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diff --git a/old/35873-8.txt b/old/35873-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..8a70dea --- /dev/null +++ b/old/35873-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,20390 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Henry Martyn Saint and Scholar, by George Smith + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: Henry Martyn Saint and Scholar + First Modern Missionary to the Mohammedans, 1781-1812 + +Author: George Smith + +Release Date: April 14, 2011 [EBook #35873] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HENRY MARTYN SAINT AND SCHOLAR *** + + + + +Produced by the Bookworm, Rose Mawhorter, <bookworm.librivox +AT gmail.com> and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team +at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + + + + + HENRY MARTYN + + + PRINTED BY + SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE + LONDON + + + + + +[Illustration: Henry Martyn. From the portrait in the University +Library. Cambridge.] + + + + + HENRY MARTYN + + _SAINT AND SCHOLAR_ + + FIRST MODERN MISSIONARY TO THE MOHAMMEDANS 1781-1812 + + BY + GEORGE SMITH, C.I.E., LL.D. + AUTHOR OF 'LIFE OF WILLIAM CAREY' 'LIFE OF ALEXANDER DUFF' ETC. + + + _Now let me burn out for God_ + + + _WITH PORTRAIT AND ILLUSTRATIONS_ + + + LONDON + THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY + 56 PATERNOSTER ROW, 65 ST PAUL'S CHURCHYARD AND 164 PICCADILLY + 1892 + + + + +PREFACE + + +In the year 1819, John Sargent, Rector of Lavington, published _A +Memoir of the Rev. Henry Martyn_. The book at once became a spiritual +classic. The saint, the scholar, and the missionary, alike found in it +a new inspiration. It ran through ten editions during the writer's +life, and he died when projecting an additional volume of the Journals +and Letters. His son-in-law, S. Wilberforce, afterwards Bishop of +Oxford and of Winchester, accordingly, in 1837 published, in two +volumes, _Journals and Letters of the Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D._, with +an introduction on Sargent's life. Sargent had suppressed what Bishop +Wilberforce describes as 'a great variety of interesting materials'. +Especially in the lifetime of Lydia Grenfell it was thought necessary +to omit the facts which give to Henry Martyn's personality its human +interest and intensify our appreciation of his heroism. On the lady's +death, in 1829, Martyn's letters to her became available, and Bishop +Wilberforce incorporated these in what he described as 'further and +often more continuous selections from the journals and letters of Mr. +Martyn.' But, unhappily, his work does not fully supplement that of +Sargent. The _Journal_ is still mutilated; the _Letters_ are still +imperfect. + +Some years ago, on completing the _Life of William Carey_, who had +written that wherever his friend Henry Martyn might go as chaplain the +Church need not send a missionary, I began to prepare a new work on +the first modern apostle to the Mohammedans. I was encouraged by his +grand-nephew, a distinguished mathematician, the late Henry Martyn +Jeffery, F.R.S., who had in 1883 printed _Two Sets of Unpublished +Letters of the Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D., of Truro_. For a time I +stopped the work on learning that he had come into possession of Lydia +Grenfell's papers, and was preparing the book which appeared in 1890, +_Extracts from the Religious Diary of Miss L. Grenfell, of Marazion, +Cornwall_. Except her letters to Henry Martyn, which are not in +existence now, all the desirable materials seemed to be ready. +Meanwhile, the missionary bishop who most resembled Martyn in +character and service, Thomas Valpy French, of Lahore and Muscat, had +written to Canon Edmonds of S. Wilberforce's book as 'a work for whose +reprint I have often pleaded in vain, and for which all that there is +of mission life in our Church would plead, had it not been so long out +of print and out of sight.' + +My aim is to set the two autobiographies, unconsciously written in the +Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn and in the Diary of Lydia +Grenfell, in the light of recent knowledge of South Africa and India, +Persia and Turkey, and of Bible work and missionary history in the +lands of which, by his life and by his death, Henry Martyn took +possession for the Master. Bengal chaplain of the East India Company, +he was, above all, a missionary to the two divisions of Islam, in +India and Persia, and in Arabia and Turkey. May this book, written +after years of experience in Bengal, lead many to enter on the +inheritance he has left to the Catholic Church! + + + + + CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. CORNWALL AND CAMBRIDGE, 1781-1803 1 + + II. LYDIA GRENFELL 43 + + III. THE NINE MONTHS' VOYAGE--SOUTH AMERICA--SOUTH + AFRICA, 1805-1806 101 + + IV. INDIA AND THE EAST IN THE YEAR 1806 132 + + V. CALCUTTA AND SERAMPORE, 1806 150 + + VI. DINAPORE AND PATNA, 1807-1809 199 + + VII. CAWNPORE, 1809-1810 257 + + VIII. FROM CALCUTTA TO CEYLON, BOMBAY, AND ARABIA 315 + + IX. IN PERSIA--BUSHIRE AND SHIRAZ, 1811 340 + + X. IN PERSIA--CONTROVERSIES WITH MOHAMMEDANS, SOOFIS, + AND JEWS 370 + + XI. IN PERSIA--TRANSLATING THE SCRIPTURES 417 + + XII. SHIRAZ TO TABREEZ--THE PERSIAN NEW TESTAMENT 461 + + XIII. IN PERSIA AND TURKEY--TABREEZ TO TOKAT AND THE TOMB 492 + + XIV. THE TWO RESTING-PLACES--TOKAT AND BREAGE 515 + + XV. BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD 552 + + INDEX 573 + + + + + LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + PAGE + + PORTRAIT--HENRY MARTYN _Frontispiece_ + + ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, IN 1797 13 + + SECOND COURT, ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, IN 1803 32 + + TRINITY CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE, IN 1803 37 + + ST. MICHAEL'S MOUNT, AT FULL TIDE 45 + + PAGODA, ALDEEN HOUSE 159 + + A BRICK FROM HENRY MARTYN'S PAGODA 161 + + SHIRAZ 357 + + TOKAT IN 1812 518 + + TOMB OF HENRY MARTYN 531 + + + + + Then came another of priestly garb and mien, + A young man still wanting the years of Christ, + But long since with the saints.... + A poet with the contemplative gaze + And listening ear, but quick of force and eye, + Who fought the wrong without, the wrong within, + And, being a pure saint, like those of old, + Abased himself and all the precious gifts + God gave him, flinging all before the feet + Of Him whose name he bore--a fragile form + Upon whose hectic cheek there burned a flush + That was not health; who lived as Xavier lived, + And died like him upon the burning sands, + Untended, yet whose creed was far from his + As pole from pole; whom grateful England still + Loves. + + The awakened gaze + Turned wholly from the earth, on things of heaven + He dwelt both day and night. The thought of God + Filled him with infinite joy; his craving soul + Dwelt on Him as a feast; as did the soul + Of rapt Francesco in his holy cell + In blest Assisi; and he knew the pain, + The deep despondence of the saint, the doubt, + The consciousness of dark offence, the joy + Of full assurance last, when heaven itself + Stands open to the ecstasy of faith. + + The relentless lie + Of Islam ... he chose to bear, who knew + How swift the night should fall on him, and burned + To save one soul alive while yet 'twas day. + This filled his thoughts, this only, and for this + On the pure altar of his soul he heaped + A costlier sacrifice, this youth in years, + For whom Love called, and loving hands, and hope + Of childish lives around him, offering these, + Like all the rest, to God. + + Yet when his hour + Was come to leave his England, was it strange + His weakling life pined for the parting kiss + Of love and kindred, whom his prescient soul + Knew he should see no more? + + ... The woman of his love + Feared to leave all and give her life to his, + And both to God; his sisters passed away + To heaven, nor saw him more. There seemed on earth + Nothing for which to live, except the Faith, + Only the Faith, the Faith! until his soul + Wore thin her prison bars, and he was fain + To rest awhile, or work no more the work + For which alone he lived. + + _A Vision of Saints._ By LEWIS MORRIS. + + + + +HENRY MARTYN + + + + +CHAPTER I + +CORNWALL AND CAMBRIDGE, 1781-1803 + + +Writing half a century ago, as one who gratefully accepted the guidance +of the Church of England, from the evangelical and philanthropic side of +which he sprang, Sir James Stephen declared the name of Henry Martyn to +be 'in fact the one heroic name which adorns her annals from the days of +Elizabeth to our own'. The past fifty years have seen her annals, in +common with those of other Churches, adorned by many heroic names. These +are as many and as illustrious on the side which has enshrined Henry +Martyn in the new Cathedral of Truro, as amongst the Evangelicals, to +whom in life he belonged. But the influence which streams forth from his +short life and his obscure death is the perpetual heritage of all +English-speaking Christendom, and of the native churches of India, +Arabia, Persia, and Anatolia in all time to come. His _Journal_, even in +the mutilated form published first by his friend Sargent, is one of the +great spiritual autobiographies of Catholic literature. It is placed +beside the _Confessions_ of Augustine and the _Grace Abounding_ of +Bunyan. The _Letters_ are read along with those of Samuel Rutherford and +William Cowper by the most saintly workers, persuasive preachers, and +learned scholars, who, even in these days of searching criticism, +attribute to the young chaplain-missionary their early inspiration and +renewed consecration, even as he traced his to Brainerd, Carey, and +Charles Simeon. + +Born in Truro on February 18, 1781, Henry Martyn came from a land the +oldest and most isolated in Great Britain; a Celtic people but +recently transformed from the rudest to the most courteous and +upright; a family created and partly enriched by the great mining +industry; and a church which had been the first, in these far-western +islands, to receive the teaching of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. + +The tin found in the lodes and streams of the Devonian Slates of West +Cornwall was the only large source of supply to the world down to +Henry Martyn's time. The granite porphyries which form the Land's End +had come to be worked only a century before that for the 'bunches' of +copper which fill the lines of fault and fissure. It was chiefly from +the deeper lodes of Gwennap, near Truro, that his family had drawn a +competence. The statement of Richard Carew, in his _Survey of +Cornwall_, was true of the dim centuries before Herodotus wrote, that +the 'tynne of the little angle (Cornwall) overfloweth England, +watereth Christendom, and is derived to a great part of the world +besides'.[1] Tyrian and Jew, Greek and Roman, as navigators, +travellers, and capitalists, had in the darkness of prehistoric days +dealings with the land described in an Elizabethan treatise on +Geography as a foreign country on that side of England next to Spain. +London itself is modern compared with the Cornish trade, which in its +latest stage assumed the Latin name _Stannum_, and the almost perfect +economic laws administered by the Lord Warden of the Stannaries since +King John leased the mines to the Jews, and Edward I., as Earl of +Cornwall, established the now vexed 'royalties' by charter. Even in +the century since Henry Martyn's early days, fourteen of the Cornish +mines have yielded a gross return of more than thirteen millions +sterling, of which above one-fifth was clear profit. + +Whether the Romans used the Britons in the mines as slaves or not, the +just and democratic system of working them--which was probably due to +the Norman kings, and extorted the admiration of M. Jars, a French +traveller of the generation to which Henry Martyn's father belonged--did +not humanise the population. So rude were their manners that their +heath-covered rocks bore the name of 'West Barbary.' Writing two +centuries before Martyn, Norden described the city of his birth as +remarkable for its neatness, which it still is, but he added, there is +not a town 'more discommendable for the pride of the people.' The +Cornish miner's life is still as short as it is hard and daring, in +spite of his splendid physique and the remarkable health of the women +and children. But the perils of a rock-bound coast, the pursuits of +wrecking and smuggling, added to the dangers of the mines, and all +isolated from the growing civilisation of England, had combined, century +after century, to make Cornwall a byword till John Wesley and George +Whitfield visited it. Then the miner became so changed, not less really +because rapidly, that the feature of the whole people which first and +most continuously strikes a stranger is their grave and yet hearty +politeness. Thomas Carlyle has, in his _Life of Sterling_, pictured the +moral heroism which Methodism, with its 'faith of assurance,' developes +in the ignorant Cornish miner, a faith which, as illustrated by William +Carey and taught by the Church of England, did much to make Henry Martyn +what he became. John Wesley's own description in the year of Henry +Martyn's birth is this: 'It pleased God the seed there sown has produced +an abundant harvest. Indeed, I hardly know any part of the three +kingdoms where there has been a more general change.' The Cornishman +still beguiles the weary hours of his descent of the ladder to his toil +by crooning the hymns of Charles Wesley. The local preacher whose +eloquent earnestness and knowledge of his Bible have delighted the +stranger on Sunday, is found next day two hundred fathoms below the sea, +doing his eight hours' work all wet and grimy and red from the +iron-sand, picking out the tin of Bottallack or the copper of Gwennap. +Long before Henry Martyn knew Simeon he had become unconsciously in some +sense the fruit of the teaching of the Wesleys. + +During fifty-five years again and again John Wesley visited Cornwall, +preaching in the open air all over the mining county and in the +fishing hamlets, till two generations were permanently changed. His +favourite centre was Gwennap, which had long been the home of the +Martyn family, a few miles from Truro. There he found his open-air +pulpit and church in the great hollow, ever since known as 'Wesley's +Pit,' where, to this day, thousands crowd every Whit-Monday to +commemorative services. Wesley's published journal, which closes with +October 1790, when Henry Martyn was nearly ten years of age, has more +frequent and always more appreciative references to Gwennap than to +any other town. On July 6, 1745, we find him writing: + + At Gwennap also we found the people in the utmost consternation. + Word was brought that a great company of tinners, made drunk on + purpose, were coming to do terrible things--so that abundance of + people went away. I preached to the rest on 'Love your enemies.' + +By 1774 we read 'the glorious congregation was assembled at five in +the amphitheatre at Gwennap.' Next year we find this: + + 'At five in the evening in the amphitheatre at Gwennap. I think + this is the most magnificent spectacle which is to be seen on + this side heaven. And no music is to be heard upon earth + comparable to the sound of many thousand voices when they are + all harmoniously joined together singing "praises to God and the + Lamb." Four-and-twenty thousand were present, frequently, at + that spot. And yet all, I was informed, could hear distinctly in + the fair, calm evening.' Again: 'I think this is my _ne plus + ultra_. I shall scarce see a larger congregation till we meet in + the air.' + +We are thus introduced to the very spot where Henry Martyn was born: +'About noon I preached in the piazza adjoining to the Coinage Hall in +Truro. I was enabled to speak exceeding plain on "Ye are saved through +faith."' In the evening of the same day Wesley preached in the fishing +village of Megavissey, 'where I saw a very rare thing--men swiftly +increasing in substance, and yet not decreasing in holiness.' + +From such a land and such influences sprang the first missionary hero +of the Church of England in modern times. The Martyn family had for +more than a century been known locally as one of skilled miners, +described by their ablest representative in recent times[2] as 'mine +agents or mine captains who filled positions of trust.' Martin Luther +had a similar origin. There is no evidence that any of them went +underground, although that, if true, would justify the romance for +which Martyn's first biographer is responsible. His great-grandfather +was Thomas Martyn, his grandfather was John Martyn of Gwennap +Churchtown, and his grand-uncle was the surveyor, Thomas Martyn +(1695-1751), who published the map of Cornwall described as a marvel +of minute and accurate topography, due to a survey on foot for fifteen +years. Mr. Jeffery quotes from some manuscript notes written by his +father: + + John, an elder brother of Thomas Martyn, was the father of John + Martyn, who was born at Gwennap Churchtown, and, when young, was + put as an accountant at Wheal Virgin Mine. He was soon made + cashier to Ralph Allen Daniell, Esq., of Trelissick. Mr. Martyn + held one-twenty-fourth of Wheal Unity Mine, where upwards of + 300,000_l._ was divided. He then resided in a house opposite the + Coinage Hall (now the Cornish Bank), Truro, a little below the + present Market House. Here Henry Martyn was born February 18, + 1781, and was sent thence to Dr. Cardew's School in 1788. + +The new Town Hall stands on the site of the house. + +The boy bore a family name which is common in Southwest England, and +which was doubtless derived, in the first instance, from the great +missionary monk of Celtic France, the founder of the Gallic Church, +St. Martin, Bishop of Tours. Born in what is now Lower Hungary, the +son of a pagan soldier of Rome, St. Martin, during his long life +which nearly covered the fourth century, made an impression, +especially on Western or Celtic Christendom, even greater than that of +the Devonshire Winfrith or Boniface on Germany long after him. It was +in the generation after his death, when St. Martin's glory was at its +height, that the Saxon invasion of Britain led to the migration of +British Christians from West and South England to Armorica, which was +thence called Brittany. The intercourse between Cornwall and Britannia +Minor became as close as is now the case between the Celtic districts +of the United Kingdom and North America. Missionaries continually +passed and repassed between them. St. Corentin, consecrated Bishop of +Quimper in Brittany or French Cornwall, by the hands of St. Martin +himself, was sent to Cornwall long before Pope Gregory despatched St. +Augustin to Canterbury, and became a popular Cornish saint after whom +St. Cury's parish is still named. On the other side, the Early British +Church of Cornwall, where we still find Roman Christian inscriptions, +kept up a close fellowship with the Church in Ireland. The earliest +martyrs and hermits of the Church of Cornu-Gallia were companions of +St. Patrick. + +Certainly there is no missionary saint in all the history of the +Church of Christ whom, in his character, Henry Martyn so closely +resembled as his namesake, the apostle of the Gallic peoples. In the +pages of the bishop's biographer, Sulpicius Severus, we see the same +self-consecration which has made the _Journal_ of Henry Martyn a +stimulus to the noblest spirits of modern Christendom; the same fiery +zeal, often so excessive as to defeat the Divine mission; the same +soldier-like obedience and humility; the same prayerfulness without +ceasing, and faith in the power of prayer; the same fearlessness in +preaching truth however disagreeable to the luxurious and vicious of +the time; and, above all on the practical side, the same winning +loveableness and self-sacrifice for others which have made the story +of St. Martin dividing his cloak with the beggar second only, in +Medival art, to the Gospel records of the Lord's own acts of tender +grace and Divine self-emptying. As we trace, step by step, the +unceasing service of Henry Martyn to men for love of his Master, we +shall find a succession of modern parallels to the act of St. Martin, +who, when a lad of eighteen with his regiment at Amiens, himself +moneyless, answered the appeal of a beggar, shivering at the city +gates in a cruel winter, by drawing his dagger, dividing his military +cloak, and giving half of it to the naked man. If the legend continues +to run, that the boy saw in a dream Christ Himself in the half-cloak +saying to the attendant angels, 'Martin, still a catechumen, has +clothed Me with this garment,' and forthwith sought baptism--that is +only a form of the same spirit which, from the days of Paul to our +own, finds inspiration in the thought that we are compassed about by a +great cloud of witnesses. + +Henry Martyn was baptised in the old church of St. Mary, now part of the +unfinished cathedral. He was the third of four children. The eldest, a +half-brother, John, was born fifteen years before him. The second and +fourth were his own sisters, Laura and Sally; the former married Mr. +Curgenven, nephew of the Vicar of Lamorran of that name; the latter +married a Mr. Pearson. Short-lived as Henry himself proved to be, all +three died before him. To both the sisters--and especially to the +younger, who proved to be to him at once sister, mother, and spiritual +guide to Christ--there are frequent allusions in his _Journals and +Letters_. His mother, named Fleming, and from Ilfracombe, died in the +year after his birth, having transmitted her delicate constitution to +her children. It was through his father, as well as younger sister, that +the higher influences were rained on Henry Martyn. In the wayward and +often wilful years before the boy yielded to the power of Christ's +resurrection, the father's gentleness kept him in the right way, from +which any violent opposition would have driven one of proud spirit. A +skilled accountant and practical self-trained mathematician, the father +encouraged in the boy the study of science, and early introduced him to +the great work of Newton. Valuing the higher education as few in England +did at that time, John Martyn ever kept before the lad the prospect of a +University course. Looking back on these days, and especially on his +last visit home before his father's unexpected death, Henry Martyn wrote +when he was eighteen years of age: + + The consummate selfishness and exquisite irritability of my mind + were displayed in rage, malice, and envy, in pride and + vain-glory and contempt of all; in the harshest language to my + sister, and even to my father, if he happened to differ from my + mind and will. Oh, what an example of patience and mildness was + he! I love to think of his excellent qualities, and it is + frequently the anguish of my heart that I ever could be so base + and wicked as to pain him by the slightest neglect. + +Truro was fortunate in its grammar school--'the Eton of Cornwall'--and +in the headmaster of that time, the Rev. Cornelius Cardew, D.D., whose +portrait now adorns the city's council chamber. The visitor who seeks +out the old school in Boscawen Street now finds it converted into the +ware-room of an ironmonger. All around may still be seen the oak +panels on which successive generations of schoolboys cut their names. +A pane of glass on which Henry Martyn scratched his name, with a Greek +quotation and a Hebrew word, probably on his last visit to the spot +before he left England for ever, is reverently preserved in the +muniment room of the corporation buildings. There also are the musty +folios of the dull history and duller divinity which formed the school +library of that uncritical century, but there is no means of tracing +the reading of the boys. Into this once lightsome room, adorned only +by a wood-carving of the galleon which formed the city arms, was the +child Henry Martyn introduced at the age of seven. Dr. Clement +Carlyon, who was one of his fellow-pupils, writes of him as 'a +good-humoured plain little fellow, with red eyelids devoid of +eyelashes'. But we know from Mrs. Sherwood, when she first met him in +India--where his hair, a light brown, was raised from his forehead, +which was a remarkably fine one--that although his features were not +regular, 'the expression was so luminous, so intellectual, so +affectionate, so beaming with Divine charity, as to absorb the +attention of every observer'. His sensitive nature and violent +passionateness when roused, at once marked him out as the victim of the +older boys. In a happy moment Dr. Cardew put 'little Henry Martyn' under +the care of one of them, who became his protector, tutor, and friend, +not only at school but at college, and had an influence on his spiritual +as well as intellectual life next only to that of his father, sister, +and Charles Simeon. That 'upper boy'--named Kempthorne, son of Admiral +Kempthorne, of Helston--delighted to recall to his first biographer, +Sargent, 'the position in which he used to sit, the thankful expression +of his affectionate countenance, when he happened to be helped out of +some difficulty, and a thousand other little incidents of his boyish +days.' This boy-friend 'had often the happiness of rescuing him from the +grasp of oppressors, and has never seen more feeling of gratitude +evinced than was shown by him on those occasions.' + +Even at seven Henry's natural cleverness was so apparent that high +expectations of his future were formed. Dr. Cardew wrote of his +proficiency in the classics as exceeding that of most of his +school-fellows, but he was too lively and too careless to apply +himself as some did who distanced him. 'He was of a lively, cheerful +temper, and, as I have been told by those who sat near him, appeared +to be the idlest among them, being frequently known to go up to his +lesson with little or no preparation, as if he had learnt it by +intuition.' The delicacy of his constitution naturally kept him from +joining in the rougher games of his fellows. Such was the impression +made by his progress at school that, when he was fifteen years of age, +not only Dr. Cardew and his father, but many of his father's friends, +urged him to compete for a vacant scholarship of Corpus Christi +College, Oxford. With only a letter to the sub-rector of Exeter College, +the usual Cornish College, the boy found himself in the great University +city. The examiners were divided in opinion as to the result, but a +majority gave it in favour of one with whom Henry Martyn was almost +equal. Had he become a member of that University at fifteen, with +character unformed and knowledge immature or superficial, it is not +likely that Oxford would have gained what, at a riper stage, Cambridge +fell heir to. His own comment, written afterwards like Augustine's in +the _Confessions_, was this: 'The profligate acquaintances I had in +Oxford would have introduced me to scenes of debauchery, in which I +must, in all probability, from my extreme youth, have sunk for ever.' He +returned to school for two years, to extend his knowledge of the +classics. He spent his leisure in shooting, and in reading travels and +Lord Chesterfield's _Letters_. His early private Journal reflects +severely on that time as spent in 'attributing to a want of taste for +mathematics what ought to have been ascribed to idleness; and having his +mind in a roving, dissatisfied, restless condition, seeking his chief +pleasure in reading and human praise.' + +[Illustration: ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, IN 1797] + +In this spirit he began residence in St. John's College, Cambridge, in +the month of October 1797, as a pensioner or unassisted student. To +that University he was attracted by Kempthorne, who had been his +protector at school, and had just distinguished himself at St. John's, +coming out Senior Wrangler. Alike from the idleness to which he was +tempted by other fellow-students who were new to him, and from the +variety of study with no other motive than to win glory of men, his +friend gradually weaned his fickle and impulsive genius. But for two +years he halted between two opinions. He was ever restless because +ever dissatisfied with himself, and his want of inward peace only +increased the natural irritability of his temper. He indulged in bursts +of passion on slight provocation, and sometimes on none at all, save +that of an uneasy conscience. Like Clive about the same age, Henry +Martyn on one occasion hurled a knife at his friend, Cotterill, who just +escaped, leaving it quivering in the panel of the dining-hall. The +father and younger sister at home prayerfully watched over him, and +by letter sought to guide him. On his periodical visits to Truro he was +able at least to report success in his examinations, and at the close of +1799 he came out first, to his father's delight. The providence of God +had made all things ready for the completion of His eighteen years' work +in the convictions and character of Henry Martyn, on his return to +college. To him, at the opening of the new century, all things became +new. + +Cambridge, first of all, had received--unconsciously to its leading +men for a time--that new spirit which has ever since identified its +University with the aggressive missionary philanthropy of the +nineteenth century. For nearly the whole period of Martyn's life, up +to that time, Charles Simeon, the Eton boy, Fellow of King's College, +and Christian gentleman, who had sought the position only that he +might preach Christ after the manner of St. Paul, had, from the pulpit +of Trinity Church, been silently transforming academic life. He had +become the trusted agent of Charles Grant and George Udny, the Bengal +civilians who were ready to establish an eight-fold mission in Bengal +as soon as he could send out the men. Failing to find these, he had +brought about the foundation of the Church Missionary Society on April +12, 1799. Some years before that, Charles Grant exchanged his seat in +the Bengal council for one of the 'chairs' of the Court of Directors. +He became their chairman, and it was to Simeon that he turned for East +India chaplains. Cambridge, even more than London itself, had become +the centre of the spiritual life of the Church of England. + +First among the fellow-students of Henry Martyn, though soon to leave +for India when he entered it, was his future friend, Claudius +Buchanan, B.A. of 1796 and Fellow of Queen's College, of which Isaac +Milner was president. Magdalene College--which had sent David Brown to +Calcutta in 1786, to prepare the way for the other four, who are for +ever memorable as 'the Five Chaplains'--had among its students of the +same standing as Martyn, Charles Grant's two distinguished sons, of whom +one became Lord Glenelg and a cabinet minister, and the younger, Robert, +was afterwards Governor of Bombay, the still valued hymnologist, and the +warm friend of Dr. John Wilson. Thomason--seven years older than Martyn, +and induced afterwards, by his example, to become a Bengal chaplain--was +Simeon's curate and substitute in the closing years of the last century, +when to Mr. Thornton of Clapham, who had warned him against preaching +five sermons a week, as casting the net too often to allow time to mend +it, he drew this picture of college life: 'There are reasons for fearing +the mathematical religion which so prevails here. Here, also, is +everything that can contribute to the ease and comfort of life. Whatever +pampers the appetite and administers fuel to sloth and indolence is to +be found in abundance. Nothing is left to want or desire. Here is the +danger; this is the horrible precipice.' Corrie and Dealtry, also of the +Five Chaplains, and afterwards first and second Bishops of Madras, were +of Martyn's Cambridge time, the latter graduating before, and the former +just after him. + +Hardly had Henry Martyn returned to college in January 1800 when he +received from his half-brother news of the death of their father, whom +he had just before left 'in great health and spirits.' The first +result was 'consternation,' and then, as he told his sister, + + I was extremely low-spirited, and, like most people, began to + consider seriously, without any particular determination, that + invisible world to which he had gone and to which I must one day + go. As I had no taste at this time for my usual studies, I took + up my Bible. Nevertheless I often took up other books to engage + my attention, and should have continued to do so had not + Kempthorne advised me to make this time an occasion of serious + reflection. I began with the Acts, as being the most amusing, + and when I was entertained with the narrative I found myself + insensibly led to inquire more attentively into the doctrines of + the Apostles.... On the first night after, I began to pray from + a precomposed form, in which I thanked God in general for having + sent Christ into the world. But though I prayed for pardon I had + little sense of my own sinfulness; nevertheless, I began to + consider myself a religious man. + +The college chapel service at once had a new meaning for the student +whom death had shaken and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles had +awakened. 'The first time after this that I went to chapel I saw, with +some degree of surprise at my former inattention, that in the +Magnificat there was a great degree of joy expressed at the coming of +Christ, which I thought but reasonable.' His friend then lent him +Doddridge's _Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul_, but, because +the first part of that book 'appeared to make religion consist too +much in humiliation, and my proud and wicked heart would not bear to +be brought down into the dust,' he could not bear to read it. 'Soon, +however,' as he afterwards told his sister, who had prayed for this +very thing all her life, as Monica had agonised for Augustine, 'I +began to attend more diligently to the words of our Saviour in the New +Testament, and to devour them with delight. When the offers of mercy +and forgiveness were made so freely, I supplicated to be made partaker +of the covenant of grace with eagerness and hope, and thanks be to the +ever-blessed Trinity for not leaving me without comfort.' The +doctrines of the Apostles, based on the narrative of the Acts, and +confirming the teaching of the family in early youth, were seen to be +in accord with the words of the Master, and thus Henry Martyn started +on the Christian life an evangelical of the Evangelicals. In the +preaching and the personal friendship of the minister of Trinity +Church he found sympathetic guidance, and so 'gradually acquired more +knowledge in divine things.' All the hitherto irregular impulses of +his fervent Celtic nature received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and +became centred in the living, reigning, personal Christ. All the +restless longings of his soul and his senses found their satisfaction +for ever in the service of Him who had said 'He that loveth his life +shall lose it. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me, and where I am +there shall also My servant be.' All the pride of his genius, his +intellectual ambition, and his love of praise became purged by the +determination thenceforth to know nothing save the Crucified One. + +His first temptation and test of honest fitness for such service was +found in the examination for degrees, and especially for the greatest +honour of all, that of Senior Wrangler. If we place his conversion to +Christ at the close of his nineteenth year, we find that the whole of +his twentieth was spent in the necessary preparation for the +competition, and in the accompanying spiritual struggles. It is not +surprising that, when looking back on that year from higher experiences, +he should be severe in his self-examination. But the path of duty +clearly lay in hard and constant study, and not alone in religious +meditation. It was not surprising that the experienced convert should +afterwards pronounce the former worldly, and lament that 'the +intenseness with which I pursued my studies' prevented his growth in +contrition, and in a knowledge of the excellency of Christ. But so +severe a judge as his friend and fellow-student John Sargent, who knew +all the facts, and became not less saintly than himself, declares that +there was no reason, save his own humility, for his suspecting a want of +vitality at least in his spiritual life in this critical year. His +new-found life in Christ, and delight in the Bible, reacted on his whole +nature, elevating it to that degree of spontaneous energy free from all +self-consciousness which is the surest condition, divine and human, of +success. He himself used to tell how, when he entered the Senate House, +the text of a sermon he had recently heard quieted his spirit: 'Seekest +thou great things for thyself? Seek them not, saith the Lord.' + +Henry Martyn was not fully twenty years of age when, in January 1801, +he came out Senior Wrangler and first Smith's (mathematical) Prizeman. +His year was one of the most brilliant in the recent history of the +University. Woodall of Pembroke was second. Robert Grant was third, +and Charles Grant (Lord Glenelg) fourth Wrangler. They distanced him +in classics, once his strongest point. But the boy who entered college +believing that geometry was to be learned by committing Euclid[3] to +memory had given the whole strength of his powers during three years +to the college examinations, so as to please his father and win the +applause of his fellows. Until recently it was possible for a student +to enter the University ignorant of mathematics, and to come out +Senior Wrangler, as the late Professor Kelland used to tell his +Edinburgh class. Such was the reverence for Newton that the Leibnizian +methods were not recognised in the University studies till the reform +of the Cambridge course was introduced by Dean Peacock and his +contemporaries. In those earlier days, Dr. Carlyon,[4] who had been +one of his school-fellows, tells us high Wranglers won their places by +correct book-work rapidly produced in oral examination from four set +treatises by Wood and Vince, on optics, mechanics, hydrostatics, and +astronomy; problem papers were answered by the best men. Martyn's +grand-nephew, himself a distinguished mathematician, remarks that he +sprang from a family of calculators, and so had the patience and taste +necessary for mathematical attainments. There is no evidence that he +pursued science even at Cambridge except as a tutor; he does not +appear to have been a mathematical examiner even in his own college. + +The truth is seen in his own comment on a success which at once won +for him admiration and deference in circles that could not appreciate +the lofty Christian aims of his life: 'I obtained my highest wishes, +but was surprised to find that I had grasped a shadow.' He was called +to other service, and for that he brought his University triumph with +him to the feet of Christ. He was too cultured, however, to despise +learning or academic reputation, for they might be made weapons for +the Master's use, and we shall find him wielding both alike in home +and foreign missions. His genius and learning found expression in the +study, the translation, and the unceasing application to the +consciences of men, of the Word of God. His early love of the classics +of Greece and Rome prevailed over his later mathematical studies to +make him an ardent philologist, with the promise, had he lived, of +becoming an Orientalist of the type of Sir William Jones. If he was +known in his college as 'the man who had not lost an hour' when +University honours alone were his object, how much would not his +unresting perseverance have accomplished, when directed by the highest +of all motives, had he been spared to the age of William Carey or John +Wilson? + +The time had come for the brilliant student to decide on his +profession. The same ambition which had stimulated him to his college +successes, had led him to resolve on studying the law, as the most +lucrative. 'I could not consent to be poor for Christ's sake,' was his +own language at a later period. But Christ himself had changed all +that, as effectually as when the young lawyer Saul was stricken down +after the martyr testimony of Stephen. The year 1801 was to him one of +comparative solitude, both in Cornwall and at the University, where +he cultivated the fruitful grace of meditation, learning to know and +to master himself, as he came to know more and more intimately, and to +submit himself to, Christ Jesus. He was admitted to the inner circle +of Simeon's friends, and to unreserved intercourse with men of his own +age who had come to Christ before him. Especially was he drawn to John +Sargent, one year his senior, who was about to leave the university +for the Temple, that he might by the study of law prepare himself to +administer worthily the family estate to which he was to succeed. His +son-in-law, the late Bishop S. Wilberforce, has left us a charming +picture[5] of this saintly man, of whom Martyn wrote, even at college, +'Sargent seems to be outstripping us all.' While Simeon ever, by his +counsels and his example, impressed on the choice youth whom he +gathered around him the attractiveness of the Christian ministry,[6] +Sargent bewailed that only a painful sense of duty to others kept him +from it, and in a few years he succeeded in entering its consecrated +ranks. Among such friends, and with his own heart growing in the +experience of the power of the Holy Spirit, Henry Martyn was +constrained, notwithstanding his new humbleness of mind, to hear and +obey the divine call. He who had received such mercy must tell it +abroad; he who had known such love must bring others to share the +sweetness. Hence he writes to his sister: + + When we consider the misery and darkness of the unregenerate + world, oh! with how much reason shall we burst out into + thanksgiving to God, who has called us in His mercy through + Christ Jesus! What are we, that we should thus be made objects + of distinguishing grace! Who, then, that reflects upon the rock + from which he was hewn, but must rejoice to give himself + entirely and without reserve to God, to be sanctified by His + Spirit. The soul that has truly experienced the love of God, + will not stay meanly inquiring how much he shall do, and thus + limit his service, but will be earnestly seeking more and more + to know the will of our Heavenly Father, and that he may be + enabled to do it. Oh, may we both be thus minded! may we + experience Christ to be our all in all, not only as our + Redeemer, but also as the fountain of grace. Those passages of + the Word of God which you have quoted on this head, are indeed + awakening; may they teach us to breathe after holiness, to be + more and more dead to the world, and alive unto God, through + Jesus Christ. We are as lights in the world; how needful then + that our tempers and lives should manifest our high and heavenly + calling! Let us, as we do, provoke one another to good works, + not doubting that God will bless our feeble endeavours to His + glory. + +The next year, 1802, saw Martyn Fellow of his College and the winner +of the first University prize for a Latin essay, open to those who had +just taken the Bachelor of Arts degree. It ended in his determination +to offer himself to the Church Missionary Society. He had no sooner +resolved to be a minister of Christ than he began such home mission +work as lay to his hands among his fellow members of the University, +and in the city where, at a recent period, one who closely resembled +him in some points, Ion Keith-Falconer, laboured. When ministering to +a dying man he found that the daughters had removed to another house, +where they were cheerful, and one of the students was reading a play +to them. 'A play! when their father was lying in the agonies of death! +What a species of consolation! I rebuked him so sharply, and, I am +afraid, so intemperately, that a quarrel will perhaps ensue.' This is +the first of those cases in which the impulsively faithful Christian, +testifying for his Master, often roused hatred to himself. But the +student afterwards thanked him for his words, became a new man, and +went out to India, where he laboured for a time by his side. After a +summer tour--during which he walked to Liverpool, and then through +Wales, ascending Snowdon--Henry Martyn found himself in the old home +in Truro, then occupied by his brother. From the noise of a large +family he moved to Woodbury: 'With my brother-in-law[7] I passed some +of the sweetest moments in my life. The deep solitude of the place +favoured meditation; and the romantic scenery around supplied great +external sources of pleasure.' + +Along the beautiful coast of Cornwall and Devon there is no spot more +beautiful than Woodbury. It is henceforth sacred as Moulton in Carey's +life, and St. Andrews in Alexander Duff's, for there Henry Martyn +wrestled out his deliberate dedication to the service of Christ in +India and Persia. The Fal river is there just beginning to open out +into the lovely estuary which, down almost to Falmouth town and +Carrick Road, between Pendennis and St. Mawes, is clothed on either +side with umbrageous woods. On the left shore, after leaving the point +from which is the best view of Truro and its cathedral, now known as +the Queen's View, there is Malpas, and further on are the sylvan +glories of Tregothnan. On the right shore, sloping down to the +ever-moving tide, are the oaks, ilexes, and firs which inclose +Woodbury, recently rebuilt. There the Cambridge scholar of twenty-one +roamed and read his Bible (especially Isaiah); 'and from this I +derived great spirituality of mind compared with what I had known +before.' He returned to Cambridge and its tutorial duties, ready to +become Simeon's curate, and ultimately to go abroad when the definite +call should come. In the first conversation which he had with him, +Simeon, who had been reading the last number of the _Periodical +Accounts_ from Serampore, drew attention to the results of William +Carey's work, in the first nine years of his pioneering, as showing +what a single missionary could accomplish. From this time, in his +letters and journals, we find all his thoughts and reading, when +alone, revolving around the call to the East. + + _1803, January 12_ to _19_.--Reading Lowth on Isaiah--Acts--and + abridged Bishop Hopkins' first sermon on Regeneration. On the + 19th called on Simeon, from whom I found that I was to go to the + East Indies, not as a missionary, but in some superior capacity; + to be stationed at Calcutta, or possibly at Ceylon. This + prospect of this world's happiness gave me rather pain than + pleasure, which convinced me that I had before been running away + from the world, rather than overcoming it. During the whole + course of the day, I was more worldly than for some time past, + unsettled and dissatisfied. In conversation, therefore, I found + great levity, pride, and bitterness. What a sink of corruption + is this heart, and yet I can go on from day to day in + self-seeking and self-pleasing! Lord, shew me myself, nothing + but 'wounds and bruises, and putrefying sores,' and teach me to + live by faith on Christ my all. + + St. John's, January 17, 1803. + + My dear Sargent,--G. and H. seem to disapprove of my project + much; and on this account I have been rather discouraged of + late, though not in any degree convinced. It would be more + satisfactory to go out with the full approbation of my friends, + but it is in vain to attempt to please man. In doubtful cases, + we are to use the opinions of others no further than as means of + directing our own judgment. My sister has also objected to it, + on the score of my deficiency in that deep and solid experience + necessary in a missionary. + + _February 4._--Read Lowth in the afternoon, till I was quite + tired. Endeavoured to think of Job xiv. 14, and to have solemn + thoughts of death, but could not find them before my pupil came, + to whom I explained justification by faith, as he had ridiculed + Methodism. But talk upon what I will, or with whom I will, + conversation leaves me ruffled and discomposed. From what does + this arise? From a want of the sense of God's presence when I am + with others. + + _February 6._--Read the Scriptures, between breakfast and + church, in a very wandering and unsettled manner, and in my walk + was very weak in desires after God. As I found myself about the + middle of the day full of pride and formality, I found some + relief in prayer. Sat with H. and D. after dinner, till three, + but though silent, was destitute of humility. Read some of S. + Pearce's[8] life, and was much interested by his account of the + workings of his mind on the subject of his mission. Saw reason + to be thankful that I had no such tender ties to confine me at + home, as he seemed to have; and to be amazed at myself, in not + making it a more frequent object of reflection, and yet to + praise God for calling me to minister in the glorious work of + the conversion of the Gentiles. + + _March 27._--The lectures in chemistry and anatomy I was much + engaged with, without receiving much instruction. A violent cold + and cough led me to prepare myself for an inquiry into my views + of death. I was enabled to rest composed on the Rock of Ages. + Oh, what mercy shewn to the chief of sinners. + + _April 22._--Was ashamed to confess to ---- that I was to be Mr. + Simeon's curate, a despicable fear of man from which I vainly + thought myself free. He, however, asked me if I was not to be, + and so I was obliged to tell him. Jer. i. 17. + + _May 8._--Expressed myself contemptuously of ----, who preached + at St. Mary's. Such manifestations of arrogance which embody, as + it were, my inward pride, wound my spirit inexpressibly, not to + contrition, but to a sullen sense of guilt. Read Second Epistle + to Timothy. I prayed with some earnestness. + + _June 13_ to _24_.--Passed in tolerable comfort upon the whole; + though I could on no day say my walk had been close with God. + Read Sir G. Staunton's _Embassy to China_, and was convinced of + the propriety of being sent thither. But I have still the spirit + of worldly men when I read worldly books. I felt more curiosity + about the manners of this people than love and pity towards + their souls. + + St. John's, June 30, 1803. + + Dear Sargent,--May you, as long as you shall give me your + acquaintance, direct me to the casting down of all high + imaginations. Possibly it may be a cross to you to tell me or + any one of his faults. But should I be at last a castaway, or at + least dishonour Christ through some sin, which for want of + faithful admonition remained unmortified, how bitter would be + your reflections! I conjure you, therefore, my dear friend, as + you value the good of the souls to whom I am to preach, and my + own eternal interests, that you tell me what you think to be, in + my life, spirit, or temper, not according to the will of God my + Saviour. D. has heard about a religious young man of seventeen, + who wants to come to College, but has only 20_l._ a year. He is + very clever, and from the perusal of some poems which he has + published, I am much interested about him. His name is H.K. + White. + + _July 17._--Rose at half-past five, and walked a little before + chapel in happy frame of mind; but the sunshine was presently + overcast by my carelessly neglecting to speak for the good of + two men, when I had an opportunity. The pain was, moreover, + increased by the prospect of the incessant watchfulness for + opportunities I should use; nevertheless, resolved that I would + do so through grace. The dreadful act of disobeying God, and the + baseness of being unwilling to incur the contempt of men, for + the sake of the Lord Jesus, who had done so much for me, and the + cruelty of not longing to save souls, were the considerations + that pressed on my mind. + + _July 18_ to _30_.--Gained no ground in all this time; stayed a + few days at Shelford, but was much distracted and unsettled for + want of solitude. Felt the passion of envy rankle in my bosom on + a certain occasion. Seldom enjoyed peace, but was much under the + power of corruption. Read Butler's _Analogy_; Jon. Edwards _On + the Affections_; in great hopes that this book will be of + essential use to me. + + _September 10._--Was most deeply affected with reading the + account of the apostasy of Lewis and Broomhall, in the + transactions of the Missionary Society. When I first came to the + account of the awful death of the former, I cannot describe the + sense I had of the reality of religion,--that there is a God who + testifies His hatred of sin; 'my flesh trembled for fear of His + judgments.' Afterwards, coming to the account of Broomhall's + sudden turn to Deism, I could not help even bursting into tears + of anxiety and terror at my own extreme danger; because I have + often thought, that if I ever should make shipwreck, it would be + on the rocks of sensuality or infidelity. The hollowness of + Broomhall's arguments was so apparent, that I could only + attribute his fall to the neglect of inquiring after the + rational foundation of his faith. + + _September 12._--Read some of the minor prophets, and Greek + Testament, and the number of the _Missionary Transactions_. H. + drank tea with me in the evening. I read some of the missionary + accounts. The account of their sufferings and diligence could + not but tend to lower my notions of myself. I was almost ashamed + at my having such comforts about me, and at my own + unprofitableness. + + _September 13._--Received a letter from my sister, in which she + expressed her opinion of my unfitness for the work of a + missionary. My want of Christian experience filled me with many + disquieting doubts, and this thought troubled me among many + others, as it has often done: 'I am not only not so holy as I + ought, but I do not strive to have my soul wrought up to the + highest pitch of devotion every moment.' + + _September 17._--Read Dr. Vanderkemp's mission to Kafraria. What + a man! In heaven I shall think myself well off, if I obtain but + the lowest seat among such, though now I am fond of giving + myself a high one. + + St. John's, September 29, 1803. + + How long it seems since I heard from you, my dear Sargent. My + studies during the last three months have been Hebrew, Greek + Testament, Jon. Edwards _On Original Sin_, and _On the + Affections_, and Bishop Hopkins,--your favourite and mine. Never + did I read such energetic language, such powerful appeals to the + conscience. Somehow or other he is able to excite most constant + interest, say what he will. I have been lately reading the first + volume of the _Reports_ of the Missionary Society, who sent out + so many to Otaheite and the southern parts of Africa. You would + find the account of Dr. Vanderkemp's mission into Kafraria + infinitely entertaining. It appeared so much so to me, that I + could read nothing else while it lasted. Respecting my own + concerns in this way, no material change has taken place, either + externally or internally, except that my sister thinks me + unqualified, through want of religious experience, and that I + find greater pleasure at the prospect of it. I am conscious, + however, of viewing things too much on the bright side, and + think more readily of the happiness of seeing the desert rejoice + and blossom as the rose, than of pain, and fatigue, and crosses, + and disappointments. However it shall be determined for me, it + is my duty to crush the risings of self-will, so as to be + cheerfully prepared to go or stay. + + _October 1._--In the afternoon read in Law's _Serious Call_, the + chapter on 'Resignation,' and prayed for it, according to his + direction. I rather think a regular distribution of the day for + prayer, to obtain the three great graces of humility, love, and + resignation, would be far the best way to grow in them. The + music at chapel led my thoughts to heaven, and I went cheerfully + to Mrs. S.H. drank tea with me afterwards. As there was in the + _Christian Observer_ something of my own, the first which ever + appeared in print, I felt myself going off to vanity and levity. + +[Illustration: SECOND COURT, ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, 1803] + + _October 9._--Rose at six, which is earlier than of late, and + passed the whole morning in great tranquillity. I prayed to be + sent out to China, and rejoiced in the prospect of the glorious + day when Christ shall be glorified on earth. At chapel the music + of the chant and anthem seemed to be in my ears as the sounds of + heaven, particularly the anthem, 1 Chron. xxix. 10. But these + joys, alas! partake much of the flesh in their transitory + nature. At chapel I wished to return to my rooms to read the + song of Moses the servant of God, &c. in the Revelation, but + when I came to it I found little pleasure. The sound of the + music had ceased, and with it my joy, and nothing remained but + evil temper, darkness, and unbelief. All this time I had + forgotten what it is to be a poor humble soul. I had floated off + the Rock of Ages into the deep, where I was beginning to sink, + had not the Saviour stretched out His hand, and said to me, 'It + is I!' Let me never be cheated out of my dependence on Him, nor + ever forget my need of Him. + + _October 12._--Reading Paley's _Evidences_. Had my pride + deeply wounded to-day, and perceived that I was far from + humility. Great bitterness and dislike arose in my mind against + the man who had been the unconscious cause of it. Oh, may I + learn daily my hidden evils, and loathe myself for my secret + abominations! Prayed for the man, and found my affections + return. + + _October 19._--I wished to have made my approaching ordination + to the ministry a more leading object of my prayers. For two or + three days I have been reading some of St. Augustine's + _Meditations_, and was delighted with the hope of enjoying such + communion with God as this holy man. Blessed be God! nothing + prevents, no earthly business, no earthly love can rightfully + intrude to claim my thoughts, for I have professedly resigned + them all. My mind still continues in a joyous and happy state, + though at intervals, through want of humility, my confidence + seems vain. + + _October 20._--This morning was almost all lost, by friends + coming in. At noon I read the fortieth chapter of Isaiah. Amidst + the bustle of common life, how frequently has my heart been + refreshed by the descriptions of the future glory of the Church, + and the happiness of man hereafter! + + _November 13._--I longed to draw very near to God, to pray Him + that He would give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. I + thought of David Brainerd, and ardently desired his devotedness + to God and holy breathings of soul. + +When a Fellow of St. John's, Henry Martyn occupied the three rooms in +the highest storey of E block, entered from the right-hand corner of +the Second Court before passing through the gateway into the Third +Court. The Court is that pronounced by Ruskin the finest in the +University, because of the beautiful plum-red hue of the old brick, +going back to 1595, and the perfect architecture. From the same stair +the fine College Library is entered. The low roof was formed of reed, +instead of lath, and plaster, down to a very recent date. On one +occasion, while the outer roof was being repaired, the foot of a +workman suddenly pushed through the frail inner ceiling above the +study table, an incident which has enabled their present occupant[9] +to identify the rooms. Here Martyn studied, and taught, and prayed, +while hour after hour and quarter after quarter, from the spire of St. +Clement's on the one side, and the tower of Trinity College on the +other, the flight of time was chimed forth. When, a generation after, +Alexander Duff visited Charles Simeon and his successor, Carus, and +expressed surprise that so few Cambridge men had, by 1836, given +themselves to foreign missions, Carus pointed to the exquisite beauty +of the Cam, as it winds between Trinity and St. John's, as one +explanation of the fact. Both forgot Henry Martyn, whose Cornish +temperament was most susceptible to the seductive influence, and whose +academic triumphs might have made the ideal life of a Fellow of St. +John's an overpowering temptation. As we stand in these hallowed +rooms, or wander through the four courts, and in the perfect gardens, +or recall the low chapel--which has given place to Sir Gilbert +Scott's, with a frescoed figure of Henry Martyn on its roof--we can +realise the power of the motive that sent him forth to Dinapore and +Cawnpore, Shiraz and Tokat. + +Samuel Pearce--the 'seraphic' preacher of Birmingham, whom a weak +body, like Martyn's, alone prevented from joining his beloved Carey at +Serampore; Vanderkemp, the Dutch physician, who had given up all for +the good of the Kafirs, and whom he was soon to see in the midst of +his converts; David Brainerd, also like himself in the shortness and +saintliness of his career; the transactions of the London Missionary +Society; the latest works on the East; and the experimental divinity +of Augustine, Jonathan Edwards, and Law, with the writings of Bishops +Butler and Hopkins, and Dr. Paley--these were the men and the books he +used to train his spirit for the work of the ministry abroad, when he +had fed it with the words of Jesus Christ, Isaiah, and Paul. He thus +describes his examination for Deacon's orders, and his ordination by +the Bishop of Ely on the title of his Fellowship, after which he +became Mr. Simeon's curate, and took charge of the neighbouring small +parish of Lolworth. + + _1803, October 22._--Went in a gig to Ely with B. Having had no + time for morning prayer, my conversation was poor. At chapel, I + felt great shame at having come so confidently to offer myself + for the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, with so much + ignorance and unholiness, and I thought it would be but just if + I were sent off with ignominy. Dr. M., the examining chaplain, + set me to construe the eleventh chapter of Matthew: Grotius: To + turn the first article into Latin: To prove the being of a God, + His infinite power and goodness: To give the evidence of + Christianity to Jews and heathens: To shew the importance of the + miracle of the resurrection of Christ. He asked an account, + also, of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes, the places of + the worship amongst the Jews, &c. After leaving the palace I was + in very low spirits. I had now nothing to think of but the + weight and difficulty of the work which lay before me, which + never appeared so great at a distance. At dinner the + conversation was frivolous. After tea I was left alone with one + of the deacons, to whom I talked seriously, and desired him to + read the Ordination Service, at which he was much affected. + Retired to my room early, and besought God to give me a right + and affecting sense of things. I seemed to pray a long time in + vain, so dark and distracted was my mind. At length I began to + feel the shameful and cruel neglect and unconcern for the honour + of God, and the souls of my brethren, in having trifled with men + whom I feared were about to 'lie to the Holy Ghost.' So I went + to them again, resolving to lay hold on any opportunity, but + found none to do anything effectually. Went to bed with a + painful sense of my hardness of heart and unsuitable preparation + for the ministry. + + _October 23._--Rose early, and prayed, not without distraction. + I then walked, but could not acquire a right and happy sense of + God's mercy in calling me to the ministry; but was melancholy at + the labours that awaited me. On returning, I met one of the + deacons, to whom I spoke on the solemn occasion, but he seemed + incapable of entertaining a serious thought. At half-past ten we + went to the cathedral. During the ordination and sacramental + services I sought in vain for a humble heavenly mind. The + outward show which tended to inspire solemnity, affected me more + than the faith of Christ's presence, giving me the commission to + preach the gospel. May I have grace to fulfil those promises I + made before God and the people! After dinner, walked with great + rapidity to Cambridge. I went straight to Trinity Church, where + my old vanities assailed my soul. How monstrous and horrible did + they appear in me, now that I was a minister of holy things! I + could scarcely believe that so sacred an office should be held + by one who had such a heart within. B. sat with me in the + evening, but I was not humbled; for I had not been near to God + to obtain the grace of contrition. On going to prayer at night, + I was seized with a most violent sickness. In the pain and + disorder of my body, I could but commend myself faintly to God's + mercy in Jesus Christ. + +[Illustration: TRINITY CHURCH IN 1803.] + + _October 24_ to _29_.--Busily employed in writing a sermon, and + from the slow advances I made in it, was in general very + melancholy. I read on the Thursday night for the first time in + Trinity Church. + + _October 30._--Rose with a heavy heart, and my head empty, from + having read so little of the Scriptures this last week. After + church, sat with ---- two hours conversing about the missionary + plan. He considered my ideas on the subject to be enthusiastic, + and told me that I had neither strength of body nor mind for the + work. This latter defect I did not at all like; it was galling + to the pride of my heart, and I went to bed hurt; yet thankful + to God for sending me one who would tell me the truth. + + _December 3._--Employed all day in writing sermon. The incessant + employment of my thoughts about the necessary business of my + life, parishes, pupils, sermons, sick, &c., leave far too little + time for my private meditations; so that I know little of God + and my soul. Resolved I would gain some hours from my usual + sleep, if there were no other way; but failed this morning in + consequence of sitting up so late. + + _December 4._--Called at two or three of the parishioners' + houses, and found them universally in the most profound state of + ignorance and stupidity. On my road home could not perceive that + men who have any little knowledge should have anything to do but + instruct their wretched fellow-creatures. The pursuits of + science, and all the vain and glittering employments of men, + seemed a cruel withholding from their perishing brethren of that + time and exertion which might save their souls. + + _December 22._--Married ----. How satisfactory is it to + administer the ordinance of matrimony, where the couple are + pious! I felt thankful that I was delivered from all desires of + the comforts of the married life. With the most desirable + partner, and every prospect of happiness, I would prefer a + single life, in which there are so much greater opportunities + for heavenly-mindedness. + +When appointed classical examiner of his college at this time, he +jealously examined himself: + + Did I delight in reading of the retreat of the ten thousand + Greeks; and shall not my soul glory in the knowledge of God, who + created the Greeks, and the vast countries over which they + passed! I examined in Butler's _Analogy_ and in Xenophon: how + much pride and ostentatious display of learning was visible in + my conduct--how that detestable spirit follows me, whatever I + do! + +He opened the year 1804, after preaching in Trinity Church, and +visiting two men whom he exhorted to think on their ways, with a +review of his new-found life. + + Nevertheless, I judge that I have grown in grace in the course + of the last year; for the bent of my desires is towards God more + than when I thought I was going out as a missionary, though + vastly less than I expected it would have been by this time. + +This year he received into his fellowship the young poet, Henry Kirke +White, whom Wilberforce had, at Simeon's request, sent to St. John's. +Southey declares that Chatterton is the only youthful poet whom Kirke +White does not leave far behind him. 'The Star of Bethlehem' is +certainly a hymn that will live. The sickly youth followed close in +Martyn's steps, becoming the first man of his year, but the effort +carried him off almost before his friend reached India. + +Had Martyn been of canonical age for ordination at the close of 1803, +there can be little doubt that he would at once have been sent out by +the Church Missionary Society, which could find only German Lutherans +as its agents abroad, until 1813, when another Fellow of St. John's, +and a Wrangler, the Rev. William Jowett, offered his services, and +was stationed at Malta. But when ordained he lost the little that he +had inherited from his father, and saw his younger sister also without +resources. There was a tradition in the family of his half-brother +John, that Henry and his sisters litigated with him, and farther +lessened the patrimony. However that may have been, while in India +Henry set apart the proceeds of his Fellowship at St. John's for the +maintenance of his brother's family, and bequeathed all he had to his +children. Mr. H. Thornton, of Clapham, was executor, and duly carried +out his instructions, starting the nephews in life. Another incident +at this time foreshadows the self-denial of his Indian career. By +opening the door of his room suddenly he had disfigured the face of +his Cambridge landlady, whose husband was a clergyman. He left to her +the interest of 1,000_l._ as an amend, and she enjoyed this annuity +through a very long life. + +The Senior Wrangler was not allowed to preach in the church where he +had been baptised, nor in any church of his native county, save in his +brother-in-law's. On August 8, 1804, he thus wrote to his friend 'R. +Boys, Esq., Bene't Coll., Cambridge,' after preaching at Plymouth for +his cousin: + + The following Sunday it was not permitted me to occupy the + pulpit of my native town, but in a neighbouring church I was + allowed to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. But that one + sermon was enough. The clergy seem to have united to exclude me + from their churches, so that I must now be contented with my + brother-in-law's two little churches about five miles from + Truro. The objection is that 'Mr. Martyn is a Calvinist preacher + in the dissenting way, &c.' My old schoolmaster, who has always + hitherto been proud of his pupil, has offered his services for + any time to a curate near this place, rather than, as he said, + he should apply to me for assistance. + +It is interesting to remember, remarks Mr. Moule, who has published +this letter for the first time, that 'always now, as the anniversary +of Martyn's death recurs, a sermon is preached in the cathedral of +Truro, in which the great work of Missions is set forth, and his +illustrious share in it commemorated.' + +As confidential adviser of Charles Grant in the Court of Directors, in +the appointment of chaplains, Simeon always sought to attract the best +of his curates to that career, and it would appear from the _Journal_ +that so early as the beginning of 1803 he had hinted at this to +Martyn. Now the way was plain. Martyn could no longer support himself +as one of those volunteer missionaries whose services the two great +missionary societies of the Church of England have always been happy +to enjoy, nor could he relieve his sister out of the subsistence +allowance of a missionary. Mr. Grant's offer of a Bengal chaplaincy +seemed to come to him as the solution. But a new element had entered +into his life, second only to his spiritual loyalty. He had learned to +love Lydia Grenfell. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] See the _Statistical Society's Journal_, September, 1888, for +invaluable notes on the 'System of Work and Wages in the Cornish +Mines,' by L.L. Price, M.A., of Oriel College, Oxford. + +[2] The late Henry Martyn Jeffery, M.A., F.R.S., in 1883. + +[3] Rev. Henry Bailey, D.D., Canon of Canterbury, supplies us with +this story from the lips of the late Rev. T.H. Shepherd, who was the +last surviving Canon of the Collegiate Church in Southwell:-- + +'Henry Martyn had just entered the College as a Freshman under the +Rev. Mr. Catton. I was the year above him, _i.e._ second year man; and +Mr. Catton sent for me to his rooms, telling me of Martyn, as a quiet +youth, with some knowledge of classics, but utterly unable as it +seemed to make anything of even the First Proposition of Euclid, and +desiring me to have him into my rooms, and see what I could do for him +in this matter. Accordingly, we spent some time together, but all my +efforts appeared to be in vain; and Martyn, in sheer despair, was +about to make his way to the coach office, and take his place the +following day back to Truro, his native town. I urged him not to be so +precipitate, but to come to me the next day, and have another trial +with Euclid. After some time light seemed suddenly to flash upon his +mind, with clear comprehension of the hitherto dark problem, and he +threw up his cap for joy at his _Eureka_. The Second Proposition was +soon taken, and with perfect success; but in truth his progress was +such and so rapid, that he distanced every one in his year, and, as +everyone knows, became Senior Wrangler.' + +[4] _Early Years and Late Reflections_, vol. iii. p. 5. + +[5] Introduction to _Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn_, 1837. + +[6] See the delightful _Charles Simeon_, by H.C.G. Moule, M.A. (1892), +published since this was written. + +[7] Rev. Mr. Curgenven, curate of Kenwyn and Kea. + +[8] William Carey's most intimate friend. See p. 46 of _Life of +William Carey, D.D._, 2nd ed. (John Murray). + +[9] Rev. A. Caldecott, M.A., Fellow and Dean of St. John's College. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +LYDIA GRENFELL + + +Twenty-six miles south-west of Truro, and now the last railway station +before Penzance is reached for the Land's End, is Marazion, the +oldest, the warmest, and long the dullest, of English towns. This was +the home of Lydia Grenfell; this was the scene of Henry Martyn's +wooing. Running out from the town is a natural causeway, uncovered at +low tide, and leading to the most romantic spot on a romantic +coast--the granite rock known to the Greek geographers as Ictis, and +to English legend and history as St. Michael's Mount. Here it was that +Jack slew the giant, Cormoran; here that the Phoenician, and possibly +Israelite, traffickers found the harbour, and in the town the market, +where they bought their copper and their tin; here that St. Michael +appeared, as on the larger rock off Normandy, to the earliest +Christian hermits, followed by the Benedictines; and here that King John +made a fortress which both sides in the Great Rebellion held and took +alternately. Since that time, possessed by the St. Aubyn family, and +open to all the world, St. Michael's Mount has been a unique retreat in +which castle and chapel, cemetery and garden, unite peacefully, to link +the restlessness of the nineteenth century with the hermit saintliness +and angel-ophanies of the fifth. It was the last spot of English, of +Cornish, ground seen by Henry Martyn, and he knew that the windows of +his beloved looked upon its grassy castellated height. + +In the one ascending street of Marazion on the shore, there still +stands the plain substantial Grenfell House, now boarded up and +falling to ruin for want of the freehold tenure. Opposite it is the +parish church, now on the site of the old chapel of ease of the +neighbouring St. Hilary, which Lydia Grenfell deserted for the then +warmer evangelical service of the little Wesleyan chapel. That is +hidden in a lane, and is still the same as when she worshipped there, +or only a little enlarged. The Grenvilles, Grenviles, or Grenfells, +were long a leading family connected with Cornwall as copper-buyers +and smelters. One, Pascoe Grenfell, was a Governor of the Bank of +England. Mr. Pascoe Grenfell, of Marazion (1729-1810), Commissary to +the States of Holland, was father (1) of Emma, who became wife of +Martyn's cousin, Rev. T. Martyn Hitchins; (2) of Lydia Grenfell; and +(3) of Pascoe Grenfell, D.C.L., M.P. for Marlow and Penryn. This +Pascoe's four daughters--Lydia Grenfell's nieces--each became the wife +of a remarkable man. The eldest, in 1825, married Mr. Carr Glyn, M.P. +for Kendal, and the first Lord Wolverton; the second, Lord Sidney +Godolphin Osborne; the third, Mr. James Anthony Froude; and the +fourth, Charles Kingsley. + +[Illustration: ST. MICHAEL'S MOUNT AT FULL TIDE.] + +Lydia Grenfell, born in 1775, died in her sister's house, the old +Vicarage of Breage, in 1829. She was thus six years older than Henry +Martyn. As the sister of his cousin by marriage he must have known of +her early. He evidently did not know, till it was too late, that she +had been engaged to a Mr. Samuel John, solicitor, of Penzance, who was +unworthy of her and married someone else. This engagement and its +issue seem to have weighed on her very sensitive conscience; it became +to her very much what Henry Martyn's hopeless love for her proved to +be to himself. In the years from October 19, 1801, to 1826, she kept a +diary not less devout, but far more morbid than his own. The two +journals form, where they meet, a pathetic, even tragic, tale of +affection, human and divine. Her bulky memoranda[10] contain few +incidents of interest, rather severe introspections, incessant +communings and heart-searchings, abstracts of sermons, records of +visits to the sick and poor, but also a valuable residuum by which her +relations with Martyn can be established beyond controversy. They show +that she was as saintly as himself. She weighed every thought, every +action, as in the immediate presence of God. + +When Henry Martyn, at nineteen, entered on the higher life, he must +have known Lydia Grenfell as the sister of Mrs. T.M. Hitchins, the +cousin with whom his correspondence shows him to have been on most +intimate, and even affectionate, terms. At that time the difference of +age would seem slight; her it would affect little, if at all, while +common experience suggests that it would be even attractive to him. +With the ardour of a young disciple--which in his case grew, year by +year, till he passed away--he sought spiritual counsel and communion. +On his visits to Cornwall he found both in his younger sister, but it +is evident that, from the first, the riper spiritual life of Lydia +Grenfell attracted him to her. His triumph, at twenty, as Senior +Wrangler put him quite in a position to dream of winning her. His +unexpected poverty was relieved by his Fellowship of St. John's. In +those days, however, that would have ceased with marriage. When it +became more than probable that he would receive an appointment to +Bengal, through Mr. Charles Grant--either as minister of the Mission +Church founded by Kiernander, or as a chaplain of the East India +Company--he was face to face with the question of marrying. + +In these days the course followed by missionary societies as the +result of experience is certainly the best. A missionary and a +chaplain in India should, in ordinary circumstances, be married, but +it is not desirable that the marriage take place for a year or longer, +until the young minister has proved the climate, and has learned the +native language, when the lady can be sent out to be united to him. At +the beginning of the modern missionary enterprise, a century ago, it +was difficult to find spiritual men willing to go to India on any +terms, and they did well in every case to go out married. All the +conditions of time, distance, society, and Christian influence were +then different. If the missionary's or chaplain's wife is worthy of +his calling, she doubles his usefulness, notwithstanding the cares and +the expense of children in many cases, alike by keeping her husband in +a state of efficiency on every side, by her own works of charity and +self-sacrifice--especially among the women, who can be reached in no +other way--and by helping to present to the idolatrous or Mussulman +community the powerful example of a Christian home. Henry Martyn's +principles and instincts were right in this matter. As a chaplain, at +any rate, he was in a position to marry at once. As India or Bengal +then was, Lydia, had she gone out with him, or soon after him, would +have proved to be a much needed force in Anglo-Indian society, an +influence on the native communities whom he sought to bring to Christ. +Above all, as a man born with a weak body, with habits of incessant +and intense application to study and to duty, Henry Martyn required +one with the influence of a wife to keep him in life and to prolong +his Indian service. It was the greatest calamity of his whole career +that Lydia did not accompany him. But, since he learned to love her +with all the rich devotion of his passionate nature, we cannot +consider it 'a bitter misfortune,' as some do, that he ever knew her. +His love for Lydia, in the fluctuations of its hope, in the ebb and +flow of its tenderness, and in the transmutation of its despair into +faith and resignation to the will of God, worked out a higher +elevation for himself, and gives to his _Journals and Letters_ a pure +human interest which places them above the _Confessions of St. +Augustine_. + +The first allusion to the possibility of marriage we find in his +_Journal_ of January 23, 1803, and again in June 12 of the same year: + + I was grieved to find that all the exertions of prayer were + necessary against worldly-mindedness, so soon had the prospect + of the means of competent support in India filled my heart with + concern about earthly happiness, marriage, &c.; but I strove + earnestly against them, and prayed for grace that, if it should + please God to try my faith by calling me to a post of opulence, + I might not dare to use for myself what is truly His; as also, + that I might be enabled to keep myself single, for serving Him + more effectually. Nevertheless, this change in my circumstances + so troubled me, that I could have been infinitely better pleased + to have gone out as a missionary, poor as the Lord and His + Apostles. + +His friend Sargent's 'approaching marriage with a lady of uncommon +excellence rather excited in me a desire after a similar state; but I +strove against it,' he wrote on July 10. Next day, on the top of the +coach from London to Bath, in the cold of a high wind, he was 'most +dreadfully assailed by evil thoughts, but at the very height prayer +prevailed, and I was delivered, and during the rest of the journey +enjoyed great peace and a strong desire to live for Christ alone, +forsaking the pleasures of the world, marriage, &c.' At Plymouth he +spent two days 'with my dear cousin T.H.,' Lydia's sister. After +Truro, Kenwyn, and Lamorran, near Truro, of which his sister Sarah's +husband was vicar, he rode to St. Hilary. + + _1804, July 29._ (Sunday.)--Read and prayed in the morning + before service with seriousness, striving against those thoughts + which oppressed me all the rest of the day. At St. Hilary Church + in the morning my thoughts wandered from the service, and I + suffered the keenest disappointment. Miss L.G. did not come. + Yet, in great pain, I blessed God for having kept her away, as + she might have been a snare to me. These things would be almost + incredible to another, and almost to myself, were I not taught + by daily experience that, whatever the world may say, or I may + think of myself, I am a poor, wretched, sinful, contemptible + worm. + + Called after tea on Miss L.G., and walked with her and ----, + conversing on spiritual subjects. All the rest of the evening, + and at night, I could not keep her out of my mind. I felt too + plainly that I loved her passionately. The direct opposition of + this to my devotedness to God in the missionary way, excited no + small tumult in my mind. In conversation, having no divine + sweetness in peace, my cheerfulness was affected, and, + consequently, very hurtful to my conscience. At night I + continued an hour and a half in prayer, striving against this + attachment. I endeavoured to analyse it, that I might see how + base, and mean, and worthless such a love to a speck of earth + was, compared with divine love. Then I read the most solemn + parts of Scripture, to realise to myself death and eternity; and + these attempts were sometimes blest. One while I was about to + triumph, but in a moment my heart had wandered to the beloved + idol. I went to bed in great pain, yet still rather superior to + the evening; but in dreams her image returned, and I awoke in + the night with my mind full of her. No one can say how deeply + this unhappy affection has fixed itself; since it has nothing + selfish in it, that I can perceive, but is founded on the + highest admiration of her piety and manners. + + _July 30._--Rose in great peace. God, by secret influence, + seemed to have caused the tempest of self-will to subside. Rode + away from St. Hilary to Gwennap in peace of mind, and meditated + most of the way on Romans viii. I again devoted myself to the + Lord, and with more of my will than last night. I was much + disposed to think of subjects entirely placed beyond the world, + and had strong desires, though with heavy opposition from my + corrupt nature, after that entire deadness to the world which + David Brainerd manifested. At night I found myself to have + backslidden a long way from the life of godliness, to have + declined very much since my coming into Cornwall, but especially + since I went to St. Hilary. Sat up late, and read the last + chapter and other parts of Revelation, and was deeply affected. + Prayed with more success than lately. + + _July 31._--Read and prayed this morning with increasing victory + over my self-will. Romans vii. was particularly suitable; it was + agreeable to me to speak to God of my own corruption and + helplessness. Walked in the afternoon to Redruth, after having + prayed over the Epistle to the Ephesians with much seriousness. + On the road I was enabled to triumph at last, and found my heart + as pleased with the prospect of a single life in missionary + labours as ever. 'What is the exceeding greatness of His power + to usward who believe!' + +After preaching to crowds in his brother-in-law's church at Kenwyn and +Lamorran, on the two subsequent Sundays, he walked to St. Hilary: + + _1804, August 26._--Rose early, and walked out, invited by the + beauty of the morning. Many different pleasing thoughts crowded + on my mind, as I viewed the sea and rocks, Mount and bay, and + thought of the person who lived near it; but, for want of + checking my natural spirits, and fixing on one subject of + thought, I was not much benefited by my meditations. Walked in + the evening with Mrs. G. and Lydia up the hill, with the most + beautiful prospect of the sea, &c.; but I was unhappy, from + feeling the attachment to Lydia, for I was unwilling to leave + her. + + _August 27._--Walked to Marazion, with my heart more delivered + from its idolatry, and enabled to look steadily and peacefully + to God. Reading in the afternoon to Lydia alone, from Dr. Watts, + there happened to be, among other things, a prayer on entire + preference of God to the creature. Now, thought I, here am I in + the presence of God, and my idol. So I used the prayer for + myself, and addressed it to God, who answered it, I think, for + my love was kindled to God and divine things, and I felt + cheerfully resigned to the will of God, to forego the earthly + joy which I had just been desiring with my whole heart. I + continued conversing with her, generally with my heart in + heaven, but every now and then resting on her. Parted with + Lydia, perhaps for ever in this life, with a sort of uncertain + pain, which I knew would increase to greater violence + afterwards, on reflection. Walked to St. Hilary, determining, in + great tumult and inward pain, to be the servant of God. All the + rest of the evening, in company or alone, I could think of + nothing but her excellences. My efforts were, however, through + mercy, not in vain, to feel the vanity of this attachment to the + creature. Read in Thomas Kempis many chapters directly to the + purpose; the shortness of time, the awfulness of death and its + consequences, rather settled my mind to prayer. I devoted myself + unreservedly to the service of the Lord, to Him, as to one who + knew the great conflict within, and my firm resolve, through His + grace, of being His, though it should be with much tribulation. + + _August 28._--Rose with a heavy heart, and took leave of St. + Hilary, where all the happier hours of my early life were + passed. ---- and ---- accompanied me in the chaise a few miles; + but the moment they left me I walked on, dwelling at large on + the excellence of Lydia. I had a few faint struggles to forget + her, and delight in God, but they were ineffectual. Among the + many motives to the subjection of self-will, I found the thought + of the entire unworthiness of a soul escaped from hell to choose + its own will before God's, most bring my soul to a right frame. + So that, while I saw the necessity of resigning, for the service + of God, all those joys, for the loss of which I could not + perceive how anything in heaven or earth could be a + compensation, I said, Amen! + + _August 29._--I walked to Truro, with my mind almost all the way + taken up with Lydia. But once reasoning in this way--If God made + me, and wills my happiness, as I do not doubt, then He is + providing for my good by separating me from her; this reasoning + convinced my mind. I felt very solemnly and sweetly the + excellence of serving God faithfully, of following Christ and + His Apostles, and meditated with great joy on the approach of + the end of this world. Yet still I enjoyed, every now and then, + the thought of walking hereafter with her, in the realms of + glory, conversing on the things of God. My mind the rest of the + evening was much depressed. I had no desire to live in this + world; scarcely could I say where I would be, or what I would + do, now that my self-will was so strongly counteracted. Thus God + waits patiently my return from my backsliding, which I would do + immediately. If He were to offer me the utmost of my wishes, I + would say, 'Not so, Lord! Not my will, but Thine be done.' + + _August 30._--Passed the morning rather idly, in reading lives + of pious women. I felt an indescribable mixture of opposing + emotions. At one time, about to ascend with delight to God, who + had permitted me to aspire after the same glory, but oftener + called down to earth by my earthly good. Major Sandys calling, + continued till dinner conversing about India. I consented to + stay a day with him at Helston, but the thought of being so near + Marazion renewed my pain, especially taken in connection with my + going thither on the subject of my departure. After dinner, + walked in the garden for two hours, reasoning with my perverse + heart, and, through God's mercy, not without success. You preach + up deadness to the world, and yet not an example of it! Now is + the time, my soul, if you cannot feel that it is best to bear + the cross, to trust God for it. This will be true faith. If I + were put in possession of my idol, I should immediately say and + feel that God alone was, notwithstanding, the only good, and to + Him I should seek immediately. Again I weighed the probable + temporal consequence of having my own will gratified; the + dreadful pain of separation by death, after being united, + together with the distress I might bring upon her whom I loved. + All these things were of small influence till I read the Epistle + to the Hebrews, by which my mind, made to consider divine things + attentively, was much more freed from earthly things. 'Let us + come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, + and find grace to help in time of need,' was very precious and + comforting to me. I have found grace to help in this time of + need; I still want a humble spirit to wait upon the Lord. I + almost called God to witness that I duly resigned my pleasure to + His, as if I wished it to be remembered. In the evening had a + serious and solemn time in prayer, chiefly for the influences of + the Spirit, and rose with my thoughts fixed on eternity; I + longed for death, and called on the glorious day to hasten; but + it was in order to be free from the troubles of this world. + + _August 31._--Passed the morning partly in reading and writing, + but chiefly in business. Rode to Rosemundy, with my mind at + first very unhappy, at the necessity of mortifying my self-will, + in the same particulars as for some days. In conversing on the + subject of India with Major Sandys, I could not help + communicating the pain I felt at parting with the person to whom + I was attached; but by thus dwelling on the subject my heart was + far more distressed than ever. Found my mind more easy and + submissive to God at night in prayer. + +St. Hilary Church, in which Henry Martyn preached, is one of the +oldest in England, containing, in the tower of Edward III.'s reign, +two stones with inscriptions of the time of the Emperor Flavius +Constantinus, who was killed by Honorius in 411. What Lydia Grenfell +thought of Martyn's sermon on that day, August 26, thenceforth +memorable to both, we find in her _Diary_ of that date: + + _1804, August 26._--Heard H.M. on 'Now then we are ambassadors + for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you, in + Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to + be sin (_i.e._ sin-offering) for us, Who knew no sin; that we + might be made the righteousness of God in Him.' Exordium on the + honourable employment of a minister of the Gospel. In the text + two things were implied. First, we were at enmity with God. + Second, we were unable to restore ourselves to His favour. + There were two things expressed in the text--the means of + reconciliation, and God's invitation to be reconciled; a + threefold address to saints, backsliders, and sinners; and a + farewell address. A precious sermon. Lord, bless the preacher, + and those that heard him! + +At that time, in 1804, the lady was still preoccupied, in conscience +or heart, or both, by her imaginary ties to Mr. S. John. But six +months before that she had heard of his approaching marriage, though, +in fact, that did not take place till 1810. All that time, if she did +not feel, to one to whom her heart had been more closely united than +to any 'earthly object,' as she had written in her _Diary_, what Mr. +H.M. Jeffery describes as the attachment of a widow with the +responsibility of a wife, her scrupulous introspective habit was an +obstacle to a healthy attachment. The preacher, younger than herself, +was in 1804 evidently to her only an interesting and gracious second +cousin, or perhaps a little more. + +On his way back to London Henry Martyn again visited Plymouth, where +he learned from his cousin 'that my attachment to her sister was not +altogether unreturned, and the discovery gave me both pleasure and +pain.' He left them, his thoughts 'almost wholly occupied with Lydia.' +London, Cambridge, his reading and his walking, his work and even his +sleep, bring him no rest from the absorbing passion. His _Journal_ is +full of it, almost every day. Fortescue's poems recall the happy +mornings at St. Hilary, but his pensive meditation subsided into a +more profitable one on the vanity of the world: 'they marry and are +given in marriage,' and at the end of a few years what are they more +than myself?--looking forward to the same dissolution, and expecting +their real happiness in another life. 'The fashion of this world +passeth away,' Amen. 'Let me do the will of God while I am in it.' + +The first day of the year 1805 led him to review the past five years, +and to renew his self-dedication to God the Father, Son, and Holy +Ghost, to be His servant for ever. The time for his departure to India +was at hand, and his last act, on leaving London for Cambridge, to +complete his arrangements for sailing, was deliberately to engage +himself to Lydia Grenfell in the following letter to her sister.[11] +It is thus referred to in his _Journal_: + + I was in some doubt whether I should send the letter to Emma, as + it was taking a very important step, and I could scarcely + foresee all the consequences. However, I did send it, and may + now be said to have engaged myself to Lydia. + + 18 Brunswick Square (London), January 11, 1805. + + My dear Mrs. Hitchins,--How unaccountable must my long silence + appear to you after the conversation that passed between us in + the carriage! You may well wonder that I could forbear, for + three whole months, to inquire about the 'beloved Persis.' + Indeed, I am surprised at my own patience, but, in truth, I + found it impossible to discover what it is which I wish or ought + to say on the subject, and therefore determined to defer writing + till I could inform you with certainty of my future destination. + But I have it not yet in my power to do this, for no actual + appointment has been made for me yet. I came to town the + beginning of this week to inquire into the present state of the + business, and learned from Mr. Grant that the situation he + intended to procure, and to which he had no doubt of getting me + nominated, was not in the Army, but at Fort William, near + Calcutta. Thus it pleases God to suspend the declaration of His + mind, and I can believe that He acts wisely. These apparent + delays serve to check my youthful impetuosity, and teach me to + look up to God, and wait for Him. If the chaplaincy at Fort + William should be given me, it would seem to be His design not + to call me to the peculiar work of a missionary, but to fix my + station among the English. At present my own inclination remains + almost unbiassed, as to the particular employment or place God + shall assign me, whether to pass my days among the natives, or + the more polished inhabitants of Calcutta, or even to remain at + home. + + But you will easily conceive that the increasing probability of + my being settled in a town rather tends to revive the thoughts + of marriage, for I feel very little doubt in my own mind, that + in such a situation it would be expedient for me on the whole to + marry, if other circumstances permitted it. It is also as clear + that I ought not to make an engagement with any one in England, + till I have ascertained by actual observation in India, what + state of life and mode of proceeding would be most conducive to + the ends of my mission. But why do I mention these difficulties? + If they were removed, others would remain still more + insurmountable. The affections of the beloved object in question + must still be engaged in my favour, or even then she would not + agree to leave the kingdom, nor would any of you agree to it, + nor would such a change of climate, it may be thought, suit the + delicacy of her constitution. + + Must I, then, yield to the force of these arguments, and resolve + to think of her no more? It shall certainly be my endeavour, by + the help of my God, to do it, if need be; but I confess I am + very unwilling to go away and hear of her only accidentally + through the medium of others. It is this painful reflection that + has prompted a wish, which I do not mention without some + hesitation, and that is my wish of corresponding with her. It + is possible you may instantly perceive some impropriety in it + which escapes my notice, and indeed there are some objections + which I foresee might be made, but instead of anticipating them, + I will leave you to form your own opinion. In religion we have a + subject to write upon of equal interest to us both, and though I + cannot expect she would derive any advantage from my letters, it + is certain I should receive no small benefit from hers. But I + leave it with yourself; if you disapprove of the measure, let + the request be forgotten. It will be best for her never to know + I had made it, or if she does, she will, I hope, pardon a + liberty to which I have been drawn only by the love of her + excellence. + + N.B.--I remember _Leighton_; take care not to forget it nor the + desired MS. + +On June 1 he wrote in his _Journal_: + + My departure from my friends, and my deprivation of the sweetest + delight in society, for ever in this life, have rather dejected + me to-day. Ah! Nature, thou hast still tears to shed for + thyself!... I seem to be hankering after something or other in + this world, though I am sure I could not say there is anything + which I believed could give me happiness. No! it is in God + above. Yet to-night I have been thinking much of Lydia. Memory + has been at work to unnerve my soul, but reason, and honour, and + love to Christ and to souls, shall prevail. Amen. God help me! + +Two days after, at the Eclectic Society, after a discussion on the +symptoms of 'the state of the nation,' the subject of marriage, +somehow or other, came to be mentioned. + + Mr. Cecil spoke very freely and strongly on the subject. He said + I should be acting like a madman if I went out unmarried. A wife + would supply by her comfort and counsel the entire want of + society, and also be a preservative both to character and + passions amidst such scenes. I felt as cold as an anchorite on + the subject as to my own feelings, but I was much perplexed all + the rest of the evening about it. I clearly perceived that my + own inclination upon the whole was not to marriage. The fear of + being involved in worldly cares and numberless troubles, which I + do not now foresee, makes me tremble and dislike the thoughts of + such connection. When I think of Brainerd, how he lived among + the Indians, travelling freely from place to place, can I + conceive he would have been so useful had he been married? I + remember also that Owens, who had been so many years in the West + Indies as a missionary, gave his advice against marriage. + Schwartz was never married, nor St. Paul. On the other hand, + when I suppose another in my circumstances, fixed at a + settlement without company, without society, in a scene and + climate of such temptation, I say without hesitation, he ought + to be married. I have recollected this evening very much my + feelings when I walked through Wales; how I longed there to have + some friend to speak to; and the three weeks seemed an age + without one. And I have often thought how valuable would be the + counsel and comfort of a Christian brother in India. These + advantages would be obtained by marrying. I feel anxious also + that as many Christians as possible should go to India, and + anyone willing to go would be a valuable addition. But yet + voluntary celibacy seems so much more noble and glorious, and so + much more beneficial in the way of example, that I am loth to + relinquish the idea of it. In short, I am utterly at a loss to + know what is best for the interests of the Gospel. But, happily, + my own peace is not much concerned in it. If this opinion of so + many pious clergymen had come across me when I was in Cornwall, + and so strongly attached to my beloved Lydia, it would have been + a conflict indeed in my heart to oppose so many arguments. But + now I feel, through grace, an astonishing difference. I hope I + am not seeking an excuse for marriage, nor persuading myself I + am indifferent about it, in order that what is really my + inclination may appear to be the will of God. But I feel my + affections kindling to their wonted fondness while I dwell on + the circumstances of a union with Lydia. May the Lord teach His + weak creature to live peacefully and soberly in His love, + drawing all my joys from Him, the fountain of living waters. + + _June 4._--The subject of marriage made me thoughtful and + serious. Mr. Atkinson, whose opinion I revere, was against my + marrying. Found near access to my God in prayer. Oh, what a + comfort it is to have God to go to. I breathed freely to Him my + sorrows and cares, and set about my work with diligence. The + Lord assisted me very much, and I wrote more freely than ever I + did. Slept very little in the night. + + _June 5._--Corrie breakfasted with me, and went to prayer; I + rejoiced to find he was not unwilling to go to India. He will + probably be my fellow-labourer. Most of this morning was + employed in writing all my sentiments on the subject of marriage + to Mr. Simeon. May the Lord suggest something to him which may + be of use to guide me, and keep my eye single. In my walk out, + and afterwards, the subject was constantly on my mind. But, + alas! I did not guard against that distraction from heavenly + things which I was aware it would occasion. On reflection at + home, I found I had been talking in a very inconsistent manner, + but was again restored to peace by an application to Christ's + blood through the Spirit. My mind has all this day been very + strongly inclined to marriage, and has been consequently + uncomfortable, for in proportion to its want of simplicity it is + unhappy. But Mr. Cecil said to-day, he thought Lydia's decision + would fully declare the will of God. With this I am again + comforted, for now hath the Lord taken the matter into His own + hands. Whatever He decides upon, I shall rejoice; and though I + confess I think she will not consent to go, I shall then have + the question finally settled. + + Discussion in the evening was about my marriage again; they were + all strenuous advocates for it. Wrote at night with great + freedom, but my body is very weak from the fatigue I have + already undergone. My mind seems very active this week; + manifestly, indeed, strengthened by God to be enabled to write + on religious subjects with such unusual ease, while it is also + full of this important business of the marriage. My inclination + continues, I think, far more unbiassed than when I wrote to Mr. + Simeon. + + _June 7._--Oh, the subtlety of the devil, and the deceitfulness + of this corrupted heart! How has an idol been imperceptibly + raised up in it. Something fell from Dr. F. this evening against + my marriage which struck me so forcibly, though there was + nothing particular in it, that I began to see I should finally + give up all thoughts about it. But how great the conflict! I + could not have believed it had such hold on my affections. + Before this I had been writing in tolerable tranquillity, and + walked out in the enjoyment of a resigned mind, even rejoicing + for the most part in God, and dined at Mr. Cecil's, where the + arguments I heard were all in favour of the flesh, and so I was + pleased; but Dr. F.'s words gave a new turn to my thoughts, and + the tumult showed me the true state of my heart. How miserable + did life appear without the hope of Lydia! Oh, how has the + discussion of the subject opened all my wounds afresh! I have + not felt such heartrending pain since I parted with her in + Cornwall. But the Lord brought me to consider the folly and + wickedness of all this. Shall I hesitate to keep my days in + constant solitude, who am but a brand plucked from the burning? + I could not help saying, 'Go, Hindus, go on in your misery; let + Satan still rule over you; for he that was appointed to labour + among you is consulting his ease.' No, thought I; hell and + earth shall never keep me back from my work. I am cast down, but + not destroyed; I began to consider, why am I so uneasy? 'Cast + thy care upon Him, for He careth for you.' 'In everything, by + prayer,' &c. These promises were graciously fulfilled before + long to me. + + _June 8._--My mind continued in much the same state this + morning, waiting with no small anxiety for a letter from Mr. + Simeon, hoping, of course, that the will of God would coincide + with my will, yet thinking the determination of the question + would be indifferent to me. When the letter arrived I was + immediately convinced, beyond all doubt, of the expediency of + celibacy. But my wish did not follow my judgment quite so + readily. Mr. Pratt coming in, argued strongly on the other side, + but there was nothing of any weight. The subject so occupied my + thoughts that I could attend to nothing else. I saw myself + called to be less than ever a man of this world, and walked out + with a heavy heart. Met Dr. F., who alone of all men could best + sympathise, and his few words were encouraging. Yet I cannot + cordially acquiesce in all the Lord's dealings, though my reason + and judgment approve them, and my inclination would desire to do + it. Dined at Mr. Cecil's, where it providentially happened that + Mr. Foster came in. To them I read Mr. Simeon's letter, and they + were both convinced by it. So I went away home, with nothing to + do but to get my heart easy again under this sacrifice. I + devoted myself once more to the entire and everlasting service + of God, and found myself more weaned from this world, and + desiring the next, though not from a right principle. Continued + all the evening writing sermon, and reading _Pilgrim's + Progress_, with successions of vivid emotions of pain and + pleasure. My heart was sometimes ready to break with agony at + being torn from its dearest idol, and at other times I was + visited by a few moments of sublime and enraptured joy. Such is + the conflict; why have my friends mentioned this subject? It has + torn open old wounds, and I am again bleeding. With all my + honours and knowledge, the smiles and approbation of men, the + health and prosperity that have fallen to my lot, together with + that freedom from doubts and fears with which I was formerly + visited, how much have I gone through in the last two or three + years to bring my mind to be willing to do the will of God when + it should be revealed! My heart is pained within me, and my + bodily frame suffers from it. + + _June 9._ (Sunday.)--My heart is still pained. It is still as a + bullock unaccustomed to the yoke; the Lord help me to maintain + the conflict. Preached this morning at Long Acre Chapel on Matt. + xxviii., the three last verses. There was the utmost attention. + In the interval between morning and afternoon, passed most of + the time in reading and prayer. Read Matthew iii., and + considered the character of John the Baptist. Holy emulation + seemed to spring up in my mind. Then read John xvii. and last + chapter, and Rev. i., all of which were blessed to my soul. I + went into the church persuaded in my feelings--which is + different from being persuaded in the understanding--that it was + nobler and wiser to be as John the Baptist, Peter, John, and all + the Apostles, than to have my own will gratified. Preached on + Eph. ii. 18. Walked a little with Mr. Grant this evening. He + told me I should have great trials and temptations in India; but + I know where to apply for grace to help. + +Cecil's final opinion, that Lydia Grenfell's decision would fully +declare the will of God, was not borne out by the result, as we shall +see. Meanwhile, let us trace the steps which led to the final +appointment to India, and the farewell. + +On his first visit to London at the beginning of the year 1804, by the +Telegraph coach, the Cambridge recluse was distracted by the bustle +of the great city, as he walked about the streets and called at the +booksellers'. Dr. Wollaston, the British Museum, and the Gresham +Lecture on Music, of which he was passionately fond, occupied his +first two days. At the old India House, since swept away from +Leadenhall Street, he met Mr. Charles Grant, who, as he took him to +Clapham, the evangelical centre which Sir James Stephen has made so +famous,[12] gave him much information on the state of India, such as +this: + + It would be absolutely necessary to keep three servants, for + three can do no more than the work of one English; that no + European constitution can endure being exposed to mid-day heat; + that Mr. Schwartz, who was settled at Tanjore, did do it for a + time, walking among the natives. Mr. Grant had never seen Mr. + Schwartz, but corresponded with him. He was the son of a Saxon + gentleman (the Saxon gentlemen never enter the ministry of the + Church), and had early devoted himself to the work of a + missionary amongst the Indians. Besides the knowledge of the + Malabar tongue, in which he was profoundly skilled and eloquent, + he was a good classic, and learnt the English, Portuguese, and + Dutch. He was a man of dignified and polished manners, and + cheerful. + +This was the first opportunity that 'the Clapham sect' had to satisfy +themselves that the Senior Wrangler was worthy of the commendation of +Charles Simeon. Accordingly they dined with William Wilberforce at +Broomfield. + + We conversed about my business. They wished me to fill the + church in Calcutta very much; but advised me to wait some time, + and to cherish the same views. To Mr. Wilberforce I went into a + detail of my views, and the reasons that had operated on my + mind. The conversation of Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. Grant during + the whole of the day, before the rest of the company, which + consisted of Mr. Johnston, of New South Wales, a French Abb, + Mrs. Unwin, Mr. H., and other ladies, was edifying; agreeable to + what I should think right for two godly senators, planning some + means of bringing before Parliament propositions for bettering + the moral state of the colony of Botany Bay. At evening worship + Mr. W. expounded Sacred Scripture with serious plainness, and + prayed in the midst of his large household. + +In _The Life of William Wilberforce_, by his sons, we find this +passage introduced by the remark, 'It is delightful to contrast with +his own language the observation of one who, with as holy and as +humble a soul, was just entering on his brief but glorious course:' +Martyn 'drank tea at Mr. Newton's; the old man was very civil to me, +and striking in his remarks in general.' Next day: + + Read Isaiah. At one, we went to hear the charge delivered to the + missionaries at the New London Tavern, in Cheapside. There was + nothing remarkable in it, but the conclusion was affecting. I + shook hands with the two missionaries, Melchior Rayner and Peter + Hartwig, and almost wished to go with them, but certainly to go + to India. Returned, and read Isaiah. + +From the ever recurring distractions of his soul, caused now by 'a +despicable indulgence in lying in bed,' and again by the interruptions +of visitors, he sought refuge frequently in fasting and ascetic +self-denial, and occasionally in writing verse: + + Composed some poetry during my walk, which often has a tendency + to divert my thoughts from the base distractions of this life, + and to purify and elevate it to higher subjects.... On my way + to Mr. Simeon's, heard part of the service in King's Chapel. The + sanctity of the place, and the music, brought heaven and eternal + things, and the presence of God, very near to me. + +He seems to have competed for the Seatonian Prize. He was an ardent +lover of Nature. + + Walked out before breakfast, and the beauties of the opening + spring constrained me to adoration and praise. But no earthly + object or operation can produce true spirituality of heart. My + present failing is in this, that I do not feel the power of + motives. + +Of another walk he writes: + + I was led to think a good while on my deficiency in human + learning, and on my having neglected those branches which would + have been pleasing and honourable in the acquisition. Yet I + said, though with somewhat of melancholy, 'What things were gain + to me, those I counted loss for Christ.' Though I become less + esteemed by man, I cannot but think (though it is not easy to do + so) that it must be more acceptable to God to labour for souls, + though the mind remains uninformed; and, consequently, that it + must be more truly great and noble, than to be great and notable + among men for learning. In the garden afterwards I rejoiced + exceedingly at the prospect of a death fast approaching, when my + powers of understanding would be enlarged inconceivably. They + all talked to me in praise of my sermon on Sunday night; but + praise is exceedingly unpleasant to me, because I am slow to + render back to God that glory which belongs to Him alone. + Sometimes it may be useful in encouraging me, when I want + encouragement; but that at present is not the case; and in + truth, praise generally produces pride, and pride presently sets + me far from God. + + Oh, what a snare are public ministrations to me! Not that I wish + for the praise of men, but there is some fear and anxiety about + not getting through. How happy could I be in meeting the people + of my God more frequently were it not for this fear of being + unprofitable! But since God has given me natural gifts, let this + teach me that all I want is a spiritual frame to improve and + employ them in the things of God! + + Mr. K. White, of Nottingham, breakfasted with me. In my walk was + greatly cast down, except for a short time on my return, when, + as I was singing, or rather chanting, some petitions in a low, + plaintive voice, I insensibly found myself sweetly engaged in + prayer. + +Such outpourings of his heart must be read in the light of a time when +even the Churches had not awoke to their duty, and the most theologically +orthodox were too often the most indifferent, or opposed, to the Lord's +command. + + _1804, January 13._--Walked out in the evening in great + tranquillity, and on my return met with Mr. C., with whom I was + obliged to walk an hour longer. He thought it a most improper + step for me to leave the University to preach to the ignorant + heathen, which any person could do, and that I ought rather to + improve the opportunity of acquiring human learning. All our + conversation on the subject of learning, religion, &c., ended in + nothing; he was convinced he was right, and all the texts of + Scripture I produced were applicable, according to him, only to + the times of the Apostles. How is my soul constrained to adore + the sovereign mercy of God, who began His work in my proud + heart, and carried it on through snares which have ruined + thousands--namely, human learning and honours: and now my soul, + dost thou not esteem all things but dung and dross, compared + with the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord? + Yea, did not gratitude constrain me, did not duty and fear of + destruction, yet surely the excellency of the service of Christ + would constrain me to lay down ten-thousand lives in the + prosecution of it. My heart was a little discomposed this + evening at the account of the late magnificent prizes proposed + by Mr. Buchanan and others in the University, for which Mr. C. + has been calling me to write; but I was soon at rest again. But + how easily do I forget that God is no respecter of persons; that + in the midst of the notice I attract as an enthusiast He judges + of me according to my inward state. Oh, my soul, take no + pleasure in outward religion, nor in exciting wonder, but in the + true circumcision of the heart. + + _January 16._-- ---- told me of many contemptuous insulting + things that had been said of me, reflecting, some on my + understanding, some on my condition, sincerity, inconsistent + conduct. It was a great trial of my patience, and I was + frequently tempted, in the course of the evening, to let my + natural spirit rage forth in indignation and revenge; but I + remembered Him of whom it was said, 'Who, when He was reviled, + reviled not again; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth + righteously.' As I was conscious I did not deserve the censures + which were passed upon me, I committed myself to God; and in Him + may I abide until the indignation be overpast! + +In July 1804 he again visited London on his way to Cornwall, and to +see Mr. Charles Grant. + + Dined with Mr. Wilberforce at Palace Yard. It was very + agreeable, as there was no one else. Speaking of the slave + trade, I mentioned the words, 'Shall I not visit for these + things?' and found my heart so affected that I could with + difficulty refrain from tears. Went with Mr. W. to the House of + Commons, where I was surprised and charmed with Mr. Pitt's + eloquence. Ah, thought I, if these powers of oratory were now + employed in recommending the Gospel! + +On his way back to Cambridge, through London, he + + Went to St. Paul's, to see Sir W. Jones's monument; the sight of + the interior of the dome filled my soul with inexpressible ideas + of the grandeur of God, and the glory of heaven, much the same + as I had at the sight of a painted vaulted roof in the British + Museum. I could scarcely believe that I might be in the + immediate enjoyments of such glory in another hour. In the + evening the sound of sacred music, with the sight of a rural + landscape, imparted some indescribable emotions after the glory + of God, by diligence in His work. To preach the Gospel for the + salvation of my poor fellow-creatures, that they might obtain + the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory, + seemed a very sweet and precious employment. Lydia then, again, + seemed a small hindrance. + +His duties as examiner, tutor, and in charge of Lolworth, and home +mission work in Wall's Lane, the hospital and almshouse, left him +little leisure, and that he gave to the Bengali grammars of Halhed and +Carey, to Carey's Bengali New Testament, to Arabic grammars, and to +the missionary accounts in the _Christian Observer_, for which, also, +he wrote. Referring, evidently, to Carey's convert, he wrote: + + The account of a Brahmin preaching the Gospel delighted me most + exceedingly. I could not help blessing God for thus glorifying + Himself.... I was much pained and humbled at reflecting that it + has never yet, to my knowledge, pleased God to awaken one soul + by my means, either in public or private,--shame be to myself. + + Simeon gave me a letter from Mr. Brown of Calcutta, which gave + me great delight on many accounts. Speaking of me, he says, 'Let + him marry, and come out at once.' I thought of Lydia with great + tenderness, but without pain at my determination to go out + single. I found great affection in prayer for my dear brethren + at Calcutta, for the establishing of Christ's Kingdom among the + poor Gentiles, and for my being sent among them, if it were His + will. + + Thinking my mind was in need of recreation, I took up Lord + Teignmouth's _Life of Sir William Jones_, and read till tea. + + Low spirits at church, through being about to preach old + sermons, which I feel so ashamed of offering to God, that I + believe I shall rather leave everything undone, than not write + one new one at least every week. + + Mr. Thomason preached on Heb. xii. to my edification. + + Dr. Milner and Lord C. called. I was introduced as having been + Senior Wrangler; but how contemptible did these paltry honours + appear to me! Ah, thought I, you know not how little I am + flattered by these intended compliments. + + In the hall was much affected by the sight of Lord B., whose + look of meekness and humility riveted my attention, and almost + melted me to tears. If there is one disposition in the world I + wish for more than another, it is this; but the bias of my + corrupted nature hurries me violently against it. + +Mr. Grant's summons to him 'to sail for St. Helena in eight or ten +days,' reached him a month before his twenty-fourth birthday, before +which he could not legally receive full ordination, in the Chapel +Royal at St. James's. + + Felt more persuaded of my call than ever; indeed, there was + scarcely a shadow of a doubt left. Rejoice, O my soul, thou + shalt be the servant of thy God in this life, and then in the + next for all the boundless ages of eternity. + +Not till August 31 was it possible for the fleet which convoyed the +East Indiamen, in that year of war with France and Napoleon's +Continental allies, to see the last of Ireland. The seven months were +spent by Henry Martyn in elaborate preparations for what proved to be +nearly a year's voyage, and in repeated farewells the anguish of which +is reflected in his _Journal_ and correspondence. Having previously +taken his M.A. degree, he received that of Bachelor of Divinity by +mandate, which required the assent of all the heads of colleges, and +then a grace to pass the senate, and the presenting of a petition to the +King. Dr. Gilchrist, the Orientalist who had just returned from his long +career in Calcutta, where he had been a colleague of Carey in the +College of Fort William, gave him lessons in Hindustani pronunciation. + + On my mentioning my desire of translating some of the Scriptures + with him, he advised me by all means to desist till I knew much + more of the language, by having resided some years in the + country. He said it was the rock on which missions had split, + that they had attempted to write and preach before they knew the + language. The Lord's Prayer, he said, was now a common subject + of ridicule with the people, on account of the manner in which + it had been translated. All these are useful hints to me. + +The mode of appointing to Indian chaplaincies has varied so much since +the time of Charles Grant and Simeon, that it is interesting to see +what was done in Henry Martyn's case. + + _1805, April 1._--Went to Lord Hawkesbury's office, but, being + too early, I went into St. James's Park, and sat down on a bench + to read my Bible. After a little time a person came and sat down + on the same bench; on entering into conversation with him I + found he had known better days. He was about seventy years of + age, and of a very passionate and disappointed spirit. He spoke + sensibly on several subjects, and was acquainted with the + Gospel; but was offended at my reminding him of several things + concerning it. On my offering him some money, which I saw he + needed, he confessed his poverty; he was thankful for my little + donation, and I repeated my advice of seeking divine + consolation. + + _April 2._--Breakfasted with ----. Our conversation was on the + most delightful subject to me, the spread of the Gospel in + future ages. I went away animated and happy. Went with Mr. Grant + towards the India House. He said that he was that day about to + take the necessary steps for bringing forward the business of + the chaplains, and that by to-morrow night I should know whether + I could go or not. In prayer at night my soul panted after God, + and longed to be entirely conformed to His image. + + _April 3._--After dinner, passed some time in prayer, and + rejoiced to think that God would finally glorify Himself, + whatever hindrance may arise for a time. Going to Mr. Grant's, I + found that the chaplaincies had been agreed to, after two hours' + debate, and some obloquy thrown upon Mr. Grant by the chairman, + for his connection with Mr. Wilberforce and _those people_. Mr. + G. said that though my nomination had not taken place, the case + was now beyond danger, and that I should appear before the court + in a couple of days in my canonicals. I felt very indignant at + this, not so much, I think, from personal pride, as on account + of the degradation of my office. Mr. G. pleasantly said, I must + attend to my appearance, as I should be much remarked, on + account of the person who had nominated me. I feel this will be + a trial to me, which I would never submit to for gain; but I + rejoice that it will be for my dear and blessed Lord. + + _April 4._--Went down to Cambridge. + + _April 6._--Passed most of the morning in the Fellows' garden. + It was the last time I visited this favourite retreat, where I + have often enjoyed the presence of God. + + _April 7._ (Sunday.)--Preached at Lolworth on Prov. xxii. 17; + very few seemed affected at my leaving them, and those chiefly + women. An old farmer of a neighbouring parish, as he was taking + leave of me, turned aside to shed tears; this affected me more + than anything. Rode away with my heart heavy, partly at my own + corruption, partly at the thoughts of leaving this place in such + general hardness of heart. Yet so it hath pleased God, I hope, + to reserve them for a more faithful minister. Prayed over the + whole of my sermon for the evening, and when I came to preach + it, God assisted me beyond my hopes. Most of the younger people + seemed to be in tears. The text was 2 Sam. vii. 28, 29. Took + leave of Dr. Milner; he was much affected, and said himself his + heart was full. Mr. Simeon commended me to God in prayer, in + which he pleaded, amongst other things, for a richer blessing on + my soul. He perceives that I want it, and so do I. Professor + Parish walked home with me to the college gate, and there I + parted from him, with no small sorrow. + + _April 8._--My young friends in the University, who have + scarcely left me a moment to myself, were with me this morning + as soon as I was moving, leaving me no time for prayer. My mind + was very solemn, and I wished much to be left alone. A great + many accompanied me to the coach, which took me up at the end of + the town. It was a thick, misty morning, so the University, with + its towers and spires, was out of sight in an instant. + + _April 24._--Keenly disappointed at finding no letter from + Lydia; thus it pleased God, in the riches of His grace, to quash + at once all my beginnings of entanglement. Oh, may it be to make + me more entirely His own. 'The Lord shall be the portion of mine + inheritance, and of my cup.' Oh, may I live indeed a more + spiritual life of faith! Prayed that I might obtain a more deep + acquaintance with the mysteries of the Gospel, and the offices + of Christ; my soul was solemnised. Went to Russell Square, and + found from Mr. Grant that I was that day appointed a chaplain + to the East India Company, but that my particular destination + would depend on the government in India. Rather may I say that + it depends on the will of my God, who in His own time thus + brings things to pass. Oh, now let my heart be spiritualised; + that the glorious and arduous work before me may fill all my + soul, and stir me up to prayer. + + _April 25._--Breakfasted with the venerable Mr. Newton, who made + several striking remarks in reference to my work. He said he had + heard of a clever gardener, who would sow the seeds when the + meat was put down to roast, and engage to produce a salad by the + time it was ready; but the Lord did not sow oaks in this way. On + my saying that perhaps I should never live to see much fruit, he + answered, I should have a bird's eye view of it, which would be + better. When I spoke of the opposition that I should be likely + to meet with, he said, he supposed Satan would not love me for + what I was about to do. The old man prayed afterwards, with + sweet simplicity. Drank tea at C. Our hearts seemed full of the + joy which comes from the communion of saints. + + _April 26._--Met D. at Mr. Grant's, and was much affected at + some marks of love expressed by the people at Cambridge, at the + time of my leaving them. He said that as I was going down the + aisle they all rose up to take their last view. + + _May 4._--Waiting this morning on the Archbishop of Canterbury + at Lambeth Palace. He had learnt from somebody my circumstances, + the degree I had taken, and my object in going to India. He + spoke much on the importance of the work, the small + ecclesiastical establishment for so great a body of people, and + the state of those English there, who, he said, 'called + themselves Christians.' He was throughout very civil, and wished + me all the success I desired. I then proceeded to the India + House, and received directions to attend on Wednesday to be + sworn in. Afterwards walked to Mr. Wilberforce's at Broomfield. + + _May 8._--Reading Mr. Grant's book.[13] The state of the + natives, and the prospects of doing good there, the character of + Schwartz, &c., set forth in it, much impressed my mind, and I + found great satisfaction in pleading for the fulfilment of God's + promises to the heathen. It seemed painful to think of myself at + all, except in reference to the Church of Christ. Being somewhat + in danger of distraction this evening, from many concurrent + circumstances, I found a very short prayer answered by my being + kept steady. Heard from Mr. Parry this evening, that in + consequence of an embargo laid on all the ships by government, + who had taken the best seamen from the Company's ships, on + account of the sailing of the French and Spanish fleets, I + should not be able to go before the middle of June, if so soon. + + _May 15._--Read prayers at Mr. Newton's, and preached on Eph. + ii. 19-21. The clerk threw out very disrespectful and even + uncivil things respecting my going to India; though I thought + the asperity and contemptuousness he manifested unsuitable to + his profession, I felt happy in the comfortable assurance of + being upright in my intentions. The sermon was much praised by + some people coming in, but happily this gives me little + satisfaction. Went home and read a sermon of Flavel's, on + knowing nothing but Christ. + + _May 17._--Walked out, and continued in earnest striving with my + corruption. I made a covenant with my eyes, which I kept + strictly; though I was astonished to find the difficulty I had + in doing even this. + + _May 22._--Endeavoured to guard my thoughts this morning in a + more particular manner, as expecting to pass it, with Sargent, + in prayer for assistance in the ministry. Called at Mr. + Wilberforce's, when I met Mr. Babington. The extreme kindness + and cordiality of these two was very pleasing to me, though + rather elating. By a letter from B. to-day, learnt that two + young men of Chesterton had come forward, who professed to have + been awakened by a sermon of mine on Psalm ix. 17. I was not so + affected with gratitude and joy as I expected to be; could not + easily ascribe the glory to God; yet I will bless Him through + all my ignorance that He has thus owned the ministry of one so + weak. Oh, may I have faith to go onward, expecting to see + miracles wrought by the foolishness of preaching. H., to whom I + had made application for the loan which Major Sandys found it + inconvenient to advance, dined with me, and surprised me by the + difficulty he started. After dinner went to the India House to + take leave. Mr. ----, the other chaplain, sat with me before we + were called in, and I found that I knew a little of him, having + been at his house. As he knew my character, I spoke very freely + to him on the subject of religion. Was called in to take the + oaths. All the directors were present, I think. Mr. Grant, in + the chair, addressed a charge to us, extempore. One thing struck + my attention, which was, that he warned us of the enervating + effects of the climate. + + I felt more acutely than ever I did in my life the shame + attending poverty. Nothing but the remembrance that I was not to + blame supported me. Whatever comes to me in the way of + Providence is, and must be, for my good. + + _May 30._--Went to the India House. Kept the covenant with my + eyes pretty well. Oh, what bitter experience have I had to teach + me carefulness against temptation! I have found this method, + which I have sometimes had recourse to, useful to-day--namely, + that of praying in ejaculations for any particular person whose + appearance might prove an occasion of sinful thoughts. After + asking of God that she might be as pure and beautiful in her + mind and heart as in body, and be a temple of the Holy Ghost, + consecrated to the service of God, for whose glory she was + made, I dare not harbour a thought of an opposite tendency. + + _June 6._--How many temptations are there in the streets of + London! + + _June 14._--Sent off all my luggage, as preparatory to its going + on board. Dined at Mr. Cecil's; he endeavoured to correct my + reading, but in vain. 'Brother M.,' says he, 'you are a humble + man, and would gain regard in private life; but to gain public + attention you must force yourself into a more marked and + expressive manner.' Generally, to-night, have I been above the + world; Lydia, and other comforts, I would resign. + + _June 16._--I thought it probable, from illness, that death + might be at hand, and this was before me all the day; sometimes + I was exceedingly refreshed and comforted at the thought, at + other times I felt unwilling and afraid to die. Shed tears at + night, at the thought of my departure, and the roaring sea, that + would soon be rolling between me and all that is dear to me upon + earth. + +Mrs. T.M. Hitchins, his cousin's wife, having asked him for some of +his sermons, he replied: + + London: June 24, 1805. + + The arguments you offer to induce me seem not to possess that + force which I look for in your reasoning. Sermons cannot be good + memorials, because once read they are done with--especially a + young man's sermons, unless they possess a peculiar simplicity + and spirituality; which I need not say are qualities not + belonging to mine. I hope, however, that I am improving and I + trust that--now I am removed from the contagion of academic + air--I am in the way of acquiring a greater knowledge of men and + of my own heart--I shall exchange my jejune scholastic style for + a simple spiritual exhibition of profitable truth. Mr. Cecil has + been taking a great deal of pains with me. My insipid, + inanimate manner in the pulpit, he says, is intolerable. Sir, + said he, it is cupola-painting, not miniature, that must be the + character of a man that harangues a multitude. Lieut. Wynter + called on me last Saturday, and last night drank tea with me. I + cannot but admire his great seriousness. I feel greatly attached + to him. He is just the sort of person, of a sober thoughtful + cast, that I love to associate with. He mentioned Lydia, I do + not know why, but he could not tell me half enough about her, + while she was at Plymouth, to satisfy my curiosity. Whitsun-week + was a time of the utmost distress to me on her account. On the + Monday at the Eclectic, Mr. Cecil, speaking of celibacy, said, I + was acting like a madman in going out without a wife. So thought + all the other ten or eleven ministers present, and Mr. Foster + among the rest, who is unmarried. This opinion, coming + deliberately from so many experienced ministers, threw me into + great perplexity, which increased, as my affections began to be + set more afloat, for then I was less able than before to discern + the path of duty. At last I wrote to Simeon, stating to him the + strongest arguments I heard in favour of marriage in my case. + His answer decided my mind. He put it in this way. Is it + necessary? To this I could answer, No. Then is it expedient? He + here produced so many weighty reasons against its expediency, + that I was soon satisfied in my mind. My turbulent will was, + however, not so easily pacified. I was again obliged to undergo + the severest pain in making that sacrifice which had cost me so + dear before. Better had it been if those wounds had never been + torn open. But now again, through the mercy of God, I am once + more at peace. What cannot His power effect? The present wish of + my heart is that there may be _never_ a necessity of marriage, + so that I may henceforth have no one thing upon earth for which + I would wish to stay another hour, except it be to serve the + Lord my Saviour in the work of the ministry. Once more, + therefore, I say to Lydia, and with her to all earthly schemes + of happiness, Farewell. Let her live happy and useful in her + present situation, since that is the will of God. How long these + thoughts may continue, I cannot say. At times of indolence, or + distress, or prevalent corruption, the former wishes, I suppose, + will occur and renew my pain: but pray, my dear sister, that the + Lord may keep in the imaginations of the thoughts of my heart + all that may be for the glory of His great name. The only + objection which presented itself to my advisers to marriage was + the difficulty of finding a proper person to be the wife of a + missionary. I told them that perhaps I should not have occasion + to search a long time for one. Simeon knows all about Lydia. I + think it very likely that he will endeavour to see her when she + comes to town next winter. + + (_Addendum at the commencement, before the Address._) + + I never returned my acknowledgment for the little hymn book, + which is a memento of both. It is just the sort of thing. + Instead of sending the books I intended, I shall inclose in the + tea-caddy a little _Pilgrim's Progress_ for you, and another for + Lydia. + +July 2 was spent with Corrie in prayer, and converse 'about the great +work among the heathen.' Martyn gave a final sitting for his miniature +for his sister, to 'the painter lady, who still repeated her infidel +cavils; having nothing more to say in the way of argument, I thought +it right to declare the threatenings of God to those who reject the +Gospel.' On the 8th he sat for his picture, for his friend Bates, to +Russel. After his farewell to Sargent, and riding back, + + Though I was in good health a moment before, yet as I was + undressing I fainted and fell into a convulsive fit; I lost my + senses for some time, and on recovering a little found myself + in intense pain. Death appeared near at hand, and seemed + somewhat different and more terrible than I could have conceived + before, not in its conclusion, but in itself. I felt assured of + my safety in Christ. Slept very little that night, from extreme + debility. Tenth, I went to Portsmouth, where we arrived to + breakfast, and find friends from Cambridge. Went with my things + on board the Union at the Motherbank. Mr. Simeon read and prayed + in the afternoon, thinking I was to go on board for the last + time. Mr. Simeon first prayed, and then myself. On our way to + the ship we sung hymns. The time was exceedingly solemn, and our + hearts seemed filled with solemn joy. + +As tidings from Lord Nelson were waited for, the fleet--consisting of +fifteen sail under convoy of the Belliqueuse, Captain Byng--went no +farther than Plymouth, and then anchored off Falmouth. + + The coast of Devonshire and Cornwall was passing before me. The + memory of beloved friends, then, was very strong and + affecting.... I was rather flurried at the singularity of this + providence of God, in thus leading me once more to the bosom of + all my friends.... I have thought with exceeding tenderness of + Lydia to-day; how I long to see her; but if it be the Lord's + will, He will open a way. I shall not take any steps to produce + a meeting. + +So he wrote on July 20. On the same day, the Rev. T.M. Hitchins wrote +to him, thus: 'Lydia, from whom we heard about ten days ago, is quite +well. She is much interested in your welfare.' Mrs. Hitchins wrote: +'Lydia, whom I heard lately from, is well, and never omits mentioning +you in her letters--and, I may venture to say, what you will value +still more, in her prayers also.' Martyn wrote to Mr. Hitchins on the +23rd: 'A great work lies before me, and I must submit to many +privations if I would see it accomplished. I should say, however, that +poverty is not one of the evils I shall have to encounter; the salary +of a chaplain, even at the lowest, is 600 rupees a month. Give my kind +love to mama--as also to Miss L. Grenfell.' A postscript to the letter +stated that the writer had taken his place in the coach for Marazion: +'Trust to pass some part of the morning at Miss Grenfell's.' He thus +records in his _Journal_ the interviews which resulted in what +amounted to a brief engagement: + + I arrived at Marazion in time for breakfast, and met my beloved + Lydia. In the course of the morning I walked with her, though + not uninterruptedly; with much confusion I declared my affection + for her, with the intention of learning whether, if ever I saw + it right in India to be married, she would come out; but she + would not declare her sentiments, she said that the shortness of + arrangement was an obstacle, even if all others were removed. In + great tumult I walked up to St. Hilary, whence, after dining, I + returned to Mr. Grenfell's, but, on account of the number of + persons there, I had not an opportunity of being alone with + Lydia. Went back to Falmouth with G. I was more disposed to talk + of Lydia all the way, but roused myself to a sense of my duty, + and addressed him on the subject of religion. The next day I was + exceedingly melancholy at what had taken place between Lydia and + myself, and at the thought of being separated from her. I could + not bring myself to believe that God had settled the whole + matter, because I was not willing to believe it. + + TO MISS LYDIA GRENFELL, MARAZION + + Union, Falmouth Harbour: July 27, 1805. + + ... As I was coming on board this morning, and reading Mr. + Serle's hymn you wrote out for me, a sudden gust of wind blew + it into the sea. I made the boatmen immediately heave to, and + recovered it, happily without any injury except what it had + received from the sea. I should have told you that the Morning + Hymn, which I always kept carefully in my pocket-book, was one + day stolen with it, and other valuable letters, from my rooms in + college. It would be extremely gratifying to me to possess + another copy of it, as it always reminded me most forcibly of + the happy day on which we visited the aged saint. The fleet, it + is said, will not sail for three weeks, but if you are willing + to employ any of your time in providing me with this or any + other manuscript hymns, the sooner you write them, the more + certain I shall be of receiving them. Pardon me for thus + intruding on your time; you will in no wise lose your reward. + The encouragement conveyed in little compositions of this sort + is more refreshing than a cup of cold water. The Lord of the + harvest, who is sending forth me, who am most truly less than + the least of all saints, will reward you for being willing to + help forward even the meanest of His servants. The love which + you bear to the cause of Christ, as well as motives of private + friendship, will, I trust, induce you to commend me to God, and + to the word of His grace, at those sacred moments when you + approach the throne of our covenant God. To His gracious care I + commend you. May you long live happy and holy, daily growing + more meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. I remain, + with affectionate regard, yours most truly, + + H. MARTYN. + + _July 28._--(Sunday.)--Preached in the morning, on board, on + John iii. 3. In the afternoon, at Falmouth Church, on 1 Cor. i. + 20 to 26. + + _July 29._--My gloom returned. Walked to Lamorran; alternately + repining at my dispensation, and giving it up to the Lord. + Sometimes--after thinking of Lydia for a long time together, so + as to feel almost outrageous at being deprived of her--my soul + would feel its guilt, and flee again to God. I was much relieved + at intervals by learning the hymn, 'The God of Abraham praise.' + +The lady's _Diary_ has these passages, which show that her sister, +Mrs. Hitchins, had rightly represented the state of her heart as not +altogether refusing to return Martyn's affection: + + _1805, July 25._--I was surprised this morning by a visit from + H.M., and have passed the day chiefly with him. The distance he + is going, and the errand he is going on, rendered his society + particularly interesting. I felt as if bidding a final adieu to + him in this world, and all he said was as the words of one on + the borders of eternity. May I improve the opportunity I have + enjoyed of Christian converse, and may the Lord moderate the + sorrow I feel at parting with so valuable and excellent + friend--some pains have attended it, known only to God and + myself. Thou God, that knowest them, canst alone give + comfort.... Oh, may we each pursue our different paths, and meet + at last around our Father's throne; may we often meet now in + spirit, praying and obtaining blessings for each other. Now, my + soul, return to God, the author of them. + + _July 26._--Oh, how this day has passed away! Nothing done to + any good purpose. Lord, help me! I feel Thy loved presence + withdrawn; I feel departing from Thee. Oh, let Thy mercy pardon, + let Thy love succour, me. Deliver me from this temptation, set + my soul at liberty, and I will praise Thee. I know the cause of + all this darkness, this depression; dare I desire what Thou dost + plainly, by the voice of Thy providence, condemn? O Lord, help + me to conquer my natural feelings, help me to be watchful as Thy + child. Oh, leave me not; or I fall a prey to this corroding + care. Let me cast every care on Thee. + + _Gurlyn, July 30._--Blessed Lord, I thank Thee for affording me + the retirement I so much delight in; here I enjoy freedom from + all the noise and interruption of a town. Oh, may the Lord + sanctify this pleasure. Oh, may it prove the means of benefiting + my soul. Oh, may I watch against the intrusions of vain + thoughts; else, instead of an advantage, I shall find solitude + ruinous to my soul. + + _August 4._--This evening my soul has been pained with many + fears concerning an absent friend, yet the Lord sweetly supports + me, and is truly a refuge to me. It is a stormy and tempestuous + night; the stillness and retirement of this place add to the + solemnity of the hour. I hear the voice of God in every + blast--it seems to say, 'Sin has brought storm and tempest on a + guilty world.' O my Father and my God, Thou art righteous in all + Thy judgments, merciful in all Thy ways. I would humbly trust in + Thee, and confide all who are dear to me into Thy hands. The + anxieties of nature, the apprehensions of affection, do Thou + regulate, and make me acquiesce in whatever is Thy will. + + _August 5._--My mind is relieved to-day by hearing the fleet, in + which I thought my friend had sailed, has not left the port. Oh, + how frequently do unnecessary pains destroy our peace. Lord, + look on me to-night, pardon my sins and make me more watchful + and fight against my inward corruption. Oh, it is a state of + conflict indeed! + +He thus wrote to Mrs. Hitchins: + + Falmouth: July 30, 1805. + + 'My dearest Cousin,--I am exceedingly rejoiced at being + permitted to send you one more letter, as the former, if it had + been the last, would have left, I fear, a painful impression on + your mind. It pleased God to restore peace to my mind soon after + I came on board--as I thought--finally. I was left more alone + with God, and found blessed seasons of intercourse with Him. But + when your letter came, I found it so sympathising, so + affectionate, that my heart was filled with joy and thankfulness + to God for such a dear friend, and I could not refrain from + bowing my knees immediately to pray that God might bless all + your words to the good of my soul, and bless you for having + written them. My views of the respective importance of things + continue, I hope, to rectify. The shortness of time, the + precious value of immortal souls, and the plain command of + Christ, all conspire to teach me that Lydia must be + resigned--and for ever--for though you suggest the possibility + of my hereafter returning and being united to her, I rather wish + to beware of looking forward to anything in this life as the end + or reward of my labours. It would be a temptation to me to + return before being necessitated. The rest which remaineth for + the people of God is in another world, where they neither marry + nor are given in marriage. But while I thus reason, still a sigh + will ever and anon escape me at the thought of a final + separation from her. In the morning when I rise, before prayer + puts grace into exercise, there is generally a very heavy gloom + on my spirits--and a distaste for everything in earth or heaven. + You do not seem to suppose that any objection would remain in + her mind, if I should return and other obstacles were + removed--which opinion of yours is, no doubt, very pleasing to + me--but if there _were_ anything more than friendship, do you + think it at all likely she could have spoken and written to me + as she has? However, do not suppose from this that I wish to + hear from you anything more on this subject--in the hope of + being gratified with an assurance to the contrary. I cannot tell + what induced me to take my leave of the people in the west when + I was last there, as it was so probable we should be detained; + were it not for having bid them adieu, I believe I should pay + them another visit--only that I could not do it without being + with Lydia again, which might not perhaps answer any good + purpose, and more probably would renew the pain. + + If, in India, I should be persuaded of the expediency of + marriage, you perceive that I can do nothing less than make her + the offer, or rather propose the sacrifice. It would be almost + cruel and presumptuous in me to make such an application to her, + especially as she would be induced by a sense of duty rather + than personal attachment. But what else can be done? Should she + not, then, be warned of my intention--before I go? If you + advance no objection, I shall write a letter to her, + notwithstanding her prohibition. When this is done no further + step remains to be taken, that I know of. The shortness of our + acquaintance, which she made a ground of objection, cannot now + be remedied. + + The matter, as it stands, must be left with God--and I do leave + it with Him very cheerfully. I pray that hereafter I may not be + tempted to follow my will, and mistake it for God's--to fancy I + am called to marriage, when I ought to remain single--and you + will likewise pray, my dear cousin, that my mind may be always + under a right direction. + +His _Journal_ thus continues: + + _July 31._--Went on board this morning in extreme anguish. I + could not help saying, 'Lord, it is not a sinful attachment in + itself, and therefore I may commune more freely with Thee about + it.' I sought for hymns suitable to my case, but none did + sufficiently; most complained of spiritual distress, but mine + was not from any doubt of God's favour, for I felt no doubt of + that. + + _August 1._--Rose in great anguish of mind, but prayer relieved + me a little. The wind continuing foul, I went ashore after + breakfast; but before this, sat down to write to Lydia, hoping + to relieve the burden of my mind. I wrote in great turbulence, + but in a little time my tumult unaccountably subsided, and I + enjoyed a peace to which I have been for some time a stranger. I + felt exceedingly willing to leave her, and to go on my way + rejoicing. I could not account for this, except by ascribing it + to the gracious influence of God. The first few Psalms were + exceedingly comfortable to me. Received a letter this evening + from Emma, and received it as from God; I was animated before, + but this added tenfold encouragement. She warned me, from + experience, of the carefulness it would bring upon me; but spoke + with such sympathy and tenderness, that my heart was quite + refreshed. I bowed my knees to bless and adore God for it, and + devoted myself anew to His beloved service. Went on board at + night; the sea ran high, but I felt a sweet tranquillity in Him + who stilleth the raging of the sea. I was delighted to find that + the Lascars understood me perfectly when I spoke to them a + sentence or two in Hindustani. + + _August 5._--Went ashore. Walked to Pendennis garrison; enjoyed + some happy reflections as I sat on one of the ramparts, looking + at the ships and sea. + + _August 7._--Preached at Falmouth Church, on Psalm iii. 1, with + much comfort; after church, set off to walk to St. Hilary. + Reached Helston in three hours in extraordinary spirits. The joy + of my soul was very great. Every object around me called forth + praise and gratitude to God. Perhaps it might have been joy at + the prospect of seeing Lydia, but I asked myself at the time, + whether out of love to God I was willing to turn back and see + her no more. I persuaded myself that I could. But perhaps had I + been put to the trial, it would have been otherwise. I arrived + safe at St. Hilary, and passed the evening agreeably with R. + 8th. Enjoyed much of the presence of God in morning prayer. The + morning passed profitably in writing on Heb. ii. 3. My soul + seemed to breathe seriously after God. Walked down with R. to + Gurlyn to call on Lydia. She was not at home when we called, so + I walked out to meet her. When I met her coming up the hill, I + was almost induced to believe her more interested about me than + I had conceived. Went away in the expectation of visiting her + frequently. Called on my way (from Falmouth) at Gurlyn. My mind + not in peace; at night in prayer, my soul was much overwhelmed + with fear, which caused me to approach God in fervent petition, + that He would make me perfectly upright, and my walk consistent + with the high character I am called to assume. + + _August 10._--Rose very early, with uneasiness increased by + seeing the wind northerly; walked away at seven to Gurlyn, + feeling little or no pleasure at the thought of seeing Lydia; + apprehension about the sailing of the fleet made me dreadfully + uneasy; was with Lydia a short time before breakfast; afterwards + I read the 10th Psalm, with Horne's Commentary, to her and her + mother; she was then just putting into my hand the 10th of + Genesis to read when a servant came in, and said a horse was + come for me from St. Hilary, where a carriage was waiting to + convey me to Falmouth. All my painful presentiments were thus + realised, and it came upon me like a thunderbolt. Lydia was + evidently painfully affected by it; she came out, that we might + be alone at taking leave, and I then told her, that if it should + appear to be God's will that I should be married, she must not + be offended at receiving a letter from me. In the great hurry + she discovered more of her mind than she intended; she made no + objection whatever to coming out. Thinking, perhaps, I wished to + make an engagement with her, she said we had better go quite + free; with this I left her, not knowing yet for what purpose I + have been permitted, by an unexpected providence, to enjoy these + interviews. I galloped back to St. Hilary, and instantly got + into a chaise with Mr. R., who had been awaked by the signal gun + at five in the morning, and had come for me. At Hildon I got a + horse, with which I rode to Falmouth, meeting on the road + another express sent after me by R. I arrived about twelve, and + instantly went on board; almost all the other ships were under + weigh, but the Union had got entangled in the chains. The + commodore expressed his anger as he passed, at this delay, but + I blessed the Lord, who had thus saved His poor creature from + shame and trouble. How delusive are schemes of pleasure; at nine + in the morning I was sitting at ease, with the person dearest to + me on earth, intending to go out with her afterwards to see the + different views, to visit some persons with her, and to preach + on the morrow; four hours only elapsed, and I was under sail + from England! The anxiety to get on board, and the joy I felt at + not being left behind, absorbed other sorrowful considerations + for a time; wrote several letters as soon as I was on board. + When I was left a little at leisure, my spirits began to sink; + yet how backward was I to draw near to my God. I found relief + occasionally, yet still was slow to fly to this refuge of my + weary soul. Was meditating on a subject for to-morrow. As more + of the land gradually appeared behind the Lizard, I watched with + my spy-glass for the Mount (St. Michael's), but in consequence + of lying to for the purser, and thus dropping astern of the + fleet, night came on before we weathered the point. Oh, let not + my soul be deceived and distracted by these foolish vanities, + but now that I am actually embarked in Christ's cause, let a + peculiar unction rest upon my soul, to wean me from the world, + and to inspire me with ardent zeal for the good of souls. + + TO MISS LYDIA GRENFELL + + Union, Falmouth: August 10, 1805. + + My dear Miss Lydia,--It will perhaps be some satisfaction to + yourself and your mother, to know that I was in time. Our ship + was entangled in the chain, and was by that means the only one + not under weigh when I arrived. It seems that most of the people + on board had given me up, and did not mean to wait for me. I + cannot but feel sensibly this instance of Divine mercy in thus + preserving me from the great trouble that would have attended + the loss of my passage. Mount's Bay will soon be in sight, and + recall you all once more to my affectionate remembrance.... I + bid you a long Farewell. God ever bless you, and help you + sometimes to intercede for me. + + H. MARTYN. + +The lady alludes thus, in her _Diary_, to these events, in language +which confesses her love, as she did not again confess it till after +his death:[14] + + _August 8._--I was surprised again to-day by a visit from my + friend, Mr. Martyn, who, contrary to every expectation, is + detained, perhaps weeks longer. I feel myself called on to act + decisively--oh how difficult and painful a part--Lord, assist + me. I desire to be directed by Thy wisdom, and to follow + implicitly what appears Thy will. May we each consider Thy + honour as entrusted to us, and resolve, whatever it may cost us, + to seek Thy glory and do Thy will. O Lord, I feel myself so weak + that I would fain fly from the trial. My hope is in Thee--do + Thou strengthen me, help me to seek, to know, and resolutely to + do, Thy will, and that we may be each divinely influenced, and + may principle be victorious over feeling. Thou, blessed Spirit, + aid, support, and guide us. Now may we be in the armour of God, + now may we flee from temptation. O blessed Jesus, leave me not, + forsake me not. + + _August 9._--What a day of conflict has this been! I was much + blessed, as if to prepare me for it, in the morning, and + expected to see my friend, and hoped to have acted with + Christian resolution. At Tregembo I learnt he had been called on + by express last night. The effect this intelligence had on me + shows how much my affections are engaged. O Lord, I lament it, I + wonder at myself, I tremble at what may be before me--but do + not, O Lord, forsake me. The idea of his going, when at parting + I behaved with greater coolness and reserve than I ever did + before, was a distress I could hardly bear, and I prayed the + Lord to afford me an opportunity of doing away the impression + from his mind. I saw no possibility of this--imagining the fleet + must have sailed--when, to my astonishment, I learnt from our + servant that he had called again this evening, and left a + message that he would be here to-morrow. Oh, I feel less able + than ever to conceal my real sentiments, and the necessity of + doing it does not so much weigh with me. O my soul, pause, + reflect--thy future happiness, and his too, the glory of God, + the peace of my dear mother--all are concerned in what may pass + to-morrow; I can only look and pray to be directed aright. + + _August 10._--Much have I to testify of supporting grace this + day, and of what I must consider Divine interference in my + favour, and that of my dear friend, who is now gone to return no + more. My affections are engaged past recalling, and the anguish + I endured yesterday, from an apprehension that I had treated him + with coolness, exceeds my power to express; but God saw it, and + kindly ordered it that he should come and do away the idea from + my mind. It contributed likewise to my peace, and I hope to his, + that it is clearly now understood between us that he is free to + marry where he is going, and I have felt quite resigned to the + will of God in this, and shall often pray the Lord to find him a + suitable partner. + + Went to meeting in a comfortable frame, but the intelligence + brought me there--that the fleet had probably sailed without my + friend--so distressed and distracted my mind, that I would + gladly have exchanged my feelings of yesterday for those I was + now exercised with; yet in prayer I found relief, and in + appealing to God. How unsought by me was his coming here. I + still felt anxiety beyond all expression to hear if he arrived + in time or not. Oh, not for all the world could offer me would I + he should lose his passage!--yet stay, my soul, recollect + thyself, are not all events at the Lord's disposal? Are not the + steps of a good man ordered by the Lord? Cast then this burden + on Him who carest for thee, my soul. Oh, let not Thy name, great + God, be blasphemed through us--surely we desire to glorify it + above all things, and would sacrifice everything to do so; enter + then my mind this night, and let me in every dark providence + trust in the Lord. + + _August 11._--A day of singular mercies. O my soul, how should + the increasing goodness of God engage thee to serve Him with + more zeal and ardour. I had a comfortable season in prayer + before breakfast, enjoying sweet liberty of spirit before God my + Saviour, God, the sinner's friend and helper. Went to church, + but could get no comfort from the sermon; the service I found in + some parts quickening. On my return I found a letter from my + excellent friend, dated on board the Union. Oh, what a relief to + my mind! By a singular providence this ship was prevented + sailing by getting entangled in the chain; every other belonging + to the fleet was under weigh when he reached Falmouth, and his + friends there had given over the hope of his arriving in time. + Doth not God care for His people, and order everything, even the + most trifling, that concerns them? The fleet must not sail till + the man of God joined it;--praised be the name of the Lord for + this instance of His watchful care. And now, my soul, turn to + God, thy rest. Oh, may the remembrance of my dear friend, whilst + it is cherished as it ought, be no hindrance to my progress in + grace and holiness. May God alone fill my thoughts, and may my + regard for my friend be sanctified, and be a means of + stimulating me to press forward, and animate me in devoting + myself entirely to God. Lord, I would unfeignedly adore Thee for + all the instances of Thy loving kindness to me this week. I have + had many remarkable answers to prayer, many proofs that the Lord + watches over me, unworthy as I am. O Divine Saviour, how shall I + praise Thee? Walked this evening to a little meeting at Thirton + Wood. I was greatly refreshed and comforted. Oh, what a support + in time of trouble is the Lord God of Israel! I am about + retiring to rest--oh, may my thoughts upon my bed be solemn and + spiritual. The remembrance of my dear friend is at times + attended with feelings most painful, and yet, when I consider + why he is gone, and Whom he is serving, every burden is removed, + and I rejoice on his account, and rejoice that the Lord has such + a faithful servant employed in the work. Oh, may I find grace + triumphant over every feeling of my heart. Come, Lord Jesus, and + dwell with me. + + _August 12._--Passed a sweet, peaceful day, enjoying much of His + presence whose favour giveth life, and joy, and peace. Visited + several of the poor near me, and found ability to speak freely + and feelingly to them of the state of their souls. My dear + absent friend is constantly remembered by me, but I find not his + remembrance a hindrance to my soul in following after God--no, + rather does it stimulate me in my course. Thus hath the Lord + answered my prayers, as it respects myself, that our regard + might be a sanctified one. Oh, bless the Lord, my soul, for + ever! praise Him in cheerful lays from day to day, and hope + eternally to do so. + + _August 13._--Awoke early and had a happy season. Visited a poor + old man in great poverty, whose mind seemed disposed to receive + instruction, and in some measure enlightened to know his sinful + state and need of Christ; I found it a good time whilst with + him. This evening my spirits are depressed; my absent friend is + present to my remembrance, possessing more than common + sensibility and affection. What must his sufferings be? but God + is sufficient for him. He that careth for the falling sparrow + will not forget him--this is my never-failing source of + consolation. + + _August 15._--My soul has been cold in duties to-day. Oh, for + the spirit of devotion! Great are the things God has wrought for + me; oh, let these great things suitably impress my soul. I have + had many painful reflections to-day respecting my absent friend, + fearing whether I may not be the occasion of much sorrow to him + and possibly of hindering him in the work. I could not do such + violence to my feelings as to treat him with reserve and + distance, yet, in his circumstances, I think I ought to. O Lord, + if in this I have offended, forgive me, and oh, do away from his + mind every improper remembrance of me. Help me to cast my cares + on Thee to-night, and help me with peace. + + _Marazion, September 2._--My mind has been exercised with many + painful anxieties about my dear friend, but I have poured out my + soul to God, and am relieved; I have left my sorrows with Him. + Isaiah (41st chapter) has comforted me. Oh, what pleasure did + that permission give me when my heart was overburdened to-day. + 'Produce your cause'--what a privilege to come to God as a + friend. I disclose those feelings to Him I have no power to any + earthly friend. Those I could say most to seem to avoid the + subject that occupies my mind; I have been wounded by their + silence, yet I do not imagine them indifferent or unconcerned. + It is well for me they have seemed to be so, for it has made me + more frequent at a throne of grace, and brought me more + acquainted with God as a friend who will hear all my complaints. + Oh, how sweet to approach Him, through Christ, as my God. 'Fear + not,' He says, 'for I am with you: be not dismayed, I am thy + God, I will strengthen thee, yea (O blessed assurance!) I will + help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My + righteousness;' and so I find it--glory be to God! Lord, hear + the frequent prayers I offer for Thy dear servant, sanctify our + mutual regard; may it continue through eternity, flowing from + our love to Thee. + + _September 3._--Still no letters from Stoke, and no intelligence + whether the fleet has sailed--this is no small exercise of my + patience, but at times I feel a sweet complacency in saying, + 'Thou art my portion, O Lord.' I have often felt happy in saying + this, but it is in a season such as this, when creature comforts + fail, that we may know whether we are sincere in saying so. Ah! + how do we imperceptibly cleave to earth, and how soon withdraw + our affections from God. I am sensible mine would never fix on + Him but by His own power effecting it. I rest on Thy power, O + God most high, retired from human observation. + +When the commodore opened his sealed despatches off the Lizard, it was +found that the fleet was to linger still longer at Cork, whence Henry +Martyn wrote again to Lydia's sister, Mrs. Hitchins. On Sunday, when +becalmed in Mount's Bay, and he would have given anything to have been +ashore preaching at Marazion or St. Hilary, he had taken for his text +Hebrews xi. 16: 'But now they desire a better country, that is, an +heavenly.' + + Cork Harbour: August 19, 1805. + + The beloved objects were still in sight, and Lydia I knew was + about that time at St. Hilary, but every wave bore me farther + and farther from them. I introduced what I had to say by + observing that we had now bid adieu to England, and its shores + were dying away from the view. The female part of my audience + were much affected, but I do not know that any were induced to + seek the better country. The Mount continued in sight till five + o'clock, when it disappeared behind the western boundary of the + bay. Amidst the extreme gloom of my mind this day I found great + comfort in interceding earnestly for my beloved friends all over + England. If you have heard from Marazion since Sunday, I should + be curious to know whether the fleet was observed passing.... + + We are now in the midst of a vast number of transports filled + with troops. It is now certain from our coming here that we are + to join in some expedition, probably the Cape of Good Hope, or + the Brazils; anywhere for me so long as the Lord goes with me. + If it should please God to send me another letter from you, + which I scarcely dare hope, do not forget to tell me as much as + you can about Lydia. I cannot write to her, or I should find the + greatest relief and pleasure even in transmitting upon paper the + assurances of my tenderest love. + + Cove of Cork: August 28, 1805. + + My dearest Cousin,--I have but a few minutes to say that we are + again going to sea--under convoy of five men of war. Very + anxiously have I been expecting to receive an answer to the + letter I sent you on my arrival at this port, bearing date + August 16; from the manner in which I had it conveyed to the + post-office, I begin to fear it has never reached you. I have + this instant received the letter you wrote me the day on which + we sailed from Falmouth. Everything from you gives me the + greatest pleasure, but this letter has rather tended to excite + sentiments of pain as well as pleasure. I fear my proceedings + have met with your disapprobation, and have therefore been + wrong--since it is more probable you should judge impartially + than myself. + + I am now fully of opinion that, were I convinced of the + expediency of marriage, I ought not in conscience to propose it, + while the obstacle of S.J. remains. Whatever others have said, I + think that Lydia acts no more than consistently by persevering + in her present determination. I confess, therefore, that till + this obstacle is removed my path is perfectly clear, and, + blessed be God! I feel very, very happy in all that my God shall + order concerning me. Let me suffer privation, and sorrow and + death, if I may by these tribulations enter into the kingdom of + God. Since we have been lying here I have been enjoying a peace + almost uninterrupted. The Spirit of adoption has been drawing me + near to God, and giving me the full assurance of His love. My + prayer is continually that I may be more deeply and habitually + convinced of His unchanging, everlasting love, and that my whole + soul may be altogether in Christ. The Lord teaches me to desire + Christ for my all in all--to long to be encircled in His + everlasting arms, to be swallowed up in the fulness of His love. + Surely the soul is happy that thus bathes in a medium of love. I + wish no created good, but to be one with Him and to be living + for my Saviour and Lord. Oh, may it be my constant care to live + free from the spirit of bondage, and at all times have access to + the Father. This I now feel, my beloved cousin, should be our + state--perfect reconciliation with God, perfect appropriation of + Him in all His endearing attributes, according to all that He + has promised. This shall bear us safely through the storm. Oh, + how happy are we in being introduced to such high privileges! + You and my dear brother, and Lydia, I rejoice to think, are + often praying for me and interested about me. I have, of course, + much more time and leisure to intercede for you than you for + me--and you may be assured I do not fail to employ my superior + opportunities in your behalf. Especially is it my prayer that + the mind of my dear cousin, formed as it is by nature and by + grace for higher occupations, may not be rendered uneasy by the + employments and cares of this. + +Hearing nothing accurately of the India fleet after its departure from +Mount's Bay, Lydia Grenfell thus betrayed to herself and laid before +God her loving anxiety: + + _1805, September 24._--Have I not reason ever, and in all + things, to trust and bless God? O my soul, why dost thou yield + to despondency? why art thou disquieted? O my soul, put thy + trust in God, assured that thou shalt yet praise Him, who is the + help of thy countenance and thy God in Christ Jesus. My mind is + under considerable anxiety, arising from the uncertainty of my + dear friend's situation, and an apprehension of his being ill. + Oh, how soon is my soul filled with confusion! yet I find repose + for it in the love of Jesus--oh, let me then raise my eyes to + Him, and may His love be shed abroad in my heart; make me in all + things resigned to Thy will, to trust and hope and rejoice in + Thee. + + _November 1._--My dear absent friend has too much occupied my + thoughts and affections, and broken my peace--but Jesus reigns + in providence and grace, and He does all things well. Yes, in my + best moments I can rejoice in believing this, but too often I + yield to unbelieving fears and discouragements. The thought that + we shall meet no more sinks at times my spirits, yet I would say + and feel submissive--Thy will be done. Choose for my motto, on + entering my thirty-first year, this Scripture: 'Our days on the + earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.' + + _November 4._--I think of my friend, but blessed be God for not + suffering my regard to lead me from Himself. + + _November 16._--I have been employed to-day in a painful manner, + writing[15] (perhaps for the last time) to too dear a friend. I + have to bless God for keeping me composed whilst doing so, and + for peace of mind since, arising from a conviction that I have + done right; and oh, that I may now be enabled to turn my thought + from all below to that better world where my soul hopes + eternally to dwell. Blessed Lord Jesus, be my strength and + shield. Oh, let not the enemy harass me, nor draw my affections + from Thee. + + _November 17._--Felt great depression of spirits to-day, from + the improbability of ever seeing H.M. return. I feel it + necessary to fly to God, praying for submission to His will, and + to rest assured of the wisdom and love of this painful event. O + my soul, rise from these cares, look beyond the boundary of + time. Oh, cheering prospect, in that blest world where my + Redeemer lives I shall regain every friend I love--with + Christian love again. Be resigned then, my soul, Jesus is thine, + and He does all things well. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[10] Deposited by Henry Martyn Jeffery, Esq., in the Truro Museum of +the Royal Institution, where the MS. may be consulted. + +[11] Hitherto unpublished. We owe the copy of this significant letter +to the courtesy of H.M. Jeffery, Esq., F.R.S., for whom Canon Moor, of +St. Clement's, near Truro, procured it from the friend to whom Mrs. +T.M. Hitchins had given it. + +[12] _Essays in Ecclesiastical Biography._ + +[13] The _Observations on the State of Society among the Asiatic +Subjects of Great Britain_, written in 1792. + +[14] The parallel between Henry Martyn and David Brainerd, so close as +to spiritual experience and missionary service, hereditary consumption +and early death, is even more remarkable in their hopeless but +purifying love. Brainerd was engaged to Jerusha, younger daughter of +the great Jonathan Edwards. 'Dear Jerusha, are you willing to part +with me?' said the dying missionary on October 4, 1747.... 'If I +thought I should not see you and be happy with you in another world, I +could not bear to part with you. But we shall spend a happy eternity +together!' See J.M. Sherwood's edition (1885) of the _Memoirs of Rev. +David Brainerd_, prefaced by Jonathan Edwards, D.D., p. 340. + +[15] This letter never reached its destination, but was captured in +the Bell Packet. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE NINE MONTHS' VOYAGE--SOUTH AMERICA--SOUTH AFRICA, 1805-1806 + + +The East India fleet had been detained off Ireland 'for fear of +immediate invasion, in which case the ships might be of use.' The +young chaplain was kept busy enough in his own and the other vessels. +In one of these, the Ann, there was a mutiny. Another, the Pitt, was a +Botany Bay ship, carrying out 120 female convicts. Thanks to Charles +Simeon, he was able to supply all with Bibles and religious books. But +even on board his own transport, the Union, the captain would allow +only one service on the Sabbath, and denied permission to preach to +the convicts. The chaplain's ministrations between decks were +continued daily, amid the indifference and even opposition of all save +a few. + +At last, on August 31, 1805, the Indiamen of the season and fifty +transports sailed out of the Cove of Cork under convoy of the Diadem, +64 guns, the Belliqueuse, 64 guns, the Leda and Narcissus frigates, on +a voyage which, after two months since lifting the anchor at +Portsmouth, lasted eight and a half months to Calcutta. The Union had +H.M. 59th Regiment on board. Of its officers and men, and of the East +India Company's cadets and the officers commanding them, he succeeded +in inducing only five to join him in daily worship. His own presence +and this little gathering caused the vessel to be known in the fleet +as 'the praying ship.' The captain died during the voyage to the Cape. +One of the ships was wrecked, the Union narrowly escaping the same +fate. Martyn's _Journal_ reveals an amount of hostility to himself and +of open scoffing at his message which would be impossible now. He fed +his spirit with the Word of God, which he loved to expound to others. +Leighton, especially the too little known _Rules for Holy Living_, was +ever in his hands. Augustine and Ambrose delighted him, also Hooker, +Baxter, Jonathan Edwards, and Flavel, which he read to any who would +listen, while he spoke much to the Mohammedan Lascars. He worked hard +at Hindustani, Bengali, and Portuguese. Not more faithfully reflected +in his _Journal_ than the tedium of the voyage and the often +blasphemous opposition of his fellows are, all unconsciously, his own +splendid courage, his untiring faithfulness even when down with +dysentery and cough, his watchful prayerfulness, his longing for the +spread of Christ's kingdom. As the solitary young saint paced the deck +his thoughts, too, were with the past--with Lydia, in a way which, +even he felt, did not leave him indisposed for communion with God. +From Funchal, Madeira, he wrote to Lydia's sister: 'God knows how +dearly I love you, and Lydia and Sally (his younger sister), and all +His saints in England, yet I bid you all an everlasting farewell +almost without a sigh.' His motto throughout the voyage was the +sentence in which Milner characterises the first Christians: + + 'TO BELIEVE, TO SUFFER, AND TO LOVE.' + +Meanwhile Lydia Grenfell was thus committing to her _Diary_ these +melancholy longings: + + _November 22._--Yesterday brought me most pleasing intelligence + from my dear friend, for which I have and do thank Thee, O Lord + my God. He assures us of his being well, and exceedingly + happy--oh, may he continue so. I have discovered that insensibly + I have indulged the hope of his return, which this letter has + seemed to lessen. I see it is my duty to familiarise my mind to + the idea of our separation being for ever, with what feelings + the thought is admitted, the Lord--whose will I desire therein + to be done--only knows, and I find it a blessed relief to look + to Him for comfort. I can bear testimony to this, that the Lord + does afford me the needful support. I have been favoured much + within this day or two, and seem, if I may trust to present + feelings, to be inspired to ask the Lord's sovereign will and + pleasure concerning me and him. I look forward to our meeting + only in another state of existence, and oh, how pure, how + exalted will be our affection then! here it is mixed with much + evil, many pains, and great anxieties. Hasten, O Lord, Thy + coming, and fit me for it and for the society of Thy saints in + light. I desire more holiness, more of Christ in my soul, more + of His likeness. Oh, to be filled with all Thy fulness, to be + swallowed up in Thee! + + _November 23._--Too much has my mind been occupied to-day with a + subject which must for ever interest me. O Lord, have mercy on + me! help can only come from Thee. Let Thy blessed Word afford me + relief; let the aids of Thy Spirit be vouchsafed. Restore to me + the joys of Thy salvation. + + _November 24._--Passed a night of little sleep, my mind + restless, confused, and unhappy. In vain did I endeavour to fix + my thoughts on spiritual things, and to drive away those + distressing fears of what may befall my dear friend. Blessed for + ever be the Lord that on approaching His mercy-seat, through the + blood of Jesus, I found peace, rest, and an ability to rely on + God for all things. I have through the day enjoyed a sense of + the Divine presence, and a blessed nearness to the Lord. + To-night I am favoured with a sweet calmness; I seem to have no + desire to exert myself. O Lord, animate, refresh my fainting + soul. I see how dangerous it is to admit any worldly object into + the heart, and how prone mine is to idolatry, for whatever has + the preference, that to God is an idol. Alas! my thoughts, my + first and last thoughts, are now such as prove that God cannot + be said to have the supreme place in my affections; yet, blessed + be His name, I can resign myself and all my concerns to His + disposal, and this is my heart's desire. Thy will be done. + + _December 11._--I seem reconciled to all before me, and consider + the Lord must have some great and wise purposes to answer by + suffering my affections to be engaged in the degree they are. If + it is only to exercise my submission to His will, and to make me + more acquainted with His power to support and comfort me, it + will be a great end answered, and oh, may I welcome all He + appoints for this purpose. The mysteries of Providence are + unfathomable. The event must disclose them, and in this I desire + to make up my mind from henceforth no more to encourage the + least expectation of meeting my dear friend in this world. O + Lord, when the desire is so strong, how impossible is it for me + to do this; but Thou art able to strengthen me for it. Oh, + vouchsafe the needful help. + + _December 16._--I have had many distressing feelings to-day, and + struggled with my heart, which is at times rent, I may say, by + the reflection that I have bidden adieu for ever in this life to + so dear a friend; but the blessed employment the Lord has + assisted me in, and the thought that he is serving my blessed + Lord Jesus, is most consolatory. Oh, may I never more seek to + draw him back from the work. Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou + knowest that I would not do this. + + _December 26._--Went early to St. Hilary, where I had an + opportunity of reading the excellent prayers of our Church. I + have been blest with sweet peace to-day--a solemn expectation of + entering eternity. I feel a sadness of spirit at times (attended + with a calm resignation of mind, not unpleasing) at the + remembrance of my friend, whom I expect no more to see till we + meet in heaven. Oh, blessed hope that there we shall meet! Lord, + keep us each in the narrow way that leads to Thee. + + _December 31._--The last in 1805--oh, may it prove the most holy + to my soul. I am shut out from the communion of Thy saints in a + measure; oh, let me enjoy more communion with my God. Thou + knowest my secret sorrows, yea, Thou dost calm them by causing + me to have regard to a future life of bliss with Thee, when I + shall see and adore the wisdom of Thy dealings with me. Oh, my + idolatrous heart! + +These passages occur in Henry Martyn's _Journal_: + + _December 4._--Dearest Lydia! never wilt thou cease to be dear + to me; still, the glory of God, and the salvation of immortal + souls, is an object for which I can part with thee. Let us live + then for God, separate from one another, since such is His holy + will. Hereafter we shall meet in a happier region, and if we + shall have lived and died, denying ourselves for God, triumphant + and glorious will our meeting be.... + + _December 5._--My mind has been running on Lydia, and the happy + scenes in England, very much; particularly on that day when I + walked with her on the sea-shore, and with a wistful eye looked + over the blue waves that were to bear me from her. While walking + the deck I longed to be left alone, that my thoughts might run + at random. Tender feelings on distant scenes do not leave me + indisposed for communion with God; that which is present to the + outward senses is the greatest plague to me. Went among the + soldiers in the afternoon, distributing oranges to those who are + scorbutic. My heart was for some hours expanding with joy and + love; but I have reason to think that the state of the body has + great influence on the frames and feelings of the mind. Let the + rock of my consolations be not a variable feeling, but Jesus + Christ and His righteousness. + +The fleet next touched at San Salvador, or Bahia, from which Henry +Martyn wrote to Mrs. Hitchins, his cousin, asking her to send him by +Corrie, who was coming out as chaplain, 'your profile and Cousin Tom's +and Lydia's. If she should consent to it, I should much wish for her +miniature.' The request, when it reached her, must have led to such +passages in her _Diary_ as these: + + _1806, February 8._--I have passed some days of pain and + weakness, but now am blessed again with health. During the whole + of this sickness I was afflicted with much deadness of soul, and + have had very few thoughts of God. I felt, as strength returned, + the necessity of more earnest supplications for grace and + spiritual life. I have ascertained this sad truth, that my soul + has declined in spiritual fervour and liveliness since I have + admitted an earthly object so much into my heart. Ah! I know I + have not power to recall my affections, but God can, and I + believe He will, enable me to regulate them better. This thought + has been of great injury to me, as I felt no murmuring at the + will of God, nor disposed to act therein contrary to His will. I + thought I might indulge secretly my affection, but it has been + of vast disadvantage to me. I am now convinced, and I do humbly + (relying on strength from on high) resolve no more to yield to + it. Oh, may my conversation be in heaven, and the glories of + Immanuel be all my theme. + + _February 15._--I have been much exercised yesterday and + to-day--walking in darkness, without light--and I feel the truth + of this Scripture: 'Your sins have separated between you and + your God.' I have betrayed a most unbecoming impatience and + warmth of temper. My dear absent friend, too, has been much in + my mind. How many times have I endured the pain of bidding him + farewell! I would not dare repine. I doubt not for a moment the + necessity of its being as it is, but the feelings of my mind at + particular seasons overwhelm me. My refuge is to consider it is + the will of God. Thy will, my God, be done. + +Henry Martyn did not lose a day in discharging his mission to the +residents and slaves of that part of the coast of Brazil, in the great +commercial city and seat of the metropolitan. His was the first voice +to proclaim the pure Gospel in South America since, three hundred +years before, Coligny's and Calvin's missionaries had been there +silenced by Villegagnon, and put to death. Martyn was frequently +ashore, almost fascinated by the tropical glories of the coast and the +interior, and keenly interested in the Portuguese dons, the Franciscan +friars, and the negro slaves. After his first walk through the town to +the suburbs, he was looking for a wood in which he might rest, when he +found himself at a magnificent porch leading to a noble avenue and +house. There he was received with exuberant hospitality by the Corr +family, especially by the young Seor Antonio, who had received a +University training in Portugal, and soon learned to enjoy the society +of the Cambridge clergyman. In his visits of days to this family, his +exploration of the immediate interior and the plantations of tapioca +and pepper, introduced from Batavia, and his discussions with its +members and the priests on Roman Catholicism, all conducted in French +and Latin, a fortnight passed rapidly. He was ever about his Master's +business, able in speaking His message to men and in prayer and +meditation. 'In a cool and shady part of the garden, near some water, +I sat and sang, + + O'er the gloomy hills of darkness. + +I could read and pray aloud, as there was no fear of anyone understanding +me. Reading the eighty-fourth Psalm, + + O how amiable are Thy tabernacles, + +this morning in the shade, the day when I read it last under the trees +with Lydia was brought forcibly to my remembrance, and produced some +degree of melancholy.' Refreshed by the hospitality of San Salvador, +he resumed the voyage with new zeal for his Lord and for his study of +such authorities as Orme's _Indostan_ and Scott's _Dekkan_, and thus +taking himself to task: 'I wish I had a deeper conviction of the +sinfulness of sloth.' + +Thus had he taken possession of Brazil, of South America, for Christ. +As he walked through the streets, where for a long time he 'saw no one +but negro slaves male and female'; as he passed churches in which +'they were performing Mass,' and priests of all colours innumerable, +and ascended the battery which commanded a view of the whole bay of +All Saints, he exclaimed, 'What happy missionary shall be sent to bear +the name of Christ to these western regions? When shall this beautiful +country be delivered from idolatry and spurious Christianity? Crosses +there are in abundance, but when shall the doctrine of the Cross be +held up?' In the nearly ninety years that have gone since that time, +Brazil has ceased to belong to the house of Braganza, slavery has been +abolished, the agents of the Evangelical churches and societies of the +United States of America and the Bible societies have been sent in +answer to his prayer; while down in the far south Captain Allen +Gardiner, R.N., by his death for the savage people, has brought about +results that extorted the admiration of Dr. Darwin. As Martyn went back +to the ship for the last time, after a final discussion on Mariolatry +with the Franciscans, rowed by Lascars who kept the feast of the Hijra +with hymns to Mohammed, and in converse with a fellow-voyager who +declared mankind needed to be told nothing but to be sober and honest, +he cried to God with a deep sigh 'to interfere in behalf of His Gospel; +for in the course of one hour I had seen three shocking examples of the +reign and power of the devil in the form of Popish and Mohammedan +delusion and that of the natural man. I felt, however, in no way +discouraged, but only saw the necessity of dependence on God.' + +Why did Henry Martyn's preaching and daily pastoral influence excite +so much opposition? Undoubtedly, as we shall see, both in Calcutta and +Dinapore, his Cornish-Celtic temperament, possibly the irritability +due to the disease under which he was even then suffering, disabled +him from disarming opposition, as his friend Corrie, for instance, +afterwards always did. But we must remember to whom he preached and +what he preached, and the time at which he preached, in the history +not only of the Church of England, but of Evangelical religion. He had +himself been brought out of spiritual darkness under the influence of +Kempthorne and Charles Simeon, by the teaching of Paul in his letters +to the Roman and the Galatian converts. To him sin was exceeding +sinful. The Pauline doctrine of sin and its one remedy was the basis +not only of his theology, but of his personal experience and daily +life. After a brief ministry to the villagers of Lolworth and +occasional sermons to his fellow students in Cambridge, this Senior +Wrangler and Classic, yet young convert, was put in spiritual charge +of a British regiment and Indiaman's crew, and was the only chaplain +in a force of eight thousand soldiers, some with families, and many +female convicts. At a time when the dead churches were only beginning +to wake up, after the missions of the Wesleys and Whitfield, of +William Carey and Simeon, this youthful prophet was called to reason +of temperance, righteousness, and judgment to come, with men who were +practically as pagan or as sceptical as Felix. + +His second address at sea, on September 15, was from Paul's sermon in +the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts xiii. 38-39): _Through this +man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, &c._[16] It was a +full and free declaration of God's love in Jesus Christ to sinful man, +which he thus describes in his _Journal_: 'In the latter part I was +led to speak without preparation on the all-sufficiency of Christ to +save sinners who came to Him with all their sins without delay. I was +carried away with a Divine aid to speak with freedom and energy. My +soul was refreshed, and I retired seeing reason to be thankful!' But +the next week's experience resulted in this: 'I was more tried by the +fear of man than I have ever been since God called me to the ministry. +The threats and opposition of those men made me unwilling to set +before them the truths which they hated; yet I had no species of +hesitation about doing it. They had let me know that if I would preach +a sermon like one of Blair's they should be glad to hear it; but they +would not attend if so much of hell was preached.' Strengthened by our +Lord's promise of the Comforter (John xiv. 16), he next Sunday took +for his text Psalm ix. 17: _The wicked shall be turned into hell, and +all the nations that forget God._ He thus concluded: + + Pause awhile, and reflect! Some of you, perhaps, by this time, + instead of making a wise resolve, have begun to wonder that so + heavy a judgment should be denounced merely against + forgetfulness. But look at the affairs of common life, and be + taught by them. Do not neglect, and want of attention, and not + looking about us to see what we have to do--do not any of these + bring upon us consequences as ruinous to our worldly business as + any ACTIVE misbehaviour? It is an event of every day, that a + man, by mere laziness and inattention to his business, does as + certainly bring himself and family to poverty, and end his days + in a gaol, as if he were, in wanton mischief, to set fire to his + own house. So it is also with the affairs of the soul: neglect + of that--forgetfulness of God, who only can save it--will work + his ruin, as surely as a long and daring course of profligate + wickedness. + + When any one has been recollecting the proper proofs of a future + state of rewards and punishments, nothing, methinks, can give + him so sensible an apprehension of punishment or such a + representation of it to the mind, as observing that, after the + many disregarded checks, admonitions, and warnings which people + meet with in the ways of vice, folly, and extravagance warnings + from their very nature, from the examples of others, from the + lesser inconveniences which they bring upon themselves, from the + instructions of wise and good men--after these have been long + despised, scorned, ridiculed--after the chief bad consequences + (temporal consequences) of their follies have been delayed for a + great while, at length they break in irresistibly like an armed + force: repentance is too late to relieve, and can serve only to + aggravate their distress: the case is become desperate; and + poverty and sickness, remorse and anguish, infamy and death, the + effects of their own doings, overwhelm them beyond possibility + of remedy or escape. This is an account of what is, in fact, the + general constitution of Nature. + + But is the forgetfulness of God so light a matter? Think what + ingratitude, rebellion, and atheism there is at the bottom of + it! Sirs, you have 'a carnal mind, which is enmity against God.' + (Rom. viii. 7.) Do not suppose that you have but to make a + slight effort, and you will cease to forget Him: it is your + nature to forget Him: it is your nature to hate Him: so that + nothing less than an entire change of heart and nature will ever + deliver you from this state of enmity. Our nature 'is not + subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. They that are + in the flesh cannot please God.' (Rom. viii. 7, 8.) From this + state let the fearful menace in the text persuade you to arise! + Need we remind you again of the dreadfulness of hell--of the + certainty that it shall overtake the impenitent sinner? Enough + has been said; and can any of you be still so hardened, and such + enemies to your souls, as still to cleave to sin? Will you still + venture to continue any more in the hazard of falling into the + hands of God? Alas! 'Who among us shall dwell with the devouring + fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?' (Isa. + xxxiii. 14.) 'Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be + strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the Lord have + spoken it, and will do it!' (Ezek. xxii. 14.) Observe, that men + have dealt with sinners--ministers have dealt with + them--apostles, prophets, and angels have dealt with them: at + last, God will take them in hand, and deal with them! Though not + so daring as to defy God, yet, brethren, in all probability you + put on repentance. Will you securely walk a little longer along + the brink of the burning furnace of the Almighty's fury? 'As the + Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between + thee and death!' (1 Sam. xx. 3.) When you lie down you know not + but you may be in it before the morning; and when you rise you + know not but God may say, 'Thou fool, this night thy soul shall + be required of thee!' When once the word is given to cut you + down, the business is over. You are cut off from your lying + refuges and beloved sins--from the world--from your + friends--from the light--from happiness--from hope, for ever! Be + wise, then, my friends, and reasonable: give neither sleep to + your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids, till you have resolved, + on your knees before God, to forget Him no more. Go home and + pray. Do not dare to fly, as it were, in the face of your Maker, + by seeking your pleasure on His holy day; but if you are alarmed + at this subject, as well you may be, go and pray to God that you + may forget Him no more. It is high time to awake out of sleep. + It is high time to have done with hesitation: time does not wait + for you; nor will God wait till you are pleased to turn. He hath + bent His bow, and made it ready: halt no more between two + opinions: hasten--tarry not in all the plain, but flee from the + wrath to come. Pray for grace, without which you can do nothing. + Pray for the knowledge of Christ, and of your own danger and + helplessness, without which you cannot know what it is to find + refuge in Him. It is not our design to terrify, without pointing + out the means of safety. Let us then observe, that if it should + have pleased God to awaken any of you to a sense of your danger, + you should beware of betaking yourselves to a refuge of lies. + + But, through the mercy of God, many among us have found + repentance unto life--have fled for refuge to the hope set + before them--have seen their danger, and fled to Christ. Think + with yourselves what it is now to have escaped destruction; what + it will be to hear at the last day our acquittal, when it shall + be said to others, 'Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting + fire.' Let the sense of the mercy of God gild all the path of + life. On the other hand, since it is they who forget God that + are to bear the weight of His wrath, let us beware, brethren, + how we forget Him, through concern about this world, or through + unbelief, or through sloth. Let us be punctual in all our + engagements with Him. With earnest attention and holy awe ought + we to hear His voice, cherish the sense of His presence, and + perform the duties of His worship. No covenant relation or + Gospel grace can render Him less holy, less jealous, or less + majestic. 'Wherefore let us have grace, whereby we may serve God + acceptably, with reverence and godly fear; for our God is a + consuming fire.' + +The officers had seated themselves behind the preacher, that they +might retire in case of dislike, and one of them employed himself in +feeding the geese; so it had happened in the case of the missionary +Paul, and Martyn wrote: 'God, I trust, blessed the sermon to the good +of many. Some of the cadets and soldiers were in tears.' The +complement[17] of this truth he soon after displayed to them in his +sermon on the message through Ezekiel xxxiii. 11. _As I live, saith +the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked._ + + Men have been found in all ages who have vented their murmurs + against God for the severity of His final punishment, as well as + for the painful continuance of His judgments upon them in this + life, saying, 'If our state be so full of guilt and misery as is + represented, and God is determined to avenge Himself upon us, be + it so; then we must take the consequences.' If God were to reply + to this impious complaint only by silence; if He were to suffer + the gloom of their hearts to thicken into tenfold darkness, and + give them up to their own malignity, till they died victims to + their own impiety and despair, the Lord would still be + righteous, they would then only eat of the fruit of their + doings. But, behold, the Lord gives a very unexpected message, + with which He bids us to follow men, to interrupt their sad + soliloquies, to stop their murmurs. 'Say unto them,' saith He, + 'As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death + of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. + Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways; for why will ye die?' + + Behold the inseparable connexion--we must turn, or die. Here + there is a question put by God to sinners. Let sinners then + answer the question which God puts to them,--'Why will ye die?' + Is death a motive not strong enough to induce you to forego a + momentary pleasure? Is it a light thing to fall into the hands + of the living God? Is a life of godliness so very intolerable as + not to be repaid by heavenly glory? Turn ye at His reproof--'Why + will ye die?' Is it because there is no hope? God has this very + hour testified with an oath that it is His desire to save you. + Yea, He at this moment expostulates with you and beseeches you + to seek Him. 'Why will ye die?' You know not why. If, then, you + are constrained--now accustomed as you are to + self-vindication--to acknowledge your unreasonableness, how much + more will you be speechless in the last day when madness will + admit of no palliation, and folly will appear without disguise! + + Are any returned to God? Do any believe they are really + returned?--then here they have consolation. It is a long time + before we lose our slavish dread of God, for our natural + prejudices and mistakes become inveterate by habit, and Satan + opposes the removal of them. But come now, and let us reason + together. Will ye also dishonour your God by accounting Him more + willing to destroy than to save you? _Will_ ye think hardly of + God? Oh, that I had been able to describe as it deserves, His + willingness to save! Oh, that I could have borrowed the pen of a + seraph, and dipped it in a fount of light! Could plainer words + be needed to describe the wonders of His love? Hearken, my + beloved brethren! Hath He no pleasure in the death of the + wicked, and will He take pleasure in yours? Hath He promised + His love, His tenderness to those who turn from their wicked + ways, and yet, when they are turned, straightway forgot His + promise? Harbour no more fearful, unbelieving thoughts. But the + reply is often that the fear is not of God, but of myself, lest + I have not turned away from my evil ways. But this point may + surely be ascertained, brethren; and if it may, any further + refinements on this subject are derogatory to God's honour. Let + these words convince you that, if you are willing to be saved in + His way, He is willing to save you. It may be you will still be + kept in darkness, but darkness is not always the frown of God; + it is only Himself--thy shade on thy right hand. Then tremble + not at the hand that wipes away thy tears; judge Him not by + feeble sense, but follow Him, though He lead thee by a way that + thou knewest not. + + There are some of you who have reason to hope that you have + turned from the error of your ways. Ye have tasted that the Lord + is gracious. It is but a taste, a foretaste, an antepast of the + feast of heaven. It was His pleasure that you should turn from + your ways; it is also His good pleasure to give you the kingdom. + Then what shall we recommend to you, but gratitude, admiration, + and praise? 'Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O + Zion.' Let each of us abundantly utter the memory of His great + goodness, and sing aloud of His righteousness. Let each say, + 'Awake, lute and harp; I myself will awake right early.' Let us + join the chorus of angels, and all the redeemed, in praising the + riches of His love in His kindness towards us through Christ + Jesus. + +As the fleet sailed from San Salvador, the captains were summoned to the +commodore, to learn that Cape Town and the Dutch settlement formed the +object of the expedition, and that stout resistance was expected. This +gave new zeal to the chaplain, were that possible, in his dealings with +the officers and men of his Majesty's 59th, and with the cadets, to whom +he taught mathematics in his unrewarded friendliness. Many were down +with dysentery, then and long a peculiarly fatal disease till the use of +ipecacuanha. His constant service made him also for some time a +sufferer. + + _1805, December 29._ (Sunday.)--My beloved spake and said unto + me, Rise up, &c. (Cant. ii. 10, 11). Ah! why cannot I rise and + go forth and meet my Lord? Every hindrance is removed: the wrath + of God, the guilt of sin, and severity of affliction; there is + nothing now in the world that has any strong hold of my + affections. Separated from my friends and country for ever in + this life, I have nothing to distract me from hearing the voice + of my beloved, and coming away from this world and walking with + Him in love, amidst the flowers that perfume the air of + Paradise, and the harmony of the happy spirits who are singing + His praise. But alas! my heart is cold and slothful. Preached on + 2 Peter iii. 11, taking notice at the end of these remarkable + circumstances, that made the text particularly applicable to us. + It was the last Sabbath of a year, which had been memorable to + us from our having left our country, and passed through many + dangers. Secondly, within a few days they were to meet an enemy + on the field of battle. Thirdly, the death of the captain. I was + enabled to be self-collected, and in some degree tender. There + was a great impression; many were in tears. Visited and + conversed with Mr. M. twice to-day, and marked some passages for + him to read. His heart seems tender. There was a considerable + number on the orlop in the afternoon. Expounded Matt. xix. and + prayed. In the evening Major Davidson and M'Kenzie came to my + cabin, and stayed nearly three hours. I read Romans vi. and + vii., and explained those difficult chapters as well as I + could, so that the Major, I hope, received a greater insight + into them; afterwards I prayed with them. But my own soul after + these ministrations seemed to have received harm rather than + good. It was an awful reflection that Judas was a preacher, + perhaps a successful one. Oh, let my soul tremble, lest, after + preaching to others, I myself should be a castaway. + + _1806. January 4._--Continued to approach the land; about sunset + the fleet came to an anchor between Robben Island and the land + on that side, farthest from Cape Town, and a signal was + immediately given for the 59th Regiment to prepare to land. Our + men were soon ready, and received thirty-six rounds of ball + cartridge; before the three boats were lowered down and fitted, + it was two in the morning. I stayed up to see them off; it was a + melancholy scene; the privates were keeping up their spirits by + affecting to joke about the approach of danger, and the ladies + sitting in the cold night upon the grating of the after-hatchway + overwhelmed with grief; the cadets, with M'Kenzie, who is one of + their officers, all went on board the Duchess of Gordon, the + general rendezvous of the company's troops. I could get to speak + to none of my people, but Corporals B. and B. I said to Sergeant + G., 'It is now high time to be decided in religion,' he replied + with a sigh; to Captain S. and the cadets I endeavoured to speak + in a general way. I this day signed my name as a witness to + Captain O.'s and Major Davidson's wills; Captain O. left his + with me; I passed my time at intervals in writing for to-morrow. + The interest I felt in the outward scene distracted me very much + from the things which are not seen, and all I could do in prayer + was to strive against this spirit. But with what horror should I + reflect on the motions of sins within me, which tempted me to + wish for bloodshed, as something gratifying by its sublimity. My + spirit would be overwhelmed by such a consciousness of + depravity, but that I can pray still deliberately against sin; + and often the Lord manifested His power by making the same + sinful soul to feel a longing desire that the blessed gospel of + peace might soothe the spirits of men, and make them all live + together in harmony and love. Yet the principle within me may + well fill me with shame and sorrow. + +Since, on April 9, 1652, Johan Anthonie van Riebeck by proclamation +took formal possession of the Cape for the Netherlands East India +Company, 'providing that the natives should be kindly treated,'[18] +the Dutch had governed South Africa for nearly a century and a half. +The natives had been outraged by the Boers, the Moravian missionaries +had departed, the colony had been starved, and yet denied the +rudiments of autonomy. The French Revolution changed all that, and +very much else. The Stadtholder of the United Provinces having allied +himself with Great Britain, Dumouriez entered Holland, and Pichegru +marched the armies of France over its frozen waters in the terrible +winter of 1794-5. To protect the trade with India from the French, +Admiral Elphinstone thereupon took possession of the Cape, which was +administered successively by General J.H. Craig, the Earl of +Macartney, Sir George Young, and Sir Francis Dundas, for seven +prosperous years, until the Treaty of Amiens restored it to the +Batavian Republic in February 1803. It was then a territory of 120,000 +square miles, reaching from the Cape to a curved line which extended +from the mouth of the Buffalo River in Little Namaqualand to the +present village of Colesberg. The Great Fish River was the eastern +boundary. Now the Christian colonies and settlements of South Africa, +enjoying British sovereignty and largely under self-governing +institutions, stretch north from the sea, and east and west from ocean +to ocean, to the great river Zambesi--the base from which Christian +civilisation, by missions and chartered companies, is slowly +penetrating the explored wilds of Central Africa up the lake region to +the Soudan and Ethiopia. + +This less than a century's progress has been made possible by the +expedition of 1806, in which Henry Martyn, almost alone, represented +Christianity. After the three years' respite given by the virtual +armistice of Amiens, Napoleon Bonaparte again plunged Europe and the +world into war. William Pitt's last government sent out this naval +armament under Sir Home Popham. The 5,000 troops were commanded by Sir +David Baird, who had fought and suffered in India when the senior of +the future Duke of Wellington. Henry Martyn has told us how the +squadron of the sixty-three sail had anchored between Robben Island +and the coast. The Dutch Governor, General Jan Willen Janssens, was +more worthy of his trust than his predecessor ten years before. He had +been compelled to send on a large portion of his force for the defence +of Java, soon to fall to Lord Minto, the Governor-General, and had +only 2,000 troops left. He had received only a fortnight's notice of +the approach of the British fleet, which was reported by an American +vessel. He drilled the colonists, he called French marines to his aid, +he organised Malay artillery, he embodied even Hottentot sepoys, and +made a reserve and refuge of Hottentot's Holland, from which he hoped +to starve Cape Town, should Baird capture it. Both armies were equal +in numbers at least. + +All was in vain. On January 8 was fought the battle of Blaauwberg (on +the side of Table Bay opposite Cape Town), from the plateau of which +the Dutch, having stood the musketry and field pieces, fled at the +charge of the bayonet with a loss of 700 men. The British, having +dropped 212, marched on Cape Town, halted at Papendorp, and there, on +January 10, 1806, were signed the articles of capitulation which have +ever since given the Roman-Dutch law to the colony. Sir David Baird +and Sir Home Popham soon after received the surrender of Janssens, +whose troops were granted all the honours of war in consideration of +their gallant conduct. At the Congress of Vienna in 1815 Lord +Castlereagh sacrificed Java to the Dutch, but kept South Africa for +Great Britain. The surrender of the former, in the midst of the +splendid successes of Sir Stamford Raffles, is ascribed to that +minister's ignorance of geography. He knew equally little of the Cape, +which he kept, beyond its importance to India, but God has overruled +all that for the good of Equatorial, as well as South, Africa, as, +thanks to David Livingstone, vacillating statesmen have begun to see. + +Henry Martyn's _Journal_ thus describes the battle and the battlefield. + + _1806, January._--Ten o'clock. When I got up, the army had left + the shore, except the Company's troops, who remained to guard + the landing-place; but soon after seven a most tremendous fire + of artillery began behind a mountain abreast of the ship; it + seemed as if the mountain itself were torn by intestine + convulsions. The smoke rose from a lesser eminence on the right + of the hill, and on the top of it troops were seen rushing down + the farther declivity; then came such a long drawn fire of + musketry, that I could not have conceived anything like it. We + all shuddered at considering what a multitude of souls must be + passing into eternity. The poor ladies were in a dreadful + condition, every peal seemed to go through their hearts; I have + just been endeavouring to do what I can to keep up their + spirits. The sound is now retiring, and the enemy are seen + retreating along the low ground on the right towards the town. + Soon after writing this I went ashore and saw M'K., &c., and + Cecil, with whom I had an agreeable conversation on Divine + things. The cadets of our ship had erected a little shed made of + bushes and straw, and here, at their desire, I partook of their + cheer. Three Highlanders came to the lines just as I arrived, + all wounded in the hand. In consequence of their report of the + number of the wounded, a party of East India troops, with slings + and barrows, attended by a body of cadets with arms, under Major + Lumsden, were ordered to march to the field of battle. + + I attached myself to these, and marched six miles through the + soft burning sand with them. The first we came to was a + Highlander, who had been shot through the thigh, and had walked + some way from the field and lay spent under some bushes. He was + taken care of and we went on, and passed the whole of the larger + hill without seeing anything. The ground then opened into a most + extensive plain, which extended from the sea to the blue + mountains at a great distance on the east. On the right was the + little hill, to which we were attracted by seeing some English + soldiers; we found that they were some wounded men of the 24th. + They had all been taken care of by the surgeons of the Staff. + Three were mortally wounded. One, who was shot through the + lungs, was spitting blood, and yet very sensible. The surgeon + desired me to spread a great-coat over him as they left him; as + I did this, I talked to him a little of the blessed Gospel, and + begged him to cry for mercy through Jesus Christ. The poor man + feebly turned his head in some surprise, but took no further + notice. I was sorry to be obliged to leave him and go on after + the troops, from whom I was not allowed to be absent, out of a + regard to my safety. On the top of the little hill lay Captain + F., of the grenadiers of the same regiment, dead, shot by a ball + entering his neck and passing into his head. I shuddered with + horror at the sight; his face and bosom were covered with thick + blood, and his limbs rigid and contracted as if he had died in + great agony. Near him were several others dead, picked off by + the riflemen of the enemy. We then descended into the plain + where the two armies had been drawn up. + + A marine of the Belliqueuse gave me a full account of the + position of the armies and particulars of the battle. We soon + met with some of the 59th, one a corporal, who often joins us in + singing, and who gave the pleasing intelligence that the + regiment had escaped unhurt, except Captain McPherson. In the + rear of the enemy's army there were some farm-houses, which we + had converted into a receptacle for the sick, and in which there + were already two hundred, chiefly English, with a few of the + enemy. Here I entered, and found that six officers were wounded; + but as the surgeon said they should not be disturbed, I did not + go in, especially as they were not dangerously wounded. In one + room I found a Dutch captain wounded, with whom I had a good + deal of conversation in French. After a few questions about the + army and the Cape, I could not help inquiring about Dr. + Vanderkemp; he said he had seen him, but believed he was not at + the Cape, nor knew how I might hear of him. The spectacle at + these houses was horrid. The wounded soldiers lay ranged within + and without covered with blood and gore. While the India troops + remained here, I walked out into the field of battle with the + surgeon. On the right wing, where they had been attacked by the + Highland regiment, the dead and wounded seemed to have been + strewed in great numbers, from the knapsacks, &c. Some of them + were still remaining; with a Frenchman whom I found amongst them + I had some conversation. All whom we approached cried out + instantly for water. One poor Hottentot I asked about Dr. + Vanderkemp, I saw by his manner that he knew him; he lay with + extraordinary patience under his wound on the burning sand; I + did what I could to make his position comfortable, and laid near + him some bread, which I found on the ground. Another Hottentot + lay struggling with his mouth in the dust, and the blood flowing + out of it, cursing the Dutch in English, in the most horrid + language; I told him he should rather forgive them, and asked + him about God, and after telling him of the Gospel, begged he + would pray to Jesus Christ; but he did not attend. While the + surgeon went back to get his instrument in hopes of saving the + man's life, a Highland soldier came up, and asked me in a rough + tone, 'Who are you?' I told him, 'An Englishman;' he said, 'No, + no, you are French,' and was going to present his musket. As I + saw he was rather intoxicated, and might in mere wantonness + fire, I went up to him and told him that if he liked he might + take me prisoner to the English army, but that I was certainly + an English clergyman. The man was pacified at last. The surgeon + on his return found the thigh bone of the poor Hottentot broken, + and therefore left him to die. After this I found an opportunity + of retiring, and lay down among the bushes, and lifted up my + soul to God. I cast my eyes over the plain which a few hours + before had been the scene of bloodshed and death, and mourned + over the dreadful effects of sin. How reviving to my thoughts + were the blue mountains on the east, where I conceived the + missionaries labouring to spread the Gospel of peace and love. + +At sunrise on the 10th, a gun from the commodore's ship was instantly +answered by all the men-of-war, as the British flag was seen flying on +the Dutch fort. The future historian of the Christianisation of +Africa will not fail to put in the forefront, at the same time, the +scene of Henry Martyn, on his knees, taking possession of the land, +and of all lands, for Christ. + + I could find it more agreeable to my own feelings to go and weep + with the relatives of the men whom the English have killed, than + to rejoice at the laurels they have won. I had a happy season in + prayer. No outward scene seemed to have power to distract my + thoughts. I prayed that the capture of the Cape might be ordered + to the advancement of Christ's kingdom; and that England, while + she sent the thunder of her arms to the distant regions of the + globe, might not remain proud and ungodly at home; but might + show herself great indeed, by sending forth the ministers of her + Church to diffuse the gospel of peace. + +Thus on Africa, as on South America, North India, Persia and Turkey, +is written the name of Henry Martyn. + +The previous government of the Cape by the British, under Sir Francis +Dundas, had been marked by the arrival, in 1799, of the London +Missionary Society's agents, Dr. Vanderkemp and Kicherer. With the +great chief Ngqika, afterwards at Graaff Reinet and then near Algoa +Bay, the quondam Dutch officer, Edinburgh medical student, and aged +landed proprietor, giving his all to Christ, had gathered in many +converts. Martyn, who had learned to admire Vanderkemp from his books, +was even more delighted with the venerable man. Driven by the Boers +into Cape Town, the old missionary, and Mr. Reid, his colleague, were +found in the midst of their daily services with the Hottentots and +Kafirs. In such society, worshipping through the Dutch language, the +India chaplain spent the greater part of the five weeks' detention of +the Union. 'Dear Dr. Vanderkemp gave me a Syriac Testament as a +remembrance of him.' When Martyn and Reid parted, the latter for Algoa +Bay, 'we spoke again of the excellency of the missionary work. The +last time I had stood on the shore with a friend speaking on the same +subject, was with Lydia, at Marazion.' In Isaiah, and Leighton, +especially his _Rules for a Holy Life_, the missionary chaplain found +comfort and stimulus. + + _February 5, 1806._--I am born for God only. Christ is nearer to + me than father, or mother, or sister,--a nearer relation, a more + affectionate friend; and I rejoice to follow Him, and to love + Him. Blessed Jesus! Thou art all I want--a forerunner to me in + all I ever shall go through, as a Christian, a minister, or a + missionary. + + _February 13._--After breakfast had a solemn season in prayer, + with the same impressions as yesterday, from Leighton, and tried + to give up myself wholly to God, not only to be resigned solely + to His will, but to seek my only pleasure from it, to depart + altogether from the world, and be exactly the same in happiness, + whether painful or pleasing dispensations were appointed me: I + endeavoured to realise again the truth, that suffering was my + appointed portion, and that it became me to expect it as my + daily lot. Yet after all, I was ready to cry out, what an + unfortunate creature I am, the child of sorrow and care; from my + infancy I have met with nothing but contradiction, but I always + solaced myself that one day it would be better, and I should + find myself comfortably settled in the enjoyment of domestic + pleasures, whereas, after all the wearying labours of school and + college, I am at last cut off from all my friends, and comforts, + and dearest hopes, without being permitted even to hope for them + any more. As I walked the deck, I found that the conversation of + others, and my own gloomy surmises of my future trials, + affected me far less with vexation, than they formerly did, + merely from this, that I took it as my portion from God, all + whose dispensations I am bound to consider and receive as the + fruits of infinite wisdom and love towards me. I felt, + therefore, very quiet, and was manifestly strengthened from + above with might in my inner man; therefore, without any joy, + without any pleasant considerations to balance my present + sickness and gloom, I was contented from the reflection, that it + was God who did it. I pray that this may be my state--neither to + be anxious to escape from this stormy sea that was round the + Cape, nor to change the tedious scene of the ship for Madras, + nor to leave this world merely to get rid of the troubles of it, + but to glorify God where I am, and where He puts me, and to take + each day as an important trust for Him, in which I have much to + do both in suffering and acting. Employed in collecting from the + New Testament all the passages that refer to our walking in + Christ. + + _February 18._--Completed my twenty-fifth year. Let me recollect + it to my own shame, and be warned by it, to spend my future + years to a better purpose; unless this be the case, it is of + very little consequence to notice when such a person came into + the world. Passed much of the morning in prayer, but could not + succeed at all in getting an humble and contrite spirit; my + pride and self-esteem seemed unconquerable. Wrote sermon with my + mind impressed with the necessity of diligence: had the usual + service, and talked much to a sick man. Read Hindustani. + + _February 27._--Rose once more after a sleepless night, and had + in consequence a peevish temper to contend with. Had a + comfortable and fervent season of prayer, in the morning, while + interceding for the heathen from some of the chapters in Isaiah. + How striking did those words Isaiah xlii. 8 appear to me, 'I am + the Lord, that is My name; and My glory will I not give to + another, neither My praise to graven images.' Lord, is not Thy + praise given to graven images in India? Here, then, is Thine own + express word that it shall not continue to be so. And how easy + is it for the mighty God that created the heavens and stretched + them out, that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out + of it; that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to + them that walk therein; to effect His purposes in a moment. What + is caste? What are inveterate prejudices, and civil power, and + priestly bigotry, when once the Lord shall set to His hand? Who + knows whether even the present generation may not see Satan's + throne shaken to its base in India? Learning Hindustani words in + the morning; in the afternoon below, and much hurt at the cold + reception the men gave me. + + _March 7._--Endeavoured this morning to consider Christ as the + High Priest of my profession. Never do I set myself to + understand the nature of my walk in Christ without getting good + to my soul. Employed as usual through the day. Heard from + M'Kenzie that they are not yet tired with inveighing against my + doctrines. They took occasion also to say, from my salary, that + 'Martyn, as well as the rest, can share the plunder of the + natives in India; whether it is just or not he does not care.' + This brought back the doubts I formerly had about the lawfulness + of receiving anything from the Company. My mind is not yet + comfortable about it. I see it, however, my duty to wait in + faith and patience, till the Lord shall satisfy my doubts one + way or other. I would wish for no species of connection with the + East India Company, and notwithstanding the large sums I have + borrowed on the credit of my salary, which I shall never be able + to repay from any other means, I would wish to become a + missionary, dependent on a society; but I know not how to + decide. The Lord in mercy keep my soul in peace. Other thoughts + have occurred to me since. A man who has unjustly got + possession of an estate hires me as a minister to preach to his + servants, and pays me a salary: the money wherewith he pays me + comes unjustly to him, but justly to me. The Company are the + acknowledged proprietors of the country, the ruling power. If I + were to refuse to go there, I might, on the same account, refuse + to go to France, and preach to the French people or bodyguard of + the emperor, because the present monarch who pays me is not the + lawful one. If there were a company of Mohammedan merchants or + Mohammedan princes in possession of the country, should I + hesitate to accept an offer of officiating as chaplain among + them, and receiving a salary? + + _March 14._--_Suavissima vita est indies sentire se fieri + meliorem._ So I can say from former experience more than from + present. But oh, it is the ardent desire of my soul to regard + all earthly things with indifference, as one who dwells above + with God. May I grow in grace; may the grace of God, which + bringeth salvation, teach me to become daily more spiritual, + more humble, more steadfast in Christ, more meek, more wise, and + in all things to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this + present world. How shall I attain to greater + heavenly-mindedness? Rose refreshed after a good night's sleep, + and wrote on a subject; had much conversation with Mr. B. upon + deck; he seemed much surprised when I corrected his notions on + religion, but received what I said with great candour. He said + there was a minister at Madras, a Dane, with whom Sir D. Baird + was well acquainted, who used to speak in the same manner of + religion, whose name was Schwartz. My attention was instantly + roused at the venerable name, and I eagerly inquired of him all + the particulars with which he was acquainted. He had often heard + him preach, and Mr. Jnicke had often breakfasted with him; + Schwartz, he said, had a very commanding manner, and used to + preach extempore in English at Madras; he died very poor. In + the afternoon had a service below; much of the evening M'Kenzie + passed with me, and prayed. + + _March 26._--Passed much time before breakfast in sitting on the + poop, through utter disinclination to all exertion. Such is the + enervating effect of the climate; but after staying some hours + learning Hindustani words, 2 Timothy ii. roused me to a bodily + exertion. I felt strong in spirit, resolving, if I died under + it, to make the body submit to robust exercise; so I walked the + deck with great rapidity for an hour and a half. My animal + spirits were altered instantly; I felt a happy and joyful desire + to brave the enervating effects of India in the service of the + blessed Lord Jesus. B. still delirious and dying fast: the first + thing he said to me when I visited him this afternoon, was, 'Mr. + Martyn, what will you choose for a kingdom?' I made no answer to + this, but thought of it a good deal afterwards. What would I + choose? Why, I do not know that anything would be a heaven to + me, but the service of Christ, and the enjoyment of His + presence. + +In this spirit, coasting Ceylon, and getting his first sight of India +at the Danish mission station of Tranquebar, on April 22, 1806, Henry +Martyn landed at Madras. To Mr. Hitchins he afterwards wrote: + + There was nothing remarkable in this first part of India which I + visited; it was by no means so romantic as America. Vast numbers + of black people were walking about with no dress but a little + about their middle, but no European was to be seen except here + and there one in a palanquin. Once I preached at Fort St. + George, though the chaplains hardly knew what to make of such + sort of preaching; they were, however, not offended. Finding + that the people would bear to be addressed plainly, and not + really think the worse of a minister for dealing closely with + their consciences, they determined, they said, to preach the + Gospel as I did; but I fear that one, if not both, has yet to + learn what the Gospel is. I breakfasted one day with Sir E. + Pellew, the Port Admiral at Madras, and met S. Cole, his + captain. I was perfectly delighted to find one with whom I could + speak about St. Hilary and Marazion; we spoke of every person, + place, and thing we could think of in your neighbourhood. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[16] _Twenty Sermons_, by the late Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D. Fourth +edition (from first edition printed at Calcutta), London, 1822. + +[17] _Five Sermons_ (never before published), by the late Rev. Henry +Martyn, B.D., with a prefatory letter on missionary enterprise, by the +Rev. G.T. Fox, M.A., London, 1862. + +[18] George M. Theal's _South African History_, Lovedale Institution +Press, 1873. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +INDIA AND THE EAST IN THE YEAR 1806 + + +Henry Martyn reached India, and entered on his official duties as +chaplain and the work of his heart as missionary to North India, at a +time when the Anglo-Indian community had begun to follow society in +England, in a reformation of life and manners, and in a corresponding +desire to do good to the natives. The evangelical reaction set in +motion by the Pietists, Moravians, and Marrow-men, John Wesley and +Whitfield, Andrew Fuller and Simeon, John Erskine and the Haldanes, +had first affected South India and Madras, where Protestant Christian +Missions were just a century old. The Danish-Halle men, led by +Ziegenbalg and Schwartz, had found support in the Society for +Promoting Christian Knowledge from the year 1709. So early as 1716 an +East India Company's chaplain, the Rev. William Stevenson, wrote a +remarkable letter to that society,[19] 'concerning the most effectual +way of propagating the Gospel in this (South India) part of the +world.' He urged a union of the several agencies in England, Denmark, +and Germany into one common Society for Promoting the Protestant +Missions, the formation of colleges in Europe to train missionaries, the +raising of an annual income of 3,000_l._, and the maintenance therewith +of a staff of at least eight well-qualified missionaries. By a century +and a half he anticipated the proposal of that union which gives +strength and charity; the erection of colleges, at Tranquebar and +Madras, to train native ministers, catechists, and schoolmasters, and +the opening of free schools in every considerable place superintended by +the European missionaries on the circle system. Another Madras chaplain, +the Rev. George Lewis, was no less friendly and helpful to Ziegenbalg; +he was Mr. Stevenson's predecessor, and wrote in 1712. + +In North India--where the casteless races of the hills, corresponding +to the Shanars around Cape Comorin, were not discovered till far on in +the present century--almost everything was different. By the time that +the Evangelical Church directed its attention to Calcutta, the East +India Company had become a political, and consequently an intolerant, +power. It feared Christian proselytism, and it encouraged Hindu and +Mohammedan beliefs and institutions. Whereas, in Madras, it gladly +used Schwartz, subsidised the mission with 500 pagodas or 225_l._ a +year, and had always conveyed the missionaries' freight in its ships +free of charge, in Bengal it kept out missionaries, or so treated them +with all the rigour of the law against 'interlopers,' that William +Carey had to begin his career as an indigo planter, and seek +protection in Danish Serampore, where he became openly and only a +preacher and teacher of Christ. North India, too, with Calcutta and +Benares as its two Hindu centres, and Lucknow and Delhi as its two +Mohammedan centres, Shiah and Soonni, was, and is, the very citadel of +all the non-Christian world. The same Gospel which had proved the +power of God to the simple demonolators of the Dravidian south, must +be shown to be the wisdom of God to the Koolin of Bengal, the Brahman +of Kasi, the fanatical Muslim from Dacca, and ultimately to Peshawur +and Cabul, Persia and Arabia. The Himalayan and Gangetic land--from +which Buddhism overran Eastern and Southern Asia--must again send +forth a missionary message to call Cathay to Christ. + +The Christianising of North India began in 1758, the year after the +battle of Plassey, when, as Governor, the conqueror, Clive, welcomed +his old acquaintance, of the Cuddalore Mission, the Swede Kiernander, +to Calcutta, and gave him a rent-free house for eight years. Even +Burke was friendly with Clive, writing of him: 'Lord Clive once +thought himself obliged to me for having done what I thought an act of +justice towards him;'[20] and it is pleasant thus to be able in any +way to link that name with the purely spiritual force which used the +Plassey and the Mutiny wars, as it will direct all events, for making +India Christ's. The first church, built in 1715 by the merchants and +captains, had been destroyed by a hurricane; the second had been +demolished by Suraj-ood-Dowlah, in the siege of Calcutta, two years +before, and one of the two chaplains had perished in the Black Hole, +while the other was driven away. For the next thirty years the few who +went to the chaplains' church worshipped in a small bungalow in the +old fort, where Kiernander opened his first school. By 1771-4 he had +formed such a congregation of poor Christians--Portuguese, Roman +Catholics, and Bengali converts--that he built and extended the famous +Mission Church and School-house, at a cost of 12,000_l._, received +from both his marriages. When, by becoming surety for another, the old +man lost his all, and blindness added to his sorrows, he left an +English congregation of 147 members, and a Native congregation of 119, +half Portuguese or Eurasians, and half Bengali. + +Kiernander's Mission Church was the centre of the religious life of +Calcutta and Bengal. Six years after its foundation there came to +Calcutta, from Madras, Mr. William Chambers--who had been converted by +Schwartz--and John Christian Obeck, who had been one of the catechists +of the Apostle of South India. Chambers had not been a year in the +capital when he found out Charles Grant, at that time overwhelmed by a +domestic sorrow, and brought him to Christ. Grant soon after went to +Maldah as Commercial Resident, where he had as his subordinates, +George Udny, Ellerton, W. Brown, W. Grant, J. Henry, and Creighton. +These men, with their families, Sir Robert Chambers, of the Supreme +Court, Mrs. Anne Chambers who was with her sons, Mrs. Chapman, and +others less known, formed the nucleus of a Christian community which +first supported Thomas as a medical missionary, then welcomed Carey, +and, with the assistance of two Governor-Generals, Sir John Shore and +Lord Wellesley, changed the tone of Anglo-Indian society. Sir William +Jones, too, in his brief career of six years, set an example of all +the virtues. Henry Martyn had two predecessors as Evangelical +chaplains and missionary philanthropists, the Yorkshire David Brown, +and the Scottish Claudius Buchanan. + +David Brown, an early friend of Simeon and Fellow of Magdalen College, +was recovering from a long illness in 1785, when a letter reached him +from London, proposing that he should seek ordination, and in ten days +he accompanied Captain Kirkpatrick to Calcutta to superintend the +Military Orphan School. The officers of the Bengal Army had unanimously +resolved to tax themselves for the removal and prevention of the scandal +caused by the number of boys and girls left destitute--no fewer than 500 +at that time. This noble school, the blessings of which were soon +extended to the white and coloured offspring of non-commissioned +officers and soldiers also, was organised at Howrah by Brown, who then +was made chaplain to a brigade, and afterwards one of the Fort William +or Presidency chaplains. He found the Mission practically non-existent, +owing to Kiernander's losses and old age. To save the buildings from +sale by the sheriff, Charles Grant bought them for 10,000 rupees and +vested them in himself, Mr. A. Chambers, and Mr. Brown, by a deed +providing that they remain appropriated to the sole purposes of +religion. Until the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge could send +out a minister, David Brown greatly extended the work of Kiernander. At +one time it was likely that Henry Martyn would be sent out by Mr. Grant. +Under the Church Missionary Society the Mission Church of Calcutta has +ever since been identified with all that is best in pure religion and +missionary enterprise in the city of Calcutta. + +When sending out the Rev. A.T. Clarke, B.A. of Trinity College, +Cambridge, who soon after became a chaplain, the Christian Knowledge +Society, referring to Schwartz and Germany, fertile in missionaries, +declared, 'It has been the surprise of many, and the lamentation of +more, that fortitude thus exemplified should not have inspired some of +our own clergy with an emulation to follow and to imitate these +champions of the Cross, thus seeking and thus contending to save them +who are lost.' That was in 1789, when the Society and Dr. Watson, +Bishop of Llandaff, along with Simeon, Wilberforce, and the other +Clapham men, had before it, officially, the request of Charles Grant, +Chambers and Brown to send out eight English missionaries on 350_l._ a +year each, to study at Benares and attack Hinduism in its very centre. +Not till 1817 was the first Church of England missionary, as such, the +Rev. William Greenwood, to settle in Ceylon and then in Bengal. Even +he became rather an additional chaplain to the invalid soldiers at +Chunar. + +After a career not unlike that of John Newton, who first directed his +attention to India, Claudius Buchanan, whom his father had intended to +educate for the ministry of the Church of Scotland, wandered to +London, was sent to Queen's College, Cambridge, by Mr. Thornton of +Clapham; there came under Simeon's influence, and was appointed to +Bengal as a chaplain by Mr. Grant. That was in 1796. For the next ten +years in Barrackpore and Calcutta as the trusted chaplain of Lord +Wellesley, by his researches in South India, by his promotion of Bible +translation, and by the interest in the Christianising of India which +his generous prizes excited in the Universities and Churches of +England and Scotland, Dr. Claudius Buchanan was the foremost +ecclesiastic in the East. He at once gave an impulse to the silent +revolution which David Brown began and the Serampore missionaries +carried on. His Christian statesmanship commended him to all the +authorities, and soon the new Cathedral of St. John, which Warren +Hastings had erected to supersede the old Bungalow Church, became +filled with an attentive and devout congregation, as well as the +mission church. These two men and William Carey formed the pillars of +the College of Fort William, by which Lord Wellesley not only educated +the young civilians and military officers in the Oriental languages, and +in their duties to the natives, but developed a high ideal of public +life and personal morality. Such was the growth of Christian feeling +alike in the army and the civil service, and such the sense of duty to +the rapidly increasing Eurasian community, as well as to the natives, +that by 1803 Claudius Buchanan submitted to the Governor-General, the +Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop Porteus, his _Thoughts on the +Expediency of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for British India_. It +took ten years, covering the whole period of Henry Martyn's activities +and life, from this time for the proposal to be legislatively carried +out in the East India Company's Charter of 1813. + +Practically--except in Maldah residency during the influence of Grant, +Udny, and Carey at the end of last century--the reformation was +confined to Calcutta, as we shall see. It was a young lieutenant of +the Company's army who was the first to draw the attention of the +Governor-General, Sir John Shore, in 1794, to the total neglect of +religion in Bengal. Lieutenant White wrote that he had been eleven +years in the country without having had it in his power to hear the +public prayers of the Church above five times. He urged the regular +worship of God, the public performance of Divine service, and +preaching at all the stations. He proposed 'additional chaplains to +the Company's complement for considerable places which now have none +to officiate. Unless places were erected at the different stations for +assembling to Divine service, it must be impossible for chaplains even +to be able to do their duty, and to assemble the people together.' +The letter delighted the Governor-General, who said of it to David +Brown, 'I shall certainly recommend places to be made at the stations, +and shall desire the General who is going up the country to take this +matter in charge, and to fix on spots where chapels shall be erected.' +Nothing was done in consequence of this, however. It was left to +Martyn, and the other chaplains who were in earnest, to find or create +covered places for worship at the great military stations. Claudius +Buchanan himself could not hold regular services at Barrackpore, close +to Calcutta, for want of a church, and that was supplied long after by +adapting and consecrating the station theatre! + +The figures in Buchanan's published Memoir on the Expediency of an +Ecclesiastical Establishment, enable us to estimate exactly the +spiritual destitution of the Protestant subjects of the British +Government in Asia. Twelve years after Lieutenant White, Sir John +Shore, David Brown, and Claudius Buchanan first raised the question, +and when Henry Martyn began his ministrations to all classes, there +were 676,557 Protestant subjects in India, Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, and +Canton, Roman Catholics and Syrian Christians not included. In the +three Presidencies of India alone there were 156,057, of whom 7,257 +were civil and military officers and inhabitants, 6,000 were the +Company's European troops, 19,800 were the King's troops, 110,000 were +Eurasians, and 13,000 were 'native Protestant Christians at Tanjore.' +In Bengal alone--that is, North India--there were fifty stations, +thirty-one civil and nineteen military, many of which had been +'without the offices of religion for twenty years past, though at each +there reside generally a judge, a collector, a commercial resident, +with families, together with their assistants and families, and a +surgeon;' also indigo planters, tradesmen, and other European +inhabitants and the alarmingly large number of Eurasians. In Bengal +alone there were 13,299 European Protestants, of whom 2,467 were civil +servants and military officers; of the whole 13,299, 'a tenth part do +not return to England,' and desire Christian education and confirmation +for their children. Yet 'at present there are but three churches in +India, the chief of which was aided in construction by Hindu +contribution.' The India _Journals and Letters_ of Martyn must be read +in the light of all this. + +It was thus that the successive generations of soldiers and civilians +who won for Christian England its Indian Empire in the century from +Clive to Wellesley, Hastings, and Dalhousie, were de-Christianised. +Not till the close of the Mutiny war in 1858 did John Lawrence, first +as Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab and then as Viceroy, and Sir +Robert Montgomery as Lieutenant-Governor, lead the Queen's Government +to do its duty, by erecting, or helping Christians to erect, a chapel +in every station up to Peshawur and Burma--that, to use Buchanan's +language in 1806, 'the English soldiers and our countrymen of all +descriptions, after long absence from a Christian country, may +recognise a church.' Including Ceylon, Buchanan's scheme proposed an +annual expenditure of 144,000_l._ for four dioceses, with 50 English +chaplains and 100 native curates, 200 schoolmasters and 4 colleges to +train both Europeans and natives for the ministry; of this, Parliament +to give 100,000_l._ The ecclesiastical establishment of India--without +Ceylon, but including Church of Scotland chaplains, and grants to +Wesleyans and Roman Catholics--now costs India itself 160,000_l._ a +year, while the annual value of the lands devoted to the non-Christian +cults is many millions sterling. With all this, and the aid of the +Additional Clergy and Anglo-Indian Evangelisation Societies, and of +the missionaries to the natives, Great Britain does not meet the +spiritual wants of the now enormous number and scattered communities +of Christian soldiers and residents in its Indian Empire. + +Henry Martyn went out to India at a time when the government of India +had been temporarily entrusted to one of the only three or four +incompetent and unworthy men who have held the high office of +Governor-General. Sir George Barlow was a Bengal civilian of the old +type, whom Lord Wellesley had found so zealous and useful in matters of +routine that he had recommended him as provisional Governor-General. But +the moment that that proconsul had seated the East India Company on the +throne of the Great Mogul, as has been said, and Lord Cornwallis, who +had been hurried out a second time to undo his magnificent and just +policy, had died at Ghazipore, Sir George Barlow showed the most +disastrous zeal in opposition to all his former convictions. By +withholding from Sindia the lamentable despatch of September 19, 1805, +which Lord Cornwallis had signed when the unconsciousness of death had +already weakened his efficiency, Lord Lake gave the civil authorities a +final opportunity to consider their ways. But Barlow's stupidity--now +clothed with the almost dictator's power of the highest office under the +British Crown, as it was in those days--deliberately declared it to be +his desire, not only to fix the limit of our empire at the Jumna, a +river fordable by an enemy at all times, but to promote general anarchy +beyond that frontier as the best security for British peace within it. +The peace of Southern Asia and the good of its peoples were postponed +for years, till, with difficulty, the Marquis of Hastings restored the +empire to the position in which Lord Wellesley had left it. Sir George +Barlow is responsible for the twelve years' anarchy of British India, +from 1805 to 1817. His administration, which became such a failure that +he was removed to Madras, and was from even that province recalled, must +rank as a blot on the otherwise unbroken splendour and benevolence to +the subject races of the government of South Asia in the century and a +half from Clive to Lord Lansdowne. + +The man who, from dull stolidity more than from Macchiavellian craft, +thus again plunged half India into a series of wars by chief upon +chief and creed upon creed, was no less guilty of intolerance to +Christianity within the Company's territories. On the one hand, in +opposition to the views of Lord Wellesley, and even of the Court of +Directors led by Charles Grant, he made the Company's government the +direct manager of the Poori temple of Jaganath and its dancing girls; +on the other, he would have banished the Serampore and all Christian +missionaries from the country, but for the courageous opposition of +the little Governor of that Danish settlement. All too late he was +relieved by Lord Minto, whom the Brahmanised officials of 1807 to 1810 +used for a final and futile effort to crush Christianity out of India, +to the indignation of Henry Martyn, whose language in his _Journal_ is +not more unmeasured than the intolerance deserves. But in his purely +foreign policy Lord Minto proved that he had not held the office of +President of the Board of Control in vain. He once more asserted the +only reason for the existence of a foreign power in India, 'the +suppression of intestine disorder,' clearing Bundelkhund of robber +chiefs and military strongholds. Surrounded and assisted by the +brilliant civilians and military officers whom Wellesley and Carey had +trained--men like Mountstuart Elphinstone, Metcalfe and Malcolm--Lord +Minto proved equal to the strain which the designs of Napoleon +Bonaparte in the Treaty of Tilsit put upon our infant empire in the +East. He sent Metcalfe to Lahore, and confined the dangerous power of +Ranjeet Singh to the north of the Sutlej. He despatched Elphinstone to +Cabul, introducing the wise policy which has converted Afghanistan +into a friendly subsidised State; and through Malcolm he opened Persia +to English influence, paving the way for the embassy of Wellesley's +friend, Sir Gore Ouseley, and--unconsciously--for the kindly reception +of Henry Martyn. + +It was on April 22, 1806, at sunrise, that the young chaplain landed +from the surf-boat on the sands of Madras. His experience at San +Salvador had prepared him for the scene, and even for the crowds of +dark natives, though not for 'the elegance of their manners.' 'I felt +a solemn sort of melancholy at the sight of such multitudes of +idolators. While the turbaned Asiatics waited upon us at dinner, about +a dozen of them, I could not help feeling as if we had got into their +places.' He visited the native suburb in which his Hindustani-speaking +servants dwelt, and was depressed by its 'appearance of wretchedness.' +His soul was filled with the zeal of the Old Testament prophets +against idolatry, the first sight of which--of men, women, and +children, mad upon their idols--produces an impression which he does +not exaggerate: 'I fancy the frown of God to be visible.' He lost not +a day in commending his Master to the people. 'Had a good deal of +conversation with a Rajpoot about religion, and told him of the +Gospel.' The young natives pressed upon the new-comer as usual. 'Rose +early, but could not enjoy morning meditations in my walk, as the +young men would attach themselves to me.' + +He was much in the society of the Rev. Dr. Kerr[21] and the other +Madras chaplains; one of these was about to proceed to Seringapatam, +where Martyn urged him to 'devote himself to the work of preaching to +the natives.' This was ever foremost in his thoughts. He spent days in +obtaining from Dr. Kerr 'a vast deal of information about all the +chaplains and missionaries in the country, which he promised to put in +writing for me.' Schwartz was not then dead ten years, and Dr. Kerr, +who had known him and Guericke well, gave his eager listener many +details of the great missionary. + + Felt excessively delighted with accounts of a very late date + from Bengal, describing the labours of the missionaries, and was + rather agitated at the confusion of interesting thoughts that + crowded upon me; but I reasoned, Why thus? God may never honour + you with a missionary commission; you must expect to leave the + field, and bid adieu to the world and all its concerns. + +On his first Sunday in India, April 27, 1806, Henry Martyn assisted in +the service in the church at Fort St. George, and preached from Luke +x. 41, 42, 'One thing is needful.' + + There was much attention, and Lord William sent to Dr. Kerr + afterwards to request a copy of the sermon; but I believe it was + generally thought too severe. After dinner, went to Black Town + to Mr. Loveless's chapel. I sat in the air at the door enjoying + the blessed sound of the Gospel on an Indian shore, and joining + with much comfort in the song of divine praise. With young + Torriano I had some conversation respecting his entering the + ministry, as he spoke the Malabar tongue fluently. Walked home + at night enjoying the presence of God. + + _April 28._--This morning, at breakfast, Sir E. Pellew came in + and said: 'Upon my word, Mr. Martyn, you gave us a good trimming + yesterday.' As this was before a large company, and I was taken + by surprise, I knew not what to say. Passed most of the day in + transcribing the sermon. There was nothing very awakening in it. + About five in the evening I walked to Dr. Kerr's, and found my + way across the fields, which much resembled those near + Cambridge; I stopped some time to take a view of the men drawing + 'toddy' from the tree, and their manner of ploughing. + + _April 30._--Breakfasted at Sir E. Pellew's with Captain S. Cole + of the Culloden. I had a good deal of conversation about our + friends at St. Hilary and Marazion. Continued at home the rest + of the day transcribing sermon, and reading Zechariah. In the + evening drove with Dr. Kerr to Mr. Faulkner's, the Persian + translator, five or six miles in the country. We had some useful + conversation about the languages. On my return walked by + moonlight in the grounds reflecting on the mission. My soul was + at first sore tried by desponding thoughts: but God wonderfully + assisted me to trust Him for the wisdom of His dispensations. + Truly, therefore, will I say again, 'Who art thou, O great + mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain.' How easy + for God to do it! and it shall be done in good time: and even if + I never should see a native converted, God may design by my + patience and continuance in the work to encourage future + missionaries. But what surprises me is the change of views I + have here from what I had in England.--There, my heart expanded + with hope and joy at the prospect of the speedy conversion of + the heathen! but here, the sight of the apparent impossibility + requires a strong faith to support the spirits. + +The 'Lord William' of the _Journal_ is the Governor of Madras, Lord +William Bentinck, whom, at the beginning of his Indian career, it is +interesting to find thus pleasantly brought into contact with Henry +Martyn--just as he became the fast friend of Alexander Duff, at the +close of his long and beneficent services to his country and to +humanity. In two months thereafter the Vellore Mutiny was to break +out, through no fault of his, and he was to be recalled by an act of +injustice for which George Canning and the Court of Directors atoned +twenty years after by appointing him Governor-General. + +After a fortnight off Madras, the Union once more set sail under the +convoy of the Victor sloop-of-war. Every moment the young scholar had +sought to add to his knowledge of Hindustani and Persian. He changed +his first native servant for one who could speak Hindustani. He drove +with Dr. Kerr to Mr. Faulkner's, the Persian translator to Government. +'We had some useful conversation about the languages.' On the voyage +to Calcutta, he was 'employed in learning Bengali. Passed the +afternoon on the poop reading Sale's _Al Coran_.' Only missionary +thoughts and aspirations ruled his mind, now despairing of his own +fitness; now refreshed as he turned from the Church Missionary +Society's reports to the evangelical prophecies of Malachi; again +praying for the young missionaries of the London Society as he passed +Vizagapatam, and for 'poor India' as he came in sight of the Jaganath +pagoda, 'much resembling in appearance Roche Rock in Cornwall ... the +scene presented another specimen of that tremendous gloom with which +the devil has overspread the land.' After taking a pilot on board in +Balasore Roads, where Carey had first landed, the ship was driven out +to sea by a north-wester, and Henry Martyn suffered from his first +sunstroke. In three days she anchored in the Hoogli, above Culpee, and +on May 13 bumped on that dreaded shoal, the James and Mary. 'The +captain considered the vessel as lost. Retired as soon as possible for +prayer, and found my soul in peace at the prospect of death.' She +floated off, exchanging most of the treasure into a tender which lay +becalmed off the Garden Reach suburb, then 'very beautiful.' + +Henry Martyn landed at Calcutta in the height of the hot season, on +May 16, 1806. Claudius Buchanan had passed him at the mouth of the +Hoogli, setting out on the tour of the coasts of India, which resulted +in the _Christian Researches_. David Brown was in his country retreat +at Aldeen, near Serampore. + +The man whom, next to his own colleagues, he first sought out was the +quondam shoemaker of Hackleton, and poor Baptist preacher of Moulton, +the Bengali missionary to whose success Charles Simeon had pointed him +when fresh from the triumph of Senior Wrangler; the apostle then +forty-five years of age, who was busy with the duties of Professor of +Sanskrit, Bengali, and Marathi, in the College of Fort William, that +he might have the Bible translated into all the languages of Asia, and +preached in all the villages of North India. + + _1806, May 16._--Went ashore at daylight this morning, and with + some difficulty found Carey: Messrs. Brown and Buchanan being + both absent from Calcutta. With him I breakfasted, joined with + him in worship, which was in Bengali for the advantage of a few + servants, who sat, however, perfectly unmoved. I could not help + contrasting them with the slaves and Hottentots at Cape Town, + whose hearts seemed to burn within them. After breakfast Carey + began to translate, with a Pandit, from a Sanskrit manuscript. + Presently after, Dr. Taylor came in. I had engaged a boat to go + to Serampore, when a letter from Mr. Brown found me out, and + directed me to his house in the town, where I spent the rest of + the day in solitude, and more comfortably and profitably than + any time past. I enjoyed several solemn seasons in prayer, and + more lively impressions from God's Word. I felt elevated above + those distressing fears and distractions which pride and + worldliness engender in the mind. Employed at times in writing + to Mr. Simeon, Mr. Brown's moonshi; a Brahmin of the name of B. + Roy came in and disputed with me two hours about the Gospel. I + was really surprised at him; he spoke English very well and + possessed more acuteness, good sense, moderation, and + acquaintance with the Scriptures than I could conceive to be + found in an Indian. He spoke with uncommon energy and eloquence, + intending to show that Christianity and Hinduism did not + materially differ. He asked me to explain my system, and adduce + the proofs of it from the Bible, which he said he believed was + the Word of God. When I asked him about his idolatry, he asked + in turn what I had to say to our worshipping Christ. This led to + inquiries about the Trinity, which, after hearing what I had to + say, he observed was actually the Hindu notion. I explained + several things about the Jews and the Old Testament, about which + he wanted information, with all which he was amazingly pleased. + I feel much encouraged by this to go to instruct them. I see + that they are a religious people, as St. Paul called the + Athenians, and my heart almost springs at the thought that the + time is ripening for the fulness of the Gentiles to come in. + + _May 17._--A day more unprofitable than the foregoing; the + depravity of my heart, as it is in its natural frame, appeared + to me to-day almost unconquerable. I could not, however long in + prayer, keep the presence of God, or the power of the world to + come, in my mind at all. It sunk down to its most lukewarm + state, and continued in general so, in spite of my endeavours. + Oh, how I need a deep heartrending work of the Spirit upon + myself, before I shall save myself, or them that hear me! What I + hear about my future destination has proved a trial to me + to-day. My dear brethren, Brown and Buchanan, wish to keep me + here, as I expected, and the Governor accedes to their wishes. I + have a great many reasons for not liking this; I almost think + that to be prevented going among the heathen as a missionary + would break my heart. Whether it be self-will or aught else, I + cannot yet rightly ascertain. At all events I must learn + submission to everything. In the multitude of my thoughts Thy + comforts delight my soul. I have been running the hurried round + of thought without God. I have forgotten that He ordereth + everything. I have been bearing the burden of my cares myself, + instead of casting them all upon Him. Mr. Brown came in to-day + from Serampore, and gave me directions how to proceed; continued + at home writing to E. In the afternoon went on board, but + without being able to get my things away. Much of the rest of + the day passed in conversation with Mr. Brown. I feel pressed in + spirit to do something for God. Everybody is diligent, but I am + idle; all employed in their proper work, but I tossed in + uncertainty; I want nothing but grace; I want to be perfectly + holy, and to save myself and those that hear me. I have hitherto + lived to little purpose, more like a clod than a servant of God; + now let me burn out for God. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[19] _An Abstract of the Annual Reports and Correspondence of the +Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge from 1709 to 1814._ London, +1814, pp. 4-24. + +[20] See a remarkable letter from Mr. Burke to Yuseph Emin, an +Armenian of Calcutta, in Simeon's _Memorial Sketches of David Brown_, +p. 334. + +[21] Simeon thus introduced him to Dr. Kerr, in a private letter quoted +by a later Madras chaplain, Rev. James Hough, in his valuable five volumes +on _The History of Christianity in India_: 'Our excellent friend, Mr. +Martyn, lived five months with me, and a more heavenly-minded young man +I never saw.' In the same year, the Rev. Marmaduke Thompson, an +evangelical chaplain, arrived in Madras _vi_ Calcutta. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +CALCUTTA AND SERAMPORE, 1806 + + +'Now let me burn out for God!' Such were the words with which Henry +Martyn began his ministry to natives and Europeans in North India, as +in the secrecy of prayer he reviewed his first two days in Calcutta. +Chaplain though he was, officially, at the most intolerant time of the +East India Company's administration, he was above all things a +missionary. Charles Simeon had chosen him, and Charles Grant had sent +him out, for this as well as his purely professional duty, and it +never occurred to him that he could be anything else. He burned to +bring all men to the same peace with God and service to Him which he +himself had for seven years enjoyed. We find him recording his great +delight, now at an extract sent to him from the East India Company's +Charter, doubtless the old one from William III., 'authorising and +even requiring me to teach the natives,' and again on receiving a +letter from Corrie, 'exulting with thankfulness and joy that Dr. Kerr +was preaching the Gospel. Eight such chaplains in India! this is +precious news indeed.' Even up to the present time no Christian in +India has ever recognised so fully, or carried out in a brief time so +unrestingly, his duty to natives and Europeans alike as sinners to be +saved by Jesus Christ alone. + +Henry Martyn's first Sunday in Calcutta was spent in worship in St. +Johns, the 'new church,' when Mr. Jefferies read one part and Mr. +Limerick another of the service, and Mr. Brown preached. Midday was +spent with 'a pious family where we had some agreeable and religious +conversation, but their wish to keep me from the work of the mission +and retain me at Calcutta was carried farther than mere civility, and +showed an extraordinary unconcern for the souls of the poor heathens.' +In the evening, though unwell with a cold and sore throat, he ventured +to read the service in the mission or old church of Kiernander. He was +there 'agreeably surprised at the number, attention, and apparent +liveliness of the audience. Most of the young ministers that I know +would rejoice to come from England if they knew how attractive every +circumstance is respecting the church.' Next day he was presented at +the leve of Sir George Barlow, acting Governor-General, 'who, after +one or two trifling questions, passed on.' He then spent some time in +the College of Fort William, where he was shown Tipoo's library, and +one of the Mohammedan professors--a colleague of Carey--chanted the +Koran. Thence he was rowed with the tide, in an hour and a half, +sixteen miles up the Hoogli to Aldeen, the house of Rev. David Brown +in the suburb of Serampore, which became his home in Lower Bengal. On +the next two Sundays he preached in the old church of Calcutta, and in +the new church 'officiated at the Sacrament with Mr. Limerick.' It was +on June 8 that he preached in the new church, for the first time, his +famous sermon from 1 Cor. i. 23, 24, on '_Christ crucified, unto the +Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them +which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and +the wisdom of God_.' + +This is his own account of the immediate result: + + _1806, June 8._--The sermon excited no small ferment; however, + after some looks of surprise and whispering, the congregation + became attentive and serious. I knew what I was to be on my + guard against, and therefore, that I might not have my mind full + of idle thoughts about the opinions of men, I prayed both before + and after, that the Word might be for the conversion of souls, + and that I might feel indifferent, except on this score. + +We cannot describe the sermon, as it was published after his death, +and again in 1862, more correctly than by comparing it to one of Mr. +Spurgeon's, save that, in style, it is a little more academic and a +little less Saxon or homely. But never before had the high officials +and prosperous residents of Calcutta, who attended the church which +had become 'fashionable' since the Marquess Wellesley set the example +of regular attendance, heard the evangel preached. The chaplains had +been and were of the Arian and Pelagian type common in the Church till +a later period. They at once commenced an assault on their young +colleague and on the doctrines by which Luther and Calvin had reformed +the Churches of Christendom. This was the conclusion of the hated +sermon: + + There is, in every congregation, a large proportion of Jews and + Greeks. There are persons who resemble the Jews in + self-righteousness; who, after hearing the doctrines of grace + insisted on for years, yet see no occasion at all for changing + the ground of their hopes. They seek righteousness 'not by + faith, but as it were by the works of the law: for they stumble + at that stumbling-stone' (Rom. ix. 32); or, perhaps, after going + a little way in the profession of the Gospel, they take offence + at the rigour of the practice which we require, as if the + Gospel did not enjoin it. 'This is a hard saying,' they + complain; 'who can hear it?' (John vi. 60), and thus resemble + those who first made the complaint, who 'went back and walked no + more with Him.' + + Others come to carp and to criticise. While heretics who deny + the Lord that bought them, open infidels, professed atheists, + grossly wicked men, are considered as entitled to candour, + liberality, and respect, they are pleased to make serious + professors of the Gospel exclusively objects of contempt, and + set down their discourses on the mysteries of faith as idle and + senseless jargon. Alas! how miserably dark and perverse must + they be who think thus of that Gospel which unites all the power + and wisdom of God in it. After God has arranged all the parts of + His plan, so as to make it the best which in His wisdom could be + devised for the restoration of man, how pitiable their stupidity + and ignorance to whom it is foolishness! And, let us add, how + miserable will be their end! because they not only are condemned + already, and the wrath of God abideth on them, but they incur + tenfold danger: they not only remain without a remedy to their + maladies, but have the guilt of rejecting it when offered to + them. This is their danger, that there is always a + stumbling-block in the way: the further they go, the nearer are + they to their fall. They are always exposed to sudden, + unexpected destruction. They cannot foresee one moment whether + they shall stand or fall the next; and when they do fall they + fall at once without warning. Their feet shall slide in due + time. Just shame is it to the sons of men, that He whose delight + it was to do them good, and who so loved them as to shed His + blood for them, should have so many in the world to despise and + reject His offers; but thus is the ancient Scripture + fulfilled--'The natural man receiveth not the things of the + Spirit of God' (1 Cor. ii. 14). + + Tremble at your state, all ye that from self-righteousness, or + pride, or unwillingness to follow Him in the regeneration, + disregard Christ! Nothing keeps you one moment from perdition + but the mere sovereign pleasure of God. Yet suppose not that we + take pleasure in contradicting your natural sentiments on + religion, or in giving pain by forcing offensive truths upon + your attention--no! as the ministers of joy and peace we rise up + at the command of God, to preach Christ crucified to you all. He + died for His bitterest enemies: therefore, though ye have been + Jews or Greeks, self-righteous, ignorant, or profane--though ye + have presumed to call His truths in question, treated the Bible + with contempt, or even chosen to prefer an idol to the + Saviour--yet return, at length, before you die, and God is + willing to forgive you. + + How happy is the condition of those who obey the call of the + Gospel. Their hope being placed on that way of salvation which + is the _power_ and _wisdom_ of God, on what a broad, firm basis + doth it rest! Heaven and earth may pass away, though much of the + power and wisdom of God was employed in erecting that fabric; + but the power and wisdom themselves of God must be cut off from + His immutable essence, and pass away, before one tittle of your + hope can fail. Then rejoice, ye children of Wisdom, by whom she + is justified. Happy are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, + for they hear; and the things which God hath hidden from the + wise and prudent, He hath revealed unto you. Ye were righteous + in your own esteem; but ye 'count all things but loss for the + excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.' Then be + not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, 'which is the power of God + unto salvation unto every one that believeth'; but continue to + display its efficacy by the holiness of your lives, and live + rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. + +The opposition of the officers and many of the troops on board the +transport had made the preacher familiar with attack and misrepresentation, +but not less faithful in expounding the Gospel of the grace of God as he +himself had received it to his joy, and for his service to the death. But +the ministrations of David Brown for some years might have been expected +to have made the civilians and merchants of Calcutta more tolerant, if not +more intelligent. They were, however, incited or led by the two other +chaplains thus: + + _1806, June 16._--Heard that Dr. Ward had made an intemperate + attack upon me yesterday at the new church, and upon all the + doctrines of the Gospel. I felt like the rest, disposed to be + entertained at it; but I knew it to be wrong, and therefore + found it far sweeter to retire and pray, with my mind fixed upon + the more awful things of another world. + + _June 22._--Attended at the new church, and heard Mr. Jefferies + on the evidences of Christianity. I had laboured much in prayer + in the morning that God would be pleased to keep my heart during + the service from thinking about men, and I could say as I was + going, 'I will go up to Thy house in the multitude of Thy + mercies, and in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple.' + In public worship I was rather more heavenly-minded than on + former occasions, yet still vain and wandering. At night + preached on John x. 11: 'I am the good shepherd;' there was + great attention. Yet felt a little dejected afterwards, as if I + always preached without doing good. + + _July 6._--Laboured to have my mind impressed with holy things, + particularly because I expected to have a personal attack from + the pulpit. Mr. Limerick preached from 2 Pet. i. 13, and spoke + with sufficient plainness against me and my doctrines. Called + them inconsistent, extravagant, and absurd. He drew a vast + variety of false inferences from the doctrines, and thence + argued against the doctrines themselves. To say that repentance + is the gift of God was to induce men to sit still and wait for + God. To teach that Nature was wholly corrupt was to lead men to + despair; that men thinking the righteousness of Christ + sufficient to justify, will account it unnecessary to have any + of their own: this last assertion moved me considerably, and I + started at hearing such downright heresy. He spoke of me as one + of those who understand neither what they say nor whereof they + affirm, and as speaking only to gratify self-sufficiency, pride, + and uncharitableness. I rejoiced at having the sacrament of the + Lord's Supper afterwards, as the solemnities of that blessed + ordinance sweetly tended to soothe the asperities and dissipate + the contempt which was rising; and I think I administered the + cup to ---- and ---- with sincere good-will. At night I preached + on John iv. 10, at the mission church, and, blessed be God! with + an enlarged heart. I saw ---- in tears, and that encouraged me + to hope that perhaps some were savingly affected, but I feel no + desire except that my God should be glorified. If any are + awakened at hearing me, let me not hear of it if I should glory. + + _August 24._--At the new church, Mr. Jefferies preached. I + preached in the evening on Matt. xi. 28, without much heart, yet + the people as attentive as possible. + + _August 25._--Called on Mr. Limerick and Mr. Birch; with the + latter I had a good deal of conversation on the practicability + of establishing schools, and uniting in a society. An officer + who was there took upon him to call in question the lawfulness + of interfering with the religion of the natives, and said that + at Delhi the Christians were some of the worst people there. I + was glad at the prospect of meeting with these Christians. The + Lord enabled me to speak boldly to the man, and to silence him. + From thence I went to the Governor-General's leve, and received + great attention from him, as, indeed, from most others here. + Perhaps it is a snare of Satan to stop my mouth, and make me + unwilling to preach faithfully to them. The Lord have mercy, + and quicken me to diligence. + + _August 26._--At night Marshman came, and our conversation was + very refreshing and profitable. Truly the love of God is the + happiness of the soul! My soul felt much sweetness at this + thought, and breathed after God. At midnight Marshman came to + the pagoda, and awakened me with the information that Sir G. + Barlow had sent word to Carey not to disperse any more tracts + nor send out more native brethren, or in any way interfere with + the prejudices of the natives. We did not know what to make of + this; the subject so excited me that I was again deprived of + necessary sleep. + + _August 28._--Enjoyed much comfort in my soul this morning, and + ardour for my work, but afterwards consciousness of indolence + and unprofitableness made me uneasy. In the evening Mr. + Marshman, Ward, Moore, and Rowe came up and talked with us on + the Governor's prohibition of preaching the Gospel, &c. Mr. + Brown's advice was full of wisdom, and weighed with them all. I + was exceedingly excited, and spoke with vehemence against the + measures of government, which afterwards filled me justly with + shame. + +The earnestness of the young chaplain was such that 'the people of +Calcutta,' or all the Evangelicals, joined even by the Baptist +missionaries at Serampore, gave him no rest that he might consent to +become minister of the mission or old church, with a chaplain's salary +and house. Dr. Marshman urged that thus he might create a missionary +spirit and organise missionary undertakings of more value to the +natives than the preaching of any one man. But he remained deaf to the +temptation, while he passed on the call to Cousin T. Hitchins and +Emma, at Plymouth. His call was not to preach even in the metropolis +of British India, the centre of Southern Asia; but, through their own +languages, to set in motion a force which must win North India, +Arabia, and Persia to Christ, while by his death he should stir up the +great Church of England to do its duty. + +[Illustration: PAGODA, ALDEEN HOUSE] + +Serampore was the scene of his praying, his communing, and his +studying, while every Sunday was given to his duties in Calcutta, as +he waited five months for his first appointment to a military station. +David Brown had not long before acquired Aldeen House, with its +tropical garden and English-like lawn sloping down to the river, +nearly opposite the Governor-General's summer-house and park of +Barrackpore. Connected with the garden was the old and architecturally +picturesque temple of the idol Radha-bullub, which had been removed +farther inland because the safety of the shrine was imperilled by the +river. But the temple still stands, in spite of the rapid Hoogli at +its base, and the more destructive peepul tree which has spread over +its massive dome. In 1854, when the present writer first visited the +now historic spot, even the platform above the river was secure, but +that has since disappeared, with much of the fine brick moulding and +tracery work. Here was the young saint's home; ever since it has been +known as Henry Martyn's Pagoda, and has been an object of interest to +hundreds of visitors from Europe and America. + +[Illustration: A BRICK FROM HENRY MARTYN'S PAGODA] + +Henry Martyn became one of David Brown's family, with whom he kept up +the most loving correspondence almost to his death. But he spent even +more time with the already experienced missionaries who formed the +famous brotherhood a little farther up the right bank of the Hoogli. +Carey thus wrote of him, knowing nothing of the fact that it was his +own earlier reports which, in Simeon's hands, had first led Martyn to +desire the missionary career: 'A young clergyman, Mr. Martyn, is +lately arrived, who is possessed of a truly missionary spirit. He +lives at present with Mr. Brown, and as the image or shadow of bigotry +is not known among us here, we take sweet counsel together and go to +the house of God as friends.' Later on, the founder of the Modern +Missionary enterprise, who desired to send a missionary to every great +centre in North India, declared of the Anglican chaplain that, +wherever he went no other missionary would be needed. The late Mr. +John Clark Marshman, C.S.I., who as a lad saw them daily, wrote: 'A +strong feeling of sympathy drew him into a close intimacy with Dr. +Marshman, and they might be often seen walking arm in arm, for hours +together, on the banks of the river between Aldeen House and the +Mission House.' To the last he addressed Dr. Marshman, in frequent +letters, as his 'dear brother,' anticipating the catholic tenderness +of Bishop Heber.[22] Martyn attended those family lectures of Ward on +the Hindus which resulted in his great book on the subject. In the +Pagoda, 'Carey, Marshman, and Ward joined in the same chorus of praise +with Brown, Martyn, and Corrie.' Martyn himself gives us these +exquisite unconscious pictures of Christian life in Serampore, in +which all true missionaries face to face with the common enemy have +followed the giants of those days. + + _1806, May 19._--In the cool of the evening we walked to the + mission-house, a few hundred yards off, and I at last saw the + place about which I have so long read with pleasure. I was + introduced to all the missionaries. We sat down about one + hundred and fifty to tea, at several long tables in an immense + room. After this there was evening service in another room + adjoining, by Mr. Ward. Mr. Marshman then delivered his lecture + on grammar. As his observations were chiefly confined to the + Greek, and seemed intended for the young missionaries, I was + rather disappointed, having expected to hear something about the + Oriental languages. With Mr. M. alone I had much conversation, + and received the first encouragement to be a missionary that I + have met with since I came to this country. I blessed God in my + heart for this seasonable supply of refreshment. Finding my sore + throat and cough much increased, I thought there might be some + danger, and felt rather low at the prospect of death. I could + scarcely tell why. The constant uneasiness I am in from the + bites of the mosquitoes made me rather fretful also. My + habitation assigned me by Mr. Brown is a pagoda in his grounds, + on the edge of the river. Thither I retired at night, and really + felt something like superstitious dread at being in a place once + inhabited, as it were, by devils, but yet felt disposed to be + triumphantly joyful that the temple where they were worshipped + was become Christ's oratory. I prayed out aloud to my God, and + the echoes returned from the vaulted roof. Oh, may I so pray + that the dome of heaven may resound! I like my dwelling much, it + is so retired and free from noise; it has so many recesses and + cells that I can hardly find my way in and out. + + _May 20._--Employed in preparing a sermon for to-morrow, and + while walking about for this purpose, my body and mind active, + my melancholy was a little relieved by the hope that I should + not be entirely useless as a missionary. In the evening I walked + with Mr. Brown, to see the evening worship at a pagoda whither + they say the god who inhabited my pagoda retired some years ago. + As we walked through the dark wood which everywhere covers the + country, the cymbals and drums struck up, and never did sounds + go through my heart with such horror in my life. The pagoda was + in a court, surrounded by a wall, and the way up to it was by a + flight of steps on each side. The people to the number of about + fifty were standing on the outside, and playing the instruments. + In the centre of the building was the idol, a little ugly black + image, about two feet high, with a few lights burning round him. + At intervals they prostrated themselves with their foreheads to + the earth. I shivered at being in the neighbourhood of hell; my + heart was ready to burst at the dreadful state to which the + Devil had brought my poor fellow-creatures. I would have given + the world to have known the language, to have preached to them. + At this moment Mr. Marshman arrived, and my soul exulted that + the truth would now be made known. He addressed the Brahmins + with a few questions about the god; they seemed to be all agreed + with Mr. Marshman, and quite ashamed at being interrogated, when + they knew they could give no answer. They were at least mute, + and would not reply; and when he continued speaking they struck + up again with their detestable music, and so silenced him. We + walked away in sorrow, but the scene we had witnessed gave rise + to a very profitable conversation, which lasted some hours. + Marshman in conversation with me alone sketched out what he + thought would be the most useful plan for me to pursue in India; + which would be to stay in Calcutta a year to learn the language, + and when I went up the country to take one or two native + brethren with me, to send them forth, and preach occasionally + only to confirm their word, to establish schools, and visit + them. He said I should do far more good in the way of influence + than merely by actual preaching. After all, whatever God may + appoint, prayer is the great thing. Oh, that I may be a man of + prayer; my spirit still struggles for deliverance from all my + corruptions. + + _May 22._--In our walk at sunset, met Mr. Marshman, with whom I + continued talking about the languages. Telling Mr. Brown about + my Cambridge honours, I found my pride stirred, and bitterly + repented having said anything about it. Surely the increase of + humility need not be neglected when silence may do it. + + _May 23._--Was in general in a spiritual, happy frame the whole + day, which I cannot but ascribe to my being more diligent and + frequent in prayer over the Scriptures, so that it is the + neglect of this duty that keeps my soul so low. Began the + Bengali grammar, and got on considerably. Continued my letters + to Mr. Simeon and Emma. At night we attended a conference of the + missionaries on this subject: 'Whether God could save sinners + without the death of Christ.' Messrs. Carey, Marshman, and Ward + spoke, Mr. Brown and myself. I offered what might be said on the + opposite side of the question to that which the rest took, to + show that He might have saved them without Christ. About + fourteen of the Bengali brethren were present and spoke on the + subject. Ram Roteen prayed. + + _Monday, May 26._--Went up to Serampore with Mr. Brown, with + whom I had much enlivening conversation. Why cannot I be like + Fletcher and Brainerd, and those men of modern times? Is + anything too hard for the Lord? Cannot my stupid stony heart be + made to flame with love and zeal? What is it that bewitches me, + that I live such a dying life? My soul groans under its bondage. + In the evening Marshman called; I walked back with him, and was + not a little offended at his speaking against the use of a + liturgy. I returned full of grief at the offences which arise + amongst men, and determined to be more alone with the blessed + God. + + _May 29._--Had some conversation with Marshman alone on the + prospects of the Gospel in this country, and the state of + religion in our hearts, for which I felt more anxious. + Notwithstanding, I endeavoured to guard against prating only to + display my experience; I found myself somewhat ruffled by the + conversation, and derived no benefit from it, but felt desirous + only to get away from the world, and to cease from men; my pride + was a little hurt by Marshman's questioning me as the merest + novice. He probably sees farther into me than I see into myself. + + _June 12._--Still exceedingly feeble; endeavoured to think on a + subject, and was much irritated at being unable to write a word. + Mrs. Brown, and afterwards Mr. Brown, paid me a visit. I came + into the house to dinner, but while there I felt as if fainting + or dying, and indeed really thought I was departing this life. I + was brought back again to the pagoda, and then on my bed I began + to pray as on the verge of eternity. The Lord was pleased to + break my hard heart, and deliver me from that satanic spirit of + light and arrogant unconcern about which I groaned out my + complaint to God. From this time I lay in tears, interceding for + the unfortunate natives of this country; thinking with myself, + that the most despised Soodra of India was of as much value, in + the sight of God, as the King of Great Britain: through the rest + of the day my soul remained in a spirit of contrition. + + _June 14._--A pundit came to me this morning, but after having + my patience tried with him, I was obliged to send him away, as + he knew nothing about Hindustani. I was exceedingly puzzled to + know how I should ever be able to acquire any assistance in + learning these languages. Alas! what trials are awaiting me. + Sickness and the climate have increased the irritability of my + temper, and occasions of trying it occur constantly. In the + afternoon, while pleading for a contrite tender spirit, but in + vain, I was obliged to cease praying for that tenderness of + spirit, and to go on to other petitions, and by this means was + brought to a more submissive state. Officiated at evening + worship. + + _June 15._--Found my mouth salivated this morning from calomel. + Attended the morning service at the mission-house; Mr. Marsdon + preached. After service Marshman and Carey talked with me in the + usual cheering way about missionary things, but my mind was + dark. In the afternoon was rather more comfortable in prayer, + and at evening worship was assisted to go through the duties of + it with cheerfulness. Read some of Whitfield's _Sermons_. + + _June 19._--Rose in gloom, but that was soon dissipated by + consideration and prayer. Began after breakfast for the first + time with a moonshi, a Cashmerian Brahmin, with whom I was much + pleased. In the boat, back to Serampore, learning roots. + Officiated at evening worship. Walked at night with Marshman and + Mr. Brown to the bazaar held at this time of the year, for the + use of the people assembling at Juggernaut. The booth or + carriage was fifty feet high, in appearance a wooden temple, + with rows of wheels through the centre of it. By the side of + this a native brother who attended Marshman gave away papers, + and this gave occasion to disputes, which continued a + considerable time between Marshman and the Brahmins. Felt + somewhat hurt at night at ----'s insinuating that my low + spirits, as he called it, was owing to want of diligence. God + help me to be free from this charge, and yet not desirous to + make a show before men. May I walk in sweet and inward communion + with Him, labouring with never-ceasing diligence and care, and + assured that I shall not live or labour in vain. + + _June 24._--At daylight left Calcutta, and had my temper greatly + exercised by the neglects and improper behaviour of the servants + and boatmen. Arrived at Serampore at eight, and retired to my + pagoda, intending to spend the day in fasting and prayer; but + after a prayer in which the Lord helped me to review with sorrow + the wickedness of my past life, I was so overcome with fatigue + that I fell asleep, and thus lost the whole morning; so I gave + up my original intention. Passed the afternoon in translating + the second chapter of St. Matthew into Hindustani. Had a long + conversation at night with Marshman, whose desire now is that I + should stay at Serampore, give myself to the study of Hindustani + for the sake of the Scriptures, and be ready to supply the place + of Carey and Marshman in the work, should they be taken off; and + for another reason--that I might awaken the attention of the + people of God in Calcutta more to missionary subjects. I was + struck with the importance of having proper persons here to + supply the place of these two men; but could not see that it was + the path God designed for me. I felt, however, a most impatient + desire that some of my friends should come out and give + themselves to the work; for which they are so much more fit in + point of learning than any of the Dissenters are, and could not + bear that a work of such stupendous magnitude should be + endangered by their neglect and love of the world. Marshman + recommended that the serious people in Calcutta should unite in + a society for the support of missions, and each subscribe fifty + rupees a month for their maintenance. Ten members with this + subscription could support sixty or seventy native brethren. He + wished me also to see the duty of their all remaining in the + country, learning the language, and instructing their servants. + My mind was so filled and excited by the first part of our + conversation, that I could not sleep for many hours after going + to bed. He told me that the people were surfeited with the + Gospel, and that they needed to be exhorted to duty. + + _June 26._--Employed in translating St. Matthew into Hindustani, + and reading Mirza's translation; afterwards had moonshi a + little. In the afternoon walked with Mr. Brown to see + Juggernaut's car drawn back to its pagoda. Many thousands of + people were present, rending the air with acclamations. The car + with the tower was decorated with a vast number of flags, and + the Brahmins were passing to and fro through the different + compartments of it, catching the offerings of fruit, cowries, + &c., that were thrown up to the god, for which they threw down + in return small wreaths of flowers, which the people wore round + their necks and in their hair. When the car stopped at the + pagoda, the god and two attending deities were let down by + ropes, muffled up in red cloths, a band of singers with drums + and cymbals going round the car while this was performed. Before + the stumps of images, for they were not better, some of the + people prostrated themselves, striking the ground twice with + their foreheads; this excited more horror in me than I can well + express, and I was about to stammer out in Hindustani, 'Why do + ye these things?' and to preach the Gospel. The words were on my + lips--though if I had spoken thousands would have crowded round + me, and I should not have been understood. However, I felt my + spirit more inflamed with zeal than I ever conceived it would + be; and I thought that if I had words I would preach to the + multitudes all the day, if I lost my life for it. It was curious + how the women clasped their hands, and lifted them up as if in + the ecstasy of devotion, while Juggernaut was tumbled about in + the most clumsy manner before their eyes. I thought with some + sorrow that Satan may exert the same influence in exciting + apparently religious affections in professors of the Gospel, in + order to deceive souls to their eternal ruin. Dr. Taylor and Mr. + Moore joined us, and distributed tracts. Mr. Ward, we heard, was + at a distance preaching. On our return we met Marshman going + upon the same errand. In evening worship my heart was rather + drawn out for the heathen, and my soul in general through the + day enjoyed a cheering sense of God's love. Marshman joined us + again, and our conversation was about supporting some native + missions. + + _June 30._--Went up to Serampore in the boat, learning roots. + Spent the afternoon chiefly in prayer, of which my soul stood + greatly in need through the snares into which my heart had been + falling. Called at the mission-house, and saw Mr. Marsdon + previous to the commencement of his missionary career. Now the + plans of God are, I trust, taking another step forward. + + _July 2._--Mr. Brown proposed a prayer meeting between ourselves + and the missionaries previous to the departure of Dr. Taylor for + Surat. It was a season of grace to my soul, for some sense of + the vast importance of the occasion dwelt upon my mind in + prayer, and I desired earnestly to live zealously, labouring for + souls in every possible way, with more honesty and openness. In + the evening went to Marshman, and proposed it. There were at his + house many agreeable sights; one pundit was translating + Scripture into Sanskrit, another into Guzerati, and a table was + covered with materials for a Chinese dictionary. Employed with + moonshi in Hindu Story-teller, and in learning to write the + Persian characters. + + _July 3._--Rose with some happiness in my soul, and delight in + the thought of an increase of labour in the Church of God. + Employed morning as usual, and in thinking of subject for + sermon. Was detained in the house at a time when I wanted + prayer. In the evening walked with the family through Serampore, + the native's part. At night we had a delightful spiritual + conversation. Thus my time passes most agreeably in this dear + family. Lord, let me be willing to leave it and the world with + joy. + + _July 8._--Reading with moonshi all the morning. Spent the + afternoon in reading and prayer, as preparatory to a meeting of + the missionaries at night. At eight, ten of us met in my pagoda. + It was, throughout, a soul-refreshing ordinance to me. I felt as + I wished, as if having done with the world, and standing on the + very verge of heaven, rejoicing at the glorious work which God + will accomplish on the earth. The Lord will, I hope, hear our + prayers for our dear brother, on whose account we met, previous + to his departure for Surat. An idea thrown out by Carey pleased + me very much, not on account of its practicability, but its + grandeur, _i.e._ that there should be an annual meeting, at the + Cape of Good Hope, of all the missionaries in the world. + + _July 9._--Dull and languid from the exertions and late hours of + yesterday. Reading the Sermon on the Mount, in the Hindustani + Testament, with moonshi. In the evening went to the + mission-house, drank tea, and attended their worship. These + affectionate souls never fail to mention me particularly in + their prayers, but I am grieved that they so mistake my + occasional warmth for zeal. It is one of the things in which I + am most low and backward, as the Lord, who seeth in secret, + knows too well. Oh, then, may any who think it worth while to + take up my name into their lips, pray for the beginning rather + than the continuance of zeal! Marshman, in my walk with him, + kindly assured me of his great regard and union of heart with + me. I would that I had more gratitude to God, for so putting it + into the hearts of His people to show regard to one so + undeserving of it. At night had much nearness to God in prayer. + I found it sweet to my spirit to reflect on my being a pilgrim + on earth, with Christ for my near and dear friend, and found + myself unwilling to leave off my prayer. + + _July 10._--Employed during the morning with moonshi. At morning + and evening worship enjoyed freedom of access to God in prayer. + Mr. Brown's return in the evening, with another Christian + friend, added greatly to my pleasure. Marshman joined us at + night, but these enjoyments, from being too eagerly entered + into, often leave my soul carnally delighted only, instead of + bringing me nearer to God. Wrote sermon at night. + + _July 12._--Most of this morning employed about sermon. In the + afternoon went down to Calcutta with Mr. Brown and all his + family; we passed the time very agreeably in singing hymns. + Found Europe letters on our arrival, but were disappointed in + not finding Corrie or Parson in the list of passengers. My + letters were from Lydia, T.H. and Emma, Mr. Simeon, and Sargent. + All their first letters had been taken in the Bell Packet. I + longed to see Lydia's, but the Lord saw it good, no doubt, not + to suffer it to arrive. The one I did receive from her was very + animating, and showed the extraordinary zeal and activity of her + mind. Mr. Simeon's letter contained her praises, and even he + seemed to regret that I had gone without her. My thoughts were + so occupied with these letters that I could get little or no + sleep. + + _July 13._ (Sunday.)--Talked to Mr. Brown about Lydia, and read + her letter to him. He strongly recommended the measure of + endeavouring to bring her here, and was clear that my future + situation in the country would be such as to make it necessary + to be married. A letter from Colonel Sandys, which he opened + afterwards, spoke in the highest terms of her. The subject of + marriage was revived in my mind, but I feel rather a reluctance + to it. I enjoy in general such sweet peace of mind, from + considering myself a stranger upon earth, unconnected with any + persons, unknown, forgotten, that were I never thrown into any + more trying circumstances than I am in at present, no change + could add to my happiness. At the new church this morning, had + the happiness of hearing Mr. Jefferies preach. I trust God will + graciously keep him, and instruct him, and make him another + witness of Jesus in this place. My heart was greatly refreshed, + and rejoiced at it all the day. At night preached at the + missionary church, on Eph. ii. 1-3, to a small congregation. Sat + up late with Mr. Brown, considering the same subject as we had + been conversing on before, and it dwelt so much on my mind that + I got hardly any sleep the whole night. + + _July 14._--The same subject engrosses my whole thoughts. Mr. + Brown's arguments appear so strong that my mind is almost made + up to send for Lydia. I could scarcely have any reasonable + doubts remaining, that her presence would most abundantly + promote the ends of the mission. + + _July 15._--Most of the day with moonshi; at intervals, thinking + on subject for sermon. My affections seemed to be growing more + strong towards Lydia than I could wish, as I fear my judgment + will no longer remain unbiassed. The subject is constantly on my + mind, and imagination heightens the advantages to be obtained + from her presence. And yet, on the other hand, there is such a + sweet happiness in living unconnected with any creature, and + hastening through this life with not one single attraction to + detain my desires here, that I am often very unwilling to + exchange a life of celibacy for one of which I know nothing, + except that it is in general a life of care. + + _July 16._--Morning with moonshi; afterwards preparing myself + for church. Preached at night, at missionary church, on Isa. + lxiii. 1. Both in prayers and sermon I felt my heart much more + affected than I expected, and there seemed to be some impression + on a few of the people. I feel to be thankful to God, and + grateful to the people, that they continue to hear me with such + attention. My thoughts this day have been rather averse to + marriage. Anxiety about the education and conversion of children + rather terrifies me. + + _July 20._ (Sunday.)--Preached at the new church on 2 Cor. v. + 17. Mr. Marshman dined with us, and at four I went to the + bazaar, to hear him preach to the natives. I arrived at the shed + before him, and found the native brethren singing, after which + one of them got up, and addressed the people with such firmness + and mild energy, notwithstanding their occasional contradictions + and ridicule, that I was quite delighted and refreshed. To see a + native Indian an earnest advocate for Jesus, how precious! + Marshman afterwards came, and prayed, sung, and preached. If I + were to be very severe with him, I should say that there is a + want of seriousness, tenderness, and dignity in his address, and + I felt pained that he should so frequently speak with contempt + of the Brahmins, many of whom were listening with great respect + and attention. The group presented all that variety of + countenance which the Word is represented as producing in a + heathen audience--some inattentive, others scornful, and others + seemingly melting under it. Another native brother, I believe, + then addressed them. An Indian sermon about Jesus Christ was + like music on my ear, and I felt inflamed to begin my work: + these poor people possess more intelligence and feeling than I + thought. At the end of the service there was a sort of uproar + when the papers were given away, and the attention of the + populace and of some Europeans was excited. Read prayers at + night at the missionary church; Mr. Brown preached on the + unspeakable gift. + + _July 21._--Returned to Serampore rather in a low state of mind, + arising from deprivation of a society of which I had been too + fond. + + _July 22._--Read Hindustani without moonshi. Not being able to + get to the pagoda from the incessant rain, I passed the latter + part of the day in the house, reading the life of Francis + Xavier. I was exceedingly roused at the astonishing example of + that great saint, and began to consider whether it was not my + duty to live, as he did, in voluntary poverty and celibacy. I + was not easy till I had determined to follow the same course, + when I should perceive that the kingdom of God would be more + advanced by it. At night I saw the awful necessity of being no + longer slothful, nor wasting my thoughts about such trifles as + whether I should be married or not, and felt a great degree of + fear, lest the blood of the five thousand Mohammedans, who, Mr. + Brown said, were to be found in Calcutta capable of + understanding a Hindustani sermon, should be required at my + hand. + + _July 25._--The thought of the Mohammedans and heathens lies + very heavy upon my mind. The former, who are in Calcutta, I seem + to think are consigned to me by God, because nobody preaches in + Hindustani. Employed the morning in sermon and Hindustani. In + the afternoon went down to Calcutta. In the boat read Wrangham's + Essay and some of Mr. Lloyd's letters, when young. What + knowledge have some believers of the deep things of God! I felt + myself peculiarly deficient in that experimental knowledge of + Christ with which Mr. Lloyd was particularly favoured. Walked + from the landing-place, a mile and a half, through the native + part of Calcutta, amidst crowds of Orientals of all nations. How + would the spirit of St. Paul have been moved! The thought of + summoning the attention of such multitudes appeared very + formidable, and during the course of the evening was the + occasion of many solemn thoughts and prayer, that God would + deliver me from all softness of mind, fear, and + self-indulgence, and make me ready to suffer shame and death for + the name of the Lord Jesus. + + _July 26._--My soul in general impressed with the awfulness of + my missionary work, and often shrinking from its difficulties. + + _July 28._--In the boat to Serampore we read Mitchell's Essay on + _Evangelizing India_, and were much pleased and profited. + Whatever plans and speculations may be agitated, I felt it my + duty to think only of putting my hand to the work without delay. + Felt very unhappy at having other work put upon me, which will + keep me from making progress in the language. Nothing but + waiting upon God constantly for direction, and an assurance that + His never-ceasing love will direct my way, would keep me from + constant vexation. I scarcely do anything in the language, from + having my time so constantly taken up with writing sermons. + + _July 29._--Much of this morning taken up in writing to Lydia. + As far as my own views extend, I feel no doubt at all about the + propriety of the measure--of at least proposing it. May the + Lord, in continuance of His loving-kindness to her and me, + direct her mind, that if she comes I may consider it as a + special gift from God, and not merely permitted by Him. Marshman + sat with us in the evening, and as usual was teeming with plans + for the propagation of the Gospel. Stayed up till midnight in + finishing the letter to Lydia. + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Serampore: July 30, 1806. + + My dearest Lydia,--On a subject so intimately connected with my + happiness and future ministry, as that on which I am now about + to address you, I wish to assure you that I am not acting with + precipitancy, or without much consideration and prayer, while I + at last sit down to request you to come out to me to India. + + May the Lord graciously direct His blind and erring creature, + and not suffer the natural bias of his mind to lead him astray. + You are acquainted with much of the conflict I have undergone on + your account. It has been greater than you or Emma have + imagined, and yet not so painful as I deserve to have found it + for having suffered my affections to fasten so inordinately on + an earthly object. + + Soon, however, after my final departure from Europe, God in + great mercy gave me deliverance, and favoured me throughout the + voyage with peace of mind, indifference about all worldly + connections, and devotedness to no object upon earth but the + work of Christ. I gave you up entirely--not the smallest + expectation remained in my mind of ever seeing you again till we + should meet in heaven: and the thought of this separation was + the less painful from the consolatory persuasion that our own + Father had so ordered it for our mutual good. I continued from + that time to remember you in my prayers only as a Christian + sister, though one very dear to me. On my arrival in this + country I saw no reason at first for supposing that marriage was + advisable for a missionary--or rather the subject did not offer + itself to my mind. The Baptist missionaries indeed recommended + it, and Mr. Brown; but not knowing any proper person in this + country, they were not very pressing upon the subject, and I + accordingly gave no attention to it. After a very short + experience and inquiry afterwards, my own opinions began to + change, and when a few weeks ago we received your welcome + letter, and others from Mr. Simeon and Colonel Sandys, both of + whom spoke of you in reference to me, I considered it even as a + call from God to satisfy myself fully concerning His will. From + the account which Mr. Simeon received of you from Mr. Thomason, + he seemed in his letter to me to regret that he had so strongly + dissuaded me from thinking about you at the time of my leaving + England. Colonel Sandys spoke in such terms of you, and of the + advantages to result from your presence in this country, that + Mr. Brown became very earnest for me to endeavour to prevail + upon you. Your letter to me perfectly delighted him, and induced + him to say that you would be the greatest aid to the mission I + could possibly meet with. I knew my own heart too well not to be + distrustful of it, especially as my affections were again + awakened, and accordingly all my labour and prayer have been to + check their influence, that I might see clearly the path of + duty. + + Though I dare not say that I am under no bias, yet from every + view of the subject I have been able to take, after balancing + the advantages and disadvantages that may ensue to the cause in + which I am engaged, always in prayer for God's direction, my + reason is fully convinced of the expediency, I had almost said + the necessity, of having you with me. It is possible that my + reason may still be obscured by passion; let it suffice, + however, to say that now with a safe conscience and the + enjoyment of the Divine presence, I calmly and deliberately make + the proposal to you--and blessed be God if it be not His will to + permit it; still this step is not advancing beyond the limits of + duty, because there is a variety of ways by which God can + prevent it, without suffering any dishonour to His cause. If He + shall forbid it, I think that, by His grace, I shall even then + be contented and rejoice in the pleasure of corresponding with + you. Your letter, dated December 1805, was the first I received + (your former having been taken in the Bell Packet), and I found + it so animating that I could not but reflect on the blessedness + of having so dear a counsellor always near me. I can truly say, + and God is my witness, that my principal desire in this affair + is that you may promote the kingdom of God in my own heart, and + be the means of extending it to the heathen. My own earthly + comfort and happiness are not worth a moment's notice. I would + not, my dearest Lydia, influence you by any artifices or false + representations. I can only say that if you have a desire of + being instrumental in establishing the blessed Redeemer's + kingdom among these poor people, and will condescend to do it by + supporting the spirits and animating the zeal of a weak + messenger of the Lord, who is apt to grow very dispirited and + languid, 'Come, and the Lord be with you!' It can be nothing but + a sacrifice on your part, to leave your valuable friends to come + to one who is utterly unworthy of you or any other of God's + precious gifts: but you will have your reward, and I ask it not + of you or of God for the sake of my own happiness, but only on + account of the Gospel. If it be not calculated to promote it, + may God in His mercy withhold it. For the satisfaction of your + friends, I should say that you will meet with no hardships. The + voyage is very agreeable, and with the people and country of + India I think you will be much pleased. The climate is very + fine--the so much dreaded heat is really nothing to those who + will employ their minds in useful pursuits. Idleness will make + people complain of everything. The natives are the most harmless + and timid creatures I ever met with. The whole country is the + land of plenty and peace. Were I a missionary among the + Esquimaux or Boschemen, I should never dream of introducing a + female into such a scene of danger or hardship, especially one + whose happiness is dearer to me than my own: but here there is + universal tranquillity, though the multitudes are so great that + a missionary needs not go three miles from his house without + having a congregation of many thousands. You would not be left + in solitude if I were to make any distant excursion, because no + chaplain is stationed where there is not a large English + Society. My salary is abundantly sufficient for the support of a + married man, the house and number of people kept by each + Company's servant being such as to need no increase for a + family establishment. As I must make the supposition of your + coming, though it may be perhaps a premature liberty, I should + give you some directions. This letter will reach you about the + latter end of the year; it would be very desirable if you could + be ready for the February fleet, because the voyage will be + performed in far less time than at any other season. George will + find out the best ship--one in which there is a lady of high + rank in the service would be preferable. You are to be + considered as coming as a visitor to Mr. Brown, who will write + to you or to Colonel Sandys, who is best qualified to give you + directions about the voyage. Should I be up the country on your + arrival in Bengal, Mr. Brown will be at hand to receive you, and + you will find yourself immediately at home. As it will highly + expedite some of the plans which we have in agitation that you + should know the language as soon as possible, take Gilchrist's + _Indian Stranger's Guide_, and occasionally on the voyage learn + some of the words. + + If I had room I might enlarge on much that would be interesting + to you. In my conversations with Marshman, the Baptist + missionary, our hearts sometimes expand with delight and joy at + the prospect of seeing all these nations of the East receive the + doctrine of the Cross. He is a happy labourer; and I only wait, + I trust, to know the language to open my mouth boldly and make + known the mystery of the Gospel. My romantic notions are for the + first time almost realised; for in addition to the beauties of + sylvan scenery may be seen the more delightful object of + multitudes of simple people sitting in the shade listening to + the words of eternal life. Much as yet is not done; but I have + seen many discover by their looks while Marshman was preaching + that their hearts were tenderly affected. My post is not yet + determined; we expect, however, it will be Patna, a civil + station, where I shall not be under military command. As you are + so kindly anxious about my health, I am happy to say, that + through mercy my health is far better than it ever was in + England. + + The people of Calcutta are very desirous of keeping me at the + mission-church, and offer to any Evangelical clergyman a + chaplain's salary and a house besides. I am of course deaf to + such a proposal; but it is strange that no one in England is + _tempted_ by such an inviting situation. I am actually going to + mention it to Cousin T.H. and Emma--not, as you may suppose, + with much hope of success; but I think that possibly the chapel + at Dock may be too much for him, and he will have here a sphere + of still greater importance. As this will be sent by the + overland despatch, there is some danger of its not reaching you. + You will therefore receive a duplicate, and perhaps a triplicate + by the ships that will arrive in England a month or two after. I + cannot write now to any of my friends. I will therefore trouble + you, if you have opportunity, to say that I have received no + letters since I left England, but one from each of these--Cousin + Tom and Emma, Simeon, Sargent, Bates: of my own family I have + heard nothing. Assure any of them whom you may see of the + continuance of my affectionate regard, especially dear Emma. I + did not know that it was permitted me to write to you, or I fear + she would not have found me so faithful a correspondent on the + voyage. As I have heretofore addressed you through her, it is + probable that I may be now disposed to address her through + you--or, what will be best of all, that we both of us address + her in one letter from India. However, you shall decide, my + dearest Lydia. I _must_ approve your determination, because with + that spirit of simple-looking to the Lord which we both + endeavour to maintain, we must not doubt that you will be + divinely directed. Till I receive an answer to this, my prayers + you may be assured will be constantly put up for you that in + this affair you may be under an especial guidance, and that in + all your ways God may be abundantly glorified by you through + Jesus Christ. You say in your letter that _frequently every day_ + you remember my worthless name before the throne of grace. This + instance of extraordinary and undeserved kindness draws my heart + toward you with a tenderness which I cannot describe. Dearest + Lydia, in the sweet and fond expectation of your being given to + me by God, and of the happiness which I humbly hope you yourself + might enjoy here, I find a pleasure in breathing out my + assurance of ardent love. I have now long loved you most + affectionately, and my attachment is more strong, more pure, + more heavenly, because I see in you the image of Jesus Christ. I + unwillingly conclude, by bidding my beloved Lydia adieu. + + H. MARTYN. + + Serampore: September 1, 1806. + + My dearest Lydia,--With this you will receive the duplicate of + the letter I sent you a month ago, by the overland despatch. May + it find you prepared to come! All the thoughts and views which I + have had of the subject since first addressing you, add tenfold + confirmation to my first opinion; and I trust that the blessed + God will graciously make it appear that I have been acting under + a right direction, by giving the precious gift to me and to the + Church in India. I sometimes regret that I had not obtained a + promise from you of following me at the time of our last parting + at Gurlyn, as I am occasionally apt to be excessively impatient + at the long delay. Many, many months must elapse before I can + see you or even hear how you shall determine. The instant your + mind is made up you will send a letter by the overland despatch. + George will let you know how it is to be prepared, as the + Company have given some printed directions. It is a consolation + to me during this long suspense, that had I engaged with you + before my departure I should not have had such a satisfactory + conviction of it being the will of God. The Commander-in-chief + is in doubt to which of the three following stations he shall + appoint me--Benares, Patna, or Moorshedabad; it will be the + last, most probably. This is only two days' journey from + Calcutta. I shall take my departure in about six weeks. In the + hour that remains, I must endeavour to write to my dear sister + Emma, and to Sally. By the fleet which will sail hence in about + two months, they will receive longer letters. You will then, I + hope, have left England. I am very happy here in preparing for + my delightful work, but I should be happier still if I were + sufficiently fluent in the language to be actually employed; and + happiest of all if my beloved Lydia were at my right hand, + counselling and animating me. I am not very willing to end my + letter to you; it is difficult not to prolong the enjoyment of + speaking, as it were, to one who occupies so much of my sleeping + and waking hours; but here, alas! I am aware of danger; and my + dear Lydia will, I hope, pray that her unworthy friend may love + no creature inordinately. + + It will be base in me to depart in heart from a God of such love + as I find Him to be. Oh, that I could make some returns for the + riches of His love! Swiftly fly the hours of life away, and then + we shall be admitted to behold His glory. The ages of darkness + are rolling fast away, and shall soon usher in the Gospel period + when the whole world shall be filled with His glory. Oh, my + beloved sister and friend, dear to me on every account, but + dearest of all for having one heart and one soul with me in the + cause of Jesus and the love of God, let us pray and rejoice, and + rejoice and pray, that God may be glorified, and the dying + Saviour see of the travail of His soul. May the God of hope fill + us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may both of us + abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. Now, my + dearest Lydia, I cannot say what I feel--I cannot pour out my + soul--I could not if you were here; but I pray that you may love + me, if it be the will of God; and I pray that God may make you + more and more His child, and give me more and more love for all + that is God-like and holy. I remain, with fervent affection, + + Yours, in eternal bonds, + + H. MARTYN. + + TO CHARLES SIMEON[23] + + Calcutta: September 1, 1806. + + My dearest Brother,--I feel no hesitation about inviting Miss + L.G. on her own account, except it be that she should come so + far for one who is so utterly unworthy of her. I would rather + die than bring one whom I honour so much into a situation of + difficulty; but indeed there is no hardship to be encountered. + In my absence she might, if she pleased, visit the English + ladies who are always to be found at the different stations. The + plan about to be adopted by the Baptists is to establish + missionary stations in the country; while one missionary makes + the circuit of the surrounding country, another shall always be + in the way to receive enquiries and to explain. I should think + that a zealous woman, acquainted with the language, and + especially if assisted by native brethren, might be of use in + this way without moving from her house.... Three such men as + Carey, Marshman, and Ward, so suited to one another and to their + work, are not to be found, I should think, in the whole world. + + _September 13._--Heard of the arrival of Corrie and Parson at + Madras, and of my appointment to Dinapore. + + _September 15._--Called with Mr. Brown on Mr. Udny, then went up + with him to Serampore, and passed much of the afternoon in + reading with him a series of newspapers from England. How + affecting to think how the fashion of this world passeth away! + What should I do without Christ as an everlasting portion! How + vain is life, how mournful is death, and what is eternity + without Christ! In the evening Marshman and Ward came to us. By + endeavouring to recollect myself as before God, I found more + comfort, and was enabled to show more propriety in conversation. + + _September 16._--Passed the day with moonshi in Hindustani and + writing sermon. In the evening wrote to Lydia. + + _September 17._--The blaze of a funeral pile this morning near + the pagoda drew my attention. I ran out, but the unfortunate + woman had committed herself to the flames before I arrived. The + remains of the two bodies were visible. At night, while I was at + the missionaries', Mr. Chamberlain arrived from up the country. + Just as we rejoiced at the thought of seeing him and his wife, + we found she had died in the boat! I do not know when I was so + shocked; my soul revolted at everything in this world, which God + has so marked with misery--the effect of sin. I felt reluctance + to engage in every worldly connection. Marriage seemed terrible, + by exposing one to the agonising sight of a wife dying in such + circumstances. + + _September 24._--Went down to Calcutta with Mr. Brown and + Corrie, and found letters. My affections of love and joy were so + excited by them that it was almost too much for my poor frame. + My dearest Lydia's assurances of her love were grateful enough + to my heart, but they left somewhat of a sorrowful effect, + occasioned I believe chiefly from a fear of her suffering in any + degree, and partly from the long time and distance that separate + us, and uncertainty if ever we shall be permitted to meet one + another in this world. In the evening the Lord gave me near and + close and sweet communion with Him on this subject, and enabled + me to commit the affair with comfort into His hands. Why did I + ever doubt His love? Does He not love us far better than we love + one another? + + _September 25._--Went to Serampore with Mr. Brown and Parson; in + the afternoon read with moonshi; enjoyed much of the solemn + presence of God the whole day, had many happy seasons in prayer, + and felt strengthened for the work of a missionary, which is + speedily to begin; blessed be God! My friends are alarmed about + the solitariness of my future life, and my tendency to + melancholy; but, O my dearest Lord! Thou art with me, Thy rod + and Thy staff they comfort me. I go on Thine errand, and I know + that Thou art and wilt be with me. How easily canst Thou support + and refresh my heart! + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Serampore: September 1806. + + How earnestly do I long for the arrival of my dearest Lydia! + Though it may prove at last no more than a waking dream that I + ever expected to receive you in India, the hope is too pleasing + not to be cherished till I am forbidden any longer to hope. Till + I am assured of the contrary, I shall find a pleasure in + addressing you as my own. If you are not to be mine you will + pardon me; but my expectations are greatly encouraged by the + words you used when we parted at Gurlyn, that I had better _go + out_ free, implying, as I thought, that you would not be + unwilling to follow me if I should see it to be the will of God + to make the request. I was rejoiced also to see in your letter + that you unite your name with mine when you pray that God would + keep us both in the path of duty: from this I infer that you are + by no means _determined_ to remain separate from me. You will + not suppose, my dear Lydia, that I mention these little things + to influence your conduct, or to implicate you in an engagement. + No, I acknowledge that you are perfectly free, and I have no + doubt that you will act as the love and wisdom of our God shall + direct. Your heart is far less interested in this business than + mine, in all probability; and this on one account I do not + regret, as you will be able to see more clearly the directions + of God's providence. About a fortnight ago I sent you a letter + accompanying the duplicate of the one sent overland in August. + If these shall have arrived safe you will perhaps have left + England before this reaches it. But if not, let me entreat you + to delay not a moment. Yet how will my dear sister Emma be able + to part with you, and George--but above all your _mother_? I + feel very much for you and for them, but I have no doubt at all + about your health and happiness in this country. + + The Commander-in-chief has at last appointed me to the station + of Dinapore, near Patna, and I shall accordingly take my + departure for that place as soon as I can make the necessary + preparations. It is not exactly the situation I wished for, + though in a temporal point of view it is desirable enough. The + air is good, the living cheap, the salary 1,000_l._ a year, and + there is a large body of English troops there. But I should have + preferred being near Benares, the heart of Hinduism. We rejoice + to hear that two other brethren are arrived at Madras on their + way to Bengal, sent, I trust, by the Lord to co-operate in + overturning the kingdom of Satan in these regions. They are + Corrie and Parson, both Bengal chaplains. Their stations will be + Benares and Moorshedabad--one on one side of me and the other on + the other. There are also now ten Baptist missionaries at + Serampore. Surely good is intended for this country. + + Captain Wickes, the good old Captain Wickes, who has brought out + so many missionaries to India, is now here. He reminds me of + Uncle S. I have been just interrupted by the blaze of a funeral + pile, within a hundred yards of my pagoda. I ran out, but the + wretched woman had consigned herself to the flames before I + reached the spot, and I saw only the remains of her and her + husband. O Lord, how long shall it be? Oh, I shall have no rest + in my spirit till my tongue is loosed to testify against the + Devil, and deliver the message of God to these His unhappy + bond-slaves. I stammered out something to the wicked Brahmins + about the judgments of God upon them for the murder they had + just committed, but they said it was an act of her own + free-will. Some of the missionaries would have been there, but + they are forbidden by the Governor-General to preach to the + natives in the British territory. Unless this prohibition is + revoked by an order from home it will amount to a total + suppression of the mission. + + I know of nothing else that will give you a further idea of the + state of things here. The two ministers continue to oppose my + doctrines with unabated virulence; but they think not that they + fight against God. My own heart is at present cold and slothful. + Oh, that my soul did burn with love and zeal! Surely were you + here I should act with more cheerfulness and activity with so + bright a pattern before me. If Corrie brings me a letter from + you, and the fleet is not sailed, which, however, is not likely, + I shall write to you again. Colonel Sandys will receive a letter + from me and Mr. Brown by this fleet. Continue to remember me in + your prayers, as a weak brother. I shall always think of you as + one to be loved and honoured. + + H. MARTYN. + + _September 26._--Employed as usual in Hindustani; visited + Marshman at night. He and Mr. Carey sat with us in the evening. + My heart still continuing some degree of watchfulness, but + enjoying less sweetness. + + _October 1._--Reading with moonshi and preparing sermon; found + great cause to pray for brotherly love. Preached at night at the + mission-church on Eph. ii. 4. Had a very refreshing conversation + with Corrie afterwards; we wished it to be for the benefit of + two cadets, who supped with us, and I hope it will not be in + vain. May the Lord be pleased to make me act with a single eye + to His glory. How easy it is to preach about Christ Jesus the + Lord, and yet to preach oneself. + +None of six letters from Lydia Grenfell have been preserved, but we +find in her _Diary_ more self-revealing of her heart than could be +made to Henry Martyn, and also more severity in judging of herself as +in the presence of God. + + _1806, May 23._--Wrote dear H. I have felt to-day a return of + spirits, but have spent them too much in worldly things. I found + it a blessed season in prayer, yet I fear whether my + satisfaction did not rather arise from being enabled to pray + than from any extraordinary communications from above. O Lord, + search and try my heart, let not its deceitfulness impose on me. + + _July 19._--Thought much this week of my dear absent friend. + + _August 2._--My family's unhappiness preys on my mind--sister + burning with anger and resentment against sister, brother + against brother, a father against his children. Oh, what a + picture! Let me not add to the weight of family sin. + + _August 4._--Passed a happy day. Read Baxter, and found in doing + so my soul raised above. Oh, let me have, blessed Lord, + anticipations of this blessedness and foretaste of glory. In Thy + presence above I shall be reunited to Thy dear saint, now + labouring in Thy vineyard in a distant land. One year is nearly + passed since we parted, but scarcely a waking hour, I believe, + has he been absent from my mind. In general my remembrance of + him is productive of pleasure--that I should possess so large a + share of his affection, and be remembered in his prayers, and + have an eternity to spend with him, yielding me in turn + delightful pleasing meditations; but just now nature grieves + that we are no more to meet below; yet, O my blessed Father, I + cry, 'Thy will be done, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.' + + _August 10._--Went to church. My soul was very dull and + inanimate throughout the service--the sermon had nothing in it + to enliven or instruct. Barren as this place is for other means + of grace, I have the Word and leisure to search; I cannot then + complain, but of myself there is cause enough. Oh, how is my + soul so earthly? why cannot I rise and dwell above? Tied and + bound with the chain of sin, fettered and confined, I can only + cast a look above. One year is gone since my dear friend left + England. The number of our years of separation is so much + lessened, and our salvation draws near. + + _October 19._--My birthday. One-and-thirty years have I existed + on this earth, for twenty-five of which all the amount was sin, + vanity, and rebellion against God; the last six, though spent + differently, yet for every day in them I am persuaded I have + sinned in heart, so as justly to merit condemnation of that God + in whose mercy I trust. + + _November 5._--To-day I was reading of David's harp driving away + the evil spirit from Saul, and resolved again (the Lord helping + me) to try the sweet harp of Jesse's son in my first and last + waking thoughts, for sad and disordered are my thoughts upon my + friend. The expectation of letters from my dear friend in India + by this fleet is almost over, and my mind is rendered anxious + about him. + + _November 25._--My very soul has been cheered by accounts from + my dear friend in India, for whom my mind has been greatly + anxious. 'Cast thy cares on Me' is a command badly attended to + by me. + +The formal and first request from Henry Martyn to join him in India +reached Lydia Grenfell on March 2, 1807. We learn from his reply in +October 1807, from Dinapore, that she had sent a refusal in her +mother's name. But, on April 25, the Rev. Charles Simeon called on her +with the result which he thus records: + + With her mother's leave Miss G. accompanied us to Col. Sandys', + when I had much conversation with her about Mr. Martyn's affair. + She stated to me all the obstacles to his proposals: first, her + health; second, the indelicacy of her going out to India alone + on such an errand; third, her former engagement with another + person, which had indeed been broken off, and he had actually + gone up to London two years ago to be married to another woman, + but, as he was unmarried, it seemed an obstacle in her mind; + fourth, the certainty that her mother would never consent to it. + On these points I observed that I thought the last was the only + one that was insurmountable; for that, first, India often agreed + best with persons of a delicate constitution--_e.g._ Mr. Martyn + himself and Mr. Brown. Second, it is common for ladies to go + thither without any previous connection; how much more, + therefore, might one go with a connection already formed! Were + this the only difficulty, I engaged, with the help of Mr. Grant + and Mr. Parry, that she should go under such protection as + should obviate all difficulties upon this head. Third, the step + taken by the other person had set her at perfect liberty. + Fourth, the consent of her mother was indispensable, and as that + appeared impossible, the matter might be committed to God in + this way. If her mother, of her own accord, should express + regret that the connection had been prevented, from an idea of + her being irreconcilably averse to it, and that she would not + stand in the way of her daughter's wishes, this would be + considered as a direction from God in answer to her prayers, and + I should instantly be apprised of it by her, in order to + communicate to Mr. M. _In this she perfectly agreed._ I told + her, however, that I would mention nothing of this to Mr. M., + because it would only tend to keep him in painful suspense. + Thus the matter is entirely set aside, unless God, by a special + interposition of His providence (_i.e._ by taking away her + mother, or overruling her mind, contrary to all reasonable + expectation, to approve of it), mark His own will concerning it. + +We find this account of the crisis in her _Diary_: + + _1807, March 2._--Passed some peaceful happy days at Tregembo. + My return was marked by two events, long to be + remembered--seeing John and hearing from H.M. Great has been my + distress, but peace is returned, and could I cease from + anticipating future evils I should enjoy more. The Lord has been + gracious in affording me help, but He made me first feel my + weakness, and suffered Satan to harass me. I am called upon now + to act a decisive part. + + _Marazion, March 8._--With David let me say, In the multitude of + thoughts within me Thy comforts have refreshed my soul. O Thou! + my refuge, my rest, my hiding-place, in every time of sorrow to + Thee I fly, and trust in the covert of Thy wings. Thou hast been + a shelter for me and a strong tower. I have liberty to pour out + my griefs into the bosom of my God, and doing so I am lightened + of their burden. The Lord's dealings are singular with me, yet + not severe, yea, they are merciful. Twice have I been called on + to act[24] ... in a way few are tried in, but the Lord's + goodness towards me is so manifest in the first, that I have + come to wait in silence and hope the event of this. I am + satisfied I have done now what is right, and peace has returned + to me; yet there is need of great watchfulness to resist the + enemy of souls, who would weaken and depress my soul, bringing + to remembrance the affection of my dear friend, and representing + my conduct as ungrateful towards him. To-day I have had many + distressing feelings on his account, yet in the general I have + been looking to things invisible and eternal, and therefore + enjoyed peace. I must live more in the contemplation of Christ + and heavenly things. Oh, come, fill and satisfy my soul, be my + leader and guide, dispose of me as Thou wilt. The pain of + writing to him is over, and I feel satisfied I wrote what duty + required of me.[25] Now then, return, O my soul, to thy rest. + + _March 22._--A week of conflict and of mercies is over. May the + remembrance of Thy goodness never be forgotten. I bless Thee, O + my God, that Thou hast brought me hitherto, and with more reason + than David, inquire what am I that Thou shouldest do so? + + _April 23._--To-day my mind has been painfully affected by the + receipt of letters from ----. I found in the presence of my + mother I dared not indulge the inclination I feel to mourn; and + believing my Heavenly Parent's will to be that I should be + careful for nothing, I ought to be equally exerting myself in + secret to resist the temptation. How true it is we suffer more + in the person of another dear to us than in our own! Lord, I + know Thou canst perfectly satisfy him by the consolation of Thy + Spirit and communications of Thy grace; Thou canst display the + glories of Thy beloved Son to his view, and put gladness into + his heart. Oh, support, cheer, and bless him; let Thy left hand + be under his head, and Thy right hand embrace him, that he may + feel less than my fears suggest. Oh, do Thou powerfully impress + our minds with a persuasion of Thy overruling hand in this + trial. Let us see it to be Thy will, and be now and ever + disposed to bow to it. Uphold me, Jesus, or I fan a prey to + distracting thoughts and imagination. + + _April 24._--The arrival of dear Mr. Simeon has been a cordial + to my fainting heart. Lord, do Thou comfort me by him; none but + Thyself can give me lasting comfort--instruments are nothing + without Thee. Oh, may I now be watchful, for often, through my + depraved nature, when unlooked-for deliverance comes, I get + careless and light in my frame; then the Lord hides His face, + and trouble comes, which no outward circumstances can relieve. I + need especial direction from on high. Oh, may my dependence be + on the Lord, and I shall not go astray. + + _April 28._--Went on Saturday with Mr. Simeon and Mr. E. to + Helston. Lord, I bless Thy holy name, I adore Thy wonderful + unmerited goodness towards such a base, vile creature, that Thou + shouldest at this particular season send me counsel and support + through the medium of Thy dear servant. I am brought home again + in safety, and enjoyed, during my absence, an opportunity of + seeing how a Christian lives. + + _April 29._--The state of my mind lately has led me to fill too + much of my _Diary_ with expressions of regard for an earthly + object, and now I am convinced of the evil of indulging this + affection. Oh, may the Lord enable me to mortify it; may this + mirror of my heart show me more of love to God and less to + anything earthly. This morning was a sad one, and to the present + I have to mourn over the barrenness of my soul, its + indisposedness to any spiritual exertion. Almost constantly do I + remember my dear absent friend; may I do so with less pain. + + _May 1._--I begin this month in circumstances peculiarly trying, + such as I can support only by aid vouchsafed from above, and + sought in constant prayer. The Lord is a stronghold in this time + of trouble. + + _May 2._--To-day and yesterday I have found more composure of + mind than of late; once indeed the enemy (whose devices I am too + ignorant of to meet them as I ought) succeeded in distracting my + mind, and excited many sinful passions from the probability that + Miss Corrie, who is going to her brother, may be the partner + appointed for my dear friend. This continued for a short time + only, and I found relief at a throne of grace. It is a subject + I must not dwell on--when the trial comes, grace will be given; + but at present I have none to meet it; yet have I prayed the + Lord to provide him a suitable helpmate. Deceitful is my heart; + how little do I know it! O Thou bleeding Saviour, let me hide + myself in Thee from deserved wrath, and oh, speak peace once + more to my soul. + + _May 3._--A day of much sinful inquietude. Oh, that I could + withdraw my affections! Oh, that I could once more feel I have + no desire but after heavenly things! What a chaos has my mind + been to-day, even in the house of God and at the throne of + grace. I have been, in imagination, conversing with a + fellow-creature. Where is thy heart? is a question not now to be + answered satisfactorily. Tied and bound with this chain, if for + a little time I rise to God, soon I turn from the glories of His + face, grieving His Spirit by preferring the ideal presence of my + friend--sometimes drawing the scene of his distress, at others + the pleasure of his return. Oh, let me not continue thus to walk + in the vanity of my mind. Oh, may I find sufficient happiness in + the presence of my God here, and live looking to the things not + seen, looking to that heavenly country where I shall enjoy in + perfection the blessed society and (of?) all I loved below. + + _May 4._--Passed a day of less conflict, though I have very + imperfectly kept my resolution not to indulge vain improbable + expectations of the future; yet I have been favoured with a + greater freedom from them than yesterday. + + _May 5._--I have been suddenly to-day seized with a violent + depression of spirits and a sadness of heart, hard to be + concealed. I have not, as before, fallen into a long train of + vain imaginations, drawing scenes improbable and vain, but my + soul has lost its spiritual appetite. I am looking forward to + distant and uncertain events with anticipations of sorrow and + trial impending. O my Lord and my God, come to my relief! + + _May 9._--Oh, what great troubles and adversities hast Thou + showed me, and yet Thou didst turn again and refresh me! The + whole of this day has been a dark and exceedingly gloomy season, + my mind tossed to and fro like the tempestuous sea. I think the + chief cause of my distress arises from a dread of dishonouring + the name of the Lord, by appearing to have acted deceitfully in + the eyes of my family, and some pride is at the bottom of this + (I like not to be thought ill of), and also pain for the + disappointment my dear friend will soon know. His situation + grieves me infinitely more than my own. I think, for myself, I + want nothing more than I find in Thy presence. + + _May 20._--My chief concern now is lest I should have given too + much reason for my dear friend's hoping I might yet be prevailed + on to attend to his request, and I feel the restraint stronger + than ever, that, having before promised, I am not free to marry. + I paint the scene of his return, and, whichever way I take, + nothing but misery and guilt seems to await me. Yet oh, I will + continue to pray, 'Heal me, and I shall be healed; save me, and + I shall be saved.' Thou art my strength and hope, O Lord; though + shame is my portion among men. Thou who knowest my heart, Thou + wilt not in this condemn me, for oh, Thou knowest these + consequences of my regard for Thy dear saint were not intended + by me, and that first, when I regarded him otherwise than as a + Christian brother, I believed myself free to do so, imagining + him I first loved united to another. When I consider this + circumstance my mind is relieved of a heavy burden, and yet I + must lament the evils that have flown from this mistake. My + thoughts have been called since Sunday into the eternal world by + the sudden death of a very kind friend, H.C. I have found this + event, though the cause of pain, very useful to me at this time. + + _May 22._--The way Satan takes is made plain to me, and I must + resist him in the first pleasing ideas arising from the + remembrance of true affection in my dear and ever-esteemed + friend. When I yield to these, I am presently lost to all sober + thoughts, and plunged soon in the deepest sorrow for the + distress it has brought on him; then my conduct towards him and + every part of my family is painted in the most horrid colours, + till I am nearly distracted. Thus has Satan over and over + oppressed me, and relief been afforded my fainting soul through + the help of a superior power even than Satan. I must watch and + pray, for thus the Lord will bruise Satan under my feet. + + _August 6._--This season recalls a dear friend to my + remembrance. Oh, may he occupy no more of my thoughts and + affections than is consistent with the will of God, and pleasing + in His sight. May these resignations be manifested by us both. + + _August 9._--Just two years since I parted from a dear friend + and brother, whose memory will ever be cherished by me. Blessed + be God! I feel now as if he was the inhabitant of another world, + rather than of another part of this earth. + +On October 10, 1806, on the close of his preparations for departure to +Dinapore, 'at night the missionaries, etc., met us at the pagoda for +the purpose of commending me to the grace of God.' 'My soul never yet +had such Divine enjoyment. I felt a desire to break from the body, and +join the high praises of the saints above.' Next day, in Calcutta, at +evening worship at Mr. Myers', 'I found my heaven begun on earth. No +work so sweet as that of praying and living wholly to the service of +God.' On Sunday, the 12th, 'at night I took my leave of the saints in +Calcutta in a sermon on Acts xx. 32. But how very far from being in +spirit like the great apostle.' On Monday he went up by land to +Barrackpore with Mr. Brown, 'happy in general.' On Tuesday 'Corrie +came to me at the pagoda and prayed with me.' + + _1806, October 15._--Took my leave of the family at Aldeen in + morning worship; but I have always found my heart most unable to + be tender and solemn when occasions most require it. At eleven I + set off in a budgerow with Mr. Brown, Corrie, and Parson. + Marshman saw us as we passed the mission-house, and could not + help coming aboard. He dined with us, and after going on a + little way left us with a prayer. About sunset we landed at the + house of the former French governor, and walked five miles + through villages to Chandernagore, where we waited at an hotel + till the boats came up. With the French host I found a liberty I + could not have hoped for in his language, and was so enabled to + preach the Gospel to him. There are two Italian monks in this + place, who say Mass every day. I wished much to visit the + fathers, if there had been time. A person of Calcutta, here for + his health, troubled us with his profaneness, but we did not let + him go unwarned, nor kept back the counsel of God. At night in + the budgerow I prayed with my dear brethren. + + _October 16._--Rose somewhat dejected, and walked on to + Chinsurah, the Dutch settlement, about three miles. There we + breakfasted, and dined with Mr. Forsyth, the missionary. We all + enjoyed great happiness in the presence and blessing of our God. + Mr. Forsyth came on with us from Chinsurah, till we stopped at + sunset opposite Bandel, a Portuguese settlement, and then we had + Divine service. I prayed and found my heart greatly enlarged. + After his departure our conversation was suitable and spiritual. + How sweet is prayer to my soul at this time! I seem as if I + never could be tired, not only of spiritual joys, but of + spiritual employments, since they are now the same. + + _October 17._--My dear brethren, on account of the bad weather, + were obliged to leave me to-day. So we spent the whole morning + in a Divine ordinance in which each read a portion of Scripture + and all sang and prayed. Mr. Brown's passage, chosen from Joshua + i., was very suitable, 'Have I not commanded thee?' Let this be + an answer to my fears, O my Lord, and an assurance that I am in + Thy work. It was a very affecting season to me. In prayer I was + very far from a state of seriousness and affection. Indeed, I + have often remarked that I have never yet prayed comfortably + with friends when it has been preceded by a chapter of the + Revelation. Perhaps because I depend too much on the feelings + which the imagery of that book excites, instead of putting + myself into the hands of the Spirit, the only author of the + prayer of faith. They went away in their boat, and I was left + alone for the first time, with none but natives. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[22] _The Life and Times of Carey, Marshman, and Ward_, London, 1859. +_The Life of William Carey_ (John Murray), 2nd edition, 1887. + +[23] First published (1892) by Rev. H.C.G. Moule from the autograph +collection made by Canon Carus, the successor and biographer of +Charles Simeon. + +[24] A line has been erased by a subsequent writer. + +[25] 'Her letter was to bid me a last farewell.'--Martyn's _Journal_. +This was received November 23. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +DINAPORE AND PATNA, 1807-1809 + + +Until, in 1852 and the ten years following, Lord Dalhousie's railway +up the Ganges valley was completed to Allahabad, the usual mode of +proceeding up-country from Calcutta was by the house-boat known as the +budgerow, which is still common on the many rivers of Bengal where +English planters and officials are found. At the rate of twenty-five +miles a day the traveller is towed up against stream by the boatmen. +When time is no object, and opportunities are sought for reading, +shooting, and intercourse with the natives, the voyage is delightful +in the cool season. Henry Martyn rejoiced in six weeks of this +solitary life--alone yet not alone, and ever about his Father's +business. His studies were divided between Hindustani and Sanskrit; he +was much occupied in prayer and in the reading of the Greek and Hebrew +Scriptures. Morning and evening he spent himself among the people on +the banks, and at the ghauts and bazaars of the mighty river, +preaching Christ and spreading abroad the New Testament. The dense +population and the spiritual darkness, as the panorama of native life +moved hourly before his eyes, on river and on land, stirred up the +busiest of Christians to be still busier, in spite of his fast-wasting +body; 'What a wretched life shall I lead if I do not exert myself +from morning till night, in a place where, through whole territories, +I seem to be the only light!' His gun supplied him with small game, +'enough to make a change with the curry.' + +At Cutwa, one of Carey's mission stations, he had fellowship with +Chamberlain, receiving that 'refreshment of spirit which comes from +the blessing of God on Christian communion.' 'Tell Marshman,' he +wrote, 'with my affectionate remembrance, that I have seriously begun +the Sanskrit Grammar.' To Ward he sends a list of errata which he +found in a tract in the Persian character. He had his Serampore +moonshi with him. At Berhampore, soon to be occupied by Mr. Parson as +chaplain, and by the London Missionary Society, he spent some time, +for it was the great military station of the old Nawab Nazim's +capital, Moorshidabad, which Clive described as wealthier than London, +and quite as populous. Henry Martyn at once walked into the hospital, +where the surgeon immediately recognised him as an old schoolfellow +and townsman. But even with such help he could not induce the men to +rise and assemble for Divine service. 'I left three books with them +and went away amidst the sneers and titters of the common soldiers. +Certainly it is one of the greatest crosses I am called to bear, to +take pains to make people hear me. It is such a struggle between a +sense of propriety and modesty on the one hand, and a sense of duty on +the other, that I find nothing equal to it.' At Rajmahal, like Carey +six years before, he met some of the hill tribes--'wrote down from +their mouth some of the names of things.' + +At Maldah he was in the heart of the little Christian community which, +under Charles Grant twenty years before, had proved the salt of +Anglo-Indian society, and had made the first attempt with Carey's +assistance to open vernacular Christian schools. With Mr. Ellerton, +whose wife had witnessed the duel between Warren Hastings and Philip +Francis, and who as a widow indeed lived to the Mutiny of 1857 as the +friend of Bishop Daniel Wilson, he went to Gomalty, and visited one of +the schools. 'The cheerful faces of the little boys, sitting +cross-legged on their mats round the floor, much delighted me. While +they displayed their power of reading, their fathers, mothers, etc., +crowded in numbers round the door and windows.' Here we see the now +vast educational system of Bengal in the birth. Not less striking is +the contrast, due to the progress of that system on its missionary +side, when we find Martyn, in 1806, recording his surprise at the +extraordinary fear and unwillingness of the people to take tracts and +books. One postmaster, when he found what the booklet was about, +returned it with the remark that a person who had his legs in two +boats went on his way uncomfortably. Passing Colgong and Monghyr, he +'reached Patna. Walked about the scene of my future ministry with a +spirit almost overwhelmed at the sight of the immense multitudes.' On +November 26 he arrived at Dinapore--'the multitudes at the water-side +prodigious.' + +Nowhere, in British India as it was in 1807, could Henry Martyn have +found a better training field, at once as chaplain to the troops and +missionary to the Mohammedans, than the Patna centre of the great +province of Bihar. For fourteen miles, Patna, the Mohammedan city, +Bankipore, the British civil station, and Dinapore, the British +military station, line the right bank of the Ganges, which is there +two miles broad. Patna itself--'the city,' as the word means--was the +Buddhist capital to which the Greek ambassador Megasthenes came from +Seleukos Nikator, 300 B.C., and the Chinese pilgrim, Hwen T'sang, 637 +years A.D. But under the Mogul emperors and down to the present day, +Patna has been the focus of the most fanatical sect of Islam. There +Meer Kasim murdered sixty Englishmen in 1763; and so little did a +century's civilisation affect the place, which Christian missionaries, +except Martyn, neglected till recently, that in 1857 it was a centre +of the Mutiny, and in 1872 it was the nucleus of Wahabi rebellion. The +second city in Bengal next to Calcutta, and the fifth city in all +India in inhabitants, Patna with Bankipore and Dinapore commanded an +accessible native population of half a million. Such was Henry +Martyn's first 'parish' in the East. For the mass of these he opened +schools and translated the Word of God; with their learned men he +'disputed' continually, in the spirit of Paul seeking to commend to +them the very Christ. + +Besides the Company's civil servants in Bankipore whom he never ceased +to influence, he was specially charged with the spiritual care of two +European regiments, consisting at one time of 1,700 men and 80 officers +in various positions. Then and up till 1860, when what was known as 'the +White Mutiny' led the Queen's Government to disband the troops, the East +India Company had a European force of its own, specially recruited and +paid more highly than the royal regiments. The men were generally better +educated than the ordinary private of those days, were, indeed, often +runaway sons of good families and disreputable adventurers from many +countries. As a fighting force they were splendid veterans; in all other +respects their history and character as well as his own experience of +them on board ship, justified Martyn's language in a letter to Mr. +Brown. 'My disdainful and abandoned countrymen among the military; they +are impudent children and stiff-hearted, and will receive, I fear, my +ministrations, as all the others have done, with scorn. Yet Jesus wept +over Jerusalem. Henceforward let me live with Christ alone.' How loving +and faithful, if not always tender, his ministry was among them and +their native women, and how it gained their respect till it formed a +little Church in the army, we shall see. + +Having settled down in barrack apartments at 50 rupees a month till he +should get a house against the hot season, and having called on the +general commanding and others, after the Anglo-Indian fashion, he +reported to his longing friends in Aldeen: 'I stand alone;[26] not one +voice is heard saying, "I wish you good luck in the name of the Lord." +I offered to come over to Bankipore to officiate to them on the +Sabbath. They are going to take this into consideration. I have found +out two schools in Dinapore. I shall set on foot one or two schools +without delay, and by the time the scholars are able to read we can +get books ready for them.' In this spirit and by a renewed act of +self-dedication he entered on the year 1807: + + Seven years have passed away since I was first called of God. + Before the conclusion of another seven years, how probable is it + that these hands will have mouldered into dust! But be it so: my + soul through grace hath received the assurance of eternal life, + and I see the days of my pilgrimage shortening without a wish + to add to their number. But oh, may I be stirred up to a + faithful discharge of my high and awful work; and laying aside, + as much as may be, all carnal cares and studies, may I give + myself to this 'one thing.' The last has been a year to be + remembered by me, because the Lord has brought me safely to + India, and permitted me to begin, in one sense, my missionary + work. My trials in it have been very few; everything has turned + out better than I expected; loving-kindness and tender mercies + have attended me at every step: therefore here will I sing His + praise. I have been an unprofitable servant, but the Lord hath + not cut me off: I have been wayward and perverse, yet He has + brought me further on the way to Zion; here, then, with + sevenfold gratitude and affection, would I stop and devote + myself to the blissful service of my adorable Lord. May He + continue His patience, His grace, His direction, His spiritual + influences, and I shall at last surely come off conqueror. May + He speedily open my mouth, to make known the mysteries of the + Gospel, and in great mercy grant that the heathen may receive it + and live! + +The hostility of the officers and civilians to his message sometimes +became scorn, when they saw his efforts to teach and preach to the +natives. These were days when the Patna massacre was still remembered. +So few baptized Christians knew the power of the Faith which they +practically dishonoured, that they had no desire to make it known to +others; many even actually resented the preaching of Christ to the +people, as both politically dangerous and socially an insult to the +ruling race. This feeling has long since disappeared in India at +least, though its expression is not unknown in some of the colonies +where the land is held by the dark savages. Henry Martyn keenly felt +such opposition, and none the less that the natives of the Patna +district--especially the Mohammedans--were in their turn hostile to a +government which had supplanted them so recently. A few weeks after +his arrival we find him writing this in his _Journal_: + + _1806, December 1._--Early this morning I set off in my + palanquin for Patna. Something brought the remembrance of my + dear Lydia so powerfully to my mind that I could not cease + thinking of her for a moment. I know not when my reflections + seemed to turn so fondly towards her; at the same time I + scarcely dare to wish her to come to this country. The whole + country is manifestly disaffected. I was struck at the anger and + contempt with which multitudes of the natives eyed me in my + palanquin. + + _December 2._--On my way back called on Mr. D., the Judge, and + Mr. F., at Bankipore. Mr. F.'s conversation with me about the + natives was again a great trial to my spirit; but in the + multitude of my troubled thoughts I still saw that there is a + strong consolation in the hope set before us. Let men do their + worst, let me be torn to pieces, and my dear L. torn from me; or + let me labour for fifty years amidst scorn, and never seeing one + soul converted; still it shall not be worse for my soul in + eternity, nor worse for it in time. Though the heathen rage and + the English people imagine a vain thing, the Lord Jesus, who + controls all events, is my friend, my master, my God, my all. On + the Rock of Ages when I feel my foot rest my head is lifted up + above all mine enemies round about, and I sing, yea, I will sing + praises unto the Lord. If I am not much mistaken, sore trials + are awaiting me from without. Yet the time will come when they + will be over. Oh, what sweet refuge to the weary soul does the + grave appear! There the wicked cease from troubling, and there + the weary are at rest. Here every man I meet is an enemy; being + an enemy to God, he is an enemy to me also on that account; but + he is an enemy too to me because I am an Englishman. Oh, what a + place must heaven be, where there are none but friends! England + appears almost a heaven upon earth, because there one is not + viewed as an unjust intruder; but, oh, the heaven of my God! the + general assembly of the first-born, the spirits of the just made + perfect, and Jesus! Oh, let me for a little moment labour and + suffer reproach! + + _1807, January 2._--They seem to hate to see me associating at + all with the natives, and one gave me a hint a few days ago + about taking my exercise on foot. But if our Lord had always + travelled about in His palanquin, the poor woman who was healed + by touching the hem of His garment might have perished. Happily + I am freed from the shackles of custom; and the fear of man, + though not extirpated, does not prevail. + + _January 8._--Pundit was telling me to-day that there was a + prophecy in their books that the English should remain one + hundred years in India, and that forty years were now elapsed of + that period; that there should be a great change, and they + should be driven out by a king's son, who should then be born. + Telling this to moonshi, he said that about the same time the + Mussulmans expected some great events, such as the coming of + Dujjel, and the spread of Islam over the earth. + + _January 29._--The expectation from prophecy is very prevalent + hereabouts that the time is coming when all the Hindus will + embrace the religion of the English; and the pundit says that in + many places they had already begun. About Agra, and Delhi, and + Narwa, in the Mahratta dominions, there are many native + Christian families. + +Henry Martyn's occupation of the Aldeen Pagoda had resulted, after his +departure, in the formation, by Brown, Corrie, Parson, and Marmaduke +Thompson, the Madras chaplain, of what would now be called a clerical +club, with these three objects--to aid the British and Foreign Bible +Society, then recently established; to help forward the translation of +the Scriptures into the languages of the East; and especially to meet +the whole expense of the Sanskrit and Greek Testaments, and to send on +to Mr. Brown, for circulation, a quarterly report of the prospects, +plans, and actual situation of each member so far as the Church is +concerned. Of this Evangelical Anglican Brotherhood Martyn seems to +have been the most active member during his brief career. His +translations were made for it, in the first instance. 'The Synod', or +'the Associated Clergy,' as he called it at different times, when as +yet there was no Bishop of Calcutta, consciously linked him to the +fellowship of the Saints, to the Church and the University from which +he had come forth. We find him noting seven years after 'the day I +left Cambridge: my thoughts frequently recurred with many tender +recollections to that beloved seat of my brethren, and again I +wandered in spirit amongst the trees on the banks of the Cam.' + +The letters from these four chaplains cheered him at Dinapore when he +was 'very much depressed in spirits,' and he hastens to write to each, +giving this picture of his life: + + From a solitary walk on the banks of the river I had just + returned to my dreary rooms, and with the reflection that just + at this time of the day I could be thankful for a companion, was + taking up the flute to remind myself of your social meetings in + worship, when your two packages of letters, which had arrived in + my absence, were brought to me. For the contents of them, all I + can say is, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me + bless His holy name! The arrival of another dear brother, and + the joy you so largely partake of in fellowship with God and + with one another, act as a cordial to my soul. They show me what + I want to learn, that the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, and + that they that keep the faith of Jesus are those only whom God + visits with His strong consolations. I want to keep in view that + our God is the God of the whole earth, and that the heathen are + given to His exalted Son, the uttermost parts of the earth for a + possession. + +Continually his love of music breaks forth alike for the worship of God +and the association of friendship and affection. His correspondence with +Brown was regular, but as that of a son with a father. His letters to +Corrie, his old Cambridge junior, are frank and free. His joy was great +when Corrie was stationed at the rock-fortress of Chunar, not very far +from Dinapore, so that they occasionally met and officiated for each +other. But up to this time his chief, his almost fearful human, delight +was to think of Lydia by night and by day. + + _1806, December 10._--A dream last night was so like reality, + and the impression after it was so deep upon my spirits, that I + must record the date of it. It was about Lydia. I dreamt that + she had arrived, but that after some conversation I said to her, + 'I know this is a dream; it is too soon after my letter for you + to have come.' Alas! it is only a dream; and with this I awoke, + and sighed to think that it was indeed only a dream. Perhaps all + my hope about her is but a dream! Yet be it so; whatever God + shall appoint must be good for us both, and with that I will + endeavour to be tranquil and happy, pursuing my way through the + wilderness with equal steadiness, whether with or without a + companion. + + _December 14._ (Sunday.)--Service performed by an after order, + at ten o'clock. The general was present, about twenty officers, + and some of their ladies. I preached on the parable of the tares + of the field. Much of the rest of the day I was in great + distraction, owing to the incessant recurrence of thoughts about + Lydia. My impatience and fear respecting her sometimes rose to + such a height that I felt almost as at Falmouth, when I was + leaving Europe, as I thought to see her no more. But in the + evening it pleased the Lord to show me something of the awful + nearness of the world of spirits, and the unmeasurable + importance of my having my thoughts and cares devoted to my + missionary work. Thus I obtained peace. I prayed in sincerity + and fervour, that if there were any obstacle in the sight of + God, the Lord might never suffer us to meet. + + _December 21._ (Sunday.)--In the evening, after a solemn season + of prayer, I received letters from Europe, one from Cousin T., + Emma, Lydia, and others. The torrent of vivid affection which + passed through my heart at receiving such assurances of regard + continued almost without intermission for four hours. Yet, in + reflection afterwards, the few words my dearest Lydia wrote + turned my joy into tender sympathy with her. Who knows what her + heart has suffered! After all, our God is our best portion; and + it is true that if we are never permitted to meet, we shall + enjoy blissful intercourse for ever in glory. + + _December 22._--Thinking far too much of dear Lydia all day. + + _December 23._--Set apart the chief part of this day for prayer, + with fasting; but I do not know that my soul got much good. Oh, + what need have I to be stirred up by the Spirit of God, to exert + myself in prayer! Had no freedom or power in prayer, though some + appearance of tenderness. Lydia is a snare to me; I think of her + so incessantly, and with such foolish and extravagant fondness, + that my heart is drawn away from God. Thought at night, Can that + be true love which is other than God would have it? No; that + which is lawful is most genuine when regulated by the holy law + of God. + + _December 25._--Preached on 1 Tim. i. 15 to a large + congregation. Those who remained at the Sacrament were chiefly + ladies, and none of them young men. My heart still entangled + with this idolatrous affection, and consequently unhappy. + Sometimes I gained deliverance from it for a short time, and was + happy in the love of God. How awful the thought, that while + perishing millions demand my every thought and care, my mind + should be distracted about such an extreme trifle as that of my + own comfort! Oh, let me at last have done with it, and the + merciful God save me from departing from Him, and committing + that horrible crime of forsaking the fountain of living waters, + and hewing out to myself broken cisterns. + +As the delightful cold season of the Bihar uplands passed all too +quickly, and the dry hot winds of Upper India began to scorch its +plains, the solitary man began to think it 'impossible I could ever +subsist long in such a climate.' From April 1807 his hereditary +disease made rapid advances, while he reproached himself for lassitude +and comparative idleness, and put additional constraint on himself to +work and to pray unceasingly. From this time his _Journal_ has +frequent records of sickness, of loss of appetite, and of 'pain' in +his ministrations, ending in loss of voice altogether for a time. +Corrie and Brown and his other correspondents remonstrated, but they +were at a distance. He needed a watchful and authoritative nurse such +as only a wife could be, and he found only lack of sympathy or active +opposition. He lived, as we can now see, as no white man in the +tropics in any rank of life should live, from sheer simplicity, +unselfishness, and consuming zeal. When the hot winds drove him out of +the barracks, the first rainy season flooded his house. At all times +and amid the insanitary horrors of an Indian cemetery he had to bury +the dead of a large cantonment in a sickly season. His daily visits to +the hospital were prolonged, for there he came soul to soul with the +sinner, the penitent, and the rejoicing. And all the time he is +writing to Corrie and each of his friends, 'I feel anxious for your +health.' To marry officers and baptize children he had to make long +journeys by palanquin, and expose his wasting body alike to heat and +rain. But amid it all his courage never fails, for it is rooted in +God; his heart is joyful, for he has the peace that passeth all +understanding. + + _1807, May 18._--Through great mercy my health and strength are + supported as by a daily miracle. But oh, the heat! By every + device of darkness and tatties I cannot keep the thermometer + below 92, and at night in bed I seem in danger of suffocation. + Let me know somewhat more particularly what the heat is, and how + you contrive to bear it. The worst bad effect I experience is + the utter loss of appetite. I dread the eating time. + + _July 7._--Heat still so great as to oblige me to abandon my + quarters. + + _July 8._--Went to Bankipore to baptize a child. One of the + ladies played some hymn-tunes on my account. If I were provided + with proper books much good might be done by these visits, for I + meet with general acceptance and deference. In the evening + buried a man who had died in the hospital after a short illness. + My conscience felt again a conviction of guilt at considering + how many precious hours I waste on trifles, and how cold and + lukewarm my spirit is when addressing souls. + + _August 23._ (Sunday.)--Preached on Job xix. 25-27: 'I know that + my redeemer liveth.' There seemed little or no attention; only + one officer there besides Major Young. At Hindustani prayers, + the women few, but attentive; again blest with much freedom; at + the hospital was seized with such pain from over-exertion of my + voice, that I was obliged to leave off and go away. + +To Brown he writes: 'The rains try my constitution. I am apt to be +troubled with shortness of breath, as at the time I left you. Another +rainy reason I must climb some hill and live there; but the Lord is +our rock. While there is work which _we_ must do, we shall live.' +Again in the early Sunday morning of August he dreamed-- + + That as I was attacked so violently in July, but recovered, at + the same time next year I should be attacked again, and carried + off by death. This, however, would only be awaking in a better + world. If I may but awake up satisfied with Thy likeness, why + shall I be afraid? I think I have but one wish to live, which + is, that I may do the Lord's work, particularly in the Persian + and Hindustani translations; for this I could almost feel + emboldened to supplicate, like Hezekiah, for prolongation of + life, even after receiving this, which may be a warning. + +After six months' experience of his Dinapore-cum-Patna parish, Martyn +sent in 'to the Associated Clergy' the first quarterly report of his +own spiritual life, and of his work for others. + + _April 6._--I begin my first communication to my dear and + honoured brethren, with thankfully accepting their proposal of + becoming a member of their society, and I bless the God and + Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for this new instance of His + mercy to His unworthy creature. May His grace and favour be + vouchsafed to us, and His Holy Spirit direct all our + proceedings, and sanctify our communications to the purposes for + which we are united. + + On a review of the state of my mind since my arrival at + Dinapore, I observe that the graces of joy and love have been at + a low ebb. Faith has been chiefly called into exercise, and + without a simple dependence on the Divine promises I should + still every day sink into fatal despondency. Self-love and + unbelief have been suggesting many foolish fears respecting the + difficulties of my future work among the heathen. The thought of + interrupting a crowd of busy people like those at Patna, whose + every day is a market-day, with a message about eternity, + without command of language sufficient to explain and defend + myself, and so of becoming the scorn of the rabble without doing + them good, was offensive to my pride. The manifest disaffection + of the people, and the contempt with which they eyed me, + confirmed my dread. Added to this the unjust proceedings of many + of the principal magistrates hereabout led me to expect future + commotions in the country, and that consequently poverty and + murder would terminate my career. + + 'Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof'--'As thy days are + so shall thy strength be,' were passages continually brought to + my remembrance, and with these at last my mind grew quiet. Our + countrymen, when speaking of the natives, said, as they usually + do, that they cannot be converted, and if they could they would + be worse than they are. Though I have observed before now that + the English are not in the way of knowing much about the + natives, yet the number of difficulties they mentioned proved + another source of discouragement to me. It is surprising how + positively they are apt to speak on this subject, from their + never acknowledging God in anything: 'Thy judgments are far + above out of his sight.' If we labour to the end of our days + without seeing one convert, it shall not be worse for us in + time, and our reward is the same in eternity. The cause in which + we are engaged is the cause of mercy and truth, and therefore, + in spite of seeming impossibilities, it must eventually prevail. + + I have been also occasionally troubled with infidel thoughts, + which originated perhaps from the cavillings of the Mohammedans + about the person of Christ; but these have been never suffered + to be more than momentary. At such times the awful holiness of + the Word of God, and the deep seriousness pervading it, were + more refreshing to my heart than the most encouraging promises + in it. How despicable must the Koran appear with its mock + majesty and paltry precepts to those who can read the Word of + God! It must presently sink into contempt when the Scriptures + are known. + + Sometimes when those fiery darts penetrated more deeply, I found + safety only in cleaving to God, as a child clasps to his + mother's neck. These things teach me the melancholy truth that + the grace of a covenant God can alone keep me from apostasy and + ruin. + + The European society here consists of the military at the + cantonment and the civil servants at Bankipore. The latter + neither come into church nor have accepted the offer of my + coming to officiate to them. There is, however, no contempt + shown, but rather respect. Of the military servants very few + officers attend, and of late scarcely any of the married + families, but the number of privates, and the families of the + merchants, always make up a respectable congregation. They have + as yet heard very little of the doctrines of the Gospel. I have + in general endeavoured to follow the directions contained in Mr. + Milner's letter on this subject, as given in Mr. Brown's paper, + No. 4. + + At the hospital I have read Doddridge's _Rise and Progress_, and + _The Pilgrim's Progress_. As the people objected to extempore + preaching at church, I have in compliance with their desires + continued to use a book. But on this subject I should be glad of + some advice from my brethren. + + I think it needless to communicate the plans or heads of any of + my sermons, as they have been chiefly on the Parables. It is of + more importance to observe that the Word has not gone forth in + vain, blessed be God! as it has hitherto seemed to do in most + places where I have been called to minister; and this I feel to + be an animating testimony of His presence and blessing. I think + the commanding officer of the native regiment here and his lady + are seeking their salvation in earnest; they now refuse all + invitations on the Lord's day, and pass most of that day at + least in reading the Word, and at all times discover an + inclination to religious conversation. Among the privates, one I + have little doubt is truly converted to God, and is a great + refreshment to me. He parted at once with his native woman, and + allows her a separate maintenance. His conversion has excited + much notice and conversation about religion among the rest, and + three join him in coming twice a week to my quarters for + exposition, singing and prayer. + + I visit the English very little, and yet have had sufficient + experience of the difficulty of knowing how a minister should + converse with his people. I have myself fallen into the worst + extreme, and, from fear of making them connect religion with + gloom, have been led into such shameful levity and conformity to + them as ought to fill me with grief and deep self-abasement. + + How repeatedly has guilt been brought upon my conscience in this + way! Oh, how will the lost souls with whom I have trifled the + hours away look at me in the day of judgment! I hope I am more + and more convinced of the wickedness and folly of assuming any + other character than that of a minister. I ought to consider + that my proper business with the flock over which the Holy Ghost + hath made me overseer is the business of another world, and if + they will not consider it in the same light, I do not think that + I am bound to visit them. + + About the middle of last month, the Church service being ready + in Hindustani, I submitted to the commanding officer of the + European regiment a proposal to perform Divine service + regularly for the native women of his regiment, to which he + cordially assented. The whole number of women, about 200, + attended with great readiness, and have continued to do so. + Instead of a sermon, the Psalms, and the appointed lessons, I + read in two portions the Gospel of St. Matthew regularly + forward, and occasionally make some small attempts at + expounding. The conversion of any of such despised people is + never likely perhaps to be of any extensive use in regard to the + natives at large; but they are a people committed to me by God, + and as dear to Him as others; and next in order after the + English, they come within the expanding circle of action. + + After much trouble and delay, three schools have been + established for the native children on Mr. Creighton's plan--one + at Dinapore, one at Bankipore, and one at Patna, at the last of + which the Persian character is taught as well as the Nagri. The + number of children already is about sixty. The other + schoolmasters, not liking the introduction of these free + schools, spread the report that my intention was to make them + Christians, and send them to Europe; in consequence of which the + zemindars retracted their promises of land, and the parents + refused to send their children; but my schoolmasters very + sensibly went to the people, and told them, 'We are men well + known among you, and when we are made Christians then do you + begin to fear.' So their apprehensions have subsided; but when + the book of Parables, which is just finished, is put into their + hands, I expect a revival of their fears. My hope is that I + shall be able to ingratiate myself a little with the people + before that time; but chiefly that a gracious God will not + suffer Satan to keep his ground any longer, now that the + appointed means are used to dislodge him. But, though these + plans should fail, I hope to be strengthened to fight against + him all my days. For, from what I feel within and see without, I + know enough of him to vow, with my brethren, eternal enmity + against him and his cause. + + Respecting the state of the natives hereabouts, I believe that + the Hindus are lax, for the rich men being few or none, there + are few Brahmins and few _tumashas_ (_ftes_), and without these + idolatry droops. The Mohammedans are numerous and ignorant, but + from the best of them I cannot learn that more than three + arguments can be offered for their religion, which are--the + miracles wrought by Mohammed, those still wrought by his + followers, and his challenge in the second chapter of the Koran, + about producing a chapter like it, all of which are immediately + answered. + + If my brethren have any others brought forward to them they + will, I hope, mention them; and if they have observed any remark + or statement apparently affect a native's mind, they will notice + it. + + Above all things, _seriousness_ in argument with them seems most + desirable, for without it they laugh away the clearest proofs. + Zeal for making proselytes they are used to, and generally + attribute to a false motive; but a tender concern manifested for + their souls is certainly new to them, and seemingly produces + corresponding seriousness in their minds. + + From an officer who had been in the Mahratta service, I learned + some time ago that there were large bodies of Christians at + Narwa, in the Mahratta dominions, Sardhana, Delhi, Agra, Bettia, + Boglipore. To obtain more information respecting them, I sent a + circular letter to the missionaries residing at the three latter + places, and have received two letters in reply. The padre at + Boglipore is a young man just arrived, and his letter contains + no information. From the letter of the padre at Agra I subjoin + some extracts, premising that my questions were: 1. By whom were + you sent? 2. How long has a mission been established in the + place of your residence? 3. Do you itinerate, and to what + distance? 4. Have you any portion of the MSS. translated, or do + you distribute tracts? 5. Do you allow any remains of caste to + the baptized? 6. Have you schools? are the masters heathen or + Christians? 7. Is there any native preacher or catechist? 8. + Number of converts. + + In concluding my report, I take the liberty of proposing two + questions on which I should be thankful for communications in + your next quarterly report. + + 1. On the manner in which a minister should observe the Sabbath; + whether he should make it a point of duty to leave no part of + his discourses to prepare on that day? Whether our particular + situation in this country, requiring redoubled exertion in those + of us at least who are called to the heathen, will justify the + introduction of a secular work into the Sabbath, such as + translating the Scriptures, etc.? + + 2. In the commencement of our labours among the heathen, to + which model should our preaching be conformed,--to that of John + the Baptist and our Saviour, or that of the Apostles? The first + mode seems more natural, and if necessary for the Jews, + comparatively so enlightened, how much more for the heathen, who + have scarcely any notions of morality! On the other hand, the + preaching of the cross has in all ages won the most ignorant + savages; and the Apostles preached it at once to heathens as + ignorant perhaps as these. + +Like Marshman and the Serampore missionaries, Henry Martyn kept up a +Latin correspondence with the missionaries sent from Rome by the +Propaganda to the stations founded by Xavier, and those afterwards +established by that saint's nephew in the days of the tolerant Akbar. +At the beginning of this century, Anglican, Baptist, and Romanist +missionaries all over the East co-operated with each other in +translation work and social intercourse. More than once Martyn +protected the priest at Patna from the persecution of the military +authorities. He planned a visit to their station at Bettia, to the far +north, at the foot of the Himalayas. In hospital his ministrations +were always offered to the Irish soldiers in the absence of their own +priest, and always without any controversial reference. In his +_Journal_ he is often indignant at the Popish perversion of the +doctrines of grace, and in preaching he occasionally set forth the +truth, but in pastoral and social intercourse he never failed to show +the charity of the Christian scholar and the gentleman. + +Major Young, with his wife, was the first of the officers to welcome +Martyn's preaching. Soon the men in hospital learned to appreciate his +daily visits, and to attend to his earnest reading and talk. A few +began to meet with him at his own house regularly, for prayer and the +exposition of Holy Scripture. In January, he writes of one Sunday: +'Great attention. I think the Word is not going forth in vain. In the +afternoon read at the hospital. The steward I found had been long +stationed at Tanjore and knew Schwartz; that Schwartz baptized the +natives not by immersion, but by sprinkling, and with godfathers, and +read the services both in English and Tamil. Felt much delighted at +hearing anything about him. The man told me that the men at the +hospital were very attentive and thankful that I came amongst them. +Passed the evening with great joy and peace in singing hymns.' In the +heat of May he writes: 'Found fifty sick at the hospital, who heard +_The Pilgrim's Progress_ with great delight. Some men came to-night, +but my prayer with them was exceedingly poor and lifeless.' + +In these days, thanks to Lord Lawrence and Sir Henry Norman, there is a +prayer-hall in every cantonment, ever open for the soldier who seeks +quiet communion with God. Then--'Six soldiers came to me to-night. To +escape as much as possible the taunts of their wicked companions, they +go out of their barracks in opposite directions to come to me. At night +a young Scotsman of the European regiment came to me for a hymn-book. He +expressed with tears his past wickedness and determination to lead a +religious life.' On the other side we have such passages as these: 'What +sort of men are these committed to my care? I had given them one more +warning about their whoredom and drunkenness, and it's the truth +grappling with their consciences that makes them furious.' Of the +Company's European regiment he writes to Corrie: 'A more wicked set of +men were, I suppose, never seen. The general, the colonel of the 67th, +and their own colonel all acknowledge it. At the hospital when I visit +their part, some go to a corner and invoke blasphemies upon me because, +as they now believe, the man I speak to dies to a certainty.' A young +lieutenant of fine abilities he recommended strenuously to go into the +ministry. + +Although, fifteen years before, Sir John Shore had given orders as to +the building of churches at military stations, and Lord Wellesley had +set an example of interest in the moral and spiritual welfare of the +Company's servants, nothing had been done outside of the three +Presidency cities. All that Henry Martyn found provided for him, as +chaplain, on his first Sunday at Dinapore, was a long drum, on which +he placed the Prayer-book. He was requested not to preach, because the +men could not stand so long. He found the men playing at fives on +Sunday. All that he soon changed, by an appeal to the general to put +a stop to the games on Sunday, and by holding service at first in a +barrack, and then in his own house. Before leaving Calcutta he had +observed, in a conversation with the Governor-General, on the disgrace +of there being no places of worship at the principal subordinate +stations; upon which directions were given to prepare plans of +building. He wrote to the equally troubled Corrie at Chunar. A year +later nothing had been done, and he draws this picture to Corrie: +'From the scandalous disorder in which the Company have left the +ecclesiastical part of their affairs, so that we have no place fit, +our assemblies are little like worshipping assemblies. No kneeling +because no room; no singing, no responses.' At last Sir George Barlow +sent an order for an estimate for building a church, but Martyn had +left for Cawnpore, only to see a worse state of things there. But the +faithfulness of the 'black' chaplains was telling. He writes, on March +14, 1808: + + The 67th are now all here. The number of their sick makes the + hospital congregation very considerable, so that if I had no + natives, translations, etc., to think of, there is call enough + for my labours and prayers among all these Europeans. The + general at my request has determined to make the whole body of + troops attend in three divisions; and yesterday morning the + Company's European, and two companies of the King's, came to + church in great pomp, with a fine band of music playing. The + King's officers, according to their custom, have declared their + intention not to call upon the Company's; therefore I mean to + call upon them. I believe I told you that 900 of the 67th are + Roman Catholics. It seemed an uncommonly splendid Mohurrum here + also. Mr. H., an assistant judge lately appointed to Patna, + joined the procession in a Hindustani dress, and went about + beating his breast, etc. This is a place remarkable for such + folly. The old judge, you know, has built a mosque here, and the + other judge issued an order that no marriage nor any feasting + should be held during the season of Mohammedan grief. A + remarkably sensible young man called on me yesterday with the + Colonel; they both seem well disposed to religion. I receive + many gratifying testimonies to the change apparently taking + place among the English in religious matters in India; + testimonies, I mean, from the mouths of the people, for I + confess I do not observe much myself. + +Having translated the Church Service into Hindustani, Henry Martyn was +ready publicly to minister to the native women belonging to the +soldiers of the Company's European regiment. From such unions, rarely +lawful, sprang the now great and important Eurasian community, many of +whom have done good service to the Church and the Empire. 'The Colonel +approved, but told me that it was my business to find them an order, +and not his.' + + _1807, March 23._--So I issued my command to the Sergeant-Major + to give public notice in the barracks that there would be Divine + service in the native language on the morrow. The morrow came, + and the Lord sent 200 women, to whom I read the whole of the + morning service. Instead of the lessons I began Matthew, and + ventured to expound a little, and but a little. Yesterday we had + a service again, but I think there were not more than 100. To + these I opened my mouth rather more boldly, and though there was + the appearance of lamentable apathy in the countenances of most + of them, there were two or three who understood and trembled at + the sermon of John the Baptist. This proceeding of mine is, I + believe, generally approved among the English, but the women + come, I fear, rather because it is the wish of their masters. + The day after attending service they went in flocks to the + Mohurrum, and even of those who are baptized, many, I am told, + are so addicted to their old heathenism, that they obtain money + from their husbands to give to the Brahmins. Our time of Divine + service in English is seven in the morning, and in Hindustani + two in the afternoon. May the Lord smile on this first attempt + at ministration in the native language! + + _1807, March 23._--A few days ago I went to Bankipore to fulfil + my promise of visiting the families there; and amongst the rest + called on a poor creature whose black wife has made him + apostatise to Mohammedanism and build a mosque. Major Young went + with me, and the old man's son-in-law was there. He would not + address a single word to me, nor a salutation at parting, + because I found an occasion to remind him that the Son of God + had suffered in the stead of sinners. The same day I went on to + Patna to see how matters stood with respect to the school. Its + situation is highly favourable, near an old gate now in the + midst of the city, and where three ways meet; neither master nor + children were there. The people immediately gathered round me in + great numbers, and the crowd thickened so fast, that it was with + difficulty I could regain my palanquin. I told them that what + they understood by making people Christians was not my + intention; I wished the children to be taught to fear God and + become good men, and that if, after this declaration, they were + still afraid, I could do no more; the fault was not mine, but + theirs. My schools have been heard of among the English sooner + than I wished or expected. The General observed to me one + morning that that school of mine made a very good appearance + from the road; 'but,' said he, 'you will make no proselytes.' If + that be all the opposition he makes, I shall not much mind. + +A week later he wrote: + + _March 30._--Sick in body, but rather serious and humble in + spirit, and so happy; corrected the Parables for a fair copy. + Reading the Koran and Hindustani Ramayuna, and translating + Revelation; a German sergeant came with his native woman to have + her baptized; I talked with her a good while, in order to + instruct her, and found her extraordinarily quick in + comprehension. + + _April 1._--The native woman came again, and I passed a great + deal of time in instructing her in the nature of the Gospel; + but, alas! till the Lord touch her heart, what can a man do? At + night the soldiers came, and we had again a very happy time; how + graciously the Lord fulfils His promise of being where two or + three are gathered together! The pious soldier grows in faith + and love, and spoke of another who wants to join us. They said + that the native women accounted it a great honour to be + permitted to come to a church and hear the Word of God, and + wondered why I should take such trouble for them. + +'How shall it ever be possible to convince a Hindu or Brahmin of +anything?' wrote Henry Martyn to Corrie after two years' experience in +Bengal. + + _1808, January 4._--Truly, if ever I see a Hindu a real believer + in Jesus, I shall see something more nearly approaching the + resurrection of a dead body than anything I have yet seen. + However, I well remember Mr. Ward's words, 'The common people + are angels compared with the Brahmins.' Perhaps the strong man + armed, that keeps the goods in peace, shall be dispossessed from + these, when the mighty Word of God comes to be ministered by us. + +'We shall live to see better days.' For these he prepared his +translations of the Word of God. He wished to itinerate among the +people, but his military duties kept him to the station. When Mr. +Brown made another attempt to get him fixed in the Mission-Church he +replied, 'The evangelisation of India is a more important object than +preaching to the European inhabitants of Calcutta.' To Corrie he +wrote: 'Those sequestered valleys seen from Chunar present an inviting +field for missionary labours. A Sikh, making a pilgrimage to Benares, +came to me; he was very ignorant, and I do not know whether he +understood what I endeavoured to show him about the folly of +pilgrimages, the nature of true holiness, and the plan of the Gospel.' + + _1808, February 12._--Sabat describes so well the character of a + missionary that I am ashamed of my great house, and mean to sell + it the first opportunity, and take the smallest quarters I can + find. Would that the day were come when I might throw off the + coat and substitute the jamer; I long for it more and more; and + am often very uneasy at being in the neighbourhood of so great a + Nineveh without being able to do anything immediately for the + salvation of so many perishing souls. What do you think of my + standing under a shed somewhere in Patna as the missionaries did + in the Lal Bazar? Will the Government interfere? What are your + sensations on the late news? I fear the judgments of God on our + proud nation, and that, as we have done nothing for the Gospel + in India, this vineyard will be let out to others who shall + bring the fruits of it in their season. I think the French would + not treat Juggernaut with quite so much ceremony as we do. + +Above all men in India, at that time and during the next half-century, +however, Henry Martyn was a missionary to the Mohammedans. For them he +learned and he translated Hindustani, Persian, and Arabic. With their +moulvies he conducted controversies; and for years he associated with +himself that extraordinary Arab, Sabat, who made life a burden to him. + +Sabat and Abdallah, two Arabs of notable pedigree, becoming friends, +resolved to travel together. After a visit to Mecca they went to +Cabul, where Abdallah entered the service of Zeman Shah, the famous +Ameer. There an Armenian lent him the Arabic Bible, he became a +Christian, and he fled for his life to Bokhara. Sabat had preceded him +there, and at once recognised him on the street. 'I had no pity,' said +Sabat afterwards. 'I delivered him up to Morad Shah, the king.' He was +offered his life if he would abjure Christ. He refused. Then one of +his hands was cut off, and again he was pressed to recant. 'He made no +answer, but looked up steadfastly towards heaven, like Stephen, the +first martyr, his eyes streaming with tears. He looked at me, but it +was with the countenance of forgiveness. His other hand was then cut +off. But he never changed, and when he bowed his head to receive the +blow of death all Bokhara seemed to say, "What new thing is this?"' + +Remorse drove Sabat to long wanderings, in which he came to Madras, +where the Government gave him the office of mufti, or expounder of the +law of Islam in the civil courts. At Vizagapatam he fell in with a +copy of the Arabic New Testament as revised by Solomon Negri, and sent +out to India by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in the +middle of last century. He compared it with the Koran, the truth fell +on him 'like a flood of light,' and he sought baptism in Madras at the +hands of the Rev. Dr. Kerr. He was named Nathaniel. He was then +twenty-seven years of age. + +When the news reached his family in Arabia his brother set out to +destroy him, and, disguised as an Asiatic, wounded him with a dagger as +he sat in his house at Vizagapatam. He sent him home with letters and +gifts to his mother, and then gave himself up to propagate the truth he +had once, in his friend Abdallah's person, persecuted to the death. He +became one of the translating staff of the Serampore brotherhood, and +did good service on the Arabic and Persian Scriptures. Mr. John +Marshman, who knew him well, used to describe him as a man of lofty +station, of haughty carriage, and with a flowing black beard. Delighted +with the simple life and devotion of the missionaries, he dismissed his +two Arab servants, and won the affection of all. When Serampore arranged +to leave to Henry Martyn the Persian translation of the New Testament, +Sabat left them with tears in his eyes for Dinapore. In almost nothing +does the saintliness of Martyn appear so complete as in the references +in his _Journal_ to the pride, the vanity, the malice, the rage of this +'artless child of the desert,' when it became apparent that his +knowledge of Persian and Arabic had been over-estimated. The passages +are pathetic, and are equalled only by those which, in the closing days +of his life, describe the dying missionary's treatment by his Tartar +escort. But to the last, Sabat, according to Colonel MacInnes of +Penang,[27] 'never spoke of Mr. Martyn without the most profound +respect, and shed tears of grief whenever he recalled how severely he +had tried the patience of this faithful servant of God. He mentioned +several anecdotes to show with what extraordinary sweetness Martyn had +borne his numerous provocations. "He was less a man," he said, "than an +angel from heaven."' + +The rest of Sabat's story may at once be told. Moved by rage at the +exposure, by the Calcutta moonshis, of the incorrectness of his +Arabic, and at the suspicions that his translations were copies from +some old version, Sabat apostatised by publishing a virulent attack on +Christianity. 'As when Judas acted the traitor, Ananias the liar, and +Simon Magus the refined hypocrite, so it was when Sabat daringly +departed from the nominal profession of the truth. The righteous +sorrowed, the unrighteous triumphed; yet wisdom was justified of her +children,' wrote Mr. Sargent. He left Calcutta as a trader for Penang, +where he wrote to the local newspaper declaring that he professed +Christianity anew, and he entered the service of the fugitive Sultan +of Acheen, on the north of Sumatra. Thence, when he was imprisoned by +the insurgents, he wrote letters with his own blood to the Penang +authorities, declaring that he was in some sense a martyr for Christ. +All the private efforts of Colonel MacInnes to obtain his freedom were +in vain; he was tied up in a sack and thrown into the sea. In the +light of these events we must now read Henry Martyn's _Journal_: + + _1807, August 24._--To live without sin is what I cannot expect + in this world, but to desire to live without it may be the + experience of every hour. Thinking to-night of the + qualifications of Sabat, I felt the conviction, both in + reflection and prayer, of the power of God to make him another + St. Paul. + + _November 10._--The very first day we began to spar. He would + come into none of my plans, nor did I approve of his; but I gave + way, and by yielding prevailed, for he now does everything I + tell him.... Sabat lives and eats with me, and goes to his + bungalow at night, so that I hope he has no care on his mind. On + Sunday morning he went to church with me. While I was in the + vestry a bearer took away his chair from him, saying it was + another gentleman's. The Arab took fire and left the church, and + when I sent the clerk after him he would not return. He + anticipated my expostulations after church, and began to lament + that he had _two_ dispositions, one old, the other new. + + _1808, January 11._--Sabat sometimes awakes some of the evil + parts of my nature. Finding I have no book of Logic, he wishes + to translate one of his compositions, to instruct me in that + science. He is much given to contradict, and set people right, + and that he does with an air so dogmatical, that I have not seen + the like of it since I left Cambridge. He looks on the + missionaries at Serampore as so many degrees below him in + intellect, that he says he could write so deeply on a text, that + not one of them would be able to follow him. So I have + challenged him in their name, and to-day he has brought me the + first half of his essay or sermon on a text: with some + ingenuity, it has the most idle display of school-boy pedantic + logic you ever saw. I shall translate it from the Persian, in + order to assist him to rectify his errors. He is certainly + learned in the learning of the Arabs, and how he has acquired so + much in a life so active is strange, but I wish it could be made + to sit a little easier on him. I look forward to St. Paul's + Epistles, in hopes some good will come to him from them. It is a + very happy circumstance that he did not go to preach at his + first conversion; he would have entangled himself in + metaphysical subjects out of his depth, and probably made + shipwreck of his own faith. I have, I think, led him to see that + it is dangerous and foolish to attempt to prove the doctrine of + the Trinity by reason, as he said at first he was perfectly able + to do. + + _January 30._--Sabat to-day finishes St. Matthew, and will write + to you on the occasion. Your letter to him was very kind and + suitable, but I think you must not mention his logic to him, + except with contempt; for he takes what you say on that head as + homage due to his acquirements, and praise to him is brandy to a + man in a high fever. He loves as a Christian brother; but as a + logician he holds us all in supreme contempt. He assumes all the + province of reasoning as his own by right, and decides every + question magisterially. He allows Europeans to know a little + about Arithmetic and Navigation, but nothing more. Dear man! I + smile to observe his pedantry. Never have I seen such an + instance of dogmatical pride since I heard Dr. Parr preach his + Greek Sermon at St. Mary's, about the [Greek: to\ o)/n]. + + _March 7._--Mirza is gone to the Mohurrum to-day: he discovers + no signs of approach to the truth. Sabat creates himself enemies + in every quarter by his jealous and passionate spirit, + particularly among the servants. At his request I have sent away + my tailor and bearers, and he is endeavouring to get my other + servants turned away; because without any proof he suspects them + of having persuaded the bearers not to come into his service. He + can now get no bearers nor tailor to serve him. One day this + week he came to me, and said that he meant to write to Mr. Brown + to remove him from this place, for everything went wrong--the + people were all wicked, etc. The immediate cause of this + vexation was that some boxes, which he had been making at the + expense of 150 rupees, all cracked at the coming on of the hot + weather. I concealed my displeasure at his childish fickleness + of temper, and discovered no anxiety to retain him, but quietly + told him of some of the consequences of removing, so it is gone + out of his mind. But Mirza happened to hear all Sabat's + querulous harangue, and, in order to vex and disgust him + effectually, rode almost into his house, and came in with his + shoes. This irritated the Arab; but Mirza's purpose was not + answered. Mirza began next day to tell a parcel of lies about + Sabat, and to bring proofs of his own learning. The manifest + tendency of all this was to make a division between Sabat and + me, and to obtain his _salary_ and work for himself. Oh, the + hypocrisy and wickedness of an Indian! I never saw a more + remarkable contrast in two men than in Mirza and Sabat. One is + all exterior--the other has no outside at all; one a most + consummate man of the world--the other an artless child of the + desert. + + _March 28._--Sabat has been tolerably quiet this week; but think + of the keeper of a lunatic, and you see me. A war of words broke + out the beginning of last week, but it ended in an honourable + peace. After he got home at night he sent a letter, complaining + of a high crime and misdemeanour in some servant; I sent him a + soothing letter, and the wild beast fell asleep. In all these + altercations we take occasion to consider the extent of + Christian forbearance, as necessary to be exercised in all the + smaller occasions of life, as well as when persecution comes for + religion. This he has not been hitherto aware of. One night in + prayer I forgot to mention Mr. Brown; so, after I had done, he + continued on his knees and went on and prayed in Persian for + him. I was much pleased at this. + + Did you read Lord Minto's speech, and his commendation of those + _learned and pious men_, the missionaries? I have looked upon + him ever since as a nursing-father to the Church. + + _April 11._--It is surprising that a man can be so blinded by + vanity as to suppose, as Sabat does, that he is superior to + Mirza in Hindustani; yet this he does, and maintains it stoutly. + I am tired of combating this opinion, as nothing comes of our + arguments but strifes. Another of his odd opinions is, that he + is so under the immediate influence and direction of the Spirit, + that there will not be one single error in his whole Persian + translation. You perceive a little enthusiasm in the character + of our brother. As often as he finds himself in any difficulty, + he expects a dream to set him right. + + _April 26._--These Orientals with whom I translate require me to + point out the connection between every two sentences, which is + often more than I can do. It is curious how accurately they + observe all the rules of writing, and yet generally write badly. + I can only account for it by supposing that they have been + writing too long. From time immemorial they have been authors, + without progressive knowledge; and so to produce variety they + supply their lack of knowledge by overstraining their + imagination; hence their extravagant metaphors and affected way + of expressing the commonest things. Sabat, though a real + Christian, has not lost a jot of his Arabian pride. He looks + upon the Europeans as mushrooms, and seems to regard my + pretensions to any learning as we do those of a savage or an + ape. + + _May 31._--Some days Sabat overworked himself and was laid up. + He does his utmost. He is increasingly dear to me, as I see more + of the meekness and gentleness of Christ in him. Our conflicts I + hope are over, and we shall draw very quietly together side by + side. + +In all this, and much more that followed, or is unrecorded, Henry +Martyn was being prepared unconsciously for his formal and unanswered +controversies with the learned Mussulmans of Persia. His letters to +Corrie tell of his farther experience with his moonshis and the +moulvies of Patna, and describe the true spirit of such 'disputings' +for the truth. + + _1807, April 28._--Of what importance is our walk in reference + to our ministry, and particularly among the natives. For myself, + I never enter into a dispute with them without having reason to + reflect that I mar the work for which I contend by the spirit + in which I do it. During my absence at Monghyr moonshi went to a + learned native for assistance against an answer I had given him + to their main argument for the Koran, and he not being able to + render it, they mean to have down their leading man from Benares + to convince me of the truth of their religion. I wish a spirit + of inquiry may be excited, but I lay not much stress upon _clear + arguments_; the work of God is seldom wrought in this way. To + preach the Gospel, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, is + a better way to win souls. + + _May 4._--I am preparing for the assault of this great + Mohammedan Imaum. I have read the Koran and notes twice for this + purpose, and even filled whole sheets with objections, remarks, + questions, etc.; but, alas! what little hopes have I of doing + him or any of them good in this way! Moonshi is in general mute. + + _October 28._--At night, in a conversation with Mirza + accidentally begun, I spoke to him for more than three hours on + Christianity and Mohammedanism. He said there was no passage in + the Gospel that said no prophet shall come after Christ. I + showed him the last verse in Matthew, the passages in Isaiah and + Daniel, on the eternity of Christ's kingdom, and proved it from + the nature of the way of salvation in the Gospel. I then told + him my objections against Mohammedanism, its laws, its defects, + its unnecessariness, the unsuitableness of its rewards, and its + utter want of support by proof. When he began to mention + Mahomet's miracles, I showed him the passages in the 6th and + 13th chapters of the Koran, where he disavows the power. Nothing + surprised him so much as these passages; he is, poor man, + totally indifferent about all religion; he told me that I had + produced great doubt in his mind, and that he had no answer to + give. + + _November 21._--My mind violently occupied with thoughts + respecting the approaching spread of the Gospel, and my own + going to Persia. Sabat's conversation stirs up a great desire in + me to go; as by his account all the Mahometan countries are ripe + for throwing off the delusion. The gracious Lord will teach me, + and make my way plain before my face. Oh, may He keep my soul in + peace, and make it indifferent to me whether I die or live, so + Christ be magnified by me. I have need to receive this spirit + from Him, for I feel at present unwilling to die, as if my own + life and labours were necessary for this work, or as if I should + be deprived of the bliss of seeing the conversion of the + nations. Vain thought! God, who keeps me here awhile, arranges + every part of His plans in unerring wisdom, and if I should be + cut off in the midst of my plans, I shall still, I trust, + through mercy, behold His works in heaven, and be everlastingly + happy in the never-ceasing admiration of His works and nature. + Every day the disputes with Mirza and Moorad Ali become more + interesting. Their doubts of Mahometanism seem to have amounted + almost to disbelief. Moorad Ali confessed that they all received + their religion, not on conviction, but because it was the way of + their fathers; and he said with great earnestness, that if some + great Sheikh-ool-Islam, whom he mentioned, could not give an + answer, and a satisfactory, rational evidence, of the truth of + Islamism, he would renounce it and be baptized. Mirza seemed + still more anxious and interested, and speaks of it to me and + Sabat continually. In translating 1 Timothy i. 15, I said to + them, 'You have in that verse heard the Gospel; your blood will + not be required at my hands; you will certainly remember these + words at the last day.' This led to a long discussion, at the + close of which, when I said that, notwithstanding their + endeavours to identify the two religions, there is still so much + difference 'that if our word is true you are lost,' they looked + at each other almost with consternation, and said 'It is true.' + Still the Trinity and the incarnation of Christ afford a plea to + the one, and a difficulty to the other. + + At another time, when I had, from some passage, hinted to Mirza + his danger, he said with great earnestness, 'Sir, why won't you + try to save me?' 