignificance and folly. While all was only\n beginning, there was food for vain glory, and no occasion\n for suspicion or watchfulness. Now time has been given for\n probation, my rest sometimes departs from me lest Satan\n should gain an advantage over us.\u201d\n\nMr. Corrie then goes on to inform Mr. S.:\n\n \u201cThe Hukeem I baptized proves a man of superior\n understanding. He has begun Hebrew, and if he proceeds\n as he has begun, will prove a most valuable corrector\n of the Hindoostanee Old Testament, which Mirza Fitrut\n has translated from the English. He is not, however, so\n obliging in his disposition as Abdool Messeeh. The eldest\n nephew of Abdool has been, ever since his baptism, quite\n another creature,--lively, devoted, and the servant of all.\n He is on your fund, as a Reader; and the Hukeem receives\n for himself and family 20 R. till he becomes qualified\n for some office in the church. To prove the sincerity of\n the Fakeers, I hired forty Bigohs[89] of land, and they\n have laboured with readiness for their bread, in clearing,\n weeding, watching, &c. This has been a present extra\n expense, but I am told the grain will produce a return.\n In consequence of the scarcity, multitudes of poor are\n very ill off, and a subscription, at the suggestion of Mr.\n F. was entered into for their relief. The sum amounts to\n 15 Rs. a day, and Abdool and I are the Almoners: a more\n troublesome and unthankful office I was never engaged\n in. Two months, it is thought, will put an end to the\n present distress. Three Schools, beside the one at home,\n are gaining ground. The supply you mentioned could easily\n be appropriated, and when something is determined, I will\n send down a statement of items. I refrain at present, lest\n I should seem to claim what will come as an offering to\n the Lord. I feel it would be an honour to live on bread\n and water that all might go in this work and way; but the\n claims of justice and family demand attention also.\u201d\n\nOccupations of various kinds now so multiplied upon Mr. Corrie, that\nhis private Journal was but irregularly kept. The completion of seven\nyears\u2019 residence in India was, however, too marked an event to pass\nunnoticed by him, and he therefore writes:--\n\n \u201cAgra, Sep. 19, 1813. To-morrow will complete to me seven\n years in India. Many mercies have attended me, and many\n instances of God\u2019s gracious dealings, which ought to be\n had in remembrance, to His praise, and my own comfort and\n encouragement. The death of Mr. Brown, and afterwards of\n Mr. Martyn, deprived me of two pillars on whom I leaned\n partly for so long a time: and to this hour I feel my\n earthly masters to be taken away from me. There is now\n none on earth, to whom I look for guidance as to what I\n should do in my ministry. For a time this discouraged\n me; but the Lord mercifully made my way plain, and his\n work here is going on with seeming success. For this work\n Abdool Messeeh was raised up, and qualified, and sent of\n God. He is eminently humble, teachable, persevering, and\n zealous. Two were baptized from the heathen on July 25:\n and eight more, with three of their children, on August\n 25. There are now many catechumens, and upwards of ninety\n children in school, at three places. Keeping the journal\n of Abdool\u2019s labours, has interrupted my private journal;\n though, after all, they are quite distinct. In general,\n my mind has been too much occupied in the outward work. I\n have lived too little in the habit of ejaculatory prayer;\n and contented myself with very little of spirituality\n of mind; so that if success had depended on me, it must\n utterly have failed. But the spiritual temple grows up \u2018not\n by might, or by power,\u2019 but by the Spirit of the Lord. Oh\n may he carry on his work within, and enable me to grow up\n into Christ in all things. I have engaged too largely\n in expences, considering the natural claims upon me. The\n schools and native christians stand me in not less than\n 300 Rs. monthly; while building &c. is likely to involve\n me in debt. The heart of Mr. B. was, indeed, mercifully\n disposed to give _Kuttra_; and help is promised from other\n quarters, and I doubt not but the Lord will provide, since,\n I think, I seek not my own vain glory, but His worthy\n praise and honour. For some days past, I have experienced\n a sensible return of the liver complaint. What this may\n be the forerunner of, I know not. It would be a painful\n trial to cease from labour now, though that may be needful\n to try my humility, whilst, Oh what may it prove to my\n European flock! Who shall speak to them, or make known the\n way of salvation? Lord! direct me in this matter. Enable\n me to give myself to meditation and prayer: and grant me\n to know and do thy will.... Praised be thy name, who hast\n kept me in my purpose respecting coming to India. The love\n of souls, more than of wealth, or earthly honour, I trust,\n still, through grace, predominates; and may grace reign in\n my soul, through righteousness, unto eternal life, through\n Jesus Christ.\u201d\n\nIt was soon after the date of the preceding extract, that\nintelligence reached Agra from England, that it was intended to\npublish a memoir of Mr. Martyn; and Mr. Corrie in consequence,\naddressed the following letter\n\n\n TO THE REV. J. SARGENT.\n\n \u201cAgra, Nov. 1. 1813.\n\n \u201cI have very lately learned through Mr. Thomason that\n you have undertaken to draw up a life of the Rev. H.\n Martyn. It will be of use for you to know that when he\n left Cawnpore in 1810 to seek change of air, I was with\n him, and persuaded him to leave in my hands a number of\n memorandums he was about to destroy. They were sealed\n up, but on his death, being opened, they prove to be\n Journals of the exercises of his mind from January 1803,\n to 1807, inclusive. They seem to me no less worthy of\n publication than the Journal of Mr. Brainerd, if more\n books of that kind should be judged necessary. Since the\n beginning of 1807, Mr. M. favoured me with almost a weekly\n letter, in which his various employments and engagements\n for the furtherance of the gospel in this country, are\n detailed with occasional very interesting remarks.\n This correspondence ceased on my being ordered by our\n commander-in-chief to assist Mr. M. in the duties of the\n station of Cawnpore, when I took up my abode with him from\n June till his departure, October 1st. Other letters passed\n between us after that time, and it is my intention to\n send you copies of all the above correspondence, together\n with his private Memorandums. The latter, with copies of\n Martyn\u2019s letters from Feb. to July 1807, were sent off\n this day to Mr. Thomason in Calcutta, to be forwarded to\n England by the first opportunity, and the copies of the\n remaining letters shall follow as soon as may be. Of course\n I have omitted to copy what seems purely personal: yet\n much remains which you will perhaps judge unnecessary for\n publication, and will exercise your own judgment on that\n head. All the extracts seem to me, however, to cast light\n on the progress of missionary work in this land, and may\n perhaps be thought interesting to those who take a concern\n in Indian affairs. These extracts give so full a view of\n Mr. M\u2019s character that nothing remains for me to add. Only\n I may say, a more perfect character I never met with, nor\n expect to see again on earth. During the four years we\n were fellow-labourers in this country, I had no less than\n six opportunities of enjoying his company; the last time\n for four months together, and under the same roof all\n the time; and each opportunity only increased my love and\n veneration for him.\n\n \u201cI conclude the above intelligence will plead my excuse for\n writing to you without previous introduction, and I was\n anxious it should reach you through the nearest channel.\n Your brother in Calcutta has told me several times of your\n welfare; and during beloved Martyn\u2019s life I used to hear\n of you sometimes. Your person, whilst a student at King\u2019s\n College, was well known to me, and your character admired,\n though I had not steadiness of principle sufficient at that\n time to imitate you; and consequently had no pretensions to\n an acquaintance with you, though I often greatly desired\n it. To that \u2018Father in Israel,\u2019 Mr. Simeon, I owe all my\n comfort on earth and all my hopes respecting eternity: for\n through his instrumentality the seeds of grace, I trust,\n were, during my residence at Cambridge, especially during\n the latter part of my stay, implanted in my heart, and have\n influenced, though alas! unsteadily, my after days.\n\n \u201cFrom this far country you will however desire other\n tidings, if any. The discussions in Parliament respecting\n the religious part of the Company\u2019s charter, give me\n much pain, as both friends and opposers evidently view\n the subject imperfectly. The opposers know full well, or\n might know, that if every servant of the Company in India\n were a clergyman, so long as we go on as heretofore, it\n would not excite an enquiry scarcely from any native;\n he would conclude it was the English _caste_, and there\n his reflections would end. On the other hand, it seems\n premature to connect the conversion of the natives with\n an ecclesiastical establishment, for unless our Bishops\n should be men, not only of learning and sobriety, but of\n zeal, they will never hold out against the discouragements\n a residence in this country presents. Indeed, in this work,\n a man must engage with the spirit of those words--\u201cThough\n the fig-tree should not blossom;\u201d &c. It is not that the\n evangelization of India is a hopeless project, or that to\n attempt it is attended with political danger; for the\n story General Kyd produced in the House of Commons, to\n shew the danger of interfering with the natives, is both\n erroneously stated and ridiculously applied. The idea of\n grave ministers of religion going out to shoot monkeys,\n would not have been entertained in any other connexion\n but as supplying an objection to Missions. But the young\n men were not destroyed by the natives; the elephant on\n which they rode took fright at the clamour of lamentation\n and displeasure raised by the people on the monkey being\n killed, and plunged into a deep place of the river Jumna,\n when the Howdah on which they sat getting loose from the\n elephant\u2019s back, the young men were drowned. General\n Kyd would perhaps say, he had seen Chaplains in India\n shooting monkeys, and he should at the same time have\n the candor to state, that none of that description made\n themselves obnoxious to the natives by their religion, and\n consequently there is nothing to fear from an establishment\n of that kind. The work of evangelization is however,\n going on; the instruction of the natives already bearing\n the Christian name, opens a way for wide and lasting\n benefit. Ever since my arrival and short acquaintance\n with this country, it has appeared that natives will be\n the great means of converting their brethren. Mr. Martyn\n has done what no native could do, and what had not been\n done before,--left an idiomatical and faithful translation\n of the New Testament in the Hindoostanee language. This\n language is known pretty generally by those tribes also\n who do not use it in their usual conversation. This city\n is near the Mahratta states, and the resort of people from\n all parts of India, who all understand the tenor of this\n translation, as has been abundantly proved.\u201d\n\nAs illustrative of the importance which Mr. Corrie attached to the\nhaving many schools, it may be mentioned, that about the time\nthe foregoing letter was written, he had it in contemplation to\nobtain leave of absence from Agra, with the view to visit different\nstations, and to establish schools wherever it might be practicable.\nWith reference to such a plan, he writes\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cI have had it in mind to ask leave of Government, to go\n to different stations to institute schools for the Native\n christian children. All that would be required would be,\n private unlimited leave of absence, with directions to\n report or not, as they might think proper. Sir George N.\n would, I think, make no objection, if the noble Earl did\n not; and if he were put into possession of the real state\n of things, I think he would rather encourage. It would be\n a peculiar glory on his government to take measures for\n bettering the state of the Native christian subjects, as\n well as of the other classes of natives; and sure I am\n that the way in which I propose to proceed, would excite\n no jealousy among the natives, but rather call forth their\n esteem for our national character.\u201d\n\nAt this time, too, the accounts Mr. C. received of Abdool\u2019s\nproceedings at Meerut, (where the latter was on a visit), were of the\nmost encouraging kind. He was gratified, also, by the intelligence\nthat Mr. Vetch was at work at Delhi, among the Armenian and\nPortuguese Christians there. The opposition to missionary labours at\nAgra, had moreover, for the present ceased, whilst the schools were\nprospering as much as could reasonably be expected. As however, any\nchanges among the chaplains would, in all probability, occasion Mr.\nC.\u2019s removal from Agra, it became an object of great solicitude to\nhim that so promising a state of things should not retrograde, for\nwant of adequate superintendence and pecuniary support; and he, in\nconsequence, addressed the following communication to the Secretary\nof the Church Missionary Society, in England:--\n\n \u201cAgra, E. I. Dec. 31. 1813.\n\n \u201cYou are made acquainted through the Rev. Mr. Thomason,\n with the labours of Abdool Messeeh, who is engaged as a\n Catechist for the Society for Missions to Africa and the\n East; and of the success attending them. Since our arrival\n at this place in March last, forty-one adults, and fourteen\n children of theirs, have been baptized into the faith of\n Christ, and all continue to walk in the truth. The prospect\n of increasing numbers is very encouraging, and as several\n of the converts are men of learning and of some influence,\n there seems ground to hope that lasting benefit is intended\n by our Almighty and most merciful Father to this place.\n\n \u201cThe want of useful books in their own language will,\n however, render the Native converts for a long time in need\n of European intelligence and firmness. Though the grace of\n the gospel be sufficient for their individual salvation,\n yet they are not sufficiently acquainted with the history\n of mankind, and especially of the Church of Christ, to\n enable them to calculate on the probable consequences of\n any particular mode of conduct: nor can they for some time\n reap the benefits to be derived from the experience of\n those who have gone before them in the good way.\n\n \u201cI feel, therefore, anxious to call the attention of the\n Society of which you are Secretary, to this part of the\n world; and to beg, that, if practicable, a Missionary may\n be sent over to take charge of this infant church. The\n place of worship and the premises now occupied, should\n with pleasure be made over in perpetuity for the use of\n the Mission; and I think I may affirm, that the friends\n of religion in this country would find sufficient support\n for the person whom you may send, without his continuing\n burthensome to the Society.\n\n \u201cAmong the reasons why a Missionary should be sent to this\n country, in preference to any other, I would beg leave\n respectfully to suggest two; viz. the teeming population\n of India, and the protection of equitable laws, which put\n it in the power of a Missionary to do more good with less\n personal inconvenience here than in any other heathen\n country.\n\n \u201cThe objections raised at home to the evangelization of\n India, on the score of political danger, are founded in\n entire misrepresentation of the subject. It seems not to\n have occurred to either friends or foes of the measure,\n that there are none among the natives who have the means,\n whatever might be their will, of resisting the British\n Government. Almost all the ancient reigning families are\n reduced to a state of dependence: nor at any time, did\n ever the zeal of the Hindoos lead them to any formidable\n opposition even to the intolerant and avowedly proselyting\n Mahomedans: so that neither do past experience nor\n present probabilities oppose any difficulty in the way of\n publishing the gospel in India.\n\n \u201cBesides, it might well be expected that reflecting men\n should discriminate between a senseless attack upon images,\n processions, &c. and the simple inoffensive statement of\n Divine truth. The former might well be expected to rouse\n every bad passion of the human mind; the latter will\n always command respect if not obedience, whilst the same\n Divine truth assures us his word shall not return void.\n Our method is to state the plain truths of the gospel with\n little or no reference to any other system called religion.\n By pointing out the Scripture doctrines of man\u2019s fall,\n through the transgression of Adam, and his recovery by the\n Lord Jesus Christ, which appeals to matters of obvious and\n general experience, usually such a sensation is produced as\n leads some one or other to examine what foundation he rests\n upon; and the result is always, that there is salvation in\n none but in God incarnate!\n\n \u201cPermit me also respectfully to solicit the attention of\n your Society to the subject of providing ministers from\n among the Native converts: for it seems out of the question\n ever to expect a sufficient number of regularly-ordained\n ministers from England. The Liturgy of our church\n translated, has been of singular benefit in this place: and\n every circumstance in the case of a church newly gathered\n from among the heathen, demonstrates that the order of\n our church is that of the primitive Christian churches.\n Whatever may be said in favour of the liberty of people\n to choose their own ministers, or in favour of extempore\n prayer, in a more advanced state of Christian education\n and experience, does not apply in our circumstances: and\n it follows of course, that a person who should be the\n means of planting the gospel in any city or place, remains\n the superintendent and umpire in all cases requiring\n arrangement. Under this persuasion it would be painful\n either to leave a native congregation without a pastor,\n or to usurp authority. I would humbly, however, request\n advice and help on this head. Abdool Messeeh seems, for\n heavenly-mindedness, discretions and zeal, to be worthy\n of the ministry: and we are endeavouring to qualify some\n promising young Christians in this place for the ministry,\n by instructing them in the learned languages of this\n country, and in Hebrew: to which we propose adding the\n study of Greek, and thus we hope they may one day be found\n worthy of Episcopal ordination.\n\n \u201cThe Rev. Mr. Thomason will forward this: and I trust\n no apology is necessary for endeavouring to draw the\n attention of the Society, of which you are Secretary, to\n this quarter. The opinion of one who resides on the spot,\n and whose personal safety, attachments and interests\n are much more involved in the subject than any retired\n Indian, may perhaps be considered worthy of attention,\n however insignificant the writer may be. I may be also\n allowed to express anxiety, that the church to which I\n belong may take a conspicuous part in the progressive work\n of evangelization now going on in this country; since\n she possesses facilities above all other Societies, and\n her ordinances are best calculated, in my opinion, to\n ensure edification, and that the work should not fail in\n after-generations.\u201d\n\nEarly in January 1814, Mr. Corrie left Agra on a visit to Delhi;\nand was there met by some natives from Meerut, who were desirous of\nbaptism. One of these was a Moonshee, in the service of Dr. R., and\nwho, from conversation with Abdool Messeeh, and the reading of the\ntranslated Scriptures, had been convinced that \u2018Jesus is the Son of\nGod.\u2019 Another was a Molwee, a native of Rampoor, who had, in like\nmanner, been led to expect salvation only through Christ. A third was\nan aged Birajee, who possessed great influence among the natives, but\nwhose faith in the Hindoo and Mahomedan systems had been completely\nshaken by the deistical writings of Cuber, a satirical poet, who\nlived at Benares. This Birajee had made many enquiries respecting the\nChristian religion, and once thought of joining the Romish sect,\nbut was deterred from doing so by finding that they used images in\ntheir worship. He had ultimately been brought to a knowledge of \u201cthe\ntruth as it is in Jesus,\u201d by the perusal of the New Testament, a\ncopy of which, in the Nagree, he had lately obtained. For the sake,\ntherefore, of these and other natives, Mr. Corrie determined on a\nvisit to Meerut. There he had the satisfaction to find a congregation\nof from twenty to thirty Christians, under the direction of Mr.\nBowley,[90] assisted by the Hukeem from Agra; and after due enquiry\nand examination, he baptized the Rampoor Molwee and the Birajee,\non Sunday, January 30. On the following day Mr. C. baptized also a\nnative woman, and returned to Agra early in February.\n\nIt may here be mentioned, that the success with which it pleased\nGod to mark the labours of Mr. Corrie and his friends at Agra, made\nthat city a place toward which those, not unnaturally, looked for\nassistance, who were anxious for the spread of the gospel among the\ntribes of Northern India. Mr. C. was therefore, frequently requested\nto supply, from among the converts at Agra, scripture-readers, to\nbe employed at other stations. In answer to an application of that\nnature, he writes--\n\n\n TO CAPTAIN PEEVOR.\n\n \u201cFeb. 3. 1814.\n\n \u201cI have been thinking who I could send you as a reader; but\n really fear that none of those at present with me, are fit\n for the appointment. It requires some time to make them\n acquainted with the Scriptures; and some time for them to\n lay aside the old ways of thinking, in which they have been\n brought up: so that only one, like yourself, who would bear\n with them, rather than expect them to bend in all things\n to you, could be intrusted with the care of a very recent\n convert. Abdool Messeeh\u2019s nephew is, next to his uncle, the\n most deeply humbled of the new converts; and him his uncle\n does not wish to part with, at present. I will, however,\n when we reach home, write to you further on the subject;\n for you must know we left Agra on the 10th of January, and\n have been at Delhi and Meerut.\u201d\n\nYet the quick succession in which first one native and then another\nhad been added to the church at Agra and elsewhere, was so unusual\na phenomenon in India, that some of the friends of missions seem to\nhave been apprehensive, lest converts should have been admitted to\nbaptism, before the sincerity of their faith and repentance had been\nsufficiently tested. On that point, therefore, Mr. Corrie writes in\nanswer\n\n\n TO THE REV. MR. THOMASON.\n\n \u201cMany kind and cordial thanks for your cautions respecting\n baptism. I have in no instance administered [that\n sacrament] but where there seemed experience, as well\n as knowledge, of the grace of God. Even the youths seem\n convinced of sin, and aware of the necessity of avoiding\n it. But the further we advance, the more arduous does my\n post become. Nothing has occurred to make me doubt the\n sincerity of any of the baptized,--but others have tried to\n deceive. I wish all the converts could remain with me; but\n it is no sin in them that they cannot live without food;\n and I cannot maintain them all.\u201d\n\nMr. Corrie then adds, on the subject of scripture readers:--\n\n \u201cThe Hukeem discovers great reluctance to leave, but at the\n request of S. for a native Christian, he goes on Thursday\n next, and Abdool Messeeh goes with him on a visit. He will\n be in as good hands as here: his son is likely to prove\n a treasure. He is quite familiar with the Arabic of the\n Koran, is very quick of comprehension, needs seldom to have\n a lesson repeated, and is devoted to study. His frame of\n body is but weakly; and thus devotedness to learning is\n accompanied (as is generally the case) with less appearance\n of zeal for others. How few, like Martyn, live only that\n they may impart knowledge! This youth appears a sincere\n convert. He and two others are, henceforth, to have a\n lesson daily in Hebrew. In two months he has learned to\n construe the English New Testament; and purposes acquiring\n also the rudiments of Greek.\u201d\n\nThe following extracts from letters written about this time, afford\nadditional evidence of that caution and godly wisdom, by which Mr.\nCorrie\u2019s missionary labours were directed:--\n\n\n TO J. W. SHERER, ESQ.\n\n \u201cAgra, March 4, 1814.\n\n \u201cI have little to write to you about, except what is\n connected with the affairs of our Church here. The number\n of converts and present inquirers on all hands, renders\n attention to our concerns necessary that \u2018the work should\n not fail.\u2019 I do not write down the tenth part of the\n interesting particulars that come to our ears from Delhi,\n Meerut, and the Mahratta country: all which, though, if\n considered in respect of individuals, comprehends but a\n very insignificant part of the population, yet shews, I\n think, that \u201cthe report is gone forth,\u201d and enquiry begins\n to be made. Labourers also, are, I trust, springing up,\n qualified for the work of instruction.... The Rampoor\n Molwee seems very disinterested; and is by far the most\n clever man we have yet had. The Moonshee, who accompanied\n him, is not very superior, but appears sincerely disposed\n to impart what he knows; and expresses a wish to go into\n the lately-acquired territory, towards the Seiks, where his\n family resides. At Delhi, the king\u2019s sons, it is said, have\n got a copy of the gospels. Praised be God, nothing actually\n wrong has yet appeared in any of the converts, though\n it may be supposed that I am sometimes tired with their\n complaints and requests.\u201d\n\n\n TO CAPTAIN PEEVOR.\n\n \u201cAgra, March 20, 1814.\n\n \u201cI have by no means been forgetful of your wishes\n respecting a reader, but have not yet been able to\n determine anything for you. The success attending the word\n is very gratifying and encouraging; but it requires time\n to acquire information sufficient to become a teacher of\n others; so that I hesitate even to wish the new converts\n to leave this [place]: and for another reason also, [viz.]\n lest through temptation or unwatchfulness, anything amiss\n should appear in them; when you know how the enemy would\n triumph. \u2018There are your converts!\u2019 would be the cry. \u2018So\n would we have it!\u2019 But be assured, it is as much my wish as\n it can be your\u2019s, to send the light of the gospel to you as\n fast as possible.\n\n \u201cI do not know that our plan of schooling is by any means\n the most advantageous. It is simply this:--Before nine\n o\u2019clock, the children learn by heart, catechism or grammar,\n in the way of question and answer. After that Persian; and\n after mid-day, English. This school consists of Christian\n children.... The natives are so irregular in their habits,\n and so entirely negligent of time, at the same time so\n ignorant of the advantages of regularity, and improvement\n of time, that they fly off if too much troubled on the\n subject. In this work I am often reminded of that passage,\n \u2018Ye have need of patience, that having done the will of\n God, ye may receive the promises.\u2019 May we be followers\n of them, who, through faith and _patience_, inherit\n the promises! Faith we acknowledge [to be] a heavenly\n principle, but often look for patience in ourselves; which,\n alas, is no more of ourselves than faith.\u201d\n\nWithin a short time of the date of this letter to Captain Peevor, the\nfall of two of the baptized from \u201ctheir stedfastness,\u201d occasioned Mr.\nCorrie some distress, although his knowledge of the native character\nhad prepared him, as has been seen, to expect that offences would\nsooner or later come. As regarded his own experience, however, all\noutward trials and perplexities only seem to have led him to depend\nmore simply on the divine aid. Thus on the 10th of April 1814,\n(Easter-day) Mr. C. writes:--\n\n \u201cTo-day I have completed my 37th year. An eventful year\n the last has been, from the spiritual enlargement of the\n Church, both among white and black. Many trials, too,\n have sprung up from the same cause; and often I am at\n my wits\u2019 end. I find all creatures, in themselves, but\n miserable comforters; and I have, at times, a deep, deep\n feeling of the disorder and misery introduced by sin; of\n the strange perverseness and blindness of my own nature in\n particular, and of human nature in general. My own folly\n and perverseness appears, in the preference of outward\n labour and bodily exercise to spiritual obedience, and\n mental discipline. Yet, at times, I have stronger views\n than I ever had before, of the excellence of the Divine\n nature, and the blessedness of knowing, and being with God.\n I trust my heart is not weary of this work, though often\n groaning in it. God has raised pecuniary help, but the\n responsibility attached to it makes me sometimes wish to\n decline it. Mr. B. is coming to help in this work, which I\n should rejoice in: and the Molwee, from Rampoor, promises\n to be a \u2018burning and a shining light.\u2019 My dear wife grows\n in union of heart and labour with me; and, on the whole, I\n have nothing to regret but my own hardness of heart, whilst\n I would set up an \u2018Ebenezer\u2019 to my covenant God! Amen.\u201d\n\nIt was at this time that Mr. Corrie, at the suggestion of Mr.\nThomason, addressed a letter to the committee of the Church\nMissionary Society in Calcutta, on the subject of missionary\nschoolmasters. In that communication he observed:--\n\n \u201cAgra, April 6, 1814.\n\n \u201cThe circumstance lately come to our knowledge respecting\n the provisions in the Honourable Company\u2019s new charter,\n for affording religious instruction to our fellow subjects\n in this country, leads me to submit the following\n considerations to your notice, to be forwarded [to\n England,] if you approve, for the consideration of the\n Church Missionary Society.\n\n \u201cThe state of those descendants of Europeans, and others\n professing Christianity, at the different European\n stations, has always appeared to me worthy of attention,\n both as it respects themselves, and as a medium through\n which the natives in general might be approached, with\n the greatest success. There are many persons of the above\n description at Berhampore, Monghyr, Bagulpore, Patna,\n Dinapore, Buxar, Benares, Chunar, Allahabad, Cawnpore,\n Agra, Delhi, Meerut, and other inferior stations.\n\n \u201cAt each of these places, a schoolmaster might be placed\n with great advantage. His ostensible, and indeed first\n duty, should be to educate Christian children, and to\n conduct public worship for native christians. The Divine\n blessing would, doubtless, attend the education of these\n children; and some of them would be led to choose the work\n of instruction; and would go forth among the natives, with\n tenfold advantage over any European missionary. As these\n people are in general very poor, the schoolmaster must\n be supplied with a maintenance, and, together with the\n christian children, should give instruction in English\n to as many children as he could attend to. The Native\n christian children might learn the principles of religion\n in Hindoostanee; and be farther instructed in the language\n of the country, by means of native instructors, under the\n superintendance of the European master; whilst the latter\n would instruct them in English, and thus open to them the\n stores of European learning. Many of the natives would\n rejoice in an opportunity of having their children taught\n English, _gratis_; and the necessary intercourse with a\n schoolmaster, for this purpose, tends greatly to remove\n prejudice, and to prepare the mind for the reception\n of Divine truth. At each of the above stations, a way\n appears to be prepared for the propagation of the gospel;\n and a soil made ready, as it were, to receive the seed of\n christian instruction, the fruits of which would spread\n through the land.\n\n \u201cThe modes of instruction used by our Church are, also,\n exactly suited to the state of the people professing\n christianity at these places; and they are usually as\n anxious for the prayer-book, (translated) as for the New\n Testament. If our Society could but supply labourers for\n this field, doubtless, on a proper representation of the\n subject, government would readily permit them to proceed\n hither.\n\n \u201cTheir Christian subjects have a claim upon government for\n such permission, to say the least: and in this way, part\n of their subjects would become attached [to them] no less\n from duty, than from interest. The professedly Christian\n part of the natives, are as little attached to us as any\n other; a sincere lover of his country cannot but wish that\n this portion of the population, at least, should be brought\n to feel common interest with us. Our civil Institutions\n have furnished much new information to the natives, on the\n subject of moral right and wrong; and from the increase of\n respectability, of late years, in the Honourable Company\u2019s\n servants, as well as from the growth of real piety among\n them, much religious knowledge is gone abroad; add to this,\n also, the considerable distribution of translations of the\n Scriptures, in various languages, of late years. From all\n this, an attentive observer cannot but conclude, that as\n the subject of civil liberty becomes better understood by\n the natives, more political danger is to be apprehended\n from this quarter; unless it be counteracted by those\n motives to contentment, and obedience to the \u201cpowers\n that be,\u201d which the gospel alone supplies, than from any\n temperate attempts at evangelization. Of these attempts,\n the plan of schoolmasters, such as our society could\n approve at the different stations, as above suggested,\n seems to me the least objectionable, and to imply no cause\n of irritation whatever in the natives. Whilst there is\n every ground, from reason and Scripture, to expect that the\n blessing of God would attend endeavours of this kind.\u201d\n\nAs, also, the government of Lord Moira then professed to have in\ncontemplation some scheme for the education of the natives of\nIndia at large, Mr. Corrie thought it his duty to write to Sir\nGeorge Nugent, to request that the Native christians might not be\noverlooked. With reference to that important matter he observes in a\nletter\n\n\n TO J. W. SHERER, ESQ.\n\n \u201cApril 21, 1814.\n\n \u201cI fear lest the school-plan proposed [by government]\n should swallow up all the funds government can spare, in\n mere literary objects, and the gospel be left still to\n depend on the charity of God\u2019s people. There is nothing in\n Arabic or Sanscrit, as at present studied in India, that\n can enlarge the mind or prepare it for the gospel: so that\n if Christians also are not to be educated, we shall be just\n where we were.\u201d\n\nBut whilst Mr. Corrie was thus busily occupied with plans for the\nextension and perpetuating of divine truth, his health had again\nbegun to decline; for in writing to his brother-in-law, he concludes\nsome observations on the state of religion at Agra, with the\nremarks:--\n\n \u201cThe care of these things tends greatly to increase the\n inflammation in my side, which is as bad as ever it was at\n Cawnpore, though I trust it will, as hitherto, give way to\n medicine.\u201d\n\nIn this expectation, however, Mr. C. was disappointed. His illness\nso increased upon him, that early in July 1814, a voyage to sea was\ndecided upon, as the only means likely to prolong his life. In the\nletters which Mr. C. wrote to his friends about this time, he speaks\nof himself as being greatly tried at the thought of having \u201cto leave\na variety of hopeful prospects and persons, without knowing how they\nwould terminate;\u201d and in his Journal observes:--\n\n \u201cJuly 31, 1814. Having been recommended by the medical\n men to go to England for the recovery of my health,\n application has been made for leave [to do so.] My mind is,\n in consequence, much occupied by the subject. Sometimes it\n is suggested that I am weary of the work, and wish to run\n away from the difficulties which the various tempers, and\n wants of the people impose upon me. But certain it is that\n my frame is so shattered that these difficulties agitate me\n more than can be conceived, and so as to prevent my gaining\n strength. On the other hand, I think the horror I feel at\n the sea-voyage, with the expence and trouble attending it,\n would prevent my undertaking it from mere self-pleasing\n motives. I feel, at the same time, so little ability to\n benefit the cause of missions at home, that I see no good,\n in that view, likely to arise from the journey. Only a wish\n to recover strength to serve God in newness of life, I\n think, is uppermost, though many base and foolish thoughts\n intrude themselves.\u201d\n\nBefore, however, taking his departure from Agra, Mr. Corrie\nadministered the Lord\u2019s Supper to fifty-nine native communicants, and\non the next day (Aug. 18th.) he committed the congregation to the\ncare of Mr. Bowley and Abdool Messeeh, \u201camid many tears on the part\nof the new converts, and much sorrow on his own.\u201d Respecting that\nseason of interest and solemnity, Mr. C. writes:--\n\n \u201cThe will of the Lord is to be acknowledged in my\n departure, no less than in my arrival at this station.\n During the preceding sixteen months, seventy-one natives\n have received baptism, of whom about fifty are adults;\n about half of them Mahomedans, and the other half Hindoos.\n Of these, one has been expelled, six have apostatized,\n four are gone to their friends, and are, we hope, holding\n fast their profession; and others are occupying different\n stations, as readers and Catechists: several catechumens\n remain to be further proved. I would remark, that exactly\n in opposition to the popular opinion among Europeans in\n India, the more learned converts, and those who had been\n Fakeers, caused us the most anxiety and trouble. In this,\n as in other respects, the Lord\u2019s ways are not as man\u2019s\n ways; and his gospel will make its way in this country, as\n usual, first among the poor and least regarded of mankind.\u201d\n\nIt remains only to remark, that as the preceding pages, in connection\nwith the published Journal of Abdool Messeeh, make it appear, that\nthe moral results of Mr. Corrie\u2019s short residence at Agra were\nneither few nor unimportant; so, it is believed, that the following\nobservations addressed by him, soon after leaving Agra, to a friend\ndesirous of information respecting the natives of India, will shew,\nthat his labours had not been prompted by a blind or indiscriminating\nzeal, but were regulated by the enlightened convictions, and feeling\nheart, of a Christian philosopher.\n\n \u201cThe population of India consists of Mahomedans and\n Hindoos; though the majority of them are Hindoos. The\n common people of both classes, are much alike in habits,\n and superstitions. There is little that is social in the\n general religious worship of either Mahomedans, or Hindoos;\n except at certain festivals, when they resort in crowds to\n the place of assembly; and their respective processions are\n celebrated in much the same noisy and unmeaning manner.\n\n \u201cIn different parts of the country there are Durgahs, or\n tombs of eminent Mahomedans deceased; which are endowed\n with lands, for the support of persons to read the Koran\n at them. This is supposed to have a happy effect on the\n state of the deceased. At these places, an anniversary\n is generally observed, which is attended as a fair, by\n the people, no less than to make offerings at the shrine.\n There are certain idol temples, also, by making pilgrimages\n to which, Hindoos think they benefit deceased ancestors,\n and forward their own future happiness. At these tombs\n and temples, the priests entertain disciples, who are\n instructed in their respective creeds.\n\n \u201cExcept at such places, the generality of Mahomedans\n observe the times of daily prayer according to their\n inclination, wherever they happen to be. In large Mahomedan\n towns, indeed, a few assemble at the Mosques on Fridays: at\n Agra, the number, (except on festivals,) was usually six.\n The Hindoos, also, make their offerings at the idol-temple,\n at the time most convenient to themselves. So that there is\n no general appearance of religious observances among them,\n except at the festivals; when the whole country wears\n the appearance of a mountebank-show. On these occasions,\n a portion of time is given to hear the history of the\n prophet, or god, connected with the occasion; and rich\n individuals unite to pay a pundit, or learned Hindoo, who\n reads to them, usually in the evening, portions of their\n books, in a chaunting tone of voice, and explains sentence\n by sentence, to the audience, as he goes on. By such means\n the Mahomedans, especially the higher classes of them, are\n acquainted with the principal names in the Old and New\n Testaments, and with some particulars of their history;\n with the exceedingly gross intermixtures which are to be\n found in the Koran. The Hindoo books, also, contain some\n stories derived from the books of Moses, or from ancient\n tradition, mixed with much fable. These facts, on which all\n agree, serve as points on which a Christian may engage them\n in conversation, and from which by rational deduction, he\n may prove them in error; whilst the Holy Ghost alone can\n convert them to the acknowledgment of the truth.\n\n \u201cThe general habits of both Mahomedans and Hindoos greatly\n assimilate. They alike bathe their bodies, under the\n idea of rendering themselves more holy in the sight of\n the Deity; they alike observe the distinction of caste,\n and avoid eating with certain classes of men; they alike\n revere Fakeers, or religious mendicants; they alike pay\n adoration to the rising or setting sun, the new moon, and\n to recently-lighted lamps; and they alike implore, in their\n prayers, the intercession of deceased persons, reputed\n holy; and observe times and seasons, accounted lucky or\n unlucky. They all believe in ghosts and apparitions, and\n the active agency of evil spirits. To guard against their\n influence, they wear charms: and depend on the aid of\n some particular patron god or saint. The more religious\n enrol themselves as the disciples of some renowned holy\n man: and in sickness or under any calamity, or with a view\n to obtain some desired object, they multiply charms, or\n increase their offerings, at the tomb or temple: make\n vows, or offer in sacrifice a goat or a fowl, sometimes\n a buffalo: and on the day the Mahomedans commemorate\n Abraham\u2019s offering up his son, a camel is sacrificed,\n the flesh of which is eagerly sought after as holy meat.\n Hence the arguments used by Abdool Messeeh, respecting\n the necessity of inward purity. The insufficiency of any\n mediator, but one that is Divine: the doctrine of the\n atonement by the sacrifice of Immanuel: the happiness of\n having an Almighty friend, patron, and protector; and\n being under the teaching and guidance of the Holy and good\n Spirit; were equally applicable to Hindoos and Mahomedans;\n and his instructions proved equally attractive to both\n descriptions of people.... The difficulties in the way of\n improving every class of native Indians, are greater than\n any one can suppose who has not been acquainted with them.\n They are not, however, of a nature to demand great bodily\n exertion or much severe privation. They arise from causes\n which require a common measure of understanding; and an\n intimate acquaintance with human nature, as described in\n holy Scripture.\n\n \u201cPersons whose intercourse with the natives relates merely\n to temporal concerns, can have little idea of their\n peculiar habits and prejudices. It is thus that I account\n for the very incorrect reports respecting the religious\n state of the natives of India, and which have been\n published in England by some who resided years among them.\n I have even known men of real piety, whose situations led\n them to much intercourse with the natives, for mercantile\n and other temporal purposes, express it as their opinion\n that nothing less than a miraculous interposition could\n convert them to Christianity. I account for this from\n the circumstance, that they find such a disposition to\n chicanery and imposition, in the natives, as requires the\n exercise of a degree of authority and even of severity,\n in men dealing with them, which is unknown in England....\n From having lived always under an absolute, military\n despotism, the natives of India, beside that natural\n propensity to selfishness, which in them is uncontrolled,\n are cautious how they offend their superiors; and such\n they consider Europeans of almost every rank. They must\n have had much proof of the forbearance and gentleness of a\n white man, before they will ask questions on any subject,\n further than he appears disposed to answer; and they will\n be cautious how they answer to his questions, lest they\n should unintentionally offend.... This servile spirit does\n not give place entirely, even on conversion. It renders\n much patience and tenderness necessary in dealing with\n new converts, no less than with the unconverted. They\n have very little idea of an option being allowed them\n in things indifferent; and will often appear hesitating\n and indecisive, when their only fear is offending their\n superiors. So that the impossibility of benefitting, or\n improving the moral state of the different classes of\n [native] Christians, is asserted by many of the British,\n equally with the impossibility of the conversion of the\n Heathen.\u201d\n\n\n [85] The youth of European descent so often mentioned in\n Mr. Corrie\u2019s correspondence. He accepted a clerkship\n of some kind in the Company\u2019s service, in preference\n to becoming a missionary.\n\n [86] Native judge.\n\n [87] In a letter addressed about this time to the\n correspondents in Calcutta of the Society for\n Missions to Africa and the East, Mr. C. recommends\n them \u2018to advise with the society, as to the\n ordination of native ministers, without which,\u2019\n he adds, \u2018the Sacraments cannot be regularly\n administered, nor any permanency looked for in this\n work.\u2019\n\n [88] A native physician.\n\n [89] The Bigoh or Bigga is less than an English acre.\n\n [90] Who afterwards became so well known as a devoted and\n eminently useful Missionary Clergyman.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER XII.\n\n VOYAGE TO ENGLAND.\n\n\nIt was on the 18th of August 1814, that Mr. Corrie left Agra. On\nhis way to Calcutta he paid visits to his friends at the different\nstations on the river, more especially at Chunar and Benares, the\nscene of his earliest ministrations in India. Whilst at the latter\nplace, he received intelligence that Mr. Bowley and Abdool Messeeh\nwere so discouraged by some difficulties that occurred soon after his\ndeparture from Agra, that both \u201cwere ready to desist from the work\nof the Lord.\u201d This occasioned great sorrow and anxiety to Mr. C.,\ninasmuch as he not only anticipated the breaking up of the native\ncongregation which he had been mainly instrumental in gathering\naround him; but, also, that it might afford matter for triumph to the\nenemies of missions. With reference to this subject, Mr. C. observed\nin a letter\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cIf Abdool should give up in discouragement, my plans would\n be much set aside. But \u2018Jehovah Jireh,\u2019 must be my motto.\n This perplexity brings me often to my knees, and therefore\n I hope will work for my good. An expression of Mr. Brown,\n in our last intercourse, often occurs to me:--\u2018Instead of\n praying always and not fainting, we faint always and never\n pray, till we find ourselves in a strait.\u2019\u201d\n\nOn reaching Calcutta, Mr. Corrie found that all his medical friends\nconcurred in the opinion that a sea-voyage was absolutely necessary\nto eradicate his disorder; but as his wife\u2019s expected confinement\ndid not allow of his immediate embarkation, Mr. C. employed himself\nduring his stay at Calcutta, in setting on foot a school for native\nchristian schoolmasters. He had an opportunity too, of becoming\nacquainted with Bishop Middleton, who had then recently arrived in\nIndia, and of submitting to the consideration of that prelate, many\ncircumstances connected with the state of religion in that country.\n\nOn the 1st January 1815, Mr. and Mrs. Corrie went on board the H. C.\nship Europe, with the intention of proceeding, in the first instance,\nto the Cape of Good Hope. But on arriving at the Cape, Mr. Corrie\nwas recommended to proceed to England for the benefit of the colder\nclimate; and with this advice he considered it his duty to comply. In\na letter to Mr. Sherer, dated from Cape Town, March 29, 1815, Mr. C.\nrelates:--\n\n \u201cThis morning I have written to the Adjutant General,\n enclosing a medical certificate of the necessity for my\n going on. Our own Surgeon N. an old practitioner here, Dr.\n H. and Dr. S. the garrison-surgeon, concur in opinion, and\n without hesitation on the subject. I ought, I believe, to\n consider this as the voice of Providence, and to acquiesce\n in it, as I hope I do. But the whole of this dispensation\n has proved the greatest trial I ever met with. I cannot\n see my way at all in it; and I go on, driven, as it were,\n by circumstances. I foresee innumerable difficulties\n before me, without one certainty of good to follow, and\n utterly despair of profiting myself or others in England.\n I am called to walk by faith more than ever: sense is all\n opposed.\u201d\n\nShortly after the date of this letter, Mr. and Mrs. Corrie sailed\nfrom the Cape for England, and after a prosperous voyage, landed at\nSouthampton on the 22nd June. Here Mr. C. was made acquainted for the\nfirst time, with the publication of the Journal of Abdool Messeeh,\nand the interest excited by it. He heard also, with sorrow, of the\ndeath of Dr. Buchanan. On reaching London he was visited by several\nof those friends who interested themselves with the progress of the\ngospel among the Hindoos; and at an early day attended a meeting of\nthe Committee of the Society for Missions to Africa and the East, to\ncommunicate to them information on missionary subjects. He was, also,\ninvited to attend a Committee of the London Missionary Society, to\nanswer enquiries respecting their prospects in India. On all these\noccasions Mr. C. endeavoured to shew, that from the co-operation of\nmany pious individuals among the English in India; from the readiness\nwith which children were sent to school whenever opportunity was\nafforded, and from the eagerness with which translations of the\nScriptures were received by many among the natives, there appeared\nto be fair prospects of good being done among them. He pressed\nupon his friends at the same time, the fact, that but little or\nnothing had yet been effected in India, for want of a sufficiency\nof labourers, and that nothing would be done without them; that\nwherever missionaries thoroughly acquainted with the language of the\ncountry had resided, they found plenty to do, and that though few of\nthe natives of India in comparison with the multitude, shewed any\nconcern for religion, still the number of such as did so, exceeded\nthe opportunities of instruction.\n\nIt was a gratifying circumstance to Mr. C. to observe, from the\neagerness with which all persons with whom he conversed, enquired\nafter the progress of missions among the heathen, that there had\nbeen a great increase of zeal for the spread of divine truth, as\ncompared with the state of religious feeling at the time he left\nEngland in 1806. He expressed himself, also, agreeably surprised to\nfind that the increased regard for sacred things which he observed\nin London, was not less visible in his native village and county; in\nthe more orderly observance of the Sabbath, and in the attention that\nwas given by the gentry and clergy to the education of the poor, to\nSunday schools, and to the support of different religious societies.\nOn the other hand his affectionate nature was afflicted by hearing of\nthe death of neighbours and friends; by learning that some with whom\nhe had formerly \u201cwalked in the house of God as friends,\u201d had turned\naside from the simplicity of the gospel; and by having to witness\nthe many other changes which the lapse of years never fails to bring\nabout in families and localities. Deep therefore were the emotions\ncalled forth both in preacher and hearers, when, for the first time\nafter his return from India, Mr. Corrie occupied his father\u2019s pulpit,\nand urged his surviving neighbours to use the numberless changes and\ntrials and deaths, that had occurred since he last addressed them, as\na reason for increased anxiety to secure to themselves an enduring\ninheritance.[91]\n\nNo sooner, however, had Mr. C. somewhat recruited his health, than he\nvisited his friends, in different parts of England; taking occasion\nto plead the cause of missions, both from the pulpit and at public\nmeetings, as opportunities occurred. Such portions of his time,\nalso, as were not thus occupied, he devoted to a revision of the\nLiturgy in Hindoostanee. His purpose was, if practicable, to carry\nout with him to India, a reprint of that important translation, for\nthe use of the native Christians.\n\nIn the spring of 1816, Mr. Corrie was engaged to preach the\nanniversary sermon for the Church Missionary Society in London. With\nreference to that circumstance he wrote\n\n\n TO J. W. SHERER, ESQ.\n\n \u201cI am appointed to preach that sermon, which I would\n gladly have avoided: but it was said, \u2018That many would\n be discouraged if I held back; for that the idea would\n be, that the subject [of missions] was not considered so\n important by us in India, as it has been represented here.\u2019\n I therefore consented, leaving the issue to God.\u201d\n\nBefore preaching the sermon, however, Mr. Corrie availed himself of\nMr. Simeon\u2019s judgment and experience; and in transmitting a copy of\nthe manuscript to that honoured friend, he observed:--\n\n \u201cI am deeply sensible of its defects. Being anxious to\n introduce a number of facts, not, as I think, sufficiently\n known, there is too little Scripture quotation; and I feel\n it to be wanting in a devotional spirit, though I hope the\n relation may occasion a feeling of compassion, and excite\n to exertion in behalf of the heathen.\u201d\n\nThis hope seems, in some measure, to have been realized, for the\naccounts given at the time, state that this sermon, which was\npreached on the 30th of April, and grounded on Isaiah xliv. 20,\nawakened peculiar interest.[92] As, also, it embodies Mr. Corrie\u2019s\nconvictions respecting the moral condition and responsibilities of\nthe heathen, and developes the means which his experience led him\nto regard as best calculated to rescue the Hindoo from debasing\nsuperstitions; a brief abstract of the sermon cannot well be omitted.\nLet it be observed, then, that Mr. Corrie purposed in the first\ninstance\n\n \u201cFairly to meet the objections made against missionary\n efforts, as if the present state of the heathen were\n unavoidable--as if they were scarcely accountable for their\n errors,--and our solicitude on their behalf were therefore\n superfluous.\u201d\n\nTo meet objections of this kind, he goes on to trace the origin of\nall false religion, and in this, observes that\n\n \u201cIntercourse with heathen nations had inclined him to the\n opinion, that the original revelation made to our first\n parents after their fall, is the ground of all the worship\n offered up throughout the world. That the dispensations\n of God to Noah and to the Church before him, must have\n been known to the family of Noah, and would be remembered\n by his immediate descendants; and carried by them into\n the different countries, whither they were afterwards\n scattered. Hence, it was, he apprehended, that the custom\n proceeded, of offering sacrifices in worship, by the\n heathen tribes of every description, as the only means\n of pacifying the Evil Spirit; who, according to their\n apprehension of him, is going about seeking whom he may\n devour.\n\n \u201cBut there are many circumstances in the state of the\n idolatrous nations of the east, that discover a still later\n acquaintance with Divine revelation, than the time of Noah.\n Many coincidences in the fabulous histories of the Hindoos\n with the writings of the Old and New Testament, indicate\n that the forefathers of that race were not altogether\n ignorant of the subsequent circumstances of the church of\n God. Their present deplorable ignorance and error, cannot\n therefore, be said to arise from any appointment of the\n Almighty; but from their wilful neglect of those notices of\n his will with which they were originally favoured. The sins\n of the fathers are thus, in an especial manner, visited\n upon their children. The neglect of parental instruction,\n by a just connection between guilt and punishment,\n involves their posterity in ignorance, which is the\n parent of superstition, and the fruitful source of their\n miseries and their crimes. This view of the subject ought,\n therefore, to be kept distinctly in mind; that we may not\n charge God foolishly with being, in any other way than\n by the instituted order of connection between cause and\n effect, the author of that blindness of mind, and hardness\n of heart, which excludes the heathen from the divine\n favour. The declaration of God, by the prophet Hosea,\n respecting Israel, is true also of the heathen, though in a\n subordinate degree: \u2018_Thou hast destroyed thyself_.\u2019\n\n \u201cThese observations are in a particular manner applicable\n to the idolatrous nations of India. In their present\n circumstances, viewed by the light of revelation, they\n evidently appear \u2018without God and without hope in the\n world;\u2019 not only as they are without Christ, but as their\n own religious views and feelings render them totally\n incapable of enjoying God, or of participating in the\n happiness of the heavenly state.\u201d\n\nThen after reciting many of the superstitious practices of the\nheathen, and shewing that the efficacy of any religious rite which\nthey might perform, was not regarded by them as being, in any moral\nsense, dependent on the state of mind in the worshippers; whilst on\nthe other hand their idea of sin, being connected with the neglect\nof ceremonial observances, and not with moral delinquencies,--they\nallowed themselves in all kinds of sensual indulgences, without any\ncompunctions of conscience or feelings of shame; Mr. Corrie proceeded\nto observe:--\n\n \u201cHow then can we avoid the conclusion, that the religious\n views and feelings even, of these miserable men, do, in the\n very nature of things, exclude them from the approbation\n of God, and incapacitate them for the enjoyments of the\n heavenly state? It is impossible that a sinner, going out\n of this world, in expectation of any thing corresponding\n with earthly honours, amusements or enjoyments, should\n not be met by disappointment and shame. It is impossible,\n that a soul utterly ignorant of holy, spiritual, and\n intellectual enjoyments, should find any place among\n \u2018the general assembly and church of the first-born; the\n innumerable company of angels, and the spirits of just\n men made perfect.\u2019 Here, therefore, the christian takes\n his firm stand against all who oppose missionary efforts.\n The heathen, not only according to the unerring word of\n God, but by the evidence of facts, are in a perishing\n condition. Without Christ, they cannot be saved. \u2018He that\n hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of\n God, hath not life.\u2019 And myriads of these immortal spirits\n are passing into eternity, whose state and dispositions\n prove them to be utterly alienated from the favour of God,\n destitute of spiritual life, and fatally incapacitated for\n the enjoyments of a better world. For without dispositions\n suited to the enjoyments of the heavenly state, they could\n no more comprehend the happiness arising from them, even\n if admitted to a participation of heaven, than a brute can\n enjoy the pleasures of reason. And unless this be kept in\n mind, it can scarcely be hoped, that a due measure of zeal\n for the salvation of the heathen will be maintained among\n us.\u201d\n\nMr. Corrie then went on to give his reasons for regarding (1st.)\nThe distribution of the Scriptures in different heathen languages;\n(2nd.) The establishing of Missions; and (3rd.) The education of\nyouth; as being among the most likely means, under the Divine favour,\nto further the rescue of the heathen from their perilous condition;\nand he concluded by earnestly exhorting his hearers to do all in\ntheir power to aid in a work so pressing, and involving such fearful\nresponsibilities.\n\nThere seems to be no doubt but that Mr. C.\u2019s Sermon on this, as his\naddresses on other occasions, whilst conveying to the religious\nportion of the community, a more accurate conception of the moral\ncondition of the heathen world, served also to deepen the convictions\nof many, that it is a primary Christian duty to be unwearied in our\nefforts to bring the heathen \u201cout of darkness into\u201d God\u2019s \u201cmarvellous\nlight.\u201d It was plain also, from his letters and communications\nwith friends, that this awakened interest on behalf of missions,\nacted very beneficially on his own mind. His experience whilst in\nIndia had been such, that he had to bear up not only against the\nordinary difficulties inseparable from the missionary life, but\nalso against the hostility of the government, the indifference of\nhis fellow-countrymen in India, and the misgivings of even good\nmen, as to the possibility of converting the heathen. He had,\nmoreover, in a great measure, to maintain schools and teachers, and\nscripture-readers, out of such resources as his own income and the\noccasional contributions of a few Christian friends might supply. But\nhis residence in England had brought to his knowledge the encouraging\nfact, that there were thousands in his native country, who had\nbecome earnestly desirous of promoting the best interests of their\nfellow-subjects in India. With reference to this circumstance, Mr.\nCorrie had occasion to remark:--\n\n \u201cI was frequently favoured to witness the lively interest\n expressed, by persons in all ranks of life, with regard to\n the state of the heathen. The bare mention of some of the\n cruelties and superstitions we daily witness, drew forth\n tears of commiseration. The news of a single soul turned\n from heathen darkness to the light of the gospel, drew\n forth bursts of praise and thanksgiving to the God of all\n grace and mercy. Nor were these empty expressions only; for\n the abundant contributions throughout Britain, for carrying\n on the work of Missions, proved that multitudes were\n sincere in those expressions of interest in the cause.\u201d\n\nWhen, therefore, after a residence of nearly two years in England,\nMr. Corrie prepared to return to his former scene of labour, he\ncarried with him both a deeper impression of the importance of the\nwork in which he had been so long engaged, and also, the cheering\nconsciousness that in such difficulties as might hereafter occur\nin his missionary career, he would be accompanied by the prayers\nand sympathies of thousands. Nor could he overlook that additional\nencouragement to exertion, which had recently been supplied by\nthe kind and public manner, in which his labours at Agra had been\ncommended by the Bishop of Calcutta.[93]\n\nIt may be also here mentioned, that although the frequent public\nservices in which Mr. Corrie engaged, had not allowed him repose\nsufficient to recruit his health so effectually as could have been\ndesired, yet he was unwilling to let pass any opportunity that\noccurred to promote the cause of missions. Within a few days,\ntherefore, of his departure from England, he agreed to attend a\nmeeting of the Committee of the Church Missionary Society in London,\nfor the purpose of addressing two missionaries who were about to\nproceed to India; and the next day he preached a farewell sermon at\nthe church of St. Mary Woolnoth.\n\nOn the 14th of April 1817, Mr. Corrie embarked on board the Carnatic,\nIndiaman, with his wife and infant daughter, and the same day sailed\nfrom the Downs. There were on board the Carnatic, besides his own\nfamily and those of the two missionaries above mentioned, upwards of\nforty passengers, and a detachment of soldiers. \u201cWe have about three\nhundred souls on board,\u201d observes Mr. C. in a letter to his father,\n\u201cbut how to set about attempting their good, it is difficult to say.\u201d\nAs regarded himself, Mr. C. added:--\n\n \u201cA solemn, but not a painful feeling, sometimes fills my\n mind on recollecting my father\u2019s house, and the distant\n prospect of again beholding it; but the consideration of\n the \u2018house not made with hands,\u2019 quiets every anxiety,\n and the sure and certain hope of meeting there may well\n reconcile us to temporary separation. I have had many\n thoughts of late, about the variety of religious divisions\n in England, and see clearly, that most of them arise from\n excess of spiritual advantages; and thus the means intended\n for their good, become to many an \u2018occasion of falling.\u2019\n No view of religion but what affects the heart, temper,\n and life, is of any avail for eternity. The great facts of\n the Trinity in Unity, the incarnation and vicarious death\n of the Son of God, the promise of the Holy Ghost, all\n these remain true and certain, though all men should deny\n them. The influence they have, therefore, upon my heart\n and life, is the great thing I have to attend to. If I do\n so understand and feel these truths, as to engage me in\n private, and influence me in public, the end for which they\n were revealed is effected in me; and I shall be led by them\n to the issue they promise: otherwise they serve no good\n purpose to me.\u201d\n\nOn approaching Madeira he again wrote to his father:--\n\n \u201cYou will be glad to hear that we have proceeded thus far\n in safety.... Our ship is in all respects most comfortable,\n so that in all things relating to our voyage, we, as yet,\n have only cause for thankfulness. I hope we may be carried\n to our desired haven in peace, and that you will hear of\n our continued welfare in that far country; and that we\n may yet again see each other in the body, to recount new\n mercies, and to excite to renewed praises. My mind is kept\n in perfect peace; and I am enabled to keep the object of my\n calling steadily in view. Less of determination, as to what\n I shall do, than on my first going to India, but I trust a\n full determination to do what my hand findeth to do, in its\n time and season.\u201d\n\nIn a private memorandum, Mr. C. remarks:--\n\n \u201cMy mind is, I think, more resolutely and deliberately\n set upon the work of the ministry in India; more disposed\n to spend and to be spent in that service; and to glory in\n it. I am in danger from the reasonableness and propriety\n that appear to me in so doing: for though it is indeed a\n reasonable thing, to offer body, soul and spirit to the\n Lord\u2019s service, yet reason cannot enable me to do it. The\n quickening grace of the Holy Spirit can alone keep the soul\n alive to God. The experience of the Saviour\u2019s love alone,\n constrains dull nature, even when regenerated, to activity\n in saving souls. O for more experience of a Saviour\u2019s love!\n\n \u201cMay 10th. During the past week, I have had much thought\n of life, as a state of endurance, rather than enjoyment.\n We endure a ship in order to go to India: a cabin, in\n order to attain to a house: medicine, in order to health:\n the society on board, because we cannot get away: the\n inmates, in hopes of doing them good. In the view of these\n circumstances, Oh! how great does the goodness of God\n appear, in His long suffering and patience! May it lead me\n to a more entire repentance.\n\n \u201cAugust 3rd, 1817. Came to anchor in Madras roads, at\n nine o\u2019clock A. M. Our voyage has been very favourable,\n in respect to weather and speed. At sea, off the Cape,\n heard by a vessel, from Bengal, of the death of Mr.\n Myers:[94] this has proved a severe trial to us; but the\n certainty that he died in the Lord, prevented us sorrowing\n immoderately. Thus the Lord is mindful of us, and lays no\n heavier burden on us than we can bear.\u201d\n\nThe Carnatic reached Madras early in August, and remained there for\nten days or a fortnight. During that period Mr. Corrie and his family\nwere the guests of his kind friend, the Rev. Marmaduke Thompson. In a\nletter written to his brother from Madras, Mr. C. informs him that\n\n \u201cThere is a growing respect for religion in this place.\n Indeed, there are many instances of serious religion\n throughout the Presidency, both among the Civil and\n Military servants of the Company. The Chaplains have\n entered into a regular communication with each other in\n connection with the Committee of the Church Missionary\n Society, and at some stations things seem wonderfully\n prepared for them. At one station where Mr. Spring is,\n [Tellicherry], he found that through a native Christian,\n whom God had stirred up to read the Scriptures to his\n neighbours, thirteen of the heathen were anxious to be\n baptized, some of whom have accordingly been baptized. We\n hear too, that near Delhi, a company of about five hundred\n people had collected to converse on the subject of the\n Christian Scriptures, which had been circulated among them,\n and that they had resolved to be Christians; although they\n professed an unwillingness to associate with the English,\n on account of their eating all kinds of food. I hope they\n will learn the ways of God more perfectly.\u201d\n\nThe Carnatic sailed from Madras on the 20th of August, and arrived at\nCalcutta by the end of that month.\n\n\n [91] Mr. Corrie\u2019s text on the occasion alluded to, was 1\n John ii. 17.\n\n [92] See Missionary Register for 1816, p. 185.\n\n [93] See Bishop Middleton\u2019s Sermons and Charges, p. 197.\n\n [94] Mrs. Corrie\u2019s father.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER XIII.\n\n RETURN TO CALCUTTA.\n\n\nAlthough Mr. Corrie, at the time he landed in India, was one of the\nSenior chaplains in Bengal, and on that account had a claim to reside\nin Calcutta, yet as a junior chaplain had been appointed to the\nPresidency during Mr. C.\u2019s absence from the country, it was decided\nthat the latter should proceed to one of the out-stations, until a\nvacancy should again occur in Calcutta. To Mr. C. was accordingly\nassigned the chaplaincy at Benares. Before, however, he proceeded\nto that station, he addressed himself to the work of missions; the\nnatives as usual flocking around him. In reference to that object, he\nwrites to his brother:--\n\n \u201cCalcutta, Sep. 22. 1817.\n\n \u201cI find a great progress in public opinion respecting\n the spread of the gospel. A Diocesan Committee,[95] and\n School-Book Society,[96] and Hindoo College,[97] are\n formed; in addition to the Bible Society, and Church\n Missionary Committee, before existing; considerable\n exertions, also are making to enlarge the Free School,[98]\n which now boards, clothes and educates upwards of two\n hundred children. But notwithstanding all these favourable\n appearances, vital religion has even more than ever to\n struggle with; a form of godliness without the power of\n it; a scheme of doctrine approaching to the truth, but\n still not the truth itself, is the fashion of the day. True\n religion does however make way, though it \u2018cometh not with\n observation.\u2019\u201d\n\nOn Sunday, 12th of October, Mr. Corrie preached a sermon at the Old\nChurch in Calcutta, on behalf of the Church Missionary Society. This\nseems to have been the first discourse delivered from the pulpit\nof the Established Church in India, with a professedly missionary\nobject;[99] and was on that account not without its effect. After the\nservice, a native-convert was baptized by the name of Fuez Messeeh.\nThis person had come from Bareilly to Calcutta, and had been for\nseveral months under Christian instruction. The account which he gave\nof himself to Mr. Corrie was, that at the age of eighteen, being\ndisgusted with the idolatry of the Hindoos, he became a Mahomedan,\nand lived so strict a life as to gain many disciples by his reputed\nsanctity. That finding no peace of mind amid the practice of all\nkinds of austerities; and having, in the meanwhile, heard much of\nthe gospel, he contrived to obtain a copy of Martyn\u2019s Hindoostanee\nNew Testament; that he read it, and was led \u201cto know and feel that\nthere is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby he\nmust be saved, but only the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.\u201d\n\nIt was on the evening of Nov. 17, 1817, that Mr. Corrie left Calcutta\nfor Benares. The following are extracts from his Journal at this\ntime:--\n\n \u201cWe have in company, Abdullah, baptized in England; Fuez\n Messeeh, baptized in Calcutta; Noor Messeeh, baptized\n at Agra; a Christian Khidmutgar,[100] baptized at the\n Lall-Bazaar Chapel [in Calcutta]; Khristnoo, baptized\n at Agra; the five Christian youths, under the patronage\n of the Church Missionary Society; and several Christian\n families. During the 19th and 20th, we had an opportunity\n of witnessing two distressing instances of the unfeeling\n conduct of the Hindoos, towards the sick and dying. On\n one occasion, two women were employed, at the river-side,\n filling the mouth of a child with mud. Miss B. asked them\n if the child were ill? One of them answered, \u2018Yes.\u2019 Miss\n B. \u2018You are going to kill it outright.\u2019 On which they\n began to laugh, and talk with each other; and prosecuted\n their work of death. Farther on, a sick man was laid, with\n several people sitting round. A young and handsome Brahmin\n was attempting to bind a weight round his neck, in order to\n sink him in the river, which the sick man was resisting,\n with marks of much remaining strength. Abdullah called out,\n \u2018Take him into some warm place, and he will recover:\u2019 to\n which the Brahmin answered, with a significant nod, \u2018Aye,\n Aye, we will put him into a warm place:\u2019 on which the\n persons around laughed aloud. On the evening of the 21st,\n Fuez Messeeh, whilst walking on the bank of the river,\n said among other things, that \u2018at times he experienced\n such delight in contemplating the love of Christ, that no\n relish remained for earthly things.\u2019 Noor Messeeh, (who\n appears truly a partaker of the grace of Christ) joined\n us; and after some time asked, with seeming interest,\n \u2018Whether if a person sinned after believing in Christ, he\n might hope for forgiveness?\u2019 One of the Christian youths\n enquired, \u2018Whether if a person did not believe in Christ,\n and yet practised virtue, his virtue would be accepted of\n God?\u2019 These questions seem to me, to explain the doctrine\n contained in the xvi. and xviii. Articles of our Church.\n The situation of native Christians, in respect of the\n Mahomedans and Heathen, point out to them the necessity\n of faith in Christ, in order to acceptance with God; and\n at the same time, teaches them the inefficacy of a mere\n profession of Christianity.\n\n \u201cSunday 24th. Our Christian congregation consisted of\n seventeen. Fuez Messeeh read first the 116th Psalm, and\n afterwards the xvi and xviith chapters of St. John. He\n was himself evidently affected by the repeated references\n to our Lord\u2019s divinity, and spoke to the others on that\n subject; and of the great condescension of the Saviour, in\n becoming the surety of sinners; with the love that ought to\n subsist among Christians: saying, \u2018they ought to be as the\n eyes in the head, which though they dwell in two sockets,\n yet were intent always on the same objects; and constituted\n but one organ of vision.\u2019\n\n \u201cAt Augurdeep. In the evening went into the village, where\n is a celebrated Idol temple. Fuez Messeeh entered into\n a dispute with a Brahmin, before twenty-five or thirty\n people, assembled for poojah (worship.) The Brahmin was\n forced at length to confess that Idolatry was inexcusable:\n on which an appeal was made to the bystanders, who declared\n that the Brahmins led them astray.\n\n \u201cDec. 22nd, at Bauglipore. Visited the Roman Catholic\n Christians here, whom we found still in great poverty, and\n complaining of the neglect of their priests. Gave Augustine\n Clementis (who professes to wish for a school and has\n several children of his own) ten rupees towards erecting\n a shed, and engaging a schoolmaster, with a promise of\n further assistance. Left with him, for the use of the\n intended school, one copy of the New Testament in Persian,\n one copy in Hindoostanee, and one copy of the Psalms in\n Persian. Gave him also a copy of the Psalms, and some\n copies of family prayers, in Hindoostanee, for distribution.\n\n \u201cBuxar, Jan. 18, 1818. Had divine service this morning\n in English, and baptised an Israelite, aged fifty-five,\n who has been long in our military service, and who seems\n spiritually alive to the true character of Christ, as\n the promised Messiah. In the afternoon had service in\n Hindoostanee. Twenty-five adults, beside our own people,\n attended. The anxiety manifested by several of the Jews\n for religious instruction, is very pleasing; and must, if\n possible, be gratified. May the Lord raise up a suitable\n teacher; and direct and prosper me in my wishes to erect a\n place of worship for them!\u201d\n\nNo sooner had Mr. Corrie arrived at Benares, (Jan. 26. 1818.) than\nhe projected a missionary establishment in the neighbourhood of\nthat large and populous city. The following extract from a letter\naddressed to the secretary of the Calcutta Committee of the Church\nMissionary Society, will explain the objects he had in view:--\n\n \u201cThree native Battalions are usually cantoned here; two\n are now at the station. I have been taking measures for\n the establishment of a school for the younger drummers\n and fifers, and for the children of native Christians\n attached to these Corps. I have already twenty-four\n names of children, whose parents desire that they should\n become scholars too. We also, on Sunday [Feb. 8th.] began\n Hindoostanee worship, and about fifteen of the above\n class attended. For the school, I have met with a small\n bungalow conveniently situated, offered for six hundred\n rupees. In this bungalow Mr. Adlington could also reside\n for the present. I beg, therefore, that the Committee will\n consider whether they can adopt this bungalow and premises\n for a Missionary residence; or whether they would wish\n Mr. Adlington to reside altogether in Benares; and that\n premises should be procured for him there on his return\n from Agra?[101] Let me repeat, then, that at this place\n there are immediate calls on the Society for assistance;\n and that not merely in the hope of probable benefit, but\n from the actual wants of professing native Christians;\n whilst many of the natives, Mahomedan and Heathen, are\n awakened to discern the importance of Christianity, and\n will probably be encouraged or discouraged by the readiness\n or otherwise which we manifest in meeting these wants of\n our Christian brethren.\u201d\n\nMr. Corrie had the satisfaction to find that the Committee in\nCalcutta readily entered into his views, and authorized him to\npurchase the premises referred to in the preceding letter. He was\nthus enabled to open a school, to the support of which many of the\nEuropean residents at Benares contributed, by monthly benefactions\nand subscriptions.\n\nEarly in February Mr. Corrie visited Chunar, his first station in\nIndia, and where the native church was now under the care of Mr.\nBowley. It appears from the report he sent to the Calcutta Committee\nof the Church Missionary Society, that Mr. C. found the mission at\nChunar in a satisfactory state. Under date of Feb. 9, 1818, he writes:\n\n \u201cOn the 5th instant I went to Chunar: it was rather late\n in the evening when I arrived, but I found several of the\n converted Hindoos waiting to see me. Next morning at seven\n o\u2019clock, about eighty of the native Christians attended for\n divine worship. They began by singing a hymn, in the native\n measures, on the sufferings of Christians. The regularity\n with which they sung, and the earnestness most of them\n manifested, greatly affected me. Mr. Bowley expounded the\n Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins; and concluded the\n service with prayer. Among other things, he prayed for a\n blessing on the king, and on his nobles in England, and\n in India. I mention this not as a proof of Mr. Bowley\u2019s\n loyalty, for that was known long before, but to shew how\n the labours of such men tend to attach the natives of India\n to the British nation, by uniting their most important\n interests. At ten o\u2019clock, about one hundred Europeans\n attended divine service in English; after which, twelve\n of their children were baptized, and eleven marriages\n celebrated. At three p. m., the native congregation again\n assembled to the number of about ninety adults; when, after\n evening prayer, I endeavoured to explain to them and apply\n the second Psalm. It appears that the usual number of\n Europeans who attend Divine service regularly in English,\n is about forty, and the usual number of native Christians\n who attend worship in Hindoostanee, is about seventy or\n eighty. The number in both congregations has been gradually\n and regularly increasing, and testifies of itself to the\n diligence and exemplary conduct of Mr. Bowley, and of the\n blessing attending his labours. The little I was able,\n in my short visit, to see of the state of the people,\n impressed me deeply with the value of his labours. I knew\n the degradation of both European invalids and their native\n wives and families, from three years residence among them,\n and now to behold so many of them adorning by their lives\n the doctrine of God our Saviour, was to me most gratifying,\n and will be considered an ample recompence for all their\n contributions, by the supporters of our Society. There\n being but one place for both the free-school and the\n congregation to assemble in, I could not see the scholars\n at their tasks. Three or four children of parents, who\n can afford it, pay half a rupee per month; with which,\n together with voluntary contributions of some of the pious\n soldiers, Mr. Bowley has provided wall-shades for evening\n service, and supplies the lights. I, also, conversed at\n Chunar with ten Hindoos, who appear to be fully convinced\n of the truth of Christianity, though not yet prepared to\n encounter the consequences of an open profession [of it].\n Some of them even join Mr. Bowley occasionally in prayers.\n One of them, on being asked, what he considered the great\n peculiarity of the Christian religion? answered, That in\n every other system of religion, works were made a condition\n of justification, but that in Christianity, only faith in\n Christ is required; whilst, wonderful to say, it produced\n more exemplary holiness than any other system.\u201d\n\nBy a statement which Mr. Corrie put in circulation at Secrole, dated\n11th of March, it will be seen that he was not unmindful of the\nduties connected with that station:--\n\n \u201cIt having been found on enquiry, that many children of\n Christians, chiefly connected with the native battalions,\n were without the means of instruction, a school was\n established in the lines, in the month of February, for\n their benefit, which now consists of the following number\n and description of scholars:\n\n 4 Adult Christians, learning to read Hindoostanee in the\n Nagree character.