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+ text-indent: 0; /* needed if using indented paragraphs by default */ + color: #444;} + +/* Footnotes and Anchors */ +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em; text-decoration: none; + text-indent: 0;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: none; + white-space: nowrap; /* keeps footnote on same line as referenced text */ +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} +.poetry {text-align: left; margin: .25em 5% .25em 5%;} +.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} +.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} +.poemright {text-align: right;} +.poetry .indent0a {text-indent: -3.25em;} +.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3em;} +.poetry .indent4 {text-indent: -1em;} + + +/* Unordered Lists */ +ul { list-style-type: none; } +li {list-style-type: none; + margin-top: .5em; + text-indent: -2em; + padding-left: 1em; +} + +/* Poetry indents */ +.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3em;} +.poetry .indent4 {text-indent: -1em;} + + + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75863 ***</div> + +<h1>MEMOIRS</h1> + +<p class="center small">OF THE</p> + +<p class="h1head">RIGHT REV. DANIEL CORRIE, LL.D.</p> + +<div class="figcenter"> + <img src="images/i_002.jpg" + alt="Title or description"> + <p class="captionright smaller"><i>Woodman, Sc.</i></p> + <p class="caption cursive"><span class="muchlarger"><i>Daniel Corrie, LLD.</i></span><br> + <i>First Bishop of Madras.</i></p> +</div><!--end figcenter--> + +<p class="p4 center small">London, Published by Seeley & Cᵒ. Fleet Street Janʸ. 1847.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center"> +<span class="larger">MEMOIRS</span><br> +<br> +<span class="smaller">OF THE</span><br> +<br> +<span class="larger">RIGHT REV. DANIEL CORRIE, LL.D.</span><br> +<br> +<span class="large">FIRST BISHOP OF MADRAS.</span></p> + +<p class="p4 center smaller">COMPILED CHIEFLY FROM HIS OWN LETTERS AND JOURNALS,<br> +<br> +<span class="large">BY HIS BROTHERS.</span></p> + +<p class="p4 center small">SEELEY, BURNSIDE, AND SEELEY,<br> +FLEET STREET, LONDON<br> +<abbr title="1847">MDCCCXLVII.</abbr><br> +</p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center allsmcap"> +LEONARD SEELEY, PRINTER,<br> +THAMES DITTON.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</span></p> +<h2 id="PREFACE">PREFACE.</h2> +</div> + + +<p>As the greater portion of these Memoirs of a loved +and honoured brother, have been derived from his +own papers, it is hoped that the risk of representing +him other than he really was has, in a great measure, +been avoided. In making use, however, of +such materials as were in the possession of the Editors, +they judged it to be desirable to give somewhat +copious details of their brother’s earlier ministerial +labours, because they conceived that it was then +that the principles and motives by which throughout +life he desired to be actuated were most severely +tested. The Editors were of opinion, too, +that whilst many of the particulars connected with +their brother’s earlier labours in Northern India, +would be new to the great proportion of the present +generation, these records of “the day of small +things” could not be without interest and use to +all who may be engaged in the work of Missions.</p> + +<p>To account for the delay attending the appearance +of this Volume, it may be proper to state, that, +independently of the time consumed in the transmission +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</span> +of some papers from India, many unforeseen +circumstances prevented the brother who had +undertaken the task, from preparing any portion of +these Memoirs for the press until August, 1845. +At that time it pleased God to visit him with a +serious illness, which ultimately brought him to +the grave; and thus the responsibility of completing +what an abler hand had commenced, devolved +on the only surviving brother, who, in his turn, +has not been altogether free from those interruptions +which arise out of the duties and afflictions +of ordinary life.</p> + +<p>It remains to acknowledge, with thanks, the +obligation of the Editors to the Lord Bishop of +Oxford, for the Letters which the subject of these +Memoirs addressed to the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> D. Brown, the Rev. +H. Martyn, and the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. Sargent; to the Lord +Bishop of Calcutta, for the account of the Visitation +of the Upper Provinces, which appears in <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> 529 +and seq; to the widow of the late <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. Buckworth, +for letters addressed to her husband; and to the +Archdeacon Harper for letters and information connected +with the Diocese of Madras. It will be seen +also, that the Editors of these Memoirs have been +much indebted to the correspondence of their brother +with Mr. Sherer, of the Bengal Civil Service,—himself +recently numbered with the dead who are +waiting for the resurrection to eternal life.</p> + +<p class="p2"><i>January 28, 1847.</i> +</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> + +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</span> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CONTENTS">CONTENTS.</h2> +</div> + + +<table> +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="One">I.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">HIS EARLY LIFE—AND MINISTRATIONS.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_1"><i>1</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Two">II.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">DEPARTURE FOR INDIA—VOYAGE—ARRIVAL AT CALCUTTA.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_23"><i>23</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Three">III.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">AT ALDEEN—APPOINTED TO CHUNAR.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_47"><i>47</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Four">IV.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">SETTLEMENT AT CHUNAR.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a id="chgnumber"></a><a href="#Page_65"><i>65</i></a> + <span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</span></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Five">V.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">RESIDENCE AT CHUNAR.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_88"><i>88</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Six">VI.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">VISIT TO CALCUTTA—ARRIVAL OF HIS SISTER.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_118"><i>118</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Seven">VII.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">REMOVES FROM CHUNAR—ARRIVES AT CAWNPORE—ILLNESS OF +MRS. MARTYN.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_140"><i>140</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Eight">VIII.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">RESIDENCE AT CAWNPORE.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_178"><i>178</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Nine">IX.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">CAWNPORE—COEL—RETURN TO CALCUTTA.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_201"><i>201</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Ten">X.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">CALCUTTA.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_227"><i>227</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Eleven">XI.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">AGRA.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_245"><i>245</i></a> + <span class="pagenum" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</span></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XII.</td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">VOYAGE TO ENGLAND.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_280"><i>280</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Thirteen">XIII.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">RETURN TO CALCUTTA.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_295"><i>295</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Fourteen">XIV.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">REMOVAL TO CALCUTTA.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_320"><i>320</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Fifteen">XV.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">CAWNPORE—CALCUTTA—RETURN OF MR. THOMASON—DEATH OF +BISHOP HEBER.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_371"><i>371</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Sixteen">XVI.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">ARRIVAL OF BISHOP JAMES—CONSECRATION OF THE BISHOP’S +COLLEGE—DEATH OF BISHOP JAMES—VISIT TO THE UPPER +PROVINCES.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_415"><i>415</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Seventeen">XVII.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">GOVERNMENT RETRENCHMENTS—PLAN FOR A COLLEGE—DEATH OF +MR. THOMASON—ABOLITION OF SUTTEE—ARRIVAL OF BISHOP +TURNER.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_446"><i>446</i></a> + <span class="pagenum" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</span></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Eighteen">XVIII.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">DISQUIETUDE CONCERNING THE ANGLO-HINDOO COLLEGE—DEATH +OF BISHOP TURNER.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_481"><i>481</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Nineteen">XIX.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">ARRIVAL OF BISHOP WILSON—BAPTISM OF NATIVES—ORDINATIONS—VISITATION +OF THE UPPER PROVINCES.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_519"><i>519</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Twenty">XX.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">DELAY IN HIS NOMINATION TO THE BISHOPRIC—NARROW ESCAPE +FROM DEATH—SUMMONED TO ENGLAND—VISITS THE CAPE AND +ST. HELENA—HIS CONSECRATION—INTERVIEW WITH THE KING—ARRIVAL +IN MADRAS—VISIT TO TANJORE AND TINNEVELLY.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_563"><i>563</i></a></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER <abbr title="Twenty-one">XXI.</abbr></td></tr> + +<tr><td class="tdh"><span class="allsmcap">CHURCH-BUILDING FUND—SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THE IRISH CLERGY—THE +MADRAS GRAMMAR SCHOOL—MEMORIAL TO GOVERNMENT—PRIMARY +VISITATION—DEATH OF MRS. CORRIE—ORDINATION—DEATH +OF BISHOP CORRIE.</span></td> + <td class="tdr vlb"><i>page</i> <a href="#Page_603"><i>603</i></a></td></tr> +</table> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center"> +<span class="muchlarger">MEMOIRS,</span><br> +<br> +ETC.<br> +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p> +<p class="center"> +<span class="ls larger">MEMOIRS,</span><br> +<br> +<span class="allsmcap">ETC. ETC.</span><br> +</p> + +<hr class="short"> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER <abbr title="One">I.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">HIS EARLY LIFE—AND MINISTRATIONS.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">Daniel Corrie</span>, the subject of this Memoir, was +born on the 10th of April 1777, and was the eldest +surviving son of the late <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> John Corrie, for +many years Curate of Colsterworth, in the county +of Lincoln, and Vicar of Osbournby in the same +county, and afterwards Rector of Morcott, in the +county of Rutland. The history of the early part +of Mr. Corrie’s life will be best told by the following +extract from his private Journal, dated on his +twenty-seventh birthday<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Alas, when I look back, what a dreary waste appears! +Seventeen years spent at home without a thought of God or +salvation, though I had the benefit of family worship, and +abundance of good advice. The succeeding four years I spent +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span> +with Mr. E.,<a id="FNanchor_1" href="#Footnote_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> principally in London, and its neighbourhood, +exposed to every temptation. The first serious resolution I +made of reformation was on the night of February 10, 1798, +on which I heard of my mother’s death, which, occurring +suddenly, was a great shock to me. I loved her most dearly, +and had much reason to do so. Being totally ignorant, +however, of my own depravity, and in darkness as it regarded +the work of the Redeemer, I soon broke all my resolutions. +In May 1798, I returned to my father: and, being removed +from my temptations, I was in hope of effectually reforming +myself; but, alas! on every convenient occasion, I became +the prey of my former temptations. In the October of that +year, we removed from Colsterworth to Grantham, where I +became still more strict, attending every month at the Lord’s +Table; but I was still ignorant of the way of salvation. In +the summer of 1799, I was entered of Clare Hall, Cambridge; +and before going into residence, I met frequently with Mr. +G. N., who took much pains to direct my views aright; but +I obstinately withstood him, and succeeded too fatally, I fear, +in hardening C. against his admonitions. Still, I was destitute +of true peace, and determined on greater strictness, such +as fasting and penance, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> + <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> I went into residence at +Cambridge, October 1799; but instead of further reformation, +I spent my first year in a round of dissipation. Still, +however, I maintained appearances, being seldom out of +gates after ten o’clock, or being absent from chapel. I went +occasionally to Trinity Church,<a id="FNanchor_2" href="#Footnote_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> though I was much disgusted +with what I heard there. During the summer of +1800, I had time for reflection, and returned to college in +the autumn, with some faint desires of doing better. At +Christmas of that year, I was appointed to an exhibition at +Trinity Hall, and removed thither in the January of 1801. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span> +I now began to feel a growing attachment to Mr. Simeon’s +ministry, although I seldom ventured to take a seat. Returning +home in June 1801, reformed in a great degree in +my outward conduct, and with desires the world could not +satisfy, it was my happiness to find John Buckworth,<a id="FNanchor_3" href="#Footnote_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> at his +father’s; who, taking me to visit some religious people, I +insensibly began to love their society, and to perceive that it +was the way of life I desired to follow. I reflect with much +gratitude on the kindness and forbearance of my friend +Buckworth, who led me on by degrees, till I ventured to +speak to him of my state; and from that time I have experienced +a pleasure in the ways of God before unknown. +Yet, alas! I began to be proud; and returned to college in +October 1801 full of self-conceit. I now attended Trinity +Church regularly; but my walk was very uneven. About +Christmas I fell grievously, and continued for about a fortnight +full of terror, and without resolution to proceed. It +pleased the Lord, however, to raise me up again; and since +that period I have had no distressing apprehensions respecting +God’s willingness, and the Saviour’s sufficiency, to save +to the uttermost.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">With reference to what Mr. Corrie terms in the +foregoing extract, a grievous fall, he expressed +himself to his friend Buckworth, in a letter dated +Dec. 25, 1801, as follows<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I was too forward and presumptuous in my notions of +acceptance with God, and of an interest in the Saviour; and +God has thus left me to myself, to prove to me the pride and +deceit of my heart. I have been ashamed of my Saviour, +and he has withdrawn from me the sense of His presence; +and dismay and a fearful looking for of judgment has taken +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span> +possession of my soul. Yet the anxiety and longing after +His presence, which I feel, leads me to hope that He will +not cast me off for ever. God, Thou knowest my heart: +Thou knowest that I trust not in my own self for strength +to serve Thee. O shut not Thy merciful ears to my prayers!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">After keeping the usual number of Terms in +Cambridge, Mr. Corrie was ordained Deacon on +Trinity Sunday, June 13, 1802, by Dr. Tomline, +Bishop of Lincoln, to the curacy of Buckminster, +in the county of Leicester. His views and feelings +with respect to the christian ministry, are expressed +in the following extract from a letter written about +the time of ordination to Mr. Buckworth<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The ministry appears to be indeed an awful undertaking: +the nearer the time approaches, the more difficult do the +duties of it appear. At C. the obstacles seem to be greater +than elsewhere. O for a firm reliance on that grace that +can overcome all obstacles, and make even a bed of thorns +easy!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Shortly after Mr. Corrie had been ordained to the +curacy of Buckminster, he received an appointment +to that of Stoke Rochford also. On this latter +curacy he resided, until in 1806 he accepted a +chaplaincy to the East India Company; and his +correspondence with Mr. Buckworth, affords us +some notices of his early ministerial life. In a +letter dated November 10, 1802, he writes,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I yesterday met a large party from Skillington at N.’s. +You know I never was among them before. I felt little +edification: their manner of expression, and many passages +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span> +in their hymns, were not in unison with my frame. I felt +not that ‘Nature’s last agony was o’er;’ or that ‘all was +torn from my bleeding heart;’ but thought that ‘would to +God this were my experience!’ O that I might love Him +supremely—that I might burn with love in return for His +matchless goodness! But, what I most objected to was +a hymn, beginning, ‘Abraham when <i>severely</i> tried,’ and +in the third line, ‘He with the <i>harsh</i> command complied.’ +I may not be correct in any except the <i>marked</i> words; but +surely nothing can be ‘severe,’ or ‘harsh,’ which proceeds +from a God of love, who is engaged to make all things +work together for our good. Send me word, dear B. what +you think of these things: whether these remarks are not +the offspring of a captious and weak head; or whether it is +an artifice of Satan to prevent me from profiting by their +company; for, certain it is, I feel little of that elevation I +have often felt after religious conversation. I spent the +evening of Sunday at Mrs. B.’s, I trust profitably. Some +of their relations were there, and went away seemingly +impressed. May God fix what was said on their hearts! +I spoke to them from my favourite subject, 2 Cor. viii. 9. +The subject of our poverty, and the way in which we were +made rich in Christ, were the principal topics I dwelt on. +O that He would be pleased to own the labours of the very +least of his servants, who am not worthy to be called a +servant! Blessed be He who has ‘laid help on one that is +mighty;’ and blessed be He who knows how to pity our +infirmities, and will send his Spirit to teach us what to ask +for. How my praise for ever flows, to the adorable Trinity +for that grand scheme of redemption! While I write, I +feel the efficacy of Christ’s atoning blood to purify souls +polluted as mine. O when shall redemption in its fullest +import appear! When shall we begin the triumphant song +of the redeemed, ‘To Him who loved us and washed us +from our sins in his own blood!’”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span></p> + +<p class="p2 right">“March 7, 1803.<br> +</p> + +<p>“My time, sorry am I to say, has passed heavily of late. +Such backwardness to communion with God, such slothfulness +in His service: so many painful apprehensions with +regard to temporal inconveniences: so many distressing +doubts with regard to retaining Stoke! You, perhaps, +will not wonder when I tell you that, what with inward +conflict and outward service, I am brought very low; or +that these unbelieving fears have provoked the Holy Spirit +of God to leave me, in some measure, to wrestle with those +inward and hidden corruptions of my heart, which, like a +troubled sea, throw up mire and dirt in abundance. Yet +by this, if by nothing else, do I know that the Lord favours +me, since my enemies, who have assaulted me so continually, +have not prevailed against me. And though my soul is +cast down; yet do I not doubt but that, when the Lord +sees fit, I shall praise Him, and again rejoice in the God of +my salvation.</p> + +<p>“You desire to know how I go on, that is, I suppose, +how the work of the Lord prospers. O that I had more to +tell you on this head! At Sewstern, I have reason to fear +that my hopes were too sanguine. Miss N. was last week +attacked very suddenly with a fainting fit. It happened to +be the day I was to drink tea with them. I found them +much alarmed; and, it gave me an opportunity of speaking +on the necessity of a speedy application to Christ.... +May the Spirit of God apply it to their hearts! At Easton, +I was called to visit a woman who has been long confined, +though till lately unknown to me. I trust that the Lord +has indeed visited her in mercy. I found her at first in a +very contented state, supposing, (in her own words), that +she had ‘a good repenting heart.’ I endeavoured to convince +her that by nature no one has a repenting heart, but +on the contrary that it is only evil, yea ‘desperately wicked.’ +On my return a few days after, I found her in much anxiety, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span> +saying that she had been deceived in her opinion of herself, +<abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>; and though her doubts are not yet removed, I trust +she disclaimed all other ground of confidence but the Redeemer’s +merits. This is matter of much comfort to me; +and O what comfort that I have myself been taught these +things! Might I not have been ‘a blind leader of the +blind.’ Might I not still have been the slave of Satan, and +been his instrument in destroying souls? ‘O to grace how +great a debtor!’”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“April 25, 1803.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Soon after my last letter to you, peace began to dawn +upon my soul; and by imperceptible advances gradually to +increase. I have since then enjoyed in general a settled +calm; though of late I have been severely exercised by the +revival of corruptions which I had hoped were in a great +measure subdued. The Lord has let me plainly see that +the seeds of these evils still remain. At the same time I +have reason to bless His name, who has made me more than +conqueror. Mr. Newton’s letter on Temptation suits my +experience on that subject; and it has been the instrument +of much comfort and strength to me.</p> + +<p>“You perhaps have learned from the newspapers the sudden +death of Mr. Cholmeley.<a id="FNanchor_4" href="#Footnote_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> He was riding with some +friends near his own house, and fell from his horse in a fit, +and expired in a few minutes, without speaking a word: +he was buried last Saturday. How loudly do such providences +call upon us to be in continual readiness; not only +to awake from sin, but to be diligent in the improvement of +our talent, that when our Lord cometh, He may receive +His own with usury.”</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span></p> + +<p class="p2 right">“Colsterworth, June 8, 1803.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Your letter directed to High Street, followed me hither. +I should have answered it sooner, but have been much engaged +in catechising, attending visitations, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, besides my +usual avocations. With yourself, I have to complain of +much deadness of soul; though I enjoy now and then a +passing glimpse of the Divine goodness, for which I have +much reason to be thankful, and which keeps my soul +athirst for God, and leads me to long for brighter manifestations +of His love. I cannot but adore the condescension of +Jehovah, who, I trust, smiles upon my labours, and owns +His own work in the most worthless of His creatures.”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“Stoke, October 31, 1803.<br> +</p> + +<p>“What obligations am I under to you for the part you +have taken, in leading my feet into the ways of peace! +But, what infinitely greater obligations do I owe to the +Friend of Sinners! That name, the ‘Friend of Sinners,’ +endears the adorable Saviour to my soul; and gladly would I +leave all things here below to see Him as he is, and love +Him as I ought. But His time is best: and it is infinite +condescension that He grants us here some visits of His +love, and gives us to taste a blessedness begun. When I +read your letter, I was almost ready to envy you the pleasure +you must have enjoyed during your stay in London; but a +little reflection reconciled me to my confined situation. +Though you were feasted with spiritual dainties, yet unless +your spiritual appetite was good you would pine in the +midst of plenty; and, blessed be His name, where He +creates an appetite, He will surely satisfy it, were it in a +desert. ‘If Elijah wants food, ravens shall feed him.’... +I have in general enjoyed much comfort in private, but my +public duties have not brought me so much consolation. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span> +So much of self mixes with all I do, that it mars my peace; +and, I fear, hinders the success of my labours; though it +seems the highest presumption to limit the Almighty, or to +suppose that a ‘potsherd of the earth’ should obstruct His +designs. The Sunday preceding the Fast-day, I endeavoured +to prepare the minds of the people for that occasion; +and was happy to find that it was not without +effect. The three churches were crowded. I took my text +from Psalm lix. 1, 2. I have read lately two of the Homilies, +‘the Homily on the Misery of Man,’ and ‘the Homily on +Salvation.’ By the advice of my father, I reserve the others +for the festivals for which they are appointed. I hope this +may have the effect of removing prejudice—the Lord grant +it may! I can appeal to Him that my desires are to be useful +in His vineyard. May that sovereign grace be magnified +which has inspired the desire! Yesterday my father administered +the Sacrament for me at Buckminster; the number +of communicants was unusually large, though it is a +time of the year in which the people do not usually attend in +numbers. I hope this is a token for good, and an encouragement +to persevere and wait the Lord’s time....</p> + +<p>“My dear friend, forget me not at the throne of grace: +thither I always bear you in my mind, and I have much +need of your prayers, that I may have utterance given me +to declare the mysteries of the Gospel. This is all that is +worth living for, to make known the riches of Divine grace, +and to be instrumental in winning souls to Christ. Yet, O +what coldness and backwardness I feel even in this delightful +service!...</p> + +<p>“Did you, my friend, partial as you are, but know the +thoughts that haunt my soul, and pursue me even into the +pulpit, your good opinion would, I fear, be turned into +disgust. But ‘this is a saying worthy of all acceptation, +that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.’ +This is all my salvation, and all my desire; and this shall +be all my theme, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</span> +From this hold, Satan has not prevailed to drive me of late. +To this hold will I cling, for He that is my righteousness is +also my strength, and in His strength I shall be more than +conqueror. May the soul of my friend ‘blossom as the +rose; and be as the garden of the Lord, well watered every +where and fruitful!’”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“London, December 20, 1803.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I rejoice that you seem to expect no further hinderance +to your ordination at Easter. I hope you will be abundantly +blessed in your labours, for truly nothing else can satisfy a +soul thirsting after the honour that comes of God. We need +much patience, dear B., that after having done the will of +God we may inherit the <span class="lock">promises—</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0">‘God moves in a mysterious way,</div> + <div class="verse indent4">His wonders to perform,’</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="unindent">and, when our finite capacities can discover no good working, +He is bringing about the purposes of His own will. +Often has he given my impatient soul to see this: in a +moment hushed the storm of raging and impetuous +passions; and made, even when all in prospect seemed +gloomy, a great calm. This experience has been of great +service to me, in enabling me to impart consolation to others, +and to comfort them with the same comfort wherewith I +myself have been comforted of God. O the heights and +depths, and lengths and breadths, of the love and condescension +of God, to submit, as it were, to the caprices of +the creatures of His hand, yea, of the rebels against His +government! ‘Is this the manner of men, O Lord?’ I +feel, indeed, according to your expression, that ‘without all-sufficient +grace, quickly would my heart return to the indulgence +of those things which my judgment tells me, are +nothing but vanity and sin.’ In the review of my experience +since I came hither, much cause of praise appears. That +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</span> +promise has been very abundantly realized, ‘He will not +suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able, but will +with the temptation make a way to escape.’ And having +this experience I would gladly ‘cast all my care upon Him,’ +who, I trust, ‘careth for me,’ in expectation that He will +‘keep me by His mighty power through faith unto salvation.’”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“Stoke, February 14, 1804.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I anticipate much pleasure in your company and from +hearing you preach in some of my churches. I have, however, +I trust, learned in some poor measure to ‘cease from +man;’ nor do I expect either pleasure or comfort further +than as a Divine blessing shall attend our communications. +The work of the ministry seems to be followed with little +effect in this place: for my own part, however, I have felt +much freedom from slavish fear; and have delivered my +message with boldness. If it were the will of God, I +should rejoice in some visible effects; but I desire to resign +myself to His pleasure.</p> + +<p>“The Methodists have at length established preaching at +Sewstern; and, I understand, some have been brought under +convictions by their means. If the work be of God, I +would gladly bid it God speed; and if it be of man, it will +come to nothing. The ministers of the Established Church +labour under some disadvantages, from the necessity of +having so many parishes to attend to, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>... Every day +convinces me more of the necessity of subordination in +religious, as well as civil affairs. The want of this is the +cause of that mania, if I may so speak, which prevails +among the Methodists, and bids fair in time to turn them all +into preachers and no hearers. They seem to look upon +preaching as the only instrument of conversion, and overlook +other means, such as reflection, self-examination, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>; +hence their various backslidings, falling from grace, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span> +the many reproaches that are brought upon the gospel thereby. +These things make me lament sincerely, the defection which, +I fear, daily takes place from the Establishment. Pure in +her doctrines, and apostolic in her constitution, our Church +seems, indeed, ‘the pillar and ground of truth;’ and the +best means, under the great Head, of keeping men in the +simplicity of the gospel. I would not, however, say with +Mr. D. that there is no salvation out of her pale. I would +rather pray, earnestly pray, for a revival of vital godliness +in her sons.... O that it would ‘please God to illuminate +all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, with true knowledge +and understanding of His word;’ and enable them to +shew its real power both in their preaching and living....”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“April 4, 1804.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I should have answered your letter sooner, but have +been both very unwell and very much engaged. Mrs. B. +left this life for a better, in the night of the 26th ultimo. I +was in the house at the time of her departure, and I trust +profited by the awful event. She was sensible at the last, +though for some days she had been wandering. Frequently +during her illness, she confessed that she had no hope but +in the blood and righteousness of Christ, and wished to receive +Him as her King to make her holy, as well as her +Prophet to teach her, and her Priest to atone for her transgressions. +It was matter of surprise to me to hear her express +herself with a correctness on the work of the Redeemer, +which had been unusual to her; and did not seem to be +expected from one who had become so late in life acquainted +with the way of salvation. I have felt more than I had +expected to feel from the departure of one of my most constant +and attentive hearers. May the effect be lasting!</p> + +<p>“I have of late had reason to bless God for some visible +testimony of His acceptance of my labours. Soon after you +left us, I went to visit an old person and his wife at Sewstern, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span> +and trust that the man is in a hopeful way. Some +persons at Easton, too, have been awakened, and now meet +for the purpose of social worship. The multitude, alas! +continue inattentive: but, one soul saved, and that the +meanest or weakest of God’s creation, is abundant recompense +for a life of toil and labour.</p> + +<p>“Last Sunday, I exchanged duty with Mr. G. at W. It +is grievous to observe so small an attendance at public worship. +It seems a beacon to warn us of the ill consequences +of irregularity. When a man shews a contempt for the institutions +of the church to which he belongs, the <i>profanum +vulgus</i>, though dull enough in general, can easily see the +motive that keeps him in the church, and they learn to despise +the person who, for the sake of emolument, will continue +a member of the church.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">To the foregoing notices of Mr. Corrie’s early +ministerial labours, may be added an extract from +his Journal, dated April 10, 1804.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“On Trinity Sunday, June 13, 1802, I was ordained +Deacon. I trust I had a desire to do good to the souls of +men; but it was, as I now perceive, very faint, though I +hope my labours have not been in vain. And now, O Lord, +I desire to adore that sovereign grace, which plucked me as +a brand from the mouth of the devouring flame! I would +pour out my soul in gratitude, to that dear Redeemer, whose +intercession has delivered me from so great a death; and +would bless the Holy and Eternal Spirit who has enlightened +my dark understanding, so that though I know not the hour, +nor the day, nor the month, nor even the year, when He +graciously wrought savingly upon me, yet I can say, +‘Whereas I was blind, now I see.’ O Holy, Blessed, and +glorious Trinity, let thy choicest blessings descend on Mr. +Simeon, who, regardless of the frowns he might incur, faithfully +warned me of my danger; and let thy watchful Providence +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span> +ever protect my friend Buckworth, dearer than a +brother; and, O, pardon my manifold sins! This is all my +hope, that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin, +and that His Spirit is powerful to subdue the most inveterate +corruptions.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">‘On thee alone my hope relies,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">At thy dear cross I fall,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">My Lord, my Life, my Righteousness,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">My Saviour, and my all.’</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="unindent">Impart to me from thy fulness, and let me evermore be abounding +in thy work. I trust thou hast given me to desire the +furtherance of thy glory. Enable me to act accordingly, and +to live to Him who loved me and gave himself for me. Let +nothing ever prevail to allure me from Thee, neither the +hope of preferment, nor the fear of opposition. I have a +deceitful and desperately wicked heart, but I trust thou wilt +never leave me nor forsake me, seeing thou hast given me to +hope in thy word.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">During the Easter Term 1804, Mr. Corrie +returned to Cambridge for the purpose of keeping +his Law Exercises;<a id="FNanchor_5" href="#Footnote_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> and on Sunday, June 10th, of +that year, was ordained Priest at Buckden, an event +which he thus notices<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“This day I have been admitted to the sacred Order of +Priests. I have much, O Lord, to be grateful to Thee for! +I was kept calm and collected during the examination; and, +(glory be to Thy name!) I have been given to feel, in +some measure, my insufficiency for these things. Make +me, I beseech thee, more sensible of this, and grant that +the solemn transactions of this day may never rise up in +judgment against me! Let me be a light in the world, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span> +showing forth thy praise; and make me, both in life and +doctrine, an example to Thy flock. Lord, excite in my +heart strong desires after the welfare of immortal souls; +and grant that those to whom, I trust, thou hast sent me, +may be ‘turned from darkness to light, and from the power +of Satan unto God.’ To thee I look: on thee I would +depend. Blessed Jesus! be thou my righteousness and my +strength. Fulfil all the good pleasure of thy will in me.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In answer to a letter received from Mr. Buckworth, +who, the Easter previously, had been ordained +to the curacy of Dewsbury, he writes, August 24th, +1804<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I rejoice to hear of the success of your ministerial +efforts. O that the Lord would hasten the time when +Satan’s kingdom shall be finally demolished, and the kingdom +of the Messiah established on its ruins! You will now +have another snare to contend with; the Lord having been +pleased to own you for his servant, Satan will now seek to +exalt you beyond measure. We tread in a narrow path: +dangers stand thick around: a single false step may lead to +consequences most ruinous. O what need of watchfulness! +May the ‘Watchman of Israel’ guard you; then will you +be secure indeed! For myself, I can but just discern the +pulse of spiritual life to beat, and that chiefly by the struggle +between sin and grace. Alas! I have no active exertions +to reflect on. That I am not the willing captive of +natural inclination is all that I can say. Since you were +here, I have been obliged to apply for medical aid, and have +found considerable relief (thanks be to the chief Physician!) +so that I am now in usual health, except that I am oppressed +with a languor which distresses me exceedingly, and +leaves me only able to sigh and cry. How cheering the +consideration that ‘our life is hid with Christ in God!’ +There it is secure. How animating the thought that ‘when +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span> +Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall we also appear +with him in glory!’ O the wonders of redeeming love, +that worms, rebellious worms, may not only hope, but +confidently expect such transcendent blessedness! For +Christ our Head having endured the cross, to deny Him the +rewards of His sufferings would be an injustice incapable of +entering the Eternal mind. What shall I render [to the +Lord] that amidst all my deadness, this hope is not taken +from me? My help it standeth only with the Lord; and +though I am destitute of sensible comfort, yet I am enabled +to rest upon the unchangeable word of promise, that +those whom He has justified, and to whom He has given +the love of holiness, the inseparable companion of justification, +He will infallibly glorify. With respect to the +work of the Lord, I hope it prospers among us. I hear of +good being done, and that is some comfort to me. Amongst +your numerous friends, let me beg of you to remember me +at the throne of grace: none more stands in need of your +earnest supplications. Whilst I can keep hold of the promise, +I am encouraged: but I assure you, it is indeed a +warfare, a struggle, a race. You are often, <i>often</i> present +to my mind; and while I have any apprehension of the inestimable +value of spiritual blessings, I will not cease to +pray that you may be enriched with the choicest of them; +and that we may be permitted to join in the songs of the +redeemed.”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“Stoke, November 12, 1804.<br> +</p> + +<p>“It is some time since I heard of you, but hope you are +well: if so, the less matter whether I hear of you or not. +However, pray snatch some passing hour to let us know +how the work of the Lord goes on at D.; for, let matters +go how they may with ourselves, still will we say respecting +the success of the Gospel, ‘Good luck have thou!’ There +is in man a desire to be <i>something, somewhere</i>; and this +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span> +desire is, beyond a doubt, the moving spring of much of +that forwardness we see in many touching the promotion of +religion. Howbeit, the Gospel is furthered.