'Save you?' said I, 'I would lay down my life + to save your soul: what can I do?' He wished me to go to + Phoolwari, the Mussulman college, and there examine the subject + with the most learned of their doctors. I told him I had no + objection to go to Phoolwari, but why could not he as well + inquire for himself whether there were any evidence for + Mohammedanism? + + _1808, June 14._--Called on Bahir Ali Khan, Dare, and the + Italian padre; with Bahir Ali I stayed two hours, conversing in + Persian. He began our theological discussion with a question to + me, 'How do you reconcile God's absolute power and man's free + will?' I pleaded ignorance and inability, but he replied to his + own question very fully, and his conclusion seemed to be that + God had created evil things for the trial of His creatures. His + whole manner, look, authority, and copiousness constantly + reminded me of the Dean of Carlisle.[28] I asked him for the + proofs of the religion of Mahomet. The first he urged was the + eloquence of the Koran. After a long time he conceded that it + was, of itself, an insufficient argument. I then brought forward + a passage of the Koran containing a sentiment manifestly false; + on which he floundered a good deal; but concluded with saying + that I must wait till I knew more of logic and Persian before he + could explain it to me satisfactorily. On the whole, I was + exceedingly pleased with his candour, politeness, and good + sense. He said he had nothing to lose by becoming a Christian, + and that, if he were once persuaded of the truth, he would + change without hesitation. He showed me an Arabic translation of + Euclid. + + _June 15._--Read an account of Turkey. The bad effects of the + book were so great that I found instant need of prayer, and I do + not know when I have had such divine and animating feelings. Oh, + it is Thy Spirit that makes me pant for the skies. It is He that + shall make me trample the world and my lusts beneath my feet, + and urge my onward course towards the crown of life. + + _December 5._--Went to Patna to Sabat, and saw several Persians + and Arabians. I found that the intended dispute had come to + nothing, for that Ali had told Sabat he had been advised by his + father not to dispute with him. They behaved with the utmost + incivility to him, not giving him a place to sit down, and + desiring him at last to go. Sabat rose, and shook his garment + against them, and said, 'If you know Mohammedanism to be right, + and will not try to convince me, you will have to answer for it + at the day of judgment. I have explained to you the Gospel; I am + therefore pure from your blood.' He came home and wrote some + poetry on the Trinity, and the Apostles, which he recited to me. + We called on Mizra Mehdi, a jeweller, who showed us some + diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. With an old Arabian there I + tried to converse in Arabic. He understood my Arabic, but I + could not understand his. They were all full of my praise, but + then the pity was that I was a Christian. I challenged them to + show what there was wrong in being a Nazarene, but they + declined. Afterwards we called on the nabob Moozuffur Ali Khan. + The house Sabat lived in was properly an Oriental one; and, as + he said, like those in Syria. It reminded me often of the + Apostles, and the recollection was often solemnising. + + _December 6 to 8._--Betrayed more than once into evil temper, + which left dreadful remorse of conscience; I cried unto God in + secret, but the sense of my sinfulness was overwhelming. It had + a humbling effect, however. In prayer with my men I was led more + unfeignedly to humble myself even to the dust, and after that I + enjoyed, through the sovereign mercy of God, much peace, and a + sense of His presence. Languid in my studies; indisposition + causing sleepiness. Reading chiefly Persian and a little Greek: + Hanway, Waring, and Franklin's Travels into Persia. Haji Khan, a + sensible old man from Patna, called two days following, and sat + a long time conversing upon religion. + + TO MRS. DARE, GAYA + + Dinapore: May 19, 1808. + + Dear Mrs. Dare,[29]--Your letter arrived just in time to save + you from some severe animadversions that were preparing for you. + I intended to have sent by your young friend some remarks, + direct and oblique, on the variableness of the sex, the facility + with which promises are made and broken, the pleasures of + indolence, and other topics of the like nature,--but your kind + epistle disarms me. Soon after you left us, the heat increased + to a degree I had never before felt, and made me often think of + you with concern. I used to say to Colonel Bradshaw, 'I wonder + how Mrs. Dare likes Gya, and its burning hills--I dare say she + would be glad to be back again.' Well, I should be glad if we + had you here again. I want female society, and among the ladies + of Dinapore there is none with whom I have a chance of obtaining + a patient hearing when speaking to them on the subject of their + most important interest. This, you know, is the state of all but + Mrs. Stuart, and it is a state of danger and death. Follow them + no more, my dear friend: but now, in the solitude of Gya, learn + those lessons of heavenly wisdom, that, when you are brought + again into a larger society, you may not yield to the impulse of + doing as others do, but, by a life of true seriousness, put them + to shame. + + I go on much as usual, occupied all day, and laying a weary + head on the pillow at night. My health, which you inquire after + so kindly, is on the whole good; but I am daily reminded that it + is a fragile frame I carry about. + + _August 23._--I rejoice to find by your letter that you are + contented with your lot. Before the time of Horace, and since + too, contentment has been observed to be a very rare thing on + earth, and I know not how it is to be obtained but by learning + in the school of the Gospel. 'I have _learned_,' said even St. + Paul, 'in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.' To be + a little slanderous for once, I suspect Colonel Bradshaw, our + common friend, who will send you a letter by the same sepoy, + must have a lecture or two more read to him in this science, as + he is far from being perfect in it. He has, you know, all that + heart can wish of this world's goods, and yet he is restless; + sometimes the society is dull; at other times the blame is laid + on the quarters, and he must go out of cantonments. To-day he is + going to Gya, to-morrow on the river. Now, I tell him that he + need not change his place, but his heart. Let him seek his + happiness in God, and he will carry about a paradise in his own + bosom. _The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for + him, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose._ + + _September 23._--My dear Mrs. Dare, attend to the call of God; + He never speaks more to the heart than by affliction. Such a + season as this, so favourable to the commencement of true piety, + may never again occur. Hereafter time may have riveted worldly + habits on you, and age rendered the heart insensible. Begin now + to be melancholy? No--to be seriously happy, to be purely happy, + everlastingly happy. + +Ever, through the solitude, the suffering, and the toiling of the +first twelve months at Dinapore, the thought of Lydia Grenfell, the +hope of her union to him, and her help in his agonising for India, +runs like a chord of sad music. He thus writes to his cousin, her +sister: + + Indeed, all my Europe letters this season have brought me such + painful news that I almost dread receiving another. Such is the + vanity of our expectations. I had been looking out with more + than ordinary anxiety for these letters, thinking they would + give me some account of Lydia's coming--whereas yours and hers + have only wounded me, and my sister's,[30] giving me the + distressing tidings of her ill-health, makes my heart bleed. Oh, + it is now that I feel the agony of having half the globe + intervening between us. Could I but be with her: yet God who + heareth prayer will surely supply my place. From Sally I expect + neither promptness nor the ability to console her sister. This + is the first time Sally has taken up her pen to write to me, and + thought an apology necessary for her neglect. Perhaps she has + been wrapt up in her dear husband, or her dearer self. I feel + very angry with her. But my dear faithful Lydia has more than + compensated for all the neglect of my own relations. I believe + she has sent me more than all the rest in England put together. + If I had not loved her before, her affectionate and constant + remembrance of me would win my heart. + + You mention the name of your last little one (may she be a + follower of her namesake!). It reminds me of what Mr. Brown has + lately written to me. He says that Mrs. B. had determined her + expected one should be called after me: but, as it proved to be + a girl, it was called _Lydia Martyn Brown_, a combination that + suggests many reflections to my mind. + + And now I ought to begin to write about myself and India: but I + fear you are not so interested about me as you used to be: yet + the Church of God, I know, is dear to you always! Let me speak + of the ministers. The Gospel was preached before the + Governor-General by seven different evangelical chaplains in the + course of six months. Of these five have associated, agreeing to + communicate with each other quarterly reports of their + proceedings. They are Mr. Brown at Calcutta, Thompson at + Cuddalore, Parson at Berhampore, Corrie at Chunar, and myself + here. Corrie and myself, as being most similarly employed, + correspond every week. He gives all his attention to the + languages, and has his heart wholly towards the heathen. He has + set on foot four schools in his neighbourhood, and I four here + along the banks of the Ganges, containing 120 boys: he has + nearly the same number. The masters are heathens--but they have + consented with some reluctance to admit the Christian books. The + little book on the Parables in the dialect of Bihar, which I had + prepared for them, is now in the press at Serampore; for the + present, they read with their own books the Sermon on the Mount. + We hope by the help of God to enlarge the plan of the schools + very considerably, as soon as we have felt the ground, and can + advance boldly. + + Respecting my own immediate plans, I am rather in the dark. They + wish to engage me as a translator of the Scriptures into + Hindustani and Persian, by the help of some learned natives; and + if this plan is settled at Calcutta, I shall engage in it + without hesitation, as conceiving it to be the most useful way + in which I can be employed at present in the Church of God. If + not, I hope to begin to itinerate as soon as the rains are over; + not that I can hope to be easily understood yet, but by mixing + familiarly with the natives I should soon learn. Little + permanent good, however, can be done till some of the Scriptures + can be put into their hands. On this account I wish to help + forward this work as quick as possible, because a chapter will + speak plainly in a thousand places at once, while I can speak, + and not very plainly, but in one. One advantage attending the + delay of public preaching will be that the schools will have a + fair run, for the commencement of preaching will be the downfall + of the schools. I have my tent ready, and would set out with + pleasure to-morrow if the time for this work were come. As there + is public service here every Lord's Day, three days' journey is + the longest I can take. This may hereafter prove an + inconvenience: but the advantages of being a Company's servant + are incalculable. A missionary not in the service is liable to + be stopped by every subaltern; but there is no man that can + touch me. Amongst the Europeans at this station I am not without + encouragement. Eight or ten, chiefly corporals or sergeants, + come to my quarters Sunday and Wednesday nights for social + worship: but it does not appear that more than one are truly + converted. The commanding officer of the native battalion and + his lady, whom I mentioned in my last, are, I think, + increasingly serious--but the fear of man is their snare. Mrs. + Young says that, with Lydia to support her, she could face the + frown of the world. I had been looking forward with pleasure to + the time when she _would_ have such support, and rejoiced that + Lydia would have so sensible and hopeful a companion. + + Dinapore: December, 1807. + + My dear Cousin,--Your letter, after so long a silence, was a + great relief to me, as it assured me of your undiminished + affection; but I regretted you had been so sparing in your + consolations on the subject of my late disappointment. Remember, + it was to you I used to unbosom all my anxieties, and I still + look to you for that sympathising tenderness which no other + person perhaps feels for me, or at least can venture to express. + How every particular of our conversation in the journey from + Redruth to Plymouth Dock returns to my mind! I have reason + indeed to remember it--from that time I date my sorrows--we + talked too much about Lydia. Her last letter was to bid me a + final farewell, so I must not write to her without her + permission; she wished she might hear by you that I was happy. I + am therefore obliged to say that God has, according to her + prayer, kept me in peace, and indeed strengthened me unto all + patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. At first, like + Jonah, I was more grieved at the loss of my gourd than at the + sight of the many perishing Ninevehs all round me; but now my + earthly woes and earthly attachments seem to be absorbing in the + vast concern of communicating the Gospel to these nations. After + this last lesson from God on the vanity of creature love, I feel + desirous to be nothing, to have nothing, to ask for nothing, but + what He gives. So remarkably and so repeatedly has He baffled my + schemes of earthly comfort that I am forced at last to believe + His determination to be, that I should live in every sense a + stranger and pilgrim on the earth. Lydia allows me not the most + distant prospect of ever seeing her; and if indeed the supposed + indelicacy of her coming out to me is an obstacle that cannot be + got over, it is likely indeed to be a lasting separation: for + when shall I ever see it lawful to leave my work here for three + years, when every hour is unspeakably precious? I am beginning + therefore to form my plans as a person in a state of celibacy, + and mean to trouble you no more on what I have been lately + writing about so much. However, let me be allowed to make one + request; it is that Lydia would at least consider me as she did + before, and write as at that time. Perhaps there may be some + objection to this request, and therefore I dare not urge it. I + say only that by experience I know it will prove an inestimable + blessing and comfort to me. If you really wish to have a + detailed account of my proceedings, exert your influence in + effecting this measure; for you may be sure that I shall be + disposed to write to _her_ letters long enough, longer than to + any other, for this reason among others, that of the three in + the world who have most love for me, _i.e._ Sally, Lydia, and + yourself, I believe that, notwithstanding all that has + happened, the middle one loves most truly. If this conjecture of + mine is well-founded, she will be most interested in what + befalls me, and I shall write in less fear of tiring. My bodily + health, which you require me always to mention, is prodigious, + my strength and spirits are in general greater than ever they + were, and this under God I ascribe to the susceptibility of my + frame, giving me instant warning of anything that may disorder + it. Half-an-hour's exposure to the sun produces an immediate + overflow of bile: therefore I take care never to let the sun's + rays fall upon my body. Vexation or anxiety has the same effect. + For this, faith and prayer for the peace of God are the best + remedy. + + Since my last letter, written a few months ago in reply to + Cousin T., I do not recollect that anything has happened. Dr. + Buchanan's last publication on the Christian Institution will + give you the most full and interesting accounts of the affairs + of our Lord's kingdom in India. The press seems to us all to be + the great instrument at present. Preaching by the European + Mission here has in no instance that I know of been successful. + Everything in our manner, pronunciation, and doctrine is so new + and strange, that to instruct them properly _viv voce_ seems to + be giving more time to a small body of them than can be + conveniently spared from the great mass. Yet, on the other hand, + I feel reason to be guarded against the love of carnal ease, + which would make me prefer the literary work of translating to + that of an itinerant: upon the whole, however, I acquiesce in + the work that Dr. B. has assigned me, from conviction. Through + the blessing of God I have finished the New Testament in the + Perso-Arabic-Hindustani, but it must undergo strict revisal + before it can be sent to the press. My assistants in this work + were Mirza Mahommed Ali and Moorad Ali, two Mahometans, and I + sometimes hope there are convictions in their minds which they + will not be able to shake off. They have not much doubt of the + falsehood of Mahometanism, and the truth of the Gospel, but they + cannot take up the cross. + + The arrival of Jawad Sabat, our Arabian brother, at Dinapore, + had a great effect upon them.... He is now employed in + translating the New Testament into Persian and Arabic, and great + will be the benefit to his own soul, that he is called to study + the Word of God: the Bible Society at home will, I hope, bear + the expense of printing it. This work, whenever it is done + properly, will be the downfall of Mahometanism. What do I not + owe to the Lord for giving me to take part in a translation? + Never did I see such wonders of wisdom and love in the blessed + book, as since I have been obliged to study every expression; + and it is often a delightful reflection, that even death cannot + deprive us of the privilege of studying its mysteries.... I + forgot to mention Lydia's profile, which I received. I have now + to request her miniature picture, and you must draw on Mr. + Simeon, my banker, for the expense.... I need not assure you and + Cousin T. of my unceasing regard, nor Lydia of my unalterable + attachment. God bless you all, my beloved friends. Pray for me, + as I do also for you. Our separation will soon be over. + + _July 3._--Received two Europe letters--one from Lydia, and the + other from Colonel Sandys. The tender emotions of love, and + gratitude, and veneration for her, were again powerfully + awakened in my mind, so that I could with difficulty think of + anything else; yet I found myself drawn nearer to God by the + pious remarks of her letter. Nature would have desired more + testimonies of her love to me, but grace approved her ardent + love to her Lord. + + TO CHARLES SIMEON[31] + + Danapore (_sic_): January, 1808. + + My dearest Friend and Brother,--I must begin my letter with + assurances of eternal regard; eternal will it be if I find + grace to be faithful.... My expectation of seeing Lydia here is + now at an end. I cannot doubt any longer what is the Divine + will, and I bow to it. Since I have been led to consider myself + as perfectly disengaged from the affairs of this life, my soul + has been filled with more ardent desires to spend and be spent + in the service of God; and though in truth the world has now + little to charm me, I think these desires do not arise from a + misanthropic disgust to it.... I never loved, nor ever shall + love, human creature as I love her. + +Soon after David Brown of Calcutta wrote to Charles Simeon, whom a +rumour of Henry Martyn's engagement to Miss Corrie, his friend's +sister, had reached: 'How could you imagine that Miss C. would do as +well as Miss L.G. for Mr. Martyn? Dear Martyn is married already to +three wives, whom, I believe, he would not forsake for all the +princesses in the earth--I mean his three translations of the Holy +Scriptures.' + +To Mrs. Brown at Aldeen, who was his confidante in India, Martyn wrote +on July 21: + + It appears that the letter by the overland despatch did not + reach Lydia. Again, the Sarah Christiana packet, which carried + the duplicate, ought to have arrived long before the sailing of + these last ships from England, but I see no account of her. It + is probable, therefore, that I shall have to wait a considerable + time longer in uncertainty; all which is good, because so hath + the Lord appointed it. + + _July 25._--Hard at Arabic grammar all day, after finishing + sermon. Sat in the evening a long time at my door, after the + great fatigue of the day, to let my mind relax itself, and found + a melancholy pleasure in looking back upon the time spent at St. + Hilary and Marazion. How the days and years are gone by, as a + tale that is told! + +At last the blow had fallen. + + _October 24._--An unhappy day: received at last a letter from + Lydia, in which she refuses to come because her mother will not + consent to it. Grief and disappointment threw my soul into + confusion at first, but gradually as my disorder subsided my + eyes were opened, and reason resumed its office. I could not but + agree with her that it would not be for the glory of God, nor + could we expect His blessing, if she acted in disobedience to + her mother. As she has said, 'They that walk in crooked paths + shall not find peace;' and if she were to come with an uneasy + conscience, what happiness could we either of us expect? + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Dinapore: October 24, 1807. + + My dear Lydia,--Though my heart is bursting with grief and + disappointment, I write not to blame you. The rectitude of all + your conduct secures you from censure. Permit me calmly to reply + to your letter of March 5, which I have this day received. + + You condemn yourself for having given me, though + unintentionally, encouragement to believe that my attachment was + returned. Perhaps you have. I have read your former letters with + feelings less sanguine since the receipt of the last, and I am + still not surprised at the interpretation I put upon them. But + why accuse yourself for having written in this strain? It has + not increased my expectations nor consequently embittered my + disappointment. When I addressed you in my first letter on the + subject, I was not induced to it by any appearances of regard + you had expressed, neither at any subsequent period have my + hopes of your consent been founded on a belief of your + attachment to me. I knew that your conduct would be regulated, + not by personal feelings, but by a sense of duty. And therefore + you have nothing to blame yourself for on this head. + + In your last letter you do not assign among your reasons for + refusal a want of regard to me. In that case I could not in + decency give you any further trouble. On the contrary, you say + that '_present_ circumstances seem to you to forbid my indulging + expectations.' As this leaves an opening, I presume to address + you again; and till the answer arrives must undergo another + eighteen months of torturing suspense. + + Alas! my rebellious heart--what a tempest agitates me! I knew + not that I had made so little progress in a spirit of + resignation to the Divine will. I am in my chastisement like a + bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, like a wild bull in a net, + full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of my God. The death of + my late most beloved sister almost broke my heart; but I hoped + it had softened me and made me willing to suffer. But now my + heart is as though destitute of the grace of God, full of + misanthropic disgust with the world, and sometimes feeling + resentment against yourself and Emma, and Mr. Simeon, and, in + short, all whom I love and honour most; sometimes, in pride and + anger, resolving to write neither to you nor to any one else + again. These are the motions of sin. My love and my better + reason draw me to you again.... But now with respect to your + mother, I confess that the chief and indeed only difficulty lies + here. Considering that she is _your_ mother, as I hoped she + would be mine, and that her happiness so much depends on you; + considering also that I am God's minister, which amidst all the + tumults of my soul I dare not forget, I falter in beginning to + give advice which may prove contrary to the law of God. God + forbid, therefore, that I should say, disobey your parents, + where the Divine law does not command you to disobey them; + neither do I positively take upon myself to say that this is a + case in which the law of God requires you to act in + contradiction to them. I would rather suggest to your mother + some considerations which justify me in attempting to deprive + her of the company of a beloved child. + + _October 26._--A Sabbath having intervened since the above was + written, I find myself more tranquillised by the sacred + exercises of the day. One passage of Scripture which you quote + has been much on my mind, and I find it very appropriate and + decisive,--that we are not to 'make to ourselves crooked paths, + which whoso walketh in shall not know peace.' Let me say I must + be therefore contented to wait till you feel that the way is + clear. But I intended to justify myself to Mrs. Grenfell. Let + her not suppose that I would make her or any other of my + fellow-creatures miserable, that I might be happy. If there were + no reason for your coming here, and the contest were only + between Mrs. Grenfell and me, that is, between her happiness and + mine, I would urge nothing further, but resign you to her. But I + have considered that there are many things that might reconcile + her to a separation from you (if indeed a separation is + necessary, for if she would come along with you, I should + rejoice the more). First, she does not depend on you alone for + the comfort of her declining years. She is surrounded by + friends. She has a greater number of sons and daughters + honourably established in the world than falls to the lot of + most parents--all of whom would be happy in having her amongst + them. Again, if a person worthy of your hand, and settled in + England, were to offer himself, Mrs. Grenfell would not have + insuperable objections, though it _did_ deprive her of her + daughter. Nay, I sometimes think, perhaps arrogantly, that had I + myself remained in England, and in possession of a competency, + she would not have withheld her consent. Why, then, should my + banishment from my native country, in the service of mankind, be + a reason with any for inflicting an additional wound, far more + painful than a separation from my dearest relatives? + + I have no claim upon Mrs. Grenfell in any way, but let her only + conceive a son of her own in my circumstances. If she feels it a + sacrifice, let her remember that it is a sacrifice made to duty; + that your presence here would be of essential service to the + Church of God it is superfluous to attempt to prove. If you + really believe of yourself as you speak, it is because you were + never out of England. + + Your mother cannot be so misinformed respecting India and the + voyage to it as to be apprehensive on account of the climate or + passage, in these days when multitudes of ladies every year, + with constitutions as delicate as yours, go to and fro in + perfect safety, and a vastly greater majority enjoy their health + here than in England. With respect to my means I need add + nothing to what was said in my first letter. But, alas! what is + my affluence good for now? It never gave me pleasure but when I + thought you were to share it with me. Two days ago I was + hastening on the alterations in my house and garden, supposing + you were at hand; but now every object excites disgust. My wish, + upon the whole, is that if you perceive it would be your duty to + come to India, were it not for your mother--and of that you + cannot doubt--supposing, I mean, that your inclinations are + indifferent, then you should make her acquainted with your + thoughts, and let us leave it to God how He will determine her + mind. + + In the meantime, since I am forbidden to hope for the immediate + pleasure of seeing you, my next request is for a mutual + engagement. My own heart is engaged, I believe, indissolubly. + + My reason for making a request which you will account bold is + that there can then be no possible objection to our + correspondence, especially as I promise not to persuade you to + leave your mother. + + In the midst of my present sorrow I am constrained to remember + yours. Your compassionate heart is pained from having been the + cause of suffering to me. But care not for me, dearest Lydia. + Next to the bliss of having you with me, my happiness is to know + that you are happy. I shall have to groan long, perhaps, with a + heavy heart; but if I am not hindered materially by it in the + work of God, it will be for the benefit of my soul. You, sister + beloved in the Lord, know much of the benefit of affliction. Oh, + may I have grace to follow you, though at a humble distance, in + the path of patient suffering, in which you have walked so long! + Day and night I cease not to pray for you, though I fear my + prayers are of little value. + + But, as an encouragement to you to pray, I cannot help + transcribing a few words from my journal, written at the time + you wrote your letter to me (March 7): 'As on the two last days' + (you wrote your letter on the 5th), 'felt no desire for a + comfortable settlement in the world, scarcely pleasure at the + thought of Lydia's coming, except so far as her being sent might + be for the good of my soul and assistance in my work. How + manifestly is there an omnipresent, all-seeing God, and how sure + we may be that prayers for spiritual blessings are heard by our + God and Father! Oh, let that endearing name quell every murmur! + When I am sent for to different parts of the country to + officiate at marriages, I sometimes think, amidst the festivity + of the company, Why does all go so easily with them, and so + hardly with me? They come together without difficulty, and I am + baulked and disconcerted almost every step I take, and condemned + to wear away the time in uncertainty. Then I call to mind that + to live without chastening is allowed to the spurious offspring, + while to suffer is the privilege of the children of God.' + + Dearest Lydia, must I conclude? I could prolong my communion + with you through many sheets; how many things have I to say to + you, which I hoped to have communicated in person. But the more + I write and the more I think of you, the more my affection + warms, and I should feel it difficult to keep my pen from + expressions that might not be acceptable to you. + + Farewell! dearest, most beloved Lydia, remember your faithful + and ever affectionate, + + H. MARTYN. + + _October 25._ (Sunday.)--Preached on Isaiah lii. 13 to a large + congregation, my mind continually in heaviness, and my health + disturbed in consequence. The women still fewer than ever at + Hindustani prayer, and, at night, some of the men who were not + on duty did not come; all these things are deeply afflicting, + and yet my heart is so full of its own griefs, that I mourn not + as I ought for the Church of God. I have not a moment's relief + from my burdens but after being some time in prayer; afterwards + my uneasiness and misery return again. + + _October 26._--Mirza from Benares arrived to-day; I employed all + the day in writing letters to Mr. Brown, Corrie, and Lydia. The + last was a sweet and tranquillising employment to me. I felt + more submission to the Divine will, and began to be more + solicitous about Lydia's peace and happiness than my own. How + much has she been called to suffer! These are they that come out + of great tribulation. + + TO REV. DAVID BROWN + + Dinapore: October 26, 1807. + + My dear Sir,--I have received your two letters of the 14th and + 17th; the last contained a letter from Lydia. It is as I feared. + She refuses to come because her mother will not give her + consent. Sir, you must not wonder at my pale looks when I + receive so many hard blows on my heart. Yet a Father's love + appoints the trial, and I pray that it may have its intended + effect. Yet, if you wish to prolong my existence in this world, + make a representation to some persons at home who may influence + her friends. Your word will be believed sooner than mine. The + extraordinary effect of mental disorder on my bodily frame is + unfortunate; trouble brings on disease and disorders the sleep. + In this way I am labouring a little now, but not much; in a few + days it will pass away again. He that hath delivered and doth + deliver, is He in whom we trust that He will yet deliver. + + * * * * * + + The queen's ware on its way to me can be sold at an outcry or + sent to Corrie. I do not want queen's ware or anything else now. + My new house and garden, without the person I expected to share + it with me, excite disgust. + + _November 25._--Letters came from Mr. Simeon and Lydia, both of + which depressed my spirits exceedingly; though I have been + writing for some days past, that I might have it in my power to + consider myself free, so as to be able to go to Persia or + elsewhere;--yet, now that the wished-for permission is come, I + am filled with grief; I cannot bear to part with Lydia, and she + seems more necessary to me than my life; yet her letter was to + bid me a last farewell. Oh, how have I been crossed from + childhood, and yet how little benefit have I received from these + chastisements of my God! The Lord now sanctify this, that since + the last desire of my heart also is withheld, I may with + resignation turn away for ever from the world, and henceforth + live forgetful of all but God. With Thee, O my God, there is no + disappointment; I shall never have to regret that I loved Thee + too well. Thou hast said, 'Delight thyself in the Lord, and He + shall give thee the desires of thine heart.' + + _November 26._--Received a letter from Emma, which again had a + tendency to depress my spirits; all the day I could not attain + to sweet resignation to God. I seemed to be cut off for ever + from happiness in not having Lydia with me. + +The receipt of his letter of October 24, 1807, was thus acknowledged, +before God, by Lydia Grenfell in her _Diary_: + + _1808, May 9._--A letter from my dear friend in India + (requesting me to come out) reached me. These words form my + comfort: 'Be still, and know that I am God.' I see my duty + pointed out, and am persuaded, dark as the prospect is, God will + appear God in this matter; whether we meet again or not, His + great power and goodness will be displayed--it has been in + quieting my heart, for oh, the trial is not small of seeing the + state of his mind. But I am to be still, and now, O Lord, let + Thy love fill my soul, let it be supreme in his breast and mine; + there is no void where Thou dwellest, whatever else is wanting. + + _May 11._--My mind distressed, perplexed, and troubled for my + dear friend; much self-reflection for having suffered him to see + my regard for him (and what it is), yet the comforts of God's + Word return--'Why take ye thought?' said our Lord. Yet to-morrow + burdens the present day. Oh, pity and support me to bear the + thought of injuring his peace--inquire if the cause is of God. + + _May 15._--Lord, Thou seest my wanderings--oh, how many, how + great! Put my tears into Thy bottle. Yes, my Lord, I can forsake + Thee and be content; I turn and turn, restless and miserable, + till I am turned to Thee. What a week have I passed! never may + such another pass over my head!--my thoughts wholly occupied + about my absent friend--distressed for his distress, and full of + self-reproaches for all that's past--writing bitter things + against myself--my heart alienated dreadfully from God--and the + duties I am in the habit of performing all neglected. Oh, should + the Lord not awake for me and draw me back, whither should I go? + His Word has been my comfort at times, but Satan or conscience + (I doubt which) tells me I am in a delusion to take the comfort + of God's Word, for I ought to suffer. But am I justified in + putting comfort from me? since I no way excuse myself, but am, I + trust, humbled for my imprudence in letting my friend know the + state of mind towards him, and this is all I have injured him + in. I accuse myself, too, for want of candour with my family, + and oh, let me not forget the greatest offence of all--not + consulting the will and glory of God in indulging and + encouraging a regard He seems to frown on. I have to-day found + deliverance, and felt some measure of calm reliance. I know + there is a particular providence over him and me, but this + belief does not lessen my fears of acting wrong--I am as + responsible as if all were left to me. What shall I do but say, + Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy + wings will I trust? I fly to Thy power and take shelter in Thy + love to sinners. Oh, for a continually bleeding heart, mourning + for sin! + + _June 12._--I have peace in my soul to-day. My remembrance of + God's dear saint in India is frequent, but I am still in this + affair, and expect to know more of the infinite power, wisdom, + and goodness of our God in it and by it than I have heretofore. + My prayer for him constantly is that he maybe supported, guided, + and made in all things obedient and submissive to the will of + his God. + +Henry Martyn seems to have written again to Marazion, at this time, a +letter which has not been preserved, for Lydia Grenfell thus refers to +it: + + _August 29._--Heard of my absent dear friend by this day's post, + and was strangely affected, though the intelligence was + satisfactory in every respect. I sought deliverance in prayer, + and the Lord spoke peace to my agitated mind, and gave me what I + desired--liberty of soul to return to Himself, and the + contemplation of heavenly things, though a sadness remained on + my spirit. Heard three sermons, for I thought it best to be less + alone than usual, lest my thoughts should wander. Found great + hardness of heart in the services of the day, but I doubt + whether my affections were spiritual or not, though they arose + from a longing to be in heaven, and a joyful sense of the + certainty that God would bring me there. + + _September 11._--After some days of darkness and distress, sweet + peace and light return, and my soul rests on God as my + all-sufficient help. Oh, the idolatrous state of my heart! what + painful discoveries are made to me! I see the stream of my + affections has been turned from God and on.... An exertion must + be made, like cutting off a right hand, in order to give Thee, O + Lord, my heart. I must hear neither of nor from the person God + has called in His providence to serve Him in a distant country. + Oh, to be resolute, knowing by woeful experience the necessity + of guarding my thoughts against the remembrance of one, though + dear. As I value the presence of my God, I must avoid everything + that leads my thoughts to this subject--O Lord, keep me + dependent on Thee for grace to do so; Thou hast plainly informed + me of Thy will by withholding Thy presence at this time, and Thy + Word directed me to lay aside this weight. + + _October 30._--Thought of my dear friend to-night with + tenderness, but entire resignation to Thy will, O our God, in + never seeing or hearing from him again; to meet him above is my + desire. + + _December 30._--I reckon among my mercies the Lord's having + enabled me to choose a single life, and that my friend in India + has been so well reconciled to my determination. That trial was + a sore one, and I believe the effects of it will be felt as long + as I live. My weak frame could not support the perturbed state + of my mind, and the various painful apprehensions that assailed + me on his arrival nearly wore me down. But the Lord removed them + all by showing me He approved of my choice, and in granting me + the tidings of his enjoying peace and happiness in our + separation. Every burden now respecting him is removed, and my + soul has only to praise the wise and gracious hand which brought + me through that thorny path. It was one I made to myself, by + ever entering into a correspondence with him, and by expressing + too freely my regard. + +On March 28, 1809, Martyn wrote to Mr. Brown: + + Your letter is just come. The Europe letter is from Lydia. I + trembled at the handwriting.... It was only more last words, + sent by the advice of Colonel Sandys, lest the non-arrival of + the former might keep me in suspense.... I trust that I have + done with the entanglements of this world; seldom a day passes + but I thank God for the freedom from earthly care which I enjoy. + +And so end Henry Martyn's love-letters, marked by a delicacy as well +as tenderness of feeling in such contrast to the action of Lydia +Grenfell throughout, as to explain the mingled resentment and +resignation in which they close. The request for a mutual engagement +which would justify correspondence at least seems to have been +unheeded for some months, till the news of his serious illness in July +1808 led her again to write to him, as taking the place of his sister +who had been removed by death. He was ordered to Cawnpore, and set off +in the hot season by Chunar and Ghazipore, writing these last words on +April 11, 1809, from Dinapore: + + My men seem to be in a more flourishing state than they have yet + been. About thirty attend every night. I had a delightful party + this week, of six young men, who will, I hope, prove to be true + soldiers of Christ. Seldom, even at Cambridge, have I been so + much pleased. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[26] Even in 1889 we find a Patna missionary writing of his work from +Bankipore as a centre: 'The people in every village, except those on +the Dinapore road, said that no Sahib had ever been in their village +before. Sometimes my approach was the cause of considerable alarm.' + +[27] _Memoir of the Rev. Thomas Thomason, M.A._, by Rev. J. Sargent, +M.A., 2nd edition, 1834, London. + +[28] Rev. Dr. Milner. + +[29] The names of Capt. Dare and Mrs. Dare occur in the _Journals and +Letters_ between February 17 and March 24, 1808, wherein Martyn's +relations with them are described just as in this set of letters. + +[30] Mrs. Laura Curgenven: born January 1779, died in the year 1807. + +[31] See Moule's _Charles Simeon_, p. 201. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CAWNPORE, 1809-1810 + + +Mrs. Sherwood, known in the first decade of this century as a writer +of such Anglo-Indian tales as _Little Henry and his Bearer_, and as a +philanthropist who did much for the white and the dark orphans of +British soldiers in India, was one of the many who came under the +influence of Henry Martyn. This Lichfield girl, whose father had been +the playmate of Samuel Johnson, and who had known Garrick and Dr. +Darwin, Hannah More and Maria Edgeworth, had married her cousin, the +paymaster of the King's 53rd Regiment of Foot. The regiment was sent +to Bengal. On its way up the Hoogli from Calcutta in boats, Mr. +Sherwood and his wife were walking after sunset, when they stumbled on +'a small society' of their own men, who met regularly to read their +Bibles and to pray, often in old stores, ravines, woods, and other +retired places. 'The very existence of any person in the barracks who +had the smallest notion of the importance of religion was quite +unsuspected by me,' writes Mrs. Sherwood in her Autobiography.[32] 'I +am not severe when I assert that at that time there really was not one +in the higher ranks in the regiment who had courage enough to come +forward and say, "I think it right, in this distant land, to do, as +it regards religion, what I have been accustomed to do at home."' At +Berhampore, the chaplain, Mr. Parson, began that good work in the 53rd +which Martyn and Corrie afterwards carried on. When it continued the +voyage up the Ganges, after a season, by Dinapore to Cawnpore, Mr. +Parson gave the Sherwoods a letter of introduction to Martyn, then +about to leave Dinapore. To this fact we owe the fullest and the +brightest glimpses that we get of Henry Martyn, from the outside, all +through his career. We are enabled to supplement the abasing +self-revelation of his nature before God, as recorded in his +_Journal_, by the picture of his daily life, drawn by a woman of keen +sympathy and some shrewdness. + +The moment the boat anchored at Dinapore Mr. Sherwood set out on foot +to present his letter. He found the chaplain in the smaller square, at +some distance, in a 'sort of church-like abode with little furniture, +the rooms wide and high, with many vast doorways, having their green +jalousied doors, and long verandahs encompassing two sides of the +quarters.' + + Mr. Martyn received Mr. Sherwood not as a stranger, but as a + brother,--the child of the same father. As the sun was already + low, he must needs walk back with him to see me. I perfectly + remember the figure of that simple-hearted and holy young man, + when he entered our budgerow. He was dressed in white, and + looked very pale, which, however, was nothing singular in India; + his hair, a light brown, was raised from his forehead, which was + a remarkably fine one. His features were not regular, but the + expression was so luminous, so intellectual, so affectionate, so + beaming with Divine charity, that no one could have looked at + his features, and thought of their shape or form,--the + out-beaming of his soul would absorb the attention of every + observer. There was a very decided air, too, of the gentleman + about Mr. Martyn, and a perfection of manners which, from his + extreme attention to all minute civilities, might seem almost + inconsistent with the general bent of his thoughts to the most + serious subjects. He was as remarkable for ease as for + cheerfulness, and in these particulars his _Journal_ does not + give a graphic account of this blessed child of God. I was much + pleased at the first sight of Mr. Martyn. I had heard much of + him from Mr. Parson; but I had no anticipation of his hereafter + becoming so distinguished as he subsequently did. And if I + anticipated it little, he, I am sure, anticipated it less; for + he was one of the humblest of men. + + Mr. Martyn invited us to visit him at his quarters at Dinapore, + and we agreed to accept his invitation the next day. Mr. + Martyn's house was destitute of every comfort, though he had + multitudes of people about him. I had been troubled with a pain + in my face, and there was not such a thing as a pillow in the + house. I could not find anything to lay my head on at night but + a bolster stuffed as hard as a pin-cushion. We had not, as is + usual in India, brought our own bedding from the boats. Our kind + friend had given us his own room; but I could get no rest during + the two nights of my remaining there, from the pain in my face, + which was irritated by the bolster; but during each day, + however, there was much for the mind to feed upon with delight. + After breakfast Mr. Martyn had family prayers, which he + commenced by singing a hymn. He had a rich, deep voice, and a + fine taste for vocal music. After singing, he read a chapter, + explained parts of it, and prayed extempore. Afterwards he + withdrew to his studies and translations. The evening was + finished with another hymn, Scripture reading, and prayers. The + conversion of the natives and the building up of the kingdom of + Christ were the great objects for which alone that child of God + seemed to exist. + + He believed that he saw the glimmering of this day in the + exertions then making in Europe for the diffusion of the + Scriptures and the sending forth of missionaries. Influenced by + the belief that man's ministry was the instrumentality which, by + the Holy Spirit, would be made effectual to the work, we found + him labouring beyond his strength, and doing all in his power to + excite other persons to use the same exertions. + + Henry Martyn was one of the very few persons whom I have ever + met who appeared never to be drawn away from one leading and + prevailing object of interest, and that object was the promotion + of religion. He did not appear like one who felt the necessity + of contending with the world, and denying himself its delights, + but rather as one who was unconscious of the existence of any + attractions in the world, or of any delights which were worthy + of his notice. When he relaxed from his labours in the presence + of his friends, it was to play and laugh like an innocent, happy + child, more especially if children were present to play and + laugh with him. In my Indian Journal I find this remark: 'Mr. + Martyn is one of the most pleasing, mild, and heavenly-minded + men, walking in this turbulent world with peace in his mind, and + charity in his heart.' + +As the regiment was passing Chunar, after a night in 'the polluted +air' of Benares, the Sherwoods were met by a boat with fresh bread and +vegetables from Corrie. On their arrival at Cawnpore, Mrs. Sherwood at +once opened two classes for the 'great boys' and 'elder girls.' Many +of the former died in a few years, and not a few of the latter married +officers above their own birth. Such were the conditions of military +life in India at that time, notwithstanding the Calcutta Orphan +Schools which David Brown had first gone out to India to organise; for +Henry Lawrence and his noble wife, Honoria, with their Military Orphan +Asylums in the hills, belonged to a later generation. + +When first ordered to Cawnpore, in the hottest months of 1809, Henry +Martyn resolved to apply to the Military Board for permission to delay +his departure till the rainy season. But, though even then wasted by +consumption and ceaseless toil, and tempted to spend the dreary months +with the beloved Corrie at Chunar, as he might well have done under +the customary rules, he could not linger when duty called. Had he not +resolved to 'burn out' his life? So, deluding himself by the intention +to 'stay a little longer to recruit' at Chunar, should he suffer from +the heat, he set off in the middle of April in a palanquin by Arrah, +afterwards the scene of a heroic defence in the great Mutiny; Buxar, +where a battle had been fought not long before, and Ghazipore, seat of +the opium manufacture, like Patna. Sabat was sent on in a budgerow, +with his wife Ameena and the baggage. This is Martyn's account, to +Brown, of the voyage above Chunar: + + Cawnpore: May 3, 1809. + + I transported myself with such rapidity to this place that I had + nearly transported myself out of the world. From Dinapore to + Chunar all was well, but from Allahabad to that place I was + obliged to travel two days and nights without intermission, the + hot winds blowing like fire from a furnace. Two days after my + arrival the fever which had been kindling in my blood broke out, + and last night I fainted repeatedly. But a gracious God has + again interposed to save my life; to-day I feel well again. + Where Sabat is I do not know. I have heard nothing of him since + leaving Dinapore. Corrie is well, but it is grievous to see him + chained to a rock with a few half-dead invalids, when so many + stations--amongst others, the one I have left--are destitute.... + + I do not like this place at all. There is no church, not so much + as the fly of a tent; what to do I know not except to address + Lord Minto in a private letter. Mr. (Charles) Grant, who is + anxious that we should labour principally for the present among + the Europeans, ought, I think, to help us with a house. I mean + to write to Mr. Simeon about this. + + I feel a little uncomfortable at being so much farther removed + from Calcutta. At Dinapore I had friends on both sides of me, + and correspondence with you was quick: here I seem cut off from + the world. Alas! how dependent is my heart upon the creature + still. I am ordered to seal up.--Yours affectionately ever, + + H. MARTYN. + +This is Mrs. Sherwood's description of his arrival: + + On May 30 the Rev. Henry Martyn arrived at our bungalow. The + former chaplain had proceeded to the presidency, and we were so + highly favoured as to have Mr. Martyn appointed in his place. I + am not aware whether we expected him, but certainly not at the + time when he did appear. It was in the morning, and we were + situated as above described, the desert winds blowing like fire + without, when we suddenly heard the quick steps of many bearers. + Mr. Sherwood ran out to the leeward of the house, and exclaimed, + 'Mr. Martyn!' The next moment I saw him leading in that + excellent man, and saw our visitor, a moment afterwards, fall + down in a fainting fit. He had travelled in a palanquin from + Dinapore, and the first part of the way he moved only by night. + But between Cawnpore and Allahabad, being a hundred and thirty + miles, there is no resting-place, and he was compelled for two + days and two nights to journey on in his palanquin, exposed to + the raging heat of a fiery wind. He arrived, therefore, quite + exhausted, and actually under the influence of fever. There was + not another family in Cawnpore except ours to which he could + have gone with pleasure; not because any family would have + denied shelter to a countryman in such a condition, but, alas! + they were only Christians in name. In his fainting state Mr. + Martyn could not have retired to the sleeping-room which we + caused to be prepared immediately for him, because we had no + means of cooling any sleeping-room so thoroughly as we could the + hall. We, therefore, had a couch set for him in the hall. There + he was laid, and very ill he was for a day or two. The hot winds + left us, and we had a close, suffocating calm. Mr. Martyn could + not lift his head from the couch. In our bungalow, when shut up + as close as it could be, we could not get the thermometer under + 96, though the punkah was constantly going. When Mr. Martyn got + a little better he became very cheerful, and seemed quite happy + with us all about him. He commonly lay on his couch in the hall + during the morning, with many books near to his hand, and + amongst these always a Hebrew Bible and a Greek Testament. Soon, + very soon, he began to talk to me of what was passing in his + mind, calling to me at my table to tell me his thoughts. He was + studying the Hebrew characters, having an idea, which I believe + is not a new one, that these characters contain the elements of + all things, though I have reason to suppose he could not make + them out at all to his satisfaction; but whenever anything + occurred to him he must needs make it known to me. + + He was much engaged also with another subject, into which I was + more capable of entering. It was his opinion that, if the Hindus + could be persuaded that all nations are made of one blood, to + dwell upon the face of the earth, and if they could be shown how + each nation is connected by its descent from the sons and + grandsons of Noah with other nations existing upon the globe, it + would be a means of breaking down, or at least of loosening, + that wall of separation which they have set up between + themselves and all other people. With this view Mr. Martyn was + endeavouring to trace up the various leading families of the + earth to their great progenitors; and so much pleased was I + with what he said on this subject, that I immediately committed + all I could remember to paper, and founded thereupon a system of + historical instruction which I ever afterwards used with my + children. Mr. Martyn, like myself at this time, was often + perplexed and dismayed at the workings of his own heart, yet, + perhaps, not discerning a hundredth part of the depth of the + depravity of his own nature, the character of which is summed up + in Holy Writ in these two words--'utterly unclean.' He felt this + the more strongly because he partook also of that new nature + 'which sinneth not.' It was in the workings and actings of that + nature that his character shone so pre-eminently as it did amid + a dark and unbelieving society, such as was ours then at + Cawnpore. + + In a very few days he had discerned the sweet qualities of the + orphan Annie, and had so encouraged her to come about him that + she drew her chair, and her table, and her green box to the + vicinity of his couch. She showed him her verses, and consulted + him about the adoption of more passages into the number of her + favourites. Annie had a particular delight in all the pastoral + views given in Scripture of our Saviour and of His Church; and + when Mr. Martyn showed her this beautiful passage, 'Feed Thy + people with Thy rod, the flock of Thine heritage, which dwell + solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel' (Micah vii. 14), + she was as pleased with this passage as if she had made some + wonderful acquisition. What could have been more beautiful than + to see the Senior Wrangler and the almost infant Annie thus + conversing together, whilst the elder seemed to be in no ways + conscious of any condescension in bringing down his mind to the + level of the child's? Such are the beautiful influences of the + Divine Spirit, which, whilst they depress the high places of + human pride, exalt the lowly valleys. + + When Mr. Martyn lost the worst symptoms of his illness he used + to sing a great deal. He had an uncommonly fine voice and fine + ear; he could sing many fine chants, and a vast variety of hymns + and psalms. He would insist upon it that I should sing with him, + and he taught me many tunes, all of which were afterwards + brought into requisition; and when fatigued himself, he made me + sit by his couch and practise these hymns. He would listen to my + singing, which was altogether very unscientific, for hours + together, and he was constantly requiring me to go on, even when + I was tired. The tunes he taught me, no doubt, reminded him of + England, and of scenes and friends no longer seen. The more + simple the style of singing, the more it probably answered his + purpose. + + As soon as Mr. Martyn could in any way exert himself, he made + acquaintance with some of the pious men of the regiment (the + same poor men whom I have mentioned before, who used to meet in + ravines, in huts, in woods, and in every wild and secret place + they could find, to read, and pray, and sing); and he invited + them to come to him in our house, Mr. Sherwood making no + objection. The time first fixed was an evening after parade, and + in consequence they all appeared at the appointed hour, each + carrying their mora (a low seat), and their books tied up in + pocket-handkerchiefs. In this very unmilitary fashion they were + all met in a body by some officers. It was with some difficulty + that Mr. Sherwood could divert the storm of displeasure which + had well-nigh burst upon them on the occasion. Had they been all + found intoxicated and fighting, they would have created less + anger from those who loved not religion. How truly is it said + that 'the children of this world are wiser in their generation + than the children of light.' Notwithstanding this unfortunate + _contretemps_, these poor good men were received by Mr. Martyn + in his own apartment; and a most joyful meeting he had with + them. We did not join the party, but we heard them singing and + praying, and the sound was very sweet. Mr. Martyn then promised + them that when he had got a house he would set aside a room for + them, where they might come every evening, adding he would meet + them himself twice in the week. When these assemblies were + sanctioned by our ever kind Colonel Mawby, and all difficulties, + in short, overcome, many who had been the most zealous under + persecution fell quite away, and never returned. How can we + account for these things? Many, however, remained steadfast + under evil report as well as good report, and died, as they had + lived, in simple and pure faith. + + I must not omit another anecdote of Mr. Martyn, which amused us + much at the time, after we had recovered the alarm attending it. + The salary of a chaplain is large, and Mr. Martyn had not drawn + his for so long a time, that the sum amounted perhaps to some + hundreds. He was to receive it from the collector at Cawnpore. + Accordingly he one morning sent a note for the amount, confiding + the note to the care of a common coolie, a porter of low caste, + generally a very poor man. This man went off, unknown to Mr. + Sherwood and myself, early in the morning. The day passed, the + evening came, and no coolie arrived. At length Mr. Martyn said + in a quiet voice to us, 'The coolie does not come with my money. + I was thinking this morning how rich I should be; and, now, I + should not wonder in the least if he has not run off, and taken + my treasure with him.' 'What!' we exclaimed, 'surely you have + not sent a common coolie for your pay?' 'I have,' he replied. Of + course we could not expect that it would ever arrive safe; for + it would be paid in silver, and delivered to the man in cotton + bags. Soon afterwards, however, it did arrive--a circumstance at + which we all greatly marvelled. + +Cawnpore, of which Henry Martyn was chaplain for the next two years, +till disease drove him from it, was the worst station to which he +could have been sent. The district, consisting of clay uplands on the +Doab between the Ganges and the Jumna rivers, which unite below at +Allahabad, was at that time a comparatively desolate tract, swept by +the hot winds, and always the first to suffer from drought. The great +famine of 1837 afterwards so destroyed its unhappy peasantry and +labourers, that the British Government made its county town one of the +two terminals of the great Ganges canal, which the Marquis of +Dalhousie opened, and irrigated the district by four branches with +their distributing channels. Even then, and to this day, Cawnpore has +not ceased to be a repulsive station. Its leather factories and cotton +mills do not render it less so, nor the memory of the five massacres +of British officers, their wives and children, by the infamous Nana +Dhoondoo Panth, which still seems to cover it as with a pall, +notwithstanding the gardens and the marble screen inclosing the figure +of the Angel of the Resurrection with the palm of victory above the +Massacre Well. The people of the town at least have always been +disagreeable, from Hindu discontent and Mohammedan sulkiness. The +British cantonment used to be at Bilgram, on the opposite bank, in the +territory of Oudh. Well might Martyn write of such a station as +Cawnpore: 'I do not like this place at all,' although he then enjoyed +the social ministrations of the Sherwoods, and was constant in his own +service to the Master among British and natives alike, and at his desk +in translation work. + +The first use which the chaplain made of his pay was this, according +to Mrs. Sherwood: 'Being persuaded by some black man, he bought one of +the most undesirable houses, to all appearance, which he could have +chosen.' But he had chosen wisely for his daily duties of translation +and preaching to the natives. + + Mr. Martyn's house was a bungalow situated between the Sepoy + Parade and the Artillery Barracks, but behind that range of + principal bungalows which face the Parade. The approach to the + dwelling was called the Compound, along an avenue of palm trees + and aloes. A more stiff, funereal avenue can hardly be imagined, + unless it might be that one of noted sphynxes which I have read + of as the approach to a ruined Egyptian temple. At the end of + this avenue were two bungalows, connected by a long passage. + These bungalows were low, and the rooms small. The garden was + prettily laid out with flowering shrubs and tall trees; in the + centre was a wide space, which at some seasons was green, and a + _chabootra_, or raised platform of chunam (lime), of great + extent, was placed in the middle of this space. A vast number + and variety of huts and sheds formed one boundary of the + compound; these were concealed by the shrubs. But who would + venture to give any account of the heterogeneous population + which occupied these buildings? For, besides the usual + complement of servants found in and about the houses of persons + of a certain rank in India, we must add to Mr. Martyn's + household a multitude of pundits, moonshis, schoolmasters, and + poor nominal Christians, who hung about him because there was no + other to give them a handful of rice for their daily + maintenance; and most strange was the murmur which proceeded at + times from this ill-assorted and discordant multitude. Mr. + Martyn occupied the largest of the two bungalows. He had given + up the least to the wife of Sabat, that wild man of the desert + whose extraordinary history has made so much noise in the + Christian world. + + It was a burning evening in June, when after sunset I + accompanied Mr. Sherwood to Mr. Martyn's bungalow, and saw for + the first time its avenue of palms and aloes. We were conducted + to the _chabootra_, where the company was already assembled; + there was no lady but myself. This _chabootra_ was many feet + square, and chairs were set for the guests. A more heterogeneous + assembly surely had not often met, and seldom, I believe, were + more languages in requisition in so small a party. Besides Mr. + Martyn and ourselves, there was no one present who could speak + English. But let me introduce each individual separately. Every + feature in the large disk of Sabat's face was what we should + call exaggerated. His eyebrows were arched, black, and strongly + pencilled; his eyes dark and round, and from time to time + flashing with unsubdued emotion, and ready to kindle into flame + on the most trifling occasion. His nose was high, his mouth + wide, his teeth large, and looked white in contrast with his + bronzed complexion and fierce black mustachios. He was a large + and powerful man, and generally wore a skull-cap of rich + shawling, or embroidered silk, with circular flaps of the same + hanging over each ear. His large, tawny throat and neck had no + other covering than that afforded by his beard, which was black. + His attire was a kind of jacket of silk, with long sleeves, + fastened by a girelle, or girdle, about his loins, to which was + appended a jewelled dirk. He wore loose trousers, and + embroidered shoes turned up at the toes. In the cold season he + threw over this a wrapper lined with fur, and when it was warmer + the fur was changed for silk. When to this costume is added + ear-rings, and sometimes a golden chain, the Arab stands before + you in his complete state of Oriental dandyism. This son of the + desert never sat in a chair without contriving to tuck up his + legs under him on the seat, in attitude very like a tailor on + his board. The only languages which he was able to speak were + Persian, Arabic, and a very little bad Hindustani; but what was + wanting in the words of this man was more than made up by the + loudness with which he uttered them, for he had a voice like + rolling thunder. When it is understood that loud utterance is + considered as an ingredient of respect in the East, we cannot + suppose that one who had been much in native courts should + think it necessary to modulate his voice in the presence of the + English Sahib-log.[33] + + The second of Mr. Martyn's guests, whom I must introduce as + being not a whit behind Sabat in his own opinion of himself, was + the Padre Julius Csar, an Italian monk of the order of the + Jesuits, a worthy disciple of Ignatius Loyola. Mr. Martyn had + become acquainted with him at Patna, where the Italian priest + was not less zealous and active in making proselytes than the + Company's chaplain, and probably much more wise and subtle in + his movements than the latter. The Jesuit was a handsome young + man, and dressed in the complete costume of the monk, with his + little skull-cap, his flowing robes, and his cord. The + materials, however, of his dress were very rich; his robe was of + the finest purple satin, and his cord of twisted silk, and his + rosary of costly stones, whilst his air and manner were + extremely elegant. He spoke French fluently, and there Mr. + Sherwood was at home with him, but his native language was + Italian. His conversation with Mr. Martyn was carried on partly + in Latin and partly in Italian. A third guest was a learned + native of India, in his full and handsome Hindustani costume; + and a fourth a little, thin, copper-coloured, half-caste + Bengali gentleman, in white nankeen, who spoke only Bengali. Mr. + Sherwood made a fifth, in his scarlet and gold uniform; myself, + the only lady, was the sixth; and add our host, Mr. Martyn, in + his clerical black silk coat, and there is our party. Most + assuredly I never listened to such a confusion of tongues before + or since. Such a noisy, perplexing Babel can scarcely be + imagined. Everyone who had acquired his views of politeness in + Eastern society was shouting at the top of his voice, as if he + had lost his fellow in a wood; and no less than eight languages + were in constant request, viz. English, French, Italian, Arabic, + Persian, Hindustani, Bengali, and Latin. + + In order to lengthen out the pleasures of the evening, we were + scarcely seated before good Mr. Martyn recollected that he had + heard me say that I liked a certain sort of little mutton + pattie, which the natives made particularly well; so, without + thinking how long it might take to make these same patties, he + called to a servant to give orders that mutton patties should be + added to the supper. I heard the order, but never dreamed that + perhaps the mutton might not be in the house. The consequence of + this order was that we sat on the _chabootra_ till it was quite + dark, and till I was utterly weary with the confusion. No one + who has not been in or near the tropics can have an idea of the + glorious appearance of the heavens in these regions, and the + brilliancy of the star-lit nights, at Cawnpore. Mr. Martyn used + often to show me the pole-star, just above the line of the + horizon; and I have seen the moon, when almost new, looking like + a ball of ebony in a silver cup. Who can, therefore, be + surprised that the science of astronomy should first have been + pursued by the shepherds who watched their flocks by night in + the plains of the South? When the mutton patties were ready, I + was handed by Mr. Martyn into the hall of the bungalow. Mr. + Martyn took the top of the table, and Sabat perched himself on + a chair at the bottom. I think it was on this day, when at + table, Sabat was telling some of his own adventures to Mr. + Martyn, in Persian, which the latter interpreted to Mr. Sherwood + and myself, that the wild Arab asserted that there were in + Tartary and Arabia many persons converted to Christianity, and + that many had given up their lives for the faith. He professed + to be himself acquainted with two of these, besides Abdallah. + 'One,' he said, 'was a relation of his own.' But he gave but + small proof of this man's sincerity. This convert, if such he + was, drew the attention of the priests by a total neglect of all + forms; and this was the more remarkable on account of the + multiplied forms of Islam; for at the wonted hour of prayer a + true Mussulman must kneel down and pray in the middle of a + street, or between the courses of a feast, nay, even at the + moment when perhaps his hands might be reeking with a brother's + blood. This relative of Sabat's, however, was, as he remarked, + observed to neglect all forms, and he was called before the + heads of his tribe, and required to say wherefore he was guilty + of this offence. His answer was, 'It is nothing.' He proceeded + to express himself as if he doubted the very existence of a God. + The seniors of the tribe told him that it would be better for + him to be a Christian than an atheist; adding, therefore, 'If + you do not believe in our prophet you must be a Christian;' for + they wisely accounted that no man but a fool could be without + some religion. The man's reply was, that he thought the + Christian's a better religion than that of Mahomet; the + consequence of which declaration was that they stoned him until + he died. The other example which Sabat gave us was of a boy in + Baghdad, who was converted by an Armenian, and endeavoured to + escape, but was pursued, seized, and offered pardon if he would + recant; but he was preserved in steadfastness to the truth, and + preferred death to returning to Mahometanism. His life was + required of him. + + From the time Mr. Martyn left our house he was in the constant + habit of supping with us two or three times a week, and he used + to come on horseback, with the sais running by his side. He sat + his horse as if he were not quite aware that he was on + horseback, and he generally wore his coat as if it were falling + from his shoulders. When he dismounted, his favourite place was + in the verandah, with a book, till we came in from our airing. + And when we returned many a sweet and long discourse we had, + whilst waiting for our dinner or supper. Mr. Martyn often looked + up to the starry heavens, and spoke of those glorious worlds of + which we know so little now, but of which we hope to know so + much hereafter. Often we turned from the contemplation of these + to the consideration of the smallness, and apparent + diminutiveness in creation, of our own little globe, and of the + exceeding love of the Father, who so cared for its inhabitants + that He sent His Son to redeem them. + + On the occasion of the baptism of my second Lucy, never can I + forget the solemn manner with which Mr. Martyn went through the + service, or the beautiful and earnest blessing he implored for + my baby, when he took her into his arms after the service was + concluded. I still fancy I see that child of God as he looked + down tenderly on the gentle babe, and then looked upwards, + asking of his God that grace and mercy for the infant which he + truly accounted as the only gift which parents ought to desire. + This babe, in infancy, had so peculiar a gentleness of aspect, + that Mr. Martyn always called her Serena. + + Little was spoken of at Mr. Martyn's table but of various plans + for advancing the triumphs of Christianity. Among the plans + adopted, Mr. Martyn had, first at Dinapore and then at Cawnpore, + established one or two schools for children of the natives of + the lower caste. His plan was to hire a native schoolmaster, + generally a Mussulman, to appoint him a place, and to pay him an + anna (1-1/2_d._) a head for each boy whom he could induce to + attend school. These boys the master was to teach to write and + read. It was Mr. Martyn's great aim, and, indeed, the sole end + of his exertions, to get Christian books into the school. As no + mention was ever made of proselytism, there was never any + difficulty found in introducing even portions of the Scripture + itself, more especially portions of the Old Testament, to the + attention of the children. The books of Moses are always very + acceptable to a Mussulman, and Genesis is particularly + interesting to the Hindus. Mr. Martyn's first school at Cawnpore + was located in a long shed, which was on the side of the cavalry + lines. It was the first school of the kind I ever saw. The + master sat at one end, like a tailor, on the dusty floor; and + along under the shed sat the scholars, a pack of little urchins, + with no other clothes on than a skull-cap and a piece of cloth + round the loins. These little ones squatted, like their master, + in the sand. They had wooden imitations of slates in their + hands, on which, having first written their lessons with chalk, + they recited them, _ pleine gorge_, as the French would say, + being sure to raise their voices on the approach of any European + or native of note. Now, Cawnpore is about one of the most dusty + places in the world. The Sepoy lines are the most dusty part of + Cawnpore; and as the little urchins are always well greased, + either with cocoanut oil or, in failure thereof, with rancid + mustard oil, whenever there was the slightest breath of air they + always looked as if they had been powdered all over with brown + powder. But what did this signify? They would have been equally + dusty in their own huts. In these schools they were in the way + of getting a few ideas; at all events, they often got so far as + to be able to copy a verse on their wooden slates. Afterwards + they committed to memory what they had written. Who that has + ever heard it can forget the sounds of the various notes with + which these little people intonated their 'Aleph Zubbur + ah--Zair a--Paiche oh,' as they waved backwards and forwards in + their recitations? Or who can forget the vacant self-importance + of the schoolmaster, who was generally a long-bearded, dry old + man, who had no other means of proving his superiority over the + scholars but making more noise than even they could do? Such a + scene, indeed, could not be forgotten; but would it not require + great faith to expect anything green to spring from a soil so + dry? But this faith was not wanting to the Christians then in + India. + +Besides the 53rd Regiment, the Cavalry Corps called in those days the +8th Light Dragoons, and six companies of Artillery, were stationed at +Cawnpore. At the first parade service, on May 15, 1809, 'two officers +dropped down and some of the men. They wondered how I could go through +the fatigue,' wrote their new chaplain, not many days after his nearly +fatal palanquin journey from Chunar. His voice even reached the men at +the other end of the square which they had formed. Above a hundred men +were in hospital, a daily congregation. Every night about a dozen of +the soldiers met with him in the house. Not only the men but the +officers were privately rebuked by him for swearing. Of the General he +writes: 'He has never been very cordial, and now he is likely to be +less so; though it was done in the gentlest way, he did not seem to +like it. Were it not to become all things to all men in order to save +some, I should never trouble them with my company. But how then should +I be like Christ? I have been almost the whole morning engaged in a +good-humoured dispute with Mrs. P., who, in an instant after my +introduction to her, opened all her guns of wit and eloquence against +me for attempting to convert the Brahmans.' A little later he writes +of a dinner at the brigade-major's with the chief persons of the +station: 'I could gain no attention while saying grace; and the moment +the ladies withdrew the conversation took such a turn that I was +obliged to make a hasty retreat. Oh! the mercy to have escaped their +evil ways.' + +The year was one of alarms of war, from which the history of our +Indian Empire can rarely be free, surrounded as it is by a ring-fence +of frontier tribes and often aggressive States. But in those days the +great internal conflicts for the consolidation of our power, and the +peace and prosperity of peoples exposed to anarchy for centuries, were +still being waged. Marathas, Sikhs, and Goorkhas had all to be +pacified in 1809. Now the infantry were being sent to the conquest of +Bundlekhund and difficult siege of the fortress of Kalinjar, as old as +the Mahabharat Epic in which it is mentioned. Now the artillery were +under orders to march to Lodiana to check Ranjeet Singh. Now the +cavalry were sent off to the, at first, fatal chase of the Goorkhas by +Gillespie. Thus it was that their ever-careful chaplain sought to +prepare them for the issue: + + _October 20._--Spoke to my men on preparation for the Lord's + Supper, and endeavoured to prepare myself for the ordinance, by + considering my former life of sin, and all my unfaithfulness + since my call to the Gospel. My heart was, as usual, insensible + for a long time, but at last a gracious God made me feel some + compunction, and then my feelings were such as I would wish they + always were. I resolved at the time that it should be my special + labour every day to obtain, and hold fast, this humbling view of + my own depravity. + + _October 22._ (Sunday.)--Preached at sunrise to the 53rd, on + Acts xxviii. 29. At ten, about sixteen of the regiment, with Mr. + and Mrs. Sherwood and Sabat, met in my bungalow, where, after a + short discourse on 'Behold the Lamb of God,' we commemorated the + death of the Lord. It was the happiest season I have yet had at + the Lord's Table, though my peace and pleasure were not + unalloyed; the rest of the day I felt weak in body, but calm in + mind, and rather spiritual; at night I spoke to the men on Rev. + xxii. 2; the number was double; afterwards had some conversation + on eternal things, but had reason to groan at the + hollow-heartedness and coldness with which I do my best works. + + _November 18._--At night I took leave of my beloved Church + previous to their departure for Bundlekhund with their regiment. + I spoke to them from Gen. xxviii: 'I will be with thee in all + places whithersoever thou goest,' etc. The poor men were much + affected; they gave me their wills and watches. + + _November 19._ (Sunday.)--Preached at sunrise to the dragoons, + on John i. 17: 'The law was given by Moses.' At eleven at + head-quarters, on Rom. iii. 19. + +Nowhere are eucharistic seasons of communion so precious as in exile, +and especially in the isolation of a tropical station. Not unfrequently +in India, Christian people, far separated from any ordained minister, +and about to part from each other, are compelled, by loving obedience to +the Lord, to meet thus together. But what joy it must have been to have +been ministered to at such times by one of Henry Martyn's consecrated +saintliness! Mrs. Sherwood lingers over her description of that Cawnpore +service of October 22, 1809--the long inner verandah of the house, where +daily prayer was wont to be made, shut in by lofty doors of green +lattice-work; the table, with the white cloth and all things requisite, +at one end; hassocks on which to kneel, and a high form in front of the +table; all 'decent and in good order, according to the forms of the +Church of England.' Still there was no church building. His first parade +service in the hot winds brought on fever, so that he proposed to ask +for the billiard-room, 'which is better than the ball-room,' but in +vain. His next service was in the riding-school, but 'the effluvium was +such as would please only the knights of the turf. What must the +Mohammedans think of us? Well may they call us "dogs," when even in +Divine worship we choose to kennel ourselves in such places.' The +General delayed to forward to Government the proposal for a church. + +Henry Martyn's missionary work among the natives became greatly +extended at Cawnpore, as his scrupulous conscience and delicate +scholarship allowed him to use in public the colloquial Hindustani, +and in conversation the more classical Persian. To Corrie he wrote, +five months after his arrival there: + + What will friends at home think of Martyn and Corrie? They went + out full of zeal, but, behold! what are they doing? Where are + their converts? They talked of the banyan-tree before they went + out; but now they seem to prefer a snug bungalow to + field-preaching. I fear I should look a little silly if I were + to go home just at this time; but more because I should not be + able to make them understand the state of things than because my + conscience condemns me. Brother, what can you do? If you + itinerate like a European, you will only frighten the people; if + as a native, you will be dead in one year. Yet the latter mode + pleases me, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than so + to live, with the prospect of being able to hold out a few + years. + +Again, to an old Cambridge friend: + + _November, 1809._--Respecting my heart, about which you ask, I + must acknowledge that H. Martyn's heart at Dinapore is the same + as H. Martyn's heart at Cambridge. The tenor of my prayer is + nearly the same, except on one subject, the conversion of the + heathen. At a distance from the scene of action, and trusting + too much to the highly-coloured description of missionaries, my + heart used to expand with rapture at the hope of seeing + thousands of the natives melting under the Word as soon as it + should be preached to them. Here I am called to exercise + faith--that so it shall one day be. My former feelings on this + subject were more agreeable, and at the same time more according + with the truth; for if we believe the prophets, the scenes that + time shall unfold, 'though surpassing fable, are yet true.' + While I write, hope and joy spring up in my mind. Yes, it shall + be; yonder stream of Ganges shall one day roll through tracts + adorned with Christian churches, and cultivated by Christian + husbandmen, and the holy hymn be heard beneath the shade of the + tamarind. All things are working together to bring on the day, + and my part in the blessed plan, though not at first exactly + consonant to my wishes, is, I believe, appointed me by God. To + translate the Word of God is a work of more lasting benefit than + my preaching would be. But, besides that, I am sorry to say that + my strength for public preaching is almost gone. My + ministrations among the Europeans at this station have injured + my lungs, and I am now obliged to lie by except on the Sabbath + days, and once or twice in the week.... However, I am + sufficiently aware of my important relations to the natives, and + am determined not to strain myself any more for the Europeans. + This rainy season has tried my constitution severely. The first + attack was with spasms, under which I fainted. The second was a + fever, from which a change of air, under God, recovered me. + There is something in the air at the close of the rains so + unfavourable, that public speaking at that time is a violent + strain upon the whole body. Corrie passed down a few weeks ago + to receive his sister. We enjoyed much refreshing communion in + prayer and conversation on our dear friends at and near + Cambridge, and found peculiar pleasure in the minutest + circumstances we could recollect about you all. + +At Cawnpore, in front of his house, he began his wonderful preaching +to the native beggars and ascetics of all kinds, Hindoo _jogees_ and +Mohammedan _fakeers_, the blind and the deaf, the maimed and the halt, +the diseased and the dying, the impostor and the truly needy. These +classes had soon found out the sympathetic padre-sahib, and to secure +peace he seems to have organised a weekly dole of an anna each or of +rice. + +He wrote to Corrie: + + I feel unhappy, not because I do nothing, but because I am not + willing to do my duty. The flesh must be mortified, and I am + reluctant to take up the cross. Sabat said to me yesterday, + 'Your beggars are come: why do not you preach to them? It is + your duty.' I made excuses; but why do not I preach to them? My + carnal spirit says that I have been preaching a long time + without success to my servants, who are used to my tongue; what + can I expect from them--the very dregs of the people? But the + true cause is shame: I am afraid of exposing myself to the + contempt of Sabat, my servants, and the mob, by attempting to + speak in a language which I do not speak well. To-day in prayer, + one consideration has been made of some power in overcoming this + shameful backwardness:--these people, if I neglect to speak to + them, will give me a look at the last day which may fill me with + horror. Alas! brother, where is my zeal? + + _December 17._ (Sunday.)--Preached to H.M. Light Dragoons on + Rev. iii. 20: 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock,' etc. + There was great attention. In the afternoon the beggars came, to + the number of above four hundred, and, by the help of God, I + determined to preach to them, though I felt as if I were leading + to execution. I stood upon the _chabootra_ in front of which + they were collected. + +To Corrie he thus described his talks with his 'congregation of the +poor': + + I went without fear, trusting to myself, and not to the Lord, + and accordingly I was put to shame--that is, I did not read half + as well as the preceding days. I shuffled and stammered, and + indeed I am persuaded that there were many sentences the poor + things did not understand at all. I spoke of the dry land, + rivers, etc.; here I mentioned Gunga,'a good river,' but there + were others as good. God loves Hindus, but does He not love + others also? He gave them a good river, but to others as good. + All are alike before God. This was received with applause. On + the work of the fourth day, 'Thus sun and moon are lamps. Shall + I worship a candle in my hand? As a candle in the house, so is + the sun in the sky.' Applause from the Mohammedans. There were + also hisses, but whether these betokened displeasure against me + or the worship of the sun I do not know. I then charged them to + worship Gunga and sun and moon no more, but the honour they used + to give to them, henceforward to give to God their Maker. Who + knows but even this was a blow struck, at least a branch lopped + from the tree of heathenism? The number was about 550. You need + not be deterred, dear brother, if this simple way of teaching do + any good. + +Again: + + I spoke on the corruption of human nature, 'The Lord saw that + every imagination,' etc. In the application I said, 'Hence all + outward works are useless while the heart remains in this state. + You may wash in Gunga, but the heart is not washed.' Some old + men shook their heads, in much the same way as we do when + seriously affected with any truth. The number was about seven + hundred. The servants told me it was nonsense to give them all + rice, as they were not all poor; hundreds of them are working + people; among them was a whole row of Brahmins. I spoke to them + about the Flood; this was interesting, as they were very + attentive, and at the end said, 'Shabash wa wa' (Well said). + +Mrs. Sherwood pictures the scene after an almost pathetic fashion: + + We went often on the Sunday evenings to hear the addresses of + Mr. Martyn to the assembly of mendicants, and we generally stood + behind him. On these occasions we had to make our way through a + dense crowd, with a temperature often rising above 92, whilst + the sun poured its burning rays upon us through a lurid haze of + dust. Frightful were the objects which usually met our eyes in + this crowd: so many monstrous and diseased limbs, and hideous + faces, were displayed before us, and pushed forward for our + inspection, that I have often made my way to the _chabootra_ + with my eyes shut, whilst Mr. Sherwood led me. On reaching the + platform I was surrounded by our own people, and yet even there + I scarcely dared to look about me. I still imagine that I hear + the calm, distinct, and musical tones of Henry Martyn, as he + stood raised above the people, endeavouring, by showing the + purity of the Divine law, to convince the unbelievers that by + their works they were all condemned; and that this was the case + of every man of the offspring of Adam, and they therefore needed + a Saviour who was both willing and able to redeem them. From + time to time low murmurs and curses would arise in the distance, + and then roll forward, till they became so loud as to drown the + voice of this pious one, generally concluding with hissings and + fierce cries. But when the storm passed away, again might he be + heard going on where he had left off, in the same calm, + steadfast tone, as if he were incapable of irritation from the + interruption. Mr. Martyn himself assisted in giving each person + his _pice_ (copper) after the address was concluded; and when he + withdrew to his bungalow I have seen him drop, almost fainting, + on a sofa, for he had, as he often said, even at that time, a + slow inflammation burning in his chest, and one which he knew + must eventually terminate his existence. In consequence of this + he was usually in much pain after any exertion of speaking. + + No dreams nor visions excited in the delirium of a raging fever + can surpass these realities. These devotees vary in age and + appearance: they are young and old, male and female, bloated and + wizened, tall and short, athletic and feeble; some clothed with + abominable rags; some nearly without clothes; some plastered + with mud and cow-dung; others with matted, uncombed locks + streaming down to their heels; others with heads bald or scabby, + every countenance being hard and fixed, as it were, by the + continual indulgence of bad passions, the features having become + exaggerated, and the lips blackened with tobacco, or blood-red + with the juice of the henna. But these and such as these form + only the general mass of the people; there are among them still + more distinguished monsters. One little man generally comes in a + small cart drawn by a bullock; his body and limbs are so + shrivelled as to give, with his black skin and large head, the + appearance of a gigantic frog. Another has his arm fixed above + his head, the nail of the thumb piercing through the palm of the + hand; another, and a very large man, has his ribs and the bones + of his face externally traced with white chalk, which, striking + the eye in relief above the dark skin, makes him appear, as he + approaches, like a moving skeleton. When Mr. Martyn collected + these people he was most carefully watched by the British + authorities. + +Shall anyone say that the missionary chaplain's eighteen months' work +among this mixed multitude of the poor and the dishonest was as vain +as he himself, in his humility, feared that it was? 'Greater works' +than His own were what the Lord of Glory, who did like service to man +in the Syria of that day, promised to His believing followers. + +On the wall which enclosed his compound was a kiosk, from which some +young Mussulman idlers used to look down on the preacher, as they +smoked their hookahs and sipped their sherbet. One Sunday, determined +to hear as well as see, that they might the more evidently scoff, they +made their way through the crowd, and with the deepest scorn took +their place in the very front. They listened in a critical temper, +made remarks on what they heard, and returned to the kiosk. But there +was one who no longer joined in their jeering. Sheikh Saleh, born at +Delhi, Persian and Arabic moonshi of Lucknow, then keeper of the King +of Oudh's jewels, was a Mussulman so zealous that he had persuaded his +Hindu servant to be circumcised. But he was afterwards horrified by +the treachery and the atrocities of his co-religionists in the Rajpoot +State of Joudhpore, whither he had gone. He was on his way back to his +father at Lucknow when, on a heart thus prepared, there fell the +teaching of the English man of God as to the purity of the Divine law +and salvation from sin by Jesus Christ. + +Eager to learn more of Christianity from its authoritative records, he +sought employment on the translating staff of the preacher, through a +friend who knew Sabat. He was engaged to copy Persian manuscripts by +that not too scrupulous tyrant, without the knowledge of Martyn or any +of the English. On receiving the completed Persian New Testament, to +have it bound, he read it all, and his conversion by the Spirit of +God, its Author, was complete. He determined to attach himself to +Martyn, who as yet knew him not personally. He followed him to +Calcutta, and applied to him for baptism. After due trial during the +next year he was admitted to the Church under the new name of 'Bondman +of Christ,' Abdool Massee'h. This was almost the last act of the Rev. +David Brown, who since 1775 had spent his life in diffusing Christian +knowledge in Bengal. Abdool's conversion caused great excitement in +Lucknow. Nor was this all. The new convert was sent to Meerut, when +Mr. Parson was chaplain in that great military station, and there he +won over the chief physician of the Rajah of Bhurtpore, naming him +Taleb Massee'h. After preaching and disputing in Meerut, Abdool +visited the Begum Sumroo's principality of Sardhana, where he left +Taleb to care for the native Christians. They and the Sherwoods +together were the means of calling and preparing several native +converts for baptism, all the fruit, direct and indirect, of Henry +Martyn's combined translating and preaching of the New Testament at +Cawnpore. + +Mrs. Sherwood writes: + + We were told that Mr. Corrie might perhaps be unable to come as + far as Delhi, and the candidates for baptism became so anxious + that they set off to meet him on the Delhi road. We soon heard + of their meeting from Mr. Corrie himself, and that he was + pleased with them. Shortly afterwards our beloved friend + appeared, with tents, camels, and elephants, and we had the + pleasure of having his largest tent pitched in our compound, for + we had not room for all his suite within the house. Then for the + next week our house and grounds brought to my mind what I had + often fancied of a scene in some high festival in Jerusalem; + but ours was an assembly under a fairer, brighter dispensation. + 'Here we are,' said Mr. Corrie, 'poor weary pilgrims;' and he + applied the names of 'Christian' and 'Mercy' to his wife and an + orphan girl who was with them. Dear Mr. Corrie! perhaps there + never was a man so universally beloved as he was. Wherever he + was known, from the lisping babe who climbed upon his knee to + the hoary-headed native, he was regarded as a bright example of + Christian charity and humility. On Sunday, January 31, the + baptism of all the converts but one took place. Numbers of + Europeans from different quarters of the station attended. The + little chapel was crowded to overflowing, and most affecting + indeed was the sight. Few persons could restrain their tears + when Mr. Corrie extended his hand to raise the silver curls + which clustered upon the brow of Monghul Das, one of the most + sincere of the converts. The ceremony was very affecting, and + the convert, who stood by and saw the others baptized, became so + uneasy that, when Mr. Corrie set off to return, he followed him. + For family reasons this man's baptism had been deferred, as he + hoped by so doing to bring others of his family into the Church + of God. + + How delightfully passed that Sunday!--how sweet was our private + intercourse with Mr. Corrie! He brought our children many + Hindustani hymns, set to ancient Oriental melodies, which they + were to sing at the Hindu services, and we all together sang a + hymn, which I find in my Journal designated by this title: + + 'WE HAVE SEEN HIS STAR IN THE EAST' + + In Britain's land of light my mind + To Jesus and His love was blind, + Till, wandering midst the heathen far, + Lo in the East I saw His star. + Oh, should my steps, which distant roam, + Attain once more my native shore, + Better than India's wealth by far, + I'll speak the worth of Bethlehem's star. + + There is little merit in the composition of this hymn; but it + had a peculiar interest for us at that time, and the sentiment + which it professes must ever retain its interest. + +Long after this the good seed of the Kingdom, as sown by Henry Martyn, +continued to bear fruit, which in its turn propagated itself. In 1816 +there came to Corrie in Calcutta, for further instruction, from +Bareilly, a young Mohammedan ascetic and teacher who, at seventeen, +had abandoned Hinduism, seeking peace of mind. He fell in with +Martyn's Hindustani New Testament, and was baptized under the new name +of Fuez Massee'h. Under somewhat similar circumstances Noor Massee'h +was baptized at Agra. The missionary labours of Martyn at Cawnpore, +followed up by Corrie there and at Agra soon after, farther resulted +in the baptism there of seventy-one Hindus and Mohammedans, of whom +fifty were adults. All of these, save seven, remained steadfast, and +many became missionaries in their turn. The career of Abdool Massee'h +closed in 1827, after he had been ordained in the Calcutta cathedral +by Bishop Heber, who loved him. His last breath was spent in singing +the Persian hymn, translated thus: + + Beloved Saviour, let not me + In Thy kind heart forgotten be! + Of all that deck the field or bower, + Thou art the sweetest, fairest flower! + + Youth's morn has fled, old age comes on. + But sin distracts my soul alone; + Beloved Saviour, let not me + In Thy kind heart forgotten be. + +As from Dinapore Martyn sought out the moulvies of Patna, so from +Cawnpore he found his way to Lucknow There, after he had baptized a +child of the Governor-General's Resident, he met the Nawab Saadut Ali, +and his eyes for the first time beheld one who had full power of life +and death over his subjects. He visited the moulvies, at the tomb of +Asaf-ood-Dowla, who were employed to read the Koran constantly. 'With +them I tried my strength, of course, and disputed for an hour; it +ended in their referring me for an answer to another.' + +Toil such as Martyn's, physical and mental, in successive hot seasons, +in such hospitals and barracks as then killed off the British troops +and their families, and without a decent church building, would have +sacrificed the healthiest in a few years. Corrie had to flee from it, +or he would never have lived to be the first and model Bishop of +Madras. But such labours, such incessant straining of the voice +through throat and lungs, acting on his highly neurotic constitution, +and the phthisical frame which he inherited from his mother, became +possible to Henry Martyn only because he willed, he agonised, to live +till he should give at least the New Testament to the peoples of +Arabia and Persia, and to the Mohammedans of India, in their own +tongues. We see him in his _Journal_, before God, spiritually spurring +the sides of his intent day by day, and running like the noble Arab +horse till it drops--its object gained. He had many warnings, and if +he had had a wife to see that he obeyed the voice of Providence he +might have outlived his hereditary tendency in such a tropical climate +as that of India--a fact since proved by experience. He had narrowly +escaped death at Dinapore a few months before, and he knew it. But it +is well that, far more frequently than the world knows, such cases +occur in the missionary fields of the world. The Brainerds and the +Martyns, the Pattesons and the Hanningtons, the Keith-Falconers and +the Mackays--to mention some of the dead only--have their reward in +calling hundreds to fill their places, not less than the Careys and +the Livingstones, the Duffs and the Wilsons, the Frenches and the +Caldwells. To all who know the tropics, and especially the seasons of +India, the dates that follow are eloquent. + + _1809, May 29._--The East has been long forsaken of God, and + depravity in consequence more thoroughly wrought into them. I + have been very ill all this week, the disorder appearing in the + form of an intermittent. In the night cold sweats, and for about + five hours in the day head-ache and vertigo. Last night I took + some medicine, and think that I am better, though the time when + the fever has generally come on is not yet arrived. But I hardly + know how to be thankful enough for this interval of ease. + + _September 25._--Set out at three in the morning for Currah, and + reached it on the 26th in the morning, and married a Miss K. to + Mr. R.; the company was very unpleasant, so after passing the + night there, I set out and travelled all day and night, and + through Divine mercy arrived at home again on the 28th, but + excessively fatigued, indeed almost exhausted. At night with the + men, my whole desire was to lie low in the dust. 'Thou hast left + thy first love,' on which I spoke, was an awful call to me, and + I trust in God I shall ever feel it so. + + _November 19._--Received a letter from Mr. Simeon, mentioning + Sarah's illness; consumption has seized her, as it did my mother + and sister, and will carry her off as it did them, and now I am + the only one left. Oh, my dear Corrie, though I know you are + well prepared, how does nature bleed at the thought of a beloved + sister's drooping and dying! Yet still to see those whom I love + go before me, without so much as a doubt of their going to + glory, will, I hope, soothe my sorrow. How soon shall I follow? + I know it must be soon. The paleness and fatigue I exhibit after + every season of preaching show plainly that death is settled in + my lungs. + + _1810, April 9._--From the labours of yesterday, added to + constant conversation and disagreement with visitors to-day, I + was quite exhausted, and my chest in pain. + + _April 10._--My lungs still so disordered that I could not meet + my men at night. + + _April 15._ (Sunday.)--Preached to the Dragoons on the parable + of the pounds. At the General's on Luke xxii 22. With the native + congregation I strained myself greatly in order to be heard, and + to this I attribute the injury I did myself to-day. Attempted + the usual service with my men at night, but after speaking to + them from a passage in Scripture, was obliged to leave them + before prayer. + + _April 16._--Imprudently joined in conversation with some dear + Christian friends to-night, and talked a great deal; the pain in + the chest in consequence returned. + + _May 12._--This evening thrown with great violence from my + horse: while he was in full gallop, the saddle came off, but I + received no other injury but contusion. Thus a gracious + Providence preserves me in life. But for His kindness I had been + now dragging out a wretched existence in pain, and my blessed + work interrupted for years perhaps. + +Henry Martyn was too absorbed in the higher life at all times to be +trusted in riding or driving. Mrs. Sherwood writes: + + I often went out with him in his gig, when he used to call + either for me or Miss Corrie, and whoever went with him went at + the peril of their lives. He never looked where he was driving, + but went dashing through thick and thin, being always occupied + in reading Hindustani by word of mouth, or discussing some text + of Scripture. I certainly never expected to have survived a + lesson he gave me in his gig, in the midst of the plain at + Cawnpore, on the pronunciation of one of the Persian letters. + +All through his Cawnpore life, also, the wail of disappointed love +breaks from time to time. On Christmas day, 1809, he received, through +David Brown as usual, a letter 'from Lydia, containing a second +refusal; so now I have done.' On March 23, 1810, Mr. Steven's letter +reached him, reporting the death of his last sister. 'She was my dear +counsellor and guide for a long time in the Christian way. I have not +a relation left to whom I feel bound by ties of Christian fellowship, +and I am resolved to form no new connection of a worldly nature, so +that I may henceforward hope to live entirely, as a man of another +world.' Meanwhile he has received Lydia Grenfell's sisterly offer, to +which he thus replies in the first of eleven letters, to one who had +sunk the lover in the Christian friend, as was possible to two hearts +so far separated and never to meet again in this world. But she was +still his 'dearest.' + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Cawnpore: March 30, 1810. + + Since you kindly bid me, my beloved friend, consider you in the + place of that dear sister whom it has pleased God in His wisdom + to take from me, I gratefully accept the offer of a + correspondence, which it has ever been the anxious wish of my + heart to establish. Your kindness is the more acceptable, + because it is shown in the day of affliction. Though I had heard + of my dearest sister's illness some months before I received the + account of her death, and though the nature of her disorder was + such as left me not a ray of hope, so that I was mercifully + prepared for the event, still the certainty of it fills me with + anguish. It is not that she has left me, for I never expected + to see her more on earth. I have no doubt of meeting her in + heaven, but I cannot bear to think of the pangs of dissolution + she underwent, which have been unfortunately detailed to me with + too much particularity. Would that I had never heard them, or + could efface them from my remembrance. But oh, may I learn what + the Lord is teaching me by these repeated strokes! May I learn + meekness and resignation. May the world always appear as vain as + it does now, and my own continuance in it as short and + uncertain. How frightful is the desolation which Death makes, + and how appalling his visits when he enters one's family. I + would rather never have been born than be born and die, were it + not for Jesus, the Prince of life, the Resurrection and the + Life. How inexpressibly precious is this Saviour when eternity + seems near! I hope often to communicate with you on these + subjects, and in return for your kind and consolatory letters to + send you, from time to time, accounts of myself and my + proceedings. Through you I can hear of all my friends in the + West. When I first heard of the loss I was likely to suffer, and + began to reflect on my own friendless situation, you were much + in my thoughts, whether you would be silent on this occasion or + no? whether you would persist in your resolution? Friends indeed + I have, and brethren, blessed be God! but two brothers[34] + cannot supply the place of one sister. When month after month + passed away, and no letter came from you, I almost abandoned the + hope of ever hearing from you again. It only remained to wait + the result of my last application through Emma. You have kindly + anticipated my request, and, I need scarcely add, are more + endeared to me than ever. + + Of your illness, my dearest Lydia, I had heard nothing, and it + was well for me that I did not.--Yours most affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + +To David Brown he wrote, 'My long-lost Lydia consents to write to me +again;' and in three weeks he thus addresses to Lydia herself again a +letter of exquisite tenderness: + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Cawnpore: April 19, 1810. + + I begin my correspondence with my beloved Lydia, not without a + fear of its being soon to end. Shall I venture to tell you that + our family complaint has again made its appearance in me, with + more unpleasant symptoms than it has ever yet done? However, + God, who two years ago redeemed my life from destruction, may + again, for His Church's sake, interpose for my deliverance. + Though, alas! what am I that my place should not instantly be + supplied with far more efficient instruments? The symptoms I + mentioned are chiefly a pain in the chest, occasioned, I + suppose, by over-exertion the two last Sundays, and + incapacitating me at present from all public duty, and even from + conversation. You were mistaken in supposing that my former + illness originated from study. Study never makes me + ill--scarcely ever fatigues me--but my lungs! death is seated + there; it is speaking that kills me. May it give others life! + 'Death worketh in us, but life in you.' Nature intended me, as I + should judge from the structure of my frame, for + chamber-council, not for a pleader at the Bar. But the call of + Jesus Christ bids me cry aloud and spare not. As His minister, I + am a debtor both to the Greek and the barbarian. How can I be + silent when I have both ever before me, and my debt not paid? + You would suggest that energies more restrained will eventually + be more efficient. I am aware of this, and mean to act upon this + principle in future, if the resolution is not formed too late. + But you know how apt we are to outstep the bounds of prudence + when there is no kind of monitor at hand to warn us of the + consequences. + + Had I been favoured with the one I wanted, I might not now have + had occasion to mourn. You smile at my allusion, at least I hope + so, for I am hardly in earnest. I have long since ceased to + repine at the decree that keeps us as far asunder as the east is + from the west, and yet am far from regretting that I ever knew + you. The remembrance of you calls forth the exercise of + delightful affections, and has kept me from many a snare. How + wise and good is our God in all His dealings with His children! + Had I yielded to the suggestions of flesh and blood, and + remained in England, as I should have done, without the + effectual working of His power, I should without doubt have sunk + with my sisters into an early grave. Whereas here, to say the + least, I may live a few years, so as to accomplish a very + important work. His keeping you from me appears also, at this + season of bodily infirmity, to be occasion of thankfulness. + Death, I think, would be a less welcome visitor to me, if he + came to take me from a wife, and that wife were you. Now, if I + die, I die unnoticed, involving none in calamity. Oh, that I + could trust Him for all that is to come, and love Him with that + perfect love which casteth out fear; for, to say the truth, my + confidence is sometimes shaken. To appear before the Judge of + quick and dead is a much more awful thought in sickness than in + health. Yet I dare not doubt the all-sufficiency of Jesus + Christ, nor can I, with the utmost ingenuity of unbelief, resist + the reasonings of St. Paul, all whose reasons seem to be drawn + up on purpose to work into the mind the persuasion that God will + glorify Himself by the salvation of sinners through Jesus + Christ. I wish I could more enter into the meaning of this + 'chosen vessel.' He seems to move in a world by himself, and + sometimes to utter the unspeakable words such as my natural + understanding discerneth not; and when I turn to commentators I + find that I have passed out of the spiritual to the material + world, and have got amongst men like myself. But soon, as he + says, we shall no longer see as in a glass, by reflected rays, + but see as we are seen, and know as we are known. + + _April 25._--After another interval I resume my pen. Through the + mercy of God I am again quite well, but my mind is a good deal + distressed at Sabat's conduct. I forbear writing what I think, + in the hope that my fears may prove groundless; but indeed the + children of the East are adepts in deceit. Their duplicity + appears to me so disgusting at this moment, that I can only find + relief from my growing misanthropy by remembering Him who is the + faithful and true Witness; in whom all the promises of God are + 'yea and amen'; and by turning to the faithful in + Europe--children that will not lie. Where shall we find + sincerity in a native of the East? Yesterday I dined in a + private way with ----. After one year's inspection of me they + begin to lose their dread and venture to invite me. Our + conversation was occasionally religious, but topics of this + nature are so new to fashionable people, and those upon which + they have thought so much less than on any other, that often + from the shame of having nothing to say they pass to other + subjects where they can be more at home. I was asked after + dinner if I liked music. On my professing to be an admirer of + harmony, cantos were performed and songs sung. After a time I + inquired if they had no sacred music. It was now recollected + that they had some of Handel's, but it could not be found. A + promise, however, was made that next time I came it should be + produced. Instead of it the 145th Psalm-tune was played, but + none of the ladies could recollect enough of the tune to sing + it. I observed that all our talents and powers should be + consecrated to the service of Him who gave them. To this no + reply was made, but the reproof was felt. I asked the lady of + the house if she read poetry, and then proceeded to mention + Cowper, whose poems, it seems, were in the library; but the lady + had never heard of the book. This was produced, and I read some + passages. Poor people! here a little and there a little is a + rule to be observed in speaking to them. + + _April 26._--From speaking to my men last night, and again + to-day conversing long with some natives, my chest is again in + pain, so much so that I can hardly speak. Well, now I am taught, + and will take more care in future. My sheet being full, I must + bid you adieu. The Lord ever bless and keep you. Believe me to + be with the truest affection,--Yours ever, + + H. MARTYN. + + TO REV. T.M. HITCHINS, PLYMOUTH DOCK + + Cawnpore: October 10, 1809. + + My dearest Brother,--I am again disappointed in receiving no + letter from you. The last intelligence from the West of England + is Lydia's letter of July 8, 1808. Colonel Sandys has long since + ceased to write to me, and I have no other correspondent. It is + very affecting to me to be thus considered as dead by almost all + my natural relations and early connections; and at this time, + when I am led to think of you and the family to which you are + united, and have been reading all your letters over, I feel that + I could dip my pen deep in melancholy; for, strange as it may + seem to you, I love so true, that though it is now the fifth + year since I parted from the object of my affection, she is as + dear to me as ever; yet, on the other hand, I find my present + freedom such a privilege that I would not lose it for hardly any + consideration. It is the impossibility of compassing every wish, + that I suppose is the cause of any uneasiness that I feel. I + know not how to express my thoughts respecting Lydia better than + in Martial's words--_Nec tecum possum vivere nec sine te_. + However, these are not my general sentiments; it pleases God to + cause me to eat my meat with gladness, praising God. Almost + always I am without carefulness, as indeed it would be to my + shame if I were not. + + My kindest remembrances attend my dearest sisters, Emma and + Lydia, as they well know. You two are such bad correspondents + that on this ground I prefer another petition for the renewal of + Lydia's correspondence,--she need not suspect anything now, nor + her friends. I have no idea that I should trouble her upon the + old subject, even if I were settled in England--for oh, this + vain world! _quid habet commodi? quid non potius laboris?_ + + But I never expect to see England more, nor do I expect that + though all obstacles should be removed, she would ever become + mine unless I came for her, and I now do not wonder at it, + though I did before. If any one of my sisters had had such a + proposal made to them, I would never have consented to their + going, so you may see the affair is ended between us. My wish is + that she would be scribe for you all, and I promise on my part + to send you through her an ample detail _of all my_ proceedings; + also she need not imagine that I may form another attachment--in + which case she might suppose a correspondence with an unmarried + lady might be productive of difficulties,--for after one + disappointment I am not likely to try my chance again, and if I + do I will give her the earliest intelligence of it, with the + same frankness with which I have always dealt (with her). + +Meanwhile, on the silent shores of South Cornwall, Lydia Grenfell was +thus remembering him before God: + + _1809, March 30._--My dear friend in India much upon my heart + lately, chiefly in desires that the work of God may prosper in + his hands, and that he may become more and more devoted to the + Lord. I seem, as to the future, to have attained what a year or + two since I prayed much for--to regard him absent as in another + state of existence, and my affection is holy, pure, and + spiritual for this dear saint of God; when it is otherwise, it + is owing to my looking back. Recollections sometimes intrude, + and I welcome them, alas, and act over again the past--but + Lord, Thy holy, blessed will be done--cheerfully, thankfully I + say this. + + _Tregembo, July 11._--I have suffered from levity of spirit, and + lost thereby the enjoyment of God. How good then is it in the + Lord to employ means in His providence to recall His wanderer to + Himself and happiness! Such mercy belongeth unto God--and this + His care over me I will record as a testimony against myself, if + I forsake Him again and lose that sweet seriousness of mind, so + essential to my peace and safety. Though I have never (perhaps + for many hours in a day) ceased to remember my dear friend in + India, it has not of late been in a way but as I might love and + think of him in heaven. Why is it then that the intelligence of + his probable nearness to that blessed abode should distress me? + yet it did, and does so still. It is this intelligence which + has, I hope, taught that my late excessive cheerfulness was + dangerous to my soul, in weakening my hold of better and calmer + joys. I was directed, I think, to the thirty-sixth Psalm for + what I wanted on this occasion, as I was once before to the + sixty-first, and I have found it most wonderfully cheering to my + heart. The Lord, as 'the preserver of man and beast,' caused me + to exercise dependence on Him respecting the result of my + friend's illness. Then the description of the Divine perfections + drew back my wandering heart, I hope to God. The declaration of + those who trust in God being abundantly satisfied with the + fatness of His house, taught me where real enjoyment alone will + be found; but the concluding part opened in a peculiarly sweet + way to my mind: 'Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy + pleasures.' + + _October 23._--I am under some painful forebodings respecting my + dear absent friend, and know not how to act. I am strongly + impelled to write to him, now that he is in affliction and + perhaps sickness himself--yet I dread departing from the plain + path of duty. 'O Lord, direct me,' is my cry. I hope my desire + is to do Thy will, and only Thy will. I have given him up to + Thee--oh, let me do so sincerely, and trust in Thy fatherly + care. + + _1810, January 1._--Felt the necessity of beginning this year + with prayer for preserving grace. Prayed with some sense of my + own weakness and dependence on God--with a conviction of much + sin and hope in His mercy through Jesus Christ. Oh, to be Thine, + Lord, in heart and life this year! Had a remembrance of those + most dear to me in prayer, and found it very sweet to commend + them to God, especially my friend in India--perhaps not now in + India, but in heaven. Oh, to join him at last in Thy blissful + presence! + + _January 24._--Heard yesterday of the marriage of Mr. John--what + a mercy to me do I feel it!--a load gone off my mind, for every + evil I heard of his committing I feared I might have been the + cause of, by my conduct ten years since--I rejoice in this event + for his sake and my own. + + _February 6._--Heard at last of the safety of my friend in + India, and wrote to him--many fears on my mind as to its + propriety, and great deadness of soul in doing it--yet ere I + concluded I felt comforted from the thought of the nearness of + eternity, and the certainty that then, without any fear of doing + wrong, I should again enjoy communion with him. + + _February 24._--Many sad presages of evil concerning my absent + friend, yet I am enabled to leave all to God--only now I pray, + if consistent with His will, his life may be spared, and as a + means of it, that God may incline him to return again to this + land. I never did before dare to ask this, believing the cause + of God would be more advanced by his remaining in India; but now + I pray, without fear of doing wrong or opposing the will of God, + for his return. + + _March 5._--I am sensible of a very remarkable change in the + desires of my soul before God, respecting my absent friend. I + with freedom and peace now pray continually that he may be + restored to his friends and country; before, I never dared to + ask anything but that the Lord would order this as His wisdom + saw fit, and thought it not a subject for prayer. His injured + health causes me to believe that India is not the place for his + labours--and, oh, that his mind may be rightly influenced and + the Lord's will done, whether it be his remaining there or + returning. + + _April 23._--Wrote to India. + + _November 30._--Heard yesterday, and again to-day, from + India.[35] The illness of my friend fills me with apprehensions + on his account, and I seemed called on to prepare for hearing of + his removal. I wish to place before my eyes the blessedness of + the change to him, and, though agitated and sad, I can bear to + think of our never more beholding each other in this world. This + indeed has long been my expectation, and that he should have + left the toils of mortality for the joys of heaven should, on + his account, fill me with praise--yet my heart cannot rise with + thankfulness. I seem stupefied, insensible to any feeling but + that of anxiety to hear again and know the truth, and that my + heart could joy in God at all times; but alas! all is cold + there! Oh, return, blessed Spirit of life and peace. + + _1811, March 28._--Heard from my dearest friend in India.[36] + Rose early. Found my spirit engaged in prayer, but was far ... + otherwise in reading. Such dulness and inattention as ought + deeply to abase me, vanity and a desire to appear of importance + in the school, beset me. + +Corrie had been ordered from his narrow parish of Chunar to the wider +field of Agra, and on his way up was directed to remain at Cawnpore to +help his friend, whose physical exhaustion was too apparent even to +the most careless officer. Among those influenced by both was one of +the surgeons, Dr. Govan,[37] who was spared, at St. Andrews, till +after the Mutiny of 1857, when in an unpublished lecture to its +Literary and Philosophical Society, he thus alluded to these workers +in Cawnpore: + + The Hukeem and the missionary hear native opinion spoken out + with much greater freedom than the political agent, the judge, + or commandant. 'Were there many more of the _Sahibean Ungez_ + (the English gentlemen) in character like the Padre Sahibs + (Corrie and Martyn), Christianity would make more progress + here,' was the unvaried testimony of the natives in their + favour.... I cannot help mentioning the results of various + conversations I had with two natives of Eastern rank and family + employed by the Venerable Mr. Corrie, afterwards Bishop of + Madras, and the Rev. Henry Martyn, in Scripture translation, and + whose assistance I had used in the study of the languages, as + they quite coincide with much which I had the opportunity of + hearing among men of still higher position in the native + educated community, when attached to the staff of the + Governor-General: 'By the decrees of God,' said the Mohammedan + noble, 'and the ubiquity of their fleets, armaments, and + commerce, it appears plainly that the European nations have + become the arbiters of the destinies of the nations of Asia. Yet + this seems to us strange in the followers of Him who taught that + His true disciples must be ready to give their cloaks also to + him who took from them their coats.' To which I had no better + reply than this, that the progress of events in the world's + history seems to us to give evidence that undoubtedly a Divine + message had been sent, both to governments and their subjects, + to which, at their peril, both must give attention. But that, + as a question of public national policy, it seemed generally + admitted and understood that the civil rulers of no nation, + Christian, Mohammedan, or Heathen, were laid under an + obligation, by their individual beliefs, to allow a country, + unable to govern itself by reason of its interminable divisions + and subjects of deadly internal strife, to be occupied and made + use of by their European or other enemies, as a means for their + own injury or destruction, for any criminal or sinful acts, done + in the building up of a nation or government. I may add that I + never heard a native of India attempt directly to impugn the + perfect justice of the British possession of India on this + ground. 'The Padre Sahib has put the subject in its true light' + (said the same Mohammedan authority) 'when he said that + Christianity had higher objects in view, in its influence on + human character, than to enforce absolute rules about meats and + drinks; for should he even induce me (which is unlikely) to + become more of a Christian than I am, believing, as I do, in the + authority of the Old Testament prophets, and in Jesus Christ as + a prophet sent by God, he will never persuade me to look upon + many articles of diet used by Christians with anything but the + most intense disgust and abhorrence, and he will assuredly find + it the same with most of these idolatrous Hindus.' + +We return to Martyn's _Journal_ and _Correspondence_: + + _July 8._ (Sunday.)--Corrie preached to the 53rd a funeral + sermon on the death of one of their captains. In the afternoon I + spoke to the natives on the first commandment, with greater + fluency than I have yet found. My thoughts to-day very much + towards Lydia; I began even to be reconciled to the idea of + going to England for her. 'Many are the thoughts of a man's + heart, but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.' + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Cawnpore: August 14, 1810. + + With what delight do I sit down to begin a letter to my beloved + Lydia! Yours of February 5, which I received a few days ago, was + written, I conceive, in considerable embarrassment. You thought + it possible it might find me married, or about to be so. Let me + begin, therefore, with assuring you, with more truth than Gehazi + did his master, 'Thy servant went no whither:' my heart has not + strayed from Marazion, or Gurlyn, or wherever you are. Five long + years have passed, and I am still faithful. Happy would it be if + I could say that I had been equally true to my profession of + love for Him who is fairer than ten thousand, and altogether + lovely. Yet to the praise of His grace let me recollect that + twice five years have passed away since I began to know Him, and + I am still not gone from Him. On the contrary, time and + experience have endeared the Lord to me more and more, so that I + feel less inclination, and see less reason for leaving Him. What + is there, alas! in the world, were it even everlasting? + + I rejoice at the accounts you give me of your continued good + health and labours of love. Though you are not so usefully + employed as you might be in India, yet as that must not be, I + contemplate with delight your exertions at the other end of the + world. May you be instrumental in bringing many sons and + daughters to glory. What is become of St. Hilary and its fairy + scenes? When I think of Malachy, and the old man, and your + sister, and Josepha, etc., how some are dead, and the rest + dispersed, and their place occupied by strangers, it seems all + like a dream. + + _August 15._--It is only little intervals of time that I can + find for writing; my visitors, about whom I shall write + presently, taking up much of my leisure from necessary duty. + Here follow some extracts from my _Journal_.... + + Here my _Journal_ must close. I do not know whether you + understand from it how we go on. I must endeavour to give you a + clearer idea of it. + + We all live here in bungalows, or thatched houses, on a piece of + ground enclosed. Next to mine is the church, not yet opened for + public worship, but which we make use of at night with the men + of the 53rd. Corrie lives with me, and Miss Corrie with the + Sherwoods. We usually rise at daybreak, and breakfast at six. + Immediately after breakfast we pray together, after which I + translate into Arabic with Sabat, who lives in a small bungalow + on my ground. We dine at twelve, and sit recreating ourselves + with talking a little about dear friends in England. In the + afternoon, I translate with Mirza Fitrut into Hindustani, and + Corrie employs himself in teaching some native Christian boys + whom he is educating with great care, in hopes of their being + fit for the office of catechist. I have also a school on my + premises, for natives; but it is not well attended. There are + not above sixteen Hindu boys in it at present: half of them read + the Book of Genesis. At sunset we ride or drive, and then meet + at the church, where we often raise the song of praise, with as + much joy, through the grace and presence of our Lord, as you do + in England. At ten we are all asleep. Thus we go on. To the + hardships of missionaries we are strangers, yet not averse, I + trust, to encounter them when we are called. My work at present + is evidently to translate; hereafter I may itinerate. Dear + Corrie, I fear, never will, he always suffers from moving about + in the daytime. But I should have said something about my + health, as I find my death was reported at Cambridge. I thank + God I am perfectly well, though not very strong in my lungs; + they do not seem affected yet, but I cannot speak long without + uneasiness. From the nature of my complaint, if it deserves the + name, it is evident that England is the last place I should go + to. I should go home only to find a grave. How shall I + therefore ever see you more on this side of eternity? Well! be + it so, since such is the will of God: we shall meet, through + grace, in the realms of bliss. + + I am truly sorry to see my paper fail. Write as often as + possible, every three months at least. Tell me where you go, and + whom you see and what you read. + + _August 17._--I am sorry to conclude with saying that my + yesterday's boasted health proved a mistake; I was seized with + violent sickness in the night, but to-day am better. Continue to + pray for me, and believe me to be, your ever affectionate, + + H. MARTYN. + + _September 22._--Was walking with Lydia; both much affected, and + speaking on the things dearest to us both. I awoke, and behold + it was a dream. My mind remained very solemn and pensive; shed + some tears; the clock struck three, and the moon was riding near + her highest noon; all was silence and solemnity, and I thought + with some pain of the sixteen thousand miles between us. But + good is the will of the Lord, if I see her no more. + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + From the Ganges: October 6, 1810. + + My dearest Lydia,--Though I have had no letter from you very + lately, nor have anything particular to say, yet having been + days on the water without a person to speak to, tired also with + reading and thinking, I mean to indulge myself with a little of + what is always agreeable to me, and sometimes good for me; for + as my affection for you has something sacred in it, being + founded on, or at least cemented by, an union of spirit in the + Lord Jesus; so my separation also from you produced a deadness + to the world, at least for a time, which leaves a solemn + impression as often as I think of it. Add to this, that as I + must not indulge the hope of ever seeing you again in this + world, I cannot think of you without thinking also of that + world where we shall meet. You mention in one of your letters my + coming to England, as that which may eventually prove a duty. + You ought to have added, that in case I do come, you will + consider it a duty not to let me come away again without you. + But I am not likely to put you to the trial. Useless as I am + here, I often think I should be still more so at home. Though my + voice fails me, I can translate and converse. At home I should + be nothing without being able to lift my voice on high. I have + just left my station, Cawnpore, in order to be silent six + months. I have no cough, or any kind of consumption, except that + reading prayers, or preaching, or a slight cold, brings on pain + in the chest. I am advised therefore to recruit my strength by + rest. So I am come forth, with my face towards Calcutta, with an + ulterior view to the sea. Nothing happened at Cawnpore, after I + wrote to you in September but I must look to my _Journal_. + + I think of having my portrait taken in Calcutta, as I promised + Mr. Simeon five years ago. Sabat's picture would also be a + curiosity. Yesterday I carried Col. Wood to dine with me, at the + Nabob Bahir Ali's. Sabat was there. The Colonel, who had been + reading by the way the account of his conversion, in the Asiatic + and East Society Report, which I had given him, eyed him with no + great complacency, and observed in French, that Sabat might not + understand him, 'Il a l'air d'un sauvage.' Sabat's countenance + is indeed terrible; noble when he is pleased, but with the look + of an assassin when he is out of humour. I have had more + opportunities of knowing Sabat than any man has had, and I + cannot regard him with that interest which the 'Star in the + East' is calculated to excite in most people. Buchanan says, I + wrote (to whom I do not know) in terms of admiration and + affection about him. Affection I do feel for him, but + admiration, if I did once feel it, I am not conscious of it at + present. I tremble for everything our dear friends publish + about our doings in India, lest shame come to us and them. + + _Calcutta, November 5._--A sheet full, like the preceding, I had + written, but the moment it is necessary to send off my letter I + cannot find it. That it does not go on to you is of little + consequence, but into whose hands may it have fallen? It is this + that grieves me. It was the continuance of my _Journal_ to + Calcutta, where I arrived the last day in October. Constant + conversation with dear friends here has brought on the pain in + the chest again, so that I do not attempt to preach. In two or + three weeks I shall embark for the Gulf of Persia, where, if I + live, I shall solace myself in my hours of solitude with writing + to you. + + Farewell, beloved friend; pray for me, as you do, I am sure, and + doubt not of an unceasing interest in the heart and prayers of + your ever affectionate, + + H. MARTYN. + +Ordered away on six months' sick leave, Henry Martyn had the joy of +once at least ministering to his soldier flock in the 'new church,' +which he had induced the authorities to form out of an ordinary +bungalow. Daily and fondly had he watched the preparations, reporting +to Brown: 'My church is almost ready for the organ and the bell.' On +Sunday, September 16, he had written: + + 'Rain prevented me from having any service in public; the + natives not being able to sit upon the grass, I could not preach + to them.' + +On Sunday, September 30, he thus took farewell of his different +congregations: + + Corrie preached to the Dragoons, at nine the new church was + opened. There was a considerable congregation, and I preached + on, 'In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee + and bless thee.' I felt something of thankfulness and joy, and + our dear friends the same. The Sherwoods and Miss Corrie stayed + with us the rest of the day. In the afternoon I preached the + Gospel to the natives for the first time, giving them a short + account of the life, death, miracles, manner of teaching, death + and resurrection of Jesus, then the doctrines of His religion, + and concluded with exhorting them to believe in Him, and taking + them to record that I had declared to them the glad tidings that + had come to us, and that if they rejected it I was clear from + their blood, and thus I bid them farewell. + +Mrs. Sherwood thus describes the scene: + + On the Sunday before Mr. Martyn left the church was opened, and + the bell sounded for the first time over this land of darkness. + The church was crowded, and there was the band of our regiment + to lead the singing and the chanting. Sergeant Clarke--our + Sergeant Clarke--had been appointed as clerk; and there he sat + under the desk in due form, in his red coat, and went through + his duty with all due correctness. The Rev. Daniel Corrie read + prayers, and Mr. Martyn preached. That was a day never to be + forgotten. Those only who have been for some years in a place + where there never has been public worship can have any idea of + the fearful effect of its absence, especially among the mass of + the people, who, of course, are unregenerate. Every prescribed + form of public worship certainly has a tendency to become + nothing more than a form, yet even a form may awaken reflection, + and any state is better than that of perfect deadness. From his + first arrival at the station Mr. Martyn had been labouring to + effect the purpose which he then saw completed; namely, the + opening of a place of worship. He was permitted to see it, to + address the congregation once, and then he was summoned to + depart. How often, how very often, are human beings called away, + perhaps from this world, at the moment they have been enabled to + bring to bear some favourite object. Blessed are those whose + object has been such a one as that of Henry Martyn. Alas! he was + known to be, even then, in a most dangerous state of health, + either burnt within by slow inflammation, which gave a flush to + his cheek, or pale as death from weakness and lassitude. + + On this occasion the bright glow prevailed--a brilliant light + shone from his eyes--he was filled with hope and joy; he saw the + dawn of better things, he thought, at Cawnpore, and most + eloquent, earnest, and affectionate was his address to the + congregation. Our usual party accompanied him back to his + bungalow, where, being arrived, he sank, as was often his way, + nearly fainting, on a sofa in the hall. Soon, however, he + revived a little, and called us all about him to sing. It was + then that we sang to him that sweet hymn which thus begins: + + O God, our help in ages past, + Our hope for years to come, + Our shelter from the stormy blast, + And our eternal home. + + We all dined early together, and then returned with our little + ones to enjoy some rest and quiet; but when the sun began to + descend to the horizon we again went over to Mr. Martyn's + bungalow, to hear his _last_ address to the _fakeers_. It was + one of those sickly, hazy, burning evenings, which I have before + described, and the scene was precisely such a one as I have + recounted above. Mr. Martyn nearly fainted again after this + effort, and when he got to his house, with his friends about + him, he told us that he was afraid he had not been the means of + doing the smallest good to any one of the strange people whom he + had thus so often addressed. He did not even then know of the + impression he had been enabled to make, on one of these + occasions, on Sheikh Saleh. On the Monday our beloved friend + went to his boats, which lay at the Ghaut, nearest the bungalow; + but in the cool of the evening, however, whilst Miss Corrie and + myself were taking the air in our tonjons, he came after us on + horseback. There was a gentle sadness in his aspect as he + accompanied me home; and Miss Corrie came also. Once again we + all supped together, and united in one last hymn. We were all + low, very, very low; we could never expect to behold again that + face which we then saw--to hear again that voice, or to be again + elevated and instructed by that conversation. It was impossible + to hope that he would survive the fatigue of such a journey as + he meditated. Often and often, when thinking of him, have these + verses, so frequently sung by him, come to my mind: + + E'er since by faith I saw the stream + Thy flowing wounds supply, + Redeeming love has been my theme, + And shall be till I die. + + Then, in a nobler, sweeter song, + I'll sing Thy power to save, + When this poor lisping, stammering tongue + Is silent in the grave. + +Henry Martyn's continued to be the military church of Cawnpore till +1857, when it was destroyed in the Mutiny. Its place has been taken +by a Memorial Church which visibly proclaims forgiveness and peace +on the never-to-be forgotten site of Wheeler's entrenchment--consecrated +ground indeed! + +On October 1 he left Cawnpore, 'after a parting prayer with my dearest +brother Corrie,'[38] to whom he wrote from Allahabad: + + Thus far we are come in safety; but my spirits tell me that I + have parted with friends. Your pale face as it appeared on + Monday morning is still before my eyes, and will not let me be + easy till you tell me you are strong and prudent. The first + night there blew a wind so bleak and cold, through and through + my boat and bed, that I rose, as I expected, with a pain in the + breast, which has not quite left me, but will, I hope, to-night, + when I shall take measures for expelling it. There is a gate not + paid for yet belonging to the churchyard, may you always go + through it in faith and return through it with praise. You are + now in prayer with our men. The Lord be with you, and be always + with you, dearest brother. + +Ministering to all who needed his services, in preaching, baptizing, +and marrying, on his way down the great Ganges, at Benares, at +Ghazipore, where he met with 'the remains' of his old 67th regiment, +at Bhagulpore, and at Bandel, where he called on the Roman Catholics, +on November 12 he at last came to Aldeen. + + Children jumping, shouting, and convoying me in troops to the + house. They are a lovely family indeed, and I do not know when I + have felt so delighted as at family worship last night. To-day + Mr. Brown and myself have been consulting at the Pagoda. + +After four years' absence he seemed a dying man to his Serampore and +Calcutta friends, Brown, Thomason, Udny, and Colonel Young of Dinapore +memory. But he was ever cheerful, and he preached every Sunday for +five weeks, though in his _Journal_ we find this on November 21: + + Caught a cold, and kept awake much of the night by a cough. From + this day perhaps I may date my decay. Nature shrinks from + dissolution, and conscience trembles at the thought of a + judgment to come. But I try to rejoice in God through our Lord + Jesus Christ. + + _November 25._ (Sunday.)--Preached at the old church, on 'While + Paul reasoned of righteousness,' etc. The Governor-General, Lord + Minto, was present, desiring, as was supposed, to abolish the + distinction which had been made between the two churches. One + passage in my sermon appeared to some personal, and on + reconsideration I thought it so myself, and was excessively + distressed at having given causeless offence, and perhaps + preventing much good. Lord! pardon a blind creature. How much + mischief may I do through mere thoughtlessness! + + _December 2._--Preached at eight, on 'Grace reigns,' and was + favoured with strength of body and joy of heart in proclaiming + the glorious truth. + + _December 25._--Preached, with much comfort to myself, on 'God + so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,' etc. Mr. + Brown on 'Let your light so shine before men,' etc. The whole + sum collected about seven thousand rupees. At night Mr. Thomason + on 'Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring + from on high hath visited us.' This day how many of those who + love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity are rejoicing in His + birth. My dear Lydia remembers me. + + _December 31._--Had a long dispute with Marshman, which brought + on pain in the chest. + +He opened the year 1811 by preaching for the new Calcutta Auxiliary of +the British and Foreign Bible Society his published sermon on +Christian India and the Bible, to be read in the light of his own +translation work hereafter. He thus on the same day committed himself +to the future in the spirit of St. Paul: + + _1811._--The weakness which has come upon me in the course of + the last year, if it should not give an entire new turn to my + life, is likely to be productive of events in the course of the + present year which I little expected, or at least did not expect + so soon. I now pass from India to Arabia, not knowing what + things shall befall me there; but assured that an ever-faithful + God and Saviour will be with me in all places whithersoever I + go. May He guide and protect me, and after prospering me in the + thing whereunto I go, bring me back again to my delightful work + in India. It would be a painful thought indeed, to suppose + myself about to return no more. Having succeeded, apparently, + through His blessing, in the Hindustani New Testament, I feel + much encouraged, and could wish to be spared in order to finish + the Bible. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[32] _The Life of Mrs. Sherwood_ (chiefly autobiographical), edited by +her Daughter. London, 1854. + +[33] 'He was at that time married to his seventh wife; that is, +according to his own account. Ameena was a pretty young woman, though +particularly dark for a purdah-walla, or one, according to the Eastern +custom, who is supposed always to sit behind a purdah, or curtain. She +occupied the smaller bungalow, which adjoined the larger by a long, +covered passage. Our children often went to see her whilst they were +at Mr. Martyn's, and I paid her one formal visit. I found her seated +on the ground, encircled by cushions within gauze mosquito-curtains, +stretched by ropes from the four corners of the hall. In the daytime +these curtains were twisted and knotted over her head, and towards the +night they were let down around her, and thus she slept where she had +sat all day. She had one or two women in constant attendance upon her, +though her husband was a mere subordinate. These Eastern women have +little idea of using the needle, and very few are taught any other +feminine accomplishment. Music and literature, dancing and singing, +are known only to the Nautch or dancing-girls by profession. Hence, +nothing on earth can be imagined to be more monotonous than the lives +of women in the East; such, I mean, as are not compelled to servile +labour. They sit on their cushions behind their curtains from day to +day, from month to month, with no other occupation than that of having +their hair dressed, and their nails and eyelids stained, and no other +amusement than hearing the _gup_, or gossip of the place where they +may happen to be; nor is any gossip too low or too frivolous to be +unacceptable. The visits of our children and nurses were very +acceptable to Ameena, and she took much and tender notice of the baby. +She lived on miserable terms with her husband, and hated him most +cordially. She was a Mussulman, and he was very anxious to make her a +Christian, to which she constantly showed strong opposition. At +length, however, she terminated the controversy in the following +extraordinary manner: "Pray, will you have the goodness to inform me +where Christians go after death?" "To heaven and to their Saviour," +replied Sabat. "And where do Mahometans go?" she asked. "To hell and +the devil," answered the fierce Arab. "You," said the meek wife, "will +go to heaven, of course, as being a Christian." "Certainly," replied +Sabat. "Well, then," she said, "I will continue to be a Mussulman, +because I should prefer hell and the devil without you, to heaven +itself in your presence." This anecdote was told to Mr. Martyn by +Sabat himself, as a proof of the hardened spirit of his wife. + +'Ameena was, by the Arab's own account, his seventh wife. He had some +wonderful story to tell of each of his former marriages; but that +which he related of his sixth wife exceeded all the rest in the +marvellous and the romantic. He told this tale at Mr. Martyn's table +one evening, whilst we were at supper, during the week we lived in the +house. He spoke in Persian, and Mr. Martyn interpreted what he said, +and it was this he narrated: It was on some occasion, he said, in +which Fortune had played him one of her worst tricks, and reduced him +to a state of the most abject poverty, that he happened to arrive one +night at a certain city, which was the capital of some rajah, or petty +king--Sabat called this person a king. It seemed he arrived at a +crisis in which the king's only daughter had given her father some +terrible offence, and in order to be revenged upon her, the father +issued his commands that she should be compelled to take for her +husband the first stranger who arrived in the town after sunset. This +man happened to be our Arab; he was accordingly seized and subjected +to the processes of bathing and anointing with precious oil. He was +then magnificently dressed, introduced into the royal hall, and duly +married to the princess, who proved not only to be fair as the houris, +but to be quite prepared to love the husband whom Fortune had sent +her. He lived with her, he pretended, I know not how many years, and +they were perfectly happy until the princess died, and he lost the +favour of his majesty. I think that Sabat laid the scene of this +adventure in or near Agra. But this could hardly be. That such things +have been in the East--that is, that royal parents have taken such +means of avenging themselves on offending daughters--is quite certain; +but I cannot venture to assert that Sabat was telling the truth when +he made himself the hero of the tale.' + +[34] Corrie and Brown. + +[35] By letters written March 30 and April 19, 1810, from Cawnpore. + +[36] By letter written August 14, 1810. + +[37] On leaving the station Henry Martyn presented his French New +Testament to Dr. Govan, a little morocco-bound volume which his son +prizes as an heirloom. + +[38] We have these reminiscences of Henry Martyn's Cawnpore from Bishop +Corrie, when, as Archdeacon of Calcutta, he again visited it. In 1824 he +writes: 'I arrived at this station on the day fourteen years after +sainted Martyn had dedicated the church. The house he occupied stands +close by. The view of the place and the remembrance of what had passed +greatly affected me.... I had to assist in administering the sacrament, +and well it was, on the whole, that none present could enter into my +feelings, or I should have been overcome.' Again: 'How would it have +rejoiced the heart of Martyn could he have had the chief authorities +associated, by order of Government, to assist him in the work of +education; and how gladly would he have made himself their servant in +the work for Jesus' sake! One poor blind man who lives in an outhouse of +Martyn's, and received a small monthly sum from him, often comes to our +house, and affords a mournful pleasure in reminding me of some little +occurrence of those times. A wealthy native too, who lived next door to +us, sent his nephew to express to me the pleasure he derived from his +acquaintance with Martyn. These are all the traces I have found of that +"excellent one of the earth" at the station.' + +In 1833 Corrie was again at Cawnpore, which had two chaplains then, +and thus wrote: '_October 6._--I attended Divine service at the church +bungalow, and stood up once more in Martyn's pulpit. The place is a +little enlarged. The remembrance of Martyn and the Sherwoods, and Mary +(his sister), with the occupations of that period, came powerfully to +my recollection, and I could not prevent the tears from flowing. A +sense of the forgiving love of God, with the prospect of all joining +in thankful adoration in the realms of bliss, greatly preponderates.' + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +FROM CALCUTTA TO CEYLON, BOMBAY, AND ARABIA + + +Two motives made Henry Martyn eager to leave India for a time, and to +cease the strain on his fast-ebbing strength, caused by incessant +preaching and speaking: he desired to prolong his life, but to prolong +it only till he should give the Mohammedans of Arabia and Persia the +Word of God in their own tongues. After his first, almost fatal, +attack at Dinapore, Corrie, who had gone to help him in his duties, +wrote to 'the Patriarch,' as they called Mr. Brown, at Aldeen: 'He +wishes to be spared on account of the translations, but with great +earnestness said, "I wish to have my whole soul swallowed up in the +will of God."' Two years after, Corrie wrote to England from Cawnpore: +'He is going to try sea air. May God render it effectual to his +restoration. His life is beyond all price to us. You know what a +profound scholar he is, and all his acquirements are dedicated to the +service of Christ. If ever man, since St. Paul, could use these words, +he may, _One thing I do_. But the length of his life will depend on +his desisting from public duties.' To Martyn himself, when at last he +had left Cawnpore, Corrie wrote: 'If you will not take rest, dear +brother, come away back;' informing him, at the same time, that he had +returned to a Colonel, whom he had married, 1,600 rupees, he and +Martyn having resolved to decline all fees for marrying and burying in +India, where such were a stumbling-block in the way of morality and +religion, constituted as Anglo-Indian society was at that time. + +When he was leaving Cawnpore, Henry Martyn was about to destroy what +he called 'a number of memorandums.' These afterwards proved to be his +_Journals_ from January 1803 to 1811, some of which were written in +Latin, and some in Greek, for greater secrecy. Corrie remonstrated +with him, and persuaded him to seal them up and leave them in his +hands. Lord Minto, the Governor-General, and General Hewett, the +Commander-in-chief, after receiving a statement of Martyn's object, +gave their sanction to his spending his sick-leave in Persia and +Syria. At first the only ship he could find bound for Bombay, _en +route_ to the Persian Gulf, was one of the native buggalows which +carried the coasting trade in the days before the British India Steam +Navigation Company had begun to develop the commerce of the Indian +Ocean all along East Africa, Southern Asia, the Spice Islands, and +Australasia. But he wrote to Corrie: + + The captain of the ship after many excuses has at last refused + to take me, on the ground that I might try to convert the Arab + sailors, and so cause a mutiny in the ship. So I am quite out of + heart, and more than half disposed to go to the right about, and + come back to Cawnpore. + +His uncompromising earnestness as a witness for Christ was well known. +Fortunately, a month after, the Honourable Mountstuart Elphinstone +'was proceeding to take the residency of Poona,' and Martyn secured a +passage in the same ship, the Hummoody, an Arab coaster belonging to +a Muscat merchant, and manned by his Abyssinian slave as Nakhoda. + +His last message to Calcutta, on the evening of the first Sunday of +the year 1811, was on _The one thing needful_. Next morning he quietly +went on board Mr. Elphinstone's pinnace 'without taking leave of my +two dear friends in Calcutta.' As they dropped down the Hoogli, +anchoring for two nights in its treacherous waters, his henceforth +brief entries in his _Journal_ are these: '8th. Conversation with Mr. +Elphinstone, and disputes with his Persian moulvi, left me weak and in +pain. 9th. Reached the ship at Saugur, and began to try my strength +with the Arab sailors.' He found that the country-born captain, +Kinsay, had been brought up by Schwartz, and he obtained from him much +information regarding the habits and the rule of the Lutheran apostle +of Southern India. This is new: + + It was said that Schwartz had a warning given him of his death. + One clear moonlight night he saw a light, and heard a voice + which said to him, 'Follow me.' He got up and went to the door; + here the vision vanished. The next day he sent for Dr. Anderson + and said, 'An old tree must fall.' On the doctor's perceiving + there was nothing the matter with him, Schwartz asked him + whether he observed any disorder in his intellect; to which the + doctor replied, 'No.' He and General Floyd (now in Ireland), + another friend of Schwartz, came and stayed with him. The next + fifteen days he was continually engaged in devotion, and + attended no more to the school: on the last day he died in his + chair. + +Henry Martyn was well fitted by culture and training to appreciate the +society of such statesmen and thinkers as Mountstuart Elphinstone, +Sir John Malcolm, Sir James Mackintosh, and Jonathan Duncan, who in +their turn delighted in his society during the next five weeks. Of the +first he wrote to Corrie: 'His agreeable manners and classical +acquirements made me think myself fortunate indeed in having such a +companion, and I found his company the most agreeable circumstance in +my voyage.' They walked together in the cinnamon groves of Ceylon, +when the ship touched at Colombo; together they talked of the work of +Xavier as they skirted Cape Comorin, and observed Portuguese churches +every two or three miles, with a row of huts on each side. 'Perhaps,' +he wrote in his _Journal_, 'many of these poor people, with all the +incumbrances of Popery, are moving towards the kingdom of heaven.' +Together the two visited old Goa, the ecclesiastical capital, its +convents and churches. The year after their visit the Goa Inquisition, +one of the cruellest of its branches since its foundation, was +suppressed. Henry Martyn's letters to Lydia Grenfell best describe his +experiences and impressions: + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + At Sea, Coast of Malabar: February 4, 1811. + + The last letter I wrote to you, my dearest Lydia, was dated + November 1810. I continued in Calcutta to the end of the year, + preaching once a week, and reading the Word in some happy little + companies, with whom I enjoyed that sweet communion which all in + this vale of tears have reason to be thankful for, but + especially those whose lot is cast in a heathen land. On + New-year's day, at Mr. Brown's urgent request, I preached a + sermon for the Bible Society, recommending an immediate + attention to the state of the native Christians. At the time I + left Calcutta they talked of forming an auxiliary society. + Leaving Calcutta was so much like leaving England, that I went + on board my boat without giving them notice, and so escaped the + pain of bidding them farewell. In two days I met my ship at the + mouth of the river, and we put to sea immediately. Our ship is + commanded by a pupil of Schwartz, and manned by Arabians, + Abyssinians, and others. One of my fellow-passengers is Mr. + Elphinstone, who was lately ambassador at the court of the King + of Cabul, and is now going to be resident at Poona, the capital + of the Mahratta empire. So the group is rather interesting, and + I am happy to say not averse to religious instruction; I mean + the Europeans. As for the Asiatics, they are in language, + customs, and religion, as far removed from us as if they were + inhabitants of another planet. I speak a little Arabic sometimes + to the sailors, but their contempt of the Gospel, and attachment + to their own superstition, make their conversion appear + impossible. How stupendous that power which can make these + people the followers of the Lamb, when they so nearly resemble + Satan in pride and wickedness! The first part of the voyage I + was without employment, and almost without thought, suffering as + usual so much from sea sickness, that I had not spirits to do + anything but sit upon the poop, surveying the wide waste of + waters blue. This continued all down the Bay of Bengal. At + length in the neighbourhood of Ceylon we found smooth water, and + came to an anchor off Colombo, the principal station in the + island. The captain having proposed to his passengers that they + should go ashore and refresh themselves with a walk in the + cinnamon gardens, Mr. Elphinstone and myself availed ourselves + of the offer, and went off to inhale the cinnamon breeze. The + walk was delightful. The huts of the natives, who are (in that + neighbourhood at least) most of them Protestants, are built in + thick groves of cocoanut-tree, with openings here and there, + discovering the sea. Everything bore the appearance of + contentment. I contemplated them with delight, and was almost + glad that I could not speak with them, lest further acquaintance + should have dissipated the pleasing ideas their appearance gave + birth to. In the gardens I cut off a piece of the bark for you. + It will not be so fragrant as that which is properly prepared; + but it will not have lost its fine smell, I hope, when it + reaches you. + + At Captain Rodney's, the Chief Secretary to Government, we met a + good part of the European society of Colombo. The party was like + most mixed parties in England, where much is said that need not + be remembered. The next day we stretched across the Gulf of + Manaar, and soon came in sight of Cape Comorin, the great + promontory of India. At a distance the green waves seemed to + wash the foot of the mountain, but on a nearer approach little + churches were seen, apparently on the beach, with a row of + little huts on each side. Was it these maritime situations that + recalled to my mind Perran church and town in the way to Gurlyn; + or that my thoughts wander too often on the beach to the east of + Lamorran? You do not tell me whether you ever walk there, and + imagine the billows that break at your feet to have made their + way from India. But why should I wish to know? Had I observed + silence on that day and thenceforward, I should have spared you + much trouble, and myself much pain. Yet I am far from regretting + that I spoke, since I am persuaded that all things will work + together for good. I sometimes try to put such a number of + things together as shall produce the greatest happiness + possible, and I find that even in imagination I cannot satisfy + myself. I set myself to see what is that 'good for the sons of + men, which they should do under heaven all the days of their + life,' and I find that paradise is not here. Many things are + delightful, some things are almost all one could wish; but yet + in all beauty there is deformity, in the most perfect something + wanting, and there is no hope of its ever being otherwise. + 'That which is crooked cannot be made straight, and that which + is wanting cannot be numbered.' So that the expectation of + happiness on earth seems chimerical to the last degree. In my + schemes of happiness I place myself of course with you, blessed + with great success in the ministry, and seeing all India turning + to the Lord. Yet it is evident that with these joys there would + be mingled many sorrows. The care of all the churches was a + burden to the mighty mind of St. Paul. As for what we should be + together, I judge of it from our friends. Are they quite beyond + the vexations of common life? I think not--still I do not say + that it is a question whether they gained or lost by marrying. + Their affections will live when ours (I should rather say mine) + are dead. Perhaps it may not be the effect of celibacy; but I + certainly begin to feel a wonderful indifference to all but + myself. From so seldom seeing a creature that cares for me, and + never one that depends at all upon me, I begin to look round + upon men with reciprocal apathy. It sometimes calls itself + deadness to the world, but I much fear that it is deadness of + heart. I am exempt from worldly cares myself, and therefore do + not feel for others. Having got out of the stream into still + water, I go round and round in my own little circle. This + supposed deterioration you will ascribe to my humility; + therefore I add that Mr. Brown could not help remarking the + difference between what I am and what I was, and observed on + seeing my picture, which was taken at Calcutta for Mr. Simeon, + and is thought a striking likeness, that it was not Martyn that + arrived in India, but Martyn the recluse. + + _February 10._--To-day my affections seem to have revived a + little. I have been often deceived in times past, and + erroneously called animal spirits joy in the Holy Ghost. Yet I + trust that I can say with truth, 'To them who believe, He is + precious!' Yes, Thou art precious to my soul, my transport and + my trust. No thought now is so sweet as that which those words + suggest--'_In Christ_.' Our destinies thus inseparably united + with those of the Son of God, what is too great to be expected? + All things are yours, for ye are Christ's! We may ask what we + will, and it shall be given to us. Now, why do I ever lose sight + of Him, or fancy myself without Him, or try to do anything + without Him? Break off a branch from a tree, and how long will + it be before it withers? To-day, my beloved sister, I rejoice in + you before the Lord, I rejoice in you as a member of the mystic + body, I pray that your prayers for one who is unworthy of your + remembrance may be heard, and bring down tenfold blessings on + yourself. How good is the Lord in giving me grace to rejoice + with His chosen all over the earth; even with those who are at + this moment going up with the voice of joy and praise, to tread + His courts and sing His praise. There is not an object about me + but is depressing. Yet my heart expands with delight at the + presence of a gracious God, and the assurance that my separation + from His people is only temporary. + + On the 7th we landed at Goa, the capital of the Portuguese + possessions in the East. I reckoned much on my visit to Goa, + expecting, from its being the residence of the archbishop and + many ecclesiastics, that I should obtain such information about + the Christians in India as would render it superfluous to make + inquiries elsewhere, but I was much disappointed. Perhaps it was + owing to our being accompanied by several officers, English and + Portuguese, that the archbishop and his principal agents would + not be seen; but so it was, that I scarcely met with a man who + could make himself intelligible. We are shown what strangers are + usually shown, the churches and monasteries, but I wanted to + contemplate man, the only thing on earth almost that possesses + any interest for me. I beheld the stupendous magnificence of + their noble churches without emotion, except to regret that the + Gospel was not preached in them. In one of the monasteries we + saw the tomb of Francis Xavier, the Apostle of India, most + richly ornamented, as well as the room in which it stands, with + paintings and figures in bronze, done in Italy. The friar who + showed us the tomb, happening to speak of the grace of God in + the heart, without which, said he, as he held the sacramental + wafer, the body of Christ profits nothing. I began a + conversation with him, which, however, came to nothing. + + We visited among many other places the convent of nuns. After a + long altercation with the lady porter we were admitted to the + antechamber, in which was the grate, a window with iron bars, + behind which the poor prisoners make their appearance. While my + companions were purchasing their trinkets I was employed in + examining their countenances, which I did with great attention. + In what possible way, thought I, can you support existence, if + you do not find your happiness in God? They all looked ill and + discontented, those at least whose countenances expressed + anything. One sat by reading, as if nothing were going on. I + asked to see the book, and it was handed through the grate. + Finding that it was a Latin prayer-book, I wrote in Latin + something about the love of the world, which seclusion from it + would not remove. The Inquisition is still existing at Goa. We + were not admitted as far as Dr. Buchanan was, to the Hall of + Examination, and that because he printed something against the + inquisitors which came to their knowledge. The priest in waiting + acknowledged that they had some prisoners within the walls, and + defended the practice of imprisoning and chastising offenders, + on the ground of its being conformed to the custom of the + Primitive Church. We were told that when the officers of the + Inquisition touch an individual, and beckon him away, he dares + not resist; if he does not come out again, no one must ask about + him; if he does, he must not tell what was done to him. + + _February 18._--(Bombay.) Thus far I am brought in safety. On + this day I complete my thirtieth year. 'Here I raise my + Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I'm come.' 27th. It is sweet to + reflect that we shall at last reach our home. I am here amongst + men who are indeed aliens to the commonwealth of Israel and + without God in the world. I hear many of those amongst whom I + live bring idle objections against religion, such as I have + answered a hundred times. How insensible are men of the world to + all that God is doing! How unconscious of His purposes + concerning His Church! How incapable, seemingly, of + comprehending the existence of it! I feel the meaning of St. + Paul's words--'Hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and + prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will, + that He would gather in one all things in Christ.' Well! let us + bless the Lord. 'All thy children shall be taught of the Lord, + and great shall be the peace of thy children.' In a few days I + expect to sail for the Gulf of Persia in one of the Company's + sloops of war. + + Farewell, my beloved Lydia, and believe me to be ever yours most + affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + +All through the voyage, in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, the +scholar was busy with his books, the Hebrew Old Testament, 'reading +Turkish grammar, Niebuhr's _Arabia_, making extracts from Maracci's +_Refutation of the Koran_, in general reading the Word of God with +pleasure.' + + _February 10._ (Sunday.)--Somewhat of a happy Sabbath; I enjoyed + communion with the saints, though far removed from them; service + morning and night in the cabin. + + _January 14_ to _17_.--When sitting on the poop Mr. Elphinstone + kindly entertained me with information about India, the politics + of which he has had such opportunities of making himself + acquainted with. The Afghans, to whom he went as ambassador, to + negotiate a treaty of alliance in case of invasion by the + French, possess a tract of country considerably larger than + Great Britain, using the Persian and Pushtu languages. Their + chief tribe is the Doorani, from which the king is elected. Shah + Zeman was dethroned by his half-brother Mahmood, governor of + Herat, who put out his eyes. Shah Zeman's younger brother + Shoujjah took up arms, and after several defeats established + himself for a time. He was on the throne when Mr. Elphinstone + visited him, but since that Mahmood has begun to dispute the + sovereignty with him. Mr. Elphinstone has been with Holkar and + Sindia a good deal. Holkar he described as a little spitfire, + his general, Meer Khan, possessed abilities; Sindia none; the + Rajah of Berar the most politic of the native powers, though the + Nizam the most powerful; the influence of residents at Nagpoor + and Hyderabad very small. + + _February 17._--Mostly employed in writing the Arabic tract, + also in reading the Koran; a book of geography in Arabic, and + _Jami Abbari_ in Persian. + + I would that all should adore, but especially that I myself + should lie prostrate. As for self, contemptible self, I feel + myself saying, let it be forgotten for ever; henceforth let + Christ live, let Christ reign, let Him be glorified for ever. + + _February 18._--Came to anchor at Bombay. This day I finish the + 30th year of my unprofitable life, an age in which Brainerd had + finished his course. He gained about a hundred savages to the + Gospel; I can scarcely number the twentieth part. If I cannot + act, and rejoice, and love with the ardour some did, oh, let me + at least be holy, and sober, and wise. I am now at the age at + which the Saviour of men began His ministry, and at which John + the Baptist called a nation to repentance. Let me now think for + myself and act with energy. Hitherto I have made my youth and + insignificance an excuse for sloth and imbecility: now let me + have a character, and act boldly for God. + + _February 19._--Went on shore. Waited on the Governor, and was + kindly accommodated with a room at the Government House. + +The Governor was the good Jonathan Duncan, in the last year of his +long administration and of his benevolent life. In the first decade of +the nineteenth century Bombay was a comparatively little place, but +the leaders of its English society were all remarkable men. In the +short time, even then, Bombay had become the political and social +centre of all the Asiatics and Africans, from Higher Asia, the Persian +Gulf, and Arabia, to Abyssinia, Zanzibar, and the Comoro Isles; +especially had it then begun to be what every generation since has +made it more and more, the best centre from which to direct a +Christian mission to the Mohammedans. With Poona, it is the capital of +the most subtle and unimpressionable class, the Marathi Brahmans, and +it is the point from which most widely to influence the Parsees. But +as a base of operations against Islam it has never yet been fully used +or appreciated. The late Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer preferred Aden, or +the neighbouring village of Sheikh Othman, the British door into +Arabia, of which he took possession for the Master by there laying +down his life in the ripeness of his years, his scholarship, and his +prosperity. But even in Arabia such work may be directed from Bombay. +The city, like its harbour for commerce, stands without a rival as a +missionary and civilising focus. Henry Martyn spent his weeks there in +mastering the needs of its varied races and religionists, Jewish and +Arabic, Persian and Brahman, talking with representative men of all +the cults, and striving to influence them. He kept steadily in view +his duty to the Mohammedans, writing his Arabic tract, and consulting +as to his Persian translation of the Scriptures. It was not given to +him to remain there. Dr. Taylor, whom he had joined with Brown and the +Serampore Brotherhood at Aldeen in commending to God, was hard at +work on the Malayalim New Testament, and he often visited the press to +see the sacred work in progress. It was to be the life task of the +Scottish Dr. John Wilson, twenty years after, to use Bombay as the +missionary key of the peoples who border the Indian Ocean. + +The friend of Mountstuart Elphinstone and guest of the Governor, Henry +Martyn was welcomed by the literary society of the city, which at that +time was unrivalled in the East. It is fortunate that we thus obtain +an impartial estimate of his personal character and scholarship from +such men as Elphinstone, Mackintosh, and Malcolm. In their journals +and letters, written with all the frankness of private friendship, we +see the consistent and ever-watchful saint, but at the same time the +lively talker, the brilliant scholar, and, above all, the genial +companion and even merry comrade. Since he had left Cambridge Henry +Martyn had not enjoyed society like this, able to appreciate his +many-sided gifts, and to call forth his natural joyfulness. In Bombay +we see him at his best all round as man, scholar, saint, and +missionary. + +In Sir T.E. Colebrooke's Life of that most eminent Indian statesman who +twice refused the crown of the Governor-General,[39] we find Mountstuart +Elphinstone writing thus to his friend Strachey: 'We have in Mr. Martyn +an excellent scholar, and one of the mildest, cheerfullest, and +pleasantest men I ever saw. He is extremely religious, and disputes +about the faith with the Nakhoda, but talks on all subjects, sacred and +profane, and makes others laugh as heartily as he could do if he were an +infidel. We have people who speak twenty-five languages (not apiece) in +the ship.' Again, in his Journal of July 10, 1811, Elphinstone has this +entry: 'Mr. Martyn has proved a far better companion than I reckoned on, +though my expectations were high. His zeal is unabated, but it is not +troublesome, and he does not press disputes and investigate creeds. He +is familiar with Greek and Latin, understands French and Italian, speaks +Persian and Arabic, has translated the Scriptures into Hindustani, and +is translating the Old Testament from Hebrew. He was an eminent +mathematician even at Cambridge, and, what is of more consequence, he is +a man of good sense and taste, and simple in his manners and character, +and cheerful in his conversation.' He who, in the close intimacy of +shipboard life in the tropics, could win that eulogy from a critic so +lofty and so experienced, must have been at once more human and more +perfect than his secret _Journal_, taken alone, has led its readers to +believe possible. + +Sir John Malcolm, fresh from his second mission to Persia, was writing +his great _History of Persia_ in the quiet of Parell and Malabar Hill, +with the help of the invaluable criticism of Sir James Mackintosh, +whom he described to his brother Gilbert as 'a very extraordinary +man.' Malcolm introduced Mackintosh and Elphinstone to each other, and +Elphinstone lost not a day in taking Martyn to call on the Recorder. +Although the distinguished Scots Highlander, who had become the +admiring friend of Robert Hall when they were fellow students at +Aberdeen University, was in full sympathy with missionary enthusiasm, +and condemned the intolerance of the East India Company,[40] Martyn +and he did not at first 'cotton' to each other. The former wrote thus +of him: + + _1811, February 22._--Talked a good deal with the Governor about + my intended journey. + + _February 23._--Went with him to his residence in the country, + and at night met a large party, amongst whom were Sir J. + Mackintosh and General Malcolm: with Sir James I had some + conversation on different subjects; he was by no means equal to + my expectations. + +Mackintosh's account of their first interview was this: + + _February 24._ (Sunday.)--Elphinstone introduced me to a young + clergyman called Martyn, come round from Bengal on his way to + Bussora, partly for health and partly to improve his Arabic, as + he is translating the Scriptures into that language. He seems to + be a mild and benevolent enthusiast--a sort of character with + which I am always half in love. We had the novelty of grace + before and after dinner, all the company standing. + +Again, a week after: + + _March 1._--Mr. Martyn, the saint from Calcutta, called here. He + is a man of acuteness and learning; his meekness is excessive, + and gives a disagreeable impression of effort to conceal the + passions of human nature. + +Both had the Celtic fire, but Sir James Mackintosh had not lived with +Sabat. Another month passed, and the two were learning to appreciate +each other. + + Padre Martyn, the saint, dined here in the evening; it was a + very considerably more pleasant evening than usual; he is a mild + and ingenious man. We had two or three hours' good discussion on + grammar and metaphysics. + +Henry Martyn's growing appreciation of Mackintosh is seen in this +later passage in his _Journal_: + + _1811, March 1._--Called on Sir J. Mackintosh, and found his + conversation, as it is generally said to be, very instructive + and entertaining. He thought that the world would be soon + Europeanised, in order that the Gospel might spread over the + world. He observed that caste was broken down in Egypt, and the + Oriental world made Greek by the successors of Alexander, in + order to make way for the religion of Christ. He thought that + little was to be apprehended, and little hoped for, from the + exertions of missionaries. Called at General Malcolm's, and + though I did not find him at home, was very well rewarded for my + trouble in getting to his house, by the company of Mr. ----, + lately from R. Dined at Farish's with a party of some very + amiable and well-behaved young men. What a remarkable difference + between the old inhabitants of India and the new-comers. This is + owing to the number of religious families in England. + + _March 4._--Dined at General Malcolm's, who gave me a Chaldee + missal. Captain Stewart, who had accompanied him as his + secretary into Persia, gave me much information about the + learned men of Ispahan. + + _March 8._--Spent the first part of the day at General + Malcolm's, who gave me letters of introduction and some queries + respecting the wandering tribes of Persia. + +The reference to young Mr. Farish, is to one who afterwards became +interim Governor of Bombay, and the friend of John Wilson, and who, +because he taught a class in the Sunday School that used to meet in +the Town Hall, was for the time an object of suspicion and attack by +the Parsees and Hindus, on the baptism of Dhanjibhai Naoroji, the +first Parsee to put on Christ.[41] + +On Malcolm, according to Sir John Kaye, his biographer,[42] the young +Christian hero appears to have made a more favourable impression than +on Mackintosh. Perhaps the habitual cheerfulness of his manner +communicated itself to the 'saint from Calcutta,' of whom he wrote to +Sir Gore Ouseley, the British ambassador, that he was likely to add to +the hilarity of his party. + + He requested me to give him a line to the Governor of Bushire, + which I did, as well as one to Mahomed Nebbee Khan. But I warned + him not to move from Bushire without your previous sanction. His + intention is, I believe, to go by Shiraz, Ispahan, and + Kermanshah to Baghdad, and to endeavour on that route to + discover some ancient copies of the Gospel, which he and many + other saints are persuaded lie hid in the mountains of Persia. + Mr. Martyn also expects to improve himself as an Oriental + scholar; he is already an excellent one. His knowledge of Arabic + is superior to that of any Englishman in India. He is altogether + a very learned and cheerful man, but a great enthusiast in his + holy calling. He has, however, assured me, and begged I would + mention it to you, that he has no thought of preaching to the + Persians, or of entering into any theological controversies, but + means to confine himself to two objects--a research after old + Gospels, and the endeavour to qualify himself for giving a + correct version of the Scriptures into Arabic and Persian, on + the plan proposed by the Bible Society. + + I have not hesitated to tell him that I thought you would + require that he should act with great caution, and not allow his + zeal to run away with him. He declares he will not, and he is a + man of that character that I must believe. I am satisfied that + if you ever see him, you will be pleased with him. He will give + you grace before and after dinner, and admonish such of your + party as take the Lord's name in vain; but his good sense and + great learning will delight you, whilst his constant + cheerfulness will add to the hilarity of your party. + +In such social intercourse in the evening, in constant interviews and +discussions with Jews and Mohammedans, Parsees and Hindus, during the +day, and in frequent preaching for the chaplains, the weeks passed all +too rapidly. A ropemaker who had just arrived from London called on +him. 'He understood from my preaching that he might open his heart to +me. We conversed and prayed together.' Against this and the communion +with young Farish and his fellows, we must set the action of those +whom he thus describes in a letter to Corrie: + + _1811, February 26._--Peacefully preaching the Word of life to a + people daily edified is the nearest approach to heaven below. + But to move from place to place, hurried away without having + time to do good, is vexatious to the spirit as well as harassing + to the body. Hearing last Saturday that some sons of Belial, + members of the Bapre Hunt,[43] intended to have a great race the + following day, I informed Mr. Duncan, at whose house I was + staying, and recommended the interference of the secular arm. He + accordingly sent to forbid it. The messengers of the Bapre Hunt + were exceedingly exasperated; some came to church expecting to + hear a sermon against hunting, but I merely preached to them on + 'the one thing needful.' Finding nothing to lay hold of, they + had the race on Monday, and ran _Hypocrite_ against _Martha_ and + _Mary_. + +His last message to India, from the 'faithful saying' of 1 Timothy i. +15, was misunderstood and resented, as his first sermon in Calcutta +had been in similar circumstances. + + _March 24._ (Sunday).--Speaking on the evidence of its truth, I + mentioned its constant efficacy in collecting the multitude, and + commanding their attention, which moral discourses never did. + This was considered as a reflection on the ministers of Bombay, + which distressed me not a little. + +Henry Martyn was granted a passage to Arabia and Persia in the +Benares, Captain Sealey, one of the ships of the old Indian Navy, +ordered to cruise along with the Prince of Wales in the Persian Gulf. +At that time the danger was considerable. For a century the Joasmi +Arabs, of 'the pirate coast' of Oman, had been the terror of the +Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, driving off even the early +Portuguese, and confining the Persians, then invulnerable by land, to +their own shores. The Wahabee puritans of Islam having mastered them, +they added to their own bloodthirsty love of plunder and the +slave-trade the fanaticism of Mohammed-ibn-Abdul-Wahab, the 'bestower +of blessings,' as the name signifies. The East India Company tolerated +them, retaining two or three ships of war in the Gulf for the +protection of the factories at Gombroon, Bushire, and Busrah. But, in +an evil moment, in the year 1797, the Joasmi pirates dared to seize a +British vessel. From that hour their fate was sealed, though the +process of clearing the southern coast of Asia of pirates and slavers +ended only with the accession of Queen Victoria, in the year when Aden +was added to the empire. In 1809-10 the Bombay Government expedition, +under Commodore John Wainwright, captured their stronghold of +Ras-ul-Khymah, delivered our feudatory of Muscat from their terrorism, +and gave the Gulf peace for ten years. The two ships of war which +conveyed the chaplain missionary with his message of peace to Eastern +Arabia and Persia were sent to complete the work of the Wainwright +expedition,[44] which had been summoned by Lord Minto to the conquest +of Java. Henry Martyn acted as chaplain to the forty-five sailors and +twelve artillerymen who formed the European part of the crew of the +Benares. After two days at Muscat he tells the story of his voyage: + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Muscat: April 22, 1811. + + My dearest Lydia,--I am now in Arabia Felix: to judge from the + aspect of the country it has little pretensions to the name, + unless burning barren rocks convey an idea of felicity; but + perhaps as there is a promise in reserve for the sons of Joktan, + their land may one day be blest indeed. + + We sailed from Bombay on Lady-day; and on the morning of Easter + saw the land of Mekran in Persia. After another week's sail + across the mouth of the Gulf, we arrived here, and expect to + proceed up the Gulf to Bushire, as soon as we have taken in our + water. You will be happy to learn that the murderous pirates + against whom we were sent, having received notice of our + approach, are all got out of the way, so that I am no longer + liable to be shot in a battle, or to decapitation after it, if + it be lawful to judge from appearances. These pestilent + Ishmaelites indeed, whose hand is against every man's, will + escape, and the community suffer, but that selfish friendship of + which you once confessed yourself guilty, will think only of + the preservation of a friend. This last marine excursion has + been the pleasantest I ever made, as I have been able to pursue + my studies with less interruption than when ashore. My little + congregation of forty or fifty Europeans does not try my + strength on Sundays; and my two companions are men who read + their Bible every day. In addition to all these comforts, I have + to bless God for having kept me more than usually free from the + sorrowful mind. We must not always say with Watts, 'The sorrows + of the mind be banished from the place;' but if freedom from + trouble be offered us, we may choose it rather. I do not know + anything more delightful than to meet with a Christian brother, + where only strangers and foreigners were expected. This pleasure + I enjoyed just before leaving Bombay; a ropemaker who had just + come from England, understood from my sermon that I was one he + might speak to, so he came and opened his heart, and we rejoiced + together. In this ship I find another of the household of faith. + In another ship which accompanies us there are two Armenians who + do nothing but read the Testament. One of them will I hope + accompany me to Shiraz in Persia, which is his native country. + + We are likely to be detained here some days, but the ship that + will carry our letters to India sails immediately, so that I can + send but one letter to England, and one to Calcutta. When will + our correspondence be established? I have been trying to effect + it these six years, and it is only yet in train. Why there was + no letter from you in those dated June and July 1810, I cannot + conjecture, except that you had not received any of mine, and + would write no more. But I am not yet without hopes that a + letter in the beloved hand will yet overtake me somewhere. My + kindest and most affectionate remembrances to all the Western + circle. Is it because he is your brother that I love George so + much? or because he is the last come into the number? The + angels love and wait upon the righteous who need no repentance; + but there is joy whenever another heir of salvation is born into + the family. Read Eph. i. I cannot wish you all these spiritual + blessings, since they already are all yours; but I pray that we + may have the spirit of wisdom and knowledge to know that they + are ours. It is a chapter I keep in mind every day in prayer. We + cannot believe too much or hope too much. Happy our eyes that + they see, and our ears that they hear. + + As it may be a year or more before I shall be back, you may + direct one letter after receiving this, if it be not of a very + old date, to Bombay, all after to Bengal, as usual. Believe me + to be ever, my dearest Lydia, your most affectionate, + + H. MARTYN. + + _April 22._--Landed at Muscat with Lockett and walked through + the bazaar; we wished to ascend one of the hills in the + neighbourhood, but on the native guards expressing + disapprobation, we desisted. + +We turn to her _Diary_ for the corresponding passage. + + _1812, February 1._--Heard yesterday from,[45] and wrote to-day + to, India. My conviction of being declining in spiritual life is + deeper and deeper. I would stop and pause at what is before me. + It is no particular outward sin, but an inward loss I mourn. + +Every word of Henry Martyn's _Journal_ regarding Arabia is precious, +alike in the light of his attempt to give its people the Word of God +in their own tongue, and of the long delayed and too brief efforts of +his successors, Ion Keith-Falconer in Yemen in 1887, and Bishop French +in Muscat in 1891. To David Brown, all unknowing of his death, he +wrote on April 23: + + I left India on Lady-day, looked at Persia on Easter Sunday, and + seven days after found myself in Arabia Felix. In a small cove, + surrounded by bare rocks, heated through, out of the reach of + air as well as wind, lies the good ship Benares, in the great + cabin of which, stretched on a couch, lie I. But though weak I + am well--relaxed but not disordered. Praise to His grace who + fulfils to me a promise which I have scarcely a right to + claim--'I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither + thou goest.' + + Last night I went ashore for the first time with Captain + Lockett; we walked through the bazaar and up the hill, but saw + nothing but what was Indian or worse. The Imam or Sultan is + about thirty miles off, fighting, it is said, for his kingdom, + with the Wahabees. + + You will be happy to learn that the pirates whom we were to + scourge are got out of our way, so that I may now hope to get + safe through the Gulf without being made to witness the bloody + scenes of war. + + _April 24._--Went with one English party and two Armenians and + an Arab who served as guard and guide, to see a remarkable pass + about a mile from the town, and a garden planted by a Hindu in a + little valley beyond. There was nothing to see, only the little + bit of green in this wilderness seemed to the Arab a great + curiosity. I conversed a good deal with him, but particularly + with his African slave, who was very intelligent about religion. + The latter knew as much about his religion as most mountaineers, + and withal was so interested, that he would not cease from his + argument till I left the shore. + +To Corrie he wrote on the same day: + + The Imam of Muscat murdered his uncle, and sits on the throne in + the place of his elder brother, who is here a cipher. Last + night the Captain went ashore to a council of state, to consider + the relations subsisting between the Government of Bombay and + these mighty chieftains. I attended as interpreter. The + Company's agent is an old Hindu who could not get off his bed. + An old man in whom pride and stupidity seemed to contend for + empire sat opposite to him. This was the Wazeer. Between them + sat I, opposite to me the Captain. The Wazeer uttered something + in Arabic, not one word of which could I understand. The old + Hindu explained in Persian, for he has almost forgot his Hindi, + and I to the Captain in English. We are all impatient to get + away from this place. + +To the last he was busy with his Arabic translation of Scripture. The +ships of war crossed and recrossed the Gulf from shore to shore, +surveying its coasts and islands in the heat of May, tempered by a +north-wester which tossed them about. On May 6 he wrote in his +_Journal_: + + Much cast down through a sinful propensity, which I little + thought was in me at all, till occasion manifested its + existence. + +On the 19th: + + Preached to the ship's company on John iii. 3. My thoughts so + much on Lydia, whose old letter I had been reading the day + before, that I had a sense of guilt for having neglected the + proper duties of the day. + + _May 20._--We have now a fair wind, carrying us gently to + Bushire. + + _May 22._--Finished the syllabus of Ecclesiastical History which + I have been making all the voyage, and extracts from Mosheim + concerning the Eastern Church. + +On May 21, 1811, Henry Martyn at last reached Persian soil. + + Landed at Bushire this morning in good health; how unceasing are + the mercies of the Lord; blessed be His goodness; may He still + preserve me from danger, and, above all, make my journey a + source of future good to this kingdom of Persia, into which I am + now come. We were hospitably received by the acting Resident. In + the evening I walked out by the sea-side to recollect myself, to + review the past, and look forward to the future. + + Suffering the will of God is as necessary a part of spiritual + discipline as doing, and much more trying. + +But he landed still with the desire 'to go to Arabia circuitously by +way of Persia,' a course which he declared to be rendered necessary by +the advanced state of the season. The people of Arabia were first in +his heart. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[39] In two volumes (John Murray), 1884, see p. 231, vol. i. + +[40] _Memoirs_, edited by his son, second edition, London (Moxon), +1836. See vol. ii. pp. 86, 268. + +[41] _The Life of John Wilson, D.D., F.R.S._ (John Murray), 2nd edit., +p. 137. + +[42] _Life and Correspondence_, vol. ii. p. 65 (Smith, Elder & Co.), +1856. + +[43] _Bapre_ = 'O Father!' the exclamation of Hindus when in surprise +or grief; hence a noise or row; hence a Bobbery-pack or hunt is the +Anglo-Indian for a pack of hounds of different breeds, or no breed, +wherewith young officers hunt jackals or the like. See the late +Colonel Sir Henry Yule's _Hobson-Jobson, or Anglo-Indian Glossary_ +(John Murray), 1886. + +[44] C.R. Low's _History of the Indian Navy_, chapter x. vol. i. +(Richard Bentley), 1877. + +[45] By letter written April 22 or June 23, 1811. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +IN PERSIA--BUSHIRE AND SHIRAZ, 1811 + + +The Persia to whose seven millions of people Henry Martyn was the +first in modern times to carry the good-news of God, was just the size +of the India of his day. The Mohammedan majority of its scattered +inhabitants, in cities, in villages, and wandering over its plains and +deserts, had never been, and are not yet, as Shi'ahs, rigid members of +Islam, fanatically aggressive against all others, like the orthodox +Soonnis. After the apparent extinction of the cult of Zoroaster and +the flight of the surviving remnant of Parsees to India, the +successive ruling dynasties were liberal and tolerant in their +treatment of Christians compared with other Moslem powers; more +liberal than Christian Russia is to the Jews and the non-'orthodox' +sects. When those cultured and enterprising brothers, Sir Anthony and +Sir Thomas Sherley,[46] went from Oxford to the court of Persia, then +in all its magnificence under Shah Abbas the Great, two centuries +before Henry Martyn, that Shah sent one back as Persian envoy to the +Christian powers of Europe, to establish an alliance for the +destruction of the Turks. Shah Abbas made over Gombroon to them, +calling it by his own name, Bunder Abbas, which it still retains, and +his Majesty's grant used such language as this: 'Our absolute +commandment, will, and pleasure is that our countries and dominions +shall be from this day open to all Christian people _and to their +religion_.... Because of the amitie now ioyned with the princes that +professe Christ, I do give this pattent for all Christian merchants,' +etc. Only the intolerance of the Portuguese, who, under Albuquerque, +took the island of Ormuz, and so dominated the Persian Gulf till +driven out by the English, led this great Asiatic monarch to except +the power which Prince Henry the Navigator alone redeems from +historical contempt to the present day. + +The Suffavian dynasty gave place to the Afghan, and that to the +short-lived but wide-spreading empire of Nadir Kooli Khan, from Delhi +to the Oxus River and the Caspian Sea. Out of half a century's bloody +revolutions, such as formed the normal course of the annals of Asia +till Great Britain pushed its 'Peace' up from the Southern Ocean, Aga +Mohammed Khan, of the Kajar clan, founded the present dynasty in 1795. +His still greater nephew succeeded on his death three years after. +Futteh Ali Shah became for the next thirty-eight years the close +friend of the British Crown and the East India Company. Shah-in-Shah, +or king of the four kings of Afghanistan, Georgia, Koordistan, and +Arabistan, the ruler of Persia had now incorporated Arabistan in his +own dominion, and had lost Afghanistan. But he still claimed the +allegiance of the two subject-sovereigns of Georgia and Koordistan. +His uncle had avenged on the people, and especially the beautiful +women of Georgia, the transfer of the country by its Wali to the +Russian Catherine II. Placed in the commanding centre of Western Asia, +Futteh Ali almost immediately found himself the object of eager +competition by the representatives of the Christian powers at Teheran. +His revenue was estimated by so competent an authority as Sir John +Malcolm at nearly six millions sterling. The crown jewels, chief of +them the Sea of Light, or Derya-i-Noor, a diamond weighing 178 carats, +were then the most valuable collection in the world; for though the +Koh-i-Noor had remained with the Afghans, whence through the Sikhs it +came to a greater Shah-in-Shah, the Queen-Empress of Great Britain, he +still possessed not a little of Nadir's plunder of Delhi. + +Sir Robert Ker Porter describes him about the time when Martyn reached +his capital, as 'one blaze of jewels,' at the New Year festival of +Norooz. On his head was a lofty tiara of three elevations, 'entirely +composed of thickly-set diamonds, pearls, rubies, and emeralds, so +exquisitely disposed as to form a mixture of the most beautiful +colours in the brilliant light reflected from its surface. Several +black feathers, like the heron plume, were intermixed with the +resplendent aigrettes of this truly imperial diadem, whose bending +points were furnished with pear-formed pearls of an immense size. The +vesture was of gold tissue nearly covered with a similar disposition +of jewelry; and crossing the shoulders were two strings of pearls, +probably the largest in the world. But for splendour nothing could +exceed the broad bracelets round his arms and the belt which encircled +his waist; they actually blazed like fire when the rays of the sun met +them. The throne was of pure white marble raised a few steps from the +ground, and carpeted with shawls and cloth of gold. While the Great +King was approaching his throne, the whole assembly continued bowing +their heads to the ground till he had taken his place. In the midst +of solemn stillness, while all eyes were fixed on the bright object +before them, which sat indeed as radiant and immovable as the image of +Mithras itself, a sort of volley of words bursting at one impulse from +the mouths of the mollahs and astrologers, made me start, and +interrupted my gaze. This strange oratory was a kind of heraldic +enumeration of the Great King's titles, dominions, and glorious acts. +There was a pause, and then his Majesty spoke. The effect was even +more startling than the sudden bursting forth of the mollahs; for this +was like a voice from the tombs--so deep, so hollow, and, at the same +time, so penetratingly loud.'[47] + +That was the man to whose feet the French Emperor Napoleon and the +Tsar Alexander, King George III. and the greatest Governor-General of +the East India Company, the Marquess Wellesley, sent special +embassies; the man from whom they sought secret treaties, lavishing on +his courtiers more than royal gifts. To arrest the march of the Afghan +invader, who a few years before had reached Lahore on his way to set +up again at Delhi the house of Timour, and in order to foil the secret +embassy sent by Napoleon, who had resolved to give England its +death-blow through India, a young Scotsman, Captain Malcolm, was deputed +to Teheran in 1801, following up a native envoy who had been most +successful just before. This soldier diplomatist, who was afterwards to +help Henry Martyn to a very different success, 'bribed like a king,' and +returned with two treaties, political and commercial, but still more +with the knowledge which fitted him to write his classic history, and +make his second ambassage. For England failed to carry out the first so +far as to help the Shah against Russia, and from that hour Persia has +seen province after province overwhelmed by the wave from the north. + +Taking alarm a second time, just before and after the Peace of Tilsit, +both the Crown and the Company appointed plenipotentiaries to Teheran. +It was Lord Minto's wise policy to protect our Indian empire 'by +binding the Western Frontier States in a chain of friendly alliance.' +Hence the Governor-General's four missions, to Sindh, to Lahore, to +Cabul, and again to Persia under Sir John Malcolm. Sir Harford Jones +appeared as ambassador from the Crown after Malcolm had left Teheran, +and took advantage of a change in the political situation to secure +the preliminary treaty of 1809, which renewed the pledge of its +predecessor to assist the Shah with troops or a subsidy if any +European forces should invade his territories. In a modified form this +became the definitive treaty of March 14, 1812 (further altered in +that of 1814), to arrange which Sir Gore Ouseley was sent out, +superseding both Malcolm and Jones.[48] Sir Gore Ouseley became Henry +Martyn's friend. Commended by Sir John Malcolm to his personal friends +among the Persians, and officially encouraged by the British +plenipotentiary, the Bengal chaplain seeking health had all the +facilities secured to him that were possible to pursue the God-given +mission of the apostle of Christ to the peoples of Persia and Arabia. + +The strong and wise rule of Futteh Ali Shah kept Persia itself at +peace, but he could not get the better of Russian intrigue and attack, +even with the friendly offices of the British Government. Up till +Martyn's arrival these vast regions had been wrested from the +Shah-in-Shah: Georgia, Mingrelia, Daghistan, Sherwan, Karabagh, and +Talish. During his presence in the country the negotiations with +Russia were going on, which ended in 1813 in the Treaty of Gulistan, +surrendering to the Tsar all he had taken, and apparently stopping his +advance by a line of demarcation. But as its exact direction had to be +settled by commissioners Russia has ever since continued steadily to +strip Persia of its northern lands, and only the presence of the +British Navy has kept it as yet out of the Persian Gulf.[49] + +Such were the historical and political conditions amid which the +missionary chaplain of India became a resident in the cities, and a +traveller through the villages of Persia and Turkey at the age of +thirty. He went there as the friend of Malcolm Sahib, whose gracious +dignity and lavish gifts had made him a hero among the officials and +many of the people of Persia. He went with letters of introduction +from the Governor-General of India and the Governor of Bombay to the +new British ambassador, who had lived at Lucknow, and must have known +well of his work in the neighbouring station of Cawnpore. He went with +the reputation of a man of God in the Oriental sense, and of a scholar +who knew the sacred books of Mohammedans and Christians alike, and who +sought the good of the people. The Armenian colonies at Calcutta and +Bombay had commended him to the many members of their Church in +Persia. + +Bushire, or Abu Shahr, at which he began his mission to Persia, is the +port of that province of Fars from which the whole empire takes its +name. Its mixed Persian and Arab population, now numbering some +fifteen thousand, its insanitary position on a spit of sand almost +surrounded by the sea, and the filthy narrow streets hardly redeemed +by the Char Burj or citadel, and the British Residency, do not attract +the visitor, and he soon learns that the humid heat of its climate in +summer is more insupportable than that even of the Red Sea. From +Reshire, close by, in the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-7, General Havelock +shelled the town when he pitched the camp of the force to the south of +its gate. Henry Martyn was there in the worst season of May and June, +when the thermometer rises to 100 in the shade, and sometimes 106. He +became the guest of an English merchant and his Armenian wife, and was +received by the Armenians as a priest of great sanctity. His _Journal_ +describes his receptions and daily occupations. + + _1811, May 23._--Rode out with a party in the evening, or rather + in the afternoon, for the heat of the sun made me ill. + + _May 24._--The Governor called on us; also the Armenian priest. + Received an answer from the ambassador, Sir Gore Ouseley, to a + letter I sent him from Muscat. + + _May 25._--In the evening called with the two Captains, the + Resident, and the Captain of his guard, on the Governor. In + consequence of a letter I brought for him from General Malcolm, + he was very particular in his attentions, seated me on his own + seat, and then sat by my side apart from the rest. I observed + that a Christian was not allowed to enter a mosque; he said, + 'No,--do you wish to hear the prayers?' I said, 'No, but the + preaching, if there is any;' he said there were no preachers + except at Yezd. + + _May 26._ (Sunday.)--The Europeans assembled for Divine service, + which was performed at the Resident's. I preached on 1 Cor. xv.: + 'For He must reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet,' + etc. In the evening I went, at the padre's request, to the + Armenian church. There was the same disagreeable succession of + unmeaning ceremonies and noisy chants as at Bombay. I was + introduced within the rails, and at the time of incense I was + censed, as the padre afterwards desired me to observe, four + times, whereas the laity have the honour done them but once. I + asked the old man what was meant by burning incense. He said it + was in imitation of the Wise Men of the East, who offered + incense to Christ. I told him, Why then do you not offer myrrh + and gold? To this he made no reply. Walking afterwards with him + by the sea-side, I tried to get into a conversation suitable to + our profession as ministers, speaking particularly of the + importance of the charge entrusted to us. Nothing could be more + vapid and mean than his remarks. + + _May 27._--Very ill, from head-ache and overpowering sleepiness, + arising, as I suppose, from a stroke of the sun. As often as I + attempted to read, I fell asleep, and awoke in weakness and + pain. How easily may existence be embittered; still I will say, + 'Not my will, but Thine be done.' In the evening a Jewish + goldsmith called with a fine boy, who read the Hebrew fluently. + Grief has marked the countenance of the Eastern Jews in a way + that makes them indescribably interesting. I could have wept + while looking at them. O Lord, how long? Will Thine anger burn + for ever?--is not justice yet satisfied? This afflicted people + are as much oppressed in Persia as ever. Their women are not + allowed to veil, as all others are required to do; hence, if + there be one more than ordinarily beautiful, she is soon known, + and a khan or the king sends for her, makes her a Mahometan, and + puts her into the harem. As soon as he is tired, she is given to + another, and then to another, till she becomes the property of + the most menial servant; such is the degradation to which the + daughters of Israel are subjected. + + _May 28._--Through the infinite and unmerited goodness of God I + am again restored, and able to do something in the way of + reading. The Resident gave us some account this evening of the + moral state of Persia. It is enough to make one shudder. If God + rained down fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah, how is it that this + nation is not blotted out from under heaven? I do not remember + to have heard such things of the Hindus, except the Sikhs; they + seem to rival the Mahometans. + +For personal comfort and freedom from insult or attack, Henry Martyn, +when in Bushire, ordered the usual wardrobe of a Persian gentleman. He +had suffered his beard and moustachios to vegetate undisturbed since +leaving India, as he wrote to Corrie. In conical Astrakhan cap, baggy +blue trousers, red boots, and light chintz tunic and _chogha_ or +flowing coat, mounted on a riding pony, and followed by his Armenian +servant on a mule, with another mule for his baggage, he set out on +May 30, 1811, for Shiraz. His companion was a British officer. The +party formed a large caravan with some thirty horses and mules, +carrying goods to the ambassador. They marched by night, in the +comparative coolness of 100, to which the thermometer fell from the +noonday heat of 126, when they lay panting in their tents protected +from the scorching dry wind by heavy clothing. The journey of some 170 +miles occupied the first nine days of June. After ninety miles over a +hot sandy plain the traveller rises, by four rocky _kotuls_ or +inclines, so steep as to be called ladders, over the spurs of the +Zagros range into a cooler region at Kaziroon, on the central plateau +of Iran, and then passes through the most delightful valleys, wooded +or clad with verdure, to the capital, Shiraz, surrounded by gardens +and by cemeteries. + + _May 30._--Our Persian dresses being ready, we set off this + evening for Shiraz. Our kafila consisted of about thirty horses + and mules; some carrying things to the ambassador, the rest for + our servants and luggage; the animal for my use was a yaboo or + riding pony, a mule for my trunks, and one for my servant + Zechariah, an Armenian of Ispahan. It was a fine moonlight + night, about ten o'clock, when we marched out of the gate of + Bushire, and began to make our way over the plain. Mr. B., who + accompanied me a little way, soon returned. Captain T. went on, + intending to accompany us to Shiraz. This was the first time we + had any of us put off the European, and the novelty of our + situation supplied us with many subjects for conversation for + about two hours. When we began to flag and grow sleepy, and the + kafila was pretty quiet, one of the muleteers on foot began to + sing: he sang with a voice so plaintive that it was impossible + not to have one's attention arrested. At the end of the first + tune he paused, and nothing was heard but the tinkling of the + bells attached to the necks of the mules; every voice was + hushed. The first line was enough for me, and I dare say it set + many others thinking of their absent friends. 'Without thee my + heart can attach itself to none.' It is what I have often felt + on setting out on a journey. The friends left behind so absorb + the thoughts, that the things by the wayside are seen without + interest, and the conversation of strangers is insipid. But + perhaps the first line, as well as the rest, is only a promise + of fidelity, though I did not take it in that sense when I first + heard it. The following is perhaps the true translation: + + Think not that e'er my heart can dwell + Contented far from thee; + How can the fresh-caught nightingale + Enjoy tranquillity? + + Forsake not then thy friend for aught + That slanderous tongues can say; + The heart that fixes where it ought, + No power can rend away. + + Thus we went on, and as often as the kafila by their dulness and + sleepiness seemed to require it, or perhaps to keep himself + awake, he entertained the company and himself with a song. We + met two or three other kafilas taking advantage of the night to + get on. My loquacious servant Zachary took care to ask every one + whence they came, and by that means sometimes got an answer + which raised a laugh against him. + + _June 1._--At sunrise we came to our ground at Ahmeda, six + parasangs, and pitched our little tent under a tree: it was the + only shelter we could get. At first the heat was not greater + than we had felt it in India, but it soon became so intense as + to be quite alarming. When the thermometer was above 112, fever + heat, I began to lose my strength fast; at last it became quite + intolerable. I wrapped myself up in a blanket and all the warm + covering I could get, to defend myself from the external air; by + which means the moisture was kept a little longer upon the body, + and not so speedily evaporated as when the skin was exposed; + one of my companions followed my example, and found the benefit + of it. But the thermometer still rising, and the moisture of the + body being quite exhausted, I grew restless, and thought I + should have lost my senses. The thermometer at last stood at + 126: in this state I composed myself, and concluded that though + I might hold out a day or two, death was inevitable. Captain T., + who sat it out, continued to tell the hour, and height of the + thermometer; and with what pleasure did we hear of its sinking + to 120, 118, etc. At last the fierce sun retired, and I crept + out, more dead than alive. It was then a difficulty how I could + proceed on my journey: for besides the immediate effects of the + heat, I had no opportunity of making up for the last night's + want of sleep, and had eaten nothing. However, while they were + loading the mules, I got an hour's sleep, and set out, the + muleteers leading my horse, and Zechariah, my servant, an + Armenian, of Ispahan, doing all in his power to encourage me. + The cool air of the night restored me wonderfully, so that I + arrived at our next _munzil_ with no other derangement than that + occasioned by want of sleep. Expecting another such day as the + former, we began to make preparation the instant we arrived on + the ground. I got a tattie made of the branches of the + date-tree, and a Persian peasant to water it; by this means the + thermometer did not rise higher than 114. But what completely + secured me from the heat was a large wet towel, which I wrapped + round my head and body, muffling up the lower part in clothes. + How could I but be grateful to a gracious Providence, for giving + me so simple a defence against what I am persuaded would have + destroyed my life that day! We took care not to go without + nourishment, as we had done: the neighbouring village supplied + us with curds and milk. At sunset, rising up to go out, a + scorpion fell upon my clothes; not seeing where it fell, I did + not know what it was; but Captain T., pointing it out, gave the + alarm, and I struck it off, and he killed it. The night before + we found a black scorpion in our tent; this made us rather + uneasy; so that though the kafila did not start till midnight, + we got no sleep, fearing we might be visited by another + scorpion. + + _June 2._--We arrived at the foot of the mountains, at a place + where we seemed to have discovered one of Nature's ulcers. A + strong suffocating smell of naphtha announced something more + than ordinarily foul in the neighbourhood. We saw a river:--what + flowed in it, it seemed difficult to say, whether it were water + or green oil; it scarcely moved, and the stones which it laved + it left of a greyish colour, as if its foul touch had given them + the leprosy. Our place of encampment this day was a grove of + date-trees, where the atmosphere, at sunrise, was ten times + hotter than the ambient air. I threw myself down on the burning + ground, and slept; when the tent came up I awoke, as usual, in a + burning fever. All this day I had recourse to the wet towel, + which kept me alive, but would allow of no sleep. It was a + sorrowful Sabbath; but Captain T. read a few hymns, in which I + found great consolation. At nine in the evening we decamped. The + ground and air were so insufferably hot, that I could not travel + without a wet towel round my face and neck. This night, for the + first time, we began to ascend the mountains. The road often + passed so close to the edge of the tremendous precipices, that + one false step of the horse would have plunged his rider into + inevitable destruction. In such circumstances I found it useless + to attempt guiding the animal, and therefore gave him the rein. + These poor animals are so used to journeys of this sort, that + they generally step sure. There was nothing to mark the road but + the rocks being a little more worn in one place than in another. + Sometimes my horse, which led the way, as being the muleteer's, + stopped, as if to consider about the way: for myself, I could + not guess, at such times, where the road lay, but he always + found it. The sublime scenery would have impressed me much, in + other circumstances; but my sleepiness and fatigue rendered me + insensible to everything around me. At last we emerged _superas + ad auras_, not on the top of a mountain to go down again, but to + a plain, or upper world. At the pass, where a cleft in the + mountain admitted us into the plain, was a station of Rahdars. + While they were examining the muleteer's passports, etc., time + was given for the rest of the kafila to come up, and I got a + little sleep for a few minutes. + + _June 4._--We rode briskly over the plain, breathing a purer + air, and soon came in sight of a fair edifice, built by the king + of the country for the refreshment of pilgrims. In this + caravanserai we took our abode for the day. It was more + calculated for Eastern than European travellers, having no means + of keeping out the air and light. We found the thermometer at + 110. At the passes we met a man travelling down to Bushire with + a load of ice, which he willingly disposed of to us. The next + night we ascended another range of mountains, and passed over a + plain, where the cold was so piercing that with all the clothes + we could muster we were shivering. At the end of this plain we + entered a dark valley, contained by two ranges of hills + converging one to another. The muleteer gave notice that he saw + robbers. It proved to be a false alarm; but the place was fitted + to be a retreat for robbers; there being on each side caves and + fastnesses from which they might have killed every man of us. + After ascending another mountain, we descended by a very long + and circuitous route into an extensive valley, where we were + exposed to the sun till eight o'clock. Whether from the sun or + from continued want of sleep, I could not, on my arrival at + Kaziroon, compose myself to sleep; there seemed to be a fire + within my head, my skin like a cinder, and the pulse violent. + Through the day it was again too hot to sleep; though the place + we occupied was a sort of summer-house in a garden of + cypress-trees, exceedingly well fitted up with mats and coloured + glass. Had the kafila gone on that night, I could not have + accompanied it; but it halted there a day, by which means I got + a sort of night's rest, though I awoke twenty times to dip my + burning hand in water. Though Kaziroon is the second greatest + town in Fars, we could get nothing but bread, milk, and eggs, + and those with difficulty. The Governor, who is under great + obligations to the English, heard of our arrival, but sent no + message. + + _June 5._--At ten we left Kaziroon and ascended a mountain: we + then descended from it on the other side into a beautiful + valley, where the opening dawn discovered to us ripe fields of + wheat and barley, with the green oak here and there in the midst + of it. We were reminded of an autumnal morning in England. + Thermometer 62. + + _June 6._--Half-way up the Peergan Mountain we found a + caravanserai. There being no village in the neighbourhood, we + had brought supplies from Kaziroon. My servant Zachary got a + fall from his mule this morning, which much bruised him; he + looked very sorrowful, and had lost much of his garrulity. + + _June 7._--Left the caravanserai at one this morning, and + continued to ascend. The hours we were permitted to rest, the + mosquitoes had effectually prevented me from using, so that I + never felt more miserable and disordered; the cold was very + severe; for fear of falling off, from sleep and numbness, I + walked a good part of the way. We pitched our tent in the vale + of Dustarjan, near a crystal stream, on the banks of which we + observed the clover and golden cup: the whole valley was one + green field, in which large herds of cattle were browsing. The + temperature was about that of spring in England. Here a few + hours' sleep recovered me in some degree from the stupidity in + which I had been for some days. I awoke with a light heart, and + said: 'He knoweth our frame, and remembereth that we are but + dust. He redeemeth our life from destruction, and crowneth us + with loving kindness and tender mercies. He maketh us to lie + down in the green pastures, and leadeth us beside the still + waters.' And when we leave this vale of tears, there is 'no more + sorrow, nor sighing, nor any more pain.' 'The sun shall not + light upon thee, nor any heat; but the Lamb shall lead thee to + living fountains of waters.' + + _June 8._--Went on to a caravanserai, three parasangs, where we + passed the day. At night set out upon our last march for Shiraz. + Sleepiness, my old companion and enemy, again overtook me. I was + in perpetual danger of falling off my horse, till at last I + pushed on to a considerable distance beyond the kafila, planted + my back against a wall, and slept I know not how long, till the + good muleteer came up and gently waked me. + + _June 9._ (Sunday.)--By daylight we found ourselves in the plain + of Shiraz. We went to the halting-place outside the walls of the + city, but found it occupied; however, after some further delay, + we were admitted with our servants into another; as for the + kafila, we saw no more of it. The ambassador, Sir Gore Ouseley, + was encamped near us; Sir William and Major D'Arcy, and Dr. + Sharp, called on us, but I did not see the two first, being + asleep at the time. In the evening we dined with his excellency, + who gave us a general invitation to his table. Returned to our + garden, where we slept. + + _June 10._--Went this morning to Jaffir Ali Khan's, to whom we + had letters from General Malcolm, and with whom we are to take + up our abode. After the long and tedious ceremony of coffee and + _kaleans_ (pipes), breakfast made its appearance on two large + trays: curry, pilaws, various sweets cooled with snow and + perfumed with rose-water, were served in great profusion in + china plates and basins, a few wooden spoons beautifully carved; + but being in a Persian dress, and on the ground, I thought it + high time to throw off the European, and so ate with my hands. + After breakfast Jaffir took me to a summer-house in his garden, + where his brother-in-law met us, for the purpose of a + conversazione. From something I had thrown out at breakfast + about Sabat, and accident, he was curious to know what were our + opinions on these subjects. He then began to explain his own + sentiments on Soofi-ism, of which it appeared he was a + passionate admirer. + + _June 11._--Breakfasted at Anius with some of the Embassy, and + went with them afterwards to a glass-house and pottery. + Afterwards called on Mr. Morier, secretary to the Embassy, Major + D'Arcy, and Sir W. Ouseley. Our host, Jaffir Ali Khan, gave us a + good deal of information this evening, about this country and + government. He used to sit for hours with the king at Teheran + telling him about India and the English. + + _June 12._--Employed about _Journal_, writing letters, reading + _Gulistan_, but excessively indolent. In the morning I enjoyed + much comfort in prayer. What a privilege to have a God to go to, + in such a place, and in such company. To read and pray at + leisure seemed like coming home after being long abroad. Psalm + lxxxix. was a rich repast to me. Why is it not always thus with + me? + +At Shiraz Henry Martyn was in the very heart of old Persia, to which +the eldest son of Shem had given his name, Elam. One of the greatest +of the Shahs, Kareem Khan, made Shiraz his capital, instead of the not +distant Persepolis, which also Martyn visited. The founder of the +present dynasty levelled its walls and desolated its gardens, but the +city of the six gates still dominates the fine valley which no tyrant +could destroy, and has still a pleasing appearance, though its Dewan +Khana has been stripped of the royal pillars to adorn the palace of +the new capital of Teheran. Even Timour respected Shiraz; when red +with the blood of Ispahan, he sent for Hafiz, and asked how the poet +dared to dispose of the Tartar's richest cities, Bokhara and +Samarcand, for the mole on his lady's cheek. 'Can the gifts of Hafiz +ever impoverish Timour?' was the answer; and Shiraz was spared. Kareem +Khan long after built mausoleums over the dust of the Anacreon of +Persia, and over that of Sadi, its Socrates in verse, as Sir Robert +Ker Porter well describes the author of the _Gulistan_, which was +Martyn's daily companion at this time. + +[Illustration: SHIRAZ] + +We have an account of Shiraz[50] and the people of Persia, written six +years before Martyn's visit, by Edward Scott Waring, Esq., of the +Bengal Civil Establishment, who, led by ill-health and curiosity, +followed the same route by Bushire and Kaziroon to the city. He is +sceptical as to those splendours which formed the theme of Hafiz, and +describes the city as 'worth seeing, but not worth going to see.' The +tomb of the poet[51] the Hafizieh garden he found to be of white +marble, on which two of his odes were very beautifully cut; a few +durweshes daily visited the spot and chanted his verses. Mr. George N. +Curzon, M.P.,[52] the latest visitor, contrasts the grave of Hafiz +with that of his contemporary Dante, at Ravenna. Sadi's grave was then +quite neglected; no one had carved on it the beautiful epitaph +(paraphrased by Dryden) which he wrote for himself on the _Bostan_: 'O +passenger! who walkest over my grave, think of the virtuous persons +who have gone before me. What has Sadi to apprehend from being turned +into dust? he was but earth when alive. He will not continue dust +long, for the winds will scatter him over the whole universe.' Yet as +long as the garden of knowledge has blossomed not a nightingale has +warbled so sweetly in it. It would be strange if such a nightingale +should die, and not a rose grow upon its grave. Sir Robert Ker Porter, +twelve years later, found both spots alike neglected. One poet had +written of the garden where Hafiz was buried, 'Paradise does not +boast such lovely banks as those of Rocknabeel, nor such groves as the +high-scented fragrance of the bowers of Mosella.' Another now sadly +writes, 'Though the bowers of love grew on its banks, and the sweet +song of Hafiz kept time with the nightingale and the rose, the summer +is past and all things are changed.' + +Six years after Henry Martyn's residence in Shiraz, Sir Robert Ker +Porter entered the city, which to him, as to every Christian or even +English-speaking man, became thenceforth more identified with this +century's apostle to the Persians than with even Hafiz and Sadi. +'Faint with sickness and fatigue,' he writes,[53] 'I felt a momentary +reviving pleasure in the sight of a hospitable city, and the cheerful +beauty of the view. As I drew near, the image of my exemplary +countryman, Henry Martyn, rose in my thoughts, seeming to sanctify the +shelter to which I was hastening. He had approached Shiraz much about +the same season of the year, A.D. 1811, and like myself was gasping +for life under the double pressure of an inward fire and outward +burning sun. He dwelt there nearly a year, and on leaving its walls +the apostle of Christianity found no cause for shaking off the dust of +his feet against the Mohammedan city. The inhabitants had received, +cherished and listened to him; and he departed thence amidst the +blessings and tears of many a Persian friend. Through his means the +Gospel had then found its way into Persia, and, as it appears to have +been sown in kindly hearts, the gradual effect hereafter may be like +the harvest to the seedling. But, whatever be the issue, the +liberality with which his doctrines were permitted to have been +discussed, and the hospitality with which their promulgation was +received by the learned, the nobles, and persons of all ranks, cannot +but reflect lasting honour on the Government, and command our respect +for the people at large. Besides, to a person who thinks at all on +these subjects, the circumstances of the first correct Persian +translation of the Holy Scriptures being made at Shiraz, and thence +put into the royal hands and disseminated through the empire, cannot +but give an almost prophetic emphasis to the transaction, as arising +from the very native country, Persia Proper, of the founder of the +empire who first bade the temple of Jerusalem be rebuilt, who returned +her sons from captivity, and who was called by name to the Divine +commission.' + +As the guest of Jaffir Ali Khan, now in his house in Shiraz, and now +in his orange summer garden, Henry Martyn gave himself up to the two +absorbing duties of making a new translation of the New Testament into +Persian, assisted by his host's brother-in-law, Mirza Seyd Ali Khan, +and of receiving and, in the Pauline sense, disputing with the learned +Mohammedans of the city and neighbourhood. But all through his inner +life, sanctified by his spiritual experience and intensifying that, +there continued to run the love of Lydia Grenfell. + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Shiraz: June 23, 1811. + + How continually I think of you, and indeed converse with you, it + is impossible to say. But on the Lord's day in particular, I + find you much in my thoughts, because it is on that day that I + look abroad, and take a view of the universal church, of which I + observe that the saints in England form the most conspicuous + part. On that day, too, I indulge myself with a view of the + past, and look over again those happy days, when, in company + with those I loved, I went up to the house of God with a voice + of praise. How then should I fail to remember her who, of all + that are dear to me, is the dearest? It is true that I cannot + look back upon many days, nor even many hours passed with + you--would they had been more--but we have insensibly become + more acquainted with each other, so that, on my part at least, + it may be said that separation has brought us nearer to one + another. It was a momentary interview, but the love is lasting, + everlasting. Whether we ever meet again or not, I am sure that + you will continue to feel an interest in all that befalls me. + + After the death of my dear sister, you bid me consider that I + had one sister left while you remained; and you cannot imagine + how consolatory to my mind this assurance is. To know that there + is one who is willing to think of me, and has leisure to do so, + is soothing to a degree that none can know but those who have, + like me, lost all their relations. + + I sent you a letter from Muscat, in Arabia, which I hope you + received; for if not, report will again erase my name from the + catalogue of the living, as I sent no other to Europe. Let me + here say with praise to our ever-gracious Heavenly Father, that + I am in perfect health; of my spirits I cannot say much; I fancy + they would be better were 'the beloved Persis' by my side. This + name, which I once gave you, occurs to me at this moment, I + suppose, because I am in Persia, entrenched in one of its + valleys, separated from Indian friends by chains of mountains + and a roaring sea, among a people depraved beyond all belief, in + the power of a tyrant guilty of every species of atrocity. + Imagine a pale person seated on a Persian carpet, in a room + without table or chair, with a pair of formidable moustachios, + and habited as a Persian, and you see me. + + _June 26._--Here I expect to remain six months. The reason is + this: I found on my arrival here, that our attempts at Persian + translation in India were good for nothing; at the same time + they proposed, with my assistance, to make a new translation. It + was an offer I could not refuse, as they speak the purest + dialect of the Persian. My host is a man of rank, his name + Jaffir Ali Khan, who tries to make the period of my captivity as + agreeable as possible. His wife--for he has but one--never + appears; parties of young ladies come to see her, but though + they stay days in the house, he dare not go into the room where + they are. Without intending a compliment to your sex, I must say + that the society here, from the exclusion of females, is as dull + as it can well be. Perhaps, however, to a stranger like myself, + the most social circles would be insipid. I am visited by all + the great and the learned; the former come out of respect to my + country, the latter to my profession. The conversation with the + latter is always upon religion, and it would be strange indeed, + if with the armour of truth on the right hand and on the left, I + were not able to combat with success the upholders of such a + system of absurdity and sin. As the Persians are a far more + unprejudiced and inquisitive people than the Indians, and do not + stand quite so much in awe of an Englishman as the timid natives + of Hindustan, I hope they will learn something from me; the hope + of this reconciles me to the necessity imposed on me of staying + here; about the translation I dare not be sanguine. The + prevailing opinion concerning me is, that I have repaired to + Shiraz in order to become a Mussulman. Others, more sagacious, + say that I shall bring from India some more, under pretence of + making them Mussulmans, but in reality to seize the place. They + do not seem to have thought of my wish to have them converted to + my religion; they have been so long accustomed to remain without + proselytes to their own. I shall probably have very little to + write about for some months to come, and therefore I reserve the + extracts of my _Journal_ since I last wrote to you for some + other opportunity; besides that, the ambassador, with whose + despatches this will go, is just leaving Shiraz. + + _July 2._--The Mohammedans now come in such numbers to visit me, + that I am obliged, for the sake of my translation-work, to + decline seeing them. To-day one of the apostate sons of Israel + was brought by a party of them, to prove the Divine mission of + Mohammed from the Hebrew Scriptures, but with all his sophistry + he proved nothing. I can almost say with St. Paul, I feel + continual pity in my heart for them, and love them for their + fathers' sake, and find a pleasure in praying for them. While + speaking of the return of the Jews to Jerusalem, I observed that + the 'Gospel of the kingdom must first be preached in all the + world, and then shall the end come.' He replied with a sneer, + 'And this event, I suppose you mean to say, is beginning to take + place by your bringing the Gospel to Persia.' + + _July 5._--I am so incessantly occupied with visitors and my + work, that I have hardly a moment for myself. I have more and + more reason to rejoice at my being sent here; there is such an + extraordinary stir about religion throughout the city, that some + good must come of it. I sometimes sigh for a little Christian + communion, yet even from these Mohammedans I hear remarks that + do me good. To-day, for instance, my assistant observed, 'How He + loved those twelve persons!' 'Yes,' said I, 'and not those + twelve only, but all those who shall believe in Him, as He said, + "I pray not for them alone, but for all them who shall believe + on me through their word."' Even the enemy is constrained to + wonder at the love of Christ. Shall not the object of it say, + What manner of love is this? I have learned that I may get + letters from England much sooner than by way of India. Be so + good as to direct to me, to the care of Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart., + Ambassador at Teheran, care of J. Morier, Esq., Constantinople, + care of G. Moon, Esq., Malta. I have seen Europe newspapers of + only four months' date, so that I am delightfully near you. May + we live near one another in the unity of the Spirit, having one + Lord, one hope, one God and Father. In your prayers for me pray + that utterance may be given me that I may open my mouth boldly, + to make known the mysteries of the Gospel. I often envy my + Persian hearers the freedom and eloquence with which they speak + to me. Were I but possessed of their powers, I sometimes think + that I should win them all; but the work is God's, and the faith + of His people does not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the + power of God. Remember me as usual with the most unfeigned + affection to all my dear friends. This is now the seventh letter + I send you without having received an answer. Farewell! + + Yours ever most affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + + + Shiraz: September 8, 1811. + + A courier on his way to the capital affords me the unexpected + pleasure of addressing my most beloved friend. It is now six + months since I left India, and in all that time I have not heard + from thence. The dear friends there, happy in each other's + society, do not enough call to mind my forlorn condition. Here I + am still, beset by cavilling infidels, and making very little + progress in my translation, and half disposed to give it up and + come away. My kind host, to relieve the tedium of being always + within a walled town, pitched a tent for me in a garden a little + distance, and there I lived amidst clusters of grapes, by the + side of a clear stream; but nothing compensates for the loss of + the excellent of the earth. It is my business, however, as you + will say, and ought to be my effort, to make saints, where I + cannot find them. I do use the means in a certain way, but + frigid reasoning with men of perverse minds seldom brings men to + Christ. However, as they require it, I reason, and accordingly + challenged them to prove the Divine mission of their prophet. + In consequence of this, a learned Arabic treatise was written by + one who was considered as the most able man, and put into my + hands; copies of it were also given to the college and the + learned. The writer of it said that if I could give a + satisfactory answer to it he would become a Christian, and at + all events would make my reply as public as I pleased. I did + answer it, and after some faint efforts on his part to defend + himself, he acknowledged the force of my arguments, but was + afraid to let them be generally known. He then began to inquire + about the Gospel, but was not satisfied with my statement. He + required me to prove from the very beginning the Divine mission + of Moses, as well as of Christ; the truth of the Scriptures, + etc. With very little hope that any good will come of it, I am + now employed in drawing out the evidences of the truth; but oh! + that I could converse and reason, and plead with power from on + high. How powerless are the best-directed arguments till the + Holy Ghost renders them effectual. + + A few days ago I was just on the eve of my departure for + Ispahan, as I thought, and my translator had consented to + accompany me as far as Baghdad, but just as we were setting out, + news came that the Persians and Turks were fighting thereabouts, + and that the road was in consequence impassable. I do not know + what the Lord's purpose may be in keeping me here, but I trust + it will be for the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ, and in + that belief I abide contentedly. + + My last letter to you was dated July. I desired you to direct to + me at Teheran. As it is uncertain whether I shall pass anywhere + near there, you had better direct to the care of S. Morier, + Esq., Constantinople, and I can easily get your letters from + thence. + + I am happy to say that I am quite well, indeed, never better; no + returns of pain in the chest since I left India. May I soon + receive the welcome news that you also are well, and prospering + even as your soul prospers. I read your letters incessantly, and + try to find out something new, as I generally do, but I begin to + look with pain at the distant date of the last. I cannot tell + what to think, but I cast all my care upon Him who hath already + done wonders for me, and am sure that, come what will, it shall + be good, it shall be best. How sweet the privilege that we may + lie as little children before Him! I find that my wisdom is + folly and my care useless, so that I try to live on from day to + day, happy in His love and care. May that God who hath loved us, + and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through + grace, bless, love, and keep my ever-dearest friend; and + dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, and abiding under + the shadow of the Almighty, may she enjoy that sweet + tranquillity which the world cannot disturb. Dearest Lydia! pray + for me, and believe me to be ever most faithfully and + affectionately yours, + + H. MARTYN. + + + Shiraz: October 21, 1811. + + It is, I think, about a month since I wrote to you, and so + little has occurred since that I find scarcely anything in my + _Journal_, and nothing worth transcribing. This state of + inactivity is becoming very irksome to me. I cannot get these + Persians to work, and while they are idle I am sitting here to + no purpose. Sabat's laziness used to provoke me excessively, but + Persians I find are as torpid as Arabs when their salary does + not depend on their exertions, and both very inferior to the + feeble Indian, whom they affect to despise. My translator comes + about sunrise, corrects a little, and is off, and I see no more + of him for the day. Meanwhile I sit fretting, or should do so, + as I did at first, were it not for a blessed employment which so + beguiles the tediousness of the day that I hardly perceive it + passing. It is the study of the Psalms in the Hebrew. I have + long had it in contemplation, in the assurance, from the number + of flat and obscure passages that occur in the translations, + that the original has not been hitherto perfectly understood. I + am delighted to find that many of the most unmeaning verses in + the version turn out, on close examination, to contain a direct + reference to the Lord our Saviour. The testimony of Jesus is + indeed the spirit of prophecy. He is never lost sight of. Let + them touch what subject they will, they must always let fall + something about Him. Such should we be, looking always to Him. I + have often attempted the 84th Psalm, endeared to me on many + accounts as you know, but have not yet succeeded. The glorious + 16th Psalm I hope I have mastered. I write with the ardour of a + student communicating his discoveries and describing his + difficulties to a fellow student. + + I think of you incessantly, too much, I fear, sometimes; yet the + recollection of you is generally attended with an exercise of + resignation to His will. In prayer I often feel what you + described five years ago as having felt--a particular pleasure + in viewing you as with me before the Lord, and entreating our + common Father to bless both His children. When I sit and muse my + spirit flies away to you, and attends you at Gurlyn, Penzance, + Plymouth Dock, and sometimes with your brother in London. If you + acknowledge a kindred feeling still, we are not separated; our + spirits have met and blended. I still continue without + intelligence from India; since last January I have heard nothing + of any one person whom I love. My consolation is that the Lord + has you all under His care, and is carrying on His work in the + world by your means, and that when I emerge I shall find that + some progress is made in India especially, the country I now + regard as my own. Persia is in many respects a ripe field for + the harvest. Vast numbers secretly hate and despise the + superstition imposed on them, and as many of them as have heard + the Gospel approve it, but they dare not hazard their lives for + the name of the Lord Jesus. I am sometimes asked whether the + external appearance of Mohammedanism might not be retained with + Christianity, and whether I could not baptize them without their + believing in the Divinity of Christ. I tell them, No. + + Though I have complained above of the inactivity of my + translation, I have reason to bless the Lord that He thus + supplies Gibeonites for the help of His true Israel. They are + employed in a work of the importance of which they are + unconscious, and are making provision for future Persian saints, + whose time is, I suppose, now near. Roll back, ye crowded years, + your thick array! Let the long, long period of darkness and sin + at last give way to the brighter hours of light and liberty, + which wait on the wings of the Sun of Righteousness. Perhaps we + witness the dawn of the day of glory, and if not, the desire + that we feel, that Jesus may be glorified, and the nations + acknowledge His sway, is the earnest of the Spirit, that when He + shall appear we shall also appear with Him in glory. Kind love + to all the saints who are waiting His coming. + + Yours, with true affection, my ever dearest Lydia, + + H. MARTYN. + + It is now determined that we leave Shiraz in a week, and as the + road through Persia is impassable through the commotions which + are always disturbing some part or other of this unhappy + country, I must go back to Bushire. + + My scribe finished the New Testament; in correcting we are no + further than the 13th of Acts. + + _October 24_ to _26_.--Resumed my Hebrew studies; on the two + first days translated the eight first Psalms into Persian, the + last all day long thinking about the word Higgaion in the 9th + Psalm. + + _October 27_ to _29_.--Finished Psalm xii. Reading the 5th of + St. Matthew to Zachariah my servant. Felt awfully convinced of + guilt; how fearlessly do I give way to causeless anger, + speaking contemptuously of men, as if I had never read this + chapter. The Lord deliver me from all my wickedness, and write + His holy law upon my heart, that I may walk circumspectly before + Him all the remaining days of my life. + + _November 1._--Everything was prepared for our journey to + Baghdad by the Persian Gulf, and a large party of Shiraz ladies, + chiefly of Mirza Seid Ali's family, had determined to accompany + us, partly from a wish to visit the tombs, and partly to have + the company of their relations a little longer. But a letter + arriving with the intelligence that Bagdhad was all in + confusion, our kafila separated, and I resolved to go on through + Persia to Armenia, and so to Syria. But the season was too far + advanced for me to think of traversing the regions of Caucasus + just then, so I made up my mind to winter at Shiraz. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[46] _The Three Brothers, or the Travels and Adventures of Sir +Anthony, Sir Robert, and Sir Thomas Sherley in Persia, Russia, Turkey, +Spain, &c._, London, 1825. + +[47] _Travels in Georgia, Persia, Armenia, Ancient Babylonia, &c._, by +Sir Robert Ker Porter, 2 vols., London, 1821. + +[48] Mr. J.C. Marshman, C.S.I., who lived through the history of +India, from Wellesley to Lord Lawrence, and personally knew almost all +its distinguished men, writes in his invaluable History: 'The good +sense of Sir Harford and Colonel Malcolm gradually smoothed down all +asperities, and it was not long before they agreed to unite their +efforts to battle the intrigues and the cupidity of the court. Colonel +Malcolm was received with open arms by the king, who considered him +the first of Englishmen. "What induced you," said he at the first +interview, "to hasten away from Shiraz without seeing my son?" "How +could I," replied the Colonel with his ever ready tact, "after having +been warmed by the sunshine of your Majesty's favour, be satisfied +with the mere reflection of that refulgence in the person of your +son?" "Mashalla!" exclaimed the monarch, "Malcolm Sahib is himself +again." ... Sir Gore Ouseley had acquired the confidence of Lord +Wellesley by the great talents he exhibited when in a private station +at the court of Lucknow, and upon his recommendation was appointed to +Teheran as the representative of the King of England.' The two +embassies cost the East India Company 380,000_l._ + +[49] Sir C.U. Aitchison's _Collection of Treaties, Engagements, and +Sunnuds relating to India and Neighbouring Countries_, 2nd edition, +vol. vi. Calcutta, 1876. + +[50] _A Tour to Sheeraz by the route of Karroon and Feerozabad_, +London, 1807. + +[51] In two splendid volumes, printed by native hands under the +sanction of the Government at Calcutta, in 1891, Lieutenant-Colonel H. +Wilberforce Clarke published an English prose translation of _The +Divan, written in the Fourteenth Century_, by Khwaja Shamshu-d-Din +Muhammad-i-Hafiz. The work is described in the _Quarterly Review_ of +January 1892, by a writer who thus begins: 'About two miles north-west +of Shiraz, in the garden called Mosella which is, being interpreted, +"the place of prayer," lies, beneath the shadow of cypress-trees, one +of which he is said to have planted with his own hand, Shems-Edden +Mohammed, surnamed Hafiz, or "the steadfast in Scripture," poet, +recluse, and mystic.... No other Persian has equalled him in fame--not +Sadi, whose monument, now in ruins, may be visited near his own; nor +Firdusi, nor Jami. Near the garden tomb is laid open the book of well +nigh seven hundred poems which he wrote. According to Sir Gore +Ouseley, who turned over its pages in 1811, it is a volume abounding +in bright and delicate colour, with illuminated miniatures, and the +lovely tints of the Persian caligraphy.' + +[52] _Persia and the Persian Question_, 2 vols. (Longmans), 1892. + +[53] _Travels_, vol. i. pp. 687-8. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +IN PERSIA--CONTROVERSIES WITH MOHAMMEDANS, SOOFIS, AND JEWS + + +Henry Martyn's first week in Persia was enough to lead him to use such +language as this: 'If God rained down fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah, +how is it that this nation is not blotted out from under heaven? I do +not remember to have heard such things of the Hindus, except the +Sikhs; they seem to rival the Mohammedans.' The experienced Bengal +civilian, Mr. E. Scott Waring, had thus summed up his impressions: +'The generality of Persians are sunk in the lowest state of profligacy +and infamy, and they seldom hesitate alluding to crimes which are +abhorred and detested in every civilised country in the universe. +Their virtues consist in being most excellent companions, and in +saying this we say everything which can be advanced in their favour. +The same argument cannot be advanced for them which has been urged in +favour of the Greeks, for they have laws which stigmatise the crimes +they commit.' Every generation seems to have departed farther and +farther from the character of the hero-king, Cyrus. At the present +time, after two visits to Europe by their Shah, the governing class, +the priestly order of Moojtahids, and the people seem to be more +hopelessly corrupt than ever.[54] + +So early as the twelfth century the astronomer-poet of Persia, Omar +Khayyam, of Naishapur, in his few hundred tetrastichs of exquisite +verse which have ever since won the admiration of the world, struck +the note of dreary scepticism and epicurean sensuality, as the Roman +Lucretius had done. His age was one of spiritual darkness, when men +felt their misery, and all the more that they saw no means of +relieving it. The purer creed of Zoroaster had been stamped down but +not rooted out by the illiterate Arab hordes of Mohammed. A cultured +Aryan race could not accept submissively the ignorant fanaticism of +the Semitic sons of the desert. The Arabs destroyed or drove out +ultimately to India the fire-worshippers who had courage to prefer +their faith to the Koran; the mass of the people and their leaders +worked out the superficial Mohammedanism identified with the name and +the sufferings of Ali. The new national religion became more and more +a falsehood, alike misrepresenting the moral facts and the character +and claims of God, and not really believed in by the general +conscience. The few who from time to time arose endowed with spiritual +fervour or poetic fire, found no vent through the popular religion, +and no satisfaction for the aching void of the heart. The loftier +natures ran by an inevitable law of the human mind either into such +self-indulgent despairing scepticism as Omar Khayyam's, or into the +sensual mysticism of Sadi, Jami, and Hafiz, of the whole tribe of +ascetic enthusiasts and impostors, the Soofis, fakeers, and durweshes, +who fill the world of Islam, from the mosques on the Bosporus to the +secret chambers of Persia and Oudh. To all such we may use one of the +few rare tetrastichs which Omar Khayyam was compelled by his higher +nature to write:[55] + + O heart! wert thou pure from the body's dust, + Thou shouldest soar naked spirit above the sky; + Highest heaven is thy native seat--for shame, for shame, + That thou shouldest stoop to dwell in a city of clay! + +We must remember all this when we come to the disputations of Henry +Martyn with the doctors of Shiraz and Persia. They, and some fifteen +millions out of the hundred and eighty millions of Islam in the world, +are Shi'ahs, or 'followers' of Ali, whom, as Mohammed's first cousin +and son-in-law, they accept as his first legitimate imam, kaliph, or +successor; while they treat the _de facto_ kaliphs of the Soonni +Muslims--Abu Bakr, Omar, and Othman--as usurpers. The Persians are in +reality more tolerant of the Christians, the Jews, and even the Majusi +(Magi), or fire-worshippers, all of whom are people of the Book who have +received an inspired revelation, than of their Soonni co-religionists. +The people--though not of course their ruler, who is of Turkish +origin--are more tolerant of new sects, such as that of Babism, and even +their spiritual guides or the more respectable among these are in +expectation of a new leader, the twelfth, the Imam-al-Mahdi, who has +once before been manifested, and has long been waiting secretly for the +final consummation. + +We must also realise the extent to which Soofi-ism had saturated the +upper classes and the Moojtahid order, who sought out Henry Martyn, +and even recognised in him the Divine drunkenness, so that they +always treated him and spoke of him as a _merdi khodai_, a man of God. +The first Soofi--a name taken either from the word for the woollen +dress of the Asiatic or from that for purity--was Ali, according to +the Shi'ahs; but this form of philosophical mysticism, often attended +by carnal excesses through which its devotees express themselves, is +rather Hindu in its origin. The deepest thought of the Asiatic, +without the revelation of Jesus Christ, is for Brahman and Buddhist, +Sikh and Soofi, Hindu and Mohammedan, this absorption into the Divine +Essence, so as to lose all personality and individual consciousness. +That Essence may be the sum total of all things--the materialistic +side; or the spirit underlying matter, the idealistic side, but the +loss of individuality is the ultimate aim. But such absorption can be +finally reached only by works--asceticism, pilgrimage, almsgiving, +meditation--and by cycles of trans-migrations to sublimate the soul +for unconsciousness of all that is objective, and of self itself. +Hafiz is as full of wine and women in his poems as Anacreon or the +worst of the Latin erotic poets; but the Soofis, who revel in his +verses, maintain that they 'profess eager desire with no carnal +affection, and circulate the cup, but no material goblet, since all +things are spiritual in their sect; all is mystery within mystery.' + +What Henry Martyn learned to find, in even his brief experience of the +Aryan Shi'ahs, to whom he offered the love of Christ and through the +Son a personal union with the Father, is best expressed in this +description by the most recent skilled writer on the people, before +referred to: + + Persia is the one purely Mohammedan country which, in the + process of a national revolt against the rigid hide-bound + orthodoxy of Islam, has only succeeded in wrapping more closely + round its national and political life the encircling folds of + that 'manteau commode, sous lequel s'abrite, en se cachant + peine, tout le pass.' Under the extravagances and fanaticism of + the Shi'ah heresy, the old Zoroastrian faith lives on, + transformed into an outward conformity to the forms of the + Moslem creed, and the product is that grotesque confusion of + faith and fanaticism, mysticism and immorality, rationalism and + superstition, which is the despair and astonishment of all who + have looked beneath the surface of ordinary everyday life in + Persia. Soofi-ism, with its profound mysticism and godless + doctrine, has found a congenial home in Persia, often, indeed, + blossoming into beautiful literary form such as is found in the + _Rubaiy[=a]t_ of Omar Khayyam, or in the delightful pages of the + _Gulistan_ of Sheikh Sadi, or in the poems of Hafiz. + +Soofi-ism is the illegitimate offspring of scepticism and fanaticism. +It is tersely described by one Persian writer as 'a sensual plunging +into the abyss of darkness'; by another as 'a deadly abomination'; and +by a third as 'the part of one who goes raving mad with unlawful +lusts.' Nevertheless, as Professor Kuenen has well observed, the true +Soofi is a Moslem no more. + +All Martyn's experience among the Wahabees of Patna and the Shi'ahs of +Lucknow had fitted him for the discussions which were almost forced +upon him in Persia, for he went there to translate the New Testament +afresh. But he had, in his reading, sought to prepare himself for the +Mohammedan controversy. When coasting round India, he made this entry +in his _Journal_: '_1811, January 28._--Making extracts from Maracci's +_Refutation of Koran_. Felt much false shame at being obliged to +confess my ignorance of many things which I ought to have known.' +Soofi-ism met him the day after he reached Shiraz, on the first visit +of Seyd Ali, brother-in-law of his host, Jaffir Ali Khan. Thus: + + _June 10._--He spoke so indistinctly, and with such volubility, + that I did not well comprehend him, but gathered from his + discourse that we are all parts of the Deity. I observed that we + had not these opinions in Europe, but understood that they were + parts of the Brahmanic system. On my asking him for the + foundation of his opinions, he said the first argument he was + prepared to bring forward was this: God exists, man also exists, + but existence is not twofold, therefore God and man are of the + same nature. The minor I disputed: he defended it with many + words. I replied by objecting the consequences, Is there no + difference between right and wrong? There appeared a difference, + he said, to us, but before God it was nothing. The waves of the + sea are so many aspects and forms, but it is still but one and + the same water. In the outset he spoke with great contempt of + all revelation. 'You know,' said he, 'that in the law and Koran, + etc., it is said, God _created heaven_ and the _earth_,' etc. + Reverting to this, I asked whether these opinions were agreeable + to what the prophets had spoken. Perceiving me to be not quite + philosophical enough for him, he pretended some little reverence + for them, spoke of them as good men, etc., but added that there + was no evidence for their truth but what was traditionary. I + asked whether there was anything unreasonable in God's making a + revelation of His will. He said, No. Whether a miracle for that + purpose was not necessary, at least useful, and therefore + credible? He granted it. Was not evidence from testimony + rational evidence? Yes. Have you then rational evidence for the + religion of Mohammed? He said the division of the moon was + generally brought forward, but he saw no sufficient evidence for + believing it; he mentioned the Koran with some hesitation, as + if conscious that it would not stand as a miracle. I said + eloquence depended upon opinion; it was no miracle for any but + Arabs, and that some one may yet rise up and write better. He + allowed the force of the objection, and said the Persians were + very far from thinking the eloquence of the Koran miraculous, + however the Arabs might think so. The last observation he made + was, that it was impossible not to think well of one by whose + example and instructions others had become great and good; + though therefore little was known of Mohammed, he must have been + something to have formed such men as Ali. Here the conversation + ceased. I told them in the course of our conversation that, + according to our histories, the law and Gospel had been + translated into Persian before the time of Mohammed. He said + they were not to be found, because Omar in his ignorant zeal had + probably destroyed them. He spoke with great contempt of the + 'Arab asses.' + + _June 13._--Seyd Ali breakfasted with us. Looking at one of the + plates in Hutton's _Mathematical Dictionary_, where there was a + figure of a fountain produced by the rarefaction of the air, he + inquired into the principle of it, which I explained; he + disputed the principle, and argued for the exploded idea that + nature abhors a vacuum. We soon got upon religion again. I + showed him some verses in the Koran in which Mohammed disclaims + the power of working miracles. He could not reply. We talked + again on the evidence of testimony. The oldest book written by a + Mohammedan was the sermons of Ali. Allowing these sermons to be + really his, I objected to his testimony for Mohammed, because he + was interested in the support of that religion. I asked him the + meaning of a contested passage; he gave the usual explanation; + but as soon as the servants were gone he turned round and said, + 'It is only to make a rhyme.' This conversation seemed to be + attended with good. Our amiable host, Jaffir Ali, Mirza Jan, and + Seyd Ali seemed to be delighted with my arguments against + Mohammedanism, and did not at last evince a wish to defend it. + In the evening Jaffir Ali came and talked most agreeably on + religious subjects, respecting the obvious tendency of piety and + impiety, and the end to which they would lead in a future world. + One of his remarks was, 'If I am in love with any one, I shall + dream of her at night; her image will meet me in my sleep. Now + death is but a sleep; if therefore I love God, or Christ, when I + fall asleep in death I shall meet Him, so also if I love Satan + or his works.' He could wish, he said, if he had not a wife and + children, to go and live on the top of a mountain, so disgusted + was he with the world and its concerns. I told him this was the + first suggestion in the minds of devotees in all religions, but + that in reality it was not the way to escape the pollution of + the world, because a man's wicked heart will go with him to the + top of a mountain. It is the grace of God changing the heart + which will alone raise us above the world. Christ commands His + people to 'abide in Him'; this is the secret source of + fruitfulness, without which they are as branches cut off from + the tree. He asked whether there was no mention of a prophet's + coming after Christ. I said, No. 'Why then,' said he, 'was any + mention made of Ahmed in the Koran?' He said, 'One day an + English gentleman said to me, "I believe that Christ was no + better than myself." "Why then," said I, "you are worse than a + Mohammedan."' + + _June 24._--Went early this morning to the Jewish synagogue with + Jaffir Ali Khan. At the sight of a Mohammedan of such rank, the + chief person stopped the service and came to the door to bring + us in. He then showed us the little room where the copies of the + law were kept. He said there were no old ones but at Baghdad and + Jerusalem; he had a printed copy with the Targum, printed at + Leghorn. The only European letters in it were the words 'con + approbazione,' of which he was anxious to know the meaning. The + congregation consisted chiefly of little boys, most of whom had + the Psalter. I felt much distressed that the worship of the God + of Israel was not there, and therefore I did not ask many + questions. When he found I could read Hebrew, he was very + curious to know who I might be, and asked my name. I told him + Abdool Museeh, in hopes that he would ask more, but he did not, + setting me down, I suppose, as a Mohammedan. + + _June 25._--Every day I hear stories of these bloody Tartars. + They allow no Christian, not even a Soonni, to enter their + country, except in very particular cases, such as merchants with + a pass; but never allow one to return to Persia if they catch + him. They argue, 'If we suffer this creature to go back, he will + become the father of other infidels, and thus infidelity will + spread: so, for the sake of God and His prophet, let us kill + him.' About 150 years ago the men of Bokhara made an insidious + attempt to obtain a confession from the people of Mushed that + they were Shi'ahs. Their moulvies begged to know what evidence + they had for the Khaliphat of Ali. But the men of Mushed, aware + of their purpose, said, 'We Shi'ahs! no, we acknowledge thee for + friends.' But the moollahs of Bokhara were not satisfied with + this confession, and three of them deliberated together on what + ought to be done. One said: 'It is all hypocrisy; they must be + killed.' The other said: 'No, if all be killed we shall kill + some Soonnis.' The third said: 'If any can prove that their + ancestors have ever been Soonnis they shall be saved, but not + else.' Another rejoined that, from being so long with Shi'ahs, + their faith could not be pure, and so it was better to kill + them. To this another agreed, observing that though it was no + sin before men to let them live, he who spared them must be + answerable for it to God. When the three bloody inquisitors had + determined on the destruction of the Shi'ah city, they gave the + signal, and 150,000 Tartars marched down and put all to the + sword. + + _June 26._--We were to-day, according to our expectation, just + about setting off for Ispahan, when, Mirza Ibrahim returning, + gave us information that the Tartars and Koords had made an + irruption into Persia, and that the whole Persian army was on + its march to Kermanshah to meet them. Thus our road is + impassable. I wrote instantly to the ambassador, to know what he + would advise, and the minister sent off an express with it. + Mirza Ibrahim, after reading my answer, had nothing to reply, + but made such a remark as I did not expect from a man of his + character, namely, that _he_ was sufficiently satisfied the + Koran was a miracle, though he had failed to convince me. Thus + my labour is lost, except it be with the Lord. I have now lost + all hope of ever convincing Mohammedans by argument. The most + rational, learned, unprejudiced, charitable men confessedly in + the whole town cannot escape from the delusion. I know not what + to do but to pray for them. I had some warm conversation with + Seyd Ali on his infidelity. I asked him what he wanted. Was + there any one thing on earth, of the same antiquity, as well + attested as the miracles, etc., of Christianity? He confessed + not, but he did not know the reason he could not believe: + perhaps it was levity and the love of the world, or the power of + Satan, but he had no faith at all. He could not believe even in + a future state. He asked at the end, 'Why all this earnestness?' + I said, 'For fear you should remain in hell for ever.' He was + affected, and said no more. + + _June 27._--The Prime Minister sent me, as a present, four + mules-load of melons from Kaziroon. Seyd Ali reading the 2nd + chapter of St. Matthew, where the star is said to go before the + wise men, asked: 'Then what do you say to that, after what you + were proving yesterday about the stars?' I said: 'It was not + necessary to suppose it was one of those heavenly bodies; any + meteor that had the appearance of a star was sufficient for the + purpose, and equally miraculous.' 'Then why call it a star?' + 'Because the magi called it so, for this account was undoubtedly + received from them. Philosophers still talk of a falling star, + though every one knows that it is not a star.' + + _September 2_ to _6_.--At Mirza Ibrahim's request we are + employed in making out a proof of the Divine mission of Moses + and Jesus. He fancies that my arguments against Mohammedanism + are equally applicable against these two, and that as I + triumphed when acting on the offensive, I shall be as weak as he + when I act on the defensive. + + _September 7_ to _11_.--Employed much the same; daily disputes + with Jaffir Ali Khan about the Trinity; if they may be called + disputes in which I bring forward no arguments, but calmly refer + them to the Holy Scriptures. They distress and perplex + themselves without measure, and I enjoy a peace, as respects + these matters, which passeth understanding. There is no passage + that so frequently occurs to me now as this: 'They shall be all + taught of God, and great shall be the peace of thy children.' I + have this testimony that I have been taught of God. + + _1812, January 19._--Aga Baba coming in while we were + translating, Mirza Seyd Ali told him he had been all the day + decrying the law. It is a favourite tenet of the Soofis, that we + should be subject to no law. Aga Baba said that if Christ, while + He removed the old law, had also forborne to bring in His new + way, He would have done still better. I was surprised as well as + shocked at such a remark from him, but said nothing. The poor + man, not knowing how to exist without amusement, then turned to + a game at chess. How pitiable is the state of fallen man! + Wretched, and yet he will not listen to any proposals of relief: + stupidly ignorant, yet too wise to submit to learn anything from + God. I have often wondered to see how the merest dunce thinks + himself qualified to condemn and ridicule revealed religion. + These Soofis pretend too to be latitudinarians, assigning + idolaters the same rank as others in nearness to God, yet they + have all in their turn spoken contemptuously of the Gospel. + Perhaps because it is so decisively exclusive. I begin now to + have some notion of Soofi-ism. The principle is this: + Notwithstanding the good and evil, pleasure and pain that is in + the world, God is not affected by it. He is perfectly happy with + it all; if therefore we can become like God we shall also be + perfectly happy in every possible condition. This, therefore, is + salvation. + + _January 21._--Aga Boozong, the most magisterial of the Soofis, + stayed most of the day with Mirza Seyd Ali and Jaffir Ali Khan + in my room. His speech as usual--all things are only so many + forms of God; paint as many figures as you will on a wall, it is + still but the same wall. Tired of constantly hearing this same + vapid truism, I asked him, 'What then? With the reality of + things we have nothing to do, as we know nothing about them.' + These forms, if he will have it that they are but forms, affect + us with pleasure and pain, just as if they were more real. He + said we were at present in a dream; in a dream we think + visionary things real--when we wake we discover the delusion. I + asked him how did he know but that this dream might continue for + ever. But he was not at all disposed to answer objections, and + was rather vexed at my proposing them. So I let him alone to + dissent as he pleased. Mirza Seyd Ali read him some verses of + St. Paul, which he condescended to praise, but in such a way as + to be more offensive to me than if he had treated it with + contempt. He repeated again how much he was pleased with the + sentiments of Paul, as if his being pleased with them would be a + matter of exultation to me. He said they were excellent precepts + for the people of the world. The parts Mirza Seyd Ali read were + Titus iii. and Hebrews viii. On the latter Mirza Seyd Ali + observed that he (Paul) had not written ill, but something like + a good reasoner. Thus they sit in judgment on God's Word, never + dreaming that they are to be judged by it. On the contrary, they + regard the best parts, as they call them, as approaching only + towards the heights of Soofi-ism. Aga Boozong finally observed + that as for the Gospels he had not seen much in them, but the + Epistles he was persuaded would make the book soon well known. + There is another circumstance that gained Paul importance in the + eyes of Mirza Seyd Ali, which is, that he speaks of Mark and + Luke as his servants. + + _January 24._--Found Seyd Ali rather serious this evening. He + said he did not know what to do to have his mind made up about + religion. Of all the religions Christ's was the best, but + whether to prefer this to Soofi-ism he could not tell. In these + doubts he was tossed to and fro, and is often kept awake the + whole night in tears. He and his brother talk together on these + things till they are almost crazed. Before he was engaged in + this work of translation, he says, he used to read about two or + three hours a day; now he can do nothing else; has no + inclination for anything else, and feels unhappy if he does not + correct his daily portion. His late employment has given a new + turn to his thoughts as well as to those of his friends; they + had not the most distant conception of the contents of the New + Testament. He says his Soofi friends are exceedingly anxious to + see the Epistles, from the accounts he gives of them, and also + he is sure that almost the whole of Shiraz are so sensible of + the load of unmeaning ceremonies in which their religion + consists, that they will rejoice to see or hear of anything like + freedom, and that they would be more willing to embrace Christ + than the Soofis, who, after taking so much pains to be + independent of all law, would think it degrading to submit + themselves to any law again, however light. + + _February 4._--Mirza Seyd Ali, who has been enjoying himself in + idleness and dissipation these two days instead of translating, + returned full of evil and opposition to the Gospel. While + translating 2 Peter iii., 'Scoffers ... saying, Where is the + promise of his coming?' he began to ask 'Well, they are in the + right; where are any of His promises fulfilled?' I said the + heathen nations have been given to Christ for an inheritance. + He said No; it might be more truly said that they are given to + Mohammed, for what are the Christian nations compared with + Arabia, Persia, India, Tartary, etc.? I set in opposition all + Europe, Russia, Armenia, and the Christians in the Mohammedan + countries. He added, at one time when the Abbasides carried + their arms to Spain, the Christian name was almost extinct. I + rejoined, however, that he was not yet come to the end of + things, that Mohammedanism was in itself rather a species of + heretical Christianity, for many professing Christians denied + the Divinity of our Lord, and treated the Atonement as a fable. + 'They do right,' said he; 'it is contrary to reason that one + person should be an atonement for all the rest. How do you prove + it? it is nowhere said in the Gospels. Christ said He was sent + only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' I urged the + authority of the Apostles, founded upon His word, 'Whatsoever ye + shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye + shall loose on earth,' etc. 'Why, what are we to think of them,' + said he, 'when we see Paul and Barnabas quarrelling; Peter + acting the hypocrite, sometimes eating with the Gentiles, and + then withdrawing from fear; and again, all the Apostles, not + knowing what to do about the circumcision of the Gentiles, and + disputing among themselves about it?' I answered, 'The + infirmities of the Apostles have nothing to do with their + authority. It is not everything they do that we are commanded to + imitate, nor everything they might say in private, if we knew + it, that we are obliged to attend to, but the commands they + leave for the Church; and here there is no difference among + them. As for the discussions about circumcision, it does not at + all appear that the Apostles themselves were divided in their + opinions about it; the difficulty seems to have been started by + those believers who had been Pharisees.' 'Can you give me a + proof,' said he, 'of Christianity, that I may either believe, or + be left without excuse if I do not believe--a proof like that of + one of the theorems of Euclid?' I said it is not to be + expected, but enough may be shown to leave every man + inexcusable. 'Well,' said he, 'though this is only probability, + I shall be glad of that.' 'As soon as our Testament is + finished,' I replied, 'we will, if you please, set about our + third treatise, in which, if I fail to convince you, I can at + least state the reasons why I believed.' 'You had better,' said + he, 'begin with Soofi-ism, and show that that is + absurd'--meaning, I suppose, that I should premise something + about the _necessity_ of revelation. After a little pause, 'I + suppose,' said he, 'you think it sinful to sport with the + characters of those holy men?' I said I had no objection to hear + all their objections and sentiments, but I could not bear + anything spoken disrespectfully of the Lord Jesus; 'and yet + there is not one of your Soofis,' I added, 'but has said + something against Him. Even your master, Mirza Abul Kasim, + though he knows nothing of the Gospel or law, and has not even + seen them, presumed to say that Moses, Christ, Mohammed, etc., + were all alike. I did not act in this way. In India I made every + inquiry, both about Hinduism and Mohammedanism. I read the Koran + through twice. On my first arrival here I made it my business to + ask for your proofs, so that if I condemned and rejected it, it + was not without consideration. Your master, therefore, spoke + rather precipitately.' He did not attempt to defend him, but + said, 'You never heard _me_ speak lightly of Jesus.' 'No; there + is something so awfully pure about Him that nothing is to be + said.' + + _March 18._--Sat a good part of the day with Abul Kasim, the + Soofi sage, Mirza Seyd Ali, and Aga Mohammed Hasan, who begins + to be a disciple of the old man's. On my expressing a wish to + see the Indian book, it was proposed to send for it, which they + did, and then read it aloud. The stoicism of it I controverted, + and said that the entire annihilation of the passions, which the + stupid Brahman described as perfection, was absurd. On my + continuing to treat other parts of the book with contempt, the + old man was a little roused, and said that this was the way that + pleased them, and my way pleased me. That thus God provided + something for the tastes of all, and as the master of a feast + provides a great variety, some eat _pilao_, others prefer + _kubab_, etc. On my again remarking afterwards how useless all + these descriptions of perfection were, since no rules were given + for attaining it, the old man asked what in my opinion was the + way. I said we all agreed in one point, namely, that union with + God was perfection; that in order to that we must receive the + Spirit of God, which Spirit was promised on condition of + believing in Jesus. There was a good deal of disputing about + Jesus, His being exclusively the visible God. Nothing came of it + apparently, but that Mirza Seyd Ali afterwards said, 'There is + no getting at anything like truth or certainty. We know nothing + at all; you are in the right, who simply believe because Jesus + had said so.' + + _March 22._--These two days I have been thinking from morning to + night about the Incarnation; considering if I could represent it + in such a way as to obviate in any degree the prejudices of the + Mohammedans; not that I wished to make it appear altogether + agreeable to reason, but I wanted to give a consistent account + of the nature and uses of this doctrine, as they are found in + the different parts of the Holy Scriptures. One thing implied + another to such an extent that I thought necessarily of the + nature of life, death, spirit, soul, animal nature, state of + separate spirits, personality, the person of Christ, etc., that + I was quite worn out with fruitless thought. Towards evening + Carapiet with another Armenian came and conversed on several + points of theology, such as whether the fire of hell were + literally fire or only remorse, whether the Spirit proceeded + from the Father and the Son, or from the Father only, and how we + are to reconcile those two texts, that 'for every idle word that + men shall speak,' etc., with the promises of salvation through + faith? Happening to speak in praise of some person who practised + needless austerities, I tried to make him understand that this + was not the way of the Gospel. He urged these texts--'Blessed + are they that mourn,' 'Blessed are ye that weep now,' etc. While + we were discussing this point, Mohammed Jaffir, who on a former + occasion had conversed with me a good deal about the Gospel, + came in. I told him the question before us was an important one, + namely, how the love of sin was to be got out of the heart. The + Armenian proceeded, 'If I wish to go to a dancing or drinking, I + must deny myself.' Whether he meant to say that this was + sufficient I do not know, but the Mohammedan understanding him + so, replied that he had read yesterday in the Gospel, 'that + whosoever looketh upon a woman,' etc., from which he inferred + that obedience of the heart was requisite. This he expressed + with such propriety and gracefulness, that, added to the + circumstance of his having been reading the Gospel, I was quite + delighted, and thought with pleasure of the day when the Gospel + should be preached by Persians. After the Armenians were gone we + considered the doctrines of the Soofis a little. Finding me not + much averse to what he thought some of their most exceptionable + tenets, such as union with God, he brought this argument: 'You + will allow that God cannot bind, compel, command Himself.' 'No, + He cannot.' 'Well, if we are one with God, we cannot be subject + to any of His laws.' I replied: 'Our union with God is such an + union as exists between the members of a body. Notwithstanding + the union of the hand with the heart and head, it is still + subject to the influence and control of the ruling power in the + person.' We had a great deal of conversation afterwards on the + Incarnation. All his Mohammedan prejudices revolted. 'Sir, what + do you talk of? the self-existent become contained in space, and + suffer need!' I told him that it was the manhood of Christ that + suffered need, and as for the essence of the Deity, if he would + tell me anything about it, where or how it was, I would tell + him how the Godhead was in Christ. After an effort or two he + found that every term he used implied our frightful doctrine, + namely, personality, locality, etc. This is a thought that is + now much in my mind--that it is so ordered that, since men never + can speak of God but through the medium of language, which is + all material, nor think of God but through the medium of + material objects, they do unwillingly come to God through the + Word, and think of God by means of an Incarnation. + + _March 28._--The same person came again, and we talked + incessantly for four hours upon the evidences of the two + religions, the Trinity, Incarnation, etc., until I was quite + exhausted, and felt the pain in my breast which I used to have + in India. + + _April 7._--Observing a party of ten or a dozen poor Jews with + their priest in the garden, I attacked them, and disputed a + little with the Levite on Psalms ii., xvi. and xxiv. They were + utterly unacquainted with Jesus, and were surprised at what I + told them of His Resurrection and Ascension. The priest abruptly + broke off the conversation, told me he would call and talk with + me in my room, and carried away his flock. Reading afterwards + the story of Joseph and his brethren, I was much struck with the + exact correspondence between the type and antitype. Jesus will + at last make Himself known to His brethren, and then they will + find that they have been unknowingly worshipping Him while + worshipping the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel. + + _April 8._--The Prince dining to-day at a house on the side of a + hill, which commands a view of the town, issued an order for all + the inhabitants to exhibit fireworks for his amusement, or at + least to make bonfires on the roofs of their houses, under + penalty of five tomans in case of neglect. Accordingly fire was + flaming in all directions, enough to have laid any city in + Europe in ashes. One man fell off a roof and was killed, and two + others in the same way were so hurt that their lives were + despaired of, and a woman lost an eye by the stick of a + sky-rocket. + + _July 9._--Made an extraordinary effort, and as a Tartar was + going off instantly to Constantinople, wrote letters to Mr. + Grant for permission to come to England, and to Mr. Simeon and + Lydia, informing them of it; but I have scarcely the remotest + expectation of seeing it, except by looking at the Almighty + power of God. + + Dined at night at the ambassador's, who said he was determined + to give every possible _clat_ to my book, by presenting it + himself to the King. My fever never ceased to rage till the + 21st, during all which time every effort was made to subdue it, + till I had lost all my strength and almost all my reason. They + now administer bark, and it may please God to bless the tonics; + but I seem too far gone, and can only say, 'Having a desire to + depart and be with Christ, which is far better.' + + TO REV. D. CORRIE + + Shiraz: September 12, 1811. + + Dearest Brother,--I can hardly conceive, or at least am not + willing to believe, that you would forget me six successive + months; I conclude, therefore, that you must have written, + though I have not seen your handwriting since I left Calcutta. + + The Persian translation goes on but slowly. I and my translator + have been engaged in a controversy with his uncle, which has + left us little leisure for anything else. As there is nothing at + all in this dull place to take the attention of the people, no + trade, manufactures, or news, every event at all novel is + interesting to them. You may conceive, therefore, what a strong + sensation was produced by the stab I aimed at the vitals of + Mohammed. Before five people had seen what I wrote, defences of + Islam swarmed into ephemeral being from all the moulvi maggots + of the place, but the more judicious men were ashamed to let me + see them. One moollah, called Aga Akbar, was determined to + distinguish himself. He wrote with great acrimony on the margin + of my pamphlet, but passion had blinded his reason, so that he + smote the wind. One day I was on a visit of ceremony to the + Prime Minister, and sitting in great state by his side, fifty + visitors in the same hall, and five hundred clients without, + when who should make his appearance but my tetric adversary, the + said Aga Akbar, who came for the express purpose of presenting + the Minister with a piece he had composed in defence of the + prophet, and then sitting down told me he should present me with + a copy that day. 'There are four answers,' said he, 'to your + objection against his using the sword.' 'Very well,' said I, 'I + shall be glad to see them, though I made no such objection.' + Eager to display his attainments in all branches of science, he + proceeded to call in question the truth of our European + philosophy, and commanded me to show that the earth moved, and + not the sun. I told him that in matters of religion, where the + salvation of men was concerned, I would give up nothing to them, + but as for points in philosophy they might have it all their own + way. This was not what he wanted; so after looking at the + Minister, to know if it was not a breach of good manners to + dispute at such a time, and finding that there was nothing + contrary to custom, but that, on the contrary, he rather + expected an answer, I began, but soon found that he could + comprehend nothing without diagrams. A moonshi in waiting was + ordered to produce his implements, so there was I, drawing + figures, while hundreds of men were looking on in silence. + + But all my trouble was in vain--the moollah knew nothing + whatever of mathematics, and therefore could not understand my + proofs. The Persians are far more curious and clever than the + Indians. Wherever I go they ask me questions in philosophy, and + are astonished that I do not know everything. One asked me the + reason of the properties of the magnet. I told him I knew + nothing about it. 'But what do your learned men say?' '_They_ + know nothing about it.' This he did not at all credit. + + I do not find myself improving in Persian; indeed, I take no + pains to speak it well, not perceiving it to be of much + consequence. India is the land where we can act at present with + most effect. It is true that the Persians are more susceptible, + but the terrors of an inquisition are always hanging over them. + I can now conceive no greater happiness than to be settled for + life in India, superintending native schools, as we did at Patna + and Chunar. To preach so as to be readily understood by the poor + is a difficulty that appears to me almost insuperable, besides + that grown-up people are seldom converted. However, why should + we despair? If I live to see India again, I shall set to and + learn Hindi in order to preach. The day may come when even our + word may be with the Holy Ghost and with power. It is now almost + a year since I left Cawnpore, and my journey is but beginning: + when shall I ever get back again? I am often tempted to get away + from this prison, but again I recollect that some years hence I + shall say: 'When I was at Shiraz why did not I get the New + Testament done? What difference would a few months have made?' + In August I passed some days at a vineyard, about a parasang + from the city, where my host pitched a tent for me, but it was + so cold at night that I was glad to get back to the city again. + Though I occupy a room in his house, I provide for myself. + Victuals are cheap enough, especially fruit; the grapes, pears, + and water-melons are delicious; indeed, such a country for fruit + I had no conception of. I have a fine horse which I bought for + less than a hundred rupees, on which I ride every morning round + the walls. My vain servant, Zechariah, anxious that his master + should appear like an ameer, furnished him (_i.e._ the horse) + with a saddle, or rather a pillion, which fairly covers his + whole back; it has all the colours of the rainbow, but yellow is + predominant, and from it hang down four large tassels, also + yellow. But all my finery does not defend me from the boys. Some + cry out, 'Ho, Russ!' others cry out, 'Feringhi!' One day a + brickbat was flung at me, and hit me in the hip with such force + that I felt it quite a providential escape. Most of the day I am + about the translation, sometimes, at a leisure hour, trying at + Isaiah, in order to get help from the Persian Jews. My Hebrew + reveries have quite disappeared, merely for want of leisure. I + forgot to say that I have been to visit the ruins of Persepolis, + but this, with many other things, must be reserved for a hot + afternoon at Cawnpore. + + What would I give for a few lines from you, to say how the men + come on, and whether their numbers are increasing, whether you + meet the Sherwoods at the evening repast, as when I was there! + My kindest love to them, your sister, and all that love us in + the truth. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your + spirit, and with your faithful and affectionate brother, + + H. MARTYN. + +The Secretary to the British Embassy to Persia, and afterwards himself +Minister Plenipotentiary to its Court, Mr. James Morier, has given us +a notable sketch of Henry Martyn as a controversialist for Christ, and +of the impression that he made on the officials, priests, and people +of all classes. As the author of the _Adventures of Hajji Baba of +Ispahan_ and other life-like tales of the East, and as an accomplished +traveller, the father of the present Ambassador to St. Petersburg is +the first authority on such a subject. In his _Second Journey through +Persia, Armenia, and Asia Minor to Constantinople_[56] he thus writes: + + The Persians, who were struck with his humility, his patience + and resignation, called him a _merdi khodai_, a man of God, and + indeed every action of his life seemed to be bent towards the + one object of advancing the interest of the Christian religion. + When he was living at Shiraz, employed in his translation, he + neither sought nor shunned the society of the natives, many of + whom constantly drew him into arguments about religion, with the + intention of persuading him of the truth and excellence of + theirs. His answers were such as to stimulate them to further + arguments, and in spite of their pride the principal moollahs, + who had heard of his reputation, paid him the first visit, and + endeavoured in every way to entangle him in his talk. At length + he thought that the best mode of silencing them was by writing a + reply to the arguments which they brought against our belief and + in favour of their own. His tract was circulated through + different parts of Persia, and was sent from hand to hand to be + answered. At length it made its way to the King's court, and a + moollah of high consideration, who resided at Hamadan, and who + was esteemed one of the best controversialists in the country, + was ordered to answer it. After the lapse of more than a year he + did answer it, but such were the strong positions taken by Mr. + Martyn that the Persians themselves were ashamed of the futility + of their own attempts to break them down: for, after they had + sent their answer to the ambassador, they requested that it + might be returned to them again, as another answer was preparing + to be given. Such answer has never yet been given; and we may + infer from this circumstance that if, in addition to the + Scriptures, some plain treatises of the evidences of + Christianity, accompanied by strictures upon the falseness of + the doctrines of Mohammed, were translated into Persian and + disseminated throughout that country, very favourable effects + would be produced. Mr. Martyn caused a copy of his translation + to be beautifully written, and to be presented by the ambassador + to the King, who was pleased to receive it very graciously. A + copy of it was made by Mirza Baba, a Persian who gave us lessons + in the Persian language, and he said that many of his countrymen + asked his permission to take Mr. Martyn's translation to their + homes, where they kept it for several days, and expressed + themselves much edified by its contents. But whilst he was + employed in copying it, moollahs (the Persian scribes) used + frequently to sit with him and revile him for undertaking such a + work. On reading the passage where our Saviour is called 'the + Lamb of God,' they scorned and ridiculed the simile, as if + exulting in the superior designation of Ali, who is called + _Sheer_ Khodai, the Lion of God. Mirza Baba observed to them: + 'The lion is an unclean beast; it preys upon carcases, and you + are not allowed to wear its skin because it is impure; it is + destructive, fierce, and man's enemy. The lamb, on the contrary, + is in every way _halal_ or lawful. You eat its flesh, you wear + its skin on your head, it does no harm, and is an animal + beloved. Whether is it best, then, to say the Lamb of God, or + the Lion of God?' + +Henry Martyn had not been two months in Shiraz when, as his attendant +expressed it, he became the town-talk. The populace believed that he +had come to declare himself a Mussulman, and would then bring five +thousand men to the city and take possession of it. Dissatisfied with +their own government, many Mohammedans began to desire English rule, +such as was making India peaceful and prosperous, and as was supposed +to enrich all who enjoyed it. Jewish perverts to Islam crowded to the +garden, where at all times, even on Sunday, the saintly visitor was +accessible. Armenians spoke to him with a freedom they dared not show +in conversation with others. From Baghdad to Busrah, and from Bushire +to Ispahan and even Etchmiatzin, visitors crowded to talk with the +wonderful scholar and holy man. Thus on July 6 he was presented by Sir +Gore Ouseley to the Governor, Prince Abbas Mirza. + + Early this morning I went with the ambassador and his suite to + court, wearing, agreeably to custom, a pair of red cloth + stockings, with green high-heeled shoes. When we entered the + great court of the palace a hundred fountains began to play. The + prince appeared at the opposite side, in his talar, or hall of + audience, seated on the ground. Here our first bow was made. + When we came in sight of him we bowed a second time, and entered + the room. He did not rise, nor take notice of any but the + ambassador, with whom he conversed at the distance of the + breadth of the room. Two of his ministers stood in front of the + hall outside; the ambassador's mihmander, and the master of the + ceremonies, within at the door. We sat down in order, in a line + with the ambassador, with our hats on. I never saw a more sweet + and engaging countenance than the prince's; there was such an + appearance of good nature and humility in all his demeanour, + that I could scarcely bring myself to believe that he would be + guilty of anything cruel or tyrannical. + + Mahommed Shareef Khan, one of the most renowned of the Persian + generals, having served the present royal family for four + generations, called to see me, out of respect to General + Malcolm. An Armenian priest also, on his way from Busrah to + Ispahan; he was as ignorant as the rest of his brethren. To my + surprise I found that he was of the Latin Church, and read the + service in Latin, though he confessed he knew nothing about the + language. + +The first of Henry Martyn's public controversies with the Shi'ah +doctors, as distinguished from the almost daily discussions already +described in his _Journal_, took place in the house of the Moojtahid +of Shiraz on July 15, 1811. The doctrine of Jesus, represented by +such a follower, was beginning so to tell on Shi'ahs and Soofis, ever +eager for something new, that the interference of the first authority +of Islam in all Persia became necessary. Higher than all other +Mohammedan divines, especially among the Shi'ahs, are the three or +four Moojtahids.[57] They must be saintly, learned, and aloof from +worldly ambition. In Persia each acts as an informal and final court +of appeal; he alone dares to temper the tyranny of the Shah by his +influence; his house is a sanctuary for the oppressed; the city of his +habitation is often saved from violence by his presence. This was the +position and the pretension of the man who, having first ascertained +that the English man of God did not want demonstration, but admitted +that the prophets had been sent, invited him to dinner, preliminary to +a conflict. Martyn has left this description of the scene: + + About eight o'clock at night we went, and after passing along + many an avenue we entered a fine court, where was a pond, and, + by the side of it, a platform eight feet high, covered with + carpets. Here sat the Moojtahid in state, with a considerable + number of his learned friends--among the rest, I perceived the + Jew. One was at his prayers. I was never more disgusted at the + mockery of this kind of prayer. He went through the evolutions + with great exactness, and pretended to be unmoved at the noise + and chit-chat of persons on each side of him. The Professor + seated Seyd Ali on his right hand, and me on his left. + Everything around bore the appearance of opulence and ease, and + the swarthy obesity of the little personage himself led me to + suppose that he had paid more attention to cooking than to + science. But when he began to speak, I saw reason enough for his + being so much admired. The substance of his speech was flimsy + enough; but he spoke with uncommon fluency and clearness, and + with a manner confident and imposing. He talked for a full hour + about the soul; its being distinct from the body; superior to + the brutes, etc.; about God; His unity, invisibility, and other + obvious and acknowledged truths. After this followed another + discourse. At length, after clearing his way for miles around, + he said that philosophers had proved that a single being could + produce but a single being; that the first thing God had created + was _Wisdom_, a being perfectly one with Him; after that, the + souls of men, and the seventh heaven; and so on till He produced + matter, which is merely passive. He illustrated the theory by + comparing all being to a circle; at one extremity of the + diameter is God, at the opposite extremity of the diameter is + matter, than which nothing in the world is meaner. Rising from + thence, the highest stage of matter is connected with the lowest + stage of vegetation; the highest of the vegetable world with the + lowest of the animal; and so on, till we approach the point from + which all proceeded. 'But,' said he, 'you will observe that, + next to God, something ought to be which is equal to God; for + since it is equally near, it possesses equal dignity. What this + is philosophers are not agreed upon. You,' said he, 'say it is + Christ; but we, that it is the Spirit of the Prophets. All this + is what the philosophers have proved, independently of any + particular religion.' I rather imagined that it was the + invention of some ancient Oriental Christian, to make the + doctrine of the Trinity appear more reasonable. There were a + hundred things in the Professor's harangue that might have been + excepted against, as mere dreams, supported by no evidence; but + I had no inclination to call in question dogmas on the truth or + falsehood of which nothing in religion depended. + + He was speaking at one time about the angels, and asserted that + man was superior to them, and that no being greater than man + could be created. Here the Jew reminded me of a passage in the + Bible, quoting something in Hebrew. I was a little surprised, + and was just about to ask where he found anything in the Bible + to support such a doctrine, when the Moojtahid, not thinking it + worth while to pay any attention to what the Jew said, continued + his discourse. At last the Jew grew impatient, and finding an + opportunity of speaking, said to me, 'Why do not you speak? Why + do not you bring forward your objections?' The Professor, at the + close of one of his long speeches, said to me, 'You see how much + there is to be said on these subjects; several visits will be + necessary; we must come to the point by degrees.' Perceiving how + much he dreaded a close discussion, I did not mean to hurry him, + but let him talk on, not expecting we should have anything about + Muhammadanism the first night. But, at the instigation of the + Jew, I said, 'Sir, you see that Abdoolghunee is anxious that you + should say something about Islam.' He was much displeased at + being brought so prematurely to the weak point, but could not + decline accepting so direct a challenge. 'Well,' said he to me, + 'I must ask you a few questions. Why do you believe in Christ?' + I replied, 'That is not the question. I am at liberty to say + that I do not believe in any religion; that I am a plain man + seeking the way of salvation; that it was, moreover, quite + unnecessary to prove the truth of Christ to Muhammadans, because + they allowed it.' 'No such thing,' said he; 'the Jesus we + acknowledge is He who was a prophet, a mere servant of God, and + one who bore testimony to Muhammad; not your Jesus, whom you + call God,' said he, with a contemptuous smile. He then + enumerated the persons who had spoken of the miracles of + Muhammad, and told a long story about Salmon the Persian, who + had come to Muhammad. I asked whether this Salmon had written an + account of the miracles he had seen. He confessed that he had + not. 'Nor,' said I, 'have you a single witness to the miracles + of Muhammad.' He then tried to show that, though they had not, + there was still sufficient evidence. 'For,' said he, 'suppose + five hundred persons should say that they heard some particular + thing of a hundred persons who were with Muhammad, would that be + sufficient evidence or not?' 'Whether it be or not,' said I, + 'you have no such evidence as that, nor anything like it; but if + you have, as they are something like witnesses, we must proceed + to examine them and see whether their testimony deserves + credit.' + + After this the Koran was mentioned; but as the company began to + thin, and the great man had not a sufficient audience before + whom to display his eloquence, the dispute was not so brisk. He + did not indeed seem to think it worth while to notice my + objections. He mentioned a well-known sentence in the Koran as + being inimitable. I produced another sentence, and begged to + know why it was inferior to the Koranic one. He declined saying + why, under pretence that it required such a knowledge of + rhetoric in order to understand his proofs as I probably did not + possess. A scholar afterwards came to Seyd Ali, with twenty + reasons for preferring Muhammad's sentence to mine. + + It was midnight when dinner, or rather supper, was brought in: + it was a sullen meal. The great man was silent, and I was + sleepy. Seyd Ali, however, had not had enough. While burying his + hand in the dish of the Professor, he softly mentioned some more + of my objections. He was so vexed that he scarcely answered + anything; but after supper told a very long story, all + reflecting upon me. He described a grand assembly of Christians, + Jews, Guebres, and Sabeans (for they generally do us the honour + of stringing us with the other three), before Imam Ruza. The + Christians were of course defeated and silenced. It was a remark + of the Imam's, in which the Professor acquiesced, that 'it is + quite useless for Muhammadans and Christians to argue together, + as they had different languages and different histories.' To the + last I said nothing; but to the former replied by relating the + fable of the lion and man, which amused Seyd Ali so much that he + laughed out before the great man, and all the way home. + +The intervention of the Moojtahid only added to the sensation excited +among all classes by the saintly Feringhi. The Shi'ah doctors had +their second corrective almost ready. They resolved to check the +spirit of inquiry by issuing, eleven days after the Moojtahid's +attempt, a defence of Muhammadanism by Mirza Ibrahim, described as +'the preceptor of all the moollas.'[58] The event has an interest of +its own, apart from Henry Martyn, in the light of a famous controversy +which preceded it, and of spiritually fruitful discussions which +followed it, all in India. Before Henry Martyn in this field of +Christian apologetic was the Portuguese Jesuit, Hieronymo Xavier, and +after him were the Scots missionary, John Wilson of Bombay, and the +German agent of the Church Missionary Society, C.G. Pfander. + +Among the representatives of all religions whom the tolerant Akbar +invited to his court at Agra, that out of their teaching he might form +an eclectic cult of his own, was Jerome, the nephew of the famous +Francis Xavier, then at Goa. For Akbar P. Hieronymo Xavier wrote in +Persian two histories, _Christi_ and _S. Petri_. To his successor, the +Emperor Jahangir, in whose suite he was the first European who visited +Kashmir, H. Xavier in the year 1609 dedicated his third Persian book, +entitled _A Mirror showing the Truth_, in which the doctrines of the +Christian religion are discussed, the mysteries of the Gospel +explained, and the vanity of (all) other religions is to be seen. He +has been pronounced by a good authority[59] a man of considerable +ability and energy, but one who trusted more to his own ingenuity than +to the plain and unsophisticated declarations of the Holy Scriptures. +Ludovicus de Dieu, the Dutch scholar, who translated his two first +works into Latin, most fairly describes each on the title-page as +'multis modis contaminata.' Twelve years after, to the third or +controversial treatise of P.H. Xavier an answer was published by 'the +most mean of those who stand in need of the mercy of a bounteous God, +Ahmed ibn Zan Elbidn Ellooi,' under a title thus translated, _The +Divine Rays in refutation of Christian Error_. To this a rejoinder in +Latin appeared at Rome in 1631, from the pen of Philip Guadagnoli, +Arabic Professor in the Propaganda College there. He calls it _Apologia +pro Christiana Religione_. If we except Raimund Lull's two spiritual +treatises and _Ars Major_, and Pocock's Arabic translation of the _De +Veritate Religionis Christian_, which Grotius wrote as a text-book for +the Dutch missionaries in the East Indies, Henry Martyn's was the first +attempt of Reformed Christendom to carry the pure doctrine of Jesus +Christ to the Asiatic races whom the corruptions of Judaism and the +Eastern Churches had blinded into accepting the Koran and all its +consequences. + +Mirza Ibrahim's Arabic challenge to the Christian scholar is +pronounced by so competent and fair an authority as Sir William +Muir[60] as made by a man of talent and acuteness, and remarkable for +its freedom from violent and virulent remarks. + + This argument chiefly concerns the subject of miracles, which he + accommodates to the Koran. He defines a miracle as an effect + exceeding common experience, accompanied by a prophetic claim + and a challenge to produce the like; and he holds that it may be + produced by particular experience--that is, it may be confined + to any single art, but must be attested by the evidence and + confession of those best skilled in that art. Thus he assumes + the miracles of Moses and Jesus to belong respectively to the + arts of magic and physic, which had severally reached perfection + in the times of these prophets; the evidence of the magicians is + hence deemed sufficient for the miracles of Moses, and that of + the physicians for those of Jesus; but had these miracles + occurred in any other age than that in which those arts + flourished, their proof would have been imperfect, and the + miracles consequently not binding. This extraordinary + doctrine--which Henry Martyn shows to be founded upon an + inadequate knowledge of history--he proceeds to apply to the + Koran, and proves entirely to his own satisfaction that it + fulfils all the required conditions. This miracle belonged to + the science of eloquence, and in that science the Arabs were + perfect adepts. The Koran was accompanied by a challenge, and + when they accordingly professed their inability to produce an + equal, their evidence, like that of the magicians' and + physicians', became universally binding. He likewise dilates + upon the superior and perpetual nature of the Koran as an + intellectual and a _lasting_ miracle, which will remain + unaltered when all others are forgotten. He touches slightly on + Mohammed's other miracles, and asserts the insufficiency of + proof (except through the Koran) for those of all former + prophets. + +To this, which was accompanied by a treatise on the miracles of +Mohammed by Aga Akbar, Henry Martyn wrote a reply in three parts. In +what spirit he conducted the controversy, and what influence through +him the Spirit of Christ had on some of the Shi'ahs and Soofis, this +extract from his _Journal_ unconsciously testifies: + + _1811, September 12_ to _15_. (Sunday.)--Finished what I had to + say on the evidences of religion, and translated it into + Persian. Aga Akbar sent me his treatise by one of his disciples. + Aga Baba, his brother, but a very different person from him, + called; he spoke without disguise of his dislike to + Mohammedanism and good-will to Christianity. For his attachment + to Mirza Abel, Kasim, his brother, sets him down as an infidel. + Mirza Ibrahim is still in doubt, and thinks that he may be a + Christian, and be saved without renouncing Mohammedanism; asks + his nephew what is requisite to observe; he said, Baptism and + the Lord's Supper. 'Well,' said he, 'what harm is there in doing + that?' At another time Seyd Ali asked me, after a dispute, + whether I would baptize any one who did not believe in the + Divinity of Christ? I said, No. While translating Acts ii. and + iii., especially where it is said all who believed had one heart + and one mind, and had all things in common, he was much + affected, and contrasted the beginning of Christianity with that + of Mohammedanism, where they began their career with murdering + men and robbing caravans; and oh, said he, 'that I were sure the + Holy Spirit would be given to me! I would become a Christian at + once.' Alas! both his faith and mine are very weak. Even if he + were to desire baptism I should tremble to give it. He spake in + a very pleasing way on other parts of the Gospel, and seems to + have been particularly taken with the idea of a new birth. The + state of a new-born child gives him the most striking view of + that simplicity which he considers as the height of wisdom. + Simplicity is that to which he aspires, he says, above all + things. He was once proud of his knowledge, and vain of his + superiority to others, but he found that fancied knowledge set + him at a greater distance from happiness than anything else. + +Martyn's first reply in Persian to Mirza Ibrahim thus begins: 'The +Christian Minister thanks the celebrated Professor of Islamism for the +favour he has done him in writing an answer to his inquiries, but +confesses that, after reading it, a few doubts occurred to him, on +account of which, and not for the mere purpose of dispute, he has +taken upon himself to write the following pages.' The reply is signed, +'The Christian Minister, Henry Martyn.' One Mirza Mahommed Ruza +published in 1813, the year after Martyn's death, a very prolix +rejoinder. It is unworthy of lengthened notice, according to Sir +William Muir, who thus summarises and comments on the defence made by +the Christian scholar: + + Henry Martyn's first tract refers chiefly to the subject of + miracles: he asserts that, to be conclusive, a miracle must + exceed _universal_ experience; that the testimony and opinion of + the Arabs is therefore insufficient, besides being that of a + party concerned; that, were the Koran allowed to be inimitable, + that would not prove it to be a miracle; and that its being an + _intellectual_ miracle is not a virtue, but, by making it + generally inappreciable, a defect. He concludes by denying the + proof of Mohammed's other miracles, in which two requisites are + wanting: viz., their being recorded at or near the time of their + occurrence, and the narrators being under no constraint. + + The second tract directly attacks Mohammed's mission, by + alleging the debasing nature of some of the contents and + precepts of the Koran, holds good works and repentance to be + insufficient for salvation, and opens the subject of the true + atonement as prefigured in types, fulfilled in Christ, and made + public by the spread of Christianity which is mentioned as + itself a convincing miracle. + + The last tract commences with an attack on the absurdities of + Soofi-ism, and proceeds to show that the love of God and union + with Him cannot be obtained by contemplation, but only by a + practical manifestation of His goodness towards us, accompanied + by an assurance of our safety; and that this is fulfilled in + Christianity not by the amalgamation of the soul with the Deity, + but by the pouring out of God's Spirit upon His children, and by + the obedience and atonement of Christ. Vicarious suffering is + then defended by analogy, the truth of the Mosaic and Christian + miracles is upheld, and the whole argument closes with proving + the authenticity of the Christian annals by their coincidence + with profane history. + +Sir William Muir agrees in the opinion of Professor Lee that, situated +as Mr. Martyn was in Persia, with a short tract on the Mohammedan +religion before him, and his health precarious, the course which he took +was perhaps the only one practicable. Sir William adds: 'In pursuing his +argument Henry Martyn has displayed great wisdom and skill, and his +reasoning appears to be in general perfectly conclusive; in a few +instances, however, he has perhaps not taken up the most advantageous +ground.' + +The appeal of the Christian defender of the faith, at the close of his +second part, on the incarnation and atonement, is marked by a loving +courtesy:[61] + + It is now the prayer of the humble Henry Martyn that these + things may be considered with impartiality. If they become the + means of procuring conviction, let not the fear of death or + punishment operate for a moment to the contrary, but let this + conviction have its legitimate effect; for the world, we know, + passes away like the wind of the desert. But if what has here + been stated do not produce conviction, my prayer is that God + Himself may instruct you; that as hitherto ye have held what you + believed to be the truth, ye may now become teachers of that + which is really so; and that He may grant you to be the means of + bringing others to the knowledge of the same, through Jesus + Christ, who has loved us and washed us in His own blood, to whom + be the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen. + + _1811, July 26._--Mirza Ibrahim declared publicly before all his + disciples, 'that if I really confuted his arguments, he should + be bound in conscience to become a Christian.' Alas! from such a + declaration I have little hope. His general good character for + uprightness and unbounded kindness to the poor would be a much + stronger reason with me for believing that he may perhaps be a + Cornelius. + + _August 2._--Much against his will Mirza Ibrahim was obliged to + go to his brother, who is governor of some town thirty-eight + parasangs off. To the last moment he continued talking with his + nephew on the subject of his book, and begged that, in case of + his detention, my reply might be sent to him. + + _August 7._--My friends talked, as usual, much about what they + call Divine love; but I do not very well comprehend what they + mean. They love not the holy God, but the god of their own + imagination--a god who will let them do as they please. I often + remind Seyd Ali of one defect in his system, which is, that + there is no one to stand between his sins and God. Knowing what + I allude to, he says, 'Well, if the death of Christ intervene, + no harm; Soofi-ism can admit this too.' + + _August 14._--Returned to the city in a fever, which continued + all the next day until the evening! + + _August 15._--Jani Khan, in rank corresponding to one of our + Scottish dukes, as he is the head of all the military tribes of + Persia, and chief of his own tribe, which consists of twenty + thousand families, called on Jaffir Ali Khan with a message from + the king. He asked me a great number of questions, and disputed + a little. 'I suppose,' said he, 'you consider us all as + infidels!' 'Yes,' replied I, 'the whole of you.' He was mightily + pleased with my frankness, and mentioned it when he was going + away. + + _August 22._--The copyist having shown my answer to Moodurris, + called Moolla Akbar, he wrote on the margin with great acrimony + but little sense. Seyd Ali having shown his remarks in some + companies, they begged him not to show them to me, for fear I + should disgrace them all through the folly of one man. + + _August 23._--Ruza Kooli Mirza, the great-grandson of Nadir Shah + and Aga Mahommed Hasan, called. The prince's nephew, hearing of + my attack on Muhammad, observed that the proper answer to it was + the sword; but the prince confessed that he began to have his + doubts. On his inquiring what were the laws of + Christianity--meaning the number of times of prayer, the + different washings, &c.--I said that we had two commandments: + 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all + thy soul, and all thy strength; and thy neighbour as thyself.' + He asked, 'What could be better?' and continued praising them. + + The Moolla Aga Mahommed Hasan, himself a Moodurris, and a very + sensible, candid man, asked a good deal about the European + philosophy, particularly what we did in metaphysics; for + instance, 'how, or in what sense, the body of Christ ascended + into heaven?' He talked of free-will and fate, and reasoned + high, and at last reconciled them according to the doctrines of + the Soofis by saying, that 'as all being is an emanation of the + Deity, the will of every being is only the will of the Deity, so + that therefore, in fact, free-will and fate are the same.' He + has nothing to find fault with in Christianity, except the + Divinity of Christ. It is this doctrine that exposes me to the + contempt of the learned Mahometans, in whom it is difficult to + say whether pride or ignorance predominates. Their sneers are + more difficult to bear than the brick-bats which the boys + sometimes throw at me; however, both are an honour of which I am + not worthy. How many times in the day have I occasion to repeat + the words: + + If on my face, for Thy dear name, + Shame and reproaches be, + All hail, reproach, and welcome, shame, + If Thou remember me. + + The more they wish me to give up this one point--the Divinity of + Christ--the more I seem to feel the necessity of it, and rejoice + and glory in it. Indeed, I trust I would sooner give up my life + than surrender it. + + In the evening we went to pay a long-promised visit to Mirza + Abulkasim, one of the most renowned Soofis in all Persia. We + found several persons sitting in an open court, in which a few + greens and flowers were placed; the master was in a corner. He + was a very fresh-looking old man with a silver beard. I was + surprised to observe the downcast and sorrowful looks of the + assembly, and still more at the silence which reigned. After + sitting some time in expectation, and being not at all disposed + to waste my time in sitting there, I said softly to Seyd Ali, + 'What is this?' He said, 'It is the custom here to think much + and speak little.' 'May I ask the master a question?' said I. + With some hesitation he consented to let me; so I begged Jaffir + Ali to inquire, 'Which is the way to be happy?' + + This he did in his own manner; he began by observing that 'there + was a great deal of misery in the world, and that the learned + shared as largely in it as the rest; that I wished therefore to + know what we must do to escape it.' The master replied that 'for + his part he did not know, but that it was usually said that the + subjugation of the passions was the shortest way to happiness.' + After a considerable pause I ventured to ask, 'What were his + feelings at the prospect of death--hope, or fear, or neither?' + 'Neither,' said he, and that 'pleasure and pain were both + alike.' I then perceived that the Stoics were Greek Soofis. I + asked 'whether he had attained this apathy.' He said, 'No.' 'Why + do you think it attainable?' He could not tell. 'Why do you + think that pleasure and pain are not the same?' said Seyd Ali, + taking his master's part. 'Because,' said I, 'I have the + evidence of my senses for it. And you also act as if there was a + difference. Why do you eat, but that you fear pain?' These + silent sages sat unmoved. + + One of the disciples is the son of the Moojtahid who, greatly to + the vexation of his father, is entirely devoted to the Soofi + doctor. He attended his kalean (pipe) with the utmost humility. + On observing the pensive countenance of the young man, and + knowing something of his history from Seyd Ali, how he had left + all to find happiness in the contemplation of God, I longed to + make known the glad tidings of a Saviour, and thanked God on + coming away, that I was not left ignorant of the Gospel. I could + not help being a little pleasant on Seyd Ali afterwards, for his + admiration of this silent instructor. 'There you sit,' said I, + 'immersed in thought, full of anxiety and care, and will not + take the trouble to ask whether God has said anything or not. + No: that is too easy and direct a way of coming at the truth. I + compare you to spiders, who weave their house of defence out of + their own bowels; or to a set of people who are groping for a + light in broad day.' + + _August 26._--Waited this morning on Mahommed Nubbee Khan, late + ambassador at Calcutta, and now prime minister of Fars. There + were a vast number of clients in his court, with whom he + transacted business while chatting with us. Amongst the others + who came and sat with us, was my tetric adversary--Aga Akbar, + who came for the very purpose of presenting the minister with a + little book he had written in answer to mine. After presenting + it in due form, he sat down, and told me he meant to bring me a + copy that day--a promise which he did not perform, through Seyd + Ali's persuasion, who told him it was a performance that would + do him no credit. + + _August 29._--Mirza Ibrahim begins to inquire about the Gospel. + The objections he made were such as these: How sins could be + atoned for before they were committed? Whether, as Jesus died + for all men, all would necessarily be saved? If faith be the + condition of salvation, would wicked Christians be saved, + provided they believe? I was pleased to see from the nature of + the objections that he was considering the subject. To this last + objection, I remarked that to those who felt themselves sinners, + and came to God for mercy, through Christ, God would give His + Holy Spirit, which would progressively sanctify them in heart + and life. + + _August 30._--Mirza Ibrahim praises my answer, especially the + first part. + +It was on the sacred rock of Behistun, on the western frontiers of +Media, on the high road eastward from Babylonia, that Darius +Hystaspes, founder of the civil policy of ancient Persia, carved the +wonderful cuneiform inscriptions which made that rock the charter of +Achmenian royalty. At Persepolis only the platform, the pillared +colonnade, and the palace seem to have been built by him; the other +buildings, with commemorative legends, were erected by Xerxes and +Artaxerxes Ochus. Lassen, Westergaard, and our own Sir Henry +Rawlinson,[62] did not decipher these inscriptions for some twenty +years after Martyn's visit. How deaf had Ormuzd proved all through +the centuries to the prayer which Darius the king cut on a huge slab, +twenty-six feet in length and six in height, in the southern wall of +the great platform at Persepolis: 'Let not war, nor slavery, nor +decrepitude, nor lies obtain power over this province.' Henry Martyn +thus wrote of his visit: + + After traversing these celebrated ruins, I must say that I felt + a little disappointed: they did not at all answer my + expectation. The architecture of the ancient Persians seems to + me much more akin to that of their clumsy neighbours the + Indians, than to that of the Greeks. I saw no appearance of + grand design anywhere. The chapiters of the columns were almost + as long as the shafts:--though they are not so represented in + Niebuhr's plate;--and the mean little passages into the square + court, or room, or whatever it was, make it very evident that + the taste of the Orientals was the same three thousand years ago + as it is now. But it was impossible not to recollect that here + Alexander and his Greeks passed and repassed; here they sat and + sung, and revelled; now all is in silence, generation on + generation lie mingled with the dust of their mouldering + edifices: + + Alike the busy and the gay, + But flutter in life's busy day, + In fortune's varying colours drest. + + As soon as we recrossed the Araxes, the escort begged me to + point out the Keblah to them, as they wanted to pray. After + setting their faces towards Mecca, as nearly as I could, I went + and sat down on the margin near the bridge, where the water, + falling over some fragments of the bridge under the arches, + produced a roar, which, contrasted with the stillness all + around, had a grand effect. Here I thought again of the + multitudes who had once pursued their labours and pleasures on + its banks. Twenty-one centuries have passed away since they + lived; how short, in comparison, must be the remainder of my + days. What a momentary duration is the life of man! _Labitur et + labetur in omne volubilis vum_, may be affirmed of the river; + but men pass away as soon as they begin to exist. Well, let the + moments pass: + + They'll waft us sooner o'er + This life's tempestuous sea, + And land us on the peaceful shore + Of blest eternity. + + The true character of Martyn's Mohammedan and Soofi + controversialists comes out in the fast of Ramazan, the ninth + month of the lunar year, when from dawn to sunset of each day a + strict fast is observed, most trying to the temper, and from + sunset to dawn excess is too naturally the rule, especially, as + in this case, when Ramazan falls on the long hot days of summer. + Of this month the traditions declare that the doors of heaven + are opened and the doors of hell shut, while the devils are + chained. At this time the miracle play of Hasan and Husain[63] + is acted in the native theatres from night to night. In scene + xxxi. are enacted the conversion and murder of an English + ambassador. Dean Stanley used to tell that Henry Martyn, + horrified at the English oaths put into the mouth of the Persian + who represented the ambassador in the tragedy, took him and + taught him to repeat the Lord's Prayer instead. + + _September 20._--First day of the fast of Ramazan. All the + family had been up in the night, to take an unseasonable meal, + in order to fortify themselves for the abstinence of the day. It + was curious to observe the effects of the fast in the house. The + master was scolding and beating his servants; they equally + peevish and insolent, and the beggars more than ordinarily + importunate and clamorous. At noon, all the city went to the + grand mosque. My host came back with an account of new vexations + there. He was chatting with a friend, near the door, when a + great preacher, Hajji Mirza, arrived, with hundreds of + followers. 'Why do you not say your prayers?' said the + new-comers to the two friends. 'We have finished,' said they. + 'Well,' said the other, 'if you cannot pray a second time with + us, you had better move out of the way.' Rather than join such + turbulent zealots they retired. The reason of this unceremonious + address was, that these loving disciples had a desire to pray + all in a row with their master, which, it seems, is the custom. + There is no public service in the mosque; every man here prays + for himself. + + Coming out of the mosque some servants of the prince, for their + amusement, pushed a person against a poor man's stall, on which + were some things for sale, a few European and Indian articles, + also some valuable Warsaw plates, which were thrown down and + broken. The servants went off without making compensation. No + kazi will hear a complaint against the prince's servants. + + Hajji Mahommed Hasan preaches every day during the Ramazan. He + takes a verse from the Koran, or more frequently tells stories + about the Imams. If the ritual of the Christian Churches, their + good forms and everything they have, is a mere shadow without a + Divine influence attend on them, what must all this Mahometan + stuff be? and yet how impossible is it to convince the people of + the world, whether Christian or Mahometan, that what they call + religion is merely an invention of their own, having no + connection with God and His kingdom! This subject has been much + on my mind of late. How senseless the zeal of Churchmen against + dissenters, and of dissenters against the Church! The kingdom of + God is neither meat nor drink, nor anything perishable; but + righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. + + Mirza Ibrahim never goes to the mosque, but he is so much + respected that nothing is said: they conclude that he is + employed in devotion at home. Some of his disciples said to Seyd + Ali, before him: 'Now the Ramazan is come, you should read the + Koran and leave the Gospel.' 'No,' said his uncle, 'he is + employed in a good work: let him go on with it.' The old man + continues to inquire with interest about the Gospel, and is + impatient for his nephew to explain the evidences of + Christianity, which I have drawn up. + + _September 22._ (Sunday.)--My friends returned from the mosque, + full of indignation at what they had witnessed there. The former + governor of Bushire complained to the vizier, in the mosque, + that some of his servants had treated him brutally. The vizier, + instead of attending to his complaint, ordered them to do their + work a second time; which they did, kicking and beating him with + their slippers, in the most ignominious way, before all the + mosque. This unhappy people groan under the tyranny of their + governors; yet nothing subdues or tames them. Happy Europe! how + has God favoured the sons of Japheth, by causing them to embrace + the Gospel. How dignified are all the nations of Europe compared + with this nation! Yet the people are clever and intelligent, and + more calculated to become great and powerful than any of the + nations of the East, had they a good government and the + Christian religion. + + _September 29._--The Soofi, son of the Moojtahid, with some + others, came to see me. For fifteen years he was a devout + Mahometan; visited the sacred places, and said many prayers. + Finding no benefit from austerities he threw up Mahommedanism + altogether, and attached himself to the Soofi master. I asked + him what his object was, all that time? He said, he did not + know, but he was unhappy. I began to explain to him the Gospel; + but he cavilled at it as much as any bigoted Mahommedan could + do, and would not hear of there being any distinction between + Creator and creature. In the midst of our conversation, the sun + went down, and the company vanished for the purpose of taking an + immediate repast. + + Mirza Seyd Ali seems sometimes coming round to Christianity + against Soofi-ism. The Soofis believe in no prophet, and do not + consider Moses to be equal to Mirza Abulkasim. 'Could they be + brought,' Seyd Ali says, 'to believe that there has been a + prophet, they would embrace Christianity.' And what would be + gained by such converts? 'Thy people shall be willing in the day + of Thy power.' It will be an afflicted and poor people that + shall call upon the name of the Lord, and such the Soofis are + not: professing themselves to be wise, they have become fools. + + _October 7._--I was surprised by a visit from the great Soofi + doctor, who, while most of the people were asleep, came to me + for some wine. I plied him with questions innumerable; but he + returned nothing but incoherent answers, and sometimes no answer + at all. Having laid aside his turban, he put on his night-cap, + and soon fell asleep upon the carpet. Whilst he lay there his + disciples came, but would not believe, when I told them who was + there, till they came and saw the sage asleep. When he awoke, + they came in, and seated themselves at the greatest possible + distance, and were all as still as if in a church. The real + state of this man seems to be despair, and it will be well if it + do not end in madness. I preached to him the kingdom of God: + mentioning particularly how I had found peace from the Son of + God and the Spirit of God; through the first, forgiveness; + through the second, sanctification. He said it was good, but + said it with the same unconcern with which he admits all manner + of things, however contradictory. Poor soul! he is sadly + bewildered. + +As a Persian scholar and controversialist Henry Martyn found a worthy +successor in the German, and afterwards Church Missionary Society's +missionary, C.G. Pfander, D.D. When for some twelve years stationed at +Shushy Fort, on the Russian border of Georgia, he frequently visited +Baghdad and travelled through Persia by Ispahan and Teheran. In 1836 +the intolerant Russian Government expelled all foreign missionaries +from its territories, and Dr. Pfander joined the Church Mission at +Agra. In 1835 he first published at Shushy, in Persian, his famous +_Mizan ul Haqq_, or _Balance of Truth_. A Hindustani translation was +lithographed at Mirzapore in 1843, and Mr. R.H. Weakley, missionary at +Constantinople, made an English translation, which was published by +the Church Missionary Society in 1867. This, as yet, greatest of works +which state the general argument for Christianity and against Islam, +was followed by the _Miftah ul Asrar_, in proof of the Divinity of +Christ and the doctrine of the Trinity, and by the _Tarik ul Hyat_, or +the nature of sin and the way of salvation, of both of which +Hindustani translations appeared. In his little English _Remarks on +the Nature of Muhammadanism_,[64] as shown in the _Traditions_, Dr. +Pfander quotes from Martyn's _Controversy_. By these writings and the +personal controversy in India, Dr. Pfander, following Henry Martyn, +was the means of winning to Christ, in tolerant British India, many +Mohammedan moulvies like him who is now the Rev. Imad-ud-din, D.D.[65] + +Henry Martyn's description of the Persian is no less applicable to +the Indian Mohammedan, in the opinion of Sir William Muir; 'he is a +compound of ignorance and bigotry, and all access to the one is hedged +up by the other.' The Koran and the whole system of Islam are based on +partial truths, plagiarised from Scripture to an extent sufficient to +feed the pride of those who hold them. But beyond these corruptions of +Judaism and Christianity, for which the dead Eastern Churches of +Mohammed's time and since are responsible, Persians, Turks, Arabs, +Afghans, and Hindustan Muhammadans know nothing either of history or +Christian Divinity. All controversy, from P.H. Xavier's time to +Martyn's, Wilson's, and Pfander's, shows that the key of the position +is not the doctrine of the Trinity, as the Shi'ah Moojtahids of Shiraz +and Lucknow and the Soonnis everywhere make it, but the genuineness +and integrity of the Scriptures, by which the truth of the whole +Christian faith will follow, the Trinity included. The Bible, in +Hindustani, Persian, and Arabic, with its self-evidencing power, is +the weapon which Henry Martyn was busied in forging. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[54] See article in the _Spectator_ for August 17, 1889, by a writer +who had recently returned from Persia. + +[55] See article on the poet in the _Calcutta Review_ for March 1858 +(by Professor E.B. Cowell, L.L.D., Cambridge). + +[56] London, 1818, pp. 223-4. + +[57] Literally, 'one who strives' to attain the highest degree of +Mussulman learning. + +[58] Persian form of maulvi, the Arabic for a learned man. The word is +said to mean 'filled' with knowledge, from _mala_, to fill. + +[59] The Rev. S. Lee, D.D., Professor of Arabic in the University of +Cambridge for many years, in his _Controversial Tracts on Christianity +and Mohammedanism_ by the late Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D., and some of +the most eminent writers of Persia (1824). + +[60] _The Calcutta Review_, No. VIII. vol. iv. Art. VI. 'The +Mahommedan Controversy,' pp. 418-76, Calcutta, 1845. + +[61] As translated from the Persian by Professor Lee. + +[62] Sir Henry, then Major, H.C. Rawlinson, C.B., visited Persepolis +in 1835. The _Journals_ of the Royal Asiatic Society for 1846-9 +publish his copies of the inscription of Behistun and Persepolis and +his translations. + +[63] See the Play as collected from oral tradition by the late Sir +Lewis Pelly, in two volumes, 1879. + +[64] Second edition published by the Church Missionary Society in +1858. + +[65] 'Some of our most eminent Native Christians are converts from +Mohammedanism. We may particularly mention the Rev. Jani Ali, B.A.; +the Rev. Imad-ud-din, D.D.; the Rev. Imam Shah; the Rev. Mian Sadiq; +the Rev. Yakub Ali; Maulavi Safdar Ali, a high Government official; +Abdullah Athim, also a high official, now retired, and an honorary lay +evangelist.'--_Church Missionary Society's Intelligencer_ in 1888. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +IN PERSIA--TRANSLATING THE SCRIPTURES + + +Great as saint and notable as scholar, in the twelve years of his +young life from Senior Wrangler to martyr at thirty-one years of age, +the highest title of Henry Martyn to everlasting remembrance is that +he gave the Persians in their own tongue the Testament of the one Lord +and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Hebrew Psalms. By that work, the +fruit of which every successive century will reveal till the +consummation of the ages, he unconsciously wrote his name beside those +of the greatest missionaries in the history of the Church of Christ, +the sacred scholars who were the first to give the master races of +Asia and Africa, of Europe and America, the Word of God in their +vernaculars. Let us write the golden list, which for modern Africa and +Oceania also we might inscribe in letters of silver,[66] were not most +of the translators still living and perfecting their at first +tentative efforts, which time must try: + + A.D. + 350 ULFILAS Gothic (Teutonic) + 368 FRUMENTIUS and EDESIUS (Brothers) Ethiopic + 385 HIERONYMUS (Jerome) Latin + 410 MESROBES (Miesrob) Armenian + 861 C. CYRILLUS and METHODIUS (Brothers) Slavonic (Bulgarian) +1380 WICLIF (Bede in 735) English +1516 ERASMUS (new translation) Latin +1534 LUTHER (translation from Latin of Erasmus) German +1661 JOHN ELIOT (first Bible printed in America) Moheecan +1777 FABRICIUS (Ziegenbalg & Schultze first 1714) Tamul +1801 WILLIAM CAREY (O.T. in 1802-9) Bengali, &c. +1815 HENRY MARTYN Persian +1816 " (Sabat's N.T. version) Arabic +1822 JOSHUA MARSHMAN (Morrison & Milne 1823) Chinese +1832 ADONIRAM JUDSON (O.T. 1834) Burmese +1865 VAN DYCK Arabic + +It was David Brown who was wont to call the Bible 'The Great +Missionary which would speak in all tongues the wonderful works of +God.' + +From first to last and above all Henry Martyn was a philologist. His +school and college honours sprang from the root of all linguistic +studies, Greek and Latin, in which he was twice appointed public +examiner in his college and the University of Cambridge. For the +uncritical time in which he lived, and the generations which followed +his to the present, he was an enthusiastic and accomplished Hebraist. +No young scholar in the first quarter of the nineteenth century was so +well equipped for translating the Bible by a knowledge of its two +original languages. True, he was the Senior Wrangler of the year 1801, +but to him the honour was a 'shadow,' because the mathematical +sciences could do nothing for him as a translator and preacher of the +words of righteousness, compared with the linguistic. Only once, when +the rapture of his holy work had carried him away to the borderland of +a dark metaphysical theology, did he record the passing regret that +he had abandoned the rationalistic ground of mathematical certainty. +His devotion to the study of the languages which interpret and apply +to the races of India, Arabia, and Persia, the books of the Christian +Revelation, was so absorbing as to shorten his career. Like Carey, he +never knew an idle moment, even when on shipboard, and he jealously +guarded his time from correspondence, other than that with Lydia +Grenfell, Brown and Corrie, that he might live to finish the +Hindustani, Persian, and Arabic New Testaments at least. The spiritual +motive it was, the desire to win every man to Christ, that urged his +unresting course, and in the sacred toil he had the reflex joy of +being himself won nearer and nearer by the Spirit. + + What do I not owe to the Lord for permitting me to take part in + a translation of His Word? Never did I see such wonder, and + wisdom, and love in that blessed book as since I have been + obliged to study every expression. All day on the translation, + employed a good while at night in considering a difficult + passage, and being much enlightened respecting it, I went to bed + full of astonishment at the wonders of God's Word. Never before + did I see anything of the beauty of the language and the + importance of the thoughts as I do now. I felt happy that I + should never be finally separated from the contemplation of + them, or of the things concerning which they are written. + Knowledge shall vanish away, but it shall be because perfection + has come. + +On the other hand, he was ever on the watch against the deadening +influence of routine or one-sided study. 'So constantly engaged with +outward works of translation of languages that I fear my inward man +has declined in spirituality.' + +Canon Edmonds expresses the experience of the present writer in the +remark,[67] that to read Martyn's _Journal_ with the single object of +noticing this point is to discover another Martyn, not a saint only, +but a grammarian. 'He read grammars as other men read novels, and to +him they were more entertaining than novels.' So early as September +28, 1804, in Cambridge we find him at prayer after dinner, before +visiting Wall's Lane, and then on his return finishing the Bengali +Grammar which he had begun the day before. 'I am anxious to get +Carey's Bengali New Testament,' which could not long have reached +London. Five days after, Thomas Kempis, followed by hymns and the +writing of a sermon, seemed but the preliminary to his Hindustani as +well as Bengali studies. 'Engaged all the rest of the morning by +Gilchrist's Hindustani Dictionary. After dinner began Halhed's Bengali +Grammar, for I found that the other grammar I had been reading was +only for the corrupted Hindustani.' The first traces of his Persian +and Arabic studies have an interest all their own: + + _1804, June 27._--A funeral and calls of friends took up my time + till eleven; afterwards _read Persian_, and made some + calculations in trigonometry, in order to be familiar with the + use of logarithms. + + _November 23._--Through shortness of time I was about to omit my + morning portion of Scripture, yet after some deliberation + conscience prevailed, and I enjoyed a solemn seriousness in + learning 'mem' in the 119th Psalm. Wasted much time afterwards + in looking over _an Arabic grammar_. + +When fairly at work in Dinapore he wrote almost daily such passages in +his _Journal_ as these: + + _1807, August 25._--Translating the Epistles; reading Arabic + grammar and Persian. 27 to 29.--Studies in Persian and Arabic + the same. Delight in them, particularly the latter, so great, + that I have been obliged to pray continually that they may not + be a snare to me.... 31st.--Resumed the Arabic with an eagerness + which I found it necessary to check. Began some extracts from + Cashefi which Mr. Gladwin sent me, and thus the day passed + rapidly away. Alas! how much more readily does the understanding + do its work than the heart. + +On reaching Calcutta in 1806 Martyn found this to be the position of +the Bible translation work. Carey's early labours had led to the +formation of the other English and Scottish Missionary Societies at +the close of the last century. By 1803 his experience and that of his +colleagues had enabled them, with the encouragement of Brown and +Buchanan, to formulate a magnificent plan for translating the Bible +into all the languages of the far East. The Marquis Wellesley, though +Governor-General, approved, and his College at Fort William, with its +staff of learned men, including Carey himself and many Asiatics, had +become a school of interpreters. In 1804, after all this, the British +and Foreign Bible Society was founded, under the ex-Governor-General, +Lord Teignmouth, as its first president. That Society, leaving India +to the Serampore Brotherhood, at once directed its attention to the +three hundred millions of Chinese, who also could be reached only +through the East India Company. But, until six years after, when Dr. +Marshman made the first reliable translation of the Bible into the +language, in its Mandarin dialect, there was no Chinese translation +save an anonymous MS. of a large portion of the New Testament in the +British Museum, probably of Roman Catholic origin. At that time the +infant Society did not see its way to spend two thousand guineas in +producing an edition of a thousand copies of a work about which the +few experts differed. So, while giving grants to the Serampore +translators, it invited the opinions, as to the formation of a +corresponding committee in Calcutta, of George Udny, who had by that +time become Member of Council, and the Rev. Messrs. Brown, Buchanan, +Carey, Ward, and Marshman. The Serampore plan and its rapid execution +had been communicated to all the principal civil and military +officials, who, after Lord Wellesley's tolerant and reverent action, +subscribed liberally to carry it out, and the Society continued its +grants. But when in 1807, under Lord Minto, the anti-Christian +reaction set in, caused by a groundless panic as to the Vellore +Mutiny, and the Fort William College was reduced, Dr. Buchanan +proposed to found 'The Christian Institution,' the Society preferred +its original plan of a corresponding committee, which was formed in +August 1809. + +Martyn had not waited one hour for this. Almost from the day of +landing at the capital he was engaged in Hindustani translation, and +in studious preparation for his projected Persian and Arabic Bibles. +In the brotherly intercourse at Aldeen with the Serampore missionaries +it was arranged to leave these three languages entirely to him, under +the direction of Mr. Brown. Part of the Society's annual grant to +India and Ceylon of a thousand pounds a year was assigned to pay his +assistants, Mirza Fitrut, the Persian, and Nathanael Sabat, the +Arabian, and to print the results. The Corresponding Committee caused +an annual sermon to be preached in Calcutta, to rouse public +intelligence and help. On the first day of 1810 Mr. Brown preached it +in the old church, in the interest chiefly of the thousands of native +Christians who had been baptized in Tanjor and Tinnevelli, both Reformed +and Romanist, and needed copies of the Tamul Bible. Such was the result +of this appeal, headed by the Commander-in-chief, General Hewett, with +the sum of 2,000 Sicca-rupees (250_l._), that the committee resolved on +establishing a 'Bibliotheca Biblica,' combining a Bible Repository and a +Translation Library. The Scottish poet and friend of Sir Walter Scott, +Dr. Leyden, was foremost in the enterprise, and took charge of work in +the languages of Siam and the Spice Islands, as well as in the Pushtu of +Afghanistan. + +On the first day of 1811 it fell to the Rev. Henry Martyn to preach +the second annual sermon.[68] His appeal was for not only the growing +native Church of India, but more particularly for the whole number of +nominal Christians, of all sects, in India and Ceylon, whom he +estimated at 900,000.[69] In 1881 the Government census returned +these, in the Greater India of our day but without Ceylon, as upwards +of 2,000,000, and in 1891 as 2,280,549. Martyn's figures included +342,000 of the Singhalese, whom the Dutch had compelled by secular +considerations outwardly to conform. The sermon, on Galatians vi. 10, +was published at the time, and it appears as the last in the volume of +_Twenty Sermons by the late Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D._,[70] first printed +at Calcutta with this passage in the preface: 'The desire to know how +such a man preached is natural and unavoidable.... His manner in the +pulpit was distinguished by a holy solemnity, always suited to the high +message which he was delivering, and accompanied by an unction which +made its way to the hearts of his audience. With this was combined a +fidelity at once forcible by its justice and intrepidity, and +penetrating by its affection. There was, in short, a power of holy love +and disinterested earnestness in his addresses which commended itself to +every man's conscience in the sight of God.' + +Addressing the well-paid servants of the East India Company in +Calcutta, and its prosperous merchants and shopkeepers, the preacher +said: 'Do we not blush at the offers of assistance from home ... where +all that is raised may be employed with such effect in benefiting the +other three quarters of the globe? Asia must be our care; or, if not +Asia, _India_ at least must look to none but us. Honour calls as well +as duty.' He then continued: + + Prove to our friends and the world that the Mother Country need + never be ashamed of her sons in India. What a splendid spectacle + does she present! Standing firm amidst the overthrow of the + nations, and spreading wide the shadow of her wings for the + protection of all, she finds herself at leisure, amidst the + tumult of war, to form benevolent projects for the best + interests of mankind. Her generals and admirals have caused the + thunder of her power to be heard throughout the south; now her + ministers of religion perform their part, and endeavour to + fulfil the high destinies of Heaven in favour of their country. + They called on their fellow-citizens to cheer the desponding + nations with the Book of the promises of Eternal Life, and thus + afford them that consolation from the prospect of a happier + world, which they have little expectation of finding amidst the + disasters and calamities of this. The summons was obeyed. As + fast as the nature of the undertaking became understood, and + was perceived to be clearly distinct from all party business and + visionary project, great numbers of all ranks in society, and of + all persuasions in religion, joined with one heart and one soul, + and began to impart freely to all men that which, next to the + Saviour, is God's best gift to man.... + + Shall every town and hamlet in England engage in the glorious + cause, and the mighty Empire of India do nothing? Will not our + wealth and dignity be our disgrace if we do not employ it for + God and our fellow-creatures? What plan could be proposed, so + little open to objections, and so becoming our national + character and religion, so simple and practicable, yet so + extensively beneficial, as that of giving the Word of God to the + Christian part of our native subjects?... Despise not their + inferiority, nor reproach them for their errors; they cannot get + a BIBLE to read; had they been blessed with your advantages, + they would have been perhaps more worthy of your respect. + +The brief decade of Henry Martyn's working life fell at a time when +the science of Comparative Philology was as yet unborn, but the +materials were almost ready for generalisation. Sir William Jones, and +still more his successor as a scholar--Henry Thomas Colebrooke--had +used their opportunities in India well. The Bengal Asiatic Society, in +its _Asiatic Researches_, was laboriously piling up facts and +speculations. These awaited only the flash of hardworking genius to +evolve the order and the laws which have made Comparative Grammar the +most fruitful of the historical and psychological sciences. It might +have been Martyn's, had he lived to reach England, to manifest that +genius. His Asiatic career was contemporary with the most fruitful +part of Colebrooke's. He toiled and he speculated, as he mastered the +grammar and much of the vocabulary of the great classical and +vernacular languages which made him a seven-tongued man. But his +divine motive led him to grope for the philological solvent through +the imperfect Semitic. The Germans, Schlegel and Bopp, found it +rather, and later, in the richer Aryan or Indo-European family, in +Sanskrit and old Persian. + +His longing to give the Arabs the Scriptures in their purity +intensified his devotion to the study of Hebrew; had he lived to give +himself to the Persian, he might have anticipated the German critics +who used, at second-hand, the materials that he and Colebrooke, and +other servants of the East India Company, were annually accumulating. +Nor did his Hebraism lead him, at the beginning of the century, to +that fertile criticism of the text and the literary origin of the +books of the Old Testament which, at the end of the century, is +beginning to make the inspired historians and the prophets, the +psalmists and the moralists of the old Jews live anew for the modern +Church. But how true has proved his prediction to Corrie in the year +1809: + + I think that when the construction of Hebrew is fully + understood, all the scholars in the world will turn to it with + avidity, in order to understand other languages, and then the + Word of God will be studied universally. + +Again in 1810: + + I sit for hours alone contemplating this mysterious language. If + light does not break upon me at last it will be a great loss of + time, as I never read Arabic or Persian. I have no heart to do + it; I cannot condescend any longer to tread in the paths of + ignorant and lying grammarians. I sometimes say in my vain heart + I will make a deep cut in the mine of philology, or I will do + nothing; but you shall hear no more of Scriptural philology + till I make some notable discoveries. + +Again in 1811, when at Bombay: + + Chiefly employed on the Arabic tract, writing letters to Europe, + and my Hebrew speculations. The last encroached so much on my + time and thoughts that I lost two nights' sleep, and + consequently the most of two days, without learning more than I + did the first hour. + + Happening to think this evening on the nature of language more + curiously and deeply than I have yet done, I got bewildered, and + fancied I saw some grounds for the opinions of those who deny + the existence of matter.... Oh, what folly to be wise where + ignorance is bliss!... The further I push my inquiries the more + I am distressed. It must be now my prayer, not 'Lord, let me + obtain the knowledge which I think would be so useful,' but 'Oh, + teach me just as much as Thou seest good for me.' Compared with + metaphysics, physics and mathematics appear with a kind and + friendly aspect, because they seem to be within the limits in + which man can move without danger, but on the other I find + myself adrift. Synthesis is the work of God alone. + +Henry Martyn's first practical work was in Hindustani. His position in +Dinapore and Patna, the capital of Bihar with its Hindi dialects, his +duties to the native wives and families of the soldiers whom he taught +and exhorted, his preaching to the Hindus and discussions with the +Mohammedans, all led him to prepare three works--(1) portions of the +_Book of Common Prayer_, which Corrie finished and published seventeen +years after his death; (2) a _Commentary on the Parables_, in 1807; +(3) the _Four Gospels_ in 1809, and in 1810 the whole _New Testament_. +Let us look at him in his spiritual and scholarly workshop. + + _1807, January 18._ (Sunday.)--Preached on Numbers xxiii. 19: a + serious attention from all. Most of the European tradesmen were + present with their families; my soul enjoyed sweet peace and + heavenly-mindedness for some time afterwards. The thought + suddenly struck me to-day, how easy it would be to translate the + chief part of the Church Service for the use of the soldiers' + wives, and women and children, and so have the service in + Hindustani, by which a door would be opened to the heathen. This + thought took such hold of me, that after in vain endeavouring to + fix my thoughts on anything else, I sat down in the evening, and + translated to the end of the _Te Deum_. But my conscience was + not satisfied that this was a Sabbath employment, and I lost the + sensible sweetness of the Divine presence. However, by leaving + it off, and passing the rest of the evening in reading and + singing hymns, I found comfort and joy. Oh, how shall I praise + my Lord, that here in this solitude, with people enough indeed, + but without any like-minded, I yet enjoy fellowship with all + those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus + Christ. I see myself travelling on with them, and I hope I shall + worship with them in His courts above. + + _January 19._--Passed the morning with the moonshi and pundit, + dictating to the former a few ideas for the explanation of the + Parable of the Rich Fool. When I came to say that there was no + eating and drinking, etc., in heaven, but only the pleasures of + God's presence and holiness; and that, therefore, we must + acquire a taste for such pleasures, the Mussulman was unwilling + to write, but the Brahman was pleased, and said that all this + was in the Puranas. Afterwards went on with the translation of + the Liturgy. + + _March 23._ (To Brown.)--It is with no small delight that I find + the day arrived for my writing to my very dear brother. Many + thanks for your two letters, and for all the consolation + contained in them, and many thanks to our Lord and Saviour, who + has given me such a help where I once expected to struggle on + alone all my days. Concerning the character in the Nagri papers + you have sent me I have to say, it is perfectly the same as the + one used here, and I can read it easily; and the difference in + both the dialects from the one here is so trifling, that I have + not the smallest doubt of the Parables being understood at + Benares and Bettia (a Roman Catholic village), and consequently + through a vast tract of country. A more important inference is, + that in whatever dialect of the Hindustani the translation of + the Scriptures shall be made, it will be generally understood. + The little book of Parables is at last finished, through the + blessing of God. I cannot say I am very well pleased with it on + the reperusal; but yet containing, as it does, such large + portions of the Word of God, I ought not to doubt of its + accomplishing that which He pleaseth. + + _July 13._--Mr. Ward has also sent me a long and learned letter. + He is going to print the Parables without delay for me, and the + modern Hindustani version of them for themselves. He says, 'The + enmity of the natives to the Gospel is indeed very great, but on + this point the lower orders are angels compared with the + moonshis and pundits. I believe the man you took from Serampore + has his heart as full of this poison as most. The fear of loss + of caste among the poor is a greater obstacle than their enmity. + Our strait waistcoat makes our arms ache.' + + _December 29._--Translating from Hebrew into Hindustani in the + morning. Wrote to Mr. Udny. Read Arabic and Persian as usual + with Sabat. We had some conversation on this subject, whether we + might not expect the Holy Spirit would endue us with + extraordinary powers in the acquisition of languages, if we + could pray for it only with a desire to be useful to the Church + of God, and not with a wish for our own glory. There seemed to + be no reason against such an expectation. I sometimes pray for + the gifts of the spirit, but infinitely greater is the necessity + to pray for grace, as I know by the sorrowful experience of my + deceitfully corrupt heart. + + _1808, January 7._--As much of my time as was not employed for + the Europeans has been devoted chiefly to translating the + Epistles into Hindustani. This work is finished after a certain + manner. But Sabat does not allow me to form a very high idea of + the style in which it is executed. But if the work should + fail--which, however, I am far from expecting--my labour will + have been richly repaid by the profit and pleasure derived from + considering the Word of God in the original with more attention + than I had ever done. + + _March 31._--I am at present employed in the toilsome work of + going through the Syriac Gospels, and writing out the names, in + order to ascertain their orthography if possible, and correcting + with Mirza the Epistles. This last work is incredibly difficult + in Hindustani, and will be nearly as much so in Persian, but + very easy and elegant in Arabic. + + _June 1_ to _4_.--Employed incessantly in reading the Persian of + St. Matthew to Sabat. Met with the Italian padre, Julius, with + whom I conversed in French. + + _June 6._--Going on with the Persian Gospel, visiting the + hospital, and with the men at night. My spirit refreshed and + revived by every night's ministration to them. Sent the Persian + of Matthew to Mr. Brown for the press, and went on with the + remainder of the Hindustani of St. Matthew. I have not felt such + trials of my temper for many months as to-day. The General + declared he was an enemy to my design in translating the + Scriptures. My poor harassed soul looked at last to God, and + cast its burden of sin at the foot of the cross. Towards evening + I found rest and peace. A son-in-law of the Qasi ool Qoorrat, of + Patna, a very learned man, called on me. I put to him several + questions about Mohammedanism, which confused him; and as he + seemed a grave, honest man, they may produce lasting doubts. + + _1809, September 24._--Began with Mirza Fitrut the correction of + the Hindustani Gospels: _Quod felix faustumque sit._ Began with + my men a course of lectures from the beginning of the Bible. + + _September 25_ to _28_.--Revising Arabic version of Romans; + going on in correction of Hindustani; preparing report of + progress in translating for Bible Society. Reading occasionally + Menishi's _Turkish Grammar_. + +Completed in 1810, Martyn's Hindustani New Testament for Mohammedans was +passing through the Serampore press when the great fire of March 11, +1812, destroyed all the sheets save the first thirteen chapters of +Matthew's Gospel, and melted the fount of Persian type. The Corresponding +Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, for which it had +been prepared, put it to press the second time at Serampore, from finer +type, and it appeared in 1814 in an edition of 2,000 copies, on English +paper. The demand for portions for immediate use was such that 3,000 +copies of the Gospels and Acts, on Patna paper, had been previously +struck off. The longing translator--who had once written, 'Oh, may I +have the bliss of soon seeing the New Testament in Hindustani and +Persian!'--had then been two years dead, but verily his works followed +him. Such was the reputation of the version that it was read in the +native schools at Agra and elsewhere; while an edition of 2,000 copies +in the Deva-Nagri character, for Hindus, appeared in 1817, and was used +up till a Hindi version was prepared from it by Mr. Bowley, the zealous +agent of the Church Missionary Society at Chunar, by divesting it of +the Persian and Arabic terms. Bishop Corrie's revision of this work and +portions of the Old Testament were circulated in many editions and +extending numbers, in the Kaithi character also, among the millions of +Hindus who speak the most widespread of Indian languages with many +dialects. The Bible Society in London welcomed Martyn's work, of which +Professor Lee prepared a large edition. Learning that the lamented +scholar had done some work on the Old Testament in Hindustani, and had +taught Mirza Fitrut Hebrew, to enable that able moonshi to carry on the +translation from the original, the Society first published Genesis in +Hindustani, under Professor Lee's care, in 1817, and then issued a +revision of the rough draft of the entire version of the Old Testament, +by Bishop Corrie and Mr. Thomason. In 1843 Mr. Schrmann, of the London +Missionary Society, and Mr. Justice Hawkins, an elder of the Free Church +of Scotland and an accomplished Bengal civilian, issued a uniform +revision of the Old and New Testaments in the Arabic and Roman +characters, in the course of which Mr. Schrmann 'saw reason to revert +in a great measure to the translation of Henry Martyn, especially in the +latter half of the version.'[71] Of the different translations of the +Bible into Hindustani, the Oordoo or 'camp' language understood by the +sixty millions of Mussulmans in India, this criticism is just: 'the +idiomatic and faithful version of Henry Martyn still maintains its +ground, although, from the lofty elegance of its style, it is better +understood by educated than by illiterate Mohammedans.'[72] + +In the first generation, from 1814 to 1847, after the appearance of +Henry Martyn's work, sixteen editions[73] of the Hindustani New +Testament were published and sent into circulation among the then +fifty millions of Mussulmans in India. Before Martyn's work was +printed, he and Corrie used to dictate to inquirers translations of +Bible passages suited to their needs. When Corrie was at Chunar, he +tells us, because 'there was not at that time any translation of the +Scriptures to put into his hands, a native Roman Catholic took down +the translated texts on loose pieces of paper.' Years after, Mr. +Wilkinson, of Gorakpore, was called to visit the man on his death-bed, +and found him so well acquainted with Scripture that he asked an +explanation. 'The poor man produced the loose slips of paper on which +he had written my translations,' says Corrie. 'On these, it appeared, +his soul had fed through life, and through them he died such a death +that Mr. Wilkinson entertained no doubt of his having passed into +glory.' In the forty years since the sixteen editions made the Word of +God known to thousands of India Mussulmans, the Oordoo Bible has +caused the Word to grow mightily, and in many cases to prevail. + +The entire Bible in Hindustani was again revised, by Dr. R.C. Mather, +after many years' experience in Benares and Mirzapore, and was +published, in both the Arabic and Roman characters, in 1869, after +continuous labour for more than six years. He stumbled, in the library +of the British and Foreign Bible Society, on sixteen manuscript +volumes of a Hindustani translation of nearly the whole Old Testament, +beginning with Martyn's Genesis. The folios were interleaved, and on +the blank pages were thousands of notes in English. At the end of the +Pentateuch the copyist records that 'the above has been completed, by +order of Paymaster Sherwood, for the Rev. Daniel Corrie, by me, +Mkhdum Buksh.' The copy seems to have been the accomplished +Thomason's, and to have been deposited in the library by his widow +after his death at Port Louis, Mauritius. This practically complete +translation of the Old Testament had been lost for forty years. The +eulogy passed by Thomason on Martyn's Hindustani New Testament, that +it 'will last as a model of elegant writing as well as of faithful +translation,' is pronounced by Dr. Mather,[74] after all that time, +as, 'in the main, just; the work has lasted and continued to be +acceptable, and will perhaps always continue to be useful. All +subsequent translators have, as a matter of course, proceeded upon it +as a work of excellent skill and learning, and rigid fidelity.' + +The modern Arabic translation of the New Testament, by Martyn and +Sabat, was not printed (in Calcutta) till 1816, and the translation of +the Old Testament was continued under the supervision of Mr. Thomason, +who became virtually Martyn's literary executor, and whose labours as +Oriental translator and editor hurried him, like his friend, to a +premature death. Both had the same biographer--the good Sargent, +Rector of Lavington. As Thomason toiled at the Arabic, Persian, and +Hindustani editions, he wrote: 'I am filled with astonishment at the +opening scenes of usefulness. Send us labourers--send us faithful +laborious labourers!'[75] Martyn's Arabic New Testament, produced +with the assistance of an undoubtedly learned Arab, as conceited and +of temper as intolerable as Sabat, did its work among the 'learned and +fastidious' Mohammedans for whom chiefly it was prepared. Professor +Lee issued a second edition in London, and Mr. Thomason a third in +Calcutta. In common with the old translations, made for the land in +which St. Paul began the first missionary work, and reproduced in +various Polyglot Bibles, it has been superseded by the wonderfully +perfect and altogether beautiful Arabic Bible (Beirut) of Dr. Eli +Smith and Dr. Van Dyck, on which these American scholars, assisted by +learned natives of Syria and Cairo, were occupied for nearly thirty +years. In the Beirut Arabic Scriptures, Henry Martyn's troubled life +with Sabat found early and luxuriant fruit. How wisely and humbly the +missionary chaplain of the East India Company estimated his own, and +especially his Arabic, translations, and how at the same time he +longed to live that he might do in 1812-20 what Eli Smith and Van Dyck +did in 1837-65, may be seen from these early letters and journals: + + TO THE REV. DAVID BROWN, CALCUTTA + + Cawnpore: June 11, 1810. + + Dearest Sir,--The excessive heat, by depriving me of my rest at + night, keeps me between sleeping and waking all day. This is one + reason why I have been remiss in answering your letters. It must + not, however, be concealed that the man Daniel Corrie has kept + me so long talking that I have had no time for writing since his + arrival. + + Your idea about presenting splendid copies of the Scriptures to + native great men has often struck me, but my counsel is, not to + do it with the first edition. I have too little faith in the + instruments to believe that the first editions will be + excellent; and if they should be found defective, we cannot + after once presenting the great men with one book, repeat the + thing. + + Before the second edition of the Arabic, what say you to my + carrying the first with me to Arabia, having under the other arm + the Persian, to be examined at Shiraz or Teheran? By the time + they are both ready I shall have nearly finished my seven years, + and may go on furlough. + + I am glad to find you promising to give yourself wholly to your + plans. I always tremble lest Mrs. Brown should order you home; + but I must not suspect her, she has the soul of a missionary. If + you go soon we shall all droop and die. Your Polyglot + speculations are fine, but Polyglots are Biblical luxuries, + intended for the gratification of men of two tongues or more. We + must first feed those that have but one, especially as single + tongues are growing upon us so fast. + + _June 12._--To-day I have requested the Commander of the forces + to detain D. Corrie here to assist me; he said he did not like + to make innovations, but would keep him here for two or three + months. This will be a great relief to my labouring chest, for I + am still far from being out of the fear of consumption. Tell me + that you have prayed for me. + + Yours, etc. H.M. + + _August 22._--I want silence and diversion, a little dog to play + with; or what would be best of all, a dear little child, such as + Fanny was when I left her. Perhaps you could learn when the + ships usually sail for Mocha. I have set my heart upon going + there; I could be there and back in six months. + + _September 8._--Your tide rolls on with terrifying rapidity, at + least I tremble while committing myself to it. You look to me, + and I to Sabat; and Sabat I look upon as the staff of Egypt. May + I prove mistaken! All, however, does not depend upon him. If my + life is spared, there is no reason why the Arabic should not be + done in Arabia, and the Persian in Persia, as well as the Indian + in India. I hope your Shalome has not left you. I promise myself + great advantage in reading Hebrew and Syriac with him. + + _September 9._--Yours of the 27th ult. is a heart-breaking + business. Though I share so deeply in Sabat's disgrace, I feel + more for you than myself, but I can give you no comfort except + by saying, 'It is well that it was in thine heart.' Your letter + will give a new turn to my life. Henceforward I have done with + India. Arabia shall hide me till I come forth with an approved + New Testament in Arabic. I do not ask your advice, because I + have made up my mind, but shall just wait your answer to this, + and come down to you instantly. I have been calculating upon the + means of support, and find that I shall have wherewithal to + live. Besides, the Lord will provide. Before Him I have spread + this affair, and do not feel that I shall be acting contrary to + His will.... Will Government let me go away for three years + before the time of my furlough arrives? If not, I must quit the + service, and I cannot devote my life to a more important work + than that of preparing the Arabic Bible. + + Herewith you will receive the first seven chapters in Persian + and Hindustani, though I suppose you have ceased to wish for + them. The Persian will only prove that Sabat is not the man for + it. I have protested against many things in it, but instead of + sending you my objections I inclose a critique by Mirza, who + must remain unknown. I am somewhat inclined to think the Arabic + not quite so hopeless. Sabat is confident, and eager to meet his + opponents. His version of the Romans was certainly not from the + old one, because he translated it all before my face from the + English; but then, as I hinted long ago, he is inaccurate and + not to be depended upon. He entirely approves of my going to + Busrah with his translations, and the old one, confident that + the decision there will be in his favour. Dear Sir, take + measures for transmitting me with the least possible delay; + detain me not, for the King's business requires haste. + +The King sent His eager servant to Persia, and did not give him the +desire of his heart to enter Arabia. Truly he hastened so unrestingly +that the Spirit of God led him to complete the Persian New Testament, +and then carried him away from the many tongues of mortal men, which +as they sprang from disunion, so they are to 'cease' in the one speech +of the multitudes of every nation and kindred and tribe and tongue who +sing the new song. + +The following letter to Charles Simeon, the original of which was +presented by his biographer, Canon Carus, to Canon Moor, who permits +it to be published here for the first time, fitly introduces Henry +Martyn's translation used in Persia. Simeon received it on January 21, +1812, and thus wrote of it to Thomason: + + From whom, think you, did I receive a letter yesterday? From our + beloved Martyn in Persia. He begins to find his strength + improve, and he is 'disputing daily' with the learned, who, he + says, are extremely subtile. They are not a little afraid of + him, and are going to write a book on the evidences of their + religion. The evidences of Mohammedanism! A fine comparison they + will make with those of Christianity. Oh, that God may endue our + brother with wisdom and strength to execute all that is in his + heart. He is desirous of spending two years in Persia, and is + willing to sacrifice his salary if the East India Company will + not give him leave. I am going in an hour to Mr. Grant to + consult him, and shall call on Mr. Astell if Mr. Grant thinks it + expedient. + + TO REV. C. SIMEON + + Shiraz: July 8, 1811. + + My dearest Friend and Brother,--My last letter to you was from + Bombay. I sailed thence on March 25, in the Company's corvette, + the Benares. As the ship was manned principally by Europeans, I + had a good deal to do during the voyage, but through the mercy + of our Heavenly Father I was so far from suffering that I rather + gained strength, and am now apparently as well as ever I was. On + Easter day we made the coast of Mekran, in Persia, and on the + Sunday following landed at Muscat, in Arabia. Here I met with an + African slave, who tried hard to persuade me that I was in the + wrong and he in the right. The dispute ended in his asking for + an Arabic Testament, which I gave him. We were about a month in + the Persian Gulf, generally in sight of land. At last, on May + 22, I was set down at Bushire, in Persia, and was kindly + received by the English Resident. One day I went to the Armenian + church, at the request of the priest, not expecting to see + anything like Christian worship, and accordingly I did not. The + Word of God was read, indeed, but in such a way that no man + could have understood it. After church he desired me to notice + that he had censed me _four_ times because I was a priest. This + will give you an idea of their excessive childishness. I took + occasion from his remark to speak about the priest's office, and + the awful importance of it. Nothing can be conceived more vapid + and inane than his observations. + + As soon as my Persian dress was ready, I set off for the + interior in a kafila, or small caravan, consisting chiefly of + mules, and after a very fatiguing journey of ten days over the + mountains, during which time the difference in the thermometer + by day and night was often sixty degrees, I arrived at this + place about a month ago. + + I had no intention of making any stay here, but I found, on my + producing Sabat's Persian translation, that I must sit down with + native Persians to begin the work once more. The fault found + with Sabat's work is that he uses words not only so difficult as + to be unintelligible to the generality, but such as never were + in use in the Persian. + + When it is considered that the issue of all disputes with the + Mohammedans is a reference to the Scriptures, and that the + Persian and Arabic are known all over the Mohammedan world, it + will be evident that we ought to spare no pains in obtaining + good versions in these languages. Hence I look upon my staying + here for a time as a duty paramount to every other, and I trust + that the Government in India will look upon it in the same + light. If they should stop my pay, it would not alter my purpose + in the least, but it would be an inconvenience. I should be + happy, therefore, if the Court of Directors would sanction my + residence in these parts for a year or two. No one who has been + in Persia will imagine that I am here for my own pleasure. India + is a paradise to it. All is poverty and desolation without, and + within I have no comfort but in my God. I am in the midst of + enemies, who argue against the truth, sometimes with uncommon + subtlety. But I pray for the fulfilment of the Lord's promise, + and I am assured that He will be with me and give me a mouth and + a wisdom, which all my adversaries shall not be able to gainsay + or resist. I am sometimes asked whether I am not afraid to speak + so boldly against the Mohammedan religion. I tell them if I say + or do anything against the laws I am not unwilling to suffer, + but if I say nothing but what naturally comes in the course of + argument--it is an argument too which you yourselves began--why + should I fear? You know the power of the English too well to + suppose that they would let any violence be offered to me with + impunity. + + The English ambassador, Sir Gore Ouseley, whom I met here on + his way to Tabreez, carried me with him to the court of the + prince, who, though tributary to his father, is a sovereign + prince in Elam, as the S. Scriptures call the province of Fars. + He has also recommended me to the prince's favourite minister, + so that I am in no danger. But there is certainly a great stir + among the learned, and every effort is made to support their + cause. They have now persuaded the father of all the moollas to + write a book in Arabic on the evidences of the Mohammedan + religion, a book which is to silence me for ever. I rather + suppose that the more their cause is examined the worse it will + appear. + + I have had no news from India these four months, so I can say + nothing of our friends there. Let your next letters be sent not + to India, but direct to Persia, in this way: Rev. H.M., care of + Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart., Ambassador Extraordinary, etc., + _Teheran_; care of S. Morier, Esq., _Constantinople_; care of + George Moore, Esq., _Malta_. My kindest love to all your dear + people, Messrs. Bowman and Goodall, Farish, Port, Phillips, etc. + I hope they continue to remember me once a week in their + prayers; to the _four godly professors_;[76] to your young men + though to me unknown, and especially to your brother. Believe me + to be yours ever most affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + + _1812, January 1_ to _8_.--Spared by mercy to see the beginning + of another year. The last has been in some respects a memorable + year; transported in safety to Shiraz, I have been led, by the + particular providence of God, to undertake a work the idea of + which never entered my mind till my arrival here, but which has + gone on without material interruption and is now nearly + finished. To all appearance the present year will be more + perilous than any I have seen, but if I live to complete the + Persian New Testament, my life after that will be of less + importance. But whether life or death be mine, may Christ be + magnified in me. If He has work for me to do, I cannot die. + +He had just before written this pathetic letter, of exquisite +friendliness: + + TO THE REV. D. CORRIE + + Shiraz: December 12, 1811. + + Dearest Brother,--Your letters of January 28 and April 22 have + just reached me. After being a whole year without any tidings of + you, you may conceive how much they have tended to revive my + spirits. Indeed, I know not how to be sufficiently thankful to + our God and Father for giving me a brother who is indeed a + brother to my soul, and thus follows me with affectionate + prayers wherever I go, and more than supplies my place to the + precious flock over whom the Holy Ghost hath made us overseers. + There is only one thing in your letters that makes me uneasy, + and that is, the oppression you complain of in the hot weather. + As you will have to pass another hot season at Cawnpore, and I + do not know how many more, I must again urge you to spare + yourself. I am endeavouring to learn the true use of time in a + new way, by placing myself in idea twenty or thirty years in + advance, and then considering how I ought to have managed twenty + or thirty years ago. In racing violently for a year or two, and + then breaking down? In this way I have reasoned myself into + contentment about staying so long at Shiraz. I thought at first, + what will the Government in India think of my being away so + long, or what will my friends think? Shall I not appear to all a + wandering shepherd, leaving the flock and running about for my + own pleasure! But placing myself twenty years on in time, I say, + Why could not I stay at Shiraz long enough to get a New + Testament done there, even if I had been detained there on that + account three or six years? What work of equal importance can + ever come from me? So that now I am resolved to wait here till + the New Testament is finished, though I incur the displeasure of + Government, or even be dismissed the service. I have been many + times on the eve of my departure, as my translator promised to + accompany me to Baghdad, but that city being in great confusion + he is afraid to trust himself there; so I resolved to go + westward through the north of Persia, but found it impossible, + on account of the snow which blocks up the roads in winter, to + proceed till spring. Here I am therefore, for three months more; + our Testament will be finished, please God, in six weeks. I go + on as usual, riding round the walls in the morning, and singing + hymns at night over my milk and water, for tea I have none, + though I much want it. I am with you in spirit almost every + evening, and feel a bliss I cannot describe in being one with + the dear saints of God all over the earth, through one Lord and + one Spirit. + + They continued throwing stones at me every day, till happening + one day to tell Jaffir Ali Khan, my host, how one as big as my + fist had hit me in the back, he wrote to the Governor, who sent + an order to all the gates, that if any one insulted me he should + be bastinadoed, and the next day came himself in state to pay me + a visit. These measures have had the desired effect; they now + call me the Feringhi Nabob, and very civilly offer me the + kalean; but indeed the Persian commonalty are very brutes; the + Soofis declare themselves unable to account for the fierceness + of their countrymen, except it be from the influence of Islam. + After speaking in my praise one of them added 'and there are the + Hindus too (who have brought the guns), when I saw their + gentleness I was quite charmed with them; but as for our + Iranees, they delight in nothing but tormenting their fellow + creatures.' These Soofis are quite the Methodists of the East. + They delight in everything Christian, except in being exclusive. + They consider that all will finally return to God, from whom + they emanated, or rather of whom they are only different forms. + The doctrine of the Trinity they admired, but not the atonement, + because the Mohammedans, they say, consider Imam Husain as also + crucified for the sins of men; and to everything Mohammedan they + have a particular aversion. Yet withal they conform externally. + From these, however, you will perceive the first Persian Church + will be formed, judging after the manner of men. The employment + of my leisure hours is translating the Psalms into Persian. What + will poor Fitrut do when he gets to the poetical books? Job, I + hope, you have let him pass over. The Books of Solomon are also + in a very sorry condition in the English. The Prophets are all + much easier, and consequently better done. I hear there is a man + at Yezd that has fallen into the same way of thinking as myself + about the letters, and professes to have found out all the arts + and sciences from them. I should be glad to compare notes with + him. It is now time for me to bid you good night. We have had + ice on the pools some time, but no snow yet. They build their + houses without chimneys, so if we want a fire we must take the + smoke along with it. I prefer wrapping myself in my sheepskin. + + Your accounts of the progress of the kingdom of God among you + are truly refreshing. Tell dear H. and the men of both regiments + that I salute them much in the Lord, and make mention of them in + my prayers. May I continue to hear thus of their state, and if I + am spared to see them again, may we make it evident that we have + grown in grace. Affectionate remembrances to your sister and + Sherwoods; I hope they continue to prosecute their labours of + love. Remember me to the people of Cawnpore who inquire, etc. + Why have not I mentioned Col. P.? It is not because he is not in + my heart, for there is hardly a man in the world whom I love and + honour more. My most Christian salutations to him. + + May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, + dearest brother. Yours affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + +Martyn's Cambridge Persian studies were continued for practical +Hindustani purposes at Dinapore, in 1809, and the following incident +unconsciously lights up his Persian scholarship at that date. Writing +to the impatient David Brown at Aldeen, from Patna, on March 28, he +says: + + You chide me for not trusting my Hindustani to the press. Last + week we began the correction of it; present, a Sayyid of Delhi, + a poet of Lucknow, three or four literates of Patna, and Baba + Ali in the chair; Sabat and myself assessors. + + I was amazed and mortified at observing that reference was had + to the Persian for every verse, in order to understand the + Hindustani. It was, however, a consolation to find that from the + Persian they caught the meaning of it instantly, always + expressing their admiration of the plainness of their + translation. + +But when the Persian translation of the four Gospels was printed at +Serampore, nearly two years after, Martyn himself was dissatisfied +with it. His Cawnpore and especially Lucknow experience had developed +him in Persian style, and led him to see that in Persia itself only +could the great work be done of translating the Word of God into a +language spoken and read from Calcutta and Patna to Damascus and +Tabreez. + +When Henry Martyn did the noblest achievement of his life, the +production of the Persian New Testament, he unknowingly linked himself +with the greatest of the Greek Fathers, near whose dust his own was +about to be laid. Until the Eastern Church ceased to be aggressive--that +is, missionary--Persia, like Central Asia up to China itself, promised +to be all Christian. Islam, a corrupted mixture of Judaism and +Christianity, took its place. Persia sent a bishop to the Council of +Nica in 325, and the great Constantine wrote a letter to King Sapor, +recommending to his protection the Christian Churches in his empire.[77] +Chrysostom (347-407), in his second homily on John, incidentally tells +us that 'the Persians, having translated the doctrines of the Gospel +into their own tongue, had learned, though barbarians, the true +philosophy.' In his homily on the memorial of Mary he puts the Persians +first, and our British forefathers last, in this remarkable passage: +'The Persians, the Indians, Scythians, Thracians, Sarmatians, the race +of the Moors, and the inhabitants of the British Isles, celebrate a deed +performed in a private family in Judea by a woman that had been a +sinner.' The isles of Britain, Claudius Buchanan well remarks, then +last, are now the first to restore this memorial to the Persians as well +as to other Mohammedan nations. Even so late as 1740 the tyrant Nadir +Shah, inquiring as to Jesus Christ, asked for a Persian copy of the +Gospels, and had presented to him the combined work of an ignorant +Romish priest and some Mohammedan moollas, which excited his ridicule. +The traveller, Jonas Hanway, tells us that when Henry Martyn saw this +production he exclaimed that he did not wonder at Nadir's contempt of +it. + +Martyn arrived in Shiraz on June 11, 1811; in a week he began his +Persian translation of the New Testament, and in February 1812 he +completed the happy toil, carried on amidst disputations with Soofis and +Shi'ahs, Jews and Christians of the Oriental rites, while consumption +wasted his body. His 'leisure' he spent in translating the Hebrew +Psalter. Let us look at him, in that South Persian summer and winter and +summer again, now in the city of Shiraz, now driven by the sultry heat +to the garden of roses and orange-trees outside the walls near the tomb +of Hafiz. The Christian poet has pictured the scene--Alford, when Dean +of Canterbury in 1851. Twenty years after, he himself was laid in the +churchyard of the mother church of England, St. Martin's, under this +inscription--'Diversorium Viatoris Hierosolymam Proficiscentis': + + _HENRY MARTYN AT SHIRAZ_ + + I + + A vision of the bright Shiraz, of Persian bards the theme: + The vine with bunches laden hangs o'er the crystal stream; + The nightingale all day her notes in rosy thickets trills, + And the brooding heat-mist faintly lies along the distant hills. + + II + + About the plain are scattered wide, in many a crumbling heap, + The fanes of other days, and tombs where Iran's poets sleep: + And in the midst, like burnished gems, in noonday light repose + The minarets of bright Shiraz--the City of the Rose. + + III + + One group beside the river bank in rapt discourse are seen, + Where hangs the golden orange on its boughs of purest green; + Their words are sweet and low, and their looks are lit with joy, + Some holy blessing seems to rest on them and their employ. + + IV + + The pale-faced Frank among them sits: what brought him from afar? + Nor bears he bales of merchandise, nor teaches skill in war; + One pearl alone he brings with him,--the Book of life and death; + One warfare only teaches he--to fight the fight of faith. + + V + + And Iran's sons are round him, and one with solemn tone + Tells how the Lord of Glory was rejected by His own; + Tells, from the wondrous Gospel, of the Trial and the Doom, + The words Divine of Love and Might--the Scourge, the Cross, the Tomb. + + VI + + Far sweeter to the stranger's ear those Eastern accents sound + Than music of the nightingale that fills the air around: + Lovelier than balmiest odours sent from gardens of the rose, + The fragrance from the contrite soul and chastened lip that flows. + + VII + + The nightingales have ceased to sing, the roses' leaves are shed, + The Frank's pale face in Tokat's field hath mouldered with the dead: + Alone and all unfriended, midst his Master's work he fell, + With none to bathe his fevered brow, with none his tale to tell. + + VIII + + But still those sweet and solemn tones about him sound in bliss, + And fragrance from those flowers of God for evermore is his: + For his the meed, by grace, of those who, rich in zeal and love, + Turn many unto righteousness, and shine as stars above. + +This was the beginning of the Persian New Testament: + + TO REV. DAVID BROWN + + Shiraz: June 24, 1811. + + Dearest Sir,--I believe I told you that the advanced state of + the season rendered it necessary to go to Arabia circuitously by + way of Persia. Behold me therefore in the Athens of Fars, the + haunt of the Persian man. Beneath are the ashes of Hafiz and + Sadi; above, green gardens and running waters, roses and + nightingales. Does Mr. Bird envy my lot? Let him solace himself + with Aldeen. How gladly would I give him Shiraz for Aldeen; how + often while toiling through this miserable country have I + sighed for Aldeen! If I am ever permitted to see India again + nothing but dire necessity, or the imperious call of duty, will + ever induce me to travel again. One thing is good here, the + fruit; we have apples and apricots, plums, nectarines, + greengages and cherries, all of which are served up with ice and + snow. When I have said this for Shiraz I have said all. + + But to have done with what grows out of the soil, let us come to + the men. The Persians are, like ourselves, immortal; their + language had passed a long way beyond the limits of Iran. The + men of Shiraz propose to translate the New Testament with me. + Can I refuse to stay? After much deliberation I have determined + to remain here six months. It is sorely against my will, but I + feel it to be a duty. From all that I can collect there appears + no probability of our ever having a good translation made out of + Persia. At Bombay I showed Moolla Firoz, the most learned man + there, the three Persian translations, viz. the Polyglot, and + Sabat's two. He disapproved of them all. At Bushire, which is in + Persia, the man of the greatest name was Sayyid Hosein. Of the + three he liked Sabat's Persian best, but said it seemed written + by an Indian. On my arrival at this place I produced my + specimens once more. Sabat's Persian was much ridiculed; + sarcastic remarks were made on the fondness for fine words so + remarkable in the Indians, who seemed to think that hard words + made fine writing. His Persic also was presently thrown aside, + and to my no small surprise the old despised Polyglot was not + only spoken of as superior to the rest, but it was asked, What + fault is found in this?--this is the language we speak. The king + has also signified that it is his wish that as little Arabic as + possible may be employed in the papers presented to him. So that + simple Persian is likely to become more and more fashionable. + This is a change favourable certainly to our glorious cause. To + the poor the Gospel will be preached. We began our work with + the Gospel of St. John, and five chapters are put out of hand. + It is likely to be the simplest thing imaginable; and I dare say + the pedantic Arab will turn up his nose at it; but what the men + of Shiraz approve who can gainsay? Let Sabat confine himself to + the Arabic, and he will accomplish a great work. The + forementioned Sayyid Hosein of Bushire is an Arab. I showed him + Erpenius's Arabic Testament, the Christian Knowledge Society, + Sabat's, and the Polyglot. After rejecting all but Sabat's, he + said this is good, very good, and then read off the 5th of + Matthew in a fine style, giving it unqualified commendation as + he went along. On my proposing to him to give a specimen of what + he thought the best Persian style, he consented; but, said he, + give me this to translate from, laying his hand on Sabat's + Arabic. At Muscat an Arab officer who had attended us as guard + and guide one day when we walked into the country, came on board + with his slave to take leave of us. The slave, who had argued + with me very strenuously in favour of his religion, reminded me + of a promise I had made him of giving him the Gospel. On my + producing an Arabic New Testament, he seized it and began to + read away upon deck, but presently stopped, and said it was not + fine Arabic. However, he carried off the book. + +In eight months the Persian translation of the New Testament was done. +The _Journal_, during that period, from July 1811 to February 1812, as +the sacred task went on, reveals the Holy Spirit moving the hearts of +the translator's Mohammedan assistant and Soofi disputants by 'the +things of Christ,' while it shows His servant bearing witness, by the +account of his own conversion, to His power to save and to make holy. + + _December 12._--Letters at last from India. Mirza Sayyid Ali + was curious to know in what way we corresponded, and made me + read Mr. Brown's letter to me, and mine to Corrie. He took care + to let his friends know that we wrote nothing about our own + affairs: it was all about translations and the cause of Christ. + With this he was delighted. + + _December 16._--In translating 2 Cor. i. 22, 'Who hath given the + earnest of the Spirit in our hearts,' he was much struck when it + was explained to him. 'Oh, that I had it,' said he; 'have you + received it?' I told him that, as I had no doubt of my + acceptance through Christ, I concluded that I had. Once before, + on the words, 'Who are saved?' he expressed his surprise at the + confidence with which Christians spoke of salvation. On 1 Cor. + xv. he observed, that the doctrine of the resurrection of the + body was unreasonable; but that as the Mohammedans understood + it, it was impossible; on which account the Soofis rejected it. + + _Christmas Day._--I made a great feast for the Russians and + Armenians; and, at Jaffir Ali Khan's request, invited the Soofi + master, with his disciples. I hoped there would be some + conversation on the occasion of our meeting, and, indeed, Mirza + Sayyid Ali did make some attempts, and explained to the old man + the meaning of the Lord's Supper; but the sage maintaining his + usual silence, the subject was dropped. I expressed my + satisfaction at seeing them assembled on such an occasion, and + my hope that they would remember the day in succeeding years, + and that though they would never see me again in the succeeding + years, they would not forget that I had brought them the Gospel. + The old man coldly replied that 'God would guide those whom He + chose.' Most of the time they continued was before dinner; the + moment that was despatched, they rose and went away. The custom + is, to sit five or six hours before dinner, and at great men's + houses singers attend. + + _December 31._--The accounts of the desolations of war during + the last year, which I have been reading in some Indian + newspapers, make the world appear more gloomy than ever. How + many souls hurried into eternity unprepared! How many thousands + of widows and orphans left to mourn! But admire, my soul, the + matchless power of God, that out of this ruin He has prepared + for Himself an inheritance. At last the scene shall change, and + I shall find myself in a world where all is love. + + _1812._--The last has been in some respects a memorable year. I + have been led, by what I have reason to consider as the + particular providence of God, to this place; and have undertaken + an important work, which has gone on without material + interruption, and is now nearly finished. I like to find myself + employed usefully, in a way I did not expect or foresee, + especially if my own will is in any degree crossed by the work + unexpectedly assigned me, as there is then reason to believe + that God is acting. The present year will probably be a perilous + one, but my life is of little consequence, whether I live to + finish the Persian New Testament or do not. I look back with + pity and shame upon my former self, and on the importance I then + attached to my life and labours. The more I see of my own works + the more I am ashamed of them. Coarseness and clumsiness mar all + the works of man. I am sick when I look at man and his wisdom + and his doings, and am relieved only by reflecting that we have + a city whose builder and maker is God. The least of _His_ works + it is refreshing to look at. A dried leaf or a straw makes me + feel myself in good company: complacency and admiration take + place of disgust. + + I compared with pain our Persian translation with the original; + to say nothing of the precision and elegance of the sacred text, + its perspicuity is that which sets at defiance all attempts to + equal it. + + _January 16._--Mirza Sayyid Ali told me accidentally to-day of a + distich made by his friend Mirza Koochut, at Teheran, in honour + of a victory gained by Prince Abbas Mirza over the Russians. The + sentiment was, that he had killed so many of the Christians, + that Christ, from the fourth heaven, took hold of Mahomet's + skirt to entreat him to desist. I was cut to the soul at this + blasphemy. In prayer I could think of nothing else but that + great day when the Son of God shall come in the clouds of + heaven, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and + convincing men of all their hard speeches which they have spoken + against Him. + + Mirza Sayyid Ali perceived that I was considerably disordered, + and was sorry for having repeated the verse, but asked what it + was that was so offensive. I told him that 'I could not endure + existence if Jesus was not glorified; it would be hell to me if + He were to be always thus dishonoured.' He was astonished, and + again asked why. 