\n 2 Adult Hindoos, learning to read English.\n 4 Young men, who were educated for a short time in the\n Orphan school.\n 4 Christian youths, who with the last-mentioned, form\n one class in reading, writing, and casting accounts.\n 5 Christian boys, who read the New Testament, and write.\n 10 Christian boys, learning first lessons in English reading\n and writing.\n 2 Mahomedan boys, learning first lessons in English reading\n and writing.\n 8 Christian girls, learning to read English.\n --\n 39\u201d\n\nOf the above-mentioned boys, eight, it was stated, were orphans, or\nthe children of parents who were too indigent to maintain them; the\nconsequence was that they had to be provided with sustenance as well\nas education. To the school was also attached a Christian Moonshee,\nwhose office it was to read the Scriptures morning and evening,\nto as many Christians as chose to attend; and on Sundays, to read\nthe service of the Church of England, and a previously-prepared\nexhortation, (both in Hindoostanee) to the native Christians in the\nlines, of whom about thirty or forty, with their children, were in\nthe habit of regularly attending.\n\nThe object of this statement was to make the European residents at\nBenares acquainted with the missionary operations in progress among\nthem, and to afford them \u201can opportunity of contributing to the\nsupport of measures, the beneficial tendency of which they were so\nwell able to appreciate.\u201d The result was that the schools at Secrole\nreceived such an increase of patronage, as to be almost wholly\nsupported by local contributions.\n\nAbout the middle of March, Mr. Corrie again visited Chunar. In a\nletter from Benares, dated March 24, 1818, he writes:--\n\n \u201cI attended at Chunar last week. On Good Friday, we\n first had divine service in English, in a barrack; and\n afterwards in Hindoostanee, at the Free-school. The number\n of communicants after the first service, was seventeen.\n Of the native congregation, twenty-seven females and two\n men remained to commemorate the death of our Lord. Almost\n the whole congregation were in tears during the sermon, in\n which Mr. Bowley set before them the Saviour\u2019s sufferings:\n and during the communion, the greater number appeared to be\n deeply affected, and all of them exeeedingly serious and\n attentive. There was an evident blessing vouchsafed to us,\n and, in my own case, a lively sense of the Divine presence,\n which seemed also to pervade the whole congregation. Friday\n before, I heard thirty-two native Christians read, who\n have within these few months, most of them, and all of\n them since Mr. Bowley came to Chunar, begun to learn, some\n the Persian, others the Nagree character; and some of them\n now read the Scriptures in Hindoostanee, with fluency, and\n all of them expressed much delight arising from their new\n attainment. Indeed, a remarkable tenderness of conscience\n seems to distinguish most of them; and their altered\n exemplary conduct is the talk of all, and as usual, by some\n ridiculed, and by others commended.\n\n \u201cOn Thursday, I catechised the first class in the\n Free-school, consisting of seven boys, who not only\n repeated their catechism correctly, but answered very\n intelligently many questions I asked them, arising out of\n the catechism. They also repeated passages of Scripture,\n which they got off as tasks, and the whole class repeated\n verse by verse, the thirteenth chapter of Proverbs. Some of\n the children in the Free-school, and their mothers, who are\n amongst the most exemplary of Mr. Bowley\u2019s congregation,\n are the families of non-commissioned officers belonging\n to native corps now in the field. It must strike every\n reflecting mind what a comfort establishments such as\n that of the Church Missionary Society at Chunar, must be\n to Europeans of the above class. If instead of leaving\n their wives and children comparatively unprotected, and\n exposed to the temptations of this heathen land, they could\n place them where their children might receive education\n at little or no expense, and their wives be receiving\n good instruction, instead of being left to every wind of\n temptation, surely much of the pain arising from separation\n in time of war would be alleviated.\n\n \u201cThe school-room being too small to contain the Native\n congregation, and encouraged by the Committee\u2019s[102]\n approbation of my wish to build a larger house for their\n accommodation, I desired Mr. Bowley to look out for a\n proper spot to build upon. A house and premises, contiguous\n to the barracks, the owner refused to dispose of to us;\n and this led us to fix upon a spot about two hundred yards\n further from the barracks, and on two sides bounded by the\n Native town. The possessor, Mr. Turnbull, was applied to\n for it, and he begged Mr. G. Robinson to go up and fix a\n price on it. Mr. R. accordingly went with me last week and\n valued the premises at 500 Rupees. On this being reported\n to Mr. Turnbull, he generously wrote, saying, that he\n begged I would accept the ground for the purpose intended.\n This, I hope, is a token for good, and may be taken as\n an encouragement to proceed.... I think there will be no\n difficulty in raising 4 or 5000 Rupees for our intended\n church.\u201d\n\nMr. Corrie had the happiness to find that these anticipations\nwere not premature, for on a subscription paper being put into\ncirculation, the Marquis of Hastings was pleased to head the list of\ncontributions by a donation of 1000 sicca rupees, towards building a\nchurch at Chunar.\n\nEncouraging, however, as was this improved state of feeling in favour\nof missionary labours, there remained abundant scope for the exercise\nof christian zeal. In a letter, addressed to his brother about this\ntime, Mr. Corrie writes from Benares:--\n\n \u201cIn a neighbouring district (with the magistrate of which I\n am well acquainted) during the last year, two widows were\n burned on an average every month; six lepers were buried\n alive, or drowned, by their friends; and not less than\n one hundred persons destroyed themselves by drowning, in\n fits of passion, under the idea that their ghosts would\n haunt the offending party. Such being the strength of\n passion in them, you will not be surprised that murders\n are exceedingly frequent: and, what is worst of all, their\n religion encourages these excesses.... The progress of the\n gospel is slow, but advancing. The unholy rivalry of some\n who differ from us in modes of worship is a stumbling-block\n to a few; and it grieves me to be often obliged to spend\n my time and my breath in proving the lawfulness of\n infant-baptism, and the propriety of baptism by sprinkling.\n Satan thus divides, but he shall not finally prevail.\u201d\n\nIt was now the will of God to exercise the faith and patience of His\nservant, by a no less severe affliction than the death of an only\nson. How great this trial proved to Mr. Corrie, will be seen from his\nletter on that occasion--\n\n\n TO MRS. MYERS.\n\n \u201cApril 9, 1818.\n\n \u201cOur dearest Grandmama will have heard the melancholy\n tidings communicated to Mr. Sherer yesterday. I judged it\n best, that, if possible, the heavy affliction should not\n come upon you suddenly. Your still bleeding heart will more\n severely feel this arrow of the Almighty, winged no doubt\n with love, but piercing to the very quick. Our lovely boy\n was becoming inexpressibly interesting. He was taken with\n a severe attack nearly three weeks ago, which yielded to\n strong medicine, though he never was after as before, but\n seemed mending, when by some means, he caught a severe\n cold. The doctor says it was of the nature of Influenza,\n and many in the house have suffered from it. On Saturday\n morning we sent for the doctor; medicines did not produce\n the wished-for effect, and we had a very restless night\n on Saturday. On Sunday morning my heart began to sink on\n his account, and the Lord\u2019s prayer in Church tried both my\n principles and my feelings.\n\n \u201cThroughout Sunday, little alteration appeared; but he\n rested so well on Sunday night, that the doctor on Monday\n morning pronounced him out of danger. About eleven he\n altered for the worse. His little sweet countenance\n assumed an appearance of eagerness, and about twelve he\n was manifestly convulsed, though not strongly. On this,\n our doctor called in another skilful medical man, who\n happened to be at the station, and new medicines were tried\n which promised partial relief, and the fond mother began\n again to hope. About twelve on Monday night, he was in\n great pain, and the work of death was evidently rapidly\n going on. We commended him to our covenant God in prayer.\n I pleaded, as well as I was able, His promise to be the\n God of our seed, as well as our own God. I prayed for the\n child as a member of Christ\u2019s mystical body and a branch\n of the true Vine; and besought that the suffering child\n might be remembered in the suffering Christ. Our prayers\n were mercifully heard, and our babe from that time suffered\n comparatively little. About five on the morning of the 7th,\n his soul seemed longing to mount upward. We again in prayer\n commended him to our covenant God, and about half-past\n five, he ceased to breathe without a struggle or even a\n sigh.\n\n \u201cIt seemed to me inconceivable that my mind should ever\n have become so confused respecting the truths of Scripture.\n During the whole of Tuesday, and on Tuesday night\n especially, I became alarmed lest any thing extravagant\n should escape me. My God ever graciously kept me from\n bringing a reproach on the principles I preach: but O! I\n seem only now to have begun to understand many of them. I\n now know what is meant by the _bread_ of affliction, and\n the _water_ of adversity: I now understand the 38th Psalm\n in a way I never did before; and though even at this moment\n no one Scripture could I point to, and say that it supports\n me, yet, I feel myself on safe ground, and seem secured on\n all sides from danger.\n\n \u201cI hope the bitterness of this death is past to us both,\n though our bereavement (as I conceive it ought not) will\n never be forgotten. We are constrained to abstract our\n thoughts from the lovely object that bound our affections\n so fast; and do, we hope, rejoice in his gain, whilst we\n mourn our sad loss. My understanding yesterday received\n a lesson from Anna. When we sat down to the ceremony of\n dinner, she became raving for water. Sometimes it was \u2018Dear\n papa, give Nana some water.\u2019 Then with a curtsey to nurse,\n \u2018Please Nan, give Nana some water.\u2019 Then with anger crying\n for water; but though our hearts were bleeding for her\n distress, we would not give her water for her hurt. Thus,\n thought I, our heavenly Father is looking down upon us.\n He heard our prayers, our tears for the life of our babe;\n He saw our distress, and He doubtless pitied, but for our\n good, denies our desires. Oh, may the Holy Spirit send home\n the lesson effectually!\n\n \u201cOn entering the pulpit on Sunday morning in heaviness of\n heart, when I pronounced the sentence \u2018Our Father which art\n in heaven,\u2019 it powerfully came to my mind, \u2018Is he less a\n Father than thou art, that he should not care for thee and\n thy child?\u2019 Lord! I believe, help my unbelief!\u201d\n\nIn acknowledging the christian sympathy of Captain Peevor, expressed\nin connection with this domestic sorrow, Mr. C. writes:--\n\n \u201cWe try to realize the truths you kindly bring before us;\n but it is hard to walk by faith when sense and sight so\n powerfully attract the contrary way. We are not, however,\n without experience of the grace of our Lord; and hope the\n lesson intended may not be lost upon us. One day in this\n school of adversity, has taught me more than years of ease\n and prosperity.\u201d\n\nIt was now, also, that Mr. Corrie communicated with\n\n\n THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.\n\n \u201cBenares, March 14, 1818.\n\n \u201cYou will see by the date, where I am stationed. The place\n is important, on many accounts. It is central, and near\n several missionary stations: but we want helpers at Chunar,\n my first station in India. Mr. Bowley\u2019s labours have been\n greatly blessed to the christian part of the population;\n who were \u2018as sheep without a shepherd,\u2019 till he went among\n them. Mr. Adlington is at this time visiting dear brother\n Abdool; of whom he writes very favourable accounts, as\n to spiritual things; but his bodily health has greatly\n declined, and is declining. A few have been added to the\n church at Agra; and several bearing the christian name,\n seem to have experienced a new birth unto righteousness.\n With respect to the public state of affairs, you will\n hear of the wonderful events which have taken place here,\n during the last six months; by which the whole continent\n of India is become subject to British authority.[103] Very\n critical have been our circumstances repeatedly, at one\n place 1200 of our troops were assaulted by a greater number\n of thousands--at another place, 3,000 of our troops were\n set upon by 40,000; and such is the inconstant nature of\n the natives of this country, that in either of the above\n affairs, had victory declared against us, the whole of\n India would have been in a flame. This, then, is the Lord\u2019s\n doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes. We have many\n praying souls now in our Indian army; and the number is\n increasing: and we know that our God is a hearer of prayer.\u201d\n\n \u201cApril 9. Since I began my letter, it has pleased God to\n relieve you of the charge we put upon you, respecting our\n Infant.[104] He was removed from our sight on the 7th, and\n is now with his Father and our Father, with his God and our\n God. I know not how to write about anything else, but yet I\n wish not to fill my paper with the expression of feelings\n which, no doubt, every one in similar circumstances\n experiences. I shall only say, that I seem never to have\n known sadness till now.\u201d\n\nThis extension of the British rule in India, by opening out wider\nfields for missionary exertions, rendered, also, the want of\nlabourers more sensibly apparent. Hence Mr. Corrie writes\n\n\n TO THE REV. MR. SIMEON.\n\n \u201cBenares, June 16, 1818.\n\n \u201cI write now to acquaint you with the death of one of our\n chaplains at Cawnpore on the 22nd instant, that you may, if\n possible, get some proper person appointed in his place.\n Our honoured friend Mr. Grant, will not be backward to use\n his influence, if it can avail--and may God grant, for the\n honor of his gospel in these lands, that a true minister\n of his word may be sent out. It is inconceivable to those\n not on the spot, how much pious _well-educated_ men may\n effect, above the usual run, even of pious men who come\n out as missionaries. If translations be to supply the gift\n of tongues, then those translations ought to come as near\n the character of that gift as possible. Now the Serampore\n translations all, I fear, fail entirely in idiom and\n every recommendation. Of their Hindoostanee translation,\n I can speak from some knowledge, that it is calculated to\n displease the least fastidious, by the mixture of Persian,\n Arabic, and English words in it, as well as by the turn\n given to many phrases, from the literal rendering from\n the English. Thus, \u2018on these two hang all the law and the\n prophets,\u2019 the word used is literally, \u2018suspended as from a\n peg.\u2019 Such is my own feeling respecting this translation,\n that I should abstain from giving it to an intelligent\n Hindoo, and no other could make anything of it; and at\n this place, we have, in consequence, nothing to meet the\n enquiries of the Hindoos, except a catechism translated by\n Mr. Bowley, which is read with avidity.\n\n \u201cDivine providence is, I hope, opening a door of great\n usefulness here, through the means of the Baboo Joy\n Narian--a kind of Deist, who is about giving up a house,\n and \u00a35,000. to endow it as a school, to our Church\n Missionary Society. The house in Benares we have actual\n possession of, and it is now undergoing a little repair,\n with a view to commence a school of general learning, of\n which Mr. Adlington will be the superintendent.\u201d\n\nThe name of Joy Narain will be remembered, as that of the rich native\nat Benares, who, some years ago, sent a letter and a benefaction\nto the Bible Society.[105] It appears that the same benevolent\nindividual had at that time formed, also, the design of building and\nendowing a free-school, by means of which the poorer classes of his\ncountrymen might receive education.[106] He seems to have gone so\nfar as to have himself drawn up a plan of the institution, to have\ncommenced building a suitable house, and to have offered to pay for\nthe support of a schoolmaster and assistants; but, from some cause\nor other, nothing had been definitely settled up to the time that\nMr. Corrie was appointed chaplain at Benares, after his return from\nEngland. Soon after Mr. C.\u2019s arrival at that station, however, Joy\nNarain brought the subject of the free-school before him; and the\nfollowing extract from a letter addressed by Mr. C. to the committee\nof the Church Missionary Society, gives the substance of what passed\nbetween Joy Narain and himself:--\n\n \u201cHe proposes giving a large house in the city for a school,\n endowing it with 200 Rs. a month, (about \u00a3300. a year,)\n Mr. Adlington to be the teacher. I suggested to him to\n let us have the house on Mr. Adlington\u2019s arrival [from\n Agra,] to begin operations; and that for the present Mr.\n A should derive his support from the Church Missionary\n Society, whilst he (Joy Narain,) should pay for books and\n incidental expenses. This seemed to delight him. I proposed\n that he should make the Church Missionary Society\u2019s\n committee trustees of his endowment; reserving to himself\n the approval of their agent, who, if approved of at the\n end of one year, should be confirmed for life; or, during\n conformity with the rules of the endowment; which, I\n proposed, should be for general learning: our Missionary\n to be at liberty to receive enquirers after truth, in his\n private apartments, after school-hours.\u201d\n\nTo these several propositions, Joy Narain cordially assented, and\nalthough at the date of the foregoing letter to Mr. Simeon, the\nproperty was not legally made over, yet the school-house had been\nput into the possession of the Church Missionary Society. The school\nitself was opened on Monday, July 17, 1818, under the superintendence\nof Mr. Adlington; the second master being a young man, country-born,\nbut educated in England, and intimately acquainted with the\ncolloquial language and manners of the natives. Mr. Corrie observes,\nhowever, to the Committee of the Church Missionary Society:--\n\n \u201cTo give full effect to this gift of Joy Narain, you must\n send us one or two men of as good education as possible,\n and as soon as you can find them. The disposition to\n hear and receive the word, is increasing daily among the\n natives. Many of the rich and learned Hindoos, especially\n of this city, seem ready to welcome the gospel.\u201d\n\nAnd again to the Committee in Calcutta:--\n\n \u201cA man of learning should by all means be sent out to that\n school, both to release Mr. Adlington, and to occupy a\n post than which there is none more conspicuous in all the\n sphere of missionary labour; and, it ought, therefore, to\n be supplied accordingly.\u201d\n\nIt was whilst engaged in watching over the first beginnings of this\nInstitution, that Mr. Corrie wrote to his brother,\n\n \u201cJuly 29, 1818.\n\n \u201cThis country becomes daily more and more interesting to\n the christian. The paramount influence of our government\n now seems to hold out some degree of permanency to our\n rule; and, in consequence, the natives are less embarrassed\n with the fear of the return of former superiors; and\n the consequent persecution that would have followed any\n attention to our religion. Considerate men among them,\n therefore, begin to speak out their dissatisfaction with\n Idolatry; and to enquire what better we have to offer\n them. This disposition is most providentially met by the\n institutions which have risen amongst us of late: and\n the hand of God in disposing all things for the spread\n of His truth, seems evidently displayed. First, there\n is the Diocesan Committee, which confines itself to\n supplying those only who understand English, with bibles,\n prayer-books, and tracts. Next, the Church Missionary\n Society, which supplies the native christians with bibles,\n and prayer-books in the native languages: as well as\n its more direct objects. Then the School-Book Society,\n which supplies elementary books in all languages, for\n all description of persons; and then the glorious Bible\n Society, like the \u2018lion which covereth,\u2019 embracing all\n classes and climes, in the distribution of the words\n of life eternal. If to these be added, the labours of\n missionaries of different denominations, it will appear\n that the kingdom of God is near to India. Of missionaries,\n however, we have as yet, but a scanty supply. May the Lord\n of the harvest, thrust forth labourers into India.\n\n \u201cIn the beginning of this month I baptized, at Chunar, a\n Brahmin, and a Moonshee, in the presence of the native\n christian congregation, and of many Heathen and Mahomedans.\n The Brahmin declared that he had visited all the places\n reputed holy by Hindoos, from Brindrinath in the borders\n of the snowy mountains in the N. W., to Juggernauth in\n the lower parts of Bengal, but found nothing on which his\n mind could rest, till he heard the gospel at Chunar. That\n he found all the Hindoos in error, and plainly told them\n so; in proof of his being in earnest, [he] broke off the\n Brahmin\u2019s cord, (or, as he called it, \u2018the lying cord,\u2019)\n before them all. The Moonshee bore a similar testimony\n respecting the insufficiency of the Mahomedan faith.[107]\n Three more are waiting for my next visit to Chunar in\n order to be then baptized.... These are encouraging\n circumstances; may God grant us his blessing to improve\n them to his glory!\u201d\n\nBut besides relating such encouraging circumstances as these, Mr.\nCorrie\u2019s correspondence contains many incidental notices, also, of\nhis intercourse with natives of all classes. Thus on the 18th of\nAugust, he informs Mr. Sherer:--\n\n \u201cWe are going on as usual here, doing a little: \u2018unknown\n and yet well known.\u2019 Several of the high Natives have\n visited me lately; chiefly from the intimacy they\n perceived Mr. Bird[108] had formed with us; but it led,\n though they meant it not, to religious discussions. A near\n relation of the Rajah of Benares, took away yesterday a\n Hindoostanee New Testament, and Hindoostanee Prayer-book,\n with evident desire, after a long discussion on subjects\n connected with them.\u201d\n\nAnd, again, in writing to the same relative in the month of October,\nMr. C. observes:--\n\n \u201cJoy Narain\u2019s school goes on very well. Many of good\n caste and family now come for instruction in English. The\n enquiries they make on religious subjects, have led to the\n conviction, in several, of the folly of idolatry. Indeed, I\n am obliged to refrain at times from talking with them, lest\n the whole design should be obstructed by the rapid progress\n some of them are making in Christian knowledge.\u201d\n\nThe school here mentioned, having, by Deed, bearing date Oct. 21,\n1818, been legally placed under the control of the Calcutta Committee\nof the Church Missionary Society and their successors, Mr. Corrie\nwas requested by Joy Narain to draw up, in English, a detailed\nstatement of the plan and objects contemplated by the school. A\ndraft of the statement was, in the first instance, [11th Nov. 1818.]\nsubmitted by Mr. Corrie to the Agent of the Government at Benares,\nand was afterwards translated into several of the languages of the\ncountry, and circulated among the natives of India. As illustrative\nof a remarkable moral movement, towards the maturing of which the\nsubject of these memoirs materially contributed, the document is too\nimportant to be omitted.\n\n \u201cThe following statement of the object and plan of the\n Institution, is published, with a view to engage such\n support as may enable the managers to extend to the utmost\n the benefits it is intended to convey.\n\n \u201c1. In this school, four languages are taught, viz.\n English, Persian, Hindoostanee and Bengalee.\n\n \u201c2. For the purpose of affording instruction in these\n languages, an English master, as superintendent of the\n Institution, is engaged; proper assistance and learned\n teachers in the other languages respectively, are also\n retained.\n\n \u201c3. It is intended to maintain, as well as educate, a\n number of poor boys, who are to be accommodated in the\n house, as soon as proper arrangements can be made, and a\n small daily allowance will be made to such poor boys as\n cannot be received into the house, to such extent as the\n funds may admit of.\n\n \u201c4. The benefits of the Institution to be at the same\n time open to all who are desirous of availing themselves\n of them, without regard to caste or country; and for this\n purpose, teachers, paper, pens and ink, will be provided\n gratis, for all the scholars; it being left to the option\n of such parents as can afford to pay for their children\u2019s\n education, to contribute at their pleasure to the general\n expenses of the school, and thereby to extend the benefits\n of it further to the poor.\n\n \u201c5. The primary design of teaching the above languages\n being, to enable industrious youths to obtain for\n themselves a comfortable livelihood, the first care\n will be to instruct the scholars in reading and writing\n grammatically, and in the most necessary rules of\n arithmetic; together with the government regulations on the\n subjects of police, and ordinary affairs: after which such\n youths as desire further improvement, may be instructed in\n general history, geography, and astronomy.\n\n \u201c6. No scholar to be admitted into the school under seven\n years of age, except such as are on the foundation, nor any\n to be admitted to receive maintenance from the funds who\n are above eighteen years. Each scholar to remain in school,\n if practicable, at least two years, but no scholar to\n receive pecuniary support beyond the period of seven years,\n nor above the age of twenty, unless for the pursuit of some\n study approved by the managers.\n\n \u201c7. All the scholars are required to attend regularly every\n day, to abstain from all improper language in school, and\n to maintain a respectable moral character in society;\n without which no scholar can be admitted, or if admitted,\n be retained on his ill conduct being discovered.\n\n \u201c8. The school to be open to all visitors every Tuesday,\n and all contributors to the funds to be admitted to inspect\n the accounts on the second Tuesday in every month.\n\n \u201cIt being intended to form a library and museum also\n connected with the school, as soon as practicable, any\n donation of natural curiosities, or of books, in English,\n or in any of the languages of India, (especially grammars,\n dictionaries, and books of history) will be thankfully\n received; and a book will be kept in which the names of\n donors will be recorded, with the nature and extent of the\n donation.\u201d\n\n \u201cBenares, 11th November, 1818.\u201d\n\nAt the time the foregoing statement was put into circulation, there\nwere no less than one hundred and sixteen scholars in the school; but\nit had already become apparent that the monthly sum granted by the\nfounder, was by no means sufficient to meet the necessary expenses of\nthe establishment. Joy Narain therefore, made a formal application to\nthe Governor-General in council for pecuniary assistance, when Lord\nHastings, with the ready attention which he always manifested for\nthe moral improvement of India, ordered a regular monthly allowance\nto be contributed from the funds of government toward the efficient\nmaintenance of the school.\n\nBut the residence of Mr. Corrie at Benares was now drawing to a\nclose. He received about this time, an appointment to the vacant\nChaplaincy at Cawnpore; but before he could proceed to that station,\na vacancy had occurred at the Presidency by the departure of the\nsenior chaplain on sick-leave. This event was the occasion of Mr.\nCorrie\u2019s recall to Calcutta. He accordingly left Benares in December\n1818, amid the regrets of a large body of respectable natives, who\nhad seen so much reason for regarding him as the friend and promoter\nof every institution which was calculated to promote their welfare.\nIt could not, therefore, but be a matter of gratification to him, to\nbe followed to Calcutta by the subjoined Address written in English,\nPersian, Hindoostanee, and Bengalee:--\n\n\n FROM THE INHABITANTS OF BENARES,\n\n TO THE REV. D. CORRIE.\n\n \u201cFor several years past we have entertained a desire,\n that no one would indulge in any kind of controversy, and\n that all theological discussion might cease amongst us.\n For the attainment of this our desire, Joy Narain Maharaj,\n often attempted to establish a school, but was never able\n to accomplish his design. When you arrived at Benares,\n and kindly engaged the superintendence of a school, in\n the which instruction should be afforded in the English,\n Persian, Hindue and Bengalee languages, from that time\n our wishes began to be realized: seeing that as at all\n times it is a difficult thing to collect individuals of\n different religious principles, you by your investigation,\n liberality and kindness, &c. caused upwards of 200 to lay\n aside their religious prejudices and engage in the same\n pursuit. Since when, by the will of God, you were pleased\n to embark for Calcutta, your condescension, liberality,\n and charity; your kindness, love for the truth, and enmity\n to deception; your excellent understanding, convincing\n knowledge, and acquaintance with the theological works\n of the Christian religion; your Christian-like conduct,\n your affording instruction to those desirous of being more\n acquainted with the way of salvation by the mediation of\n Christ, and meeting the views of the learner; are subjects\n of daily conversation, and cause us to admire that prudence\n which, aloof from the violence made use of by those of\n other dynasties, causes Rajahs, Baboos, great and learned\n Pundits, Mouluwees, Moonshees, in fact the great of the\n city, to court your friendship. A remembrance of these\n things occasions much sorrow, and produces a desire for\n another interview. Here we trust that God Almighty will\n again suffer us to meet, and that as long as it please Him\n to retain you in Calcutta, He will not fail on your account\n to bless both us and the school.\u201d\n\n (Here follow the signatures of Joy Narain and of 266 other\n natives of Benares.)\n\n\n [95] Formed in 1815.\n\n [96] Instituted May 1817.\n\n [97] Originated by natives in Aug. 1816.\n\n [98] Established in 1789.\n\n [99] See Missionary Register for 1818, p. 448.\n\n [100] A kind of footman.\n\n [101] Mr. Adlington had gone to Agra to visit Abdool\n Messeeh.\n\n [102] The Calcutta Committee of the Church Missionary\n Society.\n\n [103] By the termination of the Pindarry and Mahratta wars.\n\n [104] That of Godfather.\n\n [105] See above p. 149.\n\n [106] Joy Narain\u2019s own account of the circumstances which\n led him thus to consult the good of his countrymen,\n may be seen in the Missionary Register for 1819, pp.\n 416, 417.\n\n [107] A fuller account of the baptism of these persons is\n given in the Missionary Register for 1820, p. 123.\n\n [108] The magistrate of the district.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER XIV.\n\n REMOVAL TO CALCUTTA.\n\n\nIt was not without regret that Mr. Corrie quitted a place which he\nhad found (to use his own words,) \u201ca scene of delightful labour.\u201d In\nanticipation of his probable removal from Benares, he had written\nsome time before\n\n\n TO THE REV. MR. SIMEON.\n\n \u201cI am at a loss to decide how to act should my removal\n be determined on by Government. You will see a report\n of our Church Missionary proceedings here, no doubt, by\n Mr. Thomason. There is a great deal too much said in it\n about me, especially should I be removed soon, so as to be\n prevented establishing the plans in agitation. But I pray I\n may be able to go on in simplicity of mind, in obedience to\n the will of God\u2019s providence, and seek nothing for myself;\n who am indeed nothing, and deserve to be the \u2018off-scouring\n of all.\u2019 If I were professedly a Missionary, and had\n the same prospect of entrance into this very citadel of\n Idolatry, I should consider it a call to live and die in\n this place; but as a Chaplain of the Government, am I not\n to consider the disposal of Government, as the voice of\n providence to me? I can truly say that, in the prospect of\n leaving this place, \u2018I am oppressed; O Lord, undertake for\n me!\u2019\u201d\n\nBefore proceeding, however, to Calcutta, Mr. C. visited Chunar, and\nthere administered the Lord\u2019s Supper to sixty communicants, of whom\nhalf were native Christians. He drew up a plan, also, for the future\nguidance of those who were engaged in the mission at that place and\nBenares, with a view to secure regularity and efficiency to their\nexertions: and in this he so arranged as to secure the cooperation\nof all the parties, for whose guidance his directions were intended.\nIt may be mentioned, too, in connexion with the mission at Chunar,\nthat Mr. C. had employed himself, during his residence at Benares,\nin carefully examining and correcting a revision of Mr. Martyn\u2019s\nHindoostanee translation of the New Testament, into Hindoowee, which\nMr. Bowley had found it necessary to undertake for the sake of the\nnative population, among whom he laboured; and which was afterwards\nprinted by the Bible Society. At the close of the year 1818, Mr.\nCorrie commenced his journey to Calcutta. On the way thither he\ntouched at Buxar, a place to which he had frequently paid missionary\nvisits; and where a great desire had often been manifested on\nthe part of the Christian inhabitants, to have a schoolmaster or\nMissionary located among them. As a proof of the anxiety which these\nChristians still cherished for the advantages of a stated ministry,\nthere was now placed in Mr. Corrie\u2019s hands a list of about seventy\npersons, (chiefly of the less wealthy class,) who were willing to\ncontribute certain monthly payments toward building a church, and the\nmaintenance of a Missionary.\n\nOn reaching Calcutta, among the first objects of Mr. Corrie\u2019s care\nwas, the placing under proper instruction some Hindoostanee youths,\nwho had accompanied him from Benares. He had for some time been in\nthe habit of devoting much attention to their education, with a view\nto their future usefulness as teachers; and he now placed them in a\nschool for Hindoostanee boys, which the Calcutta Committee of the\nChurch Missionary Society had just established in that city. With\nreference to the importance of such an Institution, Mr. Corrie had\nlong entertained a decided opinion. In a letter, anterior to this\nperiod, he had observed to Mr. Sherer,\n\n \u201cI see so strongly, and experience also in my connection\n with the adult converts, the improbability of finding\n steady, judicious pastors, except from among those who\n have been educated in Christian studies, that I should\n like to devote the rest of my days to the instruction of\n native youths, with a view to the ministry. That may be\n better done in Calcutta than elsewhere, from the greater\n readiness with which books may be had, and especially\n help for the instruction of others got ready. Besides,\n future Missionaries will act with greater effect, aided by\n well-educated native brethren. So that in every point of\n view this appears to be a prime object, to educate for the\n ministry.\u201d\n\nAs respected himself, it is scarcely necessary to state that the\nscene of labour at the Presidency was, in most respects, widely\ndifferent from that to which Mr. Corrie had been accustomed in the\nprovinces. In a letter to his brother, dated early in 1819, Mr. C.\nrelates, as a specimen of his engagements,--\n\n \u201cMr. Parson and myself go on happily in our joint\n Chaplaincy. The Bishop is absent at Madras, where, we\n hear, he is confirming, in his sermons, all Mr. Thompson\u2019s\n labours. He is in many respects a valuable man.\n\n \u201cI have lately been appointed Honorary Chaplain to the\n [Military] Orphan Institution,[109] where I officiate every\n Sunday Morning soon after six o\u2019clock. At the Cathedral\n I read prayers or preach at nine; and the same at eight\n in the evening. I take the weekly occasional duties in\n turn. I am, also, _ex officio_, a Governor of the Free\n School, and a member of the Select Vestry; who are Trustees\n of charities distributed to the monthly amount of 3,411\n rupees, among 568 Pensioners.\u201d\n\nThe connexion with the \u201cSelect Vestry\u201d here mentioned, did not\nhowever prove without its difficulties; for it happened that Mr.\nCorrie commenced his duties at the Presidency before a dispute had\nsubsided, respecting the mode in which that Vestry was constituted,\nand the authority which they claimed to exercise. It seems to\nhave been the custom for the members of the Vestry to re-elect\nthemselves annually, so as to admit new members into their body only\nas vacancies occurred by deaths, resignations, or departures for\nEngland. They had customarily, also, appointed the officers connected\nwith the Church, now called the Cathedral. But it appears that at\nthe Easter preceding Mr. Corrie\u2019s connection with the Cathedral,\na certain number of persons opposed the re-election of the Select\nVestry, as being contrary to the practice usual in England; and the\nsenior Chaplain, at the same time, claimed the right to nominate\nthe churchwardens. The Select Vestry, on the other hand, regarded\nthemselves (and had long been so recognized by government) as\nspecial Trustees for a Church which had been originally built by\nprivate individuals; and for the due distribution of certain funds,\narising mainly from legacies left for charitable purposes, and\nunder the administration of the Vestry. However much, therefore, to\nbe deplored, might be the animosity and indecorous language, into\nwhich some of the parties concerned in the dispute, seem to have\nbeen betrayed, it cannot be a matter of surprise that the Vestry,\nas a body, should hesitate to abandon long-acknowledged claims,\nand to hand over to other persons, the distribution of certain\ncharities which they conceived to be legally entrusted to the Vestry.\nTo such a length, however, had the dispute respecting this matter\nbeen carried, that both parties complained to the Governor General\nin Council; and the Government had given it as an opinion, rather\nthan as a decision, that the vestry should remain in possession of\nits accustomed functions, until the authorities in England might\njudge it proper to interfere. But notwithstanding this opinion on\nthe part of Government, the opponents of the Vestry revived the\ndispute, at the Easter of 1819. Much correspondence seems to have\ntaken place on the subject, and many hard words again to have been\nused; and Mr. Corrie as one, among others, who considered it their\nduty to maintain themselves in the position which had been thus\nsanctioned by Government, became, as a matter of course, the subject\nof reprehension on the part of those, who opposed the claims of the\nVestry. Yet it is stated by those who were in Calcutta at the time,\nand were also well acquainted with the facts of the case, that the\nsubject of these Memoirs was enabled so far to keep apart from the\nbitterness of this strife, as to exhibit throughout \u201cthe prudence and\nmeekness becoming the minister of Christ.\u201d\n\nWith the exception, however, of passing occurrences such as these,\nthere was but little diversity in the duties which now fell to Mr.\nCorrie\u2019s lot, beyond what may be found in the life of a parochial\nclergyman. The history of any one day was, to a great extent\ntherefore, the history of the succeeding month; and so on, from\nmonth to month: for as it was not yet certain, whether the senior\nChaplain, who had gone to the Cape, would return to India or not, Mr.\nCorrie could not regard himself as more than a temporary resident at\nthe Presidency, and did not therefore feel at liberty to engage so\nactively in the concerns of several religious societies in Calcutta,\nas he afterwards felt called upon to do. But when intelligence\nreached India, early in 1820, that the senior Chaplain had proceeded\nto England, and Mr. C. thus became entitled to succeed to the vacant\nchaplaincy, he began to lay himself out for some steady course of\nmissionary labour in Calcutta and the neighbourhood. One of his first\nmovements was, to endeavour to collect a native congregation in\nCalcutta, by means of Mr. Bowley, who had come down from Chunar to\nsuperintend the printing of that revised Hindoowee translation of the\nNew Testament, which has been already mentioned.[110] The ulterior\nobject Mr. Corrie had in view in this was, to provide a sphere of\nlabour for Abdool Messeeh, who was expected to reach Calcutta in the\nspring of 1820, and whose state of health might probably render it\ndesirable that he should remain there for the future. Mr. Corrie was,\nalso, desirous to excite a deeper interest for missionary objects,\namong the poorer classes about the Presidency, in the belief that\nless attention had hitherto been given to effect this, than, on\nevery christian principle, seemed necessary. As having now, also,\nundertaken the office of Secretary to the Church Missionary Society\nin Calcutta, Mr. C. was in better circumstances to direct these\nmissionary plans. Some account of his occupations, is given in a\nletter to his sister, who had returned to England:--\n\n \u201cMay 19, 1820.\n\n \u201cAbdool Messeeh is here: I am daily at work with him,\n writing a Commentary in Hindoostanee, from six in the\n morning till breakfast and after, if I am not called away.\n We have got him a house in _Meer-jan-kee-gully_. It is a\n roomy (upper-roomed) house, but out of repair; so we get\n it for fifty rupees a month; and here he collects the poor\n four times a week. The Church Missionary concerns occupy\n me too a good deal; and we are setting up a printing-press\n in my go-downs.[111] To-day the first sheet of a tract is\n printing off, as a beginning.\u201d\n\nSoon after the date of the foregoing extract, Mr. Corrie had an\nexamination of the boys of his Hindoostanee-school, in the presence\nof the members of the Calcutta Committee of the Church Missionary\nSociety, and of such other persons as interested themselves about\nmissionary objects. His many avocations did not admit of his\nundertaking the superintendence of a larger number of scholars than\nthat with which the school had commenced; but the result of the\nexamination proved, that the benefit derived from being habituated\nto christian example and the progress which the boys had made in\na knowledge of the Hindoostanee New Testament, the Hindoostanee\nCatechism, and the principles of the Christian religion in general,\nwere of a very encouraging nature. Impressed, therefore, with the\nconviction that a Christian education was of the greatest importance\nas a means to render the natives themselves efficient instruments of\nGod to their countrymen, Mr. Corrie welcomed the idea of establishing\na missionary College by the Bishop. With reference to that\ncircumstance, he wrote to his brother:--\n\n \u201cI am quite sure that all men will rejoice in the\n establishment of the College; although learning alone will\n do but little. It therefore appears to me more than ever\n necessary to maintain strenuously the labours and plans\n of the Church Missionary Society. Under these feelings\n I was led last Thursday into a long conversation with\n the Bishop, respecting Missionary proceedings, in which\n the Church Missionary Society and its views were brought\n forward and discussed. The Bishop\u2019s chief objection was,\n that the sending out of English clergymen as Missionaries,\n would prevent the East India Company from making such a\n provision of Chaplains, as they ought to make. As far as it\n goes, the argument is just; but I think he ought rather to\n adopt such Missionaries, and by pointing out to Government\n the benefits produced by them, to draw forth Government\n support, which otherwise may not be afforded in any way.\u201d\n\nIt may not be amiss to mention, that however much Mr. Corrie might\nbe occupied by matters of public interest, he did not neglect the\ncharities of social life. On the contrary, he did not allow his gate\nto be closed against any who might have a reason for desiring to\nhold communication with him. And, as in India, persons arriving from\nEngland, or visiting the Presidency were, at that time, regarded as\nhaving an almost unlimited claim on the hospitality of the residents\nin Calcutta, Mr. C. was seldom without his share of such guests. This\ncircumstance, added to his natural kind-heartedness, gave occasion to\none, who loved him, and who was then under his roof, to remark, \u2018as\nlong as he lives and wherever he lives, he will have as many people\nabout him as fall in his way; until every corner be occupied, and he\nhimself is left without a corner.\u2019 To many of the younger portion of\nthese visitors Mr. C. was, also, oftentimes the instrument of great\nmoral good; and in such cases it was his custom, as occasion served\nor might require, to address to them a letter of encouragement or\ndirection, after they had left him. An extract from a letter to Capt.\nMoyle Sherer, H. M. 34th regiment, and who had been on a visit to\nhis brother in Calcutta, may serve to illustrate the spirit of such\ncommunications:--\n\n \u201cCalcutta, May 27, 1820.\n\n \u201cYou are by this time settled with your regiment, and begin\n to find exactly how the minds of those around you stand\n affected to the principles of true religion. Some painful\n discoveries will probably have been made, and on the other\n hand, perhaps, consolation will have arisen from unexpected\n sources. Such is the beginning, especially of a life of\n piety. We are apt to wonder that what we see so clearly to\n be rational and necessary, is not equally seen by others\n when brought before them; and the result is, to make us\n feel more experimentally that what we have learned on these\n subjects, has not been from man\u2019s teaching, but that God\n has been leading us by ways that we knew not. The discovery\n of our own inbred sin is what is most distressing at this\n stage. Indeed, to the end of life such ebullitions of the\n sin that dwelleth in us, occasionally take place, as almost\n confound the Christian, and send him back to his first\n principles; and it seems as if the whole work of religion\n were yet to begin. Yea, how often does this inward enemy\n impel him to the very brink of disgrace, and he escapes\n as by miracle, from temporal no less than eternal ruin.\n Such is my experience up to this day; and now, what with\n the experience upwards of forty years have supplied of the\n world\u2019s insufficiency to afford happiness, and of the power\n of sin, unless God prevent, to work temporal and eternal\n ruin, the grave begins to appear a refuge, and I have a\n deep conviction that they only are completely blessed who\n are in heaven. I think you were quite right in not taking\n part with the Wesleyans till you know more of them. By\n degrees the truly sincere will draw to you as their natural\n superior, and you will be able to direct their reading and\n to regulate their affairs far more to their advantage than\n they can do themselves.\u201d\n\nDuring the October of 1820, Mr. Corrie was afflicted by the death of\none of the elder of the Hindoostanee boys, who were in the school\nunder his care. The youth in question was a Hindoo by birth, and when\na child had been purchased up the country, from his parents, during a\nseason of scarcity. He had therefore been under Christian instruction\nthe greater part of his life. It seems that he died of consumption,\nand that during a long illness, he had afforded satisfactory evidence\nthat he had not received a Christian education in vain. The death of\nthis youth was not long afterwards followed by the removal of the\nremaining youths, to assist in the schools at different missionary\nstations. Before, however, Mr. Corrie\u2019s Hindoostanee scholars had\nbeen thus dispersed, there had been admitted among them, for the\npurpose of receiving instruction in order to baptism, a Hindoo youth\nwho had been servant to a converted Moonshee.[112] This youth,\nwhen full of the idea of making the pilgrimage to Juggernauth, had\naccidentally fallen in with the Moonshee, and accompanied him as far\nas Benares. In consequence, however, of the conversations, which\nhe held with the Moonshee on the subject of religion, his faith in\nthe efficacy of a pilgrimage to Juggernauth had entirely abated, by\nthe time they reached Benares: and he accordingly returned back\nto Delhi with the Moonshee, in the capacity of servant; although\nhe left his master, after a while, to avoid the scoffs of his\nHindoo acquaintances. He could not, however, rid himself of the\nconviction that his master was right, and became so uneasy under that\nconviction, that he quitted his home in search of peace of mind.\nEventually he made his way to Calcutta, and became an inmate of the\nHindoostanee school there, and in due time was baptised.\n\nIt may here not be uninteresting to relate, that after Mr. Corrie\nbecame Secretary to the Calcutta Committee of the Church Missionary\nSociety, he was in the habit of employing himself as he found\nopportunity, in contributing to the pages of a \u2018Quarterly Circular,\u2019\nwhich first appeared in 1820, and contained from time to time, a\nsummary of \u2018Missionary Intelligence,\u2019 for the use of Missionaries and\nothers, at the different stations in India. Among his contributions\nto this periodical may be mentioned a series of papers, containing\na \u2018Sketch of the progress of Christianity in Calcutta and in the\nprovinces of the presidency of Bengal.\u2019 Mr. Corrie had often been\nstruck by observing the importance attached by historians to but\nimperfect records of former ages, provided those records happened\nto bear the marks of authenticity; and he conceived, therefore,\nthat some future historian of the church of Christ in India,\nmight possibly derive assistance from a notice of such facts and\ncircumstances as that \u2018Sketch\u2019 might be the means of rescuing from\noblivion. It may with truth be added, that no person then living was\nbetter qualified than Mr. C. to record the more recent occurrences\nconnected with the history of Christianity in Bengal, he having\nhimself been not only a careful observer of all that concerned the\nprogress of true religion in that Presidency, but also the personal\nfriend of those men of God, who had immediately preceded him, and to\nwhose zeal and labours may be traced the first origin of almost every\nreligious institution in Bengal. The Calcutta Diocesan Committee of\nthe Society for promoting Christian knowledge, having now, also,\ndirected their attention to the translation of religious Tracts into\nthe languages of India, a translation into Hindoostanee, both in\nthe Nagree and Nustaliq character, of \u201cSellon\u2019s Abridgment of the\nHoly Scriptures,\u201d was assigned to the superintendence and revision\nof Mr. Corrie. Having been requested, moreover, by the Committee of\nthe Calcutta Bible Society, to state for their information, such\nparticulars illustrative of the benefit attending the circulation of\nthe Holy Scriptures, as might have fallen under his own observation,\nthe following was his reply:--\n\n \u201cCalcutta, 6th Feb. 1821.\n\n \u201cIn compliance with your request that I would state any\n circumstances within my own knowledge, tending to shew\n the good arising from the distribution of the Scriptures\n alone, I have endeavoured to call to mind some facts in\n corroboration of my general feeling of the good arising\n from the measure in question. The benefit arising to\n professed Christians is not, I believe, within your\n contemplation, otherwise I might say much respecting the\n benefit the native Christians on this side of India have\n derived from the Bible Society. During the prevalence\n of the Mahratta power, many Christians were employed\n in offices of trust by the Native princes, chiefly in\n situations connected with the army.\n\n \u201cI had, whilst residing at Agra, frequent applications from\n Christians of that class, and many of them sent from far,\n for copies of the Persian and Hindoostanee translations: to\n shew the need they stood in of such supplies, I may just\n observe, that a Christian of the class referred to, in the\n service of the Burthpore Rajah, on applying personally to\n me for a copy of the New Testament, was asked if he had\n ever perused the Gospel in any language? he answered that\n he had never even seen the Book; and in the figurative\n language of the country, added, that \u2018he knew not whether\n the Book was made of wood or paper.\u2019\n\n \u201cAmong the most remarkable instances of Mahomedans and\n Hindoos deriving benefit from the Scriptures alone, the\n following occur to me:\n\n \u201cIn 1813, a Mahomedan Hukeem came to me at Agra from\n Burthpore, saying, that he had many years before read the\n Pentateuch in Arabic, a copy of which had been given to him\n by a Roman Catholic priest: that about two years before the\n time he came to me, he had obtained a copy of St. Matthew\u2019s\n gospel in Persian, from reading of which he had become\n convinced of the divinity of Jesus Christ. This man, with\n his son, was afterwards baptized.\n\n \u201cThe next instance that occurs to me, is of an aged Hindoo:\n this man from reading the writings of Cuber, had been\n led to renounce Idolatry, and finding the Law and Gospel\n spoken of by Cuber, as divine books, he was for several\n years anxious to possess a copy. After several ineffectual\n attempts to procure a copy from English gentlemen, he at\n length obtained the Gospels in the Nagree character. He was\n also afterwards baptized. A third instance of good derived\n from the Scriptures alone, was Burukut Museeh in 1813; he\n got a manuscript copy of Job, which he perused with great\n interest; afterwards he got a copy of the Psalms; then\n Isaiah; and finally the New Testament in Hindoostanee.\n His exemplary life and happy death are recorded in the\n Missionary Register.\n\n \u201cThe only other case that occurs to me, is that of Fuez\n Musseeh, baptized in 1817. At seventeen years of age, he\n became a Mahomedan purely from the abhorrence of idolatry\n expressed in the Koran; he remained upwards of twenty\n years a strict and indefatigable disciple of the Koran,\n living as a Fakeer and obtaining great honour among his\n countrymen for his supposed sanctity. At length, being\n disgusted in his own mind with the practices recommended by\n his spiritual guides, and wearied with his own ineffectual\n labours after holiness, he abandoned all his honours as\n a Religieux, and bought from a lady a copy of the New\n Testament, if haply he might find in it that rest for his\n soul he had hitherto sought in vain from other quarters.\n He sought, and found, as his conduct hitherto leads us to\n think, the object of his pursuit.\n\n \u201cI have met whilst residing out of Calcutta, with very many\n natives, who from reading the Scriptures, have had all\n prejudice against Christianity removed; and some of them,\n as Joy Narain Ghossaul, at Benares, have been set upon many\n works of benevolence and charity, from their knowledge\n of duty as learned from the Bible, though they have not\n derived _all_ the benefits to be desired from the copies\n of the Scriptures circulated among them. How far this\n partial good is to be appreciated, each Christian will form\n his own judgment. As a preparing of the way of the Lord, it\n is by no means to be undervalued, and future labourers will\n reap the fruit of the precious seed which the Bible Society\n has been sowing in India with so much diligence for several\n years past.\u201d\n\nThe memoranda which occur in Mr. Corrie\u2019s Journal after his return to\nIndia, are very few, but under date of June 11, 1821, he remarks:--\n\n \u201cI have been endeavouring to call my ways to remembrance,\n and find enough to be humbled for in the review, but a\n difficulty as to how I should speak of it. This difficulty\n I wish to account for. Formerly I could write of my state\n with ease; lately I have neglected to make memoranda.\n I have certainly been much employed in public matters.\n My duties as Chaplain, and as Secretary to the Church\n Missionary Society,--the schools, the press, leave me very\n little time, and that little I find difficult to apply to a\n good purpose. My want of retirement prevents the right use\n of the little I might have. I am deeply conscious that the\n evil propensities of my nature are by no means eradicated;\n and I ought to be alarmed that they do not more alarm me.\n I feel daily that I sin, and resolve daily against my\n propensities, yet daily am more or less overcome. Oh! I\n desire to awake to righteousness! I desire to be alarmed;\n to be saved from sin, and quickened and made alive to God.\n O Spirit of light and love, of power and of a sound mind,\n work in me to will and do of thy good pleasure! I see, in\n reading the epistle to Titus, that except in such points as\n are agreeable to my nature, I am far from the character of\n a true minister of Christ.\u201d\n\nThere is reason, however, to hope that Mr. Corrie\u2019s ministrations in\nCalcutta were not altogether in vain. At any rate, it is well known\nthat his labours were unceasing, whether regard be had to his duties\nas chaplain, or those connected with the Church Missionary Society,\nand the superintendence of the native schools. In the December too,\nof this year, he was appointed to preach the sermon at the third\nvisitation of Bishop Middleton; and in the same month printed, among\nthe Quarterly Missionary Intelligence, a biographical sketch of his\nold friend Joy Narain, who had died at Benares in November.\n\nBut that which now more especially occupied the attention of Mr.\nC. and others, engaged in conducting the affairs of the Church\nMissionary Society in Calcutta, was the education of the native\nfemales of India. The state of society had until lately, seemed\nhopelessly to exclude the native female from all share in the\nbenefits of education; but the success which had attended a school\nset on foot by the Baptist mission, had induced some friends of\nreligion in India, to communicate with the British and Foreign\nSchool-Society in England, with a view to extend the means of\ninstruction to the females of India, as widely as practicable. Funds\nwere in consequence, raised for that purpose; and Miss Cooke, a lady\nof education and piety, arrived in Calcutta during Nov. 1821, for the\npurpose of devoting herself to the work.\n\nIt was early in January 1822, that the Calcutta Committee of the\nChurch Missionary Society, took measures for the formation of female\nschools, under the superintendence of this lady; and such was the\nsuccess attending their first efforts, that three schools were in\noperation by the middle of February. It was then thought desirable\nto bring the subject more distinctly before the residents in\nCalcutta, in the hope that the friends to the moral and intellectual\nimprovement of the natives of India, might be induced to assist\nin carrying on this important and difficult undertaking: and to\nMr. Corrie it was assigned, to draw up and circulate the following\naddress:\n\n\n \u201cNATIVE FEMALE EDUCATION.\n\n \u201cThe importance of education, in order to the improvement\n of the state of society among the natives of this country,\n is now generally acknowledged, and the eagerness of the\n natives themselves for instruction begins to exceed the\n opportunities hitherto afforded them.\n\n \u201cBut to render education effectual to the improvement of\n society, it must obviously, be extended to both sexes. Man\n requires a \u2018Help-meet;\u2019 and in every country the infant\n mind receives its earliest impressions from the female\n sex. Wherever, therefore, this sex is left in a state of\n ignorance and degradation, the endearing and important\n duties of wife and mother cannot be duly discharged; and no\n great progress in general civilization and morals can, in\n such a state of things, be reasonably hoped for.\n\n \u201cSuch however, with few exceptions has hitherto been the\n state of the female sex in this country; but a happy\n change in this respect seems at length to be gradually\n taking place. A most pleasing proof of this occurred in\n the interesting fact, that thirty-five girls were among\n the number of scholars, at the last examination of the\n School Society, in the house of one of the most respectable\n natives in Calcutta.\n\n \u201cThe arrival of a lady of judgment and experience, at such\n a crisis, for the purpose of devoting her time and talents\n to the work of native female education, could not but be\n regarded, by all interested in the improvement of society\n among the natives of this country, as a most favourable\n event.\n\n \u201cThis lady (Miss Cooke) was recommended, in the first\n instance, by the British and Foreign School Society, to the\n Calcutta School Society; but the Committee of this Society,\n being composed partly of native gentlemen, were not\n prepared unanimously and actively to engage in any general\n plan of native female education. Most of these, however,\n have expressed their good-will towards such a plan, and\n their intention of availing themselves, as circumstances\n may admit, of Miss Cooke\u2019s disinterested services to obtain\n instruction for their families.\n\n \u201cUnder these circumstances the corresponding Committee of\n the Church Missionary Society have cordially undertaken\n to promote, as they may be enabled, the objects of Miss\n Cooke\u2019s mission.\n\n \u201cMiss Cooke will, as she may find opportunity, afford\n instruction at home to the female children of the higher\n classes of natives; and at the suggestion of an enlightened\n native gentleman, a separate school will be attempted,\n for poor female children of high caste, with a view to\n their becoming hereafter teachers in the families of their\n wealthy country-women.\n\n \u201cMiss Cooke has already made sufficient progress in the\n acquirement of Bengalee, to enable her to superintend the\n establishment of schools; and having been attended in her\n first attempt by a female friend, who can converse in\n Bengalee, some interesting conversations took place with\n the mothers of the children first collected, in which Miss\n Cooke\u2019s motives were fully explained to them. Soon after,\n a petition was presented to Miss Cooke, in consequence\n of which, a second female school has been established\n in another quarter of the town, and a third school has\n been formed in Mirzapore, near the Church Mission-House.\n Thus three schools are already established under Miss\n Cooke\u2019s immediate care, containing about sixty girls; and\n the disposition manifested towards these schools by the\n natives, affords reason to expect that a wish to have\n female schools will in time become general.\n\n \u201cIt is intended therefore, to erect in a suitable situation\n in the native town, a school-room, with a dwelling-house\n attached, in which an extensive system of female education\n may be attempted; and this plan, so peculiarly within their\n province, is submitted, with much respect and confidence\n of success, to the sympathy and patronage of the ladies\n of this Presidency, by the corresponding Committee of the\n Church Missionary Society. Whatever assistance may be\n afforded, either as donations or monthly subscriptions,\n will be exclusively applied to the purposes of female\n education, and a report of progress will be submitted,\n from time to time by Miss Cooke, for the information of\n subscribers.\u201d\n\n \u201c_Calcutta, Feb. 23, 1822._\u201d\n\nThe result of this appeal was, that within a few weeks not less\nthan 3,000 rupees were subscribed for the furtherance of the object\ncontemplated; the Governor General, Lady Hastings, and others of the\nfirst distinction being among the most liberal of the contributors.\nNor was it among the least remarkable circumstance connected with\nthis great social movement, that a highly respectable Brahmin wrote\nand circulated a tract, for the express purpose of recommending to\nhis countrymen the importance of female education. He urged it also,\nas the duty of every parent to rescue thus their female offspring\nfrom that state of degradation, to which (as he proved from history)\nthe women in Hindoostan were not formerly subject.\n\nWith reference to these and similar occurrences, Mr. Corrie writes to\nhis brother.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, April 19, 1822.\n\n \u201cOur missionary engagements are becoming more and more\n important; and opportunities for extending our plans more\n and more frequent and easy: But with all these [prospects,]\n a spirit unfriendly to the gospel is gone forth amongst the\n natives, and they are commencing Deistical politicians.\n Four native newspapers have started in Calcutta; two in\n Bengalee, one in Hindoostanee, and one in Persian. They\n cannot all stand long, but they mark the spirit of the\n times. They are all under an influence unfriendly to our\n Church establishment: but we are getting on with our\n schools, having now upwards of four hundred boys, and one\n hundred and thirty-four girls, under our Church Missionary\n Society, within the boundary of Calcutta; while the\n Diocesan Committee have several schools in the suburbs.\n The youth in these [schools] will, we hope, grow up with\n impressions favourable to our views of things.\u201d\n\nOn Wednesday, May 26, 1822, Mr. Corrie preached a sermon at the\nOld Church, in aid of the Society for Missions to Africa and the\nEast. The sermon was afterwards printed with the fifth report of\nthe Calcutta Committee of that Society, and contains some valuable\nremarks on the advantages connected with direct instruction in\nthe faith of Christ, over the education which merely imparts such\nknowledge as has reference only to the affairs of this life. One\nsentence may here be cited as illustrative of the great change which\nthe mind of India had undergone, since the time when Mr. Corrie\ncould labour for the conversion of the heathen, only at the risk of\nincurring the censure of government:--\n\n \u201cOur Church, with reason we think, calls herself\n Apostolical: now, what is this but missionary? And a\n portion of missionary spirit has always resided among her\n members. Time has been, indeed, when this was regarded by\n many rather as a mark of dissent; but now, blessed be God,\n she seems to be rising, through all her ranks, to her high\n and proper character as a missionary body.\u201d\n\nAbout six weeks only had passed since the delivery of this discourse,\nwhen Mr. Corrie was summoned to attend the death-bed of the Bishop of\nCalcutta, who was called to his rest after but a few days\u2019 illness.\nConsidering the peculiar circumstances of India, and the then novelty\nof episcopal rule in that country, it could scarcely be expected that\nMr. Corrie, among others, should be able to recognise the wisdom\nof every act of Bishop Middleton\u2019s administration, and the equity\nof the control which that able prelate claimed to exercise over\nthe temporal as well as spiritual affairs of the chaplains to the\nEast India Company; but his correspondence abundantly shows that\nhe could well appreciate the Bishop\u2019s character. With regard more\nespecially to the cause nearest his heart--that of missions, Mr. C.\nconsidered it to have derived from the deceased prelate, exactly that\nkind of sanction which was then required; it wanted only official\ncountenance, and the reputation of orthodoxy. To labour for the moral\nimprovement and conversion of our heathen fellow-subjects, used to be\nregarded as characterising a party in the church, and as proceeding\nfrom a kind of fanaticism that would endanger the stability of\nour oriental empire. But the interest which Bishop Middleton had\ntaken in the Missionary cause, had given reason to believe, that\nofficial dignity combined with a high reputation for sound judgment\nand secular learning, were not incompatible with the conviction,\nthat our rule in India had every thing to hope from the spread of\nChristianity; and that it was not fanatical to suppose, that so vast\nan empire had been committed to our governance for the noble purpose\nof making known the Son of God, to a people who were ignorant of Him.\n\nWithin two months of the death of Bishop Middleton, the Archdeacon\nof Calcutta fell a victim to the Cholera; and as that circumstance\nrendered it necessary for the Government to delegate the\nadministration of the affairs of the See to other hands, Mr. Corrie\nand Mr. Parson were commissioned to exercise such jurisdiction as by\nlaw might be warranted, until a successor to Bishop Middleton should\narrive from England.\n\nIn a memorandum, penned about that time, Mr. Corrie writes:--\n\n \u201cSep. 28th, 1822. This day sixteen years ago I first landed\n in Calcutta. How altered the state of society! Then Mr.\n Brown was senior Chaplain. He had at time dear Martyn in\n his house, and received Parson and myself into his family.\n Now he and his wife are numbered with the dead, and all\n their children returned.... How many other changes, also,\n in the state of the religious society of Calcutta, so that\n Mr. U. only remains of the friends of religion in his class\n of society of that day. How varied has been the scene of my\n own Indian-life!\n\n \u201cIn respect of public affairs, great changes, also, have\n taken place. In ecclesiastical matters great changes. A\n bishop and archdeacon appointed in 1814, and Bishop\u2019s\n college has been the result. The subject of missions\n has thus, by degrees, become one of acknowledged duty\n and advantage to society. The bishop hurried off by\n sudden death: the archdeacon taken off not two months\n after, more suddenly still: Parson and I appointed to\n exercise their functions _pro tempore_. I would, however,\n remark especially the state of my own mind during this\n long period. I came to India chiefly with a view to the\n propagation of the gospel; and that view, I trust I\n can say, has not been lost sight of. My time has been\n principally devoted to that object. My money, too, has\n chiefly gone in that cause. I trust a mission has been\n established at Chunar, Agra, and Benares, through my\n humble means, which will go on, and \u2018increase with the\n increase of God.\u2019 In Calcutta, the labours of Secretary\n to the Church Missionary Society, in addition to my own\n official duties, have helped to bring on the loss of\n strength I am now suffering under. But I would be aware\n that the state of heart is chiefly to be attended to. And\n here I can see no one duty so performed, that I dare think\n of it in the view of presenting it to God; and were it not\n that Jesus is the righteousness and strength of all who\n believe, I could not entertain the slightest hope.\n\n \u201cFor about three months, my ancles have swollen\n occasionally, with bad digestion, and aching of the limbs\n and legs. The doctor says it is the effect of climate; by\n which I understand that my frame is debilitated sensibly,\n by the heat. He says, rest is the only remedy, and I am\n come to Pultah Ghaut[113] for rest, and retirement. My\n prayer to God is that I may be made fully alive to my real\n state, and may not waste away without feeling the tendency\n of such a wasting. I desire to have my loins girt about and\n my lamp supplied with oil; so that, whenever the bridegroom\n is announced, I may be ready to enter in.\n\n \u201cI desire to be more spiritually minded; and to have more\n of a realizing faith, as to the truths I am exercised\n about day by day out of the holy word. I would fain see\n religion on the increase among us; and have more abundant\n fruit of the word. Oh! that the Spirit were poured upon\n Europeans and natives! Oh! that the kingdom of Christ were\n established in my own heart! more settled in my family; my\n flock; and on all around generally. Oh! that the salvation\n were come out of Zion. Then should this nation be glad and\n rejoice; and He whose name is Jehovah, be acknowledged\n throughout the land. Amen.\u201d\n\nThe debility of which Mr. Corrie here complains had so increased,\nthat the medical men decided that it would not be safe for him to\nremain in Calcutta during the hot weather; and moreover, advised a\nlong sea-voyage as the best means for recruiting his impaired health.\nHe did not, however, think a voyage to be of so much consequence;\nyet early in February 1823 he quitted Calcutta, accompanied by his\nfamily and Captain Stephen of the Engineers, and went to reside on\nthe coast, near Juggernaut. For the first eight or nine weeks of his\nresidence at Pooree, Mr. Corrie\u2019s health had been greatly restored;\nbut the anxiety and fatigue which he underwent in attending the\nsick-bed of Captain Stephen, who died at Pooree on the 10th of May,\nbrought on a serious attack of fever. In this state he attended the\nfuneral of his deceased friend; but being too unwell to proceed\nthrough the service, he was carried home in a state of the greatest\nexhaustion. In the course of the day, however, Mr. Corrie revived\nsufficiently to allow of his writing to Mr. Thomason, an account of\nthe last illness of Captain Stephen; after which the fever returned\nwith such violence that for several days the sufferer was scarcely\nsensible. The following is his letter:--\n\n\n TO THE REV. T. THOMASON.\n\n \u201cPooree, May 10, 1823.\n\n \u201cThe last sad offices having been performed for your\n beloved son-in-law, I will endeavour to recal some of\n the pleasing expressions which fell from his lips during\n the last week, both with a view to the comfort of his\n friends, and to indulge myself on a subject which engrosses\n all my thoughts. My acquaintance with the dear departed\n commenced in September 1814, when I saw him almost the\n whole of every day during about a week. Again in 1817\n and 1818, our intercourse was renewed both at Ghazeepoor\n and Benares. He was then, it is almost needless to say,\n strictly correct in his conversation and general conduct,\n but did not exhibit that serious impression of divine truth\n which latterly appeared in him. When we went on board the\n schooner, I soon discovered a marked difference in him\n in that respect. There was an evident love of religious\n exercises, and religious books; and I observed more than\n once a serious attention to private devotion. From that\n period our intercourse was unreserved, and his general\n conversation and remarks, such as belong to godliness.\n He joined us regularly in our morning and evening family\n worship. He frequently spoke of his expectation that his\n illness would end in death, but we hoped otherwise; and\n nothing particular, as to his views in the prospect of\n such an event was mentioned. He had never been free from\n bowel-complaint since we came together, and during the\n early part of the week commencing April 27, he complained\n of an increase to his disorder from having taken cold,\n though no such appearances as usually attend a cold\n appeared about him. He kept up as usual till Friday the 2nd\n of May, when he did not come to breakfast with the family,\n but came out to dinner.\n\n \u201cOn Saturday he did not leave his room. On Sunday I went\n into his room, and asked if I should join him in reading\n the word of God and prayer, since he no longer could join\n with us. To this he gladly assented, and began to speak\n of the great mercy of God towards him in preserving him\n from acute pain, whilst he felt himself sinking gradually.\n I read the first lesson for the day, and he made several\n remarks on the applicableness of the admonitions to the\n spiritual state of the Christian. Being drowsy, from the\n opiates administered to allay his disease, he desired me\n to defer praying till the afternoon. In the afternoon he\n was quite awake, spoke of the mercies of God toward him,\n complaining also of his want of gratitude to his God and\n Saviour. I spoke to him of what I thought of his state\n when at Ghazeepoor in 1814, and especially some remarks\n he then made on hymn singing, and expressed my delight at\n his now altered feeling, and the ground of encouragement\n it afforded him. He said that he had strong convictions of\n sin before that time; that he owed much to his deceased\n Aunt Stephen, who had tried much to impress his mind with\n a sense of religion; adding, \u2018I know now why Christians\n take so much pleasure in hymn-singing; they love to dwell\n upon the ideas conveyed by the words.\u2019 I may here observe\n that he several times, since we have been at Pooree,\n spoke of his Aunt Stephen, and of all his family, and the\n obligations he owed her.\n\n \u201cTo-day he also mentioned his wish to partake of the Lord\u2019s\n Supper, before his intellects should become clouded.\n On Monday, May 5th, he asked me if I were prepared to\n administer to him the Lord\u2019s Supper. As no time had\n been mentioned the day before, I proposed to put off\n the celebration till next day, when we would make it a\n family ordinance; to this he cheerfully assented. I do not\n recollect any particulars of what fell from him that day,\n but his conversation was always with reference to his dying\n soon, and filled with thanksgiving to his God and Saviour\n for the comparative ease in which he lay, and especially\n for the hope of heaven which he enjoyed; often exclaiming\n that it was all of mercy, and entirely flowing from the\n Saviour\u2019s merits. On Tuesday May 6, his mind was confused\n all the morning from opiates; about two, P. M. seeing him\n collected, I asked if he would now have the Sacrament\n administered? He said he wished to be more awake and would\n postpone it till the morrow; adding, \u2018I have committed my\n all into the hands of my blessed Saviour, and I can trust\n him to keep me sleeping or waking.\u2019\n\n \u201cOn Wednesday he was taken up with some temporal matters,\n and wrote the letter which I forwarded to you on that day.\n Afterwards Mrs. Corrie and I went into his room, and we\n all, I trust, by faith fed on Christ in our hearts, with\n thanksgiving. Our sick brother was much alive during the\n whole of the service, and read the passages in which the\n congregation join, with much clearness and fervor. On going\n into his room about an hour after the service, he broke\n out, \u2018Oh, may this dispensation be blessed to my dear\n Esther, that she may give herself wholly up to God, and\n fix all her love on him alone. She has a deep sense of her\n own unworthiness, and I bless God for the piety that is in\n her.\u2019 On Thursday May 8th, there appeared no alteration in\n the state of his disease. Two surgeons from Cuttack having\n arrived, our own doctor brought them to see him. They went\n into the next room to communicate their thoughts on his\n case, when he heard them agree that nothing could be done\n for his relief. On my going into his room after they went\n away, he seized my hand with all his remaining strength,\n and said, \u2018Oh my dear friend, how much am I indebted to\n God for placing me at this time with friends, who do all\n they can for my comfort, without concealing their concern\n that my soul should be prepared for death;\u2019 adding much on\n the evil too many medical men are guilty of in cherishing\n hopes of life when their patients should rather be thinking\n of death, and contrasting the difference of his present\n circumstances with what they would have been had he gone,\n on leaving Calcutta, among strangers and irreligious\n persons; then adding praise and thanksgiving to God. On\n the early part of this afternoon Mrs. Corrie went into\n his room, when he presently began to speak to her as for\n the last time, praying that her husband might be spared\n to her, and her children, and to the church, adding many\n expressions of his regard and affection.\n\n \u201cOn Friday, May 9th. On my entering his room early, and\n enquiring after his state, he said, \u2018I have had a wretched\n night, not in body, for I have been easy, but in mind. I\n have been thinking of this and that treatment which might\n have been used; but it is all wrong, and thus my wickedness\n brings its own punishment. I have much tried to repent of\n my daily wickedness, and of my wicked life.\u2019 Adding a good\n deal on the subject of God\u2019s ordering all our affairs, and\n the duty of looking above human agents--and said, \u2018O never\n did weary traveller desire his home more than I desire my\n rest:\u2019 most cordially acknowledging with me the duty of\n submission, and joining in prayer for an increase in faith\n and patience. Some favourable symptoms appeared, but he\n seemed to build nothing on them. For several days we had an\n European Sergeant to sit up at night. He has expressed his\n surprise at the constant patience our brother manifested,\n and told me, that he was much in prayer during Friday night.\n\n \u201cOn Saturday morning, about half past three, a violent\n discharge of blood took place, and again about five. I\n went into his room just after the latter, and found him\n prostrate indeed.\n\n \u201cHe began at once, \u2018O my God, suffer me not to fall from\n thee: make my repentance sincere, and let my faith stand\n firm--O! accept me, unworthy! for the merits of Jesus\n Christ. I am wretched and miserable, let my soul be\n cleansed in his blood and presented spotless before thee;\n bless my dear wife and children, bless my dear father and\n mother, bless you (addressing himself to me,) and your\n family; and God make you a greater blessing than ever to\n the church, but don\u2019t waste your life in this country,\n go home and do good among the poor. O God! bless all the\n doctors who have attended me, and let them not forget\n their own mortality amidst these scenes;\u2019 adding prayers\n for such generally as he might at any time have had\n disagreement with. On my reminding him of our blessedness\n in having an advocate with the Father to render these\n petitions available, he added strong expressions of the\n mercy of God towards him, and of his earnest desire to be\n at rest with God; adding \u2018O God, thou knowest that I love\n thee,\u2019 and asked me if I thought it wrong to pray for his\n dismissal. He spoke of his temporal affairs as settled, and\n said he had no anxiety about his children, the Lord would\n provide for them. About 7, on going into his room, I spoke\n respecting the little probability when we first met that\n I should survive him: he began to pray for blessings for\n me, adding, \u2018Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all\n his benefits; who forgiveth all thy sins, who healeth all\n thy diseases.\u2019 Adding with emphasis, \u2018_forget not all his\n benefits_; that he had been forgetful all his days, but the\n Lord had shewed him great mercy.\u2019 From that time he spoke\n little. Being removed to another bed, he dosed much from\n medicine. About ten, observing him restless, I asked if he\n wanted anything? he said \u2018No.\u2019 If he retained his peace of\n mind? He said, \u2018His mind had become very confused.\u2019 And on\n reminding him of the \u2018Advocate with the Father,\u2019 he faintly\n added, \u2018Bless God for all the way He has led me,\u2019 or to\n that effect. About eleven, seeing him restless, and less\n of consciousness about him, I asked him if he knew me, he\n said, \u2018Yes;\u2019 and in answer to my question, \u2018If I should\n pray for him?