</p> + +<p>“You will be surprised to hear of the death of James P. +He was buried at Colsterworth about a fortnight since. +With my father’s permission, I preached at his funeral to a +crowded church. The effect I know not, but my own heart +seemed hard and insensible as a rock; and, indeed, though +I have proof that my labours are owned by my gracious +Lord, yet I seem like Gideon’s fleece, dry in the midst of +divine dew. My hope, however, and my confidence, is kept +immoveably fixed on the rock of ages; and I have to bless +God for a growing devotedness to his service, an increasing +determination to be the world’s fool for the sake of Christ, +and to count His reproach my highest honour.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">An entry in his private Journal, dated January +27th, 1805, manifests the same distrust of self, and +the same earnestness for the good of his people.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“At Skillington, this morning, I felt an earnest desire, +had it been God’s will, that I were able to preach extempore. +I had so strong a desire to communicate to the people what +I felt of God’s goodness, that it seemed a restraint to confine +myself to my paper. But, Lord, thou knowest what a +proud creature I am. Thou seest how I covet the praise of +man, and in mercy to my soul hast made me ‘slow of +speech.’ O make me of quick understanding in the ways +of godliness! At Stoke, I felt something of the same spirit +remaining, some longings after God in prayer, and some +breathings for his blessing on the people during the sermon; +but at Buckminster, how changed! Wandering thoughts +and imaginations. How manifold are the mercies, how +infinite the patience of God! O when will it be that my +heart shall be immoveably fixed on God: when shall my +soul become as a weaned child? Blessed Saviour! thou art +my Friend, my Advocate, my Head of influence: visit me +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span> +with thy salvation: smile upon my poor, imperfect, defiled +labours, and glorify thy name in my weakness!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">April 10th, being his 28th birth-day, is thus noticed:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Yesterday, I was twenty-eight years of age: but, my +heart ever prone to forget the Lord’s mercies, I forgot to +make any reflections on the Divine goodness in bringing me +thus far. Lord, I would remember, to the glory of thy rich +and free grace, that thou forgivest my transgressions, and +coverest all mine iniquities. I have to praise thee that thou +hidest me from the strife of tongues: thou makest my way +very pleasant: thou strewest my path with flowers: thou +hast also given me some tokens that I have not run unsent, +by blessing my poor attempts to the consciences of my people, +and awakening some of them, I trust, from the sleep of +sin, making them to hear thy sweet voice speaking peace to +their souls. If a worm may be permitted to plead with his +Maker, O let my cry enter into thy ears, and awaken many +sinners amongst us to come to Christ that they perish not! +Yea, Lord, give me to see Jerusalem in prosperity: nor +would I cease to plead with thee till thou hast answered my +prayer. I would praise thy holy name for a growing determination +to glory in nothing save in the cross of our +Lord Jesus Christ. I would bless thee for a disposition to +count reproach for his sake as my highest glory. I plainly +perceive that ‘all who will live godly must suffer persecution.’ +I cannot hope to enter into heaven but ‘through +much tribulation,’ even as thy choicest servants have done. +O enable me to keep my eye ever fixed on Jesus, that I may +not be weary, or faint in my mind! When I look back, the +brightness of thy favour makes my unprofitableness dark indeed; +and I should have just cause to fear, that the avenging +sword of thy justice would cut me down as a cumberer +of the ground; but Jesus liveth, making intercession, and +therefore I am not consumed. Nor shall I ever be consumed, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span> +seeing, ‘He is able to save to the uttermost.’ To +all thy other favours, O Lord, add a heart to trust thy word; +and henceforth let the love of Christ constrain me to a more +constant and uniform obedience. Thou knowest that I love +thy law; and though I come far short of its requirements, +yet there is not one jot or tittle that I desire to have altered. +I consent to it that it is ‘holy, just, and good,’ and desire +to conform my whole spirit, soul and body, to its divine +precepts. Let thy Holy Spirit, then, carry on the work +thou hast begun! Write thy law upon my heart; put it +into my mind; and let me be changed from glory to glory, +till I become ‘meet for the inheritance of the saints in +light:’ whither, in thine own good time and way, bring me +of thine infinite mercy, for Christ’s sake. Amen.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In the Easter term of 1805, Mr. Corrie was admitted +to his L.L.B. degree. It was during this +visit to Cambridge that the subject of a chaplaincy to +the East India Company was strongly urged upon +him by the late Mr. Simeon. After much and serious +consideration, it seemed to Mr. C. to be his duty to +devote himself to the spread of the Gospel amongst +the heathen. An appointment to India was accordingly +obtained for him, through the influence of the late +Mr. William Hoare; and the following extracts from +Mr. C.’s journal and letters will exhibit the state of +his mind, in the prospect of quitting his curacy, for +the purpose of exercising his ministry in a distant land.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“July 25th, 1805. I have for a long time neglected to +note down the workings of my soul; but I would now remark, +that when I have been in my best frames, my mind +has been most resigned to the work of the Lord in India. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span> +Yet I feel much cleaving to creatures, and a want of resignation. +Lord, teach me to know, and do thy will!</p> + +<p>“Oct. 6th. As the time approaches for leaving England, +more anxiety of mind arises; though blessed be God, no +desire to draw back from the work. O may I be found but +faithful! Lord, strengthen and support me in the work. +‘Give what thou commandest,—and then command what +thou wilt:’ let thy will be done <i>in</i> me, and <i>by</i> me; and in +life and death let me be thine, through Jesus Christ, thy +dear Son, and my beloved Saviour. Amen!”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“November 12, 1805.<br> +</p> + +<p>“From my last you would, perhaps, expect to hear from +me before this; which might have been the case, but that I +received information, when in London, that the fleet does +not sail for India before January next. It is not likely, +therefore, that I shall leave this place [Stoke] before that +time; unless, indeed, Mr. D. should meet with a curate to +supply my place. He is now in London; and, as my engagement +with him ceases at Martinmas, should he meet +with any person at liberty to enter on the curacy, I cannot +expect, nor do I desire, to continue longer. He returns +this week, when it will be determined. On my way from +London, I stopped at Cambridge, and read prayers for Mr. +Simeon on the Thursday evening. It was highly gratifying +to see very many gownsmen attentive hearers of God’s word. +One might compare it to so many messengers waiting for +instructions, with which they were about to post off in all +directions. The Lord increase their number, and long continue +Mr. Simeon at Cambridge, an invaluable blessing to +the church and nation!—I feel some degree of regret at +leaving [this place]; and, especially on account of some +who manifest an attachment to the cause [of God], whilst +yet they are far from being what I could wish them. I experience +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</span> +something of what the Apostle expressed towards +his people, when he declared he ‘travailed in birth of them +till Christ were formed in them.’ O that the Lord would +‘cut short his work in righteousness,’ that I might leave +them with a prospect of rendering an account of them with +joy! I reflect with much dissatisfaction on my conduct +whilst among them: so little of the example of Christ, so +little of warmth in public, so little of zeal in private, so +much ignorance, and inexperience in stating the truths of +God, that I fear lest their blood should be required at my +hands: almost involuntarily my soul cries out, ‘Deliver me +from blood-guiltiness, O Lord, and my mouth shall sing +aloud of thy righteousness!’ O the horrid wickedness of +soul-murder! How infinitely valuable must that blood be, +that can wash out so foul a stain! O may I ever experience +its healing and cleansing power; and may the consideration +of the richness and the fulness of redeeming love animate +me to greater exertions, and fill my mouth with more exalted +praises! Lord Jesus, let thy power rest upon me, and +thy strength be perfected in my weakness! Out of the +mouth of a babe and suckling in Divine knowledge, ordain +praise and glory to Thyself! Let my dear friend say, +‘Amen,’ to these unconnected petitions; whilst, through +grace, my prayers shall continue to ascend, that every needful +gift and grace may be bestowed upon you, that you may +be enriched with all spiritual knowledge and understanding; +and that you may have utterance given ‘to declare the whole +counsel of God.’”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“January 13th, 1806.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have not heard further respecting the time of sailing +for India, but am getting ready for a removal on the +shortest notice. With much thankfulness I inform you, +that my mind is quite tranquil in the prospect of leaving +everything dear to human nature. I have, indeed, sometimes, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</span> +painful convictions of my insufficiency for the great +work before me; but am in general enabled to believe, that +‘as my day is, so shall my strength be.’ The affection my +people express for me fills me with shame, that I do not +more deserve it, and with fear lest I should be tempted to +think of myself more highly than I ought to think. It has +pleased my gracious Lord, however, to give me of late a +deep experience of my own depravity, and of my unworthiness +of the least of his mercies. My dear friends seem +entirely reconciled to a separation. I trust that we shall +be able to part without the sorrow of those ‘who have no +hope.’ O how great the condescension of our Redeemer +God, who stoops to so close an union with sinful worms: +who allows the sons and daughters of corruption to address +Him as their Husband and their head; and salutes them +as His spouse and His beloved! Methinks such honour, +so undeserved, might well engage our every thought, and +make our every inquiry only, ‘What shall I render, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>?’”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="p2 blockquot"> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_1" href="#FNanchor_1" class="label">[1]</a> +A friend who had expressed an intention of providing in life +for Mr. C.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_2" href="#FNanchor_2" class="label">[2]</a> +The church of which the late <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Charles Simeon was then +Incumbent.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_3" href="#FNanchor_3" class="label">[3]</a> +The late <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> John Buckworth, Vicar of Dewsbury, whose +father was an inhabitant of Colsterworth.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_4" href="#FNanchor_4" class="label">[4]</a> +Montague Cholmeley, Esq. of Easton Hall, near Grantham, +one of Mr. Corrie’s parishioners, and grandfather of the present +Sir Montague J. Cholmeley, <abbr title="Baronet">Bart.</abbr></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_5" href="#FNanchor_5" class="label">[5]</a> +It was now that Mr. Corrie became more intimately acquainted +with Henry Martyn than he had before been.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER <abbr title="Two">II.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">DEPARTURE FOR INDIA—VOYAGE—ARRIVAL AT CALCUTTA.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">Early</span> in the year 1806, Mr. Corrie took leave of +his relatives and parishioners to embark for India. +At that time, a voyage to India was looked upon +as a much greater undertaking than it is considered +at the present day. Accordingly on Mr. Corrie’s +departure from his father’s house, the parishioners +pressed round to take their leave of him; many +of them deeply affected, believing “that they should +see his face no more.”</p> + +<p class="tall">After a prosperous journey to London and Portsmouth, +he embarked (March 30, 1806) on board +the <i>Asia</i> East Indiaman, bound to Calcutta. Mr. +C. was accompanied by a brother-Chaplain, the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> +Joseph Parson, one of his most attached College +friends. Among the passengers were many cadets, +to several of whom Mr. C. was made useful, and became +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span> +in after life their friend and counsellor. Some +particulars of the voyage are subjoined from Mr. +Corrie’s Journal and Letters, which shew the lively +interest he took in the welfare of all around him, and +indicate the steady purpose with which he kept in +view the great work before him.</p> + +<p class="tall">In his journal, Mr. C. writes under date of</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“April 10th. This day I have completed my twenty-ninth +year. In the review of the past year, O what reason +have I to adore the divine mercy. Soon after I had determined +on going to India, which was in June last, it pleased +God to work by his word, and to raise a general attention to +eternal things, amongst my people at Buckminster and +Stoke, giving me real favour in their sight, for which I +desire to praise Him, confessing that I am not worthy to be +ranked amongst the meanest of His ministers. Some +amongst them, I hope, were brought to God. O that they +may continue to walk in the truth; and may each amongst +them become Christians, not in name only, but in deed and +in truth! Since I have been on the point of departing +from England, every objection to the undertaking has been +removed from my mind. My heart is set on the work of +the Lord in India; and I would not draw back, as far as I +know myself, to be made Archbishop of Canterbury. I +have taken leave of my dear friends, most likely for ever in +this world. I would dedicate every faculty of my soul and +body to my redeeming God. Lord, accept me, working in +me that which is well-pleasing in thy sight, through Jesus +Christ my Lord and Saviour; to whom with Thy blessed +self, and Holy Spirit, Three persons in one Jehovah, be all +glory, and honour, and praise, now and for evermore. +Amen!</p> + +<p>“April 14th. On Saturday afternoon, and yesterday +morning, the wind blew quite a hurricane. In the night of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span> +Saturday, I could not sleep for the tossing of the ship: I +lay meditating on death, and found my mind calm and resigned; +but saw nothing in whatever I had done on which I +could rely for a moment; saw nothing, in fact, but what +was deficient and defiled with sin. Yet, in the consideration +of the atonement, and intercession of Jesus, I could look +<i>without dismay</i>, though not with any sensible joy, to a +judgment-seat.</p> + +<p>“Yesterday the wind was too high to admit of divine +service. Much consideration about our danger during the +preceding night; but, alas, little disposition to praise the +Lord for his goodness! Some few of the passengers listened +with attention, whilst I read a sermon on the poop. I had +much conversation at intervals with several of them, on the +subject of religion; and found some disposed to attend. +Yesterday, passed one of the Salvage islands: to-day one +of the Canaries (Palma.) No one who has not been for +some time out of sight of land can conceive the delight +which the view of these created; or the refreshment they +afforded the eye. As stupendous monuments of the divine +power, they ought to have raised more adoration in my heart +to the great Supreme. But, alas! I find the more I get +familiarized to the wonders with which I am surrounded, +the less sensibly I feel my dependence on Him in whom I +live and move. Blessed Saviour, O let me be accepted, and +ever preserved through thy intercession, and kept by thy +power through faith unto salvation. Amen.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Whilst off the coast of Africa, Mr. Corrie relates +that the Lady Burgess, one of the Indiamen in +company with the Asia, struck upon a rock:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The masts were cut away: the pinnace, contrary to expectation, +floated, (for she filled with water,) and soon after +was driven clear of the breakers, with about forty persons. +As many as could swim plunged in, and about seventy at +length got into her. The boat also was manned, and, by +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span> +the exertions of the chief mate, the ladies, (six in number,) +were put into her, and none allowed to go with them, lest, +being crowded by too many, she should be swamped. The +captain and some others who could not swim, were saved by +laying themselves on planks; and, being drifted by the +waves, were afterwards picked up by the boats. The Leopard’s +boats saved about twenty-five. The ladies were received +on board the Nelson; the greater part [of the crew] +were taken up by the Melville, and some by the Sovereign +and Alexander. About fifty perished; amongst whom were +the first and sixth mates, the purser, and twenty-four +cadets; the greater part of the others were Asiatics, with +some soldiers.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">With reference to this melancholy occurrence, Mr. +C. writes:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Sunday, April 20. This morning has been spent in +great anxiety. About two o’clock, I heard guns firing as +signals of distress. When day broke, the wreck of a vessel +was seen on the rocks, off the island Benevento. About +eight boats were observed at a distance, and at ten o’clock +we perceived one making towards the Asia. Soon after, a +passenger of the Nelson, and one of the mates of the Lady +Burgess, came on board, from whom we learnt that the unfortunate +ship was the Lady Burgess, which was gone down +with every part of the cargo. Six ladies, passengers, +reached the Nelson in safety. The mate, after putting the +ladies on board the Nelson, returned to the wreck, when +her poop remained above water sufficiently to preserve life: +on returning a second time, nothing was seen but part of +the bowsprit, every creature had disappeared; but the Commodore, +having sent several boats to their assistance, suggests +a hope that all are saved. What reason have we of +this ship to adore a kind Providence for being directed a +different course! Alas, that such indifference, nay base +rebellion [against God] should still appear! O let me not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span> +be as those who know not God, but grant me such a due +sense of all thy mercies, O Lord, that my heart may be unfeignedly +thankful, and that I may show forth thy praise +not only with my lips, but in my life! Amen.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Journal proceeds:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“April 23rd, St. Iago.—Went on shore with the purser. +On landing was struck by the scenery, which was quite new +to me, and highly picturesque. Within the beach there is +a low valley, having the appearance of a marsh, with shrubs +growing in the shape of a pine-apple; it had a very pleasing +effect. Water was here procured for the fleet. The town +stands on a hill, on the right of the valley; and within the +fortifications. At the foot of the ascent, and on the beach, +were three officers riding on small lean ponies. Their +clothes, ragged and much worn, were such a contrast to an +Englishman’s idea of the word ‘officer,’ as to excite a smile. +Further on were some slaves, in a state of nature, employed +in breaking cocoa-nuts. At the entrance of the garrison +stood a sentinel, without shoes or stockings, his other clothes +hanging in rags, and having no lock to his musket; altogether, +he reminded me of one of Sancho Panza’s guards. +In the town, which consisted of two rows of huts, we found +poultry, pine-apples, cocoa-nuts, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> for sale. The +natives perfectly understood what are called ‘the tricks of +trade.’ I am told they sell a kind of Port wine of inferior +quality, mixed with rum to keep it from going sour; +they have also a kind of gin, extracted from the sugar-cane. +Their women are the most disgusting figures that can be +conceived; many of them having only a covering round the +waist; the men too like men in general; but one, a Caffre +slave, was about seven feet high. The country presents a +most barren appearance, being very hilly, and seldom visited +with rain. After staying about three hours, I returned to +the Asia, most thankful that my lot had been cast in Britain, +and admiring the kindness of providence to that happy +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span> +isle. Long may a gracious God exercise the same fatherly +care over it! Long may England flourish, as the place +which God hath chosen to put his name there!</p> + +<p>“Sunday, April 27th. I had service on deck to-day, the +sailors being very attentive; was much affected with languor, +so that the day has passed in an unprofitable manner. I +had a long conversation with G., and hope well of him again. +Thought much of my dear relations; and had an affecting +sense of the value of former privileges, ‘when I went to the +house of God, with the voice of joy and gladness.’ O for +the happy time when I shall be privileged to draw near to +God without restraint! Blessed be His name for some +sweet seasons in private. O may the impression of them +remain, and be productive of holiness in heart and life!</p> + +<p>“May 3rd. Yesterday the wind sprung up, a light breeze, +and continues to drive us two knots an hour, after a calm of +three days. In the night, we had a very narrow escape from +running foul of the Alexander; the boats were about to be +lowered from the idea that the ship might go down by the +concussion. What reason to be thankful for preservation! +O for a due sense of all thy mercies, my God and Saviour!</p> + +<p>“Friday, May 11th. This day had divine service on +deck: in the evening had a conversation with V. on the +doctrine of the Atonement. He seemed much impressed, +and said he had never before considered it; but hoped he +should now make it the study of his life. Lord, work in +him both to will and to do for Jesus Christ’s sake! Amen. +I would record, to my shame, how feeble my efforts are for +the eternal welfare of those around me; and, when I think +of the shame I feel, I desire to be roused to greater exertions, +lest Jesus Christ should profess himself ashamed of +me at the last day. O the piercing thought of being excluded +from thy blessed vision! Prevent it by thy grace! +let me not fall, I pray.</p> + +<p>“May 18th. Service on deck. Found much sweetness +in private devotion, with a disposition to pray for my dear +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</span> +relatives and friends by name. My mind tolerably fixed on +divine things, with boldness to speak to any that came in +my way, on the subject of religion. I have of late observed +with pleasure a great change in P.’s views and sentiments +respecting scriptural truths; and a practice more correspondent +thereto than formerly. This morning, he spoke +with much feeling, on several experimental truths of Christianity; +and I humbly hope, is no stranger to the power of +them. O that I may be enabled to walk in wisdom towards +him, and that he may be an honoured instrument in turning +many to righteousness!</p> + +<p>“Sunday, June 1st. I have neglected to make memoranda +during the past week, and fear it is a symptom of +spiritual decay: yet, I find, in general, much fixedness of +mind in private prayer; and sometimes much tenderness of +spirit. The Bible is my delight and daily counsellor; and +I think I watch every opportunity of calling the attention +of those around me to the things of eternity. Yet, I would +confess to my shame, that these attempts are feeble, +generally very unskilfully conducted, and little calculated +to produce a good effect, and chiefly confined to more intimate +associates. I plainly perceive that without a great +exercise of divine power, I am totally unfit for the work of +introducing the Gospel amongst the heathen; and much +fear lest the objects of time and sense should divert me from +that pursuit. Yet, Lord, thou knowest that to be instrumental +in turning many unto righteousness is my highest +ambition. This is the determination of my judgment; +though, alas! my affections draw me powerfully to court +the favour of man, and to covet ease. I perceive myself +poor and blind, and miserable, and wretched, and lost, and +undone; but O the joyful sound of wisdom, righteousness, +sanctification, and redemption in Christ Jesus for ruined +sinners! Blessed Lord, grant me a spirit of faith, that I +may apprehend this dear Redeemer; and by virtue of union +with Him may obtain acquittal from all condemnation, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</span> +daily become more like Him, in righteousness and true +holiness!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">To the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. Buckworth he wrote as follows<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We are in hopes of reaching Madras in nine weeks from +this time; so that before you receive this, which comes by +way of St. Helena, I shall, by the divine permission, be in +India. Indeed, on this element, in a peculiar manner is +the apostle’s limitation to be attended to, ‘If the Lord will, +we shall do this or that.’ My dear friend will be ready to +fear that an account of our spiritual voyage is to be excluded +from this paper. Would that I could gladden your +heart with tidings of a large fleet steering for the haven of +everlasting blessedness; but on this subject my materials are +scanty, though, blessed be God, some news of this kind I +can send you.... We have twenty-two youths on board, +going as cadets to India: of these a few allow me to +talk freely and familiarly on the best subjects; the others +treat me with civility, though sometimes they are shy of my +company. One I sincerely hope is pious, though very +volatile in his disposition: another attaches himself very +much to me, and is much separated from his companions. +These are the most promising among us, ‘the gleaning +grapes, one or two, on the top of the uppermost boughs.’ I +have distributed several Testaments, and other books; but +observe no increase at present....</p> + +<p>“My thoughts lead me now to Dewsbury, where I fancy +I behold my dear friend and his dear partner, happy in +each other, and happy in the love of Jesus; but not without +some thorn, to remind them that their God has a more +complete happiness in store for them. You will not need +assurances that my daily prayers ascend on your behalf; nor +need I ask you to believe that words cannot express the +interest I feel in your welfare. May the richest blessings of +Providence and of grace descend upon you both; and may +you bring much honour to the ways of truth, by your lives +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</span> +and conversation, till, full of days, and full of grace, like +shocks of corn in harvest, you be gathered into the heavenly +garner! I long to be publishing glad tidings of salvation +to poor Indians, and am daily studying their language for +this purpose: an Asiatic on board helps me in acquiring the +pronunciation, and in return, receives instruction in the +New Testament: he evidences a teachable disposition; +laments the folly and idolatry of his countrymen, and +I trust will one day become a witness against their +abominations.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">But to return to the Journal<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“June 8th, 1806. On a review of this week, I feel +much cause for humiliation, and much for praise; for humiliation, +that I gather no more boldness in the cause of +God and of his Son. Yet, I am thankful that my silent +refusal to conform to the vanities around me is not unobserved; +and that a sneer about saintship is not unfrequently +indulged in, when I am present. I rejoice in these +tokens of my separation from the temper and practices of +the world; yet I would look to more certain evidence of my +love to Jesus than this, even in the devotedness of my heart +to His service and glory; and in the love I feel for perishing +souls around me. Alas, my evidences are very few: yet I +think I would rather be a door-keeper in the house of God +where I might see His face, than live in the richest palace +on earth; and to be instrumental in turning sinners ‘from +the power of Satan unto God,’ is more desired by me than +to be Emperor of the world. These are my sentiments and +desires: O Lord, let them not evaporate in empty speculations +for Jesus Christ’s sake!</p> + +<p>“Thursday night. I would record to the honour of +Divine grace, the goodness of God to my soul. Rose this +morning at half-past five, found much earnestness in prayer, +and my mind much disposed to that duty, but little if any +sensible comfort. Prayed particularly for a believing, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span> +waiting spirit, which has been graciously vouchsafed. I +have observed two or three instances of answers to prayer, +in the waiting frame of my mind; in the attention I have +been able to give to study, and in some other particulars. +Lord, keep me humble and thankful for Jesus Christ’s sake, +Amen!</p> + +<p>“June 29th. I have neglected to make memoranda of +my state. Abstained from dinner, with a view to afflict my +soul before God, on account of my own sins, and the sins +of those around me. O Lord, without thy divine influence +I fast and pray in vain. The sins in myself I would particularly +note are, a backwardness to think on divine subjects; +a general deadness in religious duties; a coldness of +affection towards the Lord Jesus Christ; a want of zeal for +God, and of love for souls; and a fear of censure and +reproach, which leads me to suffer sin on my neighbour +unreproved. With respect to those around me, their profane +swearing, their neglect of God and His worship. O will +not God be avenged on such a people as this? Will not +this floating city be sunk in the mighty waters, for the +wickedness of its inhabitants? O Lord, let my cry come +before Thee, in behalf of this ship’s company, through the +mediation of Jesus Christ!</p> + +<p>“Sunday, July 6th. This morning a most tremendous +gale came on. Went on deck at five o’clock. The vessel +rolling so as once to ship a sea on the lee-side; every person +seemed apprehensive of danger. For my own part, I do +not recollect to have been afraid, but I felt much awe and +seriousness, in the thought of appearing before God. In +the afternoon (two o’clock), a man fell overboard from the +foremost main-yard. By the uncommon exertions of Mr. +Walker, the third mate, and four of the men, he was taken +up alive, and gives hopes of recovery. Mr. W.’s conduct +on this occasion merits the greatest praise, and has much +endeared him to every one on board.</p> + +<p>“July 20th. Read Church History and Persian. The +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</span> +Commodore spoke an American, which left Calcutta on May +28, and which on June 22nd, spoke a ship at sea, and received +information that a frigate, supposed to be detached +by Jerome Buonaparte,<a id="FNanchor_6" href="#Footnote_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> put into the Cape and was captured +by Admiral Popham; from whence it is concluded +that Jerome Buonaparte either followed the frigate into the +Cape and was taken, or proceeded to India. Two country +ships had been captured in the straits of Malacca.</p> + +<p>“Thursday, July 24th. In addition to the news heard +on Tuesday, learned from the Commodore, that the American +told him a general peace had been brought about in +India. O that ‘the Prince of Peace’ would establish His +dominion among those perishing heathens! Every day +brings me acquainted with some new proof of that wretched +slavery which they are under to the powers of darkness. +My mind is bent on the work of the ministry amongst them. +I think with delight on the time when I shall be able to +address them, in their own language, on the glorious truths +of the gospel; and am thankful that I find diligence and +ardour in the acquirement of Hindoostanee. Yet, when +I reflect on the backwardness and timidity that possesses +my mind in this matter, among my present associates, I am +ready to fear lest I should be diverted from my purpose. +Lord, hold me up, and bring me through, more than conqueror, +for His sake who, I believe and feel, ‘loved <i>me</i>, +and gave himself <i>for me</i>!’</p> + +<p>“Thursday, August 21st. This morning heard that +Ceylon was in sight; went on deck soon after, and saw +land, but very indistinctly. At half-past one the shore presented +a beautiful object; a great variety of trees, hills, and +plains. My mind more affected than I can express, with a +sense of the goodness of God, in bringing me thus far in +health and safety. I feel no inconvenience from the climate, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</span> +and very little of that listlessness I so much feared. O for +a heart to praise the Lord! Surely, surely, I am more ungrateful +than any of God’s children; for His child I feel I +am! O write thy law on my heart; and let my obedient +life bring glory to Thee, through Jesus Christ! O how I +long to be declaring the way of salvation to perishing souls! +O let me have that faith which overcomes the world; set +me free from every entanglement; keep through thy word +those on board whom thou hast disposed to consideration; +fortify their minds, and keep them from the tempter’s +power, to the glory of thy grace, Amen, Amen!</p> + +<p>“Sunday, August 24th. Rose this morning at five o’clock. +After prayer—in which I found earnestness, and tolerable +fixedness of mind, though no stirring of affection—went on +deck. Read in the epistle to the Hebrews, and found much +light flash on my mind in reading. Saw more clearly than +ever the <i>distinction</i>, yet <i>consistency</i>, between the old and new +covenant. At eleven, read a sermon from Walker; afterwards +joined in prayer with W, P, G, and V.<a id="FNanchor_7" href="#Footnote_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> I found +much enlargement of heart, and much freedom of expression +in prayer. Lord, keep me humble; and, O bless these +my associates! Convince them of sin; lead them to Jesus; +make them strong in the Lord; and be a spirit of adoption +in their hearts, for Jesus Christ’s sake! Lord, bless my +dear relatives. O give them grace to walk before thee with +perfect hearts; and supply them with every needful earthly +blessing. Feed them ‘with food convenient’ for their +station, and finally crown grace with glory. Amen! No +prayers on deck, or in the cuddy.</p> + +<p>“Monday. Yesterday afternoon, a strange sail came in +sight to the northward. Cleared for action, and lay at +quarters all night. Expect to reach Madras to-morrow +morning by six o’clock. Every one seems unsettled in prospect +of going ashore; my own mind has caught the contagion. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</span> +Nothing to advantage has been done to-day. ‘Lord, +save or I perish.’</p> + +<p>“Wednesday. Were disappointed in our expectation, by +a strong current which set us so far to the westward that +we were obliged to tack, and wait for the sea-breeze, which +to our great joy sprang up about three o’clock; and brought +us into Madras roads, where we cast anchor exactly at ten +at night. Yesterday morning the air was much impregnated +with the flavour of the productions of Asia, having a smell +like the sickly smell arising from sweetmeats. The entrance +into the roads was very delightful: the light-house +before us, the European residents’ houses on the left, showing +lights from various quarters; the Nabob of Arcot’s +palace lighted so as to appear brilliantly illuminated. All these +were pleasing objects to eyes accustomed to look only upon +the wide extended ocean for four months past. The striking +of clocks, too, was most gratifying to the ear. My mind +was much affected with a sense of the Divine goodness, in +bringing us thus far in safety and peace. As soon as we +were anchored, two boats came from Admiral Trowbridge +for despatches; and a <i>Catamaran</i>,<a id="FNanchor_8" href="#Footnote_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> with three natives +charged with letters from the Town-major to the Commanding +Officer. These natives presented a most disgusting appearance +to a stranger, especially an European stranger. +They have no covering, save a small piece of cotton round +their waists; and a cap, like a fool’s cap, of fine basketwork, +in which they carry their letters: and, being entire +strangers to our language, my mind was affected with dismay +and horror. Retiring to my cabin, despondency almost +overcame me. My native country, with its healthy climate, +and hospitable inhabitants, came forcibly to my mind. Those +loved objects seemed for ever gone: dear relatives for ever +fled! In exchange, a sickly climate, a burning soil, a heathen +population, were to be my associates. Alas! how these +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span> +considerations depress my spirits, while a sense of my own +unfitness to encounter any of these obstacles, leads me to +consider this as a place of banishment, and an untimely +burial-ground! Yet have I not freely chosen this undertaking? +And, has not God power to bring me through? +And, is He not sovereign of Asia, as well as of Europe? +And, is He not ready to save here, as there? O my foolish, +unbelieving heart! I see the truth of these suggestions; +yet unbelief prevents me from taking the comfort of them. +O Lord, work faith in my heart; and enable me to glorify +thee by a firm reliance on thy promise, that thou wilt not +leave me, but wilt make me ‘more than conqueror through +Him that loved me,’ even Jesus thy Son: to whom with Thee +and the Holy Ghost be glory for ever!</p> + +<p>“This morning several boats filled with natives came +off: the rowers, like the Catamaran Jacks in appearance +and dress: the masters or duboshes,<a id="FNanchor_9" href="#Footnote_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> having white muslin +coats and petticoats. These duboshes are very obsequious, +very pressing of their services; and have written characters, +as from former masters; but many of these are evidently +forgeries. Many of our Bengal passengers are gone on +shore. I felt too depressed to go; and too much interested +in V. and Y. to leave them on board. Y. I hope, seems +in some measure, established in sound principles and +practice. V. alas, discovers a backwardness to converse +on religious subjects; and I fear, shuns me, lest I should +trouble him with them: he is, however, very regular in +his conduct; and much respected by his associates. But, +Oh! what avails a mere name to live?—He is now gone on +shore. Y. remains on board, with the other Madras cadets, +until an order for their disembarkation arrives. O Lord, +keep them by thy power! O let not Satan triumph over +them, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span> +“<span class="smcap">Madras</span>, Wednesday evening, Aug. 27th, 1806. Went +on shore, and was much annoyed by the clamorous importunity +of the natives, who were waiting in hundreds on the +beach to carry the luggage, or otherwise serve the new +comers: their harsh language, and their almost naked bodies, +their eager and obtrusive offers of service disgusted and +wearied me exceedingly. With some difficulty, I got through +the crowd; and, on arriving at the New Navy Tavern, +found some of my old shipmates. Here we were again importuned +by duboshes who were eager to serve us. We +made choice of one who proved a notorious cheat: he made +off with six rupees given him to hire a <i>bandy</i>;<a id="FNanchor_10" href="#Footnote_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> and I know +not yet how much linen he may have stolen. The profusion +of silver or gold rings which the natives wear on their arms, +their ancles, their ears, and their toes, appeared odd to me; +their offers of service and their whole conduct, whilst I was +on shore, have impressed my mind with an opinion of their +deep depravity, and their entire want of principle....</p> + +<p>“On Thursday, August 28th. Parson and I went to call +on the London Society’s missionary. Though unknown to +him, and though carrying no letter of introduction, yet I +was certain that if he were a real missionary, we should be +welcome; and I was not disappointed in this expectation. +We received a cordial reception: Martyn having mentioned +my name, we soon became cordial. He appears a humble +pious man, not destitute of ability, with a degree of zeal: +his education appears to have been confined. Here we +learned that Dr. Ker, the Senior Chaplain, had a letter for +me from Martyn; and that, being obliged to go to Seringapatam +for the recovery of his health, he had left it at the +house of Mr. Torriano. Thither Mr. L. drove me in his +bandy, leaving Mr. Parson to walk back to the inn. On +arriving at Mr. T.’s, I found the letter, enclosed in one from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span> +Dr. Ker, recommending me to accept Mr. T.’s invitation to +take up our abode with him; which we did, and experienced +much hospitality and kindness. Mr. T. is a self-taught +Christian indeed: his son is a sensible and very pious youth, +and showed us much brotherly love; and from the Lieutenant +we received great regard. Next day Mr. P. and +myself called on Mr. V. and found him very reserved: he +afterwards, on further intercourse, became more sociable; and +engaged me to preach for him on Sunday the 31st; which I +did, and took for a subject the character of Josiah. The +Governor, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, were present; and the church was pretty +full: the congregation was very attentive; though some, I +hear scoffed; but others expressed their approbation. In +the evening P. officiated at the chapel, Black Town, and expounded +the first chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. I +went to hear Mr. L. who preached from Psalm xxxvii. 