'If anyone pluck out your eyes,' I replied, + 'there is no saying _why_ you feel pain; it is feeling. It is + because I am one with Christ that I am thus dreadfully wounded.' + On his again apologising, I told him that 'I rejoiced at what + had happened, inasmuch as it made me feel nearer the Lord than + ever. It is when the head or heart is struck, that every member + feels its membership.' This conversation took place while we + were translating. In the evening he mentioned the circumstance + of a young man's being murdered--a fine athletic youth, whom I + had often seen in the garden. Some acquaintance of his in a + slight quarrel had plunged a dagger in his breast. Observing me + look sorrowful, he asked why. 'Because,' said I, 'he was cut off + in his sins, and had no time to repent.' 'It was just in that + way,' said he, 'that I should like to die; not dragging out a + miserable existence on a sick-bed, but transported at once into + another state.' I observed that 'it was not desirable to be + hurried into the immediate presence of God.' 'Do you think,' + said he, 'that there is any difference in the presence of God + here or there?' 'Indeed I do,' said I. 'Here we see through a + glass darkly; but there, face to face.' He then entered into + some metaphysical Soofi disputation about the identity of sin + and holiness, heaven and hell: to all which I made no reply. + + _January 18._--Aga Ali of Media came: and with him and Mirza Ali + I had a long and warm discussion about the essentials of + Christianity. The Mede, seeing us at work upon the Epistles, + said, 'he should be glad to read them; as for the Gospels they + were nothing but tales, which were of no use to him; for + instance,' said he, 'if Christ raised four hundred dead to life, + what is that to me?' I said, 'it certainly was of importance, + for His work furnished a reason for our depending upon His + words.' 'What did He say,' asked he, 'that was not known before? + the love of God, humility--who does not know these things?' + 'Were these things,' said I, 'known before Christ, either among + Greeks or Romans, with all their philosophy?' They avowed that + the Hindu book _Juh_ contained precepts of this kind. I + questioned its antiquity; 'but however that may be,' I added, + 'Christ came not to _teach_ so much as to _die_; the truths I + spoke of as confirmed by His miracles were those relating to His + person, such as, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy + laden, and I will give you rest." Here Mirza Sayyid Ali told him + that I had professed to have no doubt of my salvation. He asked + what I meant. I told him, 'that though sin still remained, I was + assured that it should not regain dominion; and that I should + never come into condemnation, but was accepted in the Beloved.' + Not a little surprised, he asked Mirza Sayyid Ali whether he + comprehended this. 'No,' said he, 'nor Mirza Ibrahim, to whom I + mentioned it.' The Mede again turning to me asked, 'How do you + know this? how do you know you have experienced the second + birth?' 'Because,' said I, 'we have the Spirit of the Father; + what He wishes we wish; what He hates we hate.' Here he began to + be a little more calm and less contentious, and mildly asked + how I had obtained this peace of mind: 'Was it merely these + books?' said he, taking up some of our sheets. I told him, + 'These books, with prayer.' 'What was the beginning of it,' said + he, 'the society of some friends?' I related to him my religious + history, the substance of which was, that I took my Bible before + God in prayer, and prayed for forgiveness through Christ, + assurance of it through His Spirit, and grace to obey His + commandments. They then both asked whether the same benefit + would be conferred on them. 'Yes,' said I, 'for so the Apostles + preached, that all who were baptized in His name should receive + the gift of the Holy Ghost.' 'Can you assure me,' said Mirza + Sayyid Ali, 'that the Spirit will be given to me? if so, I will + be baptized immediately.' 'Who am I that I should be surety?' I + replied; 'I bring you this message from God, that he who, + despairing of himself, rests for righteousness on the Son of + God, shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; and to this I can + add my testimony, if that be worth anything, that I have found + the promise fulfilled in myself. But if after baptism you should + not find it so in you, accuse not the Gospel of falsehood. It is + possible that your faith might not be sincere; indeed, so fully + am I persuaded that you do not believe on the Son of God, that + if you were to entreat ever so earnestly for baptism I should + not dare to administer it at this time, when you have shown so + many signs of an unhumbled heart.' 'What! would you have me + believe,' said he, 'as a child?' 'Yes,' said I. 'True,' said he, + 'I think that is the only way.' Aga Ali said no more, except, + 'Certainly he is a good man!' + + _January 23._--Put on my English dress, and went to the + Vizier's, to see part of the tragedy of Husain's death,[78] + which they contrive to spin out so as to make it last the first + ten days of the Mohurrum. All the apparatus consisted of a few + boards for a stage, two tables and a pulpit, under an immense + awning, in the court where the company were assembled. The + _dramatis person_ were two; the daughter of Husain, whose part + was performed by a boy, and a messenger; they both read their + parts. Every now and then loud sobs were heard all over the + court. After this several feats of activity were exhibited; the + Vizier sat with the moollas. I was appointed to a seat where + indeed I saw as much as I wanted, but which, I afterwards + perceived, was not the place of honour. As I trust I am far + enough from desiring the chief seats in the synagogues, there + was nothing in this that could offend me; but I do not think it + right to let him have another opportunity of showing a slight to + my country in my person. + + _January 24._--Found Sayyid Ali rather serious this evening. He + said he did not know what to do to have his mind made up about + religion. Of all the religions Christ's was the best; but + whether to prefer this to Soofi-ism he could not tell. In these + doubts he is tossed to and fro, and is often kept awake the + whole night in tears. He and his brother talk together on these + things till they are almost crazed. Before he was engaged in + this work of translation, he says he used to read about two or + three hours a day, now he can do nothing else; has no + inclination for anything else, and feels unhappy if he does not + correct his daily portion. His late employment has given a new + turn to his thoughts as well as to those of his friends; they + had not the most distant conception of the contents of the New + Testament. He says his Soofi friends are exceedingly anxious to + see the Epistles, from the accounts he gives of them, and also + he is sure that almost the whole of Shiraz are so sensible of + the load of unmeaning ceremonies in which their religion + consists, that they will rejoice to see or hear of anything like + freedom, and that they would be more willing to embrace Christ + than the Soofis, who, after taking so much pains to be + independent of all law, would think it degrading to submit + themselves to any law again, however light. + + _February 2._--From what I suffer in this city, I can understand + the feelings of Lot. The face of the poor Russian appears to me + like the face of an angel, because he does not tell lies. Heaven + will be heaven because there will not be one liar there. The + Word of God is more precious to me at this time than I ever + remember it to have been; and of all the promises in it, none is + more sweet to me than this--'He shall reign till He hath put all + enemies under His feet.' + + _February 3._--A packet arrived from India without a single + letter for me. It was some disappointment to me: but let me be + satisfied with my God, and if I cannot have the comfort of + hearing from my friends, let me return with thankfulness to His + Word, which is a treasure of which none envy me the possession, + and where I can find what will more than compensate for the loss + of earthly enjoyments. Resignation to the will of God is a + lesson which I must learn, and which I trust He is teaching me. + + _February 9._--Aga Boozong came. After much conversation, he + said, 'Prove to me, from the beginning, that Christianity is the + way: how will you proceed? what do you say must be done?' 'If + you would not believe a person who wrought a miracle before + you,' said I, 'I have nothing to say; I cannot proceed a step.' + 'I will grant you,' said Sayyid Ali, 'that Christ was the Son of + God, and more than that.' 'That you despair of yourself, and are + willing to trust in Him alone for salvation?' 'Yes.' 'And are + ready to confess Christ before men, and act conformably to His + Word?' 'Yes: what else must I do?' 'Be baptized in the name of + Christ.' 'And what shall I gain?' 'The gift of the Holy Ghost. + The end of faith is salvation in the world to come; but even + here you shall have the Spirit to purify your heart, and to give + you the assurance of everlasting happiness.' Thus Aga Boozong + had an opportunity of hearing those strange things from my own + mouth, of which he had been told by his disciple the Mede. 'You + can say too,' said he, 'that you have received the Spirit?' I + told them I believed I had; 'for, notwithstanding all my sins, + the bent of my heart was to God in a way it never was before; + and that, according to my present feeling, I could not be happy + if God was not glorified, and if I had not the enjoyment of His + presence, for which I felt that I was now educating.' Aga + Boozong shed tears. + + After this came Aga Ali, the Mede, to hear, as he said, some of + the sentences of Paul. Mirza Sayyid Ali had told them, 'that if + they had read nothing but the Gospels, they knew nothing of the + religion of Christ.' The sheet I happened to have by me was the + one containing the fourth, fifth, and sixth chapters of the + Second Epistle to the Corinthians, which Aga Ali read out. + + At this time the company had increased considerably. I desired + Aga Ali to notice particularly the latter part of the fifth + chapter, 'God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto + Himself.' He then read it a second time, but they saw not its + glory; however, they spoke in high terms of the pith and + solidity of Paul's sentences. They were evidently on the watch + for anything that tallied with their own sentiments. Upon the + passage, 'Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord + Jesus,' the Mede observed, 'Do you not see that Jesus was in + Paul, and that Paul was only another name for Jesus?' And the + text, 'Whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; and whether + we be sober, it is for your sakes,' they interpreted thus: 'We + are absorbed in the contemplation of God, and when we recover, + it is to instruct you.' + + Walking afterwards with Mirza Sayyid Ali, he told me how much + one of my remarks had affected him, namely, that he had no + humility. He had been talking about simplicity and humility as + characteristic of the Soofis. 'Humility!' I said to him, 'if you + were humble, you would not dispute in this manner; you would be + like a child.' He did not open his mouth afterwards, but to say, + 'True; I have no humility.' In evident distress, he observed, + 'The truth is, we are in a state of compound + ignorance--ignorant, yet ignorant of our ignorance.' + + _February 18._--While walking in the garden, in some disorder + from vexation, two Mussulman Jews came up and asked me what + would become of them in another world. The Mahometans were right + in their way, they supposed, and we in ours, but what must they + expect? After rectifying their mistake as to the Mahometans, I + mentioned two or three reasons for believing that we are right: + such as their dispersion, and the cessation of sacrifices + immediately on the appearance of Jesus. 'True, true,' they said, + with great feeling and seriousness; indeed, they seemed disposed + to yield assent to anything I said. They confessed they had + become Mahometans only on compulsion, and that Abdoolghuni + wished to go to Baghdad, thinking he might throw off the mask + there with safety, but they asked what I thought. I said that + the Governor was a Mahometan. 'Did I think Syria safer?' 'The + safest place in the East,' I said, 'was India.' Feelings of pity + for God's ancient people, and having the awful importance of + eternal things impressed on my mind by the seriousness of their + inquiries as to what would become of them, relieved me from the + pressure of my comparatively insignificant distresses. I, a poor + Gentile, blest, honoured, and loved; secured for ever by the + everlasting covenant, whilst the children of the kingdom are + still lying in outer darkness! Well does it become me to be + thankful! + + This is my birthday, on which I complete my thirty-first year. + The Persian New Testament has been begun, and I may say finished + in it, as only the last eight chapters of the Revelation remain. + Such a painful year I never passed, owing to the privations I + have been called to on the one hand, and the spectacle before me + of human depravity on the other. But I hope that I have not + come to this seat of Satan in vain. The Word of God has found + its way into Persia, and it is not in Satan's power to oppose + its progress if the Lord hath sent it. + +A week after, on February 24, 1812, Henry Martyn corrected the last +page of the New Testament in Persian. As we read his words of +thanksgiving to the Lord and his invocation of the Holy Spirit, in the +already darkening light of his approaching end, before the beatific +vision promised by the Master to the pure in heart, and the blessed +companionship with Himself guaranteed to every true servant, we recall +the Scottish Columba, whose last act was to transcribe the eleventh +verse of the thirty-fourth Psalm, and the English Bede, who died when +translating the ninth verse of the sixth chapter of St. John's Gospel. + + I have many mercies for which to thank the Lord, and this is not + the least. Now may that Spirit who gave the Word, and called me, + I trust, to be an interpreter of it, graciously and powerfully + apply it to the hearts of sinners, even to the gathering an + elect people from amongst the long-estranged Persians! + +FOOTNOTES: + +[66] 'That list, in which Martyn holds a conspicuous place, has grown +long of late years, till we are half tempted to forget that the share +our age has taken and is taking in the work of translating and +distributing the Scriptures, links on to that of those who could +remember men who had seen the Lord.' Canon Edmonds' _Sermon_, preached +in the Cathedral Church of Truro, October 16, 1890 (Exeter). + +[67] _The Churchman_ for September 1889, p. 635. + +[68] See p. 314. + +[69] Evidently taken in detail from Adam's _Religious World Displayed_. + +[70] Fourth edition, London, 1822. + +[71] _Fortieth Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society_, p. +97. + +[72] _The Bible of Every Land_ (Bagster), 1848. + +[73] See _Contributions Towards a History of Biblical Translations in +India_. Calcutta and London (Dalton), 1854. + +[74] _Monograph on Hindustani Versions of the Old and New Testaments_, +by the Rev. R.C. Mather, LL.D. (without date). + +[75] _The Life of Rev. T.T. Thomason, M.A._, by the late Rev. J. +Sargent, M.A., second edition, Seeley's, 1834. + +[76] Dr. Milner, Dr. Rumsden, Dr. Jowett, Mr. Farish (Charles Simeon's +writing). + +[77] _Christian Researches in Asia, with Notices of the Translation of +the Scriptures into the Oriental Languages_, by the Rev. Claudius +Buchanan, D.D., 10th edition, London, 1814. + +[78] See _The Miracle Play of Hasan and Husain_, collected from Oral +Tradition, by Sir Lewis Pelly, two vols. 1879. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +SHIRAZ TO TABREEZ--THE PERSIAN NEW TESTAMENT + + +The next three months were spent, still in Shiraz, in the preparation of +copies of the precious Persian MS. of the New Testament, and in very +close spiritual intercourse with the company of inquirers whom neither +fanaticism, conceit, nor, in some cases, a previously immoral life, had +prevented from reverencing the teaching of the man of God. Jaffir Ali +Khan's garden became to such a holy place, as the Persian spring passed +into the heat of summer. There the privileged translator, Mirza Sayyid +Ali; Aga Baba, the Mede; Aga Boozong, vizier of Prince Abbas Mirza, and +'most magisterial of the Soofis;' Mirza Ibrahim, the controversialist +leader; Sheikh Abulhassan, and many a moolla to whom he testified that +Christ was the Creator and Saviour, gathered round him as he read, 'at +their request,' the Old Testament histories. 'Their attention to the +Word, and their love and attention to me, seemed to increase as the time +of my departure approached. Aga Baba, who had been reading St. Matthew, +related very circumstantially to the company the particulars of the +death of Christ. The bed of roses on which we sat, and the notes of the +nightingales warbling around us, were not so sweet to me as this +discourse from the Persian.' + + Telling Mirza Sayyid Ali one day that I wished to return to the + city in the evening, to be alone and at leisure for prayer, he + said with seriousness, 'Though a man had no other religious + society I suppose he might, with the aid of the Bible, live + alone with God?' This solitude will, in one respect, be his own + state soon;--may he find it the medium of God's gracious + communications to his soul! He asked in what way God ought to be + addressed: I told him as a Father, with respectful love; and + added some other exhortations on the subject of prayer. + + _May 11._--Aga Baba came to bid me farewell, which he did in the + best and most solemn way, by asking, as a final question, + 'whether, independently of external evidences, I had any + internal proofs of the doctrine of Christ?' I answered, 'Yes, + undoubtedly: the change from what I once was is a sufficient + evidence to me.' At last he took his leave, in great sorrow, and + what is better, apparently in great solicitude about his soul. + + The rest of the day I continued with Mirza Sayyid Ali, giving + him instructions what to do with the New Testament in case of my + decease, and exhorting him, as far as his confession allowed me, + to stand fast. He had made many a good resolution respecting his + besetting sins. I hope, as well as pray, that some lasting + effects may be seen at Shiraz from the Word of God left among + them. + +For the Shah and for the heir-apparent, Prince Abbas Mirza, two copies +of the Persian New Testament were specially written out in the perfect +caligraphy which the Persians love, and carefully corrected with the +translator's own hand. That he might himself present them, especially +the former, he left Shiraz on May 11, 1812, after a year's residence +in the country. The whole length of the great Persian plateau had to +be traversed, by Ispahan to Teheran, thence to the royal camp at +Sultania, and finally to Tabreez, where was Sir Gore Ouseley, the +British ambassador, through whom alone the English man of God could +be introduced to the royal presence. He was accompanied by Mr. +Canning, an English clergyman. + +The journey occupied eight weeks, and proved to be one of extreme +hardship, which rapidly developed Henry Martyn's disease. At one time +his life was in danger, in spite of the letters which he carried from +General Malcolm's friend, and now his own, Jaffir Ali Khan, to the +Persian prime minister at Teheran. Mrs. Bishop's experience of travel +by the same road[79] at a more favourable season, over the 'great mud +land' to which centuries of misrule have changed the populous paradise +of Darius, enables us to imagine what the brief record of the +_Journal_ only half reveals seventy years ago. The old village which +the founder of the Kajar dynasty enlarged into Teheran, straggles +within eleven miles of walls in the most depressed part of an +uninteresting waste. Save for the exterior of the Shah's palace, and +those of some of his ministers, the suburb with the European +legations, and now the large and handsome buildings of the American +Presbyterian Mission, it is unworthy of being a capital city. Eager to +present the sacred volume while life was left to him, Henry Martyn +hurried away to find Mirza Shufi, the premier, and the Shah, who were +in camp a night's journey off at Karach. + + _May 13._--Remained all day at the caravanserai, correcting the + Prince's copy. + + _May 14._--Continued our journey through two ridges of mountains + to Imanzadu: no cultivation to be seen anywhere, nor scarcely + any natural vegetable production, except the broom and + hawthorn. The weather was rather tempestuous, with cold gusts of + wind and rain. We were visited by people who came to be cured of + their distempers. + + _May 16._--We found a hoar frost, and ice on the pools. The + excessive cold at this place is accounted for by its being the + highest land between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. The + baggage not having come up, we were obliged to pass another day + in this uncomfortable neighbourhood, where nothing was to be + procured for ourselves or our horses, the scarcity of rain this + year having left the ground destitute of verdure, and the poor + people of the village near us having nothing to sell. + + _May 21._--Finished the revision of the Prince's copy. At eleven + at night we started for Ispahan, where we arrived soon after + sunrise on the 22nd, and were accommodated in one of the king's + palaces. Found my old Shiraz scribe here, and corrected with him + the Prince's copy. + + _May 23._--Called on the Armenian bishops at Julfa, and met + Matteus. He is certainly vastly superior to any Armenian I have + yet seen. We next went to the Italian missionary, Joseph + Carabiciate, a native of Aleppo, but educated at Rome. He spoke + Latin very sprightly, considering his age, which was sixty-six, + but discovered no sort of inclination to talk about religion. + Until lately he had been supported by the Propaganda; but weary + at last of exercising his functions without remuneration, and + even without the necessary provision, he talked of returning to + Aleppo. + + _May 24._ (Sunday.)--Went early this morning to the Armenian + church attached to the episcopal residence. Within the rails + were two out of the four bishops, and other ecclesiastics, but + in the body of the church only three people. Most of the + Armenians at Julfa, which is now reduced to five hundred houses, + attended at their respective parish churches, of which there + are twelve, served by twenty priests. After their pageantry was + over, and we were satisfied with processions, ringing of bells, + waving of colours, and other ceremonies, which were so numerous + as entirely to remove all semblance of spiritual worship, we + were condemned to witness a repetition of the same mockery at + the Italian's church, at his request. I could not stand it out, + but those who did observed that the priest ate and drank all the + consecrated elements himself, and gave none to the few poor + women who composed his congregation, and who, the Armenian said, + had been hired for the occasion. + + Before returning to Ispahan we sat a short time in the garden + with the bishops. They, poor things, had nothing to say, and + could scarcely speak Persian; so that all the conversation was + between me and Matteus. At my request he brought what he had of + the Holy Scriptures in Persian and Arabic. They were Wheloi's + Persian Gospels, and an Arabic version of the Gospels printed at + Rome. I tried in vain to bring him to any profitable discussion; + with more sense than his brethren, he is not more advanced in + spiritual knowledge. Returned much disappointed. Julfa had + formerly twenty bishops and about one hundred clergy, with + twenty-four churches. + + _June 2._--Soon after midnight we mounted our horses. It was a + mild moonlight night and a nightingale filled the whole valley + with his notes. Our way was along lanes, over which the wood on + each side formed a canopy, and a murmuring rivulet accompanied + us till it was lost in a lake. At daylight we emerged into the + plain of Kashan, which seems to be a part of the great Salt + Desert. On our arrival at the king's garden, where we intended + to put up, we were at first refused admittance, but an + application to the Governor was soon attended to. We saw here + huge snowy mountains on the north-east beyond Teheran. + + _June 5._--Reached Kum;[80] the country uniformly desolate. The + chief Moojtahid in all Persia, being a resident of this city, I + sent to know if a visit would be agreeable to him. His reply + was, that if I had any business with him I might come; but if + otherwise, his age and infirmities must be his excuse. Intending + to travel a double stage, started soon after sunset. + + _June 8._--Arrived, two hours before daybreak, at the walls of + Teheran. I spread my bed upon the high road, and slept till the + gates were open; then entered the city, and took up my abode at + the ambassador's house. + + I lost no time in forwarding Jaffir Ali Khan's letter to the + premier, who sent to desire that I would come to him. I found + him lying ill in the verandah of the king's tent of audience. + Near him were sitting two persons, who, I was afterwards + informed, were Mirza Khantar and Mirza Abdoolwahab; the latter + being a secretary of state and a great admirer of the Soofi + sage. They took very little notice, not rising when I sat down, + as is their custom to all who sit with them; nor offering me + kalean. The two secretaries, on learning my object in coming, + began a conversation with me on religion and metaphysics, which + lasted two hours. As they were both well-educated, gentlemanly + men, the discussion was temperate, and, I hope, useful. + + _June 12._--I attended the Vizier's leve, where there was a + most intemperate and clamorous controversy kept up for an hour + or two; eight or ten on one side, and I on the other. Amongst + them were two moollas, the most ignorant of any I have yet met + with in either Persia or India. It would be impossible to + enumerate all the absurd things they said. Their vulgarity in + interrupting me in the middle of a speech; their utter ignorance + of the nature of an argument; their impudent assertions about + the law and the Gospel, neither of which they had ever seen in + their lives, moved my indignation a little. I wished, and I said + it would have been well, if Mirza Abdoolwahab had been there; I + should then have had a man of sense to argue with. The Vizier, + who set us going at first, joined in it latterly, and said, 'You + had better say God is God, and Muhammad is the prophet of God.' + I said, 'God is God,' but added, instead of 'Muhammad is the + prophet of God,' 'and Jesus is the Son of God.' They had no + sooner heard this, which I had avoided bringing forward till + then, than they all exclaimed, in contempt and anger, 'He is + neither born nor begets,' and rose up, as if they would have + torn me in pieces. One of them said, 'What will you say when + your tongue is burnt out for this blasphemy?' + + One of them felt for me a little, and tried to soften the + severity of this speech. My book, which I had brought expecting + to present it to the king, lay before Mirza Shufi. As they all + rose up after him to go, some to the king and some away, I was + afraid they would trample on the book; so I went in among them + to take it up, and wrapped it in a towel before them, while they + looked at it and me with supreme contempt. Thus I walked away + alone in my tent, to pass the rest of the day in heat and dirt. + What have I done, thought I, to merit all this scorn? Nothing, I + trust, but bearing testimony to Jesus. I thought over these + things in prayer, and my troubled heart found that peace which + Christ hath promised to His disciples. + + To complete the trials of the day, a message came from the + Vizier in the evening, to say that it was the custom of the king + not to see any Englishman, unless presented by the ambassador, + or accredited by a letter from him, and that I must, therefore, + wait till the king reached Sultania, where the ambassador would + be. + + _June 13._--Disappointed of my object in coming to the camp, I + lost no time in leaving it, and proceeded in company with Mr. + Canning, who had just joined me from Teheran, towards Kasbin, + intending there to wait the result of an application to the + ambassador. Started at eleven, and travelled till eleven next + morning, having gone ten parasangs or forty miles, to Quishlang. + The country all along was well watered and cultivated. The mules + being too much tired to proceed, we passed the day at the + village; indeed, we all wanted rest. As I sat down in the dust, + on the shady side of a walled village by which we passed, and + surveyed the plains over which our road lay, I sighed at the + thought of my dear friends in India and England, of the vast + regions I must traverse before I can get to either, and of the + various and unexpected hindrances which present themselves to my + going forward. I comfort myself with the hope that my God has + something for me to do, by thus delaying my exit. + + _June 22._--We met with the usual insulting treatment at the + caravanserai, where the king's servants had got possession of a + good room, built for the reception of the better order of + guests; they seemed to delight in the opportunity of humbling an + European. Sultania is still but a village, yet the Zengan prince + has quartered himself and all his attendants, with their horses, + on this poor little village. All along the road, where the king + is expected, the people are patiently waiting, as for some + dreadful disaster; plague, pestilence, or famine is nothing to + the misery of being subject to the violence and extortion of + this rabble soldiery. + + _June 25._ (Zengan.)--After a restless night, rose so ill with + the fever that I could not go on. My companion, Mr. Canning, was + nearly in the same state. We touched nothing all day. + + _June 26._--After such another night I had determined to go on, + but Mr. Canning declared himself unable to stir, so here we + dragged through another miserable day. What added to our + distress was that we were in danger, if detained here another + day or two, of being absolutely in want of the necessaries of + life before reaching Tabreez. We made repeated applications to + the moneyed people, but none would advance a piastre. Where are + the people who flew forth to meet General Malcolm with their + purses and their lives? Another generation is risen up, 'who + know not Joseph.' Providentially a poor muleteer, arriving from + Tabreez, became security for us, and thus we obtained five + tomans. This was a heaven-send; and we lay down quietly, free + from apprehensions of being obliged to go a fatiguing journey of + eight or ten hours, without a house or village in the way, in + our present weak and reduced state. We had now eaten nothing for + two days. My mind was much disordered from head-ache and + giddiness, from which I was seldom free; but my heart, I trust, + was with Christ and His saints. To live much longer in this + world of sickness and pain seemed no way desirable; the most + favourite prospects of my heart seemed very poor and childish; + and cheerfully would I have exchanged them all for the unfading + inheritance. + + _June 27._--My Armenian servant was attacked in the same way. + The rest did not get me the things that I wanted, so that I + passed the third day in the same exhausted state; my head, too, + was tortured with shocking pains, such as, together with the + horror I felt at being exposed to the sun, showed me plainly to + what to ascribe my sickness. Towards evening, two more of our + servants were attacked in the same way, and lay groaning from + pains in the head. + + _June 28._--All were much recovered, but in the afternoon I + again relapsed. During a high fever Mr. Canning read to me in + bed the Epistle to the Ephesians, and I never felt the + consolations of that Divine revelation of mysteries more + sensibly and solemnly. Rain in the night prevented our setting + off. + + _June 29._--My ague and fever returned, with such a head-ache + that I was almost frantic. Again and again I said to myself, + 'Let patience have her perfect work,' and kept pleading the + promises, 'When thou passest through the waters I will be with + thee,' etc.; and the Lord did not withhold His presence. I + endeavoured to repel all the disordered thoughts that the fever + occasioned, and to keep in mind that all was friendly; a + friendly Lord presiding; and nothing exercising me but what + would show itself at last friendly. A violent perspiration at + last relieved the acute pain in my head, and my heart rejoiced; + but as soon as that was over, the exhaustion it occasioned, + added to the fatigue from the pain, left me in as low a state of + depression as ever I was in. I seemed about to sink into a long + fainting fit, and I almost wished it; but at this moment, a + little after midnight, I was summoned to mount my horse, and set + out, rather dead than alive. We moved on six parasangs. We had a + thunder-storm with hail. + + _July 1._--A long and tiresome march to Sarehund; in seven + parasangs there was no village. They had nothing to sell but + buttermilk and bread; but a servant of Abbas Mirza, happening to + be at the same caravanserai, sent us some flesh of a mountain + cow which he had shot the day before. All day I had scarcely the + right recollection of myself from the violence of the ague. We + have now reached the end of the level ground which we have had + all the way from Teheran, and are approaching the boundaries of + Parthia and Media; a most natural boundary it is, as the two + ridges of mountains we have had on the left and right come round + and form a barrier. + + _July 2._--At two in the morning we set out. I hardly know when + I have been so disordered. I had little or no recollection of + things, and what I did remember at times of happy scenes in + India or England, served only to embitter my present situation. + Soon after removing into the air I was seized with a violent + ague, and in this state I went on till sunrise. At three + parasangs and a half we found a fine caravanserai, apparently + very little used, as the grass was growing in the court. There + was nothing all round but the barren rocks, which generally + roughen the country before the mountain rears its height. Such + an edifice in such a situation was cheering. Soon after we came + to a river, over which was a high bridge; I sat down in the + shade under it, with two camel drivers. The kafila, as it + happened, forded the river, and passed on without my perceiving + it. Mr. Canning seeing no signs of me, returned, and after + looking about for some time, espied my horse grazing; he + concluded immediately that the horse had flung me from the + bridge into the river, and was almost ready to give me up for + lost. My speedy appearance from under the bridge relieved his + terror and anxiety. Half the people still continue ill; for + myself, I am, through God's infinite mercy, recovering. + + _July 4._--I so far prevailed as to get the kafila into motion + at midnight. Lost our way in the night, but arriving at a + village we were set right again. At eight came to Kilk + caravanserai, but not stopping there, went on to a village, + where we arrived at half-past nine. The baggage not coming up + till long after, we got no breakfast till one o'clock. In + consequence of all these things, want of sleep, want of + refreshment, and exposure to the sun, I was presently in a high + fever, which raged so furiously all the day that I was nearly + delirious, and it was some time before I could get the right + recollection of myself. I almost despaired, and do now, of + getting alive through this unfortunate journey. Last night I + felt remarkably well, calm and composed, and sat reflecting on + my heavenly rest, with more sweetness of soul, abstraction from + the world, and solemn views of God, than I have had for a long + time. Oh, for such sacred hours! This short and painful life + would scarcely be felt could I live thus at heaven's gate. It + being impossible to continue my journey in my present state, + and one of the servants also being so ill that he could not move + with safety, we determined to halt one day at the village, and + sent on a messenger to Sir Gore, at Tabreez, informing him of + our approach. + + _July 5._--As soon as it was day we found our way to the village + where the Doctor was waiting for us. Not being able to stay for + us, he went on to Tabreez, and we as far as Wasmuch, where he + promised to procure for us a fine upper room furnished; but when + we arrived, they denied that there was any such a place. At + last, after an hour's threatening, we got admittance to it. An + hour before break of day I left it, in hopes of reaching Tabreez + before sunrise. Some of the people seemed to feel compassion for + me, and asked me if I was not very ill. At last I reached the + gate, and feebly asked for a man to show me the way to the + ambassador's. + + _July 9._--Made an extraordinary effort, and as a Tartar was + going off instantly to Constantinople, wrote letters to Mr. + Grant for permission to come to England, and to Mr. Simeon and + Lydia, informing them of it; but I have scarcely the remotest + expectation of seeing it, except by looking at the almighty + power of God. + + Dined at night at the ambassador's, who said he was determined + to give every possible _clat_ to my book, by presenting it + himself to the king. My fever never ceased to rage till the + 21st, during all which time every effort was made to subdue it, + till I had lost all my strength and almost all my reason. They + now administer bark, and it may please God to bless the tonics; + but I seem too far gone, and can only say, 'having a desire to + depart and be with Christ, which is far better.' + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Tabreez: July 12, 1812. + + My dearest Lydia,--I have only time to say that I have received + your letter of February 14. Shall I pain your heart by adding, + that I am in such a state of sickness and pain, that I can + hardly write to you? Let me rather observe, to obviate the + gloomy apprehension my letters to Mr. Grant and Mr. Simeon may + excite, that I am likely soon to be delivered from my fever. + Whether I shall gain strength enough to go on, rests on our + Heavenly Father, in whose hands are all my times. Oh, His + precious grace! His eternal unchanging love in Christ to my soul + never appeared more clear, more sweet, more strong. I ought to + inform you that in consequence of the state to which I am + reduced by travelling so far overland, without having half + accomplished my journey, and the consequent impossibility of + returning to India the same way, I have applied for leave to + come on furlough to England. Perhaps you will be gratified by + this intelligence; but oh, my dear Lydia, I must faithfully tell + you that the probability of my reaching England alive is but + small; and this I say, that your expectations of seeing me again + may be moderate, as mine are of seeing you. Why have you not + written more about yourself? However, I am thankful for knowing + that you are alive and well. I scarcely know how to desire you + to direct. Perhaps Alexandria in Egypt will be the best place; + another may be sent to Constantinople, for though I shall not go + there, I hope Mr. Morier will be kept informed of my movements. + Kindest love to all the saints you usually mention. Yours ever + most faithfully and affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + + + TO REV. C. SIMEON + + Tabreez: July 12, 1812. + + My dearest Friend and Brother,--The Tartar courier for + Constantinople, who has been delayed some days on our account, + being to be despatched instantly, my little strength also being + nearly exhausted by writing to Mr. Grant a letter to be laid + before the court: I have only to notice some of the particulars + of your letter of February of this year. It is not now before + me, neither have I strength to search for it among my papers; + but from the frequent attentive perusals I gave it during my + intervals of ease, I do not imagine that any of it has escaped + my memory. At present I am in a high fever, and cannot properly + recollect myself. I shall ever love and be grateful to Mr. + Thornton for his kind attention to my family. + + The increase of godly young men is precious news. If I sink into + the grave in India, my place will be supplied an hundredfold. + You will learn from Mr. Grant that I have applied for leave to + come to England on furlough; a measure you will disapprove; but + you would not, were you to see the pitiable condition to which I + am reduced, and knew what it is to traverse the continent of + Asia in the destitute state in which I am. If you wish not to + see me, I can say that I think it most probable that you will + not; the way before me being not better than that passed over, + which has nearly killed me. + + I would not pain your heart, my dear brother, but we who are in + Jesus have the privilege of viewing life and death as nearly the + same, since both are one; and I thank a gracious Lord that + sickness never came at a time when I was more free from apparent + reasons for living. Nothing seemingly remains for me to do but + to follow the rest of my family to the tomb. Let not the book + written against Muhammadanism be published till approved in + India. A European who has not lived amongst them cannot imagine + how differently they see, imagine, reason, object, from what we + do. This I had full opportunity of observing during my eleven + months' residence at Shiraz. During that time I was engaged in a + written controversy with one of the most learned and temperate + doctors there. He began. I replied what was unanswerable, then I + subjoined a second more direct attack on the glaring absurdities + of Muhammadanism, with a statement of the nature and evidences + of Christianity. The Soofis then as well as himself desired a + demonstration, from the very beginning, of the truth of any + revelation. As this third treatise contained an examination of + the doctrine of the Soofis, and pointed out that their object + was attainable by the Gospel, and by that only, it was read with + interest and convinced many. There is not a single Europeanism + in the whole that I know of, as my friend and interpreter would + not write anything that he could not perfectly comprehend. But I + am exhausted; pray for me, beloved brother, and believe that I + am, as long as life and recollection lasts, yours + affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + + + Tabreez: August 8. + + My dearest Brother and Friend,--Ever since I wrote, about a + month, I believe, I have been lying upon the bed of sickness; + for twenty days or more the fever raged with great violence, and + for a long time every species of medicine was tried in vain. + After I had given up every hope of recovery, it pleased God to + abate the fever, but incessant head-aches succeeded, which + allowed me no rest day or night. I was reduced still lower, and + am now a mere skeleton; but as they are now less frequent, I + suppose it to be the will of God that I should be raised up to + life again. I am now sitting in my chair, and wrote the will + with a strong hand; but as you see I cannot write so now. + Kindest love to Mr. John Thornton, for whose temporal and + spiritual prosperity I daily pray.--Your ever affectionate + friend and brother, + + H. MARTYN. + +Lydia Grenfell's letter, to which Martyn's of July 12, written in such +circumstances, is a reply, was really dated February 1, 1812, and was +the last received from her by him. Her _Diary_ notes that she 'wrote +to India, August 30, September 30, 1812'; and on December 12 of that +year, thus remarks on his letter of July 12: + + Heard from Tabreez from Mr. Martyn with an account of his + dangerous state of health and intention of returning to England + if his life was spared. This intelligence affected me variously. + The probability of his death, the certainty of his extreme + sufferings, and distance from every friend, pressed heavily on + my spirits; I was enabled to pray, and felt relieved. Of his + return no very sanguine expectations can be entertained. + Darkness and distress of mind have followed this information. I + cannot collect my thoughts to write, or apply as I ought to + anything. Oh, let me consider this as a call to prayer and + watchfulness and self-examination. Lord, assist me! + + _December 16._--A season of great temptation, darkness, and + distress. At no period of my life have I stood more in need of + Divine help, and oh! may I earnestly seek it. Lord, I would + pray, give me a right understanding, and enable me seriously to + consider and weigh in the balance of the sanctuary all I + do--yea, let my thoughts be watched. Sleep has fled from mine + eyes, and a fearful looking for of trial and affliction, however + this affair ends, possesses my mind. Oh! let me cast my burden + on the Lord--it is too heavy for me. Lord, let me begin afresh + to call upon Thy name, and, taking hold of Thee, I shall be + borne up above my trials, carried through the difficulties I + see before me, and be delivered. + + _December 17._--I desire, O Thou blessed God, to seek Thy face, + to call on Thy name. Thou hast been my refuge; I have been happy + in the sense of Thy love. With all my sins, my weaknesses and + miseries, I come to Thee, and most seriously would I seek Thy + guidance in the perplexing and difficult circumstances I am in. + O Lord, suffer me not to run counter to Thy will nor to + dishonour Thee. + + _December 25._--Bless the Lord, O my soul; bless His holy name + for ever and ever. I sought the Lord in my distress, and He gave + ear unto me. Gracious and merciful art Thou, O Lord, for Thou + didst bend Thine ear to the most worthless of all creatures. + This is for the glory of Thy name alone, to show how great Thy + mercy is, how sure Thy truth. After a night of clouds and + darkness, behold the clear sky. + + _December 26._--This joyful, holy season calls upon me for fresh + praises, and a renewed dedication of myself to God. I rejoice in + believing Christ was born; I rejoice in the end proposed of His + appearance in the flesh, the recovery of mankind to holiness and + to God. I welcome this salvation as that I most desire. My + happiness, I know, consists in holiness and in the favour of + God. Thought much to-day of my dear friend. I cannot think of + him as having gained the heavenly crown, but as struggling with + dangers and difficulties. Secure in them all of Thy favour, and + defended by Thy power, he is safe, and pass but a few years or + days, and he will enter into the rest of God. Let me, too, + follow after him as he follows Christ. + + _1813, January 4._--After a night and day spent in great + conflict and agony of mind, I, this evening, enjoy a respite + from distressing apprehensions. I was reduced to the lowest, as + to animal spirits and spiritual life, when it occurred to me I + would go to the meeting, where I found a sweet--oh, may it be a + lasting! relief from my cares. Having better things proposed + for my consideration, my burden has chiefly been from a sense of + inward weakness and a conviction of having lost the presence of + God. The state of my beloved friend less occupies my mind than I + sometimes think is reconcilable with a true affection for him; + but the truth is, the concerns of my soul are the more pressing. + Oh! may this trial truly answer this purpose of driving me to + God, my refuge and rest. + + _January 6._--Still harassed and without strength to resist. I + seem divested of the Spirit, yet, oh, let me not give way to + this! I will try, as a helpless sinner, to seek Divine aid. Thou + canst command peace within and increase my faith. I am amazed at + the state of my mind--instead of having my thoughts exercised + about my dear friend, I am filled with distressing fears for my + soul, and left so to myself that all I can do is to pray for the + Lord to return and lift upon me the light of His countenance. O + Thou blessed Redeemer! hear my sighs and put my tears into Thy + bottle. My wanderings are noted down in Thy book. Oh, have pity + on my wretched state and revive Thy work, increase my faith. + Thou art the resurrection and the life--let me rest on this + Scripture. + + _February 1._--My beloved friend remembered every hour, but + to-day with less distressing fears and perplexity of mind. I do + from my inmost soul, O Lord, desire Thy will to be done, and + that Thou mayest be glorified in this concern. Oh, direct us! + + _February 7._--I have been convinced to-day how by admitting + into my heart, and suffering my first, my last, and every + thought to be engrossed by an earthly object, I have grieved the + Holy Spirit, and hindered God from dwelling in me. Oh! let me + have done with idols and worship God. + +More than six weeks after his letter of July 12, the fever-stricken +missionary recovered strength to write to Lydia once again: + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Tabreez: August 28, 1812. + + I wrote to you last, my dear Lydia, in great disorder. My fever + had approached nearly to delirium, and my debility was so great + that it seemed impossible I could withstand the power of disease + many days. Yet it has pleased God to restore me to life and + health again; not that I have recovered my former strength yet, + but consider myself sufficiently restored to prosecute my + journey. My daily prayer is, that my late chastisement may have + its intended effect, and make me all the rest of my days more + humble, and less self-confident. Self-confidence has often let + me down fearful lengths, and would, without God's gracious + interference, prove my endless perdition. I seem to be made to + feel this evil of my heart more than any other at this time. In + prayer, or when I write or converse on the subject, Christ + appears to me my life and strength, but at other times I am as + thoughtless and bold as if I had all life and strength in + myself, Such neglect on our part works a diminution of our joys; + but the covenant, the covenant! stands fast with Him, for His + people evermore. + + I mentioned my conversing sometimes on Divine subjects, for + though it is long enough since I have seen a child of God, I am + sometimes led on by the Persians to tell them all I know of the + very recesses of the sanctuary, and these are the things that + interest them. But to give an account of all my discussions with + these mystic philosophers must be reserved to the time of our + meeting. Do I dream, that I venture to think and write of such + an event as that? Is it possible that we shall ever meet again + below? Though it is possible, I dare not indulge such a pleasing + hope yet. I am still at a tremendous distance; and the countries + I have to pass through are many of them dangerous to the + traveller, from the hordes of banditti, whom a feeble + government cannot chastise. In consequence of the bad state of + the road between this and Aleppo, Sir Gore advises me to go + first to Constantinople, and from thence to pass into Syria. In + favour of this route, he urges that, by writing to two or three + Turkish Governors on the frontiers, he can secure me a safe + passage, at least half-way, and the latter half is probably not + much infested. In three days, therefore, I intend setting my + horse's head towards Constantinople, distant above thirteen + hundred miles. Nothing, I think, will occasion any further + detention here, if I can procure servants who know both Persian + and Turkish; but should I be taken ill on the road, my case + would be pitiable indeed. The ambassador and his suite are still + here: his and Lady Ouseley's attentions to me, during my + illness, have been unremitted. The Prince Abbas Mirza, the + wisest of the king's sons, and heir to the throne, was here some + time after my arrival; I much wished to present a copy of the + Persian New Testament to him, but I could not rise from my bed. + The book will, however, be given to him by the ambassador. + Public curiosity about the Gospel, now for the first time, in + the memory of the modern Persians, introduced into the country, + is a good deal excited here, at Shiraz, and other places; so + that, upon the whole, I am thankful for having been led hither + and detained, though my residence in this country has been + attended with many unpleasant circumstances. The way of the + kings of the East is preparing. This much may be said with + safety, but little more. The Persians also will probably take + the lead in the march to Zion, as they are ripe for a revolution + in religion as well as politics. + + Sabat, about whom you inquire so regularly, I have heard nothing + of this long time. My friends in India have long since given me + up as lost or gone out of reach, and if they wrote they would + probably not mention him, as he is far from being a favourite + with any of them. ----, who is himself of an impatient temper, + cannot tolerate him; indeed, I am pronounced to be the only man + in Bengal who could have lived with him so long. He is, to be + sure, the most tormenting creature I ever yet chanced to deal + with--peevish, proud, suspicious, greedy; he used to give daily + more and more distressing proofs of his never having received + the saving grace of God. But of this you will say nothing; while + his interesting story is yet fresh in the memory of people, his + failings had better not be mentioned. The poor Arab wrote me a + querulous epistle from Calcutta, complaining that no one took + notice of him now that I was gone; and then he proceeds to abuse + his best friends. I have not yet written to reprove him for his + unchristian sentiments, and when I do I know it will be to no + purpose after all the private lectures I have given him. My + course from Constantinople is so uncertain that I hardly know + where to desire you to direct to me; I believe Malta is the only + place, for there I must stop in my way home. Soon we shall have + occasion for pen and ink no more; but I trust I shall shortly + see thee face to face. Love to all the saints. + + Believe me to be yours ever, most faithfully and affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + +These were Henry Martyn's last words to Lydia Grenfell. Hasting home +to be with her, in a few weeks his yearning spirit was with the Lord-- + + Love divine, all love excelling. + +Tabreez was at this time the centre of diplomatic activity. While the +Shah and his camp were not far off, the Turkish Ambassador was in the +city, and Sir Gore Ouseley was busily mediating between the Turkish +and Persian Governments after their hostilities on the Baghdad +frontier. Turkey, moreover, had just before concluded a treaty with +Russia, with consequences most offensive to the Shah. Only the +personal influence and active interference of the British Ambassador +prevented the renewal of hostilities. Mr. Morier, the Secretary of +Embassy, gives us this contemporary picture of Martyn's arrival:[81] +'We had not long been at Tabreez before our party was joined by the +Rev. William Canning and the Rev. Henry Martyn. The former was +attached to our Embassy as chaplain; the latter, whom we had left at +Shiraz employed in the translation of the New Testament into the +Persian language, having completed that object, was on his way to +Constantinople. Both these gentlemen had suffered greatly in health +during their journey from Shiraz. Mr. Martyn had scarcely time to +recover his strength before he departed again.' + +Had Henry Martyn been induced by his hospitable friends to rest here +for a time, had the physician constrained him to wait for a better +season and more strength, he might have himself presented his sacred +work to the Shah--might have repeated in the north what he had been +permitted to do in one brief year in the south of Persia, and might +have again seen the beloved Lydia and his Cambridge friends. For +Tabreez, 'the fever-dispeller,' is said to have been so named by +Zobeidah, the wife of the Kaliph Haroon'r Rashheed, who, at the close +of the eighth century, beautified the ancient Tauris, capital of +Tiridates III., King of Armenia in 297, because of its healthy +climate. In spite of repeated earthquakes the city has been always +rebuilt, low and mean, covering an area like that of Vienna, but the +principal emporium from which Persia used to receive its European +goods till the coasting steamers of India opened up the Persian Gulf +and, of late, the Euphrates, Tigris, and Karoon rivers. Only the ark, +or citadel of Ali Shah, a noble building of burnt brick, and the fine +ruin of the Kabood Masjeed, or mosque of beautifully arabesqued blue +tiles, redeemed the city in Martyn's time from meanness. The +Ambassador, his host, was then lodged in the house of its wealthiest +citizen, Hajji Khan Muhammed, whom the Prince had turned out to make +room for Sir Gore Ouseley. Now the British Consulate of Tabreez is a +spacious residence, with a fine garden, and the city has become +flourishing again. Henry Martyn left Tabreez on his fatal journey at +the very time when the climate began to be at its best. All around, +too, and especially in the hills of Sahand to the south, with the air +of Scotland and of Wales, or on the natural pastures of Chaman, where +the finest brood mares are kept, sloping down to the waters of Lake +Ooroomia, he would have found in the hot season the loveliest land in +Asia.[82] + +Before we hasten on with the modern apostle of the Persians to the +bitter but bright end, we must trace the history of the influence of +his translation of the New Testament. The 20th August, 1812, he +joyfully entered in his _Journal_ as a day much to be remembered for +the remarkable recovery of strength. He learned from Mirza Aga Meer +that his 'work,' that is, his reply to Mirza Ibrahim, had been read to +the Shah by Mirza Abdoolwahab, and that the king had observed to Mirza +Boozong, his son's vizier, that the Feringhis' (Franks') Government +and army, and now one of their moollas, was come into the East. The +Shah then directed Mirza Boozong to prepare an answer. In consequence +of this information Sir Gore Ouseley, who doubtless desired to spare +the little strength of his guest, directed that a certain moolla, who +greatly wished to be introduced to the man of God, should not be +brought to him. Nevertheless, 'one day a moolla came and disputed a +while for Muhammedan, but finished with professing Soofi sentiments.' + +The great Shah, Fateh Ali Khan himself, and his son, were thus prepared +for the Divine gift of Henry Martyn in due form through the British +Ambassador. How it reached His Persian Majesty from Sir Gore Ouseley, +and how the Shah-in-Shah received it, these letters tell, so honourable +to the writers, even after all allowance is made for the diplomatic +courtliness of the correspondence.[83] The Soofi controversialists and +friends of the translator, who by that time had entered on his rest, +must have, moreover, predisposed the eclectic mind of the always liberal +Shah to treat with reverence the _Injil_, or Gospel. + + _From His Excellency Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart., Ambassador + Extraordinary from His Britannic Majesty to the Court of Persia. + Addressed to the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth, President of the + British and Foreign Bible Society._ + + St. Petersburg: September 20, 1814. + + My dear Lord,--Finding that I am likely to be detained here some + six or seven weeks, and apprehensive that my letters from Persia + may not have reached your Lordship, I conceive it my duty to + acquaint you, for the information of the society of Christians + formed for the purpose of propagating the Sacred Writings, that, + agreeably to the wishes of our poor friend, the late Rev. Henry + Martyn, I presented in the name of the Society (as he + particularly desired) a copy of his translation of the New + Testament into the Persian language to His Persian Majesty, + Fateh Ali Shah Kajar, having first made conditions that His + Majesty was to peruse the whole, and favour me with his opinion + of the style, etc. + + Previous to delivering the book to the Shah, I employed + transcribers to make some copies of it, which I distributed to + Hajji Mahomed Hussein Khan, Prince of Maru, Mirza Abdulwahab, + and other men of learning and rank immediately about the person + of the king, who, being chiefly converts to the Soofi + philosophy, would, I felt certain, give it a fair judgment, and, + if called upon by the Shah for their opinion, report of it + according to its intrinsic merits. + + The enclosed translation of a letter from His Persian Majesty to + me will show your Lordship that he thinks the complete work a + great acquisition, and that he approves of the simple style + adopted by my lamented friend Martyn and his able coadjutor, + Mirza Sayyed Ali, so appropriate to the just and ready + conception of the sublime morality of the Sacred Writings. + Should the Society express a wish to possess the original letter + from the Shah, or a copy of it in Persian, I shall be most happy + to present either through your Lordship. + + I beg leave to add that, if a correct copy of Mr. Martyn's + translation has not yet been presented to the Society, I shall + have great pleasure in offering one that has been copied from + and collated with the original left with me by Mr. Martyn, on + which he had bestowed the greatest pains to render it perfect. + + I also promise to devote my leisure to the correction of the + press, in the event of your thinking proper to have it printed + in England, should my Sovereign not have immediate occasion for + my services out of England.--I am, etc. + + GORE OUSELEY. + + + _Translation of His Persian Majesty's Letter, + referred to in the preceding._ + + In the Name of the Almighty God, whose glory is most + excellent. + + It is our august command that the dignified and excellent our + trusty, faithful, and loyal well-wisher, Sir Gore Ouseley, + Baronet, His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary (after + being honoured and exalted with the expressions of our highest + regard and consideration), should know that the copy of the + Gospel, which was translated into Persian by the learned + exertions of the late Rev. Henry Martyn, and which has been + presented to us by your Excellency on the part of the high, + dignified, learned, and enlightened Society of Christians, + united for the purpose of spreading abroad the Holy Books of the + religion of Jesus (upon whom, and upon all prophets, be peace + and blessings!), has reached us, and has proved highly + acceptable to our august mind. + + In truth, through the learned and unremitted exertions of the + Rev. Henry Martyn, it has been translated in a style most + befitting sacred books, that is, in an easy and simple diction. + Formerly, the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, + were known in Persia; but now the whole of the New Testament is + completed in a most excellent manner: and this circumstance has + been an additional source of pleasure to our enlightened and + august mind. Even the four Evangelists which were known in this + country had never been before explained in so clear and luminous + a manner. We, therefore, have been particularly delighted with + this copious and complete translation. If it please the most + merciful God, we shall command the Select Servants, who are + admitted to our presence, to read[84] to us the above-mentioned + book from the beginning to the end, that we may, in the most + minute manner, hear and comprehend its contents. + + Your Excellency will be pleased to rejoice the hearts of the + above-mentioned dignified, learned, and enlightened Society with + assurances of our highest regard and approbation; and to inform + those excellent individuals who are so virtuously engaged in + disseminating and making known the true meaning and intent of + the Holy Gospel, and other points in sacred books, that they are + deservedly honoured with our royal favour. Your Excellency must + consider yourself as bound to fulfil this royal request. + + Given in Rebialavil, 1229. + + (Sealed) FATEH ALI SHAH KAJAR. + +Even here we see Martyn and Carey once more linked together. The same +volume from which we have taken these letters contains, a few pages +before them, these words written by Dr. Carey from Serampore: +'Religion is the only thing in the world worth living for. And no work +is so important as serving God in the Gospel of His Son; if, like the +Apostle, we do this with one spirit, great will be our enjoyment and +abundant our reward.' + +Sir Gore Ouseley carried the original MS. to St. Petersburg, where, +happening to mention the fact to the President of the Russian Bible +Society, Prince Galitzin at once begged that his Society, always an +honourable exception to the intolerance of the Tsar's Greek Church, +might be allowed to publish it. A set of Persian types was specially +procured. Sir Gore Ouseley, assisted by the Persian Jaffir Khan, +corrected the proofs, and the Rev. R. Pinkerton, one of the Scottish +Mission to Karass, carefully superintended the printing. Several +Persians, resident in that city, bespoke copies for their friends. The +British and Foreign Bible Society granted 300_l._ towards the expenses +of an edition of 5,000 copies. The first edition appeared there in +September, 1815, on which Prince Galitzin wrote to Mr. Pinkerton, as +representing the Bible Society in London: + + Praise be given to the incomprehensible counsels of God, who, + for the salvation of man, gave His Word, and causeth it to + increase among all nations: who useth as His instruments the + inhabitants of countries of different languages and tribes, not + unfrequently the most distant from each other and altogether + unacquainted with those for whom they labour! This is a true + sign of the holy will of God respecting this work, who worketh + all and in all. This is the case with the finished edition of + the Persian New Testament, which was translated into that + language in a far distant part of Asia, and prepared to be + printed in another, but brought into Russia (where nothing of + the kind was ever thought of) and printed off much sooner than + was at first intended. Here men were found endowed with + good-will and the requisite qualifications for the completion of + this work, which at first seemed to be so difficult. + +Meanwhile, Martyn himself having directed that a copy of the +manuscript translation should be sent to Calcutta from Shiraz, when he +left that city, four copies were made, lest any accident should befall +it on the way to Bengal. It reached the Calcutta Corresponding +Committee in 1814, and they invited Mirza Sayyid Ali to join them and +pass it through the press. This second edition accordingly appeared +at Calcutta in 1816. Professor Lee, of Cambridge, published a third +edition of it in London in 1827, and a fourth in 1837. The most +beautiful and valuable of all is the fifth, now before the writer, +which Thomas Constable printed in Edinburgh in 1846 (corresponding to +1262 of the _Hijrah_) in three royal octavo volumes. This was also the +most important because it accompanied a Persian translation of the Old +Testament. Mirza Sayyid Ali had early informed the Calcutta Committee +that he had his master's original translation of the Psalter, and this +also appeared at Calcutta in 1816. This formed the nucleus of the +Persian Old Testament prepared by Dr. W. Glen, of the Scottish +Missionary Society's Mission, at Karass, Astrakhan, and printed along +with Henry Martyn's New Testament in the memorable and beautiful +Edinburgh edition. That edition of the whole Bible was presented by +Dr. Glen to the present Shah of Persia, Nassr-ed-Deen, on his +accession to the throne in 1848. With Martyn's New Testament His +Majesty seemed to be well acquainted. Of the volume containing the Old +Testament we read that 'on handing the book to the servant in waiting +he just kissed and then put it to his forehead, with the same +indication of reverence which he would have shown had it been their +own sacred book, the Koran.' Archdeacon Robinson, of Poona, published +another Persian translation of the Old Testament. The Church +Missionary Society's distinguished missionary at Julfa, Dr. Robert +Bruce, has been for years engaged on a revision, or rather new +translation of the Old Testament into Persian, the two versions of +which are far inferior, in the opinion of one who is at the head of +all living experts, to Henry Martyn's translation of the New. Dr. +Bruce's work has now been completed. + + I know no parallel to these achievements of Henry Martyn's, + writes Canon W.J. Edmonds, closing a survey of his powers and + services as a translator of the Scriptures. There are in him the + things that mark the born translator. He masters grammar, + observes idioms, accumulates vocabulary, reads and listens, + corrects and even reconstructs. Above all, he prays. He lives + 'in the Spirit,' and rises from his knees full of the mind of + the Spirit. Pedantry is not in him, nor vulgarity. He longs and + struggles to catch the dialect in which men may speak worthily + of the things of God. And so his work lives. In his own + Hindustani New Testament, and in the recovered parts of the Old + Testament in which he watched over the labours of Fitrut, his + work is still a living influence; men find 'reasons for + reverting' to it. His earlier Persian, and what is demonstrably + distinct from it, his Persic translation, or rather Sabat's, + done under his superintendence, these indeed have gone. They did + not survive his visit to Persia. Nor did the Arabic, which was + the chief acknowledged motive of his journey. But what a gifted + man is here, and what a splendid sum total of work, that can + afford these deductions from the results of a five or six years' + struggle with illness, and still leave behind translations of + the New Testament in Hindustani and in Persian; the Hindustani + version living a double life, its own and that which William + Bowley gave it in the humbler vocabulary of the Hindi villages! + We live in hurrying times; our days are swifter than a shuttle. + New names, new saints, new heroes ever rise and dazzle the eyes + of common men. So it should be, for God lives, and through Him + men live and manifest His unexhausted power. But Martyn is a + perennial. He springs up fresh to every generation. It is time, + though, to take care that he does not become simply the shadow + of an angel passing by. His pinnacle is that lofty one which is + only assigned to eminent goodness, but it rests upon, and is + only the finial of, a broad-based tower of sound and solid + intellectual endowment. + +Henry Martyn's Persian Testament called forth, in 1816, two Bulls from +Pope Pius VIII., addressed to the Archbishops of Gnesne and Moghilev, +within the Russian dominions, and letters from the Propaganda College +at Rome to the Vicars Apostolic and Missionaries in Persia, Armenia, +and other parts of the East. Wherever the Persian language was known +the people were warned 'against a version recently made into the +Persian idiom.' The Archbishops were told 'that Bibles printed by +heretics are numbered among the prohibited books by the rules of the +Index (Nos. II. and III.), for it is evident, from experience, that +from the Holy Scriptures which are published in the vulgar tongue, +more injury than good has arisen through the temerity of men.' Bible +Societies in Russia and Great Britain are denounced as a 'most crafty +device, by which the very foundations of religion are undermined.' So +the Latin Church has ever put from it 'The Great Missionary' which the +Reformation was the first to restore to Christendom and the world, and +Henry Martyn gave to the Mohammedans in their own tongue. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[79] _Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan, &c._, by Mrs. Bishop (Isabella +C. Bird), two vols., John Murray, 1891. + +[80] The fanatical shrine of Fatima. See Mrs. Bishop's first volume +and Mr. Curzon's second. + +[81] _A Second Journey through Persia, &c., between the years 1810 and +1816_, p. 223. + +[82] 'Were I,' writes Mr. Baillie Fraser, 'to select a spot the best +calculated for the recovery of health, and for its preservation, I +know not that I could hit upon any more suited to the purpose than +Tabreez, at any season. A brighter sky and purer air can scarcely be +found. To me it seems as if there was truly health in the breeze that +blows around me.' + +[83] See the _Eleventh Report of the British and Foreign Bible +Society_, 1815, Appendix, No. 51. + +[84] I beg leave to remark that the word 'Tilawat,' which the translator +has rendered 'read,' is an honourable signification of that act, almost +exclusively applied to the perusing or reciting the Koran. The making +use, therefore, of this term or expression shows the degree of respect +and estimation in which the Shah holds the New Testament.--_Note by Sir +Gore Ouseley._ + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN PERSIA AND TURKEY--TABREEZ TO TOKAT AND THE TOMB + + +On the evening of September 2, 1812, Henry Martyn left Tabreez for +Constantinople, on what he describes as 'my long journey of thirteen +hundred miles.' The route marked out for him by Sir Gore Ouseley, who +gave him letters to the Turkish governors of Erivan, Kars, and Erzroom, +and to the British Minister at Constantinople, as well as to the +Armenian Patriarch and Bishop Nestus at Etchmiatzin, was the old Roman +road into Central Asia. Professor W.M. Ramsay describes it as clearly +marked by Nature,[85] and still one of the most important trade routes. +It was the safest and speediest, as well as the least forbidding. 'Sir +Gore, wishing me not to travel in the same unprotected way I had done, +procured from the Prince a _mehmandar_ for me, together with an order +for the use of _chappar_ horses all the way to Erivan.' Thence he was +passed on to Kars similarly attended, and thence to Erzroom. He took +with him 'near three hundred _tomans_ in money,' or about 130_l._ On the +eve of his departure he wrote: 'The delightful thought of being brought +to the borders of Europe, without sustaining any injury, contributed +more than anything else, I believe, to restore my health and spirits.' + +But travelling in Persia and Asiatic Turkey, even at the best and for +the strongest, is necessarily a work of hardship. The _chappar_, or +post-stations, occur at a distance of from twenty to twenty-five +miles, measured by the _farsakh_, the old parasang in Greek phrase, of +four miles each. What Mrs. Bishop has recently described has always +been true: 'The custom is to ride through all the hours of daylight, +whenever horses are to be got, doing from sixty to ninety miles a +day.' Henry Martyn rode his own horses, and his party of two Armenian +servants (a groom and Turkish interpreter), with the _mehmandar_, had +the post-horses. Out of the cities he had to trust, for rest and +accommodation, to the post-stations, which at the best were enclosures +of mud walls on three sides, deep in manure, with stabling on two sides, +and two dark rooms at the entrance for the servants. Occasionally an +erection (_balakhana_) above the gateway is available for the master, +but how seldom Martyn was lodged in any way better than the animals, +will be seen from his _Journal_. He had travelled in this way, in the +heats of two summers, from Bushire to Shiraz, and from Shiraz to +Tabreez, the whole extent of the Persian plateau from south to north. He +had nearly died at Tabreez. + +Yet now, with his Persian New Testament ready for the press and his +longing for Lydia, he again set forth, sustained by 'the delightful +thought.' With intensest interest we follow him in every step of his +march north-west through the Persian province of Azerbaijan, Armenia, +and Eastern Asia Minor, the unconquerable spirit sustaining the feeble +body for forty-five days, as Chrysostom's was fed in his southern +journey to the same place of departure almost within sight of the +Euxine Sea. + + _1812, September 2._--At sunset we left the western gate of + Tabreez behind us. The horses proved to be sorry animals. It was + midnight before we arrived at Sangla, a village in the middle of + the plain of Tabreez. There they procured me a place in the + Zabit's house. I slept till after sunrise of the 3rd, and did + not choose to proceed at such an hour; so I passed most of the + day in my room. At three in the afternoon proceeded towards + Sofian. My health being again restored, through infinite and + unbounded mercy, I was able to look round the creation with calm + delight. The plain of Tabreez, towards the west and south-west, + stretches away to an immense distance, and is bounded in these + directions by mountains so remote as to appear, from their soft + blue, to blend with the skies. The baggage having been sent on + before, I ambled on with my _mehmandar_, looking all around me, + and especially towards the distant hills, with gratitude and + joy. Oh! it is necessary to have been confined to a bed of + sickness to know the delight of moving freely through the works + of God, with the senses left at liberty to enjoy their proper + object. My attendant not being very conversant with Persian, we + rode silently along; for my part, I could not have enjoyed any + companion so much as I did my own feelings. At sunset we reached + Sofian, a village with gardens, at the north-west end of the + plain, which is usually the first stage from Tabreez. The Zabit + was in his corn-field, under a little tent, inspecting his + labourers, who were cutting the straw fine, so as to be fit to + be eaten by cattle; this was done by drawing over it a cylinder, + armed with blades of a triangular form, placed in different + planes, so that their vertices should coincide in the cylinder. + + The Zabit paid me no attention, but sent a man to show me a + place to sleep in, who took me to one with only three walls. I + demanded another with four, and was accordingly conducted to a + weaver's, where, notwithstanding the mosquitoes and other + vermin, I passed the night comfortably enough. On my offering + money, the _mehmandar_ interfered, and said that if it were + known that I had given money he should be ruined, and added: + 'They, indeed, dare not take it;' but this I did not find to be + the case. + + _September 4._--At sunrise mounted my horse, and proceeded + north-west, through a pass in the mountains, towards Murun. By + the way I sat down by the brook, and there ate my bread and + raisins, and drank of the crystal stream; but either the + coldness of this unusual breakfast, or the riding after it, did + not at all agree with me. The heat oppressed me much, and the + road seemed intolerably tedious. At last we got out from among + the mountains, and saw the village of Murun, in a fine valley on + the right. It was about eleven o'clock when we reached it. As + the _mehmandar_ could not immediately find a place to put me in, + we had a complete view of this village. They stared at my + European dress, but no disrespect was shown. I was deposited at + last with a Khan, who was seated in a place with three walls. + Not at all disposed to pass the day in company, as well as + exposed, I asked for another room, on which I was shown to the + stable, where there was a little place partitioned off, but so + as to admit a view of the horses. The smell of the stable, + though not in general disagreeable to me, was so strong that I + was quite unwell, and strangely dispirited and melancholy. + Immediately after dinner I fell fast asleep and slept four + hours, after which I rose and ordered them to prepare for the + next journey. The horses being changed here, it was some time + before they were brought, but, by exerting myself, we moved off + by midnight. It was a most mild and delightful night, and the + pure air, after the smell of the stable, was quite reviving. + For once, also, I travelled all the way without being sleepy; + and beguiled the hours of the way by thinking of the 14th Psalm, + especially the connection of the last three verses with the + preceding. + + _September 5._--In five hours we were just on the hills which + face the pass out of the valley of Murun (Marand), and in four + hours and a half more emerged from between the two ridges of + mountains into the valley of Gurjur. Gurjur is eight parasangs + from Murun, and our course to it was nearly due north. This long + march was far from being a fatiguing one. The air, the road, and + my spirits were good. Here I was well accommodated, but had to + mourn over my impatient temper towards my servants; there is + nothing that disturbs my peace so much. How much more noble and + godlike to bear with calmness, and observe with pity, rather + than with anger, the failings and offences of others! Oh, that I + may, through grace, be enabled to recollect myself in the time + of temptation! Oh, that the Spirit of God may check my folly, + and at such times bring the lowly Saviour to my view! + + _September 6._--Soon after twelve we started with fresh horses, + and came to the Aras, or Araxes, distant two parasangs, and + about as broad as the Isis, and a current as strong as that of + the Ganges. The ferry-boat being on the north side, I lay down + to sleep till it came; but observing my servants do the same, I + was obliged to get up and exert myself. It dawned, however, + before we got over. The boat was a huge fabric in the form of a + rhombus. The ferryman had only a stick to push with; an oar, I + dare say, he had never seen or heard of, and many of my train + had probably never floated before;--so alien is a Persian from + everything that belongs to shipping. We landed safely on the + other side in about two minutes. We were four hours in reaching + Nakshan, and for half an hour more I was led from street to + street, till at last I was lodged in a wash-house belonging to a + great man, a corner of which was cleaned out for me. It was + near noon and my baggage was not arrived, so that I was obliged + to go without my breakfast, which was hard after a ride of four + hours in the sun. The baggage was delayed so long that I began + to fear; at last, however, it arrived. All the afternoon I + slept, and at sunset arose, and continued wakeful till midnight, + when I aroused my people, and with fresh horses set out again. + We travelled till sunrise. I scarcely perceived that we had been + moving, a Hebrew word in the 16th Psalm having led me gradually + into speculations on the eighth conjugation of the Arabic verb. + I am glad my philological curiosity is revived, as my mind will + be less liable to idleness. + + _September 7._--Arrived at Khok, a poor village, distant five + and a half parasangs from Nakshan, nearly west. I should have + mentioned that, on descending into the plain of Nakshan, my + attention was arrested by the appearance of a hoary mountain + opposite to us at the other end, rising so high above the rest + that they sank into insignificance. It was truly sublime, and + the interest it excited was not lessened when, on inquiring its + name, I was told it was Agri, or Ararat. Thus I saw two + remarkable objects in one day, the Araxes and Ararat. At four in + the afternoon we set out for Shurour. The evening was pleasant; + the ground over which we passed was full of rich cultivation and + verdure, watered by many a stream, and containing forty + villages, most of them with the usual appendage of gardens. To + add to the scene, the great Ararat was on our left. On the peak + of that hill the whole Church was once contained; it was now + spread far and wide, even to the ends of the earth, but the + ancient vicinity of it knows it no more. I fancied many a spot + where Noah perhaps offered his sacrifices; and the promise of + God, that seed-time and harvest should not cease, appeared to me + to be more exactly fulfilled in the agreeable plain in which it + was spoken than elsewhere, as I had not seen such fertility in + any part of the Shah's dominions. Here the blessed saint landed + in a new world; so may I, safe in Christ, out-ride the storm of + life, and land at last on one of the everlasting hills! + + Night coming on we lost our way, and got intercepted by some + deep ravines, into one of which the horse that carried my trunks + sunk so deep that the water got into one of them, wetted the + linen and spoiled some books. Finding it in vain to attempt + gaining our _munzil_, we went to another village, where, after a + long delay, two aged men with silver beards opened their house + to us. Though it was near midnight I had a fire lighted to dry + my books, took some coffee and sunk into deep sleep; from which + awaking at the earliest dawn of + + _September 8_, I roused the people, and had a delightful ride of + one parasang to Shurour, distant four parasangs from Khok. Here + I was accommodated by the great man with a stable, or winter + room, for they built it in such a strange vicinity in order to + have it warm in winter. At present, while the weather is still + hot, the smell is at times overpowering. At eleven at night we + moved off, with fresh horses, for Duwala; but though we had + guides in abundance, we were not able to extricate ourselves + from the ravines with which this village is surrounded. + Procuring another man from a village we happened to wander into, + we at last made our way, through grass and mire, to the pass, + which led us to a country as dry as the one we had left was wet. + Ararat was now quite near; at the foot of it is Duwala, six + parasangs from Nakshan, where we arrived at seven in the morning + of + + _September 9._--As I had been thinking all night of a Hebrew + letter, I perceived little of the tediousness of the way. I + tried also some difficulties in the 16th Psalm without being + able to master them. All day on the 15th and 16th Psalms, and + gained some light into the difficulties. The villagers not + bringing the horses in time, we were not able to go on at + night, but I was not much concerned, as I thereby gained some + rest. + + _September 10._--All day at the village writing down notes on + the 15th and 16th Psalms. Moved at midnight, and arrived early + in the morning at Erivan. + + _September 11._--I alighted at Hosein Khan, the governor's + palace, as it may be called, for he seems to live in a style + equal to that of a prince. Indeed, commanding a fortress on the + frontier, within six hours of the Russians, he is entrusted with + a considerable force, and is nearly independent of the Shah. + After sleeping two hours I was summoned to his presence. He at + first took no notice of me, but continued reading his Koran, it + being the Mohurrum. After a compliment or two he resumed his + devotions. The next ceremony was to exchange a rich shawl dress + for a still richer pelisse, on pretence of its being cold. The + next display was to call for his physician, who, after + respectfully feeling his pulse, stood on one side: this was to + show that he had a domestic physician. His servants were most + richly clad. My letter from the ambassador, which till now had + lain neglected on the ground, was opened and read by a moonshi. + He heard with great interest what Sir Gore had written about the + translation of the Gospels. After this he was very kind and + attentive, and sent for Lieutenant M., of the Engineers, who was + stationed, with two sergeants, at the fort. He ordered for me a + _mehmandar_, a guard, and four horses with which a Turk had just + come from Kars. + + _September 12._--The horses not being ready, I rode alone and + found my way to Etchmiatzin (or Three Churches[86]), two and a + half parasangs distant. Directing my course to the largest + church, I found it enclosed by some other buildings and a wall. + Within the entrance I found a large court, with monks cowled and + gowned moving about. On seeing my Armenian letters they brought + me to the Patriarch's lodge, where I found two bishops, one of + whom was Nestus, at breakfast on pilaos, kuwabs, wine, arrak, + etc., and Serst (Serope) with them. As he spoke English, French, + and Italian, I had no difficulty in communicating with my hosts. + + Serope, considering the danger to which the cathedral-seat is + exposed from its situation between Russia, Persia, and Turkey, + is for building a college at Tiflis. The errors and + superstitions of his people were the subject of Serope's + conversation the whole morning, and seemed to be the occasion of + real grief to him. He intended, he said, after a few more + months' trial of what he could do here, to retire to India, and + there write and print some works in Armenian, tending to + enlighten the people with regard to religion, in order to + introduce a reform. I said all I could to encourage him in such + a blessed work: promising him every aid from the English, and + proving to him, from the example of Luther and the other + European reformers, that, however arduous the work might seem, + God would surely be with him to help him. I mentioned the awful + neglect of the Armenian clergy in never preaching; as thereby + the glad tidings of a Saviour were never proclaimed. He made no + reply to this, but that 'it was to be lamented, as the people + were never called away from vice.' + + _September 13._--I asked Serope about the 16th Psalm in the + Armenian version; he translated it into correct Latin. In the + afternoon I waited on the Patriarch; it was a visit of great + ceremony. He was reclining on a sort of throne, placed in the + middle of the room. All stood except the two senior bishops; a + chair was set for me on the other side, close to the Patriarch; + at my right hand stood Serope, to interpret. The Patriarch had a + dignified rather than a venerable appearance. His conversation + consisted in protestations of sincere attachment, in expressions + of his hopes of deliverance from the Mohammedan yoke, and + inquiries about my translations of the Scriptures; and he begged + me to consider myself as at home in the monastery. Indeed, their + attention and kindness are unbounded: Nestus and Serope + anticipate my every wish. I told the Patriarch that I was so + happy in being here that, did duty permit, I could almost be + willing to become a monk with them. He smiled, and fearing, + perhaps, that I was in earnest, said that they had quite enough. + Their number is a hundred, I think. The church was immensely + rich till about ten years ago, when, by quarrels between two + contending patriarchs, one of whom is still in the monastery in + disgrace, most of their money was expended in referring their + disputes to the Mohammedans as arbitrators. There is no + difficulty, however, in replenishing their coffers: their + merchants in India are entirely at their command. + + _September 15._--Spent the day in preparing, with Serope, for + the mode of travelling in Turkey. All my heavy and expensive + preparations at Tabreez prove to be incumbrances which must be + left behind: my trunks were exchanged for bags; and my portable + table and chair, several books, large supplies of sugar, etc., + were condemned to be left behind. My humble equipments were + considered as too mean for an English gentleman; so Serope gave + me an English bridle and saddle. The roads in Turkey being much + more infested with robbers than those of Persia, a sword was + brought for me. + + _September 16._--Upon the whole I hardly know what hopes to + entertain from the projects of Serope. He is bold, + authoritative, and very able; still only thirty-one years of + age; but then he is not spiritual: perhaps this was the state of + Luther himself at first. It is an interesting time in the world; + all things proclaim the approach of the kingdom of God, and + Armenia is not forgotten. There is a monastery of Armenian + Catholics at Venice, which they employ merely in printing the + Psalter, book of prayers, etc. Serope intends addressing his + first work to them, as they are the most able divines of the + Armenians, to argue them back from the Roman Catholic communion, + in which case he thinks they would co-operate with him + cordially; being as much concerned as himself at the gross + ignorance of their countrymen. The Archbishop of Astrakhan has a + press, also an agent at Madras and one at Constantinople, + printing the Scriptures and books of prayers: there is none at + Etchmiatzin. At Constantinople are three or four + fellow-collegians of Serope, educated as well as he by the + Propaganda, who used to entertain the same sentiments as he, and + would, he thinks, declare them if he would begin. + + _September 17._--At six in the morning, accompanied by Serope, + one bishop, the secretary, and several servants of the + monastery, I left Etchmiatzin. My party now consisted of two men + from the governor of Erivan, a _mehmandar_, and a guard; my + servant Sergius, for whom the monks interceded, as he had some + business at Constantinople; one trusty servant from the + monastery, Melcom, who carried my money; and two baggage-horses + with their owners. The monks soon returned, and we pursued our + way over the plain of Ararat. At twelve o'clock reached Quila + Gazki, about six parasangs from Etchmiatzin. The _mehmandar_ + rode on, and got a good place for me. + + _September 18._--Rose with the dawn, in hopes of going this + stage before breakfast, but the horses were not ready. I set off + at eight, fearing no sun, though I found it at times very + oppressive when there was no wind. At the end of three hours we + left the plain of Ararat, the last of the plains of modern + Persia in this quarter. Meeting here with the Araxes again, I + undressed and plunged into the stream.[87] While hastening + forward with the trusty Melcom to rejoin my party, we were + overtaken by a spearman with a lance of formidable length. I did + not think it likely that one man would venture to attack two, + both armed; but the spot was a noted one for robbers, and very + well calculated, by its solitariness, for deeds of privacy; + however, he was friendly enough. He had, however, nearly done me + a mischief. On the bank of the river we sprang a covey of + partridges; instantly he laid his lance under him across the + horse's back, and fired a horse-pistol at them. His horse, + starting at the report, came upon mine, with the point of the + spear directly towards me, so that I thought a wound for myself + or horse was inevitable; but the spear passed under my horse. We + were to have gone to Haji-Buhirem, but finding the head-man of + it at a village a few furlongs nearer, we stopped there. We + found him in a shed outside the walls, reading his Koran, with + his sword, gun, and pistol by his side. He was a good-natured + farmer-looking man, and spoke in Persian. He chanted the Arabic + with great readiness, and asked me whether I knew what that book + was: 'Nothing less than the great Koran!' + + _September 19._--Left the village at seven in the morning, and + as the stage was reputed to be very dangerous, owing to the + vicinity of the famous Kara Beg, my _mehmandar_ took three armed + men from the village in addition to the one we brought from + Erivan. We continued going along through the pass two or three + parasangs, and crossed the Araxes three times. We then ascended + the mountains on the north by a road, if not so steep, yet as + long and difficult as any of the _kotuls_ of Bushire. On the top + we found a table-land, along which we moved many a tedious mile, + expecting every minute that we should have a view of a fine + champaign country below; but dale followed dale, apparently in + endless succession, and though at such a height there was very + little air to relieve the heat, and nothing to be seen but + barren rocks. One part, however, must be excepted, where the + prospect opened to the north, and we had a view of the Russian + territory, so that we saw at once, Persia, Russia, and Turkey. + At length we came to an Armenian village, situated in a hollow + of these mountains, on a declivity. The village presented a + singular appearance, being filled with conical piles of peat, + for they have no fire-wood. Around there was a great deal of + cultivation, chiefly corn. Most of the low land from Tabreez to + this place is planted with cotton, _Palma Christi_, and rice. + This is the first village in Turkey; not a Persian cap was to be + seen, the respectable people wore a red Turkish cap. The great + man of the village paid me a visit; he was a young Mussulman, + and took care of all my Mussulman attendants; but he left me and + my Armenians, where he found us, at the house of an Armenian, + without offering his services. I was rather uncomfortably + lodged, my room being a thoroughfare for horses, cows, + buffaloes, and sheep. Almost all the village came to look at me. + The name of this village is Fiwik, it is distant six parasangs + from the last; but we were eight hours accomplishing it, and a + kafila would have been twelve. We arrived at three o'clock; both + horses and men much fatigued. + + _September 20._--From daybreak to sunrise I walked, then + breakfasted and set out. Our course lay north, over a mountain, + and here danger was apprehended. It was, indeed, dismally + solitary all around. The appearance of an old castle on the top + of a crag was the first occasion on which our guard got their + pieces ready, and one rode forward to reconnoitre: but all there + was as silent as the grave. At last, after travelling five + hours, we saw some men: our guard again took their places in + front. Our fears were soon removed by seeing carts and oxen. Not + so the opposite party: for my baggage was so small as not to be + easily perceived. They halted therefore at the bottom, towards + which we were both descending, and those of them who had guns + advanced in front and hailed us. We answered peaceably; but + they, still distrusting us as we advanced nearer, cocked their + pieces. Soon, however, we came to a parley. They were Armenians, + bringing wood from Kars to their village in the mountain: they + were hardy, fine young men, and some old men who were with them + were particularly venerable. The dangerous spots being passed + through, my party began to sport with their horses: galloping + across the path, brandishing their spears or sticks, they darted + them just at that moment of wheeling round their horses, as if + that motion gave them an advantage. It struck me that this, + probably, was the mode of fighting of the ancient Parthians + which made them so terrible in flight. Presently after these + gambols the appearance of some poor countrymen with their carts + put into their heads another kind of sport; for knowing, from + the ill-fame of the spot, that we should be easily taken for + robbers, four of them galloped forward, and by the time we + reached them one of the carters was opening a bag to give them + something. I was, of course, very much displeased, and made + signs to him not to do it. I then told them all, as we quickly + pursued our course, that such kind of sport was not allowed in + England; they said it was the Persian custom. We arrived at + length at Ghanikew, having ridden six hours and a half without + intermission. The _mehmandar_ was for changing his route + continually, either from real or pretended fear. One of the Kara + Beg's men saw me at the village last night, and as he would + probably get intelligence of my pretended route, it was + desirable to elude him. But after all we went the shortest way, + through the midst of danger, if there was any, and a gracious + Providence kept all mischief at a distance. Ghanikew is only two + parasangs from Kars, but I stopped there, as I saw it was more + agreeable to the people; besides which I wished to have a ride + before breakfast. I was lodged in a stable-room; but very much + at my ease, as none of the people of the village could come at + me without passing through the house. + + _September 21._--Rode into Kars. Its appearance is quite + European, not only at a distance but within. The houses all of + stone; streets with carts passing; some of the houses open to + the street; the fort on an uncommonly high rock; such a + burying-ground I never saw, there must be thousands of + gravestones. The _mehmandar_ carried me directly to the + governor, who, having just finished his breakfast, was of course + asleep, and could not be disturbed; but his head-man carried me + to an Armenian's house, with orders to live at free quarter + there. The room at the Armenian's was an excellent one, + upstairs, facing the street, fort, and river, with a bow + containing five windows under which were cushions. As soon as + the Pacha was visible, the chief Armenian of Kars, to whom I had + a letter from Bishop Nestus, his relation, waited upon him on my + business. On looking over my letters of recommendation from Sir + Gore Ouseley, I found there was none for Abdallah, the Pacha of + Kars; however, the letter to the Governor of Erivan secured all + I wanted. He sent to say I was welcome; that if I liked to stay + a few days he should be happy, but that if I was determined to + go on to-morrow, the necessary horses and ten men for a guard + were all ready. As no wish was expressed of seeing me, I was of + course silent upon that subject. + + _September 22._--Promises were made that everything should be + ready at sunrise, but it was half-past nine before we started, + and no guard present but the Tartar. He presently began to show + his nature by flogging the baggage-horse with his long whip, as + one who was not disposed to allow loitering; but one of the poor + beasts presently fell with his load at full length over a piece + of timber lying in the road. While this was setting to rights, + the people gathered about me, and seemed more engaged with my + Russian boots than with any other part of my dress. We moved + south-west, and after five hours and a half reached Joula. The + Tartar rode forward and got the coffee-room at the post-house + ready. The coffee-room has one side railed and covered with + cushions, and on the opposite side cushions on the ground; the + rest of the room was left with bare stones and timbers. As the + wind blew very cold yesterday, and I had caught cold, the Tartar + ordered a great fire to be made. In this room I should have been + very much to my satisfaction, had not the Tartar taken part of + the same bench, and many other people made use of it as a public + room. They were continually consulting my watch to know how near + the hour of eating approached. It was evident that the Tartar + was the great man here; he took the best place for himself; a + dinner of four or five dishes was laid before him. When I asked + for eggs they brought me rotten ones; for butter they brought me + ghee. The idle people of the village came all night and smoked + till morning. It was very cold, there being a hoar frost. + + _September 23._--Our way to-day lay through a forest of firs, + and the variety of prospect it afforded, of hill and dale, wood + and lawn, was beautiful and romantic. No mark of human + workmanship was anywhere visible for miles, except where some + trees had fallen by the stroke of the woodman. We saw at last a + few huts in the thickest clumps, which was all we saw of the + Koords, for fear of whom I was attended by ten armed horsemen. + We frightened a company of villagers again to-day. They were + bringing wood and grass from the forest, and on seeing us drew + up. One of our party advanced and fired; such a rash piece of + sport I thought must have been followed by serious mischief, but + all passed off very well. With the forest I was delighted; the + clear streams in the valleys, the lofty trees crowning the + summit of the hills, the smooth paths winding away and losing + themselves in the dark woods, and, above all, the solitude that + reigned throughout, composed a scene which tended to harmonise + and solemnise the mind. What displays of taste and magnificence + are found occasionally on this ruined earth! Nothing was + wanting to-day but the absence of the Turks, to avoid the sight + and sound of whom I rode on. After a ride of nine hours and a + half, we reached Mijingui, in the territory of Erzroom, and + having resolved not to be annoyed in the same way as last night, + I left the Tartar in the undisturbed possession of the + post-house, and took up my quarters at an Armenian's, where, in + the stable-room, I expected to be left alone; but a Georgian + young man, on his way from Etchmiatzin, going on pilgrimage to + Moosk, where John the Baptist is supposed to be buried, presumed + on his assiduous attentions to me, and contrived to get a place + for himself in the same room. + + _September 24._--A long and sultry march over many a hill and + vale. In the way, two hours from the last stage, is a hot + spring; the water fills a pool, having four porches. The porches + instantly reminded me of Bethesda's pool: they were semicircular + arches about six feet deep, intended seemingly for shelter from + the sun. In them all the party undressed and bathed. The Tartar, + to enjoy himself more perfectly, had his _kalean_ to smoke while + up to his chin in water. We saw nothing else on the road to-day + but a large and opulent family of Armenians--men, women, and + children--in carts and carriages returning from a pilgrimage to + Moosk. After eleven hours and a half, including the hour spent + at the warm spring, we were overtaken by the dusk; so the Tartar + brought us to Oghoomra, where I was placed in an Armenian's + stable-room. + + _September 25._--Went round to Husar-Quile, where we changed + horses. I was surprised to find so strong a fort and so large a + town. From thence we were five hours and a half reaching the + entrance of Erzroom. All was busy and moving in the streets and + shops--crowds passing along. Those who caught a sight of us were + at a loss to define me. My Persian attendants and the lower part + of the dress made me appear Persian; but the rest of my dress + was new, for those only who had travelled knew it to be + European. They were rather disposed, I thought, to be uncivil, + but the two persons who preceded us kept all in order. I felt + myself in a Turkish town; the red cap, and stateliness, and rich + dress, and variety of turbans was realised as I had seen it in + pictures. There are here four thousand Armenian families and but + one church; there are scarcely any Catholics, and they have no + church. + + _September 29._--Left Erzroom with a Tartar and his son at two + in the afternoon. We moved to a village, where I was attacked + with fever and ague; the Tartar's son was also taken ill and + obliged to return. + + _September 30._--Travelled first to Ashgula, where we changed + horses, and from thence to Purnugaban, where we halted for the + night. I took nothing all day but tea, and was rather better, + but head-ache and loss of appetite depressed my spirits; yet my + soul rests in Him who is 'an anchor to the soul, sure and + steadfast,' which, though not seen, keeps me fast. + + _October 1._--Marched over a mountainous tract; we were out from + seven in the morning till eight at night. After sitting a little + by the fire, I was near fainting from sickness. My depression of + spirits led me to the throne of grace as a sinful abject worm. + When I thought of myself and my transgressions, I could find no + text so cheering as 'My ways are not as your ways.' From the men + who accompanied Sir Gore Ouseley to Constantinople I learned + that the plague was raging at that place, and thousands dying + every day. One of the Persians had died of it. They added that + the inhabitants of Tokat were flying from their town from the + same cause. Thus I am passing inevitably into imminent danger. O + Lord, Thy will be done! Living or dying, remember me! + + _October 2._--Some hours before day I sent to tell the Tartar I + was ready, but Hassan Aga was for once riveted to his bed. + However, at eight, having got strong horses, he set off at a + great rate; and over the level ground he made us gallop as fast + as the horses would go to Chifflik, where we arrived at sunset. + I was lodged, at my request, in the stables of the post-house, + not liking the scrutinising impudence of the fellows who + frequent the coffee-room. As soon as it began to grow a little + cold the ague came on, and then the fever; after which I had a + sleep, which let me know too plainly the disorder of my frame. + In the night Hassan sent to summon me away, but I was quite + unable to move. Finding me still in bed at the dawn, he began to + storm furiously at my detaining him so long, but I quietly let + him spend his ire, ate my breakfast composedly, and set out at + eight. He seemed determined to make up for the delay, for we + flew over hill and dale to Sherean, where he changed horses. + From thence we travelled all the rest of the day and all night; + it rained most of the time. Soon after sunset the ague came on + again, which, in my wet state, was very trying; I hardly knew + how to keep my life in me. About that time there was a village + at hand, but Hassan had no mercy. At one in the morning we found + two men under a wain, with a good fire; they could not keep the + rain out, but their fire was acceptable. I dried my lower + extremities, allayed the fever by drinking a good deal of water, + and went on. We had little rain, but the night was pitchy dark + so that I could not see the road under my horse's feet. However, + God being mercifully pleased to alleviate my bodily suffering, I + went on contentedly to the _munzil_, where we arrived at break + of day. After sleeping three or four hours, I was visited by an + Armenian merchant for whom I had a letter. Hassan was in great + fear of being arrested here; the Governor of the city had vowed + to make an example of him for riding to death a horse belonging + to a man of this place. He begged that I would shelter him in + case of danger; his being claimed by an Englishman, he said, + would be a sufficient security. I found, however, that I had no + occasion to interfere. He hurried me away from this place + without delay, and galloped furiously towards a village, which, + he said, was four hours distant, which was all I could undertake + in my present weak state; but village after village did he pass + till, night coming on, and no signs of another, I suspected that + he was carrying me on to the _munzil_; so I got off my horse and + sat upon the ground, and told him 'I neither could nor would go + any farther.' He stormed, but I was immovable, till, a light + appearing at a distance, I mounted my horse and made towards it, + leaving him to follow or not, as he pleased. He brought in the + party, but would not exert himself to get a place for me. They + brought me to an open verandah, but Sergius told them I wanted a + place in which to be alone. This seemed very offensive to them. + 'And why must he be alone?' they asked, ascribing this desire of + mine to pride, I suppose. Tempted at last by money, they brought + me to a stable-room, and Hassan and a number of others planted + themselves there with me. My fever here increased to a violent + degree; the heat in my eyes and forehead was so great that the + fire almost made me frantic. I entreated that it might be put + out, or that I might be carried out of doors. Neither was + attended to; my servant, who, from my sitting in that strange + way on the ground, believed me delirious, was deaf to all I + said. At last I pushed my head among the luggage, and lodged it + on the damp ground, and slept. + +From Sherean, or Sheheran, out of which, after a night of burning fever +in the stable of the Chifflik post-station, Hassan furiously compelled +the dying man to ride, is a mountain track of a hundred and seventy +miles to Tokat. 'How wearisome and painful must have been his journey +over the mountains and valleys!' wrote the American missionaries, Eli +Smith and H.O. Dwight, eighteen years after, when, in the vigour of +health and at a better season, they made the same journey, called by his +example and memory, to found the Mission to Eastern Anatolia. Think of +him, wasting away from consumption, racked with ague, burning with +fever, as, pressed by the merciless Turk, he 'flew over hill and dale' +all the third day of October, from eight in the morning, then changed +horses at Sheheran, then 'travelled all the rest of the day and all +night' of the 3rd-4th, while the rain fell amid darkness that could be +felt; then, after three or four hours' sleep, on break of day again +hurried on, lest his guide should be arrested for a former offence of +'riding to death a horse belonging to a man of this place,' all the +fourth day, till almost expiring he sat on the ground and found refuge +in a stable, refusing to go farther. 'At last I pushed my head among the +luggage, and lodged it on the damp ground, and slept.' Since +Chrysostom's ride in the same region, the Church of Christ has seen no +torture of a saint like that. + + _October 5._--Preserving mercy made me see the light of another + morning. The sleep had refreshed me, but I was feeble and + shaken; yet the merciless Hassan hurried me off. The _munzil_, + however, not being distant, I reached it without much + difficulty. I expected to have found it another strong fort at + the end of the pass, but it is a poor little village within the + jaws of the mountain. I was pretty well lodged, and felt + tolerably well till a little after sunset, when the ague came on + with a violence I had never before experienced; I felt as if in + a palsy, my teeth chattering and my whole frame violently + shaken. Aga Hosein and another Persian, on their way here from + Constantinople, going to Abbas Mirza whom I had just before been + visiting, came hastily to render me assistance if they could. + These Persians appear quite brotherly after the Turks. While + they pitied me, Hassan sat in perfect indifference, ruminating + on the further delay this was likely to occasion. The cold fit, + after continuing two or three hours, was followed by a fever, + which lasted the whole night and prevented sleep. + + _October 6._--No horses being to be had, I had an unexpected + repose. I sat in the orchard and thought with sweet comfort and + peace of my God, in solitude my Company, my Friend, and + Comforter. Oh! when shall time give place to eternity! When + shall appear that new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth + righteousness! There, there shall in no wise enter in anything + that defileth: none of that wickedness which has made men worse + than wild beasts, none of those corruptions which add still more + to the miseries of mortality, shall be seen or heard of any + more. + +Sitting in the orchard, thinking with sweet comfort and peace of his +God, and longing for that new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth +righteousness--such is the last sight we have of Henry Martyn, on +October 6, 1812. Two brotherly Persians, on their way from Constantinople, +had sought to minister to him the day before. The Turkish Hassan, +himself afraid of justice, 'sat in perfect indifference, ruminating on +the further delay' caused by his illness. What happened when the dying +apostle could write no more--in the ten days till God took him on +October 16--who shall now tell? Did the Turk hurry him, as he was +expiring, into Tokat, from 'that poor little village within the jaws of +the mountain,' in which he was 'pretty well lodged,' or did his +indomitable spirit give the poor body strength to ride into the town; +and did the plague, then raging, complete what hereditary disease and +fever had done? He had at least his Armenian servants, the 'trusty' +Melcom and Sergius, with him to minister to his wants. He had written +to Lydia of his journey to her by Constantinople, Syria, and Malta, +saying: 'Do I dream, that I venture to think and write of such an event +as that!... Soon we shall have occasion for pen and ink no more, but I +trust I shall shortly see thee face to face.' He dreamed indeed; for He +who is the only Love which is no dream, but the one transforming, +abiding, absorbing reality, called him, while yet a youth of thirty-one, +home to Himself. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[85] _The Historical Geography of Asia Minor_, vol. iv. of the Royal +Geographical Society's _Supplementary Papers_, John Murray, 1890. + +[86] In his valuable book _Transcaucasia and Ararat_ (1877), Mr. James +Bryce, M.P., gives the meaning as 'The Only-Begotten descended.' + +[87] A few years after, when Sir R. Ker Porter was on the same route, +he wrote: 'This was the spot where our apostolic countryman, Henry +Martyn, faint with fever and fatigue, alighted to bathe on his way to +Tokat.' There, too, Sir Robert was of opinion, Xenophon and the Ten +Thousand Greeks crossed the Araxes 2,300 years ago. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE TWO RESTING-PLACES--TOKAT AND BREAGE + + +The Armenians were a comparatively strong community in Tokat, where they +formed a third of the population, for whom there were seven churches and +thirty priests. Henry Martyn was known as a friend of this, the oldest +church in Asia. He had sought out their priests and families all over +Persia and the Araxes valley, and ministered to many of this oppressed +people. The two servants with whom he had journeyed as far as Tokat were +Armenians, and he especially trusted Sergius, whom he had engaged at +Etchmiatzin, as one about to visit Constantinople, and not unfamiliar +with the route. The body of the wearied traveller to the city of the +Great King was laid to rest in the extensive cemetery of the church of +Karasoon Manoog. Later research revealed the fact that the body was +buried in simple and reverent Oriental fashion--not in a coffin, but in +such a white winding-sheet as that which for forty hours enwrapped the +Crucified. The story afterwards went that the chaplain-missionary of the +East India Company was carried to the tomb with all the honours of an +Armenian archbishop. That is most probable, for the Armenian clergy of +Calcutta, Bushire, and Shiraz always gave him priestly honours during +life. The other tradition--that his burial was hardly decent--has arisen +from the circumstances that attended the search for his grave and the +removal of his dust to the American Mission Cemetery forty years +afterwards. + +[Illustration: _Sir R.K. Porter_ + +TOKAT IN 1812] + +Far away, in the most distant corner of Asiatic Turkey, or Turkish +Arabia, at Baghdad, there was one[88] Anglo-Indian scholar and +Christian, who hastened to discharge the pious duty of carving on a +limestone slab above the precious remains a Latin inscription. That was +the East India Company's civil servant, James Claudius Rich. Born near +Dijon in 1787--six years after Martyn--and taken in his infancy to +Bristol, he there manifested such extraordinary linguistic powers, even +in boyhood, that Joshua Marshman, before he went out to Serampore, +helped him with books and introduced him to Dr. Ryland. Robert Hall +formed such an opinion of his powers, which the earliest Orientalist, +Sir Charles Wilkins, tested, that he received an appointment to the +Bombay Civil Service, and was introduced to Sir James Mackintosh. He +went to India overland through Turkish Asia, disguised as a Georgian +Turk, so that the Mecca pilgrims at Damascus did not discover him. He +married Sir James's eldest daughter,[89] and had set out as the +Company's Resident at Baghdad and Busrah, not long before Martyn arrived +at Bombay. The two men never met, for Martyn's attempt to enter Arabia +from Persia through Baghdad was stopped. But the young Orientalist +watched Martyn's career with admiration, and seems to have followed his +footsteps. In 1821 he himself was cut off by cholera, while ministering +to the plague-stricken in Shiraz, leaving a name imperishably associated +with that of Sir James Mackintosh, and dear to all Oriental scholars and +travellers, but henceforth to be remembered above all as that of the man +who was the first to perpetuate the memory of Henry Martyn.[90] + +The sacred spot was immediately at the foot of slaty rocks down which +the winter snows and summer rains washed enough of stony soil every +year to cover up the horizontal slab. The first to visit it with +reverent steps after the pious commission of Claudius James Rich had +been executed, was Sir Robert Ker Porter. Although only a few years +had elapsed, he seems to have failed to see the inscription which +fitly commemorated the 'Sacerdos ac Missionarius Anglorum,' so that he +thus beautifully wrote: 'His remains sleep in a grave as humble as his +own meekness; but while that high pyramidal hill, marked with its +mouldering ruins of heathen ages, points to the sky, every European +traveller must see in it their honoured countryman's monument.' + +In 1830, when the American Board's missionaries, Eli Smith and H.G.O. +Dwight, visited Tokat, they had little difficulty in finding the spot, +from which they wrote: 'An appropriate Latin inscription is all that +distinguishes his tomb from the tombs of the Armenians who sleep by +his side.'[91] They urged their Board to make Tokat its centre of +operations for the people of Second Armenia, as Csarea for those of +the First and Third Armenia, and Tarsus for those of Cilicia. As they, +reversing his northward journey, reached Tabreez sick, they were cared +for, first by Dr., afterwards Sir John McNeill, and then by Dr. +Cormick, the same physician who healed Martyn of a similar disease +when he was at this city. 'He seemed to have retained the highest +opinion of him as a Christian, a companion, and a scholar.' + +In 1841 Mr. George Fowler published his _Three Years in Persia_, in +which a chapter is filled with reminiscences of Henry Martyn. + + Of this distinguished missionary and champion of the Cross, who + fearlessly unfolded his banner and proclaimed Christ amongst the + bigoted Mahometans, I have heard much in these countries, having + made acquaintance with some persons who knew him, and saw (if I + may so say) the last of him. At the General's table at Erzroom + (Paskevitch), I had the honour to meet graffs and princes, + consisting of Russians, Georgians, Circassians, Germans, + Spaniards, and Persians, all glittering in their stars and + orders, such a _mlange_ as is scarcely to be found again under + one banner; looking more like a monarch's levy than anything + else. My neighbour was an Armenian bishop, who, with his long + flowing hair and beard, and austere habits, the cross being + suspended to his girdle, presented a great contrast to the + military chiefs. There were many other priests at the table, of + whom he was the principal. He addressed me in my native tongue + very tolerably, asking if I had known anything of the + missionary, Martyn. The name was magic to my ear, and + immediately our colloquy became to me of great interest. + + The bishop was the Serrafino of whom Martyn speaks in his + _Journal_, I happening at the time to have it with me. He was + very superior to the general caste of the Armenian clergy, + having been educated at Rome, and had attained many European + languages. He made Martyn's acquaintance at Etchmiatzin, the + Armenian monastery at Erivan, where he had gone to pay a visit + to the Patriarch or chief of that people, and remained three + days to recruit his exhausted strength. He described him to me + as being of a very delicate frame, thin, and not quite of the + middle stature, a beardless youth, with a countenance beaming + with so much benignity as to bespeak an errand of Divine love. + Of the affairs of the world he seemed to be so ignorant, that + Serrafino was obliged to manage for him respecting his + travelling arrangements, money matters, etc. Of the latter he + had a good deal with him when he left the monastery, and seemed + to be careless, and even profuse, in his expenditure. He was + strongly recommended to postpone his journey, but from his + extreme impatience to return to England these remonstrances were + unavailing. A Tartar was employed to conduct him to Tokat. + Serrafino accompanied him for an hour or two on the way--with + considerable apprehensions, as he told me, of his ever arriving + in his native country.[92] He was greatly surprised, he said, + not only to find in him all the ornaments of a refined + education, but that he was so eminent a Christian; 'since (said + he) all the English I have hitherto met with, not only make no + profession of religion, but live seemingly in contempt of it.' + + I endeavoured to convince him that his impression of the English + character was in this respect erroneous; that although a Martyn + on the Asiatic soil might be deemed a phoenix, yet many such + existed in that country which gave him birth; and I instanced to + him the Christian philanthropy of my countrymen, which induced + them to search the earth's boundaries to extend their faith. I + told him of our immense voluntary taxation to aid the + missionaries in that object, and of the numerous Christian + associations,--for which the world was scarcely large enough to + expend themselves upon. + + He listened with great attention, and then threw in the + compliment, 'You English are very difficult to become acquainted + with, but when once we know you we can depend on you.' He + complained of some part of Martyn's _Journal_ referring to + himself, respecting his then idea of retiring to India, to write + and print some works in the Armenian language, tending to + enlighten that people with regard to religion. He said that what + followed of the errors and superstitions of the Armenian Church + should not have been inserted in the book, nor did he think it + would be found in Martyn's _Journal_. His complaint rested much + on the compilers of the work in this respect; he said, 'these + opinions were not exactly so expressed, and certainly they were + not intended to come before the public, whereby they might + ultimately be turned against me.' + + At Erzroom, on my way to Persia, I had met with an Italian + doctor, then in the Pasha's employ, from whom I heard many + interesting particulars respecting Martyn. He was at Tokat at + the time of our countryman's arrival and death, which occurred + on October 16, 1812; but whether occasioned by the plague, or + from excessive fatigue by the brutal treatment of the Tartar, he + could not determine. His remains were decently interred in the + Armenian burying-ground, and for a time the circumstance was + forgotten. Some years afterwards, a gentleman, at the request of + the British ambassador in Constantinople, had a commemorative + stone erected to his memory, and application was made to the + Armenian bishop to seek the grave for that purpose. He seemed to + have forgotten altogether such an occurrence, but referring to + some memoranda which he had made of so remarkable a case as that + of interring a Feringhi stranger, he was enabled to trace the + humble tablet with which he had distinguished it. It is now + ornamented with a white slab, stating merely the name, age, and + time of death of the deceased. + + I had many reminiscences of Martyn, at Marand particularly. I + quitted this place at midnight, just at the time and under the + circumstances which he describes. 'It was a most mild and + delightful night, and the pure air, after the smell of the + stable, was reviving.' I was equally solitary with himself. I + had attached great interest to my resting-place, believing it to + have been the same on which Martyn had reposed, from his own + description, as it was the usual reception for travellers, the + _munzil_, or post-house. Here I found myself almost alone, as + with Aliverdy, my guide, not three words of understanding + existed between us. Martyn says, 'They stared at my European + dress, but no disrespect was shown.' Exactly so with me: the + villagers stood around questioning my attendant, who was showing + me off, I know not why. + + Martyn's description of the stable was precisely what I found + it; thus--'I was shown into the stable, where there was a little + place partitioned off, but so as to admit a view of the horses.' + He was 'dispirited and melancholy.' I was not a little touched + with this in my solitariness, and sensibly felt with the poet: + + Thou dost not know how sad it is to stray + Amid a foreign land, thyself unknown, + And, when o'erwearied with the toilsome day, + To rest at eve and feel thyself alone. + + At Khoi, on my return, I witnessed the Persian ceremony related + by Martyn in his _Journal_ of the death of Imam Hussein--the + anniversary of which is so religiously observed in that country. + At Tabreez I heard much of him who was + + Faithful found + Among the faithless--faithful only he, + Unshaken, unseduced, unterrifed, + His loyalty he kept--his zeal--his love. + + I scarcely remember so bright an ornament to the Christian + profession, on heathen land, as this hero of the Cross, who was + 'patient in tribulation, rejoicing in hope;' and I heard him + thus spoken of by those who could estimate the _man_, and + perhaps not appreciate the _missionary_--'If ever there was a + saint on earth, it was Martyn; and if there be now an angel in + heaven, it is Martyn.' Amidst the contumely of the bigoted + Mussulmans, he had much to bear, as to the natural man, amongst + whom he was called an 'Isauvi' (the term given to Christians). + + I know of no people where, to all human calculation, so little + prospect opens of planting the Cross. The moollas are by no + means averse to religious discussion, and still remember the + 'enlightened infidel,' as Martyn was called; but so bigoted are + these benighted Moslems, and show so much zeal, as I noticed at + their Ramazan, that they scorn us, and, I may say, they shame + us. It is interesting, when looking at those dark regions, to + inquire--when shall the Cross triumph over the Crescent? when + shall the riches and power of the Gospel spread over their soil, + root up the weeds of error, and produce the fruits of + righteousness? + + Since the days of Martyn but little effort has been made by the + Missionary Society to turn the tide of Christian philanthropy + towards this country; but I would say, spite of the + discouragements, Send your missionaries to this stronghold of + Mahomet; here plant your standard of redeeming love to the + wretched devotee of the impostor; to the sometime worshipper of + the sun hang out the banner of the Sun of Righteousness; kindle + in his bosom the flame of Divine truth, that the Holy Spirit, of + which his former god was the emblem, may enlighten and guide him + into the fold of Christ. + + It is gratifying to find from a paper in the _Asiatic Register_, + the writer of which spent a few weeks at Shiraz, that the love + and work of this distinguished missionary, although he saw no + fruits from them, have in one instance proved that his labour + has not been in vain in the Lord. He relates that in that city + he met with an interesting character, Mahomed Rahim, who had + been educated for a moolla; a man of considerable learning, and + much attached to the English. He found him reading a volume of + _Cowper's Poems_, and was astonished at the precision with which + he expressed himself in English; this led to the subject of + religion, when he acknowledged himself to be a Christian, and + related the following circumstance. + + In the year of the Hegira 1223 there came to this city an + Englishman, who taught the religion of Christ with a boldness + hitherto unparalleled in Persia, in the midst of much scorn and + ill-treatment from the moollas as well as the rabble. He was a + beardless youth, and evidently enfeebled by disease; he dwelt + among us for more than a year. I was then a decided enemy to + infidels, as the Christians are termed by the followers of + Mahomet, and I visited this teacher of the despised sect, for + the purpose of treating him with scorn, and exposing his + doctrines to contempt. Although I persevered in this conduct for + some time, I found that every interview not only increased my + respect for the individual, but diminished my confidence in the + faith in which I was educated. His extreme forbearance towards + the violence of his opponents, the calm and yet convincing + manner in which he exposed the fallacies and sophistries by + which he was assailed (for he spoke Persian excellently), + gradually inclined me to listen to his arguments, to inquire + dispassionately into the subject of them, and finally to read a + tract which he had written in reply to _A Defence of Islam_, by + our chief moollas. The result of my examination was a conviction + that the young disputant was right. Shame, or rather fear, + withheld me from this opinion; I even avoided the society of the + Christian teacher, though he remained in the city so long. Just + before he quitted Shiraz I could not refrain from paying him a + farewell visit. Our conversation, the memory of which will never + fade from the tablet of my mind, sealed my conversion. He gave + me a book; it has been my constant companion; the study of it + has formed my most delightful occupation; its contents have + often consoled me. Upon this he put into my hand a copy of the + New Testament in Persian; on one of the blank leaves was + written, 'There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. + HENRY MARTYN.' + +The memory of Henry Martyn was borne by Mussulmans to Northern Africa, +and south to India again. The late Rev. Mr. Oakley, of St. Paul's, +Onslow Square, London, when travelling south of Algiers, met +Mohammedans who asked him if he were of the same tribe as Henry +Martyn, the man of God whose controversy at Shiraz and books they +knew. A Persian of gentle manners, who had a surprising knowledge of +the _Mesnevi_, that inexhaustible fountain of Soofi philosophy, +received a copy of Martyn's Persian New Testament. After fourteen +years' study of it, in silence, he applied to the nearest Christian, +an Armenian bishop, for baptism unto Christ. Fearing the consequences, +the bishop sent on the catechumen to the Armenian priests at Calcutta, +who, equally afraid that the news would reach the Persian authorities, +handed him over to the Rev. E.C. Stuart, then the Church Missionary +Society's secretary there, and a Persian scholar, now Bishop of +Waiapu. Mr. Stuart took him as his guest, found that he delighted in +instruction in the New Testament, and baptized him. Ultimately the +convert went back to Persia as one who 'had gained a sincere faith in +Christ from the simple reading of H. Martyn's Persian Testament.' + +In 1842 the learned Bombay chaplain, George Percy Badger, visited +Tokat on a mission from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of +London to the Nestorian tribes of Koordistan. He was guided to Henry +Martyn's first tomb by the Armenian priest who had performed the rites +of Christian burial. While Mrs. Badger sought out and planted wild +flowers around the stone, her husband, recalling the fervent zeal and +ardent piety of the departed, 'lifted up a secret prayer that God in +His mercy would raise up many of a like spirit to labour among the +benighted Mohammedans of the East.'[93] + +Adopting the report of their missionaries in 1830, the American Board +at Boston sent out Dr. Henry J. van Lennep, who first visited Tokat +fourteen years after them, and thirty-two years after Henry Martyn's +death. The first object of his attention was the grave, which then he +had great difficulty in discovering and identifying. It was this +experience, and not any earlier facts, that must have led to the +publication of these lines: + + No stone marks the spot where these ashes are resting, + No tear has e'er hallowed thy cold, lonely grave, + But the wild warring winds whistle round thy bleak dwelling, + And the fierce wintry torrent sweeps o'er it with its wave. + +In his _Travels in Little Known Parts of Asia Minor_,[94] Dr. van +Lennep writes: + + The Armenian burying-ground, where he was laid, is situated just + outside of the town, and hard by the wretched gipsy quarter + which forms its eastern extremity. It is a most barren and + desolate spot, overhung by lofty cliffs of clay slate. Its only + verdure, besides the rank weeds that spring up between the + thickly set graves, consists of two scraggy wild pear-trees + nearly dead for lack of moisture. The sexton of the church near + by could give no information, and I was left to search for it + alone. Beginning at the graves lying at the outer edge of the + ground nearest the road, I advanced towards the hill, examining + each in its turn, until just at the foot of the overhanging + cliffs I came upon a slab of coarse limestone, some forty inches + by twenty, bearing the following inscription: + + Rev . Vir . + Gug[95] . Martino . + Sacer . Ac . Miss . Anglo . + Quem . In . Patr . Redi . + Dominus + Hic . Berisae . Ad . Sb . Voc . + Pium . D . Fidel . Q . Ser . + A.D. MDCCCXII. + Hunc . Lap . Consac . + C. I. R. + A.D. MDCCCXIII. + + It was just ten years after this first visit that I was again in + Tokat, not on a transient visit, but with the purpose of making + that city my permanent abode. A little party of us soon repaired + to the hallowed spot. Guided by my recollections and a drawing + made at my previous visit, we were soon at the place; but in the + last few years it had undergone a remarkable change. Instead of + the slab of stone with its inscription, which we expected to + see, we only found a smooth surface of pebbly and sandy soil + overgrown with weeds, without vestige of stone or mound to + indicate the presence of a grave; but the identical surroundings + were there, too well remembered to be mistaken. Could it be + that, as happens in these lawless regions, the stone had been + removed by some ruthless hand and incorporated in the wall of a + neighbouring building? We could not accept that unpleasant + conclusion, and, calling the sexton, we directed him to dig + where we pointed. It was at a depth of two feet from the surface + that the stone came into view: the soil and rubbish accumulated + upon the grave were then removed, and we hoped the place would + hereafter need little attention. But, to our surprise, we found + it again, the ensuing spring, covered to the same depth as + before. The soil was washed upon it by the rains from the whole + mountain side, and we found that were a wall built for its + protection, the gipsy boys, who made this their playground, + would soon have it down. + + Some time after this, a correspondence took place with friends + in London, which resulted in a grant being made by the late Hon. + East India Company's Board of Directors, for the purpose of + erecting a more suitable monument to the memory of Henry Martyn, + to be placed with his remains in the Mission Burying-ground. The + monument was cut out of native marble, and made by native + workmen at Tokat. The remains were removed under the inspection + of the missionary physician, and though it was difficult + positively to identify them, there can be no doubt that what was + found once formed a portion of the earthly tenement of the + devoted and lamented missionary. There were no remains of a + coffin; Orientals never use them, and he was doubtless laid in + immediate contact with the soil, literally 'dust to dust.' The + monument under which we laid these remains was the first grave + in our little cemetery, and well might it be said that it + became sacred ground. The obelisk has four faces, on each of + which the name, encircled with a wreath, is cut, severally in + English, Armenian, Persian, and Turkish. The four sides of the + base contain the following inscription in the same languages: + + REV. HENRY MARTYN, M.A. + + CHAPLAIN OF THE HON. EAST INDIA COMPANY, + BORN AT TRURO, ENGLAND, FEBRUARY 18, 1781, + DIED AT TOKAT, OCTOBER 16, 1812. + + HE LABOURED FOR MANY YEARS IN THE EAST, STRIVING TO + BENEFIT MANKIND BOTH IN THIS WORLD AND THAT TO COME. + HE TRANSLATED THE HOLY SCRIPTURES INTO HINDOSTANEE + AND PERSIAN, + AND PREACHED THE GOD AND SAVIOUR OF WHOM THEY TESTIFY. + HE WILL LONG BE REMEMBERED IN THE EAST, WHERE HE WAS + KNOWN AS A MAN OF GOD. + + The grave now lies in a spot every way adapted to foster the + holy memories which it recalls. It stands upon a broad and high + terrace, overlooking the whole city for whose salvation we + cannot doubt that he offered some of the last petitions 'of the + righteous man, which avail much.' It is a solitude, immediately + surrounded by the thick foliage of fruit trees, among which tall + walnuts are conspicuous. We ourselves planted by its side the + only weeping willows which exist in the whole region. The place + is visited by many, who read the concise inscription and further + inquire into the good man's history. It has always been a + favourite place of resort of our students and native Christians, + and they have many a time sat under its shade and expounded to + wondering strangers the very doctrines to propagate which that + model of a missionary had sacrificed his life. + +[Illustration: TOMB OF HENRY MARTYN] + +Tokat is now for ever memorable as the centre which links the names of +Basiliscus, the martyr, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, and Henry +Martyn. The cloud-crested fortress points almost straight up from the +Jeshil-Irmak river, the ancient Iris, which, rising in the Anti-Taurus +range of Pontus, finds its way to the Black Sea with a breadth and +volume of water second only to the Halys. Still, as of old, the town +crowds about the foot of the two spiral crags and straggles out with +towered church, mosque and minaret, into the valley. The ruins of the +embattled walls crowning every pinnacle of the insulated rocks of which +they seem to form a part, tell of the days when Greek and Roman passed +along the 'royal road' from Amisos or Samsoon on the Euxine to Sebaste, +Caesareia, and Central Asia; and when the Saracens beat off the Emperor +Michael (860) from what was then called Daximon.[96] The time is coming +when there shall once more be here a highway of civilisation after the +barren centuries of the Moslem. + +Tokat represents Komana Pontica, six miles off, the oracle and +emporium of the royal road, described by Strabo as a little Corinth +for vice and traffic. Another step, and the Apostle Paul himself might +have visited it from Galatia. In 312, in the persecution under +Maximin, Basiliscus, the bishop of Komana, was martyred, being shod +with red-hot iron shoes, beheaded, and thrown into the Iris. The +_Acta_ picture the saint as led on foot by soldiers along the road +without food for four days, till he reached Komana; 'and the road was +much the same as the modern way, Tokat to Amaseia,' along which Henry +Martyn was violently hurried by his Tartar. In the martyrium, built a +few miles out of Komana, in memory of Basiliscus, Chrysostom found +rest in death, and a grave. + +Basilius, the bishop of Caesareia, belonged to the neighbouring +province of Cappadocia, but his missionary influence, and that of his +bishop brother, Gregory Nyssen, and his sister, Macrina, spread all +over Pontus, while Gregory Nazianzen was his fellow-student at Athens, +and his admiring friend, as Julian also, the future Emperor, was for a +time. Like Martyn, Basil owed to his sister his conversion, his call +to the ministry, and his self-sacrifice all through life. It was on +the banks of the Iris above Tokat that, secluded for five years, the +great Father laid the foundation of the monastic communities of the +Greek Church, and learned to be the future defender of orthodoxy +against the Arians, and of the unity of the Oriental Church. + +But it is the exile and death of John Chrysostom, just fourteen +centuries before, that form the most touching parallel to the sufferings +of Henry Martyn. Never has there been a greater missionary bishop than +the 'golden-mouthed' preacher of Antioch and Constantinople. The victim +first of a cabal of bishops, and then of the Empress Eudoxia, whose +vices and sacrilege he rebuked, he was driven from Constantinople to the +scorching plains of Cappadocia in the midsummer heat. His guard drove on +the venerable man day and night, giving him no rest. When a halt was +made, it was always in some filthy village where good water was not. +Fever and ague were provoked, but still he was forced on to Basil's city +of Caesareia, to find Basil's successor his bitter enemy. Taking a +physician with him he reached his destination at Kokussos, where the +Empress had hoped that the barbarians would make an end of him. As it +seemed likely to prove his Tabreez, he was once more driven forth on +foot, under two guards selected for their brutality. It took him three +months to reach Komana--one long, slow martyrdom to the fever-stricken +old man. 'It was evident that Chrysostom's strength was entirely worn +out,' writes Canon Venables, in words which exactly describe the +experience of the young Henry Martyn. 'But his pitiless guard hurried +him through the town "as if its streets were no more than a bridge," +without a moment's halt.' Five miles farther on they halted at the +chapel of the martyr Basiliscus, of whom Chrysostom dreamed that he saw +him and heard him say: 'Be of good cheer; on the morrow we shall be +together.' Canon Venables continues, unconsciously, the parallel with +the experience of the nineteenth-century saint of the Evangel: + + In the morning Chrysostom earnestly begged for a brief respite, + but in vain. He was hurried off, but scarcely had he gone three + or four miles when a violent attack of fever compelled them to + retrace their steps. + +On reaching the martyrium, Chrysostom, led within, stripped on his +soiled garments, clothed himself in white baptismal vestments, joined +in the communion of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, +offered his last prayer 'for present needs,' uttered his accustomed +doxology: 'Glory be to God for all things,' and, having said 'Amen,' +breathed his last on September 14, 407, in his sixtieth year. His body +was laid beside that of Basiliscus. A generation after, the children +of the Empress and Emperor who had thus slaughtered the saint brought +back his body and gave it imperial sepulture in Constantinople, while +they publicly asked Heaven to forgive the wrong of the past. + +From Basiliscus, Basil, and Chrysostom to Henry Martyn, the fourteen +centuries tell of the corruption of the Church of Christ in the East, +and the rise upon its ruins of Mohammedanism, which covered the northern +half of Africa, and Spain, and reached as far as Tours and Vienna in +Europe. It is to the glory of Henry Martyn that he was the first +missionary of the Reformed Church of the West to the Mohammedans, giving +those of India and Central Asia the Gospel and the Psalms in two of +their own vernaculars, and dying for them before he could complete his +work at the Arabic Bible. + +We shall see whom his example inspired to follow him. His death became +a summons, first to his own evangelical circle in England and India, +and then to the whole Church of Christ, to follow in the path that he +marked out alike by his toiling and his writing. + +Sergius, the Armenian, must at once have pursued the journey from +Tokat to Constantinople, which is distant from Tabreez 1,542 miles, +and not 1,300 as roundly estimated by Henry Martyn. He presented the +letters of his master to Mr. Isaac Morier, in the Sultan's capital, +father of Sir Gore Ouseley's secretary and successor. On February 12, +1813, Charles Simeon wrote thus to Mr. Thomason in Calcutta: + + The day before yesterday a letter arrived from Mr. Isaac Morier, + of Constantinople, announcing that on October 16 (or + thereabouts) our beloved brother entered into the realms of + glory, and rested for ever in the bosom of his God.... But what + an event it is! How calamitous to his friends, to India, and to + the world! Methinks I hear God say: 'Be still and know that I am + God.' ... I had been forming plans in my mind with a view to the + restoration of his health in England, and should now have been + able to carry into execution whatever might have been judged + expedient; but I am denied the joy of ministering to him! + +Again on April 2: + + We are making collections for Mr. Martyn's brother's family, who + in him have lost their main support. We have got about 400_l._, + and Mr. Thornton has sent you a paper for the purpose of getting + them some aid in India. + +The news reached Lydia Grenfell on February 14, 1813. She was then for +a fortnight at Marazion, where every spot recalled the past. She thus +communed with herself and God in her _Diary_: + + Marazion: February 20, 1813. + + I am fearful to retrace the last week on two accounts, lest the + infirmity of nature prevail, and I give way to sorrow,--and + lest, in recollecting the wondrous kindness and love of God my + Saviour, I increase my pride and not my gratitude. Oh, shall I + then remain silent? Shall Thy mercies be forgotten? Teach me, O + Lord, to write and speak for Thy glory, and to my own deeper + humiliation. Heard on the 14th of the removal of my most tender, + faithful, and beloved friend to the joys of heaven. Oh, I could + not wish his absence from them prolonged. What I only wished + was, and now I am reconciled to that too,--I wished to have been + honoured of God so far as to have been near him, or that some + friend had been.[97] Lord, if this was wrong, forgive me. I will + endeavour, yea, I am enabled to say of this too, 'Thy will be + done.' Great has been the peace and tranquillity of my soul, + such nearness to God, such a hold of Christ, such hope in the + promises, such assurance of bliss and immortality, as I cannot + express, and may have to forget. Oh, that I may never + lose,--rather would I lose everything I most prize, every + earthly friend, every earthly enjoyment, than this. Oh, the fear + of doing so, or of the abatement of spiritual perceptions and + affections, is the thing I most dread, and makes me long to die. + It is not for the sake of rejoining that blessed spirit of my + friend, though I have, and do, feel that too,--but to be again + shut out from Thy possession is what I fear. + + _February 28._--A silent Sabbath, at least to me,--to my ears, I + should say, for I trust God speaks to my heart. 'Comfort ye, + comfort ye, My people,' enables me to take comfort. I feel a + submission to the will of God which is more blessed than when I + had my own in the ministry of the Word,--yet this is a time + which calls for prayer. Lord, pour out the spirit of prayer on + me and many, and grant us grace to ask, fervently yet + resignedly, the restoration of Thy preached gospel. Suddenly are + we deprived of it,--may it be as quickly restored. Very weak in + health, so powerless this morning,--I could not but think my + earthly bed was preparing for me too, and that my soul would + soon return to God, but I am better, and willing to stay my + appointed time. True, to perform my work in a little time might + be what I should rejoice in, but I am willing to live, so I may + have the presence of God with me, and be engaged in His service. + I have a pleasure in supposing it possible the blessed spirit of + my friend may be, on some occasions, sent to protect, to + console, and counsel me,--but this is a weakness, and perhaps + should not be indulged. I felt this afternoon as if he was + present, as I sat alone in the garden,--the thought only + disposed me to solemnity and pensiveness of mind. I am afraid of + my dependence on the creature, whether embodied or not, and I + will rather trust to the sure support of God's Word. + + _March 2._--Some sorrowful thoughts will enter my mind + respecting my late dear friend, and call forth some sighs and + tears from my heart,--yet is that heart resigned to the will of + God, and confident of His having done all things well for His + beloved servant. Oh, how shall I, with wonder and praise, listen + in eternity to the relation of his last days! The excess of + affection now, and the unwillingness I feel that he should have + suffered, make it amongst my mercies that a veil is drawn over + that period of his life. It is mercy all, and God is good to me + in everything. I see His hand, I love and I adore. I submit and + resign myself to His blessed disposal and to all His + dispensations. I have been thinking how necessary for me it was + that we are thus separated; for during his life I felt such a + desire to please and to be worthy of the regard he entertained + for me, that it was my bane, and caused me to forget God as the + first object I was to think of and please. I accept the + punishment sent for this offence, may it prove an effectual cure + of this evil in my heart! + + _March 8._--During the last few days I have experienced much of + the Divine support and consolation of the Gospel. It has been a + time of conflict, not inward, blessed be the name of the Lord. I + have enjoyed a constant, uninterrupted peace, a peace past an + understanding, unless experienced. I never was more sensible of, + or rejoiced more in the presence of God, and my heart rises to + my Maker with delight and joy, as easily as I breathe. God, 'as + soon as sought, is found,' through Jesus Christ,--but I have + been put into the hands of a bitter enemy, and that enemy.... + She has left me, and I pray that every uneasy feeling excited in + my breast by her unkind and injurious treatment may depart with + her. Oh, how I rejoice that no storms can molest the dead who + die in the Lord,--they rest from their labours of every kind. + Since the account reached me of the departure of my dear friend + to be with Christ, which is far better than to be here,--every + evil I suffer, or fear, is blessed in its purpose, from knowing + he can never feel the same; and all I enjoy or behold that is + delightful, is the more enjoyed from thinking 'he has all this, + and more, in perfection, and without interruption.' May I + accomplish my work of suffering, or ending, or labouring, and + then enter into rest. + + _March 13._--Nature has its turn in my feelings. To-day I have + been given to feel more of sorrow for the removal of my beloved + friend, and, without desiring it to be otherwise, to mourn my + own loss. The recollection of his unmerited kindness softens my + heart, and I can hardly forbear indulging a tenderness which may + weaken but cannot strengthen my mind. O Lord, I beseech Thee + preserve me from whatever may injure my soul and unfit me for + Thy service. I have the hope of heaven too, and that is enough. + In heaven we shall meet and unite for ever in the work of + praise. Life, with its trials and cares, will be but short. May + I only desire to live to Thee, my God, and finish the work Thou + hast given me to do. Lord, make me faithful, self-denying, and + submissive to Thy will. + + _April 3._--My thoughts revert to the possible circumstances of + my late dear friend's sufferings and death, and I am sunk low by + doing so. It was the last step he had to travel below, and one + necessary to be taken, in order to reach the heights of glory. + There let me view him triumphing with his Saviour, and through + His meritorious sufferings and death made more than conqueror + over all his enemies. I must think more of his glorious Lord, + and less of the servant, either as suffering and labouring or + glorified and resting. Lord, be graciously present, and in the + contemplation of Thy perfections, and the review of Thy mercies, + let me forget everything beside. + + _April 21._--A letter from Tabreez, dated August 28, reached me. + O Thou who readest my heart, direct and sanctify every feeling. + May the anguish of my soul be moderated, and let me endeavour to + exercise faith in Thy Divine goodness, mercy, and power, and to + believe it was well with him in all respects. + + _April 24._--I am tormented with fears that even in eternity I + shall never be capable of enjoying the same happiness my + departed friend does, and it seems as if no other would satisfy + me. O Lord Jesus, weary and heavy laden I come to Thee; let me + behold the light of Thy countenance, and praise Thee, and lose + in the contemplation of Thy glories, and in the sense of Thy + love to my soul,--let me lose the remembrance of every other + excellence. When the sun shines the light of the stars is + eclipsed; thus may it be with me!--Unless the genius which shone + in his character make me admire and love God more, let me turn + from viewing them. Oh, teach me to love Thy saints, whether + living or dead, and for Thy sake and Thyself above them all. I + have never felt I was not resigned to the will of God in our + separation on earth, but my anxious mind dwells on another, + which I cannot bear to think possible. + + _June 3._--For several days my mind has been occupied with + recollections that weaken its hold of spiritual things. I think + more of a departed saint than of the King of Saints. It is + strange that now I should be more in danger of loving too well a + creature passed into the skies than when he lived on earth. But + so it is,--continually my thoughts revert to him. I pray God + this may not be a snare unto me to divide me from Himself. Let + me behold Jesus. + + _June 13._--Passed a very blessed Sabbath. My soul + quickened,--Oh, let it live, and it shall praise Thee! A letter + from my dearest Emma containing wholesome, though at first + unwelcome, counsel, has been of singular use to me. The snare is + seen, if not broken. Yes, I have lost my hold of everything that + used, and ought, to support me by allowing, without restraint, + the remembrance of my late dear friend to fill my mind. My + almost constant thoughts were of him, and pride at the + preference he showed me was fed, as well as affection. Now I + have a painful, difficult part to act. A sacrifice I must offer + of what has become so much my happiness as to interfere with my + enjoyment of God. I must fly from the recollection of an earthly + object, loved too well, viewed too much. Let me follow his + faith, and consider the end of his conversation,--Jesus Christ, + the same for ever. I have had the greatest peace to-day in only + trying to resolve on this,--how merciful is God! + + _1814, January 28._--Found great sweetness yesterday and to-day + in reading and sweet prayer in the garden; was sensibly + refreshed in the exercise, and had a taste that the Lord was + gracious. This evening my heart is sad, not from the withdrawing + of those consolations, or darkness of soul, as is often the + case, but from having the circumstances of my revered friend's + death brought to my recollection. I strive not to dwell on them, + for oh, what a scope do they give to my busy fancy! I would fly + from this subject as too high for me, and take refuge in this: + the Lord did not forsake His servant, and precious was his death + in His sight. Nature is weak, but faith can strengthen me. + + _February 12._--A twelvemonth, this day, since I heard of the + death of my dear friend. My thoughts revert to this event, but + more to the mercies of God to me at that season. + + _October 16._--My thoughts engaged often to-day by the event of + this day in 1812. Twice has the earth performed its annual round + since the honoured servant of God received the welcome mandate + to cease from his labours, and join those who 'see His face' and + 'serve Him,' unencumbered with flesh and blood. He no longer + measures time by days and years, and there is no tedious six + days between Sabbath and Sabbath, as it is here. 'How blessed + are those who die in the Lord.' This expresses my feelings most + at the remembrance of this departed saint. May I abide in + Christ, and be with Him and His saints for ever. O blessed hope + of everlasting life,--I will cherish it, exult in it, and may I + pursue till I attain it. + +It was April 18, 1813, when Corrie and Thomason in India learned what +they had always feared since the dearest of all friends to them had +passed through Calcutta on his way to Arabia. Corrie was at Agra, and +he wrote to his brother-in-law, Mr. C. Shaw, in reply to a letter +'containing the affecting intelligence of Martyn's death, to us +afflictive, to him happy beyond expression. I could find nothing but +lamentations to express--lamentations for us, not for him. He was meet +for "the inheritance of the saints in light." My master is taken from +me; oh, for a double portion of his spirit! The work of printing and +distributing the Scriptures will henceforth go on more slowly.' Again, +to Simeon: 'Could he look from heaven and see the Abdool Massee'h, +with the translated New Testament in his hand, preaching to the +listening throng, ... it would add fresh delight to his holy soul.' +Thomason, at once his disciple and his friend, wrote: 'He was in our +hearts; we honoured him; we loved him; we thanked God for him; we +prayed for his longer continuance amongst us; we rejoiced in the good +he was doing. We are sadly bereaved. Where such fervent piety, and +extensive knowledge, and vigorous understanding, and classical taste, +and unwearied application were all united, what might not have been +expected?' When, soon after, Thomason, as chaplain, accompanied the +Governor-General, Lord Moira, through North India, and arrived at +Cawnpore, he had eyes and thoughts only for his friend. 'In these +sandy plains I have been tracing again and again the days of Martyn. +Close by me is the house that dear minister occupied, leading to which +is the gloomy line of aloes spoken of by Mrs. Sherwood.... Oh, for +Martyn's humility and love!... His standard of every duty was the +highest, and his feelings of joy, sorrow, love, most intense; whilst +his conversation was always in heaven, the savour of his holy +disposition was as ointment poured forth.... Woe unto us if we do not +pray more, live more above the world and deny ourselves more, and love +Christ more!' + +John Sargent, Rector of Lavington, the earliest of Henry Martyn's +intimate friends, at once undertook to write a memoir of his life, for +which Simeon charged himself with collecting 'all possible materials +from India and Persia.' Bishop Corrie accordingly addressed Sargent +thus: + + Agra: November 1, 1813. + + It will be of use for you to know that when he left Cawnpore in + 1810 to seek change of air I was with him, and persuaded him to + leave in my hands a number of memorandums he was about to + destroy. They were sealed up, but on his death, being opened, + they proved to be journals of the exercises of his mind from + January 1803 to 1807 inclusive. They seem to me no less worthy + of publication than the journal of Mr. Brainerd, if more books + of that kind should be judged necessary. Since the beginning of + 1807 Mr. Martyn favoured me with almost a weekly letter, in + which his various employments and engagements for the + furtherance of the Gospel in this country are detailed, with + occasional very interesting remarks. This correspondence ceased + on my being ordered by our Commander-in-chief to assist Mr. + Martyn in the duties of the station of Cawnpore, when I took up + my abode with him from June till his departure, October 1. Other + letters passed between us after that time, and it is my + intention to send you copies of all the above correspondence, + together with his private memorandums. The latter, with copies + of Martyn's letters from February to July 1807, were sent off + this day to Mr. Thomason in Calcutta, to be forwarded to England + by the first opportunity, and the copies of the remaining + letters shall follow as soon as may be. Of course I have omitted + to copy what seems purely personal: yet much remains which you + will perhaps judge unnecessary for publication, and will + exercise your own judgment on that head. All the extracts seem + to me, however, to cast light on the progress of missionary work + in this land, and may perhaps be thought interesting to those + who take a concern in Indian affairs. These extracts give so + full a view of Mr. Martyn's character that nothing remains for + me to add. Only I may say a more perfect character I never met + with, nor expect to see again on earth. During the four years we + were fellow-labourers in this country, I had no less than six + opportunities of enjoying his company; the last time for four + months together, and under the same roof all the time; and each + opportunity only increased my love and veneration for him. + + I conclude the above intelligence will plead my excuse for + writing to you without previous introduction, and I was anxious + it should reach you through the nearest channel. Your brother in + Calcutta has told me several times of your welfare, and during + beloved Martyn's life I used to hear of you sometimes. Your + person, whilst a student at King's College, was well known to + me, and your character admired, though I had not steadiness of + principle sufficient at that time to imitate you, and + consequently had no pretensions to an acquaintance with you, + though I often greatly desired it. To that 'Father in Israel,' + Mr. Simeon, I owe all my comfort on earth and all my hopes + respecting eternity: for through his instrumentality the seeds + of grace, I trust, were, during my residence at Cambridge, + especially during the latter part of my residence, implanted in + my heart, and have influenced, though alas! unsteadily, my after + days. + +Lydia Grenfell was of course consulted as the work made progress, but +none of her letters to Martyn have seen the light. + + _1815, December 26._--Wrote this day to Mr. Simeon. I have + reason to search into my heart and watch the risings of pride + there, both respecting the notice of this blessed saint, and the + avowal to be expected of my being the object of so much regard + from another still more eminent in the Church of Christ. I have + ever stood amazed at this, and now that in the providence of God + it seems certain that my being so favoured is likely to be made + known, vanity besets me. Oh, how poor a creature am I! Lord, I + pray, let me be enabled to trace some evidence of Thine eternal + love to me, and let this greater wonder call off my thoughts + from every other distinction. But how do I learn that in the + whole of this notice my thoughts have not indeed been Thine, O + Lord, nor my ways Thy ways? How much above all I could have + conceived of have been the designs of God! I sought concealment, + and lo! all is made known to many, and much will be even known + to the world. It is strange for me to credit this, and strange + that, with my natural reserve and the peculiar reasons that + exist for my wishing to have this buried in silence, I am + nevertheless composed about it. But, Lord, I would resign + myself, and all things that concern me, to Thy sovereign will + and pleasure. Preserve me blameless to Thine eternal kingdom, + and grant me an everlasting union with thy servant above. + + _1816, January 28._--I feel an increased thankfulness that God + has called me to live free from the many cares which fall on all + in the married state, and for the peculiarly favourable + circumstances He has placed me in here. The privilege of + watching over my mother in the decline of life, the charge of a + sweet child, the occupation of the schools, and a portion of + this world's goods for the use of the poor,--all, all call for + more thankfulness and diligence. Lord, help me to abound in + both, and with and above all I have peace and hope in God + through Jesus Christ, in a measure--though unbelief often robs + my soul of both. Oh, let me seek the grace of steadfast faith, + and I have all I want or desire. + + _April 21._--Thought with delight of my loved friends, Mrs. + Hoare and H.M., both before the Throne, led by the Lamb to + living fountains of waters, and all tears wiped away from their + eyes. Oh, I long to be there; yet I could willingly forego the + joys of heaven if I might, by suffering or labours here, glorify + my Lord and Saviour. + + _June 30._--Often have I thought, when desirous of pursuing a + more consistent deportment, and of introducing spiritual + subjects: 'How can I appear so different before those I have + been so trifling and merely worldly in all my intercourse with?' + The death of my esteemed and beloved brother in Christ, H.M., I + thought would have been the period for my maintaining that + serious watchfulness so essential to my enjoyment of God; but + no, I have been worse since, I think, as a judgment for failing + in my keeping my resolution. + +In 1817 Lydia Grenfell's _Diary_ records the visits of such men as Mr. +Fenn, 'who came to preach in the great cause of the Church Missionary +Society,' and of Mr. Bickersteth, who at Penzance 'stated what he had +met with in Africa.' The author of many immortal hymns, Francis Thomas +Lyte, 'opened his ministry' of two years in Marazion at this time, to +her joy and spiritual growth. She notes on August 31, 1817, that his +hymn 'Penitence' was sung for the first time. + + Marazion: March 6, 1819. + + Received, a few days since, Mr. Sargent's Memoir, and reading + only a few pages has convinced me that, without a greater + resemblance in the spirit to our friend, I never can partake of + that blessedness now enjoyed by the happy subject of it in the + presence of his Saviour. It is chiefly in humility, meekness, + and love I see the sad, the total difference. This may be + traced to a departure from the fountain of grace, Christ Jesus, + to whom, oh, may I return, and I shall be replenished. + + _October 14._--Indulged a wandering imagination, and am sad in + consequence. This season I ought to deem a sacred one. Oh, that, + in my remembrance of Thy blessed ... and servant, I could + entirely forget what feeds my vanity. Lord, help me to check all + earthly sorrow at the recollection of his many sorrows, for were + they not the appointed means of fitting him for his present + felicity, and of manifesting Thy grace, by which Thou art + glorified? I would make this season one of serious preparation + for my own departure, and what does that preparation consist + in?--faith in Jesus. Oh, strengthen it in me, and by following + Thy blessed saint in all virtuous and godly living I may come to + those eternal joys prepared for those that love Thee. + + _1820, June 25._--Oh, what a heaven for a creature, who has no + strength, or wisdom, or righteousness, like myself, to be fixed + in, beholding the glories of Jehovah manifested in Him who is my + Saviour and my Lord. Gladly would I part from this dull clod of + earth and come to Thee, and reach the pure pleasures of a + spiritual state. There, there dwells the blessed Martyn, who + bows before the throne, of a glorious company of saints, washed + with him, and clothed in spotless robes. Oh, (that) I may be + brought to them. + + _December 5._--Thought of the holy martyr, so humble, so + self-denying, so devoted, and of his early-accomplished prayer + for the heavenly country, where he dwells perfect in purity and + love. Oh, to be a follower of him as he followed Christ, and to + walk in the same paths, influenced by the same holy, humble, + heavenly principles, upheld by the same arm of omnipotent grace, + till I too reach the rest above. + + _1821, January 23._--Elevated rather than refreshed and humbled + in worship to-day. Imagination has been too active and + unrestrained. The remembrance of past events, in which that + blessed saint now with God, H.M. (? figured), has been filling + my mind. This should not be. This is not communion with him, now + a glorified spirit, but merely the indulgence of a vain, sinful + imagination. I would turn from all, from the most holy + creatures, to the Holy One, and the just; spiritual, and moral, + yea, Divine glory and beauty I may behold in Him, who is the + chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely. + + _October 18._--I have now survived my beloved friend eight + years. Eight years have been given me to be prepared for that + world of blessedness he has so long entered upon. Alas! I seem + less so now than at any period. + + _1822, October 16._--The remembrance of the event of the day has + been rendered useless by my absence from home a great part of + it. It should be the occasion for renewed self-dedication, of + more earnest prayer, and of humiliation; for the recollection of + being the cause of increased sufferings to Thy saint, O Lord, is + cause for constant humiliation. I would realise death, and look + to eternity, and to that glorious Saviour, for whom the blessed + subject of my thoughts lived only to serve and honour. Oh, never + more shall I have intercourse with the beloved friend now with + Christ, but by faith in Christ. Lord, help me to use the + recollection of our earthly regard to promote this end. + + _October 19._--My birthday (forty-seventh) follows that of the + anniversary of the death of Martyn. + + _December 31._--Read dear Martyn's sermon on the Christian's + walk with greater enjoyment and unction than has been vouchsafed + unto me for a long season. The holy simplicity of the + directions, and persuasive motives to walk in, as well as + receive, Christ, had influence in my heart. + + _1823, January 11._--Placed in my room yesterday the print of + dear M. Felt affected greatly in doing so, and my tears, which + seldom flow in the presence of anyone, I could not restrain + before the person who was fixing it.[98] With the Saviour now, + and the Saviour, doubtless, was with him in his greatest agony, + even the agony of death--this thought will be the more familiar + to me by viewing the representation of Christ's Crucifixion, now + placed over the picture of His servant. I trust, by a prudent + and not too frequent sight of both, I may derive some advantage + from possessing what is so affecting and so admonitory to me, + who am declining in religious fervour and spirituality. Thus may + I use both, not to exercise feelings, but faith. I cannot behold + the resemblance of M. but I am reminded that God wrought + powerfully on his soul, meeting him for a state of purity, and + love, and spiritual enjoyment, and that he has entered upon it. + His faithfulness, and diligence, and self-denial, and + devotedness; his love to God, and love for souls; his meekness, + and patience, and faith, should stimulate me to earnestness in + prayer for a portion of that grace, through which alone he + attained them, and was what he was. + + _January 19._--Read dear Martyn's sermon on 'Tribulation the Way + to Heaven,' with, I trust, a blessing attending it. + + _1825, October 16._--The anniversary of dear H.M. gaining the + haven of rest after his labours. Oh, how little do I labour to + enter into that rest he enjoyed upon earth. + + _1826, April 2._--God, the ever gracious and merciful God, Thee + would I bless and everlastingly praise for granting me the + favour of hearing 'the joyful sound' of His rich love, and + abounding grace by Jesus Christ, this day, and by a messenger + unexpected, and beloved as a friend and brother. The text was + that I once heard preached from by the blessed Martyn, whose + spirit I pined to join in offering praises to God after sermon: + 'Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.' + + _June 18._--My friends gone to heaven seem to reproach me, that + I aim not to follow them, as they followed Christ. The beloved + Martyn, the seraphic Louisa Hoare, and my dear[99] Georgina's + spirits are employed in perpetually beholding that God whom I + neglect, and remain unconcerned when I do not delight in or + serve (Him). Oh, let me be joined to them in the sweet work of + adoration and praise to Him who hath loved us, to Jesus, our one + Lord and Saviour. Amen. + +So ends the _Diary_ of Lydia Grenfell, the eight last years of her +life afflicted by cancerous disease, and one year by a clouded +mind.[100] To the manuscript 'E. H,'--that is, her sister, Emma +Hitchins--added these words: 'This prayer was answered September 21, +1829; + + And now they range the heavenly plains, + And sing in sweet, heart-melting strains.' + +The motto on her memorial stone in the churchyard of Breage, where she +lies near another holy woman, Margaret Godolphin, first wife of Queen +Anne's prime minister, is 'For a small moment have I forsaken thee, +but with great mercies will I gather thee.' + +FOOTNOTES: + +[88] We must not forget the boyish 'Epitaph on Henry Martyn,' written +by Thomas Babington Macaulay in his thirteenth year (_Life_, by his +nephew, vol. i. p. 38): + + 'Here Martyn lies. In manhood's early bloom + The Christian hero finds a Pagan tomb. + Religion sorrowing o'er her favourite son + Points to the glorious trophies that he won, + Eternal trophies! not with carnage red; + Not stained with tears by hapless captives shed, + But trophies of the Cross. For that dear Name, + Through every form of danger, death, and shame, + Onward he journeyed to a happier shore, + Where danger, death, and shame assault no more.' + +These lines reflect the impression made on Charles Grant and the other +Clapham friends by Henry Martyn's death at a time when they used his +career as an argument for Great Britain doing its duty to India during +the discussions in Parliament on the East India Company's Charter of +1813. + +[89] _Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and an Account of a +Visit to Sherauz and Persepolis_, by the late Claudius James Rich, +Esq., edited (with memoir) by his widow, two vols., London, 1836. + +[90] See p. 528 for the earlier, and p. 530 for the later inscription. + +[91] _Missionary Researches in Armenia_, London, 1834. + +[92] It is a custom in the East to accompany travellers out of the +city to bid them God speed, with the 'khoda hafiz shuma,' 'may God +take you into His holy keeping.' If an Armenian, he is accompanied by +the priest, who prays over him and for him with much fervour. + +[93] _The Nestorians and their Rituals in 1842-1844_, 2 vols. London: +Joseph Masters, 1852. + +[94] New York, 1870, 2 vols. 12mo. Also published by John Murray, +London, 1870. + +[95] Mr. Rich, British Resident at Baghdad, who had laid this +monumental slab, was evidently ignorant of Martyn's Christian name. + +[96] Professor W.M. Ramsay's _Historical Geography of Asia Minor_, +1890. + +[97] 'Paucioribus lacrymis compositus es.'--Tac. quoted on this +occasion by Sargent, _Memoir of Martyn_, p. 493. + +[98] Her niece writes of her when she received the news of Henry +Martyn's death: 'The circumstances of his affecting death, and my +aunt's _intense_ sorrow, produced an ineffaceable remembrance on my +own mind. I can never forget the "upper chamber" in which she took +refuge from daily cares and interruptions--its view of lovely Mount's +Bay across fruit-trees and whispering white coelibes--its perfect +neatness, though with few ornaments. On the principal wall hung a +large print of the Crucifixion of our Lord, usually shaded by a +curtain, and at its foot (where he would have chosen to be) a portrait +of Henry Martyn.'--_The Church Quarterly Review_ for October 1881. + +[99] An authoress, and member of the Gurney family, who died in April, +1816. + +[100] _Her Title of Honour_, by Holme Lee, in which an attempt is made +to tell the story of Lydia Grenfell's life under a fictitious name, is +unworthy of the subject and of the writer. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD + + +Henry Martyn is, first of all, a spiritual force. Personally he was +that to all who came in contact with him from the hour in which he +gave himself to Jesus Christ. To Cambridge student and peasant alike; +to Charles Simeon, his master, as to Kirke White and Sargent, Corrie +and Thomason, his admiring friends; to women like Lydia Grenfell, his +senior in years and experience, as to children like his cousin's at +Plymouth, and David Brown's at Aldeen; to the rude soldiery of the +Cape campaign and the East India Company's raw recruits as to the +cultured statesmen and scholars who were broadening the foundations of +our Indian empire; to the caste-bound Hindu, but far more to the +fanatical Arab and the Mohammedan mystic of Persia--to all he carried +the witness of his saintly life and his Divine message with a simple +power that always compelled attention, and often drew forth obedience +and imitation. His meteor-like spirit burned and flamed as it passed +across the first twelve years of the nineteenth century, from the Cam +to the Fal, by Brazil and South Africa, by Calcutta and Serampore, by +Patna and Cawnpore, by Bombay and Muscat, by Bushire and Shiraz and +Tabreez, to the loneliness of the Armenian highlands, and the exile +grave of the Turkish Tokat. + +From the year in which Sargent published fragments of his _Journal_, +and half revealed to the whole Church of Christ the personality known +in its deep calling unto deep only to the few, Henry Martyn has been +the companion of good men[101] and women of all the Churches, and the +stimulus of the greatest workers and scholars of the century. The +latest writer, the Hon. George N. Curzon, M.P., in his exhaustive work +on Persia (1892), describes him as 'this remarkable man, who impressed +everyone, by his simplicity and godliness of character,' though he +ascribes the 'effect in the short space of a year' as much to the +charm of his personality as to the character of his mission. + +Perhaps the most representative of the many whom Martyn is known to +have influenced was Daniel Wilson, of Islington and Calcutta. When +visiting his vast diocese in 1838 and crossing the Bay of Bengal, +Bishop Wilson[102] thus carefully compared the _Journal_ with +corresponding passages in his own life: + + It is consoling to a poor sinner like myself, who has been + placed in the full bustle of public business, to see how the + soul even of a saint like H. Martyn faints and is discouraged, + laments over defects of love, and finds an evil nature still + struggling against the law of his mind. I remember there are + similar confessions in J. Milner. It is this which explains the + seventh of Romans. Henry Martyn has now been in heaven + twenty-six years, having died in his thirty-second year. Dearest + Corrie was born like myself in 1778, and died in 1837, aged + fifty-nine, and after having been thirty-one years in India. He + has been at home now a year and five months. When, where, how, I + may be called hence I know not. The Lord make me a follower of + them who through faith and patience have inherited the promises. + In H. Martyn's _Journals_ the spirit of prayer, the time he + devoted to the duty, and his fervour in it, are the first things + which strike me. In the next place, his delight in Holy + Scripture, his meditations in it, the large portions he + committed to memory, the nourishment he thence derived to his + soul, are full of instruction. Then his humility is quite + undoubted, unfeigned, profound, sincere. There seems, however, + to have been a touch of natural melancholy and depression, which + was increased by one of his greatest mistakes, the leaving + England with his affections tied to Lydia Grenfell, whom he + ought either not to have loved or else to have married and taken + her with him. Such an ecstatic, warm creature as Henry Martyn + could do nothing by halves. Separation was martyrdom to such a + tender heart. But, oh, to imitate his excellences, his elevation + of piety, his diligence, his spirituality, his superiority to + the world, his love for souls, his anxiety to improve all + occasions to do them good, his delight in the mystery of Christ, + his heavenly temper! These, these are the secrets of the + wonderful impression he made in India, joined as they were with + first-rate talents, fine scholarship, habit of acquiring + languages, quickness and promptitude of perception, and + loftiness of imaginative powers. + +Henry Martyn's _Journal_ holds a place of its own in the literature of +mysticism. It stamps him as the mystic writer and worker of the first +quarter of the century of modern missions (1792-1814), as his master, +Robert Leighton, was of the more barren period that ended in 1688. The +too little known _Rules and Instructions for Devout Exercises_, found +among Leighton's papers, written with his own hand and for his own +use, was Martyn's 'usual' companion, with results which made that +work[103] as supplemented by the _Journal_, what the _De Imitatione +Christi_ and the _Theologia Germanica_ were to the more passive dark +ages of Christendom. At the close of the eighteenth century the young +and impulsive Cornish student found himself in an age not less, to +him, godless and anti-evangelical than that which had wrung from the +heart of at least one good man the hopeless longing of the _Theologia +Germanica_. He had seen his Divine Master crucified afresh in the +person of Charles Simeon, whom he possibly, as Sargent certainly, had +at first attended only to scoff and brawl. He had been denied a church +in which to preach the goodness of God, in his own county, other than +that of a kinsman. In the troopship and the Bengal barrack even his +official authority could hardly win a hearing from officer or soldier. +The young prophet waxed sore in heart, as the fire burned within him, at +the unbelief and iniquity of his day, till his naturally sunny spirit +scorched the souls he sought to warm with the Divine persuasiveness. He +stood really at the opening of the Evangelical revival of Christendom, +and like William Carey, who loved the youth, he was working out his own +side of that movement, but, equally like Carey, he knew it not. He was +to do as much by his death as by his life, but all he knew in his +humility was that he must make haste while he lived to give the millions +of Mohammedans the Word, and to reveal to them the Person of Jesus +Christ. The multitude of his thoughts within him he committed to a +_Journal_, written for himself alone, and rescued from burning only by +the interference of his friend Corrie. + +The mysticism of Martyn has been pronounced morbid. All the more that +his searching introspection and severe judgment on himself are a +contrast to the genial and merry conversation of the man who loved +music and children's play, the converse of friends and the conflict of +controversy for the Lord, does every reader who knows his own heart +value the vivisection. Martyn writes of sin and human nature as they +are, and therefore he is clear and comforting in the answer he gives +as to the remedy for the one and the permanent elevation of the other. +Even more than Leighton he is the Evangelical saint, for where +Leighton's times paralysed him for service, Martyn's called him to +energise and die in the conflict with the greatest apostacy of the +world. Both had a passion to win souls to the entrancing, transforming +love they had found, but unless on the side against the Stewarts, how +could that passion bear fruit in action? Both, like the author of the +_De Imitatione_, wrote steeped in the spirit of sadness; but the joy +of the dawn of the modern era of benevolence, as it was even then +called, working unconsciously on the sunny Cornubian spirit, kept +Martyn free alike from the selfish absorption which marked the monk of +the Middle Ages, and the peace-loving compromise which neutralised +Leighton. The one adored in his cell, the other wrestled in his study +at Newbattle or Dunblane, and we love their writings. But Henry Martyn +worked for his generation and all future ages as well as wrote, so +that they who delight in his mystic communings are constrained to +follow him in his self-sacrificing service. Beginning at March 1807, +let us add some passages from the _Journal_ to those which have been +already extracted for autobiographical purposes. + + I am thus taught to see what would become of me if God should + let go His strong hand. Is there any depth into which Satan + would not plunge me? Already I know enough of the nature of + Satan's cause to vow before God eternal enmity to it. Yes! in + the name of Christ I say, 'Get thee behind me, Satan!' + + Employed a great deal about one Hebrew text to little purpose. + Much tried with temptation to vanity, but the Lord giveth me the + victory through His mercy from day to day, or else I know not + how I should keep out of hell. + + May the Lord, in mercy to my soul, save me from setting up an + idol of any sort in His room, as I do by preferring a work + professedly for Him to communion with Him. How obstinate the + reluctance of the natural heart to God. But, O my soul, be not + deceived, the chief work on earth is to obtain sanctification, + and to walk with God. + + O great and gracious God, what should I do without Thee? but now + Thou art manifesting Thyself as the God of all consolation to my + soul. Never was I so near Thee; I stand on the brink, and I long + to take my flight! Oh, there is not a thing in the world for + which I would wish to live, except because it may please God to + appoint me some work. And how shall my soul ever be thankful + enough to Thee, O Thou most incomprehensibly glorious Saviour + Jesus! + + I walk according to my carnal wisdom, striving to excite + seriousness by natural considerations, such as the thoughts of + death and judgment, instead of bringing my soul to Christ to be + sanctified by his spirit. + + Preached on Luke xii. 20--'This night thy soul,' etc. The + congregation was large, and more attentive than they have ever + yet been. Some of the young officers and soldiers seemed to be + in deep concern. I was willing to believe that the power of God + was present, if a wretch so poor and miserable can be the + instrument of good to souls. Four years have I been in the + ministry, and I am not sure that I have been the means of + converting four souls from the error of their ways. Why is this? + The fault must be in myself. Prayer and secret duties seem to be + where I fail; had I more power in intercession, more self-denial + in persevering in prayer, it would be no doubt better for my + hearers. + + My heart sometimes shrinks from spiritual work, and especially + at an increase of ministerial business; but now I hope, through + grace, just at this time, that I can say I desire no carnal + pleasure, no ease to the flesh, but that the whole of life + should be filled up with holy employments and holy thoughts. + + My heart at various times filled with a sense of Divine love, + frequently in prayer was blessed in the bringing of my soul near + to God. After dinner in my walk found sweet devotion; and the + ruling thoughts were, that true happiness does not consist in + the gratifying of self in ease or individual pleasure, but in + conformity to God, in obeying and pleasing Him, in having no + will of my own, in not being pleased with personal advantages, + though I might be without guilt, nor in being displeased that + the flesh is mortified. Oh, how short-lived will this triumph + be! It is stretching out the arm at full length, which soon + grows tired with its own weight. + + I travel up hill, but I must learn, as I trust I am learning, to + do the will of God without any expectation of any present + pleasure attending it, but because it is the will of God. Oh, + that my days of vanity were at an end, and that all my thoughts + and conversation might have that deep tinge of seriousness which + becomes a soldier of the cross. + + To the women preached on the parable of the ten pieces of + silver, and at night to the soldiers on Rev. i. 18. Afterwards + in secret prayer drew near to the Lord. Alas! how my soul + contracts a strangeness with Him; but this was a restoring + season. I felt an indignation against all impure and sinful + thoughts, and a solemn serenity of frame. Interceded for dear + friends in England; this brought my late dear sister with pain + to my recollection, but I felt relieved by resolving every + event, with all its circumstances, into the will of God. + + Read an account of Turkey. The bad effects of the book were so + great that I found instant need of prayer, and I do not know + when I have had such divine and animating feelings. Oh, it is + Thy Spirit that makes me pant for the skies. It is He that shall + make me trample the world and my lusts beneath my feet, and urge + my onward course towards the crown of life. + + Spent the day in reading and prayer, and found comfort + particularly in intercession for friends, but my heart was + pained with many a fear about my own soul. I felt the duty of + praying for the conversion of these poor heathens, and yet no + encouragement to it. How much was there of imagination before, + or rather, how much of unbelief now; seeing no means ready now, + no Word of God to put into their hands, no preachers, it + sometimes seems to me idle to pray. Alas! wicked heart of + unbelief, cannot God create means, or work without them? But I + am weary of myself and my own sinfulness, and appear exceedingly + odious even to myself, how much more to a holy God. Lord, pity + and save; vile and contemptible is Thy sinful creature, even as + a beast before Thee; help me to awake. + + Some letters I received from Calcutta agitated my silly mind, + because my magnificent self seemed likely to become more + conspicuous. O wretched creature, where is thy place but the + dust? it is good for men to trample upon thee. Various were my + reveries on the events apparently approaching, and self was the + prominent character in every transaction. I am yet a long way + from real humility; oh, when shall I be dead to the world, and + desire to be nothing and nobody, as I now do to be somebody? + + Throughout the 18th enjoyed a solemn sense of Divine things. The + promise was fulfilled, 'Sin shall not have dominion over you.' + No enemy seemed permitted to approach. I sometimes saw naught in + the creation but the works of God, and wondered that mean + earthly concerns had ever drawn away my mind from contemplating + their glorious Author. Oh, that I could be always so, seeing + none but Thee, taught the secrets of Thy covenant, advancing in + knowledge of Thee, growing in likeness to Thee. How much should + I learn of God's glory, were I an attentive observer of His Word + and Providence. How much should I be taught of His purposes + concerning His Church, did I keep my heart more pure for Him. + And what gifts might I not expect to receive for her benefit, + were I duly earnest to improve His grace for my own! Oh, how is + a life wasted that is not spent with God and employed for God. + What am I doing the greater part of my time; where is my heart? + + Sabat lives almost without prayer, and this is sufficient to + account for all evils that appear in saint or sinner. + + I feel disposed to partake of the melancholy with which such + persons (Lady Mary Wortley Montagu) close their lives. Oh, what + hath grace done for us! The thought sometimes bursts upon me in + a way which I cannot describe. It is not future bliss, but + present peace, which we have actually obtained, and which we + cannot be mistaken in; the very thing which the world seeks for + in vain; and yet how have we found it? By the grace of God we + are what we are. + + Truly love is better than knowledge. Much as I long to know what + I seek after, I would rather have the smallest portion of + humility and love than the knowledge of an archangel. + + At night I spoke to them on 'Enoch walked with God.' My soul + breathed after the same holy, happy state. Oh that the influence + were more abiding; but I am the man that seeth his natural face + in a glass. + + This last short sickness has, I trust, been blessed much to me. + I sought not immediately for consolations, but for grace + patiently to endure and to glory in tribulation; in this way I + found peace. Oh, this surely is bliss, to have our will absorbed + in the Divine Will. In this state are the spirits of just men + made perfect in heaven. The spread of the Gospel in these parts + is now become an interesting subject to you--such is the + universal change. + + Perpetually assaulted with temptations, my hope and trust is + that I shall yet be sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, + and by the Spirit of my God. 'Purge me with hyssop, and I shall + be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.' When I + really strive after purity of heart--for my endeavours are too + often little more than pretence--I find no consideration so + effectual as that of the exalted dignity and infinitely precious + privileges of the saints. Thus a few verses of 1 Eph. are more + influential, purifying, and transforming than the most laboured + reasoning. Indeed, there is no reasoning with such temptations, + and no safety but in flight. + + I would that all should adore, but especially that I myself + should lie prostrate. As for self, contemptible self, I feel + myself saying, Let it be forgotten for ever; henceforth let + Christ live, let Christ reign, let Him be glorified for ever. + +Henry Martyn, by service, escaped the weakness and the danger of the +mystic who seeks absorption into God, in the mental sense, as the +remedy for sin, instead of a free and purified individuality in +Christ. He felt that the will sins; he saw the cure to lie not in the +destruction of the will, but in its rectification and personal +co-working with God. Absorption is spiritual suicide, not service. +Martyn realised and taught that a free individuality is the best +offering we can make to God after Christ has given it to us to offer +to Him. With Martyn moral service helped spiritual contemplation to +rise heavenward, and to raise men with it. The saint was also the +sacred scholar and translator; the mystic was the prophet preacher, +the Persian controversialist, the unresting missionary. His Christian +life was guided by the motto, 'To believe, to suffer, and to hope.' +His praying realised his own ideal of 'a visit to the invisible +world.' His working was ever quickened like St. Paul's by the summons, +alike of the Old dispensation and the New, which he cut with a diamond +on the window of his college rooms [Greek: E(/geirai, o( katheu/dn, kai\ +a)na/sta], 'Awake thou that sleepest and arise.' When the fierce flame +of his love and his service had burned out his frail body, his +picture, painted at Calcutta the year before he died, spoke thus to +Charles Simeon, and ever since it has whispered to every new +generation of Cambridge men, 'Be serious, be in earnest; don't +trifle--don't trifle.' + +The men whom Henry Martyn's pioneering and early death have led to +live and to die that Christ may be revealed to the Mohammedans, are +not so many as the thousands who have been spiritually stimulated by +his _Journal_. Such work is still 'the forlorn hope' of the Church +which he was the first to lead. But in Persia and Arabia he has had +such followers as Anthony Groves, John Wilson, George Maxwell Gordon, +Ion Keith-Falconer, and Bishop French. Where he pointed the way the +great missionary societies of the United States of America and of +England and the Free Church of Scotland have sent their noblest men +and women. + +The death of Henry Martyn, followed not many years after by that of +her husband, who had been the first to mark his grave with a memorial +stone, led Mrs. James Claudius Rich, eldest daughter of Sir James +Mackintosh, to appeal in 1831 for 'contributions in aid of the school +at Baghdad, and those hoped to be established in Persia and other +parts of the territory of Baghdad.' In the same year, 1829, that +Alexander Duff sailed for Calcutta, there had gone forth by the Scots +Mission at Astrakhan to Baghdad, that Catholic founder of the sect +since known as 'The Brethren,' Anthony N. Groves, dentist, of Exeter. +Taking the commands of Christ literally, in the spirit of Henry +Martyn, he sold all he had, and became the first of Martyn's +successors in Persia. The record of his two attempts forms a romantic +chapter in the history of Christian missions.[104] All theories apart, +he lived and he worked for the Mohammedans of Persia in the spirit of +Henry Martyn. When the plague first, and persecution the second time, +extinguished this Mission to Baghdad, Dr. John Wilson,[105] from his +central and commanding position in Bombay, flashed into Arabia and +Persia such rays of Gospel light as were possible at that time. He +sent Bible colporteurs by Aden and up the Persian Gulf; he summoned +the old Church of Scotland to despatch a mission to the Jews of +Arabia, Busrah, and Bombay. A missionary was ready in the person of +William Burns who afterwards went to China, the support of a +missionary at Aden was guaranteed by a friend, and Wilson had found a +volunteer 'for the purpose of exploring Arabia,' when the disruption +of the Church of Scotland arrested the movement, only, however, +vastly to increase the missionary development in India and Africa, as +well as church extension in Scotland. What John Wilson tried in vain +to do during his life was effected by his death. It was his career +that summoned the Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer and his wife to open their +Mission in Yemen, at Sheikh Othman and Aden. Like Martyn at Tokat, in +the far north, and just at Martyn's age, by his dust in the Aden +cemetery Ion Keith-Falconer has taken possession of Arabia for Christ. +'The _Memoirs of David Brainerd_ and _Henry Martyn_ gave me particular +pleasure,' wrote young John Wilson in 1824. 'Mind to get hold of the +_Life of John Wilson_, the great Scotch missionary of India,' wrote +the young Ion Keith-Falconer in 1878.[106] So the apostolic succession +goes on. + +Gordon of Kandahar, 'the pilgrim missionary of the Punjab,' was not +the least remarkable of Henry Martyn's deliberate followers, alike in +a life of toil and in a death of heroism for the Master. Born in 1839, +he was of Trinity College, Cambridge, and had as his fellow-curate +Thomas Valpy French, when the future bishop came back from his first +missionary campaign in India. Dedicating himself, his culture, and his +considerable property to the Lord, he placed his unpaid services at +the disposal of the Church Missionary Society, as Martyn once did. +Refusing a bishopric after his first furlough, and seeking to prepare +himself for the work of French's Divinity School of St. John at +Lahore, he returned to India by Persia, to learn the language and to +help Dr. Bruce for a little in 1871. The famine was sore in that +land, and he lived for its people as 'relieving officer, doctor, +purveyor, poorhouse guardian, outfitter and undertaker. There is a cry +like the cry of Egypt in the night of the Exodus--not a house in which +there was not one dead.' So he wrote.[107] From Julfa he carried +relief to Shiraz, where he found himself in the midst of the +associations made sacred by Henry Martyn's residence there. 'I have +taken up my quarters in a Persian's house, and have a large garden all +to myself. I am in the very same house which Henry Martyn was in. I +heard to-day that my host is the grandson of his host Jaffir Ali Khan, +and that the house has come down from father to son.' + +Eight years after Gordon was in Kandahar, sole (honorary) chaplain to +the twenty regiments who were fighting the Ameer of Afghanistan. There +he found the assistant to the political officer attached to the force +to be the same Persian gentleman who had been his host at Shiraz, and +with whom when a child Martyn must have played. Gordon learned from +him that the roads and sanitary improvements made as relief works, as +well as the orphanage started on the interest of the famine relief +fund sent from London, were still blessing the people. When, after the +black day of Maiwand, the British troops were besieged in Kandahar, +till relieved by the march and the triumph of Lord Roberts, Gordon as +chaplain attended a sortie to dislodge the enemy. Hearing that wounded +men were lying in a shrine outside the Kabul gate, he led out some +bearers with a litter, and found that the dying men were in another +shrine still more distant. In spite of all remonstrance he dashed +through the murderous fire of the enemy, was struck down, and was +himself carried back on the litter he had provided for others. He did +not live to wear the Victoria Cross, but was on the same day, August +16, laid in a soldier's grave. + +It would seem difficult to name a follower more worthy of Henry Martyn +than that, but Bishop French was such a disciple. More than any man, +as saint and scholar, as missionary and chaplain, as the friend of the +Mohammedan and the second apostle of Central Asia, he was baptized for +the dead. Born on the first day of 1825, son of an Evangelical +clergyman in Burton-on-Trent, a Rugby boy, and Fellow and Tutor of +University College, Oxford, Thomas Valpy French was early inspired by +Martyn's life and writings. These and his mother's holiness sent him +forth to Agra in 1850, along with Edward Stuart of Edinburgh, now +Bishop of Waiapu, New Zealand, to found the Church Missionary College +there. In the next forty years, till he resigned the bishopric of +Lahore that he might give the rest of his life to work out the +aspirations of Martyn in Persia and Arabia, he consecrated himself and +his all to Christ. It will be a wonderful story if it is well told. He +then went home for rest, first of all, but took the way north through +Persia and Turkey on Martyn's track, so that in April 1888 he wrote +from Armenia: 'Were I ignorant both of Arabic and French, I should +subside into the perfect rest, perhaps, which I require.' So abundant +were his labours to groups of Mohammedans and among the Syrian +Christians, that he had nearly found a grave in the Tokat region. + +After counselling the Archbishop of Canterbury as to the project of so +reforming the Oriental Churches as to convert them themselves into +the true apostles of the Mohammedan race, Bishop French returned to +Asia and settled near Muscat, whence he wrote thus on March 10, 1891, +his last letter to the Church Missionary Society: + + Those three years of Arab study will not, I trust, be thrown + away and proved futile. In memory of H. Martyn's pleadings for + Arabia, Arabs, and the Arabic, I seem almost trying at least to + follow more directly in his footsteps and under his guidance, + than even in Persia or India, however incalculable the distance + at which the guided one follows the leader!... + + I have scarcely expressed in the least degree the view I have of + the _extremely serious_ character of the work here to be entered + upon; and the possible--nay probable--severity of the conflict + to be expected and faithfully hazarded by the Church of Christ + between two such strong and ancient forces, pledged to such + hereditary and deep-grounded hostility. Yet _The Lamb shall + overcome them; for He is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings; and + they also shall overcome that are with Him, called and chosen + and faithful_. + +Two months after, on May 14, 1891, at the age of sixty-six, after +exposure and toils like Martyn's, he was laid to rest in the cemetery +of Muscat by the sailors of H.M.S. Sphinx, to whom he had preached. + +Henry Martyn at Tokat, John Wilson at Bombay, George Maxwell Gordon at +Kandahar, Ion Keith-Falconer at Aden, and Thomas Valpy French at +Muscat, have by their bodies taken possession of Mohammedan Asia for +Christ till the resurrection. Of each we say to ourselves and to our +generation: + + Is it for nothing he is dead? + Send forth your children in his stead! + O Eastern lover from the West! + Thou hast out-soared these prisoning bars; + Thy memory, on thy Master's breast, + Uplifts us like the beckoning stars. + We follow now as thou hast led, + Baptize us, Saviour, for the dead.[108] + +Each, like not a few American missionaries, men and women, like Dr. +Bruce and his colleagues of the Church Missionary Society, like Mr. +W.W. Gardner and Dr. J.C. Young of the Scottish Keith-Falconer +Mission, is a representative of the two great principles, as expressed +by Dr. Bruce: (1) That the lands under the rule of Islam belong to +Christ, and that it is the bounden duty of the Church to claim them +for our Lord. (2) That duty can be performed only by men who are +willing to die in carrying it out. + +Henry Martyn's words, almost his last, on his thirty-first birthday +were these: 'The Word of God has found its way into this land of Satan +(Persia), and the devil will never be able to resist it if the Lord +hath sent it.' We have seen what sort of men the Lord raised up to +follow him. This is what the Societies have done. In 1829 the American +Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions began, and in 1871 the +Presbyterian Board shared, the mission to Persia and Asiatic Turkey. +The former has missionaries at Aintab, Marash, Antioch, Aleppo, and +Oorfa, to the south of the Taurus range, being its mission to Central +Turkey; at Constantinople, Adrianople, Smyrna, Broosa, Nicomedia, +Trebizond, Marsovan, Sivas, _including Tokat_, and Csarea, being its +mission to Western Turkey; at Erzroom, Harpoot, and Arabkir, uniting +with the Assyrian stations of Mardin and Diarbekir, its mission to +Eastern Turkey. Taking up the evangelisation at Oroomiah, the +American Presbyterians unite with that Tabreez, Mosul, and Salmas as +their Western, and Teheran and Hamadan as their Eastern Persia +Mission. In 1876 a letter of Henry Venn's and the urgency of its +principal missionary, Dr. Bruce, led the Church Missionary Society to +charge itself with the evangelisation, by a revised version of the +Persian Bible and medical missions, of the whole southern half of the +ancient kingdom of Persia, the whole of Nimrod's Babylonia, and the +eastern coast of Arabia, from Julfa (Ispahan) and Baghdad as centres. +Very recently the independent Arabian Mission of America has made +Busrah its headquarters for Turkish Arabia. The Latin Church since +1838 has worked for the Papacy alone. The Archbishop of Canterbury's +mission since 1886 has sought to influence the Nestorian or Syrian +Church, which in the seventh century sent forth missionaries to India +from Seleucia, Nisibis, and Edessa, and now desires protection from +Romish usurpation. All these represent a vast and geographically +linked organisation claiming, at long intervals, the whole of Turkey, +Persia, and Arabia for Christ since Henry Martyn pointed the way. Dr. +Robert Bruce, writing to us from Julfa, thus sums up the results and +the prospect: + + I believe there is a great work going on at present in Persia, + and Henry Martyn and his translations prepared the way for it, + to say nothing of his life sacrifice and prayers for this dark + land. The Babi movement is a very remarkable one, and is + spreading far and wide, and doing much to break the power of the + priesthood. Many of the Babis are finding their system + unsatisfactory, and beginning to see that it is only a half-way + house (in which there is no rest or salvation) to Christianity. + Ispahan has been kept this year in a constant state of turmoil + by the ineffectual efforts of two moollas to persecute both + Babis and Jews.[109] They have caused very great suffering to + some of both these faiths, but they have been really defeated, + and all these persecutions have tended towards religious + liberty. Our mission-house is the refuge of all such persecuted + ones, and the light is beginning to dawn upon them. + +While the whole Church, and every meditative soul seeking deliverance +from self in Jesus Christ, claims Henry Martyn, he is specially the +hero of the Church of England. An Evangelical, he is canonised, so far +as ecclesiastical art can legitimately do that, in the baptistry of +the new cathedral of his native city. A Catholic, his memory is +enshrined in the heart of his own University of Cambridge. There, in +the New Chapel of St. John's College, in the nineteenth bay of its +interior roof, his figure is painted first of the _illustriories_ of +the eighteenth Christian century, before those of Wilberforce, +Wordsworth, and Thomas Whytehead, missionary to New Zealand. In the +market place, beside Charles Simeon's church, there was dedicated on +October 18, 1887, 'The Henry Martyn Memorial Hall.' There, under the +shadow of his name, gather daily the students who join in the +University Prayer Meeting, and from time to time the members of the +Church Missionary and Gospel Propagation Societies. 'This was the +hero-life of my boyhood,' said Dr. Vaughan, the Master of the Temple +and Dean of Llandaff, when he preached the opening sermon before the +University. In Trinity Church, where Martyn had been curate, the new +Master of Trinity preached so that men said: 'What a power of +saintliness must have been in Henry Martyn to have affected with such +appreciative love one whose own life and character are so honoured as +Dr. Butler's!' In the Memorial Hall itself, its founder, Mr. Barton, +now Vicar of Trinity Church; Dr., now Bishop, Westcott, for the +faculty of Divinity; Dr. Bailey, for St. John's College and the +Society for the Propagation of the Gospel; Mr. Barlow, Vicar of +Islington, for the Church Missionary Society; and the Christian +scholar, Professor Cowell, for all Orientalists and Anglo-Indians, +spake worthily. + + We would continue his work. The hopes, the faith, the truths + which once animated him are still ours. Still, as on the day + when he preached his first sermon from this pulpit, is it true + that if each soul, if each society, if each heathen nation knew + the gift of God, and Who the promised Saviour is, they would for + very thirst's sake ask of Him, and He would indeed give them His + living water. And still it is the task of each true witness of + Christ, and most of all of each ordained minister of His Word + and Sacraments, first to arouse that thirst where it has not yet + been felt, and then to allay it at once and perpetuate it from + the one pure and undefiled spring. And still each true minister + will feel, as Martyn felt, as St. Paul himself felt, 'Who is + sufficient for these things?' The riper he is in his ministry, + the more delicate his touch of human souls, alike in their + strivings and in their inertness; the closer his walk with God + and his wonder at the vastness and the silent secrecy of God's + ways, the more he will say in his heart what Martyn said but a + few days after his feet had ceased to tread our Cambridge + streets. 'Alas! do I think that a schoolboy or a raw academic + should be likely to lead the hearts of men! What a knowledge of + men and acquaintance with Scriptures, what communion with God + and study of my own heart, ought to prepare me for the awful + work of a messenger from God on the business of the soul!' + +To these lessons of Martyn's life Dr. Butler added that which the +eighty years since have suggested--the confidence of the soldier who +has heard his Captain's voice, and knows that it was never deceived or +deceiving: _Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world._ + +In that confidence let the Church Catholic preach Christ to the +hundred and eighty millions of the Mohammedan peoples, more than half +of whom are already the subjects of Christian rulers. Thus shall every +true Christian best honour Henry Martyn. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[101] In 1816 Charles Simeon thus wrote from King's College to +Thomason, of the _Journal_: 'Truly it has humbled us all in the dust. +Since the Apostolic age I think that nothing has ever exceeded the +wisdom and piety of our departed brother; and I conceive that no book, +except the Bible, will be found to excel this.... David Brainerd is +great, but the degree of his melancholy and the extreme impropriety of +his exertions, so much beyond his strength, put him on a different +footing from our beloved Martyn.' + +[102] _Bishop Wilson's Journal Letters_, addressed to his family +during the first nine years of his Indian Episcopate, edited by his +son Daniel Wilson, M.A., Vicar of Islington, London, 1864. + +[103] See _Journal_, passim, especially in February, 1806. + +[104] _Journal of Mr. Anthony N. Groves, Missionary to and at +Baghdad_, London, 1831. + +[105] _The Life of John Wilson, D.D., F.R.S._, London, 1878. + +[106] _Memorials of the Hon. Keith-Falconer, M.A., late Lord Almoner's +Professor of Arabic in the University of Cambridge, and Missionary to +the Muhammadans of South Arabia_, by Rev. Robert Sinker, D.D., p. 146 +of 1st edition, 1888. + +[107] _George Maxwell Gordon, M.A., F.R.G.S., a History of his Life +and Work, 1839-1880_, by the Rev. Arthur Lewis, M.A., London, 1889. + +[108] Archdeacon Moule in the _Church Missionary Intelligencer_. + +[109] Even of the Soofis the ablest authority writes: 'The remarkable +development, in our own century, which has been given to the story of +the death of Hosein should encourage us to hope that the Divine pathos +of the New Testament will one day soften these hearts still more, and +teach them the secret of which their poets have sung in such ardent +strains. A Sufi has already learnt that Islam cannot satisfy the +longing soul. He is, by profession, tolerant or even sympathetic in +the presence of the Cross. And he believes, like all Moslim, that Isa, +the Messiah of Israel, has the breath of life, and can raise the dead +from the tomb.... To the reflecting mind, however, the lyric effusions +of Hafiz prove that Eastern philosophy is either childlike or +retrograde, and its principles at the mercy of those seas of passion +upon which it has so long been drifting.' _Quarterly Review_, January +1892. + + + + + INDEX + + + Abbas Mirza, 394 + + Abdallah, 226 + + Abdool Massee'h, 286, 543 + + Aberdeen University, 328 + + Acheen, 228 + + Aden, 326, 333 + + Afghanistan, 324, 565 + + Africa, South, 119, 125 + + Aga Boozong, 381, 457 + -- the Mede, 454 + + Agra, 217 + + Aitchison, Sir C., 345 + + Akbar, 218 + + Albuquerque, 341 + + Aldeen, 158, 196, 313 + + Alexander the Great, 330 + + Alford, Dean, on Martyn, 447 + + Algoa Bay, 125 + + Allahabad, 262 + + Ambrose, 102 + + Ameena, Sabat's wife, 270 + + America, South, 107 + + American Missions, 463, 568, 569 + + Amiens, Treaty of, 119 + + Annie, the orphan, 264 + + Arabic, 225, 325 + -- Bible, 226, 418 + + Arabs, 333, 336 + + Ararat, 497 + + Araxes River, 496, 502 + + Armenians, 134, 346, 385, 464, 499, 515 + -- Bible, 418 + + Arrah, 261 + + Artaxerxes Ochus, 409 + + Asaf-ood-Dowla's tomb, 289 + + Asiatics, 232 + + Asiatic Researches, 425 + -- Society of Bengal, 425 + + Associated Clergy, 206 + + Augustin of Canterbury, 7 + + Augustine, 2, 33, 49 + + Azerbaijan, 493 + + + Babington, Mr., 76 + + Babism, 372, 569 + + Badger, Rev. G.P., 527 + + Bahia, 106 + + Bailey, Canon, 19, 571 + + Baird, Sir David, 120 + + Bandel, 197 + + Bankipore, 201 + + Bapre, 332 + + Baptized for the dead, 552, 567 + + Barlow, Rev., 571 + + Barlow, Sir George, 141 + + Basil the Great, 530 + + Basiliscus, 530 + + Battle of Blaauwberg, 121 + + Baxter, 102 + + Bede, 418, 460 + + Behistun Rock, 409 + + Bengal Army, 136 + + Bengali Bible, 418 + + Bengalis, the, 148 + + Bentinck, Lord W., 146 + + Berhampore, 250, 258 + + Bettia, 219 + + Bible Translation, 72, 418 + -- Society, British and Foreign, 314, 421, 484 + -- Russian, 487 + + Bihar, 201 + + Bishop, Mrs., 463, 493 + + Blaauwberg, Battle, 121 + + Black Hole, 134 + + Blair's Sermons, 110 + + Bobbery Hunt, 332 + + Bombay, 325 + + Botany Bay convicts, 101 + + Bowley, missionary, 431 + + Brainerd, David, 2, 33, 60, 91, 564 + + Brazil, 108, 552 + + Breage, 44, 551 + + British India Steam Navigation Company, 316 + + Brown, David, 16, 135, 148, 196, 313, 418 + + Bruce, Dr. R., 489, 569 + + Buchanan, Claudius, 16, 69, 135, 243 + + Buddhism, 134 + + Bundlekhund, 277 + + Bunder Abbas, 340 + + Bunyan, 2 + + Burke, Edmund, 134 + + Burmese Bible, 418 + + Burns, William, 563 + + Bushire, 339, 348 + + Busrah, 519 + + Butler, Dr., 571 + + Butler's _Analogy_, 28 + + Buxar, 261 + + + Caesareia, 534 + + Calcutta, 134, 147, 196 + + Caldecott, Rev. A., 34 + + Caldwell, Bishop, 290 + + Cambridge, 12, 15, 207 + + Canal, Ganges, 267 + + Canning, Chaplain, 468, 482 + + Canterbury, Archbishop of, 75, 566 + + Cape Colony, 119 + + Cape Town, 118 + + Cardew, Dr., 9, 41 + + Carey, William, 4, 25, 133, 147, 418, 487 + + Carlyle, Thomas, 4 + + Carlyon, Dr., 20 + + Carus, 34 + + Cawnpore, 261, 266, 308 + + Cecil, R., 59, 78 + + Cemeteries, Indian, 210 + + Chaman, 483 + + Chamberlain, missionary, 200 + + Chambers, Sir R., 135 + -- W., 135 + + Chandernagore, 197 + + Chaplaincies, India, 72 + + Chaplains, the Five, 16, 150 + + Chatterton, 40 + + Chesterfield's Letters, 12 + + China, 27 + + Chinese Bible, 418 + + Chinsurah, 197 + + Christian Knowledge Society, 136, 226 + + Christians in India a century ago, 139, 423 + + Chrysostom, 512, 534 + + Chunar, 208, 260 + + Church Missionary Society, 40, 136, 399, 489 + + Clapham, 65 + + Clarke, Rev. A.T., 136 + + Clive, Lord, 12, 134 + + Cole, Captain S., 131, 145 + + Colebrooke, H.T., 425 + -- T.E., 327 + + Colgong, 201 + + College of Fort William, 138, 151, 421 + + Columba, 460 + + Confessions of Augustine, 1, 12, 49 + + Constable's edition of Persian New Testament, 489 + + Constantinople, 492 + + Corentin, St., 7 + + Cork, 96 + + Cornwall tin, 2 + + Cornwallis, Lord, 141 + + Corr, Seor, 107 + + Corrie, Bishop, 16, 61, 208, 286, 311, 543 + -- Miss, 245 + + Covenant with the eyes, 76 + + Cowell, Professor, 372, 571 + + Cowper, the poet, 2 + + Craig, Governor, 119 + + Creighton, 135, 216 + + Curgenven, Laura, 239 + + Cury's, St., 7 + + Curzon, G.N., 358, 553 + + Cutwa, 200 + + Cyrillus, 418 + + Cyrus, 370 + + + Dalhousie, Marquis of, 199 + + Dante, 358 + + Dare, Mrs., 237 + + Darius, Hystaspes, 409 + + Darwin, 108 + + Dealtry, Bishop, 16 + + Demonolators, 134 + + Diamonds, 342 + + Dinapore, 201, 258 + + Dissenters, 168 + + Doddridge, 17, 214 + + Dravidian, 134 + + Dryden, 358 + + Duff, Alexander, 24, 34, 146, 563 + + Duncan, Jonathan, 318, 326 + + Dundas, Sir F., 119 + + Dwight, H.G.O., missionary, 520 + + + East India Company, 202, 529 + + East India Company's Charters, 138, 150 + + Eclectic Society, 59, 79 + + Edesius, 418 + + Edmonds, Canon, 417, 420, 490 + + Educational missions, 201, 216, 274 + + Edwards, Jerusha, 91 + -- Jonathan, 28, 91 + + Elam, 356, 441 + + Eliot, J., 418 + + Ellerton, Mr. and Mrs., 135, 201 + + Elphinstone, Admiral, 119 + -- Mountstuart, 316, 327 + + Ely Cathedral, 35 + + English Bible, 418 + + Erasmus, 418 + + Erivan, 499 + + Erskine, Dr. J., 132 + + Erzroom, 508 + + Etchmiatzin, 499 + + Ethiopia, 120 + + Ethiopic Bible, 418 + + Eudoxia, 534 + + Eurasians, 222 + + + Fabricius, 418 + + Fal Estuary, 24 + + Falmouth, 83, 88 + + Farish, Prof., 74, 441 + -- of Bombay, 330 + + Farsakh, 493 + + Flavel, 76 + + Fletcher of Madeley, 165 + + Forsyth, missionary, 197 + + Fowler, George, 520 + + Francis, Philip, 201 + + Franklin's travels, 237 + + Fraser, Baillie, 483 + + French, Bishop, 290, 566 + + Froude, J.A., 44 + + Frumentius, 418 + + Fuller, A., 132 + + + Galitzin, Prince, 487 + + Ganges, the, 199 + + Ganges Canal, 267 + + Gardiner, Capt. A., 108 + + Gaya, 237 + + George III., 343 + + German Bible, 418 + + Ghazipore, 261 + + Gilchrist, Dr., 72 + + Gillespie, Gen., 277 + + Glen, Dr., 489 + + Glenelg, Lord, 16, 19 + + Goa, 318, 322 + + Godolphin, Margaret, 551 + + Gombroon, 340 + + Goorkha war, 277 + + Gordon, G.M., 562, 564 + + Gothic Bible, 418 + + Govan, Dr., 302 + + Graaff Reinet, 125 + + _Grace Abounding_, Bunyan's, 2 + + Grant, Charles, 15, 65, 76, 136, 472 + -- Sir Robert, 16, 19 + + Greek, 330 + -- Church, 487 + + Greenwood, Rev. W., 137 + + Gregory Nazianzen, 534 + -- Nyssen, 534 + + Grenfell, Lydia, 44, 50, 81, 105, 171, 208, 239, 241, 304, 338, 472, + 545, 550 + -- Diary, 84, 91, 98, 102, 106, 188, 191, 298, 476, 537, 546 + -- family, 44 + + Grotius, 400 + + Groves, A., 562 + + Guadagnoli, P., 400 + + Gulistan Treaty, 345 + + Gurlyn, 85 + + Gwennap, 4, 51 + + + Hafiz, 357 + + Haldane, R. and J., 132 + + Hall, Robert, 328, 516 + + Hannington, Bishop, 290 + + Hanway, Jonas, 237 + + Hartwig, P., 66 + + Hasan and Husain, 411, 455 + + Hastings, Warren, 137, 201 + -- Marquis of, 142 + + Havelock, Sir H., 346 + + Hawkins, Judge, 432 + + Heat in India, 261 + + Heber, Bishop, 288 + + Hebrew, 426 + + Helston, 88 + + Henry, the navigator, 341 + + Henry Martyn Memorial Hall, 570 + + Hewett, Gen., 316 + + Hindus, 224 + + Hindustani translation, 157, 199, 243, 422, 431 + + Hitchins, Mrs. T. Martyn, 44, 47, 57 + + Hooker, 102 + + Hopkins, Bishop, 25, 29 + + Horne's _Commentary_, 89 + + Hospitals, military, 211 + + Hottentot sepoys, 120 + + Hough's _Christianity in India_, 144 + + Hweng T'sang, 202 + + Hymns referred to, 17, 27, 40, 83, 84, 107, 287, 310, 547, 567 + + + Idol-worship, 163 + + Imad-ud-din, 415 + + India, North, 134 + -- South, 132 + -- Christians in, 139, 423 + -- evangelisation, 225 + + Inquisition, The, 323 + + Iran plateau, 353 + + Ireland and invasion, 101 + + Isaiah, 24, 95 + + Islam, 133, 174, 202, 326, 536 + + Ispahan, 465 + + + Jaffir Ali Khan, 355 + + Jaganath-worship, 142, 168 + + Jami, 371 + + Janssens, Governor, 120 + + Java, 120, 334 + + Jefferies, Chaplain, 151 + + Jeffery, H.M., 6, 47, 56 + + Jerome, 418 + + Jerusha Edwards, 91 + + Jews, 363, 377, 387, 459 + + Joasmi pirates, 333 + + John, St., 44 + + Jones, Sir Harford, 344 + -- Sir W., 70 + + Jowett, Prof., 441 + -- Rev. W., 40 + + Judson, 418 + + Julfa, 464 + + + Kajar Dynasty, 341 + + Kalinjar, 277 + + Kandahar, 564 + + Karass, 488 + + Kars, 506 + + Kaye, Sir John, 330 + + Kaziroon, 353 + + Keith-Falconer, Ion, 22, 326, 564 + + Kelland, Prof., 20 + + Kempthorne, 10, 12, 17 + + Kerr, Dr., chaplain, 144, 226 + + Kichener, missionary, 125 + + Kiernander, 48, 134 + + King's Chapel, Cambridge, 67 + + Kingsley, Charles, 44 + + Kirke White, H., 27, 40 + + Kirkpatrick, Capt., 136 + + Komana Pontica, 533 + + Koran, 324, 398, 487 + + Kum, 466 + + + Land's End, 2 + + Lassen, 409 + + Latin Bible, 418 + -- Church on the Bible, 491 + + Law, William, 30 + + Lawrence, Honoria, 260 + -- Lord, 140, 220 + -- Sir Henry, 260 + + Lee, Prof., 400, 404 + + Leighton, R., 59, 102, 555 + + Letters to Lydia Grenfell, 82, 90, 175, 181, 185, 246, 256, 292, 304, + 318, 334, 360, 473, 479 + + Lewis, G., 133 + + Leyden, Dr., 423 + + Limerick, Chaplain, 151 + + Livingstone, David, 121 + + Lolworth, 35, 74 + + London Missionary Society, 28, 200 + + Ludovicus de Dieu, 400 + + Lull, Raimund, 400 + + Luther, 418 + + Lyte, F.T., 547 + + + Macartney, Earl of, 119 + + Macaulay, Lord, 516 + + MacInnes, Col., 227 + + Mackay of Uganda, 290 + + Mackintosh, Sir J., 318, 328, 516 + + Macrina, 534 + + Madras, 130, 143 + + Maiwand, 565 + + Malayalim, 327 + + Malcolm, Sir John, 143, 318, 328, 344 + + Maldah, 135, 200 + + Malpas, 24 + + Maracci, 324 + + Marand, 496, 523 + + Marazion, 43, 53, 82 + + Marriage, 39, 49, 79, 86 + -- of missionaries, 48 + + Marrow men, 132 + + Marshman, Dr., 157, 197, 314, 418 + -- John C., 161, 344 + + Martin, St., 7 + -- Church, 447 + + MARTYN, HENRY, birth, 2; + family, 6; + parents, 9; + as a boy, 10; + at Cambridge, 12; + father's death, 17; + conversion, 18; + Senior Wrangler, 20; + at Woodbury, 24; + reading, 26; + his rooms, 33; + ordained deacon, 36; + loves Lydia Grenfell, 42; + considers himself engaged to her, 51; + discussions on marriage, 59; + love of music, 65; + appointed East India Company's chaplain, 73; + farewell to England, 101; + his motto, 102; + at Bahia, 107; + opposition to his preaching, 109; + at the Cape, 118; + describes the Battle of Blaauwberg, 121; + with Vanderkemp, 125; + lands at Madras, 130; + first sermon there, 144; + lands at Calcutta, 147; + 'Let me burn out for God,' 150; + opposition of chaplains to his preaching, 151; + at Serampore, 158; + Carey's opinion of Martyn, 161; + at work on his Hindustani Testament, 168; + a missionary to the Mohammedans, 174; + renews his suit to Lydia Grenfell, 175; + appointed to Dinapore, 183; + a Suttee, 184; + prayer in the pagoda, 196; + up the Ganges, 199; + hostility of Europeans at first, 204; + in Patna, 205; + native disaffection, 206; + dreams and sickness, 208; + first letter to the associated clergy, 212; + correspondence with Romanist missionaries, 218; + evangelisation of India, 225; + life with Sabat, 226; + controversy with moulvies, 234; + refused by Lydia, 246; + ordered to Cawnpore, 256; + described by Mrs. Sherwood, 258; + anecdotes of Martyn, 264; + his conversation, 274; + preaching to _fakeers_, 281; + his convert Abdool Massee'h and others, 285; + overwork, 289; + correspondence with Lydia, 292; + in the new church, Cawnpore, 309; + return to Calcutta, 313; + voyage to Arabia and Persia, 317; + in Bombay, 325; + in the Persian Gulf, 333; + lands in Persia, 339; + in Bushire, 346; + to Shiraz, 349; + in Shiraz, 360; + controversies with Shiahs, Soofis, and Jews, 375; + with the Moojtahid, 394; + at Persepolis, 410; + the Ramazan, 411; + his place as a Bible translator, 418; + as a philologist, 425; + as a Hebraist, 426; + his Hindustani Bible, 431; + Arabic New Testament, 434; + Persian studies, 445; + Alford on Martyn, 447; + Persian New Testament, 450; + Persian New Testament completed, 460; + to Ispahan, Teheran, and Tabreez, 463; + illness at Tabreez, 474; + last words to Lydia Grenfell, 481; + New Testament + presented to the Shah, 484; + as a translator, 490; + the Pope's condemnation, 491; + towards Constantinople, 494; + with the Armenians + at Etchmiatzin, 499; + at Erzroom, 508; + furiously hurried towards Tokat, 571; + last words in his _Journal_, 573; + burial, 515; + Remembrances of Martyn, 520; + the first grave, 529; + the second grave, 530; + effect of the news of his death, 543; + first memoir by Sargent, 547; + last words of Lydia Grenfell's _Diary_, 551; + Henry Martyn's followers, 553; + memorials of Henry Martyn, 570; + the lessons of his life, 571 + + Massacre Well, 267 + + Mathematics in Cambridge, 20 + + Mather, Dr. R.C., 433 + + Mawby, Col., 266 + + McNeill, Sir John, 520 + + Meer Kasim, 202 + + Megasthenes, 202 + + Mekran, 334 + + Mesnevi, The, 526 + + Metcalfe, Lord, 143 + + Methodism, 26 + + Methodius, 418 + + Miesrob, 418 + + Military Asylums, 260 + -- Orphan School, Calcutta, 136 + + Milner, Dean, 235 + + Milner, Isaac, 16, 74, 441 + + Minto, Lord, 120, 142, 231, 313, 316, 334, 344 + + Miracle Play of Hasan and Husain, 411 + + Mirza Fitrut, 230 + -- Ibrahim, 399, 403 + -- M. Ruza, 403 + -- Sayyid Ali Khan, 360, 488 + + Missionary call, 26, 572 + -- societies, 28, 43, 136, 141 + -- council at the Cape proposed, 170 + -- preaching, 173, 213 + -- and the East India Company, 241 + -- life, 279 + -- martyrdom, 290, 513 + + Mohammedan controversy (_see_ 'Islam'), 214, 233, 363, 375, 475 + + Mohammedans, missions to, 225, 524, 572 + + Moheecan Bible, 418 + + Monghyr, 201 + + Montgomery, Sir R., 140 + + Moojtahids, 395 + + Moor, Canon, 438 + + Moorshidabad, 200 + + Moravian mission, 119 + + Morier, James, 356, 391, 482 + + Moule, Archdeacon, 567 + -- Rev. H.C.G., 22, 42 + + Muir, Sir W., 400 + + Muscat, 337, 567 + + Music, Martyn's love of, 65, 207, 265, 296 + + Mutiny, Indian, 202 + -- the White, 202 + + Mysticism, literature of, 554 + + + Nadir Shah, 341 + + Nana Dhoondoo Panth, 267 + + Naoroji, D., 330 + + Napoleon Bonaparte, 120, 143, 343 + + Nelson, Lord, 81 + + Nestorians, 569 + + Netherlands East India Company, 119 + + Newton, John, 66, 75, 137 + + Norman, Sir H., 220 + + + Obeck, 135 + + Oman, 333 + + Omar Khayyam, 371 + + Ooroomia, 483 + + Orme's _Indostan_, 108 + + Ormuz Island, 341 + + Osborne, Lord S.G., 44 + + Oudh, Nawab of, 289 + + Ouseley, Sir Gore, 143, 344, 484 + + Oxford, 11 + + + Pagoda, Henry Martyn's, 158, 313 + + Paley, Dr., 30 + + Papendorp Articles, 121 + + Parasang, 493 + + Parsees, 330, 340, 371 + + Parson, Chaplain, 183, 200, 258 + + Patna, 201 + + Paul, the Apostle, 60, 381 + + Peacock, Dean, 20 + + Pearce, S., 26, 34 + + Pellew, Sir E., 131, 145 + + Pelly, Sir Lewis, 411, 455 + + Penang, 228 + + Pendennis, 88 + + Persepolis, 356, 409 + + Persia, 234, 237, 328, 340, 348, 370, 446 + + Persian Bible, 418, 445, 462, 484, 489 + -- Gulf, 333 + -- travelling, 493 + + Pfander, Dr., 399, 415 + + Philology, 425 + + Pietists, 132 + + _Pilgrim's Progress_, 63, 80, 214 + + Pinkerton, Rev. R., 488 + + Pitt, W., 69, 120 + + Plassey, 134 + + Poona, 326 + + Pope Pius VIII., 491 + + Popham, Sir H., 120 + + Porter, Sir R.K., 342, 519 + + Portraits of Henry Martyn, 80, 307 + -- of Lydia Grenfell, 244 + + Portugal in the East, 322, 341 + + Preaching and missions, 243, 281 + + + Queen-Empress Victoria, 333, 342 + + Quishlang, 468 + + + Raffles, Sir S., 121 + + Rajmahal, 200 + + Ramazan Fast, 411 + + Ranjeet Singh, 143, 277 + + Rawlinson, Sir H., 409 + + Rayner, M., 66 + + Redruth, 51 + + Regiment, the 59th, 101 + -- the 67th, 220, 312 + + Regiment, the 53rd, 257 + -- the 8th Light Dragoons, 276 + + Reid, missionary, 125 + + Reshire, 346 + + Rich, C.J., 516, 563 + + Riebeck, Governor, 119 + + Robber Island, 118 + + Roberts, Lord, 565 + + Robinson, Archdeacon, 489 + + Rodney, Capt., 320 + + Romanist Christians, 217, 318, 569 + + Rumsden, Prof., 441 + + Ruskin, 33 + + Russia, 415, 345, 482 + + Rutherford, Samuel, 2 + + Ryland, Dr., 516 + + + Sabat, 225, 269, 422 + + Sadi, 371 + + St. Andrews, 24 + + St. Hilary church, 55 + + St. John's College, Cambridge, 13, 33, 570 + + St. Michael's Mount, 43, 90, 96 + + Sandys, Major, 54 + + San Salvador, 106 + + Sanskrit, 199 + + Sardhana, 286 + + Sargent, John, 22, 50, 227, 544 + + Sati, 184 + + Schrmann, missionary, 432 + + Schwartz, 60, 65, 139, 144, 317 + + Scott, Sir Walter, 423 + + Scott's _Dekkan_, 108 + + Scottish Missions, 488, 564 + + Seatonian Prize, 67 + + Seleukos Nikator, 202 + + Serampore, 34, 158, 162, 422 + + Sermons by Martyn, 55, 67, 78, 109, 151, 549 + + Serope or Serrafino, 500, 521 + + Shah Abbas, 340 + -- Futteh Ali, 341, 484 + -- Nasr-ed-Deen, 489 + -- Zeman, 325 + + Sheheran, 511 + + Sheikh Othman, 326 + -- Saleh, _see_ Abdool Massee'h + + Sherley Brothers, 340 + + Sherwood, Mrs., 257, 283 + + Shiahs, 373 + + Shiraz, 355, 448, 565 + + Shore, _see_ Teignmouth + + Simeon, Charles, 15, 27, 34, 42, 109, 190, 544, 553 + + Sin, Pauline doctrine of, 109 + + Smith, Dr. Eli, 435, 519 + + Societies, Missionary, 28, 43, 136, 141 + + Soldiers in India, 200, 203, 219, 256, 265 + + Solitude, 462 + + Soofis, 371, 413, 443, 570 + + Soonnis, 373 + + Soudan, 120 + + Southey, 40 + + Spiritual Exercises, 51, 92, 117, 126, 209, 557 + + Stanley, Dean, 411 + + Stannaries, 3 + + Staunton, Sir G., 27 + + Stephen, Sir James, 1, 65 + + Stevenson, W., 132 + + Stuart, Bishop E., 566 + + Suffavian dynasty, 341 + + Sultania, 468 + + Sunstroke, 347 + + + Tabreez, 472, 482 + + Taleb Massee'h, 286 + + Tauris, 482 + + Taylor, Dr., 169, 326 + + Teheran, 356, 466 + + Teignmouth, Lord, 135, 138, 421 + + Teutonic Bible, 418 + + Theologia Germanica, 555 + + Thomas Kempis, 53, 420, 555 + + Thomas, Dr., 135 + + Thomason, 434, 543 + + Thompson, M., Chaplain, 144 + + Thornton, H., 16, 41, 476 + + Tilsit, Treaty of, 143, 344 + + Timour, 356 + + Tin of Cornwall, 2 + + Tipoo's Library, 151 + + Tokat, 518 + + Tranquebar, 130 + + Translation of Bible, 72, 280, 382, 417 + + Tregothnan, 24 + + Trinity Church, Cambridge, 36, 571 + -- College, Cambridge, 34, 571 + + Truro, 3, 5, 24, 41 + + Tsar Alexander, 343 + + Turks, 512 + + + Udny, George, 15, 135 + + Ulfilas, 418 + + Unwin, Mrs., 66 + + + Vanderkemp, Dr., 29, 123 + + Van Dyck, Dr., 418, 435 + + Van Lennep, Dr., 527 + + Vaughan, Dean, 571 + + Vellore Mutiny, 422 + + Venables, Canon, 535 + + Venn, Henry, 569 + + Vienna Congress, 121 + + + Wahabees, 202, 333 + + Wainwright, Commodore, 334 + + Wall's Lane, Cambridge, 70 + + Ward, Chaplain, 155 + -- missionary, 157, 429 + + Waring, Scott, 237, 357 + + Watson, Bishop, 137 + + Wellesley, Marquess, 135, 343 + + Wesley, Charles, 4 + -- John, 3, 132 + + Westcott, Bishop, 571 + + Westergaard, 409 + + Wilkins, Sir C., 516 + + White, Kirke, 27, 40, 68 + -- Lieut., 138 + + Whitfield, George, 3, 132 + + Whytehead, missionary, 570 + + Wickes, Capt., 186 + + Wiclif, 418 + + Wilberforce, Bishop S., 22 + -- W., 40, 65, 69, 570 + + Wilkinson, missionary, 433 + + Wilson, Bishop D., 201, 553 + -- Dr. John, 290, 327, 399, 563 + + Wolverton, Lord, 44 + + Wood, Col., 307 + + Woodbury, 24 + + Wordsworth, 570 + + Wrangler, Senior, 19, 71, 264 + + + Xavier, Francis, 174, 218, 318 + -- P.H., 399, 416 + + Xenophon and the Ten Thousand, 502 + + Xerxes, 409 + + + Young, Col. and Mrs., 241, 313 + -- Governor, 119 + + Yule, Sir Henry, 332 + + + Zambesi, 120 + + Ziegenbalg, 132 + + Zoroaster, 371 + + + PRINTED BY + SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE + LONDON + + + + + Transcriber's Notes: + + + For this edition of the ebook oe ligatures have been rendered as 'oe' + and a with a macron has been rendered as [=a]. Greek has been + converted to beta code. + Insignificant punctuation corrections have been made without note. + Legitimate variant spellings have been retained. + Variations in hyphenation have been retained. + Pg 95. One instance of the word 'to' was removed from the following + sentence, "I disclose those feelings to Him I have no power to to + any earthly friend." + Pg 167. The word 'ong' was changed to 'long'. + Pg 170. The word 'natives' was changed to 'native's'. + Pg 234. The word 'Crhist' was changed to 'Christ'. + Pg 403. A closing quotation mark was added to the end of the following + phrase: "'... he has taken upon himself to write the following + pages.'" + Pg 498. The following sentence does not appear to be correct, "Though + it was near midnight I had a fire lighted to dry my books, took some + coffee and sunk into deep sleep; from which awaking at the earliest + dawn of". This has been retained. + Pg 498. The following sentence does not appear to be correct, "Ararat + was now quite near; at the foot of it is Duwala, six parasangs from + Nakshan, where we arrived at seven in the morning of". This has been + retained. + Pg 500. The word 'delivreance' was changed to 'deliverance'. + Pg 549. The word 'a' was added to the following sentence: "The + remembrance of the event of the day has been rendered useless by my + absence from home a great part of it." + Pg 574. The word 'Bundelkhund' was changed to 'Bundlekhund'. + Pg 579. The index entry for 'Rich, C.J., 517, 563' was changed to + 'Rich, C.J., 516, 563'. + Pg 579. The word 'Serafino' was changed to 'Serrarfino'. + Pg 579. The index entry for 'Simeon, Charles, 13, 27, 34, 42, 109, + 190, 544, 553' was changed to 'Simeon, Charles, 15, 27, 34, 42, 109, + 190, 544, 553'. + Pg 580. The index entry for 'Wolverton, Lord, 46' was changed to + 'Wolverton, Lord, 44'. + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Henry Martyn Saint and Scholar, by George Smith + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HENRY MARTYN SAINT AND SCHOLAR *** + +***** This file should be named 35873-8.txt or 35873-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/8/7/35873/ + +Produced by the Bookworm, Rose Mawhorter, <bookworm.librivox +AT gmail.com> and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team +at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.net + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/35873-8.zip b/old/35873-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..3b0f812 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/35873-8.zip diff --git a/old/35873.txt b/old/35873.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ee2a5ee --- /dev/null +++ b/old/35873.txt @@ -0,0 +1,20390 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Henry Martyn Saint and Scholar, by George Smith + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: Henry Martyn Saint and Scholar + First Modern Missionary to the Mohammedans, 1781-1812 + +Author: George Smith + +Release Date: April 14, 2011 [EBook #35873] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HENRY MARTYN SAINT AND SCHOLAR *** + + + + +Produced by the Bookworm, Rose Mawhorter, <bookworm.librivox +AT gmail.com> and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team +at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + + + + + HENRY MARTYN + + + PRINTED BY + SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE + LONDON + + + + + +[Illustration: Henry Martyn. From the portrait in the University +Library. Cambridge.] + + + + + HENRY MARTYN + + _SAINT AND SCHOLAR_ + + FIRST MODERN MISSIONARY TO THE MOHAMMEDANS 1781-1812 + + BY + GEORGE SMITH, C.I.E., LL.D. + AUTHOR OF 'LIFE OF WILLIAM CAREY' 'LIFE OF ALEXANDER DUFF' ETC. + + + _Now let me burn out for God_ + + + _WITH PORTRAIT AND ILLUSTRATIONS_ + + + LONDON + THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY + 56 PATERNOSTER ROW, 65 ST PAUL'S CHURCHYARD AND 164 PICCADILLY + 1892 + + + + +PREFACE + + +In the year 1819, John Sargent, Rector of Lavington, published _A +Memoir of the Rev. Henry Martyn_. The book at once became a spiritual +classic. The saint, the scholar, and the missionary, alike found in it +a new inspiration. It ran through ten editions during the writer's +life, and he died when projecting an additional volume of the Journals +and Letters. His son-in-law, S. Wilberforce, afterwards Bishop of +Oxford and of Winchester, accordingly, in 1837 published, in two +volumes, _Journals and Letters of the Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D._, with +an introduction on Sargent's life. Sargent had suppressed what Bishop +Wilberforce describes as 'a great variety of interesting materials'. +Especially in the lifetime of Lydia Grenfell it was thought necessary +to omit the facts which give to Henry Martyn's personality its human +interest and intensify our appreciation of his heroism. On the lady's +death, in 1829, Martyn's letters to her became available, and Bishop +Wilberforce incorporated these in what he described as 'further and +often more continuous selections from the journals and letters of Mr. +Martyn.' But, unhappily, his work does not fully supplement that of +Sargent. The _Journal_ is still mutilated; the _Letters_ are still +imperfect. + +Some years ago, on completing the _Life of William Carey_, who had +written that wherever his friend Henry Martyn might go as chaplain the +Church need not send a missionary, I began to prepare a new work on +the first modern apostle to the Mohammedans. I was encouraged by his +grand-nephew, a distinguished mathematician, the late Henry Martyn +Jeffery, F.R.S., who had in 1883 printed _Two Sets of Unpublished +Letters of the Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D., of Truro_. For a time I +stopped the work on learning that he had come into possession of Lydia +Grenfell's papers, and was preparing the book which appeared in 1890, +_Extracts from the Religious Diary of Miss L. Grenfell, of Marazion, +Cornwall_. Except her letters to Henry Martyn, which are not in +existence now, all the desirable materials seemed to be ready. +Meanwhile, the missionary bishop who most resembled Martyn in +character and service, Thomas Valpy French, of Lahore and Muscat, had +written to Canon Edmonds of S. Wilberforce's book as 'a work for whose +reprint I have often pleaded in vain, and for which all that there is +of mission life in our Church would plead, had it not been so long out +of print and out of sight.' + +My aim is to set the two autobiographies, unconsciously written in the +Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn and in the Diary of Lydia +Grenfell, in the light of recent knowledge of South Africa and India, +Persia and Turkey, and of Bible work and missionary history in the +lands of which, by his life and by his death, Henry Martyn took +possession for the Master. Bengal chaplain of the East India Company, +he was, above all, a missionary to the two divisions of Islam, in +India and Persia, and in Arabia and Turkey. May this book, written +after years of experience in Bengal, lead many to enter on the +inheritance he has left to the Catholic Church! + + + + + CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I. CORNWALL AND CAMBRIDGE, 1781-1803 1 + + II. LYDIA GRENFELL 43 + + III. THE NINE MONTHS' VOYAGE--SOUTH AMERICA--SOUTH + AFRICA, 1805-1806 101 + + IV. INDIA AND THE EAST IN THE YEAR 1806 132 + + V. CALCUTTA AND SERAMPORE, 1806 150 + + VI. DINAPORE AND PATNA, 1807-1809 199 + + VII. CAWNPORE, 1809-1810 257 + + VIII. FROM CALCUTTA TO CEYLON, BOMBAY, AND ARABIA 315 + + IX. IN PERSIA--BUSHIRE AND SHIRAZ, 1811 340 + + X. IN PERSIA--CONTROVERSIES WITH MOHAMMEDANS, SOOFIS, + AND JEWS 370 + + XI. IN PERSIA--TRANSLATING THE SCRIPTURES 417 + + XII. SHIRAZ TO TABREEZ--THE PERSIAN NEW TESTAMENT 461 + + XIII. IN PERSIA AND TURKEY--TABREEZ TO TOKAT AND THE TOMB 492 + + XIV. THE TWO RESTING-PLACES--TOKAT AND BREAGE 515 + + XV. BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD 552 + + INDEX 573 + + + + + LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + PAGE + + PORTRAIT--HENRY MARTYN _Frontispiece_ + + ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, IN 1797 13 + + SECOND COURT, ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, IN 1803 32 + + TRINITY CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE, IN 1803 37 + + ST. MICHAEL'S MOUNT, AT FULL TIDE 45 + + PAGODA, ALDEEN HOUSE 159 + + A BRICK FROM HENRY MARTYN'S PAGODA 161 + + SHIRAZ 357 + + TOKAT IN 1812 518 + + TOMB OF HENRY MARTYN 531 + + + + + Then came another of priestly garb and mien, + A young man still wanting the years of Christ, + But long since with the saints.... + A poet with the contemplative gaze + And listening ear, but quick of force and eye, + Who fought the wrong without, the wrong within, + And, being a pure saint, like those of old, + Abased himself and all the precious gifts + God gave him, flinging all before the feet + Of Him whose name he bore--a fragile form + Upon whose hectic cheek there burned a flush + That was not health; who lived as Xavier lived, + And died like him upon the burning sands, + Untended, yet whose creed was far from his + As pole from pole; whom grateful England still + Loves. + + The awakened gaze + Turned wholly from the earth, on things of heaven + He dwelt both day and night. The thought of God + Filled him with infinite joy; his craving soul + Dwelt on Him as a feast; as did the soul + Of rapt Francesco in his holy cell + In blest Assisi; and he knew the pain, + The deep despondence of the saint, the doubt, + The consciousness of dark offence, the joy + Of full assurance last, when heaven itself + Stands open to the ecstasy of faith. + + The relentless lie + Of Islam ... he chose to bear, who knew + How swift the night should fall on him, and burned + To save one soul alive while yet 'twas day. + This filled his thoughts, this only, and for this + On the pure altar of his soul he heaped + A costlier sacrifice, this youth in years, + For whom Love called, and loving hands, and hope + Of childish lives around him, offering these, + Like all the rest, to God. + + Yet when his hour + Was come to leave his England, was it strange + His weakling life pined for the parting kiss + Of love and kindred, whom his prescient soul + Knew he should see no more? + + ... The woman of his love + Feared to leave all and give her life to his, + And both to God; his sisters passed away + To heaven, nor saw him more. There seemed on earth + Nothing for which to live, except the Faith, + Only the Faith, the Faith! until his soul + Wore thin her prison bars, and he was fain + To rest awhile, or work no more the work + For which alone he lived. + + _A Vision of Saints._ By LEWIS MORRIS. + + + + +HENRY MARTYN + + + + +CHAPTER I + +CORNWALL AND CAMBRIDGE, 1781-1803 + + +Writing half a century ago, as one who gratefully accepted the guidance +of the Church of England, from the evangelical and philanthropic side of +which he sprang, Sir James Stephen declared the name of Henry Martyn to +be 'in fact the one heroic name which adorns her annals from the days of +Elizabeth to our own'. The past fifty years have seen her annals, in +common with those of other Churches, adorned by many heroic names. These +are as many and as illustrious on the side which has enshrined Henry +Martyn in the new Cathedral of Truro, as amongst the Evangelicals, to +whom in life he belonged. But the influence which streams forth from his +short life and his obscure death is the perpetual heritage of all +English-speaking Christendom, and of the native churches of India, +Arabia, Persia, and Anatolia in all time to come. His _Journal_, even in +the mutilated form published first by his friend Sargent, is one of the +great spiritual autobiographies of Catholic literature. It is placed +beside the _Confessions_ of Augustine and the _Grace Abounding_ of +Bunyan. The _Letters_ are read along with those of Samuel Rutherford and +William Cowper by the most saintly workers, persuasive preachers, and +learned scholars, who, even in these days of searching criticism, +attribute to the young chaplain-missionary their early inspiration and +renewed consecration, even as he traced his to Brainerd, Carey, and +Charles Simeon. + +Born in Truro on February 18, 1781, Henry Martyn came from a land the +oldest and most isolated in Great Britain; a Celtic people but +recently transformed from the rudest to the most courteous and +upright; a family created and partly enriched by the great mining +industry; and a church which had been the first, in these far-western +islands, to receive the teaching of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. + +The tin found in the lodes and streams of the Devonian Slates of West +Cornwall was the only large source of supply to the world down to +Henry Martyn's time. The granite porphyries which form the Land's End +had come to be worked only a century before that for the 'bunches' of +copper which fill the lines of fault and fissure. It was chiefly from +the deeper lodes of Gwennap, near Truro, that his family had drawn a +competence. The statement of Richard Carew, in his _Survey of +Cornwall_, was true of the dim centuries before Herodotus wrote, that +the 'tynne of the little angle (Cornwall) overfloweth England, +watereth Christendom, and is derived to a great part of the world +besides'.[1] Tyrian and Jew, Greek and Roman, as navigators, +travellers, and capitalists, had in the darkness of prehistoric days +dealings with the land described in an Elizabethan treatise on +Geography as a foreign country on that side of England next to Spain. +London itself is modern compared with the Cornish trade, which in its +latest stage assumed the Latin name _Stannum_, and the almost perfect +economic laws administered by the Lord Warden of the Stannaries since +King John leased the mines to the Jews, and Edward I., as Earl of +Cornwall, established the now vexed 'royalties' by charter. Even in +the century since Henry Martyn's early days, fourteen of the Cornish +mines have yielded a gross return of more than thirteen millions +sterling, of which above one-fifth was clear profit. + +Whether the Romans used the Britons in the mines as slaves or not, the +just and democratic system of working them--which was probably due to +the Norman kings, and extorted the admiration of M. Jars, a French +traveller of the generation to which Henry Martyn's father belonged--did +not humanise the population. So rude were their manners that their +heath-covered rocks bore the name of 'West Barbary.' Writing two +centuries before Martyn, Norden described the city of his birth as +remarkable for its neatness, which it still is, but he added, there is +not a town 'more discommendable for the pride of the people.' The +Cornish miner's life is still as short as it is hard and daring, in +spite of his splendid physique and the remarkable health of the women +and children. But the perils of a rock-bound coast, the pursuits of +wrecking and smuggling, added to the dangers of the mines, and all +isolated from the growing civilisation of England, had combined, century +after century, to make Cornwall a byword till John Wesley and George +Whitfield visited it. Then the miner became so changed, not less really +because rapidly, that the feature of the whole people which first and +most continuously strikes a stranger is their grave and yet hearty +politeness. Thomas Carlyle has, in his _Life of Sterling_, pictured the +moral heroism which Methodism, with its 'faith of assurance,' developes +in the ignorant Cornish miner, a faith which, as illustrated by William +Carey and taught by the Church of England, did much to make Henry Martyn +what he became. John Wesley's own description in the year of Henry +Martyn's birth is this: 'It pleased God the seed there sown has produced +an abundant harvest. Indeed, I hardly know any part of the three +kingdoms where there has been a more general change.' The Cornishman +still beguiles the weary hours of his descent of the ladder to his toil +by crooning the hymns of Charles Wesley. The local preacher whose +eloquent earnestness and knowledge of his Bible have delighted the +stranger on Sunday, is found next day two hundred fathoms below the sea, +doing his eight hours' work all wet and grimy and red from the +iron-sand, picking out the tin of Bottallack or the copper of Gwennap. +Long before Henry Martyn knew Simeon he had become unconsciously in some +sense the fruit of the teaching of the Wesleys. + +During fifty-five years again and again John Wesley visited Cornwall, +preaching in the open air all over the mining county and in the +fishing hamlets, till two generations were permanently changed. His +favourite centre was Gwennap, which had long been the home of the +Martyn family, a few miles from Truro. There he found his open-air +pulpit and church in the great hollow, ever since known as 'Wesley's +Pit,' where, to this day, thousands crowd every Whit-Monday to +commemorative services. Wesley's published journal, which closes with +October 1790, when Henry Martyn was nearly ten years of age, has more +frequent and always more appreciative references to Gwennap than to +any other town. On July 6, 1745, we find him writing: + + At Gwennap also we found the people in the utmost consternation. + Word was brought that a great company of tinners, made drunk on + purpose, were coming to do terrible things--so that abundance of + people went away. I preached to the rest on 'Love your enemies.' + +By 1774 we read 'the glorious congregation was assembled at five in +the amphitheatre at Gwennap.' Next year we find this: + + 'At five in the evening in the amphitheatre at Gwennap. I think + this is the most magnificent spectacle which is to be seen on + this side heaven. And no music is to be heard upon earth + comparable to the sound of many thousand voices when they are + all harmoniously joined together singing "praises to God and the + Lamb." Four-and-twenty thousand were present, frequently, at + that spot. And yet all, I was informed, could hear distinctly in + the fair, calm evening.' Again: 'I think this is my _ne plus + ultra_. I shall scarce see a larger congregation till we meet in + the air.' + +We are thus introduced to the very spot where Henry Martyn was born: +'About noon I preached in the piazza adjoining to the Coinage Hall in +Truro. I was enabled to speak exceeding plain on "Ye are saved through +faith."' In the evening of the same day Wesley preached in the fishing +village of Megavissey, 'where I saw a very rare thing--men swiftly +increasing in substance, and yet not decreasing in holiness.' + +From such a land and such influences sprang the first missionary hero +of the Church of England in modern times. The Martyn family had for +more than a century been known locally as one of skilled miners, +described by their ablest representative in recent times[2] as 'mine +agents or mine captains who filled positions of trust.' Martin Luther +had a similar origin. There is no evidence that any of them went +underground, although that, if true, would justify the romance for +which Martyn's first biographer is responsible. His great-grandfather +was Thomas Martyn, his grandfather was John Martyn of Gwennap +Churchtown, and his grand-uncle was the surveyor, Thomas Martyn +(1695-1751), who published the map of Cornwall described as a marvel +of minute and accurate topography, due to a survey on foot for fifteen +years. Mr. Jeffery quotes from some manuscript notes written by his +father: + + John, an elder brother of Thomas Martyn, was the father of John + Martyn, who was born at Gwennap Churchtown, and, when young, was + put as an accountant at Wheal Virgin Mine. He was soon made + cashier to Ralph Allen Daniell, Esq., of Trelissick. Mr. Martyn + held one-twenty-fourth of Wheal Unity Mine, where upwards of + 300,000_l._ was divided. He then resided in a house opposite the + Coinage Hall (now the Cornish Bank), Truro, a little below the + present Market House. Here Henry Martyn was born February 18, + 1781, and was sent thence to Dr. Cardew's School in 1788. + +The new Town Hall stands on the site of the house. + +The boy bore a family name which is common in Southwest England, and +which was doubtless derived, in the first instance, from the great +missionary monk of Celtic France, the founder of the Gallic Church, +St. Martin, Bishop of Tours. Born in what is now Lower Hungary, the +son of a pagan soldier of Rome, St. Martin, during his long life +which nearly covered the fourth century, made an impression, +especially on Western or Celtic Christendom, even greater than that of +the Devonshire Winfrith or Boniface on Germany long after him. It was +in the generation after his death, when St. Martin's glory was at its +height, that the Saxon invasion of Britain led to the migration of +British Christians from West and South England to Armorica, which was +thence called Brittany. The intercourse between Cornwall and Britannia +Minor became as close as is now the case between the Celtic districts +of the United Kingdom and North America. Missionaries continually +passed and repassed between them. St. Corentin, consecrated Bishop of +Quimper in Brittany or French Cornwall, by the hands of St. Martin +himself, was sent to Cornwall long before Pope Gregory despatched St. +Augustin to Canterbury, and became a popular Cornish saint after whom +St. Cury's parish is still named. On the other side, the Early British +Church of Cornwall, where we still find Roman Christian inscriptions, +kept up a close fellowship with the Church in Ireland. The earliest +martyrs and hermits of the Church of Cornu-Gallia were companions of +St. Patrick. + +Certainly there is no missionary saint in all the history of the +Church of Christ whom, in his character, Henry Martyn so closely +resembled as his namesake, the apostle of the Gallic peoples. In the +pages of the bishop's biographer, Sulpicius Severus, we see the same +self-consecration which has made the _Journal_ of Henry Martyn a +stimulus to the noblest spirits of modern Christendom; the same fiery +zeal, often so excessive as to defeat the Divine mission; the same +soldier-like obedience and humility; the same prayerfulness without +ceasing, and faith in the power of prayer; the same fearlessness in +preaching truth however disagreeable to the luxurious and vicious of +the time; and, above all on the practical side, the same winning +loveableness and self-sacrifice for others which have made the story +of St. Martin dividing his cloak with the beggar second only, in +Mediaeval art, to the Gospel records of the Lord's own acts of tender +grace and Divine self-emptying. As we trace, step by step, the +unceasing service of Henry Martyn to men for love of his Master, we +shall find a succession of modern parallels to the act of St. Martin, +who, when a lad of eighteen with his regiment at Amiens, himself +moneyless, answered the appeal of a beggar, shivering at the city +gates in a cruel winter, by drawing his dagger, dividing his military +cloak, and giving half of it to the naked man. If the legend continues +to run, that the boy saw in a dream Christ Himself in the half-cloak +saying to the attendant angels, 'Martin, still a catechumen, has +clothed Me with this garment,' and forthwith sought baptism--that is +only a form of the same spirit which, from the days of Paul to our +own, finds inspiration in the thought that we are compassed about by a +great cloud of witnesses. + +Henry Martyn was baptised in the old church of St. Mary, now part of the +unfinished cathedral. He was the third of four children. The eldest, a +half-brother, John, was born fifteen years before him. The second and +fourth were his own sisters, Laura and Sally; the former married Mr. +Curgenven, nephew of the Vicar of Lamorran of that name; the latter +married a Mr. Pearson. Short-lived as Henry himself proved to be, all +three died before him. To both the sisters--and especially to the +younger, who proved to be to him at once sister, mother, and spiritual +guide to Christ--there are frequent allusions in his _Journals and +Letters_. His mother, named Fleming, and from Ilfracombe, died in the +year after his birth, having transmitted her delicate constitution to +her children. It was through his father, as well as younger sister, that +the higher influences were rained on Henry Martyn. In the wayward and +often wilful years before the boy yielded to the power of Christ's +resurrection, the father's gentleness kept him in the right way, from +which any violent opposition would have driven one of proud spirit. A +skilled accountant and practical self-trained mathematician, the father +encouraged in the boy the study of science, and early introduced him to +the great work of Newton. Valuing the higher education as few in England +did at that time, John Martyn ever kept before the lad the prospect of a +University course. Looking back on these days, and especially on his +last visit home before his father's unexpected death, Henry Martyn wrote +when he was eighteen years of age: + + The consummate selfishness and exquisite irritability of my mind + were displayed in rage, malice, and envy, in pride and + vain-glory and contempt of all; in the harshest language to my + sister, and even to my father, if he happened to differ from my + mind and will. Oh, what an example of patience and mildness was + he! I love to think of his excellent qualities, and it is + frequently the anguish of my heart that I ever could be so base + and wicked as to pain him by the slightest neglect. + +Truro was fortunate in its grammar school--'the Eton of Cornwall'--and +in the headmaster of that time, the Rev. Cornelius Cardew, D.D., whose +portrait now adorns the city's council chamber. The visitor who seeks +out the old school in Boscawen Street now finds it converted into the +ware-room of an ironmonger. All around may still be seen the oak +panels on which successive generations of schoolboys cut their names. +A pane of glass on which Henry Martyn scratched his name, with a Greek +quotation and a Hebrew word, probably on his last visit to the spot +before he left England for ever, is reverently preserved in the +muniment room of the corporation buildings. There also are the musty +folios of the dull history and duller divinity which formed the school +library of that uncritical century, but there is no means of tracing +the reading of the boys. Into this once lightsome room, adorned only +by a wood-carving of the galleon which formed the city arms, was the +child Henry Martyn introduced at the age of seven. Dr. Clement +Carlyon, who was one of his fellow-pupils, writes of him as 'a +good-humoured plain little fellow, with red eyelids devoid of +eyelashes'. But we know from Mrs. Sherwood, when she first met him in +India--where his hair, a light brown, was raised from his forehead, +which was a remarkably fine one--that although his features were not +regular, 'the expression was so luminous, so intellectual, so +affectionate, so beaming with Divine charity, as to absorb the +attention of every observer'. His sensitive nature and violent +passionateness when roused, at once marked him out as the victim of the +older boys. In a happy moment Dr. Cardew put 'little Henry Martyn' under +the care of one of them, who became his protector, tutor, and friend, +not only at school but at college, and had an influence on his spiritual +as well as intellectual life next only to that of his father, sister, +and Charles Simeon. That 'upper boy'--named Kempthorne, son of Admiral +Kempthorne, of Helston--delighted to recall to his first biographer, +Sargent, 'the position in which he used to sit, the thankful expression +of his affectionate countenance, when he happened to be helped out of +some difficulty, and a thousand other little incidents of his boyish +days.' This boy-friend 'had often the happiness of rescuing him from the +grasp of oppressors, and has never seen more feeling of gratitude +evinced than was shown by him on those occasions.' + +Even at seven Henry's natural cleverness was so apparent that high +expectations of his future were formed. Dr. Cardew wrote of his +proficiency in the classics as exceeding that of most of his +school-fellows, but he was too lively and too careless to apply +himself as some did who distanced him. 'He was of a lively, cheerful +temper, and, as I have been told by those who sat near him, appeared +to be the idlest among them, being frequently known to go up to his +lesson with little or no preparation, as if he had learnt it by +intuition.' The delicacy of his constitution naturally kept him from +joining in the rougher games of his fellows. Such was the impression +made by his progress at school that, when he was fifteen years of age, +not only Dr. Cardew and his father, but many of his father's friends, +urged him to compete for a vacant scholarship of Corpus Christi +College, Oxford. With only a letter to the sub-rector of Exeter College, +the usual Cornish College, the boy found himself in the great University +city. The examiners were divided in opinion as to the result, but a +majority gave it in favour of one with whom Henry Martyn was almost +equal. Had he become a member of that University at fifteen, with +character unformed and knowledge immature or superficial, it is not +likely that Oxford would have gained what, at a riper stage, Cambridge +fell heir to. His own comment, written afterwards like Augustine's in +the _Confessions_, was this: 'The profligate acquaintances I had in +Oxford would have introduced me to scenes of debauchery, in which I +must, in all probability, from my extreme youth, have sunk for ever.' He +returned to school for two years, to extend his knowledge of the +classics. He spent his leisure in shooting, and in reading travels and +Lord Chesterfield's _Letters_. His early private Journal reflects +severely on that time as spent in 'attributing to a want of taste for +mathematics what ought to have been ascribed to idleness; and having his +mind in a roving, dissatisfied, restless condition, seeking his chief +pleasure in reading and human praise.' + +[Illustration: ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, IN 1797] + +In this spirit he began residence in St. John's College, Cambridge, in +the month of October 1797, as a pensioner or unassisted student. To +that University he was attracted by Kempthorne, who had been his +protector at school, and had just distinguished himself at St. John's, +coming out Senior Wrangler. Alike from the idleness to which he was +tempted by other fellow-students who were new to him, and from the +variety of study with no other motive than to win glory of men, his +friend gradually weaned his fickle and impulsive genius. But for two +years he halted between two opinions. He was ever restless because +ever dissatisfied with himself, and his want of inward peace only +increased the natural irritability of his temper. He indulged in bursts +of passion on slight provocation, and sometimes on none at all, save +that of an uneasy conscience. Like Clive about the same age, Henry +Martyn on one occasion hurled a knife at his friend, Cotterill, who just +escaped, leaving it quivering in the panel of the dining-hall. The +father and younger sister at home prayerfully watched over him, and +by letter sought to guide him. On his periodical visits to Truro he was +able at least to report success in his examinations, and at the close of +1799 he came out first, to his father's delight. The providence of God +had made all things ready for the completion of His eighteen years' work +in the convictions and character of Henry Martyn, on his return to +college. To him, at the opening of the new century, all things became +new. + +Cambridge, first of all, had received--unconsciously to its leading +men for a time--that new spirit which has ever since identified its +University with the aggressive missionary philanthropy of the +nineteenth century. For nearly the whole period of Martyn's life, up +to that time, Charles Simeon, the Eton boy, Fellow of King's College, +and Christian gentleman, who had sought the position only that he +might preach Christ after the manner of St. Paul, had, from the pulpit +of Trinity Church, been silently transforming academic life. He had +become the trusted agent of Charles Grant and George Udny, the Bengal +civilians who were ready to establish an eight-fold mission in Bengal +as soon as he could send out the men. Failing to find these, he had +brought about the foundation of the Church Missionary Society on April +12, 1799. Some years before that, Charles Grant exchanged his seat in +the Bengal council for one of the 'chairs' of the Court of Directors. +He became their chairman, and it was to Simeon that he turned for East +India chaplains. Cambridge, even more than London itself, had become +the centre of the spiritual life of the Church of England. + +First among the fellow-students of Henry Martyn, though soon to leave +for India when he entered it, was his future friend, Claudius +Buchanan, B.A. of 1796 and Fellow of Queen's College, of which Isaac +Milner was president. Magdalene College--which had sent David Brown to +Calcutta in 1786, to prepare the way for the other four, who are for +ever memorable as 'the Five Chaplains'--had among its students of the +same standing as Martyn, Charles Grant's two distinguished sons, of whom +one became Lord Glenelg and a cabinet minister, and the younger, Robert, +was afterwards Governor of Bombay, the still valued hymnologist, and the +warm friend of Dr. John Wilson. Thomason--seven years older than Martyn, +and induced afterwards, by his example, to become a Bengal chaplain--was +Simeon's curate and substitute in the closing years of the last century, +when to Mr. Thornton of Clapham, who had warned him against preaching +five sermons a week, as casting the net too often to allow time to mend +it, he drew this picture of college life: 'There are reasons for fearing +the mathematical religion which so prevails here. Here, also, is +everything that can contribute to the ease and comfort of life. Whatever +pampers the appetite and administers fuel to sloth and indolence is to +be found in abundance. Nothing is left to want or desire. Here is the +danger; this is the horrible precipice.' Corrie and Dealtry, also of the +Five Chaplains, and afterwards first and second Bishops of Madras, were +of Martyn's Cambridge time, the latter graduating before, and the former +just after him. + +Hardly had Henry Martyn returned to college in January 1800 when he +received from his half-brother news of the death of their father, whom +he had just before left 'in great health and spirits.' The first +result was 'consternation,' and then, as he told his sister, + + I was extremely low-spirited, and, like most people, began to + consider seriously, without any particular determination, that + invisible world to which he had gone and to which I must one day + go. As I had no taste at this time for my usual studies, I took + up my Bible. Nevertheless I often took up other books to engage + my attention, and should have continued to do so had not + Kempthorne advised me to make this time an occasion of serious + reflection. I began with the Acts, as being the most amusing, + and when I was entertained with the narrative I found myself + insensibly led to inquire more attentively into the doctrines of + the Apostles.... On the first night after, I began to pray from + a precomposed form, in which I thanked God in general for having + sent Christ into the world. But though I prayed for pardon I had + little sense of my own sinfulness; nevertheless, I began to + consider myself a religious man. + +The college chapel service at once had a new meaning for the student +whom death had shaken and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles had +awakened. 'The first time after this that I went to chapel I saw, with +some degree of surprise at my former inattention, that in the +Magnificat there was a great degree of joy expressed at the coming of +Christ, which I thought but reasonable.' His friend then lent him +Doddridge's _Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul_, but, because +the first part of that book 'appeared to make religion consist too +much in humiliation, and my proud and wicked heart would not bear to +be brought down into the dust,' he could not bear to read it. 'Soon, +however,' as he afterwards told his sister, who had prayed for this +very thing all her life, as Monica had agonised for Augustine, 'I +began to attend more diligently to the words of our Saviour in the New +Testament, and to devour them with delight. When the offers of mercy +and forgiveness were made so freely, I supplicated to be made partaker +of the covenant of grace with eagerness and hope, and thanks be to the +ever-blessed Trinity for not leaving me without comfort.' The +doctrines of the Apostles, based on the narrative of the Acts, and +confirming the teaching of the family in early youth, were seen to be +in accord with the words of the Master, and thus Henry Martyn started +on the Christian life an evangelical of the Evangelicals. In the +preaching and the personal friendship of the minister of Trinity +Church he found sympathetic guidance, and so 'gradually acquired more +knowledge in divine things.' All the hitherto irregular impulses of +his fervent Celtic nature received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and +became centred in the living, reigning, personal Christ. All the +restless longings of his soul and his senses found their satisfaction +for ever in the service of Him who had said 'He that loveth his life +shall lose it. If any man serve Me, let him follow Me, and where I am +there shall also My servant be.' All the pride of his genius, his +intellectual ambition, and his love of praise became purged by the +determination thenceforth to know nothing save the Crucified One. + +His first temptation and test of honest fitness for such service was +found in the examination for degrees, and especially for the greatest +honour of all, that of Senior Wrangler. If we place his conversion to +Christ at the close of his nineteenth year, we find that the whole of +his twentieth was spent in the necessary preparation for the +competition, and in the accompanying spiritual struggles. It is not +surprising that, when looking back on that year from higher experiences, +he should be severe in his self-examination. But the path of duty +clearly lay in hard and constant study, and not alone in religious +meditation. It was not surprising that the experienced convert should +afterwards pronounce the former worldly, and lament that 'the +intenseness with which I pursued my studies' prevented his growth in +contrition, and in a knowledge of the excellency of Christ. But so +severe a judge as his friend and fellow-student John Sargent, who knew +all the facts, and became not less saintly than himself, declares that +there was no reason, save his own humility, for his suspecting a want of +vitality at least in his spiritual life in this critical year. His +new-found life in Christ, and delight in the Bible, reacted on his whole +nature, elevating it to that degree of spontaneous energy free from all +self-consciousness which is the surest condition, divine and human, of +success. He himself used to tell how, when he entered the Senate House, +the text of a sermon he had recently heard quieted his spirit: 'Seekest +thou great things for thyself? Seek them not, saith the Lord.' + +Henry Martyn was not fully twenty years of age when, in January 1801, +he came out Senior Wrangler and first Smith's (mathematical) Prizeman. +His year was one of the most brilliant in the recent history of the +University. Woodall of Pembroke was second. Robert Grant was third, +and Charles Grant (Lord Glenelg) fourth Wrangler. They distanced him +in classics, once his strongest point. But the boy who entered college +believing that geometry was to be learned by committing Euclid[3] to +memory had given the whole strength of his powers during three years +to the college examinations, so as to please his father and win the +applause of his fellows. Until recently it was possible for a student +to enter the University ignorant of mathematics, and to come out +Senior Wrangler, as the late Professor Kelland used to tell his +Edinburgh class. Such was the reverence for Newton that the Leibnizian +methods were not recognised in the University studies till the reform +of the Cambridge course was introduced by Dean Peacock and his +contemporaries. In those earlier days, Dr. Carlyon,[4] who had been +one of his school-fellows, tells us high Wranglers won their places by +correct book-work rapidly produced in oral examination from four set +treatises by Wood and Vince, on optics, mechanics, hydrostatics, and +astronomy; problem papers were answered by the best men. Martyn's +grand-nephew, himself a distinguished mathematician, remarks that he +sprang from a family of calculators, and so had the patience and taste +necessary for mathematical attainments. There is no evidence that he +pursued science even at Cambridge except as a tutor; he does not +appear to have been a mathematical examiner even in his own college. + +The truth is seen in his own comment on a success which at once won +for him admiration and deference in circles that could not appreciate +the lofty Christian aims of his life: 'I obtained my highest wishes, +but was surprised to find that I had grasped a shadow.' He was called +to other service, and for that he brought his University triumph with +him to the feet of Christ. He was too cultured, however, to despise +learning or academic reputation, for they might be made weapons for +the Master's use, and we shall find him wielding both alike in home +and foreign missions. His genius and learning found expression in the +study, the translation, and the unceasing application to the +consciences of men, of the Word of God. His early love of the classics +of Greece and Rome prevailed over his later mathematical studies to +make him an ardent philologist, with the promise, had he lived, of +becoming an Orientalist of the type of Sir William Jones. If he was +known in his college as 'the man who had not lost an hour' when +University honours alone were his object, how much would not his +unresting perseverance have accomplished, when directed by the highest +of all motives, had he been spared to the age of William Carey or John +Wilson? + +The time had come for the brilliant student to decide on his +profession. The same ambition which had stimulated him to his college +successes, had led him to resolve on studying the law, as the most +lucrative. 'I could not consent to be poor for Christ's sake,' was his +own language at a later period. But Christ himself had changed all +that, as effectually as when the young lawyer Saul was stricken down +after the martyr testimony of Stephen. The year 1801 was to him one of +comparative solitude, both in Cornwall and at the University, where +he cultivated the fruitful grace of meditation, learning to know and +to master himself, as he came to know more and more intimately, and to +submit himself to, Christ Jesus. He was admitted to the inner circle +of Simeon's friends, and to unreserved intercourse with men of his own +age who had come to Christ before him. Especially was he drawn to John +Sargent, one year his senior, who was about to leave the university +for the Temple, that he might by the study of law prepare himself to +administer worthily the family estate to which he was to succeed. His +son-in-law, the late Bishop S. Wilberforce, has left us a charming +picture[5] of this saintly man, of whom Martyn wrote, even at college, +'Sargent seems to be outstripping us all.' While Simeon ever, by his +counsels and his example, impressed on the choice youth whom he +gathered around him the attractiveness of the Christian ministry,[6] +Sargent bewailed that only a painful sense of duty to others kept him +from it, and in a few years he succeeded in entering its consecrated +ranks. Among such friends, and with his own heart growing in the +experience of the power of the Holy Spirit, Henry Martyn was +constrained, notwithstanding his new humbleness of mind, to hear and +obey the divine call. He who had received such mercy must tell it +abroad; he who had known such love must bring others to share the +sweetness. Hence he writes to his sister: + + When we consider the misery and darkness of the unregenerate + world, oh! with how much reason shall we burst out into + thanksgiving to God, who has called us in His mercy through + Christ Jesus! What are we, that we should thus be made objects + of distinguishing grace! Who, then, that reflects upon the rock + from which he was hewn, but must rejoice to give himself + entirely and without reserve to God, to be sanctified by His + Spirit. The soul that has truly experienced the love of God, + will not stay meanly inquiring how much he shall do, and thus + limit his service, but will be earnestly seeking more and more + to know the will of our Heavenly Father, and that he may be + enabled to do it. Oh, may we both be thus minded! may we + experience Christ to be our all in all, not only as our + Redeemer, but also as the fountain of grace. Those passages of + the Word of God which you have quoted on this head, are indeed + awakening; may they teach us to breathe after holiness, to be + more and more dead to the world, and alive unto God, through + Jesus Christ. We are as lights in the world; how needful then + that our tempers and lives should manifest our high and heavenly + calling! Let us, as we do, provoke one another to good works, + not doubting that God will bless our feeble endeavours to His + glory. + +The next year, 1802, saw Martyn Fellow of his College and the winner +of the first University prize for a Latin essay, open to those who had +just taken the Bachelor of Arts degree. It ended in his determination +to offer himself to the Church Missionary Society. He had no sooner +resolved to be a minister of Christ than he began such home mission +work as lay to his hands among his fellow members of the University, +and in the city where, at a recent period, one who closely resembled +him in some points, Ion Keith-Falconer, laboured. When ministering to +a dying man he found that the daughters had removed to another house, +where they were cheerful, and one of the students was reading a play +to them. 'A play! when their father was lying in the agonies of death! +What a species of consolation! I rebuked him so sharply, and, I am +afraid, so intemperately, that a quarrel will perhaps ensue.' This is +the first of those cases in which the impulsively faithful Christian, +testifying for his Master, often roused hatred to himself. But the +student afterwards thanked him for his words, became a new man, and +went out to India, where he laboured for a time by his side. After a +summer tour--during which he walked to Liverpool, and then through +Wales, ascending Snowdon--Henry Martyn found himself in the old home +in Truro, then occupied by his brother. From the noise of a large +family he moved to Woodbury: 'With my brother-in-law[7] I passed some +of the sweetest moments in my life. The deep solitude of the place +favoured meditation; and the romantic scenery around supplied great +external sources of pleasure.' + +Along the beautiful coast of Cornwall and Devon there is no spot more +beautiful than Woodbury. It is henceforth sacred as Moulton in Carey's +life, and St. Andrews in Alexander Duff's, for there Henry Martyn +wrestled out his deliberate dedication to the service of Christ in +India and Persia. The Fal river is there just beginning to open out +into the lovely estuary which, down almost to Falmouth town and +Carrick Road, between Pendennis and St. Mawes, is clothed on either +side with umbrageous woods. On the left shore, after leaving the point +from which is the best view of Truro and its cathedral, now known as +the Queen's View, there is Malpas, and further on are the sylvan +glories of Tregothnan. On the right shore, sloping down to the +ever-moving tide, are the oaks, ilexes, and firs which inclose +Woodbury, recently rebuilt. There the Cambridge scholar of twenty-one +roamed and read his Bible (especially Isaiah); 'and from this I +derived great spirituality of mind compared with what I had known +before.' He returned to Cambridge and its tutorial duties, ready to +become Simeon's curate, and ultimately to go abroad when the definite +call should come. In the first conversation which he had with him, +Simeon, who had been reading the last number of the _Periodical +Accounts_ from Serampore, drew attention to the results of William +Carey's work, in the first nine years of his pioneering, as showing +what a single missionary could accomplish. From this time, in his +letters and journals, we find all his thoughts and reading, when +alone, revolving around the call to the East. + + _1803, January 12_ to _19_.--Reading Lowth on Isaiah--Acts--and + abridged Bishop Hopkins' first sermon on Regeneration. On the + 19th called on Simeon, from whom I found that I was to go to the + East Indies, not as a missionary, but in some superior capacity; + to be stationed at Calcutta, or possibly at Ceylon. This + prospect of this world's happiness gave me rather pain than + pleasure, which convinced me that I had before been running away + from the world, rather than overcoming it. During the whole + course of the day, I was more worldly than for some time past, + unsettled and dissatisfied. In conversation, therefore, I found + great levity, pride, and bitterness. What a sink of corruption + is this heart, and yet I can go on from day to day in + self-seeking and self-pleasing! Lord, shew me myself, nothing + but 'wounds and bruises, and putrefying sores,' and teach me to + live by faith on Christ my all. + + St. John's, January 17, 1803. + + My dear Sargent,--G. and H. seem to disapprove of my project + much; and on this account I have been rather discouraged of + late, though not in any degree convinced. It would be more + satisfactory to go out with the full approbation of my friends, + but it is in vain to attempt to please man. In doubtful cases, + we are to use the opinions of others no further than as means of + directing our own judgment. My sister has also objected to it, + on the score of my deficiency in that deep and solid experience + necessary in a missionary. + + _February 4._--Read Lowth in the afternoon, till I was quite + tired. Endeavoured to think of Job xiv. 14, and to have solemn + thoughts of death, but could not find them before my pupil came, + to whom I explained justification by faith, as he had ridiculed + Methodism. But talk upon what I will, or with whom I will, + conversation leaves me ruffled and discomposed. From what does + this arise? From a want of the sense of God's presence when I am + with others. + + _February 6._--Read the Scriptures, between breakfast and + church, in a very wandering and unsettled manner, and in my walk + was very weak in desires after God. As I found myself about the + middle of the day full of pride and formality, I found some + relief in prayer. Sat with H. and D. after dinner, till three, + but though silent, was destitute of humility. Read some of S. + Pearce's[8] life, and was much interested by his account of the + workings of his mind on the subject of his mission. Saw reason + to be thankful that I had no such tender ties to confine me at + home, as he seemed to have; and to be amazed at myself, in not + making it a more frequent object of reflection, and yet to + praise God for calling me to minister in the glorious work of + the conversion of the Gentiles. + + _March 27._--The lectures in chemistry and anatomy I was much + engaged with, without receiving much instruction. A violent cold + and cough led me to prepare myself for an inquiry into my views + of death. I was enabled to rest composed on the Rock of Ages. + Oh, what mercy shewn to the chief of sinners. + + _April 22._--Was ashamed to confess to ---- that I was to be Mr. + Simeon's curate, a despicable fear of man from which I vainly + thought myself free. He, however, asked me if I was not to be, + and so I was obliged to tell him. Jer. i. 17. + + _May 8._--Expressed myself contemptuously of ----, who preached + at St. Mary's. Such manifestations of arrogance which embody, as + it were, my inward pride, wound my spirit inexpressibly, not to + contrition, but to a sullen sense of guilt. Read Second Epistle + to Timothy. I prayed with some earnestness. + + _June 13_ to _24_.--Passed in tolerable comfort upon the whole; + though I could on no day say my walk had been close with God. + Read Sir G. Staunton's _Embassy to China_, and was convinced of + the propriety of being sent thither. But I have still the spirit + of worldly men when I read worldly books. I felt more curiosity + about the manners of this people than love and pity towards + their souls. + + St. John's, June 30, 1803. + + Dear Sargent,--May you, as long as you shall give me your + acquaintance, direct me to the casting down of all high + imaginations. Possibly it may be a cross to you to tell me or + any one of his faults. But should I be at last a castaway, or at + least dishonour Christ through some sin, which for want of + faithful admonition remained unmortified, how bitter would be + your reflections! I conjure you, therefore, my dear friend, as + you value the good of the souls to whom I am to preach, and my + own eternal interests, that you tell me what you think to be, in + my life, spirit, or temper, not according to the will of God my + Saviour. D. has heard about a religious young man of seventeen, + who wants to come to College, but has only 20_l._ a year. He is + very clever, and from the perusal of some poems which he has + published, I am much interested about him. His name is H.K. + White. + + _July 17._--Rose at half-past five, and walked a little before + chapel in happy frame of mind; but the sunshine was presently + overcast by my carelessly neglecting to speak for the good of + two men, when I had an opportunity. The pain was, moreover, + increased by the prospect of the incessant watchfulness for + opportunities I should use; nevertheless, resolved that I would + do so through grace. The dreadful act of disobeying God, and the + baseness of being unwilling to incur the contempt of men, for + the sake of the Lord Jesus, who had done so much for me, and the + cruelty of not longing to save souls, were the considerations + that pressed on my mind. + + _July 18_ to _30_.--Gained no ground in all this time; stayed a + few days at Shelford, but was much distracted and unsettled for + want of solitude. Felt the passion of envy rankle in my bosom on + a certain occasion. Seldom enjoyed peace, but was much under the + power of corruption. Read Butler's _Analogy_; Jon. Edwards _On + the Affections_; in great hopes that this book will be of + essential use to me. + + _September 10._--Was most deeply affected with reading the + account of the apostasy of Lewis and Broomhall, in the + transactions of the Missionary Society. When I first came to the + account of the awful death of the former, I cannot describe the + sense I had of the reality of religion,--that there is a God who + testifies His hatred of sin; 'my flesh trembled for fear of His + judgments.' Afterwards, coming to the account of Broomhall's + sudden turn to Deism, I could not help even bursting into tears + of anxiety and terror at my own extreme danger; because I have + often thought, that if I ever should make shipwreck, it would be + on the rocks of sensuality or infidelity. The hollowness of + Broomhall's arguments was so apparent, that I could only + attribute his fall to the neglect of inquiring after the + rational foundation of his faith. + + _September 12._--Read some of the minor prophets, and Greek + Testament, and the number of the _Missionary Transactions_. H. + drank tea with me in the evening. I read some of the missionary + accounts. The account of their sufferings and diligence could + not but tend to lower my notions of myself. I was almost ashamed + at my having such comforts about me, and at my own + unprofitableness. + + _September 13._--Received a letter from my sister, in which she + expressed her opinion of my unfitness for the work of a + missionary. My want of Christian experience filled me with many + disquieting doubts, and this thought troubled me among many + others, as it has often done: 'I am not only not so holy as I + ought, but I do not strive to have my soul wrought up to the + highest pitch of devotion every moment.' + + _September 17._--Read Dr. Vanderkemp's mission to Kafraria. What + a man! In heaven I shall think myself well off, if I obtain but + the lowest seat among such, though now I am fond of giving + myself a high one. + + St. John's, September 29, 1803. + + How long it seems since I heard from you, my dear Sargent. My + studies during the last three months have been Hebrew, Greek + Testament, Jon. Edwards _On Original Sin_, and _On the + Affections_, and Bishop Hopkins,--your favourite and mine. Never + did I read such energetic language, such powerful appeals to the + conscience. Somehow or other he is able to excite most constant + interest, say what he will. I have been lately reading the first + volume of the _Reports_ of the Missionary Society, who sent out + so many to Otaheite and the southern parts of Africa. You would + find the account of Dr. Vanderkemp's mission into Kafraria + infinitely entertaining. It appeared so much so to me, that I + could read nothing else while it lasted. Respecting my own + concerns in this way, no material change has taken place, either + externally or internally, except that my sister thinks me + unqualified, through want of religious experience, and that I + find greater pleasure at the prospect of it. I am conscious, + however, of viewing things too much on the bright side, and + think more readily of the happiness of seeing the desert rejoice + and blossom as the rose, than of pain, and fatigue, and crosses, + and disappointments. However it shall be determined for me, it + is my duty to crush the risings of self-will, so as to be + cheerfully prepared to go or stay. + + _October 1._--In the afternoon read in Law's _Serious Call_, the + chapter on 'Resignation,' and prayed for it, according to his + direction. I rather think a regular distribution of the day for + prayer, to obtain the three great graces of humility, love, and + resignation, would be far the best way to grow in them. The + music at chapel led my thoughts to heaven, and I went cheerfully + to Mrs. S.H. drank tea with me afterwards. As there was in the + _Christian Observer_ something of my own, the first which ever + appeared in print, I felt myself going off to vanity and levity. + +[Illustration: SECOND COURT, ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE, 1803] + + _October 9._--Rose at six, which is earlier than of late, and + passed the whole morning in great tranquillity. I prayed to be + sent out to China, and rejoiced in the prospect of the glorious + day when Christ shall be glorified on earth. At chapel the music + of the chant and anthem seemed to be in my ears as the sounds of + heaven, particularly the anthem, 1 Chron. xxix. 10. But these + joys, alas! partake much of the flesh in their transitory + nature. At chapel I wished to return to my rooms to read the + song of Moses the servant of God, &c. in the Revelation, but + when I came to it I found little pleasure. The sound of the + music had ceased, and with it my joy, and nothing remained but + evil temper, darkness, and unbelief. All this time I had + forgotten what it is to be a poor humble soul. I had floated off + the Rock of Ages into the deep, where I was beginning to sink, + had not the Saviour stretched out His hand, and said to me, 'It + is I!' Let me never be cheated out of my dependence on Him, nor + ever forget my need of Him. + + _October 12._--Reading Paley's _Evidences_. Had my pride + deeply wounded to-day, and perceived that I was far from + humility. Great bitterness and dislike arose in my mind against + the man who had been the unconscious cause of it. Oh, may I + learn daily my hidden evils, and loathe myself for my secret + abominations! Prayed for the man, and found my affections + return. + + _October 19._--I wished to have made my approaching ordination + to the ministry a more leading object of my prayers. For two or + three days I have been reading some of St. Augustine's + _Meditations_, and was delighted with the hope of enjoying such + communion with God as this holy man. Blessed be God! nothing + prevents, no earthly business, no earthly love can rightfully + intrude to claim my thoughts, for I have professedly resigned + them all. My mind still continues in a joyous and happy state, + though at intervals, through want of humility, my confidence + seems vain. + + _October 20._--This morning was almost all lost, by friends + coming in. At noon I read the fortieth chapter of Isaiah. Amidst + the bustle of common life, how frequently has my heart been + refreshed by the descriptions of the future glory of the Church, + and the happiness of man hereafter! + + _November 13._--I longed to draw very near to God, to pray Him + that He would give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. I + thought of David Brainerd, and ardently desired his devotedness + to God and holy breathings of soul. + +When a Fellow of St. John's, Henry Martyn occupied the three rooms in +the highest storey of E block, entered from the right-hand corner of +the Second Court before passing through the gateway into the Third +Court. The Court is that pronounced by Ruskin the finest in the +University, because of the beautiful plum-red hue of the old brick, +going back to 1595, and the perfect architecture. From the same stair +the fine College Library is entered. The low roof was formed of reed, +instead of lath, and plaster, down to a very recent date. On one +occasion, while the outer roof was being repaired, the foot of a +workman suddenly pushed through the frail inner ceiling above the +study table, an incident which has enabled their present occupant[9] +to identify the rooms. Here Martyn studied, and taught, and prayed, +while hour after hour and quarter after quarter, from the spire of St. +Clement's on the one side, and the tower of Trinity College on the +other, the flight of time was chimed forth. When, a generation after, +Alexander Duff visited Charles Simeon and his successor, Carus, and +expressed surprise that so few Cambridge men had, by 1836, given +themselves to foreign missions, Carus pointed to the exquisite beauty +of the Cam, as it winds between Trinity and St. John's, as one +explanation of the fact. Both forgot Henry Martyn, whose Cornish +temperament was most susceptible to the seductive influence, and whose +academic triumphs might have made the ideal life of a Fellow of St. +John's an overpowering temptation. As we stand in these hallowed +rooms, or wander through the four courts, and in the perfect gardens, +or recall the low chapel--which has given place to Sir Gilbert +Scott's, with a frescoed figure of Henry Martyn on its roof--we can +realise the power of the motive that sent him forth to Dinapore and +Cawnpore, Shiraz and Tokat. + +Samuel Pearce--the 'seraphic' preacher of Birmingham, whom a weak +body, like Martyn's, alone prevented from joining his beloved Carey at +Serampore; Vanderkemp, the Dutch physician, who had given up all for +the good of the Kafirs, and whom he was soon to see in the midst of +his converts; David Brainerd, also like himself in the shortness and +saintliness of his career; the transactions of the London Missionary +Society; the latest works on the East; and the experimental divinity +of Augustine, Jonathan Edwards, and Law, with the writings of Bishops +Butler and Hopkins, and Dr. Paley--these were the men and the books he +used to train his spirit for the work of the ministry abroad, when he +had fed it with the words of Jesus Christ, Isaiah, and Paul. He thus +describes his examination for Deacon's orders, and his ordination by +the Bishop of Ely on the title of his Fellowship, after which he +became Mr. Simeon's curate, and took charge of the neighbouring small +parish of Lolworth. + + _1803, October 22._--Went in a gig to Ely with B. Having had no + time for morning prayer, my conversation was poor. At chapel, I + felt great shame at having come so confidently to offer myself + for the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, with so much + ignorance and unholiness, and I thought it would be but just if + I were sent off with ignominy. Dr. M., the examining chaplain, + set me to construe the eleventh chapter of Matthew: Grotius: To + turn the first article into Latin: To prove the being of a God, + His infinite power and goodness: To give the evidence of + Christianity to Jews and heathens: To shew the importance of the + miracle of the resurrection of Christ. He asked an account, + also, of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes, the places of + the worship amongst the Jews, &c. After leaving the palace I was + in very low spirits. I had now nothing to think of but the + weight and difficulty of the work which lay before me, which + never appeared so great at a distance. At dinner the + conversation was frivolous. After tea I was left alone with one + of the deacons, to whom I talked seriously, and desired him to + read the Ordination Service, at which he was much affected. + Retired to my room early, and besought God to give me a right + and affecting sense of things. I seemed to pray a long time in + vain, so dark and distracted was my mind. At length I began to + feel the shameful and cruel neglect and unconcern for the honour + of God, and the souls of my brethren, in having trifled with men + whom I feared were about to 'lie to the Holy Ghost.' So I went + to them again, resolving to lay hold on any opportunity, but + found none to do anything effectually. Went to bed with a + painful sense of my hardness of heart and unsuitable preparation + for the ministry. + + _October 23._--Rose early, and prayed, not without distraction. + I then walked, but could not acquire a right and happy sense of + God's mercy in calling me to the ministry; but was melancholy at + the labours that awaited me. On returning, I met one of the + deacons, to whom I spoke on the solemn occasion, but he seemed + incapable of entertaining a serious thought. At half-past ten we + went to the cathedral. During the ordination and sacramental + services I sought in vain for a humble heavenly mind. The + outward show which tended to inspire solemnity, affected me more + than the faith of Christ's presence, giving me the commission to + preach the gospel. May I have grace to fulfil those promises I + made before God and the people! After dinner, walked with great + rapidity to Cambridge. I went straight to Trinity Church, where + my old vanities assailed my soul. How monstrous and horrible did + they appear in me, now that I was a minister of holy things! I + could scarcely believe that so sacred an office should be held + by one who had such a heart within. B. sat with me in the + evening, but I was not humbled; for I had not been near to God + to obtain the grace of contrition. On going to prayer at night, + I was seized with a most violent sickness. In the pain and + disorder of my body, I could but commend myself faintly to God's + mercy in Jesus Christ. + +[Illustration: TRINITY CHURCH IN 1803.] + + _October 24_ to _29_.--Busily employed in writing a sermon, and + from the slow advances I made in it, was in general very + melancholy. I read on the Thursday night for the first time in + Trinity Church. + + _October 30._--Rose with a heavy heart, and my head empty, from + having read so little of the Scriptures this last week. After + church, sat with ---- two hours conversing about the missionary + plan. He considered my ideas on the subject to be enthusiastic, + and told me that I had neither strength of body nor mind for the + work. This latter defect I did not at all like; it was galling + to the pride of my heart, and I went to bed hurt; yet thankful + to God for sending me one who would tell me the truth. + + _December 3._--Employed all day in writing sermon. The incessant + employment of my thoughts about the necessary business of my + life, parishes, pupils, sermons, sick, &c., leave far too little + time for my private meditations; so that I know little of God + and my soul. Resolved I would gain some hours from my usual + sleep, if there were no other way; but failed this morning in + consequence of sitting up so late. + + _December 4._--Called at two or three of the parishioners' + houses, and found them universally in the most profound state of + ignorance and stupidity. On my road home could not perceive that + men who have any little knowledge should have anything to do but + instruct their wretched fellow-creatures. The pursuits of + science, and all the vain and glittering employments of men, + seemed a cruel withholding from their perishing brethren of that + time and exertion which might save their souls. + + _December 22._--Married ----. How satisfactory is it to + administer the ordinance of matrimony, where the couple are + pious! I felt thankful that I was delivered from all desires of + the comforts of the married life. With the most desirable + partner, and every prospect of happiness, I would prefer a + single life, in which there are so much greater opportunities + for heavenly-mindedness. + +When appointed classical examiner of his college at this time, he +jealously examined himself: + + Did I delight in reading of the retreat of the ten thousand + Greeks; and shall not my soul glory in the knowledge of God, who + created the Greeks, and the vast countries over which they + passed! I examined in Butler's _Analogy_ and in Xenophon: how + much pride and ostentatious display of learning was visible in + my conduct--how that detestable spirit follows me, whatever I + do! + +He opened the year 1804, after preaching in Trinity Church, and +visiting two men whom he exhorted to think on their ways, with a +review of his new-found life. + + Nevertheless, I judge that I have grown in grace in the course + of the last year; for the bent of my desires is towards God more + than when I thought I was going out as a missionary, though + vastly less than I expected it would have been by this time. + +This year he received into his fellowship the young poet, Henry Kirke +White, whom Wilberforce had, at Simeon's request, sent to St. John's. +Southey declares that Chatterton is the only youthful poet whom Kirke +White does not leave far behind him. 'The Star of Bethlehem' is +certainly a hymn that will live. The sickly youth followed close in +Martyn's steps, becoming the first man of his year, but the effort +carried him off almost before his friend reached India. + +Had Martyn been of canonical age for ordination at the close of 1803, +there can be little doubt that he would at once have been sent out by +the Church Missionary Society, which could find only German Lutherans +as its agents abroad, until 1813, when another Fellow of St. John's, +and a Wrangler, the Rev. William Jowett, offered his services, and +was stationed at Malta. But when ordained he lost the little that he +had inherited from his father, and saw his younger sister also without +resources. There was a tradition in the family of his half-brother +John, that Henry and his sisters litigated with him, and farther +lessened the patrimony. However that may have been, while in India +Henry set apart the proceeds of his Fellowship at St. John's for the +maintenance of his brother's family, and bequeathed all he had to his +children. Mr. H. Thornton, of Clapham, was executor, and duly carried +out his instructions, starting the nephews in life. Another incident +at this time foreshadows the self-denial of his Indian career. By +opening the door of his room suddenly he had disfigured the face of +his Cambridge landlady, whose husband was a clergyman. He left to her +the interest of 1,000_l._ as an amend, and she enjoyed this annuity +through a very long life. + +The Senior Wrangler was not allowed to preach in the church where he +had been baptised, nor in any church of his native county, save in his +brother-in-law's. On August 8, 1804, he thus wrote to his friend 'R. +Boys, Esq., Bene't Coll., Cambridge,' after preaching at Plymouth for +his cousin: + + The following Sunday it was not permitted me to occupy the + pulpit of my native town, but in a neighbouring church I was + allowed to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. But that one + sermon was enough. The clergy seem to have united to exclude me + from their churches, so that I must now be contented with my + brother-in-law's two little churches about five miles from + Truro. The objection is that 'Mr. Martyn is a Calvinist preacher + in the dissenting way, &c.' My old schoolmaster, who has always + hitherto been proud of his pupil, has offered his services for + any time to a curate near this place, rather than, as he said, + he should apply to me for assistance. + +It is interesting to remember, remarks Mr. Moule, who has published +this letter for the first time, that 'always now, as the anniversary +of Martyn's death recurs, a sermon is preached in the cathedral of +Truro, in which the great work of Missions is set forth, and his +illustrious share in it commemorated.' + +As confidential adviser of Charles Grant in the Court of Directors, in +the appointment of chaplains, Simeon always sought to attract the best +of his curates to that career, and it would appear from the _Journal_ +that so early as the beginning of 1803 he had hinted at this to +Martyn. Now the way was plain. Martyn could no longer support himself +as one of those volunteer missionaries whose services the two great +missionary societies of the Church of England have always been happy +to enjoy, nor could he relieve his sister out of the subsistence +allowance of a missionary. Mr. Grant's offer of a Bengal chaplaincy +seemed to come to him as the solution. But a new element had entered +into his life, second only to his spiritual loyalty. He had learned to +love Lydia Grenfell. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[1] See the _Statistical Society's Journal_, September, 1888, for +invaluable notes on the 'System of Work and Wages in the Cornish +Mines,' by L.L. Price, M.A., of Oriel College, Oxford. + +[2] The late Henry Martyn Jeffery, M.A., F.R.S., in 1883. + +[3] Rev. Henry Bailey, D.D., Canon of Canterbury, supplies us with +this story from the lips of the late Rev. T.H. Shepherd, who was the +last surviving Canon of the Collegiate Church in Southwell:-- + +'Henry Martyn had just entered the College as a Freshman under the +Rev. Mr. Catton. I was the year above him, _i.e._ second year man; and +Mr. Catton sent for me to his rooms, telling me of Martyn, as a quiet +youth, with some knowledge of classics, but utterly unable as it +seemed to make anything of even the First Proposition of Euclid, and +desiring me to have him into my rooms, and see what I could do for him +in this matter. Accordingly, we spent some time together, but all my +efforts appeared to be in vain; and Martyn, in sheer despair, was +about to make his way to the coach office, and take his place the +following day back to Truro, his native town. I urged him not to be so +precipitate, but to come to me the next day, and have another trial +with Euclid. After some time light seemed suddenly to flash upon his +mind, with clear comprehension of the hitherto dark problem, and he +threw up his cap for joy at his _Eureka_. The Second Proposition was +soon taken, and with perfect success; but in truth his progress was +such and so rapid, that he distanced every one in his year, and, as +everyone knows, became Senior Wrangler.' + +[4] _Early Years and Late Reflections_, vol. iii. p. 5. + +[5] Introduction to _Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn_, 1837. + +[6] See the delightful _Charles Simeon_, by H.C.G. Moule, M.A. (1892), +published since this was written. + +[7] Rev. Mr. Curgenven, curate of Kenwyn and Kea. + +[8] William Carey's most intimate friend. See p. 46 of _Life of +William Carey, D.D._, 2nd ed. (John Murray). + +[9] Rev. A. Caldecott, M.A., Fellow and Dean of St. John's College. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +LYDIA GRENFELL + + +Twenty-six miles south-west of Truro, and now the last railway station +before Penzance is reached for the Land's End, is Marazion, the +oldest, the warmest, and long the dullest, of English towns. This was +the home of Lydia Grenfell; this was the scene of Henry Martyn's +wooing. Running out from the town is a natural causeway, uncovered at +low tide, and leading to the most romantic spot on a romantic +coast--the granite rock known to the Greek geographers as Ictis, and +to English legend and history as St. Michael's Mount. Here it was that +Jack slew the giant, Cormoran; here that the Phoenician, and possibly +Israelite, traffickers found the harbour, and in the town the market, +where they bought their copper and their tin; here that St. Michael +appeared, as on the larger rock off Normandy, to the earliest +Christian hermits, followed by the Benedictines; and here that King John +made a fortress which both sides in the Great Rebellion held and took +alternately. Since that time, possessed by the St. Aubyn family, and +open to all the world, St. Michael's Mount has been a unique retreat in +which castle and chapel, cemetery and garden, unite peacefully, to link +the restlessness of the nineteenth century with the hermit saintliness +and angel-ophanies of the fifth. It was the last spot of English, of +Cornish, ground seen by Henry Martyn, and he knew that the windows of +his beloved looked upon its grassy castellated height. + +In the one ascending street of Marazion on the shore, there still +stands the plain substantial Grenfell House, now boarded up and +falling to ruin for want of the freehold tenure. Opposite it is the +parish church, now on the site of the old chapel of ease of the +neighbouring St. Hilary, which Lydia Grenfell deserted for the then +warmer evangelical service of the little Wesleyan chapel. That is +hidden in a lane, and is still the same as when she worshipped there, +or only a little enlarged. The Grenvilles, Grenviles, or Grenfells, +were long a leading family connected with Cornwall as copper-buyers +and smelters. One, Pascoe Grenfell, was a Governor of the Bank of +England. Mr. Pascoe Grenfell, of Marazion (1729-1810), Commissary to +the States of Holland, was father (1) of Emma, who became wife of +Martyn's cousin, Rev. T. Martyn Hitchins; (2) of Lydia Grenfell; and +(3) of Pascoe Grenfell, D.C.L., M.P. for Marlow and Penryn. This +Pascoe's four daughters--Lydia Grenfell's nieces--each became the wife +of a remarkable man. The eldest, in 1825, married Mr. Carr Glyn, M.P. +for Kendal, and the first Lord Wolverton; the second, Lord Sidney +Godolphin Osborne; the third, Mr. James Anthony Froude; and the +fourth, Charles Kingsley. + +[Illustration: ST. MICHAEL'S MOUNT AT FULL TIDE.] + +Lydia Grenfell, born in 1775, died in her sister's house, the old +Vicarage of Breage, in 1829. She was thus six years older than Henry +Martyn. As the sister of his cousin by marriage he must have known of +her early. He evidently did not know, till it was too late, that she +had been engaged to a Mr. Samuel John, solicitor, of Penzance, who was +unworthy of her and married someone else. This engagement and its +issue seem to have weighed on her very sensitive conscience; it became +to her very much what Henry Martyn's hopeless love for her proved to +be to himself. In the years from October 19, 1801, to 1826, she kept a +diary not less devout, but far more morbid than his own. The two +journals form, where they meet, a pathetic, even tragic, tale of +affection, human and divine. Her bulky memoranda[10] contain few +incidents of interest, rather severe introspections, incessant +communings and heart-searchings, abstracts of sermons, records of +visits to the sick and poor, but also a valuable residuum by which her +relations with Martyn can be established beyond controversy. They show +that she was as saintly as himself. She weighed every thought, every +action, as in the immediate presence of God. + +When Henry Martyn, at nineteen, entered on the higher life, he must +have known Lydia Grenfell as the sister of Mrs. T.M. Hitchins, the +cousin with whom his correspondence shows him to have been on most +intimate, and even affectionate, terms. At that time the difference of +age would seem slight; her it would affect little, if at all, while +common experience suggests that it would be even attractive to him. +With the ardour of a young disciple--which in his case grew, year by +year, till he passed away--he sought spiritual counsel and communion. +On his visits to Cornwall he found both in his younger sister, but it +is evident that, from the first, the riper spiritual life of Lydia +Grenfell attracted him to her. His triumph, at twenty, as Senior +Wrangler put him quite in a position to dream of winning her. His +unexpected poverty was relieved by his Fellowship of St. John's. In +those days, however, that would have ceased with marriage. When it +became more than probable that he would receive an appointment to +Bengal, through Mr. Charles Grant--either as minister of the Mission +Church founded by Kiernander, or as a chaplain of the East India +Company--he was face to face with the question of marrying. + +In these days the course followed by missionary societies as the +result of experience is certainly the best. A missionary and a +chaplain in India should, in ordinary circumstances, be married, but +it is not desirable that the marriage take place for a year or longer, +until the young minister has proved the climate, and has learned the +native language, when the lady can be sent out to be united to him. At +the beginning of the modern missionary enterprise, a century ago, it +was difficult to find spiritual men willing to go to India on any +terms, and they did well in every case to go out married. All the +conditions of time, distance, society, and Christian influence were +then different. If the missionary's or chaplain's wife is worthy of +his calling, she doubles his usefulness, notwithstanding the cares and +the expense of children in many cases, alike by keeping her husband in +a state of efficiency on every side, by her own works of charity and +self-sacrifice--especially among the women, who can be reached in no +other way--and by helping to present to the idolatrous or Mussulman +community the powerful example of a Christian home. Henry Martyn's +principles and instincts were right in this matter. As a chaplain, at +any rate, he was in a position to marry at once. As India or Bengal +then was, Lydia, had she gone out with him, or soon after him, would +have proved to be a much needed force in Anglo-Indian society, an +influence on the native communities whom he sought to bring to Christ. +Above all, as a man born with a weak body, with habits of incessant +and intense application to study and to duty, Henry Martyn required +one with the influence of a wife to keep him in life and to prolong +his Indian service. It was the greatest calamity of his whole career +that Lydia did not accompany him. But, since he learned to love her +with all the rich devotion of his passionate nature, we cannot +consider it 'a bitter misfortune,' as some do, that he ever knew her. +His love for Lydia, in the fluctuations of its hope, in the ebb and +flow of its tenderness, and in the transmutation of its despair into +faith and resignation to the will of God, worked out a higher +elevation for himself, and gives to his _Journals and Letters_ a pure +human interest which places them above the _Confessions of St. +Augustine_. + +The first allusion to the possibility of marriage we find in his +_Journal_ of January 23, 1803, and again in June 12 of the same year: + + I was grieved to find that all the exertions of prayer were + necessary against worldly-mindedness, so soon had the prospect + of the means of competent support in India filled my heart with + concern about earthly happiness, marriage, &c.; but I strove + earnestly against them, and prayed for grace that, if it should + please God to try my faith by calling me to a post of opulence, + I might not dare to use for myself what is truly His; as also, + that I might be enabled to keep myself single, for serving Him + more effectually. Nevertheless, this change in my circumstances + so troubled me, that I could have been infinitely better pleased + to have gone out as a missionary, poor as the Lord and His + Apostles. + +His friend Sargent's 'approaching marriage with a lady of uncommon +excellence rather excited in me a desire after a similar state; but I +strove against it,' he wrote on July 10. Next day, on the top of the +coach from London to Bath, in the cold of a high wind, he was 'most +dreadfully assailed by evil thoughts, but at the very height prayer +prevailed, and I was delivered, and during the rest of the journey +enjoyed great peace and a strong desire to live for Christ alone, +forsaking the pleasures of the world, marriage, &c.' At Plymouth he +spent two days 'with my dear cousin T.H.,' Lydia's sister. After +Truro, Kenwyn, and Lamorran, near Truro, of which his sister Sarah's +husband was vicar, he rode to St. Hilary. + + _1804, July 29._ (Sunday.)--Read and prayed in the morning + before service with seriousness, striving against those thoughts + which oppressed me all the rest of the day. At St. Hilary Church + in the morning my thoughts wandered from the service, and I + suffered the keenest disappointment. Miss L.G. did not come. + Yet, in great pain, I blessed God for having kept her away, as + she might have been a snare to me. These things would be almost + incredible to another, and almost to myself, were I not taught + by daily experience that, whatever the world may say, or I may + think of myself, I am a poor, wretched, sinful, contemptible + worm. + + Called after tea on Miss L.G., and walked with her and ----, + conversing on spiritual subjects. All the rest of the evening, + and at night, I could not keep her out of my mind. I felt too + plainly that I loved her passionately. The direct opposition of + this to my devotedness to God in the missionary way, excited no + small tumult in my mind. In conversation, having no divine + sweetness in peace, my cheerfulness was affected, and, + consequently, very hurtful to my conscience. At night I + continued an hour and a half in prayer, striving against this + attachment. I endeavoured to analyse it, that I might see how + base, and mean, and worthless such a love to a speck of earth + was, compared with divine love. Then I read the most solemn + parts of Scripture, to realise to myself death and eternity; and + these attempts were sometimes blest. One while I was about to + triumph, but in a moment my heart had wandered to the beloved + idol. I went to bed in great pain, yet still rather superior to + the evening; but in dreams her image returned, and I awoke in + the night with my mind full of her. No one can say how deeply + this unhappy affection has fixed itself; since it has nothing + selfish in it, that I can perceive, but is founded on the + highest admiration of her piety and manners. + + _July 30._--Rose in great peace. God, by secret influence, + seemed to have caused the tempest of self-will to subside. Rode + away from St. Hilary to Gwennap in peace of mind, and meditated + most of the way on Romans viii. I again devoted myself to the + Lord, and with more of my will than last night. I was much + disposed to think of subjects entirely placed beyond the world, + and had strong desires, though with heavy opposition from my + corrupt nature, after that entire deadness to the world which + David Brainerd manifested. At night I found myself to have + backslidden a long way from the life of godliness, to have + declined very much since my coming into Cornwall, but especially + since I went to St. Hilary. Sat up late, and read the last + chapter and other parts of Revelation, and was deeply affected. + Prayed with more success than lately. + + _July 31._--Read and prayed this morning with increasing victory + over my self-will. Romans vii. was particularly suitable; it was + agreeable to me to speak to God of my own corruption and + helplessness. Walked in the afternoon to Redruth, after having + prayed over the Epistle to the Ephesians with much seriousness. + On the road I was enabled to triumph at last, and found my heart + as pleased with the prospect of a single life in missionary + labours as ever. 'What is the exceeding greatness of His power + to usward who believe!' + +After preaching to crowds in his brother-in-law's church at Kenwyn and +Lamorran, on the two subsequent Sundays, he walked to St. Hilary: + + _1804, August 26._--Rose early, and walked out, invited by the + beauty of the morning. Many different pleasing thoughts crowded + on my mind, as I viewed the sea and rocks, Mount and bay, and + thought of the person who lived near it; but, for want of + checking my natural spirits, and fixing on one subject of + thought, I was not much benefited by my meditations. Walked in + the evening with Mrs. G. and Lydia up the hill, with the most + beautiful prospect of the sea, &c.; but I was unhappy, from + feeling the attachment to Lydia, for I was unwilling to leave + her. + + _August 27._--Walked to Marazion, with my heart more delivered + from its idolatry, and enabled to look steadily and peacefully + to God. Reading in the afternoon to Lydia alone, from Dr. Watts, + there happened to be, among other things, a prayer on entire + preference of God to the creature. Now, thought I, here am I in + the presence of God, and my idol. So I used the prayer for + myself, and addressed it to God, who answered it, I think, for + my love was kindled to God and divine things, and I felt + cheerfully resigned to the will of God, to forego the earthly + joy which I had just been desiring with my whole heart. I + continued conversing with her, generally with my heart in + heaven, but every now and then resting on her. Parted with + Lydia, perhaps for ever in this life, with a sort of uncertain + pain, which I knew would increase to greater violence + afterwards, on reflection. Walked to St. Hilary, determining, in + great tumult and inward pain, to be the servant of God. All the + rest of the evening, in company or alone, I could think of + nothing but her excellences. My efforts were, however, through + mercy, not in vain, to feel the vanity of this attachment to the + creature. Read in Thomas a Kempis many chapters directly to the + purpose; the shortness of time, the awfulness of death and its + consequences, rather settled my mind to prayer. I devoted myself + unreservedly to the service of the Lord, to Him, as to one who + knew the great conflict within, and my firm resolve, through His + grace, of being His, though it should be with much tribulation. + + _August 28._--Rose with a heavy heart, and took leave of St. + Hilary, where all the happier hours of my early life were + passed. ---- and ---- accompanied me in the chaise a few miles; + but the moment they left me I walked on, dwelling at large on + the excellence of Lydia. I had a few faint struggles to forget + her, and delight in God, but they were ineffectual. Among the + many motives to the subjection of self-will, I found the thought + of the entire unworthiness of a soul escaped from hell to choose + its own will before God's, most bring my soul to a right frame. + So that, while I saw the necessity of resigning, for the service + of God, all those joys, for the loss of which I could not + perceive how anything in heaven or earth could be a + compensation, I said, Amen! + + _August 29._--I walked to Truro, with my mind almost all the way + taken up with Lydia. But once reasoning in this way--If God made + me, and wills my happiness, as I do not doubt, then He is + providing for my good by separating me from her; this reasoning + convinced my mind. I felt very solemnly and sweetly the + excellence of serving God faithfully, of following Christ and + His Apostles, and meditated with great joy on the approach of + the end of this world. Yet still I enjoyed, every now and then, + the thought of walking hereafter with her, in the realms of + glory, conversing on the things of God. My mind the rest of the + evening was much depressed. I had no desire to live in this + world; scarcely could I say where I would be, or what I would + do, now that my self-will was so strongly counteracted. Thus God + waits patiently my return from my backsliding, which I would do + immediately. If He were to offer me the utmost of my wishes, I + would say, 'Not so, Lord! Not my will, but Thine be done.' + + _August 30._--Passed the morning rather idly, in reading lives + of pious women. I felt an indescribable mixture of opposing + emotions. At one time, about to ascend with delight to God, who + had permitted me to aspire after the same glory, but oftener + called down to earth by my earthly good. Major Sandys calling, + continued till dinner conversing about India. I consented to + stay a day with him at Helston, but the thought of being so near + Marazion renewed my pain, especially taken in connection with my + going thither on the subject of my departure. After dinner, + walked in the garden for two hours, reasoning with my perverse + heart, and, through God's mercy, not without success. You preach + up deadness to the world, and yet not an example of it! Now is + the time, my soul, if you cannot feel that it is best to bear + the cross, to trust God for it. This will be true faith. If I + were put in possession of my idol, I should immediately say and + feel that God alone was, notwithstanding, the only good, and to + Him I should seek immediately. Again I weighed the probable + temporal consequence of having my own will gratified; the + dreadful pain of separation by death, after being united, + together with the distress I might bring upon her whom I loved. + All these things were of small influence till I read the Epistle + to the Hebrews, by which my mind, made to consider divine things + attentively, was much more freed from earthly things. 'Let us + come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, + and find grace to help in time of need,' was very precious and + comforting to me. I have found grace to help in this time of + need; I still want a humble spirit to wait upon the Lord. I + almost called God to witness that I duly resigned my pleasure to + His, as if I wished it to be remembered. In the evening had a + serious and solemn time in prayer, chiefly for the influences of + the Spirit, and rose with my thoughts fixed on eternity; I + longed for death, and called on the glorious day to hasten; but + it was in order to be free from the troubles of this world. + + _August 31._--Passed the morning partly in reading and writing, + but chiefly in business. Rode to Rosemundy, with my mind at + first very unhappy, at the necessity of mortifying my self-will, + in the same particulars as for some days. In conversing on the + subject of India with Major Sandys, I could not help + communicating the pain I felt at parting with the person to whom + I was attached; but by thus dwelling on the subject my heart was + far more distressed than ever. Found my mind more easy and + submissive to God at night in prayer. + +St. Hilary Church, in which Henry Martyn preached, is one of the +oldest in England, containing, in the tower of Edward III.'s reign, +two stones with inscriptions of the time of the Emperor Flavius +Constantinus, who was killed by Honorius in 411. What Lydia Grenfell +thought of Martyn's sermon on that day, August 26, thenceforth +memorable to both, we find in her _Diary_ of that date: + + _1804, August 26._--Heard H.M. on 'Now then we are ambassadors + for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you, in + Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to + be sin (_i.e._ sin-offering) for us, Who knew no sin; that we + might be made the righteousness of God in Him.' Exordium on the + honourable employment of a minister of the Gospel. In the text + two things were implied. First, we were at enmity with God. + Second, we were unable to restore ourselves to His favour. + There were two things expressed in the text--the means of + reconciliation, and God's invitation to be reconciled; a + threefold address to saints, backsliders, and sinners; and a + farewell address. A precious sermon. Lord, bless the preacher, + and those that heard him! + +At that time, in 1804, the lady was still preoccupied, in conscience +or heart, or both, by her imaginary ties to Mr. S. John. But six +months before that she had heard of his approaching marriage, though, +in fact, that did not take place till 1810. All that time, if she did +not feel, to one to whom her heart had been more closely united than +to any 'earthly object,' as she had written in her _Diary_, what Mr. +H.M. Jeffery describes as the attachment of a widow with the +responsibility of a wife, her scrupulous introspective habit was an +obstacle to a healthy attachment. The preacher, younger than herself, +was in 1804 evidently to her only an interesting and gracious second +cousin, or perhaps a little more. + +On his way back to London Henry Martyn again visited Plymouth, where +he learned from his cousin 'that my attachment to her sister was not +altogether unreturned, and the discovery gave me both pleasure and +pain.' He left them, his thoughts 'almost wholly occupied with Lydia.' +London, Cambridge, his reading and his walking, his work and even his +sleep, bring him no rest from the absorbing passion. His _Journal_ is +full of it, almost every day. Fortescue's poems recall the happy +mornings at St. Hilary, but his pensive meditation subsided into a +more profitable one on the vanity of the world: 'they marry and are +given in marriage,' and at the end of a few years what are they more +than myself?--looking forward to the same dissolution, and expecting +their real happiness in another life. 'The fashion of this world +passeth away,' Amen. 'Let me do the will of God while I am in it.' + +The first day of the year 1805 led him to review the past five years, +and to renew his self-dedication to God the Father, Son, and Holy +Ghost, to be His servant for ever. The time for his departure to India +was at hand, and his last act, on leaving London for Cambridge, to +complete his arrangements for sailing, was deliberately to engage +himself to Lydia Grenfell in the following letter to her sister.[11] +It is thus referred to in his _Journal_: + + I was in some doubt whether I should send the letter to Emma, as + it was taking a very important step, and I could scarcely + foresee all the consequences. However, I did send it, and may + now be said to have engaged myself to Lydia. + + 18 Brunswick Square (London), January 11, 1805. + + My dear Mrs. Hitchins,--How unaccountable must my long silence + appear to you after the conversation that passed between us in + the carriage! You may well wonder that I could forbear, for + three whole months, to inquire about the 'beloved Persis.' + Indeed, I am surprised at my own patience, but, in truth, I + found it impossible to discover what it is which I wish or ought + to say on the subject, and therefore determined to defer writing + till I could inform you with certainty of my future destination. + But I have it not yet in my power to do this, for no actual + appointment has been made for me yet. I came to town the + beginning of this week to inquire into the present state of the + business, and learned from Mr. Grant that the situation he + intended to procure, and to which he had no doubt of getting me + nominated, was not in the Army, but at Fort William, near + Calcutta. Thus it pleases God to suspend the declaration of His + mind, and I can believe that He acts wisely. These apparent + delays serve to check my youthful impetuosity, and teach me to + look up to God, and wait for Him. If the chaplaincy at Fort + William should be given me, it would seem to be His design not + to call me to the peculiar work of a missionary, but to fix my + station among the English. At present my own inclination remains + almost unbiassed, as to the particular employment or place God + shall assign me, whether to pass my days among the natives, or + the more polished inhabitants of Calcutta, or even to remain at + home. + + But you will easily conceive that the increasing probability of + my being settled in a town rather tends to revive the thoughts + of marriage, for I feel very little doubt in my own mind, that + in such a situation it would be expedient for me on the whole to + marry, if other circumstances permitted it. It is also as clear + that I ought not to make an engagement with any one in England, + till I have ascertained by actual observation in India, what + state of life and mode of proceeding would be most conducive to + the ends of my mission. But why do I mention these difficulties? + If they were removed, others would remain still more + insurmountable. The affections of the beloved object in question + must still be engaged in my favour, or even then she would not + agree to leave the kingdom, nor would any of you agree to it, + nor would such a change of climate, it may be thought, suit the + delicacy of her constitution. + + Must I, then, yield to the force of these arguments, and resolve + to think of her no more? It shall certainly be my endeavour, by + the help of my God, to do it, if need be; but I confess I am + very unwilling to go away and hear of her only accidentally + through the medium of others. It is this painful reflection that + has prompted a wish, which I do not mention without some + hesitation, and that is my wish of corresponding with her. It + is possible you may instantly perceive some impropriety in it + which escapes my notice, and indeed there are some objections + which I foresee might be made, but instead of anticipating them, + I will leave you to form your own opinion. In religion we have a + subject to write upon of equal interest to us both, and though I + cannot expect she would derive any advantage from my letters, it + is certain I should receive no small benefit from hers. But I + leave it with yourself; if you disapprove of the measure, let + the request be forgotten. It will be best for her never to know + I had made it, or if she does, she will, I hope, pardon a + liberty to which I have been drawn only by the love of her + excellence. + + N.B.--I remember _Leighton_; take care not to forget it nor the + desired MS. + +On June 1 he wrote in his _Journal_: + + My departure from my friends, and my deprivation of the sweetest + delight in society, for ever in this life, have rather dejected + me to-day. Ah! Nature, thou hast still tears to shed for + thyself!... I seem to be hankering after something or other in + this world, though I am sure I could not say there is anything + which I believed could give me happiness. No! it is in God + above. Yet to-night I have been thinking much of Lydia. Memory + has been at work to unnerve my soul, but reason, and honour, and + love to Christ and to souls, shall prevail. Amen. God help me! + +Two days after, at the Eclectic Society, after a discussion on the +symptoms of 'the state of the nation,' the subject of marriage, +somehow or other, came to be mentioned. + + Mr. Cecil spoke very freely and strongly on the subject. He said + I should be acting like a madman if I went out unmarried. A wife + would supply by her comfort and counsel the entire want of + society, and also be a preservative both to character and + passions amidst such scenes. I felt as cold as an anchorite on + the subject as to my own feelings, but I was much perplexed all + the rest of the evening about it. I clearly perceived that my + own inclination upon the whole was not to marriage. The fear of + being involved in worldly cares and numberless troubles, which I + do not now foresee, makes me tremble and dislike the thoughts of + such connection. When I think of Brainerd, how he lived among + the Indians, travelling freely from place to place, can I + conceive he would have been so useful had he been married? I + remember also that Owens, who had been so many years in the West + Indies as a missionary, gave his advice against marriage. + Schwartz was never married, nor St. Paul. On the other hand, + when I suppose another in my circumstances, fixed at a + settlement without company, without society, in a scene and + climate of such temptation, I say without hesitation, he ought + to be married. I have recollected this evening very much my + feelings when I walked through Wales; how I longed there to have + some friend to speak to; and the three weeks seemed an age + without one. And I have often thought how valuable would be the + counsel and comfort of a Christian brother in India. These + advantages would be obtained by marrying. I feel anxious also + that as many Christians as possible should go to India, and + anyone willing to go would be a valuable addition. But yet + voluntary celibacy seems so much more noble and glorious, and so + much more beneficial in the way of example, that I am loth to + relinquish the idea of it. In short, I am utterly at a loss to + know what is best for the interests of the Gospel. But, happily, + my own peace is not much concerned in it. If this opinion of so + many pious clergymen had come across me when I was in Cornwall, + and so strongly attached to my beloved Lydia, it would have been + a conflict indeed in my heart to oppose so many arguments. But + now I feel, through grace, an astonishing difference. I hope I + am not seeking an excuse for marriage, nor persuading myself I + am indifferent about it, in order that what is really my + inclination may appear to be the will of God. But I feel my + affections kindling to their wonted fondness while I dwell on + the circumstances of a union with Lydia. May the Lord teach His + weak creature to live peacefully and soberly in His love, + drawing all my joys from Him, the fountain of living waters. + + _June 4._--The subject of marriage made me thoughtful and + serious. Mr. Atkinson, whose opinion I revere, was against my + marrying. Found near access to my God in prayer. Oh, what a + comfort it is to have God to go to. I breathed freely to Him my + sorrows and cares, and set about my work with diligence. The + Lord assisted me very much, and I wrote more freely than ever I + did. Slept very little in the night. + + _June 5._--Corrie breakfasted with me, and went to prayer; I + rejoiced to find he was not unwilling to go to India. He will + probably be my fellow-labourer. Most of this morning was + employed in writing all my sentiments on the subject of marriage + to Mr. Simeon. May the Lord suggest something to him which may + be of use to guide me, and keep my eye single. In my walk out, + and afterwards, the subject was constantly on my mind. But, + alas! I did not guard against that distraction from heavenly + things which I was aware it would occasion. On reflection at + home, I found I had been talking in a very inconsistent manner, + but was again restored to peace by an application to Christ's + blood through the Spirit. My mind has all this day been very + strongly inclined to marriage, and has been consequently + uncomfortable, for in proportion to its want of simplicity it is + unhappy. But Mr. Cecil said to-day, he thought Lydia's decision + would fully declare the will of God. With this I am again + comforted, for now hath the Lord taken the matter into His own + hands. Whatever He decides upon, I shall rejoice; and though I + confess I think she will not consent to go, I shall then have + the question finally settled. + + Discussion in the evening was about my marriage again; they were + all strenuous advocates for it. Wrote at night with great + freedom, but my body is very weak from the fatigue I have + already undergone. My mind seems very active this week; + manifestly, indeed, strengthened by God to be enabled to write + on religious subjects with such unusual ease, while it is also + full of this important business of the marriage. My inclination + continues, I think, far more unbiassed than when I wrote to Mr. + Simeon. + + _June 7._--Oh, the subtlety of the devil, and the deceitfulness + of this corrupted heart! How has an idol been imperceptibly + raised up in it. Something fell from Dr. F. this evening against + my marriage which struck me so forcibly, though there was + nothing particular in it, that I began to see I should finally + give up all thoughts about it. But how great the conflict! I + could not have believed it had such hold on my affections. + Before this I had been writing in tolerable tranquillity, and + walked out in the enjoyment of a resigned mind, even rejoicing + for the most part in God, and dined at Mr. Cecil's, where the + arguments I heard were all in favour of the flesh, and so I was + pleased; but Dr. F.'s words gave a new turn to my thoughts, and + the tumult showed me the true state of my heart. How miserable + did life appear without the hope of Lydia! Oh, how has the + discussion of the subject opened all my wounds afresh! I have + not felt such heartrending pain since I parted with her in + Cornwall. But the Lord brought me to consider the folly and + wickedness of all this. Shall I hesitate to keep my days in + constant solitude, who am but a brand plucked from the burning? + I could not help saying, 'Go, Hindus, go on in your misery; let + Satan still rule over you; for he that was appointed to labour + among you is consulting his ease.' No, thought I; hell and + earth shall never keep me back from my work. I am cast down, but + not destroyed; I began to consider, why am I so uneasy? 'Cast + thy care upon Him, for He careth for you.' 'In everything, by + prayer,' &c. These promises were graciously fulfilled before + long to me. + + _June 8._--My mind continued in much the same state this + morning, waiting with no small anxiety for a letter from Mr. + Simeon, hoping, of course, that the will of God would coincide + with my will, yet thinking the determination of the question + would be indifferent to me. When the letter arrived I was + immediately convinced, beyond all doubt, of the expediency of + celibacy. But my wish did not follow my judgment quite so + readily. Mr. Pratt coming in, argued strongly on the other side, + but there was nothing of any weight. The subject so occupied my + thoughts that I could attend to nothing else. I saw myself + called to be less than ever a man of this world, and walked out + with a heavy heart. Met Dr. F., who alone of all men could best + sympathise, and his few words were encouraging. Yet I cannot + cordially acquiesce in all the Lord's dealings, though my reason + and judgment approve them, and my inclination would desire to do + it. Dined at Mr. Cecil's, where it providentially happened that + Mr. Foster came in. To them I read Mr. Simeon's letter, and they + were both convinced by it. So I went away home, with nothing to + do but to get my heart easy again under this sacrifice. I + devoted myself once more to the entire and everlasting service + of God, and found myself more weaned from this world, and + desiring the next, though not from a right principle. Continued + all the evening writing sermon, and reading _Pilgrim's + Progress_, with successions of vivid emotions of pain and + pleasure. My heart was sometimes ready to break with agony at + being torn from its dearest idol, and at other times I was + visited by a few moments of sublime and enraptured joy. Such is + the conflict; why have my friends mentioned this subject? It has + torn open old wounds, and I am again bleeding. With all my + honours and knowledge, the smiles and approbation of men, the + health and prosperity that have fallen to my lot, together with + that freedom from doubts and fears with which I was formerly + visited, how much have I gone through in the last two or three + years to bring my mind to be willing to do the will of God when + it should be revealed! My heart is pained within me, and my + bodily frame suffers from it. + + _June 9._ (Sunday.)--My heart is still pained. It is still as a + bullock unaccustomed to the yoke; the Lord help me to maintain + the conflict. Preached this morning at Long Acre Chapel on Matt. + xxviii., the three last verses. There was the utmost attention. + In the interval between morning and afternoon, passed most of + the time in reading and prayer. Read Matthew iii., and + considered the character of John the Baptist. Holy emulation + seemed to spring up in my mind. Then read John xvii. and last + chapter, and Rev. i., all of which were blessed to my soul. I + went into the church persuaded in my feelings--which is + different from being persuaded in the understanding--that it was + nobler and wiser to be as John the Baptist, Peter, John, and all + the Apostles, than to have my own will gratified. Preached on + Eph. ii. 18. Walked a little with Mr. Grant this evening. He + told me I should have great trials and temptations in India; but + I know where to apply for grace to help. + +Cecil's final opinion, that Lydia Grenfell's decision would fully +declare the will of God, was not borne out by the result, as we shall +see. Meanwhile, let us trace the steps which led to the final +appointment to India, and the farewell. + +On his first visit to London at the beginning of the year 1804, by the +Telegraph coach, the Cambridge recluse was distracted by the bustle +of the great city, as he walked about the streets and called at the +booksellers'. Dr. Wollaston, the British Museum, and the Gresham +Lecture on Music, of which he was passionately fond, occupied his +first two days. At the old India House, since swept away from +Leadenhall Street, he met Mr. Charles Grant, who, as he took him to +Clapham, the evangelical centre which Sir James Stephen has made so +famous,[12] gave him much information on the state of India, such as +this: + + It would be absolutely necessary to keep three servants, for + three can do no more than the work of one English; that no + European constitution can endure being exposed to mid-day heat; + that Mr. Schwartz, who was settled at Tanjore, did do it for a + time, walking among the natives. Mr. Grant had never seen Mr. + Schwartz, but corresponded with him. He was the son of a Saxon + gentleman (the Saxon gentlemen never enter the ministry of the + Church), and had early devoted himself to the work of a + missionary amongst the Indians. Besides the knowledge of the + Malabar tongue, in which he was profoundly skilled and eloquent, + he was a good classic, and learnt the English, Portuguese, and + Dutch. He was a man of dignified and polished manners, and + cheerful. + +This was the first opportunity that 'the Clapham sect' had to satisfy +themselves that the Senior Wrangler was worthy of the commendation of +Charles Simeon. Accordingly they dined with William Wilberforce at +Broomfield. + + We conversed about my business. They wished me to fill the + church in Calcutta very much; but advised me to wait some time, + and to cherish the same views. To Mr. Wilberforce I went into a + detail of my views, and the reasons that had operated on my + mind. The conversation of Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. Grant during + the whole of the day, before the rest of the company, which + consisted of Mr. Johnston, of New South Wales, a French Abbe, + Mrs. Unwin, Mr. H., and other ladies, was edifying; agreeable to + what I should think right for two godly senators, planning some + means of bringing before Parliament propositions for bettering + the moral state of the colony of Botany Bay. At evening worship + Mr. W. expounded Sacred Scripture with serious plainness, and + prayed in the midst of his large household. + +In _The Life of William Wilberforce_, by his sons, we find this +passage introduced by the remark, 'It is delightful to contrast with +his own language the observation of one who, with as holy and as +humble a soul, was just entering on his brief but glorious course:' +Martyn 'drank tea at Mr. Newton's; the old man was very civil to me, +and striking in his remarks in general.' Next day: + + Read Isaiah. At one, we went to hear the charge delivered to the + missionaries at the New London Tavern, in Cheapside. There was + nothing remarkable in it, but the conclusion was affecting. I + shook hands with the two missionaries, Melchior Rayner and Peter + Hartwig, and almost wished to go with them, but certainly to go + to India. Returned, and read Isaiah. + +From the ever recurring distractions of his soul, caused now by 'a +despicable indulgence in lying in bed,' and again by the interruptions +of visitors, he sought refuge frequently in fasting and ascetic +self-denial, and occasionally in writing verse: + + Composed some poetry during my walk, which often has a tendency + to divert my thoughts from the base distractions of this life, + and to purify and elevate it to higher subjects.... On my way + to Mr. Simeon's, heard part of the service in King's Chapel. The + sanctity of the place, and the music, brought heaven and eternal + things, and the presence of God, very near to me. + +He seems to have competed for the Seatonian Prize. He was an ardent +lover of Nature. + + Walked out before breakfast, and the beauties of the opening + spring constrained me to adoration and praise. But no earthly + object or operation can produce true spirituality of heart. My + present failing is in this, that I do not feel the power of + motives. + +Of another walk he writes: + + I was led to think a good while on my deficiency in human + learning, and on my having neglected those branches which would + have been pleasing and honourable in the acquisition. Yet I + said, though with somewhat of melancholy, 'What things were gain + to me, those I counted loss for Christ.' Though I become less + esteemed by man, I cannot but think (though it is not easy to do + so) that it must be more acceptable to God to labour for souls, + though the mind remains uninformed; and, consequently, that it + must be more truly great and noble, than to be great and notable + among men for learning. In the garden afterwards I rejoiced + exceedingly at the prospect of a death fast approaching, when my + powers of understanding would be enlarged inconceivably. They + all talked to me in praise of my sermon on Sunday night; but + praise is exceedingly unpleasant to me, because I am slow to + render back to God that glory which belongs to Him alone. + Sometimes it may be useful in encouraging me, when I want + encouragement; but that at present is not the case; and in + truth, praise generally produces pride, and pride presently sets + me far from God. + + Oh, what a snare are public ministrations to me! Not that I wish + for the praise of men, but there is some fear and anxiety about + not getting through. How happy could I be in meeting the people + of my God more frequently were it not for this fear of being + unprofitable! But since God has given me natural gifts, let this + teach me that all I want is a spiritual frame to improve and + employ them in the things of God! + + Mr. K. White, of Nottingham, breakfasted with me. In my walk was + greatly cast down, except for a short time on my return, when, + as I was singing, or rather chanting, some petitions in a low, + plaintive voice, I insensibly found myself sweetly engaged in + prayer. + +Such outpourings of his heart must be read in the light of a time when +even the Churches had not awoke to their duty, and the most theologically +orthodox were too often the most indifferent, or opposed, to the Lord's +command. + + _1804, January 13._--Walked out in the evening in great + tranquillity, and on my return met with Mr. C., with whom I was + obliged to walk an hour longer. He thought it a most improper + step for me to leave the University to preach to the ignorant + heathen, which any person could do, and that I ought rather to + improve the opportunity of acquiring human learning. All our + conversation on the subject of learning, religion, &c., ended in + nothing; he was convinced he was right, and all the texts of + Scripture I produced were applicable, according to him, only to + the times of the Apostles. How is my soul constrained to adore + the sovereign mercy of God, who began His work in my proud + heart, and carried it on through snares which have ruined + thousands--namely, human learning and honours: and now my soul, + dost thou not esteem all things but dung and dross, compared + with the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord? + Yea, did not gratitude constrain me, did not duty and fear of + destruction, yet surely the excellency of the service of Christ + would constrain me to lay down ten-thousand lives in the + prosecution of it. My heart was a little discomposed this + evening at the account of the late magnificent prizes proposed + by Mr. Buchanan and others in the University, for which Mr. C. + has been calling me to write; but I was soon at rest again. But + how easily do I forget that God is no respecter of persons; that + in the midst of the notice I attract as an enthusiast He judges + of me according to my inward state. Oh, my soul, take no + pleasure in outward religion, nor in exciting wonder, but in the + true circumcision of the heart. + + _January 16._-- ---- told me of many contemptuous insulting + things that had been said of me, reflecting, some on my + understanding, some on my condition, sincerity, inconsistent + conduct. It was a great trial of my patience, and I was + frequently tempted, in the course of the evening, to let my + natural spirit rage forth in indignation and revenge; but I + remembered Him of whom it was said, 'Who, when He was reviled, + reviled not again; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth + righteously.' As I was conscious I did not deserve the censures + which were passed upon me, I committed myself to God; and in Him + may I abide until the indignation be overpast! + +In July 1804 he again visited London on his way to Cornwall, and to +see Mr. Charles Grant. + + Dined with Mr. Wilberforce at Palace Yard. It was very + agreeable, as there was no one else. Speaking of the slave + trade, I mentioned the words, 'Shall I not visit for these + things?' and found my heart so affected that I could with + difficulty refrain from tears. Went with Mr. W. to the House of + Commons, where I was surprised and charmed with Mr. Pitt's + eloquence. Ah, thought I, if these powers of oratory were now + employed in recommending the Gospel! + +On his way back to Cambridge, through London, he + + Went to St. Paul's, to see Sir W. Jones's monument; the sight of + the interior of the dome filled my soul with inexpressible ideas + of the grandeur of God, and the glory of heaven, much the same + as I had at the sight of a painted vaulted roof in the British + Museum. I could scarcely believe that I might be in the + immediate enjoyments of such glory in another hour. In the + evening the sound of sacred music, with the sight of a rural + landscape, imparted some indescribable emotions after the glory + of God, by diligence in His work. To preach the Gospel for the + salvation of my poor fellow-creatures, that they might obtain + the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory, + seemed a very sweet and precious employment. Lydia then, again, + seemed a small hindrance. + +His duties as examiner, tutor, and in charge of Lolworth, and home +mission work in Wall's Lane, the hospital and almshouse, left him +little leisure, and that he gave to the Bengali grammars of Halhed and +Carey, to Carey's Bengali New Testament, to Arabic grammars, and to +the missionary accounts in the _Christian Observer_, for which, also, +he wrote. Referring, evidently, to Carey's convert, he wrote: + + The account of a Brahmin preaching the Gospel delighted me most + exceedingly. I could not help blessing God for thus glorifying + Himself.... I was much pained and humbled at reflecting that it + has never yet, to my knowledge, pleased God to awaken one soul + by my means, either in public or private,--shame be to myself. + + Simeon gave me a letter from Mr. Brown of Calcutta, which gave + me great delight on many accounts. Speaking of me, he says, 'Let + him marry, and come out at once.' I thought of Lydia with great + tenderness, but without pain at my determination to go out + single. I found great affection in prayer for my dear brethren + at Calcutta, for the establishing of Christ's Kingdom among the + poor Gentiles, and for my being sent among them, if it were His + will. + + Thinking my mind was in need of recreation, I took up Lord + Teignmouth's _Life of Sir William Jones_, and read till tea. + + Low spirits at church, through being about to preach old + sermons, which I feel so ashamed of offering to God, that I + believe I shall rather leave everything undone, than not write + one new one at least every week. + + Mr. Thomason preached on Heb. xii. to my edification. + + Dr. Milner and Lord C. called. I was introduced as having been + Senior Wrangler; but how contemptible did these paltry honours + appear to me! Ah, thought I, you know not how little I am + flattered by these intended compliments. + + In the hall was much affected by the sight of Lord B., whose + look of meekness and humility riveted my attention, and almost + melted me to tears. If there is one disposition in the world I + wish for more than another, it is this; but the bias of my + corrupted nature hurries me violently against it. + +Mr. Grant's summons to him 'to sail for St. Helena in eight or ten +days,' reached him a month before his twenty-fourth birthday, before +which he could not legally receive full ordination, in the Chapel +Royal at St. James's. + + Felt more persuaded of my call than ever; indeed, there was + scarcely a shadow of a doubt left. Rejoice, O my soul, thou + shalt be the servant of thy God in this life, and then in the + next for all the boundless ages of eternity. + +Not till August 31 was it possible for the fleet which convoyed the +East Indiamen, in that year of war with France and Napoleon's +Continental allies, to see the last of Ireland. The seven months were +spent by Henry Martyn in elaborate preparations for what proved to be +nearly a year's voyage, and in repeated farewells the anguish of which +is reflected in his _Journal_ and correspondence. Having previously +taken his M.A. degree, he received that of Bachelor of Divinity by +mandate, which required the assent of all the heads of colleges, and +then a grace to pass the senate, and the presenting of a petition to the +King. Dr. Gilchrist, the Orientalist who had just returned from his long +career in Calcutta, where he had been a colleague of Carey in the +College of Fort William, gave him lessons in Hindustani pronunciation. + + On my mentioning my desire of translating some of the Scriptures + with him, he advised me by all means to desist till I knew much + more of the language, by having resided some years in the + country. He said it was the rock on which missions had split, + that they had attempted to write and preach before they knew the + language. The Lord's Prayer, he said, was now a common subject + of ridicule with the people, on account of the manner in which + it had been translated. All these are useful hints to me. + +The mode of appointing to Indian chaplaincies has varied so much since +the time of Charles Grant and Simeon, that it is interesting to see +what was done in Henry Martyn's case. + + _1805, April 1._--Went to Lord Hawkesbury's office, but, being + too early, I went into St. James's Park, and sat down on a bench + to read my Bible. After a little time a person came and sat down + on the same bench; on entering into conversation with him I + found he had known better days. He was about seventy years of + age, and of a very passionate and disappointed spirit. He spoke + sensibly on several subjects, and was acquainted with the + Gospel; but was offended at my reminding him of several things + concerning it. On my offering him some money, which I saw he + needed, he confessed his poverty; he was thankful for my little + donation, and I repeated my advice of seeking divine + consolation. + + _April 2._--Breakfasted with ----. Our conversation was on the + most delightful subject to me, the spread of the Gospel in + future ages. I went away animated and happy. Went with Mr. Grant + towards the India House. He said that he was that day about to + take the necessary steps for bringing forward the business of + the chaplains, and that by to-morrow night I should know whether + I could go or not. In prayer at night my soul panted after God, + and longed to be entirely conformed to His image. + + _April 3._--After dinner, passed some time in prayer, and + rejoiced to think that God would finally glorify Himself, + whatever hindrance may arise for a time. Going to Mr. Grant's, I + found that the chaplaincies had been agreed to, after two hours' + debate, and some obloquy thrown upon Mr. Grant by the chairman, + for his connection with Mr. Wilberforce and _those people_. Mr. + G. said that though my nomination had not taken place, the case + was now beyond danger, and that I should appear before the court + in a couple of days in my canonicals. I felt very indignant at + this, not so much, I think, from personal pride, as on account + of the degradation of my office. Mr. G. pleasantly said, I must + attend to my appearance, as I should be much remarked, on + account of the person who had nominated me. I feel this will be + a trial to me, which I would never submit to for gain; but I + rejoice that it will be for my dear and blessed Lord. + + _April 4._--Went down to Cambridge. + + _April 6._--Passed most of the morning in the Fellows' garden. + It was the last time I visited this favourite retreat, where I + have often enjoyed the presence of God. + + _April 7._ (Sunday.)--Preached at Lolworth on Prov. xxii. 17; + very few seemed affected at my leaving them, and those chiefly + women. An old farmer of a neighbouring parish, as he was taking + leave of me, turned aside to shed tears; this affected me more + than anything. Rode away with my heart heavy, partly at my own + corruption, partly at the thoughts of leaving this place in such + general hardness of heart. Yet so it hath pleased God, I hope, + to reserve them for a more faithful minister. Prayed over the + whole of my sermon for the evening, and when I came to preach + it, God assisted me beyond my hopes. Most of the younger people + seemed to be in tears. The text was 2 Sam. vii. 28, 29. Took + leave of Dr. Milner; he was much affected, and said himself his + heart was full. Mr. Simeon commended me to God in prayer, in + which he pleaded, amongst other things, for a richer blessing on + my soul. He perceives that I want it, and so do I. Professor + Parish walked home with me to the college gate, and there I + parted from him, with no small sorrow. + + _April 8._--My young friends in the University, who have + scarcely left me a moment to myself, were with me this morning + as soon as I was moving, leaving me no time for prayer. My mind + was very solemn, and I wished much to be left alone. A great + many accompanied me to the coach, which took me up at the end of + the town. It was a thick, misty morning, so the University, with + its towers and spires, was out of sight in an instant. + + _April 24._--Keenly disappointed at finding no letter from + Lydia; thus it pleased God, in the riches of His grace, to quash + at once all my beginnings of entanglement. Oh, may it be to make + me more entirely His own. 'The Lord shall be the portion of mine + inheritance, and of my cup.' Oh, may I live indeed a more + spiritual life of faith! Prayed that I might obtain a more deep + acquaintance with the mysteries of the Gospel, and the offices + of Christ; my soul was solemnised. Went to Russell Square, and + found from Mr. Grant that I was that day appointed a chaplain + to the East India Company, but that my particular destination + would depend on the government in India. Rather may I say that + it depends on the will of my God, who in His own time thus + brings things to pass. Oh, now let my heart be spiritualised; + that the glorious and arduous work before me may fill all my + soul, and stir me up to prayer. + + _April 25._--Breakfasted with the venerable Mr. Newton, who made + several striking remarks in reference to my work. He said he had + heard of a clever gardener, who would sow the seeds when the + meat was put down to roast, and engage to produce a salad by the + time it was ready; but the Lord did not sow oaks in this way. On + my saying that perhaps I should never live to see much fruit, he + answered, I should have a bird's eye view of it, which would be + better. When I spoke of the opposition that I should be likely + to meet with, he said, he supposed Satan would not love me for + what I was about to do. The old man prayed afterwards, with + sweet simplicity. Drank tea at C. Our hearts seemed full of the + joy which comes from the communion of saints. + + _April 26._--Met D. at Mr. Grant's, and was much affected at + some marks of love expressed by the people at Cambridge, at the + time of my leaving them. He said that as I was going down the + aisle they all rose up to take their last view. + + _May 4._--Waiting this morning on the Archbishop of Canterbury + at Lambeth Palace. He had learnt from somebody my circumstances, + the degree I had taken, and my object in going to India. He + spoke much on the importance of the work, the small + ecclesiastical establishment for so great a body of people, and + the state of those English there, who, he said, 'called + themselves Christians.' He was throughout very civil, and wished + me all the success I desired. I then proceeded to the India + House, and received directions to attend on Wednesday to be + sworn in. Afterwards walked to Mr. Wilberforce's at Broomfield. + + _May 8._--Reading Mr. Grant's book.[13] The state of the + natives, and the prospects of doing good there, the character of + Schwartz, &c., set forth in it, much impressed my mind, and I + found great satisfaction in pleading for the fulfilment of God's + promises to the heathen. It seemed painful to think of myself at + all, except in reference to the Church of Christ. Being somewhat + in danger of distraction this evening, from many concurrent + circumstances, I found a very short prayer answered by my being + kept steady. Heard from Mr. Parry this evening, that in + consequence of an embargo laid on all the ships by government, + who had taken the best seamen from the Company's ships, on + account of the sailing of the French and Spanish fleets, I + should not be able to go before the middle of June, if so soon. + + _May 15._--Read prayers at Mr. Newton's, and preached on Eph. + ii. 19-21. The clerk threw out very disrespectful and even + uncivil things respecting my going to India; though I thought + the asperity and contemptuousness he manifested unsuitable to + his profession, I felt happy in the comfortable assurance of + being upright in my intentions. The sermon was much praised by + some people coming in, but happily this gives me little + satisfaction. Went home and read a sermon of Flavel's, on + knowing nothing but Christ. + + _May 17._--Walked out, and continued in earnest striving with my + corruption. I made a covenant with my eyes, which I kept + strictly; though I was astonished to find the difficulty I had + in doing even this. + + _May 22._--Endeavoured to guard my thoughts this morning in a + more particular manner, as expecting to pass it, with Sargent, + in prayer for assistance in the ministry. Called at Mr. + Wilberforce's, when I met Mr. Babington. The extreme kindness + and cordiality of these two was very pleasing to me, though + rather elating. By a letter from B. to-day, learnt that two + young men of Chesterton had come forward, who professed to have + been awakened by a sermon of mine on Psalm ix. 17. I was not so + affected with gratitude and joy as I expected to be; could not + easily ascribe the glory to God; yet I will bless Him through + all my ignorance that He has thus owned the ministry of one so + weak. Oh, may I have faith to go onward, expecting to see + miracles wrought by the foolishness of preaching. H., to whom I + had made application for the loan which Major Sandys found it + inconvenient to advance, dined with me, and surprised me by the + difficulty he started. After dinner went to the India House to + take leave. Mr. ----, the other chaplain, sat with me before we + were called in, and I found that I knew a little of him, having + been at his house. As he knew my character, I spoke very freely + to him on the subject of religion. Was called in to take the + oaths. All the directors were present, I think. Mr. Grant, in + the chair, addressed a charge to us, extempore. One thing struck + my attention, which was, that he warned us of the enervating + effects of the climate. + + I felt more acutely than ever I did in my life the shame + attending poverty. Nothing but the remembrance that I was not to + blame supported me. Whatever comes to me in the way of + Providence is, and must be, for my good. + + _May 30._--Went to the India House. Kept the covenant with my + eyes pretty well. Oh, what bitter experience have I had to teach + me carefulness against temptation! I have found this method, + which I have sometimes had recourse to, useful to-day--namely, + that of praying in ejaculations for any particular person whose + appearance might prove an occasion of sinful thoughts. After + asking of God that she might be as pure and beautiful in her + mind and heart as in body, and be a temple of the Holy Ghost, + consecrated to the service of God, for whose glory she was + made, I dare not harbour a thought of an opposite tendency. + + _June 6._--How many temptations are there in the streets of + London! + + _June 14._--Sent off all my luggage, as preparatory to its going + on board. Dined at Mr. Cecil's; he endeavoured to correct my + reading, but in vain. 'Brother M.,' says he, 'you are a humble + man, and would gain regard in private life; but to gain public + attention you must force yourself into a more marked and + expressive manner.' Generally, to-night, have I been above the + world; Lydia, and other comforts, I would resign. + + _June 16._--I thought it probable, from illness, that death + might be at hand, and this was before me all the day; sometimes + I was exceedingly refreshed and comforted at the thought, at + other times I felt unwilling and afraid to die. Shed tears at + night, at the thought of my departure, and the roaring sea, that + would soon be rolling between me and all that is dear to me upon + earth. + +Mrs. T.M. Hitchins, his cousin's wife, having asked him for some of +his sermons, he replied: + + London: June 24, 1805. + + The arguments you offer to induce me seem not to possess that + force which I look for in your reasoning. Sermons cannot be good + memorials, because once read they are done with--especially a + young man's sermons, unless they possess a peculiar simplicity + and spirituality; which I need not say are qualities not + belonging to mine. I hope, however, that I am improving and I + trust that--now I am removed from the contagion of academic + air--I am in the way of acquiring a greater knowledge of men and + of my own heart--I shall exchange my jejune scholastic style for + a simple spiritual exhibition of profitable truth. Mr. Cecil has + been taking a great deal of pains with me. My insipid, + inanimate manner in the pulpit, he says, is intolerable. Sir, + said he, it is cupola-painting, not miniature, that must be the + character of a man that harangues a multitude. Lieut. Wynter + called on me last Saturday, and last night drank tea with me. I + cannot but admire his great seriousness. I feel greatly attached + to him. He is just the sort of person, of a sober thoughtful + cast, that I love to associate with. He mentioned Lydia, I do + not know why, but he could not tell me half enough about her, + while she was at Plymouth, to satisfy my curiosity. Whitsun-week + was a time of the utmost distress to me on her account. On the + Monday at the Eclectic, Mr. Cecil, speaking of celibacy, said, I + was acting like a madman in going out without a wife. So thought + all the other ten or eleven ministers present, and Mr. Foster + among the rest, who is unmarried. This opinion, coming + deliberately from so many experienced ministers, threw me into + great perplexity, which increased, as my affections began to be + set more afloat, for then I was less able than before to discern + the path of duty. At last I wrote to Simeon, stating to him the + strongest arguments I heard in favour of marriage in my case. + His answer decided my mind. He put it in this way. Is it + necessary? To this I could answer, No. Then is it expedient? He + here produced so many weighty reasons against its expediency, + that I was soon satisfied in my mind. My turbulent will was, + however, not so easily pacified. I was again obliged to undergo + the severest pain in making that sacrifice which had cost me so + dear before. Better had it been if those wounds had never been + torn open. But now again, through the mercy of God, I am once + more at peace. What cannot His power effect? The present wish of + my heart is that there may be _never_ a necessity of marriage, + so that I may henceforth have no one thing upon earth for which + I would wish to stay another hour, except it be to serve the + Lord my Saviour in the work of the ministry. Once more, + therefore, I say to Lydia, and with her to all earthly schemes + of happiness, Farewell. Let her live happy and useful in her + present situation, since that is the will of God. How long these + thoughts may continue, I cannot say. At times of indolence, or + distress, or prevalent corruption, the former wishes, I suppose, + will occur and renew my pain: but pray, my dear sister, that the + Lord may keep in the imaginations of the thoughts of my heart + all that may be for the glory of His great name. The only + objection which presented itself to my advisers to marriage was + the difficulty of finding a proper person to be the wife of a + missionary. I told them that perhaps I should not have occasion + to search a long time for one. Simeon knows all about Lydia. I + think it very likely that he will endeavour to see her when she + comes to town next winter. + + (_Addendum at the commencement, before the Address._) + + I never returned my acknowledgment for the little hymn book, + which is a memento of both. It is just the sort of thing. + Instead of sending the books I intended, I shall inclose in the + tea-caddy a little _Pilgrim's Progress_ for you, and another for + Lydia. + +July 2 was spent with Corrie in prayer, and converse 'about the great +work among the heathen.' Martyn gave a final sitting for his miniature +for his sister, to 'the painter lady, who still repeated her infidel +cavils; having nothing more to say in the way of argument, I thought +it right to declare the threatenings of God to those who reject the +Gospel.' On the 8th he sat for his picture, for his friend Bates, to +Russel. After his farewell to Sargent, and riding back, + + Though I was in good health a moment before, yet as I was + undressing I fainted and fell into a convulsive fit; I lost my + senses for some time, and on recovering a little found myself + in intense pain. Death appeared near at hand, and seemed + somewhat different and more terrible than I could have conceived + before, not in its conclusion, but in itself. I felt assured of + my safety in Christ. Slept very little that night, from extreme + debility. Tenth, I went to Portsmouth, where we arrived to + breakfast, and find friends from Cambridge. Went with my things + on board the Union at the Motherbank. Mr. Simeon read and prayed + in the afternoon, thinking I was to go on board for the last + time. Mr. Simeon first prayed, and then myself. On our way to + the ship we sung hymns. The time was exceedingly solemn, and our + hearts seemed filled with solemn joy. + +As tidings from Lord Nelson were waited for, the fleet--consisting of +fifteen sail under convoy of the Belliqueuse, Captain Byng--went no +farther than Plymouth, and then anchored off Falmouth. + + The coast of Devonshire and Cornwall was passing before me. The + memory of beloved friends, then, was very strong and + affecting.... I was rather flurried at the singularity of this + providence of God, in thus leading me once more to the bosom of + all my friends.... I have thought with exceeding tenderness of + Lydia to-day; how I long to see her; but if it be the Lord's + will, He will open a way. I shall not take any steps to produce + a meeting. + +So he wrote on July 20. On the same day, the Rev. T.M. Hitchins wrote +to him, thus: 'Lydia, from whom we heard about ten days ago, is quite +well. She is much interested in your welfare.' Mrs. Hitchins wrote: +'Lydia, whom I heard lately from, is well, and never omits mentioning +you in her letters--and, I may venture to say, what you will value +still more, in her prayers also.' Martyn wrote to Mr. Hitchins on the +23rd: 'A great work lies before me, and I must submit to many +privations if I would see it accomplished. I should say, however, that +poverty is not one of the evils I shall have to encounter; the salary +of a chaplain, even at the lowest, is 600 rupees a month. Give my kind +love to mama--as also to Miss L. Grenfell.' A postscript to the letter +stated that the writer had taken his place in the coach for Marazion: +'Trust to pass some part of the morning at Miss Grenfell's.' He thus +records in his _Journal_ the interviews which resulted in what +amounted to a brief engagement: + + I arrived at Marazion in time for breakfast, and met my beloved + Lydia. In the course of the morning I walked with her, though + not uninterruptedly; with much confusion I declared my affection + for her, with the intention of learning whether, if ever I saw + it right in India to be married, she would come out; but she + would not declare her sentiments, she said that the shortness of + arrangement was an obstacle, even if all others were removed. In + great tumult I walked up to St. Hilary, whence, after dining, I + returned to Mr. Grenfell's, but, on account of the number of + persons there, I had not an opportunity of being alone with + Lydia. Went back to Falmouth with G. I was more disposed to talk + of Lydia all the way, but roused myself to a sense of my duty, + and addressed him on the subject of religion. The next day I was + exceedingly melancholy at what had taken place between Lydia and + myself, and at the thought of being separated from her. I could + not bring myself to believe that God had settled the whole + matter, because I was not willing to believe it. + + TO MISS LYDIA GRENFELL, MARAZION + + Union, Falmouth Harbour: July 27, 1805. + + ... As I was coming on board this morning, and reading Mr. + Serle's hymn you wrote out for me, a sudden gust of wind blew + it into the sea. I made the boatmen immediately heave to, and + recovered it, happily without any injury except what it had + received from the sea. I should have told you that the Morning + Hymn, which I always kept carefully in my pocket-book, was one + day stolen with it, and other valuable letters, from my rooms in + college. It would be extremely gratifying to me to possess + another copy of it, as it always reminded me most forcibly of + the happy day on which we visited the aged saint. The fleet, it + is said, will not sail for three weeks, but if you are willing + to employ any of your time in providing me with this or any + other manuscript hymns, the sooner you write them, the more + certain I shall be of receiving them. Pardon me for thus + intruding on your time; you will in no wise lose your reward. + The encouragement conveyed in little compositions of this sort + is more refreshing than a cup of cold water. The Lord of the + harvest, who is sending forth me, who am most truly less than + the least of all saints, will reward you for being willing to + help forward even the meanest of His servants. The love which + you bear to the cause of Christ, as well as motives of private + friendship, will, I trust, induce you to commend me to God, and + to the word of His grace, at those sacred moments when you + approach the throne of our covenant God. To His gracious care I + commend you. May you long live happy and holy, daily growing + more meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. I remain, + with affectionate regard, yours most truly, + + H. MARTYN. + + _July 28._--(Sunday.)--Preached in the morning, on board, on + John iii. 3. In the afternoon, at Falmouth Church, on 1 Cor. i. + 20 to 26. + + _July 29._--My gloom returned. Walked to Lamorran; alternately + repining at my dispensation, and giving it up to the Lord. + Sometimes--after thinking of Lydia for a long time together, so + as to feel almost outrageous at being deprived of her--my soul + would feel its guilt, and flee again to God. I was much relieved + at intervals by learning the hymn, 'The God of Abraham praise.' + +The lady's _Diary_ has these passages, which show that her sister, +Mrs. Hitchins, had rightly represented the state of her heart as not +altogether refusing to return Martyn's affection: + + _1805, July 25._--I was surprised this morning by a visit from + H.M., and have passed the day chiefly with him. The distance he + is going, and the errand he is going on, rendered his society + particularly interesting. I felt as if bidding a final adieu to + him in this world, and all he said was as the words of one on + the borders of eternity. May I improve the opportunity I have + enjoyed of Christian converse, and may the Lord moderate the + sorrow I feel at parting with so valuable and excellent + friend--some pains have attended it, known only to God and + myself. Thou God, that knowest them, canst alone give + comfort.... Oh, may we each pursue our different paths, and meet + at last around our Father's throne; may we often meet now in + spirit, praying and obtaining blessings for each other. Now, my + soul, return to God, the author of them. + + _July 26._--Oh, how this day has passed away! Nothing done to + any good purpose. Lord, help me! I feel Thy loved presence + withdrawn; I feel departing from Thee. Oh, let Thy mercy pardon, + let Thy love succour, me. Deliver me from this temptation, set + my soul at liberty, and I will praise Thee. I know the cause of + all this darkness, this depression; dare I desire what Thou dost + plainly, by the voice of Thy providence, condemn? O Lord, help + me to conquer my natural feelings, help me to be watchful as Thy + child. Oh, leave me not; or I fall a prey to this corroding + care. Let me cast every care on Thee. + + _Gurlyn, July 30._--Blessed Lord, I thank Thee for affording me + the retirement I so much delight in; here I enjoy freedom from + all the noise and interruption of a town. Oh, may the Lord + sanctify this pleasure. Oh, may it prove the means of benefiting + my soul. Oh, may I watch against the intrusions of vain + thoughts; else, instead of an advantage, I shall find solitude + ruinous to my soul. + + _August 4._--This evening my soul has been pained with many + fears concerning an absent friend, yet the Lord sweetly supports + me, and is truly a refuge to me. It is a stormy and tempestuous + night; the stillness and retirement of this place add to the + solemnity of the hour. I hear the voice of God in every + blast--it seems to say, 'Sin has brought storm and tempest on a + guilty world.' O my Father and my God, Thou art righteous in all + Thy judgments, merciful in all Thy ways. I would humbly trust in + Thee, and confide all who are dear to me into Thy hands. The + anxieties of nature, the apprehensions of affection, do Thou + regulate, and make me acquiesce in whatever is Thy will. + + _August 5._--My mind is relieved to-day by hearing the fleet, in + which I thought my friend had sailed, has not left the port. Oh, + how frequently do unnecessary pains destroy our peace. Lord, + look on me to-night, pardon my sins and make me more watchful + and fight against my inward corruption. Oh, it is a state of + conflict indeed! + +He thus wrote to Mrs. Hitchins: + + Falmouth: July 30, 1805. + + 'My dearest Cousin,--I am exceedingly rejoiced at being + permitted to send you one more letter, as the former, if it had + been the last, would have left, I fear, a painful impression on + your mind. It pleased God to restore peace to my mind soon after + I came on board--as I thought--finally. I was left more alone + with God, and found blessed seasons of intercourse with Him. But + when your letter came, I found it so sympathising, so + affectionate, that my heart was filled with joy and thankfulness + to God for such a dear friend, and I could not refrain from + bowing my knees immediately to pray that God might bless all + your words to the good of my soul, and bless you for having + written them. My views of the respective importance of things + continue, I hope, to rectify. The shortness of time, the + precious value of immortal souls, and the plain command of + Christ, all conspire to teach me that Lydia must be + resigned--and for ever--for though you suggest the possibility + of my hereafter returning and being united to her, I rather wish + to beware of looking forward to anything in this life as the end + or reward of my labours. It would be a temptation to me to + return before being necessitated. The rest which remaineth for + the people of God is in another world, where they neither marry + nor are given in marriage. But while I thus reason, still a sigh + will ever and anon escape me at the thought of a final + separation from her. In the morning when I rise, before prayer + puts grace into exercise, there is generally a very heavy gloom + on my spirits--and a distaste for everything in earth or heaven. + You do not seem to suppose that any objection would remain in + her mind, if I should return and other obstacles were + removed--which opinion of yours is, no doubt, very pleasing to + me--but if there _were_ anything more than friendship, do you + think it at all likely she could have spoken and written to me + as she has? However, do not suppose from this that I wish to + hear from you anything more on this subject--in the hope of + being gratified with an assurance to the contrary. I cannot tell + what induced me to take my leave of the people in the west when + I was last there, as it was so probable we should be detained; + were it not for having bid them adieu, I believe I should pay + them another visit--only that I could not do it without being + with Lydia again, which might not perhaps answer any good + purpose, and more probably would renew the pain. + + If, in India, I should be persuaded of the expediency of + marriage, you perceive that I can do nothing less than make her + the offer, or rather propose the sacrifice. It would be almost + cruel and presumptuous in me to make such an application to her, + especially as she would be induced by a sense of duty rather + than personal attachment. But what else can be done? Should she + not, then, be warned of my intention--before I go? If you + advance no objection, I shall write a letter to her, + notwithstanding her prohibition. When this is done no further + step remains to be taken, that I know of. The shortness of our + acquaintance, which she made a ground of objection, cannot now + be remedied. + + The matter, as it stands, must be left with God--and I do leave + it with Him very cheerfully. I pray that hereafter I may not be + tempted to follow my will, and mistake it for God's--to fancy I + am called to marriage, when I ought to remain single--and you + will likewise pray, my dear cousin, that my mind may be always + under a right direction. + +His _Journal_ thus continues: + + _July 31._--Went on board this morning in extreme anguish. I + could not help saying, 'Lord, it is not a sinful attachment in + itself, and therefore I may commune more freely with Thee about + it.' I sought for hymns suitable to my case, but none did + sufficiently; most complained of spiritual distress, but mine + was not from any doubt of God's favour, for I felt no doubt of + that. + + _August 1._--Rose in great anguish of mind, but prayer relieved + me a little. The wind continuing foul, I went ashore after + breakfast; but before this, sat down to write to Lydia, hoping + to relieve the burden of my mind. I wrote in great turbulence, + but in a little time my tumult unaccountably subsided, and I + enjoyed a peace to which I have been for some time a stranger. I + felt exceedingly willing to leave her, and to go on my way + rejoicing. I could not account for this, except by ascribing it + to the gracious influence of God. The first few Psalms were + exceedingly comfortable to me. Received a letter this evening + from Emma, and received it as from God; I was animated before, + but this added tenfold encouragement. She warned me, from + experience, of the carefulness it would bring upon me; but spoke + with such sympathy and tenderness, that my heart was quite + refreshed. I bowed my knees to bless and adore God for it, and + devoted myself anew to His beloved service. Went on board at + night; the sea ran high, but I felt a sweet tranquillity in Him + who stilleth the raging of the sea. I was delighted to find that + the Lascars understood me perfectly when I spoke to them a + sentence or two in Hindustani. + + _August 5._--Went ashore. Walked to Pendennis garrison; enjoyed + some happy reflections as I sat on one of the ramparts, looking + at the ships and sea. + + _August 7._--Preached at Falmouth Church, on Psalm iii. 1, with + much comfort; after church, set off to walk to St. Hilary. + Reached Helston in three hours in extraordinary spirits. The joy + of my soul was very great. Every object around me called forth + praise and gratitude to God. Perhaps it might have been joy at + the prospect of seeing Lydia, but I asked myself at the time, + whether out of love to God I was willing to turn back and see + her no more. I persuaded myself that I could. But perhaps had I + been put to the trial, it would have been otherwise. I arrived + safe at St. Hilary, and passed the evening agreeably with R. + 8th. Enjoyed much of the presence of God in morning prayer. The + morning passed profitably in writing on Heb. ii. 3. My soul + seemed to breathe seriously after God. Walked down with R. to + Gurlyn to call on Lydia. She was not at home when we called, so + I walked out to meet her. When I met her coming up the hill, I + was almost induced to believe her more interested about me than + I had conceived. Went away in the expectation of visiting her + frequently. Called on my way (from Falmouth) at Gurlyn. My mind + not in peace; at night in prayer, my soul was much overwhelmed + with fear, which caused me to approach God in fervent petition, + that He would make me perfectly upright, and my walk consistent + with the high character I am called to assume. + + _August 10._--Rose very early, with uneasiness increased by + seeing the wind northerly; walked away at seven to Gurlyn, + feeling little or no pleasure at the thought of seeing Lydia; + apprehension about the sailing of the fleet made me dreadfully + uneasy; was with Lydia a short time before breakfast; afterwards + I read the 10th Psalm, with Horne's Commentary, to her and her + mother; she was then just putting into my hand the 10th of + Genesis to read when a servant came in, and said a horse was + come for me from St. Hilary, where a carriage was waiting to + convey me to Falmouth. All my painful presentiments were thus + realised, and it came upon me like a thunderbolt. Lydia was + evidently painfully affected by it; she came out, that we might + be alone at taking leave, and I then told her, that if it should + appear to be God's will that I should be married, she must not + be offended at receiving a letter from me. In the great hurry + she discovered more of her mind than she intended; she made no + objection whatever to coming out. Thinking, perhaps, I wished to + make an engagement with her, she said we had better go quite + free; with this I left her, not knowing yet for what purpose I + have been permitted, by an unexpected providence, to enjoy these + interviews. I galloped back to St. Hilary, and instantly got + into a chaise with Mr. R., who had been awaked by the signal gun + at five in the morning, and had come for me. At Hildon I got a + horse, with which I rode to Falmouth, meeting on the road + another express sent after me by R. I arrived about twelve, and + instantly went on board; almost all the other ships were under + weigh, but the Union had got entangled in the chains. The + commodore expressed his anger as he passed, at this delay, but + I blessed the Lord, who had thus saved His poor creature from + shame and trouble. How delusive are schemes of pleasure; at nine + in the morning I was sitting at ease, with the person dearest to + me on earth, intending to go out with her afterwards to see the + different views, to visit some persons with her, and to preach + on the morrow; four hours only elapsed, and I was under sail + from England! The anxiety to get on board, and the joy I felt at + not being left behind, absorbed other sorrowful considerations + for a time; wrote several letters as soon as I was on board. + When I was left a little at leisure, my spirits began to sink; + yet how backward was I to draw near to my God. I found relief + occasionally, yet still was slow to fly to this refuge of my + weary soul. Was meditating on a subject for to-morrow. As more + of the land gradually appeared behind the Lizard, I watched with + my spy-glass for the Mount (St. Michael's), but in consequence + of lying to for the purser, and thus dropping astern of the + fleet, night came on before we weathered the point. Oh, let not + my soul be deceived and distracted by these foolish vanities, + but now that I am actually embarked in Christ's cause, let a + peculiar unction rest upon my soul, to wean me from the world, + and to inspire me with ardent zeal for the good of souls. + + TO MISS LYDIA GRENFELL + + Union, Falmouth: August 10, 1805. + + My dear Miss Lydia,--It will perhaps be some satisfaction to + yourself and your mother, to know that I was in time. Our ship + was entangled in the chain, and was by that means the only one + not under weigh when I arrived. It seems that most of the people + on board had given me up, and did not mean to wait for me. I + cannot but feel sensibly this instance of Divine mercy in thus + preserving me from the great trouble that would have attended + the loss of my passage. Mount's Bay will soon be in sight, and + recall you all once more to my affectionate remembrance.... I + bid you a long Farewell. God ever bless you, and help you + sometimes to intercede for me. + + H. MARTYN. + +The lady alludes thus, in her _Diary_, to these events, in language +which confesses her love, as she did not again confess it till after +his death:[14] + + _August 8._--I was surprised again to-day by a visit from my + friend, Mr. Martyn, who, contrary to every expectation, is + detained, perhaps weeks longer. I feel myself called on to act + decisively--oh how difficult and painful a part--Lord, assist + me. I desire to be directed by Thy wisdom, and to follow + implicitly what appears Thy will. May we each consider Thy + honour as entrusted to us, and resolve, whatever it may cost us, + to seek Thy glory and do Thy will. O Lord, I feel myself so weak + that I would fain fly from the trial. My hope is in Thee--do + Thou strengthen me, help me to seek, to know, and resolutely to + do, Thy will, and that we may be each divinely influenced, and + may principle be victorious over feeling. Thou, blessed Spirit, + aid, support, and guide us. Now may we be in the armour of God, + now may we flee from temptation. O blessed Jesus, leave me not, + forsake me not. + + _August 9._--What a day of conflict has this been! I was much + blessed, as if to prepare me for it, in the morning, and + expected to see my friend, and hoped to have acted with + Christian resolution. At Tregembo I learnt he had been called on + by express last night. The effect this intelligence had on me + shows how much my affections are engaged. O Lord, I lament it, I + wonder at myself, I tremble at what may be before me--but do + not, O Lord, forsake me. The idea of his going, when at parting + I behaved with greater coolness and reserve than I ever did + before, was a distress I could hardly bear, and I prayed the + Lord to afford me an opportunity of doing away the impression + from his mind. I saw no possibility of this--imagining the fleet + must have sailed--when, to my astonishment, I learnt from our + servant that he had called again this evening, and left a + message that he would be here to-morrow. Oh, I feel less able + than ever to conceal my real sentiments, and the necessity of + doing it does not so much weigh with me. O my soul, pause, + reflect--thy future happiness, and his too, the glory of God, + the peace of my dear mother--all are concerned in what may pass + to-morrow; I can only look and pray to be directed aright. + + _August 10._--Much have I to testify of supporting grace this + day, and of what I must consider Divine interference in my + favour, and that of my dear friend, who is now gone to return no + more. My affections are engaged past recalling, and the anguish + I endured yesterday, from an apprehension that I had treated him + with coolness, exceeds my power to express; but God saw it, and + kindly ordered it that he should come and do away the idea from + my mind. It contributed likewise to my peace, and I hope to his, + that it is clearly now understood between us that he is free to + marry where he is going, and I have felt quite resigned to the + will of God in this, and shall often pray the Lord to find him a + suitable partner. + + Went to meeting in a comfortable frame, but the intelligence + brought me there--that the fleet had probably sailed without my + friend--so distressed and distracted my mind, that I would + gladly have exchanged my feelings of yesterday for those I was + now exercised with; yet in prayer I found relief, and in + appealing to God. How unsought by me was his coming here. I + still felt anxiety beyond all expression to hear if he arrived + in time or not. Oh, not for all the world could offer me would I + he should lose his passage!--yet stay, my soul, recollect + thyself, are not all events at the Lord's disposal? Are not the + steps of a good man ordered by the Lord? Cast then this burden + on Him who carest for thee, my soul. Oh, let not Thy name, great + God, be blasphemed through us--surely we desire to glorify it + above all things, and would sacrifice everything to do so; enter + then my mind this night, and let me in every dark providence + trust in the Lord. + + _August 11._--A day of singular mercies. O my soul, how should + the increasing goodness of God engage thee to serve Him with + more zeal and ardour. I had a comfortable season in prayer + before breakfast, enjoying sweet liberty of spirit before God my + Saviour, God, the sinner's friend and helper. Went to church, + but could get no comfort from the sermon; the service I found in + some parts quickening. On my return I found a letter from my + excellent friend, dated on board the Union. Oh, what a relief to + my mind! By a singular providence this ship was prevented + sailing by getting entangled in the chain; every other belonging + to the fleet was under weigh when he reached Falmouth, and his + friends there had given over the hope of his arriving in time. + Doth not God care for His people, and order everything, even the + most trifling, that concerns them? The fleet must not sail till + the man of God joined it;--praised be the name of the Lord for + this instance of His watchful care. And now, my soul, turn to + God, thy rest. Oh, may the remembrance of my dear friend, whilst + it is cherished as it ought, be no hindrance to my progress in + grace and holiness. May God alone fill my thoughts, and may my + regard for my friend be sanctified, and be a means of + stimulating me to press forward, and animate me in devoting + myself entirely to God. Lord, I would unfeignedly adore Thee for + all the instances of Thy loving kindness to me this week. I have + had many remarkable answers to prayer, many proofs that the Lord + watches over me, unworthy as I am. O Divine Saviour, how shall I + praise Thee? Walked this evening to a little meeting at Thirton + Wood. I was greatly refreshed and comforted. Oh, what a support + in time of trouble is the Lord God of Israel! I am about + retiring to rest--oh, may my thoughts upon my bed be solemn and + spiritual. The remembrance of my dear friend is at times + attended with feelings most painful, and yet, when I consider + why he is gone, and Whom he is serving, every burden is removed, + and I rejoice on his account, and rejoice that the Lord has such + a faithful servant employed in the work. Oh, may I find grace + triumphant over every feeling of my heart. Come, Lord Jesus, and + dwell with me. + + _August 12._--Passed a sweet, peaceful day, enjoying much of His + presence whose favour giveth life, and joy, and peace. Visited + several of the poor near me, and found ability to speak freely + and feelingly to them of the state of their souls. My dear + absent friend is constantly remembered by me, but I find not his + remembrance a hindrance to my soul in following after God--no, + rather does it stimulate me in my course. Thus hath the Lord + answered my prayers, as it respects myself, that our regard + might be a sanctified one. Oh, bless the Lord, my soul, for + ever! praise Him in cheerful lays from day to day, and hope + eternally to do so. + + _August 13._--Awoke early and had a happy season. Visited a poor + old man in great poverty, whose mind seemed disposed to receive + instruction, and in some measure enlightened to know his sinful + state and need of Christ; I found it a good time whilst with + him. This evening my spirits are depressed; my absent friend is + present to my remembrance, possessing more than common + sensibility and affection. What must his sufferings be? but God + is sufficient for him. He that careth for the falling sparrow + will not forget him--this is my never-failing source of + consolation. + + _August 15._--My soul has been cold in duties to-day. Oh, for + the spirit of devotion! Great are the things God has wrought for + me; oh, let these great things suitably impress my soul. I have + had many painful reflections to-day respecting my absent friend, + fearing whether I may not be the occasion of much sorrow to him + and possibly of hindering him in the work. I could not do such + violence to my feelings as to treat him with reserve and + distance, yet, in his circumstances, I think I ought to. O Lord, + if in this I have offended, forgive me, and oh, do away from his + mind every improper remembrance of me. Help me to cast my cares + on Thee to-night, and help me with peace. + + _Marazion, September 2._--My mind has been exercised with many + painful anxieties about my dear friend, but I have poured out my + soul to God, and am relieved; I have left my sorrows with Him. + Isaiah (41st chapter) has comforted me. Oh, what pleasure did + that permission give me when my heart was overburdened to-day. + 'Produce your cause'--what a privilege to come to God as a + friend. I disclose those feelings to Him I have no power to any + earthly friend. Those I could say most to seem to avoid the + subject that occupies my mind; I have been wounded by their + silence, yet I do not imagine them indifferent or unconcerned. + It is well for me they have seemed to be so, for it has made me + more frequent at a throne of grace, and brought me more + acquainted with God as a friend who will hear all my complaints. + Oh, how sweet to approach Him, through Christ, as my God. 'Fear + not,' He says, 'for I am with you: be not dismayed, I am thy + God, I will strengthen thee, yea (O blessed assurance!) I will + help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My + righteousness;' and so I find it--glory be to God! Lord, hear + the frequent prayers I offer for Thy dear servant, sanctify our + mutual regard; may it continue through eternity, flowing from + our love to Thee. + + _September 3._--Still no letters from Stoke, and no intelligence + whether the fleet has sailed--this is no small exercise of my + patience, but at times I feel a sweet complacency in saying, + 'Thou art my portion, O Lord.' I have often felt happy in saying + this, but it is in a season such as this, when creature comforts + fail, that we may know whether we are sincere in saying so. Ah! + how do we imperceptibly cleave to earth, and how soon withdraw + our affections from God. I am sensible mine would never fix on + Him but by His own power effecting it. I rest on Thy power, O + God most high, retired from human observation. + +When the commodore opened his sealed despatches off the Lizard, it was +found that the fleet was to linger still longer at Cork, whence Henry +Martyn wrote again to Lydia's sister, Mrs. Hitchins. On Sunday, when +becalmed in Mount's Bay, and he would have given anything to have been +ashore preaching at Marazion or St. Hilary, he had taken for his text +Hebrews xi. 16: 'But now they desire a better country, that is, an +heavenly.' + + Cork Harbour: August 19, 1805. + + The beloved objects were still in sight, and Lydia I knew was + about that time at St. Hilary, but every wave bore me farther + and farther from them. I introduced what I had to say by + observing that we had now bid adieu to England, and its shores + were dying away from the view. The female part of my audience + were much affected, but I do not know that any were induced to + seek the better country. The Mount continued in sight till five + o'clock, when it disappeared behind the western boundary of the + bay. Amidst the extreme gloom of my mind this day I found great + comfort in interceding earnestly for my beloved friends all over + England. If you have heard from Marazion since Sunday, I should + be curious to know whether the fleet was observed passing.... + + We are now in the midst of a vast number of transports filled + with troops. It is now certain from our coming here that we are + to join in some expedition, probably the Cape of Good Hope, or + the Brazils; anywhere for me so long as the Lord goes with me. + If it should please God to send me another letter from you, + which I scarcely dare hope, do not forget to tell me as much as + you can about Lydia. I cannot write to her, or I should find the + greatest relief and pleasure even in transmitting upon paper the + assurances of my tenderest love. + + Cove of Cork: August 28, 1805. + + My dearest Cousin,--I have but a few minutes to say that we are + again going to sea--under convoy of five men of war. Very + anxiously have I been expecting to receive an answer to the + letter I sent you on my arrival at this port, bearing date + August 16; from the manner in which I had it conveyed to the + post-office, I begin to fear it has never reached you. I have + this instant received the letter you wrote me the day on which + we sailed from Falmouth. Everything from you gives me the + greatest pleasure, but this letter has rather tended to excite + sentiments of pain as well as pleasure. I fear my proceedings + have met with your disapprobation, and have therefore been + wrong--since it is more probable you should judge impartially + than myself. + + I am now fully of opinion that, were I convinced of the + expediency of marriage, I ought not in conscience to propose it, + while the obstacle of S.J. remains. Whatever others have said, I + think that Lydia acts no more than consistently by persevering + in her present determination. I confess, therefore, that till + this obstacle is removed my path is perfectly clear, and, + blessed be God! I feel very, very happy in all that my God shall + order concerning me. Let me suffer privation, and sorrow and + death, if I may by these tribulations enter into the kingdom of + God. Since we have been lying here I have been enjoying a peace + almost uninterrupted. The Spirit of adoption has been drawing me + near to God, and giving me the full assurance of His love. My + prayer is continually that I may be more deeply and habitually + convinced of His unchanging, everlasting love, and that my whole + soul may be altogether in Christ. The Lord teaches me to desire + Christ for my all in all--to long to be encircled in His + everlasting arms, to be swallowed up in the fulness of His love. + Surely the soul is happy that thus bathes in a medium of love. I + wish no created good, but to be one with Him and to be living + for my Saviour and Lord. Oh, may it be my constant care to live + free from the spirit of bondage, and at all times have access to + the Father. This I now feel, my beloved cousin, should be our + state--perfect reconciliation with God, perfect appropriation of + Him in all His endearing attributes, according to all that He + has promised. This shall bear us safely through the storm. Oh, + how happy are we in being introduced to such high privileges! + You and my dear brother, and Lydia, I rejoice to think, are + often praying for me and interested about me. I have, of course, + much more time and leisure to intercede for you than you for + me--and you may be assured I do not fail to employ my superior + opportunities in your behalf. Especially is it my prayer that + the mind of my dear cousin, formed as it is by nature and by + grace for higher occupations, may not be rendered uneasy by the + employments and cares of this. + +Hearing nothing accurately of the India fleet after its departure from +Mount's Bay, Lydia Grenfell thus betrayed to herself and laid before +God her loving anxiety: + + _1805, September 24._--Have I not reason ever, and in all + things, to trust and bless God? O my soul, why dost thou yield + to despondency? why art thou disquieted? O my soul, put thy + trust in God, assured that thou shalt yet praise Him, who is the + help of thy countenance and thy God in Christ Jesus. My mind is + under considerable anxiety, arising from the uncertainty of my + dear friend's situation, and an apprehension of his being ill. + Oh, how soon is my soul filled with confusion! yet I find repose + for it in the love of Jesus--oh, let me then raise my eyes to + Him, and may His love be shed abroad in my heart; make me in all + things resigned to Thy will, to trust and hope and rejoice in + Thee. + + _November 1._--My dear absent friend has too much occupied my + thoughts and affections, and broken my peace--but Jesus reigns + in providence and grace, and He does all things well. Yes, in my + best moments I can rejoice in believing this, but too often I + yield to unbelieving fears and discouragements. The thought that + we shall meet no more sinks at times my spirits, yet I would say + and feel submissive--Thy will be done. Choose for my motto, on + entering my thirty-first year, this Scripture: 'Our days on the + earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.' + + _November 4._--I think of my friend, but blessed be God for not + suffering my regard to lead me from Himself. + + _November 16._--I have been employed to-day in a painful manner, + writing[15] (perhaps for the last time) to too dear a friend. I + have to bless God for keeping me composed whilst doing so, and + for peace of mind since, arising from a conviction that I have + done right; and oh, that I may now be enabled to turn my thought + from all below to that better world where my soul hopes + eternally to dwell. Blessed Lord Jesus, be my strength and + shield. Oh, let not the enemy harass me, nor draw my affections + from Thee. + + _November 17._--Felt great depression of spirits to-day, from + the improbability of ever seeing H.M. return. I feel it + necessary to fly to God, praying for submission to His will, and + to rest assured of the wisdom and love of this painful event. O + my soul, rise from these cares, look beyond the boundary of + time. Oh, cheering prospect, in that blest world where my + Redeemer lives I shall regain every friend I love--with + Christian love again. Be resigned then, my soul, Jesus is thine, + and He does all things well. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[10] Deposited by Henry Martyn Jeffery, Esq., in the Truro Museum of +the Royal Institution, where the MS. may be consulted. + +[11] Hitherto unpublished. We owe the copy of this significant letter +to the courtesy of H.M. Jeffery, Esq., F.R.S., for whom Canon Moor, of +St. Clement's, near Truro, procured it from the friend to whom Mrs. +T.M. Hitchins had given it. + +[12] _Essays in Ecclesiastical Biography._ + +[13] The _Observations on the State of Society among the Asiatic +Subjects of Great Britain_, written in 1792. + +[14] The parallel between Henry Martyn and David Brainerd, so close as +to spiritual experience and missionary service, hereditary consumption +and early death, is even more remarkable in their hopeless but +purifying love. Brainerd was engaged to Jerusha, younger daughter of +the great Jonathan Edwards. 'Dear Jerusha, are you willing to part +with me?' said the dying missionary on October 4, 1747.... 'If I +thought I should not see you and be happy with you in another world, I +could not bear to part with you. But we shall spend a happy eternity +together!' See J.M. Sherwood's edition (1885) of the _Memoirs of Rev. +David Brainerd_, prefaced by Jonathan Edwards, D.D., p. 340. + +[15] This letter never reached its destination, but was captured in +the Bell Packet. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE NINE MONTHS' VOYAGE--SOUTH AMERICA--SOUTH AFRICA, 1805-1806 + + +The East India fleet had been detained off Ireland 'for fear of +immediate invasion, in which case the ships might be of use.' The +young chaplain was kept busy enough in his own and the other vessels. +In one of these, the Ann, there was a mutiny. Another, the Pitt, was a +Botany Bay ship, carrying out 120 female convicts. Thanks to Charles +Simeon, he was able to supply all with Bibles and religious books. But +even on board his own transport, the Union, the captain would allow +only one service on the Sabbath, and denied permission to preach to +the convicts. The chaplain's ministrations between decks were +continued daily, amid the indifference and even opposition of all save +a few. + +At last, on August 31, 1805, the Indiamen of the season and fifty +transports sailed out of the Cove of Cork under convoy of the Diadem, +64 guns, the Belliqueuse, 64 guns, the Leda and Narcissus frigates, on +a voyage which, after two months since lifting the anchor at +Portsmouth, lasted eight and a half months to Calcutta. The Union had +H.M. 59th Regiment on board. Of its officers and men, and of the East +India Company's cadets and the officers commanding them, he succeeded +in inducing only five to join him in daily worship. His own presence +and this little gathering caused the vessel to be known in the fleet +as 'the praying ship.' The captain died during the voyage to the Cape. +One of the ships was wrecked, the Union narrowly escaping the same +fate. Martyn's _Journal_ reveals an amount of hostility to himself and +of open scoffing at his message which would be impossible now. He fed +his spirit with the Word of God, which he loved to expound to others. +Leighton, especially the too little known _Rules for Holy Living_, was +ever in his hands. Augustine and Ambrose delighted him, also Hooker, +Baxter, Jonathan Edwards, and Flavel, which he read to any who would +listen, while he spoke much to the Mohammedan Lascars. He worked hard +at Hindustani, Bengali, and Portuguese. Not more faithfully reflected +in his _Journal_ than the tedium of the voyage and the often +blasphemous opposition of his fellows are, all unconsciously, his own +splendid courage, his untiring faithfulness even when down with +dysentery and cough, his watchful prayerfulness, his longing for the +spread of Christ's kingdom. As the solitary young saint paced the deck +his thoughts, too, were with the past--with Lydia, in a way which, +even he felt, did not leave him indisposed for communion with God. +From Funchal, Madeira, he wrote to Lydia's sister: 'God knows how +dearly I love you, and Lydia and Sally (his younger sister), and all +His saints in England, yet I bid you all an everlasting farewell +almost without a sigh.' His motto throughout the voyage was the +sentence in which Milner characterises the first Christians: + + 'TO BELIEVE, TO SUFFER, AND TO LOVE.' + +Meanwhile Lydia Grenfell was thus committing to her _Diary_ these +melancholy longings: + + _November 22._--Yesterday brought me most pleasing intelligence + from my dear friend, for which I have and do thank Thee, O Lord + my God. He assures us of his being well, and exceedingly + happy--oh, may he continue so. I have discovered that insensibly + I have indulged the hope of his return, which this letter has + seemed to lessen. I see it is my duty to familiarise my mind to + the idea of our separation being for ever, with what feelings + the thought is admitted, the Lord--whose will I desire therein + to be done--only knows, and I find it a blessed relief to look + to Him for comfort. I can bear testimony to this, that the Lord + does afford me the needful support. I have been favoured much + within this day or two, and seem, if I may trust to present + feelings, to be inspired to ask the Lord's sovereign will and + pleasure concerning me and him. I look forward to our meeting + only in another state of existence, and oh, how pure, how + exalted will be our affection then! here it is mixed with much + evil, many pains, and great anxieties. Hasten, O Lord, Thy + coming, and fit me for it and for the society of Thy saints in + light. I desire more holiness, more of Christ in my soul, more + of His likeness. Oh, to be filled with all Thy fulness, to be + swallowed up in Thee! + + _November 23._--Too much has my mind been occupied to-day with a + subject which must for ever interest me. O Lord, have mercy on + me! help can only come from Thee. Let Thy blessed Word afford me + relief; let the aids of Thy Spirit be vouchsafed. Restore to me + the joys of Thy salvation. + + _November 24._--Passed a night of little sleep, my mind + restless, confused, and unhappy. In vain did I endeavour to fix + my thoughts on spiritual things, and to drive away those + distressing fears of what may befall my dear friend. Blessed for + ever be the Lord that on approaching His mercy-seat, through the + blood of Jesus, I found peace, rest, and an ability to rely on + God for all things. I have through the day enjoyed a sense of + the Divine presence, and a blessed nearness to the Lord. + To-night I am favoured with a sweet calmness; I seem to have no + desire to exert myself. O Lord, animate, refresh my fainting + soul. I see how dangerous it is to admit any worldly object into + the heart, and how prone mine is to idolatry, for whatever has + the preference, that to God is an idol. Alas! my thoughts, my + first and last thoughts, are now such as prove that God cannot + be said to have the supreme place in my affections; yet, blessed + be His name, I can resign myself and all my concerns to His + disposal, and this is my heart's desire. Thy will be done. + + _December 11._--I seem reconciled to all before me, and consider + the Lord must have some great and wise purposes to answer by + suffering my affections to be engaged in the degree they are. If + it is only to exercise my submission to His will, and to make me + more acquainted with His power to support and comfort me, it + will be a great end answered, and oh, may I welcome all He + appoints for this purpose. The mysteries of Providence are + unfathomable. The event must disclose them, and in this I desire + to make up my mind from henceforth no more to encourage the + least expectation of meeting my dear friend in this world. O + Lord, when the desire is so strong, how impossible is it for me + to do this; but Thou art able to strengthen me for it. Oh, + vouchsafe the needful help. + + _December 16._--I have had many distressing feelings to-day, and + struggled with my heart, which is at times rent, I may say, by + the reflection that I have bidden adieu for ever in this life to + so dear a friend; but the blessed employment the Lord has + assisted me in, and the thought that he is serving my blessed + Lord Jesus, is most consolatory. Oh, may I never more seek to + draw him back from the work. Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou + knowest that I would not do this. + + _December 26._--Went early to St. Hilary, where I had an + opportunity of reading the excellent prayers of our Church. I + have been blest with sweet peace to-day--a solemn expectation of + entering eternity. I feel a sadness of spirit at times (attended + with a calm resignation of mind, not unpleasing) at the + remembrance of my friend, whom I expect no more to see till we + meet in heaven. Oh, blessed hope that there we shall meet! Lord, + keep us each in the narrow way that leads to Thee. + + _December 31._--The last in 1805--oh, may it prove the most holy + to my soul. I am shut out from the communion of Thy saints in a + measure; oh, let me enjoy more communion with my God. Thou + knowest my secret sorrows, yea, Thou dost calm them by causing + me to have regard to a future life of bliss with Thee, when I + shall see and adore the wisdom of Thy dealings with me. Oh, my + idolatrous heart! + +These passages occur in Henry Martyn's _Journal_: + + _December 4._--Dearest Lydia! never wilt thou cease to be dear + to me; still, the glory of God, and the salvation of immortal + souls, is an object for which I can part with thee. Let us live + then for God, separate from one another, since such is His holy + will. Hereafter we shall meet in a happier region, and if we + shall have lived and died, denying ourselves for God, triumphant + and glorious will our meeting be.... + + _December 5._--My mind has been running on Lydia, and the happy + scenes in England, very much; particularly on that day when I + walked with her on the sea-shore, and with a wistful eye looked + over the blue waves that were to bear me from her. While walking + the deck I longed to be left alone, that my thoughts might run + at random. Tender feelings on distant scenes do not leave me + indisposed for communion with God; that which is present to the + outward senses is the greatest plague to me. Went among the + soldiers in the afternoon, distributing oranges to those who are + scorbutic. My heart was for some hours expanding with joy and + love; but I have reason to think that the state of the body has + great influence on the frames and feelings of the mind. Let the + rock of my consolations be not a variable feeling, but Jesus + Christ and His righteousness. + +The fleet next touched at San Salvador, or Bahia, from which Henry +Martyn wrote to Mrs. Hitchins, his cousin, asking her to send him by +Corrie, who was coming out as chaplain, 'your profile and Cousin Tom's +and Lydia's. If she should consent to it, I should much wish for her +miniature.' The request, when it reached her, must have led to such +passages in her _Diary_ as these: + + _1806, February 8._--I have passed some days of pain and + weakness, but now am blessed again with health. During the whole + of this sickness I was afflicted with much deadness of soul, and + have had very few thoughts of God. I felt, as strength returned, + the necessity of more earnest supplications for grace and + spiritual life. I have ascertained this sad truth, that my soul + has declined in spiritual fervour and liveliness since I have + admitted an earthly object so much into my heart. Ah! I know I + have not power to recall my affections, but God can, and I + believe He will, enable me to regulate them better. This thought + has been of great injury to me, as I felt no murmuring at the + will of God, nor disposed to act therein contrary to His will. I + thought I might indulge secretly my affection, but it has been + of vast disadvantage to me. I am now convinced, and I do humbly + (relying on strength from on high) resolve no more to yield to + it. Oh, may my conversation be in heaven, and the glories of + Immanuel be all my theme. + + _February 15._--I have been much exercised yesterday and + to-day--walking in darkness, without light--and I feel the truth + of this Scripture: 'Your sins have separated between you and + your God.' I have betrayed a most unbecoming impatience and + warmth of temper. My dear absent friend, too, has been much in + my mind. How many times have I endured the pain of bidding him + farewell! I would not dare repine. I doubt not for a moment the + necessity of its being as it is, but the feelings of my mind at + particular seasons overwhelm me. My refuge is to consider it is + the will of God. Thy will, my God, be done. + +Henry Martyn did not lose a day in discharging his mission to the +residents and slaves of that part of the coast of Brazil, in the great +commercial city and seat of the metropolitan. His was the first voice +to proclaim the pure Gospel in South America since, three hundred +years before, Coligny's and Calvin's missionaries had been there +silenced by Villegagnon, and put to death. Martyn was frequently +ashore, almost fascinated by the tropical glories of the coast and the +interior, and keenly interested in the Portuguese dons, the Franciscan +friars, and the negro slaves. After his first walk through the town to +the suburbs, he was looking for a wood in which he might rest, when he +found himself at a magnificent porch leading to a noble avenue and +house. There he was received with exuberant hospitality by the Corre +family, especially by the young Senor Antonio, who had received a +University training in Portugal, and soon learned to enjoy the society +of the Cambridge clergyman. In his visits of days to this family, his +exploration of the immediate interior and the plantations of tapioca +and pepper, introduced from Batavia, and his discussions with its +members and the priests on Roman Catholicism, all conducted in French +and Latin, a fortnight passed rapidly. He was ever about his Master's +business, able in speaking His message to men and in prayer and +meditation. 'In a cool and shady part of the garden, near some water, +I sat and sang, + + O'er the gloomy hills of darkness. + +I could read and pray aloud, as there was no fear of anyone understanding +me. Reading the eighty-fourth Psalm, + + O how amiable are Thy tabernacles, + +this morning in the shade, the day when I read it last under the trees +with Lydia was brought forcibly to my remembrance, and produced some +degree of melancholy.' Refreshed by the hospitality of San Salvador, +he resumed the voyage with new zeal for his Lord and for his study of +such authorities as Orme's _Indostan_ and Scott's _Dekkan_, and thus +taking himself to task: 'I wish I had a deeper conviction of the +sinfulness of sloth.' + +Thus had he taken possession of Brazil, of South America, for Christ. +As he walked through the streets, where for a long time he 'saw no one +but negro slaves male and female'; as he passed churches in which +'they were performing Mass,' and priests of all colours innumerable, +and ascended the battery which commanded a view of the whole bay of +All Saints, he exclaimed, 'What happy missionary shall be sent to bear +the name of Christ to these western regions? When shall this beautiful +country be delivered from idolatry and spurious Christianity? Crosses +there are in abundance, but when shall the doctrine of the Cross be +held up?' In the nearly ninety years that have gone since that time, +Brazil has ceased to belong to the house of Braganza, slavery has been +abolished, the agents of the Evangelical churches and societies of the +United States of America and the Bible societies have been sent in +answer to his prayer; while down in the far south Captain Allen +Gardiner, R.N., by his death for the savage people, has brought about +results that extorted the admiration of Dr. Darwin. As Martyn went back +to the ship for the last time, after a final discussion on Mariolatry +with the Franciscans, rowed by Lascars who kept the feast of the Hijra +with hymns to Mohammed, and in converse with a fellow-voyager who +declared mankind needed to be told nothing but to be sober and honest, +he cried to God with a deep sigh 'to interfere in behalf of His Gospel; +for in the course of one hour I had seen three shocking examples of the +reign and power of the devil in the form of Popish and Mohammedan +delusion and that of the natural man. I felt, however, in no way +discouraged, but only saw the necessity of dependence on God.' + +Why did Henry Martyn's preaching and daily pastoral influence excite +so much opposition? Undoubtedly, as we shall see, both in Calcutta and +Dinapore, his Cornish-Celtic temperament, possibly the irritability +due to the disease under which he was even then suffering, disabled +him from disarming opposition, as his friend Corrie, for instance, +afterwards always did. But we must remember to whom he preached and +what he preached, and the time at which he preached, in the history +not only of the Church of England, but of Evangelical religion. He had +himself been brought out of spiritual darkness under the influence of +Kempthorne and Charles Simeon, by the teaching of Paul in his letters +to the Roman and the Galatian converts. To him sin was exceeding +sinful. The Pauline doctrine of sin and its one remedy was the basis +not only of his theology, but of his personal experience and daily +life. After a brief ministry to the villagers of Lolworth and +occasional sermons to his fellow students in Cambridge, this Senior +Wrangler and Classic, yet young convert, was put in spiritual charge +of a British regiment and Indiaman's crew, and was the only chaplain +in a force of eight thousand soldiers, some with families, and many +female convicts. At a time when the dead churches were only beginning +to wake up, after the missions of the Wesleys and Whitfield, of +William Carey and Simeon, this youthful prophet was called to reason +of temperance, righteousness, and judgment to come, with men who were +practically as pagan or as sceptical as Felix. + +His second address at sea, on September 15, was from Paul's sermon in +the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts xiii. 38-39): _Through this +man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins, &c._[16] It was a +full and free declaration of God's love in Jesus Christ to sinful man, +which he thus describes in his _Journal_: 'In the latter part I was +led to speak without preparation on the all-sufficiency of Christ to +save sinners who came to Him with all their sins without delay. I was +carried away with a Divine aid to speak with freedom and energy. My +soul was refreshed, and I retired seeing reason to be thankful!' But +the next week's experience resulted in this: 'I was more tried by the +fear of man than I have ever been since God called me to the ministry. +The threats and opposition of those men made me unwilling to set +before them the truths which they hated; yet I had no species of +hesitation about doing it. They had let me know that if I would preach +a sermon like one of Blair's they should be glad to hear it; but they +would not attend if so much of hell was preached.' Strengthened by our +Lord's promise of the Comforter (John xiv. 16), he next Sunday took +for his text Psalm ix. 17: _The wicked shall be turned into hell, and +all the nations that forget God._ He thus concluded: + + Pause awhile, and reflect! Some of you, perhaps, by this time, + instead of making a wise resolve, have begun to wonder that so + heavy a judgment should be denounced merely against + forgetfulness. But look at the affairs of common life, and be + taught by them. Do not neglect, and want of attention, and not + looking about us to see what we have to do--do not any of these + bring upon us consequences as ruinous to our worldly business as + any ACTIVE misbehaviour? It is an event of every day, that a + man, by mere laziness and inattention to his business, does as + certainly bring himself and family to poverty, and end his days + in a gaol, as if he were, in wanton mischief, to set fire to his + own house. So it is also with the affairs of the soul: neglect + of that--forgetfulness of God, who only can save it--will work + his ruin, as surely as a long and daring course of profligate + wickedness. + + When any one has been recollecting the proper proofs of a future + state of rewards and punishments, nothing, methinks, can give + him so sensible an apprehension of punishment or such a + representation of it to the mind, as observing that, after the + many disregarded checks, admonitions, and warnings which people + meet with in the ways of vice, folly, and extravagance warnings + from their very nature, from the examples of others, from the + lesser inconveniences which they bring upon themselves, from the + instructions of wise and good men--after these have been long + despised, scorned, ridiculed--after the chief bad consequences + (temporal consequences) of their follies have been delayed for a + great while, at length they break in irresistibly like an armed + force: repentance is too late to relieve, and can serve only to + aggravate their distress: the case is become desperate; and + poverty and sickness, remorse and anguish, infamy and death, the + effects of their own doings, overwhelm them beyond possibility + of remedy or escape. This is an account of what is, in fact, the + general constitution of Nature. + + But is the forgetfulness of God so light a matter? Think what + ingratitude, rebellion, and atheism there is at the bottom of + it! Sirs, you have 'a carnal mind, which is enmity against God.' + (Rom. viii. 7.) Do not suppose that you have but to make a + slight effort, and you will cease to forget Him: it is your + nature to forget Him: it is your nature to hate Him: so that + nothing less than an entire change of heart and nature will ever + deliver you from this state of enmity. Our nature 'is not + subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. They that are + in the flesh cannot please God.' (Rom. viii. 7, 8.) From this + state let the fearful menace in the text persuade you to arise! + Need we remind you again of the dreadfulness of hell--of the + certainty that it shall overtake the impenitent sinner? Enough + has been said; and can any of you be still so hardened, and such + enemies to your souls, as still to cleave to sin? Will you still + venture to continue any more in the hazard of falling into the + hands of God? Alas! 'Who among us shall dwell with the devouring + fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?' (Isa. + xxxiii. 14.) 'Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be + strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? I the Lord have + spoken it, and will do it!' (Ezek. xxii. 14.) Observe, that men + have dealt with sinners--ministers have dealt with + them--apostles, prophets, and angels have dealt with them: at + last, God will take them in hand, and deal with them! Though not + so daring as to defy God, yet, brethren, in all probability you + put on repentance. Will you securely walk a little longer along + the brink of the burning furnace of the Almighty's fury? 'As the + Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between + thee and death!' (1 Sam. xx. 3.) When you lie down you know not + but you may be in it before the morning; and when you rise you + know not but God may say, 'Thou fool, this night thy soul shall + be required of thee!' When once the word is given to cut you + down, the business is over. You are cut off from your lying + refuges and beloved sins--from the world--from your + friends--from the light--from happiness--from hope, for ever! Be + wise, then, my friends, and reasonable: give neither sleep to + your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids, till you have resolved, + on your knees before God, to forget Him no more. Go home and + pray. Do not dare to fly, as it were, in the face of your Maker, + by seeking your pleasure on His holy day; but if you are alarmed + at this subject, as well you may be, go and pray to God that you + may forget Him no more. It is high time to awake out of sleep. + It is high time to have done with hesitation: time does not wait + for you; nor will God wait till you are pleased to turn. He hath + bent His bow, and made it ready: halt no more between two + opinions: hasten--tarry not in all the plain, but flee from the + wrath to come. Pray for grace, without which you can do nothing. + Pray for the knowledge of Christ, and of your own danger and + helplessness, without which you cannot know what it is to find + refuge in Him. It is not our design to terrify, without pointing + out the means of safety. Let us then observe, that if it should + have pleased God to awaken any of you to a sense of your danger, + you should beware of betaking yourselves to a refuge of lies. + + But, through the mercy of God, many among us have found + repentance unto life--have fled for refuge to the hope set + before them--have seen their danger, and fled to Christ. Think + with yourselves what it is now to have escaped destruction; what + it will be to hear at the last day our acquittal, when it shall + be said to others, 'Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting + fire.' Let the sense of the mercy of God gild all the path of + life. On the other hand, since it is they who forget God that + are to bear the weight of His wrath, let us beware, brethren, + how we forget Him, through concern about this world, or through + unbelief, or through sloth. Let us be punctual in all our + engagements with Him. With earnest attention and holy awe ought + we to hear His voice, cherish the sense of His presence, and + perform the duties of His worship. No covenant relation or + Gospel grace can render Him less holy, less jealous, or less + majestic. 'Wherefore let us have grace, whereby we may serve God + acceptably, with reverence and godly fear; for our God is a + consuming fire.' + +The officers had seated themselves behind the preacher, that they +might retire in case of dislike, and one of them employed himself in +feeding the geese; so it had happened in the case of the missionary +Paul, and Martyn wrote: 'God, I trust, blessed the sermon to the good +of many. Some of the cadets and soldiers were in tears.' The +complement[17] of this truth he soon after displayed to them in his +sermon on the message through Ezekiel xxxiii. 11. _As I live, saith +the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked._ + + Men have been found in all ages who have vented their murmurs + against God for the severity of His final punishment, as well as + for the painful continuance of His judgments upon them in this + life, saying, 'If our state be so full of guilt and misery as is + represented, and God is determined to avenge Himself upon us, be + it so; then we must take the consequences.' If God were to reply + to this impious complaint only by silence; if He were to suffer + the gloom of their hearts to thicken into tenfold darkness, and + give them up to their own malignity, till they died victims to + their own impiety and despair, the Lord would still be + righteous, they would then only eat of the fruit of their + doings. But, behold, the Lord gives a very unexpected message, + with which He bids us to follow men, to interrupt their sad + soliloquies, to stop their murmurs. 'Say unto them,' saith He, + 'As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death + of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. + Turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways; for why will ye die?' + + Behold the inseparable connexion--we must turn, or die. Here + there is a question put by God to sinners. Let sinners then + answer the question which God puts to them,--'Why will ye die?' + Is death a motive not strong enough to induce you to forego a + momentary pleasure? Is it a light thing to fall into the hands + of the living God? Is a life of godliness so very intolerable as + not to be repaid by heavenly glory? Turn ye at His reproof--'Why + will ye die?' Is it because there is no hope? God has this very + hour testified with an oath that it is His desire to save you. + Yea, He at this moment expostulates with you and beseeches you + to seek Him. 'Why will ye die?' You know not why. If, then, you + are constrained--now accustomed as you are to + self-vindication--to acknowledge your unreasonableness, how much + more will you be speechless in the last day when madness will + admit of no palliation, and folly will appear without disguise! + + Are any returned to God? Do any believe they are really + returned?--then here they have consolation. It is a long time + before we lose our slavish dread of God, for our natural + prejudices and mistakes become inveterate by habit, and Satan + opposes the removal of them. But come now, and let us reason + together. Will ye also dishonour your God by accounting Him more + willing to destroy than to save you? _Will_ ye think hardly of + God? Oh, that I had been able to describe as it deserves, His + willingness to save! Oh, that I could have borrowed the pen of a + seraph, and dipped it in a fount of light! Could plainer words + be needed to describe the wonders of His love? Hearken, my + beloved brethren! Hath He no pleasure in the death of the + wicked, and will He take pleasure in yours? Hath He promised + His love, His tenderness to those who turn from their wicked + ways, and yet, when they are turned, straightway forgot His + promise? Harbour no more fearful, unbelieving thoughts. But the + reply is often that the fear is not of God, but of myself, lest + I have not turned away from my evil ways. But this point may + surely be ascertained, brethren; and if it may, any further + refinements on this subject are derogatory to God's honour. Let + these words convince you that, if you are willing to be saved in + His way, He is willing to save you. It may be you will still be + kept in darkness, but darkness is not always the frown of God; + it is only Himself--thy shade on thy right hand. Then tremble + not at the hand that wipes away thy tears; judge Him not by + feeble sense, but follow Him, though He lead thee by a way that + thou knewest not. + + There are some of you who have reason to hope that you have + turned from the error of your ways. Ye have tasted that the Lord + is gracious. It is but a taste, a foretaste, an antepast of the + feast of heaven. It was His pleasure that you should turn from + your ways; it is also His good pleasure to give you the kingdom. + Then what shall we recommend to you, but gratitude, admiration, + and praise? 'Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O + Zion.' Let each of us abundantly utter the memory of His great + goodness, and sing aloud of His righteousness. Let each say, + 'Awake, lute and harp; I myself will awake right early.' Let us + join the chorus of angels, and all the redeemed, in praising the + riches of His love in His kindness towards us through Christ + Jesus. + +As the fleet sailed from San Salvador, the captains were summoned to the +commodore, to learn that Cape Town and the Dutch settlement formed the +object of the expedition, and that stout resistance was expected. This +gave new zeal to the chaplain, were that possible, in his dealings with +the officers and men of his Majesty's 59th, and with the cadets, to whom +he taught mathematics in his unrewarded friendliness. Many were down +with dysentery, then and long a peculiarly fatal disease till the use of +ipecacuanha. His constant service made him also for some time a +sufferer. + + _1805, December 29._ (Sunday.)--My beloved spake and said unto + me, Rise up, &c. (Cant. ii. 10, 11). Ah! why cannot I rise and + go forth and meet my Lord? Every hindrance is removed: the wrath + of God, the guilt of sin, and severity of affliction; there is + nothing now in the world that has any strong hold of my + affections. Separated from my friends and country for ever in + this life, I have nothing to distract me from hearing the voice + of my beloved, and coming away from this world and walking with + Him in love, amidst the flowers that perfume the air of + Paradise, and the harmony of the happy spirits who are singing + His praise. But alas! my heart is cold and slothful. Preached on + 2 Peter iii. 11, taking notice at the end of these remarkable + circumstances, that made the text particularly applicable to us. + It was the last Sabbath of a year, which had been memorable to + us from our having left our country, and passed through many + dangers. Secondly, within a few days they were to meet an enemy + on the field of battle. Thirdly, the death of the captain. I was + enabled to be self-collected, and in some degree tender. There + was a great impression; many were in tears. Visited and + conversed with Mr. M. twice to-day, and marked some passages for + him to read. His heart seems tender. There was a considerable + number on the orlop in the afternoon. Expounded Matt. xix. and + prayed. In the evening Major Davidson and M'Kenzie came to my + cabin, and stayed nearly three hours. I read Romans vi. and + vii., and explained those difficult chapters as well as I + could, so that the Major, I hope, received a greater insight + into them; afterwards I prayed with them. But my own soul after + these ministrations seemed to have received harm rather than + good. It was an awful reflection that Judas was a preacher, + perhaps a successful one. Oh, let my soul tremble, lest, after + preaching to others, I myself should be a castaway. + + _1806. January 4._--Continued to approach the land; about sunset + the fleet came to an anchor between Robben Island and the land + on that side, farthest from Cape Town, and a signal was + immediately given for the 59th Regiment to prepare to land. Our + men were soon ready, and received thirty-six rounds of ball + cartridge; before the three boats were lowered down and fitted, + it was two in the morning. I stayed up to see them off; it was a + melancholy scene; the privates were keeping up their spirits by + affecting to joke about the approach of danger, and the ladies + sitting in the cold night upon the grating of the after-hatchway + overwhelmed with grief; the cadets, with M'Kenzie, who is one of + their officers, all went on board the Duchess of Gordon, the + general rendezvous of the company's troops. I could get to speak + to none of my people, but Corporals B. and B. I said to Sergeant + G., 'It is now high time to be decided in religion,' he replied + with a sigh; to Captain S. and the cadets I endeavoured to speak + in a general way. I this day signed my name as a witness to + Captain O.'s and Major Davidson's wills; Captain O. left his + with me; I passed my time at intervals in writing for to-morrow. + The interest I felt in the outward scene distracted me very much + from the things which are not seen, and all I could do in prayer + was to strive against this spirit. But with what horror should I + reflect on the motions of sins within me, which tempted me to + wish for bloodshed, as something gratifying by its sublimity. My + spirit would be overwhelmed by such a consciousness of + depravity, but that I can pray still deliberately against sin; + and often the Lord manifested His power by making the same + sinful soul to feel a longing desire that the blessed gospel of + peace might soothe the spirits of men, and make them all live + together in harmony and love. Yet the principle within me may + well fill me with shame and sorrow. + +Since, on April 9, 1652, Johan Anthonie van Riebeck by proclamation +took formal possession of the Cape for the Netherlands East India +Company, 'providing that the natives should be kindly treated,'[18] +the Dutch had governed South Africa for nearly a century and a half. +The natives had been outraged by the Boers, the Moravian missionaries +had departed, the colony had been starved, and yet denied the +rudiments of autonomy. The French Revolution changed all that, and +very much else. The Stadtholder of the United Provinces having allied +himself with Great Britain, Dumouriez entered Holland, and Pichegru +marched the armies of France over its frozen waters in the terrible +winter of 1794-5. To protect the trade with India from the French, +Admiral Elphinstone thereupon took possession of the Cape, which was +administered successively by General J.H. Craig, the Earl of +Macartney, Sir George Young, and Sir Francis Dundas, for seven +prosperous years, until the Treaty of Amiens restored it to the +Batavian Republic in February 1803. It was then a territory of 120,000 +square miles, reaching from the Cape to a curved line which extended +from the mouth of the Buffalo River in Little Namaqualand to the +present village of Colesberg. The Great Fish River was the eastern +boundary. Now the Christian colonies and settlements of South Africa, +enjoying British sovereignty and largely under self-governing +institutions, stretch north from the sea, and east and west from ocean +to ocean, to the great river Zambesi--the base from which Christian +civilisation, by missions and chartered companies, is slowly +penetrating the explored wilds of Central Africa up the lake region to +the Soudan and Ethiopia. + +This less than a century's progress has been made possible by the +expedition of 1806, in which Henry Martyn, almost alone, represented +Christianity. After the three years' respite given by the virtual +armistice of Amiens, Napoleon Bonaparte again plunged Europe and the +world into war. William Pitt's last government sent out this naval +armament under Sir Home Popham. The 5,000 troops were commanded by Sir +David Baird, who had fought and suffered in India when the senior of +the future Duke of Wellington. Henry Martyn has told us how the +squadron of the sixty-three sail had anchored between Robben Island +and the coast. The Dutch Governor, General Jan Willen Janssens, was +more worthy of his trust than his predecessor ten years before. He had +been compelled to send on a large portion of his force for the defence +of Java, soon to fall to Lord Minto, the Governor-General, and had +only 2,000 troops left. He had received only a fortnight's notice of +the approach of the British fleet, which was reported by an American +vessel. He drilled the colonists, he called French marines to his aid, +he organised Malay artillery, he embodied even Hottentot sepoys, and +made a reserve and refuge of Hottentot's Holland, from which he hoped +to starve Cape Town, should Baird capture it. Both armies were equal +in numbers at least. + +All was in vain. On January 8 was fought the battle of Blaauwberg (on +the side of Table Bay opposite Cape Town), from the plateau of which +the Dutch, having stood the musketry and field pieces, fled at the +charge of the bayonet with a loss of 700 men. The British, having +dropped 212, marched on Cape Town, halted at Papendorp, and there, on +January 10, 1806, were signed the articles of capitulation which have +ever since given the Roman-Dutch law to the colony. Sir David Baird +and Sir Home Popham soon after received the surrender of Janssens, +whose troops were granted all the honours of war in consideration of +their gallant conduct. At the Congress of Vienna in 1815 Lord +Castlereagh sacrificed Java to the Dutch, but kept South Africa for +Great Britain. The surrender of the former, in the midst of the +splendid successes of Sir Stamford Raffles, is ascribed to that +minister's ignorance of geography. He knew equally little of the Cape, +which he kept, beyond its importance to India, but God has overruled +all that for the good of Equatorial, as well as South, Africa, as, +thanks to David Livingstone, vacillating statesmen have begun to see. + +Henry Martyn's _Journal_ thus describes the battle and the battlefield. + + _1806, January._--Ten o'clock. When I got up, the army had left + the shore, except the Company's troops, who remained to guard + the landing-place; but soon after seven a most tremendous fire + of artillery began behind a mountain abreast of the ship; it + seemed as if the mountain itself were torn by intestine + convulsions. The smoke rose from a lesser eminence on the right + of the hill, and on the top of it troops were seen rushing down + the farther declivity; then came such a long drawn fire of + musketry, that I could not have conceived anything like it. We + all shuddered at considering what a multitude of souls must be + passing into eternity. The poor ladies were in a dreadful + condition, every peal seemed to go through their hearts; I have + just been endeavouring to do what I can to keep up their + spirits. The sound is now retiring, and the enemy are seen + retreating along the low ground on the right towards the town. + Soon after writing this I went ashore and saw M'K., &c., and + Cecil, with whom I had an agreeable conversation on Divine + things. The cadets of our ship had erected a little shed made of + bushes and straw, and here, at their desire, I partook of their + cheer. Three Highlanders came to the lines just as I arrived, + all wounded in the hand. In consequence of their report of the + number of the wounded, a party of East India troops, with slings + and barrows, attended by a body of cadets with arms, under Major + Lumsden, were ordered to march to the field of battle. + + I attached myself to these, and marched six miles through the + soft burning sand with them. The first we came to was a + Highlander, who had been shot through the thigh, and had walked + some way from the field and lay spent under some bushes. He was + taken care of and we went on, and passed the whole of the larger + hill without seeing anything. The ground then opened into a most + extensive plain, which extended from the sea to the blue + mountains at a great distance on the east. On the right was the + little hill, to which we were attracted by seeing some English + soldiers; we found that they were some wounded men of the 24th. + They had all been taken care of by the surgeons of the Staff. + Three were mortally wounded. One, who was shot through the + lungs, was spitting blood, and yet very sensible. The surgeon + desired me to spread a great-coat over him as they left him; as + I did this, I talked to him a little of the blessed Gospel, and + begged him to cry for mercy through Jesus Christ. The poor man + feebly turned his head in some surprise, but took no further + notice. I was sorry to be obliged to leave him and go on after + the troops, from whom I was not allowed to be absent, out of a + regard to my safety. On the top of the little hill lay Captain + F., of the grenadiers of the same regiment, dead, shot by a ball + entering his neck and passing into his head. I shuddered with + horror at the sight; his face and bosom were covered with thick + blood, and his limbs rigid and contracted as if he had died in + great agony. Near him were several others dead, picked off by + the riflemen of the enemy. We then descended into the plain + where the two armies had been drawn up. + + A marine of the Belliqueuse gave me a full account of the + position of the armies and particulars of the battle. We soon + met with some of the 59th, one a corporal, who often joins us in + singing, and who gave the pleasing intelligence that the + regiment had escaped unhurt, except Captain McPherson. In the + rear of the enemy's army there were some farm-houses, which we + had converted into a receptacle for the sick, and in which there + were already two hundred, chiefly English, with a few of the + enemy. Here I entered, and found that six officers were wounded; + but as the surgeon said they should not be disturbed, I did not + go in, especially as they were not dangerously wounded. In one + room I found a Dutch captain wounded, with whom I had a good + deal of conversation in French. After a few questions about the + army and the Cape, I could not help inquiring about Dr. + Vanderkemp; he said he had seen him, but believed he was not at + the Cape, nor knew how I might hear of him. The spectacle at + these houses was horrid. The wounded soldiers lay ranged within + and without covered with blood and gore. While the India troops + remained here, I walked out into the field of battle with the + surgeon. On the right wing, where they had been attacked by the + Highland regiment, the dead and wounded seemed to have been + strewed in great numbers, from the knapsacks, &c. Some of them + were still remaining; with a Frenchman whom I found amongst them + I had some conversation. All whom we approached cried out + instantly for water. One poor Hottentot I asked about Dr. + Vanderkemp, I saw by his manner that he knew him; he lay with + extraordinary patience under his wound on the burning sand; I + did what I could to make his position comfortable, and laid near + him some bread, which I found on the ground. Another Hottentot + lay struggling with his mouth in the dust, and the blood flowing + out of it, cursing the Dutch in English, in the most horrid + language; I told him he should rather forgive them, and asked + him about God, and after telling him of the Gospel, begged he + would pray to Jesus Christ; but he did not attend. While the + surgeon went back to get his instrument in hopes of saving the + man's life, a Highland soldier came up, and asked me in a rough + tone, 'Who are you?' I told him, 'An Englishman;' he said, 'No, + no, you are French,' and was going to present his musket. As I + saw he was rather intoxicated, and might in mere wantonness + fire, I went up to him and told him that if he liked he might + take me prisoner to the English army, but that I was certainly + an English clergyman. The man was pacified at last. The surgeon + on his return found the thigh bone of the poor Hottentot broken, + and therefore left him to die. After this I found an opportunity + of retiring, and lay down among the bushes, and lifted up my + soul to God. I cast my eyes over the plain which a few hours + before had been the scene of bloodshed and death, and mourned + over the dreadful effects of sin. How reviving to my thoughts + were the blue mountains on the east, where I conceived the + missionaries labouring to spread the Gospel of peace and love. + +At sunrise on the 10th, a gun from the commodore's ship was instantly +answered by all the men-of-war, as the British flag was seen flying on +the Dutch fort. The future historian of the Christianisation of +Africa will not fail to put in the forefront, at the same time, the +scene of Henry Martyn, on his knees, taking possession of the land, +and of all lands, for Christ. + + I could find it more agreeable to my own feelings to go and weep + with the relatives of the men whom the English have killed, than + to rejoice at the laurels they have won. I had a happy season in + prayer. No outward scene seemed to have power to distract my + thoughts. I prayed that the capture of the Cape might be ordered + to the advancement of Christ's kingdom; and that England, while + she sent the thunder of her arms to the distant regions of the + globe, might not remain proud and ungodly at home; but might + show herself great indeed, by sending forth the ministers of her + Church to diffuse the gospel of peace. + +Thus on Africa, as on South America, North India, Persia and Turkey, +is written the name of Henry Martyn. + +The previous government of the Cape by the British, under Sir Francis +Dundas, had been marked by the arrival, in 1799, of the London +Missionary Society's agents, Dr. Vanderkemp and Kicherer. With the +great chief Ngqika, afterwards at Graaff Reinet and then near Algoa +Bay, the quondam Dutch officer, Edinburgh medical student, and aged +landed proprietor, giving his all to Christ, had gathered in many +converts. Martyn, who had learned to admire Vanderkemp from his books, +was even more delighted with the venerable man. Driven by the Boers +into Cape Town, the old missionary, and Mr. Reid, his colleague, were +found in the midst of their daily services with the Hottentots and +Kafirs. In such society, worshipping through the Dutch language, the +India chaplain spent the greater part of the five weeks' detention of +the Union. 'Dear Dr. Vanderkemp gave me a Syriac Testament as a +remembrance of him.' When Martyn and Reid parted, the latter for Algoa +Bay, 'we spoke again of the excellency of the missionary work. The +last time I had stood on the shore with a friend speaking on the same +subject, was with Lydia, at Marazion.' In Isaiah, and Leighton, +especially his _Rules for a Holy Life_, the missionary chaplain found +comfort and stimulus. + + _February 5, 1806._--I am born for God only. Christ is nearer to + me than father, or mother, or sister,--a nearer relation, a more + affectionate friend; and I rejoice to follow Him, and to love + Him. Blessed Jesus! Thou art all I want--a forerunner to me in + all I ever shall go through, as a Christian, a minister, or a + missionary. + + _February 13._--After breakfast had a solemn season in prayer, + with the same impressions as yesterday, from Leighton, and tried + to give up myself wholly to God, not only to be resigned solely + to His will, but to seek my only pleasure from it, to depart + altogether from the world, and be exactly the same in happiness, + whether painful or pleasing dispensations were appointed me: I + endeavoured to realise again the truth, that suffering was my + appointed portion, and that it became me to expect it as my + daily lot. Yet after all, I was ready to cry out, what an + unfortunate creature I am, the child of sorrow and care; from my + infancy I have met with nothing but contradiction, but I always + solaced myself that one day it would be better, and I should + find myself comfortably settled in the enjoyment of domestic + pleasures, whereas, after all the wearying labours of school and + college, I am at last cut off from all my friends, and comforts, + and dearest hopes, without being permitted even to hope for them + any more. As I walked the deck, I found that the conversation of + others, and my own gloomy surmises of my future trials, + affected me far less with vexation, than they formerly did, + merely from this, that I took it as my portion from God, all + whose dispensations I am bound to consider and receive as the + fruits of infinite wisdom and love towards me. I felt, + therefore, very quiet, and was manifestly strengthened from + above with might in my inner man; therefore, without any joy, + without any pleasant considerations to balance my present + sickness and gloom, I was contented from the reflection, that it + was God who did it. I pray that this may be my state--neither to + be anxious to escape from this stormy sea that was round the + Cape, nor to change the tedious scene of the ship for Madras, + nor to leave this world merely to get rid of the troubles of it, + but to glorify God where I am, and where He puts me, and to take + each day as an important trust for Him, in which I have much to + do both in suffering and acting. Employed in collecting from the + New Testament all the passages that refer to our walking in + Christ. + + _February 18._--Completed my twenty-fifth year. Let me recollect + it to my own shame, and be warned by it, to spend my future + years to a better purpose; unless this be the case, it is of + very little consequence to notice when such a person came into + the world. Passed much of the morning in prayer, but could not + succeed at all in getting an humble and contrite spirit; my + pride and self-esteem seemed unconquerable. Wrote sermon with my + mind impressed with the necessity of diligence: had the usual + service, and talked much to a sick man. Read Hindustani. + + _February 27._--Rose once more after a sleepless night, and had + in consequence a peevish temper to contend with. Had a + comfortable and fervent season of prayer, in the morning, while + interceding for the heathen from some of the chapters in Isaiah. + How striking did those words Isaiah xlii. 8 appear to me, 'I am + the Lord, that is My name; and My glory will I not give to + another, neither My praise to graven images.' Lord, is not Thy + praise given to graven images in India? Here, then, is Thine own + express word that it shall not continue to be so. And how easy + is it for the mighty God that created the heavens and stretched + them out, that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out + of it; that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to + them that walk therein; to effect His purposes in a moment. What + is caste? What are inveterate prejudices, and civil power, and + priestly bigotry, when once the Lord shall set to His hand? Who + knows whether even the present generation may not see Satan's + throne shaken to its base in India? Learning Hindustani words in + the morning; in the afternoon below, and much hurt at the cold + reception the men gave me. + + _March 7._--Endeavoured this morning to consider Christ as the + High Priest of my profession. Never do I set myself to + understand the nature of my walk in Christ without getting good + to my soul. Employed as usual through the day. Heard from + M'Kenzie that they are not yet tired with inveighing against my + doctrines. They took occasion also to say, from my salary, that + 'Martyn, as well as the rest, can share the plunder of the + natives in India; whether it is just or not he does not care.' + This brought back the doubts I formerly had about the lawfulness + of receiving anything from the Company. My mind is not yet + comfortable about it. I see it, however, my duty to wait in + faith and patience, till the Lord shall satisfy my doubts one + way or other. I would wish for no species of connection with the + East India Company, and notwithstanding the large sums I have + borrowed on the credit of my salary, which I shall never be able + to repay from any other means, I would wish to become a + missionary, dependent on a society; but I know not how to + decide. The Lord in mercy keep my soul in peace. Other thoughts + have occurred to me since. A man who has unjustly got + possession of an estate hires me as a minister to preach to his + servants, and pays me a salary: the money wherewith he pays me + comes unjustly to him, but justly to me. The Company are the + acknowledged proprietors of the country, the ruling power. If I + were to refuse to go there, I might, on the same account, refuse + to go to France, and preach to the French people or bodyguard of + the emperor, because the present monarch who pays me is not the + lawful one. If there were a company of Mohammedan merchants or + Mohammedan princes in possession of the country, should I + hesitate to accept an offer of officiating as chaplain among + them, and receiving a salary? + + _March 14._--_Suavissima vita est indies sentire se fieri + meliorem._ So I can say from former experience more than from + present. But oh, it is the ardent desire of my soul to regard + all earthly things with indifference, as one who dwells above + with God. May I grow in grace; may the grace of God, which + bringeth salvation, teach me to become daily more spiritual, + more humble, more steadfast in Christ, more meek, more wise, and + in all things to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this + present world. How shall I attain to greater + heavenly-mindedness? Rose refreshed after a good night's sleep, + and wrote on a subject; had much conversation with Mr. B. upon + deck; he seemed much surprised when I corrected his notions on + religion, but received what I said with great candour. He said + there was a minister at Madras, a Dane, with whom Sir D. Baird + was well acquainted, who used to speak in the same manner of + religion, whose name was Schwartz. My attention was instantly + roused at the venerable name, and I eagerly inquired of him all + the particulars with which he was acquainted. He had often heard + him preach, and Mr. Jaenicke had often breakfasted with him; + Schwartz, he said, had a very commanding manner, and used to + preach extempore in English at Madras; he died very poor. In + the afternoon had a service below; much of the evening M'Kenzie + passed with me, and prayed. + + _March 26._--Passed much time before breakfast in sitting on the + poop, through utter disinclination to all exertion. Such is the + enervating effect of the climate; but after staying some hours + learning Hindustani words, 2 Timothy ii. roused me to a bodily + exertion. I felt strong in spirit, resolving, if I died under + it, to make the body submit to robust exercise; so I walked the + deck with great rapidity for an hour and a half. My animal + spirits were altered instantly; I felt a happy and joyful desire + to brave the enervating effects of India in the service of the + blessed Lord Jesus. B. still delirious and dying fast: the first + thing he said to me when I visited him this afternoon, was, 'Mr. + Martyn, what will you choose for a kingdom?' I made no answer to + this, but thought of it a good deal afterwards. What would I + choose? Why, I do not know that anything would be a heaven to + me, but the service of Christ, and the enjoyment of His + presence. + +In this spirit, coasting Ceylon, and getting his first sight of India +at the Danish mission station of Tranquebar, on April 22, 1806, Henry +Martyn landed at Madras. To Mr. Hitchins he afterwards wrote: + + There was nothing remarkable in this first part of India which I + visited; it was by no means so romantic as America. Vast numbers + of black people were walking about with no dress but a little + about their middle, but no European was to be seen except here + and there one in a palanquin. Once I preached at Fort St. + George, though the chaplains hardly knew what to make of such + sort of preaching; they were, however, not offended. Finding + that the people would bear to be addressed plainly, and not + really think the worse of a minister for dealing closely with + their consciences, they determined, they said, to preach the + Gospel as I did; but I fear that one, if not both, has yet to + learn what the Gospel is. I breakfasted one day with Sir E. + Pellew, the Port Admiral at Madras, and met S. Cole, his + captain. I was perfectly delighted to find one with whom I could + speak about St. Hilary and Marazion; we spoke of every person, + place, and thing we could think of in your neighbourhood. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[16] _Twenty Sermons_, by the late Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D. Fourth +edition (from first edition printed at Calcutta), London, 1822. + +[17] _Five Sermons_ (never before published), by the late Rev. Henry +Martyn, B.D., with a prefatory letter on missionary enterprise, by the +Rev. G.T. Fox, M.A., London, 1862. + +[18] George M. Theal's _South African History_, Lovedale Institution +Press, 1873. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +INDIA AND THE EAST IN THE YEAR 1806 + + +Henry Martyn reached India, and entered on his official duties as +chaplain and the work of his heart as missionary to North India, at a +time when the Anglo-Indian community had begun to follow society in +England, in a reformation of life and manners, and in a corresponding +desire to do good to the natives. The evangelical reaction set in +motion by the Pietists, Moravians, and Marrow-men, John Wesley and +Whitfield, Andrew Fuller and Simeon, John Erskine and the Haldanes, +had first affected South India and Madras, where Protestant Christian +Missions were just a century old. The Danish-Halle men, led by +Ziegenbalg and Schwartz, had found support in the Society for +Promoting Christian Knowledge from the year 1709. So early as 1716 an +East India Company's chaplain, the Rev. William Stevenson, wrote a +remarkable letter to that society,[19] 'concerning the most effectual +way of propagating the Gospel in this (South India) part of the +world.' He urged a union of the several agencies in England, Denmark, +and Germany into one common Society for Promoting the Protestant +Missions, the formation of colleges in Europe to train missionaries, the +raising of an annual income of 3,000_l._, and the maintenance therewith +of a staff of at least eight well-qualified missionaries. By a century +and a half he anticipated the proposal of that union which gives +strength and charity; the erection of colleges, at Tranquebar and +Madras, to train native ministers, catechists, and schoolmasters, and +the opening of free schools in every considerable place superintended by +the European missionaries on the circle system. Another Madras chaplain, +the Rev. George Lewis, was no less friendly and helpful to Ziegenbalg; +he was Mr. Stevenson's predecessor, and wrote in 1712. + +In North India--where the casteless races of the hills, corresponding +to the Shanars around Cape Comorin, were not discovered till far on in +the present century--almost everything was different. By the time that +the Evangelical Church directed its attention to Calcutta, the East +India Company had become a political, and consequently an intolerant, +power. It feared Christian proselytism, and it encouraged Hindu and +Mohammedan beliefs and institutions. Whereas, in Madras, it gladly +used Schwartz, subsidised the mission with 500 pagodas or 225_l._ a +year, and had always conveyed the missionaries' freight in its ships +free of charge, in Bengal it kept out missionaries, or so treated them +with all the rigour of the law against 'interlopers,' that William +Carey had to begin his career as an indigo planter, and seek +protection in Danish Serampore, where he became openly and only a +preacher and teacher of Christ. North India, too, with Calcutta and +Benares as its two Hindu centres, and Lucknow and Delhi as its two +Mohammedan centres, Shiah and Soonni, was, and is, the very citadel of +all the non-Christian world. The same Gospel which had proved the +power of God to the simple demonolators of the Dravidian south, must +be shown to be the wisdom of God to the Koolin of Bengal, the Brahman +of Kasi, the fanatical Muslim from Dacca, and ultimately to Peshawur +and Cabul, Persia and Arabia. The Himalayan and Gangetic land--from +which Buddhism overran Eastern and Southern Asia--must again send +forth a missionary message to call Cathay to Christ. + +The Christianising of North India began in 1758, the year after the +battle of Plassey, when, as Governor, the conqueror, Clive, welcomed +his old acquaintance, of the Cuddalore Mission, the Swede Kiernander, +to Calcutta, and gave him a rent-free house for eight years. Even +Burke was friendly with Clive, writing of him: 'Lord Clive once +thought himself obliged to me for having done what I thought an act of +justice towards him;'[20] and it is pleasant thus to be able in any +way to link that name with the purely spiritual force which used the +Plassey and the Mutiny wars, as it will direct all events, for making +India Christ's. The first church, built in 1715 by the merchants and +captains, had been destroyed by a hurricane; the second had been +demolished by Suraj-ood-Dowlah, in the siege of Calcutta, two years +before, and one of the two chaplains had perished in the Black Hole, +while the other was driven away. For the next thirty years the few who +went to the chaplains' church worshipped in a small bungalow in the +old fort, where Kiernander opened his first school. By 1771-4 he had +formed such a congregation of poor Christians--Portuguese, Roman +Catholics, and Bengali converts--that he built and extended the famous +Mission Church and School-house, at a cost of 12,000_l._, received +from both his marriages. When, by becoming surety for another, the old +man lost his all, and blindness added to his sorrows, he left an +English congregation of 147 members, and a Native congregation of 119, +half Portuguese or Eurasians, and half Bengali. + +Kiernander's Mission Church was the centre of the religious life of +Calcutta and Bengal. Six years after its foundation there came to +Calcutta, from Madras, Mr. William Chambers--who had been converted by +Schwartz--and John Christian Obeck, who had been one of the catechists +of the Apostle of South India. Chambers had not been a year in the +capital when he found out Charles Grant, at that time overwhelmed by a +domestic sorrow, and brought him to Christ. Grant soon after went to +Maldah as Commercial Resident, where he had as his subordinates, +George Udny, Ellerton, W. Brown, W. Grant, J. Henry, and Creighton. +These men, with their families, Sir Robert Chambers, of the Supreme +Court, Mrs. Anne Chambers who was with her sons, Mrs. Chapman, and +others less known, formed the nucleus of a Christian community which +first supported Thomas as a medical missionary, then welcomed Carey, +and, with the assistance of two Governor-Generals, Sir John Shore and +Lord Wellesley, changed the tone of Anglo-Indian society. Sir William +Jones, too, in his brief career of six years, set an example of all +the virtues. Henry Martyn had two predecessors as Evangelical +chaplains and missionary philanthropists, the Yorkshire David Brown, +and the Scottish Claudius Buchanan. + +David Brown, an early friend of Simeon and Fellow of Magdalen College, +was recovering from a long illness in 1785, when a letter reached him +from London, proposing that he should seek ordination, and in ten days +he accompanied Captain Kirkpatrick to Calcutta to superintend the +Military Orphan School. The officers of the Bengal Army had unanimously +resolved to tax themselves for the removal and prevention of the scandal +caused by the number of boys and girls left destitute--no fewer than 500 +at that time. This noble school, the blessings of which were soon +extended to the white and coloured offspring of non-commissioned +officers and soldiers also, was organised at Howrah by Brown, who then +was made chaplain to a brigade, and afterwards one of the Fort William +or Presidency chaplains. He found the Mission practically non-existent, +owing to Kiernander's losses and old age. To save the buildings from +sale by the sheriff, Charles Grant bought them for 10,000 rupees and +vested them in himself, Mr. A. Chambers, and Mr. Brown, by a deed +providing that they remain appropriated to the sole purposes of +religion. Until the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge could send +out a minister, David Brown greatly extended the work of Kiernander. At +one time it was likely that Henry Martyn would be sent out by Mr. Grant. +Under the Church Missionary Society the Mission Church of Calcutta has +ever since been identified with all that is best in pure religion and +missionary enterprise in the city of Calcutta. + +When sending out the Rev. A.T. Clarke, B.A. of Trinity College, +Cambridge, who soon after became a chaplain, the Christian Knowledge +Society, referring to Schwartz and Germany, fertile in missionaries, +declared, 'It has been the surprise of many, and the lamentation of +more, that fortitude thus exemplified should not have inspired some of +our own clergy with an emulation to follow and to imitate these +champions of the Cross, thus seeking and thus contending to save them +who are lost.' That was in 1789, when the Society and Dr. Watson, +Bishop of Llandaff, along with Simeon, Wilberforce, and the other +Clapham men, had before it, officially, the request of Charles Grant, +Chambers and Brown to send out eight English missionaries on 350_l._ a +year each, to study at Benares and attack Hinduism in its very centre. +Not till 1817 was the first Church of England missionary, as such, the +Rev. William Greenwood, to settle in Ceylon and then in Bengal. Even +he became rather an additional chaplain to the invalid soldiers at +Chunar. + +After a career not unlike that of John Newton, who first directed his +attention to India, Claudius Buchanan, whom his father had intended to +educate for the ministry of the Church of Scotland, wandered to +London, was sent to Queen's College, Cambridge, by Mr. Thornton of +Clapham; there came under Simeon's influence, and was appointed to +Bengal as a chaplain by Mr. Grant. That was in 1796. For the next ten +years in Barrackpore and Calcutta as the trusted chaplain of Lord +Wellesley, by his researches in South India, by his promotion of Bible +translation, and by the interest in the Christianising of India which +his generous prizes excited in the Universities and Churches of +England and Scotland, Dr. Claudius Buchanan was the foremost +ecclesiastic in the East. He at once gave an impulse to the silent +revolution which David Brown began and the Serampore missionaries +carried on. His Christian statesmanship commended him to all the +authorities, and soon the new Cathedral of St. John, which Warren +Hastings had erected to supersede the old Bungalow Church, became +filled with an attentive and devout congregation, as well as the +mission church. These two men and William Carey formed the pillars of +the College of Fort William, by which Lord Wellesley not only educated +the young civilians and military officers in the Oriental languages, and +in their duties to the natives, but developed a high ideal of public +life and personal morality. Such was the growth of Christian feeling +alike in the army and the civil service, and such the sense of duty to +the rapidly increasing Eurasian community, as well as to the natives, +that by 1803 Claudius Buchanan submitted to the Governor-General, the +Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop Porteus, his _Thoughts on the +Expediency of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for British India_. It +took ten years, covering the whole period of Henry Martyn's activities +and life, from this time for the proposal to be legislatively carried +out in the East India Company's Charter of 1813. + +Practically--except in Maldah residency during the influence of Grant, +Udny, and Carey at the end of last century--the reformation was +confined to Calcutta, as we shall see. It was a young lieutenant of +the Company's army who was the first to draw the attention of the +Governor-General, Sir John Shore, in 1794, to the total neglect of +religion in Bengal. Lieutenant White wrote that he had been eleven +years in the country without having had it in his power to hear the +public prayers of the Church above five times. He urged the regular +worship of God, the public performance of Divine service, and +preaching at all the stations. He proposed 'additional chaplains to +the Company's complement for considerable places which now have none +to officiate. Unless places were erected at the different stations for +assembling to Divine service, it must be impossible for chaplains even +to be able to do their duty, and to assemble the people together.' +The letter delighted the Governor-General, who said of it to David +Brown, 'I shall certainly recommend places to be made at the stations, +and shall desire the General who is going up the country to take this +matter in charge, and to fix on spots where chapels shall be erected.' +Nothing was done in consequence of this, however. It was left to +Martyn, and the other chaplains who were in earnest, to find or create +covered places for worship at the great military stations. Claudius +Buchanan himself could not hold regular services at Barrackpore, close +to Calcutta, for want of a church, and that was supplied long after by +adapting and consecrating the station theatre! + +The figures in Buchanan's published Memoir on the Expediency of an +Ecclesiastical Establishment, enable us to estimate exactly the +spiritual destitution of the Protestant subjects of the British +Government in Asia. Twelve years after Lieutenant White, Sir John +Shore, David Brown, and Claudius Buchanan first raised the question, +and when Henry Martyn began his ministrations to all classes, there +were 676,557 Protestant subjects in India, Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, and +Canton, Roman Catholics and Syrian Christians not included. In the +three Presidencies of India alone there were 156,057, of whom 7,257 +were civil and military officers and inhabitants, 6,000 were the +Company's European troops, 19,800 were the King's troops, 110,000 were +Eurasians, and 13,000 were 'native Protestant Christians at Tanjore.' +In Bengal alone--that is, North India--there were fifty stations, +thirty-one civil and nineteen military, many of which had been +'without the offices of religion for twenty years past, though at each +there reside generally a judge, a collector, a commercial resident, +with families, together with their assistants and families, and a +surgeon;' also indigo planters, tradesmen, and other European +inhabitants and the alarmingly large number of Eurasians. In Bengal +alone there were 13,299 European Protestants, of whom 2,467 were civil +servants and military officers; of the whole 13,299, 'a tenth part do +not return to England,' and desire Christian education and confirmation +for their children. Yet 'at present there are but three churches in +India, the chief of which was aided in construction by Hindu +contribution.' The India _Journals and Letters_ of Martyn must be read +in the light of all this. + +It was thus that the successive generations of soldiers and civilians +who won for Christian England its Indian Empire in the century from +Clive to Wellesley, Hastings, and Dalhousie, were de-Christianised. +Not till the close of the Mutiny war in 1858 did John Lawrence, first +as Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab and then as Viceroy, and Sir +Robert Montgomery as Lieutenant-Governor, lead the Queen's Government +to do its duty, by erecting, or helping Christians to erect, a chapel +in every station up to Peshawur and Burma--that, to use Buchanan's +language in 1806, 'the English soldiers and our countrymen of all +descriptions, after long absence from a Christian country, may +recognise a church.' Including Ceylon, Buchanan's scheme proposed an +annual expenditure of 144,000_l._ for four dioceses, with 50 English +chaplains and 100 native curates, 200 schoolmasters and 4 colleges to +train both Europeans and natives for the ministry; of this, Parliament +to give 100,000_l._ The ecclesiastical establishment of India--without +Ceylon, but including Church of Scotland chaplains, and grants to +Wesleyans and Roman Catholics--now costs India itself 160,000_l._ a +year, while the annual value of the lands devoted to the non-Christian +cults is many millions sterling. With all this, and the aid of the +Additional Clergy and Anglo-Indian Evangelisation Societies, and of +the missionaries to the natives, Great Britain does not meet the +spiritual wants of the now enormous number and scattered communities +of Christian soldiers and residents in its Indian Empire. + +Henry Martyn went out to India at a time when the government of India +had been temporarily entrusted to one of the only three or four +incompetent and unworthy men who have held the high office of +Governor-General. Sir George Barlow was a Bengal civilian of the old +type, whom Lord Wellesley had found so zealous and useful in matters of +routine that he had recommended him as provisional Governor-General. But +the moment that that proconsul had seated the East India Company on the +throne of the Great Mogul, as has been said, and Lord Cornwallis, who +had been hurried out a second time to undo his magnificent and just +policy, had died at Ghazipore, Sir George Barlow showed the most +disastrous zeal in opposition to all his former convictions. By +withholding from Sindia the lamentable despatch of September 19, 1805, +which Lord Cornwallis had signed when the unconsciousness of death had +already weakened his efficiency, Lord Lake gave the civil authorities a +final opportunity to consider their ways. But Barlow's stupidity--now +clothed with the almost dictator's power of the highest office under the +British Crown, as it was in those days--deliberately declared it to be +his desire, not only to fix the limit of our empire at the Jumna, a +river fordable by an enemy at all times, but to promote general anarchy +beyond that frontier as the best security for British peace within it. +The peace of Southern Asia and the good of its peoples were postponed +for years, till, with difficulty, the Marquis of Hastings restored the +empire to the position in which Lord Wellesley had left it. Sir George +Barlow is responsible for the twelve years' anarchy of British India, +from 1805 to 1817. His administration, which became such a failure that +he was removed to Madras, and was from even that province recalled, must +rank as a blot on the otherwise unbroken splendour and benevolence to +the subject races of the government of South Asia in the century and a +half from Clive to Lord Lansdowne. + +The man who, from dull stolidity more than from Macchiavellian craft, +thus again plunged half India into a series of wars by chief upon +chief and creed upon creed, was no less guilty of intolerance to +Christianity within the Company's territories. On the one hand, in +opposition to the views of Lord Wellesley, and even of the Court of +Directors led by Charles Grant, he made the Company's government the +direct manager of the Poori temple of Jaganath and its dancing girls; +on the other, he would have banished the Serampore and all Christian +missionaries from the country, but for the courageous opposition of +the little Governor of that Danish settlement. All too late he was +relieved by Lord Minto, whom the Brahmanised officials of 1807 to 1810 +used for a final and futile effort to crush Christianity out of India, +to the indignation of Henry Martyn, whose language in his _Journal_ is +not more unmeasured than the intolerance deserves. But in his purely +foreign policy Lord Minto proved that he had not held the office of +President of the Board of Control in vain. He once more asserted the +only reason for the existence of a foreign power in India, 'the +suppression of intestine disorder,' clearing Bundelkhund of robber +chiefs and military strongholds. Surrounded and assisted by the +brilliant civilians and military officers whom Wellesley and Carey had +trained--men like Mountstuart Elphinstone, Metcalfe and Malcolm--Lord +Minto proved equal to the strain which the designs of Napoleon +Bonaparte in the Treaty of Tilsit put upon our infant empire in the +East. He sent Metcalfe to Lahore, and confined the dangerous power of +Ranjeet Singh to the north of the Sutlej. He despatched Elphinstone to +Cabul, introducing the wise policy which has converted Afghanistan +into a friendly subsidised State; and through Malcolm he opened Persia +to English influence, paving the way for the embassy of Wellesley's +friend, Sir Gore Ouseley, and--unconsciously--for the kindly reception +of Henry Martyn. + +It was on April 22, 1806, at sunrise, that the young chaplain landed +from the surf-boat on the sands of Madras. His experience at San +Salvador had prepared him for the scene, and even for the crowds of +dark natives, though not for 'the elegance of their manners.' 'I felt +a solemn sort of melancholy at the sight of such multitudes of +idolators. While the turbaned Asiatics waited upon us at dinner, about +a dozen of them, I could not help feeling as if we had got into their +places.' He visited the native suburb in which his Hindustani-speaking +servants dwelt, and was depressed by its 'appearance of wretchedness.' +His soul was filled with the zeal of the Old Testament prophets +against idolatry, the first sight of which--of men, women, and +children, mad upon their idols--produces an impression which he does +not exaggerate: 'I fancy the frown of God to be visible.' He lost not +a day in commending his Master to the people. 'Had a good deal of +conversation with a Rajpoot about religion, and told him of the +Gospel.' The young natives pressed upon the new-comer as usual. 'Rose +early, but could not enjoy morning meditations in my walk, as the +young men would attach themselves to me.' + +He was much in the society of the Rev. Dr. Kerr[21] and the other +Madras chaplains; one of these was about to proceed to Seringapatam, +where Martyn urged him to 'devote himself to the work of preaching to +the natives.' This was ever foremost in his thoughts. He spent days in +obtaining from Dr. Kerr 'a vast deal of information about all the +chaplains and missionaries in the country, which he promised to put in +writing for me.' Schwartz was not then dead ten years, and Dr. Kerr, +who had known him and Guericke well, gave his eager listener many +details of the great missionary. + + Felt excessively delighted with accounts of a very late date + from Bengal, describing the labours of the missionaries, and was + rather agitated at the confusion of interesting thoughts that + crowded upon me; but I reasoned, Why thus? God may never honour + you with a missionary commission; you must expect to leave the + field, and bid adieu to the world and all its concerns. + +On his first Sunday in India, April 27, 1806, Henry Martyn assisted in +the service in the church at Fort St. George, and preached from Luke +x. 41, 42, 'One thing is needful.' + + There was much attention, and Lord William sent to Dr. Kerr + afterwards to request a copy of the sermon; but I believe it was + generally thought too severe. After dinner, went to Black Town + to Mr. Loveless's chapel. I sat in the air at the door enjoying + the blessed sound of the Gospel on an Indian shore, and joining + with much comfort in the song of divine praise. With young + Torriano I had some conversation respecting his entering the + ministry, as he spoke the Malabar tongue fluently. Walked home + at night enjoying the presence of God. + + _April 28._--This morning, at breakfast, Sir E. Pellew came in + and said: 'Upon my word, Mr. Martyn, you gave us a good trimming + yesterday.' As this was before a large company, and I was taken + by surprise, I knew not what to say. Passed most of the day in + transcribing the sermon. There was nothing very awakening in it. + About five in the evening I walked to Dr. Kerr's, and found my + way across the fields, which much resembled those near + Cambridge; I stopped some time to take a view of the men drawing + 'toddy' from the tree, and their manner of ploughing. + + _April 30._--Breakfasted at Sir E. Pellew's with Captain S. Cole + of the Culloden. I had a good deal of conversation about our + friends at St. Hilary and Marazion. Continued at home the rest + of the day transcribing sermon, and reading Zechariah. In the + evening drove with Dr. Kerr to Mr. Faulkner's, the Persian + translator, five or six miles in the country. We had some useful + conversation about the languages. On my return walked by + moonlight in the grounds reflecting on the mission. My soul was + at first sore tried by desponding thoughts: but God wonderfully + assisted me to trust Him for the wisdom of His dispensations. + Truly, therefore, will I say again, 'Who art thou, O great + mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain.' How easy + for God to do it! and it shall be done in good time: and even if + I never should see a native converted, God may design by my + patience and continuance in the work to encourage future + missionaries. But what surprises me is the change of views I + have here from what I had in England.--There, my heart expanded + with hope and joy at the prospect of the speedy conversion of + the heathen! but here, the sight of the apparent impossibility + requires a strong faith to support the spirits. + +The 'Lord William' of the _Journal_ is the Governor of Madras, Lord +William Bentinck, whom, at the beginning of his Indian career, it is +interesting to find thus pleasantly brought into contact with Henry +Martyn--just as he became the fast friend of Alexander Duff, at the +close of his long and beneficent services to his country and to +humanity. In two months thereafter the Vellore Mutiny was to break +out, through no fault of his, and he was to be recalled by an act of +injustice for which George Canning and the Court of Directors atoned +twenty years after by appointing him Governor-General. + +After a fortnight off Madras, the Union once more set sail under the +convoy of the Victor sloop-of-war. Every moment the young scholar had +sought to add to his knowledge of Hindustani and Persian. He changed +his first native servant for one who could speak Hindustani. He drove +with Dr. Kerr to Mr. Faulkner's, the Persian translator to Government. +'We had some useful conversation about the languages.' On the voyage +to Calcutta, he was 'employed in learning Bengali. Passed the +afternoon on the poop reading Sale's _Al Coran_.' Only missionary +thoughts and aspirations ruled his mind, now despairing of his own +fitness; now refreshed as he turned from the Church Missionary +Society's reports to the evangelical prophecies of Malachi; again +praying for the young missionaries of the London Society as he passed +Vizagapatam, and for 'poor India' as he came in sight of the Jaganath +pagoda, 'much resembling in appearance Roche Rock in Cornwall ... the +scene presented another specimen of that tremendous gloom with which +the devil has overspread the land.' After taking a pilot on board in +Balasore Roads, where Carey had first landed, the ship was driven out +to sea by a north-wester, and Henry Martyn suffered from his first +sunstroke. In three days she anchored in the Hoogli, above Culpee, and +on May 13 bumped on that dreaded shoal, the James and Mary. 'The +captain considered the vessel as lost. Retired as soon as possible for +prayer, and found my soul in peace at the prospect of death.' She +floated off, exchanging most of the treasure into a tender which lay +becalmed off the Garden Reach suburb, then 'very beautiful.' + +Henry Martyn landed at Calcutta in the height of the hot season, on +May 16, 1806. Claudius Buchanan had passed him at the mouth of the +Hoogli, setting out on the tour of the coasts of India, which resulted +in the _Christian Researches_. David Brown was in his country retreat +at Aldeen, near Serampore. + +The man whom, next to his own colleagues, he first sought out was the +quondam shoemaker of Hackleton, and poor Baptist preacher of Moulton, +the Bengali missionary to whose success Charles Simeon had pointed him +when fresh from the triumph of Senior Wrangler; the apostle then +forty-five years of age, who was busy with the duties of Professor of +Sanskrit, Bengali, and Marathi, in the College of Fort William, that +he might have the Bible translated into all the languages of Asia, and +preached in all the villages of North India. + + _1806, May 16._--Went ashore at daylight this morning, and with + some difficulty found Carey: Messrs. Brown and Buchanan being + both absent from Calcutta. With him I breakfasted, joined with + him in worship, which was in Bengali for the advantage of a few + servants, who sat, however, perfectly unmoved. I could not help + contrasting them with the slaves and Hottentots at Cape Town, + whose hearts seemed to burn within them. After breakfast Carey + began to translate, with a Pandit, from a Sanskrit manuscript. + Presently after, Dr. Taylor came in. I had engaged a boat to go + to Serampore, when a letter from Mr. Brown found me out, and + directed me to his house in the town, where I spent the rest of + the day in solitude, and more comfortably and profitably than + any time past. I enjoyed several solemn seasons in prayer, and + more lively impressions from God's Word. I felt elevated above + those distressing fears and distractions which pride and + worldliness engender in the mind. Employed at times in writing + to Mr. Simeon, Mr. Brown's moonshi; a Brahmin of the name of B. + Roy came in and disputed with me two hours about the Gospel. I + was really surprised at him; he spoke English very well and + possessed more acuteness, good sense, moderation, and + acquaintance with the Scriptures than I could conceive to be + found in an Indian. He spoke with uncommon energy and eloquence, + intending to show that Christianity and Hinduism did not + materially differ. He asked me to explain my system, and adduce + the proofs of it from the Bible, which he said he believed was + the Word of God. When I asked him about his idolatry, he asked + in turn what I had to say to our worshipping Christ. This led to + inquiries about the Trinity, which, after hearing what I had to + say, he observed was actually the Hindu notion. I explained + several things about the Jews and the Old Testament, about which + he wanted information, with all which he was amazingly pleased. + I feel much encouraged by this to go to instruct them. I see + that they are a religious people, as St. Paul called the + Athenians, and my heart almost springs at the thought that the + time is ripening for the fulness of the Gentiles to come in. + + _May 17._--A day more unprofitable than the foregoing; the + depravity of my heart, as it is in its natural frame, appeared + to me to-day almost unconquerable. I could not, however long in + prayer, keep the presence of God, or the power of the world to + come, in my mind at all. It sunk down to its most lukewarm + state, and continued in general so, in spite of my endeavours. + Oh, how I need a deep heartrending work of the Spirit upon + myself, before I shall save myself, or them that hear me! What I + hear about my future destination has proved a trial to me + to-day. My dear brethren, Brown and Buchanan, wish to keep me + here, as I expected, and the Governor accedes to their wishes. I + have a great many reasons for not liking this; I almost think + that to be prevented going among the heathen as a missionary + would break my heart. Whether it be self-will or aught else, I + cannot yet rightly ascertain. At all events I must learn + submission to everything. In the multitude of my thoughts Thy + comforts delight my soul. I have been running the hurried round + of thought without God. I have forgotten that He ordereth + everything. I have been bearing the burden of my cares myself, + instead of casting them all upon Him. Mr. Brown came in to-day + from Serampore, and gave me directions how to proceed; continued + at home writing to E. In the afternoon went on board, but + without being able to get my things away. Much of the rest of + the day passed in conversation with Mr. Brown. I feel pressed in + spirit to do something for God. Everybody is diligent, but I am + idle; all employed in their proper work, but I tossed in + uncertainty; I want nothing but grace; I want to be perfectly + holy, and to save myself and those that hear me. I have hitherto + lived to little purpose, more like a clod than a servant of God; + now let me burn out for God. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[19] _An Abstract of the Annual Reports and Correspondence of the +Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge from 1709 to 1814._ London, +1814, pp. 4-24. + +[20] See a remarkable letter from Mr. Burke to Yuseph Emin, an +Armenian of Calcutta, in Simeon's _Memorial Sketches of David Brown_, +p. 334. + +[21] Simeon thus introduced him to Dr. Kerr, in a private letter quoted +by a later Madras chaplain, Rev. James Hough, in his valuable five volumes +on _The History of Christianity in India_: 'Our excellent friend, Mr. +Martyn, lived five months with me, and a more heavenly-minded young man +I never saw.' In the same year, the Rev. Marmaduke Thompson, an +evangelical chaplain, arrived in Madras _via_ Calcutta. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +CALCUTTA AND SERAMPORE, 1806 + + +'Now let me burn out for God!' Such were the words with which Henry +Martyn began his ministry to natives and Europeans in North India, as +in the secrecy of prayer he reviewed his first two days in Calcutta. +Chaplain though he was, officially, at the most intolerant time of the +East India Company's administration, he was above all things a +missionary. Charles Simeon had chosen him, and Charles Grant had sent +him out, for this as well as his purely professional duty, and it +never occurred to him that he could be anything else. He burned to +bring all men to the same peace with God and service to Him which he +himself had for seven years enjoyed. We find him recording his great +delight, now at an extract sent to him from the East India Company's +Charter, doubtless the old one from William III., 'authorising and +even requiring me to teach the natives,' and again on receiving a +letter from Corrie, 'exulting with thankfulness and joy that Dr. Kerr +was preaching the Gospel. Eight such chaplains in India! this is +precious news indeed.' Even up to the present time no Christian in +India has ever recognised so fully, or carried out in a brief time so +unrestingly, his duty to natives and Europeans alike as sinners to be +saved by Jesus Christ alone. + +Henry Martyn's first Sunday in Calcutta was spent in worship in St. +Johns, the 'new church,' when Mr. Jefferies read one part and Mr. +Limerick another of the service, and Mr. Brown preached. Midday was +spent with 'a pious family where we had some agreeable and religious +conversation, but their wish to keep me from the work of the mission +and retain me at Calcutta was carried farther than mere civility, and +showed an extraordinary unconcern for the souls of the poor heathens.' +In the evening, though unwell with a cold and sore throat, he ventured +to read the service in the mission or old church of Kiernander. He was +there 'agreeably surprised at the number, attention, and apparent +liveliness of the audience. Most of the young ministers that I know +would rejoice to come from England if they knew how attractive every +circumstance is respecting the church.' Next day he was presented at +the levee of Sir George Barlow, acting Governor-General, 'who, after +one or two trifling questions, passed on.' He then spent some time in +the College of Fort William, where he was shown Tipoo's library, and +one of the Mohammedan professors--a colleague of Carey--chanted the +Koran. Thence he was rowed with the tide, in an hour and a half, +sixteen miles up the Hoogli to Aldeen, the house of Rev. David Brown +in the suburb of Serampore, which became his home in Lower Bengal. On +the next two Sundays he preached in the old church of Calcutta, and in +the new church 'officiated at the Sacrament with Mr. Limerick.' It was +on June 8 that he preached in the new church, for the first time, his +famous sermon from 1 Cor. i. 23, 24, on '_Christ crucified, unto the +Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them +which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and +the wisdom of God_.' + +This is his own account of the immediate result: + + _1806, June 8._--The sermon excited no small ferment; however, + after some looks of surprise and whispering, the congregation + became attentive and serious. I knew what I was to be on my + guard against, and therefore, that I might not have my mind full + of idle thoughts about the opinions of men, I prayed both before + and after, that the Word might be for the conversion of souls, + and that I might feel indifferent, except on this score. + +We cannot describe the sermon, as it was published after his death, +and again in 1862, more correctly than by comparing it to one of Mr. +Spurgeon's, save that, in style, it is a little more academic and a +little less Saxon or homely. But never before had the high officials +and prosperous residents of Calcutta, who attended the church which +had become 'fashionable' since the Marquess Wellesley set the example +of regular attendance, heard the evangel preached. The chaplains had +been and were of the Arian and Pelagian type common in the Church till +a later period. They at once commenced an assault on their young +colleague and on the doctrines by which Luther and Calvin had reformed +the Churches of Christendom. This was the conclusion of the hated +sermon: + + There is, in every congregation, a large proportion of Jews and + Greeks. There are persons who resemble the Jews in + self-righteousness; who, after hearing the doctrines of grace + insisted on for years, yet see no occasion at all for changing + the ground of their hopes. They seek righteousness 'not by + faith, but as it were by the works of the law: for they stumble + at that stumbling-stone' (Rom. ix. 32); or, perhaps, after going + a little way in the profession of the Gospel, they take offence + at the rigour of the practice which we require, as if the + Gospel did not enjoin it. 'This is a hard saying,' they + complain; 'who can hear it?' (John vi. 60), and thus resemble + those who first made the complaint, who 'went back and walked no + more with Him.' + + Others come to carp and to criticise. While heretics who deny + the Lord that bought them, open infidels, professed atheists, + grossly wicked men, are considered as entitled to candour, + liberality, and respect, they are pleased to make serious + professors of the Gospel exclusively objects of contempt, and + set down their discourses on the mysteries of faith as idle and + senseless jargon. Alas! how miserably dark and perverse must + they be who think thus of that Gospel which unites all the power + and wisdom of God in it. After God has arranged all the parts of + His plan, so as to make it the best which in His wisdom could be + devised for the restoration of man, how pitiable their stupidity + and ignorance to whom it is foolishness! And, let us add, how + miserable will be their end! because they not only are condemned + already, and the wrath of God abideth on them, but they incur + tenfold danger: they not only remain without a remedy to their + maladies, but have the guilt of rejecting it when offered to + them. This is their danger, that there is always a + stumbling-block in the way: the further they go, the nearer are + they to their fall. They are always exposed to sudden, + unexpected destruction. They cannot foresee one moment whether + they shall stand or fall the next; and when they do fall they + fall at once without warning. Their feet shall slide in due + time. Just shame is it to the sons of men, that He whose delight + it was to do them good, and who so loved them as to shed His + blood for them, should have so many in the world to despise and + reject His offers; but thus is the ancient Scripture + fulfilled--'The natural man receiveth not the things of the + Spirit of God' (1 Cor. ii. 14). + + Tremble at your state, all ye that from self-righteousness, or + pride, or unwillingness to follow Him in the regeneration, + disregard Christ! Nothing keeps you one moment from perdition + but the mere sovereign pleasure of God. Yet suppose not that we + take pleasure in contradicting your natural sentiments on + religion, or in giving pain by forcing offensive truths upon + your attention--no! as the ministers of joy and peace we rise up + at the command of God, to preach Christ crucified to you all. He + died for His bitterest enemies: therefore, though ye have been + Jews or Greeks, self-righteous, ignorant, or profane--though ye + have presumed to call His truths in question, treated the Bible + with contempt, or even chosen to prefer an idol to the + Saviour--yet return, at length, before you die, and God is + willing to forgive you. + + How happy is the condition of those who obey the call of the + Gospel. Their hope being placed on that way of salvation which + is the _power_ and _wisdom_ of God, on what a broad, firm basis + doth it rest! Heaven and earth may pass away, though much of the + power and wisdom of God was employed in erecting that fabric; + but the power and wisdom themselves of God must be cut off from + His immutable essence, and pass away, before one tittle of your + hope can fail. Then rejoice, ye children of Wisdom, by whom she + is justified. Happy are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, + for they hear; and the things which God hath hidden from the + wise and prudent, He hath revealed unto you. Ye were righteous + in your own esteem; but ye 'count all things but loss for the + excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.' Then be + not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, 'which is the power of God + unto salvation unto every one that believeth'; but continue to + display its efficacy by the holiness of your lives, and live + rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. + +The opposition of the officers and many of the troops on board the +transport had made the preacher familiar with attack and misrepresentation, +but not less faithful in expounding the Gospel of the grace of God as he +himself had received it to his joy, and for his service to the death. But +the ministrations of David Brown for some years might have been expected +to have made the civilians and merchants of Calcutta more tolerant, if not +more intelligent. They were, however, incited or led by the two other +chaplains thus: + + _1806, June 16._--Heard that Dr. Ward had made an intemperate + attack upon me yesterday at the new church, and upon all the + doctrines of the Gospel. I felt like the rest, disposed to be + entertained at it; but I knew it to be wrong, and therefore + found it far sweeter to retire and pray, with my mind fixed upon + the more awful things of another world. + + _June 22._--Attended at the new church, and heard Mr. Jefferies + on the evidences of Christianity. I had laboured much in prayer + in the morning that God would be pleased to keep my heart during + the service from thinking about men, and I could say as I was + going, 'I will go up to Thy house in the multitude of Thy + mercies, and in Thy fear will I worship toward Thy holy temple.' + In public worship I was rather more heavenly-minded than on + former occasions, yet still vain and wandering. At night + preached on John x. 11: 'I am the good shepherd;' there was + great attention. Yet felt a little dejected afterwards, as if I + always preached without doing good. + + _July 6._--Laboured to have my mind impressed with holy things, + particularly because I expected to have a personal attack from + the pulpit. Mr. Limerick preached from 2 Pet. i. 13, and spoke + with sufficient plainness against me and my doctrines. Called + them inconsistent, extravagant, and absurd. He drew a vast + variety of false inferences from the doctrines, and thence + argued against the doctrines themselves. To say that repentance + is the gift of God was to induce men to sit still and wait for + God. To teach that Nature was wholly corrupt was to lead men to + despair; that men thinking the righteousness of Christ + sufficient to justify, will account it unnecessary to have any + of their own: this last assertion moved me considerably, and I + started at hearing such downright heresy. He spoke of me as one + of those who understand neither what they say nor whereof they + affirm, and as speaking only to gratify self-sufficiency, pride, + and uncharitableness. I rejoiced at having the sacrament of the + Lord's Supper afterwards, as the solemnities of that blessed + ordinance sweetly tended to soothe the asperities and dissipate + the contempt which was rising; and I think I administered the + cup to ---- and ---- with sincere good-will. At night I preached + on John iv. 10, at the mission church, and, blessed be God! with + an enlarged heart. I saw ---- in tears, and that encouraged me + to hope that perhaps some were savingly affected, but I feel no + desire except that my God should be glorified. If any are + awakened at hearing me, let me not hear of it if I should glory. + + _August 24._--At the new church, Mr. Jefferies preached. I + preached in the evening on Matt. xi. 28, without much heart, yet + the people as attentive as possible. + + _August 25._--Called on Mr. Limerick and Mr. Birch; with the + latter I had a good deal of conversation on the practicability + of establishing schools, and uniting in a society. An officer + who was there took upon him to call in question the lawfulness + of interfering with the religion of the natives, and said that + at Delhi the Christians were some of the worst people there. I + was glad at the prospect of meeting with these Christians. The + Lord enabled me to speak boldly to the man, and to silence him. + From thence I went to the Governor-General's levee, and received + great attention from him, as, indeed, from most others here. + Perhaps it is a snare of Satan to stop my mouth, and make me + unwilling to preach faithfully to them. The Lord have mercy, + and quicken me to diligence. + + _August 26._--At night Marshman came, and our conversation was + very refreshing and profitable. Truly the love of God is the + happiness of the soul! My soul felt much sweetness at this + thought, and breathed after God. At midnight Marshman came to + the pagoda, and awakened me with the information that Sir G. + Barlow had sent word to Carey not to disperse any more tracts + nor send out more native brethren, or in any way interfere with + the prejudices of the natives. We did not know what to make of + this; the subject so excited me that I was again deprived of + necessary sleep. + + _August 28._--Enjoyed much comfort in my soul this morning, and + ardour for my work, but afterwards consciousness of indolence + and unprofitableness made me uneasy. In the evening Mr. + Marshman, Ward, Moore, and Rowe came up and talked with us on + the Governor's prohibition of preaching the Gospel, &c. Mr. + Brown's advice was full of wisdom, and weighed with them all. I + was exceedingly excited, and spoke with vehemence against the + measures of government, which afterwards filled me justly with + shame. + +The earnestness of the young chaplain was such that 'the people of +Calcutta,' or all the Evangelicals, joined even by the Baptist +missionaries at Serampore, gave him no rest that he might consent to +become minister of the mission or old church, with a chaplain's salary +and house. Dr. Marshman urged that thus he might create a missionary +spirit and organise missionary undertakings of more value to the +natives than the preaching of any one man. But he remained deaf to the +temptation, while he passed on the call to Cousin T. Hitchins and +Emma, at Plymouth. His call was not to preach even in the metropolis +of British India, the centre of Southern Asia; but, through their own +languages, to set in motion a force which must win North India, +Arabia, and Persia to Christ, while by his death he should stir up the +great Church of England to do its duty. + +[Illustration: PAGODA, ALDEEN HOUSE] + +Serampore was the scene of his praying, his communing, and his +studying, while every Sunday was given to his duties in Calcutta, as +he waited five months for his first appointment to a military station. +David Brown had not long before acquired Aldeen House, with its +tropical garden and English-like lawn sloping down to the river, +nearly opposite the Governor-General's summer-house and park of +Barrackpore. Connected with the garden was the old and architecturally +picturesque temple of the idol Radha-bullub, which had been removed +farther inland because the safety of the shrine was imperilled by the +river. But the temple still stands, in spite of the rapid Hoogli at +its base, and the more destructive peepul tree which has spread over +its massive dome. In 1854, when the present writer first visited the +now historic spot, even the platform above the river was secure, but +that has since disappeared, with much of the fine brick moulding and +tracery work. Here was the young saint's home; ever since it has been +known as Henry Martyn's Pagoda, and has been an object of interest to +hundreds of visitors from Europe and America. + +[Illustration: A BRICK FROM HENRY MARTYN'S PAGODA] + +Henry Martyn became one of David Brown's family, with whom he kept up +the most loving correspondence almost to his death. But he spent even +more time with the already experienced missionaries who formed the +famous brotherhood a little farther up the right bank of the Hoogli. +Carey thus wrote of him, knowing nothing of the fact that it was his +own earlier reports which, in Simeon's hands, had first led Martyn to +desire the missionary career: 'A young clergyman, Mr. Martyn, is +lately arrived, who is possessed of a truly missionary spirit. He +lives at present with Mr. Brown, and as the image or shadow of bigotry +is not known among us here, we take sweet counsel together and go to +the house of God as friends.' Later on, the founder of the Modern +Missionary enterprise, who desired to send a missionary to every great +centre in North India, declared of the Anglican chaplain that, +wherever he went no other missionary would be needed. The late Mr. +John Clark Marshman, C.S.I., who as a lad saw them daily, wrote: 'A +strong feeling of sympathy drew him into a close intimacy with Dr. +Marshman, and they might be often seen walking arm in arm, for hours +together, on the banks of the river between Aldeen House and the +Mission House.' To the last he addressed Dr. Marshman, in frequent +letters, as his 'dear brother,' anticipating the catholic tenderness +of Bishop Heber.[22] Martyn attended those family lectures of Ward on +the Hindus which resulted in his great book on the subject. In the +Pagoda, 'Carey, Marshman, and Ward joined in the same chorus of praise +with Brown, Martyn, and Corrie.' Martyn himself gives us these +exquisite unconscious pictures of Christian life in Serampore, in +which all true missionaries face to face with the common enemy have +followed the giants of those days. + + _1806, May 19._--In the cool of the evening we walked to the + mission-house, a few hundred yards off, and I at last saw the + place about which I have so long read with pleasure. I was + introduced to all the missionaries. We sat down about one + hundred and fifty to tea, at several long tables in an immense + room. After this there was evening service in another room + adjoining, by Mr. Ward. Mr. Marshman then delivered his lecture + on grammar. As his observations were chiefly confined to the + Greek, and seemed intended for the young missionaries, I was + rather disappointed, having expected to hear something about the + Oriental languages. With Mr. M. alone I had much conversation, + and received the first encouragement to be a missionary that I + have met with since I came to this country. I blessed God in my + heart for this seasonable supply of refreshment. Finding my sore + throat and cough much increased, I thought there might be some + danger, and felt rather low at the prospect of death. I could + scarcely tell why. The constant uneasiness I am in from the + bites of the mosquitoes made me rather fretful also. My + habitation assigned me by Mr. Brown is a pagoda in his grounds, + on the edge of the river. Thither I retired at night, and really + felt something like superstitious dread at being in a place once + inhabited, as it were, by devils, but yet felt disposed to be + triumphantly joyful that the temple where they were worshipped + was become Christ's oratory. I prayed out aloud to my God, and + the echoes returned from the vaulted roof. Oh, may I so pray + that the dome of heaven may resound! I like my dwelling much, it + is so retired and free from noise; it has so many recesses and + cells that I can hardly find my way in and out. + + _May 20._--Employed in preparing a sermon for to-morrow, and + while walking about for this purpose, my body and mind active, + my melancholy was a little relieved by the hope that I should + not be entirely useless as a missionary. In the evening I walked + with Mr. Brown, to see the evening worship at a pagoda whither + they say the god who inhabited my pagoda retired some years ago. + As we walked through the dark wood which everywhere covers the + country, the cymbals and drums struck up, and never did sounds + go through my heart with such horror in my life. The pagoda was + in a court, surrounded by a wall, and the way up to it was by a + flight of steps on each side. The people to the number of about + fifty were standing on the outside, and playing the instruments. + In the centre of the building was the idol, a little ugly black + image, about two feet high, with a few lights burning round him. + At intervals they prostrated themselves with their foreheads to + the earth. I shivered at being in the neighbourhood of hell; my + heart was ready to burst at the dreadful state to which the + Devil had brought my poor fellow-creatures. I would have given + the world to have known the language, to have preached to them. + At this moment Mr. Marshman arrived, and my soul exulted that + the truth would now be made known. He addressed the Brahmins + with a few questions about the god; they seemed to be all agreed + with Mr. Marshman, and quite ashamed at being interrogated, when + they knew they could give no answer. They were at least mute, + and would not reply; and when he continued speaking they struck + up again with their detestable music, and so silenced him. We + walked away in sorrow, but the scene we had witnessed gave rise + to a very profitable conversation, which lasted some hours. + Marshman in conversation with me alone sketched out what he + thought would be the most useful plan for me to pursue in India; + which would be to stay in Calcutta a year to learn the language, + and when I went up the country to take one or two native + brethren with me, to send them forth, and preach occasionally + only to confirm their word, to establish schools, and visit + them. He said I should do far more good in the way of influence + than merely by actual preaching. After all, whatever God may + appoint, prayer is the great thing. Oh, that I may be a man of + prayer; my spirit still struggles for deliverance from all my + corruptions. + + _May 22._--In our walk at sunset, met Mr. Marshman, with whom I + continued talking about the languages. Telling Mr. Brown about + my Cambridge honours, I found my pride stirred, and bitterly + repented having said anything about it. Surely the increase of + humility need not be neglected when silence may do it. + + _May 23._--Was in general in a spiritual, happy frame the whole + day, which I cannot but ascribe to my being more diligent and + frequent in prayer over the Scriptures, so that it is the + neglect of this duty that keeps my soul so low. Began the + Bengali grammar, and got on considerably. Continued my letters + to Mr. Simeon and Emma. At night we attended a conference of the + missionaries on this subject: 'Whether God could save sinners + without the death of Christ.' Messrs. Carey, Marshman, and Ward + spoke, Mr. Brown and myself. I offered what might be said on the + opposite side of the question to that which the rest took, to + show that He might have saved them without Christ. About + fourteen of the Bengali brethren were present and spoke on the + subject. Ram Roteen prayed. + + _Monday, May 26._--Went up to Serampore with Mr. Brown, with + whom I had much enlivening conversation. Why cannot I be like + Fletcher and Brainerd, and those men of modern times? Is + anything too hard for the Lord? Cannot my stupid stony heart be + made to flame with love and zeal? What is it that bewitches me, + that I live such a dying life? My soul groans under its bondage. + In the evening Marshman called; I walked back with him, and was + not a little offended at his speaking against the use of a + liturgy. I returned full of grief at the offences which arise + amongst men, and determined to be more alone with the blessed + God. + + _May 29._--Had some conversation with Marshman alone on the + prospects of the Gospel in this country, and the state of + religion in our hearts, for which I felt more anxious. + Notwithstanding, I endeavoured to guard against prating only to + display my experience; I found myself somewhat ruffled by the + conversation, and derived no benefit from it, but felt desirous + only to get away from the world, and to cease from men; my pride + was a little hurt by Marshman's questioning me as the merest + novice. He probably sees farther into me than I see into myself. + + _June 12._--Still exceedingly feeble; endeavoured to think on a + subject, and was much irritated at being unable to write a word. + Mrs. Brown, and afterwards Mr. Brown, paid me a visit. I came + into the house to dinner, but while there I felt as if fainting + or dying, and indeed really thought I was departing this life. I + was brought back again to the pagoda, and then on my bed I began + to pray as on the verge of eternity. The Lord was pleased to + break my hard heart, and deliver me from that satanic spirit of + light and arrogant unconcern about which I groaned out my + complaint to God. From this time I lay in tears, interceding for + the unfortunate natives of this country; thinking with myself, + that the most despised Soodra of India was of as much value, in + the sight of God, as the King of Great Britain: through the rest + of the day my soul remained in a spirit of contrition. + + _June 14._--A pundit came to me this morning, but after having + my patience tried with him, I was obliged to send him away, as + he knew nothing about Hindustani. I was exceedingly puzzled to + know how I should ever be able to acquire any assistance in + learning these languages. Alas! what trials are awaiting me. + Sickness and the climate have increased the irritability of my + temper, and occasions of trying it occur constantly. In the + afternoon, while pleading for a contrite tender spirit, but in + vain, I was obliged to cease praying for that tenderness of + spirit, and to go on to other petitions, and by this means was + brought to a more submissive state. Officiated at evening + worship. + + _June 15._--Found my mouth salivated this morning from calomel. + Attended the morning service at the mission-house; Mr. Marsdon + preached. After service Marshman and Carey talked with me in the + usual cheering way about missionary things, but my mind was + dark. In the afternoon was rather more comfortable in prayer, + and at evening worship was assisted to go through the duties of + it with cheerfulness. Read some of Whitfield's _Sermons_. + + _June 19._--Rose in gloom, but that was soon dissipated by + consideration and prayer. Began after breakfast for the first + time with a moonshi, a Cashmerian Brahmin, with whom I was much + pleased. In the boat, back to Serampore, learning roots. + Officiated at evening worship. Walked at night with Marshman and + Mr. Brown to the bazaar held at this time of the year, for the + use of the people assembling at Juggernaut. The booth or + carriage was fifty feet high, in appearance a wooden temple, + with rows of wheels through the centre of it. By the side of + this a native brother who attended Marshman gave away papers, + and this gave occasion to disputes, which continued a + considerable time between Marshman and the Brahmins. Felt + somewhat hurt at night at ----'s insinuating that my low + spirits, as he called it, was owing to want of diligence. God + help me to be free from this charge, and yet not desirous to + make a show before men. May I walk in sweet and inward communion + with Him, labouring with never-ceasing diligence and care, and + assured that I shall not live or labour in vain. + + _June 24._--At daylight left Calcutta, and had my temper greatly + exercised by the neglects and improper behaviour of the servants + and boatmen. Arrived at Serampore at eight, and retired to my + pagoda, intending to spend the day in fasting and prayer; but + after a prayer in which the Lord helped me to review with sorrow + the wickedness of my past life, I was so overcome with fatigue + that I fell asleep, and thus lost the whole morning; so I gave + up my original intention. Passed the afternoon in translating + the second chapter of St. Matthew into Hindustani. Had a long + conversation at night with Marshman, whose desire now is that I + should stay at Serampore, give myself to the study of Hindustani + for the sake of the Scriptures, and be ready to supply the place + of Carey and Marshman in the work, should they be taken off; and + for another reason--that I might awaken the attention of the + people of God in Calcutta more to missionary subjects. I was + struck with the importance of having proper persons here to + supply the place of these two men; but could not see that it was + the path God designed for me. I felt, however, a most impatient + desire that some of my friends should come out and give + themselves to the work; for which they are so much more fit in + point of learning than any of the Dissenters are, and could not + bear that a work of such stupendous magnitude should be + endangered by their neglect and love of the world. Marshman + recommended that the serious people in Calcutta should unite in + a society for the support of missions, and each subscribe fifty + rupees a month for their maintenance. Ten members with this + subscription could support sixty or seventy native brethren. He + wished me also to see the duty of their all remaining in the + country, learning the language, and instructing their servants. + My mind was so filled and excited by the first part of our + conversation, that I could not sleep for many hours after going + to bed. He told me that the people were surfeited with the + Gospel, and that they needed to be exhorted to duty. + + _June 26._--Employed in translating St. Matthew into Hindustani, + and reading Mirza's translation; afterwards had moonshi a + little. In the afternoon walked with Mr. Brown to see + Juggernaut's car drawn back to its pagoda. Many thousands of + people were present, rending the air with acclamations. The car + with the tower was decorated with a vast number of flags, and + the Brahmins were passing to and fro through the different + compartments of it, catching the offerings of fruit, cowries, + &c., that were thrown up to the god, for which they threw down + in return small wreaths of flowers, which the people wore round + their necks and in their hair. When the car stopped at the + pagoda, the god and two attending deities were let down by + ropes, muffled up in red cloths, a band of singers with drums + and cymbals going round the car while this was performed. Before + the stumps of images, for they were not better, some of the + people prostrated themselves, striking the ground twice with + their foreheads; this excited more horror in me than I can well + express, and I was about to stammer out in Hindustani, 'Why do + ye these things?' and to preach the Gospel. The words were on my + lips--though if I had spoken thousands would have crowded round + me, and I should not have been understood. However, I felt my + spirit more inflamed with zeal than I ever conceived it would + be; and I thought that if I had words I would preach to the + multitudes all the day, if I lost my life for it. It was curious + how the women clasped their hands, and lifted them up as if in + the ecstasy of devotion, while Juggernaut was tumbled about in + the most clumsy manner before their eyes. I thought with some + sorrow that Satan may exert the same influence in exciting + apparently religious affections in professors of the Gospel, in + order to deceive souls to their eternal ruin. Dr. Taylor and Mr. + Moore joined us, and distributed tracts. Mr. Ward, we heard, was + at a distance preaching. On our return we met Marshman going + upon the same errand. In evening worship my heart was rather + drawn out for the heathen, and my soul in general through the + day enjoyed a cheering sense of God's love. Marshman joined us + again, and our conversation was about supporting some native + missions. + + _June 30._--Went up to Serampore in the boat, learning roots. + Spent the afternoon chiefly in prayer, of which my soul stood + greatly in need through the snares into which my heart had been + falling. Called at the mission-house, and saw Mr. Marsdon + previous to the commencement of his missionary career. Now the + plans of God are, I trust, taking another step forward. + + _July 2._--Mr. Brown proposed a prayer meeting between ourselves + and the missionaries previous to the departure of Dr. Taylor for + Surat. It was a season of grace to my soul, for some sense of + the vast importance of the occasion dwelt upon my mind in + prayer, and I desired earnestly to live zealously, labouring for + souls in every possible way, with more honesty and openness. In + the evening went to Marshman, and proposed it. There were at his + house many agreeable sights; one pundit was translating + Scripture into Sanskrit, another into Guzerati, and a table was + covered with materials for a Chinese dictionary. Employed with + moonshi in Hindu Story-teller, and in learning to write the + Persian characters. + + _July 3._--Rose with some happiness in my soul, and delight in + the thought of an increase of labour in the Church of God. + Employed morning as usual, and in thinking of subject for + sermon. Was detained in the house at a time when I wanted + prayer. In the evening walked with the family through Serampore, + the native's part. At night we had a delightful spiritual + conversation. Thus my time passes most agreeably in this dear + family. Lord, let me be willing to leave it and the world with + joy. + + _July 8._--Reading with moonshi all the morning. Spent the + afternoon in reading and prayer, as preparatory to a meeting of + the missionaries at night. At eight, ten of us met in my pagoda. + It was, throughout, a soul-refreshing ordinance to me. I felt as + I wished, as if having done with the world, and standing on the + very verge of heaven, rejoicing at the glorious work which God + will accomplish on the earth. The Lord will, I hope, hear our + prayers for our dear brother, on whose account we met, previous + to his departure for Surat. An idea thrown out by Carey pleased + me very much, not on account of its practicability, but its + grandeur, _i.e._ that there should be an annual meeting, at the + Cape of Good Hope, of all the missionaries in the world. + + _July 9._--Dull and languid from the exertions and late hours of + yesterday. Reading the Sermon on the Mount, in the Hindustani + Testament, with moonshi. In the evening went to the + mission-house, drank tea, and attended their worship. These + affectionate souls never fail to mention me particularly in + their prayers, but I am grieved that they so mistake my + occasional warmth for zeal. It is one of the things in which I + am most low and backward, as the Lord, who seeth in secret, + knows too well. Oh, then, may any who think it worth while to + take up my name into their lips, pray for the beginning rather + than the continuance of zeal! Marshman, in my walk with him, + kindly assured me of his great regard and union of heart with + me. I would that I had more gratitude to God, for so putting it + into the hearts of His people to show regard to one so + undeserving of it. At night had much nearness to God in prayer. + I found it sweet to my spirit to reflect on my being a pilgrim + on earth, with Christ for my near and dear friend, and found + myself unwilling to leave off my prayer. + + _July 10._--Employed during the morning with moonshi. At morning + and evening worship enjoyed freedom of access to God in prayer. + Mr. Brown's return in the evening, with another Christian + friend, added greatly to my pleasure. Marshman joined us at + night, but these enjoyments, from being too eagerly entered + into, often leave my soul carnally delighted only, instead of + bringing me nearer to God. Wrote sermon at night. + + _July 12._--Most of this morning employed about sermon. In the + afternoon went down to Calcutta with Mr. Brown and all his + family; we passed the time very agreeably in singing hymns. + Found Europe letters on our arrival, but were disappointed in + not finding Corrie or Parson in the list of passengers. My + letters were from Lydia, T.H. and Emma, Mr. Simeon, and Sargent. + All their first letters had been taken in the Bell Packet. I + longed to see Lydia's, but the Lord saw it good, no doubt, not + to suffer it to arrive. The one I did receive from her was very + animating, and showed the extraordinary zeal and activity of her + mind. Mr. Simeon's letter contained her praises, and even he + seemed to regret that I had gone without her. My thoughts were + so occupied with these letters that I could get little or no + sleep. + + _July 13._ (Sunday.)--Talked to Mr. Brown about Lydia, and read + her letter to him. He strongly recommended the measure of + endeavouring to bring her here, and was clear that my future + situation in the country would be such as to make it necessary + to be married. A letter from Colonel Sandys, which he opened + afterwards, spoke in the highest terms of her. The subject of + marriage was revived in my mind, but I feel rather a reluctance + to it. I enjoy in general such sweet peace of mind, from + considering myself a stranger upon earth, unconnected with any + persons, unknown, forgotten, that were I never thrown into any + more trying circumstances than I am in at present, no change + could add to my happiness. At the new church this morning, had + the happiness of hearing Mr. Jefferies preach. I trust God will + graciously keep him, and instruct him, and make him another + witness of Jesus in this place. My heart was greatly refreshed, + and rejoiced at it all the day. At night preached at the + missionary church, on Eph. ii. 1-3, to a small congregation. Sat + up late with Mr. Brown, considering the same subject as we had + been conversing on before, and it dwelt so much on my mind that + I got hardly any sleep the whole night. + + _July 14._--The same subject engrosses my whole thoughts. Mr. + Brown's arguments appear so strong that my mind is almost made + up to send for Lydia. I could scarcely have any reasonable + doubts remaining, that her presence would most abundantly + promote the ends of the mission. + + _July 15._--Most of the day with moonshi; at intervals, thinking + on subject for sermon. My affections seemed to be growing more + strong towards Lydia than I could wish, as I fear my judgment + will no longer remain unbiassed. The subject is constantly on my + mind, and imagination heightens the advantages to be obtained + from her presence. And yet, on the other hand, there is such a + sweet happiness in living unconnected with any creature, and + hastening through this life with not one single attraction to + detain my desires here, that I am often very unwilling to + exchange a life of celibacy for one of which I know nothing, + except that it is in general a life of care. + + _July 16._--Morning with moonshi; afterwards preparing myself + for church. Preached at night, at missionary church, on Isa. + lxiii. 1. Both in prayers and sermon I felt my heart much more + affected than I expected, and there seemed to be some impression + on a few of the people. I feel to be thankful to God, and + grateful to the people, that they continue to hear me with such + attention. My thoughts this day have been rather averse to + marriage. Anxiety about the education and conversion of children + rather terrifies me. + + _July 20._ (Sunday.)--Preached at the new church on 2 Cor. v. + 17. Mr. Marshman dined with us, and at four I went to the + bazaar, to hear him preach to the natives. I arrived at the shed + before him, and found the native brethren singing, after which + one of them got up, and addressed the people with such firmness + and mild energy, notwithstanding their occasional contradictions + and ridicule, that I was quite delighted and refreshed. To see a + native Indian an earnest advocate for Jesus, how precious! + Marshman afterwards came, and prayed, sung, and preached. If I + were to be very severe with him, I should say that there is a + want of seriousness, tenderness, and dignity in his address, and + I felt pained that he should so frequently speak with contempt + of the Brahmins, many of whom were listening with great respect + and attention. The group presented all that variety of + countenance which the Word is represented as producing in a + heathen audience--some inattentive, others scornful, and others + seemingly melting under it. Another native brother, I believe, + then addressed them. An Indian sermon about Jesus Christ was + like music on my ear, and I felt inflamed to begin my work: + these poor people possess more intelligence and feeling than I + thought. At the end of the service there was a sort of uproar + when the papers were given away, and the attention of the + populace and of some Europeans was excited. Read prayers at + night at the missionary church; Mr. Brown preached on the + unspeakable gift. + + _July 21._--Returned to Serampore rather in a low state of mind, + arising from deprivation of a society of which I had been too + fond. + + _July 22._--Read Hindustani without moonshi. Not being able to + get to the pagoda from the incessant rain, I passed the latter + part of the day in the house, reading the life of Francis + Xavier. I was exceedingly roused at the astonishing example of + that great saint, and began to consider whether it was not my + duty to live, as he did, in voluntary poverty and celibacy. I + was not easy till I had determined to follow the same course, + when I should perceive that the kingdom of God would be more + advanced by it. At night I saw the awful necessity of being no + longer slothful, nor wasting my thoughts about such trifles as + whether I should be married or not, and felt a great degree of + fear, lest the blood of the five thousand Mohammedans, who, Mr. + Brown said, were to be found in Calcutta capable of + understanding a Hindustani sermon, should be required at my + hand. + + _July 25._--The thought of the Mohammedans and heathens lies + very heavy upon my mind. The former, who are in Calcutta, I seem + to think are consigned to me by God, because nobody preaches in + Hindustani. Employed the morning in sermon and Hindustani. In + the afternoon went down to Calcutta. In the boat read Wrangham's + Essay and some of Mr. Lloyd's letters, when young. What + knowledge have some believers of the deep things of God! I felt + myself peculiarly deficient in that experimental knowledge of + Christ with which Mr. Lloyd was particularly favoured. Walked + from the landing-place, a mile and a half, through the native + part of Calcutta, amidst crowds of Orientals of all nations. How + would the spirit of St. Paul have been moved! The thought of + summoning the attention of such multitudes appeared very + formidable, and during the course of the evening was the + occasion of many solemn thoughts and prayer, that God would + deliver me from all softness of mind, fear, and + self-indulgence, and make me ready to suffer shame and death for + the name of the Lord Jesus. + + _July 26._--My soul in general impressed with the awfulness of + my missionary work, and often shrinking from its difficulties. + + _July 28._--In the boat to Serampore we read Mitchell's Essay on + _Evangelizing India_, and were much pleased and profited. + Whatever plans and speculations may be agitated, I felt it my + duty to think only of putting my hand to the work without delay. + Felt very unhappy at having other work put upon me, which will + keep me from making progress in the language. Nothing but + waiting upon God constantly for direction, and an assurance that + His never-ceasing love will direct my way, would keep me from + constant vexation. I scarcely do anything in the language, from + having my time so constantly taken up with writing sermons. + + _July 29._--Much of this morning taken up in writing to Lydia. + As far as my own views extend, I feel no doubt at all about the + propriety of the measure--of at least proposing it. May the + Lord, in continuance of His loving-kindness to her and me, + direct her mind, that if she comes I may consider it as a + special gift from God, and not merely permitted by Him. Marshman + sat with us in the evening, and as usual was teeming with plans + for the propagation of the Gospel. Stayed up till midnight in + finishing the letter to Lydia. + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Serampore: July 30, 1806. + + My dearest Lydia,--On a subject so intimately connected with my + happiness and future ministry, as that on which I am now about + to address you, I wish to assure you that I am not acting with + precipitancy, or without much consideration and prayer, while I + at last sit down to request you to come out to me to India. + + May the Lord graciously direct His blind and erring creature, + and not suffer the natural bias of his mind to lead him astray. + You are acquainted with much of the conflict I have undergone on + your account. It has been greater than you or Emma have + imagined, and yet not so painful as I deserve to have found it + for having suffered my affections to fasten so inordinately on + an earthly object. + + Soon, however, after my final departure from Europe, God in + great mercy gave me deliverance, and favoured me throughout the + voyage with peace of mind, indifference about all worldly + connections, and devotedness to no object upon earth but the + work of Christ. I gave you up entirely--not the smallest + expectation remained in my mind of ever seeing you again till we + should meet in heaven: and the thought of this separation was + the less painful from the consolatory persuasion that our own + Father had so ordered it for our mutual good. I continued from + that time to remember you in my prayers only as a Christian + sister, though one very dear to me. On my arrival in this + country I saw no reason at first for supposing that marriage was + advisable for a missionary--or rather the subject did not offer + itself to my mind. The Baptist missionaries indeed recommended + it, and Mr. Brown; but not knowing any proper person in this + country, they were not very pressing upon the subject, and I + accordingly gave no attention to it. After a very short + experience and inquiry afterwards, my own opinions began to + change, and when a few weeks ago we received your welcome + letter, and others from Mr. Simeon and Colonel Sandys, both of + whom spoke of you in reference to me, I considered it even as a + call from God to satisfy myself fully concerning His will. From + the account which Mr. Simeon received of you from Mr. Thomason, + he seemed in his letter to me to regret that he had so strongly + dissuaded me from thinking about you at the time of my leaving + England. Colonel Sandys spoke in such terms of you, and of the + advantages to result from your presence in this country, that + Mr. Brown became very earnest for me to endeavour to prevail + upon you. Your letter to me perfectly delighted him, and induced + him to say that you would be the greatest aid to the mission I + could possibly meet with. I knew my own heart too well not to be + distrustful of it, especially as my affections were again + awakened, and accordingly all my labour and prayer have been to + check their influence, that I might see clearly the path of + duty. + + Though I dare not say that I am under no bias, yet from every + view of the subject I have been able to take, after balancing + the advantages and disadvantages that may ensue to the cause in + which I am engaged, always in prayer for God's direction, my + reason is fully convinced of the expediency, I had almost said + the necessity, of having you with me. It is possible that my + reason may still be obscured by passion; let it suffice, + however, to say that now with a safe conscience and the + enjoyment of the Divine presence, I calmly and deliberately make + the proposal to you--and blessed be God if it be not His will to + permit it; still this step is not advancing beyond the limits of + duty, because there is a variety of ways by which God can + prevent it, without suffering any dishonour to His cause. If He + shall forbid it, I think that, by His grace, I shall even then + be contented and rejoice in the pleasure of corresponding with + you. Your letter, dated December 1805, was the first I received + (your former having been taken in the Bell Packet), and I found + it so animating that I could not but reflect on the blessedness + of having so dear a counsellor always near me. I can truly say, + and God is my witness, that my principal desire in this affair + is that you may promote the kingdom of God in my own heart, and + be the means of extending it to the heathen. My own earthly + comfort and happiness are not worth a moment's notice. I would + not, my dearest Lydia, influence you by any artifices or false + representations. I can only say that if you have a desire of + being instrumental in establishing the blessed Redeemer's + kingdom among these poor people, and will condescend to do it by + supporting the spirits and animating the zeal of a weak + messenger of the Lord, who is apt to grow very dispirited and + languid, 'Come, and the Lord be with you!' It can be nothing but + a sacrifice on your part, to leave your valuable friends to come + to one who is utterly unworthy of you or any other of God's + precious gifts: but you will have your reward, and I ask it not + of you or of God for the sake of my own happiness, but only on + account of the Gospel. If it be not calculated to promote it, + may God in His mercy withhold it. For the satisfaction of your + friends, I should say that you will meet with no hardships. The + voyage is very agreeable, and with the people and country of + India I think you will be much pleased. The climate is very + fine--the so much dreaded heat is really nothing to those who + will employ their minds in useful pursuits. Idleness will make + people complain of everything. The natives are the most harmless + and timid creatures I ever met with. The whole country is the + land of plenty and peace. Were I a missionary among the + Esquimaux or Boschemen, I should never dream of introducing a + female into such a scene of danger or hardship, especially one + whose happiness is dearer to me than my own: but here there is + universal tranquillity, though the multitudes are so great that + a missionary needs not go three miles from his house without + having a congregation of many thousands. You would not be left + in solitude if I were to make any distant excursion, because no + chaplain is stationed where there is not a large English + Society. My salary is abundantly sufficient for the support of a + married man, the house and number of people kept by each + Company's servant being such as to need no increase for a + family establishment. As I must make the supposition of your + coming, though it may be perhaps a premature liberty, I should + give you some directions. This letter will reach you about the + latter end of the year; it would be very desirable if you could + be ready for the February fleet, because the voyage will be + performed in far less time than at any other season. George will + find out the best ship--one in which there is a lady of high + rank in the service would be preferable. You are to be + considered as coming as a visitor to Mr. Brown, who will write + to you or to Colonel Sandys, who is best qualified to give you + directions about the voyage. Should I be up the country on your + arrival in Bengal, Mr. Brown will be at hand to receive you, and + you will find yourself immediately at home. As it will highly + expedite some of the plans which we have in agitation that you + should know the language as soon as possible, take Gilchrist's + _Indian Stranger's Guide_, and occasionally on the voyage learn + some of the words. + + If I had room I might enlarge on much that would be interesting + to you. In my conversations with Marshman, the Baptist + missionary, our hearts sometimes expand with delight and joy at + the prospect of seeing all these nations of the East receive the + doctrine of the Cross. He is a happy labourer; and I only wait, + I trust, to know the language to open my mouth boldly and make + known the mystery of the Gospel. My romantic notions are for the + first time almost realised; for in addition to the beauties of + sylvan scenery may be seen the more delightful object of + multitudes of simple people sitting in the shade listening to + the words of eternal life. Much as yet is not done; but I have + seen many discover by their looks while Marshman was preaching + that their hearts were tenderly affected. My post is not yet + determined; we expect, however, it will be Patna, a civil + station, where I shall not be under military command. As you are + so kindly anxious about my health, I am happy to say, that + through mercy my health is far better than it ever was in + England. + + The people of Calcutta are very desirous of keeping me at the + mission-church, and offer to any Evangelical clergyman a + chaplain's salary and a house besides. I am of course deaf to + such a proposal; but it is strange that no one in England is + _tempted_ by such an inviting situation. I am actually going to + mention it to Cousin T.H. and Emma--not, as you may suppose, + with much hope of success; but I think that possibly the chapel + at Dock may be too much for him, and he will have here a sphere + of still greater importance. As this will be sent by the + overland despatch, there is some danger of its not reaching you. + You will therefore receive a duplicate, and perhaps a triplicate + by the ships that will arrive in England a month or two after. I + cannot write now to any of my friends. I will therefore trouble + you, if you have opportunity, to say that I have received no + letters since I left England, but one from each of these--Cousin + Tom and Emma, Simeon, Sargent, Bates: of my own family I have + heard nothing. Assure any of them whom you may see of the + continuance of my affectionate regard, especially dear Emma. I + did not know that it was permitted me to write to you, or I fear + she would not have found me so faithful a correspondent on the + voyage. As I have heretofore addressed you through her, it is + probable that I may be now disposed to address her through + you--or, what will be best of all, that we both of us address + her in one letter from India. However, you shall decide, my + dearest Lydia. I _must_ approve your determination, because with + that spirit of simple-looking to the Lord which we both + endeavour to maintain, we must not doubt that you will be + divinely directed. Till I receive an answer to this, my prayers + you may be assured will be constantly put up for you that in + this affair you may be under an especial guidance, and that in + all your ways God may be abundantly glorified by you through + Jesus Christ. You say in your letter that _frequently every day_ + you remember my worthless name before the throne of grace. This + instance of extraordinary and undeserved kindness draws my heart + toward you with a tenderness which I cannot describe. Dearest + Lydia, in the sweet and fond expectation of your being given to + me by God, and of the happiness which I humbly hope you yourself + might enjoy here, I find a pleasure in breathing out my + assurance of ardent love. I have now long loved you most + affectionately, and my attachment is more strong, more pure, + more heavenly, because I see in you the image of Jesus Christ. I + unwillingly conclude, by bidding my beloved Lydia adieu. + + H. MARTYN. + + Serampore: September 1, 1806. + + My dearest Lydia,--With this you will receive the duplicate of + the letter I sent you a month ago, by the overland despatch. May + it find you prepared to come! All the thoughts and views which I + have had of the subject since first addressing you, add tenfold + confirmation to my first opinion; and I trust that the blessed + God will graciously make it appear that I have been acting under + a right direction, by giving the precious gift to me and to the + Church in India. I sometimes regret that I had not obtained a + promise from you of following me at the time of our last parting + at Gurlyn, as I am occasionally apt to be excessively impatient + at the long delay. Many, many months must elapse before I can + see you or even hear how you shall determine. The instant your + mind is made up you will send a letter by the overland despatch. + George will let you know how it is to be prepared, as the + Company have given some printed directions. It is a consolation + to me during this long suspense, that had I engaged with you + before my departure I should not have had such a satisfactory + conviction of it being the will of God. The Commander-in-chief + is in doubt to which of the three following stations he shall + appoint me--Benares, Patna, or Moorshedabad; it will be the + last, most probably. This is only two days' journey from + Calcutta. I shall take my departure in about six weeks. In the + hour that remains, I must endeavour to write to my dear sister + Emma, and to Sally. By the fleet which will sail hence in about + two months, they will receive longer letters. You will then, I + hope, have left England. I am very happy here in preparing for + my delightful work, but I should be happier still if I were + sufficiently fluent in the language to be actually employed; and + happiest of all if my beloved Lydia were at my right hand, + counselling and animating me. I am not very willing to end my + letter to you; it is difficult not to prolong the enjoyment of + speaking, as it were, to one who occupies so much of my sleeping + and waking hours; but here, alas! I am aware of danger; and my + dear Lydia will, I hope, pray that her unworthy friend may love + no creature inordinately. + + It will be base in me to depart in heart from a God of such love + as I find Him to be. Oh, that I could make some returns for the + riches of His love! Swiftly fly the hours of life away, and then + we shall be admitted to behold His glory. The ages of darkness + are rolling fast away, and shall soon usher in the Gospel period + when the whole world shall be filled with His glory. Oh, my + beloved sister and friend, dear to me on every account, but + dearest of all for having one heart and one soul with me in the + cause of Jesus and the love of God, let us pray and rejoice, and + rejoice and pray, that God may be glorified, and the dying + Saviour see of the travail of His soul. May the God of hope fill + us with all joy and peace in believing, that we may both of us + abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. Now, my + dearest Lydia, I cannot say what I feel--I cannot pour out my + soul--I could not if you were here; but I pray that you may love + me, if it be the will of God; and I pray that God may make you + more and more His child, and give me more and more love for all + that is God-like and holy. I remain, with fervent affection, + + Yours, in eternal bonds, + + H. MARTYN. + + TO CHARLES SIMEON[23] + + Calcutta: September 1, 1806. + + My dearest Brother,--I feel no hesitation about inviting Miss + L.G. on her own account, except it be that she should come so + far for one who is so utterly unworthy of her. I would rather + die than bring one whom I honour so much into a situation of + difficulty; but indeed there is no hardship to be encountered. + In my absence she might, if she pleased, visit the English + ladies who are always to be found at the different stations. The + plan about to be adopted by the Baptists is to establish + missionary stations in the country; while one missionary makes + the circuit of the surrounding country, another shall always be + in the way to receive enquiries and to explain. I should think + that a zealous woman, acquainted with the language, and + especially if assisted by native brethren, might be of use in + this way without moving from her house.... Three such men as + Carey, Marshman, and Ward, so suited to one another and to their + work, are not to be found, I should think, in the whole world. + + _September 13._--Heard of the arrival of Corrie and Parson at + Madras, and of my appointment to Dinapore. + + _September 15._--Called with Mr. Brown on Mr. Udny, then went up + with him to Serampore, and passed much of the afternoon in + reading with him a series of newspapers from England. How + affecting to think how the fashion of this world passeth away! + What should I do without Christ as an everlasting portion! How + vain is life, how mournful is death, and what is eternity + without Christ! In the evening Marshman and Ward came to us. By + endeavouring to recollect myself as before God, I found more + comfort, and was enabled to show more propriety in conversation. + + _September 16._--Passed the day with moonshi in Hindustani and + writing sermon. In the evening wrote to Lydia. + + _September 17._--The blaze of a funeral pile this morning near + the pagoda drew my attention. I ran out, but the unfortunate + woman had committed herself to the flames before I arrived. The + remains of the two bodies were visible. At night, while I was at + the missionaries', Mr. Chamberlain arrived from up the country. + Just as we rejoiced at the thought of seeing him and his wife, + we found she had died in the boat! I do not know when I was so + shocked; my soul revolted at everything in this world, which God + has so marked with misery--the effect of sin. I felt reluctance + to engage in every worldly connection. Marriage seemed terrible, + by exposing one to the agonising sight of a wife dying in such + circumstances. + + _September 24._--Went down to Calcutta with Mr. Brown and + Corrie, and found letters. My affections of love and joy were so + excited by them that it was almost too much for my poor frame. + My dearest Lydia's assurances of her love were grateful enough + to my heart, but they left somewhat of a sorrowful effect, + occasioned I believe chiefly from a fear of her suffering in any + degree, and partly from the long time and distance that separate + us, and uncertainty if ever we shall be permitted to meet one + another in this world. In the evening the Lord gave me near and + close and sweet communion with Him on this subject, and enabled + me to commit the affair with comfort into His hands. Why did I + ever doubt His love? Does He not love us far better than we love + one another? + + _September 25._--Went to Serampore with Mr. Brown and Parson; in + the afternoon read with moonshi; enjoyed much of the solemn + presence of God the whole day, had many happy seasons in prayer, + and felt strengthened for the work of a missionary, which is + speedily to begin; blessed be God! My friends are alarmed about + the solitariness of my future life, and my tendency to + melancholy; but, O my dearest Lord! Thou art with me, Thy rod + and Thy staff they comfort me. I go on Thine errand, and I know + that Thou art and wilt be with me. How easily canst Thou support + and refresh my heart! + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Serampore: September 1806. + + How earnestly do I long for the arrival of my dearest Lydia! + Though it may prove at last no more than a waking dream that I + ever expected to receive you in India, the hope is too pleasing + not to be cherished till I am forbidden any longer to hope. Till + I am assured of the contrary, I shall find a pleasure in + addressing you as my own. If you are not to be mine you will + pardon me; but my expectations are greatly encouraged by the + words you used when we parted at Gurlyn, that I had better _go + out_ free, implying, as I thought, that you would not be + unwilling to follow me if I should see it to be the will of God + to make the request. I was rejoiced also to see in your letter + that you unite your name with mine when you pray that God would + keep us both in the path of duty: from this I infer that you are + by no means _determined_ to remain separate from me. You will + not suppose, my dear Lydia, that I mention these little things + to influence your conduct, or to implicate you in an engagement. + No, I acknowledge that you are perfectly free, and I have no + doubt that you will act as the love and wisdom of our God shall + direct. Your heart is far less interested in this business than + mine, in all probability; and this on one account I do not + regret, as you will be able to see more clearly the directions + of God's providence. About a fortnight ago I sent you a letter + accompanying the duplicate of the one sent overland in August. + If these shall have arrived safe you will perhaps have left + England before this reaches it. But if not, let me entreat you + to delay not a moment. Yet how will my dear sister Emma be able + to part with you, and George--but above all your _mother_? I + feel very much for you and for them, but I have no doubt at all + about your health and happiness in this country. + + The Commander-in-chief has at last appointed me to the station + of Dinapore, near Patna, and I shall accordingly take my + departure for that place as soon as I can make the necessary + preparations. It is not exactly the situation I wished for, + though in a temporal point of view it is desirable enough. The + air is good, the living cheap, the salary 1,000_l._ a year, and + there is a large body of English troops there. But I should have + preferred being near Benares, the heart of Hinduism. We rejoice + to hear that two other brethren are arrived at Madras on their + way to Bengal, sent, I trust, by the Lord to co-operate in + overturning the kingdom of Satan in these regions. They are + Corrie and Parson, both Bengal chaplains. Their stations will be + Benares and Moorshedabad--one on one side of me and the other on + the other. There are also now ten Baptist missionaries at + Serampore. Surely good is intended for this country. + + Captain Wickes, the good old Captain Wickes, who has brought out + so many missionaries to India, is now here. He reminds me of + Uncle S. I have been just interrupted by the blaze of a funeral + pile, within a hundred yards of my pagoda. I ran out, but the + wretched woman had consigned herself to the flames before I + reached the spot, and I saw only the remains of her and her + husband. O Lord, how long shall it be? Oh, I shall have no rest + in my spirit till my tongue is loosed to testify against the + Devil, and deliver the message of God to these His unhappy + bond-slaves. I stammered out something to the wicked Brahmins + about the judgments of God upon them for the murder they had + just committed, but they said it was an act of her own + free-will. Some of the missionaries would have been there, but + they are forbidden by the Governor-General to preach to the + natives in the British territory. Unless this prohibition is + revoked by an order from home it will amount to a total + suppression of the mission. + + I know of nothing else that will give you a further idea of the + state of things here. The two ministers continue to oppose my + doctrines with unabated virulence; but they think not that they + fight against God. My own heart is at present cold and slothful. + Oh, that my soul did burn with love and zeal! Surely were you + here I should act with more cheerfulness and activity with so + bright a pattern before me. If Corrie brings me a letter from + you, and the fleet is not sailed, which, however, is not likely, + I shall write to you again. Colonel Sandys will receive a letter + from me and Mr. Brown by this fleet. Continue to remember me in + your prayers, as a weak brother. I shall always think of you as + one to be loved and honoured. + + H. MARTYN. + + _September 26._--Employed as usual in Hindustani; visited + Marshman at night. He and Mr. Carey sat with us in the evening. + My heart still continuing some degree of watchfulness, but + enjoying less sweetness. + + _October 1._--Reading with moonshi and preparing sermon; found + great cause to pray for brotherly love. Preached at night at the + mission-church on Eph. ii. 4. Had a very refreshing conversation + with Corrie afterwards; we wished it to be for the benefit of + two cadets, who supped with us, and I hope it will not be in + vain. May the Lord be pleased to make me act with a single eye + to His glory. How easy it is to preach about Christ Jesus the + Lord, and yet to preach oneself. + +None of six letters from Lydia Grenfell have been preserved, but we +find in her _Diary_ more self-revealing of her heart than could be +made to Henry Martyn, and also more severity in judging of herself as +in the presence of God. + + _1806, May 23._--Wrote dear H. I have felt to-day a return of + spirits, but have spent them too much in worldly things. I found + it a blessed season in prayer, yet I fear whether my + satisfaction did not rather arise from being enabled to pray + than from any extraordinary communications from above. O Lord, + search and try my heart, let not its deceitfulness impose on me. + + _July 19._--Thought much this week of my dear absent friend. + + _August 2._--My family's unhappiness preys on my mind--sister + burning with anger and resentment against sister, brother + against brother, a father against his children. Oh, what a + picture! Let me not add to the weight of family sin. + + _August 4._--Passed a happy day. Read Baxter, and found in doing + so my soul raised above. Oh, let me have, blessed Lord, + anticipations of this blessedness and foretaste of glory. In Thy + presence above I shall be reunited to Thy dear saint, now + labouring in Thy vineyard in a distant land. One year is nearly + passed since we parted, but scarcely a waking hour, I believe, + has he been absent from my mind. In general my remembrance of + him is productive of pleasure--that I should possess so large a + share of his affection, and be remembered in his prayers, and + have an eternity to spend with him, yielding me in turn + delightful pleasing meditations; but just now nature grieves + that we are no more to meet below; yet, O my blessed Father, I + cry, 'Thy will be done, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.' + + _August 10._--Went to church. My soul was very dull and + inanimate throughout the service--the sermon had nothing in it + to enliven or instruct. Barren as this place is for other means + of grace, I have the Word and leisure to search; I cannot then + complain, but of myself there is cause enough. Oh, how is my + soul so earthly? why cannot I rise and dwell above? Tied and + bound with the chain of sin, fettered and confined, I can only + cast a look above. One year is gone since my dear friend left + England. The number of our years of separation is so much + lessened, and our salvation draws near. + + _October 19._--My birthday. One-and-thirty years have I existed + on this earth, for twenty-five of which all the amount was sin, + vanity, and rebellion against God; the last six, though spent + differently, yet for every day in them I am persuaded I have + sinned in heart, so as justly to merit condemnation of that God + in whose mercy I trust. + + _November 5._--To-day I was reading of David's harp driving away + the evil spirit from Saul, and resolved again (the Lord helping + me) to try the sweet harp of Jesse's son in my first and last + waking thoughts, for sad and disordered are my thoughts upon my + friend. The expectation of letters from my dear friend in India + by this fleet is almost over, and my mind is rendered anxious + about him. + + _November 25._--My very soul has been cheered by accounts from + my dear friend in India, for whom my mind has been greatly + anxious. 'Cast thy cares on Me' is a command badly attended to + by me. + +The formal and first request from Henry Martyn to join him in India +reached Lydia Grenfell on March 2, 1807. We learn from his reply in +October 1807, from Dinapore, that she had sent a refusal in her +mother's name. But, on April 25, the Rev. Charles Simeon called on her +with the result which he thus records: + + With her mother's leave Miss G. accompanied us to Col. Sandys', + when I had much conversation with her about Mr. Martyn's affair. + She stated to me all the obstacles to his proposals: first, her + health; second, the indelicacy of her going out to India alone + on such an errand; third, her former engagement with another + person, which had indeed been broken off, and he had actually + gone up to London two years ago to be married to another woman, + but, as he was unmarried, it seemed an obstacle in her mind; + fourth, the certainty that her mother would never consent to it. + On these points I observed that I thought the last was the only + one that was insurmountable; for that, first, India often agreed + best with persons of a delicate constitution--_e.g._ Mr. Martyn + himself and Mr. Brown. Second, it is common for ladies to go + thither without any previous connection; how much more, + therefore, might one go with a connection already formed! Were + this the only difficulty, I engaged, with the help of Mr. Grant + and Mr. Parry, that she should go under such protection as + should obviate all difficulties upon this head. Third, the step + taken by the other person had set her at perfect liberty. + Fourth, the consent of her mother was indispensable, and as that + appeared impossible, the matter might be committed to God in + this way. If her mother, of her own accord, should express + regret that the connection had been prevented, from an idea of + her being irreconcilably averse to it, and that she would not + stand in the way of her daughter's wishes, this would be + considered as a direction from God in answer to her prayers, and + I should instantly be apprised of it by her, in order to + communicate to Mr. M. _In this she perfectly agreed._ I told + her, however, that I would mention nothing of this to Mr. M., + because it would only tend to keep him in painful suspense. + Thus the matter is entirely set aside, unless God, by a special + interposition of His providence (_i.e._ by taking away her + mother, or overruling her mind, contrary to all reasonable + expectation, to approve of it), mark His own will concerning it. + +We find this account of the crisis in her _Diary_: + + _1807, March 2._--Passed some peaceful happy days at Tregembo. + My return was marked by two events, long to be + remembered--seeing John and hearing from H.M. Great has been my + distress, but peace is returned, and could I cease from + anticipating future evils I should enjoy more. The Lord has been + gracious in affording me help, but He made me first feel my + weakness, and suffered Satan to harass me. I am called upon now + to act a decisive part. + + _Marazion, March 8._--With David let me say, In the multitude of + thoughts within me Thy comforts have refreshed my soul. O Thou! + my refuge, my rest, my hiding-place, in every time of sorrow to + Thee I fly, and trust in the covert of Thy wings. Thou hast been + a shelter for me and a strong tower. I have liberty to pour out + my griefs into the bosom of my God, and doing so I am lightened + of their burden. The Lord's dealings are singular with me, yet + not severe, yea, they are merciful. Twice have I been called on + to act[24] ... in a way few are tried in, but the Lord's + goodness towards me is so manifest in the first, that I have + come to wait in silence and hope the event of this. I am + satisfied I have done now what is right, and peace has returned + to me; yet there is need of great watchfulness to resist the + enemy of souls, who would weaken and depress my soul, bringing + to remembrance the affection of my dear friend, and representing + my conduct as ungrateful towards him. To-day I have had many + distressing feelings on his account, yet in the general I have + been looking to things invisible and eternal, and therefore + enjoyed peace. I must live more in the contemplation of Christ + and heavenly things. Oh, come, fill and satisfy my soul, be my + leader and guide, dispose of me as Thou wilt. The pain of + writing to him is over, and I feel satisfied I wrote what duty + required of me.[25] Now then, return, O my soul, to thy rest. + + _March 22._--A week of conflict and of mercies is over. May the + remembrance of Thy goodness never be forgotten. I bless Thee, O + my God, that Thou hast brought me hitherto, and with more reason + than David, inquire what am I that Thou shouldest do so? + + _April 23._--To-day my mind has been painfully affected by the + receipt of letters from ----. I found in the presence of my + mother I dared not indulge the inclination I feel to mourn; and + believing my Heavenly Parent's will to be that I should be + careful for nothing, I ought to be equally exerting myself in + secret to resist the temptation. How true it is we suffer more + in the person of another dear to us than in our own! Lord, I + know Thou canst perfectly satisfy him by the consolation of Thy + Spirit and communications of Thy grace; Thou canst display the + glories of Thy beloved Son to his view, and put gladness into + his heart. Oh, support, cheer, and bless him; let Thy left hand + be under his head, and Thy right hand embrace him, that he may + feel less than my fears suggest. Oh, do Thou powerfully impress + our minds with a persuasion of Thy overruling hand in this + trial. Let us see it to be Thy will, and be now and ever + disposed to bow to it. Uphold me, Jesus, or I fan a prey to + distracting thoughts and imagination. + + _April 24._--The arrival of dear Mr. Simeon has been a cordial + to my fainting heart. Lord, do Thou comfort me by him; none but + Thyself can give me lasting comfort--instruments are nothing + without Thee. Oh, may I now be watchful, for often, through my + depraved nature, when unlooked-for deliverance comes, I get + careless and light in my frame; then the Lord hides His face, + and trouble comes, which no outward circumstances can relieve. I + need especial direction from on high. Oh, may my dependence be + on the Lord, and I shall not go astray. + + _April 28._--Went on Saturday with Mr. Simeon and Mr. E. to + Helston. Lord, I bless Thy holy name, I adore Thy wonderful + unmerited goodness towards such a base, vile creature, that Thou + shouldest at this particular season send me counsel and support + through the medium of Thy dear servant. I am brought home again + in safety, and enjoyed, during my absence, an opportunity of + seeing how a Christian lives. + + _April 29._--The state of my mind lately has led me to fill too + much of my _Diary_ with expressions of regard for an earthly + object, and now I am convinced of the evil of indulging this + affection. Oh, may the Lord enable me to mortify it; may this + mirror of my heart show me more of love to God and less to + anything earthly. This morning was a sad one, and to the present + I have to mourn over the barrenness of my soul, its + indisposedness to any spiritual exertion. Almost constantly do I + remember my dear absent friend; may I do so with less pain. + + _May 1._--I begin this month in circumstances peculiarly trying, + such as I can support only by aid vouchsafed from above, and + sought in constant prayer. The Lord is a stronghold in this time + of trouble. + + _May 2._--To-day and yesterday I have found more composure of + mind than of late; once indeed the enemy (whose devices I am too + ignorant of to meet them as I ought) succeeded in distracting my + mind, and excited many sinful passions from the probability that + Miss Corrie, who is going to her brother, may be the partner + appointed for my dear friend. This continued for a short time + only, and I found relief at a throne of grace. It is a subject + I must not dwell on--when the trial comes, grace will be given; + but at present I have none to meet it; yet have I prayed the + Lord to provide him a suitable helpmate. Deceitful is my heart; + how little do I know it! O Thou bleeding Saviour, let me hide + myself in Thee from deserved wrath, and oh, speak peace once + more to my soul. + + _May 3._--A day of much sinful inquietude. Oh, that I could + withdraw my affections! Oh, that I could once more feel I have + no desire but after heavenly things! What a chaos has my mind + been to-day, even in the house of God and at the throne of + grace. I have been, in imagination, conversing with a + fellow-creature. Where is thy heart? is a question not now to be + answered satisfactorily. Tied and bound with this chain, if for + a little time I rise to God, soon I turn from the glories of His + face, grieving His Spirit by preferring the ideal presence of my + friend--sometimes drawing the scene of his distress, at others + the pleasure of his return. Oh, let me not continue thus to walk + in the vanity of my mind. Oh, may I find sufficient happiness in + the presence of my God here, and live looking to the things not + seen, looking to that heavenly country where I shall enjoy in + perfection the blessed society and (of?) all I loved below. + + _May 4._--Passed a day of less conflict, though I have very + imperfectly kept my resolution not to indulge vain improbable + expectations of the future; yet I have been favoured with a + greater freedom from them than yesterday. + + _May 5._--I have been suddenly to-day seized with a violent + depression of spirits and a sadness of heart, hard to be + concealed. I have not, as before, fallen into a long train of + vain imaginations, drawing scenes improbable and vain, but my + soul has lost its spiritual appetite. I am looking forward to + distant and uncertain events with anticipations of sorrow and + trial impending. O my Lord and my God, come to my relief! + + _May 9._--Oh, what great troubles and adversities hast Thou + showed me, and yet Thou didst turn again and refresh me! The + whole of this day has been a dark and exceedingly gloomy season, + my mind tossed to and fro like the tempestuous sea. I think the + chief cause of my distress arises from a dread of dishonouring + the name of the Lord, by appearing to have acted deceitfully in + the eyes of my family, and some pride is at the bottom of this + (I like not to be thought ill of), and also pain for the + disappointment my dear friend will soon know. His situation + grieves me infinitely more than my own. I think, for myself, I + want nothing more than I find in Thy presence. + + _May 20._--My chief concern now is lest I should have given too + much reason for my dear friend's hoping I might yet be prevailed + on to attend to his request, and I feel the restraint stronger + than ever, that, having before promised, I am not free to marry. + I paint the scene of his return, and, whichever way I take, + nothing but misery and guilt seems to await me. Yet oh, I will + continue to pray, 'Heal me, and I shall be healed; save me, and + I shall be saved.' Thou art my strength and hope, O Lord; though + shame is my portion among men. Thou who knowest my heart, Thou + wilt not in this condemn me, for oh, Thou knowest these + consequences of my regard for Thy dear saint were not intended + by me, and that first, when I regarded him otherwise than as a + Christian brother, I believed myself free to do so, imagining + him I first loved united to another. When I consider this + circumstance my mind is relieved of a heavy burden, and yet I + must lament the evils that have flown from this mistake. My + thoughts have been called since Sunday into the eternal world by + the sudden death of a very kind friend, H.C. I have found this + event, though the cause of pain, very useful to me at this time. + + _May 22._--The way Satan takes is made plain to me, and I must + resist him in the first pleasing ideas arising from the + remembrance of true affection in my dear and ever-esteemed + friend. When I yield to these, I am presently lost to all sober + thoughts, and plunged soon in the deepest sorrow for the + distress it has brought on him; then my conduct towards him and + every part of my family is painted in the most horrid colours, + till I am nearly distracted. Thus has Satan over and over + oppressed me, and relief been afforded my fainting soul through + the help of a superior power even than Satan. I must watch and + pray, for thus the Lord will bruise Satan under my feet. + + _August 6._--This season recalls a dear friend to my + remembrance. Oh, may he occupy no more of my thoughts and + affections than is consistent with the will of God, and pleasing + in His sight. May these resignations be manifested by us both. + + _August 9._--Just two years since I parted from a dear friend + and brother, whose memory will ever be cherished by me. Blessed + be God! I feel now as if he was the inhabitant of another world, + rather than of another part of this earth. + +On October 10, 1806, on the close of his preparations for departure to +Dinapore, 'at night the missionaries, etc., met us at the pagoda for +the purpose of commending me to the grace of God.' 'My soul never yet +had such Divine enjoyment. I felt a desire to break from the body, and +join the high praises of the saints above.' Next day, in Calcutta, at +evening worship at Mr. Myers', 'I found my heaven begun on earth. No +work so sweet as that of praying and living wholly to the service of +God.' On Sunday, the 12th, 'at night I took my leave of the saints in +Calcutta in a sermon on Acts xx. 32. But how very far from being in +spirit like the great apostle.' On Monday he went up by land to +Barrackpore with Mr. Brown, 'happy in general.' On Tuesday 'Corrie +came to me at the pagoda and prayed with me.' + + _1806, October 15._--Took my leave of the family at Aldeen in + morning worship; but I have always found my heart most unable to + be tender and solemn when occasions most require it. At eleven I + set off in a budgerow with Mr. Brown, Corrie, and Parson. + Marshman saw us as we passed the mission-house, and could not + help coming aboard. He dined with us, and after going on a + little way left us with a prayer. About sunset we landed at the + house of the former French governor, and walked five miles + through villages to Chandernagore, where we waited at an hotel + till the boats came up. With the French host I found a liberty I + could not have hoped for in his language, and was so enabled to + preach the Gospel to him. There are two Italian monks in this + place, who say Mass every day. I wished much to visit the + fathers, if there had been time. A person of Calcutta, here for + his health, troubled us with his profaneness, but we did not let + him go unwarned, nor kept back the counsel of God. At night in + the budgerow I prayed with my dear brethren. + + _October 16._--Rose somewhat dejected, and walked on to + Chinsurah, the Dutch settlement, about three miles. There we + breakfasted, and dined with Mr. Forsyth, the missionary. We all + enjoyed great happiness in the presence and blessing of our God. + Mr. Forsyth came on with us from Chinsurah, till we stopped at + sunset opposite Bandel, a Portuguese settlement, and then we had + Divine service. I prayed and found my heart greatly enlarged. + After his departure our conversation was suitable and spiritual. + How sweet is prayer to my soul at this time! I seem as if I + never could be tired, not only of spiritual joys, but of + spiritual employments, since they are now the same. + + _October 17._--My dear brethren, on account of the bad weather, + were obliged to leave me to-day. So we spent the whole morning + in a Divine ordinance in which each read a portion of Scripture + and all sang and prayed. Mr. Brown's passage, chosen from Joshua + i., was very suitable, 'Have I not commanded thee?' Let this be + an answer to my fears, O my Lord, and an assurance that I am in + Thy work. It was a very affecting season to me. In prayer I was + very far from a state of seriousness and affection. Indeed, I + have often remarked that I have never yet prayed comfortably + with friends when it has been preceded by a chapter of the + Revelation. Perhaps because I depend too much on the feelings + which the imagery of that book excites, instead of putting + myself into the hands of the Spirit, the only author of the + prayer of faith. They went away in their boat, and I was left + alone for the first time, with none but natives. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[22] _The Life and Times of Carey, Marshman, and Ward_, London, 1859. +_The Life of William Carey_ (John Murray), 2nd edition, 1887. + +[23] First published (1892) by Rev. H.C.G. Moule from the autograph +collection made by Canon Carus, the successor and biographer of +Charles Simeon. + +[24] A line has been erased by a subsequent writer. + +[25] 'Her letter was to bid me a last farewell.'--Martyn's _Journal_. +This was received November 23. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +DINAPORE AND PATNA, 1807-1809 + + +Until, in 1852 and the ten years following, Lord Dalhousie's railway +up the Ganges valley was completed to Allahabad, the usual mode of +proceeding up-country from Calcutta was by the house-boat known as the +budgerow, which is still common on the many rivers of Bengal where +English planters and officials are found. At the rate of twenty-five +miles a day the traveller is towed up against stream by the boatmen. +When time is no object, and opportunities are sought for reading, +shooting, and intercourse with the natives, the voyage is delightful +in the cool season. Henry Martyn rejoiced in six weeks of this +solitary life--alone yet not alone, and ever about his Father's +business. His studies were divided between Hindustani and Sanskrit; he +was much occupied in prayer and in the reading of the Greek and Hebrew +Scriptures. Morning and evening he spent himself among the people on +the banks, and at the ghauts and bazaars of the mighty river, +preaching Christ and spreading abroad the New Testament. The dense +population and the spiritual darkness, as the panorama of native life +moved hourly before his eyes, on river and on land, stirred up the +busiest of Christians to be still busier, in spite of his fast-wasting +body; 'What a wretched life shall I lead if I do not exert myself +from morning till night, in a place where, through whole territories, +I seem to be the only light!' His gun supplied him with small game, +'enough to make a change with the curry.' + +At Cutwa, one of Carey's mission stations, he had fellowship with +Chamberlain, receiving that 'refreshment of spirit which comes from +the blessing of God on Christian communion.' 'Tell Marshman,' he +wrote, 'with my affectionate remembrance, that I have seriously begun +the Sanskrit Grammar.' To Ward he sends a list of errata which he +found in a tract in the Persian character. He had his Serampore +moonshi with him. At Berhampore, soon to be occupied by Mr. Parson as +chaplain, and by the London Missionary Society, he spent some time, +for it was the great military station of the old Nawab Nazim's +capital, Moorshidabad, which Clive described as wealthier than London, +and quite as populous. Henry Martyn at once walked into the hospital, +where the surgeon immediately recognised him as an old schoolfellow +and townsman. But even with such help he could not induce the men to +rise and assemble for Divine service. 'I left three books with them +and went away amidst the sneers and titters of the common soldiers. +Certainly it is one of the greatest crosses I am called to bear, to +take pains to make people hear me. It is such a struggle between a +sense of propriety and modesty on the one hand, and a sense of duty on +the other, that I find nothing equal to it.' At Rajmahal, like Carey +six years before, he met some of the hill tribes--'wrote down from +their mouth some of the names of things.' + +At Maldah he was in the heart of the little Christian community which, +under Charles Grant twenty years before, had proved the salt of +Anglo-Indian society, and had made the first attempt with Carey's +assistance to open vernacular Christian schools. With Mr. Ellerton, +whose wife had witnessed the duel between Warren Hastings and Philip +Francis, and who as a widow indeed lived to the Mutiny of 1857 as the +friend of Bishop Daniel Wilson, he went to Gomalty, and visited one of +the schools. 'The cheerful faces of the little boys, sitting +cross-legged on their mats round the floor, much delighted me. While +they displayed their power of reading, their fathers, mothers, etc., +crowded in numbers round the door and windows.' Here we see the now +vast educational system of Bengal in the birth. Not less striking is +the contrast, due to the progress of that system on its missionary +side, when we find Martyn, in 1806, recording his surprise at the +extraordinary fear and unwillingness of the people to take tracts and +books. One postmaster, when he found what the booklet was about, +returned it with the remark that a person who had his legs in two +boats went on his way uncomfortably. Passing Colgong and Monghyr, he +'reached Patna. Walked about the scene of my future ministry with a +spirit almost overwhelmed at the sight of the immense multitudes.' On +November 26 he arrived at Dinapore--'the multitudes at the water-side +prodigious.' + +Nowhere, in British India as it was in 1807, could Henry Martyn have +found a better training field, at once as chaplain to the troops and +missionary to the Mohammedans, than the Patna centre of the great +province of Bihar. For fourteen miles, Patna, the Mohammedan city, +Bankipore, the British civil station, and Dinapore, the British +military station, line the right bank of the Ganges, which is there +two miles broad. Patna itself--'the city,' as the word means--was the +Buddhist capital to which the Greek ambassador Megasthenes came from +Seleukos Nikator, 300 B.C., and the Chinese pilgrim, Hwen T'sang, 637 +years A.D. But under the Mogul emperors and down to the present day, +Patna has been the focus of the most fanatical sect of Islam. There +Meer Kasim murdered sixty Englishmen in 1763; and so little did a +century's civilisation affect the place, which Christian missionaries, +except Martyn, neglected till recently, that in 1857 it was a centre +of the Mutiny, and in 1872 it was the nucleus of Wahabi rebellion. The +second city in Bengal next to Calcutta, and the fifth city in all +India in inhabitants, Patna with Bankipore and Dinapore commanded an +accessible native population of half a million. Such was Henry +Martyn's first 'parish' in the East. For the mass of these he opened +schools and translated the Word of God; with their learned men he +'disputed' continually, in the spirit of Paul seeking to commend to +them the very Christ. + +Besides the Company's civil servants in Bankipore whom he never ceased +to influence, he was specially charged with the spiritual care of two +European regiments, consisting at one time of 1,700 men and 80 officers +in various positions. Then and up till 1860, when what was known as 'the +White Mutiny' led the Queen's Government to disband the troops, the East +India Company had a European force of its own, specially recruited and +paid more highly than the royal regiments. The men were generally better +educated than the ordinary private of those days, were, indeed, often +runaway sons of good families and disreputable adventurers from many +countries. As a fighting force they were splendid veterans; in all other +respects their history and character as well as his own experience of +them on board ship, justified Martyn's language in a letter to Mr. +Brown. 'My disdainful and abandoned countrymen among the military; they +are impudent children and stiff-hearted, and will receive, I fear, my +ministrations, as all the others have done, with scorn. Yet Jesus wept +over Jerusalem. Henceforward let me live with Christ alone.' How loving +and faithful, if not always tender, his ministry was among them and +their native women, and how it gained their respect till it formed a +little Church in the army, we shall see. + +Having settled down in barrack apartments at 50 rupees a month till he +should get a house against the hot season, and having called on the +general commanding and others, after the Anglo-Indian fashion, he +reported to his longing friends in Aldeen: 'I stand alone;[26] not one +voice is heard saying, "I wish you good luck in the name of the Lord." +I offered to come over to Bankipore to officiate to them on the +Sabbath. They are going to take this into consideration. I have found +out two schools in Dinapore. I shall set on foot one or two schools +without delay, and by the time the scholars are able to read we can +get books ready for them.' In this spirit and by a renewed act of +self-dedication he entered on the year 1807: + + Seven years have passed away since I was first called of God. + Before the conclusion of another seven years, how probable is it + that these hands will have mouldered into dust! But be it so: my + soul through grace hath received the assurance of eternal life, + and I see the days of my pilgrimage shortening without a wish + to add to their number. But oh, may I be stirred up to a + faithful discharge of my high and awful work; and laying aside, + as much as may be, all carnal cares and studies, may I give + myself to this 'one thing.' The last has been a year to be + remembered by me, because the Lord has brought me safely to + India, and permitted me to begin, in one sense, my missionary + work. My trials in it have been very few; everything has turned + out better than I expected; loving-kindness and tender mercies + have attended me at every step: therefore here will I sing His + praise. I have been an unprofitable servant, but the Lord hath + not cut me off: I have been wayward and perverse, yet He has + brought me further on the way to Zion; here, then, with + sevenfold gratitude and affection, would I stop and devote + myself to the blissful service of my adorable Lord. May He + continue His patience, His grace, His direction, His spiritual + influences, and I shall at last surely come off conqueror. May + He speedily open my mouth, to make known the mysteries of the + Gospel, and in great mercy grant that the heathen may receive it + and live! + +The hostility of the officers and civilians to his message sometimes +became scorn, when they saw his efforts to teach and preach to the +natives. These were days when the Patna massacre was still remembered. +So few baptized Christians knew the power of the Faith which they +practically dishonoured, that they had no desire to make it known to +others; many even actually resented the preaching of Christ to the +people, as both politically dangerous and socially an insult to the +ruling race. This feeling has long since disappeared in India at +least, though its expression is not unknown in some of the colonies +where the land is held by the dark savages. Henry Martyn keenly felt +such opposition, and none the less that the natives of the Patna +district--especially the Mohammedans--were in their turn hostile to a +government which had supplanted them so recently. A few weeks after +his arrival we find him writing this in his _Journal_: + + _1806, December 1._--Early this morning I set off in my + palanquin for Patna. Something brought the remembrance of my + dear Lydia so powerfully to my mind that I could not cease + thinking of her for a moment. I know not when my reflections + seemed to turn so fondly towards her; at the same time I + scarcely dare to wish her to come to this country. The whole + country is manifestly disaffected. I was struck at the anger and + contempt with which multitudes of the natives eyed me in my + palanquin. + + _December 2._--On my way back called on Mr. D., the Judge, and + Mr. F., at Bankipore. Mr. F.'s conversation with me about the + natives was again a great trial to my spirit; but in the + multitude of my troubled thoughts I still saw that there is a + strong consolation in the hope set before us. Let men do their + worst, let me be torn to pieces, and my dear L. torn from me; or + let me labour for fifty years amidst scorn, and never seeing one + soul converted; still it shall not be worse for my soul in + eternity, nor worse for it in time. Though the heathen rage and + the English people imagine a vain thing, the Lord Jesus, who + controls all events, is my friend, my master, my God, my all. On + the Rock of Ages when I feel my foot rest my head is lifted up + above all mine enemies round about, and I sing, yea, I will sing + praises unto the Lord. If I am not much mistaken, sore trials + are awaiting me from without. Yet the time will come when they + will be over. Oh, what sweet refuge to the weary soul does the + grave appear! There the wicked cease from troubling, and there + the weary are at rest. Here every man I meet is an enemy; being + an enemy to God, he is an enemy to me also on that account; but + he is an enemy too to me because I am an Englishman. Oh, what a + place must heaven be, where there are none but friends! England + appears almost a heaven upon earth, because there one is not + viewed as an unjust intruder; but, oh, the heaven of my God! the + general assembly of the first-born, the spirits of the just made + perfect, and Jesus! Oh, let me for a little moment labour and + suffer reproach! + + _1807, January 2._--They seem to hate to see me associating at + all with the natives, and one gave me a hint a few days ago + about taking my exercise on foot. But if our Lord had always + travelled about in His palanquin, the poor woman who was healed + by touching the hem of His garment might have perished. Happily + I am freed from the shackles of custom; and the fear of man, + though not extirpated, does not prevail. + + _January 8._--Pundit was telling me to-day that there was a + prophecy in their books that the English should remain one + hundred years in India, and that forty years were now elapsed of + that period; that there should be a great change, and they + should be driven out by a king's son, who should then be born. + Telling this to moonshi, he said that about the same time the + Mussulmans expected some great events, such as the coming of + Dujjel, and the spread of Islam over the earth. + + _January 29._--The expectation from prophecy is very prevalent + hereabouts that the time is coming when all the Hindus will + embrace the religion of the English; and the pundit says that in + many places they had already begun. About Agra, and Delhi, and + Narwa, in the Mahratta dominions, there are many native + Christian families. + +Henry Martyn's occupation of the Aldeen Pagoda had resulted, after his +departure, in the formation, by Brown, Corrie, Parson, and Marmaduke +Thompson, the Madras chaplain, of what would now be called a clerical +club, with these three objects--to aid the British and Foreign Bible +Society, then recently established; to help forward the translation of +the Scriptures into the languages of the East; and especially to meet +the whole expense of the Sanskrit and Greek Testaments, and to send on +to Mr. Brown, for circulation, a quarterly report of the prospects, +plans, and actual situation of each member so far as the Church is +concerned. Of this Evangelical Anglican Brotherhood Martyn seems to +have been the most active member during his brief career. His +translations were made for it, in the first instance. 'The Synod', or +'the Associated Clergy,' as he called it at different times, when as +yet there was no Bishop of Calcutta, consciously linked him to the +fellowship of the Saints, to the Church and the University from which +he had come forth. We find him noting seven years after 'the day I +left Cambridge: my thoughts frequently recurred with many tender +recollections to that beloved seat of my brethren, and again I +wandered in spirit amongst the trees on the banks of the Cam.' + +The letters from these four chaplains cheered him at Dinapore when he +was 'very much depressed in spirits,' and he hastens to write to each, +giving this picture of his life: + + From a solitary walk on the banks of the river I had just + returned to my dreary rooms, and with the reflection that just + at this time of the day I could be thankful for a companion, was + taking up the flute to remind myself of your social meetings in + worship, when your two packages of letters, which had arrived in + my absence, were brought to me. For the contents of them, all I + can say is, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me + bless His holy name! The arrival of another dear brother, and + the joy you so largely partake of in fellowship with God and + with one another, act as a cordial to my soul. They show me what + I want to learn, that the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, and + that they that keep the faith of Jesus are those only whom God + visits with His strong consolations. I want to keep in view that + our God is the God of the whole earth, and that the heathen are + given to His exalted Son, the uttermost parts of the earth for a + possession. + +Continually his love of music breaks forth alike for the worship of God +and the association of friendship and affection. His correspondence with +Brown was regular, but as that of a son with a father. His letters to +Corrie, his old Cambridge junior, are frank and free. His joy was great +when Corrie was stationed at the rock-fortress of Chunar, not very far +from Dinapore, so that they occasionally met and officiated for each +other. But up to this time his chief, his almost fearful human, delight +was to think of Lydia by night and by day. + + _1806, December 10._--A dream last night was so like reality, + and the impression after it was so deep upon my spirits, that I + must record the date of it. It was about Lydia. I dreamt that + she had arrived, but that after some conversation I said to her, + 'I know this is a dream; it is too soon after my letter for you + to have come.' Alas! it is only a dream; and with this I awoke, + and sighed to think that it was indeed only a dream. Perhaps all + my hope about her is but a dream! Yet be it so; whatever God + shall appoint must be good for us both, and with that I will + endeavour to be tranquil and happy, pursuing my way through the + wilderness with equal steadiness, whether with or without a + companion. + + _December 14._ (Sunday.)--Service performed by an after order, + at ten o'clock. The general was present, about twenty officers, + and some of their ladies. I preached on the parable of the tares + of the field. Much of the rest of the day I was in great + distraction, owing to the incessant recurrence of thoughts about + Lydia. My impatience and fear respecting her sometimes rose to + such a height that I felt almost as at Falmouth, when I was + leaving Europe, as I thought to see her no more. But in the + evening it pleased the Lord to show me something of the awful + nearness of the world of spirits, and the unmeasurable + importance of my having my thoughts and cares devoted to my + missionary work. Thus I obtained peace. I prayed in sincerity + and fervour, that if there were any obstacle in the sight of + God, the Lord might never suffer us to meet. + + _December 21._ (Sunday.)--In the evening, after a solemn season + of prayer, I received letters from Europe, one from Cousin T., + Emma, Lydia, and others. The torrent of vivid affection which + passed through my heart at receiving such assurances of regard + continued almost without intermission for four hours. Yet, in + reflection afterwards, the few words my dearest Lydia wrote + turned my joy into tender sympathy with her. Who knows what her + heart has suffered! After all, our God is our best portion; and + it is true that if we are never permitted to meet, we shall + enjoy blissful intercourse for ever in glory. + + _December 22._--Thinking far too much of dear Lydia all day. + + _December 23._--Set apart the chief part of this day for prayer, + with fasting; but I do not know that my soul got much good. Oh, + what need have I to be stirred up by the Spirit of God, to exert + myself in prayer! Had no freedom or power in prayer, though some + appearance of tenderness. Lydia is a snare to me; I think of her + so incessantly, and with such foolish and extravagant fondness, + that my heart is drawn away from God. Thought at night, Can that + be true love which is other than God would have it? No; that + which is lawful is most genuine when regulated by the holy law + of God. + + _December 25._--Preached on 1 Tim. i. 15 to a large + congregation. Those who remained at the Sacrament were chiefly + ladies, and none of them young men. My heart still entangled + with this idolatrous affection, and consequently unhappy. + Sometimes I gained deliverance from it for a short time, and was + happy in the love of God. How awful the thought, that while + perishing millions demand my every thought and care, my mind + should be distracted about such an extreme trifle as that of my + own comfort! Oh, let me at last have done with it, and the + merciful God save me from departing from Him, and committing + that horrible crime of forsaking the fountain of living waters, + and hewing out to myself broken cisterns. + +As the delightful cold season of the Bihar uplands passed all too +quickly, and the dry hot winds of Upper India began to scorch its +plains, the solitary man began to think it 'impossible I could ever +subsist long in such a climate.' From April 1807 his hereditary +disease made rapid advances, while he reproached himself for lassitude +and comparative idleness, and put additional constraint on himself to +work and to pray unceasingly. From this time his _Journal_ has +frequent records of sickness, of loss of appetite, and of 'pain' in +his ministrations, ending in loss of voice altogether for a time. +Corrie and Brown and his other correspondents remonstrated, but they +were at a distance. He needed a watchful and authoritative nurse such +as only a wife could be, and he found only lack of sympathy or active +opposition. He lived, as we can now see, as no white man in the +tropics in any rank of life should live, from sheer simplicity, +unselfishness, and consuming zeal. When the hot winds drove him out of +the barracks, the first rainy season flooded his house. At all times +and amid the insanitary horrors of an Indian cemetery he had to bury +the dead of a large cantonment in a sickly season. His daily visits to +the hospital were prolonged, for there he came soul to soul with the +sinner, the penitent, and the rejoicing. And all the time he is +writing to Corrie and each of his friends, 'I feel anxious for your +health.' To marry officers and baptize children he had to make long +journeys by palanquin, and expose his wasting body alike to heat and +rain. But amid it all his courage never fails, for it is rooted in +God; his heart is joyful, for he has the peace that passeth all +understanding. + + _1807, May 18._--Through great mercy my health and strength are + supported as by a daily miracle. But oh, the heat! By every + device of darkness and tatties I cannot keep the thermometer + below 92 deg., and at night in bed I seem in danger of suffocation. + Let me know somewhat more particularly what the heat is, and how + you contrive to bear it. The worst bad effect I experience is + the utter loss of appetite. I dread the eating time. + + _July 7._--Heat still so great as to oblige me to abandon my + quarters. + + _July 8._--Went to Bankipore to baptize a child. One of the + ladies played some hymn-tunes on my account. If I were provided + with proper books much good might be done by these visits, for I + meet with general acceptance and deference. In the evening + buried a man who had died in the hospital after a short illness. + My conscience felt again a conviction of guilt at considering + how many precious hours I waste on trifles, and how cold and + lukewarm my spirit is when addressing souls. + + _August 23._ (Sunday.)--Preached on Job xix. 25-27: 'I know that + my redeemer liveth.' There seemed little or no attention; only + one officer there besides Major Young. At Hindustani prayers, + the women few, but attentive; again blest with much freedom; at + the hospital was seized with such pain from over-exertion of my + voice, that I was obliged to leave off and go away. + +To Brown he writes: 'The rains try my constitution. I am apt to be +troubled with shortness of breath, as at the time I left you. Another +rainy reason I must climb some hill and live there; but the Lord is +our rock. While there is work which _we_ must do, we shall live.' +Again in the early Sunday morning of August he dreamed-- + + That as I was attacked so violently in July, but recovered, at + the same time next year I should be attacked again, and carried + off by death. This, however, would only be awaking in a better + world. If I may but awake up satisfied with Thy likeness, why + shall I be afraid? I think I have but one wish to live, which + is, that I may do the Lord's work, particularly in the Persian + and Hindustani translations; for this I could almost feel + emboldened to supplicate, like Hezekiah, for prolongation of + life, even after receiving this, which may be a warning. + +After six months' experience of his Dinapore-cum-Patna parish, Martyn +sent in 'to the Associated Clergy' the first quarterly report of his +own spiritual life, and of his work for others. + + _April 6._--I begin my first communication to my dear and + honoured brethren, with thankfully accepting their proposal of + becoming a member of their society, and I bless the God and + Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for this new instance of His + mercy to His unworthy creature. May His grace and favour be + vouchsafed to us, and His Holy Spirit direct all our + proceedings, and sanctify our communications to the purposes for + which we are united. + + On a review of the state of my mind since my arrival at + Dinapore, I observe that the graces of joy and love have been at + a low ebb. Faith has been chiefly called into exercise, and + without a simple dependence on the Divine promises I should + still every day sink into fatal despondency. Self-love and + unbelief have been suggesting many foolish fears respecting the + difficulties of my future work among the heathen. The thought of + interrupting a crowd of busy people like those at Patna, whose + every day is a market-day, with a message about eternity, + without command of language sufficient to explain and defend + myself, and so of becoming the scorn of the rabble without doing + them good, was offensive to my pride. The manifest disaffection + of the people, and the contempt with which they eyed me, + confirmed my dread. Added to this the unjust proceedings of many + of the principal magistrates hereabout led me to expect future + commotions in the country, and that consequently poverty and + murder would terminate my career. + + 'Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof'--'As thy days are + so shall thy strength be,' were passages continually brought to + my remembrance, and with these at last my mind grew quiet. Our + countrymen, when speaking of the natives, said, as they usually + do, that they cannot be converted, and if they could they would + be worse than they are. Though I have observed before now that + the English are not in the way of knowing much about the + natives, yet the number of difficulties they mentioned proved + another source of discouragement to me. It is surprising how + positively they are apt to speak on this subject, from their + never acknowledging God in anything: 'Thy judgments are far + above out of his sight.' If we labour to the end of our days + without seeing one convert, it shall not be worse for us in + time, and our reward is the same in eternity. The cause in which + we are engaged is the cause of mercy and truth, and therefore, + in spite of seeming impossibilities, it must eventually prevail. + + I have been also occasionally troubled with infidel thoughts, + which originated perhaps from the cavillings of the Mohammedans + about the person of Christ; but these have been never suffered + to be more than momentary. At such times the awful holiness of + the Word of God, and the deep seriousness pervading it, were + more refreshing to my heart than the most encouraging promises + in it. How despicable must the Koran appear with its mock + majesty and paltry precepts to those who can read the Word of + God! It must presently sink into contempt when the Scriptures + are known. + + Sometimes when those fiery darts penetrated more deeply, I found + safety only in cleaving to God, as a child clasps to his + mother's neck. These things teach me the melancholy truth that + the grace of a covenant God can alone keep me from apostasy and + ruin. + + The European society here consists of the military at the + cantonment and the civil servants at Bankipore. The latter + neither come into church nor have accepted the offer of my + coming to officiate to them. There is, however, no contempt + shown, but rather respect. Of the military servants very few + officers attend, and of late scarcely any of the married + families, but the number of privates, and the families of the + merchants, always make up a respectable congregation. They have + as yet heard very little of the doctrines of the Gospel. I have + in general endeavoured to follow the directions contained in Mr. + Milner's letter on this subject, as given in Mr. Brown's paper, + No. 4. + + At the hospital I have read Doddridge's _Rise and Progress_, and + _The Pilgrim's Progress_. As the people objected to extempore + preaching at church, I have in compliance with their desires + continued to use a book. But on this subject I should be glad of + some advice from my brethren. + + I think it needless to communicate the plans or heads of any of + my sermons, as they have been chiefly on the Parables. It is of + more importance to observe that the Word has not gone forth in + vain, blessed be God! as it has hitherto seemed to do in most + places where I have been called to minister; and this I feel to + be an animating testimony of His presence and blessing. I think + the commanding officer of the native regiment here and his lady + are seeking their salvation in earnest; they now refuse all + invitations on the Lord's day, and pass most of that day at + least in reading the Word, and at all times discover an + inclination to religious conversation. Among the privates, one I + have little doubt is truly converted to God, and is a great + refreshment to me. He parted at once with his native woman, and + allows her a separate maintenance. His conversion has excited + much notice and conversation about religion among the rest, and + three join him in coming twice a week to my quarters for + exposition, singing and prayer. + + I visit the English very little, and yet have had sufficient + experience of the difficulty of knowing how a minister should + converse with his people. I have myself fallen into the worst + extreme, and, from fear of making them connect religion with + gloom, have been led into such shameful levity and conformity to + them as ought to fill me with grief and deep self-abasement. + + How repeatedly has guilt been brought upon my conscience in this + way! Oh, how will the lost souls with whom I have trifled the + hours away look at me in the day of judgment! I hope I am more + and more convinced of the wickedness and folly of assuming any + other character than that of a minister. I ought to consider + that my proper business with the flock over which the Holy Ghost + hath made me overseer is the business of another world, and if + they will not consider it in the same light, I do not think that + I am bound to visit them. + + About the middle of last month, the Church service being ready + in Hindustani, I submitted to the commanding officer of the + European regiment a proposal to perform Divine service + regularly for the native women of his regiment, to which he + cordially assented. The whole number of women, about 200, + attended with great readiness, and have continued to do so. + Instead of a sermon, the Psalms, and the appointed lessons, I + read in two portions the Gospel of St. Matthew regularly + forward, and occasionally make some small attempts at + expounding. The conversion of any of such despised people is + never likely perhaps to be of any extensive use in regard to the + natives at large; but they are a people committed to me by God, + and as dear to Him as others; and next in order after the + English, they come within the expanding circle of action. + + After much trouble and delay, three schools have been + established for the native children on Mr. Creighton's plan--one + at Dinapore, one at Bankipore, and one at Patna, at the last of + which the Persian character is taught as well as the Nagri. The + number of children already is about sixty. The other + schoolmasters, not liking the introduction of these free + schools, spread the report that my intention was to make them + Christians, and send them to Europe; in consequence of which the + zemindars retracted their promises of land, and the parents + refused to send their children; but my schoolmasters very + sensibly went to the people, and told them, 'We are men well + known among you, and when we are made Christians then do you + begin to fear.' So their apprehensions have subsided; but when + the book of Parables, which is just finished, is put into their + hands, I expect a revival of their fears. My hope is that I + shall be able to ingratiate myself a little with the people + before that time; but chiefly that a gracious God will not + suffer Satan to keep his ground any longer, now that the + appointed means are used to dislodge him. But, though these + plans should fail, I hope to be strengthened to fight against + him all my days. For, from what I feel within and see without, I + know enough of him to vow, with my brethren, eternal enmity + against him and his cause. + + Respecting the state of the natives hereabouts, I believe that + the Hindus are lax, for the rich men being few or none, there + are few Brahmins and few _tumashas_ (_fetes_), and without these + idolatry droops. The Mohammedans are numerous and ignorant, but + from the best of them I cannot learn that more than three + arguments can be offered for their religion, which are--the + miracles wrought by Mohammed, those still wrought by his + followers, and his challenge in the second chapter of the Koran, + about producing a chapter like it, all of which are immediately + answered. + + If my brethren have any others brought forward to them they + will, I hope, mention them; and if they have observed any remark + or statement apparently affect a native's mind, they will notice + it. + + Above all things, _seriousness_ in argument with them seems most + desirable, for without it they laugh away the clearest proofs. + Zeal for making proselytes they are used to, and generally + attribute to a false motive; but a tender concern manifested for + their souls is certainly new to them, and seemingly produces + corresponding seriousness in their minds. + + From an officer who had been in the Mahratta service, I learned + some time ago that there were large bodies of Christians at + Narwa, in the Mahratta dominions, Sardhana, Delhi, Agra, Bettia, + Boglipore. To obtain more information respecting them, I sent a + circular letter to the missionaries residing at the three latter + places, and have received two letters in reply. The padre at + Boglipore is a young man just arrived, and his letter contains + no information. From the letter of the padre at Agra I subjoin + some extracts, premising that my questions were: 1. By whom were + you sent? 2. How long has a mission been established in the + place of your residence? 3. Do you itinerate, and to what + distance? 4. Have you any portion of the MSS. translated, or do + you distribute tracts? 5. Do you allow any remains of caste to + the baptized? 6. Have you schools? are the masters heathen or + Christians? 7. Is there any native preacher or catechist? 8. + Number of converts. + + In concluding my report, I take the liberty of proposing two + questions on which I should be thankful for communications in + your next quarterly report. + + 1. On the manner in which a minister should observe the Sabbath; + whether he should make it a point of duty to leave no part of + his discourses to prepare on that day? Whether our particular + situation in this country, requiring redoubled exertion in those + of us at least who are called to the heathen, will justify the + introduction of a secular work into the Sabbath, such as + translating the Scriptures, etc.? + + 2. In the commencement of our labours among the heathen, to + which model should our preaching be conformed,--to that of John + the Baptist and our Saviour, or that of the Apostles? The first + mode seems more natural, and if necessary for the Jews, + comparatively so enlightened, how much more for the heathen, who + have scarcely any notions of morality! On the other hand, the + preaching of the cross has in all ages won the most ignorant + savages; and the Apostles preached it at once to heathens as + ignorant perhaps as these. + +Like Marshman and the Serampore missionaries, Henry Martyn kept up a +Latin correspondence with the missionaries sent from Rome by the +Propaganda to the stations founded by Xavier, and those afterwards +established by that saint's nephew in the days of the tolerant Akbar. +At the beginning of this century, Anglican, Baptist, and Romanist +missionaries all over the East co-operated with each other in +translation work and social intercourse. More than once Martyn +protected the priest at Patna from the persecution of the military +authorities. He planned a visit to their station at Bettia, to the far +north, at the foot of the Himalayas. In hospital his ministrations +were always offered to the Irish soldiers in the absence of their own +priest, and always without any controversial reference. In his +_Journal_ he is often indignant at the Popish perversion of the +doctrines of grace, and in preaching he occasionally set forth the +truth, but in pastoral and social intercourse he never failed to show +the charity of the Christian scholar and the gentleman. + +Major Young, with his wife, was the first of the officers to welcome +Martyn's preaching. Soon the men in hospital learned to appreciate his +daily visits, and to attend to his earnest reading and talk. A few +began to meet with him at his own house regularly, for prayer and the +exposition of Holy Scripture. In January, he writes of one Sunday: +'Great attention. I think the Word is not going forth in vain. In the +afternoon read at the hospital. The steward I found had been long +stationed at Tanjore and knew Schwartz; that Schwartz baptized the +natives not by immersion, but by sprinkling, and with godfathers, and +read the services both in English and Tamil. Felt much delighted at +hearing anything about him. The man told me that the men at the +hospital were very attentive and thankful that I came amongst them. +Passed the evening with great joy and peace in singing hymns.' In the +heat of May he writes: 'Found fifty sick at the hospital, who heard +_The Pilgrim's Progress_ with great delight. Some men came to-night, +but my prayer with them was exceedingly poor and lifeless.' + +In these days, thanks to Lord Lawrence and Sir Henry Norman, there is a +prayer-hall in every cantonment, ever open for the soldier who seeks +quiet communion with God. Then--'Six soldiers came to me to-night. To +escape as much as possible the taunts of their wicked companions, they +go out of their barracks in opposite directions to come to me. At night +a young Scotsman of the European regiment came to me for a hymn-book. He +expressed with tears his past wickedness and determination to lead a +religious life.' On the other side we have such passages as these: 'What +sort of men are these committed to my care? I had given them one more +warning about their whoredom and drunkenness, and it's the truth +grappling with their consciences that makes them furious.' Of the +Company's European regiment he writes to Corrie: 'A more wicked set of +men were, I suppose, never seen. The general, the colonel of the 67th, +and their own colonel all acknowledge it. At the hospital when I visit +their part, some go to a corner and invoke blasphemies upon me because, +as they now believe, the man I speak to dies to a certainty.' A young +lieutenant of fine abilities he recommended strenuously to go into the +ministry. + +Although, fifteen years before, Sir John Shore had given orders as to +the building of churches at military stations, and Lord Wellesley had +set an example of interest in the moral and spiritual welfare of the +Company's servants, nothing had been done outside of the three +Presidency cities. All that Henry Martyn found provided for him, as +chaplain, on his first Sunday at Dinapore, was a long drum, on which +he placed the Prayer-book. He was requested not to preach, because the +men could not stand so long. He found the men playing at fives on +Sunday. All that he soon changed, by an appeal to the general to put +a stop to the games on Sunday, and by holding service at first in a +barrack, and then in his own house. Before leaving Calcutta he had +observed, in a conversation with the Governor-General, on the disgrace +of there being no places of worship at the principal subordinate +stations; upon which directions were given to prepare plans of +building. He wrote to the equally troubled Corrie at Chunar. A year +later nothing had been done, and he draws this picture to Corrie: +'From the scandalous disorder in which the Company have left the +ecclesiastical part of their affairs, so that we have no place fit, +our assemblies are little like worshipping assemblies. No kneeling +because no room; no singing, no responses.' At last Sir George Barlow +sent an order for an estimate for building a church, but Martyn had +left for Cawnpore, only to see a worse state of things there. But the +faithfulness of the 'black' chaplains was telling. He writes, on March +14, 1808: + + The 67th are now all here. The number of their sick makes the + hospital congregation very considerable, so that if I had no + natives, translations, etc., to think of, there is call enough + for my labours and prayers among all these Europeans. The + general at my request has determined to make the whole body of + troops attend in three divisions; and yesterday morning the + Company's European, and two companies of the King's, came to + church in great pomp, with a fine band of music playing. The + King's officers, according to their custom, have declared their + intention not to call upon the Company's; therefore I mean to + call upon them. I believe I told you that 900 of the 67th are + Roman Catholics. It seemed an uncommonly splendid Mohurrum here + also. Mr. H., an assistant judge lately appointed to Patna, + joined the procession in a Hindustani dress, and went about + beating his breast, etc. This is a place remarkable for such + folly. The old judge, you know, has built a mosque here, and the + other judge issued an order that no marriage nor any feasting + should be held during the season of Mohammedan grief. A + remarkably sensible young man called on me yesterday with the + Colonel; they both seem well disposed to religion. I receive + many gratifying testimonies to the change apparently taking + place among the English in religious matters in India; + testimonies, I mean, from the mouths of the people, for I + confess I do not observe much myself. + +Having translated the Church Service into Hindustani, Henry Martyn was +ready publicly to minister to the native women belonging to the +soldiers of the Company's European regiment. From such unions, rarely +lawful, sprang the now great and important Eurasian community, many of +whom have done good service to the Church and the Empire. 'The Colonel +approved, but told me that it was my business to find them an order, +and not his.' + + _1807, March 23._--So I issued my command to the Sergeant-Major + to give public notice in the barracks that there would be Divine + service in the native language on the morrow. The morrow came, + and the Lord sent 200 women, to whom I read the whole of the + morning service. Instead of the lessons I began Matthew, and + ventured to expound a little, and but a little. Yesterday we had + a service again, but I think there were not more than 100. To + these I opened my mouth rather more boldly, and though there was + the appearance of lamentable apathy in the countenances of most + of them, there were two or three who understood and trembled at + the sermon of John the Baptist. This proceeding of mine is, I + believe, generally approved among the English, but the women + come, I fear, rather because it is the wish of their masters. + The day after attending service they went in flocks to the + Mohurrum, and even of those who are baptized, many, I am told, + are so addicted to their old heathenism, that they obtain money + from their husbands to give to the Brahmins. Our time of Divine + service in English is seven in the morning, and in Hindustani + two in the afternoon. May the Lord smile on this first attempt + at ministration in the native language! + + _1807, March 23._--A few days ago I went to Bankipore to fulfil + my promise of visiting the families there; and amongst the rest + called on a poor creature whose black wife has made him + apostatise to Mohammedanism and build a mosque. Major Young went + with me, and the old man's son-in-law was there. He would not + address a single word to me, nor a salutation at parting, + because I found an occasion to remind him that the Son of God + had suffered in the stead of sinners. The same day I went on to + Patna to see how matters stood with respect to the school. Its + situation is highly favourable, near an old gate now in the + midst of the city, and where three ways meet; neither master nor + children were there. The people immediately gathered round me in + great numbers, and the crowd thickened so fast, that it was with + difficulty I could regain my palanquin. I told them that what + they understood by making people Christians was not my + intention; I wished the children to be taught to fear God and + become good men, and that if, after this declaration, they were + still afraid, I could do no more; the fault was not mine, but + theirs. My schools have been heard of among the English sooner + than I wished or expected. The General observed to me one + morning that that school of mine made a very good appearance + from the road; 'but,' said he, 'you will make no proselytes.' If + that be all the opposition he makes, I shall not much mind. + +A week later he wrote: + + _March 30._--Sick in body, but rather serious and humble in + spirit, and so happy; corrected the Parables for a fair copy. + Reading the Koran and Hindustani Ramayuna, and translating + Revelation; a German sergeant came with his native woman to have + her baptized; I talked with her a good while, in order to + instruct her, and found her extraordinarily quick in + comprehension. + + _April 1._--The native woman came again, and I passed a great + deal of time in instructing her in the nature of the Gospel; + but, alas! till the Lord touch her heart, what can a man do? At + night the soldiers came, and we had again a very happy time; how + graciously the Lord fulfils His promise of being where two or + three are gathered together! The pious soldier grows in faith + and love, and spoke of another who wants to join us. They said + that the native women accounted it a great honour to be + permitted to come to a church and hear the Word of God, and + wondered why I should take such trouble for them. + +'How shall it ever be possible to convince a Hindu or Brahmin of +anything?' wrote Henry Martyn to Corrie after two years' experience in +Bengal. + + _1808, January 4._--Truly, if ever I see a Hindu a real believer + in Jesus, I shall see something more nearly approaching the + resurrection of a dead body than anything I have yet seen. + However, I well remember Mr. Ward's words, 'The common people + are angels compared with the Brahmins.' Perhaps the strong man + armed, that keeps the goods in peace, shall be dispossessed from + these, when the mighty Word of God comes to be ministered by us. + +'We shall live to see better days.' For these he prepared his +translations of the Word of God. He wished to itinerate among the +people, but his military duties kept him to the station. When Mr. +Brown made another attempt to get him fixed in the Mission-Church he +replied, 'The evangelisation of India is a more important object than +preaching to the European inhabitants of Calcutta.' To Corrie he +wrote: 'Those sequestered valleys seen from Chunar present an inviting +field for missionary labours. A Sikh, making a pilgrimage to Benares, +came to me; he was very ignorant, and I do not know whether he +understood what I endeavoured to show him about the folly of +pilgrimages, the nature of true holiness, and the plan of the Gospel.' + + _1808, February 12._--Sabat describes so well the character of a + missionary that I am ashamed of my great house, and mean to sell + it the first opportunity, and take the smallest quarters I can + find. Would that the day were come when I might throw off the + coat and substitute the jamer; I long for it more and more; and + am often very uneasy at being in the neighbourhood of so great a + Nineveh without being able to do anything immediately for the + salvation of so many perishing souls. What do you think of my + standing under a shed somewhere in Patna as the missionaries did + in the Lal Bazar? Will the Government interfere? What are your + sensations on the late news? I fear the judgments of God on our + proud nation, and that, as we have done nothing for the Gospel + in India, this vineyard will be let out to others who shall + bring the fruits of it in their season. I think the French would + not treat Juggernaut with quite so much ceremony as we do. + +Above all men in India, at that time and during the next half-century, +however, Henry Martyn was a missionary to the Mohammedans. For them he +learned and he translated Hindustani, Persian, and Arabic. With their +moulvies he conducted controversies; and for years he associated with +himself that extraordinary Arab, Sabat, who made life a burden to him. + +Sabat and Abdallah, two Arabs of notable pedigree, becoming friends, +resolved to travel together. After a visit to Mecca they went to +Cabul, where Abdallah entered the service of Zeman Shah, the famous +Ameer. There an Armenian lent him the Arabic Bible, he became a +Christian, and he fled for his life to Bokhara. Sabat had preceded him +there, and at once recognised him on the street. 'I had no pity,' said +Sabat afterwards. 'I delivered him up to Morad Shah, the king.' He was +offered his life if he would abjure Christ. He refused. Then one of +his hands was cut off, and again he was pressed to recant. 'He made no +answer, but looked up steadfastly towards heaven, like Stephen, the +first martyr, his eyes streaming with tears. He looked at me, but it +was with the countenance of forgiveness. His other hand was then cut +off. But he never changed, and when he bowed his head to receive the +blow of death all Bokhara seemed to say, "What new thing is this?"' + +Remorse drove Sabat to long wanderings, in which he came to Madras, +where the Government gave him the office of mufti, or expounder of the +law of Islam in the civil courts. At Vizagapatam he fell in with a +copy of the Arabic New Testament as revised by Solomon Negri, and sent +out to India by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in the +middle of last century. He compared it with the Koran, the truth fell +on him 'like a flood of light,' and he sought baptism in Madras at the +hands of the Rev. Dr. Kerr. He was named Nathaniel. He was then +twenty-seven years of age. + +When the news reached his family in Arabia his brother set out to +destroy him, and, disguised as an Asiatic, wounded him with a dagger as +he sat in his house at Vizagapatam. He sent him home with letters and +gifts to his mother, and then gave himself up to propagate the truth he +had once, in his friend Abdallah's person, persecuted to the death. He +became one of the translating staff of the Serampore brotherhood, and +did good service on the Arabic and Persian Scriptures. Mr. John +Marshman, who knew him well, used to describe him as a man of lofty +station, of haughty carriage, and with a flowing black beard. Delighted +with the simple life and devotion of the missionaries, he dismissed his +two Arab servants, and won the affection of all. When Serampore arranged +to leave to Henry Martyn the Persian translation of the New Testament, +Sabat left them with tears in his eyes for Dinapore. In almost nothing +does the saintliness of Martyn appear so complete as in the references +in his _Journal_ to the pride, the vanity, the malice, the rage of this +'artless child of the desert,' when it became apparent that his +knowledge of Persian and Arabic had been over-estimated. The passages +are pathetic, and are equalled only by those which, in the closing days +of his life, describe the dying missionary's treatment by his Tartar +escort. But to the last, Sabat, according to Colonel MacInnes of +Penang,[27] 'never spoke of Mr. Martyn without the most profound +respect, and shed tears of grief whenever he recalled how severely he +had tried the patience of this faithful servant of God. He mentioned +several anecdotes to show with what extraordinary sweetness Martyn had +borne his numerous provocations. "He was less a man," he said, "than an +angel from heaven."' + +The rest of Sabat's story may at once be told. Moved by rage at the +exposure, by the Calcutta moonshis, of the incorrectness of his +Arabic, and at the suspicions that his translations were copies from +some old version, Sabat apostatised by publishing a virulent attack on +Christianity. 'As when Judas acted the traitor, Ananias the liar, and +Simon Magus the refined hypocrite, so it was when Sabat daringly +departed from the nominal profession of the truth. The righteous +sorrowed, the unrighteous triumphed; yet wisdom was justified of her +children,' wrote Mr. Sargent. He left Calcutta as a trader for Penang, +where he wrote to the local newspaper declaring that he professed +Christianity anew, and he entered the service of the fugitive Sultan +of Acheen, on the north of Sumatra. Thence, when he was imprisoned by +the insurgents, he wrote letters with his own blood to the Penang +authorities, declaring that he was in some sense a martyr for Christ. +All the private efforts of Colonel MacInnes to obtain his freedom were +in vain; he was tied up in a sack and thrown into the sea. In the +light of these events we must now read Henry Martyn's _Journal_: + + _1807, August 24._--To live without sin is what I cannot expect + in this world, but to desire to live without it may be the + experience of every hour. Thinking to-night of the + qualifications of Sabat, I felt the conviction, both in + reflection and prayer, of the power of God to make him another + St. Paul. + + _November 10._--The very first day we began to spar. He would + come into none of my plans, nor did I approve of his; but I gave + way, and by yielding prevailed, for he now does everything I + tell him.... Sabat lives and eats with me, and goes to his + bungalow at night, so that I hope he has no care on his mind. On + Sunday morning he went to church with me. While I was in the + vestry a bearer took away his chair from him, saying it was + another gentleman's. The Arab took fire and left the church, and + when I sent the clerk after him he would not return. He + anticipated my expostulations after church, and began to lament + that he had _two_ dispositions, one old, the other new. + + _1808, January 11._--Sabat sometimes awakes some of the evil + parts of my nature. Finding I have no book of Logic, he wishes + to translate one of his compositions, to instruct me in that + science. He is much given to contradict, and set people right, + and that he does with an air so dogmatical, that I have not seen + the like of it since I left Cambridge. He looks on the + missionaries at Serampore as so many degrees below him in + intellect, that he says he could write so deeply on a text, that + not one of them would be able to follow him. So I have + challenged him in their name, and to-day he has brought me the + first half of his essay or sermon on a text: with some + ingenuity, it has the most idle display of school-boy pedantic + logic you ever saw. I shall translate it from the Persian, in + order to assist him to rectify his errors. He is certainly + learned in the learning of the Arabs, and how he has acquired so + much in a life so active is strange, but I wish it could be made + to sit a little easier on him. I look forward to St. Paul's + Epistles, in hopes some good will come to him from them. It is a + very happy circumstance that he did not go to preach at his + first conversion; he would have entangled himself in + metaphysical subjects out of his depth, and probably made + shipwreck of his own faith. I have, I think, led him to see that + it is dangerous and foolish to attempt to prove the doctrine of + the Trinity by reason, as he said at first he was perfectly able + to do. + + _January 30._--Sabat to-day finishes St. Matthew, and will write + to you on the occasion. Your letter to him was very kind and + suitable, but I think you must not mention his logic to him, + except with contempt; for he takes what you say on that head as + homage due to his acquirements, and praise to him is brandy to a + man in a high fever. He loves as a Christian brother; but as a + logician he holds us all in supreme contempt. He assumes all the + province of reasoning as his own by right, and decides every + question magisterially. He allows Europeans to know a little + about Arithmetic and Navigation, but nothing more. Dear man! I + smile to observe his pedantry. Never have I seen such an + instance of dogmatical pride since I heard Dr. Parr preach his + Greek Sermon at St. Mary's, about the [Greek: to\ o)/n]. + + _March 7._--Mirza is gone to the Mohurrum to-day: he discovers + no signs of approach to the truth. Sabat creates himself enemies + in every quarter by his jealous and passionate spirit, + particularly among the servants. At his request I have sent away + my tailor and bearers, and he is endeavouring to get my other + servants turned away; because without any proof he suspects them + of having persuaded the bearers not to come into his service. He + can now get no bearers nor tailor to serve him. One day this + week he came to me, and said that he meant to write to Mr. Brown + to remove him from this place, for everything went wrong--the + people were all wicked, etc. The immediate cause of this + vexation was that some boxes, which he had been making at the + expense of 150 rupees, all cracked at the coming on of the hot + weather. I concealed my displeasure at his childish fickleness + of temper, and discovered no anxiety to retain him, but quietly + told him of some of the consequences of removing, so it is gone + out of his mind. But Mirza happened to hear all Sabat's + querulous harangue, and, in order to vex and disgust him + effectually, rode almost into his house, and came in with his + shoes. This irritated the Arab; but Mirza's purpose was not + answered. Mirza began next day to tell a parcel of lies about + Sabat, and to bring proofs of his own learning. The manifest + tendency of all this was to make a division between Sabat and + me, and to obtain his _salary_ and work for himself. Oh, the + hypocrisy and wickedness of an Indian! I never saw a more + remarkable contrast in two men than in Mirza and Sabat. One is + all exterior--the other has no outside at all; one a most + consummate man of the world--the other an artless child of the + desert. + + _March 28._--Sabat has been tolerably quiet this week; but think + of the keeper of a lunatic, and you see me. A war of words broke + out the beginning of last week, but it ended in an honourable + peace. After he got home at night he sent a letter, complaining + of a high crime and misdemeanour in some servant; I sent him a + soothing letter, and the wild beast fell asleep. In all these + altercations we take occasion to consider the extent of + Christian forbearance, as necessary to be exercised in all the + smaller occasions of life, as well as when persecution comes for + religion. This he has not been hitherto aware of. One night in + prayer I forgot to mention Mr. Brown; so, after I had done, he + continued on his knees and went on and prayed in Persian for + him. I was much pleased at this. + + Did you read Lord Minto's speech, and his commendation of those + _learned and pious men_, the missionaries? I have looked upon + him ever since as a nursing-father to the Church. + + _April 11._--It is surprising that a man can be so blinded by + vanity as to suppose, as Sabat does, that he is superior to + Mirza in Hindustani; yet this he does, and maintains it stoutly. + I am tired of combating this opinion, as nothing comes of our + arguments but strifes. Another of his odd opinions is, that he + is so under the immediate influence and direction of the Spirit, + that there will not be one single error in his whole Persian + translation. You perceive a little enthusiasm in the character + of our brother. As often as he finds himself in any difficulty, + he expects a dream to set him right. + + _April 26._--These Orientals with whom I translate require me to + point out the connection between every two sentences, which is + often more than I can do. It is curious how accurately they + observe all the rules of writing, and yet generally write badly. + I can only account for it by supposing that they have been + writing too long. From time immemorial they have been authors, + without progressive knowledge; and so to produce variety they + supply their lack of knowledge by overstraining their + imagination; hence their extravagant metaphors and affected way + of expressing the commonest things. Sabat, though a real + Christian, has not lost a jot of his Arabian pride. He looks + upon the Europeans as mushrooms, and seems to regard my + pretensions to any learning as we do those of a savage or an + ape. + + _May 31._--Some days Sabat overworked himself and was laid up. + He does his utmost. He is increasingly dear to me, as I see more + of the meekness and gentleness of Christ in him. Our conflicts I + hope are over, and we shall draw very quietly together side by + side. + +In all this, and much more that followed, or is unrecorded, Henry +Martyn was being prepared unconsciously for his formal and unanswered +controversies with the learned Mussulmans of Persia. His letters to +Corrie tell of his farther experience with his moonshis and the +moulvies of Patna, and describe the true spirit of such 'disputings' +for the truth. + + _1807, April 28._--Of what importance is our walk in reference + to our ministry, and particularly among the natives. For myself, + I never enter into a dispute with them without having reason to + reflect that I mar the work for which I contend by the spirit + in which I do it. During my absence at Monghyr moonshi went to a + learned native for assistance against an answer I had given him + to their main argument for the Koran, and he not being able to + render it, they mean to have down their leading man from Benares + to convince me of the truth of their religion. I wish a spirit + of inquiry may be excited, but I lay not much stress upon _clear + arguments_; the work of God is seldom wrought in this way. To + preach the Gospel, with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, is + a better way to win souls. + + _May 4._--I am preparing for the assault of this great + Mohammedan Imaum. I have read the Koran and notes twice for this + purpose, and even filled whole sheets with objections, remarks, + questions, etc.; but, alas! what little hopes have I of doing + him or any of them good in this way! Moonshi is in general mute. + + _October 28._--At night, in a conversation with Mirza + accidentally begun, I spoke to him for more than three hours on + Christianity and Mohammedanism. He said there was no passage in + the Gospel that said no prophet shall come after Christ. I + showed him the last verse in Matthew, the passages in Isaiah and + Daniel, on the eternity of Christ's kingdom, and proved it from + the nature of the way of salvation in the Gospel. I then told + him my objections against Mohammedanism, its laws, its defects, + its unnecessariness, the unsuitableness of its rewards, and its + utter want of support by proof. When he began to mention + Mahomet's miracles, I showed him the passages in the 6th and + 13th chapters of the Koran, where he disavows the power. Nothing + surprised him so much as these passages; he is, poor man, + totally indifferent about all religion; he told me that I had + produced great doubt in his mind, and that he had no answer to + give. + + _November 21._--My mind violently occupied with thoughts + respecting the approaching spread of the Gospel, and my own + going to Persia. Sabat's conversation stirs up a great desire in + me to go; as by his account all the Mahometan countries are ripe + for throwing off the delusion. The gracious Lord will teach me, + and make my way plain before my face. Oh, may He keep my soul in + peace, and make it indifferent to me whether I die or live, so + Christ be magnified by me. I have need to receive this spirit + from Him, for I feel at present unwilling to die, as if my own + life and labours were necessary for this work, or as if I should + be deprived of the bliss of seeing the conversion of the + nations. Vain thought! God, who keeps me here awhile, arranges + every part of His plans in unerring wisdom, and if I should be + cut off in the midst of my plans, I shall still, I trust, + through mercy, behold His works in heaven, and be everlastingly + happy in the never-ceasing admiration of His works and nature. + Every day the disputes with Mirza and Moorad Ali become more + interesting. Their doubts of Mahometanism seem to have amounted + almost to disbelief. Moorad Ali confessed that they all received + their religion, not on conviction, but because it was the way of + their fathers; and he said with great earnestness, that if some + great Sheikh-ool-Islam, whom he mentioned, could not give an + answer, and a satisfactory, rational evidence, of the truth of + Islamism, he would renounce it and be baptized. Mirza seemed + still more anxious and interested, and speaks of it to me and + Sabat continually. In translating 1 Timothy i. 15, I said to + them, 'You have in that verse heard the Gospel; your blood will + not be required at my hands; you will certainly remember these + words at the last day.' This led to a long discussion, at the + close of which, when I said that, notwithstanding their + endeavours to identify the two religions, there is still so much + difference 'that if our word is true you are lost,' they looked + at each other almost with consternation, and said 'It is true.' + Still the Trinity and the incarnation of Christ afford a plea to + the one, and a difficulty to the other. + + At another time, when I had, from some passage, hinted to Mirza + his danger, he said with great earnestness, 'Sir, why won't you + try to save me?' 'Save you?' said I, 'I would lay down my life + to save your soul: what can I do?' He wished me to go to + Phoolwari, the Mussulman college, and there examine the subject + with the most learned of their doctors. I told him I had no + objection to go to Phoolwari, but why could not he as well + inquire for himself whether there were any evidence for + Mohammedanism? + + _1808, June 14._--Called on Bahir Ali Khan, Dare, and the + Italian padre; with Bahir Ali I stayed two hours, conversing in + Persian. He began our theological discussion with a question to + me, 'How do you reconcile God's absolute power and man's free + will?' I pleaded ignorance and inability, but he replied to his + own question very fully, and his conclusion seemed to be that + God had created evil things for the trial of His creatures. His + whole manner, look, authority, and copiousness constantly + reminded me of the Dean of Carlisle.[28] I asked him for the + proofs of the religion of Mahomet. The first he urged was the + eloquence of the Koran. After a long time he conceded that it + was, of itself, an insufficient argument. I then brought forward + a passage of the Koran containing a sentiment manifestly false; + on which he floundered a good deal; but concluded with saying + that I must wait till I knew more of logic and Persian before he + could explain it to me satisfactorily. On the whole, I was + exceedingly pleased with his candour, politeness, and good + sense. He said he had nothing to lose by becoming a Christian, + and that, if he were once persuaded of the truth, he would + change without hesitation. He showed me an Arabic translation of + Euclid. + + _June 15._--Read an account of Turkey. The bad effects of the + book were so great that I found instant need of prayer, and I do + not know when I have had such divine and animating feelings. Oh, + it is Thy Spirit that makes me pant for the skies. It is He that + shall make me trample the world and my lusts beneath my feet, + and urge my onward course towards the crown of life. + + _December 5._--Went to Patna to Sabat, and saw several Persians + and Arabians. I found that the intended dispute had come to + nothing, for that Ali had told Sabat he had been advised by his + father not to dispute with him. They behaved with the utmost + incivility to him, not giving him a place to sit down, and + desiring him at last to go. Sabat rose, and shook his garment + against them, and said, 'If you know Mohammedanism to be right, + and will not try to convince me, you will have to answer for it + at the day of judgment. I have explained to you the Gospel; I am + therefore pure from your blood.' He came home and wrote some + poetry on the Trinity, and the Apostles, which he recited to me. + We called on Mizra Mehdi, a jeweller, who showed us some + diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. With an old Arabian there I + tried to converse in Arabic. He understood my Arabic, but I + could not understand his. They were all full of my praise, but + then the pity was that I was a Christian. I challenged them to + show what there was wrong in being a Nazarene, but they + declined. Afterwards we called on the nabob Moozuffur Ali Khan. + The house Sabat lived in was properly an Oriental one; and, as + he said, like those in Syria. It reminded me often of the + Apostles, and the recollection was often solemnising. + + _December 6 to 8._--Betrayed more than once into evil temper, + which left dreadful remorse of conscience; I cried unto God in + secret, but the sense of my sinfulness was overwhelming. It had + a humbling effect, however. In prayer with my men I was led more + unfeignedly to humble myself even to the dust, and after that I + enjoyed, through the sovereign mercy of God, much peace, and a + sense of His presence. Languid in my studies; indisposition + causing sleepiness. Reading chiefly Persian and a little Greek: + Hanway, Waring, and Franklin's Travels into Persia. Haji Khan, a + sensible old man from Patna, called two days following, and sat + a long time conversing upon religion. + + TO MRS. DARE, GAYA + + Dinapore: May 19, 1808. + + Dear Mrs. Dare,[29]--Your letter arrived just in time to save + you from some severe animadversions that were preparing for you. + I intended to have sent by your young friend some remarks, + direct and oblique, on the variableness of the sex, the facility + with which promises are made and broken, the pleasures of + indolence, and other topics of the like nature,--but your kind + epistle disarms me. Soon after you left us, the heat increased + to a degree I had never before felt, and made me often think of + you with concern. I used to say to Colonel Bradshaw, 'I wonder + how Mrs. Dare likes Gya, and its burning hills--I dare say she + would be glad to be back again.' Well, I should be glad if we + had you here again. I want female society, and among the ladies + of Dinapore there is none with whom I have a chance of obtaining + a patient hearing when speaking to them on the subject of their + most important interest. This, you know, is the state of all but + Mrs. Stuart, and it is a state of danger and death. Follow them + no more, my dear friend: but now, in the solitude of Gya, learn + those lessons of heavenly wisdom, that, when you are brought + again into a larger society, you may not yield to the impulse of + doing as others do, but, by a life of true seriousness, put them + to shame. + + I go on much as usual, occupied all day, and laying a weary + head on the pillow at night. My health, which you inquire after + so kindly, is on the whole good; but I am daily reminded that it + is a fragile frame I carry about. + + _August 23._--I rejoice to find by your letter that you are + contented with your lot. Before the time of Horace, and since + too, contentment has been observed to be a very rare thing on + earth, and I know not how it is to be obtained but by learning + in the school of the Gospel. 'I have _learned_,' said even St. + Paul, 'in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.' To be + a little slanderous for once, I suspect Colonel Bradshaw, our + common friend, who will send you a letter by the same sepoy, + must have a lecture or two more read to him in this science, as + he is far from being perfect in it. He has, you know, all that + heart can wish of this world's goods, and yet he is restless; + sometimes the society is dull; at other times the blame is laid + on the quarters, and he must go out of cantonments. To-day he is + going to Gya, to-morrow on the river. Now, I tell him that he + need not change his place, but his heart. Let him seek his + happiness in God, and he will carry about a paradise in his own + bosom. _The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for + him, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose._ + + _September 23._--My dear Mrs. Dare, attend to the call of God; + He never speaks more to the heart than by affliction. Such a + season as this, so favourable to the commencement of true piety, + may never again occur. Hereafter time may have riveted worldly + habits on you, and age rendered the heart insensible. Begin now + to be melancholy? No--to be seriously happy, to be purely happy, + everlastingly happy. + +Ever, through the solitude, the suffering, and the toiling of the +first twelve months at Dinapore, the thought of Lydia Grenfell, the +hope of her union to him, and her help in his agonising for India, +runs like a chord of sad music. He thus writes to his cousin, her +sister: + + Indeed, all my Europe letters this season have brought me such + painful news that I almost dread receiving another. Such is the + vanity of our expectations. I had been looking out with more + than ordinary anxiety for these letters, thinking they would + give me some account of Lydia's coming--whereas yours and hers + have only wounded me, and my sister's,[30] giving me the + distressing tidings of her ill-health, makes my heart bleed. Oh, + it is now that I feel the agony of having half the globe + intervening between us. Could I but be with her: yet God who + heareth prayer will surely supply my place. From Sally I expect + neither promptness nor the ability to console her sister. This + is the first time Sally has taken up her pen to write to me, and + thought an apology necessary for her neglect. Perhaps she has + been wrapt up in her dear husband, or her dearer self. I feel + very angry with her. But my dear faithful Lydia has more than + compensated for all the neglect of my own relations. I believe + she has sent me more than all the rest in England put together. + If I had not loved her before, her affectionate and constant + remembrance of me would win my heart. + + You mention the name of your last little one (may she be a + follower of her namesake!). It reminds me of what Mr. Brown has + lately written to me. He says that Mrs. B. had determined her + expected one should be called after me: but, as it proved to be + a girl, it was called _Lydia Martyn Brown_, a combination that + suggests many reflections to my mind. + + And now I ought to begin to write about myself and India: but I + fear you are not so interested about me as you used to be: yet + the Church of God, I know, is dear to you always! Let me speak + of the ministers. The Gospel was preached before the + Governor-General by seven different evangelical chaplains in the + course of six months. Of these five have associated, agreeing to + communicate with each other quarterly reports of their + proceedings. They are Mr. Brown at Calcutta, Thompson at + Cuddalore, Parson at Berhampore, Corrie at Chunar, and myself + here. Corrie and myself, as being most similarly employed, + correspond every week. He gives all his attention to the + languages, and has his heart wholly towards the heathen. He has + set on foot four schools in his neighbourhood, and I four here + along the banks of the Ganges, containing 120 boys: he has + nearly the same number. The masters are heathens--but they have + consented with some reluctance to admit the Christian books. The + little book on the Parables in the dialect of Bihar, which I had + prepared for them, is now in the press at Serampore; for the + present, they read with their own books the Sermon on the Mount. + We hope by the help of God to enlarge the plan of the schools + very considerably, as soon as we have felt the ground, and can + advance boldly. + + Respecting my own immediate plans, I am rather in the dark. They + wish to engage me as a translator of the Scriptures into + Hindustani and Persian, by the help of some learned natives; and + if this plan is settled at Calcutta, I shall engage in it + without hesitation, as conceiving it to be the most useful way + in which I can be employed at present in the Church of God. If + not, I hope to begin to itinerate as soon as the rains are over; + not that I can hope to be easily understood yet, but by mixing + familiarly with the natives I should soon learn. Little + permanent good, however, can be done till some of the Scriptures + can be put into their hands. On this account I wish to help + forward this work as quick as possible, because a chapter will + speak plainly in a thousand places at once, while I can speak, + and not very plainly, but in one. One advantage attending the + delay of public preaching will be that the schools will have a + fair run, for the commencement of preaching will be the downfall + of the schools. I have my tent ready, and would set out with + pleasure to-morrow if the time for this work were come. As there + is public service here every Lord's Day, three days' journey is + the longest I can take. This may hereafter prove an + inconvenience: but the advantages of being a Company's servant + are incalculable. A missionary not in the service is liable to + be stopped by every subaltern; but there is no man that can + touch me. Amongst the Europeans at this station I am not without + encouragement. Eight or ten, chiefly corporals or sergeants, + come to my quarters Sunday and Wednesday nights for social + worship: but it does not appear that more than one are truly + converted. The commanding officer of the native battalion and + his lady, whom I mentioned in my last, are, I think, + increasingly serious--but the fear of man is their snare. Mrs. + Young says that, with Lydia to support her, she could face the + frown of the world. I had been looking forward with pleasure to + the time when she _would_ have such support, and rejoiced that + Lydia would have so sensible and hopeful a companion. + + Dinapore: December, 1807. + + My dear Cousin,--Your letter, after so long a silence, was a + great relief to me, as it assured me of your undiminished + affection; but I regretted you had been so sparing in your + consolations on the subject of my late disappointment. Remember, + it was to you I used to unbosom all my anxieties, and I still + look to you for that sympathising tenderness which no other + person perhaps feels for me, or at least can venture to express. + How every particular of our conversation in the journey from + Redruth to Plymouth Dock returns to my mind! I have reason + indeed to remember it--from that time I date my sorrows--we + talked too much about Lydia. Her last letter was to bid me a + final farewell, so I must not write to her without her + permission; she wished she might hear by you that I was happy. I + am therefore obliged to say that God has, according to her + prayer, kept me in peace, and indeed strengthened me unto all + patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. At first, like + Jonah, I was more grieved at the loss of my gourd than at the + sight of the many perishing Ninevehs all round me; but now my + earthly woes and earthly attachments seem to be absorbing in the + vast concern of communicating the Gospel to these nations. After + this last lesson from God on the vanity of creature love, I feel + desirous to be nothing, to have nothing, to ask for nothing, but + what He gives. So remarkably and so repeatedly has He baffled my + schemes of earthly comfort that I am forced at last to believe + His determination to be, that I should live in every sense a + stranger and pilgrim on the earth. Lydia allows me not the most + distant prospect of ever seeing her; and if indeed the supposed + indelicacy of her coming out to me is an obstacle that cannot be + got over, it is likely indeed to be a lasting separation: for + when shall I ever see it lawful to leave my work here for three + years, when every hour is unspeakably precious? I am beginning + therefore to form my plans as a person in a state of celibacy, + and mean to trouble you no more on what I have been lately + writing about so much. However, let me be allowed to make one + request; it is that Lydia would at least consider me as she did + before, and write as at that time. Perhaps there may be some + objection to this request, and therefore I dare not urge it. I + say only that by experience I know it will prove an inestimable + blessing and comfort to me. If you really wish to have a + detailed account of my proceedings, exert your influence in + effecting this measure; for you may be sure that I shall be + disposed to write to _her_ letters long enough, longer than to + any other, for this reason among others, that of the three in + the world who have most love for me, _i.e._ Sally, Lydia, and + yourself, I believe that, notwithstanding all that has + happened, the middle one loves most truly. If this conjecture of + mine is well-founded, she will be most interested in what + befalls me, and I shall write in less fear of tiring. My bodily + health, which you require me always to mention, is prodigious, + my strength and spirits are in general greater than ever they + were, and this under God I ascribe to the susceptibility of my + frame, giving me instant warning of anything that may disorder + it. Half-an-hour's exposure to the sun produces an immediate + overflow of bile: therefore I take care never to let the sun's + rays fall upon my body. Vexation or anxiety has the same effect. + For this, faith and prayer for the peace of God are the best + remedy. + + Since my last letter, written a few months ago in reply to + Cousin T., I do not recollect that anything has happened. Dr. + Buchanan's last publication on the Christian Institution will + give you the most full and interesting accounts of the affairs + of our Lord's kingdom in India. The press seems to us all to be + the great instrument at present. Preaching by the European + Mission here has in no instance that I know of been successful. + Everything in our manner, pronunciation, and doctrine is so new + and strange, that to instruct them properly _viva voce_ seems to + be giving more time to a small body of them than can be + conveniently spared from the great mass. Yet, on the other hand, + I feel reason to be guarded against the love of carnal ease, + which would make me prefer the literary work of translating to + that of an itinerant: upon the whole, however, I acquiesce in + the work that Dr. B. has assigned me, from conviction. Through + the blessing of God I have finished the New Testament in the + Perso-Arabic-Hindustani, but it must undergo strict revisal + before it can be sent to the press. My assistants in this work + were Mirza Mahommed Ali and Moorad Ali, two Mahometans, and I + sometimes hope there are convictions in their minds which they + will not be able to shake off. They have not much doubt of the + falsehood of Mahometanism, and the truth of the Gospel, but they + cannot take up the cross. + + The arrival of Jawad Sabat, our Arabian brother, at Dinapore, + had a great effect upon them.... He is now employed in + translating the New Testament into Persian and Arabic, and great + will be the benefit to his own soul, that he is called to study + the Word of God: the Bible Society at home will, I hope, bear + the expense of printing it. This work, whenever it is done + properly, will be the downfall of Mahometanism. What do I not + owe to the Lord for giving me to take part in a translation? + Never did I see such wonders of wisdom and love in the blessed + book, as since I have been obliged to study every expression; + and it is often a delightful reflection, that even death cannot + deprive us of the privilege of studying its mysteries.... I + forgot to mention Lydia's profile, which I received. I have now + to request her miniature picture, and you must draw on Mr. + Simeon, my banker, for the expense.... I need not assure you and + Cousin T. of my unceasing regard, nor Lydia of my unalterable + attachment. God bless you all, my beloved friends. Pray for me, + as I do also for you. Our separation will soon be over. + + _July 3._--Received two Europe letters--one from Lydia, and the + other from Colonel Sandys. The tender emotions of love, and + gratitude, and veneration for her, were again powerfully + awakened in my mind, so that I could with difficulty think of + anything else; yet I found myself drawn nearer to God by the + pious remarks of her letter. Nature would have desired more + testimonies of her love to me, but grace approved her ardent + love to her Lord. + + TO CHARLES SIMEON[31] + + Danapore (_sic_): January, 1808. + + My dearest Friend and Brother,--I must begin my letter with + assurances of eternal regard; eternal will it be if I find + grace to be faithful.... My expectation of seeing Lydia here is + now at an end. I cannot doubt any longer what is the Divine + will, and I bow to it. Since I have been led to consider myself + as perfectly disengaged from the affairs of this life, my soul + has been filled with more ardent desires to spend and be spent + in the service of God; and though in truth the world has now + little to charm me, I think these desires do not arise from a + misanthropic disgust to it.... I never loved, nor ever shall + love, human creature as I love her. + +Soon after David Brown of Calcutta wrote to Charles Simeon, whom a +rumour of Henry Martyn's engagement to Miss Corrie, his friend's +sister, had reached: 'How could you imagine that Miss C. would do as +well as Miss L.G. for Mr. Martyn? Dear Martyn is married already to +three wives, whom, I believe, he would not forsake for all the +princesses in the earth--I mean his three translations of the Holy +Scriptures.' + +To Mrs. Brown at Aldeen, who was his confidante in India, Martyn wrote +on July 21: + + It appears that the letter by the overland despatch did not + reach Lydia. Again, the Sarah Christiana packet, which carried + the duplicate, ought to have arrived long before the sailing of + these last ships from England, but I see no account of her. It + is probable, therefore, that I shall have to wait a considerable + time longer in uncertainty; all which is good, because so hath + the Lord appointed it. + + _July 25._--Hard at Arabic grammar all day, after finishing + sermon. Sat in the evening a long time at my door, after the + great fatigue of the day, to let my mind relax itself, and found + a melancholy pleasure in looking back upon the time spent at St. + Hilary and Marazion. How the days and years are gone by, as a + tale that is told! + +At last the blow had fallen. + + _October 24._--An unhappy day: received at last a letter from + Lydia, in which she refuses to come because her mother will not + consent to it. Grief and disappointment threw my soul into + confusion at first, but gradually as my disorder subsided my + eyes were opened, and reason resumed its office. I could not but + agree with her that it would not be for the glory of God, nor + could we expect His blessing, if she acted in disobedience to + her mother. As she has said, 'They that walk in crooked paths + shall not find peace;' and if she were to come with an uneasy + conscience, what happiness could we either of us expect? + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Dinapore: October 24, 1807. + + My dear Lydia,--Though my heart is bursting with grief and + disappointment, I write not to blame you. The rectitude of all + your conduct secures you from censure. Permit me calmly to reply + to your letter of March 5, which I have this day received. + + You condemn yourself for having given me, though + unintentionally, encouragement to believe that my attachment was + returned. Perhaps you have. I have read your former letters with + feelings less sanguine since the receipt of the last, and I am + still not surprised at the interpretation I put upon them. But + why accuse yourself for having written in this strain? It has + not increased my expectations nor consequently embittered my + disappointment. When I addressed you in my first letter on the + subject, I was not induced to it by any appearances of regard + you had expressed, neither at any subsequent period have my + hopes of your consent been founded on a belief of your + attachment to me. I knew that your conduct would be regulated, + not by personal feelings, but by a sense of duty. And therefore + you have nothing to blame yourself for on this head. + + In your last letter you do not assign among your reasons for + refusal a want of regard to me. In that case I could not in + decency give you any further trouble. On the contrary, you say + that '_present_ circumstances seem to you to forbid my indulging + expectations.' As this leaves an opening, I presume to address + you again; and till the answer arrives must undergo another + eighteen months of torturing suspense. + + Alas! my rebellious heart--what a tempest agitates me! I knew + not that I had made so little progress in a spirit of + resignation to the Divine will. I am in my chastisement like a + bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, like a wild bull in a net, + full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of my God. The death of + my late most beloved sister almost broke my heart; but I hoped + it had softened me and made me willing to suffer. But now my + heart is as though destitute of the grace of God, full of + misanthropic disgust with the world, and sometimes feeling + resentment against yourself and Emma, and Mr. Simeon, and, in + short, all whom I love and honour most; sometimes, in pride and + anger, resolving to write neither to you nor to any one else + again. These are the motions of sin. My love and my better + reason draw me to you again.... But now with respect to your + mother, I confess that the chief and indeed only difficulty lies + here. Considering that she is _your_ mother, as I hoped she + would be mine, and that her happiness so much depends on you; + considering also that I am God's minister, which amidst all the + tumults of my soul I dare not forget, I falter in beginning to + give advice which may prove contrary to the law of God. God + forbid, therefore, that I should say, disobey your parents, + where the Divine law does not command you to disobey them; + neither do I positively take upon myself to say that this is a + case in which the law of God requires you to act in + contradiction to them. I would rather suggest to your mother + some considerations which justify me in attempting to deprive + her of the company of a beloved child. + + _October 26._--A Sabbath having intervened since the above was + written, I find myself more tranquillised by the sacred + exercises of the day. One passage of Scripture which you quote + has been much on my mind, and I find it very appropriate and + decisive,--that we are not to 'make to ourselves crooked paths, + which whoso walketh in shall not know peace.' Let me say I must + be therefore contented to wait till you feel that the way is + clear. But I intended to justify myself to Mrs. Grenfell. Let + her not suppose that I would make her or any other of my + fellow-creatures miserable, that I might be happy. If there were + no reason for your coming here, and the contest were only + between Mrs. Grenfell and me, that is, between her happiness and + mine, I would urge nothing further, but resign you to her. But I + have considered that there are many things that might reconcile + her to a separation from you (if indeed a separation is + necessary, for if she would come along with you, I should + rejoice the more). First, she does not depend on you alone for + the comfort of her declining years. She is surrounded by + friends. She has a greater number of sons and daughters + honourably established in the world than falls to the lot of + most parents--all of whom would be happy in having her amongst + them. Again, if a person worthy of your hand, and settled in + England, were to offer himself, Mrs. Grenfell would not have + insuperable objections, though it _did_ deprive her of her + daughter. Nay, I sometimes think, perhaps arrogantly, that had I + myself remained in England, and in possession of a competency, + she would not have withheld her consent. Why, then, should my + banishment from my native country, in the service of mankind, be + a reason with any for inflicting an additional wound, far more + painful than a separation from my dearest relatives? + + I have no claim upon Mrs. Grenfell in any way, but let her only + conceive a son of her own in my circumstances. If she feels it a + sacrifice, let her remember that it is a sacrifice made to duty; + that your presence here would be of essential service to the + Church of God it is superfluous to attempt to prove. If you + really believe of yourself as you speak, it is because you were + never out of England. + + Your mother cannot be so misinformed respecting India and the + voyage to it as to be apprehensive on account of the climate or + passage, in these days when multitudes of ladies every year, + with constitutions as delicate as yours, go to and fro in + perfect safety, and a vastly greater majority enjoy their health + here than in England. With respect to my means I need add + nothing to what was said in my first letter. But, alas! what is + my affluence good for now? It never gave me pleasure but when I + thought you were to share it with me. Two days ago I was + hastening on the alterations in my house and garden, supposing + you were at hand; but now every object excites disgust. My wish, + upon the whole, is that if you perceive it would be your duty to + come to India, were it not for your mother--and of that you + cannot doubt--supposing, I mean, that your inclinations are + indifferent, then you should make her acquainted with your + thoughts, and let us leave it to God how He will determine her + mind. + + In the meantime, since I am forbidden to hope for the immediate + pleasure of seeing you, my next request is for a mutual + engagement. My own heart is engaged, I believe, indissolubly. + + My reason for making a request which you will account bold is + that there can then be no possible objection to our + correspondence, especially as I promise not to persuade you to + leave your mother. + + In the midst of my present sorrow I am constrained to remember + yours. Your compassionate heart is pained from having been the + cause of suffering to me. But care not for me, dearest Lydia. + Next to the bliss of having you with me, my happiness is to know + that you are happy. I shall have to groan long, perhaps, with a + heavy heart; but if I am not hindered materially by it in the + work of God, it will be for the benefit of my soul. You, sister + beloved in the Lord, know much of the benefit of affliction. Oh, + may I have grace to follow you, though at a humble distance, in + the path of patient suffering, in which you have walked so long! + Day and night I cease not to pray for you, though I fear my + prayers are of little value. + + But, as an encouragement to you to pray, I cannot help + transcribing a few words from my journal, written at the time + you wrote your letter to me (March 7): 'As on the two last days' + (you wrote your letter on the 5th), 'felt no desire for a + comfortable settlement in the world, scarcely pleasure at the + thought of Lydia's coming, except so far as her being sent might + be for the good of my soul and assistance in my work. How + manifestly is there an omnipresent, all-seeing God, and how sure + we may be that prayers for spiritual blessings are heard by our + God and Father! Oh, let that endearing name quell every murmur! + When I am sent for to different parts of the country to + officiate at marriages, I sometimes think, amidst the festivity + of the company, Why does all go so easily with them, and so + hardly with me? They come together without difficulty, and I am + baulked and disconcerted almost every step I take, and condemned + to wear away the time in uncertainty. Then I call to mind that + to live without chastening is allowed to the spurious offspring, + while to suffer is the privilege of the children of God.' + + Dearest Lydia, must I conclude? I could prolong my communion + with you through many sheets; how many things have I to say to + you, which I hoped to have communicated in person. But the more + I write and the more I think of you, the more my affection + warms, and I should feel it difficult to keep my pen from + expressions that might not be acceptable to you. + + Farewell! dearest, most beloved Lydia, remember your faithful + and ever affectionate, + + H. MARTYN. + + _October 25._ (Sunday.)--Preached on Isaiah lii. 13 to a large + congregation, my mind continually in heaviness, and my health + disturbed in consequence. The women still fewer than ever at + Hindustani prayer, and, at night, some of the men who were not + on duty did not come; all these things are deeply afflicting, + and yet my heart is so full of its own griefs, that I mourn not + as I ought for the Church of God. I have not a moment's relief + from my burdens but after being some time in prayer; afterwards + my uneasiness and misery return again. + + _October 26._--Mirza from Benares arrived to-day; I employed all + the day in writing letters to Mr. Brown, Corrie, and Lydia. The + last was a sweet and tranquillising employment to me. I felt + more submission to the Divine will, and began to be more + solicitous about Lydia's peace and happiness than my own. How + much has she been called to suffer! These are they that come out + of great tribulation. + + TO REV. DAVID BROWN + + Dinapore: October 26, 1807. + + My dear Sir,--I have received your two letters of the 14th and + 17th; the last contained a letter from Lydia. It is as I feared. + She refuses to come because her mother will not give her + consent. Sir, you must not wonder at my pale looks when I + receive so many hard blows on my heart. Yet a Father's love + appoints the trial, and I pray that it may have its intended + effect. Yet, if you wish to prolong my existence in this world, + make a representation to some persons at home who may influence + her friends. Your word will be believed sooner than mine. The + extraordinary effect of mental disorder on my bodily frame is + unfortunate; trouble brings on disease and disorders the sleep. + In this way I am labouring a little now, but not much; in a few + days it will pass away again. He that hath delivered and doth + deliver, is He in whom we trust that He will yet deliver. + + * * * * * + + The queen's ware on its way to me can be sold at an outcry or + sent to Corrie. I do not want queen's ware or anything else now. + My new house and garden, without the person I expected to share + it with me, excite disgust. + + _November 25._--Letters came from Mr. Simeon and Lydia, both of + which depressed my spirits exceedingly; though I have been + writing for some days past, that I might have it in my power to + consider myself free, so as to be able to go to Persia or + elsewhere;--yet, now that the wished-for permission is come, I + am filled with grief; I cannot bear to part with Lydia, and she + seems more necessary to me than my life; yet her letter was to + bid me a last farewell. Oh, how have I been crossed from + childhood, and yet how little benefit have I received from these + chastisements of my God! The Lord now sanctify this, that since + the last desire of my heart also is withheld, I may with + resignation turn away for ever from the world, and henceforth + live forgetful of all but God. With Thee, O my God, there is no + disappointment; I shall never have to regret that I loved Thee + too well. Thou hast said, 'Delight thyself in the Lord, and He + shall give thee the desires of thine heart.' + + _November 26._--Received a letter from Emma, which again had a + tendency to depress my spirits; all the day I could not attain + to sweet resignation to God. I seemed to be cut off for ever + from happiness in not having Lydia with me. + +The receipt of his letter of October 24, 1807, was thus acknowledged, +before God, by Lydia Grenfell in her _Diary_: + + _1808, May 9._--A letter from my dear friend in India + (requesting me to come out) reached me. These words form my + comfort: 'Be still, and know that I am God.' I see my duty + pointed out, and am persuaded, dark as the prospect is, God will + appear God in this matter; whether we meet again or not, His + great power and goodness will be displayed--it has been in + quieting my heart, for oh, the trial is not small of seeing the + state of his mind. But I am to be still, and now, O Lord, let + Thy love fill my soul, let it be supreme in his breast and mine; + there is no void where Thou dwellest, whatever else is wanting. + + _May 11._--My mind distressed, perplexed, and troubled for my + dear friend; much self-reflection for having suffered him to see + my regard for him (and what it is), yet the comforts of God's + Word return--'Why take ye thought?' said our Lord. Yet to-morrow + burdens the present day. Oh, pity and support me to bear the + thought of injuring his peace--inquire if the cause is of God. + + _May 15._--Lord, Thou seest my wanderings--oh, how many, how + great! Put my tears into Thy bottle. Yes, my Lord, I can forsake + Thee and be content; I turn and turn, restless and miserable, + till I am turned to Thee. What a week have I passed! never may + such another pass over my head!--my thoughts wholly occupied + about my absent friend--distressed for his distress, and full of + self-reproaches for all that's past--writing bitter things + against myself--my heart alienated dreadfully from God--and the + duties I am in the habit of performing all neglected. Oh, should + the Lord not awake for me and draw me back, whither should I go? + His Word has been my comfort at times, but Satan or conscience + (I doubt which) tells me I am in a delusion to take the comfort + of God's Word, for I ought to suffer. But am I justified in + putting comfort from me? since I no way excuse myself, but am, I + trust, humbled for my imprudence in letting my friend know the + state of mind towards him, and this is all I have injured him + in. I accuse myself, too, for want of candour with my family, + and oh, let me not forget the greatest offence of all--not + consulting the will and glory of God in indulging and + encouraging a regard He seems to frown on. I have to-day found + deliverance, and felt some measure of calm reliance. I know + there is a particular providence over him and me, but this + belief does not lessen my fears of acting wrong--I am as + responsible as if all were left to me. What shall I do but say, + Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy + wings will I trust? I fly to Thy power and take shelter in Thy + love to sinners. Oh, for a continually bleeding heart, mourning + for sin! + + _June 12._--I have peace in my soul to-day. My remembrance of + God's dear saint in India is frequent, but I am still in this + affair, and expect to know more of the infinite power, wisdom, + and goodness of our God in it and by it than I have heretofore. + My prayer for him constantly is that he maybe supported, guided, + and made in all things obedient and submissive to the will of + his God. + +Henry Martyn seems to have written again to Marazion, at this time, a +letter which has not been preserved, for Lydia Grenfell thus refers to +it: + + _August 29._--Heard of my absent dear friend by this day's post, + and was strangely affected, though the intelligence was + satisfactory in every respect. I sought deliverance in prayer, + and the Lord spoke peace to my agitated mind, and gave me what I + desired--liberty of soul to return to Himself, and the + contemplation of heavenly things, though a sadness remained on + my spirit. Heard three sermons, for I thought it best to be less + alone than usual, lest my thoughts should wander. Found great + hardness of heart in the services of the day, but I doubt + whether my affections were spiritual or not, though they arose + from a longing to be in heaven, and a joyful sense of the + certainty that God would bring me there. + + _September 11._--After some days of darkness and distress, sweet + peace and light return, and my soul rests on God as my + all-sufficient help. Oh, the idolatrous state of my heart! what + painful discoveries are made to me! I see the stream of my + affections has been turned from God and on.... An exertion must + be made, like cutting off a right hand, in order to give Thee, O + Lord, my heart. I must hear neither of nor from the person God + has called in His providence to serve Him in a distant country. + Oh, to be resolute, knowing by woeful experience the necessity + of guarding my thoughts against the remembrance of one, though + dear. As I value the presence of my God, I must avoid everything + that leads my thoughts to this subject--O Lord, keep me + dependent on Thee for grace to do so; Thou hast plainly informed + me of Thy will by withholding Thy presence at this time, and Thy + Word directed me to lay aside this weight. + + _October 30._--Thought of my dear friend to-night with + tenderness, but entire resignation to Thy will, O our God, in + never seeing or hearing from him again; to meet him above is my + desire. + + _December 30._--I reckon among my mercies the Lord's having + enabled me to choose a single life, and that my friend in India + has been so well reconciled to my determination. That trial was + a sore one, and I believe the effects of it will be felt as long + as I live. My weak frame could not support the perturbed state + of my mind, and the various painful apprehensions that assailed + me on his arrival nearly wore me down. But the Lord removed them + all by showing me He approved of my choice, and in granting me + the tidings of his enjoying peace and happiness in our + separation. Every burden now respecting him is removed, and my + soul has only to praise the wise and gracious hand which brought + me through that thorny path. It was one I made to myself, by + ever entering into a correspondence with him, and by expressing + too freely my regard. + +On March 28, 1809, Martyn wrote to Mr. Brown: + + Your letter is just come. The Europe letter is from Lydia. I + trembled at the handwriting.... It was only more last words, + sent by the advice of Colonel Sandys, lest the non-arrival of + the former might keep me in suspense.... I trust that I have + done with the entanglements of this world; seldom a day passes + but I thank God for the freedom from earthly care which I enjoy. + +And so end Henry Martyn's love-letters, marked by a delicacy as well +as tenderness of feeling in such contrast to the action of Lydia +Grenfell throughout, as to explain the mingled resentment and +resignation in which they close. The request for a mutual engagement +which would justify correspondence at least seems to have been +unheeded for some months, till the news of his serious illness in July +1808 led her again to write to him, as taking the place of his sister +who had been removed by death. He was ordered to Cawnpore, and set off +in the hot season by Chunar and Ghazipore, writing these last words on +April 11, 1809, from Dinapore: + + My men seem to be in a more flourishing state than they have yet + been. About thirty attend every night. I had a delightful party + this week, of six young men, who will, I hope, prove to be true + soldiers of Christ. Seldom, even at Cambridge, have I been so + much pleased. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[26] Even in 1889 we find a Patna missionary writing of his work from +Bankipore as a centre: 'The people in every village, except those on +the Dinapore road, said that no Sahib had ever been in their village +before. Sometimes my approach was the cause of considerable alarm.' + +[27] _Memoir of the Rev. Thomas Thomason, M.A._, by Rev. J. Sargent, +M.A., 2nd edition, 1834, London. + +[28] Rev. Dr. Milner. + +[29] The names of Capt. Dare and Mrs. Dare occur in the _Journals and +Letters_ between February 17 and March 24, 1808, wherein Martyn's +relations with them are described just as in this set of letters. + +[30] Mrs. Laura Curgenven: born January 1779, died in the year 1807. + +[31] See Moule's _Charles Simeon_, p. 201. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +CAWNPORE, 1809-1810 + + +Mrs. Sherwood, known in the first decade of this century as a writer +of such Anglo-Indian tales as _Little Henry and his Bearer_, and as a +philanthropist who did much for the white and the dark orphans of +British soldiers in India, was one of the many who came under the +influence of Henry Martyn. This Lichfield girl, whose father had been +the playmate of Samuel Johnson, and who had known Garrick and Dr. +Darwin, Hannah More and Maria Edgeworth, had married her cousin, the +paymaster of the King's 53rd Regiment of Foot. The regiment was sent +to Bengal. On its way up the Hoogli from Calcutta in boats, Mr. +Sherwood and his wife were walking after sunset, when they stumbled on +'a small society' of their own men, who met regularly to read their +Bibles and to pray, often in old stores, ravines, woods, and other +retired places. 'The very existence of any person in the barracks who +had the smallest notion of the importance of religion was quite +unsuspected by me,' writes Mrs. Sherwood in her Autobiography.[32] 'I +am not severe when I assert that at that time there really was not one +in the higher ranks in the regiment who had courage enough to come +forward and say, "I think it right, in this distant land, to do, as +it regards religion, what I have been accustomed to do at home."' At +Berhampore, the chaplain, Mr. Parson, began that good work in the 53rd +which Martyn and Corrie afterwards carried on. When it continued the +voyage up the Ganges, after a season, by Dinapore to Cawnpore, Mr. +Parson gave the Sherwoods a letter of introduction to Martyn, then +about to leave Dinapore. To this fact we owe the fullest and the +brightest glimpses that we get of Henry Martyn, from the outside, all +through his career. We are enabled to supplement the abasing +self-revelation of his nature before God, as recorded in his +_Journal_, by the picture of his daily life, drawn by a woman of keen +sympathy and some shrewdness. + +The moment the boat anchored at Dinapore Mr. Sherwood set out on foot +to present his letter. He found the chaplain in the smaller square, at +some distance, in a 'sort of church-like abode with little furniture, +the rooms wide and high, with many vast doorways, having their green +jalousied doors, and long verandahs encompassing two sides of the +quarters.' + + Mr. Martyn received Mr. Sherwood not as a stranger, but as a + brother,--the child of the same father. As the sun was already + low, he must needs walk back with him to see me. I perfectly + remember the figure of that simple-hearted and holy young man, + when he entered our budgerow. He was dressed in white, and + looked very pale, which, however, was nothing singular in India; + his hair, a light brown, was raised from his forehead, which was + a remarkably fine one. His features were not regular, but the + expression was so luminous, so intellectual, so affectionate, so + beaming with Divine charity, that no one could have looked at + his features, and thought of their shape or form,--the + out-beaming of his soul would absorb the attention of every + observer. There was a very decided air, too, of the gentleman + about Mr. Martyn, and a perfection of manners which, from his + extreme attention to all minute civilities, might seem almost + inconsistent with the general bent of his thoughts to the most + serious subjects. He was as remarkable for ease as for + cheerfulness, and in these particulars his _Journal_ does not + give a graphic account of this blessed child of God. I was much + pleased at the first sight of Mr. Martyn. I had heard much of + him from Mr. Parson; but I had no anticipation of his hereafter + becoming so distinguished as he subsequently did. And if I + anticipated it little, he, I am sure, anticipated it less; for + he was one of the humblest of men. + + Mr. Martyn invited us to visit him at his quarters at Dinapore, + and we agreed to accept his invitation the next day. Mr. + Martyn's house was destitute of every comfort, though he had + multitudes of people about him. I had been troubled with a pain + in my face, and there was not such a thing as a pillow in the + house. I could not find anything to lay my head on at night but + a bolster stuffed as hard as a pin-cushion. We had not, as is + usual in India, brought our own bedding from the boats. Our kind + friend had given us his own room; but I could get no rest during + the two nights of my remaining there, from the pain in my face, + which was irritated by the bolster; but during each day, + however, there was much for the mind to feed upon with delight. + After breakfast Mr. Martyn had family prayers, which he + commenced by singing a hymn. He had a rich, deep voice, and a + fine taste for vocal music. After singing, he read a chapter, + explained parts of it, and prayed extempore. Afterwards he + withdrew to his studies and translations. The evening was + finished with another hymn, Scripture reading, and prayers. The + conversion of the natives and the building up of the kingdom of + Christ were the great objects for which alone that child of God + seemed to exist. + + He believed that he saw the glimmering of this day in the + exertions then making in Europe for the diffusion of the + Scriptures and the sending forth of missionaries. Influenced by + the belief that man's ministry was the instrumentality which, by + the Holy Spirit, would be made effectual to the work, we found + him labouring beyond his strength, and doing all in his power to + excite other persons to use the same exertions. + + Henry Martyn was one of the very few persons whom I have ever + met who appeared never to be drawn away from one leading and + prevailing object of interest, and that object was the promotion + of religion. He did not appear like one who felt the necessity + of contending with the world, and denying himself its delights, + but rather as one who was unconscious of the existence of any + attractions in the world, or of any delights which were worthy + of his notice. When he relaxed from his labours in the presence + of his friends, it was to play and laugh like an innocent, happy + child, more especially if children were present to play and + laugh with him. In my Indian Journal I find this remark: 'Mr. + Martyn is one of the most pleasing, mild, and heavenly-minded + men, walking in this turbulent world with peace in his mind, and + charity in his heart.' + +As the regiment was passing Chunar, after a night in 'the polluted +air' of Benares, the Sherwoods were met by a boat with fresh bread and +vegetables from Corrie. On their arrival at Cawnpore, Mrs. Sherwood at +once opened two classes for the 'great boys' and 'elder girls.' Many +of the former died in a few years, and not a few of the latter married +officers above their own birth. Such were the conditions of military +life in India at that time, notwithstanding the Calcutta Orphan +Schools which David Brown had first gone out to India to organise; for +Henry Lawrence and his noble wife, Honoria, with their Military Orphan +Asylums in the hills, belonged to a later generation. + +When first ordered to Cawnpore, in the hottest months of 1809, Henry +Martyn resolved to apply to the Military Board for permission to delay +his departure till the rainy season. But, though even then wasted by +consumption and ceaseless toil, and tempted to spend the dreary months +with the beloved Corrie at Chunar, as he might well have done under +the customary rules, he could not linger when duty called. Had he not +resolved to 'burn out' his life? So, deluding himself by the intention +to 'stay a little longer to recruit' at Chunar, should he suffer from +the heat, he set off in the middle of April in a palanquin by Arrah, +afterwards the scene of a heroic defence in the great Mutiny; Buxar, +where a battle had been fought not long before, and Ghazipore, seat of +the opium manufacture, like Patna. Sabat was sent on in a budgerow, +with his wife Ameena and the baggage. This is Martyn's account, to +Brown, of the voyage above Chunar: + + Cawnpore: May 3, 1809. + + I transported myself with such rapidity to this place that I had + nearly transported myself out of the world. From Dinapore to + Chunar all was well, but from Allahabad to that place I was + obliged to travel two days and nights without intermission, the + hot winds blowing like fire from a furnace. Two days after my + arrival the fever which had been kindling in my blood broke out, + and last night I fainted repeatedly. But a gracious God has + again interposed to save my life; to-day I feel well again. + Where Sabat is I do not know. I have heard nothing of him since + leaving Dinapore. Corrie is well, but it is grievous to see him + chained to a rock with a few half-dead invalids, when so many + stations--amongst others, the one I have left--are destitute.... + + I do not like this place at all. There is no church, not so much + as the fly of a tent; what to do I know not except to address + Lord Minto in a private letter. Mr. (Charles) Grant, who is + anxious that we should labour principally for the present among + the Europeans, ought, I think, to help us with a house. I mean + to write to Mr. Simeon about this. + + I feel a little uncomfortable at being so much farther removed + from Calcutta. At Dinapore I had friends on both sides of me, + and correspondence with you was quick: here I seem cut off from + the world. Alas! how dependent is my heart upon the creature + still. I am ordered to seal up.--Yours affectionately ever, + + H. MARTYN. + +This is Mrs. Sherwood's description of his arrival: + + On May 30 the Rev. Henry Martyn arrived at our bungalow. The + former chaplain had proceeded to the presidency, and we were so + highly favoured as to have Mr. Martyn appointed in his place. I + am not aware whether we expected him, but certainly not at the + time when he did appear. It was in the morning, and we were + situated as above described, the desert winds blowing like fire + without, when we suddenly heard the quick steps of many bearers. + Mr. Sherwood ran out to the leeward of the house, and exclaimed, + 'Mr. Martyn!' The next moment I saw him leading in that + excellent man, and saw our visitor, a moment afterwards, fall + down in a fainting fit. He had travelled in a palanquin from + Dinapore, and the first part of the way he moved only by night. + But between Cawnpore and Allahabad, being a hundred and thirty + miles, there is no resting-place, and he was compelled for two + days and two nights to journey on in his palanquin, exposed to + the raging heat of a fiery wind. He arrived, therefore, quite + exhausted, and actually under the influence of fever. There was + not another family in Cawnpore except ours to which he could + have gone with pleasure; not because any family would have + denied shelter to a countryman in such a condition, but, alas! + they were only Christians in name. In his fainting state Mr. + Martyn could not have retired to the sleeping-room which we + caused to be prepared immediately for him, because we had no + means of cooling any sleeping-room so thoroughly as we could the + hall. We, therefore, had a couch set for him in the hall. There + he was laid, and very ill he was for a day or two. The hot winds + left us, and we had a close, suffocating calm. Mr. Martyn could + not lift his head from the couch. In our bungalow, when shut up + as close as it could be, we could not get the thermometer under + 96 deg., though the punkah was constantly going. When Mr. Martyn got + a little better he became very cheerful, and seemed quite happy + with us all about him. He commonly lay on his couch in the hall + during the morning, with many books near to his hand, and + amongst these always a Hebrew Bible and a Greek Testament. Soon, + very soon, he began to talk to me of what was passing in his + mind, calling to me at my table to tell me his thoughts. He was + studying the Hebrew characters, having an idea, which I believe + is not a new one, that these characters contain the elements of + all things, though I have reason to suppose he could not make + them out at all to his satisfaction; but whenever anything + occurred to him he must needs make it known to me. + + He was much engaged also with another subject, into which I was + more capable of entering. It was his opinion that, if the Hindus + could be persuaded that all nations are made of one blood, to + dwell upon the face of the earth, and if they could be shown how + each nation is connected by its descent from the sons and + grandsons of Noah with other nations existing upon the globe, it + would be a means of breaking down, or at least of loosening, + that wall of separation which they have set up between + themselves and all other people. With this view Mr. Martyn was + endeavouring to trace up the various leading families of the + earth to their great progenitors; and so much pleased was I + with what he said on this subject, that I immediately committed + all I could remember to paper, and founded thereupon a system of + historical instruction which I ever afterwards used with my + children. Mr. Martyn, like myself at this time, was often + perplexed and dismayed at the workings of his own heart, yet, + perhaps, not discerning a hundredth part of the depth of the + depravity of his own nature, the character of which is summed up + in Holy Writ in these two words--'utterly unclean.' He felt this + the more strongly because he partook also of that new nature + 'which sinneth not.' It was in the workings and actings of that + nature that his character shone so pre-eminently as it did amid + a dark and unbelieving society, such as was ours then at + Cawnpore. + + In a very few days he had discerned the sweet qualities of the + orphan Annie, and had so encouraged her to come about him that + she drew her chair, and her table, and her green box to the + vicinity of his couch. She showed him her verses, and consulted + him about the adoption of more passages into the number of her + favourites. Annie had a particular delight in all the pastoral + views given in Scripture of our Saviour and of His Church; and + when Mr. Martyn showed her this beautiful passage, 'Feed Thy + people with Thy rod, the flock of Thine heritage, which dwell + solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel' (Micah vii. 14), + she was as pleased with this passage as if she had made some + wonderful acquisition. What could have been more beautiful than + to see the Senior Wrangler and the almost infant Annie thus + conversing together, whilst the elder seemed to be in no ways + conscious of any condescension in bringing down his mind to the + level of the child's? Such are the beautiful influences of the + Divine Spirit, which, whilst they depress the high places of + human pride, exalt the lowly valleys. + + When Mr. Martyn lost the worst symptoms of his illness he used + to sing a great deal. He had an uncommonly fine voice and fine + ear; he could sing many fine chants, and a vast variety of hymns + and psalms. He would insist upon it that I should sing with him, + and he taught me many tunes, all of which were afterwards + brought into requisition; and when fatigued himself, he made me + sit by his couch and practise these hymns. He would listen to my + singing, which was altogether very unscientific, for hours + together, and he was constantly requiring me to go on, even when + I was tired. The tunes he taught me, no doubt, reminded him of + England, and of scenes and friends no longer seen. The more + simple the style of singing, the more it probably answered his + purpose. + + As soon as Mr. Martyn could in any way exert himself, he made + acquaintance with some of the pious men of the regiment (the + same poor men whom I have mentioned before, who used to meet in + ravines, in huts, in woods, and in every wild and secret place + they could find, to read, and pray, and sing); and he invited + them to come to him in our house, Mr. Sherwood making no + objection. The time first fixed was an evening after parade, and + in consequence they all appeared at the appointed hour, each + carrying their mora (a low seat), and their books tied up in + pocket-handkerchiefs. In this very unmilitary fashion they were + all met in a body by some officers. It was with some difficulty + that Mr. Sherwood could divert the storm of displeasure which + had well-nigh burst upon them on the occasion. Had they been all + found intoxicated and fighting, they would have created less + anger from those who loved not religion. How truly is it said + that 'the children of this world are wiser in their generation + than the children of light.' Notwithstanding this unfortunate + _contretemps_, these poor good men were received by Mr. Martyn + in his own apartment; and a most joyful meeting he had with + them. We did not join the party, but we heard them singing and + praying, and the sound was very sweet. Mr. Martyn then promised + them that when he had got a house he would set aside a room for + them, where they might come every evening, adding he would meet + them himself twice in the week. When these assemblies were + sanctioned by our ever kind Colonel Mawby, and all difficulties, + in short, overcome, many who had been the most zealous under + persecution fell quite away, and never returned. How can we + account for these things? Many, however, remained steadfast + under evil report as well as good report, and died, as they had + lived, in simple and pure faith. + + I must not omit another anecdote of Mr. Martyn, which amused us + much at the time, after we had recovered the alarm attending it. + The salary of a chaplain is large, and Mr. Martyn had not drawn + his for so long a time, that the sum amounted perhaps to some + hundreds. He was to receive it from the collector at Cawnpore. + Accordingly he one morning sent a note for the amount, confiding + the note to the care of a common coolie, a porter of low caste, + generally a very poor man. This man went off, unknown to Mr. + Sherwood and myself, early in the morning. The day passed, the + evening came, and no coolie arrived. At length Mr. Martyn said + in a quiet voice to us, 'The coolie does not come with my money. + I was thinking this morning how rich I should be; and, now, I + should not wonder in the least if he has not run off, and taken + my treasure with him.' 'What!' we exclaimed, 'surely you have + not sent a common coolie for your pay?' 'I have,' he replied. Of + course we could not expect that it would ever arrive safe; for + it would be paid in silver, and delivered to the man in cotton + bags. Soon afterwards, however, it did arrive--a circumstance at + which we all greatly marvelled. + +Cawnpore, of which Henry Martyn was chaplain for the next two years, +till disease drove him from it, was the worst station to which he +could have been sent. The district, consisting of clay uplands on the +Doab between the Ganges and the Jumna rivers, which unite below at +Allahabad, was at that time a comparatively desolate tract, swept by +the hot winds, and always the first to suffer from drought. The great +famine of 1837 afterwards so destroyed its unhappy peasantry and +labourers, that the British Government made its county town one of the +two terminals of the great Ganges canal, which the Marquis of +Dalhousie opened, and irrigated the district by four branches with +their distributing channels. Even then, and to this day, Cawnpore has +not ceased to be a repulsive station. Its leather factories and cotton +mills do not render it less so, nor the memory of the five massacres +of British officers, their wives and children, by the infamous Nana +Dhoondoo Panth, which still seems to cover it as with a pall, +notwithstanding the gardens and the marble screen inclosing the figure +of the Angel of the Resurrection with the palm of victory above the +Massacre Well. The people of the town at least have always been +disagreeable, from Hindu discontent and Mohammedan sulkiness. The +British cantonment used to be at Bilgram, on the opposite bank, in the +territory of Oudh. Well might Martyn write of such a station as +Cawnpore: 'I do not like this place at all,' although he then enjoyed +the social ministrations of the Sherwoods, and was constant in his own +service to the Master among British and natives alike, and at his desk +in translation work. + +The first use which the chaplain made of his pay was this, according +to Mrs. Sherwood: 'Being persuaded by some black man, he bought one of +the most undesirable houses, to all appearance, which he could have +chosen.' But he had chosen wisely for his daily duties of translation +and preaching to the natives. + + Mr. Martyn's house was a bungalow situated between the Sepoy + Parade and the Artillery Barracks, but behind that range of + principal bungalows which face the Parade. The approach to the + dwelling was called the Compound, along an avenue of palm trees + and aloes. A more stiff, funereal avenue can hardly be imagined, + unless it might be that one of noted sphynxes which I have read + of as the approach to a ruined Egyptian temple. At the end of + this avenue were two bungalows, connected by a long passage. + These bungalows were low, and the rooms small. The garden was + prettily laid out with flowering shrubs and tall trees; in the + centre was a wide space, which at some seasons was green, and a + _chabootra_, or raised platform of chunam (lime), of great + extent, was placed in the middle of this space. A vast number + and variety of huts and sheds formed one boundary of the + compound; these were concealed by the shrubs. But who would + venture to give any account of the heterogeneous population + which occupied these buildings? For, besides the usual + complement of servants found in and about the houses of persons + of a certain rank in India, we must add to Mr. Martyn's + household a multitude of pundits, moonshis, schoolmasters, and + poor nominal Christians, who hung about him because there was no + other to give them a handful of rice for their daily + maintenance; and most strange was the murmur which proceeded at + times from this ill-assorted and discordant multitude. Mr. + Martyn occupied the largest of the two bungalows. He had given + up the least to the wife of Sabat, that wild man of the desert + whose extraordinary history has made so much noise in the + Christian world. + + It was a burning evening in June, when after sunset I + accompanied Mr. Sherwood to Mr. Martyn's bungalow, and saw for + the first time its avenue of palms and aloes. We were conducted + to the _chabootra_, where the company was already assembled; + there was no lady but myself. This _chabootra_ was many feet + square, and chairs were set for the guests. A more heterogeneous + assembly surely had not often met, and seldom, I believe, were + more languages in requisition in so small a party. Besides Mr. + Martyn and ourselves, there was no one present who could speak + English. But let me introduce each individual separately. Every + feature in the large disk of Sabat's face was what we should + call exaggerated. His eyebrows were arched, black, and strongly + pencilled; his eyes dark and round, and from time to time + flashing with unsubdued emotion, and ready to kindle into flame + on the most trifling occasion. His nose was high, his mouth + wide, his teeth large, and looked white in contrast with his + bronzed complexion and fierce black mustachios. He was a large + and powerful man, and generally wore a skull-cap of rich + shawling, or embroidered silk, with circular flaps of the same + hanging over each ear. His large, tawny throat and neck had no + other covering than that afforded by his beard, which was black. + His attire was a kind of jacket of silk, with long sleeves, + fastened by a girelle, or girdle, about his loins, to which was + appended a jewelled dirk. He wore loose trousers, and + embroidered shoes turned up at the toes. In the cold season he + threw over this a wrapper lined with fur, and when it was warmer + the fur was changed for silk. When to this costume is added + ear-rings, and sometimes a golden chain, the Arab stands before + you in his complete state of Oriental dandyism. This son of the + desert never sat in a chair without contriving to tuck up his + legs under him on the seat, in attitude very like a tailor on + his board. The only languages which he was able to speak were + Persian, Arabic, and a very little bad Hindustani; but what was + wanting in the words of this man was more than made up by the + loudness with which he uttered them, for he had a voice like + rolling thunder. When it is understood that loud utterance is + considered as an ingredient of respect in the East, we cannot + suppose that one who had been much in native courts should + think it necessary to modulate his voice in the presence of the + English Sahib-log.[33] + + The second of Mr. Martyn's guests, whom I must introduce as + being not a whit behind Sabat in his own opinion of himself, was + the Padre Julius Caesar, an Italian monk of the order of the + Jesuits, a worthy disciple of Ignatius Loyola. Mr. Martyn had + become acquainted with him at Patna, where the Italian priest + was not less zealous and active in making proselytes than the + Company's chaplain, and probably much more wise and subtle in + his movements than the latter. The Jesuit was a handsome young + man, and dressed in the complete costume of the monk, with his + little skull-cap, his flowing robes, and his cord. The + materials, however, of his dress were very rich; his robe was of + the finest purple satin, and his cord of twisted silk, and his + rosary of costly stones, whilst his air and manner were + extremely elegant. He spoke French fluently, and there Mr. + Sherwood was at home with him, but his native language was + Italian. His conversation with Mr. Martyn was carried on partly + in Latin and partly in Italian. A third guest was a learned + native of India, in his full and handsome Hindustani costume; + and a fourth a little, thin, copper-coloured, half-caste + Bengali gentleman, in white nankeen, who spoke only Bengali. Mr. + Sherwood made a fifth, in his scarlet and gold uniform; myself, + the only lady, was the sixth; and add our host, Mr. Martyn, in + his clerical black silk coat, and there is our party. Most + assuredly I never listened to such a confusion of tongues before + or since. Such a noisy, perplexing Babel can scarcely be + imagined. Everyone who had acquired his views of politeness in + Eastern society was shouting at the top of his voice, as if he + had lost his fellow in a wood; and no less than eight languages + were in constant request, viz. English, French, Italian, Arabic, + Persian, Hindustani, Bengali, and Latin. + + In order to lengthen out the pleasures of the evening, we were + scarcely seated before good Mr. Martyn recollected that he had + heard me say that I liked a certain sort of little mutton + pattie, which the natives made particularly well; so, without + thinking how long it might take to make these same patties, he + called to a servant to give orders that mutton patties should be + added to the supper. I heard the order, but never dreamed that + perhaps the mutton might not be in the house. The consequence of + this order was that we sat on the _chabootra_ till it was quite + dark, and till I was utterly weary with the confusion. No one + who has not been in or near the tropics can have an idea of the + glorious appearance of the heavens in these regions, and the + brilliancy of the star-lit nights, at Cawnpore. Mr. Martyn used + often to show me the pole-star, just above the line of the + horizon; and I have seen the moon, when almost new, looking like + a ball of ebony in a silver cup. Who can, therefore, be + surprised that the science of astronomy should first have been + pursued by the shepherds who watched their flocks by night in + the plains of the South? When the mutton patties were ready, I + was handed by Mr. Martyn into the hall of the bungalow. Mr. + Martyn took the top of the table, and Sabat perched himself on + a chair at the bottom. I think it was on this day, when at + table, Sabat was telling some of his own adventures to Mr. + Martyn, in Persian, which the latter interpreted to Mr. Sherwood + and myself, that the wild Arab asserted that there were in + Tartary and Arabia many persons converted to Christianity, and + that many had given up their lives for the faith. He professed + to be himself acquainted with two of these, besides Abdallah. + 'One,' he said, 'was a relation of his own.' But he gave but + small proof of this man's sincerity. This convert, if such he + was, drew the attention of the priests by a total neglect of all + forms; and this was the more remarkable on account of the + multiplied forms of Islam; for at the wonted hour of prayer a + true Mussulman must kneel down and pray in the middle of a + street, or between the courses of a feast, nay, even at the + moment when perhaps his hands might be reeking with a brother's + blood. This relative of Sabat's, however, was, as he remarked, + observed to neglect all forms, and he was called before the + heads of his tribe, and required to say wherefore he was guilty + of this offence. His answer was, 'It is nothing.' He proceeded + to express himself as if he doubted the very existence of a God. + The seniors of the tribe told him that it would be better for + him to be a Christian than an atheist; adding, therefore, 'If + you do not believe in our prophet you must be a Christian;' for + they wisely accounted that no man but a fool could be without + some religion. The man's reply was, that he thought the + Christian's a better religion than that of Mahomet; the + consequence of which declaration was that they stoned him until + he died. The other example which Sabat gave us was of a boy in + Baghdad, who was converted by an Armenian, and endeavoured to + escape, but was pursued, seized, and offered pardon if he would + recant; but he was preserved in steadfastness to the truth, and + preferred death to returning to Mahometanism. His life was + required of him. + + From the time Mr. Martyn left our house he was in the constant + habit of supping with us two or three times a week, and he used + to come on horseback, with the sais running by his side. He sat + his horse as if he were not quite aware that he was on + horseback, and he generally wore his coat as if it were falling + from his shoulders. When he dismounted, his favourite place was + in the verandah, with a book, till we came in from our airing. + And when we returned many a sweet and long discourse we had, + whilst waiting for our dinner or supper. Mr. Martyn often looked + up to the starry heavens, and spoke of those glorious worlds of + which we know so little now, but of which we hope to know so + much hereafter. Often we turned from the contemplation of these + to the consideration of the smallness, and apparent + diminutiveness in creation, of our own little globe, and of the + exceeding love of the Father, who so cared for its inhabitants + that He sent His Son to redeem them. + + On the occasion of the baptism of my second Lucy, never can I + forget the solemn manner with which Mr. Martyn went through the + service, or the beautiful and earnest blessing he implored for + my baby, when he took her into his arms after the service was + concluded. I still fancy I see that child of God as he looked + down tenderly on the gentle babe, and then looked upwards, + asking of his God that grace and mercy for the infant which he + truly accounted as the only gift which parents ought to desire. + This babe, in infancy, had so peculiar a gentleness of aspect, + that Mr. Martyn always called her Serena. + + Little was spoken of at Mr. Martyn's table but of various plans + for advancing the triumphs of Christianity. Among the plans + adopted, Mr. Martyn had, first at Dinapore and then at Cawnpore, + established one or two schools for children of the natives of + the lower caste. His plan was to hire a native schoolmaster, + generally a Mussulman, to appoint him a place, and to pay him an + anna (1-1/2_d._) a head for each boy whom he could induce to + attend school. These boys the master was to teach to write and + read. It was Mr. Martyn's great aim, and, indeed, the sole end + of his exertions, to get Christian books into the school. As no + mention was ever made of proselytism, there was never any + difficulty found in introducing even portions of the Scripture + itself, more especially portions of the Old Testament, to the + attention of the children. The books of Moses are always very + acceptable to a Mussulman, and Genesis is particularly + interesting to the Hindus. Mr. Martyn's first school at Cawnpore + was located in a long shed, which was on the side of the cavalry + lines. It was the first school of the kind I ever saw. The + master sat at one end, like a tailor, on the dusty floor; and + along under the shed sat the scholars, a pack of little urchins, + with no other clothes on than a skull-cap and a piece of cloth + round the loins. These little ones squatted, like their master, + in the sand. They had wooden imitations of slates in their + hands, on which, having first written their lessons with chalk, + they recited them, _a pleine gorge_, as the French would say, + being sure to raise their voices on the approach of any European + or native of note. Now, Cawnpore is about one of the most dusty + places in the world. The Sepoy lines are the most dusty part of + Cawnpore; and as the little urchins are always well greased, + either with cocoanut oil or, in failure thereof, with rancid + mustard oil, whenever there was the slightest breath of air they + always looked as if they had been powdered all over with brown + powder. But what did this signify? They would have been equally + dusty in their own huts. In these schools they were in the way + of getting a few ideas; at all events, they often got so far as + to be able to copy a verse on their wooden slates. Afterwards + they committed to memory what they had written. Who that has + ever heard it can forget the sounds of the various notes with + which these little people intonated their 'Aleph Zubbur + ah--Zair a--Paiche oh,' as they waved backwards and forwards in + their recitations? Or who can forget the vacant self-importance + of the schoolmaster, who was generally a long-bearded, dry old + man, who had no other means of proving his superiority over the + scholars but making more noise than even they could do? Such a + scene, indeed, could not be forgotten; but would it not require + great faith to expect anything green to spring from a soil so + dry? But this faith was not wanting to the Christians then in + India. + +Besides the 53rd Regiment, the Cavalry Corps called in those days the +8th Light Dragoons, and six companies of Artillery, were stationed at +Cawnpore. At the first parade service, on May 15, 1809, 'two officers +dropped down and some of the men. They wondered how I could go through +the fatigue,' wrote their new chaplain, not many days after his nearly +fatal palanquin journey from Chunar. His voice even reached the men at +the other end of the square which they had formed. Above a hundred men +were in hospital, a daily congregation. Every night about a dozen of +the soldiers met with him in the house. Not only the men but the +officers were privately rebuked by him for swearing. Of the General he +writes: 'He has never been very cordial, and now he is likely to be +less so; though it was done in the gentlest way, he did not seem to +like it. Were it not to become all things to all men in order to save +some, I should never trouble them with my company. But how then should +I be like Christ? I have been almost the whole morning engaged in a +good-humoured dispute with Mrs. P., who, in an instant after my +introduction to her, opened all her guns of wit and eloquence against +me for attempting to convert the Brahmans.' A little later he writes +of a dinner at the brigade-major's with the chief persons of the +station: 'I could gain no attention while saying grace; and the moment +the ladies withdrew the conversation took such a turn that I was +obliged to make a hasty retreat. Oh! the mercy to have escaped their +evil ways.' + +The year was one of alarms of war, from which the history of our +Indian Empire can rarely be free, surrounded as it is by a ring-fence +of frontier tribes and often aggressive States. But in those days the +great internal conflicts for the consolidation of our power, and the +peace and prosperity of peoples exposed to anarchy for centuries, were +still being waged. Marathas, Sikhs, and Goorkhas had all to be +pacified in 1809. Now the infantry were being sent to the conquest of +Bundlekhund and difficult siege of the fortress of Kalinjar, as old as +the Mahabharat Epic in which it is mentioned. Now the artillery were +under orders to march to Lodiana to check Ranjeet Singh. Now the +cavalry were sent off to the, at first, fatal chase of the Goorkhas by +Gillespie. Thus it was that their ever-careful chaplain sought to +prepare them for the issue: + + _October 20._--Spoke to my men on preparation for the Lord's + Supper, and endeavoured to prepare myself for the ordinance, by + considering my former life of sin, and all my unfaithfulness + since my call to the Gospel. My heart was, as usual, insensible + for a long time, but at last a gracious God made me feel some + compunction, and then my feelings were such as I would wish they + always were. I resolved at the time that it should be my special + labour every day to obtain, and hold fast, this humbling view of + my own depravity. + + _October 22._ (Sunday.)--Preached at sunrise to the 53rd, on + Acts xxviii. 29. At ten, about sixteen of the regiment, with Mr. + and Mrs. Sherwood and Sabat, met in my bungalow, where, after a + short discourse on 'Behold the Lamb of God,' we commemorated the + death of the Lord. It was the happiest season I have yet had at + the Lord's Table, though my peace and pleasure were not + unalloyed; the rest of the day I felt weak in body, but calm in + mind, and rather spiritual; at night I spoke to the men on Rev. + xxii. 2; the number was double; afterwards had some conversation + on eternal things, but had reason to groan at the + hollow-heartedness and coldness with which I do my best works. + + _November 18._--At night I took leave of my beloved Church + previous to their departure for Bundlekhund with their regiment. + I spoke to them from Gen. xxviii: 'I will be with thee in all + places whithersoever thou goest,' etc. The poor men were much + affected; they gave me their wills and watches. + + _November 19._ (Sunday.)--Preached at sunrise to the dragoons, + on John i. 17: 'The law was given by Moses.' At eleven at + head-quarters, on Rom. iii. 19. + +Nowhere are eucharistic seasons of communion so precious as in exile, +and especially in the isolation of a tropical station. Not unfrequently +in India, Christian people, far separated from any ordained minister, +and about to part from each other, are compelled, by loving obedience to +the Lord, to meet thus together. But what joy it must have been to have +been ministered to at such times by one of Henry Martyn's consecrated +saintliness! Mrs. Sherwood lingers over her description of that Cawnpore +service of October 22, 1809--the long inner verandah of the house, where +daily prayer was wont to be made, shut in by lofty doors of green +lattice-work; the table, with the white cloth and all things requisite, +at one end; hassocks on which to kneel, and a high form in front of the +table; all 'decent and in good order, according to the forms of the +Church of England.' Still there was no church building. His first parade +service in the hot winds brought on fever, so that he proposed to ask +for the billiard-room, 'which is better than the ball-room,' but in +vain. His next service was in the riding-school, but 'the effluvium was +such as would please only the knights of the turf. What must the +Mohammedans think of us? Well may they call us "dogs," when even in +Divine worship we choose to kennel ourselves in such places.' The +General delayed to forward to Government the proposal for a church. + +Henry Martyn's missionary work among the natives became greatly +extended at Cawnpore, as his scrupulous conscience and delicate +scholarship allowed him to use in public the colloquial Hindustani, +and in conversation the more classical Persian. To Corrie he wrote, +five months after his arrival there: + + What will friends at home think of Martyn and Corrie? They went + out full of zeal, but, behold! what are they doing? Where are + their converts? They talked of the banyan-tree before they went + out; but now they seem to prefer a snug bungalow to + field-preaching. I fear I should look a little silly if I were + to go home just at this time; but more because I should not be + able to make them understand the state of things than because my + conscience condemns me. Brother, what can you do? If you + itinerate like a European, you will only frighten the people; if + as a native, you will be dead in one year. Yet the latter mode + pleases me, and nothing would give me greater pleasure than so + to live, with the prospect of being able to hold out a few + years. + +Again, to an old Cambridge friend: + + _November, 1809._--Respecting my heart, about which you ask, I + must acknowledge that H. Martyn's heart at Dinapore is the same + as H. Martyn's heart at Cambridge. The tenor of my prayer is + nearly the same, except on one subject, the conversion of the + heathen. At a distance from the scene of action, and trusting + too much to the highly-coloured description of missionaries, my + heart used to expand with rapture at the hope of seeing + thousands of the natives melting under the Word as soon as it + should be preached to them. Here I am called to exercise + faith--that so it shall one day be. My former feelings on this + subject were more agreeable, and at the same time more according + with the truth; for if we believe the prophets, the scenes that + time shall unfold, 'though surpassing fable, are yet true.' + While I write, hope and joy spring up in my mind. Yes, it shall + be; yonder stream of Ganges shall one day roll through tracts + adorned with Christian churches, and cultivated by Christian + husbandmen, and the holy hymn be heard beneath the shade of the + tamarind. All things are working together to bring on the day, + and my part in the blessed plan, though not at first exactly + consonant to my wishes, is, I believe, appointed me by God. To + translate the Word of God is a work of more lasting benefit than + my preaching would be. But, besides that, I am sorry to say that + my strength for public preaching is almost gone. My + ministrations among the Europeans at this station have injured + my lungs, and I am now obliged to lie by except on the Sabbath + days, and once or twice in the week.... However, I am + sufficiently aware of my important relations to the natives, and + am determined not to strain myself any more for the Europeans. + This rainy season has tried my constitution severely. The first + attack was with spasms, under which I fainted. The second was a + fever, from which a change of air, under God, recovered me. + There is something in the air at the close of the rains so + unfavourable, that public speaking at that time is a violent + strain upon the whole body. Corrie passed down a few weeks ago + to receive his sister. We enjoyed much refreshing communion in + prayer and conversation on our dear friends at and near + Cambridge, and found peculiar pleasure in the minutest + circumstances we could recollect about you all. + +At Cawnpore, in front of his house, he began his wonderful preaching +to the native beggars and ascetics of all kinds, Hindoo _jogees_ and +Mohammedan _fakeers_, the blind and the deaf, the maimed and the halt, +the diseased and the dying, the impostor and the truly needy. These +classes had soon found out the sympathetic padre-sahib, and to secure +peace he seems to have organised a weekly dole of an anna each or of +rice. + +He wrote to Corrie: + + I feel unhappy, not because I do nothing, but because I am not + willing to do my duty. The flesh must be mortified, and I am + reluctant to take up the cross. Sabat said to me yesterday, + 'Your beggars are come: why do not you preach to them? It is + your duty.' I made excuses; but why do not I preach to them? My + carnal spirit says that I have been preaching a long time + without success to my servants, who are used to my tongue; what + can I expect from them--the very dregs of the people? But the + true cause is shame: I am afraid of exposing myself to the + contempt of Sabat, my servants, and the mob, by attempting to + speak in a language which I do not speak well. To-day in prayer, + one consideration has been made of some power in overcoming this + shameful backwardness:--these people, if I neglect to speak to + them, will give me a look at the last day which may fill me with + horror. Alas! brother, where is my zeal? + + _December 17._ (Sunday.)--Preached to H.M. Light Dragoons on + Rev. iii. 20: 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock,' etc. + There was great attention. In the afternoon the beggars came, to + the number of above four hundred, and, by the help of God, I + determined to preach to them, though I felt as if I were leading + to execution. I stood upon the _chabootra_ in front of which + they were collected. + +To Corrie he thus described his talks with his 'congregation of the +poor': + + I went without fear, trusting to myself, and not to the Lord, + and accordingly I was put to shame--that is, I did not read half + as well as the preceding days. I shuffled and stammered, and + indeed I am persuaded that there were many sentences the poor + things did not understand at all. I spoke of the dry land, + rivers, etc.; here I mentioned Gunga,'a good river,' but there + were others as good. God loves Hindus, but does He not love + others also? He gave them a good river, but to others as good. + All are alike before God. This was received with applause. On + the work of the fourth day, 'Thus sun and moon are lamps. Shall + I worship a candle in my hand? As a candle in the house, so is + the sun in the sky.' Applause from the Mohammedans. There were + also hisses, but whether these betokened displeasure against me + or the worship of the sun I do not know. I then charged them to + worship Gunga and sun and moon no more, but the honour they used + to give to them, henceforward to give to God their Maker. Who + knows but even this was a blow struck, at least a branch lopped + from the tree of heathenism? The number was about 550. You need + not be deterred, dear brother, if this simple way of teaching do + any good. + +Again: + + I spoke on the corruption of human nature, 'The Lord saw that + every imagination,' etc. In the application I said, 'Hence all + outward works are useless while the heart remains in this state. + You may wash in Gunga, but the heart is not washed.' Some old + men shook their heads, in much the same way as we do when + seriously affected with any truth. The number was about seven + hundred. The servants told me it was nonsense to give them all + rice, as they were not all poor; hundreds of them are working + people; among them was a whole row of Brahmins. I spoke to them + about the Flood; this was interesting, as they were very + attentive, and at the end said, 'Shabash wa wa' (Well said). + +Mrs. Sherwood pictures the scene after an almost pathetic fashion: + + We went often on the Sunday evenings to hear the addresses of + Mr. Martyn to the assembly of mendicants, and we generally stood + behind him. On these occasions we had to make our way through a + dense crowd, with a temperature often rising above 92 deg., whilst + the sun poured its burning rays upon us through a lurid haze of + dust. Frightful were the objects which usually met our eyes in + this crowd: so many monstrous and diseased limbs, and hideous + faces, were displayed before us, and pushed forward for our + inspection, that I have often made my way to the _chabootra_ + with my eyes shut, whilst Mr. Sherwood led me. On reaching the + platform I was surrounded by our own people, and yet even there + I scarcely dared to look about me. I still imagine that I hear + the calm, distinct, and musical tones of Henry Martyn, as he + stood raised above the people, endeavouring, by showing the + purity of the Divine law, to convince the unbelievers that by + their works they were all condemned; and that this was the case + of every man of the offspring of Adam, and they therefore needed + a Saviour who was both willing and able to redeem them. From + time to time low murmurs and curses would arise in the distance, + and then roll forward, till they became so loud as to drown the + voice of this pious one, generally concluding with hissings and + fierce cries. But when the storm passed away, again might he be + heard going on where he had left off, in the same calm, + steadfast tone, as if he were incapable of irritation from the + interruption. Mr. Martyn himself assisted in giving each person + his _pice_ (copper) after the address was concluded; and when he + withdrew to his bungalow I have seen him drop, almost fainting, + on a sofa, for he had, as he often said, even at that time, a + slow inflammation burning in his chest, and one which he knew + must eventually terminate his existence. In consequence of this + he was usually in much pain after any exertion of speaking. + + No dreams nor visions excited in the delirium of a raging fever + can surpass these realities. These devotees vary in age and + appearance: they are young and old, male and female, bloated and + wizened, tall and short, athletic and feeble; some clothed with + abominable rags; some nearly without clothes; some plastered + with mud and cow-dung; others with matted, uncombed locks + streaming down to their heels; others with heads bald or scabby, + every countenance being hard and fixed, as it were, by the + continual indulgence of bad passions, the features having become + exaggerated, and the lips blackened with tobacco, or blood-red + with the juice of the henna. But these and such as these form + only the general mass of the people; there are among them still + more distinguished monsters. One little man generally comes in a + small cart drawn by a bullock; his body and limbs are so + shrivelled as to give, with his black skin and large head, the + appearance of a gigantic frog. Another has his arm fixed above + his head, the nail of the thumb piercing through the palm of the + hand; another, and a very large man, has his ribs and the bones + of his face externally traced with white chalk, which, striking + the eye in relief above the dark skin, makes him appear, as he + approaches, like a moving skeleton. When Mr. Martyn collected + these people he was most carefully watched by the British + authorities. + +Shall anyone say that the missionary chaplain's eighteen months' work +among this mixed multitude of the poor and the dishonest was as vain +as he himself, in his humility, feared that it was? 'Greater works' +than His own were what the Lord of Glory, who did like service to man +in the Syria of that day, promised to His believing followers. + +On the wall which enclosed his compound was a kiosk, from which some +young Mussulman idlers used to look down on the preacher, as they +smoked their hookahs and sipped their sherbet. One Sunday, determined +to hear as well as see, that they might the more evidently scoff, they +made their way through the crowd, and with the deepest scorn took +their place in the very front. They listened in a critical temper, +made remarks on what they heard, and returned to the kiosk. But there +was one who no longer joined in their jeering. Sheikh Saleh, born at +Delhi, Persian and Arabic moonshi of Lucknow, then keeper of the King +of Oudh's jewels, was a Mussulman so zealous that he had persuaded his +Hindu servant to be circumcised. But he was afterwards horrified by +the treachery and the atrocities of his co-religionists in the Rajpoot +State of Joudhpore, whither he had gone. He was on his way back to his +father at Lucknow when, on a heart thus prepared, there fell the +teaching of the English man of God as to the purity of the Divine law +and salvation from sin by Jesus Christ. + +Eager to learn more of Christianity from its authoritative records, he +sought employment on the translating staff of the preacher, through a +friend who knew Sabat. He was engaged to copy Persian manuscripts by +that not too scrupulous tyrant, without the knowledge of Martyn or any +of the English. On receiving the completed Persian New Testament, to +have it bound, he read it all, and his conversion by the Spirit of +God, its Author, was complete. He determined to attach himself to +Martyn, who as yet knew him not personally. He followed him to +Calcutta, and applied to him for baptism. After due trial during the +next year he was admitted to the Church under the new name of 'Bondman +of Christ,' Abdool Massee'h. This was almost the last act of the Rev. +David Brown, who since 1775 had spent his life in diffusing Christian +knowledge in Bengal. Abdool's conversion caused great excitement in +Lucknow. Nor was this all. The new convert was sent to Meerut, when +Mr. Parson was chaplain in that great military station, and there he +won over the chief physician of the Rajah of Bhurtpore, naming him +Taleb Massee'h. After preaching and disputing in Meerut, Abdool +visited the Begum Sumroo's principality of Sardhana, where he left +Taleb to care for the native Christians. They and the Sherwoods +together were the means of calling and preparing several native +converts for baptism, all the fruit, direct and indirect, of Henry +Martyn's combined translating and preaching of the New Testament at +Cawnpore. + +Mrs. Sherwood writes: + + We were told that Mr. Corrie might perhaps be unable to come as + far as Delhi, and the candidates for baptism became so anxious + that they set off to meet him on the Delhi road. We soon heard + of their meeting from Mr. Corrie himself, and that he was + pleased with them. Shortly afterwards our beloved friend + appeared, with tents, camels, and elephants, and we had the + pleasure of having his largest tent pitched in our compound, for + we had not room for all his suite within the house. Then for the + next week our house and grounds brought to my mind what I had + often fancied of a scene in some high festival in Jerusalem; + but ours was an assembly under a fairer, brighter dispensation. + 'Here we are,' said Mr. Corrie, 'poor weary pilgrims;' and he + applied the names of 'Christian' and 'Mercy' to his wife and an + orphan girl who was with them. Dear Mr. Corrie! perhaps there + never was a man so universally beloved as he was. Wherever he + was known, from the lisping babe who climbed upon his knee to + the hoary-headed native, he was regarded as a bright example of + Christian charity and humility. On Sunday, January 31, the + baptism of all the converts but one took place. Numbers of + Europeans from different quarters of the station attended. The + little chapel was crowded to overflowing, and most affecting + indeed was the sight. Few persons could restrain their tears + when Mr. Corrie extended his hand to raise the silver curls + which clustered upon the brow of Monghul Das, one of the most + sincere of the converts. The ceremony was very affecting, and + the convert, who stood by and saw the others baptized, became so + uneasy that, when Mr. Corrie set off to return, he followed him. + For family reasons this man's baptism had been deferred, as he + hoped by so doing to bring others of his family into the Church + of God. + + How delightfully passed that Sunday!--how sweet was our private + intercourse with Mr. Corrie! He brought our children many + Hindustani hymns, set to ancient Oriental melodies, which they + were to sing at the Hindu services, and we all together sang a + hymn, which I find in my Journal designated by this title: + + 'WE HAVE SEEN HIS STAR IN THE EAST' + + In Britain's land of light my mind + To Jesus and His love was blind, + Till, wandering midst the heathen far, + Lo in the East I saw His star. + Oh, should my steps, which distant roam, + Attain once more my native shore, + Better than India's wealth by far, + I'll speak the worth of Bethlehem's star. + + There is little merit in the composition of this hymn; but it + had a peculiar interest for us at that time, and the sentiment + which it professes must ever retain its interest. + +Long after this the good seed of the Kingdom, as sown by Henry Martyn, +continued to bear fruit, which in its turn propagated itself. In 1816 +there came to Corrie in Calcutta, for further instruction, from +Bareilly, a young Mohammedan ascetic and teacher who, at seventeen, +had abandoned Hinduism, seeking peace of mind. He fell in with +Martyn's Hindustani New Testament, and was baptized under the new name +of Fuez Massee'h. Under somewhat similar circumstances Noor Massee'h +was baptized at Agra. The missionary labours of Martyn at Cawnpore, +followed up by Corrie there and at Agra soon after, farther resulted +in the baptism there of seventy-one Hindus and Mohammedans, of whom +fifty were adults. All of these, save seven, remained steadfast, and +many became missionaries in their turn. The career of Abdool Massee'h +closed in 1827, after he had been ordained in the Calcutta cathedral +by Bishop Heber, who loved him. His last breath was spent in singing +the Persian hymn, translated thus: + + Beloved Saviour, let not me + In Thy kind heart forgotten be! + Of all that deck the field or bower, + Thou art the sweetest, fairest flower! + + Youth's morn has fled, old age comes on. + But sin distracts my soul alone; + Beloved Saviour, let not me + In Thy kind heart forgotten be. + +As from Dinapore Martyn sought out the moulvies of Patna, so from +Cawnpore he found his way to Lucknow There, after he had baptized a +child of the Governor-General's Resident, he met the Nawab Saadut Ali, +and his eyes for the first time beheld one who had full power of life +and death over his subjects. He visited the moulvies, at the tomb of +Asaf-ood-Dowla, who were employed to read the Koran constantly. 'With +them I tried my strength, of course, and disputed for an hour; it +ended in their referring me for an answer to another.' + +Toil such as Martyn's, physical and mental, in successive hot seasons, +in such hospitals and barracks as then killed off the British troops +and their families, and without a decent church building, would have +sacrificed the healthiest in a few years. Corrie had to flee from it, +or he would never have lived to be the first and model Bishop of +Madras. But such labours, such incessant straining of the voice +through throat and lungs, acting on his highly neurotic constitution, +and the phthisical frame which he inherited from his mother, became +possible to Henry Martyn only because he willed, he agonised, to live +till he should give at least the New Testament to the peoples of +Arabia and Persia, and to the Mohammedans of India, in their own +tongues. We see him in his _Journal_, before God, spiritually spurring +the sides of his intent day by day, and running like the noble Arab +horse till it drops--its object gained. He had many warnings, and if +he had had a wife to see that he obeyed the voice of Providence he +might have outlived his hereditary tendency in such a tropical climate +as that of India--a fact since proved by experience. He had narrowly +escaped death at Dinapore a few months before, and he knew it. But it +is well that, far more frequently than the world knows, such cases +occur in the missionary fields of the world. The Brainerds and the +Martyns, the Pattesons and the Hanningtons, the Keith-Falconers and +the Mackays--to mention some of the dead only--have their reward in +calling hundreds to fill their places, not less than the Careys and +the Livingstones, the Duffs and the Wilsons, the Frenches and the +Caldwells. To all who know the tropics, and especially the seasons of +India, the dates that follow are eloquent. + + _1809, May 29._--The East has been long forsaken of God, and + depravity in consequence more thoroughly wrought into them. I + have been very ill all this week, the disorder appearing in the + form of an intermittent. In the night cold sweats, and for about + five hours in the day head-ache and vertigo. Last night I took + some medicine, and think that I am better, though the time when + the fever has generally come on is not yet arrived. But I hardly + know how to be thankful enough for this interval of ease. + + _September 25._--Set out at three in the morning for Currah, and + reached it on the 26th in the morning, and married a Miss K. to + Mr. R.; the company was very unpleasant, so after passing the + night there, I set out and travelled all day and night, and + through Divine mercy arrived at home again on the 28th, but + excessively fatigued, indeed almost exhausted. At night with the + men, my whole desire was to lie low in the dust. 'Thou hast left + thy first love,' on which I spoke, was an awful call to me, and + I trust in God I shall ever feel it so. + + _November 19._--Received a letter from Mr. Simeon, mentioning + Sarah's illness; consumption has seized her, as it did my mother + and sister, and will carry her off as it did them, and now I am + the only one left. Oh, my dear Corrie, though I know you are + well prepared, how does nature bleed at the thought of a beloved + sister's drooping and dying! Yet still to see those whom I love + go before me, without so much as a doubt of their going to + glory, will, I hope, soothe my sorrow. How soon shall I follow? + I know it must be soon. The paleness and fatigue I exhibit after + every season of preaching show plainly that death is settled in + my lungs. + + _1810, April 9._--From the labours of yesterday, added to + constant conversation and disagreement with visitors to-day, I + was quite exhausted, and my chest in pain. + + _April 10._--My lungs still so disordered that I could not meet + my men at night. + + _April 15._ (Sunday.)--Preached to the Dragoons on the parable + of the pounds. At the General's on Luke xxii 22. With the native + congregation I strained myself greatly in order to be heard, and + to this I attribute the injury I did myself to-day. Attempted + the usual service with my men at night, but after speaking to + them from a passage in Scripture, was obliged to leave them + before prayer. + + _April 16._--Imprudently joined in conversation with some dear + Christian friends to-night, and talked a great deal; the pain in + the chest in consequence returned. + + _May 12._--This evening thrown with great violence from my + horse: while he was in full gallop, the saddle came off, but I + received no other injury but contusion. Thus a gracious + Providence preserves me in life. But for His kindness I had been + now dragging out a wretched existence in pain, and my blessed + work interrupted for years perhaps. + +Henry Martyn was too absorbed in the higher life at all times to be +trusted in riding or driving. Mrs. Sherwood writes: + + I often went out with him in his gig, when he used to call + either for me or Miss Corrie, and whoever went with him went at + the peril of their lives. He never looked where he was driving, + but went dashing through thick and thin, being always occupied + in reading Hindustani by word of mouth, or discussing some text + of Scripture. I certainly never expected to have survived a + lesson he gave me in his gig, in the midst of the plain at + Cawnpore, on the pronunciation of one of the Persian letters. + +All through his Cawnpore life, also, the wail of disappointed love +breaks from time to time. On Christmas day, 1809, he received, through +David Brown as usual, a letter 'from Lydia, containing a second +refusal; so now I have done.' On March 23, 1810, Mr. Steven's letter +reached him, reporting the death of his last sister. 'She was my dear +counsellor and guide for a long time in the Christian way. I have not +a relation left to whom I feel bound by ties of Christian fellowship, +and I am resolved to form no new connection of a worldly nature, so +that I may henceforward hope to live entirely, as a man of another +world.' Meanwhile he has received Lydia Grenfell's sisterly offer, to +which he thus replies in the first of eleven letters, to one who had +sunk the lover in the Christian friend, as was possible to two hearts +so far separated and never to meet again in this world. But she was +still his 'dearest.' + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Cawnpore: March 30, 1810. + + Since you kindly bid me, my beloved friend, consider you in the + place of that dear sister whom it has pleased God in His wisdom + to take from me, I gratefully accept the offer of a + correspondence, which it has ever been the anxious wish of my + heart to establish. Your kindness is the more acceptable, + because it is shown in the day of affliction. Though I had heard + of my dearest sister's illness some months before I received the + account of her death, and though the nature of her disorder was + such as left me not a ray of hope, so that I was mercifully + prepared for the event, still the certainty of it fills me with + anguish. It is not that she has left me, for I never expected + to see her more on earth. I have no doubt of meeting her in + heaven, but I cannot bear to think of the pangs of dissolution + she underwent, which have been unfortunately detailed to me with + too much particularity. Would that I had never heard them, or + could efface them from my remembrance. But oh, may I learn what + the Lord is teaching me by these repeated strokes! May I learn + meekness and resignation. May the world always appear as vain as + it does now, and my own continuance in it as short and + uncertain. How frightful is the desolation which Death makes, + and how appalling his visits when he enters one's family. I + would rather never have been born than be born and die, were it + not for Jesus, the Prince of life, the Resurrection and the + Life. How inexpressibly precious is this Saviour when eternity + seems near! I hope often to communicate with you on these + subjects, and in return for your kind and consolatory letters to + send you, from time to time, accounts of myself and my + proceedings. Through you I can hear of all my friends in the + West. When I first heard of the loss I was likely to suffer, and + began to reflect on my own friendless situation, you were much + in my thoughts, whether you would be silent on this occasion or + no? whether you would persist in your resolution? Friends indeed + I have, and brethren, blessed be God! but two brothers[34] + cannot supply the place of one sister. When month after month + passed away, and no letter came from you, I almost abandoned the + hope of ever hearing from you again. It only remained to wait + the result of my last application through Emma. You have kindly + anticipated my request, and, I need scarcely add, are more + endeared to me than ever. + + Of your illness, my dearest Lydia, I had heard nothing, and it + was well for me that I did not.--Yours most affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + +To David Brown he wrote, 'My long-lost Lydia consents to write to me +again;' and in three weeks he thus addresses to Lydia herself again a +letter of exquisite tenderness: + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Cawnpore: April 19, 1810. + + I begin my correspondence with my beloved Lydia, not without a + fear of its being soon to end. Shall I venture to tell you that + our family complaint has again made its appearance in me, with + more unpleasant symptoms than it has ever yet done? However, + God, who two years ago redeemed my life from destruction, may + again, for His Church's sake, interpose for my deliverance. + Though, alas! what am I that my place should not instantly be + supplied with far more efficient instruments? The symptoms I + mentioned are chiefly a pain in the chest, occasioned, I + suppose, by over-exertion the two last Sundays, and + incapacitating me at present from all public duty, and even from + conversation. You were mistaken in supposing that my former + illness originated from study. Study never makes me + ill--scarcely ever fatigues me--but my lungs! death is seated + there; it is speaking that kills me. May it give others life! + 'Death worketh in us, but life in you.' Nature intended me, as I + should judge from the structure of my frame, for + chamber-council, not for a pleader at the Bar. But the call of + Jesus Christ bids me cry aloud and spare not. As His minister, I + am a debtor both to the Greek and the barbarian. How can I be + silent when I have both ever before me, and my debt not paid? + You would suggest that energies more restrained will eventually + be more efficient. I am aware of this, and mean to act upon this + principle in future, if the resolution is not formed too late. + But you know how apt we are to outstep the bounds of prudence + when there is no kind of monitor at hand to warn us of the + consequences. + + Had I been favoured with the one I wanted, I might not now have + had occasion to mourn. You smile at my allusion, at least I hope + so, for I am hardly in earnest. I have long since ceased to + repine at the decree that keeps us as far asunder as the east is + from the west, and yet am far from regretting that I ever knew + you. The remembrance of you calls forth the exercise of + delightful affections, and has kept me from many a snare. How + wise and good is our God in all His dealings with His children! + Had I yielded to the suggestions of flesh and blood, and + remained in England, as I should have done, without the + effectual working of His power, I should without doubt have sunk + with my sisters into an early grave. Whereas here, to say the + least, I may live a few years, so as to accomplish a very + important work. His keeping you from me appears also, at this + season of bodily infirmity, to be occasion of thankfulness. + Death, I think, would be a less welcome visitor to me, if he + came to take me from a wife, and that wife were you. Now, if I + die, I die unnoticed, involving none in calamity. Oh, that I + could trust Him for all that is to come, and love Him with that + perfect love which casteth out fear; for, to say the truth, my + confidence is sometimes shaken. To appear before the Judge of + quick and dead is a much more awful thought in sickness than in + health. Yet I dare not doubt the all-sufficiency of Jesus + Christ, nor can I, with the utmost ingenuity of unbelief, resist + the reasonings of St. Paul, all whose reasons seem to be drawn + up on purpose to work into the mind the persuasion that God will + glorify Himself by the salvation of sinners through Jesus + Christ. I wish I could more enter into the meaning of this + 'chosen vessel.' He seems to move in a world by himself, and + sometimes to utter the unspeakable words such as my natural + understanding discerneth not; and when I turn to commentators I + find that I have passed out of the spiritual to the material + world, and have got amongst men like myself. But soon, as he + says, we shall no longer see as in a glass, by reflected rays, + but see as we are seen, and know as we are known. + + _April 25._--After another interval I resume my pen. Through the + mercy of God I am again quite well, but my mind is a good deal + distressed at Sabat's conduct. I forbear writing what I think, + in the hope that my fears may prove groundless; but indeed the + children of the East are adepts in deceit. Their duplicity + appears to me so disgusting at this moment, that I can only find + relief from my growing misanthropy by remembering Him who is the + faithful and true Witness; in whom all the promises of God are + 'yea and amen'; and by turning to the faithful in + Europe--children that will not lie. Where shall we find + sincerity in a native of the East? Yesterday I dined in a + private way with ----. After one year's inspection of me they + begin to lose their dread and venture to invite me. Our + conversation was occasionally religious, but topics of this + nature are so new to fashionable people, and those upon which + they have thought so much less than on any other, that often + from the shame of having nothing to say they pass to other + subjects where they can be more at home. I was asked after + dinner if I liked music. On my professing to be an admirer of + harmony, cantos were performed and songs sung. After a time I + inquired if they had no sacred music. It was now recollected + that they had some of Handel's, but it could not be found. A + promise, however, was made that next time I came it should be + produced. Instead of it the 145th Psalm-tune was played, but + none of the ladies could recollect enough of the tune to sing + it. I observed that all our talents and powers should be + consecrated to the service of Him who gave them. To this no + reply was made, but the reproof was felt. I asked the lady of + the house if she read poetry, and then proceeded to mention + Cowper, whose poems, it seems, were in the library; but the lady + had never heard of the book. This was produced, and I read some + passages. Poor people! here a little and there a little is a + rule to be observed in speaking to them. + + _April 26._--From speaking to my men last night, and again + to-day conversing long with some natives, my chest is again in + pain, so much so that I can hardly speak. Well, now I am taught, + and will take more care in future. My sheet being full, I must + bid you adieu. The Lord ever bless and keep you. Believe me to + be with the truest affection,--Yours ever, + + H. MARTYN. + + TO REV. T.M. HITCHINS, PLYMOUTH DOCK + + Cawnpore: October 10, 1809. + + My dearest Brother,--I am again disappointed in receiving no + letter from you. The last intelligence from the West of England + is Lydia's letter of July 8, 1808. Colonel Sandys has long since + ceased to write to me, and I have no other correspondent. It is + very affecting to me to be thus considered as dead by almost all + my natural relations and early connections; and at this time, + when I am led to think of you and the family to which you are + united, and have been reading all your letters over, I feel that + I could dip my pen deep in melancholy; for, strange as it may + seem to you, I love so true, that though it is now the fifth + year since I parted from the object of my affection, she is as + dear to me as ever; yet, on the other hand, I find my present + freedom such a privilege that I would not lose it for hardly any + consideration. It is the impossibility of compassing every wish, + that I suppose is the cause of any uneasiness that I feel. I + know not how to express my thoughts respecting Lydia better than + in Martial's words--_Nec tecum possum vivere nec sine te_. + However, these are not my general sentiments; it pleases God to + cause me to eat my meat with gladness, praising God. Almost + always I am without carefulness, as indeed it would be to my + shame if I were not. + + My kindest remembrances attend my dearest sisters, Emma and + Lydia, as they well know. You two are such bad correspondents + that on this ground I prefer another petition for the renewal of + Lydia's correspondence,--she need not suspect anything now, nor + her friends. I have no idea that I should trouble her upon the + old subject, even if I were settled in England--for oh, this + vain world! _quid habet commodi? quid non potius laboris?_ + + But I never expect to see England more, nor do I expect that + though all obstacles should be removed, she would ever become + mine unless I came for her, and I now do not wonder at it, + though I did before. If any one of my sisters had had such a + proposal made to them, I would never have consented to their + going, so you may see the affair is ended between us. My wish is + that she would be scribe for you all, and I promise on my part + to send you through her an ample detail _of all my_ proceedings; + also she need not imagine that I may form another attachment--in + which case she might suppose a correspondence with an unmarried + lady might be productive of difficulties,--for after one + disappointment I am not likely to try my chance again, and if I + do I will give her the earliest intelligence of it, with the + same frankness with which I have always dealt (with her). + +Meanwhile, on the silent shores of South Cornwall, Lydia Grenfell was +thus remembering him before God: + + _1809, March 30._--My dear friend in India much upon my heart + lately, chiefly in desires that the work of God may prosper in + his hands, and that he may become more and more devoted to the + Lord. I seem, as to the future, to have attained what a year or + two since I prayed much for--to regard him absent as in another + state of existence, and my affection is holy, pure, and + spiritual for this dear saint of God; when it is otherwise, it + is owing to my looking back. Recollections sometimes intrude, + and I welcome them, alas, and act over again the past--but + Lord, Thy holy, blessed will be done--cheerfully, thankfully I + say this. + + _Tregembo, July 11._--I have suffered from levity of spirit, and + lost thereby the enjoyment of God. How good then is it in the + Lord to employ means in His providence to recall His wanderer to + Himself and happiness! Such mercy belongeth unto God--and this + His care over me I will record as a testimony against myself, if + I forsake Him again and lose that sweet seriousness of mind, so + essential to my peace and safety. Though I have never (perhaps + for many hours in a day) ceased to remember my dear friend in + India, it has not of late been in a way but as I might love and + think of him in heaven. Why is it then that the intelligence of + his probable nearness to that blessed abode should distress me? + yet it did, and does so still. It is this intelligence which + has, I hope, taught that my late excessive cheerfulness was + dangerous to my soul, in weakening my hold of better and calmer + joys. I was directed, I think, to the thirty-sixth Psalm for + what I wanted on this occasion, as I was once before to the + sixty-first, and I have found it most wonderfully cheering to my + heart. The Lord, as 'the preserver of man and beast,' caused me + to exercise dependence on Him respecting the result of my + friend's illness. Then the description of the Divine perfections + drew back my wandering heart, I hope to God. The declaration of + those who trust in God being abundantly satisfied with the + fatness of His house, taught me where real enjoyment alone will + be found; but the concluding part opened in a peculiarly sweet + way to my mind: 'Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy + pleasures.' + + _October 23._--I am under some painful forebodings respecting my + dear absent friend, and know not how to act. I am strongly + impelled to write to him, now that he is in affliction and + perhaps sickness himself--yet I dread departing from the plain + path of duty. 'O Lord, direct me,' is my cry. I hope my desire + is to do Thy will, and only Thy will. I have given him up to + Thee--oh, let me do so sincerely, and trust in Thy fatherly + care. + + _1810, January 1._--Felt the necessity of beginning this year + with prayer for preserving grace. Prayed with some sense of my + own weakness and dependence on God--with a conviction of much + sin and hope in His mercy through Jesus Christ. Oh, to be Thine, + Lord, in heart and life this year! Had a remembrance of those + most dear to me in prayer, and found it very sweet to commend + them to God, especially my friend in India--perhaps not now in + India, but in heaven. Oh, to join him at last in Thy blissful + presence! + + _January 24._--Heard yesterday of the marriage of Mr. John--what + a mercy to me do I feel it!--a load gone off my mind, for every + evil I heard of his committing I feared I might have been the + cause of, by my conduct ten years since--I rejoice in this event + for his sake and my own. + + _February 6._--Heard at last of the safety of my friend in + India, and wrote to him--many fears on my mind as to its + propriety, and great deadness of soul in doing it--yet ere I + concluded I felt comforted from the thought of the nearness of + eternity, and the certainty that then, without any fear of doing + wrong, I should again enjoy communion with him. + + _February 24._--Many sad presages of evil concerning my absent + friend, yet I am enabled to leave all to God--only now I pray, + if consistent with His will, his life may be spared, and as a + means of it, that God may incline him to return again to this + land. I never did before dare to ask this, believing the cause + of God would be more advanced by his remaining in India; but now + I pray, without fear of doing wrong or opposing the will of God, + for his return. + + _March 5._--I am sensible of a very remarkable change in the + desires of my soul before God, respecting my absent friend. I + with freedom and peace now pray continually that he may be + restored to his friends and country; before, I never dared to + ask anything but that the Lord would order this as His wisdom + saw fit, and thought it not a subject for prayer. His injured + health causes me to believe that India is not the place for his + labours--and, oh, that his mind may be rightly influenced and + the Lord's will done, whether it be his remaining there or + returning. + + _April 23._--Wrote to India. + + _November 30._--Heard yesterday, and again to-day, from + India.[35] The illness of my friend fills me with apprehensions + on his account, and I seemed called on to prepare for hearing of + his removal. I wish to place before my eyes the blessedness of + the change to him, and, though agitated and sad, I can bear to + think of our never more beholding each other in this world. This + indeed has long been my expectation, and that he should have + left the toils of mortality for the joys of heaven should, on + his account, fill me with praise--yet my heart cannot rise with + thankfulness. I seem stupefied, insensible to any feeling but + that of anxiety to hear again and know the truth, and that my + heart could joy in God at all times; but alas! all is cold + there! Oh, return, blessed Spirit of life and peace. + + _1811, March 28._--Heard from my dearest friend in India.[36] + Rose early. Found my spirit engaged in prayer, but was far ... + otherwise in reading. Such dulness and inattention as ought + deeply to abase me, vanity and a desire to appear of importance + in the school, beset me. + +Corrie had been ordered from his narrow parish of Chunar to the wider +field of Agra, and on his way up was directed to remain at Cawnpore to +help his friend, whose physical exhaustion was too apparent even to +the most careless officer. Among those influenced by both was one of +the surgeons, Dr. Govan,[37] who was spared, at St. Andrews, till +after the Mutiny of 1857, when in an unpublished lecture to its +Literary and Philosophical Society, he thus alluded to these workers +in Cawnpore: + + The Hukeem and the missionary hear native opinion spoken out + with much greater freedom than the political agent, the judge, + or commandant. 'Were there many more of the _Sahibean Ungez_ + (the English gentlemen) in character like the Padre Sahibs + (Corrie and Martyn), Christianity would make more progress + here,' was the unvaried testimony of the natives in their + favour.... I cannot help mentioning the results of various + conversations I had with two natives of Eastern rank and family + employed by the Venerable Mr. Corrie, afterwards Bishop of + Madras, and the Rev. Henry Martyn, in Scripture translation, and + whose assistance I had used in the study of the languages, as + they quite coincide with much which I had the opportunity of + hearing among men of still higher position in the native + educated community, when attached to the staff of the + Governor-General: 'By the decrees of God,' said the Mohammedan + noble, 'and the ubiquity of their fleets, armaments, and + commerce, it appears plainly that the European nations have + become the arbiters of the destinies of the nations of Asia. Yet + this seems to us strange in the followers of Him who taught that + His true disciples must be ready to give their cloaks also to + him who took from them their coats.' To which I had no better + reply than this, that the progress of events in the world's + history seems to us to give evidence that undoubtedly a Divine + message had been sent, both to governments and their subjects, + to which, at their peril, both must give attention. But that, + as a question of public national policy, it seemed generally + admitted and understood that the civil rulers of no nation, + Christian, Mohammedan, or Heathen, were laid under an + obligation, by their individual beliefs, to allow a country, + unable to govern itself by reason of its interminable divisions + and subjects of deadly internal strife, to be occupied and made + use of by their European or other enemies, as a means for their + own injury or destruction, for any criminal or sinful acts, done + in the building up of a nation or government. I may add that I + never heard a native of India attempt directly to impugn the + perfect justice of the British possession of India on this + ground. 'The Padre Sahib has put the subject in its true light' + (said the same Mohammedan authority) 'when he said that + Christianity had higher objects in view, in its influence on + human character, than to enforce absolute rules about meats and + drinks; for should he even induce me (which is unlikely) to + become more of a Christian than I am, believing, as I do, in the + authority of the Old Testament prophets, and in Jesus Christ as + a prophet sent by God, he will never persuade me to look upon + many articles of diet used by Christians with anything but the + most intense disgust and abhorrence, and he will assuredly find + it the same with most of these idolatrous Hindus.' + +We return to Martyn's _Journal_ and _Correspondence_: + + _July 8._ (Sunday.)--Corrie preached to the 53rd a funeral + sermon on the death of one of their captains. In the afternoon I + spoke to the natives on the first commandment, with greater + fluency than I have yet found. My thoughts to-day very much + towards Lydia; I began even to be reconciled to the idea of + going to England for her. 'Many are the thoughts of a man's + heart, but the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.' + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Cawnpore: August 14, 1810. + + With what delight do I sit down to begin a letter to my beloved + Lydia! Yours of February 5, which I received a few days ago, was + written, I conceive, in considerable embarrassment. You thought + it possible it might find me married, or about to be so. Let me + begin, therefore, with assuring you, with more truth than Gehazi + did his master, 'Thy servant went no whither:' my heart has not + strayed from Marazion, or Gurlyn, or wherever you are. Five long + years have passed, and I am still faithful. Happy would it be if + I could say that I had been equally true to my profession of + love for Him who is fairer than ten thousand, and altogether + lovely. Yet to the praise of His grace let me recollect that + twice five years have passed away since I began to know Him, and + I am still not gone from Him. On the contrary, time and + experience have endeared the Lord to me more and more, so that I + feel less inclination, and see less reason for leaving Him. What + is there, alas! in the world, were it even everlasting? + + I rejoice at the accounts you give me of your continued good + health and labours of love. Though you are not so usefully + employed as you might be in India, yet as that must not be, I + contemplate with delight your exertions at the other end of the + world. May you be instrumental in bringing many sons and + daughters to glory. What is become of St. Hilary and its fairy + scenes? When I think of Malachy, and the old man, and your + sister, and Josepha, etc., how some are dead, and the rest + dispersed, and their place occupied by strangers, it seems all + like a dream. + + _August 15._--It is only little intervals of time that I can + find for writing; my visitors, about whom I shall write + presently, taking up much of my leisure from necessary duty. + Here follow some extracts from my _Journal_.... + + Here my _Journal_ must close. I do not know whether you + understand from it how we go on. I must endeavour to give you a + clearer idea of it. + + We all live here in bungalows, or thatched houses, on a piece of + ground enclosed. Next to mine is the church, not yet opened for + public worship, but which we make use of at night with the men + of the 53rd. Corrie lives with me, and Miss Corrie with the + Sherwoods. We usually rise at daybreak, and breakfast at six. + Immediately after breakfast we pray together, after which I + translate into Arabic with Sabat, who lives in a small bungalow + on my ground. We dine at twelve, and sit recreating ourselves + with talking a little about dear friends in England. In the + afternoon, I translate with Mirza Fitrut into Hindustani, and + Corrie employs himself in teaching some native Christian boys + whom he is educating with great care, in hopes of their being + fit for the office of catechist. I have also a school on my + premises, for natives; but it is not well attended. There are + not above sixteen Hindu boys in it at present: half of them read + the Book of Genesis. At sunset we ride or drive, and then meet + at the church, where we often raise the song of praise, with as + much joy, through the grace and presence of our Lord, as you do + in England. At ten we are all asleep. Thus we go on. To the + hardships of missionaries we are strangers, yet not averse, I + trust, to encounter them when we are called. My work at present + is evidently to translate; hereafter I may itinerate. Dear + Corrie, I fear, never will, he always suffers from moving about + in the daytime. But I should have said something about my + health, as I find my death was reported at Cambridge. I thank + God I am perfectly well, though not very strong in my lungs; + they do not seem affected yet, but I cannot speak long without + uneasiness. From the nature of my complaint, if it deserves the + name, it is evident that England is the last place I should go + to. I should go home only to find a grave. How shall I + therefore ever see you more on this side of eternity? Well! be + it so, since such is the will of God: we shall meet, through + grace, in the realms of bliss. + + I am truly sorry to see my paper fail. Write as often as + possible, every three months at least. Tell me where you go, and + whom you see and what you read. + + _August 17._--I am sorry to conclude with saying that my + yesterday's boasted health proved a mistake; I was seized with + violent sickness in the night, but to-day am better. Continue to + pray for me, and believe me to be, your ever affectionate, + + H. MARTYN. + + _September 22._--Was walking with Lydia; both much affected, and + speaking on the things dearest to us both. I awoke, and behold + it was a dream. My mind remained very solemn and pensive; shed + some tears; the clock struck three, and the moon was riding near + her highest noon; all was silence and solemnity, and I thought + with some pain of the sixteen thousand miles between us. But + good is the will of the Lord, if I see her no more. + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + From the Ganges: October 6, 1810. + + My dearest Lydia,--Though I have had no letter from you very + lately, nor have anything particular to say, yet having been + days on the water without a person to speak to, tired also with + reading and thinking, I mean to indulge myself with a little of + what is always agreeable to me, and sometimes good for me; for + as my affection for you has something sacred in it, being + founded on, or at least cemented by, an union of spirit in the + Lord Jesus; so my separation also from you produced a deadness + to the world, at least for a time, which leaves a solemn + impression as often as I think of it. Add to this, that as I + must not indulge the hope of ever seeing you again in this + world, I cannot think of you without thinking also of that + world where we shall meet. You mention in one of your letters my + coming to England, as that which may eventually prove a duty. + You ought to have added, that in case I do come, you will + consider it a duty not to let me come away again without you. + But I am not likely to put you to the trial. Useless as I am + here, I often think I should be still more so at home. Though my + voice fails me, I can translate and converse. At home I should + be nothing without being able to lift my voice on high. I have + just left my station, Cawnpore, in order to be silent six + months. I have no cough, or any kind of consumption, except that + reading prayers, or preaching, or a slight cold, brings on pain + in the chest. I am advised therefore to recruit my strength by + rest. So I am come forth, with my face towards Calcutta, with an + ulterior view to the sea. Nothing happened at Cawnpore, after I + wrote to you in September but I must look to my _Journal_. + + I think of having my portrait taken in Calcutta, as I promised + Mr. Simeon five years ago. Sabat's picture would also be a + curiosity. Yesterday I carried Col. Wood to dine with me, at the + Nabob Bahir Ali's. Sabat was there. The Colonel, who had been + reading by the way the account of his conversion, in the Asiatic + and East Society Report, which I had given him, eyed him with no + great complacency, and observed in French, that Sabat might not + understand him, 'Il a l'air d'un sauvage.' Sabat's countenance + is indeed terrible; noble when he is pleased, but with the look + of an assassin when he is out of humour. I have had more + opportunities of knowing Sabat than any man has had, and I + cannot regard him with that interest which the 'Star in the + East' is calculated to excite in most people. Buchanan says, I + wrote (to whom I do not know) in terms of admiration and + affection about him. Affection I do feel for him, but + admiration, if I did once feel it, I am not conscious of it at + present. I tremble for everything our dear friends publish + about our doings in India, lest shame come to us and them. + + _Calcutta, November 5._--A sheet full, like the preceding, I had + written, but the moment it is necessary to send off my letter I + cannot find it. That it does not go on to you is of little + consequence, but into whose hands may it have fallen? It is this + that grieves me. It was the continuance of my _Journal_ to + Calcutta, where I arrived the last day in October. Constant + conversation with dear friends here has brought on the pain in + the chest again, so that I do not attempt to preach. In two or + three weeks I shall embark for the Gulf of Persia, where, if I + live, I shall solace myself in my hours of solitude with writing + to you. + + Farewell, beloved friend; pray for me, as you do, I am sure, and + doubt not of an unceasing interest in the heart and prayers of + your ever affectionate, + + H. MARTYN. + +Ordered away on six months' sick leave, Henry Martyn had the joy of +once at least ministering to his soldier flock in the 'new church,' +which he had induced the authorities to form out of an ordinary +bungalow. Daily and fondly had he watched the preparations, reporting +to Brown: 'My church is almost ready for the organ and the bell.' On +Sunday, September 16, he had written: + + 'Rain prevented me from having any service in public; the + natives not being able to sit upon the grass, I could not preach + to them.' + +On Sunday, September 30, he thus took farewell of his different +congregations: + + Corrie preached to the Dragoons, at nine the new church was + opened. There was a considerable congregation, and I preached + on, 'In all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee + and bless thee.' I felt something of thankfulness and joy, and + our dear friends the same. The Sherwoods and Miss Corrie stayed + with us the rest of the day. In the afternoon I preached the + Gospel to the natives for the first time, giving them a short + account of the life, death, miracles, manner of teaching, death + and resurrection of Jesus, then the doctrines of His religion, + and concluded with exhorting them to believe in Him, and taking + them to record that I had declared to them the glad tidings that + had come to us, and that if they rejected it I was clear from + their blood, and thus I bid them farewell. + +Mrs. Sherwood thus describes the scene: + + On the Sunday before Mr. Martyn left the church was opened, and + the bell sounded for the first time over this land of darkness. + The church was crowded, and there was the band of our regiment + to lead the singing and the chanting. Sergeant Clarke--our + Sergeant Clarke--had been appointed as clerk; and there he sat + under the desk in due form, in his red coat, and went through + his duty with all due correctness. The Rev. Daniel Corrie read + prayers, and Mr. Martyn preached. That was a day never to be + forgotten. Those only who have been for some years in a place + where there never has been public worship can have any idea of + the fearful effect of its absence, especially among the mass of + the people, who, of course, are unregenerate. Every prescribed + form of public worship certainly has a tendency to become + nothing more than a form, yet even a form may awaken reflection, + and any state is better than that of perfect deadness. From his + first arrival at the station Mr. Martyn had been labouring to + effect the purpose which he then saw completed; namely, the + opening of a place of worship. He was permitted to see it, to + address the congregation once, and then he was summoned to + depart. How often, how very often, are human beings called away, + perhaps from this world, at the moment they have been enabled to + bring to bear some favourite object. Blessed are those whose + object has been such a one as that of Henry Martyn. Alas! he was + known to be, even then, in a most dangerous state of health, + either burnt within by slow inflammation, which gave a flush to + his cheek, or pale as death from weakness and lassitude. + + On this occasion the bright glow prevailed--a brilliant light + shone from his eyes--he was filled with hope and joy; he saw the + dawn of better things, he thought, at Cawnpore, and most + eloquent, earnest, and affectionate was his address to the + congregation. Our usual party accompanied him back to his + bungalow, where, being arrived, he sank, as was often his way, + nearly fainting, on a sofa in the hall. Soon, however, he + revived a little, and called us all about him to sing. It was + then that we sang to him that sweet hymn which thus begins: + + O God, our help in ages past, + Our hope for years to come, + Our shelter from the stormy blast, + And our eternal home. + + We all dined early together, and then returned with our little + ones to enjoy some rest and quiet; but when the sun began to + descend to the horizon we again went over to Mr. Martyn's + bungalow, to hear his _last_ address to the _fakeers_. It was + one of those sickly, hazy, burning evenings, which I have before + described, and the scene was precisely such a one as I have + recounted above. Mr. Martyn nearly fainted again after this + effort, and when he got to his house, with his friends about + him, he told us that he was afraid he had not been the means of + doing the smallest good to any one of the strange people whom he + had thus so often addressed. He did not even then know of the + impression he had been enabled to make, on one of these + occasions, on Sheikh Saleh. On the Monday our beloved friend + went to his boats, which lay at the Ghaut, nearest the bungalow; + but in the cool of the evening, however, whilst Miss Corrie and + myself were taking the air in our tonjons, he came after us on + horseback. There was a gentle sadness in his aspect as he + accompanied me home; and Miss Corrie came also. Once again we + all supped together, and united in one last hymn. We were all + low, very, very low; we could never expect to behold again that + face which we then saw--to hear again that voice, or to be again + elevated and instructed by that conversation. It was impossible + to hope that he would survive the fatigue of such a journey as + he meditated. Often and often, when thinking of him, have these + verses, so frequently sung by him, come to my mind: + + E'er since by faith I saw the stream + Thy flowing wounds supply, + Redeeming love has been my theme, + And shall be till I die. + + Then, in a nobler, sweeter song, + I'll sing Thy power to save, + When this poor lisping, stammering tongue + Is silent in the grave. + +Henry Martyn's continued to be the military church of Cawnpore till +1857, when it was destroyed in the Mutiny. Its place has been taken +by a Memorial Church which visibly proclaims forgiveness and peace +on the never-to-be forgotten site of Wheeler's entrenchment--consecrated +ground indeed! + +On October 1 he left Cawnpore, 'after a parting prayer with my dearest +brother Corrie,'[38] to whom he wrote from Allahabad: + + Thus far we are come in safety; but my spirits tell me that I + have parted with friends. Your pale face as it appeared on + Monday morning is still before my eyes, and will not let me be + easy till you tell me you are strong and prudent. The first + night there blew a wind so bleak and cold, through and through + my boat and bed, that I rose, as I expected, with a pain in the + breast, which has not quite left me, but will, I hope, to-night, + when I shall take measures for expelling it. There is a gate not + paid for yet belonging to the churchyard, may you always go + through it in faith and return through it with praise. You are + now in prayer with our men. The Lord be with you, and be always + with you, dearest brother. + +Ministering to all who needed his services, in preaching, baptizing, +and marrying, on his way down the great Ganges, at Benares, at +Ghazipore, where he met with 'the remains' of his old 67th regiment, +at Bhagulpore, and at Bandel, where he called on the Roman Catholics, +on November 12 he at last came to Aldeen. + + Children jumping, shouting, and convoying me in troops to the + house. They are a lovely family indeed, and I do not know when I + have felt so delighted as at family worship last night. To-day + Mr. Brown and myself have been consulting at the Pagoda. + +After four years' absence he seemed a dying man to his Serampore and +Calcutta friends, Brown, Thomason, Udny, and Colonel Young of Dinapore +memory. But he was ever cheerful, and he preached every Sunday for +five weeks, though in his _Journal_ we find this on November 21: + + Caught a cold, and kept awake much of the night by a cough. From + this day perhaps I may date my decay. Nature shrinks from + dissolution, and conscience trembles at the thought of a + judgment to come. But I try to rejoice in God through our Lord + Jesus Christ. + + _November 25._ (Sunday.)--Preached at the old church, on 'While + Paul reasoned of righteousness,' etc. The Governor-General, Lord + Minto, was present, desiring, as was supposed, to abolish the + distinction which had been made between the two churches. One + passage in my sermon appeared to some personal, and on + reconsideration I thought it so myself, and was excessively + distressed at having given causeless offence, and perhaps + preventing much good. Lord! pardon a blind creature. How much + mischief may I do through mere thoughtlessness! + + _December 2._--Preached at eight, on 'Grace reigns,' and was + favoured with strength of body and joy of heart in proclaiming + the glorious truth. + + _December 25._--Preached, with much comfort to myself, on 'God + so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,' etc. Mr. + Brown on 'Let your light so shine before men,' etc. The whole + sum collected about seven thousand rupees. At night Mr. Thomason + on 'Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring + from on high hath visited us.' This day how many of those who + love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity are rejoicing in His + birth. My dear Lydia remembers me. + + _December 31._--Had a long dispute with Marshman, which brought + on pain in the chest. + +He opened the year 1811 by preaching for the new Calcutta Auxiliary of +the British and Foreign Bible Society his published sermon on +Christian India and the Bible, to be read in the light of his own +translation work hereafter. He thus on the same day committed himself +to the future in the spirit of St. Paul: + + _1811._--The weakness which has come upon me in the course of + the last year, if it should not give an entire new turn to my + life, is likely to be productive of events in the course of the + present year which I little expected, or at least did not expect + so soon. I now pass from India to Arabia, not knowing what + things shall befall me there; but assured that an ever-faithful + God and Saviour will be with me in all places whithersoever I + go. May He guide and protect me, and after prospering me in the + thing whereunto I go, bring me back again to my delightful work + in India. It would be a painful thought indeed, to suppose + myself about to return no more. Having succeeded, apparently, + through His blessing, in the Hindustani New Testament, I feel + much encouraged, and could wish to be spared in order to finish + the Bible. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[32] _The Life of Mrs. Sherwood_ (chiefly autobiographical), edited by +her Daughter. London, 1854. + +[33] 'He was at that time married to his seventh wife; that is, +according to his own account. Ameena was a pretty young woman, though +particularly dark for a purdah-walla, or one, according to the Eastern +custom, who is supposed always to sit behind a purdah, or curtain. She +occupied the smaller bungalow, which adjoined the larger by a long, +covered passage. Our children often went to see her whilst they were +at Mr. Martyn's, and I paid her one formal visit. I found her seated +on the ground, encircled by cushions within gauze mosquito-curtains, +stretched by ropes from the four corners of the hall. In the daytime +these curtains were twisted and knotted over her head, and towards the +night they were let down around her, and thus she slept where she had +sat all day. She had one or two women in constant attendance upon her, +though her husband was a mere subordinate. These Eastern women have +little idea of using the needle, and very few are taught any other +feminine accomplishment. Music and literature, dancing and singing, +are known only to the Nautch or dancing-girls by profession. Hence, +nothing on earth can be imagined to be more monotonous than the lives +of women in the East; such, I mean, as are not compelled to servile +labour. They sit on their cushions behind their curtains from day to +day, from month to month, with no other occupation than that of having +their hair dressed, and their nails and eyelids stained, and no other +amusement than hearing the _gup_, or gossip of the place where they +may happen to be; nor is any gossip too low or too frivolous to be +unacceptable. The visits of our children and nurses were very +acceptable to Ameena, and she took much and tender notice of the baby. +She lived on miserable terms with her husband, and hated him most +cordially. She was a Mussulman, and he was very anxious to make her a +Christian, to which she constantly showed strong opposition. At +length, however, she terminated the controversy in the following +extraordinary manner: "Pray, will you have the goodness to inform me +where Christians go after death?" "To heaven and to their Saviour," +replied Sabat. "And where do Mahometans go?" she asked. "To hell and +the devil," answered the fierce Arab. "You," said the meek wife, "will +go to heaven, of course, as being a Christian." "Certainly," replied +Sabat. "Well, then," she said, "I will continue to be a Mussulman, +because I should prefer hell and the devil without you, to heaven +itself in your presence." This anecdote was told to Mr. Martyn by +Sabat himself, as a proof of the hardened spirit of his wife. + +'Ameena was, by the Arab's own account, his seventh wife. He had some +wonderful story to tell of each of his former marriages; but that +which he related of his sixth wife exceeded all the rest in the +marvellous and the romantic. He told this tale at Mr. Martyn's table +one evening, whilst we were at supper, during the week we lived in the +house. He spoke in Persian, and Mr. Martyn interpreted what he said, +and it was this he narrated: It was on some occasion, he said, in +which Fortune had played him one of her worst tricks, and reduced him +to a state of the most abject poverty, that he happened to arrive one +night at a certain city, which was the capital of some rajah, or petty +king--Sabat called this person a king. It seemed he arrived at a +crisis in which the king's only daughter had given her father some +terrible offence, and in order to be revenged upon her, the father +issued his commands that she should be compelled to take for her +husband the first stranger who arrived in the town after sunset. This +man happened to be our Arab; he was accordingly seized and subjected +to the processes of bathing and anointing with precious oil. He was +then magnificently dressed, introduced into the royal hall, and duly +married to the princess, who proved not only to be fair as the houris, +but to be quite prepared to love the husband whom Fortune had sent +her. He lived with her, he pretended, I know not how many years, and +they were perfectly happy until the princess died, and he lost the +favour of his majesty. I think that Sabat laid the scene of this +adventure in or near Agra. But this could hardly be. That such things +have been in the East--that is, that royal parents have taken such +means of avenging themselves on offending daughters--is quite certain; +but I cannot venture to assert that Sabat was telling the truth when +he made himself the hero of the tale.' + +[34] Corrie and Brown. + +[35] By letters written March 30 and April 19, 1810, from Cawnpore. + +[36] By letter written August 14, 1810. + +[37] On leaving the station Henry Martyn presented his French New +Testament to Dr. Govan, a little morocco-bound volume which his son +prizes as an heirloom. + +[38] We have these reminiscences of Henry Martyn's Cawnpore from Bishop +Corrie, when, as Archdeacon of Calcutta, he again visited it. In 1824 he +writes: 'I arrived at this station on the day fourteen years after +sainted Martyn had dedicated the church. The house he occupied stands +close by. The view of the place and the remembrance of what had passed +greatly affected me.... I had to assist in administering the sacrament, +and well it was, on the whole, that none present could enter into my +feelings, or I should have been overcome.' Again: 'How would it have +rejoiced the heart of Martyn could he have had the chief authorities +associated, by order of Government, to assist him in the work of +education; and how gladly would he have made himself their servant in +the work for Jesus' sake! One poor blind man who lives in an outhouse of +Martyn's, and received a small monthly sum from him, often comes to our +house, and affords a mournful pleasure in reminding me of some little +occurrence of those times. A wealthy native too, who lived next door to +us, sent his nephew to express to me the pleasure he derived from his +acquaintance with Martyn. These are all the traces I have found of that +"excellent one of the earth" at the station.' + +In 1833 Corrie was again at Cawnpore, which had two chaplains then, +and thus wrote: '_October 6._--I attended Divine service at the church +bungalow, and stood up once more in Martyn's pulpit. The place is a +little enlarged. The remembrance of Martyn and the Sherwoods, and Mary +(his sister), with the occupations of that period, came powerfully to +my recollection, and I could not prevent the tears from flowing. A +sense of the forgiving love of God, with the prospect of all joining +in thankful adoration in the realms of bliss, greatly preponderates.' + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +FROM CALCUTTA TO CEYLON, BOMBAY, AND ARABIA + + +Two motives made Henry Martyn eager to leave India for a time, and to +cease the strain on his fast-ebbing strength, caused by incessant +preaching and speaking: he desired to prolong his life, but to prolong +it only till he should give the Mohammedans of Arabia and Persia the +Word of God in their own tongues. After his first, almost fatal, +attack at Dinapore, Corrie, who had gone to help him in his duties, +wrote to 'the Patriarch,' as they called Mr. Brown, at Aldeen: 'He +wishes to be spared on account of the translations, but with great +earnestness said, "I wish to have my whole soul swallowed up in the +will of God."' Two years after, Corrie wrote to England from Cawnpore: +'He is going to try sea air. May God render it effectual to his +restoration. His life is beyond all price to us. You know what a +profound scholar he is, and all his acquirements are dedicated to the +service of Christ. If ever man, since St. Paul, could use these words, +he may, _One thing I do_. But the length of his life will depend on +his desisting from public duties.' To Martyn himself, when at last he +had left Cawnpore, Corrie wrote: 'If you will not take rest, dear +brother, come away back;' informing him, at the same time, that he had +returned to a Colonel, whom he had married, 1,600 rupees, he and +Martyn having resolved to decline all fees for marrying and burying in +India, where such were a stumbling-block in the way of morality and +religion, constituted as Anglo-Indian society was at that time. + +When he was leaving Cawnpore, Henry Martyn was about to destroy what +he called 'a number of memorandums.' These afterwards proved to be his +_Journals_ from January 1803 to 1811, some of which were written in +Latin, and some in Greek, for greater secrecy. Corrie remonstrated +with him, and persuaded him to seal them up and leave them in his +hands. Lord Minto, the Governor-General, and General Hewett, the +Commander-in-chief, after receiving a statement of Martyn's object, +gave their sanction to his spending his sick-leave in Persia and +Syria. At first the only ship he could find bound for Bombay, _en +route_ to the Persian Gulf, was one of the native buggalows which +carried the coasting trade in the days before the British India Steam +Navigation Company had begun to develop the commerce of the Indian +Ocean all along East Africa, Southern Asia, the Spice Islands, and +Australasia. But he wrote to Corrie: + + The captain of the ship after many excuses has at last refused + to take me, on the ground that I might try to convert the Arab + sailors, and so cause a mutiny in the ship. So I am quite out of + heart, and more than half disposed to go to the right about, and + come back to Cawnpore. + +His uncompromising earnestness as a witness for Christ was well known. +Fortunately, a month after, the Honourable Mountstuart Elphinstone +'was proceeding to take the residency of Poona,' and Martyn secured a +passage in the same ship, the Hummoody, an Arab coaster belonging to +a Muscat merchant, and manned by his Abyssinian slave as Nakhoda. + +His last message to Calcutta, on the evening of the first Sunday of +the year 1811, was on _The one thing needful_. Next morning he quietly +went on board Mr. Elphinstone's pinnace 'without taking leave of my +two dear friends in Calcutta.' As they dropped down the Hoogli, +anchoring for two nights in its treacherous waters, his henceforth +brief entries in his _Journal_ are these: '8th. Conversation with Mr. +Elphinstone, and disputes with his Persian moulvi, left me weak and in +pain. 9th. Reached the ship at Saugur, and began to try my strength +with the Arab sailors.' He found that the country-born captain, +Kinsay, had been brought up by Schwartz, and he obtained from him much +information regarding the habits and the rule of the Lutheran apostle +of Southern India. This is new: + + It was said that Schwartz had a warning given him of his death. + One clear moonlight night he saw a light, and heard a voice + which said to him, 'Follow me.' He got up and went to the door; + here the vision vanished. The next day he sent for Dr. Anderson + and said, 'An old tree must fall.' On the doctor's perceiving + there was nothing the matter with him, Schwartz asked him + whether he observed any disorder in his intellect; to which the + doctor replied, 'No.' He and General Floyd (now in Ireland), + another friend of Schwartz, came and stayed with him. The next + fifteen days he was continually engaged in devotion, and + attended no more to the school: on the last day he died in his + chair. + +Henry Martyn was well fitted by culture and training to appreciate the +society of such statesmen and thinkers as Mountstuart Elphinstone, +Sir John Malcolm, Sir James Mackintosh, and Jonathan Duncan, who in +their turn delighted in his society during the next five weeks. Of the +first he wrote to Corrie: 'His agreeable manners and classical +acquirements made me think myself fortunate indeed in having such a +companion, and I found his company the most agreeable circumstance in +my voyage.' They walked together in the cinnamon groves of Ceylon, +when the ship touched at Colombo; together they talked of the work of +Xavier as they skirted Cape Comorin, and observed Portuguese churches +every two or three miles, with a row of huts on each side. 'Perhaps,' +he wrote in his _Journal_, 'many of these poor people, with all the +incumbrances of Popery, are moving towards the kingdom of heaven.' +Together the two visited old Goa, the ecclesiastical capital, its +convents and churches. The year after their visit the Goa Inquisition, +one of the cruellest of its branches since its foundation, was +suppressed. Henry Martyn's letters to Lydia Grenfell best describe his +experiences and impressions: + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + At Sea, Coast of Malabar: February 4, 1811. + + The last letter I wrote to you, my dearest Lydia, was dated + November 1810. I continued in Calcutta to the end of the year, + preaching once a week, and reading the Word in some happy little + companies, with whom I enjoyed that sweet communion which all in + this vale of tears have reason to be thankful for, but + especially those whose lot is cast in a heathen land. On + New-year's day, at Mr. Brown's urgent request, I preached a + sermon for the Bible Society, recommending an immediate + attention to the state of the native Christians. At the time I + left Calcutta they talked of forming an auxiliary society. + Leaving Calcutta was so much like leaving England, that I went + on board my boat without giving them notice, and so escaped the + pain of bidding them farewell. In two days I met my ship at the + mouth of the river, and we put to sea immediately. Our ship is + commanded by a pupil of Schwartz, and manned by Arabians, + Abyssinians, and others. One of my fellow-passengers is Mr. + Elphinstone, who was lately ambassador at the court of the King + of Cabul, and is now going to be resident at Poona, the capital + of the Mahratta empire. So the group is rather interesting, and + I am happy to say not averse to religious instruction; I mean + the Europeans. As for the Asiatics, they are in language, + customs, and religion, as far removed from us as if they were + inhabitants of another planet. I speak a little Arabic sometimes + to the sailors, but their contempt of the Gospel, and attachment + to their own superstition, make their conversion appear + impossible. How stupendous that power which can make these + people the followers of the Lamb, when they so nearly resemble + Satan in pride and wickedness! The first part of the voyage I + was without employment, and almost without thought, suffering as + usual so much from sea sickness, that I had not spirits to do + anything but sit upon the poop, surveying the wide waste of + waters blue. This continued all down the Bay of Bengal. At + length in the neighbourhood of Ceylon we found smooth water, and + came to an anchor off Colombo, the principal station in the + island. The captain having proposed to his passengers that they + should go ashore and refresh themselves with a walk in the + cinnamon gardens, Mr. Elphinstone and myself availed ourselves + of the offer, and went off to inhale the cinnamon breeze. The + walk was delightful. The huts of the natives, who are (in that + neighbourhood at least) most of them Protestants, are built in + thick groves of cocoanut-tree, with openings here and there, + discovering the sea. Everything bore the appearance of + contentment. I contemplated them with delight, and was almost + glad that I could not speak with them, lest further acquaintance + should have dissipated the pleasing ideas their appearance gave + birth to. In the gardens I cut off a piece of the bark for you. + It will not be so fragrant as that which is properly prepared; + but it will not have lost its fine smell, I hope, when it + reaches you. + + At Captain Rodney's, the Chief Secretary to Government, we met a + good part of the European society of Colombo. The party was like + most mixed parties in England, where much is said that need not + be remembered. The next day we stretched across the Gulf of + Manaar, and soon came in sight of Cape Comorin, the great + promontory of India. At a distance the green waves seemed to + wash the foot of the mountain, but on a nearer approach little + churches were seen, apparently on the beach, with a row of + little huts on each side. Was it these maritime situations that + recalled to my mind Perran church and town in the way to Gurlyn; + or that my thoughts wander too often on the beach to the east of + Lamorran? You do not tell me whether you ever walk there, and + imagine the billows that break at your feet to have made their + way from India. But why should I wish to know? Had I observed + silence on that day and thenceforward, I should have spared you + much trouble, and myself much pain. Yet I am far from regretting + that I spoke, since I am persuaded that all things will work + together for good. I sometimes try to put such a number of + things together as shall produce the greatest happiness + possible, and I find that even in imagination I cannot satisfy + myself. I set myself to see what is that 'good for the sons of + men, which they should do under heaven all the days of their + life,' and I find that paradise is not here. Many things are + delightful, some things are almost all one could wish; but yet + in all beauty there is deformity, in the most perfect something + wanting, and there is no hope of its ever being otherwise. + 'That which is crooked cannot be made straight, and that which + is wanting cannot be numbered.' So that the expectation of + happiness on earth seems chimerical to the last degree. In my + schemes of happiness I place myself of course with you, blessed + with great success in the ministry, and seeing all India turning + to the Lord. Yet it is evident that with these joys there would + be mingled many sorrows. The care of all the churches was a + burden to the mighty mind of St. Paul. As for what we should be + together, I judge of it from our friends. Are they quite beyond + the vexations of common life? I think not--still I do not say + that it is a question whether they gained or lost by marrying. + Their affections will live when ours (I should rather say mine) + are dead. Perhaps it may not be the effect of celibacy; but I + certainly begin to feel a wonderful indifference to all but + myself. From so seldom seeing a creature that cares for me, and + never one that depends at all upon me, I begin to look round + upon men with reciprocal apathy. It sometimes calls itself + deadness to the world, but I much fear that it is deadness of + heart. I am exempt from worldly cares myself, and therefore do + not feel for others. Having got out of the stream into still + water, I go round and round in my own little circle. This + supposed deterioration you will ascribe to my humility; + therefore I add that Mr. Brown could not help remarking the + difference between what I am and what I was, and observed on + seeing my picture, which was taken at Calcutta for Mr. Simeon, + and is thought a striking likeness, that it was not Martyn that + arrived in India, but Martyn the recluse. + + _February 10._--To-day my affections seem to have revived a + little. I have been often deceived in times past, and + erroneously called animal spirits joy in the Holy Ghost. Yet I + trust that I can say with truth, 'To them who believe, He is + precious!' Yes, Thou art precious to my soul, my transport and + my trust. No thought now is so sweet as that which those words + suggest--'_In Christ_.' Our destinies thus inseparably united + with those of the Son of God, what is too great to be expected? + All things are yours, for ye are Christ's! We may ask what we + will, and it shall be given to us. Now, why do I ever lose sight + of Him, or fancy myself without Him, or try to do anything + without Him? Break off a branch from a tree, and how long will + it be before it withers? To-day, my beloved sister, I rejoice in + you before the Lord, I rejoice in you as a member of the mystic + body, I pray that your prayers for one who is unworthy of your + remembrance may be heard, and bring down tenfold blessings on + yourself. How good is the Lord in giving me grace to rejoice + with His chosen all over the earth; even with those who are at + this moment going up with the voice of joy and praise, to tread + His courts and sing His praise. There is not an object about me + but is depressing. Yet my heart expands with delight at the + presence of a gracious God, and the assurance that my separation + from His people is only temporary. + + On the 7th we landed at Goa, the capital of the Portuguese + possessions in the East. I reckoned much on my visit to Goa, + expecting, from its being the residence of the archbishop and + many ecclesiastics, that I should obtain such information about + the Christians in India as would render it superfluous to make + inquiries elsewhere, but I was much disappointed. Perhaps it was + owing to our being accompanied by several officers, English and + Portuguese, that the archbishop and his principal agents would + not be seen; but so it was, that I scarcely met with a man who + could make himself intelligible. We are shown what strangers are + usually shown, the churches and monasteries, but I wanted to + contemplate man, the only thing on earth almost that possesses + any interest for me. I beheld the stupendous magnificence of + their noble churches without emotion, except to regret that the + Gospel was not preached in them. In one of the monasteries we + saw the tomb of Francis Xavier, the Apostle of India, most + richly ornamented, as well as the room in which it stands, with + paintings and figures in bronze, done in Italy. The friar who + showed us the tomb, happening to speak of the grace of God in + the heart, without which, said he, as he held the sacramental + wafer, the body of Christ profits nothing. I began a + conversation with him, which, however, came to nothing. + + We visited among many other places the convent of nuns. After a + long altercation with the lady porter we were admitted to the + antechamber, in which was the grate, a window with iron bars, + behind which the poor prisoners make their appearance. While my + companions were purchasing their trinkets I was employed in + examining their countenances, which I did with great attention. + In what possible way, thought I, can you support existence, if + you do not find your happiness in God? They all looked ill and + discontented, those at least whose countenances expressed + anything. One sat by reading, as if nothing were going on. I + asked to see the book, and it was handed through the grate. + Finding that it was a Latin prayer-book, I wrote in Latin + something about the love of the world, which seclusion from it + would not remove. The Inquisition is still existing at Goa. We + were not admitted as far as Dr. Buchanan was, to the Hall of + Examination, and that because he printed something against the + inquisitors which came to their knowledge. The priest in waiting + acknowledged that they had some prisoners within the walls, and + defended the practice of imprisoning and chastising offenders, + on the ground of its being conformed to the custom of the + Primitive Church. We were told that when the officers of the + Inquisition touch an individual, and beckon him away, he dares + not resist; if he does not come out again, no one must ask about + him; if he does, he must not tell what was done to him. + + _February 18._--(Bombay.) Thus far I am brought in safety. On + this day I complete my thirtieth year. 