\u2019 he said, \u2018Yes;\u2019 but there was no respond\n to the few petitions I offered up, and he was no longer\n sensible. At half-past one, another discharge of blood took\n place, which led us to think him expiring; but the spirit\n lingered till half-past two, when, we doubt not, he entered\n into his much-desired rest. I may tell you, though I mean\n to send a medical statement of the fact, that the three\n doctors ascertained after his death, that the liver was\n perfectly sound, but the colon had become ulcerated; and at\n length, a blood-vessel being eaten through, the discharge\n above-mentioned ensued, and brought on dissolution; but\n that this must have happened at no great distance of\n time, and that no change of climate or treatment, could\n have prevented the fatal result. This morning the beloved\n remains were committed to their parent earth, in the Pooree\n burying-ground. The burying-ground is an enclosed square on\n the sands of Juggernauth.\n\n \u201cThose sands, after almost a year from the Rutt Jattra,\n are still strewed with the whitened bones of the\n wretched victims of this Indian Moloch, and I indulged\n the idea, whilst standing by the grave, that we were\n taking possession of the land in the name of Jesus our\n Lord. Without disparagement to a few other remains there\n interred, and of whose history I know nothing, I _knew_\n that we were committing to the earth the remains of a\n member of His mystical body; and will He not bring in the\n remnant of His elect, and shall not these, at present,\n wretched Hindoos, bow to His sceptre, and confess Him\n \u2018Lord, to the glory of God the Father?\u2019 Then, instead of\n that heartless brutality with which idolatrous remains are\n treated, decent burial will be given them; and instead of\n the howling of jackalls and wild dogs over their remains,\n \u2018Devout men will make lamentation,\u2019 though they will\n not sorrow as \u2018those who have no hope.\u2019 These remarks,\n dearest brother, are indulged in, rather to ease my own\n heart, than to comfort you and your sorrowing family. I am\n inexpressibly afflicted for this my brother, but what is my\n grief compared with his family\u2019s? I send off this blotted\n and only copy, both that you may receive it within a due\n time of your knowledge of the afflicting event; and that\n no discretion may remain with me as to multiplying copies.\n Mrs. Corrie joins me in tender sympathy to all your house.\u201d\n\nFor the remaining portion of the month of May, Mr. Corrie continued\nto gain no strength. A change of air was, therefore recommended, and\nhe removed to Cuttack, about fifty miles inland. There it pleased\nGod to recover him surprisingly fast. But in a letter to Mr. Sherer,\ndated June 13, 1823, he observed:--\n\n \u201cBy the frequent attacks of illness I have of late\n experienced, our thoughts are sometimes directed towards\n you [in England]; but I must remain another year in order\n to the pension. The Lord only knows what time may bring\n forth. I feel most reluctant to leave India, and nothing\n but necessity shall lead me to leave it at present.\u201d\n\nTen days later Mr. Corrie writes to his brother:\n\n \u201cCuttack, Orissa, June 23, 1823.\n\n \u201cYou will have heard the reason for my being here, so I\n will not repeat the history of my ailment. I am, through\n Divine mercy, much better, but this enfeebling climate is\n not favourable to the recovery of strength, especially\n at the age of forty-six. You accuse me of writing\n despondingly, I am not aware of any such feeling; though\n sickness induces reflection, and \u2018it is a serious thing to\n die.\u2019 Although my faith in the Redeemer is unshaken, and\n affords at times strong consolation, yet the presence of\n sin often clouds the view. But I will not fill my paper\n with such reflections.\n\n \u201cOn the death of the Archdeacon about two months after that\n of the Bishop, Parson and I were appointed Ecclesiastical\n Commissioners. The Archdeacon of Bombay remonstrated\n against our appointment, and some of the Chaplains have\n acted without reference to us. We have gone on quietly;\n as in fact, there is little for us to do officially; and\n I should not wonder to see in some of the high church\n Reviews, (if opportunity offer) accusations of neglect. The\n fact is, the Bishop has no authority whatever beyond what\n his personal character may procure him. The late Bishop\n laboured all his Indian life, to establish an authority\n independent of the local Government. This was resisted\n covertly by the Government, and was felt to be a grievance\n by the Chaplains. I rejoice greatly in Mr. Heber\u2019s\n appointment, and trust it is a token for good to the\n established church in India. Nothing short of annihilation\n as a society, will be refused him by the Church Missionary\n Society in Calcutta; and in truth, everything short of a\n separate existence for it, was repeatedly offered to the\n late Bishop.\n\n \u201cI should not have entered on this subject, except to tell\n you how in the providence of God, I have been affected by\n events.\u201d\n\nDuring Mr. Corrie\u2019s absence from the Presidency, the Rev. Isaac\nWilson arrived from England, and the Calcutta corresponding Committee\nof the Church Missionary Society having thus obtained the aid of a\nclergyman, whom they could appoint as secretary, decided on forming\na Church Missionary Association, as had been done at Madras. Up to\nthis time, it will be remembered, the concerns of the Society for\nMissions to Africa and the East, had been conducted in Bengal by a\nCommittee appointed originally from England; so that although the\nfriends of religion had by this arrangement possessed the means of\nsubstantially contributing to the support of Missions, yet they had\nnot been formally embodied in a Society. The jealousy and opposition\nof Government to Missionary operations having now, however, somewhat\nabated, it was thought important to take advantage of the first\nfavourable opportunity that presented itself, to place the Church\nMissionary Society on a more definite footing. The arrival in India\nof an episcopally ordained Missionary, who could render essential aid\nto an object that appeared so desirable, decided the corresponding\nCommittee to take measures for the formation of an Association so\nsoon as ever Mr. Corrie should return to the Presidency. This he was\nenabled to do during the month of July, and accordingly on the 31st\nof that month, the best means for forming such an Association were\ntaken into consideration. On the 11th of August another meeting of\nthe corresponding Committee and their friends was held, at which\nrules for the conducting of a Church Missionary Association were\nprovisionally agreed upon; and with a view to a public meeting\ntowards the end of the month, copies of the proceedings of the\nCommittee were in the meantime printed and circulated for the\ninformation of the subscribers to Church Missions in Bengal. On the\n28th of August a public meeting was held, and the Calcutta Church\nMissionary Association was formed, Mr. Corrie being chosen the first\nPresident. In the Report of the proceedings on the latter occasion,\nit is stated that\n\n \u201cThe Rev. D. Corrie, in accepting the office of President\n of the Association, addressed the meeting in a speech\n which breathed an ardent spirit of piety, of affection,\n and of zeal for the sacred cause of Missions. It would be\n impossible to convey any adequate idea of it by a cursory\n mention in this place of the persuasive topics then so\n feelingly urged. Suffice it, therefore, to say, that, as\n Mr. Corrie himself was deeply affected, so he made a deep\n impression upon the whole audience.\u201d\n\nThe formation of this Association was not, however, effected without\nsome little opposition, but as that appears to have arisen from a\nmisunderstanding of the motives and relative positions of the parties\nconcerned, and was speedily allayed, it is therefore here mentioned\nmerely in deference to the truth of history.\n\nRespecting his own affairs Mr. Corrie wrote to Mr. Sherer, then in\nEngland:--\n\n \u201cCalcutta, Sep. 11, 1823.\n\n \u201cWe are all, through mercy, quite well. We cannot be so\n much alone as my state of body requires, but we are more\n alone than when you were here, and our souls and bodies\n benefit by it; though I cannot but regret the partial\n exclusion it occasions from some of the excellent of the\n earth.\n\n \u201cOf public affairs I can say nothing, except that a\n Committee for public Instruction is formed. This was\n planned under Mr. Adam\u2019s reign. A picture of him was voted\n after Lord Amherst\u2019s arrival, by a great meeting at the\n Town-hall. Mr. A. is gone to Bombay in very bad health.\n\n \u201cOur great man, the Bishop, will soon, we hope, be here. He\n will come opportunely for our Missionary affairs, and his\n coming will prove, we trust, a blessing to many. They say\n he means to make the senior Chaplain Archdeacon; whether\n that means Mr. Shepherd, or myself, I know not, and am not\n anxious about it. I should lose in point of emolument, but\n the ease would suit me in my present state of health. I\n trust I can bless God for an increasing indifference as to\n outward things and distinctions.\n\n \u201cMr. Jetter, about a fortnight since, baptized a young\n Brahmin; and inquirers increase at Mirzapore. The place\n is becoming known. It is now, also, assuming a pleasing\n appearance.\u201d\n\nAccording to expectation, Bishop Heber reached India at the beginning\nof Oct. 1823. So soon as ever it was known that the Bishop had\nreached Saugur, Mr. Corrie, as senior chaplain, Mr. Abbott as\nregistrar of the diocese, and Principal Mill of Bishop\u2019s College,\nwent down the river in the government yacht, to conduct his lordship\nto Calcutta. On Saturday, Oct. 18th, the Bishop was installed in\nthe Cathedral, and on the following Monday was pleased to appoint\nMr. Corrie to the Archdeaconry of Calcutta. With reference to that\ncircumstance Bishop Heber wrote to Mr. Williams Wynn.[114]\n\n \u201cI have bestowed the Archdeaconry, much to my satisfaction,\n on the senior resident chaplain, Mr. Corrie, who is\n extremely popular in the place, and one of the most amiable\n and gentlemanly men in manners and temper, I ever met with.\u201d\n\nIn a letter from Dum Dum, Nov. 3, 1823, announcing his appointment\nto the Archdeaconry, Mr. Corrie also informs Mr. Sherer:--\n\n \u201cWe are miserably off for Chaplains, and you will see from\n the date that I am at Dum Dum doing duty there until we\n get a reinforcement. I am, however, but weak, being on the\n recovery from a fever which was brought on by going out in\n the heat, to marry a couple about the middle of October.\n I had become quite unfit for the Presidency duties. The\n sight of the Cathedral used to make me ill, from the weak\n state into which I had fallen; and I trembled like a leaf\n in the breeze when I ascended the steps of either desk or\n pulpit. At the same time I could not leave the country, not\n being entitled to the pension, for a year to come. I am now\n relieved from those distressing occasions, and my mind is\n eased of a burden. I feel that, humanly speaking, I may yet\n be strong here, and do a little in the Missionary cause.\u201d\n\nNor were these Mr. Corrie\u2019s anticipations with respect to his health\npremature; for being now released from the duties of the Cathedral,\nhe gradually recovered his strength, and attained to such a\nhealthiness of appearance, that persons who had not seen him for some\ntime, could scarcely imagine that he had been so seriously ill.\n\nBut besides the beneficial change which had thus been effected in\nArchdeacon Corrie\u2019s personal condition, it was no small satisfaction\nto him to find, that in carrying on the affairs of the Church\nMissionary Society, he could now have the advantage of the support\nand direction of his Diocesan. For the difficulties in the way of\nco-operating with that society, which appeared insuperable to the\nlate Bishop Middleton, having been either surmounted or removed,\nit became the pleasant duty of the Archdeacon, to propose that the\nBishop of Calcutta should be respectfully requested to accept the\noffice of President of the Auxiliary Church Missionary Society,\nwhich was formed in that city, on the 1st of December 1823. Nor,\nafter the active part which he had taken in the proceedings of the\nSociety, could it be otherwise than gratifying to the Archdeacon, to\nhear Bishop Heber, on that occasion, publicly express his lordship\u2019s\nconviction, that the Church Missionary Society, in conjunction with\nothers of a similar nature, had been the means of accomplishing\nextensive good.\n\nFor the two months following the occasion here referred to,\nArchdeacon Corrie was chiefly resident at Dum Dum. To his brother he\nwrites from\n\n \u201cCalcutta, March 11, 1824.\n\n \u201cOur hot season has commenced. During the cold season\n we have been residing chiefly at Dum Dum, the Artillery\n station, seven miles from the fort, where, since my\n preferment, I have done the Chaplain\u2019s duty. Mr. Crauford,\n now Chaplain of the Old Church, having friends in the\n Artillery regiment, with whom he spends some days every\n week, has agreed to take the duties of Dum Dum for the\n present, leaving to me the charge of the old church. In\n this Mr. Wilson, a Church Missionary, assists me; so that\n I have had, as yet, no relief, except from the occasional\n duties of this large place. And indeed, this was all I\n desired, as, when not exposed to the sun and consequent\n fatigue, I am as well as I am likely, with my nervous\n frame, to be anywhere. We must now consider ourselves fixed\n here for seven years, should life be prolonged. What may\n be necessary for our children in that period, we know not.\n Hitherto they have enjoyed good health; and if it please\n God to continue it to them, we do not mean to separate them\n from us. But we experience in fact, I trust, as well as in\n theory, our dependence on a higher power, and are disposed\n to do what may be His holy will, as we discover it.\n\n \u201cOf our public affairs you hear through public channels.\n Of private and family affairs I do not like to say much\n on paper. The bishop has proved toward myself most\n disinterested and kind. Had he been less impartial and\n less feeling than he is, I should not now have been here.\n Repeated attacks of fever had so weakened me, that I could\n not go through my duties; and here no unemployed clergyman\n is at hand to help a friend in need. I was therefore,\n preparing for a voyage to the Cape, which by draining our\n resources would both have kept us low in circumstances, and\n would have sent me back to what had proved a distressing\n situation. We cannot therefore, but feel the hand of\n Providence in the very considerate kindness of the Bishop.\n He has met with much annoyance, I fear, in consequence,\n from quarters where submission to Episcopal authority used\n to be the order of the day; but which, like all order not\n founded on Scripture principles, is only submitted to when\n on their own side. I do not say that Episcopacy is not\n founded on Scripture, but that, _all obedience_ to it does\n not rest on the same foundation. I can truly say, I never\n took a step in our Church Missionary proceedings which had\n not the sanction of episcopal principles.\n\n \u201cWe have now three Missionaries from the Society for\n the Propagation of the Gospel. The College has begun\n operations, and I feel no little satisfaction that the\n first student is a youth previously prepared by the Church\n Missionary Society. He is given up to the Society for\n the Propagation of the Gospel, partly because they have\n funds unappropriated, and the Church Missionary Society\n has not, and partly because I could not find among our\n friends the support I wished for in respect of this youth.\n Alas! how much of human infirmity cleaves to us all; for\n I do not pretend to be free from it, and others see more,\n perhaps than I should like to acknowledge. Our Bishop is\n the most free from party-views of any man I ever met with.\n In a ruler this is beautiful, and I have felt the benefit\n resulting from it. But a few years ago it seemed as if it\n was impossible to exercise such a spirit. Certainly Bishop\n Heber in those days, would not have been raised to the\n Bench; when unlimited submission was the only condition of\n cooperation. Some would have given up the Church Missionary\n Society, and have resolved all the Episcopal Societies into\n the Diocesan Committee. I withstood it, and held what is\n now acknowledged, that the Bishop is (such) in his office\n alone, and that whenever he sits in committee, he sits as a\n private member, and not as Bishop. Hence he can sit in any\n Society conducted on episcopal principles. The time indeed\n seems approaching when all societies will send out men of a\n similar spirit, and then our co-operation will be complete.\n The three men, of the Society for the Propagation of the\n Gospel, appear truly pious, though as yet they manifest not\n that love of prayer and religious exercises which maintain\n religion in its power.\n\n \u201cI long to hear more of you all, but we must be content, I\n believe, to endure this longing as a necessary concomitant\n of our voluntary banishment. I earnestly wish you would,\n as you have opportunity, direct the attention of young\n men of piety to this country. Of twenty-six Chaplains\n allowed for Bengal, only thirteen are present; the distress\n consequently is great, especially in Calcutta. No one of\n us can be ill, or omit a sermon, without casting additional\n labour on men already fully employed, whilst the Dissenters\n are in number strong; both exhibiting variety to draw\n people, and relieving each other from too much work.\n\n \u201cOur Government has declared war against the king of\n Burmah, and an expedition is ordered against that country.\n We have had skirmishing already on the borders, and have\n lost some officers. Happily there is no power in the\n interior to disturb us at present. Runjeet Sing, the king\n of Lahore, is moving on the banks of the Indus; and it is\n said an army of observation is forming on the Bombay side,\n to watch him. We are all well, and expecting a journey\n through the Upper Provinces in company with the Bishop and\n family, to commence in June.\u201d\n\nBefore the time arrived for undertaking the journey here mentioned\nas in prospect, Archdeacon Corrie was called upon to officiate at\nthe ordination of Christian David, a native of Malabar. This person\nhad been a pupil of Schwartz, and had for many years been employed\nas a catechist in Ceylon, by the Society for promoting Christian\nknowledge. He had proved himself to be so faithful a labourer, in\nthe Christian cause, that except for some legal scruple on the part\nof Bishop Middleton, he would have received ordination from that\nprelate in 1821. He now came to Calcutta, bringing with him the\nrecommendation of Archdeacon Twistleton, and for a title, a colonial\nchaplaincy to which he had been appointed by Sir Edward Barnes, the\nGovernor of Ceylon. The day fixed upon by Bishop Heber, for the\nordination of Christian David, was Ascension-day (May 27, 1824,)\nand on the following Trinity Sunday, he was ordained priest. With\nreference to that most interesting event, Archdeacon Corrie wrote\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, June 10, 1824.\n\n \u201cI had to examine him on such points as a missionary to the\n heathen, unacquainted with Western science should know.\n The Bishop was so pleased with my questions and Christian\n David\u2019s answers, that he has sent a copy of them to the\n Archbishop of Canterbury.\u201d\n\nAfter some observations on private matters, the Archdeacon then adds:\n\n \u201cAll public religious affairs you will learn from the\n Missionary Register. A Ladies\u2019 Society for promoting native\n female education; Lady Amherst, Patroness!![115] Who would\n have dreamt of this a few years ago?\n\n \u201cWe set out next week with the Bishop, but a difficulty has\n arisen about my being absent at the same time [with him] I\n being _ex officio_ Commissary. This will in all probability\n bring us back from Chunar. I have got over the hot season\n without a fever, and am now tolerably well, though\n constrained to keep in doors. I look forward to coming to\n England as a dream of which the reality is barely probable.\n O, may we be more in the contemplation of our heavenly\n home! I have no reason to be dissatisfied with the world,\n further than as sin renders it uneasy to me, sometimes me\n to it; and my children will perhaps be better off by my\n remaining here. For the rest, I have but little anxiety;\n and home is home, in a Christian, as well as in a worldly\n sense; nor shall we be at home until we get to heaven.\u201d\n\nThe difficulty referred to in the foregoing letter, as regarded the\nabsence of both Bishop and Archdeacon from Calcutta at the same time,\nhaving been surmounted, Bishop Heber, accompanied by his Chaplain,\nMr. Stowe, commenced his journey toward the upper provinces on the\n15th of June, 1824. Archdeacon Corrie, with his wife and children,\nfollowed in a separate budgerow. After three days voyage on the\nriver, they parted company; the Bishop and his chaplain proceeding to\nDacca, whilst the Archdeacon and his family passed on by Berhampore,\nand Malda, to Bhaugulpore, where they were to wait for the Bishop.\nBut in the meantime Mr. Stowe was taken dangerously ill at Dacca,\nand died there on the 17th of July.[116] Bishop Heber joined the\nArchdeacon\u2019s party on the 10th of August, and proceeded to visit the\nseveral stations of Monghyr, Patna, Dinapore, Buxar, Benares, Chunar,\n&c., in succession.[117] When, near Allahabad, the Archdeacon wrote\nto his brother:--\n\n \u201cSept. 12, 1824.\n\n \u201cWe have seen much done here in the way of preparation; but\n then it is much only as compared with the former state of\n things. With reference to what remains to be done, nothing\n comparatively has been accomplished. The country near\n Allahabad, which the English possessed when I arrived in\n Bengal, extended in length about twelve hundred miles, by\n an average breadth of one hundred and fifty or two hundred.\n That constituted the Bengal Presidency. The Ganges may be\n considered a line running through the length of the tract,\n dividing it into two parts. Throughout this extent, there\n was only one place of Protestant worship [and that] in\n Calcutta; and not a _building_ appropriated to worship out\n of Calcutta, belonging to the English. There are now in\n Calcutta four places of worship in the Established Church;\n besides the Mission College, and three Dissenting Chapels.\n There is a Church at Dacca, Benares, Chunar, Futtyghur,\n and Meerut. Churches are in the course of erection at Agra\n and Cawnpore. Whilst at the old stations of Dinapore and\n Berhampore, public worship is still performed in an empty\n barrack. There are at Monghyr and Benares, dissenting\n Chapels, and perhaps at some of the upper stations also.\n All this has not been accomplished without considerable\n individual exertion, as well as public support: and\n though individual piety is still lamentably scarce, yet\n much more of public attention to religious observances\n prevails than formerly; and also much more of individual\n piety. With respect to the natives, when I arrived in the\n country, a few converts were found at Serampore; and a\n few, I believe existed at Dinapore: nor were there any\n attempts [to convert the natives] entered upon beyond\n those places, except at Cutwa, where the late missionary,\n Chamberlain,[118] had settled. Now, we have a few native\n converts in Calcutta, at Burdwan, and at Cutwa and its\n branch in Beerbhoom; at Monghyr, Buxar, Benares, Chunar\n and Meerut. In each of these places, a few converts are\n found; and what will eventually work greatly for the good\n of the heathen, some of the Roman Catholic converts, and\n descendants of Europeans, who had become quite native in\n their habits and language, are attracted by the labours of\n the missionaries at those places; and in some of them, as\n at Chunar, where the native congregation is the largest\n on the side of India, [the Roman Catholics] constitute\n the chief part. Besides these, I might mention Meerut,\n and Futtyghur, where missionaries are labouring, and some\n converts have been gained. Thus where all was darkness,\n now, here and there, a glimmering of light begins to\n appear. But a reference to the situation of these places\n on a map, and of the small number to whom the means of\n grace have proved effectual at each place, will shew you\n how little has yet been accomplished. How much remains\n to be done, ere this people can possess even the means\n of knowing the way of life! We are now, as you know,\n attending the Bishop. His visit cannot fail to increase\n the disposition of the British to help on the work of\n missions. At Buxar, he sat down in the hut of the native\n catechist, and heard the Christians read; and questioned\n them in their catechisms; at Benares, he went in his robes\n to the Hindoostanee chapel, where Mr. Morris officiates,\n and pronounced the blessing; and the same at Chunar. He\n has acquired sufficient Hindoostanee to give the blessing\n in that language. Also at Benares, he administered\n Confirmation to fourteen native Christians, and afterwards\n the Lord\u2019s Supper: and at Chunar to fifty-seven native\n Christians. He asked the questions and pronounced the\n prayer, in Confirmation, in Hindoostanee, and also the\n words addressed in giving the elements in the Lord\u2019s\n Supper. In the latter ordinance, he was assisted at Benares\n by Mr. Morris; and at Chunar by myself. But, in general, I\n have not been able to do more than attend him in public;\n my state of weakness not allowing of visiting or dining\n from home. Some of the old alarmists still remain, who,\n by these proceedings, are silenced if not convinced; and\n scoffers are put to shame. The Bishop, also, visits all\n the missionary native schools, as he proceeds; and the\n Missionaries are greatly encouraged by the interest he\n takes in their proceedings.\u201d\n\nThe Archdeacon then adds:--\n\n \u201cI must say a few words about myself. The season has not\n been favourable, as yet, for restoring my strength. We\n have had comparatively little rain; and the east wind\n failed by the 20th of August. Since then the west-wind has\n blown: and now in the afternoon blows hot. The river is\n fallen as much as is usual in November. Notwithstanding,\n I am greatly stronger than when in Calcutta, and have no\n positive disease: at least I think so. We now begin to feel\n the coolness at night--the forerunner of the cool season.\n Six weeks will bring it here. I then hope, with care, to\n recruit, and feel much the goodness of God in allowing me\n this hope.\u201d\n\nOn the 27th of November 1824, Archdeacon Corrie addressed the\nfollowing letter to Mr. Buckworth, from Cawnpore:--\n\n \u201cYou will have heard, from my friends, of the debilitating\n effects this climate has at length began to have on my\n frame; but I am thankful to be able to say, that I am\n better this year than last. Knowing the cooler nature of\n this part of the country, at this season [of the year,]\n the Bishop kindly invited me to accompany him [on his\n visitation], and here we arrived early in October. The\n latitude is five degrees higher [North] than that of\n Calcutta; and, being within two hundred miles of the Snowy\n Mountains, is more than proportionably cooler. Your parish\n news is very interesting to me; and the increase of your\n places of worship must be a source of great gratification\n to you. If it should be given me to be your helper in one\n of these Churches, separate from occasional duties, some\n day, it would, I trust, be a comfort to both of us. But\n it becomes us more than ever not to boast, or lay plans\n respecting the morrow. We have now passed a fair proportion\n of the days usually assigned to man; and besides this, we\n have both personal experience of a dying nature. I feel\n for my own part, how sickness even may lose the effect of\n impressing the idea of death; and have hourly need to pray\n for more of that quickening Spirit, who alone makes us and\n keeps us alive to God and things divine and eternal. Our\n situation here is quite different from yours,--we have no\n parish annals to record. I arrived at this [station] on the\n day fourteen years after sainted Martyn had dedicated the\n Church. The house he occupied stands close by. The view of\n the place, and the remembrance of what had passed, greatly\n affected me. I arrived on the Sunday morning, after divine\n service had begun; (the Bishop having come on the day\n before) and, as the Chaplain is sick, I had to assist in\n administering the Sacrament; and well it was, on the whole,\n that none present could enter into my feelings, or I should\n have been overcome.\n\n \u201cYou wish to hear tidings of our Bishop; and, from public\n sources, you will have heard of the favour he shews\n generally to the righteous cause. Of the natural amiability\n of the man, it is impossible to convey an adequate idea.\n Our children speak of him always as \u2018the dear Bishop.\u2019\n I merely mention this to shew how lovely he appears in\n his general temper and habits. His conversation is very\n lively; and from his large acquaintance with books and\n men, very instructive, and tending to improve those he\n meets with; whilst he industriously seeks opportunities of\n public worship, Sunday and week day; and urges on all the\n importance of attending on the means of grace. Surely this\n land has cause of praise to God, that such an one has been\n placed at the head of affairs here!\n\n \u201cAt this station, there are about two thousand five hundred\n Christians, and the chaplain being sick I remained here,\n to do the parochial duties. Having accompanied the Bishop\n to Lucknow, where we were entertained by the King of\n Oude, I returned hither. The Bishop presented the King\n with a Bible, and a Book of Common Prayer, in the native\n language; and the King was so taken with the Bishop, that\n he begged to have his picture; which was accordingly\n taken immediately, by an eminent English artist, whom the\n King keeps in constant pay. The Bishop went on his way to\n Meerut, Delhi, and Agra; at the latter place I hope to meet\n him, about Christmas; I am now therefore in a sphere I\n greatly like. On Sunday last I had two full services; and\n attended a meeting with the Dragoon regiment on Wednesday,\n and with the Foot regiment last night, and feel no ill\n effects; by which you will judge of the bodily strength\n which is mercifully renewed to me. I have one of the\n learned native converts with me; and he is collecting the\n few native Christians here, and we shall, I hope, be useful\n to them also.\u201d\n\n\n [109] Instituted in the year 1782.\n\n [110] See above,--p.322.\n\n [111] A printer and printing-press, sent out by the Church\n Missionary Society, had just arrived from England.\n\n [112] Moonshee Mooneef Masseeh, who was baptised at Chunar\n in 1818.\n\n [113] A place on the river Hooghley.\n\n [114] Journal, &c., vol. 3. p. 230, 2nd edit.\n\n [115] \u201cThe Ladies Society for Native female education in\n Calcutta, and its vicinity,\u201d was formed on the 25th\n of March 1824.\n\n [116] See Life of Bishop Heber, Vol. ii. pp. 217, &c.\n\n [117] It has not been thought necessary to notice in\n detail, the many interesting occurrences which have\n already been related in Bishop Heber\u2019s Journal and\n Correspondence.\n\n [118] One of the Baptists.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER XV.\n\n CAWNPORE--CALCUTTA--RETURN OF MR. THOMASON--DEATH\n OF BISHOP HEBER.\n\n\nIt was because Archdeacon Corrie did not find himself equal to the\nfatigue of travelling, that when the party reached Lucknow, it was\ndecided, that instead of proceeding with the Bishop, he should\nendeavour to recruit his strength by remaining stationary for a time\nat Cawnpore. From that place, therefore, he writes\n\n\n TO THE REV. MR. THOMASON.\n\n \u201cCawnpore, Dec. 26, 1824.\n\n \u201cI have been expecting, for some time, to receive a few\n copies of the last Report of our Calcutta Church Missionary\n Society. I am very desirous of endeavouring to help the\n funds; but cannot well make applications without giving\n some information as to our plans. I begin to fear that\n even if about eight copies were dispatched immediately,\n they would not reach me in time, as I am only waiting the\n Bishop\u2019s decision as to my movements. I have now done\n the duty here, for five Sundays, and expect to be here\n about three Sundays more. I could much have wished Mr.\n Torriano[119] to have arrived before I leave, but he will\n find his way comparatively smooth. You know I brought\n Fuez Messeeh with me from Benares, where he was doing\n little, and had fallen ill. He is still prevented by the\n cough, which has for some time affected him, from doing\n all I believe he is willing to do for the gospel. I have\n every reason to believe him to be a partaker of Divine\n grace; though his talent in communicating what he knows to\n others, is not great. He, on our arrival, brought a few of\n the families of the Christian drummers and fifers to our\n house, for Sunday worship; and about six of their girls are\n learning to read Hindoostanee and to sew, with Mrs. Corrie.\n About three weeks ago, Mr. Fisher, Peter Dilsooke and his\n wife Ruth, with their two sons came here. They had a chit\n [letter] from Mr. Fisher, and I have since written to him,\n and ascertained that he thinks well of them as Christians.\n I have retained him on ten rupees a month, to teach such\n Christians [adults] as wish to learn to read the Scriptures\n in their native tongue, and Nagree character, and he has a\n school in the lines, of eight adults; and his wife teaches\n the Christian girls in our house, their two boys go to the\n Free School. There are three native corps here generally.\n The Christians connected with them are not fewer than sixty\n or seventy; and there are many of a similar class connected\n with the many public offices of the field command,\n besides a considerable number of poor people of the same\n description, who resort to Cawnpore, as the Calcutta of the\n Upper Provinces. The native population too, is wonderfully\n increased since I was resident here. On the whole, this\n place calls loudly for Missionary help; and I greatly hope\n something may be done, at least for those who profess\n Christianity, and understand only the native language.\n Already our congregation on Sunday last had increased to\n about twenty; and I am writing to Chunar for copies of the\n native catechism, and Nagree hymns, which are much desired\n by some of the Christians. I happily got a supply of the\n Scriptures in various languages. Should the Bishop decide\n on my residing in the Upper Provinces, these stores will\n prove invaluable; and become the means of blessing, I hope,\n to many. The duties of a Chaplain, I know from experience,\n leave him, at such stations as this, little leisure for\n extra-parochial engagements. As I shall have more leisure\n for such pursuits, with liberty to remove from place to\n place, I shall consider it a peculiar happiness to be the\n means of establishing christian worship, for the class of\n people who are to be found at every station professing\n Christianity, and knowing only the native language.\n\n \u201cI believe no copies of the \u2018Outline of Ancient\n History,\u2019[120] have been sent to Bombay; will you be so\n good as to send twelve or twenty copies to Mr. Farish,\n as a specimen, that more may be sent if required? The\n first class of native youths, in the Free School here,\n are reading it; and get, from the former chapters of the\n work, such information on the early religious history\n of the world, as they would not otherwise at present\n obtain. This Free School will, I hope, prove very useful\n to this part of the country. There are ten boys and ten\n girls already on the foundation, on the plan of the\n Calcutta Free School. Many poor Christian day-scholars,\n and seventeen natives, are learning English. There are\n also, belonging to the Institution, a Persian and Hindee\n school, containing together about one hundred children; who\n read only the School-book Society\u2019s books. The young man\n who is schoolmaster, is a conscientious man, and attends\n diligently to the duties of the school. The divisions you\n have heard of nearly annihilated the school for a time; and\n an opposition school was opened for day-scholars. This will\n eventually do no harm. Competition will produce exertion,\n and education will be better forwarded. It is wonderful\n how much a little superintendence may help on these things,\n where there is no selfish end in view, and no seeking\n of preeminence; and I cannot but hope Mr. Torriano will\n prove a great blessing to this place. How would it have\n rejoiced the heart of Martyn, could he have had the chief\n authorities associated by order of Government, to assist\n him in the work of education; and how gladly would he have\n made himself their servant in the work, for Jesus\u2019 sake!\n One poor blind man, who lived in an outhouse of Martyn\u2019s,\n and received a small monthly sum from him, often comes to\n our house; and affords a mournful pleasure in reminding me\n of some little occurrence of those times. A wealthy native\n too, who lived next door to us, and who was intimate with\n Sabat and Abdool Messeeh, sent his nephew to me, a few days\n ago, to make \u2018Salaam;\u2019 and to express to me the pleasure\n he derived from his acquaintance with Martyn. These are\n all the traces I have found of that \u2018excellent one of the\n earth,\u2019 at the station.\u201d\n\nThe Archdeacon remained still another month at Cawnpore, and then\nproceeded toward the valley of the Dhoon,[121] with the intention of\nspending the hot season there. He writes to his sister, in a letter\ndated\n\n \u201cMarch 6, 1825.\n\n \u201cWe left Cawnpore on January 24; were one Sunday\n at Futtyghur, and two at Meerut, and are to-day at\n Muzuffernugur, three marches N. W. of Meerut, and in sight\n of the snowy mountains. At Futtyghur we met dear old\n Abdool, who is grown remarkably larger, but is reduced\n in strength. At Meerut we enjoyed the society of several\n excellent persons. Mr. Fisher has regular service in a\n fine church, on the plan of the cathedral in Calcutta, on\n Wednesdays and Fridays, besides the morning and evening\n service on Sundays.... I was much pleased with what I saw\n of Mr. F., and his labours are blessed.\n\n \u201cWe are proceeding to the Dhoon, a valley on the first\n range of hills. We expect to reach the Ghaut[122] in five\n days, and to be at Dehrah, the head station on the Dhoon,\n by next Sunday. We have in company with us, a son of\n Mr. Layard of Uffington,[123] who has suffered from the\n climate, although he has been only a year in the country;\n but will, I hope, recover among the hills, as he has no\n symptoms of serious illness about him. I am, through great\n mercy, quite well. I do not expect, indeed, that my nerves,\n never strong, will be ever what they were; still I am well,\n have recovered my former appearance and size, and have\n nothing to complain of.\n\n \u201cI have daily more cause for thankfulness in my present\n appointment. Being confined to no station, I can go\n generally where I am likely to be most useful; and retreat,\n as we are now doing, from the violence of the hot winds.\n The country acquired by the Nepaul war is likely to be of\n great service as a retreat for invalids from the burning\n plains. There is a mountain near Dehrah in the Dhoon, which\n can be climbed with some difficulty, and has a fine level\n top where we can pitch our tent, and have the thermometer\n at 60\u00b0 during the month of May. There we expect to pass\n the months of April and May, and to descend when the rains\n threaten; and so return to the plains. Farther on, the\n climate is equally favourable; with a greater range to roam\n over; but we are content to take the nearest shelter, as I\n have no desire after field sports, and we are happy enough\n at home. We have one of the Agra youths, named Amannee,\n with us, so that we make a congregation of six, and enjoy\n the repose of the sabbath much. We have a couple of small\n camel-trunks filled with books, and so carry with us food\n for the mind as well as the body.... Thus you know all our\n affairs. Surrounded by temporal mercies, I trust we are\n still saying, \u2018Whom have we in heaven but Thee, and there\n is none on earth, &c. &c.\u2019\u201d\n\nTo his brother, the Archdeacon writes:--\n\n \u201cDehrah Dhoon, March 30, 1825.\n\n \u201cI am so much recruited in strength as to indulge the\n hope of some further years of further endeavour for the\n good of India. You hear of our public affairs from public\n sources, but there are certain discouragements in the\n situation of affairs, both as it respects church and state,\n which you will not hear, and which it is scarcely worth\n while to fill one\u2019s paper with. He \u2018whose kingdom ruleth\n over all,\u2019 is engaged to make \u2018all things work together\n for good to them that love Him,\u2019 and with His love in\n our hearts what need disquiet us?... Our difficulties in\n church-matters arise chiefly from want of cordial union,\n and from the fluctuating nature of our Society, which\n renders it necessary to begin our affairs anew every few\n years; and causes the labour of communicating intelligence\n to be continually recurring. But the church generally is, I\n doubt not, advancing among us; and we must not grow weary;\n however, of necessity, we grow less able to do what we\n would. In our Bishop we have all we can have in one man, to\n unite us and to help our work by its various instruments.\n\n \u201cYou would be delighted if you could visit us in our\n present situation. We are living on the ridge of Kalunga\n hill, near where General Gillespie fell ten years ago.[124]\n The house we occupy is a kind of hunting bungalow, three\n miles from cantonments, belonging to the commanding\n officer here. Leopards in plenty live around us, and some\n of our workmen going a few days ago to drink water at a\n pool, in a recess in the wood, spied a large tiger on the\n opposite side. We, however, have nothing to fear from them;\n and now the novelty is over, the day passes in our usual\n studies and pursuits, very happily. The children and I ride\n on ponies, through the path-ways, early in the morning;\n with a few men with large sticks ahead, to frighten away\n any thing that might come among us. We have had snow on\n the neighbouring hill, within a week, and specks of it are\n still visible. We contemplate ascending the second range\n of hills, about 8,000 feet above those we now are on; and\n to pitch our tent there, during the approaching months of\n April and May, where the thermometer ranges, we are told,\n between 60\u00b0 and 70\u00b0. Here we are happy to have it, from\n twelve o\u2019clock to six, about 80\u00b0.... Even this is a relief\n unspeakable from the plains, and our nights are cool; the\n wind regularly setting-in, in the evening, from the snowy\n mountains. I have nothing to say about this people, (who\n differ a good deal from the people of the plains,) because\n I know but little about them.\u201d\n\nIn another letter to his brother, dated 6th of April, Archdeacon\nCorrie observes:--\n\n \u201cI have told G. that our Bishop confirmed about 150 adult\n natives, at the different Church Missionary stations\n between this and Calcutta; which shows that we labour not\n in vain. The progress, though slow, is still a progress,\n in respect of the diffusion of Divine truth, in these\n parts. It will be an especial care to establish seminaries,\n at the principal stations, for the instruction of native\n christian youths, on as permanent a footing as we can.\n Our territories, in this part of the world, are beginning\n to be too extensive. We can scarcely hope to have men, at\n the head of affairs, always of capacity enough for such\n a load of government; but He who ruleth over all, will\n doubtless use us for some good purpose, to this benighted\n land. May those of us who feel the importance of this\n subject be up and doing! There is a general falling off\n amongst the Hindoos, from their former system. They have no\n reverence for the usual forms of an oath. They set little\n by the Brahmins generally; and, except on festivals, and\n at particularly celebrated places, their idolatrous rites\n are fallen into considerable disuse. The Hindoos, too,\n much more generally than formerly, keep the Mahomedan\n festivals. These facts are noticed by all the men in\n office, throughout the country. From this, however, no good\n has, as yet, arisen, to the righteous cause. Though less\n observant of their own rites, they know nothing of the\n gospel that they should value it. Their festivals resemble\n an English fair, much more than what we consider by the\n word \u2018worship;\u2019 and it is not to be wondered at, that the\n natural man loves these occasions; or that a people so\n circumstanced, should at first turn away from the humbling,\n self-denying truths of the gospel, when set before them.\n\n \u201cThese regions, [the Dhoon] are becoming much resorted to\n at this season by the British, on account of the coolness\n of the climate. I have a christian youth with me, whom I\n daily instruct, and we met here a Brahmin, who has been\n baptized by one of the Baptist Missionaries. He would not\n stay with his teacher, having been long used to a roving\n life. He seems quite convinced of the supreme importance of\n Christianity. He reads the scriptures with me; and I hope\n may grow in knowledge, and in grace.\u201d\n\nTo Mr. Sherer, who had just arrived in Calcutta from England, in\ncompany with the Rev. Francis Goode, one of the Company\u2019s Chaplains,\nthe Archdeacon writes:--\n\n \u201cMay 25, 1825.\n\n \u201cThe arrival of Mr. Goode, after some recent comers, is a\n source of much thanksgiving. I can now say, as far as the\n church in India is concerned, \u2018Lord! now lettest thou thy\n servant depart, either to some retreat for a time on earth,\n or to the rest which remaineth!\u2019 I speak only in respect of\n the prospects of the church at this Presidency, which, from\n the several valuable ministers she now possesses, may well\n do without so bruised a reed as I am.\n\n \u201cMr. Newton,[125] you will know, is now the financial\n secretary of our Church Missionary Society. He, above all\n our Committee, has been with me like-minded, entering\n with all his spirit into our concerns, and looking our\n difficulties in the face. Having, as I hope, got Mirzapore\n into some form, we must go on cautiously; by which I mean,\n have our resources in view before we extend our plans. I am\n now anxious to get the Female Central School built, and to\n extend no more, but rather contract the present scale of\n small schools.\u201d\n\nIt will have been seen that it was in Bishop Heber\u2019s contemplation,\nthat the Archdeacon should permanently reside in the Upper Provinces,\nthat by this means more effectual assistance might be rendered to\nthe Bishop in administering the affairs of his vast diocese. It was\nhowever, ultimately arranged that whilst Bishop Heber was visiting\nMadras and Bombay, the Archdeacon should proceed to Calcutta. With\nthis object in view, Archdeacon Corrie left the Dhoon, in the\nbeginning of June, for Meerut. From that place he wrote\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cJune 25, 1825.\n\n \u201cWe have been here (as you will have heard through Mrs.\n Ellerton) a week. I feel some comfort in the idea of being\n a hundred miles nearer to you, but here, I apprehend, we\n must stay a month at least. The season has been unusually\n warm here. For several years past, the seasons have proved\n irregular, but this year the regular hot winds have been\n blowing, and the natives anticipate a plentiful production\n of the fruits of the earth. We are tied in the meantime;\n and on every account I must not expose myself [to the heat]\n more than I can help. We are at present in a bungalow which\n Parson and his family inhabited most of the time they were\n at Meerut. It is in Mr. Fisher\u2019s compound; and here, I\n believe, we must stay, for no other place is to be found.\n An additional regiment of Cavalry and one of Infantry, are\n to be here, so that every corner is filled. We have been\n living with the Fishers almost entirely, but have now got\n their leave to supply ourselves in this bungalow.\n\n \u201cMr. F. is more attended to than any chaplain in the\n country, by the upper classes, as well as by the lower; and\n has a wide correspondence among conductors, writers, &c. at\n surrounding stations. He has also a native congregation.\n This is doubtless his proper work. A missionary, however,\n would not at all interfere with any thing doing here. It\n is evidently of God alone, that the few natives professing\n christianity have been drawn together and kept together.\n Many are reported as prepared for the reception of\n christianity at Delhi, and Mr. H. Fisher yesterday went to\n reside there, with Anund Musseeh. Anund has been unwell\n with the small-pox, and unable to attend Mr. Fisher, for\n scriptural instruction, as the Bishop desired; so that\n his ordination must be postponed until some more distant\n period. I am anxious to hear from the Church Missionary\n Committee respecting Abdool and Bowley, in answer to my\n letter of the 14th of April. If I hear nothing I shall\n bring them down, considering the Bishop\u2019s wishes sufficient\n authority.\u201d\n\nTo the same relative, the Archdeacon again wrote\n\n \u201cJuly 23, 1825.\n\n \u201cWe purpose leaving this [Meerut] at the end of August,\n and shall get down to you speedily. I told you that the\n heat affected me, but by keeping quiet, I have avoided\n feeling more than languor. I have not yet called on any,\n except one or two in the next premises around us. I have\n always assisted Mr. Fisher; and kept his flock together\n during twelve days he was absent at Lehornupore and\n Deyrah, where his son John is. He and his son Samuel had a\n narrow escape from drowning, on their return. One of the\n mountain-torrents came down suddenly. A _Suwarr_,[126] who\n was with them, escaped with difficulty, together with his\n horse. Samuel\u2019s horse was carried down a good way, but both\n his and Mr. Fisher\u2019s horse, being in better heart than the\n Suwarr\u2019s horse, got over. A pedestrian, who attempted to\n swim over, was drowned.\n\n \u201cWe have now the rains, but scantily. The natives begin to\n say the rains will not be heavy this year.\u201d\n\nIn accordance with the purpose expressed in the foregoing letter,\nArchdeacon Corrie left Meerut on the 22nd of August. In a letter\naddressed to Mr. Sherer, on the 25th of that month, the Archdeacon\nremarks:--\n\n \u201cWe left much good at Meerut, and passed our time\n pleasantly; and, I hope, not unprofitably.... We are in\n sight of Futtyghur, from whence I shall dispatch this.\n Goodness and mercy continue to attend us. The weather is\n unusually favourable for us, but the country requires rain.\n\n \u201cAt Meerut we had a Bible Society Sermon on the 14th, and\n a public meeting on the 16th. Considerable interest, above\n former years, was excited, and a fair collection made. Some\n converts to the cause, also, among the upper classes of\n Society.\u201d\n\nOn his way to the Presidency, Archdeacon Corrie visited Cawnpore,\nChunar, Benares, and other stations with which he had been before\ntime connected or acquainted. With regard to Cawnpore, he observed in\na letter to Mr. Sherer, dated\n\n \u201cAllahabad, Sep. 12, 1825.\u201d\n\n \u201cI wrote to Mr. Thomason, from Cawnpore, about a native\n chapel. I am happy to tell you that little, if anything,\n will be needed from the [Church Missionary] Society to\n accomplish this object. I put a paper into circulation\n before I left, and there was enough for present purposes\n being raised at the station.\n\n \u201cOn the Sunday, which I passed at Chunar, about two\n hundred attended Divine service, of whom about forty were\n unbaptized inhabitants of the place, and most of whom\n attend every sabbath-day. Some of the scholars who have\n received instruction in English, afford the most pleasing\n hopes of their sincere conversion.\u201d\n\nAnd in a letter to the same relative, he writes from\n\n \u201cBenares, Sep. 26, 1825.\n\n \u201cWe are detained here longer than I wished, but I hope to\n do something for the mission by the delay. Our friends are\n each doing what he can in his sphere. They have suggested\n that I should write a letter to the Committee, which might\n be printed in the Monthly Intelligence, giving some account\n of the schools and congregations. I will send such a\n letter, and it may be printed or not.\u201d\n\nWith reference also to this subject, the Archdeacon informs his\nbrother in a letter dated\n\n \u201cOct. 11, 1825, above Monghyr.\n\n \u201cMr. H. Fisher, at Delhi--his father at Meerut: Mr.\n Torriano, at Cawnpore--have each a native missionary\n who labours around them, and instructs especially those\n natives who profess christianity. This last class is fast\n improving, I would fain hope, in knowledge and character;\n and thus they become \u2018Epistles of Christ, read and known\u2019\n among the heathens: and the reproach which formerly\n attended the gospel is lessening.\u201d\n\nThus wherever the Archdeacon might be, the subject nearest his heart\nwas, the progress of the gospel among the heathen.\n\nIt was on the 25th of October 1825, that Archdeacon Corrie arrived\nin Calcutta, on his return from the Upper Provinces. Among the first\nthings to which the Archdeacon directed his attention, were the\naffairs of the Church Missionary Society, which he found to be as\nprosperous as could well be expected. At the end of the following\nmonth he was gladdened by the ordination of his long-tried friend\nAbdool Messeeh, who, together with Messrs Reichardt and Bowley, was\nadmitted into the order of Deacons, by Bishop Heber. The ordination\ntook place on the 30th of November, in the Cathedral of Calcutta,\nand in the presence of a large congregation, among whom were more\nthan twenty clergymen. It was remarked by one who was present on that\ninteresting occasion, that\n\n \u201cNothing could equal the joy of Mr. Corrie: he appeared\n as if he could just then adopt the language of Simeon of\n old. He has watched the gradual progress of every thing:\n he could remember when matters assumed a far different\n semblance.\u201d\n\nOn the 23rd of December the Archdeacon attended the Bishop at a\npublic examination of the children educated in the schools maintained\nin the Calcutta Ladies\u2019 Society for Native Female Education; when,\nduring the examination, the Rajah Boidenauth came forward and\npresented the Society with a donation of 20,000 sicca rupees, toward\nthe erection of a central school. One of the great objects which the\nArchdeacon had long had in view, was thus in the progress of being\nrealized; and as a preliminary measure, he obtained permission to\nplace under the Ladies\u2019 Society, those Female-schools at Burdwan\nwhich had hitherto been supported by the Church Missionary Society.\n\nThese several causes for rejoicing were not, however, without a\ncorresponding draw-back. The hot season of 1825 had been unusually\nunhealthy, and among others who had suffered in health were Mr. and\nMrs. Thomason, especially the latter. This decided Mr. Thomason\nto return to Europe early in the spring of 1826. Mr. Sherer, too,\nhaving accomplished the object for which he went out to India, was\npreparing to return to his family in England. The Bishop, moreover,\nleft Calcutta on the 30th of January 1826, for the purpose of holding\nvisitations in Madras. Under these circumstances Archdeacon Corrie\nwrites to Mr. Sherer, then on the point of embarking for England:--\n\n \u201cFeb. 22, 1826.\n\n \u201cA feeling of desolation oppresses me, which I try to shake\n off, by looking to Him who possesses all fulness, in order\n to supply his needy dependents. In P. I lost my worldly\n adviser, and in Mr. Thomason my religious helper: but the\n Lord liveth. In you, I will not say how much we seem to\n have lost; but this much I cannot but say. There is no\n possibility of my following you in less than five years,\n and what may occur before then, who can tell? It would be\n presumptuous to say any of us shall see that period; and\n yet there is no doubt a secret hope that we shall. How I\n shall part with the mother and the children, I know not. It\n seems as if they ought sooner to go into a more favourable\n climate, and if it were necessary, I suppose the necessity\n would go far to reconcile me to it. My heart goes with you\n to Morcott and Colsterworth; may you be carried to them in\n health and safety, and may the peace of God attend your\n meeting with them! It seems superfluous to say anything\n about my love for them. They need no assurance of it; yet\n it is a relief to write about it.\u201d\n\nSome further account of his condition is given by the Archdeacon\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cMarch 14, 1826,\n\n \u201cWe continue much as you left us. The wet has set in, and\n the monsoon has been almost constantly against you. The\n Bishop was twenty days reaching Madras. This will delay\n your progress; but great is our happiness in knowing that\n winds and waves obey His will, \u201cwhose we are, and whom we\n serve.\u201d\n\n \u201cOur Friday evening [services] have been but irregularly\n attended. The Government dinners have, no doubt,\n interfered; and next Friday Lady A. has an \u2018at home.\u2019\n Shall we ever have \u2018the powers that be\u2019 on our side? Yea,\n doubtless, it shall be even so.\n\n \u201cYou will know all about Lord A\u2019s recal before this reaches\n you. May it please God to send us a Governor who will at\n least own his duty in respect of the God of Christians!\n The most painful thing in the present administration is,\n that our duty as Christians is not recognised. Policy is\n avowedly the idol worshipped.\n\n \u201cI am thankful and happy in my present situation. I know\n not what time, if permitted to me, may bring forth, but\n I cannot at present conceive of happiness in leaving my\n station. A few short years will unite us all, I trust,\n where probably natural feeling will be absorbed in\n relationship to Christ, but not, I apprehend, be forgotten.\n In the mean time, while passing through this \u2018valley\n of Baca,\u2019 let our correspondence serve as \u2018pools of\n refreshment.\u2019\u201d\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, April 11, 1826.\n\n \u201cBefore this reaches you, we hope you will have received\n back our dear Sherer, well in all respects. In this\n changing world, we know not what a day may bring forth, but\n we are taught that \u201csufficient unto the day is the evil\n thereof;\u201d and, therefore, I will anticipate none of those\n things, evil to nature, to which both he on the water and\n his family on land are liable, but trust that your meeting\n has been joyous and thankful. We go on much as Sherer left\n us. The fall of Bhurtpore and peace with Ava,[127] leave\n the country externally quiet, but in so extended an empire,\n composed of such discordant elements, we are less, in\n reality, settled. Two native regiments at Bhurtpore refused\n to go into the trenches; the business was hushed up, but\n a discovery was made of the state of the native mind. The\n fact is, that \u2018the powers which be,\u2019 while they fear the\n smallest movement in favour of Christianity, fear nothing\n when saving money is concerned. Whereas the native, if he\n be liberally dealt with, will give you his caste even, if\n you do not demand it all at once. \u201cThe Lord reigneth,\u201d must\n be our motto; and though we cannot but see what is doing,\n must refer ourselves, to His power, providence and grace,\n to order all things as shall be for His own glory.\n\n \u201cYesterday I completed forty-nine years. Great goodness\n have I experienced, great ingratitude am I conscious of;\n but great is the mercy of God my Saviour; infinite the\n value of Jesus\u2019 blood. Therefore I will hope on, and expect\n to be preserved by \u201cthe power of God through faith unto\n salvation.\u201d \u201cHe restoreth my soul for his name\u2019s sake.\u201d\n\nWithin a few days of the date of the foregoing letter, Archdeacon\nCorrie received the afflicting intelligence that it had pleased God\nsuddenly to remove Bishop Heber from this scene of trial, to the\nchurch triumphant in heaven. Appended to a copy of the letter from\nthe Rev. Mr. Doran which announced this event, and the circumstances\nby which it was accompanied, the Archdeacon wrote\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, April 15, 1826.\n\n \u201cBy the copy on the other side you will see with what a\n heavy stroke God has smitten us; doubtless in mercy, though\n we see it not now. Nothing can be added at present to Mr.\n Doran\u2019s account. All here is mute astonishment. Public\n and individual concern is spread over all. I will send\n all the public documents, and will take the first further\n opportunity to send more particulars.\u201d\n\nThese particulars are too well known to need repetition in this\nplace, but the following extract from a letter addressed about that\ntime by the Archdeacon to his brother, may not be without interest:--\n\n \u201cYou will hear from other sources of the loss all India\n has sustained, in the death of Bishop Heber. My first\n impression was to inform Sherer, who, from being so lately\n among us, could judge more readily of our feelings on the\n occasion. I have printed, and privately distributed, a\n sermon preached at the time; and have sent some copies\n to Mr. Pratt. Mr. Robinson [subsequently archdeacon of\n Madras,] took some copies to send home, with a sermon\n of his own, preached at Trichinopoly, the Sunday after\n the Bishop\u2019s death. We cannot but be anxious as to who\n will succeed to this see. Our late beloved Bishop was so\n entirely a Missionary, that we can scarcely hope to see one\n like him; and in respect of temper and beauty of general\n disposition, to expect the like of him seems utterly\n hopeless. In what I have said of him in the sermon, I have\n said what I know his views were on certain points, rather\n than expressed my own. Such was the natural amiability of\n Bishop Heber\u2019s character, that it was often difficult to\n say whether he acted from nature or grace. But whatever\n might be judged by some, at times, to be errors of\n judgment, the general tenor of his life was so opposed to\n worldly maxims, and what the world would have wished him\n to follow, that there seems no doubt grace was the ruling\n influence of his conduct. The great number of subscribers\n he obtained for the society for the Propagation of the\n Gospel, shews what an influence he had obtained; and how\n many he had drawn over to support the Missionary cause.\u201d\n\nThe sermon here alluded to, was preached in the Cathedral Church\nof Calcutta, on Sunday, April 23, from Heb. xiii. 7, 8. In a short\nnotice prefixed to the sermon, the reason for printing it is stated\nto be \u201cnot any idea of its pretensions to literary merit, but a\nsincere desire on the part of the author, to improve the melancholy\noccasion of it, to the good of a community with which he had been\nconnected nearly twenty years.\u201d The Archdeacon added, that as \u201call\nwho approached their late beloved and venerated diocesan, could not\nbut admire his brilliant conversation, various acquirements, and\ncommanding talents, it was hoped that, the perusal of the sermon\nmight tend to recommend, to some at least, the cultivation of those\nprinciples of Christian piety which spread a charm over all his other\ngreat qualities.\u201d\n\nThe limits within which it is desirable to comprise these memoirs, do\nnot allow of the insertion here of the vivid sketch of Bishop Heber\u2019s\nministerial life in India, which this sermon contains, but as, in\nthe letter quoted above, specific reference is made to the Bishop\u2019s\n\u201cviews on certain points,\u201d it may be proper to quote the outline of\nthe doctrines which the Archdeacon states himself to have \u201cheard the\ndeceased prelate preach,\u201d on different occasions.\n\n \u201cIt was the _word of God_ which he administered. For man,\n fallen from God and far from original righteousness,\n he preached a full and free redemption by the blood of\n Christ--justification by faith--the need of the Holy\n Spirit\u2019s grace to incline and enable man to repent, and\n to bring forth fruit meet for repentance, persuading\n man, by the terrors of the Lord, to flee from the wrath\n to come, and by the mercies of Christ, to be reconciled\n unto God--the pleasantness of religious ways--the comfort\n attending the death of the righteous--the terrors of a\n judgment-day to the impenitent, and the rewards of the\n faithful servant--setting forth every Christian duty in\n its relation to Christian principle, in his own peculiarly\n lively and impressive manner.\u201d\n\nIt is scarcely necessary to add, that Archdeacon Corrie was among\nthose who met in the Town-hall of Calcutta, on the 6th of May,\nfor the purpose of expressing their deep concern at the loss which\nIndia had sustained in the death of Bishop Heber, and for devising\nmeans by which the memory of the labours of that man of God might be\ntransmitted to future generations.[128]\n\nOn the 18th of May, the Archdeacon, after having long desired to see\nsuch an object accomplished, was called upon to take part in the\nceremonial of laying the foundation-stone of a Central School for\nthe education of native females. Four years, it will be remembered,\nhad now elapsed since female education in India had been first\ncommenced on a general plan; but the difficulties in the way of\nsuch an undertaking were apparently so serious, that but few could\nhave ventured even to hope that such an inroad on Hindoo prejudice\nand superstition could have been made, as that above five hundred\nfemales should already have been brought under instruction in\nCalcutta and the vicinity alone. The ground purchased for the site of\nthe school and other requisite buildings, was in the centre of the\nHindoo population, and about half a mile to the north of the Church\nMissionary station at Mirzapore. The foundation stone was laid by the\nLady Amherst, prayer having been offered up by the Archdeacon for the\ndivine blessing on the undertaking. Many natives (particularly women\nand their daughters) were present, on this interesting occasion;\nand the Rajah Boidinath Roy, through an interpreter, congratulated\nthe Lady Amherst on the success which had crowned the exertions\nof her Ladyship and the Ladies of Calcutta; expressing also, his\ndeep sense of the gratitude which himself and others entertained\nfor the benefits which might be expected from the education of his\ncountry-women.\n\nThe demise of the Bishop devolved on the Archdeacon the\nadministration of the affairs of the diocese during the vacancy of\nthe See. In writing to his brother he therefore observed:--\n\n \u201cCalcutta, June 29, 1826.\n\n \u201cWe are now residing in the Episcopal house, which\n Government allows me to use, as Commissary for the See,\n and gives me the Bishop\u2019s salary instead of my own. It is\n a new thing to me, to be consulting Burn\u2019s Ecclesiastical\n law, Gibson, &c. There is, indeed, no power vested in the\n Bishop of Calcutta, for Government reserve the decision of\n every point to themselves; and the letters patent give no\n independent authority. Yet such a man as Bishop Heber will\n be applied to from all parts of India, on points affecting\n divorce, wills, &c., and his opinion will be received as\n law: so that such studies as I have mentioned, are not in\n vain. The love for antiquity, indeed, which some entertain,\n overlooks, I think, too much the present race of men; and\n sooner than deviate from ancient modes, would suffer them\n to pass out of life in their ignorance; but I have as yet\n discovered no ground for such rigid adherence to rules\n adapted to the Church in a settled state, and am sure the\n early Evangelists did not observe them.\n\n \u201cAll things here begin to assume their usual appearance\n again, except that our beloved Bishop no more occupies his\n seat among us; and that a second Escutcheon, hung up in the\n Cathedral, reminds us, that two Bishops have passed away\n from among us. My mind seems wearied with considering what\n may be destined for our Indian Church. The work of Missions\n had assumed a regular form. In the south of India, regular\n help, and enough of it, would give Christianity an almost\n established form; so many Natives profess Christianity. May\n God be gracious unto the land, and send us a man of a right\n spirit!\u201d\n\nBy the advice of the medical men in Calcutta, the Archdeacon decided\non a journey up the river, as for as Benares and Chunar. He,\ntherefore, left Calcutta in the month of July 1826, visiting several\nof the out-stations as he passed along. On reaching Benares, one\nof the chief objects of his attention naturally was Joy Narain\u2019s\nschool, in the founding of which the Archdeacon had taken so much\ninterest. He had now the satisfaction to find the School in excellent\norder; there being in it one hundred and thirty-one boys under daily\ninstruction. Besides this, he found that two youths who had been\neducated in the school, had been engaged ever since January last, as\nassistant English-teachers in the free-school at Cawnpore, and were\ngiving satisfaction; and that the success of those youths in thus\nobtaining a comfortable provision for themselves, had recommended\nthe school to the good opinion of the natives of Benares and the\nneighbourhood. The Archdeacon found, also, that six other schools\nhad been established, in different parts of the city, in which, among\nother books, the gospels were read. With reference to these schools\nhe observes:\n\n \u201cThe streets of Benares, being for the most part very\n narrow, the boys assemble in long Verandahs, and the\n passers-by see and hear all that takes place. This, though\n unfavourable for the purposes of a School, yet causes what\n the boys read to be heard by many; and sometimes a hundred\n people, and upwards, will crowd around, while the boys are\n examined, in the previous week\u2019s Exercises: and thus their\n knowledge is diffused.\u201d\n\nOn reaching Chunar, the Archdeacon records in a memorandum dated--\n\n \u201cChunar, Sep. 17, 1826.\n\n \u201cIt is twenty years since I reached Bengal, having\n arrived in Calcutta on Saturday, Sept. 20, 1806. I had\n appointed the 20th. Sept. as a day for calling my ways\n to remembrance; but have aforetime too much neglected\n this duty: and I fear interruption on Wednesday, the\n Anniversary of my actual entrance on life in this land.\n Many sinful causes have of late years, prevented me from\n making Memoranda of the state of my mind, as formerly, but\n I have thus deprived myself of the power of calling many\n things to mind, of which I ought deeply to repent; and am\n constrained to pray, \u201cCleanse me from my secret faults,\u201d\n secret and hidden by forgetfulness from myself. Early in\n 1819, I arrived at the highest emoluments in the way of\n Chaplains. In 1822, I received increased emoluments as\n a Commissary for the See; and now enjoy alone, all the\n advantages arising from the second vacancy of the See. I\n feel decidedly, and painfully, that large means have not\n been of advantage to myself, or family. My own soul has\n gradually lost much of the liveliness I once possessed\n in religion. The readiness to labour, the willingness to\n attend to the poor, the pleasure of going here and there to\n serve others, either officially or of choice, is greatly\n departed from me. Increased years, and debility, may have a\n share in this indisposition to active duties, but are far\n from being the whole cause. I am deeply conscious, also,\n that the receiving of so many [persons] from time to time\n into our house (though in many cases a mere returning of\n civilities, or rather favours previously by us received,\n and a debt of gratitude, and in almost every case appearing\n to be an exercise of hospitality) yet the numbers at table,\n consequent desultory conversation, &c. weaken the power of\n religion in me, and I seem to myself to have no strength\n in comparison of former days. I have many thoughts how far\n this company and constantly full table have had a share\n in my loss of health. I would especially call to mind, my\n dulness in secret duties, and how seldom I can \u2018take hold\n on God.\u2019 I read and kneel in devotion, but too generally\n without apprehending or appropriating any benefit. Deeply\n humiliating as this is, I yet bless my Saviour that it\n is no worse; that He has not cast me utterly from his\n presence, nor taken His Holy Spirit from me. I am conscious\n of a desire to be \u2018as in days past,\u2019 and of some endeavour\n after it. But O! I have much ground to regain; many days\n to redeem, and fewer left to work out my salvation in.\n The cross of Christ is my only hope and glory. The Lord,\n I think, knows I desire to be crucified with Christ; and\n to have all iniquity taken away. Lord, work thou in me to\n do, no less than to will! Oh! incline and enable my dear\n partner to bear in mind more and more, the subjects of our\n late conversations; that our own souls and our lovely and\n beloved children, may be improved in every grace of the\n Spirit; and that our light may yet shine before men, to the\n glory of our heavenly Father. Preserve our dear children in\n health; and O! give them spiritual healing and blessing.\n Make us more and more one in Christ Jesus. Help me to walk\n circumspectly, and to behave in present circumstances as\n becometh the gospel of Christ. O keep me from any fall,\n either in public or private; and lead me in the paths of\n righteousness _for thy name\u2019s sake_. Other plea have I\n none: other refuge have I none. To thee, to thee alone I\n cleave. A poor feeble vine, I would cleave to thee as the\n stem; and in thy strength alone be strong. Quicken me more\n and more. Lead me from strength to strength. \u2018Hold thou me\n up, so shall I be safe?\u2019 O! forsake not the work of thine\n own hands. I am thine, save me. Amen.\u201d\n\nAs it was at Chunar that Archdeacon Corrie commenced his missionary\nlabours, his account of the state of the native church there may not\nbe omitted. He writes:--\n\n \u201cThe congregation of the Hindoostanee worshippers, is\n rather on the increase. The day I was there, upwards of two\n hundred attended, of whom at least fifty were unbaptized\n natives. I conversed with some of the recent converts, who\n appear to be really sincere. Among them some are natives of\n villages in the neighbourhood, who, at first, were greatly\n opposed by their relatives; but retreating to Chunar, they\n continued to receive renewed strength and encouragement,\n by attending on the means of grace. By repeating their\n visits home at intervals, they have at length overcome\n prejudice so far, as to be heard with attention, on the\n subject of their change; and in one case, the convert (who\n is one of several brothers, Brahmins, who are the principal\n cultivators in the village) has been acknowledged by his\n family, and allowed to resume his place among them.\n\n \u201cOf those natives who attend Christian worship, one whole\n family have become candidates for baptism. The first of the\n family who became impressed with the subject of religion,\n was the eldest son; about two years ago, he proposed\n himself for baptism, but his father entreated Mr. Bowley\n to delay, and he also would consider whether he should not\n join the son. Mr. Bowley on this account recommended delay\n to the son; he has continued steady, and now the father and\n mother, and some other members of the family, are resolved\n to embrace Christianity.\u201d\n\nOn the 20th of September the Archdeacon commenced his journey back to\nCalcutta. When above Rajemahl, he wrote\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cOct. 4, 1826.\n\n \u201cAt Benares and Chunar, our friends are greatly improved,\n and their usefulness and comforts increased by the\n ordination. There is also more of Christian union and\n love among them, and their work prospers. We call on the\n chaplains and missionaries as we pass along, and on few\n besides. We hope to reach the Berhampore river to-day. We\n have been mercifully preserved, during our journey on this\n uncertain river. By going leisurely, we have not had an\n alarm, while most persons we have met with have lost boats,\n or been some way annoyed. What lies before me I know not. I\n regret not having regularly to preach, for though ministers\n are too apt to read the Scriptures for others, I find it\n good in any way to be kept close to them.\n\n \u201cI sometimes long to visit you all; but vain are such\n longings, for after all, we are only that to each other\n which God makes us. The light of His countenance alone,\n maketh whole; and I should have no comfort in leaving my\n post, without some more evident necessity than appears at\n present.\u201d\n\nArchdeacon Corrie arrived in Calcutta toward the end of October, and\nearly in the following month (Nov. 12th) was present at the opening\nof a new chapel at Mirzapore, in which it was intended to have the\nservices of the Church of England statedly conducted in Bengalee.\nNot long before Bishop Heber left Calcutta on his last visitation,\nhe had recommended the Church Missionary Society to make a pecuniary\ngrant toward the building of the chapel, and the Archdeacon had laid\nthe foundation-stone of it during the April of this year; the object\nmainly contemplated in the erection of it being, to afford native\nChristians and such natives as might be enquiring after Christianity,\nan opportunity for attending the worship of God, conducted in their\nown language. On this occasion, a considerable number of native\nChristians were assembled within the chapel, and the doors were\nthronged by crowds of Hindoos and Mahomedans, who were attracted to\nthe spot.\n\nOn the day following, the Archdeacon writes\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, Nov. 13, 1826.\n\n \u201cFrom Sherer you will learn our own affairs, and will know\n that since he left us we have been up to Benares. We are\n rendered uncomfortable in this large house by the decaying\n state of some part of the walls; so that our personal\n comfort is not increased by the enlargement of our limits.\n And so I have found it in every advance in temporal\n circumstances; something or other connected with it, has\n always prevented increase of enjoyment. All true happiness\n dwells in the mind: and O, \u201cWhat shall I render to the\n Lord,\u201d that the peace of God, through Christ Jesus, is no\n stranger to my breast? Too often, alas, have I had reason\n to mourn my backslidings in heart, and temper, and conduct;\n but if guilt removed return, the power of the atonement\n may, also, be again and again proved.\n\n \u201cI find myself more a bishop than during the former vacancy\n of this See; but here again the passings-by of some, the\n reluctance with which others apply for what they cannot do\n without, &c. might well embitter this temporary elevation\n also; but that, I trust, I have learned to forbear in some\n measure, and to forgive as I expect forgiveness; so that\n no breach has occurred with any of our body. I am bound\n both in conscience and consistency to take part in those\n measures which have, all along, given offence to some,\n whilst they are obliged also to take me with them in their\n plans. The reluctance, however, is on their part, for \u2018so\n that Christ be preached, I rejoice.\u2019\n\n \u201cNow our cold season is set in, I think with reluctance, of\n returning to England. Here, I trust, I am useful in helping\n on projects for the good of many thousands; in England,\n a small parish would be all I could undertake the charge\n of. Nothing, therefore, but decided inability to remain\n in India should make me leave it. Our children, indeed,\n cannot here fully comprehend that flow of the Christian\n affections which the interest taken in all classes at home\n calls forth; and whether I shall be able to part with them\n and their mother, for three years, to visit England, I know\n not. I greatly shrink from such a separation.\n\n \u201cYou will have read the life of Dr. E. D. Clarke, and will\n have seen the intense desire with which, when abroad, he\n sought letters from home. Now something similar has always\n dwelt in me, though wife and children, dear as life, have\n consoled me under long silence from home. The life of\n Clarke is admirably well done. I remember the person of the\n biographer, and admired his fine delivery of a sermon at\n St. Mary\u2019s [Cambridge]; the subject of it I have forgotten.\n But that is a long time ago, he must be getting old now,\n and I am following fast after him.\u201d\n\nDuring this month (Nov.) it was, that a circumstance occurred of\nsome interest, as indicative of the feeling of the native mind,\nwith regard to Christianity. It appeared that for want of funds,\nthe Committee of the Church Missionary Society in Calcutta, were\nintending to withdraw their missionary from Culna, a populous town\nand district on the west bank of the Hooghly, where schools had been\nestablished. But no sooner were the principal native inhabitants of\nthe place (who were chiefly of the Brahmin caste) apprised of that\nintention, than they presented a petition in Bengalee, to Archdeacon\nCorrie, requesting that the missionary might be continued with them.\nAmong other things, they observed that:--\n\n \u201cThey acknowledged that they formerly entertained some\n slight degree of apprehension of our sacred books; but that\n in consequence of the Rev. Mr. Deerr making known to them\n these our Scriptures, not only had their fears entirely\n vanished, but they considered that these books were\n deserving of unqualified reception, and highly beneficial;\n and on this account, they considered themselves equally\n benefitted, and rejoiced, as much as a man born blind when\n he receives his sight.\u201d\n\nIt having been decided to appoint an assistant to Mr. Bowley,\nin the mission at Chunar, Mr. Landeman, who was born in India,\nand well acquainted with Hindoostanee, was the person fixed\nupon. Previously, however, to the departure of this gentleman\nfrom Calcutta, a meeting was held (Dec. 15, 1826,) in the Church\nMissionary Library, at Mirzapore, when Archdeacon Corrie delivered\nan address to Mr. Landeman, in which he took a brief review of the\ncircumstances connected with the then state of missions, and the\nduties arising out of them. The whole address was characterised by\nthat large-mindedness, singleness of heart, and tenderness, which the\nArchdeacon was wont to manifest on occasions like these.[129]\n\nAs several months had now passed since the death of Bishop Heber, the\nintelligence of the appointment of his successor, was daily expected\nto reach Calcutta. Thus the Archdeacon writes\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, January 25, 1827.\n\n \u201cIt seems that the news of Bishop Heber\u2019s death had reached\n England overland in August. \u2018The Osprey,\u2019 and \u2018Barett,\u2019\n carry official accounts. We shall now soon hear of a\n successor. The head of the Church reigneth, let the earth\n rejoice; and may we wait the result in patience. You will\n hear that Mr. Mack published, in the \u2018Monthly Friend of\n India,\u2019 an attack on our Mirzapore friends; very unkind,\n and mistaken. It has recoiled painfully on their own head;\n for Adam, who is now editor of the Bengal Chronicle, has\n taken it up, and \u2018John Bull,\u2019 has responded; and the old\n sores about Serampore premises, imperfect translations,\n and fallacious statements, have all been laid open again.\n We have kept silence, though called upon for explanations,\n &c. &c., and the storm is a little blown over.... The\n time of difficulty in our funds, (viz) the end of our\n year, has come on, and I am often much cast down in mind.