40. +During our stay on shore, I went often to the cadets’ tents, +and have reason to be thankful. Found V. and Y. kept +free from the vices of the place.</p> + +<p>“Friday evening, Sept. 5th. I read a portion of the +church prayers, and addressed an exhortation to the boys at +the Asylum. There are about two hundred half-caste boys +educated there, and maintained by public subscription. Dr. +Ker is Superintendent; and Mr. L. is acting Master. +During our stay at Mr. Torriano’s, our apartment was a tent +comfortably fitted up, where Mr. T. generally (his son V. +always), comes morning and evening to join in worship. +The fort is a most complete structure, seemingly defying +the power of man to take it: the buildings within it are +very sumptuous. The Black Town far exceeds my expectation, +in the commodiousness of its houses, and in their +structure; but the streets are narrow; and the dust and +filth in them render the town exceedingly unwholesome. I +do not find the heat by any means so oppressive as I expected: +morning and evening it is as cool as summer in +England. I frequently walked several miles. The Europeans +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span> +are, in general, very averse to the idea of evangelizing +the natives. The chaplains consider it as a hopeless case; +and others look upon it as needless and impolitic. I lament +that my mind was not more affected with the stupid idolatry +of these depraved people. Their pagodas abound; and their +attention to them might shame people of purer principles; +whilst their depraved morals show that their religion is +confined wholly to externals; and that they are incapable of +communion with a holy God. These considerations ought +to impress me more. O the unconquerable hardness of this +stupid heart! Yet, blessed be God, who has reconciled my +mind more to the work of the ministry here; and has influenced +me to prefer the honour which cometh of God, +more than the favour of men. I think I am more determined +than ever on publishing salvation to these ignorant +heathen. I have to lament that my mind seldom experienced +any sensible comfort in God, whilst on shore: +deadness and oppression overspread my soul for the most +part; yet, I do not recollect, except on one occasion, that I +attempted to shun the reproach of the cross; and, in general +I was <a id="chg1"></a>enable to introduce serious subjects.</p> + +<p>“Sunday, <abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 7th. Came on board the Alexander, in +consequence of the Asia being ordered round by Penang, to +take troops to Bengal: much heaviness of mind on account +of the state of those around me....</p> + +<p>“Saturday, <abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 13th. On Tuesday evening last, we +came to anchor off Masulipatam. During that day, in +making in to the shore, the ship was found in three and a +half fathoms (she draws three fathoms;) consequently great +alarm prevailed, every one expecting that she would strike +instantly. The wind being brisk, the ship answered the +helm; and, by the Divine favour, we got clear of the +danger. In the afternoon, a ship which had been in sight +for some days, hauled her wind and stood our course: this +raised a suspicion of her being an enemy; the drum beat to +quarters and every preparation was made to prevent her +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span> +boarding us. After some time, she hoisted Danish colours, +and came to anchor near us off Masulipatam. During these +two times of alarm, I recollect to have been much more +anxious as to the event, than on former times of danger +during the voyage; and have reason to fear I have suffered +damage, especially since we left Madras. This I know has +been the case, and I bless God who has given me to feel it, +and to lament it, and to strive and pray against it; and +(blessed be His name) not in vain.</p> + +<p>“On Wednesday, Parson and myself went off together +with two officers of the king’s regiment: after a most unpleasant +passage of twenty-four hours, we arrived at Masulipatam, +a distance of not more than six miles in a straight +line. Our delay was owing to the land wind, which, blowing +directly opposite, drove us far to leeward, and obliged +the men to push the boat along shore with long poles; a +tedious and laborious operation. On entering the fort, we +found that Colonel Norris (to whom we had a letter of introduction +from his father-in law, Mr. Torriano,) was in the +fort. We went to his house, and on being introduced to +his lady, presented our letter, which she opened, and sent to +the Colonel, who was on a committee at the barracks. +Breakfast was got for us immediately, and every attention +shown us; after breakfast, the Colonel came in, and ordered +us change of clothes; after we had dressed, he came and +shook us very kindly by the hand, and said, he had an +order in his pocket, which obliged him to be particularly +kind to us. This order he punctually obeyed, shewing us +every mark of attention possible, and even regard.... +The propriety of conduct necessary in ministers, the +characters of many eminently pious missionaries, and of +Christ and His Apostles, were the principal subjects of +conversation. May God give a blessing to our poor attempts +to spread the savour of Jesus’ name; and may the Colonel’s +kindnesses to us be abundantly repaid out of the fulness of +Christ! After passing twenty-four hours very agreeably, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span> +and I trust not unprofitably, we left Masulipatam yesterday +about three o’clock, with the purser; and though detained +a short time at the entrance of the river, from want of +water, we got on board the Alexander by five o’clock: the +anchor was weighed, and we set sail as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>“Tuesday. Yesterday I was very unwell in consequence +of drinking too much water: the day passed in a restless, +unprofitable manner to myself. In the evening, I was enabled +to speak to the surgeon on the utility of prayer; +which I did because of some sarcastic remarks made, as to +the uselessness of the Bible and Prayer-book in time of +action; we being suspicious that there was an enemy’s ship +in view. He was silenced, and afterwards showed me more +than usual attention. We were looking out all the afternoon +of yesterday for a pilot; and came to anchor at ten +in the evening in Saugor roads, amidst a fleet of Indiamen +homeward-bound—two ships of war, with many country +ships—a most gratifying sight; though, I confess, I felt +little pleasure. The remembrance of dear relatives filled me +with deep regret, whilst the prospect of being instrumental +in furthering the Lord’s work in India filled me with joy; +and I felt I could forsake all for Christ’s sake.</p> + +<p>“Thursday. We came to anchor in Diamond harbour. +The sailing up the river was delightful; the green herbage +and foliage most refreshing to the eye; and the numerous +population raised wonder how provision could be found for +so many persons. The whole shore, as far as the eye +could reach, appeared one continued village on each side. +The sight of a burying-ground for Europeans at Diamond +harbour, with several monuments erected therein, tended +to lessen my joy; as did the death of Captain —— of the +77th, for whom the colours were hoisted half-mast high, +and who was buried in the sea the evening we lay at anchor, +in Saugor roads. Captain C——, Ensign W., Parson, and +myself, left the Alexander in a budgerow,<a id="FNanchor_11" href="#Footnote_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> about nine o’clock, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span> +and sailed from Diamond harbour about half past ten in the +evening.</p> + +<p>“Friday, <abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 19th. I went on shore in the morning +at Fulta, and sending some provisions on board to my +chums, remained till flood-tide, which was not till two +o’clock. My mind was much gratified with the scene; the +green fields appearing here and there between the groves, +were very much like scenes I remembered in England; many +birds were singing much like the nightingale; herds of +cattle, of the buffalo breed, with herdsmen tending them +here and there on the bank. A dead body floating on the +river created much horror in my mind; and the bird called +the adjutant excited much surprise. At Fulta I found a +very elegant inn, and accommodations very reasonable. +Having placed a chair at the gate-way on the elevated situation +on the bank of the river, the opposite bank appeared +covered with villages, and the surface of the river with +boats. I took out my bible, and read the 60th chapter of +Isaiah. The precious promises of the enlargement of +Christ’s Church came with much power to my mind; the +last verse was very encouraging, and raised much joy, from +the hope that I might be honoured to be one of ‘the little +ones’ who should ‘become a thousand, and a strong nation.’ +The prospect of all these swarms of people bowing to the +sceptre and dominion of Jesus, filled my soul with exultation. +I found much freedom in prayer, and spent some +time in joy and rejoicing. The budgerow being much longer +in coming up than was expected, occasioned great anxiety; +and, to my shame be it spoken, impatience. O how fickle +is my mind: but Jesus liveth, and He changeth not! +Blessed be God for Jesus Christ! I came on board about +two o’clock this afternoon; and we are now at anchor about +ten miles below Calcutta.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 21st, 1806. Yesterday morning, being tired of +waiting any longer for a fair wind, I left the budgerow about +five o’clock, and came up in the tow-boat to Calcutta. The +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span> +scene on each side of the river was much the same as during +the preceding day; but being indisposed from want of +food, and by exposure to the sun, I felt but little lively joy. +Read in the Bible, and Newton’s Hymns; and found much +desire to be grateful for preservation during the voyage, for +meeting with kind friends, and for the abundant supply of +every temporal want; above all, that notwithstanding my +manifold failings, some sense of my obligations to God in +Christ still remains. The sight of Calcutta afforded me +great satisfaction: the approach to it was tedious; and I +felt some impatience at the perversity of the boatmen. +Alas, the depravity of my nature is but little subdued! I +walked up to the church, and inquired in vain for Martyn: +went to Doughty’s hotel, where I met V. at the door, who, +I feared, was oppressed in spirit and suffering from the +effects of climate. I took some refreshment, and was about +to go forth in quest of Martyn, when a note arrived from +him, desiring me to go to him in the college.<a id="FNanchor_12" href="#Footnote_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> I set off +immediately, and was received by him with the most lively +demonstrations of joy. Here I was desired to take up my +abode; and here I am fixed for the present. Mr. Brown,<a id="FNanchor_13" href="#Footnote_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> +to whom I am indebted for my present entertainment, appears +a sensible, determined, pious man; very different +from the descriptions I heard of him during the voyage.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the same day, in which these particulars are +noticed in his journal, Mr. C. sent a letter to his +sister; written, as it appears, at intervals during his +voyage, and communicating information up to the +period of his arrival at Calcutta. The letter itself is +not less remarkable for its plain good sense, than as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span> +manifesting that strong natural affection and love of +country, which entered so largely into the character +of the writer:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“From the date of this letter, (Sep. 21st.) you will +perceive how much longer our voyage has proved than at +the beginning of it we hoped it would. Twenty weeks are +completed since we left Portsmouth: the usual time a +voyage of the kind occupies is about fifteen weeks. The +chief part of our delay was between St. Iago, and the Cape +of Good Hope. Before we arrived at St. Iago, we had fair +and strong winds; and since we got round the Cape, the +weather has proved most agreeable. A thousand anxious +thoughts daily fill my mind on your account: separation +from you has only tended to show how much my comfort +depended on you: scarcely for two successive waking hours +has your image been out of my remembrance. I am very +anxious that you should come out to me; and I am very +anxious respecting your voyage. You have little, humanly +speaking, to fear from dangers of the sea. Your greatest +inconvenience will arise from not having a person with whom +you can communicate freely: to be under a restraint of this +kind, for five months, is a greater evil than you can at +present suppose. You will, no doubt, hear of some lady +coming out, with whom you can take half of a cabin; and +if such an opportunity offers, you need not hesitate to embrace +it. But you will need to use great caution how you +trust strangers; and by no means be too familiar with any of +the passengers, till you have had time to observe their dispositions: +the evil of a contrary conduct has appeared very +strikingly with us; and still more so in some other of the +ships of our fleet. It is very easy to assume an appearance +of gaiety and good-humour, when people only meet occasionally, +and for a short time; but when they come to live +together, and are obliged to meet each other at every turn, +without Divine grace, few tempers are found sufficiently accommodating +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span> +to maintain that forbearance, and to make +those concessions, which are absolutely necessary to peace +and comfort. Hence, when by an unguarded confidence, +persons of contrary dispositions and habits have committed +themselves to each other, they soon become mutually disgusted; +family circumstances are exposed; weaknesses ridiculed; +and contempt and hatred follows. You see I write +under the idea that you will not leave England till you hear +of my arrival in India. I have only to add, that my health +is much improved since I left you.</p> + +<p>“Since I began this letter, a variety of events have taken +place, and crowd so fast on my mind, that I know not where +or how to relate them. On entering Madras roads in the +evening, the lights reflected from the houses built on the +shore, with the sound of the sentinels’ voices passing the +word, and the striking of the clocks, formed altogether the +most remarkable impression I recollect in life. After having +for five months been separated from the civilized world in a +great measure, and having seen only the boundless ocean, +and occasionally hailing some of our consorts, you may suppose +the entrance into society was highly gratifying. My +joy was silent, and chiefly expressed in ejaculations of praise +to Him who had so graciously preserved us through the great +deep; nor were wanting prayers for my native land, and for +the many dear objects left behind. This pleasant temper +of mind was, however, of short continuance, as soon as we +came to anchor, some of the natives came off in catamarans; +they were almost naked, and very savage in appearance. The +consideration of being, in all probability, to spend the remainder +of my life among such wretched beings, filled me +with melancholy; and rendered me sleepless during the +greater part of the night; and the whole of the next day, I +was very unhappy. But you will perceive my sin and unbelief +in this matter; as their wretchedness should rather +have excited compassion and anxiety for bettering their condition: +the idea of no further comfort remaining for me, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span> +certainly arose from the absence of the proper influence of that +precious truth, ‘If He give peace, who then can cause trouble?’ +I perceive this clearly now; and I am thankful that +I am able to take the comfort of it to myself. During the +whole of our stay, the anniversary festival of one of their +idols was celebrating at a pagoda or temple, in sight of the +house where we were. Their chief solemnities were celebrated +during the night; and consisted in most wretchedly bad +music, something like bad bag-pipes, accompanied with a +tom-tom, or small drum unbraced, and incapable of music; +with these, at intervals, loud shouts were set up by the people, +and something of a song in praise of their idol sung in +alternate strains, which were responded by the people to each +other in a sing-song tone of voice. O what a blessing is +the Gospel to mankind! Well might the angels sing at +Messiah’s birth, ‘goodwill towards men,’ no less than +‘glory to God!’ How lovely does Christianity appear, contrasted +with the absurdities of these pitiable heathen! O, +how privileged is Britain, where Divine truth shines forth in +all its purity! May my happy native land know the value +of her privileges, and improve them: O that, to latest ages, +her rulers may continue nursing fathers, and nursing mothers +to the Church; and use their widely-extended influence in +rendering their colonies happy as themselves!”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_6" href="#FNanchor_6" class="label">[6]</a> +In 1806, Napoleon placed his brother, Jerome Buonaparte, in +command of a squadron of eight ships of the line, which were +ostensibly destined for the West Indies.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_7" href="#FNanchor_7" class="label">[7]</a> +Cadets.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_8" href="#FNanchor_8" class="label">[8]</a> +A species of raft used by the natives of Madras.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_9" href="#FNanchor_9" class="label">[9]</a> +A kind of general Agent.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_10" href="#FNanchor_10" class="label">[10]</a> +A kind of gig.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_11" href="#FNanchor_11" class="label">[11]</a> +A native travelling boat.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_12" href="#FNanchor_12" class="label">[12]</a> +The College of Fort William.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_13" href="#FNanchor_13" class="label">[13]</a> +The late <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> David Brown, at that time Chaplain at the +Presidency, and Provost of the College of Fort William.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER <abbr title="Three">III.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">AT ALDEEN—APPOINTED TO CHUNAR.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">On</span> Mr. Corrie’s arrival in Bengal both he and Mr. +Parson took up their abode with Mr. Brown at +Aldeen, a short distance from Calcutta, and remained +under the same hospitable roof until they proceeded +to the stations that had been assigned to them respectively +by the government. Henry Martyn was +their fellow-guest for a time, and with that honoured +servant of God Mr. Corrie’s intimacy was close and +brotherly. Mr. C. was also in the habit of preaching +regularly during his residence with Mr. Brown, +and of maintaining constant intercourse with the +whole body of Christian Missionaries in Calcutta and +Serampore. In his Journal, too, occur many intimations +of the anxious affection with which he regarded +such of the Cadets as remained within reach of his +visits, or were willing to correspond with him. A +peculiar regard for the welfare of young persons +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span> +was, in fact, a distinguishing feature of Mr. Corrie’s +character.</p> + +<p class="tall">Early in December 1806, Mr. Corrie and Mr. +Parson left Aldeen, the one having been appointed +at <a id="chg2"></a>Chunar, the other at Berhampore. As respects +Mr. C. it will be seen, that during the whole of his +journey to the place of his destination, the subject +of the conversion of the heathen occupied a large +portion of his thoughts.</p> + + +<p class="p2 center"><span class="allsmcap">FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF CALCUTTA.</span><br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Calcutta strikes me as the most magnificent city in the +world; and I am made most happy by the hope of being +instrumental to the eternal good of many. A great opposition, +I find, is raised against Martyn, and the principles +he preaches; this gives me no uneasiness—by the help of +God, I will stand fast in the doctrine of Christ crucified, and +maintain it against all opposition. But, Lord, grant me the +wisdom that is from above, that I may act with discretion, +and in nothing give unnecessary offence!</p> + +<p>“At three o’clock,<a id="FNanchor_14" href="#Footnote_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> Martyn preached from Rom. iii. 21-23, +the most impressive and best composition I ever heard. +The disposition of love and good will which appeared in him +must have had great effect; and the calmness and firmness +with which he spoke raised in me great wonder. May God +grant a blessing to the word. O may it silence opposition, +and promote religion for Jesus Christ’s sake, Amen.</p> + +<p>“Tuesday, <abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 30th. I have neglected for some time +to make a memorandum of occurrences; but remember, that +in general, my mind has been without any lively sense of +divine things; though my heart has been going out much +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span> +after God. The joy expressed by the few serious people here +is very great; and were not those comforts withheld which I +have been some time favoured with, their kindness would +have a tendency to make me proud: for, Oh! I feel an evil +heart cleaving to the world, though not under its former +shape. I am not without a secret uneasiness, that I have +not talents to render me equally acceptable with others. +This is not to be content with God’s appointments; though, +I think, I would not have others brought to my standard, +but would rise to their’s, that God may be more glorified. +I have received great kindness from Mr. Brown, and much +benefit from his conversation. Blessed be God, I feel no +disposition to shrink from the shame of the cross, but hope, +with boldness, to declare myself a fellow-labourer with +Martyn, in the controversy excited by his preaching.</p> + +<p>“I preached on Sunday [<abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 28,] evening, at the +Mission Church, from 2 Thess. i. 7-10: my mind was +somewhat impressed with the importance of my office, both +before and during the service. I trust the furtherance of +God’s glory, and the good of souls, was, and is, my prevailing +desire. Went up to Serampore yesterday, and in the +evening was present at the marriage of Mr. Desgranges.<a id="FNanchor_15" href="#Footnote_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> +Mr. Brown entered into their concerns with much interest. +The pagoda<a id="FNanchor_16" href="#Footnote_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> was fixed on, and lighted up for the celebration +of the wedding; at eight o’clock the parties came from the +Mission house, [at Serampore] attended by most of the +family. Mr. Brown commenced with the hymn, ‘Come, +gracious Spirit, heavenly dove!’ A divine influence seemed +to attend us, and most delightful were my sensations. The +circumstance of so many being engaged in spreading the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span> +glad tidings of salvation,—the temple of an idol converted +to the purpose of Christian worship, and the Divine presence +felt among us,—filled me with joy unspeakable. After the +marriage service of the Church of England, Mr. Brown gave +out ‘the Wedding hymn;’ and after signing certificates of +the marriage, we adjourned to the house, where Mr. Brown +had provided supper. Two hymns given out by Mr. Marshman<a id="FNanchor_17" href="#Footnote_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> +were felt very powerfully. He is a most lively, sanguine +missionary; his conversation made my heart burn +within me, and I find desires of spreading the Gospel growing +stronger daily, and my zeal in the cause more ardent. +But O ‘my leanness’ in comparison of these ‘burning and +shining lights’ around me. Yet, in the strength of Jehovah +will I go forward, and will tread in their steps, and pursue +them at a distance, though I may not hope to come near +their attainments.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 10th. I have for some time past been oppressed +with a sense of the want of spiritual affections: my heart +as cold as ice, no mouth to speak of, or for God: deadness +in prayer, and languor in every spiritual duty. I perceive +my great insufficiency for the work of the ministry; and +lament exceedingly my small opportunities of education,<a id="FNanchor_18" href="#Footnote_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> +and my sinful negligence in not better improving those I +had. ‘God be merciful to me a sinner,’ and perfect praise +to Himself out of my weak and unskilful mouth! Last +night I went to the Mission-house, [at Serampore] and supped +at the same table with about fifty native converts. The +triumph of the cross was most evident in breaking down +their prejudices, and uniting them with those who formerly +were an abomination in their eyes. After supper, they sang +a Bengalee hymn, many of them with tears of joy; and +they concluded with prayer in Bengalee, with evident earnestness +and emotion. My own feelings were too big for +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span> +utterance. O may the time be hastened when every tongue +shall confess Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father!</p> + +<p>“On Friday evening, [<abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 10th.] we had a meeting in the +pagoda, at which almost all the missionaries, some of their +wives, and Captain W. attended: with a view to commend +Martyn to the favour and protection of God in his work. +The Divine presence was with us. I felt more than it would +have been proper to express. Mr. Brown commenced with +a hymn and prayer, Mr. Desgranges succeeded him, with +much devotion and sweetness of expression: Mr. Marshman +followed, and dwelt particularly on the promising appearance +of things; and, with much humility, pleaded God’s promises +for the enlargement of Zion; with many petitions for +Mr. Brown and his family. The service was concluded by +Mr. Carey,<a id="FNanchor_19" href="#Footnote_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> who was earnest in prayer for Mr. Brown: the +petition that ‘having laboured for many years without encouragement +or support, in the evening it might be light,’ +seemed much to affect his own mind, and greatly impressed +us all. Afterwards we supped together at Mr. Brown’s. +The influence of this association remained on my mind, and +shed a divine peace and composure through my soul.</p> + +<p>“Sunday 12th. This day I preached at the New Church +from Gal. vi. 14. The Governor General, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, attended. I +felt a good deal of palpitation before I ascended the pulpit, +but afterwards experienced great composure of mind; and +had no idea that any one would be offended, being conscious +that I was speaking the truth. I found much earnestness +in prayer before, and after, divine service. God grant an +increase to His own word for Jesus Christ’s sake!</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 13th. I came to Serampore to dinner. Had a +pleasant sail up the river: the time passed agreeably in conversation. +In the evening a fire was kindled on the opposite +bank; and we soon perceived that it was a funeral pile, on +which the wife was burning with the dead body of her husband. +It was too dark to distinguish the miserable victim +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</span> +of superstition; but by the light of the flames we could +discover a great crowd of people: their horrid noise, and +senseless music, joined with the testimony of some of the +servants, convinced us that our apprehensions were founded +on fact. The noise continued till ten o’clock, and the fire +was kept burning till that time. My mind was struck with +horror and pity. On going out to walk with Martyn to the +pagoda, the noise so unnatural, and so little calculated to +excite joy, raised in my mind an awful sense of the presence +and influence of evil spirits. O that the Lord would command +his word to run and be glorified, in casting them out, +and placing in their stead the mild influence of his Gospel!</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 18th, 1806. On Wednesday last, Mr. Brown, +Parson and myself proceeded up the river with Martyn, to +set him on his way to Dinapore. We landed at Ghyretee, +and walked through a most delightful avenue; afterwards +through a neat village (for this country), and arrived at +Chandernagore about seven o’clock: we took tea at a tavern, +and went on board our budgerow, about nine o’clock. After +joining in prayer, we retired to rest. On Thursday morning, +we proceeded to Chinsurah, on foot, through groves of fruit trees; +we arrived at Chinsurah soon after seven o’clock, and +received a most hospitable reception from Mr. Forsyth:<a id="FNanchor_20" href="#Footnote_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> +after dinner, we went with Mr. F. above Bandell; and after +worship, returned to Chinsurah in & <i>paunchway</i>.<a id="FNanchor_21" href="#Footnote_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> Yesterday +morning, the weather having commenced rainy, we +determined to return to Aldeen, on account of Mr. Brown’s +boat becoming uninhabitable. We first engaged, according +to arrangement, in alternate prayer. Mr. Brown commenced +with reading a portion of Scripture, singing a hymn, and +prayer, which order was observed by P., myself, and Martyn. +A sense of the Divine presence was experienced by each of +us, and our consolation in Christ Jesus abounded; so that +we left our friend without regret, and he parted with us +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</span> +cheerfully; each persuaded that God was with us, and would +be our ‘shield and exceeding great reward.’</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 22nd. On coming down the river, I saw the +figures of Doorga<a id="FNanchor_22" href="#Footnote_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> paraded on the river, and the indecencies +of idol-worship. My mind was inexpressibly grieved; and +most earnestly did I desire to be able to address the poor +deluded heathen.</p> + +<p>“Nov. 3rd. For some time past I have made no memoranda +of the state of my mind. Alas, my wretched backwardness +to any really good thing! In general my heart +has been hard and insensible, though my desire has been to +the contrary; and I have had but little inclination to pray, +though no disposition to give up prayer; and sometimes +have experienced enlargement of heart, and melting of soul +in prayer. I have preached several times at the Old Church, +and once at the New. My purposes of labouring among +the heathen are, I bless God, more fixed; and a desire to be +at my station, and about my proper work, grows upon me.</p> + +<p>“When I hear of a spirit of covetousness which has +affected many, I fear and tremble; and I think something +of that disposition was working within me this morning. +Oh! how often have I said that I desire not to leave one shilling +behind me at death. I would record my own declaration, +beseeching thee, O Lord, that I may be enabled to +trust thee for future supplies, and to live by faith upon thee +for daily bread!</p> + +<p>“24th, For some days past my mind has enjoyed quiet +and peace with God; my indisposition has been in a great +measure removed, and I can speak and act as usual. ‘Praise +God from whom all blessings flow.’ My mind has been calm +and resigned to the will of God, in the prospect of my destination, +and in my preparation to set out for Chunar; but +little, alas! of lively affection, with much wandering of heart +in prayer. The youths who came out with me have been +much on my mind. My dear relatives have not had so particular +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span> +an interest in my prayers as at some other times; +but their welfare is exceedingly dear to me, and the prospect +of having my sister with me very cheering.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 29th. This morning Mr. Brown, Parson, Mr. +Thompson<a id="FNanchor_23" href="#Footnote_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> (of Madras), and myself, met in the pagoda at +Aldeen, to consult in what way we may most effectually +promote the glory of our redeeming God in the earth. After +prayer by Mr. Brown, and after some conversation, we +agreed, 1st. To join in the views, and aid to the utmost of +our power, the purposes of the British and Foreign Bible +Society: 2ndly. To help forward the translation of the +Scriptures into the languages of the East, as much as in us +lies; and to take the expense of the Sanscrit and Greek +Testaments upon ourselves: and 3rdly. To make a quarterly +report of our prospects, our plans, and actual situation in +our various stations, as far as the Church is concerned, to +Mr. Brown; who will add his own, and cause a copy of the +whole to be transmitted to each individual. After prayer we +separated.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 8. To-day set off for Chunar. In the strength of +the Lord God I go forth. O, prepare a people for Thyself, +and make me the instrument of gathering them into thy +fold! Keep me by thy mighty power in body and soul; and +enlarge my heart that I may delight in Thy will, and lay +out all my time and labour in Thy service! Amen, Lord +Jesus. Amen!</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 13th. On Monday last Parson and myself left +Aldeen, to proceed to our stations; Mr. Brown and Mr. +Thompson accompanying us. We arrived at Chinsurah +about three o’clock, after a quick sail up the river, the tide +being in our favour: we called on Mr. Forsyth, with whom +we spent the evening. Mr. F. conducted family worship, +and was excellent in the application, and very fervent for +the fulfilment of many precious promises. The presence of +God was with us. Mr. F. gave me favourable intelligence +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span> +respecting General M. at Chunar, to which place Mr. L. had +sent tracts, which had been noticed with approbation by the +General. I hope the Lord has prepared my way. Yesterday +morning, after breakfast and family worship, we set +forward, Mr. Forsyth accompanying us. In the evening +we walked on the bank, whilst the boatmen hauled our boat +along. The encouragement and comfort his conversation +raised in my mind will, I hope, never be forgotten: much +lively and spiritual conversation passed, chiefly on the means +most suitable for us to employ under present circumstances. +We concluded by commissioning Messrs. Brown and T. to +buy Bibles, Testaments, and Common Prayer-books, to +be sent to us from time to time for distribution. Our friends +left us to return to Calcutta. A sweet composure fills my +heart: and, without regret, I leave all that earth and sense +hold dear, to do thy will, O my God! Let me find strength +according to my day; and call Thou me to any thing in +which I may most glorify Thee. Leave me not for a +moment; for though now, ‘by thy goodness, thou hast +made my mountain strong,’ yet if thou hide thy face I shall +be ‘troubled!’</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 14th. Yesterday morning we left Sook Saugur: +in the afternoon our attention was arrested by loud lamentations: +we observed a dying man put into the river to expire; +this, in the opinion of the Hindoos, insuring Paradise. We +were much shocked at the spectacle. Lord, how long, how +long shall Satan triumph? Four out of six are killed in +this way, and hurried out of life.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the 16th of December, Mr. Corrie writes to +his father<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am now on my way to my station at Chunar, five +days’ journey from Calcutta, and three from Berhampore. +To this last place Parson is appointed, and we are together +in the same boat; after which I have eight weeks’ journey +alone. I have, however, several introductions to christian +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span> +friends on the way, and Martyn’s station is before me, where +I intend to stay a few days with him. My mind is at perfect +ease, and my soul happy in the love of God, and overflowing +with gratitude to the Giver of all good. Much and +unexpected kindness has been shewn me in this strange land; +and I have found that whosoever forsaketh aught for Christ +shall reap an hundred-fold ‘in the present life:’ how, then, +can I doubt the fulfilment of that part of the promise which +relates to the life to come? In the house of Mr. Brown, +every attention that affection could think of has been shewn +me.... The country through which we have come, is, in +general, very pleasant, though flat. We walk on the bank +morning and evening; and amuse ourselves with finding out +resemblances, or fancied resemblances to scenes we remember +in Britain. We have every comfort we can wish for; and +our morning and evening worship, consisting of singing, +prayer, and reading the Scriptures, tends to revive our souls; +whilst we walk as friends, and take sweet counsel together +on the ends and means we purpose in our ministry. I have +written so often that I forget what I may have said to you; +but you who know how much I am the creature of impulse in +every thing—except my expressions of affection for you all, +and in matters of fact,—will not judge of the state of my +mind from one single letter. I allude especially to what I +have written respecting the conversion of the heathen. <i>You</i> +know, what <i>I</i> now know, how sanguine I am in schemes +that my soul enters into; and oft have I made calculations +and statements which have afterwards made me blush.—The +state of society among our own countrymen here is +much altered for the better within these few years. The +Marquis Wellesley openly patronized religion; whether from +motives of state policy or not, it is not ours to judge. He +on every possible opportunity, made moral character a +<i>sine quâ non</i> to his patronage, and sought for men of +character from every quarter to fill offices of trust. He +avowedly encouraged, and contributed to, the translation of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span> +the Scriptures into the native languages; and wherever he +went, paid a strict regard to divine worship on the Sunday. +Before his time, all causes were tried in the courts of +justice, through the medium of interpreters; but by the +College which he instituted, he furnished the natives with +judges capable of determining from their own knowledge of +the language, and judgment on the evidence; and has thus +laid the foundation of peace and justice, such as Asia before +knew not. <i>He has been the saviour of India to Britain.</i> +The state of the natives in a moral point of view is deplorable; +the most shocking indecencies form a part of their +worship; and lying, cheating, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, are not considered crimes. +Two youths who were seriously impressed during the voyage, +and one who was our fellow-passenger, and has since been +brought to consideration, are going on consistently in the +ways of wisdom. These first-fruits of our Indian engagement +afford me the most lively encouragement, and the +strongest hope that God is with me of a truth. O may He +be a spirit of power in my own heart, and a word of power +in my mouth, that many may be turned unto righteousness: +then I am sure that you will bless the day that took me +from you, and we shall rejoice together in the loving-kindness +of our God!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">But to return to the Journal:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“December 18th. This evening we are at Plassy. +Walking on the bank of the river, we passed an old man +brought down to die by the river-side: he exhibited signs +of considerable vitality; and certainly no symptoms of immediate +dissolution. My spirit was stirred within me; and a +Brahmin coming past, I began to talk to him on the wickedness +of killing men in this way. He said his shasters<a id="FNanchor_24" href="#Footnote_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> +commanded it, and that the doctor had pronounced the man +dying. I told him that God did no injury to man; +that He was good; and, therefore, the shasters were not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</span> +God’s word; and that God was displeased at such proceedings; +he understood me, and pleaded their customs. I +answered, that the custom, the shasters, and the people, +were all bad; and that when he died he would go down +and lie in fire for ever. He evidently understood me +and seemed confounded. I then told him that at Cutwa, a +Sahib lived, who would give him the true word of God, and +recommended him to go there. It appeared, however, that +he came from Moorshedebad, and showed no disposition to +return to Cutwa. Passing on, we found a party going to +Juggernauth. I asked one of them, Why he went there? +What use it would be to him, and what good it would do +to him? He seemed confounded, and made no reply. I +told him also of the anger of God, and of the fire after death. +A Birajee<a id="FNanchor_25" href="#Footnote_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> came running after us to beg; he was an old +man. On being told by him what he was, I said to him, +that he was a lazy man that would do no work, but only +eat, and that God was angry with him, and that when he +died he would go down to fire for ever. He was surprised +at this reception, and could only plead his age. I recommended +him to Cutwa. This is my first effort at missionary +work: but O, how I blush, and abhor myself, for the imperfect +manner I speak for God. I know enough of the language +to have conveyed different ideas, and more of them, but +I am nothing, and know nothing. Lord, grant me wisdom +and utterance; and, O, smile on my feeble attempts for the +furtherance of thine own glory, through Christ Jesus!