'Here I raise my + Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I'm come.' 27th. It is sweet to + reflect that we shall at last reach our home. I am here amongst + men who are indeed aliens to the commonwealth of Israel and + without God in the world. I hear many of those amongst whom I + live bring idle objections against religion, such as I have + answered a hundred times. How insensible are men of the world to + all that God is doing! How unconscious of His purposes + concerning His Church! How incapable, seemingly, of + comprehending the existence of it! I feel the meaning of St. + Paul's words--'Hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and + prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of His will, + that He would gather in one all things in Christ.' Well! let us + bless the Lord. 'All thy children shall be taught of the Lord, + and great shall be the peace of thy children.' In a few days I + expect to sail for the Gulf of Persia in one of the Company's + sloops of war. + + Farewell, my beloved Lydia, and believe me to be ever yours most + affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + +All through the voyage, in the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, the +scholar was busy with his books, the Hebrew Old Testament, 'reading +Turkish grammar, Niebuhr's _Arabia_, making extracts from Maracci's +_Refutation of the Koran_, in general reading the Word of God with +pleasure.' + + _February 10._ (Sunday.)--Somewhat of a happy Sabbath; I enjoyed + communion with the saints, though far removed from them; service + morning and night in the cabin. + + _January 14_ to _17_.--When sitting on the poop Mr. Elphinstone + kindly entertained me with information about India, the politics + of which he has had such opportunities of making himself + acquainted with. The Afghans, to whom he went as ambassador, to + negotiate a treaty of alliance in case of invasion by the + French, possess a tract of country considerably larger than + Great Britain, using the Persian and Pushtu languages. Their + chief tribe is the Doorani, from which the king is elected. Shah + Zeman was dethroned by his half-brother Mahmood, governor of + Herat, who put out his eyes. Shah Zeman's younger brother + Shoujjah took up arms, and after several defeats established + himself for a time. He was on the throne when Mr. Elphinstone + visited him, but since that Mahmood has begun to dispute the + sovereignty with him. Mr. Elphinstone has been with Holkar and + Sindia a good deal. Holkar he described as a little spitfire, + his general, Meer Khan, possessed abilities; Sindia none; the + Rajah of Berar the most politic of the native powers, though the + Nizam the most powerful; the influence of residents at Nagpoor + and Hyderabad very small. + + _February 17._--Mostly employed in writing the Arabic tract, + also in reading the Koran; a book of geography in Arabic, and + _Jami Abbari_ in Persian. + + I would that all should adore, but especially that I myself + should lie prostrate. As for self, contemptible self, I feel + myself saying, let it be forgotten for ever; henceforth let + Christ live, let Christ reign, let Him be glorified for ever. + + _February 18._--Came to anchor at Bombay. This day I finish the + 30th year of my unprofitable life, an age in which Brainerd had + finished his course. He gained about a hundred savages to the + Gospel; I can scarcely number the twentieth part. If I cannot + act, and rejoice, and love with the ardour some did, oh, let me + at least be holy, and sober, and wise. I am now at the age at + which the Saviour of men began His ministry, and at which John + the Baptist called a nation to repentance. Let me now think for + myself and act with energy. Hitherto I have made my youth and + insignificance an excuse for sloth and imbecility: now let me + have a character, and act boldly for God. + + _February 19._--Went on shore. Waited on the Governor, and was + kindly accommodated with a room at the Government House. + +The Governor was the good Jonathan Duncan, in the last year of his +long administration and of his benevolent life. In the first decade of +the nineteenth century Bombay was a comparatively little place, but +the leaders of its English society were all remarkable men. In the +short time, even then, Bombay had become the political and social +centre of all the Asiatics and Africans, from Higher Asia, the Persian +Gulf, and Arabia, to Abyssinia, Zanzibar, and the Comoro Isles; +especially had it then begun to be what every generation since has +made it more and more, the best centre from which to direct a +Christian mission to the Mohammedans. With Poona, it is the capital of +the most subtle and unimpressionable class, the Marathi Brahmans, and +it is the point from which most widely to influence the Parsees. But +as a base of operations against Islam it has never yet been fully used +or appreciated. The late Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer preferred Aden, or +the neighbouring village of Sheikh Othman, the British door into +Arabia, of which he took possession for the Master by there laying +down his life in the ripeness of his years, his scholarship, and his +prosperity. But even in Arabia such work may be directed from Bombay. +The city, like its harbour for commerce, stands without a rival as a +missionary and civilising focus. Henry Martyn spent his weeks there in +mastering the needs of its varied races and religionists, Jewish and +Arabic, Persian and Brahman, talking with representative men of all +the cults, and striving to influence them. He kept steadily in view +his duty to the Mohammedans, writing his Arabic tract, and consulting +as to his Persian translation of the Scriptures. It was not given to +him to remain there. Dr. Taylor, whom he had joined with Brown and the +Serampore Brotherhood at Aldeen in commending to God, was hard at +work on the Malayalim New Testament, and he often visited the press to +see the sacred work in progress. It was to be the life task of the +Scottish Dr. John Wilson, twenty years after, to use Bombay as the +missionary key of the peoples who border the Indian Ocean. + +The friend of Mountstuart Elphinstone and guest of the Governor, Henry +Martyn was welcomed by the literary society of the city, which at that +time was unrivalled in the East. It is fortunate that we thus obtain +an impartial estimate of his personal character and scholarship from +such men as Elphinstone, Mackintosh, and Malcolm. In their journals +and letters, written with all the frankness of private friendship, we +see the consistent and ever-watchful saint, but at the same time the +lively talker, the brilliant scholar, and, above all, the genial +companion and even merry comrade. Since he had left Cambridge Henry +Martyn had not enjoyed society like this, able to appreciate his +many-sided gifts, and to call forth his natural joyfulness. In Bombay +we see him at his best all round as man, scholar, saint, and +missionary. + +In Sir T.E. Colebrooke's Life of that most eminent Indian statesman who +twice refused the crown of the Governor-General,[39] we find Mountstuart +Elphinstone writing thus to his friend Strachey: 'We have in Mr. Martyn +an excellent scholar, and one of the mildest, cheerfullest, and +pleasantest men I ever saw. He is extremely religious, and disputes +about the faith with the Nakhoda, but talks on all subjects, sacred and +profane, and makes others laugh as heartily as he could do if he were an +infidel. We have people who speak twenty-five languages (not apiece) in +the ship.' Again, in his Journal of July 10, 1811, Elphinstone has this +entry: 'Mr. Martyn has proved a far better companion than I reckoned on, +though my expectations were high. His zeal is unabated, but it is not +troublesome, and he does not press disputes and investigate creeds. He +is familiar with Greek and Latin, understands French and Italian, speaks +Persian and Arabic, has translated the Scriptures into Hindustani, and +is translating the Old Testament from Hebrew. He was an eminent +mathematician even at Cambridge, and, what is of more consequence, he is +a man of good sense and taste, and simple in his manners and character, +and cheerful in his conversation.' He who, in the close intimacy of +shipboard life in the tropics, could win that eulogy from a critic so +lofty and so experienced, must have been at once more human and more +perfect than his secret _Journal_, taken alone, has led its readers to +believe possible. + +Sir John Malcolm, fresh from his second mission to Persia, was writing +his great _History of Persia_ in the quiet of Parell and Malabar Hill, +with the help of the invaluable criticism of Sir James Mackintosh, +whom he described to his brother Gilbert as 'a very extraordinary +man.' Malcolm introduced Mackintosh and Elphinstone to each other, and +Elphinstone lost not a day in taking Martyn to call on the Recorder. +Although the distinguished Scots Highlander, who had become the +admiring friend of Robert Hall when they were fellow students at +Aberdeen University, was in full sympathy with missionary enthusiasm, +and condemned the intolerance of the East India Company,[40] Martyn +and he did not at first 'cotton' to each other. The former wrote thus +of him: + + _1811, February 22._--Talked a good deal with the Governor about + my intended journey. + + _February 23._--Went with him to his residence in the country, + and at night met a large party, amongst whom were Sir J. + Mackintosh and General Malcolm: with Sir James I had some + conversation on different subjects; he was by no means equal to + my expectations. + +Mackintosh's account of their first interview was this: + + _February 24._ (Sunday.)--Elphinstone introduced me to a young + clergyman called Martyn, come round from Bengal on his way to + Bussora, partly for health and partly to improve his Arabic, as + he is translating the Scriptures into that language. He seems to + be a mild and benevolent enthusiast--a sort of character with + which I am always half in love. We had the novelty of grace + before and after dinner, all the company standing. + +Again, a week after: + + _March 1._--Mr. Martyn, the saint from Calcutta, called here. He + is a man of acuteness and learning; his meekness is excessive, + and gives a disagreeable impression of effort to conceal the + passions of human nature. + +Both had the Celtic fire, but Sir James Mackintosh had not lived with +Sabat. Another month passed, and the two were learning to appreciate +each other. + + Padre Martyn, the saint, dined here in the evening; it was a + very considerably more pleasant evening than usual; he is a mild + and ingenious man. We had two or three hours' good discussion on + grammar and metaphysics. + +Henry Martyn's growing appreciation of Mackintosh is seen in this +later passage in his _Journal_: + + _1811, March 1._--Called on Sir J. Mackintosh, and found his + conversation, as it is generally said to be, very instructive + and entertaining. He thought that the world would be soon + Europeanised, in order that the Gospel might spread over the + world. He observed that caste was broken down in Egypt, and the + Oriental world made Greek by the successors of Alexander, in + order to make way for the religion of Christ. He thought that + little was to be apprehended, and little hoped for, from the + exertions of missionaries. Called at General Malcolm's, and + though I did not find him at home, was very well rewarded for my + trouble in getting to his house, by the company of Mr. ----, + lately from R. Dined at Farish's with a party of some very + amiable and well-behaved young men. What a remarkable difference + between the old inhabitants of India and the new-comers. This is + owing to the number of religious families in England. + + _March 4._--Dined at General Malcolm's, who gave me a Chaldee + missal. Captain Stewart, who had accompanied him as his + secretary into Persia, gave me much information about the + learned men of Ispahan. + + _March 8._--Spent the first part of the day at General + Malcolm's, who gave me letters of introduction and some queries + respecting the wandering tribes of Persia. + +The reference to young Mr. Farish, is to one who afterwards became +interim Governor of Bombay, and the friend of John Wilson, and who, +because he taught a class in the Sunday School that used to meet in +the Town Hall, was for the time an object of suspicion and attack by +the Parsees and Hindus, on the baptism of Dhanjibhai Naoroji, the +first Parsee to put on Christ.[41] + +On Malcolm, according to Sir John Kaye, his biographer,[42] the young +Christian hero appears to have made a more favourable impression than +on Mackintosh. Perhaps the habitual cheerfulness of his manner +communicated itself to the 'saint from Calcutta,' of whom he wrote to +Sir Gore Ouseley, the British ambassador, that he was likely to add to +the hilarity of his party. + + He requested me to give him a line to the Governor of Bushire, + which I did, as well as one to Mahomed Nebbee Khan. But I warned + him not to move from Bushire without your previous sanction. His + intention is, I believe, to go by Shiraz, Ispahan, and + Kermanshah to Baghdad, and to endeavour on that route to + discover some ancient copies of the Gospel, which he and many + other saints are persuaded lie hid in the mountains of Persia. + Mr. Martyn also expects to improve himself as an Oriental + scholar; he is already an excellent one. His knowledge of Arabic + is superior to that of any Englishman in India. He is altogether + a very learned and cheerful man, but a great enthusiast in his + holy calling. He has, however, assured me, and begged I would + mention it to you, that he has no thought of preaching to the + Persians, or of entering into any theological controversies, but + means to confine himself to two objects--a research after old + Gospels, and the endeavour to qualify himself for giving a + correct version of the Scriptures into Arabic and Persian, on + the plan proposed by the Bible Society. + + I have not hesitated to tell him that I thought you would + require that he should act with great caution, and not allow his + zeal to run away with him. He declares he will not, and he is a + man of that character that I must believe. I am satisfied that + if you ever see him, you will be pleased with him. He will give + you grace before and after dinner, and admonish such of your + party as take the Lord's name in vain; but his good sense and + great learning will delight you, whilst his constant + cheerfulness will add to the hilarity of your party. + +In such social intercourse in the evening, in constant interviews and +discussions with Jews and Mohammedans, Parsees and Hindus, during the +day, and in frequent preaching for the chaplains, the weeks passed all +too rapidly. A ropemaker who had just arrived from London called on +him. 'He understood from my preaching that he might open his heart to +me. We conversed and prayed together.' Against this and the communion +with young Farish and his fellows, we must set the action of those +whom he thus describes in a letter to Corrie: + + _1811, February 26._--Peacefully preaching the Word of life to a + people daily edified is the nearest approach to heaven below. + But to move from place to place, hurried away without having + time to do good, is vexatious to the spirit as well as harassing + to the body. Hearing last Saturday that some sons of Belial, + members of the Bapre Hunt,[43] intended to have a great race the + following day, I informed Mr. Duncan, at whose house I was + staying, and recommended the interference of the secular arm. He + accordingly sent to forbid it. The messengers of the Bapre Hunt + were exceedingly exasperated; some came to church expecting to + hear a sermon against hunting, but I merely preached to them on + 'the one thing needful.' Finding nothing to lay hold of, they + had the race on Monday, and ran _Hypocrite_ against _Martha_ and + _Mary_. + +His last message to India, from the 'faithful saying' of 1 Timothy i. +15, was misunderstood and resented, as his first sermon in Calcutta +had been in similar circumstances. + + _March 24._ (Sunday).--Speaking on the evidence of its truth, I + mentioned its constant efficacy in collecting the multitude, and + commanding their attention, which moral discourses never did. + This was considered as a reflection on the ministers of Bombay, + which distressed me not a little. + +Henry Martyn was granted a passage to Arabia and Persia in the +Benares, Captain Sealey, one of the ships of the old Indian Navy, +ordered to cruise along with the Prince of Wales in the Persian Gulf. +At that time the danger was considerable. For a century the Joasmi +Arabs, of 'the pirate coast' of Oman, had been the terror of the +Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, driving off even the early +Portuguese, and confining the Persians, then invulnerable by land, to +their own shores. The Wahabee puritans of Islam having mastered them, +they added to their own bloodthirsty love of plunder and the +slave-trade the fanaticism of Mohammed-ibn-Abdul-Wahab, the 'bestower +of blessings,' as the name signifies. The East India Company tolerated +them, retaining two or three ships of war in the Gulf for the +protection of the factories at Gombroon, Bushire, and Busrah. But, in +an evil moment, in the year 1797, the Joasmi pirates dared to seize a +British vessel. From that hour their fate was sealed, though the +process of clearing the southern coast of Asia of pirates and slavers +ended only with the accession of Queen Victoria, in the year when Aden +was added to the empire. In 1809-10 the Bombay Government expedition, +under Commodore John Wainwright, captured their stronghold of +Ras-ul-Khymah, delivered our feudatory of Muscat from their terrorism, +and gave the Gulf peace for ten years. The two ships of war which +conveyed the chaplain missionary with his message of peace to Eastern +Arabia and Persia were sent to complete the work of the Wainwright +expedition,[44] which had been summoned by Lord Minto to the conquest +of Java. Henry Martyn acted as chaplain to the forty-five sailors and +twelve artillerymen who formed the European part of the crew of the +Benares. After two days at Muscat he tells the story of his voyage: + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Muscat: April 22, 1811. + + My dearest Lydia,--I am now in Arabia Felix: to judge from the + aspect of the country it has little pretensions to the name, + unless burning barren rocks convey an idea of felicity; but + perhaps as there is a promise in reserve for the sons of Joktan, + their land may one day be blest indeed. + + We sailed from Bombay on Lady-day; and on the morning of Easter + saw the land of Mekran in Persia. After another week's sail + across the mouth of the Gulf, we arrived here, and expect to + proceed up the Gulf to Bushire, as soon as we have taken in our + water. You will be happy to learn that the murderous pirates + against whom we were sent, having received notice of our + approach, are all got out of the way, so that I am no longer + liable to be shot in a battle, or to decapitation after it, if + it be lawful to judge from appearances. These pestilent + Ishmaelites indeed, whose hand is against every man's, will + escape, and the community suffer, but that selfish friendship of + which you once confessed yourself guilty, will think only of + the preservation of a friend. This last marine excursion has + been the pleasantest I ever made, as I have been able to pursue + my studies with less interruption than when ashore. My little + congregation of forty or fifty Europeans does not try my + strength on Sundays; and my two companions are men who read + their Bible every day. In addition to all these comforts, I have + to bless God for having kept me more than usually free from the + sorrowful mind. We must not always say with Watts, 'The sorrows + of the mind be banished from the place;' but if freedom from + trouble be offered us, we may choose it rather. I do not know + anything more delightful than to meet with a Christian brother, + where only strangers and foreigners were expected. This pleasure + I enjoyed just before leaving Bombay; a ropemaker who had just + come from England, understood from my sermon that I was one he + might speak to, so he came and opened his heart, and we rejoiced + together. In this ship I find another of the household of faith. + In another ship which accompanies us there are two Armenians who + do nothing but read the Testament. One of them will I hope + accompany me to Shiraz in Persia, which is his native country. + + We are likely to be detained here some days, but the ship that + will carry our letters to India sails immediately, so that I can + send but one letter to England, and one to Calcutta. When will + our correspondence be established? I have been trying to effect + it these six years, and it is only yet in train. Why there was + no letter from you in those dated June and July 1810, I cannot + conjecture, except that you had not received any of mine, and + would write no more. But I am not yet without hopes that a + letter in the beloved hand will yet overtake me somewhere. My + kindest and most affectionate remembrances to all the Western + circle. Is it because he is your brother that I love George so + much? or because he is the last come into the number? The + angels love and wait upon the righteous who need no repentance; + but there is joy whenever another heir of salvation is born into + the family. Read Eph. i. I cannot wish you all these spiritual + blessings, since they already are all yours; but I pray that we + may have the spirit of wisdom and knowledge to know that they + are ours. It is a chapter I keep in mind every day in prayer. We + cannot believe too much or hope too much. Happy our eyes that + they see, and our ears that they hear. + + As it may be a year or more before I shall be back, you may + direct one letter after receiving this, if it be not of a very + old date, to Bombay, all after to Bengal, as usual. Believe me + to be ever, my dearest Lydia, your most affectionate, + + H. MARTYN. + + _April 22._--Landed at Muscat with Lockett and walked through + the bazaar; we wished to ascend one of the hills in the + neighbourhood, but on the native guards expressing + disapprobation, we desisted. + +We turn to her _Diary_ for the corresponding passage. + + _1812, February 1._--Heard yesterday from,[45] and wrote to-day + to, India. My conviction of being declining in spiritual life is + deeper and deeper. I would stop and pause at what is before me. + It is no particular outward sin, but an inward loss I mourn. + +Every word of Henry Martyn's _Journal_ regarding Arabia is precious, +alike in the light of his attempt to give its people the Word of God +in their own tongue, and of the long delayed and too brief efforts of +his successors, Ion Keith-Falconer in Yemen in 1887, and Bishop French +in Muscat in 1891. To David Brown, all unknowing of his death, he +wrote on April 23: + + I left India on Lady-day, looked at Persia on Easter Sunday, and + seven days after found myself in Arabia Felix. In a small cove, + surrounded by bare rocks, heated through, out of the reach of + air as well as wind, lies the good ship Benares, in the great + cabin of which, stretched on a couch, lie I. But though weak I + am well--relaxed but not disordered. Praise to His grace who + fulfils to me a promise which I have scarcely a right to + claim--'I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither + thou goest.' + + Last night I went ashore for the first time with Captain + Lockett; we walked through the bazaar and up the hill, but saw + nothing but what was Indian or worse. The Imam or Sultan is + about thirty miles off, fighting, it is said, for his kingdom, + with the Wahabees. + + You will be happy to learn that the pirates whom we were to + scourge are got out of our way, so that I may now hope to get + safe through the Gulf without being made to witness the bloody + scenes of war. + + _April 24._--Went with one English party and two Armenians and + an Arab who served as guard and guide, to see a remarkable pass + about a mile from the town, and a garden planted by a Hindu in a + little valley beyond. There was nothing to see, only the little + bit of green in this wilderness seemed to the Arab a great + curiosity. I conversed a good deal with him, but particularly + with his African slave, who was very intelligent about religion. + The latter knew as much about his religion as most mountaineers, + and withal was so interested, that he would not cease from his + argument till I left the shore. + +To Corrie he wrote on the same day: + + The Imam of Muscat murdered his uncle, and sits on the throne in + the place of his elder brother, who is here a cipher. Last + night the Captain went ashore to a council of state, to consider + the relations subsisting between the Government of Bombay and + these mighty chieftains. I attended as interpreter. The + Company's agent is an old Hindu who could not get off his bed. + An old man in whom pride and stupidity seemed to contend for + empire sat opposite to him. This was the Wazeer. Between them + sat I, opposite to me the Captain. The Wazeer uttered something + in Arabic, not one word of which could I understand. The old + Hindu explained in Persian, for he has almost forgot his Hindi, + and I to the Captain in English. We are all impatient to get + away from this place. + +To the last he was busy with his Arabic translation of Scripture. The +ships of war crossed and recrossed the Gulf from shore to shore, +surveying its coasts and islands in the heat of May, tempered by a +north-wester which tossed them about. On May 6 he wrote in his +_Journal_: + + Much cast down through a sinful propensity, which I little + thought was in me at all, till occasion manifested its + existence. + +On the 19th: + + Preached to the ship's company on John iii. 3. My thoughts so + much on Lydia, whose old letter I had been reading the day + before, that I had a sense of guilt for having neglected the + proper duties of the day. + + _May 20._--We have now a fair wind, carrying us gently to + Bushire. + + _May 22._--Finished the syllabus of Ecclesiastical History which + I have been making all the voyage, and extracts from Mosheim + concerning the Eastern Church. + +On May 21, 1811, Henry Martyn at last reached Persian soil. + + Landed at Bushire this morning in good health; how unceasing are + the mercies of the Lord; blessed be His goodness; may He still + preserve me from danger, and, above all, make my journey a + source of future good to this kingdom of Persia, into which I am + now come. We were hospitably received by the acting Resident. In + the evening I walked out by the sea-side to recollect myself, to + review the past, and look forward to the future. + + Suffering the will of God is as necessary a part of spiritual + discipline as doing, and much more trying. + +But he landed still with the desire 'to go to Arabia circuitously by +way of Persia,' a course which he declared to be rendered necessary by +the advanced state of the season. The people of Arabia were first in +his heart. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[39] In two volumes (John Murray), 1884, see p. 231, vol. i. + +[40] _Memoirs_, edited by his son, second edition, London (Moxon), +1836. See vol. ii. pp. 86, 268. + +[41] _The Life of John Wilson, D.D., F.R.S._ (John Murray), 2nd edit., +p. 137. + +[42] _Life and Correspondence_, vol. ii. p. 65 (Smith, Elder & Co.), +1856. + +[43] _Bap.re_ = 'O Father!' the exclamation of Hindus when in surprise +or grief; hence a noise or row; hence a Bobbery-pack or hunt is the +Anglo-Indian for a pack of hounds of different breeds, or no breed, +wherewith young officers hunt jackals or the like. See the late +Colonel Sir Henry Yule's _Hobson-Jobson, or Anglo-Indian Glossary_ +(John Murray), 1886. + +[44] C.R. Low's _History of the Indian Navy_, chapter x. vol. i. +(Richard Bentley), 1877. + +[45] By letter written April 22 or June 23, 1811. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +IN PERSIA--BUSHIRE AND SHIRAZ, 1811 + + +The Persia to whose seven millions of people Henry Martyn was the +first in modern times to carry the good-news of God, was just the size +of the India of his day. The Mohammedan majority of its scattered +inhabitants, in cities, in villages, and wandering over its plains and +deserts, had never been, and are not yet, as Shi'ahs, rigid members of +Islam, fanatically aggressive against all others, like the orthodox +Soonnis. After the apparent extinction of the cult of Zoroaster and +the flight of the surviving remnant of Parsees to India, the +successive ruling dynasties were liberal and tolerant in their +treatment of Christians compared with other Moslem powers; more +liberal than Christian Russia is to the Jews and the non-'orthodox' +sects. When those cultured and enterprising brothers, Sir Anthony and +Sir Thomas Sherley,[46] went from Oxford to the court of Persia, then +in all its magnificence under Shah Abbas the Great, two centuries +before Henry Martyn, that Shah sent one back as Persian envoy to the +Christian powers of Europe, to establish an alliance for the +destruction of the Turks. Shah Abbas made over Gombroon to them, +calling it by his own name, Bunder Abbas, which it still retains, and +his Majesty's grant used such language as this: 'Our absolute +commandment, will, and pleasure is that our countries and dominions +shall be from this day open to all Christian people _and to their +religion_.... Because of the amitie now ioyned with the princes that +professe Christ, I do give this pattent for all Christian merchants,' +etc. Only the intolerance of the Portuguese, who, under Albuquerque, +took the island of Ormuz, and so dominated the Persian Gulf till +driven out by the English, led this great Asiatic monarch to except +the power which Prince Henry the Navigator alone redeems from +historical contempt to the present day. + +The Suffavian dynasty gave place to the Afghan, and that to the +short-lived but wide-spreading empire of Nadir Kooli Khan, from Delhi +to the Oxus River and the Caspian Sea. Out of half a century's bloody +revolutions, such as formed the normal course of the annals of Asia +till Great Britain pushed its 'Peace' up from the Southern Ocean, Aga +Mohammed Khan, of the Kajar clan, founded the present dynasty in 1795. +His still greater nephew succeeded on his death three years after. +Futteh Ali Shah became for the next thirty-eight years the close +friend of the British Crown and the East India Company. Shah-in-Shah, +or king of the four kings of Afghanistan, Georgia, Koordistan, and +Arabistan, the ruler of Persia had now incorporated Arabistan in his +own dominion, and had lost Afghanistan. But he still claimed the +allegiance of the two subject-sovereigns of Georgia and Koordistan. +His uncle had avenged on the people, and especially the beautiful +women of Georgia, the transfer of the country by its Wali to the +Russian Catherine II. Placed in the commanding centre of Western Asia, +Futteh Ali almost immediately found himself the object of eager +competition by the representatives of the Christian powers at Teheran. +His revenue was estimated by so competent an authority as Sir John +Malcolm at nearly six millions sterling. The crown jewels, chief of +them the Sea of Light, or Derya-i-Noor, a diamond weighing 178 carats, +were then the most valuable collection in the world; for though the +Koh-i-Noor had remained with the Afghans, whence through the Sikhs it +came to a greater Shah-in-Shah, the Queen-Empress of Great Britain, he +still possessed not a little of Nadir's plunder of Delhi. + +Sir Robert Ker Porter describes him about the time when Martyn reached +his capital, as 'one blaze of jewels,' at the New Year festival of +Norooz. On his head was a lofty tiara of three elevations, 'entirely +composed of thickly-set diamonds, pearls, rubies, and emeralds, so +exquisitely disposed as to form a mixture of the most beautiful +colours in the brilliant light reflected from its surface. Several +black feathers, like the heron plume, were intermixed with the +resplendent aigrettes of this truly imperial diadem, whose bending +points were furnished with pear-formed pearls of an immense size. The +vesture was of gold tissue nearly covered with a similar disposition +of jewelry; and crossing the shoulders were two strings of pearls, +probably the largest in the world. But for splendour nothing could +exceed the broad bracelets round his arms and the belt which encircled +his waist; they actually blazed like fire when the rays of the sun met +them. The throne was of pure white marble raised a few steps from the +ground, and carpeted with shawls and cloth of gold. While the Great +King was approaching his throne, the whole assembly continued bowing +their heads to the ground till he had taken his place. In the midst +of solemn stillness, while all eyes were fixed on the bright object +before them, which sat indeed as radiant and immovable as the image of +Mithras itself, a sort of volley of words bursting at one impulse from +the mouths of the mollahs and astrologers, made me start, and +interrupted my gaze. This strange oratory was a kind of heraldic +enumeration of the Great King's titles, dominions, and glorious acts. +There was a pause, and then his Majesty spoke. The effect was even +more startling than the sudden bursting forth of the mollahs; for this +was like a voice from the tombs--so deep, so hollow, and, at the same +time, so penetratingly loud.'[47] + +That was the man to whose feet the French Emperor Napoleon and the +Tsar Alexander, King George III. and the greatest Governor-General of +the East India Company, the Marquess Wellesley, sent special +embassies; the man from whom they sought secret treaties, lavishing on +his courtiers more than royal gifts. To arrest the march of the Afghan +invader, who a few years before had reached Lahore on his way to set +up again at Delhi the house of Timour, and in order to foil the secret +embassy sent by Napoleon, who had resolved to give England its +death-blow through India, a young Scotsman, Captain Malcolm, was deputed +to Teheran in 1801, following up a native envoy who had been most +successful just before. This soldier diplomatist, who was afterwards to +help Henry Martyn to a very different success, 'bribed like a king,' and +returned with two treaties, political and commercial, but still more +with the knowledge which fitted him to write his classic history, and +make his second ambassage. For England failed to carry out the first so +far as to help the Shah against Russia, and from that hour Persia has +seen province after province overwhelmed by the wave from the north. + +Taking alarm a second time, just before and after the Peace of Tilsit, +both the Crown and the Company appointed plenipotentiaries to Teheran. +It was Lord Minto's wise policy to protect our Indian empire 'by +binding the Western Frontier States in a chain of friendly alliance.' +Hence the Governor-General's four missions, to Sindh, to Lahore, to +Cabul, and again to Persia under Sir John Malcolm. Sir Harford Jones +appeared as ambassador from the Crown after Malcolm had left Teheran, +and took advantage of a change in the political situation to secure +the preliminary treaty of 1809, which renewed the pledge of its +predecessor to assist the Shah with troops or a subsidy if any +European forces should invade his territories. In a modified form this +became the definitive treaty of March 14, 1812 (further altered in +that of 1814), to arrange which Sir Gore Ouseley was sent out, +superseding both Malcolm and Jones.[48] Sir Gore Ouseley became Henry +Martyn's friend. Commended by Sir John Malcolm to his personal friends +among the Persians, and officially encouraged by the British +plenipotentiary, the Bengal chaplain seeking health had all the +facilities secured to him that were possible to pursue the God-given +mission of the apostle of Christ to the peoples of Persia and Arabia. + +The strong and wise rule of Futteh Ali Shah kept Persia itself at +peace, but he could not get the better of Russian intrigue and attack, +even with the friendly offices of the British Government. Up till +Martyn's arrival these vast regions had been wrested from the +Shah-in-Shah: Georgia, Mingrelia, Daghistan, Sherwan, Karabagh, and +Talish. During his presence in the country the negotiations with +Russia were going on, which ended in 1813 in the Treaty of Gulistan, +surrendering to the Tsar all he had taken, and apparently stopping his +advance by a line of demarcation. But as its exact direction had to be +settled by commissioners Russia has ever since continued steadily to +strip Persia of its northern lands, and only the presence of the +British Navy has kept it as yet out of the Persian Gulf.[49] + +Such were the historical and political conditions amid which the +missionary chaplain of India became a resident in the cities, and a +traveller through the villages of Persia and Turkey at the age of +thirty. He went there as the friend of Malcolm Sahib, whose gracious +dignity and lavish gifts had made him a hero among the officials and +many of the people of Persia. He went with letters of introduction +from the Governor-General of India and the Governor of Bombay to the +new British ambassador, who had lived at Lucknow, and must have known +well of his work in the neighbouring station of Cawnpore. He went with +the reputation of a man of God in the Oriental sense, and of a scholar +who knew the sacred books of Mohammedans and Christians alike, and who +sought the good of the people. The Armenian colonies at Calcutta and +Bombay had commended him to the many members of their Church in +Persia. + +Bushire, or Abu Shahr, at which he began his mission to Persia, is the +port of that province of Fars from which the whole empire takes its +name. Its mixed Persian and Arab population, now numbering some +fifteen thousand, its insanitary position on a spit of sand almost +surrounded by the sea, and the filthy narrow streets hardly redeemed +by the Char Burj or citadel, and the British Residency, do not attract +the visitor, and he soon learns that the humid heat of its climate in +summer is more insupportable than that even of the Red Sea. From +Reshire, close by, in the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-7, General Havelock +shelled the town when he pitched the camp of the force to the south of +its gate. Henry Martyn was there in the worst season of May and June, +when the thermometer rises to 100 deg. in the shade, and sometimes 106 deg. He +became the guest of an English merchant and his Armenian wife, and was +received by the Armenians as a priest of great sanctity. His _Journal_ +describes his receptions and daily occupations. + + _1811, May 23._--Rode out with a party in the evening, or rather + in the afternoon, for the heat of the sun made me ill. + + _May 24._--The Governor called on us; also the Armenian priest. + Received an answer from the ambassador, Sir Gore Ouseley, to a + letter I sent him from Muscat. + + _May 25._--In the evening called with the two Captains, the + Resident, and the Captain of his guard, on the Governor. In + consequence of a letter I brought for him from General Malcolm, + he was very particular in his attentions, seated me on his own + seat, and then sat by my side apart from the rest. I observed + that a Christian was not allowed to enter a mosque; he said, + 'No,--do you wish to hear the prayers?' I said, 'No, but the + preaching, if there is any;' he said there were no preachers + except at Yezd. + + _May 26._ (Sunday.)--The Europeans assembled for Divine service, + which was performed at the Resident's. I preached on 1 Cor. xv.: + 'For He must reign till He hath put all enemies under His feet,' + etc. In the evening I went, at the padre's request, to the + Armenian church. There was the same disagreeable succession of + unmeaning ceremonies and noisy chants as at Bombay. I was + introduced within the rails, and at the time of incense I was + censed, as the padre afterwards desired me to observe, four + times, whereas the laity have the honour done them but once. I + asked the old man what was meant by burning incense. He said it + was in imitation of the Wise Men of the East, who offered + incense to Christ. I told him, Why then do you not offer myrrh + and gold? To this he made no reply. Walking afterwards with him + by the sea-side, I tried to get into a conversation suitable to + our profession as ministers, speaking particularly of the + importance of the charge entrusted to us. Nothing could be more + vapid and mean than his remarks. + + _May 27._--Very ill, from head-ache and overpowering sleepiness, + arising, as I suppose, from a stroke of the sun. As often as I + attempted to read, I fell asleep, and awoke in weakness and + pain. How easily may existence be embittered; still I will say, + 'Not my will, but Thine be done.' In the evening a Jewish + goldsmith called with a fine boy, who read the Hebrew fluently. + Grief has marked the countenance of the Eastern Jews in a way + that makes them indescribably interesting. I could have wept + while looking at them. O Lord, how long? Will Thine anger burn + for ever?--is not justice yet satisfied? This afflicted people + are as much oppressed in Persia as ever. Their women are not + allowed to veil, as all others are required to do; hence, if + there be one more than ordinarily beautiful, she is soon known, + and a khan or the king sends for her, makes her a Mahometan, and + puts her into the harem. As soon as he is tired, she is given to + another, and then to another, till she becomes the property of + the most menial servant; such is the degradation to which the + daughters of Israel are subjected. + + _May 28._--Through the infinite and unmerited goodness of God I + am again restored, and able to do something in the way of + reading. The Resident gave us some account this evening of the + moral state of Persia. It is enough to make one shudder. If God + rained down fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah, how is it that this + nation is not blotted out from under heaven? I do not remember + to have heard such things of the Hindus, except the Sikhs; they + seem to rival the Mahometans. + +For personal comfort and freedom from insult or attack, Henry Martyn, +when in Bushire, ordered the usual wardrobe of a Persian gentleman. He +had suffered his beard and moustachios to vegetate undisturbed since +leaving India, as he wrote to Corrie. In conical Astrakhan cap, baggy +blue trousers, red boots, and light chintz tunic and _chogha_ or +flowing coat, mounted on a riding pony, and followed by his Armenian +servant on a mule, with another mule for his baggage, he set out on +May 30, 1811, for Shiraz. His companion was a British officer. The +party formed a large caravan with some thirty horses and mules, +carrying goods to the ambassador. They marched by night, in the +comparative coolness of 100 deg., to which the thermometer fell from the +noonday heat of 126 deg., when they lay panting in their tents protected +from the scorching dry wind by heavy clothing. The journey of some 170 +miles occupied the first nine days of June. After ninety miles over a +hot sandy plain the traveller rises, by four rocky _kotuls_ or +inclines, so steep as to be called ladders, over the spurs of the +Zagros range into a cooler region at Kaziroon, on the central plateau +of Iran, and then passes through the most delightful valleys, wooded +or clad with verdure, to the capital, Shiraz, surrounded by gardens +and by cemeteries. + + _May 30._--Our Persian dresses being ready, we set off this + evening for Shiraz. Our kafila consisted of about thirty horses + and mules; some carrying things to the ambassador, the rest for + our servants and luggage; the animal for my use was a yaboo or + riding pony, a mule for my trunks, and one for my servant + Zechariah, an Armenian of Ispahan. It was a fine moonlight + night, about ten o'clock, when we marched out of the gate of + Bushire, and began to make our way over the plain. Mr. B., who + accompanied me a little way, soon returned. Captain T. went on, + intending to accompany us to Shiraz. This was the first time we + had any of us put off the European, and the novelty of our + situation supplied us with many subjects for conversation for + about two hours. When we began to flag and grow sleepy, and the + kafila was pretty quiet, one of the muleteers on foot began to + sing: he sang with a voice so plaintive that it was impossible + not to have one's attention arrested. At the end of the first + tune he paused, and nothing was heard but the tinkling of the + bells attached to the necks of the mules; every voice was + hushed. The first line was enough for me, and I dare say it set + many others thinking of their absent friends. 'Without thee my + heart can attach itself to none.' It is what I have often felt + on setting out on a journey. The friends left behind so absorb + the thoughts, that the things by the wayside are seen without + interest, and the conversation of strangers is insipid. But + perhaps the first line, as well as the rest, is only a promise + of fidelity, though I did not take it in that sense when I first + heard it. The following is perhaps the true translation: + + Think not that e'er my heart can dwell + Contented far from thee; + How can the fresh-caught nightingale + Enjoy tranquillity? + + Forsake not then thy friend for aught + That slanderous tongues can say; + The heart that fixes where it ought, + No power can rend away. + + Thus we went on, and as often as the kafila by their dulness and + sleepiness seemed to require it, or perhaps to keep himself + awake, he entertained the company and himself with a song. We + met two or three other kafilas taking advantage of the night to + get on. My loquacious servant Zachary took care to ask every one + whence they came, and by that means sometimes got an answer + which raised a laugh against him. + + _June 1._--At sunrise we came to our ground at Ahmeda, six + parasangs, and pitched our little tent under a tree: it was the + only shelter we could get. At first the heat was not greater + than we had felt it in India, but it soon became so intense as + to be quite alarming. When the thermometer was above 112 deg., fever + heat, I began to lose my strength fast; at last it became quite + intolerable. I wrapped myself up in a blanket and all the warm + covering I could get, to defend myself from the external air; by + which means the moisture was kept a little longer upon the body, + and not so speedily evaporated as when the skin was exposed; + one of my companions followed my example, and found the benefit + of it. But the thermometer still rising, and the moisture of the + body being quite exhausted, I grew restless, and thought I + should have lost my senses. The thermometer at last stood at + 126 deg.: in this state I composed myself, and concluded that though + I might hold out a day or two, death was inevitable. Captain T., + who sat it out, continued to tell the hour, and height of the + thermometer; and with what pleasure did we hear of its sinking + to 120 deg., 118 deg., etc. At last the fierce sun retired, and I crept + out, more dead than alive. It was then a difficulty how I could + proceed on my journey: for besides the immediate effects of the + heat, I had no opportunity of making up for the last night's + want of sleep, and had eaten nothing. However, while they were + loading the mules, I got an hour's sleep, and set out, the + muleteers leading my horse, and Zechariah, my servant, an + Armenian, of Ispahan, doing all in his power to encourage me. + The cool air of the night restored me wonderfully, so that I + arrived at our next _munzil_ with no other derangement than that + occasioned by want of sleep. Expecting another such day as the + former, we began to make preparation the instant we arrived on + the ground. I got a tattie made of the branches of the + date-tree, and a Persian peasant to water it; by this means the + thermometer did not rise higher than 114 deg. But what completely + secured me from the heat was a large wet towel, which I wrapped + round my head and body, muffling up the lower part in clothes. + How could I but be grateful to a gracious Providence, for giving + me so simple a defence against what I am persuaded would have + destroyed my life that day! We took care not to go without + nourishment, as we had done: the neighbouring village supplied + us with curds and milk. At sunset, rising up to go out, a + scorpion fell upon my clothes; not seeing where it fell, I did + not know what it was; but Captain T., pointing it out, gave the + alarm, and I struck it off, and he killed it. The night before + we found a black scorpion in our tent; this made us rather + uneasy; so that though the kafila did not start till midnight, + we got no sleep, fearing we might be visited by another + scorpion. + + _June 2._--We arrived at the foot of the mountains, at a place + where we seemed to have discovered one of Nature's ulcers. A + strong suffocating smell of naphtha announced something more + than ordinarily foul in the neighbourhood. We saw a river:--what + flowed in it, it seemed difficult to say, whether it were water + or green oil; it scarcely moved, and the stones which it laved + it left of a greyish colour, as if its foul touch had given them + the leprosy. Our place of encampment this day was a grove of + date-trees, where the atmosphere, at sunrise, was ten times + hotter than the ambient air. I threw myself down on the burning + ground, and slept; when the tent came up I awoke, as usual, in a + burning fever. All this day I had recourse to the wet towel, + which kept me alive, but would allow of no sleep. It was a + sorrowful Sabbath; but Captain T. read a few hymns, in which I + found great consolation. At nine in the evening we decamped. The + ground and air were so insufferably hot, that I could not travel + without a wet towel round my face and neck. This night, for the + first time, we began to ascend the mountains. The road often + passed so close to the edge of the tremendous precipices, that + one false step of the horse would have plunged his rider into + inevitable destruction. In such circumstances I found it useless + to attempt guiding the animal, and therefore gave him the rein. + These poor animals are so used to journeys of this sort, that + they generally step sure. There was nothing to mark the road but + the rocks being a little more worn in one place than in another. + Sometimes my horse, which led the way, as being the muleteer's, + stopped, as if to consider about the way: for myself, I could + not guess, at such times, where the road lay, but he always + found it. The sublime scenery would have impressed me much, in + other circumstances; but my sleepiness and fatigue rendered me + insensible to everything around me. At last we emerged _superas + ad auras_, not on the top of a mountain to go down again, but to + a plain, or upper world. At the pass, where a cleft in the + mountain admitted us into the plain, was a station of Rahdars. + While they were examining the muleteer's passports, etc., time + was given for the rest of the kafila to come up, and I got a + little sleep for a few minutes. + + _June 4._--We rode briskly over the plain, breathing a purer + air, and soon came in sight of a fair edifice, built by the king + of the country for the refreshment of pilgrims. In this + caravanserai we took our abode for the day. It was more + calculated for Eastern than European travellers, having no means + of keeping out the air and light. We found the thermometer at + 110 deg. At the passes we met a man travelling down to Bushire with + a load of ice, which he willingly disposed of to us. The next + night we ascended another range of mountains, and passed over a + plain, where the cold was so piercing that with all the clothes + we could muster we were shivering. At the end of this plain we + entered a dark valley, contained by two ranges of hills + converging one to another. The muleteer gave notice that he saw + robbers. It proved to be a false alarm; but the place was fitted + to be a retreat for robbers; there being on each side caves and + fastnesses from which they might have killed every man of us. + After ascending another mountain, we descended by a very long + and circuitous route into an extensive valley, where we were + exposed to the sun till eight o'clock. Whether from the sun or + from continued want of sleep, I could not, on my arrival at + Kaziroon, compose myself to sleep; there seemed to be a fire + within my head, my skin like a cinder, and the pulse violent. + Through the day it was again too hot to sleep; though the place + we occupied was a sort of summer-house in a garden of + cypress-trees, exceedingly well fitted up with mats and coloured + glass. Had the kafila gone on that night, I could not have + accompanied it; but it halted there a day, by which means I got + a sort of night's rest, though I awoke twenty times to dip my + burning hand in water. Though Kaziroon is the second greatest + town in Fars, we could get nothing but bread, milk, and eggs, + and those with difficulty. The Governor, who is under great + obligations to the English, heard of our arrival, but sent no + message. + + _June 5._--At ten we left Kaziroon and ascended a mountain: we + then descended from it on the other side into a beautiful + valley, where the opening dawn discovered to us ripe fields of + wheat and barley, with the green oak here and there in the midst + of it. We were reminded of an autumnal morning in England. + Thermometer 62 deg. + + _June 6._--Half-way up the Peergan Mountain we found a + caravanserai. There being no village in the neighbourhood, we + had brought supplies from Kaziroon. My servant Zachary got a + fall from his mule this morning, which much bruised him; he + looked very sorrowful, and had lost much of his garrulity. + + _June 7._--Left the caravanserai at one this morning, and + continued to ascend. The hours we were permitted to rest, the + mosquitoes had effectually prevented me from using, so that I + never felt more miserable and disordered; the cold was very + severe; for fear of falling off, from sleep and numbness, I + walked a good part of the way. We pitched our tent in the vale + of Dustarjan, near a crystal stream, on the banks of which we + observed the clover and golden cup: the whole valley was one + green field, in which large herds of cattle were browsing. The + temperature was about that of spring in England. Here a few + hours' sleep recovered me in some degree from the stupidity in + which I had been for some days. I awoke with a light heart, and + said: 'He knoweth our frame, and remembereth that we are but + dust. He redeemeth our life from destruction, and crowneth us + with loving kindness and tender mercies. He maketh us to lie + down in the green pastures, and leadeth us beside the still + waters.' And when we leave this vale of tears, there is 'no more + sorrow, nor sighing, nor any more pain.' 'The sun shall not + light upon thee, nor any heat; but the Lamb shall lead thee to + living fountains of waters.' + + _June 8._--Went on to a caravanserai, three parasangs, where we + passed the day. At night set out upon our last march for Shiraz. + Sleepiness, my old companion and enemy, again overtook me. I was + in perpetual danger of falling off my horse, till at last I + pushed on to a considerable distance beyond the kafila, planted + my back against a wall, and slept I know not how long, till the + good muleteer came up and gently waked me. + + _June 9._ (Sunday.)--By daylight we found ourselves in the plain + of Shiraz. We went to the halting-place outside the walls of the + city, but found it occupied; however, after some further delay, + we were admitted with our servants into another; as for the + kafila, we saw no more of it. The ambassador, Sir Gore Ouseley, + was encamped near us; Sir William and Major D'Arcy, and Dr. + Sharp, called on us, but I did not see the two first, being + asleep at the time. In the evening we dined with his excellency, + who gave us a general invitation to his table. Returned to our + garden, where we slept. + + _June 10._--Went this morning to Jaffir Ali Khan's, to whom we + had letters from General Malcolm, and with whom we are to take + up our abode. After the long and tedious ceremony of coffee and + _kaleans_ (pipes), breakfast made its appearance on two large + trays: curry, pilaws, various sweets cooled with snow and + perfumed with rose-water, were served in great profusion in + china plates and basins, a few wooden spoons beautifully carved; + but being in a Persian dress, and on the ground, I thought it + high time to throw off the European, and so ate with my hands. + After breakfast Jaffir took me to a summer-house in his garden, + where his brother-in-law met us, for the purpose of a + conversazione. From something I had thrown out at breakfast + about Sabat, and accident, he was curious to know what were our + opinions on these subjects. He then began to explain his own + sentiments on Soofi-ism, of which it appeared he was a + passionate admirer. + + _June 11._--Breakfasted at Anius with some of the Embassy, and + went with them afterwards to a glass-house and pottery. + Afterwards called on Mr. Morier, secretary to the Embassy, Major + D'Arcy, and Sir W. Ouseley. Our host, Jaffir Ali Khan, gave us a + good deal of information this evening, about this country and + government. He used to sit for hours with the king at Teheran + telling him about India and the English. + + _June 12._--Employed about _Journal_, writing letters, reading + _Gulistan_, but excessively indolent. In the morning I enjoyed + much comfort in prayer. What a privilege to have a God to go to, + in such a place, and in such company. To read and pray at + leisure seemed like coming home after being long abroad. Psalm + lxxxix. was a rich repast to me. Why is it not always thus with + me? + +At Shiraz Henry Martyn was in the very heart of old Persia, to which +the eldest son of Shem had given his name, Elam. One of the greatest +of the Shahs, Kareem Khan, made Shiraz his capital, instead of the not +distant Persepolis, which also Martyn visited. The founder of the +present dynasty levelled its walls and desolated its gardens, but the +city of the six gates still dominates the fine valley which no tyrant +could destroy, and has still a pleasing appearance, though its Dewan +Khana has been stripped of the royal pillars to adorn the palace of +the new capital of Teheran. Even Timour respected Shiraz; when red +with the blood of Ispahan, he sent for Hafiz, and asked how the poet +dared to dispose of the Tartar's richest cities, Bokhara and +Samarcand, for the mole on his lady's cheek. 'Can the gifts of Hafiz +ever impoverish Timour?' was the answer; and Shiraz was spared. Kareem +Khan long after built mausoleums over the dust of the Anacreon of +Persia, and over that of Sadi, its Socrates in verse, as Sir Robert +Ker Porter well describes the author of the _Gulistan_, which was +Martyn's daily companion at this time. + +[Illustration: SHIRAZ] + +We have an account of Shiraz[50] and the people of Persia, written six +years before Martyn's visit, by Edward Scott Waring, Esq., of the +Bengal Civil Establishment, who, led by ill-health and curiosity, +followed the same route by Bushire and Kaziroon to the city. He is +sceptical as to those splendours which formed the theme of Hafiz, and +describes the city as 'worth seeing, but not worth going to see.' The +tomb of the poet[51] the Hafizieh garden he found to be of white +marble, on which two of his odes were very beautifully cut; a few +durweshes daily visited the spot and chanted his verses. Mr. George N. +Curzon, M.P.,[52] the latest visitor, contrasts the grave of Hafiz +with that of his contemporary Dante, at Ravenna. Sadi's grave was then +quite neglected; no one had carved on it the beautiful epitaph +(paraphrased by Dryden) which he wrote for himself on the _Bostan_: 'O +passenger! who walkest over my grave, think of the virtuous persons +who have gone before me. What has Sadi to apprehend from being turned +into dust? he was but earth when alive. He will not continue dust +long, for the winds will scatter him over the whole universe.' Yet as +long as the garden of knowledge has blossomed not a nightingale has +warbled so sweetly in it. It would be strange if such a nightingale +should die, and not a rose grow upon its grave. Sir Robert Ker Porter, +twelve years later, found both spots alike neglected. One poet had +written of the garden where Hafiz was buried, 'Paradise does not +boast such lovely banks as those of Rocknabeel, nor such groves as the +high-scented fragrance of the bowers of Mosella.' Another now sadly +writes, 'Though the bowers of love grew on its banks, and the sweet +song of Hafiz kept time with the nightingale and the rose, the summer +is past and all things are changed.' + +Six years after Henry Martyn's residence in Shiraz, Sir Robert Ker +Porter entered the city, which to him, as to every Christian or even +English-speaking man, became thenceforth more identified with this +century's apostle to the Persians than with even Hafiz and Sadi. +'Faint with sickness and fatigue,' he writes,[53] 'I felt a momentary +reviving pleasure in the sight of a hospitable city, and the cheerful +beauty of the view. As I drew near, the image of my exemplary +countryman, Henry Martyn, rose in my thoughts, seeming to sanctify the +shelter to which I was hastening. He had approached Shiraz much about +the same season of the year, A.D. 1811, and like myself was gasping +for life under the double pressure of an inward fire and outward +burning sun. He dwelt there nearly a year, and on leaving its walls +the apostle of Christianity found no cause for shaking off the dust of +his feet against the Mohammedan city. The inhabitants had received, +cherished and listened to him; and he departed thence amidst the +blessings and tears of many a Persian friend. Through his means the +Gospel had then found its way into Persia, and, as it appears to have +been sown in kindly hearts, the gradual effect hereafter may be like +the harvest to the seedling. But, whatever be the issue, the +liberality with which his doctrines were permitted to have been +discussed, and the hospitality with which their promulgation was +received by the learned, the nobles, and persons of all ranks, cannot +but reflect lasting honour on the Government, and command our respect +for the people at large. Besides, to a person who thinks at all on +these subjects, the circumstances of the first correct Persian +translation of the Holy Scriptures being made at Shiraz, and thence +put into the royal hands and disseminated through the empire, cannot +but give an almost prophetic emphasis to the transaction, as arising +from the very native country, Persia Proper, of the founder of the +empire who first bade the temple of Jerusalem be rebuilt, who returned +her sons from captivity, and who was called by name to the Divine +commission.' + +As the guest of Jaffir Ali Khan, now in his house in Shiraz, and now +in his orange summer garden, Henry Martyn gave himself up to the two +absorbing duties of making a new translation of the New Testament into +Persian, assisted by his host's brother-in-law, Mirza Seyd Ali Khan, +and of receiving and, in the Pauline sense, disputing with the learned +Mohammedans of the city and neighbourhood. But all through his inner +life, sanctified by his spiritual experience and intensifying that, +there continued to run the love of Lydia Grenfell. + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Shiraz: June 23, 1811. + + How continually I think of you, and indeed converse with you, it + is impossible to say. But on the Lord's day in particular, I + find you much in my thoughts, because it is on that day that I + look abroad, and take a view of the universal church, of which I + observe that the saints in England form the most conspicuous + part. On that day, too, I indulge myself with a view of the + past, and look over again those happy days, when, in company + with those I loved, I went up to the house of God with a voice + of praise. How then should I fail to remember her who, of all + that are dear to me, is the dearest? It is true that I cannot + look back upon many days, nor even many hours passed with + you--would they had been more--but we have insensibly become + more acquainted with each other, so that, on my part at least, + it may be said that separation has brought us nearer to one + another. It was a momentary interview, but the love is lasting, + everlasting. Whether we ever meet again or not, I am sure that + you will continue to feel an interest in all that befalls me. + + After the death of my dear sister, you bid me consider that I + had one sister left while you remained; and you cannot imagine + how consolatory to my mind this assurance is. To know that there + is one who is willing to think of me, and has leisure to do so, + is soothing to a degree that none can know but those who have, + like me, lost all their relations. + + I sent you a letter from Muscat, in Arabia, which I hope you + received; for if not, report will again erase my name from the + catalogue of the living, as I sent no other to Europe. Let me + here say with praise to our ever-gracious Heavenly Father, that + I am in perfect health; of my spirits I cannot say much; I fancy + they would be better were 'the beloved Persis' by my side. This + name, which I once gave you, occurs to me at this moment, I + suppose, because I am in Persia, entrenched in one of its + valleys, separated from Indian friends by chains of mountains + and a roaring sea, among a people depraved beyond all belief, in + the power of a tyrant guilty of every species of atrocity. + Imagine a pale person seated on a Persian carpet, in a room + without table or chair, with a pair of formidable moustachios, + and habited as a Persian, and you see me. + + _June 26._--Here I expect to remain six months. The reason is + this: I found on my arrival here, that our attempts at Persian + translation in India were good for nothing; at the same time + they proposed, with my assistance, to make a new translation. It + was an offer I could not refuse, as they speak the purest + dialect of the Persian. My host is a man of rank, his name + Jaffir Ali Khan, who tries to make the period of my captivity as + agreeable as possible. His wife--for he has but one--never + appears; parties of young ladies come to see her, but though + they stay days in the house, he dare not go into the room where + they are. Without intending a compliment to your sex, I must say + that the society here, from the exclusion of females, is as dull + as it can well be. Perhaps, however, to a stranger like myself, + the most social circles would be insipid. I am visited by all + the great and the learned; the former come out of respect to my + country, the latter to my profession. The conversation with the + latter is always upon religion, and it would be strange indeed, + if with the armour of truth on the right hand and on the left, I + were not able to combat with success the upholders of such a + system of absurdity and sin. As the Persians are a far more + unprejudiced and inquisitive people than the Indians, and do not + stand quite so much in awe of an Englishman as the timid natives + of Hindustan, I hope they will learn something from me; the hope + of this reconciles me to the necessity imposed on me of staying + here; about the translation I dare not be sanguine. The + prevailing opinion concerning me is, that I have repaired to + Shiraz in order to become a Mussulman. Others, more sagacious, + say that I shall bring from India some more, under pretence of + making them Mussulmans, but in reality to seize the place. They + do not seem to have thought of my wish to have them converted to + my religion; they have been so long accustomed to remain without + proselytes to their own. I shall probably have very little to + write about for some months to come, and therefore I reserve the + extracts of my _Journal_ since I last wrote to you for some + other opportunity; besides that, the ambassador, with whose + despatches this will go, is just leaving Shiraz. + + _July 2._--The Mohammedans now come in such numbers to visit me, + that I am obliged, for the sake of my translation-work, to + decline seeing them. To-day one of the apostate sons of Israel + was brought by a party of them, to prove the Divine mission of + Mohammed from the Hebrew Scriptures, but with all his sophistry + he proved nothing. I can almost say with St. Paul, I feel + continual pity in my heart for them, and love them for their + fathers' sake, and find a pleasure in praying for them. While + speaking of the return of the Jews to Jerusalem, I observed that + the 'Gospel of the kingdom must first be preached in all the + world, and then shall the end come.' He replied with a sneer, + 'And this event, I suppose you mean to say, is beginning to take + place by your bringing the Gospel to Persia.' + + _July 5._--I am so incessantly occupied with visitors and my + work, that I have hardly a moment for myself. I have more and + more reason to rejoice at my being sent here; there is such an + extraordinary stir about religion throughout the city, that some + good must come of it. I sometimes sigh for a little Christian + communion, yet even from these Mohammedans I hear remarks that + do me good. To-day, for instance, my assistant observed, 'How He + loved those twelve persons!' 'Yes,' said I, 'and not those + twelve only, but all those who shall believe in Him, as He said, + "I pray not for them alone, but for all them who shall believe + on me through their word."' Even the enemy is constrained to + wonder at the love of Christ. Shall not the object of it say, + What manner of love is this? I have learned that I may get + letters from England much sooner than by way of India. Be so + good as to direct to me, to the care of Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart., + Ambassador at Teheran, care of J. Morier, Esq., Constantinople, + care of G. Moon, Esq., Malta. I have seen Europe newspapers of + only four months' date, so that I am delightfully near you. May + we live near one another in the unity of the Spirit, having one + Lord, one hope, one God and Father. In your prayers for me pray + that utterance may be given me that I may open my mouth boldly, + to make known the mysteries of the Gospel. I often envy my + Persian hearers the freedom and eloquence with which they speak + to me. Were I but possessed of their powers, I sometimes think + that I should win them all; but the work is God's, and the faith + of His people does not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the + power of God. Remember me as usual with the most unfeigned + affection to all my dear friends. This is now the seventh letter + I send you without having received an answer. Farewell! + + Yours ever most affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + + + Shiraz: September 8, 1811. + + A courier on his way to the capital affords me the unexpected + pleasure of addressing my most beloved friend. It is now six + months since I left India, and in all that time I have not heard + from thence. The dear friends there, happy in each other's + society, do not enough call to mind my forlorn condition. Here I + am still, beset by cavilling infidels, and making very little + progress in my translation, and half disposed to give it up and + come away. My kind host, to relieve the tedium of being always + within a walled town, pitched a tent for me in a garden a little + distance, and there I lived amidst clusters of grapes, by the + side of a clear stream; but nothing compensates for the loss of + the excellent of the earth. It is my business, however, as you + will say, and ought to be my effort, to make saints, where I + cannot find them. I do use the means in a certain way, but + frigid reasoning with men of perverse minds seldom brings men to + Christ. However, as they require it, I reason, and accordingly + challenged them to prove the Divine mission of their prophet. + In consequence of this, a learned Arabic treatise was written by + one who was considered as the most able man, and put into my + hands; copies of it were also given to the college and the + learned. The writer of it said that if I could give a + satisfactory answer to it he would become a Christian, and at + all events would make my reply as public as I pleased. I did + answer it, and after some faint efforts on his part to defend + himself, he acknowledged the force of my arguments, but was + afraid to let them be generally known. He then began to inquire + about the Gospel, but was not satisfied with my statement. He + required me to prove from the very beginning the Divine mission + of Moses, as well as of Christ; the truth of the Scriptures, + etc. With very little hope that any good will come of it, I am + now employed in drawing out the evidences of the truth; but oh! + that I could converse and reason, and plead with power from on + high. How powerless are the best-directed arguments till the + Holy Ghost renders them effectual. + + A few days ago I was just on the eve of my departure for + Ispahan, as I thought, and my translator had consented to + accompany me as far as Baghdad, but just as we were setting out, + news came that the Persians and Turks were fighting thereabouts, + and that the road was in consequence impassable. I do not know + what the Lord's purpose may be in keeping me here, but I trust + it will be for the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ, and in + that belief I abide contentedly. + + My last letter to you was dated July. I desired you to direct to + me at Teheran. As it is uncertain whether I shall pass anywhere + near there, you had better direct to the care of S. Morier, + Esq., Constantinople, and I can easily get your letters from + thence. + + I am happy to say that I am quite well, indeed, never better; no + returns of pain in the chest since I left India. May I soon + receive the welcome news that you also are well, and prospering + even as your soul prospers. I read your letters incessantly, and + try to find out something new, as I generally do, but I begin to + look with pain at the distant date of the last. I cannot tell + what to think, but I cast all my care upon Him who hath already + done wonders for me, and am sure that, come what will, it shall + be good, it shall be best. How sweet the privilege that we may + lie as little children before Him! I find that my wisdom is + folly and my care useless, so that I try to live on from day to + day, happy in His love and care. May that God who hath loved us, + and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through + grace, bless, love, and keep my ever-dearest friend; and + dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, and abiding under + the shadow of the Almighty, may she enjoy that sweet + tranquillity which the world cannot disturb. Dearest Lydia! pray + for me, and believe me to be ever most faithfully and + affectionately yours, + + H. MARTYN. + + + Shiraz: October 21, 1811. + + It is, I think, about a month since I wrote to you, and so + little has occurred since that I find scarcely anything in my + _Journal_, and nothing worth transcribing. This state of + inactivity is becoming very irksome to me. I cannot get these + Persians to work, and while they are idle I am sitting here to + no purpose. Sabat's laziness used to provoke me excessively, but + Persians I find are as torpid as Arabs when their salary does + not depend on their exertions, and both very inferior to the + feeble Indian, whom they affect to despise. My translator comes + about sunrise, corrects a little, and is off, and I see no more + of him for the day. Meanwhile I sit fretting, or should do so, + as I did at first, were it not for a blessed employment which so + beguiles the tediousness of the day that I hardly perceive it + passing. It is the study of the Psalms in the Hebrew. I have + long had it in contemplation, in the assurance, from the number + of flat and obscure passages that occur in the translations, + that the original has not been hitherto perfectly understood. I + am delighted to find that many of the most unmeaning verses in + the version turn out, on close examination, to contain a direct + reference to the Lord our Saviour. The testimony of Jesus is + indeed the spirit of prophecy. He is never lost sight of. Let + them touch what subject they will, they must always let fall + something about Him. Such should we be, looking always to Him. I + have often attempted the 84th Psalm, endeared to me on many + accounts as you know, but have not yet succeeded. The glorious + 16th Psalm I hope I have mastered. I write with the ardour of a + student communicating his discoveries and describing his + difficulties to a fellow student. + + I think of you incessantly, too much, I fear, sometimes; yet the + recollection of you is generally attended with an exercise of + resignation to His will. In prayer I often feel what you + described five years ago as having felt--a particular pleasure + in viewing you as with me before the Lord, and entreating our + common Father to bless both His children. When I sit and muse my + spirit flies away to you, and attends you at Gurlyn, Penzance, + Plymouth Dock, and sometimes with your brother in London. If you + acknowledge a kindred feeling still, we are not separated; our + spirits have met and blended. I still continue without + intelligence from India; since last January I have heard nothing + of any one person whom I love. My consolation is that the Lord + has you all under His care, and is carrying on His work in the + world by your means, and that when I emerge I shall find that + some progress is made in India especially, the country I now + regard as my own. Persia is in many respects a ripe field for + the harvest. Vast numbers secretly hate and despise the + superstition imposed on them, and as many of them as have heard + the Gospel approve it, but they dare not hazard their lives for + the name of the Lord Jesus. I am sometimes asked whether the + external appearance of Mohammedanism might not be retained with + Christianity, and whether I could not baptize them without their + believing in the Divinity of Christ. I tell them, No. + + Though I have complained above of the inactivity of my + translation, I have reason to bless the Lord that He thus + supplies Gibeonites for the help of His true Israel. They are + employed in a work of the importance of which they are + unconscious, and are making provision for future Persian saints, + whose time is, I suppose, now near. Roll back, ye crowded years, + your thick array! Let the long, long period of darkness and sin + at last give way to the brighter hours of light and liberty, + which wait on the wings of the Sun of Righteousness. Perhaps we + witness the dawn of the day of glory, and if not, the desire + that we feel, that Jesus may be glorified, and the nations + acknowledge His sway, is the earnest of the Spirit, that when He + shall appear we shall also appear with Him in glory. Kind love + to all the saints who are waiting His coming. + + Yours, with true affection, my ever dearest Lydia, + + H. MARTYN. + + It is now determined that we leave Shiraz in a week, and as the + road through Persia is impassable through the commotions which + are always disturbing some part or other of this unhappy + country, I must go back to Bushire. + + My scribe finished the New Testament; in correcting we are no + further than the 13th of Acts. + + _October 24_ to _26_.--Resumed my Hebrew studies; on the two + first days translated the eight first Psalms into Persian, the + last all day long thinking about the word Higgaion in the 9th + Psalm. + + _October 27_ to _29_.--Finished Psalm xii. Reading the 5th of + St. Matthew to Zachariah my servant. Felt awfully convinced of + guilt; how fearlessly do I give way to causeless anger, + speaking contemptuously of men, as if I had never read this + chapter. The Lord deliver me from all my wickedness, and write + His holy law upon my heart, that I may walk circumspectly before + Him all the remaining days of my life. + + _November 1._--Everything was prepared for our journey to + Baghdad by the Persian Gulf, and a large party of Shiraz ladies, + chiefly of Mirza Seid Ali's family, had determined to accompany + us, partly from a wish to visit the tombs, and partly to have + the company of their relations a little longer. But a letter + arriving with the intelligence that Bagdhad was all in + confusion, our kafila separated, and I resolved to go on through + Persia to Armenia, and so to Syria. But the season was too far + advanced for me to think of traversing the regions of Caucasus + just then, so I made up my mind to winter at Shiraz. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[46] _The Three Brothers, or the Travels and Adventures of Sir +Anthony, Sir Robert, and Sir Thomas Sherley in Persia, Russia, Turkey, +Spain, &c._, London, 1825. + +[47] _Travels in Georgia, Persia, Armenia, Ancient Babylonia, &c._, by +Sir Robert Ker Porter, 2 vols., London, 1821. + +[48] Mr. J.C. Marshman, C.S.I., who lived through the history of +India, from Wellesley to Lord Lawrence, and personally knew almost all +its distinguished men, writes in his invaluable History: 'The good +sense of Sir Harford and Colonel Malcolm gradually smoothed down all +asperities, and it was not long before they agreed to unite their +efforts to battle the intrigues and the cupidity of the court. Colonel +Malcolm was received with open arms by the king, who considered him +the first of Englishmen. "What induced you," said he at the first +interview, "to hasten away from Shiraz without seeing my son?" "How +could I," replied the Colonel with his ever ready tact, "after having +been warmed by the sunshine of your Majesty's favour, be satisfied +with the mere reflection of that refulgence in the person of your +son?" "Mashalla!" exclaimed the monarch, "Malcolm Sahib is himself +again." ... Sir Gore Ouseley had acquired the confidence of Lord +Wellesley by the great talents he exhibited when in a private station +at the court of Lucknow, and upon his recommendation was appointed to +Teheran as the representative of the King of England.' The two +embassies cost the East India Company 380,000_l._ + +[49] Sir C.U. Aitchison's _Collection of Treaties, Engagements, and +Sunnuds relating to India and Neighbouring Countries_, 2nd edition, +vol. vi. Calcutta, 1876. + +[50] _A Tour to Sheeraz by the route of Karroon and Feerozabad_, +London, 1807. + +[51] In two splendid volumes, printed by native hands under the +sanction of the Government at Calcutta, in 1891, Lieutenant-Colonel H. +Wilberforce Clarke published an English prose translation of _The +Divan, written in the Fourteenth Century_, by Khwaja Shamshu-d-Din +Muhammad-i-Hafiz. The work is described in the _Quarterly Review_ of +January 1892, by a writer who thus begins: 'About two miles north-west +of Shiraz, in the garden called Mosella which is, being interpreted, +"the place of prayer," lies, beneath the shadow of cypress-trees, one +of which he is said to have planted with his own hand, Shems-Edden +Mohammed, surnamed Hafiz, or "the steadfast in Scripture," poet, +recluse, and mystic.... No other Persian has equalled him in fame--not +Sadi, whose monument, now in ruins, may be visited near his own; nor +Firdusi, nor Jami. Near the garden tomb is laid open the book of well +nigh seven hundred poems which he wrote. According to Sir Gore +Ouseley, who turned over its pages in 1811, it is a volume abounding +in bright and delicate colour, with illuminated miniatures, and the +lovely tints of the Persian caligraphy.' + +[52] _Persia and the Persian Question_, 2 vols. (Longmans), 1892. + +[53] _Travels_, vol. i. pp. 687-8. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +IN PERSIA--CONTROVERSIES WITH MOHAMMEDANS, SOOFIS, AND JEWS + + +Henry Martyn's first week in Persia was enough to lead him to use such +language as this: 'If God rained down fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah, +how is it that this nation is not blotted out from under heaven? I do +not remember to have heard such things of the Hindus, except the +Sikhs; they seem to rival the Mohammedans.' The experienced Bengal +civilian, Mr. E. Scott Waring, had thus summed up his impressions: +'The generality of Persians are sunk in the lowest state of profligacy +and infamy, and they seldom hesitate alluding to crimes which are +abhorred and detested in every civilised country in the universe. +Their virtues consist in being most excellent companions, and in +saying this we say everything which can be advanced in their favour. +The same argument cannot be advanced for them which has been urged in +favour of the Greeks, for they have laws which stigmatise the crimes +they commit.' Every generation seems to have departed farther and +farther from the character of the hero-king, Cyrus. At the present +time, after two visits to Europe by their Shah, the governing class, +the priestly order of Moojtahids, and the people seem to be more +hopelessly corrupt than ever.[54] + +So early as the twelfth century the astronomer-poet of Persia, Omar +Khayyam, of Naishapur, in his few hundred tetrastichs of exquisite +verse which have ever since won the admiration of the world, struck +the note of dreary scepticism and epicurean sensuality, as the Roman +Lucretius had done. His age was one of spiritual darkness, when men +felt their misery, and all the more that they saw no means of +relieving it. The purer creed of Zoroaster had been stamped down but +not rooted out by the illiterate Arab hordes of Mohammed. A cultured +Aryan race could not accept submissively the ignorant fanaticism of +the Semitic sons of the desert. The Arabs destroyed or drove out +ultimately to India the fire-worshippers who had courage to prefer +their faith to the Koran; the mass of the people and their leaders +worked out the superficial Mohammedanism identified with the name and +the sufferings of Ali. The new national religion became more and more +a falsehood, alike misrepresenting the moral facts and the character +and claims of God, and not really believed in by the general +conscience. The few who from time to time arose endowed with spiritual +fervour or poetic fire, found no vent through the popular religion, +and no satisfaction for the aching void of the heart. The loftier +natures ran by an inevitable law of the human mind either into such +self-indulgent despairing scepticism as Omar Khayyam's, or into the +sensual mysticism of Sadi, Jami, and Hafiz, of the whole tribe of +ascetic enthusiasts and impostors, the Soofis, fakeers, and durweshes, +who fill the world of Islam, from the mosques on the Bosporus to the +secret chambers of Persia and Oudh. To all such we may use one of the +few rare tetrastichs which Omar Khayyam was compelled by his higher +nature to write:[55] + + O heart! wert thou pure from the body's dust, + Thou shouldest soar naked spirit above the sky; + Highest heaven is thy native seat--for shame, for shame, + That thou shouldest stoop to dwell in a city of clay! + +We must remember all this when we come to the disputations of Henry +Martyn with the doctors of Shiraz and Persia. They, and some fifteen +millions out of the hundred and eighty millions of Islam in the world, +are Shi'ahs, or 'followers' of Ali, whom, as Mohammed's first cousin +and son-in-law, they accept as his first legitimate imam, kaliph, or +successor; while they treat the _de facto_ kaliphs of the Soonni +Muslims--Abu Bakr, Omar, and Othman--as usurpers. The Persians are in +reality more tolerant of the Christians, the Jews, and even the Majusi +(Magi), or fire-worshippers, all of whom are people of the Book who have +received an inspired revelation, than of their Soonni co-religionists. +The people--though not of course their ruler, who is of Turkish +origin--are more tolerant of new sects, such as that of Babism, and even +their spiritual guides or the more respectable among these are in +expectation of a new leader, the twelfth, the Imam-al-Mahdi, who has +once before been manifested, and has long been waiting secretly for the +final consummation. + +We must also realise the extent to which Soofi-ism had saturated the +upper classes and the Moojtahid order, who sought out Henry Martyn, +and even recognised in him the Divine drunkenness, so that they +always treated him and spoke of him as a _merdi khodai_, a man of God. +The first Soofi--a name taken either from the word for the woollen +dress of the Asiatic or from that for purity--was Ali, according to +the Shi'ahs; but this form of philosophical mysticism, often attended +by carnal excesses through which its devotees express themselves, is +rather Hindu in its origin. The deepest thought of the Asiatic, +without the revelation of Jesus Christ, is for Brahman and Buddhist, +Sikh and Soofi, Hindu and Mohammedan, this absorption into the Divine +Essence, so as to lose all personality and individual consciousness. +That Essence may be the sum total of all things--the materialistic +side; or the spirit underlying matter, the idealistic side, but the +loss of individuality is the ultimate aim. But such absorption can be +finally reached only by works--asceticism, pilgrimage, almsgiving, +meditation--and by cycles of trans-migrations to sublimate the soul +for unconsciousness of all that is objective, and of self itself. +Hafiz is as full of wine and women in his poems as Anacreon or the +worst of the Latin erotic poets; but the Soofis, who revel in his +verses, maintain that they 'profess eager desire with no carnal +affection, and circulate the cup, but no material goblet, since all +things are spiritual in their sect; all is mystery within mystery.' + +What Henry Martyn learned to find, in even his brief experience of the +Aryan Shi'ahs, to whom he offered the love of Christ and through the +Son a personal union with the Father, is best expressed in this +description by the most recent skilled writer on the people, before +referred to: + + Persia is the one purely Mohammedan country which, in the + process of a national revolt against the rigid hide-bound + orthodoxy of Islam, has only succeeded in wrapping more closely + round its national and political life the encircling folds of + that 'manteau commode, sous lequel s'abrite, en se cachant a + peine, tout le passe.' Under the extravagances and fanaticism of + the Shi'ah heresy, the old Zoroastrian faith lives on, + transformed into an outward conformity to the forms of the + Moslem creed, and the product is that grotesque confusion of + faith and fanaticism, mysticism and immorality, rationalism and + superstition, which is the despair and astonishment of all who + have looked beneath the surface of ordinary everyday life in + Persia. Soofi-ism, with its profound mysticism and godless + doctrine, has found a congenial home in Persia, often, indeed, + blossoming into beautiful literary form such as is found in the + _Rubaiy[=a]t_ of Omar Khayyam, or in the delightful pages of the + _Gulistan_ of Sheikh Sadi, or in the poems of Hafiz. + +Soofi-ism is the illegitimate offspring of scepticism and fanaticism. +It is tersely described by one Persian writer as 'a sensual plunging +into the abyss of darkness'; by another as 'a deadly abomination'; and +by a third as 'the part of one who goes raving mad with unlawful +lusts.' Nevertheless, as Professor Kuenen has well observed, the true +Soofi is a Moslem no more. + +All Martyn's experience among the Wahabees of Patna and the Shi'ahs of +Lucknow had fitted him for the discussions which were almost forced +upon him in Persia, for he went there to translate the New Testament +afresh. But he had, in his reading, sought to prepare himself for the +Mohammedan controversy. When coasting round India, he made this entry +in his _Journal_: '_1811, January 28._--Making extracts from Maracci's +_Refutation of Koran_. Felt much false shame at being obliged to +confess my ignorance of many things which I ought to have known.' +Soofi-ism met him the day after he reached Shiraz, on the first visit +of Seyd Ali, brother-in-law of his host, Jaffir Ali Khan. Thus: + + _June 10._--He spoke so indistinctly, and with such volubility, + that I did not well comprehend him, but gathered from his + discourse that we are all parts of the Deity. I observed that we + had not these opinions in Europe, but understood that they were + parts of the Brahmanic system. On my asking him for the + foundation of his opinions, he said the first argument he was + prepared to bring forward was this: God exists, man also exists, + but existence is not twofold, therefore God and man are of the + same nature. The minor I disputed: he defended it with many + words. I replied by objecting the consequences, Is there no + difference between right and wrong? There appeared a difference, + he said, to us, but before God it was nothing. The waves of the + sea are so many aspects and forms, but it is still but one and + the same water. In the outset he spoke with great contempt of + all revelation. 'You know,' said he, 'that in the law and Koran, + etc., it is said, God _created heaven_ and the _earth_,' etc. + Reverting to this, I asked whether these opinions were agreeable + to what the prophets had spoken. Perceiving me to be not quite + philosophical enough for him, he pretended some little reverence + for them, spoke of them as good men, etc., but added that there + was no evidence for their truth but what was traditionary. I + asked whether there was anything unreasonable in God's making a + revelation of His will. He said, No. Whether a miracle for that + purpose was not necessary, at least useful, and therefore + credible? He granted it. Was not evidence from testimony + rational evidence? Yes. Have you then rational evidence for the + religion of Mohammed? He said the division of the moon was + generally brought forward, but he saw no sufficient evidence for + believing it; he mentioned the Koran with some hesitation, as + if conscious that it would not stand as a miracle. I said + eloquence depended upon opinion; it was no miracle for any but + Arabs, and that some one may yet rise up and write better. He + allowed the force of the objection, and said the Persians were + very far from thinking the eloquence of the Koran miraculous, + however the Arabs might think so. The last observation he made + was, that it was impossible not to think well of one by whose + example and instructions others had become great and good; + though therefore little was known of Mohammed, he must have been + something to have formed such men as Ali. Here the conversation + ceased. I told them in the course of our conversation that, + according to our histories, the law and Gospel had been + translated into Persian before the time of Mohammed. He said + they were not to be found, because Omar in his ignorant zeal had + probably destroyed them. He spoke with great contempt of the + 'Arab asses.' + + _June 13._--Seyd Ali breakfasted with us. Looking at one of the + plates in Hutton's _Mathematical Dictionary_, where there was a + figure of a fountain produced by the rarefaction of the air, he + inquired into the principle of it, which I explained; he + disputed the principle, and argued for the exploded idea that + nature abhors a vacuum. We soon got upon religion again. I + showed him some verses in the Koran in which Mohammed disclaims + the power of working miracles. He could not reply. We talked + again on the evidence of testimony. The oldest book written by a + Mohammedan was the sermons of Ali. Allowing these sermons to be + really his, I objected to his testimony for Mohammed, because he + was interested in the support of that religion. I asked him the + meaning of a contested passage; he gave the usual explanation; + but as soon as the servants were gone he turned round and said, + 'It is only to make a rhyme.' This conversation seemed to be + attended with good. Our amiable host, Jaffir Ali, Mirza Jan, and + Seyd Ali seemed to be delighted with my arguments against + Mohammedanism, and did not at last evince a wish to defend it. + In the evening Jaffir Ali came and talked most agreeably on + religious subjects, respecting the obvious tendency of piety and + impiety, and the end to which they would lead in a future world. + One of his remarks was, 'If I am in love with any one, I shall + dream of her at night; her image will meet me in my sleep. Now + death is but a sleep; if therefore I love God, or Christ, when I + fall asleep in death I shall meet Him, so also if I love Satan + or his works.' He could wish, he said, if he had not a wife and + children, to go and live on the top of a mountain, so disgusted + was he with the world and its concerns. I told him this was the + first suggestion in the minds of devotees in all religions, but + that in reality it was not the way to escape the pollution of + the world, because a man's wicked heart will go with him to the + top of a mountain. It is the grace of God changing the heart + which will alone raise us above the world. Christ commands His + people to 'abide in Him'; this is the secret source of + fruitfulness, without which they are as branches cut off from + the tree. He asked whether there was no mention of a prophet's + coming after Christ. I said, No. 'Why then,' said he, 'was any + mention made of Ahmed in the Koran?' He said, 'One day an + English gentleman said to me, "I believe that Christ was no + better than myself." "Why then," said I, "you are worse than a + Mohammedan."' + + _June 24._--Went early this morning to the Jewish synagogue with + Jaffir Ali Khan. At the sight of a Mohammedan of such rank, the + chief person stopped the service and came to the door to bring + us in. He then showed us the little room where the copies of the + law were kept. He said there were no old ones but at Baghdad and + Jerusalem; he had a printed copy with the Targum, printed at + Leghorn. The only European letters in it were the words 'con + approbazione,' of which he was anxious to know the meaning. The + congregation consisted chiefly of little boys, most of whom had + the Psalter. I felt much distressed that the worship of the God + of Israel was not there, and therefore I did not ask many + questions. When he found I could read Hebrew, he was very + curious to know who I might be, and asked my name. I told him + Abdool Museeh, in hopes that he would ask more, but he did not, + setting me down, I suppose, as a Mohammedan. + + _June 25._--Every day I hear stories of these bloody Tartars. + They allow no Christian, not even a Soonni, to enter their + country, except in very particular cases, such as merchants with + a pass; but never allow one to return to Persia if they catch + him. They argue, 'If we suffer this creature to go back, he will + become the father of other infidels, and thus infidelity will + spread: so, for the sake of God and His prophet, let us kill + him.' About 150 years ago the men of Bokhara made an insidious + attempt to obtain a confession from the people of Mushed that + they were Shi'ahs. Their moulvies begged to know what evidence + they had for the Khaliphat of Ali. But the men of Mushed, aware + of their purpose, said, 'We Shi'ahs! no, we acknowledge thee for + friends.' But the moollahs of Bokhara were not satisfied with + this confession, and three of them deliberated together on what + ought to be done. One said: 'It is all hypocrisy; they must be + killed.' The other said: 'No, if all be killed we shall kill + some Soonnis.' The third said: 'If any can prove that their + ancestors have ever been Soonnis they shall be saved, but not + else.' Another rejoined that, from being so long with Shi'ahs, + their faith could not be pure, and so it was better to kill + them. To this another agreed, observing that though it was no + sin before men to let them live, he who spared them must be + answerable for it to God. When the three bloody inquisitors had + determined on the destruction of the Shi'ah city, they gave the + signal, and 150,000 Tartars marched down and put all to the + sword. + + _June 26._--We were to-day, according to our expectation, just + about setting off for Ispahan, when, Mirza Ibrahim returning, + gave us information that the Tartars and Koords had made an + irruption into Persia, and that the whole Persian army was on + its march to Kermanshah to meet them. Thus our road is + impassable. I wrote instantly to the ambassador, to know what he + would advise, and the minister sent off an express with it. + Mirza Ibrahim, after reading my answer, had nothing to reply, + but made such a remark as I did not expect from a man of his + character, namely, that _he_ was sufficiently satisfied the + Koran was a miracle, though he had failed to convince me. Thus + my labour is lost, except it be with the Lord. I have now lost + all hope of ever convincing Mohammedans by argument. The most + rational, learned, unprejudiced, charitable men confessedly in + the whole town cannot escape from the delusion. I know not what + to do but to pray for them. I had some warm conversation with + Seyd Ali on his infidelity. I asked him what he wanted. Was + there any one thing on earth, of the same antiquity, as well + attested as the miracles, etc., of Christianity? He confessed + not, but he did not know the reason he could not believe: + perhaps it was levity and the love of the world, or the power of + Satan, but he had no faith at all. He could not believe even in + a future state. He asked at the end, 'Why all this earnestness?' + I said, 'For fear you should remain in hell for ever.' He was + affected, and said no more. + + _June 27._--The Prime Minister sent me, as a present, four + mules-load of melons from Kaziroon. Seyd Ali reading the 2nd + chapter of St. Matthew, where the star is said to go before the + wise men, asked: 'Then what do you say to that, after what you + were proving yesterday about the stars?' I said: 'It was not + necessary to suppose it was one of those heavenly bodies; any + meteor that had the appearance of a star was sufficient for the + purpose, and equally miraculous.' 'Then why call it a star?' + 'Because the magi called it so, for this account was undoubtedly + received from them. Philosophers still talk of a falling star, + though every one knows that it is not a star.' + + _September 2_ to _6_.--At Mirza Ibrahim's request we are + employed in making out a proof of the Divine mission of Moses + and Jesus. He fancies that my arguments against Mohammedanism + are equally applicable against these two, and that as I + triumphed when acting on the offensive, I shall be as weak as he + when I act on the defensive. + + _September 7_ to _11_.--Employed much the same; daily disputes + with Jaffir Ali Khan about the Trinity; if they may be called + disputes in which I bring forward no arguments, but calmly refer + them to the Holy Scriptures. They distress and perplex + themselves without measure, and I enjoy a peace, as respects + these matters, which passeth understanding. There is no passage + that so frequently occurs to me now as this: 'They shall be all + taught of God, and great shall be the peace of thy children.' I + have this testimony that I have been taught of God. + + _1812, January 19._--Aga Baba coming in while we were + translating, Mirza Seyd Ali told him he had been all the day + decrying the law. It is a favourite tenet of the Soofis, that we + should be subject to no law. Aga Baba said that if Christ, while + He removed the old law, had also forborne to bring in His new + way, He would have done still better. I was surprised as well as + shocked at such a remark from him, but said nothing. The poor + man, not knowing how to exist without amusement, then turned to + a game at chess. How pitiable is the state of fallen man! + Wretched, and yet he will not listen to any proposals of relief: + stupidly ignorant, yet too wise to submit to learn anything from + God. I have often wondered to see how the merest dunce thinks + himself qualified to condemn and ridicule revealed religion. + These Soofis pretend too to be latitudinarians, assigning + idolaters the same rank as others in nearness to God, yet they + have all in their turn spoken contemptuously of the Gospel. + Perhaps because it is so decisively exclusive. I begin now to + have some notion of Soofi-ism. The principle is this: + Notwithstanding the good and evil, pleasure and pain that is in + the world, God is not affected by it. He is perfectly happy with + it all; if therefore we can become like God we shall also be + perfectly happy in every possible condition. This, therefore, is + salvation. + + _January 21._--Aga Boozong, the most magisterial of the Soofis, + stayed most of the day with Mirza Seyd Ali and Jaffir Ali Khan + in my room. His speech as usual--all things are only so many + forms of God; paint as many figures as you will on a wall, it is + still but the same wall. Tired of constantly hearing this same + vapid truism, I asked him, 'What then? With the reality of + things we have nothing to do, as we know nothing about them.' + These forms, if he will have it that they are but forms, affect + us with pleasure and pain, just as if they were more real. He + said we were at present in a dream; in a dream we think + visionary things real--when we wake we discover the delusion. I + asked him how did he know but that this dream might continue for + ever. But he was not at all disposed to answer objections, and + was rather vexed at my proposing them. So I let him alone to + dissent as he pleased. Mirza Seyd Ali read him some verses of + St. Paul, which he condescended to praise, but in such a way as + to be more offensive to me than if he had treated it with + contempt. He repeated again how much he was pleased with the + sentiments of Paul, as if his being pleased with them would be a + matter of exultation to me. He said they were excellent precepts + for the people of the world. The parts Mirza Seyd Ali read were + Titus iii. and Hebrews viii. On the latter Mirza Seyd Ali + observed that he (Paul) had not written ill, but something like + a good reasoner. Thus they sit in judgment on God's Word, never + dreaming that they are to be judged by it. On the contrary, they + regard the best parts, as they call them, as approaching only + towards the heights of Soofi-ism. Aga Boozong finally observed + that as for the Gospels he had not seen much in them, but the + Epistles he was persuaded would make the book soon well known. + There is another circumstance that gained Paul importance in the + eyes of Mirza Seyd Ali, which is, that he speaks of Mark and + Luke as his servants. + + _January 24._--Found Seyd Ali rather serious this evening. He + said he did not know what to do to have his mind made up about + religion. Of all the religions Christ's was the best, but + whether to prefer this to Soofi-ism he could not tell. In these + doubts he was tossed to and fro, and is often kept awake the + whole night in tears. He and his brother talk together on these + things till they are almost crazed. Before he was engaged in + this work of translation, he says, he used to read about two or + three hours a day; now he can do nothing else; has no + inclination for anything else, and feels unhappy if he does not + correct his daily portion. His late employment has given a new + turn to his thoughts as well as to those of his friends; they + had not the most distant conception of the contents of the New + Testament. He says his Soofi friends are exceedingly anxious to + see the Epistles, from the accounts he gives of them, and also + he is sure that almost the whole of Shiraz are so sensible of + the load of unmeaning ceremonies in which their religion + consists, that they will rejoice to see or hear of anything like + freedom, and that they would be more willing to embrace Christ + than the Soofis, who, after taking so much pains to be + independent of all law, would think it degrading to submit + themselves to any law again, however light. + + _February 4._--Mirza Seyd Ali, who has been enjoying himself in + idleness and dissipation these two days instead of translating, + returned full of evil and opposition to the Gospel. While + translating 2 Peter iii., 'Scoffers ... saying, Where is the + promise of his coming?' he began to ask 'Well, they are in the + right; where are any of His promises fulfilled?' I said the + heathen nations have been given to Christ for an inheritance. + He said No; it might be more truly said that they are given to + Mohammed, for what are the Christian nations compared with + Arabia, Persia, India, Tartary, etc.? I set in opposition all + Europe, Russia, Armenia, and the Christians in the Mohammedan + countries. He added, at one time when the Abbasides carried + their arms to Spain, the Christian name was almost extinct. I + rejoined, however, that he was not yet come to the end of + things, that Mohammedanism was in itself rather a species of + heretical Christianity, for many professing Christians denied + the Divinity of our Lord, and treated the Atonement as a fable. + 'They do right,' said he; 'it is contrary to reason that one + person should be an atonement for all the rest. How do you prove + it? it is nowhere said in the Gospels. Christ said He was sent + only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' I urged the + authority of the Apostles, founded upon His word, 'Whatsoever ye + shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye + shall loose on earth,' etc. 'Why, what are we to think of them,' + said he, 'when we see Paul and Barnabas quarrelling; Peter + acting the hypocrite, sometimes eating with the Gentiles, and + then withdrawing from fear; and again, all the Apostles, not + knowing what to do about the circumcision of the Gentiles, and + disputing among themselves about it?' I answered, 'The + infirmities of the Apostles have nothing to do with their + authority. It is not everything they do that we are commanded to + imitate, nor everything they might say in private, if we knew + it, that we are obliged to attend to, but the commands they + leave for the Church; and here there is no difference among + them. As for the discussions about circumcision, it does not at + all appear that the Apostles themselves were divided in their + opinions about it; the difficulty seems to have been started by + those believers who had been Pharisees.' 'Can you give me a + proof,' said he, 'of Christianity, that I may either believe, or + be left without excuse if I do not believe--a proof like that of + one of the theorems of Euclid?' I said it is not to be + expected, but enough may be shown to leave every man + inexcusable. 'Well,' said he, 'though this is only probability, + I shall be glad of that.' 'As soon as our Testament is + finished,' I replied, 'we will, if you please, set about our + third treatise, in which, if I fail to convince you, I can at + least state the reasons why I believed.' 'You had better,' said + he, 'begin with Soofi-ism, and show that that is + absurd'--meaning, I suppose, that I should premise something + about the _necessity_ of revelation. After a little pause, 'I + suppose,' said he, 'you think it sinful to sport with the + characters of those holy men?' I said I had no objection to hear + all their objections and sentiments, but I could not bear + anything spoken disrespectfully of the Lord Jesus; 'and yet + there is not one of your Soofis,' I added, 'but has said + something against Him. Even your master, Mirza Abul Kasim, + though he knows nothing of the Gospel or law, and has not even + seen them, presumed to say that Moses, Christ, Mohammed, etc., + were all alike. I did not act in this way. In India I made every + inquiry, both about Hinduism and Mohammedanism. I read the Koran + through twice. On my first arrival here I made it my business to + ask for your proofs, so that if I condemned and rejected it, it + was not without consideration. Your master, therefore, spoke + rather precipitately.' He did not attempt to defend him, but + said, 'You never heard _me_ speak lightly of Jesus.' 'No; there + is something so awfully pure about Him that nothing is to be + said.' + + _March 18._--Sat a good part of the day with Abul Kasim, the + Soofi sage, Mirza Seyd Ali, and Aga Mohammed Hasan, who begins + to be a disciple of the old man's. On my expressing a wish to + see the Indian book, it was proposed to send for it, which they + did, and then read it aloud. The stoicism of it I controverted, + and said that the entire annihilation of the passions, which the + stupid Brahman described as perfection, was absurd. On my + continuing to treat other parts of the book with contempt, the + old man was a little roused, and said that this was the way that + pleased them, and my way pleased me. That thus God provided + something for the tastes of all, and as the master of a feast + provides a great variety, some eat _pilao_, others prefer + _kubab_, etc. On my again remarking afterwards how useless all + these descriptions of perfection were, since no rules were given + for attaining it, the old man asked what in my opinion was the + way. I said we all agreed in one point, namely, that union with + God was perfection; that in order to that we must receive the + Spirit of God, which Spirit was promised on condition of + believing in Jesus. There was a good deal of disputing about + Jesus, His being exclusively the visible God. Nothing came of it + apparently, but that Mirza Seyd Ali afterwards said, 'There is + no getting at anything like truth or certainty. We know nothing + at all; you are in the right, who simply believe because Jesus + had said so.' + + _March 22._--These two days I have been thinking from morning to + night about the Incarnation; considering if I could represent it + in such a way as to obviate in any degree the prejudices of the + Mohammedans; not that I wished to make it appear altogether + agreeable to reason, but I wanted to give a consistent account + of the nature and uses of this doctrine, as they are found in + the different parts of the Holy Scriptures. One thing implied + another to such an extent that I thought necessarily of the + nature of life, death, spirit, soul, animal nature, state of + separate spirits, personality, the person of Christ, etc., that + I was quite worn out with fruitless thought. Towards evening + Carapiet with another Armenian came and conversed on several + points of theology, such as whether the fire of hell were + literally fire or only remorse, whether the Spirit proceeded + from the Father and the Son, or from the Father only, and how we + are to reconcile those two texts, that 'for every idle word that + men shall speak,' etc., with the promises of salvation through + faith? Happening to speak in praise of some person who practised + needless austerities, I tried to make him understand that this + was not the way of the Gospel. He urged these texts--'Blessed + are they that mourn,' 'Blessed are ye that weep now,' etc. While + we were discussing this point, Mohammed Jaffir, who on a former + occasion had conversed with me a good deal about the Gospel, + came in. I told him the question before us was an important one, + namely, how the love of sin was to be got out of the heart. The + Armenian proceeded, 'If I wish to go to a dancing or drinking, I + must deny myself.' Whether he meant to say that this was + sufficient I do not know, but the Mohammedan understanding him + so, replied that he had read yesterday in the Gospel, 'that + whosoever looketh upon a woman,' etc., from which he inferred + that obedience of the heart was requisite. This he expressed + with such propriety and gracefulness, that, added to the + circumstance of his having been reading the Gospel, I was quite + delighted, and thought with pleasure of the day when the Gospel + should be preached by Persians. After the Armenians were gone we + considered the doctrines of the Soofis a little. Finding me not + much averse to what he thought some of their most exceptionable + tenets, such as union with God, he brought this argument: 'You + will allow that God cannot bind, compel, command Himself.' 'No, + He cannot.' 'Well, if we are one with God, we cannot be subject + to any of His laws.' I replied: 'Our union with God is such an + union as exists between the members of a body. Notwithstanding + the union of the hand with the heart and head, it is still + subject to the influence and control of the ruling power in the + person.' We had a great deal of conversation afterwards on the + Incarnation. All his Mohammedan prejudices revolted. 'Sir, what + do you talk of? the self-existent become contained in space, and + suffer need!' I told him that it was the manhood of Christ that + suffered need, and as for the essence of the Deity, if he would + tell me anything about it, where or how it was, I would tell + him how the Godhead was in Christ. After an effort or two he + found that every term he used implied our frightful doctrine, + namely, personality, locality, etc. This is a thought that is + now much in my mind--that it is so ordered that, since men never + can speak of God but through the medium of language, which is + all material, nor think of God but through the medium of + material objects, they do unwillingly come to God through the + Word, and think of God by means of an Incarnation. + + _March 28._--The same person came again, and we talked + incessantly for four hours upon the evidences of the two + religions, the Trinity, Incarnation, etc., until I was quite + exhausted, and felt the pain in my breast which I used to have + in India. + + _April 7._--Observing a party of ten or a dozen poor Jews with + their priest in the garden, I attacked them, and disputed a + little with the Levite on Psalms ii., xvi. and xxiv. They were + utterly unacquainted with Jesus, and were surprised at what I + told them of His Resurrection and Ascension. The priest abruptly + broke off the conversation, told me he would call and talk with + me in my room, and carried away his flock. Reading afterwards + the story of Joseph and his brethren, I was much struck with the + exact correspondence between the type and antitype. Jesus will + at last make Himself known to His brethren, and then they will + find that they have been unknowingly worshipping Him while + worshipping the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel. + + _April 8._--The Prince dining to-day at a house on the side of a + hill, which commands a view of the town, issued an order for all + the inhabitants to exhibit fireworks for his amusement, or at + least to make bonfires on the roofs of their houses, under + penalty of five tomans in case of neglect. Accordingly fire was + flaming in all directions, enough to have laid any city in + Europe in ashes. One man fell off a roof and was killed, and two + others in the same way were so hurt that their lives were + despaired of, and a woman lost an eye by the stick of a + sky-rocket. + + _July 9._--Made an extraordinary effort, and as a Tartar was + going off instantly to Constantinople, wrote letters to Mr. + Grant for permission to come to England, and to Mr. Simeon and + Lydia, informing them of it; but I have scarcely the remotest + expectation of seeing it, except by looking at the Almighty + power of God. + + Dined at night at the ambassador's, who said he was determined + to give every possible _eclat_ to my book, by presenting it + himself to the King. My fever never ceased to rage till the + 21st, during all which time every effort was made to subdue it, + till I had lost all my strength and almost all my reason. They + now administer bark, and it may please God to bless the tonics; + but I seem too far gone, and can only say, 'Having a desire to + depart and be with Christ, which is far better.' + + TO REV. D. CORRIE + + Shiraz: September 12, 1811. + + Dearest Brother,--I can hardly conceive, or at least am not + willing to believe, that you would forget me six successive + months; I conclude, therefore, that you must have written, + though I have not seen your handwriting since I left Calcutta. + + The Persian translation goes on but slowly. I and my translator + have been engaged in a controversy with his uncle, which has + left us little leisure for anything else. As there is nothing at + all in this dull place to take the attention of the people, no + trade, manufactures, or news, every event at all novel is + interesting to them. You may conceive, therefore, what a strong + sensation was produced by the stab I aimed at the vitals of + Mohammed. Before five people had seen what I wrote, defences of + Islam swarmed into ephemeral being from all the moulvi maggots + of the place, but the more judicious men were ashamed to let me + see them. One moollah, called Aga Akbar, was determined to + distinguish himself. He wrote with great acrimony on the margin + of my pamphlet, but passion had blinded his reason, so that he + smote the wind. One day I was on a visit of ceremony to the + Prime Minister, and sitting in great state by his side, fifty + visitors in the same hall, and five hundred clients without, + when who should make his appearance but my tetric adversary, the + said Aga Akbar, who came for the express purpose of presenting + the Minister with a piece he had composed in defence of the + prophet, and then sitting down told me he should present me with + a copy that day. 'There are four answers,' said he, 'to your + objection against his using the sword.' 'Very well,' said I, 'I + shall be glad to see them, though I made no such objection.' + Eager to display his attainments in all branches of science, he + proceeded to call in question the truth of our European + philosophy, and commanded me to show that the earth moved, and + not the sun. I told him that in matters of religion, where the + salvation of men was concerned, I would give up nothing to them, + but as for points in philosophy they might have it all their own + way. This was not what he wanted; so after looking at the + Minister, to know if it was not a breach of good manners to + dispute at such a time, and finding that there was nothing + contrary to custom, but that, on the contrary, he rather + expected an answer, I began, but soon found that he could + comprehend nothing without diagrams. A moonshi in waiting was + ordered to produce his implements, so there was I, drawing + figures, while hundreds of men were looking on in silence. + + But all my trouble was in vain--the moollah knew nothing + whatever of mathematics, and therefore could not understand my + proofs. The Persians are far more curious and clever than the + Indians. Wherever I go they ask me questions in philosophy, and + are astonished that I do not know everything. One asked me the + reason of the properties of the magnet. I told him I knew + nothing about it. 'But what do your learned men say?' '_They_ + know nothing about it.' This he did not at all credit. + + I do not find myself improving in Persian; indeed, I take no + pains to speak it well, not perceiving it to be of much + consequence. India is the land where we can act at present with + most effect. It is true that the Persians are more susceptible, + but the terrors of an inquisition are always hanging over them. + I can now conceive no greater happiness than to be settled for + life in India, superintending native schools, as we did at Patna + and Chunar. To preach so as to be readily understood by the poor + is a difficulty that appears to me almost insuperable, besides + that grown-up people are seldom converted. However, why should + we despair? If I live to see India again, I shall set to and + learn Hindi in order to preach. The day may come when even our + word may be with the Holy Ghost and with power. It is now almost + a year since I left Cawnpore, and my journey is but beginning: + when shall I ever get back again? I am often tempted to get away + from this prison, but again I recollect that some years hence I + shall say: 'When I was at Shiraz why did not I get the New + Testament done? What difference would a few months have made?' + In August I passed some days at a vineyard, about a parasang + from the city, where my host pitched a tent for me, but it was + so cold at night that I was glad to get back to the city again. + Though I occupy a room in his house, I provide for myself. + Victuals are cheap enough, especially fruit; the grapes, pears, + and water-melons are delicious; indeed, such a country for fruit + I had no conception of. I have a fine horse which I bought for + less than a hundred rupees, on which I ride every morning round + the walls. My vain servant, Zechariah, anxious that his master + should appear like an ameer, furnished him (_i.e._ the horse) + with a saddle, or rather a pillion, which fairly covers his + whole back; it has all the colours of the rainbow, but yellow is + predominant, and from it hang down four large tassels, also + yellow. But all my finery does not defend me from the boys. Some + cry out, 'Ho, Russ!' others cry out, 'Feringhi!' One day a + brickbat was flung at me, and hit me in the hip with such force + that I felt it quite a providential escape. Most of the day I am + about the translation, sometimes, at a leisure hour, trying at + Isaiah, in order to get help from the Persian Jews. My Hebrew + reveries have quite disappeared, merely for want of leisure. I + forgot to say that I have been to visit the ruins of Persepolis, + but this, with many other things, must be reserved for a hot + afternoon at Cawnpore. + + What would I give for a few lines from you, to say how the men + come on, and whether their numbers are increasing, whether you + meet the Sherwoods at the evening repast, as when I was there! + My kindest love to them, your sister, and all that love us in + the truth. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your + spirit, and with your faithful and affectionate brother, + + H. MARTYN. + +The Secretary to the British Embassy to Persia, and afterwards himself +Minister Plenipotentiary to its Court, Mr. James Morier, has given us +a notable sketch of Henry Martyn as a controversialist for Christ, and +of the impression that he made on the officials, priests, and people +of all classes. As the author of the _Adventures of Hajji Baba of +Ispahan_ and other life-like tales of the East, and as an accomplished +traveller, the father of the present Ambassador to St. Petersburg is +the first authority on such a subject. In his _Second Journey through +Persia, Armenia, and Asia Minor to Constantinople_[56] he thus writes: + + The Persians, who were struck with his humility, his patience + and resignation, called him a _merdi khodai_, a man of God, and + indeed every action of his life seemed to be bent towards the + one object of advancing the interest of the Christian religion. + When he was living at Shiraz, employed in his translation, he + neither sought nor shunned the society of the natives, many of + whom constantly drew him into arguments about religion, with the + intention of persuading him of the truth and excellence of + theirs. His answers were such as to stimulate them to further + arguments, and in spite of their pride the principal moollahs, + who had heard of his reputation, paid him the first visit, and + endeavoured in every way to entangle him in his talk. At length + he thought that the best mode of silencing them was by writing a + reply to the arguments which they brought against our belief and + in favour of their own. His tract was circulated through + different parts of Persia, and was sent from hand to hand to be + answered. At length it made its way to the King's court, and a + moollah of high consideration, who resided at Hamadan, and who + was esteemed one of the best controversialists in the country, + was ordered to answer it. After the lapse of more than a year he + did answer it, but such were the strong positions taken by Mr. + Martyn that the Persians themselves were ashamed of the futility + of their own attempts to break them down: for, after they had + sent their answer to the ambassador, they requested that it + might be returned to them again, as another answer was preparing + to be given. Such answer has never yet been given; and we may + infer from this circumstance that if, in addition to the + Scriptures, some plain treatises of the evidences of + Christianity, accompanied by strictures upon the falseness of + the doctrines of Mohammed, were translated into Persian and + disseminated throughout that country, very favourable effects + would be produced. Mr. Martyn caused a copy of his translation + to be beautifully written, and to be presented by the ambassador + to the King, who was pleased to receive it very graciously. A + copy of it was made by Mirza Baba, a Persian who gave us lessons + in the Persian language, and he said that many of his countrymen + asked his permission to take Mr. Martyn's translation to their + homes, where they kept it for several days, and expressed + themselves much edified by its contents. But whilst he was + employed in copying it, moollahs (the Persian scribes) used + frequently to sit with him and revile him for undertaking such a + work. On reading the passage where our Saviour is called 'the + Lamb of God,' they scorned and ridiculed the simile, as if + exulting in the superior designation of Ali, who is called + _Sheer_ Khodai, the Lion of God. Mirza Baba observed to them: + 'The lion is an unclean beast; it preys upon carcases, and you + are not allowed to wear its skin because it is impure; it is + destructive, fierce, and man's enemy. The lamb, on the contrary, + is in every way _halal_ or lawful. You eat its flesh, you wear + its skin on your head, it does no harm, and is an animal + beloved. Whether is it best, then, to say the Lamb of God, or + the Lion of God?' + +Henry Martyn had not been two months in Shiraz when, as his attendant +expressed it, he became the town-talk. The populace believed that he +had come to declare himself a Mussulman, and would then bring five +thousand men to the city and take possession of it. Dissatisfied with +their own government, many Mohammedans began to desire English rule, +such as was making India peaceful and prosperous, and as was supposed +to enrich all who enjoyed it. Jewish perverts to Islam crowded to the +garden, where at all times, even on Sunday, the saintly visitor was +accessible. Armenians spoke to him with a freedom they dared not show +in conversation with others. From Baghdad to Busrah, and from Bushire +to Ispahan and even Etchmiatzin, visitors crowded to talk with the +wonderful scholar and holy man. Thus on July 6 he was presented by Sir +Gore Ouseley to the Governor, Prince Abbas Mirza. + + Early this morning I went with the ambassador and his suite to + court, wearing, agreeably to custom, a pair of red cloth + stockings, with green high-heeled shoes. When we entered the + great court of the palace a hundred fountains began to play. The + prince appeared at the opposite side, in his talar, or hall of + audience, seated on the ground. Here our first bow was made. + When we came in sight of him we bowed a second time, and entered + the room. He did not rise, nor take notice of any but the + ambassador, with whom he conversed at the distance of the + breadth of the room. Two of his ministers stood in front of the + hall outside; the ambassador's mihmander, and the master of the + ceremonies, within at the door. We sat down in order, in a line + with the ambassador, with our hats on. I never saw a more sweet + and engaging countenance than the prince's; there was such an + appearance of good nature and humility in all his demeanour, + that I could scarcely bring myself to believe that he would be + guilty of anything cruel or tyrannical. + + Mahommed Shareef Khan, one of the most renowned of the Persian + generals, having served the present royal family for four + generations, called to see me, out of respect to General + Malcolm. An Armenian priest also, on his way from Busrah to + Ispahan; he was as ignorant as the rest of his brethren. To my + surprise I found that he was of the Latin Church, and read the + service in Latin, though he confessed he knew nothing about the + language. + +The first of Henry Martyn's public controversies with the Shi'ah +doctors, as distinguished from the almost daily discussions already +described in his _Journal_, took place in the house of the Moojtahid +of Shiraz on July 15, 1811. The doctrine of Jesus, represented by +such a follower, was beginning so to tell on Shi'ahs and Soofis, ever +eager for something new, that the interference of the first authority +of Islam in all Persia became necessary. Higher than all other +Mohammedan divines, especially among the Shi'ahs, are the three or +four Moojtahids.[57] They must be saintly, learned, and aloof from +worldly ambition. In Persia each acts as an informal and final court +of appeal; he alone dares to temper the tyranny of the Shah by his +influence; his house is a sanctuary for the oppressed; the city of his +habitation is often saved from violence by his presence. This was the +position and the pretension of the man who, having first ascertained +that the English man of God did not want demonstration, but admitted +that the prophets had been sent, invited him to dinner, preliminary to +a conflict. Martyn has left this description of the scene: + + About eight o'clock at night we went, and after passing along + many an avenue we entered a fine court, where was a pond, and, + by the side of it, a platform eight feet high, covered with + carpets. Here sat the Moojtahid in state, with a considerable + number of his learned friends--among the rest, I perceived the + Jew. One was at his prayers. I was never more disgusted at the + mockery of this kind of prayer. He went through the evolutions + with great exactness, and pretended to be unmoved at the noise + and chit-chat of persons on each side of him. The Professor + seated Seyd Ali on his right hand, and me on his left. + Everything around bore the appearance of opulence and ease, and + the swarthy obesity of the little personage himself led me to + suppose that he had paid more attention to cooking than to + science. But when he began to speak, I saw reason enough for his + being so much admired. The substance of his speech was flimsy + enough; but he spoke with uncommon fluency and clearness, and + with a manner confident and imposing. He talked for a full hour + about the soul; its being distinct from the body; superior to + the brutes, etc.; about God; His unity, invisibility, and other + obvious and acknowledged truths. After this followed another + discourse. At length, after clearing his way for miles around, + he said that philosophers had proved that a single being could + produce but a single being; that the first thing God had created + was _Wisdom_, a being perfectly one with Him; after that, the + souls of men, and the seventh heaven; and so on till He produced + matter, which is merely passive. He illustrated the theory by + comparing all being to a circle; at one extremity of the + diameter is God, at the opposite extremity of the diameter is + matter, than which nothing in the world is meaner. Rising from + thence, the highest stage of matter is connected with the lowest + stage of vegetation; the highest of the vegetable world with the + lowest of the animal; and so on, till we approach the point from + which all proceeded. 'But,' said he, 'you will observe that, + next to God, something ought to be which is equal to God; for + since it is equally near, it possesses equal dignity. What this + is philosophers are not agreed upon. You,' said he, 'say it is + Christ; but we, that it is the Spirit of the Prophets. All this + is what the philosophers have proved, independently of any + particular religion.' I rather imagined that it was the + invention of some ancient Oriental Christian, to make the + doctrine of the Trinity appear more reasonable. There were a + hundred things in the Professor's harangue that might have been + excepted against, as mere dreams, supported by no evidence; but + I had no inclination to call in question dogmas on the truth or + falsehood of which nothing in religion depended. + + He was speaking at one time about the angels, and asserted that + man was superior to them, and that no being greater than man + could be created. Here the Jew reminded me of a passage in the + Bible, quoting something in Hebrew. I was a little surprised, + and was just about to ask where he found anything in the Bible + to support such a doctrine, when the Moojtahid, not thinking it + worth while to pay any attention to what the Jew said, continued + his discourse. At last the Jew grew impatient, and finding an + opportunity of speaking, said to me, 'Why do not you speak? Why + do not you bring forward your objections?' The Professor, at the + close of one of his long speeches, said to me, 'You see how much + there is to be said on these subjects; several visits will be + necessary; we must come to the point by degrees.' Perceiving how + much he dreaded a close discussion, I did not mean to hurry him, + but let him talk on, not expecting we should have anything about + Muhammadanism the first night. But, at the instigation of the + Jew, I said, 'Sir, you see that Abdoolghunee is anxious that you + should say something about Islam.' He was much displeased at + being brought so prematurely to the weak point, but could not + decline accepting so direct a challenge. 'Well,' said he to me, + 'I must ask you a few questions. Why do you believe in Christ?' + I replied, 'That is not the question. I am at liberty to say + that I do not believe in any religion; that I am a plain man + seeking the way of salvation; that it was, moreover, quite + unnecessary to prove the truth of Christ to Muhammadans, because + they allowed it.' 'No such thing,' said he; 'the Jesus we + acknowledge is He who was a prophet, a mere servant of God, and + one who bore testimony to Muhammad; not your Jesus, whom you + call God,' said he, with a contemptuous smile. He then + enumerated the persons who had spoken of the miracles of + Muhammad, and told a long story about Salmon the Persian, who + had come to Muhammad. I asked whether this Salmon had written an + account of the miracles he had seen. He confessed that he had + not. 'Nor,' said I, 'have you a single witness to the miracles + of Muhammad.' He then tried to show that, though they had not, + there was still sufficient evidence. 'For,' said he, 'suppose + five hundred persons should say that they heard some particular + thing of a hundred persons who were with Muhammad, would that be + sufficient evidence or not?' 'Whether it be or not,' said I, + 'you have no such evidence as that, nor anything like it; but if + you have, as they are something like witnesses, we must proceed + to examine them and see whether their testimony deserves + credit.' + + After this the Koran was mentioned; but as the company began to + thin, and the great man had not a sufficient audience before + whom to display his eloquence, the dispute was not so brisk. He + did not indeed seem to think it worth while to notice my + objections. He mentioned a well-known sentence in the Koran as + being inimitable. I produced another sentence, and begged to + know why it was inferior to the Koranic one. He declined saying + why, under pretence that it required such a knowledge of + rhetoric in order to understand his proofs as I probably did not + possess. A scholar afterwards came to Seyd Ali, with twenty + reasons for preferring Muhammad's sentence to mine. + + It was midnight when dinner, or rather supper, was brought in: + it was a sullen meal. The great man was silent, and I was + sleepy. Seyd Ali, however, had not had enough. While burying his + hand in the dish of the Professor, he softly mentioned some more + of my objections. He was so vexed that he scarcely answered + anything; but after supper told a very long story, all + reflecting upon me. He described a grand assembly of Christians, + Jews, Guebres, and Sabeans (for they generally do us the honour + of stringing us with the other three), before Imam Ruza. The + Christians were of course defeated and silenced. It was a remark + of the Imam's, in which the Professor acquiesced, that 'it is + quite useless for Muhammadans and Christians to argue together, + as they had different languages and different histories.' To the + last I said nothing; but to the former replied by relating the + fable of the lion and man, which amused Seyd Ali so much that he + laughed out before the great man, and all the way home. + +The intervention of the Moojtahid only added to the sensation excited +among all classes by the saintly Feringhi. The Shi'ah doctors had +their second corrective almost ready. They resolved to check the +spirit of inquiry by issuing, eleven days after the Moojtahid's +attempt, a defence of Muhammadanism by Mirza Ibrahim, described as +'the preceptor of all the moollas.'[58] The event has an interest of +its own, apart from Henry Martyn, in the light of a famous controversy +which preceded it, and of spiritually fruitful discussions which +followed it, all in India. Before Henry Martyn in this field of +Christian apologetic was the Portuguese Jesuit, Hieronymo Xavier, and +after him were the Scots missionary, John Wilson of Bombay, and the +German agent of the Church Missionary Society, C.G. Pfander. + +Among the representatives of all religions whom the tolerant Akbar +invited to his court at Agra, that out of their teaching he might form +an eclectic cult of his own, was Jerome, the nephew of the famous +Francis Xavier, then at Goa. For Akbar P. Hieronymo Xavier wrote in +Persian two histories, _Christi_ and _S. Petri_. To his successor, the +Emperor Jahangir, in whose suite he was the first European who visited +Kashmir, H. Xavier in the year 1609 dedicated his third Persian book, +entitled _A Mirror showing the Truth_, in which the doctrines of the +Christian religion are discussed, the mysteries of the Gospel +explained, and the vanity of (all) other religions is to be seen. He +has been pronounced by a good authority[59] a man of considerable +ability and energy, but one who trusted more to his own ingenuity than +to the plain and unsophisticated declarations of the Holy Scriptures. +Ludovicus de Dieu, the Dutch scholar, who translated his two first +works into Latin, most fairly describes each on the title-page as +'multis modis contaminata.' Twelve years after, to the third or +controversial treatise of P.H. Xavier an answer was published by 'the +most mean of those who stand in need of the mercy of a bounteous God, +Ahmed ibn Zain Elabidin Elalooi,' under a title thus translated, _The +Divine Rays in refutation of Christian Error_. To this a rejoinder in +Latin appeared at Rome in 1631, from the pen of Philip Guadagnoli, +Arabic Professor in the Propaganda College there. He calls it _Apologia +pro Christiana Religione_. If we except Raimund Lull's two spiritual +treatises and _Ars Major_, and Pocock's Arabic translation of the _De +Veritate Religionis Christianae_, which Grotius wrote as a text-book for +the Dutch missionaries in the East Indies, Henry Martyn's was the first +attempt of Reformed Christendom to carry the pure doctrine of Jesus +Christ to the Asiatic races whom the corruptions of Judaism and the +Eastern Churches had blinded into accepting the Koran and all its +consequences. + +Mirza Ibrahim's Arabic challenge to the Christian scholar is +pronounced by so competent and fair an authority as Sir William +Muir[60] as made by a man of talent and acuteness, and remarkable for +its freedom from violent and virulent remarks. + + This argument chiefly concerns the subject of miracles, which he + accommodates to the Koran. He defines a miracle as an effect + exceeding common experience, accompanied by a prophetic claim + and a challenge to produce the like; and he holds that it may be + produced by particular experience--that is, it may be confined + to any single art, but must be attested by the evidence and + confession of those best skilled in that art. Thus he assumes + the miracles of Moses and Jesus to belong respectively to the + arts of magic and physic, which had severally reached perfection + in the times of these prophets; the evidence of the magicians is + hence deemed sufficient for the miracles of Moses, and that of + the physicians for those of Jesus; but had these miracles + occurred in any other age than that in which those arts + flourished, their proof would have been imperfect, and the + miracles consequently not binding. This extraordinary + doctrine--which Henry Martyn shows to be founded upon an + inadequate knowledge of history--he proceeds to apply to the + Koran, and proves entirely to his own satisfaction that it + fulfils all the required conditions. This miracle belonged to + the science of eloquence, and in that science the Arabs were + perfect adepts. The Koran was accompanied by a challenge, and + when they accordingly professed their inability to produce an + equal, their evidence, like that of the magicians' and + physicians', became universally binding. He likewise dilates + upon the superior and perpetual nature of the Koran as an + intellectual and a _lasting_ miracle, which will remain + unaltered when all others are forgotten. He touches slightly on + Mohammed's other miracles, and asserts the insufficiency of + proof (except through the Koran) for those of all former + prophets. + +To this, which was accompanied by a treatise on the miracles of +Mohammed by Aga Akbar, Henry Martyn wrote a reply in three parts. In +what spirit he conducted the controversy, and what influence through +him the Spirit of Christ had on some of the Shi'ahs and Soofis, this +extract from his _Journal_ unconsciously testifies: + + _1811, September 12_ to _15_. (Sunday.)--Finished what I had to + say on the evidences of religion, and translated it into + Persian. Aga Akbar sent me his treatise by one of his disciples. + Aga Baba, his brother, but a very different person from him, + called; he spoke without disguise of his dislike to + Mohammedanism and good-will to Christianity. For his attachment + to Mirza Abel, Kasim, his brother, sets him down as an infidel. + Mirza Ibrahim is still in doubt, and thinks that he may be a + Christian, and be saved without renouncing Mohammedanism; asks + his nephew what is requisite to observe; he said, Baptism and + the Lord's Supper. 'Well,' said he, 'what harm is there in doing + that?' At another time Seyd Ali asked me, after a dispute, + whether I would baptize any one who did not believe in the + Divinity of Christ? I said, No. While translating Acts ii. and + iii., especially where it is said all who believed had one heart + and one mind, and had all things in common, he was much + affected, and contrasted the beginning of Christianity with that + of Mohammedanism, where they began their career with murdering + men and robbing caravans; and oh, said he, 'that I were sure the + Holy Spirit would be given to me! I would become a Christian at + once.' Alas! both his faith and mine are very weak. Even if he + were to desire baptism I should tremble to give it. He spake in + a very pleasing way on other parts of the Gospel, and seems to + have been particularly taken with the idea of a new birth. The + state of a new-born child gives him the most striking view of + that simplicity which he considers as the height of wisdom. + Simplicity is that to which he aspires, he says, above all + things. He was once proud of his knowledge, and vain of his + superiority to others, but he found that fancied knowledge set + him at a greater distance from happiness than anything else. + +Martyn's first reply in Persian to Mirza Ibrahim thus begins: 'The +Christian Minister thanks the celebrated Professor of Islamism for the +favour he has done him in writing an answer to his inquiries, but +confesses that, after reading it, a few doubts occurred to him, on +account of which, and not for the mere purpose of dispute, he has +taken upon himself to write the following pages.' The reply is signed, +'The Christian Minister, Henry Martyn.' One Mirza Mahommed Ruza +published in 1813, the year after Martyn's death, a very prolix +rejoinder. It is unworthy of lengthened notice, according to Sir +William Muir, who thus summarises and comments on the defence made by +the Christian scholar: + + Henry Martyn's first tract refers chiefly to the subject of + miracles: he asserts that, to be conclusive, a miracle must + exceed _universal_ experience; that the testimony and opinion of + the Arabs is therefore insufficient, besides being that of a + party concerned; that, were the Koran allowed to be inimitable, + that would not prove it to be a miracle; and that its being an + _intellectual_ miracle is not a virtue, but, by making it + generally inappreciable, a defect. He concludes by denying the + proof of Mohammed's other miracles, in which two requisites are + wanting: viz., their being recorded at or near the time of their + occurrence, and the narrators being under no constraint. + + The second tract directly attacks Mohammed's mission, by + alleging the debasing nature of some of the contents and + precepts of the Koran, holds good works and repentance to be + insufficient for salvation, and opens the subject of the true + atonement as prefigured in types, fulfilled in Christ, and made + public by the spread of Christianity which is mentioned as + itself a convincing miracle. + + The last tract commences with an attack on the absurdities of + Soofi-ism, and proceeds to show that the love of God and union + with Him cannot be obtained by contemplation, but only by a + practical manifestation of His goodness towards us, accompanied + by an assurance of our safety; and that this is fulfilled in + Christianity not by the amalgamation of the soul with the Deity, + but by the pouring out of God's Spirit upon His children, and by + the obedience and atonement of Christ. Vicarious suffering is + then defended by analogy, the truth of the Mosaic and Christian + miracles is upheld, and the whole argument closes with proving + the authenticity of the Christian annals by their coincidence + with profane history. + +Sir William Muir agrees in the opinion of Professor Lee that, situated +as Mr. Martyn was in Persia, with a short tract on the Mohammedan +religion before him, and his health precarious, the course which he took +was perhaps the only one practicable. Sir William adds: 'In pursuing his +argument Henry Martyn has displayed great wisdom and skill, and his +reasoning appears to be in general perfectly conclusive; in a few +instances, however, he has perhaps not taken up the most advantageous +ground.' + +The appeal of the Christian defender of the faith, at the close of his +second part, on the incarnation and atonement, is marked by a loving +courtesy:[61] + + It is now the prayer of the humble Henry Martyn that these + things may be considered with impartiality. If they become the + means of procuring conviction, let not the fear of death or + punishment operate for a moment to the contrary, but let this + conviction have its legitimate effect; for the world, we know, + passes away like the wind of the desert. But if what has here + been stated do not produce conviction, my prayer is that God + Himself may instruct you; that as hitherto ye have held what you + believed to be the truth, ye may now become teachers of that + which is really so; and that He may grant you to be the means of + bringing others to the knowledge of the same, through Jesus + Christ, who has loved us and washed us in His own blood, to whom + be the power and the glory for ever and ever. Amen. + + _1811, July 26._--Mirza Ibrahim declared publicly before all his + disciples, 'that if I really confuted his arguments, he should + be bound in conscience to become a Christian.' Alas! from such a + declaration I have little hope. His general good character for + uprightness and unbounded kindness to the poor would be a much + stronger reason with me for believing that he may perhaps be a + Cornelius. + + _August 2._--Much against his will Mirza Ibrahim was obliged to + go to his brother, who is governor of some town thirty-eight + parasangs off. To the last moment he continued talking with his + nephew on the subject of his book, and begged that, in case of + his detention, my reply might be sent to him. + + _August 7._--My friends talked, as usual, much about what they + call Divine love; but I do not very well comprehend what they + mean. They love not the holy God, but the god of their own + imagination--a god who will let them do as they please. I often + remind Seyd Ali of one defect in his system, which is, that + there is no one to stand between his sins and God. Knowing what + I allude to, he says, 'Well, if the death of Christ intervene, + no harm; Soofi-ism can admit this too.' + + _August 14._--Returned to the city in a fever, which continued + all the next day until the evening! + + _August 15._--Jani Khan, in rank corresponding to one of our + Scottish dukes, as he is the head of all the military tribes of + Persia, and chief of his own tribe, which consists of twenty + thousand families, called on Jaffir Ali Khan with a message from + the king. He asked me a great number of questions, and disputed + a little. 'I suppose,' said he, 'you consider us all as + infidels!' 'Yes,' replied I, 'the whole of you.' He was mightily + pleased with my frankness, and mentioned it when he was going + away. + + _August 22._--The copyist having shown my answer to Moodurris, + called Moolla Akbar, he wrote on the margin with great acrimony + but little sense. Seyd Ali having shown his remarks in some + companies, they begged him not to show them to me, for fear I + should disgrace them all through the folly of one man. + + _August 23._--Ruza Kooli Mirza, the great-grandson of Nadir Shah + and Aga Mahommed Hasan, called. The prince's nephew, hearing of + my attack on Muhammad, observed that the proper answer to it was + the sword; but the prince confessed that he began to have his + doubts. On his inquiring what were the laws of + Christianity--meaning the number of times of prayer, the + different washings, &c.--I said that we had two commandments: + 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all + thy soul, and all thy strength; and thy neighbour as thyself.' + He asked, 'What could be better?' and continued praising them. + + The Moolla Aga Mahommed Hasan, himself a Moodurris, and a very + sensible, candid man, asked a good deal about the European + philosophy, particularly what we did in metaphysics; for + instance, 'how, or in what sense, the body of Christ ascended + into heaven?' He talked of free-will and fate, and reasoned + high, and at last reconciled them according to the doctrines of + the Soofis by saying, that 'as all being is an emanation of the + Deity, the will of every being is only the will of the Deity, so + that therefore, in fact, free-will and fate are the same.' He + has nothing to find fault with in Christianity, except the + Divinity of Christ. It is this doctrine that exposes me to the + contempt of the learned Mahometans, in whom it is difficult to + say whether pride or ignorance predominates. Their sneers are + more difficult to bear than the brick-bats which the boys + sometimes throw at me; however, both are an honour of which I am + not worthy. How many times in the day have I occasion to repeat + the words: + + If on my face, for Thy dear name, + Shame and reproaches be, + All hail, reproach, and welcome, shame, + If Thou remember me. + + The more they wish me to give up this one point--the Divinity of + Christ--the more I seem to feel the necessity of it, and rejoice + and glory in it. Indeed, I trust I would sooner give up my life + than surrender it. + + In the evening we went to pay a long-promised visit to Mirza + Abulkasim, one of the most renowned Soofis in all Persia. We + found several persons sitting in an open court, in which a few + greens and flowers were placed; the master was in a corner. He + was a very fresh-looking old man with a silver beard. I was + surprised to observe the downcast and sorrowful looks of the + assembly, and still more at the silence which reigned. After + sitting some time in expectation, and being not at all disposed + to waste my time in sitting there, I said softly to Seyd Ali, + 'What is this?' He said, 'It is the custom here to think much + and speak little.' 'May I ask the master a question?' said I. + With some hesitation he consented to let me; so I begged Jaffir + Ali to inquire, 'Which is the way to be happy?' + + This he did in his own manner; he began by observing that 'there + was a great deal of misery in the world, and that the learned + shared as largely in it as the rest; that I wished therefore to + know what we must do to escape it.' The master replied that 'for + his part he did not know, but that it was usually said that the + subjugation of the passions was the shortest way to happiness.' + After a considerable pause I ventured to ask, 'What were his + feelings at the prospect of death--hope, or fear, or neither?' + 'Neither,' said he, and that 'pleasure and pain were both + alike.' I then perceived that the Stoics were Greek Soofis. I + asked 'whether he had attained this apathy.' He said, 'No.' 'Why + do you think it attainable?' He could not tell. 'Why do you + think that pleasure and pain are not the same?' said Seyd Ali, + taking his master's part. 'Because,' said I, 'I have the + evidence of my senses for it. And you also act as if there was a + difference. Why do you eat, but that you fear pain?' These + silent sages sat unmoved. + + One of the disciples is the son of the Moojtahid who, greatly to + the vexation of his father, is entirely devoted to the Soofi + doctor. He attended his kalean (pipe) with the utmost humility. + On observing the pensive countenance of the young man, and + knowing something of his history from Seyd Ali, how he had left + all to find happiness in the contemplation of God, I longed to + make known the glad tidings of a Saviour, and thanked God on + coming away, that I was not left ignorant of the Gospel. I could + not help being a little pleasant on Seyd Ali afterwards, for his + admiration of this silent instructor. 'There you sit,' said I, + 'immersed in thought, full of anxiety and care, and will not + take the trouble to ask whether God has said anything or not. + No: that is too easy and direct a way of coming at the truth. I + compare you to spiders, who weave their house of defence out of + their own bowels; or to a set of people who are groping for a + light in broad day.' + + _August 26._--Waited this morning on Mahommed Nubbee Khan, late + ambassador at Calcutta, and now prime minister of Fars. There + were a vast number of clients in his court, with whom he + transacted business while chatting with us. Amongst the others + who came and sat with us, was my tetric adversary--Aga Akbar, + who came for the very purpose of presenting the minister with a + little book he had written in answer to mine. After presenting + it in due form, he sat down, and told me he meant to bring me a + copy that day--a promise which he did not perform, through Seyd + Ali's persuasion, who told him it was a performance that would + do him no credit. + + _August 29._--Mirza Ibrahim begins to inquire about the Gospel. + The objections he made were such as these: How sins could be + atoned for before they were committed? Whether, as Jesus died + for all men, all would necessarily be saved? If faith be the + condition of salvation, would wicked Christians be saved, + provided they believe? I was pleased to see from the nature of + the objections that he was considering the subject. To this last + objection, I remarked that to those who felt themselves sinners, + and came to God for mercy, through Christ, God would give His + Holy Spirit, which would progressively sanctify them in heart + and life. + + _August 30._--Mirza Ibrahim praises my answer, especially the + first part. + +It was on the sacred rock of Behistun, on the western frontiers of +Media, on the high road eastward from Babylonia, that Darius +Hystaspes, founder of the civil policy of ancient Persia, carved the +wonderful cuneiform inscriptions which made that rock the charter of +Achaemenian royalty. At Persepolis only the platform, the pillared +colonnade, and the palace seem to have been built by him; the other +buildings, with commemorative legends, were erected by Xerxes and +Artaxerxes Ochus. Lassen, Westergaard, and our own Sir Henry +Rawlinson,[62] did not decipher these inscriptions for some twenty +years after Martyn's visit. How deaf had Ormuzd proved all through +the centuries to the prayer which Darius the king cut on a huge slab, +twenty-six feet in length and six in height, in the southern wall of +the great platform at Persepolis: 'Let not war, nor slavery, nor +decrepitude, nor lies obtain power over this province.' Henry Martyn +thus wrote of his visit: + + After traversing these celebrated ruins, I must say that I felt + a little disappointed: they did not at all answer my + expectation. The architecture of the ancient Persians seems to + me much more akin to that of their clumsy neighbours the + Indians, than to that of the Greeks. I saw no appearance of + grand design anywhere. The chapiters of the columns were almost + as long as the shafts:--though they are not so represented in + Niebuhr's plate;--and the mean little passages into the square + court, or room, or whatever it was, make it very evident that + the taste of the Orientals was the same three thousand years ago + as it is now. But it was impossible not to recollect that here + Alexander and his Greeks passed and repassed; here they sat and + sung, and revelled; now all is in silence, generation on + generation lie mingled with the dust of their mouldering + edifices: + + Alike the busy and the gay, + But flutter in life's busy day, + In fortune's varying colours drest. + + As soon as we recrossed the Araxes, the escort begged me to + point out the Keblah to them, as they wanted to pray. After + setting their faces towards Mecca, as nearly as I could, I went + and sat down on the margin near the bridge, where the water, + falling over some fragments of the bridge under the arches, + produced a roar, which, contrasted with the stillness all + around, had a grand effect. Here I thought again of the + multitudes who had once pursued their labours and pleasures on + its banks. Twenty-one centuries have passed away since they + lived; how short, in comparison, must be the remainder of my + days. What a momentary duration is the life of man! _Labitur et + labetur in omne volubilis aevum_, may be affirmed of the river; + but men pass away as soon as they begin to exist. Well, let the + moments pass: + + They'll waft us sooner o'er + This life's tempestuous sea, + And land us on the peaceful shore + Of blest eternity. + + The true character of Martyn's Mohammedan and Soofi + controversialists comes out in the fast of Ramazan, the ninth + month of the lunar year, when from dawn to sunset of each day a + strict fast is observed, most trying to the temper, and from + sunset to dawn excess is too naturally the rule, especially, as + in this case, when Ramazan falls on the long hot days of summer. + Of this month the traditions declare that the doors of heaven + are opened and the doors of hell shut, while the devils are + chained. At this time the miracle play of Hasan and Husain[63] + is acted in the native theatres from night to night. In scene + xxxi. are enacted the conversion and murder of an English + ambassador. Dean Stanley used to tell that Henry Martyn, + horrified at the English oaths put into the mouth of the Persian + who represented the ambassador in the tragedy, took him and + taught him to repeat the Lord's Prayer instead. + + _September 20._--First day of the fast of Ramazan. All the + family had been up in the night, to take an unseasonable meal, + in order to fortify themselves for the abstinence of the day. It + was curious to observe the effects of the fast in the house. The + master was scolding and beating his servants; they equally + peevish and insolent, and the beggars more than ordinarily + importunate and clamorous. At noon, all the city went to the + grand mosque. My host came back with an account of new vexations + there. He was chatting with a friend, near the door, when a + great preacher, Hajji Mirza, arrived, with hundreds of + followers. 'Why do you not say your prayers?' said the + new-comers to the two friends. 'We have finished,' said they. + 'Well,' said the other, 'if you cannot pray a second time with + us, you had better move out of the way.' Rather than join such + turbulent zealots they retired. The reason of this unceremonious + address was, that these loving disciples had a desire to pray + all in a row with their master, which, it seems, is the custom. + There is no public service in the mosque; every man here prays + for himself. + + Coming out of the mosque some servants of the prince, for their + amusement, pushed a person against a poor man's stall, on which + were some things for sale, a few European and Indian articles, + also some valuable Warsaw plates, which were thrown down and + broken. The servants went off without making compensation. No + kazi will hear a complaint against the prince's servants. + + Hajji Mahommed Hasan preaches every day during the Ramazan. He + takes a verse from the Koran, or more frequently tells stories + about the Imams. If the ritual of the Christian Churches, their + good forms and everything they have, is a mere shadow without a + Divine influence attend on them, what must all this Mahometan + stuff be? and yet how impossible is it to convince the people of + the world, whether Christian or Mahometan, that what they call + religion is merely an invention of their own, having no + connection with God and His kingdom! This subject has been much + on my mind of late. How senseless the zeal of Churchmen against + dissenters, and of dissenters against the Church! The kingdom of + God is neither meat nor drink, nor anything perishable; but + righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. + + Mirza Ibrahim never goes to the mosque, but he is so much + respected that nothing is said: they conclude that he is + employed in devotion at home. Some of his disciples said to Seyd + Ali, before him: 'Now the Ramazan is come, you should read the + Koran and leave the Gospel.' 'No,' said his uncle, 'he is + employed in a good work: let him go on with it.' The old man + continues to inquire with interest about the Gospel, and is + impatient for his nephew to explain the evidences of + Christianity, which I have drawn up. + + _September 22._ (Sunday.)--My friends returned from the mosque, + full of indignation at what they had witnessed there. The former + governor of Bushire complained to the vizier, in the mosque, + that some of his servants had treated him brutally. The vizier, + instead of attending to his complaint, ordered them to do their + work a second time; which they did, kicking and beating him with + their slippers, in the most ignominious way, before all the + mosque. This unhappy people groan under the tyranny of their + governors; yet nothing subdues or tames them. Happy Europe! how + has God favoured the sons of Japheth, by causing them to embrace + the Gospel. How dignified are all the nations of Europe compared + with this nation! Yet the people are clever and intelligent, and + more calculated to become great and powerful than any of the + nations of the East, had they a good government and the + Christian religion. + + _September 29._--The Soofi, son of the Moojtahid, with some + others, came to see me. For fifteen years he was a devout + Mahometan; visited the sacred places, and said many prayers. + Finding no benefit from austerities he threw up Mahommedanism + altogether, and attached himself to the Soofi master. I asked + him what his object was, all that time? He said, he did not + know, but he was unhappy. I began to explain to him the Gospel; + but he cavilled at it as much as any bigoted Mahommedan could + do, and would not hear of there being any distinction between + Creator and creature. In the midst of our conversation, the sun + went down, and the company vanished for the purpose of taking an + immediate repast. + + Mirza Seyd Ali seems sometimes coming round to Christianity + against Soofi-ism. The Soofis believe in no prophet, and do not + consider Moses to be equal to Mirza Abulkasim. 'Could they be + brought,' Seyd Ali says, 'to believe that there has been a + prophet, they would embrace Christianity.' And what would be + gained by such converts? 'Thy people shall be willing in the day + of Thy power.' It will be an afflicted and poor people that + shall call upon the name of the Lord, and such the Soofis are + not: professing themselves to be wise, they have become fools. + + _October 7._--I was surprised by a visit from the great Soofi + doctor, who, while most of the people were asleep, came to me + for some wine. I plied him with questions innumerable; but he + returned nothing but incoherent answers, and sometimes no answer + at all. Having laid aside his turban, he put on his night-cap, + and soon fell asleep upon the carpet. Whilst he lay there his + disciples came, but would not believe, when I told them who was + there, till they came and saw the sage asleep. When he awoke, + they came in, and seated themselves at the greatest possible + distance, and were all as still as if in a church. The real + state of this man seems to be despair, and it will be well if it + do not end in madness. I preached to him the kingdom of God: + mentioning particularly how I had found peace from the Son of + God and the Spirit of God; through the first, forgiveness; + through the second, sanctification. He said it was good, but + said it with the same unconcern with which he admits all manner + of things, however contradictory. Poor soul! he is sadly + bewildered. + +As a Persian scholar and controversialist Henry Martyn found a worthy +successor in the German, and afterwards Church Missionary Society's +missionary, C.G. Pfander, D.D. When for some twelve years stationed at +Shushy Fort, on the Russian border of Georgia, he frequently visited +Baghdad and travelled through Persia by Ispahan and Teheran. In 1836 +the intolerant Russian Government expelled all foreign missionaries +from its territories, and Dr. Pfander joined the Church Mission at +Agra. In 1835 he first published at Shushy, in Persian, his famous +_Mizan ul Haqq_, or _Balance of Truth_. A Hindustani translation was +lithographed at Mirzapore in 1843, and Mr. R.H. Weakley, missionary at +Constantinople, made an English translation, which was published by +the Church Missionary Society in 1867. This, as yet, greatest of works +which state the general argument for Christianity and against Islam, +was followed by the _Miftah ul Asrar_, in proof of the Divinity of +Christ and the doctrine of the Trinity, and by the _Tarik ul Hyat_, or +the nature of sin and the way of salvation, of both of which +Hindustani translations appeared. In his little English _Remarks on +the Nature of Muhammadanism_,[64] as shown in the _Traditions_, Dr. +Pfander quotes from Martyn's _Controversy_. By these writings and the +personal controversy in India, Dr. Pfander, following Henry Martyn, +was the means of winning to Christ, in tolerant British India, many +Mohammedan moulvies like him who is now the Rev. Imad-ud-din, D.D.[65] + +Henry Martyn's description of the Persian is no less applicable to +the Indian Mohammedan, in the opinion of Sir William Muir; 'he is a +compound of ignorance and bigotry, and all access to the one is hedged +up by the other.' The Koran and the whole system of Islam are based on +partial truths, plagiarised from Scripture to an extent sufficient to +feed the pride of those who hold them. But beyond these corruptions of +Judaism and Christianity, for which the dead Eastern Churches of +Mohammed's time and since are responsible, Persians, Turks, Arabs, +Afghans, and Hindustan Muhammadans know nothing either of history or +Christian Divinity. All controversy, from P.H. Xavier's time to +Martyn's, Wilson's, and Pfander's, shows that the key of the position +is not the doctrine of the Trinity, as the Shi'ah Moojtahids of Shiraz +and Lucknow and the Soonnis everywhere make it, but the genuineness +and integrity of the Scriptures, by which the truth of the whole +Christian faith will follow, the Trinity included. The Bible, in +Hindustani, Persian, and Arabic, with its self-evidencing power, is +the weapon which Henry Martyn was busied in forging. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[54] See article in the _Spectator_ for August 17, 1889, by a writer +who had recently returned from Persia. + +[55] See article on the poet in the _Calcutta Review_ for March 1858 +(by Professor E.B. Cowell, L.L.D., Cambridge). + +[56] London, 1818, pp. 223-4. + +[57] Literally, 'one who strives' to attain the highest degree of +Mussulman learning. + +[58] Persian form of maulvi, the Arabic for a learned man. The word is +said to mean 'filled' with knowledge, from _mala_, to fill. + +[59] The Rev. S. Lee, D.D., Professor of Arabic in the University of +Cambridge for many years, in his _Controversial Tracts on Christianity +and Mohammedanism_ by the late Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D., and some of +the most eminent writers of Persia (1824). + +[60] _The Calcutta Review_, No. VIII. vol. iv. Art. VI. 'The +Mahommedan Controversy,' pp. 418-76, Calcutta, 1845. + +[61] As translated from the Persian by Professor Lee. + +[62] Sir Henry, then Major, H.C. Rawlinson, C.B., visited Persepolis +in 1835. The _Journals_ of the Royal Asiatic Society for 1846-9 +publish his copies of the inscription of Behistun and Persepolis and +his translations. + +[63] See the Play as collected from oral tradition by the late Sir +Lewis Pelly, in two volumes, 1879. + +[64] Second edition published by the Church Missionary Society in +1858. + +[65] 'Some of our most eminent Native Christians are converts from +Mohammedanism. We may particularly mention the Rev. Jani Ali, B.A.; +the Rev. Imad-ud-din, D.D.; the Rev. Imam Shah; the Rev. Mian Sadiq; +the Rev. Yakub Ali; Maulavi Safdar Ali, a high Government official; +Abdullah Athim, also a high official, now retired, and an honorary lay +evangelist.'--_Church Missionary Society's Intelligencer_ in 1888. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +IN PERSIA--TRANSLATING THE SCRIPTURES + + +Great as saint and notable as scholar, in the twelve years of his +young life from Senior Wrangler to martyr at thirty-one years of age, +the highest title of Henry Martyn to everlasting remembrance is that +he gave the Persians in their own tongue the Testament of the one Lord +and Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Hebrew Psalms. By that work, the +fruit of which every successive century will reveal till the +consummation of the ages, he unconsciously wrote his name beside those +of the greatest missionaries in the history of the Church of Christ, +the sacred scholars who were the first to give the master races of +Asia and Africa, of Europe and America, the Word of God in their +vernaculars. Let us write the golden list, which for modern Africa and +Oceania also we might inscribe in letters of silver,[66] were not most +of the translators still living and perfecting their at first +tentative efforts, which time must try: + + A.D. + 350 ULFILAS Gothic (Teutonic) + 368 FRUMENTIUS and EDESIUS (Brothers) Ethiopic + 385 HIERONYMUS (Jerome) Latin + 410 MESROBES (Miesrob) Armenian + 861 C. CYRILLUS and METHODIUS (Brothers) Slavonic (Bulgarian) +1380 WICLIF (Bede in 735) English +1516 ERASMUS (new translation) Latin +1534 LUTHER (translation from Latin of Erasmus) German +1661 JOHN ELIOT (first Bible printed in America) Moheecan +1777 FABRICIUS (Ziegenbalg & Schultze first 1714) Tamul +1801 WILLIAM CAREY (O.T. in 1802-9) Bengali, &c. +1815 HENRY MARTYN Persian +1816 " (Sabat's N.T. version) Arabic +1822 JOSHUA MARSHMAN (Morrison & Milne 1823) Chinese +1832 ADONIRAM JUDSON (O.T. 1834) Burmese +1865 VAN DYCK Arabic + +It was David Brown who was wont to call the Bible 'The Great +Missionary which would speak in all tongues the wonderful works of +God.' + +From first to last and above all Henry Martyn was a philologist. His +school and college honours sprang from the root of all linguistic +studies, Greek and Latin, in which he was twice appointed public +examiner in his college and the University of Cambridge. For the +uncritical time in which he lived, and the generations which followed +his to the present, he was an enthusiastic and accomplished Hebraist. +No young scholar in the first quarter of the nineteenth century was so +well equipped for translating the Bible by a knowledge of its two +original languages. True, he was the Senior Wrangler of the year 1801, +but to him the honour was a 'shadow,' because the mathematical +sciences could do nothing for him as a translator and preacher of the +words of righteousness, compared with the linguistic. Only once, when +the rapture of his holy work had carried him away to the borderland of +a dark metaphysical theology, did he record the passing regret that +he had abandoned the rationalistic ground of mathematical certainty. +His devotion to the study of the languages which interpret and apply +to the races of India, Arabia, and Persia, the books of the Christian +Revelation, was so absorbing as to shorten his career. Like Carey, he +never knew an idle moment, even when on shipboard, and he jealously +guarded his time from correspondence, other than that with Lydia +Grenfell, Brown and Corrie, that he might live to finish the +Hindustani, Persian, and Arabic New Testaments at least. The spiritual +motive it was, the desire to win every man to Christ, that urged his +unresting course, and in the sacred toil he had the reflex joy of +being himself won nearer and nearer by the Spirit. + + What do I not owe to the Lord for permitting me to take part in + a translation of His Word? Never did I see such wonder, and + wisdom, and love in that blessed book as since I have been + obliged to study every expression. All day on the translation, + employed a good while at night in considering a difficult + passage, and being much enlightened respecting it, I went to bed + full of astonishment at the wonders of God's Word. Never before + did I see anything of the beauty of the language and the + importance of the thoughts as I do now. I felt happy that I + should never be finally separated from the contemplation of + them, or of the things concerning which they are written. + Knowledge shall vanish away, but it shall be because perfection + has come. + +On the other hand, he was ever on the watch against the deadening +influence of routine or one-sided study. 'So constantly engaged with +outward works of translation of languages that I fear my inward man +has declined in spirituality.' + +Canon Edmonds expresses the experience of the present writer in the +remark,[67] that to read Martyn's _Journal_ with the single object of +noticing this point is to discover another Martyn, not a saint only, +but a grammarian. 'He read grammars as other men read novels, and to +him they were more entertaining than novels.' So early as September +28, 1804, in Cambridge we find him at prayer after dinner, before +visiting Wall's Lane, and then on his return finishing the Bengali +Grammar which he had begun the day before. 'I am anxious to get +Carey's Bengali New Testament,' which could not long have reached +London. Five days after, Thomas a Kempis, followed by hymns and the +writing of a sermon, seemed but the preliminary to his Hindustani as +well as Bengali studies. 'Engaged all the rest of the morning by +Gilchrist's Hindustani Dictionary. After dinner began Halhed's Bengali +Grammar, for I found that the other grammar I had been reading was +only for the corrupted Hindustani.' The first traces of his Persian +and Arabic studies have an interest all their own: + + _1804, June 27._--A funeral and calls of friends took up my time + till eleven; afterwards _read Persian_, and made some + calculations in trigonometry, in order to be familiar with the + use of logarithms. + + _November 23._--Through shortness of time I was about to omit my + morning portion of Scripture, yet after some deliberation + conscience prevailed, and I enjoyed a solemn seriousness in + learning 'mem' in the 119th Psalm. Wasted much time afterwards + in looking over _an Arabic grammar_. + +When fairly at work in Dinapore he wrote almost daily such passages in +his _Journal_ as these: + + _1807, August 25._--Translating the Epistles; reading Arabic + grammar and Persian. 27 to 29.--Studies in Persian and Arabic + the same. Delight in them, particularly the latter, so great, + that I have been obliged to pray continually that they may not + be a snare to me.... 31st.--Resumed the Arabic with an eagerness + which I found it necessary to check. Began some extracts from + Cashefi which Mr. Gladwin sent me, and thus the day passed + rapidly away. Alas! how much more readily does the understanding + do its work than the heart. + +On reaching Calcutta in 1806 Martyn found this to be the position of +the Bible translation work. Carey's early labours had led to the +formation of the other English and Scottish Missionary Societies at +the close of the last century. By 1803 his experience and that of his +colleagues had enabled them, with the encouragement of Brown and +Buchanan, to formulate a magnificent plan for translating the Bible +into all the languages of the far East. The Marquis Wellesley, though +Governor-General, approved, and his College at Fort William, with its +staff of learned men, including Carey himself and many Asiatics, had +become a school of interpreters. In 1804, after all this, the British +and Foreign Bible Society was founded, under the ex-Governor-General, +Lord Teignmouth, as its first president. That Society, leaving India +to the Serampore Brotherhood, at once directed its attention to the +three hundred millions of Chinese, who also could be reached only +through the East India Company. But, until six years after, when Dr. +Marshman made the first reliable translation of the Bible into the +language, in its Mandarin dialect, there was no Chinese translation +save an anonymous MS. of a large portion of the New Testament in the +British Museum, probably of Roman Catholic origin. At that time the +infant Society did not see its way to spend two thousand guineas in +producing an edition of a thousand copies of a work about which the +few experts differed. So, while giving grants to the Serampore +translators, it invited the opinions, as to the formation of a +corresponding committee in Calcutta, of George Udny, who had by that +time become Member of Council, and the Rev. Messrs. Brown, Buchanan, +Carey, Ward, and Marshman. The Serampore plan and its rapid execution +had been communicated to all the principal civil and military +officials, who, after Lord Wellesley's tolerant and reverent action, +subscribed liberally to carry it out, and the Society continued its +grants. But when in 1807, under Lord Minto, the anti-Christian +reaction set in, caused by a groundless panic as to the Vellore +Mutiny, and the Fort William College was reduced, Dr. Buchanan +proposed to found 'The Christian Institution,' the Society preferred +its original plan of a corresponding committee, which was formed in +August 1809. + +Martyn had not waited one hour for this. Almost from the day of +landing at the capital he was engaged in Hindustani translation, and +in studious preparation for his projected Persian and Arabic Bibles. +In the brotherly intercourse at Aldeen with the Serampore missionaries +it was arranged to leave these three languages entirely to him, under +the direction of Mr. Brown. Part of the Society's annual grant to +India and Ceylon of a thousand pounds a year was assigned to pay his +assistants, Mirza Fitrut, the Persian, and Nathanael Sabat, the +Arabian, and to print the results. The Corresponding Committee caused +an annual sermon to be preached in Calcutta, to rouse public +intelligence and help. On the first day of 1810 Mr. Brown preached it +in the old church, in the interest chiefly of the thousands of native +Christians who had been baptized in Tanjor and Tinnevelli, both Reformed +and Romanist, and needed copies of the Tamul Bible. Such was the result +of this appeal, headed by the Commander-in-chief, General Hewett, with +the sum of 2,000 Sicca-rupees (250_l._), that the committee resolved on +establishing a 'Bibliotheca Biblica,' combining a Bible Repository and a +Translation Library. The Scottish poet and friend of Sir Walter Scott, +Dr. Leyden, was foremost in the enterprise, and took charge of work in +the languages of Siam and the Spice Islands, as well as in the Pushtu of +Afghanistan. + +On the first day of 1811 it fell to the Rev. Henry Martyn to preach +the second annual sermon.[68] His appeal was for not only the growing +native Church of India, but more particularly for the whole number of +nominal Christians, of all sects, in India and Ceylon, whom he +estimated at 900,000.[69] In 1881 the Government census returned +these, in the Greater India of our day but without Ceylon, as upwards +of 2,000,000, and in 1891 as 2,280,549. Martyn's figures included +342,000 of the Singhalese, whom the Dutch had compelled by secular +considerations outwardly to conform. The sermon, on Galatians vi. 10, +was published at the time, and it appears as the last in the volume of +_Twenty Sermons by the late Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D._,[70] first printed +at Calcutta with this passage in the preface: 'The desire to know how +such a man preached is natural and unavoidable.... His manner in the +pulpit was distinguished by a holy solemnity, always suited to the high +message which he was delivering, and accompanied by an unction which +made its way to the hearts of his audience. With this was combined a +fidelity at once forcible by its justice and intrepidity, and +penetrating by its affection. There was, in short, a power of holy love +and disinterested earnestness in his addresses which commended itself to +every man's conscience in the sight of God.' + +Addressing the well-paid servants of the East India Company in +Calcutta, and its prosperous merchants and shopkeepers, the preacher +said: 'Do we not blush at the offers of assistance from home ... where +all that is raised may be employed with such effect in benefiting the +other three quarters of the globe? Asia must be our care; or, if not +Asia, _India_ at least must look to none but us. Honour calls as well +as duty.' He then continued: + + Prove to our friends and the world that the Mother Country need + never be ashamed of her sons in India. What a splendid spectacle + does she present! Standing firm amidst the overthrow of the + nations, and spreading wide the shadow of her wings for the + protection of all, she finds herself at leisure, amidst the + tumult of war, to form benevolent projects for the best + interests of mankind. Her generals and admirals have caused the + thunder of her power to be heard throughout the south; now her + ministers of religion perform their part, and endeavour to + fulfil the high destinies of Heaven in favour of their country. + They called on their fellow-citizens to cheer the desponding + nations with the Book of the promises of Eternal Life, and thus + afford them that consolation from the prospect of a happier + world, which they have little expectation of finding amidst the + disasters and calamities of this. The summons was obeyed. As + fast as the nature of the undertaking became understood, and + was perceived to be clearly distinct from all party business and + visionary project, great numbers of all ranks in society, and of + all persuasions in religion, joined with one heart and one soul, + and began to impart freely to all men that which, next to the + Saviour, is God's best gift to man.... + + Shall every town and hamlet in England engage in the glorious + cause, and the mighty Empire of India do nothing? Will not our + wealth and dignity be our disgrace if we do not employ it for + God and our fellow-creatures? What plan could be proposed, so + little open to objections, and so becoming our national + character and religion, so simple and practicable, yet so + extensively beneficial, as that of giving the Word of God to the + Christian part of our native subjects?... Despise not their + inferiority, nor reproach them for their errors; they cannot get + a BIBLE to read; had they been blessed with your advantages, + they would have been perhaps more worthy of your respect. + +The brief decade of Henry Martyn's working life fell at a time when +the science of Comparative Philology was as yet unborn, but the +materials were almost ready for generalisation. Sir William Jones, and +still more his successor as a scholar--Henry Thomas Colebrooke--had +used their opportunities in India well. The Bengal Asiatic Society, in +its _Asiatic Researches_, was laboriously piling up facts and +speculations. These awaited only the flash of hardworking genius to +evolve the order and the laws which have made Comparative Grammar the +most fruitful of the historical and psychological sciences. It might +have been Martyn's, had he lived to reach England, to manifest that +genius. His Asiatic career was contemporary with the most fruitful +part of Colebrooke's. He toiled and he speculated, as he mastered the +grammar and much of the vocabulary of the great classical and +vernacular languages which made him a seven-tongued man. But his +divine motive led him to grope for the philological solvent through +the imperfect Semitic. The Germans, Schlegel and Bopp, found it +rather, and later, in the richer Aryan or Indo-European family, in +Sanskrit and old Persian. + +His longing to give the Arabs the Scriptures in their purity +intensified his devotion to the study of Hebrew; had he lived to give +himself to the Persian, he might have anticipated the German critics +who used, at second-hand, the materials that he and Colebrooke, and +other servants of the East India Company, were annually accumulating. +Nor did his Hebraism lead him, at the beginning of the century, to +that fertile criticism of the text and the literary origin of the +books of the Old Testament which, at the end of the century, is +beginning to make the inspired historians and the prophets, the +psalmists and the moralists of the old Jews live anew for the modern +Church. But how true has proved his prediction to Corrie in the year +1809: + + I think that when the construction of Hebrew is fully + understood, all the scholars in the world will turn to it with + avidity, in order to understand other languages, and then the + Word of God will be studied universally. + +Again in 1810: + + I sit for hours alone contemplating this mysterious language. If + light does not break upon me at last it will be a great loss of + time, as I never read Arabic or Persian. I have no heart to do + it; I cannot condescend any longer to tread in the paths of + ignorant and lying grammarians. I sometimes say in my vain heart + I will make a deep cut in the mine of philology, or I will do + nothing; but you shall hear no more of Scriptural philology + till I make some notable discoveries. + +Again in 1811, when at Bombay: + + Chiefly employed on the Arabic tract, writing letters to Europe, + and my Hebrew speculations. The last encroached so much on my + time and thoughts that I lost two nights' sleep, and + consequently the most of two days, without learning more than I + did the first hour. + + Happening to think this evening on the nature of language more + curiously and deeply than I have yet done, I got bewildered, and + fancied I saw some grounds for the opinions of those who deny + the existence of matter.... Oh, what folly to be wise where + ignorance is bliss!... The further I push my inquiries the more + I am distressed. It must be now my prayer, not 'Lord, let me + obtain the knowledge which I think would be so useful,' but 'Oh, + teach me just as much as Thou seest good for me.' Compared with + metaphysics, physics and mathematics appear with a kind and + friendly aspect, because they seem to be within the limits in + which man can move without danger, but on the other I find + myself adrift. Synthesis is the work of God alone. + +Henry Martyn's first practical work was in Hindustani. His position in +Dinapore and Patna, the capital of Bihar with its Hindi dialects, his +duties to the native wives and families of the soldiers whom he taught +and exhorted, his preaching to the Hindus and discussions with the +Mohammedans, all led him to prepare three works--(1) portions of the +_Book of Common Prayer_, which Corrie finished and published seventeen +years after his death; (2) a _Commentary on the Parables_, in 1807; +(3) the _Four Gospels_ in 1809, and in 1810 the whole _New Testament_. +Let us look at him in his spiritual and scholarly workshop. + + _1807, January 18._ (Sunday.)--Preached on Numbers xxiii. 19: a + serious attention from all. Most of the European tradesmen were + present with their families; my soul enjoyed sweet peace and + heavenly-mindedness for some time afterwards. The thought + suddenly struck me to-day, how easy it would be to translate the + chief part of the Church Service for the use of the soldiers' + wives, and women and children, and so have the service in + Hindustani, by which a door would be opened to the heathen. This + thought took such hold of me, that after in vain endeavouring to + fix my thoughts on anything else, I sat down in the evening, and + translated to the end of the _Te Deum_. But my conscience was + not satisfied that this was a Sabbath employment, and I lost the + sensible sweetness of the Divine presence. However, by leaving + it off, and passing the rest of the evening in reading and + singing hymns, I found comfort and joy. Oh, how shall I praise + my Lord, that here in this solitude, with people enough indeed, + but without any like-minded, I yet enjoy fellowship with all + those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus + Christ. I see myself travelling on with them, and I hope I shall + worship with them in His courts above. + + _January 19._--Passed the morning with the moonshi and pundit, + dictating to the former a few ideas for the explanation of the + Parable of the Rich Fool. When I came to say that there was no + eating and drinking, etc., in heaven, but only the pleasures of + God's presence and holiness; and that, therefore, we must + acquire a taste for such pleasures, the Mussulman was unwilling + to write, but the Brahman was pleased, and said that all this + was in the Puranas. Afterwards went on with the translation of + the Liturgy. + + _March 23._ (To Brown.)--It is with no small delight that I find + the day arrived for my writing to my very dear brother. Many + thanks for your two letters, and for all the consolation + contained in them, and many thanks to our Lord and Saviour, who + has given me such a help where I once expected to struggle on + alone all my days. Concerning the character in the Nagri papers + you have sent me I have to say, it is perfectly the same as the + one used here, and I can read it easily; and the difference in + both the dialects from the one here is so trifling, that I have + not the smallest doubt of the Parables being understood at + Benares and Bettia (a Roman Catholic village), and consequently + through a vast tract of country. A more important inference is, + that in whatever dialect of the Hindustani the translation of + the Scriptures shall be made, it will be generally understood. + The little book of Parables is at last finished, through the + blessing of God. I cannot say I am very well pleased with it on + the reperusal; but yet containing, as it does, such large + portions of the Word of God, I ought not to doubt of its + accomplishing that which He pleaseth. + + _July 13._--Mr. Ward has also sent me a long and learned letter. + He is going to print the Parables without delay for me, and the + modern Hindustani version of them for themselves. He says, 'The + enmity of the natives to the Gospel is indeed very great, but on + this point the lower orders are angels compared with the + moonshis and pundits. I believe the man you took from Serampore + has his heart as full of this poison as most. The fear of loss + of caste among the poor is a greater obstacle than their enmity. + Our strait waistcoat makes our arms ache.' + + _December 29._--Translating from Hebrew into Hindustani in the + morning. Wrote to Mr. Udny. Read Arabic and Persian as usual + with Sabat. We had some conversation on this subject, whether we + might not expect the Holy Spirit would endue us with + extraordinary powers in the acquisition of languages, if we + could pray for it only with a desire to be useful to the Church + of God, and not with a wish for our own glory. There seemed to + be no reason against such an expectation. I sometimes pray for + the gifts of the spirit, but infinitely greater is the necessity + to pray for grace, as I know by the sorrowful experience of my + deceitfully corrupt heart. + + _1808, January 7._--As much of my time as was not employed for + the Europeans has been devoted chiefly to translating the + Epistles into Hindustani. This work is finished after a certain + manner. But Sabat does not allow me to form a very high idea of + the style in which it is executed. But if the work should + fail--which, however, I am far from expecting--my labour will + have been richly repaid by the profit and pleasure derived from + considering the Word of God in the original with more attention + than I had ever done. + + _March 31._--I am at present employed in the toilsome work of + going through the Syriac Gospels, and writing out the names, in + order to ascertain their orthography if possible, and correcting + with Mirza the Epistles. This last work is incredibly difficult + in Hindustani, and will be nearly as much so in Persian, but + very easy and elegant in Arabic. + + _June 1_ to _4_.--Employed incessantly in reading the Persian of + St. Matthew to Sabat. Met with the Italian padre, Julius, with + whom I conversed in French. + + _June 6._--Going on with the Persian Gospel, visiting the + hospital, and with the men at night. My spirit refreshed and + revived by every night's ministration to them. Sent the Persian + of Matthew to Mr. Brown for the press, and went on with the + remainder of the Hindustani of St. Matthew. I have not felt such + trials of my temper for many months as to-day. The General + declared he was an enemy to my design in translating the + Scriptures. My poor harassed soul looked at last to God, and + cast its burden of sin at the foot of the cross. Towards evening + I found rest and peace. A son-in-law of the Qasi ool Qoorrat, of + Patna, a very learned man, called on me. I put to him several + questions about Mohammedanism, which confused him; and as he + seemed a grave, honest man, they may produce lasting doubts. + + _1809, September 24._--Began with Mirza Fitrut the correction of + the Hindustani Gospels: _Quod felix faustumque sit._ Began with + my men a course of lectures from the beginning of the Bible. + + _September 25_ to _28_.--Revising Arabic version of Romans; + going on in correction of Hindustani; preparing report of + progress in translating for Bible Society. Reading occasionally + Menishi's _Turkish Grammar_. + +Completed in 1810, Martyn's Hindustani New Testament for Mohammedans was +passing through the Serampore press when the great fire of March 11, +1812, destroyed all the sheets save the first thirteen chapters of +Matthew's Gospel, and melted the fount of Persian type. The Corresponding +Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, for which it had +been prepared, put it to press the second time at Serampore, from finer +type, and it appeared in 1814 in an edition of 2,000 copies, on English +paper. The demand for portions for immediate use was such that 3,000 +copies of the Gospels and Acts, on Patna paper, had been previously +struck off. The longing translator--who had once written, 'Oh, may I +have the bliss of soon seeing the New Testament in Hindustani and +Persian!'--had then been two years dead, but verily his works followed +him. Such was the reputation of the version that it was read in the +native schools at Agra and elsewhere; while an edition of 2,000 copies +in the Deva-Nagri character, for Hindus, appeared in 1817, and was used +up till a Hindi version was prepared from it by Mr. Bowley, the zealous +agent of the Church Missionary Society at Chunar, by divesting it of +the Persian and Arabic terms. Bishop Corrie's revision of this work and +portions of the Old Testament were circulated in many editions and +extending numbers, in the Kaithi character also, among the millions of +Hindus who speak the most widespread of Indian languages with many +dialects. The Bible Society in London welcomed Martyn's work, of which +Professor Lee prepared a large edition. Learning that the lamented +scholar had done some work on the Old Testament in Hindustani, and had +taught Mirza Fitrut Hebrew, to enable that able moonshi to carry on the +translation from the original, the Society first published Genesis in +Hindustani, under Professor Lee's care, in 1817, and then issued a +revision of the rough draft of the entire version of the Old Testament, +by Bishop Corrie and Mr. Thomason. In 1843 Mr. Schuermann, of the London +Missionary Society, and Mr. Justice Hawkins, an elder of the Free Church +of Scotland and an accomplished Bengal civilian, issued a uniform +revision of the Old and New Testaments in the Arabic and Roman +characters, in the course of which Mr. Schuermann 'saw reason to revert +in a great measure to the translation of Henry Martyn, especially in the +latter half of the version.'[71] Of the different translations of the +Bible into Hindustani, the Oordoo or 'camp' language understood by the +sixty millions of Mussulmans in India, this criticism is just: 'the +idiomatic and faithful version of Henry Martyn still maintains its +ground, although, from the lofty elegance of its style, it is better +understood by educated than by illiterate Mohammedans.'[72] + +In the first generation, from 1814 to 1847, after the appearance of +Henry Martyn's work, sixteen editions[73] of the Hindustani New +Testament were published and sent into circulation among the then +fifty millions of Mussulmans in India. Before Martyn's work was +printed, he and Corrie used to dictate to inquirers translations of +Bible passages suited to their needs. When Corrie was at Chunar, he +tells us, because 'there was not at that time any translation of the +Scriptures to put into his hands, a native Roman Catholic took down +the translated texts on loose pieces of paper.' Years after, Mr. +Wilkinson, of Gorakpore, was called to visit the man on his death-bed, +and found him so well acquainted with Scripture that he asked an +explanation. 'The poor man produced the loose slips of paper on which +he had written my translations,' says Corrie. 'On these, it appeared, +his soul had fed through life, and through them he died such a death +that Mr. Wilkinson entertained no doubt of his having passed into +glory.' In the forty years since the sixteen editions made the Word of +God known to thousands of India Mussulmans, the Oordoo Bible has +caused the Word to grow mightily, and in many cases to prevail. + +The entire Bible in Hindustani was again revised, by Dr. R.C. Mather, +after many years' experience in Benares and Mirzapore, and was +published, in both the Arabic and Roman characters, in 1869, after +continuous labour for more than six years. He stumbled, in the library +of the British and Foreign Bible Society, on sixteen manuscript +volumes of a Hindustani translation of nearly the whole Old Testament, +beginning with Martyn's Genesis. The folios were interleaved, and on +the blank pages were thousands of notes in English. At the end of the +Pentateuch the copyist records that 'the above has been completed, by +order of Paymaster Sherwood, for the Rev. Daniel Corrie, by me, +Makhdum Buksh.' The copy seems to have been the accomplished +Thomason's, and to have been deposited in the library by his widow +after his death at Port Louis, Mauritius. This practically complete +translation of the Old Testament had been lost for forty years. The +eulogy passed by Thomason on Martyn's Hindustani New Testament, that +it 'will last as a model of elegant writing as well as of faithful +translation,' is pronounced by Dr. Mather,[74] after all that time, +as, 'in the main, just; the work has lasted and continued to be +acceptable, and will perhaps always continue to be useful. All +subsequent translators have, as a matter of course, proceeded upon it +as a work of excellent skill and learning, and rigid fidelity.' + +The modern Arabic translation of the New Testament, by Martyn and +Sabat, was not printed (in Calcutta) till 1816, and the translation of +the Old Testament was continued under the supervision of Mr. Thomason, +who became virtually Martyn's literary executor, and whose labours as +Oriental translator and editor hurried him, like his friend, to a +premature death. Both had the same biographer--the good Sargent, +Rector of Lavington. As Thomason toiled at the Arabic, Persian, and +Hindustani editions, he wrote: 'I am filled with astonishment at the +opening scenes of usefulness. Send us labourers--send us faithful +laborious labourers!'[75] Martyn's Arabic New Testament, produced +with the assistance of an undoubtedly learned Arab, as conceited and +of temper as intolerable as Sabat, did its work among the 'learned and +fastidious' Mohammedans for whom chiefly it was prepared. Professor +Lee issued a second edition in London, and Mr. Thomason a third in +Calcutta. In common with the old translations, made for the land in +which St. Paul began the first missionary work, and reproduced in +various Polyglot Bibles, it has been superseded by the wonderfully +perfect and altogether beautiful Arabic Bible (Beirut) of Dr. Eli +Smith and Dr. Van Dyck, on which these American scholars, assisted by +learned natives of Syria and Cairo, were occupied for nearly thirty +years. In the Beirut Arabic Scriptures, Henry Martyn's troubled life +with Sabat found early and luxuriant fruit. How wisely and humbly the +missionary chaplain of the East India Company estimated his own, and +especially his Arabic, translations, and how at the same time he +longed to live that he might do in 1812-20 what Eli Smith and Van Dyck +did in 1837-65, may be seen from these early letters and journals: + + TO THE REV. DAVID BROWN, CALCUTTA + + Cawnpore: June 11, 1810. + + Dearest Sir,--The excessive heat, by depriving me of my rest at + night, keeps me between sleeping and waking all day. This is one + reason why I have been remiss in answering your letters. It must + not, however, be concealed that the man Daniel Corrie has kept + me so long talking that I have had no time for writing since his + arrival. + + Your idea about presenting splendid copies of the Scriptures to + native great men has often struck me, but my counsel is, not to + do it with the first edition. I have too little faith in the + instruments to believe that the first editions will be + excellent; and if they should be found defective, we cannot + after once presenting the great men with one book, repeat the + thing. + + Before the second edition of the Arabic, what say you to my + carrying the first with me to Arabia, having under the other arm + the Persian, to be examined at Shiraz or Teheran? By the time + they are both ready I shall have nearly finished my seven years, + and may go on furlough. + + I am glad to find you promising to give yourself wholly to your + plans. I always tremble lest Mrs. Brown should order you home; + but I must not suspect her, she has the soul of a missionary. If + you go soon we shall all droop and die. Your Polyglot + speculations are fine, but Polyglots are Biblical luxuries, + intended for the gratification of men of two tongues or more. We + must first feed those that have but one, especially as single + tongues are growing upon us so fast. + + _June 12._--To-day I have requested the Commander of the forces + to detain D. Corrie here to assist me; he said he did not like + to make innovations, but would keep him here for two or three + months. This will be a great relief to my labouring chest, for I + am still far from being out of the fear of consumption. Tell me + that you have prayed for me. + + Yours, etc. H.M. + + _August 22._--I want silence and diversion, a little dog to play + with; or what would be best of all, a dear little child, such as + Fanny was when I left her. Perhaps you could learn when the + ships usually sail for Mocha. I have set my heart upon going + there; I could be there and back in six months. + + _September 8._--Your tide rolls on with terrifying rapidity, at + least I tremble while committing myself to it. You look to me, + and I to Sabat; and Sabat I look upon as the staff of Egypt. May + I prove mistaken! All, however, does not depend upon him. If my + life is spared, there is no reason why the Arabic should not be + done in Arabia, and the Persian in Persia, as well as the Indian + in India. I hope your Shalome has not left you. I promise myself + great advantage in reading Hebrew and Syriac with him. + + _September 9._--Yours of the 27th ult. is a heart-breaking + business. Though I share so deeply in Sabat's disgrace, I feel + more for you than myself, but I can give you no comfort except + by saying, 'It is well that it was in thine heart.' Your letter + will give a new turn to my life. Henceforward I have done with + India. Arabia shall hide me till I come forth with an approved + New Testament in Arabic. I do not ask your advice, because I + have made up my mind, but shall just wait your answer to this, + and come down to you instantly. I have been calculating upon the + means of support, and find that I shall have wherewithal to + live. Besides, the Lord will provide. Before Him I have spread + this affair, and do not feel that I shall be acting contrary to + His will.... Will Government let me go away for three years + before the time of my furlough arrives? If not, I must quit the + service, and I cannot devote my life to a more important work + than that of preparing the Arabic Bible. + + Herewith you will receive the first seven chapters in Persian + and Hindustani, though I suppose you have ceased to wish for + them. The Persian will only prove that Sabat is not the man for + it. I have protested against many things in it, but instead of + sending you my objections I inclose a critique by Mirza, who + must remain unknown. I am somewhat inclined to think the Arabic + not quite so hopeless. Sabat is confident, and eager to meet his + opponents. His version of the Romans was certainly not from the + old one, because he translated it all before my face from the + English; but then, as I hinted long ago, he is inaccurate and + not to be depended upon. He entirely approves of my going to + Busrah with his translations, and the old one, confident that + the decision there will be in his favour. Dear Sir, take + measures for transmitting me with the least possible delay; + detain me not, for the King's business requires haste. + +The King sent His eager servant to Persia, and did not give him the +desire of his heart to enter Arabia. Truly he hastened so unrestingly +that the Spirit of God led him to complete the Persian New Testament, +and then carried him away from the many tongues of mortal men, which +as they sprang from disunion, so they are to 'cease' in the one speech +of the multitudes of every nation and kindred and tribe and tongue who +sing the new song. + +The following letter to Charles Simeon, the original of which was +presented by his biographer, Canon Carus, to Canon Moor, who permits +it to be published here for the first time, fitly introduces Henry +Martyn's translation used in Persia. Simeon received it on January 21, +1812, and thus wrote of it to Thomason: + + From whom, think you, did I receive a letter yesterday? From our + beloved Martyn in Persia. He begins to find his strength + improve, and he is 'disputing daily' with the learned, who, he + says, are extremely subtile. They are not a little afraid of + him, and are going to write a book on the evidences of their + religion. The evidences of Mohammedanism! A fine comparison they + will make with those of Christianity. Oh, that God may endue our + brother with wisdom and strength to execute all that is in his + heart. He is desirous of spending two years in Persia, and is + willing to sacrifice his salary if the East India Company will + not give him leave. I am going in an hour to Mr. Grant to + consult him, and shall call on Mr. Astell if Mr. Grant thinks it + expedient. + + TO REV. C. SIMEON + + Shiraz: July 8, 1811. + + My dearest Friend and Brother,--My last letter to you was from + Bombay. I sailed thence on March 25, in the Company's corvette, + the Benares. As the ship was manned principally by Europeans, I + had a good deal to do during the voyage, but through the mercy + of our Heavenly Father I was so far from suffering that I rather + gained strength, and am now apparently as well as ever I was. On + Easter day we made the coast of Mekran, in Persia, and on the + Sunday following landed at Muscat, in Arabia. Here I met with an + African slave, who tried hard to persuade me that I was in the + wrong and he in the right. The dispute ended in his asking for + an Arabic Testament, which I gave him. We were about a month in + the Persian Gulf, generally in sight of land. At last, on May + 22, I was set down at Bushire, in Persia, and was kindly + received by the English Resident. One day I went to the Armenian + church, at the request of the priest, not expecting to see + anything like Christian worship, and accordingly I did not. The + Word of God was read, indeed, but in such a way that no man + could have understood it. After church he desired me to notice + that he had censed me _four_ times because I was a priest. This + will give you an idea of their excessive childishness. I took + occasion from his remark to speak about the priest's office, and + the awful importance of it. Nothing can be conceived more vapid + and inane than his observations. + + As soon as my Persian dress was ready, I set off for the + interior in a kafila, or small caravan, consisting chiefly of + mules, and after a very fatiguing journey of ten days over the + mountains, during which time the difference in the thermometer + by day and night was often sixty degrees, I arrived at this + place about a month ago. + + I had no intention of making any stay here, but I found, on my + producing Sabat's Persian translation, that I must sit down with + native Persians to begin the work once more. The fault found + with Sabat's work is that he uses words not only so difficult as + to be unintelligible to the generality, but such as never were + in use in the Persian. + + When it is considered that the issue of all disputes with the + Mohammedans is a reference to the Scriptures, and that the + Persian and Arabic are known all over the Mohammedan world, it + will be evident that we ought to spare no pains in obtaining + good versions in these languages. Hence I look upon my staying + here for a time as a duty paramount to every other, and I trust + that the Government in India will look upon it in the same + light. If they should stop my pay, it would not alter my purpose + in the least, but it would be an inconvenience. I should be + happy, therefore, if the Court of Directors would sanction my + residence in these parts for a year or two. No one who has been + in Persia will imagine that I am here for my own pleasure. India + is a paradise to it. All is poverty and desolation without, and + within I have no comfort but in my God. I am in the midst of + enemies, who argue against the truth, sometimes with uncommon + subtlety. But I pray for the fulfilment of the Lord's promise, + and I am assured that He will be with me and give me a mouth and + a wisdom, which all my adversaries shall not be able to gainsay + or resist. I am sometimes asked whether I am not afraid to speak + so boldly against the Mohammedan religion. I tell them if I say + or do anything against the laws I am not unwilling to suffer, + but if I say nothing but what naturally comes in the course of + argument--it is an argument too which you yourselves began--why + should I fear? You know the power of the English too well to + suppose that they would let any violence be offered to me with + impunity. + + The English ambassador, Sir Gore Ouseley, whom I met here on + his way to Tabreez, carried me with him to the court of the + prince, who, though tributary to his father, is a sovereign + prince in Elam, as the S. Scriptures call the province of Fars. + He has also recommended me to the prince's favourite minister, + so that I am in no danger. But there is certainly a great stir + among the learned, and every effort is made to support their + cause. They have now persuaded the father of all the moollas to + write a book in Arabic on the evidences of the Mohammedan + religion, a book which is to silence me for ever. I rather + suppose that the more their cause is examined the worse it will + appear. + + I have had no news from India these four months, so I can say + nothing of our friends there. Let your next letters be sent not + to India, but direct to Persia, in this way: Rev. H.M., care of + Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart., Ambassador Extraordinary, etc., + _Teheran_; care of S. Morier, Esq., _Constantinople_; care of + George Moore, Esq., _Malta_. My kindest love to all your dear + people, Messrs. Bowman and Goodall, Farish, Port, Phillips, etc. + I hope they continue to remember me once a week in their + prayers; to the _four godly professors_;[76] to your young men + though to me unknown, and especially to your brother. Believe me + to be yours ever most affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + + _1812, January 1_ to _8_.--Spared by mercy to see the beginning + of another year. The last has been in some respects a memorable + year; transported in safety to Shiraz, I have been led, by the + particular providence of God, to undertake a work the idea of + which never entered my mind till my arrival here, but which has + gone on without material interruption and is now nearly + finished. To all appearance the present year will be more + perilous than any I have seen, but if I live to complete the + Persian New Testament, my life after that will be of less + importance. But whether life or death be mine, may Christ be + magnified in me. If He has work for me to do, I cannot die. + +He had just before written this pathetic letter, of exquisite +friendliness: + + TO THE REV. D. CORRIE + + Shiraz: December 12, 1811. + + Dearest Brother,--Your letters of January 28 and April 22 have + just reached me. After being a whole year without any tidings of + you, you may conceive how much they have tended to revive my + spirits. Indeed, I know not how to be sufficiently thankful to + our God and Father for giving me a brother who is indeed a + brother to my soul, and thus follows me with affectionate + prayers wherever I go, and more than supplies my place to the + precious flock over whom the Holy Ghost hath made us overseers. + There is only one thing in your letters that makes me uneasy, + and that is, the oppression you complain of in the hot weather. + As you will have to pass another hot season at Cawnpore, and I + do not know how many more, I must again urge you to spare + yourself. I am endeavouring to learn the true use of time in a + new way, by placing myself in idea twenty or thirty years in + advance, and then considering how I ought to have managed twenty + or thirty years ago. In racing violently for a year or two, and + then breaking down? In this way I have reasoned myself into + contentment about staying so long at Shiraz. I thought at first, + what will the Government in India think of my being away so + long, or what will my friends think? Shall I not appear to all a + wandering shepherd, leaving the flock and running about for my + own pleasure! But placing myself twenty years on in time, I say, + Why could not I stay at Shiraz long enough to get a New + Testament done there, even if I had been detained there on that + account three or six years? What work of equal importance can + ever come from me? So that now I am resolved to wait here till + the New Testament is finished, though I incur the displeasure of + Government, or even be dismissed the service. I have been many + times on the eve of my departure, as my translator promised to + accompany me to Baghdad, but that city being in great confusion + he is afraid to trust himself there; so I resolved to go + westward through the north of Persia, but found it impossible, + on account of the snow which blocks up the roads in winter, to + proceed till spring. Here I am therefore, for three months more; + our Testament will be finished, please God, in six weeks. I go + on as usual, riding round the walls in the morning, and singing + hymns at night over my milk and water, for tea I have none, + though I much want it. I am with you in spirit almost every + evening, and feel a bliss I cannot describe in being one with + the dear saints of God all over the earth, through one Lord and + one Spirit. + + They continued throwing stones at me every day, till happening + one day to tell Jaffir Ali Khan, my host, how one as big as my + fist had hit me in the back, he wrote to the Governor, who sent + an order to all the gates, that if any one insulted me he should + be bastinadoed, and the next day came himself in state to pay me + a visit. These measures have had the desired effect; they now + call me the Feringhi Nabob, and very civilly offer me the + kalean; but indeed the Persian commonalty are very brutes; the + Soofis declare themselves unable to account for the fierceness + of their countrymen, except it be from the influence of Islam. + After speaking in my praise one of them added 'and there are the + Hindus too (who have brought the guns), when I saw their + gentleness I was quite charmed with them; but as for our + Iranees, they delight in nothing but tormenting their fellow + creatures.' These Soofis are quite the Methodists of the East. + They delight in everything Christian, except in being exclusive. + They consider that all will finally return to God, from whom + they emanated, or rather of whom they are only different forms. + The doctrine of the Trinity they admired, but not the atonement, + because the Mohammedans, they say, consider Imam Husain as also + crucified for the sins of men; and to everything Mohammedan they + have a particular aversion. Yet withal they conform externally. + From these, however, you will perceive the first Persian Church + will be formed, judging after the manner of men. The employment + of my leisure hours is translating the Psalms into Persian. What + will poor Fitrut do when he gets to the poetical books? Job, I + hope, you have let him pass over. The Books of Solomon are also + in a very sorry condition in the English. The Prophets are all + much easier, and consequently better done. I hear there is a man + at Yezd that has fallen into the same way of thinking as myself + about the letters, and professes to have found out all the arts + and sciences from them. I should be glad to compare notes with + him. It is now time for me to bid you good night. We have had + ice on the pools some time, but no snow yet. They build their + houses without chimneys, so if we want a fire we must take the + smoke along with it. I prefer wrapping myself in my sheepskin. + + Your accounts of the progress of the kingdom of God among you + are truly refreshing. Tell dear H. and the men of both regiments + that I salute them much in the Lord, and make mention of them in + my prayers. May I continue to hear thus of their state, and if I + am spared to see them again, may we make it evident that we have + grown in grace. Affectionate remembrances to your sister and + Sherwoods; I hope they continue to prosecute their labours of + love. Remember me to the people of Cawnpore who inquire, etc. + Why have not I mentioned Col. P.? It is not because he is not in + my heart, for there is hardly a man in the world whom I love and + honour more. My most Christian salutations to him. + + May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, + dearest brother. Yours affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + +Martyn's Cambridge Persian studies were continued for practical +Hindustani purposes at Dinapore, in 1809, and the following incident +unconsciously lights up his Persian scholarship at that date. Writing +to the impatient David Brown at Aldeen, from Patna, on March 28, he +says: + + You chide me for not trusting my Hindustani to the press. Last + week we began the correction of it; present, a Sayyid of Delhi, + a poet of Lucknow, three or four literates of Patna, and Baba + Ali in the chair; Sabat and myself assessors. + + I was amazed and mortified at observing that reference was had + to the Persian for every verse, in order to understand the + Hindustani. It was, however, a consolation to find that from the + Persian they caught the meaning of it instantly, always + expressing their admiration of the plainness of their + translation. + +But when the Persian translation of the four Gospels was printed at +Serampore, nearly two years after, Martyn himself was dissatisfied +with it. His Cawnpore and especially Lucknow experience had developed +him in Persian style, and led him to see that in Persia itself only +could the great work be done of translating the Word of God into a +language spoken and read from Calcutta and Patna to Damascus and +Tabreez. + +When Henry Martyn did the noblest achievement of his life, the +production of the Persian New Testament, he unknowingly linked himself +with the greatest of the Greek Fathers, near whose dust his own was +about to be laid. Until the Eastern Church ceased to be aggressive--that +is, missionary--Persia, like Central Asia up to China itself, promised +to be all Christian. Islam, a corrupted mixture of Judaism and +Christianity, took its place. Persia sent a bishop to the Council of +Nicaea in 325, and the great Constantine wrote a letter to King Sapor, +recommending to his protection the Christian Churches in his empire.[77] +Chrysostom (347-407), in his second homily on John, incidentally tells +us that 'the Persians, having translated the doctrines of the Gospel +into their own tongue, had learned, though barbarians, the true +philosophy.' In his homily on the memorial of Mary he puts the Persians +first, and our British forefathers last, in this remarkable passage: +'The Persians, the Indians, Scythians, Thracians, Sarmatians, the race +of the Moors, and the inhabitants of the British Isles, celebrate a deed +performed in a private family in Judea by a woman that had been a +sinner.' The isles of Britain, Claudius Buchanan well remarks, then +last, are now the first to restore this memorial to the Persians as well +as to other Mohammedan nations. Even so late as 1740 the tyrant Nadir +Shah, inquiring as to Jesus Christ, asked for a Persian copy of the +Gospels, and had presented to him the combined work of an ignorant +Romish priest and some Mohammedan moollas, which excited his ridicule. +The traveller, Jonas Hanway, tells us that when Henry Martyn saw this +production he exclaimed that he did not wonder at Nadir's contempt of +it. + +Martyn arrived in Shiraz on June 11, 1811; in a week he began his +Persian translation of the New Testament, and in February 1812 he +completed the happy toil, carried on amidst disputations with Soofis and +Shi'ahs, Jews and Christians of the Oriental rites, while consumption +wasted his body. His 'leisure' he spent in translating the Hebrew +Psalter. Let us look at him, in that South Persian summer and winter and +summer again, now in the city of Shiraz, now driven by the sultry heat +to the garden of roses and orange-trees outside the walls near the tomb +of Hafiz. The Christian poet has pictured the scene--Alford, when Dean +of Canterbury in 1851. Twenty years after, he himself was laid in the +churchyard of the mother church of England, St. Martin's, under this +inscription--'Diversorium Viatoris Hierosolymam Proficiscentis': + + _HENRY MARTYN AT SHIRAZ_ + + I + + A vision of the bright Shiraz, of Persian bards the theme: + The vine with bunches laden hangs o'er the crystal stream; + The nightingale all day her notes in rosy thickets trills, + And the brooding heat-mist faintly lies along the distant hills. + + II + + About the plain are scattered wide, in many a crumbling heap, + The fanes of other days, and tombs where Iran's poets sleep: + And in the midst, like burnished gems, in noonday light repose + The minarets of bright Shiraz--the City of the Rose. + + III + + One group beside the river bank in rapt discourse are seen, + Where hangs the golden orange on its boughs of purest green; + Their words are sweet and low, and their looks are lit with joy, + Some holy blessing seems to rest on them and their employ. + + IV + + The pale-faced Frank among them sits: what brought him from afar? + Nor bears he bales of merchandise, nor teaches skill in war; + One pearl alone he brings with him,--the Book of life and death; + One warfare only teaches he--to fight the fight of faith. + + V + + And Iran's sons are round him, and one with solemn tone + Tells how the Lord of Glory was rejected by His own; + Tells, from the wondrous Gospel, of the Trial and the Doom, + The words Divine of Love and Might--the Scourge, the Cross, the Tomb. + + VI + + Far sweeter to the stranger's ear those Eastern accents sound + Than music of the nightingale that fills the air around: + Lovelier than balmiest odours sent from gardens of the rose, + The fragrance from the contrite soul and chastened lip that flows. + + VII + + The nightingales have ceased to sing, the roses' leaves are shed, + The Frank's pale face in Tokat's field hath mouldered with the dead: + Alone and all unfriended, midst his Master's work he fell, + With none to bathe his fevered brow, with none his tale to tell. + + VIII + + But still those sweet and solemn tones about him sound in bliss, + And fragrance from those flowers of God for evermore is his: + For his the meed, by grace, of those who, rich in zeal and love, + Turn many unto righteousness, and shine as stars above. + +This was the beginning of the Persian New Testament: + + TO REV. DAVID BROWN + + Shiraz: June 24, 1811. + + Dearest Sir,--I believe I told you that the advanced state of + the season rendered it necessary to go to Arabia circuitously by + way of Persia. Behold me therefore in the Athens of Fars, the + haunt of the Persian man. Beneath are the ashes of Hafiz and + Sadi; above, green gardens and running waters, roses and + nightingales. Does Mr. Bird envy my lot? Let him solace himself + with Aldeen. How gladly would I give him Shiraz for Aldeen; how + often while toiling through this miserable country have I + sighed for Aldeen! If I am ever permitted to see India again + nothing but dire necessity, or the imperious call of duty, will + ever induce me to travel again. One thing is good here, the + fruit; we have apples and apricots, plums, nectarines, + greengages and cherries, all of which are served up with ice and + snow. When I have said this for Shiraz I have said all. + + But to have done with what grows out of the soil, let us come to + the men. The Persians are, like ourselves, immortal; their + language had passed a long way beyond the limits of Iran. The + men of Shiraz propose to translate the New Testament with me. + Can I refuse to stay? After much deliberation I have determined + to remain here six months. It is sorely against my will, but I + feel it to be a duty. From all that I can collect there appears + no probability of our ever having a good translation made out of + Persia. At Bombay I showed Moolla Firoz, the most learned man + there, the three Persian translations, viz. the Polyglot, and + Sabat's two. He disapproved of them all. At Bushire, which is in + Persia, the man of the greatest name was Sayyid Hosein. Of the + three he liked Sabat's Persian best, but said it seemed written + by an Indian. On my arrival at this place I produced my + specimens once more. Sabat's Persian was much ridiculed; + sarcastic remarks were made on the fondness for fine words so + remarkable in the Indians, who seemed to think that hard words + made fine writing. His Persic also was presently thrown aside, + and to my no small surprise the old despised Polyglot was not + only spoken of as superior to the rest, but it was asked, What + fault is found in this?--this is the language we speak. The king + has also signified that it is his wish that as little Arabic as + possible may be employed in the papers presented to him. So that + simple Persian is likely to become more and more fashionable. + This is a change favourable certainly to our glorious cause. To + the poor the Gospel will be preached. We began our work with + the Gospel of St. John, and five chapters are put out of hand. + It is likely to be the simplest thing imaginable; and I dare say + the pedantic Arab will turn up his nose at it; but what the men + of Shiraz approve who can gainsay? Let Sabat confine himself to + the Arabic, and he will accomplish a great work. The + forementioned Sayyid Hosein of Bushire is an Arab. I showed him + Erpenius's Arabic Testament, the Christian Knowledge Society, + Sabat's, and the Polyglot. After rejecting all but Sabat's, he + said this is good, very good, and then read off the 5th of + Matthew in a fine style, giving it unqualified commendation as + he went along. On my proposing to him to give a specimen of what + he thought the best Persian style, he consented; but, said he, + give me this to translate from, laying his hand on Sabat's + Arabic. At Muscat an Arab officer who had attended us as guard + and guide one day when we walked into the country, came on board + with his slave to take leave of us. The slave, who had argued + with me very strenuously in favour of his religion, reminded me + of a promise I had made him of giving him the Gospel. On my + producing an Arabic New Testament, he seized it and began to + read away upon deck, but presently stopped, and said it was not + fine Arabic. However, he carried off the book. + +In eight months the Persian translation of the New Testament was done. +The _Journal_, during that period, from July 1811 to February 1812, as +the sacred task went on, reveals the Holy Spirit moving the hearts of +the translator's Mohammedan assistant and Soofi disputants by 'the +things of Christ,' while it shows His servant bearing witness, by the +account of his own conversion, to His power to save and to make holy. + + _December 12._--Letters at last from India. Mirza Sayyid Ali + was curious to know in what way we corresponded, and made me + read Mr. Brown's letter to me, and mine to Corrie. He took care + to let his friends know that we wrote nothing about our own + affairs: it was all about translations and the cause of Christ. + With this he was delighted. + + _December 16._--In translating 2 Cor. i. 22, 'Who hath given the + earnest of the Spirit in our hearts,' he was much struck when it + was explained to him. 'Oh, that I had it,' said he; 'have you + received it?' I told him that, as I had no doubt of my + acceptance through Christ, I concluded that I had. Once before, + on the words, 'Who are saved?' he expressed his surprise at the + confidence with which Christians spoke of salvation. On 1 Cor. + xv. he observed, that the doctrine of the resurrection of the + body was unreasonable; but that as the Mohammedans understood + it, it was impossible; on which account the Soofis rejected it. + + _Christmas Day._--I made a great feast for the Russians and + Armenians; and, at Jaffir Ali Khan's request, invited the Soofi + master, with his disciples. I hoped there would be some + conversation on the occasion of our meeting, and, indeed, Mirza + Sayyid Ali did make some attempts, and explained to the old man + the meaning of the Lord's Supper; but the sage maintaining his + usual silence, the subject was dropped. I expressed my + satisfaction at seeing them assembled on such an occasion, and + my hope that they would remember the day in succeeding years, + and that though they would never see me again in the succeeding + years, they would not forget that I had brought them the Gospel. + The old man coldly replied that 'God would guide those whom He + chose.' Most of the time they continued was before dinner; the + moment that was despatched, they rose and went away. The custom + is, to sit five or six hours before dinner, and at great men's + houses singers attend. + + _December 31._--The accounts of the desolations of war during + the last year, which I have been reading in some Indian + newspapers, make the world appear more gloomy than ever. How + many souls hurried into eternity unprepared! How many thousands + of widows and orphans left to mourn! But admire, my soul, the + matchless power of God, that out of this ruin He has prepared + for Himself an inheritance. At last the scene shall change, and + I shall find myself in a world where all is love. + + _1812._--The last has been in some respects a memorable year. I + have been led, by what I have reason to consider as the + particular providence of God, to this place; and have undertaken + an important work, which has gone on without material + interruption, and is now nearly finished. I like to find myself + employed usefully, in a way I did not expect or foresee, + especially if my own will is in any degree crossed by the work + unexpectedly assigned me, as there is then reason to believe + that God is acting. The present year will probably be a perilous + one, but my life is of little consequence, whether I live to + finish the Persian New Testament or do not. I look back with + pity and shame upon my former self, and on the importance I then + attached to my life and labours. The more I see of my own works + the more I am ashamed of them. Coarseness and clumsiness mar all + the works of man. I am sick when I look at man and his wisdom + and his doings, and am relieved only by reflecting that we have + a city whose builder and maker is God. The least of _His_ works + it is refreshing to look at. A dried leaf or a straw makes me + feel myself in good company: complacency and admiration take + place of disgust. + + I compared with pain our Persian translation with the original; + to say nothing of the precision and elegance of the sacred text, + its perspicuity is that which sets at defiance all attempts to + equal it. + + _January 16._--Mirza Sayyid Ali told me accidentally to-day of a + distich made by his friend Mirza Koochut, at Teheran, in honour + of a victory gained by Prince Abbas Mirza over the Russians. The + sentiment was, that he had killed so many of the Christians, + that Christ, from the fourth heaven, took hold of Mahomet's + skirt to entreat him to desist. I was cut to the soul at this + blasphemy. In prayer I could think of nothing else but that + great day when the Son of God shall come in the clouds of + heaven, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and + convincing men of all their hard speeches which they have spoken + against Him. + + Mirza Sayyid Ali perceived that I was considerably disordered, + and was sorry for having repeated the verse, but asked what it + was that was so offensive. I told him that 'I could not endure + existence if Jesus was not glorified; it would be hell to me if + He were to be always thus dishonoured.' He was astonished, and + again asked why. 'If anyone pluck out your eyes,' I replied, + 'there is no saying _why_ you feel pain; it is feeling. It is + because I am one with Christ that I am thus dreadfully wounded.' + On his again apologising, I told him that 'I rejoiced at what + had happened, inasmuch as it made me feel nearer the Lord than + ever. It is when the head or heart is struck, that every member + feels its membership.' This conversation took place while we + were translating. In the evening he mentioned the circumstance + of a young man's being murdered--a fine athletic youth, whom I + had often seen in the garden. Some acquaintance of his in a + slight quarrel had plunged a dagger in his breast. Observing me + look sorrowful, he asked why. 'Because,' said I, 'he was cut off + in his sins, and had no time to repent.' 'It was just in that + way,' said he, 'that I should like to die; not dragging out a + miserable existence on a sick-bed, but transported at once into + another state.' I observed that 'it was not desirable to be + hurried into the immediate presence of God.' 'Do you think,' + said he, 'that there is any difference in the presence of God + here or there?' 'Indeed I do,' said I. 'Here we see through a + glass darkly; but there, face to face.' He then entered into + some metaphysical Soofi disputation about the identity of sin + and holiness, heaven and hell: to all which I made no reply. + + _January 18._--Aga Ali of Media came: and with him and Mirza Ali + I had a long and warm discussion about the essentials of + Christianity. The Mede, seeing us at work upon the Epistles, + said, 'he should be glad to read them; as for the Gospels they + were nothing but tales, which were of no use to him; for + instance,' said he, 'if Christ raised four hundred dead to life, + what is that to me?' I said, 'it certainly was of importance, + for His work furnished a reason for our depending upon His + words.' 'What did He say,' asked he, 'that was not known before? + the love of God, humility--who does not know these things?' + 'Were these things,' said I, 'known before Christ, either among + Greeks or Romans, with all their philosophy?' They avowed that + the Hindu book _Juh_ contained precepts of this kind. I + questioned its antiquity; 'but however that may be,' I added, + 'Christ came not to _teach_ so much as to _die_; the truths I + spoke of as confirmed by His miracles were those relating to His + person, such as, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy + laden, and I will give you rest." Here Mirza Sayyid Ali told him + that I had professed to have no doubt of my salvation. He asked + what I meant. I told him, 'that though sin still remained, I was + assured that it should not regain dominion; and that I should + never come into condemnation, but was accepted in the Beloved.' + Not a little surprised, he asked Mirza Sayyid Ali whether he + comprehended this. 'No,' said he, 'nor Mirza Ibrahim, to whom I + mentioned it.' The Mede again turning to me asked, 'How do you + know this? how do you know you have experienced the second + birth?' 'Because,' said I, 'we have the Spirit of the Father; + what He wishes we wish; what He hates we hate.' Here he began to + be a little more calm and less contentious, and mildly asked + how I had obtained this peace of mind: 'Was it merely these + books?' said he, taking up some of our sheets. I told him, + 'These books, with prayer.' 'What was the beginning of it,' said + he, 'the society of some friends?' I related to him my religious + history, the substance of which was, that I took my Bible before + God in prayer, and prayed for forgiveness through Christ, + assurance of it through His Spirit, and grace to obey His + commandments. They then both asked whether the same benefit + would be conferred on them. 'Yes,' said I, 'for so the Apostles + preached, that all who were baptized in His name should receive + the gift of the Holy Ghost.' 'Can you assure me,' said Mirza + Sayyid Ali, 'that the Spirit will be given to me? if so, I will + be baptized immediately.' 'Who am I that I should be surety?' I + replied; 'I bring you this message from God, that he who, + despairing of himself, rests for righteousness on the Son of + God, shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; and to this I can + add my testimony, if that be worth anything, that I have found + the promise fulfilled in myself. But if after baptism you should + not find it so in you, accuse not the Gospel of falsehood. It is + possible that your faith might not be sincere; indeed, so fully + am I persuaded that you do not believe on the Son of God, that + if you were to entreat ever so earnestly for baptism I should + not dare to administer it at this time, when you have shown so + many signs of an unhumbled heart.' 'What! would you have me + believe,' said he, 'as a child?' 'Yes,' said I. 'True,' said he, + 'I think that is the only way.' Aga Ali said no more, except, + 'Certainly he is a good man!' + + _January 23._--Put on my English dress, and went to the + Vizier's, to see part of the tragedy of Husain's death,[78] + which they contrive to spin out so as to make it last the first + ten days of the Mohurrum. All the apparatus consisted of a few + boards for a stage, two tables and a pulpit, under an immense + awning, in the court where the company were assembled. The + _dramatis personae_ were two; the daughter of Husain, whose part + was performed by a boy, and a messenger; they both read their + parts. Every now and then loud sobs were heard all over the + court. After this several feats of activity were exhibited; the + Vizier sat with the moollas. I was appointed to a seat where + indeed I saw as much as I wanted, but which, I afterwards + perceived, was not the place of honour. As I trust I am far + enough from desiring the chief seats in the synagogues, there + was nothing in this that could offend me; but I do not think it + right to let him have another opportunity of showing a slight to + my country in my person. + + _January 24._--Found Sayyid Ali rather serious this evening. He + said he did not know what to do to have his mind made up about + religion. Of all the religions Christ's was the best; but + whether to prefer this to Soofi-ism he could not tell. In these + doubts he is tossed to and fro, and is often kept awake the + whole night in tears. He and his brother talk together on these + things till they are almost crazed. Before he was engaged in + this work of translation, he says he used to read about two or + three hours a day, now he can do nothing else; has no + inclination for anything else, and feels unhappy if he does not + correct his daily portion. His late employment has given a new + turn to his thoughts as well as to those of his friends; they + had not the most distant conception of the contents of the New + Testament. He says his Soofi friends are exceedingly anxious to + see the Epistles, from the accounts he gives of them, and also + he is sure that almost the whole of Shiraz are so sensible of + the load of unmeaning ceremonies in which their religion + consists, that they will rejoice to see or hear of anything like + freedom, and that they would be more willing to embrace Christ + than the Soofis, who, after taking so much pains to be + independent of all law, would think it degrading to submit + themselves to any law again, however light. + + _February 2._--From what I suffer in this city, I can understand + the feelings of Lot. The face of the poor Russian appears to me + like the face of an angel, because he does not tell lies. Heaven + will be heaven because there will not be one liar there. The + Word of God is more precious to me at this time than I ever + remember it to have been; and of all the promises in it, none is + more sweet to me than this--'He shall reign till He hath put all + enemies under His feet.' + + _February 3._--A packet arrived from India without a single + letter for me. It was some disappointment to me: but let me be + satisfied with my God, and if I cannot have the comfort of + hearing from my friends, let me return with thankfulness to His + Word, which is a treasure of which none envy me the possession, + and where I can find what will more than compensate for the loss + of earthly enjoyments. Resignation to the will of God is a + lesson which I must learn, and which I trust He is teaching me. + + _February 9._--Aga Boozong came. After much conversation, he + said, 'Prove to me, from the beginning, that Christianity is the + way: how will you proceed? what do you say must be done?' 'If + you would not believe a person who wrought a miracle before + you,' said I, 'I have nothing to say; I cannot proceed a step.' + 'I will grant you,' said Sayyid Ali, 'that Christ was the Son of + God, and more than that.' 'That you despair of yourself, and are + willing to trust in Him alone for salvation?' 'Yes.' 'And are + ready to confess Christ before men, and act conformably to His + Word?' 'Yes: what else must I do?' 'Be baptized in the name of + Christ.' 'And what shall I gain?' 'The gift of the Holy Ghost. + The end of faith is salvation in the world to come; but even + here you shall have the Spirit to purify your heart, and to give + you the assurance of everlasting happiness.' Thus Aga Boozong + had an opportunity of hearing those strange things from my own + mouth, of which he had been told by his disciple the Mede. 'You + can say too,' said he, 'that you have received the Spirit?' I + told them I believed I had; 'for, notwithstanding all my sins, + the bent of my heart was to God in a way it never was before; + and that, according to my present feeling, I could not be happy + if God was not glorified, and if I had not the enjoyment of His + presence, for which I felt that I was now educating.' Aga + Boozong shed tears. + + After this came Aga Ali, the Mede, to hear, as he said, some of + the sentences of Paul. Mirza Sayyid Ali had told them, 'that if + they had read nothing but the Gospels, they knew nothing of the + religion of Christ.' The sheet I happened to have by me was the + one containing the fourth, fifth, and sixth chapters of the + Second Epistle to the Corinthians, which Aga Ali read out. + + At this time the company had increased considerably. I desired + Aga Ali to notice particularly the latter part of the fifth + chapter, 'God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto + Himself.' He then read it a second time, but they saw not its + glory; however, they spoke in high terms of the pith and + solidity of Paul's sentences. They were evidently on the watch + for anything that tallied with their own sentiments. Upon the + passage, 'Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord + Jesus,' the Mede observed, 'Do you not see that Jesus was in + Paul, and that Paul was only another name for Jesus?' And the + text, 'Whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; and whether + we be sober, it is for your sakes,' they interpreted thus: 'We + are absorbed in the contemplation of God, and when we recover, + it is to instruct you.' + + Walking afterwards with Mirza Sayyid Ali, he told me how much + one of my remarks had affected him, namely, that he had no + humility. He had been talking about simplicity and humility as + characteristic of the Soofis. 'Humility!' I said to him, 'if you + were humble, you would not dispute in this manner; you would be + like a child.' He did not open his mouth afterwards, but to say, + 'True; I have no humility.' In evident distress, he observed, + 'The truth is, we are in a state of compound + ignorance--ignorant, yet ignorant of our ignorance.' + + _February 18._--While walking in the garden, in some disorder + from vexation, two Mussulman Jews came up and asked me what + would become of them in another world. The Mahometans were right + in their way, they supposed, and we in ours, but what must they + expect? After rectifying their mistake as to the Mahometans, I + mentioned two or three reasons for believing that we are right: + such as their dispersion, and the cessation of sacrifices + immediately on the appearance of Jesus. 'True, true,' they said, + with great feeling and seriousness; indeed, they seemed disposed + to yield assent to anything I said. They confessed they had + become Mahometans only on compulsion, and that Abdoolghuni + wished to go to Baghdad, thinking he might throw off the mask + there with safety, but they asked what I thought. I said that + the Governor was a Mahometan. 'Did I think Syria safer?' 'The + safest place in the East,' I said, 'was India.' Feelings of pity + for God's ancient people, and having the awful importance of + eternal things impressed on my mind by the seriousness of their + inquiries as to what would become of them, relieved me from the + pressure of my comparatively insignificant distresses. I, a poor + Gentile, blest, honoured, and loved; secured for ever by the + everlasting covenant, whilst the children of the kingdom are + still lying in outer darkness! Well does it become me to be + thankful! + + This is my birthday, on which I complete my thirty-first year. + The Persian New Testament has been begun, and I may say finished + in it, as only the last eight chapters of the Revelation remain. + Such a painful year I never passed, owing to the privations I + have been called to on the one hand, and the spectacle before me + of human depravity on the other. But I hope that I have not + come to this seat of Satan in vain. The Word of God has found + its way into Persia, and it is not in Satan's power to oppose + its progress if the Lord hath sent it. + +A week after, on February 24, 1812, Henry Martyn corrected the last +page of the New Testament in Persian. As we read his words of +thanksgiving to the Lord and his invocation of the Holy Spirit, in the +already darkening light of his approaching end, before the beatific +vision promised by the Master to the pure in heart, and the blessed +companionship with Himself guaranteed to every true servant, we recall +the Scottish Columba, whose last act was to transcribe the eleventh +verse of the thirty-fourth Psalm, and the English Bede, who died when +translating the ninth verse of the sixth chapter of St. John's Gospel. + + I have many mercies for which to thank the Lord, and this is not + the least. Now may that Spirit who gave the Word, and called me, + I trust, to be an interpreter of it, graciously and powerfully + apply it to the hearts of sinners, even to the gathering an + elect people from amongst the long-estranged Persians! + +FOOTNOTES: + +[66] 'That list, in which Martyn holds a conspicuous place, has grown +long of late years, till we are half tempted to forget that the share +our age has taken and is taking in the work of translating and +distributing the Scriptures, links on to that of those who could +remember men who had seen the Lord.' Canon Edmonds' _Sermon_, preached +in the Cathedral Church of Truro, October 16, 1890 (Exeter). + +[67] _The Churchman_ for September 1889, p. 635. + +[68] See p. 314. + +[69] Evidently taken in detail from Adam's _Religious World Displayed_. + +[70] Fourth edition, London, 1822. + +[71] _Fortieth Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society_, p. +97. + +[72] _The Bible of Every Land_ (Bagster), 1848. + +[73] See _Contributions Towards a History of Biblical Translations in +India_. Calcutta and London (Dalton), 1854. + +[74] _Monograph on Hindustani Versions of the Old and New Testaments_, +by the Rev. R.C. Mather, LL.D. (without date). + +[75] _The Life of Rev. T.T. Thomason, M.A._, by the late Rev. J. +Sargent, M.A., second edition, Seeley's, 1834. + +[76] Dr. Milner, Dr. Rumsden, Dr. Jowett, Mr. Farish (Charles Simeon's +writing). + +[77] _Christian Researches in Asia, with Notices of the Translation of +the Scriptures into the Oriental Languages_, by the Rev. Claudius +Buchanan, D.D., 10th edition, London, 1814. + +[78] See _The Miracle Play of Hasan and Husain_, collected from Oral +Tradition, by Sir Lewis Pelly, two vols. 1879. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +SHIRAZ TO TABREEZ--THE PERSIAN NEW TESTAMENT + + +The next three months were spent, still in Shiraz, in the preparation of +copies of the precious Persian MS. of the New Testament, and in very +close spiritual intercourse with the company of inquirers whom neither +fanaticism, conceit, nor, in some cases, a previously immoral life, had +prevented from reverencing the teaching of the man of God. Jaffir Ali +Khan's garden became to such a holy place, as the Persian spring passed +into the heat of summer. There the privileged translator, Mirza Sayyid +Ali; Aga Baba, the Mede; Aga Boozong, vizier of Prince Abbas Mirza, and +'most magisterial of the Soofis;' Mirza Ibrahim, the controversialist +leader; Sheikh Abulhassan, and many a moolla to whom he testified that +Christ was the Creator and Saviour, gathered round him as he read, 'at +their request,' the Old Testament histories. 'Their attention to the +Word, and their love and attention to me, seemed to increase as the time +of my departure approached. Aga Baba, who had been reading St. Matthew, +related very circumstantially to the company the particulars of the +death of Christ. The bed of roses on which we sat, and the notes of the +nightingales warbling around us, were not so sweet to me as this +discourse from the Persian.' + + Telling Mirza Sayyid Ali one day that I wished to return to the + city in the evening, to be alone and at leisure for prayer, he + said with seriousness, 'Though a man had no other religious + society I suppose he might, with the aid of the Bible, live + alone with God?' This solitude will, in one respect, be his own + state soon;--may he find it the medium of God's gracious + communications to his soul! He asked in what way God ought to be + addressed: I told him as a Father, with respectful love; and + added some other exhortations on the subject of prayer. + + _May 11._--Aga Baba came to bid me farewell, which he did in the + best and most solemn way, by asking, as a final question, + 'whether, independently of external evidences, I had any + internal proofs of the doctrine of Christ?' I answered, 'Yes, + undoubtedly: the change from what I once was is a sufficient + evidence to me.' At last he took his leave, in great sorrow, and + what is better, apparently in great solicitude about his soul. + + The rest of the day I continued with Mirza Sayyid Ali, giving + him instructions what to do with the New Testament in case of my + decease, and exhorting him, as far as his confession allowed me, + to stand fast. He had made many a good resolution respecting his + besetting sins. I hope, as well as pray, that some lasting + effects may be seen at Shiraz from the Word of God left among + them. + +For the Shah and for the heir-apparent, Prince Abbas Mirza, two copies +of the Persian New Testament were specially written out in the perfect +caligraphy which the Persians love, and carefully corrected with the +translator's own hand. That he might himself present them, especially +the former, he left Shiraz on May 11, 1812, after a year's residence +in the country. The whole length of the great Persian plateau had to +be traversed, by Ispahan to Teheran, thence to the royal camp at +Sultania, and finally to Tabreez, where was Sir Gore Ouseley, the +British ambassador, through whom alone the English man of God could +be introduced to the royal presence. He was accompanied by Mr. +Canning, an English clergyman. + +The journey occupied eight weeks, and proved to be one of extreme +hardship, which rapidly developed Henry Martyn's disease. At one time +his life was in danger, in spite of the letters which he carried from +General Malcolm's friend, and now his own, Jaffir Ali Khan, to the +Persian prime minister at Teheran. Mrs. Bishop's experience of travel +by the same road[79] at a more favourable season, over the 'great mud +land' to which centuries of misrule have changed the populous paradise +of Darius, enables us to imagine what the brief record of the +_Journal_ only half reveals seventy years ago. The old village which +the founder of the Kajar dynasty enlarged into Teheran, straggles +within eleven miles of walls in the most depressed part of an +uninteresting waste. Save for the exterior of the Shah's palace, and +those of some of his ministers, the suburb with the European +legations, and now the large and handsome buildings of the American +Presbyterian Mission, it is unworthy of being a capital city. Eager to +present the sacred volume while life was left to him, Henry Martyn +hurried away to find Mirza Shufi, the premier, and the Shah, who were +in camp a night's journey off at Karach. + + _May 13._--Remained all day at the caravanserai, correcting the + Prince's copy. + + _May 14._--Continued our journey through two ridges of mountains + to Imanzadu: no cultivation to be seen anywhere, nor scarcely + any natural vegetable production, except the broom and + hawthorn. The weather was rather tempestuous, with cold gusts of + wind and rain. We were visited by people who came to be cured of + their distempers. + + _May 16._--We found a hoar frost, and ice on the pools. The + excessive cold at this place is accounted for by its being the + highest land between the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. The + baggage not having come up, we were obliged to pass another day + in this uncomfortable neighbourhood, where nothing was to be + procured for ourselves or our horses, the scarcity of rain this + year having left the ground destitute of verdure, and the poor + people of the village near us having nothing to sell. + + _May 21._--Finished the revision of the Prince's copy. At eleven + at night we started for Ispahan, where we arrived soon after + sunrise on the 22nd, and were accommodated in one of the king's + palaces. Found my old Shiraz scribe here, and corrected with him + the Prince's copy. + + _May 23._--Called on the Armenian bishops at Julfa, and met + Matteus. He is certainly vastly superior to any Armenian I have + yet seen. We next went to the Italian missionary, Joseph + Carabiciate, a native of Aleppo, but educated at Rome. He spoke + Latin very sprightly, considering his age, which was sixty-six, + but discovered no sort of inclination to talk about religion. + Until lately he had been supported by the Propaganda; but weary + at last of exercising his functions without remuneration, and + even without the necessary provision, he talked of returning to + Aleppo. + + _May 24._ (Sunday.)--Went early this morning to the Armenian + church attached to the episcopal residence. Within the rails + were two out of the four bishops, and other ecclesiastics, but + in the body of the church only three people. Most of the + Armenians at Julfa, which is now reduced to five hundred houses, + attended at their respective parish churches, of which there + are twelve, served by twenty priests. After their pageantry was + over, and we were satisfied with processions, ringing of bells, + waving of colours, and other ceremonies, which were so numerous + as entirely to remove all semblance of spiritual worship, we + were condemned to witness a repetition of the same mockery at + the Italian's church, at his request. I could not stand it out, + but those who did observed that the priest ate and drank all the + consecrated elements himself, and gave none to the few poor + women who composed his congregation, and who, the Armenian said, + had been hired for the occasion. + + Before returning to Ispahan we sat a short time in the garden + with the bishops. They, poor things, had nothing to say, and + could scarcely speak Persian; so that all the conversation was + between me and Matteus. At my request he brought what he had of + the Holy Scriptures in Persian and Arabic. They were Wheloi's + Persian Gospels, and an Arabic version of the Gospels printed at + Rome. I tried in vain to bring him to any profitable discussion; + with more sense than his brethren, he is not more advanced in + spiritual knowledge. Returned much disappointed. Julfa had + formerly twenty bishops and about one hundred clergy, with + twenty-four churches. + + _June 2._--Soon after midnight we mounted our horses. It was a + mild moonlight night and a nightingale filled the whole valley + with his notes. Our way was along lanes, over which the wood on + each side formed a canopy, and a murmuring rivulet accompanied + us till it was lost in a lake. At daylight we emerged into the + plain of Kashan, which seems to be a part of the great Salt + Desert. On our arrival at the king's garden, where we intended + to put up, we were at first refused admittance, but an + application to the Governor was soon attended to. We saw here + huge snowy mountains on the north-east beyond Teheran. + + _June 5._--Reached Kum;[80] the country uniformly desolate. The + chief Moojtahid in all Persia, being a resident of this city, I + sent to know if a visit would be agreeable to him. His reply + was, that if I had any business with him I might come; but if + otherwise, his age and infirmities must be his excuse. Intending + to travel a double stage, started soon after sunset. + + _June 8._--Arrived, two hours before daybreak, at the walls of + Teheran. I spread my bed upon the high road, and slept till the + gates were open; then entered the city, and took up my abode at + the ambassador's house. + + I lost no time in forwarding Jaffir Ali Khan's letter to the + premier, who sent to desire that I would come to him. I found + him lying ill in the verandah of the king's tent of audience. + Near him were sitting two persons, who, I was afterwards + informed, were Mirza Khantar and Mirza Abdoolwahab; the latter + being a secretary of state and a great admirer of the Soofi + sage. They took very little notice, not rising when I sat down, + as is their custom to all who sit with them; nor offering me + kalean. The two secretaries, on learning my object in coming, + began a conversation with me on religion and metaphysics, which + lasted two hours. As they were both well-educated, gentlemanly + men, the discussion was temperate, and, I hope, useful. + + _June 12._--I attended the Vizier's levee, where there was a + most intemperate and clamorous controversy kept up for an hour + or two; eight or ten on one side, and I on the other. Amongst + them were two moollas, the most ignorant of any I have yet met + with in either Persia or India. It would be impossible to + enumerate all the absurd things they said. Their vulgarity in + interrupting me in the middle of a speech; their utter ignorance + of the nature of an argument; their impudent assertions about + the law and the Gospel, neither of which they had ever seen in + their lives, moved my indignation a little. I wished, and I said + it would have been well, if Mirza Abdoolwahab had been there; I + should then have had a man of sense to argue with. The Vizier, + who set us going at first, joined in it latterly, and said, 'You + had better say God is God, and Muhammad is the prophet of God.' + I said, 'God is God,' but added, instead of 'Muhammad is the + prophet of God,' 'and Jesus is the Son of God.' They had no + sooner heard this, which I had avoided bringing forward till + then, than they all exclaimed, in contempt and anger, 'He is + neither born nor begets,' and rose up, as if they would have + torn me in pieces. One of them said, 'What will you say when + your tongue is burnt out for this blasphemy?' + + One of them felt for me a little, and tried to soften the + severity of this speech. My book, which I had brought expecting + to present it to the king, lay before Mirza Shufi. As they all + rose up after him to go, some to the king and some away, I was + afraid they would trample on the book; so I went in among them + to take it up, and wrapped it in a towel before them, while they + looked at it and me with supreme contempt. Thus I walked away + alone in my tent, to pass the rest of the day in heat and dirt. + What have I done, thought I, to merit all this scorn? Nothing, I + trust, but bearing testimony to Jesus. I thought over these + things in prayer, and my troubled heart found that peace which + Christ hath promised to His disciples. + + To complete the trials of the day, a message came from the + Vizier in the evening, to say that it was the custom of the king + not to see any Englishman, unless presented by the ambassador, + or accredited by a letter from him, and that I must, therefore, + wait till the king reached Sultania, where the ambassador would + be. + + _June 13._--Disappointed of my object in coming to the camp, I + lost no time in leaving it, and proceeded in company with Mr. + Canning, who had just joined me from Teheran, towards Kasbin, + intending there to wait the result of an application to the + ambassador. Started at eleven, and travelled till eleven next + morning, having gone ten parasangs or forty miles, to Quishlang. + The country all along was well watered and cultivated. The mules + being too much tired to proceed, we passed the day at the + village; indeed, we all wanted rest. As I sat down in the dust, + on the shady side of a walled village by which we passed, and + surveyed the plains over which our road lay, I sighed at the + thought of my dear friends in India and England, of the vast + regions I must traverse before I can get to either, and of the + various and unexpected hindrances which present themselves to my + going forward. I comfort myself with the hope that my God has + something for me to do, by thus delaying my exit. + + _June 22._--We met with the usual insulting treatment at the + caravanserai, where the king's servants had got possession of a + good room, built for the reception of the better order of + guests; they seemed to delight in the opportunity of humbling an + European. Sultania is still but a village, yet the Zengan prince + has quartered himself and all his attendants, with their horses, + on this poor little village. All along the road, where the king + is expected, the people are patiently waiting, as for some + dreadful disaster; plague, pestilence, or famine is nothing to + the misery of being subject to the violence and extortion of + this rabble soldiery. + + _June 25._ (Zengan.)--After a restless night, rose so ill with + the fever that I could not go on. My companion, Mr. Canning, was + nearly in the same state. We touched nothing all day. + + _June 26._--After such another night I had determined to go on, + but Mr. Canning declared himself unable to stir, so here we + dragged through another miserable day. What added to our + distress was that we were in danger, if detained here another + day or two, of being absolutely in want of the necessaries of + life before reaching Tabreez. We made repeated applications to + the moneyed people, but none would advance a piastre. Where are + the people who flew forth to meet General Malcolm with their + purses and their lives? Another generation is risen up, 'who + know not Joseph.' Providentially a poor muleteer, arriving from + Tabreez, became security for us, and thus we obtained five + tomans. This was a heaven-send; and we lay down quietly, free + from apprehensions of being obliged to go a fatiguing journey of + eight or ten hours, without a house or village in the way, in + our present weak and reduced state. We had now eaten nothing for + two days. My mind was much disordered from head-ache and + giddiness, from which I was seldom free; but my heart, I trust, + was with Christ and His saints. To live much longer in this + world of sickness and pain seemed no way desirable; the most + favourite prospects of my heart seemed very poor and childish; + and cheerfully would I have exchanged them all for the unfading + inheritance. + + _June 27._--My Armenian servant was attacked in the same way. + The rest did not get me the things that I wanted, so that I + passed the third day in the same exhausted state; my head, too, + was tortured with shocking pains, such as, together with the + horror I felt at being exposed to the sun, showed me plainly to + what to ascribe my sickness. Towards evening, two more of our + servants were attacked in the same way, and lay groaning from + pains in the head. + + _June 28._--All were much recovered, but in the afternoon I + again relapsed. During a high fever Mr. Canning read to me in + bed the Epistle to the Ephesians, and I never felt the + consolations of that Divine revelation of mysteries more + sensibly and solemnly. Rain in the night prevented our setting + off. + + _June 29._--My ague and fever returned, with such a head-ache + that I was almost frantic. Again and again I said to myself, + 'Let patience have her perfect work,' and kept pleading the + promises, 'When thou passest through the waters I will be with + thee,' etc.; and the Lord did not withhold His presence. I + endeavoured to repel all the disordered thoughts that the fever + occasioned, and to keep in mind that all was friendly; a + friendly Lord presiding; and nothing exercising me but what + would show itself at last friendly. A violent perspiration at + last relieved the acute pain in my head, and my heart rejoiced; + but as soon as that was over, the exhaustion it occasioned, + added to the fatigue from the pain, left me in as low a state of + depression as ever I was in. I seemed about to sink into a long + fainting fit, and I almost wished it; but at this moment, a + little after midnight, I was summoned to mount my horse, and set + out, rather dead than alive. We moved on six parasangs. We had a + thunder-storm with hail. + + _July 1._--A long and tiresome march to Sarehund; in seven + parasangs there was no village. They had nothing to sell but + buttermilk and bread; but a servant of Abbas Mirza, happening to + be at the same caravanserai, sent us some flesh of a mountain + cow which he had shot the day before. All day I had scarcely the + right recollection of myself from the violence of the ague. We + have now reached the end of the level ground which we have had + all the way from Teheran, and are approaching the boundaries of + Parthia and Media; a most natural boundary it is, as the two + ridges of mountains we have had on the left and right come round + and form a barrier. + + _July 2._--At two in the morning we set out. I hardly know when + I have been so disordered. I had little or no recollection of + things, and what I did remember at times of happy scenes in + India or England, served only to embitter my present situation. + Soon after removing into the air I was seized with a violent + ague, and in this state I went on till sunrise. At three + parasangs and a half we found a fine caravanserai, apparently + very little used, as the grass was growing in the court. There + was nothing all round but the barren rocks, which generally + roughen the country before the mountain rears its height. Such + an edifice in such a situation was cheering. Soon after we came + to a river, over which was a high bridge; I sat down in the + shade under it, with two camel drivers. The kafila, as it + happened, forded the river, and passed on without my perceiving + it. Mr. Canning seeing no signs of me, returned, and after + looking about for some time, espied my horse grazing; he + concluded immediately that the horse had flung me from the + bridge into the river, and was almost ready to give me up for + lost. My speedy appearance from under the bridge relieved his + terror and anxiety. Half the people still continue ill; for + myself, I am, through God's infinite mercy, recovering. + + _July 4._--I so far prevailed as to get the kafila into motion + at midnight. Lost our way in the night, but arriving at a + village we were set right again. At eight came to Kilk + caravanserai, but not stopping there, went on to a village, + where we arrived at half-past nine. The baggage not coming up + till long after, we got no breakfast till one o'clock. In + consequence of all these things, want of sleep, want of + refreshment, and exposure to the sun, I was presently in a high + fever, which raged so furiously all the day that I was nearly + delirious, and it was some time before I could get the right + recollection of myself. I almost despaired, and do now, of + getting alive through this unfortunate journey. Last night I + felt remarkably well, calm and composed, and sat reflecting on + my heavenly rest, with more sweetness of soul, abstraction from + the world, and solemn views of God, than I have had for a long + time. Oh, for such sacred hours! This short and painful life + would scarcely be felt could I live thus at heaven's gate. It + being impossible to continue my journey in my present state, + and one of the servants also being so ill that he could not move + with safety, we determined to halt one day at the village, and + sent on a messenger to Sir Gore, at Tabreez, informing him of + our approach. + + _July 5._--As soon as it was day we found our way to the village + where the Doctor was waiting for us. Not being able to stay for + us, he went on to Tabreez, and we as far as Wasmuch, where he + promised to procure for us a fine upper room furnished; but when + we arrived, they denied that there was any such a place. At + last, after an hour's threatening, we got admittance to it. An + hour before break of day I left it, in hopes of reaching Tabreez + before sunrise. Some of the people seemed to feel compassion for + me, and asked me if I was not very ill. At last I reached the + gate, and feebly asked for a man to show me the way to the + ambassador's. + + _July 9._--Made an extraordinary effort, and as a Tartar was + going off instantly to Constantinople, wrote letters to Mr. + Grant for permission to come to England, and to Mr. Simeon and + Lydia, informing them of it; but I have scarcely the remotest + expectation of seeing it, except by looking at the almighty + power of God. + + Dined at night at the ambassador's, who said he was determined + to give every possible _eclat_ to my book, by presenting it + himself to the king. My fever never ceased to rage till the + 21st, during all which time every effort was made to subdue it, + till I had lost all my strength and almost all my reason. They + now administer bark, and it may please God to bless the tonics; + but I seem too far gone, and can only say, 'having a desire to + depart and be with Christ, which is far better.' + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Tabreez: July 12, 1812. + + My dearest Lydia,--I have only time to say that I have received + your letter of February 14. Shall I pain your heart by adding, + that I am in such a state of sickness and pain, that I can + hardly write to you? Let me rather observe, to obviate the + gloomy apprehension my letters to Mr. Grant and Mr. Simeon may + excite, that I am likely soon to be delivered from my fever. + Whether I shall gain strength enough to go on, rests on our + Heavenly Father, in whose hands are all my times. Oh, His + precious grace! His eternal unchanging love in Christ to my soul + never appeared more clear, more sweet, more strong. I ought to + inform you that in consequence of the state to which I am + reduced by travelling so far overland, without having half + accomplished my journey, and the consequent impossibility of + returning to India the same way, I have applied for leave to + come on furlough to England. Perhaps you will be gratified by + this intelligence; but oh, my dear Lydia, I must faithfully tell + you that the probability of my reaching England alive is but + small; and this I say, that your expectations of seeing me again + may be moderate, as mine are of seeing you. Why have you not + written more about yourself? However, I am thankful for knowing + that you are alive and well. I scarcely know how to desire you + to direct. Perhaps Alexandria in Egypt will be the best place; + another may be sent to Constantinople, for though I shall not go + there, I hope Mr. Morier will be kept informed of my movements. + Kindest love to all the saints you usually mention. Yours ever + most faithfully and affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + + + TO REV. C. SIMEON + + Tabreez: July 12, 1812. + + My dearest Friend and Brother,--The Tartar courier for + Constantinople, who has been delayed some days on our account, + being to be despatched instantly, my little strength also being + nearly exhausted by writing to Mr. Grant a letter to be laid + before the court: I have only to notice some of the particulars + of your letter of February of this year. It is not now before + me, neither have I strength to search for it among my papers; + but from the frequent attentive perusals I gave it during my + intervals of ease, I do not imagine that any of it has escaped + my memory. At present I am in a high fever, and cannot properly + recollect myself. I shall ever love and be grateful to Mr. + Thornton for his kind attention to my family. + + The increase of godly young men is precious news. If I sink into + the grave in India, my place will be supplied an hundredfold. + You will learn from Mr. Grant that I have applied for leave to + come to England on furlough; a measure you will disapprove; but + you would not, were you to see the pitiable condition to which I + am reduced, and knew what it is to traverse the continent of + Asia in the destitute state in which I am. If you wish not to + see me, I can say that I think it most probable that you will + not; the way before me being not better than that passed over, + which has nearly killed me. + + I would not pain your heart, my dear brother, but we who are in + Jesus have the privilege of viewing life and death as nearly the + same, since both are one; and I thank a gracious Lord that + sickness never came at a time when I was more free from apparent + reasons for living. Nothing seemingly remains for me to do but + to follow the rest of my family to the tomb. Let not the book + written against Muhammadanism be published till approved in + India. A European who has not lived amongst them cannot imagine + how differently they see, imagine, reason, object, from what we + do. This I had full opportunity of observing during my eleven + months' residence at Shiraz. During that time I was engaged in a + written controversy with one of the most learned and temperate + doctors there. He began. I replied what was unanswerable, then I + subjoined a second more direct attack on the glaring absurdities + of Muhammadanism, with a statement of the nature and evidences + of Christianity. The Soofis then as well as himself desired a + demonstration, from the very beginning, of the truth of any + revelation. As this third treatise contained an examination of + the doctrine of the Soofis, and pointed out that their object + was attainable by the Gospel, and by that only, it was read with + interest and convinced many. There is not a single Europeanism + in the whole that I know of, as my friend and interpreter would + not write anything that he could not perfectly comprehend. But I + am exhausted; pray for me, beloved brother, and believe that I + am, as long as life and recollection lasts, yours + affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + + + Tabreez: August 8. + + My dearest Brother and Friend,--Ever since I wrote, about a + month, I believe, I have been lying upon the bed of sickness; + for twenty days or more the fever raged with great violence, and + for a long time every species of medicine was tried in vain. + After I had given up every hope of recovery, it pleased God to + abate the fever, but incessant head-aches succeeded, which + allowed me no rest day or night. I was reduced still lower, and + am now a mere skeleton; but as they are now less frequent, I + suppose it to be the will of God that I should be raised up to + life again. I am now sitting in my chair, and wrote the will + with a strong hand; but as you see I cannot write so now. + Kindest love to Mr. John Thornton, for whose temporal and + spiritual prosperity I daily pray.--Your ever affectionate + friend and brother, + + H. MARTYN. + +Lydia Grenfell's letter, to which Martyn's of July 12, written in such +circumstances, is a reply, was really dated February 1, 1812, and was +the last received from her by him. Her _Diary_ notes that she 'wrote +to India, August 30, September 30, 1812'; and on December 12 of that +year, thus remarks on his letter of July 12: + + Heard from Tabreez from Mr. Martyn with an account of his + dangerous state of health and intention of returning to England + if his life was spared. This intelligence affected me variously. + The probability of his death, the certainty of his extreme + sufferings, and distance from every friend, pressed heavily on + my spirits; I was enabled to pray, and felt relieved. Of his + return no very sanguine expectations can be entertained. + Darkness and distress of mind have followed this information. I + cannot collect my thoughts to write, or apply as I ought to + anything. Oh, let me consider this as a call to prayer and + watchfulness and self-examination. Lord, assist me! + + _December 16._--A season of great temptation, darkness, and + distress. At no period of my life have I stood more in need of + Divine help, and oh! may I earnestly seek it. Lord, I would + pray, give me a right understanding, and enable me seriously to + consider and weigh in the balance of the sanctuary all I + do--yea, let my thoughts be watched. Sleep has fled from mine + eyes, and a fearful looking for of trial and affliction, however + this affair ends, possesses my mind. Oh! let me cast my burden + on the Lord--it is too heavy for me. Lord, let me begin afresh + to call upon Thy name, and, taking hold of Thee, I shall be + borne up above my trials, carried through the difficulties I + see before me, and be delivered. + + _December 17._--I desire, O Thou blessed God, to seek Thy face, + to call on Thy name. Thou hast been my refuge; I have been happy + in the sense of Thy love. With all my sins, my weaknesses and + miseries, I come to Thee, and most seriously would I seek Thy + guidance in the perplexing and difficult circumstances I am in. + O Lord, suffer me not to run counter to Thy will nor to + dishonour Thee. + + _December 25._--Bless the Lord, O my soul; bless His holy name + for ever and ever. I sought the Lord in my distress, and He gave + ear unto me. Gracious and merciful art Thou, O Lord, for Thou + didst bend Thine ear to the most worthless of all creatures. + This is for the glory of Thy name alone, to show how great Thy + mercy is, how sure Thy truth. After a night of clouds and + darkness, behold the clear sky. + + _December 26._--This joyful, holy season calls upon me for fresh + praises, and a renewed dedication of myself to God. I rejoice in + believing Christ was born; I rejoice in the end proposed of His + appearance in the flesh, the recovery of mankind to holiness and + to God. I welcome this salvation as that I most desire. My + happiness, I know, consists in holiness and in the favour of + God. Thought much to-day of my dear friend. I cannot think of + him as having gained the heavenly crown, but as struggling with + dangers and difficulties. Secure in them all of Thy favour, and + defended by Thy power, he is safe, and pass but a few years or + days, and he will enter into the rest of God. Let me, too, + follow after him as he follows Christ. + + _1813, January 4._--After a night and day spent in great + conflict and agony of mind, I, this evening, enjoy a respite + from distressing apprehensions. I was reduced to the lowest, as + to animal spirits and spiritual life, when it occurred to me I + would go to the meeting, where I found a sweet--oh, may it be a + lasting! relief from my cares. Having better things proposed + for my consideration, my burden has chiefly been from a sense of + inward weakness and a conviction of having lost the presence of + God. The state of my beloved friend less occupies my mind than I + sometimes think is reconcilable with a true affection for him; + but the truth is, the concerns of my soul are the more pressing. + Oh! may this trial truly answer this purpose of driving me to + God, my refuge and rest. + + _January 6._--Still harassed and without strength to resist. I + seem divested of the Spirit, yet, oh, let me not give way to + this! I will try, as a helpless sinner, to seek Divine aid. Thou + canst command peace within and increase my faith. I am amazed at + the state of my mind--instead of having my thoughts exercised + about my dear friend, I am filled with distressing fears for my + soul, and left so to myself that all I can do is to pray for the + Lord to return and lift upon me the light of His countenance. O + Thou blessed Redeemer! hear my sighs and put my tears into Thy + bottle. My wanderings are noted down in Thy book. Oh, have pity + on my wretched state and revive Thy work, increase my faith. + Thou art the resurrection and the life--let me rest on this + Scripture. + + _February 1._--My beloved friend remembered every hour, but + to-day with less distressing fears and perplexity of mind. I do + from my inmost soul, O Lord, desire Thy will to be done, and + that Thou mayest be glorified in this concern. Oh, direct us! + + _February 7._--I have been convinced to-day how by admitting + into my heart, and suffering my first, my last, and every + thought to be engrossed by an earthly object, I have grieved the + Holy Spirit, and hindered God from dwelling in me. Oh! let me + have done with idols and worship God. + +More than six weeks after his letter of July 12, the fever-stricken +missionary recovered strength to write to Lydia once again: + + TO LYDIA GRENFELL + + Tabreez: August 28, 1812. + + I wrote to you last, my dear Lydia, in great disorder. My fever + had approached nearly to delirium, and my debility was so great + that it seemed impossible I could withstand the power of disease + many days. Yet it has pleased God to restore me to life and + health again; not that I have recovered my former strength yet, + but consider myself sufficiently restored to prosecute my + journey. My daily prayer is, that my late chastisement may have + its intended effect, and make me all the rest of my days more + humble, and less self-confident. Self-confidence has often let + me down fearful lengths, and would, without God's gracious + interference, prove my endless perdition. I seem to be made to + feel this evil of my heart more than any other at this time. In + prayer, or when I write or converse on the subject, Christ + appears to me my life and strength, but at other times I am as + thoughtless and bold as if I had all life and strength in + myself, Such neglect on our part works a diminution of our joys; + but the covenant, the covenant! stands fast with Him, for His + people evermore. + + I mentioned my conversing sometimes on Divine subjects, for + though it is long enough since I have seen a child of God, I am + sometimes led on by the Persians to tell them all I know of the + very recesses of the sanctuary, and these are the things that + interest them. But to give an account of all my discussions with + these mystic philosophers must be reserved to the time of our + meeting. Do I dream, that I venture to think and write of such + an event as that? Is it possible that we shall ever meet again + below? Though it is possible, I dare not indulge such a pleasing + hope yet. I am still at a tremendous distance; and the countries + I have to pass through are many of them dangerous to the + traveller, from the hordes of banditti, whom a feeble + government cannot chastise. In consequence of the bad state of + the road between this and Aleppo, Sir Gore advises me to go + first to Constantinople, and from thence to pass into Syria. In + favour of this route, he urges that, by writing to two or three + Turkish Governors on the frontiers, he can secure me a safe + passage, at least half-way, and the latter half is probably not + much infested. In three days, therefore, I intend setting my + horse's head towards Constantinople, distant above thirteen + hundred miles. Nothing, I think, will occasion any further + detention here, if I can procure servants who know both Persian + and Turkish; but should I be taken ill on the road, my case + would be pitiable indeed. The ambassador and his suite are still + here: his and Lady Ouseley's attentions to me, during my + illness, have been unremitted. The Prince Abbas Mirza, the + wisest of the king's sons, and heir to the throne, was here some + time after my arrival; I much wished to present a copy of the + Persian New Testament to him, but I could not rise from my bed. + The book will, however, be given to him by the ambassador. + Public curiosity about the Gospel, now for the first time, in + the memory of the modern Persians, introduced into the country, + is a good deal excited here, at Shiraz, and other places; so + that, upon the whole, I am thankful for having been led hither + and detained, though my residence in this country has been + attended with many unpleasant circumstances. The way of the + kings of the East is preparing. This much may be said with + safety, but little more. The Persians also will probably take + the lead in the march to Zion, as they are ripe for a revolution + in religion as well as politics. + + Sabat, about whom you inquire so regularly, I have heard nothing + of this long time. My friends in India have long since given me + up as lost or gone out of reach, and if they wrote they would + probably not mention him, as he is far from being a favourite + with any of them. ----, who is himself of an impatient temper, + cannot tolerate him; indeed, I am pronounced to be the only man + in Bengal who could have lived with him so long. He is, to be + sure, the most tormenting creature I ever yet chanced to deal + with--peevish, proud, suspicious, greedy; he used to give daily + more and more distressing proofs of his never having received + the saving grace of God. But of this you will say nothing; while + his interesting story is yet fresh in the memory of people, his + failings had better not be mentioned. The poor Arab wrote me a + querulous epistle from Calcutta, complaining that no one took + notice of him now that I was gone; and then he proceeds to abuse + his best friends. I have not yet written to reprove him for his + unchristian sentiments, and when I do I know it will be to no + purpose after all the private lectures I have given him. My + course from Constantinople is so uncertain that I hardly know + where to desire you to direct to me; I believe Malta is the only + place, for there I must stop in my way home. Soon we shall have + occasion for pen and ink no more; but I trust I shall shortly + see thee face to face. Love to all the saints. + + Believe me to be yours ever, most faithfully and affectionately, + + H. MARTYN. + +These were Henry Martyn's last words to Lydia Grenfell. Hasting home +to be with her, in a few weeks his yearning spirit was with the Lord-- + + Love divine, all love excelling. + +Tabreez was at this time the centre of diplomatic activity. While the +Shah and his camp were not far off, the Turkish Ambassador was in the +city, and Sir Gore Ouseley was busily mediating between the Turkish +and Persian Governments after their hostilities on the Baghdad +frontier. Turkey, moreover, had just before concluded a treaty with +Russia, with consequences most offensive to the Shah. Only the +personal influence and active interference of the British Ambassador +prevented the renewal of hostilities. Mr. Morier, the Secretary of +Embassy, gives us this contemporary picture of Martyn's arrival:[81] +'We had not long been at Tabreez before our party was joined by the +Rev. William Canning and the Rev. Henry Martyn. The former was +attached to our Embassy as chaplain; the latter, whom we had left at +Shiraz employed in the translation of the New Testament into the +Persian language, having completed that object, was on his way to +Constantinople. Both these gentlemen had suffered greatly in health +during their journey from Shiraz. Mr. Martyn had scarcely time to +recover his strength before he departed again.' + +Had Henry Martyn been induced by his hospitable friends to rest here +for a time, had the physician constrained him to wait for a better +season and more strength, he might have himself presented his sacred +work to the Shah--might have repeated in the north what he had been +permitted to do in one brief year in the south of Persia, and might +have again seen the beloved Lydia and his Cambridge friends. For +Tabreez, 'the fever-dispeller,' is said to have been so named by +Zobeidah, the wife of the Kaliph Haroon'r Rashheed, who, at the close +of the eighth century, beautified the ancient Tauris, capital of +Tiridates III., King of Armenia in 297, because of its healthy +climate. In spite of repeated earthquakes the city has been always +rebuilt, low and mean, covering an area like that of Vienna, but the +principal emporium from which Persia used to receive its European +goods till the coasting steamers of India opened up the Persian Gulf +and, of late, the Euphrates, Tigris, and Karoon rivers. Only the ark, +or citadel of Ali Shah, a noble building of burnt brick, and the fine +ruin of the Kabood Masjeed, or mosque of beautifully arabesqued blue +tiles, redeemed the city in Martyn's time from meanness. The +Ambassador, his host, was then lodged in the house of its wealthiest +citizen, Hajji Khan Muhammed, whom the Prince had turned out to make +room for Sir Gore Ouseley. Now the British Consulate of Tabreez is a +spacious residence, with a fine garden, and the city has become +flourishing again. Henry Martyn left Tabreez on his fatal journey at +the very time when the climate began to be at its best. All around, +too, and especially in the hills of Sahand to the south, with the air +of Scotland and of Wales, or on the natural pastures of Chaman, where +the finest brood mares are kept, sloping down to the waters of Lake +Ooroomia, he would have found in the hot season the loveliest land in +Asia.[82] + +Before we hasten on with the modern apostle of the Persians to the +bitter but bright end, we must trace the history of the influence of +his translation of the New Testament. The 20th August, 1812, he +joyfully entered in his _Journal_ as a day much to be remembered for +the remarkable recovery of strength. He learned from Mirza Aga Meer +that his 'work,' that is, his reply to Mirza Ibrahim, had been read to +the Shah by Mirza Abdoolwahab, and that the king had observed to Mirza +Boozong, his son's vizier, that the Feringhis' (Franks') Government +and army, and now one of their moollas, was come into the East. The +Shah then directed Mirza Boozong to prepare an answer. In consequence +of this information Sir Gore Ouseley, who doubtless desired to spare +the little strength of his guest, directed that a certain moolla, who +greatly wished to be introduced to the man of God, should not be +brought to him. Nevertheless, 'one day a moolla came and disputed a +while for Muhammedan, but finished with professing Soofi sentiments.' + +The great Shah, Fateh Ali Khan himself, and his son, were thus prepared +for the Divine gift of Henry Martyn in due form through the British +Ambassador. How it reached His Persian Majesty from Sir Gore Ouseley, +and how the Shah-in-Shah received it, these letters tell, so honourable +to the writers, even after all allowance is made for the diplomatic +courtliness of the correspondence.[83] The Soofi controversialists and +friends of the translator, who by that time had entered on his rest, +must have, moreover, predisposed the eclectic mind of the always liberal +Shah to treat with reverence the _Injil_, or Gospel. + + _From His Excellency Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart., Ambassador + Extraordinary from His Britannic Majesty to the Court of Persia. + Addressed to the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth, President of the + British and Foreign Bible Society._ + + St. Petersburg: September 20, 1814. + + My dear Lord,--Finding that I am likely to be detained here some + six or seven weeks, and apprehensive that my letters from Persia + may not have reached your Lordship, I conceive it my duty to + acquaint you, for the information of the society of Christians + formed for the purpose of propagating the Sacred Writings, that, + agreeably to the wishes of our poor friend, the late Rev. Henry + Martyn, I presented in the name of the Society (as he + particularly desired) a copy of his translation of the New + Testament into the Persian language to His Persian Majesty, + Fateh Ali Shah Kajar, having first made conditions that His + Majesty was to peruse the whole, and favour me with his opinion + of the style, etc. + + Previous to delivering the book to the Shah, I employed + transcribers to make some copies of it, which I distributed to + Hajji Mahomed Hussein Khan, Prince of Maru, Mirza Abdulwahab, + and other men of learning and rank immediately about the person + of the king, who, being chiefly converts to the Soofi + philosophy, would, I felt certain, give it a fair judgment, and, + if called upon by the Shah for their opinion, report of it + according to its intrinsic merits. + + The enclosed translation of a letter from His Persian Majesty to + me will show your Lordship that he thinks the complete work a + great acquisition, and that he approves of the simple style + adopted by my lamented friend Martyn and his able coadjutor, + Mirza Sayyed Ali, so appropriate to the just and ready + conception of the sublime morality of the Sacred Writings. + Should the Society express a wish to possess the original letter + from the Shah, or a copy of it in Persian, I shall be most happy + to present either through your Lordship. + + I beg leave to add that, if a correct copy of Mr. Martyn's + translation has not yet been presented to the Society, I shall + have great pleasure in offering one that has been copied from + and collated with the original left with me by Mr. Martyn, on + which he had bestowed the greatest pains to render it perfect. + + I also promise to devote my leisure to the correction of the + press, in the event of your thinking proper to have it printed + in England, should my Sovereign not have immediate occasion for + my services out of England.--I am, etc. + + GORE OUSELEY. + + + _Translation of His Persian Majesty's Letter, + referred to in the preceding._ + + In the Name of the Almighty God, whose glory is most + excellent. + + It is our august command that the dignified and excellent our + trusty, faithful, and loyal well-wisher, Sir Gore Ouseley, + Baronet, His Britannic Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary (after + being honoured and exalted with the expressions of our highest + regard and consideration), should know that the copy of the + Gospel, which was translated into Persian by the learned + exertions of the late Rev. Henry Martyn, and which has been + presented to us by your Excellency on the part of the high, + dignified, learned, and enlightened Society of Christians, + united for the purpose of spreading abroad the Holy Books of the + religion of Jesus (upon whom, and upon all prophets, be peace + and blessings!), has reached us, and has proved highly + acceptable to our august mind. + + In truth, through the learned and unremitted exertions of the + Rev. Henry Martyn, it has been translated in a style most + befitting sacred books, that is, in an easy and simple diction. + Formerly, the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, + were known in Persia; but now the whole of the New Testament is + completed in a most excellent manner: and this circumstance has + been an additional source of pleasure to our enlightened and + august mind. Even the four Evangelists which were known in this + country had never been before explained in so clear and luminous + a manner. We, therefore, have been particularly delighted with + this copious and complete translation. If it please the most + merciful God, we shall command the Select Servants, who are + admitted to our presence, to read[84] to us the above-mentioned + book from the beginning to the end, that we may, in the most + minute manner, hear and comprehend its contents. + + Your Excellency will be pleased to rejoice the hearts of the + above-mentioned dignified, learned, and enlightened Society with + assurances of our highest regard and approbation; and to inform + those excellent individuals who are so virtuously engaged in + disseminating and making known the true meaning and intent of + the Holy Gospel, and other points in sacred books, that they are + deservedly honoured with our royal favour. Your Excellency must + consider yourself as bound to fulfil this royal request. + + Given in Rebialavil, 1229. + + (Sealed) FATEH ALI SHAH KAJAR. + +Even here we see Martyn and Carey once more linked together. The same +volume from which we have taken these letters contains, a few pages +before them, these words written by Dr. Carey from Serampore: +'Religion is the only thing in the world worth living for. And no work +is so important as serving God in the Gospel of His Son; if, like the +Apostle, we do this with one spirit, great will be our enjoyment and +abundant our reward.' + +Sir Gore Ouseley carried the original MS. to St. Petersburg, where, +happening to mention the fact to the President of the Russian Bible +Society, Prince Galitzin at once begged that his Society, always an +honourable exception to the intolerance of the Tsar's Greek Church, +might be allowed to publish it. A set of Persian types was specially +procured. Sir Gore Ouseley, assisted by the Persian Jaffir Khan, +corrected the proofs, and the Rev. R. Pinkerton, one of the Scottish +Mission to Karass, carefully superintended the printing. Several +Persians, resident in that city, bespoke copies for their friends. The +British and Foreign Bible Society granted 300_l._ towards the expenses +of an edition of 5,000 copies. The first edition appeared there in +September, 1815, on which Prince Galitzin wrote to Mr. Pinkerton, as +representing the Bible Society in London: + + Praise be given to the incomprehensible counsels of God, who, + for the salvation of man, gave His Word, and causeth it to + increase among all nations: who useth as His instruments the + inhabitants of countries of different languages and tribes, not + unfrequently the most distant from each other and altogether + unacquainted with those for whom they labour! This is a true + sign of the holy will of God respecting this work, who worketh + all and in all. This is the case with the finished edition of + the Persian New Testament, which was translated into that + language in a far distant part of Asia, and prepared to be + printed in another, but brought into Russia (where nothing of + the kind was ever thought of) and printed off much sooner than + was at first intended. Here men were found endowed with + good-will and the requisite qualifications for the completion of + this work, which at first seemed to be so difficult. + +Meanwhile, Martyn himself having directed that a copy of the +manuscript translation should be sent to Calcutta from Shiraz, when he +left that city, four copies were made, lest any accident should befall +it on the way to Bengal. It reached the Calcutta Corresponding +Committee in 1814, and they invited Mirza Sayyid Ali to join them and +pass it through the press. This second edition accordingly appeared +at Calcutta in 1816. Professor Lee, of Cambridge, published a third +edition of it in London in 1827, and a fourth in 1837. The most +beautiful and valuable of all is the fifth, now before the writer, +which Thomas Constable printed in Edinburgh in 1846 (corresponding to +1262 of the _Hijrah_) in three royal octavo volumes. This was also the +most important because it accompanied a Persian translation of the Old +Testament. Mirza Sayyid Ali had early informed the Calcutta Committee +that he had his master's original translation of the Psalter, and this +also appeared at Calcutta in 1816. This formed the nucleus of the +Persian Old Testament prepared by Dr. W. Glen, of the Scottish +Missionary Society's Mission, at Karass, Astrakhan, and printed along +with Henry Martyn's New Testament in the memorable and beautiful +Edinburgh edition. That edition of the whole Bible was presented by +Dr. Glen to the present Shah of Persia, Nassr-ed-Deen, on his +accession to the throne in 1848. With Martyn's New Testament His +Majesty seemed to be well acquainted. Of the volume containing the Old +Testament we read that 'on handing the book to the servant in waiting +he just kissed and then put it to his forehead, with the same +indication of reverence which he would have shown had it been their +own sacred book, the Koran.' Archdeacon Robinson, of Poona, published +another Persian translation of the Old Testament. The Church +Missionary Society's distinguished missionary at Julfa, Dr. Robert +Bruce, has been for years engaged on a revision, or rather new +translation of the Old Testament into Persian, the two versions of +which are far inferior, in the opinion of one who is at the head of +all living experts, to Henry Martyn's translation of the New. Dr. +Bruce's work has now been completed. + + I know no parallel to these achievements of Henry Martyn's, + writes Canon W.J. Edmonds, closing a survey of his powers and + services as a translator of the Scriptures. There are in him the + things that mark the born translator. He masters grammar, + observes idioms, accumulates vocabulary, reads and listens, + corrects and even reconstructs. Above all, he prays. He lives + 'in the Spirit,' and rises from his knees full of the mind of + the Spirit. Pedantry is not in him, nor vulgarity. He longs and + struggles to catch the dialect in which men may speak worthily + of the things of God. And so his work lives. In his own + Hindustani New Testament, and in the recovered parts of the Old + Testament in which he watched over the labours of Fitrut, his + work is still a living influence; men find 'reasons for + reverting' to it. His earlier Persian, and what is demonstrably + distinct from it, his Persic translation, or rather Sabat's, + done under his superintendence, these indeed have gone. They did + not survive his visit to Persia. Nor did the Arabic, which was + the chief acknowledged motive of his journey. But what a gifted + man is here, and what a splendid sum total of work, that can + afford these deductions from the results of a five or six years' + struggle with illness, and still leave behind translations of + the New Testament in Hindustani and in Persian; the Hindustani + version living a double life, its own and that which William + Bowley gave it in the humbler vocabulary of the Hindi villages! + We live in hurrying times; our days are swifter than a shuttle. + New names, new saints, new heroes ever rise and dazzle the eyes + of common men. So it should be, for God lives, and through Him + men live and manifest His unexhausted power. But Martyn is a + perennial. He springs up fresh to every generation. It is time, + though, to take care that he does not become simply the shadow + of an angel passing by. His pinnacle is that lofty one which is + only assigned to eminent goodness, but it rests upon, and is + only the finial of, a broad-based tower of sound and solid + intellectual endowment. + +Henry Martyn's Persian Testament called forth, in 1816, two Bulls from +Pope Pius VIII., addressed to the Archbishops of Gnesne and Moghilev, +within the Russian dominions, and letters from the Propaganda College +at Rome to the Vicars Apostolic and Missionaries in Persia, Armenia, +and other parts of the East. Wherever the Persian language was known +the people were warned 'against a version recently made into the +Persian idiom.' The Archbishops were told 'that Bibles printed by +heretics are numbered among the prohibited books by the rules of the +Index (Nos. II. and III.), for it is evident, from experience, that +from the Holy Scriptures which are published in the vulgar tongue, +more injury than good has arisen through the temerity of men.' Bible +Societies in Russia and Great Britain are denounced as a 'most crafty +device, by which the very foundations of religion are undermined.' So +the Latin Church has ever put from it 'The Great Missionary' which the +Reformation was the first to restore to Christendom and the world, and +Henry Martyn gave to the Mohammedans in their own tongue. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[79] _Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan, &c._, by Mrs. Bishop (Isabella +C. Bird), two vols., John Murray, 1891. + +[80] The fanatical shrine of Fatima. See Mrs. Bishop's first volume +and Mr. Curzon's second. + +[81] _A Second Journey through Persia, &c., between the years 1810 and +1816_, p. 223. + +[82] 'Were I,' writes Mr. Baillie Fraser, 'to select a spot the best +calculated for the recovery of health, and for its preservation, I +know not that I could hit upon any more suited to the purpose than +Tabreez, at any season. A brighter sky and purer air can scarcely be +found. To me it seems as if there was truly health in the breeze that +blows around me.' + +[83] See the _Eleventh Report of the British and Foreign Bible +Society_, 1815, Appendix, No. 51. + +[84] I beg leave to remark that the word 'Tilawat,' which the translator +has rendered 'read,' is an honourable signification of that act, almost +exclusively applied to the perusing or reciting the Koran. The making +use, therefore, of this term or expression shows the degree of respect +and estimation in which the Shah holds the New Testament.--_Note by Sir +Gore Ouseley._ + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +IN PERSIA AND TURKEY--TABREEZ TO TOKAT AND THE TOMB + + +On the evening of September 2, 1812, Henry Martyn left Tabreez for +Constantinople, on what he describes as 'my long journey of thirteen +hundred miles.' The route marked out for him by Sir Gore Ouseley, who +gave him letters to the Turkish governors of Erivan, Kars, and Erzroom, +and to the British Minister at Constantinople, as well as to the +Armenian Patriarch and Bishop Nestus at Etchmiatzin, was the old Roman +road into Central Asia. Professor W.M. Ramsay describes it as clearly +marked by Nature,[85] and still one of the most important trade routes. +It was the safest and speediest, as well as the least forbidding. 'Sir +Gore, wishing me not to travel in the same unprotected way I had done, +procured from the Prince a _mehmandar_ for me, together with an order +for the use of _chappar_ horses all the way to Erivan.' Thence he was +passed on to Kars similarly attended, and thence to Erzroom. He took +with him 'near three hundred _tomans_ in money,' or about 130_l._ On the +eve of his departure he wrote: 'The delightful thought of being brought +to the borders of Europe, without sustaining any injury, contributed +more than anything else, I believe, to restore my health and spirits.' + +But travelling in Persia and Asiatic Turkey, even at the best and for +the strongest, is necessarily a work of hardship. The _chappar_, or +post-stations, occur at a distance of from twenty to twenty-five +miles, measured by the _farsakh_, the old parasang in Greek phrase, of +four miles each. What Mrs. Bishop has recently described has always +been true: 'The custom is to ride through all the hours of daylight, +whenever horses are to be got, doing from sixty to ninety miles a +day.' Henry Martyn rode his own horses, and his party of two Armenian +servants (a groom and Turkish interpreter), with the _mehmandar_, had +the post-horses. Out of the cities he had to trust, for rest and +accommodation, to the post-stations, which at the best were enclosures +of mud walls on three sides, deep in manure, with stabling on two sides, +and two dark rooms at the entrance for the servants. Occasionally an +erection (_balakhana_) above the gateway is available for the master, +but how seldom Martyn was lodged in any way better than the animals, +will be seen from his _Journal_. He had travelled in this way, in the +heats of two summers, from Bushire to Shiraz, and from Shiraz to +Tabreez, the whole extent of the Persian plateau from south to north. He +had nearly died at Tabreez. + +Yet now, with his Persian New Testament ready for the press and his +longing for Lydia, he again set forth, sustained by 'the delightful +thought.' With intensest interest we follow him in every step of his +march north-west through the Persian province of Azerbaijan, Armenia, +and Eastern Asia Minor, the unconquerable spirit sustaining the feeble +body for forty-five days, as Chrysostom's was fed in his southern +journey to the same place of departure almost within sight of the +Euxine Sea. + + _1812, September 2._--At sunset we left the western gate of + Tabreez behind us. The horses proved to be sorry animals. It was + midnight before we arrived at Sangla, a village in the middle of + the plain of Tabreez. There they procured me a place in the + Zabit's house. I slept till after sunrise of the 3rd, and did + not choose to proceed at such an hour; so I passed most of the + day in my room. At three in the afternoon proceeded towards + Sofian. My health being again restored, through infinite and + unbounded mercy, I was able to look round the creation with calm + delight. The plain of Tabreez, towards the west and south-west, + stretches away to an immense distance, and is bounded in these + directions by mountains so remote as to appear, from their soft + blue, to blend with the skies. The baggage having been sent on + before, I ambled on with my _mehmandar_, looking all around me, + and especially towards the distant hills, with gratitude and + joy. Oh! it is necessary to have been confined to a bed of + sickness to know the delight of moving freely through the works + of God, with the senses left at liberty to enjoy their proper + object. My attendant not being very conversant with Persian, we + rode silently along; for my part, I could not have enjoyed any + companion so much as I did my own feelings. At sunset we reached + Sofian, a village with gardens, at the north-west end of the + plain, which is usually the first stage from Tabreez. The Zabit + was in his corn-field, under a little tent, inspecting his + labourers, who were cutting the straw fine, so as to be fit to + be eaten by cattle; this was done by drawing over it a cylinder, + armed with blades of a triangular form, placed in different + planes, so that their vertices should coincide in the cylinder. + + The Zabit paid me no attention, but sent a man to show me a + place to sleep in, who took me to one with only three walls. I + demanded another with four, and was accordingly conducted to a + weaver's, where, notwithstanding the mosquitoes and other + vermin, I passed the night comfortably enough. On my offering + money, the _mehmandar_ interfered, and said that if it were + known that I had given money he should be ruined, and added: + 'They, indeed, dare not take it;' but this I did not find to be + the case. + + _September 4._--At sunrise mounted my horse, and proceeded + north-west, through a pass in the mountains, towards Murun. By + the way I sat down by the brook, and there ate my bread and + raisins, and drank of the crystal stream; but either the + coldness of this unusual breakfast, or the riding after it, did + not at all agree with me. The heat oppressed me much, and the + road seemed intolerably tedious. At last we got out from among + the mountains, and saw the village of Murun, in a fine valley on + the right. It was about eleven o'clock when we reached it. As + the _mehmandar_ could not immediately find a place to put me in, + we had a complete view of this village. They stared at my + European dress, but no disrespect was shown. I was deposited at + last with a Khan, who was seated in a place with three walls. + Not at all disposed to pass the day in company, as well as + exposed, I asked for another room, on which I was shown to the + stable, where there was a little place partitioned off, but so + as to admit a view of the horses. The smell of the stable, + though not in general disagreeable to me, was so strong that I + was quite unwell, and strangely dispirited and melancholy. + Immediately after dinner I fell fast asleep and slept four + hours, after which I rose and ordered them to prepare for the + next journey. The horses being changed here, it was some time + before they were brought, but, by exerting myself, we moved off + by midnight. It was a most mild and delightful night, and the + pure air, after the smell of the stable, was quite reviving. + For once, also, I travelled all the way without being sleepy; + and beguiled the hours of the way by thinking of the 14th Psalm, + especially the connection of the last three verses with the + preceding. + + _September 5._--In five hours we were just on the hills which + face the pass out of the valley of Murun (Marand), and in four + hours and a half more emerged from between the two ridges of + mountains into the valley of Gurjur. Gurjur is eight parasangs + from Murun, and our course to it was nearly due north. This long + march was far from being a fatiguing one. The air, the road, and + my spirits were good. Here I was well accommodated, but had to + mourn over my impatient temper towards my servants; there is + nothing that disturbs my peace so much. How much more noble and + godlike to bear with calmness, and observe with pity, rather + than with anger, the failings and offences of others! Oh, that I + may, through grace, be enabled to recollect myself in the time + of temptation! Oh, that the Spirit of God may check my folly, + and at such times bring the lowly Saviour to my view! + + _September 6._--Soon after twelve we started with fresh horses, + and came to the Aras, or Araxes, distant two parasangs, and + about as broad as the Isis, and a current as strong as that of + the Ganges. The ferry-boat being on the north side, I lay down + to sleep till it came; but observing my servants do the same, I + was obliged to get up and exert myself. It dawned, however, + before we got over. The boat was a huge fabric in the form of a + rhombus. The ferryman had only a stick to push with; an oar, I + dare say, he had never seen or heard of, and many of my train + had probably never floated before;--so alien is a Persian from + everything that belongs to shipping. We landed safely on the + other side in about two minutes. We were four hours in reaching + Nakshan, and for half an hour more I was led from street to + street, till at last I was lodged in a wash-house belonging to a + great man, a corner of which was cleaned out for me. It was + near noon and my baggage was not arrived, so that I was obliged + to go without my breakfast, which was hard after a ride of four + hours in the sun. The baggage was delayed so long that I began + to fear; at last, however, it arrived. All the afternoon I + slept, and at sunset arose, and continued wakeful till midnight, + when I aroused my people, and with fresh horses set out again. + We travelled till sunrise. I scarcely perceived that we had been + moving, a Hebrew word in the 16th Psalm having led me gradually + into speculations on the eighth conjugation of the Arabic verb. + I am glad my philological curiosity is revived, as my mind will + be less liable to idleness. + + _September 7._--Arrived at Khok, a poor village, distant five + and a half parasangs from Nakshan, nearly west. I should have + mentioned that, on descending into the plain of Nakshan, my + attention was arrested by the appearance of a hoary mountain + opposite to us at the other end, rising so high above the rest + that they sank into insignificance. It was truly sublime, and + the interest it excited was not lessened when, on inquiring its + name, I was told it was Agri, or Ararat. Thus I saw two + remarkable objects in one day, the Araxes and Ararat. At four in + the afternoon we set out for Shurour. The evening was pleasant; + the ground over which we passed was full of rich cultivation and + verdure, watered by many a stream, and containing forty + villages, most of them with the usual appendage of gardens. To + add to the scene, the great Ararat was on our left. On the peak + of that hill the whole Church was once contained; it was now + spread far and wide, even to the ends of the earth, but the + ancient vicinity of it knows it no more. I fancied many a spot + where Noah perhaps offered his sacrifices; and the promise of + God, that seed-time and harvest should not cease, appeared to me + to be more exactly fulfilled in the agreeable plain in which it + was spoken than elsewhere, as I had not seen such fertility in + any part of the Shah's dominions. Here the blessed saint landed + in a new world; so may I, safe in Christ, out-ride the storm of + life, and land at last on one of the everlasting hills! + + Night coming on we lost our way, and got intercepted by some + deep ravines, into one of which the horse that carried my trunks + sunk so deep that the water got into one of them, wetted the + linen and spoiled some books. Finding it in vain to attempt + gaining our _munzil_, we went to another village, where, after a + long delay, two aged men with silver beards opened their house + to us. Though it was near midnight I had a fire lighted to dry + my books, took some coffee and sunk into deep sleep; from which + awaking at the earliest dawn of + + _September 8_, I roused the people, and had a delightful ride of + one parasang to Shurour, distant four parasangs from Khok. Here + I was accommodated by the great man with a stable, or winter + room, for they built it in such a strange vicinity in order to + have it warm in winter. At present, while the weather is still + hot, the smell is at times overpowering. At eleven at night we + moved off, with fresh horses, for Duwala; but though we had + guides in abundance, we were not able to extricate ourselves + from the ravines with which this village is surrounded. + Procuring another man from a village we happened to wander into, + we at last made our way, through grass and mire, to the pass, + which led us to a country as dry as the one we had left was wet. + Ararat was now quite near; at the foot of it is Duwala, six + parasangs from Nakshan, where we arrived at seven in the morning + of + + _September 9._--As I had been thinking all night of a Hebrew + letter, I perceived little of the tediousness of the way. I + tried also some difficulties in the 16th Psalm without being + able to master them. All day on the 15th and 16th Psalms, and + gained some light into the difficulties. The villagers not + bringing the horses in time, we were not able to go on at + night, but I was not much concerned, as I thereby gained some + rest. + + _September 10._--All day at the village writing down notes on + the 15th and 16th Psalms. Moved at midnight, and arrived early + in the morning at Erivan. + + _September 11._--I alighted at Hosein Khan, the governor's + palace, as it may be called, for he seems to live in a style + equal to that of a prince. Indeed, commanding a fortress on the + frontier, within six hours of the Russians, he is entrusted with + a considerable force, and is nearly independent of the Shah. + After sleeping two hours I was summoned to his presence. He at + first took no notice of me, but continued reading his Koran, it + being the Mohurrum. After a compliment or two he resumed his + devotions. The next ceremony was to exchange a rich shawl dress + for a still richer pelisse, on pretence of its being cold. The + next display was to call for his physician, who, after + respectfully feeling his pulse, stood on one side: this was to + show that he had a domestic physician. His servants were most + richly clad. My letter from the ambassador, which till now had + lain neglected on the ground, was opened and read by a moonshi. + He heard with great interest what Sir Gore had written about the + translation of the Gospels. After this he was very kind and + attentive, and sent for Lieutenant M., of the Engineers, who was + stationed, with two sergeants, at the fort. He ordered for me a + _mehmandar_, a guard, and four horses with which a Turk had just + come from Kars. + + _September 12._--The horses not being ready, I rode alone and + found my way to Etchmiatzin (or Three Churches[86]), two and a + half parasangs distant. Directing my course to the largest + church, I found it enclosed by some other buildings and a wall. + Within the entrance I found a large court, with monks cowled and + gowned moving about. On seeing my Armenian letters they brought + me to the Patriarch's lodge, where I found two bishops, one of + whom was Nestus, at breakfast on pilaos, kuwabs, wine, arrak, + etc., and Serst (Serope) with them. As he spoke English, French, + and Italian, I had no difficulty in communicating with my hosts. + + Serope, considering the danger to which the cathedral-seat is + exposed from its situation between Russia, Persia, and Turkey, + is for building a college at Tiflis. The errors and + superstitions of his people were the subject of Serope's + conversation the whole morning, and seemed to be the occasion of + real grief to him. He intended, he said, after a few more + months' trial of what he could do here, to retire to India, and + there write and print some works in Armenian, tending to + enlighten the people with regard to religion, in order to + introduce a reform. I said all I could to encourage him in such + a blessed work: promising him every aid from the English, and + proving to him, from the example of Luther and the other + European reformers, that, however arduous the work might seem, + God would surely be with him to help him. I mentioned the awful + neglect of the Armenian clergy in never preaching; as thereby + the glad tidings of a Saviour were never proclaimed. He made no + reply to this, but that 'it was to be lamented, as the people + were never called away from vice.' + + _September 13._--I asked Serope about the 16th Psalm in the + Armenian version; he translated it into correct Latin. In the + afternoon I waited on the Patriarch; it was a visit of great + ceremony. He was reclining on a sort of throne, placed in the + middle of the room. All stood except the two senior bishops; a + chair was set for me on the other side, close to the Patriarch; + at my right hand stood Serope, to interpret. The Patriarch had a + dignified rather than a venerable appearance. His conversation + consisted in protestations of sincere attachment, in expressions + of his hopes of deliverance from the Mohammedan yoke, and + inquiries about my translations of the Scriptures; and he begged + me to consider myself as at home in the monastery. Indeed, their + attention and kindness are unbounded: Nestus and Serope + anticipate my every wish. I told the Patriarch that I was so + happy in being here that, did duty permit, I could almost be + willing to become a monk with them. He smiled, and fearing, + perhaps, that I was in earnest, said that they had quite enough. + Their number is a hundred, I think. The church was immensely + rich till about ten years ago, when, by quarrels between two + contending patriarchs, one of whom is still in the monastery in + disgrace, most of their money was expended in referring their + disputes to the Mohammedans as arbitrators. There is no + difficulty, however, in replenishing their coffers: their + merchants in India are entirely at their command. + + _September 15._--Spent the day in preparing, with Serope, for + the mode of travelling in Turkey. All my heavy and expensive + preparations at Tabreez prove to be incumbrances which must be + left behind: my trunks were exchanged for bags; and my portable + table and chair, several books, large supplies of sugar, etc., + were condemned to be left behind. My humble equipments were + considered as too mean for an English gentleman; so Serope gave + me an English bridle and saddle. The roads in Turkey being much + more infested with robbers than those of Persia, a sword was + brought for me. + + _September 16._--Upon the whole I hardly know what hopes to + entertain from the projects of Serope. He is bold, + authoritative, and very able; still only thirty-one years of + age; but then he is not spiritual: perhaps this was the state of + Luther himself at first. It is an interesting time in the world; + all things proclaim the approach of the kingdom of God, and + Armenia is not forgotten. There is a monastery of Armenian + Catholics at Venice, which they employ merely in printing the + Psalter, book of prayers, etc. Serope intends addressing his + first work to them, as they are the most able divines of the + Armenians, to argue them back from the Roman Catholic communion, + in which case he thinks they would co-operate with him + cordially; being as much concerned as himself at the gross + ignorance of their countrymen. The Archbishop of Astrakhan has a + press, also an agent at Madras and one at Constantinople, + printing the Scriptures and books of prayers: there is none at + Etchmiatzin. At Constantinople are three or four + fellow-collegians of Serope, educated as well as he by the + Propaganda, who used to entertain the same sentiments as he, and + would, he thinks, declare them if he would begin. + + _September 17._--At six in the morning, accompanied by Serope, + one bishop, the secretary, and several servants of the + monastery, I left Etchmiatzin. My party now consisted of two men + from the governor of Erivan, a _mehmandar_, and a guard; my + servant Sergius, for whom the monks interceded, as he had some + business at Constantinople; one trusty servant from the + monastery, Melcom, who carried my money; and two baggage-horses + with their owners. The monks soon returned, and we pursued our + way over the plain of Ararat. At twelve o'clock reached Quila + Gazki, about six parasangs from Etchmiatzin. The _mehmandar_ + rode on, and got a good place for me. + + _September 18._--Rose with the dawn, in hopes of going this + stage before breakfast, but the horses were not ready. I set off + at eight, fearing no sun, though I found it at times very + oppressive when there was no wind. At the end of three hours we + left the plain of Ararat, the last of the plains of modern + Persia in this quarter. Meeting here with the Araxes again, I + undressed and plunged into the stream.[87] While hastening + forward with the trusty Melcom to rejoin my party, we were + overtaken by a spearman with a lance of formidable length. I did + not think it likely that one man would venture to attack two, + both armed; but the spot was a noted one for robbers, and very + well calculated, by its solitariness, for deeds of privacy; + however, he was friendly enough. He had, however, nearly done me + a mischief. On the bank of the river we sprang a covey of + partridges; instantly he laid his lance under him across the + horse's back, and fired a horse-pistol at them. His horse, + starting at the report, came upon mine, with the point of the + spear directly towards me, so that I thought a wound for myself + or horse was inevitable; but the spear passed under my horse. We + were to have gone to Haji-Buhirem, but finding the head-man of + it at a village a few furlongs nearer, we stopped there. We + found him in a shed outside the walls, reading his Koran, with + his sword, gun, and pistol by his side. He was a good-natured + farmer-looking man, and spoke in Persian. He chanted the Arabic + with great readiness, and asked me whether I knew what that book + was: 'Nothing less than the great Koran!' + + _September 19._--Left the village at seven in the morning, and + as the stage was reputed to be very dangerous, owing to the + vicinity of the famous Kara Beg, my _mehmandar_ took three armed + men from the village in addition to the one we brought from + Erivan. We continued going along through the pass two or three + parasangs, and crossed the Araxes three times. We then ascended + the mountains on the north by a road, if not so steep, yet as + long and difficult as any of the _kotuls_ of Bushire. On the top + we found a table-land, along which we moved many a tedious mile, + expecting every minute that we should have a view of a fine + champaign country below; but dale followed dale, apparently in + endless succession, and though at such a height there was very + little air to relieve the heat, and nothing to be seen but + barren rocks. One part, however, must be excepted, where the + prospect opened to the north, and we had a view of the Russian + territory, so that we saw at once, Persia, Russia, and Turkey. + At length we came to an Armenian village, situated in a hollow + of these mountains, on a declivity. The village presented a + singular appearance, being filled with conical piles of peat, + for they have no fire-wood. Around there was a great deal of + cultivation, chiefly corn. Most of the low land from Tabreez to + this place is planted with cotton, _Palma Christi_, and rice. + This is the first village in Turkey; not a Persian cap was to be + seen, the respectable people wore a red Turkish cap. The great + man of the village paid me a visit; he was a young Mussulman, + and took care of all my Mussulman attendants; but he left me and + my Armenians, where he found us, at the house of an Armenian, + without offering his services. I was rather uncomfortably + lodged, my room being a thoroughfare for horses, cows, + buffaloes, and sheep. Almost all the village came to look at me. + The name of this village is Fiwik, it is distant six parasangs + from the last; but we were eight hours accomplishing it, and a + kafila would have been twelve. We arrived at three o'clock; both + horses and men much fatigued. + + _September 20._--From daybreak to sunrise I walked, then + breakfasted and set out. Our course lay north, over a mountain, + and here danger was apprehended. It was, indeed, dismally + solitary all around. The appearance of an old castle on the top + of a crag was the first occasion on which our guard got their + pieces ready, and one rode forward to reconnoitre: but all there + was as silent as the grave. At last, after travelling five + hours, we saw some men: our guard again took their places in + front. Our fears were soon removed by seeing carts and oxen. Not + so the opposite party: for my baggage was so small as not to be + easily perceived. They halted therefore at the bottom, towards + which we were both descending, and those of them who had guns + advanced in front and hailed us. We answered peaceably; but + they, still distrusting us as we advanced nearer, cocked their + pieces. Soon, however, we came to a parley. They were Armenians, + bringing wood from Kars to their village in the mountain: they + were hardy, fine young men, and some old men who were with them + were particularly venerable. The dangerous spots being passed + through, my party began to sport with their horses: galloping + across the path, brandishing their spears or sticks, they darted + them just at that moment of wheeling round their horses, as if + that motion gave them an advantage. It struck me that this, + probably, was the mode of fighting of the ancient Parthians + which made them so terrible in flight. Presently after these + gambols the appearance of some poor countrymen with their carts + put into their heads another kind of sport; for knowing, from + the ill-fame of the spot, that we should be easily taken for + robbers, four of them galloped forward, and by the time we + reached them one of the carters was opening a bag to give them + something. I was, of course, very much displeased, and made + signs to him not to do it. I then told them all, as we quickly + pursued our course, that such kind of sport was not allowed in + England; they said it was the Persian custom. We arrived at + length at Ghanikew, having ridden six hours and a half without + intermission. The _mehmandar_ was for changing his route + continually, either from real or pretended fear. One of the Kara + Beg's men saw me at the village last night, and as he would + probably get intelligence of my pretended route, it was + desirable to elude him. But after all we went the shortest way, + through the midst of danger, if there was any, and a gracious + Providence kept all mischief at a distance. Ghanikew is only two + parasangs from Kars, but I stopped there, as I saw it was more + agreeable to the people; besides which I wished to have a ride + before breakfast. I was lodged in a stable-room; but very much + at my ease, as none of the people of the village could come at + me without passing through the house. + + _September 21._--Rode into Kars. Its appearance is quite + European, not only at a distance but within. The houses all of + stone; streets with carts passing; some of the houses open to + the street; the fort on an uncommonly high rock; such a + burying-ground I never saw, there must be thousands of + gravestones. The _mehmandar_ carried me directly to the + governor, who, having just finished his breakfast, was of course + asleep, and could not be disturbed; but his head-man carried me + to an Armenian's house, with orders to live at free quarter + there. The room at the Armenian's was an excellent one, + upstairs, facing the street, fort, and river, with a bow + containing five windows under which were cushions. As soon as + the Pacha was visible, the chief Armenian of Kars, to whom I had + a letter from Bishop Nestus, his relation, waited upon him on my + business. On looking over my letters of recommendation from Sir + Gore Ouseley, I found there was none for Abdallah, the Pacha of + Kars; however, the letter to the Governor of Erivan secured all + I wanted. He sent to say I was welcome; that if I liked to stay + a few days he should be happy, but that if I was determined to + go on to-morrow, the necessary horses and ten men for a guard + were all ready. As no wish was expressed of seeing me, I was of + course silent upon that subject. + + _September 22._--Promises were made that everything should be + ready at sunrise, but it was half-past nine before we started, + and no guard present but the Tartar. He presently began to show + his nature by flogging the baggage-horse with his long whip, as + one who was not disposed to allow loitering; but one of the poor + beasts presently fell with his load at full length over a piece + of timber lying in the road. While this was setting to rights, + the people gathered about me, and seemed more engaged with my + Russian boots than with any other part of my dress. We moved + south-west, and after five hours and a half reached Joula. The + Tartar rode forward and got the coffee-room at the post-house + ready. The coffee-room has one side railed and covered with + cushions, and on the opposite side cushions on the ground; the + rest of the room was left with bare stones and timbers. As the + wind blew very cold yesterday, and I had caught cold, the Tartar + ordered a great fire to be made. In this room I should have been + very much to my satisfaction, had not the Tartar taken part of + the same bench, and many other people made use of it as a public + room. They were continually consulting my watch to know how near + the hour of eating approached. It was evident that the Tartar + was the great man here; he took the best place for himself; a + dinner of four or five dishes was laid before him. When I asked + for eggs they brought me rotten ones; for butter they brought me + ghee. The idle people of the village came all night and smoked + till morning. It was very cold, there being a hoar frost. + + _September 23._--Our way to-day lay through a forest of firs, + and the variety of prospect it afforded, of hill and dale, wood + and lawn, was beautiful and romantic. No mark of human + workmanship was anywhere visible for miles, except where some + trees had fallen by the stroke of the woodman. We saw at last a + few huts in the thickest clumps, which was all we saw of the + Koords, for fear of whom I was attended by ten armed horsemen. + We frightened a company of villagers again to-day. They were + bringing wood and grass from the forest, and on seeing us drew + up. One of our party advanced and fired; such a rash piece of + sport I thought must have been followed by serious mischief, but + all passed off very well. With the forest I was delighted; the + clear streams in the valleys, the lofty trees crowning the + summit of the hills, the smooth paths winding away and losing + themselves in the dark woods, and, above all, the solitude that + reigned throughout, composed a scene which tended to harmonise + and solemnise the mind. What displays of taste and magnificence + are found occasionally on this ruined earth! Nothing was + wanting to-day but the absence of the Turks, to avoid the sight + and sound of whom I rode on. After a ride of nine hours and a + half, we reached Mijingui, in the territory of Erzroom, and + having resolved not to be annoyed in the same way as last night, + I left the Tartar in the undisturbed possession of the + post-house, and took up my quarters at an Armenian's, where, in + the stable-room, I expected to be left alone; but a Georgian + young man, on his way from Etchmiatzin, going on pilgrimage to + Moosk, where John the Baptist is supposed to be buried, presumed + on his assiduous attentions to me, and contrived to get a place + for himself in the same room. + + _September 24._--A long and sultry march over many a hill and + vale. In the way, two hours from the last stage, is a hot + spring; the water fills a pool, having four porches. The porches + instantly reminded me of Bethesda's pool: they were semicircular + arches about six feet deep, intended seemingly for shelter from + the sun. In them all the party undressed and bathed. The Tartar, + to enjoy himself more perfectly, had his _kalean_ to smoke while + up to his chin in water. We saw nothing else on the road to-day + but a large and opulent family of Armenians--men, women, and + children--in carts and carriages returning from a pilgrimage to + Moosk. After eleven hours and a half, including the hour spent + at the warm spring, we were overtaken by the dusk; so the Tartar + brought us to Oghoomra, where I was placed in an Armenian's + stable-room. + + _September 25._--Went round to Husar-Quile, where we changed + horses. I was surprised to find so strong a fort and so large a + town. From thence we were five hours and a half reaching the + entrance of Erzroom. All was busy and moving in the streets and + shops--crowds passing along. Those who caught a sight of us were + at a loss to define me. My Persian attendants and the lower part + of the dress made me appear Persian; but the rest of my dress + was new, for those only who had travelled knew it to be + European. They were rather disposed, I thought, to be uncivil, + but the two persons who preceded us kept all in order. I felt + myself in a Turkish town; the red cap, and stateliness, and rich + dress, and variety of turbans was realised as I had seen it in + pictures. There are here four thousand Armenian families and but + one church; there are scarcely any Catholics, and they have no + church. + + _September 29._--Left Erzroom with a Tartar and his son at two + in the afternoon. We moved to a village, where I was attacked + with fever and ague; the Tartar's son was also taken ill and + obliged to return. + + _September 30._--Travelled first to Ashgula, where we changed + horses, and from thence to Purnugaban, where we halted for the + night. I took nothing all day but tea, and was rather better, + but head-ache and loss of appetite depressed my spirits; yet my + soul rests in Him who is 'an anchor to the soul, sure and + steadfast,' which, though not seen, keeps me fast. + + _October 1._--Marched over a mountainous tract; we were out from + seven in the morning till eight at night. After sitting a little + by the fire, I was near fainting from sickness. My depression of + spirits led me to the throne of grace as a sinful abject worm. + When I thought of myself and my transgressions, I could find no + text so cheering as 'My ways are not as your ways.' From the men + who accompanied Sir Gore Ouseley to Constantinople I learned + that the plague was raging at that place, and thousands dying + every day. One of the Persians had died of it. They added that + the inhabitants of Tokat were flying from their town from the + same cause. Thus I am passing inevitably into imminent danger. O + Lord, Thy will be done! Living or dying, remember me! + + _October 2._--Some hours before day I sent to tell the Tartar I + was ready, but Hassan Aga was for once riveted to his bed. + However, at eight, having got strong horses, he set off at a + great rate; and over the level ground he made us gallop as fast + as the horses would go to Chifflik, where we arrived at sunset. + I was lodged, at my request, in the stables of the post-house, + not liking the scrutinising impudence of the fellows who + frequent the coffee-room. As soon as it began to grow a little + cold the ague came on, and then the fever; after which I had a + sleep, which let me know too plainly the disorder of my frame. + In the night Hassan sent to summon me away, but I was quite + unable to move. Finding me still in bed at the dawn, he began to + storm furiously at my detaining him so long, but I quietly let + him spend his ire, ate my breakfast composedly, and set out at + eight. He seemed determined to make up for the delay, for we + flew over hill and dale to Sherean, where he changed horses. + From thence we travelled all the rest of the day and all night; + it rained most of the time. Soon after sunset the ague came on + again, which, in my wet state, was very trying; I hardly knew + how to keep my life in me. About that time there was a village + at hand, but Hassan had no mercy. At one in the morning we found + two men under a wain, with a good fire; they could not keep the + rain out, but their fire was acceptable. I dried my lower + extremities, allayed the fever by drinking a good deal of water, + and went on. We had little rain, but the night was pitchy dark + so that I could not see the road under my horse's feet. However, + God being mercifully pleased to alleviate my bodily suffering, I + went on contentedly to the _munzil_, where we arrived at break + of day. After sleeping three or four hours, I was visited by an + Armenian merchant for whom I had a letter. Hassan was in great + fear of being arrested here; the Governor of the city had vowed + to make an example of him for riding to death a horse belonging + to a man of this place. He begged that I would shelter him in + case of danger; his being claimed by an Englishman, he said, + would be a sufficient security. I found, however, that I had no + occasion to interfere. He hurried me away from this place + without delay, and galloped furiously towards a village, which, + he said, was four hours distant, which was all I could undertake + in my present weak state; but village after village did he pass + till, night coming on, and no signs of another, I suspected that + he was carrying me on to the _munzil_; so I got off my horse and + sat upon the ground, and told him 'I neither could nor would go + any farther.' He stormed, but I was immovable, till, a light + appearing at a distance, I mounted my horse and made towards it, + leaving him to follow or not, as he pleased. He brought in the + party, but would not exert himself to get a place for me. They + brought me to an open verandah, but Sergius told them I wanted a + place in which to be alone. This seemed very offensive to them. + 'And why must he be alone?' they asked, ascribing this desire of + mine to pride, I suppose. Tempted at last by money, they brought + me to a stable-room, and Hassan and a number of others planted + themselves there with me. My fever here increased to a violent + degree; the heat in my eyes and forehead was so great that the + fire almost made me frantic. I entreated that it might be put + out, or that I might be carried out of doors. Neither was + attended to; my servant, who, from my sitting in that strange + way on the ground, believed me delirious, was deaf to all I + said. At last I pushed my head among the luggage, and lodged it + on the damp ground, and slept. + +From Sherean, or Sheheran, out of which, after a night of burning fever +in the stable of the Chifflik post-station, Hassan furiously compelled +the dying man to ride, is a mountain track of a hundred and seventy +miles to Tokat. 'How wearisome and painful must have been his journey +over the mountains and valleys!' wrote the American missionaries, Eli +Smith and H.O. Dwight, eighteen years after, when, in the vigour of +health and at a better season, they made the same journey, called by his +example and memory, to found the Mission to Eastern Anatolia. Think of +him, wasting away from consumption, racked with ague, burning with +fever, as, pressed by the merciless Turk, he 'flew over hill and dale' +all the third day of October, from eight in the morning, then changed +horses at Sheheran, then 'travelled all the rest of the day and all +night' of the 3rd-4th, while the rain fell amid darkness that could be +felt; then, after three or four hours' sleep, on break of day again +hurried on, lest his guide should be arrested for a former offence of +'riding to death a horse belonging to a man of this place,' all the +fourth day, till almost expiring he sat on the ground and found refuge +in a stable, refusing to go farther. 'At last I pushed my head among the +luggage, and lodged it on the damp ground, and slept.' Since +Chrysostom's ride in the same region, the Church of Christ has seen no +torture of a saint like that. + + _October 5._--Preserving mercy made me see the light of another + morning. The sleep had refreshed me, but I was feeble and + shaken; yet the merciless Hassan hurried me off. The _munzil_, + however, not being distant, I reached it without much + difficulty. I expected to have found it another strong fort at + the end of the pass, but it is a poor little village within the + jaws of the mountain. I was pretty well lodged, and felt + tolerably well till a little after sunset, when the ague came on + with a violence I had never before experienced; I felt as if in + a palsy, my teeth chattering and my whole frame violently + shaken. Aga Hosein and another Persian, on their way here from + Constantinople, going to Abbas Mirza whom I had just before been + visiting, came hastily to render me assistance if they could. + These Persians appear quite brotherly after the Turks. While + they pitied me, Hassan sat in perfect indifference, ruminating + on the further delay this was likely to occasion. The cold fit, + after continuing two or three hours, was followed by a fever, + which lasted the whole night and prevented sleep. + + _October 6._--No horses being to be had, I had an unexpected + repose. I sat in the orchard and thought with sweet comfort and + peace of my God, in solitude my Company, my Friend, and + Comforter. Oh! when shall time give place to eternity! When + shall appear that new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth + righteousness! There, there shall in no wise enter in anything + that defileth: none of that wickedness which has made men worse + than wild beasts, none of those corruptions which add still more + to the miseries of mortality, shall be seen or heard of any + more. + +Sitting in the orchard, thinking with sweet comfort and peace of his +God, and longing for that new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth +righteousness--such is the last sight we have of Henry Martyn, on +October 6, 1812. Two brotherly Persians, on their way from Constantinople, +had sought to minister to him the day before. The Turkish Hassan, +himself afraid of justice, 'sat in perfect indifference, ruminating on +the further delay' caused by his illness. What happened when the dying +apostle could write no more--in the ten days till God took him on +October 16--who shall now tell? Did the Turk hurry him, as he was +expiring, into Tokat, from 'that poor little village within the jaws of +the mountain,' in which he was 'pretty well lodged,' or did his +indomitable spirit give the poor body strength to ride into the town; +and did the plague, then raging, complete what hereditary disease and +fever had done? He had at least his Armenian servants, the 'trusty' +Melcom and Sergius, with him to minister to his wants. He had written +to Lydia of his journey to her by Constantinople, Syria, and Malta, +saying: 'Do I dream, that I venture to think and write of such an event +as that!... Soon we shall have occasion for pen and ink no more, but I +trust I shall shortly see thee face to face.' He dreamed indeed; for He +who is the only Love which is no dream, but the one transforming, +abiding, absorbing reality, called him, while yet a youth of thirty-one, +home to Himself. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[85] _The Historical Geography of Asia Minor_, vol. iv. of the Royal +Geographical Society's _Supplementary Papers_, John Murray, 1890. + +[86] In his valuable book _Transcaucasia and Ararat_ (1877), Mr. James +Bryce, M.P., gives the meaning as 'The Only-Begotten descended.' + +[87] A few years after, when Sir R. Ker Porter was on the same route, +he wrote: 'This was the spot where our apostolic countryman, Henry +Martyn, faint with fever and fatigue, alighted to bathe on his way to +Tokat.' There, too, Sir Robert was of opinion, Xenophon and the Ten +Thousand Greeks crossed the Araxes 2,300 years ago. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE TWO RESTING-PLACES--TOKAT AND BREAGE + + +The Armenians were a comparatively strong community in Tokat, where they +formed a third of the population, for whom there were seven churches and +thirty priests. Henry Martyn was known as a friend of this, the oldest +church in Asia. He had sought out their priests and families all over +Persia and the Araxes valley, and ministered to many of this oppressed +people. The two servants with whom he had journeyed as far as Tokat were +Armenians, and he especially trusted Sergius, whom he had engaged at +Etchmiatzin, as one about to visit Constantinople, and not unfamiliar +with the route. The body of the wearied traveller to the city of the +Great King was laid to rest in the extensive cemetery of the church of +Karasoon Manoog. Later research revealed the fact that the body was +buried in simple and reverent Oriental fashion--not in a coffin, but in +such a white winding-sheet as that which for forty hours enwrapped the +Crucified. The story afterwards went that the chaplain-missionary of the +East India Company was carried to the tomb with all the honours of an +Armenian archbishop. That is most probable, for the Armenian clergy of +Calcutta, Bushire, and Shiraz always gave him priestly honours during +life. The other tradition--that his burial was hardly decent--has arisen +from the circumstances that attended the search for his grave and the +removal of his dust to the American Mission Cemetery forty years +afterwards. + +[Illustration: _Sir R.K. Porter_ + +TOKAT IN 1812] + +Far away, in the most distant corner of Asiatic Turkey, or Turkish +Arabia, at Baghdad, there was one[88] Anglo-Indian scholar and +Christian, who hastened to discharge the pious duty of carving on a +limestone slab above the precious remains a Latin inscription. That was +the East India Company's civil servant, James Claudius Rich. Born near +Dijon in 1787--six years after Martyn--and taken in his infancy to +Bristol, he there manifested such extraordinary linguistic powers, even +in boyhood, that Joshua Marshman, before he went out to Serampore, +helped him with books and introduced him to Dr. Ryland. Robert Hall +formed such an opinion of his powers, which the earliest Orientalist, +Sir Charles Wilkins, tested, that he received an appointment to the +Bombay Civil Service, and was introduced to Sir James Mackintosh. He +went to India overland through Turkish Asia, disguised as a Georgian +Turk, so that the Mecca pilgrims at Damascus did not discover him. He +married Sir James's eldest daughter,[89] and had set out as the +Company's Resident at Baghdad and Busrah, not long before Martyn arrived +at Bombay. The two men never met, for Martyn's attempt to enter Arabia +from Persia through Baghdad was stopped. But the young Orientalist +watched Martyn's career with admiration, and seems to have followed his +footsteps. In 1821 he himself was cut off by cholera, while ministering +to the plague-stricken in Shiraz, leaving a name imperishably associated +with that of Sir James Mackintosh, and dear to all Oriental scholars and +travellers, but henceforth to be remembered above all as that of the man +who was the first to perpetuate the memory of Henry Martyn.[90] + +The sacred spot was immediately at the foot of slaty rocks down which +the winter snows and summer rains washed enough of stony soil every +year to cover up the horizontal slab. The first to visit it with +reverent steps after the pious commission of Claudius James Rich had +been executed, was Sir Robert Ker Porter. Although only a few years +had elapsed, he seems to have failed to see the inscription which +fitly commemorated the 'Sacerdos ac Missionarius Anglorum,' so that he +thus beautifully wrote: 'His remains sleep in a grave as humble as his +own meekness; but while that high pyramidal hill, marked with its +mouldering ruins of heathen ages, points to the sky, every European +traveller must see in it their honoured countryman's monument.' + +In 1830, when the American Board's missionaries, Eli Smith and H.G.O. +Dwight, visited Tokat, they had little difficulty in finding the spot, +from which they wrote: 'An appropriate Latin inscription is all that +distinguishes his tomb from the tombs of the Armenians who sleep by +his side.'[91] They urged their Board to make Tokat its centre of +operations for the people of Second Armenia, as Caesarea for those of +the First and Third Armenia, and Tarsus for those of Cilicia. As they, +reversing his northward journey, reached Tabreez sick, they were cared +for, first by Dr., afterwards Sir John McNeill, and then by Dr. +Cormick, the same physician who healed Martyn of a similar disease +when he was at this city. 'He seemed to have retained the highest +opinion of him as a Christian, a companion, and a scholar.' + +In 1841 Mr. George Fowler published his _Three Years in Persia_, in +which a chapter is filled with reminiscences of Henry Martyn. + + Of this distinguished missionary and champion of the Cross, who + fearlessly unfolded his banner and proclaimed Christ amongst the + bigoted Mahometans, I have heard much in these countries, having + made acquaintance with some persons who knew him, and saw (if I + may so say) the last of him. At the General's table at Erzroom + (Paskevitch), I had the honour to meet graffs and princes, + consisting of Russians, Georgians, Circassians, Germans, + Spaniards, and Persians, all glittering in their stars and + orders, such a _melange_ as is scarcely to be found again under + one banner; looking more like a monarch's levy than anything + else. My neighbour was an Armenian bishop, who, with his long + flowing hair and beard, and austere habits, the cross being + suspended to his girdle, presented a great contrast to the + military chiefs. There were many other priests at the table, of + whom he was the principal. He addressed me in my native tongue + very tolerably, asking if I had known anything of the + missionary, Martyn. The name was magic to my ear, and + immediately our colloquy became to me of great interest. + + The bishop was the Serrafino of whom Martyn speaks in his + _Journal_, I happening at the time to have it with me. He was + very superior to the general caste of the Armenian clergy, + having been educated at Rome, and had attained many European + languages. He made Martyn's acquaintance at Etchmiatzin, the + Armenian monastery at Erivan, where he had gone to pay a visit + to the Patriarch or chief of that people, and remained three + days to recruit his exhausted strength. He described him to me + as being of a very delicate frame, thin, and not quite of the + middle stature, a beardless youth, with a countenance beaming + with so much benignity as to bespeak an errand of Divine love. + Of the affairs of the world he seemed to be so ignorant, that + Serrafino was obliged to manage for him respecting his + travelling arrangements, money matters, etc. Of the latter he + had a good deal with him when he left the monastery, and seemed + to be careless, and even profuse, in his expenditure. He was + strongly recommended to postpone his journey, but from his + extreme impatience to return to England these remonstrances were + unavailing. A Tartar was employed to conduct him to Tokat. + Serrafino accompanied him for an hour or two on the way--with + considerable apprehensions, as he told me, of his ever arriving + in his native country.[92] He was greatly surprised, he said, + not only to find in him all the ornaments of a refined + education, but that he was so eminent a Christian; 'since (said + he) all the English I have hitherto met with, not only make no + profession of religion, but live seemingly in contempt of it.' + + I endeavoured to convince him that his impression of the English + character was in this respect erroneous; that although a Martyn + on the Asiatic soil might be deemed a phoenix, yet many such + existed in that country which gave him birth; and I instanced to + him the Christian philanthropy of my countrymen, which induced + them to search the earth's boundaries to extend their faith. I + told him of our immense voluntary taxation to aid the + missionaries in that object, and of the numerous Christian + associations,--for which the world was scarcely large enough to + expend themselves upon. + + He listened with great attention, and then threw in the + compliment, 'You English are very difficult to become acquainted + with, but when once we know you we can depend on you.' He + complained of some part of Martyn's _Journal_ referring to + himself, respecting his then idea of retiring to India, to write + and print some works in the Armenian language, tending to + enlighten that people with regard to religion. He said that what + followed of the errors and superstitions of the Armenian Church + should not have been inserted in the book, nor did he think it + would be found in Martyn's _Journal_. His complaint rested much + on the compilers of the work in this respect; he said, 'these + opinions were not exactly so expressed, and certainly they were + not intended to come before the public, whereby they might + ultimately be turned against me.' + + At Erzroom, on my way to Persia, I had met with an Italian + doctor, then in the Pasha's employ, from whom I heard many + interesting particulars respecting Martyn. He was at Tokat at + the time of our countryman's arrival and death, which occurred + on October 16, 1812; but whether occasioned by the plague, or + from excessive fatigue by the brutal treatment of the Tartar, he + could not determine. His remains were decently interred in the + Armenian burying-ground, and for a time the circumstance was + forgotten. Some years afterwards, a gentleman, at the request of + the British ambassador in Constantinople, had a commemorative + stone erected to his memory, and application was made to the + Armenian bishop to seek the grave for that purpose. He seemed to + have forgotten altogether such an occurrence, but referring to + some memoranda which he had made of so remarkable a case as that + of interring a Feringhi stranger, he was enabled to trace the + humble tablet with which he had distinguished it. It is now + ornamented with a white slab, stating merely the name, age, and + time of death of the deceased. + + I had many reminiscences of Martyn, at Marand particularly. I + quitted this place at midnight, just at the time and under the + circumstances which he describes. 'It was a most mild and + delightful night, and the pure air, after the smell of the + stable, was reviving.' I was equally solitary with himself. I + had attached great interest to my resting-place, believing it to + have been the same on which Martyn had reposed, from his own + description, as it was the usual reception for travellers, the + _munzil_, or post-house. Here I found myself almost alone, as + with Aliverdy, my guide, not three words of understanding + existed between us. Martyn says, 'They stared at my European + dress, but no disrespect was shown.' Exactly so with me: the + villagers stood around questioning my attendant, who was showing + me off, I know not why. + + Martyn's description of the stable was precisely what I found + it; thus--'I was shown into the stable, where there was a little + place partitioned off, but so as to admit a view of the horses.' + He was 'dispirited and melancholy.' I was not a little touched + with this in my solitariness, and sensibly felt with the poet: + + Thou dost not know how sad it is to stray + Amid a foreign land, thyself unknown, + And, when o'erwearied with the toilsome day, + To rest at eve and feel thyself alone. + + At Khoi, on my return, I witnessed the Persian ceremony related + by Martyn in his _Journal_ of the death of Imam Hussein--the + anniversary of which is so religiously observed in that country. + At Tabreez I heard much of him who was + + Faithful found + Among the faithless--faithful only he, + Unshaken, unseduced, unterrifed, + His loyalty he kept--his zeal--his love. + + I scarcely remember so bright an ornament to the Christian + profession, on heathen land, as this hero of the Cross, who was + 'patient in tribulation, rejoicing in hope;' and I heard him + thus spoken of by those who could estimate the _man_, and + perhaps not appreciate the _missionary_--'If ever there was a + saint on earth, it was Martyn; and if there be now an angel in + heaven, it is Martyn.' Amidst the contumely of the bigoted + Mussulmans, he had much to bear, as to the natural man, amongst + whom he was called an 'Isauvi' (the term given to Christians). + + I know of no people where, to all human calculation, so little + prospect opens of planting the Cross. The moollas are by no + means averse to religious discussion, and still remember the + 'enlightened infidel,' as Martyn was called; but so bigoted are + these benighted Moslems, and show so much zeal, as I noticed at + their Ramazan, that they scorn us, and, I may say, they shame + us. It is interesting, when looking at those dark regions, to + inquire--when shall the Cross triumph over the Crescent? when + shall the riches and power of the Gospel spread over their soil, + root up the weeds of error, and produce the fruits of + righteousness? + + Since the days of Martyn but little effort has been made by the + Missionary Society to turn the tide of Christian philanthropy + towards this country; but I would say, spite of the + discouragements, Send your missionaries to this stronghold of + Mahomet; here plant your standard of redeeming love to the + wretched devotee of the impostor; to the sometime worshipper of + the sun hang out the banner of the Sun of Righteousness; kindle + in his bosom the flame of Divine truth, that the Holy Spirit, of + which his former god was the emblem, may enlighten and guide him + into the fold of Christ. + + It is gratifying to find from a paper in the _Asiatic Register_, + the writer of which spent a few weeks at Shiraz, that the love + and work of this distinguished missionary, although he saw no + fruits from them, have in one instance proved that his labour + has not been in vain in the Lord. He relates that in that city + he met with an interesting character, Mahomed Rahim, who had + been educated for a moolla; a man of considerable learning, and + much attached to the English. He found him reading a volume of + _Cowper's Poems_, and was astonished at the precision with which + he expressed himself in English; this led to the subject of + religion, when he acknowledged himself to be a Christian, and + related the following circumstance. + + In the year of the Hegira 1223 there came to this city an + Englishman, who taught the religion of Christ with a boldness + hitherto unparalleled in Persia, in the midst of much scorn and + ill-treatment from the moollas as well as the rabble. He was a + beardless youth, and evidently enfeebled by disease; he dwelt + among us for more than a year. I was then a decided enemy to + infidels, as the Christians are termed by the followers of + Mahomet, and I visited this teacher of the despised sect, for + the purpose of treating him with scorn, and exposing his + doctrines to contempt. Although I persevered in this conduct for + some time, I found that every interview not only increased my + respect for the individual, but diminished my confidence in the + faith in which I was educated. His extreme forbearance towards + the violence of his opponents, the calm and yet convincing + manner in which he exposed the fallacies and sophistries by + which he was assailed (for he spoke Persian excellently), + gradually inclined me to listen to his arguments, to inquire + dispassionately into the subject of them, and finally to read a + tract which he had written in reply to _A Defence of Islam_, by + our chief moollas. The result of my examination was a conviction + that the young disputant was right. Shame, or rather fear, + withheld me from this opinion; I even avoided the society of the + Christian teacher, though he remained in the city so long. Just + before he quitted Shiraz I could not refrain from paying him a + farewell visit. Our conversation, the memory of which will never + fade from the tablet of my mind, sealed my conversion. He gave + me a book; it has been my constant companion; the study of it + has formed my most delightful occupation; its contents have + often consoled me. Upon this he put into my hand a copy of the + New Testament in Persian; on one of the blank leaves was + written, 'There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. + HENRY MARTYN.' + +The memory of Henry Martyn was borne by Mussulmans to Northern Africa, +and south to India again. The late Rev. Mr. Oakley, of St. Paul's, +Onslow Square, London, when travelling south of Algiers, met +Mohammedans who asked him if he were of the same tribe as Henry +Martyn, the man of God whose controversy at Shiraz and books they +knew. A Persian of gentle manners, who had a surprising knowledge of +the _Mesnevi_, that inexhaustible fountain of Soofi philosophy, +received a copy of Martyn's Persian New Testament. After fourteen +years' study of it, in silence, he applied to the nearest Christian, +an Armenian bishop, for baptism unto Christ. Fearing the consequences, +the bishop sent on the catechumen to the Armenian priests at Calcutta, +who, equally afraid that the news would reach the Persian authorities, +handed him over to the Rev. E.C. Stuart, then the Church Missionary +Society's secretary there, and a Persian scholar, now Bishop of +Waiapu. Mr. Stuart took him as his guest, found that he delighted in +instruction in the New Testament, and baptized him. Ultimately the +convert went back to Persia as one who 'had gained a sincere faith in +Christ from the simple reading of H. Martyn's Persian Testament.' + +In 1842 the learned Bombay chaplain, George Percy Badger, visited +Tokat on a mission from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of +London to the Nestorian tribes of Koordistan. He was guided to Henry +Martyn's first tomb by the Armenian priest who had performed the rites +of Christian burial. While Mrs. Badger sought out and planted wild +flowers around the stone, her husband, recalling the fervent zeal and +ardent piety of the departed, 'lifted up a secret prayer that God in +His mercy would raise up many of a like spirit to labour among the +benighted Mohammedans of the East.'[93] + +Adopting the report of their missionaries in 1830, the American Board +at Boston sent out Dr. Henry J. van Lennep, who first visited Tokat +fourteen years after them, and thirty-two years after Henry Martyn's +death. The first object of his attention was the grave, which then he +had great difficulty in discovering and identifying. It was this +experience, and not any earlier facts, that must have led to the +publication of these lines: + + No stone marks the spot where these ashes are resting, + No tear has e'er hallowed thy cold, lonely grave, + But the wild warring winds whistle round thy bleak dwelling, + And the fierce wintry torrent sweeps o'er it with its wave. + +In his _Travels in Little Known Parts of Asia Minor_,[94] Dr. van +Lennep writes: + + The Armenian burying-ground, where he was laid, is situated just + outside of the town, and hard by the wretched gipsy quarter + which forms its eastern extremity. It is a most barren and + desolate spot, overhung by lofty cliffs of clay slate. Its only + verdure, besides the rank weeds that spring up between the + thickly set graves, consists of two scraggy wild pear-trees + nearly dead for lack of moisture. The sexton of the church near + by could give no information, and I was left to search for it + alone. Beginning at the graves lying at the outer edge of the + ground nearest the road, I advanced towards the hill, examining + each in its turn, until just at the foot of the overhanging + cliffs I came upon a slab of coarse limestone, some forty inches + by twenty, bearing the following inscription: + + Rev . Vir . + Gug[95] . Martino . + Sacer . Ac . Miss . Anglo . + Quem . In . Patr . Redi . + Dominus + Hic . Berisae . Ad . Sb . Voc . + Pium . D . Fidel . Q . Ser . + A.D. MDCCCXII. + Hunc . Lap . Consac . + C. I. R. + A.D. MDCCCXIII. + + It was just ten years after this first visit that I was again in + Tokat, not on a transient visit, but with the purpose of making + that city my permanent abode. A little party of us soon repaired + to the hallowed spot. Guided by my recollections and a drawing + made at my previous visit, we were soon at the place; but in the + last few years it had undergone a remarkable change. Instead of + the slab of stone with its inscription, which we expected to + see, we only found a smooth surface of pebbly and sandy soil + overgrown with weeds, without vestige of stone or mound to + indicate the presence of a grave; but the identical surroundings + were there, too well remembered to be mistaken. Could it be + that, as happens in these lawless regions, the stone had been + removed by some ruthless hand and incorporated in the wall of a + neighbouring building? We could not accept that unpleasant + conclusion, and, calling the sexton, we directed him to dig + where we pointed. It was at a depth of two feet from the surface + that the stone came into view: the soil and rubbish accumulated + upon the grave were then removed, and we hoped the place would + hereafter need little attention. But, to our surprise, we found + it again, the ensuing spring, covered to the same depth as + before. The soil was washed upon it by the rains from the whole + mountain side, and we found that were a wall built for its + protection, the gipsy boys, who made this their playground, + would soon have it down. + + Some time after this, a correspondence took place with friends + in London, which resulted in a grant being made by the late Hon. + East India Company's Board of Directors, for the purpose of + erecting a more suitable monument to the memory of Henry Martyn, + to be placed with his remains in the Mission Burying-ground. The + monument was cut out of native marble, and made by native + workmen at Tokat. The remains were removed under the inspection + of the missionary physician, and though it was difficult + positively to identify them, there can be no doubt that what was + found once formed a portion of the earthly tenement of the + devoted and lamented missionary. There were no remains of a + coffin; Orientals never use them, and he was doubtless laid in + immediate contact with the soil, literally 'dust to dust.' The + monument under which we laid these remains was the first grave + in our little cemetery, and well might it be said that it + became sacred ground. The obelisk has four faces, on each of + which the name, encircled with a wreath, is cut, severally in + English, Armenian, Persian, and Turkish. The four sides of the + base contain the following inscription in the same languages: + + REV. HENRY MARTYN, M.A. + + CHAPLAIN OF THE HON. EAST INDIA COMPANY, + BORN AT TRURO, ENGLAND, FEBRUARY 18, 1781, + DIED AT TOKAT, OCTOBER 16, 1812. + + HE LABOURED FOR MANY YEARS IN THE EAST, STRIVING TO + BENEFIT MANKIND BOTH IN THIS WORLD AND THAT TO COME. + HE TRANSLATED THE HOLY SCRIPTURES INTO HINDOSTANEE + AND PERSIAN, + AND PREACHED THE GOD AND SAVIOUR OF WHOM THEY TESTIFY. + HE WILL LONG BE REMEMBERED IN THE EAST, WHERE HE WAS + KNOWN AS A MAN OF GOD. + + The grave now lies in a spot every way adapted to foster the + holy memories which it recalls. It stands upon a broad and high + terrace, overlooking the whole city for whose salvation we + cannot doubt that he offered some of the last petitions 'of the + righteous man, which avail much.' It is a solitude, immediately + surrounded by the thick foliage of fruit trees, among which tall + walnuts are conspicuous. We ourselves planted by its side the + only weeping willows which exist in the whole region. The place + is visited by many, who read the concise inscription and further + inquire into the good man's history. It has always been a + favourite place of resort of our students and native Christians, + and they have many a time sat under its shade and expounded to + wondering strangers the very doctrines to propagate which that + model of a missionary had sacrificed his life. + +[Illustration: TOMB OF HENRY MARTYN] + +Tokat is now for ever memorable as the centre which links the names of +Basiliscus, the martyr, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, and Henry +Martyn. The cloud-crested fortress points almost straight up from the +Jeshil-Irmak river, the ancient Iris, which, rising in the Anti-Taurus +range of Pontus, finds its way to the Black Sea with a breadth and +volume of water second only to the Halys. Still, as of old, the town +crowds about the foot of the two spiral crags and straggles out with +towered church, mosque and minaret, into the valley. The ruins of the +embattled walls crowning every pinnacle of the insulated rocks of which +they seem to form a part, tell of the days when Greek and Roman passed +along the 'royal road' from Amisos or Samsoon on the Euxine to Sebaste, +Caesareia, and Central Asia; and when the Saracens beat off the Emperor +Michael (860) from what was then called Daximon.[96] The time is coming +when there shall once more be here a highway of civilisation after the +barren centuries of the Moslem. + +Tokat represents Komana Pontica, six miles off, the oracle and +emporium of the royal road, described by Strabo as a little Corinth +for vice and traffic. Another step, and the Apostle Paul himself might +have visited it from Galatia. In 312, in the persecution under +Maximin, Basiliscus, the bishop of Komana, was martyred, being shod +with red-hot iron shoes, beheaded, and thrown into the Iris. The +_Acta_ picture the saint as led on foot by soldiers along the road +without food for four days, till he reached Komana; 'and the road was +much the same as the modern way, Tokat to Amaseia,' along which Henry +Martyn was violently hurried by his Tartar. In the martyrium, built a +few miles out of Komana, in memory of Basiliscus, Chrysostom found +rest in death, and a grave. + +Basilius, the bishop of Caesareia, belonged to the neighbouring +province of Cappadocia, but his missionary influence, and that of his +bishop brother, Gregory Nyssen, and his sister, Macrina, spread all +over Pontus, while Gregory Nazianzen was his fellow-student at Athens, +and his admiring friend, as Julian also, the future Emperor, was for a +time. Like Martyn, Basil owed to his sister his conversion, his call +to the ministry, and his self-sacrifice all through life. It was on +the banks of the Iris above Tokat that, secluded for five years, the +great Father laid the foundation of the monastic communities of the +Greek Church, and learned to be the future defender of orthodoxy +against the Arians, and of the unity of the Oriental Church. + +But it is the exile and death of John Chrysostom, just fourteen +centuries before, that form the most touching parallel to the sufferings +of Henry Martyn. Never has there been a greater missionary bishop than +the 'golden-mouthed' preacher of Antioch and Constantinople. The victim +first of a cabal of bishops, and then of the Empress Eudoxia, whose +vices and sacrilege he rebuked, he was driven from Constantinople to the +scorching plains of Cappadocia in the midsummer heat. His guard drove on +the venerable man day and night, giving him no rest. When a halt was +made, it was always in some filthy village where good water was not. +Fever and ague were provoked, but still he was forced on to Basil's city +of Caesareia, to find Basil's successor his bitter enemy. Taking a +physician with him he reached his destination at Kokussos, where the +Empress had hoped that the barbarians would make an end of him. As it +seemed likely to prove his Tabreez, he was once more driven forth on +foot, under two guards selected for their brutality. It took him three +months to reach Komana--one long, slow martyrdom to the fever-stricken +old man. 'It was evident that Chrysostom's strength was entirely worn +out,' writes Canon Venables, in words which exactly describe the +experience of the young Henry Martyn. 'But his pitiless guard hurried +him through the town "as if its streets were no more than a bridge," +without a moment's halt.' Five miles farther on they halted at the +chapel of the martyr Basiliscus, of whom Chrysostom dreamed that he saw +him and heard him say: 'Be of good cheer; on the morrow we shall be +together.' Canon Venables continues, unconsciously, the parallel with +the experience of the nineteenth-century saint of the Evangel: + + In the morning Chrysostom earnestly begged for a brief respite, + but in vain. He was hurried off, but scarcely had he gone three + or four miles when a violent attack of fever compelled them to + retrace their steps. + +On reaching the martyrium, Chrysostom, led within, stripped on his +soiled garments, clothed himself in white baptismal vestments, joined +in the communion of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, +offered his last prayer 'for present needs,' uttered his accustomed +doxology: 'Glory be to God for all things,' and, having said 'Amen,' +breathed his last on September 14, 407, in his sixtieth year. His body +was laid beside that of Basiliscus. A generation after, the children +of the Empress and Emperor who had thus slaughtered the saint brought +back his body and gave it imperial sepulture in Constantinople, while +they publicly asked Heaven to forgive the wrong of the past. + +From Basiliscus, Basil, and Chrysostom to Henry Martyn, the fourteen +centuries tell of the corruption of the Church of Christ in the East, +and the rise upon its ruins of Mohammedanism, which covered the northern +half of Africa, and Spain, and reached as far as Tours and Vienna in +Europe. It is to the glory of Henry Martyn that he was the first +missionary of the Reformed Church of the West to the Mohammedans, giving +those of India and Central Asia the Gospel and the Psalms in two of +their own vernaculars, and dying for them before he could complete his +work at the Arabic Bible. + +We shall see whom his example inspired to follow him. His death became +a summons, first to his own evangelical circle in England and India, +and then to the whole Church of Christ, to follow in the path that he +marked out alike by his toiling and his writing. + +Sergius, the Armenian, must at once have pursued the journey from +Tokat to Constantinople, which is distant from Tabreez 1,542 miles, +and not 1,300 as roundly estimated by Henry Martyn. He presented the +letters of his master to Mr. Isaac Morier, in the Sultan's capital, +father of Sir Gore Ouseley's secretary and successor. On February 12, +1813, Charles Simeon wrote thus to Mr. Thomason in Calcutta: + + The day before yesterday a letter arrived from Mr. Isaac Morier, + of Constantinople, announcing that on October 16 (or + thereabouts) our beloved brother entered into the realms of + glory, and rested for ever in the bosom of his God.... But what + an event it is! How calamitous to his friends, to India, and to + the world! Methinks I hear God say: 'Be still and know that I am + God.' ... I had been forming plans in my mind with a view to the + restoration of his health in England, and should now have been + able to carry into execution whatever might have been judged + expedient; but I am denied the joy of ministering to him! + +Again on April 2: + + We are making collections for Mr. Martyn's brother's family, who + in him have lost their main support. We have got about 400_l._, + and Mr. Thornton has sent you a paper for the purpose of getting + them some aid in India. + +The news reached Lydia Grenfell on February 14, 1813. She was then for +a fortnight at Marazion, where every spot recalled the past. She thus +communed with herself and God in her _Diary_: + + Marazion: February 20, 1813. + + I am fearful to retrace the last week on two accounts, lest the + infirmity of nature prevail, and I give way to sorrow,--and + lest, in recollecting the wondrous kindness and love of God my + Saviour, I increase my pride and not my gratitude. Oh, shall I + then remain silent? Shall Thy mercies be forgotten? Teach me, O + Lord, to write and speak for Thy glory, and to my own deeper + humiliation. Heard on the 14th of the removal of my most tender, + faithful, and beloved friend to the joys of heaven. Oh, I could + not wish his absence from them prolonged. What I only wished + was, and now I am reconciled to that too,--I wished to have been + honoured of God so far as to have been near him, or that some + friend had been.[97] Lord, if this was wrong, forgive me. I will + endeavour, yea, I am enabled to say of this too, 'Thy will be + done.' Great has been the peace and tranquillity of my soul, + such nearness to God, such a hold of Christ, such hope in the + promises, such assurance of bliss and immortality, as I cannot + express, and may have to forget. Oh, that I may never + lose,--rather would I lose everything I most prize, every + earthly friend, every earthly enjoyment, than this. Oh, the fear + of doing so, or of the abatement of spiritual perceptions and + affections, is the thing I most dread, and makes me long to die. + It is not for the sake of rejoining that blessed spirit of my + friend, though I have, and do, feel that too,--but to be again + shut out from Thy possession is what I fear. + + _February 28._--A silent Sabbath, at least to me,--to my ears, I + should say, for I trust God speaks to my heart. 'Comfort ye, + comfort ye, My people,' enables me to take comfort. I feel a + submission to the will of God which is more blessed than when I + had my own in the ministry of the Word,--yet this is a time + which calls for prayer. Lord, pour out the spirit of prayer on + me and many, and grant us grace to ask, fervently yet + resignedly, the restoration of Thy preached gospel. Suddenly are + we deprived of it,--may it be as quickly restored. Very weak in + health, so powerless this morning,--I could not but think my + earthly bed was preparing for me too, and that my soul would + soon return to God, but I am better, and willing to stay my + appointed time. True, to perform my work in a little time might + be what I should rejoice in, but I am willing to live, so I may + have the presence of God with me, and be engaged in His service. + I have a pleasure in supposing it possible the blessed spirit of + my friend may be, on some occasions, sent to protect, to + console, and counsel me,--but this is a weakness, and perhaps + should not be indulged. I felt this afternoon as if he was + present, as I sat alone in the garden,--the thought only + disposed me to solemnity and pensiveness of mind. I am afraid of + my dependence on the creature, whether embodied or not, and I + will rather trust to the sure support of God's Word. + + _March 2._--Some sorrowful thoughts will enter my mind + respecting my late dear friend, and call forth some sighs and + tears from my heart,--yet is that heart resigned to the will of + God, and confident of His having done all things well for His + beloved servant. Oh, how shall I, with wonder and praise, listen + in eternity to the relation of his last days! The excess of + affection now, and the unwillingness I feel that he should have + suffered, make it amongst my mercies that a veil is drawn over + that period of his life. It is mercy all, and God is good to me + in everything. I see His hand, I love and I adore. I submit and + resign myself to His blessed disposal and to all His + dispensations. I have been thinking how necessary for me it was + that we are thus separated; for during his life I felt such a + desire to please and to be worthy of the regard he entertained + for me, that it was my bane, and caused me to forget God as the + first object I was to think of and please. I accept the + punishment sent for this offence, may it prove an effectual cure + of this evil in my heart! + + _March 8._--During the last few days I have experienced much of + the Divine support and consolation of the Gospel. It has been a + time of conflict, not inward, blessed be the name of the Lord. I + have enjoyed a constant, uninterrupted peace, a peace past an + understanding, unless experienced. I never was more sensible of, + or rejoiced more in the presence of God, and my heart rises to + my Maker with delight and joy, as easily as I breathe. God, 'as + soon as sought, is found,' through Jesus Christ,--but I have + been put into the hands of a bitter enemy, and that enemy.... + She has left me, and I pray that every uneasy feeling excited in + my breast by her unkind and injurious treatment may depart with + her. Oh, how I rejoice that no storms can molest the dead who + die in the Lord,--they rest from their labours of every kind. + Since the account reached me of the departure of my dear friend + to be with Christ, which is far better than to be here,--every + evil I suffer, or fear, is blessed in its purpose, from knowing + he can never feel the same; and all I enjoy or behold that is + delightful, is the more enjoyed from thinking 'he has all this, + and more, in perfection, and without interruption.' May I + accomplish my work of suffering, or ending, or labouring, and + then enter into rest. + + _March 13._--Nature has its turn in my feelings. To-day I have + been given to feel more of sorrow for the removal of my beloved + friend, and, without desiring it to be otherwise, to mourn my + own loss. The recollection of his unmerited kindness softens my + heart, and I can hardly forbear indulging a tenderness which may + weaken but cannot strengthen my mind. O Lord, I beseech Thee + preserve me from whatever may injure my soul and unfit me for + Thy service. I have the hope of heaven too, and that is enough. + In heaven we shall meet and unite for ever in the work of + praise. Life, with its trials and cares, will be but short. May + I only desire to live to Thee, my God, and finish the work Thou + hast given me to do. Lord, make me faithful, self-denying, and + submissive to Thy will. + + _April 3._--My thoughts revert to the possible circumstances of + my late dear friend's sufferings and death, and I am sunk low by + doing so. It was the last step he had to travel below, and one + necessary to be taken, in order to reach the heights of glory. + There let me view him triumphing with his Saviour, and through + His meritorious sufferings and death made more than conqueror + over all his enemies. I must think more of his glorious Lord, + and less of the servant, either as suffering and labouring or + glorified and resting. Lord, be graciously present, and in the + contemplation of Thy perfections, and the review of Thy mercies, + let me forget everything beside. + + _April 21._--A letter from Tabreez, dated August 28, reached me. + O Thou who readest my heart, direct and sanctify every feeling. + May the anguish of my soul be moderated, and let me endeavour to + exercise faith in Thy Divine goodness, mercy, and power, and to + believe it was well with him in all respects. + + _April 24._--I am tormented with fears that even in eternity I + shall never be capable of enjoying the same happiness my + departed friend does, and it seems as if no other would satisfy + me. O Lord Jesus, weary and heavy laden I come to Thee; let me + behold the light of Thy countenance, and praise Thee, and lose + in the contemplation of Thy glories, and in the sense of Thy + love to my soul,--let me lose the remembrance of every other + excellence. When the sun shines the light of the stars is + eclipsed; thus may it be with me!--Unless the genius which shone + in his character make me admire and love God more, let me turn + from viewing them. Oh, teach me to love Thy saints, whether + living or dead, and for Thy sake and Thyself above them all. I + have never felt I was not resigned to the will of God in our + separation on earth, but my anxious mind dwells on another, + which I cannot bear to think possible. + + _June 3._--For several days my mind has been occupied with + recollections that weaken its hold of spiritual things. I think + more of a departed saint than of the King of Saints. It is + strange that now I should be more in danger of loving too well a + creature passed into the skies than when he lived on earth. But + so it is,--continually my thoughts revert to him. I pray God + this may not be a snare unto me to divide me from Himself. Let + me behold Jesus. + + _June 13._--Passed a very blessed Sabbath. My soul + quickened,--Oh, let it live, and it shall praise Thee! A letter + from my dearest Emma containing wholesome, though at first + unwelcome, counsel, has been of singular use to me. The snare is + seen, if not broken. Yes, I have lost my hold of everything that + used, and ought, to support me by allowing, without restraint, + the remembrance of my late dear friend to fill my mind. My + almost constant thoughts were of him, and pride at the + preference he showed me was fed, as well as affection. Now I + have a painful, difficult part to act. A sacrifice I must offer + of what has become so much my happiness as to interfere with my + enjoyment of God. I must fly from the recollection of an earthly + object, loved too well, viewed too much. Let me follow his + faith, and consider the end of his conversation,--Jesus Christ, + the same for ever. I have had the greatest peace to-day in only + trying to resolve on this,--how merciful is God! + + _1814, January 28._--Found great sweetness yesterday and to-day + in reading and sweet prayer in the garden; was sensibly + refreshed in the exercise, and had a taste that the Lord was + gracious. This evening my heart is sad, not from the withdrawing + of those consolations, or darkness of soul, as is often the + case, but from having the circumstances of my revered friend's + death brought to my recollection. I strive not to dwell on them, + for oh, what a scope do they give to my busy fancy! I would fly + from this subject as too high for me, and take refuge in this: + the Lord did not forsake His servant, and precious was his death + in His sight. Nature is weak, but faith can strengthen me. + + _February 12._--A twelvemonth, this day, since I heard of the + death of my dear friend. My thoughts revert to this event, but + more to the mercies of God to me at that season. + + _October 16._--My thoughts engaged often to-day by the event of + this day in 1812. Twice has the earth performed its annual round + since the honoured servant of God received the welcome mandate + to cease from his labours, and join those who 'see His face' and + 'serve Him,' unencumbered with flesh and blood. He no longer + measures time by days and years, and there is no tedious six + days between Sabbath and Sabbath, as it is here. 'How blessed + are those who die in the Lord.' This expresses my feelings most + at the remembrance of this departed saint. May I abide in + Christ, and be with Him and His saints for ever. O blessed hope + of everlasting life,--I will cherish it, exult in it, and may I + pursue till I attain it. + +It was April 18, 1813, when Corrie and Thomason in India learned what +they had always feared since the dearest of all friends to them had +passed through Calcutta on his way to Arabia. Corrie was at Agra, and +he wrote to his brother-in-law, Mr. C. Shaw, in reply to a letter +'containing the affecting intelligence of Martyn's death, to us +afflictive, to him happy beyond expression. I could find nothing but +lamentations to express--lamentations for us, not for him. He was meet +for "the inheritance of the saints in light." My master is taken from +me; oh, for a double portion of his spirit! The work of printing and +distributing the Scriptures will henceforth go on more slowly.' Again, +to Simeon: 'Could he look from heaven and see the Abdool Massee'h, +with the translated New Testament in his hand, preaching to the +listening throng, ... it would add fresh delight to his holy soul.' +Thomason, at once his disciple and his friend, wrote: 'He was in our +hearts; we honoured him; we loved him; we thanked God for him; we +prayed for his longer continuance amongst us; we rejoiced in the good +he was doing. We are sadly bereaved. Where such fervent piety, and +extensive knowledge, and vigorous understanding, and classical taste, +and unwearied application were all united, what might not have been +expected?' When, soon after, Thomason, as chaplain, accompanied the +Governor-General, Lord Moira, through North India, and arrived at +Cawnpore, he had eyes and thoughts only for his friend. 'In these +sandy plains I have been tracing again and again the days of Martyn. +Close by me is the house that dear minister occupied, leading to which +is the gloomy line of aloes spoken of by Mrs. Sherwood.... Oh, for +Martyn's humility and love!... His standard of every duty was the +highest, and his feelings of joy, sorrow, love, most intense; whilst +his conversation was always in heaven, the savour of his holy +disposition was as ointment poured forth.... Woe unto us if we do not +pray more, live more above the world and deny ourselves more, and love +Christ more!' + +John Sargent, Rector of Lavington, the earliest of Henry Martyn's +intimate friends, at once undertook to write a memoir of his life, for +which Simeon charged himself with collecting 'all possible materials +from India and Persia.' Bishop Corrie accordingly addressed Sargent +thus: + + Agra: November 1, 1813. + + It will be of use for you to know that when he left Cawnpore in + 1810 to seek change of air I was with him, and persuaded him to + leave in my hands a number of memorandums he was about to + destroy. They were sealed up, but on his death, being opened, + they proved to be journals of the exercises of his mind from + January 1803 to 1807 inclusive. They seem to me no less worthy + of publication than the journal of Mr. Brainerd, if more books + of that kind should be judged necessary. Since the beginning of + 1807 Mr. Martyn favoured me with almost a weekly letter, in + which his various employments and engagements for the + furtherance of the Gospel in this country are detailed, with + occasional very interesting remarks. This correspondence ceased + on my being ordered by our Commander-in-chief to assist Mr. + Martyn in the duties of the station of Cawnpore, when I took up + my abode with him from June till his departure, October 1. Other + letters passed between us after that time, and it is my + intention to send you copies of all the above correspondence, + together with his private memorandums. The latter, with copies + of Martyn's letters from February to July 1807, were sent off + this day to Mr. Thomason in Calcutta, to be forwarded to England + by the first opportunity, and the copies of the remaining + letters shall follow as soon as may be. Of course I have omitted + to copy what seems purely personal: yet much remains which you + will perhaps judge unnecessary for publication, and will + exercise your own judgment on that head. All the extracts seem + to me, however, to cast light on the progress of missionary work + in this land, and may perhaps be thought interesting to those + who take a concern in Indian affairs. These extracts give so + full a view of Mr. Martyn's character that nothing remains for + me to add. Only I may say a more perfect character I never met + with, nor expect to see again on earth. During the four years we + were fellow-labourers in this country, I had no less than six + opportunities of enjoying his company; the last time for four + months together, and under the same roof all the time; and each + opportunity only increased my love and veneration for him. + + I conclude the above intelligence will plead my excuse for + writing to you without previous introduction, and I was anxious + it should reach you through the nearest channel. Your brother in + Calcutta has told me several times of your welfare, and during + beloved Martyn's life I used to hear of you sometimes. Your + person, whilst a student at King's College, was well known to + me, and your character admired, though I had not steadiness of + principle sufficient at that time to imitate you, and + consequently had no pretensions to an acquaintance with you, + though I often greatly desired it. To that 'Father in Israel,' + Mr. Simeon, I owe all my comfort on earth and all my hopes + respecting eternity: for through his instrumentality the seeds + of grace, I trust, were, during my residence at Cambridge, + especially during the latter part of my residence, implanted in + my heart, and have influenced, though alas! unsteadily, my after + days. + +Lydia Grenfell was of course consulted as the work made progress, but +none of her letters to Martyn have seen the light. + + _1815, December 26._--Wrote this day to Mr. Simeon. I have + reason to search into my heart and watch the risings of pride + there, both respecting the notice of this blessed saint, and the + avowal to be expected of my being the object of so much regard + from another still more eminent in the Church of Christ. I have + ever stood amazed at this, and now that in the providence of God + it seems certain that my being so favoured is likely to be made + known, vanity besets me. Oh, how poor a creature am I! Lord, I + pray, let me be enabled to trace some evidence of Thine eternal + love to me, and let this greater wonder call off my thoughts + from every other distinction. But how do I learn that in the + whole of this notice my thoughts have not indeed been Thine, O + Lord, nor my ways Thy ways? How much above all I could have + conceived of have been the designs of God! I sought concealment, + and lo! all is made known to many, and much will be even known + to the world. It is strange for me to credit this, and strange + that, with my natural reserve and the peculiar reasons that + exist for my wishing to have this buried in silence, I am + nevertheless composed about it. But, Lord, I would resign + myself, and all things that concern me, to Thy sovereign will + and pleasure. Preserve me blameless to Thine eternal kingdom, + and grant me an everlasting union with thy servant above. + + _1816, January 28._--I feel an increased thankfulness that God + has called me to live free from the many cares which fall on all + in the married state, and for the peculiarly favourable + circumstances He has placed me in here. The privilege of + watching over my mother in the decline of life, the charge of a + sweet child, the occupation of the schools, and a portion of + this world's goods for the use of the poor,--all, all call for + more thankfulness and diligence. Lord, help me to abound in + both, and with and above all I have peace and hope in God + through Jesus Christ, in a measure--though unbelief often robs + my soul of both. Oh, let me seek the grace of steadfast faith, + and I have all I want or desire. + + _April 21._--Thought with delight of my loved friends, Mrs. + Hoare and H.M., both before the Throne, led by the Lamb to + living fountains of waters, and all tears wiped away from their + eyes. Oh, I long to be there; yet I could willingly forego the + joys of heaven if I might, by suffering or labours here, glorify + my Lord and Saviour. + + _June 30._--Often have I thought, when desirous of pursuing a + more consistent deportment, and of introducing spiritual + subjects: 'How can I appear so different before those I have + been so trifling and merely worldly in all my intercourse with?' + The death of my esteemed and beloved brother in Christ, H.M., I + thought would have been the period for my maintaining that + serious watchfulness so essential to my enjoyment of God; but + no, I have been worse since, I think, as a judgment for failing + in my keeping my resolution. + +In 1817 Lydia Grenfell's _Diary_ records the visits of such men as Mr. +Fenn, 'who came to preach in the great cause of the Church Missionary +Society,' and of Mr. Bickersteth, who at Penzance 'stated what he had +met with in Africa.' The author of many immortal hymns, Francis Thomas +Lyte, 'opened his ministry' of two years in Marazion at this time, to +her joy and spiritual growth. She notes on August 31, 1817, that his +hymn 'Penitence' was sung for the first time. + + Marazion: March 6, 1819. + + Received, a few days since, Mr. Sargent's Memoir, and reading + only a few pages has convinced me that, without a greater + resemblance in the spirit to our friend, I never can partake of + that blessedness now enjoyed by the happy subject of it in the + presence of his Saviour. It is chiefly in humility, meekness, + and love I see the sad, the total difference. This may be + traced to a departure from the fountain of grace, Christ Jesus, + to whom, oh, may I return, and I shall be replenished. + + _October 14._--Indulged a wandering imagination, and am sad in + consequence. This season I ought to deem a sacred one. Oh, that, + in my remembrance of Thy blessed ... and servant, I could + entirely forget what feeds my vanity. Lord, help me to check all + earthly sorrow at the recollection of his many sorrows, for were + they not the appointed means of fitting him for his present + felicity, and of manifesting Thy grace, by which Thou art + glorified? I would make this season one of serious preparation + for my own departure, and what does that preparation consist + in?--faith in Jesus. Oh, strengthen it in me, and by following + Thy blessed saint in all virtuous and godly living I may come to + those eternal joys prepared for those that love Thee. + + _1820, June 25._--Oh, what a heaven for a creature, who has no + strength, or wisdom, or righteousness, like myself, to be fixed + in, beholding the glories of Jehovah manifested in Him who is my + Saviour and my Lord. Gladly would I part from this dull clod of + earth and come to Thee, and reach the pure pleasures of a + spiritual state. There, there dwells the blessed Martyn, who + bows before the throne, of a glorious company of saints, washed + with him, and clothed in spotless robes. Oh, (that) I may be + brought to them. + + _December 5._--Thought of the holy martyr, so humble, so + self-denying, so devoted, and of his early-accomplished prayer + for the heavenly country, where he dwells perfect in purity and + love. Oh, to be a follower of him as he followed Christ, and to + walk in the same paths, influenced by the same holy, humble, + heavenly principles, upheld by the same arm of omnipotent grace, + till I too reach the rest above. + + _1821, January 23._--Elevated rather than refreshed and humbled + in worship to-day. Imagination has been too active and + unrestrained. The remembrance of past events, in which that + blessed saint now with God, H.M. (? figured), has been filling + my mind. This should not be. This is not communion with him, now + a glorified spirit, but merely the indulgence of a vain, sinful + imagination. I would turn from all, from the most holy + creatures, to the Holy One, and the just; spiritual, and moral, + yea, Divine glory and beauty I may behold in Him, who is the + chief among ten thousand, and altogether lovely. + + _October 18._--I have now survived my beloved friend eight + years. Eight years have been given me to be prepared for that + world of blessedness he has so long entered upon. Alas! I seem + less so now than at any period. + + _1822, October 16._--The remembrance of the event of the day has + been rendered useless by my absence from home a great part of + it. It should be the occasion for renewed self-dedication, of + more earnest prayer, and of humiliation; for the recollection of + being the cause of increased sufferings to Thy saint, O Lord, is + cause for constant humiliation. I would realise death, and look + to eternity, and to that glorious Saviour, for whom the blessed + subject of my thoughts lived only to serve and honour. Oh, never + more shall I have intercourse with the beloved friend now with + Christ, but by faith in Christ. Lord, help me to use the + recollection of our earthly regard to promote this end. + + _October 19._--My birthday (forty-seventh) follows that of the + anniversary of the death of Martyn. + + _December 31._--Read dear Martyn's sermon on the Christian's + walk with greater enjoyment and unction than has been vouchsafed + unto me for a long season. The holy simplicity of the + directions, and persuasive motives to walk in, as well as + receive, Christ, had influence in my heart. + + _1823, January 11._--Placed in my room yesterday the print of + dear M. Felt affected greatly in doing so, and my tears, which + seldom flow in the presence of anyone, I could not restrain + before the person who was fixing it.[98] With the Saviour now, + and the Saviour, doubtless, was with him in his greatest agony, + even the agony of death--this thought will be the more familiar + to me by viewing the representation of Christ's Crucifixion, now + placed over the picture of His servant. I trust, by a prudent + and not too frequent sight of both, I may derive some advantage + from possessing what is so affecting and so admonitory to me, + who am declining in religious fervour and spirituality. Thus may + I use both, not to exercise feelings, but faith. I cannot behold + the resemblance of M. but I am reminded that God wrought + powerfully on his soul, meeting him for a state of purity, and + love, and spiritual enjoyment, and that he has entered upon it. + His faithfulness, and diligence, and self-denial, and + devotedness; his love to God, and love for souls; his meekness, + and patience, and faith, should stimulate me to earnestness in + prayer for a portion of that grace, through which alone he + attained them, and was what he was. + + _January 19._--Read dear Martyn's sermon on 'Tribulation the Way + to Heaven,' with, I trust, a blessing attending it. + + _1825, October 16._--The anniversary of dear H.M. gaining the + haven of rest after his labours. Oh, how little do I labour to + enter into that rest he enjoyed upon earth. + + _1826, April 2._--God, the ever gracious and merciful God, Thee + would I bless and everlastingly praise for granting me the + favour of hearing 'the joyful sound' of His rich love, and + abounding grace by Jesus Christ, this day, and by a messenger + unexpected, and beloved as a friend and brother. The text was + that I once heard preached from by the blessed Martyn, whose + spirit I pined to join in offering praises to God after sermon: + 'Now then we are ambassadors for Christ.' + + _June 18._--My friends gone to heaven seem to reproach me, that + I aim not to follow them, as they followed Christ. The beloved + Martyn, the seraphic Louisa Hoare, and my dear[99] Georgina's + spirits are employed in perpetually beholding that God whom I + neglect, and remain unconcerned when I do not delight in or + serve (Him). Oh, let me be joined to them in the sweet work of + adoration and praise to Him who hath loved us, to Jesus, our one + Lord and Saviour. Amen. + +So ends the _Diary_ of Lydia Grenfell, the eight last years of her +life afflicted by cancerous disease, and one year by a clouded +mind.[100] To the manuscript 'E. H,'--that is, her sister, Emma +Hitchins--added these words: 'This prayer was answered September 21, +1829; + + And now they range the heavenly plains, + And sing in sweet, heart-melting strains.' + +The motto on her memorial stone in the churchyard of Breage, where she +lies near another holy woman, Margaret Godolphin, first wife of Queen +Anne's prime minister, is 'For a small moment have I forsaken thee, +but with great mercies will I gather thee.' + +FOOTNOTES: + +[88] We must not forget the boyish 'Epitaph on Henry Martyn,' written +by Thomas Babington Macaulay in his thirteenth year (_Life_, by his +nephew, vol. i. p. 38): + + 'Here Martyn lies. In manhood's early bloom + The Christian hero finds a Pagan tomb. + Religion sorrowing o'er her favourite son + Points to the glorious trophies that he won, + Eternal trophies! not with carnage red; + Not stained with tears by hapless captives shed, + But trophies of the Cross. For that dear Name, + Through every form of danger, death, and shame, + Onward he journeyed to a happier shore, + Where danger, death, and shame assault no more.' + +These lines reflect the impression made on Charles Grant and the other +Clapham friends by Henry Martyn's death at a time when they used his +career as an argument for Great Britain doing its duty to India during +the discussions in Parliament on the East India Company's Charter of +1813. + +[89] _Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and an Account of a +Visit to Sherauz and Persepolis_, by the late Claudius James Rich, +Esq., edited (with memoir) by his widow, two vols., London, 1836. + +[90] See p. 528 for the earlier, and p. 530 for the later inscription. + +[91] _Missionary Researches in Armenia_, London, 1834. + +[92] It is a custom in the East to accompany travellers out of the +city to bid them God speed, with the 'khoda hafiz shuma,' 'may God +take you into His holy keeping.' If an Armenian, he is accompanied by +the priest, who prays over him and for him with much fervour. + +[93] _The Nestorians and their Rituals in 1842-1844_, 2 vols. London: +Joseph Masters, 1852. + +[94] New York, 1870, 2 vols. 12mo. Also published by John Murray, +London, 1870. + +[95] Mr. Rich, British Resident at Baghdad, who had laid this +monumental slab, was evidently ignorant of Martyn's Christian name. + +[96] Professor W.M. Ramsay's _Historical Geography of Asia Minor_, +1890. + +[97] 'Paucioribus lacrymis compositus es.'