\n Great temptations arise to withdraw, and leave things to\n themselves: for few come freely to take a part.... But\n is not the cause of missions the cause of Christ? I fear\n really for those, who, with the opportunities now afforded,\n can overlook that cause. It seems pure selfishness, to be\n content that these [natives] should go on in ignorance\n and sin, so we get but to heaven ourselves: and it is\n often, I doubt, fear for myself, rather than love for the\n heathen, that keeps me, in a measure, at the Missionary\n helm. But here I must stay: yet after all, if I wear away,\n some might feel it then incumbent on them to take it up\n more efficiently. Doubtless a principle is at work in this\n community, which will lead the population forward rapidly\n in knowledge and character generally; and if it be not\n rightly directed, those who neglect the present season of\n operation will suffer: but I shall not see that time, rapid\n as the progress is. New states are plainly no place for a\n person who possesses a competency, and can enjoy repose.\n India especially, is not a country a man who knows anything\n of England would _choose_ to grow old in. Here, in a\n peculiar degree, the mind is forced to look off, both from\n the Church and from the world, to the Rock, Christ.\u201d\n\n\n TO THE SAME.\n\n \u201cFeb. 22, 1827.\n\n \u201cWe are now more out of the way of such a bustle as we\n formerly were subject to, being, (as I think I told you)\n fixed in a nice little house at Cossipore; but I fear\n falling into the opposite extreme; for when we cease to\n do all we ought for the good of our fellow-sinners, we\n sin against the law of Christ. Surely, there is as little\n peace in retiring, selfish ease, as in bustling ambitious\n publicity. I returned a few days since, from Burdwan.\n The fields indeed, in that quarter, seems \u2018white for the\n harvest,\u2019 but both Mr. Perowne, and Mr. Deerr, are obliged\n to leave their posts, and seek change of air. Mr. Bowley\n is, also, becoming well attended to, about Chunar. Isaiah\n lx. 4, 5.[130] has been much on my mind, as applicable to\n these two spheres of Missionary labour at this time; and\n fear fills my heart, whilst it is enlarged with gratitude\n and thankfulness.\n\n \u201cWhat may be the effect of such a commotion as seems\n approaching, on the powers that be, and how we shall\n provide for the increased calls for men and money, I know\n not. But surely He whom we serve in the gospel of His Son,\n can, and will appear for us. Rumours have reached us about\n a new Bishop, and men unknown to missionary fame, have been\n named. This seems sad: let us in patience wait the event.\n\n \u201cGovernment has given forty rupees monthly to Chunar\n Church; and the same to Gorrikepore Church: and I am not\n without hope of getting a monthly salary for Bowley, as\n Minister on the Establishment, to a congregation of native\n Christian subjects of the Government. Yesterday was the\n Bible Society anniversary. An excellent report, drawn up\n by Mr. Goode: all our old plans are going on, sometimes\n briskly, sometimes heavily. \u2018Faint, yet pursuing,\u2019 my\n habitual motto.\u201d\n\nIn the following month, (March 15) Archdeacon Corrie again visited\nBurdwan, for the purpose of examining the schools there, and also\nfor making enquiry into the conduct of the head Pundit connected\nwith the mission, who, for some time had been carrying on a system\nof double-dealing. It appeared that this Pundit had induced no\nless than thirteen Brahmins (most of them school-pundits) to apply\nto the Missionary at Burdwan for Christian baptism; and that, as\na preliminary step, they had accordingly been receiving daily\ninstruction from the missionary, and evidencing the while a good deal\nof apparent sincerity and earnestness. At length however, one of\nthe number went to the missionary, and told him, that all that had\noccurred was mere hypocrisy, and had been kept up at the instigation\nof the head-Pundit; that the only object they had in view, was to\ninduce, if they could, the missionary to \u201creport them as enquirers\nafter truth;\u201d their notion being, that if that were but once\npublished, they would have the missionary in their power, as they\nthought that, for consistency\u2019s sake, he must keep up appearances,\nand so be obliged to continue them in their schools, and pay them\ntheir wages.\n\nIt has been thought desirable to mention the particulars of this\ntransaction, because a repetition of such or similar attempts to\ndeceive missionaries, may be expected to occur the more frequently,\nin proportion as the profession of Christianity becomes more common\namong the natives of India. It does not seem, however, that the\nChristian missionary need be unduly depressed by the occurrence of\nsuch instances of the sad depravity of the native character; for\nwhilst deploring the miserable condition of the deceivers themselves,\nhe will know that even they must have received more distinct ideas\nof divine truth than they otherwise would have had. For himself, he\nwill learn how little confidence can be placed in any profession of\nChristianity, which does not originate in a change of heart, by the\npower of the Holy Ghost. Still, the Archdeacon found some encouraging\ncircumstances connected with the mission at Burdwan. In the report of\nhis visit, he relates:--\n\n \u201cI had some conversation with Manick, a Brahmin who was\n baptized on the 16th of December. He had been for some time\n employed by different missionaries. I asked him, \u2018What he\n had seen in Christianity which led him to embrace it?\u2019 he\n replied, \u2018In the Hindoo _poorans_ and _shasters_ there is\n no certainty: one asserts one thing, another, another; but\n here is a clear way\u2019--\u2018In what way in particular?\u2019--\u2018More\n especially in the way of worshipping God: in other systems\n a variety of ceremonies and rites must be observed; in this\n it is required only to pray to God alone\u2019--\u2018What have you\n learned to pray for?\u2019--\u2018Daily I pray for pardon of sin;\n for this I daily require.\u2019--\u2018What do you understand by\n sin?\u2019--\u2018Whatever is not according to God\u2019s commands.\u2019 He\n then, in answer, repeated briefly the substance of the Ten\n Commandments; and said that every one must labour to fulfil\n them to the utmost of his power, though no one could do it\n perfectly. A good deal more conversation followed.\u201d\n\nThe next communication from the Archdeacon shews him to have been\nstill anxious respecting who might be Bishop Heber\u2019s successor. It is\naddressed\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, April 7, 1827.\n\n \u201cIt is now a year since Providence was pleased to withdraw\n our Bishop, and we have no tidings of a successor. We shall\n no doubt, hear in due time, but the delay of arrivals keeps\n us, also, in ignorance how matters stand with those who\n are dear to us in the bonds of nature. Since the beginning\n of January, we have continued to reside at Cossipore\n chiefly. The quiet, freedom and airiness of the situation\n is very agreeable to us; and when a Bishop arrives, I shall\n have less occasion to be so frequently in town. The ship\n that carries this, carries also Mr. Perowne and family.\n His removal just now is very painful, on account of the\n mission, as you can well judge. Deerr will reside there;\n but declines taking charge of the mission. Mr. Wilson\n will go up every month: he has been three times since you\n left us; and is very acceptable to the people; and we may\n hope the work will go on. Dear Abdool Messeeh is gone to\n his rest. A tumour somewhere in the back, of which he\n had nearly died two years ago, proved to be a carbuncle,\n brought on mortification and death. He always spoke of it\n as a boil; and his little medical knowledge proved indeed a\n fatal thing to him. But his end was according to the tenor\n of his life,--peaceful, intelligent, resigned. His last\n sensible breath was expended in singing a hymn, of the kind\n and meaning of that in Simeon\u2019s collection, \u201cLord, remember\n me!\u201d[131] An obituary is sent home, which you will no doubt\n see.[132] Mr. Reichardt will now have the principal charge\n at Mirzapore. His German order and system, is becoming\n very important to us. There are three catechists, who\n ought to be lectured once a week at least: and an account\n kept of their labours for the information of the Society.\n Mr. W. seems as if he could not do this. He will talk\n and preach from morning to night; but this particularity\n seems to him, resting in the letter; but Reichardt thinks\n otherwise, and rightly; and will labour also to render\n the whole a spiritual service. My sphere, as far as it\n appears, is about Benares. There our friends require only\n to be led; and I feel I have no power to command. I am\n expecting 300 Rupees a month [from Government] for Mr.\n Morris, as minister of Chunar. Greenwood is coming down to\n the Calcutta Grammar school, perhaps has arrived there;\n and Morris can officiate also in Hindoostanee, leaving\n Bowley free to itinerate. The Society will be relieved, in\n part, by these means, besides in some degree accredited by\n Government. Indeed, since I have been in charge, Government\n has done every thing I asked. Both Mr. H. and B. and Lord\n Combermere, have, in official matters, shewn much kindness;\n and I ask nothing else.... The expences of the mission,\n of necessity increase, as the work increases. Bowley now\n requires three bungalows in different villages, where\n influential people have embraced the gospel; and their\n neighbours desire, also, to hear more of \u2018this way.\u2019 Mirza\n Bagir, son of the traveller, Abu Talib Khan, was baptized\n last month. Mr. W. Bird was the means of his becoming\n acquainted with the Scriptures, and sent him to Bowley for\n baptism.\u201d\n\nIn a communication addressed, in May, to the Church Missionary\nSociety in England, the Archdeacon enters more fully into some of\nthe encouraging circumstances, and prospective difficulties, then\nattending missions, and which are touched upon in the letter given\nabove.\n\n \u201cOpportunities open on every side for missionary work: but\n we cannot meet them. I agree entirely, that the prospect\n of good, and not present local patronage, should move us\n in attempting new plans; but everywhere the population\n is very large, and access to them comparatively easy.\n Government has granted to Mr. Morris at Chunar 300 rupees\n a month, in consideration of services rendered to the\n native congregation; but new openings round that station\n call for increased help. One convert baptized last year,\n has, from his fisher\u2019s death, become heir of his property\n in land: a place of worship is required in his village;\n with a school, and a native catechist. A Zemindar, also\n lately baptized, possessing property in land in a village\n opposite to Chunar, has called for the same kind of aid: a\n bungalow is building, and a catechist will reside with him.\n Thus success in our labours entails increased expense. We\n may hope that Divine Providence will raise up aid; but at\n present, we see not how. We may indeed, hope that the days\n of indifference on the part of the British are gone by, and\n that our Bishops will continue, in succession, to uphold\n the work of evangelization; but it seems to me that the\n most trying period for all our plans may yet be to come.\n Till help be raised up among the natives, or the Government\n take up the subject, the work will be up hill: we cannot\n expect the natives to join heartily till they taste the\n good of what is brought before them; and that will not\n be, humanly speaking, till the young now educating, grow\n into active life. The Government has given a precedent\n at Chunar, of helping to afford instruction to converted\n natives; but till congregations are collected, Government,\n on the present system, cannot help directly. Fifteen or\n twenty years then must pass on this \u201cSystem of Mendicancy,\u201d\n as Bishop Heber well termed it; and as we feel it to be,\n in a way which you at home cannot well understand: _you_\n address congregations where all acknowledge the duty, and\n profess faith in God for its success--_we_ mix with those\n who scarcely acknowledge the duty or utility of attempting\n the conversion of the heathen, and have no hope of success.\n We are encouraged however, to persevere; and I trust that\n our faith will be found of a kind more precious than gold\n that perisheth, though it be tried, and sometimes as by\n fire; and that, after all, chiefly from within.\u201d\n\nDuring the summer of 1827, the Archdeacon had his equanimity somewhat\ndisturbed by the intelligence that the sermon which he had printed\non the death of Bishop Heber, only for circulation among his own\nfriends, and those of the deceased prelate, had been made public in\nEngland. With reference to that circumstance, he writes\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cI am filled with concern to hear that my sermon has been\n reprinted in England. It was intended to be purely private,\n and I sent some copies to be distributed privately. It will\n be fine game for the reviewers: well, I must be content.\n No man ever less sought publicity, or was less fitted for\n the trials connected with it. I have been led from one step\n to another, and it is singular that those with whom I have\n felt most closely united, have seemed least to rejoice in\n my advancement from time to time. I have acquainted you\n with some of my experience in the school of authority; and\n it has made me desire retirement more than ever; yet how I\n shall leave this country, except ill-health compel me, I\n know not.\u201d\n\nIt must not be omitted to mention, that with the administration\nof the diocese of Calcutta, during this vacancy of the see, was\nconnected a more active attention to the operations of the Society\nfor Propagating the Gospel, and of the Society for Promoting\nChristian Knowledge, than the Archdeacon had before felt called\nupon to give. To this was added an occasional correspondence\nwith the English functionaries of those Societies. The following\ncommunication addressed to the secretary of the Society for\nPromoting Christian Knowledge, will not be read without interest:--\n\n \u201cCalcutta, Sep. 15, 1827.\n\n \u201cI had yesterday the honour to receive your letter of March\n 1st., and beg to offer my best thanks to the venerable\n Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, for its\n acceptance of my offers of service, and to yourself for the\n obliging manner in which your communication is conveyed.\n On the subject of the Native schools, I would respectfully\n call your attention to the condition on which I proposed to\n transfer the funds to the Society for Promoting Christian\n Knowledge; viz. \u201cif the Society for Promoting Christian\n Knowledge send out no more Missionaries.\u201d It is with\n reference to the superintendence alone any difficulty can\n arise. My humble opinion is, that all the Societies in the\n Establishment should strive together in the good cause,\n and each support as many schools as it can, each at the\n same time supplying superintendence for its own schools.\n In this way all classes who support our Establishment\n will be induced to lend their aid; and it is agreeable to\n the constitution of human nature, and not contrary to the\n gospel, that each Society should labour to support its own\n schools whilst it rejoices in the prosperity of all. The\n superintendents being amenable to one Society, whilst the\n expenses of the schools are supplied by another, has led,\n I must say, to less exertion, and a less strict economy\n than would otherwise have been the case; and as in the case\n of the Rev. Mr. D\u2019Mello at Howrah, some of his schools\n being supported by the Society for the Propagation of the\n Gospel, whilst others of them are supported by the Society\n for Promoting Christian Knowledge, causes a perplexity\n in our proceedings, which the public will not take the\n trouble to understand. My purpose, however, in writing now\n is not to oppose but merely to put you in possession of\n the true state of things here, and my earnest endeavours\n shall be directed in conjunction with the other friends\n of the Society here, to promote its interests and uphold\n the credit it has justly acquired by its long and most\n beneficial labours in the cause of pure and undefiled\n religion. In its English department it is unrivalled, and\n the edification afforded by its lending libraries in this\n country cannot be expressed in adequate language.\n\n \u201cThere is a circumstance connected with the support of\n native schools which has not been prominently brought\n forward; viz. the providing of school-books. This is a\n source of considerable expense, but without incurring it,\n schools are utterly inefficient. The school-book Society\n supplies its books to religious Societies at half-price;\n these are mostly of a mere elementary character, but\n necessary in their place. Besides these, our Diocesan\n Committee printed an edition of the discourses, miracles,\n and parables of our blessed Saviour, which has long been\n expended. The Diocesan Committee\u2019s National schools\n have been supplied from time to time with copies both\n of the whole New Testament, and of the Gospels and Acts\n separately, by the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society, and\n with copies of a catechism on the evidences and leading\n doctrines of Christianity, and of Watts\u2019 catechism, and of\n dialogues on the events related in the book of Genesis, by\n a Mr. Ellerton, from the press of the Church Missionary\n Society (all gratis,) in Bengalee. Last week at a meeting\n of the Diocesan Committee\u2019s Society for the Propagation\n of the Gospel, I submitted to the meeting the necessity\n of printing the books most sought after by the Natives,\n after the gospels, viz. Watts\u2019s Catechism and Ellerton\u2019s\n dialogues, at the press of Bishop\u2019s College. A question\n then arose, at whose expense should they be printed, the\n Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, or the Society\n for the Propagation of the Gospel? and this question is\n to be discussed next quarterly meeting. In the meantime\n the schools will be supplied from the former sources. The\n Rev. Mr. Tweddle has been resident since June last in the\n Society\u2019s house, connected with the Russypuglah circle\n of schools, and is greatly encouraged by the attention\n which many of the adult population pay to the subject of\n Christianity. Several have professed their desire to be\n baptized, but he delays a little to prove their sincerity\n and impart further instruction. In that neighbourhood the\n desire for schools is very urgent, and all, be it observed,\n are willing, I might say desirous, that the Christian\n Scriptures should be introduced. The objection to the\n Scriptures seems chiefly among the Brahmins and Pundits,\n and they counteract, without great care on the part of the\n Missionary, the willingness at least of the people to know\n something about the Gospel. The wise and the learned among\n the Hindoos, as formerly among the Greeks, are, generally\n speaking, least disposed to attend to the things which\n belong to their peace. To the poor the gospel is preached,\n and they will receive it; and as a wealthy native lately\n observed to me respecting native female education, \u2018We\n shall soon be obliged to teach our daughters letters, for\n all the poor are becoming more knowing than the rich:\u2019 so\n the superiority of character which Christianity produces\n in the poor will force the rich to reflect on their ways.\n Till then, we shall have to struggle with scanty funds and\n poor converts; and how long that may be, God only knows,\n but in due time we \u201cshall reap if we faint not.\u201d If you\n will have your schools prosper, and produce the fruits\n of righteousness, pray send Missionaries; but allow me\n to say, other kind of men are wanted here, than would\n suit well enough for North America. We want, besides\n good character, activity, aptness to learn languages,\n and to impart instruction. A Missionary who should come\n here merely to impart instruction in English would only\n waste his Society\u2019s money, disappoint the expectations of\n those who sent him, and expose the ministerial character\n to contempt. The natives can perceive, and do admire the\n disinterestedness of a man, who can be content with\n little, whilst he spends his strength in native labours;\n but a clergyman living among a few Europeans at an\n out-station, without other employment, would be liable to\n be considered as on some account or other disgraced; like\n some who have been dismissed the service of government with\n a pittance to subsist on.\n\n \u201cI might perhaps have omitted to write now, as we have\n heard of the appointment of a Bishop; but I am anxious to\n afford to those who, like yourself, take an interest in the\n Church in India, information respecting the true state of\n our affairs. The reviewer of the church in India notices\n the many applications to Bishop Heber for Missionaries; and\n as an indication of improved feeling among Europeans here,\n it is a most gratifying fact; but if it should lead any to\n offer himself as a Missionary under the idea that English\n services were the chief thing required, and this idea\n should not be corrected by those who send him forth, the\n effect would be to misapply missionary-funds, and to fill\n India with a poor clergy to the saving of a rich Government.\n\n \u201cAccept, I pray, my unfeigned apology for any thing I have\n written which may appear irrelevant or uncalled for. As\n far as I know myself, my only desire is to promote the\n interests of the Established Church in these lands. I shall\n not again intrude myself on your attention; and at the age\n of fifty, in a climate like this, and after twenty-one\n years service, cannot expect to be of much use to a cause,\n the prosperity of which constitutes my chief joy.\u201d\n\n\n [119] Rev. Josiah Torriano, Vicar of\n Stansted-Mount-fitchet, Essex, formerly Chaplain to\n the E. I. C.\n\n [120] A school-book written in Hindoostanee, by Archdeacon\n Corrie.\n\n [121] A full account of this part of Hindoostan, with\n views of the scenery, is contained in \u201cthe Himalaya\n Tourist,\u201d edited by E. Roberts.\n\n [122] The mountain-pass at Hurdwar, the entrance to the\n Dhoon.\n\n [123] Near Stamford.\n\n [124] General G. fell at the commencement of the Nepaul\n war, in an heroic assault on the fort of Kalunga, on\n the 30th of October 1814.\n\n [125] Edward A. Newton, Esq. now of Pittsfield,\n Massachusetts, U.S.\n\n [126] A horse soldier.\n\n [127] Bhurtpore was taken by storm on the 18th of January,\n 1826; and peace was concluded with Ava towards the\n end of the same month.\n\n [128] An account of the proceedings on that sorrowful\n occasion is given in an Appendix to the Life of\n Bishop Heber.\n\n [129] The address is given at length in the Missionary\n Register for 1827, pp. 489, &c.\n\n [130] \u201cLift up thine eyes round about and see, all they\n gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy\n sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall\n be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and\n flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be\n enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall\n be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles\n shall come unto thee.\u201d\n\n [131] The following literal translation of this hymn is\n given by the Archdeacon in his memoir of Abdool:--\n\n Beloved Saviour, let not me\n In thy kind heart forgotten be!\n Of all that deck the field or bower,\n Thou art the sweetest, fairest flower!\n\n Youth\u2019s morn has fled, old age comes on;\n But sin distracts my soul alone;\n Beloved Saviour, let not me\n In thy kind heart, forgotten be!\n\n See Missionary Register, 1827, p. 453.\n\n\n [132] Ibid. p. 449-453.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER XVI.\n\n ARRIVAL OF BISHOP JAMES--CONSECRATION OF THE BISHOP\u2019S\n COLLEGE--DEATH OF BISHOP JAMES--VISIT TO THE UPPER PROVINCES.\n\n\nAlthough Dr. James was consecrated Bishop of Calcutta on the 3rd\nJune, 1827, yet intelligence of his appointment to that See, did not\nreach Calcutta till toward the close of the year. In the meanwhile\nquestions and difficulties had arisen, which the authority of a\nCommissary was not sufficiently recognised to settle, and the letters\nof the Archdeacon contain, in consequence, many expressions of\nanxiety for the arrival of the Diocesan. To his brother he writes:--\n\n \u201cI have sent home several folios of late about Missions\n and other matters: some private to Mr. Sherer, some to Mr.\n Bickersteth. If you have any curiosity about such matters,\n you may gratify it by referring to those sources; for I am\n weary of the subject, though it is getting every day more\n perplexing, and deserving of more attention.\u201d\n\nThe domestic affairs of the Archdeacon were, also, a source of trial;\nfor the health of his children (especially that of the eldest,) had\nof late been gradually suffering from the climate, until it became\nnecessary to arrange for sending them to England, accompanied by\ntheir mother. In the prospect of this separation from his family, he\nwrites\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cNov. 12, 1827.\n\n \u201cAltogether, we concluded that it was the will of God that\n they should proceed to England. Wherein we have decided\n amiss, the Lord pardon us; for I am painfully certain\n that not every movement that comes recommended by fair\n appearances, is from above, but often to prove whether we\n trust God or not.\u201d\n\nAnd after the day of actual separation had arrived the Archdeacon\nwrites\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, Dec. 14, 1827.\n\n \u201cThe ship which carries this, sails at the same time\n with the \u2018Duke of Lancaster,\u2019 which carries my earthly\n treasures. I try to think of my children as going to\n school, and their Mother going to take care of them. This,\n in our circumstances, is duty; but I have known no trial\n to be compared to it, except parting with Mary, when I\n went the first time to embark at Portsmouth. I cannot, in\n sober thought, bring myself to resolve on following them;\n but much may arise to render it proper, if not necessary:\n and as I made no positive resolve on leaving home about\n returning, I make none now about remaining here. When our\n infants were called away, their Mother and others in their\n stead were left. Now all are going; but there is hope, in\n every sense, of meeting again. I feel too proud, I fear, of\n my children, as most parents perhaps do. Their Mother and\n I have enjoyed as much of happiness, as earth affords; and\n remembrance of happiness only will follow her: whether ever\n to be renewed, He only knows certainly who is engaged to\n make all things work together for our good.\u201d\n\nThe time was now approaching when the Archdeacon was to be relieved\nfrom his duties as Commissary, for within a month of the date of the\npreceding letter, he writes\n\n\n TO HIS WIFE.\n\n \u201cJanuary 21, 1828.\n\n \u201cThe Bishop is at length arrived. He was installed\n yesterday. On Monday the report of the \u2018Mary Anne\u2019s\u2019\n arrival reached us; on Friday [Jan. 17,] we went down,\n Messrs. Eales, Abbott, Mill, Cracraft, Prinsep (the\n younger.) We found the ship at Culpee, near to where we met\n Bishop Heber. Bishop James resembles him much in appearance\n and manner. He is evidently of a kind disposition, and for\n my own part, I have much reason to be satisfied with my\n reception.\n\n \u201cI have not ascertained any of the Bishop\u2019s plans, nor\n perhaps has he yet settled any. I mentioned the residence\n in the Upper Provinces, but he did not think the Archdeacon\n could be spared from Calcutta, on account of the frequent\n absence of the Bishop.\u201d\n\nThe bishop, however, expressed a wish that, subject to his own\ninstructions, his correspondence with the Chaplains and the\nGovernment, should be carried on by the Archdeacon, but it does not\nappear that any plan to that effect was settled. As regarded himself,\nthe Archdeacon occupied his comparative freedom from public business,\nin assisting the chaplains in their clerical duties, in finishing the\ntranslation of the Prayer-book and the Homilies into Hindoostanee,\nand in superintending a translation of the Prayer-book into Persian\nby Mr. da Costa. These were all afterwards printed, either by, or by\nthe aid of, the Prayer-book and Homily Society. With reference to\nthese occupations, the Archdeacon writes\n\n\n TO HIS WIFE.\n\n \u201cFeb. 12, 1828.\n\n \u201cI have been officiating at Howrah, and the same sermon\n enabled me to assist Goode; so that I have not been idle,\n and am much the better for it.\u201d\n\nAnd again:--\n\n \u201cI know not what C. has taken [to England] for you: I\n told him to take you a copy of the translations of the\n Common Prayer. I send three copies, by this ship, to the\n Prayer Book and Homily Society. It is found fault with, as\n Martyn\u2019s Testament was; but I care little, as time will\n bring to light the labours I have gone through; and those\n who can improve it may.\u201d\n\nHe adds--\n\n \u201cI have been much moved by the affection of the\n Hindoostanee congregation for John Adlington. He has always\n been more disposed to suffer in silence, than to complain;\n yet after some time the Native Christians became so\n attached to him on account of his ministrations, that one\n day, on going to Church, he found a _punkah_[133] hung up\n for him. The place for the Communion table being bare, one\n begged to be allowed to place a mat on it. Another placed\n a carpet, where John stood to minister; and lately one\n came and said, he had been so comforted at the Communion,\n that he begged to be allowed to present a silver cup, and\n wished to know what shape John would have it made in.\n These are genuine expressions of Christian Native feeling,\n beyond what has appeared here; for Bowley is a great\n disciplinarian, and his people are more under awe than\n John\u2019s flock. These facts the Hindoostanee Homilies brought\n to my mind; for the translation is now read to the people.\u201d\n\nIt has now to be observed, that as the frequent correspondence which\nthe Archdeacon maintained with his wife, during the time that she\nwas absent from India, affords a kind of Journal of the writer\u2019s own\nfeelings, and of such occurrences as passed under his notice, little\nmore for the present is necessary than to subjoin extracts from his\nletters to her. Thus, under date of April 7th, he writes:--\n\n \u201cI should tell you that Mr. Deerr had a most interesting\n occasion last week, at Culna; he has baptized five persons\n there, and another offered himself. The new Christians\n begged the baptism might take place in their quarter of\n the large spreading town. No appropriate building being\n available, Mr. Deerr had a table set under a tree, in a\n large Mango grove; the table covered with \u2018a fair linen\n cloth,\u2019 and on it a marble basin full of pure water.\n The Christians sung a hymn. About one hundred and fifty\n assembled. Mr. Deerr preached from \u201cHallowed be thy name.\u201d\n All were hushed in silent attention; not a sound besides\n Mr. Deerr\u2019s voice, except the gentle sighing of the breeze\n among the branches. Mr. Deerr hopes a good impression was\n made. A little circumstance characteristic of the people\n must be added: after the service, an old woman came up to\n Mr. Deerr full of bustle, \u2018Sir,\u2019 said she \u2018one of your\n Christians owes me money, command him to pay me.\u2019 Mr. Deerr\n said this was not a suitable time for such business. \u2018Sir,\u2019\n replied she, \u2018if I am not heard in so holy an assembly,\n where shall I get justice?\u2019\u201d\n\nIt might seem an unkindness to his memory to keep back another\nportion of the same letter, illustrative as it is (with many other\nextracts that might be given) of that enduring strength of natural\naffection, with which the subject of these Memoirs was so peculiarly\nimbued.\n\n \u201cThis is a day, on several accounts, to be remembered by\n us. It is your birth-day; it is also close on my own. It is\n a day long to be remembered, too, for the sorrow we were\n visited with ten years ago; when our John was removed from\n this scene of trial, to behold his Father\u2019s face in heaven.\n It is fit that we should call these things to remembrance;\n whilst deep humiliation becomes us, before Him who has been\n about our path all our days. We have much, also, to praise\n him for, both as it respects the past, and the present. I\n think of you now as about the Channel, approaching your\n desired haven. How the weather may have proved, and what\n the society on board ship, and whether my children have\n escaped all accidents, and how your health has been? These\n are anxious questions [to which] I must wait some months\n for an answer. To what, also, may await you in England. \u2018Is\n my father yet alive,\u2019 the \u2018old man\u2019 to whom we all owe so\n much? But why perplex myself on these accounts? I could not\n but observe yesterday, how blessed is the appointment, that\n time alleviates the feeling of loss. What agonies did we\n endure, when our John was taken away? Of Emily, I confess,\n I think less, because I knew her not as you did; but now\n it seems well, that they are safely lodged in the Lamb\u2019s\n bosom, and it would be unkind to wish them back. O may our\n two remaining loves hear the Saviour\u2019s voice, and in their\n early youth, know the love and kindness of His heart!\u201d\n\nThe Archdeacon afterwards forwarded to his wife, the following\nmemorandum:--\n\n \u201cCalcutta, Thursday, April 10, 1828.\n\n \u201cThis day completes my fifty-first year. The last year\n has proved very eventful in several respects. The change\n in my circumstances by the departure to England of\n my wife and children, is great and painful beyond my\n expectation, though I anticipated painful things. The\n change in the circumstances of the Church Mission, by\n the sickness of several, and the defection of others, is\n painful to a degree. A blight seems to have come over\n my temporal prospects; and much reason is there for\n self-examination, as to why I am thus: but I need not go\n far, nor search long. To my own soul, at least, the cause\n is so obvious as to silence all complaints. If these be\n not for my individual sin, yet my sins deserve much more\n of mortification and shame. In company, vain words and\n compliances leave a sense of sin that would drive me\n to solitude: solitude cannot be improved without the\n grace of solitude. Indolence, preference of amusement to\n profit, want of delight in the Scriptures; in public and\n in private, in the pulpit and in the closet, in capacity\n to benefit myself or others, is brought more power fully\n home to me, as I advance in life. And will it ever be\n otherwise? And how can I meet death in this state? I know\n theoretically the fulness, freeness and sufficiency of the\n Saviour\u2019s grace, but am I a partaker therein? I can think\n of my beloved family without exertion, and follow the\n intimations of my wife\u2019s will, though she be far removed\n from the knowledge of what I do, or power of contradicting\n me; were the love of the Saviour as really in me, would it\n not operate in the same way with reference to His will? I\n know it would; and pray to be kept from self-deceiving. O,\n may I take no rest until I have the evidence of that faith\n in me which worketh by love, and overcomes the world, the\n flesh and the Devil! I resolve that thus it shall be, the\n Lord being my helper.\u2019 Amen.\u201d\n\nIn a subsequent letter the Archdeacon writes to his wife:--\n\n \u201cI have been very busy since I last wrote. A poor creature\n who killed his wife in a fit of jealousy, sent for me last\n week; and I visited him several times before the day, and\n on the morning of his execution. My dreams for several\n nights were of prisoners and fettered captives, imploring\n help. The man was a native of Dacca, a Native christian,\n spoke English with considerable fluency, and had acquired,\n from attending on Michael Rosario, a considerable knowledge\n of Scripture: and had not his awful crime called for more\n pungent sorrow than he exhibited, he might have passed out\n of life with a good name for christian knowledge. To his\n own master he hath given an account. The day after this\n poor creature left the world, I was startled by a note from\n G. saying, \u2018_his brother was indeed gone_!\u2019 We had heard,\n of his (the aid-de-camp) illness, but had no idea he was\n in danger: but so it has come to pass. That finely-formed\n youth, who was, perhaps, too proud of the personal\n advantages God had given him, was seized with fever,\n and sunk under the effects, [of it] in a few days, aged\n twenty-one! Poor R. G. when he found his brother was in\n danger, spoke to him of the Saviour: and the dying youth,\n it seems, poured out a prayer, that, for Christ\u2019s merits,\n he might find a place in His kingdom. \u2018And this,\u2019 says R.\n G. \u2018is the only ray of light that this dark dispensation\n affords.\u2019\u201d\n\nThe following letter records an interesting passage in the history of\nBishop\u2019s College, Calcutta.\n\n \u201cMay 16, 1828.\n\n \u201cYesterday was Ascension day, and it was a \u2018high day\u2019\n at Bishop\u2019s College. The consecration of the chapel and\n burial-ground took place. All the clergy were invited\n by advertisement. The Bishop said that he should be at\n the Ghaut,[134] opposite the College, at five o\u2019clock in\n the morning. I left home, therefore, at four: Latham and\n Adlington went with me. We arrived first; and as the Bishop\n had said that his coach would be full, we took advantage of\n a dingy,[135] and passed over before him,--but there was\n no meeting, or any reception at the Ghaut. We mustered at\n Mill\u2019s; and from thence proceeded to the place appointed\n for a burying-ground. M. had prepared a shepherd\u2019s crook,\n gilt, with an ornamented staff; and this was carried before\n us, by a Native christian from Madras, with a coat of\n crimson colour, such as you know they wear on the coast.\n We then assembled in the anti-chapel of the chapel, and\n the Consecration service began; the gilded crook being\n carried before us, up to the Communion-table. The ceremony\n was then gone through, and M. preached the Sermon from\n Malachi i. 2. \u2018From the rising of the sun even until the\n going down of the same, my name shall be great among the\n Gentiles, &c.\u2019 In the conclusion, he quoted part of the\n prayer used by Bishop Middleton, on laying the first stone;\n and pointed to his monument on the wall. I was, perhaps,\n the only person present besides himself, who had taken part\n in that ceremony. Mr. Schmidt, the Old Church organist,\n had been engaged, with his three school-singing boys, and\n also a finger organ for the occasion. They chaunted \u2018The\n _Venite_,\u2019 \u2018_Te Deum_,\u2019 \u2018_Jubilate_,\u2019 and sang an Ascension\n hymn before Communion, and after Communion, an anthem from\n the eighth Psalm. The Armenian deacon was present in his\n festival robes, which were of yellow stuff, with a collar\n worn as our scarf, figured with large crosses embossed. The\n Bishop provided a breakfast in the hall, to which forty\n persons sat down.\n\n \u201cMay 18th. We are just returned from the Cathedral, W. and\n J. Adlington were ordained priests. Henderson preached the\n sermon. Dear John, as pale as death; but he got through\n without distress. When we commenced the Communion Service,\n and I was reading the prayers for the Church militant, the\n remembrance of the last ordinations, and of the beloved\n Bishop Heber, came so strongly upon me, that I could\n scarcely give utterance to the expression of thanks for\n those departed in the faith and fear of God our Saviour: I,\n however, got through. The whole congregation were kept the\n whole time, but only Mrs. James, and Miss O. communicated,\n besides the clergy.\u201d\n\nIn the letters which Archdeacon Corrie wrote about this time, he\nfrequently mentions the failing health of Bishop James. Thus he\nwrites in a communication, dated\n\n \u201cCalcutta, June 30, 1828.\n\n \u201cThe Bishop left this place last week, [for the Upper\n Provinces.] He continued very ill past Chinsurah. He has\n constituted me his commissary for this Archdeaconry, and\n the other Archdeacons for their\u2019s respectively; and so\n devolved everything upon us, reserving only the power of\n interfering when he pleases; and that before any definitive\n sentence shall be passed, reference shall be made to him.\n Had the former Bishops done this, they might both, perhaps,\n have been alive still; and had not the present Bishop\n their fate before him, he might not have thought of such a\n measure; and if there be a real necessity for it, as to a\n considerable extent there is, there should be more Indian\n Bishops.\u201d\n\nThis deputing of the administration of a portion of the diocese\nto the Archdeacon, necessarily increased his occupations; yet his\ncorrespondence intimates that he neither declined to perform ordinary\nclerical duty as occasion served, nor to attend to affairs of\nmissions. Scarcely a month however had elapsed, ere increased illness\nobliged the Bishop to return to Calcutta; and so seriously unwell\nwas he on reaching that place, that it was not considered advisable\nfor him to land. Respecting the Bishop\u2019s state of health, Archdeacon\nCorrie writes,\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, August 8, 1828.\n\n \u201cBishop James has been, and now is, at death\u2019s door, from\n liver complaint. He was affected with it in England, and\n this climate has excited the disease, almost to death, if\n indeed he survive. He has sent in his resignation of the\n bishoprick, and is gone to New Anchorage to embark on board\n the Huntley, for Penang. He told me that his plan is, to\n stay awhile at Penang, and go from thence to Bombay, and,\n if possible, to New South Wales, and so to England. Thus we\n are again without a Bishop, although he will be nominally\n so, whilst he remains within the Company\u2019s territories.\u201d\n\nWith reference to missions, the Archdeacon adds:--\n\n \u201cA blessing is vouchsafed to Deerr\u2019s labours, beyond\n most. He has lately baptized eleven persons, viz. five at\n Burdwan, and six at Culna. Our Report exhibits sixty added\n to the Church; and since May 1st, fifteen more. Simon, one\n of my school-boys, has resigned a salary of eighty rupees\n a month, to engage (unsolicited) in Missionary work. Thus,\n among many discouragements the gospel grows among us.\u201d\n\nDuring the ensuing month the Archdeacon had occasion to visit some of\nthe stations on the river; and observes in a memorandum: dated\n\n \u201cFultah, Sep. 18, 1828.\n\n \u201cBy unexpected circumstances I find myself here, just\n twenty-two years since passing a day here on my [first]\n arrival in India. How altered for the worse is this place!\n How many changes have I seen since then! How altered in\n contrast, are my circumstances! A stranger then, wandering,\n friendless, and in my own apprehension, poor; for I\n understood in England, my salary would be three hundred\n pounds a year, and was warned that it would supply no\n superfluities. Though this was a mistake as to sterling\n amount, and there was something, I apprehend, of a pious\n fraud used, to prevent my taking the appointment from\n temporal motives;--though I have enjoyed much beyond what\n was then contemplated by friends or myself, yet I am still\n poor; though, blessed be God, neither friendless, nor\n without a certain object in life. When I say poor, I mean\n in worldly reckoning, for I am rich, in not caring for\n riches. I have long seen that they add neither to personal\n worth, nor public usefulness; except as used with a single\n eye, to the grace and goodness of God in granting them. As\n to objects, I now see what is practicable, in reference to\n the spread of the gospel in the land, which I was utterly\n ignorant of when I came here in 1806; and what reason for\n thanksgiving to God is there, that times and circumstances\n are so much more favourable now! Then all was untried and\n uncertain to a great degree; now the work of Missions is\n better understood; success has been in many instances\n granted to it, and the duty and probability of success of\n the work made, in a considerable degree, manifest.\u201d\n\nAt the time the foregoing remarks were penned, the Church in India\nhad been again deprived of her chief pastor, by death; although the\nintelligence of Bishop James\u2019 decease did not reach Calcutta until\nthe 17th of Oct. In apprising Mrs. Corrie of that mournful event, and\nof his preaching the Bishop\u2019s funeral sermon, in the cathedral on\nSunday morning, Oct. 19, the Archdeacon writes:--\n\n \u201cI took for a text Job xxx. 23, [\u201cI know that thou wilt\n bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all\n living.\u201d] I offered--\n\n \u201cI. Some reflections on our situation in the world. As\n rational creatures, we are subject to a law which we\n have broken, in consequence of which death reigns. But a\n reprieve is proclaimed, and an offer of escape from the\n second death made by Jesus Christ.\n\n \u201cII. Christianity can render the prospect of death and the\n grave, comfortable--\u2018a house,\u2019 \u2018a home.\u2019\n\n \u201cIII. But it is by self-application that it does so; \u201c_I\n know_ that thou wilt bring me to death.\u201d\n\n \u201cIV. And by a determination to live under the influence of\n the self-application. \u201c_I know_,\u201d is experimental, not mere\n theory.\n\n \u201cApplication, 1st. Let every instance of mortality around\n us, lead us to set our house in order; thus we shall be\n growing in capacity for the enjoyments and employments of\n heaven. Nor can our conduct, in this respect, fail to have\n a powerful influence on our general character, as members\n of society. He who thinks not of death, and of preparation\n for it, cannot set an example of religious living to\n others. He who wilfully postpones the subject, will shun\n solitude; the concerns of a future state will be, as much\n as possible, kept out of sight, and temporal considerations\n will be all in all.\n\n \u201cFinally, with reference to the occasion of my appearing\n in this place to-day, to men who live not under the\n impression of death and the grave, the removal of one after\n another, of the chief pastors of the Church, will appear\n in no other light, than the removal of secular persons.\n The improvement in the religious condition of our own\n community being suspended, and the consequent influence\n such improvements might have had on the immortal interests\n of the natives, among whom we dwell, being interrupted, and\n to a considerable extent postponed,--these will not enter\n into the consideration of those, who value not Christianity\n as the only ground of a sinner\u2019s hope; the only guide of\n his judgment and practice. How many of our countrymen\n now proceeding in an irreligious course, might, by the\n example, and the exertion of great attainments put forth\n in the service of religion, aided by the influence of high\n station, have been turned to a life of righteousness! How\n many of the youth, among our countrymen at our stations,\n exposed to every wind of temptation, with scarcely any\n controlling influence, might by such exertions, and such\n influence, have been saved from premature death, and\n rendered heirs of everlasting life! These and similar\n considerations, will not enter into the calculations of\n men who live only for the present world. True Christians,\n however, whilst they sympathise with bereaved relations and\n friends, mourn chiefly the loss of the immortal interest\n of mankind, involved in these, seemingly premature,\n bereavements. They will pray that surviving ministers may\n be enabled to redouble their diligence and zeal; as their\n work is no less, and their disadvantages greater. They\n will pray that the Lord of the harvest may send suitable\n labourers into the great and important field of labour;\n and then, whatever may be the result as to others, our\n own enjoyments will be heightened, by conscious attention\n to the duties which present circumstances call us to; and\n we shall be kept in patient continuance in well doing;\n waiting for that glory, honour, and immortality, which the\n Lord, the righteous judge, will give to all who love his\n appearing.\u201d\n\nBy the premature death of Bishop James, the administration of the\ndiocese of Calcutta devolved for the second time on Archdeacon\nCorrie; and it could scarcely be supposed, but that the increased\ndemands on his time which these changes brought with them, would\nto some extent debar him from corresponding so frequently with his\nfriends, as he might formerly have been able to do. We find him,\ntherefore, now observing to his valued friend, the\n\n\n REV. J. BUCKWORTH.\n\n \u201cAmong the causes of my not writing to you, one is,\n that much of what I write home is published, so that\n you know generally what I am about. This circumstance,\n also, has contributed to the difficulty I often find in\n writing to friends. The publication of my letters has\n at times occasioned me great uneasiness, chiefly on my\n own account. You cannot but know how little qualified I\n am for the public sphere unto which I have been called.\n You know, also, how little in early life I intended it;\n and, I can truly say, I have never desired it, and now\n greatly wish for the shade, my proper place. Another\n cause of my unfrequent correspondence is, the wearisome,\n inward conflict I endure, with little or no intermission.\n I travel, indeed, heavily on the heavenly way. Few, I\n think, can be burdened as I am with the body of sin and\n death. My views of the plan of salvation have been clear,\n I apprehend, from the early part of my course; and I may\n thank you, in no small degree for this; but every now and\n then, the evil of my heart breaks out, as it were, more\n inveterately than ever, and I seem ready to perish. The\n text of the first sermon you preached at Stoke, is my\n stronghold at this time, Psalm xxv. 11, \u201cFor thy name\u2019s\n sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.\u201d It\n needs infinite mercy, and infinite merit; and _both_ are\n manifested in Christ Jesus.... These interruptions, and the\n differences which have arisen amongst the religious public\n with you, make me fear the latter day glory is not to be\n revealed so soon as once was generally apprehended. I see\n no reason to differ from Scott\u2019s general view of Scripture\n truth; but I observe most of those at home, who contend so\n strenuously for the personal reign [of Christ,] and those\n here, who have been most dissatisfied with Missionary\n matters, are high doctrinal men. Well, the counsel of\n the Lord shall stand. His hand goes not forth even now\n in vain: where humble men persevere in setting forth the\n Saviour, as the sinner\u2019s only hope, some are drawn to Him.\n Souls are added to the Church frequently, at almost every\n Missionary station; and the Word of God is taking root, up\n and down this part of India. Three remarkable instances\n have lately come to light, of individuals far removed\n from each other, in the upper parts of the Presidency,\n receiving incidentally the New Testament [translated,]\n taking it home, and, after understanding the blessed\n contents, calling their friends and neighbours, to hear the\n Scriptures read. In one case, the man was murdered; though\n it is thought for his wealth, rather than in a way of\n persecution. In another case, the man was obliged through\n persecution to flee from his native place, and in the\n third case, as a brother of some influence in the place,\n has taken a decided part in favour of the gospel, it is\n hoped more good will result to the neighbourhood. But the\n labourers are very, very few; and if larger salaries are\n [not] to be given to Missionaries, the number must diminish\n rather than increase. It seems as if we must labour more,\n to raise up labourers on the spot. This has always been an\n object with me; but I have had but little success. Now,\n indeed, some young men, born in this country, are coming\n forward to offer themselves for Missionary work. The\n characters of such, in a natural point of view, are almost\n always less robust than that of Englishmen. Their bodies\n are generally feebler, and the mind seems to partake of the\n same. They, however, assimilate more to the natives; seem\n to bear with their feebleness of character, and meet the\n case of the unconverted with more readiness than Englishmen\n can do, from the entirely different channel in which\n their ideas flow. It is, perhaps, never intended that the\n Indian should equal the European in energy; and we must be\n content with things as the God of nature intended them. My\n attachment to the country increases, as my acquaintance\n with the people, and, also, the language, becomes more\n familiar. I must mention, that during the last year, and\n with the help of competent assistants, I have translated\n and have printed a complete copy of the Book of Common\n Prayer. Every letter and tittle of the Prayer-Book is now\n clothed in the Hindoostanee language, and will become\n increasingly useful, as the borders of our Zion become\n enlarged.\u201d[136]\n\nAt the beginning of November 1828, Archdeacon Corrie set out to\nvisit the Upper Provinces of Bengal. A Journal of his proceedings is\ncontained in his correspondence with his wife.[137] Thus he writes\nfrom\n\n \u201cBurdwan, Nov. 8, 1828.\n\n \u201cI yesterday, at half past ten o\u2019clock, went to Bogbonar:\n Candy and Hammond went with me. I felt relieved on getting\n away from Calcutta. At twelve the tide turned. I had a long\n look at our sweet Cossipore abode. The Ganges is unusually\n full this season, so that by the time I reached Serampore,\n the tide turned again. I stopped therefore at Marshman\u2019s,\n where Mrs. J. Marshman gave me a kind welcome.\n\n \u201cBearers being procured, I set off soon after four o\u2019clock,\n for Chinsurah; but it being Kalee-poojah, they were tipsy.\n At first, they shouted and joked; afterwards, getting\n tired, they quarrelled, and scolded, and, amidst deafening\n noise, I did not get to Herklot\u2019s till 8 o\u2019clock.... I\n set off for Burdwan, where I arrived before ten this\n morning. Deerr and his family are well. They have two fine\n children, a boy, and a girl, very like each other, and the\n picture of health. My mind is kept in a measure of peace.\n I have begun the book of Joshua, for travelling reading.\n I trust Joshua\u2019s God is with me; and that I go on my way\n according to His will.\n\n \u201cSunday, 9th. This has been a day of mixed feeling. In the\n morning, I met the native Christians at family worship.\n There were twenty-two present. There are two sick, and\n three absent, making twenty-seven adults, besides children.\n A converted Brahmin read 1 Cor. xi.; and Deerr interpreted\n what observations I wished to make to them, on the Lord\u2019s\n Supper. They seemed to understand. Something also was\n said to the women, on the honour conferred on them by the\n gospel, in restoring them to their original state, as the\n helpmeet of man, and fellow-servants of the Lord. They\n seemed to understand, and were very attentive. At ten\n o\u2019clock, Divine service in English; about fifteen present.\n Knowing that the Bengalee worship was waiting, I did not\n prolong the English service beyond half-past eleven--got\n back to the Mission-house quarter before twelve o\u2019clock;\n but the [Bengalee] worship did not commence till half-past.\n After a selection from the morning prayer, and a hymn,\n Deerr preached on the institution of the Lord\u2019s Supper. I\n found that three men and two women had not been instructed\n with reference to the Sacrament, and at my desire they\n withdrew. The Lord\u2019s Supper was then administered to ten\n men and six women; I read the prayer of consecration in\n English. I then pronounced the words in Bengalee, which\n I had written down in Roman characters; and gave the\n bread, and Deerr the wine. The whole went off, I trust,\n in an edifying manner; and, on the whole, thankfulness\n prevailed.... One end of my coming was, by this means\n to try some, and promote the edification of others. It\n is found that being baptized merely, does not prevent\n return to caste: partaking of the Lord\u2019s Supper does. In\n consequence, one tried to evade putting the bread into\n his mouth; and another, on drinking of the cup, nodded\n slily to another, as much as to say (in my interpretation\n of his look and manner) \u2018We are caught.\u2019 This is sad: but\n some are sincere beyond all doubt; and, I may be mistaken\n in my judgment of others. Mrs. Deerr and her sister say\n of the women, that their carelessness (as it appears\n to me) is merely their shyness at the appearance of a\n stranger. One thing was very pleasing, they were almost all\n well-looking people; clean, and nicely dressed--and gave\n me the impression of being the better sort. The two I have\n mentioned as sick, are a young Brahmin and his wife. He is\n upwards of six feet high, with quite the erect, independent\n look and manner of the Brahmin--He is of the highest caste.\n One uncle is Treasurer to the Commercial Bank; and a cousin\n is the Dewan[138] of the Burdwan Rajah, at one of his\n Purgunahs.[139] Notwithstanding the favourable appearances\n here, it would be easy for an unfeeling man to break up the\n work; and render what is doing, matter of worldly scorn.\n The English around are too careless to take notice of what\n is doing; and too ignorant of the ways of the people among\n whom they dwell, to judge rightly. I have always been\n averse to exciting too much attention in them to missionary\n work, knowing how easily an ungodly man might turn it all\n into ridicule. But from my inmost soul, I rejoice even in\n these very imperfect beginnings--I am sure they are the\n beginning of better days.\n\n \u201cNov. 20th. I am now within four coss [eight miles] of\n Benares, on the Calcutta side of the Ganges, waiting for\n bearers, who ought to have been waiting for me. You are\n made acquainted with my intention of visiting the missions\n here. I wrote to you from Burdwan on the twelfth. On that\n day I went to Bancorah, and had a rainy and very tiresome\n journey on account of the broken road. I received great\n kindness from Dr. and Mrs. Clarke--Dr. C. laid my _dawk_,\n so as to admit of my resting every night at one of the\n stageing bungalows, and I am, thus far, rather refreshed\n than otherwise by the journey. I am glad to have travelled\n this road; for after having traversed in all directions\n the valley of the Ganges, I had no idea of the varied\n scenery which borders on it; on the west side, as well\n as the east. About one hundred miles from Calcutta, at\n Bancorah, the ground begins to rise: the range of hills\n we saw at Cuttack, runs on the left hand (going upwards);\n and you proceed through an uneven surface of country,\n (the scenery a good deal like the Dhoon,) ascending for a\n hundred miles more. Then a table-land commences, of nearly\n another hundred miles, but abounding in ups and downs;\n and presenting, at different points, views such as we saw\n in the Himalahs; only by no means on so grand a scale....\n At about three hundred miles from Calcutta, steep ghauts\n occur; and by degrees, the traveller gets to the plains you\n know so well.\n\n \u201cNov. 22, 1828. I arrived about twelve o\u2019clock on the 20th\n at Secrole. On the way from a large ghaut, where I crossed\n the river, a new, tall steeple, pointing to the skies,\n attracted my eager eyes, as I approached Secrole. You\n cannot conceive what a picture the Church is now become.\n The inside enlarged by the removal of the internal wall, to\n the north, and the south; and the verandah inclosed. A new\n pulpit and reading-desk of really exquisite workmanship;\n and the front of the organ-gallery of the same; executed,\n as the whole has been, under Mr. J. P. Prinsep\u2019s immediate\n eye. A well-proportioned stone font, placed near the west\n entrance; and the whole arranged with real taste and\n propriety. I could fill sheets with all I see and hear. I\n will only now add, that the state of this station affords a\n striking comment on the sin of despising the day of small\n things. I used to come, first to Wheatley\u2019s back parlour,\n and meet a few writers and artillery men. We then got an\n unoccupied house, and all the station assembled; but next\n week, an alarm was taken: \u2018The discontented would take\n advantage of our assembling, and fall upon us, and cut off\n all the English together.\u2019 General M. would no more allow\n the artillery-men to attend. Thomas B. declared he would\n not again venture into such a ruinous dwelling; but strange\n to say the house is yet standing. We then assembled in\n S\u2019s. house, every third Sunday: and after two more years,\n I ventured to circulate a proposal for building a place\n of worship, out of which, by remarkable progress as you\n know, has sprung the present commodious and really elegant\n structure. The new Missionaries are not arrived here yet;\n nor likely to be here for ten days to come.\n\n \u201cChunar, Nov. 29. To my great joy, the church is\n substantially repaired, looks better than ever, and is\n likely to stand a century. I yesterday had evening service:\n the Church was full; not less than two hundred and fifty\n people, including three officers and their families, of the\n Regulars. Last Sunday I had service twice at Secrole. P.\n was here. To-morrow I purpose having service twice here.\n This will testify of my strength; for indeed, not being, by\n my situation, called to it, I would not attempt so much, if\n I suffered from it.\n\n \u201cBenares, Dec. 6th. 1828. Crauford, Wilkinson, Bowley,\n Eteson, and Frend have arrived; who, together with Proby,\n make seven Padres: and to-day Mr. Adams, of the London\n Society, and Mr. Robertson, of the same, came in. We\n commenced soon after ten o\u2019clock, and continued till after\n two. We. discussed the signs of the times, with reference\n to the spread of the gospel among Europeans and Natives\n in India. The utility of schools where boys leave early,\n and the evidences required in adults, in order to baptism.\n Each spoke in turn, and, on the whole, order was kept; and\n all seemed gratified. It was admitted, that the progress\n of the gospel advances. Many instances were adduced of its\n gaining a hold on the native public. One man, eighteen\n coss from Allahabad, heard the gospel from a Missionary;\n and received a copy of the New Testament. He read it at\n home to his family; his neighbours also came to hear,\n till the usual effects began to appear; some siding with\n him, others opposing. Lately he came to Mr. Crauford,\n to know what he must do. A Fakeer received a gospel,\n and sent it to his village in Goruckpore district. His\n brother, a Thannadar,[140] had, also, received a gospel\n from Mr. Wilkinson. The two brothers now unite in reading\n the Gospel, and collect their neighbours to hear. The\n raising up of native teachers was also adduced: and the\n power of Divine truth, in rendering aged Hindoos active\n and industrious in spreading the knowledge of the gospel,\n instanced in several cases. Schools were admitted to be of\n incalculable value; especially as rendering the visits of\n the Missionary welcome to the adults of a village; and, it\n may be hoped, in preoccupying the mind with some degree\n of useful knowledge; though, as yet, no direct instances\n of conversion have come to light in the schools. It was\n agreed, that repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord\n Jesus Christ, should be required in candidates for baptism:\n but it was also agreed, that the fruits of these would\n appear in vast variety, and be differently judged of by\n Missionaries; so that no one should judge another in the\n admission of converts. In the evening, I preached in the\n Church from John xvii. 20, 21. \u201cNeither pray I for these\n alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through\n their word; that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art\n in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that\n the world may believe that thou hast sent me.\u201d\n\n \u201cDecember 12th. Yesterday we passed at the mission\n bungalow. Mr. E. from Ghazeepoor also joined us. So that\n there were eight padres. The forenoon was passed as the day\n before. We discussed the influence the personal character\n of a Minister is likely to have on his office; and agreed\n to some resolutions on a prayer-union, as formerly set\n on foot by Mr. Brown. This may prove a blessing to others\n also. At dinner, much discussion arose about recording\n conversations with natives on religious points; and the\n general opinion was favourable to its utility. I was asked\n to print my sermon, preached on Wednesday evening. If I see\n any prospect of usefulness, I may do so.[141]\n\n \u201cDec. 13th, 1828. This evening, I have experienced\n the greatest pleasure in Hindoostanee worship, I can\n remember ever to have done. About sun-set, I rode into\n the Bazaar, and saw a crowd; and on approaching, I found\n the missionaries with Tryloke, raised on the steps of\n a door; T. arguing with great seriousness, and perfect\n calmness of manner, and the people listening attentively.\n There had been levity, it seems, displayed by some of\n the crowd before I came; but they were then all serious;\n and T\u2019s manner and appearance were very patriarchal. I\n was much solemnized by the scene: we then adjourned to\n the preaching-house. Charles prayed and read our Lord\u2019s\n discourse with the woman of Samaria, with a comment,\n adding also some appropriate remarks of his own, and\n ended with prayer. Kewal Messeeh, then, commenced a hymn,\n in Hindoostanee; and a few joined him. The measure also\n was Hindoostanee. The words, and his correct manner,\n affected me much; and arrested the attention of many of\n the hearers. It was to the effect of \u201cO Jesu, Saviour,\n God, shew mercy;\u201d and then instanced several proofs of\n his power; and the last verse was an exhortation to trust\n in that mercy, as the only safe way of salvation. Tryloke\n then read a sermon on, \u201cThere is joy in heaven over one\n sinner that repenteth.\u201d He read with animation, but towards\n the conclusion of his prayer, his earnestness for his\n neighbours, and especially for his own family, was very\n affecting. He seemed to wrestle for a blessing upon them.\n Doubtless these are the fruits of the Spirit; and God\u2019s\n presence is evidently with them.\n\n \u201cSunday evening, 14th. This forenoon, a full church at\n English service. At three o\u2019clock, p. m., Mr. Frend\n read prayers in Hindoostanee, with wonderful propriety,\n considering the short time he has been in the country.\n His pronunciation is distinct, and he would be perfectly\n understood, though some words were imperfectly expressed.\n After prayers, three adult converts from Hindooism were\n baptized by Mr. Bowley. The mother of one of them came in\n an agony to church, and also his brother; but he refused\n to forego his purpose. After church, the poor woman seemed\n more resigned, saying, \u2018her son was old enough to judge for\n himself; and she did not know what might have moved him to\n the step.\u2019 The family live near the church. Another was a\n teacher of a school; the third was brought to the faith of\n Christ by means of an Indigo planter, and sent hither for\n baptism. He gave his mala[142] to Mr. Eteson, saying, it\n was once his treasure, \u2018but now,\u2019 said he, \u2018these are my\n treasures;\u2019 referring to a Hindoostanee Prayer-book and\n New Testament he had under his arm. After the baptisms,\n Mr. Wilkinson preached in Hindoostanee, on the baptism\n of the Eunuch. I could not but be very thankful for the\n means of instruction thus supplied. I felt how much better\n the people of this place were off, in respect of means of\n grace, than when I resided here; and, I think, I was, from\n my heart, content to sink in the scale; and that these\n devoted servants of Christ should become in every way more\n useful, and as ministers, more honourable; and may an\n abundant blessing follow the instructions afforded here\n this day!\u201d\n\n \u201cDec. 25th, 1828. This day has been a day of thanksgiving.\n At church, I preached, and administered the Sacrament of\n the Supper, with Proby. Thirty-eight attended the Lord\u2019s\n Supper, of the English congregation; and I found Mr.\n Eteson had above twenty communicants, at the Hindoostanee\n Chapel. P. is, at times, all gloom, as if this were a day\n of vengeance for Benares; and the people were filling up\n their measure of wrath. I maintain, that he would be of an\n opposite opinion, could he have seen the place twenty-three\n years ago. I am much importuned to go to Goruckpore; and\n propose leaving this to-morrow night, by _dawk_, for\n that quarter. I go only five stages by bearers; and then\n expect to find a buggy the rest of the way. You will\n conclude, that at times, I feel anxious about who may be\n the next Bishop; and you will, I know, give me the earliest\n intelligence you can. The two young men last arrived\n promise well; and at times, I am ready to think that means\n for forwarding the kingdom of Christ are rising up around,\n which may render my services of little consequence, and\n then, I should think, I had better withdraw. But who shall\n reckon on to-morrow? May we labour for the things which are\n eternal; and whether in India or England, we shall have the\n presence of the Saviour to support and comfort us!\n\n \u201cGoruckpore, Dec. 29, 1828. On Sunday I preached twice for\n Mr. E. In the morning, the singers sang a psalm-tune I do\n not recollect to have heard since I left Colsterworth. It\n reminded me strongly of early days.... The band-master was\n clerk: and is a man of real piety, and more than common\n propriety of manners. The singing is well conducted there.\n A new church is building, on a plan supplied by Bishop\n Heber; but the drain of money, caused by the Burmese war,\n has caused all matters which require money, to go on very\n slowly, ever since. At nine o\u2019clock in the evening, I left\n Mr. E. and came on in a palanquin towards this place.\n Through the kindness of Mr. Bird and Mr. Wilkinson, I had\n five relays of horses, and a buggy waiting on the road: so\n by seven in the morning I mounted the gig. On the bank of\n the Ganges, I found Mr. Bird in a tent, waiting for me,\n with breakfast ready. We made a comfortable meal, and he\n afterwards drove me through a country, finely cultivated,\n to Goruckpore; where we arrived just after sun-set.\n This district has been reclaimed from the forest nearly,\n since the English gained possession; and a quantity of\n the forest-trees remain, in scattered clumps, which give\n a rich appearance to the country. It is in sight, too, of\n the perpetual snows; and is seldom scorched as the plain of\n the Ganges is. R. B. has a house of the best style of the\n Moffusil,[143] surrounded with quite a park.\n\n \u201cTuesday, 30th. After breakfast, I set out to explore the\n mission-premises here; and was much gratified indeed with\n the general appearance. First, came the Christian houses,\n situated close to the town; with a field of about three\n acres in cultivation before them, towards the high road.\n On the north side of this field stands the seminary, as\n it is called. A pucka[144] building, with two lower rooms\n at the north end; and over them one sleeping room. The\n whole verandahed all round, with tasty pillars, in front\n of the dwelling part. This forms a most comfortable abode\n for a single man. In this will dwell a country lad, named\n Raphael, whom I brought up from Calcutta. He seems to have\n received religious benefit from Crauford\u2019s Friday evening\n catechizing, at the old Church room; and is mentioned in\n the last Report of the Church Missionary Committee, as a\n missionary student. He came over here with Wilkinson, from\n Benares; and you will be glad to hear that both W. and R.\n B. are favourably impressed with what they have as yet seen\n of him. Next to the seminary, eastward, across the road,\n is the Church, at present levelled with the ground. The\n last year here was unusually rainy. The earth became so\n saturated with rain, that all the wells were running over;\n and the sandy soil becoming thus impregnated with moisture,\n the foundations of the Church gave way. R. B. with his\n usual decision, pulled it all down; and is now employed\n in rebuilding it on piles, and on a broader foundation;\n intending, also, a less ponderous roof. Behind the Church,\n eastward, is the parsonage; a very pretty and commodious\n building. It consists of a lower room to the west, and one\n of similar dimensions to the east; with two rooms on each\n side; a verandah all round, and corner rooms to each side:\n a complete Indian dwelling, outhouses in abundance; and a\n fine garden, kept up by the prisoners sentenced to hard\n labour. The whole extent of ground is about twelve acres;\n which is made over to the Mission, including the site of\n the Church. I must not forget to mention a nice building,\n nearly finished, intended for christian girls: and called,\n in joke, \u2018the nursery.\u2019 Sarah Bowley was to have come here,\n to take charge of it, but this plan is suspended, owing to\n the departure of Dr. and Mrs. Clarke. Perhaps Bowley and\n his daughter will come here, for the hot season; and then\n the plan will proceed. All these temporal advantages, the\n Mission owes to Mr. B; and it is a matter of thankfulness\n that he has notice of being appointed Commissioner here,\n on the new system; and will now, (if spared) in all\n probability, continue here several years.\n\n \u201cYou will now have some idea of the external state of\n this place; but cannot adequately conceive of the beauty\n of the situation of this part of India. But now for the\n better part. On my going into the Mission-house, all the\n Christians collected, old and young; and the room was\n filled. I could not speak to them all at once, and so\n proposed a hymn. We sang the thirty-fourth of Bowley\u2019s\n Hindoostanee translation, and then some from Betteah were\n introduced, the children of persons who had received copies\n of the Gospels from me at Chunar, and which are kept now as\n relics. Raphael, one of my school-boys, is major-domo of\n the christian settlement; and shewed it to me with great\n glee. The aged Zemindar, and several converts from Islam,\n conversed for some time; and two or three Hindoo devotees\n sat \u2018clothed\u2019 beside us, \u2018and in their right mind.\u2019 On\n coming away, I saw one of these talking with great\n earnestness to a fat Fakeer, covered with ashes; he seemed\n to be repeating Scripture to him, but I did not stay to\n hear, lest I should put an end to the discourse.\n\n \u201cWednesday, 31st. This morning at eight o\u2019clock, I\n assembled with the Christians at morning prayer in the\n school-room. Forty-three were present; of whom about ten or\n twelve were boys, of ten or twelve years of age or under;\n the remainder adults, male and female. The morning Psalms\n were read, in alternate verses, in Hindoostanee. The third\n of St. Matthew was then read, and the latter part commented\n on by Mr. W.; a hymn was first sung, I should have said,\n and all concluded with prayer, by Mr. W. Thus the word of\n God grows and increases. About two, p. m. I went again to\n the Mission-house, and read the second Homily, and part\n of the third, with the Zemindar, and an intelligent young\n convert from Islam and a few others. They entered into\n the subject earnestly, and much conversation arose out of\n different parts of the reading.\n\n \u201cJanuary 1st. 1829. I, this morning, went on the top of the\n house before sun-rise, and had a sight of a peak of the\n snowy mountains. It brought strongly to my mind Masoree\n Tabea, and the happy days we passed there in 1825: my heart\n yearned after our sweet children, and I tried to pray for\n them, that this may prove a happy year to them, and that\n through all eternity we may rejoice together. We had a\n New-year\u2019s day service, with the native Christians; it was\n to me, and I believe to several of them, an interesting\n service; I spoke to them on life as a journey. I am almost\n constantly with you in spirit; and associate you in all my\n poor prayers, for mercy, and blessing. To-day news have\n arrived here of various movements, seemingly propitious.\n May divine grace accompany them to those concerned; and\n they cannot fail to prove so!\n\n \u201c17th. I have told you of all the people I met with, up to\n Monghyr. On the 14th, I got to Boglipore, and walked to the\n cantonments of His Majesty\u2019s 3rd Regiment, now stationed\n there. They are on the Calcutta side of the old station,\n and the distance is considerable. I was rather heated,\n and could only leave word with a serjeant, that I would\n come up next morning to the school-house. After a while,\n the school-master came to my boat, a pious young man who\n received the knowledge of the truth under a Chaplain in New\n South Wales. He has been the means of drawing eight others\n to join in a religious society, and seems an estimable\n character. Next morning, at nine o\u2019clock, I went up and\n found the commanding officer, Colonel C., at the mess-room;\n and five children with parents and sponsors assembled. The\n Colonel went with me to the school, where I catechised\n the Protestant children, and gave each a little book. He\n then went with me to the hospital, where I read prayers;\n and exhorted the convalescent, about twenty or thirty\n in number. The Colonel then took me, in his gig, to his\n bungalow, and introduced me to his wife, and a grown-up\n daughter. There was a little son also, who seemed greatly\n pleased with a book I gave him. I was much pressed to stay\n and dine with the mess, but I had accomplished what seemed\n in my power, and declined the civility. I gave a good many\n of the tracts and religious books I mentioned, as having\n been brought out for me by Mr. Eteson, to the schoolmaster\n for distribution.\n\n \u201cJan. 22nd. I am near Cutwa. It had been my intention to go\n over to Maldah, from below Chandree; but unexpectedly this\n river is still open; and the Manjee[145] said, it would\n make five days difference, as to the length of the journey;\n beside the delay of going over to Maldah: and I have been\n long enough absent from Calcutta, at this time. I hear,\n also, that the Governor General is about Maldah, shooting;\n so that I should have had little comfort in the visit. At\n Berhampore, I called on the D\u2019s, Mr. Hill, and the new\n Chaplain, Mr. Wintle; but remained only about three hours:\n there seemed nothing to detain me. I am expecting to see\n the V\u2019s., this evening, or early to-morrow, at Krishnagur,\n to call at Culna, and perhaps meet Mr. Deerr, and inspect\n the schools.... My recreation is drawing to a close, for\n the present, for Calcutta has never been a residence of\n my choice. On the whole, my journey has yielded all the\n pleasure I expected. I have kept free from colds, and\n have reaped all the benefit of the change and variety....\n I have met with kindness everywhere; and seen much of a\n religious nature, to encourage. From long acquaintance\n with the natives, I have also derived amusement, beyond\n any other time, from observing their innocent sports. But\n alas! their language, even when in sport, is sadly corrupt.\n However, I see more and more, how little those who do\n not mix familiarly with them can know them. Their whole\n conduct may be construed either seriously, or as in joke,\n if necessity oblige them to conceal their real meaning.\n Christian knowledge is doubtless gaining ground, wherever\n Missionaries dwell. At Monghyr, Mr. M. told me that many\n natives now come to hear the word regularly. Mr. Hill, at\n Berhampore, told me the same. The interruption they used\n to meet with seldom occurs; and many listen attentively\n to the end of a discourse, instead of going out and in,\n as formerly. Still, it is but \u2018the day of small things;\u2019\n and, respecting the general population, but a very few\n come under the \u2018joyful sound.\u2019--I heard, at Monghyr,\n of a wealthy farmer, as you would say in England, near\n Sheergotty, who received a Hindoostanee New Testament, from\n Mr. Bowley, in one of his journies back from Calcutta. The\n man read it to his neighbours also; and other Missionaries,\n who have since met with him, were delighted with the love\n he shewed for the truth. This man has lately been murdered;\n it is thought, on account of valuable ornaments he wore;\n but the particulars are not known. These incidental\n occurrences shew the value of itinerant labourers.\u201d\n\n\n [133] A board suspended from the ceiling, and having ropes\n attached by which to swing it to and fro, for the\n purpose of cooling the room.\n\n [134] Landing-place.\n\n [135] A small kind of boat.\n\n [136] It may here be mentioned that the Creed of St.\n Athanasius, as translated in this Prayer-book, so\n attracted the attention of the learned Mahomedans,\n and the demand to possess it became consequently so\n great, that Archdeacon Corrie was induced to have\n several hundred copies of it struck off for separate\n circulation. One of those persons, on applying for a\n copy of the Creed, observed, \u201cNow we know what you\n Christians believe.\u201d The Archdeacon on relating this\n circumstance stated, also, that nothing could exceed\n the bitter enmity against the doctrine of Christ,\n which the exposition of divine truth contained in\n that Creed, seemed to stir up in the Mahomedan heart.\n\n [137] Many particulars connected with this Journey, and\n not contained in the following pages, may be seen in\n the Missionary Register for 1829.\n\n [138] Chief Minister or agent.\n\n [139] A large division or district of land.\n\n [140] A kind of police-officer.\n\n [141] It does not appear that the Sermon was ever printed.\n\n [142] Rosary or string of beads.\n\n [143] Out-stations.\n\n [144] Brick.\n\n [145] Steersman.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER XVII.\n\n GOVERNMENT RETRENCHMENTS--PLAN FOR A COLLEGE--DEATH OF MR.\n THOMASON--ABOLITION OF SUTTEE--ARRIVAL OF BISHOP TURNER.\n\n\nIt was on the 30th of January, 1829, that the Archdeacon arrived at\nCalcutta from his visitation of the Upper Provinces. He found some of\nhis friends preparing to leave India; and others suffering from the\neffects of climate. Among the latter was Mr. Thomason, who had been\nreturned to India only a few months, but whose health had altogether\ngiven way. With reference to such changes as were thus going on\naround him, the Archdeacon writes\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cMarch 10, 1829.\n\n \u201cI cannot at present see it my duty to prepare for leaving\n India. It is not, as you justly say, a country to grow old\n in, but my health is wonderfully renewed, and the work of\n missions, instead of becoming plainer, is daily becoming\n more difficult. It would appear that ease makes men more\n fastidious, yet the work does prosper. Piety does, however,\n appear now to be more requisite here than in New Zealand,\n as you well know that men of mere worldly principles can\n scarcely bring themselves to believe, that the natives of\n this country need conversion. A person of these principles\n going forth as a Missionary, therefore sits quietly down\n among the people, and if he superintend a school or two,\n thinks he does all that is practicable.\n\n \u201cConjecture tires as to who may be our next Bishop, but I\n think we might have learned from the past, to \u2018cease from\n man.\u2019\u201d\n\nThen with reference to the measures which had, about that time,\nbeen adopted, for the purpose of revising and curtailing the whole\nexpenditure of the three Presidencies of India, the Archdeacon adds:--\n\n \u201cAll here are in amazement at the turning of all things\n upside down, in the service; and know not what to expect.\n It is concluded that something is in view with reference\n to the renewal of the charter,--but what, no one can\n conjecture.