</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 21st. We are now by the kind providence of God +at Berhampore. On Friday Mr. Grant and Mr. Ellerton +stopped our boat, about one o’clock, and we stayed at that +place all night. We met, also, with Messrs. B. and their +friends; one a youth from England, by the Nelson. They +also stayed with us; and in the evening, we were joined by +two officers, going down to Calcutta. We made a party of +eight, and sat up till twelve, talking to little profit, chiefly +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</span> +about the siege of Bhurtpore. Yesterday morning we +separated, and were accompanied the whole of the day by +the Messrs. B., who joined with us in morning and evening +worship.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 23rd, 1806. (Bogwongola). Yesterday morning +we waited on General P. and afterwards visited the place +appointed for public worship, a large upper room. In the +afternoon, we visited the hospital. I drew near the bed of a +man apparently in the last stage of disease, who received the +word with tears, and requested me to pray with him. Having +made this known, P. invited the others to draw near: +a large party collected from all parts of the hospital. I expounded +the third chapter of St. John’s Gospel, and prayed. +Much attention in the poor men.</p> + +<p>“I left Berhampore this morning at seven o’clock; and, +after passing through a well-cultivated and fertile country, +arrived here at twelve. I am now on the great river, proceeding +to Mr. Creighton<a id="FNanchor_26" href="#Footnote_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> at Gomalty. I am much pained at +heart on account of separation from dear Parson, and disheartened +at the prospect of being so long on the way to Chunar; +and tired with the importunity of the natives. Never, never +have I felt so keenly the separation from dear relatives; but +I have no wish to draw back, but would pray and hope that +“God will be the strength of my heart, and my portion for +ever,” in and through Jesus Christ.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 26th. Last night I arrived at Gomalty, and found a +very kind reception from Mr. Creighton. In the course of conversation, +I have learned that he, with Messrs. Ellerton and +Grant, have instituted about twelve schools in the villages, in +this neighbourhood, in which many children of the poor natives +are taught to read and write; and christian tracts, and the +New Testament in Bengalee are read to them, and by them. +One Brahmin objected to the reading the Holy <a id="chg3"></a>Scirptures; +but, some parts of them being read to him, his objections +were removed, and he considered that they were very good. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span> +In one of the schools the master is a Brahmin, who teaches +these tracts, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>; though he says, that if the sentiments +contained in them prevail, the Brahmin’s power will soon be +at an end. The salary allowed the teachers is five rupees<a id="FNanchor_27" href="#Footnote_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> +per month; for which they teach as many children as choose +to come. In one school about seventy or eighty children +attended at first; and about forty still continue to come. In +this school thirty have been taught, and are gone off to different +employments. Many of the boys have made considerable +proficiency in reading and writing; and through +them, the knowledge of the Scriptures is diffused to a considerable +extent; the consequence is, that much less dissension +is found in the neighbourhood; so that when the +native missionaries come amongst them, the people are +much more ready to hear them than in other districts. They +hear, also, with much attention, and in general approve of +Christian truth.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 27th. To-day Mr. Creighton sent for the schoolmaster +of the place with his little charge, about fourteen: +some others were in the habit of attending, but were at this +time absent. The method of teaching is by writing the character +in the sand, and then pronouncing the letter; thus they +learn both to read and write at the same time: some of the +children have made considerable advancement. The manners +of the children are much the same as those of children at +home; and much gratification did their contented faces and +their little tricks afford me.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 29th. Yesterday morning Messrs. W. the two +B’s and A. came over to attend Divine worship. At ten +o’clock we went and heard the Bengalee missionaries preach +to their countrymen: the three appear to be humble and +sincere Christians. Those who understood them say, that +the preaching was very energetic and eloquent.</p> + +<p>“Gomalty, <abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 1st. 1807. I would begin the new year +by reviewing the old. The mercies of the past year are +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span> +many and great; and, for these mercies, I am bound to be +exceedingly thankful. During the voyage, my attempts +were not without some good effects on the minds of V. and +Y. especially: the Lord made my presence a restraint on +some who would otherwise have been more profane, and gave +me favour in the sight of many: kind friends have been raised +up for me in India, wherever I have come, and all my wants have +been abundantly supplied. These mercies call for the loudest +praise to Him who rules on high; but especially do spiritual +mercies call for gratitude: that I have been kept from gross +sins before men; that I have not been permitted wholly to restrain +prayer before God, or to cast off His fear; that I have +been enabled in public preaching to declare what I believe +to be the whole counsel of God; and that some tokens of +Divine approbation have been granted to His word. I feel a +growing boldness to speak for God in private, and something +more of a power to cast off the fear of man. These are +subjects which may well furnish matter for everlasting songs. +I would record what I feel still wrong, that I may be disposed +to live more simply on Christ for strength as well as +righteousness. I find a disposition to seek the applause of +men, which sometimes leads me into words and actions +which grieve the Holy Spirit, and wound my own soul. +There is a sinful nature; a disposition to rest in the form +of godliness; and a spirit of indolence which causes me to +waste hours and days to no profit. These things grieve and +bow down my soul. I would, also, record my purposes, +that I may be bound to perform them. I intend to keep +aloof from visiting parties at Chunar, as much as I can; to +establish worship as often as possible; and to teach and +preach Jesus Christ, ‘publicly and from house to house,’ +both to professed Christians, and to the heathen. But, +when I reflect how most of my resolutions have hitherto +come to nothing, O Lord, let thy power rest upon me! I +would record my most earnest desires, to mark the Lord’s +dealings with me, and His answers to prayer. My first +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span> +desire is, that a ‘door may be opened’ at Chunar, and that +I may have power to enter in thereat, that so ‘the word of +God may have free course and be glorified’ in the conversion +of souls. Secondly, that my dear family may be the +special objects of the favour of Jehovah; and that my dear +sister may come out to me, <i>if it be the will of God, otherwise +not</i>. Thirdly, that V., Y., and B., may be kept from +the power of the devil, the world, and the flesh; and that +they may be redeemed and preserved from all iniquity, and +have liberty to serve God without fear. Fourthly, that the +choicest mercies both of Providence and Grace, may descend +on all whose hearts have been disposed to favour me; and +that the Government of India may be disposed to <i>permit</i>, +at least, attempts for the conversion of the natives; and that +the kingdom of Christ may come. And, O Lord, I would +devote my life, my strength, my every faculty, and every +gift of grace, nature, or providence, wholly to thy service +and glory! I offer myself to Thee. O pardon, accept, and +bless me, through Jesus Christ; and bring these purposes +to good effect, for thy name’s sake!</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 6th. Left Mr. Creighton at Gomalty yesterday morning. +In travelling, found my mind somewhat stayed on God. +I welcomed the budgerow, and the dreary river, as old though +inconvenient friends, who would put me in the way of active +usefulness. I was much pleased with the school in Mr. C.’s +bungalow; and, from the pleasure the Brahmin showed, +in making the scholars read the Bengalee New Testament, +I have a hopeful presentiment that the kingdom of Satan, +thus divided against itself, cannot stand long.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 16th. This morning, I visited the wells near +Monghyr.<a id="FNanchor_28" href="#Footnote_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> One of the wells is cold; but close to it, +another bubbles up water, like the bubbles that rise from +the bottom of a caldron as the water grows hot. I found +this water so hot, that I was scarcely able to bear my hand +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span> +in it. Here, they say, Ram’s wife bathed, after she had +been stolen away, and recovered again by her husband. +Many Brahmins and Faqueers were staying there; and were +very importunate for money. With a <i>buckshish</i><a id="FNanchor_29" href="#Footnote_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a> I offered +tracts, and was immediately told that a Sahib, a short time +since, had left many. A very interesting boy, about fifteen +years of age, read in one of the tracts, and told me that it +meant, There is only one God, and that all their poojahs, +<abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, are vain. I spoke to him, and an old man, with +several around; the boy seemed to understand perfectly +what I meant; and said, that when he understood the +matter thoroughly, he should leave off poojah; and, as I +spake of hell as the portion of wicked men, several behind +showed symptoms of scorn. The old man discovered much +impatience, but, for the <i>buckshish</i>, stayed till I had said all +that I thought necessary. The boy’s father manifested uneasiness, +and evidently wished his son away; but for the +same reason permitted him to stay. The father said, that +Adam was first created, and that all men are his children: +that the world was drowned, and then Noah became the +parent of us all. I replied that it was true; and that Adam +and Noah worshipped God, and paid no regard to poojahs +and the river. Why, then, did they pay that regard to the +creature, which was due only to God? He answered, that +when God should give all the world to be of the same +opinion, it would be so. To which I replied, That it was +true; and that in England we worshipped God as Adam +and Noah did; and that now the word was sent to him.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 26th. On Friday, I left the budgerow, and came +through a most fertile country to Dinapore. I observed +some of the customs of the natives which explained passages +of Scripture. In the evening, the conversation of dear +Martyn seemed to drive away all pain; but weakness soon +made me wish for rest. Yesterday, I preached here to an +attentive people, from Matt. vii. 21-23. Some of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</span> +officers scoffed. Oh! what cause for thankfulness in the +sweet communion I am favoured with in Martyn, and in the +kindness I meet with on all hands! O for a heart to praise +the Lord for his goodness! O for power to do His will, +to love His work; and for a spirit of compassion for +perishing souls!</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 29th. Just leaving Dinapore to proceed to Chunar, +in tolerable health and spirits. I have found but little +of spiritual comfort; though much pleasure in communion +with dear Martyn. My purposes of labouring amongst the +heathen are much revived, encouraged and strengthened, by +the conversation of this dear friend: we agreed to exchange +letters every other Monday. I found the vanity of worldly +pursuits in the society I went into; and perceive afresh +that God is alone the fit and satisfying portion of the soul. +O may I live under this impression, and may my life and +conduct testify that it is a divine impression!</p> + +<p>“Feb. 15th. On approaching Chunar, the appearance +of the fort struck me as beautiful; but, from the reports of +its unhealthiness, I was ready to consider it as my grave, +and approached it with a heavy heart. I have found some +earnestness and liberty in praying for a blessing on my +entrance in amongst them. I trust the Lord will be entreated.”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_14" href="#FNanchor_14" class="label">[14]</a> +On Sunday, <abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 21.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_15" href="#FNanchor_15" class="label">[15]</a> +One of the London Society’s Missionaries.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_16" href="#FNanchor_16" class="label">[16]</a> +The Hindoo temple of the idol Bullub, which the Brahmins +had deserted. Mr. Brown had repaired, and fitted it up as a family +chapel and study. The pagoda was, also, sometimes appropriated +to the accommodation of Mr. Brown’s particular friends.—<span class="smcap">Memorial +Sketches of <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> D. Brown</span>, <abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 137.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_17" href="#FNanchor_17" class="label">[17]</a> +Baptist Missionary.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_18" href="#FNanchor_18" class="label">[18]</a> +During the four years that Mr. Corrie resided in the neighbourhood +of London, little or no attention was paid to his education.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_19" href="#FNanchor_19" class="label">[19]</a> +Baptist Missionary.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_20" href="#FNanchor_20" class="label">[20]</a> +One of the London Society’s Missionaries.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_21" href="#FNanchor_21" class="label">[21]</a> +A small covered boat.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_22" href="#FNanchor_22" class="label">[22]</a> +One of the principal Hindoo female deities.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_23" href="#FNanchor_23" class="label">[23]</a> +The <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Marmaduke Thompson, late Chaplain at Madras.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_24" href="#FNanchor_24" class="label">[24]</a> +Holy books.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_25" href="#FNanchor_25" class="label">[25]</a> +A kind of religious mendicant.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_26" href="#FNanchor_26" class="label">[26]</a> +Superintendent of Indigo works.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_27" href="#FNanchor_27" class="label">[27]</a> +About ten shillings sterling.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_28" href="#FNanchor_28" class="label">[28]</a> +The celebrated hot-well named “Seetacoom,”—the fountain of +Seeta.—<span class="smcap">Bishop Heber’s Journal.</span></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_29" href="#FNanchor_29" class="label">[29]</a> +Present.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER <abbr title="Four">IV.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">SETTLEMENT AT CHUNAR.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">Chunar</span>, the first scene of Mr. Corrie’s stated ministry +in India, used to be a place of greater importance +than it is now that the frontier of the British Empire +has been so much extended in all directions. The +fortress is spread over the sides of a high rock which +is washed by the Ganges; and although the place is +not considered unhealthy, yet during some months +in the year, the heat at Chunar is intense. The +Europeans stationed there, when Mr. C. was chaplain, +were all military, and for the most part invalids, +who, though unfit for active service, were equal to +garrison-duty. Besides those Europeans and some +Sepoys, there were a few half-castes of Portuguese +extraction, and some native women who followed the +army. Without the cantonments was a Hindoo and +Mahomedan population amounting to 10,000 or +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span> +12,000 souls. The Europeans, also, at Secrole +(about twelve miles from Chunar) became afterwards +part of Mr. Corrie’s charge; whilst the vast heathen +population of Benares, with its cruel and senseless +superstitions, opened out a large field for the exercise +of missionary zeal and christian philanthropy.</p> + +<p class="tall">The extracts given below from Mr. Corrie’s journal +and Letters, will explain the nature of his official +duties, and missionary operations. It will be seen +that he had many obstacles to encounter in his efforts +to impart the knowledge of Christ to those “who lay +in darkness and in the shadow of death.”<a id="FNanchor_30" href="#Footnote_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> Among +the many trials, too, which his faith had to sustain, not +the least will appear to have arisen from the determined +hostility to all missionary labours, manifested by the +Government of India; in forgetfulness, it may be +presumed, of the great truth, that as “the kingdoms +of this world are” destined to “become the kingdoms +of our Lord and of His Christ,” all opposition to the +spread of Christianity is hostility to the “King of +kings.”<a id="FNanchor_31" href="#Footnote_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Sunday, <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 22nd. This day I begin my labours at +Chunar, and have much reason to adore him who heareth +prayer, for smoothing my way, and opening a door of hope +that good will be done. I arose at five o’clock this morning +and prepared for divine service. At seven o’clock, I went +to the place of worship, and found there the effective artillery-men, +the garrison invalids, and several of the others, with the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span> +Colonel, Captain P., Lieut. A., and the invalid officers D. +and H. with some other officers of the Fort. Observed +several very attentive. At half past nine o’clock I went to +the hospital, and found a table set, and the people very ready +to hear, and attentive. Now, O Lord,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“Do thou the gracious harvest raise,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And thine alone shall be the praise.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>“<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 25th. This evening I went to see the Roman +Catholic chapel, a small place of about eight feet square, +surrounded with a veranda. A dish with spices, and another +with flour, were placed on the altar. A Padre comes occasionally, +but he has not been here for the last two years; +he has baptized several native women connected with Europeans; +but I cannot find that any other natives have been +baptized by him.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 27th. Yesterday and to-day, I had an opportunity +of talking with some poor women, Portuguese Roman +Catholics, about Jesus Christ; and found some relief to my +own mind in recommending Him to their regard. From +one I learned (what indeed I had heard before) that at +Bettiah, situate in what used to be the old kingdom of Nepaul, +eight days’ journey inland from Chuprah, all the +inhabitants are Roman Catholic christians: a padre resides +amongst them, and they have a church.</p> + +<p>“March 8th. The week has passed with little profit. I +received a letter from dear Martyn,<a id="FNanchor_32" href="#Footnote_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> which comforted me +not a little. On returning from public service, I found some +earnestness in prayer to God for my flock; for the Church +in India; and her ministers; for my dear relatives; for my +former flock, and all who pray for me; but especially for +my dear country, her government, her ministers, her people; +and for all christians. After dinner I called in the +Bettiah-christian,<a id="FNanchor_33" href="#Footnote_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> and found him intelligent, and very attentive +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</span> +to his padre. He gave me the history of the creation +and fall of man, with a mixture of fable, and some confusion +in the connexion. He seems to know nothing experimentally +of Christ; and, if I understood him rightly, +considers that the sin of Adam, which fell upon his posterity, +is removed by Christ; and that now by attending to the +sacraments we obtain pardon of sin. God grant me wisdom +to deal prudently with him: he appears sincere, but not very +humble.</p> + +<p>“March 9th. This morning I went to the hospital, in +consequence of a message from a native woman, who is desirous +of baptism: she appeared anxious to go in God’s way, +as she expressed it; and with tears said, that from her heart +she desired baptism. On my asking her whether she was a +sinner? She replied, That before, or towards God, she was a +sinner: but on being further questioned, confessed she did +not know wherein she had done amiss, except it were in +living in an unmarried state; looking wistfully at the man. +I took occasion, from this confession, to speak of the evil of +this circumstance, and of the only way of obtaining forgiveness, +through the blood of Christ. She promised to keep +this word in her heart, and to pray according to my directions. +The man appears sensible of the evil of his present +habits; and promises that, if the woman lives, he will marry +her. I am at a loss how to proceed: to refuse her baptism +will evidently be a grief to her; and I hope she is +awakened to a sense of her sin. May the Lord direct me!</p> + +<p>“March 15th. I went yesterday evening to the barracks; +and if circumstances had been favourable, should have married +the persons above-mentioned; but find I should have +broken military regulations if I had done so. To-day, the +man seems unwilling; but the woman expressed dread at +the thought of continuing in sin. I have observed, on several +occasions, when explaining christian subjects through +a native who understands English, that they [the natives] +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</span> +have a great reluctance to speak of Jesus Christ, and never +do it till I urge it again.</p> + +<p>“March 17th. A letter from dear Martyn dispirits me;<a id="FNanchor_34" href="#Footnote_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> +as, from the dislike manifested to his schools, I may see +how little is to be hoped for: yet we expect opposition; why +then should I be dismayed? O my soul! hope in God! +Notwithstanding, I have engaged a schoolmaster, and am +waiting to see the result. I have employed myself to-day in +translating the ten commandments into Hindoostanee, with +the assistance of a moonshee. He could not, for a long +time, understand why God is called a ‘jealous God.’</p> + +<p>“March 18th. A native woman has been with me, expressing +her desire for baptism. I made the moonshee read +to her the ten commandments; and could not help smiling +to hear one Hindoo explain the law of God to another: she +exhibits no humility. The Bettiah-christian pleased me +much this evening: he mentioned four good works which +God approved of; three of which I understood to be faith, +love, and obedience to the law. I replied, that if faith was +in the heart, all the other good works would follow; if we +really believed the love of Christ to sinners, we must love +Him in return. He answered, that it was true; and said, +If faith is not in the heart, none of the other graces would +be there. All this was said with a seriousness and gravity +which looked very like sincerity, if it was not really so. A +female attending the woman who has applied for baptism, +interfering very improperly, was desired to hold her peace. +She left the room with marks of great anger, having before +exhibited symptoms of uneasiness; especially when the +seventh commandment was repeated. So does Satan rage +when his strongholds are attacked!</p> + +<p>“March 22nd. In conversation with Mooney Lol and +Moonshee, on the necessity of making inquiry for ourselves +in matters of the soul, I remarked an expression which has +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span> +dwelt much on my mind: ‘When we have a king of our +own to order us in the right way, we will then walk in it.’ +This, with other circumstances, convinces me of the impolicy +of the Government, in withholding Christianity from +the natives. They are tasting of British liberty; but, having +no principles to guide them, when they feel their strength, +they will expel the British; whereas now, if missionaries +were permitted, they would, in two generations, probably +all embrace Christianity.</p> + +<p>“March 26th. This evening, after conversation with the +native woman, I baptized her, with earnest warning not to +trust to the outward sign. She said, She had been a sinner, +but that she would pray to Jesus, night and day, to make +her free from sin, and would be His slave, and serve Him +for ever. After the service she cast her eyes up to heaven, +and kept them fixed for some time, with an appearance of +most ardent supplication. Afterwards I went home with +Sergeant M’D., whose wife, though a Roman Catholic, +wishes to communicate.</p> + +<p>“April 2nd. Yesterday morning I went to the barracks. +I asked the native woman whom I lately baptized, whether +she prayed? She answered, ‘Yes.’ ‘What do you pray to God +for?’ ‘To make me well in this world if He pleases; and if +not, to take me to Himself.’ I endeavoured to impress on +her the necessity of asking all in Christ’s name; which she +seemed to attend to very diligently. The man was impressed. +In the evening I went to bury a child; and spoke to three +invalids, plainly and at length, on the necessity of winning +Christ.</p> + +<p>“April 6th. I learned from the Moonshee that the old +schoolmaster, in order to keep his scholars from the free +school, circulated a report that I should send the children +to Calcutta; which, it seems, keeps many back; but this notion, +however, is now done away with.</p> + +<p>“April 8th. Yesterday the Bettiah-walla came again after +an absence of a fortnight. He said he had been unwell; and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span> +his appearance bespoke it. He told me that he was poor and +helpless without Jesus Christ. To-day he came again, and +read, with evident interest, the fourteenth and fifteenth +chapters of St. John; especially the promise of being one +with God and Christ. The account of the fruitless branches +also impressed him; and he confessed that his heart was +backward towards God. This morning the children of the +school came to me: I was much struck with their appearance, +and artless manners. The Bettiah-walla received +the ten commandments with reluctance: the second is not +in his number. I took several occasions of pointing out to +him the name of Jesus, as the only medium of access to +God; and observed that we must not pray to saints. At +hearing this, his countenance fell. O that the Lord may +lead him into all truth!</p> + +<p>“April 10th, 1807. This day I have completed my thirtieth +year. I have been reviewing my birth-day memoranda, +and I feel quite abased. Alas! where is the blessedness I +experienced some time back; or was I then under a mistake +as to my real state? I suspect that much of animal feeling +mixed with my former experience, for I think my soul is as +fixed as ever, in knowing nothing upon earth but ‘Jesus +Christ and him crucified.’ Yet, O my God (for mine thou +art) search me! The Lord’s mercies to me are innumerable: +if I should attempt to number them, they exceed the +minutes of my existence; but alas! my heart is insensible; +my affections are as cold as ice: I am become a stone to the +fear of death; and the terror of the Lord, rather than the +sweet love of Jesus Christ, seems to constrain all my doings. +There is not a desire, I think, to keep back a tittle of God’s +word. I even feel the time long till the Lord’s day returns, +that I may have an opportunity of warning poor sinners: +yet when it comes my heart is heavy; and I go with a kind +of sullenness and desponding tardiness to God’s work. O +that it were with me as in months past! The Lord has +marvellously hid me from the strife of tongues, has wonderfully +supported my feeble mind, has enabled me to seek the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span> +salvation of souls with a boldness unusual to my nature; +and has given testimony to the word of His grace in this +place. He supports me in solitude, and enables me to spend +days alone without weariness: praised be His name! The +undivided and glorious Trinity are worthy of my adoration +and love. O rather let me go mourning thy absence to the +grave than attempt to satisfy my soul with contemptible +trash! Yet, in thy manifold mercies, let me taste thy love, +and praise thee in the use of all that thou bestowest! The +prosperity of Zion is my earnest desire: the conversion +of the British and the heathen, the success of my preaching, +schools, and private attempts [to do good] are the subjects +of my daily prayer. O that the Lord would bless these +feeble efforts, would perfect that which belongeth unto me! +Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my soul and body: +and look with humble hope to be kept by thy power through +faith unto salvation.</p> + +<p>“Martyn alarms me by expressing a wish for my removal.<a id="FNanchor_35" href="#Footnote_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a> +I feel very reluctant to it; and am enabled to +resign myself to God in prayer, even to die here; if, in this +way, He will be more glorified.</p> + +<p>“April 12th. This evening, I buried the native woman +whom I lately baptized; and spoke to the people from 1 Cor. +xv. 33. ‘Evil communications corrupt good manners.’ O +Lord, grant thy blessing! Let thy promise come, and +then shall sinners in great numbers be converted unto thee!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following Letter to Mr. Buckworth dated +May <abbr title="twenty-second">22nd</abbr>, 1807, contains some interesting particulars +of which there is no record in the Journal<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“From the first of January till the beginning of this +month, I was much affected by this climate; and did not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span> +begin to recover till April. Thanks to a kind Providence, I +am now quite well; and have escaped that first attack on arrival, +which has carried off four of my fellow-passengers. The +effect of this climate was felt as severely by my mind as my +body: a listlessness and languor rendered any little exertion +a burden: even my devotion was for the most without life +or activity; and, alas! little of that lively spirit I, in some +poor measure, enjoyed in England, remains with me. I +bless God who enables me to live on Christ as my ‘All in +All’ and keeps alive in my heart a sense of the value of His +favour, and the excellency of the ‘purchased possession.’ +The absence of lively feeling I conceive to be occasioned by the +want of ‘the communion of saints;’ and I remember, with +tears sometimes, those days ‘when I went to the house of +God with the multitude of those that kept holy day.’ I am +very far, however, from being without marks of the Divine +favour: I am enabled to spend weeks alone without weariness; +and to find pleasure in those studies which may +qualify me for extensive usefulness. We have here about +three hundred Europeans, invalids, and officers; of the +latter I see little, although we exchange mutual civilities: +perhaps, I am not three hours in a week, on the average, +in civilized society; though I might be much more if I +chose, but find it my duty and privilege to avoid much +visiting.</p> + +<p>“One Sergeant has embraced the truth in love, I trust; +and some others are hopeful. A native, descended from +Roman Catholic parents, has been daily with me; and we +read the gospel in Hindoostanee together: he is a man of +good understanding. When I found him here (February) +he had not seen the Scriptures: he now understands much +of the general sense of the gospels; and evidences a pleasing +spirit of enquiry. I am not at present, however, without +fears respecting his real conversion. Should it please God to +work effectually in him, the blessing to his poor countrymen +might prove incalculable. You will wonder, perhaps, that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span> +I do not speak with rapture on the subject of the conversion +of the natives; be assured, dearest B., no subject is nearer +my heart; and this I feel assured of, that whilst health and +strength remain, my life shall be devoted to the furtherance +of this work, as well as the more immediate objects of my +present appointment. The works of the devil are here manifest, +and excite an abhorrence in my soul, which, by the +grace of God, will to the last make me labour to destroy +them: but the effects of my labours are not, according to +human appearance, likely to be immediate. The rising generation +seem to be the most likely subjects; and some favoured +servant of Christ may, probably, lay my head in the +dust, and enter on his labour here among ‘a people prepared +for the Lord.’ But ‘they who sow and they who reap shall +rejoice together’ in the day of our Lord’s appearing.</p> + +<p>“The superstition of this country is of such a complicated +kind, that I can say nothing with certainty about it, at present. +Almost every person has a different idol; or a different account +of the same idol; and the objects of their worship are +innumerable. A circumstance that took place yesterday +morning, may help to shew you the folly of their worship: +its wickedness, in some respects, cannot be named. The +fort of Chunar (in which I live) is a fortified hill of about +two miles in circumference; the ramparts command +an extensive view on all sides, and most mornings +I take a walk upon them before sun-rise. It seems, that +the first founder of this fort and his tutor are both canonized, +and are supposed to preside here still, and are +worshipped as tutelar deities. Yesterday morning, at the +south end, most remote from the guard-house, I found the +firelock, turban, and sacred drinking-vessel of one of the +sentinels: a brahmin was placed by the sentry-box, and was +observed by me below. I passed on. As I returned, he +spoke; but I did not stop. Thinking afterwards that he +might be ill, I called a servant, and sent him to see. Now +observe. He said that, at three in the morning, he had seen +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span> +two figures of men approaching, that he challenged them, +and that they immediately flew upon him, beat him unmercifully, +and, after he was stripped, kicked him off the rampart, +ten feet at least (the ramparts were certainly seven feet high). +The Jemadar (a native officer) who, with others, was come +to his assistance, was very angry with him, and said these +figures were the identical founder of the fort and his tutor, +who dwell in this part of the fort, and have thrown two sentinels +over the parapet for interrupting them: this the brahmin +before mentioned believed, and this opinion was current. +I asked how this god came to beat him, a brahmin, +so sacred a man? He readily answered, That the tutor is +not a good, but a bad spirit; and they worship him to keep +him from doing them injury. I said to some others, that +it was quite plain that even a brahmin himself was not beyond +the power of these demons; how then could they expect +the brahmins to defend them? They were silent; but +evidently not convinced, as they offer goats in sacrifice, and +pour out wine in libations, which they fancy the demon eats +and drinks. I told them not to be so profuse in their offerings, +lest Bhyzoonát should become so wanton as to destroy +them all.</p> + +<p>“A rich Brahmin told me yesterday that if any one died +in Benares, or within ten miles of it, he would undoubtedly +go to heaven, though he were ever so great an offender. I +told him I would come some night and plunder his house, +and then go to Benares, and so secure both present and +future riches. He saw my meaning, and said with a smile, +‘there is no need for Sahib to take any money by force; my +wealth is all at his feet,’ and so evaded my argument. I +could fill volumes with conversations of this kind, but they +have no more seeming effect than words spoken to the air; +so deeply-rooted is error in their minds, and so congenial +are their lying idols to the corrupt nature of man. I should +not, however, forget the power of God, nor limit its operation. +This I feel sure of, that the young, with means of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span> +instruction, will grow up ashamed of their idolatry; and +means of instruction are not now entirely wanting. My +three dear sons in the faith (young officers who were fellow-passengers) +continue to walk in the truth. O, were +the British all true Christians, the conversion of the heathen +world, humanly speaking, would be comparatively an easy +work! The appointment of Chaplain is, in this point of +view, important.”</p> +</div> + +<div class="tall"> +<p>It will be recollected (<a href="#Page_62">p. 62</a>), that a short time +before Mr. Corrie left Calcutta to proceed to Chunar, +he had consulted with Mr. Brown and other friends, +as to the means by which they “might best promote +the glory of God in the earth,” and that among other +means that were deemed likely to contribute towards +so noble an object, one was, that each of the parties +then present should forward a quarterly report of his +ministerial plans and prospects, to Mr. Brown in +Calcutta; who, having appended his own observations, +should transmit a copy of the combined reports to +each individual.<a id="FNanchor_36" href="#Footnote_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p> + +<p>It was considered that a mutual knowledge of the +facts and observations which might be accumulated +in the course of each other’s labours and experience, +would tend greatly to encourage and direct them as +individuals, amid the difficulties which the Missionary +and Chaplain had then to contend with. The first +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span> +of these Reports seems to have been made on the +6th of April 1807, but no copy of Mr. Corrie’s +communications is met with among his papers, of an +earlier date than the Report which is here subjoined.</p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Chunar, July 6, 1807.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The same routine of engagements and employments +offers little of variety, either to amuse or profit my honoured +brethren; but the idea of being under an engagement +to communicate something on this day, has been no +little spur to activity, that I might have something to relate +to them. The motive I feel to be an unworthy one; but +those among whom I am placed may have been benefited +from it, and our plan will redound to their benefit at least.</p> + +<p>“My mind has at times, been sorely exercised with temptations +to give up all exertion in the cause of Christ, and +take my ease like those around me; more especially, about +a fortnight since, the improbability of success, the sneers +of the world, the dread of singularity, were the chief engines +the enemy attacked me with, respecting the Europeans; +respecting the Heathen, his suggestions were chiefly, +the opposition of government, the extreme ignorance of the +natives, the fear of commotions in the country, should I +attempt their conversion. These, like fiery darts, were at +different times, and in divers ways, cast into my soul, +and grievously wounded me. I bless God, whose love is +everlasting, that He has rebuked the tempter. I look back +as one who has escaped shipwreck, barely with life; and I +feel determined, through the grace of Christ, to count not +even life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course +with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the +Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.</p> + +<p>“We have had divine service regularly every Sunday +morning, at sun-rise, in the fort. Our commanding officer +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span> +has for some time left off attending, though he continues +very civil and obliging. He makes ill health an excuse; +although he has occasionally been in the fort soon after the +time of worship, and without any cause but his own pleasure. +Another officer has also left off attending, although +for some time after my first arrival, he was regularly among +us. Some others have all along been irregular in their attendance, +and continue to come occasionally. The gentleman +and his wife, I alluded to in my last report, do not go +on as I had hoped, though they are very kind, and my only +intimate associates. Although he does not enter into my +views, he yet talks familiarly with me on the subject of +religion, and tells me his own views and feelings respecting +it; which, together with their regular attendance on public +worship, made me to hope they were under a divine influence. +But, oh, the love of this present evil world, is a clog which +weighs down the souls even of those who know more of its +vanity, than these [persons] at present do.</p> + +<p>“Among the common men, I trust some good has been +done, although little to lasting benefit, as yet. I mentioned +a sergeant of Invalids, who joined himself to me soon after +my arrival. He is now in the hospital, and seemingly in +the last stage of sickness. He made a profession of godliness +in his youth, in England, it seems. He is now greatly +alive to the consequences of death. He is become extremely +communicative, and in comparison of what he used to be, +eloquent. His experience is such a lesson to backsliders, as +makes me anxious to communicate it separately, when the +final scene may be closed; and, therefore, I shall say nothing +more of him here.</p> + +<p>“A Serjeant on the pension-list, has, since my last, evinced +considerable concern for salvation; and is, I trust, in a fair +way. Another Serjeant also reads, and assents to the books +I lend him, and I am told, is somewhat reformed in conduct; +but still is by no means a hopeful character.