--Tac. quoted on this +occasion by Sargent, _Memoir of Martyn_, p. 493. + +[98] Her niece writes of her when she received the news of Henry +Martyn's death: 'The circumstances of his affecting death, and my +aunt's _intense_ sorrow, produced an ineffaceable remembrance on my +own mind. I can never forget the "upper chamber" in which she took +refuge from daily cares and interruptions--its view of lovely Mount's +Bay across fruit-trees and whispering white coelibes--its perfect +neatness, though with few ornaments. On the principal wall hung a +large print of the Crucifixion of our Lord, usually shaded by a +curtain, and at its foot (where he would have chosen to be) a portrait +of Henry Martyn.'--_The Church Quarterly Review_ for October 1881. + +[99] An authoress, and member of the Gurney family, who died in April, +1816. + +[100] _Her Title of Honour_, by Holme Lee, in which an attempt is made +to tell the story of Lydia Grenfell's life under a fictitious name, is +unworthy of the subject and of the writer. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD + + +Henry Martyn is, first of all, a spiritual force. Personally he was +that to all who came in contact with him from the hour in which he +gave himself to Jesus Christ. To Cambridge student and peasant alike; +to Charles Simeon, his master, as to Kirke White and Sargent, Corrie +and Thomason, his admiring friends; to women like Lydia Grenfell, his +senior in years and experience, as to children like his cousin's at +Plymouth, and David Brown's at Aldeen; to the rude soldiery of the +Cape campaign and the East India Company's raw recruits as to the +cultured statesmen and scholars who were broadening the foundations of +our Indian empire; to the caste-bound Hindu, but far more to the +fanatical Arab and the Mohammedan mystic of Persia--to all he carried +the witness of his saintly life and his Divine message with a simple +power that always compelled attention, and often drew forth obedience +and imitation. His meteor-like spirit burned and flamed as it passed +across the first twelve years of the nineteenth century, from the Cam +to the Fal, by Brazil and South Africa, by Calcutta and Serampore, by +Patna and Cawnpore, by Bombay and Muscat, by Bushire and Shiraz and +Tabreez, to the loneliness of the Armenian highlands, and the exile +grave of the Turkish Tokat. + +From the year in which Sargent published fragments of his _Journal_, +and half revealed to the whole Church of Christ the personality known +in its deep calling unto deep only to the few, Henry Martyn has been +the companion of good men[101] and women of all the Churches, and the +stimulus of the greatest workers and scholars of the century. The +latest writer, the Hon. George N. Curzon, M.P., in his exhaustive work +on Persia (1892), describes him as 'this remarkable man, who impressed +everyone, by his simplicity and godliness of character,' though he +ascribes the 'effect in the short space of a year' as much to the +charm of his personality as to the character of his mission. + +Perhaps the most representative of the many whom Martyn is known to +have influenced was Daniel Wilson, of Islington and Calcutta. When +visiting his vast diocese in 1838 and crossing the Bay of Bengal, +Bishop Wilson[102] thus carefully compared the _Journal_ with +corresponding passages in his own life: + + It is consoling to a poor sinner like myself, who has been + placed in the full bustle of public business, to see how the + soul even of a saint like H. Martyn faints and is discouraged, + laments over defects of love, and finds an evil nature still + struggling against the law of his mind. I remember there are + similar confessions in J. Milner. It is this which explains the + seventh of Romans. Henry Martyn has now been in heaven + twenty-six years, having died in his thirty-second year. Dearest + Corrie was born like myself in 1778, and died in 1837, aged + fifty-nine, and after having been thirty-one years in India. He + has been at home now a year and five months. When, where, how, I + may be called hence I know not. The Lord make me a follower of + them who through faith and patience have inherited the promises. + In H. Martyn's _Journals_ the spirit of prayer, the time he + devoted to the duty, and his fervour in it, are the first things + which strike me. In the next place, his delight in Holy + Scripture, his meditations in it, the large portions he + committed to memory, the nourishment he thence derived to his + soul, are full of instruction. Then his humility is quite + undoubted, unfeigned, profound, sincere. There seems, however, + to have been a touch of natural melancholy and depression, which + was increased by one of his greatest mistakes, the leaving + England with his affections tied to Lydia Grenfell, whom he + ought either not to have loved or else to have married and taken + her with him. Such an ecstatic, warm creature as Henry Martyn + could do nothing by halves. Separation was martyrdom to such a + tender heart. But, oh, to imitate his excellences, his elevation + of piety, his diligence, his spirituality, his superiority to + the world, his love for souls, his anxiety to improve all + occasions to do them good, his delight in the mystery of Christ, + his heavenly temper! These, these are the secrets of the + wonderful impression he made in India, joined as they were with + first-rate talents, fine scholarship, habit of acquiring + languages, quickness and promptitude of perception, and + loftiness of imaginative powers. + +Henry Martyn's _Journal_ holds a place of its own in the literature of +mysticism. It stamps him as the mystic writer and worker of the first +quarter of the century of modern missions (1792-1814), as his master, +Robert Leighton, was of the more barren period that ended in 1688. The +too little known _Rules and Instructions for Devout Exercises_, found +among Leighton's papers, written with his own hand and for his own +use, was Martyn's 'usual' companion, with results which made that +work[103] as supplemented by the _Journal_, what the _De Imitatione +Christi_ and the _Theologia Germanica_ were to the more passive dark +ages of Christendom. At the close of the eighteenth century the young +and impulsive Cornish student found himself in an age not less, to +him, godless and anti-evangelical than that which had wrung from the +heart of at least one good man the hopeless longing of the _Theologia +Germanica_. He had seen his Divine Master crucified afresh in the +person of Charles Simeon, whom he possibly, as Sargent certainly, had +at first attended only to scoff and brawl. He had been denied a church +in which to preach the goodness of God, in his own county, other than +that of a kinsman. In the troopship and the Bengal barrack even his +official authority could hardly win a hearing from officer or soldier. +The young prophet waxed sore in heart, as the fire burned within him, at +the unbelief and iniquity of his day, till his naturally sunny spirit +scorched the souls he sought to warm with the Divine persuasiveness. He +stood really at the opening of the Evangelical revival of Christendom, +and like William Carey, who loved the youth, he was working out his own +side of that movement, but, equally like Carey, he knew it not. He was +to do as much by his death as by his life, but all he knew in his +humility was that he must make haste while he lived to give the millions +of Mohammedans the Word, and to reveal to them the Person of Jesus +Christ. The multitude of his thoughts within him he committed to a +_Journal_, written for himself alone, and rescued from burning only by +the interference of his friend Corrie. + +The mysticism of Martyn has been pronounced morbid. All the more that +his searching introspection and severe judgment on himself are a +contrast to the genial and merry conversation of the man who loved +music and children's play, the converse of friends and the conflict of +controversy for the Lord, does every reader who knows his own heart +value the vivisection. Martyn writes of sin and human nature as they +are, and therefore he is clear and comforting in the answer he gives +as to the remedy for the one and the permanent elevation of the other. +Even more than Leighton he is the Evangelical saint, for where +Leighton's times paralysed him for service, Martyn's called him to +energise and die in the conflict with the greatest apostacy of the +world. Both had a passion to win souls to the entrancing, transforming +love they had found, but unless on the side against the Stewarts, how +could that passion bear fruit in action? Both, like the author of the +_De Imitatione_, wrote steeped in the spirit of sadness; but the joy +of the dawn of the modern era of benevolence, as it was even then +called, working unconsciously on the sunny Cornubian spirit, kept +Martyn free alike from the selfish absorption which marked the monk of +the Middle Ages, and the peace-loving compromise which neutralised +Leighton. The one adored in his cell, the other wrestled in his study +at Newbattle or Dunblane, and we love their writings. But Henry Martyn +worked for his generation and all future ages as well as wrote, so +that they who delight in his mystic communings are constrained to +follow him in his self-sacrificing service. Beginning at March 1807, +let us add some passages from the _Journal_ to those which have been +already extracted for autobiographical purposes. + + I am thus taught to see what would become of me if God should + let go His strong hand. Is there any depth into which Satan + would not plunge me? Already I know enough of the nature of + Satan's cause to vow before God eternal enmity to it. Yes! in + the name of Christ I say, 'Get thee behind me, Satan!' + + Employed a great deal about one Hebrew text to little purpose. + Much tried with temptation to vanity, but the Lord giveth me the + victory through His mercy from day to day, or else I know not + how I should keep out of hell. + + May the Lord, in mercy to my soul, save me from setting up an + idol of any sort in His room, as I do by preferring a work + professedly for Him to communion with Him. How obstinate the + reluctance of the natural heart to God. But, O my soul, be not + deceived, the chief work on earth is to obtain sanctification, + and to walk with God. + + O great and gracious God, what should I do without Thee? but now + Thou art manifesting Thyself as the God of all consolation to my + soul. Never was I so near Thee; I stand on the brink, and I long + to take my flight! Oh, there is not a thing in the world for + which I would wish to live, except because it may please God to + appoint me some work. And how shall my soul ever be thankful + enough to Thee, O Thou most incomprehensibly glorious Saviour + Jesus! + + I walk according to my carnal wisdom, striving to excite + seriousness by natural considerations, such as the thoughts of + death and judgment, instead of bringing my soul to Christ to be + sanctified by his spirit. + + Preached on Luke xii. 20--'This night thy soul,' etc. The + congregation was large, and more attentive than they have ever + yet been. Some of the young officers and soldiers seemed to be + in deep concern. I was willing to believe that the power of God + was present, if a wretch so poor and miserable can be the + instrument of good to souls. Four years have I been in the + ministry, and I am not sure that I have been the means of + converting four souls from the error of their ways. Why is this? + The fault must be in myself. Prayer and secret duties seem to be + where I fail; had I more power in intercession, more self-denial + in persevering in prayer, it would be no doubt better for my + hearers. + + My heart sometimes shrinks from spiritual work, and especially + at an increase of ministerial business; but now I hope, through + grace, just at this time, that I can say I desire no carnal + pleasure, no ease to the flesh, but that the whole of life + should be filled up with holy employments and holy thoughts. + + My heart at various times filled with a sense of Divine love, + frequently in prayer was blessed in the bringing of my soul near + to God. After dinner in my walk found sweet devotion; and the + ruling thoughts were, that true happiness does not consist in + the gratifying of self in ease or individual pleasure, but in + conformity to God, in obeying and pleasing Him, in having no + will of my own, in not being pleased with personal advantages, + though I might be without guilt, nor in being displeased that + the flesh is mortified. Oh, how short-lived will this triumph + be! It is stretching out the arm at full length, which soon + grows tired with its own weight. + + I travel up hill, but I must learn, as I trust I am learning, to + do the will of God without any expectation of any present + pleasure attending it, but because it is the will of God. Oh, + that my days of vanity were at an end, and that all my thoughts + and conversation might have that deep tinge of seriousness which + becomes a soldier of the cross. + + To the women preached on the parable of the ten pieces of + silver, and at night to the soldiers on Rev. i. 18. Afterwards + in secret prayer drew near to the Lord. Alas! how my soul + contracts a strangeness with Him; but this was a restoring + season. I felt an indignation against all impure and sinful + thoughts, and a solemn serenity of frame. Interceded for dear + friends in England; this brought my late dear sister with pain + to my recollection, but I felt relieved by resolving every + event, with all its circumstances, into the will of God. + + Read an account of Turkey. The bad effects of the book were so + great that I found instant need of prayer, and I do not know + when I have had such divine and animating feelings. Oh, it is + Thy Spirit that makes me pant for the skies. It is He that shall + make me trample the world and my lusts beneath my feet, and urge + my onward course towards the crown of life. + + Spent the day in reading and prayer, and found comfort + particularly in intercession for friends, but my heart was + pained with many a fear about my own soul. I felt the duty of + praying for the conversion of these poor heathens, and yet no + encouragement to it. How much was there of imagination before, + or rather, how much of unbelief now; seeing no means ready now, + no Word of God to put into their hands, no preachers, it + sometimes seems to me idle to pray. Alas! wicked heart of + unbelief, cannot God create means, or work without them? But I + am weary of myself and my own sinfulness, and appear exceedingly + odious even to myself, how much more to a holy God. Lord, pity + and save; vile and contemptible is Thy sinful creature, even as + a beast before Thee; help me to awake. + + Some letters I received from Calcutta agitated my silly mind, + because my magnificent self seemed likely to become more + conspicuous. O wretched creature, where is thy place but the + dust? it is good for men to trample upon thee. Various were my + reveries on the events apparently approaching, and self was the + prominent character in every transaction. I am yet a long way + from real humility; oh, when shall I be dead to the world, and + desire to be nothing and nobody, as I now do to be somebody? + + Throughout the 18th enjoyed a solemn sense of Divine things. The + promise was fulfilled, 'Sin shall not have dominion over you.' + No enemy seemed permitted to approach. I sometimes saw naught in + the creation but the works of God, and wondered that mean + earthly concerns had ever drawn away my mind from contemplating + their glorious Author. Oh, that I could be always so, seeing + none but Thee, taught the secrets of Thy covenant, advancing in + knowledge of Thee, growing in likeness to Thee. How much should + I learn of God's glory, were I an attentive observer of His Word + and Providence. How much should I be taught of His purposes + concerning His Church, did I keep my heart more pure for Him. + And what gifts might I not expect to receive for her benefit, + were I duly earnest to improve His grace for my own! Oh, how is + a life wasted that is not spent with God and employed for God. + What am I doing the greater part of my time; where is my heart? + + Sabat lives almost without prayer, and this is sufficient to + account for all evils that appear in saint or sinner. + + I feel disposed to partake of the melancholy with which such + persons (Lady Mary Wortley Montagu) close their lives. Oh, what + hath grace done for us! The thought sometimes bursts upon me in + a way which I cannot describe. It is not future bliss, but + present peace, which we have actually obtained, and which we + cannot be mistaken in; the very thing which the world seeks for + in vain; and yet how have we found it? By the grace of God we + are what we are. + + Truly love is better than knowledge. Much as I long to know what + I seek after, I would rather have the smallest portion of + humility and love than the knowledge of an archangel. + + At night I spoke to them on 'Enoch walked with God.' My soul + breathed after the same holy, happy state. Oh that the influence + were more abiding; but I am the man that seeth his natural face + in a glass. + + This last short sickness has, I trust, been blessed much to me. + I sought not immediately for consolations, but for grace + patiently to endure and to glory in tribulation; in this way I + found peace. Oh, this surely is bliss, to have our will absorbed + in the Divine Will. In this state are the spirits of just men + made perfect in heaven. The spread of the Gospel in these parts + is now become an interesting subject to you--such is the + universal change. + + Perpetually assaulted with temptations, my hope and trust is + that I shall yet be sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus, + and by the Spirit of my God. 'Purge me with hyssop, and I shall + be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.' When I + really strive after purity of heart--for my endeavours are too + often little more than pretence--I find no consideration so + effectual as that of the exalted dignity and infinitely precious + privileges of the saints. Thus a few verses of 1 Eph. are more + influential, purifying, and transforming than the most laboured + reasoning. Indeed, there is no reasoning with such temptations, + and no safety but in flight. + + I would that all should adore, but especially that I myself + should lie prostrate. As for self, contemptible self, I feel + myself saying, Let it be forgotten for ever; henceforth let + Christ live, let Christ reign, let Him be glorified for ever. + +Henry Martyn, by service, escaped the weakness and the danger of the +mystic who seeks absorption into God, in the mental sense, as the +remedy for sin, instead of a free and purified individuality in +Christ. He felt that the will sins; he saw the cure to lie not in the +destruction of the will, but in its rectification and personal +co-working with God. Absorption is spiritual suicide, not service. +Martyn realised and taught that a free individuality is the best +offering we can make to God after Christ has given it to us to offer +to Him. With Martyn moral service helped spiritual contemplation to +rise heavenward, and to raise men with it. The saint was also the +sacred scholar and translator; the mystic was the prophet preacher, +the Persian controversialist, the unresting missionary. His Christian +life was guided by the motto, 'To believe, to suffer, and to hope.' +His praying realised his own ideal of 'a visit to the invisible +world.' His working was ever quickened like St. Paul's by the summons, +alike of the Old dispensation and the New, which he cut with a diamond +on the window of his college rooms [Greek: E(/geirai, o( katheu/don, kai\ +a)na/sta], 'Awake thou that sleepest and arise.' When the fierce flame +of his love and his service had burned out his frail body, his +picture, painted at Calcutta the year before he died, spoke thus to +Charles Simeon, and ever since it has whispered to every new +generation of Cambridge men, 'Be serious, be in earnest; don't +trifle--don't trifle.' + +The men whom Henry Martyn's pioneering and early death have led to +live and to die that Christ may be revealed to the Mohammedans, are +not so many as the thousands who have been spiritually stimulated by +his _Journal_. Such work is still 'the forlorn hope' of the Church +which he was the first to lead. But in Persia and Arabia he has had +such followers as Anthony Groves, John Wilson, George Maxwell Gordon, +Ion Keith-Falconer, and Bishop French. Where he pointed the way the +great missionary societies of the United States of America and of +England and the Free Church of Scotland have sent their noblest men +and women. + +The death of Henry Martyn, followed not many years after by that of +her husband, who had been the first to mark his grave with a memorial +stone, led Mrs. James Claudius Rich, eldest daughter of Sir James +Mackintosh, to appeal in 1831 for 'contributions in aid of the school +at Baghdad, and those hoped to be established in Persia and other +parts of the territory of Baghdad.' In the same year, 1829, that +Alexander Duff sailed for Calcutta, there had gone forth by the Scots +Mission at Astrakhan to Baghdad, that Catholic founder of the sect +since known as 'The Brethren,' Anthony N. Groves, dentist, of Exeter. +Taking the commands of Christ literally, in the spirit of Henry +Martyn, he sold all he had, and became the first of Martyn's +successors in Persia. The record of his two attempts forms a romantic +chapter in the history of Christian missions.[104] All theories apart, +he lived and he worked for the Mohammedans of Persia in the spirit of +Henry Martyn. When the plague first, and persecution the second time, +extinguished this Mission to Baghdad, Dr. John Wilson,[105] from his +central and commanding position in Bombay, flashed into Arabia and +Persia such rays of Gospel light as were possible at that time. He +sent Bible colporteurs by Aden and up the Persian Gulf; he summoned +the old Church of Scotland to despatch a mission to the Jews of +Arabia, Busrah, and Bombay. A missionary was ready in the person of +William Burns who afterwards went to China, the support of a +missionary at Aden was guaranteed by a friend, and Wilson had found a +volunteer 'for the purpose of exploring Arabia,' when the disruption +of the Church of Scotland arrested the movement, only, however, +vastly to increase the missionary development in India and Africa, as +well as church extension in Scotland. What John Wilson tried in vain +to do during his life was effected by his death. It was his career +that summoned the Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer and his wife to open their +Mission in Yemen, at Sheikh Othman and Aden. Like Martyn at Tokat, in +the far north, and just at Martyn's age, by his dust in the Aden +cemetery Ion Keith-Falconer has taken possession of Arabia for Christ. +'The _Memoirs of David Brainerd_ and _Henry Martyn_ gave me particular +pleasure,' wrote young John Wilson in 1824. 'Mind to get hold of the +_Life of John Wilson_, the great Scotch missionary of India,' wrote +the young Ion Keith-Falconer in 1878.[106] So the apostolic succession +goes on. + +Gordon of Kandahar, 'the pilgrim missionary of the Punjab,' was not +the least remarkable of Henry Martyn's deliberate followers, alike in +a life of toil and in a death of heroism for the Master. Born in 1839, +he was of Trinity College, Cambridge, and had as his fellow-curate +Thomas Valpy French, when the future bishop came back from his first +missionary campaign in India. Dedicating himself, his culture, and his +considerable property to the Lord, he placed his unpaid services at +the disposal of the Church Missionary Society, as Martyn once did. +Refusing a bishopric after his first furlough, and seeking to prepare +himself for the work of French's Divinity School of St. John at +Lahore, he returned to India by Persia, to learn the language and to +help Dr. Bruce for a little in 1871. The famine was sore in that +land, and he lived for its people as 'relieving officer, doctor, +purveyor, poorhouse guardian, outfitter and undertaker. There is a cry +like the cry of Egypt in the night of the Exodus--not a house in which +there was not one dead.' So he wrote.[107] From Julfa he carried +relief to Shiraz, where he found himself in the midst of the +associations made sacred by Henry Martyn's residence there. 'I have +taken up my quarters in a Persian's house, and have a large garden all +to myself. I am in the very same house which Henry Martyn was in. I +heard to-day that my host is the grandson of his host Jaffir Ali Khan, +and that the house has come down from father to son.' + +Eight years after Gordon was in Kandahar, sole (honorary) chaplain to +the twenty regiments who were fighting the Ameer of Afghanistan. There +he found the assistant to the political officer attached to the force +to be the same Persian gentleman who had been his host at Shiraz, and +with whom when a child Martyn must have played. Gordon learned from +him that the roads and sanitary improvements made as relief works, as +well as the orphanage started on the interest of the famine relief +fund sent from London, were still blessing the people. When, after the +black day of Maiwand, the British troops were besieged in Kandahar, +till relieved by the march and the triumph of Lord Roberts, Gordon as +chaplain attended a sortie to dislodge the enemy. Hearing that wounded +men were lying in a shrine outside the Kabul gate, he led out some +bearers with a litter, and found that the dying men were in another +shrine still more distant. In spite of all remonstrance he dashed +through the murderous fire of the enemy, was struck down, and was +himself carried back on the litter he had provided for others. He did +not live to wear the Victoria Cross, but was on the same day, August +16, laid in a soldier's grave. + +It would seem difficult to name a follower more worthy of Henry Martyn +than that, but Bishop French was such a disciple. More than any man, +as saint and scholar, as missionary and chaplain, as the friend of the +Mohammedan and the second apostle of Central Asia, he was baptized for +the dead. Born on the first day of 1825, son of an Evangelical +clergyman in Burton-on-Trent, a Rugby boy, and Fellow and Tutor of +University College, Oxford, Thomas Valpy French was early inspired by +Martyn's life and writings. These and his mother's holiness sent him +forth to Agra in 1850, along with Edward Stuart of Edinburgh, now +Bishop of Waiapu, New Zealand, to found the Church Missionary College +there. In the next forty years, till he resigned the bishopric of +Lahore that he might give the rest of his life to work out the +aspirations of Martyn in Persia and Arabia, he consecrated himself and +his all to Christ. It will be a wonderful story if it is well told. He +then went home for rest, first of all, but took the way north through +Persia and Turkey on Martyn's track, so that in April 1888 he wrote +from Armenia: 'Were I ignorant both of Arabic and French, I should +subside into the perfect rest, perhaps, which I require.' So abundant +were his labours to groups of Mohammedans and among the Syrian +Christians, that he had nearly found a grave in the Tokat region. + +After counselling the Archbishop of Canterbury as to the project of so +reforming the Oriental Churches as to convert them themselves into +the true apostles of the Mohammedan race, Bishop French returned to +Asia and settled near Muscat, whence he wrote thus on March 10, 1891, +his last letter to the Church Missionary Society: + + Those three years of Arab study will not, I trust, be thrown + away and proved futile. In memory of H. Martyn's pleadings for + Arabia, Arabs, and the Arabic, I seem almost trying at least to + follow more directly in his footsteps and under his guidance, + than even in Persia or India, however incalculable the distance + at which the guided one follows the leader!... + + I have scarcely expressed in the least degree the view I have of + the _extremely serious_ character of the work here to be entered + upon; and the possible--nay probable--severity of the conflict + to be expected and faithfully hazarded by the Church of Christ + between two such strong and ancient forces, pledged to such + hereditary and deep-grounded hostility. Yet _The Lamb shall + overcome them; for He is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings; and + they also shall overcome that are with Him, called and chosen + and faithful_. + +Two months after, on May 14, 1891, at the age of sixty-six, after +exposure and toils like Martyn's, he was laid to rest in the cemetery +of Muscat by the sailors of H.M.S. Sphinx, to whom he had preached. + +Henry Martyn at Tokat, John Wilson at Bombay, George Maxwell Gordon at +Kandahar, Ion Keith-Falconer at Aden, and Thomas Valpy French at +Muscat, have by their bodies taken possession of Mohammedan Asia for +Christ till the resurrection. Of each we say to ourselves and to our +generation: + + Is it for nothing he is dead? + Send forth your children in his stead! + O Eastern lover from the West! + Thou hast out-soared these prisoning bars; + Thy memory, on thy Master's breast, + Uplifts us like the beckoning stars. + We follow now as thou hast led, + Baptize us, Saviour, for the dead.[108] + +Each, like not a few American missionaries, men and women, like Dr. +Bruce and his colleagues of the Church Missionary Society, like Mr. +W.W. Gardner and Dr. J.C. Young of the Scottish Keith-Falconer +Mission, is a representative of the two great principles, as expressed +by Dr. Bruce: (1) That the lands under the rule of Islam belong to +Christ, and that it is the bounden duty of the Church to claim them +for our Lord. (2) That duty can be performed only by men who are +willing to die in carrying it out. + +Henry Martyn's words, almost his last, on his thirty-first birthday +were these: 'The Word of God has found its way into this land of Satan +(Persia), and the devil will never be able to resist it if the Lord +hath sent it.' We have seen what sort of men the Lord raised up to +follow him. This is what the Societies have done. In 1829 the American +Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions began, and in 1871 the +Presbyterian Board shared, the mission to Persia and Asiatic Turkey. +The former has missionaries at Aintab, Marash, Antioch, Aleppo, and +Oorfa, to the south of the Taurus range, being its mission to Central +Turkey; at Constantinople, Adrianople, Smyrna, Broosa, Nicomedia, +Trebizond, Marsovan, Sivas, _including Tokat_, and Caesarea, being its +mission to Western Turkey; at Erzroom, Harpoot, and Arabkir, uniting +with the Assyrian stations of Mardin and Diarbekir, its mission to +Eastern Turkey. Taking up the evangelisation at Oroomiah, the +American Presbyterians unite with that Tabreez, Mosul, and Salmas as +their Western, and Teheran and Hamadan as their Eastern Persia +Mission. In 1876 a letter of Henry Venn's and the urgency of its +principal missionary, Dr. Bruce, led the Church Missionary Society to +charge itself with the evangelisation, by a revised version of the +Persian Bible and medical missions, of the whole southern half of the +ancient kingdom of Persia, the whole of Nimrod's Babylonia, and the +eastern coast of Arabia, from Julfa (Ispahan) and Baghdad as centres. +Very recently the independent Arabian Mission of America has made +Busrah its headquarters for Turkish Arabia. The Latin Church since +1838 has worked for the Papacy alone. The Archbishop of Canterbury's +mission since 1886 has sought to influence the Nestorian or Syrian +Church, which in the seventh century sent forth missionaries to India +from Seleucia, Nisibis, and Edessa, and now desires protection from +Romish usurpation. All these represent a vast and geographically +linked organisation claiming, at long intervals, the whole of Turkey, +Persia, and Arabia for Christ since Henry Martyn pointed the way. Dr. +Robert Bruce, writing to us from Julfa, thus sums up the results and +the prospect: + + I believe there is a great work going on at present in Persia, + and Henry Martyn and his translations prepared the way for it, + to say nothing of his life sacrifice and prayers for this dark + land. The Babi movement is a very remarkable one, and is + spreading far and wide, and doing much to break the power of the + priesthood. Many of the Babis are finding their system + unsatisfactory, and beginning to see that it is only a half-way + house (in which there is no rest or salvation) to Christianity. + Ispahan has been kept this year in a constant state of turmoil + by the ineffectual efforts of two moollas to persecute both + Babis and Jews.[109] They have caused very great suffering to + some of both these faiths, but they have been really defeated, + and all these persecutions have tended towards religious + liberty. Our mission-house is the refuge of all such persecuted + ones, and the light is beginning to dawn upon them. + +While the whole Church, and every meditative soul seeking deliverance +from self in Jesus Christ, claims Henry Martyn, he is specially the +hero of the Church of England. An Evangelical, he is canonised, so far +as ecclesiastical art can legitimately do that, in the baptistry of +the new cathedral of his native city. A Catholic, his memory is +enshrined in the heart of his own University of Cambridge. There, in +the New Chapel of St. John's College, in the nineteenth bay of its +interior roof, his figure is painted first of the _illustriories_ of +the eighteenth Christian century, before those of Wilberforce, +Wordsworth, and Thomas Whytehead, missionary to New Zealand. In the +market place, beside Charles Simeon's church, there was dedicated on +October 18, 1887, 'The Henry Martyn Memorial Hall.' There, under the +shadow of his name, gather daily the students who join in the +University Prayer Meeting, and from time to time the members of the +Church Missionary and Gospel Propagation Societies. 'This was the +hero-life of my boyhood,' said Dr. Vaughan, the Master of the Temple +and Dean of Llandaff, when he preached the opening sermon before the +University. In Trinity Church, where Martyn had been curate, the new +Master of Trinity preached so that men said: 'What a power of +saintliness must have been in Henry Martyn to have affected with such +appreciative love one whose own life and character are so honoured as +Dr. Butler's!' In the Memorial Hall itself, its founder, Mr. Barton, +now Vicar of Trinity Church; Dr., now Bishop, Westcott, for the +faculty of Divinity; Dr. Bailey, for St. John's College and the +Society for the Propagation of the Gospel; Mr. Barlow, Vicar of +Islington, for the Church Missionary Society; and the Christian +scholar, Professor Cowell, for all Orientalists and Anglo-Indians, +spake worthily. + + We would continue his work. The hopes, the faith, the truths + which once animated him are still ours. Still, as on the day + when he preached his first sermon from this pulpit, is it true + that if each soul, if each society, if each heathen nation knew + the gift of God, and Who the promised Saviour is, they would for + very thirst's sake ask of Him, and He would indeed give them His + living water. And still it is the task of each true witness of + Christ, and most of all of each ordained minister of His Word + and Sacraments, first to arouse that thirst where it has not yet + been felt, and then to allay it at once and perpetuate it from + the one pure and undefiled spring. And still each true minister + will feel, as Martyn felt, as St. Paul himself felt, 'Who is + sufficient for these things?' The riper he is in his ministry, + the more delicate his touch of human souls, alike in their + strivings and in their inertness; the closer his walk with God + and his wonder at the vastness and the silent secrecy of God's + ways, the more he will say in his heart what Martyn said but a + few days after his feet had ceased to tread our Cambridge + streets. 'Alas! do I think that a schoolboy or a raw academic + should be likely to lead the hearts of men! What a knowledge of + men and acquaintance with Scriptures, what communion with God + and study of my own heart, ought to prepare me for the awful + work of a messenger from God on the business of the soul!' + +To these lessons of Martyn's life Dr. Butler added that which the +eighty years since have suggested--the confidence of the soldier who +has heard his Captain's voice, and knows that it was never deceived or +deceiving: _Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world._ + +In that confidence let the Church Catholic preach Christ to the +hundred and eighty millions of the Mohammedan peoples, more than half +of whom are already the subjects of Christian rulers. Thus shall every +true Christian best honour Henry Martyn. + +FOOTNOTES: + +[101] In 1816 Charles Simeon thus wrote from King's College to +Thomason, of the _Journal_: 'Truly it has humbled us all in the dust. +Since the Apostolic age I think that nothing has ever exceeded the +wisdom and piety of our departed brother; and I conceive that no book, +except the Bible, will be found to excel this.... David Brainerd is +great, but the degree of his melancholy and the extreme impropriety of +his exertions, so much beyond his strength, put him on a different +footing from our beloved Martyn.' + +[102] _Bishop Wilson's Journal Letters_, addressed to his family +during the first nine years of his Indian Episcopate, edited by his +son Daniel Wilson, M.A., Vicar of Islington, London, 1864. + +[103] See _Journal_, passim, especially in February, 1806. + +[104] _Journal of Mr. Anthony N. Groves, Missionary to and at +Baghdad_, London, 1831. + +[105] _The Life of John Wilson, D.D., F.R.S._, London, 1878. + +[106] _Memorials of the Hon. Keith-Falconer, M.A., late Lord Almoner's +Professor of Arabic in the University of Cambridge, and Missionary to +the Muhammadans of South Arabia_, by Rev. Robert Sinker, D.D., p. 146 +of 1st edition, 1888. + +[107] _George Maxwell Gordon, M.A., F.R.G.S., a History of his Life +and Work, 1839-1880_, by the Rev. Arthur Lewis, M.A., London, 1889. + +[108] Archdeacon Moule in the _Church Missionary Intelligencer_. + +[109] Even of the Soofis the ablest authority writes: 'The remarkable +development, in our own century, which has been given to the story of +the death of Hosein should encourage us to hope that the Divine pathos +of the New Testament will one day soften these hearts still more, and +teach them the secret of which their poets have sung in such ardent +strains. A Sufi has already learnt that Islam cannot satisfy the +longing soul. He is, by profession, tolerant or even sympathetic in +the presence of the Cross. And he believes, like all Moslim, that Isa, +the Messiah of Israel, has the breath of life, and can raise the dead +from the tomb.... To the reflecting mind, however, the lyric effusions +of Hafiz prove that Eastern philosophy is either childlike or +retrograde, and its principles at the mercy of those seas of passion +upon which it has so long been drifting.' _Quarterly Review_, January +1892. + + + + + INDEX + + + Abbas Mirza, 394 + + Abdallah, 226 + + Abdool Massee'h, 286, 543 + + Aberdeen University, 328 + + Acheen, 228 + + Aden, 326, 333 + + Afghanistan, 324, 565 + + Africa, South, 119, 125 + + Aga Boozong, 381, 457 + -- the Mede, 454 + + Agra, 217 + + Aitchison, Sir C., 345 + + Akbar, 218 + + Albuquerque, 341 + + Aldeen, 158, 196, 313 + + Alexander the Great, 330 + + Alford, Dean, on Martyn, 447 + + Algoa Bay, 125 + + Allahabad, 262 + + Ambrose, 102 + + Ameena, Sabat's wife, 270 + + America, South, 107 + + American Missions, 463, 568, 569 + + Amiens, Treaty of, 119 + + Annie, the orphan, 264 + + Arabic, 225, 325 + -- Bible, 226, 418 + + Arabs, 333, 336 + + Ararat, 497 + + Araxes River, 496, 502 + + Armenians, 134, 346, 385, 464, 499, 515 + -- Bible, 418 + + Arrah, 261 + + Artaxerxes Ochus, 409 + + Asaf-ood-Dowla's tomb, 289 + + Asiatics, 232 + + Asiatic Researches, 425 + -- Society of Bengal, 425 + + Associated Clergy, 206 + + Augustin of Canterbury, 7 + + Augustine, 2, 33, 49 + + Azerbaijan, 493 + + + Babington, Mr., 76 + + Babism, 372, 569 + + Badger, Rev. G.P., 527 + + Bahia, 106 + + Bailey, Canon, 19, 571 + + Baird, Sir David, 120 + + Bandel, 197 + + Bankipore, 201 + + Bapre, 332 + + Baptized for the dead, 552, 567 + + Barlow, Rev., 571 + + Barlow, Sir George, 141 + + Basil the Great, 530 + + Basiliscus, 530 + + Battle of Blaauwberg, 121 + + Baxter, 102 + + Bede, 418, 460 + + Behistun Rock, 409 + + Bengal Army, 136 + + Bengali Bible, 418 + + Bengalis, the, 148 + + Bentinck, Lord W., 146 + + Berhampore, 250, 258 + + Bettia, 219 + + Bible Translation, 72, 418 + -- Society, British and Foreign, 314, 421, 484 + -- Russian, 487 + + Bihar, 201 + + Bishop, Mrs., 463, 493 + + Blaauwberg, Battle, 121 + + Black Hole, 134 + + Blair's Sermons, 110 + + Bobbery Hunt, 332 + + Bombay, 325 + + Botany Bay convicts, 101 + + Bowley, missionary, 431 + + Brainerd, David, 2, 33, 60, 91, 564 + + Brazil, 108, 552 + + Breage, 44, 551 + + British India Steam Navigation Company, 316 + + Brown, David, 16, 135, 148, 196, 313, 418 + + Bruce, Dr. R., 489, 569 + + Buchanan, Claudius, 16, 69, 135, 243 + + Buddhism, 134 + + Bundlekhund, 277 + + Bunder Abbas, 340 + + Bunyan, 2 + + Burke, Edmund, 134 + + Burmese Bible, 418 + + Burns, William, 563 + + Bushire, 339, 348 + + Busrah, 519 + + Butler, Dr., 571 + + Butler's _Analogy_, 28 + + Buxar, 261 + + + Caesareia, 534 + + Calcutta, 134, 147, 196 + + Caldecott, Rev. A., 34 + + Caldwell, Bishop, 290 + + Cambridge, 12, 15, 207 + + Canal, Ganges, 267 + + Canning, Chaplain, 468, 482 + + Canterbury, Archbishop of, 75, 566 + + Cape Colony, 119 + + Cape Town, 118 + + Cardew, Dr., 9, 41 + + Carey, William, 4, 25, 133, 147, 418, 487 + + Carlyle, Thomas, 4 + + Carlyon, Dr., 20 + + Carus, 34 + + Cawnpore, 261, 266, 308 + + Cecil, R., 59, 78 + + Cemeteries, Indian, 210 + + Chaman, 483 + + Chamberlain, missionary, 200 + + Chambers, Sir R., 135 + -- W., 135 + + Chandernagore, 197 + + Chaplaincies, India, 72 + + Chaplains, the Five, 16, 150 + + Chatterton, 40 + + Chesterfield's Letters, 12 + + China, 27 + + Chinese Bible, 418 + + Chinsurah, 197 + + Christian Knowledge Society, 136, 226 + + Christians in India a century ago, 139, 423 + + Chrysostom, 512, 534 + + Chunar, 208, 260 + + Church Missionary Society, 40, 136, 399, 489 + + Clapham, 65 + + Clarke, Rev. A.T., 136 + + Clive, Lord, 12, 134 + + Cole, Captain S., 131, 145 + + Colebrooke, H.T., 425 + -- T.E., 327 + + Colgong, 201 + + College of Fort William, 138, 151, 421 + + Columba, 460 + + Confessions of Augustine, 1, 12, 49 + + Constable's edition of Persian New Testament, 489 + + Constantinople, 492 + + Corentin, St., 7 + + Cork, 96 + + Cornwall tin, 2 + + Cornwallis, Lord, 141 + + Corre, Senor, 107 + + Corrie, Bishop, 16, 61, 208, 286, 311, 543 + -- Miss, 245 + + Covenant with the eyes, 76 + + Cowell, Professor, 372, 571 + + Cowper, the poet, 2 + + Craig, Governor, 119 + + Creighton, 135, 216 + + Curgenven, Laura, 239 + + Cury's, St., 7 + + Curzon, G.N., 358, 553 + + Cutwa, 200 + + Cyrillus, 418 + + Cyrus, 370 + + + Dalhousie, Marquis of, 199 + + Dante, 358 + + Dare, Mrs., 237 + + Darius, Hystaspes, 409 + + Darwin, 108 + + Dealtry, Bishop, 16 + + Demonolators, 134 + + Diamonds, 342 + + Dinapore, 201, 258 + + Dissenters, 168 + + Doddridge, 17, 214 + + Dravidian, 134 + + Dryden, 358 + + Duff, Alexander, 24, 34, 146, 563 + + Duncan, Jonathan, 318, 326 + + Dundas, Sir F., 119 + + Dwight, H.G.O., missionary, 520 + + + East India Company, 202, 529 + + East India Company's Charters, 138, 150 + + Eclectic Society, 59, 79 + + Edesius, 418 + + Edmonds, Canon, 417, 420, 490 + + Educational missions, 201, 216, 274 + + Edwards, Jerusha, 91 + -- Jonathan, 28, 91 + + Elam, 356, 441 + + Eliot, J., 418 + + Ellerton, Mr. and Mrs., 135, 201 + + Elphinstone, Admiral, 119 + -- Mountstuart, 316, 327 + + Ely Cathedral, 35 + + English Bible, 418 + + Erasmus, 418 + + Erivan, 499 + + Erskine, Dr. J., 132 + + Erzroom, 508 + + Etchmiatzin, 499 + + Ethiopia, 120 + + Ethiopic Bible, 418 + + Eudoxia, 534 + + Eurasians, 222 + + + Fabricius, 418 + + Fal Estuary, 24 + + Falmouth, 83, 88 + + Farish, Prof., 74, 441 + -- of Bombay, 330 + + Farsakh, 493 + + Flavel, 76 + + Fletcher of Madeley, 165 + + Forsyth, missionary, 197 + + Fowler, George, 520 + + Francis, Philip, 201 + + Franklin's travels, 237 + + Fraser, Baillie, 483 + + French, Bishop, 290, 566 + + Froude, J.A., 44 + + Frumentius, 418 + + Fuller, A., 132 + + + Galitzin, Prince, 487 + + Ganges, the, 199 + + Ganges Canal, 267 + + Gardiner, Capt. A., 108 + + Gaya, 237 + + George III., 343 + + German Bible, 418 + + Ghazipore, 261 + + Gilchrist, Dr., 72 + + Gillespie, Gen., 277 + + Glen, Dr., 489 + + Glenelg, Lord, 16, 19 + + Goa, 318, 322 + + Godolphin, Margaret, 551 + + Gombroon, 340 + + Goorkha war, 277 + + Gordon, G.M., 562, 564 + + Gothic Bible, 418 + + Govan, Dr., 302 + + Graaff Reinet, 125 + + _Grace Abounding_, Bunyan's, 2 + + Grant, Charles, 15, 65, 76, 136, 472 + -- Sir Robert, 16, 19 + + Greek, 330 + -- Church, 487 + + Greenwood, Rev. W., 137 + + Gregory Nazianzen, 534 + -- Nyssen, 534 + + Grenfell, Lydia, 44, 50, 81, 105, 171, 208, 239, 241, 304, 338, 472, + 545, 550 + -- Diary, 84, 91, 98, 102, 106, 188, 191, 298, 476, 537, 546 + -- family, 44 + + Grotius, 400 + + Groves, A., 562 + + Guadagnoli, P., 400 + + Gulistan Treaty, 345 + + Gurlyn, 85 + + Gwennap, 4, 51 + + + Hafiz, 357 + + Haldane, R. and J., 132 + + Hall, Robert, 328, 516 + + Hannington, Bishop, 290 + + Hanway, Jonas, 237 + + Hartwig, P., 66 + + Hasan and Husain, 411, 455 + + Hastings, Warren, 137, 201 + -- Marquis of, 142 + + Havelock, Sir H., 346 + + Hawkins, Judge, 432 + + Heat in India, 261 + + Heber, Bishop, 288 + + Hebrew, 426 + + Helston, 88 + + Henry, the navigator, 341 + + Henry Martyn Memorial Hall, 570 + + Hewett, Gen., 316 + + Hindus, 224 + + Hindustani translation, 157, 199, 243, 422, 431 + + Hitchins, Mrs. T. Martyn, 44, 47, 57 + + Hooker, 102 + + Hopkins, Bishop, 25, 29 + + Horne's _Commentary_, 89 + + Hospitals, military, 211 + + Hottentot sepoys, 120 + + Hough's _Christianity in India_, 144 + + Hweng T'sang, 202 + + Hymns referred to, 17, 27, 40, 83, 84, 107, 287, 310, 547, 567 + + + Idol-worship, 163 + + Imad-ud-din, 415 + + India, North, 134 + -- South, 132 + -- Christians in, 139, 423 + -- evangelisation, 225 + + Inquisition, The, 323 + + Iran plateau, 353 + + Ireland and invasion, 101 + + Isaiah, 24, 95 + + Islam, 133, 174, 202, 326, 536 + + Ispahan, 465 + + + Jaffir Ali Khan, 355 + + Jaganath-worship, 142, 168 + + Jami, 371 + + Janssens, Governor, 120 + + Java, 120, 334 + + Jefferies, Chaplain, 151 + + Jeffery, H.M., 6, 47, 56 + + Jerome, 418 + + Jerusha Edwards, 91 + + Jews, 363, 377, 387, 459 + + Joasmi pirates, 333 + + John, St., 44 + + Jones, Sir Harford, 344 + -- Sir W., 70 + + Jowett, Prof., 441 + -- Rev. W., 40 + + Judson, 418 + + Julfa, 464 + + + Kajar Dynasty, 341 + + Kalinjar, 277 + + Kandahar, 564 + + Karass, 488 + + Kars, 506 + + Kaye, Sir John, 330 + + Kaziroon, 353 + + Keith-Falconer, Ion, 22, 326, 564 + + Kelland, Prof., 20 + + Kempthorne, 10, 12, 17 + + Kerr, Dr., chaplain, 144, 226 + + Kichener, missionary, 125 + + Kiernander, 48, 134 + + King's Chapel, Cambridge, 67 + + Kingsley, Charles, 44 + + Kirke White, H., 27, 40 + + Kirkpatrick, Capt., 136 + + Komana Pontica, 533 + + Koran, 324, 398, 487 + + Kum, 466 + + + Land's End, 2 + + Lassen, 409 + + Latin Bible, 418 + -- Church on the Bible, 491 + + Law, William, 30 + + Lawrence, Honoria, 260 + -- Lord, 140, 220 + -- Sir Henry, 260 + + Lee, Prof., 400, 404 + + Leighton, R., 59, 102, 555 + + Letters to Lydia Grenfell, 82, 90, 175, 181, 185, 246, 256, 292, 304, + 318, 334, 360, 473, 479 + + Lewis, G., 133 + + Leyden, Dr., 423 + + Limerick, Chaplain, 151 + + Livingstone, David, 121 + + Lolworth, 35, 74 + + London Missionary Society, 28, 200 + + Ludovicus de Dieu, 400 + + Lull, Raimund, 400 + + Luther, 418 + + Lyte, F.T., 547 + + + Macartney, Earl of, 119 + + Macaulay, Lord, 516 + + MacInnes, Col., 227 + + Mackay of Uganda, 290 + + Mackintosh, Sir J., 318, 328, 516 + + Macrina, 534 + + Madras, 130, 143 + + Maiwand, 565 + + Malayalim, 327 + + Malcolm, Sir John, 143, 318, 328, 344 + + Maldah, 135, 200 + + Malpas, 24 + + Maracci, 324 + + Marand, 496, 523 + + Marazion, 43, 53, 82 + + Marriage, 39, 49, 79, 86 + -- of missionaries, 48 + + Marrow men, 132 + + Marshman, Dr., 157, 197, 314, 418 + -- John C., 161, 344 + + Martin, St., 7 + -- Church, 447 + + MARTYN, HENRY, birth, 2; + family, 6; + parents, 9; + as a boy, 10; + at Cambridge, 12; + father's death, 17; + conversion, 18; + Senior Wrangler, 20; + at Woodbury, 24; + reading, 26; + his rooms, 33; + ordained deacon, 36; + loves Lydia Grenfell, 42; + considers himself engaged to her, 51; + discussions on marriage, 59; + love of music, 65; + appointed East India Company's chaplain, 73; + farewell to England, 101; + his motto, 102; + at Bahia, 107; + opposition to his preaching, 109; + at the Cape, 118; + describes the Battle of Blaauwberg, 121; + with Vanderkemp, 125; + lands at Madras, 130; + first sermon there, 144; + lands at Calcutta, 147; + 'Let me burn out for God,' 150; + opposition of chaplains to his preaching, 151; + at Serampore, 158; + Carey's opinion of Martyn, 161; + at work on his Hindustani Testament, 168; + a missionary to the Mohammedans, 174; + renews his suit to Lydia Grenfell, 175; + appointed to Dinapore, 183; + a Suttee, 184; + prayer in the pagoda, 196; + up the Ganges, 199; + hostility of Europeans at first, 204; + in Patna, 205; + native disaffection, 206; + dreams and sickness, 208; + first letter to the associated clergy, 212; + correspondence with Romanist missionaries, 218; + evangelisation of India, 225; + life with Sabat, 226; + controversy with moulvies, 234; + refused by Lydia, 246; + ordered to Cawnpore, 256; + described by Mrs. Sherwood, 258; + anecdotes of Martyn, 264; + his conversation, 274; + preaching to _fakeers_, 281; + his convert Abdool Massee'h and others, 285; + overwork, 289; + correspondence with Lydia, 292; + in the new church, Cawnpore, 309; + return to Calcutta, 313; + voyage to Arabia and Persia, 317; + in Bombay, 325; + in the Persian Gulf, 333; + lands in Persia, 339; + in Bushire, 346; + to Shiraz, 349; + in Shiraz, 360; + controversies with Shiahs, Soofis, and Jews, 375; + with the Moojtahid, 394; + at Persepolis, 410; + the Ramazan, 411; + his place as a Bible translator, 418; + as a philologist, 425; + as a Hebraist, 426; + his Hindustani Bible, 431; + Arabic New Testament, 434; + Persian studies, 445; + Alford on Martyn, 447; + Persian New Testament, 450; + Persian New Testament completed, 460; + to Ispahan, Teheran, and Tabreez, 463; + illness at Tabreez, 474; + last words to Lydia Grenfell, 481; + New Testament + presented to the Shah, 484; + as a translator, 490; + the Pope's condemnation, 491; + towards Constantinople, 494; + with the Armenians + at Etchmiatzin, 499; + at Erzroom, 508; + furiously hurried towards Tokat, 571; + last words in his _Journal_, 573; + burial, 515; + Remembrances of Martyn, 520; + the first grave, 529; + the second grave, 530; + effect of the news of his death, 543; + first memoir by Sargent, 547; + last words of Lydia Grenfell's _Diary_, 551; + Henry Martyn's followers, 553; + memorials of Henry Martyn, 570; + the lessons of his life, 571 + + Massacre Well, 267 + + Mathematics in Cambridge, 20 + + Mather, Dr. R.C., 433 + + Mawby, Col., 266 + + McNeill, Sir John, 520 + + Meer Kasim, 202 + + Megasthenes, 202 + + Mekran, 334 + + Mesnevi, The, 526 + + Metcalfe, Lord, 143 + + Methodism, 26 + + Methodius, 418 + + Miesrob, 418 + + Military Asylums, 260 + -- Orphan School, Calcutta, 136 + + Milner, Dean, 235 + + Milner, Isaac, 16, 74, 441 + + Minto, Lord, 120, 142, 231, 313, 316, 334, 344 + + Miracle Play of Hasan and Husain, 411 + + Mirza Fitrut, 230 + -- Ibrahim, 399, 403 + -- M. Ruza, 403 + -- Sayyid Ali Khan, 360, 488 + + Missionary call, 26, 572 + -- societies, 28, 43, 136, 141 + -- council at the Cape proposed, 170 + -- preaching, 173, 213 + -- and the East India Company, 241 + -- life, 279 + -- martyrdom, 290, 513 + + Mohammedan controversy (_see_ 'Islam'), 214, 233, 363, 375, 475 + + Mohammedans, missions to, 225, 524, 572 + + Moheecan Bible, 418 + + Monghyr, 201 + + Montgomery, Sir R., 140 + + Moojtahids, 395 + + Moor, Canon, 438 + + Moorshidabad, 200 + + Moravian mission, 119 + + Morier, James, 356, 391, 482 + + Moule, Archdeacon, 567 + -- Rev. H.C.G., 22, 42 + + Muir, Sir W., 400 + + Muscat, 337, 567 + + Music, Martyn's love of, 65, 207, 265, 296 + + Mutiny, Indian, 202 + -- the White, 202 + + Mysticism, literature of, 554 + + + Nadir Shah, 341 + + Nana Dhoondoo Panth, 267 + + Naoroji, D., 330 + + Napoleon Bonaparte, 120, 143, 343 + + Nelson, Lord, 81 + + Nestorians, 569 + + Netherlands East India Company, 119 + + Newton, John, 66, 75, 137 + + Norman, Sir H., 220 + + + Obeck, 135 + + Oman, 333 + + Omar Khayyam, 371 + + Ooroomia, 483 + + Orme's _Indostan_, 108 + + Ormuz Island, 341 + + Osborne, Lord S.G., 44 + + Oudh, Nawab of, 289 + + Ouseley, Sir Gore, 143, 344, 484 + + Oxford, 11 + + + Pagoda, Henry Martyn's, 158, 313 + + Paley, Dr., 30 + + Papendorp Articles, 121 + + Parasang, 493 + + Parsees, 330, 340, 371 + + Parson, Chaplain, 183, 200, 258 + + Patna, 201 + + Paul, the Apostle, 60, 381 + + Peacock, Dean, 20 + + Pearce, S., 26, 34 + + Pellew, Sir E., 131, 145 + + Pelly, Sir Lewis, 411, 455 + + Penang, 228 + + Pendennis, 88 + + Persepolis, 356, 409 + + Persia, 234, 237, 328, 340, 348, 370, 446 + + Persian Bible, 418, 445, 462, 484, 489 + -- Gulf, 333 + -- travelling, 493 + + Pfander, Dr., 399, 415 + + Philology, 425 + + Pietists, 132 + + _Pilgrim's Progress_, 63, 80, 214 + + Pinkerton, Rev. R., 488 + + Pitt, W., 69, 120 + + Plassey, 134 + + Poona, 326 + + Pope Pius VIII., 491 + + Popham, Sir H., 120 + + Porter, Sir R.K., 342, 519 + + Portraits of Henry Martyn, 80, 307 + -- of Lydia Grenfell, 244 + + Portugal in the East, 322, 341 + + Preaching and missions, 243, 281 + + + Queen-Empress Victoria, 333, 342 + + Quishlang, 468 + + + Raffles, Sir S., 121 + + Rajmahal, 200 + + Ramazan Fast, 411 + + Ranjeet Singh, 143, 277 + + Rawlinson, Sir H., 409 + + Rayner, M., 66 + + Redruth, 51 + + Regiment, the 59th, 101 + -- the 67th, 220, 312 + + Regiment, the 53rd, 257 + -- the 8th Light Dragoons, 276 + + Reid, missionary, 125 + + Reshire, 346 + + Rich, C.J., 516, 563 + + Riebeck, Governor, 119 + + Robber Island, 118 + + Roberts, Lord, 565 + + Robinson, Archdeacon, 489 + + Rodney, Capt., 320 + + Romanist Christians, 217, 318, 569 + + Rumsden, Prof., 441 + + Ruskin, 33 + + Russia, 415, 345, 482 + + Rutherford, Samuel, 2 + + Ryland, Dr., 516 + + + Sabat, 225, 269, 422 + + Sadi, 371 + + St. Andrews, 24 + + St. Hilary church, 55 + + St. John's College, Cambridge, 13, 33, 570 + + St. Michael's Mount, 43, 90, 96 + + Sandys, Major, 54 + + San Salvador, 106 + + Sanskrit, 199 + + Sardhana, 286 + + Sargent, John, 22, 50, 227, 544 + + Sati, 184 + + Schuermann, missionary, 432 + + Schwartz, 60, 65, 139, 144, 317 + + Scott, Sir Walter, 423 + + Scott's _Dekkan_, 108 + + Scottish Missions, 488, 564 + + Seatonian Prize, 67 + + Seleukos Nikator, 202 + + Serampore, 34, 158, 162, 422 + + Sermons by Martyn, 55, 67, 78, 109, 151, 549 + + Serope or Serrafino, 500, 521 + + Shah Abbas, 340 + -- Futteh Ali, 341, 484 + -- Nasr-ed-Deen, 489 + -- Zeman, 325 + + Sheheran, 511 + + Sheikh Othman, 326 + -- Saleh, _see_ Abdool Massee'h + + Sherley Brothers, 340 + + Sherwood, Mrs., 257, 283 + + Shiahs, 373 + + Shiraz, 355, 448, 565 + + Shore, _see_ Teignmouth + + Simeon, Charles, 15, 27, 34, 42, 109, 190, 544, 553 + + Sin, Pauline doctrine of, 109 + + Smith, Dr. Eli, 435, 519 + + Societies, Missionary, 28, 43, 136, 141 + + Soldiers in India, 200, 203, 219, 256, 265 + + Solitude, 462 + + Soofis, 371, 413, 443, 570 + + Soonnis, 373 + + Soudan, 120 + + Southey, 40 + + Spiritual Exercises, 51, 92, 117, 126, 209, 557 + + Stanley, Dean, 411 + + Stannaries, 3 + + Staunton, Sir G., 27 + + Stephen, Sir James, 1, 65 + + Stevenson, W., 132 + + Stuart, Bishop E., 566 + + Suffavian dynasty, 341 + + Sultania, 468 + + Sunstroke, 347 + + + Tabreez, 472, 482 + + Taleb Massee'h, 286 + + Tauris, 482 + + Taylor, Dr., 169, 326 + + Teheran, 356, 466 + + Teignmouth, Lord, 135, 138, 421 + + Teutonic Bible, 418 + + Theologia Germanica, 555 + + Thomas a Kempis, 53, 420, 555 + + Thomas, Dr., 135 + + Thomason, 434, 543 + + Thompson, M., Chaplain, 144 + + Thornton, H., 16, 41, 476 + + Tilsit, Treaty of, 143, 344 + + Timour, 356 + + Tin of Cornwall, 2 + + Tipoo's Library, 151 + + Tokat, 518 + + Tranquebar, 130 + + Translation of Bible, 72, 280, 382, 417 + + Tregothnan, 24 + + Trinity Church, Cambridge, 36, 571 + -- College, Cambridge, 34, 571 + + Truro, 3, 5, 24, 41 + + Tsar Alexander, 343 + + Turks, 512 + + + Udny, George, 15, 135 + + Ulfilas, 418 + + Unwin, Mrs., 66 + + + Vanderkemp, Dr., 29, 123 + + Van Dyck, Dr., 418, 435 + + Van Lennep, Dr., 527 + + Vaughan, Dean, 571 + + Vellore Mutiny, 422 + + Venables, Canon, 535 + + Venn, Henry, 569 + + Vienna Congress, 121 + + + Wahabees, 202, 333 + + Wainwright, Commodore, 334 + + Wall's Lane, Cambridge, 70 + + Ward, Chaplain, 155 + -- missionary, 157, 429 + + Waring, Scott, 237, 357 + + Watson, Bishop, 137 + + Wellesley, Marquess, 135, 343 + + Wesley, Charles, 4 + -- John, 3, 132 + + Westcott, Bishop, 571 + + Westergaard, 409 + + Wilkins, Sir C., 516 + + White, Kirke, 27, 40, 68 + -- Lieut., 138 + + Whitfield, George, 3, 132 + + Whytehead, missionary, 570 + + Wickes, Capt., 186 + + Wiclif, 418 + + Wilberforce, Bishop S., 22 + -- W., 40, 65, 69, 570 + + Wilkinson, missionary, 433 + + Wilson, Bishop D., 201, 553 + -- Dr. John, 290, 327, 399, 563 + + Wolverton, Lord, 44 + + Wood, Col., 307 + + Woodbury, 24 + + Wordsworth, 570 + + Wrangler, Senior, 19, 71, 264 + + + Xavier, Francis, 174, 218, 318 + -- P.H., 399, 416 + + Xenophon and the Ten Thousand, 502 + + Xerxes, 409 + + + Young, Col. and Mrs., 241, 313 + -- Governor, 119 + + Yule, Sir Henry, 332 + + + Zambesi, 120 + + Ziegenbalg, 132 + + Zoroaster, 371 + + + PRINTED BY + SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE + LONDON + + + + + Transcriber's Notes: + + + For this edition of the ebook oe ligatures have been rendered as 'oe' + and a with a macron has been rendered as [=a]. Greek has been + converted to beta code. + Insignificant punctuation corrections have been made without note. + Legitimate variant spellings have been retained. + Variations in hyphenation have been retained. + Pg 95. One instance of the word 'to' was removed from the following + sentence, "I disclose those feelings to Him I have no power to to + any earthly friend." + Pg 167. The word 'ong' was changed to 'long'. + Pg 170. The word 'natives' was changed to 'native's'. + Pg 234. The word 'Crhist' was changed to 'Christ'. + Pg 403. A closing quotation mark was added to the end of the following + phrase: "'... he has taken upon himself to write the following + pages.'" + Pg 498. The following sentence does not appear to be correct, "Though + it was near midnight I had a fire lighted to dry my books, took some + coffee and sunk into deep sleep; from which awaking at the earliest + dawn of". This has been retained. + Pg 498. The following sentence does not appear to be correct, "Ararat + was now quite near; at the foot of it is Duwala, six parasangs from + Nakshan, where we arrived at seven in the morning of". This has been + retained. + Pg 500. The word 'delivreance' was changed to 'deliverance'. + Pg 549. The word 'a' was added to the following sentence: "The + remembrance of the event of the day has been rendered useless by my + absence from home a great part of it." + Pg 574. The word 'Bundelkhund' was changed to 'Bundlekhund'. + Pg 579. The index entry for 'Rich, C.J., 517, 563' was changed to + 'Rich, C.J., 516, 563'. + Pg 579. The word 'Serafino' was changed to 'Serrarfino'. + Pg 579. The index entry for 'Simeon, Charles, 13, 27, 34, 42, 109, + 190, 544, 553' was changed to 'Simeon, Charles, 15, 27, 34, 42, 109, + 190, 544, 553'. + Pg 580. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net + + +Title: Henry Martyn Saint and Scholar + First Modern Missionary to the Mohammedans, 1781-1812 + +Author: George Smith + +Release Date: April 14, 2011 [EBook #35873] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HENRY MARTYN SAINT AND SCHOLAR *** + + + + +Produced by the Bookworm, Rose Mawhorter, <bookworm.librivox +AT gmail.com> and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team +at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>HENRY MARTYN</h1> + + +<p class="center" style="margin-top: 3em;"> +PRINTED BY<br /> +SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE<br /> +LONDON<br /> +</p> + + + +<div style="visibility: hidden;"><a name="frontispiece" id="frontispiece"> </a></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 419px;"> +<img src="images/frontpiece.jpg" width="419" height="500" alt="Henry Martyn." /> +<span class="caption">Henry Martyn.<br /> +From the portrait in the University Library. +Cambridge.</span> +</div> + + +<div class="bigmargin"> +<div class="bbox"> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: .4em; font-size: 300%;">HENRY MARTYN</p> +<p style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3em; font-size: 150%;"><i>SAINT AND SCHOLAR</i></p> + + +<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 3em;">FIRST MODERN MISSIONARY TO THE MOHAMMEDANS<br /> +1781-1812</p> + +<p class="center">BY<br /> +GEORGE SMITH, C.I.E., LL.D.<br /> +<span class="tiny">AUTHOR OF ‘LIFE OF WILLIAM CAREY’ ‘LIFE OF ALEXANDER DUFF’ ETC.</span></p> + + +<p class="center"><i>Now let me burn out for God</i></p> + + +<p class="center"><i>WITH PORTRAIT AND ILLUSTRATIONS</i></p> + + +<p class="center" style="margin-bottom: 2em;">LONDON<br /> +THE RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY<br /> +<span class="smcap"><span class="tiny">56 Paternoster Row, 65 St Paul’s Churchyard<br /> +and 164 Piccadilly</span></span><br /> +1892</p> +</div> +</div> + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> +<h2>PREFACE</h2> + + +<p>In the year 1819, John Sargent, Rector of Lavington, +published <i>A Memoir of the Rev. Henry Martyn</i>. The +book at once became a spiritual classic. The saint, the +scholar, and the missionary, alike found in it a new +inspiration. It ran through ten editions during the writer’s +life, and he died when projecting an additional volume of +the Journals and Letters. His son-in-law, S. Wilberforce, +afterwards Bishop of Oxford and of Winchester, accordingly, +in 1837 published, in two volumes, <i>Journals and Letters +of the Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D.</i>, with an introduction +on Sargent’s life. Sargent had suppressed what Bishop +Wilberforce describes as ‘a great variety of interesting +materials’. Especially in the lifetime of Lydia Grenfell +it was thought necessary to omit the facts which give to +Henry Martyn’s personality its human interest and intensify +our appreciation of his heroism. On the lady’s +death, in 1829, Martyn’s letters to her became available, +and Bishop Wilberforce incorporated these in what he described +as ‘further and often more continuous selections from +the journals and letters of Mr. Martyn.’ But, unhappily, +his work does not fully supplement that of Sargent. The +<i>Journal</i> is still mutilated; the <i>Letters</i> are still imperfect.</p> + +<p>Some years ago, on completing the <i>Life of William +Carey</i>, who had written that wherever his friend Henry +Martyn might go as chaplain the Church need not send a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> +missionary, I began to prepare a new work on the first +modern apostle to the Mohammedans. I was encouraged +by his grand-nephew, a distinguished mathematician, the +late Henry Martyn Jeffery, F.R.S., who had in 1883 printed +<i>Two Sets of Unpublished Letters of the Rev. Henry Martyn, +B.D., of Truro</i>. For a time I stopped the work on learning +that he had come into possession of Lydia Grenfell’s papers, +and was preparing the book which appeared in 1890, +<i>Extracts from the Religious Diary of Miss L. Grenfell, of +Marazion, Cornwall</i>. Except her letters to Henry Martyn, +which are not in existence now, all the desirable materials +seemed to be ready. Meanwhile, the missionary bishop +who most resembled Martyn in character and service, +Thomas Valpy French, of Lahore and Muscat, had written +to Canon Edmonds of S. Wilberforce’s book as ‘a work for +whose reprint I have often pleaded in vain, and for which +all that there is of mission life in our Church would plead, +had it not been so long out of print and out of sight.’</p> + +<p>My aim is to set the two autobiographies, unconsciously +written in the Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn and in +the Diary of Lydia Grenfell, in the light of recent knowledge +of South Africa and India, Persia and Turkey, and +of Bible work and missionary history in the lands of +which, by his life and by his death, Henry Martyn took +possession for the Master. Bengal chaplain of the East +India Company, he was, above all, a missionary to the +two divisions of Islam, in India and Persia, and in Arabia +and Turkey. May this book, written after years of experience +in Bengal, lead many to enter on the inheritance +he has left to the Catholic Church!</p> + + + + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">CHAPTER</td><td> </td><td align="right">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">I.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cornwall and Cambridge, 1781-1803</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">II.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Lydia Grenfell</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_43">43</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">III.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Nine Months’ Voyage—South America—South Africa, 1805-1806</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_101">101</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">IV.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">India and the East in the Year 1806</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">V.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Calcutta and Serampore, 1806</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_150">150</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">VI.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Dinapore and Patna, 1807-1809</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_199">199</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">VII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Cawnpore, 1809-1810</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_257">257</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">VIII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">From Calcutta to Ceylon, Bombay, and Arabia</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_315">315</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">IX.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">In Persia—Bushire and Shiraz, 1811</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_340">340</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">X.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">In Persia—Controversies with Mohammedans, Soofis, and Jews</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_370">370</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">XI.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">In Persia—Translating the Scriptures</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_417">417</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">XII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Shiraz to Tabreez—The Persian New Testament</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_461">461</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">XIII.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">In Persia and Turkey—Tabreez to Tokat and the Tomb</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_492">492</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">XIV.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">The Two Resting-Places—Tokat and Breage</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_515">515</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top">XV.</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Baptized for the Dead</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_552">552</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top"> </td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Index</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#Page_573">573</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" style="vertical-align:top"></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + +<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="List of Illustrations"> +<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right">PAGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Portrait—Henry Martyn</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><i><a href="#frontispiece">Frontispiece</a></i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">St. John’s College, Cambridge, in 1797</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#picture1">13</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Second Court, St. John’s College, in 1803</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#picture2">32</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Trinity Church, Cambridge, in 1803</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#picture3">37</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">St. Michael’s Mount, at Full Tide</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#picture4">45</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Pagoda, Aldeen House</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#picture5">159</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">A Brick from Henry Martyn’s Pagoda</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#picture6">161</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Shiraz</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#picture7">357</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tokat in 1812</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#picture8">518</a></td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Tomb of Henry Martyn</span></td><td align="right" style="vertical-align:bottom"><a href="#picture9">531</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span></p> + + + +<p style="margin-left: 25%; margin-top: 4em;"> +Then came another of priestly garb and mien,<br /> +A young man still wanting the years of Christ,<br /> +But long since with the saints....<br /> +A poet with the contemplative gaze<br /> +And listening ear, but quick of force and eye,<br /> +Who fought the wrong without, the wrong within,<br /> +And, being a pure saint, like those of old,<br /> +Abased himself and all the precious gifts<br /> +God gave him, flinging all before the feet<br /> +Of Him whose name he bore—a fragile form<br /> +Upon whose hectic cheek there burned a flush<br /> +That was not health; who lived as Xavier lived,<br /> +And died like him upon the burning sands,<br /> +Untended, yet whose creed was far from his<br /> +As pole from pole; whom grateful England still<br /> +Loves.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 10em;">The awakened gaze</span><br /> +Turned wholly from the earth, on things of heaven<br /> +He dwelt both day and night. The thought of God<br /> +Filled him with infinite joy; his craving soul<br /> +Dwelt on Him as a feast; as did the soul<br /> +Of rapt Francesco in his holy cell<br /> +In blest Assisi; and he knew the pain,<br /> +The deep despondence of the saint, the doubt,<br /> +The consciousness of dark offence, the joy<br /> +Of full assurance last, when heaven itself<br /> +Stands open to the ecstasy of faith.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 10em;">The relentless lie</span><br /> +Of Islam ... he chose to bear, who knew<br /> +How swift the night should fall on him, and burned<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[xii]</a></span>To save one soul alive while yet ’twas day.<br /> +This filled his thoughts, this only, and for this<br /> +On the pure altar of his soul he heaped<br /> +A costlier sacrifice, this youth in years,<br /> +For whom Love called, and loving hands, and hope<br /> +Of childish lives around him, offering these,<br /> +Like all the rest, to God.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 13.5em;">Yet when his hour</span><br /> +Was come to leave his England, was it strange<br /> +His weakling life pined for the parting kiss<br /> +Of love and kindred, whom his prescient soul<br /> +Knew he should see no more?<br /> +<br /> +... The woman of his love<br /> +Feared to leave all and give her life to his,<br /> +And both to God; his sisters passed away<br /> +To heaven, nor saw him more. There seemed on earth<br /> +Nothing for which to live, except the Faith,<br /> +Only the Faith, the Faith! until his soul<br /> +Wore thin her prison bars, and he was fain<br /> +To rest awhile, or work no more the work<br /> +For which alone he lived.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="center" style="margin-left: 35%;"> +<i>A Vision of Saints.</i> By <span class="smcap">Lewis Morris</span>.<br /> + + + + + +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<p class="subheading">CORNWALL AND CAMBRIDGE, 1781-1803</p> + + +<p>Writing half a century ago, as one who gratefully +accepted the guidance of the Church of England, from +the evangelical and philanthropic side of which he sprang, +Sir James Stephen declared the name of Henry Martyn +to be ‘in fact the one heroic name which adorns her +annals from the days of Elizabeth to our own’. The +past fifty years have seen her annals, in common with those +of other Churches, adorned by many heroic names. These +are as many and as illustrious on the side which has +enshrined Henry Martyn in the new Cathedral of Truro, +as amongst the Evangelicals, to whom in life he belonged. +But the influence which streams forth from his short life +and his obscure death is the perpetual heritage of all English-speaking +Christendom, and of the native churches of India, +Arabia, Persia, and Anatolia in all time to come. His +<i>Journal</i>, even in the mutilated form published first by his +friend Sargent, is one of the great spiritual autobiographies +of Catholic literature. It is placed beside the <i>Confessions</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> +of Augustine and the <i>Grace Abounding</i> of Bunyan. The +<i>Letters</i> are read along with those of Samuel Rutherford and +William Cowper by the most saintly workers, persuasive +preachers, and learned scholars, who, even in these days +of searching criticism, attribute to the young chaplain-missionary +their early inspiration and renewed consecration, +even as he traced his to Brainerd, Carey, and Charles Simeon.</p> + +<p>Born in Truro on February 18, 1781, Henry Martyn +came from a land the oldest and most isolated in Great +Britain; a Celtic people but recently transformed from the +rudest to the most courteous and upright; a family created +and partly enriched by the great mining industry; and +a church which had been the first, in these far-western +islands, to receive the teaching of the Apostles of Jesus +Christ.</p> + +<p>The tin found in the lodes and streams of the +Devonian Slates of West Cornwall was the only large +source of supply to the world down to Henry Martyn’s +time. The granite porphyries which form the Land’s End +had come to be worked only a century before that for the +‘bunches’ of copper which fill the lines of fault and fissure. +It was chiefly from the deeper lodes of Gwennap, near +Truro, that his family had drawn a competence. The +statement of Richard Carew, in his <i>Survey of Cornwall</i>, +was true of the dim centuries before Herodotus wrote, that +the ‘tynne of the little angle (Cornwall) overfloweth +England, watereth Christendom, and is derived to a great +part of the world besides’.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> Tyrian and Jew, Greek and +Roman, as navigators, travellers, and capitalists, had in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> +darkness of prehistoric days dealings with the land described +in an Elizabethan treatise on Geography as a foreign +country on that side of England next to Spain. London +itself is modern compared with the Cornish trade, which in +its latest stage assumed the Latin name <i>Stannum</i>, and the +almost perfect economic laws administered by the Lord +Warden of the Stannaries since King John leased the mines +to the Jews, and Edward I., as Earl of Cornwall, established +the now vexed ‘royalties’ by charter. Even in the century +since Henry Martyn’s early days, fourteen of the Cornish +mines have yielded a gross return of more than thirteen +millions sterling, of which above one-fifth was clear profit.</p> + +<p>Whether the Romans used the Britons in the mines as +slaves or not, the just and democratic system of working +them—which was probably due to the Norman kings, and +extorted the admiration of M. Jars, a French traveller of +the generation to which Henry Martyn’s father belonged—did +not humanise the population. So rude were their manners +that their heath-covered rocks bore the name of ‘West +Barbary.’ Writing two centuries before Martyn, Norden +described the city of his birth as remarkable for its neatness, +which it still is, but he added, there is not a town ‘more +discommendable for the pride of the people.’ The Cornish +miner’s life is still as short as it is hard and daring, in spite +of his splendid physique and the remarkable health of the +women and children. But the perils of a rock-bound +coast, the pursuits of wrecking and smuggling, added to +the dangers of the mines, and all isolated from the growing +civilisation of England, had combined, century after century, +to make Cornwall a byword till John Wesley and George +Whitfield visited it. Then the miner became so changed, +not less really because rapidly, that the feature of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> +whole people which first and most continuously strikes a +stranger is their grave and yet hearty politeness. Thomas +Carlyle has, in his <i>Life of Sterling</i>, pictured the moral +heroism which Methodism, with its ‘faith of assurance,’ +developes in the ignorant Cornish miner, a faith which, +as illustrated by William Carey and taught by the Church +of England, did much to make Henry Martyn what he +became. John Wesley’s own description in the year of +Henry Martyn’s birth is this: ‘It pleased God the seed +there sown has produced an abundant harvest. Indeed, I +hardly know any part of the three kingdoms where there +has been a more general change.’ The Cornishman still +beguiles the weary hours of his descent of the ladder to +his toil by crooning the hymns of Charles Wesley. +The local preacher whose eloquent earnestness and +knowledge of his Bible have delighted the stranger on +Sunday, is found next day two hundred fathoms below +the sea, doing his eight hours’ work all wet and grimy and +red from the iron-sand, picking out the tin of Bottallack or +the copper of Gwennap. Long before Henry Martyn knew +Simeon he had become unconsciously in some sense the +fruit of the teaching of the Wesleys.</p> + +<p>During fifty-five years again and again John Wesley +visited Cornwall, preaching in the open air all over the +mining county and in the fishing hamlets, till two generations +were permanently changed. His favourite centre +was Gwennap, which had long been the home of the +Martyn family, a few miles from Truro. There he found +his open-air pulpit and church in the great hollow, ever +since known as ‘Wesley’s Pit,’ where, to this day, thousands +crowd every Whit-Monday to commemorative services. +Wesley’s published journal, which closes with October 1790,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> +when Henry Martyn was nearly ten years of age, has +more frequent and always more appreciative references to +Gwennap than to any other town. On July 6, 1745, we +find him writing:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>At Gwennap also we found the people in the utmost +consternation. Word was brought that a great company +of tinners, made drunk on purpose, were coming to do +terrible things—so that abundance of people went away. +I preached to the rest on ‘Love your enemies.’</p></div> + +<p>By 1774 we read ‘the glorious congregation was +assembled at five in the amphitheatre at Gwennap.’ Next +year we find this:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>‘At five in the evening in the amphitheatre at Gwennap. +I think this is the most magnificent spectacle which is to +be seen on this side heaven. And no music is to be +heard upon earth comparable to the sound of many thousand +voices when they are all harmoniously joined together +singing “praises to God and the Lamb.” Four-and-twenty +thousand were present, frequently, at that spot. And +yet all, I was informed, could hear distinctly in the fair, +calm evening.’ Again: ‘I think this is my <i>ne plus ultra</i>. +I shall scarce see a larger congregation till we meet in the +air.’</p></div> + +<p>We are thus introduced to the very spot where Henry +Martyn was born: ‘About noon I preached in the piazza +adjoining to the Coinage Hall in Truro. I was enabled to +speak exceeding plain on “Ye are saved through faith.”’ +In the evening of the same day Wesley preached in the +fishing village of Megavissey, ‘where I saw a very rare +thing—men swiftly increasing in substance, and yet not +decreasing in holiness.’</p> + +<p>From such a land and such influences sprang the first +missionary hero of the Church of England in modern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> +times. The Martyn family had for more than a century +been known locally as one of skilled miners, described by +their ablest representative in recent times<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> as ‘mine agents +or mine captains who filled positions of trust.’ Martin +Luther had a similar origin. There is no evidence that +any of them went underground, although that, if true, +would justify the romance for which Martyn’s first biographer +is responsible. His great-grandfather was Thomas +Martyn, his grandfather was John Martyn of Gwennap +Churchtown, and his grand-uncle was the surveyor, Thomas +Martyn (1695-1751), who published the map of Cornwall +described as a marvel of minute and accurate topography, +due to a survey on foot for fifteen years. Mr. Jeffery +quotes from some manuscript notes written by his father:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>John, an elder brother of Thomas Martyn, was the +father of John Martyn, who was born at Gwennap Churchtown, +and, when young, was put as an accountant at Wheal +Virgin Mine. He was soon made cashier to Ralph Allen +Daniell, Esq., of Trelissick. Mr. Martyn held one-twenty-fourth +of Wheal Unity Mine, where upwards of 300,000<i>l.</i> +was divided. He then resided in a house opposite the +Coinage Hall (now the Cornish Bank), Truro, a little below +the present Market House. Here Henry Martyn was born +February 18, 1781, and was sent thence to Dr. Cardew’s +School in 1788.</p></div> + +<p>The new Town Hall stands on the site of the house.</p> + +<p>The boy bore a family name which is common in Southwest +England, and which was doubtless derived, in the first +instance, from the great missionary monk of Celtic France, +the founder of the Gallic Church, St. Martin, Bishop of +Tours. Born in what is now Lower Hungary, the son of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> +a pagan soldier of Rome, St. Martin, during his long life +which nearly covered the fourth century, made an impression, +especially on Western or Celtic Christendom, even +greater than that of the Devonshire Winfrith or Boniface +on Germany long after him. It was in the generation +after his death, when St. Martin’s glory was at its height, +that the Saxon invasion of Britain led to the migration of +British Christians from West and South England to +Armorica, which was thence called Brittany. The intercourse +between Cornwall and Britannia Minor became as +close as is now the case between the Celtic districts of the +United Kingdom and North America. Missionaries continually +passed and repassed between them. St. Corentin, +consecrated Bishop of Quimper in Brittany or French +Cornwall, by the hands of St. Martin himself, was sent to +Cornwall long before Pope Gregory despatched St. Augustin +to Canterbury, and became a popular Cornish saint after +whom St. Cury’s parish is still named. On the other side, +the Early British Church of Cornwall, where we still find +Roman Christian inscriptions, kept up a close fellowship +with the Church in Ireland. The earliest martyrs and +hermits of the Church of Cornu-Gallia were companions of +St. Patrick.</p> + +<p>Certainly there is no missionary saint in all the history +of the Church of Christ whom, in his character, Henry +Martyn so closely resembled as his namesake, the apostle +of the Gallic peoples. In the pages of the bishop’s biographer, +Sulpicius Severus, we see the same self-consecration +which has made the <i>Journal</i> of Henry Martyn a +stimulus to the noblest spirits of modern Christendom; +the same fiery zeal, often so excessive as to defeat the +Divine mission; the same soldier-like obedience and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> +humility; the same prayerfulness without ceasing, and +faith in the power of prayer; the same fearlessness in +preaching truth however disagreeable to the luxurious and +vicious of the time; and, above all on the practical side, +the same winning loveableness and self-sacrifice for others +which have made the story of St. Martin dividing his cloak +with the beggar second only, in Mediæval art, to the Gospel +records of the Lord’s own acts of tender grace and Divine +self-emptying. As we trace, step by step, the unceasing +service of Henry Martyn to men for love of his Master, +we shall find a succession of modern parallels to the act of +St. Martin, who, when a lad of eighteen with his regiment +at Amiens, himself moneyless, answered the appeal of a +beggar, shivering at the city gates in a cruel winter, by +drawing his dagger, dividing his military cloak, and giving +half of it to the naked man. If the legend continues to +run, that the boy saw in a dream Christ Himself in the +half-cloak saying to the attendant angels, ‘Martin, still a +catechumen, has clothed Me with this garment,’ and forthwith +sought baptism—that is only a form of the same spirit +which, from the days of Paul to our own, finds inspiration +in the thought that we are compassed about by a great +cloud of witnesses.</p> + +<p>Henry Martyn was baptised in the old church of St. +Mary, now part of the unfinished cathedral. He was the +third of four children. The eldest, a half-brother, John, +was born fifteen years before him. The second and fourth +were his own sisters, Laura and Sally; the former married +Mr. Curgenven, nephew of the Vicar of Lamorran of that +name; the latter married a Mr. Pearson. Short-lived as +Henry himself proved to be, all three died before him. +To both the sisters—and especially to the younger,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +who proved to be to him at once sister, mother, and +spiritual guide to Christ—there are frequent allusions in his +<i>Journals and Letters</i>. His mother, named Fleming, and +from Ilfracombe, died in the year after his birth, having +transmitted her delicate constitution to her children. It +was through his father, as well as younger sister, that the +higher influences were rained on Henry Martyn. In the +wayward and often wilful years before the boy yielded to +the power of Christ’s resurrection, the father’s gentleness +kept him in the right way, from which any violent opposition +would have driven one of proud spirit. A skilled +accountant and practical self-trained mathematician, the +father encouraged in the boy the study of science, and +early introduced him to the great work of Newton. Valuing +the higher education as few in England did at that +time, John Martyn ever kept before the lad the prospect +of a University course. Looking back on these days, and +especially on his last visit home before his father’s unexpected +death, Henry Martyn wrote when he was eighteen +years of age:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The consummate selfishness and exquisite irritability +of my mind were displayed in rage, malice, and envy, in +pride and vain-glory and contempt of all; in the harshest +language to my sister, and even to my father, if he happened +to differ from my mind and will. Oh, what an +example of patience and mildness was he! I love to +think of his excellent qualities, and it is frequently the +anguish of my heart that I ever could be so base and +wicked as to pain him by the slightest neglect.</p></div> + +<p>Truro was fortunate in its grammar school—‘the Eton +of Cornwall’—and in the headmaster of that time, the Rev. +Cornelius Cardew, D.D., whose portrait now adorns the cit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span>y’s +council chamber. The visitor who seeks out the old school +in Boscawen Street now finds it converted into the ware-room +of an ironmonger. All around may still be seen the +oak panels on which successive generations of schoolboys cut +their names. A pane of glass on which Henry Martyn +scratched his name, with a Greek quotation and a Hebrew +word, probably on his last visit to the spot before he left +England for ever, is reverently preserved in the muniment +room of the corporation buildings. There also are the +musty folios of the dull history and duller divinity which +formed the school library of that uncritical century, but +there is no means of tracing the reading of the boys. Into +this once lightsome room, adorned only by a wood-carving +of the galleon which formed the city arms, was the child +Henry Martyn introduced at the age of seven. Dr. Clement +Carlyon, who was one of his fellow-pupils, writes of him as +‘a good-humoured plain little fellow, with red eyelids devoid +of eyelashes’. But we know from Mrs. Sherwood, when she +first met him in India—where his hair, a light brown, was +raised from his forehead, which was a remarkably fine one—that +although his features were not regular, ‘the expression +was so luminous, so intellectual, so affectionate, so beaming +with Divine charity, as to absorb the attention of every +observer’. His sensitive nature and violent passionateness +when roused, at once marked him out as the victim of the +older boys. In a happy moment Dr. Cardew put ‘little +Henry Martyn’ under the care of one of them, who became +his protector, tutor, and friend, not only at school but at +college, and had an influence on his spiritual as well as intellectual +life next only to that of his father, sister, and +Charles Simeon. That ‘upper boy’—named Kempthorne, +son of Admiral Kempthorne, of Helston—delighted to recall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> +to his first biographer, Sargent, ‘the position in which he used +to sit, the thankful expression of his affectionate countenance, +when he happened to be helped out of some difficulty, and +a thousand other little incidents of his boyish days.’ This +boy-friend ‘had often the happiness of rescuing him from +the grasp of oppressors, and has never seen more feeling +of gratitude evinced than was shown by him on those +occasions.’</p> + +<p>Even at seven Henry’s natural cleverness was so +apparent that high expectations of his future were formed. +Dr. Cardew wrote of his proficiency in the classics as exceeding +that of most of his school-fellows, but he was too +lively and too careless to apply himself as some did who +distanced him. ‘He was of a lively, cheerful temper, and, +as I have been told by those who sat near him, appeared to +be the idlest among them, being frequently known to go +up to his lesson with little or no preparation, as if he had +learnt it by intuition.’ The delicacy of his constitution +naturally kept him from joining in the rougher games of +his fellows. Such was the impression made by his progress +at school that, when he was fifteen years of age, not only +Dr. Cardew and his father, but many of his father’s friends, +urged him to compete for a vacant scholarship of Corpus +Christi College, Oxford. With only a letter to the sub-rector +of Exeter College, the usual Cornish College, the +boy found himself in the great University city. The examiners +were divided in opinion as to the result, but a +majority gave it in favour of one with whom Henry Martyn +was almost equal. Had he become a member of that +University at fifteen, with character unformed and knowledge +immature or superficial, it is not likely that Oxford +would have gained what, at a riper stage, Cambridge fell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> +heir to. His own comment, written afterwards like Augustine’s +in the <i>Confessions</i>, was this: ‘The profligate acquaintances +I had in Oxford would have introduced me to +scenes of debauchery, in which I must, in all probability, +from my extreme youth, have sunk for ever.’ He returned +to school for two years, to extend his knowledge of the +classics. He spent his leisure in shooting, and in reading +travels and Lord Chesterfield’s <i>Letters</i>. His early private +Journal reflects severely on that time as spent in ‘attributing +to a want of taste for mathematics what ought to have +been ascribed to idleness; and having his mind in a roving, +dissatisfied, restless condition, seeking his chief pleasure in +reading and human praise.’</p> + +<div style="visibility: hidden;"><a name="picture1" id="picture1"> </a></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/page013.jpg" width="600" height="412" alt="ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, IN 1797" /> +<span class="caption">ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, IN 1797</span> +</div> + +<p>In this spirit he began residence in St. John’s College, +Cambridge, in the month of October 1797, as a pensioner +or unassisted student. To that University he was +attracted by Kempthorne, who had been his protector +at school, and had just distinguished himself at St. +John’s, coming out Senior Wrangler. Alike from the +idleness to which he was tempted by other fellow-students +who were new to him, and from the variety of study +with no other motive than to win glory of men, his +friend gradually weaned his fickle and impulsive genius. +But for two years he halted between two opinions. He +was ever restless because ever dissatisfied with himself, +and his want of inward peace only increased the natural +irritability of his temper. He indulged in bursts of passion +on slight provocation, and sometimes on none at all, save +that of an uneasy conscience. Like Clive about the same +age, Henry Martyn on one occasion hurled a knife at his +friend, Cotterill, who just escaped, leaving it quivering in the +panel of the dining-hall. The father and younger sister at +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>home prayerfully watched over him, and by letter sought to +guide him. On his periodical visits to Truro he was able +at least to report success in his examinations, and at the +close of 1799 he came out first, to his father’s delight. +The providence of God had made all things ready for the +completion of His eighteen years’ work in the convictions +and character of Henry Martyn, on his return to college. +To him, at the opening of the new century, all things +became new.</p> + +<p>Cambridge, first of all, had received—unconsciously to +its leading men for a time—that new spirit which has ever +since identified its University with the aggressive missionary +philanthropy of the nineteenth century. For nearly the +whole period of Martyn’s life, up to that time, Charles +Simeon, the Eton boy, Fellow of King’s College, and +Christian gentleman, who had sought the position only +that he might preach Christ after the manner of St. Paul, +had, from the pulpit of Trinity Church, been silently transforming +academic life. He had become the trusted agent +of Charles Grant and George Udny, the Bengal civilians +who were ready to establish an eight-fold mission in +Bengal as soon as he could send out the men. Failing to +find these, he had brought about the foundation of the +Church Missionary Society on April 12, 1799. Some +years before that, Charles Grant exchanged his seat in the +Bengal council for one of the ‘chairs’ of the Court of +Directors. He became their chairman, and it was to Simeon +that he turned for East India chaplains. Cambridge, even +more than London itself, had become the centre of the +spiritual life of the Church of England.</p> + +<p>First among the fellow-students of Henry Martyn, +though soon to leave for India when he entered it, was his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> +future friend, Claudius Buchanan, B.A. of 1796 and Fellow +of Queen’s College, of which Isaac Milner was president. +Magdalene College—which had sent David Brown to Calcutta +in 1786, to prepare the way for the other four, who +are for ever memorable as ‘the Five Chaplains’—had among +its students of the same standing as Martyn, Charles +Grant’s two distinguished sons, of whom one became Lord +Glenelg and a cabinet minister, and the younger, Robert, +was afterwards Governor of Bombay, the still valued +hymnologist, and the warm friend of Dr. John Wilson. +Thomason—seven years older than Martyn, and induced +afterwards, by his example, to become a Bengal chaplain—was +Simeon’s curate and substitute in the closing years of +the last century, when to Mr. Thornton of Clapham, who +had warned him against preaching five sermons a week, as +casting the net too often to allow time to mend it, he drew +this picture of college life: ‘There are reasons for fearing +the mathematical religion which so prevails here. Here, +also, is everything that can contribute to the ease and +comfort of life. Whatever pampers the appetite and +administers fuel to sloth and indolence is to be found in +abundance. Nothing is left to want or desire. Here is +the danger; this is the horrible precipice.’ Corrie and +Dealtry, also of the Five Chaplains, and afterwards first +and second Bishops of Madras, were of Martyn’s Cambridge +time, the latter graduating before, and the former +just after him.</p> + +<p>Hardly had Henry Martyn returned to college in +January 1800 when he received from his half-brother news +of the death of their father, whom he had just before left +‘in great health and spirits.’ The first result was ‘consternation,’ +and then, as he told his sister,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I was extremely low-spirited, and, like most people, +began to consider seriously, without any particular determination, +that invisible world to which he had gone and +to which I must one day go. As I had no taste at this time +for my usual studies, I took up my Bible. Nevertheless I +often took up other books to engage my attention, and +should have continued to do so had not Kempthorne +advised me to make this time an occasion of serious +reflection. I began with the Acts, as being the most +amusing, and when I was entertained with the narrative I +found myself insensibly led to inquire more attentively into +the doctrines of the Apostles.... On the first night after, +I began to pray from a precomposed form, in which I +thanked God in general for having sent Christ into the +world. But though I prayed for pardon I had little sense +of my own sinfulness; nevertheless, I began to consider +myself a religious man.</p></div> + +<p>The college chapel service at once had a new meaning +for the student whom death had shaken and the Book of +the Acts of the Apostles had awakened. ‘The first time +after this that I went to chapel I saw, with some degree of +surprise at my former inattention, that in the Magnificat +there was a great degree of joy expressed at the coming of +Christ, which I thought but reasonable.’ His friend then +lent him Doddridge’s <i>Rise and Progress of Religion in the +Soul</i>, but, because the first part of that book ‘appeared to +make religion consist too much in humiliation, and my +proud and wicked heart would not bear to be brought down +into the dust,’ he could not bear to read it. ‘Soon, however,’ +as he afterwards told his sister, who had prayed for this +very thing all her life, as Monica had agonised for Augustine,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> +‘I began to attend more diligently to the words of our +Saviour in the New Testament, and to devour them with +delight. When the offers of mercy and forgiveness were +made so freely, I supplicated to be made partaker of the +covenant of grace with eagerness and hope, and thanks be +to the ever-blessed Trinity for not leaving me without +comfort.’ The doctrines of the Apostles, based on the +narrative of the Acts, and confirming the teaching of the +family in early youth, were seen to be in accord with the +words of the Master, and thus Henry Martyn started on +the Christian life an evangelical of the Evangelicals. In +the preaching and the personal friendship of the minister +of Trinity Church he found sympathetic guidance, and so +‘gradually acquired more knowledge in divine things.’ All +the hitherto irregular impulses of his fervent Celtic nature +received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and became +centred in the living, reigning, personal Christ. All the +restless longings of his soul and his senses found their +satisfaction for ever in the service of Him who had said +‘He that loveth his life shall lose it. If any man serve Me, +let him follow Me, and where I am there shall also My +servant be.’ All the pride of his genius, his intellectual ambition, +and his love of praise became purged by the determination +thenceforth to know nothing save the Crucified One.</p> + +<p>His first temptation and test of honest fitness for such +service was found in the examination for degrees, and +especially for the greatest honour of all, that of Senior +Wrangler. If we place his conversion to Christ at the +close of his nineteenth year, we find that the whole of his +twentieth was spent in the necessary preparation for the +competition, and in the accompanying spiritual struggles. +It is not surprising that, when looking back on that year +from higher experiences, he should be severe in his self-examination. +But the path of duty clearly lay in hard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> +and constant study, and not alone in religious meditation. +It was not surprising that the experienced convert should +afterwards pronounce the former worldly, and lament that +‘the intenseness with which I pursued my studies’ prevented +his growth in contrition, and in a knowledge of the excellency +of Christ. But so severe a judge as his friend and +fellow-student John Sargent, who knew all the facts, and +became not less saintly than himself, declares that there +was no reason, save his own humility, for his suspecting +a want of vitality at least in his spiritual life in this +critical year. His new-found life in Christ, and delight in +the Bible, reacted on his whole nature, elevating it to that +degree of spontaneous energy free from all self-consciousness +which is the surest condition, divine and human, of success. +He himself used to tell how, when he entered the Senate +House, the text of a sermon he had recently heard quieted +his spirit: ‘Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek +them not, saith the Lord.’</p> + +<p>Henry Martyn was not fully twenty years of age when, +in January 1801, he came out Senior Wrangler and first +Smith’s (mathematical) Prizeman. His year was one of +the most brilliant in the recent history of the University. +Woodall of Pembroke was second. Robert Grant was +third, and Charles Grant (Lord Glenelg) fourth Wrangler. +They distanced him in classics, once his strongest point. +But the boy who entered college believing that geometry +was to be learned by committing Euclid<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> to memory had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> +given the whole strength of his powers during three +years to the college examinations, so as to please his +father and win the applause of his fellows. Until recently +it was possible for a student to enter the University ignorant +of mathematics, and to come out Senior Wrangler, +as the late Professor Kelland used to tell his Edinburgh +class. Such was the reverence for Newton that the +Leibnizian methods were not recognised in the University +studies till the reform of the Cambridge course was introduced +by Dean Peacock and his contemporaries. In +those earlier days, Dr. Carlyon,<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> who had been one of his +school-fellows, tells us high Wranglers won their places by +correct book-work rapidly produced in oral examination +from four set treatises by Wood and Vince, on optics, +mechanics, hydrostatics, and astronomy; problem papers +were answered by the best men. Martyn’s grand-nephew, +himself a distinguished mathematician, remarks that he +sprang from a family of calculators, and so had the patience +and taste necessary for mathematical attainments. There +is no evidence that he pursued science even at Cambridge +except as a tutor; he does not appear to have been a +mathematical examiner even in his own college.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p><p>The truth is seen in his own comment on a success +which at once won for him admiration and deference in +circles that could not appreciate the lofty Christian aims of +his life: ‘I obtained my highest wishes, but was surprised to +find that I had grasped a shadow.’ He was called to other +service, and for that he brought his University triumph +with him to the feet of Christ. He was too cultured, +however, to despise learning or academic reputation, +for they might be made weapons for the Master’s use, +and we shall find him wielding both alike in home +and foreign missions. His genius and learning found +expression in the study, the translation, and the unceasing +application to the consciences of men, of the Word of God. +His early love of the classics of Greece and Rome prevailed +over his later mathematical studies to make him an ardent +philologist, with the promise, had he lived, of becoming an +Orientalist of the type of Sir William Jones. If he was +known in his college as ‘the man who had not lost an +hour’ when University honours alone were his object, how +much would not his unresting perseverance have accomplished, +when directed by the highest of all motives, had +he been spared to the age of William Carey or John +Wilson?</p> + +<p>The time had come for the brilliant student to decide +on his profession. The same ambition which had stimulated +him to his college successes, had led him to resolve on +studying the law, as the most lucrative. ‘I could not consent +to be poor for Christ’s sake,’ was his own language at +a later period. But Christ himself had changed all that, as +effectually as when the young lawyer Saul was stricken +down after the martyr testimony of Stephen. The year +1801 was to him one of comparative solitude, both in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> +Cornwall and at the University, where he cultivated the +fruitful grace of meditation, learning to know and to master +himself, as he came to know more and more intimately, +and to submit himself to, Christ Jesus. He was admitted +to the inner circle of Simeon’s friends, and to unreserved +intercourse with men of his own age who had come to +Christ before him. Especially was he drawn to John +Sargent, one year his senior, who was about to leave the +university for the Temple, that he might by the study of +law prepare himself to administer worthily the family estate +to which he was to succeed. His son-in-law, the late +Bishop S. Wilberforce, has left us a charming picture<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> of +this saintly man, of whom Martyn wrote, even at college, +‘Sargent seems to be outstripping us all.’ While Simeon +ever, by his counsels and his example, impressed on the +choice youth whom he gathered around him the attractiveness +of the Christian ministry,<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> Sargent bewailed that only a +painful sense of duty to others kept him from it, and in a +few years he succeeded in entering its consecrated ranks. +Among such friends, and with his own heart growing in +the experience of the power of the Holy Spirit, Henry +Martyn was constrained, notwithstanding his new humbleness +of mind, to hear and obey the divine call. He +who had received such mercy must tell it abroad; he who +had known such love must bring others to share the +sweetness. Hence he writes to his sister:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>When we consider the misery and darkness of the +unregenerate world, oh! with how much reason shall we +burst out into thanksgiving to God, who has called us in +His mercy through Christ Jesus! What are we, that we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> +should thus be made objects of distinguishing grace! +Who, then, that reflects upon the rock from which he was +hewn, but must rejoice to give himself entirely and without +reserve to God, to be sanctified by His Spirit. The +soul that has truly experienced the love of God, will not stay +meanly inquiring how much he shall do, and thus limit his +service, but will be earnestly seeking more and more to +know the will of our Heavenly Father, and that he may be +enabled to do it. Oh, may we both be thus minded! may +we experience Christ to be our all in all, not only as our +Redeemer, but also as the fountain of grace. Those +passages of the Word of God which you have quoted on +this head, are indeed awakening; may they teach us to +breathe after holiness, to be more and more dead to the +world, and alive unto God, through Jesus Christ. We are +as lights in the world; how needful then that our tempers +and lives should manifest our high and heavenly calling! +Let us, as we do, provoke one another to good works, not +doubting that God will bless our feeble endeavours to His +glory.</p></div> + +<p>The next year, 1802, saw Martyn Fellow of his College +and the winner of the first University prize for a Latin +essay, open to those who had just taken the Bachelor of +Arts degree. It ended in his determination to offer himself +to the Church Missionary Society. He had no sooner +resolved to be a minister of Christ than he began such +home mission work as lay to his hands among his fellow +members of the University, and in the city where, at a +recent period, one who closely resembled him in some +points, Ion Keith-Falconer, laboured. When ministering +to a dying man he found that the daughters had removed +to another house, where they were cheerful, and one of the +students was reading a play to them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> ‘A play! when their +father was lying in the agonies of death! What a species +of consolation! I rebuked him so sharply, and, I am +afraid, so intemperately, that a quarrel will perhaps ensue.’ +This is the first of those cases in which the impulsively +faithful Christian, testifying for his Master, often roused +hatred to himself. But the student afterwards thanked him +for his words, became a new man, and went out to India, +where he laboured for a time by his side. After a summer +tour—during which he walked to Liverpool, and then +through Wales, ascending Snowdon—Henry Martyn found +himself in the old home in Truro, then occupied by his +brother. From the noise of a large family he moved to +Woodbury: ‘With my brother-in-law<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> I passed some of +the sweetest moments in my life. The deep solitude of +the place favoured meditation; and the romantic scenery +around supplied great external sources of pleasure.’</p> + +<p>Along the beautiful coast of Cornwall and Devon there +is no spot more beautiful than Woodbury. It is henceforth +sacred as Moulton in Carey’s life, and St. Andrews in +Alexander Duff’s, for there Henry Martyn wrestled out +his deliberate dedication to the service of Christ in India +and Persia. The Fal river is there just beginning to open +out into the lovely estuary which, down almost to Falmouth +town and Carrick Road, between Pendennis and St. Mawes, +is clothed on either side with umbrageous woods. On the +left shore, after leaving the point from which is the best +view of Truro and its cathedral, now known as the Queen’s +View, there is Malpas, and further on are the sylvan glories +of Tregothnan. On the right shore, sloping down to the +ever-moving tide, are the oaks, ilexes, and firs which inclose +Woodbury, recently rebuilt. There the Cambridge scholar +of twenty-one roamed and read his Bible (especially Isaiah);<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> +‘and from this I derived great spirituality of mind compared +with what I had known before.’ He returned to +Cambridge and its tutorial duties, ready to become Simeon’s +curate, and ultimately to go abroad when the definite call +should come. In the first conversation which he had with +him, Simeon, who had been reading the last number of +the <i>Periodical Accounts</i> from Serampore, drew attention to +the results of William Carey’s work, in the first nine years +of his pioneering, as showing what a single missionary +could accomplish. From this time, in his letters and +journals, we find all his thoughts and reading, when alone, +revolving around the call to the East.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1803, January 12</i> to <i>19</i>.—Reading Lowth on Isaiah—Acts—and +abridged Bishop Hopkins’ first sermon on +Regeneration. On the 19th called on Simeon, from whom +I found that I was to go to the East Indies, not as a +missionary, but in some superior capacity; to be stationed +at Calcutta, or possibly at Ceylon. This prospect of this +world’s happiness gave me rather pain than pleasure, which +convinced me that I had before been running away from +the world, rather than overcoming it. During the whole +course of the day, I was more worldly than for some time +past, unsettled and dissatisfied. In conversation, therefore, +I found great levity, pride, and bitterness. What a sink +of corruption is this heart, and yet I can go on from day +to day in self-seeking and self-pleasing! Lord, shew me +myself, nothing but ‘wounds and bruises, and putrefying +sores,’ and teach me to live by faith on Christ my all.</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p class="date"> +St. John’s, January 17, 1803.<br /> +</p> + +<p>My dear Sargent,—G. and H. seem to disapprove +of my project much; and on this account I have been +rather discouraged of late, though not in any degree convinced. +It would be more satisfactory to go out with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +full approbation of my friends, but it is in vain to attempt +to please man. In doubtful cases, we are to use the +opinions of others no further than as means of directing +our own judgment. My sister has also objected to it, on +the score of my deficiency in that deep and solid experience +necessary in a missionary.</p> + +<p><i>February 4.</i>—Read Lowth in the afternoon, till I was +quite tired. Endeavoured to think of Job xiv. 14, and to +have solemn thoughts of death, but could not find them +before my pupil came, to whom I explained justification by +faith, as he had ridiculed Methodism. But talk upon what +I will, or with whom I will, conversation leaves me ruffled +and discomposed. From what does this arise? From a +want of the sense of God’s presence when I am with others.</p> + +<p><i>February 6.</i>—Read the Scriptures, between breakfast +and church, in a very wandering and unsettled manner, +and in my walk was very weak in desires after God. As +I found myself about the middle of the day full of pride +and formality, I found some relief in prayer. Sat with +H. and D. after dinner, till three, but though silent, was +destitute of humility. Read some of S. Pearce’s<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> life, and +was much interested by his account of the workings of his +mind on the subject of his mission. Saw reason to be +thankful that I had no such tender ties to confine me at +home, as he seemed to have; and to be amazed at myself, +in not making it a more frequent object of reflection, and +yet to praise God for calling me to minister in the glorious +work of the conversion of the Gentiles.</p> + +<p><i>March 27.</i>—The lectures in chemistry and anatomy I +was much engaged with, without receiving much instruction. +A violent cold and cough led me to prepare myself for an +inquiry into my views of death. I was enabled to rest +composed on the Rock of Ages. Oh, what mercy shewn +to the chief of sinners.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>April 22.</i>—Was ashamed to confess to <span class="dash">——</span> that I was +to be Mr. Simeon’s curate, a despicable fear of man from +which I vainly thought myself free. He, however, asked +me if I was not to be, and so I was obliged to tell him. +Jer. i. 17.</p> + +<p><i>May 8.</i>—Expressed myself contemptuously of <span class="dash">——</span>, who +preached at St. Mary’s. Such manifestations of arrogance +which embody, as it were, my inward pride, wound my +spirit inexpressibly, not to contrition, but to a sullen sense +of guilt. Read Second Epistle to Timothy. I prayed with +some earnestness.</p> + +<p><i>June 13</i> to <i>24</i>.—Passed in tolerable comfort upon the +whole; though I could on no day say my walk had been +close with God. Read Sir G. Staunton’s <i>Embassy to +China</i>, and was convinced of the propriety of being sent +thither. But I have still the spirit of worldly men when I +read worldly books. I felt more curiosity about the manners +of this people than love and pity towards their souls.</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p class="date"> +St. John’s, June 30, 1803.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Dear Sargent,—May you, as long as you shall give me +your acquaintance, direct me to the casting down of all +high imaginations. Possibly it may be a cross to you to +tell me or any one of his faults. But should I be at last +a castaway, or at least dishonour Christ through some sin, +which for want of faithful admonition remained unmortified, +how bitter would be your reflections! I conjure you, +therefore, my dear friend, as you value the good of the +souls to whom I am to preach, and my own eternal +interests, that you tell me what you think to be, in my life, +spirit, or temper, not according to the will of God my +Saviour. D. has heard about a religious young man +of seventeen, who wants to come to College, but has only +20<i>l.</i> a year. He is very clever, and from the perusal of +some poems which he has published, I am much interested +about him. His name is H.K. White.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>July 17.</i>—Rose at half-past five, and walked a little +before chapel in happy frame of mind; but the sunshine +was presently overcast by my carelessly neglecting to +speak for the good of two men, when I had an opportunity. +The pain was, moreover, increased by the prospect of the +incessant watchfulness for opportunities I should use; nevertheless, +resolved that I would do so through grace. The +dreadful act of disobeying God, and the baseness of being +unwilling to incur the contempt of men, for the sake of +the Lord Jesus, who had done so much for me, and the +cruelty of not longing to save souls, were the considerations +that pressed on my mind.</p> + +<p><i>July 18</i> to <i>30</i>.—Gained no ground in all this time; +stayed a few days at Shelford, but was much distracted +and unsettled for want of solitude. Felt the passion of +envy rankle in my bosom on a certain occasion. Seldom +enjoyed peace, but was much under the power of corruption. +Read Butler’s <i>Analogy</i>; Jon. Edwards <i>On the Affections</i>; in +great hopes that this book will be of essential use to me.</p> + +<p><i>September 10.</i>—Was most deeply affected with reading +the account of the apostasy of Lewis and Broomhall, in the +transactions of the Missionary Society. When I first +came to the account of the awful death of the former, I +cannot describe the sense I had of the reality of religion,—that +there is a God who testifies His hatred of sin; ‘my +flesh trembled for fear of His judgments.’ Afterwards, +coming to the account of Broomhall’s sudden turn to +Deism, I could not help even bursting into tears of anxiety +and terror at my own extreme danger; because I have +often thought, that if I ever should make shipwreck, it +would be on the rocks of sensuality or infidelity. The +hollowness of Broomhall’s arguments was so apparent, that +I could only attribute his fall to the neglect of inquiring +after the rational foundation of his faith.</p> + +<p><i>September 12.</i>—Read some of the minor prophets, and +Greek Testament, and the number of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span><i>Missionary +Transactions</i>. H. drank tea with me in the evening. I +read some of the missionary accounts. The account of +their sufferings and diligence could not but tend to lower +my notions of myself. I was almost ashamed at my having +such comforts about me, and at my own unprofitableness.</p> + +<p><i>September 13.</i>—Received a letter from my sister, in +which she expressed her opinion of my unfitness for the +work of a missionary. My want of Christian experience +filled me with many disquieting doubts, and this thought +troubled me among many others, as it has often done: ‘I +am not only not so holy as I ought, but I do not strive to +have my soul wrought up to the highest pitch of devotion +every moment.’</p> + +<p><i>September 17.</i>—Read Dr. Vanderkemp’s mission to Kafraria. +What a man! In heaven I shall think myself well +off, if I obtain but the lowest seat among such, though now +I am fond of giving myself a high one.</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p class="date"> +St. John’s, September 29, 1803.<br /> +</p> + +<p>How long it seems since I heard from you, my dear +Sargent. My studies during the last three months have +been Hebrew, Greek Testament, Jon. Edwards <i>On Original +Sin</i>, and <i>On the Affections</i>, and Bishop Hopkins,—your +favourite and mine. Never did I read such energetic language, +such powerful appeals to the conscience. Somehow +or other he is able to excite most constant interest, say +what he will. I have been lately reading the first volume +of the <i>Reports</i> of the Missionary Society, who sent out so +many to Otaheite and the southern parts of Africa. You +would find the account of Dr. Vanderkemp’s mission into +Kafraria infinitely entertaining. It appeared so much so to +me, that I could read nothing else while it lasted. Respecting +my own concerns in this way, no material change has +taken place, either externally or internally, except that my +sister thinks me unqualified, through want of religious +experience, and that I find greater pleasure at the prospect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +of it. I am conscious, however, of viewing things too much +on the bright side, and think more readily of the happiness +of seeing the desert rejoice and blossom as the rose, than of +pain, and fatigue, and crosses, and disappointments. However +it shall be determined for me, it is my duty to crush +the risings of self-will, so as to be cheerfully prepared to go +or stay.</p> + +<p><i>October 1.</i>—In the afternoon read in Law’s <i>Serious Call</i>, +the chapter on ‘Resignation,’ and prayed for it, according +to his direction. I rather think a regular distribution of +the day for prayer, to obtain the three great graces of +humility, love, and resignation, would be far the best way +to grow in them. The music at chapel led my thoughts to +heaven, and I went cheerfully to Mrs. S.H. drank tea with +me afterwards. As there was in the <i>Christian Observer</i> +something of my own, the first which ever appeared in +print, I felt myself going off to vanity and levity.</p> + +<div style="visibility: hidden;"><a name="picture2" id="picture2"> </a></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/page032.jpg" width="600" height="380" alt="SECOND COURT, ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE, 1803" /> +<span class="caption">SECOND COURT, ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE, 1803</span> +</div> + +<p><i>October 9.</i>—Rose at six, which is earlier than of late, and +passed the whole morning in great tranquillity. I prayed +to be sent out to China, and rejoiced in the prospect of the +glorious day when Christ shall be glorified on earth. At +chapel the music of the chant and anthem seemed to be in +my ears as the sounds of heaven, particularly the anthem, +1 Chron. xxix. 10. But these joys, alas! partake much of +the flesh in their transitory nature. At chapel I wished to +return to my rooms to read the song of Moses the servant +of God, &c. in the Revelation, but when I came to it +I found little pleasure. The sound of the music had ceased, +and with it my joy, and nothing remained but evil temper, +darkness, and unbelief. All this time I had forgotten what +it is to be a poor humble soul. I had floated off the Rock +of Ages into the deep, where I was beginning to sink, had +not the Saviour stretched out His hand, and said to me, ‘It +is I!’ Let me never be cheated out of my dependence on +Him, nor ever forget my need of Him.</p> + +<p><i>October 12.</i>—Reading Paley’s <i>Evidences</i>. Had my pride<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> +deeply wounded to-day, and perceived that I was far from +humility. Great bitterness and dislike arose in my mind +against the man who had been the unconscious cause of it. +Oh, may I learn daily my hidden evils, and loathe myself +for my secret abominations! Prayed for the man, and +found my affections return.</p> + +<p><i>October 19.</i>—I wished to have made my approaching +ordination to the ministry a more leading object of my +prayers. For two or three days I have been reading some +of St. Augustine’s <i>Meditations</i>, and was delighted with the +hope of enjoying such communion with God as this holy +man. Blessed be God! nothing prevents, no earthly business, +no earthly love can rightfully intrude to claim my +thoughts, for I have professedly resigned them all. My +mind still continues in a joyous and happy state, though at +intervals, through want of humility, my confidence seems +vain.</p> + +<p><i>October 20.</i>—This morning was almost all lost, by friends +coming in. At noon I read the fortieth chapter of Isaiah. +Amidst the bustle of common life, how frequently has my +heart been refreshed by the descriptions of the future glory +of the Church, and the happiness of man hereafter!</p> + +<p><i>November 13.</i>—I longed to draw very near to God, to +pray Him that He would give me the Spirit of wisdom and +revelation. I thought of David Brainerd, and ardently +desired his devotedness to God and holy breathings of soul.</p></div> + +<p>When a Fellow of St. John’s, Henry Martyn occupied +the three rooms in the highest storey of E block, entered +from the right-hand corner of the Second Court before +passing through the gateway into the Third Court. The +Court is that pronounced by Ruskin the finest in the +University, because of the beautiful plum-red hue of the +old brick, going back to 1595, and the perfect architecture. +From the same stair the fine College Library is entered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> +The low roof was formed of reed, instead of lath, and +plaster, down to a very recent date. On one occasion, +while the outer roof was being repaired, the foot of a +workman suddenly pushed through the frail inner ceiling +above the study table, an incident which has enabled their +present occupant<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> to identify the rooms. Here Martyn +studied, and taught, and prayed, while hour after hour and +quarter after quarter, from the spire of St. Clement’s on the +one side, and the tower of Trinity College on the other, the +flight of time was chimed forth. When, a generation after, +Alexander Duff visited Charles Simeon and his successor, +Carus, and expressed surprise that so few Cambridge men +had, by 1836, given themselves to foreign missions, Carus +pointed to the exquisite beauty of the Cam, as it winds +between Trinity and St. John’s, as one explanation of the +fact. Both forgot Henry Martyn, whose Cornish temperament +was most susceptible to the seductive influence, and +whose academic triumphs might have made the ideal life +of a Fellow of St. John’s an overpowering temptation. +As we stand in these hallowed rooms, or wander through +the four courts, and in the perfect gardens, or recall the +low chapel—which has given place to Sir Gilbert Scott’s, +with a frescoed figure of Henry Martyn on its roof—we +can realise the power of the motive that sent him forth to +Dinapore and Cawnpore, Shiraz and Tokat.</p> + +<p>Samuel Pearce—the ‘seraphic’ preacher of Birmingham, +whom a weak body, like Martyn’s, alone prevented from +joining his beloved Carey at Serampore; Vanderkemp, the +Dutch physician, who had given up all for the good of the +Kafirs, and whom he was soon to see in the midst of his +converts; David Brainerd, also like himself in the shortness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +and saintliness of his career; the transactions of the +London Missionary Society; the latest works on the East; +and the experimental divinity of Augustine, Jonathan +Edwards, and Law, with the writings of Bishops Butler +and Hopkins, and Dr. Paley—these were the men and +the books he used to train his spirit for the work of the +ministry abroad, when he had fed it with the words of +Jesus Christ, Isaiah, and Paul. He thus describes his +examination for Deacon’s orders, and his ordination by the +Bishop of Ely on the title of his Fellowship, after which +he became Mr. Simeon’s curate, and took charge of the +neighbouring small parish of Lolworth.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1803, October 22.</i>—Went in a gig to Ely with B. Having +had no time for morning prayer, my conversation was poor. +At chapel, I felt great shame at having come so confidently +to offer myself for the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, with +so much ignorance and unholiness, and I thought it would +be but just if I were sent off with ignominy. Dr. M., +the examining chaplain, set me to construe the eleventh +chapter of Matthew: Grotius: To turn the first article +into Latin: To prove the being of a God, His infinite +power and goodness: To give the evidence of Christianity +to Jews and heathens: To shew the importance of the +miracle of the resurrection of Christ. He asked an account, +also, of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes, the places of +the worship amongst the Jews, &c. After leaving the palace +I was in very low spirits. I had now nothing to think of +but the weight and difficulty of the work which lay before me, +which never appeared so great at a distance. At dinner the +conversation was frivolous. After tea I was left alone with +one of the deacons, to whom I talked seriously, and desired +him to read the Ordination Service, at which he was much +affected. Retired to my room early, and besought God to +give me a right and affecting sense of things. I seemed to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> +pray a long time in vain, so dark and distracted was my +mind. At length I began to feel the shameful and cruel +neglect and unconcern for the honour of God, and the souls +of my brethren, in having trifled with men whom I feared +were about to ‘lie to the Holy Ghost.’ So I went to them +again, resolving to lay hold on any opportunity, but found +none to do anything effectually. Went to bed with a +painful sense of my hardness of heart and unsuitable +preparation for the ministry.</p> + +<p><i>October 23.</i>—Rose early, and prayed, not without distraction. +I then walked, but could not acquire a right and +happy sense of God’s mercy in calling me to the ministry; +but was melancholy at the labours that awaited me. On +returning, I met one of the deacons, to whom I spoke on +the solemn occasion, but he seemed incapable of entertaining +a serious thought. At half-past ten we went to the +cathedral. During the ordination and sacramental services +I sought in vain for a humble heavenly mind. The outward +show which tended to inspire solemnity, affected me +more than the faith of Christ’s presence, giving me the +commission to preach the gospel. May I have grace to +fulfil those promises I made before God and the people! +After dinner, walked with great rapidity to Cambridge. +I went straight to Trinity Church, where my old vanities +assailed my soul. How monstrous and horrible did they +appear in me, now that I was a minister of holy things! I +could scarcely believe that so sacred an office should be +held by one who had such a heart within. B. sat with +me in the evening, but I was not humbled; for I had not +been near to God to obtain the grace of contrition. +On going to prayer at night, I was seized with a most +violent sickness. In the pain and disorder of my body, +I could but commend myself faintly to God’s mercy in Jesus +Christ.</p> + +<div style="visibility: hidden;"><a name="picture3" id="picture3"> </a></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 433px;"> +<img src="images/page037.jpg" width="433" height="600" alt="TRINITY CHURCH IN 1803." /> +<span class="caption">TRINITY CHURCH IN 1803.</span> +</div> + +<p><i>October 24</i> to <i>29</i>.—Busily employed in writing a sermon, +and from the slow advances I made in it, was in general<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> +very melancholy. I read on the Thursday night for the +first time in Trinity Church.</p> + +<p><i>October 30.</i>—Rose with a heavy heart, and my head +empty, from having read so little of the Scriptures this last +week. After church, sat with <span class="dash">——</span> two hours conversing about +the missionary plan. He considered my ideas on the subject +to be enthusiastic, and told me that I had neither strength +of body nor mind for the work. This latter defect I did not +at all like; it was galling to the pride of my heart, and I +went to bed hurt; yet thankful to God for sending me one +who would tell me the truth.</p> + +<p><i>December 3.</i>—Employed all day in writing sermon. +The incessant employment of my thoughts about the +necessary business of my life, parishes, pupils, sermons, sick, +&c., leave far too little time for my private meditations; so +that I know little of God and my soul. Resolved I would +gain some hours from my usual sleep, if there were no +other way; but failed this morning in consequence of sitting +up so late.</p> + +<p><i>December 4.</i>—Called at two or three of the parishioners’ +houses, and found them universally in the most profound +state of ignorance and stupidity. On my road home could +not perceive that men who have any little knowledge should +have anything to do but instruct their wretched fellow-creatures. +The pursuits of science, and all the vain and +glittering employments of men, seemed a cruel withholding +from their perishing brethren of that time and exertion +which might save their souls.</p> + +<p><i>December 22.</i>—Married <span class="dash">——</span>. How satisfactory is it +to administer the ordinance of matrimony, where the +couple are pious! I felt thankful that I was delivered +from all desires of the comforts of the married life. With +the most desirable partner, and every prospect of +happiness, I would prefer a single life, in which there +are so much greater opportunities for heavenly-mindedness.</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>When appointed classical examiner of his college at +this time, he jealously examined himself:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Did I delight in reading of the retreat of the ten +thousand Greeks; and shall not my soul glory in the +knowledge of God, who created the Greeks, and the vast +countries over which they passed! I examined in Butler’s +<i>Analogy</i> and in Xenophon: how much pride and ostentatious +display of learning was visible in my conduct—how +that detestable spirit follows me, whatever I do!</p></div> + +<p>He opened the year 1804, after preaching in Trinity +Church, and visiting two men whom he exhorted to think +on their ways, with a review of his new-found life.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Nevertheless, I judge that I have grown in grace in the +course of the last year; for the bent of my desires is towards +God more than when I thought I was going out as a +missionary, though vastly less than I expected it would +have been by this time.</p></div> + +<p>This year he received into his fellowship the young +poet, Henry Kirke White, whom Wilberforce had, at +Simeon’s request, sent to St. John’s. Southey declares +that Chatterton is the only youthful poet whom Kirke +White does not leave far behind him. ‘The Star of +Bethlehem’ is certainly a hymn that will live. The sickly +youth followed close in Martyn’s steps, becoming the first +man of his year, but the effort carried him off almost +before his friend reached India.</p> + +<p>Had Martyn been of canonical age for ordination at the +close of 1803, there can be little doubt that he would at +once have been sent out by the Church Missionary Society, +which could find only German Lutherans as its agents +abroad, until 1813, when another Fellow of St. John’s, and +a Wrangler, the Rev. William Jowett, offered his services,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> +and was stationed at Malta. But when ordained he lost +the little that he had inherited from his father, and saw +his younger sister also without resources. There was a +tradition in the family of his half-brother John, that Henry +and his sisters litigated with him, and farther lessened the +patrimony. However that may have been, while in India +Henry set apart the proceeds of his Fellowship at St. John’s +for the maintenance of his brother’s family, and bequeathed +all he had to his children. Mr. H. Thornton, of Clapham, +was executor, and duly carried out his instructions, starting +the nephews in life. Another incident at this time foreshadows +the self-denial of his Indian career. By opening +the door of his room suddenly he had disfigured the face +of his Cambridge landlady, whose husband was a clergyman. +He left to her the interest of 1,000<i>l.</i> as an amend, +and she enjoyed this annuity through a very long life.</p> + +<p>The Senior Wrangler was not allowed to preach in the +church where he had been baptised, nor in any church of +his native county, save in his brother-in-law’s. On August 8, +1804, he thus wrote to his friend ‘R. Boys, Esq., Bene’t Coll., +Cambridge,’ after preaching at Plymouth for his cousin:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The following Sunday it was not permitted me to occupy +the pulpit of my native town, but in a neighbouring church +I was allowed to testify the Gospel of the grace of God. +But that one sermon was enough. The clergy seem to +have united to exclude me from their churches, so that I +must now be contented with my brother-in-law’s two little +churches about five miles from Truro. The objection is that +‘Mr. Martyn is a Calvinist preacher in the dissenting way, &c.’ +My old schoolmaster, who has always hitherto been proud +of his pupil, has offered his services for any time to a curate +near this place, rather than, as he said, he should apply to +me for assistance.</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is interesting to remember, remarks Mr. Moule, who +has published this letter for the first time, that ‘always +now, as the anniversary of Martyn’s death recurs, a sermon +is preached in the cathedral of Truro, in which the great +work of Missions is set forth, and his illustrious share in it +commemorated.’</p> + +<p>As confidential adviser of Charles Grant in the Court +of Directors, in the appointment of chaplains, Simeon +always sought to attract the best of his curates to that +career, and it would appear from the <i>Journal</i> that so early +as the beginning of 1803 he had hinted at this to Martyn. +Now the way was plain. Martyn could no longer support +himself as one of those volunteer missionaries whose services +the two great missionary societies of the Church of England +have always been happy to enjoy, nor could he relieve his +sister out of the subsistence allowance of a missionary. Mr. +Grant’s offer of a Bengal chaplaincy seemed to come to +him as the solution. But a new element had entered into +his life, second only to his spiritual loyalty. He had learned +to love Lydia Grenfell.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> See the <i>Statistical Society’s Journal</i>, September, 1888, for invaluable +notes on the ‘System of Work and Wages in the Cornish Mines,’ by L.L. +Price, M.A., of Oriel College, Oxford.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> The late Henry Martyn Jeffery, M.A., F.R.S., in 1883.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Rev. Henry Bailey, D.D., Canon of Canterbury, supplies us with this +story from the lips of the late Rev. T.H. Shepherd, who was the last +surviving Canon of the Collegiate Church in Southwell:— +</p><p> +‘Henry Martyn had just entered the College as a Freshman under the +Rev. Mr. Catton. I was the year above him, <i>i.e.</i> second year man; and Mr. +Catton sent for me to his rooms, telling me of Martyn, as a quiet youth, with +some knowledge of classics, but utterly unable as it seemed to make anything +of even the First Proposition of Euclid, and desiring me to have him into my +rooms, and see what I could do for him in this matter. Accordingly, we spent +some time together, but all my efforts appeared to be in vain; and Martyn, in +sheer despair, was about to make his way to the coach office, and take his +place the following day back to Truro, his native town. I urged him not to +be so precipitate, but to come to me the next day, and have another trial +with Euclid. After some time light seemed suddenly to flash upon his mind, +with clear comprehension of the hitherto dark problem, and he threw up his +cap for joy at his <i>Eureka</i>. The Second Proposition was soon taken, and with +perfect success; but in truth his progress was such and so rapid, that he +distanced every one in his year, and, as everyone knows, became Senior +Wrangler.’</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> <i>Early Years and Late Reflections</i>, vol. iii. p. 5.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> Introduction to <i>Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn</i>, 1837.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> See the delightful <i>Charles Simeon</i>, by H.C.G. Moule, M.A. (1892), +published since this was written.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Rev. Mr. Curgenven, curate of Kenwyn and Kea.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> William Carey’s most intimate friend. See p. 46 of <i>Life of William +Carey, D.D.</i>, 2nd ed. (John Murray).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> Rev. A. Caldecott, M.A., Fellow and Dean of St. John’s College.</p></div> +</div> + + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<p class="subheading">LYDIA GRENFELL</p> + + +<p>Twenty-six miles south-west of Truro, and now the last +railway station before Penzance is reached for the Land’s +End, is Marazion, the oldest, the warmest, and long the +dullest, of English towns. This was the home of Lydia +Grenfell; this was the scene of Henry Martyn’s wooing. +Running out from the town is a natural causeway, uncovered +at low tide, and leading to the most romantic spot +on a romantic coast—the granite rock known to the Greek +geographers as Ictis, and to English legend and history as +St. Michael’s Mount. Here it was that Jack slew the giant, +Cormoran; here that the Phœnician, and possibly Israelite, +traffickers found the harbour, and in the town the market, +where they bought their copper and their tin; here that +St. Michael appeared, as on the larger rock off Normandy, +to the earliest Christian hermits, followed by the Benedictines; +and here that King John made a fortress which both +sides in the Great Rebellion held and took alternately. +Since that time, possessed by the St. Aubyn family, and +open to all the world, St. Michael’s Mount has been a +unique retreat in which castle and chapel, cemetery and +garden, unite peacefully, to link the restlessness of the +nineteenth century with the hermit saintliness and angel-ophanies +of the fifth. It was the last spot of English, of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +Cornish, ground seen by Henry Martyn, and he knew that +the windows of his beloved looked upon its grassy castellated +height.</p> + +<p>In the one ascending street of Marazion on the shore, +there still stands the plain substantial Grenfell House, now +boarded up and falling to ruin for want of the freehold +tenure. Opposite it is the parish church, now on the site +of the old chapel of ease of the neighbouring St. Hilary, +which Lydia Grenfell deserted for the then warmer evangelical +service of the little Wesleyan chapel. That is +hidden in a lane, and is still the same as when she worshipped +there, or only a little enlarged. The Grenvilles, +Grenviles, or Grenfells, were long a leading family connected +with Cornwall as copper-buyers and smelters. One, Pascoe +Grenfell, was a Governor of the Bank of England. Mr. +Pascoe Grenfell, of Marazion (1729-1810), Commissary to +the States of Holland, was father (1) of Emma, who became +wife of Martyn’s cousin, Rev. T. Martyn Hitchins; (2) of +Lydia Grenfell; and (3) of Pascoe Grenfell, D.C.L., M.P. +for Marlow and Penryn. This Pascoe’s four daughters—Lydia +Grenfell’s nieces—each became the wife of a remarkable +man. The eldest, in 1825, married Mr. Carr Glyn, M.P. +for Kendal, and the first Lord Wolverton; the second, Lord +Sidney Godolphin Osborne; the third, Mr. James Anthony +Froude; and the fourth, Charles Kingsley.</p> + +<div style="visibility: hidden;"><a name="picture4" id="picture4"> </a></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 592px;"> +<img src="images/page045.jpg" width="592" height="366" alt="ST. MICHAEL’S MOUNT AT FULL TIDE." /> +<span class="caption">ST. MICHAEL’S MOUNT AT FULL TIDE.</span> +</div> + +<p>Lydia Grenfell, born in 1775, died in her sister’s house, +the old Vicarage of Breage, in 1829. She was thus six +years older than Henry Martyn. As the sister of his +cousin by marriage he must have known of her early. He +evidently did not know, till it was too late, that she had +been engaged to a Mr. Samuel John, solicitor, of Penzance, +who was unworthy of her and married someone else.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> +This engagement and its issue seem to have weighed on +her very sensitive conscience; it became to her very much +what Henry Martyn’s hopeless love for her proved to be to +himself. In the years from October 19, 1801, to 1826, she +kept a diary not less devout, but far more morbid than +his own. The two journals form, where they meet, a +pathetic, even tragic, tale of affection, human and divine. +Her bulky memoranda<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> contain few incidents of interest, +rather severe introspections, incessant communings and +heart-searchings, abstracts of sermons, records of visits to +the sick and poor, but also a valuable residuum by which +her relations with Martyn can be established beyond controversy. +They show that she was as saintly as himself. +She weighed every thought, every action, as in the immediate +presence of God.</p> + +<p>When Henry Martyn, at nineteen, entered on the +higher life, he must have known Lydia Grenfell as the +sister of Mrs. T.M. Hitchins, the cousin with whom his +correspondence shows him to have been on most intimate, +and even affectionate, terms. At that time the difference +of age would seem slight; her it would affect little, if at all, +while common experience suggests that it would be even +attractive to him. With the ardour of a young disciple—which +in his case grew, year by year, till he passed away—he +sought spiritual counsel and communion. On his visits +to Cornwall he found both in his younger sister, but it is +evident that, from the first, the riper spiritual life of Lydia +Grenfell attracted him to her. His triumph, at twenty, as +Senior Wrangler put him quite in a position to dream of +winning her. His unexpected poverty was relieved by his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +Fellowship of St. John’s. In those days, however, that +would have ceased with marriage. When it became +more than probable that he would receive an appointment +to Bengal, through Mr. Charles Grant—either as minister +of the Mission Church founded by Kiernander, or as a +chaplain of the East India Company—he was face to +face with the question of marrying.</p> + +<p>In these days the course followed by missionary +societies as the result of experience is certainly the best. +A missionary and a chaplain in India should, in ordinary +circumstances, be married, but it is not desirable that the +marriage take place for a year or longer, until the young +minister has proved the climate, and has learned the native +language, when the lady can be sent out to be united to +him. At the beginning of the modern missionary enterprise, +a century ago, it was difficult to find spiritual men +willing to go to India on any terms, and they did well in +every case to go out married. All the conditions of time, +distance, society, and Christian influence were then different. +If the missionary’s or chaplain’s wife is worthy of his calling, +she doubles his usefulness, notwithstanding the cares +and the expense of children in many cases, alike by keeping +her husband in a state of efficiency on every side, by +her own works of charity and self-sacrifice—especially +among the women, who can be reached in no other way—and +by helping to present to the idolatrous or Mussulman +community the powerful example of a Christian home. +Henry Martyn’s principles and instincts were right in this +matter. As a chaplain, at any rate, he was in a position +to marry at once. As India or Bengal then was, Lydia, +had she gone out with him, or soon after him, would have +proved to be a much needed force in Anglo-Indian society,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> +an influence on the native communities whom he sought +to bring to Christ. Above all, as a man born with a +weak body, with habits of incessant and intense application +to study and to duty, Henry Martyn required one with the +influence of a wife to keep him in life and to prolong his +Indian service. It was the greatest calamity of his whole +career that Lydia did not accompany him. But, since he +learned to love her with all the rich devotion of his passionate +nature, we cannot consider it ‘a bitter misfortune,’ as +some do, that he ever knew her. His love for Lydia, in +the fluctuations of its hope, in the ebb and flow of its +tenderness, and in the transmutation of its despair into +faith and resignation to the will of God, worked out a +higher elevation for himself, and gives to his <i>Journals and +Letters</i> a pure human interest which places them above the +<i>Confessions of St. Augustine</i>.</p> + +<p>The first allusion to the possibility of marriage we find +in his <i>Journal</i> of January 23, 1803, and again in June 12 +of the same year:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I was grieved to find that all the exertions of prayer +were necessary against worldly-mindedness, so soon had +the prospect of the means of competent support in India +filled my heart with concern about earthly happiness, +marriage, &c.; but I strove earnestly against them, and +prayed for grace that, if it should please God to try my +faith by calling me to a post of opulence, I might not dare +to use for myself what is truly His; as also, that I might +be enabled to keep myself single, for serving Him more +effectually. Nevertheless, this change in my circumstances +so troubled me, that I could have been infinitely better +pleased to have gone out as a missionary, poor as the Lord +and His Apostles.</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span></p> + +<p>His friend Sargent’s ‘approaching marriage with a lady +of uncommon excellence rather excited in me a desire +after a similar state; but I strove against it,’ he wrote on +July 10. Next day, on the top of the coach from London +to Bath, in the cold of a high wind, he was ‘most dreadfully +assailed by evil thoughts, but at the very height +prayer prevailed, and I was delivered, and during the rest +of the journey enjoyed great peace and a strong desire to +live for Christ alone, forsaking the pleasures of the world, +marriage, &c.’ At Plymouth he spent two days ‘with my +dear cousin T.H.,’ Lydia’s sister. After Truro, Kenwyn, +and Lamorran, near Truro, of which his sister Sarah’s husband +was vicar, he rode to St. Hilary.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1804, July 29.</i> (Sunday.)—Read and prayed in the +morning before service with seriousness, striving against +those thoughts which oppressed me all the rest of the day. +At St. Hilary Church in the morning my thoughts wandered +from the service, and I suffered the keenest disappointment. +Miss L.G. did not come. Yet, in great +pain, I blessed God for having kept her away, as she might +have been a snare to me. These things would be almost +incredible to another, and almost to myself, were I not +taught by daily experience that, whatever the world may +say, or I may think of myself, I am a poor, wretched, +sinful, contemptible worm.</p> + +<p>Called after tea on Miss L.G., and walked with her +and <span class="dash">——</span>, conversing on spiritual subjects. All the rest of +the evening, and at night, I could not keep her out of my +mind. I felt too plainly that I loved her passionately. +The direct opposition of this to my devotedness to God in +the missionary way, excited no small tumult in my mind. +In conversation, having no divine sweetness in peace, my +cheerfulness was affected, and, consequently, very hurtful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> +to my conscience. At night I continued an hour and a +half in prayer, striving against this attachment. I endeavoured +to analyse it, that I might see how base, and +mean, and worthless such a love to a speck of earth was, +compared with divine love. Then I read the most solemn +parts of Scripture, to realise to myself death and eternity; +and these attempts were sometimes blest. One while I +was about to triumph, but in a moment my heart had +wandered to the beloved idol. I went to bed in great +pain, yet still rather superior to the evening; but in dreams +her image returned, and I awoke in the night with my +mind full of her. No one can say how deeply this unhappy +affection has fixed itself; since it has nothing selfish in it, +that I can perceive, but is founded on the highest admiration +of her piety and manners.</p> + +<p><i>July 30.</i>—Rose in great peace. God, by secret influence, +seemed to have caused the tempest of self-will to subside. +Rode away from St. Hilary to Gwennap in peace of mind, +and meditated most of the way on Romans viii. I again +devoted myself to the Lord, and with more of my will +than last night. I was much disposed to think of subjects +entirely placed beyond the world, and had strong desires, +though with heavy opposition from my corrupt nature, +after that entire deadness to the world which David +Brainerd manifested. At night I found myself to have +backslidden a long way from the life of godliness, to have +declined very much since my coming into Cornwall, but +especially since I went to St. Hilary. Sat up late, and read +the last chapter and other parts of Revelation, and was +deeply affected. Prayed with more success than lately.</p> + +<p><i>July 31.</i>—Read and prayed this morning with increasing +victory over my self-will. Romans vii. was particularly +suitable; it was agreeable to me to speak to God of my +own corruption and helplessness. Walked in the afternoon +to Redruth, after having prayed over the Epistle to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> +Ephesians with much seriousness. On the road I was +enabled to triumph at last, and found my heart as pleased +with the prospect of a single life in missionary labours as +ever. ‘What is the exceeding greatness of His power to +usward who believe!’</p></div> + +<p>After preaching to crowds in his brother-in-law’s church +at Kenwyn and Lamorran, on the two subsequent Sundays, +he walked to St. Hilary:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1804, August 26.</i>—Rose early, and walked out, invited +by the beauty of the morning. Many different pleasing +thoughts crowded on my mind, as I viewed the sea and +rocks, Mount and bay, and thought of the person who +lived near it; but, for want of checking my natural spirits, +and fixing on one subject of thought, I was not much +benefited by my meditations. Walked in the evening +with Mrs. G. and Lydia up the hill, with the most beautiful +prospect of the sea, &c.; but I was unhappy, from feeling +the attachment to Lydia, for I was unwilling to leave her.</p> + +<p><i>August 27.</i>—Walked to Marazion, with my heart more +delivered from its idolatry, and enabled to look steadily +and peacefully to God. Reading in the afternoon to Lydia +alone, from Dr. Watts, there happened to be, among other +things, a prayer on entire preference of God to the creature. +Now, thought I, here am I in the presence of God, and my +idol. So I used the prayer for myself, and addressed it to +God, who answered it, I think, for my love was kindled +to God and divine things, and I felt cheerfully resigned to +the will of God, to forego the earthly joy which I had just +been desiring with my whole heart. I continued conversing +with her, generally with my heart in heaven, but every now +and then resting on her. Parted with Lydia, perhaps for +ever in this life, with a sort of uncertain pain, which I knew +would increase to greater violence afterwards, on reflection. +Walked to St. Hilary, determining, in great tumult and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> +inward pain, to be the servant of God. All the rest of the +evening, in company or alone, I could think of nothing +but her excellences. My efforts were, however, through +mercy, not in vain, to feel the vanity of this attachment to +the creature. Read in Thomas à Kempis many chapters +directly to the purpose; the shortness of time, the awfulness +of death and its consequences, rather settled my mind +to prayer. I devoted myself unreservedly to the service +of the Lord, to Him, as to one who knew the great conflict +within, and my firm resolve, through His grace, of being +His, though it should be with much tribulation.</p> + +<p><i>August 28.</i>—Rose with a heavy heart, and took leave +of St. Hilary, where all the happier hours of my early life +were passed. <span class="dash">——</span> and <span class="dash">——</span> accompanied me in the chaise +a few miles; but the moment they left me I walked on, +dwelling at large on the excellence of Lydia. I had a few +faint struggles to forget her, and delight in God, but they +were ineffectual. Among the many motives to the subjection +of self-will, I found the thought of the entire unworthiness +of a soul escaped from hell to choose its own +will before God’s, most bring my soul to a right frame. +So that, while I saw the necessity of resigning, for the +service of God, all those joys, for the loss of which I could +not perceive how anything in heaven or earth could be a +compensation, I said, Amen!</p> + +<p><i>August 29.</i>—I walked to Truro, with my mind almost +all the way taken up with Lydia. But once reasoning in +this way—If God made me, and wills my happiness, as I do +not doubt, then He is providing for my good by separating +me from her; this reasoning convinced my mind. I felt +very solemnly and sweetly the excellence of serving God +faithfully, of following Christ and His Apostles, and meditated +with great joy on the approach of the end of this +world. Yet still I enjoyed, every now and then, the +thought of walking hereafter with her, in the realms of +glory, conversing on the things of God. My mind the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> +rest of the evening was much depressed. I had no desire +to live in this world; scarcely could I say where I would +be, or what I would do, now that my self-will was so +strongly counteracted. Thus God waits patiently my return +from my backsliding, which I would do immediately. +If He were to offer me the utmost of my wishes, I would +say, ‘Not so, Lord! Not my will, but Thine be done.’</p> + +<p><i>August 30.</i>—Passed the morning rather idly, in reading +lives of pious women. I felt an indescribable mixture of +opposing emotions. At one time, about to ascend with +delight to God, who had permitted me to aspire after the +same glory, but oftener called down to earth by my earthly +good. Major Sandys calling, continued till dinner conversing +about India. I consented to stay a day with him +at Helston, but the thought of being so near Marazion +renewed my pain, especially taken in connection with my +going thither on the subject of my departure. After dinner, +walked in the garden for two hours, reasoning with my +perverse heart, and, through God’s mercy, not without +success. You preach up deadness to the world, and yet +not an example of it! Now is the time, my soul, if you +cannot feel that it is best to bear the cross, to trust God +for it. This will be true faith. If I were put in possession +of my idol, I should immediately say and feel that God +alone was, notwithstanding, the only good, and to Him I +should seek immediately. Again I weighed the probable +temporal consequence of having my own will gratified; +the dreadful pain of separation by death, after being united, +together with the distress I might bring upon her whom I +loved. All these things were of small influence till I read +the Epistle to the Hebrews, by which my mind, made to +consider divine things attentively, was much more freed +from earthly things. ‘Let us come boldly to the throne +of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help +in time of need,’ was very precious and comforting to me. +I have found grace to help in this time of need; I still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> +want a humble spirit to wait upon the Lord. I almost +called God to witness that I duly resigned my pleasure to +His, as if I wished it to be remembered. In the evening +had a serious and solemn time in prayer, chiefly for the +influences of the Spirit, and rose with my thoughts fixed +on eternity; I longed for death, and called on the glorious +day to hasten; but it was in order to be free from the +troubles of this world.</p> + +<p><i>August 31.</i>—Passed the morning partly in reading and +writing, but chiefly in business. Rode to Rosemundy, +with my mind at first very unhappy, at the necessity of +mortifying my self-will, in the same particulars as for some +days. In conversing on the subject of India with Major +Sandys, I could not help communicating the pain I felt at +parting with the person to whom I was attached; but by +thus dwelling on the subject my heart was far more distressed +than ever. Found my mind more easy and submissive +to God at night in prayer.</p></div> + +<p>St. Hilary Church, in which Henry Martyn preached, +is one of the oldest in England, containing, in the tower +of Edward III.’s reign, two stones with inscriptions of the +time of the Emperor Flavius Constantinus, who was killed +by Honorius in 411. What Lydia Grenfell thought of +Martyn’s sermon on that day, August 26, thenceforth +memorable to both, we find in her <i>Diary</i> of that date:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1804, August 26.</i>—Heard H.M. on ‘Now then we are +ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you +by us: we pray you, in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to +God. For He hath made Him to be sin (<i>i.e.</i> sin-offering) +for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the +righteousness of God in Him.’ Exordium on the honourable +employment of a minister of the Gospel. In the text +two things were implied. First, we were at enmity with +God. Second, we were unable to restore ourselves to His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> +favour. There were two things expressed in the text—the +means of reconciliation, and God’s invitation to be +reconciled; a threefold address to saints, backsliders, and +sinners; and a farewell address. A precious sermon. +Lord, bless the preacher, and those that heard him!</p></div> + +<p>At that time, in 1804, the lady was still preoccupied, +in conscience or heart, or both, by her imaginary ties to +Mr. S. John. But six months before that she had heard of +his approaching marriage, though, in fact, that did not take +place till 1810. All that time, if she did not feel, to one +to whom her heart had been more closely united than to +any ‘earthly object,’ as she had written in her <i>Diary</i>, what +Mr. H.M. Jeffery describes as the attachment of a widow +with the responsibility of a wife, her scrupulous introspective +habit was an obstacle to a healthy attachment. The +preacher, younger than herself, was in 1804 evidently to +her only an interesting and gracious second cousin, or +perhaps a little more.</p> + +<p>On his way back to London Henry Martyn again +visited Plymouth, where he learned from his cousin ‘that +my attachment to her sister was not altogether unreturned, +and the discovery gave me both pleasure and pain.’ He +left them, his thoughts ‘almost wholly occupied with +Lydia.’ London, Cambridge, his reading and his walking, +his work and even his sleep, bring him no rest from the +absorbing passion. His <i>Journal</i> is full of it, almost every +day. Fortescue’s poems recall the happy mornings at St. +Hilary, but his pensive meditation subsided into a more +profitable one on the vanity of the world: ‘they marry and +are given in marriage,’ and at the end of a few years what +are they more than myself?—looking forward to the same +dissolution, and expecting their real happiness in another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> +life. ‘The fashion of this world passeth away,’ Amen. +‘Let me do the will of God while I am in it.’</p> + +<p>The first day of the year 1805 led him to review the +past five years, and to renew his self-dedication to God the +Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be His servant for ever. +The time for his departure to India was at hand, and his +last act, on leaving London for Cambridge, to complete his +arrangements for sailing, was deliberately to engage himself +to Lydia Grenfell in the following letter to her sister.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> +It is thus referred to in his <i>Journal</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I was in some doubt whether I should send the letter +to Emma, as it was taking a very important step, and I +could scarcely foresee all the consequences. However, I +did send it, and may now be said to have engaged myself +to Lydia.</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p class="date"> +18 Brunswick Square (London), January 11, 1805.<br /> +</p> + +<p>My dear Mrs. Hitchins,—How unaccountable must my +long silence appear to you after the conversation that +passed between us in the carriage! You may well wonder +that I could forbear, for three whole months, to inquire +about the ‘beloved Persis.’ Indeed, I am surprised at my +own patience, but, in truth, I found it impossible to discover +what it is which I wish or ought to say on the subject, +and therefore determined to defer writing till I could +inform you with certainty of my future destination. But +I have it not yet in my power to do this, for no actual +appointment has been made for me yet. I came to town +the beginning of this week to inquire into the present +state of the business, and learned from Mr. Grant that +the situation he intended to procure, and to which he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> +no doubt of getting me nominated, was not in the Army, +but at Fort William, near Calcutta. Thus it pleases God +to suspend the declaration of His mind, and I can believe +that He acts wisely. These apparent delays serve to check +my youthful impetuosity, and teach me to look up to God, +and wait for Him. If the chaplaincy at Fort William +should be given me, it would seem to be His design not to +call me to the peculiar work of a missionary, but to fix my +station among the English. At present my own inclination +remains almost unbiassed, as to the particular employment +or place God shall assign me, whether to pass my days +among the natives, or the more polished inhabitants of +Calcutta, or even to remain at home.</p> + +<p>But you will easily conceive that the increasing probability +of my being settled in a town rather tends to +revive the thoughts of marriage, for I feel very little doubt +in my own mind, that in such a situation it would be expedient +for me on the whole to marry, if other circumstances +permitted it. It is also as clear that I ought not to make +an engagement with any one in England, till I have ascertained +by actual observation in India, what state of life +and mode of proceeding would be most conducive to the +ends of my mission. But why do I mention these difficulties? +If they were removed, others would remain still +more insurmountable. The affections of the beloved object +in question must still be engaged in my favour, or even +then she would not agree to leave the kingdom, nor would +any of you agree to it, nor would such a change of climate, +it may be thought, suit the delicacy of her constitution.</p> + +<p>Must I, then, yield to the force of these arguments, and +resolve to think of her no more? It shall certainly be my +endeavour, by the help of my God, to do it, if need be; but +I confess I am very unwilling to go away and hear of her +only accidentally through the medium of others. It is +this painful reflection that has prompted a wish, which I +do not mention without some hesitation, and that is my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +wish of corresponding with her. It is possible you may +instantly perceive some impropriety in it which escapes +my notice, and indeed there are some objections which I +foresee might be made, but instead of anticipating them, I +will leave you to form your own opinion. In religion we +have a subject to write upon of equal interest to us both, +and though I cannot expect she would derive any advantage +from my letters, it is certain I should receive no small +benefit from hers. But I leave it with yourself; if you +disapprove of the measure, let the request be forgotten. It +will be best for her never to know I had made it, or if she +does, she will, I hope, pardon a liberty to which I have +been drawn only by the love of her excellence.</p> + +<p>N.B.—I remember <i>Leighton</i>; take care not to forget it +nor the desired MS.</p></div> + +<p>On June 1 he wrote in his <i>Journal</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>My departure from my friends, and my deprivation of +the sweetest delight in society, for ever in this life, have +rather dejected me to-day. Ah! Nature, thou hast still +tears to shed for thyself!... I seem to be hankering after +something or other in this world, though I am sure I could +not say there is anything which I believed could give me +happiness. No! it is in God above. Yet to-night I have +been thinking much of Lydia. Memory has been at work +to unnerve my soul, but reason, and honour, and love to +Christ and to souls, shall prevail. Amen. God help me!</p></div> + +<p>Two days after, at the Eclectic Society, after a discussion +on the symptoms of ‘the state of the nation,’ the subject of +marriage, somehow or other, came to be mentioned.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Mr. Cecil spoke very freely and strongly on the subject. +He said I should be acting like a madman if I went out +unmarried. A wife would supply by her comfort and +counsel the entire want of society, and also be a preservative<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> +both to character and passions amidst such scenes. I felt +as cold as an anchorite on the subject as to my own feelings, +but I was much perplexed all the rest of the evening about +it. I clearly perceived that my own inclination upon the +whole was not to marriage. The fear of being involved in +worldly cares and numberless troubles, which I do not now +foresee, makes me tremble and dislike the thoughts of such +connection. When I think of Brainerd, how he lived +among the Indians, travelling freely from place to place, +can I conceive he would have been so useful had he been +married? I remember also that Owens, who had been so +many years in the West Indies as a missionary, gave his +advice against marriage. Schwartz was never married, nor +St. Paul. On the other hand, when I suppose another in +my circumstances, fixed at a settlement without company, +without society, in a scene and climate of such temptation, +I say without hesitation, he ought to be married. I have +recollected this evening very much my feelings when I +walked through Wales; how I longed there to have some +friend to speak to; and the three weeks seemed an age +without one. And I have often thought how valuable +would be the counsel and comfort of a Christian brother in +India. These advantages would be obtained by marrying. +I feel anxious also that as many Christians as possible +should go to India, and anyone willing to go would be a +valuable addition. But yet voluntary celibacy seems so +much more noble and glorious, and so much more beneficial +in the way of example, that I am loth to relinquish +the idea of it. In short, I am utterly at a loss to know +what is best for the interests of the Gospel. But, happily, +my own peace is not much concerned in it. If this opinion +of so many pious clergymen had come across me when I +was in Cornwall, and so strongly attached to my beloved +Lydia, it would have been a conflict indeed in my heart to +oppose so many arguments. But now I feel, through grace, +an astonishing difference. I hope I am not seeking an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +excuse for marriage, nor persuading myself I am indifferent +about it, in order that what is really my inclination may +appear to be the will of God. But I feel my affections +kindling to their wonted fondness while I dwell on the +circumstances of a union with Lydia. May the Lord +teach His weak creature to live peacefully and soberly in +His love, drawing all my joys from Him, the fountain of +living waters.</p> + +<p><i>June 4.</i>—The subject of marriage made me thoughtful +and serious. Mr. Atkinson, whose opinion I revere, was +against my marrying. Found near access to my God in +prayer. Oh, what a comfort it is to have God to go to. +I breathed freely to Him my sorrows and cares, and set +about my work with diligence. The Lord assisted me +very much, and I wrote more freely than ever I did. Slept +very little in the night.</p> + +<p><i>June 5.</i>—Corrie breakfasted with me, and went to +prayer; I rejoiced to find he was not unwilling to go to +India. He will probably be my fellow-labourer. Most of +this morning was employed in writing all my sentiments +on the subject of marriage to Mr. Simeon. May the Lord +suggest something to him which may be of use to guide +me, and keep my eye single. In my walk out, and afterwards, +the subject was constantly on my mind. But, alas! +I did not guard against that distraction from heavenly +things which I was aware it would occasion. On reflection +at home, I found I had been talking in a very inconsistent +manner, but was again restored to peace by an application +to Christ’s blood through the Spirit. My mind has all this +day been very strongly inclined to marriage, and has been +consequently uncomfortable, for in proportion to its want +of simplicity it is unhappy. But Mr. Cecil said to-day, he +thought Lydia’s decision would fully declare the will of +God. With this I am again comforted, for now hath the +Lord taken the matter into His own hands. Whatever +He decides upon, I shall rejoice; and though I confess I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +think she will not consent to go, I shall then have the +question finally settled.</p> + +<p>Discussion in the evening was about my marriage +again; they were all strenuous advocates for it. Wrote +at night with great freedom, but my body is very weak +from the fatigue I have already undergone. My mind +seems very active this week; manifestly, indeed, strengthened +by God to be enabled to write on religious subjects +with such unusual ease, while it is also full of this important +business of the marriage. My inclination continues, I +think, far more unbiassed than when I wrote to Mr. +Simeon.</p> + +<p><i>June 7.</i>—Oh, the subtlety of the devil, and the deceitfulness +of this corrupted heart! How has an idol been +imperceptibly raised up in it. Something fell from Dr. F. +this evening against my marriage which struck me so +forcibly, though there was nothing particular in it, that +I began to see I should finally give up all thoughts about +it. But how great the conflict! I could not have believed +it had such hold on my affections. Before this I had been +writing in tolerable tranquillity, and walked out in the +enjoyment of a resigned mind, even rejoicing for the most +part in God, and dined at Mr. Cecil’s, where the arguments +I heard were all in favour of the flesh, and so I was pleased; +but Dr. F.’s words gave a new turn to my thoughts, and +the tumult showed me the true state of my heart. How +miserable did life appear without the hope of Lydia! Oh, +how has the discussion of the subject opened all my wounds +afresh! I have not felt such heartrending pain since I +parted with her in Cornwall. But the Lord brought me +to consider the folly and wickedness of all this. Shall I +hesitate to keep my days in constant solitude, who am but +a brand plucked from the burning? I could not help +saying, ‘Go, Hindus, go on in your misery; let Satan still +rule over you; for he that was appointed to labour among +you is consulting his ease.’ No, thought I; hell and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> +earth shall never keep me back from my work. I am cast +down, but not destroyed; I began to consider, why am I +so uneasy? ‘Cast thy care upon Him, for He careth for +you.’ ‘In everything, by prayer,’ &c. These promises +were graciously fulfilled before long to me.</p> + +<p><i>June 8.</i>—My mind continued in much the same state +this morning, waiting with no small anxiety for a letter +from Mr. Simeon, hoping, of course, that the will of God +would coincide with my will, yet thinking the determination +of the question would be indifferent to me. When the +letter arrived I was immediately convinced, beyond all +doubt, of the expediency of celibacy. But my wish did +not follow my judgment quite so readily. Mr. Pratt +coming in, argued strongly on the other side, but there +was nothing of any weight. The subject so occupied my +thoughts that I could attend to nothing else. I saw myself +called to be less than ever a man of this world, and +walked out with a heavy heart. Met Dr. F., who alone of +all men could best sympathise, and his few words were +encouraging. Yet I cannot cordially acquiesce in all the +Lord’s dealings, though my reason and judgment approve +them, and my inclination would desire to do it. Dined at +Mr. Cecil’s, where it providentially happened that Mr. Foster +came in. To them I read Mr. Simeon’s letter, and they +were both convinced by it. So I went away home, with +nothing to do but to get my heart easy again under this +sacrifice. I devoted myself once more to the entire and +everlasting service of God, and found myself more weaned +from this world, and desiring the next, though not from a +right principle. Continued all the evening writing sermon, +and reading <i>Pilgrim’s Progress</i>, with successions of vivid +emotions of pain and pleasure. My heart was sometimes +ready to break with agony at being torn from its dearest +idol, and at other times I was visited by a few moments of +sublime and enraptured joy. Such is the conflict; why +have my friends mentioned this subject? It has torn open<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +old wounds, and I am again bleeding. With all my +honours and knowledge, the smiles and approbation of +men, the health and prosperity that have fallen to my lot, +together with that freedom from doubts and fears with +which I was formerly visited, how much have I gone +through in the last two or three years to bring my mind to +be willing to do the will of God when it should be revealed! +My heart is pained within me, and my bodily frame suffers +from it.</p> + +<p><i>June 9.</i> (Sunday.)—My heart is still pained. It is still +as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke; the Lord help +me to maintain the conflict. Preached this morning at +Long Acre Chapel on Matt. xxviii., the three last verses. +There was the utmost attention. In the interval between +morning and afternoon, passed most of the time in reading +and prayer. Read Matthew iii., and considered the character +of John the Baptist. Holy emulation seemed to +spring up in my mind. Then read John xvii. and last chapter, +and Rev. i., all of which were blessed to my soul. I went +into the church persuaded in my feelings—which is different +from being persuaded in the understanding—that it +was nobler and wiser to be as John the Baptist, Peter, John, +and all the Apostles, than to have my own will gratified. +Preached on Eph. ii. 18. Walked a little with Mr. Grant +this evening. He told me I should have great trials and +temptations in India; but I know where to apply for grace +to help.</p></div> + +<p>Cecil’s final opinion, that Lydia Grenfell’s decision +would fully declare the will of God, was not borne out by +the result, as we shall see. Meanwhile, let us trace the +steps which led to the final appointment to India, and +the farewell.</p> + +<p>On his first visit to London at the beginning of the year +1804, by the Telegraph coach, the Cambridge recluse was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> +distracted by the bustle of the great city, as he walked +about the streets and called at the booksellers’. Dr. +Wollaston, the British Museum, and the Gresham Lecture +on Music, of which he was passionately fond, occupied his +first two days. At the old India House, since swept away +from Leadenhall Street, he met Mr. Charles Grant, who, +as he took him to Clapham, the evangelical centre which +Sir James Stephen has made so famous,<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> gave him much +information on the state of India, such as this:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>It would be absolutely necessary to keep three servants, +for three can do no more than the work of one English; +that no European constitution can endure being exposed +to mid-day heat; that Mr. Schwartz, who was settled at +Tanjore, did do it for a time, walking among the natives. +Mr. Grant had never seen Mr. Schwartz, but corresponded +with him. He was the son of a Saxon gentleman (the +Saxon gentlemen never enter the ministry of the Church), +and had early devoted himself to the work of a missionary +amongst the Indians. Besides the knowledge of the +Malabar tongue, in which he was profoundly skilled and +eloquent, he was a good classic, and learnt the English, +Portuguese, and Dutch. He was a man of dignified and +polished manners, and cheerful.</p></div> + +<p>This was the first opportunity that ‘the Clapham sect’ +had to satisfy themselves that the Senior Wrangler was +worthy of the commendation of Charles Simeon. Accordingly +they dined with William Wilberforce at Broomfield.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>We conversed about my business. They wished me to +fill the church in Calcutta very much; but advised me to +wait some time, and to cherish the same views. To Mr. +Wilberforce I went into a detail of my views, and the +reasons that had operated on my mind. The conversation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> +of Mr. Wilberforce and Mr. Grant during the whole of the +day, before the rest of the company, which consisted of Mr. +Johnston, of New South Wales, a French Abbé, Mrs. +Unwin, Mr. H., and other ladies, was edifying; agreeable +to what I should think right for two godly senators, planning +some means of bringing before Parliament propositions +for bettering the moral state of the colony of Botany Bay. +At evening worship Mr. W. expounded Sacred Scripture +with serious plainness, and prayed in the midst of his large +household.</p></div> + +<p>In <i>The Life of William Wilberforce</i>, by his sons, we +find this passage introduced by the remark, ‘It is delightful +to contrast with his own language the observation of one +who, with as holy and as humble a soul, was just entering +on his brief but glorious course:’ Martyn ‘drank tea at Mr. +Newton’s; the old man was very civil to me, and striking +in his remarks in general.’ Next day:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Read Isaiah. At one, we went to hear the charge +delivered to the missionaries at the New London Tavern, +in Cheapside. There was nothing remarkable in it, but +the conclusion was affecting. I shook hands with the two +missionaries, Melchior Rayner and Peter Hartwig, and +almost wished to go with them, but certainly to go to +India. Returned, and read Isaiah.</p></div> + +<p>From the ever recurring distractions of his soul, caused +now by ‘a despicable indulgence in lying in bed,’ and again +by the interruptions of visitors, he sought refuge frequently +in fasting and ascetic self-denial, and occasionally in writing +verse:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Composed some poetry during my walk, which often +has a tendency to divert my thoughts from the base distractions +of this life, and to purify and elevate it to higher<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> +subjects.... On my way to Mr. Simeon’s, heard part of +the service in King’s Chapel. The sanctity of the place, +and the music, brought heaven and eternal things, and the +presence of God, very near to me.</p></div> + +<p>He seems to have competed for the Seatonian Prize. +He was an ardent lover of Nature.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Walked out before breakfast, and the beauties of the +opening spring constrained me to adoration and praise. +But no earthly object or operation can produce true +spirituality of heart. My present failing is in this, that I +do not feel the power of motives.</p></div> + +<p>Of another walk he writes:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I was led to think a good while on my deficiency in +human learning, and on my having neglected those branches +which would have been pleasing and honourable in the +acquisition. Yet I said, though with somewhat of melancholy, +‘What things were gain to me, those I counted loss +for Christ.’ Though I become less esteemed by man, I +cannot but think (though it is not easy to do so) that it +must be more acceptable to God to labour for souls, though +the mind remains uninformed; and, consequently, that it +must be more truly great and noble, than to be great and +notable among men for learning. In the garden afterwards +I rejoiced exceedingly at the prospect of a death fast approaching, +when my powers of understanding would be +enlarged inconceivably. They all talked to me in praise +of my sermon on Sunday night; but praise is exceedingly +unpleasant to me, because I am slow to render back to +God that glory which belongs to Him alone. Sometimes +it may be useful in encouraging me, when I want encouragement; +but that at present is not the case; and in +truth, praise generally produces pride, and pride presently +sets me far from God.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> + +<p>Oh, what a snare are public ministrations to me! Not +that I wish for the praise of men, but there is some fear +and anxiety about not getting through. How happy could +I be in meeting the people of my God more frequently +were it not for this fear of being unprofitable! But since +God has given me natural gifts, let this teach me that all +I want is a spiritual frame to improve and employ them +in the things of God!</p> + +<p>Mr. K. White, of Nottingham, breakfasted with me. +In my walk was greatly cast down, except for a short +time on my return, when, as I was singing, or rather +chanting, some petitions in a low, plaintive voice, I insensibly +found myself sweetly engaged in prayer.</p></div> + +<p>Such outpourings of his heart must be read in the light +of a time when even the Churches had not awoke to their +duty, and the most theologically orthodox were too often +the most indifferent, or opposed, to the Lord’s command.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1804, January 13.</i>—Walked out in the evening in great +tranquillity, and on my return met with Mr. C., with whom +I was obliged to walk an hour longer. He thought it a +most improper step for me to leave the University to preach +to the ignorant heathen, which any person could do, and +that I ought rather to improve the opportunity of acquiring +human learning. All our conversation on the subject of +learning, religion, &c., ended in nothing; he was convinced +he was right, and all the texts of Scripture I produced were +applicable, according to him, only to the times of the +Apostles. How is my soul constrained to adore the sovereign +mercy of God, who began His work in my proud +heart, and carried it on through snares which have ruined +thousands—namely, human learning and honours: and now +my soul, dost thou not esteem all things but dung and +dross, compared with the excellency of the knowledge of +Christ Jesus my Lord? Yea, did not gratitude constrain me,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> +did not duty and fear of destruction, yet surely the excellency +of the service of Christ would constrain me to lay +down ten-thousand lives in the prosecution of it. My +heart was a little discomposed this evening at the account +of the late magnificent prizes proposed by Mr. Buchanan +and others in the University, for which Mr. C. has been +calling me to write; but I was soon at rest again. But +how easily do I forget that God is no respecter of persons; +that in the midst of the notice I attract as an enthusiast +He judges of me according to my inward state. Oh, my +soul, take no pleasure in outward religion, nor in exciting +wonder, but in the true circumcision of the heart.</p> + +<p><i>January 16.</i>— <span class="dash">——</span> told me of many contemptuous insulting +things that had been said of me, reflecting, some on +my understanding, some on my condition, sincerity, inconsistent +conduct. It was a great trial of my patience, and I +was frequently tempted, in the course of the evening, to let +my natural spirit rage forth in indignation and revenge; +but I remembered Him of whom it was said, ‘Who, when +He was reviled, reviled not again; but committed Himself +to Him that judgeth righteously.’ As I was conscious I +did not deserve the censures which were passed upon me, +I committed myself to God; and in Him may I abide until +the indignation be overpast!</p></div> + +<p>In July 1804 he again visited London on his way to +Cornwall, and to see Mr. Charles Grant.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Dined with Mr. Wilberforce at Palace Yard. It was +very agreeable, as there was no one else. Speaking of the +slave trade, I mentioned the words, ‘Shall I not visit for +these things?’ and found my heart so affected that I could +with difficulty refrain from tears. Went with Mr. W. to +the House of Commons, where I was surprised and charmed +with Mr. Pitt’s eloquence. Ah, thought I, if these powers of +oratory were now employed in recommending the Gospel!</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>On his way back to Cambridge, through London, he</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Went to St. Paul’s, to see Sir W. Jones’s monument; the +sight of the interior of the dome filled my soul with inexpressible +ideas of the grandeur of God, and the glory of +heaven, much the same as I had at the sight of a painted +vaulted roof in the British Museum. I could scarcely +believe that I might be in the immediate enjoyments of +such glory in another hour. In the evening the sound of +sacred music, with the sight of a rural landscape, imparted +some indescribable emotions after the glory of God, by +diligence in His work. To preach the Gospel for the +salvation of my poor fellow-creatures, that they might +obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal +glory, seemed a very sweet and precious employment. +Lydia then, again, seemed a small hindrance.</p></div> + +<p>His duties as examiner, tutor, and in charge of Lolworth, +and home mission work in Wall’s Lane, the hospital and +almshouse, left him little leisure, and that he gave to the +Bengali grammars of Halhed and Carey, to Carey’s Bengali +New Testament, to Arabic grammars, and to the missionary +accounts in the <i>Christian Observer</i>, for which, also, he wrote. +Referring, evidently, to Carey’s convert, he wrote:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The account of a Brahmin preaching the Gospel +delighted me most exceedingly. I could not help blessing +God for thus glorifying Himself.... I was much pained +and humbled at reflecting that it has never yet, to my +knowledge, pleased God to awaken one soul by my means, +either in public or private,—shame be to myself.</p> + +<p>Simeon gave me a letter from Mr. Brown of Calcutta, +which gave me great delight on many accounts. Speaking +of me, he says, ‘Let him marry, and come out at once.’ I +thought of Lydia with great tenderness, but without pain +at my determination to go out single. I found great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +affection in prayer for my dear brethren at Calcutta, for the +establishing of Christ’s Kingdom among the poor Gentiles, +and for my being sent among them, if it were His will.</p> + +<p>Thinking my mind was in need of recreation, I took up +Lord Teignmouth’s <i>Life of Sir William Jones</i>, and read +till tea.</p> + +<p>Low spirits at church, through being about to preach +old sermons, which I feel so ashamed of offering to God, +that I believe I shall rather leave everything undone, than +not write one new one at least every week.</p> + +<p>Mr. Thomason preached on Heb. xii. to my edification.</p> + +<p>Dr. Milner and Lord C. called. I was introduced as +having been Senior Wrangler; but how contemptible did +these paltry honours appear to me! Ah, thought I, you +know not how little I am flattered by these intended compliments.</p> + +<p>In the hall was much affected by the sight of Lord B., +whose look of meekness and humility riveted my attention, +and almost melted me to tears. If there is one disposition +in the world I wish for more than another, it is this; +but the bias of my corrupted nature hurries me violently +against it.</p></div> + +<p>Mr. Grant’s summons to him ‘to sail for St. Helena in +eight or ten days,’ reached him a month before his twenty-fourth +birthday, before which he could not legally receive +full ordination, in the Chapel Royal at St. James’s.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Felt more persuaded of my call than ever; indeed, +there was scarcely a shadow of a doubt left. Rejoice, O +my soul, thou shalt be the servant of thy God in this life, +and then in the next for all the boundless ages of eternity.</p></div> + +<p>Not till August 31 was it possible for the fleet which +convoyed the East Indiamen, in that year of war with +France and Napoleon’s Continental allies, to see the last of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> +Ireland. The seven months were spent by Henry Martyn +in elaborate preparations for what proved to be nearly a +year’s voyage, and in repeated farewells the anguish of +which is reflected in his <i>Journal</i> and correspondence. +Having previously taken his M.A. degree, he received that +of Bachelor of Divinity by mandate, which required the +assent of all the heads of colleges, and then a grace to pass +the senate, and the presenting of a petition to the King. +Dr. Gilchrist, the Orientalist who had just returned from his +long career in Calcutta, where he had been a colleague of +Carey in the College of Fort William, gave him lessons +in Hindustani pronunciation.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>On my mentioning my desire of translating some of the +Scriptures with him, he advised me by all means to desist +till I knew much more of the language, by having resided +some years in the country. He said it was the rock on +which missions had split, that they had attempted to +write and preach before they knew the language. The +Lord’s Prayer, he said, was now a common subject of +ridicule with the people, on account of the manner in which +it had been translated. All these are useful hints to me.</p></div> + +<p>The mode of appointing to Indian chaplaincies has +varied so much since the time of Charles Grant and +Simeon, that it is interesting to see what was done in +Henry Martyn’s case.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1805, April 1.</i>—Went to Lord Hawkesbury’s office, but, +being too early, I went into St. James’s Park, and sat down +on a bench to read my Bible. After a little time a person +came and sat down on the same bench; on entering into +conversation with him I found he had known better days. +He was about seventy years of age, and of a very passionate +and disappointed spirit. He spoke sensibly on several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> +subjects, and was acquainted with the Gospel; but +was offended at my reminding him of several things +concerning it. On my offering him some money, which I +saw he needed, he confessed his poverty; he was thankful +for my little donation, and I repeated my advice of seeking +divine consolation.</p> + +<p><i>April 2.</i>—Breakfasted with <span class="dash">——</span>. Our conversation +was on the most delightful subject to me, the spread of the +Gospel in future ages. I went away animated and happy. +Went with Mr. Grant towards the India House. He +said that he was that day about to take the necessary steps +for bringing forward the business of the chaplains, and +that by to-morrow night I should know whether I could +go or not. In prayer at night my soul panted after +God, and longed to be entirely conformed to His image.</p> + +<p><i>April 3.</i>—After dinner, passed some time in prayer, and +rejoiced to think that God would finally glorify Himself, +whatever hindrance may arise for a time. Going to +Mr. Grant’s, I found that the chaplaincies had been agreed +to, after two hours’ debate, and some obloquy thrown upon +Mr. Grant by the chairman, for his connection with Mr. +Wilberforce and <i>those people</i>. Mr. G. said that though my +nomination had not taken place, the case was now beyond +danger, and that I should appear before the court in a +couple of days in my canonicals. I felt very indignant at +this, not so much, I think, from personal pride, as on +account of the degradation of my office. Mr. G. pleasantly +said, I must attend to my appearance, as I should be much +remarked, on account of the person who had nominated +me. I feel this will be a trial to me, which I would never +submit to for gain; but I rejoice that it will be for my +dear and blessed Lord.</p> + +<p><i>April 4.</i>—Went down to Cambridge.</p> + +<p><i>April 6.</i>—Passed most of the morning in the Fellows’ +garden. It was the last time I visited this favourite retreat, +where I have often enjoyed the presence of God.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>April 7.</i> (Sunday.)—Preached at Lolworth on Prov. xxii. +17; very few seemed affected at my leaving them, and those +chiefly women. An old farmer of a neighbouring parish, +as he was taking leave of me, turned aside to shed tears; +this affected me more than anything. Rode away with my +heart heavy, partly at my own corruption, partly at the +thoughts of leaving this place in such general hardness of +heart. Yet so it hath pleased God, I hope, to reserve them +for a more faithful minister. Prayed over the whole of my +sermon for the evening, and when I came to preach it, God +assisted me beyond my hopes. Most of the younger +people seemed to be in tears. The text was 2 Sam. vii. +28, 29. Took leave of Dr. Milner; he was much affected, +and said himself his heart was full. Mr. Simeon commended +me to God in prayer, in which he pleaded, amongst other +things, for a richer blessing on my soul. He perceives that +I want it, and so do I. Professor Parish walked home with +me to the college gate, and there I parted from him, with +no small sorrow.</p> + +<p><i>April 8.</i>—My young friends in the University, who have +scarcely left me a moment to myself, were with me this +morning as soon as I was moving, leaving me no time for +prayer. My mind was very solemn, and I wished much to +be left alone. A great many accompanied me to the coach, +which took me up at the end of the town. It was a thick, +misty morning, so the University, with its towers and +spires, was out of sight in an instant.</p> + +<p><i>April 24.</i>—Keenly disappointed at finding no letter +from Lydia; thus it pleased God, in the riches of His grace, +to quash at once all my beginnings of entanglement. Oh, +may it be to make me more entirely His own. ‘The Lord +shall be the portion of mine inheritance, and of my cup.’ +Oh, may I live indeed a more spiritual life of faith! Prayed +that I might obtain a more deep acquaintance with the +mysteries of the Gospel, and the offices of Christ; my soul +was solemnised. Went to Russell Square, and found from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +Mr. Grant that I was that day appointed a chaplain to the +East India Company, but that my particular destination +would depend on the government in India. Rather may I +say that it depends on the will of my God, who in His +own time thus brings things to pass. Oh, now let my +heart be spiritualised; that the glorious and arduous work +before me may fill all my soul, and stir me up to prayer.</p> + +<p><i>April 25.</i>—Breakfasted with the venerable Mr. Newton, +who made several striking remarks in reference to my +work. He said he had heard of a clever gardener, who +would sow the seeds when the meat was put down to +roast, and engage to produce a salad by the time it was +ready; but the Lord did not sow oaks in this way. On +my saying that perhaps I should never live to see much +fruit, he answered, I should have a bird’s eye view of it, +which would be better. When I spoke of the opposition +that I should be likely to meet with, he said, he supposed +Satan would not love me for what I was about to do. The +old man prayed afterwards, with sweet simplicity. Drank +tea at C. Our hearts seemed full of the joy which comes +from the communion of saints.</p> + +<p><i>April 26.</i>—Met D. at Mr. Grant’s, and was much +affected at some marks of love expressed by the people +at Cambridge, at the time of my leaving them. He said +that as I was going down the aisle they all rose up to take +their last view.</p> + +<p><i>May 4.</i>—Waiting this morning on the Archbishop of +Canterbury at Lambeth Palace. He had learnt from +somebody my circumstances, the degree I had taken, and +my object in going to India. He spoke much on the importance +of the work, the small ecclesiastical establishment +for so great a body of people, and the state of those +English there, who, he said, ‘called themselves Christians.’ +He was throughout very civil, and wished me all the +success I desired. I then proceeded to the India House, +and received directions to attend on Wednesday to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +sworn in. Afterwards walked to Mr. Wilberforce’s at +Broomfield.</p> + +<p><i>May 8.</i>—Reading Mr. Grant’s book.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> The state of the +natives, and the prospects of doing good there, the character +of Schwartz, &c., set forth in it, much impressed my mind, +and I found great satisfaction in pleading for the fulfilment +of God’s promises to the heathen. It seemed painful +to think of myself at all, except in reference to the Church +of Christ. Being somewhat in danger of distraction this +evening, from many concurrent circumstances, I found a +very short prayer answered by my being kept steady. +Heard from Mr. Parry this evening, that in consequence of +an embargo laid on all the ships by government, who had +taken the best seamen from the Company’s ships, on account +of the sailing of the French and Spanish fleets, I should +not be able to go before the middle of June, if so soon.</p> + +<p><i>May 15.</i>—Read prayers at Mr. Newton’s, and preached +on Eph. ii. 19-21. The clerk threw out very disrespectful +and even uncivil things respecting my going to India; +though I thought the asperity and contemptuousness he +manifested unsuitable to his profession, I felt happy in the +comfortable assurance of being upright in my intentions. +The sermon was much praised by some people coming in, +but happily this gives me little satisfaction. Went home and +read a sermon of Flavel’s, on knowing nothing but Christ.</p> + +<p><i>May 17.</i>—Walked out, and continued in earnest striving +with my corruption. I made a covenant with my eyes, +which I kept strictly; though I was astonished to find the +difficulty I had in doing even this.</p> + +<p><i>May 22.</i>—Endeavoured to guard my thoughts this +morning in a more particular manner, as expecting to pass +it, with Sargent, in prayer for assistance in the ministry. +Called at Mr. Wilberforce’s, when I met Mr. Babington. +The extreme kindness and cordiality of these two was very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> +pleasing to me, though rather elating. By a letter from +B. to-day, learnt that two young men of Chesterton had +come forward, who professed to have been awakened by a +sermon of mine on Psalm ix. 17. I was not so affected +with gratitude and joy as I expected to be; could not +easily ascribe the glory to God; yet I will bless Him +through all my ignorance that He has thus owned the +ministry of one so weak. Oh, may I have faith to go onward, +expecting to see miracles wrought by the foolishness +of preaching. H., to whom I had made application for the +loan which Major Sandys found it inconvenient to advance, +dined with me, and surprised me by the difficulty he +started. After dinner went to the India House to take +leave. Mr. <span class="dash">——</span>, the other chaplain, sat with me before +we were called in, and I found that I knew a little of him, +having been at his house. As he knew my character, I +spoke very freely to him on the subject of religion. Was +called in to take the oaths. All the directors were present, +I think. Mr. Grant, in the chair, addressed a charge to us, +extempore. One thing struck my attention, which was, that +he warned us of the enervating effects of the climate.</p> + +<p>I felt more acutely than ever I did in my life the +shame attending poverty. Nothing but the remembrance +that I was not to blame supported me. Whatever comes +to me in the way of Providence is, and must be, for my +good.</p> + +<p><i>May 30.</i>—Went to the India House. Kept the covenant +with my eyes pretty well. Oh, what bitter experience +have I had to teach me carefulness against temptation! I +have found this method, which I have sometimes had +recourse to, useful to-day—namely, that of praying in +ejaculations for any particular person whose appearance +might prove an occasion of sinful thoughts. After asking +of God that she might be as pure and beautiful in her +mind and heart as in body, and be a temple of the Holy +Ghost, consecrated to the service of God, for whose glory<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> +she was made, I dare not harbour a thought of an opposite +tendency.</p> + +<p><i>June 6.</i>—How many temptations are there in the streets +of London!</p> + +<p><i>June 14.</i>—Sent off all my luggage, as preparatory to its +going on board. Dined at Mr. Cecil’s; he endeavoured to +correct my reading, but in vain. ‘Brother M.,’ says he, +‘you are a humble man, and would gain regard in private +life; but to gain public attention you must force yourself +into a more marked and expressive manner.’ Generally, +to-night, have I been above the world; Lydia, and other +comforts, I would resign.</p> + +<p><i>June 16.</i>—I thought it probable, from illness, that death +might be at hand, and this was before me all the day; +sometimes I was exceedingly refreshed and comforted at +the thought, at other times I felt unwilling and afraid to +die. Shed tears at night, at the thought of my departure, +and the roaring sea, that would soon be rolling between +me and all that is dear to me upon earth.</p></div> + +<p>Mrs. T.M. Hitchins, his cousin’s wife, having asked +him for some of his sermons, he replied:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="date"> +London: June 24, 1805.<br /> +</p> + +<p>The arguments you offer to induce me seem not to +possess that force which I look for in your reasoning. +Sermons cannot be good memorials, because once read +they are done with—especially a young man’s sermons, +unless they possess a peculiar simplicity and spirituality; +which I need not say are qualities not belonging to mine. +I hope, however, that I am improving and I trust that—now +I am removed from the contagion of academic air—I +am in the way of acquiring a greater knowledge of men +and of my own heart—I shall exchange my jejune scholastic +style for a simple spiritual exhibition of profitable truth. +Mr. Cecil has been taking a great deal of pains with me.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> +My insipid, inanimate manner in the pulpit, he says, is +intolerable. Sir, said he, it is cupola-painting, not miniature, +that must be the character of a man that harangues +a multitude. Lieut. Wynter called on me last Saturday, +and last night drank tea with me. I cannot but admire +his great seriousness. I feel greatly attached to him. He +is just the sort of person, of a sober thoughtful cast, that +I love to associate with. He mentioned Lydia, I do not +know why, but he could not tell me half enough about +her, while she was at Plymouth, to satisfy my curiosity. +Whitsun-week was a time of the utmost distress to me on +her account. On the Monday at the Eclectic, Mr. Cecil, +speaking of celibacy, said, I was acting like a madman in +going out without a wife. So thought all the other ten or +eleven ministers present, and Mr. Foster among the rest, +who is unmarried. This opinion, coming deliberately from +so many experienced ministers, threw me into great +perplexity, which increased, as my affections began to be +set more afloat, for then I was less able than before to +discern the path of duty. At last I wrote to Simeon, +stating to him the strongest arguments I heard in favour +of marriage in my case. His answer decided my mind. +He put it in this way. Is it necessary? To this I could +answer, No. Then is it expedient? He here produced so +many weighty reasons against its expediency, that I was +soon satisfied in my mind. My turbulent will was, however, +not so easily pacified. I was again obliged to undergo the +severest pain in making that sacrifice which had cost me +so dear before. Better had it been if those wounds had +never been torn open. But now again, through the mercy +of God, I am once more at peace. What cannot His power +effect? The present wish of my heart is that there may +be <i>never</i> a necessity of marriage, so that I may henceforth +have no one thing upon earth for which I would wish to +stay another hour, except it be to serve the Lord my +Saviour in the work of the ministry. Once more, therefore,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> +I say to Lydia, and with her to all earthly schemes of +happiness, Farewell. Let her live happy and useful in her +present situation, since that is the will of God. How long +these thoughts may continue, I cannot say. At times of +indolence, or distress, or prevalent corruption, the former +wishes, I suppose, will occur and renew my pain: but pray, +my dear sister, that the Lord may keep in the imaginations +of the thoughts of my heart all that may be for the glory +of His great name. The only objection which presented +itself to my advisers to marriage was the difficulty of +finding a proper person to be the wife of a missionary. I +told them that perhaps I should not have occasion to search +a long time for one. Simeon knows all about Lydia. I +think it very likely that he will endeavour to see her when +she comes to town next winter.</p> + +<p>(<i>Addendum at the commencement, before the Address.</i>)</p> + +<p>I never returned my acknowledgment for the little +hymn book, which is a memento of both. It is just the +sort of thing. Instead of sending the books I intended, I +shall inclose in the tea-caddy a little <i>Pilgrim’s Progress</i> +for you, and another for Lydia.</p></div> + +<p>July 2 was spent with Corrie in prayer, and converse +‘about the great work among the heathen.’ Martyn gave +a final sitting for his miniature for his sister, to ‘the +painter lady, who still repeated her infidel cavils; having +nothing more to say in the way of argument, I thought it +right to declare the threatenings of God to those who +reject the Gospel.’ On the 8th he sat for his picture, for +his friend Bates, to Russel. After his farewell to Sargent, +and riding back,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Though I was in good health a moment before, yet as +I was undressing I fainted and fell into a convulsive fit; I +lost my senses for some time, and on recovering a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> +found myself in intense pain. Death appeared near at +hand, and seemed somewhat different and more terrible +than I could have conceived before, not in its conclusion, +but in itself. I felt assured of my safety in Christ. Slept +very little that night, from extreme debility. Tenth, I +went to Portsmouth, where we arrived to breakfast, and +find friends from Cambridge. Went with my things on +board the Union at the Motherbank. Mr. Simeon read +and prayed in the afternoon, thinking I was to go on board +for the last time. Mr. Simeon first prayed, and then myself. +On our way to the ship we sung hymns. The time +was exceedingly solemn, and our hearts seemed filled with +solemn joy.</p></div> + +<p>As tidings from Lord Nelson were waited for, the fleet—consisting +of fifteen sail under convoy of the Belliqueuse, +Captain Byng—went no farther than Plymouth, and then +anchored off Falmouth.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The coast of Devonshire and Cornwall was passing +before me. The memory of beloved friends, then, was very +strong and affecting.... I was rather flurried at the singularity +of this providence of God, in thus leading me once +more to the bosom of all my friends.... I have thought with +exceeding tenderness of Lydia to-day; how I long to see +her; but if it be the Lord’s will, He will open a way. I +shall not take any steps to produce a meeting.</p></div> + +<p>So he wrote on July 20. On the same day, the Rev. +T.M. Hitchins wrote to him, thus: ‘Lydia, from whom we +heard about ten days ago, is quite well. She is much +interested in your welfare.’ Mrs. Hitchins wrote: ‘Lydia, +whom I heard lately from, is well, and never omits +mentioning you in her letters—and, I may venture to say, +what you will value still more, in her prayers also.’ Martyn +wrote to Mr. Hitchins on the 23rd:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> ‘A great work lies +before me, and I must submit to many privations if I +would see it accomplished. I should say, however, that +poverty is not one of the evils I shall have to encounter; +the salary of a chaplain, even at the lowest, is 600 rupees +a month. Give my kind love to mama—as also to Miss +L. Grenfell.’ A postscript to the letter stated that the +writer had taken his place in the coach for Marazion: +‘Trust to pass some part of the morning at Miss Grenfell’s.’ +He thus records in his <i>Journal</i> the interviews which +resulted in what amounted to a brief engagement:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I arrived at Marazion in time for breakfast, and met +my beloved Lydia. In the course of the morning I walked +with her, though not uninterruptedly; with much confusion +I declared my affection for her, with the intention +of learning whether, if ever I saw it right in India to be +married, she would come out; but she would not declare +her sentiments, she said that the shortness of arrangement +was an obstacle, even if all others were removed. In great +tumult I walked up to St. Hilary, whence, after dining, I +returned to Mr. Grenfell’s, but, on account of the number +of persons there, I had not an opportunity of being alone +with Lydia. Went back to Falmouth with G. I was +more disposed to talk of Lydia all the way, but roused +myself to a sense of my duty, and addressed him on the subject +of religion. The next day I was exceedingly melancholy +at what had taken place between Lydia and myself, +and at the thought of being separated from her. I could +not bring myself to believe that God had settled the whole +matter, because I was not willing to believe it.</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Miss Lydia Grenfell, Marazion</span> +</p> + +<p class="date"> +Union, Falmouth Harbour: July 27, 1805.<br /> +</p> + +<p>... As I was coming on board this morning, and +reading Mr. Serle’s hymn you wrote out for me, a sudden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> +gust of wind blew it into the sea. I made the boatmen +immediately heave to, and recovered it, happily without +any injury except what it had received from the sea. +I should have told you that the Morning Hymn, which I +always kept carefully in my pocket-book, was one day +stolen with it, and other valuable letters, from my rooms +in college. It would be extremely gratifying to me to +possess another copy of it, as it always reminded me most +forcibly of the happy day on which we visited the aged +saint. The fleet, it is said, will not sail for three weeks, +but if you are willing to employ any of your time in providing +me with this or any other manuscript hymns, the +sooner you write them, the more certain I shall be of +receiving them. Pardon me for thus intruding on your +time; you will in no wise lose your reward. The +encouragement conveyed in little compositions of this sort +is more refreshing than a cup of cold water. The Lord of +the harvest, who is sending forth me, who am most truly +less than the least of all saints, will reward you for being +willing to help forward even the meanest of His servants. +The love which you bear to the cause of Christ, as well as +motives of private friendship, will, I trust, induce you to +commend me to God, and to the word of His grace, at +those sacred moments when you approach the throne of +our covenant God. To His gracious care I commend you. +May you long live happy and holy, daily growing more +meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. I remain, +with affectionate regard, yours most truly,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn</span>. +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p><i>July 28.</i>—(Sunday.)—Preached in the morning, on +board, on John iii. 3. In the afternoon, at Falmouth Church, +on 1 Cor. i. 20 to 26.</p> + +<p><i>July 29.</i>—My gloom returned. Walked to Lamorran; +alternately repining at my dispensation, and giving it up +to the Lord. Sometimes—after thinking of Lydia for a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> +long time together, so as to feel almost outrageous at being +deprived of her—my soul would feel its guilt, and flee again +to God. I was much relieved at intervals by learning the +hymn, ‘The God of Abraham praise.’</p></div> + +<p>The lady’s <i>Diary</i> has these passages, which show that +her sister, Mrs. Hitchins, had rightly represented the state +of her heart as not altogether refusing to return Martyn’s +affection:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1805, July 25.</i>—I was surprised this morning by a visit +from H.M., and have passed the day chiefly with him. +The distance he is going, and the errand he is going on, +rendered his society particularly interesting. I felt as if +bidding a final adieu to him in this world, and all he said +was as the words of one on the borders of eternity. May +I improve the opportunity I have enjoyed of Christian +converse, and may the Lord moderate the sorrow I feel at +parting with so valuable and excellent friend—some pains +have attended it, known only to God and myself. Thou +God, that knowest them, canst alone give comfort.... +Oh, may we each pursue our different paths, and meet at +last around our Father’s throne; may we often meet now +in spirit, praying and obtaining blessings for each other. +Now, my soul, return to God, the author of them.</p> + +<p><i>July 26.</i>—Oh, how this day has passed away! Nothing +done to any good purpose. Lord, help me! I feel Thy +loved presence withdrawn; I feel departing from Thee. +Oh, let Thy mercy pardon, let Thy love succour, me. +Deliver me from this temptation, set my soul at liberty, +and I will praise Thee. I know the cause of all this +darkness, this depression; dare I desire what Thou dost +plainly, by the voice of Thy providence, condemn? O +Lord, help me to conquer my natural feelings, help me to +be watchful as Thy child. Oh, leave me not; or I fall a +prey to this corroding care. Let me cast every care on Thee.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Gurlyn, July 30.</i>—Blessed Lord, I thank Thee for +affording me the retirement I so much delight in; here I +enjoy freedom from all the noise and interruption of a +town. Oh, may the Lord sanctify this pleasure. Oh, may it +prove the means of benefiting my soul. Oh, may I watch +against the intrusions of vain thoughts; else, instead of an +advantage, I shall find solitude ruinous to my soul.</p> + +<p><i>August 4.</i>—This evening my soul has been pained with +many fears concerning an absent friend, yet the Lord +sweetly supports me, and is truly a refuge to me. It is a +stormy and tempestuous night; the stillness and retirement +of this place add to the solemnity of the hour. I hear +the voice of God in every blast—it seems to say, ‘Sin has +brought storm and tempest on a guilty world.’ O my +Father and my God, Thou art righteous in all Thy +judgments, merciful in all Thy ways. I would humbly +trust in Thee, and confide all who are dear to me into +Thy hands. The anxieties of nature, the apprehensions +of affection, do Thou regulate, and make me acquiesce in +whatever is Thy will.</p> + +<p><i>August 5.</i>—My mind is relieved to-day by hearing the +fleet, in which I thought my friend had sailed, has not left +the port. Oh, how frequently do unnecessary pains destroy +our peace. Lord, look on me to-night, pardon my sins +and make me more watchful and fight against my inward +corruption. Oh, it is a state of conflict indeed!</p></div> + +<p>He thus wrote to Mrs. Hitchins:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="date"> +Falmouth: July 30, 1805.<br /> +</p> + +<p>‘My dearest Cousin,—I am exceedingly rejoiced at +being permitted to send you one more letter, as the former, +if it had been the last, would have left, I fear, a painful +impression on your mind. It pleased God to restore peace +to my mind soon after I came on board—as I thought—finally. +I was left more alone with God, and found blessed +seasons of intercourse with Him. But when your letter came,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> +I found it so sympathising, so affectionate, that my heart was +filled with joy and thankfulness to God for such a dear +friend, and I could not refrain from bowing my knees immediately +to pray that God might bless all your words to +the good of my soul, and bless you for having written them. +My views of the respective importance of things continue, +I hope, to rectify. The shortness of time, the precious +value of immortal souls, and the plain command of Christ, +all conspire to teach me that Lydia must be resigned—and +for ever—for though you suggest the possibility of my +hereafter returning and being united to her, I rather wish +to beware of looking forward to anything in this life as the +end or reward of my labours. It would be a temptation to +me to return before being necessitated. The rest which +remaineth for the people of God is in another world, where +they neither marry nor are given in marriage. But while +I thus reason, still a sigh will ever and anon escape me at +the thought of a final separation from her. In the morning +when I rise, before prayer puts grace into exercise, there is +generally a very heavy gloom on my spirits—and a distaste +for everything in earth or heaven. You do not seem to +suppose that any objection would remain in her mind, if I +should return and other obstacles were removed—which +opinion of yours is, no doubt, very pleasing to me—but if +there <i>were</i> anything more than friendship, do you think it +at all likely she could have spoken and written to me as she +has? However, do not suppose from this that I wish to +hear from you anything more on this subject—in the hope +of being gratified with an assurance to the contrary. I +cannot tell what induced me to take my leave of the people +in the west when I was last there, as it was so probable we +should be detained; were it not for having bid them adieu, +I believe I should pay them another visit—only that I +could not do it without being with Lydia again, which +might not perhaps answer any good purpose, and more +probably would renew the pain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<p>If, in India, I should be persuaded of the expediency of +marriage, you perceive that I can do nothing less than +make her the offer, or rather propose the sacrifice. It +would be almost cruel and presumptuous in me to make +such an application to her, especially as she would be +induced by a sense of duty rather than personal attachment. +But what else can be done? Should she not, then, +be warned of my intention—before I go? If you advance +no objection, I shall write a letter to her, notwithstanding +her prohibition. When this is done no further step remains +to be taken, that I know of. The shortness of our acquaintance, +which she made a ground of objection, cannot +now be remedied.</p> + +<p>The matter, as it stands, must be left with God—and I +do leave it with Him very cheerfully. I pray that hereafter +I may not be tempted to follow my will, and mistake it for +God’s—to fancy I am called to marriage, when I ought to +remain single—and you will likewise pray, my dear cousin, +that my mind may be always under a right direction.</p></div> + +<p>His <i>Journal</i> thus continues:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>July 31.</i>—Went on board this morning in extreme +anguish. I could not help saying, ‘Lord, it is not a sinful +attachment in itself, and therefore I may commune more +freely with Thee about it.’ I sought for hymns suitable +to my case, but none did sufficiently; most complained of +spiritual distress, but mine was not from any doubt of God’s +favour, for I felt no doubt of that.</p> + +<p><i>August 1.</i>—Rose in great anguish of mind, but prayer +relieved me a little. The wind continuing foul, I went +ashore after breakfast; but before this, sat down to write +to Lydia, hoping to relieve the burden of my mind. I +wrote in great turbulence, but in a little time my tumult +unaccountably subsided, and I enjoyed a peace to which I +have been for some time a stranger. I felt exceedingly +willing to leave her, and to go on my way rejoicing. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> +could not account for this, except by ascribing it to the +gracious influence of God. The first few Psalms were +exceedingly comfortable to me. Received a letter this +evening from Emma, and received it as from God; I was +animated before, but this added tenfold encouragement. +She warned me, from experience, of the carefulness it +would bring upon me; but spoke with such sympathy and +tenderness, that my heart was quite refreshed. I bowed my +knees to bless and adore God for it, and devoted myself anew +to His beloved service. Went on board at night; the sea +ran high, but I felt a sweet tranquillity in Him who stilleth +the raging of the sea. I was delighted to find that the +Lascars understood me perfectly when I spoke to them +a sentence or two in Hindustani.</p> + +<p><i>August 5.</i>—Went ashore. Walked to Pendennis garrison; +enjoyed some happy reflections as I sat on one of +the ramparts, looking at the ships and sea.</p> + +<p><i>August 7.</i>—Preached at Falmouth Church, on Psalm +iii. 1, with much comfort; after church, set off to walk to +St. Hilary. Reached Helston in three hours in extraordinary +spirits. The joy of my soul was very great. Every +object around me called forth praise and gratitude to God. +Perhaps it might have been joy at the prospect of seeing +Lydia, but I asked myself at the time, whether out of love +to God I was willing to turn back and see her no more. +I persuaded myself that I could. But perhaps had I been +put to the trial, it would have been otherwise. I arrived +safe at St. Hilary, and passed the evening agreeably +with R. 8th. Enjoyed much of the presence of God in +morning prayer. The morning passed profitably in writing +on Heb. ii. 3. My soul seemed to breathe seriously +after God. Walked down with R. to Gurlyn to call on +Lydia. She was not at home when we called, so I walked +out to meet her. When I met her coming up the hill, I +was almost induced to believe her more interested about +me than I had conceived. Went away in the expectation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +of visiting her frequently. Called on my way (from Falmouth) +at Gurlyn. My mind not in peace; at night in +prayer, my soul was much overwhelmed with fear, which +caused me to approach God in fervent petition, that He +would make me perfectly upright, and my walk consistent +with the high character I am called to assume.</p> + +<p><i>August 10.</i>—Rose very early, with uneasiness increased +by seeing the wind northerly; walked away at seven to +Gurlyn, feeling little or no pleasure at the thought of +seeing Lydia; apprehension about the sailing of the fleet +made me dreadfully uneasy; was with Lydia a short time +before breakfast; afterwards I read the 10th Psalm, with +Horne’s Commentary, to her and her mother; she was +then just putting into my hand the 10th of Genesis to read +when a servant came in, and said a horse was come for me +from St. Hilary, where a carriage was waiting to convey +me to Falmouth. All my painful presentiments were thus +realised, and it came upon me like a thunderbolt. Lydia +was evidently painfully affected by it; she came out, that +we might be alone at taking leave, and I then told her, +that if it should appear to be God’s will that I should be +married, she must not be offended at receiving a letter from +me. In the great hurry she discovered more of her mind +than she intended; she made no objection whatever to +coming out. Thinking, perhaps, I wished to make an +engagement with her, she said we had better go quite free; +with this I left her, not knowing yet for what purpose I +have been permitted, by an unexpected providence, to enjoy +these interviews. I galloped back to St. Hilary, and +instantly got into a chaise with Mr. R., who had been awaked +by the signal gun at five in the morning, and had come for +me. At Hildon I got a horse, with which I rode to Falmouth, +meeting on the road another express sent after me +by R. I arrived about twelve, and instantly went on +board; almost all the other ships were under weigh, but the +Union had got entangled in the chains. The commodore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> +expressed his anger as he passed, at this delay, but I +blessed the Lord, who had thus saved His poor creature +from shame and trouble. How delusive are schemes of +pleasure; at nine in the morning I was sitting at ease, with +the person dearest to me on earth, intending to go out with +her afterwards to see the different views, to visit some +persons with her, and to preach on the morrow; four hours +only elapsed, and I was under sail from England! The +anxiety to get on board, and the joy I felt at not being left +behind, absorbed other sorrowful considerations for a time; +wrote several letters as soon as I was on board. When I +was left a little at leisure, my spirits began to sink; yet +how backward was I to draw near to my God. I found +relief occasionally, yet still was slow to fly to this refuge +of my weary soul. Was meditating on a subject for +to-morrow. As more of the land gradually appeared behind +the Lizard, I watched with my spy-glass for the Mount +(St. Michael’s), but in consequence of lying to for the purser, +and thus dropping astern of the fleet, night came on before +we weathered the point. Oh, let not my soul be deceived +and distracted by these foolish vanities, but now that I am +actually embarked in Christ’s cause, let a peculiar unction +rest upon my soul, to wean me from the world, and to +inspire me with ardent zeal for the good of souls.</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Miss Lydia Grenfell</span></p> +<p class="date"> +Union, Falmouth: August 10, 1805. +</p> + +<p>My dear Miss Lydia,—It will perhaps be some satisfaction +to yourself and your mother, to know that I was in +time. Our ship was entangled in the chain, and was by +that means the only one not under weigh when I arrived. +It seems that most of the people on board had given me up, +and did not mean to wait for me. I cannot but feel sensibly +this instance of Divine mercy in thus preserving me from +the great trouble that would have attended the loss of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> +passage. Mount’s Bay will soon be in sight, and recall +you all once more to my affectionate remembrance.... I +bid you a long Farewell. God ever bless you, and help +you sometimes to intercede for me.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span> +</p></div> + +<p>The lady alludes thus, in her <i>Diary</i>, to these events, in +language which confesses her love, as she did not again +confess it till after his death:<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>August 8.</i>—I was surprised again to-day by a visit from +my friend, Mr. Martyn, who, contrary to every expectation, +is detained, perhaps weeks longer. I feel myself called on +to act decisively—oh how difficult and painful a part—Lord, +assist me. I desire to be directed by Thy wisdom, and to +follow implicitly what appears Thy will. May we each +consider Thy honour as entrusted to us, and resolve, whatever +it may cost us, to seek Thy glory and do Thy will. +O Lord, I feel myself so weak that I would fain fly from +the trial. My hope is in Thee—do Thou strengthen me, +help me to seek, to know, and resolutely to do, Thy will, +and that we may be each divinely influenced, and may +principle be victorious over feeling. Thou, blessed Spirit, +aid, support, and guide us. Now may we be in the armour +of God, now may we flee from temptation. O blessed Jesus, +leave me not, forsake me not.</p> + +<p><i>August 9.</i>—What a day of conflict has this been! I +was much blessed, as if to prepare me for it, in the morning, +and expected to see my friend, and hoped to have acted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> +with Christian resolution. At Tregembo I learnt he had +been called on by express last night. The effect this +intelligence had on me shows how much my affections are +engaged. O Lord, I lament it, I wonder at myself, I +tremble at what may be before me—but do not, O Lord, +forsake me. The idea of his going, when at parting I +behaved with greater coolness and reserve than I ever did +before, was a distress I could hardly bear, and I prayed +the Lord to afford me an opportunity of doing away the +impression from his mind. I saw no possibility of this—imagining +the fleet must have sailed—when, to my +astonishment, I learnt from our servant that he had called +again this evening, and left a message that he would be +here to-morrow. Oh, I feel less able than ever to conceal +my real sentiments, and the necessity of doing it does not +so much weigh with me. O my soul, pause, reflect—thy +future happiness, and his too, the glory of God, the peace +of my dear mother—all are concerned in what may pass +to-morrow; I can only look and pray to be directed +aright.</p> + +<p><i>August 10.</i>—Much have I to testify of supporting grace +this day, and of what I must consider Divine interference +in my favour, and that of my dear friend, who is now gone +to return no more. My affections are engaged past recalling, +and the anguish I endured yesterday, from an +apprehension that I had treated him with coolness, exceeds +my power to express; but God saw it, and kindly ordered +it that he should come and do away the idea from my +mind. It contributed likewise to my peace, and I hope to +his, that it is clearly now understood between us that he +is free to marry where he is going, and I have felt quite +resigned to the will of God in this, and shall often pray the +Lord to find him a suitable partner.</p> + +<p>Went to meeting in a comfortable frame, but the +intelligence brought me there—that the fleet had probably +sailed without my friend—so distressed and distracted my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +mind, that I would gladly have exchanged my feelings of +yesterday for those I was now exercised with; yet in +prayer I found relief, and in appealing to God. How +unsought by me was his coming here. I still felt anxiety +beyond all expression to hear if he arrived in time or not. +Oh, not for all the world could offer me would I he should +lose his passage!—yet stay, my soul, recollect thyself, are +not all events at the Lord’s disposal? Are not the steps +of a good man ordered by the Lord? Cast then this +burden on Him who carest for thee, my soul. Oh, let not +Thy name, great God, be blasphemed through us—surely +we desire to glorify it above all things, and would sacrifice +everything to do so; enter then my mind this night, and +let me in every dark providence trust in the Lord.</p> + +<p><i>August 11.</i>—A day of singular mercies. O my soul, +how should the increasing goodness of God engage thee to +serve Him with more zeal and ardour. I had a comfortable +season in prayer before breakfast, enjoying sweet liberty of +spirit before God my Saviour, God, the sinner’s friend and +helper. Went to church, but could get no comfort from +the sermon; the service I found in some parts quickening. +On my return I found a letter from my excellent friend, +dated on board the Union. Oh, what a relief to my +mind! By a singular providence this ship was prevented +sailing by getting entangled in the chain; every other +belonging to the fleet was under weigh when he reached +Falmouth, and his friends there had given over the hope of +his arriving in time. Doth not God care for His people, +and order everything, even the most trifling, that concerns +them? The fleet must not sail till the man of God joined +it;—praised be the name of the Lord for this instance of +His watchful care. And now, my soul, turn to God, thy +rest. Oh, may the remembrance of my dear friend, whilst +it is cherished as it ought, be no hindrance to my progress +in grace and holiness. May God alone fill my thoughts, +and may my regard for my friend be sanctified, and be a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> +means of stimulating me to press forward, and animate me +in devoting myself entirely to God. Lord, I would unfeignedly +adore Thee for all the instances of Thy loving +kindness to me this week. I have had many remarkable +answers to prayer, many proofs that the Lord watches +over me, unworthy as I am. O Divine Saviour, how shall +I praise Thee? Walked this evening to a little meeting at +Thirton Wood. I was greatly refreshed and comforted. Oh, +what a support in time of trouble is the Lord God of +Israel! I am about retiring to rest—oh, may my thoughts +upon my bed be solemn and spiritual. The remembrance +of my dear friend is at times attended with feelings most +painful, and yet, when I consider why he is gone, and +Whom he is serving, every burden is removed, and I rejoice +on his account, and rejoice that the Lord has such a faithful +servant employed in the work. Oh, may I find grace +triumphant over every feeling of my heart. Come, Lord +Jesus, and dwell with me.</p> + +<p><i>August 12.</i>—Passed a sweet, peaceful day, enjoying much +of His presence whose favour giveth life, and joy, and peace. +Visited several of the poor near me, and found ability to +speak freely and feelingly to them of the state of their souls. +My dear absent friend is constantly remembered by me, +but I find not his remembrance a hindrance to my soul in +following after God—no, rather does it stimulate me in my +course. Thus hath the Lord answered my prayers, as it +respects myself, that our regard might be a sanctified one. +Oh, bless the Lord, my soul, for ever! praise Him in cheerful +lays from day to day, and hope eternally to do so.</p> + +<p><i>August 13.</i>—Awoke early and had a happy season. +Visited a poor old man in great poverty, whose mind +seemed disposed to receive instruction, and in some measure +enlightened to know his sinful state and need of Christ; I +found it a good time whilst with him. This evening my +spirits are depressed; my absent friend is present to my +remembrance, possessing more than common sensibility and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> +affection. What must his sufferings be? but God is sufficient +for him. He that careth for the falling sparrow will not +forget him—this is my never-failing source of consolation.</p> + +<p><i>August 15.</i>—My soul has been cold in duties to-day. +Oh, for the spirit of devotion! Great are the things God +has wrought for me; oh, let these great things suitably impress +my soul. I have had many painful reflections to-day +respecting my absent friend, fearing whether I may not be +the occasion of much sorrow to him and possibly of +hindering him in the work. I could not do such violence +to my feelings as to treat him with reserve and distance, +yet, in his circumstances, I think I ought to. O Lord, if +in this I have offended, forgive me, and oh, do away +from his mind every improper remembrance of me. Help +me to cast my cares on Thee to-night, and help me with +peace.</p> + +<p><i>Marazion, September 2.</i>—My mind has been exercised +with many painful anxieties about my dear friend, but I +have poured out my soul to God, and am relieved; I have +left my sorrows with Him. Isaiah (41st chapter) has +comforted me. Oh, what pleasure did that permission give +me when my heart was overburdened to-day. ‘Produce +your cause’—what a privilege to come to God as a friend. +I disclose those feelings to Him I have no power to any +earthly friend. Those I could say most to seem to avoid +the subject that occupies my mind; I have been wounded +by their silence, yet I do not imagine them indifferent or +unconcerned. It is well for me they have seemed to be so, +for it has made me more frequent at a throne of grace, and +brought me more acquainted with God as a friend who +will hear all my complaints. Oh, how sweet to approach +Him, through Christ, as my God. ‘Fear not,’ He says, ‘for +I am with you: be not dismayed, I am thy God, I will +strengthen thee, yea (O blessed assurance!) I will help +thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My +righteousness;’ and so I find it—glory be to God! Lord,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> +hear the frequent prayers I offer for Thy dear servant, +sanctify our mutual regard; may it continue through eternity, +flowing from our love to Thee.</p> + +<p><i>September 3.</i>—Still no letters from Stoke, and no +intelligence whether the fleet has sailed—this is no small +exercise of my patience, but at times I feel a sweet +complacency in saying, ‘Thou art my portion, O Lord.’ I +have often felt happy in saying this, but it is in a season +such as this, when creature comforts fail, that we may know +whether we are sincere in saying so. Ah! how do we +imperceptibly cleave to earth, and how soon withdraw +our affections from God. I am sensible mine would never +fix on Him but by His own power effecting it. I rest on +Thy power, O God most high, retired from human observation.</p></div> + +<p>When the commodore opened his sealed despatches off +the Lizard, it was found that the fleet was to linger still +longer at Cork, whence Henry Martyn wrote again to +Lydia’s sister, Mrs. Hitchins. On Sunday, when becalmed +in Mount’s Bay, and he would have given anything to have +been ashore preaching at Marazion or St. Hilary, he had +taken for his text Hebrews xi. 16: ‘But now they desire +a better country, that is, an heavenly.’</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="date"> +Cork Harbour: August 19, 1805.<br /> +</p> + +<p>The beloved objects were still in sight, and Lydia I +knew was about that time at St. Hilary, but every wave +bore me farther and farther from them. I introduced what +I had to say by observing that we had now bid adieu to +England, and its shores were dying away from the view. +The female part of my audience were much affected, but I +do not know that any were induced to seek the better +country. The Mount continued in sight till five o’clock, +when it disappeared behind the western boundary of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> +bay. Amidst the extreme gloom of my mind this day I +found great comfort in interceding earnestly for my beloved +friends all over England. If you have heard from Marazion +since Sunday, I should be curious to know whether the fleet +was observed passing....</p> + +<p>We are now in the midst of a vast number of transports +filled with troops. It is now certain from our coming here +that we are to join in some expedition, probably the Cape +of Good Hope, or the Brazils; anywhere for me so long as +the Lord goes with me. If it should please God to send +me another letter from you, which I scarcely dare hope, do +not forget to tell me as much as you can about Lydia. I +cannot write to her, or I should find the greatest relief and +pleasure even in transmitting upon paper the assurances of +my tenderest love.</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p class="date"> +Cove of Cork: August 28, 1805.<br /> +</p> + +<p>My dearest Cousin,—I have but a few minutes to +say that we are again going to sea—under convoy of five +men of war. Very anxiously have I been expecting to +receive an answer to the letter I sent you on my arrival +at this port, bearing date August 16; from the manner in +which I had it conveyed to the post-office, I begin to fear +it has never reached you. I have this instant received the +letter you wrote me the day on which we sailed from +Falmouth. Everything from you gives me the greatest +pleasure, but this letter has rather tended to excite +sentiments of pain as well as pleasure. I fear my proceedings +have met with your disapprobation, and have +therefore been wrong—since it is more probable you should +judge impartially than myself.</p> + +<p>I am now fully of opinion that, were I convinced of +the expediency of marriage, I ought not in conscience to +propose it, while the obstacle of S.J. remains. Whatever +others have said, I think that Lydia acts no more than +consistently by persevering in her present determination.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> +I confess, therefore, that till this obstacle is removed my +path is perfectly clear, and, blessed be God! I feel very, +very happy in all that my God shall order concerning me. +Let me suffer privation, and sorrow and death, if I may by +these tribulations enter into the kingdom of God. Since we +have been lying here I have been enjoying a peace almost +uninterrupted. The Spirit of adoption has been drawing +me near to God, and giving me the full assurance of His +love. My prayer is continually that I may be more deeply +and habitually convinced of His unchanging, everlasting +love, and that my whole soul may be altogether in Christ. +The Lord teaches me to desire Christ for my all in all—to +long to be encircled in His everlasting arms, to be +swallowed up in the fulness of His love. Surely the soul +is happy that thus bathes in a medium of love. I wish no +created good, but to be one with Him and to be living for my +Saviour and Lord. Oh, may it be my constant care to live +free from the spirit of bondage, and at all times have access +to the Father. This I now feel, my beloved cousin, should +be our state—perfect reconciliation with God, perfect +appropriation of Him in all His endearing attributes, +according to all that He has promised. This shall bear us +safely through the storm. Oh, how happy are we in being +introduced to such high privileges! You and my dear +brother, and Lydia, I rejoice to think, are often praying +for me and interested about me. I have, of course, much +more time and leisure to intercede for you than you for +me—and you may be assured I do not fail to employ +my superior opportunities in your behalf. Especially is it +my prayer that the mind of my dear cousin, formed as +it is by nature and by grace for higher occupations, may +not be rendered uneasy by the employments and cares +of this.</p></div> + +<p>Hearing nothing accurately of the India fleet after +its departure from Mount’s Bay, Lydia Grenfell thus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> +betrayed to herself and laid before God her loving +anxiety:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1805, September 24.</i>—Have I not reason ever, and in +all things, to trust and bless God? O my soul, why dost +thou yield to despondency? why art thou disquieted? O +my soul, put thy trust in God, assured that thou shalt yet +praise Him, who is the help of thy countenance and thy +God in Christ Jesus. My mind is under considerable +anxiety, arising from the uncertainty of my dear friend’s +situation, and an apprehension of his being ill. Oh, how +soon is my soul filled with confusion! yet I find repose for +it in the love of Jesus—oh, let me then raise my eyes to +Him, and may His love be shed abroad in my heart; make +me in all things resigned to Thy will, to trust and hope +and rejoice in Thee.</p> + +<p><i>November 1.</i>—My dear absent friend has too much +occupied my thoughts and affections, and broken my peace—but +Jesus reigns in providence and grace, and He does +all things well. Yes, in my best moments I can rejoice in +believing this, but too often I yield to unbelieving fears and +discouragements. The thought that we shall meet no +more sinks at times my spirits, yet I would say and feel +submissive—Thy will be done. Choose for my motto, on +entering my thirty-first year, this Scripture: ‘Our days on +the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.’</p> + +<p><i>November 4.</i>—I think of my friend, but blessed be God +for not suffering my regard to lead me from Himself.</p> + +<p><i>November 16.</i>—I have been employed to-day in a +painful manner, writing<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> (perhaps for the last time) to too +dear a friend. I have to bless God for keeping me composed +whilst doing so, and for peace of mind since, arising +from a conviction that I have done right; and oh, that I +may now be enabled to turn my thought from all below to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> +that better world where my soul hopes eternally to dwell. +Blessed Lord Jesus, be my strength and shield. Oh, let +not the enemy harass me, nor draw my affections from +Thee.</p> + +<p><i>November 17.</i>—Felt great depression of spirits to-day, +from the improbability of ever seeing H.M. return. I feel +it necessary to fly to God, praying for submission to His +will, and to rest assured of the wisdom and love of this +painful event. O my soul, rise from these cares, look +beyond the boundary of time. Oh, cheering prospect, in +that blest world where my Redeemer lives I shall regain +every friend I love—with Christian love again. Be +resigned then, my soul, Jesus is thine, and He does all +things well.</p></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Deposited by Henry Martyn Jeffery, Esq., in the Truro Museum of the +Royal Institution, where the MS. may be consulted.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Hitherto unpublished. We owe the copy of this significant letter to the +courtesy of H.M. Jeffery, Esq., F.R.S., for whom Canon Moor, of St. Clement’s, +near Truro, procured it from the friend to whom Mrs. T.M. Hitchins had +given it.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> <i>Essays in Ecclesiastical Biography.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> The <i>Observations on the State of Society among the Asiatic Subjects of +Great Britain</i>, written in 1792.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a><a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> The parallel between Henry Martyn and David Brainerd, so close as to +spiritual experience and missionary service, hereditary consumption and early +death, is even more remarkable in their hopeless but purifying love. Brainerd +was engaged to Jerusha, younger daughter of the great Jonathan Edwards. +‘Dear Jerusha, are you willing to part with me?’ said the dying missionary +on October 4, 1747.... ‘If I thought I should not see you and be happy +with you in another world, I could not bear to part with you. But we shall +spend a happy eternity together!’ See J.M. Sherwood’s edition (1885) of +the <i>Memoirs of Rev. David Brainerd</i>, prefaced by Jonathan Edwards, D.D., +p. 340.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> This letter never reached its destination, but was captured in the Bell +Packet.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<p class="subheading">THE NINE MONTHS’ VOYAGE—SOUTH AMERICA—SOUTH +AFRICA, 1805-1806</p> + + +<p>The East India fleet had been detained off Ireland ‘for +fear of immediate invasion, in which case the ships might +be of use.’ The young chaplain was kept busy enough in +his own and the other vessels. In one of these, the Ann, +there was a mutiny. Another, the Pitt, was a Botany Bay +ship, carrying out 120 female convicts. Thanks to Charles +Simeon, he was able to supply all with Bibles and religious +books. But even on board his own transport, the Union, +the captain would allow only one service on the Sabbath, +and denied permission to preach to the convicts. The +chaplain’s ministrations between decks were continued +daily, amid the indifference and even opposition of all +save a few.</p> + +<p>At last, on August 31, 1805, the Indiamen of the season +and fifty transports sailed out of the Cove of Cork under +convoy of the Diadem, 64 guns, the Belliqueuse, 64 guns, +the Leda and Narcissus frigates, on a voyage which, after +two months since lifting the anchor at Portsmouth, lasted +eight and a half months to Calcutta. The Union had +H.M. 59th Regiment on board. Of its officers and men, +and of the East India Company’s cadets and the officers +commanding them, he succeeded in inducing only five to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> +join him in daily worship. His own presence and this +little gathering caused the vessel to be known in the fleet +as ‘the praying ship.’ The captain died during the voyage +to the Cape. One of the ships was wrecked, the Union +narrowly escaping the same fate. Martyn’s <i>Journal</i> reveals +an amount of hostility to himself and of open scoffing at +his message which would be impossible now. He fed his +spirit with the Word of God, which he loved to expound +to others. Leighton, especially the too little known <i>Rules +for Holy Living</i>, was ever in his hands. Augustine and +Ambrose delighted him, also Hooker, Baxter, Jonathan +Edwards, and Flavel, which he read to any who would +listen, while he spoke much to the Mohammedan Lascars. +He worked hard at Hindustani, Bengali, and Portuguese. +Not more faithfully reflected in his <i>Journal</i> than the tedium +of the voyage and the often blasphemous opposition of his +fellows are, all unconsciously, his own splendid courage, +his untiring faithfulness even when down with dysentery and +cough, his watchful prayerfulness, his longing for the spread +of Christ’s kingdom. As the solitary young saint paced +the deck his thoughts, too, were with the past—with Lydia, +in a way which, even he felt, did not leave him indisposed +for communion with God. From Funchal, Madeira, he +wrote to Lydia’s sister: ‘God knows how dearly I love you, +and Lydia and Sally (his younger sister), and all His saints +in England, yet I bid you all an everlasting farewell almost +without a sigh.’ His motto throughout the voyage was the +sentence in which Milner characterises the first Christians:</p> + +<p style="text-align: center;"> +‘<span class="smcap">To Believe, to Suffer, and to Love.</span>’ +</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Lydia Grenfell was thus committing to her +<i>Diary</i> these melancholy longings:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>November 22.</i>—Yesterday brought me most pleasing +intelligence from my dear friend, for which I have and do +thank Thee, O Lord my God. He assures us of his being +well, and exceedingly happy—oh, may he continue so. I +have discovered that insensibly I have indulged the hope +of his return, which this letter has seemed to lessen. I see +it is my duty to familiarise my mind to the idea of our +separation being for ever, with what feelings the thought is +admitted, the Lord—whose will I desire therein to be done—only +knows, and I find it a blessed relief to look to Him +for comfort. I can bear testimony to this, that the Lord +does afford me the needful support. I have been favoured +much within this day or two, and seem, if I may trust to +present feelings, to be inspired to ask the Lord’s sovereign +will and pleasure concerning me and him. I look forward +to our meeting only in another state of existence, and oh, +how pure, how exalted will be our affection then! here it +is mixed with much evil, many pains, and great anxieties. +Hasten, O Lord, Thy coming, and fit me for it and for the +society of Thy saints in light. I desire more holiness, +more of Christ in my soul, more of His likeness. Oh, to be +filled with all Thy fulness, to be swallowed up in Thee!</p> + +<p><i>November 23.</i>—Too much has my mind been occupied +to-day with a subject which must for ever interest me. +O Lord, have mercy on me! help can only come from +Thee. Let Thy blessed Word afford me relief; let the aids +of Thy Spirit be vouchsafed. Restore to me the joys of +Thy salvation.</p> + +<p><i>November 24.</i>—Passed a night of little sleep, my mind +restless, confused, and unhappy. In vain did I endeavour +to fix my thoughts on spiritual things, and to drive away +those distressing fears of what may befall my dear friend. +Blessed for ever be the Lord that on approaching His +mercy-seat, through the blood of Jesus, I found peace, rest, +and an ability to rely on God for all things. I have through +the day enjoyed a sense of the Divine presence, and a +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span>blessed nearness to the Lord. To-night I am favoured +with a sweet calmness; I seem to have no desire to exert +myself. O Lord, animate, refresh my fainting soul. I see +how dangerous it is to admit any worldly object into the +heart, and how prone mine is to idolatry, for whatever has +the preference, that to God is an idol. Alas! my thoughts, +my first and last thoughts, are now such as prove that God +cannot be said to have the supreme place in my affections; +yet, blessed be His name, I can resign myself and all my +concerns to His disposal, and this is my heart’s desire. Thy +will be done.</p> + +<p><i>December 11.</i>—I seem reconciled to all before me, and +consider the Lord must have some great and wise purposes +to answer by suffering my affections to be engaged in the +degree they are. If it is only to exercise my submission +to His will, and to make me more acquainted with His +power to support and comfort me, it will be a great end +answered, and oh, may I welcome all He appoints for this +purpose. The mysteries of Providence are unfathomable. +The event must disclose them, and in this I desire to make +up my mind from henceforth no more to encourage the +least expectation of meeting my dear friend in this world. +O Lord, when the desire is so strong, how impossible is it +for me to do this; but Thou art able to strengthen me for +it. Oh, vouchsafe the needful help.</p> + +<p><i>December 16.</i>—I have had many distressing feelings +to-day, and struggled with my heart, which is at times +rent, I may say, by the reflection that I have bidden adieu +for ever in this life to so dear a friend; but the blessed +employment the Lord has assisted me in, and the thought +that he is serving my blessed Lord Jesus, is most consolatory. +Oh, may I never more seek to draw him back from +the work. Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest +that I would not do this.</p> + +<p><i>December 26.</i>—Went early to St. Hilary, where I had +an opportunity of reading the excellent prayers of our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> +Church. I have been blest with sweet peace to-day—a +solemn expectation of entering eternity. I feel a sadness +of spirit at times (attended with a calm resignation of mind, +not unpleasing) at the remembrance of my friend, whom +I expect no more to see till we meet in heaven. Oh, blessed +hope that there we shall meet! Lord, keep us each in the +narrow way that leads to Thee.</p> + +<p><i>December 31.</i>—The last in 1805—oh, may it prove the +most holy to my soul. I am shut out from the communion +of Thy saints in a measure; oh, let me enjoy more +communion with my God. Thou knowest my secret +sorrows, yea, Thou dost calm them by causing me to have +regard to a future life of bliss with Thee, when I shall see +and adore the wisdom of Thy dealings with me. Oh, my +idolatrous heart!</p></div> + +<p>These passages occur in Henry Martyn’s <i>Journal</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>December 4.</i>—Dearest Lydia! never wilt thou cease to +be dear to me; still, the glory of God, and the salvation of +immortal souls, is an object for which I can part with thee. +Let us live then for God, separate from one another, since +such is His holy will. Hereafter we shall meet in a happier +region, and if we shall have lived and died, denying ourselves +for God, triumphant and glorious will our meeting be....</p> + +<p><i>December 5.</i>—My mind has been running on Lydia, +and the happy scenes in England, very much; particularly +on that day when I walked with her on the sea-shore, +and with a wistful eye looked over the blue waves that +were to bear me from her. While walking the deck I +longed to be left alone, that my thoughts might run at +random. Tender feelings on distant scenes do not leave +me indisposed for communion with God; that which is +present to the outward senses is the greatest plague to me. +Went among the soldiers in the afternoon, distributing +oranges to those who are scorbutic. My heart was for some +hours expanding with joy and love; but I have reason to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> +think that the state of the body has great influence on the +frames and feelings of the mind. Let the rock of my consolations +be not a variable feeling, but Jesus Christ and +His righteousness.</p></div> + +<p>The fleet next touched at San Salvador, or Bahia, from +which Henry Martyn wrote to Mrs. Hitchins, his cousin, +asking her to send him by Corrie, who was coming out as +chaplain, ‘your profile and Cousin Tom’s and Lydia’s. If +she should consent to it, I should much wish for her miniature.’ +The request, when it reached her, must have led to +such passages in her <i>Diary</i> as these:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1806, February 8.</i>—I have passed some days of pain +and weakness, but now am blessed again with health. +During the whole of this sickness I was afflicted with much +deadness of soul, and have had very few thoughts of God. +I felt, as strength returned, the necessity of more earnest +supplications for grace and spiritual life. I have ascertained +this sad truth, that my soul has declined in spiritual fervour +and liveliness since I have admitted an earthly object so +much into my heart. Ah! I know I have not power to +recall my affections, but God can, and I believe He will, +enable me to regulate them better. This thought has been +of great injury to me, as I felt no murmuring at the will of +God, nor disposed to act therein contrary to His will. I +thought I might indulge secretly my affection, but it has +been of vast disadvantage to me. I am now convinced, +and I do humbly (relying on strength from on high) resolve +no more to yield to it. Oh, may my conversation be in +heaven, and the glories of Immanuel be all my theme.</p> + +<p><i>February 15.</i>—I have been much exercised yesterday +and to-day—walking in darkness, without light—and I +feel the truth of this Scripture: ‘Your sins have separated +between you and your God.’ I have betrayed a most +unbecoming impatience and warmth of temper. My dear<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> +absent friend, too, has been much in my mind. How many +times have I endured the pain of bidding him farewell! +I would not dare repine. I doubt not for a moment the +necessity of its being as it is, but the feelings of my mind +at particular seasons overwhelm me. My refuge is to +consider it is the will of God. Thy will, my God, be done.</p></div> + +<p>Henry Martyn did not lose a day in discharging his +mission to the residents and slaves of that part of the coast +of Brazil, in the great commercial city and seat of the +metropolitan. His was the first voice to proclaim the pure +Gospel in South America since, three hundred years before, +Coligny’s and Calvin’s missionaries had been there silenced +by Villegagnon, and put to death. Martyn was frequently +ashore, almost fascinated by the tropical glories of the coast +and the interior, and keenly interested in the Portuguese +dons, the Franciscan friars, and the negro slaves. After his +first walk through the town to the suburbs, he was looking for +a wood in which he might rest, when he found himself at a +magnificent porch leading to a noble avenue and house. +There he was received with exuberant hospitality by the +Corrè family, especially by the young Señor Antonio, who +had received a University training in Portugal, and soon +learned to enjoy the society of the Cambridge clergyman. +In his visits of days to this family, his exploration of the +immediate interior and the plantations of tapioca and +pepper, introduced from Batavia, and his discussions with +its members and the priests on Roman Catholicism, all +conducted in French and Latin, a fortnight passed rapidly. +He was ever about his Master’s business, able in speaking +His message to men and in prayer and meditation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> ‘In a cool +and shady part of the garden, near some water, I sat and sang,</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i14">O’er the gloomy hills of darkness. +</span></div> + +<p>I could read and pray aloud, as there was no fear of anyone +understanding me. Reading the eighty-fourth Psalm,</p> + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i13">O how amiable are Thy tabernacles, +</span></div> + +<p>this morning in the shade, the day when I read it last under +the trees with Lydia was brought forcibly to my remembrance, +and produced some degree of melancholy.’ Refreshed +by the hospitality of San Salvador, he resumed the voyage +with new zeal for his Lord and for his study of such +authorities as Orme’s <i>Indostan</i> and Scott’s <i>Dekkan</i>, and +thus taking himself to task: ‘I wish I had a deeper conviction +of the sinfulness of sloth.’</p> + +<p>Thus had he taken possession of Brazil, of South +America, for Christ. As he walked through the streets, +where for a long time he ‘saw no one but negro slaves +male and female’; as he passed churches in which ‘they +were performing Mass,’ and priests of all colours innumerable, +and ascended the battery which commanded a view +of the whole bay of All Saints, he exclaimed, ‘What happy +missionary shall be sent to bear the name of Christ to these +western regions? When shall this beautiful country be +delivered from idolatry and spurious Christianity? Crosses +there are in abundance, but when shall the doctrine of the +Cross be held up?’ In the nearly ninety years that have +gone since that time, Brazil has ceased to belong to the +house of Braganza, slavery has been abolished, the agents +of the Evangelical churches and societies of the United +States of America and the Bible societies have been sent +in answer to his prayer; while down in the far south Captain +Allen Gardiner, R.N., by his death for the savage people, +has brought about results that extorted the admiration of +Dr. Darwin. As Martyn went back to the ship for the last<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> +time, after a final discussion on Mariolatry with the Franciscans, +rowed by Lascars who kept the feast of the +Hijra with hymns to Mohammed, and in converse with a +fellow-voyager who declared mankind needed to be +told nothing but to be sober and honest, he cried to God +with a deep sigh ‘to interfere in behalf of His Gospel; for +in the course of one hour I had seen three shocking +examples of the reign and power of the devil in the form of +Popish and Mohammedan delusion and that of the natural +man. I felt, however, in no way discouraged, but only saw +the necessity of dependence on God.’</p> + +<p>Why did Henry Martyn’s preaching and daily pastoral +influence excite so much opposition? Undoubtedly, as we +shall see, both in Calcutta and Dinapore, his Cornish-Celtic +temperament, possibly the irritability due to the disease +under which he was even then suffering, disabled him from +disarming opposition, as his friend Corrie, for instance, afterwards +always did. But we must remember to whom he +preached and what he preached, and the time at which he +preached, in the history not only of the Church of England, +but of Evangelical religion. He had himself been brought +out of spiritual darkness under the influence of Kempthorne +and Charles Simeon, by the teaching of Paul in his letters +to the Roman and the Galatian converts. To him sin was +exceeding sinful. The Pauline doctrine of sin and its one +remedy was the basis not only of his theology, but of his +personal experience and daily life. After a brief ministry +to the villagers of Lolworth and occasional sermons to his +fellow students in Cambridge, this Senior Wrangler and +Classic, yet young convert, was put in spiritual charge of a +British regiment and Indiaman’s crew, and was the only +chaplain in a force of eight thousand soldiers, some with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> +families, and many female convicts. At a time when the +dead churches were only beginning to wake up, after +the missions of the Wesleys and Whitfield, of William +Carey and Simeon, this youthful prophet was called to +reason of temperance, righteousness, and judgment to +come, with men who were practically as pagan or as +sceptical as Felix.</p> + +<p>His second address at sea, on September 15, was from +Paul’s sermon in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia +(Acts xiii. 38-39): <i>Through this man is preached unto you +the forgiveness of sins, &c.</i><a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> It was a full and free declaration +of God’s love in Jesus Christ to sinful man, which he thus +describes in his <i>Journal</i>: ‘In the latter part I was led +to speak without preparation on the all-sufficiency of +Christ to save sinners who came to Him with all their sins +without delay. I was carried away with a Divine aid to +speak with freedom and energy. My soul was refreshed, +and I retired seeing reason to be thankful!’ But the next +week’s experience resulted in this: ‘I was more tried by +the fear of man than I have ever been since God called me +to the ministry. The threats and opposition of those men +made me unwilling to set before them the truths which they +hated; yet I had no species of hesitation about doing it. +They had let me know that if I would preach a sermon +like one of Blair’s they should be glad to hear it; but they +would not attend if so much of hell was preached.’ +Strengthened by our Lord’s promise of the Comforter +(John xiv. 16), he next Sunday took for his text Psalm ix. +17: <i>The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations +that forget God.</i> He thus concluded:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Pause awhile, and reflect! Some of you, perhaps, by +this time, instead of making a wise resolve, have begun to +wonder that so heavy a judgment should be denounced +merely against forgetfulness. But look at the affairs of +common life, and be taught by them. Do not neglect, and +want of attention, and not looking about us to see what we +have to do—do not any of these bring upon us consequences +as ruinous to our worldly business as any <span class="smcap">ACTIVE</span> +misbehaviour? It is an event of every day, that a man, +by mere laziness and inattention to his business, does as +certainly bring himself and family to poverty, and end his +days in a gaol, as if he were, in wanton mischief, to set fire +to his own house. So it is also with the affairs of the soul: +neglect of that—forgetfulness of God, who only can save +it—will work his ruin, as surely as a long and daring course +of profligate wickedness.</p> + +<p>When any one has been recollecting the proper proofs +of a future state of rewards and punishments, nothing, +methinks, can give him so sensible an apprehension of +punishment or such a representation of it to the mind, as +observing that, after the many disregarded checks, admonitions, +and warnings which people meet with in the ways +of vice, folly, and extravagance warnings from their very +nature, from the examples of others, from the lesser inconveniences +which they bring upon themselves, from the +instructions of wise and good men—after these have been +long despised, scorned, ridiculed—after the chief bad consequences +(temporal consequences) of their follies have +been delayed for a great while, at length they break in +irresistibly like an armed force: repentance is too late to +relieve, and can serve only to aggravate their distress: the +case is become desperate; and poverty and sickness, remorse +and anguish, infamy and death, the effects of their +own doings, overwhelm them beyond possibility of remedy +or escape. This is an account of what is, in fact, the +general constitution of Nature.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>But is the forgetfulness of God so light a matter? +Think what ingratitude, rebellion, and atheism there is at +the bottom of it! Sirs, you have ‘a carnal mind, which is +enmity against God.’ (Rom. viii. 7.) Do not suppose +that you have but to make a slight effort, and you will +cease to forget Him: it is your nature to forget Him: it +is your nature to hate Him: so that nothing less than an +entire change of heart and nature will ever deliver you +from this state of enmity. Our nature ‘is not subject to +the law of God, neither indeed can be. They that are in +the flesh cannot please God.’ (Rom. viii. 7, 8.) From this +state let the fearful menace in the text persuade you to +arise! Need we remind you again of the dreadfulness of +hell—of the certainty that it shall overtake the impenitent +sinner? Enough has been said; and can any of you be +still so hardened, and such enemies to your souls, as still +to cleave to sin? Will you still venture to continue any +more in the hazard of falling into the hands of God? +Alas! ‘Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? +Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?’ +(Isa. xxxiii. 14.) ‘Can thine heart endure, or can thine +hands be strong, in the days that I shall deal with thee? +I the Lord have spoken it, and will do it!’ (Ezek. xxii. +14.) Observe, that men have dealt with sinners—ministers +have dealt with them—apostles, prophets, and angels have +dealt with them: at last, God will take them in hand, and +deal with them! Though not so daring as to defy God, +yet, brethren, in all probability you put on repentance. +Will you securely walk a little longer along the brink of +the burning furnace of the Almighty’s fury? ‘As the +Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step +between thee and death!’ (1 Sam. xx. 3.) When you +lie down you know not but you may be in it before the +morning; and when you rise you know not but God may +say, ‘Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of +thee!’ When once the word is given to cut you down,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> +the business is over. You are cut off from your lying +refuges and beloved sins—from the world—from your +friends—from the light—from happiness—from hope, for +ever! Be wise, then, my friends, and reasonable: give +neither sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids, till +you have resolved, on your knees before God, to forget +Him no more. Go home and pray. Do not dare to fly, +as it were, in the face of your Maker, by seeking your +pleasure on His holy day; but if you are alarmed at this +subject, as well you may be, go and pray to God that you +may forget Him no more. It is high time to awake out of +sleep. It is high time to have done with hesitation: time +does not wait for you; nor will God wait till you are +pleased to turn. He hath bent His bow, and made it +ready: halt no more between two opinions: hasten—tarry +not in all the plain, but flee from the wrath to come. Pray +for grace, without which you can do nothing. Pray for +the knowledge of Christ, and of your own danger and +helplessness, without which you cannot know what it is to +find refuge in Him. It is not our design to terrify, without +pointing out the means of safety. Let us then observe, +that if it should have pleased God to awaken any of you +to a sense of your danger, you should beware of betaking +yourselves to a refuge of lies.</p> + +<p>But, through the mercy of God, many among us have +found repentance unto life—have fled for refuge to the +hope set before them—have seen their danger, and fled to +Christ. Think with yourselves what it is now to have +escaped destruction; what it will be to hear at the last day +our acquittal, when it shall be said to others, ‘Depart from +Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.’ Let the sense of the +mercy of God gild all the path of life. On the other hand, +since it is they who forget God that are to bear the weight +of His wrath, let us beware, brethren, how we forget Him, +through concern about this world, or through unbelief, or +through sloth. Let us be punctual in all our engagements<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> +with Him. With earnest attention and holy awe ought we +to hear His voice, cherish the sense of His presence, and +perform the duties of His worship. No covenant relation +or Gospel grace can render Him less holy, less jealous, or +less majestic. ‘Wherefore let us have grace, whereby we +may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear; +for our God is a consuming fire.’</p></div> + +<p>The officers had seated themselves behind the preacher, +that they might retire in case of dislike, and one of them +employed himself in feeding the geese; so it had happened +in the case of the missionary Paul, and Martyn wrote: ‘God, +I trust, blessed the sermon to the good of many. Some of +the cadets and soldiers were in tears.’ The complement<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> +of this truth he soon after displayed to them in his sermon +on the message through Ezekiel xxxiii. 11. <i>As I live, +saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the +wicked.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Men have been found in all ages who have vented +their murmurs against God for the severity of His final +punishment, as well as for the painful continuance of His +judgments upon them in this life, saying, ‘If our state be +so full of guilt and misery as is represented, and God is +determined to avenge Himself upon us, be it so; then +we must take the consequences.’ If God were to reply to +this impious complaint only by silence; if He were to +suffer the gloom of their hearts to thicken into tenfold +darkness, and give them up to their own malignity, till they +died victims to their own impiety and despair, the Lord +would still be righteous, they would then only eat of the +fruit of their doings. But, behold, the Lord gives a very +unexpected message, with which He bids us to follow men,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> +to interrupt their sad soliloquies, to stop their murmurs. +‘Say unto them,’ saith He, ‘As I live, saith the Lord God, +I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the +wicked turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn ye, from +your evil ways; for why will ye die?’</p> + +<p>Behold the inseparable connexion—we must turn, or +die. Here there is a question put by God to sinners. Let +sinners then answer the question which God puts to them,—‘Why +will ye die?’ Is death a motive not strong +enough to induce you to forego a momentary pleasure? +Is it a light thing to fall into the hands of the living God? +Is a life of godliness so very intolerable as not to be repaid +by heavenly glory? Turn ye at His reproof—‘Why will +ye die?’ Is it because there is no hope? God has this +very hour testified with an oath that it is His desire to save +you. Yea, He at this moment expostulates with you and +beseeches you to seek Him. ‘Why will ye die?’ You +know not why. If, then, you are constrained—now accustomed +as you are to self-vindication—to acknowledge your +unreasonableness, how much more will you be speechless +in the last day when madness will admit of no palliation, +and folly will appear without disguise!</p> + +<p>Are any returned to God? Do any believe they are +really returned?—then here they have consolation. It is +a long time before we lose our slavish dread of God, for +our natural prejudices and mistakes become inveterate by +habit, and Satan opposes the removal of them. But come +now, and let us reason together. Will ye also dishonour +your God by accounting Him more willing to destroy than +to save you? <i>Will</i> ye think hardly of God? Oh, that I had +been able to describe as it deserves, His willingness to save! +Oh, that I could have borrowed the pen of a seraph, and +dipped it in a fount of light! Could plainer words be needed +to describe the wonders of His love? Hearken, my beloved +brethren! Hath He no pleasure in the death of the +wicked, and will He take pleasure in yours? Hath He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> +promised His love, His tenderness to those who turn from +their wicked ways, and yet, when they are turned, +straightway forgot His promise? Harbour no more fearful, +unbelieving thoughts. But the reply is often that the fear +is not of God, but of myself, lest I have not turned away +from my evil ways. But this point may surely be ascertained, +brethren; and if it may, any further refinements +on this subject are derogatory to God’s honour. Let these +words convince you that, if you are willing to be saved in +His way, He is willing to save you. It may be you will +still be kept in darkness, but darkness is not always the +frown of God; it is only Himself—thy shade on thy right +hand. Then tremble not at the hand that wipes away thy +tears; judge Him not by feeble sense, but follow Him, +though He lead thee by a way that thou knewest not.</p> + +<p>There are some of you who have reason to hope that +you have turned from the error of your ways. Ye have +tasted that the Lord is gracious. It is but a taste, a foretaste, +an antepast of the feast of heaven. It was His +pleasure that you should turn from your ways; it is also +His good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Then what +shall we recommend to you, but gratitude, admiration, and +praise? ‘Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, +O Zion.’ Let each of us abundantly utter the memory of +His great goodness, and sing aloud of His righteousness. +Let each say, ‘Awake, lute and harp; I myself will awake +right early.’ Let us join the chorus of angels, and all the +redeemed, in praising the riches of His love in His kindness +towards us through Christ Jesus.</p></div> + +<p>As the fleet sailed from San Salvador, the captains were +summoned to the commodore, to learn that Cape Town +and the Dutch settlement formed the object of the expedition, +and that stout resistance was expected. This gave +new zeal to the chaplain, were that possible, in his dealings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> +with the officers and men of his Majesty’s 59th, and with +the cadets, to whom he taught mathematics in his unrewarded +friendliness. Many were down with dysentery, +then and long a peculiarly fatal disease till the use of +ipecacuanha. His constant service made him also for some +time a sufferer.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1805, December 29.</i> (Sunday.)—My beloved spake and +said unto me, Rise up, &c. (Cant. ii. 10, 11). Ah! why cannot +I rise and go forth and meet my Lord? Every hindrance +is removed: the wrath of God, the guilt of sin, and +severity of affliction; there is nothing now in the world +that has any strong hold of my affections. Separated +from my friends and country for ever in this life, I have +nothing to distract me from hearing the voice of my +beloved, and coming away from this world and walking +with Him in love, amidst the flowers that perfume the +air of Paradise, and the harmony of the happy spirits +who are singing His praise. But alas! my heart is cold +and slothful. Preached on 2 Peter iii. 11, taking notice at +the end of these remarkable circumstances, that made the +text particularly applicable to us. It was the last Sabbath +of a year, which had been memorable to us from our +having left our country, and passed through many dangers. +Secondly, within a few days they were to meet an enemy +on the field of battle. Thirdly, the death of the captain. +I was enabled to be self-collected, and in some degree +tender. There was a great impression; many were in +tears. Visited and conversed with Mr. M. twice to-day, +and marked some passages for him to read. His heart +seems tender. There was a considerable number on +the orlop in the afternoon. Expounded Matt. xix. and +prayed. In the evening Major Davidson and M’Kenzie +came to my cabin, and stayed nearly three hours. I read +Romans vi. and vii., and explained those difficult chapters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> +as well as I could, so that the Major, I hope, received a +greater insight into them; afterwards I prayed with them. +But my own soul after these ministrations seemed to have +received harm rather than good. It was an awful reflection +that Judas was a preacher, perhaps a successful one. Oh, +let my soul tremble, lest, after preaching to others, I myself +should be a castaway.</p> + +<p><i>1806. January 4.</i>—Continued to approach the land; +about sunset the fleet came to an anchor between Robben +Island and the land on that side, farthest from Cape Town, +and a signal was immediately given for the 59th Regiment +to prepare to land. Our men were soon ready, and +received thirty-six rounds of ball cartridge; before the +three boats were lowered down and fitted, it was two in +the morning. I stayed up to see them off; it was a melancholy +scene; the privates were keeping up their spirits by +affecting to joke about the approach of danger, and the +ladies sitting in the cold night upon the grating of the +after-hatchway overwhelmed with grief; the cadets, with +M’Kenzie, who is one of their officers, all went on board +the Duchess of Gordon, the general rendezvous of the +company’s troops. I could get to speak to none of my +people, but Corporals B. and B. I said to Sergeant G., +‘It is now high time to be decided in religion,’ he replied +with a sigh; to Captain S. and the cadets I endeavoured +to speak in a general way. I this day signed my name +as a witness to Captain O.’s and Major Davidson’s wills; +Captain O. left his with me; I passed my time at intervals +in writing for to-morrow. The interest I felt in the +outward scene distracted me very much from the things +which are not seen, and all I could do in prayer was +to strive against this spirit. But with what horror should +I reflect on the motions of sins within me, which tempted +me to wish for bloodshed, as something gratifying by +its sublimity. My spirit would be overwhelmed by such +a consciousness of depravity, but that I can pray still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> +deliberately against sin; and often the Lord manifested His +power by making the same sinful soul to feel a longing +desire that the blessed gospel of peace might soothe +the spirits of men, and make them all live together in +harmony and love. Yet the principle within me may well +fill me with shame and sorrow.</p></div> + +<p>Since, on April 9, 1652, Johan Anthonie van Riebeck +by proclamation took formal possession of the Cape for +the Netherlands East India Company, ‘providing that the +natives should be kindly treated,’<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> the Dutch had governed +South Africa for nearly a century and a half. The natives +had been outraged by the Boers, the Moravian missionaries +had departed, the colony had been starved, and yet denied +the rudiments of autonomy. The French Revolution +changed all that, and very much else. The Stadtholder of +the United Provinces having allied himself with Great +Britain, Dumouriez entered Holland, and Pichegru marched +the armies of France over its frozen waters in the terrible +winter of 1794-5. To protect the trade with India from +the French, Admiral Elphinstone thereupon took possession +of the Cape, which was administered successively by +General J.H. Craig, the Earl of Macartney, Sir George +Young, and Sir Francis Dundas, for seven prosperous +years, until the Treaty of Amiens restored it to the Batavian +Republic in February 1803. It was then a territory of +120,000 square miles, reaching from the Cape to a curved +line which extended from the mouth of the Buffalo River +in Little Namaqualand to the present village of Colesberg. +The Great Fish River was the eastern boundary. Now +the Christian colonies and settlements of South Africa,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> +enjoying British sovereignty and largely under self-governing +institutions, stretch north from the sea, and east and west +from ocean to ocean, to the great river Zambesi—the base +from which Christian civilisation, by missions and chartered +companies, is slowly penetrating the explored wilds of +Central Africa up the lake region to the Soudan and +Ethiopia.</p> + +<p>This less than a century’s progress has been made +possible by the expedition of 1806, in which Henry +Martyn, almost alone, represented Christianity. After the +three years’ respite given by the virtual armistice of Amiens, +Napoleon Bonaparte again plunged Europe and the world +into war. William Pitt’s last government sent out this +naval armament under Sir Home Popham. The 5,000 +troops were commanded by Sir David Baird, who had +fought and suffered in India when the senior of the future +Duke of Wellington. Henry Martyn has told us how the +squadron of the sixty-three sail had anchored between +Robben Island and the coast. The Dutch Governor, +General Jan Willen Janssens, was more worthy of his trust +than his predecessor ten years before. He had been compelled +to send on a large portion of his force for the defence +of Java, soon to fall to Lord Minto, the Governor-General, +and had only 2,000 troops left. He had received only a +fortnight’s notice of the approach of the British fleet, +which was reported by an American vessel. He drilled +the colonists, he called French marines to his aid, he +organised Malay artillery, he embodied even Hottentot +sepoys, and made a reserve and refuge of Hottentot’s +Holland, from which he hoped to starve Cape Town, should +Baird capture it. Both armies were equal in numbers at +least.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span></p> + +<p>All was in vain. On January 8 was fought the battle +of Blaauwberg (on the side of Table Bay opposite Cape +Town), from the plateau of which the Dutch, having stood +the musketry and field pieces, fled at the charge of the +bayonet with a loss of 700 men. The British, having +dropped 212, marched on Cape Town, halted at Papendorp, +and there, on January 10, 1806, were signed the articles of +capitulation which have ever since given the Roman-Dutch +law to the colony. Sir David Baird and Sir Home Popham +soon after received the surrender of Janssens, whose troops +were granted all the honours of war in consideration of +their gallant conduct. At the Congress of Vienna in 1815 +Lord Castlereagh sacrificed Java to the Dutch, but kept +South Africa for Great Britain. The surrender of the +former, in the midst of the splendid successes of Sir +Stamford Raffles, is ascribed to that minister’s ignorance of +geography. He knew equally little of the Cape, which he +kept, beyond its importance to India, but God has overruled +all that for the good of Equatorial, as well as South, Africa, +as, thanks to David Livingstone, vacillating statesmen have +begun to see.</p> + +<p>Henry Martyn’s <i>Journal</i> thus describes the battle and +the battlefield.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1806, January.</i>—Ten o’clock. When I got up, the +army had left the shore, except the Company’s troops, +who remained to guard the landing-place; but soon after +seven a most tremendous fire of artillery began behind a +mountain abreast of the ship; it seemed as if the mountain +itself were torn by intestine convulsions. The smoke rose +from a lesser eminence on the right of the hill, and on the +top of it troops were seen rushing down the farther declivity; +then came such a long drawn fire of musketry, that I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> +could not have conceived anything like it. We all shuddered +at considering what a multitude of souls must be +passing into eternity. The poor ladies were in a dreadful +condition, every peal seemed to go through their hearts; I +have just been endeavouring to do what I can to keep up +their spirits. The sound is now retiring, and the enemy +are seen retreating along the low ground on the right +towards the town. Soon after writing this I went ashore +and saw M’K., &c., and Cecil, with whom I had an agreeable +conversation on Divine things. The cadets of our ship +had erected a little shed made of bushes and straw, and +here, at their desire, I partook of their cheer. Three Highlanders +came to the lines just as I arrived, all wounded in +the hand. In consequence of their report of the number +of the wounded, a party of East India troops, with slings +and barrows, attended by a body of cadets with arms, +under Major Lumsden, were ordered to march to the field +of battle.</p> + +<p>I attached myself to these, and marched six miles through +the soft burning sand with them. The first we came to was +a Highlander, who had been shot through the thigh, and +had walked some way from the field and lay spent under +some bushes. He was taken care of and we went on, and +passed the whole of the larger hill without seeing anything. +The ground then opened into a most extensive plain, which +extended from the sea to the blue mountains at a great +distance on the east. On the right was the little hill, to +which we were attracted by seeing some English soldiers; +we found that they were some wounded men of the 24th. +They had all been taken care of by the surgeons of the +Staff. Three were mortally wounded. One, who was +shot through the lungs, was spitting blood, and yet very +sensible. The surgeon desired me to spread a great-coat +over him as they left him; as I did this, I talked to him a +little of the blessed Gospel, and begged him to cry for +mercy through Jesus Christ. The poor man feebly turned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> +his head in some surprise, but took no further notice. I +was sorry to be obliged to leave him and go on after the +troops, from whom I was not allowed to be absent, out of +a regard to my safety. On the top of the little hill lay +Captain F., of the grenadiers of the same regiment, dead, +shot by a ball entering his neck and passing into his +head. I shuddered with horror at the sight; his face and +bosom were covered with thick blood, and his limbs rigid +and contracted as if he had died in great agony. Near +him were several others dead, picked off by the riflemen of +the enemy. We then descended into the plain where the +two armies had been drawn up.</p> + +<p>A marine of the Belliqueuse gave me a full account of +the position of the armies and particulars of the battle. We +soon met with some of the 59th, one a corporal, who often +joins us in singing, and who gave the pleasing intelligence +that the regiment had escaped unhurt, except Captain +McPherson. In the rear of the enemy’s army there were +some farm-houses, which we had converted into a receptacle +for the sick, and in which there were already two hundred, +chiefly English, with a few of the enemy. Here I entered, +and found that six officers were wounded; but as the +surgeon said they should not be disturbed, I did not go in, +especially as they were not dangerously wounded. In one +room I found a Dutch captain wounded, with whom I had +a good deal of conversation in French. After a few +questions about the army and the Cape, I could not help +inquiring about Dr. Vanderkemp; he said he had seen +him, but believed he was not at the Cape, nor knew how +I might hear of him. The spectacle at these houses was +horrid. The wounded soldiers lay ranged within and +without covered with blood and gore. While the India +troops remained here, I walked out into the field of battle +with the surgeon. On the right wing, where they had been +attacked by the Highland regiment, the dead and wounded +seemed to have been strewed in great numbers, from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> +knapsacks, &c. Some of them were still remaining; with +a Frenchman whom I found amongst them I had some +conversation. All whom we approached cried out instantly +for water. One poor Hottentot I asked about Dr. +Vanderkemp, I saw by his manner that he knew him; he lay +with extraordinary patience under his wound on the burning +sand; I did what I could to make his position comfortable, +and laid near him some bread, which I found on the +ground. Another Hottentot lay struggling with his mouth +in the dust, and the blood flowing out of it, cursing the +Dutch in English, in the most horrid language; I told +him he should rather forgive them, and asked him about +God, and after telling him of the Gospel, begged he would +pray to Jesus Christ; but he did not attend. While the +surgeon went back to get his instrument in hopes of saving +the man’s life, a Highland soldier came up, and asked me +in a rough tone, ‘Who are you?’ I told him, ‘An Englishman;’ +he said, ‘No, no, you are French,’ and was going to +present his musket. As I saw he was rather intoxicated, +and might in mere wantonness fire, I went up to him and +told him that if he liked he might take me prisoner to the +English army, but that I was certainly an English clergyman. +The man was pacified at last. The surgeon on his +return found the thigh bone of the poor Hottentot broken, +and therefore left him to die. After this I found an +opportunity of retiring, and lay down among the bushes, +and lifted up my soul to God. I cast my eyes over the +plain which a few hours before had been the scene of +bloodshed and death, and mourned over the dreadful effects +of sin. How reviving to my thoughts were the blue +mountains on the east, where I conceived the missionaries +labouring to spread the Gospel of peace and love.</p></div> + +<p>At sunrise on the 10th, a gun from the commodore’s +ship was instantly answered by all the men-of-war, as the +British flag was seen flying on the Dutch fort. The future<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> +historian of the Christianisation of Africa will not fail to +put in the forefront, at the same time, the scene of Henry +Martyn, on his knees, taking possession of the land, and of +all lands, for Christ.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I could find it more agreeable to my own feelings to +go and weep with the relatives of the men whom the +English have killed, than to rejoice at the laurels they +have won. I had a happy season in prayer. No outward +scene seemed to have power to distract my thoughts. I +prayed that the capture of the Cape might be ordered to +the advancement of Christ’s kingdom; and that England, +while she sent the thunder of her arms to the distant +regions of the globe, might not remain proud and ungodly +at home; but might show herself great indeed, by sending +forth the ministers of her Church to diffuse the gospel of +peace.</p></div> + +<p>Thus on Africa, as on South America, North India, +Persia and Turkey, is written the name of Henry Martyn.</p> + +<p>The previous government of the Cape by the British, +under Sir Francis Dundas, had been marked by the arrival, +in 1799, of the London Missionary Society’s agents, Dr. +Vanderkemp and Kicherer. With the great chief Ngqika, +afterwards at Graaff Reinet and then near Algoa Bay, the +quondam Dutch officer, Edinburgh medical student, and +aged landed proprietor, giving his all to Christ, had +gathered in many converts. Martyn, who had learned +to admire Vanderkemp from his books, was even more +delighted with the venerable man. Driven by the Boers +into Cape Town, the old missionary, and Mr. Reid, his +colleague, were found in the midst of their daily services +with the Hottentots and Kafirs. In such society, worshipping +through the Dutch language, the India chaplain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> +spent the greater part of the five weeks’ detention of the +Union. ‘Dear Dr. Vanderkemp gave me a Syriac Testament +as a remembrance of him.’ When Martyn and Reid +parted, the latter for Algoa Bay, ‘we spoke again of the +excellency of the missionary work. The last time I had +stood on the shore with a friend speaking on the same +subject, was with Lydia, at Marazion.’ In Isaiah, and +Leighton, especially his <i>Rules for a Holy Life</i>, the missionary +chaplain found comfort and stimulus.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>February 5, 1806.</i>—I am born for God only. Christ is +nearer to me than father, or mother, or sister,—a nearer +relation, a more affectionate friend; and I rejoice to follow +Him, and to love Him. Blessed Jesus! Thou art all I want—a +forerunner to me in all I ever shall go through, as a +Christian, a minister, or a missionary.</p> + +<p><i>February 13.</i>—After breakfast had a solemn season in +prayer, with the same impressions as yesterday, from +Leighton, and tried to give up myself wholly to God, not +only to be resigned solely to His will, but to seek my only +pleasure from it, to depart altogether from the world, and +be exactly the same in happiness, whether painful or +pleasing dispensations were appointed me: I endeavoured +to realise again the truth, that suffering was my appointed +portion, and that it became me to expect it as my daily +lot. Yet after all, I was ready to cry out, what an unfortunate +creature I am, the child of sorrow and care; from +my infancy I have met with nothing but contradiction, but +I always solaced myself that one day it would be better, +and I should find myself comfortably settled in the enjoyment +of domestic pleasures, whereas, after all the wearying +labours of school and college, I am at last cut off from all +my friends, and comforts, and dearest hopes, without being +permitted even to hope for them any more. As I walked +the deck, I found that the conversation of others, and my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> +own gloomy surmises of my future trials, affected me far +less with vexation, than they formerly did, merely from +this, that I took it as my portion from God, all whose +dispensations I am bound to consider and receive as the +fruits of infinite wisdom and love towards me. I felt, +therefore, very quiet, and was manifestly strengthened from +above with might in my inner man; therefore, without any +joy, without any pleasant considerations to balance my +present sickness and gloom, I was contented from the +reflection, that it was God who did it. I pray that this +may be my state—neither to be anxious to escape from +this stormy sea that was round the Cape, nor to change +the tedious scene of the ship for Madras, nor to leave this +world merely to get rid of the troubles of it, but to glorify +God where I am, and where He puts me, and to take each +day as an important trust for Him, in which I have much +to do both in suffering and acting. Employed in collecting +from the New Testament all the passages that refer to our +walking in Christ.</p> + +<p><i>February 18.</i>—Completed my twenty-fifth year. Let +me recollect it to my own shame, and be warned by it, to +spend my future years to a better purpose; unless this be +the case, it is of very little consequence to notice when +such a person came into the world. Passed much of the +morning in prayer, but could not succeed at all in getting +an humble and contrite spirit; my pride and self-esteem +seemed unconquerable. Wrote sermon with my mind +impressed with the necessity of diligence: had the usual +service, and talked much to a sick man. Read Hindustani.</p> + +<p><i>February 27.</i>—Rose once more after a sleepless night, +and had in consequence a peevish temper to contend with. +Had a comfortable and fervent season of prayer, in the +morning, while interceding for the heathen from some of +the chapters in Isaiah. How striking did those words +Isaiah xlii. 8 appear to me,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> ‘I am the Lord, that is My +name; and My glory will I not give to another, neither My +praise to graven images.’ Lord, is not Thy praise given to +graven images in India? Here, then, is Thine own express +word that it shall not continue to be so. And how easy is +it for the mighty God that created the heavens and stretched +them out, that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh +out of it; that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and +spirit to them that walk therein; to effect His purposes in +a moment. What is caste? What are inveterate prejudices, +and civil power, and priestly bigotry, when once the +Lord shall set to His hand? Who knows whether even the +present generation may not see Satan’s throne shaken to +its base in India? Learning Hindustani words in the +morning; in the afternoon below, and much hurt at the +cold reception the men gave me.</p> + +<p><i>March 7.</i>—Endeavoured this morning to consider Christ +as the High Priest of my profession. Never do I set +myself to understand the nature of my walk in Christ +without getting good to my soul. Employed as usual +through the day. Heard from M’Kenzie that they are not +yet tired with inveighing against my doctrines. They took +occasion also to say, from my salary, that ‘Martyn, as well +as the rest, can share the plunder of the natives in India; +whether it is just or not he does not care.’ This brought +back the doubts I formerly had about the lawfulness of +receiving anything from the Company. My mind is not +yet comfortable about it. I see it, however, my duty to +wait in faith and patience, till the Lord shall satisfy my +doubts one way or other. I would wish for no species of +connection with the East India Company, and notwithstanding +the large sums I have borrowed on the credit of +my salary, which I shall never be able to repay from any +other means, I would wish to become a missionary, +dependent on a society; but I know not how to decide. +The Lord in mercy keep my soul in peace. Other thoughts +have occurred to me since. A man who has unjustly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> +got possession of an estate hires me as a minister to +preach to his servants, and pays me a salary: the money +wherewith he pays me comes unjustly to him, but justly to +me. The Company are the acknowledged proprietors of +the country, the ruling power. If I were to refuse to go +there, I might, on the same account, refuse to go to France, +and preach to the French people or bodyguard of the +emperor, because the present monarch who pays me is +not the lawful one. If there were a company of +Mohammedan merchants or Mohammedan princes in +possession of the country, should I hesitate to accept an +offer of officiating as chaplain among them, and receiving a +salary?</p> + +<p><i>March 14.</i>—<i>Suavissima vita est indies sentire se fieri +meliorem.</i> So I can say from former experience more +than from present. But oh, it is the ardent desire of my +soul to regard all earthly things with indifference, as one +who dwells above with God. May I grow in grace; may +the grace of God, which bringeth salvation, teach me to +become daily more spiritual, more humble, more steadfast +in Christ, more meek, more wise, and in all things to live +soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. How +shall I attain to greater heavenly-mindedness? Rose +refreshed after a good night’s sleep, and wrote on a subject; +had much conversation with Mr. B. upon deck; he seemed +much surprised when I corrected his notions on religion, +but received what I said with great candour. He said +there was a minister at Madras, a Dane, with whom Sir D. +Baird was well acquainted, who used to speak in the same +manner of religion, whose name was Schwartz. My +attention was instantly roused at the venerable name, and +I eagerly inquired of him all the particulars with which he +was acquainted. He had often heard him preach, and Mr. +Jænicke had often breakfasted with him; Schwartz, he +said, had a very commanding manner, and used to preach +extempore in English at Madras; he died very poor. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> +the afternoon had a service below; much of the evening +M’Kenzie passed with me, and prayed.</p> + +<p><i>March 26.</i>—Passed much time before breakfast in +sitting on the poop, through utter disinclination to all +exertion. Such is the enervating effect of the climate; +but after staying some hours learning Hindustani words, +2 Timothy ii. roused me to a bodily exertion. I felt +strong in spirit, resolving, if I died under it, to make the +body submit to robust exercise; so I walked the deck +with great rapidity for an hour and a half. My animal +spirits were altered instantly; I felt a happy and joyful +desire to brave the enervating effects of India in the +service of the blessed Lord Jesus. B. still delirious and +dying fast: the first thing he said to me when I visited +him this afternoon, was, ‘Mr. Martyn, what will you choose +for a kingdom?’ I made no answer to this, but thought +of it a good deal afterwards. What would I choose? +Why, I do not know that anything would be a heaven to +me, but the service of Christ, and the enjoyment of His +presence.</p></div> + +<p>In this spirit, coasting Ceylon, and getting his first +sight of India at the Danish mission station of Tranquebar, +on April 22, 1806, Henry Martyn landed at Madras. To +Mr. Hitchins he afterwards wrote:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>There was nothing remarkable in this first part of +India which I visited; it was by no means so romantic as +America. Vast numbers of black people were walking +about with no dress but a little about their middle, but no +European was to be seen except here and there one in a +palanquin. Once I preached at Fort St. George, though +the chaplains hardly knew what to make of such sort of +preaching; they were, however, not offended. Finding that +the people would bear to be addressed plainly, and not +really think the worse of a minister for dealing closely with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> +their consciences, they determined, they said, to preach the +Gospel as I did; but I fear that one, if not both, has yet to +learn what the Gospel is. I breakfasted one day with Sir +E. Pellew, the Port Admiral at Madras, and met S. Cole, +his captain. I was perfectly delighted to find one with +whom I could speak about St. Hilary and Marazion; we +spoke of every person, place, and thing we could think of +in your neighbourhood.</p></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> <i>Twenty Sermons</i>, by the late Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D. Fourth edition +(from first edition printed at Calcutta), London, 1822.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> <i>Five Sermons</i> (never before published), by the late Rev. Henry +Martyn, B.D., with a prefatory letter on missionary enterprise, by the Rev. +G.T. Fox, M.A., London, 1862.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> George M. Theal’s <i>South African History</i>, Lovedale Institution Press, +1873.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<p class="subheading">INDIA AND THE EAST IN THE YEAR 1806</p> + + +<p>Henry Martyn reached India, and entered on his official +duties as chaplain and the work of his heart as missionary +to North India, at a time when the Anglo-Indian community +had begun to follow society in England, in a +reformation of life and manners, and in a corresponding +desire to do good to the natives. The evangelical reaction +set in motion by the Pietists, Moravians, and Marrow-men, +John Wesley and Whitfield, Andrew Fuller and Simeon, +John Erskine and the Haldanes, had first affected South +India and Madras, where Protestant Christian Missions +were just a century old. The Danish-Halle men, led by +Ziegenbalg and Schwartz, had found support in the Society +for Promoting Christian Knowledge from the year 1709. +So early as 1716 an East India Company’s chaplain, the +Rev. William Stevenson, wrote a remarkable letter to that +society,<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> ‘concerning the most effectual way of propagating +the Gospel in this (South India) part of the world.’ He +urged a union of the several agencies in England, Denmark, +and Germany into one common Society for Promoting the +Protestant Missions, the formation of colleges in Europe +to train missionaries, the raising of an annual income of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> +3,000<i>l.</i>, and the maintenance therewith of a staff of at +least eight well-qualified missionaries. By a century and +a half he anticipated the proposal of that union which +gives strength and charity; the erection of colleges, at +Tranquebar and Madras, to train native ministers, catechists, +and schoolmasters, and the opening of free schools +in every considerable place superintended by the European +missionaries on the circle system. Another Madras +chaplain, the Rev. George Lewis, was no less friendly +and helpful to Ziegenbalg; he was Mr. Stevenson’s predecessor, +and wrote in 1712.</p> + +<p>In North India—where the casteless races of the hills, +corresponding to the Shanars around Cape Comorin, were +not discovered till far on in the present century—almost +everything was different. By the time that the Evangelical +Church directed its attention to Calcutta, the East India +Company had become a political, and consequently an +intolerant, power. It feared Christian proselytism, and it +encouraged Hindu and Mohammedan beliefs and institutions. +Whereas, in Madras, it gladly used Schwartz, +subsidised the mission with 500 pagodas or 225<i>l.</i> a year, +and had always conveyed the missionaries’ freight in its +ships free of charge, in Bengal it kept out missionaries, or +so treated them with all the rigour of the law against +‘interlopers,’ that William Carey had to begin his career +as an indigo planter, and seek protection in Danish +Serampore, where he became openly and only a preacher +and teacher of Christ. North India, too, with Calcutta +and Benares as its two Hindu centres, and Lucknow and +Delhi as its two Mohammedan centres, Shiah and Soonni, +was, and is, the very citadel of all the non-Christian world. +The same Gospel which had proved the power of God to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +the simple demonolators of the Dravidian south, must be +shown to be the wisdom of God to the Koolin of Bengal, +the Brahman of Kasi, the fanatical Muslim from Dacca, and +ultimately to Peshawur and Cabul, Persia and Arabia. The +Himalayan and Gangetic land—from which Buddhism +overran Eastern and Southern Asia—must again send +forth a missionary message to call Cathay to Christ.</p> + +<p>The Christianising of North India began in 1758, the +year after the battle of Plassey, when, as Governor, the +conqueror, Clive, welcomed his old acquaintance, of the +Cuddalore Mission, the Swede Kiernander, to Calcutta, and +gave him a rent-free house for eight years. Even Burke +was friendly with Clive, writing of him: ‘Lord Clive once +thought himself obliged to me for having done what I +thought an act of justice towards him;’<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> and it is pleasant +thus to be able in any way to link that name with the +purely spiritual force which used the Plassey and the +Mutiny wars, as it will direct all events, for making +India Christ’s. The first church, built in 1715 by the +merchants and captains, had been destroyed by a hurricane; +the second had been demolished by Suraj-ood-Dowlah, +in the siege of Calcutta, two years before, and +one of the two chaplains had perished in the Black Hole, +while the other was driven away. For the next thirty +years the few who went to the chaplains’ church worshipped +in a small bungalow in the old fort, where Kiernander +opened his first school. By 1771-4 he had formed such +a congregation of poor Christians—Portuguese, Roman +Catholics, and Bengali converts—that he built and extended +the famous Mission Church and School-house, at a cost of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> +12,000<i>l.</i>, received from both his marriages. When, by +becoming surety for another, the old man lost his all, and +blindness added to his sorrows, he left an English congregation +of 147 members, and a Native congregation of 119, +half Portuguese or Eurasians, and half Bengali.</p> + +<p>Kiernander’s Mission Church was the centre of the +religious life of Calcutta and Bengal. Six years after its +foundation there came to Calcutta, from Madras, Mr. +William Chambers—who had been converted by Schwartz—and +John Christian Obeck, who had been one of the +catechists of the Apostle of South India. Chambers had +not been a year in the capital when he found out Charles +Grant, at that time overwhelmed by a domestic sorrow, +and brought him to Christ. Grant soon after went to +Maldah as Commercial Resident, where he had as his +subordinates, George Udny, Ellerton, W. Brown, W. Grant, +J. Henry, and Creighton. These men, with their families, +Sir Robert Chambers, of the Supreme Court, Mrs. Anne +Chambers who was with her sons, Mrs. Chapman, and +others less known, formed the nucleus of a Christian +community which first supported Thomas as a medical +missionary, then welcomed Carey, and, with the assistance +of two Governor-Generals, Sir John Shore and Lord +Wellesley, changed the tone of Anglo-Indian society. +Sir William Jones, too, in his brief career of six years, set +an example of all the virtues. Henry Martyn had two +predecessors as Evangelical chaplains and missionary +philanthropists, the Yorkshire David Brown, and the +Scottish Claudius Buchanan.</p> + +<p>David Brown, an early friend of Simeon and Fellow of +Magdalen College, was recovering from a long illness in +1785, when a letter reached him from London, proposing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> +that he should seek ordination, and in ten days he accompanied +Captain Kirkpatrick to Calcutta to superintend the +Military Orphan School. The officers of the Bengal Army +had unanimously resolved to tax themselves for the removal +and prevention of the scandal caused by the number of +boys and girls left destitute—no fewer than 500 at that +time. This noble school, the blessings of which were soon +extended to the white and coloured offspring of non-commissioned +officers and soldiers also, was organised at +Howrah by Brown, who then was made chaplain to a +brigade, and afterwards one of the Fort William or +Presidency chaplains. He found the Mission practically +non-existent, owing to Kiernander’s losses and old age. To +save the buildings from sale by the sheriff, Charles Grant +bought them for 10,000 rupees and vested them in himself, +Mr. A. Chambers, and Mr. Brown, by a deed providing that +they remain appropriated to the sole purposes of religion. +Until the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge +could send out a minister, David Brown greatly extended +the work of Kiernander. At one time it was likely that +Henry Martyn would be sent out by Mr. Grant. Under the +Church Missionary Society the Mission Church of Calcutta +has ever since been identified with all that is best in pure +religion and missionary enterprise in the city of Calcutta.</p> + +<p>When sending out the Rev. A.T. Clarke, B.A. of Trinity +College, Cambridge, who soon after became a chaplain, the +Christian Knowledge Society, referring to Schwartz and +Germany, fertile in missionaries, declared,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> ‘It has been the +surprise of many, and the lamentation of more, that fortitude +thus exemplified should not have inspired some of our own +clergy with an emulation to follow and to imitate these +champions of the Cross, thus seeking and thus contending +to save them who are lost.’ That was in 1789, when the +Society and Dr. Watson, Bishop of Llandaff, along with +Simeon, Wilberforce, and the other Clapham men, had +before it, officially, the request of Charles Grant, Chambers +and Brown to send out eight English missionaries on 350<i>l.</i> +a year each, to study at Benares and attack Hinduism +in its very centre. Not till 1817 was the first Church of +England missionary, as such, the Rev. William Greenwood, +to settle in Ceylon and then in Bengal. Even he became +rather an additional chaplain to the invalid soldiers at +Chunar.</p> + +<p>After a career not unlike that of John Newton, who +first directed his attention to India, Claudius Buchanan, +whom his father had intended to educate for the ministry +of the Church of Scotland, wandered to London, was sent to +Queen’s College, Cambridge, by Mr. Thornton of Clapham; +there came under Simeon’s influence, and was appointed to +Bengal as a chaplain by Mr. Grant. That was in 1796. +For the next ten years in Barrackpore and Calcutta as +the trusted chaplain of Lord Wellesley, by his researches +in South India, by his promotion of Bible translation, and +by the interest in the Christianising of India which his +generous prizes excited in the Universities and Churches of +England and Scotland, Dr. Claudius Buchanan was the +foremost ecclesiastic in the East. He at once gave an +impulse to the silent revolution which David Brown began +and the Serampore missionaries carried on. His Christian +statesmanship commended him to all the authorities, and +soon the new Cathedral of St. John, which Warren +Hastings had erected to supersede the old Bungalow +Church, became filled with an attentive and devout congregation, +as well as the mission church. These two men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> +and William Carey formed the pillars of the College of Fort +William, by which Lord Wellesley not only educated the +young civilians and military officers in the Oriental +languages, and in their duties to the natives, but developed +a high ideal of public life and personal morality. Such +was the growth of Christian feeling alike in the army and +the civil service, and such the sense of duty to the rapidly increasing +Eurasian community, as well as to the natives, +that by 1803 Claudius Buchanan submitted to the Governor-General, +the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Bishop +Porteus, his <i>Thoughts on the Expediency of an Ecclesiastical +Establishment for British India</i>. It took ten years, covering +the whole period of Henry Martyn’s activities and life, from +this time for the proposal to be legislatively carried out in +the East India Company’s Charter of 1813.</p> + +<p>Practically—except in Maldah residency during the +influence of Grant, Udny, and Carey at the end of last +century—the reformation was confined to Calcutta, as we +shall see. It was a young lieutenant of the Company’s +army who was the first to draw the attention of the +Governor-General, Sir John Shore, in 1794, to the total +neglect of religion in Bengal. Lieutenant White wrote +that he had been eleven years in the country without +having had it in his power to hear the public prayers of +the Church above five times. He urged the regular +worship of God, the public performance of Divine service, +and preaching at all the stations. He proposed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> ‘additional +chaplains to the Company’s complement for considerable +places which now have none to officiate. Unless places +were erected at the different stations for assembling to +Divine service, it must be impossible for chaplains even to +be able to do their duty, and to assemble the people together.’ +The letter delighted the Governor-General, who said of it +to David Brown, ‘I shall certainly recommend places to +be made at the stations, and shall desire the General who +is going up the country to take this matter in charge, and +to fix on spots where chapels shall be erected.’ Nothing +was done in consequence of this, however. It was left to +Martyn, and the other chaplains who were in earnest, to +find or create covered places for worship at the great military +stations. Claudius Buchanan himself could not hold +regular services at Barrackpore, close to Calcutta, for want +of a church, and that was supplied long after by adapting +and consecrating the station theatre!</p> + +<p>The figures in Buchanan’s published Memoir on the +Expediency of an Ecclesiastical Establishment, enable us +to estimate exactly the spiritual destitution of the Protestant +subjects of the British Government in Asia. Twelve +years after Lieutenant White, Sir John Shore, David +Brown, and Claudius Buchanan first raised the question, +and when Henry Martyn began his ministrations to all +classes, there were 676,557 Protestant subjects in India, +Ceylon, Java, Sumatra, and Canton, Roman Catholics and +Syrian Christians not included. In the three Presidencies +of India alone there were 156,057, of whom 7,257 were +civil and military officers and inhabitants, 6,000 were the +Company’s European troops, 19,800 were the King’s troops, +110,000 were Eurasians, and 13,000 were ‘native Protestant +Christians at Tanjore.’ In Bengal alone—that is, +North India—there were fifty stations, thirty-one civil and +nineteen military, many of which had been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> ‘without the +offices of religion for twenty years past, though at each +there reside generally a judge, a collector, a commercial +resident, with families, together with their assistants and +families, and a surgeon;’ also indigo planters, tradesmen, +and other European inhabitants and the alarmingly large +number of Eurasians. In Bengal alone there were 13,299 +European Protestants, of whom 2,467 were civil servants +and military officers; of the whole 13,299, ‘a tenth part do +not return to England,’ and desire Christian education and +confirmation for their children. Yet ‘at present there are +but three churches in India, the chief of which was aided in +construction by Hindu contribution.’ The India <i>Journals +and Letters</i> of Martyn must be read in the light of all +this.</p> + +<p>It was thus that the successive generations of soldiers +and civilians who won for Christian England its Indian +Empire in the century from Clive to Wellesley, Hastings, +and Dalhousie, were de-Christianised. Not till the +close of the Mutiny war in 1858 did John Lawrence, +first as Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab and then as +Viceroy, and Sir Robert Montgomery as Lieutenant-Governor, +lead the Queen’s Government to do its duty, by +erecting, or helping Christians to erect, a chapel in every +station up to Peshawur and Burma—that, to use Buchanan’s +language in 1806, ‘the English soldiers and our countrymen +of all descriptions, after long absence from a Christian +country, may recognise a church.’ Including Ceylon, +Buchanan’s scheme proposed an annual expenditure of +144,000<i>l.</i> for four dioceses, with 50 English chaplains and +100 native curates, 200 schoolmasters and 4 colleges to +train both Europeans and natives for the ministry; of +this, Parliament to give 100,000<i>l.</i> The ecclesiastical +establishment of India—without Ceylon, but including +Church of Scotland chaplains, and grants to Wesleyans +and Roman Catholics—now costs India itself 160,000<i>l.</i> a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> +year, while the annual value of the lands devoted to the non-Christian +cults is many millions sterling. With all this, +and the aid of the Additional Clergy and Anglo-Indian +Evangelisation Societies, and of the missionaries to the +natives, Great Britain does not meet the spiritual wants of +the now enormous number and scattered communities of +Christian soldiers and residents in its Indian Empire.</p> + +<p>Henry Martyn went out to India at a time when the +government of India had been temporarily entrusted to +one of the only three or four incompetent and unworthy +men who have held the high office of Governor-General. +Sir George Barlow was a Bengal civilian of the old type, +whom Lord Wellesley had found so zealous and useful +in matters of routine that he had recommended him +as provisional Governor-General. But the moment that +that proconsul had seated the East India Company on the +throne of the Great Mogul, as has been said, and Lord +Cornwallis, who had been hurried out a second time to +undo his magnificent and just policy, had died at Ghazipore, +Sir George Barlow showed the most disastrous zeal in +opposition to all his former convictions. By withholding +from Sindia the lamentable despatch of September 19, 1805, +which Lord Cornwallis had signed when the unconsciousness +of death had already weakened his efficiency, Lord Lake +gave the civil authorities a final opportunity to consider +their ways. But Barlow’s stupidity—now clothed with the +almost dictator’s power of the highest office under the +British Crown, as it was in those days—deliberately declared +it to be his desire, not only to fix the limit of our +empire at the Jumna, a river fordable by an enemy at all +times, but to promote general anarchy beyond that frontier +as the best security for British peace within it. The peace<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> +of Southern Asia and the good of its peoples were postponed +for years, till, with difficulty, the Marquis of Hastings +restored the empire to the position in which Lord Wellesley +had left it. Sir George Barlow is responsible for the twelve +years’ anarchy of British India, from 1805 to 1817. His +administration, which became such a failure that he was removed +to Madras, and was from even that province recalled, +must rank as a blot on the otherwise unbroken splendour +and benevolence to the subject races of the government of +South Asia in the century and a half from Clive to Lord +Lansdowne.</p> + +<p>The man who, from dull stolidity more than from +Macchiavellian craft, thus again plunged half India into +a series of wars by chief upon chief and creed upon creed, +was no less guilty of intolerance to Christianity within the +Company’s territories. On the one hand, in opposition +to the views of Lord Wellesley, and even of the Court of +Directors led by Charles Grant, he made the Company’s +government the direct manager of the Poori temple of +Jaganath and its dancing girls; on the other, he would have +banished the Serampore and all Christian missionaries +from the country, but for the courageous opposition of +the little Governor of that Danish settlement. All too late +he was relieved by Lord Minto, whom the Brahmanised +officials of 1807 to 1810 used for a final and futile effort +to crush Christianity out of India, to the indignation +of Henry Martyn, whose language in his <i>Journal</i> is not +more unmeasured than the intolerance deserves. But +in his purely foreign policy Lord Minto proved that +he had not held the office of President of the Board +of Control in vain. He once more asserted the only +reason for the existence of a foreign power in India,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> ‘the +suppression of intestine disorder,’ clearing Bundelkhund +of robber chiefs and military strongholds. Surrounded and +assisted by the brilliant civilians and military officers whom +Wellesley and Carey had trained—men like Mountstuart +Elphinstone, Metcalfe and Malcolm—Lord Minto proved +equal to the strain which the designs of Napoleon Bonaparte +in the Treaty of Tilsit put upon our infant empire in the +East. He sent Metcalfe to Lahore, and confined the dangerous +power of Ranjeet Singh to the north of the Sutlej. +He despatched Elphinstone to Cabul, introducing the wise +policy which has converted Afghanistan into a friendly +subsidised State; and through Malcolm he opened Persia +to English influence, paving the way for the embassy of +Wellesley’s friend, Sir Gore Ouseley, and—unconsciously—for +the kindly reception of Henry Martyn.</p> + +<p>It was on April 22, 1806, at sunrise, that the young +chaplain landed from the surf-boat on the sands of Madras. +His experience at San Salvador had prepared him for +the scene, and even for the crowds of dark natives, though +not for ‘the elegance of their manners.’ ‘I felt a solemn +sort of melancholy at the sight of such multitudes of +idolators. While the turbaned Asiatics waited upon us at +dinner, about a dozen of them, I could not help feeling +as if we had got into their places.’ He visited the native +suburb in which his Hindustani-speaking servants dwelt, +and was depressed by its ‘appearance of wretchedness.’ +His soul was filled with the zeal of the Old Testament +prophets against idolatry, the first sight of which—of men, +women, and children, mad upon their idols—produces an +impression which he does not exaggerate: ‘I fancy the +frown of God to be visible.’ He lost not a day in +commending his Master to the people.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> ‘Had a good deal of +conversation with a Rajpoot about religion, and told him +of the Gospel.’ The young natives pressed upon the +new-comer as usual. ‘Rose early, but could not enjoy +morning meditations in my walk, as the young men would +attach themselves to me.’</p> + +<p>He was much in the society of the Rev. Dr. Kerr<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> and +the other Madras chaplains; one of these was about to +proceed to Seringapatam, where Martyn urged him to +‘devote himself to the work of preaching to the natives.’ +This was ever foremost in his thoughts. He spent days in +obtaining from Dr. Kerr ‘a vast deal of information about +all the chaplains and missionaries in the country, which he +promised to put in writing for me.’ Schwartz was not then +dead ten years, and Dr. Kerr, who had known him and +Guericke well, gave his eager listener many details of the +great missionary.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Felt excessively delighted with accounts of a very +late date from Bengal, describing the labours of the missionaries, +and was rather agitated at the confusion of +interesting thoughts that crowded upon me; but I reasoned, +Why thus? God may never honour you with a missionary +commission; you must expect to leave the field, and bid +adieu to the world and all its concerns.</p></div> + +<p>On his first Sunday in India, April 27, 1806, Henry +Martyn assisted in the service in the church at Fort St. +George, and preached from Luke x. 41, 42,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> ‘One thing is +needful.’</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>There was much attention, and Lord William sent +to Dr. Kerr afterwards to request a copy of the sermon; +but I believe it was generally thought too severe. After +dinner, went to Black Town to Mr. Loveless’s chapel. I +sat in the air at the door enjoying the blessed sound of +the Gospel on an Indian shore, and joining with much +comfort in the song of divine praise. With young +Torriano I had some conversation respecting his entering +the ministry, as he spoke the Malabar tongue fluently. +Walked home at night enjoying the presence of God.</p> + +<p><i>April 28.</i>—This morning, at breakfast, Sir E. Pellew came +in and said: ‘Upon my word, Mr. Martyn, you gave us a +good trimming yesterday.’ As this was before a large +company, and I was taken by surprise, I knew not what to +say. Passed most of the day in transcribing the sermon. +There was nothing very awakening in it. About five in +the evening I walked to Dr. Kerr’s, and found my way +across the fields, which much resembled those near +Cambridge; I stopped some time to take a view of the +men drawing ‘toddy’ from the tree, and their manner of +ploughing.</p> + +<p><i>April 30.</i>—Breakfasted at Sir E. Pellew’s with Captain +S. Cole of the Culloden. I had a good deal of conversation +about our friends at St. Hilary and Marazion. +Continued at home the rest of the day transcribing sermon, +and reading Zechariah. In the evening drove with Dr. +Kerr to Mr. Faulkner’s, the Persian translator, five or six +miles in the country. We had some useful conversation +about the languages. On my return walked by moonlight +in the grounds reflecting on the mission. My soul was at +first sore tried by desponding thoughts: but God wonderfully +assisted me to trust Him for the wisdom of His dispensations. +Truly, therefore, will I say again, ‘Who art thou, +O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a +plain.’ How easy for God to do it! and it shall be done +in good time: and even if I never should see a native<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> +converted, God may design by my patience and continuance +in the work to encourage future missionaries. +But what surprises me is the change of views I have here +from what I had in England.—There, my heart expanded +with hope and joy at the prospect of the speedy conversion +of the heathen! but here, the sight of the apparent impossibility +requires a strong faith to support the spirits.</p></div> + +<p>The ‘Lord William’ of the <i>Journal</i> is the Governor of +Madras, Lord William Bentinck, whom, at the beginning +of his Indian career, it is interesting to find thus pleasantly +brought into contact with Henry Martyn—just as he +became the fast friend of Alexander Duff, at the close of +his long and beneficent services to his country and to +humanity. In two months thereafter the Vellore Mutiny +was to break out, through no fault of his, and he was to be +recalled by an act of injustice for which George Canning +and the Court of Directors atoned twenty years after by +appointing him Governor-General.</p> + +<p>After a fortnight off Madras, the Union once more +set sail under the convoy of the Victor sloop-of-war. +Every moment the young scholar had sought to add to +his knowledge of Hindustani and Persian. He changed +his first native servant for one who could speak Hindustani. +He drove with Dr. Kerr to Mr. Faulkner’s, the Persian +translator to Government. ‘We had some useful conversation +about the languages.’ On the voyage to Calcutta, +he was ‘employed in learning Bengali. Passed the afternoon +on the poop reading Sale’s <i>Al Coran</i>.’ Only +missionary thoughts and aspirations ruled his mind, now +despairing of his own fitness; now refreshed as he turned +from the Church Missionary Society’s reports to the +evangelical prophecies of Malachi; again praying for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> +young missionaries of the London Society as he passed +Vizagapatam, and for ‘poor India’ as he came in sight of +the Jaganath pagoda, ‘much resembling in appearance +Roche Rock in Cornwall ... the scene presented another +specimen of that tremendous gloom with which the devil +has overspread the land.’ After taking a pilot on board +in Balasore Roads, where Carey had first landed, the ship +was driven out to sea by a north-wester, and Henry +Martyn suffered from his first sunstroke. In three days +she anchored in the Hoogli, above Culpee, and on May 13 +bumped on that dreaded shoal, the James and Mary. +‘The captain considered the vessel as lost. Retired as +soon as possible for prayer, and found my soul in peace at +the prospect of death.’ She floated off, exchanging most +of the treasure into a tender which lay becalmed off +the Garden Reach suburb, then ‘very beautiful.’</p> + +<p>Henry Martyn landed at Calcutta in the height of +the hot season, on May 16, 1806. Claudius Buchanan +had passed him at the mouth of the Hoogli, setting out +on the tour of the coasts of India, which resulted in the +<i>Christian Researches</i>. David Brown was in his country +retreat at Aldeen, near Serampore.</p> + +<p>The man whom, next to his own colleagues, he first +sought out was the quondam shoemaker of Hackleton, and +poor Baptist preacher of Moulton, the Bengali missionary to +whose success Charles Simeon had pointed him when fresh +from the triumph of Senior Wrangler; the apostle then forty-five +years of age, who was busy with the duties of Professor +of Sanskrit, Bengali, and Marathi, in the College of Fort +William, that he might have the Bible translated into all +the languages of Asia, and preached in all the villages of +North India.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1806, May 16.</i>—Went ashore at daylight this morning, +and with some difficulty found Carey: Messrs. Brown and +Buchanan being both absent from Calcutta. With him I +breakfasted, joined with him in worship, which was in +Bengali for the advantage of a few servants, who sat, +however, perfectly unmoved. I could not help contrasting +them with the slaves and Hottentots at Cape Town, whose +hearts seemed to burn within them. After breakfast Carey +began to translate, with a Pandit, from a Sanskrit manuscript. +Presently after, Dr. Taylor came in. I had engaged a boat +to go to Serampore, when a letter from Mr. Brown found +me out, and directed me to his house in the town, where +I spent the rest of the day in solitude, and more comfortably +and profitably than any time past. I enjoyed +several solemn seasons in prayer, and more lively impressions +from God’s Word. I felt elevated above those distressing +fears and distractions which pride and worldliness +engender in the mind. Employed at times in writing to +Mr. Simeon, Mr. Brown’s moonshi; a Brahmin of the name +of B. Roy came in and disputed with me two hours about +the Gospel. I was really surprised at him; he spoke English +very well and possessed more acuteness, good sense, +moderation, and acquaintance with the Scriptures than I +could conceive to be found in an Indian. He spoke with +uncommon energy and eloquence, intending to show that +Christianity and Hinduism did not materially differ. He +asked me to explain my system, and adduce the proofs of +it from the Bible, which he said he believed was the Word +of God. When I asked him about his idolatry, he asked +in turn what I had to say to our worshipping Christ. This +led to inquiries about the Trinity, which, after hearing what +I had to say, he observed was actually the Hindu notion. +I explained several things about the Jews and the Old +Testament, about which he wanted information, with all +which he was amazingly pleased. I feel much encouraged +by this to go to instruct them. I see that they are a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> +religious people, as St. Paul called the Athenians, and my +heart almost springs at the thought that the time is +ripening for the fulness of the Gentiles to come in.</p> + +<p><i>May 17.</i>—A day more unprofitable than the foregoing; +the depravity of my heart, as it is in its natural frame, +appeared to me to-day almost unconquerable. I could not, +however long in prayer, keep the presence of God, or the +power of the world to come, in my mind at all. It sunk +down to its most lukewarm state, and continued in general +so, in spite of my endeavours. Oh, how I need a deep +heartrending work of the Spirit upon myself, before I shall +save myself, or them that hear me! What I hear about my +future destination has proved a trial to me to-day. My +dear brethren, Brown and Buchanan, wish to keep me here, +as I expected, and the Governor accedes to their wishes. +I have a great many reasons for not liking this; I almost +think that to be prevented going among the heathen as a +missionary would break my heart. Whether it be self-will +or aught else, I cannot yet rightly ascertain. At all events +I must learn submission to everything. In the multitude +of my thoughts Thy comforts delight my soul. I have been +running the hurried round of thought without God. I have +forgotten that He ordereth everything. I have been bearing +the burden of my cares myself, instead of casting them all +upon Him. Mr. Brown came in to-day from Serampore, +and gave me directions how to proceed; continued at home +writing to E. In the afternoon went on board, but without +being able to get my things away. Much of the rest of +the day passed in conversation with Mr. Brown. I feel +pressed in spirit to do something for God. Everybody is +diligent, but I am idle; all employed in their proper work, +but I tossed in uncertainty; I want nothing but grace; I +want to be perfectly holy, and to save myself and those that +hear me. I have hitherto lived to little purpose, more like +a clod than a servant of God; now let me burn out for +God.</p></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> <i>An Abstract of the Annual Reports and Correspondence of the Society for +Promoting Christian Knowledge from 1709 to 1814.</i> London, 1814, pp. 4-24.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> See a remarkable letter from Mr. Burke to Yuseph Emin, an Armenian +of Calcutta, in Simeon’s <i>Memorial Sketches of David Brown</i>, p. 334.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> Simeon thus introduced him to Dr. Kerr, in a private letter quoted by +a later Madras chaplain, Rev. James Hough, in his valuable five volumes on +<i>The History of Christianity in India</i>: ‘Our excellent friend, Mr. Martyn, +lived five months with me, and a more heavenly-minded young man I never +saw.’ In the same year, the Rev. Marmaduke Thompson, an evangelical +chaplain, arrived in Madras <i>viâ</i> Calcutta.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<p class="subheading">CALCUTTA AND SERAMPORE, 1806</p> + + +<p>‘Now let me burn out for God!’ Such were the words with +which Henry Martyn began his ministry to natives and +Europeans in North India, as in the secrecy of prayer he +reviewed his first two days in Calcutta. Chaplain though +he was, officially, at the most intolerant time of the East +India Company’s administration, he was above all things a +missionary. Charles Simeon had chosen him, and Charles +Grant had sent him out, for this as well as his purely +professional duty, and it never occurred to him that he could +be anything else. He burned to bring all men to the same +peace with God and service to Him which he himself +had for seven years enjoyed. We find him recording his +great delight, now at an extract sent to him from the East +India Company’s Charter, doubtless the old one from +William III., ‘authorising and even requiring me to teach +the natives,’ and again on receiving a letter from Corrie, +‘exulting with thankfulness and joy that Dr. Kerr was +preaching the Gospel. Eight such chaplains in India! this +is precious news indeed.’ Even up to the present time no +Christian in India has ever recognised so fully, or carried +out in a brief time so unrestingly, his duty to natives and +Europeans alike as sinners to be saved by Jesus Christ alone.</p> + +<p>Henry Martyn’s first Sunday in Calcutta was spent in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> +worship in St. Johns, the ‘new church,’ when Mr. Jefferies +read one part and Mr. Limerick another of the service, and +Mr. Brown preached. Midday was spent with ‘a pious +family where we had some agreeable and religious conversation, +but their wish to keep me from the work of the +mission and retain me at Calcutta was carried farther than +mere civility, and showed an extraordinary unconcern for +the souls of the poor heathens.’ In the evening, though +unwell with a cold and sore throat, he ventured to read the +service in the mission or old church of Kiernander. He +was there ‘agreeably surprised at the number, attention, +and apparent liveliness of the audience. Most of the +young ministers that I know would rejoice to come from +England if they knew how attractive every circumstance is +respecting the church.’ Next day he was presented at the +levée of Sir George Barlow, acting Governor-General, ‘who, +after one or two trifling questions, passed on.’ He then spent +some time in the College of Fort William, where he was +shown Tipoo’s library, and one of the Mohammedan +professors—a colleague of Carey—chanted the Koran. +Thence he was rowed with the tide, in an hour and a half, +sixteen miles up the Hoogli to Aldeen, the house of +Rev. David Brown in the suburb of Serampore, which became +his home in Lower Bengal. On the next two Sundays +he preached in the old church of Calcutta, and in the new +church ‘officiated at the Sacrament with Mr. Limerick.’ +It was on June 8 that he preached in the new church, for +the first time, his famous sermon from 1 Cor. i. 23, 24, +on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> ‘<i>Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and +unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are +called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and +the wisdom of God</i>.’</p> + +<p>This is his own account of the immediate result:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1806, June 8.</i>—The sermon excited no small ferment; +however, after some looks of surprise and whispering, the +congregation became attentive and serious. I knew what I +was to be on my guard against, and therefore, that I might +not have my mind full of idle thoughts about the opinions of +men, I prayed both before and after, that the Word might be +for the conversion of souls, and that I might feel indifferent, +except on this score.</p></div> + +<p>We cannot describe the sermon, as it was published +after his death, and again in 1862, more correctly than by +comparing it to one of Mr. Spurgeon’s, save that, in style, +it is a little more academic and a little less Saxon or +homely. But never before had the high officials and +prosperous residents of Calcutta, who attended the church +which had become ‘fashionable’ since the Marquess +Wellesley set the example of regular attendance, heard +the evangel preached. The chaplains had been and were +of the Arian and Pelagian type common in the Church +till a later period. They at once commenced an assault +on their young colleague and on the doctrines by +which Luther and Calvin had reformed the Churches of +Christendom. This was the conclusion of the hated +sermon:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>There is, in every congregation, a large proportion of +Jews and Greeks. There are persons who resemble the +Jews in self-righteousness; who, after hearing the doctrines +of grace insisted on for years, yet see no occasion at all for +changing the ground of their hopes. They seek righteousness +‘not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law: +for they stumble at that stumbling-stone’ (Rom. ix. 32); +or, perhaps, after going a little way in the profession of the +Gospel, they take offence at the rigour of the practice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> +which we require, as if the Gospel did not enjoin it. ‘This +is a hard saying,’ they complain; ‘who can hear it?’ (John +vi. 60), and thus resemble those who first made the +complaint, who ‘went back and walked no more with Him.’</p> + +<p>Others come to carp and to criticise. While heretics +who deny the Lord that bought them, open infidels, +professed atheists, grossly wicked men, are considered as +entitled to candour, liberality, and respect, they are pleased +to make serious professors of the Gospel exclusively +objects of contempt, and set down their discourses on the +mysteries of faith as idle and senseless jargon. Alas! +how miserably dark and perverse must they be who think +thus of that Gospel which unites all the power and wisdom +of God in it. After God has arranged all the parts of His +plan, so as to make it the best which in His wisdom could +be devised for the restoration of man, how pitiable their +stupidity and ignorance to whom it is foolishness! And, +let us add, how miserable will be their end! because they +not only are condemned already, and the wrath of God +abideth on them, but they incur tenfold danger: they not +only remain without a remedy to their maladies, but have +the guilt of rejecting it when offered to them. This is +their danger, that there is always a stumbling-block in the +way: the further they go, the nearer are they to their fall. +They are always exposed to sudden, unexpected destruction. +They cannot foresee one moment whether +they shall stand or fall the next; and when they do fall +they fall at once without warning. Their feet shall slide +in due time. Just shame is it to the sons of men, that He +whose delight it was to do them good, and who so loved +them as to shed His blood for them, should have so many +in the world to despise and reject His offers; but thus is +the ancient Scripture fulfilled—‘The natural man receiveth +not the things of the Spirit of God’ (1 Cor. ii. 14).</p> + +<p>Tremble at your state, all ye that from self-righteousness, +or pride, or unwillingness to follow Him in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> +regeneration, disregard Christ! Nothing keeps you one +moment from perdition but the mere sovereign pleasure +of God. Yet suppose not that we take pleasure in contradicting +your natural sentiments on religion, or in giving +pain by forcing offensive truths upon your attention—no! as +the ministers of joy and peace we rise up at the command +of God, to preach Christ crucified to you all. He died for +His bitterest enemies: therefore, though ye have been +Jews or Greeks, self-righteous, ignorant, or profane—though +ye have presumed to call His truths in question, treated +the Bible with contempt, or even chosen to prefer an idol +to the Saviour—yet return, at length, before you die, and +God is willing to forgive you.</p> + +<p>How happy is the condition of those who obey the +call of the Gospel. Their hope being placed on that way +of salvation which is the <i>power</i> and <i>wisdom</i> of God, on +what a broad, firm basis doth it rest! Heaven and earth +may pass away, though much of the power and wisdom +of God was employed in erecting that fabric; but the +power and wisdom themselves of God must be cut off +from His immutable essence, and pass away, before one +tittle of your hope can fail. Then rejoice, ye children of +Wisdom, by whom she is justified. Happy are your eyes, +for they see; and your ears, for they hear; and the things +which God hath hidden from the wise and prudent, He +hath revealed unto you. Ye were righteous in your own +esteem; but ye ‘count all things but loss for the excellency +of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.’ Then be not +ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, ‘which is the power of +God unto salvation unto every one that believeth’; but +continue to display its efficacy by the holiness of your +lives, and live rejoicing in hope of the glory of God.</p></div> + +<p>The opposition of the officers and many of the troops +on board the transport had made the preacher familiar with +attack and misrepresentation, but not less faithful in ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span>pounding +the Gospel of the grace of God as he himself had +received it to his joy, and for his service to the death. But +the ministrations of David Brown for some years might +have been expected to have made the civilians and merchants +of Calcutta more tolerant, if not more intelligent. +They were, however, incited or led by the two other chaplains +thus:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1806, June 16.</i>—Heard that Dr. Ward had made an +intemperate attack upon me yesterday at the new church, +and upon all the doctrines of the Gospel. I felt like the +rest, disposed to be entertained at it; but I knew it to be +wrong, and therefore found it far sweeter to retire and pray, +with my mind fixed upon the more awful things of another +world.</p> + +<p><i>June 22.</i>—Attended at the new church, and heard Mr. +Jefferies on the evidences of Christianity. I had laboured +much in prayer in the morning that God would be pleased +to keep my heart during the service from thinking about +men, and I could say as I was going, ‘I will go up to Thy +house in the multitude of Thy mercies, and in Thy fear will +I worship toward Thy holy temple.’ In public worship +I was rather more heavenly-minded than on former +occasions, yet still vain and wandering. At night preached +on John x. 11: ‘I am the good shepherd;’ there was great +attention. Yet felt a little dejected afterwards, as if I +always preached without doing good.</p> + +<p><i>July 6.</i>—Laboured to have my mind impressed with +holy things, particularly because I expected to have a personal +attack from the pulpit. Mr. Limerick preached from +2 Pet. i. 13, and spoke with sufficient plainness against me +and my doctrines. Called them inconsistent, extravagant, +and absurd. He drew a vast variety of false inferences +from the doctrines, and thence argued against the doctrines +themselves. To say that repentance is the gift of God<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> +was to induce men to sit still and wait for God. To teach +that Nature was wholly corrupt was to lead men to despair; +that men thinking the righteousness of Christ sufficient to +justify, will account it unnecessary to have any of their +own: this last assertion moved me considerably, and I +started at hearing such downright heresy. He spoke of +me as one of those who understand neither what they say +nor whereof they affirm, and as speaking only to gratify +self-sufficiency, pride, and uncharitableness. I rejoiced at +having the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper afterwards, as +the solemnities of that blessed ordinance sweetly tended to +soothe the asperities and dissipate the contempt which was +rising; and I think I administered the cup to <span class="dash">——</span> and +<span class="dash">——</span> with sincere good-will. At night I preached on John +iv. 10, at the mission church, and, blessed be God! with an +enlarged heart. I saw <span class="dash">——</span> in tears, and that encouraged +me to hope that perhaps some were savingly affected, but +I feel no desire except that my God should be glorified. +If any are awakened at hearing me, let me not hear of it +if I should glory.</p> + +<p><i>August 24.</i>—At the new church, Mr. Jefferies preached. +I preached in the evening on Matt. xi. 28, without much +heart, yet the people as attentive as possible.</p> + +<p><i>August 25.</i>—Called on Mr. Limerick and Mr. Birch; +with the latter I had a good deal of conversation on the +practicability of establishing schools, and uniting in a +society. An officer who was there took upon him to call +in question the lawfulness of interfering with the religion +of the natives, and said that at Delhi the Christians were +some of the worst people there. I was glad at the prospect +of meeting with these Christians. The Lord enabled me +to speak boldly to the man, and to silence him. From +thence I went to the Governor-General’s levée, and received +great attention from him, as, indeed, from most +others here. Perhaps it is a snare of Satan to stop my +mouth, and make me unwilling to preach faithfully to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> +them. The Lord have mercy, and quicken me to diligence.</p> + +<p><i>August 26.</i>—At night Marshman came, and our conversation +was very refreshing and profitable. Truly the +love of God is the happiness of the soul! My soul felt +much sweetness at this thought, and breathed after God. +At midnight Marshman came to the pagoda, and awakened +me with the information that Sir G. Barlow had sent word +to Carey not to disperse any more tracts nor send out +more native brethren, or in any way interfere with the +prejudices of the natives. We did not know what to make +of this; the subject so excited me that I was again deprived +of necessary sleep.</p> + +<p><i>August 28.</i>—Enjoyed much comfort in my soul this +morning, and ardour for my work, but afterwards consciousness +of indolence and unprofitableness made me uneasy. +In the evening Mr. Marshman, Ward, Moore, and Rowe +came up and talked with us on the Governor’s prohibition +of preaching the Gospel, &c. Mr. Brown’s advice was full +of wisdom, and weighed with them all. I was exceedingly +excited, and spoke with vehemence against the measures +of government, which afterwards filled me justly with +shame.</p></div> + +<p>The earnestness of the young chaplain was such that +‘the people of Calcutta,’ or all the Evangelicals, joined +even by the Baptist missionaries at Serampore, gave him +no rest that he might consent to become minister of the +mission or old church, with a chaplain’s salary and house. +Dr. Marshman urged that thus he might create a missionary +spirit and organise missionary undertakings of more value +to the natives than the preaching of any one man. But +he remained deaf to the temptation, while he passed on the +call to Cousin T. Hitchins and Emma, at Plymouth. His +call was not to preach even in the metropolis of British<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> +India, the centre of Southern Asia; but, through their own +languages, to set in motion a force which must win North +India, Arabia, and Persia to Christ, while by his death he +should stir up the great Church of England to do its duty.</p> + +<div style="visibility: hidden;"><a name="picture5" id="picture5"> </a></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/page159.jpg" width="600" height="442" alt="PAGODA, ALDEEN HOUSE" /> +<span class="caption">PAGODA, ALDEEN HOUSE</span> +</div> + +<p>Serampore was the scene of his praying, his communing, +and his studying, while every Sunday was given +to his duties in Calcutta, as he waited five months for his +first appointment to a military station. David Brown had +not long before acquired Aldeen House, with its tropical +garden and English-like lawn sloping down to the river, +nearly opposite the Governor-General’s summer-house and +park of Barrackpore. Connected with the garden was the +old and architecturally picturesque temple of the idol +Radha-bullub, which had been removed farther inland +because the safety of the shrine was imperilled by the river. +But the temple still stands, in spite of the rapid Hoogli +at its base, and the more destructive peepul tree which has +spread over its massive dome. In 1854, when the present +writer first visited the now historic spot, even the platform +above the river was secure, but that has since disappeared, +with much of the fine brick moulding and tracery work. +Here was the young saint’s home; ever since it has been +known as Henry Martyn’s Pagoda, and has been an object +of interest to hundreds of visitors from Europe and America.</p> + +<div style="visibility: hidden;"><a name="picture6" id="picture6"> </a></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 351px;"> +<img src="images/page161.jpg" width="351" height="500" alt="A BRICK FROM HENRY MARTYN’S PAGODA" /> +<span class="caption">A BRICK FROM HENRY MARTYN’S PAGODA</span> +</div> + +<p>Henry Martyn became one of David Brown’s family, +with whom he kept up the most loving correspondence +almost to his death. But he spent even more time with +the already experienced missionaries who formed the +famous brotherhood a little farther up the right bank of +the Hoogli. Carey thus wrote of him, knowing nothing +of the fact that it was his own earlier reports which, +in Simeon’s hands, had first led Martyn to desire the +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span>missionary career: ‘A young clergyman, Mr. Martyn, is +lately arrived, who is possessed of a truly missionary spirit. +He lives at present with Mr. Brown, and as the image or +shadow of bigotry is not known among us here, we take +sweet counsel together and go to the house of God as +friends.’ Later on, the founder of the Modern Missionary +enterprise, who desired to send a missionary to every great +centre in North India, declared of the Anglican chaplain +that, wherever he went no other missionary would be +needed. The late Mr. John Clark Marshman, C.S.I., who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> +as a lad saw them daily, wrote: ‘A strong feeling of +sympathy drew him into a close intimacy with Dr. Marshman, +and they might be often seen walking arm in arm, for +hours together, on the banks of the river between Aldeen +House and the Mission House.’ To the last he addressed +Dr. Marshman, in frequent letters, as his ‘dear brother,’ +anticipating the catholic tenderness of Bishop Heber.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> +Martyn attended those family lectures of Ward on the +Hindus which resulted in his great book on the subject. +In the Pagoda, ‘Carey, Marshman, and Ward joined in the +same chorus of praise with Brown, Martyn, and Corrie.’ +Martyn himself gives us these exquisite unconscious +pictures of Christian life in Serampore, in which all true +missionaries face to face with the common enemy have +followed the giants of those days.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1806, May 19.</i>—In the cool of the evening we walked +to the mission-house, a few hundred yards off, and I at last +saw the place about which I have so long read with pleasure. +I was introduced to all the missionaries. We sat down +about one hundred and fifty to tea, at several long tables +in an immense room. After this there was evening service +in another room adjoining, by Mr. Ward. Mr. Marshman +then delivered his lecture on grammar. As his observations +were chiefly confined to the Greek, and seemed intended +for the young missionaries, I was rather disappointed, +having expected to hear something about the Oriental +languages. With Mr. M. alone I had much conversation, +and received the first encouragement to be a missionary +that I have met with since I came to this country. I +blessed God in my heart for this seasonable supply of +refreshment. Finding my sore throat and cough much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> +increased, I thought there might be some danger, and felt +rather low at the prospect of death. I could scarcely tell +why. The constant uneasiness I am in from the bites of +the mosquitoes made me rather fretful also. My habitation +assigned me by Mr. Brown is a pagoda in his grounds, on +the edge of the river. Thither I retired at night, and really +felt something like superstitious dread at being in a place +once inhabited, as it were, by devils, but yet felt disposed +to be triumphantly joyful that the temple where they were +worshipped was become Christ’s oratory. I prayed out +aloud to my God, and the echoes returned from the vaulted +roof. Oh, may I so pray that the dome of heaven may +resound! I like my dwelling much, it is so retired and +free from noise; it has so many recesses and cells that I +can hardly find my way in and out.</p> + +<p><i>May 20.</i>—Employed in preparing a sermon for to-morrow, +and while walking about for this purpose, my +body and mind active, my melancholy was a little relieved +by the hope that I should not be entirely useless as a +missionary. In the evening I walked with Mr. Brown, to see +the evening worship at a pagoda whither they say the god +who inhabited my pagoda retired some years ago. As we +walked through the dark wood which everywhere covers +the country, the cymbals and drums struck up, and never +did sounds go through my heart with such horror in my +life. The pagoda was in a court, surrounded by a wall, +and the way up to it was by a flight of steps on each side. +The people to the number of about fifty were standing on +the outside, and playing the instruments. In the centre of +the building was the idol, a little ugly black image, about +two feet high, with a few lights burning round him. At +intervals they prostrated themselves with their foreheads to +the earth. I shivered at being in the neighbourhood of +hell; my heart was ready to burst at the dreadful state to +which the Devil had brought my poor fellow-creatures. I +would have given the world to have known the language,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> +to have preached to them. At this moment Mr. Marshman +arrived, and my soul exulted that the truth would now be +made known. He addressed the Brahmins with a few +questions about the god; they seemed to be all agreed +with Mr. Marshman, and quite ashamed at being interrogated, +when they knew they could give no answer. They +were at least mute, and would not reply; and when he +continued speaking they struck up again with their detestable +music, and so silenced him. We walked away in +sorrow, but the scene we had witnessed gave rise to a very +profitable conversation, which lasted some hours. Marshman +in conversation with me alone sketched out what he +thought would be the most useful plan for me to pursue in +India; which would be to stay in Calcutta a year to learn +the language, and when I went up the country to take one +or two native brethren with me, to send them forth, and +preach occasionally only to confirm their word, to establish +schools, and visit them. He said I should do far more +good in the way of influence than merely by actual +preaching. After all, whatever God may appoint, prayer +is the great thing. Oh, that I may be a man of prayer; +my spirit still struggles for deliverance from all my +corruptions.</p> + +<p><i>May 22.</i>—In our walk at sunset, met Mr. Marshman, +with whom I continued talking about the languages. +Telling Mr. Brown about my Cambridge honours, I found +my pride stirred, and bitterly repented having said anything +about it. Surely the increase of humility need not +be neglected when silence may do it.</p> + +<p><i>May 23.</i>—Was in general in a spiritual, happy frame +the whole day, which I cannot but ascribe to my being +more diligent and frequent in prayer over the Scriptures, +so that it is the neglect of this duty that keeps my soul so +low. Began the Bengali grammar, and got on considerably. +Continued my letters to Mr. Simeon and Emma. +At night we attended a conference of the missionaries on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> +this subject: ‘Whether God could save sinners without +the death of Christ.’ Messrs. Carey, Marshman, and Ward +spoke, Mr. Brown and myself. I offered what might be +said on the opposite side of the question to that which the +rest took, to show that He might have saved them without +Christ. About fourteen of the Bengali brethren were +present and spoke on the subject. Ram Roteen prayed.</p> + +<p><i>Monday, May 26.</i>—Went up to Serampore with Mr. +Brown, with whom I had much enlivening conversation. +Why cannot I be like Fletcher and Brainerd, and those +men of modern times? Is anything too hard for the +Lord? Cannot my stupid stony heart be made to flame +with love and zeal? What is it that bewitches me, that I +live such a dying life? My soul groans under its bondage. +In the evening Marshman called; I walked back with him, +and was not a little offended at his speaking against the +use of a liturgy. I returned full of grief at the offences +which arise amongst men, and determined to be more alone +with the blessed God.</p> + +<p><i>May 29.</i>—Had some conversation with Marshman +alone on the prospects of the Gospel in this country, and +the state of religion in our hearts, for which I felt more +anxious. Notwithstanding, I endeavoured to guard against +prating only to display my experience; I found myself +somewhat ruffled by the conversation, and derived no +benefit from it, but felt desirous only to get away from the +world, and to cease from men; my pride was a little hurt +by Marshman’s questioning me as the merest novice. He +probably sees farther into me than I see into myself.</p> + +<p><i>June 12.</i>—Still exceedingly feeble; endeavoured to +think on a subject, and was much irritated at being unable +to write a word. Mrs. Brown, and afterwards Mr. Brown, +paid me a visit. I came into the house to dinner, but while +there I felt as if fainting or dying, and indeed really thought +I was departing this life. I was brought back again to the +pagoda, and then on my bed I began to pray as on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> +verge of eternity. The Lord was pleased to break my +hard heart, and deliver me from that satanic spirit of light +and arrogant unconcern about which I groaned out my +complaint to God. From this time I lay in tears, interceding +for the unfortunate natives of this country; thinking +with myself, that the most despised Soodra of India was +of as much value, in the sight of God, as the King of Great +Britain: through the rest of the day my soul remained in +a spirit of contrition.</p> + +<p><i>June 14.</i>—A pundit came to me this morning, but after +having my patience tried with him, I was obliged to send +him away, as he knew nothing about Hindustani. I was +exceedingly puzzled to know how I should ever be able to +acquire any assistance in learning these languages. Alas! +what trials are awaiting me. Sickness and the climate +have increased the irritability of my temper, and occasions +of trying it occur constantly. In the afternoon, while +pleading for a contrite tender spirit, but in vain, I was +obliged to cease praying for that tenderness of spirit, and +to go on to other petitions, and by this means was brought +to a more submissive state. Officiated at evening worship.</p> + +<p><i>June 15.</i>—Found my mouth salivated this morning +from calomel. Attended the morning service at the mission-house; +Mr. Marsdon preached. After service Marshman +and Carey talked with me in the usual cheering way about +missionary things, but my mind was dark. In the afternoon +was rather more comfortable in prayer, and at evening +worship was assisted to go through the duties of it with +cheerfulness. Read some of Whitfield’s <i>Sermons</i>.</p> + +<p><i>June 19.</i>—Rose in gloom, but that was soon dissipated +by consideration and prayer. Began after breakfast for +the first time with a moonshi, a Cashmerian Brahmin, +with whom I was much pleased. In the boat, back to +Serampore, learning roots. Officiated at evening worship. +Walked at night with Marshman and Mr. Brown to the +bazaar held at this time of the year, for the use of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> +people assembling at Juggernaut. The booth or carriage +was fifty feet high, in appearance a wooden temple, with +rows of wheels through the centre of it. By the side of +this a native brother who attended Marshman gave away +papers, and this gave occasion to disputes, which continued +a considerable time between Marshman and the Brahmins. +Felt somewhat hurt at night at <span class="dash">——</span>’s insinuating that my +low spirits, as he called it, was owing to want of diligence. +God help me to be free from this charge, and yet not +desirous to make a show before men. May I walk in +sweet and inward communion with Him, labouring with +never-ceasing diligence and care, and assured that I shall +not live or labour in vain.</p> + +<p><i>June 24.</i>—At daylight left Calcutta, and had my temper +greatly exercised by the neglects and improper behaviour +of the servants and boatmen. Arrived at Serampore at +eight, and retired to my pagoda, intending to spend the +day in fasting and prayer; but after a prayer in which the +Lord helped me to review with sorrow the wickedness of +my past life, I was so overcome with fatigue that I fell +asleep, and thus lost the whole morning; so I gave up my +original intention. Passed the afternoon in translating the +second chapter of St. Matthew into Hindustani. Had a +long conversation at night with Marshman, whose desire +now is that I should stay at Serampore, give myself to the +study of Hindustani for the sake of the Scriptures, and +be ready to supply the place of Carey and Marshman in +the work, should they be taken off; and for another reason—that +I might awaken the attention of the people of God +in Calcutta more to missionary subjects. I was struck +with the importance of having proper persons here to +supply the place of these two men; but could not see that +it was the path God designed for me. I felt, however, a +most impatient desire that some of my friends should come +out and give themselves to the work; for which they are +so much more fit in point of learning than any of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> +Dissenters are, and could not bear that a work of such +stupendous magnitude should be endangered by their neglect +and love of the world. Marshman recommended that +the serious people in Calcutta should unite in a society for +the support of missions, and each subscribe fifty rupees a +month for their maintenance. Ten members with this +subscription could support sixty or seventy native brethren. +He wished me also to see the duty of their all remaining +in the country, learning the language, and instructing their +servants. My mind was so filled and excited by the first +part of our conversation, that I could not sleep for many +hours after going to bed. He told me that the people were +surfeited with the Gospel, and that they needed to be +exhorted to duty.</p> + +<p><i>June 26.</i>—Employed in translating St. Matthew into +Hindustani, and reading Mirza’s translation; afterwards +had moonshi a little. In the afternoon walked with Mr. +Brown to see Juggernaut’s car drawn back to its pagoda. +Many thousands of people were present, rending the air +with acclamations. The car with the tower was decorated +with a vast number of flags, and the Brahmins were passing +to and fro through the different compartments of it, +catching the offerings of fruit, cowries, &c., that were +thrown up to the god, for which they threw down in return +small wreaths of flowers, which the people wore round +their necks and in their hair. When the car stopped at +the pagoda, the god and two attending deities were let +down by ropes, muffled up in red cloths, a band of singers +with drums and cymbals going round the car while this +was performed. Before the stumps of images, for they +were not better, some of the people prostrated themselves, +striking the ground twice with their foreheads; this excited +more horror in me than I can well express, and I +was about to stammer out in Hindustani, ‘Why do ye +these things?’ and to preach the Gospel. The words were +on my lips—though if I had spoken thousands would have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> +crowded round me, and I should not have been understood. +However, I felt my spirit more inflamed with zeal than I +ever conceived it would be; and I thought that if I had +words I would preach to the multitudes all the day, if I +lost my life for it. It was curious how the women clasped +their hands, and lifted them up as if in the ecstasy of devotion, +while Juggernaut was tumbled about in the most +clumsy manner before their eyes. I thought with some +sorrow that Satan may exert the same influence in exciting +apparently religious affections in professors of the Gospel, +in order to deceive souls to their eternal ruin. Dr. Taylor +and Mr. Moore joined us, and distributed tracts. Mr. +Ward, we heard, was at a distance preaching. On our +return we met Marshman going upon the same errand. +In evening worship my heart was rather drawn out for the +heathen, and my soul in general through the day enjoyed +a cheering sense of God’s love. Marshman joined us +again, and our conversation was about supporting some +native missions.</p> + +<p><i>June 30.</i>—Went up to Serampore in the boat, learning +roots. Spent the afternoon chiefly in prayer, of which my +soul stood greatly in need through the snares into which +my heart had been falling. Called at the mission-house, +and saw Mr. Marsdon previous to the commencement of +his missionary career. Now the plans of God are, I trust, +taking another step forward.</p> + +<p><i>July 2.</i>—Mr. Brown proposed a prayer meeting between +ourselves and the missionaries previous to the departure +of Dr. Taylor for Surat. It was a season of grace to +my soul, for some sense of the vast importance of the +occasion dwelt upon my mind in prayer, and I desired +earnestly to live zealously, labouring for souls in every +possible way, with more honesty and openness. In the +evening went to Marshman, and proposed it. There were +at his house many agreeable sights; one pundit was +translating Scripture into Sanskrit, another into Guzerati,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> +and a table was covered with materials for a Chinese +dictionary. Employed with moonshi in Hindu Story-teller, +and in learning to write the Persian characters.</p> + +<p><i>July 3.</i>—Rose with some happiness in my soul, and +delight in the thought of an increase of labour in the +Church of God. Employed morning as usual, and in +thinking of subject for sermon. Was detained in the +house at a time when I wanted prayer. In the evening +walked with the family through Serampore, the native’s +part. At night we had a delightful spiritual conversation. +Thus my time passes most agreeably in this dear family. +Lord, let me be willing to leave it and the world with joy.</p> + +<p><i>July 8.</i>—Reading with moonshi all the morning. +Spent the afternoon in reading and prayer, as preparatory +to a meeting of the missionaries at night. At eight, ten +of us met in my pagoda. It was, throughout, a soul-refreshing +ordinance to me. I felt as I wished, as if having +done with the world, and standing on the very verge of +heaven, rejoicing at the glorious work which God will +accomplish on the earth. The Lord will, I hope, hear our +prayers for our dear brother, on whose account we met, +previous to his departure for Surat. An idea thrown out +by Carey pleased me very much, not on account of its +practicability, but its grandeur, <i>i.e.</i> that there should be an +annual meeting, at the Cape of Good Hope, of all the +missionaries in the world.</p> + +<p><i>July 9.</i>—Dull and languid from the exertions and late +hours of yesterday. Reading the Sermon on the Mount, +in the Hindustani Testament, with moonshi. In the +evening went to the mission-house, drank tea, and attended +their worship. These affectionate souls never fail to +mention me particularly in their prayers, but I am grieved +that they so mistake my occasional warmth for zeal. It +is one of the things in which I am most low and backward, +as the Lord, who seeth in secret, knows too well. Oh, +then, may any who think it worth while to take up my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> +name into their lips, pray for the beginning rather than the +continuance of zeal! Marshman, in my walk with him, +kindly assured me of his great regard and union of heart +with me. I would that I had more gratitude to God, for +so putting it into the hearts of His people to show regard +to one so undeserving of it. At night had much nearness +to God in prayer. I found it sweet to my spirit to reflect +on my being a pilgrim on earth, with Christ for my near +and dear friend, and found myself unwilling to leave off +my prayer.</p> + +<p><i>July 10.</i>—Employed during the morning with moonshi. +At morning and evening worship enjoyed freedom of access +to God in prayer. Mr. Brown’s return in the evening, with +another Christian friend, added greatly to my pleasure. +Marshman joined us at night, but these enjoyments, from +being too eagerly entered into, often leave my soul carnally +delighted only, instead of bringing me nearer to God. +Wrote sermon at night.</p> + +<p><i>July 12.</i>—Most of this morning employed about sermon. +In the afternoon went down to Calcutta with Mr. Brown +and all his family; we passed the time very agreeably in +singing hymns. Found Europe letters on our arrival, but +were disappointed in not finding Corrie or Parson in the +list of passengers. My letters were from Lydia, T.H. and +Emma, Mr. Simeon, and Sargent. All their first letters +had been taken in the Bell Packet. I longed to see +Lydia’s, but the Lord saw it good, no doubt, not to suffer +it to arrive. The one I did receive from her was very +animating, and showed the extraordinary zeal and activity +of her mind. Mr. Simeon’s letter contained her praises, +and even he seemed to regret that I had gone without her. +My thoughts were so occupied with these letters that I +could get little or no sleep.</p> + +<p><i>July 13.</i> (Sunday.)—Talked to Mr. Brown about +Lydia, and read her letter to him. He strongly recommended +the measure of endeavouring to bring her here,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> +and was clear that my future situation in the country would +be such as to make it necessary to be married. A letter +from Colonel Sandys, which he opened afterwards, spoke +in the highest terms of her. The subject of marriage was +revived in my mind, but I feel rather a reluctance to it. +I enjoy in general such sweet peace of mind, from considering +myself a stranger upon earth, unconnected with +any persons, unknown, forgotten, that were I never thrown +into any more trying circumstances than I am in at present, +no change could add to my happiness. At the new church +this morning, had the happiness of hearing Mr. Jefferies +preach. I trust God will graciously keep him, and instruct +him, and make him another witness of Jesus in this place. +My heart was greatly refreshed, and rejoiced at it all the +day. At night preached at the missionary church, on +Eph. ii. 1-3, to a small congregation. Sat up late with +Mr. Brown, considering the same subject as we had been +conversing on before, and it dwelt so much on my mind +that I got hardly any sleep the whole night.</p> + +<p><i>July 14.</i>—The same subject engrosses my whole thoughts. +Mr. Brown’s arguments appear so strong that my mind is +almost made up to send for Lydia. I could scarcely have +any reasonable doubts remaining, that her presence would +most abundantly promote the ends of the mission.</p> + +<p><i>July 15.</i>—Most of the day with moonshi; at intervals, +thinking on subject for sermon. My affections seemed to +be growing more strong towards Lydia than I could wish, +as I fear my judgment will no longer remain unbiassed. +The subject is constantly on my mind, and imagination +heightens the advantages to be obtained from her presence. +And yet, on the other hand, there is such a sweet happiness +in living unconnected with any creature, and hastening +through this life with not one single attraction to detain +my desires here, that I am often very unwilling to exchange +a life of celibacy for one of which I know nothing, except +that it is in general a life of care.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>July 16.</i>—Morning with moonshi; afterwards preparing +myself for church. Preached at night, at missionary +church, on Isa. lxiii. 1. Both in prayers and sermon I +felt my heart much more affected than I expected, and there +seemed to be some impression on a few of the people. I feel +to be thankful to God, and grateful to the people, that they +continue to hear me with such attention. My thoughts this +day have been rather averse to marriage. Anxiety about +the education and conversion of children rather terrifies me.</p> + +<p><i>July 20.</i> (Sunday.)—Preached at the new church on +2 Cor. v. 17. Mr. Marshman dined with us, and at four +I went to the bazaar, to hear him preach to the natives. +I arrived at the shed before him, and found the native +brethren singing, after which one of them got up, and addressed +the people with such firmness and mild energy, +notwithstanding their occasional contradictions and ridicule, +that I was quite delighted and refreshed. To see a native +Indian an earnest advocate for Jesus, how precious! +Marshman afterwards came, and prayed, sung, and preached. +If I were to be very severe with him, I should say that +there is a want of seriousness, tenderness, and dignity in +his address, and I felt pained that he should so frequently +speak with contempt of the Brahmins, many of whom +were listening with great respect and attention. The group +presented all that variety of countenance which the Word +is represented as producing in a heathen audience—some +inattentive, others scornful, and others seemingly melting +under it. Another native brother, I believe, then addressed +them. An Indian sermon about Jesus Christ was like +music on my ear, and I felt inflamed to begin my work: +these poor people possess more intelligence and feeling +than I thought. At the end of the service there was a +sort of uproar when the papers were given away, and the +attention of the populace and of some Europeans was +excited. Read prayers at night at the missionary church; +Mr. Brown preached on the unspeakable gift.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>July 21.</i>—Returned to Serampore rather in a low state +of mind, arising from deprivation of a society of which I +had been too fond.</p> + +<p><i>July 22.</i>—Read Hindustani without moonshi. Not +being able to get to the pagoda from the incessant rain, I +passed the latter part of the day in the house, reading the +life of Francis Xavier. I was exceedingly roused at the +astonishing example of that great saint, and began to +consider whether it was not my duty to live, as he did, in +voluntary poverty and celibacy. I was not easy till I had +determined to follow the same course, when I should perceive +that the kingdom of God would be more advanced +by it. At night I saw the awful necessity of being no +longer slothful, nor wasting my thoughts about such trifles +as whether I should be married or not, and felt a great +degree of fear, lest the blood of the five thousand Mohammedans, +who, Mr. Brown said, were to be found in +Calcutta capable of understanding a Hindustani sermon, +should be required at my hand.</p> + +<p><i>July 25.</i>—The thought of the Mohammedans and +heathens lies very heavy upon my mind. The former, who +are in Calcutta, I seem to think are consigned to me by God, +because nobody preaches in Hindustani. Employed the +morning in sermon and Hindustani. In the afternoon +went down to Calcutta. In the boat read Wrangham’s +Essay and some of Mr. Lloyd’s letters, when young. What +knowledge have some believers of the deep things of God! +I felt myself peculiarly deficient in that experimental +knowledge of Christ with which Mr. Lloyd was particularly +favoured. Walked from the landing-place, a mile and a +half, through the native part of Calcutta, amidst crowds of +Orientals of all nations. How would the spirit of St. Paul +have been moved! The thought of summoning the attention +of such multitudes appeared very formidable, and +during the course of the evening was the occasion of many +solemn thoughts and prayer, that God would deliver me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +from all softness of mind, fear, and self-indulgence, and +make me ready to suffer shame and death for the name +of the Lord Jesus.</p> + +<p><i>July 26.</i>—My soul in general impressed with the +awfulness of my missionary work, and often shrinking +from its difficulties.</p> + +<p><i>July 28.</i>—In the boat to Serampore we read Mitchell’s +Essay on <i>Evangelizing India</i>, and were much pleased and +profited. Whatever plans and speculations may be agitated, +I felt it my duty to think only of putting my hand to the +work without delay. Felt very unhappy at having other +work put upon me, which will keep me from making +progress in the language. Nothing but waiting upon God +constantly for direction, and an assurance that His never-ceasing +love will direct my way, would keep me from +constant vexation. I scarcely do anything in the language, +from having my time so constantly taken up with writing +sermons.</p> + +<p><i>July 29.</i>—Much of this morning taken up in writing to +Lydia. As far as my own views extend, I feel no doubt +at all about the propriety of the measure—of at least proposing +it. May the Lord, in continuance of His loving-kindness +to her and me, direct her mind, that if she comes +I may consider it as a special gift from God, and not +merely permitted by Him. Marshman sat with us in the +evening, and as usual was teeming with plans for the +propagation of the Gospel. Stayed up till midnight in +finishing the letter to Lydia.</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span></p> +<p class="date"> +Serampore: July 30, 1806. +</p> + +<p>My dearest Lydia,—On a subject so intimately connected +with my happiness and future ministry, as that on +which I am now about to address you, I wish to assure you +that I am not acting with precipitancy, or without much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> +consideration and prayer, while I at last sit down to request +you to come out to me to India.</p> + +<p>May the Lord graciously direct His blind and erring +creature, and not suffer the natural bias of his mind to +lead him astray. You are acquainted with much of the +conflict I have undergone on your account. It has been +greater than you or Emma have imagined, and yet not so +painful as I deserve to have found it for having suffered +my affections to fasten so inordinately on an earthly +object.</p> + +<p>Soon, however, after my final departure from Europe, +God in great mercy gave me deliverance, and favoured +me throughout the voyage with peace of mind, indifference +about all worldly connections, and devotedness to no +object upon earth but the work of Christ. I gave you up +entirely—not the smallest expectation remained in my +mind of ever seeing you again till we should meet in +heaven: and the thought of this separation was the less +painful from the consolatory persuasion that our own +Father had so ordered it for our mutual good. I continued +from that time to remember you in my prayers only as a +Christian sister, though one very dear to me. On my arrival +in this country I saw no reason at first for supposing that +marriage was advisable for a missionary—or rather the +subject did not offer itself to my mind. The Baptist +missionaries indeed recommended it, and Mr. Brown; but +not knowing any proper person in this country, they were +not very pressing upon the subject, and I accordingly +gave no attention to it. After a very short experience and +inquiry afterwards, my own opinions began to change, and +when a few weeks ago we received your welcome letter, +and others from Mr. Simeon and Colonel Sandys, both of +whom spoke of you in reference to me, I considered it even +as a call from God to satisfy myself fully concerning His +will. From the account which Mr. Simeon received of +you from Mr. Thomason, he seemed in his letter to me to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> +regret that he had so strongly dissuaded me from thinking +about you at the time of my leaving England. Colonel +Sandys spoke in such terms of you, and of the advantages +to result from your presence in this country, that Mr. +Brown became very earnest for me to endeavour to prevail +upon you. Your letter to me perfectly delighted him, and +induced him to say that you would be the greatest aid to +the mission I could possibly meet with. I knew my own +heart too well not to be distrustful of it, especially as my +affections were again awakened, and accordingly all my +labour and prayer have been to check their influence, that +I might see clearly the path of duty.</p> + +<p>Though I dare not say that I am under no bias, yet +from every view of the subject I have been able to take, +after balancing the advantages and disadvantages that +may ensue to the cause in which I am engaged, always in +prayer for God’s direction, my reason is fully convinced of +the expediency, I had almost said the necessity, of having +you with me. It is possible that my reason may still be +obscured by passion; let it suffice, however, to say that +now with a safe conscience and the enjoyment of the +Divine presence, I calmly and deliberately make the proposal +to you—and blessed be God if it be not His will to +permit it; still this step is not advancing beyond the limits +of duty, because there is a variety of ways by which God +can prevent it, without suffering any dishonour to His +cause. If He shall forbid it, I think that, by His grace, I +shall even then be contented and rejoice in the pleasure +of corresponding with you. Your letter, dated December +1805, was the first I received (your former having been +taken in the Bell Packet), and I found it so animating +that I could not but reflect on the blessedness of having so +dear a counsellor always near me. I can truly say, and +God is my witness, that my principal desire in this affair +is that you may promote the kingdom of God in my own +heart, and be the means of extending it to the heathen.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> +My own earthly comfort and happiness are not worth a +moment’s notice. I would not, my dearest Lydia, influence +you by any artifices or false representations. I can only +say that if you have a desire of being instrumental in +establishing the blessed Redeemer’s kingdom among these +poor people, and will condescend to do it by supporting +the spirits and animating the zeal of a weak messenger of +the Lord, who is apt to grow very dispirited and languid, +‘Come, and the Lord be with you!’ It can be nothing +but a sacrifice on your part, to leave your valuable friends +to come to one who is utterly unworthy of you or any +other of God’s precious gifts: but you will have your +reward, and I ask it not of you or of God for the sake of +my own happiness, but only on account of the Gospel. If +it be not calculated to promote it, may God in His mercy +withhold it. For the satisfaction of your friends, I should +say that you will meet with no hardships. The voyage is +very agreeable, and with the people and country of India +I think you will be much pleased. The climate is very +fine—the so much dreaded heat is really nothing to those +who will employ their minds in useful pursuits. Idleness +will make people complain of everything. The natives +are the most harmless and timid creatures I ever met with. +The whole country is the land of plenty and peace. Were +I a missionary among the Esquimaux or Boschemen, I +should never dream of introducing a female into such a +scene of danger or hardship, especially one whose happiness +is dearer to me than my own: but here there is +universal tranquillity, though the multitudes are so great +that a missionary needs not go three miles from his house +without having a congregation of many thousands. You +would not be left in solitude if I were to make any distant +excursion, because no chaplain is stationed where there is +not a large English Society. My salary is abundantly +sufficient for the support of a married man, the house and +number of people kept by each Company’s servant being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> +such as to need no increase for a family establishment. +As I must make the supposition of your coming, though +it may be perhaps a premature liberty, I should give you +some directions. This letter will reach you about the +latter end of the year; it would be very desirable if you +could be ready for the February fleet, because the voyage +will be performed in far less time than at any other season. +George will find out the best ship—one in which there is +a lady of high rank in the service would be preferable. +You are to be considered as coming as a visitor to Mr. +Brown, who will write to you or to Colonel Sandys, who +is best qualified to give you directions about the voyage. +Should I be up the country on your arrival in Bengal, Mr. +Brown will be at hand to receive you, and you will find +yourself immediately at home. As it will highly expedite +some of the plans which we have in agitation that you +should know the language as soon as possible, take +Gilchrist’s <i>Indian Stranger’s Guide</i>, and occasionally on +the voyage learn some of the words.</p> + +<p>If I had room I might enlarge on much that would be +interesting to you. In my conversations with Marshman, +the Baptist missionary, our hearts sometimes expand with +delight and joy at the prospect of seeing all these nations +of the East receive the doctrine of the Cross. He is a +happy labourer; and I only wait, I trust, to know the +language to open my mouth boldly and make known the +mystery of the Gospel. My romantic notions are for +the first time almost realised; for in addition to the +beauties of sylvan scenery may be seen the more delightful +object of multitudes of simple people sitting in the shade +listening to the words of eternal life. Much as yet is not +done; but I have seen many discover by their looks while +Marshman was preaching that their hearts were tenderly +affected. My post is not yet determined; we expect, however, +it will be Patna, a civil station, where I shall not be +under military command. As you are so kindly anxious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> +about my health, I am happy to say, that through mercy +my health is far better than it ever was in England.</p> + +<p>The people of Calcutta are very desirous of keeping +me at the mission-church, and offer to any Evangelical +clergyman a chaplain’s salary and a house besides. I am +of course deaf to such a proposal; but it is strange that +no one in England is <i>tempted</i> by such an inviting situation. +I am actually going to mention it to Cousin T.H. and +Emma—not, as you may suppose, with much hope of +success; but I think that possibly the chapel at Dock may +be too much for him, and he will have here a sphere of +still greater importance. As this will be sent by the +overland despatch, there is some danger of its not reaching +you. You will therefore receive a duplicate, and perhaps +a triplicate by the ships that will arrive in England a +month or two after. I cannot write now to any of my +friends. I will therefore trouble you, if you have opportunity, +to say that I have received no letters since I left +England, but one from each of these—Cousin Tom and +Emma, Simeon, Sargent, Bates: of my own family I have +heard nothing. Assure any of them whom you may see +of the continuance of my affectionate regard, especially +dear Emma. I did not know that it was permitted me to +write to you, or I fear she would not have found me so +faithful a correspondent on the voyage. As I have heretofore +addressed you through her, it is probable that I may +be now disposed to address her through you—or, what will +be best of all, that we both of us address her in one letter +from India. However, you shall decide, my dearest Lydia. +I <i>must</i> approve your determination, because with that spirit +of simple-looking to the Lord which we both endeavour +to maintain, we must not doubt that you will be divinely +directed. Till I receive an answer to this, my prayers you +may be assured will be constantly put up for you that in +this affair you may be under an especial guidance, and that +in all your ways God may be abundantly glorified by you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> +through Jesus Christ. You say in your letter that <i>frequently +every day</i> you remember my worthless name before the +throne of grace. This instance of extraordinary and +undeserved kindness draws my heart toward you with a +tenderness which I cannot describe. Dearest Lydia, in +the sweet and fond expectation of your being given to me +by God, and of the happiness which I humbly hope you +yourself might enjoy here, I find a pleasure in breathing +out my assurance of ardent love. I have now long loved +you most affectionately, and my attachment is more strong, +more pure, more heavenly, because I see in you the image +of Jesus Christ. I unwillingly conclude, by bidding my +beloved Lydia adieu.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span> +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p class="date"> +Serampore: September 1, 1806.<br /> +</p> + +<p>My dearest Lydia,—With this you will receive the duplicate +of the letter I sent you a month ago, by the overland +despatch. May it find you prepared to come! All the +thoughts and views which I have had of the subject since +first addressing you, add tenfold confirmation to my first +opinion; and I trust that the blessed God will graciously +make it appear that I have been acting under a right +direction, by giving the precious gift to me and to the +Church in India. I sometimes regret that I had not +obtained a promise from you of following me at the time +of our last parting at Gurlyn, as I am occasionally apt to +be excessively impatient at the long delay. Many, many +months must elapse before I can see you or even hear how +you shall determine. The instant your mind is made up +you will send a letter by the overland despatch. George +will let you know how it is to be prepared, as the Company +have given some printed directions. It is a consolation to +me during this long suspense, that had I engaged with +you before my departure I should not have had such a +satisfactory conviction of it being the will of God. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> +Commander-in-chief is in doubt to which of the three +following stations he shall appoint me—Benares, Patna, +or Moorshedabad; it will be the last, most probably. This +is only two days’ journey from Calcutta. I shall take my +departure in about six weeks. In the hour that remains, I +must endeavour to write to my dear sister Emma, and to +Sally. By the fleet which will sail hence in about two +months, they will receive longer letters. You will then, I +hope, have left England. I am very happy here in +preparing for my delightful work, but I should be happier +still if I were sufficiently fluent in the language to be +actually employed; and happiest of all if my beloved +Lydia were at my right hand, counselling and animating +me. I am not very willing to end my letter to you; it is +difficult not to prolong the enjoyment of speaking, as it +were, to one who occupies so much of my sleeping and +waking hours; but here, alas! I am aware of danger; and +my dear Lydia will, I hope, pray that her unworthy friend +may love no creature inordinately.</p> + +<p>It will be base in me to depart in heart from a God of +such love as I find Him to be. Oh, that I could make +some returns for the riches of His love! Swiftly fly the +hours of life away, and then we shall be admitted to +behold His glory. The ages of darkness are rolling fast +away, and shall soon usher in the Gospel period when the +whole world shall be filled with His glory. Oh, my beloved +sister and friend, dear to me on every account, but dearest +of all for having one heart and one soul with me in the +cause of Jesus and the love of God, let us pray and rejoice, +and rejoice and pray, that God may be glorified, and the +dying Saviour see of the travail of His soul. May the God +of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing, that we +may both of us abound in hope through the power of the +Holy Ghost. Now, my dearest Lydia, I cannot say what +I feel—I cannot pour out my soul—I could not if you +were here; but I pray that you may love me, if it be the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> +will of God; and I pray that God may make you more and +more His child, and give me more and more love for all +that is God-like and holy. I remain, with fervent affection,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +Yours, in eternal bonds, <br /> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn</span>. +</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Charles Simeon</span><a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Calcutta: September 1, 1806. +</p> + +<p>My dearest Brother,—I feel no hesitation about inviting +Miss L.G. on her own account, except it be that she should +come so far for one who is so utterly unworthy of her. I +would rather die than bring one whom I honour so much +into a situation of difficulty; but indeed there is no hardship +to be encountered. In my absence she might, if she +pleased, visit the English ladies who are always to be found +at the different stations. The plan about to be adopted +by the Baptists is to establish missionary stations in the +country; while one missionary makes the circuit of the +surrounding country, another shall always be in the way +to receive enquiries and to explain. I should think that a +zealous woman, acquainted with the language, and especially +if assisted by native brethren, might be of use in this +way without moving from her house.... Three such men +as Carey, Marshman, and Ward, so suited to one another +and to their work, are not to be found, I should think, in +the whole world.</p> + +<p><i>September 13.</i>—Heard of the arrival of Corrie and +Parson at Madras, and of my appointment to Dinapore.</p> + +<p><i>September 15.</i>—Called with Mr. Brown on Mr. Udny, +then went up with him to Serampore, and passed much of +the afternoon in reading with him a series of newspapers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> +from England. How affecting to think how the fashion +of this world passeth away! What should I do without +Christ as an everlasting portion! How vain is life, how +mournful is death, and what is eternity without Christ! +In the evening Marshman and Ward came to us. By +endeavouring to recollect myself as before God, I found +more comfort, and was enabled to show more propriety in +conversation.</p> + +<p><i>September 16.</i>—Passed the day with moonshi in +Hindustani and writing sermon. In the evening wrote to +Lydia.</p> + +<p><i>September 17.</i>—The blaze of a funeral pile this morning +near the pagoda drew my attention. I ran out, but the +unfortunate woman had committed herself to the flames +before I arrived. The remains of the two bodies were +visible. At night, while I was at the missionaries’, Mr. +Chamberlain arrived from up the country. Just as we rejoiced +at the thought of seeing him and his wife, we found +she had died in the boat! I do not know when I was so +shocked; my soul revolted at everything in this world, +which God has so marked with misery—the effect of sin. +I felt reluctance to engage in every worldly connection. +Marriage seemed terrible, by exposing one to the agonising +sight of a wife dying in such circumstances.</p> + +<p><i>September 24.</i>—Went down to Calcutta with Mr. Brown +and Corrie, and found letters. My affections of love and +joy were so excited by them that it was almost too much +for my poor frame. My dearest Lydia’s assurances of her +love were grateful enough to my heart, but they left +somewhat of a sorrowful effect, occasioned I believe chiefly +from a fear of her suffering in any degree, and partly from +the long time and distance that separate us, and uncertainty +if ever we shall be permitted to meet one another in this +world. In the evening the Lord gave me near and close +and sweet communion with Him on this subject, and +enabled me to commit the affair with comfort into His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> +hands. Why did I ever doubt His love? Does He not +love us far better than we love one another?</p> + +<p><i>September 25.</i>—Went to Serampore with Mr. Brown +and Parson; in the afternoon read with moonshi; enjoyed +much of the solemn presence of God the whole day, had +many happy seasons in prayer, and felt strengthened for +the work of a missionary, which is speedily to begin; +blessed be God! My friends are alarmed about the solitariness +of my future life, and my tendency to melancholy; +but, O my dearest Lord! Thou art with me, Thy rod and +Thy staff they comfort me. I go on Thine errand, and I +know that Thou art and wilt be with me. How easily canst +Thou support and refresh my heart!</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span></p> +<p class="date"> +Serampore: September 1806. +</p> + +<p>How earnestly do I long for the arrival of my dearest +Lydia! Though it may prove at last no more than a +waking dream that I ever expected to receive you in India, +the hope is too pleasing not to be cherished till I am +forbidden any longer to hope. Till I am assured of the +contrary, I shall find a pleasure in addressing you as my +own. If you are not to be mine you will pardon me; but +my expectations are greatly encouraged by the words you +used when we parted at Gurlyn, that I had better <i>go out</i> +free, implying, as I thought, that you would not be unwilling +to follow me if I should see it to be the will of God to make +the request. I was rejoiced also to see in your letter that +you unite your name with mine when you pray that God +would keep us both in the path of duty: from this I infer +that you are by no means <i>determined</i> to remain separate +from me. You will not suppose, my dear Lydia, that I +mention these little things to influence your conduct, or to +implicate you in an engagement. No, I acknowledge that +you are perfectly free, and I have no doubt that you will +act as the love and wisdom of our God shall direct. Your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> +heart is far less interested in this business than mine, in all +probability; and this on one account I do not regret, as +you will be able to see more clearly the directions of God’s +providence. About a fortnight ago I sent you a letter +accompanying the duplicate of the one sent overland in +August. If these shall have arrived safe you will perhaps +have left England before this reaches it. But if not, let me +entreat you to delay not a moment. Yet how will my dear +sister Emma be able to part with you, and George—but +above all your <i>mother</i>? I feel very much for you and for +them, but I have no doubt at all about your health and +happiness in this country.</p> + +<p>The Commander-in-chief has at last appointed me to +the station of Dinapore, near Patna, and I shall accordingly +take my departure for that place as soon as I can make +the necessary preparations. It is not exactly the situation +I wished for, though in a temporal point of view it is +desirable enough. The air is good, the living cheap, the +salary 1,000<i>l.</i> a year, and there is a large body of English +troops there. But I should have preferred being near +Benares, the heart of Hinduism. We rejoice to hear that +two other brethren are arrived at Madras on their way to +Bengal, sent, I trust, by the Lord to co-operate in overturning +the kingdom of Satan in these regions. They are +Corrie and Parson, both Bengal chaplains. Their stations +will be Benares and Moorshedabad—one on one side of +me and the other on the other. There are also now ten +Baptist missionaries at Serampore. Surely good is intended +for this country.