\n\n \u201cAs yet, we see not in \u2018the powers that be\u2019 anything more\n favourable to true religion, than formerly. Education is\n encouraged, as it has been for some years past; but, as\n formerly, entirely from private funds. No hope of aid from\n government is held out. The only favourable symptom that I\n am aware of, is, that Mr. W. B. is to become a member of\n the Committee of Public Education. He has had experience of\n the ease with which Christian instruction can be imparted;\n and will do all he can to improve the present system.\u201d\n\nSoon after the date of this letter, the Archdeacon again alludes to\nthe state of public affairs in a letter\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cAt present there is great uneasiness throughout every part\n of the community. The whole system of civil administration\n in the upper branches, is changed, and the most lucrative\n appointments cut off. The same duties are performed by the\n same men in another manner, and on reduced emoluments. The\n army has been reduced two companies in each Regiment, by\n which a crowd of young men are made supernumeraries; and\n the pay at some places is reduced, which it is thought\n is only a prelude to its being reduced generally. Among\n the natives great alarm has been occasioned by an enquiry\n set on foot respecting all _lakhrage_ lands, not hitherto\n rated in the Government books. These consist of religious\n endowments and lands granted by former Governments for\n services done to the state. These, in some cases, have\n been resumed, and no holder of such estate is certain of\n retaining it. In the public offices many clerks have been\n dismissed, and by the civil arrangements above alluded\n to, very many are thrown out of employment. So that no\n one of any class or condition is satisfied; and some\n parts of the army are all but in a state of mutiny. The\n most sober-minded I know of, think the making all these\n changes together, injudicious. The necessity of economy is\n the reason assigned for all this, but surely the splendid\n entertainments given by the Court of Directors in London,\n look not much like a necessity for taking from the mere\n subsistence of subaltern officers. I try to be silent and\n to wait the end. Certainly the personal character of our\n rulers seemed to [promise] us brighter prospects as to\n the encouragement to be afforded to Christian plans and\n improvement. But no--they give liberally of their own\n substance to Societies, but not a rupee, or a smile of\n approbation must come from Government; so that the \u201csystem\n of Mendicancy\u201d must continue some time longer.\u201d\n\nWith reference to the same subject, the Archdeacon writes:--\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cAug. 16, 1829.\n\n \u201cA thirst for learning English has discovered itself all\n over the country; which no doubt, looks hopefully, as to\n improvement. It is dispiriting, however, that we have so\n few Missionaries, and next, that the Government shut their\n eyes more obstinately than ever against every thing in the\n shape of Christian knowledge. In answer to an application\n for aid to a school at Meerut, in which Mahomedans, Hindoos\n and Christians are taught together, it was said, that\n it would not be right to appropriate funds intended for\n native education to instruct children of Europeans, i. e.\n Indo-Britons. And I have been applied to for an opinion\n about the removal of the Chaplain from Howrah, it not being\n right, Government thinks, to supply from funds raised from\n natives, a religious establishment for Europeans, except\n for the Company\u2019s servants. I am endeavouring, with no\n little anxiety, you will suppose, to combat this view of\n things, and have been much assisted in the matter by W. B.\n who is a near neighbour. I wish you were nearer London,\n to speak a word to some of your old friends, now in the\n Direction, to get a distinct recognition of the right of\n native Christians, including country-born, to a share in\n the public measures for the improvement of the country.\n I have written to P. and shall write to Mr. A. to ask\n it, as he may, of Lord E. and the Board of Control. I am\n hopeless, yet the abstract right of the claim might gain\n a hearing where personal interest is out of the way; and\n the Government has always acted on the principle that the\n country-born should share.\u201d\n\nYet this settled determination on the part of the Indian Government,\nto leave Christianity and Christian education to shift for\nthemselves, had not the effect of slackening Archdeacon Corrie\u2019s\nexertions to secure by private aid, some of those advantages for the\nChristian population, which he had solicited in vain from public\nresources. Two months anterior to the date of the foregoing letter,\nhe had put into circulation in Calcutta, the outline of a plan\nfor establishing in that city an Institution, which should aim at\npromoting the interests of true religion in connection with large and\nliberal education.\n\nIn forwarding a copy of this outline, he writes:--\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, August 19, 1829.\n\n \u201cBy the enclosed, you will see what has been occupying\n me, in part, for some time. The class of Indo-Britons,\n or East-Indians, as they begin to call themselves, is\n increasing very fast. Besides the number in charity\n schools, there are not less than five hundred in boarding\n schools, in this place. Not above one hundred perhaps can\n pay, so as to remunerate the masters; yet they are all\n descendants of gentlemen. Hitherto they have generally\n been idle, and dissipated; possessing all the vices of\n both father and mother, without any of the redeeming\n points in either. You will conclude there have always been\n exceptions. But, within these fifteen years, a change\n has been going on; and a great improvement is becoming\n visible among that class. Yet they have hitherto had no\n bond of union, and stand separate from all established\n order. The Dissenters, being more on a level with them\n in most respects, and really exerting themselves for the\n improvement of this class, would gain the majority of\n them ere long. I hope, if we can bring the plan of the\n Prospectus to bear, we may succeed in establishing a\n connecting link between the Church of England, and these\n really Colonists. The lower branch, or a Grammar-school,\n is first to be attempted; about twenty thousand rupees are\n set down, in shares and donations; and with a like sum in\n addition, we shall be able to make a beginning. A master\n will be wanted from England. We could, I think give him\n \u00a3500 a year, and a house, worth here on the lowest scale\n \u00a3250 more; with a per-centage on any profits that might\n arise.... We have a good deal to contend with: first, our\n Governor-general, to my great dismay, has all but avowed\n that the improvement of the Christian part of the Indian\n community is no part of his duty. Next, a most extensive\n forgery of Government-bonds has been discovered. Three\n hundred thousand pounds, it is said, is not the whole\n extent of it. Many who deal in the funds, find they have\n bought forged bonds; consequently it is not a good time for\n subscriptions. And last, not least, Liberalism prevails\n here too, as in England; and will neither do good itself,\n nor agree to any scheme proposed by others, if religion be\n included. But we must do what we can. O! my heart sickens\n at the proceedings of Parliament; and I feel resigned, at\n times, to give my bones to India, England being no longer\n the land of attraction it was. Another discouragement\n to the scheme inclosed is, that it has been declared to\n be opposed to Bishop\u2019s College; whereas it will prove a\n powerful auxiliary, by supplying youths whose abilities and\n dispositions have been tried as students, and candidates\n for Missionary work. I am just now, also, much occupied\n with a correspondence with Government, on the subject of\n supplying religious instruction to Christians not in the\n immediate service of Government. I hold that they ought to\n be supplied. The correspondence, I expect, will be referred\n home. But who cares for religion in high places at home?\n and what can the Archbishop do, his office being so little\n set by?\u201d\n\nIt remains now to subjoin an outline of the Archdeacon\u2019s views,\nrespecting such a liberal education on Christian principles as, in\nhis judgment, was calculated to meet the anomalies and exigencies of\nthe several classes of British subjects in our vast Eastern empire.\nHe proposed, then,\n\n \u201cThat a College should be founded in Calcutta, in which,\n whilst the various branches of Literature and Science\n should be made the subjects of instruction, an essential\n part of the system should be, to imbue the minds of the\n youths with a knowledge of the Doctrines and Duties of\n Christianity.\n\n \u201cThat this College should be, in every way, conformable to\n the United Church of England and Ireland. But as there are\n also many in this land who are not members of that Church,\n and who are at present completely excluded from the means\n of bestowing upon their children a liberal education, it\n was further proposed that persons of all persuasions should\n be permitted to attend the various classes in the projected\n seminary, under certain restrictions, but without such\n restraints as should go to interfere with their religious\n opinions.\n\n \u201cThat in conducting the Institution, a liberal and enlarged\n course of education should be pursued, adapted to the\n respective attainments of the Students; the College to be\n divided into two departments,--a higher department for the\n elder, and a lower department for the younger students.\n\n \u201cThe system to comprise Religious and Moral instruction,\n Classical learning, History, Modern Languages,\n Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Medicine and Surgery,\n Chemistry, Jurisprudence, and other branches, as time and\n circumstances might admit of and require.\n\n \u201cThe College to be open to the sons of native Gentlemen,\n as well as to all denominations of Christians; and to be\n divided into two sections, viz., one consisting of those\n who should conform in all respects with the regulations\n of the Institution, to be designated \u2018Members;\u2019 the other\n section to consist of those only, who might attend the\n classes for the purpose of receiving instruction.\n\n \u201cThe advantages of the Institution to be available for\n all Students, with the exception of some theological\n privileges, which unavoidably would have to be restricted\n to the \u2018Members\u2019 of the College: no student, not being a\n Member of the College, to be required to comply with any\n religious form [of worship], provided he submitted to the\n general system of education, pursued within its walls.\n\n \u201cThe benefit of attending any course of Lectures in the\n higher branches to be afforded to all who might be disposed\n to avail themselves of it, under the preceding and such\n other regulations as might be specified.\n\n \u201cAll students entering as \u2018Members,\u2019 of the College, to be\n required to conform in every respect, to the Doctrines,\n Usages and Forms of the United Church of England and\n Ireland; and Members of the College only to be received as\n resident students within its walls, and these to be subject\n to such rules of discipline, and to such an extent, as may\n thereafter be agreed and determined upon.\u201d\n\nThe great principle however, which it was purposed to embody in\nthe projected College was, that whilst in a Christian community\nevery system of general education ought to comprise instruction in\nthe doctrines and duties of Christianity; and whilst, in the then\nexisting state of society in India, to compel all students to comply\nwith the forms of Christian worship, would be to defeat the object\nwhich it was conceived the Institution would effect, yet that in all\neducation the WORD OF GOD ought to form an indispensable element. It\nwas maintained by the Archdeacon that without this, the acquisition\nof other branches of knowledge could neither be conducive to the\nhappiness of the individual, nor to the welfare of the state. It was,\nintended, also, that the College should expressly have in view the\nupholding of the ancient Institutions of England, and the inculcation\nof those doctrines and that discipline which were professedly held\nand taught by the Established Church. It was proposed, therefore,\nthat none should be \u201cmembers\u201d of the College, who were not also\nmembers of the Church of England; and that these should, as a\nmatter of course, be required to be present at Divine Service to be\nperformed within the walls of the College, and to be instructed as\nChurch-of-England-men.\n\nIt was whilst matters of such public importance engaged the attention\nof Archdeacon Corrie, that intelligence of the death of Mr. Thomason\nreached Calcutta. In noting that event the Archdeacon writes to Mr.\nSherer:--\n\n \u201cYou will have heard of the Church\u2019s loss in the death\n of Mr. Thomason. A blank is made not likely to be soon\n filled up. I preached a funeral Sermon last Sunday morning,\n (August 9), in his old pulpit, and did him what honour I\n could, but far beneath his worth.\u201d\n\nThe Archdeacon had, also, now to encounter a bereavement which more\nnearly touched his natural affections. His father had died during the\nspring of 1829; and therefore, he writes\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cAugust 27, 1829.\n\n \u201cYours of the 6th of May, with Henry\u2019s note enclosed,\n came to hand yesterday afternoon. The black seal led me\n to forebode the event which the contents of the letter\n confirmed. His great age made such an event probable, and\n to be looked for; and with the hope that we have that death\n to him was gain, we cannot complain, much less \u2018sorrow as\n those who have no hope.\u2019 A great, great blank is, however,\n occasioned by my beloved Father\u2019s removal; and soon the\n elder branches of his family would be strangers to those\n around them on earth, but for the dear charges given to\n themselves.\u201d\n\nFrom his Journal (now so rarely kept) some insight into the\nArchdeacon\u2019s private communings is obtained in the following\nmemoranda:--\n\n \u201cSep. 11, 1829.\n\n \u201cIf spared to the 20th, I shall have been twenty-three\n years complete in India. Many things of late combine to\n weigh down my spirits. The defection of Missionaries,\n and now of L. who though unwell, would not wish to stay\n if well. The inclination of Government, to withhold all\n aid from christian ministrations, even among Christians:\n beginning, at once, by withdrawing the Chaplain from\n Howrah. The death of my father;--and anxiety for my family,\n constitute a load of care. I am not constitutionally prone\n to despond; but neither can I throw off impressions as\n some can. The care therefore, of answering government,\n and providing for Howrah ... whilst they have rendered me\n anxious, have, also, stirred me up to exertion. Yesterday\n in conversation with the Governor-general, I was enabled\n to speak freely, yet respectfully I hope, on the duties of\n Missionaries. I pointed out to him the different line of\n study, and reflection on Missionary callings, required from\n that of a Minister to instruct Christians; and the wrong\n done to the English societies and the English public, by\n employing Missionaries otherwise than as Missionaries: and\n appealed to him, that, notwithstanding the duty due to this\n Government, whether as an English gentleman he could wish\n the mother country to be burdened with the charge of the\n religious instruction of India? That, I was quite certain,\n that by providing for the support of Christian instruction,\n as occasions arose, (on a moderate scale) that this\n Government need not be burdened; and, at the same time,\n England would be relieved. He said with regard to Howrah,\n he would consider more of the matter.\u201d\n\n\n \u201cSep. 19, 1829.\n\n \u201cIn conversation with Sir Charles Grey,[146] on the\n subjects lately started by Government, respecting the\n duty, or otherwise, of applying revenues, derived from the\n natives of this country to the support of religious worship\n among Christian settlers, he said, the anomaly ought not to\n be applied to that one subject alone: it commenced in our\n taking upon us to govern the country at all. A people of\n strange tongue, and customs every way foreign to theirs,\n come, and sit down among the Hindoos, and make them pay\n for administering laws, to which they had been unused, and\n introduce usages abhorrent to their modes of thinking.\n Now, if we can do this in one respect, why not in another?\n And if in mere political and prudential matters, for their\n good, as we say, why not in respect to religion, which we\n hold to be the greatest of all good?\u201d\n\nIt will be seen that the same important subject had been adverted to,\nin a letter, which in the prospect of the renewal of the East India\nCompany\u2019s charter, the Archdeacon had recently addressed\n\n\n TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.\n\n \u201cThere are some circumstances in the state of\n ecclesiastical affairs here, which it seems desirable your\n Grace should be acquainted with before the renewal of the\n East India Company\u2019s Charter, with a view to their being\n put into some way of order at least, and settled by an\n acknowledged rule.\n\n \u201c1. It is not distinctly understood how the law of marriage\n stands in this country. It is acknowledged that the\n marriage acts have not had, and have not now, any force\n in this country; but Bishop Middleton held that this See,\n being attached to the Province of Canterbury by Act of\n Parliament or the Letters Patent, has become subject to the\n ecclesiastical law of England, which requires marriages to\n be celebrated by a Clergyman, and within Canonical hours.\n And this rule was generally adhered to till the late Bishop\n consented to an order of Government sanctioning marriages\n by public Functionaries, both civil and military; and\n directing them to be registered by the Registrar of the\n Archdeaconry: and thus matters stand at present. Some\n of our first lawyers say, that marriage by a layman is\n to all purposes good; others say, only to some purposes;\n that it binds the parties, but confers no right of dower\n on the widow, or of inheritance on the offspring. It is of\n great importance that some declaration on the subject, by\n authority, should be set forth. I know that a good deal\n of anxiety is at times experienced by some who have been\n married by laymen; and several sons of men of rank and\n property are among the servants of this Government, who\n may eventually be deeply affected, should any irregularity\n be discovered in the present system. Up to March 1828, the\n Chaplains were on all occasions applied to, to celebrate\n marriages, and they had often long journeys to make for\n this purpose; but now, unless they be near at hand, many\n do not care to send for them, whilst the sanction of the\n Government makes no difference whatever in the law of the\n case. An easy remedy would be, the keeping the number of\n Chaplains always full, taking measures that Chaplains\n retiring should be obliged to an early determination on the\n point soon after their return to England, and not, as at\n present, be allowed to linger on for years, keeping their\n places unsupplied. An increase of Chaplains is, I fear,\n out of the question; yet would it not be, if but a common\n regard for the credit of our religion and the religious\n welfare of Christian subjects existed where it should.\n In many of the districts of this Presidency, especially\n in those most favourable to the growth of indigo and\n sugar, and in some degree in all of them, many Christian\n settlers have fixed themselves. A District, your Grace\n will know, is as large as an English county; and if a\n Chaplain were appointed at the chief station, where most\n of the servants of Government reside, and where there are\n generally from five to fifteen families, they would be at\n hand to celebrate Christian rites in the District; and on\n Festivals, part of the Christians resident in the District\n would resort for divine service to the head station. If\n want of funds prevented such appointments, the necessity\n must be patiently submitted to, but from the ground-rent of\n the whole country, surely the East India Company ought to\n make some reserve for religious purposes beyond the mere\n wants of the military. But this is connected with another\n point to which I would now entreat your Grace\u2019s attention.\n\n \u201c2. Hitherto it was thought here, that only the fewness\n of the Christian portion of the inhabitants prevented\n appropriations being made from the resources of Government\n for their religious instruction: but it is now answered,\n that Christians have no claim on Government for religious\n instruction, and that in fact it would not be right to\n appropriate revenue derived from the natives of this\n country, to the supplying of Chaplains to Christian\n settlers. Now the settler, properly speaking, (i. e.\n persons whose birth-place is in Britain, and who are still\n looking to Britain as a home,) are few in number. There are\n not above 1000 of that description beyond the boundaries\n of Calcutta, and not half a dozen of them in any one\n place. They are scattered over the face of the country.\n But if by settlers your Grace understand descendants of\n Europeans born in this country, and of which class many of\n the Indigo-planters, scattered up and down the country,\n are, and include in them descendants of private soldiers\n by native mothers, and children of all descriptions of\n British, and who have been increasing for more than 100\n years, it will, I think, appear that the term is not\n applicable to them. They are, to all intents, native-born\n subjects of this Government, the offspring of the soil. Of\n this class there are in Calcutta not fewer than 4000; and\n at all the principal stations of the army, and in every\n place where Europeans have been stationed, they are to be\n found from 30 to 300 at each. I have placed the subject in\n this light that your Grace may be aware of the true state\n of the class I have in view.\n\n \u201cIt is said that European settlers have no claim on this\n Government for a religious establishment. I will not stay\n to argue that point; but then, I maintain, that these\n Indo-Britons are native-born subjects of the British Indian\n Government, and, therefore, have a claim on a Government\n not only Christian, but proprietors of the land: in fact\n both king and landlord. It has been officially announced\n that schools in which the children of Europeans (i. e.\n perhaps removed six generations from the European stock,)\n are taught together with Hindoos and Mahomedans, have no\n claim on the funds appropriated to native education. Shall\n we then apply to the British Parliament for an annual\n grant, as for Canada? The main object then is to procure\n from the proper quarter an acknowledgment of the duty of\n applying some part of the revenue of this country to the\n education and religious instruction of native Christians,\n in their proportions, as to that of Hindoos and Mahomedans.\n\n \u201cIt is only lately it has become known here that the East\n India Company\u2019s Charter is to be renewed in the next\n session of Parliament, which must plead my excuse for this\n intrusion.\u201d\n\nIt was about this time that Archdeacon Corrie supplied the place\nof the Government chaplain at Barrackpore, in the absence of the\nRev. H. Fisher, who had proceeded up the country. Except in that\nparticular, there occurred but little variety in the occupations of\nthe Archdeacon. His letters, however, mention his desire for the\narrival of the Bishop. Thus in writing to his brother he observes:--\n\n \u201cI am by no means at ease in my appointment, from the\n increasing ill-will of people who neither do any thing to\n purpose themselves, nor will let those alone who are doing\n what they can. And if I add, that we have at this time the\n hottest weather I have ever experienced in Bengal, having\n no cessation day or night, for nearly a week past, and no\n immediate prospect of change--the catalogue of ill may\n seem complete. But, O! no ill have I experienced, compared\n with the least I every day deserve; and much of mercy\n remains to mingle in the cup. The departure of my beloved\n father from Colsterworth, seemed much to weaken my tie to\n England, his death still more. This country may now become\n my home for the remainder of my pilgrimage. My strength\n is wonderfully renewed, yet I cannot conceive of any in\n England, not positively ill, experiencing the lassitude\n I am seldom free from. Yet the younger sons of the best\n English families, are coming out in this service in crowds,\n and even the heirs apparent to titles; such we are told is\n the difficulty of providing in any creditable way, for the\n sons of the gentry.\u201d\n\nThe Archdeacon adds:--\n\n \u201cI know not whether you have time to read Reviews. I think\n they are, as far as the facts detailed can be relied on,\n the history of Providence, and the last article[147] in\n the Quarterly for April, seems on true grounds to forebode\n much distress to Britain. This also falls in, I think, with\n the prophetic intimations respecting these times. I see no\n ground whatever, for the doctrines of a \u2018Personal Reign,\u2019\n or a first literal resurrection, but I do think with Scott,\n that the witnesses are about to be slain. Mr. Faber\u2019s idea\n of _trouble at hand_, seems just in agreement; though I\n have no idea of two Churches being represented by the\n \u2018witnesses.\u2019 There can be but one true Church; but whether\n it be the witnesses _continuing_ to prophecy in sackcloth,\n still, the result is likely to be the same; and England now\n in league with the Apostacy,[148] must not expect to escape\n the plagues, under which it shall utterly perish. Babylon\n is already fallen in the purpose of God, and unless\n England purge away the leaven that has crept into her, with\n Babylon must be her end.\u201d\n\nAbout the middle of November 1829, the Archdeacon was released from\nmuch anxiety, and depression of spirits, by the return to India of\nMrs. Corrie. In announcing her safe arrival, he writes\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cNov. 30, 1829.\n\n \u201cTo me the mercy is beyond expression. You can never know\n the depression of a separation such as I have experienced.\n Death alone could have rendered it more hopeless, but\n scarcely less painful: but thanks be to God it is over, and\n if it be His will, may no such trial befal me again! Our\n anxieties are now about our children. They seem placed in\n most desirable circumstances: may the blessing of God but\n attend the instructions they receive! Whilst we cannot but\n desire that they should acquire useful knowledge, and not\n be altogether without the knowledge of the usual manners\n of their class in life, our hearts\u2019 chief prayer and\n desire of God for them is, that they may become wise unto\n salvation.\u2019 ... How precious that promise, \u2018I will be thy\n God, and the God of thy seed!\u2019 But for this what could we\n do for them at this distance? But our God heareth prayer;\n He remembereth his \u2018covenant to a thousand generations.\u2019\n In reading Deuteronomy, the expression, \u2018that it may be\n well with thee and _thy seed after thee_,\u2019 supplies both a\n stimulus to duty and an encouragement. Whilst we are about\n our Lord\u2019s work here, He will be merciful and gracious to\n our children.\u201d\n\nIt was now that there occurred an event of great moral and\npolitical importance to India. All the Missionaries in Calcutta and\nneighbourhood, had some months ago presented a memorial to Lord\nWilliam Bentinck, respecting the cruel practice of widow-burning;\nand Government had been in the habit of discouraging that revolting\nsuperstition without venturing directly to prohibit it. But, after\nsatisfying themselves of the feelings of the Native army and Native\ncommunity, the Governor General in Council, took the decisive step\nof adopting a Regulation on the 4th of December, to the effect of\ndeclaring \u201cthe habit of Suttee, or burning or burying alive the\nwidows of Hindoos, illegal and punishable by the Criminal Courts.\u201d\n\nSoon after the date of this Regulation, Bishop Turner, (who had\nbeen consecrated in the preceding May,) arrived in Calcutta. The\nArchdeacon having mentioned in a letter to his brother, that the\nBishop preached in the Cathedral for the first time on Sunday, 13th\nDecember, observes\n\n \u201cBishop Turner seems to come in a spirit of Christian\n conciliation. I will not say much lest I should be\n disappointed. He is, however, liked, and will be popular in\n all probability.\u201d\n\nThen after having stated how much the account which Mrs. Corrie had\ngiven of his relatives in England, had \u201crekindled in him a desire to\nbe again among them,\u201d the Archdeacon adds,\n\n \u201cI am however thought, I find, a party man in Church\n politics, and it may be so in part, but how far it is right\n or not you cannot tell. I have said to H. that it is an\n easy matter for you at home to cast your guinea into the\n treasury of this or that Society, in the hope that good\n will arise from it; but the _application_ of your bounty,\n is a more difficult operation. Whether Jesus Christ shall\n be set forth in the glory of His grace before the Gentiles,\n or shall be made a mere \u2018Master of the ceremonies,\u2019 as\n Hervey[149] expresses it, to introduce to the Divine\n presence human merit, is no indifferent question. And here\n we have to decide upon that question, in the application\n of English liberality. But indeed, brother, I try to watch\n over myself in this respect also; and if I had opportunity,\n could cooperate with even a Papist, in the conversion of\n the heathen. I do think, however, that what I have done has\n effected good.\u201d\n\nThen with reference to the late Government Regulation he observes,\n\n \u201cIf I should say nothing about the abolition of Suttee, you\n would think it strange. Great honour has the Government\n gained in this matter. Addresses of congratulation to Lord\n W. B., from the European Society, and from the Hindoo also,\n and Mahomedan classes, are getting signed by numbers.\u201d\n\nTo his Sister, also, the Archdeacon writes\n\n \u201cDec. 17, 1829.\n\n \u201cThe glorious abolition of Suttee, will distinguish the\n present Government, when the discontent arising from\n retrenchment will be forgotten.\u201d\n\nThen with regard to the expected renewal of the charter of the East\nIndia Company, he adds\n\n \u201cThe more general admission of Europeans into this\n country seems determined upon; which will help forward\n the progress of Christianity, in its remote consequences;\n but will probably ruin many in a temporal point of view.\n From all I can learn, commerce is a losing concern to the\n merchant generally. The mere agent, of course, deducts his\n commission from the scanty produce, and thrives. But what\n is all this to you, I begin to think, although, indeed,\n in its consequences, it may extend even to Morcott. A few\n years, I have heard some experienced men say, is likely\n to produce a general crash; and then our dividends and\n pensions may be put in jeopardy: so that mere selfishness\n might make one alive to national affairs; whilst to the\n Christian they supply matter for much prayer and solicitude\n before God. My favourite theme, inspiration and song,\n is much involved in all this progress of things. It may\n be that in time of adversity men may consider how much\n their all depends on God, and may become more careful of\n missionary work, which is so peculiarly His own. We have\n had days of ease and outward prosperity, and little heart\n has been found, and little of a right spirit, even in those\n who favour the righteous cause.\u201d\n\nOf the new Bishop of Calcutta, the Archdeacon observes--\n\n \u201cHe promises to be everything desirable in his station, and\n you will be glad to hear that he approves of all my public\n acts. I have shewn him, also, a letter which I wrote to the\n Archbishop of Canterbury, all of which he approves and\n said, that he had nothing to do but to follow up the views\n there stated.\u201d\n\nWithin a month of the date of this letter, one of those failures\nin the mercantile world occurred, which some \u201cexperienced men\u201d had\nanticipated. The Archdeacon, writing \u201cof general news,\u201d observes\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, Jan. 8. 1829.\n\n \u201cThe failure of Palmer\u2019s house has created the most\n extensive ruin for a long time experienced. Three millions\n are said to be the extent of the debts: they promise to pay\n half, but it does not seem [to be] expected. This, with\n the forgeries you have heard of, amounting, I am told, to\n twenty-two Lacs, have given a lesson of the uncertainty\n of riches such as perhaps never occurred, at one time, in\n any single community before. It is impossible to enumerate\n the losses sustained by individuals. Some reduced from\n wealth to nothing; others from a pittance to beggary. Truly\n \u2018riches make to themselves wings and fly away,\u2019 but this\n will make no one, it is to be feared, less eager in the\n pursuit of them.\u201d\n\nAfter relating some private matters connected with the state of\nsociety in Calcutta, the Archdeacon proceeds\n\n \u201cThe Bishop held his first Visitation last Wednesday, the\n 6th inst. He had appointed me to preach, and afterwards\n I was requested by the Bishop and Clergy to publish the\n Sermon. The Bishop told me privately that it was the\n thing of all others, he should wish to send to England at\n this time. I feel grateful for the acceptance, whilst I\n cannot but feel, that time and circumstances, and not the\n merits of the Sermon, call it forth.[150]... The Bishop\n seems bent on conciliation, with more decision than his\n predecessor.... He has become Patron of the Calcutta Bible\n Society, President of the Church Missionary Society, and\n is to preside this evening at a public meeting of the\n Bible Association in the Town Hall. He has attended the\n examination of schools, at Mirzapore, Mrs. Wilson\u2019s school,\n the Female Orphan Asylum, and other Institutions.\n\n \u201cJan. 16th. Among the sudden changes which occur here\n frequently, not the least unexpected, is the severe illness\n of the Bishop\u2019s Chaplain, and the necessity, as the doctors\n affirm, of his return to Europe. In consequence, the Bishop\n requested as a personal kindness, that we would take up our\n abode with him. After two days deliberation, we have agreed\n to do so, not without much apprehension on my part. To keep\n a conscience void of offence, both towards God and man,\n will, I fear, not be easy; but many advantages may arise\n from the arrangement, if we can but keep the even path of\n duty. The Bishop may be rendered more happy in his work;\n and social prayer, which were he alone must be omitted,\n will also help to keep up in him, as well as in us, proper\n feelings as well as right views. I shall benefit by his\n conversation, and learn somewhat of the altered state of\n society in England, as all I hear leads me to conclude. Our\n mutual official duties may be more readily effected, and\n the plans of the various Societies carried forward.\u201d\n\nThe following notice of passing events, as given in the same letter,\nmay not be without interest:--\n\n \u201cYou would be delighted to see how crowded the Old Church\n now is. Yesterday the Bishop preached there. The city is\n now divided into parishes, and each is to have its own\n vestry, and care of its own poor. Yesterday a sermon was\n preached, and 1753 Rs. collected for the poor of the Old\n Church district.... The Bishop has confirmed 317 persons,\n which, considering that a confirmation was held in June,\n 1828, shews a rapid increase of population.\u201d\n\nOn the 18th of February 1830, the Archdeacon and his wife went to\nreside at the palace as the Bishop\u2019s inmates; and the following\nmemorandum, which occurs under that date, in his private Journal,\ndoes but reiterate the sentiments contained in the preceding letter:--\n\n \u201cWe have to-day entered on a new course, by taking up our\n abode with the Bishop, on his invitation. It has been\n the subject of much anxiety with us, and of prayer. The\n reasons which determined us to this step are these:--1st.\n The Bishop\u2019s kind invitation:--His loneliness from the\n departure of Mr. Carter; and the hope that our being here,\n may help to keep up the habits of domestic religion to\n which he had for some time been accustomed. 2nd. On our\n own part, the desire to benefit by his conversation and\n extensive acquirements; and to be workers together in the\n progress of improvement, both in and out of the Established\n Church, especially in the work of missions. 3rd. As it\n respects our usefulness in society, we shall be prevented\n shewing hospitality to the same extent as formerly; and if\n it should prevent any of our young friends, who are aiming\n at improvement in personal piety, from visiting us, the\n change will be unfavourable; but it will, also, cut us off\n from much unprofitable visiting and expence, to which,\n of late years, we have been much exposed, and by which I\n have been much tried. 4th. We shall be much more under\n restraint than in our own separate dwelling; but shall at\n the same time see more of each other, and for this we have\n been sighing for years past. O that we may but be enabled\n to improve the opportunities afforded, to our mutual growth\n in every gift, and especially in the love of the Saviour,\n as well as those things which make for our everlasting\n peace! For this we are insufficient of ourselves. May the\n grace of Christ rest upon us, and then shall we prosper!\u201d\n\nDuring the year 1829 an edition of the Book of Common Prayer in\nHindoostanee having been printed by the Calcutta Corresponding\nCommittee of the Prayer-Book and Homily Society, under the\nsuperintendence of Archdeacon Corrie, he forwarded a copy of that\nimportant work to England, for the purpose of having it presented to\nthe public library in Cambridge. His reason for doing this is thus\nstated in a letter, of March 5, 1830,\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cI have been led to do this from our Bishop taking the\n trouble to send a copy to the Bodleian Library at Oxford.\n If it be worthy of a place in the one, as the Bishop\n thinks, it may be equally so of a place at Cambridge.\u201d\n\nThe history of a work by means of which the Services of the Church\nof England were first made accessible to the Native christians of\nHindoostan, may not here be omitted, especially as that history\nhas been supplied by the Archdeacon himself. To the Secretary of\nthe Calcutta Corresponding Committee of the Prayer-Book and Homily\nSociety, he writes\n\n \u201cWhen I began this edition of the Book of Common Prayer in\n Hindoostanee,[151] it was at first intended to have altered\n very little from the Compendium, printed by the Prayer Book\n and Homily Society in London, but a near adherence to that\n model was soon found impracticable. I will here state, that\n the above Compendium, which is usually ascribed to the late\n Rev. H. Martyn, was the fruit of my own labour fifteen\n years ago, and that with very inadequate help. It seems but\n due to that eminent scholar, that I should publicly avow\n this, as his translation of the New Testament, shows how\n inferior the Compendium of the Prayer Book is to his style,\n and how altogether unworthy of his fame. The Compendium\n however, has answered an important purpose; the want of\n something of the kind was so much felt by many native\n christians, that it was eagerly adopted by them, and its\n imperfections even have gained currency among them.\n\n \u201cIt was at first intended, also to have printed a small\n portion only of the new edition, with a view to collect\n the opinions of competent persons, respecting the\n execution; but the difficulty of obtaining such opinions,\n from the complete occupation of the time of every public\n Functionary in his official duties, is well known; and\n the delay that must inevitably arise on that plan, to the\n accomplishment of a work much needed, seemed to urge the\n necessity of making the most of present time, and of using\n the assistance providentially supplied, whilst it could\n be had. On this account the whole of the Book of Common\n Prayer, including every part of the Rubric and Articles\n of Religion, has been printed. The State Prayers, as they\n are usually called, are not included, nor the Psalms:\n the latter, are printed separately by the Auxiliary Bible\n Society, and can be supplied in that form to congregations\n prepared to use them. After the translation was finished,\n the native assistants were necessarily retained, till the\n work should be carried through the Press: this afforded\n opportunity for translating the Ordination Services also,\n and 100 copies were printed. Of the whole Book three\n hundred copies have been printed; and to 100 copies of\n these are added the Ordination Services. These, it may be\n said, are not likely soon to be brought into use, but that\n seems no reason why the mode adopted by our Church, in\n these services, and the scriptural sentiments they breathe,\n should not be laid open to the natives of this country.\n Besides these complete copies, 1000 copies of the Psalter\n have been printed for more general distribution. Owing to\n my absence from Calcutta, more of the Occasional Offices\n were added than is usual in such a Compendium; but though\n a little more expence has thus been incurred, the work is\n more valuable. One thousand copies, also, of the Morning\n and Evening Prayers and Litany, with the occasional Prayers\n and Thanksgivings, have been printed in Nagree, for the\n benefit of Christians who use only that character.\n\n \u201cIt seems necessary to state, that some English terms\n have been retained, an explanation of them being given\n in parenthesis, where they are first used. On this point\n there will probably be a difference of opinion, but as the\n English terms are familiar to Native Christians connected\n with the British; and the words, Sacrament, Baptism, and\n such like, derived from the Latin Scriptures, are used by\n the numerous Roman Catholic Christians of this country, the\n retaining of them in the Prayer Book, is at least useful to\n these classes, whilst it is obvious, that the words, Lent,\n Whit-sunday, and some others, do not at all explain the\n events they are used to distinguish, and a word common to\n several classes of christians, and to which they all attach\n the same meaning, may as well be used as any other, whilst\n it tends to unite them by a common phraseology.\n\n \u201cThe assistance I have received from a person brought up\n in the country, and well versed in the writers, both in\n Persian and Hindoostanee, most esteemed by learned natives,\n allows me to hope that the translation, generally, is\n likely to bear the test of candid criticism. The chief\n objection which I anticipate, arises from the difficulty\n of clothing many ideas peculiarly Christian, in popular\n language. The natives of this country, at the same\n time, generally have the ideas themselves to acquire,\n and the christian teacher may therefore as readily\n explain the meaning of an appropriate term, as, by using\n circumlocutions, lower the standard of the language and\n keep his people in a low state of mental cultivation.\n I will only add that often the attaching a shade of\n difference to the meaning of a word, would lead to a\n conclusion unfavourable to the translator, without cause: I\n am at the same time aware, that improvements may be made in\n the work, and hope, if life and opportunity be vouchsafed,\n to bring forth hereafter a more perfect edition.\u201d\n\nIn the same letter to his brother, which is referred to above, the\nArchdeacon states\n\n \u201cOur affairs here go on in one uniform course of public\n grumbling, and private discontent. All who are touched by\n the retrenchments of Government, think they have cause to\n complain, and the army are certainly hardly used. But I try\n to have little to say in these matters. Missionary matters\n and education, supply sufficient employment without going\n into politics. We would fain make faster progress, but\n sickness, and obstacles arising from climate, hinder us;\n and we must be content to follow the course of Providence,\n and not to force it.\n\n \u201cYou will have heard through Sherer, that we have become\n part of the Bishop\u2019s household. I find his conversation\n very improving: he is naturally cheerful, and our\n intercourse is easy and agreeable. A part of his plan\n is to constitute his Archdeacons, his commissaries,\n and to delegate to them the details of the respective\n Archdeaconries. I continue, therefore, a Bishop _in\n partibus_ still, and having such opportunities of reference\n to the Bishop on all occasions, I am not likely to commit\n the interests of the church. The only point on which I\n differ from the Bishop, is on the policy of allowing\n Missionaries to engage in English duties. This is a far\n easier employment, than proper missionary work, and it\n is, moreover, a misapplication of Missionary funds. It\n will also prevent, I fear, the East India Company, from\n contributing as they ought, to the support of a ministry\n for their christian subjects.\n\n \u201cI scarcely know what part of our history here will most\n interest you. The abolition of Suttee will no doubt be\n heard of all over Europe. The last year presented a return\n of 800 widows, and upward, consigned to the fire in this\n presidency. Of these upwards of 600 took place in Bengal;\n so that in this one province the strength of the practice\n lay. A considerable sensation has therefore been felt in\n Calcutta, but no where else. At Benares, Suttees have been\n even prevented, and the poor widow (glad no doubt) retired\n quietly home, saying, Such was her fate. What has been said\n against the abolition in Calcutta, has been chiefly by\n some of the most wealthy. They are not, however, united;\n arguments pro and con are discussed among themselves, with\n great freedom, and no little acrimony, and they exhibit\n the spectacle of a family divided against itself. I wish\n you were more of a politician. We require on the renewal\n of the East India Company\u2019s charter, that some further\n expression of public opinion should be shown, on the\n subject of christian education. Years ago, Mr. Wilberforce\n obtained that 100,000 rupees should be appropriated towards\n the moral improvement of this people by education. The\n said sum is indeed appropriated, but it is to Mahomedan and\n Hindoo learning, such as it is: now what is required is,\n that Christian education should also have a share of the\n public support.\u201d\n\nThe following letter to Mr. Sherer, about the same date, supplies\nsome interesting particulars connected with the state of society in\nCalcutta.\n\n \u201cWe have been now nearly a month in the Bishop\u2019s house.\n Our mode of life is as follows: prayers at eight o\u2019clock,\n when the bishop sometimes expounds; and again, also, at\n half past nine o\u2019clock in the evening. We breakfast after\n prayers; have _tiffin_[152] at two o\u2019clock, dinner at half\n past six or seven. One evening, (Friday) any person who is\n not afraid of the Bible, is welcome to come in at eight\n o\u2019clock, and after tea the Bishop reads and expounds, and\n dismisses us with prayer. In the season of Lent, the Bishop\n catechizes in the Cathedral, on Wednesday mornings, and\n preaches in the evening on Fridays. He is frequently at\n the Thursday evening lecture. He visited lately with me at\n Burdwan, and takes a lively interest in Missions; preaches\n in Bishop\u2019s College Chapel, on Sunday evenings, to the few\n students and others, and enters much into the affairs of\n that institution. A Chapel is commenced at the free school,\n and a Mariner\u2019s Church at the custom-house is preparing,\n and the building of a Church at Howrah is in progress. A\n form of an association for the better observance of the\n Lord\u2019s day has been drawn up by the Bishop, and sent to the\n Chaplains, and all the dissenting Ministers; and yesterday,\n sermons were preached in all the Churches and Chapels\n here, on the duty of sanctifying the Sabbath. From these\n particulars, you will judge what spirit he is of. In our\n habitual intercourse he is cheerful, communicative, and\n instructive; and hitherto, all has gone on very happily,\n with every promise of continuing to do so. Among the\n changes the Bishop has brought about is, the establishment\n of charitable committees connected with each church. They\n have been in operation above a month, and promise much\n good, both from the prevention of imposition, and the right\n appropriation of charity.\n\n \u201cThe Hindoo College is working faster than its present\n supporters wish. The youths are growing up free-thinkers;\n and lately, some of them partook of a feast with one of the\n infidel christian teachers. The thing got wind, and the\n parents (one a Brahmin) became alarmed. An inquiry was set\n on foot, and the thing hushed up, but a strict injunction\n issued, that religion in any shape should not be mentioned\n to the pupils. It has occurred to me that these high and\n rich Hindoos, may soon find themselves obliged to urge the\n Government to pass a regulation, that loss of caste may\n not deprive individuals of property. A pro-suttee party is\n set on foot. Radah Cant Deb and others being members. They\n call themselves the _Dhurm Soubah_ (which, as you have been\n so so long away, I may translate for you) \u201cthe righteous\n association;\u201d but they have already fallen out about a\n treasurer: and strong recriminations are published, which\n promise little co-operation among them.\n\n \u201cO how greatly do we need steady good men at Mirzapore.\n The situation of the mission-premises is becoming more and\n more important. All the modern reformed Hindoos reside in\n that quarter; and a man of fair attainments and attractive\n character placed there, might become a mighty instrument of\n good. Well: no doubt the right person will be forthcoming\n in the right time.\u201d\n\nAs explanatory of the labours of Bishop Turner, mentioned above,\nit may not be out of place to state, that of late years European\npaupers had increased to such an extent in Calcutta, that not\nonly had the charitable funds in the hands of the Select Vestry\nat the Cathedral, become inadequate to meet the exigencies of the\ndistressed, but frauds had been practised with such facility on the\ncharitable part of the community, that it became necessary to provide\nfor the fuller investigation of the cases of applicants for relief.\nTo remedy these evils a \u201cCharitable Society\u201d was formed at the\nsuggestion of the Bishop, which was carried on by a Central Committee\nof Superintendance aided by subordinate Committees, corresponding\nin number with the ecclesiastical districts into which Calcutta was\ndivided.\n\nIt will be seen, also, by the following memorandum, dated April 10,\n1830, that the Archdeacon, for his part, had not been unmindful of\nthe necessity of labouring for the public good, though his success\nseems to have fallen short of his wishes.\n\n \u201cIn reviewing the past year, much cause, both for\n humiliation and for gratitude appears. In my own\n experience, a sense of defect and failure cannot but be\n felt. I can see nothing accomplished either in a public\n or private view. Nothing have I attained but to know more\n deeply that I am nothing, and must be indebted wholly to\n grace: yea, to grace pardoning grievous despite, leaping\n over opposition, and \u2018carrying off the prey,\u2019 without\n corresponding effort on my part to fall in with grace.\n In public I attempted [to establish] a school for the\n country-born. The scheme was too large; and, in yielding\n this point to N----, my own folly appears. I failed also\n with Howrah, through the opposition of unreasonable men.\n But both these objects are likely to be attained by the\n Bishop: and in this \u2018I rejoice.\u2019 Let good but be effected,\n and \u2018I will rejoice.\u2019 Other schemes I had in mind for the\n furtherance and establishment of the gospel, which are\n approved by the Bishop; especially the plan of endowments,\n in which I hope something may be accomplished. I have been\n much tried in respect of Mirzapore. Expectations from the\n school baffled and likely to fail, from the failure (for\n so it is in fact) of R. Missionary prospects much clouded,\n from the lack of instruments. Yet doubtless the working is\n advancing, and the gospel is spreading. These are matters\n of much thought with me.... If I could, with propriety,\n withdraw to a quiet missionary station, my mind would\n have what at all times seems best for it; but to withdraw\n from a post to which I have been called, without a clear\n dispensation leading to it, would embitter such a plan. I\n see nothing for it, but patiently to abide in my present\n situation, and to wait till affairs indicate what I ought\n to do. May I only be preserved from giving offence in my\n public or private capacity; and may I have grace to improve\n opportunities of working in the service of the gospel!\u201d\n\nBut notwithstanding this somewhat dispirited view of the results of\nhis labours, the hopes of the Archdeacon respecting the establishing\nof a school for the country-born, seemed about to be realized so\nsoon as that important project was taken in hand by the Bishop. In\na letter which the Archdeacon wrote on the 23rd of April 1830, he\nobserves\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cI wrote to you some time since respecting a project for\n a school in this city. We are still busy about it, and\n not without hopes of succeeding in establishing it. Great\n obstacles, however, occur. Our Government just now is too\n much on the Utilitarian system; which seems to mean, \u2018That\n every one must do the best he can for himself, seeing\n that no aid is to be afforded.\u2019 One thing this will work,\n which for this country will prove beneficial, whatever\n it may prove to Old England--it will render this country\n independent of England. It is well, certainly, that the\n resources of this country, both individual and general,\n should be called forth, and with a little forbearing care,\n they might for ages be auxiliary to the mother-country; but\n by refusing present aid, unkind feelings are called forth,\n and where no obligation is conferred on the one hand, no\n gratitude is felt on the other.\u201d\n\nThe letter in which the preceding observations are contained, was\nnot finished until the 11th of May, under which date the Archdeacon\nadds:--\n\n \u201cNothing further has occurred here worth remarking,\n except that a master has unexpectedly turned up for the\n Grammar-School. Pray do you ever think of India in a\n political point of view? How the charter is constituted,\n or whether it can be altered for the better? We seem to\n want some attention from home; and I would fain hope we\n shall get it now the charter is again to be discussed. We\n are under the regulations of the Government as to abode.\n If one would establish a school, or promote education\n in any way, we are liable to be banished to England, if\n Government should not happen to like our project; and, if\n it does, we must ask leave to pay the expences out of our\n own pockets, for not a Rupee will Government give: and yet\n in this presidency alone, seven millions sterling are drawn\n annually from the land, and as much more from monopolies\n of salt, and opium, and from certain duties! Is none of\n this to be laid out otherwise than to promote increased\n dividends in Leadenhall Street?\u201d\n\nAn able head-master having thus been obtained in the person of the\nRev. J. Macqueen, it was determined on the 4th of June 1830, to\nestablish the \u201cCalcutta High School,\u201d on a plan arranged by Bishop\nTurner. To provide for the educational department, it was proposed\nto raise a sum of money by transferable shares, which were to bear\ninterest arising from dividends of profits; the shares to be paid by\ninstalments, and the proceeds to be vested in the names of certain\nTrustees. A Committee of management and visitors was appointed, and\nsuch regulations agreed upon as were calculated to give efficiency\nand stability to the school. But that at which the Archdeacon chiefly\naimed was, if possible to obtain from Government, or the benevolence\nof individuals, an endowment for the School. But the little prospect\nthere was of assistance from the former source will be collected from\na letter written by the Archdeacon\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cJune 17, 1830.\n\n \u201cOur increased acquaintance with the Bishop renders us more\n at home with him, and we see more to admire in him. He is\n by far best suited for this appointment of any who have\n occupied it. With more practical knowledge of men, and of\n parochial matters than any of them, he has large views of\n usefulness; and, with perfect propriety of language, states\n them to Government. Had we a man who had any fixed views\n of Government at the head of affairs, something effectual\n might be accomplished for the religious welfare of India,\n but when ---- is on one hand, and ---- on the other, of\n Government, what can be expected but fancies and crudities?\n And such seem most of the public acts at present.\n\n \u201cI may mention to you that in a Report on Ecclesiastical\n affairs lately made up by the Finance Committee, the\n employment of missionaries generally, without regard to\n class, and Roman Catholic priests, was recommended, to\n prevent increase of chaplains; and the principle broadly\n affirmed, that Government is not bound to supply the means\n of grace to any besides the European troops, to which the\n charter binds them. This gave opportunity to state other\n views and principles, which must have surprised certain\n persons not a little. You need not be surprised, should you\n hear of the Bishop\u2019s arrival in England a few months hence;\n as it is quite evident, that should the Home Government\n depend on the information derived from this quarter,\n nothing will be done for us in an ecclesiastical point of\n view; and twenty more years of this miserable system [will]\n be perpetrated, which can only end in confusion almost\n irremediable.\u201d\n\n\n [146] Chief Justice.\n\n [147] \u201cOn the state and prospects of the country.\u201d\n\n [148] The allusion is to that legislative alliance with\n Popery which marked the year 1829.\n\n [149] Theron and Aspasio, Dialog. vii.\n\n [150] The text selected on this occasion was 2 Cor. iv.\n 5; the purpose of the preacher was to shew 1st,\n \u201cWhat is the subject-matter of a faithful minister\u2019s\n teaching;\u201d and 2nd, what \u201cHis object and aim in his\n labours.\u201d\n\n [151] The edition of 1829.\n\n [152] Luncheon.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER XVIII.\n\n DISQUIETUDE CONCERNING THE ANGLO-HINDOO COLLEGE--DEATH OF BISHOP\n TURNER.\n\n\nOn the 20th of June, 1830, Archdeacon Corrie left Calcutta in\ncompany with the Bishop, with a view to attend that Prelate in a\nvisitation of the Upper Provinces. They proceeded, however, only\nas far as Chunar, circumstances having decided the Bishop to defer\nhis Visitation of Delhi and the intermediate Stations. The Bishop\nand Archdeacon, therefore, returned to the Presidency by the latter\nend of September. One result of this journey was, to create a\ngreater anxiety than ever in the mind of the Archdeacon, that in the\ncontemplated renewal of the East India Company\u2019s Charter, some more\nefficient provision should be made for the spiritual wants of India,\nthan had hitherto been the case. On that important subject he writes,\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, Oct. 6, 1830.\n\n \u201cThe times are troublous both at home and abroad;\n discontent is spread through every branch of this service,\n in many cases unreasonably, in many the privations actually\n inflicted cause much distress. Your political atmosphere\n seems very cloudy;--what may follow the death of George\n IV. we dare not conjecture. It affects my mind especially,\n with reference to the renewal of the East India Company\u2019s\n charter. \u2018The Lord reigneth,\u2019 might well serve on this\n head, as on the affairs of England; but I have no call to\n interfere in the latter, whereas I must plead for India.\n Do, beloved brother, look about for aid in this matter;\n affairs here in reference to religion are more and more\n pressing. The young civilians are now sent out of Calcutta\n soon after their arrival, qualified or not, so that at the\n small stations, there are more than formerly. You will\n remember that out-of-the-way place Azimgurh: there are five\n civilians, three young officers, and a doctor, with the\n usual _Cranies_:[153] such is the general increase at our\n Stations. Now, a Chaplain at each of such stations, is too\n much at present to expect, but such a number as would admit\n of a Chaplain from Benares, Gazeepore, or Gorruckpore,\n visiting the subordinate stations at stated intervals,\n might and ought to be allowed. Instead of this, it is\n recommended from this [Government], to reduce the present\n number of Chaplains to seven, and to secure the occasional\n services of Missionaries, of any and every persuasion, and\n to abolish the Scotch establishment altogether. Our House\n of Commons seems indeed at a low ebb. From what a height\n of splendour, in eloquence and lofty feelings at least,\n is Parliament fallen. I look in vain for an advocate for\n poor India, in all that passes,--at least as reported\n here. Perhaps a dissolution of Parliament may bring to\n light some \u2018gem of purer ray;\u2019 though it is rather to\n be feared lest India be lost sight of amidst contending\n politics at home. I can tell you in confidence, that our\n Bishop has represented to the powers here, that by such\n a scheme of Church arrangements as above, Government\n would recognise Missions, which they have never done;\n have no control over the agents so authorised; and that\n by a variety of procedure in those employed, confusion\n probably would ensue. Whereas if they are serious in\n their attempts to extend sound knowledge, by extending\n the Church establishment, and taking more pains than at\n present to secure fit persons, they might provide a body\n of most efficient agents in forwarding the improvement of\n the country. I need not tell you, except to refresh your\n memory, that were a Clergyman of respectable character\n and attainments placed at Krishnaghur, and every other\n Sudder[154] Station, the indigo-planters would in time\n avail themselves of his services, by coming in with their\n families at the Festivals, or receiving occasional visits\n at their houses; besides, there might be a school under\n his own eye at home. Would not many of the planters be\n induced to establish a school each, which the Chaplain\n would occasionally visit, &c.? All this has been stated\n to the Governor General, who at the time is friendly, but\n is hopeless as to the Court of Directors. Our Bishop is\n of opinion that were the subject taken up judiciously at\n home, by a person not suspected of party spirit; and the\n Bishop of London, and Archbishop, who are both desirous of\n India\u2019s religious welfare, were judiciously instructed how\n to proceed, and fully and truly informed of the state of\n things here,--that the Duke of Portland, for instance, and\n many in high places would join in furthering an extension\n of Church establishment, _along with other_ measures. The\n subject taken up singly, our Bishop fears, would not find\n sufficient patronage. I have said all I can, to urge our\n Bishop to go home himself. It would, I know, be a venturing\n of everything, and myself, perhaps, durst not, were I in\n his place, make the venture, yet circumstances seem to call\n for it.\n\n \u201cA controversy has arisen on the subject of missionary\n exertions, most unexpectedly. The whole history is in\n point. I will send it to you by Captain J. next week. The\n missionary of the Scotch General Assembly, and Mr. Hill,\n opened a Lecture in a house in the square, opposite to the\n Hindoo College: some of the youths attended; the College\n council forbad them!\u201d\n\nThe history here referred to, is too instructive to be omitted.\nIt appears that not only serious christians, but the friends of\nmorality and social order generally, and many of the parents of the\nstudents in the Hindoo College, had become alarmed at observing,\nthat whilst the system of education pursued in the College was\nsubverting the pupils\u2019 faith in Hindooism, it was substituting no\nother faith instead. Many of the students, in fact, were becoming\nsceptics, others downright atheists. To obviate, if it might be, the\nmischievous consequences likely to result from such an education\nas that, it was determined to give the students an opportunity for\nbecoming acquainted with the evidences of Natural and Revealed\nreligion. In order to this, Mr. Duff, the Missionary of the Scotch\nchurch, having offered the use of his rooms for the purpose, Mr.\nJames Hill, one of the Missionaries of the London Society, began a\ncourse of lectures on the evidences of religion; and many of the\nstudents of the Hindoo College attended. The subjects discussed\nwere exclusively religious, and were listened to with marked\nattention. But no sooner did it reach the ears of the Managers of\nthe Anglo-Indian College that these lectures were attended by some\nof the students, than that attendance was prohibited by a public\norder; as if Christianity were the only religion that ought not to\nhave a hearing. It was stated at the time, in excuse for such of the\nmanagers of the College as were Europeans, that they had signed the\norder of prohibition with a great degree of reluctance, and only\nbecause some of the parents of the students had required the council\nto interfere;--but it was not easy to understand how the interdicting\nof those Students from listening to Christian missionaries, could\nbe distinguished from an act of religious persecution. With regard\nto the principle on which the Hindoo College was carried on, it was\nstated by Archdeacon Corrie in a letter to Mr. Sherer, that at the\nfirst interview which the Archdeacon had with Lord William Bentinck,\nhe was led to observe to his Lordship that the College was breeding\nup a race of Infidels and Philosophers so called; and that the first\npetition for a Colonial council would probably come from thence.\n\nThe same subject forms a prominent portion of a letter, in the\nfollowing month,\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, Nov. 4, 1830.\n\n \u201cI wish sometimes I could have an hour\u2019s conversation\n with you, for I know not how to set about writing all you\n would like to hear. Ram Mohun Roy is a passenger in the\n Albion. It is said he is become a Fakeer, and does not\n lose caste by this proceeding. He has not called on the\n present Bishop. The Hindoo college is working the ruin of\n caste; and, unless better principles be insinuated, the\n ruin of British interests. Miss B. visited the college\n last week, and examined one of the classes in history.\n She asked about America, and was informed very accurately\n of its form of government, with high commendations of the\n limited power of the President; and also of the office\n being elective. On being asked if this had always been\n the condition [of that country,] \u2018It was answered, \u201cThat\n they were formerly a Colony of England, but that on being\n taxed excessively, they had taken upon them the governing\n of themselves, as,\u201d said the youth, \u201cwe shall one day do.\u201d\n To the question, of what religion were the Americans?\u2019\n It was answered, \u2018Protestant christians generally, and\n that Unitarianism was making rapid progress among them.\u2019\n Mr. Duff, the Scotch Missionary, goes a good deal into\n the debating Societies, which these Bengalees have\n established lately among themselves. Politics and religion\n are excluded from the subjects of discussion, but when\n discoveries in science or government happen to come up;\n France is eulogised unboundedly, and America; but England,\n if referred to, always depreciated. Thus our Rulers are\n preparing a scourge for their own backs.... I hope, too,\n the counteracting influence is at work. Mr. Duff has a\n school of upwards of 200, in the Chitpore road, in the\n house where first the Anglo-Hindoo College was held. The\n Methodist missionaries have established themselves in\n that street, a little below the Nietta Bazaar, and have\n a school of 115 Portuguese boys, and also some girls;\n and are collecting a Congregation of that class. We have\n seventy boys at Mirzapore; and now a regular congregation\n of upwards of thirty Christians. Mrs. Wilson goes on as\n usual; and a school is, I hope, in a fair way of being\n permanently established on the ruins of the Grammar School.\n It is called the \u2018High school,\u2019 and has ninety scholars,\n country-born. A very energetic master is at the head of it.\n A Mariners\u2019 Church has been fitted up just behind Fairlie\n and Co\u2019s. house in the Strand. The attendance of sailors\n has not yet been large, but we hope the place is gaining\n attention.\u201d\n\nSoon after the date of the foregoing Letter, the Archdeacon was\nattacked by fever, which almost incapacitated him for attending to\nany public duty. The transition, from the hot to the cold season,\nwas this year so sudden as to cause great unhealthiness in Calcutta.\nThe Archdeacon complained, in his correspondence, of feeling great\ndebility, and an \u201cinefficiency arising from lengthened residence in\nthat wasting climate.\u201d It was during this sickness that the following\nmemorandum was penned:--\n\n \u201cNov. 21, 1830. I have had much meditation of late on\n the inward witness of the Spirit, as a part of christian\n experience which few cultivate as they ought. Besides\n the acknowledging of the truth of God\u2019s word, there must\n be an acquaintance with, and belief of its contents; and\n the experience of it as influencing our tempers and every\n action. Without this latter, there can be no \u2018assuring of\n our hearts before him.\u2019 May I be enabled to realise this\n latter truth, and persevere in seeking such realising views\n of God\u2019s mercy in Christ, as shall enable me to say, \u2018He\n _loved me_, and gave Himself _for me_! With this witness\n I shall be enabled to pass on the few years that seem to\n remain, with more courage, decision, and usefulness.\u201d\n\nIt was not till the middle of January 1831, that Archdeacon Corrie\nrecovered some degree of health. Then it was that he writes,\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cJanuary 15, 1831.\n\n \u201cWe are, through God\u2019s goodness, in our usual health again.\n I had been ill since the beginning of November with a cold,\n and for a time, with fever. The news from France[155] has\n given occasion to balls and dinners, and speeches at the\n Town-Hall here:--may excesses be prevented, and may the\n liberty obtained for Divine truth, be used for extension\n through the whole continent of Europe. Doubtless, \u2018The\n time of the end is coming,\u2019 but what its distinct features\n will be, I think the Scriptures do not define, except as\n to the righteousness and peace that shall prevail. Here\n truth advances with slow steps, but it is on the advance,\n doubtless.... Missions are every where receiving additions\n to their converts, though you know how little as yet the\n people can be said to be interested.\u201d\n\n\n TO THE SAME.\n\n \u201cFebruary 24, 1831.\n\n \u201cMissionary work looks more encouraging than I have ever\n known it here. The classes are adding to their numbers,\n especially in the villages to the south and west of\n Calcutta: at a village called Rass-poonjee twelve miles\n south east, the Church Missionary Society has a school. I\n was there on Monday last with our Missionary ladies. There\n are about fifty children, and a new movement appears in\n sixteen adults formed into an exercising school to learn\n to read. The school-house was filled with people, who\n listened very seriously, in several instances, with marks\n of approbation: whilst, through a native Christian who\n understands English, I set before them the fall of man, and\n the means of his restoration to God and happiness.\n\n \u201cMrs. C. and I went to Burdwar last week.... We staid a\n week with the V\u2019s. Twenty-two of the European residents\n attended the communion on Sunday. Among them your shipmate,\n M. S. who is judge there. A gratifying fact was established\n from considerable observation,--that not an individual\n educated in the Mission-schools, has been brought as a\n culprit before the magistrate there. The D\u2019s have also\n 120 girls in four schools. I was grieved to observe\n that amongst these favourable appearances there are few\n instances of conversion so deep as one could wish. The\n natives see the temporal advantage of being under a sahib\u2019s\n protection, and though sufferings connected with loss of\n caste are, to a degree, unavoidable, other benefits accrue\n to them. This is evidently favourable to the general\n diffusion of Christian knowledge, but we need greatly, more\n of the Holy Spirit\u2019s grace. This has set us on a union in\n prayer, after the method proposed by Mr. Brown in 1802. I\n will send you soon some of the \u2018proceedings.\u2019\n\n \u201cA newspaper called \u2018The Reformer,\u2019 has been set on foot by\n natives, in English, of which four (weekly) numbers have\n appeared, which I will also send you. \u2018The schoolmaster\n is abroad,\u2019 but, as I have stated before, the influence\n at work in the \u2018Reformer,\u2019 and all in that connexion, is\n anti-English, and Christian only, as it cannot help being\n so.[156] But you will be glad to hear that a lecture on\n \u2018Morals,\u2019 is proposed for the Hindoo College.\u201d\n\nThen after referring to some of the religious movements which have\nalready been mentioned, the Archdeacon adds,\n\n \u201cWith all these favourable appearances, you will understand\n that many perplexities arise in the detail of things. The\n truth of that saying often appears--\u2018that if Christianity\n were not divine, its own friends would prove its ruin.\u2019 It\n may not appear so manifest at home, but here, where the\n contrast between truth and error is so marked, the errors\n of those holding the truth work much evil.... Would that\n we had some addition to the \u2018moral strength,\u2019 as Lord\n Wellesley used to call it, of our department! What will\n the new Charter produce? He who knoweth the end from the\n beginning, is well aware; and knoweth how to overrule all\n to his own glory! O for a stronger faith to look within the\n veil, and to credit what the Saviour saith both in respect\n to one\u2019s self and the world at large! I know not how it is\n with you, but I cannot but feel that the evening of life\n is drawing on; and the expectation of escaping from these\n uncertainties to the possession of eternal realities, is at\n times welcome.\u201d\n\nThe \u201cunion in prayer,\u201d to which the Archdeacon here refers, was the\nresult of a meeting of Clergymen, held at his suggestion, in the\nOld Church rooms in Calcutta, on the 28th of the preceding month,\n\u201cto take into consideration the propriety of uniting in prayer, and\nengaging others to do so, for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.\u201d It\nseemed to himself, and others conversant with India, that the state\nof religion among professing christians, and the widely extended\nignorance and error of heathen nations, were such as to call forth\nthe sympathies of all who desired to further the prosperity of the\nChurch of Christ, and the conversion of the world. Considering,\nhowever, that it is only by the Almighty power and grace of God the\nHoly Ghost, that \u201cthe whole church is governed and sanctified,\u201d\nand that the preaching of the Gospel is in an age or country made\neffectual to the conversion and salvation of those who hear, it was\nagreed by the Archdeacon and his clerical friends, to set apart\nindividually a stated portion of time for the purpose of praying\nGod \u201cthe Father, that for Christ\u2019s sake, He would pour His Spirit\nupon all flesh.\u201d They agreed, also, to engage their congregations\nand friends, as much as possible, to unite with them severally in\nprayer, at the same stated time and for the same great object.\nThe resolutions agreed upon at the meeting were subscribed by the\nArchdeacon and the other Clergymen, and were embodied in a circular,\nin which also were pointed out the special objects for which the\ninfluences of the Holy Spirit should be sought. This circular\nseems to have been reprinted, and made the subject of supercilious\nanimadversions in some of the Calcutta newspapers. Nor was that\nmatter for surprise; since persons who had deluded themselves with\nthe belief that science and merely secular education, were alone\nsufficient to make man what God would have him to be, could not be\nexpected to understand and enter into the convictions of those\nwho regarding the grace and influence of the Holy Ghost to be\nessential to the true civilization of the world, prayed and laboured\naccordingly.\n\nThe allusion by the Archdeacon to the \u201cerrors of those who held the\ntruth,\u201d was called forth by the circumstance that some in India\nhad been unsettled by a Treatise on Faith, written by Mr. Thomas\nErskine, a Scotch advocate, and which had recently reached Calcutta.\nThis book, though of but ephemeral existence, seems to have produced\ndiscussion at the time, and excited in the Archdeacon some fears\nlest it should have diverted the attention of his friends from the\ngreat truths which accompany salvation. His own reflections on Mr.\nErskine\u2019s opinions are contained in a memorandum, dated\n\n \u201cApril 10, 1831. To-day I have attained fifty-four years,\n and of these, twenty-nine spent in the ministry. In review\n of the past, chiefly unprofitableness and unfaithfulness\n is to be seen. My own defects are certainly becoming more\n apparent to myself: the fulness and freeness of the Gospel\n become increasingly glorious, and nothing but full, free,\n unconditional forgiveness of all sin, and justification\n from all things, would meet my case. With reference to\n the past year, I do hope some progress has been made.\n Much enquiry has been stirred up by Erskine\u2019s view of the\n Gospel: I have examined it with much anxiety, but see no\n reason to change my former views on that subject. Pardon\n is full and free to all who receive Christ, because life\n eternal is in Him; and whosoever receives Him cannot\n fail of life eternal, yea, possesses it with Him. There\n may be some occasion for Mr. E\u2019s charge against some for\n referring exclusively to fruits as an evidence of faith.\n I think I have met with some who, whilst they acknowledge\n justification to be exclusively of faith, yet depend on\n works to justify their faith; and thus their dependence,\n after all, is on works. Such, as far as I know myself, is\n not my feeling.\u201d\n\nIt has here to be stated that Bishop Turner had quitted Calcutta at\nthe end of September 1830, with the intention of visiting the other\nPresidencies. His Lordship had proceeded overland from Madras to\nBombay, and from thence had gone to Ceylon. During his Visitation he\nhad maintained a regular correspondence with Archdeacon C. and seems\nnow to have been on his way back to Calcutta; for the Archdeacon\nwrites,\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, April 30, 1831.\n\n \u201cOur kind Bishop is not yet returned, but we are expecting\n him daily. He left Colombo on the 4th for Jaffna, &c. to\n Madras; and thence by sea hither. He is much out of heart\n with Ceylon in everything but as respects Missionary work;\n and he says that the Church Missionary Society has done,\n and is doing enough there, to answer all the expenditure\n ever incurred by it. I am desiring him back greatly, the\n times seeming to call for him here, for which his wisdom\n and pious liberality will, I hope, be found just suited.\u201d\n\nThen follow some instructive particulars respecting the Anglo-Hindoo\nCollege.\n\n \u201cThe Hindoo college you knew when yet in embryo, and\n your conclusion of an argument with H. M. is beginning\n to be realized, \u2018Well, well, build away, and some will\n come after you who will use it in a proper manner.\u2019 The\n mode proceeded on, has succeeded in detaching many of the\n Hindoo youths from religion of every kind. In sentiment\n this has appeared for three or four years, it now begins\n to appear in practice. At the late East Indian dinner,\n sixteen Hindoo lads had bought tickets to go, actually\n determining to break through all restraints. This was\n however prevented; Sir E. R., Mr. C., and J. Y. were the\n means of preventing their young friends from doing this\n open violence to Hindoo feeling; but one youth of the\n Moterjee family has left his home, and taken a house,\n determined to live in European fashion. He was, also, about\n to marry a young woman of Portuguese origin, one of the\n De Rozio family, but this I am told is put off. The main\n mover in the meeting among the Hindoos is D., the poet.\n Mr. H. W. became so convinced of the need of morals to the\n Hindoo College system, that he proposed a moral philosophy\n lecture, and D. as the lecturer. W. B., who is one of the\n Committee of Public Education, let his colleagues, who had\n consented, know the character of D. and it was agreed best\n to postpone the appointment; and now D. is dismissed from\n the Hindoo College on a charge, by respectable Hindoos, of\n Atheism. He stoutly denied the charge; but they said, \u2018We\n see your works.\u2019 It is evident the English I have named,\n are at their wit\u2019s end. The young men say, they will no\n longer be guilty of the hypocrisy of upholding Hindooism.\n Christianity they have been warned against as an English\n prejudice; and they seem to hate Christianity and England\n heartily. Their advisers now say, \u2018Wait for Ram Mohun Roy\u2019s\n return.\u2019 In the mean time, some of the youths are gone\n to other schools. Upwards of fifty have left the Hindoo\n College, six are entered at the High School. Mrs. Wilson\n has a party daily of from ten to fifteen who come expressly\n to read the Scriptures with her. One begged for an English\n Testament, Mrs. W. said, \u2018You can understand Bengalee\n better,\u2019 but, said she, \u2018I dare not take a Bengalee one\n home. An English one my friends will not suspect, and I\n can read it at leisure.\u2019 Two come daily to Mr. Sandys\n at Mirzapore, professedly to be assisted in preparing\n their lessons; but they always also read the Bible. They\n are not of the first in wealth; that class seem to a man\n opposed to every thing English. Not a movement in favour\n of religion in any form is heard of. This has arisen in a\n degree, from the part R. and his friends,[157] have been\n and are playing. They complain as if they had lost mighty\n privileges once in possession, and claim to be employed by\n the state, as a matter of right. This I think has arisen\n from Government having withheld all patronage from plans\n of Christian improvement. The little they are advanced\n above former days, is entirely through their own exertions.\n Yet two thirds of them are raised above the station their\n fathers held, and their pretensions are ridiculous. With\n them, however, the enlightened Hindoos seem disposed to\n make common cause. They can effect nothing at present,\n but the _impolicy_, not to say the sin, of withholding\n christian instruction is now beginning to appear.\u201d\n\nIn a letter to Mr. Sherer of a somewhat later date, the Archdeacon\nmentions other incidents connected with the Hindoo College, which may\nhere be fitly related.\n\n \u201cThe Hindoo College,\u201d he writes, \u201chas borne some fruit,\n not agreeable to those who planted it. The young men are\n many of them licentious to a degree. The more moral of\n them are scoffers at all that is good. One very clever\n youth, after feasting with his friends on beef, &c. threw\n the bones into a neighbouring Brahmin\u2019s compound.