</p> + +<p>“The native woman whom I baptized, died and was buried, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span> +April 12th. The man with whom she lived, is since married, +having expressed great concern for his former conduct, +and thanks for my admonitions; declaring, at the same time, +that he never before was told he was doing wrong, in this +respect; and that, for the fifteen years he has been in this +country, he had not seen a clergyman, to his knowledge, till +I arrived here. Another has put away his native woman; +and another is now desiring to be married, but his commanding +officer refuses to give permission, on the score of the +woman’s character.</p> + +<p>“No public worship as yet has been established at the +barracks, chiefly in consequence of my health having been +very unsettled. I am anxiously hoping to be able soon to +have opportunity of speaking to them publicly the word of +life. It oppresses me with grief, when I can feel as I ought, +that many, perhaps 150, of the number of Invalids, seldom, +or never join the public worship. The man who for some +time has read prayers in his dwelling on Sunday mornings, +continues to do so, being lame, and so unable to come up to +the Fort; I fear, however, he is without experience of the +love and grace of Christ. On Whitsunday I administered +the Lord’s Supper to four. Thus far respecting the Europeans +here, whom I consider myself, in a peculiar manner, +called to attend to.</p> + +<p>“At Secrole, which I visited last week, I found a merchant +of real piety, though from his relating of a vision, he +is, in my opinion, something enthusiastic. He devotes much +time to the relief of poor and sick natives. He, for some +time, read prayers on Sunday mornings and evenings, to the +few artillery-men in their barracks; till, on his imprudently +administering medicine to a sick man, he was forbidden all +communication with them. He, however, still reads prayers and +a sermon, in his own house, on Sundays, and some join him. +One artillery-man, he speaks of, as a true christian. He had +not before met with any who could understand him, and had +frequent thoughts of writing to Mr. Brown; but feared that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span> +his letter would not be welcome. He is a stiff churchman; +and when I asked him whether he had read the Missionary +Magazine, which I saw in his shop, he started at the idea, +and said ‘He never had any connection with Dissenters.’</p> + +<p>“Respecting the heathen, I have instituted four schools +for the instruction of children; two on each side the Fort. +On either side, one for Hindoos, and one for Mussulmans. +In one Hindoo school are thirty-seven: in the other thirteen. +In one Mussulman school, are twenty-two; in the other +sixteen. In all eighty-eight children. Of these a few now +know their letters, and I am much exercised in mind respecting +the introduction of the Scriptures among them. +The Gooroos are quite averse to any books; it has never +been the custom, they say, for them to read books; and the +Mahomedans have books. I trust the Lord will guide me, and +not suffer me to mar his work by my extreme ignorance of +the best mode of proceeding. The nearer I approach the +work, the greater appears its difficulty, the more I feel my +own insufficiency. If any good is done among us, how +evidently will it appear to be of God.</p> + +<p>“Not having a copy of my last report, I know not whether +I mentioned some native Roman Catholic Christians who +daily attended me for reading the Scriptures. Only one of +four continues to come, and he seems to be in earnest. He +has with great reluctance been brought to confess, that at +least the purgatory of the Papists, their transubstantiation, +and prayer to saints, have no foundation in Scripture. He +has read the Gospels through; St. John twice, and we are +now going through St. Matthew a second time. He has +brought his wife and family to Chunar; and has expressed +a wish to instruct his native brethren, if I will find him subsistence. +After many expressions of this kind, I told him, +that he must consider that the Company give no authority +for this; that he must expect no more favour than others, +from the British; that I would only support him with necessaries, +but should expect his children would be taught to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span> +earn their bread; and desired him to reflect seriously on the +subject, and make it matter of prayer to God. He has not +expressed so much eagerness since this, as before. He, however, +has much conversation with the native baptized persons; +tells them faithfully of their sin and heathen practices; and +I think is himself a true Christian. He yesterday explained +to me the Parable of the Sower very exactly, without reference +to our Lord’s explanation. It may not be amiss to +transcribe a few remarks I have noted down respecting this +man’s knowledge of divine truth. I understand him better +than he understands me, but I enquire of him the meaning +of what I have said, till I find he has caught the idea I +wish to convey.</p> + +<p>“Saturday, May 16th. The Bettiah-walla remembered +very exactly what I explained to him yesterday of our Lord’s +discourse with Nicodemus; he, also, remembered very correctly +the explanation of the allusion to the brazen serpent, +repeating what I had told him of that transaction. On +asking him, in what sense must we look to Christ; he +answered, Jesus Christ is not now on the cross: but, as He +said to Thomas, who seeing the prints of the nails in his +hands, cried out ‘My Lord and my God,’—‘Blessed is he that +hath not seen, and yet hath believed,’ so it is with our hearts +that we must look to Him; and believing that He hath given +his blood for us, and having our hearts made clean by His +Spirit, we shall not perish, but have everlasting life. He +explained John iii. 17. (without being asked) very scripturally, +and evidently with a sense of its value.</p> + +<p>“May 18th. In the afternoon, I had pleasure in acquiring +the Hindoostanee. On asking the Bettiah-walla what +was meant by the declaration, ‘No man can come to me except +the Father which hath sent me draw him;’ he answered, +‘No one desires to come to Christ unless God enlighten his +mind, and dispose his heart.’ On asking him, What is +meant by the expression, in John vi. 40. ‘Seeing the Son;’ +he replied, ‘Seeing Him in his word, and with our hearts.’ +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span> +He has had a conversation with a Mahomedan, who concluded +with saying that Mahomet was the last prophet. +The Bettiah-walla answered, ‘According to their own book +Jesus is Noor-Ullah, i. e. the Son of God, that He died, +and rose, and went up to heaven, and will come to judgment:’ +The Mahomedan consented. Bettiah-walla: ‘Your +prophet is sleeping, as you allow; whether is greatest, a +sleeping or a living prophet?’ He allowed that the living +one was the greatest, and promised to come again to-morrow. +The Bettiah-walla answered to my question, ‘How it is that +if any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine +whether it be of God.’ (John vii. 17.) ‘The Holy Ghost +will come upon him and make his heart glad and holy.’”</p> + +<p>“On one occasion I discovered him in a fault, which he +confessed with tears, making no attempt to conceal it, and +I believe has not fallen into it again. It was at a time I perceived +him to be much puffed up with his attainments, and +would gladly have made him feel the force of the apostle’s +words, ‘Let him that thinketh <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’</p> + +<p>“My chief employment has been the study of Hindoostanee, +in which however I have made but little progress, +from frequent indisposition. My experience has in general +been of a very painful kind. Accustomed to enjoy the communion +of saints, and the comfort of their faith and love, I +know but little, I perceive, how to live by faith. That passage +has been the food of my soul for some time past. 2 Cor. +i. 22. The name of Jesus has been refreshing ‘as ointment +poured forth;’ and in this name, I doubt not finally to +triumph.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It may not, perhaps, be considered foreign to the +purpose of these Memoirs to relate, that the sergeant +of invalids referred to in the foregoing Report of Mr. +Corrie’s proceedings, was the son of a dissenting +minister at St. Albans, and had been religiously +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span> +brought up; but that, having cast off the fear of God, +he had run a sad career of sin and intemperance, +until arrested in his course by the sickness which +proved fatal to him. Many short notices occur, in +Mr. Corrie’s journal, of the sergeant’s last illness; +and a fuller account of him appeared at the time, in +the Cottage Magazine. It may suffice, therefore, to +state that after the unhappy man had passed through +many alternations of terror and despair, in the fearful +expectation of a judgment to come, there was reason +to believe that he went down to the grave in hope. +Respecting the Bettiah-christian and the Mahomedan +who are noticed in the Report, some further account +occurs in a letter to the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. Buckworth.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“August 2nd. 1807.<br> +</p> + +<p>“By a letter received this day, from my sister, I learn the +very agreeable tidings of your presentation to the vicarage of +Dewsbury. This event takes away indeed, every latent +hope that your lot might have been cast in India; but the +souls of the people of Dewsbury are of equal value with +those of Asia; and I earnestly pray that you may reap a rich +harvest of souls as a reward of your labours among them....</p> + +<p>“But whilst I am taken up with those whose faces I have +seen in the flesh, you are wanting to know how the work of +the Lord prospers in India. I can only say that the general +aspect of spiritual affairs is pleasing. Were you to ask particulars, +I could not, perhaps, satisfactorily tell you why I +say so; yet the progress of translation of the holy Scriptures, +with the increased numbers of faithful enquirers, is surely +matter of hope. I could dwell much on the labours of that +dear servant of Christ, Martyn, in translating, and in exerting +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span> +himself to propagate the knowledge of salvation among +Europeans and heathen; but, without an intimate acquaintance +with this country and people, much explanation would +be necessary. For myself, the climate has so much affected +me as to make the retrospect of my life nearly a blank: some +fruit, however, has already appeared. Praised be He who +‘giveth the increase!’...</p> + +<p>“The native Christian I formerly mentioned, has renounced +the errors of Popery, of his own accord, after a good +deal of argument in favour of his old opinions. I believe +him to be sincere, and that his heart is right with God. +Sometimes he seems amused rather than grieved with the +opposition of the Jews to our Lord; but this, though it gives +me pain, is not so much to be wondered at, from the extreme +want of reflection manifested by all the natives. I now +allow him support for himself, wife, and two children. He +is very ready in reproving and exhorting a class of people, +descendants of the Portuguese, who are very numerous in +India, and are nominal Christians. He warns them faithfully +of the sin and folly of people called Christians, living as do the +heathen; and, at my instance, he reads to them the Scriptures +very frequently: so that I hope he may be made an +instrument of good. By his means, also, a Mahomedan has +been brought at least to doubt the divine commission of the +lying prophet. This man now frequently comes to me. He +has read the Sermon on the Mount (which I happily had by +me, translated into Persian, by a Mr. Chambers, now dead) +and manifests a very pleasing earnestness in search of truth. +Nearly one hundred and twenty children are learning to +read, at my expence: the circumstance of being able to read +the Scriptures when put into their hands will be of no small +advantage; as the custom of the son’s persisting in the +business and steps of the father, precludes the multitude +from ever thinking the knowledge of letters desirable. +Indeed the character in which their sacred books are written +is not allowed to be read by any but Brahmins. The written +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span> +and printed characters are the same; as they have had no +printed books till of late; so that in learning they have an +advantage over us, as they learn to read and write at the +same time, first making the letter with chalk, or in the +dust, and then pronouncing it. I have had much pleasure +at times in exercising the proficiency of the children. Some +of them have countenances expressive of every good quality: +the difference of the complexion is forgotten under the impression +that ‘of one blood hath God made all the families +of the earth.’ A small present delights the little fellows; +and they sometimes come up to me with smiling faces, as I +pass; and make <i>salaam</i> with great appearance of attachment.</p> + +<p>“I have said that appearances are pleasing: you will conclude +that I speak comparatively. Alas! I ought to weep +day and night at the reflection, that in this small place there +are about 10,000, souls ‘sitting in darkness and the shadow +of death!’ O that the Lord may speedily open a door for the +entrance of Divine light among them! I am learning the +native language as fast as my slothful nature, and the unsettled +state of my affairs, calling me continually here and +there, will let me. My Moonshee can now perfectly understand +me: and when I tell him my meaning, he points out the +proper word. In this way, besides my reading for instruction, +I have translated the history of Joseph; and also to +the sixth chapter of Genesis; and have got to the seventh of +Acts. These will soon be useless, as better translations will +be to be had; but they are of use to the above-mentioned +native Christian for himself, and those who listen to his +conversation; and these exercises improve myself. I shall +begin Persian soon (D. V.) The Hebrew is a key to the +Arabic; and Arabic and Persian are so blended with the +Hindoostanee, the popular language of this country, that +without the knowledge of Arabic and Persian, Hindoostanee +cannot be perfectly understood.</p> + +<p>“In order, too, to translate accurately, you know, the +knowledge of Hebrew and Greek is necessary. You would +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span> +be astonished at the subtilty with which the Hindoos (I +mean learned Hindoos) argue on religious points. A rich +man of this place one day visiting me, we entered into a +discussion respecting one of their incarnations of the deity. +The incarnate God, from their account, married many wives, +had many children, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> and when I observed that these things +could not be the actions of God, assigning my reasons, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> he +readily answered, that the deity having taken to himself a +human body, these actions were the actions of the man, and +the godhead residing in him had no part in them; that I acknowledged +Messiah ate, drank, slept <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, which were as +little the actions of God, as those related of Krishnoo. I +answered, that the body being the instrument of the soul, +needs refreshment to support it in its labours; but that the +body cannot accomplish any of its desires without the concurrence +of the spirit that actuates it; so that this multiplying +of wives, and other acknowledged sinful actions, would +not have been accomplished by Krishnoo without the animating +spirit. He at length left me, something in anger.</p> + +<p>“I have written this at different intervals, which may apologize +for its blots and inaccuracies: but why should I make +apologies to you? With what inexpressible tenderness does +the remembrance of the sweet counsel I have taken with you, +return at times! I can now, in my mind’s eye, view the +roads we walked together, the houses we visited, the companies +we frequented;—the hymns we sang together, the +petitions we joined in at the throne of grace, are many of +them fresh in mind; and, when I am in tolerably good +spirits, they delight me exceedingly.</p> + +<p>“But, my general experience is of a more painful nature: +doubts and temptations press hard upon me. The enervating +effects of the climate make all my graces wither; and +I go on rather in the spirit of sullen obstinacy than under +the influence of the constraining love of Jesus.</p> + +<p>“I hope you have written to me. Think of a solitary +being, on the top of a hill ninety feet above the level of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span> +water, without a creature near to speak a word of comfort, +or to suggest a word of advice; and you will not think an +hour thrown away that may support and animate his soul +in the pursuit of ‘a kingdom that cannot be moved.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The anniversary of the day on which Mr. Corrie +arrived in Calcutta, is marked by the following entry +made in his journal,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“September 20th, 1807. On this day of the month last +year, I arrived in Calcutta from England. I have determined, +through grace, to keep new-year’s-day, my birth-day, +days of ordination, and of my arrival in India, as days of +examination into my state and views. On reviewing the +memoranda connected with this day, I find great cause for +thankfulness and praise. What I proposed, in the first +place, in coming to India, was the propagation of Christianity +amongst the heathen. I had little idea of the difficulties +attending this work; yet, blessed be God! I have +not lost sight of it. Four schools will, I trust, prepare +many for reading the word of life, when it is ready for distribution. +The native Christian has profited greatly by the +New Testament: he appears truly pious; and his desire to +instruct others, whilst, I hope, it proves his own sincerity, +will, no doubt, be beneficial to many. My prayers, also, +have been answered as it regards this place. One is departed +in peace: one or two others are, I hope, impressed; +most are attentive; and favour is shewed me by all. I have +experienced much mercy in restoration to health; and especially +in the restoring to me the joy of God’s salvation; +and the Lord continues to ‘defend me with His favour as +with a shield.’ I feel in danger from the love of the world; +yet, I hope, I shall be able to overcome it. I have often +dedicated my all to God; and I do again now devote my all, +especially <i>myself</i> do I give up. I ought to have made +greater proficiency in the Hindoostanee; but I trust, through +the power of Christ, to be more assiduous for the future.”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_30" href="#FNanchor_30" class="label">[30]</a> +Luke <abbr title="one">i.</abbr> 79.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_31" href="#FNanchor_31" class="label">[31]</a> +<abbr title="Revelation eleven">Rev. xi.</abbr> 15; <abbr title="nineteen">xix.</abbr> 16.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_32" href="#FNanchor_32" class="label">[32]</a> +See the Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, <abbr title="volume two, page">vol. ii, p.</abbr> 21.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_33" href="#FNanchor_33" class="label">[33]</a> +Mr. Corrie relates (below, <a href="#Page_73">p. 73</a>.) in what way, his acquaintance +with this Bettiah-christian commenced.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_34" href="#FNanchor_34" class="label">[34]</a> +See Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, <abbr title="volume two, pages">vol. ii. p.</abbr> 28, 29.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_35" href="#FNanchor_35" class="label">[35]</a> +On account of the effect which the heat of the climate seemed +to be producing on Mr. Corrie’s health. See <span class="smcap">Journals and Letters +of Henry Martyn</span>, <abbr title="volume two, page">vol. ii. p.</abbr> 42.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_36" href="#FNanchor_36" class="label">[36]</a> +Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, <abbr title="volume two, page">vol. ii. p.</abbr> 41. See +some of the like quarterly communications from Mr. Brown, printed +in Wilkinson’s Sketches of Christianity in North India, <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> 145 +and 169.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER <abbr title="Five">V.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">RESIDENCE AT CHUNAR.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">Although</span> Mr. Corrie had been but a short time at +Chunar, yet it was evident that his ministerial labours +there had begun to excite attention both among Hindoos +and Mahomedans. He had not, indeed, acquired +such a knowledge of the language of the +country as satisfied his earnest desire to make known +among the heathen the glad tidings of salvation, yet +he had made progress in Hindoostanee sufficient to +enable him to hold important communications with the +people of the country. We accordingly find in his +Journal and Letters more frequent notices of his personal +intercourse with the native population.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 21st. An Old Brahmin came from Benares, whom +Wheatly told me of. He knows most of our church-catechism. +He told me that the [answers to] two questions, +those respecting our duty towards God, and our duty towards +our neighbour, contained the sum of all good. For a long +time he had a very bad opinion of the English. The Mahomedans, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span> +he said, do abstain from <i>one</i> kind of meat; but +the English eat every thing. This bad opinion was confirmed +by hearing a gentleman, whom every person praised +as a good man, in a great rage, using many abusive expressions +to a servant for killing a rabbit which should not have +been killed. But when he read the holy Scriptures, he found +them pure, and that our practices were not consistent with +them. This led him to ask whether I thought all the English +would be saved? I answered, No: which startled him +very much. ‘I greatly fear,’ said he, ‘on that account.’ +‘If I lose caste, and afterwards come short of heaven, I shall +fail in both worlds.’ This he said with tears. ‘But,’ said +he, ‘I thought it must be so, because the tenth commandment +says, Thou shalt not covet, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ and then he told me a +story of an English collector, who took by force a little spot +of ground that he had devoted to the reception and entertainment +of sick travellers, when he would not sell it to him: +which stumbled him greatly. Baptism, and the eating of +meat, which, he says, disagrees with him, are the rock he appears +likely to split upon. I told him the <i>truth</i>, and pointed +it out to him from the Scriptures. The Lord render it effectual +to his salvation! I gave him a New Testament, at +which he expressed great surprise, saying, he supposed it +would cost several rupees; nor did he think my reason (viz.) +the love of God, in giving his Son for me, sufficiently constraining +to induce me to <i>give away</i> a thing of such value.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 27th. The Brahmin came on Tuesday; and, after +many endeavours to evade the force of God’s word, agreed, +with much weeping, to be baptized. I have some doubt of +his sincerity on this point. He is gone to Calcutta.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 11th. Yesterday, an old Mahomedan called on +me: we had a long conversation on religion. After some +previous talking, he said ‘The deity is above our comprehension; +we are blind, and speak of Him as blind men do from +handling an elephant; each one according to his apprehension +of the part he handles.’ I answered, ‘True; but if a man +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span> +possessing sight were to behold the elephant, he would describe +it properly; and we might believe his report.’ He +answered, ‘Yes.’ ‘Such,’ I replied, ‘were the prophets +and apostles,’ <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> This led him to speak of the various prophets +in whom, he said, we trusted. ‘Our services [said +he] are confessedly unworthy of God, therefore there is need +that a worthy Mediator be found, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> one who wants nothing +for himself, but can merit for us.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Agreeably to the resolution which Mr. Corrie had +formed, to observe New-year’s-day as one of several +days for self-examination, we find him observing in +his journal:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Chunar, January 1st. 1808. I praise God who has +brought me thus far in mercy; and I perceive a good monument +of praise on the review of the past. My first desire, +on last New-year’s-day, was to be enabled to be useful here; +and I mark an answer to prayer in that I am heard with +attention, and have evidently obtained some influence amongst +the people. One, I believe, is gone home to Christ; whilst +I trust, three others have entered on the narrow way. The +Government yet prohibits attempts at conversion; and the +kingdom of Christ, to outward appearance, has made but +little progress in this land; but there is mercy vouchsafed +sufficient to encourage me to pray; and there is still cause +for prayer. The Bettiah-walla and two others have been +raised up to me; with other hopeful appearances amongst +the native women. I bless God for renewed health of body +and vigour of mind; and for somewhat of increasing patience +and diligence in the work of the ministry. With respect to +my resolutions, I find I have visited more than I wished to +do; but less than I might have done, and more than I hope +to do for the future. I praise God that I am not so much +ashamed of the Gospel of Christ as I have been; and that I +have been enabled to preach Jesus Christ from house to house, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span> +in some small degree; but, I have done far less than I might +have done: Yet, O Lord; I ought to praise Thee for thy +mercy: Thou hast wrought all my works in me! I know +I am a sinner; but thy grace is sufficient for me, and by thy +grace I am what I am. The native schools have refused +books; but I hope to establish a Christian school, and desire +that my whole life, spirit, soul, and body, may be occupied +in the work of the Lord.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The quarterly report transmitted by Mr. Corrie +to Mr. Brown, on the 4th of January, 1808, supplies +us with an outline of the progress of religion at +Chunar up to that date; and touches upon the +great practical difficulty, inseparable from that loss of +the means of subsistence, which converts from heathenism +usually have to endure.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Let us begin our correspondence with erecting an Ebenezer +to our gracious Lord, who continues us in the land of +the living, and gives us opportunities of obtaining a great +nearness to His blissful presence, and a more exalted station +among those who turn many to righteousness. I might +well, in the review of the past year, dread the imputation +of unprofitableness, but yet I perceive it a dishonour to the +grace of our Redeemer, to disparage the smallest appearance +of His grace in myself, or in others; and though I am sure +I must say, ‘Lord, when saw I thee a stranger, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>,’ I consider +it my duty to credit the precious declaration spoken by +our great Bishop, respecting himself and his διάκονοι, +‘Though Israel be not gathered, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ Is. xliii.</p> + +<p>“Pursuing the plan suggested with so much propriety by +our senior brother, I have to observe that since my last, +some changes have taken place in our society, which seem +upon the whole to have been for the better, as we have +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span> +gained a captain of artillery, of great decorum of manners, +both in public and private. Of our old members, I am +persuaded that the seed of the word has put forth the +‘tender blade’ in the lady and gentleman I have before +alluded to; whilst considerable alteration in the outward +conduct of another gentleman is noticed; but I fear, ‘one +thing’ at least is lacking in him. By four out of the six +families here, I am asked to say grace at dinner, which +when I first arrived was unusual. I know not what I ought +to think of this, knowing well that in Christ, nothing +availeth but ‘faith that worketh by love;’ yet perhaps +something is gained. The Lord help me to be more devoted +to his glory, that I may not seem to countenance them in +stopping short of the ‘new creation!’ One person is often +very contemptuous towards me, but finds no one to join him +at present. Among the common Europeans little but discouragement +appears: only one seems entirely from under +the dominion of outward sin. He is the sergeant I have +mentioned, and appears a subject of divine grace. Several +are approvers, and attendants on public worship, but the +sad abuse of the late holy festival has damped my hopes +respecting them.</p> + +<p>“The first Sunday in November, having prepared a +moveable tabernacle, it was erected at the barracks, and +divine service has been performed there every Sunday evening +since. On the first few occasions forty or fifty attended, +yesterday there were about twenty-five. These are, for the +most part, very attentive, and a good deal of devotion appears +among them in making the responses, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> About +six, perhaps, attend divine service twice a day. At the hospital +one man seems piously affected, another humble and +resigned; both these have been long ill and seem daily decaying. +One, the first time I spoke expressly to him, declared +with much earnestness, that he believed he had never +offended his Maker; he now speaks a different language. +One man, who was greatly alarmed during a fit of sickness, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span> +is, I fear, resting in a “form of godliness,” though his outward +conduct is decent, and he comes every Sunday evening +to join in worship with me.</p> + +<p>“At Benares, where I occasionally go, the pious merchant +I have mentioned, appears much grown in ‘grace and in the +knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ He +reads the service of the Church of England and a sermon +from some author, twice every Sunday and every Wednesday +evening, in a tent erected for that purpose. One Wednesday +evening I officiated there among twenty-seven, who +heard the word with much attention. One artillery-man of +the lately arrived party, the merchant speaks of as hopeful. +But I find that last week a restraint was laid upon the +artillerymen from attending: I trust it will soon be removed.</p> + +<p>“Among the Company’s servants there, one known as a +proficient in Hindoo literature, has discovered himself well +acquainted with evangelical principles. Another Company’s +servant seems to me one of the Lord’s secret ones. I trust +there is among us ‘as the gleaning grapes when the vintage +is done,’ one or two.</p> + +<p>“But what I have to say on personal experience will cast +further light on the religious state of our society, or rather, +it will cast a shade on the prospect. Notwithstanding these +agreeable particulars already presented, there is little farther +outward acknowledgment of God among us; there appears as +yet no disposition to speak and act openly as the dependent +creatures and avowed subjects of the Most High; so that, +except now and then in private, I cannot give vent to those +feelings which I find it my duty and happiness to cherish. +On this account much of my religious exercises pass without +that delight in God which His love and mercy demand; and +my experience in general is that of the Psalmist, when he +said, ‘my heart breaketh for the longing &.’ yet our state +before God depends in no respect on frames and feelings; +and though miserably defective still in every point, some +greater degree of boldness for Christ in public, and something +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span> +of resignation to labour in his vineyard though no +fruit should appear, I acknowledge as the work of his free +Spirit, by whom I trust to be upheld unto the end. My +preaching since my last, has been on the following among +other subjects, ‘God is not a man, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ (Numb. xxiii. 19.) +‘In this was manifested, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ (1 John iv. 19.) ‘How shall +we escape, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ (Heb. ii. 3.)</p> + +<p>“The state of the natives here has lately attracted much +of my notice. From their long intercourse with Europeans, +native habits are much laid aside. They are generally +greatly addicted to drunkenness, and are proverbially dissolute. +They are, in consequence, very little awed by the +European christians. I am assured that they are usually +ready to enter into personal contest with any of the European +invalids, who may attempt to lord it over them; and +except from those who eat the salt of the settlement, none +of us have many tokens of respect paid us. In the four +native schools, there are at present seventy-five scholars; +those mentioned as reading books have left the schools from +some cause or other, and no more books have been received.</p> + +<p>“The native women connected with the Europeans, have +assembled on Tuesday evenings in the Fort, and on Friday +evenings at the barracks. The usual numbers at both places +is from ten to sixteen. For these much of my time has +been taken up in translations, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> Yesterday, in the fort, +a congregation of nineteen attended prayers in Hindoostanee. +I used the translation our dear brother Martyn favoured me +with, excepting a few words altered to the dialect of this +part of the country. On these occasions the native Christian, +I before mentioned, is of the greatest service. He has +acquired a tolerably accurate idea of the plan of salvation, +and enlarges, with much evident feeling, on the heads I +suggest from the portion of Scripture before us. He officiates +as clerk in the Hindoostanee congregation, and yesterday +read the lessons, and explained and applied them as I +suggested to him. The effect of his exhortations lasts. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span> +This man is afflicted with an asthma, which lays him up now +and then; but the eagerness with which he returns to +teaching the native women, indicates, I trust, his heart to be +right with God. Some differences took place in his family +some time since, which disturbed me a good deal; but no +fault has appeared in him. In a late fit of illness, I found +he had a book of prayers, containing addresses to angels, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> +Several of the women have learned from him the Ten Commandments, +the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed; and it excited +a gleam of holy joy yesterday to hear several repeating +these after me, and also whispering some of the responses. +This reminds me of a school in which an European teaches +ten children for me, some of them orphans, and some who +are not eligible to the school in Calcutta. Since the establishment +of evening worship, one of these children has repeated +the Church catechism and some questions of Scripture +History, with an accuracy rather surprising considering their +years. These also join in the responses and in singing the +Psalms, and increase the ‘Hosanna to the Son of David.’</p> + +<p>“Two youths, one the son of the native teacher, are on +my premises, and read twice a day in the Hindoostanee gospel. +One discovers no capacity whatever, nor does the word +seem to affect him in the least. He has made considerable +proficiency in the knowledge of the letters and reads the +gospel without much difficulty, but can seldom at the end of +a verse, tell the contents of it. The other discovers considerable +quickness of apprehension, and gains knowledge +readily; but as yet gives no evidence of any heart-work +begun. Him I intend, if it please God, to appoint teacher +of a school, in a short time. I know now of six children, +the offspring of native Christians, whom I wish him to instruct; +two children now attend him.</p> + +<p>“Of the women who were candidates for Baptism, one, it +appears, is living in sin: and on my refusing to baptize her +till the fruits of repentance [should appear] has given up +seeking instruction. The other appears very sincere; she +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</span> +comes a considerable distance, into the Fort, twice a week (on +Tuesdays and Sundays) and is herself, as far as I know, of +unblemished life. But some circumstances connected with her +daughter, has made me defer Baptism, which seems to afflict +her; and she promises to pursue whatever line of conduct +I may point out. The difficulty is in suggesting what +these people are to do for an honest livelihood. I am already +engaged in disbursements beyond what my pecuniary circumstances +point out as prudent; and to tell them to trust +in Providence whilst no means of subsistence appear, seems +to savour too much of fatalism.</p> + +<p>“Let me, therefore, conclude with proposing to the consideration +of my brethren, The best mode of employing native +Christians who may be destitute of subsistence? And I think +to ascertain this, it may be of service to enquire, What are +the manufactures most engaged in at our different stations? +And, perhaps, a barter might be established among themselves, +without much of our personal interference, if communications +were opened between them; which would certainly +be desirable.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a Letter to Mr. Buckworth, written a few days +later than the preceding Report, Mr. Corrie enters +more into detail respecting his ministry among the heathen, +and the method of teaching employed by the +native Christian of whom mention has so frequently +been made.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Your welcome letter of February last reached me November +1st: and I sat down instantly to read and answer it; +and have filled three sheets of paper which would have been +sent had opportunity offered; and, from your affection for +myself, would have amused you. I find on review, however, +they are very unsatisfactory; and must select from them a +moderate-sized epistle. You rightly suspected that the climate +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</span> +might affect my body, and by consequence my spirits +also; as some of my letters to you will shew; but, thanks to +the Lord our healer, I am as well, and have been for some +time, as at any period in my life. Mary had told me of +your presentation to D; had it taken place before I left +England, the pleasure of being a fellow-helper with you +would probably have kept me there for life; but He who +knows what is best for us has ordered it otherwise; and I +am unspeakably content. At the same time, I little knew +my own unsuitableness for the work I am engaged in; yet +‘hitherto hath the Lord helped me:’ and, though I groan +under a sense of my shortcomings, He has not suffered me to +go back from His sacred ways: and has, moreover, given of +His Divine presence. These opportunities of writing call forth +all my former feelings towards you; and I am conscious, +that though so widely separated, we are one in the Lord +Christ. But I must refrain, and give you some account of +matters here.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">After having adverted to the fears of the Indian +Government lest the animosity of the natives should +be excited by any attempts to convert them to Christianity, +Mr. Corrie writes:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I suppose we should be taken to task, were we to preach +in the streets and highways: but other methods not less effectual +are to be used, and less likely to produce popular +clamour. Natives themselves may and can be employed, +with the greatest advantage, in Evangelizing their brethren, +whilst the Minister superintends, and directs and encourages. +I have great reason to be thankful, that the Lord has +raised up a native christian, born of Roman Catholic parents, +who, from March last, has been daily with me; and now, +having acquired a sufficient knowledge of the way of salvation, +is daily employed in instructing others! A despised +race, whom the Europeans have attached to themselves, hear +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span> +him with great attention; and some with evident profit. He +is at present very ill; but I trust the Lord will spare him to +us, when more extensive plans will be engaged in.</p> + +<p>“At present, there are seventy-five children in my native +schools learning to read, which will tend to undermine the +superstructure whose basis is ignorance; and I purpose establishing +a school for [native] Christian children, of whom +I know now of six, and shall find more. The bulk of the +people are wretchedly poor from their indolent habits, which +never let them lay up for a rainy day. When a Mahomedan +gets a little money, he usually spends it in debauchery; +and a Hindoo works no more till it is gone. This is the +character of the people: hence, beggars innumerable swarm; +many truly wretched objects, who often make one retire +with overflowing eyes, unable to supply them all. Of the +Europeans, several are very attentive; and my labour is +evidently not in vain, though I know only of one or two I +can speak of with good hope. Of my three dear young +friends, two are going on delightfully: one of these has +lately been with a detachment against a native prince who +refused his tribute, and saw some hot work: twelve of his +brother officers fell on the occasion, but he received only a +slight wound in the knee: the dear lad is much grown in +spirituality since then; and is not without trials of ‘cruel +mockings:’ he writes to me once a week, and I endeavour, +by writing constantly to him, to encourage him to stand fast. +Away from the means of grace, and without a single companion +like-minded, he plainly stands by faith. The other +at Madras goes on well, and has the ‘communion of saints’ +to resort to. The third, a most affectionate, sensible youth, +is, I fear, led captive; though not, I think, with his will. +Oh! my heart yearns over them, in consideration of the +many, many obstacles in their way! The demon that oppresses +Europeans in this land, ‘goeth not out but by prayer +and fasting.’ Example, opportunity, solicitation allure +them to the paths of death; and few, alas, return from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span> +them! Those I allude to, are from eighteen to twenty or +thereabouts; from which you will see at once the danger +they are in.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the subject of missions Mr. Corrie adds:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The nature of missions seems little understood, even by +those whose hearts the Lord inclines for the work, till they +come into it. Mr. Cecil’s sermon, before the Church of +England Missionary society,<a id="FNanchor_37" href="#Footnote_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a> of which I have only seen +extracts, is, I think, an excellent discourse on this subject. +The work requires the patience of a Job, with the prudence +of an Apostle: and O, the self-denial required! How +little I am fit for the work, my brother well knows; yet +here, by the good providence of God, I am well content, +and determined to count not even ‘life dear’ so that I may +make ‘full proof of my ministry,’ and ‘finish my course +with joy.’ I could fill sheets with conversations respecting +religion, which I have had most days, with some one or other +of the natives. Their duplicity makes it, beyond measure, +difficult to know when they are convinced, or even silenced. +The least appearance of impatience on my part makes them +consider me angry; and not a word more will they argue, +but yield every thing. I may say to you, the friend of my +bosom, that my natural impatience is somewhat abated; and +I am not conscious of having offended in this way often; +but even what is the effect of eagerness and zeal, is construed +into a passion, by a people whose highest perfection +consists in restraining the feelings, and whose despotic government +rendered disguise necessary to existence and +peace.</p> + +<p>“The same submissive disposition in the people makes it +difficult to know when I am understood; as they do not +either acknowledge their ignorance or ask explanation. The +dialects of the different provinces are so different as to make +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span> +them nearly different languages.... Among the learned +and the Mahomedans, much Persian and Arabic is introduced +into their language, which to the Hindoo is unintelligible; +and, it is now well known that a person who learns +the language from books only, will not be understood by +the bulk of the people. This I am aware of, and ask questions +from the women above-mentioned; when I often find +the meaning has been imperfectly, or not at all understood; +which leads to fresh explanation. One specimen of our mode +of proceeding, I have made a memorandum of, and which +may amuse you:—After having read the first chapter of Genesis, +which I translated, I suggested to this native Christian +to enlarge upon the following heads, which he did in this +manner, ‘Learn, first, the honour put upon man by God: He +gave him dominion.’ ‘See,’ continued he, ‘the elephant; one +blow of his would be instant death, yet he goes here and there +at man’s word.’ ‘Observe the power of God: He commanded, +and it was done, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ ‘Let a man try to create an ant, he cannot +do it; let him try to make a hair, he cannot do it: yet look +at the hills, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, God made them; and think not that He used +labour: no, the word of His mouth was sufficient.’ I suggested, +‘How ought we then to fear this great God!’ He +proceeded, ‘are you not afraid of your masters; are you not +fearful to offend them lest they should punish you?’ This +was so feeling an appeal that they answered, ‘Yes, yes!’ ‘O +then,’ said he ‘how ought you to fear an infinitely powerful +God! He is infinite in strength; and, if you sin against +Him, you deserve infinite punishment: and think how +great punishment He will inflict!’ One of them at this +fell a weeping. I observed, ‘See the goodness of God in +providing such comforts and accommodation for man in this +world.’ He went on to speak of the greater love of God in +providing a salvation for our souls, which he spoke of with +much warmth; the women hanging upon his words. These +occasions are often productive of sweet sensations to my soul: +whilst yet the want of positive evidence of grace in them +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span> +[the people so instructed] generally makes me to go heavily. +Most days are devoted to close study of the native languages: +the Hindoostanee proper I can understand, though not to +speak it with any fluency or accuracy: and I also begin to +know a little Persian, which is a very agreeable study. I +rise at day-break, breakfast between seven and eight, take +a slight repast about one, and make my principal meal when +evening sets in. Then my mind is usually too exhausted for +study, and sweet would be the society of some with whom +I could talk freely of what Christ did, and said, and suffered +for us here below. For the want of such society, very +little of the lively feeling I enjoyed in England enters into +my experience: yet I am conscious of some more boldness +for Christ, and fewer deviations from His holy ways than +before; for which I adore His free grace by which alone I +stand. These expressions I owe to your affection, who will +fear, perhaps, for me; lest by any means the tempter gain +the better of me. O, that I could say this were never the +case! Yet, though I should justly be deemed a fool for +thus boasting to others, yet I may call upon you to rejoice +with me that I have obtained help from the Lord thus far, +and have a hope that I shall never be ashamed.</p> + +<p>“From all that has passed, I see further proof that to preach +nearly or quite Christianity, and live as the world lives, is +the way to popularity: to live and preach so as to fancy to +<i>recommend</i> Christianity to the carnal mind, is the way to be +little esteemed: to live godly in Christ Jesus is the way to +win souls, and to obtain friends, with persecution here, and +with the certain expectation of glory hereafter. O Holy +Ghost, write these truths with deep conviction on my mind; +and let my soul know nothing on earth but Jesus Christ and +him crucified!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">When it is considered that the labours of a native +Teacher cannot but be of great importance, even in +the most effective state of Missionary arrangements, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span> +it will not excite surprise that in Mr. Corrie’s circumstances +at Chunar, the illness of the Bettiah Christian +should occasion him anxiety. Mr. C’s journal, however, +affords pleasing evidence that the Bettiah-walla +in his sickness, found consolation in that +gospel which he seems to have been earnestly desirous +of making known to his countrymen.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 7th. I sent off to-day a copy of the Gospels, and +of the Morning Prayer, and Ten Commandments, to Bettiah, +at the request of a person who is said to be the Sirdar<a id="FNanchor_38" href="#Footnote_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> +of the Christians there, and of whom even the padras stand +in awe: he is represented, also, as understanding Persian, +Portuguese, and a little Latin. I dined with Captain M——; +after sitting silent for some time, I was induced by some remarks +of Major General ——, to enter into a long argument +in behalf of Christianity, as the General maintained Mahomedanism +to be equal to Christianity: the argument arose from +my remarking that I thought men would invariably be guided +in their conduct respecting temporal affairs by their religious +opinions. ‘This,’ he said, ‘was a great mistake, and had +led to the most disastrous effects: that no greater misfortunes +had come on mankind than the contentions between +Christians on religious pretences.’ I answered, that these +were not caused by Christianity; and Gibbon himself being +judge, Christianity was only the pretext: and on a comparison +between Christianity and Mahomedanism, I was enabled +so to speak as to leave him without reply.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 11th. Yesterday, the Bettiah-walla was seized +with fever. I asked him how he was, as it regarded spiritual +things: he said, ‘Happy.’ To-day he is worse: but, in +answer to my question, he told me, ‘that he was not afraid +of death, but of sin.’ In the evening I took Mr. G. to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</span> +see him, who kindly offered his services. We found him in +danger: he told me that ‘his mind was fixed on Christ +Jesus: who could do all things.’ ‘I am,’ said he, ‘in His +hands;’ and, in answer to my question, he told me ‘he +found comfort.’ I have prayed that the Lord will spare him; +and I trust he will be continued to the Church here.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 17th. The Bettiah-walla better: but very low: +he speaks of every event as proceeding from the mercy of +Jesus. After having spoken to him of the Redeemer, I +asked him if he remembered Christ’s words, (John iv. 13, 14.) +‘he that drinketh, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ he took up the words and finished +the passage, adding, with a significant expression, ‘How can +I forget Him?’ And many other declarations were added +of His grace and greatness.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 18th. Twenty-two women attended, and heard +the history of Ishmael, with much attention. The Bettiah-walla, +speaking of the trouble occasioned to Abraham and +Sarah, by the strife which arose from their sin in the matter +of Hagar, spoke so feebly, yet with such affection, of the +love of Christ, through whom they received forgiveness, and +through whom we too must seek forgiveness, that most of +them wept. I could scarcely contain myself for joy. O +Lord, make thy word effectual!</p> + +<p>“A Tickour woman [who was desirous of baptism] in +answer to my questions, and without any suggestion that +could lead to such answers, said, ‘that her heart is much +employed in thinking of her Creator: if it were not, what +could she expect of good either here or hereafter.’ 2ndly, +‘that God as Creator and Lord has a right to command us; +and that she is disposed to obey His will in all things.’ +3rdly, ‘that Jesus Christ is God, who came into the world +for us sinners, and through whom we may obtain forgiveness, +and the favour of God.’ 4thly, ‘that in order to this, +we must lay hold of Him with the heart, pray to Him, and +beg forgiveness.’ 5thly, ‘that to be baptized, and not to +act thus, must needs brings down greater evils upon us; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</span> +and in the world to come, surely great destruction will be +our lot, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>:’ with much more to the same effect, in a +spirit of seeming sincerity and earnestness.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 31st. 1808. On Friday evening, thirteen women +(native) attended at the barracks. Sergeant W. told me +that his native wife, a short time since, entered into a long +conversation with a Brahmin, and exhorted him to forsake +his idolatry, which he acknowledged to be unreasonable; +but the loss of caste frightens him.</p> + +<p>“Saturday, [<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 6.] Just returned from burying a +drummer’s wife. The Bettiah-walla explained that I was +not praying for the dead, but that we might have grace to +walk in God’s ways. He told them, that when the breath +is gone, the soul is fixed in an eternal state; and that in the +last day, the body too will be raised and partake with the soul +of happiness or misery: [he concluded] with an exhortation +(in which he mixed many quotations from scripture) to watch +and pray that that day might not come upon them unawares. +Many natives were present, who listened with deep attention; +except one or two who laughed. At my gate I found +a blind beggar, whom the Bettiah-walla also exhorted and +who went away; as I have often seen the poor glad to get +a rupee and to be off.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="February">Feby.</abbr> 10th. This morning a Brahmin came to me, who +declared ‘that the Sanscrit language is not the invention of +man, but came from Maha Deva’s<a id="FNanchor_39" href="#Footnote_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> Bàni: that four genii, +who remain about the size of children of eight years of age, +hearing the sound of the drum, repeated the sounds, from +whence, having written them, they collected the twenty-five +letters of the alphabet. On my asking him, how so many +letters could be collected from one sound; after some dispute +he said, ‘Maha Deva’s Bàni was not like to any now in +size, but at the day of judgment it will sound again, and +strike all with horror.’ I then inquired, who committed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</span> +this language to writing in the Shasters? He answered, +‘three Fakeers, to whom the four genii communicated it.’ +On asking where they lived, he mentioned ‘a jungle near the +hill:’ on asking where the hill was, he could not tell; and, +after a long argument, went away promising to bring a map, +and shew me the situation of the hill; ‘which, however, is +beyond the snowy mountains, in the land of the genii.’ To +this I objected, that as the Shasters confined the residence +of the Hindoos to this country, the religious men would +never call their own place of residence unholy; and, therefore, +it must be in this land. We parted with the promise +of his coming again.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 12th. Yesterday, the Brahmin came again; and, +after much conversation said, ‘there is no difference in places; +and that only the ignorant worship stones, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, but the fear +of popular displeasure keeps them silent.’ In the evening, +he came again, and we had a sharp dispute, chiefly on the +distance of places: his Shasters describe Hindoostan as +seventy-five millions of miles long. My moonshee and the +Brahmin had a warm argument.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 21st. The Tickour woman gave notice that she had +found sponsors. On calling her, I asked her if it was the intention +of her heart to be the slave of Jesus Christ; to which +she replied in the affirmative, with great fervency, saying, +‘that it was her desire to walk in His paths always.’ I reminded +her of what I had been reading in John xiv., ‘He +that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is +that loveth me;’ to which she answered, ‘that her desire +was to obey His will; that it may be well with her both in +this life, and the next.’ She then used some expressions of +admiration at the grace of God to sinners; and on my +saying, that when the Bettiah-walla returned, I would appoint +a day for baptism, she fell on the ground at my feet in +tears, putting her hand on my shoes, and raised her hand +to her forehead. On being asked [a few days afterwards] +‘why she so earnestly desired baptism;’ she said, ‘that she +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span> +might be directed in the right way; obtain pardon of sins +and receive God’s mercy; both in this world and that which +is to come.’ She then entered on a long history of her life, +told me that her husband died and left her in poverty, that +she went about begging, till her daughter was married, who, +after much ill usage, was at length left destitute; and now, +to her grief, is connected with P. ‘It was of no use,’ she +said, ‘to walk in God’s laws, and in this way, for three or +four days; or, in attempting to deceive me, for that God +knows her heart; and should she attempt to deceive me, +God would punish her both in this world, and the next.’ +I left her, desiring her to consider whether she would cause +her daughter to take a separate house; which is evidently +a trial to her, and which will, in good earnest, prove her +sincerity, if she does.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The first anniversary of Mr. Corrie’s ministerial +connexion with Chunar is thus commemorated in his +Journal:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“It is a year to-day [<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 22.] since I commenced my +public duty at Chunar; and, on considering the way in +which the Lord hath led me during that period, I find great +cause for thankfulness that I have not laboured in vain: +some doors of usefulness have been opened, and some good +has been done. Many amongst the invalids are altered for +the better in their conduct; several of them have married, +and two artillery-men, I would fain hope, are serious and +impressed. Amongst the Hindoos, some, I trust, have +been brought to the knowledge of Jesus Christ; yet, I think, +I am not so spiritually-minded as I was before I left England: +though, I think, I am more constantly fixed, and +more undeviatingly aiming, at the end of my ministry; yet +I fear that the warmth of spiritual affection is gone; but I +will ‘do again my first works.’ O thou whom my soul +loveth, grant me that ‘gold, white raiment, and aye salve,’ +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span> +which thou hast in store for needy creatures; heal me for +thy mercies’ sake!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It has been already stated that the Europeans at +Secrole were regarded by Mr. Corrie as part of his +ministerial charge; but as Secrole was a kind of +suburb to Benares, he was necessarily brought into +contact with the Hindoos resident in and about that +‘very citadel of Idolatry.’ Hitherto, however, it +does not appear that any opportunity had occurred +to Mr. C. for seeing much of the native city. +Under date, therefore, of March 2, 1808, he writes:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Yesterday morning, desiring to see Benares, I went down +the Ganges in a small boat; but was greatly disappointed at +the appearance of the city, which stands entirely on the west +side of the river. One place, the residence of Badshahzada, +has the appearance of ruined magnificence; and several +ghauts are extensive and laboured monuments of superstition: +but the smallness of dimensions of the buildings around +makes them appear nothing, to an European. Amidst them +all, I came to the British flag, flying at the Ghaut Mangees +stairs, which excited grateful sensations. Idolatry is plainly +on the decay. Our boat line getting entangled with another +boat, much abuse was bestowed on the Feringhee.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Mr. Corrie relates, that on this occasion he +preached to some natives of Benares, as well as gave +instruction to the European soldiery. Three weeks +later than this visit he was called upon to baptize +a Brahmin, who after many strugglings of conscience +had been strengthened by the grace of God to ‘confess +the faith of Christ crucified.’ An account of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span> +this event is given by Mr. C. in a letter to his father, +dated March 25, 1808.<a id="FNanchor_40" href="#Footnote_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have to tell you of the baptism of a Brahmin at Benares, +on Wednesday last, when I was down there, which will gratify +you much. You must remember that he understands +enough of English for common purposes; and most of our +conversation was in English. He came to me in September +last, as I wrote to some of you; he had before been seeking +after truth; and a pious merchant at Benares had given him +a Book of Common Prayer: this was the chief instrument in +his conversion. The two answers respecting ‘our duty towards +God and our duty towards our neighbour’ struck him +forcibly; and he learned many of the prayers, and much of +the catechism by heart. He was, however, greatly averse to +baptism in September, and argued that he could serve God +in private, and even promote His cause more, whilst he refrained +from the open profession of Christianity. I pointed +out from Mark xvi. 16, and John iii. the necessity of attending +to ‘the outward and visible sign, as well as the inward +and spiritual grace,’ if we would ‘make our calling and election +sure.’ He left me with tears, acknowledging that I +spoke truth; but absented himself until January last, when +he again went to the pious merchant, saying he had been +very ill, and now found that none but Jesus Christ could +save him: he would, therefore, give up all for Christ. After +much intercourse, on Tuesday last I asked him, ‘Are you +willing to be baptized?’ Answer, ‘Yes, I have no other +Lord, no other Saviour, but Jesus Christ: He is God, and +my God.’ What makes you think Him God? Answer,—‘Why, +Sahib, I don’t know how many times I may have +been in the world before, or whether born at all, or not, +before this time; but I have continued a great sinner still, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span> +(the Hindoos believe in the metempsychosis,) a very great +sinner, I believe: I went to Juggernaut and here to Benares, +and here and there (mentioning other places) to poojah +(worship;) but I was still very bad, Sahib, very great sinner. +When I found no good among Hindoos’ worship, I +went to Musselmans,’ to Lucknow, (mentioning a great mahomedan +doctor there,) to enquire; but found no good in +Musselmans’ religion; but all bad, very bad. Then I met +with the ten commandments, and these two, my duty towards +God, and my duty towards my neighbour: this my +heart say good, very good: this is Jesus Christ’s word, and +I pray to Him for His grace, and He gave me understanding: +now I know the true God; my heart love His word; +and I no more love sin, or bad way; therefore, I know +Jesus Christ is God,’ with more to the same effect. (You +will perceive that if men set themselves to seek Christ in this +way, we should have no Arians or Socinians.) I then asked, +What do you think will be after death? Answer, ‘I shall +go to God; what else, Sahib? Now He has given me grace, +I am all light within: will He put light with darkness +again? No, I shall go to God after death.’ Will you forsake +your family and friends? Answer, ‘My father, Sahib, +very old: he wash in Ganges, and make poojah: I cannot +help him, but I will love him, I will honour him, as Jesus +Christ’s word is: O! I cannot help him, but I will make +prayer for him: I must follow my Lord Christ; there is no +Saviour but He: Hindoos, Musselmans, all worship devils,’ +with more to that effect—adding ‘Ever since I was with you, +Sahib, my heart was full, and now, if you please, I will be +baptized.’ After prayer, we separated: next day when he +came to me, I asked him, ‘Have you thought much of the +matter, and are you willing to forsake all for Christ?’ He +answered, ‘I have made much prayer to God for His grace; +and now I will forsake all for my Lord Christ: you will +pray, Sahib, that He will wash me, and make me clean: +you will mention before Him for the old sinner, a very great +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span> +sinner, an old rogue, very bad, very bad sinner; that He +will save me, and give me grace, that I may love Him with all +my heart. I cannot keep His commandments without +his grace; but I will pray always, and love Him, and +cleave to Him (laying hold of his own garment with +eagerness;) and, I will always speak truth, and take +care of my words.’ All this with the expressive action of +the natives, who have more action than even the French in +conversation. At the time of administering the sacrament +of baptism, he made the responses from the Book of Common +Prayer, with much feeling: when addressed in the service, +he shewed the most lively attention, and was very earnest +in the prayers: after the service, he shook hands with all +present, expressed with tears his thankfulness to God for his +mercy to so great a sinner; and said he would serve Him +for ever, and devote all his time to learning His word more +perfectly that he might instruct others.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Although there was much to comfort and encourage +Mr. Corrie in this manifest example of the power +of divine grace, in the conversion of this Brahmin; +yet by an entry in his journal, dated March 31st, we +find him complaining<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have for several days laboured under sad spiritual +decay; and have been dreadfully oppressed with the fear of +man; and very backward to every good word and work. +When the Brahmin consented to be baptized on Tuesday, +the enemy raised an alarm in my mind respecting what the +effect might be; tumults among the natives; anger on the +part of the Europeans; removal by the government: these +suggestions greatly distracted me: and I got me to my +Lord right humbly, who mercifully delivered me from all +these fears; and all these difficulties vanished; yet, at the +time, I felt none of that joy or gratitude I ought, on account +of the triumph of the cross.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">The Journal proceeds:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“April 10th, 1808. To-day I am thirty-one years of +age. I praise God that I am in the land of prayer; I have +been praying for a right spirit of self-examination. It +strikes me as remarkable in my experience, that although I +could be always on my knees, I am usually straitened, +perplexed, and confused in prayer: wandering thoughts +perplex me beyond measure; and my imagination is wild +and troubled, yet without order, even in vainly flying from +one scene to another, and musing on the greatest improbabilities. +My mind is, through grace, settled and grounded +in the ways of Christ; and, I am persuaded that I shall +never leave the heavenly way, because the Lord will keep +me in fear of forsaking it. I have no enjoyment in worldly +company, or amusements; otherwise, I have nothing of +<i>assurance</i>, as I have understood it: and though I consent +to every tittle stated in our 17th Article, it works nothing of +‘unclean living or presumption.’ It does, however, preserve +me from despair; for, I never should be delivered but +by the Spirit of Christ: nor, could I hope that His gracious +influence would be granted to my prayers, were it not for +the unconditional, covenanted, love of God in Christ Jesus. +I have many short, but sweet, visits of heavenly grace. +My soul is frequently melted down in praise, for the Divine +condescension towards me; but little of abiding joy, or realizing +faith, stays with me. I find ‘the work of righteousness’ +to be ‘peace.’ More of my time has been employed +for God, than I could once have thought possible to give; +yet few days pass that my soul is not overwhelmed with a +sense of short-coming: hence, Thou, O Christ, art all I +want!</p> + +<p>“We have had some slight awakenings here (Chunar) during +the past year: one in August; but it is, I fear, come to nothing, +except H. who may have found mercy of the Lord: +the others have turned backward, and ——, died in consequence +of intoxication. At present a greater enquiry is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span> +excited than ever: three are come out (from the world) and +several are anxiously concerned. ‘The Lord knoweth them +that are His.’ Now, my soul, look to it lest thou let any of +those things ‘slip’ which thou hast heard and learned of Jesus. +O, for a spirit of grace and supplication: for ‘good understanding +in the ways of godliness.’ O, for the conversion +of souls! Lord, hear me in these matters: prosper thy +work; let thine own kingdom come. Bless my country, my +family, my friends: and, O, accept a poor worm who offers +himself unto Thee. Take me, as thy dear-bought purchase; +and secure me unto thyself. Let my life bring glory to thy +name; and my death bear testimony to Thy faithfulness and +truth: let me live, and die to Christ Jesus, Amen!</p> + +<p>“In the afternoon, I baptized the Tickour woman, by the +name of ‘Mary.’ Satan continues to mar my comfort; +though he cannot, through the grace of Christ, prevent the +word of God. When I baptized the Brahmin, he raised in +my mind such a fear of the anger of those in power as +almost drove me to my wits’ end: but now I see that all +was over-ruled for good, in order to prevent my overweening +conceit of myself in this matter.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It will have been observed, that Mr. Corrie not +unfrequently complained of the loss of health. The +cause might no doubt be traced to his want of due +regard to the trying nature of the climate of India +to an European constitution. Repeated notices +occur, therefore, in Mr. C.’s Journal and Letters, of +a languor and general debility which threatened to +lay him altogether aside from duty, if not to render +it necessary for him to quit the country. At this +time, however, a material change for the better +seems to have taken place in his health; for in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span> +writing to his father under date of April, 20, 1808. +Mr. C. remarks,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“A gracious Providence who has followed us with goodness +and mercy all our days, has prospered me thus far. +You will bless God with me, who upholds me in perfect +health ... a most surprising change seems to have +passed upon my constitution, so that I feel very little inconvenience +from the heat. Last year I was obliged to have +recourse to medicine to keep me from fainting; now, though +the hot winds have been blowing some weeks, I feel active +and cheerful as when with you. A sigh of regret at our +separation often, indeed, interrupts my joys, and sends me +with tears not unfrequently to your Father and my Father, +to your God and my God. O, praise to a precious Redeemer, +through whose love and grace so lasting an union +has been brought about, which swallows up even natural ties, +or rather rivets them by an indissoluble bond! All painful +idea of separation and distance is lost in the consideration of +that better country, where we shall meet to part no more +for ever!</p> + +<p>“You will rejoice to hear that the word of God is not +without increasing witness among the soldiers. Eighteen attended +the sacrament of the Lord’s supper on Easter-day, +most of whom are serious and attentive; and many are regular +at our evening worship, where they attend voluntarily. +Among their wives also great attention continues to be paid; +and knowledge, at least, is increased. The Brahmin whom +I baptized came up (from Benares) last Sunday; and after +attending worship in Hindoostanee, expressed much delight. +He proposed, as a doubt, what would once have been an +article of faith with him:—‘Sahib, you have been so little +while in this country, and [yet] know the language so well, +I think you must have been a Hindoo before you were born +in England, and, therefore, your fresh language came to +you so quick again.’ A fortnight since, I baptized a +woman, who is evidently seeking sincerely the kingdom of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span> +God. Yesterday, she expressed her gratitude for instruction, +by saying, ‘I am a poor woman, and have nothing to offer +to Sahib in return for his favour, except three fowls which I +shall send to-morrow, if he will please to accept them.’ On +my saying, God has given me plenty, she said, ‘True,’ but +it is my duty to lay my neck beneath Sahib’s feet.’ The +language of the common people is, indeed, full of compliment; +but none of them show a disposition to give any +thing away, except in some instances where grace seems to +open their hearts. Another, the wife of an European, who +seems the best Christian of them all, on my noticing a +little dog, sent it to me next day, begging my acceptance of +it. To excuse myself, I said it was too young, and she is +now keeping it for my sister, and takes great pains in teaching +it to beg, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> that my sister may be amused with it when +she arrives.”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“April 25, 1808.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The heat of the climate induces a despondency entirely +unknown to you. I perceive plainly that this despondency +not a little infected my mind most of the last hot weather; +which was, perhaps, increased by continued ill health. I +have been enabled, however, to hold fast my integrity; nor +ever have handled the word of God deceitfully; nor has the +word been without witness. A great increase is now made +to my evening congregations, which are my only joy, they +coming voluntarily; and on Wednesday next, I begin a +weekly lecture.... I am, through mercy, now in perfect +health, and usual spirits; and see it ‘good for me to have +been in trouble.’ My present mode of passing my time will +give you, perhaps, pleasure, certainly amusement. On an +average I do not dine from home above once a week, and +seldom see any of my equals here, except a family, who, I +hope, are pious, though their progress is slow. From +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span> +morning (five o’clock till eight) I attend to my own private +affairs, with a little exercise: then till three or four, learn +the native languages; when every day, either some of the +natives come to me to read the Scriptures, or I attend some +place of meeting for that purpose. Mr. Martyn writes to +me weekly: he is preparing a copy of the gospels in Hindoostanee +for the press; this will be an invaluable acquisition: +the one we have is so learned as to be unintelligible +to the vulgar for the most part. I have altered [the version +of] St. John’s Gospel which we use. The Acts of the Apostles +especially delight the native teacher: I have told you of +——; you would be surprised to see the effect it has upon +him; and the eagerness by which it is heard by others. I +feel it to be too little regarded by myself, and am too apt to +consider the divine manna a common thing. I send my +father by these ships the history of a Brahmin’s conversion, +whom I lately baptised.<a id="FNanchor_41" href="#Footnote_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> I baptized a woman a fortnight +since; and several of the soldiers’ native wives. Sinners +are plainly under good impressions; but, Oh! the patience +and perseverance necessary to deal with them!</p> + +<p>“Dr. Buchanan is on his way home: whatever he may +publish will give you a true and clear insight into religious +affairs here; except that you can have no idea of the magnitude +of the work of conversion, unless you were here.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In the Journal, Mr. Corrie relates</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“May 14th. Yesterday morning, I went to Wheatley’s +hospital. The Dhobee<a id="FNanchor_42" href="#Footnote_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> only seems truly in earnest: he +said that since he first heard the word, his heart had been +much taken with it; that the more he hears it, the more he +esteems it; and that he is happy in it. ‘Jesus Christ,’ he +says, ‘is the creator and preserver of all things, who will +take him to God’s presence; or if not, His will be done: +yet he will serve Him; and has forsaken Satan’s works, +and will return to them no more. Satan’s works are worshipping +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span> +stones, poojah, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ Here one of the bystanders +said, ‘Satan’s works are also lying, stealing, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ +To-night Anselmo<a id="FNanchor_43" href="#Footnote_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> is ill. On my speaking to him, he +said, ‘Whether well or ill, I am always begging for pardon +of sin from Jesus Christ: I am not deserving of it, but am +worthy of hell; yet, as He died for sinners, God for His sake +will hear me: this is my constant hope; but now, indeed, +I need more grace and support.’—Praise God for these things. +O for patience and perseverance in the Lord’s work!</p> + +<p class="p2">“<span class="smcap">Secrole.</span> July 25th. According to leave obtained, and +notice given, I came down on Friday evening with the view to +perform divine service yesterday. On Saturday morning, I +waited on the general, who received me with the most chilling +coolness. He told me that he had nothing to do with divine +service, or the artillery-men; and that he should not interfere: +he had heard nothing of divine service, except from +my application. Mr. ——, who had been forward for my +coming down, on hearing of my arrival flew quite off, and +said, ‘they could do as well now as before, without divine +service,’ he, however, came yesterday morning. A congregation +of at least sixty assembled; and after service, Mr. +A. thanked me, and said he hoped they should give me +encouragement to come amongst them oftener. Afterwards, +the Brigade Major came with a message from the general, +(who did not come to church) saying, that I was ‘at liberty +to come and go as I pleased, but the artillery-men and officers +could not be permitted to attend so far from the lines, +for fear of the natives seizing the guns whilst they were at +a distance: if the court-house were used to assemble in, or +a place of worship erected near the lines, he should have no +objection; but all this was to be kept a secret.’ Well: +blessed be God, who hath opened a door here for His word! +Had there been no obstacles thrown in the way, it would +have been unusual. Satan never yet freely and without a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span> +struggle, resigned his dominion. O Lord, I have no might +or skill to resist this great enemy; neither know I what to +do; but mine eyes are towards thee! In the morning +service, I was sadly amazed by the presence of so many of +the great ones of the earth; but after the service commenced, +these feelings vanished.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 24th. On Monday I went to Mirzapore, where I +saw an old Fakeer, the most wretched victim of superstition +I have met with. He has been a great traveller, and by the +strange noises he utters, and the inhuman appearance he +puts on, causes the people to take him for some great one. +He struck me as strongly under Satanic influence. I endeavoured +to gain from him some idea of his creed; but +could not. Narsingha, who is celebrated in the Bhagavat +Geeta,<a id="FNanchor_44" href="#Footnote_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> is his titular deity, whom he considers equal to +the other gods. I am confounded at the thought that, from +the conduct of the English present, I was prevented warning +him as I ought of his danger.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 31st. Yesterday was spent at Ghazeepore; much +talk about religion, and religious people; but little religious +conversation. In prayer, I have been sometimes enabled +to make my ‘requests known with thanksgiving;’ but have +felt great backwardness to the public services of the Church. +‘Lord, be merciful to me a sinner!’ for that I suffered the +rain to prevent me from going to the evening worship; and +that when I have spoken unto the men, it has been in a cold +and indifferent manner! I see in Robinson<a id="FNanchor_45" href="#Footnote_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a> of Cambridge +(whose life I read yesterday) how far a person, and even a +minister of religion may go, and yet be as ‘sounding brass +or a tinkling symbol.’”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_37" href="#FNanchor_37" class="label">[37]</a> + Printed in the Proceedings of that Society, <abbr title="volume one, page">vol. <abbr title="one">i.</abbr> p.</abbr> 179, +and seq.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_38" href="#FNanchor_38" class="label">[38]</a> +Head.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_39" href="#FNanchor_39" class="label">[39]</a> +The Chief Deity.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_40" href="#FNanchor_40" class="label">[40]</a> +The substance of this account was afterwards printed in the +Missionary Register, <abbr title="volume one, page">vol. <abbr title="one">i.</abbr> p.</abbr> 317, and seq.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_41" href="#FNanchor_41" class="label">[41]</a> + See above <a href="#Page_110"><abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> 110</a>, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_42" href="#FNanchor_42" class="label">[42]</a> +A Native washerman.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_43" href="#FNanchor_43" class="label">[43]</a> + Formerly a Roman Catholic. See below <a href="#Page_125"><abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 125.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_44" href="#FNanchor_44" class="label">[44]</a> + A poetical Exposition of the doctrines of a particular school of +Hindoo Theology. It forms an Episode in the Maha Bharat, +one of the great Hindoo Poems, and has been translated by Wilkins. +An abstract of it is given in the Quarterly Review, <abbr title="Volume">Vol.</abbr> 45.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_45" href="#FNanchor_45" class="label">[45]</a> + An Anabaptist preacher, celebrated in his day for his extreme +opinions, both as respected politics and religion; who, after having +written a ‘Plea for the Divinity of Christ,’ rejected Christianity +and died a Socinian.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER <abbr title="Six">VI.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">VISIT TO CALCUTTA—ARRIVAL OF HIS SISTER.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">In</span> the beginning of September 1808, Mr. Corrie left +Chunar, for the purpose of meeting his sister at Calcutta +on her expected arrival from England; and on +his way thither he spent some weeks with Mr. Martyn, +at Dinapore. Several foreboding expressions +occur in Mr. Corrie’s Journal respecting the possible +termination of the unsatisfactory state of health in +which he found Mr. Martyn. With the purpose, +therefore, of relieving that excellent person from the +pressure of clerical duty, Mr. C. remained longer +at Dinapore than he had at first intended. Of Mr. +Martyn, also, he writes,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“He entertains the opinion that he shall die before long; +and desired me to tell Mr. Brown that should he die before +my return, he trusted he is in the Lord, and happy. He +wishes, if it please God, to be spared on account of the +translations, but with great earnestness he said, ‘I wish to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span> +have my whole soul swallowed up in the will of God.’ He +then observed, ‘When I look back, I see nothing that affords +me satisfaction: all my consolation flows from the free grace +that is in Christ Jesus:—that grace which is now offered +to-day, this is alone what comforts my soul.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Considering the brotherly affection that subsisted +between the two friends, it cannot be a matter of +surprise, that when, under these circumstances, the +time for parting approached, Mr. C. should have +experienced some depression of spirits.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“This morning,” he writes, “was a mournful time with +me. I could scarcely express myself from the acuteness of +my feelings, but tried to suppress them. I have no idea, +however, but that I shall meet him again, if I am spared to +return; but O! let me not boast of to-morrow, but learn +to die daily.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">When Mr. Corrie reached Calcutta, his joy on +meeting a beloved sister was somewhat modified by the +intelligence which she brought that one of his letters<a id="FNanchor_46" href="#Footnote_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> +had been printed in an English periodical. The +distress and alarm which this circumstance occasioned +Mr. Corrie will be readily accounted for, when +it is recollected that a violent dread of Missionary +operations in India, had at that time taken possession +of the minds of many influential persons, and that +a motion had even been submitted to the Court of +East India proprietors for expelling from India, all +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span> +the Christian Missionaries who were then labouring +there; and for preventing the circulation of the +Scriptures in any of the languages of the East. +Nothing could be more probable, therefore, than +that the publication of any accounts of Mr. Corrie’s +labours among the heathen, would draw down upon +him the displeasure of the Indian government. That +such, at least, was the persuasion of Mr. C. is plain +enough, for in announcing to a relative, the safe arrival +of his sister in Calcutta, he adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I received little of painful intelligence [by her] except +the news of my letter to Buckworth being published. I +trust he has not published any more of them. I cannot +write to him just yet on the subject, lest I should say something +that might wound his feelings: he has caused me +more grief than any event of late has caused me.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Soon afterwards he more fully expressed his apprehensions +in a letter to Mr. Buckworth himself.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I heard some time since by a friend, that ‘a letter from +one of the Bengal chaplains who came out in 1806,’ had +been published, and in the then state of the court of India +Directors towards the evangelization of this country, might +be of great detriment. Mary afterwards brought me word +who the offending chaplain is, and who the friend is that has +published his letters. I confess that for a time I felt myself +wounded in the house of friendship. In the eyes of the +world, pride told me that my character would suffer; and +I still expect to see myself caricatured by the Edinburgh +Reviewers, or by some such enemies to all serious acknowledgment +of God. My brother will say, what is character +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span> +<abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, to being useful to the cause of the gospel? And +so say I, if loss of character stand in competition with that +cause; but really I am sure there must in my scrawls, written +in the fulness of my heart, be ample matter for criticism; +and truly the gospel needs not such a sorry assistant; especially +if the publication should operate either to my recal, +or to restrictions being laid upon me here. So well assured +am I, however, of the purity of my much-loved friend in +his motives for thus sending me into the world as an author, +that I shall love the rod even that smites me by his hand: +and he will rejoice that I stand ready to glory in the cross +of Christ, and count myself honoured, if thought worthy +to suffer shame for His sake. I hope you have not sent any +more of my letters to the Christian Guardian; and that if +you judge any description of the people or customs, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> interesting, +you will give it as an extract, and without my +name and place of abode, further than India. I must absolutely +forbid you to publish what I am doing. Let the +great day of the Lord make that manifest. I am sure I +shall be found an unprofitable servant, and ‘this shall be +my only plea, that Jesus lived and died for me.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">During the whole of Mr. Corrie’s stay in Calcutta +he took up his abode with the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> David Brown, from +whose counsel and directions he seems to have derived +at all times the greatest advantage. To the relative +referred to above, he writes on this <span class="lock">occasion;—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We are now under the roof of Mr. Brown. I cannot +tell you how much we are indebted to this man of God: he +has been, and is to us younger chaplains, a father in Israel. +His affection for us exceeds the affection of most fathers for +their children. His letters convey the instructions of a +Bishop, with the tenderness of a brother. I trust we feel +his worth and value it aright.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">Yet Mr. Corrie’s anxiety to get back again to his +people at Chunar, did not allow him to remain long +in Calcutta. In the letter just now quoted he +observes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“My few sheep are in the wilderness without a shepherd, +and some of whom I hoped better things I hear are gone +astray: these thoughts make every place strange to me except +Chunar. There is no one thing on earth worth living +for, but to be employed in our blessed master’s service, to +be ministering in obedience to His will to the spiritual and +temporal good of mankind. When my soul ceases to labour +after this, life will be no blessing to me. How precious the +idea that saints are kept by the power of God! This is +the ground on which I build my hope, of perseverance to +the end; and I know whom I have believed. He who has +given me to know the name of Christ, and to trust therein, +will enable me to draw out all the virtues contained in that +precious name to support me under temptation, and to +enable me to holiness of living.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Owing, however, to the tedious nature of the +passage up the Ganges, Mr. C. did not reach Chunar +till the middle of January 1809. On his way, +he spent a week with Mr. Martyn at Dinapore, and +preached there on Christmas-day 1808. On the +following New year’s day, he placed on record his +recollections of the past year<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Chuprah; on the way back from Calcutta to Chunar. +Sunday, <abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 1st. 1809. I desire to review this year past, +as in God’s presence, and to note down His dealings, as I +shall give account at the judgment-seat of Christ.</p> + +<p>“First, let me note His mercies <i>ministerial</i>, in the success +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span> +of my labours at Chunar; where a society of fourteen are united +in the ways of God; second, <i>personal</i>, in the preservation of +life, and the vouchsafing of excellent health; the bringing my +sister, who is now with me, and promises to be indeed a helpmeet +for me. Third, <i>spiritual</i>, inasmuch as the Holy Spirit is +not withdrawn from me; nor has the purpose of living only to +God forsaken me: I see that nothing is worth living for, but +to live to God. I determine, the Lord being my helper, to +live to no other purpose.... I am not so watchful of +myself as formerly; but I renew my purposes, would do my +first works, and go on unto perfection. I seem, as far as I know +myself, kept from the love of wealth; but this is, in some +degree at least, from lavishness, which hurries me often into +the other extreme: against this, too, do I resolve; and would +use this world’s goods as one that must give an account. +The work of the Lord among the heathen shall be attended +to, with fresh vigour. I can say nothing of the Hindoostanees +at Chunar, nor of the Schools; but I hope to do more +for them than ever. O Lord, let past mercies be remembered, +as a constraining motive to future exertion; and, +whilst I would mourn for my sins and short-coming, O keep +me in time to come for Christ’s sake. Amen.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Under the date of Chunar, <abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 24, 1809, he +writes,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Have been at home ten days, and I trust have not been +quite forgetful of the goodness of God, in taking me out and +bringing me back in safety: but I feel and deplore my hard +heartedness and corruption. On Sunday week resumed duty at +Secrole, twenty attended. Here, on Sunday last, five services +have renewed something of my former pain in the breast. +But, alas! my labours seem all to have been in vain. Not +one seems to have stood his ground. My heart is greatly +cast down, and would fain shrink from any further trial. +Self and worldliness combine to dishearten me from the work +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span> +of the Lord. O Lord, leave me not, but revive thy work in +me for Jesus’ sake! Amen.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a letter addressed to Mr. Buckworth on the +8th. of Feb; Mr. C. gives utterance to similar +feelings of discomfort<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Notwithstanding the many objects new to you, with which +I am surrounded, I scarce know what to write to you about: +it is a time of great spiritual dulness with me; and, owing +to the indisposition of the native teacher, the great work we +have chiefly at heart seems at a stand. My strength is laid +out, in the mean time, among the European soldiers; and, +alas, to little seeming purpose ... I am ready to be weary +of what appears so hopeless a task as the turning of men, so +incorrigible, from the error of their ways: these workings of +my mind are too glaringly impious to escape even my half-awakened +perception, and the greatest of all opposition I find +to spring from my desperately wicked heart: I trust something +of self-abasement, for this horribly rebellious spirit, +exists at the same time.</p> + +<p>“You know all the controversy that has arisen at home respecting +missions to this country:<a id="FNanchor_47" href="#Footnote_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> there is no knowing what +the end of such opposition to Christ’s kingdom will +be. We have been in expectation of a visit from the +French over land. The late events in Spain may be the +means of keeping us longer quiet here. The French would +perhaps have established their system of worship where +they could have got footing; and any mode of Christianity +would have been preferable to the idolatry and superstition +that overwhelms this unhappy land. My principal +employment now is with a school of Christian native +children, five in number: some of them read easily the Holy +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span> +Scriptures in Hindoostanee; and a gleam of joy sometimes +enlivens my mind while hearing them.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 15th. Since writing the above, the old native Christian +has been enabled to renew his labours; and another +christian child is come to school. I have had one of those +sudden attacks you happily know little of in England; it has +not yet left me; but my times are in God’s hand. I find it +is good to be afflicted: my soul returns unto her rest; and, +I bless God for a desire only to know and glorify Him: this +I think I can say is all in all with me. You will have heard +of the Roman-catholic mission established in this country. +My Catechist is a fruit of this mission; and four men and +four children in my employ besides. They are natives of +Bettiah in the kingdom of Nepaul, <abbr title="one">i.</abbr> e., the old kingdom of +Nepaul; for now the British posterity of Japheth are dwelling +in almost every corner of the tents of these sons of Shem; +and the old limits of most of the states of this country are in +consequence altered.</p> + +<p>“One man from the same place passed the whole of your +summer with me here; and daily read the Scripture with +me; in which he seems to be taught of God. On returning +last September, he withstood the Missionary (an Italian) +to his face, respecting the praying to saints, bowing to +images <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>: he was, in consequence, excommunicated; and, +on being taken ill soon afterwards was beset by two agents +of the missionary, who sounded threatenings of hell, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, in +his ears; and declared his body should be cast on the dunghill. +Distressed, it seems he paid a fine to be restored to +the Church, and soon after died. In his last days, he begged +some one of his relations to convey his thanks to me, and +to commend his children to me. The message is come, and +the unfeigned tears of these few Christians here on learning +the end of Anselmo, were a striking proof of the sympathizing +spirit induced by Christianity, compared with the hard +and unfeeling spirit of the heathen. On the map of Hindoostan +you see the country of the Seiks; their capital is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span> +Lahore. The state consists of a number of independent chiefs, +under a nominal head; many of these chiefs have sought our +aid against the oppression of their head; and, as the country +they inhabit lies in route of any overland invading army, we +have sent a force in aid of the petitioners. Two of my young +friends (very dear to me in our common Lord) are with this +force. The principal matter of interest to us in this expedition +is, that these Seiks are, as a nation, Deists.<a id="FNanchor_48" href="#Footnote_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a> Much +superstition, indeed, is among them; but they are neither +Hindoos nor Mussulmans; and profess themselves worshippers +of one invisible God. Such a state of mind seems favourable +to a reception of Christianity; and, may we not +hope our intercourse among them may be the means of bringing +them acquainted with that only name whereby they must +be saved? Martyn is going on, in company with the converted +Arabian,<a id="FNanchor_49" href="#Footnote_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> in translating the Scriptures into Persian. +I have seen the Edinburgh Reviewer’s remarks on the Missionaries<a id="FNanchor_50" href="#Footnote_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> +and critique on their Journals. It is to be regretted, +perhaps, that in some expressions they are open to +ridicule; but it is a subject of gratification that in none are +they open to reproach. These same gentlemen would gnash +their teeth to find Hindoostan, from near Delhi, yea from +the Seiks’ country, to Cape Comorin, planted with Christians, +who daily pray for the coming of Christ’s kingdom in their +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span> +lands; and who, in their intercourse with those around them, +recommend the gospel of God our Saviour in a way not such +as will excite insurrection, but induce veneration and ultimately +conversion. A preaching life these Edinburgh reviewers +themselves cannot gainsay; and these less enlightened +heathen are less disposed than they to withstand it. +But little visible effect will appear in our day; the next generation +will find a people ‘prepared for the Lord.’</p> + +<p>“Our dwelling is on the banks of the Ganges. The common +mode of travelling is by water, in commodious boats, +dragged, when the wind is adverse, like barges. At this distance +from home, hospitality to strangers seems to me a +peculiar though painful duty, as it breaks in too much upon +my leisure. There is no such thing as an inn; and very +many of the passers-by are young officers, whose situation is, +in general, far from being comfortable. To these I would +be especially kind, as being also less noticed by many who +judge of the attentions due to them by the wealth and rank +they possess. Those youths who are now here join readily +in our family worship, and delight me when I hear them repeating +the Lord’s prayer after me with seriousness. Dear +lads, my heart yearns over them, exposed as they are to every +kind of temptation, without a rudder or a pilot. May God +take them into His direction!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Soon after the date of the foregoing letter, Mr. +Corrie was again suffering from illness. An attack +of fever rendered it necessary for him to place himself +under medical care; but throughout the months of +February and March, his disorder seems to have +yielded so little to the remedies applied, that he was +almost laid aside from duty. Thus in his Journal +under date of March 19th. he remarks<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“March 19th (Sunday.) To-day—not in a condition +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span> +for public worship: so there was none in the morning. +A merchant and others came to breakfast; and I had +family worship with them. I have been considering my +ways, but am, alas I sadly clouded, so that I can remember +but little. My impatience respecting the backsliding professors +has appeared, as it is, sadly inconsistent: I ought to +have pitied and prayed for them more, and felt less anger. +I bless God for more composure of mind, and drawing out of +soul towards God. I see, however, I have little of zeal for +His glory and house. I would have a more single eye in +this matter. I would desire my own salvation as a means +of displaying the glory of His grace. I would desire the +salvation of sinners, that He may be glorified. I would engage +in proper means for these ends, with a single intent +that I may bring glory to God, and that God may be glorified +in me. Let my own personal trials be all sanctified to +this end! Give grace, O God of grace, to this end; and the +glory shall redound to Thee, through Jesus Christ, the +Saviour!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And again, a fortnight later, he writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Easter eve. To-morrow the Lord’s Supper is to be administered. +Alas, my soul, how many sacred opportunities +of this kind have been little better than profaned. Long +did I attend the Lord’s Table in my own self-confident spirit, +and the same day saw me break the vows I had solemnly +made. When this self-confidence was in some measure discovered, +the ordinance became more profitable indeed, but +the contrary spirit grew upon me; and for some time, I +fear, the consecrated elements have been too little considered. +Lord! never let me fancy the means any other +than the channels of thy grace; but O, enable me to discern +the Lord’s body at his Table, and ‘with meek heart and due +reverence,’ feed upon Him by faith! My illness, I fear, +does not leave me; at least, weakness grows upon me. I +seem anxious to live.... I would live to glorify God, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</span> +too, though he needs not my wretched poor services. I +would have my will swallowed up in His. O [Lord] grant +me grace to this end, then come life or death, all will be +well.</p> + +<p>“Easter-day morning, 2nd April. Both in public +worship, and afterwards, I trust the Lord was present to +heal us: the people were very attentive. I remembered my +native land, with sweet recollection, the tabernacle of God, +and the communion of saints. For my companions’ and +brethren’s sakes will I seek thy good, O Britain, the Zion +of the earth! O may these impressions of love and grace +remain upon my soul! Enough I see, even in this day’s +services, though unusually joyous, to render precious Him +who bears the iniquities of his people’s holy things.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In the beginning of the following month, however, +a letter to the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> David Brown contains the intelligence +that it had pleased God to recover Mr. +Corrie from his illness<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Chunar, May 11, 1809.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I ought to have made known to you before this, the safe +arrival of the Bibles and New Testaments. We have no +troops here at present to dispose of them to. The Europeans +hereabout will take a few to distribute at prime cost. +A fortnight since beloved Martyn passed this by <i>dawk</i>.<a id="FNanchor_51" href="#Footnote_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> +He staid only three days, and you will have heard by this +time of his safe arrival at Cawnpore on the 29th. ult. Sabat +has left us this morning. The heat of his temper broke out +against a washerman who had changed a sheet, but there +seems no doubt of the grace of God being in him. He +lived with us since the 7th. At Benares, he had intended to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</span> +pass some days, but about forty persons who had formerly +known him, came tumultuously to the boat, and after much +confused dispute, he thought it prudent to come on here. +We have for some time been engaged about a Church at +Benares; a subscription of about 3000 Rupees has been +made, and a spot of ground is fixed on. I trust now all +opposition is silenced, though not entirely done away. The +hearts of some haters of all good have been brought to give +money even. One family is highly respectable and regular +in religious duties. One young officer has become a new creature. +Of the rest, few alas! seem willing to go any further. +Martyn wishes for my removal. I did not desire it before +he came, now I should have no objection to it. Less labour +than is now put forth on, perhaps in all, eighty people, (for +the remainder give me no opportunity of labouring for them,) +would serve for eight hundred, and if winning souls be our +highest wisdom, the more we win, the wiser we shall be accounted. +Yet the fear that my Benares congregation would be +left without a shepherd, makes me glad to continue. At Chunar, +all seem dead and lifeless. Some of the poor women +are indeed, growing in grace, and that should not be accounted +little. One of them two days since, on asking her +in what way she must attain to God’s presence with peace, +replied, ‘If I remember the name of Jesus Christ: and repenting +of my sins, put my trust in him, I shall doubtless +attain God’s presence.’ Several are equally well informed, +and Martyn expressed great satisfaction at their attentive +repetition of the responses, in prayer <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> Sabat holds my +poor old man in utter disdain for his comparative ignorance. +Sabat is indeed a very superior man; none of the Moonshees +can stand before him. He is most amusing with his logic +on all occasions. Some of the gay friends of a pious young +officer, asked him if it were not written in Scripture, that +men shall become bears? He, in the simplicity of his heart, +asked Martyn and myself at Dinapore, before Sabat, if there +were such a passage of Scripture? Sabat replied, ‘O if +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</span> +there is such an expression in the word of God, it must be +true; and we will prove it by logic.’</p> + +<p>“I think I expressed a wish for the tables you mentioned, +of Arabic <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> with a copy of the Persian of Matthew when +ready. Mr. Myers<a id="FNanchor_52" href="#Footnote_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> would send them and they would be +highly useful. I am happy to say the complaint I was ill of +has quite left me, and I trust it is good for me that I was in +trouble. It is good in any way to have the heart separated +from this ensnaring world; to be led to have all its fresh +springs in God. Would it were more thus with me! I +groan being burdened with an earthly, sensual, devilish nature. +I wish I could hear oftener of you and your’s. I am +in hopes those communications that respect our project may +pass through my hands to Martyn; it would cause only one +day’s delay. The subject of the conversion of the natives is +much more discussed among us. I know two converts to the +subject from reading Buchanan’s Memoir which I lent them.</p> + +<p>“My Christian School goes on well.</p> + +<p>“Beside the Christian children, I have six Christian men, +and some families.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The anniversary of Mr. Corrie’s ordination is thus +noticed by him<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Saturday, June 10th. This day in 1802, I was ordained +a Deacon at Buckden, and on the 12th of June 1804, a +Priest, at the same place. To-morrow may suit my purposed +season of examination; and I pray God to enable me to this +needful work. First, to look over my present spiritual state. +Secondly, To examine my views in the ministry. Thirdly, +To pray for my Native School. O Lord! vouchsafe a spirit +of grace and supplication for Christ’s sake!</p> + +<p>“Sunday, June 11th. Have been considering my ways; +and respecting my personal experience, it is but too apparent +that I have for some time laboured under a spiritual decay. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span> +The commencement of it seems to have been soon after this +time last year, when my spirit began to faint in outward duties; +and I hurried away from them to Calcutta. The Lord does +not leave me; and I trust will not leave me; yet, O my soul, +fear being given up to work iniquity. Much reserve, I am +aware, in my outward conduct is worn off: respecting this, +I would hope the needless scrupulosity I indulged is going; +yet connected with my private experience, I would be jealous +over myself with a godly jealousy. Frivolousness and levity +in tongue and action, I would watch against. Lord, instruct +me, and teach me in thy way! In the ministry, I have +failed greatly in respect of searching out the lost sheep of +Christ’s flock; nor have I a proper sense of the hurt and +hinderance arising from this negligence. Lord, grant me a +due sense of the Saviour’s dying love, and of the soul’s worth! +I think I do attempt the edification of those who come in my +way; and have less fear of shame and reproach for Christ +than once I had. I find a growing facility in speaking Hindoostanee; +and I trust of late more earnest intention of seeking +opportunities of propagating the Gospel. My views in +coming to India I would hope are not altered; to live and +die here; and to spend my strength and substance in this +land is, I think, my purpose. The little children are becoming +very interesting to me. O, that they may become +partakers of the grace of God in truth! My native servants +I would try to make wise unto salvation, and often am earnestly +engaged in instructing them. Lord, grant me sincerity +and simplicity in dealing with these; and enable me +to repent of my sins, to ‘do my first works;’ and ‘leaving +the principles of the doctrine of Christ, go on unto perfection.’ +I feel how entirely it is Thy work to accomplish this +in me, then grant me thy Holy Spirit graciously for Christ’s +sake. Amen!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">With what sincerity of spirit, this recital of his +inward resolves and feelings was penned, may be gathered +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span> +from the renewed activity with which Mr. +Corrie’s restored health was devoted to the employment +of every means within his reach, that was calculated +to extend the knowledge of Christ. To Mr. +Brown he writes early in June 1809<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have at length begun the Arabic and Hebrew; and +with the help of the Arabic, Hebrew and Hindoostanee, +hope to get a correct Hindoostanee version of the Psalms +for the black flock. The 51st Psalm they are learning by +heart.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Similar notices of his application to the study of +the Oriental languages occur, also, in Mr. Corrie’s +letters, about this time, to Mr. Martyn. Yet the +external circumstances with which himself and fellow-labourers +in the work of the Lord, were all this while +conversant, were far from encouraging. In the letter to +Mr. Brown quoted above, Mr. Corrie complained<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“My harp has long been ‘hung upon the willows.’ Every +thing around us bears the image of spiritual death. What +little profession there was among us, has issued in nothing +that appears decisive.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And a few weeks later, after recording in his journal +that he “had often experienced the Divine Presence +and grace,” whilst lecturing in public “on the Epistle +to the Galatians,” Mr. C. adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am, nevertheless, cast down greatly with the little appearance +of good working among us: the soldiers seem hardened +to all addresses I make: the old native Christian has +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span> +not been lively of late. When not living near to God, I +seem afraid of the doctrine of grace, as it is called; when +my soul is deeply affected with divine truth, I can trust +God with the consequences of His own declarations.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Whilst having thus to lament the spiritual apathy +around him, Mr. Corrie did not on that account +slacken his exertions toward hastening on the day, +when “the stream of Ganges shall roll through tracts +adorned with Christian churches, and the holy hymn +be heard beneath the shade of the tamarind.” Accordingly +he writes to the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Charles Simeon<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 2, 1809.<br> +</p> + +<p>“A door of usefulness has been opened ‘among those of +mine own nation’ at Benares, where I have been enabled to +attend every third Sunday, and now materials are collecting +to build a place of worship with, by subscription. Some of +the principal people there oppose the measure by their +private influence, though they have given money for the +work. The report of the death of one of the chaplains +above, renders me anxious, lest I should be removed before +this scheme is accomplished; but I know the accomplishment +of it rests not with me. I now confine my public engagements +to the mornings, except one service in Hindoostanee +on Sunday evenings. I have mentioned a native Christian +who reads and expounds the lessons on these occasions, so +that my labour is but small when he is present. Just now, +he is at Benares, with a view, if possible, to establish +Christian worship among a number of Portuguese and native +Christians, who reside in various capacities there. He goes +from house to house among them, but has hitherto had little +success. Only three attend worship. I may remind you, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</span> +[that] he conducts public worship according to our Church +form, translated. The Gospels we have, and I have translated +the principal particulars of the Old Testament history. +I may mention that the wisdom of God is manifest here, in +recording the faults of the Old Testament saints. A maxim +among all classes of Natives, seems to be, that every person, +by obeying his own religious guide, will attain eternal blessedness, +and several of the Mahomedans have been offended, at +my asserting that Moses, Abraham, David <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, were sinners: +the proving these saints to have been sinners by nature, as +ourselves, overturns this conceit and makes them to seek out +a Saviour, who is himself in no need of salvation. To this +point, when I have opportunity, I always bring a Mahomedan, +carefully avoiding disrespectful mention of his Prophet. The +Hindoostanee women attend, though not in such numbers as +at first, yet regularly, and I have no doubt some of these +most despised of the human race, will be found at the right +hand of the Judge, in the great day. A few evenings since, +a poor blind creature caused my heart to joy exceedingly, by +her artless commendation of the Redeemer; any praise of +myself might have arisen from servility, but, the epithets +she applied to our Lord, could have been learned only from +the Scriptures. For some time much of my attention has +been directed to the education of some native christian boys. +Watts’ first Catechism they can repeat, and a prayer for morning +and evening in private; two of them have begun Persian +and make quick progress: there are in all five, from seven +to twelve years old, and some younger children will soon be +admitted. I am attempting to introduce our own mode of +teaching, and when at home, hear them twice a day.... +No pains have been spared by the Italian Missionaries, at +Bettiah to frighten, or allure my old teacher from me, and +one man, who had learned the way of God more perfectly +here, and on going back refused to pray to saints, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, was +excommunicated and grievously persecuted until his death, +which took place soon after. The uproar about Missions +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</span> +has been heard of here, but no one feels any of the alarm +expressed at home. I hear occasionally, from some friends +at Malda, of Mr. M. who has very poor health; some poor +helpless creatures have lately received baptism there. You will +not suspect me of depreciating his labours, by this expression; +those among whom I myself minister, are as despicable +as human beings can well be. Their influence on the general +cause can be none, their individual souls are precious.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Mr. Corrie had now been three years in India, +and it will have been seen that those years had not +been spent in self-indulgent inactivity, or had been +unfruitful in great moral results. Yet he writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 20th. 1809. This day completes my third year +in India; and though I could write a journal of events that +would set me off in the eyes of men, I know myself to be an +unprofitable servant. I have reason to cry, ‘Deliver me +from blood-guiltiness, O God;’ from the blood of souls! The +perverseness of the natives draws out my perverse temper. +I perceive my mind of late too much taken up with the dignity +religion inspires the mind with, raising it above the +petty cares and mean jealousies of an earthly mind: yet, O +let me never be high-minded but fear. I desire to renew +my dedication of myself, my all to God; to purpose greater +exertion and more labours among whites and blacks. Lord, I +pray thee, grant an increase of spiritual influence, that I may +go on from grace to grace! O, let me not faint nor tire, for +Jesus’ sake, Amen!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following letters to his Christian friends, bear +witness that Mr. Corrie was enabled, in some measure, +to carry out the desires and purposes which his +Journal records.</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">REV. D. BROWN.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</span> +<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Chunar, <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 12. 1809.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have had our meeting service this morning. Cold +myself and lifeless and stupid. I wonder the people attend +at all, they are so little excited to run the Christian race.</p> + +<p>“The Christian Native School goes on as well as it can. +The children, sometimes nine in number, are reading the +Scriptures in Hindoostanee. I have nearly finished a corrected +edition (about the 4th) of the history of creation, +Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the children +of Israel, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon, the division +of the Tribes, Elijah, Elisha, the Acts of the Apostles, the +first Epistle of John. Four of the children have Watts’ first +Catechism perfect, with prayers for morning and evening. +Two of these have begun Persian Grammar, on a new plan +of my own, after the English mode of question and answer. +We have ten Christians about us with whom I read and pray, +most mornings, in Hindoostanee. One youth appears truly +pious and reads and explains the Scriptures, admirably to +others, most evenings after dark. A few of the Hindoostanee +Women appeared [to be] guided by the fear of God,—perhaps +four or six. The others complain of hearing nothing +but severe language, and told the Native teacher lately +[that] ‘as he was paid for instructing them, he ought not +to deal so severely with them! He told them, he was not +paid to flatter them.’</p> + +<p>“I have lately been looking into the Arabic and Hebrew, +but I entirely despair of making any proficiency in them. +The Hebrew I shall go on with. Even by the help of the +Lexicon, I gain great pleasure in observing the roots and +their connection with the languages around us. If ever you +pray for me particularly, pray that I may <i>endure</i> to the <i>end</i>: +that <i>patience</i> may <i>hold out</i>: that I may be faithful <i>unto +death</i>. May richest grace be multiplied to you and your’s.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Nov, 1. 1809.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I often turn a look of regard towards highly favoured +Britain, and a tear starts whilst I bid it a long adieu; but +to a weary pilgrim any lodging is welcome, any place of abode +agreeable; so in Hindoostan, my weary head shall rest, and +my longing soul mount up from hence to meet her redeeming +God. There, my brother, we shall meet; till then, let +our willing feet, our heads, and our tongues be employed in +spreading the Saviour’s glorious name.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0">The Saviour! O what endless charms</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Dwell in the blissful sound!</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="unindent">Your sermon referred to would have suited my people here. +In much weakness and fear, indeed, I have been among +them. The Evening Lectures I told you of exhausted me +entirely; and conspired with other circumstances to bring +on a liver complaint, from which, I sometimes think, I am +not quite free: but I am able to endure my labour.</p> + +<p>“You expect to hear of my black flock. My native teacher +is, at this time, laid up with Asthma: his notions of divine +truth grow more clear daily. Some of the Hindoostanee +wives of the soldiers have, also gained good information on +christian subjects; and from forty to sixty regularly attend +public worship on Sundays, and once in the week. I have +nine Christian men and women, and six children about me; +with these I read and pray in Hindoostanee every morning I +am at home. One lad of them appears truly pious; he has +been with me most of the time I have been here; he reads +and prays in the evenings with the others generally.</p> + +<p>“One night lately I heard him expounding part of the sixteenth +chapter of St. John with much feeling and propriety. +I have the charge of him entirely; I begin to love him, and +think his disposition gentle and well-inclined: he always attends +at meals for his portion. The other servants, at times, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span> +I hear tell him he is become an Englishman; and seem to +envy him not a little.... I could fill sheets with the conversations +I frequently have with the natives. Several promising +appearances in individuals, have come to nothing. I +am, therefore, glad that I have not written any thing about +them.</p> + +<p>“There has been a serious disturbance here (and it is not +now quite over) between the Mahomedans and Hindoos. +The former destroyed a pillar, long an object of superstition +amongst the Hindoos: on which account the latter carried +swine and slaughtered them in the Mosques. One hundred +and forty have lost their lives; but not all from religious +difference, many taking occasion of the affray to gratify private +revenge.<a id="FNanchor_53" href="#Footnote_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a></p> + +<p>“I can say nothing of my prospects: all you can picture of +the difficulties attending this work is far short of the reality. +I can only say, to live and die in this work, or to labour +until I can do no more, is my not hasty purpose, formed, I +trust, on no self-sufficient grounds, but on the grace, mercy, +and comfort of an unchanging God and Saviour.</p> + +<p>“I am writing a little daily in Hindoostanee, Persian, Arabic, +or Hebrew. My school employs me two portions of the +day. I am cheered sometimes with the hope, that I am +educating Missionaries; but it seems hardly possible they +should escape the pollutions around them.”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_46" href="#FNanchor_46" class="label">[46]</a> + That dated <abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 2, 1807.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_47" href="#FNanchor_47" class="label">[47]</a> +The controversy alluded to grew out of the publication of Dr. +Buchanan’s Memoirs on the Expediency of an Ecclesiastical Establishment +for India.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_48" href="#FNanchor_48" class="label">[48]</a> +See Ward, View of History, <abbr title="et cetera"><abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr></abbr> of the Hindoos. + <abbr title="Volume Two">Vol. II.</abbr>, +book 7, <abbr title="chapter">ch.</abbr> 4.