</p> + +<p>Captain Wickes, the good old Captain Wickes, who has +brought out so many missionaries to India, is now here. +He reminds me of Uncle S. I have been just interrupted +by the blaze of a funeral pile, within a hundred yards of +my pagoda. I ran out, but the wretched woman had consigned +herself to the flames before I reached the spot, and +I saw only the remains of her and her husband. O Lord,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> +how long shall it be? Oh, I shall have no rest in my +spirit till my tongue is loosed to testify against the Devil, +and deliver the message of God to these His unhappy bond-slaves. +I stammered out something to the wicked Brahmins +about the judgments of God upon them for the murder +they had just committed, but they said it was an act of her +own free-will. Some of the missionaries would have been +there, but they are forbidden by the Governor-General to +preach to the natives in the British territory. Unless this +prohibition is revoked by an order from home it will +amount to a total suppression of the mission.</p> + +<p>I know of nothing else that will give you a further idea +of the state of things here. The two ministers continue to +oppose my doctrines with unabated virulence; but they +think not that they fight against God. My own heart is at +present cold and slothful. Oh, that my soul did burn with +love and zeal! Surely were you here I should act with +more cheerfulness and activity with so bright a pattern +before me. If Corrie brings me a letter from you, and the +fleet is not sailed, which, however, is not likely, I shall write +to you again. Colonel Sandys will receive a letter from +me and Mr. Brown by this fleet. Continue to remember +me in your prayers, as a weak brother. I shall always +think of you as one to be loved and honoured.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> + +<p><i>September 26.</i>—Employed as usual in Hindustani; +visited Marshman at night. He and Mr. Carey sat with us +in the evening. My heart still continuing some degree of +watchfulness, but enjoying less sweetness.</p> + +<p><i>October 1.</i>—Reading with moonshi and preparing sermon; +found great cause to pray for brotherly love. +Preached at night at the mission-church on Eph. ii. 4. +Had a very refreshing conversation with Corrie afterwards; +we wished it to be for the benefit of two cadets, who supped +with us, and I hope it will not be in vain. May the Lord<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> +be pleased to make me act with a single eye to His glory. +How easy it is to preach about Christ Jesus the Lord, and +yet to preach oneself.</p></div> + +<p>None of six letters from Lydia Grenfell have been +preserved, but we find in her <i>Diary</i> more self-revealing of +her heart than could be made to Henry Martyn, and also +more severity in judging of herself as in the presence of +God.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1806, May 23.</i>—Wrote dear H. I have felt to-day a +return of spirits, but have spent them too much in worldly +things. I found it a blessed season in prayer, yet I fear +whether my satisfaction did not rather arise from being +enabled to pray than from any extraordinary communications +from above. O Lord, search and try my heart, let +not its deceitfulness impose on me.</p> + +<p><i>July 19.</i>—Thought much this week of my dear absent +friend.</p> + +<p><i>August 2.</i>—My family’s unhappiness preys on my +mind—sister burning with anger and resentment against +sister, brother against brother, a father against his children. +Oh, what a picture! Let me not add to the weight of family +sin.</p> + +<p><i>August 4.</i>—Passed a happy day. Read Baxter, and +found in doing so my soul raised above. Oh, let me have, +blessed Lord, anticipations of this blessedness and foretaste +of glory. In Thy presence above I shall be reunited to +Thy dear saint, now labouring in Thy vineyard in a distant +land. One year is nearly passed since we parted, but +scarcely a waking hour, I believe, has he been absent from +my mind. In general my remembrance of him is productive +of pleasure—that I should possess so large a share +of his affection, and be remembered in his prayers, and +have an eternity to spend with him, yielding me in turn +delightful pleasing meditations; but just now nature<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> +grieves that we are no more to meet below; yet, O my +blessed Father, I cry, ‘Thy will be done, not as I will, but +as Thou wilt.’</p> + +<p><i>August 10.</i>—Went to church. My soul was very dull +and inanimate throughout the service—the sermon had +nothing in it to enliven or instruct. Barren as this place +is for other means of grace, I have the Word and leisure to +search; I cannot then complain, but of myself there is +cause enough. Oh, how is my soul so earthly? why cannot +I rise and dwell above? Tied and bound with the chain +of sin, fettered and confined, I can only cast a look above. +One year is gone since my dear friend left England. The +number of our years of separation is so much lessened, and +our salvation draws near.</p> + +<p><i>October 19.</i>—My birthday. One-and-thirty years have +I existed on this earth, for twenty-five of which all the +amount was sin, vanity, and rebellion against God; the +last six, though spent differently, yet for every day in +them I am persuaded I have sinned in heart, so as +justly to merit condemnation of that God in whose mercy +I trust.</p> + +<p><i>November 5.</i>—To-day I was reading of David’s harp +driving away the evil spirit from Saul, and resolved again +(the Lord helping me) to try the sweet harp of Jesse’s son +in my first and last waking thoughts, for sad and disordered +are my thoughts upon my friend. The expectation +of letters from my dear friend in India by this fleet is +almost over, and my mind is rendered anxious about him.</p> + +<p><i>November 25.</i>—My very soul has been cheered by +accounts from my dear friend in India, for whom my +mind has been greatly anxious. ‘Cast thy cares on Me’ +is a command badly attended to by me.</p></div> + +<p>The formal and first request from Henry Martyn to +join him in India reached Lydia Grenfell on March 2, 1807. +We learn from his reply in October 1807, from Dinapore,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> +that she had sent a refusal in her mother’s name. But, on +April 25, the Rev. Charles Simeon called on her with the +result which he thus records:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>With her mother’s leave Miss G. accompanied us to +Col. Sandys’, when I had much conversation with her +about Mr. Martyn’s affair. She stated to me all the +obstacles to his proposals: first, her health; second, the +indelicacy of her going out to India alone on such an +errand; third, her former engagement with another person, +which had indeed been broken off, and he had actually +gone up to London two years ago to be married to another +woman, but, as he was unmarried, it seemed an obstacle +in her mind; fourth, the certainty that her mother would +never consent to it. On these points I observed that I +thought the last was the only one that was insurmountable; +for that, first, India often agreed best with persons of a delicate +constitution—<i>e.g.</i> Mr. Martyn himself and Mr. Brown. +Second, it is common for ladies to go thither without any +previous connection; how much more, therefore, might one +go with a connection already formed! Were this the only +difficulty, I engaged, with the help of Mr. Grant and Mr. Parry, +that she should go under such protection as should obviate +all difficulties upon this head. Third, the step taken by the +other person had set her at perfect liberty. Fourth, the +consent of her mother was indispensable, and as that +appeared impossible, the matter might be committed to +God in this way. If her mother, of her own accord, should +express regret that the connection had been prevented, +from an idea of her being irreconcilably averse to it, and +that she would not stand in the way of her daughter’s +wishes, this would be considered as a direction from God +in answer to her prayers, and I should instantly be +apprised of it by her, in order to communicate to Mr. M. +<i>In this she perfectly agreed.</i> I told her, however, that I +would mention nothing of this to Mr. M., because it would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> +only tend to keep him in painful suspense. Thus the +matter is entirely set aside, unless God, by a special interposition +of His providence (<i>i.e.</i> by taking away her mother, +or overruling her mind, contrary to all reasonable expectation, +to approve of it), mark His own will concerning it.</p></div> + +<p>We find this account of the crisis in her <i>Diary</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1807, March 2.</i>—Passed some peaceful happy days at +Tregembo. My return was marked by two events, long to be +remembered—seeing John and hearing from H.M. Great +has been my distress, but peace is returned, and could I cease +from anticipating future evils I should enjoy more. The +Lord has been gracious in affording me help, but He made +me first feel my weakness, and suffered Satan to harass +me. I am called upon now to act a decisive part.</p> + +<p><i>Marazion, March 8.</i>—With David let me say, In the +multitude of thoughts within me Thy comforts have +refreshed my soul. O Thou! my refuge, my rest, my +hiding-place, in every time of sorrow to Thee I fly, and +trust in the covert of Thy wings. Thou hast been a +shelter for me and a strong tower. I have liberty to pour +out my griefs into the bosom of my God, and doing so I am +lightened of their burden. The Lord’s dealings are singular +with me, yet not severe, yea, they are merciful. Twice +have I been called on to act<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> ... in a way few are +tried in, but the Lord’s goodness towards me is so manifest +in the first, that I have come to wait in silence and hope +the event of this. I am satisfied I have done now what is +right, and peace has returned to me; yet there is need of +great watchfulness to resist the enemy of souls, who would +weaken and depress my soul, bringing to remembrance the +affection of my dear friend, and representing my conduct +as ungrateful towards him. To-day I have had many +distressing feelings on his account, yet in the general I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> +have been looking to things invisible and eternal, and +therefore enjoyed peace. I must live more in the contemplation +of Christ and heavenly things. Oh, come, fill +and satisfy my soul, be my leader and guide, dispose of +me as Thou wilt. The pain of writing to him is over, and +I feel satisfied I wrote what duty required of me.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> Now +then, return, O my soul, to thy rest.</p> + +<p><i>March 22.</i>—A week of conflict and of mercies is over. +May the remembrance of Thy goodness never be forgotten. +I bless Thee, O my God, that Thou hast brought me +hitherto, and with more reason than David, inquire what +am I that Thou shouldest do so?</p> + +<p><i>April 23.</i>—To-day my mind has been painfully affected +by the receipt of letters from <span class="dash">——</span>. I found in the presence +of my mother I dared not indulge the inclination I +feel to mourn; and believing my Heavenly Parent’s will +to be that I should be careful for nothing, I ought to be +equally exerting myself in secret to resist the temptation. +How true it is we suffer more in the person of another dear +to us than in our own! Lord, I know Thou canst perfectly +satisfy him by the consolation of Thy Spirit and communications +of Thy grace; Thou canst display the glories +of Thy beloved Son to his view, and put gladness into his +heart. Oh, support, cheer, and bless him; let Thy left hand +be under his head, and Thy right hand embrace him, that +he may feel less than my fears suggest. Oh, do Thou +powerfully impress our minds with a persuasion of Thy +overruling hand in this trial. Let us see it to be Thy will, +and be now and ever disposed to bow to it. Uphold me, +Jesus, or I fan a prey to distracting thoughts and imagination.</p> + +<p><i>April 24.</i>—The arrival of dear Mr. Simeon has been +a cordial to my fainting heart. Lord, do Thou comfort me +by him; none but Thyself can give me lasting comfort<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span>—instruments +are nothing without Thee. Oh, may I now be +watchful, for often, through my depraved nature, when +unlooked-for deliverance comes, I get careless and light +in my frame; then the Lord hides His face, and trouble +comes, which no outward circumstances can relieve. I +need especial direction from on high. Oh, may my dependence +be on the Lord, and I shall not go astray.</p> + +<p><i>April 28.</i>—Went on Saturday with Mr. Simeon and +Mr. E. to Helston. Lord, I bless Thy holy name, I +adore Thy wonderful unmerited goodness towards such a +base, vile creature, that Thou shouldest at this particular +season send me counsel and support through the medium +of Thy dear servant. I am brought home again in safety, +and enjoyed, during my absence, an opportunity of seeing +how a Christian lives.</p> + +<p><i>April 29.</i>—The state of my mind lately has led me to +fill too much of my <i>Diary</i> with expressions of regard for +an earthly object, and now I am convinced of the evil of +indulging this affection. Oh, may the Lord enable me to +mortify it; may this mirror of my heart show me more of +love to God and less to anything earthly. This morning +was a sad one, and to the present I have to mourn over +the barrenness of my soul, its indisposedness to any spiritual +exertion. Almost constantly do I remember my dear +absent friend; may I do so with less pain.</p> + +<p><i>May 1.</i>—I begin this month in circumstances peculiarly +trying, such as I can support only by aid vouchsafed from +above, and sought in constant prayer. The Lord is a +stronghold in this time of trouble.</p> + +<p><i>May 2.</i>—To-day and yesterday I have found more +composure of mind than of late; once indeed the enemy +(whose devices I am too ignorant of to meet them as I +ought) succeeded in distracting my mind, and excited +many sinful passions from the probability that Miss Corrie, +who is going to her brother, may be the partner appointed +for my dear friend. This continued for a short time only,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> +and I found relief at a throne of grace. It is a subject I +must not dwell on—when the trial comes, grace will be +given; but at present I have none to meet it; yet have +I prayed the Lord to provide him a suitable helpmate. +Deceitful is my heart; how little do I know it! O Thou +bleeding Saviour, let me hide myself in Thee from deserved +wrath, and oh, speak peace once more to my soul.</p> + +<p><i>May 3.</i>—A day of much sinful inquietude. Oh, that I +could withdraw my affections! Oh, that I could once more +feel I have no desire but after heavenly things! What a +chaos has my mind been to-day, even in the house of +God and at the throne of grace. I have been, in imagination, +conversing with a fellow-creature. Where is thy +heart? is a question not now to be answered satisfactorily. +Tied and bound with this chain, if for a little time I rise +to God, soon I turn from the glories of His face, grieving +His Spirit by preferring the ideal presence of my friend—sometimes +drawing the scene of his distress, at others the +pleasure of his return. Oh, let me not continue thus to walk +in the vanity of my mind. Oh, may I find sufficient happiness +in the presence of my God here, and live looking to +the things not seen, looking to that heavenly country +where I shall enjoy in perfection the blessed society and +(of?) all I loved below.</p> + +<p><i>May 4.</i>—Passed a day of less conflict, though I have +very imperfectly kept my resolution not to indulge vain +improbable expectations of the future; yet I have been +favoured with a greater freedom from them than yesterday.</p> + +<p><i>May 5.</i>—I have been suddenly to-day seized with a +violent depression of spirits and a sadness of heart, hard +to be concealed. I have not, as before, fallen into a long +train of vain imaginations, drawing scenes improbable and +vain, but my soul has lost its spiritual appetite. I am +looking forward to distant and uncertain events with +anticipations of sorrow and trial impending. O my Lord +and my God, come to my relief!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>May 9.</i>—Oh, what great troubles and adversities hast +Thou showed me, and yet Thou didst turn again and +refresh me! The whole of this day has been a dark and +exceedingly gloomy season, my mind tossed to and fro +like the tempestuous sea. I think the chief cause of my +distress arises from a dread of dishonouring the name of +the Lord, by appearing to have acted deceitfully in the +eyes of my family, and some pride is at the bottom of +this (I like not to be thought ill of), and also pain for the +disappointment my dear friend will soon know. His +situation grieves me infinitely more than my own. I +think, for myself, I want nothing more than I find in Thy +presence.</p> + +<p><i>May 20.</i>—My chief concern now is lest I should have +given too much reason for my dear friend’s hoping I might +yet be prevailed on to attend to his request, and I feel the +restraint stronger than ever, that, having before promised, +I am not free to marry. I paint the scene of his return, +and, whichever way I take, nothing but misery and guilt +seems to await me. Yet oh, I will continue to pray, ‘Heal +me, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved.’ +Thou art my strength and hope, O Lord; though shame +is my portion among men. Thou who knowest my heart, +Thou wilt not in this condemn me, for oh, Thou knowest +these consequences of my regard for Thy dear saint were +not intended by me, and that first, when I regarded him +otherwise than as a Christian brother, I believed myself +free to do so, imagining him I first loved united to another. +When I consider this circumstance my mind is relieved of +a heavy burden, and yet I must lament the evils that have +flown from this mistake. My thoughts have been called +since Sunday into the eternal world by the sudden death +of a very kind friend, H.C. I have found this event, +though the cause of pain, very useful to me at this time.</p> + +<p><i>May 22.</i>—The way Satan takes is made plain to me, +and I must resist him in the first pleasing ideas arising<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +from the remembrance of true affection in my dear and +ever-esteemed friend. When I yield to these, I am +presently lost to all sober thoughts, and plunged soon in +the deepest sorrow for the distress it has brought on him; +then my conduct towards him and every part of my family +is painted in the most horrid colours, till I am nearly +distracted. Thus has Satan over and over oppressed me, +and relief been afforded my fainting soul through the help +of a superior power even than Satan. I must watch and +pray, for thus the Lord will bruise Satan under my feet.</p> + +<p><i>August 6.</i>—This season recalls a dear friend to my +remembrance. Oh, may he occupy no more of my thoughts +and affections than is consistent with the will of God, and +pleasing in His sight. May these resignations be manifested +by us both.</p> + +<p><i>August 9.</i>—Just two years since I parted from a dear +friend and brother, whose memory will ever be cherished +by me. Blessed be God! I feel now as if he was the +inhabitant of another world, rather than of another part +of this earth.</p></div> + +<p>On October 10, 1806, on the close of his preparations for +departure to Dinapore, ‘at night the missionaries, etc., met +us at the pagoda for the purpose of commending me to the +grace of God.’ ‘My soul never yet had such Divine enjoyment. +I felt a desire to break from the body, and join the +high praises of the saints above.’ Next day, in Calcutta, at +evening worship at Mr. Myers’, ‘I found my heaven begun +on earth. No work so sweet as that of praying and living +wholly to the service of God.’ On Sunday, the 12th, ‘at +night I took my leave of the saints in Calcutta in a sermon +on Acts xx. 32. But how very far from being in spirit +like the great apostle.’ On Monday he went up by land +to Barrackpore with Mr. Brown, ‘happy in general.’ On<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> +Tuesday ‘Corrie came to me at the pagoda and prayed +with me.’</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1806, October 15.</i>—Took my leave of the family at +Aldeen in morning worship; but I have always found my +heart most unable to be tender and solemn when occasions +most require it. At eleven I set off in a budgerow with +Mr. Brown, Corrie, and Parson. Marshman saw us as we +passed the mission-house, and could not help coming aboard. +He dined with us, and after going on a little way left us +with a prayer. About sunset we landed at the house of the +former French governor, and walked five miles through +villages to Chandernagore, where we waited at an hotel till +the boats came up. With the French host I found a liberty +I could not have hoped for in his language, and was so +enabled to preach the Gospel to him. There are two Italian +monks in this place, who say Mass every day. I wished +much to visit the fathers, if there had been time. A person +of Calcutta, here for his health, troubled us with his +profaneness, but we did not let him go unwarned, nor kept +back the counsel of God. At night in the budgerow I +prayed with my dear brethren.</p> + +<p><i>October 16.</i>—Rose somewhat dejected, and walked on +to Chinsurah, the Dutch settlement, about three miles. +There we breakfasted, and dined with Mr. Forsyth, the +missionary. We all enjoyed great happiness in the presence +and blessing of our God. Mr. Forsyth came on with us +from Chinsurah, till we stopped at sunset opposite Bandel, +a Portuguese settlement, and then we had Divine service. +I prayed and found my heart greatly enlarged. After his +departure our conversation was suitable and spiritual. +How sweet is prayer to my soul at this time! I seem as if +I never could be tired, not only of spiritual joys, but of +spiritual employments, since they are now the same.</p> + +<p><i>October 17.</i>—My dear brethren, on account of the bad +weather, were obliged to leave me to-day. So we spent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> +the whole morning in a Divine ordinance in which each +read a portion of Scripture and all sang and prayed. Mr. +Brown’s passage, chosen from Joshua i., was very suitable, +‘Have I not commanded thee?’ Let this be an answer to +my fears, O my Lord, and an assurance that I am in Thy +work. It was a very affecting season to me. In prayer +I was very far from a state of seriousness and affection. +Indeed, I have often remarked that I have never yet +prayed comfortably with friends when it has been preceded +by a chapter of the Revelation. Perhaps because +I depend too much on the feelings which the imagery +of that book excites, instead of putting myself into the +hands of the Spirit, the only author of the prayer of faith. +They went away in their boat, and I was left alone for +the first time, with none but natives.</p></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> <i>The Life and Times of Carey, Marshman, and Ward</i>, London, 1859. +<i>The Life of William Carey</i> (John Murray), 2nd edition, 1887.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> First published (1892) by Rev. H.C.G. Moule from the autograph +collection made by Canon Carus, the successor and biographer of Charles +Simeon.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> A line has been erased by a subsequent writer.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> ‘Her letter was to bid me a last farewell.’—Martyn’s <i>Journal</i>. This +was received November 23.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<p class="subheading">DINAPORE AND PATNA, 1807-1809</p> + + +<p>Until, in 1852 and the ten years following, Lord Dalhousie’s +railway up the Ganges valley was completed to +Allahabad, the usual mode of proceeding up-country from +Calcutta was by the house-boat known as the budgerow, +which is still common on the many rivers of Bengal where +English planters and officials are found. At the rate of +twenty-five miles a day the traveller is towed up against +stream by the boatmen. When time is no object, and +opportunities are sought for reading, shooting, and intercourse +with the natives, the voyage is delightful in the cool +season. Henry Martyn rejoiced in six weeks of this +solitary life—alone yet not alone, and ever about his +Father’s business. His studies were divided between +Hindustani and Sanskrit; he was much occupied in prayer +and in the reading of the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures. +Morning and evening he spent himself among the +people on the banks, and at the ghauts and bazaars of +the mighty river, preaching Christ and spreading abroad +the New Testament. The dense population and the +spiritual darkness, as the panorama of native life moved +hourly before his eyes, on river and on land, stirred up the +busiest of Christians to be still busier, in spite of his fast-wasting +body;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> ‘What a wretched life shall I lead if I do +not exert myself from morning till night, in a place where, +through whole territories, I seem to be the only light!’ +His gun supplied him with small game, ‘enough to make a +change with the curry.’</p> + +<p>At Cutwa, one of Carey’s mission stations, he had +fellowship with Chamberlain, receiving that ‘refreshment of +spirit which comes from the blessing of God on Christian +communion.’ ‘Tell Marshman,’ he wrote, ‘with my +affectionate remembrance, that I have seriously begun the +Sanskrit Grammar.’ To Ward he sends a list of errata +which he found in a tract in the Persian character. He +had his Serampore moonshi with him. At Berhampore, +soon to be occupied by Mr. Parson as chaplain, and by the +London Missionary Society, he spent some time, for it was +the great military station of the old Nawab Nazim’s +capital, Moorshidabad, which Clive described as wealthier +than London, and quite as populous. Henry Martyn at +once walked into the hospital, where the surgeon immediately +recognised him as an old schoolfellow and +townsman. But even with such help he could not induce +the men to rise and assemble for Divine service. ‘I left +three books with them and went away amidst the sneers +and titters of the common soldiers. Certainly it is one of +the greatest crosses I am called to bear, to take pains to +make people hear me. It is such a struggle between a sense +of propriety and modesty on the one hand, and a sense of +duty on the other, that I find nothing equal to it.’ At +Rajmahal, like Carey six years before, he met some of the +hill tribes—‘wrote down from their mouth some of the +names of things.’</p> + +<p>At Maldah he was in the heart of the little Christian +community which, under Charles Grant twenty years<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> +before, had proved the salt of Anglo-Indian society, and +had made the first attempt with Carey’s assistance to +open vernacular Christian schools. With Mr. Ellerton, +whose wife had witnessed the duel between Warren +Hastings and Philip Francis, and who as a widow indeed +lived to the Mutiny of 1857 as the friend of Bishop Daniel +Wilson, he went to Gomalty, and visited one of the schools. +‘The cheerful faces of the little boys, sitting cross-legged +on their mats round the floor, much delighted me. While +they displayed their power of reading, their fathers, +mothers, etc., crowded in numbers round the door and +windows.’ Here we see the now vast educational system +of Bengal in the birth. Not less striking is the contrast, due +to the progress of that system on its missionary side, when +we find Martyn, in 1806, recording his surprise at the +extraordinary fear and unwillingness of the people to take +tracts and books. One postmaster, when he found +what the booklet was about, returned it with the remark +that a person who had his legs in two boats went on his +way uncomfortably. Passing Colgong and Monghyr, he +‘reached Patna. Walked about the scene of my future +ministry with a spirit almost overwhelmed at the sight of +the immense multitudes.’ On November 26 he arrived at +Dinapore—‘the multitudes at the water-side prodigious.’</p> + +<p>Nowhere, in British India as it was in 1807, could +Henry Martyn have found a better training field, at once +as chaplain to the troops and missionary to the Mohammedans, +than the Patna centre of the great province +of Bihar. For fourteen miles, Patna, the Mohammedan +city, Bankipore, the British civil station, and Dinapore, the +British military station, line the right bank of the Ganges, +which is there two miles broad. Patna itself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span>—‘the city,’ +as the word means—was the Buddhist capital to which +the Greek ambassador Megasthenes came from Seleukos +Nikator, 300 <span class="smcap">B.C.</span>, and the Chinese pilgrim, Hwen T’sang, +637 years <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> But under the Mogul emperors and down +to the present day, Patna has been the focus of the most +fanatical sect of Islam. There Meer Kasim murdered +sixty Englishmen in 1763; and so little did a century’s +civilisation affect the place, which Christian missionaries, +except Martyn, neglected till recently, that in 1857 it was +a centre of the Mutiny, and in 1872 it was the nucleus of +Wahabi rebellion. The second city in Bengal next to +Calcutta, and the fifth city in all India in inhabitants, +Patna with Bankipore and Dinapore commanded an +accessible native population of half a million. Such +was Henry Martyn’s first ‘parish’ in the East. For the +mass of these he opened schools and translated the Word of +God; with their learned men he ‘disputed’ continually, in +the spirit of Paul seeking to commend to them the very +Christ.</p> + +<p>Besides the Company’s civil servants in Bankipore +whom he never ceased to influence, he was specially +charged with the spiritual care of two European regiments, +consisting at one time of 1,700 men and 80 officers in various +positions. Then and up till 1860, when what was known +as ‘the White Mutiny’ led the Queen’s Government to +disband the troops, the East India Company had a European +force of its own, specially recruited and paid more highly +than the royal regiments. The men were generally better +educated than the ordinary private of those days, were, +indeed, often runaway sons of good families and disreputable +adventurers from many countries. As a fighting +force they were splendid veterans; in all other respects<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> +their history and character as well as his own experience +of them on board ship, justified Martyn’s language in +a letter to Mr. Brown. ‘My disdainful and abandoned +countrymen among the military; they are impudent children +and stiff-hearted, and will receive, I fear, my ministrations, +as all the others have done, with scorn. Yet Jesus +wept over Jerusalem. Henceforward let me live with +Christ alone.’ How loving and faithful, if not always +tender, his ministry was among them and their native +women, and how it gained their respect till it formed a +little Church in the army, we shall see.</p> + +<p>Having settled down in barrack apartments at 50 rupees +a month till he should get a house against the hot season, +and having called on the general commanding and others, +after the Anglo-Indian fashion, he reported to his longing +friends in Aldeen: ‘I stand alone;<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> not one voice is +heard saying, “I wish you good luck in the name +of the Lord.” I offered to come over to Bankipore to +officiate to them on the Sabbath. They are going to take +this into consideration. I have found out two schools in +Dinapore. I shall set on foot one or two schools without +delay, and by the time the scholars are able to read we can +get books ready for them.’ In this spirit and by a renewed +act of self-dedication he entered on the year 1807:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Seven years have passed away since I was first called +of God. Before the conclusion of another seven years, how +probable is it that these hands will have mouldered into +dust! But be it so: my soul through grace hath received +the assurance of eternal life, and I see the days of my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> +pilgrimage shortening without a wish to add to their +number. But oh, may I be stirred up to a faithful discharge +of my high and awful work; and laying aside, as much +as may be, all carnal cares and studies, may I give myself +to this ‘one thing.’ The last has been a year to be +remembered by me, because the Lord has brought me +safely to India, and permitted me to begin, in one sense, +my missionary work. My trials in it have been very few; +everything has turned out better than I expected; loving-kindness +and tender mercies have attended me at every +step: therefore here will I sing His praise. I have been an +unprofitable servant, but the Lord hath not cut me off: I +have been wayward and perverse, yet He has brought me +further on the way to Zion; here, then, with sevenfold +gratitude and affection, would I stop and devote myself to +the blissful service of my adorable Lord. May He continue +His patience, His grace, His direction, His spiritual influences, +and I shall at last surely come off conqueror. May +He speedily open my mouth, to make known the mysteries +of the Gospel, and in great mercy grant that the heathen +may receive it and live!</p></div> + +<p>The hostility of the officers and civilians to his message +sometimes became scorn, when they saw his efforts to +teach and preach to the natives. These were days when +the Patna massacre was still remembered. So few baptized +Christians knew the power of the Faith which they +practically dishonoured, that they had no desire to make it +known to others; many even actually resented the preaching +of Christ to the people, as both politically dangerous and +socially an insult to the ruling race. This feeling has long +since disappeared in India at least, though its expression is +not unknown in some of the colonies where the land is held +by the dark savages. Henry Martyn keenly felt such +opposition, and none the less that the natives of the Patna<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> +district—especially the Mohammedans—were in their turn +hostile to a government which had supplanted them so +recently. A few weeks after his arrival we find him writing +this in his <i>Journal</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1806, December 1.</i>—Early this morning I set off in my +palanquin for Patna. Something brought the remembrance +of my dear Lydia so powerfully to my mind that I could +not cease thinking of her for a moment. I know not when +my reflections seemed to turn so fondly towards her; at +the same time I scarcely dare to wish her to come to this +country. The whole country is manifestly disaffected. I +was struck at the anger and contempt with which multitudes +of the natives eyed me in my palanquin.</p> + +<p><i>December 2.</i>—On my way back called on Mr. D., the +Judge, and Mr. F., at Bankipore. Mr. F.’s conversation +with me about the natives was again a great trial to my +spirit; but in the multitude of my troubled thoughts I still +saw that there is a strong consolation in the hope set before +us. Let men do their worst, let me be torn to pieces, and +my dear L. torn from me; or let me labour for fifty years +amidst scorn, and never seeing one soul converted; still it +shall not be worse for my soul in eternity, nor worse for it +in time. Though the heathen rage and the English people +imagine a vain thing, the Lord Jesus, who controls all events, +is my friend, my master, my God, my all. On the Rock +of Ages when I feel my foot rest my head is lifted up +above all mine enemies round about, and I sing, yea, I will +sing praises unto the Lord. If I am not much mistaken, +sore trials are awaiting me from without. Yet the time +will come when they will be over. Oh, what sweet refuge +to the weary soul does the grave appear! There the +wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at +rest. Here every man I meet is an enemy; being an +enemy to God, he is an enemy to me also on that account; +but he is an enemy too to me because I am an Englishman.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> +Oh, what a place must heaven be, where there are none but +friends! England appears almost a heaven upon earth, +because there one is not viewed as an unjust intruder; +but, oh, the heaven of my God! the general assembly of +the first-born, the spirits of the just made perfect, and +Jesus! Oh, let me for a little moment labour and suffer +reproach!</p> + +<p><i>1807, January 2.</i>—They seem to hate to see me associating +at all with the natives, and one gave me a hint a +few days ago about taking my exercise on foot. But if +our Lord had always travelled about in His palanquin, the +poor woman who was healed by touching the hem of His +garment might have perished. Happily I am freed from +the shackles of custom; and the fear of man, though not +extirpated, does not prevail.</p> + +<p><i>January 8.</i>—Pundit was telling me to-day that there +was a prophecy in their books that the English should +remain one hundred years in India, and that forty years +were now elapsed of that period; that there should be a +great change, and they should be driven out by a king’s +son, who should then be born. Telling this to moonshi, +he said that about the same time the Mussulmans expected +some great events, such as the coming of Dujjel, and the +spread of Islam over the earth.</p> + +<p><i>January 29.</i>—The expectation from prophecy is very +prevalent hereabouts that the time is coming when all the +Hindus will embrace the religion of the English; and the +pundit says that in many places they had already begun. +About Agra, and Delhi, and Narwa, in the Mahratta +dominions, there are many native Christian families.</p></div> + +<p>Henry Martyn’s occupation of the Aldeen Pagoda had +resulted, after his departure, in the formation, by Brown, +Corrie, Parson, and Marmaduke Thompson, the Madras +chaplain, of what would now be called a clerical club, with +these three objects—to aid the British and Foreign Bible<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> +Society, then recently established; to help forward the +translation of the Scriptures into the languages of the +East; and especially to meet the whole expense of the +Sanskrit and Greek Testaments, and to send on to Mr. +Brown, for circulation, a quarterly report of the prospects, +plans, and actual situation of each member so far as the +Church is concerned. Of this Evangelical Anglican +Brotherhood Martyn seems to have been the most active +member during his brief career. His translations were +made for it, in the first instance. ‘The Synod’, or ‘the +Associated Clergy,’ as he called it at different times, when +as yet there was no Bishop of Calcutta, consciously linked +him to the fellowship of the Saints, to the Church and the +University from which he had come forth. We find him +noting seven years after ‘the day I left Cambridge: my +thoughts frequently recurred with many tender recollections +to that beloved seat of my brethren, and again I wandered +in spirit amongst the trees on the banks of the Cam.’</p> + +<p>The letters from these four chaplains cheered him at +Dinapore when he was ‘very much depressed in spirits,’ and +he hastens to write to each, giving this picture of his life:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>From a solitary walk on the banks of the river I had +just returned to my dreary rooms, and with the reflection +that just at this time of the day I could be thankful for a +companion, was taking up the flute to remind myself +of your social meetings in worship, when your two +packages of letters, which had arrived in my absence, were +brought to me. For the contents of them, all I can say is, +Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless +His holy name! The arrival of another dear brother, and +the joy you so largely partake of in fellowship with God +and with one another, act as a cordial to my soul. They +show me what I want to learn, that the Lord God<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> +Omnipotent reigneth, and that they that keep the faith of +Jesus are those only whom God visits with His strong +consolations. I want to keep in view that our God is the +God of the whole earth, and that the heathen are given to +His exalted Son, the uttermost parts of the earth for a +possession.</p></div> + +<p>Continually his love of music breaks forth alike for +the worship of God and the association of friendship and +affection. His correspondence with Brown was regular, +but as that of a son with a father. His letters to Corrie, +his old Cambridge junior, are frank and free. His joy was +great when Corrie was stationed at the rock-fortress of +Chunar, not very far from Dinapore, so that they occasionally +met and officiated for each other. But up to this time +his chief, his almost fearful human, delight was to think of +Lydia by night and by day.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1806, December 10.</i>—A dream last night was so like +reality, and the impression after it was so deep upon my +spirits, that I must record the date of it. It was about +Lydia. I dreamt that she had arrived, but that after some +conversation I said to her, ‘I know this is a dream; it is too +soon after my letter for you to have come.’ Alas! it is +only a dream; and with this I awoke, and sighed to think +that it was indeed only a dream. Perhaps all my hope +about her is but a dream! Yet be it so; whatever God +shall appoint must be good for us both, and with that I will +endeavour to be tranquil and happy, pursuing my way +through the wilderness with equal steadiness, whether with +or without a companion.</p> + +<p><i>December 14.</i> (Sunday.)—Service performed by an +after order, at ten o’clock. The general was present, about +twenty officers, and some of their ladies. I preached on the +parable of the tares of the field. Much of the rest of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span> +day I was in great distraction, owing to the incessant recurrence +of thoughts about Lydia. My impatience and +fear respecting her sometimes rose to such a height that I +felt almost as at Falmouth, when I was leaving Europe, as +I thought to see her no more. But in the evening it pleased +the Lord to show me something of the awful nearness of +the world of spirits, and the unmeasurable importance of +my having my thoughts and cares devoted to my missionary +work. Thus I obtained peace. I prayed in sincerity and +fervour, that if there were any obstacle in the sight of God, +the Lord might never suffer us to meet.</p> + +<p><i>December 21.</i> (Sunday.)—In the evening, after a solemn +season of prayer, I received letters from Europe, one from +Cousin T., Emma, Lydia, and others. The torrent of +vivid affection which passed through my heart at receiving +such assurances of regard continued almost without intermission +for four hours. Yet, in reflection afterwards, the +few words my dearest Lydia wrote turned my joy into +tender sympathy with her. Who knows what her heart +has suffered! After all, our God is our best portion; and +it is true that if we are never permitted to meet, we shall +enjoy blissful intercourse for ever in glory.</p> + +<p><i>December 22.</i>—Thinking far too much of dear Lydia all +day.</p> + +<p><i>December 23.</i>—Set apart the chief part of this day for +prayer, with fasting; but I do not know that my soul got +much good. Oh, what need have I to be stirred up by the +Spirit of God, to exert myself in prayer! Had no freedom +or power in prayer, though some appearance of tenderness. +Lydia is a snare to me; I think of her so incessantly, and +with such foolish and extravagant fondness, that my heart +is drawn away from God. Thought at night, Can that be +true love which is other than God would have it? No; +that which is lawful is most genuine when regulated by +the holy law of God.</p> + +<p><i>December 25.</i>—Preached on 1 Tim. i. 15 to a large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> +congregation. Those who remained at the Sacrament +were chiefly ladies, and none of them young men. My +heart still entangled with this idolatrous affection, and +consequently unhappy. Sometimes I gained deliverance +from it for a short time, and was happy in the love of God. +How awful the thought, that while perishing millions +demand my every thought and care, my mind should be +distracted about such an extreme trifle as that of my own +comfort! Oh, let me at last have done with it, and the +merciful God save me from departing from Him, and +committing that horrible crime of forsaking the fountain +of living waters, and hewing out to myself broken +cisterns.</p></div> + +<p>As the delightful cold season of the Bihar uplands +passed all too quickly, and the dry hot winds of Upper +India began to scorch its plains, the solitary man began +to think it ‘impossible I could ever subsist long in such a +climate.’ From April 1807 his hereditary disease made +rapid advances, while he reproached himself for lassitude +and comparative idleness, and put additional constraint +on himself to work and to pray unceasingly. From this +time his <i>Journal</i> has frequent records of sickness, of loss +of appetite, and of ‘pain’ in his ministrations, ending in +loss of voice altogether for a time. Corrie and Brown and +his other correspondents remonstrated, but they were at a +distance. He needed a watchful and authoritative nurse +such as only a wife could be, and he found only lack of +sympathy or active opposition. He lived, as we can now see, +as no white man in the tropics in any rank of life should live, +from sheer simplicity, unselfishness, and consuming zeal. +When the hot winds drove him out of the barracks, the first +rainy season flooded his house. At all times and amid the +insanitary horrors of an Indian cemetery he had to bury<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> +the dead of a large cantonment in a sickly season. His +daily visits to the hospital were prolonged, for there he +came soul to soul with the sinner, the penitent, and the +rejoicing. And all the time he is writing to Corrie and +each of his friends, ‘I feel anxious for your health.’ To +marry officers and baptize children he had to make long +journeys by palanquin, and expose his wasting body alike +to heat and rain. But amid it all his courage never fails, +for it is rooted in God; his heart is joyful, for he has the +peace that passeth all understanding.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1807, May 18.</i>—Through great mercy my health and +strength are supported as by a daily miracle. But oh, the +heat! By every device of darkness and tatties I cannot +keep the thermometer below 92°, and at night in bed I +seem in danger of suffocation. Let me know somewhat +more particularly what the heat is, and how you contrive +to bear it. The worst bad effect I experience is the utter +loss of appetite. I dread the eating time.</p> + +<p><i>July 7.</i>—Heat still so great as to oblige me to abandon +my quarters.</p> + +<p><i>July 8.</i>—Went to Bankipore to baptize a child. One +of the ladies played some hymn-tunes on my account. If +I were provided with proper books much good might +be done by these visits, for I meet with general acceptance +and deference. In the evening buried a man who had +died in the hospital after a short illness. My conscience +felt again a conviction of guilt at considering how +many precious hours I waste on trifles, and how cold and +lukewarm my spirit is when addressing souls.</p> + +<p><i>August 23.</i> (Sunday.)—Preached on Job xix. 25-27: +‘I know that my redeemer liveth.’ There seemed little +or no attention; only one officer there besides Major Young. +At Hindustani prayers, the women few, but attentive; +again blest with much freedom; at the hospital was seized<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> +with such pain from over-exertion of my voice, that I was +obliged to leave off and go away.</p></div> + +<p>To Brown he writes: ‘The rains try my constitution. +I am apt to be troubled with shortness of breath, as at +the time I left you. Another rainy reason I must climb +some hill and live there; but the Lord is our rock. While +there is work which <i>we</i> must do, we shall live.’ Again in +the early Sunday morning of August he dreamed—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>That as I was attacked so violently in July, but recovered, +at the same time next year I should be attacked +again, and carried off by death. This, however, would only +be awaking in a better world. If I may but awake up +satisfied with Thy likeness, why shall I be afraid? I think +I have but one wish to live, which is, that I may do the +Lord’s work, particularly in the Persian and Hindustani +translations; for this I could almost feel emboldened to +supplicate, like Hezekiah, for prolongation of life, even after +receiving this, which may be a warning.</p></div> + +<p>After six months’ experience of his Dinapore-cum-Patna +parish, Martyn sent in ‘to the Associated Clergy’ the +first quarterly report of his own spiritual life, and of his +work for others.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>April 6.</i>—I begin my first communication to my dear +and honoured brethren, with thankfully accepting their +proposal of becoming a member of their society, and I +bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for this +new instance of His mercy to His unworthy creature. May +His grace and favour be vouchsafed to us, and His Holy +Spirit direct all our proceedings, and sanctify our communications +to the purposes for which we are united.</p> + +<p>On a review of the state of my mind since my arrival +at Dinapore, I observe that the graces of joy and love +have been at a low ebb. Faith has been chiefly called into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> +exercise, and without a simple dependence on the Divine +promises I should still every day sink into fatal despondency. +Self-love and unbelief have been suggesting many +foolish fears respecting the difficulties of my future work +among the heathen. The thought of interrupting a crowd +of busy people like those at Patna, whose every day is a +market-day, with a message about eternity, without command +of language sufficient to explain and defend myself, +and so of becoming the scorn of the rabble without doing +them good, was offensive to my pride. The manifest disaffection +of the people, and the contempt with which they +eyed me, confirmed my dread. Added to this the unjust +proceedings of many of the principal magistrates hereabout +led me to expect future commotions in the country, and +that consequently poverty and murder would terminate my +career.</p> + +<p>‘Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof’—‘As +thy days are so shall thy strength be,’ were passages +continually brought to my remembrance, and with +these at last my mind grew quiet. Our countrymen, when +speaking of the natives, said, as they usually do, that they +cannot be converted, and if they could they would be worse +than they are. Though I have observed before now that +the English are not in the way of knowing much about the +natives, yet the number of difficulties they mentioned +proved another source of discouragement to me. It is surprising +how positively they are apt to speak on this subject, +from their never acknowledging God in anything: ‘Thy +judgments are far above out of his sight.’ If we labour to the +end of our days without seeing one convert, it shall not be +worse for us in time, and our reward is the same in eternity. +The cause in which we are engaged is the cause of mercy +and truth, and therefore, in spite of seeming impossibilities, +it must eventually prevail.</p> + +<p>I have been also occasionally troubled with infidel +thoughts, which originated perhaps from the cavillings of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> +the Mohammedans about the person of Christ; but these +have been never suffered to be more than momentary. At +such times the awful holiness of the Word of God, and the +deep seriousness pervading it, were more refreshing to my +heart than the most encouraging promises in it. How despicable +must the Koran appear with its mock majesty and +paltry precepts to those who can read the Word of God! +It must presently sink into contempt when the Scriptures +are known.</p> + +<p>Sometimes when those fiery darts penetrated more +deeply, I found safety only in cleaving to God, as a child +clasps to his mother’s neck. These things teach me the +melancholy truth that the grace of a covenant God can +alone keep me from apostasy and ruin.</p> + +<p>The European society here consists of the military at +the cantonment and the civil servants at Bankipore. The +latter neither come into church nor have accepted the +offer of my coming to officiate to them. There is, however, +no contempt shown, but rather respect. Of the +military servants very few officers attend, and of late +scarcely any of the married families, but the number of +privates, and the families of the merchants, always make +up a respectable congregation. They have as yet heard +very little of the doctrines of the Gospel. I have in general +endeavoured to follow the directions contained in Mr. +Milner’s letter on this subject, as given in Mr. Brown’s +paper, No. 4.</p> + +<p>At the hospital I have read Doddridge’s <i>Rise and +Progress</i>, and <i>The Pilgrim’s Progress</i>. As the people objected +to extempore preaching at church, I have in compliance +with their desires continued to use a book. But +on this subject I should be glad of some advice from my +brethren.</p> + +<p>I think it needless to communicate the plans or heads +of any of my sermons, as they have been chiefly on the +Parables. It is of more importance to observe that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +Word has not gone forth in vain, blessed be God! as it has +hitherto seemed to do in most places where I have been +called to minister; and this I feel to be an animating testimony +of His presence and blessing. I think the commanding +officer of the native regiment here and his lady are +seeking their salvation in earnest; they now refuse all +invitations on the Lord’s day, and pass most of that day +at least in reading the Word, and at all times discover an +inclination to religious conversation. Among the privates, +one I have little doubt is truly converted to God, and is a +great refreshment to me. He parted at once with his +native woman, and allows her a separate maintenance. +His conversion has excited much notice and conversation +about religion among the rest, and three join him in coming +twice a week to my quarters for exposition, singing and +prayer.</p> + +<p>I visit the English very little, and yet have had sufficient +experience of the difficulty of knowing how a minister +should converse with his people. I have myself fallen into +the worst extreme, and, from fear of making them connect +religion with gloom, have been led into such shameful levity +and conformity to them as ought to fill me with grief and +deep self-abasement.</p> + +<p>How repeatedly has guilt been brought upon my conscience +in this way! Oh, how will the lost souls with +whom I have trifled the hours away look at me in the day +of judgment! I hope I am more and more convinced of +the wickedness and folly of assuming any other character +than that of a minister. I ought to consider that my +proper business with the flock over which the Holy Ghost +hath made me overseer is the business of another world, +and if they will not consider it in the same light, I do not +think that I am bound to visit them.</p> + +<p>About the middle of last month, the Church service +being ready in Hindustani, I submitted to the commanding +officer of the European regiment a proposal to perform<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> +Divine service regularly for the native women of his +regiment, to which he cordially assented. The whole +number of women, about 200, attended with great readiness, +and have continued to do so. Instead of a sermon, +the Psalms, and the appointed lessons, I read in two +portions the Gospel of St. Matthew regularly forward, +and occasionally make some small attempts at expounding. +The conversion of any of such despised people is +never likely perhaps to be of any extensive use in regard +to the natives at large; but they are a people committed +to me by God, and as dear to Him as others; and next in +order after the English, they come within the expanding +circle of action.</p> + +<p>After much trouble and delay, three schools have been +established for the native children on Mr. Creighton’s +plan—one at Dinapore, one at Bankipore, and one at +Patna, at the last of which the Persian character is taught +as well as the Nagri. The number of children already is +about sixty. The other schoolmasters, not liking the +introduction of these free schools, spread the report that +my intention was to make them Christians, and send them +to Europe; in consequence of which the zemindars retracted +their promises of land, and the parents refused to +send their children; but my schoolmasters very sensibly +went to the people, and told them, ‘We are men well known +among you, and when we are made Christians then do you +begin to fear.’ So their apprehensions have subsided; but +when the book of Parables, which is just finished, is put +into their hands, I expect a revival of their fears. My +hope is that I shall be able to ingratiate myself a little +with the people before that time; but chiefly that a +gracious God will not suffer Satan to keep his ground any +longer, now that the appointed means are used to dislodge +him. But, though these plans should fail, I hope to be +strengthened to fight against him all my days. For, from +what I feel within and see without, I know enough of him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> +to vow, with my brethren, eternal enmity against him and +his cause.</p> + +<p>Respecting the state of the natives hereabouts, I believe +that the Hindus are lax, for the rich men being few or +none, there are few Brahmins and few <i>tumashas</i> (<i>fêtes</i>), +and without these idolatry droops. The Mohammedans are +numerous and ignorant, but from the best of them I cannot +learn that more than three arguments can be offered +for their religion, which are—the miracles wrought by +Mohammed, those still wrought by his followers, and his +challenge in the second chapter of the Koran, about producing +a chapter like it, all of which are immediately +answered.</p> + +<p>If my brethren have any others brought forward to +them they will, I hope, mention them; and if they have +observed any remark or statement apparently affect a +native’s mind, they will notice it.</p> + +<p>Above all things, <i>seriousness</i> in argument with them +seems most desirable, for without it they laugh away the +clearest proofs. Zeal for making proselytes they are used +to, and generally attribute to a false motive; but a tender +concern manifested for their souls is certainly new to them, +and seemingly produces corresponding seriousness in their +minds.</p> + +<p>From an officer who had been in the Mahratta service, +I learned some time ago that there were large bodies of +Christians at Narwa, in the Mahratta dominions, Sardhana, +Delhi, Agra, Bettia, Boglipore. To obtain more information +respecting them, I sent a circular letter to the missionaries +residing at the three latter places, and have +received two letters in reply. The padre at Boglipore is a +young man just arrived, and his letter contains no information. +From the letter of the padre at Agra I subjoin +some extracts, premising that my questions were: 1. By +whom were you sent? 2. How long has a mission been +established in the place of your residence? 3. Do you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> +itinerate, and to what distance? 4. Have you any portion +of the MSS. translated, or do you distribute tracts? 5. Do +you allow any remains of caste to the baptized? 6. Have +you schools? are the masters heathen or Christians? 7. Is +there any native preacher or catechist? 8. Number of +converts.</p> + +<p>In concluding my report, I take the liberty of proposing +two questions on which I should be thankful for communications +in your next quarterly report.</p> + +<p>1. On the manner in which a minister should observe +the Sabbath; whether he should make it a point of duty +to leave no part of his discourses to prepare on that day? +Whether our particular situation in this country, requiring +redoubled exertion in those of us at least who are called +to the heathen, will justify the introduction of a secular +work into the Sabbath, such as translating the Scriptures, +etc.?</p> + +<p>2. In the commencement of our labours among the +heathen, to which model should our preaching be conformed,—to +that of John the Baptist and our Saviour, or +that of the Apostles? The first mode seems more natural, +and if necessary for the Jews, comparatively so enlightened, +how much more for the heathen, who have scarcely any +notions of morality! On the other hand, the preaching of +the cross has in all ages won the most ignorant savages; +and the Apostles preached it at once to heathens as +ignorant perhaps as these.</p></div> + +<p>Like Marshman and the Serampore missionaries, +Henry Martyn kept up a Latin correspondence with the +missionaries sent from Rome by the Propaganda to the +stations founded by Xavier, and those afterwards established +by that saint’s nephew in the days of the tolerant Akbar. +At the beginning of this century, Anglican, Baptist, and +Romanist missionaries all over the East co-operated with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> +each other in translation work and social intercourse. +More than once Martyn protected the priest at Patna from +the persecution of the military authorities. He planned a +visit to their station at Bettia, to the far north, at the +foot of the Himalayas. In hospital his ministrations +were always offered to the Irish soldiers in the absence +of their own priest, and always without any controversial +reference. In his <i>Journal</i> he is often indignant at the +Popish perversion of the doctrines of grace, and in preaching +he occasionally set forth the truth, but in pastoral and +social intercourse he never failed to show the charity of the +Christian scholar and the gentleman.</p> + +<p>Major Young, with his wife, was the first of the officers +to welcome Martyn’s preaching. Soon the men in hospital +learned to appreciate his daily visits, and to attend to his +earnest reading and talk. A few began to meet with him +at his own house regularly, for prayer and the exposition +of Holy Scripture. In January, he writes of one Sunday: +‘Great attention. I think the Word is not going forth in +vain. In the afternoon read at the hospital. The steward +I found had been long stationed at Tanjore and knew +Schwartz; that Schwartz baptized the natives not by immersion, +but by sprinkling, and with godfathers, and read the +services both in English and Tamil. Felt much delighted +at hearing anything about him. The man told me that +the men at the hospital were very attentive and thankful +that I came amongst them. Passed the evening with great +joy and peace in singing hymns.’ In the heat of May he +writes:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> ‘Found fifty sick at the hospital, who heard <i>The +Pilgrim’s Progress</i> with great delight. Some men came +to-night, but my prayer with them was exceedingly poor +and lifeless.’</p> + +<p>In these days, thanks to Lord Lawrence and Sir Henry +Norman, there is a prayer-hall in every cantonment, ever +open for the soldier who seeks quiet communion with God. +Then—‘Six soldiers came to me to-night. To escape as +much as possible the taunts of their wicked companions, +they go out of their barracks in opposite directions to come +to me. At night a young Scotsman of the European +regiment came to me for a hymn-book. He expressed +with tears his past wickedness and determination to lead +a religious life.’ On the other side we have such passages +as these: ‘What sort of men are these committed to my +care? I had given them one more warning about their +whoredom and drunkenness, and it’s the truth grappling +with their consciences that makes them furious.’ Of the +Company’s European regiment he writes to Corrie: ‘A +more wicked set of men were, I suppose, never seen. +The general, the colonel of the 67th, and their own +colonel all acknowledge it. At the hospital when I visit +their part, some go to a corner and invoke blasphemies upon +me because, as they now believe, the man I speak to dies +to a certainty.’ A young lieutenant of fine abilities he +recommended strenuously to go into the ministry.</p> + +<p>Although, fifteen years before, Sir John Shore had +given orders as to the building of churches at military +stations, and Lord Wellesley had set an example of interest +in the moral and spiritual welfare of the Company’s servants, +nothing had been done outside of the three Presidency +cities. All that Henry Martyn found provided for him, +as chaplain, on his first Sunday at Dinapore, was a long +drum, on which he placed the Prayer-book. He was +requested not to preach, because the men could not stand +so long. He found the men playing at fives on Sunday.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> +All that he soon changed, by an appeal to the general to +put a stop to the games on Sunday, and by holding service +at first in a barrack, and then in his own house. Before +leaving Calcutta he had observed, in a conversation with +the Governor-General, on the disgrace of there being no +places of worship at the principal subordinate stations; upon +which directions were given to prepare plans of building. +He wrote to the equally troubled Corrie at Chunar. A +year later nothing had been done, and he draws this picture +to Corrie: ‘From the scandalous disorder in which the +Company have left the ecclesiastical part of their affairs, so +that we have no place fit, our assemblies are little like +worshipping assemblies. No kneeling because no room; +no singing, no responses.’ At last Sir George Barlow sent +an order for an estimate for building a church, but Martyn +had left for Cawnpore, only to see a worse state of things +there. But the faithfulness of the ‘black’ chaplains was +telling. He writes, on March 14, 1808:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The 67th are now all here. The number of their sick +makes the hospital congregation very considerable, so that +if I had no natives, translations, etc., to think of, there is +call enough for my labours and prayers among all these +Europeans. The general at my request has determined to +make the whole body of troops attend in three divisions; +and yesterday morning the Company’s European, and two +companies of the King’s, came to church in great pomp, +with a fine band of music playing. The King’s officers, +according to their custom, have declared their intention +not to call upon the Company’s; therefore I mean to +call upon them. I believe I told you that 900 of the +67th are Roman Catholics. It seemed an uncommonly +splendid Mohurrum here also. Mr. H., an assistant judge +lately appointed to Patna, joined the procession in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> +Hindustani dress, and went about beating his breast, etc. +This is a place remarkable for such folly. The old judge, +you know, has built a mosque here, and the other judge +issued an order that no marriage nor any feasting should +be held during the season of Mohammedan grief. A +remarkably sensible young man called on me yesterday +with the Colonel; they both seem well disposed to religion. +I receive many gratifying testimonies to the change +apparently taking place among the English in religious +matters in India; testimonies, I mean, from the mouths +of the people, for I confess I do not observe much +myself.</p></div> + +<p>Having translated the Church Service into Hindustani, +Henry Martyn was ready publicly to minister to the +native women belonging to the soldiers of the Company’s +European regiment. From such unions, rarely lawful, +sprang the now great and important Eurasian community, +many of whom have done good service to the Church and +the Empire. ‘The Colonel approved, but told me that it +was my business to find them an order, and not his.’</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1807, March 23.</i>—So I issued my command to the +Sergeant-Major to give public notice in the barracks that +there would be Divine service in the native language on the +morrow. The morrow came, and the Lord sent 200 women, +to whom I read the whole of the morning service. Instead +of the lessons I began Matthew, and ventured to expound +a little, and but a little. Yesterday we had a service +again, but I think there were not more than 100. To +these I opened my mouth rather more boldly, and though +there was the appearance of lamentable apathy in the +countenances of most of them, there were two or three +who understood and trembled at the sermon of John the +Baptist. This proceeding of mine is, I believe, generally +approved among the English, but the women come, I fear,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> +rather because it is the wish of their masters. The day +after attending service they went in flocks to the Mohurrum, +and even of those who are baptized, many, I am told, +are so addicted to their old heathenism, that they obtain +money from their husbands to give to the Brahmins. Our +time of Divine service in English is seven in the morning, +and in Hindustani two in the afternoon. May the Lord +smile on this first attempt at ministration in the native +language!</p> + +<p><i>1807, March 23.</i>—A few days ago I went to Bankipore +to fulfil my promise of visiting the families there; and +amongst the rest called on a poor creature whose black +wife has made him apostatise to Mohammedanism and +build a mosque. Major Young went with me, and the old +man’s son-in-law was there. He would not address a +single word to me, nor a salutation at parting, because I +found an occasion to remind him that the Son of God had +suffered in the stead of sinners. The same day I went on +to Patna to see how matters stood with respect to the +school. Its situation is highly favourable, near an old gate +now in the midst of the city, and where three ways meet; +neither master nor children were there. The people +immediately gathered round me in great numbers, and the +crowd thickened so fast, that it was with difficulty I could +regain my palanquin. I told them that what they understood +by making people Christians was not my intention; +I wished the children to be taught to fear God and become +good men, and that if, after this declaration, they were still +afraid, I could do no more; the fault was not mine, but +theirs. My schools have been heard of among the English +sooner than I wished or expected. The General observed +to me one morning that that school of mine made a very +good appearance from the road; ‘but,’ said he, ‘you will +make no proselytes.’ If that be all the opposition he +makes, I shall not much mind.</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span></p> + +<p>A week later he wrote:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>March 30.</i>—Sick in body, but rather serious and humble +in spirit, and so happy; corrected the Parables for a fair +copy. Reading the Koran and Hindustani Ramayuna, +and translating Revelation; a German sergeant came with +his native woman to have her baptized; I talked with her +a good while, in order to instruct her, and found her extraordinarily +quick in comprehension.</p> + +<p><i>April 1.</i>—The native woman came again, and I passed +a great deal of time in instructing her in the nature of the +Gospel; but, alas! till the Lord touch her heart, what can +a man do? At night the soldiers came, and we had again +a very happy time; how graciously the Lord fulfils His +promise of being where two or three are gathered together! +The pious soldier grows in faith and love, and spoke of +another who wants to join us. They said that the native +women accounted it a great honour to be permitted to +come to a church and hear the Word of God, and wondered +why I should take such trouble for them.</p></div> + +<p>‘How shall it ever be possible to convince a Hindu or +Brahmin of anything?’ wrote Henry Martyn to Corrie +after two years’ experience in Bengal.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1808, January 4.</i>—Truly, if ever I see a Hindu a real +believer in Jesus, I shall see something more nearly +approaching the resurrection of a dead body than anything +I have yet seen. However, I well remember Mr. +Ward’s words, ‘The common people are angels compared +with the Brahmins.’ Perhaps the strong man armed, that +keeps the goods in peace, shall be dispossessed from these, +when the mighty Word of God comes to be ministered +by us.</p></div> + +<p>‘We shall live to see better days.’ For these he prepared +his translations of the Word of God. He wished to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> +itinerate among the people, but his military duties kept +him to the station. When Mr. Brown made another +attempt to get him fixed in the Mission-Church he replied, +‘The evangelisation of India is a more important object +than preaching to the European inhabitants of Calcutta.’ +To Corrie he wrote: ‘Those sequestered valleys seen from +Chunar present an inviting field for missionary labours. +A Sikh, making a pilgrimage to Benares, came to me; he +was very ignorant, and I do not know whether he understood +what I endeavoured to show him about the folly of +pilgrimages, the nature of true holiness, and the plan of +the Gospel.’</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1808, February 12.</i>—Sabat describes so well the character +of a missionary that I am ashamed of my great house, +and mean to sell it the first opportunity, and take the +smallest quarters I can find. Would that the day were +come when I might throw off the coat and substitute the +jamer; I long for it more and more; and am often very +uneasy at being in the neighbourhood of so great a Nineveh +without being able to do anything immediately for the +salvation of so many perishing souls. What do you think +of my standing under a shed somewhere in Patna as the +missionaries did in the Lal Bazar? Will the Government +interfere? What are your sensations on the late news? +I fear the judgments of God on our proud nation, and that, +as we have done nothing for the Gospel in India, this vineyard +will be let out to others who shall bring the fruits of +it in their season. I think the French would not treat +Juggernaut with quite so much ceremony as we do.</p></div> + +<p>Above all men in India, at that time and during the +next half-century, however, Henry Martyn was a missionary +to the Mohammedans. For them he learned and he +translated Hindustani, Persian, and Arabic. With their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> +moulvies he conducted controversies; and for years he +associated with himself that extraordinary Arab, Sabat, +who made life a burden to him.</p> + +<p>Sabat and Abdallah, two Arabs of notable pedigree, +becoming friends, resolved to travel together. After a +visit to Mecca they went to Cabul, where Abdallah entered +the service of Zeman Shah, the famous Ameer. There an +Armenian lent him the Arabic Bible, he became a Christian, +and he fled for his life to Bokhara. Sabat had preceded him +there, and at once recognised him on the street. ‘I had +no pity,’ said Sabat afterwards. ‘I delivered him up to +Morad Shah, the king.’ He was offered his life if he would +abjure Christ. He refused. Then one of his hands was +cut off, and again he was pressed to recant. ‘He made no +answer, but looked up steadfastly towards heaven, like +Stephen, the first martyr, his eyes streaming with tears. +He looked at me, but it was with the countenance of forgiveness. +His other hand was then cut off. But he never +changed, and when he bowed his head to receive the blow +of death all Bokhara seemed to say, “What new thing is +this?”’</p> + +<p>Remorse drove Sabat to long wanderings, in which he +came to Madras, where the Government gave him the +office of mufti, or expounder of the law of Islam in the +civil courts. At Vizagapatam he fell in with a copy of the +Arabic New Testament as revised by Solomon Negri, and +sent out to India by the Society for Promoting Christian +Knowledge in the middle of last century. He compared +it with the Koran, the truth fell on him ‘like a flood of +light,’ and he sought baptism in Madras at the hands of +the Rev. Dr. Kerr. He was named Nathaniel. He was +then twenty-seven years of age.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span></p> + +<p>When the news reached his family in Arabia his +brother set out to destroy him, and, disguised as an +Asiatic, wounded him with a dagger as he sat in his house +at Vizagapatam. He sent him home with letters and gifts +to his mother, and then gave himself up to propagate the +truth he had once, in his friend Abdallah’s person, persecuted +to the death. He became one of the translating +staff of the Serampore brotherhood, and did good service +on the Arabic and Persian Scriptures. Mr. John Marshman, +who knew him well, used to describe him as a man of lofty +station, of haughty carriage, and with a flowing black +beard. Delighted with the simple life and devotion of +the missionaries, he dismissed his two Arab servants, and +won the affection of all. When Serampore arranged to +leave to Henry Martyn the Persian translation of the +New Testament, Sabat left them with tears in his eyes +for Dinapore. In almost nothing does the saintliness of +Martyn appear so complete as in the references in his +<i>Journal</i> to the pride, the vanity, the malice, the rage of this +‘artless child of the desert,’ when it became apparent that +his knowledge of Persian and Arabic had been over-estimated. +The passages are pathetic, and are equalled only +by those which, in the closing days of his life, describe the +dying missionary’s treatment by his Tartar escort. But to +the last, Sabat, according to Colonel MacInnes of Penang,<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> +‘never spoke of Mr. Martyn without the most profound +respect, and shed tears of grief whenever he recalled how +severely he had tried the patience of this faithful servant +of God. He mentioned several anecdotes to show with +what extraordinary sweetness Martyn had borne his +numerous provocations. “He was less a man,” he said, +“than an angel from heaven.”’</p> + +<p>The rest of Sabat’s story may at once be told. Moved +by rage at the exposure, by the Calcutta moonshis, of the +incorrectness of his Arabic, and at the suspicions that his +translations were copies from some old version, Sabat +apostatised by publishing a virulent attack on Christianity. +‘As when Judas acted the traitor, Ananias the liar, and +Simon Magus the refined hypocrite, so it was when Sabat +daringly departed from the nominal profession of the truth. +The righteous sorrowed, the unrighteous triumphed; yet +wisdom was justified of her children,’ wrote Mr. Sargent. +He left Calcutta as a trader for Penang, where he wrote to +the local newspaper declaring that he professed Christianity +anew, and he entered the service of the fugitive Sultan of +Acheen, on the north of Sumatra. Thence, when he was +imprisoned by the insurgents, he wrote letters with his own +blood to the Penang authorities, declaring that he was in +some sense a martyr for Christ. All the private efforts of +Colonel MacInnes to obtain his freedom were in vain; he +was tied up in a sack and thrown into the sea. In the +light of these events we must now read Henry Martyn’s +<i>Journal</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1807, August 24.</i>—To live without sin is what I cannot +expect in this world, but to desire to live without it may +be the experience of every hour. Thinking to-night of +the qualifications of Sabat, I felt the conviction, both in +reflection and prayer, of the power of God to make him +another St. Paul.</p> + +<p><i>November 10.</i>—The very first day we began to spar. +He would come into none of my plans, nor did I approve +of his; but I gave way, and by yielding prevailed, for he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> +now does everything I tell him.... Sabat lives and eats +with me, and goes to his bungalow at night, so that I hope +he has no care on his mind. On Sunday morning he went +to church with me. While I was in the vestry a bearer +took away his chair from him, saying it was another +gentleman’s. The Arab took fire and left the church, and +when I sent the clerk after him he would not return. He +anticipated my expostulations after church, and began to +lament that he had <i>two</i> dispositions, one old, the other +new.</p> + +<p><i>1808, January 11.</i>—Sabat sometimes awakes some of the +evil parts of my nature. Finding I have no book of Logic, +he wishes to translate one of his compositions, to instruct me +in that science. He is much given to contradict, and set +people right, and that he does with an air so dogmatical, +that I have not seen the like of it since I left Cambridge. +He looks on the missionaries at Serampore as so many +degrees below him in intellect, that he says he could write +so deeply on a text, that not one of them would be able to +follow him. So I have challenged him in their name, and +to-day he has brought me the first half of his essay or +sermon on a text: with some ingenuity, it has the most +idle display of school-boy pedantic logic you ever saw. I +shall translate it from the Persian, in order to assist him to +rectify his errors. He is certainly learned in the learning +of the Arabs, and how he has acquired so much in a life so +active is strange, but I wish it could be made to sit a little +easier on him. I look forward to St. Paul’s Epistles, in +hopes some good will come to him from them. It is a +very happy circumstance that he did not go to preach at +his first conversion; he would have entangled himself in +metaphysical subjects out of his depth, and probably made +shipwreck of his own faith. I have, I think, led him to +see that it is dangerous and foolish to attempt to prove the +doctrine of the Trinity by reason, as he said at first he was +perfectly able to do.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>January 30.</i>—Sabat to-day finishes St. Matthew, and +will write to you on the occasion. Your letter to him was +very kind and suitable, but I think you must not mention +his logic to him, except with contempt; for he takes what +you say on that head as homage due to his acquirements, +and praise to him is brandy to a man in a high fever. He +loves as a Christian brother; but as a logician he holds us +all in supreme contempt. He assumes all the province of +reasoning as his own by right, and decides every question +magisterially. He allows Europeans to know a little +about Arithmetic and Navigation, but nothing more. +Dear man! I smile to observe his pedantry. Never have +I seen such an instance of dogmatical pride since I heard +Dr. Parr preach his Greek Sermon at St. Mary’s, about +the τὸ ὄν.</p> + +<p><i>March 7.</i>—Mirza is gone to the Mohurrum to-day: he +discovers no signs of approach to the truth. Sabat creates +himself enemies in every quarter by his jealous and +passionate spirit, particularly among the servants. At his +request I have sent away my tailor and bearers, and he +is endeavouring to get my other servants turned away; +because without any proof he suspects them of having +persuaded the bearers not to come into his service. He +can now get no bearers nor tailor to serve him. One day +this week he came to me, and said that he meant to write +to Mr. Brown to remove him from this place, for everything +went wrong—the people were all wicked, etc. The +immediate cause of this vexation was that some boxes, +which he had been making at the expense of 150 rupees, +all cracked at the coming on of the hot weather. I concealed +my displeasure at his childish fickleness of temper, +and discovered no anxiety to retain him, but quietly told +him of some of the consequences of removing, so it is gone +out of his mind. But Mirza happened to hear all Sabat’s +querulous harangue, and, in order to vex and disgust him +effectually, rode almost into his house, and came in with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> +his shoes. This irritated the Arab; but Mirza’s purpose +was not answered. Mirza began next day to tell a parcel +of lies about Sabat, and to bring proofs of his own learning. +The manifest tendency of all this was to make a division +between Sabat and me, and to obtain his <i>salary</i> and work +for himself. Oh, the hypocrisy and wickedness of an +Indian! I never saw a more remarkable contrast in two +men than in Mirza and Sabat. One is all exterior—the +other has no outside at all; one a most consummate man +of the world—the other an artless child of the desert.</p> + +<p><i>March 28.</i>—Sabat has been tolerably quiet this week; +but think of the keeper of a lunatic, and you see me. A +war of words broke out the beginning of last week, but it +ended in an honourable peace. After he got home at night +he sent a letter, complaining of a high crime and misdemeanour +in some servant; I sent him a soothing letter, +and the wild beast fell asleep. In all these altercations we +take occasion to consider the extent of Christian forbearance, +as necessary to be exercised in all the smaller +occasions of life, as well as when persecution comes for +religion. This he has not been hitherto aware of. One +night in prayer I forgot to mention Mr. Brown; so, after I +had done, he continued on his knees and went on and +prayed in Persian for him. I was much pleased at this.</p> + +<p>Did you read Lord Minto’s speech, and his commendation +of those <i>learned and pious men</i>, the missionaries? I +have looked upon him ever since as a nursing-father to the +Church.</p> + +<p><i>April 11.</i>—It is surprising that a man can be so blinded +by vanity as to suppose, as Sabat does, that he is superior to +Mirza in Hindustani; yet this he does, and maintains it +stoutly. I am tired of combating this opinion, as nothing +comes of our arguments but strifes. Another of his odd +opinions is, that he is so under the immediate influence +and direction of the Spirit, that there will not be one single +error in his whole Persian translation. You perceive a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> +enthusiasm in the character of our brother. As often as +he finds himself in any difficulty, he expects a dream to set +him right.</p> + +<p><i>April 26.</i>—These Orientals with whom I translate require +me to point out the connection between every two +sentences, which is often more than I can do. It is +curious how accurately they observe all the rules of writing, +and yet generally write badly. I can only account for it +by supposing that they have been writing too long. From +time immemorial they have been authors, without progressive +knowledge; and so to produce variety they supply +their lack of knowledge by overstraining their imagination; +hence their extravagant metaphors and affected way of +expressing the commonest things. Sabat, though a real +Christian, has not lost a jot of his Arabian pride. He looks +upon the Europeans as mushrooms, and seems to regard +my pretensions to any learning as we do those of a savage +or an ape.</p> + +<p><i>May 31.</i>—Some days Sabat overworked himself and +was laid up. He does his utmost. He is increasingly +dear to me, as I see more of the meekness and gentleness +of Christ in him. Our conflicts I hope are over, and we +shall draw very quietly together side by side.</p></div> + +<p>In all this, and much more that followed, or is unrecorded, +Henry Martyn was being prepared unconsciously +for his formal and unanswered controversies with the +learned Mussulmans of Persia. His letters to Corrie tell +of his farther experience with his moonshis and the +moulvies of Patna, and describe the true spirit of such +‘disputings’ for the truth.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1807, April 28.</i>—Of what importance is our walk in +reference to our ministry, and particularly among the +natives. For myself, I never enter into a dispute with +them without having reason to reflect that I mar the work<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> +for which I contend by the spirit in which I do it. During +my absence at Monghyr moonshi went to a learned +native for assistance against an answer I had given him to +their main argument for the Koran, and he not being able +to render it, they mean to have down their leading man +from Benares to convince me of the truth of their religion. +I wish a spirit of inquiry may be excited, but I lay not +much stress upon <i>clear arguments</i>; the work of God is +seldom wrought in this way. To preach the Gospel, with +the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, is a better way to +win souls.</p> + +<p><i>May 4.</i>—I am preparing for the assault of this great +Mohammedan Imaum. I have read the Koran and notes +twice for this purpose, and even filled whole sheets with +objections, remarks, questions, etc.; but, alas! what little +hopes have I of doing him or any of them good in this way! +Moonshi is in general mute.</p> + +<p><i>October 28.</i>—At night, in a conversation with Mirza +accidentally begun, I spoke to him for more than three +hours on Christianity and Mohammedanism. He said +there was no passage in the Gospel that said no prophet +shall come after Christ. I showed him the last verse in +Matthew, the passages in Isaiah and Daniel, on the eternity +of Christ’s kingdom, and proved it from the nature of the +way of salvation in the Gospel. I then told him my objections +against Mohammedanism, its laws, its defects, its +unnecessariness, the unsuitableness of its rewards, and its +utter want of support by proof. When he began to +mention Mahomet’s miracles, I showed him the passages +in the 6th and 13th chapters of the Koran, where he +disavows the power. Nothing surprised him so much as +these passages; he is, poor man, totally indifferent about +all religion; he told me that I had produced great doubt +in his mind, and that he had no answer to give.</p> + +<p><i>November 21.</i>—My mind violently occupied with +thoughts respecting the approaching spread of the Gospel,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +and my own going to Persia. Sabat’s conversation stirs +up a great desire in me to go; as by his account all the +Mahometan countries are ripe for throwing off the delusion. +The gracious Lord will teach me, and make my way plain +before my face. Oh, may He keep my soul in peace, and +make it indifferent to me whether I die or live, so Christ +be magnified by me. I have need to receive this spirit +from Him, for I feel at present unwilling to die, as if my +own life and labours were necessary for this work, or as if +I should be deprived of the bliss of seeing the conversion +of the nations. Vain thought! God, who keeps me here +awhile, arranges every part of His plans in unerring wisdom, +and if I should be cut off in the midst of my plans, I +shall still, I trust, through mercy, behold His works in +heaven, and be everlastingly happy in the never-ceasing +admiration of His works and nature. Every day the disputes +with Mirza and Moorad Ali become more interesting. +Their doubts of Mahometanism seem to have amounted +almost to disbelief. Moorad Ali confessed that they all +received their religion, not on conviction, but because it +was the way of their fathers; and he said with great +earnestness, that if some great Sheikh-ool-Islam, whom he +mentioned, could not give an answer, and a satisfactory, +rational evidence, of the truth of Islamism, he would +renounce it and be baptized. Mirza seemed still more +anxious and interested, and speaks of it to me and Sabat +continually. In translating 1 Timothy i. 15, I said to +them, ‘You have in that verse heard the Gospel; your blood +will not be required at my hands; you will certainly +remember these words at the last day.’ This led to a long +discussion, at the close of which, when I said that, notwithstanding +their endeavours to identify the two religions, there +is still so much difference ‘that if our word is true you are +lost,’ they looked at each other almost with consternation, and +said ‘It is true.’ Still the Trinity and the incarnation of +Christ afford a plea to the one, and a difficulty to the other.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span></p> + +<p>At another time, when I had, from some passage, +hinted to Mirza his danger, he said with great earnestness, +‘Sir, why won’t you try to save me?’ ‘Save you?’ said I, +‘I would lay down my life to save your soul: what can I +do?’ He wished me to go to Phoolwari, the Mussulman +college, and there examine the subject with the most +learned of their doctors. I told him I had no objection +to go to Phoolwari, but why could not he as well inquire +for himself whether there were any evidence for +Mohammedanism?</p> + +<p><i>1808, June 14.</i>—Called on Bahir Ali Khan, Dare, and +the Italian padre; with Bahir Ali I stayed two hours, conversing +in Persian. He began our theological discussion +with a question to me, ‘How do you reconcile God’s absolute +power and man’s free will?’ I pleaded ignorance and inability, +but he replied to his own question very fully, and +his conclusion seemed to be that God had created evil +things for the trial of His creatures. His whole manner, +look, authority, and copiousness constantly reminded me +of the Dean of Carlisle.<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> I asked him for the proofs of +the religion of Mahomet. The first he urged was the +eloquence of the Koran. After a long time he conceded +that it was, of itself, an insufficient argument. I then +brought forward a passage of the Koran containing a sentiment +manifestly false; on which he floundered a good +deal; but concluded with saying that I must wait till I +knew more of logic and Persian before he could explain +it to me satisfactorily. On the whole, I was exceedingly +pleased with his candour, politeness, and good sense. He +said he had nothing to lose by becoming a Christian, and +that, if he were once persuaded of the truth, he would +change without hesitation. He showed me an Arabic +translation of Euclid.</p> + +<p><i>June 15.</i>—Read an account of Turkey. The bad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> +effects of the book were so great that I found instant need +of prayer, and I do not know when I have had such divine +and animating feelings. Oh, it is Thy Spirit that makes +me pant for the skies. It is He that shall make me trample +the world and my lusts beneath my feet, and urge my onward +course towards the crown of life.</p> + +<p><i>December 5.</i>—Went to Patna to Sabat, and saw several +Persians and Arabians. I found that the intended dispute +had come to nothing, for that Ali had told Sabat he had +been advised by his father not to dispute with him. They +behaved with the utmost incivility to him, not giving him +a place to sit down, and desiring him at last to go. Sabat +rose, and shook his garment against them, and said, ‘If you +know Mohammedanism to be right, and will not try to convince +me, you will have to answer for it at the day of judgment. +I have explained to you the Gospel; I am therefore +pure from your blood.’ He came home and wrote some +poetry on the Trinity, and the Apostles, which he recited +to me. We called on Mizra Mehdi, a jeweller, who showed +us some diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. With an old +Arabian there I tried to converse in Arabic. He understood +my Arabic, but I could not understand his. They +were all full of my praise, but then the pity was that I was +a Christian. I challenged them to show what there was +wrong in being a Nazarene, but they declined. Afterwards +we called on the nabob Moozuffur Ali Khan. The +house Sabat lived in was properly an Oriental one; and, as +he said, like those in Syria. It reminded me often of the +Apostles, and the recollection was often solemnising.</p> + +<p><i>December 6 to 8.</i>—Betrayed more than once into evil +temper, which left dreadful remorse of conscience; I cried +unto God in secret, but the sense of my sinfulness was overwhelming. +It had a humbling effect, however. In prayer +with my men I was led more unfeignedly to humble +myself even to the dust, and after that I enjoyed, through +the sovereign mercy of God, much peace, and a sense of His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> +presence. Languid in my studies; indisposition causing +sleepiness. Reading chiefly Persian and a little Greek: +Hanway, Waring, and Franklin’s Travels into Persia. +Haji Khan, a sensible old man from Patna, called two +days following, and sat a long time conversing upon +religion.</p></div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Mrs. Dare, Gaya</span></p> +<p class="date"> +Dinapore: May 19, 1808. +</p> + +<p>Dear Mrs. Dare,<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a>—Your letter arrived just in time to save +you from some severe animadversions that were preparing +for you. I intended to have sent by your young friend +some remarks, direct and oblique, on the variableness of +the sex, the facility with which promises are made and +broken, the pleasures of indolence, and other topics of the +like nature,—but your kind epistle disarms me. Soon after +you left us, the heat increased to a degree I had never +before felt, and made me often think of you with concern. +I used to say to Colonel Bradshaw, ‘I wonder how Mrs. +Dare likes Gya, and its burning hills—I dare say she +would be glad to be back again.’ Well, I should be +glad if we had you here again. I want female society, +and among the ladies of Dinapore there is none with whom +I have a chance of obtaining a patient hearing when +speaking to them on the subject of their most important +interest. This, you know, is the state of all but Mrs. +Stuart, and it is a state of danger and death. Follow them +no more, my dear friend: but now, in the solitude of Gya, +learn those lessons of heavenly wisdom, that, when you are +brought again into a larger society, you may not yield to +the impulse of doing as others do, but, by a life of true +seriousness, put them to shame.</p> + +<p>I go on much as usual, occupied all day, and laying a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> +weary head on the pillow at night. My health, which +you inquire after so kindly, is on the whole good; but +I am daily reminded that it is a fragile frame I carry +about.</p> + +<p><i>August 23.</i>—I rejoice to find by your letter that you +are contented with your lot. Before the time of Horace, +and since too, contentment has been observed to be a very +rare thing on earth, and I know not how it is to be obtained +but by learning in the school of the Gospel. ‘I have <i>learned</i>,’ +said even St. Paul, ‘in whatsoever state I am, therewith to +be content.’ To be a little slanderous for once, I suspect +Colonel Bradshaw, our common friend, who will send you +a letter by the same sepoy, must have a lecture or two +more read to him in this science, as he is far from being +perfect in it. He has, you know, all that heart can wish +of this world’s goods, and yet he is restless; sometimes the +society is dull; at other times the blame is laid on the +quarters, and he must go out of cantonments. To-day he +is going to Gya, to-morrow on the river. Now, I tell him +that he need not change his place, but his heart. Let him +seek his happiness in God, and he will carry about a paradise +in his own bosom. <i>The wilderness and the solitary +place shall be glad for him, and the desert shall rejoice and +blossom as the rose.</i></p> + +<p><i>September 23.</i>—My dear Mrs. Dare, attend to the call +of God; He never speaks more to the heart than by +affliction. Such a season as this, so favourable to the +commencement of true piety, may never again occur. +Hereafter time may have riveted worldly habits on you, +and age rendered the heart insensible. Begin now to be +melancholy? No—to be seriously happy, to be purely +happy, everlastingly happy.</p></div> + +<p>Ever, through the solitude, the suffering, and the toiling +of the first twelve months at Dinapore, the thought of +Lydia Grenfell, the hope of her union to him, and her help<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> +in his agonising for India, runs like a chord of sad music. +He thus writes to his cousin, her sister:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Indeed, all my Europe letters this season have +brought me such painful news that I almost dread receiving +another. Such is the vanity of our expectations. I had +been looking out with more than ordinary anxiety for +these letters, thinking they would give me some account +of Lydia’s coming—whereas yours and hers have only +wounded me, and my sister’s,<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> giving me the distressing +tidings of her ill-health, makes my heart bleed. Oh, it is +now that I feel the agony of having half the globe intervening +between us. Could I but be with her: yet God +who heareth prayer will surely supply my place. From +Sally I expect neither promptness nor the ability to console +her sister. This is the first time Sally has taken up her +pen to write to me, and thought an apology necessary for +her neglect. Perhaps she has been wrapt up in her dear +husband, or her dearer self. I feel very angry with her. +But my dear faithful Lydia has more than compensated +for all the neglect of my own relations. I believe +she has sent me more than all the rest in England put +together. If I had not loved her before, her affectionate +and constant remembrance of me would win my heart.</p> + +<p>You mention the name of your last little one (may she +be a follower of her namesake!). It reminds me of what +Mr. Brown has lately written to me. He says that Mrs. +B. had determined her expected one should be called after +me: but, as it proved to be a girl, it was called <i>Lydia +Martyn Brown</i>, a combination that suggests many reflections +to my mind.</p> + +<p>And now I ought to begin to write about myself and +India: but I fear you are not so interested about me as +you used to be: yet the Church of God, I know, is dear to +you always! Let me speak of the ministers. The Gospel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> +was preached before the Governor-General by seven different +evangelical chaplains in the course of six months. Of +these five have associated, agreeing to communicate with +each other quarterly reports of their proceedings. They +are Mr. Brown at Calcutta, Thompson at Cuddalore, +Parson at Berhampore, Corrie at Chunar, and myself here. +Corrie and myself, as being most similarly employed, +correspond every week. He gives all his attention to the +languages, and has his heart wholly towards the heathen. +He has set on foot four schools in his neighbourhood, and +I four here along the banks of the Ganges, containing 120 +boys: he has nearly the same number. The masters are +heathens—but they have consented with some reluctance +to admit the Christian books. The little book on the +Parables in the dialect of Bihar, which I had prepared for +them, is now in the press at Serampore; for the present, +they read with their own books the Sermon on the +Mount. We hope by the help of God to enlarge the plan +of the schools very considerably, as soon as we have felt +the ground, and can advance boldly.</p> + +<p>Respecting my own immediate plans, I am rather in +the dark. They wish to engage me as a translator of the +Scriptures into Hindustani and Persian, by the help of +some learned natives; and if this plan is settled at Calcutta, +I shall engage in it without hesitation, as conceiving it to +be the most useful way in which I can be employed at +present in the Church of God. If not, I hope to begin to +itinerate as soon as the rains are over; not that I can hope +to be easily understood yet, but by mixing familiarly with +the natives I should soon learn. Little permanent good, +however, can be done till some of the Scriptures can be put +into their hands. On this account I wish to help forward +this work as quick as possible, because a chapter will speak +plainly in a thousand places at once, while I can speak, +and not very plainly, but in one. One advantage attending +the delay of public preaching will be that the schools will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> +have a fair run, for the commencement of preaching will be +the downfall of the schools. I have my tent ready, and +would set out with pleasure to-morrow if the time for this +work were come. As there is public service here every +Lord’s Day, three days’ journey is the longest I can take. +This may hereafter prove an inconvenience: but the advantages +of being a Company’s servant are incalculable. +A missionary not in the service is liable to be stopped by +every subaltern; but there is no man that can touch me. +Amongst the Europeans at this station I am not without +encouragement. Eight or ten, chiefly corporals or sergeants, +come to my quarters Sunday and Wednesday nights for +social worship: but it does not appear that more than one +are truly converted. The commanding officer of the native +battalion and his lady, whom I mentioned in my last, are, +I think, increasingly serious—but the fear of man is their +snare. Mrs. Young says that, with Lydia to support her, +she could face the frown of the world. I had been looking +forward with pleasure to the time when she <i>would</i> have such +support, and rejoiced that Lydia would have so sensible +and hopeful a companion.</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p class="date"> +Dinapore: December, 1807.<br /> +</p> + +<p>My dear Cousin,—Your letter, after so long a silence, +was a great relief to me, as it assured me of your undiminished +affection; but I regretted you had been so +sparing in your consolations on the subject of my late +disappointment. Remember, it was to you I used to +unbosom all my anxieties, and I still look to you for that +sympathising tenderness which no other person perhaps +feels for me, or at least can venture to express. How +every particular of our conversation in the journey from +Redruth to Plymouth Dock returns to my mind! I have +reason indeed to remember it—from that time I date my +sorrows—we talked too much about Lydia. Her last +letter was to bid me a final farewell, so I must not write<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> +to her without her permission; she wished she might hear +by you that I was happy. I am therefore obliged to say +that God has, according to her prayer, kept me in peace, +and indeed strengthened me unto all patience and long-suffering +with joyfulness. At first, like Jonah, I was more +grieved at the loss of my gourd than at the sight of the +many perishing Ninevehs all round me; but now my +earthly woes and earthly attachments seem to be absorbing +in the vast concern of communicating the Gospel to these +nations. After this last lesson from God on the vanity of +creature love, I feel desirous to be nothing, to have nothing, +to ask for nothing, but what He gives. So remarkably and +so repeatedly has He baffled my schemes of earthly +comfort that I am forced at last to believe His determination +to be, that I should live in every sense a +stranger and pilgrim on the earth. Lydia allows me not +the most distant prospect of ever seeing her; and if indeed +the supposed indelicacy of her coming out to me is an +obstacle that cannot be got over, it is likely indeed to be a +lasting separation: for when shall I ever see it lawful to +leave my work here for three years, when every hour is +unspeakably precious? I am beginning therefore to form +my plans as a person in a state of celibacy, and mean to +trouble you no more on what I have been lately writing +about so much. However, let me be allowed to make one +request; it is that Lydia would at least consider me as she +did before, and write as at that time. Perhaps there may +be some objection to this request, and therefore I dare not +urge it. I say only that by experience I know it will +prove an inestimable blessing and comfort to me. If you +really wish to have a detailed account of my proceedings, +exert your influence in effecting this measure; for you +may be sure that I shall be disposed to write to <i>her</i> letters +long enough, longer than to any other, for this reason +among others, that of the three in the world who have +most love for me, <i>i.e.</i> Sally, Lydia, and yourself, I believe<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> +that, notwithstanding all that has happened, the middle +one loves most truly. If this conjecture of mine is well-founded, +she will be most interested in what befalls me, +and I shall write in less fear of tiring. My bodily health, +which you require me always to mention, is prodigious, my +strength and spirits are in general greater than ever they +were, and this under God I ascribe to the susceptibility of +my frame, giving me instant warning of anything that may +disorder it. Half-an-hour’s exposure to the sun produces +an immediate overflow of bile: therefore I take care never +to let the sun’s rays fall upon my body. Vexation or +anxiety has the same effect. For this, faith and prayer +for the peace of God are the best remedy.</p> + +<p>Since my last letter, written a few months ago in reply +to Cousin T., I do not recollect that anything has happened. +Dr. Buchanan’s last publication on the Christian Institution +will give you the most full and interesting accounts of the +affairs of our Lord’s kingdom in India. The press seems +to us all to be the great instrument at present. Preaching +by the European Mission here has in no instance that I +know of been successful. Everything in our manner, +pronunciation, and doctrine is so new and strange, that to +instruct them properly <i>vivâ voce</i> seems to be giving more +time to a small body of them than can be conveniently +spared from the great mass. Yet, on the other hand, I feel +reason to be guarded against the love of carnal ease, which +would make me prefer the literary work of translating to +that of an itinerant: upon the whole, however, I acquiesce +in the work that Dr. B. has assigned me, from conviction. +Through the blessing of God I have finished the New +Testament in the Perso-Arabic-Hindustani, but it must +undergo strict revisal before it can be sent to the press. +My assistants in this work were Mirza Mahommed Ali +and Moorad Ali, two Mahometans, and I sometimes hope +there are convictions in their minds which they will not +be able to shake off. They have not much doubt of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> +falsehood of Mahometanism, and the truth of the Gospel, +but they cannot take up the cross.</p> + +<p>The arrival of Jawad Sabat, our Arabian brother, at +Dinapore, had a great effect upon them.... He is now +employed in translating the New Testament into Persian +and Arabic, and great will be the benefit to his own soul, +that he is called to study the Word of God: the Bible +Society at home will, I hope, bear the expense of printing +it. This work, whenever it is done properly, will be the +downfall of Mahometanism. What do I not owe to the +Lord for giving me to take part in a translation? Never +did I see such wonders of wisdom and love in the blessed +book, as since I have been obliged to study every expression; +and it is often a delightful reflection, that even +death cannot deprive us of the privilege of studying its +mysteries.... I forgot to mention Lydia’s profile, which +I received. I have now to request her miniature picture, +and you must draw on Mr. Simeon, my banker, for the +expense.... I need not assure you and Cousin T. of my +unceasing regard, nor Lydia of my unalterable attachment. +God bless you all, my beloved friends. Pray for me, as I +do also for you. Our separation will soon be over.</p> + +<p><i>July 3.</i>—Received two Europe letters—one from +Lydia, and the other from Colonel Sandys. The tender +emotions of love, and gratitude, and veneration for her, +were again powerfully awakened in my mind, so that I +could with difficulty think of anything else; yet I found +myself drawn nearer to God by the pious remarks of her +letter. Nature would have desired more testimonies of +her love to me, but grace approved her ardent love to her +Lord.</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Charles Simeon</span><a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Danapore (<i>sic</i>): January, 1808. +</p> + +<p>My dearest Friend and Brother,—I must begin my letter +with assurances of eternal regard; eternal will it be if I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> +find grace to be faithful.... My expectation of seeing +Lydia here is now at an end. I cannot doubt any longer +what is the Divine will, and I bow to it. Since I have +been led to consider myself as perfectly disengaged from +the affairs of this life, my soul has been filled with more +ardent desires to spend and be spent in the service of God; +and though in truth the world has now little to charm me, +I think these desires do not arise from a misanthropic +disgust to it.... I never loved, nor ever shall love, human +creature as I love her.</p></div> + +<p>Soon after David Brown of Calcutta wrote to Charles +Simeon, whom a rumour of Henry Martyn’s engagement to +Miss Corrie, his friend’s sister, had reached: ‘How could you +imagine that Miss C. would do as well as Miss L.G. for +Mr. Martyn? Dear Martyn is married already to three +wives, whom, I believe, he would not forsake for all the +princesses in the earth—I mean his three translations of +the Holy Scriptures.’</p> + +<p>To Mrs. Brown at Aldeen, who was his confidante in +India, Martyn wrote on July 21:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>It appears that the letter by the overland despatch did +not reach Lydia. Again, the Sarah Christiana packet, +which carried the duplicate, ought to have arrived long +before the sailing of these last ships from England, but I +see no account of her. It is probable, therefore, that I +shall have to wait a considerable time longer in uncertainty; +all which is good, because so hath the Lord appointed +it.</p> + +<p><i>July 25.</i>—Hard at Arabic grammar all day, after +finishing sermon. Sat in the evening a long time at my +door, after the great fatigue of the day, to let my mind +relax itself, and found a melancholy pleasure in looking +back upon the time spent at St. Hilary and Marazion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> +How the days and years are gone by, as a tale that is +told!</p></div> + +<p>At last the blow had fallen.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>October 24.</i>—An unhappy day: received at last a letter +from Lydia, in which she refuses to come because her +mother will not consent to it. Grief and disappointment +threw my soul into confusion at first, but gradually as my +disorder subsided my eyes were opened, and reason +resumed its office. I could not but agree with her that it +would not be for the glory of God, nor could we expect +His blessing, if she acted in disobedience to her mother. +As she has said, ‘They that walk in crooked paths shall +not find peace;’ and if she were to come with an uneasy +conscience, what happiness could we either of us expect?</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Dinapore: October 24, 1807. +</p> + +<p>My dear Lydia,—Though my heart is bursting with +grief and disappointment, I write not to blame you. The +rectitude of all your conduct secures you from censure. +Permit me calmly to reply to your letter of March 5, which +I have this day received.</p> + +<p>You condemn yourself for having given me, though +unintentionally, encouragement to believe that my attachment +was returned. Perhaps you have. I have read your +former letters with feelings less sanguine since the receipt +of the last, and I am still not surprised at the interpretation +I put upon them. But why accuse yourself for having +written in this strain? It has not increased my expectations +nor consequently embittered my disappointment. +When I addressed you in my first letter on the subject, I +was not induced to it by any appearances of regard you +had expressed, neither at any subsequent period have my +hopes of your consent been founded on a belief of your +attachment to me. I knew that your conduct would be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> +regulated, not by personal feelings, but by a sense of duty. +And therefore you have nothing to blame yourself for on +this head.</p> + +<p>In your last letter you do not assign among your +reasons for refusal a want of regard to me. In that case +I could not in decency give you any further trouble. On +the contrary, you say that ‘<i>present</i> circumstances seem to +you to forbid my indulging expectations.’ As this leaves +an opening, I presume to address you again; and till the +answer arrives must undergo another eighteen months of +torturing suspense.</p> + +<p>Alas! my rebellious heart—what a tempest agitates +me! I knew not that I had made so little progress in a +spirit of resignation to the Divine will. I am in my +chastisement like a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, +like a wild bull in a net, full of the fury of the Lord, the +rebuke of my God. The death of my late most beloved +sister almost broke my heart; but I hoped it had softened +me and made me willing to suffer. But now my heart is +as though destitute of the grace of God, full of misanthropic +disgust with the world, and sometimes feeling resentment +against yourself and Emma, and Mr. Simeon, and, in short, +all whom I love and honour most; sometimes, in pride +and anger, resolving to write neither to you nor to any one +else again. These are the motions of sin. My love and +my better reason draw me to you again.... But now +with respect to your mother, I confess that the chief and +indeed only difficulty lies here. Considering that she is +<i>your</i> mother, as I hoped she would be mine, and that her +happiness so much depends on you; considering also that +I am God’s minister, which amidst all the tumults of my +soul I dare not forget, I falter in beginning to give +advice which may prove contrary to the law of God. God +forbid, therefore, that I should say, disobey your parents, +where the Divine law does not command you to disobey +them; neither do I positively take upon myself to say<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> +that this is a case in which the law of God requires you to +act in contradiction to them. I would rather suggest to +your mother some considerations which justify me in attempting +to deprive her of the company of a beloved child.</p> + +<p><i>October 26.</i>—A Sabbath having intervened since the +above was written, I find myself more tranquillised by the +sacred exercises of the day. One passage of Scripture +which you quote has been much on my mind, and I find it +very appropriate and decisive,—that we are not to ‘make to +ourselves crooked paths, which whoso walketh in shall not +know peace.’ Let me say I must be therefore contented to +wait till you feel that the way is clear. But I intended to +justify myself to Mrs. Grenfell. Let her not suppose that I +would make her or any other of my fellow-creatures miserable, +that I might be happy. If there were no reason for +your coming here, and the contest were only between Mrs. +Grenfell and me, that is, between her happiness and mine, +I would urge nothing further, but resign you to her. But +I have considered that there are many things that might +reconcile her to a separation from you (if indeed a separation +is necessary, for if she would come along with you, I +should rejoice the more). First, she does not depend on +you alone for the comfort of her declining years. She is +surrounded by friends. She has a greater number of sons +and daughters honourably established in the world than falls +to the lot of most parents—all of whom would be happy +in having her amongst them. Again, if a person worthy +of your hand, and settled in England, were to offer himself, +Mrs. Grenfell would not have insuperable objections, +though it <i>did</i> deprive her of her daughter. Nay, I sometimes +think, perhaps arrogantly, that had I myself remained +in England, and in possession of a competency, she would +not have withheld her consent. Why, then, should my +banishment from my native country, in the service of mankind, +be a reason with any for inflicting an additional wound, +far more painful than a separation from my dearest relatives?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p> + +<p>I have no claim upon Mrs. Grenfell in any way, but let +her only conceive a son of her own in my circumstances. +If she feels it a sacrifice, let her remember that it is a +sacrifice made to duty; that your presence here would be +of essential service to the Church of God it is superfluous +to attempt to prove. If you really believe of yourself as +you speak, it is because you were never out of England.</p> + +<p>Your mother cannot be so misinformed respecting +India and the voyage to it as to be apprehensive on account +of the climate or passage, in these days when multitudes +of ladies every year, with constitutions as delicate as yours, +go to and fro in perfect safety, and a vastly greater majority +enjoy their health here than in England. With respect to +my means I need add nothing to what was said in my first +letter. But, alas! what is my affluence good for now? It +never gave me pleasure but when I thought you were to +share it with me. Two days ago I was hastening on the +alterations in my house and garden, supposing you were at +hand; but now every object excites disgust. My wish, +upon the whole, is that if you perceive it would be your +duty to come to India, were it not for your mother—and +of that you cannot doubt—supposing, I mean, that your +inclinations are indifferent, then you should make her +acquainted with your thoughts, and let us leave it to God +how He will determine her mind.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, since I am forbidden to hope for the +immediate pleasure of seeing you, my next request is for a +mutual engagement. My own heart is engaged, I believe, +indissolubly.</p> + +<p>My reason for making a request which you will account +bold is that there can then be no possible objection to our +correspondence, especially as I promise not to persuade +you to leave your mother.</p> + +<p>In the midst of my present sorrow I am constrained +to remember yours. Your compassionate heart is pained +from having been the cause of suffering to me. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> +care not for me, dearest Lydia. Next to the bliss of +having you with me, my happiness is to know that you +are happy. I shall have to groan long, perhaps, with a +heavy heart; but if I am not hindered materially by it +in the work of God, it will be for the benefit of my soul. +You, sister beloved in the Lord, know much of the benefit +of affliction. Oh, may I have grace to follow you, though +at a humble distance, in the path of patient suffering, in +which you have walked so long! Day and night I cease +not to pray for you, though I fear my prayers are of little +value.</p> + +<p>But, as an encouragement to you to pray, I cannot help +transcribing a few words from my journal, written at the +time you wrote your letter to me (March 7): ‘As on the +two last days’ (you wrote your letter on the 5th), ‘felt no +desire for a comfortable settlement in the world, scarcely +pleasure at the thought of Lydia’s coming, except so far as +her being sent might be for the good of my soul and +assistance in my work. How manifestly is there an omnipresent, +all-seeing God, and how sure we may be that +prayers for spiritual blessings are heard by our God and +Father! Oh, let that endearing name quell every murmur! +When I am sent for to different parts of the country to +officiate at marriages, I sometimes think, amidst the +festivity of the company, Why does all go so easily with +them, and so hardly with me? They come together without +difficulty, and I am baulked and disconcerted almost +every step I take, and condemned to wear away the time +in uncertainty. Then I call to mind that to live without +chastening is allowed to the spurious offspring, while to +suffer is the privilege of the children of God.’</p> + +<p>Dearest Lydia, must I conclude? I could prolong my +communion with you through many sheets; how many +things have I to say to you, which I hoped to have communicated +in person. But the more I write and the more +I think of you, the more my affection warms, and I should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> +feel it difficult to keep my pen from expressions that might +not be acceptable to you.</p> + +<p>Farewell! dearest, most beloved Lydia, remember your +faithful and ever affectionate,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span> +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p><i>October 25.</i> (Sunday.)—Preached on Isaiah lii. 13 to a +large congregation, my mind continually in heaviness, and +my health disturbed in consequence. The women still +fewer than ever at Hindustani prayer, and, at night, some +of the men who were not on duty did not come; all these +things are deeply afflicting, and yet my heart is so full of +its own griefs, that I mourn not as I ought for the Church +of God. I have not a moment’s relief from my burdens +but after being some time in prayer; afterwards my uneasiness +and misery return again.</p> + +<p><i>October 26.</i>—Mirza from Benares arrived to-day; I +employed all the day in writing letters to Mr. Brown, +Corrie, and Lydia. The last was a sweet and tranquillising +employment to me. I felt more submission to the Divine +will, and began to be more solicitous about Lydia’s peace +and happiness than my own. How much has she been +called to suffer! These are they that come out of great +tribulation.</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Rev. David Brown</span></p> +<p class="date"> +Dinapore: October 26, 1807. +</p> + +<p>My dear Sir,—I have received your two letters of the +14th and 17th; the last contained a letter from Lydia. It +is as I feared. She refuses to come because her mother +will not give her consent. Sir, you must not wonder at +my pale looks when I receive so many hard blows on my +heart. Yet a Father’s love appoints the trial, and I pray +that it may have its intended effect. Yet, if you wish to +prolong my existence in this world, make a representation +to some persons at home who may influence her friends.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> +Your word will be believed sooner than mine. The extraordinary +effect of mental disorder on my bodily frame is +unfortunate; trouble brings on disease and disorders the +sleep. In this way I am labouring a little now, but not +much; in a few days it will pass away again. He that +hath delivered and doth deliver, is He in whom we trust +that He will yet deliver.</p> + +<div class="tb"> </div> + +<p>The queen’s ware on its way to me can be sold at an +outcry or sent to Corrie. I do not want queen’s ware +or anything else now. My new house and garden, +without the person I expected to share it with me, excite +disgust.</p> + +<p><i>November 25.</i>—Letters came from Mr. Simeon and +Lydia, both of which depressed my spirits exceedingly; +though I have been writing for some days past, that I +might have it in my power to consider myself free, so as to +be able to go to Persia or elsewhere;—yet, now that the +wished-for permission is come, I am filled with grief; I +cannot bear to part with Lydia, and she seems more +necessary to me than my life; yet her letter was to bid +me a last farewell. Oh, how have I been crossed from +childhood, and yet how little benefit have I received from +these chastisements of my God! The Lord now sanctify +this, that since the last desire of my heart also is withheld, +I may with resignation turn away for ever from the world, +and henceforth live forgetful of all but God. With Thee, +O my God, there is no disappointment; I shall never +have to regret that I loved Thee too well. Thou hast said, +‘Delight thyself in the Lord, and He shall give thee the +desires of thine heart.’</p> + +<p><i>November 26.</i>—Received a letter from Emma, which +again had a tendency to depress my spirits; all the day I +could not attain to sweet resignation to God. I seemed to +be cut off for ever from happiness in not having Lydia with +me.</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p> + +<p>The receipt of his letter of October 24, 1807, was thus +acknowledged, before God, by Lydia Grenfell in her +<i>Diary</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1808, May 9.</i>—A letter from my dear friend in India +(requesting me to come out) reached me. These words +form my comfort: ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ I +see my duty pointed out, and am persuaded, dark as the +prospect is, God will appear God in this matter; whether +we meet again or not, His great power and goodness will +be displayed—it has been in quieting my heart, for oh, +the trial is not small of seeing the state of his mind. But +I am to be still, and now, O Lord, let Thy love fill my soul, +let it be supreme in his breast and mine; there is no void +where Thou dwellest, whatever else is wanting.</p> + +<p><i>May 11.</i>—My mind distressed, perplexed, and troubled +for my dear friend; much self-reflection for having suffered +him to see my regard for him (and what it is), yet the +comforts of God’s Word return—‘Why take ye thought?’ +said our Lord. Yet to-morrow burdens the present day. +Oh, pity and support me to bear the thought of injuring his +peace—inquire if the cause is of God.</p> + +<p><i>May 15.</i>—Lord, Thou seest my wanderings—oh, how +many, how great! Put my tears into Thy bottle. Yes, +my Lord, I can forsake Thee and be content; I turn and +turn, restless and miserable, till I am turned to Thee. +What a week have I passed! never may such another pass +over my head!—my thoughts wholly occupied about my +absent friend—distressed for his distress, and full of self-reproaches +for all that’s past—writing bitter things against +myself—my heart alienated dreadfully from God—and the +duties I am in the habit of performing all neglected. Oh, +should the Lord not awake for me and draw me back, +whither should I go? His Word has been my comfort at +times, but Satan or conscience (I doubt which) tells me I +am in a delusion to take the comfort of God’s Word, for I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> +ought to suffer. But am I justified in putting comfort from +me? since I no way excuse myself, but am, I trust, humbled +for my imprudence in letting my friend know the +state of mind towards him, and this is all I have injured +him in. I accuse myself, too, for want of candour with my +family, and oh, let me not forget the greatest offence of all—not +consulting the will and glory of God in indulging and +encouraging a regard He seems to frown on. I have +to-day found deliverance, and felt some measure of calm +reliance. I know there is a particular providence over him +and me, but this belief does not lessen my fears of acting +wrong—I am as responsible as if all were left to me. +What shall I do but say, Because Thou hast been my help, +therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I trust? I fly +to Thy power and take shelter in Thy love to sinners. Oh, +for a continually bleeding heart, mourning for sin!</p> + +<p><i>June 12.</i>—I have peace in my soul to-day. My remembrance +of God’s dear saint in India is frequent, but +I am still in this affair, and expect to know more of the +infinite power, wisdom, and goodness of our God in it and +by it than I have heretofore. My prayer for him constantly +is that he maybe supported, guided, and made in all things +obedient and submissive to the will of his God.</p></div> + +<p>Henry Martyn seems to have written again to Marazion, +at this time, a letter which has not been preserved, for +Lydia Grenfell thus refers to it:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>August 29.</i>—Heard of my absent dear friend by this +day’s post, and was strangely affected, though the intelligence +was satisfactory in every respect. I sought deliverance +in prayer, and the Lord spoke peace to my agitated +mind, and gave me what I desired—liberty of soul to +return to Himself, and the contemplation of heavenly +things, though a sadness remained on my spirit. Heard +three sermons, for I thought it best to be less alone than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> +usual, lest my thoughts should wander. Found great hardness +of heart in the services of the day, but I doubt +whether my affections were spiritual or not, though they +arose from a longing to be in heaven, and a joyful sense +of the certainty that God would bring me there.</p> + +<p><i>September 11.</i>—After some days of darkness and distress, +sweet peace and light return, and my soul rests on +God as my all-sufficient help. Oh, the idolatrous state of +my heart! what painful discoveries are made to me! I +see the stream of my affections has been turned from God +and on.... An exertion must be made, like cutting +off a right hand, in order to give Thee, O Lord, my heart. +I must hear neither of nor from the person God has called +in His providence to serve Him in a distant country. Oh, +to be resolute, knowing by woeful experience the necessity +of guarding my thoughts against the remembrance of one, +though dear. As I value the presence of my God, I must +avoid everything that leads my thoughts to this subject—O +Lord, keep me dependent on Thee for grace to do so; +Thou hast plainly informed me of Thy will by withholding +Thy presence at this time, and Thy Word directed me to +lay aside this weight.</p> + +<p><i>October 30.</i>—Thought of my dear friend to-night with +tenderness, but entire resignation to Thy will, O our God, +in never seeing or hearing from him again; to meet him +above is my desire.</p> + +<p><i>December 30.</i>—I reckon among my mercies the Lord’s +having enabled me to choose a single life, and that my +friend in India has been so well reconciled to my determination. +That trial was a sore one, and I believe the effects +of it will be felt as long as I live. My weak frame could +not support the perturbed state of my mind, and the +various painful apprehensions that assailed me on his +arrival nearly wore me down. But the Lord removed +them all by showing me He approved of my choice, and +in granting me the tidings of his enjoying peace and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> +happiness in our separation. Every burden now respecting +him is removed, and my soul has only to praise the wise +and gracious hand which brought me through that thorny +path. It was one I made to myself, by ever entering into +a correspondence with him, and by expressing too freely +my regard.</p></div> + +<p>On March 28, 1809, Martyn wrote to Mr. Brown:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Your letter is just come. The Europe letter is from +Lydia. I trembled at the handwriting.... It was only +more last words, sent by the advice of Colonel Sandys, lest +the non-arrival of the former might keep me in suspense.... +I trust that I have done with the entanglements of +this world; seldom a day passes but I thank God for the +freedom from earthly care which I enjoy.</p></div> + +<p>And so end Henry Martyn’s love-letters, marked by a +delicacy as well as tenderness of feeling in such contrast to +the action of Lydia Grenfell throughout, as to explain the +mingled resentment and resignation in which they close. +The request for a mutual engagement which would justify +correspondence at least seems to have been unheeded for +some months, till the news of his serious illness in July +1808 led her again to write to him, as taking the place +of his sister who had been removed by death. He was +ordered to Cawnpore, and set off in the hot season by Chunar +and Ghazipore, writing these last words on April 11, 1809, +from Dinapore:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>My men seem to be in a more flourishing state than +they have yet been. About thirty attend every night. I +had a delightful party this week, of six young men, who +will, I hope, prove to be true soldiers of Christ. Seldom, +even at Cambridge, have I been so much pleased.</p></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Even in 1889 we find a Patna missionary writing of his work from +Bankipore as a centre: ‘The people in every village, except those on the +Dinapore road, said that no Sahib had ever been in their village before. +Sometimes my approach was the cause of considerable alarm.’</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> <i>Memoir of the Rev. Thomas Thomason, M.A.</i>, by Rev. J. Sargent, M.A., +2nd edition, 1834, London.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Rev. Dr. Milner.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> The names of Capt. Dare and Mrs. Dare occur in the <i>Journals and +Letters</i> between February 17 and March 24, 1808, wherein Martyn’s relations +with them are described just as in this set of letters.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Mrs. Laura Curgenven: born January 1779, died in the year 1807.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> See Moule’s <i>Charles Simeon</i>, p. 201.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<p class="subheading">CAWNPORE, 1809-1810</p> + + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood, known in the first decade of this century +as a writer of such Anglo-Indian tales as <i>Little Henry +and his Bearer</i>, and as a philanthropist who did much for +the white and the dark orphans of British soldiers in India, +was one of the many who came under the influence of +Henry Martyn. This Lichfield girl, whose father had been +the playmate of Samuel Johnson, and who had known +Garrick and Dr. Darwin, Hannah More and Maria +Edgeworth, had married her cousin, the paymaster of the +King’s 53rd Regiment of Foot. The regiment was sent +to Bengal. On its way up the Hoogli from Calcutta +in boats, Mr. Sherwood and his wife were walking after +sunset, when they stumbled on ‘a small society’ of their +own men, who met regularly to read their Bibles and to pray, +often in old stores, ravines, woods, and other retired places. +‘The very existence of any person in the barracks who +had the smallest notion of the importance of religion was +quite unsuspected by me,’ writes Mrs. Sherwood in her +Autobiography.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> ‘I am not severe when I assert that at +that time there really was not one in the higher ranks in +the regiment who had courage enough to come forward and +say, “I think it right, in this distant land, to do, as it regards +religion, what I have been accustomed to do at home.”’ +At Berhampore, the chaplain, Mr. Parson, began that good +work in the 53rd which Martyn and Corrie afterwards +carried on. When it continued the voyage up the Ganges, +after a season, by Dinapore to Cawnpore, Mr. Parson gave +the Sherwoods a letter of introduction to Martyn, then +about to leave Dinapore. To this fact we owe the fullest +and the brightest glimpses that we get of Henry Martyn, +from the outside, all through his career. We are enabled to +supplement the abasing self-revelation of his nature before +God, as recorded in his <i>Journal</i>, by the picture of his daily +life, drawn by a woman of keen sympathy and some +shrewdness.</p> + +<p>The moment the boat anchored at Dinapore Mr. +Sherwood set out on foot to present his letter. He found +the chaplain in the smaller square, at some distance, in a +‘sort of church-like abode with little furniture, the rooms +wide and high, with many vast doorways, having their green +jalousied doors, and long verandahs encompassing two +sides of the quarters.’</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Mr. Martyn received Mr. Sherwood not as a stranger, +but as a brother,—the child of the same father. As the +sun was already low, he must needs walk back with him to +see me. I perfectly remember the figure of that simple-hearted +and holy young man, when he entered our +budgerow. He was dressed in white, and looked very pale, +which, however, was nothing singular in India; his hair, a +light brown, was raised from his forehead, which was a +remarkably fine one. His features were not regular, but +the expression was so luminous, so intellectual, so +affectionate, so beaming with Divine charity, that no one +could have looked at his features, and thought of their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span> +shape or form,—the out-beaming of his soul would absorb the +attention of every observer. There was a very decided air, +too, of the gentleman about Mr. Martyn, and a perfection +of manners which, from his extreme attention to all minute +civilities, might seem almost inconsistent with the general +bent of his thoughts to the most serious subjects. He was +as remarkable for ease as for cheerfulness, and in these +particulars his <i>Journal</i> does not give a graphic account of +this blessed child of God. I was much pleased at the first +sight of Mr. Martyn. I had heard much of him from Mr. +Parson; but I had no anticipation of his hereafter +becoming so distinguished as he subsequently did. And +if I anticipated it little, he, I am sure, anticipated it less; +for he was one of the humblest of men.</p> + +<p>Mr. Martyn invited us to visit him at his quarters at +Dinapore, and we agreed to accept his invitation the next +day. Mr. Martyn’s house was destitute of every comfort, +though he had multitudes of people about him. I had +been troubled with a pain in my face, and there was not +such a thing as a pillow in the house. I could not find +anything to lay my head on at night but a bolster stuffed +as hard as a pin-cushion. We had not, as is usual in India, +brought our own bedding from the boats. Our kind friend +had given us his own room; but I could get no rest during +the two nights of my remaining there, from the pain in my +face, which was irritated by the bolster; but during each +day, however, there was much for the mind to feed upon +with delight. After breakfast Mr. Martyn had family +prayers, which he commenced by singing a hymn. He had +a rich, deep voice, and a fine taste for vocal music. After +singing, he read a chapter, explained parts of it, and prayed +extempore. Afterwards he withdrew to his studies and translations. +The evening was finished with another hymn, Scripture +reading, and prayers. The conversion of the natives +and the building up of the kingdom of Christ were the great +objects for which alone that child of God seemed to exist.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span></p> + +<p>He believed that he saw the glimmering of this day in +the exertions then making in Europe for the diffusion of +the Scriptures and the sending forth of missionaries. +Influenced by the belief that man’s ministry was the +instrumentality which, by the Holy Spirit, would be made +effectual to the work, we found him labouring beyond his +strength, and doing all in his power to excite other persons +to use the same exertions.</p> + +<p>Henry Martyn was one of the very few persons whom I +have ever met who appeared never to be drawn away from +one leading and prevailing object of interest, and that +object was the promotion of religion. He did not appear +like one who felt the necessity of contending with the +world, and denying himself its delights, but rather as one +who was unconscious of the existence of any attractions +in the world, or of any delights which were worthy of his +notice. When he relaxed from his labours in the presence +of his friends, it was to play and laugh like an innocent, +happy child, more especially if children were present to +play and laugh with him. In my Indian Journal I find +this remark: ‘Mr. Martyn is one of the most pleasing, mild, +and heavenly-minded men, walking in this turbulent world +with peace in his mind, and charity in his heart.’</p></div> + +<p>As the regiment was passing Chunar, after a night in +‘the polluted air’ of Benares, the Sherwoods were met by +a boat with fresh bread and vegetables from Corrie. On +their arrival at Cawnpore, Mrs. Sherwood at once opened two +classes for the ‘great boys’ and ‘elder girls.’ Many of the +former died in a few years, and not a few of the latter married +officers above their own birth. Such were the conditions of +military life in India at that time, notwithstanding the +Calcutta Orphan Schools which David Brown had first gone +out to India to organise; for Henry Lawrence and his noble +wife, Honoria, with their Military Orphan Asylums in the +hills, belonged to a later generation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span></p> + +<p>When first ordered to Cawnpore, in the hottest months +of 1809, Henry Martyn resolved to apply to the Military +Board for permission to delay his departure till the rainy +season. But, though even then wasted by consumption +and ceaseless toil, and tempted to spend the dreary months +with the beloved Corrie at Chunar, as he might well have +done under the customary rules, he could not linger when +duty called. Had he not resolved to ‘burn out’ his life? +So, deluding himself by the intention to ‘stay a little longer +to recruit’ at Chunar, should he suffer from the heat, he +set off in the middle of April in a palanquin by Arrah, afterwards +the scene of a heroic defence in the great Mutiny; +Buxar, where a battle had been fought not long before, +and Ghazipore, seat of the opium manufacture, like Patna. +Sabat was sent on in a budgerow, with his wife Ameena +and the baggage. This is Martyn’s account, to Brown, of +the voyage above Chunar:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="date"> +Cawnpore: May 3, 1809. +</p> + +<p>I transported myself with such rapidity to this place +that I had nearly transported myself out of the world. +From Dinapore to Chunar all was well, but from Allahabad +to that place I was obliged to travel two days and nights +without intermission, the hot winds blowing like fire +from a furnace. Two days after my arrival the fever +which had been kindling in my blood broke out, and last +night I fainted repeatedly. But a gracious God has again +interposed to save my life; to-day I feel well again. Where +Sabat is I do not know. I have heard nothing of him +since leaving Dinapore. Corrie is well, but it is grievous +to see him chained to a rock with a few half-dead invalids, +when so many stations—amongst others, the one I have +left—are destitute....</p> + +<p>I do not like this place at all. There is no church, +not so much as the fly of a tent; what to do I know not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> +except to address Lord Minto in a private letter. Mr. +(Charles) Grant, who is anxious that we should labour +principally for the present among the Europeans, ought, +I think, to help us with a house. I mean to write to +Mr. Simeon about this.</p> + +<p>I feel a little uncomfortable at being so much farther +removed from Calcutta. At Dinapore I had friends on +both sides of me, and correspondence with you was quick: +here I seem cut off from the world. Alas! how dependent +is my heart upon the creature still. I am ordered to seal +up.—Yours affectionately ever,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span> +</p> +</div> + +<p>This is Mrs. Sherwood’s description of his arrival:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>On May 30 the Rev. Henry Martyn arrived at our bungalow. +The former chaplain had proceeded to the presidency, +and we were so highly favoured as to have Mr. Martyn +appointed in his place. I am not aware whether we expected +him, but certainly not at the time when he did appear. It +was in the morning, and we were situated as above described, +the desert winds blowing like fire without, when we suddenly +heard the quick steps of many bearers. Mr. Sherwood +ran out to the leeward of the house, and exclaimed, ‘Mr. +Martyn!’ The next moment I saw him leading in that +excellent man, and saw our visitor, a moment afterwards, +fall down in a fainting fit. He had travelled in a palanquin +from Dinapore, and the first part of the way he moved only +by night. But between Cawnpore and Allahabad, being a +hundred and thirty miles, there is no resting-place, and he +was compelled for two days and two nights to journey on +in his palanquin, exposed to the raging heat of a fiery wind. +He arrived, therefore, quite exhausted, and actually under +the influence of fever. There was not another family in +Cawnpore except ours to which he could have gone with +pleasure; not because any family would have denied +shelter to a countryman in such a condition, but, alas! they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> +were only Christians in name. In his fainting state Mr. +Martyn could not have retired to the sleeping-room which +we caused to be prepared immediately for him, because we +had no means of cooling any sleeping-room so thoroughly +as we could the hall. We, therefore, had a couch set for +him in the hall. There he was laid, and very ill he was for +a day or two. The hot winds left us, and we had a close, +suffocating calm. Mr. Martyn could not lift his head from +the couch. In our bungalow, when shut up as close as +it could be, we could not get the thermometer under 96°, +though the punkah was constantly going. When Mr. +Martyn got a little better he became very cheerful, and +seemed quite happy with us all about him. He commonly +lay on his couch in the hall during the morning, with many +books near to his hand, and amongst these always a Hebrew +Bible and a Greek Testament. Soon, very soon, he began +to talk to me of what was passing in his mind, calling to +me at my table to tell me his thoughts. He was studying +the Hebrew characters, having an idea, which I believe is +not a new one, that these characters contain the elements +of all things, though I have reason to suppose he could not +make them out at all to his satisfaction; but whenever +anything occurred to him he must needs make it known +to me.</p> + +<p>He was much engaged also with another subject, into +which I was more capable of entering. It was his opinion +that, if the Hindus could be persuaded that all nations are +made of one blood, to dwell upon the face of the earth, and +if they could be shown how each nation is connected by its +descent from the sons and grandsons of Noah with other +nations existing upon the globe, it would be a means +of breaking down, or at least of loosening, that wall of +separation which they have set up between themselves and +all other people. With this view Mr. Martyn was endeavouring +to trace up the various leading families of the earth +to their great progenitors; and so much pleased was I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span> +with what he said on this subject, that I immediately committed +all I could remember to paper, and founded thereupon +a system of historical instruction which I ever afterwards +used with my children. Mr. Martyn, like myself at +this time, was often perplexed and dismayed at the workings +of his own heart, yet, perhaps, not discerning a hundredth +part of the depth of the depravity of his own nature, the +character of which is summed up in Holy Writ in these two +words—‘utterly unclean.’ He felt this the more strongly +because he partook also of that new nature ‘which sinneth +not.’ It was in the workings and actings of that nature +that his character shone so pre-eminently as it did amid a +dark and unbelieving society, such as was ours then at +Cawnpore.</p> + +<p>In a very few days he had discerned the sweet qualities +of the orphan Annie, and had so encouraged her to come +about him that she drew her chair, and her table, and her +green box to the vicinity of his couch. She showed him +her verses, and consulted him about the adoption of more +passages into the number of her favourites. Annie had a +particular delight in all the pastoral views given in Scripture +of our Saviour and of His Church; and when Mr. Martyn +showed her this beautiful passage, ‘Feed Thy people with +Thy rod, the flock of Thine heritage, which dwell solitarily +in the wood, in the midst of Carmel’ (Micah vii. 14), she +was as pleased with this passage as if she had made some +wonderful acquisition. What could have been more +beautiful than to see the Senior Wrangler and the almost +infant Annie thus conversing together, whilst the elder +seemed to be in no ways conscious of any condescension in +bringing down his mind to the level of the child’s? Such +are the beautiful influences of the Divine Spirit, which, +whilst they depress the high places of human pride, exalt +the lowly valleys.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Martyn lost the worst symptoms of his illness +he used to sing a great deal. He had an uncommonly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> +fine voice and fine ear; he could sing many fine chants, +and a vast variety of hymns and psalms. He would insist +upon it that I should sing with him, and he taught me +many tunes, all of which were afterwards brought into +requisition; and when fatigued himself, he made me sit by +his couch and practise these hymns. He would listen to +my singing, which was altogether very unscientific, for +hours together, and he was constantly requiring me to go +on, even when I was tired. The tunes he taught me, no +doubt, reminded him of England, and of scenes and friends +no longer seen. The more simple the style of singing, the +more it probably answered his purpose.</p> + +<p>As soon as Mr. Martyn could in any way exert himself, +he made acquaintance with some of the pious men of the +regiment (the same poor men whom I have mentioned +before, who used to meet in ravines, in huts, in woods, and +in every wild and secret place they could find, to read, and +pray, and sing); and he invited them to come to him in +our house, Mr. Sherwood making no objection. The time +first fixed was an evening after parade, and in consequence +they all appeared at the appointed hour, each carrying +their mora (a low seat), and their books tied up in pocket-handkerchiefs. +In this very unmilitary fashion they were +all met in a body by some officers. It was with some +difficulty that Mr. Sherwood could divert the storm of +displeasure which had well-nigh burst upon them on the +occasion. Had they been all found intoxicated and +fighting, they would have created less anger from those +who loved not religion. How truly is it said that ‘the +children of this world are wiser in their generation than +the children of light.’ Notwithstanding this unfortunate +<i>contretemps</i>, these poor good men were received by Mr. +Martyn in his own apartment; and a most joyful meeting +he had with them. We did not join the party, but we +heard them singing and praying, and the sound was very +sweet. Mr. Martyn then promised them that when he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> +got a house he would set aside a room for them, where +they might come every evening, adding he would meet +them himself twice in the week. When these assemblies +were sanctioned by our ever kind Colonel Mawby, and all +difficulties, in short, overcome, many who had been the +most zealous under persecution fell quite away, and never +returned. How can we account for these things? Many, +however, remained steadfast under evil report as well as +good report, and died, as they had lived, in simple and +pure faith.</p> + +<p>I must not omit another anecdote of Mr. Martyn, +which amused us much at the time, after we had recovered +the alarm attending it. The salary of a chaplain is large, +and Mr. Martyn had not drawn his for so long a time, that +the sum amounted perhaps to some hundreds. He was to +receive it from the collector at Cawnpore. Accordingly +he one morning sent a note for the amount, confiding the +note to the care of a common coolie, a porter of low caste, +generally a very poor man. This man went off, unknown +to Mr. Sherwood and myself, early in the morning. The +day passed, the evening came, and no coolie arrived. At +length Mr. Martyn said in a quiet voice to us, ‘The coolie +does not come with my money. I was thinking this +morning how rich I should be; and, now, I should not +wonder in the least if he has not run off, and taken my +treasure with him.’ ‘What!’ we exclaimed, ‘surely you +have not sent a common coolie for your pay?’ ‘I have,’ +he replied. Of course we could not expect that it would +ever arrive safe; for it would be paid in silver, and delivered +to the man in cotton bags. Soon afterwards, however, it did +arrive—a circumstance at which we all greatly marvelled.</p></div> + +<p>Cawnpore, of which Henry Martyn was chaplain for +the next two years, till disease drove him from it, was the +worst station to which he could have been sent. The +district, consisting of clay uplands on the Doab between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span> +the Ganges and the Jumna rivers, which unite below at +Allahabad, was at that time a comparatively desolate +tract, swept by the hot winds, and always the first to suffer +from drought. The great famine of 1837 afterwards so +destroyed its unhappy peasantry and labourers, that the +British Government made its county town one of the two +terminals of the great Ganges canal, which the Marquis of +Dalhousie opened, and irrigated the district by four +branches with their distributing channels. Even then, +and to this day, Cawnpore has not ceased to be a repulsive +station. Its leather factories and cotton mills do not +render it less so, nor the memory of the five massacres of +British officers, their wives and children, by the infamous +Nana Dhoondoo Panth, which still seems to cover it as +with a pall, notwithstanding the gardens and the marble +screen inclosing the figure of the Angel of the Resurrection +with the palm of victory above the Massacre Well. The +people of the town at least have always been disagreeable, +from Hindu discontent and Mohammedan sulkiness. +The British cantonment used to be at Bilgram, on the +opposite bank, in the territory of Oudh. Well might +Martyn write of such a station as Cawnpore: ‘I do not +like this place at all,’ although he then enjoyed the social +ministrations of the Sherwoods, and was constant in his +own service to the Master among British and natives alike, +and at his desk in translation work.</p> + +<p>The first use which the chaplain made of his pay was +this, according to Mrs. Sherwood: ‘Being persuaded by +some black man, he bought one of the most undesirable +houses, to all appearance, which he could have chosen.’ +But he had chosen wisely for his daily duties of translation +and preaching to the natives.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Mr. Martyn’s house was a bungalow situated between +the Sepoy Parade and the Artillery Barracks, but behind +that range of principal bungalows which face the Parade. +The approach to the dwelling was called the Compound, +along an avenue of palm trees and aloes. A more stiff, +funereal avenue can hardly be imagined, unless it might be +that one of noted sphynxes which I have read of as the +approach to a ruined Egyptian temple. At the end of this +avenue were two bungalows, connected by a long passage. +These bungalows were low, and the rooms small. The +garden was prettily laid out with flowering shrubs and +tall trees; in the centre was a wide space, which at some +seasons was green, and a <i>chabootra</i>, or raised platform of +chunam (lime), of great extent, was placed in the middle +of this space. A vast number and variety of huts and +sheds formed one boundary of the compound; these were +concealed by the shrubs. But who would venture to give +any account of the heterogeneous population which occupied +these buildings? For, besides the usual complement of +servants found in and about the houses of persons of a +certain rank in India, we must add to Mr. Martyn’s household +a multitude of pundits, moonshis, schoolmasters, +and poor nominal Christians, who hung about him because +there was no other to give them a handful of rice for their +daily maintenance; and most strange was the murmur +which proceeded at times from this ill-assorted and discordant +multitude. Mr. Martyn occupied the largest of +the two bungalows. He had given up the least to the +wife of Sabat, that wild man of the desert whose extraordinary +history has made so much noise in the Christian +world.</p> + +<p>It was a burning evening in June, when after sunset I +accompanied Mr. Sherwood to Mr. Martyn’s bungalow, and +saw for the first time its avenue of palms and aloes. We +were conducted to the <i>chabootra</i>, where the company was +already assembled; there was no lady but myself. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span> +<i>chabootra</i> was many feet square, and chairs were set for the +guests. A more heterogeneous assembly surely had not often +met, and seldom, I believe, were more languages in requisition +in so small a party. Besides Mr. Martyn and ourselves, +there was no one present who could speak English. But +let me introduce each individual separately. Every feature +in the large disk of Sabat’s face was what we should call +exaggerated. His eyebrows were arched, black, and strongly +pencilled; his eyes dark and round, and from time to time +flashing with unsubdued emotion, and ready to kindle into +flame on the most trifling occasion. His nose was high, +his mouth wide, his teeth large, and looked white in +contrast with his bronzed complexion and fierce black +mustachios. He was a large and powerful man, and +generally wore a skull-cap of rich shawling, or embroidered +silk, with circular flaps of the same hanging over each +ear. His large, tawny throat and neck had no other +covering than that afforded by his beard, which was black. +His attire was a kind of jacket of silk, with long sleeves, +fastened by a girelle, or girdle, about his loins, to which +was appended a jewelled dirk. He wore loose trousers, +and embroidered shoes turned up at the toes. In the cold +season he threw over this a wrapper lined with fur, and +when it was warmer the fur was changed for silk. When +to this costume is added ear-rings, and sometimes a golden +chain, the Arab stands before you in his complete state of +Oriental dandyism. This son of the desert never sat in a +chair without contriving to tuck up his legs under him on +the seat, in attitude very like a tailor on his board. The +only languages which he was able to speak were Persian, +Arabic, and a very little bad Hindustani; but what was +wanting in the words of this man was more than made up +by the loudness with which he uttered them, for he had a +voice like rolling thunder. When it is understood that loud +utterance is considered as an ingredient of respect in the +East, we cannot suppose that one who had been much in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> +native courts should think it necessary to modulate his +voice in the presence of the English Sahib-log.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span></p> + +<p>The second of Mr. Martyn’s guests, whom I must +introduce as being not a whit behind Sabat in his own +opinion of himself, was the Padre Julius Cæsar, an +Italian monk of the order of the Jesuits, a worthy disciple +of Ignatius Loyola. Mr. Martyn had become acquainted +with him at Patna, where the Italian priest was not less +zealous and active in making proselytes than the Company’s +chaplain, and probably much more wise and subtle in his +movements than the latter. The Jesuit was a handsome +young man, and dressed in the complete costume of the +monk, with his little skull-cap, his flowing robes, and his +cord. The materials, however, of his dress were very rich; +his robe was of the finest purple satin, and his cord of +twisted silk, and his rosary of costly stones, whilst his air +and manner were extremely elegant. He spoke French +fluently, and there Mr. Sherwood was at home with him, +but his native language was Italian. His conversation +with Mr. Martyn was carried on partly in Latin and partly +in Italian. A third guest was a learned native of India, in +his full and handsome Hindustani costume; and a fourth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span> +a little, thin, copper-coloured, half-caste Bengali gentleman, +in white nankeen, who spoke only Bengali. Mr. +Sherwood made a fifth, in his scarlet and gold uniform; +myself, the only lady, was the sixth; and add our host, Mr. +Martyn, in his clerical black silk coat, and there is our +party. Most assuredly I never listened to such a confusion +of tongues before or since. Such a noisy, perplexing Babel +can scarcely be imagined. Everyone who had acquired +his views of politeness in Eastern society was shouting at +the top of his voice, as if he had lost his fellow in a wood; +and no less than eight languages were in constant request, +viz. English, French, Italian, Arabic, Persian, Hindustani, +Bengali, and Latin.</p> + +<p>In order to lengthen out the pleasures of the evening, +we were scarcely seated before good Mr. Martyn recollected +that he had heard me say that I liked a certain sort of +little mutton pattie, which the natives made particularly +well; so, without thinking how long it might take to make +these same patties, he called to a servant to give orders +that mutton patties should be added to the supper. I +heard the order, but never dreamed that perhaps the +mutton might not be in the house. The consequence of +this order was that we sat on the <i>chabootra</i> till it was quite +dark, and till I was utterly weary with the confusion. +No one who has not been in or near the tropics can have +an idea of the glorious appearance of the heavens in these +regions, and the brilliancy of the star-lit nights, at Cawnpore. +Mr. Martyn used often to show me the pole-star, +just above the line of the horizon; and I have seen the +moon, when almost new, looking like a ball of ebony in +a silver cup. Who can, therefore, be surprised that the +science of astronomy should first have been pursued by +the shepherds who watched their flocks by night in the +plains of the South? When the mutton patties were +ready, I was handed by Mr. Martyn into the hall of the +bungalow. Mr. Martyn took the top of the table, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> +Sabat perched himself on a chair at the bottom. I think +it was on this day, when at table, Sabat was telling some +of his own adventures to Mr. Martyn, in Persian, which +the latter interpreted to Mr. Sherwood and myself, that the +wild Arab asserted that there were in Tartary and Arabia +many persons converted to Christianity, and that many +had given up their lives for the faith. He professed to be +himself acquainted with two of these, besides Abdallah. +‘One,’ he said, ‘was a relation of his own.’ But he gave +but small proof of this man’s sincerity. This convert, if +such he was, drew the attention of the priests by a total +neglect of all forms; and this was the more remarkable +on account of the multiplied forms of Islam; for at the +wonted hour of prayer a true Mussulman must kneel +down and pray in the middle of a street, or between the +courses of a feast, nay, even at the moment when perhaps +his hands might be reeking with a brother’s blood. This +relative of Sabat’s, however, was, as he remarked, observed +to neglect all forms, and he was called before the heads of +his tribe, and required to say wherefore he was guilty of +this offence. His answer was, ‘It is nothing.’ He proceeded +to express himself as if he doubted the very +existence of a God. The seniors of the tribe told him +that it would be better for him to be a Christian than an +atheist; adding, therefore, ‘If you do not believe in our +prophet you must be a Christian;’ for they wisely accounted +that no man but a fool could be without some +religion. The man’s reply was, that he thought the +Christian’s a better religion than that of Mahomet; the +consequence of which declaration was that they stoned +him until he died. The other example which Sabat gave +us was of a boy in Baghdad, who was converted by an Armenian, +and endeavoured to escape, but was pursued, seized, +and offered pardon if he would recant; but he was preserved +in steadfastness to the truth, and preferred death to returning +to Mahometanism. His life was required of him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span></p> + +<p>From the time Mr. Martyn left our house he was +in the constant habit of supping with us two or three +times a week, and he used to come on horseback, with the +sais running by his side. He sat his horse as if he were +not quite aware that he was on horseback, and he +generally wore his coat as if it were falling from his +shoulders. When he dismounted, his favourite place was +in the verandah, with a book, till we came in from our +airing. And when we returned many a sweet and long +discourse we had, whilst waiting for our dinner or supper. +Mr. Martyn often looked up to the starry heavens, and +spoke of those glorious worlds of which we know so little +now, but of which we hope to know so much hereafter. +Often we turned from the contemplation of these to the +consideration of the smallness, and apparent diminutiveness +in creation, of our own little globe, and of the +exceeding love of the Father, who so cared for its +inhabitants that He sent His Son to redeem them.</p> + +<p>On the occasion of the baptism of my second Lucy, +never can I forget the solemn manner with which Mr. +Martyn went through the service, or the beautiful and +earnest blessing he implored for my baby, when he took +her into his arms after the service was concluded. I still +fancy I see that child of God as he looked down tenderly +on the gentle babe, and then looked upwards, asking of +his God that grace and mercy for the infant which he truly +accounted as the only gift which parents ought to desire. +This babe, in infancy, had so peculiar a gentleness of +aspect, that Mr. Martyn always called her Serena.</p> + +<p>Little was spoken of at Mr. Martyn’s table but of +various plans for advancing the triumphs of Christianity. +Among the plans adopted, Mr. Martyn had, first at +Dinapore and then at Cawnpore, established one or two +schools for children of the natives of the lower caste. His +plan was to hire a native schoolmaster, generally a Mussulman, +to appoint him a place, and to pay him an anna<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> +(1½<i>d.</i>) a head for each boy whom he could induce to +attend school. These boys the master was to teach to +write and read. It was Mr. Martyn’s great aim, and, +indeed, the sole end of his exertions, to get Christian +books into the school. As no mention was ever made +of proselytism, there was never any difficulty found in +introducing even portions of the Scripture itself, more +especially portions of the Old Testament, to the attention +of the children. The books of Moses are always very +acceptable to a Mussulman, and Genesis is particularly +interesting to the Hindus. Mr. Martyn’s first school at +Cawnpore was located in a long shed, which was on the +side of the cavalry lines. It was the first school of the +kind I ever saw. The master sat at one end, like a tailor, +on the dusty floor; and along under the shed sat the +scholars, a pack of little urchins, with no other clothes on +than a skull-cap and a piece of cloth round the loins. +These little ones squatted, like their master, in the sand. +They had wooden imitations of slates in their hands, on +which, having first written their lessons with chalk, they +recited them, <i>à pleine gorge</i>, as the French would say, being +sure to raise their voices on the approach of any European +or native of note. Now, Cawnpore is about one of the +most dusty places in the world. The Sepoy lines are the +most dusty part of Cawnpore; and as the little urchins +are always well greased, either with cocoanut oil or, in +failure thereof, with rancid mustard oil, whenever there +was the slightest breath of air they always looked as if +they had been powdered all over with brown powder. But +what did this signify? They would have been equally dusty +in their own huts. In these schools they were in the way +of getting a few ideas; at all events, they often got so far +as to be able to copy a verse on their wooden slates. +Afterwards they committed to memory what they had +written. Who that has ever heard it can forget the sounds +of the various notes with which these little people intonated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> +their ‘Aleph Zubbur ah—Zair a—Paiche oh,’ as they +waved backwards and forwards in their recitations? Or +who can forget the vacant self-importance of the schoolmaster, +who was generally a long-bearded, dry old man, +who had no other means of proving his superiority over +the scholars but making more noise than even they could +do? Such a scene, indeed, could not be forgotten; but +would it not require great faith to expect anything green +to spring from a soil so dry? But this faith was not +wanting to the Christians then in India.</p></div> + +<p>Besides the 53rd Regiment, the Cavalry Corps called in +those days the 8th Light Dragoons, and six companies of +Artillery, were stationed at Cawnpore. At the first parade +service, on May 15, 1809, ‘two officers dropped down and +some of the men. They wondered how I could go through +the fatigue,’ wrote their new chaplain, not many days after +his nearly fatal palanquin journey from Chunar. His +voice even reached the men at the other end of the square +which they had formed. Above a hundred men were in +hospital, a daily congregation. Every night about a dozen +of the soldiers met with him in the house. Not only the +men but the officers were privately rebuked by him for +swearing. Of the General he writes: ‘He has never been +very cordial, and now he is likely to be less so; though it +was done in the gentlest way, he did not seem to like it. +Were it not to become all things to all men in order to save +some, I should never trouble them with my company. But +how then should I be like Christ? I have been almost the +whole morning engaged in a good-humoured dispute with +Mrs. P., who, in an instant after my introduction to +her, opened all her guns of wit and eloquence against me +for attempting to convert the Brahmans.’ A little later he +writes of a dinner at the brigade-major’s with the chief<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> +persons of the station: ‘I could gain no attention while +saying grace; and the moment the ladies withdrew the +conversation took such a turn that I was obliged to make +a hasty retreat. Oh! the mercy to have escaped their +evil ways.’</p> + +<p>The year was one of alarms of war, from which the +history of our Indian Empire can rarely be free, surrounded +as it is by a ring-fence of frontier tribes and often aggressive +States. But in those days the great internal conflicts for +the consolidation of our power, and the peace and prosperity +of peoples exposed to anarchy for centuries, were still being +waged. Marathas, Sikhs, and Goorkhas had all to be +pacified in 1809. Now the infantry were being sent to the +conquest of Bundlekhund and difficult siege of the fortress +of Kalinjar, as old as the Mahabharat Epic in which it is +mentioned. Now the artillery were under orders to march +to Lodiana to check Ranjeet Singh. Now the cavalry were +sent off to the, at first, fatal chase of the Goorkhas by +Gillespie. Thus it was that their ever-careful chaplain +sought to prepare them for the issue:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>October 20.</i>—Spoke to my men on preparation for the +Lord’s Supper, and endeavoured to prepare myself for the +ordinance, by considering my former life of sin, and all my +unfaithfulness since my call to the Gospel. My heart was, +as usual, insensible for a long time, but at last a gracious +God made me feel some compunction, and then my feelings +were such as I would wish they always were. I resolved +at the time that it should be my special labour every day +to obtain, and hold fast, this humbling view of my own +depravity.</p> + +<p><i>October 22.</i> (Sunday.)—Preached at sunrise to the +53rd, on Acts xxviii. 29. At ten, about sixteen of the +regiment, with Mr. and Mrs. Sherwood and Sabat, met in my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> +bungalow, where, after a short discourse on ‘Behold the +Lamb of God,’ we commemorated the death of the Lord. +It was the happiest season I have yet had at the Lord’s +Table, though my peace and pleasure were not unalloyed; +the rest of the day I felt weak in body, but calm in mind, +and rather spiritual; at night I spoke to the men on Rev. +xxii. 2; the number was double; afterwards had some conversation +on eternal things, but had reason to groan at the +hollow-heartedness and coldness with which I do my best +works.</p> + +<p><i>November 18.</i>—At night I took leave of my beloved +Church previous to their departure for Bundlekhund with +their regiment. I spoke to them from Gen. xxviii: ‘I will +be with thee in all places whithersoever thou goest,’ etc. +The poor men were much affected; they gave me their wills +and watches.</p> + +<p><i>November 19.</i> (Sunday.)—Preached at sunrise to the +dragoons, on John i. 17: ‘The law was given by Moses.’ At +eleven at head-quarters, on Rom. iii. 19.</p></div> + +<p>Nowhere are eucharistic seasons of communion so +precious as in exile, and especially in the isolation of a +tropical station. Not unfrequently in India, Christian people, +far separated from any ordained minister, and about to +part from each other, are compelled, by loving obedience +to the Lord, to meet thus together. But what joy it +must have been to have been ministered to at such times +by one of Henry Martyn’s consecrated saintliness! Mrs. +Sherwood lingers over her description of that Cawnpore +service of October 22, 1809—the long inner verandah of +the house, where daily prayer was wont to be made, shut in +by lofty doors of green lattice-work; the table, with the +white cloth and all things requisite, at one end; hassocks +on which to kneel, and a high form in front of the table;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span> +all ‘decent and in good order, according to the forms of +the Church of England.’ Still there was no church +building. His first parade service in the hot winds +brought on fever, so that he proposed to ask for the billiard-room, +‘which is better than the ball-room,’ but in vain. +His next service was in the riding-school, but ‘the effluvium +was such as would please only the knights of the turf. +What must the Mohammedans think of us? Well may +they call us “dogs,” when even in Divine worship we choose +to kennel ourselves in such places.’ The General delayed +to forward to Government the proposal for a church.</p> + +<p>Henry Martyn’s missionary work among the natives +became greatly extended at Cawnpore, as his scrupulous +conscience and delicate scholarship allowed him to use in +public the colloquial Hindustani, and in conversation the +more classical Persian. To Corrie he wrote, five months +after his arrival there:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>What will friends at home think of Martyn and +Corrie? They went out full of zeal, but, behold! what are +they doing? Where are their converts? They talked of +the banyan-tree before they went out; but now they seem +to prefer a snug bungalow to field-preaching. I fear I +should look a little silly if I were to go home just at this +time; but more because I should not be able to make +them understand the state of things than because my +conscience condemns me. Brother, what can you do? If +you itinerate like a European, you will only frighten the +people; if as a native, you will be dead in one year. Yet +the latter mode pleases me, and nothing would give me +greater pleasure than so to live, with the prospect of being +able to hold out a few years.</p></div> + +<p>Again, to an old Cambridge friend:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span></p><div class="blockquot"><p><i>November, 1809.</i>—Respecting my heart, about which +you ask, I must acknowledge that H. Martyn’s heart at +Dinapore is the same as H. Martyn’s heart at Cambridge. +The tenor of my prayer is nearly the same, except on one +subject, the conversion of the heathen. At a distance from +the scene of action, and trusting too much to the highly-coloured +description of missionaries, my heart used to +expand with rapture at the hope of seeing thousands of the +natives melting under the Word as soon as it should be +preached to them. Here I am called to exercise faith—that +so it shall one day be. My former feelings on this +subject were more agreeable, and at the same time more +according with the truth; for if we believe the prophets, +the scenes that time shall unfold, ‘though surpassing fable, +are yet true.’ While I write, hope and joy spring up in +my mind. Yes, it shall be; yonder stream of Ganges +shall one day roll through tracts adorned with Christian +churches, and cultivated by Christian husbandmen, and the +holy hymn be heard beneath the shade of the tamarind. +All things are working together to bring on the day, and +my part in the blessed plan, though not at first exactly +consonant to my wishes, is, I believe, appointed me by +God. To translate the Word of God is a work of more +lasting benefit than my preaching would be. But, besides +that, I am sorry to say that my strength for public +preaching is almost gone. My ministrations among the +Europeans at this station have injured my lungs, and I am +now obliged to lie by except on the Sabbath days, and +once or twice in the week.... However, I am sufficiently +aware of my important relations to the natives, and am +determined not to strain myself any more for the +Europeans. This rainy season has tried my constitution +severely. The first attack was with spasms, under which I +fainted. The second was a fever, from which a change of +air, under God, recovered me. There is something in the +air at the close of the rains so unfavourable, that public +speaking at that time is a violent strain upon the whole<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span> +body. Corrie passed down a few weeks ago to receive his +sister. We enjoyed much refreshing communion in prayer +and conversation on our dear friends at and near Cambridge, +and found peculiar pleasure in the minutest circumstances +we could recollect about you all.</p></div> + +<p>At Cawnpore, in front of his house, he began his +wonderful preaching to the native beggars and ascetics of all +kinds, Hindoo <i>jogees</i> and Mohammedan <i>fakeers</i>, the blind +and the deaf, the maimed and the halt, the diseased and +the dying, the impostor and the truly needy. These classes +had soon found out the sympathetic padre-sahib, and to +secure peace he seems to have organised a weekly dole of +an anna each or of rice.</p> + +<p>He wrote to Corrie:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I feel unhappy, not because I do nothing, but because +I am not willing to do my duty. The flesh must be +mortified, and I am reluctant to take up the cross. Sabat +said to me yesterday, ‘Your beggars are come: why do not +you preach to them? It is your duty.’ I made excuses; +but why do not I preach to them? My carnal spirit says +that I have been preaching a long time without success to +my servants, who are used to my tongue; what can I +expect from them—the very dregs of the people? But the +true cause is shame: I am afraid of exposing myself to +the contempt of Sabat, my servants, and the mob, by +attempting to speak in a language which I do not speak +well. To-day in prayer, one consideration has been made +of some power in overcoming this shameful backwardness:—these +people, if I neglect to speak to them, will +give me a look at the last day which may fill me with +horror. Alas! brother, where is my zeal?</p> + +<p><i>December 17.</i> (Sunday.)—Preached to H.M. Light +Dragoons on Rev. iii. 20:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> ‘Behold, I stand at the door and +knock,’ etc. There was great attention. In the afternoon +the beggars came, to the number of above four hundred, +and, by the help of God, I determined to preach to them, +though I felt as if I were leading to execution. I stood +upon the <i>chabootra</i> in front of which they were collected.</p></div> + +<p>To Corrie he thus described his talks with his ‘congregation +of the poor’:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I went without fear, trusting to myself, and not to the +Lord, and accordingly I was put to shame—that is, I did +not read half as well as the preceding days. I shuffled +and stammered, and indeed I am persuaded that there +were many sentences the poor things did not understand +at all. I spoke of the dry land, rivers, etc.; here I +mentioned Gunga,‘a good river,’ but there were others as +good. God loves Hindus, but does He not love others +also? He gave them a good river, but to others as good. +All are alike before God. This was received with applause. +On the work of the fourth day, ‘Thus sun and moon are +lamps. Shall I worship a candle in my hand? As a +candle in the house, so is the sun in the sky.’ Applause +from the Mohammedans. There were also hisses, but +whether these betokened displeasure against me or the +worship of the sun I do not know. I then charged them +to worship Gunga and sun and moon no more, but the +honour they used to give to them, henceforward to give to +God their Maker. Who knows but even this was a blow +struck, at least a branch lopped from the tree of heathenism? +The number was about 550. You need not be deterred, +dear brother, if this simple way of teaching do any good.</p></div> + +<p>Again:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I spoke on the corruption of human nature, ‘The Lord +saw that every imagination,’ etc. In the application I +said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span> ‘Hence all outward works are useless while the heart +remains in this state. You may wash in Gunga, but the +heart is not washed.’ Some old men shook their heads, in +much the same way as we do when seriously affected with +any truth. The number was about seven hundred. The +servants told me it was nonsense to give them all rice, as +they were not all poor; hundreds of them are working +people; among them was a whole row of Brahmins. I +spoke to them about the Flood; this was interesting, as +they were very attentive, and at the end said, ‘Shabash +wa wa’ (Well said).</p></div> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood pictures the scene after an almost +pathetic fashion:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>We went often on the Sunday evenings to hear the +addresses of Mr. Martyn to the assembly of mendicants, +and we generally stood behind him. On these occasions +we had to make our way through a dense crowd, with a +temperature often rising above 92°, whilst the sun poured +its burning rays upon us through a lurid haze of dust. +Frightful were the objects which usually met our eyes in +this crowd: so many monstrous and diseased limbs, and +hideous faces, were displayed before us, and pushed forward +for our inspection, that I have often made my way to the +<i>chabootra</i> with my eyes shut, whilst Mr. Sherwood led +me. On reaching the platform I was surrounded by our +own people, and yet even there I scarcely dared to look +about me. I still imagine that I hear the calm, distinct, +and musical tones of Henry Martyn, as he stood raised +above the people, endeavouring, by showing the purity of +the Divine law, to convince the unbelievers that by their +works they were all condemned; and that this was the +case of every man of the offspring of Adam, and they +therefore needed a Saviour who was both willing and able +to redeem them. From time to time low murmurs and +curses would arise in the distance, and then roll forward, +till they became so loud as to drown the voice of this pious +one, generally concluding with hissings and fierce cries.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> +But when the storm passed away, again might he be heard +going on where he had left off, in the same calm, steadfast +tone, as if he were incapable of irritation from the interruption. +Mr. Martyn himself assisted in giving each person +his <i>pice</i> (copper) after the address was concluded; and when +he withdrew to his bungalow I have seen him drop, almost +fainting, on a sofa, for he had, as he often said, even at +that time, a slow inflammation burning in his chest, and one +which he knew must eventually terminate his existence. +In consequence of this he was usually in much pain after +any exertion of speaking.</p> + +<p>No dreams nor visions excited in the delirium of a +raging fever can surpass these realities. These devotees +vary in age and appearance: they are young and old, male +and female, bloated and wizened, tall and short, athletic +and feeble; some clothed with abominable rags; some +nearly without clothes; some plastered with mud and cow-dung; +others with matted, uncombed locks streaming +down to their heels; others with heads bald or scabby, +every countenance being hard and fixed, as it were, by the +continual indulgence of bad passions, the features having +become exaggerated, and the lips blackened with tobacco, +or blood-red with the juice of the henna. But these and +such as these form only the general mass of the people; +there are among them still more distinguished monsters. +One little man generally comes in a small cart drawn by a +bullock; his body and limbs are so shrivelled as to give, +with his black skin and large head, the appearance of a +gigantic frog. Another has his arm fixed above his head, +the nail of the thumb piercing through the palm of the +hand; another, and a very large man, has his ribs and the +bones of his face externally traced with white chalk, which, +striking the eye in relief above the dark skin, makes him +appear, as he approaches, like a moving skeleton. When +Mr. Martyn collected these people he was most carefully +watched by the British authorities.</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span></p> + +<p>Shall anyone say that the missionary chaplain’s eighteen +months’ work among this mixed multitude of the poor +and the dishonest was as vain as he himself, in his humility, +feared that it was? ‘Greater works’ than His own were +what the Lord of Glory, who did like service to man in +the Syria of that day, promised to His believing followers.</p> + +<p>On the wall which enclosed his compound was a kiosk, +from which some young Mussulman idlers used to look down +on the preacher, as they smoked their hookahs and sipped +their sherbet. One Sunday, determined to hear as well as see, +that they might the more evidently scoff, they made their +way through the crowd, and with the deepest scorn took +their place in the very front. They listened in a critical +temper, made remarks on what they heard, and returned +to the kiosk. But there was one who no longer joined in +their jeering. Sheikh Saleh, born at Delhi, Persian and +Arabic moonshi of Lucknow, then keeper of the King of +Oudh’s jewels, was a Mussulman so zealous that he had +persuaded his Hindu servant to be circumcised. But he +was afterwards horrified by the treachery and the atrocities +of his co-religionists in the Rajpoot State of Joudhpore, +whither he had gone. He was on his way back to his +father at Lucknow when, on a heart thus prepared, there +fell the teaching of the English man of God as to the +purity of the Divine law and salvation from sin by Jesus +Christ.</p> + +<p>Eager to learn more of Christianity from its authoritative +records, he sought employment on the translating +staff of the preacher, through a friend who knew +Sabat. He was engaged to copy Persian manuscripts by +that not too scrupulous tyrant, without the knowledge +of Martyn or any of the English. On receiving the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> +completed Persian New Testament, to have it bound, he read +it all, and his conversion by the Spirit of God, its Author, +was complete. He determined to attach himself to Martyn, +who as yet knew him not personally. He followed him to +Calcutta, and applied to him for baptism. After due trial +during the next year he was admitted to the Church under +the new name of ‘Bondman of Christ,’ Abdool Massee’h. +This was almost the last act of the Rev. David Brown, who +since 1775 had spent his life in diffusing Christian knowledge +in Bengal. Abdool’s conversion caused great excitement in +Lucknow. Nor was this all. The new convert was sent +to Meerut, when Mr. Parson was chaplain in that great +military station, and there he won over the chief physician +of the Rajah of Bhurtpore, naming him Taleb Massee’h. +After preaching and disputing in Meerut, Abdool visited +the Begum Sumroo’s principality of Sardhana, where he +left Taleb to care for the native Christians. They and +the Sherwoods together were the means of calling and +preparing several native converts for baptism, all the fruit, +direct and indirect, of Henry Martyn’s combined translating +and preaching of the New Testament at Cawnpore.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood writes:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>We were told that Mr. Corrie might perhaps be unable +to come as far as Delhi, and the candidates for baptism +became so anxious that they set off to meet him on the +Delhi road. We soon heard of their meeting from Mr. +Corrie himself, and that he was pleased with them. Shortly +afterwards our beloved friend appeared, with tents, camels, +and elephants, and we had the pleasure of having his +largest tent pitched in our compound, for we had not room +for all his suite within the house. Then for the next week +our house and grounds brought to my mind what I had +often fancied of a scene in some high festival in Jerusalem;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span> +but ours was an assembly under a fairer, brighter dispensation. +‘Here we are,’ said Mr. Corrie, ‘poor weary pilgrims;’ +and he applied the names of ‘Christian’ and ‘Mercy’ to his +wife and an orphan girl who was with them. Dear Mr. +Corrie! perhaps there never was a man so universally +beloved as he was. Wherever he was known, from the +lisping babe who climbed upon his knee to the hoary-headed +native, he was regarded as a bright example of +Christian charity and humility. On Sunday, January 31, +the baptism of all the converts but one took place. Numbers +of Europeans from different quarters of the station +attended. The little chapel was crowded to overflowing, +and most affecting indeed was the sight. Few persons +could restrain their tears when Mr. Corrie extended his +hand to raise the silver curls which clustered upon the brow +of Monghul Das, one of the most sincere of the converts. +The ceremony was very affecting, and the convert, who +stood by and saw the others baptized, became so uneasy +that, when Mr. Corrie set off to return, he followed him. +For family reasons this man’s baptism had been deferred, +as he hoped by so doing to bring others of his family into +the Church of God.</p> + +<p>How delightfully passed that Sunday!—how sweet was +our private intercourse with Mr. Corrie! He brought our +children many Hindustani hymns, set to ancient Oriental +melodies, which they were to sing at the Hindu services, +and we all together sang a hymn, which I find in my Journal +designated by this title:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">‘<span class="smcap">We Have Seen His Star in The East</span>’<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">In Britain’s land of light my mind<br /></span> +<span class="i8">To Jesus and His love was blind,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Till, wandering midst the heathen far,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Lo in the East I saw His star.<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Oh, should my steps, which distant roam,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Attain once more my native shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Better than India’s wealth by far,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">I’ll speak the worth of Bethlehem’s star.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span>There is little merit in the composition of this hymn; +but it had a peculiar interest for us at that time, and the +sentiment which it professes must ever retain its interest.</p></div> + +<p>Long after this the good seed of the Kingdom, as sown +by Henry Martyn, continued to bear fruit, which in its +turn propagated itself. In 1816 there came to Corrie in +Calcutta, for further instruction, from Bareilly, a young +Mohammedan ascetic and teacher who, at seventeen, had +abandoned Hinduism, seeking peace of mind. He fell +in with Martyn’s Hindustani New Testament, and was +baptized under the new name of Fuez Massee’h. Under +somewhat similar circumstances Noor Massee’h was baptized +at Agra. The missionary labours of Martyn at +Cawnpore, followed up by Corrie there and at Agra soon +after, farther resulted in the baptism there of seventy-one +Hindus and Mohammedans, of whom fifty were adults. +All of these, save seven, remained steadfast, and many +became missionaries in their turn. The career of Abdool +Massee’h closed in 1827, after he had been ordained in +the Calcutta cathedral by Bishop Heber, who loved him. +His last breath was spent in singing the Persian hymn, +translated thus:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Beloved Saviour, let not me<br /></span> +<span class="i10">In Thy kind heart forgotten be!<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Of all that deck the field or bower,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Thou art the sweetest, fairest flower!<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Youth’s morn has fled, old age comes on.<br /></span> +<span class="i10">But sin distracts my soul alone;<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Beloved Saviour, let not me<br /></span> +<span class="i10">In Thy kind heart forgotten be.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As from Dinapore Martyn sought out the moulvies of +Patna, so from Cawnpore he found his way to Lucknow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> +There, after he had baptized a child of the Governor-General’s +Resident, he met the Nawab Saadut Ali, and +his eyes for the first time beheld one who had full power +of life and death over his subjects. He visited the +moulvies, at the tomb of Asaf-ood-Dowla, who were +employed to read the Koran constantly. ‘With them I +tried my strength, of course, and disputed for an hour; it +ended in their referring me for an answer to another.’</p> + +<p>Toil such as Martyn’s, physical and mental, in successive +hot seasons, in such hospitals and barracks as then killed +off the British troops and their families, and without a decent +church building, would have sacrificed the healthiest in a +few years. Corrie had to flee from it, or he would never +have lived to be the first and model Bishop of Madras. But +such labours, such incessant straining of the voice through +throat and lungs, acting on his highly neurotic constitution, +and the phthisical frame which he inherited from his +mother, became possible to Henry Martyn only because +he willed, he agonised, to live till he should give at least +the New Testament to the peoples of Arabia and Persia, +and to the Mohammedans of India, in their own tongues. +We see him in his <i>Journal</i>, before God, spiritually spurring +the sides of his intent day by day, and running like the +noble Arab horse till it drops—its object gained. He had +many warnings, and if he had had a wife to see that he +obeyed the voice of Providence he might have outlived his +hereditary tendency in such a tropical climate as that of +India—a fact since proved by experience. He had narrowly +escaped death at Dinapore a few months before, and he +knew it. But it is well that, far more frequently than the +world knows, such cases occur in the missionary fields of +the world. The Brainerds and the Martyns, the Pattesons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span> +and the Hanningtons, the Keith-Falconers and the +Mackays—to mention some of the dead only—have their +reward in calling hundreds to fill their places, not less than +the Careys and the Livingstones, the Duffs and the +Wilsons, the Frenches and the Caldwells. To all who +know the tropics, and especially the seasons of India, the +dates that follow are eloquent.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1809, May 29.</i>—The East has been long forsaken of God, +and depravity in consequence more thoroughly wrought +into them. I have been very ill all this week, the disorder +appearing in the form of an intermittent. In the night +cold sweats, and for about five hours in the day head-ache +and vertigo. Last night I took some medicine, and +think that I am better, though the time when the fever has +generally come on is not yet arrived. But I hardly know +how to be thankful enough for this interval of ease.</p> + +<p><i>September 25.</i>—Set out at three in the morning for +Currah, and reached it on the 26th in the morning, and +married a Miss K. to Mr. R.; the company was very +unpleasant, so after passing the night there, I set out and +travelled all day and night, and through Divine mercy +arrived at home again on the 28th, but excessively fatigued, +indeed almost exhausted. At night with the men, my +whole desire was to lie low in the dust. ‘Thou hast left +thy first love,’ on which I spoke, was an awful call to me, +and I trust in God I shall ever feel it so.</p> + +<p><i>November 19.</i>—Received a letter from Mr. Simeon, +mentioning Sarah’s illness; consumption has seized her, as +it did my mother and sister, and will carry her off as it did +them, and now I am the only one left. Oh, my dear Corrie, +though I know you are well prepared, how does nature +bleed at the thought of a beloved sister’s drooping and +dying! Yet still to see those whom I love go before me, +without so much as a doubt of their going to glory, will,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> +I hope, soothe my sorrow. How soon shall I follow? I +know it must be soon. The paleness and fatigue I exhibit +after every season of preaching show plainly that death is +settled in my lungs.</p> + +<p><i>1810, April 9.</i>—From the labours of yesterday, added +to constant conversation and disagreement with visitors +to-day, I was quite exhausted, and my chest in pain.</p> + +<p><i>April 10.</i>—My lungs still so disordered that I could +not meet my men at night.</p> + +<p><i>April 15.</i> (Sunday.)—Preached to the Dragoons on the +parable of the pounds. At the General’s on Luke xxii 22. +With the native congregation I strained myself greatly +in order to be heard, and to this I attribute the injury I +did myself to-day. Attempted the usual service with my +men at night, but after speaking to them from a passage in +Scripture, was obliged to leave them before prayer.</p> + +<p><i>April 16.</i>—Imprudently joined in conversation with +some dear Christian friends to-night, and talked a great +deal; the pain in the chest in consequence returned.</p> + +<p><i>May 12.</i>—This evening thrown with great violence +from my horse: while he was in full gallop, the saddle +came off, but I received no other injury but contusion. +Thus a gracious Providence preserves me in life. But +for His kindness I had been now dragging out a wretched +existence in pain, and my blessed work interrupted for +years perhaps.</p></div> + +<p>Henry Martyn was too absorbed in the higher life at +all times to be trusted in riding or driving. Mrs. Sherwood +writes:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I often went out with him in his gig, when he used to +call either for me or Miss Corrie, and whoever went with +him went at the peril of their lives. He never looked +where he was driving, but went dashing through thick and +thin, being always occupied in reading Hindustani by word +of mouth, or discussing some text of Scripture. I certainly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span> +never expected to have survived a lesson he gave me in +his gig, in the midst of the plain at Cawnpore, on the +pronunciation of one of the Persian letters.</p></div> + +<p>All through his Cawnpore life, also, the wail of disappointed +love breaks from time to time. On Christmas +day, 1809, he received, through David Brown as usual, a +letter ‘from Lydia, containing a second refusal; so now I +have done.’ On March 23, 1810, Mr. Steven’s letter reached +him, reporting the death of his last sister. ‘She was my +dear counsellor and guide for a long time in the Christian +way. I have not a relation left to whom I feel bound by +ties of Christian fellowship, and I am resolved to form no +new connection of a worldly nature, so that I may henceforward +hope to live entirely, as a man of another world.’ +Meanwhile he has received Lydia Grenfell’s sisterly offer, +to which he thus replies in the first of eleven letters, to one +who had sunk the lover in the Christian friend, as was +possible to two hearts so far separated and never to meet +again in this world. But she was still his ‘dearest.’</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Cawnpore: March 30, 1810. +</p> + +<p>Since you kindly bid me, my beloved friend, consider +you in the place of that dear sister whom it has pleased +God in His wisdom to take from me, I gratefully accept +the offer of a correspondence, which it has ever been the +anxious wish of my heart to establish. Your kindness is +the more acceptable, because it is shown in the day of +affliction. Though I had heard of my dearest sister’s +illness some months before I received the account of her +death, and though the nature of her disorder was such as +left me not a ray of hope, so that I was mercifully prepared +for the event, still the certainty of it fills me with +anguish. It is not that she has left me, for I never ex<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span>pected +to see her more on earth. I have no doubt of +meeting her in heaven, but I cannot bear to think of the +pangs of dissolution she underwent, which have been +unfortunately detailed to me with too much particularity. +Would that I had never heard them, or could efface them +from my remembrance. But oh, may I learn what the Lord +is teaching me by these repeated strokes! May I learn +meekness and resignation. May the world always appear +as vain as it does now, and my own continuance in it as +short and uncertain. How frightful is the desolation which +Death makes, and how appalling his visits when he enters +one’s family. I would rather never have been born than be +born and die, were it not for Jesus, the Prince of life, the +Resurrection and the Life. How inexpressibly precious is +this Saviour when eternity seems near! I hope often to +communicate with you on these subjects, and in return for +your kind and consolatory letters to send you, from time +to time, accounts of myself and my proceedings. Through +you I can hear of all my friends in the West. When I +first heard of the loss I was likely to suffer, and began to +reflect on my own friendless situation, you were much in +my thoughts, whether you would be silent on this occasion +or no? whether you would persist in your resolution? +Friends indeed I have, and brethren, blessed be God! but +two brothers<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> cannot supply the place of one sister. When +month after month passed away, and no letter came from +you, I almost abandoned the hope of ever hearing from +you again. It only remained to wait the result of my last +application through Emma. You have kindly anticipated +my request, and, I need scarcely add, are more endeared to +me than ever.</p> + +<p>Of your illness, my dearest Lydia, I had heard nothing, +and it was well for me that I did not.—Yours most +affectionately,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span></p> +<p>To David Brown he wrote, ‘My long-lost Lydia consents +to write to me again;’ and in three weeks he thus +addresses to Lydia herself again a letter of exquisite +tenderness:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Cawnpore: April 19, 1810. +</p> + +<p>I begin my correspondence with my beloved Lydia, +not without a fear of its being soon to end. Shall I venture +to tell you that our family complaint has again made its +appearance in me, with more unpleasant symptoms than it +has ever yet done? However, God, who two years ago +redeemed my life from destruction, may again, for His +Church’s sake, interpose for my deliverance. Though, alas! +what am I that my place should not instantly be supplied +with far more efficient instruments? The symptoms I +mentioned are chiefly a pain in the chest, occasioned, I +suppose, by over-exertion the two last Sundays, and incapacitating +me at present from all public duty, and even +from conversation. You were mistaken in supposing that +my former illness originated from study. Study never +makes me ill—scarcely ever fatigues me—but my lungs! +death is seated there; it is speaking that kills me. May +it give others life! ‘Death worketh in us, but life in you.’ +Nature intended me, as I should judge from the structure +of my frame, for chamber-council, not for a pleader at the +Bar. But the call of Jesus Christ bids me cry aloud and +spare not. As His minister, I am a debtor both to the +Greek and the barbarian. How can I be silent when I +have both ever before me, and my debt not paid? You +would suggest that energies more restrained will eventually +be more efficient. I am aware of this, and mean to act +upon this principle in future, if the resolution is not formed +too late. But you know how apt we are to outstep the +bounds of prudence when there is no kind of monitor at +hand to warn us of the consequences.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span></p> + +<p>Had I been favoured with the one I wanted, I might +not now have had occasion to mourn. You smile at my +allusion, at least I hope so, for I am hardly in earnest. I +have long since ceased to repine at the decree that keeps +us as far asunder as the east is from the west, and yet am +far from regretting that I ever knew you. The remembrance +of you calls forth the exercise of delightful +affections, and has kept me from many a snare. How wise +and good is our God in all His dealings with His children! +Had I yielded to the suggestions of flesh and blood, and +remained in England, as I should have done, without the +effectual working of His power, I should without doubt +have sunk with my sisters into an early grave. Whereas +here, to say the least, I may live a few years, so as to +accomplish a very important work. His keeping you from +me appears also, at this season of bodily infirmity, to be +occasion of thankfulness. Death, I think, would be a less +welcome visitor to me, if he came to take me from a wife, +and that wife were you. Now, if I die, I die unnoticed, +involving none in calamity. Oh, that I could trust Him for +all that is to come, and love Him with that perfect love +which casteth out fear; for, to say the truth, my confidence +is sometimes shaken. To appear before the Judge of quick +and dead is a much more awful thought in sickness than in +health. Yet I dare not doubt the all-sufficiency of Jesus +Christ, nor can I, with the utmost ingenuity of unbelief, +resist the reasonings of St. Paul, all whose reasons seem to +be drawn up on purpose to work into the mind the +persuasion that God will glorify Himself by the salvation +of sinners through Jesus Christ. I wish I could more +enter into the meaning of this ‘chosen vessel.’ He seems +to move in a world by himself, and sometimes to utter the +unspeakable words such as my natural understanding +discerneth not; and when I turn to commentators I find +that I have passed out of the spiritual to the material +world, and have got amongst men like myself. But soon,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> +as he says, we shall no longer see as in a glass, by +reflected rays, but see as we are seen, and know as we are +known.</p> + +<p><i>April 25.</i>—After another interval I resume my pen. +Through the mercy of God I am again quite well, but my +mind is a good deal distressed at Sabat’s conduct. I forbear +writing what I think, in the hope that my fears may prove +groundless; but indeed the children of the East are adepts +in deceit. Their duplicity appears to me so disgusting at +this moment, that I can only find relief from my growing +misanthropy by remembering Him who is the faithful and +true Witness; in whom all the promises of God are ‘yea +and amen’; and by turning to the faithful in Europe—children +that will not lie. Where shall we find sincerity +in a native of the East? Yesterday I dined in a private +way with <span class="dash">——</span>. After one year’s inspection of me they +begin to lose their dread and venture to invite me. Our +conversation was occasionally religious, but topics of this +nature are so new to fashionable people, and those upon +which they have thought so much less than on any other, +that often from the shame of having nothing to say they +pass to other subjects where they can be more at home. I +was asked after dinner if I liked music. On my professing to +be an admirer of harmony, cantos were performed and songs +sung. After a time I inquired if they had no sacred music. +It was now recollected that they had some of Handel’s, but it +could not be found. A promise, however, was made that +next time I came it should be produced. Instead of it the +145th Psalm-tune was played, but none of the ladies could +recollect enough of the tune to sing it. I observed that all +our talents and powers should be consecrated to the service +of Him who gave them. To this no reply was made, but +the reproof was felt. I asked the lady of the house if she +read poetry, and then proceeded to mention Cowper, whose +poems, it seems, were in the library; but the lady had +never heard of the book. This was produced, and I read<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> +some passages. Poor people! here a little and there a +little is a rule to be observed in speaking to them.</p> + +<p><i>April 26.</i>—From speaking to my men last night, and +again to-day conversing long with some natives, my chest +is again in pain, so much so that I can hardly speak. +Well, now I am taught, and will take more care in future. +My sheet being full, I must bid you adieu. The Lord +ever bless and keep you. Believe me to be with the +truest affection,—Yours ever,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Rev. T.M. Hitchins, Plymouth Dock</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Cawnpore: October 10, 1809. +</p> + +<p>My dearest Brother,—I am again disappointed in +receiving no letter from you. The last intelligence from +the West of England is Lydia’s letter of July 8, 1808. +Colonel Sandys has long since ceased to write to me, and I +have no other correspondent. It is very affecting to me to +be thus considered as dead by almost all my natural relations +and early connections; and at this time, when I am +led to think of you and the family to which you are united, +and have been reading all your letters over, I feel that I +could dip my pen deep in melancholy; for, strange as it +may seem to you, I love so true, that though it is now the +fifth year since I parted from the object of my affection, she +is as dear to me as ever; yet, on the other hand, I find my +present freedom such a privilege that I would not lose +it for hardly any consideration. It is the impossibility of +compassing every wish, that I suppose is the cause of any +uneasiness that I feel. I know not how to express my +thoughts respecting Lydia better than in Martial’s words—<i>Nec +tecum possum vivere nec sine te</i>. However, these are +not my general sentiments; it pleases God to cause me to +eat my meat with gladness, praising God. Almost always +I am without carefulness, as indeed it would be to my shame +if I were not.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span></p> + +<p>My kindest remembrances attend my dearest sisters, +Emma and Lydia, as they well know. You two are such +bad correspondents that on this ground I prefer another +petition for the renewal of Lydia’s correspondence,—she +need not suspect anything now, nor her friends. I have +no idea that I should trouble her upon the old subject, even +if I were settled in England—for oh, this vain world! <i>quid +habet commodi? quid non potius laboris?</i></p> + +<p>But I never expect to see England more, nor do I expect +that though all obstacles should be removed, she would +ever become mine unless I came for her, and I now do not +wonder at it, though I did before. If any one of my sisters +had had such a proposal made to them, I would never have +consented to their going, so you may see the affair is +ended between us. My wish is that she would be scribe +for you all, and I promise on my part to send you through +her an ample detail <i>of all my</i> proceedings; also she need +not imagine that I may form another attachment—in which +case she might suppose a correspondence with an unmarried +lady might be productive of difficulties,—for after +one disappointment I am not likely to try my chance +again, and if I do I will give her the earliest intelligence +of it, with the same frankness with which I have always +dealt (with her).</p></div> + +<p>Meanwhile, on the silent shores of South Cornwall, +Lydia Grenfell was thus remembering him before God:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1809, March 30.</i>—My dear friend in India much upon +my heart lately, chiefly in desires that the work of God +may prosper in his hands, and that he may become more +and more devoted to the Lord. I seem, as to the future, +to have attained what a year or two since I prayed much +for—to regard him absent as in another state of existence, +and my affection is holy, pure, and spiritual for this dear +saint of God; when it is otherwise, it is owing to my looking +back. Recollections sometimes intrude, and I welcome<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span> +them, alas, and act over again the past—but Lord, Thy +holy, blessed will be done—cheerfully, thankfully I say +this.</p> + +<p><i>Tregembo, July 11.</i>—I have suffered from levity of +spirit, and lost thereby the enjoyment of God. How good +then is it in the Lord to employ means in His providence +to recall His wanderer to Himself and happiness! Such +mercy belongeth unto God—and this His care over me I +will record as a testimony against myself, if I forsake Him +again and lose that sweet seriousness of mind, so essential +to my peace and safety. Though I have never (perhaps +for many hours in a day) ceased to remember my dear +friend in India, it has not of late been in a way but as I +might love and think of him in heaven. Why is it then +that the intelligence of his probable nearness to that +blessed abode should distress me? yet it did, and does so +still. It is this intelligence which has, I hope, taught that +my late excessive cheerfulness was dangerous to my soul, +in weakening my hold of better and calmer joys. I was +directed, I think, to the thirty-sixth Psalm for what I +wanted on this occasion, as I was once before to the sixty-first, +and I have found it most wonderfully cheering to my +heart. The Lord, as ‘the preserver of man and beast,’ +caused me to exercise dependence on Him respecting the +result of my friend’s illness. Then the description of the +Divine perfections drew back my wandering heart, I hope +to God. The declaration of those who trust in God being +abundantly satisfied with the fatness of His house, taught +me where real enjoyment alone will be found; but the +concluding part opened in a peculiarly sweet way to my +mind: ‘Thou shalt make them drink of the river of Thy +pleasures.’</p> + +<p><i>October 23.</i>—I am under some painful forebodings +respecting my dear absent friend, and know not how to +act. I am strongly impelled to write to him, now that he +is in affliction and perhaps sickness himself—yet I dread<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span> +departing from the plain path of duty. ‘O Lord, direct +me,’ is my cry. I hope my desire is to do Thy will, and +only Thy will. I have given him up to Thee—oh, let me +do so sincerely, and trust in Thy fatherly care.</p> + +<p><i>1810, January 1.</i>—Felt the necessity of beginning this +year with prayer for preserving grace. Prayed with some +sense of my own weakness and dependence on God—with +a conviction of much sin and hope in His mercy through +Jesus Christ. Oh, to be Thine, Lord, in heart and life this +year! Had a remembrance of those most dear to me in +prayer, and found it very sweet to commend them to God, +especially my friend in India—perhaps not now in India, +but in heaven. Oh, to join him at last in Thy blissful +presence!</p> + +<p><i>January 24.</i>—Heard yesterday of the marriage of Mr. +John—what a mercy to me do I feel it!—a load gone off +my mind, for every evil I heard of his committing I feared +I might have been the cause of, by my conduct ten years +since—I rejoice in this event for his sake and my own.</p> + +<p><i>February 6.</i>—Heard at last of the safety of my friend +in India, and wrote to him—many fears on my mind as to +its propriety, and great deadness of soul in doing it—yet +ere I concluded I felt comforted from the thought of the +nearness of eternity, and the certainty that then, without +any fear of doing wrong, I should again enjoy communion +with him.</p> + +<p><i>February 24.</i>—Many sad presages of evil concerning +my absent friend, yet I am enabled to leave all to God—only +now I pray, if consistent with His will, his life may +be spared, and as a means of it, that God may incline him +to return again to this land. I never did before dare to +ask this, believing the cause of God would be more advanced +by his remaining in India; but now I pray, without fear of +doing wrong or opposing the will of God, for his return.</p> + +<p><i>March 5.</i>—I am sensible of a very remarkable change +in the desires of my soul before God, respecting my absent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> +friend. I with freedom and peace now pray continually +that he may be restored to his friends and country; before, +I never dared to ask anything but that the Lord would +order this as His wisdom saw fit, and thought it not a +subject for prayer. His injured health causes me to believe +that India is not the place for his labours—and, oh, that his +mind may be rightly influenced and the Lord’s will done, +whether it be his remaining there or returning.</p> + +<p><i>April 23.</i>—Wrote to India.</p> + +<p><i>November 30.</i>—Heard yesterday, and again to-day, +from India.<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> The illness of my friend fills me with apprehensions +on his account, and I seemed called on to prepare +for hearing of his removal. I wish to place before my +eyes the blessedness of the change to him, and, though +agitated and sad, I can bear to think of our never more +beholding each other in this world. This indeed has long +been my expectation, and that he should have left the +toils of mortality for the joys of heaven should, on his +account, fill me with praise—yet my heart cannot rise +with thankfulness. I seem stupefied, insensible to any +feeling but that of anxiety to hear again and know the +truth, and that my heart could joy in God at all times; +but alas! all is cold there! Oh, return, blessed Spirit of life +and peace.</p> + +<p><i>1811, March 28.</i>—Heard from my dearest friend in +India.<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> Rose early. Found my spirit engaged in prayer, +but was far ... otherwise in reading. Such dulness +and inattention as ought deeply to abase me, vanity and a +desire to appear of importance in the school, beset me.</p></div> + +<p>Corrie had been ordered from his narrow parish of +Chunar to the wider field of Agra, and on his way up was +directed to remain at Cawnpore to help his friend, whose +physical exhaustion was too apparent even to the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> +careless officer. Among those influenced by both was +one of the surgeons, Dr. Govan,<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> who was spared, at St. +Andrews, till after the Mutiny of 1857, when in an unpublished +lecture to its Literary and Philosophical Society, +he thus alluded to these workers in Cawnpore:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Hukeem and the missionary hear native opinion +spoken out with much greater freedom than the political +agent, the judge, or commandant. ‘Were there many +more of the <i>Sahibean Ungez</i> (the English gentlemen) in +character like the Padre Sahibs (Corrie and Martyn), +Christianity would make more progress here,’ was the unvaried +testimony of the natives in their favour.... I +cannot help mentioning the results of various conversations +I had with two natives of Eastern rank and family employed +by the Venerable Mr. Corrie, afterwards Bishop of Madras, +and the Rev. Henry Martyn, in Scripture translation, and +whose assistance I had used in the study of the languages, +as they quite coincide with much which I had the opportunity +of hearing among men of still higher position in the +native educated community, when attached to the staff of +the Governor-General: ‘By the decrees of God,’ said the +Mohammedan noble, ‘and the ubiquity of their fleets, +armaments, and commerce, it appears plainly that the +European nations have become the arbiters of the destinies +of the nations of Asia. Yet this seems to us strange in +the followers of Him who taught that His true disciples +must be ready to give their cloaks also to him who took +from them their coats.’ To which I had no better reply +than this, that the progress of events in the world’s history +seems to us to give evidence that undoubtedly a Divine +message had been sent, both to governments and their +subjects, to which, at their peril, both must give attention.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span> +But that, as a question of public national policy, it seemed +generally admitted and understood that the civil rulers of +no nation, Christian, Mohammedan, or Heathen, were laid +under an obligation, by their individual beliefs, to allow a +country, unable to govern itself by reason of its interminable +divisions and subjects of deadly internal strife, to be +occupied and made use of by their European or other +enemies, as a means for their own injury or destruction, for +any criminal or sinful acts, done in the building up of a +nation or government. I may add that I never heard a +native of India attempt directly to impugn the perfect +justice of the British possession of India on this ground. +‘The Padre Sahib has put the subject in its true light’ +(said the same Mohammedan authority) ‘when he said +that Christianity had higher objects in view, in its influence +on human character, than to enforce absolute rules about +meats and drinks; for should he even induce me (which is +unlikely) to become more of a Christian than I am, believing, +as I do, in the authority of the Old Testament prophets, +and in Jesus Christ as a prophet sent by God, he will +never persuade me to look upon many articles of diet used +by Christians with anything but the most intense disgust +and abhorrence, and he will assuredly find it the same with +most of these idolatrous Hindus.’</p></div> + +<p>We return to Martyn’s <i>Journal</i> and <i>Correspondence</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>July 8.</i> (Sunday.)—Corrie preached to the 53rd a +funeral sermon on the death of one of their captains. In +the afternoon I spoke to the natives on the first commandment, +with greater fluency than I have yet found. My +thoughts to-day very much towards Lydia; I began even +to be reconciled to the idea of going to England for her.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span> +‘Many are the thoughts of a man’s heart, but the counsel +of the Lord, that shall stand.’</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Cawnpore: August 14, 1810.<br /> +</p> + +<p>With what delight do I sit down to begin a letter +to my beloved Lydia! Yours of February 5, which I +received a few days ago, was written, I conceive, in considerable +embarrassment. You thought it possible it might +find me married, or about to be so. Let me begin, +therefore, with assuring you, with more truth than Gehazi +did his master, ‘Thy servant went no whither:’ my heart +has not strayed from Marazion, or Gurlyn, or wherever you +are. Five long years have passed, and I am still faithful. +Happy would it be if I could say that I had been equally +true to my profession of love for Him who is fairer than ten +thousand, and altogether lovely. Yet to the praise of His +grace let me recollect that twice five years have passed away +since I began to know Him, and I am still not gone from +Him. On the contrary, time and experience have endeared +the Lord to me more and more, so that I feel less +inclination, and see less reason for leaving Him. What is +there, alas! in the world, were it even everlasting?</p> + +<p>I rejoice at the accounts you give me of your continued +good health and labours of love. Though you are not so +usefully employed as you might be in India, yet as that +must not be, I contemplate with delight your exertions at +the other end of the world. May you be instrumental in +bringing many sons and daughters to glory. What is +become of St. Hilary and its fairy scenes? When I think +of Malachy, and the old man, and your sister, and Josepha, +etc., how some are dead, and the rest dispersed, and their +place occupied by strangers, it seems all like a dream.</p> + +<p><i>August 15.</i>—It is only little intervals of time that I can +find for writing; my visitors, about whom I shall write +presently, taking up much of my leisure from necessary duty. +Here follow some extracts from my <i>Journal</i>....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span></p> + +<p>Here my <i>Journal</i> must close. I do not know whether +you understand from it how we go on. I must endeavour +to give you a clearer idea of it.</p> + +<p>We all live here in bungalows, or thatched houses, on a +piece of ground enclosed. Next to mine is the church, not +yet opened for public worship, but which we make use of +at night with the men of the 53rd. Corrie lives with me, +and Miss Corrie with the Sherwoods. We usually rise +at daybreak, and breakfast at six. Immediately after +breakfast we pray together, after which I translate into +Arabic with Sabat, who lives in a small bungalow on my +ground. We dine at twelve, and sit recreating ourselves +with talking a little about dear friends in England. In the +afternoon, I translate with Mirza Fitrut into Hindustani, +and Corrie employs himself in teaching some native +Christian boys whom he is educating with great care, in +hopes of their being fit for the office of catechist. I have +also a school on my premises, for natives; but it is not +well attended. There are not above sixteen Hindu boys +in it at present: half of them read the Book of Genesis. +At sunset we ride or drive, and then meet at the church, +where we often raise the song of praise, with as much joy, +through the grace and presence of our Lord, as you do in +England. At ten we are all asleep. Thus we go on. To the +hardships of missionaries we are strangers, yet not averse, +I trust, to encounter them when we are called. My work +at present is evidently to translate; hereafter I may +itinerate. Dear Corrie, I fear, never will, he always suffers +from moving about in the daytime. But I should have +said something about my health, as I find my death was +reported at Cambridge. I thank God I am perfectly well, +though not very strong in my lungs; they do not seem +affected yet, but I cannot speak long without uneasiness. +From the nature of my complaint, if it deserves the name, +it is evident that England is the last place I should go to. +I should go home only to find a grave. How shall I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> +therefore ever see you more on this side of eternity? +Well! be it so, since such is the will of God: we shall +meet, through grace, in the realms of bliss.</p> + +<p>I am truly sorry to see my paper fail. Write as often as +possible, every three months at least. Tell me where you +go, and whom you see and what you read.</p> + +<p><i>August 17.</i>—I am sorry to conclude with saying that +my yesterday’s boasted health proved a mistake; I was +seized with violent sickness in the night, but to-day am +better. Continue to pray for me, and believe me to be, +your ever affectionate,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p><i>September 22.</i>—Was walking with Lydia; both much +affected, and speaking on the things dearest to us both. +I awoke, and behold it was a dream. My mind remained +very solemn and pensive; shed some tears; the clock +struck three, and the moon was riding near her highest +noon; all was silence and solemnity, and I thought with +some pain of the sixteen thousand miles between us. But +good is the will of the Lord, if I see her no more.</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +From the Ganges: October 6, 1810.<br /> +</p> + +<p>My dearest Lydia,—Though I have had no letter +from you very lately, nor have anything particular to say, +yet having been days on the water without a person to +speak to, tired also with reading and thinking, I mean to +indulge myself with a little of what is always agreeable to +me, and sometimes good for me; for as my affection for +you has something sacred in it, being founded on, or at +least cemented by, an union of spirit in the Lord Jesus; so +my separation also from you produced a deadness to the +world, at least for a time, which leaves a solemn impression +as often as I think of it. Add to this, that as I must not +indulge the hope of ever seeing you again in this world, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span> +cannot think of you without thinking also of that world +where we shall meet. You mention in one of your letters +my coming to England, as that which may eventually +prove a duty. You ought to have added, that in case I do +come, you will consider it a duty not to let me come away +again without you. But I am not likely to put you to the +trial. Useless as I am here, I often think I should be still +more so at home. Though my voice fails me, I can +translate and converse. At home I should be nothing +without being able to lift my voice on high. I have just +left my station, Cawnpore, in order to be silent six months. +I have no cough, or any kind of consumption, except that +reading prayers, or preaching, or a slight cold, brings on +pain in the chest. I am advised therefore to recruit my +strength by rest. So I am come forth, with my face +towards Calcutta, with an ulterior view to the sea. Nothing +happened at Cawnpore, after I wrote to you in September +but I must look to my <i>Journal</i>.</p> + +<p>I think of having my portrait taken in Calcutta, as +I promised Mr. Simeon five years ago. Sabat’s picture +would also be a curiosity. Yesterday I carried Col. Wood +to dine with me, at the Nabob Bahir Ali’s. Sabat was +there. The Colonel, who had been reading by the way +the account of his conversion, in the Asiatic and East +Society Report, which I had given him, eyed him with no +great complacency, and observed in French, that Sabat +might not understand him, ‘Il a l’air d’un sauvage.’ Sabat’s +countenance is indeed terrible; noble when he is pleased, +but with the look of an assassin when he is out of humour. +I have had more opportunities of knowing Sabat than any +man has had, and I cannot regard him with that interest +which the ‘Star in the East’ is calculated to excite in most +people. Buchanan says, I wrote (to whom I do not know) +in terms of admiration and affection about him. Affection +I do feel for him, but admiration, if I did once feel it, I am +not conscious of it at present. I tremble for everything<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span> +our dear friends publish about our doings in India, lest +shame come to us and them.</p> + +<p><i>Calcutta, November 5.</i>—A sheet full, like the preceding, +I had written, but the moment it is necessary to send off +my letter I cannot find it. That it does not go on to you +is of little consequence, but into whose hands may it have +fallen? It is this that grieves me. It was the continuance +of my <i>Journal</i> to Calcutta, where I arrived the last day in +October. Constant conversation with dear friends here +has brought on the pain in the chest again, so that I do not +attempt to preach. In two or three weeks I shall embark +for the Gulf of Persia, where, if I live, I shall solace myself +in my hours of solitude with writing to you.</p> + +<p>Farewell, beloved friend; pray for me, as you do, I am +sure, and doubt not of an unceasing interest in the heart +and prayers of your ever affectionate,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Ordered away on six months’ sick leave, Henry Martyn +had the joy of once at least ministering to his soldier +flock in the ‘new church,’ which he had induced the authorities +to form out of an ordinary bungalow. Daily and +fondly had he watched the preparations, reporting to +Brown: ‘My church is almost ready for the organ and the +bell.’ On Sunday, September 16, he had written:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>‘Rain prevented me from having any service in public; +the natives not being able to sit upon the grass, I could not +preach to them.’</p></div> + +<p>On Sunday, September 30, he thus took farewell of his +different congregations:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Corrie preached to the Dragoons, at nine the new +church was opened. There was a considerable congregation, +and I preached on, ‘In all places where I record my name, +I will come unto thee and bless thee.’ I felt something of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span> +thankfulness and joy, and our dear friends the same. The +Sherwoods and Miss Corrie stayed with us the rest of the +day. In the afternoon I preached the Gospel to the +natives for the first time, giving them a short account of +the life, death, miracles, manner of teaching, death and +resurrection of Jesus, then the doctrines of His religion, and +concluded with exhorting them to believe in Him, and +taking them to record that I had declared to them the glad +tidings that had come to us, and that if they rejected it I +was clear from their blood, and thus I bid them farewell.</p></div> + +<p>Mrs. Sherwood thus describes the scene:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>On the Sunday before Mr. Martyn left the church was +opened, and the bell sounded for the first time over this +land of darkness. The church was crowded, and there was +the band of our regiment to lead the singing and the +chanting. Sergeant Clarke—our Sergeant Clarke—had +been appointed as clerk; and there he sat under the desk +in due form, in his red coat, and went through his duty +with all due correctness. The Rev. Daniel Corrie read +prayers, and Mr. Martyn preached. That was a day never +to be forgotten. Those only who have been for some years +in a place where there never has been public worship can +have any idea of the fearful effect of its absence, especially +among the mass of the people, who, of course, are unregenerate. +Every prescribed form of public worship certainly +has a tendency to become nothing more than a form, yet +even a form may awaken reflection, and any state is better +than that of perfect deadness. From his first arrival at the +station Mr. Martyn had been labouring to effect the purpose +which he then saw completed; namely, the opening +of a place of worship. He was permitted to see it, to address +the congregation once, and then he was summoned +to depart. How often, how very often, are human beings +called away, perhaps from this world, at the moment they +have been enabled to bring to bear some favourite object.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> +Blessed are those whose object has been such a one as that +of Henry Martyn. Alas! he was known to be, even then, +in a most dangerous state of health, either burnt within by +slow inflammation, which gave a flush to his cheek, or pale +as death from weakness and lassitude.</p> + +<p>On this occasion the bright glow prevailed—a brilliant +light shone from his eyes—he was filled with hope and joy; +he saw the dawn of better things, he thought, at Cawnpore, +and most eloquent, earnest, and affectionate was his address +to the congregation. Our usual party accompanied him +back to his bungalow, where, being arrived, he sank, as was +often his way, nearly fainting, on a sofa in the hall. Soon, +however, he revived a little, and called us all about him to +sing. It was then that we sang to him that sweet hymn +which thus begins:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">O God, our help in ages past,<br /></span> +<span class="i12">Our hope for years to come,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Our shelter from the stormy blast,<br /></span> +<span class="i12">And our eternal home.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>We all dined early together, and then returned with our +little ones to enjoy some rest and quiet; but when the sun +began to descend to the horizon we again went over to +Mr. Martyn’s bungalow, to hear his <i>last</i> address to the +<i>fakeers</i>. It was one of those sickly, hazy, burning evenings, +which I have before described, and the scene was +precisely such a one as I have recounted above. Mr. +Martyn nearly fainted again after this effort, and when he +got to his house, with his friends about him, he told us that +he was afraid he had not been the means of doing the +smallest good to any one of the strange people whom he +had thus so often addressed. He did not even then know +of the impression he had been enabled to make, on one of +these occasions, on Sheikh Saleh. On the Monday our +beloved friend went to his boats, which lay at the Ghaut, +nearest the bungalow; but in the cool of the evening, how<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span>ever, +whilst Miss Corrie and myself were taking the air in +our tonjons, he came after us on horseback. There was a +gentle sadness in his aspect as he accompanied me home; +and Miss Corrie came also. Once again we all supped together, +and united in one last hymn. We were all low, +very, very low; we could never expect to behold again +that face which we then saw—to hear again that voice, or +to be again elevated and instructed by that conversation. +It was impossible to hope that he would survive the fatigue +of such a journey as he meditated. Often and often, when +thinking of him, have these verses, so frequently sung by +him, come to my mind:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">E’er since by faith I saw the stream<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Thy flowing wounds supply,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Redeeming love has been my theme,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">And shall be till I die.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">Then, in a nobler, sweeter song,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">I’ll sing Thy power to save,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">When this poor lisping, stammering tongue<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Is silent in the grave.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +</div> +<p>Henry Martyn’s continued to be the military church of +Cawnpore till 1857, when it was destroyed in the Mutiny. +Its place has been taken by a Memorial Church which +visibly proclaims forgiveness and peace on the never-to-be +forgotten site of Wheeler’s entrenchment—consecrated +ground indeed!</p> + +<p>On October 1 he left Cawnpore, ‘after a parting prayer +with my dearest brother Corrie,’<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> to whom he wrote from +Allahabad:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span></p><div class="blockquot"><p>Thus far we are come in safety; but my spirits tell me +that I have parted with friends. Your pale face as it +appeared on Monday morning is still before my eyes, and +will not let me be easy till you tell me you are strong and +prudent. The first night there blew a wind so bleak and +cold, through and through my boat and bed, that I rose, +as I expected, with a pain in the breast, which has not +quite left me, but will, I hope, to-night, when I shall take +measures for expelling it. There is a gate not paid for yet +belonging to the churchyard, may you always go through +it in faith and return through it with praise. You are now +in prayer with our men. The Lord be with you, and be +always with you, dearest brother.</p></div> + +<p>Ministering to all who needed his services, in preaching, +baptizing, and marrying, on his way down the great +Ganges, at Benares, at Ghazipore, where he met with ‘the +remains’ of his old 67th regiment, at Bhagulpore, and at +Bandel, where he called on the Roman Catholics, on +November 12 he at last came to Aldeen.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span></p> +<div class="blockquot"><p>Children jumping, shouting, and convoying me in +troops to the house. They are a lovely family indeed, and +I do not know when I have felt so delighted as at family +worship last night. To-day Mr. Brown and myself have +been consulting at the Pagoda.</p></div> + +<p>After four years’ absence he seemed a dying man to his +Serampore and Calcutta friends, Brown, Thomason, Udny, +and Colonel Young of Dinapore memory. But he was ever +cheerful, and he preached every Sunday for five weeks, +though in his <i>Journal</i> we find this on November 21:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Caught a cold, and kept awake much of the night by a +cough. From this day perhaps I may date my decay. +Nature shrinks from dissolution, and conscience trembles +at the thought of a judgment to come. But I try to +rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.</p> + +<p><i>November 25.</i> (Sunday.)—Preached at the old church, +on ‘While Paul reasoned of righteousness,’ etc. The +Governor-General, Lord Minto, was present, desiring, as +was supposed, to abolish the distinction which had been +made between the two churches. One passage in my sermon +appeared to some personal, and on reconsideration +I thought it so myself, and was excessively distressed +at having given causeless offence, and perhaps preventing +much good. Lord! pardon a blind creature. How much +mischief may I do through mere thoughtlessness!</p> + +<p><i>December 2.</i>—Preached at eight, on ‘Grace reigns,’ and +was favoured with strength of body and joy of heart in +proclaiming the glorious truth.</p> + +<p><i>December 25.</i>—Preached, with much comfort to myself, +on ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten +Son,’ etc. Mr. Brown on ‘Let your light so shine before +men,’ etc. The whole sum collected about seven thousand +rupees. At night Mr. Thomason on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span> ‘Through the tender +mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring from on high +hath visited us.’ This day how many of those who love +the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity are rejoicing in His birth. +My dear Lydia remembers me.</p> + +<p><i>December 31.</i>—Had a long dispute with Marshman, +which brought on pain in the chest.</p></div> + +<p>He opened the year 1811 by preaching for the new +Calcutta Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society +his published sermon on Christian India and the Bible, to +be read in the light of his own translation work hereafter. +He thus on the same day committed himself to the future +in the spirit of St. Paul:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1811.</i>—The weakness which has come upon me in the +course of the last year, if it should not give an entire new +turn to my life, is likely to be productive of events in the +course of the present year which I little expected, or at +least did not expect so soon. I now pass from India to +Arabia, not knowing what things shall befall me there; but +assured that an ever-faithful God and Saviour will be with +me in all places whithersoever I go. May He guide and +protect me, and after prospering me in the thing +whereunto I go, bring me back again to my delightful +work in India. It would be a painful thought indeed, +to suppose myself about to return no more. Having +succeeded, apparently, through His blessing, in the Hindustani +New Testament, I feel much encouraged, and could +wish to be spared in order to finish the Bible.</p></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> <i>The Life of Mrs. Sherwood</i> (chiefly autobiographical), edited by her +Daughter. London, 1854.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> ‘He was at that time married to his seventh wife; that is, according to +his own account. Ameena was a pretty young woman, though particularly +dark for a purdah-walla, or one, according to the Eastern custom, who is +supposed always to sit behind a purdah, or curtain. She occupied the smaller +bungalow, which adjoined the larger by a long, covered passage. Our +children often went to see her whilst they were at Mr. Martyn’s, and I paid +her one formal visit. I found her seated on the ground, encircled by cushions +within gauze mosquito-curtains, stretched by ropes from the four corners of +the hall. In the daytime these curtains were twisted and knotted over her +head, and towards the night they were let down around her, and thus she +slept where she had sat all day. She had one or two women in constant +attendance upon her, though her husband was a mere subordinate. These +Eastern women have little idea of using the needle, and very few are taught +any other feminine accomplishment. Music and literature, dancing and +singing, are known only to the Nautch or dancing-girls by profession. +Hence, nothing on earth can be imagined to be more monotonous than the +lives of women in the East; such, I mean, as are not compelled to servile +labour. They sit on their cushions behind their curtains from day to day, +from month to month, with no other occupation than that of having their +hair dressed, and their nails and eyelids stained, and no other amusement than +hearing the <i>gup</i>, or gossip of the place where they may happen to be; nor is +any gossip too low or too frivolous to be unacceptable. The visits of our +children and nurses were very acceptable to Ameena, and she took much and +tender notice of the baby. She lived on miserable terms with her husband, +and hated him most cordially. She was a Mussulman, and he was very +anxious to make her a Christian, to which she constantly showed strong +opposition. At length, however, she terminated the controversy in the +following extraordinary manner: “Pray, will you have the goodness to inform +me where Christians go after death?” “To heaven and to their +Saviour,” replied Sabat. “And where do Mahometans go?” she asked. +“To hell and the devil,” answered the fierce Arab. “You,” said the meek +wife, “will go to heaven, of course, as being a Christian.” “Certainly,” +replied Sabat. “Well, then,” she said, “I will continue to be a Mussulman, +because I should prefer hell and the devil without you, to heaven itself in +your presence.” This anecdote was told to Mr. Martyn by Sabat himself, as +a proof of the hardened spirit of his wife. +</p><p> +‘Ameena was, by the Arab’s own account, his seventh wife. He had some +wonderful story to tell of each of his former marriages; but that which he +related of his sixth wife exceeded all the rest in the marvellous and the romantic. +He told this tale at Mr. Martyn’s table one evening, whilst we were at supper, +during the week we lived in the house. He spoke in Persian, and Mr. Martyn +interpreted what he said, and it was this he narrated: It was on some occasion, +he said, in which Fortune had played him one of her worst tricks, and reduced +him to a state of the most abject poverty, that he happened to arrive one night +at a certain city, which was the capital of some rajah, or petty king—Sabat +called this person a king. It seemed he arrived at a crisis in which the king’s +only daughter had given her father some terrible offence, and in order to be +revenged upon her, the father issued his commands that she should be compelled +to take for her husband the first stranger who arrived in the town after +sunset. This man happened to be our Arab; he was accordingly seized and +subjected to the processes of bathing and anointing with precious oil. He +was then magnificently dressed, introduced into the royal hall, and duly +married to the princess, who proved not only to be fair as the houris, but to +be quite prepared to love the husband whom Fortune had sent her. He lived +with her, he pretended, I know not how many years, and they were perfectly +happy until the princess died, and he lost the favour of his majesty. I think +that Sabat laid the scene of this adventure in or near Agra. But this could +hardly be. That such things have been in the East—that is, that royal parents +have taken such means of avenging themselves on offending daughters—is +quite certain; but I cannot venture to assert that Sabat was telling the truth +when he made himself the hero of the tale.’</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Corrie and Brown.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> By letters written March 30 and April 19, 1810, from Cawnpore.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> By letter written August 14, 1810.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> On leaving the station Henry Martyn presented his French New Testament +to Dr. Govan, a little morocco-bound volume which his son prizes as an +heirloom.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> We have these reminiscences of Henry Martyn’s Cawnpore from Bishop +Corrie, when, as Archdeacon of Calcutta, he again visited it. In 1824 he +writes: ‘I arrived at this station on the day fourteen years after sainted +Martyn had dedicated the church. The house he occupied stands close by. +The view of the place and the remembrance of what had passed greatly +affected me.... I had to assist in administering the sacrament, and well it +was, on the whole, that none present could enter into my feelings, or I should +have been overcome.’ Again: ‘How would it have rejoiced the heart of +Martyn could he have had the chief authorities associated, by order of Government, +to assist him in the work of education; and how gladly would he have +made himself their servant in the work for Jesus’ sake! One poor blind man +who lives in an outhouse of Martyn’s, and received a small monthly sum from +him, often comes to our house, and affords a mournful pleasure in reminding +me of some little occurrence of those times. A wealthy native too, who lived +next door to us, sent his nephew to express to me the pleasure he derived from +his acquaintance with Martyn. These are all the traces I have found of that +“excellent one of the earth” at the station.’ +</p><p> +In 1833 Corrie was again at Cawnpore, which had two chaplains then, and +thus wrote: ‘<i>October 6.</i>—I attended Divine service at the church bungalow, +and stood up once more in Martyn’s pulpit. The place is a little enlarged. +The remembrance of Martyn and the Sherwoods, and Mary (his sister), with +the occupations of that period, came powerfully to my recollection, and I +could not prevent the tears from flowing. A sense of the forgiving love of +God, with the prospect of all joining in thankful adoration in the realms of +bliss, greatly preponderates.’</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<p class="subheading">FROM CALCUTTA TO CEYLON, BOMBAY, AND ARABIA</p> + + +<p>Two motives made Henry Martyn eager to leave India for +a time, and to cease the strain on his fast-ebbing strength, +caused by incessant preaching and speaking: he desired +to prolong his life, but to prolong it only till he should give +the Mohammedans of Arabia and Persia the Word of God +in their own tongues. After his first, almost fatal, attack +at Dinapore, Corrie, who had gone to help him in his duties, +wrote to ‘the Patriarch,’ as they called Mr. Brown, at +Aldeen: ‘He wishes to be spared on account of the translations, +but with great earnestness said, “I wish to have +my whole soul swallowed up in the will of God.”’ Two +years after, Corrie wrote to England from Cawnpore: ‘He +is going to try sea air. May God render it effectual to his +restoration. His life is beyond all price to us. You know +what a profound scholar he is, and all his acquirements are +dedicated to the service of Christ. If ever man, since St. +Paul, could use these words, he may, <i>One thing I do</i>. But +the length of his life will depend on his desisting from +public duties.’ To Martyn himself, when at last he had +left Cawnpore, Corrie wrote: ‘If you will not take rest, +dear brother, come away back;’ informing him, at the +same time, that he had returned to a Colonel, whom he had +married, 1,600 rupees, he and Martyn having resolved to +decline all fees for marrying and burying in India, where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span> +such were a stumbling-block in the way of morality and +religion, constituted as Anglo-Indian society was at that +time.</p> + +<p>When he was leaving Cawnpore, Henry Martyn was +about to destroy what he called ‘a number of memorandums.’ +These afterwards proved to be his <i>Journals</i> from +January 1803 to 1811, some of which were written in Latin, +and some in Greek, for greater secrecy. Corrie remonstrated +with him, and persuaded him to seal them up and leave +them in his hands. Lord Minto, the Governor-General, and +General Hewett, the Commander-in-chief, after receiving a +statement of Martyn’s object, gave their sanction to his +spending his sick-leave in Persia and Syria. At first the +only ship he could find bound for Bombay, <i>en route</i> to the +Persian Gulf, was one of the native buggalows which carried +the coasting trade in the days before the British India +Steam Navigation Company had begun to develop the +commerce of the Indian Ocean all along East Africa, +Southern Asia, the Spice Islands, and Australasia. But +he wrote to Corrie:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The captain of the ship after many excuses has at last +refused to take me, on the ground that I might try to +convert the Arab sailors, and so cause a mutiny in the +ship. So I am quite out of heart, and more than half +disposed to go to the right about, and come back to +Cawnpore.</p></div> + +<p>His uncompromising earnestness as a witness for Christ +was well known. Fortunately, a month after, the Honourable +Mountstuart Elphinstone ‘was proceeding to take the +residency of Poona,’ and Martyn secured a passage in the +same ship, the Hummoody, an Arab coaster belonging to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span> +a Muscat merchant, and manned by his Abyssinian slave +as Nakhoda.</p> + +<p>His last message to Calcutta, on the evening of +the first Sunday of the year 1811, was on <i>The one thing +needful</i>. Next morning he quietly went on board Mr. +Elphinstone’s pinnace ‘without taking leave of my two dear +friends in Calcutta.’ As they dropped down the Hoogli, +anchoring for two nights in its treacherous waters, his +henceforth brief entries in his <i>Journal</i> are these: ‘8th. Conversation +with Mr. Elphinstone, and disputes with his +Persian moulvi, left me weak and in pain. 9th. Reached the +ship at Saugur, and began to try my strength with the +Arab sailors.’ He found that the country-born captain, +Kinsay, had been brought up by Schwartz, and he obtained +from him much information regarding the habits and the +rule of the Lutheran apostle of Southern India. This is +new:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>It was said that Schwartz had a warning given him of +his death. One clear moonlight night he saw a light, and +heard a voice which said to him, ‘Follow me.’ He got up +and went to the door; here the vision vanished. The next +day he sent for Dr. Anderson and said, ‘An old tree must +fall.’ On the doctor’s perceiving there was nothing the +matter with him, Schwartz asked him whether he observed +any disorder in his intellect; to which the doctor replied, +‘No.’ He and General Floyd (now in Ireland), another +friend of Schwartz, came and stayed with him. The next +fifteen days he was continually engaged in devotion, and +attended no more to the school: on the last day he died +in his chair.</p></div> + +<p>Henry Martyn was well fitted by culture and training +to appreciate the society of such statesmen and thinkers as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span> +Mountstuart Elphinstone, Sir John Malcolm, Sir James +Mackintosh, and Jonathan Duncan, who in their turn delighted +in his society during the next five weeks. Of the +first he wrote to Corrie: ‘His agreeable manners and classical +acquirements made me think myself fortunate indeed +in having such a companion, and I found his company the +most agreeable circumstance in my voyage.’ They walked +together in the cinnamon groves of Ceylon, when the ship +touched at Colombo; together they talked of the work of +Xavier as they skirted Cape Comorin, and observed Portuguese +churches every two or three miles, with a row of +huts on each side. ‘Perhaps,’ he wrote in his <i>Journal</i>, +‘many of these poor people, with all the incumbrances +of Popery, are moving towards the kingdom of heaven.’ +Together the two visited old Goa, the ecclesiastical capital, +its convents and churches. The year after their visit the +Goa Inquisition, one of the cruellest of its branches since +its foundation, was suppressed. Henry Martyn’s letters +to Lydia Grenfell best describe his experiences and +impressions:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +At Sea, Coast of Malabar: February 4, 1811.<br /> +</p> + +<p>The last letter I wrote to you, my dearest Lydia, was +dated November 1810. I continued in Calcutta to the +end of the year, preaching once a week, and reading the +Word in some happy little companies, with whom I enjoyed +that sweet communion which all in this vale of tears have +reason to be thankful for, but especially those whose lot is +cast in a heathen land. On New-year’s day, at Mr. Brown’s +urgent request, I preached a sermon for the Bible Society, +recommending an immediate attention to the state of the +native Christians. At the time I left Calcutta they talked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span> +of forming an auxiliary society. Leaving Calcutta was so +much like leaving England, that I went on board my boat +without giving them notice, and so escaped the pain of +bidding them farewell. In two days I met my ship at the +mouth of the river, and we put to sea immediately. Our +ship is commanded by a pupil of Schwartz, and manned +by Arabians, Abyssinians, and others. One of my fellow-passengers +is Mr. Elphinstone, who was lately ambassador +at the court of the King of Cabul, and is now going to be +resident at Poona, the capital of the Mahratta empire. So +the group is rather interesting, and I am happy to say not +averse to religious instruction; I mean the Europeans. +As for the Asiatics, they are in language, customs, and +religion, as far removed from us as if they were inhabitants +of another planet. I speak a little Arabic sometimes to +the sailors, but their contempt of the Gospel, and attachment +to their own superstition, make their conversion +appear impossible. How stupendous that power which +can make these people the followers of the Lamb, when +they so nearly resemble Satan in pride and wickedness! +The first part of the voyage I was without employment, +and almost without thought, suffering as usual so much +from sea sickness, that I had not spirits to do anything but +sit upon the poop, surveying the wide waste of waters blue. +This continued all down the Bay of Bengal. At length in +the neighbourhood of Ceylon we found smooth water, and +came to an anchor off Colombo, the principal station in +the island. The captain having proposed to his passengers +that they should go ashore and refresh themselves with a +walk in the cinnamon gardens, Mr. Elphinstone and myself +availed ourselves of the offer, and went off to inhale the +cinnamon breeze. The walk was delightful. The huts of +the natives, who are (in that neighbourhood at least) most +of them Protestants, are built in thick groves of cocoanut-tree, +with openings here and there, discovering the +sea. Everything bore the appearance of contentment. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span> +contemplated them with delight, and was almost glad that I +could not speak with them, lest further acquaintance should +have dissipated the pleasing ideas their appearance gave +birth to. In the gardens I cut off a piece of the bark for +you. It will not be so fragrant as that which is properly +prepared; but it will not have lost its fine smell, I hope, +when it reaches you.</p> + +<p>At Captain Rodney’s, the Chief Secretary to Government, +we met a good part of the European society of +Colombo. The party was like most mixed parties in +England, where much is said that need not be remembered. +The next day we stretched across the Gulf of Manaar, and +soon came in sight of Cape Comorin, the great promontory +of India. At a distance the green waves seemed to wash +the foot of the mountain, but on a nearer approach little +churches were seen, apparently on the beach, with a row of +little huts on each side. Was it these maritime situations +that recalled to my mind Perran church and town in the +way to Gurlyn; or that my thoughts wander too often on +the beach to the east of Lamorran? You do not tell me +whether you ever walk there, and imagine the billows that +break at your feet to have made their way from India. +But why should I wish to know? Had I observed silence +on that day and thenceforward, I should have spared you +much trouble, and myself much pain. Yet I am far from +regretting that I spoke, since I am persuaded that all +things will work together for good. I sometimes try to +put such a number of things together as shall produce the +greatest happiness possible, and I find that even in imagination +I cannot satisfy myself. I set myself to see what is +that ‘good for the sons of men, which they should do +under heaven all the days of their life,’ and I find that +paradise is not here. Many things are delightful, some +things are almost all one could wish; but yet in all beauty +there is deformity, in the most perfect something wanting, +and there is no hope of its ever being otherwise.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span> ‘That +which is crooked cannot be made straight, and that which +is wanting cannot be numbered.’ So that the expectation +of happiness on earth seems chimerical to the last degree. +In my schemes of happiness I place myself of course with +you, blessed with great success in the ministry, and seeing +all India turning to the Lord. Yet it is evident that with +these joys there would be mingled many sorrows. The +care of all the churches was a burden to the mighty mind +of St. Paul. As for what we should be together, I judge +of it from our friends. Are they quite beyond the vexations +of common life? I think not—still I do not say that +it is a question whether they gained or lost by marrying. +Their affections will live when ours (I should rather say +mine) are dead. Perhaps it may not be the effect of celibacy; +but I certainly begin to feel a wonderful indifference +to all but myself. From so seldom seeing a creature that +cares for me, and never one that depends at all upon me, +I begin to look round upon men with reciprocal apathy. +It sometimes calls itself deadness to the world, but I much +fear that it is deadness of heart. I am exempt from worldly +cares myself, and therefore do not feel for others. Having +got out of the stream into still water, I go round and round +in my own little circle. This supposed deterioration you +will ascribe to my humility; therefore I add that Mr. +Brown could not help remarking the difference between +what I am and what I was, and observed on seeing my +picture, which was taken at Calcutta for Mr. Simeon, and +is thought a striking likeness, that it was not Martyn that +arrived in India, but Martyn the recluse.</p> + +<p><i>February 10.</i>—To-day my affections seem to have revived +a little. I have been often deceived in times past, +and erroneously called animal spirits joy in the Holy +Ghost. Yet I trust that I can say with truth, ‘To them +who believe, He is precious!’ Yes, Thou art precious to +my soul, my transport and my trust. No thought now is +so sweet as that which those words suggest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span>—‘<i>In Christ</i>.’ +Our destinies thus inseparably united with those of the +Son of God, what is too great to be expected? All things +are yours, for ye are Christ’s! We may ask what we will, +and it shall be given to us. Now, why do I ever lose sight +of Him, or fancy myself without Him, or try to do anything +without Him? Break off a branch from a tree, and how +long will it be before it withers? To-day, my beloved +sister, I rejoice in you before the Lord, I rejoice in you as +a member of the mystic body, I pray that your prayers for +one who is unworthy of your remembrance may be heard, +and bring down tenfold blessings on yourself. How good +is the Lord in giving me grace to rejoice with His chosen +all over the earth; even with those who are at this moment +going up with the voice of joy and praise, to tread His courts +and sing His praise. There is not an object about me but +is depressing. Yet my heart expands with delight at the +presence of a gracious God, and the assurance that my +separation from His people is only temporary.</p> + +<p>On the 7th we landed at Goa, the capital of the Portuguese +possessions in the East. I reckoned much on my +visit to Goa, expecting, from its being the residence of the +archbishop and many ecclesiastics, that I should obtain such +information about the Christians in India as would render +it superfluous to make inquiries elsewhere, but I was much +disappointed. Perhaps it was owing to our being accompanied +by several officers, English and Portuguese, that +the archbishop and his principal agents would not be seen; +but so it was, that I scarcely met with a man who could +make himself intelligible. We are shown what strangers +are usually shown, the churches and monasteries, but I +wanted to contemplate man, the only thing on earth almost +that possesses any interest for me. I beheld the stupendous +magnificence of their noble churches without emotion, except +to regret that the Gospel was not preached in them. +In one of the monasteries we saw the tomb of Francis +Xavier, the Apostle of India, most richly ornamented, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span> +well as the room in which it stands, with paintings and +figures in bronze, done in Italy. The friar who showed us +the tomb, happening to speak of the grace of God in the +heart, without which, said he, as he held the sacramental +wafer, the body of Christ profits nothing. I began a conversation +with him, which, however, came to nothing.</p> + +<p>We visited among many other places the convent of +nuns. After a long altercation with the lady porter we +were admitted to the antechamber, in which was the grate, +a window with iron bars, behind which the poor prisoners +make their appearance. While my companions were purchasing +their trinkets I was employed in examining their +countenances, which I did with great attention. In what +possible way, thought I, can you support existence, if you +do not find your happiness in God? They all looked ill +and discontented, those at least whose countenances expressed +anything. One sat by reading, as if nothing were +going on. I asked to see the book, and it was handed +through the grate. Finding that it was a Latin prayer-book, +I wrote in Latin something about the love of the +world, which seclusion from it would not remove. The +Inquisition is still existing at Goa. We were not admitted +as far as Dr. Buchanan was, to the Hall of Examination, +and that because he printed something against the inquisitors +which came to their knowledge. The priest in waiting +acknowledged that they had some prisoners within the +walls, and defended the practice of imprisoning and chastising +offenders, on the ground of its being conformed to +the custom of the Primitive Church. We were told that +when the officers of the Inquisition touch an individual, +and beckon him away, he dares not resist; if he does not +come out again, no one must ask about him; if he does, he +must not tell what was done to him.</p> + +<p><i>February 18.</i>—(Bombay.) Thus far I am brought in +safety. On this day I complete my thirtieth year.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span> ‘Here +I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I’m come.’ +27th. It is sweet to reflect that we shall at last reach our +home. I am here amongst men who are indeed aliens to +the commonwealth of Israel and without God in the world. +I hear many of those amongst whom I live bring idle +objections against religion, such as I have answered a +hundred times. How insensible are men of the world to +all that God is doing! How unconscious of His purposes +concerning His Church! How incapable, seemingly, of comprehending +the existence of it! I feel the meaning of St. +Paul’s words—‘Hath abounded toward us in all wisdom +and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of +His will, that He would gather in one all things in Christ.’ +Well! let us bless the Lord. ‘All thy children shall be +taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of thy +children.’ In a few days I expect to sail for the Gulf of +Persia in one of the Company’s sloops of war.</p> + +<p>Farewell, my beloved Lydia, and believe me to be ever +yours most affectionately,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>All through the voyage, in the Bay of Bengal and the +Indian Ocean, the scholar was busy with his books, the +Hebrew Old Testament, ‘reading Turkish grammar, Niebuhr’s +<i>Arabia</i>, making extracts from Maracci’s <i>Refutation of +the Koran</i>, in general reading the Word of God with pleasure.’</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>February 10.</i> (Sunday.)—Somewhat of a happy +Sabbath; I enjoyed communion with the saints, though far +removed from them; service morning and night in the cabin.</p> + +<p><i>January 14</i> to <i>17</i>.—When sitting on the poop Mr. +Elphinstone kindly entertained me with information about +India, the politics of which he has had such opportunities +of making himself acquainted with. The Afghans, to +whom he went as ambassador, to negotiate a treaty of +alliance in case of invasion by the French, possess a tract +of country considerably larger than Great Britain, using<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span> +the Persian and Pushtu languages. Their chief tribe is the +Doorani, from which the king is elected. Shah Zeman +was dethroned by his half-brother Mahmood, governor of +Herat, who put out his eyes. Shah Zeman’s younger +brother Shoujjah took up arms, and after several defeats +established himself for a time. He was on the throne +when Mr. Elphinstone visited him, but since that +Mahmood has begun to dispute the sovereignty with him. +Mr. Elphinstone has been with Holkar and Sindia a +good deal. Holkar he described as a little spitfire, his +general, Meer Khan, possessed abilities; Sindia none; +the Rajah of Berar the most politic of the native powers, +though the Nizam the most powerful; the influence of +residents at Nagpoor and Hyderabad very small.</p> + +<p><i>February 17.</i>—Mostly employed in writing the Arabic +tract, also in reading the Koran; a book of geography +in Arabic, and <i>Jami Abbari</i> in Persian.</p> + +<p>I would that all should adore, but especially that I +myself should lie prostrate. As for self, contemptible self, +I feel myself saying, let it be forgotten for ever; henceforth +let Christ live, let Christ reign, let Him be glorified for ever.</p> + +<p><i>February 18.</i>—Came to anchor at Bombay. This day +I finish the 30th year of my unprofitable life, an age in +which Brainerd had finished his course. He gained about +a hundred savages to the Gospel; I can scarcely number the +twentieth part. If I cannot act, and rejoice, and love with +the ardour some did, oh, let me at least be holy, and sober, +and wise. I am now at the age at which the Saviour of +men began His ministry, and at which John the Baptist +called a nation to repentance. Let me now think for myself +and act with energy. Hitherto I have made my youth +and insignificance an excuse for sloth and imbecility: now +let me have a character, and act boldly for God.</p> + +<p><i>February 19.</i>—Went on shore. Waited on the Governor, +and was kindly accommodated with a room at the Government +House.</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Governor was the good Jonathan Duncan, in the +last year of his long administration and of his benevolent +life. In the first decade of the nineteenth century Bombay +was a comparatively little place, but the leaders of its +English society were all remarkable men. In the short +time, even then, Bombay had become the political and +social centre of all the Asiatics and Africans, from Higher +Asia, the Persian Gulf, and Arabia, to Abyssinia, Zanzibar, +and the Comoro Isles; especially had it then begun to be +what every generation since has made it more and more, +the best centre from which to direct a Christian mission to +the Mohammedans. With Poona, it is the capital of the +most subtle and unimpressionable class, the Marathi +Brahmans, and it is the point from which most widely to +influence the Parsees. But as a base of operations against +Islam it has never yet been fully used or appreciated. The +late Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer preferred Aden, or the neighbouring +village of Sheikh Othman, the British door into +Arabia, of which he took possession for the Master by there +laying down his life in the ripeness of his years, his scholarship, +and his prosperity. But even in Arabia such work +may be directed from Bombay. The city, like its harbour +for commerce, stands without a rival as a missionary and +civilising focus. Henry Martyn spent his weeks there +in mastering the needs of its varied races and religionists, +Jewish and Arabic, Persian and Brahman, talking with representative +men of all the cults, and striving to influence +them. He kept steadily in view his duty to the Mohammedans, +writing his Arabic tract, and consulting as to his +Persian translation of the Scriptures. It was not given to +him to remain there. Dr. Taylor, whom he had joined with +Brown and the Serampore Brotherhood at Aldeen in com<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span>mending +to God, was hard at work on the Malayalim New +Testament, and he often visited the press to see the sacred +work in progress. It was to be the life task of the Scottish +Dr. John Wilson, twenty years after, to use Bombay as +the missionary key of the peoples who border the Indian +Ocean.</p> + +<p>The friend of Mountstuart Elphinstone and guest of +the Governor, Henry Martyn was welcomed by the literary +society of the city, which at that time was unrivalled in +the East. It is fortunate that we thus obtain an impartial +estimate of his personal character and scholarship +from such men as Elphinstone, Mackintosh, and Malcolm. +In their journals and letters, written with all the frankness +of private friendship, we see the consistent and ever-watchful +saint, but at the same time the lively talker, the +brilliant scholar, and, above all, the genial companion and +even merry comrade. Since he had left Cambridge Henry +Martyn had not enjoyed society like this, able to appreciate +his many-sided gifts, and to call forth his natural joyfulness. +In Bombay we see him at his best all round as man, +scholar, saint, and missionary.</p> + +<p>In Sir T.E. Colebrooke’s Life of that most eminent +Indian statesman who twice refused the crown of the +Governor-General,<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> we find Mountstuart Elphinstone +writing thus to his friend Strachey:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span> ‘We have in Mr. +Martyn an excellent scholar, and one of the mildest, +cheerfullest, and pleasantest men I ever saw. He is extremely +religious, and disputes about the faith with the +Nakhoda, but talks on all subjects, sacred and profane, +and makes others laugh as heartily as he could do if he +were an infidel. We have people who speak twenty-five +languages (not apiece) in the ship.’ Again, in his Journal +of July 10, 1811, Elphinstone has this entry: ‘Mr. Martyn +has proved a far better companion than I reckoned on, +though my expectations were high. His zeal is unabated, +but it is not troublesome, and he does not press disputes +and investigate creeds. He is familiar with Greek and +Latin, understands French and Italian, speaks Persian and +Arabic, has translated the Scriptures into Hindustani, and +is translating the Old Testament from Hebrew. He was +an eminent mathematician even at Cambridge, and, what +is of more consequence, he is a man of good sense and +taste, and simple in his manners and character, and cheerful +in his conversation.’ He who, in the close intimacy +of shipboard life in the tropics, could win that eulogy +from a critic so lofty and so experienced, must have +been at once more human and more perfect than his +secret <i>Journal</i>, taken alone, has led its readers to believe +possible.</p> + +<p>Sir John Malcolm, fresh from his second mission to +Persia, was writing his great <i>History of Persia</i> in the quiet +of Parell and Malabar Hill, with the help of the invaluable +criticism of Sir James Mackintosh, whom he described to his +brother Gilbert as ‘a very extraordinary man.’ Malcolm +introduced Mackintosh and Elphinstone to each other, and +Elphinstone lost not a day in taking Martyn to call on +the Recorder. Although the distinguished Scots Highlander, +who had become the admiring friend of Robert +Hall when they were fellow students at Aberdeen University, +was in full sympathy with missionary enthusiasm, and +condemned the intolerance of the East India Company,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span><a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> +Martyn and he did not at first ‘cotton’ to each other. +The former wrote thus of him:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1811, February 22.</i>—Talked a good deal with the +Governor about my intended journey.</p> + +<p><i>February 23.</i>—Went with him to his residence in the +country, and at night met a large party, amongst whom +were Sir J. Mackintosh and General Malcolm: with Sir +James I had some conversation on different subjects; he +was by no means equal to my expectations.</p></div> + +<p>Mackintosh’s account of their first interview was this:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>February 24.</i> (Sunday.)—Elphinstone introduced me +to a young clergyman called Martyn, come round from +Bengal on his way to Bussora, partly for health and partly +to improve his Arabic, as he is translating the Scriptures +into that language. He seems to be a mild and benevolent +enthusiast—a sort of character with which I am always +half in love. We had the novelty of grace before and +after dinner, all the company standing.</p></div> + +<p>Again, a week after:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>March 1.</i>—Mr. Martyn, the saint from Calcutta, called +here. He is a man of acuteness and learning; his meekness +is excessive, and gives a disagreeable impression of +effort to conceal the passions of human nature.</p></div> + +<p>Both had the Celtic fire, but Sir James Mackintosh had +not lived with Sabat. Another month passed, and the +two were learning to appreciate each other.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Padre Martyn, the saint, dined here in the evening; it +was a very considerably more pleasant evening than usual; +he is a mild and ingenious man. We had two or three +hours’ good discussion on grammar and metaphysics.</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span></p> + +<p>Henry Martyn’s growing appreciation of Mackintosh is +seen in this later passage in his <i>Journal</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1811, March 1.</i>—Called on Sir J. Mackintosh, and +found his conversation, as it is generally said to be, very +instructive and entertaining. He thought that the world +would be soon Europeanised, in order that the Gospel +might spread over the world. He observed that caste was +broken down in Egypt, and the Oriental world made Greek +by the successors of Alexander, in order to make way for +the religion of Christ. He thought that little was to be +apprehended, and little hoped for, from the exertions of +missionaries. Called at General Malcolm’s, and though I +did not find him at home, was very well rewarded for my +trouble in getting to his house, by the company of Mr. <span class="dash">——</span>, +lately from R. Dined at Farish’s with a party of +some very amiable and well-behaved young men. What +a remarkable difference between the old inhabitants of +India and the new-comers. This is owing to the number +of religious families in England.</p> + +<p><i>March 4.</i>—Dined at General Malcolm’s, who gave me +a Chaldee missal. Captain Stewart, who had accompanied +him as his secretary into Persia, gave me much information +about the learned men of Ispahan.</p> + +<p><i>March 8.</i>—Spent the first part of the day at General +Malcolm’s, who gave me letters of introduction and some +queries respecting the wandering tribes of Persia.</p></div> + +<p>The reference to young Mr. Farish, is to one who +afterwards became interim Governor of Bombay, and the +friend of John Wilson, and who, because he taught a class +in the Sunday School that used to meet in the Town Hall, +was for the time an object of suspicion and attack by +the Parsees and Hindus, on the baptism of Dhanjibhai +Naoroji, the first Parsee to put on Christ.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span></p> +<p>On Malcolm, according to Sir John Kaye, his biographer,<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> +the young Christian hero appears to have made a +more favourable impression than on Mackintosh. Perhaps +the habitual cheerfulness of his manner communicated +itself to the ‘saint from Calcutta,’ of whom he wrote to Sir +Gore Ouseley, the British ambassador, that he was likely +to add to the hilarity of his party.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>He requested me to give him a line to the Governor of +Bushire, which I did, as well as one to Mahomed Nebbee +Khan. But I warned him not to move from Bushire without +your previous sanction. His intention is, I believe, +to go by Shiraz, Ispahan, and Kermanshah to Baghdad, +and to endeavour on that route to discover some ancient +copies of the Gospel, which he and many other saints are +persuaded lie hid in the mountains of Persia. Mr. Martyn +also expects to improve himself as an Oriental scholar; he +is already an excellent one. His knowledge of Arabic is +superior to that of any Englishman in India. He is altogether +a very learned and cheerful man, but a great enthusiast +in his holy calling. He has, however, assured me, +and begged I would mention it to you, that he has no +thought of preaching to the Persians, or of entering into +any theological controversies, but means to confine himself +to two objects—a research after old Gospels, and the endeavour +to qualify himself for giving a correct version of +the Scriptures into Arabic and Persian, on the plan proposed +by the Bible Society.</p> + +<p>I have not hesitated to tell him that I thought you +would require that he should act with great caution, and +not allow his zeal to run away with him. He declares he +will not, and he is a man of that character that I must +believe. I am satisfied that if you ever see him, you will +be pleased with him. He will give you grace before and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span> +after dinner, and admonish such of your party as take the +Lord’s name in vain; but his good sense and great learning +will delight you, whilst his constant cheerfulness will +add to the hilarity of your party.</p></div> + +<p>In such social intercourse in the evening, in constant +interviews and discussions with Jews and Mohammedans, +Parsees and Hindus, during the day, and in frequent +preaching for the chaplains, the weeks passed all too +rapidly. A ropemaker who had just arrived from London +called on him. ‘He understood from my preaching that +he might open his heart to me. We conversed and prayed +together.’ Against this and the communion with young +Farish and his fellows, we must set the action of those +whom he thus describes in a letter to Corrie:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1811, February 26.</i>—Peacefully preaching the Word of +life to a people daily edified is the nearest approach to +heaven below. But to move from place to place, hurried +away without having time to do good, is vexatious to the +spirit as well as harassing to the body. Hearing last +Saturday that some sons of Belial, members of the Bapre +Hunt,<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> intended to have a great race the following day, I +informed Mr. Duncan, at whose house I was staying, and +recommended the interference of the secular arm. He +accordingly sent to forbid it. The messengers of the Bapre +Hunt were exceedingly exasperated; some came to church +expecting to hear a sermon against hunting, but I merely +preached to them on ‘the one thing needful.’ Finding +nothing to lay hold of, they had the race on Monday, and +ran <i>Hypocrite</i> against <i>Martha</i> and <i>Mary</i>.</p></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span></p> +<p>His last message to India, from the ‘faithful saying’ of +1 Timothy i. 15, was misunderstood and resented, as his +first sermon in Calcutta had been in similar circumstances.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>March 24.</i> (Sunday).—Speaking on the evidence of +its truth, I mentioned its constant efficacy in collecting the +multitude, and commanding their attention, which moral +discourses never did. This was considered as a reflection +on the ministers of Bombay, which distressed me not a +little.</p></div> + +<p>Henry Martyn was granted a passage to Arabia and +Persia in the Benares, Captain Sealey, one of the ships of +the old Indian Navy, ordered to cruise along with the +Prince of Wales in the Persian Gulf. At that time the +danger was considerable. For a century the Joasmi Arabs, +of ‘the pirate coast’ of Oman, had been the terror of the +Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, driving off even the +early Portuguese, and confining the Persians, then invulnerable +by land, to their own shores. The Wahabee puritans +of Islam having mastered them, they added to their own +bloodthirsty love of plunder and the slave-trade the fanaticism +of Mohammed-ibn-Abdul-Wahab, the ‘bestower of +blessings,’ as the name signifies. The East India Company +tolerated them, retaining two or three ships of war in the +Gulf for the protection of the factories at Gombroon, +Bushire, and Busrah. But, in an evil moment, in the +year 1797, the Joasmi pirates dared to seize a British +vessel. From that hour their fate was sealed, though the +process of clearing the southern coast of Asia of pirates +and slavers ended only with the accession of Queen +Victoria, in the year when Aden was added to the empire. +In 1809-10 the Bombay Government expedition, under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span> +Commodore John Wainwright, captured their stronghold +of Ras-ul-Khymah, delivered our feudatory of Muscat +from their terrorism, and gave the Gulf peace for ten +years. The two ships of war which conveyed the chaplain +missionary with his message of peace to Eastern Arabia +and Persia were sent to complete the work of the Wainwright +expedition,<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> which had been summoned by Lord +Minto to the conquest of Java. Henry Martyn acted as +chaplain to the forty-five sailors and twelve artillerymen +who formed the European part of the crew of the Benares. +After two days at Muscat he tells the story of his voyage:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Muscat: April 22, 1811.<br /> +</p> + +<p>My dearest Lydia,—I am now in Arabia Felix: to judge +from the aspect of the country it has little pretensions to +the name, unless burning barren rocks convey an idea of +felicity; but perhaps as there is a promise in reserve for +the sons of Joktan, their land may one day be blest +indeed.</p> + +<p>We sailed from Bombay on Lady-day; and on the +morning of Easter saw the land of Mekran in Persia. After +another week’s sail across the mouth of the Gulf, we arrived +here, and expect to proceed up the Gulf to Bushire, as soon +as we have taken in our water. You will be happy to learn +that the murderous pirates against whom we were sent, +having received notice of our approach, are all got out of +the way, so that I am no longer liable to be shot in a battle, +or to decapitation after it, if it be lawful to judge from +appearances. These pestilent Ishmaelites indeed, whose +hand is against every man’s, will escape, and the community +suffer, but that selfish friendship of which you once<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span> +confessed yourself guilty, will think only of the preservation +of a friend. This last marine excursion has been the +pleasantest I ever made, as I have been able to pursue my +studies with less interruption than when ashore. My little +congregation of forty or fifty Europeans does not try my +strength on Sundays; and my two companions are men +who read their Bible every day. In addition to all these +comforts, I have to bless God for having kept me more +than usually free from the sorrowful mind. We must not +always say with Watts, ‘The sorrows of the mind be +banished from the place;’ but if freedom from trouble +be offered us, we may choose it rather. I do not know +anything more delightful than to meet with a Christian +brother, where only strangers and foreigners were expected. +This pleasure I enjoyed just before leaving Bombay; a +ropemaker who had just come from England, understood +from my sermon that I was one he might speak to, so he +came and opened his heart, and we rejoiced together. In +this ship I find another of the household of faith. In another +ship which accompanies us there are two Armenians +who do nothing but read the Testament. One of them will +I hope accompany me to Shiraz in Persia, which is his +native country.</p> + +<p>We are likely to be detained here some days, but the +ship that will carry our letters to India sails immediately, +so that I can send but one letter to England, and one to +Calcutta. When will our correspondence be established? +I have been trying to effect it these six years, and it is only +yet in train. Why there was no letter from you in those +dated June and July 1810, I cannot conjecture, except +that you had not received any of mine, and would write +no more. But I am not yet without hopes that a letter +in the beloved hand will yet overtake me somewhere. My +kindest and most affectionate remembrances to all the +Western circle. Is it because he is your brother that I love +George so much? or because he is the last come into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span> +number? The angels love and wait upon the righteous +who need no repentance; but there is joy whenever another +heir of salvation is born into the family. Read Eph. i. +I cannot wish you all these spiritual blessings, since they +already are all yours; but I pray that we may have the +spirit of wisdom and knowledge to know that they are ours. +It is a chapter I keep in mind every day in prayer. We +cannot believe too much or hope too much. Happy our +eyes that they see, and our ears that they hear.</p> + +<p>As it may be a year or more before I shall be back, you +may direct one letter after receiving this, if it be not of a +very old date, to Bombay, all after to Bengal, as usual. +Believe me to be ever, my dearest Lydia, your most +affectionate,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p><i>April 22.</i>—Landed at Muscat with Lockett and walked +through the bazaar; we wished to ascend one of the hills +in the neighbourhood, but on the native guards expressing +disapprobation, we desisted.</p></div> + +<p>We turn to her <i>Diary</i> for the corresponding passage.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1812, February 1.</i>—Heard yesterday from,<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> and wrote +to-day to, India. My conviction of being declining in +spiritual life is deeper and deeper. I would stop and +pause at what is before me. It is no particular outward +sin, but an inward loss I mourn.</p></div> + +<p>Every word of Henry Martyn’s <i>Journal</i> regarding +Arabia is precious, alike in the light of his attempt to give +its people the Word of God in their own tongue, and of the +long delayed and too brief efforts of his successors, Ion +Keith-Falconer in Yemen in 1887, and Bishop French in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span> +Muscat in 1891. To David Brown, all unknowing of his +death, he wrote on April 23:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I left India on Lady-day, looked at Persia on Easter +Sunday, and seven days after found myself in Arabia Felix. +In a small cove, surrounded by bare rocks, heated through, +out of the reach of air as well as wind, lies the good ship +Benares, in the great cabin of which, stretched on a couch, +lie I. But though weak I am well—relaxed but not +disordered. Praise to His grace who fulfils to me a promise +which I have scarcely a right to claim—‘I am with thee, +and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest.’</p> + +<p>Last night I went ashore for the first time with Captain +Lockett; we walked through the bazaar and up the hill, +but saw nothing but what was Indian or worse. The Imam +or Sultan is about thirty miles off, fighting, it is said, for his +kingdom, with the Wahabees.</p> + +<p>You will be happy to learn that the pirates whom we +were to scourge are got out of our way, so that I may now +hope to get safe through the Gulf without being made to +witness the bloody scenes of war.</p> + +<p><i>April 24.</i>—Went with one English party and two +Armenians and an Arab who served as guard and guide, +to see a remarkable pass about a mile from the town, and +a garden planted by a Hindu in a little valley beyond. +There was nothing to see, only the little bit of green in +this wilderness seemed to the Arab a great curiosity. I +conversed a good deal with him, but particularly with his +African slave, who was very intelligent about religion. The +latter knew as much about his religion as most mountaineers, +and withal was so interested, that he would not +cease from his argument till I left the shore.</p></div> + +<p>To Corrie he wrote on the same day:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Imam of Muscat murdered his uncle, and sits on +the throne in the place of his elder brother, who is here a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span> +cipher. Last night the Captain went ashore to a council +of state, to consider the relations subsisting between the +Government of Bombay and these mighty chieftains. I +attended as interpreter. The Company’s agent is an old +Hindu who could not get off his bed. An old man in +whom pride and stupidity seemed to contend for empire +sat opposite to him. This was the Wazeer. Between +them sat I, opposite to me the Captain. The Wazeer +uttered something in Arabic, not one word of which could +I understand. The old Hindu explained in Persian, for +he has almost forgot his Hindi, and I to the Captain in +English. We are all impatient to get away from this place.</p></div> + +<p>To the last he was busy with his Arabic translation of +Scripture. The ships of war crossed and recrossed the +Gulf from shore to shore, surveying its coasts and islands +in the heat of May, tempered by a north-wester which +tossed them about. On May 6 he wrote in his <i>Journal</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Much cast down through a sinful propensity, which I +little thought was in me at all, till occasion manifested its +existence.</p></div> + +<p>On the 19th:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Preached to the ship’s company on John iii. 3. My +thoughts so much on Lydia, whose old letter I had been +reading the day before, that I had a sense of guilt for having +neglected the proper duties of the day.</p> + +<p><i>May 20.</i>—We have now a fair wind, carrying us gently +to Bushire.</p> + +<p><i>May 22.</i>—Finished the syllabus of Ecclesiastical History +which I have been making all the voyage, and extracts +from Mosheim concerning the Eastern Church.</p></div> + +<p>On May 21, 1811, Henry Martyn at last reached +Persian soil.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Landed at Bushire this morning in good health; how +unceasing are the mercies of the Lord; blessed be His +goodness; may He still preserve me from danger, and, above +all, make my journey a source of future good to this +kingdom of Persia, into which I am now come. We were +hospitably received by the acting Resident. In the evening +I walked out by the sea-side to recollect myself, to review +the past, and look forward to the future.</p> + +<p>Suffering the will of God is as necessary a part of +spiritual discipline as doing, and much more trying.</p></div> + +<p>But he landed still with the desire ‘to go to Arabia +circuitously by way of Persia,’ a course which he declared +to be rendered necessary by the advanced state of the +season. The people of Arabia were first in his heart.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> In two volumes (John Murray), 1884, see p. 231, vol. i.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> <i>Memoirs</i>, edited by his son, second edition, London (Moxon), 1836. See +vol. ii. pp. 86, 268.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> <i>The Life of John Wilson, D.D., F.R.S.</i> (John Murray), 2nd edit., p. 137.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> <i>Life and Correspondence</i>, vol. ii. p. 65 (Smith, Elder & Co.), 1856.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> <i>Bap·re</i> = ‘O Father!’ the exclamation of Hindus when in surprise or +grief; hence a noise or row; hence a Bobbery-pack or hunt is the Anglo-Indian +for a pack of hounds of different breeds, or no breed, wherewith young +officers hunt jackals or the like. See the late Colonel Sir Henry Yule’s <i>Hobson-Jobson, +or Anglo-Indian Glossary</i> (John Murray), 1886.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> C.R. Low’s <i>History of the Indian Navy</i>, chapter x. vol. i. (Richard +Bentley), 1877.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> By letter written April 22 or June 23, 1811.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<p class="subheading">IN PERSIA—BUSHIRE AND SHIRAZ, 1811</p> + + +<p>The Persia to whose seven millions of people Henry +Martyn was the first in modern times to carry the good-news +of God, was just the size of the India of his day. +The Mohammedan majority of its scattered inhabitants, +in cities, in villages, and wandering over its plains and +deserts, had never been, and are not yet, as Shi’ahs, rigid +members of Islam, fanatically aggressive against all others, +like the orthodox Soonnis. After the apparent extinction +of the cult of Zoroaster and the flight of the surviving +remnant of Parsees to India, the successive ruling dynasties +were liberal and tolerant in their treatment of Christians +compared with other Moslem powers; more liberal than +Christian Russia is to the Jews and the non-‘orthodox’ +sects. When those cultured and enterprising brothers, Sir +Anthony and Sir Thomas Sherley,<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> went from Oxford to +the court of Persia, then in all its magnificence under +Shah Abbas the Great, two centuries before Henry +Martyn, that Shah sent one back as Persian envoy to the +Christian powers of Europe, to establish an alliance for the +destruction of the Turks. Shah Abbas made over Gombroon +to them, calling it by his own name, Bunder Abbas,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span> +which it still retains, and his Majesty’s grant used such +language as this: ‘Our absolute commandment, will, and +pleasure is that our countries and dominions shall be from +this day open to all Christian people <i>and to their religion</i>.... +Because of the amitie now ioyned with the princes that +professe Christ, I do give this pattent for all Christian +merchants,’ etc. Only the intolerance of the Portuguese, +who, under Albuquerque, took the island of Ormuz, and so +dominated the Persian Gulf till driven out by the English, +led this great Asiatic monarch to except the power which +Prince Henry the Navigator alone redeems from historical +contempt to the present day.</p> + +<p>The Suffavian dynasty gave place to the Afghan, and +that to the short-lived but wide-spreading empire of Nadir +Kooli Khan, from Delhi to the Oxus River and the Caspian +Sea. Out of half a century’s bloody revolutions, such as +formed the normal course of the annals of Asia till Great +Britain pushed its ‘Peace’ up from the Southern Ocean, +Aga Mohammed Khan, of the Kajar clan, founded the +present dynasty in 1795. His still greater nephew succeeded +on his death three years after. Futteh Ali Shah +became for the next thirty-eight years the close friend of +the British Crown and the East India Company. Shah-in-Shah, +or king of the four kings of Afghanistan, Georgia, +Koordistan, and Arabistan, the ruler of Persia had now +incorporated Arabistan in his own dominion, and had lost +Afghanistan. But he still claimed the allegiance of the +two subject-sovereigns of Georgia and Koordistan. His +uncle had avenged on the people, and especially the beautiful +women of Georgia, the transfer of the country by +its Wali to the Russian Catherine II. Placed in the +commanding centre of Western Asia, Futteh Ali almost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span> +immediately found himself the object of eager competition +by the representatives of the Christian powers at Teheran. +His revenue was estimated by so competent an authority +as Sir John Malcolm at nearly six millions sterling. The +crown jewels, chief of them the Sea of Light, or Derya-i-Noor, +a diamond weighing 178 carats, were then the most +valuable collection in the world; for though the Koh-i-Noor +had remained with the Afghans, whence through the Sikhs +it came to a greater Shah-in-Shah, the Queen-Empress of +Great Britain, he still possessed not a little of Nadir’s +plunder of Delhi.</p> + +<p>Sir Robert Ker Porter describes him about the time +when Martyn reached his capital, as ‘one blaze of jewels,’ at +the New Year festival of Norooz. On his head was a lofty +tiara of three elevations, ‘entirely composed of thickly-set +diamonds, pearls, rubies, and emeralds, so exquisitely disposed +as to form a mixture of the most beautiful colours +in the brilliant light reflected from its surface. Several +black feathers, like the heron plume, were intermixed +with the resplendent aigrettes of this truly imperial diadem, +whose bending points were furnished with pear-formed +pearls of an immense size. The vesture was of gold tissue +nearly covered with a similar disposition of jewelry; and +crossing the shoulders were two strings of pearls, probably +the largest in the world. But for splendour nothing could +exceed the broad bracelets round his arms and the belt +which encircled his waist; they actually blazed like fire +when the rays of the sun met them. The throne was of +pure white marble raised a few steps from the ground, and +carpeted with shawls and cloth of gold. While the Great +King was approaching his throne, the whole assembly +continued bowing their heads to the ground till he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span> +taken his place. In the midst of solemn stillness, while all +eyes were fixed on the bright object before them, which +sat indeed as radiant and immovable as the image of +Mithras itself, a sort of volley of words bursting at one +impulse from the mouths of the mollahs and astrologers, +made me start, and interrupted my gaze. This strange +oratory was a kind of heraldic enumeration of the Great +King’s titles, dominions, and glorious acts. There was a +pause, and then his Majesty spoke. The effect was even +more startling than the sudden bursting forth of the +mollahs; for this was like a voice from the tombs—so +deep, so hollow, and, at the same time, so penetratingly +loud.’<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a></p> + +<p>That was the man to whose feet the French Emperor +Napoleon and the Tsar Alexander, King George III. and +the greatest Governor-General of the East India Company, +the Marquess Wellesley, sent special embassies; the man +from whom they sought secret treaties, lavishing on his +courtiers more than royal gifts. To arrest the march of the +Afghan invader, who a few years before had reached Lahore +on his way to set up again at Delhi the house of Timour, +and in order to foil the secret embassy sent by Napoleon, +who had resolved to give England its death-blow through +India, a young Scotsman, Captain Malcolm, was deputed +to Teheran in 1801, following up a native envoy who had +been most successful just before. This soldier diplomatist, +who was afterwards to help Henry Martyn to a very +different success, ‘bribed like a king,’ and returned with +two treaties, political and commercial, but still more with +the knowledge which fitted him to write his classic history,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span> +and make his second ambassage. For England failed to +carry out the first so far as to help the Shah against Russia, +and from that hour Persia has seen province after province +overwhelmed by the wave from the north.</p> + +<p>Taking alarm a second time, just before and after the +Peace of Tilsit, both the Crown and the Company appointed +plenipotentiaries to Teheran. It was Lord Minto’s wise +policy to protect our Indian empire ‘by binding the +Western Frontier States in a chain of friendly alliance.’ +Hence the Governor-General’s four missions, to Sindh, to +Lahore, to Cabul, and again to Persia under Sir John +Malcolm. Sir Harford Jones appeared as ambassador from +the Crown after Malcolm had left Teheran, and took advantage +of a change in the political situation to secure +the preliminary treaty of 1809, which renewed the pledge +of its predecessor to assist the Shah with troops or a +subsidy if any European forces should invade his territories. +In a modified form this became the definitive treaty of +March 14, 1812 (further altered in that of 1814), to arrange +which Sir Gore Ouseley was sent out, superseding both +Malcolm and Jones.<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> Sir Gore Ouseley became Henry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span> +Martyn’s friend. Commended by Sir John Malcolm to +his personal friends among the Persians, and officially +encouraged by the British plenipotentiary, the Bengal +chaplain seeking health had all the facilities secured to him +that were possible to pursue the God-given mission of the +apostle of Christ to the peoples of Persia and Arabia.</p> + +<p>The strong and wise rule of Futteh Ali Shah kept +Persia itself at peace, but he could not get the better of +Russian intrigue and attack, even with the friendly offices +of the British Government. Up till Martyn’s arrival these +vast regions had been wrested from the Shah-in-Shah: +Georgia, Mingrelia, Daghistan, Sherwan, Karabagh, and +Talish. During his presence in the country the negotiations +with Russia were going on, which ended in 1813 in the +Treaty of Gulistan, surrendering to the Tsar all he had taken, +and apparently stopping his advance by a line of demarcation. +But as its exact direction had to be settled by +commissioners Russia has ever since continued steadily to +strip Persia of its northern lands, and only the presence of +the British Navy has kept it as yet out of the Persian Gulf.<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a></p> + +<p>Such were the historical and political conditions amid +which the missionary chaplain of India became a resident in +the cities, and a traveller through the villages of Persia and +Turkey at the age of thirty. He went there as the friend +of Malcolm Sahib, whose gracious dignity and lavish gifts +had made him a hero among the officials and many of the +people of Persia. He went with letters of introduction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span> +from the Governor-General of India and the Governor of +Bombay to the new British ambassador, who had lived at +Lucknow, and must have known well of his work in the +neighbouring station of Cawnpore. He went with the +reputation of a man of God in the Oriental sense, and of a +scholar who knew the sacred books of Mohammedans and +Christians alike, and who sought the good of the people. +The Armenian colonies at Calcutta and Bombay had commended +him to the many members of their Church in Persia.</p> + +<p>Bushire, or Abu Shahr, at which he began his mission to +Persia, is the port of that province of Fars from which the +whole empire takes its name. Its mixed Persian and Arab +population, now numbering some fifteen thousand, its insanitary +position on a spit of sand almost surrounded by the sea, +and the filthy narrow streets hardly redeemed by the Char +Burj or citadel, and the British Residency, do not attract the +visitor, and he soon learns that the humid heat of its +climate in summer is more insupportable than that even of +the Red Sea. From Reshire, close by, in the Anglo-Persian +War of 1856-7, General Havelock shelled the town when +he pitched the camp of the force to the south of its gate. +Henry Martyn was there in the worst season of May and +June, when the thermometer rises to 100° in the shade, and +sometimes 106°. He became the guest of an English +merchant and his Armenian wife, and was received by the +Armenians as a priest of great sanctity. His <i>Journal</i> +describes his receptions and daily occupations.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1811, May 23.</i>—Rode out with a party in the evening, +or rather in the afternoon, for the heat of the sun made +me ill.</p> + +<p><i>May 24.</i>—The Governor called on us; also the +Armenian priest. Received an answer from the ambas<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[347]</a></span>sador, +Sir Gore Ouseley, to a letter I sent him from +Muscat.</p> + +<p><i>May 25.</i>—In the evening called with the two Captains, +the Resident, and the Captain of his guard, on the Governor. +In consequence of a letter I brought for him from General +Malcolm, he was very particular in his attentions, seated +me on his own seat, and then sat by my side apart from +the rest. I observed that a Christian was not allowed to +enter a mosque; he said, ‘No,—do you wish to hear the +prayers?’ I said, ‘No, but the preaching, if there is any;’ +he said there were no preachers except at Yezd.</p> + +<p><i>May 26.</i> (Sunday.)—The Europeans assembled for +Divine service, which was performed at the Resident’s. I +preached on 1 Cor. xv.: ‘For He must reign till He hath +put all enemies under His feet,’ etc. In the evening I went, +at the padre’s request, to the Armenian church. There +was the same disagreeable succession of unmeaning ceremonies +and noisy chants as at Bombay. I was introduced +within the rails, and at the time of incense I was censed, +as the padre afterwards desired me to observe, four times, +whereas the laity have the honour done them but once. +I asked the old man what was meant by burning incense. +He said it was in imitation of the Wise Men of the East, +who offered incense to Christ. I told him, Why then do +you not offer myrrh and gold? To this he made no reply. +Walking afterwards with him by the sea-side, I tried to +get into a conversation suitable to our profession as +ministers, speaking particularly of the importance of the +charge entrusted to us. Nothing could be more vapid and +mean than his remarks.</p> + +<p><i>May 27.</i>—Very ill, from head-ache and overpowering +sleepiness, arising, as I suppose, from a stroke of the sun. +As often as I attempted to read, I fell asleep, and awoke +in weakness and pain. How easily may existence be +embittered; still I will say, ‘Not my will, but Thine be done.’ +In the evening a Jewish goldsmith called with a fine boy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[348]</a></span> +who read the Hebrew fluently. Grief has marked the +countenance of the Eastern Jews in a way that makes +them indescribably interesting. I could have wept while +looking at them. O Lord, how long? Will Thine anger +burn for ever?—is not justice yet satisfied? This afflicted +people are as much oppressed in Persia as ever. Their +women are not allowed to veil, as all others are required to +do; hence, if there be one more than ordinarily beautiful, +she is soon known, and a khan or the king sends for her, +makes her a Mahometan, and puts her into the harem. +As soon as he is tired, she is given to another, and then to +another, till she becomes the property of the most menial +servant; such is the degradation to which the daughters of +Israel are subjected.</p> + +<p><i>May 28.</i>—Through the infinite and unmerited goodness +of God I am again restored, and able to do something in +the way of reading. The Resident gave us some account +this evening of the moral state of Persia. It is enough to +make one shudder. If God rained down fire upon Sodom +and Gomorrah, how is it that this nation is not blotted out +from under heaven? I do not remember to have heard +such things of the Hindus, except the Sikhs; they seem +to rival the Mahometans.</p></div> + +<p>For personal comfort and freedom from insult or attack, +Henry Martyn, when in Bushire, ordered the usual wardrobe +of a Persian gentleman. He had suffered his beard +and moustachios to vegetate undisturbed since leaving +India, as he wrote to Corrie. In conical Astrakhan cap, +baggy blue trousers, red boots, and light chintz tunic and +<i>chogha</i> or flowing coat, mounted on a riding pony, and +followed by his Armenian servant on a mule, with another +mule for his baggage, he set out on May 30, 1811, for +Shiraz. His companion was a British officer. The party +formed a large caravan with some thirty horses and mules,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span> +carrying goods to the ambassador. They marched by +night, in the comparative coolness of 100°, to which the +thermometer fell from the noonday heat of 126°, when they +lay panting in their tents protected from the scorching dry +wind by heavy clothing. The journey of some 170 miles +occupied the first nine days of June. After ninety miles +over a hot sandy plain the traveller rises, by four rocky +<i>kotuls</i> or inclines, so steep as to be called ladders, over the +spurs of the Zagros range into a cooler region at Kaziroon, +on the central plateau of Iran, and then passes through the +most delightful valleys, wooded or clad with verdure, to the +capital, Shiraz, surrounded by gardens and by cemeteries.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>May 30.</i>—Our Persian dresses being ready, we set off +this evening for Shiraz. Our kafila consisted of about +thirty horses and mules; some carrying things to the +ambassador, the rest for our servants and luggage; the +animal for my use was a yaboo or riding pony, a mule +for my trunks, and one for my servant Zechariah, an +Armenian of Ispahan. It was a fine moonlight night, +about ten o’clock, when we marched out of the gate of +Bushire, and began to make our way over the plain. +Mr. B., who accompanied me a little way, soon returned. +Captain T. went on, intending to accompany us to Shiraz. +This was the first time we had any of us put off the +European, and the novelty of our situation supplied us +with many subjects for conversation for about two hours. +When we began to flag and grow sleepy, and the kafila was +pretty quiet, one of the muleteers on foot began to sing: he +sang with a voice so plaintive that it was impossible not to +have one’s attention arrested. At the end of the first tune he +paused, and nothing was heard but the tinkling of the bells +attached to the necks of the mules; every voice was hushed. +The first line was enough for me, and I dare say it set +many others thinking of their absent friends.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span> ‘Without +thee my heart can attach itself to none.’ It is what I have +often felt on setting out on a journey. The friends left +behind so absorb the thoughts, that the things by the wayside +are seen without interest, and the conversation of +strangers is insipid. But perhaps the first line, as well as +the rest, is only a promise of fidelity, though I did not take +it in that sense when I first heard it. The following is +perhaps the true translation:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">Think not that e’er my heart can dwell<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Contented far from thee;<br /></span> +<span class="i8">How can the fresh-caught nightingale<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Enjoy tranquillity?<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">Forsake not then thy friend for aught<br /></span> +<span class="i10">That slanderous tongues can say;<br /></span> +<span class="i8">The heart that fixes where it ought,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">No power can rend away.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Thus we went on, and as often as the kafila by their +dulness and sleepiness seemed to require it, or perhaps to +keep himself awake, he entertained the company and himself +with a song. We met two or three other kafilas taking +advantage of the night to get on. My loquacious servant +Zachary took care to ask every one whence they came, and +by that means sometimes got an answer which raised a +laugh against him.</p> + +<p><i>June 1.</i>—At sunrise we came to our ground at Ahmeda, +six parasangs, and pitched our little tent under a tree: it +was the only shelter we could get. At first the heat was +not greater than we had felt it in India, but it soon became +so intense as to be quite alarming. When the thermometer +was above 112°, fever heat, I began to lose my strength +fast; at last it became quite intolerable. I wrapped myself +up in a blanket and all the warm covering I could get, +to defend myself from the external air; by which means +the moisture was kept a little longer upon the body, and +not so speedily evaporated as when the skin was exposed;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span> +one of my companions followed my example, and found +the benefit of it. But the thermometer still rising, and the +moisture of the body being quite exhausted, I grew restless, +and thought I should have lost my senses. The +thermometer at last stood at 126°: in this state I composed +myself, and concluded that though I might hold out a day +or two, death was inevitable. Captain T., who sat it out, +continued to tell the hour, and height of the thermometer; +and with what pleasure did we hear of its sinking to 120°, +118°, etc. At last the fierce sun retired, and I crept out, +more dead than alive. It was then a difficulty how I could +proceed on my journey: for besides the immediate effects +of the heat, I had no opportunity of making up for the +last night’s want of sleep, and had eaten nothing. However, +while they were loading the mules, I got an hour’s +sleep, and set out, the muleteers leading my horse, and +Zechariah, my servant, an Armenian, of Ispahan, doing all +in his power to encourage me. The cool air of the night +restored me wonderfully, so that I arrived at our next +<i>munzil</i> with no other derangement than that occasioned +by want of sleep. Expecting another such day as the +former, we began to make preparation the instant we +arrived on the ground. I got a tattie made of the branches +of the date-tree, and a Persian peasant to water it; by +this means the thermometer did not rise higher than 114°. +But what completely secured me from the heat was a large +wet towel, which I wrapped round my head and body, +muffling up the lower part in clothes. How could I but +be grateful to a gracious Providence, for giving me so +simple a defence against what I am persuaded would have +destroyed my life that day! We took care not to go without +nourishment, as we had done: the neighbouring village +supplied us with curds and milk. At sunset, rising up to +go out, a scorpion fell upon my clothes; not seeing where +it fell, I did not know what it was; but Captain T., +pointing it out, gave the alarm, and I struck it off, and he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span> +killed it. The night before we found a black scorpion in +our tent; this made us rather uneasy; so that though the +kafila did not start till midnight, we got no sleep, fearing +we might be visited by another scorpion.</p> + +<p><i>June 2.</i>—We arrived at the foot of the mountains, at a +place where we seemed to have discovered one of Nature’s +ulcers. A strong suffocating smell of naphtha announced +something more than ordinarily foul in the neighbourhood. +We saw a river:—what flowed in it, it seemed difficult to +say, whether it were water or green oil; it scarcely moved, +and the stones which it laved it left of a greyish colour, as +if its foul touch had given them the leprosy. Our place of +encampment this day was a grove of date-trees, where the +atmosphere, at sunrise, was ten times hotter than the +ambient air. I threw myself down on the burning ground, +and slept; when the tent came up I awoke, as usual, in a +burning fever. All this day I had recourse to the wet +towel, which kept me alive, but would allow of no sleep. +It was a sorrowful Sabbath; but Captain T. read a few +hymns, in which I found great consolation. At nine in +the evening we decamped. The ground and air were so +insufferably hot, that I could not travel without a wet towel +round my face and neck. This night, for the first time, we +began to ascend the mountains. The road often passed so +close to the edge of the tremendous precipices, that one +false step of the horse would have plunged his rider into +inevitable destruction. In such circumstances I found it +useless to attempt guiding the animal, and therefore gave +him the rein. These poor animals are so used to journeys +of this sort, that they generally step sure. There was +nothing to mark the road but the rocks being a little more +worn in one place than in another. Sometimes my horse, +which led the way, as being the muleteer’s, stopped, as if +to consider about the way: for myself, I could not guess, +at such times, where the road lay, but he always found it. +The sublime scenery would have impressed me much, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span> +other circumstances; but my sleepiness and fatigue rendered +me insensible to everything around me. At last we emerged +<i>superas ad auras</i>, not on the top of a mountain to go down +again, but to a plain, or upper world. At the pass, where +a cleft in the mountain admitted us into the plain, was a +station of Rahdars. While they were examining the +muleteer’s passports, etc., time was given for the rest of the +kafila to come up, and I got a little sleep for a few minutes.</p> + +<p><i>June 4.</i>—We rode briskly over the plain, breathing a +purer air, and soon came in sight of a fair edifice, built by +the king of the country for the refreshment of pilgrims. +In this caravanserai we took our abode for the day. It +was more calculated for Eastern than European travellers, +having no means of keeping out the air and light. We +found the thermometer at 110°. At the passes we met a +man travelling down to Bushire with a load of ice, which +he willingly disposed of to us. The next night we ascended +another range of mountains, and passed over a plain, where +the cold was so piercing that with all the clothes we could +muster we were shivering. At the end of this plain we +entered a dark valley, contained by two ranges of hills +converging one to another. The muleteer gave notice +that he saw robbers. It proved to be a false alarm; but +the place was fitted to be a retreat for robbers; there being +on each side caves and fastnesses from which they might +have killed every man of us. After ascending another +mountain, we descended by a very long and circuitous +route into an extensive valley, where we were exposed to +the sun till eight o’clock. Whether from the sun or from +continued want of sleep, I could not, on my arrival at +Kaziroon, compose myself to sleep; there seemed to be a +fire within my head, my skin like a cinder, and the pulse +violent. Through the day it was again too hot to sleep; +though the place we occupied was a sort of summer-house +in a garden of cypress-trees, exceedingly well fitted up +with mats and coloured glass. Had the kafila gone on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span> +that night, I could not have accompanied it; but it halted +there a day, by which means I got a sort of night’s rest, +though I awoke twenty times to dip my burning hand in +water. Though Kaziroon is the second greatest town in +Fars, we could get nothing but bread, milk, and eggs, and +those with difficulty. The Governor, who is under great +obligations to the English, heard of our arrival, but sent +no message.</p> + +<p><i>June 5.</i>—At ten we left Kaziroon and ascended a +mountain: we then descended from it on the other side +into a beautiful valley, where the opening dawn discovered +to us ripe fields of wheat and barley, with the green oak +here and there in the midst of it. We were reminded of +an autumnal morning in England. Thermometer 62°.</p> + +<p><i>June 6.</i>—Half-way up the Peergan Mountain we found +a caravanserai. There being no village in the neighbourhood, +we had brought supplies from Kaziroon. My servant +Zachary got a fall from his mule this morning, which much +bruised him; he looked very sorrowful, and had lost much +of his garrulity.</p> + +<p><i>June 7.</i>—Left the caravanserai at one this morning, +and continued to ascend. The hours we were permitted +to rest, the mosquitoes had effectually prevented me from +using, so that I never felt more miserable and disordered; +the cold was very severe; for fear of falling off, from sleep +and numbness, I walked a good part of the way. We +pitched our tent in the vale of Dustarjan, near a crystal +stream, on the banks of which we observed the clover and +golden cup: the whole valley was one green field, in which +large herds of cattle were browsing. The temperature +was about that of spring in England. Here a few hours’ +sleep recovered me in some degree from the stupidity in +which I had been for some days. I awoke with a light +heart, and said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[355]</a></span> ‘He knoweth our frame, and remembereth +that we are but dust. He redeemeth our life from destruction, +and crowneth us with loving kindness and tender +mercies. He maketh us to lie down in the green pastures, +and leadeth us beside the still waters.’ And when we leave +this vale of tears, there is ‘no more sorrow, nor sighing, +nor any more pain.’ ‘The sun shall not light upon thee, +nor any heat; but the Lamb shall lead thee to living +fountains of waters.’</p> + +<p><i>June 8.</i>—Went on to a caravanserai, three parasangs, +where we passed the day. At night set out upon our last +march for Shiraz. Sleepiness, my old companion and +enemy, again overtook me. I was in perpetual danger of +falling off my horse, till at last I pushed on to a considerable +distance beyond the kafila, planted my back against a +wall, and slept I know not how long, till the good muleteer +came up and gently waked me.</p> + +<p><i>June 9.</i> (Sunday.)—By daylight we found ourselves in +the plain of Shiraz. We went to the halting-place outside +the walls of the city, but found it occupied; however, after +some further delay, we were admitted with our servants +into another; as for the kafila, we saw no more of it. The +ambassador, Sir Gore Ouseley, was encamped near us; +Sir William and Major D’Arcy, and Dr. Sharp, called on +us, but I did not see the two first, being asleep at the time. +In the evening we dined with his excellency, who gave us +a general invitation to his table. Returned to our garden, +where we slept.</p> + +<p><i>June 10.</i>—Went this morning to Jaffir Ali Khan’s, to +whom we had letters from General Malcolm, and with whom +we are to take up our abode. After the long and tedious +ceremony of coffee and <i>kaleans</i> (pipes), breakfast made +its appearance on two large trays: curry, pilaws, various +sweets cooled with snow and perfumed with rose-water, +were served in great profusion in china plates and basins, +a few wooden spoons beautifully carved; but being in a +Persian dress, and on the ground, I thought it high time +to throw off the European, and so ate with my hands. +After breakfast Jaffir took me to a summer-house in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[356]</a></span> +garden, where his brother-in-law met us, for the purpose of +a conversazione. From something I had thrown out at +breakfast about Sabat, and accident, he was curious to +know what were our opinions on these subjects. He then +began to explain his own sentiments on Soofi-ism, of which +it appeared he was a passionate admirer.</p> + +<p><i>June 11.</i>—Breakfasted at Anius with some of the Embassy, +and went with them afterwards to a glass-house and +pottery. Afterwards called on Mr. Morier, secretary to +the Embassy, Major D’Arcy, and Sir W. Ouseley. Our +host, Jaffir Ali Khan, gave us a good deal of information +this evening, about this country and government. He +used to sit for hours with the king at Teheran telling him +about India and the English.</p> + +<p><i>June 12.</i>—Employed about <i>Journal</i>, writing letters, +reading <i>Gulistan</i>, but excessively indolent. In the morning +I enjoyed much comfort in prayer. What a privilege to +have a God to go to, in such a place, and in such company. +To read and pray at leisure seemed like coming home after +being long abroad. Psalm lxxxix. was a rich repast to +me. Why is it not always thus with me?</p></div> + +<p>At Shiraz Henry Martyn was in the very heart of old +Persia, to which the eldest son of Shem had given his +name, Elam. One of the greatest of the Shahs, Kareem +Khan, made Shiraz his capital, instead of the not distant +Persepolis, which also Martyn visited. The founder of the +present dynasty levelled its walls and desolated its gardens, +but the city of the six gates still dominates the fine valley +which no tyrant could destroy, and has still a pleasing +appearance, though its Dewan Khana has been stripped of +the royal pillars to adorn the palace of the new capital of +Teheran. Even Timour respected Shiraz; when red with +the blood of Ispahan, he sent for Hafiz, and asked how the +poet dared to dispose of the Tartar’s richest cities, Bokhara<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[357]</a></span> +and Samarcand, for the mole on his lady’s cheek. ‘Can +the gifts of Hafiz ever impoverish Timour?’ was the +answer; and Shiraz was spared. Kareem Khan long after +built mausoleums over the dust of the Anacreon of Persia, +and over that of Sadi, its Socrates in verse, as Sir Robert +Ker Porter well describes the author of the <i>Gulistan</i>, which +was Martyn’s daily companion at this time.</p> + +<div style="visibility: hidden;"><a name="picture7" id="picture7"> </a></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;"> +<img src="images/page357.jpg" width="500" height="362" alt="SHIRAZ" /> +<span class="caption">SHIRAZ</span> +</div> + +<p>We have an account of Shiraz<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> and the people of Persia, +written six years before Martyn’s visit, by Edward Scott +Waring, Esq., of the Bengal Civil Establishment, who, +led by ill-health and curiosity, followed the same route +by Bushire and Kaziroon to the city. He is sceptical as to +those splendours which formed the theme of Hafiz, and describes +the city as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[358]</a></span> ‘worth seeing, but not worth going to see.’ +The tomb of the poet<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> the Hafizieh garden he found to +be of white marble, on which two of his odes were very +beautifully cut; a few durweshes daily visited the spot +and chanted his verses. Mr. George N. Curzon, M.P.,<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> the +latest visitor, contrasts the grave of Hafiz with that of his +contemporary Dante, at Ravenna. Sadi’s grave was then +quite neglected; no one had carved on it the beautiful +epitaph (paraphrased by Dryden) which he wrote for himself +on the <i>Bostan</i>: ‘O passenger! who walkest over my grave, +think of the virtuous persons who have gone before me. +What has Sadi to apprehend from being turned into dust? he +was but earth when alive. He will not continue dust long, +for the winds will scatter him over the whole universe.’ Yet +as long as the garden of knowledge has blossomed not a +nightingale has warbled so sweetly in it. It would be +strange if such a nightingale should die, and not a rose +grow upon its grave. Sir Robert Ker Porter, twelve years +later, found both spots alike neglected. One poet had +written of the garden where Hafiz was buried,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span> ‘Paradise +does not boast such lovely banks as those of Rocknabeel, +nor such groves as the high-scented fragrance of the bowers +of Mosella.’ Another now sadly writes, ‘Though the +bowers of love grew on its banks, and the sweet song +of Hafiz kept time with the nightingale and the rose, the +summer is past and all things are changed.’</p> + +<p>Six years after Henry Martyn’s residence in Shiraz, +Sir Robert Ker Porter entered the city, which to him, +as to every Christian or even English-speaking man, +became thenceforth more identified with this century’s +apostle to the Persians than with even Hafiz and Sadi. +‘Faint with sickness and fatigue,’ he writes,<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span> ‘I felt a +momentary reviving pleasure in the sight of a hospitable +city, and the cheerful beauty of the view. As I drew near, +the image of my exemplary countryman, Henry Martyn, +rose in my thoughts, seeming to sanctify the shelter to which +I was hastening. He had approached Shiraz much about +the same season of the year, <span class="smcap">A.D.</span> 1811, and like myself was +gasping for life under the double pressure of an inward +fire and outward burning sun. He dwelt there nearly a +year, and on leaving its walls the apostle of Christianity +found no cause for shaking off the dust of his feet against +the Mohammedan city. The inhabitants had received, +cherished and listened to him; and he departed thence +amidst the blessings and tears of many a Persian friend. +Through his means the Gospel had then found its way into +Persia, and, as it appears to have been sown in kindly hearts, +the gradual effect hereafter may be like the harvest to the +seedling. But, whatever be the issue, the liberality with +which his doctrines were permitted to have been discussed, +and the hospitality with which their promulgation was +received by the learned, the nobles, and persons of all ranks, +cannot but reflect lasting honour on the Government, and +command our respect for the people at large. Besides, +to a person who thinks at all on these subjects, the circumstances +of the first correct Persian translation of the Holy +Scriptures being made at Shiraz, and thence put into the +royal hands and disseminated through the empire, cannot +but give an almost prophetic emphasis to the transaction, +as arising from the very native country, Persia Proper, of +the founder of the empire who first bade the temple of +Jerusalem be rebuilt, who returned her sons from captivity, +and who was called by name to the Divine commission.’</p> + +<p>As the guest of Jaffir Ali Khan, now in his house in +Shiraz, and now in his orange summer garden, Henry +Martyn gave himself up to the two absorbing duties of +making a new translation of the New Testament into +Persian, assisted by his host’s brother-in-law, Mirza Seyd +Ali Khan, and of receiving and, in the Pauline sense, +disputing with the learned Mohammedans of the city and +neighbourhood. But all through his inner life, sanctified +by his spiritual experience and intensifying that, there +continued to run the love of Lydia Grenfell.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Shiraz: June 23, 1811.<br /> +</p> + +<p>How continually I think of you, and indeed converse +with you, it is impossible to say. But on the Lord’s day +in particular, I find you much in my thoughts, because it +is on that day that I look abroad, and take a view of the +universal church, of which I observe that the saints in +England form the most conspicuous part. On that day, +too, I indulge myself with a view of the past, and look +over again those happy days, when, in company with those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span> +I loved, I went up to the house of God with a voice of +praise. How then should I fail to remember her who, of +all that are dear to me, is the dearest? It is true that I +cannot look back upon many days, nor even many hours +passed with you—would they had been more—but we +have insensibly become more acquainted with each other, +so that, on my part at least, it may be said that separation +has brought us nearer to one another. It was a momentary +interview, but the love is lasting, everlasting. Whether +we ever meet again or not, I am sure that you will continue +to feel an interest in all that befalls me.</p> + +<p>After the death of my dear sister, you bid me consider +that I had one sister left while you remained; and you +cannot imagine how consolatory to my mind this assurance +is. To know that there is one who is willing to think of +me, and has leisure to do so, is soothing to a degree that +none can know but those who have, like me, lost all their +relations.</p> + +<p>I sent you a letter from Muscat, in Arabia, which I +hope you received; for if not, report will again erase my +name from the catalogue of the living, as I sent no other +to Europe. Let me here say with praise to our ever-gracious +Heavenly Father, that I am in perfect health; of +my spirits I cannot say much; I fancy they would be +better were ‘the beloved Persis’ by my side. This name, +which I once gave you, occurs to me at this moment, I +suppose, because I am in Persia, entrenched in one of its +valleys, separated from Indian friends by chains of mountains +and a roaring sea, among a people depraved beyond +all belief, in the power of a tyrant guilty of every species +of atrocity. Imagine a pale person seated on a Persian +carpet, in a room without table or chair, with a pair of +formidable moustachios, and habited as a Persian, and you +see me.</p> + +<p><i>June 26.</i>—Here I expect to remain six months. The +reason is this: I found on my arrival here, that our attempts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span> +at Persian translation in India were good for nothing; at +the same time they proposed, with my assistance, to make +a new translation. It was an offer I could not refuse, as +they speak the purest dialect of the Persian. My host is +a man of rank, his name Jaffir Ali Khan, who tries to +make the period of my captivity as agreeable as possible. +His wife—for he has but one—never appears; parties of +young ladies come to see her, but though they stay days +in the house, he dare not go into the room where they are. +Without intending a compliment to your sex, I must say +that the society here, from the exclusion of females, is as +dull as it can well be. Perhaps, however, to a stranger +like myself, the most social circles would be insipid. I am +visited by all the great and the learned; the former come +out of respect to my country, the latter to my profession. +The conversation with the latter is always upon religion, +and it would be strange indeed, if with the armour of +truth on the right hand and on the left, I were not able +to combat with success the upholders of such a system +of absurdity and sin. As the Persians are a far more +unprejudiced and inquisitive people than the Indians, and +do not stand quite so much in awe of an Englishman as +the timid natives of Hindustan, I hope they will learn +something from me; the hope of this reconciles me to +the necessity imposed on me of staying here; about the +translation I dare not be sanguine. The prevailing opinion +concerning me is, that I have repaired to Shiraz in order +to become a Mussulman. Others, more sagacious, say +that I shall bring from India some more, under pretence +of making them Mussulmans, but in reality to seize the +place. They do not seem to have thought of my wish to +have them converted to my religion; they have been so +long accustomed to remain without proselytes to their own. +I shall probably have very little to write about for some +months to come, and therefore I reserve the extracts of +my <i>Journal</i> since I last wrote to you for some other oppor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[363]</a></span>tunity; +besides that, the ambassador, with whose despatches +this will go, is just leaving Shiraz.</p> + +<p><i>July 2.</i>—The Mohammedans now come in such numbers +to visit me, that I am obliged, for the sake of my translation-work, +to decline seeing them. To-day one of the apostate +sons of Israel was brought by a party of them, to prove +the Divine mission of Mohammed from the Hebrew Scriptures, +but with all his sophistry he proved nothing. I can +almost say with St. Paul, I feel continual pity in my heart +for them, and love them for their fathers’ sake, and find a +pleasure in praying for them. While speaking of the +return of the Jews to Jerusalem, I observed that the +‘Gospel of the kingdom must first be preached in all the +world, and then shall the end come.’ He replied with a +sneer, ‘And this event, I suppose you mean to say, is +beginning to take place by your bringing the Gospel to +Persia.’</p> + +<p><i>July 5.</i>—I am so incessantly occupied with visitors and +my work, that I have hardly a moment for myself. I have +more and more reason to rejoice at my being sent here; +there is such an extraordinary stir about religion throughout +the city, that some good must come of it. I sometimes +sigh for a little Christian communion, yet even from these +Mohammedans I hear remarks that do me good. To-day, +for instance, my assistant observed, ‘How He loved those +twelve persons!’ ‘Yes,’ said I, ‘and not those twelve only, +but all those who shall believe in Him, as He said, “I pray +not for them alone, but for all them who shall believe on +me through their word.”’ Even the enemy is constrained +to wonder at the love of Christ. Shall not the object of +it say, What manner of love is this? I have learned that +I may get letters from England much sooner than +by way of India. Be so good as to direct to me, to the +care of Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart., Ambassador at Teheran, +care of J. Morier, Esq., Constantinople, care of G. Moon, +Esq., Malta. I have seen Europe newspapers of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[364]</a></span> +only four months’ date, so that I am delightfully near +you. May we live near one another in the unity of the +Spirit, having one Lord, one hope, one God and Father. +In your prayers for me pray that utterance may be given +me that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known +the mysteries of the Gospel. I often envy my Persian +hearers the freedom and eloquence with which they speak +to me. Were I but possessed of their powers, I sometimes +think that I should win them all; but the work is +God’s, and the faith of His people does not stand in the +wisdom of men, but in the power of God. Remember me +as usual with the most unfeigned affection to all my dear +friends. This is now the seventh letter I send you +without having received an answer. Farewell!</p> + +<p class="sig"> +Yours ever most affectionately, <br /> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span> +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p class="date"> +Shiraz: September 8, 1811.<br /> +</p> + +<p>A courier on his way to the capital affords me the +unexpected pleasure of addressing my most beloved friend. +It is now six months since I left India, and in all that time +I have not heard from thence. The dear friends there, +happy in each other’s society, do not enough call to mind +my forlorn condition. Here I am still, beset by cavilling +infidels, and making very little progress in my translation, +and half disposed to give it up and come away. My kind +host, to relieve the tedium of being always within a walled +town, pitched a tent for me in a garden a little distance, +and there I lived amidst clusters of grapes, by the side of +a clear stream; but nothing compensates for the loss of the +excellent of the earth. It is my business, however, as you +will say, and ought to be my effort, to make saints, where +I cannot find them. I do use the means in a certain way, +but frigid reasoning with men of perverse minds seldom +brings men to Christ. However, as they require it, I +reason, and accordingly challenged them to prove the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span> +Divine mission of their prophet. In consequence of this, a +learned Arabic treatise was written by one who was considered +as the most able man, and put into my hands; +copies of it were also given to the college and the learned. +The writer of it said that if I could give a satisfactory +answer to it he would become a Christian, and at all +events would make my reply as public as I pleased. I did +answer it, and after some faint efforts on his part to defend +himself, he acknowledged the force of my arguments, but +was afraid to let them be generally known. He then +began to inquire about the Gospel, but was not satisfied +with my statement. He required me to prove from the +very beginning the Divine mission of Moses, as well as of +Christ; the truth of the Scriptures, etc. With very little +hope that any good will come of it, I am now employed +in drawing out the evidences of the truth; but oh! that I +could converse and reason, and plead with power from on +high. How powerless are the best-directed arguments till +the Holy Ghost renders them effectual.</p> + +<p>A few days ago I was just on the eve of my departure +for Ispahan, as I thought, and my translator had consented +to accompany me as far as Baghdad, but just as we were +setting out, news came that the Persians and Turks were +fighting thereabouts, and that the road was in consequence +impassable. I do not know what the Lord’s purpose may +be in keeping me here, but I trust it will be for the +furtherance of the Gospel of Christ, and in that belief I +abide contentedly.</p> + +<p>My last letter to you was dated July. I desired you +to direct to me at Teheran. As it is uncertain whether I +shall pass anywhere near there, you had better direct to +the care of S. Morier, Esq., Constantinople, and I can easily +get your letters from thence.</p> + +<p>I am happy to say that I am quite well, indeed, never +better; no returns of pain in the chest since I left India. +May I soon receive the welcome news that you also are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span> +well, and prospering even as your soul prospers. I read +your letters incessantly, and try to find out something new, +as I generally do, but I begin to look with pain at the +distant date of the last. I cannot tell what to think, but I +cast all my care upon Him who hath already done wonders +for me, and am sure that, come what will, it shall be good, +it shall be best. How sweet the privilege that we may lie +as little children before Him! I find that my wisdom is +folly and my care useless, so that I try to live on from +day to day, happy in His love and care. May that God +who hath loved us, and given us everlasting consolation +and good hope through grace, bless, love, and keep my +ever-dearest friend; and dwelling in the secret place of +the Most High, and abiding under the shadow of the +Almighty, may she enjoy that sweet tranquillity which the +world cannot disturb. Dearest Lydia! pray for me, and +believe me to be ever most faithfully and affectionately +yours,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p class="date"> +Shiraz: October 21, 1811.<br /> +</p> + +<p>It is, I think, about a month since I wrote to you, and so +little has occurred since that I find scarcely anything in my +<i>Journal</i>, and nothing worth transcribing. This state of inactivity +is becoming very irksome to me. I cannot get these +Persians to work, and while they are idle I am sitting +here to no purpose. Sabat’s laziness used to provoke me +excessively, but Persians I find are as torpid as Arabs when +their salary does not depend on their exertions, and both +very inferior to the feeble Indian, whom they affect to +despise. My translator comes about sunrise, corrects a +little, and is off, and I see no more of him for the day. +Meanwhile I sit fretting, or should do so, as I did at first, +were it not for a blessed employment which so beguiles the +tediousness of the day that I hardly perceive it passing. +It is the study of the Psalms in the Hebrew. I have long<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span> +had it in contemplation, in the assurance, from the number +of flat and obscure passages that occur in the translations, +that the original has not been hitherto perfectly understood. +I am delighted to find that many of the most unmeaning +verses in the version turn out, on close examination, to +contain a direct reference to the Lord our Saviour. The +testimony of Jesus is indeed the spirit of prophecy. He is +never lost sight of. Let them touch what subject they +will, they must always let fall something about Him. Such +should we be, looking always to Him. I have often attempted +the 84th Psalm, endeared to me on many accounts +as you know, but have not yet succeeded. The glorious +16th Psalm I hope I have mastered. I write with the +ardour of a student communicating his discoveries and +describing his difficulties to a fellow student.</p> + +<p>I think of you incessantly, too much, I fear, sometimes; +yet the recollection of you is generally attended with an +exercise of resignation to His will. In prayer I often feel +what you described five years ago as having felt—a particular +pleasure in viewing you as with me before the Lord, +and entreating our common Father to bless both His children. +When I sit and muse my spirit flies away to you, +and attends you at Gurlyn, Penzance, Plymouth Dock, and +sometimes with your brother in London. If you acknowledge +a kindred feeling still, we are not separated; our +spirits have met and blended. I still continue without +intelligence from India; since last January I have heard +nothing of any one person whom I love. My consolation +is that the Lord has you all under His care, and is carrying +on His work in the world by your means, and that when I +emerge I shall find that some progress is made in India +especially, the country I now regard as my own. Persia +is in many respects a ripe field for the harvest. Vast +numbers secretly hate and despise the superstition imposed +on them, and as many of them as have heard the Gospel +approve it, but they dare not hazard their lives for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span> +name of the Lord Jesus. I am sometimes asked whether +the external appearance of Mohammedanism might not be +retained with Christianity, and whether I could not baptize +them without their believing in the Divinity of Christ. I tell +them, No.</p> + +<p>Though I have complained above of the inactivity of +my translation, I have reason to bless the Lord that He +thus supplies Gibeonites for the help of His true Israel. +They are employed in a work of the importance of which +they are unconscious, and are making provision for future +Persian saints, whose time is, I suppose, now near. Roll +back, ye crowded years, your thick array! Let the long, +long period of darkness and sin at last give way to the +brighter hours of light and liberty, which wait on the wings +of the Sun of Righteousness. Perhaps we witness the dawn +of the day of glory, and if not, the desire that we feel, that +Jesus may be glorified, and the nations acknowledge His +sway, is the earnest of the Spirit, that when He shall appear +we shall also appear with Him in glory. Kind love to all +the saints who are waiting His coming.</p> + +<p class="sig">Yours, with true affection, my ever dearest Lydia, <br /> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p>It is now determined that we leave Shiraz in a week, +and as the road through Persia is impassable through the +commotions which are always disturbing some part or other +of this unhappy country, I must go back to Bushire.</p> + +<p>My scribe finished the New Testament; in correcting +we are no further than the 13th of Acts.</p> + +<p><i>October 24</i> to <i>26</i>.—Resumed my Hebrew studies; on +the two first days translated the eight first Psalms into +Persian, the last all day long thinking about the word +Higgaion in the 9th Psalm.</p> + +<p><i>October 27</i> to <i>29</i>.—Finished Psalm xii. Reading the +5th of St. Matthew to Zachariah my servant. Felt awfully +convinced of guilt; how fearlessly do I give way to cause<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span>less +anger, speaking contemptuously of men, as if I had +never read this chapter. The Lord deliver me from all +my wickedness, and write His holy law upon my heart, that +I may walk circumspectly before Him all the remaining +days of my life.</p> + +<p><i>November 1.</i>—Everything was prepared for our journey +to Baghdad by the Persian Gulf, and a large party of Shiraz +ladies, chiefly of Mirza Seid Ali’s family, had determined +to accompany us, partly from a wish to visit the tombs, +and partly to have the company of their relations a little +longer. But a letter arriving with the intelligence that +Bagdhad was all in confusion, our kafila separated, and I +resolved to go on through Persia to Armenia, and so to +Syria. But the season was too far advanced for me to +think of traversing the regions of Caucasus just then, so I +made up my mind to winter at Shiraz.</p></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> <i>The Three Brothers, or the Travels and Adventures of Sir Anthony, Sir +Robert, and Sir Thomas Sherley in Persia, Russia, Turkey, Spain, &c.</i>, +London, 1825.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> <i>Travels in Georgia, Persia, Armenia, Ancient Babylonia, &c.</i>, by Sir +Robert Ker Porter, 2 vols., London, 1821.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Mr. J.C. Marshman, C.S.I., who lived through the history of India, +from Wellesley to Lord Lawrence, and personally knew almost all its distinguished +men, writes in his invaluable History: ‘The good sense of Sir +Harford and Colonel Malcolm gradually smoothed down all asperities, and it +was not long before they agreed to unite their efforts to battle the intrigues +and the cupidity of the court. Colonel Malcolm was received with open +arms by the king, who considered him the first of Englishmen. “What +induced you,” said he at the first interview, “to hasten away from Shiraz +without seeing my son?” “How could I,” replied the Colonel with his ever +ready tact, “after having been warmed by the sunshine of your Majesty’s +favour, be satisfied with the mere reflection of that refulgence in the person of +your son?” “Mashalla!” exclaimed the monarch, “Malcolm Sahib is himself +again.” ... Sir Gore Ouseley had acquired the confidence of Lord +Wellesley by the great talents he exhibited when in a private station at the +court of Lucknow, and upon his recommendation was appointed to Teheran +as the representative of the King of England.’ The two embassies cost the +East India Company 380,000<i>l.</i></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_49_49" id="Footnote_49_49"></a><a href="#FNanchor_49_49"><span class="label">[49]</span></a> Sir C.U. Aitchison’s <i>Collection of Treaties, Engagements, and Sunnuds +relating to India and Neighbouring Countries</i>, 2nd edition, vol. vi. Calcutta, +1876.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_50_50" id="Footnote_50_50"></a><a href="#FNanchor_50_50"><span class="label">[50]</span></a> <i>A Tour to Sheeraz by the route of Karroon and Feerozabad</i>, London, +1807.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_51_51" id="Footnote_51_51"></a><a href="#FNanchor_51_51"><span class="label">[51]</span></a> In two splendid volumes, printed by native hands under the sanction of +the Government at Calcutta, in 1891, Lieutenant-Colonel H. Wilberforce +Clarke published an English prose translation of <i>The Divan, written in the +Fourteenth Century</i>, by Khwaja Shamshu-d-Din Muhammad-i-Hafiz. The +work is described in the <i>Quarterly Review</i> of January 1892, by a writer who +thus begins: ‘About two miles north-west of Shiraz, in the garden called +Mosella which is, being interpreted, “the place of prayer,” lies, beneath +the shadow of cypress-trees, one of which he is said to have planted with his +own hand, Shems-Edden Mohammed, surnamed Hafiz, or “the steadfast in +Scripture,” poet, recluse, and mystic.... No other Persian has equalled +him in fame—not Sadi, whose monument, now in ruins, may be visited near +his own; nor Firdusi, nor Jami. Near the garden tomb is laid open the book +of well nigh seven hundred poems which he wrote. According to Sir Gore +Ouseley, who turned over its pages in 1811, it is a volume abounding in bright +and delicate colour, with illuminated miniatures, and the lovely tints of the +Persian caligraphy.’</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_52_52" id="Footnote_52_52"></a><a href="#FNanchor_52_52"><span class="label">[52]</span></a> <i>Persia and the Persian Question</i>, 2 vols. (Longmans), 1892.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_53_53" id="Footnote_53_53"></a><a href="#FNanchor_53_53"><span class="label">[53]</span></a> <i>Travels</i>, vol. i. pp. 687-8.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<p class="subheading">IN PERSIA—CONTROVERSIES WITH MOHAMMEDANS, +SOOFIS, AND JEWS</p> + + +<p>Henry Martyn’s first week in Persia was enough to lead +him to use such language as this: ‘If God rained down +fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah, how is it that this nation +is not blotted out from under heaven? I do not remember +to have heard such things of the Hindus, except the +Sikhs; they seem to rival the Mohammedans.’ The +experienced Bengal civilian, Mr. E. Scott Waring, had +thus summed up his impressions: ‘The generality of +Persians are sunk in the lowest state of profligacy and +infamy, and they seldom hesitate alluding to crimes which +are abhorred and detested in every civilised country in the +universe. Their virtues consist in being most excellent +companions, and in saying this we say everything which +can be advanced in their favour. The same argument +cannot be advanced for them which has been urged in +favour of the Greeks, for they have laws which stigmatise +the crimes they commit.’ Every generation seems to have +departed farther and farther from the character of the hero-king, +Cyrus. At the present time, after two visits to +Europe by their Shah, the governing class, the priestly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span> +order of Moojtahids, and the people seem to be more +hopelessly corrupt than ever.<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a></p> + +<p>So early as the twelfth century the astronomer-poet of +Persia, Omar Khayyam, of Naishapur, in his few hundred +tetrastichs of exquisite verse which have ever since won +the admiration of the world, struck the note of dreary +scepticism and epicurean sensuality, as the Roman Lucretius +had done. His age was one of spiritual darkness, +when men felt their misery, and all the more that they saw +no means of relieving it. The purer creed of Zoroaster had +been stamped down but not rooted out by the illiterate +Arab hordes of Mohammed. A cultured Aryan race +could not accept submissively the ignorant fanaticism of +the Semitic sons of the desert. The Arabs destroyed or +drove out ultimately to India the fire-worshippers who +had courage to prefer their faith to the Koran; the mass +of the people and their leaders worked out the superficial +Mohammedanism identified with the name and the sufferings +of Ali. The new national religion became more and more +a falsehood, alike misrepresenting the moral facts and the +character and claims of God, and not really believed in by the +general conscience. The few who from time to time arose +endowed with spiritual fervour or poetic fire, found no vent +through the popular religion, and no satisfaction for the +aching void of the heart. The loftier natures ran by an +inevitable law of the human mind either into such self-indulgent +despairing scepticism as Omar Khayyam’s, or +into the sensual mysticism of Sadi, Jami, and Hafiz, of the +whole tribe of ascetic enthusiasts and impostors, the Soofis, +fakeers, and durweshes, who fill the world of Islam, from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span> +the mosques on the Bosporus to the secret chambers of +Persia and Oudh. To all such we may use one of the few +rare tetrastichs which Omar Khayyam was compelled by +his higher nature to write:<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">O heart! wert thou pure from the body’s dust,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Thou shouldest soar naked spirit above the sky;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Highest heaven is thy native seat—for shame, for shame,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">That thou shouldest stoop to dwell in a city of clay!<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>We must remember all this when we come to the disputations +of Henry Martyn with the doctors of Shiraz and +Persia. They, and some fifteen millions out of the hundred +and eighty millions of Islam in the world, are Shi’ahs, or +‘followers’ of Ali, whom, as Mohammed’s first cousin and +son-in-law, they accept as his first legitimate imam, kaliph, +or successor; while they treat the <i>de facto</i> kaliphs of the +Soonni Muslims—Abu Bakr, Omar, and Othman—as +usurpers. The Persians are in reality more tolerant of +the Christians, the Jews, and even the Majusi (Magi), or +fire-worshippers, all of whom are people of the Book who +have received an inspired revelation, than of their Soonni +co-religionists. The people—though not of course their +ruler, who is of Turkish origin—are more tolerant of new +sects, such as that of Babism, and even their spiritual +guides or the more respectable among these are in expectation +of a new leader, the twelfth, the Imam-al-Mahdi, +who has once before been manifested, and has long been +waiting secretly for the final consummation.</p> + +<p>We must also realise the extent to which Soofi-ism +had saturated the upper classes and the Moojtahid order, +who sought out Henry Martyn, and even recognised in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[373]</a></span> +him the Divine drunkenness, so that they always treated +him and spoke of him as a <i>merdi khodai</i>, a man of God. +The first Soofi—a name taken either from the word for +the woollen dress of the Asiatic or from that for purity—was +Ali, according to the Shi’ahs; but this form of +philosophical mysticism, often attended by carnal excesses +through which its devotees express themselves, is rather +Hindu in its origin. The deepest thought of the Asiatic, +without the revelation of Jesus Christ, is for Brahman and +Buddhist, Sikh and Soofi, Hindu and Mohammedan, this +absorption into the Divine Essence, so as to lose all personality +and individual consciousness. That Essence may +be the sum total of all things—the materialistic side; or +the spirit underlying matter, the idealistic side, but the loss +of individuality is the ultimate aim. But such absorption +can be finally reached only by works—asceticism, +pilgrimage, almsgiving, meditation—and by cycles of trans-migrations +to sublimate the soul for unconsciousness of all +that is objective, and of self itself. Hafiz is as full of wine +and women in his poems as Anacreon or the worst of the +Latin erotic poets; but the Soofis, who revel in his verses, +maintain that they ‘profess eager desire with no carnal +affection, and circulate the cup, but no material goblet, +since all things are spiritual in their sect; all is mystery +within mystery.’</p> + +<p>What Henry Martyn learned to find, in even his brief +experience of the Aryan Shi’ahs, to whom he offered the +love of Christ and through the Son a personal union with +the Father, is best expressed in this description by the +most recent skilled writer on the people, before referred to:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Persia is the one purely Mohammedan country which, +in the process of a national revolt against the rigid hide<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[374]</a></span>-bound +orthodoxy of Islam, has only succeeded in wrapping +more closely round its national and political life the +encircling folds of that ‘manteau commode, sous lequel +s’abrite, en se cachant à peine, tout le passé.’ Under the +extravagances and fanaticism of the Shi’ah heresy, the old +Zoroastrian faith lives on, transformed into an outward conformity +to the forms of the Moslem creed, and the product is +that grotesque confusion of faith and fanaticism, mysticism +and immorality, rationalism and superstition, which is the +despair and astonishment of all who have looked beneath +the surface of ordinary everyday life in Persia. Soofi-ism, +with its profound mysticism and godless doctrine, has +found a congenial home in Persia, often, indeed, blossoming +into beautiful literary form such as is found in the +<i>Rubaiyāt</i> of Omar Khayyam, or in the delightful pages of +the <i>Gulistan</i> of Sheikh Sadi, or in the poems of Hafiz.</p></div> + +<p>Soofi-ism is the illegitimate offspring of scepticism and +fanaticism. It is tersely described by one Persian writer +as ‘a sensual plunging into the abyss of darkness’; by +another as ‘a deadly abomination’; and by a third as ‘the +part of one who goes raving mad with unlawful lusts.’ +Nevertheless, as Professor Kuenen has well observed, the +true Soofi is a Moslem no more.</p> + +<p>All Martyn’s experience among the Wahabees of +Patna and the Shi’ahs of Lucknow had fitted him for the +discussions which were almost forced upon him in Persia, +for he went there to translate the New Testament afresh. +But he had, in his reading, sought to prepare himself for +the Mohammedan controversy. When coasting round +India, he made this entry in his <i>Journal</i>:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[375]</a></span> ‘<i>1811, January 28.</i>—Making +extracts from Maracci’s <i>Refutation of Koran</i>. +Felt much false shame at being obliged to confess my +ignorance of many things which I ought to have known.’ +Soofi-ism met him the day after he reached Shiraz, on the +first visit of Seyd Ali, brother-in-law of his host, Jaffir Ali +Khan. Thus:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>June 10.</i>—He spoke so indistinctly, and with such +volubility, that I did not well comprehend him, but gathered +from his discourse that we are all parts of the Deity. I +observed that we had not these opinions in Europe, but +understood that they were parts of the Brahmanic system. +On my asking him for the foundation of his opinions, he +said the first argument he was prepared to bring forward +was this: God exists, man also exists, but existence is not +twofold, therefore God and man are of the same nature. +The minor I disputed: he defended it with many words. +I replied by objecting the consequences, Is there no +difference between right and wrong? There appeared a +difference, he said, to us, but before God it was nothing. +The waves of the sea are so many aspects and forms, but +it is still but one and the same water. In the outset he +spoke with great contempt of all revelation. ‘You know,’ +said he, ‘that in the law and Koran, etc., it is said, God +<i>created heaven</i> and the <i>earth</i>,’ etc. Reverting to this, I +asked whether these opinions were agreeable to what the +prophets had spoken. Perceiving me to be not quite philosophical +enough for him, he pretended some little reverence +for them, spoke of them as good men, etc., but added that +there was no evidence for their truth but what was +traditionary. I asked whether there was anything unreasonable +in God’s making a revelation of His will. He +said, No. Whether a miracle for that purpose was not +necessary, at least useful, and therefore credible? He granted +it. Was not evidence from testimony rational evidence? +Yes. Have you then rational evidence for the religion of +Mohammed? He said the division of the moon was +generally brought forward, but he saw no sufficient +evidence for believing it; he mentioned the Koran with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[376]</a></span> +some hesitation, as if conscious that it would not stand as +a miracle. I said eloquence depended upon opinion; it +was no miracle for any but Arabs, and that some one +may yet rise up and write better. He allowed the force of +the objection, and said the Persians were very far from +thinking the eloquence of the Koran miraculous, however +the Arabs might think so. The last observation he made +was, that it was impossible not to think well of one by +whose example and instructions others had become great +and good; though therefore little was known of Mohammed, +he must have been something to have formed such men as +Ali. Here the conversation ceased. I told them in the +course of our conversation that, according to our histories, +the law and Gospel had been translated into Persian before +the time of Mohammed. He said they were not to be +found, because Omar in his ignorant zeal had probably +destroyed them. He spoke with great contempt of the +‘Arab asses.’</p> + +<p><i>June 13.</i>—Seyd Ali breakfasted with us. Looking +at one of the plates in Hutton’s <i>Mathematical Dictionary</i>, +where there was a figure of a fountain produced by the +rarefaction of the air, he inquired into the principle of it, +which I explained; he disputed the principle, and argued +for the exploded idea that nature abhors a vacuum. We +soon got upon religion again. I showed him some verses +in the Koran in which Mohammed disclaims the power of +working miracles. He could not reply. We talked again +on the evidence of testimony. The oldest book written by +a Mohammedan was the sermons of Ali. Allowing these +sermons to be really his, I objected to his testimony for +Mohammed, because he was interested in the support of that +religion. I asked him the meaning of a contested passage; +he gave the usual explanation; but as soon as the servants +were gone he turned round and said, ‘It is only to make a +rhyme.’ This conversation seemed to be attended with +good. Our amiable host, Jaffir Ali, Mirza Jan, and Seyd<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span> +Ali seemed to be delighted with my arguments against +Mohammedanism, and did not at last evince a wish to defend +it. In the evening Jaffir Ali came and talked most +agreeably on religious subjects, respecting the obvious +tendency of piety and impiety, and the end to which they +would lead in a future world. One of his remarks was, ‘If +I am in love with any one, I shall dream of her at night; +her image will meet me in my sleep. Now death is but a +sleep; if therefore I love God, or Christ, when I fall asleep +in death I shall meet Him, so also if I love Satan or his +works.’ He could wish, he said, if he had not a wife and +children, to go and live on the top of a mountain, so +disgusted was he with the world and its concerns. I +told him this was the first suggestion in the minds of +devotees in all religions, but that in reality it was not the +way to escape the pollution of the world, because a man’s +wicked heart will go with him to the top of a mountain. It +is the grace of God changing the heart which will alone raise +us above the world. Christ commands His people to ‘abide +in Him’; this is the secret source of fruitfulness, without +which they are as branches cut off from the tree. He asked +whether there was no mention of a prophet’s coming after +Christ. I said, No. ‘Why then,’ said he, ‘was any mention +made of Ahmed in the Koran?’ He said, ‘One day an +English gentleman said to me, “I believe that Christ was +no better than myself.” “Why then,” said I, “you are +worse than a Mohammedan.”’</p> + +<p><i>June 24.</i>—Went early this morning to the Jewish +synagogue with Jaffir Ali Khan. At the sight of a Mohammedan +of such rank, the chief person stopped the service +and came to the door to bring us in. He then showed us +the little room where the copies of the law were kept. He +said there were no old ones but at Baghdad and Jerusalem; +he had a printed copy with the Targum, printed at Leghorn. +The only European letters in it were the words +‘con approbazione,’ of which he was anxious to know the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span> +meaning. The congregation consisted chiefly of little +boys, most of whom had the Psalter. I felt much distressed +that the worship of the God of Israel was not +there, and therefore I did not ask many questions. When +he found I could read Hebrew, he was very curious to +know who I might be, and asked my name. I told him +Abdool Museeh, in hopes that he would ask more, but he +did not, setting me down, I suppose, as a Mohammedan.</p> + +<p><i>June 25.</i>—Every day I hear stories of these bloody +Tartars. They allow no Christian, not even a Soonni, to +enter their country, except in very particular cases, such +as merchants with a pass; but never allow one to return +to Persia if they catch him. They argue, ‘If we suffer this +creature to go back, he will become the father of other +infidels, and thus infidelity will spread: so, for the sake of +God and His prophet, let us kill him.’ About 150 years +ago the men of Bokhara made an insidious attempt to +obtain a confession from the people of Mushed that they +were Shi’ahs. Their moulvies begged to know what evidence +they had for the Khaliphat of Ali. But the men of +Mushed, aware of their purpose, said, ‘We Shi’ahs! no, we +acknowledge thee for friends.’ But the moollahs of Bokhara +were not satisfied with this confession, and three of them +deliberated together on what ought to be done. One said: +‘It is all hypocrisy; they must be killed.’ The other said: +‘No, if all be killed we shall kill some Soonnis.’ The third +said: ‘If any can prove that their ancestors have ever been +Soonnis they shall be saved, but not else.’ Another +rejoined that, from being so long with Shi’ahs, their faith +could not be pure, and so it was better to kill them. To +this another agreed, observing that though it was no sin +before men to let them live, he who spared them must be +answerable for it to God. When the three bloody inquisitors +had determined on the destruction of the Shi’ah city, +they gave the signal, and 150,000 Tartars marched down +and put all to the sword.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>June 26.</i>—We were to-day, according to our expectation, +just about setting off for Ispahan, when, Mirza +Ibrahim returning, gave us information that the Tartars +and Koords had made an irruption into Persia, and that +the whole Persian army was on its march to Kermanshah +to meet them. Thus our road is impassable. I wrote +instantly to the ambassador, to know what he would +advise, and the minister sent off an express with it. Mirza +Ibrahim, after reading my answer, had nothing to reply, +but made such a remark as I did not expect from a man of +his character, namely, that <i>he</i> was sufficiently satisfied the +Koran was a miracle, though he had failed to convince me. +Thus my labour is lost, except it be with the Lord. I +have now lost all hope of ever convincing Mohammedans by +argument. The most rational, learned, unprejudiced, charitable +men confessedly in the whole town cannot escape +from the delusion. I know not what to do but to pray for +them. I had some warm conversation with Seyd Ali on +his infidelity. I asked him what he wanted. Was there +any one thing on earth, of the same antiquity, as well +attested as the miracles, etc., of Christianity? He confessed +not, but he did not know the reason he could not believe: +perhaps it was levity and the love of the world, or the +power of Satan, but he had no faith at all. He could not +believe even in a future state. He asked at the end, ‘Why +all this earnestness?’ I said, ‘For fear you should remain +in hell for ever.’ He was affected, and said no more.</p> + +<p><i>June 27.</i>—The Prime Minister sent me, as a present, +four mules-load of melons from Kaziroon. Seyd Ali reading +the 2nd chapter of St. Matthew, where the star is said +to go before the wise men, asked: ‘Then what do you say +to that, after what you were proving yesterday about the +stars?’ I said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span> ‘It was not necessary to suppose it was one +of those heavenly bodies; any meteor that had the appearance +of a star was sufficient for the purpose, and equally +miraculous.’ ‘Then why call it a star?’ ‘Because the magi +called it so, for this account was undoubtedly received +from them. Philosophers still talk of a falling star, though +every one knows that it is not a star.’</p> + +<p><i>September 2</i> to <i>6</i>.—At Mirza Ibrahim’s request we are +employed in making out a proof of the Divine mission of +Moses and Jesus. He fancies that my arguments against +Mohammedanism are equally applicable against these two, +and that as I triumphed when acting on the offensive, I +shall be as weak as he when I act on the defensive.</p> + +<p><i>September 7</i> to <i>11</i>.—Employed much the same; daily +disputes with Jaffir Ali Khan about the Trinity; if they +may be called disputes in which I bring forward no arguments, +but calmly refer them to the Holy Scriptures. They +distress and perplex themselves without measure, and I +enjoy a peace, as respects these matters, which passeth +understanding. There is no passage that so frequently +occurs to me now as this: ‘They shall be all taught of +God, and great shall be the peace of thy children.’ I have +this testimony that I have been taught of God.</p> + +<p><i>1812, January 19.</i>—Aga Baba coming in while we were +translating, Mirza Seyd Ali told him he had been all the day +decrying the law. It is a favourite tenet of the Soofis, +that we should be subject to no law. Aga Baba said that +if Christ, while He removed the old law, had also forborne +to bring in His new way, He would have done still better. +I was surprised as well as shocked at such a remark from +him, but said nothing. The poor man, not knowing how to +exist without amusement, then turned to a game at chess. +How pitiable is the state of fallen man! Wretched, and +yet he will not listen to any proposals of relief: stupidly +ignorant, yet too wise to submit to learn anything from +God. I have often wondered to see how the merest dunce +thinks himself qualified to condemn and ridicule revealed +religion. These Soofis pretend too to be latitudinarians, +assigning idolaters the same rank as others in nearness to +God, yet they have all in their turn spoken contemptuously<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span> +of the Gospel. Perhaps because it is so decisively exclusive. +I begin now to have some notion of Soofi-ism. The +principle is this: Notwithstanding the good and evil, +pleasure and pain that is in the world, God is not affected +by it. He is perfectly happy with it all; if therefore we +can become like God we shall also be perfectly happy in +every possible condition. This, therefore, is salvation.</p> + +<p><i>January 21.</i>—Aga Boozong, the most magisterial of +the Soofis, stayed most of the day with Mirza Seyd Ali +and Jaffir Ali Khan in my room. His speech as usual—all +things are only so many forms of God; paint as many +figures as you will on a wall, it is still but the same wall. +Tired of constantly hearing this same vapid truism, I asked +him, ‘What then? With the reality of things we have +nothing to do, as we know nothing about them.’ These +forms, if he will have it that they are but forms, affect us +with pleasure and pain, just as if they were more real. He +said we were at present in a dream; in a dream we think +visionary things real—when we wake we discover the +delusion. I asked him how did he know but that this +dream might continue for ever. But he was not at all +disposed to answer objections, and was rather vexed at my +proposing them. So I let him alone to dissent as he +pleased. Mirza Seyd Ali read him some verses of St. Paul, +which he condescended to praise, but in such a way as to +be more offensive to me than if he had treated it with +contempt. He repeated again how much he was pleased +with the sentiments of Paul, as if his being pleased with +them would be a matter of exultation to me. He said they +were excellent precepts for the people of the world. The +parts Mirza Seyd Ali read were Titus iii. and Hebrews viii. +On the latter Mirza Seyd Ali observed that he (Paul) had +not written ill, but something like a good reasoner. Thus +they sit in judgment on God’s Word, never dreaming that +they are to be judged by it. On the contrary, they regard +the best parts, as they call them, as approaching only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span> +towards the heights of Soofi-ism. Aga Boozong finally +observed that as for the Gospels he had not seen much in +them, but the Epistles he was persuaded would make the +book soon well known. There is another circumstance that +gained Paul importance in the eyes of Mirza Seyd Ali, +which is, that he speaks of Mark and Luke as his servants.</p> + +<p><i>January 24.</i>—Found Seyd Ali rather serious this evening. +He said he did not know what to do to have his mind +made up about religion. Of all the religions Christ’s was +the best, but whether to prefer this to Soofi-ism he could not +tell. In these doubts he was tossed to and fro, and is often +kept awake the whole night in tears. He and his brother +talk together on these things till they are almost crazed. +Before he was engaged in this work of translation, he says, +he used to read about two or three hours a day; now he +can do nothing else; has no inclination for anything else, +and feels unhappy if he does not correct his daily portion. +His late employment has given a new turn to his thoughts +as well as to those of his friends; they had not the most +distant conception of the contents of the New Testament. +He says his Soofi friends are exceedingly anxious to see the +Epistles, from the accounts he gives of them, and also he is +sure that almost the whole of Shiraz are so sensible of the +load of unmeaning ceremonies in which their religion consists, +that they will rejoice to see or hear of anything like +freedom, and that they would be more willing to embrace +Christ than the Soofis, who, after taking so much pains to be +independent of all law, would think it degrading to submit +themselves to any law again, however light.</p> + +<p><i>February 4.</i>—Mirza Seyd Ali, who has been enjoying +himself in idleness and dissipation these two days instead +of translating, returned full of evil and opposition to the +Gospel. While translating 2 Peter iii., ‘Scoffers ... saying, +Where is the promise of his coming?’ he began to ask +‘Well, they are in the right; where are any of His promises +fulfilled?’ I said the heathen nations have been given to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span> +Christ for an inheritance. He said No; it might be more +truly said that they are given to Mohammed, for what are +the Christian nations compared with Arabia, Persia, India, +Tartary, etc.? I set in opposition all Europe, Russia, +Armenia, and the Christians in the Mohammedan countries. +He added, at one time when the Abbasides carried their +arms to Spain, the Christian name was almost extinct. I +rejoined, however, that he was not yet come to the end of +things, that Mohammedanism was in itself rather a species of +heretical Christianity, for many professing Christians denied +the Divinity of our Lord, and treated the Atonement as a +fable. ‘They do right,’ said he; ‘it is contrary to reason that +one person should be an atonement for all the rest. How +do you prove it? it is nowhere said in the Gospels. Christ +said He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of +Israel.’ I urged the authority of the Apostles, founded +upon His word, ‘Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall +be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on +earth,’ etc. ‘Why, what are we to think of them,’ said he, +‘when we see Paul and Barnabas quarrelling; Peter acting +the hypocrite, sometimes eating with the Gentiles, and +then withdrawing from fear; and again, all the Apostles, +not knowing what to do about the circumcision of the +Gentiles, and disputing among themselves about it?’ I +answered, ‘The infirmities of the Apostles have nothing to +do with their authority. It is not everything they do that +we are commanded to imitate, nor everything they might +say in private, if we knew it, that we are obliged to attend +to, but the commands they leave for the Church; and here +there is no difference among them. As for the discussions +about circumcision, it does not at all appear that the +Apostles themselves were divided in their opinions about it; +the difficulty seems to have been started by those believers +who had been Pharisees.’ ‘Can you give me a proof,’ said +he,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[384]</a></span> ‘of Christianity, that I may either believe, or be left +without excuse if I do not believe—a proof like that of one +of the theorems of Euclid?’ I said it is not to be +expected, but enough may be shown to leave every +man inexcusable. ‘Well,’ said he, ‘though this is only +probability, I shall be glad of that.’ ‘As soon as our Testament +is finished,’ I replied, ‘we will, if you please, set about +our third treatise, in which, if I fail to convince you, I can +at least state the reasons why I believed.’ ‘You had better,’ +said he, ‘begin with Soofi-ism, and show that that is absurd’—meaning, +I suppose, that I should premise something +about the <i>necessity</i> of revelation. After a little pause, ‘I +suppose,’ said he, ‘you think it sinful to sport with the +characters of those holy men?’ I said I had no objection +to hear all their objections and sentiments, but I could +not bear anything spoken disrespectfully of the Lord +Jesus; ‘and yet there is not one of your Soofis,’ I added, +‘but has said something against Him. Even your master, +Mirza Abul Kasim, though he knows nothing of the Gospel +or law, and has not even seen them, presumed to say that +Moses, Christ, Mohammed, etc., were all alike. I did not +act in this way. In India I made every inquiry, +both about Hinduism and Mohammedanism. I read +the Koran through twice. On my first arrival here I +made it my business to ask for your proofs, so that if I +condemned and rejected it, it was not without consideration. +Your master, therefore, spoke rather precipitately.’ He did +not attempt to defend him, but said, ‘You never heard <i>me</i> +speak lightly of Jesus.’ ‘No; there is something so awfully +pure about Him that nothing is to be said.’</p> + +<p><i>March 18.</i>—Sat a good part of the day with Abul Kasim, +the Soofi sage, Mirza Seyd Ali, and Aga Mohammed +Hasan, who begins to be a disciple of the old man’s. On +my expressing a wish to see the Indian book, it was proposed +to send for it, which they did, and then read it aloud. +The stoicism of it I controverted, and said that the entire +annihilation of the passions, which the stupid Brahman +described as perfection, was absurd. On my continuing to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[385]</a></span> +treat other parts of the book with contempt, the old man +was a little roused, and said that this was the way that +pleased them, and my way pleased me. That thus God +provided something for the tastes of all, and as the master +of a feast provides a great variety, some eat <i>pilao</i>, others +prefer <i>kubab</i>, etc. On my again remarking afterwards +how useless all these descriptions of perfection were, since +no rules were given for attaining it, the old man asked what +in my opinion was the way. I said we all agreed in one +point, namely, that union with God was perfection; that +in order to that we must receive the Spirit of God, which +Spirit was promised on condition of believing in Jesus. +There was a good deal of disputing about Jesus, His being +exclusively the visible God. Nothing came of it apparently, +but that Mirza Seyd Ali afterwards said, ‘There is +no getting at anything like truth or certainty. We know +nothing at all; you are in the right, who simply believe +because Jesus had said so.’</p> + +<p><i>March 22.</i>—These two days I have been thinking from +morning to night about the Incarnation; considering if I +could represent it in such a way as to obviate in any degree +the prejudices of the Mohammedans; not that I wished to +make it appear altogether agreeable to reason, but I wanted +to give a consistent account of the nature and uses of this +doctrine, as they are found in the different parts of the +Holy Scriptures. One thing implied another to such an +extent that I thought necessarily of the nature of life, death, +spirit, soul, animal nature, state of separate spirits, personality, +the person of Christ, etc., that I was quite worn out +with fruitless thought. Towards evening Carapiet with +another Armenian came and conversed on several points +of theology, such as whether the fire of hell were literally +fire or only remorse, whether the Spirit proceeded from the +Father and the Son, or from the Father only, and how we +are to reconcile those two texts, that ‘for every idle word +that men shall speak,’ etc., with the promises of salvation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[386]</a></span> +through faith? Happening to speak in praise of some +person who practised needless austerities, I tried to make +him understand that this was not the way of the Gospel. +He urged these texts—‘Blessed are they that mourn,’ +‘Blessed are ye that weep now,’ etc. While we were discussing +this point, Mohammed Jaffir, who on a former +occasion had conversed with me a good deal about the +Gospel, came in. I told him the question before us was an +important one, namely, how the love of sin was to be got +out of the heart. The Armenian proceeded, ‘If I wish to +go to a dancing or drinking, I must deny myself.’ Whether +he meant to say that this was sufficient I do not know, +but the Mohammedan understanding him so, replied that he +had read yesterday in the Gospel, ‘that whosoever looketh +upon a woman,’ etc., from which he inferred that obedience +of the heart was requisite. This he expressed with such +propriety and gracefulness, that, added to the circumstance +of his having been reading the Gospel, I was quite delighted, +and thought with pleasure of the day when the Gospel +should be preached by Persians. After the Armenians +were gone we considered the doctrines of the Soofis a +little. Finding me not much averse to what he thought +some of their most exceptionable tenets, such as union with +God, he brought this argument: ‘You will allow that God +cannot bind, compel, command Himself.’ ‘No, He cannot.’ +‘Well, if we are one with God, we cannot be subject to any +of His laws.’ I replied: ‘Our union with God is such an +union as exists between the members of a body. Notwithstanding +the union of the hand with the heart and head, it +is still subject to the influence and control of the ruling +power in the person.’ We had a great deal of conversation +afterwards on the Incarnation. All his Mohammedan prejudices +revolted. ‘Sir, what do you talk of? the self-existent +become contained in space, and suffer need!’ I +told him that it was the manhood of Christ that suffered +need, and as for the essence of the Deity, if he would tell<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[387]</a></span> +me anything about it, where or how it was, I would tell +him how the Godhead was in Christ. After an effort or +two he found that every term he used implied our frightful +doctrine, namely, personality, locality, etc. This is a +thought that is now much in my mind—that it is so ordered +that, since men never can speak of God but through the +medium of language, which is all material, nor think of God +but through the medium of material objects, they do unwillingly +come to God through the Word, and think of God +by means of an Incarnation.</p> + +<p><i>March 28.</i>—The same person came again, and we talked +incessantly for four hours upon the evidences of the two +religions, the Trinity, Incarnation, etc., until I was quite +exhausted, and felt the pain in my breast which I used to +have in India.</p> + +<p><i>April 7.</i>—Observing a party of ten or a dozen poor +Jews with their priest in the garden, I attacked them, and +disputed a little with the Levite on Psalms ii., xvi. and xxiv. +They were utterly unacquainted with Jesus, and were surprised +at what I told them of His Resurrection and Ascension. +The priest abruptly broke off the conversation, told +me he would call and talk with me in my room, and carried +away his flock. Reading afterwards the story of Joseph +and his brethren, I was much struck with the exact correspondence +between the type and antitype. Jesus will at +last make Himself known to His brethren, and then they +will find that they have been unknowingly worshipping Him +while worshipping the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel.</p> + +<p><i>April 8.</i>—The Prince dining to-day at a house on the +side of a hill, which commands a view of the town, issued +an order for all the inhabitants to exhibit fireworks for his +amusement, or at least to make bonfires on the roofs of +their houses, under penalty of five tomans in case of neglect. +Accordingly fire was flaming in all directions, enough to +have laid any city in Europe in ashes. One man fell off a +roof and was killed, and two others in the same way were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[388]</a></span> +so hurt that their lives were despaired of, and a woman +lost an eye by the stick of a sky-rocket.</p> + +<p><i>July 9.</i>—Made an extraordinary effort, and as a Tartar +was going off instantly to Constantinople, wrote letters +to Mr. Grant for permission to come to England, and to Mr. +Simeon and Lydia, informing them of it; but I have +scarcely the remotest expectation of seeing it, except by +looking at the Almighty power of God.</p> + +<p>Dined at night at the ambassador’s, who said he was +determined to give every possible <i>éclat</i> to my book, by +presenting it himself to the King. My fever never ceased +to rage till the 21st, during all which time every effort was +made to subdue it, till I had lost all my strength and +almost all my reason. They now administer bark, and it +may please God to bless the tonics; but I seem too far +gone, and can only say, ‘Having a desire to depart and be +with Christ, which is far better.’</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Rev. D. Corrie</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Shiraz: September 12, 1811.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Dearest Brother,—I can hardly conceive, or at least am +not willing to believe, that you would forget me six successive +months; I conclude, therefore, that you must have +written, though I have not seen your handwriting since I +left Calcutta.</p> + +<p>The Persian translation goes on but slowly. I and my +translator have been engaged in a controversy with his +uncle, which has left us little leisure for anything else. As +there is nothing at all in this dull place to take the attention +of the people, no trade, manufactures, or news, every event +at all novel is interesting to them. You may conceive, +therefore, what a strong sensation was produced by the +stab I aimed at the vitals of Mohammed. Before five +people had seen what I wrote, defences of Islam swarmed +into ephemeral being from all the moulvi maggots of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[389]</a></span> +place, but the more judicious men were ashamed to let +me see them. One moollah, called Aga Akbar, was determined +to distinguish himself. He wrote with great acrimony +on the margin of my pamphlet, but passion had +blinded his reason, so that he smote the wind. One day +I was on a visit of ceremony to the Prime Minister, and +sitting in great state by his side, fifty visitors in the same +hall, and five hundred clients without, when who should +make his appearance but my tetric adversary, the said +Aga Akbar, who came for the express purpose of presenting +the Minister with a piece he had composed in defence of +the prophet, and then sitting down told me he should +present me with a copy that day. ‘There are four answers,’ +said he, ‘to your objection against his using the sword.’ +‘Very well,’ said I, ‘I shall be glad to see them, though I +made no such objection.’ Eager to display his attainments +in all branches of science, he proceeded to call in question +the truth of our European philosophy, and commanded +me to show that the earth moved, and not the sun. I told +him that in matters of religion, where the salvation of men +was concerned, I would give up nothing to them, but as +for points in philosophy they might have it all their own +way. This was not what he wanted; so after looking at +the Minister, to know if it was not a breach of good manners +to dispute at such a time, and finding that there was +nothing contrary to custom, but that, on the contrary, he +rather expected an answer, I began, but soon found that +he could comprehend nothing without diagrams. A +moonshi in waiting was ordered to produce his implements, +so there was I, drawing figures, while hundreds of +men were looking on in silence.</p> + +<p>But all my trouble was in vain—the moollah knew +nothing whatever of mathematics, and therefore could not +understand my proofs. The Persians are far more curious +and clever than the Indians. Wherever I go they ask me +questions in philosophy, and are astonished that I do not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[390]</a></span> +know everything. One asked me the reason of the properties +of the magnet. I told him I knew nothing about it. +‘But what do your learned men say?’ ‘<i>They</i> know nothing +about it.’ This he did not at all credit.</p> + +<p>I do not find myself improving in Persian; indeed, I +take no pains to speak it well, not perceiving it to be of +much consequence. India is the land where we can act +at present with most effect. It is true that the Persians +are more susceptible, but the terrors of an inquisition are +always hanging over them. I can now conceive no greater +happiness than to be settled for life in India, superintending +native schools, as we did at Patna and Chunar. To preach +so as to be readily understood by the poor is a difficulty +that appears to me almost insuperable, besides that grown-up +people are seldom converted. However, why should +we despair? If I live to see India again, I shall set to +and learn Hindi in order to preach. The day may come +when even our word may be with the Holy Ghost and +with power. It is now almost a year since I left Cawnpore, +and my journey is but beginning: when shall I ever get +back again? I am often tempted to get away from this +prison, but again I recollect that some years hence I shall +say: ‘When I was at Shiraz why did not I get the New +Testament done? What difference would a few months +have made?’ In August I passed some days at a vineyard, +about a parasang from the city, where my host pitched a +tent for me, but it was so cold at night that I was glad to +get back to the city again. Though I occupy a room in +his house, I provide for myself. Victuals are cheap enough, +especially fruit; the grapes, pears, and water-melons are +delicious; indeed, such a country for fruit I had no conception +of. I have a fine horse which I bought for less +than a hundred rupees, on which I ride every morning +round the walls. My vain servant, Zechariah, anxious +that his master should appear like an ameer, furnished +him (<i>i.e.</i> the horse) with a saddle, or rather a pillion, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[391]</a></span> +fairly covers his whole back; it has all the colours of the +rainbow, but yellow is predominant, and from it hang down +four large tassels, also yellow. But all my finery does not +defend me from the boys. Some cry out, ‘Ho, Russ!’ +others cry out, ‘Feringhi!’ One day a brickbat was flung +at me, and hit me in the hip with such force that I felt it +quite a providential escape. Most of the day I am about +the translation, sometimes, at a leisure hour, trying at +Isaiah, in order to get help from the Persian Jews. My +Hebrew reveries have quite disappeared, merely for want +of leisure. I forgot to say that I have been to visit the +ruins of Persepolis, but this, with many other things, must +be reserved for a hot afternoon at Cawnpore.</p> + +<p>What would I give for a few lines from you, to say +how the men come on, and whether their numbers are increasing, +whether you meet the Sherwoods at the evening +repast, as when I was there! My kindest love to them, +your sister, and all that love us in the truth. May the +grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, and +with your faithful and affectionate brother,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span> +</p> +</div> + +<p>The Secretary to the British Embassy to Persia, and +afterwards himself Minister Plenipotentiary to its Court, +Mr. James Morier, has given us a notable sketch of Henry +Martyn as a controversialist for Christ, and of the impression +that he made on the officials, priests, and people of all +classes. As the author of the <i>Adventures of Hajji Baba +of Ispahan</i> and other life-like tales of the East, and as an +accomplished traveller, the father of the present Ambassador +to St. Petersburg is the first authority on such a subject. +In his <i>Second Journey through Persia, Armenia, and Asia +Minor to Constantinople</i><a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> he thus writes:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[392]</a></span></p><div class="blockquot"><p>The Persians, who were struck with his humility, his +patience and resignation, called him a <i>merdi khodai</i>, a +man of God, and indeed every action of his life seemed to +be bent towards the one object of advancing the interest +of the Christian religion. When he was living at Shiraz, +employed in his translation, he neither sought nor shunned +the society of the natives, many of whom constantly drew +him into arguments about religion, with the intention of +persuading him of the truth and excellence of theirs. His +answers were such as to stimulate them to further arguments, +and in spite of their pride the principal moollahs, +who had heard of his reputation, paid him the first visit, +and endeavoured in every way to entangle him in his talk. +At length he thought that the best mode of silencing them +was by writing a reply to the arguments which they +brought against our belief and in favour of their own. His +tract was circulated through different parts of Persia, and +was sent from hand to hand to be answered. At length it +made its way to the King’s court, and a moollah of high +consideration, who resided at Hamadan, and who was +esteemed one of the best controversialists in the country, +was ordered to answer it. After the lapse of more than a +year he did answer it, but such were the strong positions +taken by Mr. Martyn that the Persians themselves were +ashamed of the futility of their own attempts to break +them down: for, after they had sent their answer to the +ambassador, they requested that it might be returned to +them again, as another answer was preparing to be given. +Such answer has never yet been given; and we may infer +from this circumstance that if, in addition to the Scriptures, +some plain treatises of the evidences of Christianity, accompanied +by strictures upon the falseness of the doctrines +of Mohammed, were translated into Persian and disseminated +throughout that country, very favourable effects +would be produced. Mr. Martyn caused a copy of his +translation to be beautifully written, and to be presented +by the ambassador to the King, who was pleased to receive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[393]</a></span> +it very graciously. A copy of it was made by Mirza +Baba, a Persian who gave us lessons in the Persian +language, and he said that many of his countrymen asked +his permission to take Mr. Martyn’s translation to their +homes, where they kept it for several days, and expressed +themselves much edified by its contents. But whilst he was +employed in copying it, moollahs (the Persian scribes) used +frequently to sit with him and revile him for undertaking +such a work. On reading the passage where our Saviour +is called ‘the Lamb of God,’ they scorned and ridiculed +the simile, as if exulting in the superior designation of +Ali, who is called <i>Sheer</i> Khodai, the Lion of God. Mirza +Baba observed to them: ‘The lion is an unclean beast; it +preys upon carcases, and you are not allowed to wear its +skin because it is impure; it is destructive, fierce, and +man’s enemy. The lamb, on the contrary, is in every way +<i>halal</i> or lawful. You eat its flesh, you wear its skin on +your head, it does no harm, and is an animal beloved. +Whether is it best, then, to say the Lamb of God, or the +Lion of God?’</p></div> + +<p>Henry Martyn had not been two months in Shiraz +when, as his attendant expressed it, he became the town-talk. +The populace believed that he had come to declare +himself a Mussulman, and would then bring five thousand +men to the city and take possession of it. Dissatisfied +with their own government, many Mohammedans began +to desire English rule, such as was making India peaceful +and prosperous, and as was supposed to enrich all who +enjoyed it. Jewish perverts to Islam crowded to the garden, +where at all times, even on Sunday, the saintly visitor was +accessible. Armenians spoke to him with a freedom they +dared not show in conversation with others. From Baghdad +to Busrah, and from Bushire to Ispahan and even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[394]</a></span> +Etchmiatzin, visitors crowded to talk with the wonderful +scholar and holy man. Thus on July 6 he was presented +by Sir Gore Ouseley to the Governor, Prince Abbas Mirza.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Early this morning I went with the ambassador and +his suite to court, wearing, agreeably to custom, a pair of +red cloth stockings, with green high-heeled shoes. When +we entered the great court of the palace a hundred +fountains began to play. The prince appeared at the +opposite side, in his talar, or hall of audience, seated on +the ground. Here our first bow was made. When we +came in sight of him we bowed a second time, and entered +the room. He did not rise, nor take notice of any but the +ambassador, with whom he conversed at the distance of +the breadth of the room. Two of his ministers stood in +front of the hall outside; the ambassador’s mihmander, +and the master of the ceremonies, within at the door. +We sat down in order, in a line with the ambassador, +with our hats on. I never saw a more sweet and engaging +countenance than the prince’s; there was such an appearance +of good nature and humility in all his demeanour, +that I could scarcely bring myself to believe that he would +be guilty of anything cruel or tyrannical.</p> + +<p>Mahommed Shareef Khan, one of the most renowned +of the Persian generals, having served the present royal +family for four generations, called to see me, out of respect +to General Malcolm. An Armenian priest also, on his +way from Busrah to Ispahan; he was as ignorant as the +rest of his brethren. To my surprise I found that he was +of the Latin Church, and read the service in Latin, though +he confessed he knew nothing about the language.</p></div> + +<p>The first of Henry Martyn’s public controversies with +the Shi’ah doctors, as distinguished from the almost daily +discussions already described in his <i>Journal</i>, took place +in the house of the Moojtahid of Shiraz on July 15, 1811.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[395]</a></span> +The doctrine of Jesus, represented by such a follower, was +beginning so to tell on Shi’ahs and Soofis, ever eager for +something new, that the interference of the first authority +of Islam in all Persia became necessary. Higher than all +other Mohammedan divines, especially among the Shi’ahs, +are the three or four Moojtahids.<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> They must be saintly, +learned, and aloof from worldly ambition. In Persia each +acts as an informal and final court of appeal; he alone dares +to temper the tyranny of the Shah by his influence; his +house is a sanctuary for the oppressed; the city of his +habitation is often saved from violence by his presence. +This was the position and the pretension of the man who, +having first ascertained that the English man of God did +not want demonstration, but admitted that the prophets +had been sent, invited him to dinner, preliminary to a conflict. +Martyn has left this description of the scene:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>About eight o’clock at night we went, and after passing +along many an avenue we entered a fine court, where was +a pond, and, by the side of it, a platform eight feet high, +covered with carpets. Here sat the Moojtahid in state, +with a considerable number of his learned friends—among +the rest, I perceived the Jew. One was at his prayers. I +was never more disgusted at the mockery of this kind of +prayer. He went through the evolutions with great exactness, +and pretended to be unmoved at the noise and +chit-chat of persons on each side of him. The Professor +seated Seyd Ali on his right hand, and me on his left. +Everything around bore the appearance of opulence and +ease, and the swarthy obesity of the little personage +himself led me to suppose that he had paid more attention +to cooking than to science. But when he began to speak, +I saw reason enough for his being so much admired. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[396]</a></span> +substance of his speech was flimsy enough; but he spoke +with uncommon fluency and clearness, and with a manner +confident and imposing. He talked for a full hour about +the soul; its being distinct from the body; superior to the +brutes, etc.; about God; His unity, invisibility, and other +obvious and acknowledged truths. After this followed +another discourse. At length, after clearing his way for +miles around, he said that philosophers had proved that a +single being could produce but a single being; that the +first thing God had created was <i>Wisdom</i>, a being perfectly +one with Him; after that, the souls of men, and the seventh +heaven; and so on till He produced matter, which is +merely passive. He illustrated the theory by comparing +all being to a circle; at one extremity of the diameter is +God, at the opposite extremity of the diameter is matter, +than which nothing in the world is meaner. Rising from +thence, the highest stage of matter is connected with the +lowest stage of vegetation; the highest of the vegetable +world with the lowest of the animal; and so on, till we +approach the point from which all proceeded. ‘But,’ +said he, ‘you will observe that, next to God, something +ought to be which is equal to God; for since it is equally +near, it possesses equal dignity. What this is philosophers +are not agreed upon. You,’ said he, ‘say it is Christ; but +we, that it is the Spirit of the Prophets. All this is what +the philosophers have proved, independently of any particular +religion.’ I rather imagined that it was the invention +of some ancient Oriental Christian, to make the doctrine +of the Trinity appear more reasonable. There were a +hundred things in the Professor’s harangue that might have +been excepted against, as mere dreams, supported by no +evidence; but I had no inclination to call in question +dogmas on the truth or falsehood of which nothing in +religion depended.</p> + +<p>He was speaking at one time about the angels, and +asserted that man was superior to them, and that no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[397]</a></span> +being greater than man could be created. Here the Jew +reminded me of a passage in the Bible, quoting something +in Hebrew. I was a little surprised, and was just about to +ask where he found anything in the Bible to support such +a doctrine, when the Moojtahid, not thinking it worth +while to pay any attention to what the Jew said, continued +his discourse. At last the Jew grew impatient, and finding +an opportunity of speaking, said to me, ‘Why do not you +speak? Why do not you bring forward your objections?’ +The Professor, at the close of one of his long speeches, said +to me, ‘You see how much there is to be said on these +subjects; several visits will be necessary; we must come +to the point by degrees.’ Perceiving how much he dreaded +a close discussion, I did not mean to hurry him, but let +him talk on, not expecting we should have anything about +Muhammadanism the first night. But, at the instigation +of the Jew, I said, ‘Sir, you see that Abdoolghunee is +anxious that you should say something about Islam.’ He +was much displeased at being brought so prematurely to +the weak point, but could not decline accepting so direct a +challenge. ‘Well,’ said he to me, ‘I must ask you a few +questions. Why do you believe in Christ?’ I replied, +‘That is not the question. I am at liberty to say that I +do not believe in any religion; that I am a plain man +seeking the way of salvation; that it was, moreover, quite +unnecessary to prove the truth of Christ to Muhammadans, +because they allowed it.’ ‘No such thing,’ said he; ‘the +Jesus we acknowledge is He who was a prophet, a mere +servant of God, and one who bore testimony to Muhammad; +not your Jesus, whom you call God,’ said he, with a contemptuous +smile. He then enumerated the persons who +had spoken of the miracles of Muhammad, and told a long +story about Salmon the Persian, who had come to +Muhammad. I asked whether this Salmon had written +an account of the miracles he had seen. He confessed +that he had not. ‘Nor,’ said I,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[398]</a></span> ‘have you a single witness +to the miracles of Muhammad.’ He then tried to show +that, though they had not, there was still sufficient evidence. +‘For,’ said he, ‘suppose five hundred persons should say +that they heard some particular thing of a hundred persons +who were with Muhammad, would that be sufficient evidence +or not?’ ‘Whether it be or not,’ said I, ‘you have +no such evidence as that, nor anything like it; but if you +have, as they are something like witnesses, we must proceed +to examine them and see whether their testimony deserves +credit.’</p> + +<p>After this the Koran was mentioned; but as the company +began to thin, and the great man had not a sufficient +audience before whom to display his eloquence, the dispute +was not so brisk. He did not indeed seem to think it +worth while to notice my objections. He mentioned a +well-known sentence in the Koran as being inimitable. I +produced another sentence, and begged to know why it +was inferior to the Koranic one. He declined saying why, +under pretence that it required such a knowledge of rhetoric +in order to understand his proofs as I probably did not +possess. A scholar afterwards came to Seyd Ali, with +twenty reasons for preferring Muhammad’s sentence to +mine.</p> + +<p>It was midnight when dinner, or rather supper, was +brought in: it was a sullen meal. The great man was +silent, and I was sleepy. Seyd Ali, however, had not had +enough. While burying his hand in the dish of the Professor, +he softly mentioned some more of my objections. +He was so vexed that he scarcely answered anything; but +after supper told a very long story, all reflecting upon me. +He described a grand assembly of Christians, Jews, Guebres, +and Sabeans (for they generally do us the honour of +stringing us with the other three), before Imam Ruza. The +Christians were of course defeated and silenced. It was a +remark of the Imam’s, in which the Professor acquiesced, +that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[399]</a></span> ‘it is quite useless for Muhammadans and Christians +to argue together, as they had different languages and +different histories.’ To the last I said nothing; but to the +former replied by relating the fable of the lion and man, +which amused Seyd Ali so much that he laughed out +before the great man, and all the way home.</p></div> + +<p>The intervention of the Moojtahid only added to the sensation +excited among all classes by the saintly Feringhi. +The Shi’ah doctors had their second corrective almost +ready. They resolved to check the spirit of inquiry by +issuing, eleven days after the Moojtahid’s attempt, a defence +of Muhammadanism by Mirza Ibrahim, described as ‘the +preceptor of all the moollas.’<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> The event has an interest of +its own, apart from Henry Martyn, in the light of a famous +controversy which preceded it, and of spiritually fruitful +discussions which followed it, all in India. Before Henry +Martyn in this field of Christian apologetic was the Portuguese +Jesuit, Hieronymo Xavier, and after him were the +Scots missionary, John Wilson of Bombay, and the German +agent of the Church Missionary Society, C.G. Pfander.</p> + +<p>Among the representatives of all religions whom the +tolerant Akbar invited to his court at Agra, that out of +their teaching he might form an eclectic cult of his own, +was Jerome, the nephew of the famous Francis Xavier, then +at Goa. For Akbar P. Hieronymo Xavier wrote in Persian +two histories, <i>Christi</i> and <i>S. Petri</i>. To his successor, the +Emperor Jahangir, in whose suite he was the first European +who visited Kashmir, H. Xavier in the year 1609 dedicated +his third Persian book, entitled <i>A Mirror showing the Truth</i>, +in which the doctrines of the Christian religion are discussed, +the mysteries of the Gospel explained, and the vanity of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[400]</a></span> +(all) other religions is to be seen. He has been pronounced +by a good authority<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> a man of considerable ability and +energy, but one who trusted more to his own ingenuity +than to the plain and unsophisticated declarations of the +Holy Scriptures. Ludovicus de Dieu, the Dutch scholar, +who translated his two first works into Latin, most fairly +describes each on the title-page as ‘multis modis contaminata.’ +Twelve years after, to the third or controversial +treatise of P.H. Xavier an answer was published by ‘the +most mean of those who stand in need of the mercy of a +bounteous God, Ahmed ibn Zaín Elábidín Elálooi,’ under +a title thus translated, <i>The Divine Rays in refutation of +Christian Error</i>. To this a rejoinder in Latin appeared at +Rome in 1631, from the pen of Philip Guadagnoli, Arabic +Professor in the Propaganda College there. He calls it +<i>Apologia pro Christiana Religione</i>. If we except Raimund +Lull’s two spiritual treatises and <i>Ars Major</i>, and Pocock’s +Arabic translation of the <i>De Veritate Religionis Christianæ</i>, +which Grotius wrote as a text-book for the Dutch +missionaries in the East Indies, Henry Martyn’s was the +first attempt of Reformed Christendom to carry the +pure doctrine of Jesus Christ to the Asiatic races whom the +corruptions of Judaism and the Eastern Churches had +blinded into accepting the Koran and all its consequences.</p> + +<p>Mirza Ibrahim’s Arabic challenge to the Christian +scholar is pronounced by so competent and fair an +authority as Sir William Muir<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> as made by a man of talent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[401]</a></span> +and acuteness, and remarkable for its freedom from violent +and virulent remarks.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>This argument chiefly concerns the subject of miracles, +which he accommodates to the Koran. He defines a +miracle as an effect exceeding common experience, accompanied +by a prophetic claim and a challenge to produce +the like; and he holds that it may be produced by particular +experience—that is, it may be confined to any single +art, but must be attested by the evidence and confession of +those best skilled in that art. Thus he assumes the miracles +of Moses and Jesus to belong respectively to the arts of +magic and physic, which had severally reached perfection +in the times of these prophets; the evidence of the +magicians is hence deemed sufficient for the miracles of +Moses, and that of the physicians for those of Jesus; but +had these miracles occurred in any other age than that in +which those arts flourished, their proof would have been +imperfect, and the miracles consequently not binding. +This extraordinary doctrine—which Henry Martyn shows +to be founded upon an inadequate knowledge of history—he +proceeds to apply to the Koran, and proves entirely to his +own satisfaction that it fulfils all the required conditions. +This miracle belonged to the science of eloquence, and in +that science the Arabs were perfect adepts. The Koran +was accompanied by a challenge, and when they accordingly +professed their inability to produce an equal, their evidence, +like that of the magicians’ and physicians’, became universally +binding. He likewise dilates upon the superior and +perpetual nature of the Koran as an intellectual and a +<i>lasting</i> miracle, which will remain unaltered when all others +are forgotten. He touches slightly on Mohammed’s other +miracles, and asserts the insufficiency of proof (except +through the Koran) for those of all former prophets.</p></div> + +<p>To this, which was accompanied by a treatise on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[402]</a></span> +miracles of Mohammed by Aga Akbar, Henry Martyn +wrote a reply in three parts. In what spirit he conducted +the controversy, and what influence through him the Spirit +of Christ had on some of the Shi’ahs and Soofis, this +extract from his <i>Journal</i> unconsciously testifies:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1811, September 12</i> to <i>15</i>. (Sunday.)—Finished what I +had to say on the evidences of religion, and translated it +into Persian. Aga Akbar sent me his treatise by one of +his disciples. Aga Baba, his brother, but a very different +person from him, called; he spoke without disguise of his +dislike to Mohammedanism and good-will to Christianity. +For his attachment to Mirza Abel, Kasim, his brother, +sets him down as an infidel. Mirza Ibrahim is still in +doubt, and thinks that he may be a Christian, and be +saved without renouncing Mohammedanism; asks his +nephew what is requisite to observe; he said, Baptism +and the Lord’s Supper. ‘Well,’ said he, ‘what harm is there +in doing that?’ At another time Seyd Ali asked me, after +a dispute, whether I would baptize any one who did not +believe in the Divinity of Christ? I said, No. While +translating Acts ii. and iii., especially where it is said all +who believed had one heart and one mind, and had all +things in common, he was much affected, and contrasted +the beginning of Christianity with that of Mohammedanism, +where they began their career with murdering men and +robbing caravans; and oh, said he, ‘that I were sure the +Holy Spirit would be given to me! I would become a +Christian at once.’ Alas! both his faith and mine are very +weak. Even if he were to desire baptism I should tremble +to give it. He spake in a very pleasing way on other +parts of the Gospel, and seems to have been particularly +taken with the idea of a new birth. The state of a +new-born child gives him the most striking view of that +simplicity which he considers as the height of wisdom. +Simplicity is that to which he aspires, he says, above all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[403]</a></span> +things. He was once proud of his knowledge, and vain +of his superiority to others, but he found that fancied +knowledge set him at a greater distance from happiness than +anything else.</p></div> + +<p>Martyn’s first reply in Persian to Mirza Ibrahim thus +begins: ‘The Christian Minister thanks the celebrated Professor +of Islamism for the favour he has done him in writing +an answer to his inquiries, but confesses that, after reading it, +a few doubts occurred to him, on account of which, and not +for the mere purpose of dispute, he has taken upon himself +to write the following pages.’ The reply is signed, ‘The +Christian Minister, Henry Martyn.’ One Mirza Mahommed +Ruza published in 1813, the year after Martyn’s death, a +very prolix rejoinder. It is unworthy of lengthened notice, +according to Sir William Muir, who thus summarises and +comments on the defence made by the Christian scholar:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Henry Martyn’s first tract refers chiefly to the subject +of miracles: he asserts that, to be conclusive, a miracle +must exceed <i>universal</i> experience; that the testimony and +opinion of the Arabs is therefore insufficient, besides being +that of a party concerned; that, were the Koran allowed +to be inimitable, that would not prove it to be a miracle; +and that its being an <i>intellectual</i> miracle is not a virtue, +but, by making it generally inappreciable, a defect. He +concludes by denying the proof of Mohammed’s other +miracles, in which two requisites are wanting: viz., their +being recorded at or near the time of their occurrence, and +the narrators being under no constraint.</p> + +<p>The second tract directly attacks Mohammed’s mission, +by alleging the debasing nature of some of the contents +and precepts of the Koran, holds good works and repentance +to be insufficient for salvation, and opens the subject +of the true atonement as prefigured in types, fulfilled in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[404]</a></span> +Christ, and made public by the spread of Christianity +which is mentioned as itself a convincing miracle.</p> + +<p>The last tract commences with an attack on the +absurdities of Soofi-ism, and proceeds to show that the +love of God and union with Him cannot be obtained by +contemplation, but only by a practical manifestation of +His goodness towards us, accompanied by an assurance +of our safety; and that this is fulfilled in Christianity not +by the amalgamation of the soul with the Deity, but by +the pouring out of God’s Spirit upon His children, and by +the obedience and atonement of Christ. Vicarious suffering +is then defended by analogy, the truth of the Mosaic +and Christian miracles is upheld, and the whole argument +closes with proving the authenticity of the Christian annals +by their coincidence with profane history.</p></div> + +<p>Sir William Muir agrees in the opinion of Professor +Lee that, situated as Mr. Martyn was in Persia, with a +short tract on the Mohammedan religion before him, and his +health precarious, the course which he took was perhaps +the only one practicable. Sir William adds: ‘In pursuing +his argument Henry Martyn has displayed great wisdom +and skill, and his reasoning appears to be in general +perfectly conclusive; in a few instances, however, he has +perhaps not taken up the most advantageous ground.’</p> + +<p>The appeal of the Christian defender of the faith, at +the close of his second part, on the incarnation and atonement, +is marked by a loving courtesy:<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>It is now the prayer of the humble Henry Martyn that +these things may be considered with impartiality. If they +become the means of procuring conviction, let not the fear +of death or punishment operate for a moment to the +contrary, but let this conviction have its legitimate effect;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[405]</a></span> +for the world, we know, passes away like the wind of the +desert. But if what has here been stated do not produce +conviction, my prayer is that God Himself may instruct +you; that as hitherto ye have held what you believed to +be the truth, ye may now become teachers of that which is +really so; and that He may grant you to be the means of +bringing others to the knowledge of the same, through +Jesus Christ, who has loved us and washed us in His own +blood, to whom be the power and the glory for ever and +ever. Amen.</p> + +<p><i>1811, July 26.</i>—Mirza Ibrahim declared publicly before +all his disciples, ‘that if I really confuted his arguments, +he should be bound in conscience to become a Christian.’ +Alas! from such a declaration I have little hope. His +general good character for uprightness and unbounded +kindness to the poor would be a much stronger reason +with me for believing that he may perhaps be a Cornelius.</p> + +<p><i>August 2.</i>—Much against his will Mirza Ibrahim was +obliged to go to his brother, who is governor of some town +thirty-eight parasangs off. To the last moment he continued +talking with his nephew on the subject of his book, +and begged that, in case of his detention, my reply might +be sent to him.</p> + +<p><i>August 7.</i>—My friends talked, as usual, much about +what they call Divine love; but I do not very well comprehend +what they mean. They love not the holy God, +but the god of their own imagination—a god who will let +them do as they please. I often remind Seyd Ali of one +defect in his system, which is, that there is no one to stand +between his sins and God. Knowing what I allude to, he +says, ‘Well, if the death of Christ intervene, no harm; +Soofi-ism can admit this too.’</p> + +<p><i>August 14.</i>—Returned to the city in a fever, which +continued all the next day until the evening!</p> + +<p><i>August 15.</i>—Jani Khan, in rank corresponding to one +of our Scottish dukes, as he is the head of all the military<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[406]</a></span> +tribes of Persia, and chief of his own tribe, which consists +of twenty thousand families, called on Jaffir Ali Khan with +a message from the king. He asked me a great number +of questions, and disputed a little. ‘I suppose,’ said he, +‘you consider us all as infidels!’ ‘Yes,’ replied I, ‘the +whole of you.’ He was mightily pleased with my frankness, +and mentioned it when he was going away.</p> + +<p><i>August 22.</i>—The copyist having shown my answer to +Moodurris, called Moolla Akbar, he wrote on the margin +with great acrimony but little sense. Seyd Ali having +shown his remarks in some companies, they begged him +not to show them to me, for fear I should disgrace them all +through the folly of one man.</p> + +<p><i>August 23.</i>—Ruza Kooli Mirza, the great-grandson of +Nadir Shah and Aga Mahommed Hasan, called. The +prince’s nephew, hearing of my attack on Muhammad, +observed that the proper answer to it was the sword; but +the prince confessed that he began to have his doubts. On +his inquiring what were the laws of Christianity—meaning +the number of times of prayer, the different washings, &c.—I +said that we had two commandments: ‘Thou shalt +love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy soul, +and all thy strength; and thy neighbour as thyself.’ He +asked, ‘What could be better?’ and continued praising +them.</p> + +<p>The Moolla Aga Mahommed Hasan, himself a +Moodurris, and a very sensible, candid man, asked a good +deal about the European philosophy, particularly what we +did in metaphysics; for instance, ‘how, or in what sense, +the body of Christ ascended into heaven?’ He talked of +free-will and fate, and reasoned high, and at last reconciled +them according to the doctrines of the Soofis by saying, +that ‘as all being is an emanation of the Deity, the will of +every being is only the will of the Deity, so that therefore, +in fact, free-will and fate are the same.’ He has nothing +to find fault with in Christianity, except the Divinity of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[407]</a></span> +Christ. It is this doctrine that exposes me to the contempt +of the learned Mahometans, in whom it is difficult to say +whether pride or ignorance predominates. Their sneers +are more difficult to bear than the brick-bats which the +boys sometimes throw at me; however, both are an honour +of which I am not worthy. How many times in the day +have I occasion to repeat the words:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i8">If on my face, for Thy dear name,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Shame and reproaches be,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">All hail, reproach, and welcome, shame,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">If Thou remember me.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The more they wish me to give up this one point—the +Divinity of Christ—the more I seem to feel the necessity +of it, and rejoice and glory in it. Indeed, I trust I would +sooner give up my life than surrender it.</p> + +<p>In the evening we went to pay a long-promised visit to +Mirza Abulkasim, one of the most renowned Soofis in all +Persia. We found several persons sitting in an open court, +in which a few greens and flowers were placed; the master +was in a corner. He was a very fresh-looking old man +with a silver beard. I was surprised to observe the downcast +and sorrowful looks of the assembly, and still more at the +silence which reigned. After sitting some time in expectation, +and being not at all disposed to waste my time +in sitting there, I said softly to Seyd Ali, ‘What is this?’ +He said, ‘It is the custom here to think much and speak +little.’ ‘May I ask the master a question?’ said I. With +some hesitation he consented to let me; so I begged Jaffir +Ali to inquire, ‘Which is the way to be happy?’</p> + +<p>This he did in his own manner; he began by observing +that ‘there was a great deal of misery in the world, and +that the learned shared as largely in it as the rest; that I +wished therefore to know what we must do to escape it.’ +The master replied that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[408]</a></span> ‘for his part he did not know, but +that it was usually said that the subjugation of the passions +was the shortest way to happiness.’ After a considerable +pause I ventured to ask, ‘What were his feelings at the +prospect of death—hope, or fear, or neither?’ ‘Neither,’ +said he, and that ‘pleasure and pain were both alike.’ I +then perceived that the Stoics were Greek Soofis. I asked +‘whether he had attained this apathy.’ He said, ‘No.’ +‘Why do you think it attainable?’ He could not tell. +‘Why do you think that pleasure and pain are not the +same?’ said Seyd Ali, taking his master’s part. ‘Because,’ +said I, ‘I have the evidence of my senses for it. And you +also act as if there was a difference. Why do you eat, but +that you fear pain?’ These silent sages sat unmoved.</p> + +<p>One of the disciples is the son of the Moojtahid who, +greatly to the vexation of his father, is entirely devoted to +the Soofi doctor. He attended his kalean (pipe) with the +utmost humility. On observing the pensive countenance +of the young man, and knowing something of his history +from Seyd Ali, how he had left all to find happiness in the +contemplation of God, I longed to make known the glad +tidings of a Saviour, and thanked God on coming away, +that I was not left ignorant of the Gospel. I could not +help being a little pleasant on Seyd Ali afterwards, for his +admiration of this silent instructor. ‘There you sit,’ said +I, ‘immersed in thought, full of anxiety and care, and will +not take the trouble to ask whether God has said anything +or not. No: that is too easy and direct a way of coming +at the truth. I compare you to spiders, who weave their +house of defence out of their own bowels; or to a set of +people who are groping for a light in broad day.’</p> + +<p><i>August 26.</i>—Waited this morning on Mahommed +Nubbee Khan, late ambassador at Calcutta, and now prime +minister of Fars. There were a vast number of clients in +his court, with whom he transacted business while chatting +with us. Amongst the others who came and sat with us, +was my tetric adversary—Aga Akbar, who came for the +very purpose of presenting the minister with a little book<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[409]</a></span> +he had written in answer to mine. After presenting it in +due form, he sat down, and told me he meant to bring me +a copy that day—a promise which he did not perform, +through Seyd Ali’s persuasion, who told him it was a performance +that would do him no credit.</p> + +<p><i>August 29.</i>—Mirza Ibrahim begins to inquire about +the Gospel. The objections he made were such as these: +How sins could be atoned for before they were committed? +Whether, as Jesus died for all men, all would +necessarily be saved? If faith be the condition of salvation, +would wicked Christians be saved, provided they +believe? I was pleased to see from the nature of the +objections that he was considering the subject. To this +last objection, I remarked that to those who felt themselves +sinners, and came to God for mercy, through Christ, God +would give His Holy Spirit, which would progressively +sanctify them in heart and life.</p> + +<p><i>August 30.</i>—Mirza Ibrahim praises my answer, especially +the first part.</p></div> + +<p>It was on the sacred rock of Behistun, on the western +frontiers of Media, on the high road eastward from +Babylonia, that Darius Hystaspes, founder of the civil +policy of ancient Persia, carved the wonderful cuneiform +inscriptions which made that rock the charter of Achæmenian +royalty. At Persepolis only the platform, the pillared +colonnade, and the palace seem to have been built by him; +the other buildings, with commemorative legends, were +erected by Xerxes and Artaxerxes Ochus. Lassen, Westergaard, +and our own Sir Henry Rawlinson,<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> did not +decipher these inscriptions for some twenty years after +Martyn’s visit. How deaf had Ormuzd proved all through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[410]</a></span> +the centuries to the prayer which Darius the king cut on a +huge slab, twenty-six feet in length and six in height, in +the southern wall of the great platform at Persepolis: ‘Let +not war, nor slavery, nor decrepitude, nor lies obtain power +over this province.’ Henry Martyn thus wrote of his visit:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>After traversing these celebrated ruins, I must say +that I felt a little disappointed: they did not at all answer +my expectation. The architecture of the ancient Persians +seems to me much more akin to that of their clumsy neighbours +the Indians, than to that of the Greeks. I saw no +appearance of grand design anywhere. The chapiters of +the columns were almost as long as the shafts:—though +they are not so represented in Niebuhr’s plate;—and the +mean little passages into the square court, or room, or +whatever it was, make it very evident that the taste of the +Orientals was the same three thousand years ago as it is +now. But it was impossible not to recollect that here Alexander +and his Greeks passed and repassed; here they sat +and sung, and revelled; now all is in silence, generation +on generation lie mingled with the dust of their mouldering +edifices:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Alike the busy and the gay,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">But flutter in life’s busy day,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">In fortune’s varying colours drest.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>As soon as we recrossed the Araxes, the escort begged +me to point out the Keblah to them, as they wanted to pray. +After setting their faces towards Mecca, as nearly as I +could, I went and sat down on the margin near the bridge, +where the water, falling over some fragments of the bridge +under the arches, produced a roar, which, contrasted with +the stillness all around, had a grand effect. Here I thought +again of the multitudes who had once pursued their +labours and pleasures on its banks. Twenty-one centuries +have passed away since they lived; how short, in compari<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[411]</a></span>son, +must be the remainder of my days. What a momentary +duration is the life of man! <i>Labitur et labetur in omne +volubilis ævum</i>, may be affirmed of the river; but men +pass away as soon as they begin to exist. Well, let the +moments pass:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i12">They’ll waft us sooner o’er<br /></span> +<span class="i13">This life’s tempestuous sea,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">And land us on the peaceful shore<br /></span> +<span class="i13">Of blest eternity.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The true character of Martyn’s Mohammedan and +Soofi controversialists comes out in the fast of Ramazan, +the ninth month of the lunar year, when from dawn to +sunset of each day a strict fast is observed, most trying to +the temper, and from sunset to dawn excess is too naturally +the rule, especially, as in this case, when Ramazan falls on +the long hot days of summer. Of this month the traditions +declare that the doors of heaven are opened and the doors +of hell shut, while the devils are chained. At this time the +miracle play of Hasan and Husain<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> is acted in the native +theatres from night to night. In scene xxxi. are enacted +the conversion and murder of an English ambassador. +Dean Stanley used to tell that Henry Martyn, horrified at +the English oaths put into the mouth of the Persian who +represented the ambassador in the tragedy, took him and +taught him to repeat the Lord’s Prayer instead.</p> + +<p><i>September 20.</i>—First day of the fast of Ramazan. +All the family had been up in the night, to take an unseasonable +meal, in order to fortify themselves for the abstinence +of the day. It was curious to observe the effects of +the fast in the house. The master was scolding and beating +his servants; they equally peevish and insolent, and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[412]</a></span> +beggars more than ordinarily importunate and clamorous. +At noon, all the city went to the grand mosque. My host +came back with an account of new vexations there. He +was chatting with a friend, near the door, when a great +preacher, Hajji Mirza, arrived, with hundreds of followers. +‘Why do you not say your prayers?’ said the new-comers +to the two friends. ‘We have finished,’ said they. ‘Well,’ +said the other, ‘if you cannot pray a second time with us, +you had better move out of the way.’ Rather than join +such turbulent zealots they retired. The reason of this +unceremonious address was, that these loving disciples had +a desire to pray all in a row with their master, which, it +seems, is the custom. There is no public service in the +mosque; every man here prays for himself.</p> + +<p>Coming out of the mosque some servants of the prince, +for their amusement, pushed a person against a poor man’s +stall, on which were some things for sale, a few European +and Indian articles, also some valuable Warsaw plates, +which were thrown down and broken. The servants went +off without making compensation. No kazi will hear a +complaint against the prince’s servants.</p> + +<p>Hajji Mahommed Hasan preaches every day during +the Ramazan. He takes a verse from the Koran, or more +frequently tells stories about the Imams. If the ritual of +the Christian Churches, their good forms and everything +they have, is a mere shadow without a Divine influence +attend on them, what must all this Mahometan stuff be? +and yet how impossible is it to convince the people of the +world, whether Christian or Mahometan, that what they +call religion is merely an invention of their own, having +no connection with God and His kingdom! This subject +has been much on my mind of late. How senseless the +zeal of Churchmen against dissenters, and of dissenters +against the Church! The kingdom of God is neither meat +nor drink, nor anything perishable; but righteousness, and +peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[413]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mirza Ibrahim never goes to the mosque, but he is +so much respected that nothing is said: they conclude +that he is employed in devotion at home. Some of his +disciples said to Seyd Ali, before him: ‘Now the Ramazan +is come, you should read the Koran and leave the Gospel.’ +‘No,’ said his uncle, ‘he is employed in a good work: let +him go on with it.’ The old man continues to inquire +with interest about the Gospel, and is impatient for his +nephew to explain the evidences of Christianity, which I +have drawn up.</p> + +<p><i>September 22.</i> (Sunday.)—My friends returned from +the mosque, full of indignation at what they had witnessed +there. The former governor of Bushire complained to the +vizier, in the mosque, that some of his servants had treated +him brutally. The vizier, instead of attending to his +complaint, ordered them to do their work a second time; +which they did, kicking and beating him with their slippers, +in the most ignominious way, before all the mosque. This +unhappy people groan under the tyranny of their governors; +yet nothing subdues or tames them. Happy Europe! how +has God favoured the sons of Japheth, by causing them to +embrace the Gospel. How dignified are all the nations of +Europe compared with this nation! Yet the people are +clever and intelligent, and more calculated to become great +and powerful than any of the nations of the East, had they +a good government and the Christian religion.</p> + +<p><i>September 29.</i>—The Soofi, son of the Moojtahid, with +some others, came to see me. For fifteen years he was a +devout Mahometan; visited the sacred places, and said +many prayers. Finding no benefit from austerities he +threw up Mahommedanism altogether, and attached himself +to the Soofi master. I asked him what his object was, +all that time? He said, he did not know, but he was unhappy. +I began to explain to him the Gospel; but he +cavilled at it as much as any bigoted Mahommedan +could do, and would not hear of there being any distinction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[414]</a></span> +between Creator and creature. In the midst of our conversation, +the sun went down, and the company vanished +for the purpose of taking an immediate repast.</p> + +<p>Mirza Seyd Ali seems sometimes coming round to +Christianity against Soofi-ism. The Soofis believe in no +prophet, and do not consider Moses to be equal to Mirza +Abulkasim. ‘Could they be brought,’ Seyd Ali says, ‘to +believe that there has been a prophet, they would embrace +Christianity.’ And what would be gained by such converts? +‘Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy +power.’ It will be an afflicted and poor people that shall +call upon the name of the Lord, and such the Soofis are +not: professing themselves to be wise, they have become +fools.</p> + +<p><i>October 7.</i>—I was surprised by a visit from the great +Soofi doctor, who, while most of the people were asleep, +came to me for some wine. I plied him with questions +innumerable; but he returned nothing but incoherent +answers, and sometimes no answer at all. Having laid +aside his turban, he put on his night-cap, and soon fell +asleep upon the carpet. Whilst he lay there his disciples +came, but would not believe, when I told them who was +there, till they came and saw the sage asleep. When he +awoke, they came in, and seated themselves at the greatest +possible distance, and were all as still as if in a church. +The real state of this man seems to be despair, and it will +be well if it do not end in madness. I preached to him +the kingdom of God: mentioning particularly how I had +found peace from the Son of God and the Spirit of God; +through the first, forgiveness; through the second, sanctification. +He said it was good, but said it with the same +unconcern with which he admits all manner of things, however +contradictory. Poor soul! he is sadly bewildered.</p></div> + +<p>As a Persian scholar and controversialist Henry Martyn +found a worthy successor in the German, and afterwards<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[415]</a></span> +Church Missionary Society’s missionary, C.G. Pfander, D.D. +When for some twelve years stationed at Shushy Fort, on +the Russian border of Georgia, he frequently visited Baghdad +and travelled through Persia by Ispahan and Teheran. In +1836 the intolerant Russian Government expelled all +foreign missionaries from its territories, and Dr. Pfander +joined the Church Mission at Agra. In 1835 he first +published at Shushy, in Persian, his famous <i>Mizan ul Haqq</i>, +or <i>Balance of Truth</i>. A Hindustani translation was lithographed +at Mirzapore in 1843, and Mr. R.H. Weakley, +missionary at Constantinople, made an English translation, +which was published by the Church Missionary Society in +1867. This, as yet, greatest of works which state the +general argument for Christianity and against Islam, was +followed by the <i>Miftah ul Asrar</i>, in proof of the Divinity of +Christ and the doctrine of the Trinity, and by the <i>Tarik ul +Hyat</i>, or the nature of sin and the way of salvation, of both +of which Hindustani translations appeared. In his little +English <i>Remarks on the Nature of Muhammadanism</i>,<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> as +shown in the <i>Traditions</i>, Dr. Pfander quotes from Martyn’s +<i>Controversy</i>. By these writings and the personal controversy +in India, Dr. Pfander, following Henry Martyn, was +the means of winning to Christ, in tolerant British India, +many Mohammedan moulvies like him who is now the +Rev. Imad-ud-din, D.D.<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a></p> + +<p>Henry Martyn’s description of the Persian is no less<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[416]</a></span> +applicable to the Indian Mohammedan, in the opinion of Sir +William Muir; ‘he is a compound of ignorance and bigotry, +and all access to the one is hedged up by the other.’ The +Koran and the whole system of Islam are based on partial +truths, plagiarised from Scripture to an extent sufficient to +feed the pride of those who hold them. But beyond these +corruptions of Judaism and Christianity, for which the +dead Eastern Churches of Mohammed’s time and since are +responsible, Persians, Turks, Arabs, Afghans, and Hindustan +Muhammadans know nothing either of history or +Christian Divinity. All controversy, from P.H. Xavier’s +time to Martyn’s, Wilson’s, and Pfander’s, shows that the key +of the position is not the doctrine of the Trinity, as the +Shi’ah Moojtahids of Shiraz and Lucknow and the Soonnis +everywhere make it, but the genuineness and integrity of +the Scriptures, by which the truth of the whole Christian +faith will follow, the Trinity included. The Bible, in +Hindustani, Persian, and Arabic, with its self-evidencing +power, is the weapon which Henry Martyn was busied in +forging.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_54_54" id="Footnote_54_54"></a><a href="#FNanchor_54_54"><span class="label">[54]</span></a> See article in the <i>Spectator</i> for August 17, 1889, by a writer who had +recently returned from Persia.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_55_55" id="Footnote_55_55"></a><a href="#FNanchor_55_55"><span class="label">[55]</span></a> See article on the poet in the <i>Calcutta Review</i> for March 1858 (by Professor +E.B. Cowell, L.L.D., Cambridge).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_56_56" id="Footnote_56_56"></a><a href="#FNanchor_56_56"><span class="label">[56]</span></a> London, 1818, pp. 223-4.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_57_57" id="Footnote_57_57"></a><a href="#FNanchor_57_57"><span class="label">[57]</span></a> Literally, ‘one who strives’ to attain the highest degree of Mussulman +learning.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_58_58" id="Footnote_58_58"></a><a href="#FNanchor_58_58"><span class="label">[58]</span></a> Persian form of maulvi, the Arabic for a learned man. The word is +said to mean ‘filled’ with knowledge, from <i>mala</i>, to fill.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_59_59" id="Footnote_59_59"></a><a href="#FNanchor_59_59"><span class="label">[59]</span></a> The Rev. S. Lee, D.D., Professor of Arabic in the University of +Cambridge for many years, in his <i>Controversial Tracts on Christianity and +Mohammedanism</i> by the late Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D., and some of the +most eminent writers of Persia (1824).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_60_60" id="Footnote_60_60"></a><a href="#FNanchor_60_60"><span class="label">[60]</span></a> <i>The Calcutta Review</i>, No. VIII. vol. iv. Art. VI. ‘The Mahommedan +Controversy,’ pp. 418-76, Calcutta, 1845.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_61_61" id="Footnote_61_61"></a><a href="#FNanchor_61_61"><span class="label">[61]</span></a> As translated from the Persian by Professor Lee.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_62_62" id="Footnote_62_62"></a><a href="#FNanchor_62_62"><span class="label">[62]</span></a> Sir Henry, then Major, H.C. Rawlinson, C.B., visited Persepolis in +1835. The <i>Journals</i> of the Royal Asiatic Society for 1846-9 publish his +copies of the inscription of Behistun and Persepolis and his translations.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_63_63" id="Footnote_63_63"></a><a href="#FNanchor_63_63"><span class="label">[63]</span></a> See the Play as collected from oral tradition by the late Sir Lewis Pelly, +in two volumes, 1879.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_64_64" id="Footnote_64_64"></a><a href="#FNanchor_64_64"><span class="label">[64]</span></a> Second edition published by the Church Missionary Society in 1858.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_65_65" id="Footnote_65_65"></a><a href="#FNanchor_65_65"><span class="label">[65]</span></a> ‘Some of our most eminent Native Christians are converts from Mohammedanism. +We may particularly mention the Rev. Jani Ali, B.A.; the +Rev. Imad-ud-din, D.D.; the Rev. Imam Shah; the Rev. Mian Sadiq; the +Rev. Yakub Ali; Maulavi Safdar Ali, a high Government official; Abdullah +Athim, also a high official, now retired, and an honorary lay evangelist.’—<i>Church +Missionary Society’s Intelligencer</i> in 1888.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[417]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<p class="subheading">IN PERSIA—TRANSLATING THE SCRIPTURES</p> + + +<p>Great as saint and notable as scholar, in the twelve years +of his young life from Senior Wrangler to martyr at +thirty-one years of age, the highest title of Henry Martyn +to everlasting remembrance is that he gave the Persians in +their own tongue the Testament of the one Lord and +Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Hebrew Psalms. By that +work, the fruit of which every successive century will +reveal till the consummation of the ages, he unconsciously +wrote his name beside those of the greatest missionaries in +the history of the Church of Christ, the sacred scholars +who were the first to give the master races of Asia and +Africa, of Europe and America, the Word of God in +their vernaculars. Let us write the golden list, which for +modern Africa and Oceania also we might inscribe in +letters of silver,<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> were not most of the translators still living +and perfecting their at first tentative efforts, which time +must try:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[418]</a></span></p> + +<div class="center" style="margin-top: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1.5em;"> +<table style="width: 90%;" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="A table detailing Bible translators and the various languages that they tranlated the Bible into"> +<tr><td align="right"> A.D.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> 350</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Ulfilas</span></td><td align="left">Gothic (Teutonic)</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> 368</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Frumentius</span> and <span class="smcap">Edesius</span> (Brothers)</td><td align="left">Ethiopic</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> 385</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Hieronymus</span> (Jerome)</td><td align="left">Latin</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> 410</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Mesrobes</span> (Miesrob)</td><td align="left">Armenian</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"> 861</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">C. Cyrillus</span> and <span class="smcap">Methodius</span> (Brothers)</td><td align="left">Slavonic (Bulgarian)</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1380</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Wiclif</span> (Bede in 735)</td><td align="left">English</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1516</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Erasmus</span> (new translation)</td><td align="left">Latin</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1534</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Luther</span> (translation from Latin of Erasmus)</td><td align="left">German</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1661</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">John Eliot</span> (first Bible printed in America)</td><td align="left">Moheecan</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1777</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Fabricius</span> (Ziegenbalg & Schultze first 1714)</td><td align="left">Tamul</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1801</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">William Carey</span> (O.T. in 1802-9)</td><td align="left">Bengali, &c.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1815</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Henry Martyn</span></td><td align="left">Persian</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1816</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Henry Martyn</span> (Sabat’s N.T. version)</td><td align="left">Arabic</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1822</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Joshua Marshman</span> (Morrison & Milne 1823)</td><td align="left">Chinese</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1832</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Adoniram Judson</span> (O.T. 1834)</td><td align="left">Burmese</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1865</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Van Dyck</span></td><td align="left">Arabic</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p>It was David Brown who was wont to call the Bible ‘The +Great Missionary which would speak in all tongues the +wonderful works of God.’</p> + +<p>From first to last and above all Henry Martyn was a +philologist. His school and college honours sprang from +the root of all linguistic studies, Greek and Latin, in which +he was twice appointed public examiner in his college and +the University of Cambridge. For the uncritical time in +which he lived, and the generations which followed his to +the present, he was an enthusiastic and accomplished +Hebraist. No young scholar in the first quarter of the +nineteenth century was so well equipped for translating the +Bible by a knowledge of its two original languages. True, +he was the Senior Wrangler of the year 1801, but to him +the honour was a ‘shadow,’ because the mathematical +sciences could do nothing for him as a translator and +preacher of the words of righteousness, compared with the +linguistic. Only once, when the rapture of his holy work +had carried him away to the borderland of a dark<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[419]</a></span> +metaphysical theology, did he record the passing regret +that he had abandoned the rationalistic ground of mathematical +certainty. His devotion to the study of the +languages which interpret and apply to the races of India, +Arabia, and Persia, the books of the Christian Revelation, +was so absorbing as to shorten his career. Like Carey, he +never knew an idle moment, even when on shipboard, and +he jealously guarded his time from correspondence, other +than that with Lydia Grenfell, Brown and Corrie, that he +might live to finish the Hindustani, Persian, and Arabic +New Testaments at least. The spiritual motive it was, the +desire to win every man to Christ, that urged his unresting +course, and in the sacred toil he had the reflex joy of being +himself won nearer and nearer by the Spirit.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>What do I not owe to the Lord for permitting me +to take part in a translation of His Word? Never did I +see such wonder, and wisdom, and love in that blessed +book as since I have been obliged to study every expression. +All day on the translation, employed a good while +at night in considering a difficult passage, and being much +enlightened respecting it, I went to bed full of astonishment +at the wonders of God’s Word. Never before did I see +anything of the beauty of the language and the importance +of the thoughts as I do now. I felt happy that I should +never be finally separated from the contemplation of them, +or of the things concerning which they are written. +Knowledge shall vanish away, but it shall be because +perfection has come.</p></div> + +<p>On the other hand, he was ever on the watch against the +deadening influence of routine or one-sided study.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[420]</a></span> ‘So +constantly engaged with outward works of translation of +languages that I fear my inward man has declined in +spirituality.’</p> + +<p>Canon Edmonds expresses the experience of the +present writer in the remark,<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> that to read Martyn’s +<i>Journal</i> with the single object of noticing this point is to +discover another Martyn, not a saint only, but a grammarian. +‘He read grammars as other men read novels, +and to him they were more entertaining than novels.’ So +early as September 28, 1804, in Cambridge we find him at +prayer after dinner, before visiting Wall’s Lane, and then +on his return finishing the Bengali Grammar which he had +begun the day before. ‘I am anxious to get Carey’s +Bengali New Testament,’ which could not long have +reached London. Five days after, Thomas à Kempis, +followed by hymns and the writing of a sermon, seemed +but the preliminary to his Hindustani as well as Bengali +studies. ‘Engaged all the rest of the morning by Gilchrist’s +Hindustani Dictionary. After dinner began +Halhed’s Bengali Grammar, for I found that the other +grammar I had been reading was only for the corrupted +Hindustani.’ The first traces of his Persian and Arabic +studies have an interest all their own:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1804, June 27.</i>—A funeral and calls of friends took up +my time till eleven; afterwards <i>read Persian</i>, and made +some calculations in trigonometry, in order to be familiar +with the use of logarithms.</p> + +<p><i>November 23.</i>—Through shortness of time I was about +to omit my morning portion of Scripture, yet after some +deliberation conscience prevailed, and I enjoyed a solemn +seriousness in learning ‘mem’ in the 119th Psalm. Wasted +much time afterwards in looking over <i>an Arabic grammar</i>.</p></div> + +<p>When fairly at work in Dinapore he wrote almost daily +such passages in his <i>Journal</i> as these:</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[421]</a></span></p> +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1807, August 25.</i>—Translating the Epistles; reading +Arabic grammar and Persian. 27 to 29.—Studies in +Persian and Arabic the same. Delight in them, particularly +the latter, so great, that I have been obliged to pray +continually that they may not be a snare to me.... +31st.—Resumed the Arabic with an eagerness which I +found it necessary to check. Began some extracts from +Cashefi which Mr. Gladwin sent me, and thus the day +passed rapidly away. Alas! how much more readily does +the understanding do its work than the heart.</p></div> + +<p>On reaching Calcutta in 1806 Martyn found this to be +the position of the Bible translation work. Carey’s early +labours had led to the formation of the other English and +Scottish Missionary Societies at the close of the last +century. By 1803 his experience and that of his colleagues +had enabled them, with the encouragement of Brown and +Buchanan, to formulate a magnificent plan for translating +the Bible into all the languages of the far East. +The Marquis Wellesley, though Governor-General, approved, +and his College at Fort William, with its staff of learned +men, including Carey himself and many Asiatics, had +become a school of interpreters. In 1804, after all this, +the British and Foreign Bible Society was founded, under +the ex-Governor-General, Lord Teignmouth, as its first +president. That Society, leaving India to the Serampore +Brotherhood, at once directed its attention to the three +hundred millions of Chinese, who also could be reached +only through the East India Company. But, until six +years after, when Dr. Marshman made the first reliable +translation of the Bible into the language, in its Mandarin +dialect, there was no Chinese translation save an anonymous +MS. of a large portion of the New Testament in the British<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[422]</a></span> +Museum, probably of Roman Catholic origin. At that +time the infant Society did not see its way to spend two +thousand guineas in producing an edition of a thousand +copies of a work about which the few experts differed. +So, while giving grants to the Serampore translators, it invited +the opinions, as to the formation of a corresponding +committee in Calcutta, of George Udny, who had by that +time become Member of Council, and the Rev. Messrs. +Brown, Buchanan, Carey, Ward, and Marshman. The +Serampore plan and its rapid execution had been communicated +to all the principal civil and military officials, who, +after Lord Wellesley’s tolerant and reverent action, subscribed +liberally to carry it out, and the Society continued +its grants. But when in 1807, under Lord Minto, the +anti-Christian reaction set in, caused by a groundless panic +as to the Vellore Mutiny, and the Fort William College was +reduced, Dr. Buchanan proposed to found ‘The Christian +Institution,’ the Society preferred its original plan of a corresponding +committee, which was formed in August 1809.</p> + +<p>Martyn had not waited one hour for this. Almost from +the day of landing at the capital he was engaged in +Hindustani translation, and in studious preparation for his +projected Persian and Arabic Bibles. In the brotherly +intercourse at Aldeen with the Serampore missionaries it +was arranged to leave these three languages entirely to +him, under the direction of Mr. Brown. Part of the +Society’s annual grant to India and Ceylon of a thousand +pounds a year was assigned to pay his assistants, Mirza +Fitrut, the Persian, and Nathanael Sabat, the Arabian, and +to print the results. The Corresponding Committee caused +an annual sermon to be preached in Calcutta, to rouse +public intelligence and help. On the first day of 1810<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[423]</a></span> +Mr. Brown preached it in the old church, in the interest chiefly +of the thousands of native Christians who had been baptized +in Tanjor and Tinnevelli, both Reformed and Romanist, +and needed copies of the Tamul Bible. Such was the result +of this appeal, headed by the Commander-in-chief, General +Hewett, with the sum of 2,000 Sicca-rupees (250<i>l.</i>), that the +committee resolved on establishing a ‘Bibliotheca Biblica,’ +combining a Bible Repository and a Translation Library. +The Scottish poet and friend of Sir Walter Scott, Dr. +Leyden, was foremost in the enterprise, and took charge +of work in the languages of Siam and the Spice Islands, as +well as in the Pushtu of Afghanistan.</p> + +<p>On the first day of 1811 it fell to the Rev. Henry +Martyn to preach the second annual sermon.<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> His appeal +was for not only the growing native Church of India, +but more particularly for the whole number of nominal +Christians, of all sects, in India and Ceylon, whom he +estimated at 900,000.<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> In 1881 the Government census +returned these, in the Greater India of our day but without +Ceylon, as upwards of 2,000,000, and in 1891 as +2,280,549. Martyn’s figures included 342,000 of the +Singhalese, whom the Dutch had compelled by secular +considerations outwardly to conform. The sermon, on +Galatians vi. 10, was published at the time, and it appears +as the last in the volume of <i>Twenty Sermons by the late +Rev. Henry Martyn, B.D.</i>,<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> first printed at Calcutta with +this passage in the preface:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[424]</a></span> ‘The desire to know how such +a man preached is natural and unavoidable.... His +manner in the pulpit was distinguished by a holy solemnity, +always suited to the high message which he was delivering, +and accompanied by an unction which made its way to the +hearts of his audience. With this was combined a fidelity +at once forcible by its justice and intrepidity, and penetrating +by its affection. There was, in short, a power of +holy love and disinterested earnestness in his addresses +which commended itself to every man’s conscience in the +sight of God.’</p> + +<p>Addressing the well-paid servants of the East India +Company in Calcutta, and its prosperous merchants and +shopkeepers, the preacher said: ‘Do we not blush at the +offers of assistance from home ... where all that is raised +may be employed with such effect in benefiting the other +three quarters of the globe? Asia must be our care; or, if +not Asia, <i>India</i> at least must look to none but us. Honour +calls as well as duty.’ He then continued:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Prove to our friends and the world that the Mother +Country need never be ashamed of her sons in India. What +a splendid spectacle does she present! Standing firm +amidst the overthrow of the nations, and spreading wide +the shadow of her wings for the protection of all, she finds +herself at leisure, amidst the tumult of war, to form benevolent +projects for the best interests of mankind. Her +generals and admirals have caused the thunder of her +power to be heard throughout the south; now her ministers +of religion perform their part, and endeavour to fulfil the +high destinies of Heaven in favour of their country. They +called on their fellow-citizens to cheer the desponding nations +with the Book of the promises of Eternal Life, and thus +afford them that consolation from the prospect of a happier +world, which they have little expectation of finding amidst +the disasters and calamities of this. The summons was +obeyed. As fast as the nature of the undertaking became<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[425]</a></span> +understood, and was perceived to be clearly distinct from +all party business and visionary project, great numbers of +all ranks in society, and of all persuasions in religion, joined +with one heart and one soul, and began to impart freely to +all men that which, next to the Saviour, is God’s best gift +to man....</p> + +<p>Shall every town and hamlet in England engage in the +glorious cause, and the mighty Empire of India do nothing? +Will not our wealth and dignity be our disgrace if we do +not employ it for God and our fellow-creatures? What +plan could be proposed, so little open to objections, and so +becoming our national character and religion, so simple and +practicable, yet so extensively beneficial, as that of giving +the Word of God to the Christian part of our native +subjects?... Despise not their inferiority, nor reproach +them for their errors; they cannot get a <span class="smcap">Bible</span> to read; +had they been blessed with your advantages, they would +have been perhaps more worthy of your respect.</p></div> + +<p>The brief decade of Henry Martyn’s working life fell +at a time when the science of Comparative Philology was +as yet unborn, but the materials were almost ready for +generalisation. Sir William Jones, and still more his +successor as a scholar—Henry Thomas Colebrooke—had +used their opportunities in India well. The Bengal Asiatic +Society, in its <i>Asiatic Researches</i>, was laboriously piling up +facts and speculations. These awaited only the flash of +hardworking genius to evolve the order and the laws which +have made Comparative Grammar the most fruitful of the +historical and psychological sciences. It might have been +Martyn’s, had he lived to reach England, to manifest that +genius. His Asiatic career was contemporary with the +most fruitful part of Colebrooke’s. He toiled and he +speculated, as he mastered the grammar and much of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[426]</a></span> +vocabulary of the great classical and vernacular languages +which made him a seven-tongued man. But his divine +motive led him to grope for the philological solvent through +the imperfect Semitic. The Germans, Schlegel and Bopp, +found it rather, and later, in the richer Aryan or Indo-European +family, in Sanskrit and old Persian.</p> + +<p>His longing to give the Arabs the Scriptures in their +purity intensified his devotion to the study of Hebrew; +had he lived to give himself to the Persian, he might have +anticipated the German critics who used, at second-hand, +the materials that he and Colebrooke, and other servants +of the East India Company, were annually accumulating. +Nor did his Hebraism lead him, at the beginning of the +century, to that fertile criticism of the text and the literary +origin of the books of the Old Testament which, at the end +of the century, is beginning to make the inspired historians +and the prophets, the psalmists and the moralists of the old +Jews live anew for the modern Church. But how true has +proved his prediction to Corrie in the year 1809:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I think that when the construction of Hebrew is fully +understood, all the scholars in the world will turn to it with +avidity, in order to understand other languages, and then +the Word of God will be studied universally.</p></div> + +<p>Again in 1810:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I sit for hours alone contemplating this mysterious +language. If light does not break upon me at last it will +be a great loss of time, as I never read Arabic or Persian. +I have no heart to do it; I cannot condescend any longer +to tread in the paths of ignorant and lying grammarians. +I sometimes say in my vain heart I will make a deep cut +in the mine of philology, or I will do nothing; but you<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[427]</a></span> +shall hear no more of Scriptural philology till I make some +notable discoveries.</p></div> + +<p>Again in 1811, when at Bombay:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Chiefly employed on the Arabic tract, writing letters to +Europe, and my Hebrew speculations. The last encroached +so much on my time and thoughts that I lost two nights’ +sleep, and consequently the most of two days, without +learning more than I did the first hour.</p> + +<p>Happening to think this evening on the nature of language +more curiously and deeply than I have yet done, I got +bewildered, and fancied I saw some grounds for the opinions +of those who deny the existence of matter.... Oh, what +folly to be wise where ignorance is bliss!... The +further I push my inquiries the more I am distressed. +It must be now my prayer, not ‘Lord, let me obtain the +knowledge which I think would be so useful,’ but ‘Oh, +teach me just as much as Thou seest good for me.’ Compared +with metaphysics, physics and mathematics appear +with a kind and friendly aspect, because they seem to be +within the limits in which man can move without danger, +but on the other I find myself adrift. Synthesis is the +work of God alone.</p></div> + +<p>Henry Martyn’s first practical work was in Hindustani. +His position in Dinapore and Patna, the capital of Bihar +with its Hindi dialects, his duties to the native wives and +families of the soldiers whom he taught and exhorted, +his preaching to the Hindus and discussions with the +Mohammedans, all led him to prepare three works—(1) +portions of the <i>Book of Common Prayer</i>, which Corrie +finished and published seventeen years after his death; +(2) a <i>Commentary on the Parables</i>, in 1807; (3) the <i>Four +Gospels</i> in 1809, and in 1810 the whole <i>New Testament</i>. +Let us look at him in his spiritual and scholarly workshop.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[428]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1807, January 18.</i> (Sunday.)—Preached on Numbers +xxiii. 19: a serious attention from all. Most of the +European tradesmen were present with their families; my +soul enjoyed sweet peace and heavenly-mindedness for +some time afterwards. The thought suddenly struck me +to-day, how easy it would be to translate the chief part +of the Church Service for the use of the soldiers’ wives, +and women and children, and so have the service in +Hindustani, by which a door would be opened to the +heathen. This thought took such hold of me, that after +in vain endeavouring to fix my thoughts on anything else, +I sat down in the evening, and translated to the end of +the <i>Te Deum</i>. But my conscience was not satisfied that +this was a Sabbath employment, and I lost the sensible +sweetness of the Divine presence. However, by leaving it +off, and passing the rest of the evening in reading and +singing hymns, I found comfort and joy. Oh, how shall I +praise my Lord, that here in this solitude, with people +enough indeed, but without any like-minded, I yet enjoy +fellowship with all those who in every place call upon the +name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I see myself travelling on +with them, and I hope I shall worship with them in His +courts above.</p> + +<p><i>January 19.</i>—Passed the morning with the moonshi and +pundit, dictating to the former a few ideas for the explanation +of the Parable of the Rich Fool. When I came to say +that there was no eating and drinking, etc., in heaven, but +only the pleasures of God’s presence and holiness; and +that, therefore, we must acquire a taste for such pleasures, +the Mussulman was unwilling to write, but the Brahman +was pleased, and said that all this was in the Puranas. +Afterwards went on with the translation of the Liturgy.</p> + +<p><i>March 23.</i> (To Brown.)—It is with no small delight that +I find the day arrived for my writing to my very dear brother. +Many thanks for your two letters, and for all the consolation +contained in them, and many thanks to our Lord and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[429]</a></span> +Saviour, who has given me such a help where I once +expected to struggle on alone all my days. Concerning +the character in the Nagri papers you have sent me I have +to say, it is perfectly the same as the one used here, and I +can read it easily; and the difference in both the dialects +from the one here is so trifling, that I have not the smallest +doubt of the Parables being understood at Benares and +Bettia (a Roman Catholic village), and consequently +through a vast tract of country. A more important +inference is, that in whatever dialect of the Hindustani +the translation of the Scriptures shall be made, it will be +generally understood. The little book of Parables is at +last finished, through the blessing of God. I cannot say +I am very well pleased with it on the reperusal; but yet +containing, as it does, such large portions of the Word of God, +I ought not to doubt of its accomplishing that which He +pleaseth.</p> + +<p><i>July 13.</i>—Mr. Ward has also sent me a long and learned +letter. He is going to print the Parables without delay +for me, and the modern Hindustani version of them for +themselves. He says, ‘The enmity of the natives to the +Gospel is indeed very great, but on this point the lower +orders are angels compared with the moonshis and +pundits. I believe the man you took from Serampore +has his heart as full of this poison as most. The fear +of loss of caste among the poor is a greater obstacle +than their enmity. Our strait waistcoat makes our arms +ache.’</p> + +<p><i>December 29.</i>—Translating from Hebrew into Hindustani +in the morning. Wrote to Mr. Udny. Read Arabic +and Persian as usual with Sabat. We had some conversation +on this subject, whether we might not expect the Holy +Spirit would endue us with extraordinary powers in the +acquisition of languages, if we could pray for it only with +a desire to be useful to the Church of God, and not with +a wish for our own glory. There seemed to be no reason<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[430]</a></span> +against such an expectation. I sometimes pray for the +gifts of the spirit, but infinitely greater is the necessity to +pray for grace, as I know by the sorrowful experience of +my deceitfully corrupt heart.</p> + +<p><i>1808, January 7.</i>—As much of my time as was not +employed for the Europeans has been devoted chiefly to +translating the Epistles into Hindustani. This work is +finished after a certain manner. But Sabat does not allow +me to form a very high idea of the style in which it is +executed. But if the work should fail—which, however, +I am far from expecting—my labour will have been richly +repaid by the profit and pleasure derived from considering +the Word of God in the original with more attention than +I had ever done.</p> + +<p><i>March 31.</i>—I am at present employed in the toilsome +work of going through the Syriac Gospels, and writing out +the names, in order to ascertain their orthography if possible, +and correcting with Mirza the Epistles. This last +work is incredibly difficult in Hindustani, and will be +nearly as much so in Persian, but very easy and elegant +in Arabic.</p> + +<p><i>June 1</i> to <i>4</i>.—Employed incessantly in reading the +Persian of St. Matthew to Sabat. Met with the Italian +padre, Julius, with whom I conversed in French.</p> + +<p><i>June 6.</i>—Going on with the Persian Gospel, visiting the +hospital, and with the men at night. My spirit refreshed +and revived by every night’s ministration to them. Sent +the Persian of Matthew to Mr. Brown for the press, and +went on with the remainder of the Hindustani of St. +Matthew. I have not felt such trials of my temper for +many months as to-day. The General declared he was +an enemy to my design in translating the Scriptures. My +poor harassed soul looked at last to God, and cast its +burden of sin at the foot of the cross. Towards evening +I found rest and peace. A son-in-law of the Qasi ool +Qoorrat, of Patna, a very learned man, called on me. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[431]</a></span> +put to him several questions about Mohammedanism, which +confused him; and as he seemed a grave, honest man, they +may produce lasting doubts.</p> + +<p><i>1809, September 24.</i>—Began with Mirza Fitrut the +correction of the Hindustani Gospels: <i>Quod felix faustumque +sit.</i> Began with my men a course of lectures from +the beginning of the Bible.</p> + +<p><i>September 25</i> to <i>28</i>.—Revising Arabic version of +Romans; going on in correction of Hindustani; preparing +report of progress in translating for Bible Society. Reading +occasionally Menishi’s <i>Turkish Grammar</i>.</p></div> + +<p>Completed in 1810, Martyn’s Hindustani New Testament +for Mohammedans was passing through the Serampore +press when the great fire of March 11, 1812, destroyed +all the sheets save the first thirteen chapters of Matthew’s +Gospel, and melted the fount of Persian type. The Corresponding +Committee of the British and Foreign Bible +Society, for which it had been prepared, put it to press the +second time at Serampore, from finer type, and it appeared +in 1814 in an edition of 2,000 copies, on English paper. +The demand for portions for immediate use was such that +3,000 copies of the Gospels and Acts, on Patna paper, had +been previously struck off. The longing translator—who +had once written, ‘Oh, may I have the bliss of soon seeing +the New Testament in Hindustani and Persian!’—had then +been two years dead, but verily his works followed him. +Such was the reputation of the version that it was read in +the native schools at Agra and elsewhere; while an edition +of 2,000 copies in the Deva-Nagri character, for Hindus, +appeared in 1817, and was used up till a Hindi version +was prepared from it by Mr. Bowley, the zealous agent of +the Church Missionary Society at Chunar, by divesting it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[432]</a></span> +of the Persian and Arabic terms. Bishop Corrie’s revision +of this work and portions of the Old Testament were circulated +in many editions and extending numbers, in the +Kaithi character also, among the millions of Hindus who +speak the most widespread of Indian languages with many +dialects. The Bible Society in London welcomed Martyn’s +work, of which Professor Lee prepared a large edition. +Learning that the lamented scholar had done some work +on the Old Testament in Hindustani, and had taught +Mirza Fitrut Hebrew, to enable that able moonshi to carry +on the translation from the original, the Society first published +Genesis in Hindustani, under Professor Lee’s care, in +1817, and then issued a revision of the rough draft of the +entire version of the Old Testament, by Bishop Corrie and +Mr. Thomason. In 1843 Mr. Schürmann, of the London +Missionary Society, and Mr. Justice Hawkins, an elder of +the Free Church of Scotland and an accomplished Bengal +civilian, issued a uniform revision of the Old and New +Testaments in the Arabic and Roman characters, in the +course of which Mr. Schürmann ‘saw reason to revert in a +great measure to the translation of Henry Martyn, especially +in the latter half of the version.’<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> Of the different +translations of the Bible into Hindustani, the Oordoo or +‘camp’ language understood by the sixty millions of +Mussulmans in India, this criticism is just: ‘the idiomatic +and faithful version of Henry Martyn still maintains its +ground, although, from the lofty elegance of its style, it is +better understood by educated than by illiterate Mohammedans.’<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a></p> + +<p>In the first generation, from 1814 to 1847, after the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[433]</a></span> +appearance of Henry Martyn’s work, sixteen editions<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> of +the Hindustani New Testament were published and sent +into circulation among the then fifty millions of Mussulmans +in India. Before Martyn’s work was printed, he and +Corrie used to dictate to inquirers translations of Bible +passages suited to their needs. When Corrie was at +Chunar, he tells us, because ‘there was not at that time +any translation of the Scriptures to put into his hands, a +native Roman Catholic took down the translated texts on +loose pieces of paper.’ Years after, Mr. Wilkinson, of +Gorakpore, was called to visit the man on his death-bed, +and found him so well acquainted with Scripture that +he asked an explanation. ‘The poor man produced the +loose slips of paper on which he had written my translations,’ +says Corrie. ‘On these, it appeared, his soul had +fed through life, and through them he died such a death +that Mr. Wilkinson entertained no doubt of his having +passed into glory.’ In the forty years since the sixteen +editions made the Word of God known to thousands of +India Mussulmans, the Oordoo Bible has caused the Word +to grow mightily, and in many cases to prevail.</p> + +<p>The entire Bible in Hindustani was again revised, by +Dr. R.C. Mather, after many years’ experience in Benares +and Mirzapore, and was published, in both the Arabic and +Roman characters, in 1869, after continuous labour for more +than six years. He stumbled, in the library of the British +and Foreign Bible Society, on sixteen manuscript volumes +of a Hindustani translation of nearly the whole Old Testament, +beginning with Martyn’s Genesis. The folios were +interleaved, and on the blank pages were thousands of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[434]</a></span> +notes in English. At the end of the Pentateuch the copyist +records that ‘the above has been completed, by order of +Paymaster Sherwood, for the Rev. Daniel Corrie, by me, +Mákhdum Buksh.’ The copy seems to have been the +accomplished Thomason’s, and to have been deposited in +the library by his widow after his death at Port Louis, +Mauritius. This practically complete translation of the +Old Testament had been lost for forty years. The eulogy +passed by Thomason on Martyn’s Hindustani New Testament, +that it ‘will last as a model of elegant writing as well +as of faithful translation,’ is pronounced by Dr. Mather,<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> +after all that time, as, ‘in the main, just; the work has lasted +and continued to be acceptable, and will perhaps always +continue to be useful. All subsequent translators have, as +a matter of course, proceeded upon it as a work of excellent +skill and learning, and rigid fidelity.’</p> + +<p>The modern Arabic translation of the New Testament, +by Martyn and Sabat, was not printed (in Calcutta) till +1816, and the translation of the Old Testament was continued +under the supervision of Mr. Thomason, who became +virtually Martyn’s literary executor, and whose labours as +Oriental translator and editor hurried him, like his friend, +to a premature death. Both had the same biographer—the +good Sargent, Rector of Lavington. As Thomason +toiled at the Arabic, Persian, and Hindustani editions, he +wrote: ‘I am filled with astonishment at the opening +scenes of usefulness. Send us labourers—send us faithful +laborious labourers!’<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> Martyn’s Arabic New Testament,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[435]</a></span> +produced with the assistance of an undoubtedly learned +Arab, as conceited and of temper as intolerable as Sabat, +did its work among the ‘learned and fastidious’ Mohammedans +for whom chiefly it was prepared. Professor Lee +issued a second edition in London, and Mr. Thomason +a third in Calcutta. In common with the old translations, +made for the land in which St. Paul began the first missionary +work, and reproduced in various Polyglot Bibles, it has +been superseded by the wonderfully perfect and altogether +beautiful Arabic Bible (Beirut) of Dr. Eli Smith and Dr. +Van Dyck, on which these American scholars, assisted by +learned natives of Syria and Cairo, were occupied for nearly +thirty years. In the Beirut Arabic Scriptures, Henry +Martyn’s troubled life with Sabat found early and luxuriant +fruit. How wisely and humbly the missionary chaplain +of the East India Company estimated his own, and +especially his Arabic, translations, and how at the same +time he longed to live that he might do in 1812-20 what +Eli Smith and Van Dyck did in 1837-65, may be seen +from these early letters and journals:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To the Rev. David Brown, Calcutta</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Cawnpore: June 11, 1810. +</p> + +<p>Dearest Sir,—The excessive heat, by depriving me of +my rest at night, keeps me between sleeping and waking +all day. This is one reason why I have been remiss in +answering your letters. It must not, however, be concealed +that the man Daniel Corrie has kept me so long talking that +I have had no time for writing since his arrival.</p> + +<p>Your idea about presenting splendid copies of the +Scriptures to native great men has often struck me, but my +counsel is, not to do it with the first edition. I have too +little faith in the instruments to believe that the first editions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[436]</a></span> +will be excellent; and if they should be found defective, +we cannot after once presenting the great men with one +book, repeat the thing.</p> + +<p>Before the second edition of the Arabic, what say you +to my carrying the first with me to Arabia, having under +the other arm the Persian, to be examined at Shiraz +or Teheran? By the time they are both ready I shall have +nearly finished my seven years, and may go on furlough.</p> + +<p>I am glad to find you promising to give yourself wholly +to your plans. I always tremble lest Mrs. Brown should +order you home; but I must not suspect her, she has the +soul of a missionary. If you go soon we shall all droop +and die. Your Polyglot speculations are fine, but Polyglots +are Biblical luxuries, intended for the gratification of men +of two tongues or more. We must first feed those that +have but one, especially as single tongues are growing upon +us so fast.</p> + +<p><i>June 12.</i>—To-day I have requested the Commander of +the forces to detain D. Corrie here to assist me; he said he +did not like to make innovations, but would keep him +here for two or three months. This will be a great relief +to my labouring chest, for I am still far from being out of +the fear of consumption. Tell me that you have prayed +for me.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +Yours, etc. <br /> +H.M. +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> + +<p><i>August 22.</i>—I want silence and diversion, a little dog to +play with; or what would be best of all, a dear little child, +such as Fanny was when I left her. Perhaps you could +learn when the ships usually sail for Mocha. I have set +my heart upon going there; I could be there and back in +six months.</p> + +<p><i>September 8.</i>—Your tide rolls on with terrifying rapidity, +at least I tremble while committing myself to it. You look +to me, and I to Sabat; and Sabat I look upon as the staff +of Egypt. May I prove mistaken! All, however, does +not depend upon him. If my life is spared, there is no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[437]</a></span> +reason why the Arabic should not be done in Arabia, and +the Persian in Persia, as well as the Indian in India. I hope +your Shalome has not left you. I promise myself great +advantage in reading Hebrew and Syriac with him.</p> + +<p><i>September 9.</i>—Yours of the 27th ult. is a heart-breaking +business. Though I share so deeply in Sabat’s disgrace, I +feel more for you than myself, but I can give you no comfort +except by saying, ‘It is well that it was in thine heart.’ +Your letter will give a new turn to my life. Henceforward +I have done with India. Arabia shall hide me till I come +forth with an approved New Testament in Arabic. I do +not ask your advice, because I have made up my mind, but +shall just wait your answer to this, and come down to you +instantly. I have been calculating upon the means of +support, and find that I shall have wherewithal to live. +Besides, the Lord will provide. Before Him I have spread +this affair, and do not feel that I shall be acting contrary +to His will.... Will Government let me go away for three +years before the time of my furlough arrives? If not, I +must quit the service, and I cannot devote my life to a more +important work than that of preparing the Arabic Bible.</p> + +<p>Herewith you will receive the first seven chapters in +Persian and Hindustani, though I suppose you have ceased +to wish for them. The Persian will only prove that Sabat +is not the man for it. I have protested against many things +in it, but instead of sending you my objections I inclose a +critique by Mirza, who must remain unknown. I am somewhat +inclined to think the Arabic not quite so hopeless. +Sabat is confident, and eager to meet his opponents. His +version of the Romans was certainly not from the old one, +because he translated it all before my face from the +English; but then, as I hinted long ago, he is inaccurate +and not to be depended upon. He entirely approves of my +going to Busrah with his translations, and the old one, +confident that the decision there will be in his favour. +Dear Sir, take measures for transmitting me with the least<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[438]</a></span> +possible delay; detain me not, for the King’s business +requires haste.</p></div> + +<p>The King sent His eager servant to Persia, and did not +give him the desire of his heart to enter Arabia. Truly he +hastened so unrestingly that the Spirit of God led him to +complete the Persian New Testament, and then carried him +away from the many tongues of mortal men, which as they +sprang from disunion, so they are to ‘cease’ in the one +speech of the multitudes of every nation and kindred and +tribe and tongue who sing the new song.</p> + +<p>The following letter to Charles Simeon, the original of +which was presented by his biographer, Canon Carus, to +Canon Moor, who permits it to be published here for the +first time, fitly introduces Henry Martyn’s translation used +in Persia. Simeon received it on January 21, 1812, and +thus wrote of it to Thomason:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>From whom, think you, did I receive a letter yesterday? +From our beloved Martyn in Persia. He begins to find his +strength improve, and he is ‘disputing daily’ with the +learned, who, he says, are extremely subtile. They are not +a little afraid of him, and are going to write a book on the +evidences of their religion. The evidences of Mohammedanism! +A fine comparison they will make with those of +Christianity. Oh, that God may endue our brother with +wisdom and strength to execute all that is in his heart. He +is desirous of spending two years in Persia, and is willing to +sacrifice his salary if the East India Company will not give +him leave. I am going in an hour to Mr. Grant to consult +him, and shall call on Mr. Astell if Mr. Grant thinks it +expedient.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[439]</a></span></p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Rev. C. Simeon</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Shiraz: July 8, 1811.<br /> +</p> + +<p>My dearest Friend and Brother,—My last letter to +you was from Bombay. I sailed thence on March 25, in +the Company’s corvette, the Benares. As the ship was +manned principally by Europeans, I had a good deal +to do during the voyage, but through the mercy of our +Heavenly Father I was so far from suffering that I rather +gained strength, and am now apparently as well as ever I +was. On Easter day we made the coast of Mekran, in +Persia, and on the Sunday following landed at Muscat, in +Arabia. Here I met with an African slave, who tried hard +to persuade me that I was in the wrong and he in the +right. The dispute ended in his asking for an Arabic +Testament, which I gave him. We were about a month in +the Persian Gulf, generally in sight of land. At last, on +May 22, I was set down at Bushire, in Persia, and was +kindly received by the English Resident. One day I went +to the Armenian church, at the request of the priest, not +expecting to see anything like Christian worship, and +accordingly I did not. The Word of God was read, indeed, +but in such a way that no man could have understood it. +After church he desired me to notice that he had censed +me <i>four</i> times because I was a priest. This will give you +an idea of their excessive childishness. I took occasion +from his remark to speak about the priest’s office, and the +awful importance of it. Nothing can be conceived more +vapid and inane than his observations.</p> + +<p>As soon as my Persian dress was ready, I set off for +the interior in a kafila, or small caravan, consisting chiefly of +mules, and after a very fatiguing journey of ten days over +the mountains, during which time the difference in the +thermometer by day and night was often sixty degrees, I +arrived at this place about a month ago.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[440]</a></span></p> + +<p>I had no intention of making any stay here, but I found, +on my producing Sabat’s Persian translation, that I must +sit down with native Persians to begin the work once more. +The fault found with Sabat’s work is that he uses words +not only so difficult as to be unintelligible to the generality, +but such as never were in use in the Persian.</p> + +<p>When it is considered that the issue of all disputes with +the Mohammedans is a reference to the Scriptures, and +that the Persian and Arabic are known all over the +Mohammedan world, it will be evident that we ought to +spare no pains in obtaining good versions in these languages. +Hence I look upon my staying here for a time as +a duty paramount to every other, and I trust that the +Government in India will look upon it in the same light. +If they should stop my pay, it would not alter my purpose +in the least, but it would be an inconvenience. I should +be happy, therefore, if the Court of Directors would sanction +my residence in these parts for a year or two. No one +who has been in Persia will imagine that I am here for my +own pleasure. India is a paradise to it. All is poverty +and desolation without, and within I have no comfort but +in my God. I am in the midst of enemies, who argue +against the truth, sometimes with uncommon subtlety. +But I pray for the fulfilment of the Lord’s promise, and I +am assured that He will be with me and give me a mouth +and a wisdom, which all my adversaries shall not be able +to gainsay or resist. I am sometimes asked whether I am +not afraid to speak so boldly against the Mohammedan religion. +I tell them if I say or do anything against the laws +I am not unwilling to suffer, but if I say nothing but what +naturally comes in the course of argument—it is an argument +too which you yourselves began—why should I fear? +You know the power of the English too well to suppose +that they would let any violence be offered to me with +impunity.</p> + +<p>The English ambassador, Sir Gore Ouseley, whom I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[441]</a></span> +met here on his way to Tabreez, carried me with him to the +court of the prince, who, though tributary to his father, is a +sovereign prince in Elam, as the S. Scriptures call the province +of Fars. He has also recommended me to the prince’s +favourite minister, so that I am in no danger. But there +is certainly a great stir among the learned, and every effort +is made to support their cause. They have now persuaded +the father of all the moollas to write a book in Arabic on +the evidences of the Mohammedan religion, a book which +is to silence me for ever. I rather suppose that the more +their cause is examined the worse it will appear.</p> + +<p>I have had no news from India these four months, so +I can say nothing of our friends there. Let your next +letters be sent not to India, but direct to Persia, in this +way: Rev. H.M., care of Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart., Ambassador +Extraordinary, etc., <i>Teheran</i>; care of S. Morier, Esq., +<i>Constantinople</i>; care of George Moore, Esq., <i>Malta</i>. My +kindest love to all your dear people, Messrs. Bowman +and Goodall, Farish, Port, Phillips, etc. I hope they +continue to remember me once a week in their prayers; +to the <i>four godly professors</i>;<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> to your young men though +to me unknown, and especially to your brother. Believe +me to be yours ever most affectionately,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> + +<p><i>1812, January 1</i> to <i>8</i>.—Spared by mercy to see the +beginning of another year. The last has been in some +respects a memorable year; transported in safety to Shiraz, +I have been led, by the particular providence of God, to +undertake a work the idea of which never entered my +mind till my arrival here, but which has gone on without +material interruption and is now nearly finished. To all +appearance the present year will be more perilous than any +I have seen, but if I live to complete the Persian New +Testament, my life after that will be of less importance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[442]</a></span> +But whether life or death be mine, may Christ be magnified +in me. If He has work for me to do, I cannot die.</p></div> + +<p>He had just before written this pathetic letter, of +exquisite friendliness:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To the Rev. D. Corrie</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Shiraz: December 12, 1811. +</p> + +<p>Dearest Brother,—Your letters of January 28 and +April 22 have just reached me. After being a whole year +without any tidings of you, you may conceive how much +they have tended to revive my spirits. Indeed, I know not +how to be sufficiently thankful to our God and Father for +giving me a brother who is indeed a brother to my soul, +and thus follows me with affectionate prayers wherever I +go, and more than supplies my place to the precious flock +over whom the Holy Ghost hath made us overseers. There +is only one thing in your letters that makes me uneasy, and +that is, the oppression you complain of in the hot weather. +As you will have to pass another hot season at Cawnpore, +and I do not know how many more, I must again urge you +to spare yourself. I am endeavouring to learn the true use +of time in a new way, by placing myself in idea twenty or +thirty years in advance, and then considering how I ought +to have managed twenty or thirty years ago. In racing +violently for a year or two, and then breaking down? In +this way I have reasoned myself into contentment about +staying so long at Shiraz. I thought at first, what will the +Government in India think of my being away so long, or +what will my friends think? Shall I not appear to all a +wandering shepherd, leaving the flock and running about +for my own pleasure! But placing myself twenty years on +in time, I say, Why could not I stay at Shiraz long enough +to get a New Testament done there, even if I had been +detained there on that account three or six years? What +work of equal importance can ever come from me? So<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[443]</a></span> +that now I am resolved to wait here till the New Testament +is finished, though I incur the displeasure of Government, or +even be dismissed the service. I have been many times +on the eve of my departure, as my translator promised to +accompany me to Baghdad, but that city being in great +confusion he is afraid to trust himself there; so I resolved +to go westward through the north of Persia, but found it +impossible, on account of the snow which blocks up the +roads in winter, to proceed till spring. Here I am +therefore, for three months more; our Testament will be +finished, please God, in six weeks. I go on as usual, riding +round the walls in the morning, and singing hymns at night +over my milk and water, for tea I have none, though I much +want it. I am with you in spirit almost every evening, and +feel a bliss I cannot describe in being one with the dear +saints of God all over the earth, through one Lord and one +Spirit.</p> + +<p>They continued throwing stones at me every day, till +happening one day to tell Jaffir Ali Khan, my host, how +one as big as my fist had hit me in the back, he wrote to +the Governor, who sent an order to all the gates, that if any +one insulted me he should be bastinadoed, and the next +day came himself in state to pay me a visit. These +measures have had the desired effect; they now call me the +Feringhi Nabob, and very civilly offer me the kalean; but +indeed the Persian commonalty are very brutes; the +Soofis declare themselves unable to account for the fierceness +of their countrymen, except it be from the influence of +Islam. After speaking in my praise one of them added +‘and there are the Hindus too (who have brought the +guns), when I saw their gentleness I was quite charmed +with them; but as for our Iranees, they delight in nothing +but tormenting their fellow creatures.’ These Soofis are +quite the Methodists of the East. They delight in everything +Christian, except in being exclusive. They consider +that all will finally return to God, from whom they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[444]</a></span> +emanated, or rather of whom they are only different forms. +The doctrine of the Trinity they admired, but not the +atonement, because the Mohammedans, they say, consider +Imam Husain as also crucified for the sins of men; and to +everything Mohammedan they have a particular aversion. +Yet withal they conform externally. From these, however, +you will perceive the first Persian Church will be formed, +judging after the manner of men. The employment of my +leisure hours is translating the Psalms into Persian. What +will poor Fitrut do when he gets to the poetical books? +Job, I hope, you have let him pass over. The Books of +Solomon are also in a very sorry condition in the English. +The Prophets are all much easier, and consequently better +done. I hear there is a man at Yezd that has fallen into +the same way of thinking as myself about the letters, and +professes to have found out all the arts and sciences from +them. I should be glad to compare notes with him. It is +now time for me to bid you good night. We have had ice +on the pools some time, but no snow yet. They build their +houses without chimneys, so if we want a fire we must +take the smoke along with it. I prefer wrapping myself +in my sheepskin.</p> + +<p>Your accounts of the progress of the kingdom of God +among you are truly refreshing. Tell dear H. and the +men of both regiments that I salute them much in the Lord, +and make mention of them in my prayers. May I continue +to hear thus of their state, and if I am spared to see them +again, may we make it evident that we have grown in grace. +Affectionate remembrances to your sister and Sherwoods; +I hope they continue to prosecute their labours of love. +Remember me to the people of Cawnpore who inquire, +etc. Why have not I mentioned Col. P.? It is not +because he is not in my heart, for there is hardly a man +in the world whom I love and honour more. My most +Christian salutations to him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[445]</a></span></p> + +<p>May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your +spirit, dearest brother. Yours affectionately,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Martyn’s Cambridge Persian studies were continued +for practical Hindustani purposes at Dinapore, in 1809, +and the following incident unconsciously lights up his +Persian scholarship at that date. Writing to the impatient +David Brown at Aldeen, from Patna, on March 28, he says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>You chide me for not trusting my Hindustani to the +press. Last week we began the correction of it; present, +a Sayyid of Delhi, a poet of Lucknow, three or four +literates of Patna, and Baba Ali in the chair; Sabat and +myself assessors.</p> + +<p>I was amazed and mortified at observing that reference +was had to the Persian for every verse, in order to understand +the Hindustani. It was, however, a consolation to +find that from the Persian they caught the meaning of it +instantly, always expressing their admiration of the plainness +of their translation.</p></div> + +<p>But when the Persian translation of the four Gospels +was printed at Serampore, nearly two years after, Martyn +himself was dissatisfied with it. His Cawnpore and +especially Lucknow experience had developed him in +Persian style, and led him to see that in Persia itself only +could the great work be done of translating the Word of +God into a language spoken and read from Calcutta and +Patna to Damascus and Tabreez.</p> + +<p>When Henry Martyn did the noblest achievement of +his life, the production of the Persian New Testament, he +unknowingly linked himself with the greatest of the Greek +Fathers, near whose dust his own was about to be laid. +Until the Eastern Church ceased to be aggressive—that is, +missionary—Persia, like Central Asia up to China itself,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[446]</a></span> +promised to be all Christian. Islam, a corrupted mixture +of Judaism and Christianity, took its place. Persia sent +a bishop to the Council of Nicæa in 325, and the great +Constantine wrote a letter to King Sapor, recommending +to his protection the Christian Churches in his empire.<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> +Chrysostom (347-407), in his second homily on John, +incidentally tells us that ‘the Persians, having translated +the doctrines of the Gospel into their own tongue, had +learned, though barbarians, the true philosophy.’ In his +homily on the memorial of Mary he puts the Persians first, +and our British forefathers last, in this remarkable passage: +‘The Persians, the Indians, Scythians, Thracians, Sarmatians, +the race of the Moors, and the inhabitants of the +British Isles, celebrate a deed performed in a private family +in Judea by a woman that had been a sinner.’ The isles +of Britain, Claudius Buchanan well remarks, then last, are +now the first to restore this memorial to the Persians as +well as to other Mohammedan nations. Even so late as +1740 the tyrant Nadir Shah, inquiring as to Jesus Christ, +asked for a Persian copy of the Gospels, and had presented +to him the combined work of an ignorant Romish priest +and some Mohammedan moollas, which excited his ridicule. +The traveller, Jonas Hanway, tells us that when Henry +Martyn saw this production he exclaimed that he did not +wonder at Nadir’s contempt of it.</p> + +<p>Martyn arrived in Shiraz on June 11, 1811; in a week +he began his Persian translation of the New Testament, +and in February 1812 he completed the happy toil, carried +on amidst disputations with Soofis and Shi’ahs, Jews and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[447]</a></span> +Christians of the Oriental rites, while consumption wasted +his body. His ‘leisure’ he spent in translating the Hebrew +Psalter. Let us look at him, in that South Persian summer +and winter and summer again, now in the city of Shiraz, +now driven by the sultry heat to the garden of roses and +orange-trees outside the walls near the tomb of Hafiz. The +Christian poet has pictured the scene—Alford, when Dean +of Canterbury in 1851. Twenty years after, he himself was +laid in the churchyard of the mother church of England, +St. Martin’s, under this inscription—‘Diversorium Viatoris +Hierosolymam Proficiscentis’:</p> + + + +<p style="text-align: center;"><i>HENRY MARTYN AT SHIRAZ</i></p> +<div style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; font-size: 90%; width: 70%; margin-bottom: 2em;"> +<p style="text-align: center;"> +I</p> +<p> +A vision of the bright Shiraz, of Persian bards the theme:<br /> +The vine with bunches laden hangs o’er the crystal stream;<br /> +The nightingale all day her notes in rosy thickets trills,<br /> +And the brooding heat-mist faintly lies along the distant hills.<br /> +</p> +<p style="text-align: center;"> +II</p> +<p> +About the plain are scattered wide, in many a crumbling heap,<br /> +The fanes of other days, and tombs where Iran’s poets sleep:<br /> +And in the midst, like burnished gems, in noonday light repose<br /> +The minarets of bright Shiraz—the City of the Rose.<br /> +</p> +<p style="text-align: center;"> +III</p> +<p> +One group beside the river bank in rapt discourse are seen,<br /> +Where hangs the golden orange on its boughs of purest green;<br /> +Their words are sweet and low, and their looks are lit with joy,<br /> +Some holy blessing seems to rest on them and their employ.<br /> +</p> +<p style="text-align: center;"> +IV</p> +<p> +The pale-faced Frank among them sits: what brought him from afar?<br /> +Nor bears he bales of merchandise, nor teaches skill in war;<br /> +One pearl alone he brings with him,—the Book of life and death;<br /> +One warfare only teaches he—to fight the fight of faith.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[448]</a></span> +</p> +<p style="text-align: center;"> +V</p> +<p> +And Iran’s sons are round him, and one with solemn tone<br /> +Tells how the Lord of Glory was rejected by His own;<br /> +Tells, from the wondrous Gospel, of the Trial and the Doom,<br /> +The words Divine of Love and Might—the Scourge, the Cross, the Tomb.<br /> +</p> +<p style="text-align: center;"> +VI</p> +<p> +Far sweeter to the stranger’s ear those Eastern accents sound<br /> +Than music of the nightingale that fills the air around:<br /> +Lovelier than balmiest odours sent from gardens of the rose,<br /> +The fragrance from the contrite soul and chastened lip that flows.<br /> +</p> +<p style="text-align: center;"> +VII</p> +<p> +The nightingales have ceased to sing, the roses’ leaves are shed,<br /> +The Frank’s pale face in Tokat’s field hath mouldered with the dead:<br /> +Alone and all unfriended, midst his Master’s work he fell,<br /> +With none to bathe his fevered brow, with none his tale to tell.<br /> +</p> +<p style="text-align: center;"> +VIII</p> +<p> +But still those sweet and solemn tones about him sound in bliss,<br /> +And fragrance from those flowers of God for evermore is his:<br /> +For his the meed, by grace, of those who, rich in zeal and love,<br /> +Turn many unto righteousness, and shine as stars above.<br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>This was the beginning of the Persian New Testament:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Rev. David Brown</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Shiraz: June 24, 1811. +</p> + +<p>Dearest Sir,—I believe I told you that the advanced +state of the season rendered it necessary to go to Arabia +circuitously by way of Persia. Behold me therefore in the +Athens of Fars, the haunt of the Persian man. Beneath +are the ashes of Hafiz and Sadi; above, green gardens +and running waters, roses and nightingales. Does Mr. Bird +envy my lot? Let him solace himself with Aldeen. How +gladly would I give him Shiraz for Aldeen; how often<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[449]</a></span> +while toiling through this miserable country have I sighed +for Aldeen! If I am ever permitted to see India again +nothing but dire necessity, or the imperious call of duty, +will ever induce me to travel again. One thing is good +here, the fruit; we have apples and apricots, plums, +nectarines, greengages and cherries, all of which are served +up with ice and snow. When I have said this for Shiraz +I have said all.</p> + +<p>But to have done with what grows out of the soil, let +us come to the men. The Persians are, like ourselves, +immortal; their language had passed a long way beyond +the limits of Iran. The men of Shiraz propose to translate +the New Testament with me. Can I refuse to stay? +After much deliberation I have determined to remain here +six months. It is sorely against my will, but I feel it to +be a duty. From all that I can collect there appears no +probability of our ever having a good translation made out +of Persia. At Bombay I showed Moolla Firoz, the most +learned man there, the three Persian translations, viz. the +Polyglot, and Sabat’s two. He disapproved of them all. +At Bushire, which is in Persia, the man of the greatest +name was Sayyid Hosein. Of the three he liked Sabat’s +Persian best, but said it seemed written by an Indian. On +my arrival at this place I produced my specimens once +more. Sabat’s Persian was much ridiculed; sarcastic remarks +were made on the fondness for fine words so +remarkable in the Indians, who seemed to think that hard +words made fine writing. His Persic also was presently +thrown aside, and to my no small surprise the old despised +Polyglot was not only spoken of as superior to the rest, +but it was asked, What fault is found in this?—this is the +language we speak. The king has also signified that it is +his wish that as little Arabic as possible may be employed +in the papers presented to him. So that simple Persian is +likely to become more and more fashionable. This is a +change favourable certainly to our glorious cause. To the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[450]</a></span> +poor the Gospel will be preached. We began our work +with the Gospel of St. John, and five chapters are put out +of hand. It is likely to be the simplest thing imaginable; +and I dare say the pedantic Arab will turn up his nose at +it; but what the men of Shiraz approve who can gainsay? +Let Sabat confine himself to the Arabic, and he will +accomplish a great work. The forementioned Sayyid +Hosein of Bushire is an Arab. I showed him Erpenius’s +Arabic Testament, the Christian Knowledge Society, Sabat’s, +and the Polyglot. After rejecting all but Sabat’s, he said +this is good, very good, and then read off the 5th of +Matthew in a fine style, giving it unqualified commendation +as he went along. On my proposing to him to give a +specimen of what he thought the best Persian style, he +consented; but, said he, give me this to translate from, +laying his hand on Sabat’s Arabic. At Muscat an Arab +officer who had attended us as guard and guide one day +when we walked into the country, came on board with his +slave to take leave of us. The slave, who had argued with +me very strenuously in favour of his religion, reminded me +of a promise I had made him of giving him the Gospel. +On my producing an Arabic New Testament, he seized it +and began to read away upon deck, but presently stopped, +and said it was not fine Arabic. However, he carried off +the book.</p></div> + +<p>In eight months the Persian translation of the New +Testament was done. The <i>Journal</i>, during that period, +from July 1811 to February 1812, as the sacred task went +on, reveals the Holy Spirit moving the hearts of the +translator’s Mohammedan assistant and Soofi disputants by +‘the things of Christ,’ while it shows His servant bearing +witness, by the account of his own conversion, to His power +to save and to make holy.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[451]</a></span></p><div class="blockquot"><p><i>December 12.</i>—Letters at last from India. Mirza Sayyid +Ali was curious to know in what way we corresponded, +and made me read Mr. Brown’s letter to me, and mine to +Corrie. He took care to let his friends know that we +wrote nothing about our own affairs: it was all about +translations and the cause of Christ. With this he was +delighted.</p> + +<p><i>December 16.</i>—In translating 2 Cor. i. 22, ‘Who hath +given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts,’ he was much +struck when it was explained to him. ‘Oh, that I had it,’ +said he; ‘have you received it?’ I told him that, as I had +no doubt of my acceptance through Christ, I concluded that +I had. Once before, on the words, ‘Who are saved?’ he +expressed his surprise at the confidence with which Christians +spoke of salvation. On 1 Cor. xv. he observed, +that the doctrine of the resurrection of the body was unreasonable; +but that as the Mohammedans understood +it, it was impossible; on which account the Soofis rejected +it.</p> + +<p><i>Christmas Day.</i>—I made a great feast for the Russians +and Armenians; and, at Jaffir Ali Khan’s request, invited +the Soofi master, with his disciples. I hoped there would +be some conversation on the occasion of our meeting, and, +indeed, Mirza Sayyid Ali did make some attempts, and explained +to the old man the meaning of the Lord’s Supper; +but the sage maintaining his usual silence, the subject was +dropped. I expressed my satisfaction at seeing them assembled +on such an occasion, and my hope that they would +remember the day in succeeding years, and that though +they would never see me again in the succeeding years, +they would not forget that I had brought them the Gospel. +The old man coldly replied that ‘God would guide those +whom He chose.’ Most of the time they continued was +before dinner; the moment that was despatched, they rose +and went away. The custom is, to sit five or six hours +before dinner, and at great men’s houses singers attend.</p> + +<p><i>December 31.</i>—The accounts of the desolations of war<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[452]</a></span> +during the last year, which I have been reading in some +Indian newspapers, make the world appear more gloomy +than ever. How many souls hurried into eternity unprepared! +How many thousands of widows and orphans left +to mourn! But admire, my soul, the matchless power of +God, that out of this ruin He has prepared for Himself an +inheritance. At last the scene shall change, and I shall +find myself in a world where all is love.</p> + +<p><i>1812.</i>—The last has been in some respects a memorable +year. I have been led, by what I have reason to consider +as the particular providence of God, to this place; and have +undertaken an important work, which has gone on without +material interruption, and is now nearly finished. I like to +find myself employed usefully, in a way I did not expect +or foresee, especially if my own will is in any degree +crossed by the work unexpectedly assigned me, as +there is then reason to believe that God is acting. The +present year will probably be a perilous one, but my life is +of little consequence, whether I live to finish the Persian +New Testament or do not. I look back with pity and +shame upon my former self, and on the importance I then +attached to my life and labours. The more I see of my +own works the more I am ashamed of them. Coarseness +and clumsiness mar all the works of man. I am sick when +I look at man and his wisdom and his doings, and am +relieved only by reflecting that we have a city whose +builder and maker is God. The least of <i>His</i> works it is +refreshing to look at. A dried leaf or a straw makes me +feel myself in good company: complacency and admiration +take place of disgust.</p> + +<p>I compared with pain our Persian translation with the +original; to say nothing of the precision and elegance of +the sacred text, its perspicuity is that which sets at defiance +all attempts to equal it.</p> + +<p><i>January 16.</i>—Mirza Sayyid Ali told me accidentally +to-day of a distich made by his friend Mirza Koochut,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[453]</a></span> +at Teheran, in honour of a victory gained by Prince Abbas +Mirza over the Russians. The sentiment was, that he had +killed so many of the Christians, that Christ, from the +fourth heaven, took hold of Mahomet’s skirt to entreat +him to desist. I was cut to the soul at this blasphemy. +In prayer I could think of nothing else but that great day +when the Son of God shall come in the clouds of heaven, +taking vengeance on them that know not God, and convincing +men of all their hard speeches which they have +spoken against Him.</p> + +<p>Mirza Sayyid Ali perceived that I was considerably +disordered, and was sorry for having repeated the verse, +but asked what it was that was so offensive. I told him +that ‘I could not endure existence if Jesus was not +glorified; it would be hell to me if He were to be always +thus dishonoured.’ He was astonished, and again asked +why. ‘If anyone pluck out your eyes,’ I replied, ‘there is +no saying <i>why</i> you feel pain; it is feeling. It is because I +am one with Christ that I am thus dreadfully wounded.’ +On his again apologising, I told him that ‘I rejoiced at what +had happened, inasmuch as it made me feel nearer the Lord +than ever. It is when the head or heart is struck, that +every member feels its membership.’ This conversation +took place while we were translating. In the evening he +mentioned the circumstance of a young man’s being murdered—a +fine athletic youth, whom I had often seen in the +garden. Some acquaintance of his in a slight quarrel had +plunged a dagger in his breast. Observing me look +sorrowful, he asked why. ‘Because,’ said I, ‘he was cut off +in his sins, and had no time to repent.’ ‘It was just in that +way,’ said he, ‘that I should like to die; not dragging out +a miserable existence on a sick-bed, but transported at once +into another state.’ I observed that ‘it was not desirable +to be hurried into the immediate presence of God.’ ‘Do +you think,’ said he, ‘that there is any difference in the +presence of God here or there?’ ‘Indeed I do,’ said I.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[454]</a></span> +‘Here we see through a glass darkly; but there, face to +face.’ He then entered into some metaphysical Soofi disputation +about the identity of sin and holiness, heaven and +hell: to all which I made no reply.</p> + +<p><i>January 18.</i>—Aga Ali of Media came: and with him +and Mirza Ali I had a long and warm discussion about the +essentials of Christianity. The Mede, seeing us at work +upon the Epistles, said, ‘he should be glad to read them; as +for the Gospels they were nothing but tales, which were of +no use to him; for instance,’ said he, ‘if Christ raised four +hundred dead to life, what is that to me?’ I said, ‘it +certainly was of importance, for His work furnished a reason +for our depending upon His words.’ ‘What did He say,’ +asked he, ‘that was not known before? the love of God, +humility—who does not know these things?’ ‘Were these +things,’ said I, ‘known before Christ, either among Greeks +or Romans, with all their philosophy?’ They avowed that +the Hindu book <i>Juh</i> contained precepts of this kind. I +questioned its antiquity; ‘but however that may be,’ I +added, ‘Christ came not to <i>teach</i> so much as to <i>die</i>; the +truths I spoke of as confirmed by His miracles were those +relating to His person, such as, “Come unto Me, all ye that +labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Here +Mirza Sayyid Ali told him that I had professed to have no +doubt of my salvation. He asked what I meant. I told +him, ‘that though sin still remained, I was assured that it +should not regain dominion; and that I should never come +into condemnation, but was accepted in the Beloved.’ Not +a little surprised, he asked Mirza Sayyid Ali whether he comprehended +this. ‘No,’ said he, ‘nor Mirza Ibrahim, to +whom I mentioned it.’ The Mede again turning to me +asked, ‘How do you know this? how do you know you +have experienced the second birth?’ ‘Because,’ said I, +‘we have the Spirit of the Father; what He wishes we +wish; what He hates we hate.’ Here he began to be +a little more calm and less contentious, and mildly asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[455]</a></span> +how I had obtained this peace of mind: ‘Was it merely +these books?’ said he, taking up some of our sheets. I told +him, ‘These books, with prayer.’ ‘What was the beginning +of it,’ said he, ‘the society of some friends?’ I related to him +my religious history, the substance of which was, that I took +my Bible before God in prayer, and prayed for forgiveness +through Christ, assurance of it through His Spirit, and grace +to obey His commandments. They then both asked whether +the same benefit would be conferred on them. ‘Yes,’ said +I, ‘for so the Apostles preached, that all who were baptized +in His name should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.’ +‘Can you assure me,’ said Mirza Sayyid Ali, ‘that the Spirit +will be given to me? if so, I will be baptized immediately.’ +‘Who am I that I should be surety?’ I replied; ‘I bring +you this message from God, that he who, despairing of +himself, rests for righteousness on the Son of God, shall +receive the gift of the Holy Ghost; and to this I can add +my testimony, if that be worth anything, that I have found +the promise fulfilled in myself. But if after baptism you +should not find it so in you, accuse not the Gospel of falsehood. +It is possible that your faith might not be sincere; +indeed, so fully am I persuaded that you do not believe on +the Son of God, that if you were to entreat ever so earnestly +for baptism I should not dare to administer it at this +time, when you have shown so many signs of an unhumbled +heart.’ ‘What! would you have me believe,’ said he, ‘as +a child?’ ‘Yes,’ said I. ‘True,’ said he, ‘I think that is +the only way.’ Aga Ali said no more, except, ‘Certainly +he is a good man!’</p> + +<p><i>January 23.</i>—Put on my English dress, and went to +the Vizier’s, to see part of the tragedy of Husain’s death,<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> +which they contrive to spin out so as to make it last the +first ten days of the Mohurrum. All the apparatus consisted +of a few boards for a stage, two tables and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[456]</a></span> +a pulpit, under an immense awning, in the court where +the company were assembled. The <i>dramatis personæ</i> +were two; the daughter of Husain, whose part was performed +by a boy, and a messenger; they both read their +parts. Every now and then loud sobs were heard all over +the court. After this several feats of activity were +exhibited; the Vizier sat with the moollas. I was appointed +to a seat where indeed I saw as much as I wanted, +but which, I afterwards perceived, was not the place of +honour. As I trust I am far enough from desiring the +chief seats in the synagogues, there was nothing in this +that could offend me; but I do not think it right to let +him have another opportunity of showing a slight to my +country in my person.</p> + +<p><i>January 24.</i>—Found Sayyid Ali rather serious this evening. +He said he did not know what to do to have his +mind made up about religion. Of all the religions Christ’s +was the best; but whether to prefer this to Soofi-ism he +could not tell. In these doubts he is tossed to and fro, and +is often kept awake the whole night in tears. He and his +brother talk together on these things till they are almost +crazed. Before he was engaged in this work of translation, +he says he used to read about two or three hours a day, +now he can do nothing else; has no inclination for anything +else, and feels unhappy if he does not correct his daily +portion. His late employment has given a new turn to his +thoughts as well as to those of his friends; they had not +the most distant conception of the contents of the New +Testament. He says his Soofi friends are exceedingly +anxious to see the Epistles, from the accounts he gives of +them, and also he is sure that almost the whole of Shiraz +are so sensible of the load of unmeaning ceremonies in +which their religion consists, that they will rejoice to see +or hear of anything like freedom, and that they would be +more willing to embrace Christ than the Soofis, who, after +taking so much pains to be independent of all law, would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[457]</a></span> +think it degrading to submit themselves to any law again, +however light.</p> + +<p><i>February 2.</i>—From what I suffer in this city, I can +understand the feelings of Lot. The face of the poor +Russian appears to me like the face of an angel, because +he does not tell lies. Heaven will be heaven because +there will not be one liar there. The Word of God is more +precious to me at this time than I ever remember it to have +been; and of all the promises in it, none is more sweet to +me than this—‘He shall reign till He hath put all enemies +under His feet.’</p> + +<p><i>February 3.</i>—A packet arrived from India without a +single letter for me. It was some disappointment to me: +but let me be satisfied with my God, and if I cannot have +the comfort of hearing from my friends, let me return with +thankfulness to His Word, which is a treasure of which +none envy me the possession, and where I can find what +will more than compensate for the loss of earthly enjoyments. +Resignation to the will of God is a lesson which I +must learn, and which I trust He is teaching me.</p> + +<p><i>February 9.</i>—Aga Boozong came. After much conversation, +he said, ‘Prove to me, from the beginning, that +Christianity is the way: how will you proceed? what do +you say must be done?’ ‘If you would not believe a +person who wrought a miracle before you,’ said I, ‘I have +nothing to say; I cannot proceed a step.’ ‘I will grant +you,’ said Sayyid Ali, ‘that Christ was the Son of God, and +more than that.’ ‘That you despair of yourself, and are +willing to trust in Him alone for salvation?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘And +are ready to confess Christ before men, and act conformably +to His Word?’ ‘Yes: what else must I do?’ ‘Be baptized +in the name of Christ.’ ‘And what shall I gain?’ ‘The +gift of the Holy Ghost. The end of faith is salvation in +the world to come; but even here you shall have the +Spirit to purify your heart, and to give you the assurance +of everlasting happiness.’ Thus Aga Boozong had an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[458]</a></span> +opportunity of hearing those strange things from my own +mouth, of which he had been told by his disciple the Mede. +‘You can say too,’ said he, ‘that you have received the +Spirit?’ I told them I believed I had; ‘for, notwithstanding +all my sins, the bent of my heart was to God in a way it +never was before; and that, according to my present feeling, +I could not be happy if God was not glorified, and if I had +not the enjoyment of His presence, for which I felt that I +was now educating.’ Aga Boozong shed tears.</p> + +<p>After this came Aga Ali, the Mede, to hear, as he said, +some of the sentences of Paul. Mirza Sayyid Ali had +told them, ‘that if they had read nothing but the Gospels, +they knew nothing of the religion of Christ.’ The sheet I +happened to have by me was the one containing the fourth, +fifth, and sixth chapters of the Second Epistle to the +Corinthians, which Aga Ali read out.</p> + +<p>At this time the company had increased considerably. +I desired Aga Ali to notice particularly the latter part of +the fifth chapter, ‘God was in Christ, reconciling the world +unto Himself.’ He then read it a second time, but they +saw not its glory; however, they spoke in high terms of +the pith and solidity of Paul’s sentences. They were evidently +on the watch for anything that tallied with their +own sentiments. Upon the passage, ‘Always bearing +about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,’ the Mede +observed, ‘Do you not see that Jesus was in Paul, and that +Paul was only another name for Jesus?’ And the text, +‘Whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God; and whether +we be sober, it is for your sakes,’ they interpreted thus: +‘We are absorbed in the contemplation of God, and when +we recover, it is to instruct you.’</p> + +<p>Walking afterwards with Mirza Sayyid Ali, he told me +how much one of my remarks had affected him, namely, +that he had no humility. He had been talking about +simplicity and humility as characteristic of the Soofis. +‘Humility!’ I said to him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[459]</a></span> ‘if you were humble, you would +not dispute in this manner; you would be like a child.’ +He did not open his mouth afterwards, but to say, ‘True; +I have no humility.’ In evident distress, he observed, +‘The truth is, we are in a state of compound ignorance—ignorant, +yet ignorant of our ignorance.’</p> + +<p><i>February 18.</i>—While walking in the garden, in some +disorder from vexation, two Mussulman Jews came up and +asked me what would become of them in another world. +The Mahometans were right in their way, they supposed, +and we in ours, but what must they expect? After +rectifying their mistake as to the Mahometans, I mentioned +two or three reasons for believing that we are right: such +as their dispersion, and the cessation of sacrifices immediately +on the appearance of Jesus. ‘True, true,’ they said, +with great feeling and seriousness; indeed, they seemed +disposed to yield assent to anything I said. They confessed +they had become Mahometans only on compulsion, and +that Abdoolghuni wished to go to Baghdad, thinking he +might throw off the mask there with safety, but they +asked what I thought. I said that the Governor was a +Mahometan. ‘Did I think Syria safer?’ ‘The safest +place in the East,’ I said, ‘was India.’ Feelings of pity for +God’s ancient people, and having the awful importance of +eternal things impressed on my mind by the seriousness +of their inquiries as to what would become of them, relieved +me from the pressure of my comparatively insignificant +distresses. I, a poor Gentile, blest, honoured, and loved; +secured for ever by the everlasting covenant, whilst the +children of the kingdom are still lying in outer darkness! +Well does it become me to be thankful!</p> + +<p>This is my birthday, on which I complete my thirty-first +year. The Persian New Testament has been begun, +and I may say finished in it, as only the last eight chapters +of the Revelation remain. Such a painful year I never +passed, owing to the privations I have been called to on +the one hand, and the spectacle before me of human<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[460]</a></span> +depravity on the other. But I hope that I have not come +to this seat of Satan in vain. The Word of God has found +its way into Persia, and it is not in Satan’s power to oppose +its progress if the Lord hath sent it.</p></div> + +<p>A week after, on February 24, 1812, Henry Martyn +corrected the last page of the New Testament in Persian. +As we read his words of thanksgiving to the Lord and his +invocation of the Holy Spirit, in the already darkening +light of his approaching end, before the beatific vision promised +by the Master to the pure in heart, and the blessed +companionship with Himself guaranteed to every true +servant, we recall the Scottish Columba, whose last act +was to transcribe the eleventh verse of the thirty-fourth +Psalm, and the English Bede, who died when translating +the ninth verse of the sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I have many mercies for which to thank the Lord, and +this is not the least. Now may that Spirit who gave the +Word, and called me, I trust, to be an interpreter of it, +graciously and powerfully apply it to the hearts of sinners, +even to the gathering an elect people from amongst the +long-estranged Persians!</p></div> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_66_66" id="Footnote_66_66"></a><a href="#FNanchor_66_66"><span class="label">[66]</span></a> ‘That list, in which Martyn holds a conspicuous place, has grown long +of late years, till we are half tempted to forget that the share our age has +taken and is taking in the work of translating and distributing the Scriptures, +links on to that of those who could remember men who had seen the Lord.’ +Canon Edmonds’ <i>Sermon</i>, preached in the Cathedral Church of Truro, October +16, 1890 (Exeter).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_67_67" id="Footnote_67_67"></a><a href="#FNanchor_67_67"><span class="label">[67]</span></a> <i>The Churchman</i> for September 1889, p. 635.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_68_68" id="Footnote_68_68"></a><a href="#FNanchor_68_68"><span class="label">[68]</span></a> See p. <a href="#Page_314">314</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_69_69" id="Footnote_69_69"></a><a href="#FNanchor_69_69"><span class="label">[69]</span></a> Evidently taken in detail from Adam’s <i>Religious World Displayed</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_70_70" id="Footnote_70_70"></a><a href="#FNanchor_70_70"><span class="label">[70]</span></a> Fourth edition, London, 1822.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_71_71" id="Footnote_71_71"></a><a href="#FNanchor_71_71"><span class="label">[71]</span></a> <i>Fortieth Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society</i>, p. 97.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_72_72" id="Footnote_72_72"></a><a href="#FNanchor_72_72"><span class="label">[72]</span></a> <i>The Bible of Every Land</i> (Bagster), 1848.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_73_73" id="Footnote_73_73"></a><a href="#FNanchor_73_73"><span class="label">[73]</span></a> See <i>Contributions Towards a History of Biblical Translations in India</i>. +Calcutta and London (Dalton), 1854.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_74_74" id="Footnote_74_74"></a><a href="#FNanchor_74_74"><span class="label">[74]</span></a> <i>Monograph on Hindustani Versions of the Old and New Testaments</i>, by +the Rev. R.C. Mather, LL.D. (without date).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_75_75" id="Footnote_75_75"></a><a href="#FNanchor_75_75"><span class="label">[75]</span></a> <i>The Life of Rev. T.T. Thomason, M.A.</i>, by the late Rev. J. Sargent, M.A., +second edition, Seeley’s, 1834.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_76_76" id="Footnote_76_76"></a><a href="#FNanchor_76_76"><span class="label">[76]</span></a> Dr. Milner, Dr. Rumsden, Dr. Jowett, Mr. Farish (Charles Simeon’s +writing).</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_77_77" id="Footnote_77_77"></a><a href="#FNanchor_77_77"><span class="label">[77]</span></a> <i>Christian Researches in Asia, with Notices of the Translation of the +Scriptures into the Oriental Languages</i>, by the Rev. Claudius Buchanan, D.D., +10th edition, London, 1814.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_78_78" id="Footnote_78_78"></a><a href="#FNanchor_78_78"><span class="label">[78]</span></a> See <i>The Miracle Play of Hasan and Husain</i>, collected from Oral +Tradition, by Sir Lewis Pelly, two vols. 1879.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">[461]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<p class="subheading">SHIRAZ TO TABREEZ—THE PERSIAN NEW TESTAMENT</p> + + +<p>The next three months were spent, still in Shiraz, in the +preparation of copies of the precious Persian MS. of the +New Testament, and in very close spiritual intercourse +with the company of inquirers whom neither fanaticism, +conceit, nor, in some cases, a previously immoral life, had +prevented from reverencing the teaching of the man of +God. Jaffir Ali Khan’s garden became to such a holy place, +as the Persian spring passed into the heat of summer. +There the privileged translator, Mirza Sayyid Ali; Aga Baba, +the Mede; Aga Boozong, vizier of Prince Abbas Mirza, and +‘most magisterial of the Soofis;’ Mirza Ibrahim, the +controversialist leader; Sheikh Abulhassan, and many a +moolla to whom he testified that Christ was the Creator +and Saviour, gathered round him as he read, ‘at their +request,’ the Old Testament histories. ‘Their attention +to the Word, and their love and attention to me, seemed +to increase as the time of my departure approached. +Aga Baba, who had been reading St. Matthew, related +very circumstantially to the company the particulars of +the death of Christ. The bed of roses on which we sat, +and the notes of the nightingales warbling around us, were +not so sweet to me as this discourse from the Persian.’</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">[462]</a></span></p><div class="blockquot"><p>Telling Mirza Sayyid Ali one day that I wished to return +to the city in the evening, to be alone and at leisure for +prayer, he said with seriousness, ‘Though a man had no +other religious society I suppose he might, with the aid of +the Bible, live alone with God?’ This solitude will, in one +respect, be his own state soon;—may he find it the medium +of God’s gracious communications to his soul! He asked +in what way God ought to be addressed: I told him as a +Father, with respectful love; and added some other exhortations +on the subject of prayer.</p> + +<p><i>May 11.</i>—Aga Baba came to bid me farewell, which +he did in the best and most solemn way, by asking, as a +final question, ‘whether, independently of external evidences, +I had any internal proofs of the doctrine of Christ?’ +I answered, ‘Yes, undoubtedly: the change from what I +once was is a sufficient evidence to me.’ At last he took +his leave, in great sorrow, and what is better, apparently in +great solicitude about his soul.</p> + +<p>The rest of the day I continued with Mirza Sayyid Ali, +giving him instructions what to do with the New Testament +in case of my decease, and exhorting him, as far as his +confession allowed me, to stand fast. He had made many +a good resolution respecting his besetting sins. I hope, +as well as pray, that some lasting effects may be seen at +Shiraz from the Word of God left among them.</p></div> + +<p>For the Shah and for the heir-apparent, Prince Abbas +Mirza, two copies of the Persian New Testament were +specially written out in the perfect caligraphy which the +Persians love, and carefully corrected with the translator’s +own hand. That he might himself present them, especially +the former, he left Shiraz on May 11, 1812, after a year’s +residence in the country. The whole length of the great +Persian plateau had to be traversed, by Ispahan to Teheran, +thence to the royal camp at Sultania, and finally to Tabreez, +where was Sir Gore Ouseley, the British ambassador, through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">[463]</a></span> +whom alone the English man of God could be introduced to +the royal presence. He was accompanied by Mr. Canning, +an English clergyman.</p> + +<p>The journey occupied eight weeks, and proved to be +one of extreme hardship, which rapidly developed Henry +Martyn’s disease. At one time his life was in danger, in +spite of the letters which he carried from General Malcolm’s +friend, and now his own, Jaffir Ali Khan, to the Persian +prime minister at Teheran. Mrs. Bishop’s experience of +travel by the same road<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> at a more favourable season, over +the ‘great mud land’ to which centuries of misrule have +changed the populous paradise of Darius, enables us to +imagine what the brief record of the <i>Journal</i> only half +reveals seventy years ago. The old village which +the founder of the Kajar dynasty enlarged into Teheran, +straggles within eleven miles of walls in the most depressed +part of an uninteresting waste. Save for the +exterior of the Shah’s palace, and those of some of his +ministers, the suburb with the European legations, and +now the large and handsome buildings of the American +Presbyterian Mission, it is unworthy of being a capital +city. Eager to present the sacred volume while life was +left to him, Henry Martyn hurried away to find Mirza +Shufi, the premier, and the Shah, who were in camp a +night’s journey off at Karach.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>May 13.</i>—Remained all day at the caravanserai, correcting +the Prince’s copy.</p> + +<p><i>May 14.</i>—Continued our journey through two ridges +of mountains to Imanzadu: no cultivation to be seen anywhere, +nor scarcely any natural vegetable production, except<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">[464]</a></span> +the broom and hawthorn. The weather was rather tempestuous, +with cold gusts of wind and rain. We were +visited by people who came to be cured of their distempers.</p> + +<p><i>May 16.</i>—We found a hoar frost, and ice on the +pools. The excessive cold at this place is accounted for +by its being the highest land between the Persian Gulf and +the Caspian Sea. The baggage not having come up, we +were obliged to pass another day in this uncomfortable +neighbourhood, where nothing was to be procured for ourselves +or our horses, the scarcity of rain this year having +left the ground destitute of verdure, and the poor people of +the village near us having nothing to sell.</p> + +<p><i>May 21.</i>—Finished the revision of the Prince’s copy. +At eleven at night we started for Ispahan, where we +arrived soon after sunrise on the 22nd, and were accommodated +in one of the king’s palaces. Found my old +Shiraz scribe here, and corrected with him the Prince’s +copy.</p> + +<p><i>May 23.</i>—Called on the Armenian bishops at Julfa, +and met Matteus. He is certainly vastly superior to any +Armenian I have yet seen. We next went to the Italian +missionary, Joseph Carabiciate, a native of Aleppo, but +educated at Rome. He spoke Latin very sprightly, considering +his age, which was sixty-six, but discovered no +sort of inclination to talk about religion. Until lately he +had been supported by the Propaganda; but weary at last +of exercising his functions without remuneration, and even +without the necessary provision, he talked of returning to +Aleppo.</p> + +<p><i>May 24.</i> (Sunday.)—Went early this morning to the +Armenian church attached to the episcopal residence. +Within the rails were two out of the four bishops, and +other ecclesiastics, but in the body of the church only +three people. Most of the Armenians at Julfa, which is +now reduced to five hundred houses, attended at their re<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">[465]</a></span>spective +parish churches, of which there are twelve, served +by twenty priests. After their pageantry was over, and we +were satisfied with processions, ringing of bells, waving of +colours, and other ceremonies, which were so numerous as +entirely to remove all semblance of spiritual worship, we +were condemned to witness a repetition of the same +mockery at the Italian’s church, at his request. I could +not stand it out, but those who did observed that the +priest ate and drank all the consecrated elements himself, +and gave none to the few poor women who composed his +congregation, and who, the Armenian said, had been hired +for the occasion.</p> + +<p>Before returning to Ispahan we sat a short time in +the garden with the bishops. They, poor things, had +nothing to say, and could scarcely speak Persian; so that +all the conversation was between me and Matteus. At +my request he brought what he had of the Holy Scriptures +in Persian and Arabic. They were Wheloi’s Persian +Gospels, and an Arabic version of the Gospels printed at +Rome. I tried in vain to bring him to any profitable +discussion; with more sense than his brethren, he is not +more advanced in spiritual knowledge. Returned much +disappointed. Julfa had formerly twenty bishops and +about one hundred clergy, with twenty-four churches.</p> + +<p><i>June 2.</i>—Soon after midnight we mounted our horses. +It was a mild moonlight night and a nightingale filled the +whole valley with his notes. Our way was along lanes, +over which the wood on each side formed a canopy, and +a murmuring rivulet accompanied us till it was lost in a +lake. At daylight we emerged into the plain of Kashan, +which seems to be a part of the great Salt Desert. On +our arrival at the king’s garden, where we intended to +put up, we were at first refused admittance, but an application +to the Governor was soon attended to. We saw +here huge snowy mountains on the north-east beyond +Teheran.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">[466]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>June 5.</i>—Reached Kum;<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> the country uniformly desolate. +The chief Moojtahid in all Persia, being a resident +of this city, I sent to know if a visit would be agreeable +to him. His reply was, that if I had any business with +him I might come; but if otherwise, his age and infirmities +must be his excuse. Intending to travel a double stage, +started soon after sunset.</p> + +<p><i>June 8.</i>—Arrived, two hours before daybreak, at the +walls of Teheran. I spread my bed upon the high road, and +slept till the gates were open; then entered the city, and +took up my abode at the ambassador’s house.</p> + +<p>I lost no time in forwarding Jaffir Ali Khan’s letter to +the premier, who sent to desire that I would come to him. +I found him lying ill in the verandah of the king’s tent of +audience. Near him were sitting two persons, who, I was +afterwards informed, were Mirza Khantar and Mirza +Abdoolwahab; the latter being a secretary of state and +a great admirer of the Soofi sage. They took very little +notice, not rising when I sat down, as is their custom to +all who sit with them; nor offering me kalean. The two +secretaries, on learning my object in coming, began a +conversation with me on religion and metaphysics, which +lasted two hours. As they were both well-educated, +gentlemanly men, the discussion was temperate, and, I +hope, useful.</p> + +<p><i>June 12.</i>—I attended the Vizier’s levée, where there +was a most intemperate and clamorous controversy kept +up for an hour or two; eight or ten on one side, and I on +the other. Amongst them were two moollas, the most +ignorant of any I have yet met with in either Persia or +India. It would be impossible to enumerate all the absurd +things they said. Their vulgarity in interrupting me in +the middle of a speech; their utter ignorance of the nature +of an argument; their impudent assertions about the law<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">[467]</a></span> +and the Gospel, neither of which they had ever seen in +their lives, moved my indignation a little. I wished, and I +said it would have been well, if Mirza Abdoolwahab had +been there; I should then have had a man of sense to +argue with. The Vizier, who set us going at first, joined +in it latterly, and said, ‘You had better say God is God, +and Muhammad is the prophet of God.’ I said, ‘God is +God,’ but added, instead of ‘Muhammad is the prophet of +God,’ ‘and Jesus is the Son of God.’ They had no sooner +heard this, which I had avoided bringing forward till then, +than they all exclaimed, in contempt and anger, ‘He is +neither born nor begets,’ and rose up, as if they would +have torn me in pieces. One of them said, ‘What will +you say when your tongue is burnt out for this blasphemy?’</p> + +<p>One of them felt for me a little, and tried to soften the +severity of this speech. My book, which I had brought +expecting to present it to the king, lay before Mirza Shufi. +As they all rose up after him to go, some to the king and +some away, I was afraid they would trample on the book; +so I went in among them to take it up, and wrapped it in +a towel before them, while they looked at it and me with +supreme contempt. Thus I walked away alone in my tent, +to pass the rest of the day in heat and dirt. What have +I done, thought I, to merit all this scorn? Nothing, I trust, +but bearing testimony to Jesus. I thought over these +things in prayer, and my troubled heart found that peace +which Christ hath promised to His disciples.</p> + +<p>To complete the trials of the day, a message came from +the Vizier in the evening, to say that it was the custom of +the king not to see any Englishman, unless presented +by the ambassador, or accredited by a letter from him, +and that I must, therefore, wait till the king reached +Sultania, where the ambassador would be.</p> + +<p><i>June 13.</i>—Disappointed of my object in coming to +the camp, I lost no time in leaving it, and proceeded in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">[468]</a></span> +company with Mr. Canning, who had just joined me from +Teheran, towards Kasbin, intending there to wait the result +of an application to the ambassador. Started at eleven, +and travelled till eleven next morning, having gone ten +parasangs or forty miles, to Quishlang. The country all +along was well watered and cultivated. The mules being +too much tired to proceed, we passed the day at the +village; indeed, we all wanted rest. As I sat down in the +dust, on the shady side of a walled village by which we +passed, and surveyed the plains over which our road lay, +I sighed at the thought of my dear friends in India and +England, of the vast regions I must traverse before I can +get to either, and of the various and unexpected hindrances +which present themselves to my going forward. I comfort +myself with the hope that my God has something for me +to do, by thus delaying my exit.</p> + +<p><i>June 22.</i>—We met with the usual insulting treatment +at the caravanserai, where the king’s servants had got +possession of a good room, built for the reception of the +better order of guests; they seemed to delight in the +opportunity of humbling an European. Sultania is still +but a village, yet the Zengan prince has quartered himself +and all his attendants, with their horses, on this poor little +village. All along the road, where the king is expected, +the people are patiently waiting, as for some dreadful +disaster; plague, pestilence, or famine is nothing to the +misery of being subject to the violence and extortion of +this rabble soldiery.</p> + +<p><i>June 25.</i> (Zengan.)—After a restless night, rose so ill +with the fever that I could not go on. My companion, +Mr. Canning, was nearly in the same state. We touched +nothing all day.</p> + +<p><i>June 26.</i>—After such another night I had determined +to go on, but Mr. Canning declared himself unable to stir, +so here we dragged through another miserable day. What +added to our distress was that we were in danger, if<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">[469]</a></span> +detained here another day or two, of being absolutely in +want of the necessaries of life before reaching Tabreez. +We made repeated applications to the moneyed people, but +none would advance a piastre. Where are the people who +flew forth to meet General Malcolm with their purses and +their lives? Another generation is risen up, ‘who know +not Joseph.’ Providentially a poor muleteer, arriving from +Tabreez, became security for us, and thus we obtained five +tomans. This was a heaven-send; and we lay down +quietly, free from apprehensions of being obliged to go a +fatiguing journey of eight or ten hours, without a house or +village in the way, in our present weak and reduced state. +We had now eaten nothing for two days. My mind was +much disordered from head-ache and giddiness, from +which I was seldom free; but my heart, I trust, was with +Christ and His saints. To live much longer in this world +of sickness and pain seemed no way desirable; the most +favourite prospects of my heart seemed very poor and +childish; and cheerfully would I have exchanged them all +for the unfading inheritance.</p> + +<p><i>June 27.</i>—My Armenian servant was attacked in the +same way. The rest did not get me the things that I +wanted, so that I passed the third day in the same +exhausted state; my head, too, was tortured with shocking +pains, such as, together with the horror I felt at being +exposed to the sun, showed me plainly to what to ascribe +my sickness. Towards evening, two more of our servants +were attacked in the same way, and lay groaning from +pains in the head.</p> + +<p><i>June 28.</i>—All were much recovered, but in the afternoon +I again relapsed. During a high fever Mr. Canning +read to me in bed the Epistle to the Ephesians, and I +never felt the consolations of that Divine revelation of +mysteries more sensibly and solemnly. Rain in the night +prevented our setting off.</p> + +<p><i>June 29.</i>—My ague and fever returned, with such a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">[470]</a></span> +head-ache that I was almost frantic. Again and again I +said to myself, ‘Let patience have her perfect work,’ and +kept pleading the promises, ‘When thou passest through +the waters I will be with thee,’ etc.; and the Lord did not +withhold His presence. I endeavoured to repel all the +disordered thoughts that the fever occasioned, and to keep +in mind that all was friendly; a friendly Lord presiding; +and nothing exercising me but what would show itself +at last friendly. A violent perspiration at last relieved +the acute pain in my head, and my heart rejoiced; +but as soon as that was over, the exhaustion it occasioned, +added to the fatigue from the pain, left me in +as low a state of depression as ever I was in. I seemed +about to sink into a long fainting fit, and I almost wished +it; but at this moment, a little after midnight, I was +summoned to mount my horse, and set out, rather dead +than alive. We moved on six parasangs. We had a +thunder-storm with hail.</p> + +<p><i>July 1.</i>—A long and tiresome march to Sarehund; in +seven parasangs there was no village. They had nothing +to sell but buttermilk and bread; but a servant of Abbas +Mirza, happening to be at the same caravanserai, sent us +some flesh of a mountain cow which he had shot the day +before. All day I had scarcely the right recollection of +myself from the violence of the ague. We have now +reached the end of the level ground which we have had all +the way from Teheran, and are approaching the boundaries +of Parthia and Media; a most natural boundary it is, as +the two ridges of mountains we have had on the left and +right come round and form a barrier.</p> + +<p><i>July 2.</i>—At two in the morning we set out. I hardly +know when I have been so disordered. I had little or no +recollection of things, and what I did remember at times +of happy scenes in India or England, served only to +embitter my present situation. Soon after removing into +the air I was seized with a violent ague, and in this state I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">[471]</a></span> +went on till sunrise. At three parasangs and a half we +found a fine caravanserai, apparently very little used, as the +grass was growing in the court. There was nothing all +round but the barren rocks, which generally roughen the +country before the mountain rears its height. Such an +edifice in such a situation was cheering. Soon after we +came to a river, over which was a high bridge; I sat down +in the shade under it, with two camel drivers. The kafila, +as it happened, forded the river, and passed on without my +perceiving it. Mr. Canning seeing no signs of me, returned, +and after looking about for some time, espied my horse +grazing; he concluded immediately that the horse had +flung me from the bridge into the river, and was almost +ready to give me up for lost. My speedy appearance from +under the bridge relieved his terror and anxiety. Half the +people still continue ill; for myself, I am, through God’s +infinite mercy, recovering.</p> + +<p><i>July 4.</i>—I so far prevailed as to get the kafila into +motion at midnight. Lost our way in the night, but +arriving at a village we were set right again. At eight +came to Kilk caravanserai, but not stopping there, went +on to a village, where we arrived at half-past nine. The +baggage not coming up till long after, we got no breakfast +till one o’clock. In consequence of all these things, want +of sleep, want of refreshment, and exposure to the sun, I +was presently in a high fever, which raged so furiously all +the day that I was nearly delirious, and it was some time +before I could get the right recollection of myself. I +almost despaired, and do now, of getting alive through this +unfortunate journey. Last night I felt remarkably well, +calm and composed, and sat reflecting on my heavenly +rest, with more sweetness of soul, abstraction from the +world, and solemn views of God, than I have had for a +long time. Oh, for such sacred hours! This short and +painful life would scarcely be felt could I live thus at +heaven’s gate. It being impossible to continue my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">[472]</a></span> +journey in my present state, and one of the servants also +being so ill that he could not move with safety, we determined +to halt one day at the village, and sent on a +messenger to Sir Gore, at Tabreez, informing him of our +approach.</p> + +<p><i>July 5.</i>—As soon as it was day we found our way to +the village where the Doctor was waiting for us. Not being +able to stay for us, he went on to Tabreez, and we as far +as Wasmuch, where he promised to procure for us a fine +upper room furnished; but when we arrived, they denied +that there was any such a place. At last, after an hour’s +threatening, we got admittance to it. An hour before +break of day I left it, in hopes of reaching Tabreez before +sunrise. Some of the people seemed to feel compassion for +me, and asked me if I was not very ill. At last I reached +the gate, and feebly asked for a man to show me the way +to the ambassador’s.</p> + +<p><i>July 9.</i>—Made an extraordinary effort, and as a Tartar +was going off instantly to Constantinople, wrote letters to +Mr. Grant for permission to come to England, and to Mr. +Simeon and Lydia, informing them of it; but I have +scarcely the remotest expectation of seeing it, except +by looking at the almighty power of God.</p> + +<p>Dined at night at the ambassador’s, who said he was +determined to give every possible <i>éclat</i> to my book, by +presenting it himself to the king. My fever never ceased +to rage till the 21st, during all which time every effort was +made to subdue it, till I had lost all my strength and +almost all my reason. They now administer bark, and it +may please God to bless the tonics; but I seem too far +gone, and can only say,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">[473]</a></span> ‘having a desire to depart and be +with Christ, which is far better.’</p> + +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Tabreez: July 12, 1812. +</p> + +<p>My dearest Lydia,—I have only time to say that I +have received your letter of February 14. Shall I pain +your heart by adding, that I am in such a state of sickness +and pain, that I can hardly write to you? Let me rather +observe, to obviate the gloomy apprehension my letters to +Mr. Grant and Mr. Simeon may excite, that I am likely +soon to be delivered from my fever. Whether I shall gain +strength enough to go on, rests on our Heavenly Father, in +whose hands are all my times. Oh, His precious grace! +His eternal unchanging love in Christ to my soul never +appeared more clear, more sweet, more strong. I ought to +inform you that in consequence of the state to which I am +reduced by travelling so far overland, without having half +accomplished my journey, and the consequent impossibility +of returning to India the same way, I have applied for +leave to come on furlough to England. Perhaps you will +be gratified by this intelligence; but oh, my dear Lydia, +I must faithfully tell you that the probability of my +reaching England alive is but small; and this I say, that +your expectations of seeing me again may be moderate, as +mine are of seeing you. Why have you not written more +about yourself? However, I am thankful for knowing +that you are alive and well. I scarcely know how to +desire you to direct. Perhaps Alexandria in Egypt will +be the best place; another may be sent to Constantinople, +for though I shall not go there, I hope Mr. Morier will be +kept informed of my movements. Kindest love to all the +saints you usually mention. Yours ever most faithfully +and affectionately,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">[474]</a></span></p> +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Rev. C. Simeon</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Tabreez: July 12, 1812. +</p> + +<p>My dearest Friend and Brother,—The Tartar courier +for Constantinople, who has been delayed some days on +our account, being to be despatched instantly, my little +strength also being nearly exhausted by writing to Mr. +Grant a letter to be laid before the court: I have only to +notice some of the particulars of your letter of February of +this year. It is not now before me, neither have I strength +to search for it among my papers; but from the frequent +attentive perusals I gave it during my intervals of ease, I +do not imagine that any of it has escaped my memory. +At present I am in a high fever, and cannot properly +recollect myself. I shall ever love and be grateful to Mr. +Thornton for his kind attention to my family.</p> + +<p>The increase of godly young men is precious news. +If I sink into the grave in India, my place will be supplied +an hundredfold. You will learn from Mr. Grant that I +have applied for leave to come to England on furlough; a +measure you will disapprove; but you would not, were +you to see the pitiable condition to which I am reduced, +and knew what it is to traverse the continent of Asia in +the destitute state in which I am. If you wish not to +see me, I can say that I think it most probable that you +will not; the way before me being not better than that +passed over, which has nearly killed me.</p> + +<p>I would not pain your heart, my dear brother, but we +who are in Jesus have the privilege of viewing life and +death as nearly the same, since both are one; and I thank +a gracious Lord that sickness never came at a time when +I was more free from apparent reasons for living. Nothing +seemingly remains for me to do but to follow the rest of +my family to the tomb. Let not the book written against +Muhammadanism be published till approved in India. A<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">[475]</a></span> +European who has not lived amongst them cannot imagine +how differently they see, imagine, reason, object, from +what we do. This I had full opportunity of observing +during my eleven months’ residence at Shiraz. During +that time I was engaged in a written controversy with one +of the most learned and temperate doctors there. He +began. I replied what was unanswerable, then I subjoined +a second more direct attack on the glaring absurdities of +Muhammadanism, with a statement of the nature and +evidences of Christianity. The Soofis then as well as +himself desired a demonstration, from the very beginning, +of the truth of any revelation. As this third treatise +contained an examination of the doctrine of the Soofis, and +pointed out that their object was attainable by the Gospel, +and by that only, it was read with interest and convinced +many. There is not a single Europeanism in the whole +that I know of, as my friend and interpreter would not +write anything that he could not perfectly comprehend. +But I am exhausted; pray for me, beloved brother, and +believe that I am, as long as life and recollection lasts, +yours affectionately,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +<hr class="shorthr" /> +<p class="date"> +Tabreez: August 8.<br /> +</p> + +<p>My dearest Brother and Friend,—Ever since I wrote, +about a month, I believe, I have been lying upon the bed +of sickness; for twenty days or more the fever raged with +great violence, and for a long time every species of medicine +was tried in vain. After I had given up every hope of +recovery, it pleased God to abate the fever, but incessant +head-aches succeeded, which allowed me no rest day or +night. I was reduced still lower, and am now a mere +skeleton; but as they are now less frequent, I suppose it to +be the will of God that I should be raised up to life again. +I am now sitting in my chair, and wrote the will with a +strong hand; but as you see I cannot write so now.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">[476]</a></span> +Kindest love to Mr. John Thornton, for whose temporal +and spiritual prosperity I daily pray.—Your ever affectionate +friend and brother,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>Lydia Grenfell’s letter, to which Martyn’s of July 12, +written in such circumstances, is a reply, was really dated +February 1, 1812, and was the last received from her by +him. Her <i>Diary</i> notes that she ‘wrote to India, August 30, +September 30, 1812’; and on December 12 of that year, +thus remarks on his letter of July 12:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Heard from Tabreez from Mr. Martyn with an account +of his dangerous state of health and intention of returning +to England if his life was spared. This intelligence affected +me variously. The probability of his death, the certainty +of his extreme sufferings, and distance from every friend, +pressed heavily on my spirits; I was enabled to pray, and +felt relieved. Of his return no very sanguine expectations +can be entertained. Darkness and distress of mind have +followed this information. I cannot collect my thoughts +to write, or apply as I ought to anything. Oh, let me +consider this as a call to prayer and watchfulness and self-examination. +Lord, assist me!</p> + +<p><i>December 16.</i>—A season of great temptation, darkness, +and distress. At no period of my life have I stood more +in need of Divine help, and oh! may I earnestly seek it. +Lord, I would pray, give me a right understanding, and +enable me seriously to consider and weigh in the balance of +the sanctuary all I do—yea, let my thoughts be watched. +Sleep has fled from mine eyes, and a fearful looking for of +trial and affliction, however this affair ends, possesses my +mind. Oh! let me cast my burden on the Lord—it is too +heavy for me. Lord, let me begin afresh to call upon Thy +name, and, taking hold of Thee, I shall be borne up above<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">[477]</a></span> +my trials, carried through the difficulties I see before me, +and be delivered.</p> + +<p><i>December 17.</i>—I desire, O Thou blessed God, to seek +Thy face, to call on Thy name. Thou hast been my +refuge; I have been happy in the sense of Thy love. With +all my sins, my weaknesses and miseries, I come to Thee, +and most seriously would I seek Thy guidance in the perplexing +and difficult circumstances I am in. O Lord, suffer +me not to run counter to Thy will nor to dishonour Thee.</p> + +<p><i>December 25.</i>—Bless the Lord, O my soul; bless His +holy name for ever and ever. I sought the Lord in my +distress, and He gave ear unto me. Gracious and merciful +art Thou, O Lord, for Thou didst bend Thine ear to the +most worthless of all creatures. This is for the glory of +Thy name alone, to show how great Thy mercy is, how +sure Thy truth. After a night of clouds and darkness, +behold the clear sky.</p> + +<p><i>December 26.</i>—This joyful, holy season calls upon me +for fresh praises, and a renewed dedication of myself to +God. I rejoice in believing Christ was born; I rejoice in +the end proposed of His appearance in the flesh, the +recovery of mankind to holiness and to God. I welcome +this salvation as that I most desire. My happiness, I know, +consists in holiness and in the favour of God. Thought +much to-day of my dear friend. I cannot think of him as +having gained the heavenly crown, but as struggling with +dangers and difficulties. Secure in them all of Thy favour, +and defended by Thy power, he is safe, and pass but a few +years or days, and he will enter into the rest of God. Let +me, too, follow after him as he follows Christ.</p> + +<p><i>1813, January 4.</i>—After a night and day spent in great +conflict and agony of mind, I, this evening, enjoy a respite +from distressing apprehensions. I was reduced to the +lowest, as to animal spirits and spiritual life, when it +occurred to me I would go to the meeting, where I found +a sweet—oh, may it be a lasting! relief from my cares.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">[478]</a></span> +Having better things proposed for my consideration, my +burden has chiefly been from a sense of inward weakness +and a conviction of having lost the presence of God. The +state of my beloved friend less occupies my mind than I +sometimes think is reconcilable with a true affection for +him; but the truth is, the concerns of my soul are the more +pressing. Oh! may this trial truly answer this purpose of +driving me to God, my refuge and rest.</p> + +<p><i>January 6.</i>—Still harassed and without strength to +resist. I seem divested of the Spirit, yet, oh, let me not +give way to this! I will try, as a helpless sinner, to seek +Divine aid. Thou canst command peace within and increase +my faith. I am amazed at the state of my mind—instead +of having my thoughts exercised about my dear friend, I +am filled with distressing fears for my soul, and left so to +myself that all I can do is to pray for the Lord to return +and lift upon me the light of His countenance. O Thou +blessed Redeemer! hear my sighs and put my tears into +Thy bottle. My wanderings are noted down in Thy book. +Oh, have pity on my wretched state and revive Thy work, +increase my faith. Thou art the resurrection and the life—let +me rest on this Scripture.</p> + +<p><i>February 1.</i>—My beloved friend remembered every hour, +but to-day with less distressing fears and perplexity of mind. +I do from my inmost soul, O Lord, desire Thy will to be +done, and that Thou mayest be glorified in this concern. +Oh, direct us!</p> + +<p><i>February 7.</i>—I have been convinced to-day how by +admitting into my heart, and suffering my first, my last, +and every thought to be engrossed by an earthly object, I +have grieved the Holy Spirit, and hindered God from +dwelling in me. Oh! let me have done with idols and +worship God.</p></div> + +<p>More than six weeks after his letter of July 12, the +fever-stricken missionary recovered strength to write to +Lydia once again:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">[479]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="greeting"> +<span class="smcap">To Lydia Grenfell</span> +</p> +<p class="date"> +Tabreez: August 28, 1812.<br /> +</p> + +<p>I wrote to you last, my dear Lydia, in great disorder. +My fever had approached nearly to delirium, and my +debility was so great that it seemed impossible I could +withstand the power of disease many days. Yet it has +pleased God to restore me to life and health again; not +that I have recovered my former strength yet, but consider +myself sufficiently restored to prosecute my journey. My +daily prayer is, that my late chastisement may have its +intended effect, and make me all the rest of my days more +humble, and less self-confident. Self-confidence has often +let me down fearful lengths, and would, without God’s +gracious interference, prove my endless perdition. I seem +to be made to feel this evil of my heart more than any +other at this time. In prayer, or when I write or converse +on the subject, Christ appears to me my life and strength, +but at other times I am as thoughtless and bold as if I had +all life and strength in myself, Such neglect on our part +works a diminution of our joys; but the covenant, the +covenant! stands fast with Him, for His people evermore.</p> + +<p>I mentioned my conversing sometimes on Divine subjects, +for though it is long enough since I have seen a child +of God, I am sometimes led on by the Persians to tell them +all I know of the very recesses of the sanctuary, and these +are the things that interest them. But to give an account +of all my discussions with these mystic philosophers must +be reserved to the time of our meeting. Do I dream, that +I venture to think and write of such an event as that? Is +it possible that we shall ever meet again below? Though +it is possible, I dare not indulge such a pleasing hope yet. +I am still at a tremendous distance; and the countries I +have to pass through are many of them dangerous to the +traveller, from the hordes of banditti, whom a feeble govern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">[480]</a></span>ment +cannot chastise. In consequence of the bad state of +the road between this and Aleppo, Sir Gore advises me to +go first to Constantinople, and from thence to pass into +Syria. In favour of this route, he urges that, by writing +to two or three Turkish Governors on the frontiers, he can +secure me a safe passage, at least half-way, and the latter +half is probably not much infested. In three days, therefore, +I intend setting my horse’s head towards Constantinople, +distant above thirteen hundred miles. Nothing, I +think, will occasion any further detention here, if I can +procure servants who know both Persian and Turkish; +but should I be taken ill on the road, my case would be +pitiable indeed. The ambassador and his suite are still +here: his and Lady Ouseley’s attentions to me, during my +illness, have been unremitted. The Prince Abbas Mirza, +the wisest of the king’s sons, and heir to the throne, was +here some time after my arrival; I much wished to present +a copy of the Persian New Testament to him, but I could +not rise from my bed. The book will, however, be given +to him by the ambassador. Public curiosity about the +Gospel, now for the first time, in the memory of the modern +Persians, introduced into the country, is a good deal excited +here, at Shiraz, and other places; so that, upon the whole, +I am thankful for having been led hither and detained, +though my residence in this country has been attended +with many unpleasant circumstances. The way of the +kings of the East is preparing. This much may be said +with safety, but little more. The Persians also will +probably take the lead in the march to Zion, as they are +ripe for a revolution in religion as well as politics.</p> + +<p>Sabat, about whom you inquire so regularly, I have +heard nothing of this long time. My friends in India have +long since given me up as lost or gone out of reach, and if +they wrote they would probably not mention him, as he is +far from being a favourite with any of them. <span class="dash">——</span>, who is +himself of an impatient temper, cannot tolerate him;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_481" id="Page_481">[481]</a></span> +indeed, I am pronounced to be the only man in Bengal +who could have lived with him so long. He is, to be sure, +the most tormenting creature I ever yet chanced to deal +with—peevish, proud, suspicious, greedy; he used to give +daily more and more distressing proofs of his never having +received the saving grace of God. But of this you will say +nothing; while his interesting story is yet fresh in the +memory of people, his failings had better not be mentioned. +The poor Arab wrote me a querulous epistle from Calcutta, +complaining that no one took notice of him now that I +was gone; and then he proceeds to abuse his best friends. +I have not yet written to reprove him for his unchristian +sentiments, and when I do I know it will be to no purpose +after all the private lectures I have given him. My course +from Constantinople is so uncertain that I hardly know +where to desire you to direct to me; I believe Malta is the +only place, for there I must stop in my way home. Soon +we shall have occasion for pen and ink no more; but I +trust I shall shortly see thee face to face. Love to all the +saints.</p> + +<p>Believe me to be yours ever, most faithfully and +affectionately,</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">H. Martyn.</span><br /> +</p> +</div> + +<p>These were Henry Martyn’s last words to Lydia Grenfell. +Hasting home to be with her, in a few weeks his +yearning spirit was with the Lord—</p> + + +<div class="poem"> +<span class="i14">Love divine, all love excelling. +</span></div> + +<p>Tabreez was at this time the centre of diplomatic +activity. While the Shah and his camp were not far off, +the Turkish Ambassador was in the city, and Sir Gore +Ouseley was busily mediating between the Turkish and +Persian Governments after their hostilities on the Baghdad +frontier. Turkey, moreover, had just before concluded a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_482" id="Page_482">[482]</a></span> +treaty with Russia, with consequences most offensive to +the Shah. Only the personal influence and active interference +of the British Ambassador prevented the renewal +of hostilities. Mr. Morier, the Secretary of Embassy, gives +us this contemporary picture of Martyn’s arrival:<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> ‘We +had not long been at Tabreez before our party was joined +by the Rev. William Canning and the Rev. Henry Martyn. +The former was attached to our Embassy as chaplain; the +latter, whom we had left at Shiraz employed in the translation +of the New Testament into the Persian language, +having completed that object, was on his way to Constantinople. +Both these gentlemen had suffered greatly in +health during their journey from Shiraz. Mr. Martyn had +scarcely time to recover his strength before he departed +again.’</p> + +<p>Had Henry Martyn been induced by his hospitable +friends to rest here for a time, had the physician constrained +him to wait for a better season and more strength, +he might have himself presented his sacred work to the +Shah—might have repeated in the north what he had been +permitted to do in one brief year in the south of Persia, +and might have again seen the beloved Lydia and his +Cambridge friends. For Tabreez, ‘the fever-dispeller,’ is +said to have been so named by Zobeidah, the wife of the +Kaliph Haroon’r Rashheed, who, at the close of the eighth +century, beautified the ancient Tauris, capital of Tiridates +III., King of Armenia in 297, because of its healthy +climate. In spite of repeated earthquakes the city has +been always rebuilt, low and mean, covering an area like +that of Vienna, but the principal emporium from which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_483" id="Page_483">[483]</a></span> +Persia used to receive its European goods till the coasting +steamers of India opened up the Persian Gulf and, of late, +the Euphrates, Tigris, and Karoon rivers. Only the ark, or +citadel of Ali Shah, a noble building of burnt brick, and +the fine ruin of the Kabood Masjeed, or mosque of beautifully +arabesqued blue tiles, redeemed the city in Martyn’s +time from meanness. The Ambassador, his host, was then +lodged in the house of its wealthiest citizen, Hajji Khan +Muhammed, whom the Prince had turned out to make +room for Sir Gore Ouseley. Now the British Consulate of +Tabreez is a spacious residence, with a fine garden, and +the city has become flourishing again. Henry Martyn left +Tabreez on his fatal journey at the very time when the +climate began to be at its best. All around, too, and +especially in the hills of Sahand to the south, with the air +of Scotland and of Wales, or on the natural pastures of +Chaman, where the finest brood mares are kept, sloping +down to the waters of Lake Ooroomia, he would have +found in the hot season the loveliest land in Asia.<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a></p> + +<p>Before we hasten on with the modern apostle of the +Persians to the bitter but bright end, we must trace the +history of the influence of his translation of the New +Testament. The 20th August, 1812, he joyfully entered +in his <i>Journal</i> as a day much to be remembered for the +remarkable recovery of strength. He learned from Mirza +Aga Meer that his ‘work,’ that is, his reply to Mirza +Ibrahim, had been read to the Shah by Mirza Abdoolwahab, +and that the king had observed to Mirza Boozong,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_484" id="Page_484">[484]</a></span> +his son’s vizier, that the Feringhis’ (Franks’) Government +and army, and now one of their moollas, was come into the +East. The Shah then directed Mirza Boozong to prepare +an answer. In consequence of this information Sir Gore +Ouseley, who doubtless desired to spare the little strength +of his guest, directed that a certain moolla, who greatly +wished to be introduced to the man of God, should not +be brought to him. Nevertheless, ‘one day a moolla came +and disputed a while for Muhammedan, but finished with +professing Soofi sentiments.’</p> + +<p>The great Shah, Fateh Ali Khan himself, and his son, +were thus prepared for the Divine gift of Henry Martyn in +due form through the British Ambassador. How it reached +His Persian Majesty from Sir Gore Ouseley, and how the +Shah-in-Shah received it, these letters tell, so honourable to +the writers, even after all allowance is made for the diplomatic +courtliness of the correspondence.<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> The Soofi controversialists +and friends of the translator, who by that time +had entered on his rest, must have, moreover, predisposed +the eclectic mind of the always liberal Shah to treat with +reverence the <i>Injil</i>, or Gospel.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p class="greeting"><i>From His Excellency Sir Gore Ouseley, Bart., Ambassador +Extraordinary from His Britannic Majesty to the Court of +Persia. Addressed to the Right Hon. Lord Teignmouth, +President of the British and Foreign Bible Society.</i></p> + +<p class="date"> +St. Petersburg: September 20, 1814.<br /> +</p> + +<p>My dear Lord,—Finding that I am likely to be detained +here some six or seven weeks, and apprehensive that my +letters from Persia may not have reached your Lordship, I +conceive it my duty to acquaint you, for the information of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_485" id="Page_485">[485]</a></span> +the society of Christians formed for the purpose of propagating +the Sacred Writings, that, agreeably to the wishes +of our poor friend, the late Rev. Henry Martyn, I presented +in the name of the Society (as he particularly desired) a +copy of his translation of the New Testament into the +Persian language to His Persian Majesty, Fateh Ali Shah +Kajar, having first made conditions that His Majesty was +to peruse the whole, and favour me with his opinion of the +style, etc.</p> + +<p>Previous to delivering the book to the Shah, I employed +transcribers to make some copies of it, which I distributed +to Hajji Mahomed Hussein Khan, Prince of Maru, Mirza +Abdulwahab, and other men of learning and rank immediately +about the person of the king, who, being chiefly +converts to the Soofi philosophy, would, I felt certain, give +it a fair judgment, and, if called upon by the Shah for +their opinion, report of it according to its intrinsic merits.</p> + +<p>The enclosed translation of a letter from His Persian +Majesty to me will show your Lordship that he thinks the +complete work a great acquisition, and that he approves of +the simple style adopted by my lamented friend Martyn +and his able coadjutor, Mirza Sayyed Ali, so appropriate to +the just and ready conception of the sublime morality of +the Sacred Writings. Should the Society express a wish +to possess the original letter from the Shah, or a copy of it +in Persian, I shall be most happy to present either through +your Lordship.</p> + +<p>I beg leave to add that, if a correct copy of Mr. +Martyn’s translation has not yet been presented to the +Society, I shall have great pleasure in offering one that has +been copied from and collated with the original left with +me by Mr. Martyn, on which he had bestowed the greatest +pains to render it perfect.</p> + +<p>I also promise to devote my leisure to the correction of +the press, in the event of your thinking proper to have +it printed in England, should my Sovereign not have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_486" id="Page_486">[486]</a></span> +immediate occasion for my services out of England.—I +am, etc.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +<span class="smcap">Gore Ouseley.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p class="greeting"><i>Translation of His Persian Majesty’s Letter, +referred to in the preceding.</i><br /> +In the Name of the Almighty God, whose glory is most +excellent.<br /> +</p> + +<p>It is our august command that the dignified and excellent +our trusty, faithful, and loyal well-wisher, Sir Gore Ouseley, +Baronet, His Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador Extraordinary +(after being honoured and exalted with the expressions +of our highest regard and consideration), should +know that the copy of the Gospel, which was translated +into Persian by the learned exertions of the late +Rev. Henry Martyn, and which has been presented to +us by your Excellency on the part of the high, dignified, +learned, and enlightened Society of Christians, united for +the purpose of spreading abroad the Holy Books of the +religion of Jesus (upon whom, and upon all prophets, be +peace and blessings!), has reached us, and has proved highly +acceptable to our august mind.</p> + +<p>In truth, through the learned and unremitted exertions +of the Rev. Henry Martyn, it has been translated in a +style most befitting sacred books, that is, in an easy and +simple diction. Formerly, the four Evangelists, Matthew, +Mark, Luke, and John, were known in Persia; but now +the whole of the New Testament is completed in a most +excellent manner: and this circumstance has been an +additional source of pleasure to our enlightened and +august mind. Even the four Evangelists which were +known in this country had never been before explained in +so clear and luminous a manner. We, therefore, have been +particularly delighted with this copious and complete +translation. If it please the most merciful God, we shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_487" id="Page_487">[487]</a></span> +command the Select Servants, who are admitted to our +presence, to read<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> to us the above-mentioned book from the +beginning to the end, that we may, in the most minute +manner, hear and comprehend its contents.</p> + +<p>Your Excellency will be pleased to rejoice the hearts +of the above-mentioned dignified, learned, and enlightened +Society with assurances of our highest regard and approbation; +and to inform those excellent individuals who are +so virtuously engaged in disseminating and making known +the true meaning and intent of the Holy Gospel, and other +points in sacred books, that they are deservedly honoured +with our royal favour. Your Excellency must consider +yourself as bound to fulfil this royal request.</p> + +<p class="sig"> +Given in Rebialavil, 1229. <br /> + +(Sealed) <span class="smcap">Fateh Ali Shah Kajar</span>. +</p> +</div> + +<p>Even here we see Martyn and Carey once more linked +together. The same volume from which we have taken +these letters contains, a few pages before them, these +words written by Dr. Carey from Serampore: ‘Religion is +the only thing in the world worth living for. And no work +is so important as serving God in the Gospel of His Son; +if, like the Apostle, we do this with one spirit, great will be +our enjoyment and abundant our reward.’</p> + +<p>Sir Gore Ouseley carried the original MS. to St. Petersburg, +where, happening to mention the fact to the President +of the Russian Bible Society, Prince Galitzin at once +begged that his Society, always an honourable exception +to the intolerance of the Tsar’s Greek Church, might be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_488" id="Page_488">[488]</a></span> +allowed to publish it. A set of Persian types was specially +procured. Sir Gore Ouseley, assisted by the Persian Jaffir +Khan, corrected the proofs, and the Rev. R. Pinkerton, one +of the Scottish Mission to Karass, carefully superintended +the printing. Several Persians, resident in that city, bespoke +copies for their friends. The British and Foreign Bible +Society granted 300<i>l.</i> towards the expenses of an edition +of 5,000 copies. The first edition appeared there in +September, 1815, on which Prince Galitzin wrote to Mr. +Pinkerton, as representing the Bible Society in London:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Praise be given to the incomprehensible counsels of +God, who, for the salvation of man, gave His Word, and +causeth it to increase among all nations: who useth as +His instruments the inhabitants of countries of different +languages and tribes, not unfrequently the most distant +from each other and altogether unacquainted with those +for whom they labour! This is a true sign of the holy +will of God respecting this work, who worketh all and in +all. This is the case with the finished edition of the +Persian New Testament, which was translated into that +language in a far distant part of Asia, and prepared to be +printed in another, but brought into Russia (where nothing +of the kind was ever thought of) and printed off much +sooner than was at first intended. Here men were found +endowed with good-will and the requisite qualifications for +the completion of this work, which at first seemed to be so +difficult.</p></div> + +<p>Meanwhile, Martyn himself having directed that a copy +of the manuscript translation should be sent to Calcutta +from Shiraz, when he left that city, four copies were made, +lest any accident should befall it on the way to Bengal. +It reached the Calcutta Corresponding Committee in 1814, +and they invited Mirza Sayyid Ali to join them and pass<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_489" id="Page_489">[489]</a></span> +it through the press. This second edition accordingly +appeared at Calcutta in 1816. Professor Lee, of Cambridge, +published a third edition of it in London in 1827, and a +fourth in 1837. The most beautiful and valuable of all is +the fifth, now before the writer, which Thomas Constable +printed in Edinburgh in 1846 (corresponding to 1262 of +the <i>Hijrah</i>) in three royal octavo volumes. This was also +the most important because it accompanied a Persian +translation of the Old Testament. Mirza Sayyid Ali had +early informed the Calcutta Committee that he had his +master’s original translation of the Psalter, and this also +appeared at Calcutta in 1816. This formed the nucleus +of the Persian Old Testament prepared by Dr. W. Glen, +of the Scottish Missionary Society’s Mission, at Karass, +Astrakhan, and printed along with Henry Martyn’s New +Testament in the memorable and beautiful Edinburgh +edition. That edition of the whole Bible was presented +by Dr. Glen to the present Shah of Persia, Nassr-ed-Deen, +on his accession to the throne in 1848. With Martyn’s +New Testament His Majesty seemed to be well acquainted. +Of the volume containing the Old Testament we read that +‘on handing the book to the servant in waiting he just +kissed and then put it to his forehead, with the same indication +of reverence which he would have shown had +it been their own sacred book, the Koran.’ Archdeacon +Robinson, of Poona, published another Persian translation +of the Old Testament. The Church Missionary Society’s +distinguished missionary at Julfa, Dr. Robert Bruce, has +been for years engaged on a revision, or rather new +translation of the Old Testament into Persian, the two +versions of which are far inferior, in the opinion of one +who is at the head of all living experts, to Henry Marty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_490" id="Page_490">[490]</a></span>n’s +translation of the New. Dr. Bruce’s work has now been +completed.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I know no parallel to these achievements of Henry +Martyn’s, writes Canon W.J. Edmonds, closing a survey +of his powers and services as a translator of the Scriptures. +There are in him the things that mark the born translator. +He masters grammar, observes idioms, accumulates vocabulary, +reads and listens, corrects and even reconstructs. +Above all, he prays. He lives ‘in the Spirit,’ and rises +from his knees full of the mind of the Spirit. Pedantry is +not in him, nor vulgarity. He longs and struggles to catch +the dialect in which men may speak worthily of the things +of God. And so his work lives. In his own Hindustani +New Testament, and in the recovered parts of the Old +Testament in which he watched over the labours of Fitrut, +his work is still a living influence; men find ‘reasons for +reverting’ to it. His earlier Persian, and what is demonstrably +distinct from it, his Persic translation, or rather +Sabat’s, done under his superintendence, these indeed have +gone. They did not survive his visit to Persia. Nor did +the Arabic, which was the chief acknowledged motive of +his journey. But what a gifted man is here, and what a +splendid sum total of work, that can afford these deductions +from the results of a five or six years’ struggle with illness, +and still leave behind translations of the New Testament +in Hindustani and in Persian; the Hindustani version +living a double life, its own and that which William Bowley +gave it in the humbler vocabulary of the Hindi villages! +We live in hurrying times; our days are swifter than a +shuttle. New names, new saints, new heroes ever rise and +dazzle the eyes of common men. So it should be, for God +lives, and through Him men live and manifest His unexhausted +power. But Martyn is a perennial. He springs +up fresh to every generation. It is time, though, to take +care that he does not become simply the shadow of an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_491" id="Page_491">[491]</a></span> +angel passing by. His pinnacle is that lofty one which is +only assigned to eminent goodness, but it rests upon, and +is only the finial of, a broad-based tower of sound and +solid intellectual endowment.</p></div> + +<p>Henry Martyn’s Persian Testament called forth, in +1816, two Bulls from Pope Pius VIII., addressed to the +Archbishops of Gnesne and Moghilev, within the Russian +dominions, and letters from the Propaganda College at Rome +to the Vicars Apostolic and Missionaries in Persia, Armenia, +and other parts of the East. Wherever the Persian language +was known the people were warned ‘against a version +recently made into the Persian idiom.’ The Archbishops +were told ‘that Bibles printed by heretics are numbered +among the prohibited books by the rules of the Index +(Nos. II. and III.), for it is evident, from experience, that +from the Holy Scriptures which are published in the vulgar +tongue, more injury than good has arisen through the +temerity of men.’ Bible Societies in Russia and Great +Britain are denounced as a ‘most crafty device, by which +the very foundations of religion are undermined.’ So the +Latin Church has ever put from it ‘The Great Missionary’ +which the Reformation was the first to restore to Christendom +and the world, and Henry Martyn gave to the +Mohammedans in their own tongue.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_79_79" id="Footnote_79_79"></a><a href="#FNanchor_79_79"><span class="label">[79]</span></a> <i>Journeys in Persia and Kurdistan, &c.</i>, by Mrs. Bishop (Isabella C. +Bird), two vols., John Murray, 1891.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_80_80" id="Footnote_80_80"></a><a href="#FNanchor_80_80"><span class="label">[80]</span></a> The fanatical shrine of Fatima. See Mrs. Bishop’s first volume and +Mr. Curzon’s second.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_81_81" id="Footnote_81_81"></a><a href="#FNanchor_81_81"><span class="label">[81]</span></a> <i>A Second Journey through Persia, &c., between the years 1810 and 1816</i>, +p. 223.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_82_82" id="Footnote_82_82"></a><a href="#FNanchor_82_82"><span class="label">[82]</span></a> ‘Were I,’ writes Mr. Baillie Fraser, ‘to select a spot the best calculated +for the recovery of health, and for its preservation, I know not that I could +hit upon any more suited to the purpose than Tabreez, at any season. A +brighter sky and purer air can scarcely be found. To me it seems as if there +was truly health in the breeze that blows around me.’</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_83_83" id="Footnote_83_83"></a><a href="#FNanchor_83_83"><span class="label">[83]</span></a> See the <i>Eleventh Report of the British and Foreign Bible Society</i>, 1815, +Appendix, No. 51.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_84_84" id="Footnote_84_84"></a><a href="#FNanchor_84_84"><span class="label">[84]</span></a> I beg leave to remark that the word ‘Tilawat,’ which the translator +has rendered ‘read,’ is an honourable signification of that act, almost exclusively +applied to the perusing or reciting the Koran. The making use, +therefore, of this term or expression shows the degree of respect and +estimation in which the Shah holds the New Testament.—<i>Note by Sir Gore +Ouseley.</i></p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_492" id="Page_492">[492]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<p class="subheading">IN PERSIA AND TURKEY—TABREEZ TO TOKAT AND +THE TOMB</p> + + +<p>On the evening of September 2, 1812, Henry Martyn left +Tabreez for Constantinople, on what he describes as ‘my +long journey of thirteen hundred miles.’ The route marked +out for him by Sir Gore Ouseley, who gave him letters to +the Turkish governors of Erivan, Kars, and Erzroom, and +to the British Minister at Constantinople, as well as to the +Armenian Patriarch and Bishop Nestus at Etchmiatzin, was +the old Roman road into Central Asia. Professor W.M. +Ramsay describes it as clearly marked by Nature,<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> and still +one of the most important trade routes. It was the safest +and speediest, as well as the least forbidding. ‘Sir Gore, +wishing me not to travel in the same unprotected way I +had done, procured from the Prince a <i>mehmandar</i> for +me, together with an order for the use of <i>chappar</i> horses +all the way to Erivan.’ Thence he was passed on to +Kars similarly attended, and thence to Erzroom. He took +with him ‘near three hundred <i>tomans</i> in money,’ or about +130<i>l.</i> On the eve of his departure he wrote:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_493" id="Page_493">[493]</a></span> ‘The +delightful thought of being brought to the borders of +Europe, without sustaining any injury, contributed more +than anything else, I believe, to restore my health and +spirits.’</p> + +<p>But travelling in Persia and Asiatic Turkey, even at +the best and for the strongest, is necessarily a work of +hardship. The <i>chappar</i>, or post-stations, occur at a distance +of from twenty to twenty-five miles, measured by the +<i>farsakh</i>, the old parasang in Greek phrase, of four miles +each. What Mrs. Bishop has recently described has always +been true: ‘The custom is to ride through all the hours +of daylight, whenever horses are to be got, doing from +sixty to ninety miles a day.’ Henry Martyn rode his own +horses, and his party of two Armenian servants (a groom +and Turkish interpreter), with the <i>mehmandar</i>, had the +post-horses. Out of the cities he had to trust, for rest and +accommodation, to the post-stations, which at the best were +enclosures of mud walls on three sides, deep in manure, with +stabling on two sides, and two dark rooms at the entrance +for the servants. Occasionally an erection (<i>balakhana</i>) +above the gateway is available for the master, but how +seldom Martyn was lodged in any way better than the +animals, will be seen from his <i>Journal</i>. He had travelled +in this way, in the heats of two summers, from Bushire to +Shiraz, and from Shiraz to Tabreez, the whole extent of the +Persian plateau from south to north. He had nearly died +at Tabreez.</p> + +<p>Yet now, with his Persian New Testament ready for the +press and his longing for Lydia, he again set forth, sustained +by ‘the delightful thought.’ With intensest interest we +follow him in every step of his march north-west through +the Persian province of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Eastern +Asia Minor, the unconquerable spirit sustaining the feeble +body for forty-five days, as Chrysostom’s was fed in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_494" id="Page_494">[494]</a></span> +southern journey to the same place of departure almost +within sight of the Euxine Sea.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1812, September 2.</i>—At sunset we left the western gate +of Tabreez behind us. The horses proved to be sorry +animals. It was midnight before we arrived at Sangla, +a village in the middle of the plain of Tabreez. There +they procured me a place in the Zabit’s house. I slept +till after sunrise of the 3rd, and did not choose to proceed +at such an hour; so I passed most of the day in +my room. At three in the afternoon proceeded towards +Sofian. My health being again restored, through infinite +and unbounded mercy, I was able to look round +the creation with calm delight. The plain of Tabreez, +towards the west and south-west, stretches away to an +immense distance, and is bounded in these directions by +mountains so remote as to appear, from their soft blue, to +blend with the skies. The baggage having been sent on +before, I ambled on with my <i>mehmandar</i>, looking all +around me, and especially towards the distant hills, with +gratitude and joy. Oh! it is necessary to have been confined +to a bed of sickness to know the delight of moving +freely through the works of God, with the senses left at +liberty to enjoy their proper object. My attendant not +being very conversant with Persian, we rode silently along; +for my part, I could not have enjoyed any companion so +much as I did my own feelings. At sunset we reached +Sofian, a village with gardens, at the north-west end of the +plain, which is usually the first stage from Tabreez. The +Zabit was in his corn-field, under a little tent, inspecting +his labourers, who were cutting the straw fine, so as to be +fit to be eaten by cattle; this was done by drawing over +it a cylinder, armed with blades of a triangular form, +placed in different planes, so that their vertices should +coincide in the cylinder.</p> + +<p>The Zabit paid me no attention, but sent a man to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_495" id="Page_495">[495]</a></span> +show me a place to sleep in, who took me to one with +only three walls. I demanded another with four, and was +accordingly conducted to a weaver’s, where, notwithstanding +the mosquitoes and other vermin, I passed the night +comfortably enough. On my offering money, the <i>mehmandar</i> +interfered, and said that if it were known that I +had given money he should be ruined, and added: ‘They, +indeed, dare not take it;’ but this I did not find to be the +case.</p> + +<p><i>September 4.</i>—At sunrise mounted my horse, and proceeded +north-west, through a pass in the mountains, +towards Murun. By the way I sat down by the brook, +and there ate my bread and raisins, and drank of the +crystal stream; but either the coldness of this unusual +breakfast, or the riding after it, did not at all agree with +me. The heat oppressed me much, and the road seemed +intolerably tedious. At last we got out from among the +mountains, and saw the village of Murun, in a fine valley +on the right. It was about eleven o’clock when we reached +it. As the <i>mehmandar</i> could not immediately find a place +to put me in, we had a complete view of this village. They +stared at my European dress, but no disrespect was shown. +I was deposited at last with a Khan, who was seated +in a place with three walls. Not at all disposed to pass +the day in company, as well as exposed, I asked for +another room, on which I was shown to the stable, where +there was a little place partitioned off, but so as to admit +a view of the horses. The smell of the stable, though not +in general disagreeable to me, was so strong that I was +quite unwell, and strangely dispirited and melancholy. +Immediately after dinner I fell fast asleep and slept four +hours, after which I rose and ordered them to prepare for +the next journey. The horses being changed here, it was +some time before they were brought, but, by exerting +myself, we moved off by midnight. It was a most mild +and delightful night, and the pure air, after the smell of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_496" id="Page_496">[496]</a></span> +the stable, was quite reviving. For once, also, I travelled +all the way without being sleepy; and beguiled the hours +of the way by thinking of the 14th Psalm, especially the +connection of the last three verses with the preceding.</p> + +<p><i>September 5.</i>—In five hours we were just on the hills +which face the pass out of the valley of Murun (Marand), +and in four hours and a half more emerged from between +the two ridges of mountains into the valley of Gurjur. +Gurjur is eight parasangs from Murun, and our course to +it was nearly due north. This long march was far from +being a fatiguing one. The air, the road, and my spirits +were good. Here I was well accommodated, but had to +mourn over my impatient temper towards my servants; there +is nothing that disturbs my peace so much. How much +more noble and godlike to bear with calmness, and observe +with pity, rather than with anger, the failings and offences +of others! Oh, that I may, through grace, be enabled to +recollect myself in the time of temptation! Oh, that the +Spirit of God may check my folly, and at such times bring +the lowly Saviour to my view!</p> + +<p><i>September 6.</i>—Soon after twelve we started with fresh +horses, and came to the Aras, or Araxes, distant two +parasangs, and about as broad as the Isis, and a current +as strong as that of the Ganges. The ferry-boat being on +the north side, I lay down to sleep till it came; but observing +my servants do the same, I was obliged to get up +and exert myself. It dawned, however, before we got over. +The boat was a huge fabric in the form of a rhombus. The +ferryman had only a stick to push with; an oar, I dare +say, he had never seen or heard of, and many of my train +had probably never floated before;—so alien is a Persian +from everything that belongs to shipping. We landed +safely on the other side in about two minutes. We were +four hours in reaching Nakshan, and for half an hour more +I was led from street to street, till at last I was lodged in +a wash-house belonging to a great man, a corner of which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_497" id="Page_497">[497]</a></span> +was cleaned out for me. It was near noon and my baggage +was not arrived, so that I was obliged to go without my +breakfast, which was hard after a ride of four hours in the +sun. The baggage was delayed so long that I began to +fear; at last, however, it arrived. All the afternoon I +slept, and at sunset arose, and continued wakeful till midnight, +when I aroused my people, and with fresh horses +set out again. We travelled till sunrise. I scarcely +perceived that we had been moving, a Hebrew word in the +16th Psalm having led me gradually into speculations on +the eighth conjugation of the Arabic verb. I am glad my +philological curiosity is revived, as my mind will be less +liable to idleness.</p> + +<p><i>September 7.</i>—Arrived at Khok, a poor village, distant +five and a half parasangs from Nakshan, nearly west. I +should have mentioned that, on descending into the plain +of Nakshan, my attention was arrested by the appearance +of a hoary mountain opposite to us at the other end, rising +so high above the rest that they sank into insignificance. +It was truly sublime, and the interest it excited was not +lessened when, on inquiring its name, I was told it was +Agri, or Ararat. Thus I saw two remarkable objects in +one day, the Araxes and Ararat. At four in the afternoon +we set out for Shurour. The evening was pleasant; the +ground over which we passed was full of rich cultivation +and verdure, watered by many a stream, and containing +forty villages, most of them with the usual appendage of +gardens. To add to the scene, the great Ararat was on +our left. On the peak of that hill the whole Church was +once contained; it was now spread far and wide, even to +the ends of the earth, but the ancient vicinity of it knows +it no more. I fancied many a spot where Noah perhaps +offered his sacrifices; and the promise of God, that seed-time +and harvest should not cease, appeared to me to be +more exactly fulfilled in the agreeable plain in which it +was spoken than elsewhere, as I had not seen such fertility<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_498" id="Page_498">[498]</a></span> +in any part of the Shah’s dominions. Here the blessed +saint landed in a new world; so may I, safe in Christ, out-ride +the storm of life, and land at last on one of the everlasting +hills!</p> + +<p>Night coming on we lost our way, and got intercepted +by some deep ravines, into one of which the horse that +carried my trunks sunk so deep that the water got into +one of them, wetted the linen and spoiled some books. +Finding it in vain to attempt gaining our <i>munzil</i>, we went +to another village, where, after a long delay, two aged men +with silver beards opened their house to us. Though it +was near midnight I had a fire lighted to dry my books, +took some coffee and sunk into deep sleep; from which +awaking at the earliest dawn of</p> + +<p><i>September 8</i>, I roused the people, and had a delightful +ride of one parasang to Shurour, distant four parasangs +from Khok. Here I was accommodated by the great man +with a stable, or winter room, for they built it in such a +strange vicinity in order to have it warm in winter. At +present, while the weather is still hot, the smell is at times +overpowering. At eleven at night we moved off, with fresh +horses, for Duwala; but though we had guides in abundance, +we were not able to extricate ourselves from the +ravines with which this village is surrounded. Procuring +another man from a village we happened to wander into, +we at last made our way, through grass and mire, to the +pass, which led us to a country as dry as the one we had +left was wet. Ararat was now quite near; at the foot of it +is Duwala, six parasangs from Nakshan, where we arrived +at seven in the morning of</p> + +<p><i>September 9.</i>—As I had been thinking all night of a +Hebrew letter, I perceived little of the tediousness of the +way. I tried also some difficulties in the 16th Psalm +without being able to master them. All day on the 15th +and 16th Psalms, and gained some light into the difficulties. +The villagers not bringing the horses in time, we were not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_499" id="Page_499">[499]</a></span> +able to go on at night, but I was not much concerned, as +I thereby gained some rest.</p> + +<p><i>September 10.</i>—All day at the village writing down +notes on the 15th and 16th Psalms. Moved at midnight, +and arrived early in the morning at Erivan.</p> + +<p><i>September 11.</i>—I alighted at Hosein Khan, the governor’s +palace, as it may be called, for he seems to live in a style +equal to that of a prince. Indeed, commanding a fortress +on the frontier, within six hours of the Russians, he is entrusted +with a considerable force, and is nearly independent +of the Shah. After sleeping two hours I was summoned +to his presence. He at first took no notice of me, but +continued reading his Koran, it being the Mohurrum. +After a compliment or two he resumed his devotions. +The next ceremony was to exchange a rich shawl dress for +a still richer pelisse, on pretence of its being cold. The +next display was to call for his physician, who, after respectfully +feeling his pulse, stood on one side: this was to +show that he had a domestic physician. His servants +were most richly clad. My letter from the ambassador, +which till now had lain neglected on the ground, was +opened and read by a moonshi. He heard with great +interest what Sir Gore had written about the translation of +the Gospels. After this he was very kind and attentive, +and sent for Lieutenant M., of the Engineers, who was +stationed, with two sergeants, at the fort. He ordered for +me a <i>mehmandar</i>, a guard, and four horses with which a +Turk had just come from Kars.</p> + +<p><i>September 12.</i>—The horses not being ready, I rode +alone and found my way to Etchmiatzin (or Three +Churches<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a>), two and a half parasangs distant. Directing +my course to the largest church, I found it enclosed by +some other buildings and a wall. Within the entrance +I found a large court, with monks cowled and gowned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_500" id="Page_500">[500]</a></span> +moving about. On seeing my Armenian letters they +brought me to the Patriarch’s lodge, where I found two +bishops, one of whom was Nestus, at breakfast on pilaos, +kuwabs, wine, arrak, etc., and Serst (Serope) with them. +As he spoke English, French, and Italian, I had no difficulty +in communicating with my hosts.</p> + +<p>Serope, considering the danger to which the cathedral-seat +is exposed from its situation between Russia, Persia, +and Turkey, is for building a college at Tiflis. The errors +and superstitions of his people were the subject of Serope’s +conversation the whole morning, and seemed to be the +occasion of real grief to him. He intended, he said, after +a few more months’ trial of what he could do here, to +retire to India, and there write and print some works in +Armenian, tending to enlighten the people with regard to +religion, in order to introduce a reform. I said all I could +to encourage him in such a blessed work: promising him +every aid from the English, and proving to him, from the +example of Luther and the other European reformers, +that, however arduous the work might seem, God would +surely be with him to help him. I mentioned the awful +neglect of the Armenian clergy in never preaching; as +thereby the glad tidings of a Saviour were never proclaimed. +He made no reply to this, but that ‘it was to be lamented, +as the people were never called away from vice.’</p> + +<p><i>September 13.</i>—I asked Serope about the 16th Psalm +in the Armenian version; he translated it into correct +Latin. In the afternoon I waited on the Patriarch; it was +a visit of great ceremony. He was reclining on a sort of +throne, placed in the middle of the room. All stood except +the two senior bishops; a chair was set for me on the +other side, close to the Patriarch; at my right hand stood +Serope, to interpret. The Patriarch had a dignified +rather than a venerable appearance. His conversation +consisted in protestations of sincere attachment, in expressions +of his hopes of deliverance from the Mohammedan<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_501" id="Page_501">[501]</a></span> +yoke, and inquiries about my translations of the Scriptures; +and he begged me to consider myself as at home +in the monastery. Indeed, their attention and kindness +are unbounded: Nestus and Serope anticipate my every +wish. I told the Patriarch that I was so happy in being +here that, did duty permit, I could almost be willing +to become a monk with them. He smiled, and fearing, +perhaps, that I was in earnest, said that they had quite +enough. Their number is a hundred, I think. The church +was immensely rich till about ten years ago, when, by +quarrels between two contending patriarchs, one of whom +is still in the monastery in disgrace, most of their money +was expended in referring their disputes to the Mohammedans +as arbitrators. There is no difficulty, however, in +replenishing their coffers: their merchants in India are +entirely at their command.</p> + +<p><i>September 15.</i>—Spent the day in preparing, with Serope, +for the mode of travelling in Turkey. All my heavy and +expensive preparations at Tabreez prove to be incumbrances +which must be left behind: my trunks were exchanged +for bags; and my portable table and chair, several books, +large supplies of sugar, etc., were condemned to be left +behind. My humble equipments were considered as too +mean for an English gentleman; so Serope gave me an +English bridle and saddle. The roads in Turkey being +much more infested with robbers than those of Persia, a +sword was brought for me.</p> + +<p><i>September 16.</i>—Upon the whole I hardly know what +hopes to entertain from the projects of Serope. He is +bold, authoritative, and very able; still only thirty-one +years of age; but then he is not spiritual: perhaps this was +the state of Luther himself at first. It is an interesting +time in the world; all things proclaim the approach of the +kingdom of God, and Armenia is not forgotten. There is +a monastery of Armenian Catholics at Venice, which they +employ merely in printing the Psalter, book of prayers, etc.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_502" id="Page_502">[502]</a></span> +Serope intends addressing his first work to them, as they +are the most able divines of the Armenians, to argue them +back from the Roman Catholic communion, in which case +he thinks they would co-operate with him cordially; being +as much concerned as himself at the gross ignorance of +their countrymen. The Archbishop of Astrakhan has a +press, also an agent at Madras and one at Constantinople, +printing the Scriptures and books of prayers: there is none +at Etchmiatzin. At Constantinople are three or four +fellow-collegians of Serope, educated as well as he by the +Propaganda, who used to entertain the same sentiments as +he, and would, he thinks, declare them if he would begin.</p> + +<p><i>September 17.</i>—At six in the morning, accompanied by +Serope, one bishop, the secretary, and several servants of +the monastery, I left Etchmiatzin. My party now consisted +of two men from the governor of Erivan, a <i>mehmandar</i>, +and a guard; my servant Sergius, for whom the monks +interceded, as he had some business at Constantinople; +one trusty servant from the monastery, Melcom, who carried +my money; and two baggage-horses with their owners. +The monks soon returned, and we pursued our way over +the plain of Ararat. At twelve o’clock reached Quila Gazki, +about six parasangs from Etchmiatzin. The <i>mehmandar</i> +rode on, and got a good place for me.</p> + +<p><i>September 18.</i>—Rose with the dawn, in hopes of going +this stage before breakfast, but the horses were not ready. +I set off at eight, fearing no sun, though I found it at times +very oppressive when there was no wind. At the end of +three hours we left the plain of Ararat, the last of the +plains of modern Persia in this quarter. Meeting here +with the Araxes again, I undressed and plunged into the +stream.<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> While hastening forward with the trusty Melcom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_503" id="Page_503">[503]</a></span> +to rejoin my party, we were overtaken by a spearman with +a lance of formidable length. I did not think it likely that +one man would venture to attack two, both armed; but +the spot was a noted one for robbers, and very well calculated, +by its solitariness, for deeds of privacy; however, he +was friendly enough. He had, however, nearly done me a +mischief. On the bank of the river we sprang a covey of +partridges; instantly he laid his lance under him across +the horse’s back, and fired a horse-pistol at them. His +horse, starting at the report, came upon mine, with the +point of the spear directly towards me, so that I thought a +wound for myself or horse was inevitable; but the spear +passed under my horse. We were to have gone to Haji-Buhirem, +but finding the head-man of it at a village a few +furlongs nearer, we stopped there. We found him in a +shed outside the walls, reading his Koran, with his sword, +gun, and pistol by his side. He was a good-natured farmer-looking +man, and spoke in Persian. He chanted the Arabic +with great readiness, and asked me whether I knew what +that book was: ‘Nothing less than the great Koran!’</p> + +<p><i>September 19.</i>—Left the village at seven in the morning, +and as the stage was reputed to be very dangerous, owing +to the vicinity of the famous Kara Beg, my <i>mehmandar</i> +took three armed men from the village in addition to the +one we brought from Erivan. We continued going along +through the pass two or three parasangs, and crossed the +Araxes three times. We then ascended the mountains on +the north by a road, if not so steep, yet as long and difficult +as any of the <i>kotuls</i> of Bushire. On the top we found +a table-land, along which we moved many a tedious mile, +expecting every minute that we should have a view of a +fine champaign country below; but dale followed dale, +apparently in endless succession, and though at such a +height there was very little air to relieve the heat, and +nothing to be seen but barren rocks. One part, however, +must be excepted, where the prospect opened to the north,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_504" id="Page_504">[504]</a></span> +and we had a view of the Russian territory, so that we +saw at once, Persia, Russia, and Turkey. At length we +came to an Armenian village, situated in a hollow of these +mountains, on a declivity. The village presented a singular +appearance, being filled with conical piles of peat, for they +have no fire-wood. Around there was a great deal of +cultivation, chiefly corn. Most of the low land from +Tabreez to this place is planted with cotton, <i>Palma Christi</i>, +and rice. This is the first village in Turkey; not a Persian +cap was to be seen, the respectable people wore a red +Turkish cap. The great man of the village paid me a visit; +he was a young Mussulman, and took care of all my +Mussulman attendants; but he left me and my Armenians, +where he found us, at the house of an Armenian, without +offering his services. I was rather uncomfortably lodged, +my room being a thoroughfare for horses, cows, buffaloes, +and sheep. Almost all the village came to look at me. +The name of this village is Fiwik, it is distant six parasangs +from the last; but we were eight hours accomplishing it, +and a kafila would have been twelve. We arrived at three +o’clock; both horses and men much fatigued.</p> + +<p><i>September 20.</i>—From daybreak to sunrise I walked, +then breakfasted and set out. Our course lay north, over +a mountain, and here danger was apprehended. It was, +indeed, dismally solitary all around. The appearance of +an old castle on the top of a crag was the first occasion on +which our guard got their pieces ready, and one rode +forward to reconnoitre: but all there was as silent as the +grave. At last, after travelling five hours, we saw some +men: our guard again took their places in front. Our fears +were soon removed by seeing carts and oxen. Not so the +opposite party: for my baggage was so small as not to be +easily perceived. They halted therefore at the bottom, +towards which we were both descending, and those of them +who had guns advanced in front and hailed us. We +answered peaceably; but they, still distrusting us as we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_505" id="Page_505">[505]</a></span> +advanced nearer, cocked their pieces. Soon, however, we +came to a parley. They were Armenians, bringing wood +from Kars to their village in the mountain: they were +hardy, fine young men, and some old men who were with +them were particularly venerable. The dangerous spots +being passed through, my party began to sport with their +horses: galloping across the path, brandishing their spears +or sticks, they darted them just at that moment of wheeling +round their horses, as if that motion gave them an advantage. +It struck me that this, probably, was the mode of +fighting of the ancient Parthians which made them so +terrible in flight. Presently after these gambols the appearance +of some poor countrymen with their carts put +into their heads another kind of sport; for knowing, from +the ill-fame of the spot, that we should be easily taken for +robbers, four of them galloped forward, and by the time +we reached them one of the carters was opening a bag to +give them something. I was, of course, very much displeased, +and made signs to him not to do it. I then told +them all, as we quickly pursued our course, that such kind +of sport was not allowed in England; they said it was the +Persian custom. We arrived at length at Ghanikew, having +ridden six hours and a half without intermission. The +<i>mehmandar</i> was for changing his route continually, either +from real or pretended fear. One of the Kara Beg’s men +saw me at the village last night, and as he would probably +get intelligence of my pretended route, it was desirable to +elude him. But after all we went the shortest way, through +the midst of danger, if there was any, and a gracious +Providence kept all mischief at a distance. Ghanikew is +only two parasangs from Kars, but I stopped there, as I +saw it was more agreeable to the people; besides which I +wished to have a ride before breakfast. I was lodged in a +stable-room; but very much at my ease, as none of the +people of the village could come at me without passing +through the house.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_506" id="Page_506">[506]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>September 21.</i>—Rode into Kars. Its appearance is +quite European, not only at a distance but within. The +houses all of stone; streets with carts passing; some of +the houses open to the street; the fort on an uncommonly +high rock; such a burying-ground I never saw, there must +be thousands of gravestones. The <i>mehmandar</i> carried me +directly to the governor, who, having just finished his +breakfast, was of course asleep, and could not be disturbed; +but his head-man carried me to an Armenian’s house, with +orders to live at free quarter there. The room at the +Armenian’s was an excellent one, upstairs, facing the street, +fort, and river, with a bow containing five windows under +which were cushions. As soon as the Pacha was visible, +the chief Armenian of Kars, to whom I had a letter from +Bishop Nestus, his relation, waited upon him on my business. +On looking over my letters of recommendation from +Sir Gore Ouseley, I found there was none for Abdallah, the +Pacha of Kars; however, the letter to the Governor of +Erivan secured all I wanted. He sent to say I was +welcome; that if I liked to stay a few days he should be +happy, but that if I was determined to go on to-morrow, +the necessary horses and ten men for a guard were all +ready. As no wish was expressed of seeing me, I was of +course silent upon that subject.</p> + +<p><i>September 22.</i>—Promises were made that everything +should be ready at sunrise, but it was half-past nine before +we started, and no guard present but the Tartar. He +presently began to show his nature by flogging the baggage-horse +with his long whip, as one who was not disposed +to allow loitering; but one of the poor beasts presently fell +with his load at full length over a piece of timber lying +in the road. While this was setting to rights, the people +gathered about me, and seemed more engaged with my +Russian boots than with any other part of my dress. We +moved south-west, and after five hours and a half reached +Joula. The Tartar rode forward and got the coffee-room<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_507" id="Page_507">[507]</a></span> +at the post-house ready. The coffee-room has one side +railed and covered with cushions, and on the opposite side +cushions on the ground; the rest of the room was left with +bare stones and timbers. As the wind blew very cold +yesterday, and I had caught cold, the Tartar ordered a +great fire to be made. In this room I should have been +very much to my satisfaction, had not the Tartar taken +part of the same bench, and many other people made use +of it as a public room. They were continually consulting +my watch to know how near the hour of eating approached. +It was evident that the Tartar was the great man here; he +took the best place for himself; a dinner of four or five +dishes was laid before him. When I asked for eggs they +brought me rotten ones; for butter they brought me ghee. +The idle people of the village came all night and smoked +till morning. It was very cold, there being a hoar frost.</p> + +<p><i>September 23.</i>—Our way to-day lay through a forest +of firs, and the variety of prospect it afforded, of hill and +dale, wood and lawn, was beautiful and romantic. No +mark of human workmanship was anywhere visible for +miles, except where some trees had fallen by the stroke of +the woodman. We saw at last a few huts in the thickest +clumps, which was all we saw of the Koords, for fear +of whom I was attended by ten armed horsemen. We +frightened a company of villagers again to-day. They +were bringing wood and grass from the forest, and on +seeing us drew up. One of our party advanced and fired; +such a rash piece of sport I thought must have been +followed by serious mischief, but all passed off very well. +With the forest I was delighted; the clear streams in the +valleys, the lofty trees crowning the summit of the hills, +the smooth paths winding away and losing themselves in +the dark woods, and, above all, the solitude that reigned +throughout, composed a scene which tended to harmonise +and solemnise the mind. What displays of taste and +magnificence are found occasionally on this ruined earth!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_508" id="Page_508">[508]</a></span> +Nothing was wanting to-day but the absence of the Turks, +to avoid the sight and sound of whom I rode on. After a +ride of nine hours and a half, we reached Mijingui, in the +territory of Erzroom, and having resolved not to be +annoyed in the same way as last night, I left the Tartar in +the undisturbed possession of the post-house, and took up +my quarters at an Armenian’s, where, in the stable-room, +I expected to be left alone; but a Georgian young man, +on his way from Etchmiatzin, going on pilgrimage to +Moosk, where John the Baptist is supposed to be buried, +presumed on his assiduous attentions to me, and contrived +to get a place for himself in the same room.</p> + +<p><i>September 24.</i>—A long and sultry march over many a +hill and vale. In the way, two hours from the last stage, +is a hot spring; the water fills a pool, having four porches. +The porches instantly reminded me of Bethesda’s pool: +they were semicircular arches about six feet deep, intended +seemingly for shelter from the sun. In them all the party +undressed and bathed. The Tartar, to enjoy himself more +perfectly, had his <i>kalean</i> to smoke while up to his chin in +water. We saw nothing else on the road to-day but a large +and opulent family of Armenians—men, women, and +children—in carts and carriages returning from a pilgrimage +to Moosk. After eleven hours and a half, including the +hour spent at the warm spring, we were overtaken by the +dusk; so the Tartar brought us to Oghoomra, where I was +placed in an Armenian’s stable-room.</p> + +<p><i>September 25.</i>—Went round to Husar-Quile, where we +changed horses. I was surprised to find so strong a fort +and so large a town. From thence we were five hours and +a half reaching the entrance of Erzroom. All was busy and +moving in the streets and shops—crowds passing along. +Those who caught a sight of us were at a loss to define me. +My Persian attendants and the lower part of the dress +made me appear Persian; but the rest of my dress was +new, for those only who had travelled knew it to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_509" id="Page_509">[509]</a></span> +European. They were rather disposed, I thought, to be +uncivil, but the two persons who preceded us kept all in +order. I felt myself in a Turkish town; the red cap, and +stateliness, and rich dress, and variety of turbans was +realised as I had seen it in pictures. There are here four +thousand Armenian families and but one church; there +are scarcely any Catholics, and they have no church.</p> + +<p><i>September 29.</i>—Left Erzroom with a Tartar and his +son at two in the afternoon. We moved to a village, where +I was attacked with fever and ague; the Tartar’s son was +also taken ill and obliged to return.</p> + +<p><i>September 30.</i>—Travelled first to Ashgula, where we +changed horses, and from thence to Purnugaban, where we +halted for the night. I took nothing all day but tea, and +was rather better, but head-ache and loss of appetite +depressed my spirits; yet my soul rests in Him who is ‘an +anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast,’ which, though not +seen, keeps me fast.</p> + +<p><i>October 1.</i>—Marched over a mountainous tract; we +were out from seven in the morning till eight at night. +After sitting a little by the fire, I was near fainting from +sickness. My depression of spirits led me to the throne of +grace as a sinful abject worm. When I thought of myself +and my transgressions, I could find no text so cheering as +‘My ways are not as your ways.’ From the men who +accompanied Sir Gore Ouseley to Constantinople I learned +that the plague was raging at that place, and thousands +dying every day. One of the Persians had died of it. +They added that the inhabitants of Tokat were flying from +their town from the same cause. Thus I am passing +inevitably into imminent danger. O Lord, Thy will be +done! Living or dying, remember me!</p> + +<p><i>October 2.</i>—Some hours before day I sent to tell the +Tartar I was ready, but Hassan Aga was for once riveted +to his bed. However, at eight, having got strong horses, +he set off at a great rate; and over the level ground he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_510" id="Page_510">[510]</a></span> +made us gallop as fast as the horses would go to Chifflik, +where we arrived at sunset. I was lodged, at my request, +in the stables of the post-house, not liking the scrutinising +impudence of the fellows who frequent the coffee-room. +As soon as it began to grow a little cold the ague came on, +and then the fever; after which I had a sleep, which let +me know too plainly the disorder of my frame. In the +night Hassan sent to summon me away, but I was quite +unable to move. Finding me still in bed at the dawn, he +began to storm furiously at my detaining him so long, but +I quietly let him spend his ire, ate my breakfast composedly, +and set out at eight. He seemed determined to make up +for the delay, for we flew over hill and dale to Sherean, +where he changed horses. From thence we travelled all +the rest of the day and all night; it rained most of the +time. Soon after sunset the ague came on again, which, +in my wet state, was very trying; I hardly knew how to +keep my life in me. About that time there was a village +at hand, but Hassan had no mercy. At one in the morning +we found two men under a wain, with a good fire; they +could not keep the rain out, but their fire was acceptable. +I dried my lower extremities, allayed the fever by drinking +a good deal of water, and went on. We had little rain, but +the night was pitchy dark so that I could not see the road +under my horse’s feet. However, God being mercifully +pleased to alleviate my bodily suffering, I went on contentedly +to the <i>munzil</i>, where we arrived at break of day. +After sleeping three or four hours, I was visited by an Armenian +merchant for whom I had a letter. Hassan was in +great fear of being arrested here; the Governor of the city +had vowed to make an example of him for riding to death +a horse belonging to a man of this place. He begged that +I would shelter him in case of danger; his being claimed +by an Englishman, he said, would be a sufficient security. +I found, however, that I had no occasion to interfere. He +hurried me away from this place without delay, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_511" id="Page_511">[511]</a></span> +galloped furiously towards a village, which, he said, was +four hours distant, which was all I could undertake in my +present weak state; but village after village did he pass till, +night coming on, and no signs of another, I suspected that +he was carrying me on to the <i>munzil</i>; so I got off my +horse and sat upon the ground, and told him ‘I neither +could nor would go any farther.’ He stormed, but I was +immovable, till, a light appearing at a distance, I mounted +my horse and made towards it, leaving him to follow or +not, as he pleased. He brought in the party, but would +not exert himself to get a place for me. They brought +me to an open verandah, but Sergius told them I wanted +a place in which to be alone. This seemed very offensive +to them. ‘And why must he be alone?’ they asked, +ascribing this desire of mine to pride, I suppose. Tempted +at last by money, they brought me to a stable-room, and +Hassan and a number of others planted themselves there +with me. My fever here increased to a violent degree; the +heat in my eyes and forehead was so great that the fire +almost made me frantic. I entreated that it might be put +out, or that I might be carried out of doors. Neither was +attended to; my servant, who, from my sitting in that +strange way on the ground, believed me delirious, was deaf +to all I said. At last I pushed my head among the luggage, +and lodged it on the damp ground, and slept.</p></div> + +<p>From Sherean, or Sheheran, out of which, after a night +of burning fever in the stable of the Chifflik post-station, +Hassan furiously compelled the dying man to ride, is a +mountain track of a hundred and seventy miles to Tokat. +‘How wearisome and painful must have been his journey +over the mountains and valleys!’ wrote the American +missionaries, Eli Smith and H.O. Dwight, eighteen years +after, when, in the vigour of health and at a better season, +they made the same journey, called by his example and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_512" id="Page_512">[512]</a></span> +memory, to found the Mission to Eastern Anatolia. Think +of him, wasting away from consumption, racked with ague, +burning with fever, as, pressed by the merciless Turk, he +‘flew over hill and dale’ all the third day of October, from +eight in the morning, then changed horses at Sheheran, +then ‘travelled all the rest of the day and all night’ of the +3rd-4th, while the rain fell amid darkness that could +be felt; then, after three or four hours’ sleep, on break +of day again hurried on, lest his guide should be arrested +for a former offence of ‘riding to death a horse belonging +to a man of this place,’ all the fourth day, till almost +expiring he sat on the ground and found refuge in a +stable, refusing to go farther. ‘At last I pushed my head +among the luggage, and lodged it on the damp ground, and +slept.’ Since Chrysostom’s ride in the same region, the +Church of Christ has seen no torture of a saint like +that.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>October 5.</i>—Preserving mercy made me see the light of +another morning. The sleep had refreshed me, but I was +feeble and shaken; yet the merciless Hassan hurried me +off. The <i>munzil</i>, however, not being distant, I reached it +without much difficulty. I expected to have found it +another strong fort at the end of the pass, but it is a poor +little village within the jaws of the mountain. I was +pretty well lodged, and felt tolerably well till a little after +sunset, when the ague came on with a violence I had never +before experienced; I felt as if in a palsy, my teeth +chattering and my whole frame violently shaken. Aga +Hosein and another Persian, on their way here from +Constantinople, going to Abbas Mirza whom I had just +before been visiting, came hastily to render me assistance +if they could. These Persians appear quite brotherly +after the Turks. While they pitied me, Hassan sat in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_513" id="Page_513">[513]</a></span> +perfect indifference, ruminating on the further delay this +was likely to occasion. The cold fit, after continuing two +or three hours, was followed by a fever, which lasted the +whole night and prevented sleep.</p> + +<p><i>October 6.</i>—No horses being to be had, I had an +unexpected repose. I sat in the orchard and thought +with sweet comfort and peace of my God, in solitude +my Company, my Friend, and Comforter. Oh! when shall +time give place to eternity! When shall appear that new +heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness! +There, there shall in no wise enter in anything that +defileth: none of that wickedness which has made men +worse than wild beasts, none of those corruptions which +add still more to the miseries of mortality, shall be seen or +heard of any more.</p></div> + +<p>Sitting in the orchard, thinking with sweet comfort and +peace of his God, and longing for that new heaven and +new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness—such is the +last sight we have of Henry Martyn, on October 6, 1812. +Two brotherly Persians, on their way from Constantinople, +had sought to minister to him the day before. The Turkish +Hassan, himself afraid of justice, ‘sat in perfect indifference, +ruminating on the further delay’ caused by his illness. +What happened when the dying apostle could write no +more—in the ten days till God took him on October 16—who +shall now tell? Did the Turk hurry him, as he was +expiring, into Tokat, from ‘that poor little village within +the jaws of the mountain,’ in which he was ‘pretty well +lodged,’ or did his indomitable spirit give the poor body +strength to ride into the town; and did the plague, then +raging, complete what hereditary disease and fever had +done? He had at least his Armenian servants, the ‘trusty’ +Melcom and Sergius, with him to minister to his wants.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_514" id="Page_514">[514]</a></span> +He had written to Lydia of his journey to her by +Constantinople, Syria, and Malta, saying: ‘Do I dream, +that I venture to think and write of such an event as +that!... Soon we shall have occasion for pen and ink +no more, but I trust I shall shortly see thee face to face.’ +He dreamed indeed; for He who is the only Love which +is no dream, but the one transforming, abiding, absorbing +reality, called him, while yet a youth of thirty-one, home +to Himself.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_85_85" id="Footnote_85_85"></a><a href="#FNanchor_85_85"><span class="label">[85]</span></a> <i>The Historical Geography of Asia Minor</i>, vol. iv. of the Royal +Geographical Society’s <i>Supplementary Papers</i>, John Murray, 1890.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_86_86" id="Footnote_86_86"></a><a href="#FNanchor_86_86"><span class="label">[86]</span></a> In his valuable book <i>Transcaucasia and Ararat</i> (1877), Mr. James +Bryce, M.P., gives the meaning as ‘The Only-Begotten descended.’</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_87_87" id="Footnote_87_87"></a><a href="#FNanchor_87_87"><span class="label">[87]</span></a> A few years after, when Sir R. Ker Porter was on the same route, he +wrote: ‘This was the spot where our apostolic countryman, Henry Martyn, +faint with fever and fatigue, alighted to bathe on his way to Tokat.’ There, +too, Sir Robert was of opinion, Xenophon and the Ten Thousand Greeks +crossed the Araxes 2,300 years ago.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_515" id="Page_515">[515]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<p class="subheading">THE TWO RESTING-PLACES—TOKAT AND BREAGE</p> + + +<p>The Armenians were a comparatively strong community +in Tokat, where they formed a third of the population, for +whom there were seven churches and thirty priests. Henry +Martyn was known as a friend of this, the oldest church in +Asia. He had sought out their priests and families all +over Persia and the Araxes valley, and ministered to +many of this oppressed people. The two servants with +whom he had journeyed as far as Tokat were Armenians, +and he especially trusted Sergius, whom he had engaged +at Etchmiatzin, as one about to visit Constantinople, and +not unfamiliar with the route. The body of the wearied +traveller to the city of the Great King was laid to rest in +the extensive cemetery of the church of Karasoon Manoog. +Later research revealed the fact that the body was buried +in simple and reverent Oriental fashion—not in a coffin, +but in such a white winding-sheet as that which for forty +hours enwrapped the Crucified. The story afterwards went +that the chaplain-missionary of the East India Company +was carried to the tomb with all the honours of an +Armenian archbishop. That is most probable, for the +Armenian clergy of Calcutta, Bushire, and Shiraz always +gave him priestly honours during life. The other tradition—that +his burial was hardly decent—has arisen from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_516" id="Page_516">[516]</a></span> +the circumstances that attended the search for his grave +and the removal of his dust to the American Mission +Cemetery forty years afterwards.</p> + +<div style="visibility: hidden;"><a name="picture8" id="picture8"> </a></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;"> +<img src="images/page518.jpg" width="600" height="424" alt="Sir R.K. Porter; TOKAT IN 1812" /> +<span class="caption">Sir R.K. Porter<br />TOKAT IN 1812</span> +</div> + +<p>Far away, in the most distant corner of Asiatic +Turkey, or Turkish Arabia, at Baghdad, there was one<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> +Anglo-Indian scholar and Christian, who hastened to +discharge the pious duty of carving on a limestone slab +above the precious remains a Latin inscription. That was +the East India Company’s civil servant, James Claudius +Rich. Born near Dijon in 1787—six years after Martyn—and +taken in his infancy to Bristol, he there manifested +such extraordinary linguistic powers, even in boyhood, that +Joshua Marshman, before he went out to Serampore, +helped him with books and introduced him to Dr. Ryland. +Robert Hall formed such an opinion of his powers, which +the earliest Orientalist, Sir Charles Wilkins, tested, that +he received an appointment to the Bombay Civil Service, +and was introduced to Sir James Mackintosh. He went +to India overland through Turkish Asia, disguised as a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_519" id="Page_519">[519]</a></span> +Georgian Turk, so that the Mecca pilgrims at Damascus +did not discover him. He married Sir James’s eldest +daughter,<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> and had set out as the Company’s Resident at +Baghdad and Busrah, not long before Martyn arrived at +Bombay. The two men never met, for Martyn’s attempt +to enter Arabia from Persia through Baghdad was stopped. +But the young Orientalist watched Martyn’s career with +admiration, and seems to have followed his footsteps. In +1821 he himself was cut off by cholera, while ministering +to the plague-stricken in Shiraz, leaving a name imperishably +associated with that of Sir James Mackintosh, +and dear to all Oriental scholars and travellers, but henceforth +to be remembered above all as that of the man who +was the first to perpetuate the memory of Henry Martyn.<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a></p> + +<p>The sacred spot was immediately at the foot of slaty +rocks down which the winter snows and summer rains +washed enough of stony soil every year to cover up the +horizontal slab. The first to visit it with reverent steps +after the pious commission of Claudius James Rich had +been executed, was Sir Robert Ker Porter. Although +only a few years had elapsed, he seems to have failed to +see the inscription which fitly commemorated the ‘Sacerdos +ac Missionarius Anglorum,’ so that he thus beautifully +wrote: ‘His remains sleep in a grave as humble as his own +meekness; but while that high pyramidal hill, marked +with its mouldering ruins of heathen ages, points to the +sky, every European traveller must see in it their honoured +countryman’s monument.’</p> + +<p>In 1830, when the American Board’s missionaries, Eli<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_520" id="Page_520">[520]</a></span> +Smith and H.G.O. Dwight, visited Tokat, they had little +difficulty in finding the spot, from which they wrote: ‘An +appropriate Latin inscription is all that distinguishes his +tomb from the tombs of the Armenians who sleep by his +side.’<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> They urged their Board to make Tokat its centre of +operations for the people of Second Armenia, as Cæsarea +for those of the First and Third Armenia, and Tarsus for +those of Cilicia. As they, reversing his northward +journey, reached Tabreez sick, they were cared for, first by +Dr., afterwards Sir John McNeill, and then by Dr. Cormick, +the same physician who healed Martyn of a similar disease +when he was at this city. ‘He seemed to have retained the +highest opinion of him as a Christian, a companion, and a +scholar.’</p> + +<p>In 1841 Mr. George Fowler published his <i>Three Years +in Persia</i>, in which a chapter is filled with reminiscences of +Henry Martyn.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Of this distinguished missionary and champion of the +Cross, who fearlessly unfolded his banner and proclaimed +Christ amongst the bigoted Mahometans, I have heard +much in these countries, having made acquaintance with +some persons who knew him, and saw (if I may so say) +the last of him. At the General’s table at Erzroom +(Paskevitch), I had the honour to meet graffs and princes, +consisting of Russians, Georgians, Circassians, Germans, +Spaniards, and Persians, all glittering in their stars and +orders, such a <i>mélange</i> as is scarcely to be found again under +one banner; looking more like a monarch’s levy than anything +else. My neighbour was an Armenian bishop, who, +with his long flowing hair and beard, and austere habits, +the cross being suspended to his girdle, presented a great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_521" id="Page_521">[521]</a></span> +contrast to the military chiefs. There were many other +priests at the table, of whom he was the principal. He +addressed me in my native tongue very tolerably, asking +if I had known anything of the missionary, Martyn. The +name was magic to my ear, and immediately our colloquy +became to me of great interest.</p> + +<p>The bishop was the Serrafino of whom Martyn speaks +in his <i>Journal</i>, I happening at the time to have it with +me. He was very superior to the general caste of the +Armenian clergy, having been educated at Rome, and had +attained many European languages. He made Martyn’s +acquaintance at Etchmiatzin, the Armenian monastery at +Erivan, where he had gone to pay a visit to the Patriarch +or chief of that people, and remained three days to recruit +his exhausted strength. He described him to me as being +of a very delicate frame, thin, and not quite of the middle +stature, a beardless youth, with a countenance beaming +with so much benignity as to bespeak an errand of Divine +love. Of the affairs of the world he seemed to be so +ignorant, that Serrafino was obliged to manage for him +respecting his travelling arrangements, money matters, etc. +Of the latter he had a good deal with him when he left the +monastery, and seemed to be careless, and even profuse, in +his expenditure. He was strongly recommended to postpone +his journey, but from his extreme impatience to +return to England these remonstrances were unavailing. +A Tartar was employed to conduct him to Tokat. Serrafino +accompanied him for an hour or two on the way—with +considerable apprehensions, as he told me, of his ever +arriving in his native country.<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> He was greatly surprised, +he said, not only to find in him all the ornaments of a +refined education, but that he was so eminent a Christian;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_522" id="Page_522">[522]</a></span> +‘since (said he) all the English I have hitherto met with, +not only make no profession of religion, but live seemingly +in contempt of it.’</p> + +<p>I endeavoured to convince him that his impression of +the English character was in this respect erroneous; that +although a Martyn on the Asiatic soil might be deemed a +phœnix, yet many such existed in that country which gave +him birth; and I instanced to him the Christian philanthropy +of my countrymen, which induced them to search +the earth’s boundaries to extend their faith. I told him of +our immense voluntary taxation to aid the missionaries in +that object, and of the numerous Christian associations,—for +which the world was scarcely large enough to expend +themselves upon.</p> + +<p>He listened with great attention, and then threw in the +compliment, ‘You English are very difficult to become +acquainted with, but when once we know you we can +depend on you.’ He complained of some part of Martyn’s +<i>Journal</i> referring to himself, respecting his then idea of +retiring to India, to write and print some works in the +Armenian language, tending to enlighten that people with +regard to religion. He said that what followed of the +errors and superstitions of the Armenian Church should +not have been inserted in the book, nor did he think it +would be found in Martyn’s <i>Journal</i>. His complaint rested +much on the compilers of the work in this respect; he said, +‘these opinions were not exactly so expressed, and certainly +they were not intended to come before the public, whereby +they might ultimately be turned against me.’</p> + +<p>At Erzroom, on my way to Persia, I had met with an +Italian doctor, then in the Pasha’s employ, from whom I +heard many interesting particulars respecting Martyn. He +was at Tokat at the time of our countryman’s arrival and +death, which occurred on October 16, 1812; but whether +occasioned by the plague, or from excessive fatigue by +the brutal treatment of the Tartar, he could not determine. +His remains were decently interred in the Armenian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_523" id="Page_523">[523]</a></span> +burying-ground, and for a time the circumstance was +forgotten. Some years afterwards, a gentleman, at the +request of the British ambassador in Constantinople, had a +commemorative stone erected to his memory, and application +was made to the Armenian bishop to seek the grave +for that purpose. He seemed to have forgotten altogether +such an occurrence, but referring to some memoranda which +he had made of so remarkable a case as that of interring a +Feringhi stranger, he was enabled to trace the humble +tablet with which he had distinguished it. It is now +ornamented with a white slab, stating merely the name, +age, and time of death of the deceased.</p> + +<p>I had many reminiscences of Martyn, at Marand particularly. +I quitted this place at midnight, just at the time +and under the circumstances which he describes. ‘It was +a most mild and delightful night, and the pure air, after +the smell of the stable, was reviving.’ I was equally solitary +with himself. I had attached great interest to my +resting-place, believing it to have been the same on which +Martyn had reposed, from his own description, as it was +the usual reception for travellers, the <i>munzil</i>, or post-house. +Here I found myself almost alone, as with Aliverdy, my +guide, not three words of understanding existed between +us. Martyn says, ‘They stared at my European dress, +but no disrespect was shown.’ Exactly so with me: the +villagers stood around questioning my attendant, who was +showing me off, I know not why.</p> + +<p>Martyn’s description of the stable was precisely what I +found it; thus—‘I was shown into the stable, where there +was a little place partitioned off, but so as to admit a view +of the horses.’ He was ‘dispirited and melancholy.’ I +was not a little touched with this in my solitariness, and +sensibly felt with the poet:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">Thou dost not know how sad it is to stray<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Amid a foreign land, thyself unknown,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">And, when o’erwearied with the toilsome day,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">To rest at eve and feel thyself alone.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_524" id="Page_524">[524]</a></span></p><p>At Khoi, on my return, I witnessed the Persian +ceremony related by Martyn in his <i>Journal</i> of the death +of Imam Hussein—the anniversary of which is so religiously +observed in that country. At Tabreez I heard much of +him who was</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i18">Faithful found<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Among the faithless—faithful only he,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">Unshaken, unseduced, unterrifed,<br /></span> +<span class="i8">His loyalty he kept—his zeal—his love.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>I scarcely remember so bright an ornament to the +Christian profession, on heathen land, as this hero of the +Cross, who was ‘patient in tribulation, rejoicing in hope;’ +and I heard him thus spoken of by those who could +estimate the <i>man</i>, and perhaps not appreciate the <i>missionary</i>—‘If +ever there was a saint on earth, it was Martyn; and +if there be now an angel in heaven, it is Martyn.’ Amidst +the contumely of the bigoted Mussulmans, he had much +to bear, as to the natural man, amongst whom he was +called an ‘Isauvi’ (the term given to Christians).</p> + +<p>I know of no people where, to all human calculation, +so little prospect opens of planting the Cross. The moollas +are by no means averse to religious discussion, and still +remember the ‘enlightened infidel,’ as Martyn was called; +but so bigoted are these benighted Moslems, and show so +much zeal, as I noticed at their Ramazan, that they scorn +us, and, I may say, they shame us. It is interesting, when +looking at those dark regions, to inquire—when shall the +Cross triumph over the Crescent? when shall the riches +and power of the Gospel spread over their soil, root up +the weeds of error, and produce the fruits of righteousness?</p> + +<p>Since the days of Martyn but little effort has been +made by the Missionary Society to turn the tide of +Christian philanthropy towards this country; but I would +say, spite of the discouragements, Send your missionaries +to this stronghold of Mahomet; here plant your standard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_525" id="Page_525">[525]</a></span> +of redeeming love to the wretched devotee of the impostor; +to the sometime worshipper of the sun hang out the banner +of the Sun of Righteousness; kindle in his bosom the flame +of Divine truth, that the Holy Spirit, of which his former +god was the emblem, may enlighten and guide him into +the fold of Christ.</p> + +<p>It is gratifying to find from a paper in the <i>Asiatic +Register</i>, the writer of which spent a few weeks at Shiraz, +that the love and work of this distinguished missionary, +although he saw no fruits from them, have in one instance +proved that his labour has not been in vain in the Lord. +He relates that in that city he met with an interesting +character, Mahomed Rahim, who had been educated for a +moolla; a man of considerable learning, and much attached +to the English. He found him reading a volume of +<i>Cowper’s Poems</i>, and was astonished at the precision with +which he expressed himself in English; this led to the +subject of religion, when he acknowledged himself to be a +Christian, and related the following circumstance.</p> + +<p>In the year of the Hegira 1223 there came to this city +an Englishman, who taught the religion of Christ with a +boldness hitherto unparalleled in Persia, in the midst of much +scorn and ill-treatment from the moollas as well as the +rabble. He was a beardless youth, and evidently enfeebled +by disease; he dwelt among us for more than a year. I +was then a decided enemy to infidels, as the Christians +are termed by the followers of Mahomet, and I visited this +teacher of the despised sect, for the purpose of treating +him with scorn, and exposing his doctrines to contempt. +Although I persevered in this conduct for some time, I +found that every interview not only increased my respect +for the individual, but diminished my confidence in the +faith in which I was educated. His extreme forbearance +towards the violence of his opponents, the calm and yet +convincing manner in which he exposed the fallacies and +sophistries by which he was assailed (for he spoke Persian<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_526" id="Page_526">[526]</a></span> +excellently), gradually inclined me to listen to his arguments, +to inquire dispassionately into the subject of them, +and finally to read a tract which he had written in reply +to <i>A Defence of Islam</i>, by our chief moollas. The result of +my examination was a conviction that the young disputant +was right. Shame, or rather fear, withheld me from this +opinion; I even avoided the society of the Christian +teacher, though he remained in the city so long. Just +before he quitted Shiraz I could not refrain from paying +him a farewell visit. Our conversation, the memory of +which will never fade from the tablet of my mind, sealed +my conversion. He gave me a book; it has been my +constant companion; the study of it has formed my most +delightful occupation; its contents have often consoled +me. Upon this he put into my hand a copy of the New +Testament in Persian; on one of the blank leaves was +written, ‘There is joy in heaven over one sinner that +repenteth. <span class="smcap">Henry Martyn.</span>’</p></div> + +<p>The memory of Henry Martyn was borne by Mussulmans +to Northern Africa, and south to India again. The +late Rev. Mr. Oakley, of St. Paul’s, Onslow Square, London, +when travelling south of Algiers, met Mohammedans who +asked him if he were of the same tribe as Henry Martyn, +the man of God whose controversy at Shiraz and books +they knew. A Persian of gentle manners, who had a surprising +knowledge of the <i>Mesnevi</i>, that inexhaustible fountain +of Soofi philosophy, received a copy of Martyn’s Persian +New Testament. After fourteen years’ study of it, in +silence, he applied to the nearest Christian, an Armenian +bishop, for baptism unto Christ. Fearing the consequences, +the bishop sent on the catechumen to the Armenian priests +at Calcutta, who, equally afraid that the news would reach +the Persian authorities, handed him over to the Rev. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_527" id="Page_527">[527]</a></span>E.C. +Stuart, then the Church Missionary Society’s secretary +there, and a Persian scholar, now Bishop of Waiapu. Mr. +Stuart took him as his guest, found that he delighted in +instruction in the New Testament, and baptized him. Ultimately +the convert went back to Persia as one who ‘had +gained a sincere faith in Christ from the simple reading +of H. Martyn’s Persian Testament.’</p> + +<p>In 1842 the learned Bombay chaplain, George Percy +Badger, visited Tokat on a mission from the Archbishop +of Canterbury and the Bishop of London to the Nestorian +tribes of Koordistan. He was guided to Henry Martyn’s +first tomb by the Armenian priest who had performed the +rites of Christian burial. While Mrs. Badger sought out +and planted wild flowers around the stone, her husband, +recalling the fervent zeal and ardent piety of the departed, +‘lifted up a secret prayer that God in His mercy would +raise up many of a like spirit to labour among the benighted +Mohammedans of the East.’<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a></p> + +<p>Adopting the report of their missionaries in 1830, the +American Board at Boston sent out Dr. Henry J. van +Lennep, who first visited Tokat fourteen years after them, +and thirty-two years after Henry Martyn’s death. The first +object of his attention was the grave, which then he had +great difficulty in discovering and identifying. It was this +experience, and not any earlier facts, that must have led to +the publication of these lines:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">No stone marks the spot where these ashes are resting,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">No tear has e’er hallowed thy cold, lonely grave,<br /></span> +<span class="i4">But the wild warring winds whistle round thy bleak dwelling,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">And the fierce wintry torrent sweeps o’er it with its wave.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_528" id="Page_528">[528]</a></span></p> +<p>In his <i>Travels in Little Known Parts of Asia Minor</i>,<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a> +Dr. van Lennep writes:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The Armenian burying-ground, where he was laid, is +situated just outside of the town, and hard by the wretched +gipsy quarter which forms its eastern extremity. It is a +most barren and desolate spot, overhung by lofty cliffs of +clay slate. Its only verdure, besides the rank weeds that +spring up between the thickly set graves, consists of two +scraggy wild pear-trees nearly dead for lack of moisture. +The sexton of the church near by could give no information, +and I was left to search for it alone. Beginning at +the graves lying at the outer edge of the ground nearest +the road, I advanced towards the hill, examining each in +its turn, until just at the foot of the overhanging cliffs I +came upon a slab of coarse limestone, some forty inches by +twenty, bearing the following inscription:</p> + +<p style="text-align: center; font-size: 90%;"> +Rev . Vir .<br /> +Gug<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> . Martino .<br /> +Sacer . Ac . Miss . Anglo .<br /> +Quem . In . Patr . Redi .<br /> +Dominus<br /> +Hic . Berisae . Ad . Sb . Voc .<br /> +Pium . D . Fidel . Q . Ser .<br /> +A.D. MDCCCXII.<br /> +Hunc . Lap . Consac .<br /> +C. I. R.<br /> +A.D. MDCCCXIII.<br /> +</p> + + +<p>It was just ten years after this first visit that I was +again in Tokat, not on a transient visit, but with the +purpose of making that city my permanent abode. A +little party of us soon repaired to the hallowed spot. +Guided by my recollections and a drawing made at my +previous visit, we were soon at the place; but in the last<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_529" id="Page_529">[529]</a></span> +few years it had undergone a remarkable change. Instead +of the slab of stone with its inscription, which we expected +to see, we only found a smooth surface of pebbly and sandy +soil overgrown with weeds, without vestige of stone or +mound to indicate the presence of a grave; but the identical +surroundings were there, too well remembered to be +mistaken. Could it be that, as happens in these lawless +regions, the stone had been removed by some ruthless +hand and incorporated in the wall of a neighbouring +building? We could not accept that unpleasant conclusion, +and, calling the sexton, we directed him to dig where we +pointed. It was at a depth of two feet from the surface +that the stone came into view: the soil and rubbish accumulated +upon the grave were then removed, and we hoped +the place would hereafter need little attention. But, to our +surprise, we found it again, the ensuing spring, covered to +the same depth as before. The soil was washed upon it by +the rains from the whole mountain side, and we found that +were a wall built for its protection, the gipsy boys, who +made this their playground, would soon have it down.</p> + +<p>Some time after this, a correspondence took place with +friends in London, which resulted in a grant being made by +the late Hon. East India Company’s Board of Directors, +for the purpose of erecting a more suitable monument to +the memory of Henry Martyn, to be placed with his remains +in the Mission Burying-ground. The monument +was cut out of native marble, and made by native workmen +at Tokat. The remains were removed under the inspection +of the missionary physician, and though it was difficult +positively to identify them, there can be no doubt that what +was found once formed a portion of the earthly tenement +of the devoted and lamented missionary. There were no +remains of a coffin; Orientals never use them, and he was +doubtless laid in immediate contact with the soil, literally +‘dust to dust.’ The monument under which we laid these +remains was the first grave in our little cemetery, and well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_530" id="Page_530">[530]</a></span> +might it be said that it became sacred ground. The +obelisk has four faces, on each of which the name, encircled +with a wreath, is cut, severally in English, Armenian, +Persian, and Turkish. The four sides of the base contain +the following inscription in the same languages:</p> + +<p style="text-align: center; margin-top: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1.5em;" class="smcap"> +<span style="font-size: 110%;">REV. HENRY MARTYN, M.A.</span><br /><br /> + +Chaplain of the Hon. East India Company,<br /> +Born at Truro, England, February 18, 1781,<br /> +Died at Tokat, October 16, 1812.<br /><br /> + +He laboured for many years in the East, striving to<br /> +Benefit mankind both in this world and that to come.<br /> +He translated the Holy Scriptures into Hindostanee<br /> +and Persian,<br /> +And preached the God and Saviour of whom they testify.<br /> +He will long be remembered in the East, where he was<br /> +known as a Man of God.<br /> +</p> + +<p>The grave now lies in a spot every way adapted to +foster the holy memories which it recalls. It stands upon +a broad and high terrace, overlooking the whole city for +whose salvation we cannot doubt that he offered some of +the last petitions ‘of the righteous man, which avail much.’ +It is a solitude, immediately surrounded by the thick +foliage of fruit trees, among which tall walnuts are conspicuous. +We ourselves planted by its side the only weeping +willows which exist in the whole region. The place is +visited by many, who read the concise inscription and +further inquire into the good man’s history. It has always +been a favourite place of resort of our students and native +Christians, and they have many a time sat under its shade +and expounded to wondering strangers the very doctrines +to propagate which that model of a missionary had sacrificed +his life.</p></div> + +<div style="visibility: hidden;"><a name="picture9" id="picture9"> </a></div> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 318px;"> +<img src="images/page531.jpg" width="318" height="500" alt="TOMB OF HENRY MARTYN" /> +<span class="caption">TOMB OF HENRY MARTYN</span> +</div> + +<p>Tokat is now for ever memorable as the centre which +links the names of Basiliscus, the martyr, Basil the Great, +John Chrysostom, and Henry Martyn. The cloud-crested +fortress points almost straight up from the Jeshil-Irmak +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_533" id="Page_533">[533]</a></span>river, the ancient Iris, which, rising in the Anti-Taurus +range of Pontus, finds its way to the Black Sea with a +breadth and volume of water second only to the Halys. +Still, as of old, the town crowds about the foot of the two +spiral crags and straggles out with towered church, mosque +and minaret, into the valley. The ruins of the embattled +walls crowning every pinnacle of the insulated rocks of +which they seem to form a part, tell of the days when +Greek and Roman passed along the ‘royal road’ from +Amisos or Samsoon on the Euxine to Sebaste, Caesareia, +and Central Asia; and when the Saracens beat off the +Emperor Michael (860) from what was then called +Daximon.<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> The time is coming when there shall once +more be here a highway of civilisation after the barren +centuries of the Moslem.</p> + +<p>Tokat represents Komana Pontica, six miles off, the +oracle and emporium of the royal road, described by Strabo +as a little Corinth for vice and traffic. Another step, +and the Apostle Paul himself might have visited it from +Galatia. In 312, in the persecution under Maximin, Basiliscus, +the bishop of Komana, was martyred, being shod +with red-hot iron shoes, beheaded, and thrown into the +Iris. The <i>Acta</i> picture the saint as led on foot by soldiers +along the road without food for four days, till he reached +Komana; ‘and the road was much the same as the +modern way, Tokat to Amaseia,’ along which Henry +Martyn was violently hurried by his Tartar. In the +martyrium, built a few miles out of Komana, in memory +of Basiliscus, Chrysostom found rest in death, and a +grave.</p> + +<p>Basilius, the bishop of Caesareia, belonged to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_534" id="Page_534">[534]</a></span> +neighbouring province of Cappadocia, but his missionary +influence, and that of his bishop brother, Gregory Nyssen, +and his sister, Macrina, spread all over Pontus, while +Gregory Nazianzen was his fellow-student at Athens, and his +admiring friend, as Julian also, the future Emperor, was for +a time. Like Martyn, Basil owed to his sister his conversion, +his call to the ministry, and his self-sacrifice all through +life. It was on the banks of the Iris above Tokat that, +secluded for five years, the great Father laid the foundation +of the monastic communities of the Greek Church, +and learned to be the future defender of orthodoxy against +the Arians, and of the unity of the Oriental Church.</p> + +<p>But it is the exile and death of John Chrysostom, just +fourteen centuries before, that form the most touching +parallel to the sufferings of Henry Martyn. Never has +there been a greater missionary bishop than the ‘golden-mouthed’ +preacher of Antioch and Constantinople. The +victim first of a cabal of bishops, and then of the Empress +Eudoxia, whose vices and sacrilege he rebuked, he was +driven from Constantinople to the scorching plains of +Cappadocia in the midsummer heat. His guard drove on +the venerable man day and night, giving him no rest. +When a halt was made, it was always in some filthy village +where good water was not. Fever and ague were provoked, +but still he was forced on to Basil’s city of Caesareia, +to find Basil’s successor his bitter enemy. Taking a +physician with him he reached his destination at Kokussos, +where the Empress had hoped that the barbarians would +make an end of him. As it seemed likely to prove his +Tabreez, he was once more driven forth on foot, under two +guards selected for their brutality. It took him three +months to reach Komana—one long, slow martyrdom to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_535" id="Page_535">[535]</a></span> +the fever-stricken old man. ‘It was evident that Chrysostom’s +strength was entirely worn out,’ writes Canon +Venables, in words which exactly describe the experience +of the young Henry Martyn. ‘But his pitiless guard +hurried him through the town “as if its streets were no +more than a bridge,” without a moment’s halt.’ Five miles +farther on they halted at the chapel of the martyr +Basiliscus, of whom Chrysostom dreamed that he saw him +and heard him say: ‘Be of good cheer; on the morrow +we shall be together.’ Canon Venables continues, unconsciously, +the parallel with the experience of the nineteenth-century +saint of the Evangel:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>In the morning Chrysostom earnestly begged for a +brief respite, but in vain. He was hurried off, but scarcely +had he gone three or four miles when a violent attack of +fever compelled them to retrace their steps.</p></div> + +<p>On reaching the martyrium, Chrysostom, led within, +stripped on his soiled garments, clothed himself in white +baptismal vestments, joined in the communion of the +body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, offered his last +prayer ‘for present needs,’ uttered his accustomed doxology: +‘Glory be to God for all things,’ and, having said ‘Amen,’ +breathed his last on September 14, 407, in his sixtieth +year. His body was laid beside that of Basiliscus. A +generation after, the children of the Empress and Emperor +who had thus slaughtered the saint brought back his body +and gave it imperial sepulture in Constantinople, while +they publicly asked Heaven to forgive the wrong of the +past.</p> + +<p>From Basiliscus, Basil, and Chrysostom to Henry +Martyn, the fourteen centuries tell of the corruption of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_536" id="Page_536">[536]</a></span> +Church of Christ in the East, and the rise upon its ruins +of Mohammedanism, which covered the northern half of +Africa, and Spain, and reached as far as Tours and Vienna +in Europe. It is to the glory of Henry Martyn that he +was the first missionary of the Reformed Church of the +West to the Mohammedans, giving those of India and +Central Asia the Gospel and the Psalms in two of their +own vernaculars, and dying for them before he could complete +his work at the Arabic Bible.</p> + +<p>We shall see whom his example inspired to follow him. +His death became a summons, first to his own evangelical +circle in England and India, and then to the whole Church +of Christ, to follow in the path that he marked out alike +by his toiling and his writing.</p> + +<p>Sergius, the Armenian, must at once have pursued the +journey from Tokat to Constantinople, which is distant +from Tabreez 1,542 miles, and not 1,300 as roundly estimated +by Henry Martyn. He presented the letters of his +master to Mr. Isaac Morier, in the Sultan’s capital, father +of Sir Gore Ouseley’s secretary and successor. On +February 12, 1813, Charles Simeon wrote thus to Mr. +Thomason in Calcutta:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The day before yesterday a letter arrived from +Mr. Isaac Morier, of Constantinople, announcing that on +October 16 (or thereabouts) our beloved brother entered +into the realms of glory, and rested for ever in the bosom +of his God.... But what an event it is! How calamitous +to his friends, to India, and to the world! Methinks I +hear God say: ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ ... +I had been forming plans in my mind with a view to the +restoration of his health in England, and should now have +been able to carry into execution whatever might have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_537" id="Page_537">[537]</a></span> +been judged expedient; but I am denied the joy of +ministering to him!</p></div> + +<p>Again on April 2:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>We are making collections for Mr. Martyn’s brother’s +family, who in him have lost their main support. We have +got about 400<i>l.</i>, and Mr. Thornton has sent you a paper +for the purpose of getting them some aid in India.</p></div> + +<p>The news reached Lydia Grenfell on February 14, 1813. +She was then for a fortnight at Marazion, where every spot +recalled the past. She thus communed with herself and +God in her <i>Diary</i>:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="date"> +Marazion: February 20, 1813.<br /> +</p> + +<p>I am fearful to retrace the last week on two accounts, +lest the infirmity of nature prevail, and I give way to +sorrow,—and lest, in recollecting the wondrous kindness +and love of God my Saviour, I increase my pride and not +my gratitude. Oh, shall I then remain silent? Shall Thy +mercies be forgotten? Teach me, O Lord, to write and +speak for Thy glory, and to my own deeper humiliation. +Heard on the 14th of the removal of my most tender, +faithful, and beloved friend to the joys of heaven. Oh, I +could not wish his absence from them prolonged. What I +only wished was, and now I am reconciled to that too,—I +wished to have been honoured of God so far as to have +been near him, or that some friend had been.<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a> Lord, if +this was wrong, forgive me. I will endeavour, yea, I am +enabled to say of this too, ‘Thy will be done.’ Great has +been the peace and tranquillity of my soul, such nearness +to God, such a hold of Christ, such hope in the promises, +such assurance of bliss and immortality, as I cannot +express, and may have to forget. Oh, that I may never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_538" id="Page_538">[538]</a></span> +lose,—rather would I lose everything I most prize, every +earthly friend, every earthly enjoyment, than this. Oh, +the fear of doing so, or of the abatement of spiritual perceptions +and affections, is the thing I most dread, and +makes me long to die. It is not for the sake of rejoining +that blessed spirit of my friend, though I have, and do, +feel that too,—but to be again shut out from Thy possession +is what I fear.</p> + +<p><i>February 28.</i>—A silent Sabbath, at least to me,—to my +ears, I should say, for I trust God speaks to my heart. +‘Comfort ye, comfort ye, My people,’ enables me to take +comfort. I feel a submission to the will of God which is +more blessed than when I had my own in the ministry of +the Word,—yet this is a time which calls for prayer. Lord, +pour out the spirit of prayer on me and many, and grant +us grace to ask, fervently yet resignedly, the restoration of +Thy preached gospel. Suddenly are we deprived of it,—may +it be as quickly restored. Very weak in health, so +powerless this morning,—I could not but think my earthly +bed was preparing for me too, and that my soul would +soon return to God, but I am better, and willing to stay my +appointed time. True, to perform my work in a little +time might be what I should rejoice in, but I am willing +to live, so I may have the presence of God with me, and +be engaged in His service. I have a pleasure in supposing +it possible the blessed spirit of my friend may be, on some +occasions, sent to protect, to console, and counsel me,—but +this is a weakness, and perhaps should not be indulged. +I felt this afternoon as if he was present, as I sat alone in +the garden,—the thought only disposed me to solemnity +and pensiveness of mind. I am afraid of my dependence +on the creature, whether embodied or not, and I will rather +trust to the sure support of God’s Word.</p> + +<p><i>March 2.</i>—Some sorrowful thoughts will enter my +mind respecting my late dear friend, and call forth some +sighs and tears from my heart,—yet is that heart resigned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_539" id="Page_539">[539]</a></span> +to the will of God, and confident of His having done all +things well for His beloved servant. Oh, how shall I, with +wonder and praise, listen in eternity to the relation of his +last days! The excess of affection now, and the unwillingness +I feel that he should have suffered, make it amongst +my mercies that a veil is drawn over that period of his +life. It is mercy all, and God is good to me in everything. +I see His hand, I love and I adore. I submit and resign +myself to His blessed disposal and to all His dispensations. +I have been thinking how necessary for me it was that we +are thus separated; for during his life I felt such a desire +to please and to be worthy of the regard he entertained +for me, that it was my bane, and caused me to forget God +as the first object I was to think of and please. I accept +the punishment sent for this offence, may it prove an +effectual cure of this evil in my heart!</p> + +<p><i>March 8.</i>—During the last few days I have experienced +much of the Divine support and consolation of the Gospel. +It has been a time of conflict, not inward, blessed be the +name of the Lord. I have enjoyed a constant, uninterrupted +peace, a peace past an understanding, unless experienced. +I never was more sensible of, or rejoiced more in the +presence of God, and my heart rises to my Maker with +delight and joy, as easily as I breathe. God, ‘as soon as +sought, is found,’ through Jesus Christ,—but I have been +put into the hands of a bitter enemy, and that enemy.... +She has left me, and I pray that every uneasy feeling +excited in my breast by her unkind and injurious treatment +may depart with her. Oh, how I rejoice that no storms +can molest the dead who die in the Lord,—they rest from +their labours of every kind. Since the account reached +me of the departure of my dear friend to be with Christ, +which is far better than to be here,—every evil I suffer, or +fear, is blessed in its purpose, from knowing he can never +feel the same; and all I enjoy or behold that is delightful, +is the more enjoyed from thinking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_540" id="Page_540">[540]</a></span> ‘he has all this, and +more, in perfection, and without interruption.’ May I +accomplish my work of suffering, or ending, or labouring, +and then enter into rest.</p> + +<p><i>March 13.</i>—Nature has its turn in my feelings. To-day +I have been given to feel more of sorrow for the +removal of my beloved friend, and, without desiring it to +be otherwise, to mourn my own loss. The recollection of +his unmerited kindness softens my heart, and I can hardly +forbear indulging a tenderness which may weaken but +cannot strengthen my mind. O Lord, I beseech Thee +preserve me from whatever may injure my soul and unfit +me for Thy service. I have the hope of heaven too, and +that is enough. In heaven we shall meet and unite for +ever in the work of praise. Life, with its trials and cares, +will be but short. May I only desire to live to Thee, my +God, and finish the work Thou hast given me to do. +Lord, make me faithful, self-denying, and submissive to +Thy will.</p> + +<p><i>April 3.</i>—My thoughts revert to the possible circumstances +of my late dear friend’s sufferings and death, and +I am sunk low by doing so. It was the last step he had +to travel below, and one necessary to be taken, in order to +reach the heights of glory. There let me view him +triumphing with his Saviour, and through His meritorious +sufferings and death made more than conqueror over all +his enemies. I must think more of his glorious Lord, and +less of the servant, either as suffering and labouring or +glorified and resting. Lord, be graciously present, and in +the contemplation of Thy perfections, and the review of +Thy mercies, let me forget everything beside.</p> + +<p><i>April 21.</i>—A letter from Tabreez, dated August 28, +reached me. O Thou who readest my heart, direct and +sanctify every feeling. May the anguish of my soul be +moderated, and let me endeavour to exercise faith in Thy +Divine goodness, mercy, and power, and to believe it was +well with him in all respects.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_541" id="Page_541">[541]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>April 24.</i>—I am tormented with fears that even in +eternity I shall never be capable of enjoying the same +happiness my departed friend does, and it seems as if no +other would satisfy me. O Lord Jesus, weary and heavy +laden I come to Thee; let me behold the light of Thy +countenance, and praise Thee, and lose in the contemplation +of Thy glories, and in the sense of Thy love to my soul,—let +me lose the remembrance of every other excellence. +When the sun shines the light of the stars is eclipsed; +thus may it be with me!—Unless the genius which shone +in his character make me admire and love God more, let +me turn from viewing them. Oh, teach me to love Thy +saints, whether living or dead, and for Thy sake and Thyself +above them all. I have never felt I was not resigned +to the will of God in our separation on earth, but my +anxious mind dwells on another, which I cannot bear to +think possible.</p> + +<p><i>June 3.</i>—For several days my mind has been occupied +with recollections that weaken its hold of spiritual things. +I think more of a departed saint than of the King of +Saints. It is strange that now I should be more in danger +of loving too well a creature passed into the skies than +when he lived on earth. But so it is,—continually my +thoughts revert to him. I pray God this may not be a +snare unto me to divide me from Himself. Let me behold +Jesus.</p> + +<p><i>June 13.</i>—Passed a very blessed Sabbath. My soul +quickened,—Oh, let it live, and it shall praise Thee! A +letter from my dearest Emma containing wholesome, +though at first unwelcome, counsel, has been of singular +use to me. The snare is seen, if not broken. Yes, I have +lost my hold of everything that used, and ought, to support +me by allowing, without restraint, the remembrance of my +late dear friend to fill my mind. My almost constant +thoughts were of him, and pride at the preference he +showed me was fed, as well as affection. Now I have a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_542" id="Page_542">[542]</a></span> +painful, difficult part to act. A sacrifice I must offer of +what has become so much my happiness as to interfere +with my enjoyment of God. I must fly from the recollection +of an earthly object, loved too well, viewed too much. +Let me follow his faith, and consider the end of his conversation,—Jesus +Christ, the same for ever. I have had +the greatest peace to-day in only trying to resolve on this,—how +merciful is God!</p> + +<p><i>1814, January 28.</i>—Found great sweetness yesterday +and to-day in reading and sweet prayer in the garden; +was sensibly refreshed in the exercise, and had a taste that +the Lord was gracious. This evening my heart is sad, not +from the withdrawing of those consolations, or darkness of +soul, as is often the case, but from having the circumstances +of my revered friend’s death brought to my recollection. +I strive not to dwell on them, for oh, what a scope do they +give to my busy fancy! I would fly from this subject as +too high for me, and take refuge in this: the Lord did not +forsake His servant, and precious was his death in His +sight. Nature is weak, but faith can strengthen me.</p> + +<p><i>February 12.</i>—A twelvemonth, this day, since I heard of +the death of my dear friend. My thoughts revert to this event, +but more to the mercies of God to me at that season.</p> + +<p><i>October 16.</i>—My thoughts engaged often to-day by the +event of this day in 1812. Twice has the earth performed +its annual round since the honoured servant of God received +the welcome mandate to cease from his labours, and join +those who ‘see His face’ and ‘serve Him,’ unencumbered +with flesh and blood. He no longer measures time by days +and years, and there is no tedious six days between +Sabbath and Sabbath, as it is here. ‘How blessed are +those who die in the Lord.’ This expresses my feelings +most at the remembrance of this departed saint. May I +abide in Christ, and be with Him and His saints for ever. +O blessed hope of everlasting life,—I will cherish it, exult +in it, and may I pursue till I attain it.</p></div><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_543" id="Page_543">[543]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was April 18, 1813, when Corrie and Thomason in +India learned what they had always feared since the dearest +of all friends to them had passed through Calcutta on his +way to Arabia. Corrie was at Agra, and he wrote to his +brother-in-law, Mr. C. Shaw, in reply to a letter ‘containing +the affecting intelligence of Martyn’s death, to us afflictive, +to him happy beyond expression. I could find nothing +but lamentations to express—lamentations for us, not for +him. He was meet for “the inheritance of the saints in light.” +My master is taken from me; oh, for a double portion of +his spirit! The work of printing and distributing the +Scriptures will henceforth go on more slowly.’ Again, to +Simeon: ‘Could he look from heaven and see the Abdool +Massee’h, with the translated New Testament in his hand, +preaching to the listening throng, ... it would add fresh +delight to his holy soul.’ Thomason, at once his disciple +and his friend, wrote: ‘He was in our hearts; we honoured +him; we loved him; we thanked God for him; we prayed +for his longer continuance amongst us; we rejoiced in the +good he was doing. We are sadly bereaved. Where such +fervent piety, and extensive knowledge, and vigorous understanding, +and classical taste, and unwearied application +were all united, what might not have been expected?’ +When, soon after, Thomason, as chaplain, accompanied the +Governor-General, Lord Moira, through North India, and +arrived at Cawnpore, he had eyes and thoughts only for +his friend.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_544" id="Page_544">[544]</a></span> ‘In these sandy plains I have been tracing +again and again the days of Martyn. Close by me is the +house that dear minister occupied, leading to which is the +gloomy line of aloes spoken of by Mrs. Sherwood.... Oh, +for Martyn’s humility and love!... His standard of every +duty was the highest, and his feelings of joy, sorrow, love, +most intense; whilst his conversation was always in heaven, +the savour of his holy disposition was as ointment poured +forth.... Woe unto us if we do not pray more, live more +above the world and deny ourselves more, and love Christ +more!’</p> + +<p>John Sargent, Rector of Lavington, the earliest of Henry +Martyn’s intimate friends, at once undertook to write a +memoir of his life, for which Simeon charged himself with +collecting ‘all possible materials from India and Persia.’ +Bishop Corrie accordingly addressed Sargent thus:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="date"> +Agra: November 1, 1813.<br /> +</p> + +<p>It will be of use for you to know that when he left +Cawnpore in 1810 to seek change of air I was with him, +and persuaded him to leave in my hands a number of +memorandums he was about to destroy. They were sealed +up, but on his death, being opened, they proved to be +journals of the exercises of his mind from January 1803 to +1807 inclusive. They seem to me no less worthy of +publication than the journal of Mr. Brainerd, if more books +of that kind should be judged necessary. Since the +beginning of 1807 Mr. Martyn favoured me with almost +a weekly letter, in which his various employments and +engagements for the furtherance of the Gospel in this +country are detailed, with occasional very interesting +remarks. This correspondence ceased on my being +ordered by our Commander-in-chief to assist Mr. Martyn +in the duties of the station of Cawnpore, when I took up +my abode with him from June till his departure, October 1. +Other letters passed between us after that time, and it is +my intention to send you copies of all the above correspondence, +together with his private memorandums. The +latter, with copies of Martyn’s letters from February to +July 1807, were sent off this day to Mr. Thomason in +Calcutta, to be forwarded to England by the first oppor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_545" id="Page_545">[545]</a></span>tunity, +and the copies of the remaining letters shall follow +as soon as may be. Of course I have omitted to copy +what seems purely personal: yet much remains which you +will perhaps judge unnecessary for publication, and will +exercise your own judgment on that head. All the +extracts seem to me, however, to cast light on the progress +of missionary work in this land, and may perhaps be +thought interesting to those who take a concern in Indian +affairs. These extracts give so full a view of Mr. Martyn’s +character that nothing remains for me to add. Only I may +say a more perfect character I never met with, nor expect +to see again on earth. During the four years we were +fellow-labourers in this country, I had no less than six +opportunities of enjoying his company; the last time for +four months together, and under the same roof all the time; +and each opportunity only increased my love and veneration +for him.</p> + +<p>I conclude the above intelligence will plead my excuse +for writing to you without previous introduction, and I was +anxious it should reach you through the nearest channel. +Your brother in Calcutta has told me several times of your +welfare, and during beloved Martyn’s life I used to hear of +you sometimes. Your person, whilst a student at King’s +College, was well known to me, and your character admired, +though I had not steadiness of principle sufficient at that +time to imitate you, and consequently had no pretensions to +an acquaintance with you, though I often greatly desired it. +To that ‘Father in Israel,’ Mr. Simeon, I owe all my +comfort on earth and all my hopes respecting eternity: for +through his instrumentality the seeds of grace, I trust, were, +during my residence at Cambridge, especially during the +latter part of my residence, implanted in my heart, and have +influenced, though alas! unsteadily, my after days.</p></div> + +<p>Lydia Grenfell was of course consulted as the work made +progress, but none of her letters to Martyn have seen the light.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_546" id="Page_546">[546]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><i>1815, December 26.</i>—Wrote this day to Mr. Simeon. I +have reason to search into my heart and watch the risings +of pride there, both respecting the notice of this blessed +saint, and the avowal to be expected of my being the +object of so much regard from another still more eminent +in the Church of Christ. I have ever stood amazed at +this, and now that in the providence of God it seems +certain that my being so favoured is likely to be made +known, vanity besets me. Oh, how poor a creature am I! +Lord, I pray, let me be enabled to trace some evidence of +Thine eternal love to me, and let this greater wonder call +off my thoughts from every other distinction. But how +do I learn that in the whole of this notice my thoughts +have not indeed been Thine, O Lord, nor my ways Thy +ways? How much above all I could have conceived of +have been the designs of God! I sought concealment, and +lo! all is made known to many, and much will be even +known to the world. It is strange for me to credit this, +and strange that, with my natural reserve and the peculiar +reasons that exist for my wishing to have this buried in +silence, I am nevertheless composed about it. But, Lord, +I would resign myself, and all things that concern me, to +Thy sovereign will and pleasure. Preserve me blameless +to Thine eternal kingdom, and grant me an everlasting +union with thy servant above.</p> + +<p><i>1816, January 28.</i>—I feel an increased thankfulness +that God has called me to live free from the many cares +which fall on all in the married state, and for the peculiarly +favourable circumstances He has placed me in here. The +privilege of watching over my mother in the decline of life, +the charge of a sweet child, the occupation of the schools, +and a portion of this world’s goods for the use of the poor,—all, +all call for more thankfulness and diligence. Lord, +help me to abound in both, and with and above all I have +peace and hope in God through Jesus Christ, in a measure—though +unbelief often robs my soul of both. Oh, let me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_547" id="Page_547">[547]</a></span> +seek the grace of steadfast faith, and I have all I want or +desire.</p> + +<p><i>April 21.</i>—Thought with delight of my loved friends, +Mrs. Hoare and H.M., both before the Throne, led by the +Lamb to living fountains of waters, and all tears wiped +away from their eyes. Oh, I long to be there; yet I could +willingly forego the joys of heaven if I might, by suffering +or labours here, glorify my Lord and Saviour.</p> + +<p><i>June 30.</i>—Often have I thought, when desirous of pursuing +a more consistent deportment, and of introducing +spiritual subjects: ‘How can I appear so different before +those I have been so trifling and merely worldly in all my +intercourse with?’ The death of my esteemed and beloved +brother in Christ, H.M., I thought would have been the +period for my maintaining that serious watchfulness so +essential to my enjoyment of God; but no, I have been +worse since, I think, as a judgment for failing in my keeping +my resolution.</p></div> + +<p>In 1817 Lydia Grenfell’s <i>Diary</i> records the visits of such +men as Mr. Fenn, ‘who came to preach in the great cause +of the Church Missionary Society,’ and of Mr. Bickersteth, +who at Penzance ‘stated what he had met with in Africa.’ +The author of many immortal hymns, Francis Thomas +Lyte, ‘opened his ministry’ of two years in Marazion at +this time, to her joy and spiritual growth. She notes on +August 31, 1817, that his hymn ‘Penitence’ was sung for +the first time.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="date"> +Marazion: March 6, 1819.<br /> +</p> + +<p>Received, a few days since, Mr. Sargent’s Memoir, +and reading only a few pages has convinced me that, +without a greater resemblance in the spirit to our friend, +I never can partake of that blessedness now enjoyed by the +happy subject of it in the presence of his Saviour. It is +chiefly in humility, meekness, and love I see the sad, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_548" id="Page_548">[548]</a></span> +total difference. This may be traced to a departure from +the fountain of grace, Christ Jesus, to whom, oh, may I +return, and I shall be replenished.</p> + +<p><i>October 14.</i>—Indulged a wandering imagination, and am +sad in consequence. This season I ought to deem a sacred +one. Oh, that, in my remembrance of Thy blessed ... +and servant, I could entirely forget what feeds my vanity. +Lord, help me to check all earthly sorrow at the recollection +of his many sorrows, for were they not the appointed +means of fitting him for his present felicity, and of manifesting +Thy grace, by which Thou art glorified? I would +make this season one of serious preparation for my own +departure, and what does that preparation consist in?—faith +in Jesus. Oh, strengthen it in me, and by following +Thy blessed saint in all virtuous and godly living I may +come to those eternal joys prepared for those that love +Thee.</p> + +<p><i>1820, June 25.</i>—Oh, what a heaven for a creature, who has +no strength, or wisdom, or righteousness, like myself, to be +fixed in, beholding the glories of Jehovah manifested in Him +who is my Saviour and my Lord. Gladly would I part from +this dull clod of earth and come to Thee, and reach the +pure pleasures of a spiritual state. There, there dwells the +blessed Martyn, who bows before the throne, of a glorious +company of saints, washed with him, and clothed in spotless +robes. Oh, (that) I may be brought to them.</p> + +<p><i>December 5.</i>—Thought of the holy martyr, so humble, +so self-denying, so devoted, and of his early-accomplished +prayer for the heavenly country, where he dwells perfect in +purity and love. Oh, to be a follower of him as he followed +Christ, and to walk in the same paths, influenced by the +same holy, humble, heavenly principles, upheld by the +same arm of omnipotent grace, till I too reach the rest +above.</p> + +<p><i>1821, January 23.</i>—Elevated rather than refreshed and +humbled in worship to-day. Imagination has been too<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_549" id="Page_549">[549]</a></span> +active and unrestrained. The remembrance of past events, +in which that blessed saint now with God, H.M. (? figured), +has been filling my mind. This should not be. This is +not communion with him, now a glorified spirit, but merely +the indulgence of a vain, sinful imagination. I would turn +from all, from the most holy creatures, to the Holy One, +and the just; spiritual, and moral, yea, Divine glory and +beauty I may behold in Him, who is the chief among ten +thousand, and altogether lovely.</p> + +<p><i>October 18.</i>—I have now survived my beloved friend +eight years. Eight years have been given me to be prepared +for that world of blessedness he has so long entered +upon. Alas! I seem less so now than at any period.</p> + +<p><i>1822, October 16.</i>—The remembrance of the event of +the day has been rendered useless by my absence from +home a great part of it. It should be the occasion for +renewed self-dedication, of more earnest prayer, and of +humiliation; for the recollection of being the cause of +increased sufferings to Thy saint, O Lord, is cause for constant +humiliation. I would realise death, and look to +eternity, and to that glorious Saviour, for whom the blessed +subject of my thoughts lived only to serve and honour. Oh, +never more shall I have intercourse with the beloved friend +now with Christ, but by faith in Christ. Lord, help me to +use the recollection of our earthly regard to promote this +end.</p> + +<p><i>October 19.</i>—My birthday (forty-seventh) follows that +of the anniversary of the death of Martyn.</p> + +<p><i>December 31.</i>—Read dear Martyn’s sermon on the +Christian’s walk with greater enjoyment and unction than +has been vouchsafed unto me for a long season. The +holy simplicity of the directions, and persuasive motives +to walk in, as well as receive, Christ, had influence in my +heart.</p> + +<p><i>1823, January 11.</i>—Placed in my room yesterday the +print of dear M. Felt affected greatly in doing so, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_550" id="Page_550">[550]</a></span> +my tears, which seldom flow in the presence of anyone, +I could not restrain before the person who was fixing it.<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> +With the Saviour now, and the Saviour, doubtless, was +with him in his greatest agony, even the agony of death—this +thought will be the more familiar to me by viewing +the representation of Christ’s Crucifixion, now placed over +the picture of His servant. I trust, by a prudent and not too +frequent sight of both, I may derive some advantage from +possessing what is so affecting and so admonitory to me, +who am declining in religious fervour and spirituality. +Thus may I use both, not to exercise feelings, but faith. +I cannot behold the resemblance of M. but I am reminded +that God wrought powerfully on his soul, meeting him for +a state of purity, and love, and spiritual enjoyment, and +that he has entered upon it. His faithfulness, and diligence, +and self-denial, and devotedness; his love to God, +and love for souls; his meekness, and patience, and faith, +should stimulate me to earnestness in prayer for a portion +of that grace, through which alone he attained them, and +was what he was.</p> + +<p><i>January 19.</i>—Read dear Martyn’s sermon on ‘Tribulation +the Way to Heaven,’ with, I trust, a blessing attending +it.</p> + +<p><i>1825, October 16.</i>—The anniversary of dear H.M. +gaining the haven of rest after his labours. Oh, how little +do I labour to enter into that rest he enjoyed upon earth.</p> + +<p><i>1826, April 2.</i>—God, the ever gracious and merciful +God, Thee would I bless and everlastingly praise for +granting me the favour of hearing ‘the joyful sound’ of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_551" id="Page_551">[551]</a></span> +His rich love, and abounding grace by Jesus Christ, this +day, and by a messenger unexpected, and beloved as a +friend and brother. The text was that I once heard +preached from by the blessed Martyn, whose spirit I pined +to join in offering praises to God after sermon: ‘Now then +we are ambassadors for Christ.’</p> + +<p><i>June 18.</i>—My friends gone to heaven seem to reproach +me, that I aim not to follow them, as they followed +Christ. The beloved Martyn, the seraphic Louisa Hoare, +and my dear<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> Georgina’s spirits are employed in perpetually +beholding that God whom I neglect, and remain +unconcerned when I do not delight in or serve (Him). Oh, +let me be joined to them in the sweet work of adoration +and praise to Him who hath loved us, to Jesus, our one +Lord and Saviour. Amen.</p></div> + +<p>So ends the <i>Diary</i> of Lydia Grenfell, the eight last +years of her life afflicted by cancerous disease, and one +year by a clouded mind.<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a> To the manuscript ‘E. H,’—that +is, her sister, Emma Hitchins—added these words: ‘This +prayer was answered September 21, 1829;</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">And now they range the heavenly plains,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">And sing in sweet, heart-melting strains.’<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The motto on her memorial stone in the churchyard +of Breage, where she lies near another holy woman, +Margaret Godolphin, first wife of Queen Anne’s prime +minister, is ‘For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but +with great mercies will I gather thee.’</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_88_88" id="Footnote_88_88"></a><a href="#FNanchor_88_88"><span class="label">[88]</span></a> We must not forget the boyish ‘Epitaph on Henry Martyn,’ written by +Thomas Babington Macaulay in his thirteenth year (<i>Life</i>, by his nephew, +vol. i. p. 38): +</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">‘Here Martyn lies. In manhood’s early bloom<br /></span> +<span class="i6">The Christian hero finds a Pagan tomb.<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Religion sorrowing o’er her favourite son<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Points to the glorious trophies that he won,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Eternal trophies! not with carnage red;<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Not stained with tears by hapless captives shed,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">But trophies of the Cross. For that dear Name,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Through every form of danger, death, and shame,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Onward he journeyed to a happier shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i6">Where danger, death, and shame assault no more.’<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p> +These lines reflect the impression made on Charles Grant and the other +Clapham friends by Henry Martyn’s death at a time when they used his career +as an argument for Great Britain doing its duty to India during the discussions +in Parliament on the East India Company’s Charter of 1813.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_89_89" id="Footnote_89_89"></a><a href="#FNanchor_89_89"><span class="label">[89]</span></a> <i>Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and an Account of a Visit to +Sherauz and Persepolis</i>, by the late Claudius James Rich, Esq., edited (with +memoir) by his widow, two vols., London, 1836.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_90_90" id="Footnote_90_90"></a><a href="#FNanchor_90_90"><span class="label">[90]</span></a> See p. <a href="#Page_528">528</a> for the earlier, and p. <a href="#Page_530">530</a> for the later inscription.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_91_91" id="Footnote_91_91"></a><a href="#FNanchor_91_91"><span class="label">[91]</span></a> <i>Missionary Researches in Armenia</i>, London, 1834.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_92_92" id="Footnote_92_92"></a><a href="#FNanchor_92_92"><span class="label">[92]</span></a> It is a custom in the East to accompany travellers out of the city to bid +them God speed, with the ‘khoda hafiz shuma,’ ‘may God take you into His +holy keeping.’ If an Armenian, he is accompanied by the priest, who prays +over him and for him with much fervour.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_93_93" id="Footnote_93_93"></a><a href="#FNanchor_93_93"><span class="label">[93]</span></a> <i>The Nestorians and their Rituals in 1842-1844</i>, 2 vols. London: +Joseph Masters, 1852.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_94_94" id="Footnote_94_94"></a><a href="#FNanchor_94_94"><span class="label">[94]</span></a> New York, 1870, 2 vols. 12mo. Also published by John Murray, +London, 1870.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_95_95" id="Footnote_95_95"></a><a href="#FNanchor_95_95"><span class="label">[95]</span></a> Mr. Rich, British Resident at Baghdad, who had laid this monumental +slab, was evidently ignorant of Martyn’s Christian name.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_96_96" id="Footnote_96_96"></a><a href="#FNanchor_96_96"><span class="label">[96]</span></a> Professor W.M. Ramsay’s <i>Historical Geography of Asia Minor</i>, 1890.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_97_97" id="Footnote_97_97"></a><a href="#FNanchor_97_97"><span class="label">[97]</span></a> ‘Paucioribus lacrymis compositus es.’—Tac. quoted on this occasion by +Sargent, <i>Memoir of Martyn</i>, p. 493.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_98_98" id="Footnote_98_98"></a><a href="#FNanchor_98_98"><span class="label">[98]</span></a> Her niece writes of her when she received the news of Henry Martyn’s +death: ‘The circumstances of his affecting death, and my aunt’s <i>intense</i> sorrow, +produced an ineffaceable remembrance on my own mind. I can never forget +the “upper chamber” in which she took refuge from daily cares and interruptions—its +view of lovely Mount’s Bay across fruit-trees and whispering +white cœlibes—its perfect neatness, though with few ornaments. On the +principal wall hung a large print of the Crucifixion of our Lord, usually +shaded by a curtain, and at its foot (where he would have chosen to be) a +portrait of Henry Martyn.’—<i>The Church Quarterly Review</i> for October 1881.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_99_99" id="Footnote_99_99"></a><a href="#FNanchor_99_99"><span class="label">[99]</span></a> An authoress, and member of the Gurney family, who died in April, +1816.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_100_100" id="Footnote_100_100"></a><a href="#FNanchor_100_100"><span class="label">[100]</span></a> <i>Her Title of Honour</i>, by Holme Lee, in which an attempt is made to +tell the story of Lydia Grenfell’s life under a fictitious name, is unworthy of the +subject and of the writer.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_552" id="Page_552">[552]</a></span></p> +<h2>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<p class="subheading">BAPTIZED FOR THE DEAD</p> + + +<p>Henry Martyn is, first of all, a spiritual force. Personally +he was that to all who came in contact with him from +the hour in which he gave himself to Jesus Christ. To +Cambridge student and peasant alike; to Charles Simeon, +his master, as to Kirke White and Sargent, Corrie and +Thomason, his admiring friends; to women like Lydia +Grenfell, his senior in years and experience, as to children +like his cousin’s at Plymouth, and David Brown’s at Aldeen; +to the rude soldiery of the Cape campaign and the East +India Company’s raw recruits as to the cultured statesmen +and scholars who were broadening the foundations of our +Indian empire; to the caste-bound Hindu, but far more +to the fanatical Arab and the Mohammedan mystic of +Persia—to all he carried the witness of his saintly life and +his Divine message with a simple power that always compelled +attention, and often drew forth obedience and +imitation. His meteor-like spirit burned and flamed as +it passed across the first twelve years of the nineteenth +century, from the Cam to the Fal, by Brazil and South +Africa, by Calcutta and Serampore, by Patna and Cawnpore, +by Bombay and Muscat, by Bushire and Shiraz and +Tabreez, to the loneliness of the Armenian highlands, and +the exile grave of the Turkish Tokat.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_553" id="Page_553">[553]</a></span></p> + +<p>From the year in which Sargent published fragments +of his <i>Journal</i>, and half revealed to the whole Church +of Christ the personality known in its deep calling unto +deep only to the few, Henry Martyn has been the companion +of good men<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a> and women of all the Churches, and +the stimulus of the greatest workers and scholars of the +century. The latest writer, the Hon. George N. Curzon, +M.P., in his exhaustive work on Persia (1892), describes +him as ‘this remarkable man, who impressed everyone, +by his simplicity and godliness of character,’ though he +ascribes the ‘effect in the short space of a year’ as much to +the charm of his personality as to the character of his mission.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the most representative of the many whom +Martyn is known to have influenced was Daniel Wilson, +of Islington and Calcutta. When visiting his vast diocese +in 1838 and crossing the Bay of Bengal, Bishop Wilson<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a> +thus carefully compared the <i>Journal</i> with corresponding +passages in his own life:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>It is consoling to a poor sinner like myself, who has +been placed in the full bustle of public business, to see +how the soul even of a saint like H. Martyn faints and +is discouraged, laments over defects of love, and finds an +evil nature still struggling against the law of his mind. +I remember there are similar confessions in J. Milner. It is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_554" id="Page_554">[554]</a></span> +this which explains the seventh of Romans. Henry +Martyn has now been in heaven twenty-six years, having +died in his thirty-second year. Dearest Corrie was born +like myself in 1778, and died in 1837, aged fifty-nine, and +after having been thirty-one years in India. He has been +at home now a year and five months. When, where, how, +I may be called hence I know not. The Lord make +me a follower of them who through faith and patience +have inherited the promises. In H. Martyn’s <i>Journals</i> the +spirit of prayer, the time he devoted to the duty, and his +fervour in it, are the first things which strike me. In the +next place, his delight in Holy Scripture, his meditations +in it, the large portions he committed to memory, the +nourishment he thence derived to his soul, are full of +instruction. Then his humility is quite undoubted, unfeigned, +profound, sincere. There seems, however, to have +been a touch of natural melancholy and depression, which +was increased by one of his greatest mistakes, the leaving +England with his affections tied to Lydia Grenfell, whom +he ought either not to have loved or else to have married +and taken her with him. Such an ecstatic, warm creature +as Henry Martyn could do nothing by halves. Separation +was martyrdom to such a tender heart. But, oh, to imitate +his excellences, his elevation of piety, his diligence, his +spirituality, his superiority to the world, his love for souls, +his anxiety to improve all occasions to do them good, his +delight in the mystery of Christ, his heavenly temper! +These, these are the secrets of the wonderful impression he +made in India, joined as they were with first-rate talents, +fine scholarship, habit of acquiring languages, quickness +and promptitude of perception, and loftiness of imaginative +powers.</p></div> + +<p>Henry Martyn’s <i>Journal</i> holds a place of its own in the +literature of mysticism. It stamps him as the mystic +writer and worker of the first quarter of the century of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_555" id="Page_555">[555]</a></span> +modern missions (1792-1814), as his master, Robert +Leighton, was of the more barren period that ended in +1688. The too little known <i>Rules and Instructions for +Devout Exercises</i>, found among Leighton’s papers, written +with his own hand and for his own use, was Martyn’s +‘usual’ companion, with results which made that work<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a> +as supplemented by the <i>Journal</i>, what the <i>De Imitatione +Christi</i> and the <i>Theologia Germanica</i> were to the more +passive dark ages of Christendom. At the close of the +eighteenth century the young and impulsive Cornish student +found himself in an age not less, to him, godless and anti-evangelical +than that which had wrung from the heart of +at least one good man the hopeless longing of the <i>Theologia +Germanica</i>. He had seen his Divine Master crucified +afresh in the person of Charles Simeon, whom he possibly, +as Sargent certainly, had at first attended only to scoff and +brawl. He had been denied a church in which to preach the +goodness of God, in his own county, other than that of a +kinsman. In the troopship and the Bengal barrack +even his official authority could hardly win a hearing from +officer or soldier. The young prophet waxed sore in heart, +as the fire burned within him, at the unbelief and iniquity +of his day, till his naturally sunny spirit scorched the souls +he sought to warm with the Divine persuasiveness. He +stood really at the opening of the Evangelical revival of +Christendom, and like William Carey, who loved the youth, +he was working out his own side of that movement, but, +equally like Carey, he knew it not. He was to do as much +by his death as by his life, but all he knew in his humility +was that he must make haste while he lived to give the +millions of Mohammedans the Word, and to reveal to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_556" id="Page_556">[556]</a></span> +them the Person of Jesus Christ. The multitude of his +thoughts within him he committed to a <i>Journal</i>, written +for himself alone, and rescued from burning only by the +interference of his friend Corrie.</p> + +<p>The mysticism of Martyn has been pronounced morbid. +All the more that his searching introspection and severe +judgment on himself are a contrast to the genial and merry +conversation of the man who loved music and children’s +play, the converse of friends and the conflict of controversy +for the Lord, does every reader who knows his own heart +value the vivisection. Martyn writes of sin and human +nature as they are, and therefore he is clear and comforting +in the answer he gives as to the remedy for the one and +the permanent elevation of the other. Even more than +Leighton he is the Evangelical saint, for where Leighton’s +times paralysed him for service, Martyn’s called him to +energise and die in the conflict with the greatest apostacy +of the world. Both had a passion to win souls to the entrancing, +transforming love they had found, but unless on the +side against the Stewarts, how could that passion bear fruit +in action? Both, like the author of the <i>De Imitatione</i>, wrote +steeped in the spirit of sadness; but the joy of the dawn of +the modern era of benevolence, as it was even then called, +working unconsciously on the sunny Cornubian spirit, +kept Martyn free alike from the selfish absorption which +marked the monk of the Middle Ages, and the peace-loving +compromise which neutralised Leighton. The one adored +in his cell, the other wrestled in his study at Newbattle or +Dunblane, and we love their writings. But Henry Martyn +worked for his generation and all future ages as well as +wrote, so that they who delight in his mystic communings +are constrained to follow him in his self-sacrificing service.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_557" id="Page_557">[557]</a></span> +Beginning at March 1807, let us add some passages from +the <i>Journal</i> to those which have been already extracted for +autobiographical purposes.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I am thus taught to see what would become of me if +God should let go His strong hand. Is there any depth +into which Satan would not plunge me? Already I know +enough of the nature of Satan’s cause to vow before God +eternal enmity to it. Yes! in the name of Christ I say, +‘Get thee behind me, Satan!’</p> + +<p>Employed a great deal about one Hebrew text to little +purpose. Much tried with temptation to vanity, but the +Lord giveth me the victory through His mercy from day +to day, or else I know not how I should keep out of hell.</p> + +<p>May the Lord, in mercy to my soul, save me from +setting up an idol of any sort in His room, as I do by +preferring a work professedly for Him to communion with +Him. How obstinate the reluctance of the natural heart +to God. But, O my soul, be not deceived, the chief work +on earth is to obtain sanctification, and to walk with God.</p> + +<p>O great and gracious God, what should I do without +Thee? but now Thou art manifesting Thyself as the God +of all consolation to my soul. Never was I so near Thee; +I stand on the brink, and I long to take my flight! Oh, +there is not a thing in the world for which I would wish to +live, except because it may please God to appoint me +some work. And how shall my soul ever be thankful +enough to Thee, O Thou most incomprehensibly glorious +Saviour Jesus!</p> + +<p>I walk according to my carnal wisdom, striving to +excite seriousness by natural considerations, such as the +thoughts of death and judgment, instead of bringing my +soul to Christ to be sanctified by his spirit.</p> + +<p>Preached on Luke xii. 20—‘This night thy soul,’ etc. +The congregation was large, and more attentive than they +have ever yet been. Some of the young officers and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_558" id="Page_558">[558]</a></span> +soldiers seemed to be in deep concern. I was willing to +believe that the power of God was present, if a wretch so +poor and miserable can be the instrument of good to souls. +Four years have I been in the ministry, and I am not sure +that I have been the means of converting four souls from +the error of their ways. Why is this? The fault must be +in myself. Prayer and secret duties seem to be where I +fail; had I more power in intercession, more self-denial in +persevering in prayer, it would be no doubt better for my +hearers.</p> + +<p>My heart sometimes shrinks from spiritual work, and +especially at an increase of ministerial business; but now +I hope, through grace, just at this time, that I can say I +desire no carnal pleasure, no ease to the flesh, but that the +whole of life should be filled up with holy employments +and holy thoughts.</p> + +<p>My heart at various times filled with a sense of Divine +love, frequently in prayer was blessed in the bringing of +my soul near to God. After dinner in my walk found +sweet devotion; and the ruling thoughts were, that true +happiness does not consist in the gratifying of self in ease +or individual pleasure, but in conformity to God, in obeying +and pleasing Him, in having no will of my own, in not +being pleased with personal advantages, though I might +be without guilt, nor in being displeased that the flesh is +mortified. Oh, how short-lived will this triumph be! It +is stretching out the arm at full length, which soon grows +tired with its own weight.</p> + +<p>I travel up hill, but I must learn, as I trust I am learning, +to do the will of God without any expectation of any +present pleasure attending it, but because it is the will of +God. Oh, that my days of vanity were at an end, and +that all my thoughts and conversation might have that +deep tinge of seriousness which becomes a soldier of the +cross.</p> + +<p>To the women preached on the parable of the ten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_559" id="Page_559">[559]</a></span> +pieces of silver, and at night to the soldiers on Rev. i. 18. +Afterwards in secret prayer drew near to the Lord. Alas! +how my soul contracts a strangeness with Him; but this +was a restoring season. I felt an indignation against all +impure and sinful thoughts, and a solemn serenity of frame. +Interceded for dear friends in England; this brought my +late dear sister with pain to my recollection, but I felt +relieved by resolving every event, with all its circumstances, +into the will of God.</p> + +<p>Read an account of Turkey. The bad effects of the +book were so great that I found instant need of prayer, +and I do not know when I have had such divine and animating +feelings. Oh, it is Thy Spirit that makes me pant +for the skies. It is He that shall make me trample the +world and my lusts beneath my feet, and urge my onward +course towards the crown of life.</p> + +<p>Spent the day in reading and prayer, and found comfort +particularly in intercession for friends, but my heart was +pained with many a fear about my own soul. I felt the +duty of praying for the conversion of these poor heathens, +and yet no encouragement to it. How much was there of +imagination before, or rather, how much of unbelief now; +seeing no means ready now, no Word of God to put into +their hands, no preachers, it sometimes seems to me idle to +pray. Alas! wicked heart of unbelief, cannot God create +means, or work without them? But I am weary of myself +and my own sinfulness, and appear exceedingly odious +even to myself, how much more to a holy God. Lord, +pity and save; vile and contemptible is Thy sinful creature, +even as a beast before Thee; help me to awake.</p> + +<p>Some letters I received from Calcutta agitated my +silly mind, because my magnificent self seemed likely to +become more conspicuous. O wretched creature, where is +thy place but the dust? it is good for men to trample upon +thee. Various were my reveries on the events apparently +approaching, and self was the prominent character in every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_560" id="Page_560">[560]</a></span> +transaction. I am yet a long way from real humility; oh, +when shall I be dead to the world, and desire to be nothing +and nobody, as I now do to be somebody?</p> + +<p>Throughout the 18th enjoyed a solemn sense of Divine +things. The promise was fulfilled, ‘Sin shall not have +dominion over you.’ No enemy seemed permitted to +approach. I sometimes saw naught in the creation but +the works of God, and wondered that mean earthly concerns +had ever drawn away my mind from contemplating +their glorious Author. Oh, that I could be always so, seeing +none but Thee, taught the secrets of Thy covenant, +advancing in knowledge of Thee, growing in likeness to +Thee. How much should I learn of God’s glory, were I +an attentive observer of His Word and Providence. How +much should I be taught of His purposes concerning His +Church, did I keep my heart more pure for Him. And +what gifts might I not expect to receive for her benefit, +were I duly earnest to improve His grace for my own! Oh, +how is a life wasted that is not spent with God and employed +for God. What am I doing the greater part of my +time; where is my heart?</p> + +<p>Sabat lives almost without prayer, and this is sufficient +to account for all evils that appear in saint or sinner.</p> + +<p>I feel disposed to partake of the melancholy with which +such persons (Lady Mary Wortley Montagu) close their +lives. Oh, what hath grace done for us! The thought +sometimes bursts upon me in a way which I cannot describe. +It is not future bliss, but present peace, which we +have actually obtained, and which we cannot be mistaken +in; the very thing which the world seeks for in vain; and +yet how have we found it? By the grace of God we are +what we are.</p> + +<p>Truly love is better than knowledge. Much as I long +to know what I seek after, I would rather have the smallest +portion of humility and love than the knowledge of an +archangel.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_561" id="Page_561">[561]</a></span></p> + +<p>At night I spoke to them on ‘Enoch walked with God.’ +My soul breathed after the same holy, happy state. Oh that +the influence were more abiding; but I am the man that +seeth his natural face in a glass.</p> + +<p>This last short sickness has, I trust, been blessed much +to me. I sought not immediately for consolations, but for +grace patiently to endure and to glory in tribulation; in +this way I found peace. Oh, this surely is bliss, to have +our will absorbed in the Divine Will. In this state are the +spirits of just men made perfect in heaven. The spread of +the Gospel in these parts is now become an interesting +subject to you—such is the universal change.</p> + +<p>Perpetually assaulted with temptations, my hope and +trust is that I shall yet be sanctified in the name of the +Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of my God. ‘Purge me with +hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be +whiter than snow.’ When I really strive after purity of +heart—for my endeavours are too often little more than +pretence—I find no consideration so effectual as that of the +exalted dignity and infinitely precious privileges of the +saints. Thus a few verses of 1 Eph. are more influential, +purifying, and transforming than the most laboured reasoning. +Indeed, there is no reasoning with such temptations, +and no safety but in flight.</p> + +<p>I would that all should adore, but especially that I +myself should lie prostrate. As for self, contemptible self, +I feel myself saying, Let it be forgotten for ever; henceforth +let Christ live, let Christ reign, let Him be glorified for +ever.</p></div> + +<p>Henry Martyn, by service, escaped the weakness and +the danger of the mystic who seeks absorption into God, +in the mental sense, as the remedy for sin, instead of a free +and purified individuality in Christ. He felt that the will +sins; he saw the cure to lie not in the destruction of the will, +but in its rectification and personal co-working with God.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_562" id="Page_562">[562]</a></span> +Absorption is spiritual suicide, not service. Martyn realised +and taught that a free individuality is the best offering we +can make to God after Christ has given it to us to offer to +Him. With Martyn moral service helped spiritual contemplation +to rise heavenward, and to raise men with it. The +saint was also the sacred scholar and translator; the mystic +was the prophet preacher, the Persian controversialist, the +unresting missionary. His Christian life was guided by +the motto, ‘To believe, to suffer, and to hope.’ His praying +realised his own ideal of ‘a visit to the invisible world.’ +His working was ever quickened like St. Paul’s by the +summons, alike of the Old dispensation and the New, +which he cut with a diamond on the window of his +college rooms Ἕγειραι, ὁ καθεύδων, καὶ ἀνάστα, ‘Awake +thou that sleepest and arise.’ When the fierce flame of +his love and his service had burned out his frail body, his +picture, painted at Calcutta the year before he died, spoke +thus to Charles Simeon, and ever since it has whispered to +every new generation of Cambridge men, ‘Be serious, be +in earnest; don’t trifle—don’t trifle.’</p> + +<p>The men whom Henry Martyn’s pioneering and early +death have led to live and to die that Christ may be revealed +to the Mohammedans, are not so many as the +thousands who have been spiritually stimulated by his +<i>Journal</i>. Such work is still ‘the forlorn hope’ of the +Church which he was the first to lead. But in Persia and +Arabia he has had such followers as Anthony Groves, +John Wilson, George Maxwell Gordon, Ion Keith-Falconer, +and Bishop French. Where he pointed the way the great +missionary societies of the United States of America and +of England and the Free Church of Scotland have sent +their noblest men and women.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_563" id="Page_563">[563]</a></span></p> + +<p>The death of Henry Martyn, followed not many years +after by that of her husband, who had been the first to +mark his grave with a memorial stone, led Mrs. James +Claudius Rich, eldest daughter of Sir James Mackintosh, +to appeal in 1831 for ‘contributions in aid of the school at +Baghdad, and those hoped to be established in Persia and +other parts of the territory of Baghdad.’ In the same year, +1829, that Alexander Duff sailed for Calcutta, there had +gone forth by the Scots Mission at Astrakhan to Baghdad, +that Catholic founder of the sect since known as ‘The +Brethren,’ Anthony N. Groves, dentist, of Exeter. Taking +the commands of Christ literally, in the spirit of Henry +Martyn, he sold all he had, and became the first of Martyn’s +successors in Persia. The record of his two attempts forms +a romantic chapter in the history of Christian missions.<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> +All theories apart, he lived and he worked for the Mohammedans +of Persia in the spirit of Henry Martyn. When the +plague first, and persecution the second time, extinguished +this Mission to Baghdad, Dr. John Wilson,<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a> from his central +and commanding position in Bombay, flashed into Arabia +and Persia such rays of Gospel light as were possible at +that time. He sent Bible colporteurs by Aden and up the +Persian Gulf; he summoned the old Church of Scotland +to despatch a mission to the Jews of Arabia, Busrah, and +Bombay. A missionary was ready in the person of +William Burns who afterwards went to China, the support +of a missionary at Aden was guaranteed by a friend, and +Wilson had found a volunteer ‘for the purpose of exploring +Arabia,’ when the disruption of the Church of Scotland<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_564" id="Page_564">[564]</a></span> +arrested the movement, only, however, vastly to increase +the missionary development in India and Africa, as well +as church extension in Scotland. What John Wilson tried +in vain to do during his life was effected by his death. It +was his career that summoned the Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer +and his wife to open their Mission in Yemen, at Sheikh +Othman and Aden. Like Martyn at Tokat, in the far +north, and just at Martyn’s age, by his dust in the Aden +cemetery Ion Keith-Falconer has taken possession of +Arabia for Christ. ‘The <i>Memoirs of David Brainerd</i> and +<i>Henry Martyn</i> gave me particular pleasure,’ wrote young +John Wilson in 1824. ‘Mind to get hold of the <i>Life of +John Wilson</i>, the great Scotch missionary of India,’ wrote +the young Ion Keith-Falconer in 1878.<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> So the apostolic +succession goes on.</p> + +<p>Gordon of Kandahar, ‘the pilgrim missionary of the +Punjab,’ was not the least remarkable of Henry Martyn’s +deliberate followers, alike in a life of toil and in a death of +heroism for the Master. Born in 1839, he was of Trinity +College, Cambridge, and had as his fellow-curate Thomas +Valpy French, when the future bishop came back from +his first missionary campaign in India. Dedicating himself, +his culture, and his considerable property to the Lord, he +placed his unpaid services at the disposal of the Church +Missionary Society, as Martyn once did. Refusing a +bishopric after his first furlough, and seeking to prepare +himself for the work of French’s Divinity School of St. +John at Lahore, he returned to India by Persia, to learn +the language and to help Dr. Bruce for a little in 1871.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_565" id="Page_565">[565]</a></span> +The famine was sore in that land, and he lived for its +people as ‘relieving officer, doctor, purveyor, poorhouse +guardian, outfitter and undertaker. There is a cry like the +cry of Egypt in the night of the Exodus—not a house in +which there was not one dead.’ So he wrote.<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a> From +Julfa he carried relief to Shiraz, where he found himself in +the midst of the associations made sacred by Henry +Martyn’s residence there. ‘I have taken up my quarters +in a Persian’s house, and have a large garden all to myself. +I am in the very same house which Henry Martyn was in. +I heard to-day that my host is the grandson of his host +Jaffir Ali Khan, and that the house has come down from +father to son.’</p> + +<p>Eight years after Gordon was in Kandahar, sole +(honorary) chaplain to the twenty regiments who were +fighting the Ameer of Afghanistan. There he found the +assistant to the political officer attached to the force to be +the same Persian gentleman who had been his host at +Shiraz, and with whom when a child Martyn must have +played. Gordon learned from him that the roads and +sanitary improvements made as relief works, as well as the +orphanage started on the interest of the famine relief fund +sent from London, were still blessing the people. When, +after the black day of Maiwand, the British troops were +besieged in Kandahar, till relieved by the march and the +triumph of Lord Roberts, Gordon as chaplain attended a +sortie to dislodge the enemy. Hearing that wounded men +were lying in a shrine outside the Kabul gate, he led out +some bearers with a litter, and found that the dying men +were in another shrine still more distant. In spite of all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_566" id="Page_566">[566]</a></span> +remonstrance he dashed through the murderous fire of the +enemy, was struck down, and was himself carried back +on the litter he had provided for others. He did not live +to wear the Victoria Cross, but was on the same day, +August 16, laid in a soldier’s grave.</p> + +<p>It would seem difficult to name a follower more worthy +of Henry Martyn than that, but Bishop French was such +a disciple. More than any man, as saint and scholar, as +missionary and chaplain, as the friend of the Mohammedan +and the second apostle of Central Asia, he was baptized +for the dead. Born on the first day of 1825, son of an +Evangelical clergyman in Burton-on-Trent, a Rugby boy, +and Fellow and Tutor of University College, Oxford, +Thomas Valpy French was early inspired by Martyn’s life +and writings. These and his mother’s holiness sent him +forth to Agra in 1850, along with Edward Stuart of +Edinburgh, now Bishop of Waiapu, New Zealand, to found +the Church Missionary College there. In the next forty +years, till he resigned the bishopric of Lahore that he +might give the rest of his life to work out the aspirations +of Martyn in Persia and Arabia, he consecrated himself and +his all to Christ. It will be a wonderful story if it is well +told. He then went home for rest, first of all, but took the +way north through Persia and Turkey on Martyn’s track, +so that in April 1888 he wrote from Armenia: ‘Were I +ignorant both of Arabic and French, I should subside into +the perfect rest, perhaps, which I require.’ So abundant +were his labours to groups of Mohammedans and among +the Syrian Christians, that he had nearly found a grave in +the Tokat region.</p> + +<p>After counselling the Archbishop of Canterbury as to +the project of so reforming the Oriental Churches as to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_567" id="Page_567">[567]</a></span> +convert them themselves into the true apostles of the +Mohammedan race, Bishop French returned to Asia and +settled near Muscat, whence he wrote thus on March 10, +1891, his last letter to the Church Missionary Society:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Those three years of Arab study will not, I trust, be +thrown away and proved futile. In memory of H. Martyn’s +pleadings for Arabia, Arabs, and the Arabic, I seem almost +trying at least to follow more directly in his footsteps and +under his guidance, than even in Persia or India, however +incalculable the distance at which the guided one follows +the leader!...</p> + +<p>I have scarcely expressed in the least degree the view +I have of the <i>extremely serious</i> character of the work here +to be entered upon; and the possible—nay probable—severity +of the conflict to be expected and faithfully +hazarded by the Church of Christ between two such strong +and ancient forces, pledged to such hereditary and deep-grounded +hostility. Yet <i>The Lamb shall overcome them; +for He is Lord of Lords, and King of Kings; and they +also shall overcome that are with Him, called and chosen and +faithful</i>.</p></div> + +<p>Two months after, on May 14, 1891, at the age of +sixty-six, after exposure and toils like Martyn’s, he was +laid to rest in the cemetery of Muscat by the sailors of +H.M.S. Sphinx, to whom he had preached.</p> + +<p>Henry Martyn at Tokat, John Wilson at Bombay, +George Maxwell Gordon at Kandahar, Ion Keith-Falconer +at Aden, and Thomas Valpy French at Muscat, have by +their bodies taken possession of Mohammedan Asia for +Christ till the resurrection. Of each we say to ourselves +and to our generation:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i10">Is it for nothing he is dead?<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Send forth your children in his stead!<br /></span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_568" id="Page_568">[568]</a></span> +<span class="i10">O Eastern lover from the West!<br /></span> +<span class="i12">Thou hast out-soared these prisoning bars;<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Thy memory, on thy Master’s breast,<br /></span> +<span class="i12">Uplifts us like the beckoning stars.<br /></span> +<span class="i10">We follow now as thou hast led,<br /></span> +<span class="i10">Baptize us, Saviour, for the dead.<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a><br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Each, like not a few American missionaries, men and +women, like Dr. Bruce and his colleagues of the Church +Missionary Society, like Mr. W.W. Gardner and Dr. J.C. +Young of the Scottish Keith-Falconer Mission, is a representative +of the two great principles, as expressed by +Dr. Bruce: (1) That the lands under the rule of Islam belong +to Christ, and that it is the bounden duty of the Church to +claim them for our Lord. (2) That duty can be performed +only by men who are willing to die in carrying it out.</p> + +<p>Henry Martyn’s words, almost his last, on his thirty-first +birthday were these: ‘The Word of God has found +its way into this land of Satan (Persia), and the devil will +never be able to resist it if the Lord hath sent it.’ We +have seen what sort of men the Lord raised up to follow +him. This is what the Societies have done. In 1829 the +American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions +began, and in 1871 the Presbyterian Board shared, the +mission to Persia and Asiatic Turkey. The former has +missionaries at Aintab, Marash, Antioch, Aleppo, and Oorfa, +to the south of the Taurus range, being its mission to Central +Turkey; at Constantinople, Adrianople, Smyrna, Broosa, +Nicomedia, Trebizond, Marsovan, Sivas, <i>including Tokat</i>, +and Cæsarea, being its mission to Western Turkey; at +Erzroom, Harpoot, and Arabkir, uniting with the Assyrian +stations of Mardin and Diarbekir, its mission to Eastern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_569" id="Page_569">[569]</a></span> +Turkey. Taking up the evangelisation at Oroomiah, the +American Presbyterians unite with that Tabreez, Mosul, +and Salmas as their Western, and Teheran and Hamadan +as their Eastern Persia Mission. In 1876 a letter of Henry +Venn’s and the urgency of its principal missionary, Dr. +Bruce, led the Church Missionary Society to charge itself +with the evangelisation, by a revised version of the Persian +Bible and medical missions, of the whole southern half of +the ancient kingdom of Persia, the whole of Nimrod’s +Babylonia, and the eastern coast of Arabia, from Julfa +(Ispahan) and Baghdad as centres. Very recently the +independent Arabian Mission of America has made Busrah +its headquarters for Turkish Arabia. The Latin Church +since 1838 has worked for the Papacy alone. The Archbishop +of Canterbury’s mission since 1886 has sought to +influence the Nestorian or Syrian Church, which in the +seventh century sent forth missionaries to India from +Seleucia, Nisibis, and Edessa, and now desires protection +from Romish usurpation. All these represent a vast and +geographically linked organisation claiming, at long intervals, +the whole of Turkey, Persia, and Arabia for Christ +since Henry Martyn pointed the way. Dr. Robert Bruce, +writing to us from Julfa, thus sums up the results and the +prospect:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>I believe there is a great work going on at present in +Persia, and Henry Martyn and his translations prepared +the way for it, to say nothing of his life sacrifice and prayers +for this dark land. The Babi movement is a very remarkable +one, and is spreading far and wide, and doing much +to break the power of the priesthood. Many of the Babis +are finding their system unsatisfactory, and beginning to +see that it is only a half-way house (in which there is no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_570" id="Page_570">[570]</a></span> +rest or salvation) to Christianity. Ispahan has been kept +this year in a constant state of turmoil by the ineffectual +efforts of two moollas to persecute both Babis and Jews.<a name="FNanchor_109_109" id="FNanchor_109_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_109_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a> +They have caused very great suffering to some of both these +faiths, but they have been really defeated, and all these +persecutions have tended towards religious liberty. Our +mission-house is the refuge of all such persecuted ones, and +the light is beginning to dawn upon them.</p></div> + +<p>While the whole Church, and every meditative soul +seeking deliverance from self in Jesus Christ, claims Henry +Martyn, he is specially the hero of the Church of England. +An Evangelical, he is canonised, so far as ecclesiastical art +can legitimately do that, in the baptistry of the new +cathedral of his native city. A Catholic, his memory is +enshrined in the heart of his own University of Cambridge. +There, in the New Chapel of St. John’s College, in the +nineteenth bay of its interior roof, his figure is painted first +of the <i>illustriories</i> of the eighteenth Christian century, before +those of Wilberforce, Wordsworth, and Thomas Whytehead, +missionary to New Zealand. In the market place, beside +Charles Simeon’s church, there was dedicated on October 18, +1887, ‘The Henry Martyn Memorial Hall.’ There, under +the shadow of his name, gather daily the students who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_571" id="Page_571">[571]</a></span> +join in the University Prayer Meeting, and from time to +time the members of the Church Missionary and Gospel +Propagation Societies. ‘This was the hero-life of my +boyhood,’ said Dr. Vaughan, the Master of the Temple +and Dean of Llandaff, when he preached the opening +sermon before the University. In Trinity Church, where +Martyn had been curate, the new Master of Trinity +preached so that men said: ‘What a power of saintliness +must have been in Henry Martyn to have affected with +such appreciative love one whose own life and character +are so honoured as Dr. Butler’s!’ In the Memorial Hall +itself, its founder, Mr. Barton, now Vicar of Trinity Church; +Dr., now Bishop, Westcott, for the faculty of Divinity; +Dr. Bailey, for St. John’s College and the Society for the +Propagation of the Gospel; Mr. Barlow, Vicar of Islington, +for the Church Missionary Society; and the Christian +scholar, Professor Cowell, for all Orientalists and Anglo-Indians, +spake worthily.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>We would continue his work. The hopes, the faith, +the truths which once animated him are still ours. Still, +as on the day when he preached his first sermon from this +pulpit, is it true that if each soul, if each society, if each +heathen nation knew the gift of God, and Who the +promised Saviour is, they would for very thirst’s sake ask +of Him, and He would indeed give them His living water. +And still it is the task of each true witness of Christ, and +most of all of each ordained minister of His Word and +Sacraments, first to arouse that thirst where it has not yet +been felt, and then to allay it at once and perpetuate it +from the one pure and undefiled spring. And still each +true minister will feel, as Martyn felt, as St. Paul himself +felt, ‘Who is sufficient for these things?’ The riper he is +in his ministry, the more delicate his touch of human souls,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_572" id="Page_572">[572]</a></span> +alike in their strivings and in their inertness; the closer +his walk with God and his wonder at the vastness and the +silent secrecy of God’s ways, the more he will say in his +heart what Martyn said but a few days after his feet had +ceased to tread our Cambridge streets. ‘Alas! do I think +that a schoolboy or a raw academic should be likely to +lead the hearts of men! What a knowledge of men and +acquaintance with Scriptures, what communion with God +and study of my own heart, ought to prepare me for the +awful work of a messenger from God on the business of the +soul!’</p></div> + +<p>To these lessons of Martyn’s life Dr. Butler added +that which the eighty years since have suggested—the +confidence of the soldier who has heard his Captain’s voice, +and knows that it was never deceived or deceiving: <i>Be +of good cheer; I have overcome the world.</i></p> + +<p>In that confidence let the Church Catholic preach +Christ to the hundred and eighty millions of the Mohammedan +peoples, more than half of whom are already the +subjects of Christian rulers. Thus shall every true Christian +best honour Henry Martyn.</p> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_101_101" id="Footnote_101_101"></a><a href="#FNanchor_101_101"><span class="label">[101]</span></a> In 1816 Charles Simeon thus wrote from King’s College to Thomason, of the +<i>Journal</i>: ‘Truly it has humbled us all in the dust. Since the Apostolic age +I think that nothing has ever exceeded the wisdom and piety of our departed +brother; and I conceive that no book, except the Bible, will be found to +excel this.... David Brainerd is great, but the degree of his melancholy and +the extreme impropriety of his exertions, so much beyond his strength, put +him on a different footing from our beloved Martyn.’</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_102_102" id="Footnote_102_102"></a><a href="#FNanchor_102_102"><span class="label">[102]</span></a> <i>Bishop Wilson’s Journal Letters</i>, addressed to his family during the first +nine years of his Indian Episcopate, edited by his son Daniel Wilson, M.A., +Vicar of Islington, London, 1864.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_103_103" id="Footnote_103_103"></a><a href="#FNanchor_103_103"><span class="label">[103]</span></a> See <i>Journal</i>, passim, especially in February, 1806.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_104_104" id="Footnote_104_104"></a><a href="#FNanchor_104_104"><span class="label">[104]</span></a> <i>Journal of Mr. Anthony N. Groves, Missionary to and at Baghdad</i>, +London, 1831.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_105_105" id="Footnote_105_105"></a><a href="#FNanchor_105_105"><span class="label">[105]</span></a> <i>The Life of John Wilson, D.D., F.R.S.</i>, London, 1878.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_106_106" id="Footnote_106_106"></a><a href="#FNanchor_106_106"><span class="label">[106]</span></a> <i>Memorials of the Hon. Keith-Falconer, M.A., late Lord Almoner’s +Professor of Arabic in the University of Cambridge, and Missionary to the +Muhammadans of South Arabia</i>, by Rev. Robert Sinker, D.D., p. 146 of 1st +edition, 1888.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_107_107" id="Footnote_107_107"></a><a href="#FNanchor_107_107"><span class="label">[107]</span></a> <i>George Maxwell Gordon, M.A., F.R.G.S., a History of his Life and +Work, 1839-1880</i>, by the Rev. Arthur Lewis, M.A., London, 1889.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_108_108" id="Footnote_108_108"></a><a href="#FNanchor_108_108"><span class="label">[108]</span></a> Archdeacon Moule in the <i>Church Missionary Intelligencer</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_109_109" id="Footnote_109_109"></a><a href="#FNanchor_109_109"><span class="label">[109]</span></a> Even of the Soofis the ablest authority writes: ‘The remarkable development, +in our own century, which has been given to the story of the death of +Hosein should encourage us to hope that the Divine pathos of the New Testament +will one day soften these hearts still more, and teach them the secret of +which their poets have sung in such ardent strains. A Sufi has already learnt +that Islam cannot satisfy the longing soul. He is, by profession, tolerant or +even sympathetic in the presence of the Cross. And he believes, like all +Moslim, that Isa, the Messiah of Israel, has the breath of life, and can raise +the dead from the tomb.... To the reflecting mind, however, the lyric +effusions of Hafiz prove that Eastern philosophy is either childlike or retrograde, +and its principles at the mercy of those seas of passion upon which it +has so long been drifting.’ <i>Quarterly Review</i>, January 1892.</p></div> +</div> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_573" id="Page_573">[573]</a></span></p> +<h2>INDEX</h2> + + + +<ul style="width: 60%; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><li>Abbas Mirza, <a href="#Page_394">394</a></li> + +<li>Abdallah, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> + +<li><a name="Abdool" id="Abdool">Abdool Massee’h</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_543">543</a></li> + +<li>Aberdeen University, <a href="#Page_328">328</a></li> + +<li>Acheen, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> + +<li>Aden, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> + +<li>Afghanistan, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_565">565</a></li> + +<li>Africa, South, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li>Aga Boozong, <a href="#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="#Page_457">457</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— the Mede, <a href="#Page_454">454</a></li> + +<li>Agra, <a href="#Page_217">217</a></li> + +<li>Aitchison, Sir C., <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> + +<li>Akbar, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> + +<li>Albuquerque, <a href="#Page_341">341</a></li> + +<li>Aldeen, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> + +<li>Alexander the Great, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> + +<li>Alford, Dean, on Martyn, <a href="#Page_447">447</a></li> + +<li>Algoa Bay, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li>Allahabad, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + +<li>Ambrose, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> + +<li>Ameena, Sabat’s wife, <a href="#Page_270">270</a></li> + +<li>America, South, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> + +<li>American Missions, <a href="#Page_463">463</a>, <a href="#Page_568">568</a>, <a href="#Page_569">569</a></li> + +<li>Amiens, Treaty of, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> + +<li>Annie, the orphan, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> + +<li>Arabic, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Bible, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Arabs, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a></li> + +<li>Ararat, <a href="#Page_497">497</a></li> + +<li>Araxes River, <a href="#Page_496">496</a>, <a href="#Page_502">502</a></li> + +<li>Armenians, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_385">385</a>, <a href="#Page_464">464</a>, <a href="#Page_499">499</a>, <a href="#Page_515">515</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Arrah, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li>Artaxerxes Ochus, <a href="#Page_409">409</a></li> + +<li>Asaf-ood-Dowla’s tomb, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> + +<li>Asiatics, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> + +<li>Asiatic Researches, <a href="#Page_425">425</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Society of Bengal, <a href="#Page_425">425</a></li> + +<li>Associated Clergy, <a href="#Page_206">206</a></li> + +<li>Augustin of Canterbury, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> + +<li>Augustine, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> + +<li>Azerbaijan, <a href="#Page_493">493</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Babington, Mr., <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> + +<li>Babism, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>, <a href="#Page_569">569</a></li> + +<li>Badger, Rev. G.P., <a href="#Page_527">527</a></li> + +<li>Bahia, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> + +<li>Bailey, Canon, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + +<li>Baird, Sir David, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> + +<li>Bandel, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> + +<li>Bankipore, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li>Bapre, <a href="#Page_332">332</a></li> + +<li>Baptized for the dead, <a href="#Page_552">552</a>, <a href="#Page_567">567</a></li> + +<li>Barlow, Rev., <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + +<li>Barlow, Sir George, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> + +<li>Basil the Great, <a href="#Page_530">530</a></li> + +<li>Basiliscus, <a href="#Page_530">530</a></li> + +<li>Battle of Blaauwberg, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> + +<li>Baxter, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> + +<li>Bede, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>, <a href="#Page_460">460</a></li> + +<li>Behistun Rock, <a href="#Page_409">409</a></li> + +<li>Bengal Army, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> + +<li>Bengali Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Bengalis, the, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> + +<li>Bentinck, Lord W., <a href="#Page_146">146</a></li> + +<li>Berhampore, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> + +<li>Bettia, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> + +<li>Bible Translation, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Society, British and Foreign, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_421">421</a>, <a href="#Page_484">484</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Russian, <a href="#Page_487">487</a></li> + +<li>Bihar, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li>Bishop, Mrs., <a href="#Page_463">463</a>, <a href="#Page_493">493</a></li> + +<li>Blaauwberg, Battle, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> + +<li>Black Hole, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> + +<li>Blair’s Sermons, <a href="#Page_110">110</a></li> + +<li>Bobbery Hunt, <a href="#Page_332">332</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_574" id="Page_574">[574]</a></span></li> + +<li>Bombay, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> + +<li>Botany Bay convicts, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> + +<li>Bowley, missionary, <a href="#Page_431">431</a></li> + +<li>Brainerd, David, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_564">564</a></li> + +<li>Brazil, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_552">552</a></li> + +<li>Breage, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_551">551</a></li> + +<li>British India Steam Navigation Company, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> + +<li>Brown, David, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Bruce, Dr. R., <a href="#Page_489">489</a>, <a href="#Page_569">569</a></li> + +<li>Buchanan, Claudius, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a></li> + +<li>Buddhism, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> + +<li>Bundlekhund, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> + +<li>Bunder Abbas, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> + +<li>Bunyan, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> + +<li>Burke, Edmund, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> + +<li>Burmese Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Burns, William, <a href="#Page_563">563</a></li> + +<li>Bushire, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a></li> + +<li>Busrah, <a href="#Page_519">519</a></li> + +<li>Butler, Dr., <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + +<li>Butler’s <i>Analogy</i>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a></li> + +<li>Buxar, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Caesareia, <a href="#Page_534">534</a></li> + +<li>Calcutta, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + +<li>Caldecott, Rev. A., <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> + +<li>Caldwell, Bishop, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + +<li>Cambridge, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a></li> + +<li>Canal, Ganges, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> + +<li>Canning, Chaplain, <a href="#Page_468">468</a>, <a href="#Page_482">482</a></li> + +<li>Canterbury, Archbishop of, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_566">566</a></li> + +<li>Cape Colony, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> + +<li>Cape Town, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> + +<li>Cardew, Dr., <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> + +<li>Carey, William, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>, <a href="#Page_487">487</a></li> + +<li>Carlyle, Thomas, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> + +<li>Carlyon, Dr., <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> + +<li>Carus, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> + +<li>Cawnpore, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_308">308</a></li> + +<li>Cecil, R., <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a></li> + +<li>Cemeteries, Indian, <a href="#Page_210">210</a></li> + +<li>Chaman, <a href="#Page_483">483</a></li> + +<li>Chamberlain, missionary, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>Chambers, Sir R., <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— W., <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> + +<li>Chandernagore, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> + +<li>Chaplaincies, India, <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> + +<li>Chaplains, the Five, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> + +<li>Chatterton, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> + +<li>Chesterfield’s Letters, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> + +<li>China, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li>Chinese Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Chinsurah, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> + +<li>Christian Knowledge Society, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> + +<li>Christians in India a century ago, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_423">423</a></li> + +<li>Chrysostom, <a href="#Page_512">512</a>, <a href="#Page_534">534</a></li> + +<li>Chunar, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> + +<li>Church Missionary Society, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>, <a href="#Page_489">489</a></li> + +<li>Clapham, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> + +<li>Clarke, Rev. A.T., <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> + +<li>Clive, Lord, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> + +<li>Cole, Captain S., <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li>Colebrooke, H.T., <a href="#Page_425">425</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— T.E., <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> + +<li>Colgong, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li>College of Fort William, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_421">421</a></li> + +<li>Columba, <a href="#Page_460">460</a></li> + +<li>Confessions of Augustine, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> + +<li>Constable’s edition of Persian New Testament, <a href="#Page_489">489</a></li> + +<li>Constantinople, <a href="#Page_492">492</a></li> + +<li>Corentin, St., <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> + +<li>Cork, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> + +<li>Cornwall tin, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> + +<li>Cornwallis, Lord, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> + +<li>Corrè, Señor, <a href="#Page_107">107</a></li> + +<li>Corrie, Bishop, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_311">311</a>, <a href="#Page_543">543</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Miss, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> + +<li>Covenant with the eyes, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> + +<li>Cowell, Professor, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>, <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + +<li>Cowper, the poet, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> + +<li>Craig, Governor, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> + +<li>Creighton, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a></li> + +<li>Curgenven, Laura, <a href="#Page_239">239</a></li> + +<li>Cury’s, St., <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> + +<li>Curzon, G.N., <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_553">553</a></li> + +<li>Cutwa, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>Cyrillus, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Cyrus, <a href="#Page_370">370</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Dalhousie, Marquis of, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> + +<li>Dante, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></li> + +<li>Dare, Mrs., <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> + +<li>Darius, Hystaspes, <a href="#Page_409">409</a></li> + +<li>Darwin, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> + +<li>Dealtry, Bishop, <a href="#Page_16">16</a></li> + +<li>Demonolators, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> + +<li>Diamonds, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> + +<li>Dinapore, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> + +<li>Dissenters, <a href="#Page_168">168</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_575" id="Page_575">[575]</a></span></li> + +<li>Doddridge, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> + +<li>Dravidian, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> + +<li>Dryden, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></li> + +<li>Duff, Alexander, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_563">563</a></li> + +<li>Duncan, Jonathan, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> + +<li>Dundas, Sir F., <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> + +<li>Dwight, H.G.O., missionary, <a href="#Page_520">520</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">East India Company, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_529">529</a></li> + +<li>East India Company’s Charters, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> + +<li>Eclectic Society, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a></li> + +<li>Edesius, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Edmonds, Canon, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>, <a href="#Page_490">490</a></li> + +<li>Educational missions, <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a></li> + +<li>Edwards, Jerusha, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Jonathan, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> + +<li>Elam, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_441">441</a></li> + +<li>Eliot, J., <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Ellerton, Mr. and Mrs., <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li>Elphinstone, Admiral, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Mountstuart, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> + +<li>Ely Cathedral, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> + +<li>English Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Erasmus, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Erivan, <a href="#Page_499">499</a></li> + +<li>Erskine, Dr. J., <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> + +<li>Erzroom, <a href="#Page_508">508</a></li> + +<li>Etchmiatzin, <a href="#Page_499">499</a></li> + +<li>Ethiopia, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> + +<li>Ethiopic Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Eudoxia, <a href="#Page_534">534</a></li> + +<li>Eurasians, <a href="#Page_222">222</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Fabricius, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Fal Estuary, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> + +<li>Falmouth, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> + +<li>Farish, Prof., <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_441">441</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— of Bombay, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> + +<li>Farsakh, <a href="#Page_493">493</a></li> + +<li>Flavel, <a href="#Page_76">76</a></li> + +<li>Fletcher of Madeley, <a href="#Page_165">165</a></li> + +<li>Forsyth, missionary, <a href="#Page_197">197</a></li> + +<li>Fowler, George, <a href="#Page_520">520</a></li> + +<li>Francis, Philip, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li>Franklin’s travels, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> + +<li>Fraser, Baillie, <a href="#Page_483">483</a></li> + +<li>French, Bishop, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_566">566</a></li> + +<li>Froude, J.A., <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> + +<li>Frumentius, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Fuller, A., <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Galitzin, Prince, <a href="#Page_487">487</a></li> + +<li>Ganges, the, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> + +<li>Ganges Canal, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> + +<li>Gardiner, Capt. A., <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> + +<li>Gaya, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> + +<li>George III., <a href="#Page_343">343</a></li> + +<li>German Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Ghazipore, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li>Gilchrist, Dr., <a href="#Page_72">72</a></li> + +<li>Gillespie, Gen., <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> + +<li>Glen, Dr., <a href="#Page_489">489</a></li> + +<li>Glenelg, Lord, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li>Goa, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> + +<li>Godolphin, Margaret, <a href="#Page_551">551</a></li> + +<li>Gombroon, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> + +<li>Goorkha war, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> + +<li>Gordon, G.M., <a href="#Page_562">562</a>, <a href="#Page_564">564</a></li> + +<li>Gothic Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Govan, Dr., <a href="#Page_302">302</a></li> + +<li>Graaff Reinet, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li><i>Grace Abounding</i>, Bunyan’s, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> + +<li>Grant, Charles, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_472">472</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Sir Robert, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a></li> + +<li>Greek, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Church, <a href="#Page_487">487</a></li> + +<li>Greenwood, Rev. W., <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li> + +<li>Gregory Nazianzen, <a href="#Page_534">534</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Nyssen, <a href="#Page_534">534</a></li> + +<li>Grenfell, Lydia, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a>, <a href="#Page_472">472</a>, <a href="#Page_545">545</a>, <a href="#Page_550">550</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Diary, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_476">476</a>, <a href="#Page_537">537</a>, <a href="#Page_546">546</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— family, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> + +<li>Grotius, <a href="#Page_400">400</a></li> + +<li>Groves, A., <a href="#Page_562">562</a></li> + +<li>Guadagnoli, P., <a href="#Page_400">400</a></li> + +<li>Gulistan Treaty, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> + +<li>Gurlyn, <a href="#Page_85">85</a></li> + +<li>Gwennap, <a href="#Page_4">4</a>, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Hafiz, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + +<li>Haldane, R. and J., <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> + +<li>Hall, Robert, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_516">516</a></li> + +<li>Hannington, Bishop, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + +<li>Hanway, Jonas, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> + +<li>Hartwig, P., <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> + +<li>Hasan and Husain, <a href="#Page_411">411</a>, <a href="#Page_455">455</a></li> + +<li>Hastings, Warren, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Marquis of, <a href="#Page_142">142</a></li> + +<li>Havelock, Sir H., <a href="#Page_346">346</a></li> + +<li>Hawkins, Judge, <a href="#Page_432">432</a></li> + +<li>Heat in India, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + +<li>Heber, Bishop, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> + +<li>Hebrew, <a href="#Page_426">426</a></li> + +<li>Helston, <a href="#Page_88">88</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_576" id="Page_576">[576]</a></span></li> + +<li>Henry, the navigator, <a href="#Page_341">341</a></li> + +<li>Henry Martyn Memorial Hall, <a href="#Page_570">570</a></li> + +<li>Hewett, Gen., <a href="#Page_316">316</a></li> + +<li>Hindus, <a href="#Page_224">224</a></li> + +<li>Hindustani translation, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_422">422</a>, <a href="#Page_431">431</a></li> + +<li>Hitchins, Mrs. T. Martyn, <a href="#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_57">57</a></li> + +<li>Hooker, <a href="#Page_102">102</a></li> + +<li>Hopkins, Bishop, <a href="#Page_25">25</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a></li> + +<li>Horne’s <i>Commentary</i>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a></li> + +<li>Hospitals, military, <a href="#Page_211">211</a></li> + +<li>Hottentot sepoys, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> + +<li>Hough’s <i>Christianity in India</i>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> + +<li>Hweng T’sang, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> + +<li>Hymns referred to, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>, <a href="#Page_547">547</a>, <a href="#Page_567">567</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Idol-worship, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li> + +<li>Imad-ud-din, <a href="#Page_415">415</a></li> + +<li>India, North, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— South, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Christians in, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_423">423</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— evangelisation, <a href="#Page_225">225</a></li> + +<li>Inquisition, The, <a href="#Page_323">323</a></li> + +<li>Iran plateau, <a href="#Page_353">353</a></li> + +<li>Ireland and invasion, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> + +<li>Isaiah, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> + +<li><a name="Islam" id="Islam">Islam</a>, <a href="#Page_133">133</a>, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_536">536</a></li> + +<li>Ispahan, <a href="#Page_465">465</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Jaffir Ali Khan, <a href="#Page_355">355</a></li> + +<li>Jaganath-worship, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_168">168</a></li> + +<li>Jami, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li> + +<li>Janssens, Governor, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> + +<li>Java, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> + +<li>Jefferies, Chaplain, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> + +<li>Jeffery, H.M., <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_47">47</a>, <a href="#Page_56">56</a></li> + +<li>Jerome, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Jerusha Edwards, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></li> + +<li>Jews, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a>, <a href="#Page_387">387</a>, <a href="#Page_459">459</a></li> + +<li>Joasmi pirates, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> + +<li>John, St., <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> + +<li>Jones, Sir Harford, <a href="#Page_344">344</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Sir W., <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> + +<li>Jowett, Prof., <a href="#Page_441">441</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Rev. W., <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> + +<li>Judson, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Julfa, <a href="#Page_464">464</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Kajar Dynasty, <a href="#Page_341">341</a></li> + +<li>Kalinjar, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> + +<li>Kandahar, <a href="#Page_564">564</a></li> + +<li>Karass, <a href="#Page_488">488</a></li> + +<li>Kars, <a href="#Page_506">506</a></li> + +<li>Kaye, Sir John, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> + +<li>Kaziroon, <a href="#Page_353">353</a></li> + +<li>Keith-Falconer, Ion, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_564">564</a></li> + +<li>Kelland, Prof., <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> + +<li>Kempthorne, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> + +<li>Kerr, Dr., chaplain, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> + +<li>Kichener, missionary, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li>Kiernander, <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> + +<li>King’s Chapel, Cambridge, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> + +<li>Kingsley, Charles, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> + +<li>Kirke White, H., <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> + +<li>Kirkpatrick, Capt., <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> + +<li>Komana Pontica, <a href="#Page_533">533</a></li> + +<li>Koran, <a href="#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>, <a href="#Page_487">487</a></li> + +<li>Kum, <a href="#Page_466">466</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Land’s End, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> + +<li>Lassen, <a href="#Page_409">409</a></li> + +<li>Latin Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Church on the Bible, <a href="#Page_491">491</a></li> + +<li>Law, William, <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> + +<li>Lawrence, Honoria, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Lord, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Sir Henry, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> + +<li>Lee, Prof., <a href="#Page_400">400</a>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a></li> + +<li>Leighton, R., <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_555">555</a></li> + +<li>Letters to Lydia Grenfell, <a href="#Page_82">82</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_473">473</a>, <a href="#Page_479">479</a></li> + +<li>Lewis, G., <a href="#Page_133">133</a></li> + +<li>Leyden, Dr., <a href="#Page_423">423</a></li> + +<li>Limerick, Chaplain, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> + +<li>Livingstone, David, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> + +<li>Lolworth, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> + +<li>London Missionary Society, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>Ludovicus de Dieu, <a href="#Page_400">400</a></li> + +<li>Lull, Raimund, <a href="#Page_400">400</a></li> + +<li>Luther, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Lyte, F.T., <a href="#Page_547">547</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Macartney, Earl of, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> + +<li>Macaulay, Lord, <a href="#Page_516">516</a></li> + +<li>MacInnes, Col., <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + +<li>Mackay of Uganda, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + +<li>Mackintosh, Sir J., <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_516">516</a></li> + +<li>Macrina, <a href="#Page_534">534</a></li> + +<li>Madras, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> + +<li>Maiwand, <a href="#Page_565">565</a></li> + +<li>Malayalim, <a href="#Page_327">327</a></li> + +<li>Malcolm, Sir John, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a></li> + +<li>Maldah, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>Malpas, <a href="#Page_24">24</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_577" id="Page_577">[577]</a></span></li> + +<li>Maracci, <a href="#Page_324">324</a></li> + +<li>Marand, <a href="#Page_496">496</a>, <a href="#Page_523">523</a></li> + +<li>Marazion, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></li> + +<li>Marriage, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— of missionaries, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> + +<li>Marrow men, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> + +<li>Marshman, Dr., <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— John C., <a href="#Page_161">161</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a></li> + +<li>Martin, St., <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Church, <a href="#Page_447">447</a></li> + +<li><span class="smcap">Martyn, Henry</span>, birth, <a href="#Page_2">2</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">family, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">parents, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">as a boy, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">at Cambridge, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">father’s death, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">conversion, <a href="#Page_18">18</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">Senior Wrangler, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">at Woodbury, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">reading, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">his rooms, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">ordained deacon, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">loves Lydia Grenfell, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">considers himself engaged to her, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">discussions on marriage, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">love of music, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">appointed East India Company’s chaplain, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">farewell to England, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">his motto, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">at Bahia, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">opposition to his preaching, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">at the Cape, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">describes the Battle of Blaauwberg, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">with Vanderkemp, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">lands at Madras, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">first sermon there, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">lands at Calcutta, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">‘Let me burn out for God,’ <a href="#Page_150">150</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">opposition of chaplains to his preaching, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">at Serampore, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">Carey’s opinion of Martyn, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">at work on his Hindustani Testament, <a href="#Page_168">168</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">a missionary to the Mohammedans, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">renews his suit to Lydia Grenfell, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">appointed to Dinapore, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">a Suttee, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">prayer in the pagoda, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">up the Ganges, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">hostility of Europeans at first, <a href="#Page_204">204</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">in Patna, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">native disaffection, <a href="#Page_206">206</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">dreams and sickness, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">first letter to the associated clergy, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">correspondence with Romanist missionaries, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">evangelisation of India, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">life with Sabat, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">controversy with moulvies, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">refused by Lydia, <a href="#Page_246">246</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">ordered to Cawnpore, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">described by Mrs. Sherwood, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">anecdotes of Martyn, <a href="#Page_264">264</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">his conversation, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">preaching to <i>fakeers</i>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">his convert Abdool Massee’h and others, <a href="#Page_285">285</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">overwork, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">correspondence with Lydia, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">in the new church, Cawnpore, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">return to Calcutta, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">voyage to Arabia and Persia, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">in Bombay, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">in the Persian Gulf, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">lands in Persia, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">in Bushire, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">to Shiraz, <a href="#Page_349">349</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">in Shiraz, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">controversies with Shiahs, Soofis, and Jews, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">with the Moojtahid, <a href="#Page_394">394</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">at Persepolis, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">the Ramazan, <a href="#Page_411">411</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">his place as a Bible translator, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">as a philologist, <a href="#Page_425">425</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">as a Hebraist, <a href="#Page_426">426</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">his Hindustani Bible, <a href="#Page_431">431</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">Arabic New Testament, <a href="#Page_434">434</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">Persian studies, <a href="#Page_445">445</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">Alford on Martyn, <a href="#Page_447">447</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">Persian New Testament, <a href="#Page_450">450</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">Persian New Testament completed, <a href="#Page_460">460</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">to Ispahan, Teheran, and Tabreez, <a href="#Page_463">463</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">illness at Tabreez, <a href="#Page_474">474</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">last words to Lydia Grenfell, <a href="#Page_481">481</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">New Testament</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">presented to the Shah, <a href="#Page_484">484</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">as a translator, <a href="#Page_490">490</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">the Pope’s condemnation, <a href="#Page_491">491</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">towards Constantinople, <a href="#Page_494">494</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">with the Armenians</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">at Etchmiatzin, <a href="#Page_499">499</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">at Erzroom, <a href="#Page_508">508</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">furiously hurried towards Tokat, <a href="#Page_571">571</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">last words in his <i>Journal</i>, <a href="#Page_573">573</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">burial, <a href="#Page_515">515</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">Remembrances of Martyn, <a href="#Page_520">520</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">the first grave, <a href="#Page_529">529</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">the second grave, <a href="#Page_530">530</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">effect of the news of his death, <a href="#Page_543">543</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">first memoir by Sargent, <a href="#Page_547">547</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">last words of Lydia Grenfell’s <i>Diary</i>, <a href="#Page_551">551</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">Henry Martyn’s followers, <a href="#Page_553">553</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">memorials of Henry Martyn, <a href="#Page_570">570</a>;</li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">the lessons of his life, <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + +<li>Massacre Well, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> + +<li>Mathematics in Cambridge, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> + +<li>Mather, Dr. R.C., <a href="#Page_433">433</a></li> + +<li>Mawby, Col., <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> + +<li>McNeill, Sir John, <a href="#Page_520">520</a></li> + +<li>Meer Kasim, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> + +<li>Megasthenes, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> + +<li>Mekran, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> + +<li>Mesnevi, The, <a href="#Page_526">526</a></li> + +<li>Metcalfe, Lord, <a href="#Page_143">143</a></li> + +<li>Methodism, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> + +<li>Methodius, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Miesrob, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Military Asylums, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Orphan School, Calcutta, <a href="#Page_136">136</a></li> + +<li>Milner, Dean, <a href="#Page_235">235</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_578" id="Page_578">[578]</a></span></li> + +<li>Milner, Isaac, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_441">441</a></li> + +<li>Minto, Lord, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_334">334</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a></li> + +<li>Miracle Play of Hasan and Husain, <a href="#Page_411">411</a></li> + +<li>Mirza Fitrut, <a href="#Page_230">230</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Ibrahim, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>, <a href="#Page_403">403</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— M. Ruza, <a href="#Page_403">403</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Sayyid Ali Khan, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_488">488</a></li> + +<li>Missionary call, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_572">572</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— societies, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— council at the Cape proposed, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— preaching, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— and the East India Company, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— life, <a href="#Page_279">279</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— martyrdom, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_513">513</a></li> + +<li>Mohammedan controversy (<i>see</i> ‘<a href="#Islam">Islam</a>’), <a href="#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>, <a href="#Page_475">475</a></li> + +<li>Mohammedans, missions to, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_524">524</a>, <a href="#Page_572">572</a></li> + +<li>Moheecan Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Monghyr, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li>Montgomery, Sir R., <a href="#Page_140">140</a></li> + +<li>Moojtahids, <a href="#Page_395">395</a></li> + +<li>Moor, Canon, <a href="#Page_438">438</a></li> + +<li>Moorshidabad, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>Moravian mission, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> + +<li>Morier, James, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_391">391</a>, <a href="#Page_482">482</a></li> + +<li>Moule, Archdeacon, <a href="#Page_567">567</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Rev. H.C.G., <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a></li> + +<li>Muir, Sir W., <a href="#Page_400">400</a></li> + +<li>Muscat, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_567">567</a></li> + +<li>Music, Martyn’s love of, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_296">296</a></li> + +<li>Mutiny, Indian, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— the White, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> + +<li>Mysticism, literature of, <a href="#Page_554">554</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Nadir Shah, <a href="#Page_341">341</a></li> + +<li>Nana Dhoondoo Panth, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> + +<li>Naoroji, D., <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> + +<li>Napoleon Bonaparte, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a></li> + +<li>Nelson, Lord, <a href="#Page_81">81</a></li> + +<li>Nestorians, <a href="#Page_569">569</a></li> + +<li>Netherlands East India Company, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> + +<li>Newton, John, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li> + +<li>Norman, Sir H., <a href="#Page_220">220</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Obeck, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> + +<li>Oman, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> + +<li>Omar Khayyam, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li> + +<li>Ooroomia, <a href="#Page_483">483</a></li> + +<li>Orme’s <i>Indostan</i>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> + +<li>Ormuz Island, <a href="#Page_341">341</a></li> + +<li>Osborne, Lord S.G., <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> + +<li>Oudh, Nawab of, <a href="#Page_289">289</a></li> + +<li>Ouseley, Sir Gore, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>, <a href="#Page_484">484</a></li> + +<li>Oxford, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Pagoda, Henry Martyn’s, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> + +<li>Paley, Dr., <a href="#Page_30">30</a></li> + +<li>Papendorp Articles, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> + +<li>Parasang, <a href="#Page_493">493</a></li> + +<li>Parsees, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li> + +<li>Parson, Chaplain, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a></li> + +<li>Patna, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></li> + +<li>Paul, the Apostle, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_381">381</a></li> + +<li>Peacock, Dean, <a href="#Page_20">20</a></li> + +<li>Pearce, S., <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> + +<li>Pellew, Sir E., <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></li> + +<li>Pelly, Sir Lewis, <a href="#Page_411">411</a>, <a href="#Page_455">455</a></li> + +<li>Penang, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> + +<li>Pendennis, <a href="#Page_88">88</a></li> + +<li>Persepolis, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_409">409</a></li> + +<li>Persia, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a>, <a href="#Page_446">446</a></li> + +<li>Persian Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>, <a href="#Page_445">445</a>, <a href="#Page_462">462</a>, <a href="#Page_484">484</a>, <a href="#Page_489">489</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Gulf, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— travelling, <a href="#Page_493">493</a></li> + +<li>Pfander, Dr., <a href="#Page_399">399</a>, <a href="#Page_415">415</a></li> + +<li>Philology, <a href="#Page_425">425</a></li> + +<li>Pietists, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> + +<li><i>Pilgrim’s Progress</i>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a></li> + +<li>Pinkerton, Rev. R., <a href="#Page_488">488</a></li> + +<li>Pitt, W., <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> + +<li>Plassey, <a href="#Page_134">134</a></li> + +<li>Poona, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> + +<li>Pope Pius VIII., <a href="#Page_491">491</a></li> + +<li>Popham, Sir H., <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> + +<li>Porter, Sir R.K., <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_519">519</a></li> + +<li>Portraits of Henry Martyn, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— of Lydia Grenfell, <a href="#Page_244">244</a></li> + +<li>Portugal in the East, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a></li> + +<li>Preaching and missions, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Queen-Empress Victoria, <a href="#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="#Page_342">342</a></li> + +<li>Quishlang, <a href="#Page_468">468</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Raffles, Sir S., <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> + +<li>Rajmahal, <a href="#Page_200">200</a></li> + +<li>Ramazan Fast, <a href="#Page_411">411</a></li> + +<li>Ranjeet Singh, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> + +<li>Rawlinson, Sir H., <a href="#Page_409">409</a></li> + +<li>Rayner, M., <a href="#Page_66">66</a></li> + +<li>Redruth, <a href="#Page_51">51</a></li> + +<li>Regiment, the 59th, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— the 67th, <a href="#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_579" id="Page_579">[579]</a></span></li> + +<li>Regiment, the 53rd, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— the 8th Light Dragoons, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> + +<li>Reid, missionary, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + +<li>Reshire, <a href="#Page_346">346</a></li> + +<li>Rich, C.J., <a href="#Page_516">516</a>, <a href="#Page_563">563</a></li> + +<li>Riebeck, Governor, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> + +<li>Robber Island, <a href="#Page_118">118</a></li> + +<li>Roberts, Lord, <a href="#Page_565">565</a></li> + +<li>Robinson, Archdeacon, <a href="#Page_489">489</a></li> + +<li>Rodney, Capt., <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> + +<li>Romanist Christians, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a>, <a href="#Page_569">569</a></li> + +<li>Rumsden, Prof., <a href="#Page_441">441</a></li> + +<li>Ruskin, <a href="#Page_33">33</a></li> + +<li>Russia, <a href="#Page_415">415</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_482">482</a></li> + +<li>Rutherford, Samuel, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> + +<li>Ryland, Dr., <a href="#Page_516">516</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Sabat, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_422">422</a></li> + +<li>Sadi, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li> + +<li>St. Andrews, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> + +<li>St. Hilary church, <a href="#Page_55">55</a></li> + +<li>St. John’s College, Cambridge, <a href="#picture1">13</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_570">570</a></li> + +<li>St. Michael’s Mount, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>, <a href="#Page_96">96</a></li> + +<li>Sandys, Major, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> + +<li>San Salvador, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> + +<li>Sanskrit, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></li> + +<li>Sardhana, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> + +<li>Sargent, John, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_544">544</a></li> + +<li>Sati, <a href="#Page_184">184</a></li> + +<li>Schürmann, missionary, <a href="#Page_432">432</a></li> + +<li>Schwartz, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_317">317</a></li> + +<li>Scott, Sir Walter, <a href="#Page_423">423</a></li> + +<li>Scott’s <i>Dekkan</i>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></li> + +<li>Scottish Missions, <a href="#Page_488">488</a>, <a href="#Page_564">564</a></li> + +<li>Seatonian Prize, <a href="#Page_67">67</a></li> + +<li>Seleukos Nikator, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></li> + +<li>Serampore, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a>, <a href="#Page_422">422</a></li> + +<li>Sermons by Martyn, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_549">549</a></li> + +<li>Serope or Serrafino, <a href="#Page_500">500</a>, <a href="#Page_521">521</a></li> + +<li>Shah Abbas, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Futteh Ali, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_484">484</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Nasr-ed-Deen, <a href="#Page_489">489</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Zeman, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> + +<li>Sheheran, <a href="#Page_511">511</a></li> + +<li>Sheikh Othman, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Saleh, <i>see</i> <a href="#Abdool">Abdool Massee’h</a></li> + +<li>Sherley Brothers, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> + +<li>Sherwood, Mrs., <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a></li> + +<li>Shiahs, <a href="#Page_373">373</a></li> + +<li>Shiraz, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>, <a href="#Page_448">448</a>, <a href="#Page_565">565</a></li> + +<li>Shore, <i>see</i> ,<a href="#Teignmouth">Teignmouth</a></li> + +<li>Simeon, Charles, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_544">544</a>, <a href="#Page_553">553</a></li> + +<li>Sin, Pauline doctrine of, <a href="#Page_109">109</a></li> + +<li>Smith, Dr. Eli, <a href="#Page_435">435</a>, <a href="#Page_519">519</a></li> + +<li>Societies, Missionary, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> + +<li>Soldiers in India, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a></li> + +<li>Solitude, <a href="#Page_462">462</a></li> + +<li>Soofis, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_413">413</a>, <a href="#Page_443">443</a>, <a href="#Page_570">570</a></li> + +<li>Soonnis, <a href="#Page_373">373</a></li> + +<li>Soudan, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> + +<li>Southey, <a href="#Page_40">40</a></li> + +<li>Spiritual Exercises, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_557">557</a></li> + +<li>Stanley, Dean, <a href="#Page_411">411</a></li> + +<li>Stannaries, <a href="#Page_3">3</a></li> + +<li>Staunton, Sir G., <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + +<li>Stephen, Sir James, <a href="#Page_1">1</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a></li> + +<li>Stevenson, W., <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> + +<li>Stuart, Bishop E., <a href="#Page_566">566</a></li> + +<li>Suffavian dynasty, <a href="#Page_341">341</a></li> + +<li>Sultania, <a href="#Page_468">468</a></li> + +<li>Sunstroke, <a href="#Page_347">347</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Tabreez, <a href="#Page_472">472</a>, <a href="#Page_482">482</a></li> + +<li>Taleb Massee’h, <a href="#Page_286">286</a></li> + +<li>Tauris, <a href="#Page_482">482</a></li> + +<li>Taylor, Dr., <a href="#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a></li> + +<li>Teheran, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_466">466</a></li> + +<li><a name="Teignmouth" id="Teignmouth">Teignmouth, Lord,</a> <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_421">421</a></li> + +<li>Teutonic Bible, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Theologia Germanica, <a href="#Page_555">555</a></li> + +<li>Thomas à Kempis, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>, <a href="#Page_555">555</a></li> + +<li>Thomas, Dr., <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> + +<li>Thomason, <a href="#Page_434">434</a>, <a href="#Page_543">543</a></li> + +<li>Thompson, M., Chaplain, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> + +<li>Thornton, H., <a href="#Page_16">16</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="#Page_476">476</a></li> + +<li>Tilsit, Treaty of, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a></li> + +<li>Timour, <a href="#Page_356">356</a></li> + +<li>Tin of Cornwall, <a href="#Page_2">2</a></li> + +<li>Tipoo’s Library, <a href="#Page_151">151</a></li> + +<li>Tokat, <a href="#picture8">518</a></li> + +<li>Tranquebar, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> + +<li>Translation of Bible, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_382">382</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a></li> + +<li>Tregothnan, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> + +<li>Trinity Church, Cambridge, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— College, Cambridge, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + +<li>Truro, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_24">24</a>, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> + +<li>Tsar Alexander, <a href="#Page_343">343</a></li> + +<li>Turks, <a href="#Page_512">512</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Udny, George, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a></li> + +<li>Ulfilas, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Unwin, Mrs., <a href="#Page_66">66</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_580" id="Page_580">[580]</a></span></li> + +<li class="newletter">Vanderkemp, Dr., <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> + +<li>Van Dyck, Dr., <a href="#Page_418">418</a>, <a href="#Page_435">435</a></li> + +<li>Van Lennep, Dr., <a href="#Page_527">527</a></li> + +<li>Vaughan, Dean, <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + +<li>Vellore Mutiny, <a href="#Page_422">422</a></li> + +<li>Venables, Canon, <a href="#Page_535">535</a></li> + +<li>Venn, Henry, <a href="#Page_569">569</a></li> + +<li>Vienna Congress, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Wahabees, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></li> + +<li>Wainwright, Commodore, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> + +<li>Wall’s Lane, Cambridge, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> + +<li>Ward, Chaplain, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— missionary, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_429">429</a></li> + +<li>Waring, Scott, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + +<li>Watson, Bishop, <a href="#Page_137">137</a></li> + +<li>Wellesley, Marquess, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a></li> + +<li>Wesley, Charles, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— John, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> + +<li>Westcott, Bishop, <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + +<li>Westergaard, <a href="#Page_409">409</a></li> + +<li>Wilkins, Sir C., <a href="#Page_516">516</a></li> + +<li>White, Kirke, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Lieut., <a href="#Page_138">138</a></li> + +<li>Whitfield, George, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> + +<li>Whytehead, missionary, <a href="#Page_570">570</a></li> + +<li>Wickes, Capt., <a href="#Page_186">186</a></li> + +<li>Wiclif, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + +<li>Wilberforce, Bishop S., <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— W., <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_570">570</a></li> + +<li>Wilkinson, missionary, <a href="#Page_433">433</a></li> + +<li>Wilson, Bishop D., <a href="#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="#Page_553">553</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Dr. John, <a href="#Page_290">290</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>, <a href="#Page_563">563</a></li> + +<li>Wolverton, Lord, <a href="#Page_44">44</a></li> + +<li>Wood, Col., <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> + +<li>Woodbury, <a href="#Page_24">24</a></li> + +<li>Wordsworth, <a href="#Page_570">570</a></li> + +<li>Wrangler, Senior, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Xavier, Francis, <a href="#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_318">318</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— P.H., <a href="#Page_399">399</a>, <a href="#Page_416">416</a></li> + +<li>Xenophon and the Ten Thousand, <a href="#Page_502">502</a></li> + +<li>Xerxes, <a href="#Page_409">409</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Young, Col. and Mrs., <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a></li> +<li style="padding-left: 1em;">— Governor, <a href="#Page_119">119</a></li> + +<li>Yule, Sir Henry, <a href="#Page_332">332</a></li> + + +<li class="newletter">Zambesi, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> + +<li>Ziegenbalg, <a href="#Page_132">132</a></li> + +<li>Zoroaster, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li> +</ul> + + +<p class="center" style="margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 3em;"> +PRINTED BY<br /> +SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE<br /> +LONDON<br /> +</p> + + + +<div class="bbox"> +<h2 style="margin-top: 1em;">Transcriber’s Notes:</h2> +<ul> +<li>Insignificant punctuation corrections have been made without note.</li> +<li>Legitimate variant spellings have been retained.</li> +<li>Variations in hyphenation have been retained.</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_95">95</a>. One instance of the word ‘to’ was removed from the following sentence, “I disclose those feelings to Him I have no power to to any earthly friend.”</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_167">167</a>. The word ‘ong’ was changed to ‘long’.</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_170">170</a>. The word ‘natives’ was changed to ‘native’s’.</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_234">234</a>. The word ‘Crhist’ was changed to ‘Christ’.</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_403">403</a>. A closing quotation mark was added to the end of the following phrase: “‘... he has taken upon himself to write the following pages.’”</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_498">498</a>. The following sentence does not appear to be correct, “Though it was near midnight I had a fire lighted to dry my books, took some coffee and sunk into deep sleep; from which awaking at the earliest dawn of”. This has been retained.</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_498">498</a>. The following sentence does not appear to be correct, “Ararat was now quite near; at the foot of it is Duwala, six parasangs from Nakshan, where we arrived at seven in the morning of”. This has been retained.</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_500">500</a>. The word ‘delivreance’ was changed to ‘deliverance’.</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_549">549</a>. The word ‘a’ was added to the following sentence: “The remembrance of the event of the day has been rendered useless by my absence from home a great part of it.”</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_574">574</a>. The word ‘Bundelkhund’ was changed to ‘Bundlekhund’.</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_579">579</a>. The index entry for ‘Rich, C.J., 517, 563’ was changed to ‘Rich, C.J., 516, 563’.</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_579">579</a>. The word ‘Serafino’ was changed to ‘Serrarfino’.</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_579">579</a>. The index entry for ‘Simeon, Charles, 13, 27, 34, 42, 109, 190, 544, 553’ was changed to ‘Simeon, Charles, 15, 27, 34, 42, 109, 190, 544, 553’.</li> +<li>Pg <a href="#Page_580">580</a>. The index entry for ‘Wolverton, Lord, 46’ was changed to ‘Wolverton, Lord, 44’.</li> +</ul> +</div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Henry Martyn Saint and Scholar, by George Smith + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HENRY MARTYN SAINT AND SCHOLAR *** + +***** This file should be named 35873-h.htm or 35873-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/5/8/7/35873/ + +Produced by the Bookworm, Rose Mawhorter, <bookworm.librivox +AT gmail.com> and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team +at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by The Internet Archive/American +Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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