[158] The\n Brahmin and his friends attacked the convivial party, and a\n sad _fracas_ ensued. One of the lads comes often to me, and\n I am not without hopes of him.\u201d\n\nBishop Turner arrived in Calcutta on the 4th of May 1831, but he\nwas in a state of health, which excited much apprehension among his\nfriends. As also, his health continued to decline after his return\nto Calcutta, a voyage to Penang and New South Wales was recommended,\nin the hope that his valuable life might be prolonged; but the rapid\ndecay of the Bishop\u2019s strength rendered it necessary for him to\nabandon all thoughts of leaving home. On the 29th of June a still\nfurther change for the worse took place; so that Archdeacon Corrie\nwrites,\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cJuly 4, 1831.\n\n \u201cI regret to say that our Bishop is in but a very\n indifferent state. He came back to us early in May\n unwell; and the debility has increased till hope of his\n continuance among us is well nigh taken away. His disease\n is some internal disarrangement. This was excited into\n activity by the fatigue and heat he had to endure whilst\n on his visitation of the other Presidencies. He is dying,\n we fear, of debility, with occasional paroxysms of short\n breathing.... I do not like to give up the hope of his\n living: though it would seem unbrotherly under these\n circumstances, to let a ship go without acquainting you\n with our state. To me the loss would be the greatest I\n have experienced out of my own family. The kindness and\n confidence with which he has treated me, and the benefit\n I have derived from his conversation, must ever be deeply\n felt. To the Indian Church the loss will be greater than\n any yet suffered. He unites the best qualities of his\n predecessors, with the knowledge of the business of a\n clergyman, in the conducting of schools, management of\n charities, &c. &c. Just now [three P. M.] his medical\n attendant reports the Bishop worse. The Lord be gracious to\n this land, and bring light out of this darkness!\u201d\n\nWithin three days of the date of this letter, the Indian church was\ndeprived for the fourth time of its chief Pastor, by the death of\nBishop Turner. Among the Archdeacon\u2019s papers is the following account\nof the last illness of the Bishop.\n\n \u201cOn Saturday evening, the 2nd of July, the Bishop first\n spoke to me as if he were not to remain in India. After\n our evening drive I accompanied him up stairs, and he\n indicated a wish that I should sit down with him in the\n drawing-room. \u2018He was going to Penang,\u2019 he said, \u2018and if\n he did not recover there as he expected, should proceed\n to New South Wales. He now had seen enough of the Diocese\n to judge of the state of religion generally amongst us.\n He thought the state as favourable as, under present\n circumstances, he could well expect. He judged too it would\n be progressive. There is a sad deficiency of clergy, but,\n notwithstanding, many active agents are at work:\u2019 and he\n alluded to several laymen, especially officers, of whom he\n had spoken, as wisely and diligently attending to schools\n in different places he had visited. \u2018That no difficulties\n manifested themselves, at present, in the administration\n of ecclesiastical affairs, and that he should leave India\n without anxiety.\u2019\n\n \u201c2. The Bishop had intended to have crossed the river next\n morning, in order to partake of the Lord\u2019s Supper, in\n Bishop\u2019s College Chapel. I was afraid he might not be able;\n and had made arrangements for the duty at Barrackpore,\n in order to remain with him: as I had, indeed, before,\n from his saying early in June, after he could not go to\n church, \u2018these dull Sundays destroy me.\u2019 I had, therefore,\n remained at home two Sundays; and though he said nothing\n on the subject, I had the satisfaction to see that it was\n agreeable to him. On the evening of the 2nd, the Bishop\n said, \u2018he felt it would be too much for him to cross the\n river;\u2019 and he gladly assented to my proposal to have\n communion at home, after my return from morning sermon,\n in the Old Church. Accordingly, about half-past-twelve,\n on Sunday, the 3rd, the Bishop, Mrs. Corrie, and Miss\n Bird, assembled in the drawing-room: preparations having\n been previously made. It was a very solemn occasion. He\n was able to kneel only whilst receiving the elements.\n After communicating, Mrs. Corrie left the room, being\n much moved, and unwilling to give him pain by shewing it.\n After a short pause, the Bishop said, \u2018How many blessings\n have we to be thankful for?\u2019 \u2018I have often enjoyed these\n ordinances in administering them, but a person must be\n in my circumstances to feel the value of them.\u2019 \u2018I have\n growing evidence that I know in whom I have trusted:\u2019\n and then went on to contrast the uncertainty attending\n science, with the certainty religion supplies. \u2018A little\n knowledge of science,\u2019 he said, \u2018makes us confident; but\n as we advance, we feel less certainty; whilst the more we\n advance in religious knowledge, the greater certainty we\n attain.\u2019 I here left the room, and the Bishop continued in\n conversation with Miss B. for some time respecting family\n matters. In the evening, the Bishop retired, for the first\n time, before tea.\n\n \u201c3. On Monday, he did not leave his room; and his medical\n attendant being now in the house, I merely saw him twice,\n on going into his room to enquire after him. In the evening\n he went out in the _Tonjon_, and spoke to me, on the bank\n of the river, about a marriage which he had been consulted\n upon; but he was soon tired, and retired to his room,\n without coming into the drawing-room.\n\n \u201c4. On Tuesday, he did not leave his couch. I saw him\n early: he was very unwell; and his medical attendant being\n constantly with him, I did not go into the room again till\n about 4 P. M. He then requested me to make known to Mr.\n Robertson of Bareilly, the state of weakness into which\n it had pleased God to bring him. After which he said, \u2018he\n enquired not after Mrs. Corrie, but he felt deeply the\n kindness she had uniformly manifested.\u2019 \u2018He desired his\n kind love to her; and that she should be told he felt his\n obligation.\u2019 On my saying that, \u2018had he been able to come\n into the drawing-room, she had hoped to see him in the\n evening, and would be glad to come to his room:\u2019 he said\n with emotion, \u2018he thought he would rather be spared.\u2019\n \u2018He did not,\u2019 he said, \u2018speak much to me on the state of\n the diocese; I knew it as well as he did, and in some\n respects better; and added, \u2018I say with truth, I feel no\n reluctance to leave things as they are. There was nothing\n of importance claiming immediate attention, and should any\n difficulty arise, you will get over it.\u2019\n\n \u201cThe faithfulness of God to His word was referred to by\n him; and on my mentioning an expression of the late Rev. D.\n Brown, on his death-bed, viz. \u2018The Lord\u2019s will is best. His\n way is best. His time is best.\u2019 The Bishop added, \u2018that he\n greatly needed the intercession of his friends, that such\n might be his state of mind.\u2019\n\n \u201c5. In the night of the 5th, [the Bishop] being restless,\n the doctor asked, \u2018if he would like me to come and sit\n beside him?\u2019 On his assenting, I was called; I went to\n his bed-side, he took me kindly by the hand and said, \u2018he\n feared he interrupted me.\u2019 He then began to say, \u2018how happy\n he should be, could he speak to the natives in their own\n tongue;\u2019 and referred to his head-bearer. I offered to\n speak to him in Hindoostanee; but the Bishop said, \u2018not\n now, he is fearfully untutored.\u2019 He spoke a good deal on\n subjects of religion, connected with his own state; of the\n insufficiency of learning, talents, &c. &c., without the\n blessing of God; how often God brings about great things\n by small means; and instruments we should not have thought\n of. After about an hour, he asked me to pray with him; then\n said, \u2018he would try to compose himself to rest.\u2019\n\n \u201c6. Wednesday, July 6th, was a day of intense and incessant\n suffering, from difficulty of breathing. He seemed unable\n to attend to any thing; but on Miss B. going into the room,\n he desired her to read to him a Psalm, and conversed about\n a quarter of an hour on points which occurred in reading.\n About 4 o\u2019clock I went into his room: I observed, that \u2018I\n feared he had had a trying day.\u2019 He said with emphasis,\n \u2018_Very._\u2019\n\n \u201cOn my saying, \u2018that when he felt able to attend, if he\n would just express his wishes, I should be glad to wait\n upon him for prayer:\u2019 he assented. He after some time\n observed, in broken sentences, (for his articulation had\n become indistinct) \u2018That we do not arrange matters in\n religion sufficiently for ourselves.\u2019 More I could not\n understand. In order to keep up the train of thought, I\n said that \u2018our mercy consists in that the covenant is\n ordered in all things and sure.\u2019 He assented, and said,\n \u2018but to those who were orderly there might be more of joy\n and peace in believing.\u2019 I said \u2018in great bodily distress,\n it seemed to me, there could be little beside a child-like\n reliance on a father\u2019s care and love.\u2019 He said, \u2018I have\n an assured hope:\u2019 and added, \u2018that we want God to do some\n great thing for us, that shall prevent the necessity of\n humiliation, and closing with Christ.\u2019 After this I read\n a hymn, \u2018Jesus the way, the truth, the life.\u2019 He said,\n \u2018that one feeling was universal, it pervaded all hearts.\u2019\n In continuation I read the hymn, \u2018This God is the God we\n adore;\u2019 and then prayed out of the Visitation of the Sick,\n ending with the Lord\u2019s prayer, and \u2018The grace of our Lord,\n &c.,\u2019 to which he added a fervent \u2018Amen.\u2019 After a pause,\n the Bishop broke out in prayer: \u2018O thou God of all grace,\n stablish, strengthen, settle us. Have mercy on all, that\n they may come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved.\n There is none other name given by which they _can_ be\n saved. Other foundation can no man lay.\u2019 On his ceasing,\n I added, \u2018and this is a _sure_ foundation.\u2019 On which his\n feelings were much moved; and the doctor coming in, our\n conversation ended.\n\n \u201cIn the evening, it was found that the Bishop\u2019s\n articulation had failed. He spoke no more after the above\n recorded prayer, expressing feelings amongst the most\n appropriate that could have occupied the thoughts of a\n dying man. He manifested little, if any, consciousness,\n during the remaining hours he lived; breathing the whole\n time with great difficulty. About ten o\u2019clock he was\n helped from his bed to an easy chair, from which he did\n not again move; nor did he appear to sleep, or to get the\n least repose or cessation from suffering. His appearance\n exhibited the most perfect picture that can be conceived,\n of patient endurance. Not a word or a look indicated a wish\n or a want.\n\n \u201c7. About half-past-six, he changed for death. I read the\n Commendatory Prayer, and we watched for his departure.\n About half-past-eight, another change came on to a state\n of less suffering, but of more weakness; and the lingering\n spirit took its flight, at a quarter before ten on the\n morning of the 7th of July.\u201d\n\nThe Archdeacon appended the following note:\n\n \u201cI have not inserted the answers I made, on many of the\n occasions here referred to. What is in the third person is\n the substance of what was said; and the words as nearly\n as I could remember them. What are given as the Bishop\u2019s\n words, were spoken as written.\u201d[159]\n\nHaving watched over the death-bed of Bishop Turner, there yet\nremained to the Archdeacon the afflicting office of preaching the\nFuneral Sermon. This he did on Sunday, July 10th; and one who was\npresent on that occasion related, that the preacher was enabled to\ndischarge \u201cwith firmness and strength of voice, though with deep\nfeeling,\u201d the mournful duty which had devolved upon him. The estimate\nwhich an almost brotherly intimacy with the deceased enabled the\nArchdeacon to form of Bishop Turner\u2019s worth, was thus summed up:--\n\n \u201cWe have left us, in the character of our departed\n Bishop, an example of one who sought glory, honour, and\n immortality, by patient continuance in well-doing. He began\n where the scriptures teach us to begin--with personal\n religion. He had low thoughts of himself. He was seriously\n affected with a sense of his frailties and unworthiness,\n and rested his hope of salvation, only on the mercy of\n God in Jesus Christ. He had attained, in a remarkable\n degree, the spirit of self-controul; so that he was to a\n considerable extent a copy of the great Shepherd and Bishop\n of our souls, whose word is \u201cLearn of me, for I am meek and\n lowly.\u201d He took Revelation for his guide; and whilst the\n Tri-une God of the Bible was the object of his adoration,\n the will of God was the rule of his practice.\n\n \u201cIn his peculiar office he came near to the apostolical\n standard [given] in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.\n Of his learning, and capacity for perpetuating an order\n of ministers in the church, it would require one of a\n similar measure of learning and piety to speak, but all\n could judge that as a Bishop he was blameless and free\n from reproach. Moderate in all his habits and pursuits.\n Disinterested in a high degree, and free from all suspicion\n of the love of money. He was apt to teach--a true labourer\n in the word and doctrine--sober in judgment--wise to solve\n difficulties--of a compassionate spirit--and heartily\n desirous of men\u2019s eternal good.... The lively sense he had\n of his own responsibility rendered him more keenly alive\n to such defects in any of those under his authority, as\n might hinder their usefulness, or do injury to the cause\n they had solemnly pledged themselves to serve. He felt\n himself bound, therefore, when occasion arose, to reprove\n and to rebuke \u2018with all authority.\u2019 An assured hope that\n in being released from the body, he should be with Christ,\n strengthened our departed Prelate to endure protracted and\n intense bodily suffering with patience and fortitude not\n to be surpassed; till at length, being released from this\n strife of nature, he entered into that eternal life to\n which he had long aspired!\u201d\n\nWith reference to the death of the Bishop, Archdeacon Corrie also\nwrites,\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cAug. 6, 1831.\n\n \u201cAt first my mind was more stunned, than by any loss yet\n experienced. It seemed such a mark of divine withdrawing;\n and yet the deceased would have argued the contrary.\n He used to say, that \u2018designs which took all at once,\n seldom held a long course:\u2019 and I desire to draw this\n inference,--that seeing the Lord tries us, He will at\n length establish us.\u201d\n\nBy the demise of Bishop Turner, the Archdeacon had for the fourth\ntime to administer the affairs of the diocese. In the letter just\nquoted he adds:--\n\n \u201cI am again Commissary for this See, and feel myself\n adequate to the charge. The routine of duty is familiar\n to me; and I can act with more decision from feeling my\n ground.\u201d\n\nAt the same time he had to contend alone with such difficulties as\nmight occur, there being less of co-operation oftentimes than would\nhave been desirable. The Archdeacon\u2019s observation on that point in\nanother letter is, that\n\n \u201cA Bishop has but to signify his will, and those who do\n not like it, will not oppose it; but with a mere _Locum\n tenens_, friends argue and opposers shew themselves. I do\n what I can to carry friends with me, and overrule, as I am\n able, objectors, or leave them behind. I feel as before\n and more than ever, the undesirableness of power, beyond a\n small measure. Not to recommend measures of emolument &c.,\n to Government, is to \u2018act unkindly;\u2019 and to interfere to\n prevent abuses is to be an \u2018enemy.\u2019 ... But in nothing have\n I more to be thankful for, than in the strength given me\n to bear these things; persisting at the same time, in the\n measures I think right.\u201d\n\nThis kind of wear and tear of body and mind, coupled with separation\nfrom his children and relatives, seems to have very much tended\nto foster a desire in the Archdeacon to leave India at the first\nopportunity that might warrant such a step. His feelings with regard\nto that subject, had indeed been so frequently expressed, in his\nown correspondence, and, also, in that of Mrs. Corrie with their\nchildren, that his family fully expected that he would return to\nEngland when the newly-appointed Bishop should arrive in Calcutta. It\nwas therefore, with reference to this, that he writes\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, Oct. 22, 1831.\n\n \u201cI yesterday received a letter from Mr. Goode of Clapham:\n he had seen you a few days before he wrote, and said you\n were expecting that I might be on the way home. I dare\n say I write very differently on the subject at different\n times. To-day we have had rain, and the thermometer being\n only 82\u00b0, I feel active; and after all, much of the want of\n elasticity experienced, must perhaps be put to the account\n of years. I know not whether you read Blackwood, but the\n article \u2018Christopher North taking a day\u2019s shooting,\u2019\n reminded me of much of the cause of my own ailments. On\n buttoning on his gaiters and preparing for the walk, he\n found his instep had lost something of its spring. This\n is my case, and it would be vain to expect to regain that\n spring, in any country or clime.... What I have sometimes\n thought of, as to coming home, is to leave this about\n January 1833; but circumstances may put it off to 1834,\n even if life be spared.\u201d\n\nThen with reference to what was called the \u201cReform Bill,\u201d and the\norigin of the \u201cTrinitarian Bible Society,\u201d the Archdeacon observes:--\n\n \u201cAll affairs here appear flat, compared with the\n spirit-stirring events that are occurring around you.\n I, on my first voyage, attempted a Poem, beginning with\n something about, \u2018Britain, the glory of all lands.\u2019 Parson\n got hold of it, and by his well-deserved raillery cured me\n of the only poetical fit, with which I was ever visited.\n But whether Britain is to continue the glory of all lands,\n appears now to be doubtful. Well: we must look more at the\n Church; of which \u2018glorious things\u2019 are still \u2018spoken.\u2019\n The part of it called the Church of England, is exposed\n from within as well as from without. Captain Gordon\u2019s\n proceedings, if persisted in, will throw the weight of the\n Bible Society into the dissenting interest, by withdrawing\n the wrong-heads in the church who adhere to him.\u201d\n\nOn the same subject the Archdeacon observes\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cWe have heard with much concern of the proceedings of\n Captain Gordon and his friends in the Bible Society: to\n me it indicates the breaking up of the Society, and the\n splitting of the religious world into small, powerless\n parties.... How it grieves one to see men pass by all the\n political patrons, the trafficking beneficiaries, &c., &c.,\n and make this ado about Socinian participation in giving\n away Bibles! The whole of their arguments go on the idea of\n the Bible Society being the _Church_, than which nothing\n can be more vague: not one act of church-membership is\n performed by the Bible Society.\u201d\n\nAbout the same date the Archdeacon writes\n\n\n TO HIS SISTER.\n\n \u201cThe sound of most of the controversies which occupy you\n at home, reaches us here; and I think there was some\n reason for the accusation against many pious ministers,\n who make sanctification almost the Saviour: whereas\n true and effectual holiness arises from clear views of\n reconciliation to God by Christ. Not theoretical views, but\n that heart-felt sense of the preciousness of the Saviour,\n which only those who experience it can understand, and\n which every believer should seek to realize more and more.\n On the other hand, we have an instance or two of young\n converts entering into this view, so as to go beyond their\n experience, and afterwards to become greatly perplexed.\n May we, dearest sister, learn more and more of that\n expression,--\u2018The life I live ... I live by the faith of\n the Son of God?\u2019\u201d\n\nAmong the important objects which engaged the attention of the late\nBishop Turner, was that of providing additional accommodation for\npublic worship; and by his lordship\u2019s exertions in that respect,\narrangements had been made for building three additional churches\nin and about Calcutta. One of these was designed to be connected\nwith the Free School; so as not only to enable the whole of the\nchildren in that establishment to attend public worship on the\nSchool premises, but, also, to serve for the accommodation of the\nimmediate neighbourhood in which the School was situate. Many\ncircumstances, however, occurred after Bishop Turner\u2019s death to\nretard the completion of the Free-School Church, but this having\nbeen at length effected, the Church was opened on Nov. 20, 1831,\nthe Archdeacon preaching on the occasion, from Matt. xviii. 11. The\nsermon was afterwards printed; and on mentioning this in a letter to\nhis brother, the Archdeacon observes:--\n\n \u201cI know the Sermon is worth little but for local\n circumstances, and that I have had to contend with some\n cross-grained spirits, since the Bishop\u2019s death, to get the\n Church opened at all. The Sermon will, I hope, counteract\n their misrepresentations with the public.\u201d\n\nSome additional and more striking results of education without\nreligion, began now to attract attention. Those Hindoo philosophers,\nas they were called, who boasted of their desire to rescue their\ncountrymen from ignorance and superstition, had begun to take\nalarm at the freedom with which some of the natives, who had been\neducated at the Hindoo College, were attacking the Brahminical faith\nand morals. They therefore, somewhat inconsistently, resolved to\nhold no communication with any who impugned the Hindoo system; and\nwent so far as to procure the ejection from house and home, of the\nnative editor of a paper called \u201cThe Enquirer,\u201d because he continued\nfearlessly to expose Hindooism. On the other hand, the sceptical and\ninfidel portion of the Native community, avowed their sentiments\nwhenever occasion occurred, and acted out their education without\nreserve. A curious incident, illustrative of this state of mind\noccurred in the December of 1831. A large importation of \u201cPaine\u2019s\nAge of Reason\u201d had arrived from America for sale in Calcutta, and\na native bookseller, by way of experiment, fixed the price of the\nbook at one rupee. At first, a few copies only were sold at this\nlow price; but the work was found so exactly to fall in with the\nprinciples and tastes of the young enlightened Baboos of Calcutta,\nthat at the end of five days the bookseller had not a copy of Paine\u2019s\nblasphemy left, although the price had been raised to as high as five\nrupees the single copy. As was to be expected, moreover, the same\nHindoo liberalists, who persecuted such of their native brethren as\nexposed the Brahminical superstition, were ready enough to avail\nthemselves of an opportunity to shew their hostility to Christianity.\nThey accordingly had portions of the \u201cAge of Reason,\u201d translated\ninto Bengalee, and published in one of their newspapers; calling\nupon the Christian missionaries at large, and on the Archdeacon by\nname, to answer Paine\u2019s infidel lucubrations. Several, however, of\nthe most respectable of the Hindoos in Calcutta, expressed their\ndisapprobation of this proceeding, and deprecated all notice of the\npublication.\n\nAt Christmas-tide the Archdeacon took part in the admission of some\nnative converts into the Church of Christ. It was on the 26th of Dec.\n1831, that the Chapel at Mirzapore was filled with native Christians,\nthe children from St. James\u2019 and Infant Schools, and the friends of\nmissions, from Calcutta and neighbourhood. Divine service commenced\nby the Native Christians singing a Bengalee hymn; and during Morning\nPrayer, the Sacrament of baptism was administered to ten native\nadults, and eight native children. At this season, too, it was, that\nthere was an examination of the schools, and a dinner provided for\nthe native Christians and their children; of which the following\nlively account was given by the Archdeacon\n\n\n TO HIS DAUGHTERS.\n\n \u201cThe christians at the Church-Mission-house, dined all\n together on Monday last. There were 190 who sat down to\n dinner, as they report of the Lord Mayor\u2019s and other such\n feasts; and why may we not say so of this feast, though\n they all sat on the ground? They had, moreover, three\n courses and a desert. Plantain leaves being placed, one\n for each, with a little space between. They then seated\n themselves, each behind this plate of Nature\u2019s manufacture.\n Then came the cooks, and gave, one, a large spoonful of\n rice, another, a portion of vegetable curry. (I should\n premise, there was rice enough for each, placed at once,\n and a small portion of curry.) This latter being discussed,\n a portion of meat-curry was then placed beside the\n remaining rice,--after this, sweet-meats, and then fruit.\n When all were arranged, and ready to begin, Roop, the\n catechist, said a grace;--rather too long, I thought, as, I\n dare say, thought some of the hungry children. They seemed\n all very happy. It was a day of thankfulness to many of\n us. Ten years ago, there was not one christian connected\n with this Mission; now, of these about one hundred and\n fifty are connected with Krishnagur. Some of them residing\n in the neighbouring villages, the remainder were guests,\n connected with other Missions. All were feasted for about\n four pounds, which your papa supplied. There were some\n English friends, too, with Mr. Sandys. We all assembled in\n the Chapel for worship at twelve o\u2019clock, and it was quite\n filled; so that if things prosper, as we hope they will,\n the Chapel must soon be enlarged.\u201d\n\nExcept when occasions like these called the Archdeacon from home,\nhis time was now chiefly spent between Calcutta and Barrackpore.\nHe appears, too, to have continued the custom originated by the\nlate Bishop, of allowing any friends who might chuse to attend his\nfamily-worship on Friday-evenings; and to many were those social\nmeetings the means of instruction. Respecting himself, he observes in\na memorandum, dated\n\n \u201cBarrackpore, April 22, 1832.\n\n \u201cOn the 10th of this month, I completed 55 years. Great\n mercies on the part of God, great ingratitude on my part,\n appear in review. Such has been my history throughout. I\n do not look on it as a thing of course, but as a proof of\n the inveterate nature of human depravity; and as setting\n forth the unutterable condescension and love of God, the\n Saviour. I would not have it continue; whilst I am sure\n if left to myself it will continue, and continuing must\n exclude me from Heaven. My expectation, and my desire\n is, to be saved from sin; and I thank God, through Jesus\n Christ, that thus it will be. The prospect before me, if\n life be spared, is full of anxiety. I feel very reluctant\n to quit India. I had intended to have spent my life here;\n but that implied an useful life. My present appointment has\n operated to make my defects more manifest. Who would have\n thought, when I was glad of release from the duties of the\n Presidency, (being from debility unable to perform them,)\n that so much publicity would have followed? Who could have\n calculated on the Bishops being removed, one after another?\n This is the Lord\u2019s doing. If I have not brought discredit\n on my religious profession, it is also of Him. He has\n hid me in \u2018the secret of his pavilion\u2019: I feel this most\n sensibly.\u201d\n\nThe Archdeacon\u2019s correspondence shews that the anxiety here expressed\nrespecting the future, was much increased by the accounts which\nreached India of that turbulent spirit, which now pervaded England;\nand which had been called forth and fostered by unprincipled\nmen; who, in the absence of arguments, derived from truth and\nrighteousness, in favour of their schemes of reform, did not scruple\nto recommend the use of the brick-bat and the bludgeon. Thus in\nwriting\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cApril 25, 1832.\n\n \u201cThe overland news have reached us up to the 13th January.\n Very troublous times seem coming over you. May the Lord\n avert or guide the storm, as He surely will! But who may\n be swept away in its violence, who can say? What anxiety\n you must have experienced about Lucy during the riots at\n Bristol! And now again burnings have commenced in various\n parts. These things make the prospect Englandwards very\n dreary, and add to the natural indecision of my mind as to\n what it may be right to do, respecting having our children\n here, or going to them. Yet I expect and confidently\n believe, that when the time comes our path will be plain.\u201d\n\nAnd with reference to the same subject he writes\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cThe rejection of the Reform Bill by the House of Lords,\n seems very disastrous. I think they did their duty, but the\n late promotions in the Church look as if the proverb were\n about to be realized, \u2018Quem Deus vult perdere &c.\u2019 What\n can result from the influence of such men but laxity of\n doctrine and of practice, and changes in every department?\n Change may be required in some things, but they should\n be men who fear God and reverence his word, who make\n the changes. Well: _the Church_ shall stand to which we\n belong. The Rock, Christ, is not to be shaken by these\n convulsions.--Yet these troubles in Old England distress\n me much, not only for the sake of the land of my fathers,\n but as affecting the determination I shall be obliged to\n come to, if spared a few months longer, as to return or not\n return to you. Sometimes friends here say, I shall have\n the offer of becoming Bishop, or one of the Bishopricks\n of India. This I do not myself think; or when the thought\n occurs, it creates only fear lest the offer should be\n made.... Ever since I left college, present duties have\n required present exertion; and if I have any reputation for\n discretion, it is, because like the owl, I have preserved\n silence on points on which I was ignorant. With these true\n thoughts of myself, every occasion of publicity has brought\n me only secret humiliation; with, at times, overflowing\n feelings of thankfulness to God, who \u2018out of the mouths\n of babes ordains praise.\u2019 But now my secret desire is for\n privacy. This perhaps, is at the bottom, after all, of that\n hankering I feel after what I always called Home. Though\n England since our father\u2019s death, presents no [particular]\n home to my mind, the Island generally is home; and should\n it be the will of God that I come among you, a small circle\n will bound my affections. And yet I should soon love all\n those whom my brothers and sister love, and all who have\n shewn kindness to the children of our love. But when I\n should be loosing my cords and preparing to take down the\n earthly house of this tabernacle, I may be in danger of\n becoming more attached to the passing scene. So, after all,\n there is no safety but in fearing always.\n\n \u201cAll things here continue much as usual, except indeed,\n that the great reductions in the army have led to the\n display in several parts of the country of a disposition\n to plunder and to insurrection. It is not, I apprehend,\n from dissatisfaction with this more than with any other\n government, which might have been in possession. But it\n is human nature unrestrained by the outward or inward\n influence of Christianity: and our men in authority will\n not learn, how much they owe to the Gospel, even as it\n respects this life, in restraining the evil passions of\n mankind. A small offering to the idol, of any plunder\n gained, sanctifies the remainder to the possessors: and now\n that so much country is left without the presence of any\n military force, why should not the natives help themselves\n to whatever is within reach? This is the spirit at work in\n much of this land.\u201d\n\nMeanwhile the preaching of the gospel was not without effect, for the\nArchdeacon was able to inform\n\n\n MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cJuly 7, 1832.\n\n \u201cIn our mission this year, 108 have been added to the\n Church, of whom seventy-two are adults; and there is a\n growing willingness in the natives to listen to the Gospel.\n We have a converted Jew,[160] also, seeking the welfare of\n the lost sheep of the house of Israel; and Mr. Wolff is\n in the Punjab on his way hither. He has been imprisoned,\n bastindoed, made to work as a slave, and scarcely reached\n Peshawar alive; but now Runjeet Singh, hearing of his\n connection by marriage with the Governor General, has sent\n him a guard of honour; and he who was yesterday literally a\n beggar, finds himself treated as a prince.\u201d\n\nIn the following month the Archdeacon had the happiness to witness\nthe baptism of one of those native youths, who have been already\nmentioned in connection with the Hindoo College in Calcutta;[161]\nand of whom several, by attending the lectures of Mr. Duff and Mr.\nHill, on the Evidences of Religion, had been led into a belief of the\ntruth of the Bible, as a revelation from God. The youth in question\nwas baptised in the Old Church on the 26th of August, and soon after\nbecame a student in Bishop\u2019s College. The decided preference,\nhowever, which this youth and others evidenced for the Church of\nEngland, seems to have occasioned much annoyance to many, of whom\nbetter things might have been hoped.\n\n \u201cThe Baptists,\u201d as the Archdeacon writes to his sister,\n \u201cdid all they could to prejudice them [the native youths]\n against us: so that when the youth referred to, came to\n talk over the Baptismal service, all the usual objections\n were familiar to him; but he was satisfied with the\n explanations so often rendered of them. These,\u201d adds\n the Archdeacon, \u201care little refreshments amidst much to\n depress us: for the spirit which is abroad in England, is\n also spreading here. Many are not only disposed to favour\n dissent, but to discourage the Church. Here, where are no\n tithes or exactions to complain of, we might expect to be\n let alone. But no: we must be pulled down, if possible,\n from the elevation we have gained. Our Governor General and\n his Lady have done much towards this, by going alike nearly\n to Church and meeting; so Mr. J. Hill publishes a book to\n explain, as he professed, the principles of Independency,\n but it is in reality a collection of the bitterest things\n which have been uttered from time to time, against\n Establishments in general, and the Church of England in\n particular. It has however, answered his end with few or\n none; whilst it has exposed to many the bitterness they\n would not believe could dwell under so meek an exterior.\u201d\n\nSo again the Archdeacon in writing to his brother observes:--\n\n \u201cHere we have no tithes, no collection of Church-dues, to\n call forth ill feeling. We interfere in no way but in our\n religious character, yet this offends.\u201d\n\nIt might truly be said that there was \u201cmuch to depress\u201d the spirit\nof a Christian, when such persons as Mr. Hill professed to be, could\nhave so carefully treasured up, to be poured forth as occasion\nserved, \u201cthe bitterest things which had been uttered against the\nChurch of England;\u201d because such a proceeding must have given reason\nfor doubting the religious sincerity of the parties themselves.\n(Phil. i. 15; 1 Cor. xiii. 1-3.) Whatever evils might have been\nconnected with \u201cestablishments in general, and with the Church of\nEngland in particular;\u201d no person with truth could charge those\nevils upon that Church in India. On the contrary, it was impossible\nto overlook the extensive good which our Church was at that moment\neffecting, in every corner of the Eastern empire; and that by means\nof funds as unconnected with the State, as Mr. Hill himself could\nhave desired. If history and experience therefore, had not explained,\nthat it was Episcopacy and not Establishments that called forth the\nsad exhibition of Independency of which the Archdeacon complained,\nthis outbreak of Mr. Hill and his friends must have appeared most\nunaccountable. The Archdeacon therefore, being fully aware that\nthe question to be decided was, \u201cThe office of the ministry, is it\nof Christ, or only by the suffrages and allowance of the people?\u201d\nreprinted, (but without any allusion to Mr. Hill\u2019s book,) Hey\u2019s tract\non the three-fold ministry of the New Testament; and as subsidiary\nto this tract, Dr. Mill printed Chillingworth on the Apostolical\ninstitution of Episcopacy. Both were eagerly read, and many who\nscarcely knew the difference between the Church and dissent, had now\ntheir eyes effectually opened. Amidst such causes for sorrow, there\nwere counterbalancing occasions for rejoicing. In the letter to his\nsister already referred to, the Archdeacon writes:\n\n \u201cI am not without fruit in my own sphere. Several\n respectable Mahommedans have come most mornings, for some\n months past, to read the scriptures with me. Two of them\n were baptised about a month since, and two are to be\n baptised to-morrow (Sep. 5.) and new enquirers are often\n appearing; so that there seems a prospect of a native\n Church being gathered from that class, in time.\u201d\n\nThe baptisms here spoken of as expected to occur, took place in\nthe mission-chapel at Mirzapore on the 5th of September. One\nof the parties baptised was a young person of talent and great\nrespectability, who had gone through the usual course of education\nat the Mahommedan College, with a view to his becoming a Molwee.\nThe sacrament was administered by the Archdeacon, who conducted the\nservice in Hindoostanee. After the baptism, he addressed the European\nportion of the congregation, exhorting them \u201cto take heed, lest\nwhilst the natives of India were thus entering into the kingdom of\nGod, they, the professors of the Christian name, should come short of\neverlasting life.\u201d\n\n\n [153] Writers.\n\n [154] Chief station.\n\n [155] Respecting the revolution which placed Louis\n Philippe on the throne.\n\n [156] Nothing could be worse than the state of the Native\n press about this time. Besides papers published in\n English, there were nine or ten in the Bengalee\n language, some of which contained the most polluting\n language and sentiments.\n\n [157] These were the Anglo-Indians, who, for some time\n past, had been clamouring for political privileges.\n\n [158] It will be remembered that animals of the ox-tribe\n are sacred among the Hindoos; so that whilst the\n \u201cfeasting on beef\u201d manifested the greatest contempt\n for Hindooism on the part of the youths; no greater\n insult and profanation could have been inflicted on\n the Brahmin than to have ox-bones thrown into his\n premises.\n\n [159] Some notices of Bishop Turner are collected in the\n Missionary Register, for March and May 1832.\n\n [160] Mr. Samuel.\n\n [161] See above pp. 494, et seq.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER XIX.\n\n ARRIVAL OF BISHOP WILSON.--BAPTISM OF\n NATIVES.--ORDINATIONS.--VISITATION OF THE UPPER PROVINCES.\n\n\nThe Rev. Daniel Wilson had been consecrated to the See of Culcutta\nearly in this year, and was now approaching the shores of India. It\nappears that on his appointment to the See, Dr. Wilson had written to\nArchdeacon Corrie to inform him of that circumstance, and had kindly\ntaken occasion to express a desire that the Archdeacon would for\nthe present continue his services in India. With reference to this\nestimable prelate the Archdeacon writes\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cDr. Wilson has not yet arrived, but is daily expected. I\n know no one more suitable to have been sent among us, but\n our expectation must be from God alone. It would cost me a\n severe pang were I told I should not be allowed to visit\n England again, yet the prospect of remaining here is not\n painful to me; and it is chiefly on our children\u2019s account\n that I have thought of retiring.... You are not likely to\n know, unless I tell you, that Mr. Charles Grant has written\n me a very kind letter, stating why I was not called home to\n be made Bishop.... I am more than satisfied, for I desire\n not the office. I have felt a measure of the responsibility\n attached to it; experienced what it is to be set on an high\n place \u2018as a mark for envy to shoot at;\u2019 and above all, I\n know to a demonstration how much more such men as the last,\n or the present Bishop can effect, beyond my utmost ability.\u201d\n\nThat it might meet his lordship as soon as he should arrive in India,\nthe Archdeacon addressed the following letter\n\n\n TO THE BISHOP OF CALCUTTA.\n\n \u201cOct. 2, 1832.\n\n \u201cThe news of your appointment to India, reached this\n country at the latter end of July, and caused thanksgivings\n to ascend from many hearts. Your two kind letters did not\n reach me till September 21, so that the time had passed for\n addressing a letter to the Cape. This will, we hope, meet\n you before the end of this month, on the Sibbald\u2019s entering\n the River, and in good health, and without disaster on the\n voyage. Our hearty congratulations are offered, and prayers\n that your entrance in among us, may be \u2018in the fulness of\n the blessing of the Gospel!\u2019\n\n \u201cFrom what you are reported to have said at the Church\n Missionary Society\u2019s anniversary meeting, it would appear\n that you had been led to expect that arrears of business\n await you, to be arranged: I am happy to say that not\n a case, that I am aware of, is in arrear; that though\n much interesting business connected with our public\n institutions, will claim your attention, nothing in the\n way of official arrangement remains for your decision. I\n am most happy to observe your intention of endeavouring\n to preserve health. Our former Bishops no doubt had the\n same purpose, but they did not take advice from those\n more used to the climate. I shall, please God we meet,\n explain to you how both Bishops Heber and Turner brought\n on, inadvertently, their own end. There is nothing in\n the climate to prevent most constitutions continuing,\n with care, to enjoy good health. At the same time, it has\n appeared to me that no particular age is more favorable\n than another; or that there is any such thing as becoming\n inured to the climate, so as to bear exposure at certain\n times. Experience teaches us to avoid certain situations\n and not to expose ourselves [to the climate] at certain\n times, if we can avoid it; and this is all, in my opinion,\n that any one gains by long residence here. All this will\n soon become familiar to you; and I have no doubt, under\n usual circumstances, you will be able to go through all\n your duties with comfort....\n\n \u201cI shall say nothing of my own affairs, except that I was\n not intending to leave the country this year; and that it\n will be my delight, as well as duty, to be assisting in\n every way I can.\u201d\n\nOn the report reaching Calcutta that the \u201cSibbald\u201d had arrived in the\nriver, the Archdeacon, as on like former occasions, obtained the use\nof one of the government vessels, met the Bishop, and conveyed him to\nCalcutta. His lordship arrived there on the 4th of November, and was\ninstalled on the next day.\n\nThe Archdeacon was thus relieved from some of those anxieties which\nwere connected with official duties, but he was not without trials\nof a domestic nature. The ship in which his wife had embarked for\nEngland in the middle of December, was wrecked off Coringa, on her\npassage to Madras, and the passengers only saved by taking to the\nlong-boat. They ultimately landed at Masulipatam, and the fatigue\nand exposure to the cold which Mrs. Corrie and the other passengers\nunderwent, proved of no lasting detriment to them; but all their\nluggage was lost.\n\nA letter addressed to his wife soon after her departure from India\nwill give some idea of the nature of the Archdeacon\u2019s occupations at\nthis time:--\n\n \u201cJanuary 6, 1833.\n\n \u201cThe last few days have furnished increasing occupation. On\n Wednesday I breakfasted with the Bishop, and arranged with\n him for the examination of the candidates for Ordination.\n I then went to Da Costa, who has been too ill to leave\n home, and corrected two proof sheets of Isaiah, in Persian,\n and two of the New Testament in Hindoostanee. I returned\n home at two o\u2019clock, when the Natives, who read the\n Scriptures with me, occupied me till four. On Thursday I\n was occupied nearly the whole of the day in writing to G.\n on his offence; and in the evening the Bishop dined with\n your mother and I, and we talked over Church affairs. On\n Friday, there was a meeting of the High School managers, to\n appoint Lambrick _pro-tem_, head, and young Thompson second\n master. I then went to the examination, of Native Schools\n at Mirzapore, the best by far we have had: Dunsmore their\n superintendent. This kept me till 2 o\u2019clock. I came home\n and found the candidates\u2019 papers for my inspection, which\n by close application I got through by dusk. I then went to\n A. S. to dinner at six, and from thence to the town-hall,\n to the Bible Association general meeting, at half past\n 7 o\u2019clock, and home at ten. The Bishop took the chair,\n Bannerjee spoke well, but too long. Yesterday I wrote two\n public letters, and prepared notes of an address which the\n Bishop wished me to make to the candidates for Ordination,\n and their duties as they related to this country. At four\n I went to the Molwee\u2019s, and conversed awhile with about a\n dozen natives on John iii., and then came home to dinner.\n Now for some fragments. A Moonshee is to be baptised on\n Wednesday, who many years ago received a New Testament\n at Dacca. He cannot remember the date, but it was from\n the Chaplain who was there before S. He has been reading\n this, and enquiring at different places; till at length,\n convinced of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, he\n wishes to take up his Cross. He appears more spiritual than\n the Molwee; but you know we must not too readily trust\n appearances. He has a wife, who, he says, is persuaded\n also, and they have two children.\n\n \u201cPast 2 o\u2019clock--We have been detained at the Cathedral\n till now, and have had a most instructive discourse from\n the Bishop, Acts xxii. The Ordination of two deacons\n and seven priests altogether, is indeed a new sight in\n Calcutta. The Cathedral was crowded, and the service full\n of interest. At the Communion afterwards, one hundred and\n fifteen attended. Many appeared deeply affected.\u201d\n\nMrs. Corrie having proceeded from Masulipatam to Madras, the\nArchdeacon obtained leave to join her there, with a view to arrange\nfor her passage to England by another ship. He was consequently\nabsent from Calcutta until the beginning of March. On the 9th of that\nmonth he writes:--\n\n\n TO HIS WIFE.\n\n \u201cI found things here of a mixed nature; some pleasing, some\n painful. Of the pleasing was the baptism of twenty-five\n Hindoos in Mirzapore chapel, on the evening I arrived. The\n Hindoostanee congregation much increased. A fine youth of\n about eighteen, the son of an Englishman, but abandoned\n by the father, has with his Mother, sought instruction.\n He is dressed as a Mahommedan. Another youth of the same\n description, was confirmed, but I have not yet seen him.\u201d\n\nSome particulars of the then state of society, which the Archdeacon\ncommunicated in a letter to Mr. Sherer, may not be omitted:--\n\n \u201cMarch 30, 1833.\n\n \u201cYou will learn from other sources the great distress which\n prevails through the failure of the great houses here.\n One point of retribution I cannot but think is observable\n in the recoil of the Free-trade system. They were the\n men who maintained the Hurkcaru and India Gazette, to\n vilify the Company and to run down the Government; and\n just in proportion as they injured the interests of the\n Company, their own were injured.... Of public matters you\n will, also, hear. We have now a newspaper at Cawnpore, at\n Meerut, Agra, and Delhi. The Delhi paper has an article\n on the misconceptions of the Natives, shewing how easily\n they are led away by rumours, &c.; which seems to point\n out the impolicy of these very newspapers. The subject\n of Missions is daily gaining ground; yet opposition is\n at work underhand. Paine\u2019s \u2018Age of Reason\u2019 has been\n circulated to a large extent among the educated Hindoos;\n and a very plausible work written here, but printed in\n England, entitled \u2018Christianity of human origin,\u2019 has got\n considerable currency.\u201d\n\nIt was during the March of this year that the Archdeacon, among\nothers, resigned his office of governor of the Free-School in\nCalcutta. For a considerable period the affairs of the school had\nbeen a source of contention at the Presidency, in consequence of\na difference of opinion between the governors and the committee\nof that Institution, respecting the management of the charity. It\nwas therefore at length agreed that the points at issue should be\nsubmitted to the arbitration of the Bishop, it being at the same time\nunderstood that his lordship\u2019s award should be final. One portion of\nthe award was that the governors and secretary of the school should\nresign their office, in order thus to allow of such a reconstruction\nof the government of the School as might seem calculated to compose\nthe existing differences. The Bishop himself led the way, by\nresigning his office of Patron; and the Archdeacon readily followed\nso disinterested an example.\n\nSoon after this, the Bishop of Calcutta decided that the Archdeacon\nshould make a visitation of the Upper Provinces. An application\nwas accordingly made to government for the purpose of obtaining\ntravelling allowances for the occasion; and early in May an Order\nto that effect passed the Council. Before leaving Calcutta the\nArchdeacon relates\n\n\n TO HIS WIFE.\n\n \u201cJune 9, 1833.\n\n \u201cThe subject of Infant-Schools is to be taken up by the\n Bishop. Yesterday most of our friends among the Chaplains\n breakfasted with him, and a meeting was resolved on, to\n be called next Monday at the Bishop\u2019s. Lord and Lady W.\n are full, also, of the subject, and are to give largely,\n &c. A central school is to be built, and a Master and\n Mistress to be sent for from England; so that the little\n one on which you bestowed so much care, and which Mr. U.\n let die a kind of natural death, is to be succeeded by\n a magnificent offspring (shall I call it?); and Bishop\n Turner will yet speak to the place in this way, though\n his name be forgotten. A meeting, also, is called to\n forward steam-communication, which has been taken up anew\n at Bombay; and Lord W. is, also, aiding individually; and\n we are to have answers to our Letters in four or five\n months, if not to have leave of absence for six months,\n with permission to visit Clapham, without loss of pay or\n _batta_. Such are the topics of the day.\u201d\n\nIn the same letter the Archdeacon mentions an occurrence which will\nnot be read without interest:--\n\n \u201cOne of the youths who was to have been baptized on\n Whit-sunday, was seized in the street, by his relatives,\n and carried home to Bunhoogly. He had been there confined\n in a room for fifteen days, threatened, and was to have had\n a maddening potion administered to him, but for the cries\n and entreaties of his mother, whose love for the fruit\n of her womb prevailed over her superstition. The youth\n bribed a servant to carry a letter to Bannerjee,[162] and\n he with young Henry R. went in a palanquin carriage on\n the Berhampore road, on Sunday Evening the 2nd, when the\n lad escaped; fled to the appointed place of meeting, and,\n getting into the carriage, was brought to Mirzapore. A\n rich uncle, one of the Dutts, came on Friday last with a\n Brahmin, and tried to coax the lad away again; promising\n him all sorts of liberty, and every thing, but leave to\n become a christian. The youth stedfastly refused. On\n this a complaint was lodged at the Police office against\n Bannerjee, charging him with violently carrying off the\n lad, but they could not sustain the charge, and the case\n was dismissed: and here the matter rests at present. He is\n a very intelligent lad of sixteen, but short of his age. I\n had an interesting conversation with him on Sunday evening,\n too long to write to you, but the substance of it was as\n follows: \u2018A full conviction of the truth of Christianity.\n Its suitableness to mankind as revealing a Saviour, and the\n lad\u2019s own individual need of pardon of sin, and of grace\n and strength to bear his trials, and to obey God.\u2019 The poor\n fellow was very feverish from the agitation he had gone\n through. Mr. S. was preparing tea for him, and he slept in\n one of S\u2019s room for security. How little we know of such\n difficulties in the way of salvation! Our ease and levity\n are equal impediments, and perhaps sources of greater\n danger.\u201d\n\nThe youth mentioned in the foregoing letter was named Brijonaut\nGhose, and had been educated at the Hindoo College, but afterwards\nbecame a pupil at the Mirzapore school, under Krishna Mohun\nBannerjee. There, it appears, he was in the habit of conversing\nfreely with his companions respecting the follies of Hindooism, and\nthis having reached the ears of his parents, they became apprehensive\nthat their son would embrace Christianity, and so forbade his\nattendance at the school. His absence was not particularly noticed\nat the time; but on his returning again after some time had elapsed,\nhe stated the reason for his absence, and shewed a greater desire\nfor instruction in the great truths of revelation. The opposition\nto his attending at Mirzapore, now became more decided on the part\nof this youth\u2019s parents: they took him to their home, confined him\nto the house, and had him carefully watched for several days. The\nyouth, however, contrived to escape, and instantly went to Mirzapore;\nbut as the friends of that Institution were, for every reason,\nanxious not to make converts by stratagem, it was decided that a\ntemporary residence should be provided for the youth, and a Brahmin\nprovided to dress his food, that he might not lose caste. But before\na residence could be obtained, the youth was again captured by his\nrelations, and subjected to the treatment which the Archdeacon\u2019s\nletter relates. So soon, therefore, as ever the youth found himself\nrescued from the unnatural violence of his parents, he earnestly\ndesired to be baptized. And as there was no doubt respecting his\nfitness for baptism, so far as concerned his knowledge of the Gospel,\nand the sincerity of his faith in its promises, there seemed, at\nfirst, to be no reason for disappointing his desire; especially as\nbaptism would effect a complete separation of the youth from his\nrelatives, and thus prove a certain protection against their future\npersecution. To prevent, however, any suspicion that so solemn a rite\nhad been hastily administered, or that the Missionaries had acted\nfrom unworthy motives, it was considered better that the baptism of\nthe youth should be deferred. But in the meanwhile the father of\nthe youth obtained a writ of _Habeas Corpus_ from the Supreme Court\nin Calcutta, calling upon Bannerjee to produce Brijonaut Ghose,\nand to shew cause why he was detained at Mirzapore or elsewhere.\nBannerjee, of course, appeared in Court with the youth, and stated,\nthrough the Advocate General, all the circumstances connected with\nthe youth\u2019s history. The Court, however, decided that the parents\nwere the natural guardians of their children, and the youth was\ntherefore ordered to be delivered up to his father. It was in vain\nthat the youth personally expressed his unwillingness to return\nhome, and alleged his dread of the repetition of the violence which\nhe had already experienced: the Court did not feel called upon to\ninterfere until the dreaded violence had been actually offered; and\nconsequently reiterated the order for the boy to be given up to the\nfather. The poor fellow was then seized hold of by his father; but\nit required considerable exertion to get him out of court. He wept\nmost bitterly, repeated his appeals to the judges, seized hold of the\ntable at which the barristers were seated, and was only dragged away\ninch by inch.\n\nThis unusual scene gave rise, as it will be concluded, to much\ndiscussion, and in its probable consequences was of no ordinary\nimportance: it occurred on the day on which the Archdeacon left\nCalcutta; who in announcing his intended journey to his brother,\nobserves:--\n\n \u201cMy visitation out and home, will embrace a circle of\n between 2000 and 3000 miles. I have no fear as to health;\n and for the rest, I have the word of truth, \u2018I will be with\n thee in all places whithersoever I shall lead thee.\u2019\u201d\n\nFull particulars of the Archdeacon\u2019s proceedings are contained in his\nletters to the present Bishop of Calcutta, and in his correspondence\nwith Mrs. Corrie: it is from both these sources that the following\ninformation is derived;--\n\n \u201cOn the 13th July, 1833, I went to Chinsurah, and found\n dear B. on the steps of the Church to receive me. Passed\n a peaceful day on the 14th with him. Having been less at\n ease for want of repose, I enjoyed Saturday as much bodily\n as mentally. On Sunday morning I preached to the soldiers:\n and in the evening B.; there was a collection made both\n times for the Church Missionary Society of about 100 Rs.\n The church in the evening was nearly as full as in the\n morning. Captain J. came up to see a friend, and passed an\n hour on Sunday with me; he breakfasted with us on Monday\n morning; and he and B. came on with me to Bandel. I thought\n much of the many partings we have had in these places.\n Beloved Mr. Brown came up with Martyn and Parsons and me\n to Forsyth\u2019s here in 1806;[163] and again with Parsons and\n me in November of that year. M. and Miss C. and I paid F.\n a visit here in 1812. Now where are most of these? Their\n place others fill. Yet the work of the Lord goes forward!\n\n \u201cI consider my journey now commenced. The weather is\n favourable; the wind fair and steady till toward evening,\n but not strong; and very cloudy.\n\n \u201cReached Santipore, July 16th, and expected to be at Culna\n by breakfast time. Arrived at Culna by nine. Mr. A. came\n down to the boat, and we afterward went up to the Mission\n bungalow and staid till evening. Their mode of life is just\n what people at home fancy of Missionary life in India; the\n house was clean and airy; the children are kept in such\n order as Christian children should be, playful yet obedient.\n\n \u201cI was nearly a day sooner than was expected; only two of\n the four schools were sent for to be examined, and of them\n only the first classes, and a few of the second. There were\n forty-one boys: they read with great correctness the 6th of\n St. Matthew: and generally gave correct explanations from\n notes supplied to each school by Mr. A., explanatory of\n what they read. They read with equal correctness Ellerton\u2019s\n Dialogues, 5th Ch:, and are expert in their explanations;\n the whole of this book the boys had read; it is a great\n favourite among the scholars; and a few days since four\n youths, who had been educated in these schools, came to Mr.\n A. and requested a copy of each of the Dialogues for their\n private use.\n\n \u201cMr. A. has a school of sixteen girls in one of the rooms\n of the bungalow; one of them a few months since was, with\n her mother\u2019s consent, baptized. There is also an English\n class of about thirty; their proficiency was not so\n manifest. The teacher is a Mahomedan, who learned English\n at some school in the Chitpore road. Mr. A. speaks of a\n great and favourable change in the respectable natives\n towards him. This appears among other things, in some\n wealthy people, who had set up a school in opposition to\n one of the mission schools, having, after some conversation\n with him on Christianity, given up their school, and sent\n the boys to his. Culna is a great mart for grain, so that\n tracts are carried from this to many distant parts of the\n country, and Mr. A. speaks of strangers, who come to the\n market, as desirous of obtaining tracts to carry away with\n them. In the evening twenty-one of the native Christians\n attended for worship. Mr. A. leads the psalmody with his\n violin, just loud enough to keep them in tune; the effect\n was very pleasing.\n\n \u201cJuly 18th.--We crossed the river, after leaving the\n mission house, for freer air. Mr. A. came with me. It\n reminded me of our visit with the late Bishop, when he had\n in like manner crossed the river with us. We spoke of him\n with much affection, and especially of the good judgment\n displayed in his remarks on Missionary operations. In the\n night there was much rain; but yesterday the wind was\n fair, and steady without rain, as far as Nuddea. I staid\n at the mouth of the Jellinghee an hour, expecting that Mr.\n R. might have come from Krishnaghur to the neighbouring\n factory to meet me, as I had written to him about my plans\n from Chinsurah. He was not come, nor is it of consequence,\n as I could not have gone at that time to see the Nuddea\n school. We proceeded very slowly, yet reached a point\n near the factory with the upper-roomed house. There was\n a fine plain covered with growing rice. A clever-looking\n young brahmin, in part owner of the field, came up to\n make salaam. I engaged him in conversation by setting\n the young baboo to ask him questions; no good seemed to\n follow; but on the passage \u201c_Come unto me, all ye that\n labour and are heavy laden_,\u201d &c. being read, I observed,\n that if the brahmin would admit, that sin is a burden,\n it would make him uneasy; so that I feared he would put\n away the invitation. He became thoughtful, and left us a\n little seriously. The 18th passed rather uncomfortably. I\n had called the moonshee, and had just commenced reading\n the 1st of Acts with him, when we began to move round and\n round! The river had made on both sides a deep indent into\n the bank; and the water was boiling like a whirlpool.\n After some time the dandies made the side; but the river\n ran a perfect sluice. I got on shore, and after two or\n three trials the pinnace was dragged with much difficulty\n out of this situation. But for a mile, the river ran\n with like violence; and I had to walk all that way; the\n day was clear and the heat great; I had a chattah, and\n walked no faster than the dandies, who were bending to\n the earth almost in their endeavour to drag the pinnace\n on. I abstained from water though exceedingly thirsty;\n and only moistened my mouth with a wet towel, and after\n an hour\u2019s repose felt no inconvenience. The river still\n ran very strong, and has been very tortuous since passing\n the Jellinghee. About twelve a heavy fall of rain came on;\n the men fastened the pinnace slightly to the bank; and\n all came on board for shelter. This continued till three,\n when we set off again, and a strong wind springing up, we\n made head against the torrent. The rush through the water\n was by no means pleasant; but we were mercifully brought\n to a quiet resting-place about half-past-six, P. M.; the\n wind died away and we had a cool refreshing night. During\n the day at intervals, I had much conversation with the\n moonshee on points of religion in which he is interested.\n We read also two chapters of the Acts, and conversed much\n on the contents. There is little expectation left of our\n reaching Berhampore on the 20th, which I much regret. It\n is His pleasure, however, who is the God of Providence, as\n well as of Grace. The river is now rising rapidly; and as\n it has not yet overflowed its banks, we have to contend\n against the whole strength of the stream, especially at\n every turning. On the 19th our progress was small. About\n eight A. M. heavy rain came on, so as quite to obscure the\n horizon: this detained us till near noon. We tracked when\n the wind lulled; small rain fell till near four P. M., when\n the wind rose, but not fair for us. At length at Dewan\n Gunge the course became fair, when we fell again upon a\n whirlpool; but the wind carried us slowly through, and with\n some exertion we reached a point near Cutwa.\n\n \u201cI was here strongly reminded of my first visit in 1806,\n when I walked through the sun from Dewan Gunge to visit\n Chamberlain.[164] The matted bungalow, his first wife\u2019s\n tomb, visible as we sat at table, and the delicate little\n girl, the daughter of that wife, sitting by him, and his\n mourning for the recent loss of his second wife, and\n the melancholy all these circumstances cast upon our\n conversation, were vividly called to my mind. Then his\n primitive mode of living, vegetable curry, and spring\n water, gave me a feeling of veneration for his character.\n I well remember too how in the evening Parson\u2019s lively\n conversation cheered him and he came on the next day with\n us to Plassey. At parting we sang Chamberlain\u2019s much used\n hymn, \u201cO\u2019er the gloomy hills of darkness, &c.\u201d I well\n remember the energy with which he used to sing. He is now\n singing the \u2018new song\u2019 in livelier strains, and his work\n has not fallen to the ground. The moonshee could not come\n on, on account of the rain. It is subject of much regret\n to find myself on the evening of the 20th ten coss from\n Berhampore by land, and not less than fifteen distant by\n water. But I am not conscious of having lost an hour since\n I left Chinsurah. If I could have foreseen the obstacles,\n which have arisen from the winding course and strength\n of the stream and failure of wind, I might have passed\n without visiting Culna, but these reflections are now in\n vain. May I but have wisdom and strength to improve such\n opportunities as may present themselves at Berhampore!\n\n \u201cI arrived at Berhampore in the forenoon of the 22nd July,\n and called on the chief military person and made known my\n purpose of remaining over the following Sunday.\n\n \u201cOn Tuesday forenoon I inspected with Col. T. the place\n newly appropriated for divine service. It is fitted up with\n pews for seventy or eighty of the upper classes, and with\n benches for the private soldiers. It is supplied also with\n two chandeliers of eighteen lights each, and abundance of\n wall shades for evening service.\n\n \u201cOn Wednesday I examined all the classes in the regiment\n school, consisting of sixty boys and forty-two girls.\n The upper classes read their scripture lesson with\n distinctness and propriety, and were pretty ready in\n Crossman\u2019s Catechism: this was their chief attainment.\n In the regimental library there are between 300 and 400\n volumes of a miscellaneous kind; few treating of religious\n subjects. To keep up the library, sergeants subscribe four\n annas a month, corporals and privates one. There are 213\n subscribers. The Christian Knowledge Society\u2019s library is\n confined chiefly to the hospital. On Thursday forenoon I\n called on some of the Civil servants, and on Friday visited\n the hospital, and read to and exhorted the more dangerously\n sick. Mr. M. arrived to-day; but went at once, being very\n poorly, to Mr. P\u2019s house, which is about two miles from the\n barracks. On Saturday morning I made some preparation for\n the following day. At half-past-six A. M. on Sunday, (the\n 28th of July) the regiment was marched to church. There are\n in the whole 700 men, of whom about half are Protestants,\n and some of these being on duty, those who attend are very\n sufficiently accommodated, which was by no means the case\n in the place formerly used for their assembling. Mr. M. was\n too unwell to assist, so that I had the morning service\n on my hands, and the sacrament, of which notice had been\n circulated: twenty persons attended. At half-past-three\n P. M. about thirty convalescent out of the forty-two sick\n assembled in the ward of the hospital. In the evening Mr.\n M. read prayers. There were about 150 soldiers present; and\n all the pews were occupied as in the morning.\n\n \u201cThese are the principal events in the way of duty which\n occupied me at Berhampore. A station school would be very\n desirable for the many poor Christian children, unconnected\n with the army; but in the absence of a chaplain, and from\n my own inability to endure the exertion, and indeed from\n want of time, nothing was done towards such an object. I\n had much pleasure in renewing acquaintance with several I\n had known up the country; but could benefit them little,\n being always made unwell by the morning\u2019s exertion. The\n wind has almost quite failed these two days, which renders\n the heat more oppressive.\n\n \u201cThere is a mission here of the London Society. Mr. H. has\n been at Berhampore several years, and is much respected.\n The success among the natives has been very limited; but\n he is very diligent in endeavouring to make the truth\n known, preaching once or twice a day in their bazaars and\n villages.\u201d\n\nIn a letter to Mrs. Corrie dated \u201con the Ganges,\u201d August 1st. the\nArchdeacon, after having given a detailed account of his equipments,\n&c. adds:--\n\n \u201cNow for my companion. He is a baptized Hindoo, of\n respectable, though not wealthy connections; was educated\n at Mr. Hare\u2019s school; attended first Mr. Derosario, and\n afterwards Mr. Duff: became a teacher in Mr. Duff\u2019s school,\n and was finally baptized in the Scotch congregation. He is\n now on the way to Futtyghur; R. is Judge, and a pious young\n doctor M. with him have established a school, and wish for\n a native christian teacher. Well: this youth, by name,\n Gopy Nath Mundee, was recommended as a schoolmaster; and\n to go with me, was thought by pious friends in Calcutta,\n a favorable opportunity. A place in the baggage-boat was\n assigned him, together with a learned Mahommedan enquirer,\n who will thus, I conclude, get a free passage to the upper\n provinces. He is reputed wealthy, and asks nothing but a\n passage from me. The other youth finds the pinnace more\n comfortable than the baggage-boat, (i. e. the boat laden\n with scriptures and tracts, for I have no baggage) and the\n second night he coolly proposed sleeping on my couch in\n the outer cabin. This I told him would be inconvenient to\n me, but that he might sleep in my _palkee_,[165] on the\n top; and there ever since has been his domicile. He is up\n as soon as I am, and at first his want of acquaintance\n with the peculiarities of our habits was trying to me,\n but I had to deal with a christian, and must not offend\n him. By degrees we became intimate, and I begin to explain\n to him our ideas of propriety. He _is_, I have reason to\n believe, a christian; has taken my observations in good\n part, and now I find little to interrupt my comfort,\n beside what the constant presence of any except my beloved\n family would occasion. I find him especially deficient in\n scripture knowledge, and in doctrinal divinity. Hence, of\n late, every morning exercise is a lecture on some point of\n scripture. We, to-day, commence for morning-worship the\n Psalms.... About ten the Molwee comes when he can; and he\n has also found out the comfort of the Pinnace; so that he\n now comes daily. He reads the scripture in Hindoostanee,\n with me first, then he and the Baboo mutually instruct each\n other. The Baboo learns Hindoostanee from the Molwee, and\n the latter English from the former: but here I am often\n appealed to by both. I must add that the Baboo (his age is\n twenty) has begun in consequence of previous conversations,\n to read the scriptures in Bengalee to the dandies. He\n offered to instruct Ameer,[166] but he said tauntingly, \u2018O\n no: I failed once, and I\u2019ll have no more to do with it.\u2019\n To-day we entered the troublous Ganges. A squall came on\n soon after we entered; then a lull, which left us on a\n sand-bank in the middle of the river.\u201d\n\nIn a letter to the same, dated Aug. 7th, he writes:\n\n \u201cYesterday being very anxious respecting the objects of my\n journey, I looked into Bishop Heber\u2019s journal; and I see\n more clearly what I have to do. His being a Bishop, his\n lively conversations, and especially his coming to confirm,\n raised an interest wherever he went, which I can have no\n pretension to expect. But at Berhampore, notwithstanding\n my inability to go amongst the people privately, all the\n station attended Divine service, and instead of ten or\n twelve as usual at the Lord\u2019s Supper, twenty attended. For\n this encouragement I feel thankful, and trust, as health\n returns, I may at the station before me be the means\n of quickening attention to the things which belong to\n salvation. 8th. Stationary in a jungle, the weather cool,\n the night again stormy, the wind still contrary. I had an\n interesting conversation after breakfast with the Baboo,\n explaining to him the subject of the annual Atonement and\n year of Jubilee of the Israelites. We read the xvith and\n xxvth of Leviticus, and the corresponding passages in the\n Hebrews. It is gratifying to observe the pleasure these\n discourses give him, and truly,\n\n Israel in ancient days\n Not only had a view\n Of Sinai in a blaze,\n But saw the gospel too.\n\n I have these few days been studying the Levitical Institutions\n with renewed interest and benefit.\n\n \u201cAugust 9. Yesterday evening, about ten of the dandies were\n led to sit down by us on the top of the Pinnace; and by\n keeping the Baboo to interpret what I said to them, they\n were detained for an hour, conversing on the subject of a\n mediator. By degrees they were led to see that Jesus was\n more worthy than their prophet, and they appeared very\n serious in their manner.\n\n \u201cI have been engaged with the Molwee and Baboo in new\n arranging the words in the Persian Litany, which is nearly\n accomplished. In the evening, four of the dandies again\n seated themselves near to us on the poop, and by degrees\n they were led again to the subject of a mediator, who\n could pay our debt of sin, and procure for us pardon and\n acceptance with God.\u201d\n\n \u201cReached Monghir on the 17th, in time to give notice for\n divine service the next day. Mr. W., the Commissioner,\n had returned home only the evening before. His return was\n favorable, as he opened his house as on former occasions,\n and at half past ten, all the Christians at the station\n assembled. At Boglipore, there are not above twenty\n Christian residents; at Monghir there are seventy or\n eighty, it being a favorite station for invalids to take\n up their abode. In reference to the country and climate,\n the station would be one of the most desirable on this side\n of India, the opportunities of doing good are many. On the\n opposite side of the river, is the district of Purneah,\n where many Indigo Planters are settled, and visits to that\n district at suitable seasons might be made very profitable\n to the residents. Mr. W. told me that those invalids who\n have families are gradually leaving Monghir, in order to\n settle where their children can have gratuitous, or cheap\n education. A Baptist Mission has been established here many\n years. Their Hindoostanee congregation consists of about\n sixty of all ages; only fifteen of these adults have given\n up caste for christianity; the remainder are of mixed race.\n Mr. L. who principally officiates in Hindoostanee, has\n a chapel also near the large bazaar, and, though he had\n no regard to the court-house when the chapel was built,\n the suitors in the court attend in great numbers. He has\n sometimes 400 hearers; on Sunday last about 150 were\n present. Mr. M. the other Missionary, in conjunction with\n his brother-in-law, receives pupils, both boys and girls.\n At this time they have twenty-one boys, and eleven girls.\n These are most of the particulars which will I think be\n interesting to you. On Monday morning early, a wind from\n a favourable quarter sprang up, and carried us round the\n fort, and we are proceeding not rapidly, but on the whole\n favorably. This sudden change of wind prevented me from\n writing from Monghir. I hope to send this from Patna by the\n end of the week. I have looked over the route I have to\n take, with the respective distances of stations. I shall\n send a sketch of the journey by land soon.\n\n \u201cMr. L. mentioned that he some time ago met at Boglipore,\n with one of the hill-men who understands Hindoostanee; and\n wishing to know something of the hill language, he engaged\n this man to teach him. After a time, he began to attend\n seriously to the New Testament, which they read together;\n and he seems to have experienced a decided conversion. This\n man is very anxious to impart the knowledge of Christianity\n to the hill-men, and is preparing to return as a missionary\n among them. He has been once, accompanied by a native\n Christian; and on giving his people an account of the new\n life on which he is entered, was not rejected, but invited\n to return and tell them more of this way.\n\n \u201cOn Thursday the 22nd August, we arrived at Patna about\n half past one P. M. As my stay would be short, I thought it\n better to remain in the boat. At that station I found much\n to gratify, and to lead to expectation of good, if proper\n means are devised. The Chaplain came to see me on arriving,\n and I dined with him in the evening; the conversation was\n on subjects connected with our work. He spoke of Wolff\u2019s\n visit here, and the impression it had made on several; his\n own mind was much stirred up to the consideration of the\n spread of the Gospel.\n\n \u201cThere is no appropriate place of worship at Patna. Divine\n service once in the forenoon, in the court-house, is all\n the public duty performed, there being no place fitted for\n evening service. A gentleman who has an appointment in the\n opium department maintains a boys\u2019 school of about thirty\n scholars near his house, in which the Gospels are read by\n the more forward boys. He entertains also a pious Christian\n youth, educated by Mr. Wilkinson, who assembles his\n servants and others for worship on Sundays. The collector\u2019s\n lady has two boys\u2019 schools of about thirty each, and a\n girl\u2019s school in which about the same number are taught.\n I examined the girl\u2019s school; and besides the junior\n classes, who are instructed in catechism, and elementary\n reading, there were five who read fluently in any part of\n the four gospels (Nagree character):--they repeated the\n ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord\u2019s Prayer, and\n gave as good an account of the fall of man, the promise of\n a Saviour, the life and sufferings of the Son of God, and\n the purpose of his death, as most children in a Christian\n school might be expected to do. These instructions are\n given in a great measure by the collector\u2019s lady herself.\n\n \u201cWhen leaving Patna on Saturday morning the Church\n missionary teacher brought a petition signed by about\n thirty householders, Mahommedans, praying for a school.\n If an efficient teacher could be supplied by any of the\n church societies, here is a fine opening. The population\n is immense, and several of the English residents at Patna\n would willingly countenance the undertaking. I trust\n the matter will not rest till a school be established.\n I was told by more than one, that since Mr. Wolff\u2019s\n conference with the Mahommedans here, much attention\n has been manifested by many of them to the subject of\n Christianity. Wolff\u2019s chief disputant is very desirous\n of obtaining a work in Persian or Hindoostanee on the\n evidences of Christianity, to meet the enquiry excited\n among the natives. He frequently comes to a friend in\n the opium department, and converses on the subject. This\n gentleman obtained subscriptions, and sent to Calcutta for\n copies of the Persian Pentateuch, which have been read\n by the learned natives, and many copies in Hindoostanee\n have been taken from the catechist. He speaks of several\n respectable Mahomedans, who occasionally attended the\n Sunday morning worship conducted by the native Christian;\n and the attention he meets with generally, when he goes\n out to speak to the people and distribute tracts, is very\n encouraging. Some of the families here meet on Thursday\n evenings, at each others\u2019 houses to read a chapter, a\n sermon, and prayer.\n\n \u201cA scheme was on foot lately to commence a native college;\n but funds are not forthcoming.\n\n \u201cOn the 24th I came from Patna to Dinapore. On arriving\n I received a very civil note from General O\u2019H, and soon\n after called upon him; he kindly invited me to take up my\n abode with him; but I am engaged to Mr. R. At Dinapore\n the chaplain labors almost beyond his strength. On Sunday\n morning I preached to a large congregation from the text\n Matt. xxv. 13. In the evening also the attendance was good,\n and I preached again. Next day I was very weary and staid\n at home, consulting with R. on some alterations in the\n church, and on forming a Church Missionary Association.\n On Tuesday morning I examined the regimental schools,\n consisting of forty two boys, and nearly as many girls: and\n afterwards the station school of forty one boys and girls\n of all ages and descriptions, as you may judge from there\n being five sepoys among them, one Irishman also belonging\n to the artillery. We did not get home till near ten, having\n commenced soon after six, both a good deal fagged. Mr. S.\n from Patna, and Mr. L. the Commissioner, had come up to see\n us. Wilkinson too was come from Goruckpore for change of\n air. He has had a severe illness, and the doctors say he\n must visit England in order to complete recovery. I fear\n the change recommended is quite necessary. His congregation\n amounts to 130, and he speaks of his assistant as quite\n competent to the charge of them, and worthy of confidence.\n If a new missionary should arrive, he might go there to\n learn the language; and he could attend to the one English\n service on Saturday. I trust some arrangement of the kind\n may be accomplished should Mr. Wilkinson\u2019s departure be\n unavoidable.\n\n \u201cThey lately lost a little boy of seven months who seems\n to have been a very precious child: he was carried off in\n twenty-four hours: there was no doctor in the station.\n\n \u201cOn Wednesday at half past 6 A. M. we assembled in the\n Baptistry, and formed a Church Missionary Association.\n There were six officers present and many privates and\n others. You will see the particulars in the _Christian\n Intelligencer_. There are about 200 natives professing\n Christianity at Dinapore. At present Mr. R. employs a pious\n Drummer, an East Indian, who assembles them on Thursday\n evening; from thirty to fifty attend.\n\n \u201cAfter breakfast on Wednesday I came away, being commended\n to God in prayer. The wind blew fair and strong and we\n reached Chuprah by night. S. and his wife are at Chuprah at\n present. I wrote him a note, not intending to go up, but he\n constrained me to promise to breakfast with them the next\n day, which I did; and the affection manifested by them was\n very gratifying to me.\n\n \u201cOn the 30th (August 1833,) the day was oppressively hot,\n and the night exceedingly close, so that no relief could be\n found any where. I rose weary to a degree. By 4 o\u2019clock, it\n being full moon, I set the people off: and when they were\n gone, I had a bathe on the deck, and never experienced the\n force of the expression so sensibly, _As cold water to a\n thirsty soul_; the refreshment was indescribable. I thought\n the next morning to have had a similar enjoyment; but the\n night was cool, and the morning breeze made me shiver, and\n I was glad to escape from the water. Such are the changes\n in this climate!\n\n \u201cWe could not make Buxar on Saturday: but Sunday,\n Sept. 1st, we arrived at mid-day. At 4 P. M. I went to\n Hindoostanee service, the catechist read the prayers: there\n were twenty women and three men present, besides Mrs. M.\n and her child; she reads the Scriptures to the women,\n when her husband goes on Missionary journies. But few of\n the Europeans attend English service in the forenoon: and\n the numbers in the Hindoostanee congregation are filled\n up as its members are removed by death or otherwise. It\n is reported that the station is to be abolished as a\n Government post. About twenty children, male and female,\n of European invalids are taught to read and write by a\n sergeant, who officiates as clerk, for which he has twelve\n rupees a month from Government, and the children pay eight\n annas a month. Their proficiency was very moderate. The\n mission as far as I could judge, languishes at this place,\n as at Patna, for want of superintendence by an English\n Missionary. A few of the old faces were there; among them\n Mary Caroll, an interesting character. She came to my boat\n this morning, and enquired after Mem Sahib, and whether I\n had taken the pension, and were going from the country,\n as she heard. She said if Mem had been here, she should\n have got some tea; so I gave her a tea-cup full to take\n home with her. She is feeble and failing, but never misses\n service, and responded cordially to my remarks on the end\n of time, and the love of the Saviour in preparing a place\n for his people. At 6 P. M. the little chapel was full for\n English service, when I officiated to about eighty.\n\n \u201cAfter evening service I went across the river with M. S.\n and the doctor, and enjoyed a cool refreshing night in\n his quiet bungalow. This morning early (the 2nd) I came\n over to the pinnace and had much conversation with M.\n on the affairs of the Mission, and gave such advice as\n circumstances seemed to call for. I left him such books and\n translations as I had brought and could spare, of which\n he was in great need. I saw also an interesting young\n convert, baptized three years ago at Lucknow by Mr. Bowley.\n His answers to my questions, on his views of Christian\n truth, were very satisfactory. As usual he is forsaken by\n his Mahomedan friends, a brother and mother. He teaches\n a school here of fifteen Mahomedan boys, who receives\n Christian instruction from him. M. came over at 8 A. M. and\n we went to breakfast with Colonel Bird. I feel as if my\n visit here was very opportune. May the Lord, even our God,\n grant his blessing, Amen! I know not how I have omitted\n to notice a shock of an earthquake which occurred on the\n night of the 26th August, between 11 and 12. The motion\n continued for hours, and exceedingly alarmed the whole\n country. At 20 minutes before 12 it was most violent; when\n every window shook, and many houses cracked: some of the\n native houses at Patna are thrown down, and some European\n so damaged as to require being rebuilt in part. No shock of\n so long continuance has occurred in the memory of man. All\n were roused, and most left their houses for the open air. I\n did not leave my cot; but Mr. R. came and stood by me for\n half an hour, occasionally going to comfort his wife and\n mother.\n\n \u201cOn the evening of September 3rd, a gale came as we reached\n Ghazepore. It blew fresh all the night, but being from the\n east we suffered nothing. Mr. T. kindly asked me up; and,\n after breakfasting with the Chaplain on the 4th, I came to\n his splendid abode. It rained hard all the 4th and 5th: in\n the night my cook and baggage-boats were swamped at the\n ghaut opposite the mausoleum. All the school-books and the\n Scriptures, which I was taking up the country, are spoilt.\n Of my own I lost nothing; but am detained over Sunday to\n get another boat. I have visited the school and shall\n preach on Sunday.\n\n \u201cOn the morning of the 7th, I examined the regimental\n school. There are above 100 boys and girls in one large\n room: the greater part are boys, and the girls who\n attend are of tender age. The exhibition was on a low\n scale in scripture reading and catechism and accounts.\n The commanding officer told me he was aware of the\n comparatively low attainments of the school-master\n sergeant; but he had no one of equally good conduct whom\n he could substitute, and he thought good example of great\n importance to the children. There are but few sick in\n hospital at present; the chaplain told me he visited them\n weekly, and from cot to cot. I had the whole service on the\n morning of the 8th, Mrs. R. being unwell. In the evening I\n preached also, and the attendance was very considerable,\n as I was told is very usually the case.\n\n \u201cI arrived at Benares about midday on the 10th; and on\n the 11th early went to the Missionaries of the Church\n Missionary Society to inspect the endowed school in\n the city. There are 149 boys; of these fifty receive\n instruction in English. We began to examine them at six,\n and continued engaged with them till nine. I enclose a\n list[167] of the boys, exhibiting their progress; and in\n respect of the English I have much pleasure in reporting\n most favorably. The pronunciation of the youths is better\n than I have found in any other native school; and the first\n class is really proficient in the subjects enumerated\n opposite their names. A box of books for schools entrusted\n to me by Lady W. Bentinck, supplied some very useful\n rewards, and the youths seemed much gratified with them. I\n regret that from the extreme heat I was unable to attend\n equally to the other department of the school. I merely\n enquired into the nature of the instruction they are\n receiving. They all read the scriptures in the languages\n they learn, and the Hindoostanee teacher would not be\n satisfied without our waiting to hear his class repeat a\n part of the Christian catechism in use. The school is under\n the immediate charge of Mr. S., and the Rev. Mr. Smith has\n till within the last month frequently given instruction\n in the week. The Rev. Mr. Leupolt has now undertaken that\n charge.\n\n \u201cOn the morning of the 12th I visited the female school.\n There are eighty in usual attendance; but here I was from\n the heat obliged to confine my attention to the first\n class. This consists of eighteen, of whom thirteen were\n present. These read in two places of St. Matthew\u2019s Gospel\n with readiness in Hindee. They read also in Genesis, and\n in a small abridgment of Scripture History. They answered\n questions on the subjects they read intelligently, and\n shewed a fair acquaintance with the leading truths of\n revelation. They repeated with accuracy the Scripture\n catechism in use, and finished with singing together a\n Christian hymn. This it seems they at first objected\n to learn; but now they are fond of this part of the\n school-exercises. Specimens of marking both in English and\n Hindee were exhibited, which shew much proficiency.\n\n \u201cMr. Smith collected the scholars of the three Hindee\n schools at the Mission premises: but from the excessive\n heat I was able to attend to only one school. In this\n about half the number, (fifteen) are reading portions of\n our Scriptures; but the schools have not long been in\n operation, and the proficiency of the boys was accordingly\n small. In consequence of the detention at Ghazepore, I\n was unable to give a Sunday both to Benares and Chunar.\n It was agreed therefore that I should preach a Missionary\n Sermon at Benares on Sunday. I went by land to Chunar and\n am happy to say I found Mr. Bowley perfectly restored to\n health, and capable of his usual labours, after having for\n several years seemed decaying. There have been no additions\n of late to the native congregation, though there have\n been several enquirers. Mr. Bowley is at present engaged\n in a correspondence with the chief Molwee at Lucknow,\n who having, as he concluded, discomfitted Mr. Wolff in\n argument, sent his statements to Mr. Bowley, challenging\n him to answer them if he could. It is remarkable that he\n heads his pamphlet (not printed) _Testimonies to Mohammed\n contained in the Christian Scriptures_;--literally, Glad\n tidings of Mohammed from the Prophets and the Gospel. The\n misapplication of his quotations is glaring; but the fact\n of our Scriptures being read, though not quite new, is thus\n confirmed.\n\n \u201cOn the morning of the 14th we visited the boys\u2019 and girls\u2019\n school; in the former are above forty, and I was glad to\n find that some fine lads, whom I saw here in 1830, have\n found provision at the neighbouring stations as writers,\n &c. The present school consists of rather small boys. In\n the girls\u2019 school are upwards of sixty; these are much\n attended to by the lady of the Adjutant, and exhibited a\n very satisfactory proficiency in Scripture knowledge and\n the Catechism; besides being well instructed in needle\n work. Mr. E. catechises both boys and girls on Sunday\n mornings in Church before divine service, when some of\n their friends are also present.\n\n \u201cThe Church Missionary Association is in beneficial\n operation; they raise funds for the support of (I think)\n three readers of the Scriptures, and two native schools.\n On the whole my mind is much set at rest on some points,\n respecting the Mission at Chunar by this visit. The Lord\n grant his blessing!\n\n \u201cOn Sunday, the 15th September I preached for the Church\n Mission at Benares, and 156 Rs. were collected after the\n sermon. This, considering that the Chaplain raises about\n 130 Rs. monthly for the support of the native female\n school, was beyond expectation. To faithful labours and\n consistent character much of the success of the plans for\n assisting the Mission, both here and at Chunar, is to be\n attributed. The state of English society, both at Ghazepore\n and Benares, is very favourable to Christian projects. May\n God raise up, as in due time He no doubt will, suitable\n instruments for extending the knowledge of His saving name!\n On Tuesday morning I passed an hour at sunrise with the\n Missionary brethren in reading and prayer, and came away to\n Juanpore in the evening.\n\n \u201cAt this place is a pretty little Church in the Gothic\n style. There are three principal residents, by whom\n chiefly the funds have been raised. Lady William it seems\n kindly said to Mr. B. at Allahabad, when told of this\n undertaking, that she would pay for glazing the windows;\n this has been done and 120 Rs. are owing, besides which\n 220 Rs. were due for partial pewing. On Sunday, September\n 22nd, I officiated in this pretty building. The advantage\n of having an appropriate place for divine service was\n never more manifest than here. In the morning the whole\n Christian community assembled, in number thirty-five; of\n these fourteen remained to partake of the Lord\u2019s Supper.\n In the evening there were twenty present, and about this\n number usually assembled on Sundays twice a day, when the\n judge, collector, and commanding officer officiate in turn,\n reading the service of the Church, and a printed sermon.\n These three families meet also for social worship at each\n other\u2019s houses on Thursday evenings. There is a Catechist\n of the Church Missionary Society at Jaunpore. His name\n is Mirza Yusuf Bukir, a son of the celebrated traveller,\n Abu Talib Khan. This man resided at Allahabad when Mr. W.\n Bird was there, and obtained from him a New Testament in\n Persian, and occasionally asked of Mr. Bird explanations\n of passages. This led to his conversion. He now instructs\n the Christians connected with the native regiment at\n Jaunpore, and reads the scriptures to the servants of two\n families. Mr. Brown derives assistance from him also in\n translating tracts for circulation, when his public duties\n allow him any leisure, which is seldom. I had the pleasure\n to baptize Mirza\u2019s wife on the 24th, after several years\n of refusal to receive the Christian religion. This shews\n his perseverance; and all the friends at the station bear\n testimony to his consistent piety; though it is thought\n he has not sufficient employment where he is, and I wrote\n to Dr. C. at Patna on the subject of his being employed\n there, to which Mirza perfectly agrees. A youth taught in\n the Church Missionary school at Benares will, I expect,\n be entertained in the native college at Jaunpore as a\n teacher of English. It was at one time in contemplation to\n have placed him in a school in connexion with the Church\n Missionary Society; but there not being sufficient funds at\n disposal, it was determined to have English taught in the\n native institution, for here, as every where, the people\n are desirous of education in English.\n\n \u201cMy bodily strength is considerably renewed; but the\n confinement of the boat, equally with _dawk_ travelling,\n has prevented my deriving all the benefit I trust I may now\n hope for, at least on reaching Cawnpore. I am preparing a\n different route to that which we talked of together. By the\n one then proposed I could, if health held out, by scarcely\n intermitting a day of travelling or visiting schools, reach\n Bombay by the middle of March, and then, if a ship be ready\n to sail, reach Calcutta by the end of April or early in\n May. But unless duty called, Bombay would be out of my way;\n and I cannot but own that the spirit of enterprise has much\n departed from me. I shall now propose to go from Cawnpore\n to Saugor (not included in the former plan) expecting\n to be there the second Sunday in November; at Mhow the\n first Sunday in December; Neemuch the third in December;\n Nuseerabad at Christmas; Agra the first or second Sunday in\n January; then Muttra, Delhi, Meerut, Kurnaul, and to the\n snowy mountains during April, May and till the middle of\n June; return by Meerut, Fettyguhr, and the Ganges, so as\n to reach Calcutta in July, or early in August. This would\n not make my absence from Calcutta above three months longer\n than in the former scheme, and would keep me upon my own\n ground; and in the hills I should have useful employment.\n But in the view of such a journey I cannot but feel how\n appropriate the language of the Apostle is, If the Lord\n will? I do trust my resolves are all formed in that spirit,\n and I often do feel that a reconciled God is near at hand.\n If the Bishop could but make this tour I should expect God\n would greatly bless his visits. I find every where some who\n seem waiting for the kingdom of God, and a few who love and\n live on the Gospel of our Saviour. A marvellous change in\n public feeling has certainly taken place among the upper\n classes of our countrymen, in respect of the disposition\n to favour good plans. It seems a pity that their means\n of supporting such plans should be shortened just now. I\n was expecting the society of a valued young friend from\n Cawnpore to Mhow, when behold! the youth has found for\n himself a wife; and the lady cannot travel such long stages\n as I must make. I must therefore proceed alone, with my own\n thoughts to keep me company. I leave this, D.V. on Monday\n evening by land, having left my pinnace here: I intend to\n stay over the heat of Tuesday at a staging bungalow; go\n forty miles to Futtypore, where are Christian friends; stay\n with them till Thursday evening, and proceed to Cawnpore so\n as to arrive by Friday to breakfast.\n\n \u201cOn the 25th September, I arrived at Allahabad, and on the\n 26th went to breakfast with the Chaplain; and afterwards\n with him visited and examined the school in the fort.\n There are twenty boys and eight or ten girls receiving\n instruction: of these eight or ten are orphans, and their\n schooling is paid for out of the sacramental and other\n collections: and also paper, pens, and books are supplied\n to the school. The other children pay three and half\n Rs. each a month, as remuneration to the teachers. The\n proficiency of the children was very moderate, except in\n the Church Catechism, in which about twelve of them gave\n ready and intelligent answers to questions. There, as at\n other stations, the reward-books supplied to me by Lady\n William were gladly received. On the 28th, I was unwell,\n and obliged to lie by. On the 29th, towards evening I\n examined the native girls\u2019 school, where several ladies of\n the station met me. By the care of friends here a large\n compound close upon the bazaar has been obtained, and a\n very commodious school-room erected from funds raised on\n the spot. This was the first time the school was used,\n nineteen girls were present, all children of Mahomedans! It\n is expected that the number of children will not increase.\n Of those present ten read with fluency any part of the\n Hindoostanee New Testament, and repeated correctly the\n Hindoostanee catechism in use. The school is under the\n care of an officer\u2019s widow, assisted by a poor woman, who\n teaches the lower classes.\n\n \u201cA catechist of the Church Missionary Society is also\n stationed here, named David Batavia, originally from\n Ceylon. He reads prayers with the Native Christians in the\n invalid lines, amounting to from ten to fifteen; and also\n to about the same number of christians of the same class\n in the fort. He goes about from time to time distributing\n tracts, and conversing with the natives about Christianity.\n His piety and benevolence are admitted by all who know\n him, but no extensive good has yet appeared to result from\n his labours. He resides in a house which was given to the\n Church Missionary Society, by the Rev. Mr. Crauford, when\n he was Chaplain here. The house is well situated for a\n Missionary\u2019s residence. On Sunday morning we had Divine\n Service in the garrison at six. There is now only one\n Company of Artillery here, and of these many are Roman\n Catholics; so that only about forty were present: but the\n conductors and others connected with the magazine, who\n with their families reside in the fort, exceed sixty; and\n with a few from cantonments made a congregation of about\n 100. I preached in the morning, and in the evening at the\n circuit bungalow, where upwards of thirty attended. The\n partition-wall in this bungalow is about to be removed,\n when it will be much more commodious for public worship\n than in its present state, and it is expected more will\n attend. On Sunday evening last--those who came late could\n with difficulty be seated. The situation of the ground\n about the fort is below the level of the Ganges during the\n rains. The river is kept out by an embankment, which was\n this year in danger of giving way. The ground is thus low\n for a distance of about two miles from the fort, where on\n a rising ground the Military Cantonments and Civilians\u2019\n houses are situated. No Church could therefore be erected\n nearer than about two miles from the fort. A vacant space\n may there be found close to the circuit bungalow, the\n nearest point to the fort. So that there must always be two\n congregations at this station. Mr. R. Bird has informed you\n of the numbers and growing importance of Allahabad; as a\n Missionary station it is become of very great importance.\n A numerous and wealthy population reside in the bazars,\n engaged extensively in trade; and the town being at the\n junction of the rivers Ganges and Jumna, will increase in\n proportion as the country is prosperous. The numbers who\n now resort to the Board of Revenue and to the Sudder Court\n will give opportunity of circulating the glad tidings over\n all upper India; and Mr. L\u2019s experience at Monghir has led\n me to build much on this resort of strangers.\n\n \u201cFuttypore, October 3rd. At this station there are only\n four government servants; and only one of them married.\n The judge and doctor are old acquaintances of mine, and I\n am staying a day to break the journey to Cawnpore, where I\n hope to arrive to-morrow morning. A school is maintained\n by these few residents here, the medical man giving a good\n deal of his time to it, and also to a hospital where many\n sick poor are attended to: the expense of this is also\n maintained by friends on the spot. The population being\n to a considerable extent Mohamedan, the school is not so\n well attended as is desirable. I visited it this morning:\n there were thirty boys present; of these six have made some\n proficiency in English under a native, educated in the\n school at Cawnpore. His proficiency is very moderate, and\n his scholars accordingly come on slowly. They were reading\n the 3rd chapter of St. Matthew, having with much patience\n and good management been brought to read our Scriptures. At\n first much opposition was made to their introduction. They\n are aware, they say, that from reading these books people\n become Christians. Here as every where the field is open\n for Missionary labour.\n\n \u201cI have here met with an officer who has travelled the\n route I mentioned a few days since by Saugor to Mhow,\n Neemuch, Nuseerabad, and Agra. I was apprehensive that\n there might be dense jungle to pass through, and danger\n from malaria; but he tells me the country is pretty well\n cultivated, and that there is no jungle to speak of; that\n the aspect of the country, moreover, is interesting, much\n beyond these level plains. I seem therefore fixed in that\n plan. I shall be ready to leave Cawnpore, I conclude, by\n the last week in October; and will send before I proceed, a\n detailed account of the progress I expect to make.\n\n \u201cI leave here the young Baboo who accompanied me, and whose\n conduct has been uniformly Christian and correct.\n\n \u201cI arrived at Cawnpore on the morning of the 4th October.\n From the wish not to lose time, I had left my boat at\n Allahabad and proceeded _dawk_, as I had to that place from\n Benares, via Jaunpore.\n\n \u201cThis mode of travelling made me very unwell, and prevented\n for a whole week my taking so active a part as I otherwise\n might have done. I was also prevented visiting Lucknow,\n which I could have done only by _dawk_. I wrote however\n to Mr. Greenwood for information. He also came over for a\n day to Cawnpore, and represented his situation at Lucknow\n as pleasant and his prospects as encouraging. He receives\n every attention and aid which Christian kindness can\n devise, from the chief authorities there.\n\n \u201cOctober 6. I attended Divine service at the church\n bungalow, and stood up once more in Martyn\u2019s pulpit. The\n place is a little enlarged, by adding the portion where\n the communion-table stood, to the body of the building,\n and adding another space to which the communion-table has\n been removed: and also a small vestry. I was rather late\n from the distance of Mr. W\u2019s. bungalow, and this prevented\n my mind, in going, from dwelling on the well-known scene,\n and by-gone experience. The congregation was full and\n attentive, and my mind a good deal solemnized by the\n service. So that on returning, the remembrance of Martyn,\n and the Sherwoods and Mary, with the occupations of that\n period, came powerfully to my recollection, and I could not\n prevent the tears from flowing rather plentifully. They\n were not, however, tears of regret altogether, for joys\n departed. A sense of much short-coming in duty mixed in my\n feelings; and the forgiving love of God, with the prospect\n of all joining in thankful adoration in the realms of\n bliss, greatly preponderated. I almost involuntarily began\n to sing:--\n\n \u201cThy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song.\u201d\n\n \u201cThe two Chaplains at Cawnpore perform their public service\n on Sundays at the riding-school of the Lancers, where the\n horse and foot Artillery also attend, and at the church\n bungalow, where H. M. Infantry regiment attends, and the\n civil servants and other inhabitants of the station. This\n duty the Chaplains take alternately. Evening service is\n always held in the church bungalow at half an hour after\n sun set; and this duty the Chaplains divide between them.\n Besides this there is an evening service on Tuesdays\n at the Magazine, for the families connected with that\n department; on Wednesday evening in the small chapel on Mr.\n W\u2019s premises, where many of the riding-school congregation\n attend, and on Thursday evening in a large room near the\n Infantry barracks. On Sunday evening also there is evening\n service in the chapel of Mr. W\u2019s premises.\n\n \u201cThe attendance on these occasions is generally full,\n especially at the church bungalow on Sunday evenings, when\n a very considerable number of the upper classes, as well\n as others, are regularly present. I officiated at all\n these places, except the riding-school: being prevented\n by illness from going out the Sunday I was at liberty for\n that service. On Sunday, the 20th, I preached in the church\n bungalow in behalf of the mission here, when 695 Rs. were\n collected and 100 Rs. sent afterwards, besides some blank\n tickets, which would make the collection upwards of 1000\n Rs.\n\n \u201cThere is an establishment at Cawnpore called the Free\n School, established and partly maintained by private\n contributions; and to which Government allows 400 Rs. a\n month. In this there are at present seventy-two children\n learning English, of whom eighteen are christians who\n are boarded and clothed also from the funds. There is a\n Persian class, and also a Sanscrit class. Those who learn\n English all learn together according to their proficiency.\n Several native youths have become qualified in this school\n for public offices, and have obtained situations of\n considerable emolument.\n\n \u201cConnected with the mission are four schools, superintended\n by different friends, who take an interest in them. These\n have each an English class, as well as scholars who learn\n Hindoostanee or Persian. About 250 of these boys assembled\n in the church bungalow on the morning of the 12th. I was\n obliged to confine the examination to the English classes,\n which occupied us from sunrise till after nine. The first\n class of the Free School boys had made the greatest\n progress, and their pronunciation of English was very\n correct; but the best boys had been provided for in various\n ways lately, so that those present had not advanced far. A\n few of them had some knowledge of grammar, and could point\n out with readiness the position of countries and remarkable\n places on the globe. The boys of the magazine school were\n next in proficiency, and a class in Hindoostanee read\n with admirable accuracy and readiness portions in the\n Hindoostanee New Testament, which they at the same time\n translated. The Rev. Mr. C. officiates in Hindoostanee at\n the church bungalow, at 4 P. M. on Sundays and Thursdays. I\n attended on one occasion; there were six men and six women,\n which constitute the chief of his regular congregation. A\n catechist, brought up by Mr. Bowley, has been stationed\n here about three years. He goes into the bazaar almost\n daily to converse with his countrymen on the important\n subject of religion. He is spoken of as maintaining a\n steady christian character. He officiates as clerk to Mr.\n C. and reads the chapter, which Mr. C. expounds after\n prayers.\n\n \u201cI examined the school of H. M. 44th, which is in the\n best condition by far of any school I have seen during\n this journey: the general reading and knowledge of the\n English language, the acquaintance with English history,\n and accuracy in dates, the proficiency in geography and\n arithmetic of the first class of the boys, consisting of\n seven, was exceedingly pleasing. Three of them also read\n Hindoostanee. The first class of girls also were very\n well instructed, and these classes, as well as the lower\n ones, were all well acquainted with the Church Catechism.\n There were 100 of both sexes. The school of the Lancers\n consists of about seventy; their proficiency was not so\n good, having been interrupted by sickness. The mortality of\n this station has been great this year, beyond most other\n seasons. The heat both for intenseness and continuance\n has this year been unusual. The register between July and\n September exhibits a list of 224 buried. The children of\n the regiments have been carried off to a great amount. On\n account of this sickness the duty of visiting the hospital\n came heavily upon the chaplains, especially on Mr. W., as\n these visits were mostly made during the day, when his\n colleague was unable to go out in the heat. A considerable\n seriousness has been wrought in the minds of the generality\n at the station by the mortality around, in connection with\n the labors of the chaplains. The attendance at the Lord\u2019s\n Table, one of the Sundays I was there, amounted to 115, of\n whom ten were native Christians; and it was said not to be\n a large communion.\n\n \u201cThe collections on these occasions are liberal, beyond\n what is found at most other stations. The subject of\n missions for several years past has been brought frequently\n to the notice of the congregation, and a box with two\n openings is carried round to collect the offerings at\n the communion;--one marked _Missionary_, the other\n _Charitable_. The collection is usually about 200 Rs.\n and stated congregational collections are also made. A\n charitable committee has been formed some time; also a\n Missionary committee. The charitable committee relieves\n weekly between 400 and 500 poor: the Missionary committee\n have in hand now about 10,000 Rs.\n\n \u201cIt is not decided what kind of Missionary Institution\n shall be established, or in what manner it is proposed to\n conduct it. The want of schoolmasters qualified to teach\n English is, however, becoming manifest, and any plan which\n would supply this want would be deserving of warm support.\n It is not in the first instance a Missionary, so much as\n a schoolmaster, that is called for in a variety of places\n at this time: men who would teach grammatically on a small\n allowance. The free-school at Cawnpore might serve as the\n lower branch of such an establishment. At present, as soon\n as qualified to earn from 20 Rs. a month and upwards, the\n scholars leave school. A plan must therefore be adopted\n to retain promising youths till they become sufficiently\n instructed to instruct others.\n\n \u201cI was requested by the Chaplain to state particularly the\n condition of the station libraries. During his Government,\n Lord Hastings induced the Court of Directors to send\n out a library to each station of European troops. These\n were mostly supplied according to a list Lord Hastings\n himself sent home, and are generally speaking of a useful\n tendency. No additions have, however, been made to the list\n first supplied, and some additional supplies are greatly\n needed. In the Infantry regiment the commanding officer\n has encouraged the resort of the soldiers to the reading\n room, and a considerable spirit of reading and improvement\n prevails in H. M. 44th. The soldiers, assisted by the\n officers, have added, I believe, to the Government stock;\n and many of the soldiers\u2019 wives have benefitted also by\n the Library:--a circumstance too unusual hitherto in the\n army. The appointment of Librarian, and also the care of\n the books, was originally assigned by Government to the\n Chaplains of stations, but this order has not been properly\n attended to.\n\n \u201cIn the Cavalry Corps at Cawnpore, the public library has\n not been encouraged, and on Government determining to\n erect a new reading-room, the Chaplains were not consulted\n as to the site or dimensions. The situation of the new\n reading-room is not considered favorable for the resort\n of the soldiers, and no less than 6000 Rs. have been\n expended, when a room of half the cost would have equally\n answered the purpose. If Government were to republish\n the order placing the station libraries under the charge\n of the Chaplains, and to order that in all arrangements\n respecting the libraries and schools and the rooms for\n them, the Chaplain should be of the Committee, it would\n conduce greatly to the efficiency of these institutions;\n and if either from public or private sources a few suitable\n books were from time to time added to the existing stock,\n it would tend greatly to keep up a spirit of reading among\n the soldiers.\u201d\n\nFrom Cawnpore, the Archdeacon proceeded to Banda. He arrived at\nthat place on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 26, and on the Monday\nfollowing received letters from the Bishop of Calcutta, informing him\nthat it was the intention of the authorities in England, to appoint\nhim to the Bishopric of Bombay, which an act passed this year for the\nrenewal of the East India Company\u2019s Charter, had enabled his majesty,\nKing William IV., to erect. The directions of the Bishop also were,\nthat the Archdeacon should forthwith return to the presidency,\npreparatory to his proceeding to England. The intelligence which\nthe Bishop of Calcutta conveyed, was altogether unexpected by the\nArchdeacon, and occasioned him some embarrassment. The calls upon\nhis pecuniary resources had of late been many, what with the charges\nattendant on the education of his children, and his wife\u2019s voyages\nto England, added to some loss by the failure of a house of agency.\nUnless, therefore, government should provide for the expenses, which\na voyage to England, for consecration, would entail upon him, he\ncould scarcely avoid contracting some debt for the time; and that\nhe felt would scarcely be right for him to risk, at his period of\nlife. These, and other considerations which were likely to affect\nthe future welfare of his family, the Archdeacon candidly stated to\nthe Bishop of Calcutta in a letter from Banda, in which he further\nobserves:--\n\n \u201cI turn my face toward Calcutta to-morrow, D.V. I had\n reached just the border of my former local knowledge, and\n should have been very unwilling to give up the prospect\n before me had I proceeded much further. I had taken no\n measures directly or indirectly towards the attainment of\n the honor and responsibility in question; and trust I may\n hope that God will guide and second my poor endeavours to\n serve the Church according to His will. If then I say I\n turn toward Calcutta with some reluctance, it is merely\n lest what I have stated should prevent my going to England.\n If prevented going, the omission of visiting the remaining\n stations would be in vain, and the loss sustained for no\n good purpose. For, little as I feel capable of effecting,\n yet good will I am persuaded follow these passing visits.\n\n \u201cOur Church goes on her way, doing what she can; too\n secure, perhaps, that her endeavors are generally known\n and appreciated. Those who separate from us tell all\n they do, and seem sometimes to make much of little. To\n those at a distance they however seem the only people at\n work, and in consequence are applied to for books and for\n information on missionary subjects, and for missionaries\n and school-masters. Mr. D. for instance, has been applied\n to, to supply a teacher at Allahabad; and at Banda he was\n applied to in the first instance to supply a teacher at\n Futtypore. In visiting the stations, I see almost every one\n who is disposed to take an interest in missions, schools,\n &c. They have almost all been educated in Church-of-England\n principles and modes of worship, and would all prefer\n receiving aid from us, and remaining connected with the\n Establishment. These visits bring them acquainted with what\n is doing among their own friends. They will learn where to\n look for help, such as they can in all respects approve. In\n this way some, who were inclined to good, are led to come\n forward openly, and the cause of truth and righteousness\n gathers strength. The disposition to establish schools is\n increasing everywhere; and if half a dozen teachers could\n be got at once, they might be set to work. With reference\n to this subject the High School might become an important\n Institution, and would be well employed in educating some\n of the best boys with the expectation of being useful as\n school-masters.\n\n \u201cI must travel to Allahabad by land, which will occupy\n about ten days; and then I shall hire a boat to proceed\n downwards. A letter is ten days reaching Calcutta from\n this; so that a few lines, if you see cause for changing my\n course, would meet me at Benares. I could even then return\n to Saugor by a more direct route, and pursue the plan\n before intended with the loss of not more than a month. I\n have made observations in my progress with reference to\n future visitations, which I intend to commit to writing\n with a view to aid in enabling to do more good.\u201d\n\nTo the same prelate he writes:--\n\n \u201cNov. 12th, 1823, near Gazeepore. On arriving at Benares\n yesterday morning, I found your favor of the 5th inst.\n\n \u201cAt Benares I was not less than 200 miles from the point\n whence I returned; I should therefore, had I delayed at\n Benares, have been able to march straight to the hills,\n without time to accomplish any thing at intermediate\n stations. I think therefore you will approve of my coming\n on at once to Calcutta, as I am now doing. I could not have\n borne so long a journey by _dawk_. I passed Sunday last at\n Chunar, and took part of the duty with Mr. E.; Mr. Smith\n officiated twice at Benares.\n\n \u201cI am happy to state that Messrs. Knorpp and Leupolt are\n such proficients in Hindoostanee, as already to be able to\n undertake the duties of the native Christian Chapel.\u201d\n\n\n [162] The Native Christian master of the Mirzapore school,\n and the person who had formerly been ejected from\n house and home for editing the Enquirer.\n\n [163] See above pp. 54, 55.\n\n [164] See _Martyn\u2019s Letters and Journals_. October 23rd,\n 1806, for one or two notices which will illustrate\n what is here said.\n\n [165] Palanquin.\n\n [166] One of the attendants.\n\n [167] From this list it appears, that the first class (of\n 9 boys) could read, spell, and translate Goldsmith\u2019s\n History of England to p. 77, and Scripture Lessons,\n on the History of Joseph to p. 14. They committed\n to memory the 117th No. on Agriculture, and 248th\n No. on Astronomy, of Blair\u2019s Preceptor. They\n worked exercises on the 14th Rule of Syntax of\n Lennie\u2019s Grammar; the Rule of Three; 13th Problem\n on the terrestrial globe of Goldsmith\u2019s Grammar of\n Geography, and were committing to memory the 2nd\n part of Watts\u2019 Catechism a second time.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER XX.\n\n DELAY IN HIS NOMINATION TO THE BISHOPRIC--NARROW ESCAPE\n FROM DEATH--SUMMONED TO ENGLAND--VISITS THE CAPE AND ST.\n HELENA--HIS CONSECRATION--INTERVIEW WITH THE KING--ARRIVAL\n IN MADRAS--VISIT TO TANJORE AND TINNEVELLY.\n\n\nThe Archdeacon arrived in Calcutta, from his visitation, on the 30th\nof November 1833. He there learned, it seems, that his probable\ndestination had been changed; for in writing to Mr. Sherer, he\nobserves--\n\n \u201cYou are aware of the intention of those in power,\n respecting my being appointed to Madras. I have not sought,\n and may therefore, I trust, receive the appointment as from\n God, and expect Him to guide and uphold me in the duties\n of it. To have gone home without so public a designation,\n would, in some sense, have been more agreeable to me;\n expecting, as I must, to be often called before the public:\n but to have taken \u2018sweet counsel\u2019 once more with you and my\n family would have been a great gratification. Should the\n appointment take place here, it will be like taking a final\n adieu of you all, as it respects the life that now is.\u201d\n\nIt appears, however, that for several months he received no further\ncommunications on the subject of the Bishopric. Thus he writes\n\n TO HIS WIFE.\n\n \u201cFeb. 6, 1834.\n\n \u201cI have received several letters from various quarters on\n my rumoured preferment. In the mean time, I hear no more\n on the subject. I am not, however, in the least anxious. I\n am _sure_ whatever be God\u2019s will must be best. I have no\n reluctance to remain here.\u201d\n\nThe Archdeacon was now, in fact, on board a pilot-schooner, cruising\nin the bay of Bengal, with a view to recover himself from the effects\nof a bad cold. From thence he writes\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cThe renewal of the East India Company\u2019s Charter promises\n great and important changes for this country. They are all\n intended by the framers of the Bill; without any regard\n to religion in any form. How far God will overrule this\n proceeding in rulers professedly Christian, remains to be\n seen. Certain it is that great changes have already taken\n place, in both European and Native Society. In the latter,\n any real good has been effected through God\u2019s blessing on\n missionary exertions. To this, Government in former days\n was opposed; now it is not so: and we require only men and\n support, to spread the christian knowledge far and wide;\n and we do hope Divine Providence is favouring the purpose,\n and will supply the means. As to our European Society, a\n friend who was with us lately from Madras, says, that in\n all the Society, chiefly mercantile, he came in contact\n with whilst with me, he saw or heard nothing in general\n offensive to christian feeling. This from a stranger, and\n one capable of judging, speaks well for Calcutta. Indeed,\n at this time, every pulpit in Calcutta, and the adjoining\n stations, is supplied with a faithful preacher; and the\n example of our beloved Bishop makes even the timid bold \u2018to\n declare the whole counsel of God.\u2019\u201d\n\n\n TO HIS SISTER.\n\n \u201cMarch 4, 1834.\n\n \u201cBefore this reaches you, my destination will be fixed.\n If not removed from this presidency, it is probable my\n residence henceforth will be at Agra, the seat of the new\n residency, as next in authority to the Bishop, who will\n continue at Calcutta. In either case, the prospect of you\n and I meeting again, is removed to a distance I do not\n like to let my mind dwell upon. When I recur to Stoke,\n a thousand overpowering recollections crowd upon me....\n For myself, my days have passed as a dream. I have had\n much enjoyment, but seem not to have accomplished any one\n thing as I might have done. I was beginning to anticipate\n much enjoyment in the society of Sherer and my brothers,\n but that seems to be deferred for a season, if it ever\n arrive. The anxieties attendant on domestic life have been\n comparatively few. The loss of children I now contemplate\n as a gracious appointment, fixing by a process at the time\n painful, two olive-branches in the Paradise of God; and\n if it please God, that Eliza and the children reach me in\n safety, no earthly care will more, I think disturb me. Yet\n I know cares will arrive, but as my day is, strength will\n be vouchsafed.\u201d\n\nIn the month following the date of the foregoing letter, Archdeacon\nCorrie had a narrow escape from death by drowning. The circumstances\nattending the danger to which he was exposed, are thus related by\nhimself in a letter\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cCalcutta, May 6, 1834.\n\n \u201cI may mention that on the 22nd ult. J. Jackson and I set\n off to go to Ishipore, or the Government powder-mills.\n Through the kindness of a friend in the Military Board, the\n use of a house there had been assigned me, for two months,\n near to our valued friend Major Powney; and we were going\n to take possession. We proceeded in a _bholiah_,[168] with\n a fair wind, and had reached opposite the grove, when an\n alarm was given that the _Bore_[169] was coming in. John\n and I had just time to get from under the cover, when, sure\n enough, a foaming breaker was close astern. The first wave\n the boat surmounted, but then \u2018broaching to,\u2019 as sailors\n say, the second wave turned her bottom upwards. John and\n I and all the people, ten in number, were plunged into\n the deep. I for some time could not rise, and swallowed a\n good deal of water, when I providentially became involved\n in the sail, by the aid of which I reached the surface;\n and my servant (Wahid) who was swimming in search of me,\n presently seized my arm and drew me towards the boat, which\n was floating up with the tide; and by degrees I got upon\n her keel. John had some difficulty also, in reaching the\n boat; and we were picked up by a friendly Indigo-planter,\n who himself narrowly escaped. He gave me a blanket, which\n prevented cold, and at Tittagur, we got from Mr. Bateman,\n at the Bishop\u2019s country-house, a change of clothes, and\n in the evening we returned by land without suffering any\n inconvenience whatever. The news somehow got abroad, and I\n have received much sympathy, and more tokens of interest in\n my fate than I expected. The danger was imminent, but was\n over in a few minutes.\u201d\n\nIn a memorandum penned on the day following that on which this\naccident occurred, after reciting the foregoing particulars\nrespecting it, the Archdeacon adds:--\n\n \u201cOn finding myself below the flood the thought occurred,\n \u2018Is my end come?\u2019 But I do not recollect that any\n ejaculation or any cry for help escaped me. Afterward in\n Mr. P\u2019s boat there appeared danger from the roughness of\n the weather, when I did refer myself to God, to be disposed\n of according to His will, without reservation. I have this\n morning before day, solemnly called my ways to remembrance\n before God, and have solemnly \u2018received the Atonement,\u2019\n if I never received it before; desiring to receive Christ\n as my sanctification, as well as my righteousness; having\n proof even since this event, that unless He sanctify as\n well as justify me, I shall remain unholy still.\u201d\n\nDuring the month of July, Mrs. Corrie and her daughters reached\nCalcutta in safety, and in the meanwhile the Archdeacon had received\ndirections to proceed to England for consecration. He observed in a\nletter addressed, on the 24th of June\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cA few days, since, I received from Mr. Grant an official\n notice of my nomination as Bishop of Bombay, and\n desiring me to come home for consecration at my earliest\n convenience. I have received a verbal consent from the\n chiefs in authority here also, to send me home on service\n with the same allowance I now have, till I enter on my new\n appointment.... I will say nothing of the prospect before\n me, but that I feel rather depressed than elevated by it.\n Bombay is as new to me as it would be to you, except that I\n know what it is to bear this climate and people.\u201d\n\nIt was found, however, that the Indian authorities had no power to\nallow the Archdeacon to receive his present stipend until he should\nenter on his new appointment. The reason indeed why the Government\nat home could give no definite instructions until now, respecting\nthe Archdeacon\u2019s movements was, that although the provisions of the\nnew charter allowed of his appointment to one of the additional\nbishoprics, it decided also that his stipend as Archdeacon should\nthereupon cease, and that his allowance as Bishop should not commence\nuntil he actually landed in India, to exercise the duties of his\noffice there. But as under such circumstances he felt called upon\nto decline the office, it was in contemplation to send out a bishop\nfrom England who, in conjunction with the bishop of Calcutta, should\nconsecrate the third bishop in India. The difficulty alluded to\nhaving however been surmounted, the Archdeacon writes\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cAugust 4, 1834.\n\n \u201cI am happy in the prospect of enjoying your society for\n a season again. I think we shall correspond with more\n intimate, though I scarcely conceive we can with warmer,\n feeling than before. My heart has always clung to the idea\n of brothers and sister as, next to wife and children, the\n strongest tie to earth: and my visit home will, I am sure,\n only strengthen this feeling. I wrote to H. in May, of\n my expectation of coming home in September. Some rumours\n had led me lately to conclude that I might be spared the\n journey and voyage; but last week I received a notification\n from the Commissioners for Indian affairs, that His Majesty\n has granted me a pension of \u00a3800 a year, to be drawn only\n when deriving no emolument from ecclesiastical preferment\n in India. This we conclude Mr. Grant meant as a supply for\n the expences of visiting England for consecration. It is\n all he can do; and the Court of Directors are altogether so\n opposed to the increase of [the number of] Bishops, that\n they will afford no aid whatever.... I expect to embark in\n October. It was in October last that I was first informed\n of the preferment intended for me, but till June last, had\n no certainty: and now the difficulties by sea and land, and\n especially the separation from family, render the prospect\n far from cheering. I do not pretend to be insensible to\n the distinction implied in being a bishop, though heartily\n glad that no \u2018Lordship\u2019 is connected with it in this\n instance.[170] I know Indian society well; and know that\n from the familiarity with which all in the service mix,\n from the Ensign or Writer of six months standing, to the\n General or grave Judge of the Circuit, that a man coming\n with a title is viewed with much jealousy: and unless, like\n Heber, he make himself one with them, whilst every sentence\n he utters proves his mental superiority, he will rather be\n shunned than sought. As it is, whilst I seek not theirs\u2019\n but them, I may, as in time past, be permitted to do a\n little good in my way.\u201d\n\nArchdeacon Corrie had made every preparation for proceeding to\nEngland, intending that Mrs. C. and his daughters should remain\nin India; but the health of his wife began so decidedly to fail\nagain, that the medical men peremptorily decided that her only human\nchance of recovery was from a voyage to the Cape. This unforeseen\ndomestic trial prevented the Archdeacon from embarking so soon as\nwas originally arranged; but on the 12th of November he quitted the\nshores of Bengal in the ship \u201cExmouth.\u201d It pleased God to grant him\na prosperous voyage to the Cape, where he arrived with his family\non the 13th of January 1835. After a stay there of some days, the\nArchdeacon embarked for England, taking with him his eldest daughter,\nthe rest of his family remaining at the Cape. In a memorandum dated\nFeb. 13th. he remarks:--\n\n \u201cWe left St. Helena yesterday evening about 7 o\u2019clock, and\n have thus far had a fair and favouring wind. On the 11th\n I went with Anna to visit Napoleon\u2019s grave. The spot is\n sequestered, and might well attract his notice in life.\n He used frequently to retire, and read under the trees\n which now overshadow his tomb. Great was the kindness\n of the English Government towards him; but his restless\n mind could take pleasure only in troubled scenes. He was\n a great instrument in breaking down old barriers to the\n progress of Divine truth. May God in mercy supply the means\n of establishing His truth, on the Continent of Europe\n and in all the earth! I received much civility from the\n Governor, His Majesty\u2019s Commissioners and others. Only\n one Chaplain in the island, and he sickly. The population\n is about 5,000. There is a good deal doing in the way of\n schools. A Free-school contains one hundred and twenty\n boys; Plantation day-school fifty-five boys, and twenty-two\n girls. Four evening schools ninety-two: four girls\u2019\n Day-schools, fifty-seven: Hutsgate, twenty-six. In all, 512\n children, of whom sixty-nine are supported by Government,\n and sixty-eight boys, and twenty-five girls by the\n Benevolent Society. There are about 300 Chinese settlers;\n industrious, but ignorant. For these a school-master is to\n be recommended by His Majesty\u2019s Commissioners. Mr. Brook,\n however, told me, that they have families by the race of\n mixed blood, and that their children go to school and\n become identified with their mother\u2019s class. The labours\n of the Chaplain are too much for his health: another is\n greatly needed.\u201d\n\nOn Tuesday April 7, the Archdeacon and his daughter landed at Dover\nfrom the \u2018Exmouth,\u2019 slept at Canterbury, and proceeded the next day\nto London, where he was cordially welcomed by Mrs. Wilberforce Bird,\nthe daughter of his valued friend, the late Rev. David Brown. He\nremarks in a memorandum, dated April 12th.--\n\n \u201cI have been prospered hitherto in all my expectations.\n I have endeavoured to pray for pardon and grace to guide\n me--all that I have aimed at hitherto, has succeeded.\n May I be enabled to receive the good, so as not to be\n elated and so grieve the Holy Spirit to leave me to\n darkness and corruption.... The views on the way to town\n were enlivening on all sides. Multitudes of small, most\n comfortable dwellings, well deserving the name of \u2018The\n happy homes of England;\u2019 besides the stately houses\n scattered up and down: whilst increasing buildings at every\n place, indicate high prosperity, and give an appearance of\n comfort that goes to the heart. But comfort is inseparable\n from duty, and my duty seems to call me away from these\n fair scenes to a literally and spiritually, \u2018dry and barren\n land.\u2019 May God but go with me, for he can open springs in\n the desert.\u201d\n\nIn obedience, therefore, to the calls of duty, the Archdeacon did not\nconsider himself at liberty to remain in England longer than might\nbe absolutely necessary for accomplishing the object of his voyage.\nWithin a few days, therefore, of his arrival in London, he waited\nupon the Archbishop of Canterbury, to receive his Grace\u2019s directions\nrespecting such matters as might be preliminary to consecration.\nThe Melbourne administration having, however, just at that time\nreturned to power, the unsettled state of things consequent upon a\nchange of Ministry, occasioned some delay in the preparation of the\nofficial documents connected with the defining of the boundaries &c.\nof the diocese of Madras, to which see the Archdeacon had ultimately\nbeen nominated. In the meanwhile, the Archdeacon took occasion\nto communicate with the Committees of the religious Societies in\nconnection with the Church; and had the happiness to receive from\nall, the assurance of their willingness to aid him to the utmost\nof their power, in furthering his plans for the good of his future\ndiocese. All the time that was not taken up by such necessary\noccupations as these, he spent with his surviving relations and\nfriends. His oldest and most valued friend, Mr. Buckworth, he was not\npermitted again to meet on earth; for that servant of God died during\nthe very week, in which the Archdeacon reached the shores of England.\n\nIt was whilst visiting his relatives that Archdeacon Corrie writes\n\n\n TO HIS WIFE.\n\n \u201cJune 5, 1835.\n\n \u201cI have now to tell you that the Archbishop has fixed\n Trinity Sunday, as the day for my consecration. On the 14th\n instant, I expect, therefore, if the Lord will, to be set\n apart as Bishop of Madras. This news I received yesterday;\n and I awoke this morning with such an oppressive feeling\n of the case, as to compel me to arise and pray for relief.\n The Saviour\u2019s grace can render me even an instrument of\n good; and in this consideration alone I find any thing like\n repose.\u201d\n\nBefore returning to London, the Archdeacon visited Cambridge, and was\nthere admitted to his Doctor\u2019s degree, by royal mandate, on the 11th\nof June. He proceeded to London on the following day.\n\nThe day appointed for his consecration having arrived, he was\nadmitted to the episcopate by the Archbishop, assisted by the Bishops\nof Lichfield, Carlisle, and Bangor; the preacher on the occasion\nbeing the Rev. Josiah Pratt. In a memorandum, in which Dr. Corrie\nnoted down the particulars of the service in which he had been\nengaged, he remarks:--\n\n \u201cI awoke in the morning at four o\u2019clock, and set myself to\n prayer. I then read in the Epistles to Timothy,[171] and\n the Hebrews, with a view to the service before me, and was\n enabled to realize in a small degree the pardoning mercy\n of God, and to hope for grace in all time to come. I then\n asked for mercies suited to my apprehension of my present\n state; for relatives and friends; and for the Church of\n God at large. During the service at Lambeth, I entered\n with some fixedness, into the sentiments expressed in the\n prayers; and intend to review them frequently, to bring my\n vows to remembrance. When having the robes put on me, the\n language of the Church in Isaiah came to my mind, and I\n prayed to be clothed with the garments of Salvation, and\n the robe of righteousness.\n\n \u201cWhilst standing before the table in my rochet, I thought\n of Latimer, led to the stake in his long shirt; and, I\n trust, desired to be found faithful unto death.... On the\n whole, I bless God for the grace vouchsafed to me this day,\n and only desire that the impression may remain; which past\n experience teaches me will not be the case, unless Thou,\n O Lord, carry on that, I trust, Thou hast began. \u2018Forsake\n not the work of Thine own hand,\u2019 for Jesus\u2019 sake, Amen and\n Amen.\u201d\n\nSoon after his consecration, Bishop Corrie remarks in a letter to his\nwife, as he notes also in a memorandum:--\n\n \u201cI am not yet reconciled to my change of signature. The\n meaning of the change I understand to be, that those\n who are appointed to rule in the church of Christ, take\n the name of that portion of His body (He being Head and\n Bridegroom of the Church) to which they are, in the\n language of Scripture, \u2018married.\u2019 If my new name do not\n remind me of allegiance, and tend in some degree, to bind\n me to obedience, it will not operate as it ought to do. I\n find, however, the same old nature still within me, and\n that it changeth not with a name. May a new nature, as well\n as a new name, be wrought in me!\u201d\n\nOn the 18th of June, the Bishop had, by special appointment, a\nprivate audience of the king. The account of this interview with King\nWilliam IV. was recorded at the time by Bishop Corrie, and is too\ncharacteristic of that kind-hearted sovereign to be omitted:--\n\n \u201cI went to St. James\u2019 at four o\u2019clock,\u201d observes the\n Bishop, \u201cand had an interview with the king alone. On\n entering his closet, his Majesty came forward, offered\n his hand which, kneeling on one knee, I kissed. He then\n desired me to sit down; and detained me about half an hour.\n Asked, Where I was educated? Where born? How long I had\n been in India? My income? Pension? How long I was going\n out for? My motives in going? Whether I had any relatives,\n &c. Saying, amongst other things, \u2018that the Indian Bishops\n ought to have a house: that he did not like the cutting\n down of salaries; feared it would bring back the old\n abuses; expressed a high opinion of the Indian servants\n of government, and much interest in the welfare of India;\n wished me health and strength to perform my duties; told\n me not to remain in India, if my health failed; and said\n he should be happy to hear of a Bishop\u2019s appointment to\n Bombay. He then most graciously dismissed me.\u201d\n\nOn Friday the 18th, the Bishop attended the Committee of the\nSociety for the Propagation of the Gospel. The Bishops of Lichfield\nand Bangor were present; and at the request of the meeting, the\nlast-named prelate drew up a resolution congratulatory of Dr. C. on\nhis appointment to Madras, and expressive of the good wishes of the\nsociety towards him; after which he took his leave.\n\nThe next day, the Bishop and his daughter went on board a steamer at\nthe Tower-stairs and joined the \u201cExmouth,\u201d which was then lying in\nthe Downs, and in which they had secured a passage to Madras. At four\no\u2019clock that evening, the anchor was raised, and the ship got under\nsail for her destination. During the following week, however, they\ndid not make much way, for on the 26th of June, the Bishop writes\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cOff Plymouth.\n\n \u201cThe wind has been contrary, as you will conclude from\n the date of this. It is still contrary, but having now\n sea-room, the pilot is about to leave us. Farewell,\n then, to England, probably for ever; though I have no\n presentiment or resolve on that head. And farewell to\n beloved relatives. How happy are we in the prospect of\n dwelling together in the \u2018city which hath foundations!\u2019\n In this, surely, we who have lately met are favoured; and\n truly thankful am I for this communion with you.\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll praise God for all that is past,\n And trust Him for all that\u2019s to come.\u201d\n\nThere were on board the Exmouth, several passengers; among whom were\nthe Rev. M. Wilkinson and his family, returning to their missionary\nlabours in India. Besides passengers, were one hundred recruits,\nwith their officers, proceeding to join H. M. 16th regiment of\nfoot. On Sundays, as the weather permitted, the Bishop was in the\nhabit of celebrating divine service on deck, and of admitting daily\nto family-prayer in his cabin, as many as chose to attend; whilst\nMr. Wilkinson collected from among the soldiers, a Bible-class of\nsixteen, with whom he read the Scriptures every day. In the evening\nof the 6th of September, the Exmouth reached the Cape of Good Hope,\nwhere the Bishop had the comfort of finding his wife\u2019s health greatly\nrecruited. As, also, the Chaplains at the Cape were in expectation\nof Bishop Corrie\u2019s return, they had prepared their young people for\nConfirmation, and he accordingly administered that rite on the 12th\nof September, to 150 candidates. On that day also, his youngest\ndaughter was married to Mr. George Bird, of the Madras civil service.\nOn the 13th, the Bishop with his wife and daughter sailed from\nSimon\u2019s bay, and reached Madras on the 24th of October. On the same\nday, previously to landing, he recorded the following memorandum:--\n\n \u201cAfter several days of very slow progress, we are now,\n through God\u2019s goodness, in sight of Madras, but unable\n to go in, until the sea-breeze springs up. Uninterrupted\n mercies have followed me through the voyage home and\n hitherto. Much favour has been shewn to me by many of\n the excellent of the earth. Persons in authority have\n manifested great civility. Supplies forthcoming in the most\n ready manner, and from unlooked-for sources. I trust some\n knowledge on various subjects has been acquired by me, and\n some increased attention to the holy Scriptures. New duties\n now await me, and the prospect often oppresses me, lest I\n fail. Keep thy servant from presumptuous sins, and enable\n me to walk humbly with thee. Let no elation, on account of\n outward circumstances, find place in me; nor depression\n on account of conscious inefficiency, prevail to hinder\n me from doing what I can! May I be enabled to order my\n household in a becoming manner. Prepare my ways, O Lord,\n with those in authority; and enable me to act in all things\n as the servant of Jesus Christ!\u201d\n\nBishop Corrie having landed at Madras on Saturday Oct. 24, was\ninstalled at St. George\u2019s Church, during the morning-service, on the\nfollowing Wednesday. Archdeacon Robinson officiated on the occasion.\nFor the first few weeks after his arrival in Madras, the Bishop\noccupied himself almost exclusively in making himself acquainted with\nthe state of things around him. Thus on the 15th of December, he\nwrites\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cI have been taken up hitherto in exchanging visits of\n civility. I have preached, indeed, in all the churches,\n of which we have six in Madras, and one at the Mount, six\n miles distant. I have, also, visited some of the schools,\n and been making myself acquainted with the state of things\n here as to religion. It is low enough with respect to the\n descendants of Europeans. A district Visiting Society is\n much on my mind, as a means of getting at individuals, in a\n more direct way than has been attempted hitherto. I think\n I begin to see my way in this matter; but feel often much\n oppressed. We have several good men amongst the Chaplains;\n but I am not yet familiarly acquainted with them, and our\n communications are consequently somewhat stiff.\n\n \u201cMadras is not at all like Calcutta; we live in houses\n surrounded by large gardens. Ours stands in between two or\n three acres, and is quite private, though in the centre of\n the place, and about three miles from the landing-place.\n The surf which breaks on the shore all along the coast, is\n constantly sounding, and at first attracted our notice; but\n it is now become a common thing.\n\n \u201cThe Missions in the south are in much confusion, in\n Tanjore, from the caste question; in Tinnevelly from\n Rhenius\u2019s separation. I am requested to visit them next\n month.\u201d\n\nThe question of caste here alluded to, was in truth none other in\nprinciple than that which troubled the Church in the first ages,\n(Gal. ii. 3, &c.) and in like manner had created divisions and\nheart-burnings among the native Christians at Tanjore. Scarcely had\nBishop Corrie arrived in Madras, before he received a long petition\nfrom some of the native priests, native catechists, schoolmasters\nand other native Christians in Tanjore and its vicinity, requesting,\namong other things, that the injunctions left by the Bishop of\nCalcutta respecting the total abolition of caste, might be somewhat\nrelaxed. It was with reference to that circumstance, that the Bishop\naddressed the following letter to the senior native catechist at\nTanjore:--\n\n \u201cMadras, Dec. 29, 1835.\n\n \u201cI lately received a letter in the Tamul language, which\n has been translated for me, and purports to be from several\n Christians, inhabitants of the villages over which you\n were formerly Catechist. They express great regret on\n account of your removal, and complain of those who are at\n present placed by the Rev. Missionaries to instruct them.\n It is my purpose, \u201cif the Lord will,\u201d to visit Tanjore\n about the middle of January, when I will endeavour to\n ascertain what is the true character of the Catechists\n complained of, and will take such measures respecting them\n as the case may require. In the mean time, you will be so\n good as to make known this my purpose to the parties who\n wrote the letter. I wish at the same time, to beg of you,\n who have so long been a teacher of the mercy of God to\n others, to consider anew the question of caste. Can you\n hold it as a Christian principle that God is a respecter\n of persons, and that those who are high-born, can, on that\n account, claim to come first to the table of the Lord?\n No man of any caste, who is an unbeliever, or an immoral\n person, or profane breaker of any of the commandments of\n God, ought to be permitted to come at all to the Lord\u2019s\n Supper; and I am certain that due respect will always be\n shewn to respectable Christians, by true Christians who\n may be inferior to them in temporal circumstances. But\n you will not, I think, wish to maintain that any one can\n claim precedence in spiritual things, merely on account\n of natural birth or any outward distinction. I need not\n quote to you the scriptures, that in the Lord Jesus, \u201cthere\n is neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision, Barbarian,\n Scythian, bond nor free;\u201d but \u201cas many as received Him, to\n them gives he power to become the sons of God.\u201d\n\n \u201cI pray God that you and others, who are leaders in\n the Lord\u2019s army, may candidly consider this point in a\n purely Christian view, and without reference to any past\n proceedings. I desire to come among you as a peace-maker,\n and restore harmony among you if I can. I greatly lament\n the distress which many, I hear, are suffering; and if\n you, who are leaders, will meet me in the spirit of\n Christian love, some of the distress may be removed. Not\n only, therefore, in regard to the purity of the Christian\n doctrine, but from love, also, to your countrymen and\n fellow-christians, I hope you will be for peace.\u201d\n\nThe separation of Mr. Rhenius at Tinnevelly, from the Church\nmission at that place, had occurred before Bishop Corrie reached\nMadras. It appears that early in 1835, Mr. Rhenius had most\nunjustifiably published a tract for the purpose of impugning the\ngovernment, ritual, and discipline, of the Church of England,\nnotwithstanding that he stood connected as a missionary with the\nChurch Missionary Society. However painful it might therefore be,\nto that Society, to dissolve their connection with a person who had\nfor twenty years zealously laboured as a missionary, yet, under\nthe circumstances of the case, they felt bound in consistency, as\nconscientious members of the Church of England, to declare that the\nrelationship which had hitherto subsisted between Mr. Rhenius and\nthe Society was at an end. In this decision Mr. Rhenius readily\nacquiesced, and quitted Tinnevelly in June 1835, having previously\ndelivered over all the concerns of the Church-mission there, to the\nSociety\u2019s representative. Within a few months, however, Mr. Rhenius\nthought proper to return to Tinnevelly, at the invitation of some\ndissatisfied catechists; and the natural consequence was, that the\nwhole mission at that place underwent a change from a state of\norganization and peace, to a scene of strife and disorder. It was\nwith the hope that some remedy might be suggested for this lamentable\nstate of things, that the Bishop thought it of importance that he\nshould ascertain personally what might be done for peace and order.\n\n \u201cI go,\u201d he observes, in a Letter to his brother, \u201cat much\n personal and pecuniary inconvenience. It will cost me \u00a3100;\n but my instructions are called for, and I cannot direct in\n the dark. I go with much fear and distrust of myself; but\n by calm investigation, and taking no hasty steps, I trust I\n may effect some good.\u201d\n\nIn a memorandum which the Bishop made January 2, 1836, in the\nprospect of the journey, he states:--\n\n \u201cI have examined the Madras Asylum, both male and female;\n and the high school at Vepery. Examined also, the native\n girls\u2019 school of the Church Missionary Society. In all of\n them a very considerable knowledge of Scripture is found. I\n have received Mr. Hickey, as a Missionary to the Portuguese\n congregation of the Vepery Mission; and am endeavouring to\n bring about a district Visiting Society for Black Town, and\n to have the Church-building fund confined to this Diocese;\n which seems agreeable to all I have met with, who wish well\n to the object. I have taken steps towards issuing marriage\n licences. In all this, there is all the prosperity I could\n desire: yet never at one period have my trials been so\n great. The experience of that Pope, who is said to have\n doubted of his salvation, more and more, as he advanced in\n the Orders of his Church, till having gained the highest\n step, he utterly despaired, sickened and died, has been\n much on my mind.... Frequently I awake in the night with a\n feeling of dismay inexpressible, as to what may be the end\n of myself, and in respect of the objects contemplated by\n my office. Intending to visit Tanjore and Tinnevelly, I am\n at a loss utterly how to proceed, or what to attempt. I am\n indeed oppressed: O Lord, undertake for me. I will still\n thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!\u201d\n\nIt was on the 11th of January 1836, that Bishop Corrie left Madras on\nhis mission of peace. The incidents connected with this journey are\nrelated in the following correspondence with his wife and family, or\nin occasional memoranda:--\n\n \u201cSadras, Jan. 12, 1836. I arrived here at 4 o\u2019clock this\n morning, just 11 hours after the Palkee left home, and this\n included the passage of the river after I left you, and\n the delay at the first stage of nearly half an hour. The\n bearers therefore, travel faster here than in our country:\n they do not change shoulders so often, but go generally a\n swinging step, which is very uneasy. The road lay all the\n way within sound of the surf, and here the Bungalow is not\n above a gun-shot from the sea. There is one old fort, and\n many descendants of Dutch, all very poor; the Bungalow\n is in very nice order, and has accommodation for three\n parties. A Colonel, his wife, and some children, with an\n Ayah,[172] came in about 7; they have two rooms, and I\n one, but we see nothing of each other. Notwithstanding the\n noise of the bearers, and the jolting of the Palkee, I\n slept a good deal, and had a nap after arriving, although a\n disturbed one. Fish and eggs were provided for breakfast,\n and I am as comfortable as I can be from home; but I feel\n much a stranger and very lonely. My thoughts are often with\n you all, and heavy thoughts also arise as to the result of\n my journey. The more the state of the Tanjore people is\n enquired into, the more difficult it appears to deal with\n them. Their teachers have countenanced much that is wrong\n among them, by administering among them, without reproving\n their errors; from which they at length have concluded\n themselves blameless; and in looking over the list of\n charges urged against them, many seem matters of choice,\n which we all observe or not according to taste. May He in\n whom alone is wisdom and strength, give me both to perceive\n and to know what things I ought to stipulate for, and grace\n faithfully to fulfil the same; and may He \u2018turn the hearts\n of the disobedient\u2019 among them, \u2018to the wisdom of the\n just!\u2019\u201d\n\n \u201cMyaveram, Jan. 14. I arrived here at half past six, and\n having changed my clothes and reposed a little, purpose\n giving you a brief sketch of my journey thus far. I am in\n the house of Sir Henry Montgomery, the deputy Collector\n of Tanjore, but have not yet seen him or his lady. The\n whole way I have come is, as to country, not only without\n interest but very dreary; partly I suppose, that being\n along shore, the sea air is unfavourable to vegetation.\n The road was to Sadras firm and good, after that to\n Pondicherry, partly sandy, and partly lakes of water,\n and partly on the very brink of the sea. Since leaving\n Cuddalore, at first sandy and heavy, then stiff soil, but\n no made road; and it took twelve hours to travel about\n thirty-six miles. We crossed four pretty broad rivers\n during last night; two of them branches of the Coleroon, a\n name renowned in Orme\u2019s account of Hindoostan, and which I\n little expected ever to behold. On two of the rivers are\n ferry boats, provided by Government, good and substantial;\n but all the other boats I have been obliged to use are\n both comparatively small and very fragile. The water has\n nowhere been deep, though enough to give a good ducking.\n The Coleroon even might have been passed by wading, but\n the bearers professed fear of Alligators. The song of the\n bearers continues the same all the way as at Madras.\n\n \u201cOne mode of adorning their temples, is peculiar to this\n part of India. Near a Hindoo Pagoda on this side Sadras,\n I observed a colossal figure of a man seated on a throne.\n For a time I could not make out what it could be. Yesterday\n morning, the same kind of figure presented itself with\n a spearman on each side standing by it, and in front a\n huge figure of a horse. Yesterday evening, passing near a\n shady grove there seemed to be a row of tigers guarding\n the entrance, which in the gloom of the twilight appeared\n at first very formidable: and just before I reached my\n present position, a row of elephants, and figures of men on\n horseback, seemed to guard the entrance to a temple; and\n behind were figures as of a flock of sheep. This is all I\n have seen new on my way. This place is like a garden in\n not quite a wilderness, for the country seems fertile, but\n irregularly cultivated; and a pretty lawn with a variety\n of flowers in front, gives a lovely appearance, to my\n eye, which has seen nothing like it since leaving Madras.\n I must not, however, disparage Cuddalore; but it is an\n old regularly formed town, with 300 European pensioners\n scattered about it, besides the gentry, civil and military.\n I passed yesterday from half past 9 till half past 4,\n gaining useful information on missionary matters. Contrary\n to my former experience on this point. I sleep a good deal\n during the night, so as to require no sleep during the day.\n\n \u201cTwelve o\u2019clock. At breakfast, met Sir Henry and his lady.\n They are nice young people, and both seem very happy\n and intelligent. They have been here five years, quite\n sequestered: he has been eleven years in the service, but\n looks considerably younger, with fine speaking eyes. They\n go home next year on furlough. They make me very welcome,\n and I have a nice apartment, all in the bungalow style.\n Tanjore forty miles: I am to be driven part of the way\n in the evening. The christian Catechist, and some of his\n people have been to see me; about 600 young and old are\n under christian instruction.\n\n \u201cI am not yet half on my way; the distance looks at times\n dreary, and the old idea of dragging a lengthened chain,\n applies a little to my case. May duty prevail as it ought,\n and my chains will feel proportionably lighter! Think of me\n when on your knees!\n\n \u201cTanjore, January 17. Intending to proceed at bedtime\n to Trichinopoly, I leave this for to-night\u2019s post; as\n otherwise several days would intervene before you hear\n of me again--the distance to Trichinopoly is thirty-six\n miles. On Friday I had a busy day with the Missionaries,\n ascertaining the number and state of their congregations,\n accounts of their proceedings &c. Yesterday I was occupied\n almost the whole day with the Nonconformists: at one\n time, and for about two hours, the room was quite full of\n them. It was a time of great anxiety to me, hearing their\n objections, and answering them. The task was not difficult,\n but the point I stood upon was the duty of attending the\n Lord\u2019s Supper, without regard to who else might be present.\n I stated that the bread represents our Lord\u2019s body, and\n the wine his blood, which he offered on the cross for our\n redemption. In communicating, we are to think only of the\n Saviour, whose memorial is before us; and in receiving\n the bread and wine, we receive Christ as the author of\n our salvation. But if I refuse to receive the emblems\n of the Saviour because another has partaken before me, I\n lose sight of the Saviour, and treat the bread and wine as\n common food. This they could not get over, and I am led\n to hope, most of them will yield this point, and if so,\n I shall have to thank God for having come. If not I have\n done what I could in this matter. Through God\u2019s goodness\n I am quite well to-day and preparing to preach in English\n at half-past ten; and to attend family service at four P.\n M.--Evening. The congregation in the morning was about\n fifty, besides many natives, who understand English. I\n have been addressing the native congregation through Mr.\n Coombes: may a blessing follow from above!\n\n \u201cJanuary 19th. I received yours of the 15th, yesterday,\n at Trichinopoly, and sat down to answer it, but was\n interrupted. I wrote you from Tanjore most of the\n particulars of my visit there. There is nothing to see\n but the fruits of Swartz\u2019s labours in two Churches, and\n the many called by the name of Christ among the natives.\n Mr. Coombes is invaluable there from his knowledge of\n Tamil, and the right spirit he manifests. I arrived there\n yesterday morning soon after six: every thing was done for\n my comfort. I went before breakfast to the Church, which\n was near, and saw Heber\u2019s grave, which will long render\n Trichinopoly a place of interest.\n\n \u201cTrichinopoly is a large station, with good roads about it.\n Both at Tanjore, and there, the chief city is within the\n Fort, which at Trichinopoly encompasses a pyramidical hill,\n on the top of which is a house of imposing appearance, a\n kind of monastery of Brahmins. I write this at a staging\n bungalow, half way to Madura. I have here an invitation\n from Mr. Blackburn the Judge of Madura; and the Cutwal has\n been ordered to shew me all attention. On arriving I was\n saluted with the rattling of tom-toms, and four or five\n native hautboys and the Tahsildar[173] came after breakfast\n to wait upon me with like state. The bungalow stands in a\n valley surrounded by irregular hills, something like those\n at Chunar. The climate is cool, and at night cold. The\n cause of so much coolness in this latitude, must rise from\n the sea on the east, and the ghauts on the west. I am now\n forty miles from the sea, having been verging inland ever\n since leaving Cuddalore.\n\n \u201cMadura, Wednesday morning. I arrived here at two this\n morning, and have had some hours quiet sleep in a fine\n upper room. I have not yet seen Mr. Blackburn, but every\n thing around is in the most comfortable style of an Indian\n Judge. The country all around is flat, with a continuation\n of irregular detached hills as yesterday. The night\n travelling quite unhinges my frame, as the hand-writing\n shews. I shall become more steady after a meal. This place\n is worth describing, but the post goes to Madras at eight,\n so I have not time.\n\n \u201cJan. 21. I am now through God\u2019s goodness within sixty\n miles of Palamcottah; another night\u2019s run will, proceeding\n as I have done, bring me to my journey\u2019s end, outward\n bound. I yesterday sent off a letter for you from Madura.\n The collector, Mr. Blackburn, was as kind as possible. He\n invited the other three civilians to tiffin. There were\n two officers with a detachment, at some distance, and four\n American missionaries whom I did not see. The Judge has an\n infant, whom I am to baptize on my way back, and there are\n children of writers, &c., desirous of the same. None of our\n Bishops came so far south; so that I am the first who has\n visited these parts. Alas, how inadequate to meet public\n expectation!\n\n \u201cMr. Blackburn\u2019s house is one of the best in the country.\n To the south of it is a large sheet of water, and a small\n island in the midst, with a truly picturesque temple upon\n it. Madura is famous in Hindoo Mythology. A grand festival\n is to be held on 1st February, when the idol will be\n brought from the temple at some distance, and take a sail\n on the lake and visit the summer-house on the island.\n About a lac of people generally collect on the occasion. I\n have seen several temples, all in the style of Juggernauth\n for size.\n\n \u201cAt Madura, as at Trichinopoly, the temple is within the\n fort, and the town is there. The country all along very\n interesting, and the population very scanty. In the rains,\n the face of the country must be covered with water, it\n is so flat; and now there are little streams and rills\n constantly occurring. These are fed by the water from\n the hills to the westward, and for six years the supply\n has been very scanty. This year the rain has fallen\n plentifully, and crops of all kind, but principally rice,\n are abundant. The people are beginning to gather in the\n rice. They are at work in a threshing-place close to the\n staging bungalow. I feel very lonely to-day, though in much\n peace--my mind has been much with you all during the night.\n\n \u201cPalamcottah, Friday.--At the end of my journey. I now\n begin to look back, and the way seems not so long as did\n the distance I have come. I was going on as usual, and had\n fallen asleep when the Palkee was set down at two, and I\n was told Mr. Tucker was come. He had kindly come out about\n ten miles; we returned about two miles, when the whole\n body of catechists were standing on each side the way, and\n received us with a song of praise. I got out and thanked\n them for their congratulations, expressing my wishes for\n their prosperity. We then came on a tumultuous cavalcade,\n and reached the mission-house at twenty minutes past four.\n Mr. Tucker prayed, and I went to rest for two hours. We\n breakfasted at eight, after family worship. After that,\n ten divisions of catechists and schoolmasters, came in\n rotation to make _salaam_. They marched in, singing a verse\n of praise. Flowers were scattered on my head, and gold and\n silver stars; some of which I made Joseph gather, when\n all were gone, to bring to Anna. The English residents\n have been to see me also; you know that bustle rather\n upsets than gratifies me. My feelings have rather been\n blunted than pleased by all this; and a feeling of my own\n utter worthlessness before God keeps me low, as also of\n unprofitableness towards men.\n\n \u201cJanuary 25th. My purpose is to stay here over Sunday next,\n to be at Madura on Tuesday; Trichinopoly on Thursday; and\n at Tanjore, till the Sunday evening following. On the\n Monday, Mayaveram; Tuesday, at Porto Nova; Wednesday at\n Cuddalore. Perhaps stay there till Monday evening. Friday,\n at Sadras; and on Saturday, February 12th, at _Dulce\n Domum_. Such is my purpose: may God of his goodness dispose\n accordingly!\n\n \u201cYesterday we had morning service in English, and in the\n afternoon, in Tamil. I preached both times, the latter you\n will judge, by an interpreter--the native congregation\n about 500. Mr. Rhenius\u2019s proceedings are of the most\n injurious kind. He is either blinded by self-love, or most\n miserably misinformed, which must be his own fault; but\n I have not time to-day for particulars. We are all going\n to dine with Mr. and Mrs. Prendergast; Mr. P. is also\n here. Till this moment I have been occupied with about 200\n catechists and school-masters.\u201d\n\nThe following remarks on the state of the Tinnevelly Mission, occur\namong the Bishop\u2019s private memoranda:--\n\n \u201cPalamcottah, Jan. 28, 1836.\n\n \u201cI have been here now seven days, and have been\n endeavouring to form a distinct idea of the circumstances\n of this Mission. It appears, that from the first,\n expectations of redress of wrongs have been held out to\n such natives as sought aid from the Missionaries. Hence\n a Vakeel[174] has been employed at the charge of the\n mission, to ascertain particulars of complaint, and to\n make representations accordingly to the Tahsildars and in\n the cutchery[175] of the collector. And this practice\n has so increased, that Mr. Pettitt is chiefly occupied\n in hearing and arranging the temporal affairs of native\n applicants. The consequence has been that whole villages,\n or the greater part of the inhabitants of some villages,\n have \u201ccome over,\u201d as the expression is, at once, to put\n themselves under Christian instruction ostensibly, but at\n the same time, to enjoy the protection referred to. Of\n the many thus reported, comparatively few have received\n baptism. In one village of 600, only forty are baptized.\n\n \u201cOn enquiring of the assembled inspecting Catechists\n to-day, \u2018How it came to pass, that of so many reported\n under Christian instruction, for several years, so few were\n really baptized?\u2019--the answer given was, \u2018Partly from the\n inattention or bad example of the Catechists; partly, that\n many being disappointed in their expectations of worldly\n benefit, drew back to heathenism; or, having obtained their\n object, became satisfied, and were not desirous of baptism.\u2019\n\n \u201cIt appears that little or no distinction is observed\n in the treatment of the baptized, and unbaptized. The\n Catechist marries the unbaptized when called upon, and also\n the baptized. In both cases a charm is put on the neck\n of the female, instead of a ring on the finger. The same\n services are observed at the burial of the baptized and\n unbaptized; except that in the former case, going to the\n house of the deceased, and more ceremony is observed. Some\n do not use the Church service over the unbaptized, but pray\n extempore. Mr. Rhenius in the early part of his Mission,\n used the service of the Church of England in baptism; and\n confirmed some young persons by the imposition of hands,\n as directed in our Confirmation-service; but afterwards\n omitted our forms altogether.\n\n \u201cThe children of converts seem not to have been attended\n to, after the Scripture rule. Some persons having families,\n were reported, by a Catechist, as baptized seven years\n ago. Their children, neither then, nor since baptized.\n It seems that Mr. Rhenius has sent to all his Catechists\n and School-masters to come and pay their respects to the\n Bishop; and accordingly a considerable number came after\n breakfast. On Mr. Dent having called, I explained that I\n was the Inspector of the Church of England\u2019s Missions; and\n that they having left it, what had I to do with them? One\n very plausibly answered, \u2018That they worshipped the same\n Lord, and held the same faith, and preached the same Gospel\n as before.\u2019 I asked if nothing was said in Scripture of\n the sin of schism? They answered, \u2018Yes.\u2019 I then said, \u2018Was\n there no sin, that when one man in a village beat the drum\n to call the people to prayers, another should beat the\n same drum? When one began to pray, another should begin to\n pray?\u2019 They owned this was wrong; but attempted to lay the\n blame on the Church Missionary Society\u2019s catechists: but I\n observed from the case of the young man who came before me\n the other day, (a catechist of Mr. Rhenius\u2019) that he had\n owned that he held public worship, at the same time with\n the Church Missionary catechist. A long examination of\n persons followed, which, with information before received,\n led me to address the party as follows:--\u2018That for fifteen\n years past, the word of God had been made known, and spread\n abroad in these parts by means of the Church Missionary\n Society. That many had become enlightened with the light\n of life. That Mr. Rhenius had been supplied during that\n time, with funds as a Missionary of the Church Missionary\n Society. That having separated from the Society, he left\n the place; and that during his absence all was peace in\n the mission. That the young man present, who wrote the\n letter, stating that the congregations were wishing for\n his return, admitted that he did not of his own knowledge\n write thus, but that the catechists, who signed the letter,\n told him so. That some of the Head-men whose names were\n affixed to the letter, told me, \u2018that they knew not that\n it was a letter of recal, but [thought it] only a friendly\n letter of congratulation on his arrival at Arcot. That one\n of the inspecting catechists (then present, and now in\n Mr. Rhenius\u2019 employment) had confessed having expressed to\n Mr. Tucker his sorrow for having signed the letter to Mr.\n Rhenius; and that he did not know that it was an invitation\n to come back, having read only a part of it; and was not\n aware how bad a man David Pillay is:--That a head-man\n present, had confessed just now, that if Mr. Pettit would\n have let him the land, and the palmyra-trees at Dobnavoor,\n for the money he wished (viz. four Rs. instead of ten Rs.)\n he would not have joined Mr. Rhenius:--That several other\n of Mr. Rhenius\u2019 people present, had owned [to] having been,\n at different times, convicted of delinquencies:--That Mr.\n Rhenius had been told of the deceits practised upon him,\n but he would not believe it of those who invited him back.\n These things, in my presence, had been confessed by them:\n but he had come back, and all this division had followed.\n The Society would therefore never receive Mr. Rhenius\n again. That, for myself, I could not but grieve to think,\n how, in this way, Satan had prevailed to hinder the success\n of the gospel. That now the heathen laughed, and said, \u2018The\n preachers of the Gospel of Peace, are quarrelling amongst\n themselves.\u2019 That for those present, who by deceiving Mr.\n Rhenius, and bringing him back, had been the occasion\n of this evil, I should pray that God would give them\n repentance, that they might seek the pardon of this their\n great sin, and not finally perish among the unbelievers.\u201d\n\nThe Bishop adds:--\n\n \u201cIn one case of ninety-nine families, in two adjoining\n villages, only three families are baptized; and in some\n congregations not an individual is baptized.\u201d\n\nTwo days after the date of this memorandum, the Bishop prepared to\nleave Palamcottah. He writes\n\n\n TO HIS WIFE.\n\n \u201cJan. 30, 1836.\n\n \u201cMy _dawk_ is ordered for to-morrow evening, so that\n I begin to think of myself as on my way home again. I\n know not well whether any good has been accomplished by\n my visit, except convincing the people that the Church\n Missionary Society will not abandon the mission. The agents\n of Mr. R. had circulated far and wide that such would be\n the case. There is no end to the falsehoods propagated by\n his agents, and to which he gave indirect occasion.\n\n \u201cI have seen nothing of the country around, but from just\n a little evening\u2019s drive; yet towards the west it is said\n to be interesting as to scenery, being towards the Ghauts.\n I am no hand at drawing, as you know, but this sketch will\n give you some idea of this station.\u201d\n\n\n \u201cFeb. 1, Stageing Bungalow.\n\n \u201cFifty-two miles on the way to Madras, and in good health.\n Thanks be to God! The dreariness of this place answers very\n well to my state of mind, and gives opportunity for looking\n back.... Mr. Peet and Mr. Bailey came over from Travancore.\n\n \u201cAfter the Bishop of Calcutta had been there and had\n plainly spoken out what reforms were considered necessary\n for the clergy, the two Metrans collected a hasty synod\n of their Church, and voted in a violent manner that they\n would have no reform, nor anything further to do with the\n missionaries. In consequence the labors of twenty years\n seem come to nothing. It is now, I believe, intended that\n the missionaries shall teach and preach as opportunity\n offers. If any of the clergy reform, of which they have now\n some hope, their way will be plain; but it remains to be\n seen. It had become necessary for Mr. Tucker to go over to\n see the Resident, and consult with him as to the protection\n it may be in his power, or be right for him to afford, to\n those who may turn from their errors to the truth. Mr. T.\n will not be above a week or ten days after me at Madras.\n\n \u201cYesterday, I ordained John Devasagayam, priest. Mr. Tucker\n preached, and Messrs. Blackman, Pettitt, Peet, and Bailey,\n with Mr. Tucker, joined in the imposition of hands. The\n service was all new to me; I had to look out my places,\n which took my attention too much off from the sentiments\n expressed in the service. It was, however, on the whole a\n day of seriousness, and I hope of blessing. John preached\n in the evening in Tamil; his text was appropriate,\n Ephesians vi, 18, 19. I was told he gave a sketch of his\n training under Dr. John, the colleague of good Dr. Rottler\n at Tranquebar; and related the circumstances of his\n conversion, desired the congregation to pray for him, &c.\n\n \u201cAfter social prayer with the mission family and the\n catechists, I came away at half-past-eight. I arrived here,\n fifty-two miles, by nine this morning. By this you will\n judge how well these bearers carry; they go three before\n and three behind, and their stages are generally about\n twenty miles and sometimes thirty; which they accomplish\n without seeming at all distressed. To-morrow, d. v. I have\n some children to baptize at Madura, and then onward in the\n evening towards Trichinopoly, from whence I purpose writing\n again.\u201d\n\n\n \u201cVerully Malay, Feb. 3, 1836.[176]\n\n \u201cI am to-day at a stageing Bungalow in the Tondeman\u2019s\n country,--the title of an independent prince who retains\n his paternal inheritance independent of the Company, in\n name, and he is wise enough to be quiet, collect his own\n revenue, and live at peace with the lion. Yesterday, I\n sent off a letter to your beloved mother from Madura, and\n which I hope is before me; but am not certain, as I have\n come on pretty quick. I mentioned, in going from hence,\n a beautiful lake with a very tasty summer-house, on an\n Island in the middle of it,--in front of the Collector\u2019s\n house at Madura. Yesterday was the annual Festival of\n the Idol at Madura; a float, with a very splendid temple\n erected upon it, was prepared on the lake. A gentleman\n present said it was like the Chinese Temples erected\n in St. James\u2019s Park, when the allied Sovereigns were\n in England. The Idol was brought with great noise, and\n amidst a large concourse of people, from the Temple in\n the fort, above a mile distant, and placed on the float,\n which was then drawn by ropes, from the shore, twice round\n the lake. After a rest, the float was drawn towards the\n Island, where the Idol was to pass the evening, and the\n Temple and the entire bank of the lake to be illuminated\n at night. Vast crowds were going towards Madura, as I\n came away, to see the illumination; and all the Europeans\n were to be at Mr. Blackburne\u2019s to view the sight. I felt\n no inducement to stay. Colonel Maclean was there with the\n Tondeman, as resident. Two American missionaries who were\n settled at Madura, came to breakfast, and staid till 11\n o\u2019clock conversing on missionary subjects. They are very\n self-denying and persevering in their labours: I was much\n taken with them. Two others of their party were gone to\n Ceylon for change, having lost their wives at Madura,\n within three months of their landing. I baptized a child\n of Mr. Hooper, the Judge, and saw the catechist of the\n Propagation Society. There is a branch of the Tanjore\n mission here, which has been much neglected of late\n years,--the Lord\u2019s Supper has not been administered during\n two years past. I saw Mr. Rosen, the missionary of that\n Society in Tinnevelly. His sphere of labour is about 20\n miles distant from Palamcottah. He came hither to see me,\n and brought me a statement of his mission. He is a Dane by\n nation, and a good man, but is deaf and quite inadequate\n to be alone.... The people of Tanjore are in a deplorable\n state of apathy, and want of spiritual life. I came away\n from Madura before 5 P. M., and reached my halting-stage\n by five this morning, when the bearers being ready, I\n came on hither, and am only 20 miles from Trichinopoly. I\n expect to be there by nine this evening, and to enjoy a\n comfortable bed at Mr. Blair\u2019s, which I rather anticipate;\n for three disturbed nights add considerably to the natural\n tremulousness of my frame.\u201d\n\n\n \u201cTrichinopoly, Thursday morning.\n\n \u201cI arrived here last night just at gun-fire. Mrs. Blair\n is, it seems, so much better as to have gone to the\n neighbourhood for change of air, and Mr. B. is with her;\n but everything was ready for me here, and I was glad to go\n at once to bed. This morning early, I was roused by the\n sweet sound of \u2018fairy-like music:\u2019 though, to be sure,\n the great drum rather dissipated the idea of fairies. The\n European barrack is, I find, near; but the most joyous\n event, is a letter this morning from Mr. Bainbridge, saying\n you are all well.\u201d\n\n\n TO HIS WIFE.\n\n \u201cTanjore, Feb. 6, 1836.\n\n \u201cYou will know, I passed the whole of Thursday and\n yesterday, at Mr. Blair\u2019s at Trichinopoly; he seems a very\n valuable man. There are fifteen families or so, who meet\n together on Tuesday evenings for religious improvement;\n and among the soldiers there is a Wesleyan, and a Church\n of England Society. In the latter, there are several of\n the officers of H. M. Regiment, who meet the men, and\n read prayers and a sermon. Finding there were so many\n pious people at the Station, I told the Chaplain we would\n have service last night. Accordingly, at a quarter past\n 6, we assembled in the church: there were not so few as\n 100 soldiers, and the church appeared filled, though\n not crowded, with officers and their families. My text\n was Psalm cxxx. 4. A chair was placed for me by the\n Communion-table, upon Heber\u2019s grave. I was tired in body,\n and could feel nothing on any subject; but it was a very\n solemn occasion to me, that he, one of the flowers of human\n nature, should have been cut down so seemingly prematurely,\n and I, a withered stalk, left and put into his place.\n Surely God\u2019s ways are not as man\u2019s ways! From Heber all\n good of which man is capable, might have been expected,\n whilst I can only say, \u2018my desire is to the remembrance of\n Thy name.\u2019--He perfects strength in human weakness, and\n by things foolish in the eye of carnal reason, humbles\n man\u2019s pride, and causes it to be acknowledged that the\n \u2018excellency of the power is of Himself.\u2019 This is my only,\n but--blessed be God!--my sufficient consolation in my\n office. May God make manifest his strength in my weakness!\n\n \u201cDid I tell you I went one evening to the Fort at\n Palamcottah, and had service with the few artillerymen?\n They seemed most attentive, and some of them much moved;\n and last Sunday some of them came to Church, though not\n ordered, and knelt in prayer, and appeared very attentive.\n Who knows but the arrow, shot at a venture, may fix a\n saving conviction in them? May it prove so!\u201d\n\n\n \u201cTanjore, Feby. 7th, 1836.\n\n \u201cI have had a very fatiguing morning. At half-past seven\n we went to Tamil service; after morning prayer I preached\n on the latter part of 1 Cor. xi. Mr. Coombes interpreting\n for me. After service the Lord\u2019s Supper was administered\n to upwards of 200 Native christians. Among them were three\n of the hitherto nonconformists, the most intelligent of\n the whole christian community; Pakianaden the native\n judge, Warswasyanaden, the native priest; and Thomas,\n head catechist. What effect their conformity will have\n on the rest, remains to be seen; but my object in coming\n hither at this time seems gained. Thanks to God! There\n is a disposition, I fear, to require personal apologies\n from them: if this is done, more inconvenience will\n arise; and surely we should be content, if the _principle_\n of caste be yielded by them. The service was not over\n till after eleven. I feel that if I were to attend the\n afternoon-service, and preach as intended, I should\n probably have fever; and, with the journey before me, I\n remain at home all the afternoon.\n\n \u201cMonday. The country generally is uninteresting and thinly\n peopled, but all last night we seemed passing through a\n town: the fertility of the Tanjore country is proverbial.\n Soon after day, we arrived at a village where all was\n bustle and activity: it is their Idol festival. A car very\n much decorated, and much more in the style of a triumphal\n car than any they have in the north, was being dragged\n through the street, with frequent discharges of heavy\n pieces, or fireworks. The bearers took me down a lane\n to avoid the crowd, or perhaps that my _feringee_[177]\n presence might not offend the god. I am staying over the\n day on the border of the Tanjore country. In the evening\n cross the Coleroon, and shall reach Porto Novo by nine\n or ten. Last night I slept very little--my thoughts were\n much with you. Sir H. Montgomery has sent a peon[178] to\n attend me through each of the three stages under him: this\n civility saves me trouble, and secures what I may want.\n\n \u201cTuesday. Porto Novo. This is a very interesting place,\n close on the sea. I proceed to Cuddalore this evening and\n from thence, to-morrow, go to Sadras. I shall not probably\n write again, as I shall be as soon at Madras as the post.\u201d\n\nThe Bishop reached Madras on the 12th of February, but not without\nhaving suffered from the fatigue inseparable from so long a journey.\nHe considered himself, however, to have been amply compensated for\nall the expence and exhaustion which he had encountered, since, if\nno other good should result, his visit to Palamcottah and Tanjore had\nbrought to light the real state of the missions there. With reference\ntherefore to that subject, he writes\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cMadras, Feb. 17, 1836.\n\n \u201cWe have many hundred Native christians here, and in the\n provinces to the southward, many thousands; but they are\n in a most deplorably low state as to true religion.... In\n Tanjore, of nearly 5,000 professed christians, scarcely\n one is known to be spiritually-minded; and in Tinnevelly,\n of the 10,000 reported christians, very few indeed are\n really converted to God. Of them all, not above 2,000 men,\n women and children included, are baptized, though all are\n treated as christians. The old missions in that quarter\n are also in a low state; and in the most southern point\n 3,000 descendants of the first converts have returned to\n heathenism, and are more opposed to attempts at their\n conversion than those who never heard of Christ....\n Afflicting as is the state of these people, there is no\n room for discouragement. We must endeavour to do them good\n with more simplicity and diligence. I have heard here of\n a very characteristic remark of Bishop Turner. When asked\n what he thought of the Tanjore christians? He answered,\n That he thought the best way of dealing with them would be,\n to excommunicate them all, and begin the work of conversion\n anew.\u201d\n\nThe causes which mainly contributed to this state of things seem\nto have been, the worldly advantages and protection connected with\nthe profession of christianity in Southern India, and the want of\na sufficient number of competent missionaries. Worldly advantages\nhave always been found to call forth the duplicity of the native\ncharacter, and to lead them for unworthy ends to place themselves\nunder christian instruction.[179] In this case the number of\nself-seekers seems to have been so great, that, with every desire\nto do so, it became utterly impracticable for a few missionaries to\ngive adequate attention to every individual native who might offer\nhimself for instruction. The employment of, and trusting to, native\ncatechists became thus unavoidable, to a much greater extent than\nunder different circumstances could have happened. Then, as these in\ntheir turn betrayed the confidence placed in them, by practising as\nmuch deception as the pretended catechumens could do; and as those\nwho visited these localities on behalf of the missionary societies,\ncould in most cases hold intercourse with the natives themselves,\nonly through an interpreter, the inspectors of the mission were\nthe more easily misled by outward appearances, and interested\nrepresentations. It were doubtless no difficult matter to suggest,\nthat if a greater degree of caution had been used in the first\ninstance, on the part of the missionaries, some of the evils which\nthe Bishop found in operation might have been prevented; but it is to\nbe feared that the blame must ultimately rest on that lukewarmness\nin christians, which has never yet supplied missionaries in numbers\nat all commensurate with the magnitude of the work to be done; nor\nfunds adequate to the efficient support of the few missionaries who\nhave gone forth.\n\n\n [168] A row-boat covered at one end.\n\n [169] The rush of the spring-tide up the river. The\n elevation of the wave thus occasioned, is very\n considerable; and the noise and rapidity of the rush\n is appalling.\n\n [170] It was erroneously asserted at the time that the\n usual appellation of courtesy was not to be assigned\n to the suffragan Bishops of India.\n\n [171] Mr. Pratt preached from 1 Tim. ii. 1-4; and the\n Sermon was afterwards printed by the Archbishop\u2019s\n command.\n\n [172] Native nurse.\n\n [173] Chief Native Revenue and Police Officer.\n\n [174] A kind of Law Agent.\n\n [175] Office.\n\n [176] Addressed to his daughter.\n\n [177] European.\n\n [178] Messenger--servant.\n\n [179] See above pp. 404, 405.\n\n\n\n\n CHAPTER XXI.\n\n CHURCH-BUILDING FUND--SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THE IRISH CLERGY--THE\n MADRAS GRAMMAR SCHOOL--MEMORIAL TO GOVERNMENT--PRIMARY\n VISITATION--DEATH OF MRS. CORRIE--ORDINATION--DEATH OF BISHOP\n CORRIE.\n\n\nOn the return of the Bishop from Tanjore and Tinnevelly, he took\nmeasures for securing that certain subscriptions collected in\nMadras, toward the building of churches, and which had hitherto\nbeen transmitted to Calcutta, to the \u201cfund for all India,\u201d should\nhenceforth be vested in Trustees, and be applied, under the direction\nof diocesan and local committees, exclusively to the wants of the\npresidency of Madras. The Bishop, also, in addition to his other\noccupations, preached every Wednesday afternoon during Lent at the\nchurch in the Fort, and on Friday evenings at the Cathedral. In a\nletter which relates these circumstances, the Bishop also observes\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cApril 5, 1836.\n\n \u201cA movement has lately taken place among the East Indian\n community which indicates improvement. Arrangements are\n being attempted for establishing an Indian Missionary\n Society. One rule is to be, that no missionary engaged\n by them shall receive above eighty Rs. a month, and as\n much less as may be. This, originating with themselves,\n looks well, but nothing is yet settled, nor any formal\n announcement of the Society.\u201d\n\nThe provisional Committee, however, of this projected Indian\nMissionary Society, soon afterwards issued an outline of their plan\nof operations, which was of the so-called liberal dissenting caste.\n\nAs the story of the persecutions and sufferings of the Irish clergy,\nhad by this time reached India, it is scarcely necessary to say that\nBishop Corrie sympathised deeply with those his brethren, in their\nafflictions. Thus he writes\n\n\n TO MR. SHERER.\n\n \u201cMadras, July 4, 1836.\n\n \u201cI was requested by some friends to call a meeting[180] to\n consider on means for relieving the Irish Clergy. A failure\n was predicted, but \u00a3300 were subscribed in the room, and\n sent to the Archbishop of Armagh, by the last ship: \u00a3400\n more have been since received by our treasurer; and by the\n end of the month we expect to receive in all 10,000 Rs.\u201d\n\nThe Bishop then goes on to state, that\n\n \u201cWhat seems of most importance to this place, is the\n establishment of a Grammar school. About four years ago I\n wrote, or authorised Mr. M. to write, for a master for the\n Calcutta High School. Mr. M. and I, when I was at home,\n talked over the subject of a master, and he renewed his\n enquiries, and found one. Amidst my many new avocations,\n the subject had quite escaped me, till I received an\n official notice from the High School Committee, that they\n did not require a master, and should not receive the one\n engaged, nor honour Mr. M\u2019s draft for his passage. At first\n I was in trouble, but friends here viewed this refusal\n as providential for Madras. The Bishop of Calcutta sent\n me 1000 Rs. to pay the passage-money, on the young man\u2019s\n arrival in the Juliana. He agreed to remain here, and we\n fulfilled all his expectations from Calcutta. On the 1st\n inst. the school commenced, near Mr. Tucker\u2019s Chapel, with\n thirty-three pupils, and the prospect of not fewer than\n 100. But salaries of all grades are lower here than in\n Calcutta; and instead of eight Rs. for each boy, as there,\n we can only charge four Rs. So that we shall have more to\n struggle with here. But the work is, I trust, indeed of\n God, and will prosper. The new Roman Catholic Bishop and\n his Chaplain, had opened a school near where ours is, and\n had about forty boys, most of them sons of Protestants, who\n will now come to us again.\u201d\n\nThe school here referred to, is that now called by the Bishop\u2019s name,\nand was in fact, the resuscitation of a school known as the \u201cParental\nAcademy,\u201d but which had been closed for nearly two years, in\nconsequence of the inability of the managing Committee to meet with\na suitable master. On its being merged in the Madras Grammar School,\nthe former laws of the Academy were remodelled, and a general outline\nof a course of instruction prescribed; the whole being accomplished\nmainly at the suggestion or by the assistance of the Bishop.\n\nIt was also about this time that the attention of Bishop Corrie, was\nmore particularly occupied by a desire to aid in abating the hardship\nwhich Government imposed on the christian servants of the Company,\nboth civil and military, by obliging them to attend at the religious\nfestivals of heathen and Mahommedans; and, in some instances,\nby calling upon them to present offerings, and to do homage to\nsenseless and impure idols. Many had been the representations, to\nthe authorities in England, of the sinfulness connected with this\ndirect encouragement of idolatry, and the violence which was thus\ndone to the consciences and feelings of the public servants of\nthe Government; not to mention the inconsistency of a compulsory\nattendance on an unchristian ceremonial, with that toleration which\nGovernment professed to afford to all their subjects in the East.\nWearied out, as it would appear, by the importunity of the aggrieved\nparties, the Court of Directors, in a dispatch to the Indian\nGovernments early in 1833, ordered, among other things\n\n \u201cThat the interference of British functionaries in the\n interior management of native temples; in the customs,\n habits, and religious proceedings of their priests and\n attendants; in the arrangement of their ceremonies, rites,\n and festivals; and generally, in the conduct of their\n interior economy, shall cease.\n\n \u201cThat in all matters relating to their temples, their\n worship, their festivals, their religious practices, and\n their ceremonial observances, our native subjects be\n entirely left to themselves.\u201d\n\nIt might have been thought that a dispatch so plain, and direct in\nprohibiting any further outrages on the consciences of christians,\nwould have met with the ready attention of the local Governments\nin India; but as regarded Madras, it does not appear that a single\nstep was taken to carry this positive order into effect. After\nsubmitting, therefore, for three years more to this unaccountable\nclinging of Government to Mahommedanism and idolatry, it was resolved\nby a numerous body of the clergy, civilians, and military, under the\npresidency of Madras, to address the local Government. Accordingly,\na Memorial was drawn up, in which the evils complained of were\nenumerated, and the recital of them corroborated by documentary\nevidence; and which concluded by respectfully but earnestly praying,\nthat the instructions of the Court of Directors might be practically\nand universally enforced. This document Bishop Corrie was requested\nto forward to Government, but in the first instance, he had thought\nit better, as a matter of courtesy and good judgment, to submit a\ncopy of it to the Governor, in his private capacity; and in doing so,\nthe Bishop pointed out to Sir F. Adam, in what respects the relief\nprayed for might, as he thought, be readily conceded. The Governor\nwas at the time residing on the Nilgherries, but the Bishop\u2019s\ncourtesy was entirely thrown away, for no notice of any kind was\ntaken of his communication. In the month of July, therefore, the\nMemorial was made public, and signed by about 200 of our countrymen\nof all ranks; and on the 6th of August, the Bishop forwarded the\ndocument to the Governor of Madras in Council, accompanied by the\nfollowing letter:--\n\n \u201cI have the honour to transmit to your Excellency in\n Council, at the request of those who have signed it, a\n Memorial, together with the original signatures to it,\n enumerating instances wherein those whose duty it is to\n engage in them, feel themselves aggrieved by practices\n and orders which seem to them contrary to the command of\n God; thereby subjecting them to the painful alternative of\n violating the dictates of their consciences, or incurring\n the displeasure of the Government; and praying, that the\n same toleration and exemptions, which have been long\n granted to their Mahommedan and heathen fellow subjects,\n may be extended to the Christian members of this Presidency.\n\n \u201cIt is my duty to state, that I fully concur in every part\n of the Memorial, and its prayer: and I earnestly hope, that\n it may be thought fitting to concede the full measure of\n relief prayed for; and in respect to such part as rests\n alone with the Government of India to grant, that your\n Excellency in Council will be pleased to transmit the\n Memorial to the Right Honorable the Governor General in\n Council, with your powerful recommendation in its favour.\u201d\n\nFor a length of time this Memorial, like the Bishop\u2019s former\ncommunication, was not honoured by any reply. Certain rumours,\nhowever, were afloat, to the effect, that angry feelings had been\nstirred up in the mind of the Governor in Council. And this proved\nto be the case: for (that the whole history of this transaction\nmay be brought together) it may be stated, that early in October,\nthe Bishop received a letter from the Chief Secretary to the\nGovernment, reproaching him in very unbecoming terms, for not\n\u201cusing his influence to allay the zeal of overheated minds;\u201d and\ninforming him that both the Memorial and a copy of that letter had\nbeen forwarded to the Governor-general. A communication like this\ncould have no other effect throughout India, than to produce in\nall who knew the parties concerned, and retained the feelings of\ngentlemen, a blush of shame for the Governor in Council, and the\ngovernment Secretary. As regarded the insulted prelate, it had long\nbeen a settled conviction in his mind, that to be truly civilized a\nman must be truly a christian; his natural disposition, therefore,\ndisposed him to pass over this uncalled-for rudeness, as being but a\ncommon-place manifestation of that want of delicacy and refinement\nwhich characterises every modification of heathenism. But, holding\nas he did an official station in the country, it seemed to him that\nsilence under such circumstances might be a compromise of the respect\ndue to his office; and therefore, as soon as the Bishop learnt that\na copy of this letter to him had been sent to Calcutta, he addressed\nthe following\n\n\n TO THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD AUCKLAND.\n\n \u201cOn my return to this Presidency a few days since, I first\n learnt that the Right Hon. the Governor of Madras in\n Council, had, together with a Memorial on the subject of\n religious toleration, thought good to send to your Lordship\n in Council, a copy of a letter dated October 11, addressed\n to me, and which I had concluded was intended only for\n the information of the Memorialists. In that letter the\n Governor has been pleased to admonish me as to the duty\n my office imposed upon me, with reference to the said\n Memorial. The authority of Government to dictate to me as\n to the performance of my duties, I entirely deny. I hold\n myself free to act on my own judgment, as to what is my\n duty; and differing entirely as I do from the Right Hon.\n the Governor of Madras in Council, both as to the propriety\n of granting the toleration prayed for by the Memorialists,\n and as to the consequence of deferring to grant the relief\n sought, I consider myself to have strictly been within the\n line of my duty in forwarding the Memorial to Government.\n\n \u201cOn this point, however, I need not have troubled your\n Lordship.\n\n \u201cMy object is to call attention to the fact, that the\n Memorial, which I am told I should have used my influence\n to suppress, was prepared and in circulation for approval\n or correction, at several of the principal stations of this\n Presidency, when I arrived at Madras, in the latter end\n of October, 1835. Copies had been printed for more ready\n circulation, as I afterwards learnt; and in March last,\n one of those copies was put into my hands. Observing that\n officers were employed on services in which I have never\n known Europeans to be employed in the Bengal Presidency, I\n took the liberty to forward privately, early in April last,\n the copy of the Memorial sent me, to the Right Hon. the\n Governor of Madras, then at the Neilgherries, concluding\n that he had the power to grant relief to the military;\n and would, when he knew the pain the performance of those\n duties inflicted, be disposed to take measures to remove\n the occasion of complaint. Of this communication no notice\n was taken.[181]\n\n \u201cI observe that some of the Calcutta newspapers accuse the\n Memorialists of asking for more toleration than they are\n willing to grant to others; and similar opinions may be\n held in other quarters. I therefore take the liberty, in\n the name of all the clerical subscribers to the Memorial,\n expressly to deny this; and I am persuaded that I speak\n the sentiments of the lay subscribers also on this point.\n If the firing a salute on Christmas day be considered a\n claiming from the natives a concession in favour of our\n religion, let the salute be discontinued; and if there\n be any other ceremony of our religion, on which natives\n are required to attend (though I know not of any) let\n compulsory attendance be forbidden.\n\n \u201cIf the Memorialists have expressed themselves strongly\n respecting the object of some of the ceremonies in which\n they are liable to be called upon to take part, they\n express only their own repugnance to be associated in such\n ceremonies, without the slightest wish to impose restraint\n upon the natives, or to interrupt them in the smallest\n degree in their own observances. That Protestants may be\n exempted from taking part in proceedings, which imply the\n violation of their own peculiar principles, is the only\n desire of the Memorialists.\n\n \u201cIn the hope that the information now conveyed may reach\n your Lordship before the subject of the Memorial is decided\n upon in Council, I have the honour &c.\u201d\n\nThis letter was dispatched to Calcutta toward the end of November,\nand was courteously acknowledged by Lord Auckland; but before the\nofficial reply to the Memorial was made public in Madras, and in\nwhich the conduct of that Government to the Bishop was faintly\nreprehended, the Bishop was beyond the reach of further insult.\n\nOn Friday, Aug. 26, 1836, Bishop Corrie held his primary Visitation\nin the Cathedral at Madras. The sermon on the occasion was preached\nby the Bishop\u2019s examining Chaplain, the Rev. J. Tucker, Fellow of\nCorpus Christi College, Oxford. The Charge, after some preliminary\nnotices of what had been effected by those prelates who had\npreviously held Visitations in Madras, proceeded to touch upon the\nsubject of caste among the professedly Christian natives. On this\npoint the Bishop stated it to be his decided opinion, that those who\nwere engaged in missionary labours should require from all natives\ndesirous of baptism, an explicit avowal, that they regarded all\nfor whom Christ died as spiritually equal in Christ. The Bishop\nadverted also to the subject of education, and spoke of the necessity\nof uniting religious instruction with intellectual improvement. He\nstrongly recommended catechetical instruction, as a means of great\nusefulness. As important auxiliaries to ministerial labours, he\nmentioned several Societies with approbation; and suggested with\nregard to Visiting Societies, whether paid agency might not be\nbeneficially employed.\n\nThe Bishop then alluded to the prospects of Christianity in India;\nand whilst recognizing the good feeling which prompted some persons\nto desire that christians of every denomination should unite to\nspread the gospel among the heathen, he yet regarded such an union as\nimpracticable. He noticed, moreover, the subject of admitting persons\ninto Holy Orders, and expressed it to be his opinion that a competent\ndegree of learning should be found among the general body of the\nclergy. Although there might be circumstances under which a Bishop in\nIndia would have to be content with a lower standard of acquirements\nin candidates for the ministry, yet, it was his opinion, that at\nthe very least a Bishop ought to demand a fair English education, a\nthorough knowledge of history, chronology, the prophetical parts of\nscripture, and of the evidences by which the Bible is proved to be\nthe word of God; besides a full acquaintance with the doctrines of\nour Church, and a general knowledge of the arguments by which its\npolity may be vindicated.\n\nAfter referring to the age at which the Bishop wished young persons\nto be presented for Confirmation, and mentioning some arrangements\nand regulations he hoped to establish respecting the celebration of\nmarriages, the Bishop concluded his Charge by putting his Clergy in\nmind of the great importance of self-devotion to the work of their\nministry.\n\nWith reference to this meeting of his clergy, the Bishop observes in\na memorandum, dated\n\n \u201cAug. 30, 1836. On Friday last I held my first Visitation.\n Preparing a Charge was a matter of much anxiety; especially\n as the Bishop of Calcutta had entered so minutely, in\n his Charge of Dec. 1834, into all particulars connected\n with ministerial duty, and with the circumstances of this\n country. By God\u2019s goodness I accomplished my purpose, and\n must leave the result to God. In the evening, the Clergy\n dined with me, in number, including some catechists,\n twenty. I now desire to consider what may be the proper\n objects of my journey to the out-stations. 1st. The\n encouragement of the pious, by preaching, conversation,\n and joining in religious exercises. 2nd. The examination\n of schools, and confirming the young, and exhorting them,\n both before and after Confirmation. 3rd. By endeavouring\n to set right many points of litigation; and to establish,\n if possible, a good understanding between Chaplains and\n military Commanders. There is at present much irritation\n on that point; and the Government is disposed to act very\n arbitrarily towards Chaplains. In all these attempts, may\n my sufficiency be of God, and His strength perfected in my\n great weakness!\u201d\n\nThe day following the date of this memorandum, the Bishop prepared\nto leave Madras for the purpose of visiting some of the out-stations.\nThe places he purposed to visit were Wallajabad, Arnee, Arcott,\nVellore, to Bangalore; thence to Bellary, Hyderabad, Masulipatam,\nreturning down the coast to the presidency. The following notices of\nhis visitation were drawn up, after his return to Madras:--\n\n \u201cI left Madras, accompanied by the venerable Archdeacon\n Harper, on the evening of August 31st. Our first visit was\n to Wallajabad. Every thing appeared well conducted in this\n important Institution.[182] The youths, eighty-seven in\n number, with the other members of the establishment, were\n assembled for Divine service, and the orderly behaviour,\n and cheerful appearance of the boys, manifested that Mr.\n Hall, the sub-conductor in charge, deserves the good\n opinion which has been entertained of him. He deserves also\n much credit on account of his attention to the religious\n instruction of the boys.\n\n \u201cAll that seems wanting is a good school-master, with\n leisure to the boys from their respective drills for two\n hours each day, (which at present is not allowed) for\n receiving instruction in reading, writing, &c. with a small\n suitable library, which might be supplied at very little\n expense. The good to be effected by this institution has\n already begun to appear in the young men already appointed\n to Corps. At Vellore we found a set of the Wallajabad\n youths attached to the 25th N. I. of whose general good\n conduct the adjutant spoke in high terms. Another set was\n at Bangalore, who were also well spoken of, and from the\n 26th N. I. the adjutant writes, since my return to Madras,\n \u2018the sixteen drummers and fifers, all protestants, from the\n dep\u00f4t at Wallajabad, are the most promising youths of the\n kind I have ever yet seen.\n\n \u201cAt Arnee there is no place of worship for the soldiers\n to assemble in--a temporary place erected by subscription\n of the officers and privates, had lately been blown down.\n A small building erected at the expense of the pious\n soldiers, and capable of holding only 150 or 200 persons,\n was used for the services connected with the Confirmation.\n The Chaplain of Arcot attends alternate Sundays, there\n being no house at Arnee in which he can reside. He had\n been indefatigable and successful in preparing candidates\n for Confirmation, of whom seventy-one were confirmed;\n several being rejected as too young, and some because of\n unestablished moral habits. Should a regiment be again\n stationed here, a suitable though temporary building should\n be erected for public worship.\n\n \u201cA Temperance Society of about sixty members exists in H.\n M. 41st Regiment.\n\n \u201cAt Arcot, the church is small, but in good order. The\n interior arrangements are not well done, so that much\n room is lost. Thirty-two persons were confirmed, all East\n Indians, including a few from Vellore. Here the care of\n the Chaplain, as at Arnee, appeared in the intelligence\n manifested by the young people of Arcot, beyond those of\n Vellore. At Vellore, the whole christian community attended\n Divine Service on Tuesday, 6th September. The place used\n for Divine service is part of an old palace, which requires\n being better fitted up. A school, containing seventy-two\n children, including a few natives, is supported by\n subscription, raised at the station. At Vellore, is also a\n congregation of about 125 natives, including a few families\n of European pensioners, who are attended to by a native\n Catechist of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel,\n and assemble in a small, but neat chapel, belonging to that\n Society.\n\n \u201cA peon should be allowed here, to take care of the\n burying-ground, which was in a neglected state.\n\n \u201cAt Bangalore, I remained from the 9th to the 20th\n September. During that time, I found that the schools\n and hospitals of the different Corps, had been regularly\n visited by the Chaplains. A Temperance Society is in\n existence, containing nearly 200 members. A charity-school\n for boys, and another for girls, unconnected with the army,\n each containing about twelve scholars, (who are boarded and\n clothed also,) are supported by voluntary contributions.\n A Friend-in-Need Society is also in operation, in which\n relief is provided for sick natives, and money weekly\n disbursed in small sums to the needy of that class. The\n Chaplains have the superintendance of these institutions,\n assisted by a Committee of the resident gentlemen.\n\n \u201cThe regular Sunday services are, one at seven, for one of\n H. M. regiments, and the Artillery horse and foot with the\n Christians connected with the native troops. At eleven,\n a service in the barrack of the regiment, for those who\n may not have attended in the morning at church--and one\n service at eleven in church, and at quarter past six in the\n evening for the station generally. The attendance at these\n voluntary services is better than at any station in India.\n Ninety-eight persons were confirmed, and there were no less\n than 104 communicants.\n\n \u201cFrom the inconvenient structure of a barrack-room, as\n well as from the associations connected with it, much of\n the benefit of Divine service is lost to the troops in the\n barracks. I, therefore, at the desire of several of the\n residents, advocated the erection of another[183] place\n of worship, in a situation more convenient also for the\n Artillery and Dragoons; and received considerable support\n towards the attainment of that end. A place should also be\n fitted up in the Fort, where many Christians connected with\n the arsenal and public offices reside, and where one of the\n Chaplains should officiate one evening in the week.\n\n \u201cA congregation of about forty native Christians\n assemble in the church at nine on Sunday mornings, and\n are ministered to by a catechist of the Society for the\n Propagation of the Gospel.\n\n \u201cI remained from 23rd Sep. to Oct. 3rd at Bellary. This\n is a large and important field of labour for a clergyman,\n but there has been no Chaplain here for about three\n years past; and one consequence appeared in the smaller\n number of candidates, compared with the population, for\n Confirmation. Of the fifty who were confirmed, about one\n half were unconnected with the army. Beside the regimental\n school, which is well conducted, a charity school of about\n forty children is supported by voluntary contributions\n at the station, and a Society is in operation for the\n relief of poor and sick natives. About 150 rupees a month\n are expended in this way. Of the soldiers of H. M. 55th,\n I found a few in communion with the missionaries of the\n London Missionary Society at Bellary, and about fifteen\n or twenty in connection with the Wesleyan Methodists.\n Sixty-four persons attended the communion on Sunday,\n October 2nd, of whom a considerable number were from the\n private soldiers.\n\n \u201cSince my visit to Bellary, I learn that an officer of\n the Brigadier General\u2019s Staff, reads prayers and a sermon\n in church on Sunday mornings, and that the attendance is\n considerable. The church at this station needs enlarging;\n and contributions in aid of the Church-building Fund were\n set on foot to assist in meeting the necessary outlay. The\n presence of a Chaplain is greatly desired by the residents,\n and Ghooty and Cuddapah in this district, should be visited\n by him.\n\n \u201cI remained at Hyderabad and stations dependent on it,\n from Oct. 8 to the 25th. Beside the regimental school\n at Secunderabad, a station school is maintained by\n subscription, in which about forty boys, of whom seven\n are entirely maintained by the charity, are educated in\n English, Teloogoo, and Hindoostanee--also a large class of\n Teloogoo boys, and a few Tamil boys.\n\n \u201cAt Bolaram, in a school, about fifty boys, Christians,\n Mahommedans, and Hindoos, are instructed in English, and\n nearly an equal number in Teloogoo; the expences of which\n are supplied partly by subscription, but chiefly by the\n Nizam\u2019s Government. An English school of about twenty boys\n is maintained at the Residency. The Scriptures, in their\n respective languages, are read in all the classes.\n\n \u201cThere are two services in church at Secunderabad on\n Sundays. The church here, as at Bellary, is far too small\n for the European congregation. A subscription in aid of the\n Church-building Fund was commenced here. A congregation of\n native Christians also assemble in the church on Sundays at\n 9 A. M.: a native Catechist reads prayers, and a prepared\n sermon, in Tamil. This congregation consists of about\n ninety members.\n\n \u201cA Society for the relief of poor natives is also in\n operation here. About forty sick are usually entertained at\n a time till they get well; and, in all, about 150 rupees\n a month, expended on the indigent natives. On Wednesday,\n the 16th October, 141 natives, including 16 native\n Christians, were confirmed; and, on the following Sunday,\n 110 communicants attended at the Lord\u2019s Table.\n\n \u201cAt this station, the services of a second Chaplain are\n greatly required. Besides one of H. M. regiments, two\n companies of Artillery, and the European details of a\n regiment of Cavalry, and of four regiments of Native\n Infantry, with their schools and hospitals, are to be\n attended to. In addition to which, the Christians connected\n with the Residency, and some engaged in mercantile pursuits\n on the one hand, and Bolaram with its 180 Christians, all\n Protestants, except one family, on the other hand, should\n be visited on alternate Sundays.\n\n \u201cJaulna, also within this district, is a large station, and\n should have a Chaplain appointed to it as soon as possible.\n\n \u201cAt Masulipatam I remained from Oct. 26 till Nov. 8th.\n Here, as at Bellary, there has been no resident Chaplain\n for several years. The school in the Pettah, founded by Dr.\n Roy, is at a stand; and no means of education are supplied\n in the Fort, but by a very aged and nearly superannuated\n pensioned sergeant. Prayers are read, and a sermon once on\n Sundays, in the Fort Church by the Fort adjutant, and in\n the Pettah chapel by a Civil servant.\n\n \u201cThe most urgent desire was expressed here, as at Bellary,\n by the principal residents, for a resident Chaplain.\n\n \u201cOn Friday, 4th of November, forty young persons were\n confirmed, and on the 6th, upwards of forty attended the\n Sacrament. A Chaplain is much needed here, not only on\n account of the number of Protestants at the Station, but\n also on account of the several out-stations in this, and\n neighbouring districts.\n\n \u201cPassed Sunday, the 13th of November, at Nellore. About\n sixty persons attended Divine Service in the Court House,\n of whom fourteen remained to receive the Sacrament.\n Returned to Madras on November 15th.\n\n \u201cThe number of persons confirmed by me at the different\n stations, amounts to 430; and since my return to Madras,\n I have confirmed in the Cathedral 139,[184] and at the\n Poonamalee 48, almost all of the newly-arrived recruits,\n making a total of 617; of whom not above twenty were native\n Christians. The remainder Europeans, or descendants of\n Europeans.\n\n \u201cArchdeacon Harper rendered me the most efficient\n assistance during my visitation, in inspecting the\n Registers, and enquiring into the state of the Churches\n and burial-grounds at the different Stations, as well as\n inspecting schools, and visiting the sick in hospital. At\n Bellary and Masulipatam, the labours of the Archdeacon were\n very heavy in examining the candidates for Confirmation,\n and baptizing many children, and attending several\n marriages. Without his aid, my Visitation, imperfect as\n this my first essay may have been, would have been far more\n defective.\n\n \u201cI have to acknowledge the most ready and obliging\n attentions of all the Authorities, both civil and military,\n with whom my duties brought me into connection.\n\n \u201cIn general, I found at each station a considerable\n prevalence of true religious feeling and practice,\n especially among the soldiers of His Majesty\u2019s regiments,\n and the Artillery. Temperance Societies are found to be\n greatly aiding towards the moral improvement of the army;\n and though from human infirmity the pledge is too often\n broken, yet many examples of improvement of character, and\n benefit to health, appear connected with these Societies,\n and the general good of society is forwarded by them.\n\n \u201cA farther proof of the prevalence of Christian principles,\n is the existence of associations for the relief of the\n native poor, connected with the several stations. I should\n have noticed in its proper place an association of this\n kind at Masulipatam also. I have known considerable sums\n contributed at different stations, for the relief of native\n poor on particular emergencies; but this permanent care\n for the native poor, is a manifest improvement in European\n society.\n\n \u201cThese associations have in every case I am acquainted\n with, arisen under the care of a Clergyman, and supply\n evidence of the benefit that might arise to the country\n generally, were the Ecclesiastical Establishment properly\n kept up.\n\n \u201cThe deficiency in the number of Chaplains is greatly\n felt, and deeply to be lamented. Not only are several\n large stations without the means of grace, but smaller\n stations are left without occasional visits of Chaplains,\n and whole provinces without any appearance of regard by the\n Government for their spiritual and eternal good. I would\n earnestly request[185] the attention of the Honourable\n Court of Directors to this most important subject.\n\n \u201cSixteen Chaplains only are at their posts, and two are\n sick (the Reverend Messrs. Cubitt and Gr\u00e6me.) Besides\n the stations now supplied, and those I have enumerated\n as calling for Chaplains, formerly there was a Chaplain\n at each of the following stations, Poonamatee, Chittoor,\n Vellore, Tellicherry, and Palamcottah. The circumstances of\n most of these stations are somewhat altered; but connected\n with each of them are other stations, which were visited\n occasionally by the Chaplains, nearly all of which are now\n without the ordinances of religion.\u201d\n\nBesides the information which these notices convey respecting the\nBishop\u2019s proceedings on his Visitation, many additional particulars\nof a more private nature are contained in his correspondence with his\nwife and relatives. In several of his letters, he complains of having\nhad to undergo excessive fatigue, and from Secunderabad writes to\nMrs. Corrie:--\n\n \u201cI am desired by Dr. Meikle to \u2018keep quiet\u2019 for a day or\n two. He says, I have been over-exerting myself, whilst my\n feeling is that I do nothing to purpose. May God glorify\n Himself in His very poor servant!\u201d\n\nThe fact was, that in travelling by _dawk_ from the banks of the\nKistoor to Hyderabad, the journey was performed chiefly in the night,\nand the Bishop\u2019s rest was consequently disturbed at almost every\nstage, by natives of rank, who came to pay their respects to him.\nWhen entreated by the Archdeacon to spare himself, by declining these\ncivilities, the Bishop\u2019s usual reply was, \u201cWhen these good people\nput themselves to so much inconvenience on my account, how can I\ndo less than get out of my palankeen, and exchange a kind word with\nthem?\u201d In a letter, however, which the Bishop on his return to Madras\nwrote to Mr. Sherer, he observes, \u201cI must not, if spared, make again\nso hurried a journey. Time is doing its work with me.\u201d Yet very soon\nafter this, all thought of his own health was absorbed in his anxiety\nrespecting that of his wife, who had become so enfeebled as to render\nit necessary that a sea-voyage should be attempted, as the only human\nmeans likely to save her life. But before arrangements could be made\nfor carrying this object into effect, she became suddenly worse; and\nafter two or three days of suffering, died on the 21st of December\n1836, in the hope of eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.\n\nThe Bishop drew up, and printed for private circulation, a short\naccount of his wife\u2019s last illness. There are contained in that\naccount, passages of much interest, but which cannot here be\ntranscribed: the substance of all is contained in a single sentence\nof a memorandum, penned by the surviving mourner himself, dated\n\n \u201cDec. 24, 1836. When the likelihood of her departure began\n to be manifest, the Saviour alone was her only ground of\n hope towards God, and that hope sustained her in peace,\n though there was nothing of triumph.\u201d\n\nAs regarded his own feelings in connection with this heavy domestic\ntrial, the Bishop adds:--\n\n \u201cMy feelings of loneliness are indescribable. All before me\n appears blank; I seem cut off from all earthly good. All\n this I feel I deserve at the hand of God. He might justly\n have cast me into the blackness of darkness for ever.\n Just, therefore, art thou, O Lord, in this dispensation\n which has laid me so low. Teach me, O Lord, to seek\n spiritual improvement in it, and let it prove to me \u2018loving\n correction!\u2019\u201d\n\nWith reference to this mournful event, the Bishop also observes in\nthe last letter which he lived to address\n\n\n TO HIS BROTHER.\n\n \u201cYou cannot understand the change it [his wife\u2019s death] has\n wrought in every circumstance of my life; and how at every\n turn a sense of loss is forced upon me. Yet you have felt\n an aching void on the death of our own parents and near\n connections, and can judge of the intensity of pain I at\n times experience. I will not dwell longer on the subject. I\n have everything which Christian faith and hope can supply,\n as to the gain my wife has entered upon, but my own sense\n of loss prevents, as yet, the consolation I might otherwise\n possess.\u201d\n\nThe necessary occupations, however, connected with his official\nduties, tended, in some measure, to lessen the Bishop\u2019s keen sense of\nhis bereavement. Among those duties, not the least engrossing, was an\nOrdination of which he had given notice, previously to Mrs. Corrie\u2019s\ndecease. The Ordination took place on Sunday the 8th of January\n1837. The candidates who presented themselves for Holy Orders were\nmissionaries about to be employed by the Society for the Propagation\nof the Gospel--three for Deacon\u2019s Orders and three for Priest\u2019s.\nRespecting these candidates the Bishop remarks, in the letter just\nquoted, \u201cboth Mr. Tucker and the Archdeacon were well satisfied with\ntheir attainments, as they have just cause to be with their piety.\u201d\nThe Bishop himself preached the Ordination Sermon, from Ephes. iv.\n11, 12; and took occasion thence to point out the existence of the\nministry, as a distinctly-instituted Office in the Church of God\nthroughout all time; explaining, also, the object and end of that\nOffice, and the solemn responsibility attached to it.\n\nIt is stated by one who was present on the occasion, that the Sermon\nwas \u201cmarked by lucid simplicity, pathos, fervour, and power; mingled\nwith kindly feelings toward other bodies of professing Christians.\u201d\nAnd as the opportunity for witnessing the admission, at one time,\nof so many persons into the Christian ministry, had never before\noccurred in southern India, the Cathedral was crowded throughout all\nits usual accommodations.\n\nDuring this month, also, the attention of the Bishop was a good\ndeal occupied with the subject of a new Church for _St. Thom\u00e8_. In\nthe preceding June he had addressed a letter to the Society for\npromoting Christian Knowledge, stating that\n\n \u201cAt _St. Thom\u00e8_, the original European settlement in\n this place, is an immense population of all classes;\n Hindoos, Mahommedans, Portuguese Christians, and very\n many East Indians baptised in the Established Church,\n and many connected with the Vepery congregation, distant\n four or five miles. Bishop Turner, when here, supplied\n money to purchase a piece of ground on which to erect a\n place of worship: the purchase was made and the ground\n lies waste. No further attempt has been made towards\n providing Christian instruction for those hundreds who are\n professedly of our communion.\u201d\n\nHe undertook, therefore, to ask the aid of the Society\nabove-mentioned, toward building a Church for this\nspiritually-destitute population; and was so sanguine of the success\nof his application, that toward the end of January, he visited\n_St. Thom\u00e8_, attended by the Archdeacon and the Rev. W. Taylor,\nfor the purpose of surveying the ground and examining localities.\nHe afterwards requested Mr. Taylor to prepare the heading of a\nsubscription-paper, the first name appended to which the Bishop\npurposed to be that of \u201cA Friend,\u201d with a subscription of 1000\nrupees; that \u201cFriend\u201d having placed a considerable sum at the\nBishop\u2019s disposal. Meanwhile, the Society in England entered most\nreadily into his views, contributing from their funds all the sum he\nstated to be required: but intelligence of that liberality was not\ndestined to gladden his spirit, for his earthly career was now fast\ndrawing to a close.\n\nThe Bishop, as has been observed, had complained of great fatigue\nand exhaustion, when on his Visitation; but it appears that when at\nHyderabad, in October 1836, he had suffered also from a pain in the\nhead, which came on suddenly, and was so acute as to oblige him to\nhave recourse to medical advice. From that time this pain never left\nhim; and the constant and peculiar manner in which it affected him,\nwas only not much noticed because he attributed it all to the anxiety\nof mind he had gone through, on account of his wife. During several\nweeks, however, the Bishop had been frequently observed to make it a\nmatter of supplication at family-prayer, that himself and household\n\u201cmight be prepared for any sudden or unexpected events which might\nawait them; and might be, moreover, enabled to bear all in a holy\ntemper of mind.\u201d Nor did his petitions prove to be unseasonable: for\non Tuesday, January 31st, when on his way to the Fort, in company\nwith the Archdeacon, for the purpose of attending there a meeting\nof the Committee of the Society for propagating the Gospel, he was\nseized with an unusual giddiness, which prevented him from reading\na paper he had in hand. On reaching the vestry of the Fort church,\nhe suffered very much from pain in the head, and sickness, and was\naltogether so ill that the Archdeacon (who scarcely ever afterwards\nleft him) had him conveyed home, and medical aid sent for. After\nleeches had been applied to the head, the Bishop seemed to recover a\nlittle from the state of stupor in which he was found to be on first\nreaching his house; but, except at intervals, he was only partially\nconscious throughout the four remaining days of his life. When,\nhowever, he seemed to revive somewhat, he manifested great pleasure\nat having passages of scripture read to him. And even on Saturday\nFeb. 4th, (the day before he died) when sight and consciousness were\nwell nigh gone, he yet indicated his cordial assent to different\ntexts of Scripture which his daughter repeated to him. More\nparticularly when she read Isaiah xii. \u201cI will say, O Lord, I will\npraise thee,\u201d &c. he asked her to recite Cowper\u2019s paraphrase:\n\n I will praise Thee every day\n Now thine anger\u2019s turned away;\n Comfortable thoughts arise\n From the bleeding sacrifice.\n\n Here, in the fair gospel-field,\n Wells of free salvation yield,\n Streams of life, a plenteous store,\n And my soul shall thirst no more.\n\n Jesus is become at length\n My salvation and my strength;\n And his praises shall prolong,\n While I live, my pleasant song.\n\n Praise ye, then, his glorious name\n Publish his exalted fame!\n Still is work your praise exceeds\n Excellent are all his deeds.\n\n Raise again the joyful sound\n Let the nations roll it round!\n Zion shout, for this is He,\n God the Saviour dwells in thee:\n\nand himself repeated \u201cFrom the bleeding sacrifice.\u201d To the text\n\u201cBehold the Lamb of God;\u201d &c. he answered \u201cYes;\u201d and on her adding\n\u201cHim hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour;\u201d the Bishop\nremarked, \u201cA Prince and a Saviour on _all_ occasions.\u201d At another\ntime when his daughter read, \u201cI am the resurrection and the life;\u201d\n&c. he asked, \u201cBelievest thou this?\u201d Then when 1 John iii. 2, had\nbeen suggested to him, the dying prelate repeated several times \u201cWe\nshall see Him as He is.\u201d The last Scripture of which he seemed to be\nconscious, was Rev. v. 13. \u201cBlessing, and honour, and glory, &c., be\nunto the Lamb for ever and ever;\u201d and in this spirit of praise and\nthanksgiving he appears to have passed into eternity, for his last\nwords were, \u201cFor ever,\u201d--\u201cFor ever.\u201d And so this servant of Christ\nentered into rest on the morning of Sunday, Feb. 5, 1837, in the 59th\nyear of his age.\n\nThe _post-mortem_ examination of the body exhibited a solid\n_coagulum_ of blood, of the size of a turkey\u2019s egg, situate on\nthe right side of the brain, in its substance. The situation and\nappearance of the _coagulum_, when taken in connexion with the\ncircumstance that the Bishop always felt the pain in the same\nspot, led the medical men to conclude that the disease was of some\nstanding: that it originated, in fact, in the fatigue and anxiety\nconnected with his Visitation.\n\nThe remains of Bishop Corrie were interred in the Cathedral\nburial-ground, on the evening of the day of his death. The funeral\nprocession was led by the scholars of the Madras Grammar School, of\nwhich the Bishop was Patron, and which had been so much indebted to\nhis fostering care. Then followed Gericke\u2019s scholars, and the pupils\nof the Vepery School; and these were succeeded by a train of Native\nCatechists. After them, and immediately preceding the coffin, came\nthe Archdeacon and Clergy. The pall was borne by six gentlemen of\nrank; and the Governor of the Presidency followed as Chief Mourner,\nsupported by the Chief Justice, and the Commander-in-Chief. The\nBishop was deposited by the side of Mrs. Corrie, and within a few\nfeet of the spot where, six weeks before, he had stood a widowed\nmourner over his wife\u2019s remains.\n\nOn Monday, 6th February, the Governor in Council issued an Order\nexpressive of his sense of \u201cthe respect which the unaffected piety,\nbenevolence and exemplary life\u201d of the deceased Prelate \u201chad\nuniversally inspired.\u201d This order appeared in the Government Gazette\non the 7th February;[186] and, on the following day, a public\nmeeting, at which the Governor presided, was held in the College\nHall, for the purpose of considering the most appropriate mode of\nexpressing the feelings with which the late Bishop was regarded by\nthe inhabitants of the Presidency. This meeting resolved to set on\nfoot a subscription, in order to raise funds for erecting a monument\nin the Cathedral to the Bishop\u2019s memory: and it was further agreed\nthat any surplus of the funds raised for the monument should be\ndevoted to the founding of scholarships at the Grammar School, to\nbe called \u201cCorrie Scholarships.\u201d[187] The Committee of the Madras\nGrammar School now resolved also, that their Institution should in\nfuture be designated \u201cBishop Corrie\u2019s Grammar School.\u201d--Funds having\naccordingly been raised sufficient for the purposes specified, a\nmonument was executed by the skill and good taste of Mr. Henry\nWeekes, which is now in the Cathedral of Madras.\n\nNor were the Calcutta friends of the deceased Bishop backward\nto testify their regard for his worth. For at a public meeting,\nwhich was held on the 16th March, in the Town Hall, Bishop Wilson\nbeing in the chair, it was resolved to solicit subscriptions for\nthe purpose of erecting marble slabs, both in the old Church and\nin the Cathedral, to the memory of the deceased Prelate; and for\nthe purchase of a Portrait of him. It was, moreover, resolved to\nappropriate any surplus funds derived from such subscriptions, to the\nfounding of scholarships in the Calcutta High School, to be called\n\u201cBishop Corrie\u2019s Scholarships.\u201d[188] And all these tokens of respect\nwere in due time effected.\n\nIn Ceylon, also, a general meeting was called at the King\u2019s house,\nColombo, by His Excellency the Governor, at which, subscriptions were\nentered into for the purpose of erecting a monument to the Bishop\u2019s\nmemory in St. Peter\u2019s Church, Colombo, and for founding scholarships,\nwhich should bear his name, in the Grammar School at Madras. Both\nwhich objects were accomplished.[189]\n\nThus terminated the earthly labours of the first Bishop of Madras,\nafter a brief but not unimportant episcopate, if a judgment may be\nformed from the amount of good effected, from the general gloom which\nthe Bishop\u2019s decease cast over the whole Presidency, and the respect\nwith which his memory was cherished. To those who were intimately\nacquainted with Bishop Corrie, it will not excite surprise that his\ndeath should have called forth all the public manifestations of\nsorrow and respect, which have here been recited. For after making\nevery abatement for that human sinfulness and infirmity from which he\nwas not exempt, there still remained to him more than an ordinary\nshare of natural kindness of heart, benevolence of disposition, and\nwarmth of affection; so that he could not but be generally beloved.\nNor will the reader of these pages be disposed to question that\nBishop Corrie will long be remembered in India, as the man of God,\nthrough whose instrumentality originated much of the moral good\nwhich, since his time, has been slowly spreading itself over that\nland of darkness and superstition.[190] But chiefly, it is believed,\nwill his name he held in honour throughout our Eastern Empire, as\none of that small band of heroic spirits who, in self-devotion to\nChrist and zeal for the extension of the Redeemer\u2019s kingdom, manfully\nstruggled against difficulties and discouragements of which we can\nform but an inadequate estimate:--who never suffered themselves to\ndoubt but that the cause they had by grace espoused would still go\non and prosper, until \u201cat the name of Jesus every knee should bow,\nand every tongue confess that He is Lord, unto the glory of God the\nFather.\u201d\n\n\n [180] The meeting was held in the College Hall, at Madras,\n on the 6th of June.\n\n [181] The following was the communication here mentioned:\n \u201cThe accompanying [Memorial] was brought to me a\n few days since with a request that I would join in\n a representation to Government on the subject of\n its contents. I have always abstained from taking\n part in such representations, being aware that\n Government may have good reasons for measures,\n which the public cannot be acquainted with; and, in\n respect of interference with Pagodas, &c., I have\n the fullest confidence that Government will pursue\n the course which appears wise and proper. But with\n reference to the Christian military servants of the\n State, who are occasionally compelled to do honour\n to the superstitions of the country, I am persuaded\n you will not take amiss my bringing the case to\n your notice. I have marked the statements in the\n printed paper which seem to require relief, with\n the instances cited in the Appendix, assured that\n your own benevolent regard for the feelings of the\n Christian soldiery will bring them all the relief\n that is desirable.\u201d\n\n [182] A school for country-born children, who received a\n Christian education, and became fifers, &c. to the\n Company\u2019s Native troops. The school was afterwards\n removed to Arcot.\n\n [183] About 1000 rupees were, in consequence, collected\n toward another building; but it does not appear that\n since the Bishop\u2019s time any Church has been erected\n there.\n\n [184] The Confirmation in the Cathedral was held on\n Wednesday, Nov. 30, 1836.\n\n [185] It is satisfactory to know that this request has\n been attended to.\n\n [186] See Appendix I.\n\n [187] See Appendix II.\n\n [188] See Appendix III.\n\n [189] See Appendix IV.\n\n [190] See Appendix V.\n\n\n\n\n CORRIGENDA.\n\n\n Page 39 line 21, for enable, _read_ unable.\n -- 48 -- 5, at Chunar--at Berhampore, _read_ to Chunar--\n to Berhampore.\n -- 59 -- 33, for Scirptures, _read_ Scriptures.\n -- 149 note, -- Jounarain, -- Joy Narain.\n -- 176 -- -- Tumna, -- Jumna.\n -- 298 line 15, -- point, -- points.\n -- 304 -- 21, -- exeeeding, -- exceeding.\n -- 311 -- 32, -- Narian, -- Narain.\n -- 519 -- 2, -- Culcutta, -- Calcutta.\n\n\n\n\n APPENDIX.\n\n\n I.\n\nThe following notice appeared in the Government Gazette of Feb. 7th,\n1837:--\n\n\u201cWith feelings of unfeigned sorrow, the Right Honorable the Governor\nin Council, records the demise of the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of\nMadras. The Venerable Prelate expired at half past three o\u2019clock, on\nthe morning of Sunday last. As a tribute of respect to his memory,\nthe flag of the garrison was hoisted half-staff-high during the day,\nand on the funeral procession leaving his Lordship\u2019s late residence,\nfifty-nine minute guns, corresponding with the age of the deceased,\nwere fired from the Fort battery.\n\n\u201cHis Lordship\u2019s remains were attended to the grave by the Right\nHonorable the Governor, the Judges of the Supreme Court, His\nExcellency the Commander-in-chief, the members of Council, all the\nprincipal civil and military functionaries at the Presidency, and\nan immense concourse of all classes of the community; desirous of\nmanifesting the feeling of respect which the unaffected piety,\nbenevolence and exemplary conduct of the Bishop, had universally\ninspired.\n\n\u201cPublished by order of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council.\n\n \u201c(Signed) H. Chamier, Chief Secretary.\u201d\n\n\n II.\n\nOn Wednesday evening, Feb. 8th, 1837, a public meeting was held at\nthe College, for the purpose of considering the fittest mode of\ntestifying the regard and respect entertained for the character of\nthe late Bishop Corrie.\n\nThe Right Honourable the Governor in the chair. The following\nresolutions were proposed and carried unanimously:--\n\n 1st. That a subscription be entered into for the purpose\n of erecting a monument in the Cathedral at Madras to the\n memory of the Right Rev. the late Lord Bishop of the\n Diocese.\n Proposed by Sir F. Adam.\n Seconded by Sir. R. Comyn.\n\n 2nd. That after setting aside a sum sufficient to defray\n the expences of the monument, the residue form a fund\n for the endowment of scholarships, to be called, \u201cBishop\n Corrie\u2019s scholarships,\u201d in Bishop Corrie\u2019s Grammar school.\n Proposed by Sir P. Maitland.\n Seconded by Mr. Sullivan.\n\n 3rd. That a Committee be formed for the purpose of carrying\n the above resolutions into effect, and that it be composed\n of the following gentlemen: Sir P. Maitland, Mr. Sullivan,\n the Archdeacon, and Col. Cadell.\n Proposed by Sir E. Gambier.\n Seconded by\n\n 4th. That Messrs. Arbuthnot and Co. be requested to\n undertake the office of Treasurers.\n Proposed by the Archdeacon.\n Seconded by Captain Dalrymple.\n\n 5th. Thanks to the Chairman (for his kindness in taking the\n chair and for his able conduct in it) having been proposed\n by Brigadier General Doveton, and seconded by Colonel\n Waugh, the meeting was dissolved.\n\n\n III.\n\n At a public Meeting of the friends of the late Bishop of\n Madras, held at the Town Hall, [Calcutta] on March 16, 1837. It\n was resolved,\n\n 1st. That this Meeting has heard with the deepest regret of\n the demise of the Bishop of Madras, and consider it a duty\n which they owe to the Church of which he was so distinguished a\n member, to raise some token of regard to his character at this\n Presidency, which was the scene of his arduous labours, and his\n preeminent example for almost thirty years.\n\n 2nd. That Subscriptions be solicited for the purpose of\n erecting a Marble Slab in the Old Church, near those of his\n revered friends Brown, Martyn and Thomason, and a similar one in\n the Cathedral; and for painting a likeness of the late Bishop,\n to be hung up in the Old Church Rooms.\n\n 3rd. That the surplus which may remain after defraying the\n expenses of the Monuments and the Portrait, be appropriated\n for the purpose of endowing Scholarships in the Calcutta High\n School, to be called \u201cBishop Corrie\u2019s Scholarships,\u201d and\n that especial regard be had in the nomination, to eventual\n preparation for Missionary labour.\n\n 4th. That a Committee be formed of the following Gentlemen,\n to see these objects carried into effect, viz. to nominate the\n Trustees for the above purposes.\n The Venerable Archdeacon Dealtry,\n Rev. H. Fisher,\n H. M. Pigou, Esq.\n Major G. Hutchinson,\n John Dougal, Esq.\n A. Beattie, Esq.\n C. W. Brietzcke, Esq.\n Rev. R. B. Boswell, Secretary.\n\n 5th. That Messrs. Gisborne and Co. be appointed Treasurers,\n and those who are friendly to the above design, be requested\n to forward their Subscriptions to those Gentlemen as early as\n possible.\n\n\nResolution of Committee on 6th April, 1837.\n\nThe Committee, understanding that an excellent likeness of the late\nBishop is in the possession of his friends in England,\n\nResolved that the Secretary be authorised to write to the Rev. George\nCorrie, of Catharine Hall, Cambridge, and request him to obtain a\ncopy of this likeness, executed in the best possible way, and to have\nthe same suitably framed and transmitted to India with as little\ndelay as possible.\n\n\n IV.\n\nAt a General Meeting held at the King\u2019s house, Colombo, on March\nthe 3rd, and again by adjournment on March the 7th, called by His\nExcellency the Right Honourable Sir R. W. Horton, Governor of Ceylon,\nwho presided; it was resolved,\n\n\n 1st. On the motion of the Rev. B. Bailey, seconded by C. E.\n Layard, Esq.\n That this Meeting cordially approves the objects\n contemplated by the Madras Meeting as recorded in their\n first two Resolutions. (See above p. 632.)\n\n 2nd. On the motion of J. Steuart, Esq., seconded by the Rev.\n Joseph Marsh.\n That the following gentlemen form a Committee, to\n correspond with the Madras Committee, viz.\n The Honourable Mr. Serjeant ROUGH, Chief Justice.\n The Rev. B. BAILEY, SENIOR Colonial Chaplain.\n The Rev. J. H. DE SARAM.\n C. E. LAYARD, Esq.\n and that the Rev. JOSEPH BAILEY, be Treasurer and Secretary.\n\n 3rd. On the motion of C. E. Layard, Esq., seconded by the\n Rev. J. Bailey.\n That a plain marble Tablet to the Memory of the Right\n Rev. DANIEL CORRIE, LL.D. Late Bishop of Madras and\n Ceylon, be placed in St. Peter\u2019s Church, Colombo, at an\n expense not exceeding thirty pounds; and that the balance\n of the subscriptions raised in Ceylon, in excess of such\n sum, be transmitted to the Madras Committee.\n\n 4th. On the motion of the Rev. J. H. De Saram, seconded\n by the Rev. J. Marsh.\n That the Secretary be requested to correspond with the\n Reverend the Clergy at the out-stations of Galle, Kandy,\n Trincomalee, and Jaffna, on the objects of this Meeting.\n\n 5th. On the motion of the Rev. B. Bailey, seconded by C.\n E. Layard, Esq.\n That the thanks of the Meeting be given to His Excellency\n the Governor, for the information he has just given,\n [respecting the proceedings in 1825, connected with\n the founding of a Singhalese Scholarship in Bishop\u2019s\n College, Calcutta] and that he be requested to transmit\n any further information he may obtain on the subject, to\n the members of the Committee, for the regulation of their\n proceedings with respect to CORRIE\u2019S Scholarships.\n\n 6th. On the motion of J. Steuart, Esq., seconded by C. E.\n Layard, Esq.\n That the thanks of this Meeting be given to His\n Excellency the Governor, for the interest he has taken\n in the general objects of this Meeting, and for his able\n conduct in the chair.\n\n\n V.\n\nThe preceding pages bear sufficient testimony to the zeal and\nactivity of Bishop Corrie, in forwarding every plan for securing\na Christian education to the youth of India. But it is well\nknown among the deceased Prelate\u2019s friends, that he was in the\nhabit of translating and compiling school-books for the use of\nsuch Hindoostanee schools as more immediately came under his own\nsuperintendance. It is a matter of regret that the many enquiries\nwhich the Editors of these Memoirs have made, with a view to\nobtaining a definite list of the books in question, have been but\npartially successful. It may, however, be mentioned that besides\ntranslating into Hindoostanee, Sellon\u2019s Abridgment of Scripture,\nWatts\u2019 Catechism, The Assembly\u2019s Shorter Catechism, portions of\nMilner\u2019s Church History, &c., the Bishop drew up in English, \u201cA\ngeneral Outline of Ancient History,\u201d for the use of the Hindoostanee\nyouth. A third Edition of this \u201cOutline\u201d was going through the press\nat the time of the Bishop\u2019s death; and other Editions have since\nthen been printed. Among his papers was found, also, a manuscript\ntranslation into Hindoostanee of a brief Church History, by the Rev.\nE. Sims, entitled \u201cChristian Records.\u201d\n\n\n\n\n THE END.\n\n\n\n\n LEONARD SEELEY, THAMES DITTON, SURREY.\n\n\n\n\nTranscriber\u2019s Note:\n\nWords may have inconsistent hyphenation in the text. Obsolete and\nalternative spellings were left unchanged. Typographical errors noted\nin the Corrigenda were not corrected in the referenced text. Other\nmisspelled words were corrected.\n\nWords and phrases in italics are surrounded by underscores, _like\nthis_. Footnotes were renumbered sequentially and were moved to\nthe end of the chapter. Obvious printing errors, such as partially\nprinted or missing letters and punctuation, were corrected.\nExtraneous punctuation was deleted. Duplicate letters at line endings\nwere removed.\n\nThe following were changed:\n\n changed \u201c56\u201d to \u201c65\u201d in the Table of Contents.\n added \u201cto\u201d ... be so good as to order it ...\n added \u201cof\u201d ... on this side of India.\n changed \u201cnot\u201d to \u201cthan\u201d ... not less than ...\n added \u201cto\u201d ... reduce the present number of Chaplains to seven ...","title":"Memoirs of the Right Rev. Daniel Corrie, LL.D., first Bishop of Madras","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":194844}