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_49" href="#FNanchor_49" class="label">[49]</a> +Sabat. For some account of this person, see Buchanan’s “Star +in the East.” <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> 23. <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> He afterwards apostatized, left the +British territory in India, and went into the service of some of the +native princes; but in some quarrel that occurred he was suspected +of treachery to his patron, was put up into a sack and cast into the +sea.—Hough’s “History of Christianity in India.” <abbr title="volume">vol.</abbr> 4. <abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 389.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_50" href="#FNanchor_50" class="label">[50]</a> +An article in the Edinburgh Review for 1808, entitled “Indian +Missions,” written by the late <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Sidney Smith. At the head of +this article are given the titles of the principal controversial pamphlets, +which appeared at that time on the subject of Missions to +India.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_51" href="#FNanchor_51" class="label">[51]</a> +Post. Mr. Martyn was then on his way to his new station at +Cawnpore.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_52" href="#FNanchor_52" class="label">[52]</a> +Mr. Corrie’s future father in-law.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_53" href="#FNanchor_53" class="label">[53]</a> +A more particular account of this affair is given below, in a +Letter to Mr. Simeon.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER <abbr title="Seven">VII.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="hanging"><span class="allsmcap">REMOVES FROM CHUNAR—ARRIVES AT CAWNPORE—ILLNESS OF +MR. MARTYN.</span></p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">At</span> the end of the year 1809, Mr. Corrie having +been directed to remove from Chunar to Agra, made +preparations for proceeding to the latter station. In +the meantime, however, he suffered so much from the +illness mentioned in the preceding letter to Mr. +Buckworth, that for three months he omitted to keep +any record of his proceedings. On the 3rd of <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> +1810, he observes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“February 3rd. 1810. I have had much searching of +heart in review of my purposes and projects at different +seasons of my life, often purposing diligence in acquiring +languages; at other times my chief desire and labour being +wholly in the immediate duties of the ministry; and, to be altogether +separated from mere visiting society. I perceive myself +to have succeeded in no one scheme; and am to this day unprofitable +and without ability to any good. Long, long have I +known this in theory, but evidently did not think it of myself. +May this sad experience lead me to true humility and deep +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span> +contrition; may it lead me to prayer, and to diligence in the +means of grace! The sickness upon me is more violent +than last year, but seems yielding to medicine; for which +I would bless the Lord, and devote myself to His cause. +These two Sabbaths I have been laid aside from public work, +and fear I am not sufficiently humbled. O, how I ought to +thirst after the courts of the Lord! I think I should greatly +regret being kept from the ministry another Sabbath, but am +ready to give up all hope of success from my own labours. +I know this is from a forgetfulness of the Scripture, and of +the power of God. Lord, awaken a spirit of faith and +prayer! The old man goes on instructing the native women, +successfully, in a few cases, I hope.</p> + +<p>“The Roman Catholic padre, with a fair carriage towards +me tries all he can in private to counteract this old man. O, +that I were as in days and months past: and, O, that the +Lord would make His word to prosper among us: and, O, +that He may direct and prosper my way to Agra, and make +me there a blessing for Jesus’ sake!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The chief circumstances of interest connected with +the remaining portion of Mr. Corrie’s residence at +Chunar, are related in the following extracts from +his letters and Journal. As, however, in those extracts +there occur some allusions to an Institution, +which about this time sprung up in India, a few +words of information will not be out of place.</p> + +<p class="tall">The patronage which the Marquis Wellesley (then +Earl of Mornington) extended to a plan for translating +the Scriptures into the languages of the East, +had excited the hope that our rule in India would +become the means of imparting the knowledge of the +true God to millions of our fellow men: but the retirement +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span> +of that large-minded Nobleman from the +government of India, was followed by that determined +opposition to the diffusion of the gospel among +the natives of Hindoostan, of which so many traces +have already appeared in the pages of this Memoir. +The consequence was, that notwithstanding all attempts +of Dr. Buchanan, Mr. Brown and others, to +procure translations and copies of the Scriptures; and +though aided in their efforts by grants of money from +the Bible Society in England, yet there was a famine +of the word of God even among the native Christians +of India. This dearth of Bibles seems to have pressed +more especially upon the Christians of Tanjore, so +that in a sermon preached in Calcutta, on New-year’s +day 1810, Mr. Brown was induced to make an appeal +on their behalf. The result was that a liberal subscription, +headed by General Hewitt, the commander-in-chief, +was raised for the purpose of forwarding the +distribution of the Tamul Scriptures in Tanjore. +Encouraged by the success which attended this effort +to procure a larger circulation of the Word of God, +Mr. Brown and his friend proceeded to originate measures +of larger enterprise. They established a <i>Bibliotheca +Biblica</i>, an institution which consisted of a +“Translation library” and a “Bible repository.” +The “library” was intended to contain the Scriptures +in the original languages, Lexicons, Grammars, +works on Biblical criticism, and generally, all such +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span> +books as were likely to be useful to translators. The +“Bible repository” was designed to contain Bibles +and Testaments in all languages, European as well as +Asiatic, to be disposed of at moderate prices.<a id="FNanchor_54" href="#Footnote_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> It +will be seen that with “this judicious and efficient instrument” +for good, Mr. Corrie readily united +himself.</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“March 12, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I cannot recollect how long it is since I was favoured with +a letter from you: so many are the accidents to which our +letters are exposed between Britain and India, that I attribute +the little intercourse we have had to some of these; +and, therefore, add one more to the many letters I have +sent you; and trust to hear of you when opportunity serves. +Sometimes my mind has been deeply affected with the idea +of growing old without a friend, or solace of declining +years. Gray has well described the feelings of Nature in +the lines:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">‘On some fond breast the parting soul relies</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Some pious drops the closing eye requires.’</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>“It is the privilege of faith, indeed, to raise the soul above +creature dependencies; and, I bless God that, in general, +I am enabled to say ‘none of these things move me.’ +Still, I cling, with the fondest recollection, to the hours +I have spent with you, and the advances in knowledge, and +I would hope in grace, my soul made in your society; nor +can I endure the thought of our intercourse being at +an end.</p> + +<p>“In this strange land, God has also supplied several whose +letters and occasional visits are a source of great comfort and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span> +encouragement to me. I believe the number of true Christians +is increasing among us, and as these abound ‘the desert +will blossom as the rose;’ and this wilderness shall be +glad for them. The only principal cause of concern is the +small advances that are making towards the evangelization +of the Hindoos and Mahomedans. If you cast your eye +over the map, you will perceive the distance between the +different abodes of the Europeans; and then, suppose even +at those stations something may be doing toward this work, +how is the intervening space to be supplied?...</p> + +<p>“I am recovered from another attack of the liver, much +severer than last year’s, and which prevented me from +public duty for three Sabbaths: I reckon these interruptions +as the choicest blessings. The vain mind is tempted, in full +health, to lay up for many years; but these warnings +strongly impress the exhortation, ‘whatsoever thy hand +findeth to do, do it with thy might.’</p> + +<p>“My European flock, as to numbers, has been at a stand of +late: some of them, however, are now grown unto some +stature in Christ; and are a source of great refreshment at +times....</p> + +<p>“The old native Christian has improved of late, and some +of the native Christian flock give good evidence of a true +conversion. At times, whilst ministering among these, my +heart overflows with delight; and the simplicity with which +they express themselves is very striking. I only wish the +number of them was greater: for, alas! who, in comparison +hath yet ‘believed our report?’</p> + +<p>“I am removed from this station to Agra, once the imperial +city, where are the most splendid remains of fallen greatness +in Hindoostan. One of my dear young friends, whom +I heard of yesterday, says, ‘You are the first who has been +commissioned to preach in that Nineveh repentance and remission +of sins. I see a peculiar honour conferred upon you +by this appointment. May God prosper you!’ My soul +responds, Amen! The Lord grant my entering in among +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span> +them, may be ‘not in word only, but in power, and in the +Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.’ Hitherto I have +been prevented from proceeding, but trust shortly to go on +my way, by the will of God, rejoicing. One comfort +attending the journey is, that it will take me by the abode +of dearest Martyn; and with him I shall make some stay.</p> + +<p>“We regret deeply that no more chaplains, who would +lend a helping hand, are coming over to assist us. In three +years, I have been preparing myself, I would hope, for +greater exertions, by learning languages, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>; and have +done some little here towards founding a Christian church; +but now, alas! the work, to human appearance, will be at a +stand. My old deacon wishes to go with me though, and +I shall take him; though at first it seemed better to leave +him with these ‘few sheep in the wilderness:’ but those of +them who are most serious have husbands somewhat like-minded, +and, therefore, are less likely to suffer wrong; +and the old man will be very useful in a new place. Most +of the Christian men go with me, in one capacity or another; +though they are a heavy expense to me. Where we are +going, I purpose to colonize them, if God in his providence +shall supply opportunities. Oh! were you but here to talk +over these subjects with me! You cannot well have a due +idea of this country, nor of our proceedings, unless you +were to be with us; but I must restrain my feelings, and +rather give you some information that will amuse you.</p> + +<p>“Two days since, a Brahmin in authority here, and with +whom I have had many disputes, took away a copy of the +gospels, after I had read to him some particulars of the +death of Christ, which impressed him greatly at the time. +My removal has made him very anxious; and sometime ago, +when I was first ordered away, he came, and after many expressions +of concern said, ‘Sir, I have a great favour to +beg before you leave this place; pray cause to be written for +me your account of the first beginning of things, with the +genealogies of the first ages. Before you came, I never +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span> +heard these subjects spoken of, and when you are gone, no +one will take the trouble to unfold us any hidden thing.’ +He has now the beginning of Genesis, and the four Gospels. +Affairs on the continent have taken a most disastrous turn<a id="FNanchor_55" href="#Footnote_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> +to our apprehension; but ‘the Lord reigneth;’ and one +thing we cannot but rejoice in, <i>the fall of the man of sin</i>.”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“March 15, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I yesterday sent off by <i>banghy</i><a id="FNanchor_56" href="#Footnote_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> De Coetlegon’s Sermons, +and some chapters of Genesis in Persian, translated by my +Moonshee from my Hindoostanee translations. It is on this +account I sent the Sermons, as the Moonshee would give +me no peace until you should have a specimen of his performance, +and give your opinion whether or no it will be of any +use to go on in this way. The occasion of doing thus much +arose from some Mahomedans about the court at Mirzapore +desiring from me some account of the books of Moses. Mr. +Ricketts, the judge, was passing this, and some people in +his train. They called upon me and immediately expressed +a wish to see some of the translations they had heard I employed +myself about. I produced the epitome done by +Gladwin, it seems, at the request of Mr. Clarke. This they +read for an hour at least, and on going away begged a copy. +Afterwards the Molwhee told the moonshee that the Koran +gives a more particular account of things than our books. To +this the moonshee answered, that what he had seen was a +very concise abridgment, but if he were to see the original +he would forget the Koran. This brought on a violent dispute. +To make good his assertion, the translation you have +a copy of was made, and the remainder of the epitome +added. One chapter was first sent to Martyn, who approved +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span> +of it, and now you must also see it. Our Cutwal<a id="FNanchor_57" href="#Footnote_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> here is +a Hindoo, and has often, with heat, contended with me about +the comparative authenticity of our books; but on the prospect +of my leaving seems softened, and has of his own +accord begged a copy of the beginning of Genesis and of +the Gospel; which he has got. He often contends eagerly +with the Mahommedans, and puts them to silence by the +arguments he has learnt; and on the riots at Benares a great +concourse of Mahomedans came to him and my moonshee. +One night they continued to dispute until midnight, not +respecting Hindooism and Mahomedanism, but entirely +respecting the Mahomedan and Christian writings. I hope I +am getting better, but not so speedily as last year. My flock +is already as without a shepherd. I have not been among +them for a month. A few came to the house on Sunday +evening, but the exertion on the occasion, though little +more than family worship, has thrown me back.”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“April 3, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Your last letter found me very unwell, so much so, that +greatly as I wished, I could not engage in answering it. I +have no fear of being forgotten by you, yet these tokens +of your regard are indeed very acceptable. It seems a weakness +in my nature that makes me cling to creatures as I do; +and the same weakness is the source of what you are so +kind as to call by a softer name.</p> + +<p>“It would be a cause of deep regret to me to be excluded +from your ‘Translation library;’ you will really oblige me by +inserting my name among the subscribers, and I will make +an effort to set all straight with you and all the world. After +deducting the amount of the house here, which I have sold and +am to be paid for in August, I do not owe above 3000 rupees: +yet I do owe all I am, and all I ever shall have in my power, +to such purposes as you propose. I will endeavour first to +be just, and then I will glory in devoting my all to the propagation +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span> +of the gospel in India. The doctors say there is +no occasion for my going down the country, but I shall be +guided much by Mr. Robinson.<a id="FNanchor_58" href="#Footnote_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> He is near at hand; yet +come I shall not without some alteration for the worse. I +have now very little pain, but am weak and incapable of +application. I should rejoice more in visiting Aldeen than +Cawnpore even, for the children are all very dear to me, +and their playfulness delights me. I hear Martyn has received +the packet from you, and has heard from Mr. Simeon +that Cambridge university voted Buchanan, a D.D. degree.<a id="FNanchor_59" href="#Footnote_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> +I hear general M. wishes to reside at Ghazeepore with the +67th. The poor old man has thrown obstacles in the way of +our church till the materials are likely to be lost, but the +congregation increases in proportion to the general’s opposition. +W. has often 30 at Divine Service, and usually about +20. They sing hymns, and are generally a very interesting +people; though but a few, as usual, give evidence of any +change.”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“Chunar, April 28, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Your papers have reached me in safety;—viz. 1st. a report +for 1809. 2nd., the Agra books and papers. 3rd., the +Bibliotheca Biblica <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> The ‘Translation library’ must +prove highly useful. I have some of the books you have +mentioned—A Golius, Dictionarium Arabicum, Schultens, +Life of Saladin, Stillingfleet’s Origines Sacræ, Wells’s Geography, +and others, which shall be sent down, if you please; +except Golius, which is to be delivered to Martyn’s care on +my arrival at Cawnpore. But the ‘Bible repository’ delights +me. This is beyond all your other highly meritorious labours, +for the benefit of the present generation. I shall send it +round here, if I have time, but I have only eight days more +here, and on my arrival at Agra will make it public. On +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span> +receipt of the Report, I sent it to some acquaintance here. +One sent it to a rich Native<a id="FNanchor_60" href="#Footnote_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> in the city, who reads English; +he has returned it with a <i>Hoondee</i><a id="FNanchor_61" href="#Footnote_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> for 100 rupees, and an +address to the Bible Society. I shall, <span class="allsmcap">D. V.</span> send it off to +the Secretary in due form on Monday, and he may send it +for publication; it appears to me an event that would interest +at home, but you will judge when you see the whole. It has +delighted me highly. I have been this week at Benares +taking leave. E. is not yet arrived. The old gentleman +there is most gracious always to myself, but is a raging bear +behind my back against all our measures. It has called forth +all my little energy to make the poor stand I have against +his influence. The Church has been delayed under various +pretexts twelve months, but the materials were collected. I +made those efforts since March, and at length got permission +to begin last week. Robinson undertook the superintendence +as a last resource—and his offer was accepted. +The gentleman, however, attacked him when the work was +begun, and called me by name, Augustus Brooke, and the +Salmons, fanatics, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> I fear this will make E. less forward +than he might otherwise have been, but I have left a few +Bibles and Testaments at Wheatley’s for sale: most are already +supplied. Though I have not sold one Bible, Robinson +is anxious to get the Church ready by the time you arrive. You +can find a congregation. Several families and some individuals +spoke out on my coming away, the fulness of a gracious +heart. I often think of an expression in a prayer of old +Carey’s, in the pagoda, ‘that in the evening of your residence +in India you might see the light of truth shine abroad.’ +Your’s and his prayer are, I trust, heard. There will be a +change in European India, yea there is a change; infidels +are beginning to hide their faces, and the young are growing +up at the different stations, with a reverence for the ways of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span> +God. I perceive the married especially most easily prevailed +with. Yesterday, on an occasion of extraordinary awakening, +I, after two or three visits, administered the Lord’s Supper to +a young Captain and his wife, and the wife of another officer. +The latter had called her husband from a party, and entreated +him to join our worship; he could scarce refuse. She appears +serving God with all her mind, though not with all understanding: +I have just been sending her a book. It pleases +God to continue me still in much weakness, and no little fear +as to my long continuance among you. If I desire any thing +in life but to speak and act and write for Him, I pray He +may graciously disappoint me and hide from me the evil that +would follow; but if He has given me a desire to glorify +Him, I trust He will spare me a little that I may shew forth +His praise!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It may not be uninteresting to mention, that the +letter which Mr. Corrie states to have been written by +a Hindoo to the committee of the Bible Society, is +printed at length in Mr. Owen’s History of that +Society, (<abbr title="volume">vol.</abbr> 2. <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> 36-38.) In transmitting +the letter, Mr. C. observed<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“This native has acquired a considerable fortune, in some +employment under our government, in which it was necessary +for him to read and write in English. On being pressed +by arguments urged for the supreme importance of +Christianity, he excused himself by saying, ‘He thought if +it were so, the British government would have made the +Christian religion known to their subjects in this land.’ +This objection he urged in a variety of ways, and here the +discussion ended. On receiving the report for 1809, in +answer to this, he sent an address to the Bible Society, written +by himself, and now in my possession, requesting that +it might be corrected; which was done, retaining his own +expressions as much as possible.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“May 7th. 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“This morning we left Chunar, and are now on our way +to Cawnpore. I have recovered greatly of late, but now my +sister is fallen unwell, and thus we are kept dependant, and +trust we find it best to be so. On Saturday morning, Mr. E. arrived, +but did not let me know. I however heard about mid-day, +and straightway sent an invitation to our house. In the +evening he came, and next morning Mrs. E. and the infant; +and we have left them this morning in our former habitation. +I preached a farewell sermon yesterday morning, from Romans +x. 1., first: pointing out the meaning of salvation as including +deliverance from danger:—the danger arising from sin, the +necessity of salvation from sin if we would avoid its consequences, +as well as to make us meet for the inheritance <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> +and second: Why I wished them to be saved, viz., from the +consideration of the misery of Hell, the joys of Heaven and +the pleasures of religion here. There was great attention. I +said a good deal too, in the conclusion, on the strain of my +preaching among them,—that I was aware many did not like +it,—but pointed out the necessity of delivering my own soul, +as well as my desire not so much for their favour and approbation, +considered in itself, but as connected with salvation. +Here I intended my successor should hear something of my +opinion of our works. In the evening, my little flock were +full of expressions of kindness, and I think it was a season +that will be remembered. The Hindoostanees came in a +body, and made loud expressions of regret at my departure, +many of them weeping aloud. In the evening too I baptized +three Caffres, the servants of a gentleman, and who had for +some time been under instruction. Many were present, and we +begun the service by singing some verses from <i>Veni Creator</i>. +Two of them gave pertinent answers to some questions on +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span> +Christianity; and on their repeating the creed in Hindoostanee +most present were melted to tears. Mr. G. has, it seems, professed +to the General that he will never go to Benares, unless +he is ordered, and the general has declared he will never order +him. The Church however is going on under Mr. Robinson, +and much interest is excited about it. The military have +desired him to make the building a handsome one, and they +will add to the subscription. Thus in spite of Satan and +those he leads captive, the work of the Lord prospers and +will prosper. I have had packets of letters on leaving, and +am astonished at the kind acceptance my little more than abstaining +from evil has met with. It seems to be a wonder +among them, that I performed my official duty when called +upon; and especially that I should express my readiness to +serve them. Dear Mr. R. is greatly excited of late towards the +best things; his heart has been deeply touched by the death +of his youngest sister, and he is tenderly alive to the blessedness +of those who die in the Lord. This is a happy event +just now, when some of the society there, (especially one +Captain) seem seriously seeking to secure the better part. +They know his Father’s character, and the advantages he has +enjoyed; and also they have seen him more retired and more +attentive to his duty than most; and they seem now to look +to him for information. We know however, how slow of +growth the heavenly plant is, from the untowardness of the +soil it falls into; we know how many blights and thorns it is +exposed to: though some good appears, we still are not content, +but, filled with hopes and fears, we watch for the event. +I told you I had sent the plan of the library to Major Wilford. +He had not understood me, so I intend writing again. +I enclose his note with the papers, it will give you a more +correct idea of his mind towards this work than I can. I +fear E. will not take any trouble to make known the Bible +Society proceedings. I send a copy of the advertisement to +Wheatley’s shop, where it will be seen by many; and have +left one dozen Bibles, and two dozen New Testaments, with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</span> +Mr. E. at Chunar. Dr. W. I find, does our cause good +against his will, by his incivility and grasping after fees. Do +you indeed come up the country? Martyn talks of my remaining +a month at Cawnpore: at any rate I hope to leave +there to conduct you to the imperial city. It perhaps would +be of importance to get Martyn to resign the service, and give +himself to the translating and printing the scriptures. He +will not eat the bread of idleness, and it is clear his present +labours will bring an early period to his life. I scarce know +how to write it, but so it is. I will give you a faithful account +from Cawnpore.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following letter, addressed to the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Mr. +Simeon of Cambridge, contains a kind of retrospect +of Mr. C’s labours at Chunar, and is on that account +given at length, at the risk of the repetition of a +few circumstances which have been already mentioned.</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“May 9th. 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I know it will be agreeable to you to hear of the progress +I am making, if it may be called progress, in the appointment +I hold. Three years last February, I arrived at +Chunar, with very imperfect views of the nature of the +work I had engaged in; the habits and character of Europeans +undergo an almost entire change, after a few years +residence here, so that our work among the Europeans takes +a different turn from the work of the ministry in England. +We have to argue for the sanctity of the sabbath, the extensive +import of the seventh commandment, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, before we +can speak of the evil of breaking these commandments. +The necessity of caring about the example we set is decried, +as, say they, ‘those we live among do not own the authority +of the scriptures <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ My labours have not, however, +been in vain among the Europeans. A small society among +the soldiers, I left at Chunar, and some of them will no +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</span> +doubt endure unto the end. Of the higher classes many +individuals are exemplary. A church, or rather chapel, is +erecting at Benares,<a id="FNanchor_62" href="#Footnote_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> and though my successor expresses no +zeal for the success of it, I doubt not instruments will be +raised up, and sent forth in due time. I would to God, +some of the many young men around you, were but excited +to engage in this service. As to privations, save that of separation +from dear earthly ties, which is indeed a severe +privation, we have only to fear being lulled into indolence +and fatal security. Our countrymen here ought to be held +in high estimation, and a soul saved in India is indeed a +brand snatched from the burning, whilst it is usually, also, +a valuable member restored to society; for scarcely any +motive, but that which the gospel supplies, can rouse from the +apathy and overwhelming influence of an enfeebling climate +and systematic lust.</p> + +<p>“Soon after February 1807, I met with a Native Christian, +who engaged in reading the Hindoostanee gospels with +me, and in September following, we began worship in Hindoostanee, +to the native wives of the soldiers. These had +been baptized by Roman Catholic priests, but were deplorably +ignorant of every christian truth. I began also with a +Moonshee to translate from the books of Moses; and though +I blush often in review of these first attempts, they were +useful in conveying some idea of the truth, as the Native +Christian, by repeated efforts on my part, gained a correct +notion of the subject, and by his exhortations <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> conveyed it +to them. About forty continued to attend once in the week, +and once on the Sabbath, till last Lord’s day; some of these +I trust to meet at the right hand of the Judge ‘in that day.’ +Two of them are truly spiritual, and many of them unexceptionable +in conduct. The change in those who attended instruction, +is manifest to all. I baptized during my residence +at Chunar, two men and three women; the men and one +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</span> +woman unconnected with Europeans, and all except one man +are walking unblameably. Beside these, many Roman catholic +christians come from time to time, and several of these +are in my service. I have five christian children also, who +are going with me, that their education may not be hindered +by my removal. There is with me also, a youth about seventeen, +whose parents are the children of Europeans; this lad +gives hope that he is a partaker of the grace of God, and is +going with me for the express purpose of learning the way +of God more perfectly, that he may become a teacher of the +christians here, in general lying in darkness as much as the +heathen. His purpose at present is, ‘according to the language +of each people,’ so that he requires instruction in +English and in the native languages also. My native flock, +on my coming away, expressed their regret by many tears, +and some by loud lamentations. The old teacher goes with +me, as there are many native christians at Agra. I wished +to have left him behind; but circumstances, with the advice +of beloved Martyn, induced me to let him come as he desired. +He will probably soon return. The tumult about missions +has subsided here, though the generality of the English are +as averse to it as ever. A riot took place at Benares last +September, which the alarmists here will no doubt make all +the use they can of, in their reports home. A quarrel<a id="FNanchor_63" href="#Footnote_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> took +place between the Hindoos and Musselmans, in which some +lost their lives. Report at first magnified the number to three +hundred, but I have seen a copy of the official report to +government, and the following, you may depend, is the truth. +In the reign of Aurungzebe, a Hindoo place of worship consisting +of a Temple with a sacred Well within the enclosure, +(or church-yard) was seized upon by the king’s order. The +temple was appropriated for Mahomedan worship, but the +Hindoos had still access to the well. Whilst the Mahomedans +were in power, no disputes arose, for the Hindoos consider +the king’s order one road to heaven. Since the English +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span> +have had dominion, many causes of mutual complaint +have risen up, from the disrespect shewn by the different +sects to each other in their worship. The Mahomedans, in +their petition to government, state, that amongst other indignities, +the Hindoos had on a late festival, placed an idol +in the pulpit of the temple by way of contempt, whilst the +Hindoos, in their petition, relate similar instances of disrespect, +shewn to them by the Mahomedans. The immediate cause +of the riot was as follows. An idol being some time since +dug out of a ruin, a Fakeer began to make it the object of +his worship. For this end he built over it a mud shed, and +afterwards a thatched little house, on the border of the disputed +ground, where the Mosque and Well are. A rich merchant +at last vowed before this idol, that if he might but +have a child, he would build a stone house over it: he had +a child, and in building the house, encroached on the +ground the Mahomedans claimed, who straightway collecting, +demolished the idol, and killing cows, sprinkled their blood +on many temples of the Hindoos, and destroyed a sacred +pillar. The Hindoos retaliated, and killing hogs, sprinkled +their blood on the Mosques. To prevent these fancied pollutions +there was much violence on both sides; and five men +were killed and many wounded. The soldiery put an end to +the tumult.</p> + +<p>“May 17. I dispatch this from Allahabad. I heard +here from Martyn, who is in usual health, and with whose +company I hope to be refreshed in eight or ten days, if the +Lord will. This is a large station of Europeans, and is +highly deserving of a chaplain. It is, at present, in the +Cawnpore district. I have several occasional duties as they +are called, to perform for Martyn, and am detained three days +on that account. I may have mentioned, that at Benares a +merchant calls the soldiers and people of his own description +to worship in his house on the Sunday and once a week; +and here an inferior officer in the ordnance department does +the same. He tells me he had last sabbath a congregation of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span> +fifteen. I have lent copies of the Village Sermons at both +places, and they use the Church of England prayers. But +the unhappy pride of rank <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> which prevails here to an +extent you have no idea of, prevents their influence from +reaching far, though they are witnesses of God, ‘epistles +of Christ, known and read of all men.’ Had we a few more +Colonel Proles, (whom I believe you know,) the presence of +more chaplains might be better dispensed with. He officiates +unweariedly, as priest, as well as prince of the host; and you +will be gratified to hear, that very decided marks of favour +from the commander in chief have been shewn him of late. +He is just put into an important command at Delhi. I have +had a more severe attack again in the liver this spring, from +which I am, through mercy, recovering, and perceive these +visitations to be most merciful appointments; I hope they +may be sanctified to me. I trust your health may be restored +by this, or that at least, you may be continued to keep +open the doors of Trinity Church for many years.”</p> +</div> + +<div class="tall"> +<p>The spirit of self-devotion in which Mr. Corrie +left Chunar to proceed to his new station, may be +seen in these letters: in his Journal, also, he +repeatedly expresses his desire, that his removal to +Agra may be for greater usefulness in the ministry, +and “that his profiting might appear unto many.” +Very earnest, too, are his expressed prayers, that +the Christian youths who accompanied him might +by his means be “led to God, through Christ, in +holiness of life;” and that he might be “enabled to +walk circumspectly, so that the Lord might sanctify +his intercourse with them.” And his petition with +regard to his own soul was<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span> +“O Lord, my inmost thoughts inspect, and teach +me to know myself as thou knowest me; and not to +think of myself above what I ought to think, but to +think humbly! O, help me, mighty Lord, and make +me a blessing to many!”</p> + +<p>Mr. Corrie reached Cawnpore on Saturday, June +2. 1810, and next day, writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“June 3rd. 1810, (Sunday.) I arrived here yesterday +morning. For some days preceding I have been unsettled, +and unable to apply myself to any good purpose. To-day +I have had much sweet conversation with Martyn, but ought +to lament a want of spiritual affection. In prayer dead and +lifeless, unaffected with the importance of what I am about. +O Lord, revive me! This morning I preached to the 8th +Light Dragoons, but sadly without feeling myself; and I fear +they too were. O thou, who canst make the dead to hear +thy voice, raise us to a life of righteousness! The General +here is very attentive to religious duties. I love him for +what he does; and pray, as do others, that he may be +blessed in well doing. O Lord, direct my way to Agra, +and make me a blessing there!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the following Sunday we find him noting<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“June 10th. 1810. I have been endeavouring to review +my ways, as connected with the ministry I engaged in this +day, in 1802. I perceive how greatly I have offended against +my engagements, in respect of personal holiness, of motives +in my ministrations, and of intercourse with the world. +I would admire the goodness of God, my Saviour, in +hiding me from the strife of tongues, in bearing with +the unhallowed fire of my public services, in preserving +me from returning to the world. Especially ought I to praise +Him for any acceptance he has given me in my work. I have +been made acceptable to many who know God, and it is no +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</span> +small honour to be instrumental in building up God’s church. +Some are gone to the grave with hope in the name of Christ, +through my instrumentality, especially Dr. B., and a young +man at Sewstern. On the voyage to India, R. Y. was roused to +consider the instructions a pious father had given him; and +G. V. led to choose the better part. A young man I was +told, was alarmed on account of his sins from the first sermon +I preached at the Old Church, Calcutta. B. at Chunar +is walking in the narrow way: and I hope G. will lay hold +on eternal life. Among the soldiers, I reckon three at +Chunar, who seem truly seeking life eternal, beside many +others more or less hopeful there. But, I fear for them all; +so desperate are their situations, and trying their circumstances. +But, perhaps I ought to bless God above all for +the three native women, viz., the wife of sergeant W. of +William B. and of John W., they seem to be truly ‘partakers +of the benefit;’ and may the Lord grant that James +may go on unto perfection. O may the S’s be found +among the happy few; with Mr. and Mrs. Y. now in Calcutta! +I often think I labour in vain; and alas! in comparison +of the world lying in wickedness, what are these +few? But, how far do they exceed any reward I could possibly +have reckoned on, considering my own weakness, inattention +and worthlessness. My God, I bless thee for +these! These are my joy and crown: now, let me watch +over my own soul; and, O thou Spirit of life, and love, and +liberty, accomplish in me complete redemption! Prosper +my way to Agra, and prepare much people to thyself there, +for Jesus Christ’s sake! This evening attended the funeral +of Captain W.—H. M. 53rd. Regiment. The band played +before the corpse; and a more affecting scene I have not +witnessed for a long time. God, I praise thee that I have +not been cut down as a cumberer of the ground. O, teach +me so to number my days that heavenly, holy wisdom may +be my <i>only</i> pursuit!”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">Mr. Corrie had not been long at Cawnpore before +it became apparent that Mr. Martyn’s health was in +so unsatisfactory a state, as to render it necessary +that he should be relieved from the duties of the +station. Mr. C. was in consequence detained there +to assist Mr. Martyn. His own account of this circumstance +is contained in a letter<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, July 10th. 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have been upon writing to you daily for a long time, +till at last I know not well what I have to tell you. When +I arrived here, Martyn was looking very ill, and a very little +exertion laid him up. Since then you will know that I have +been ordered to remain here for a time, to assist him; and he +is already greatly recovered. His appearance is much improved. +His rest and appetite much more regular, and he is +altogether better. It will be well, however, if his former +weakness does not return, when he shall again be left to the +whole duties of this large station, for his frame is by no +means suited for strong labour. For myself, I am well, and +as strong as ever I recollect to have been. If I can but avoid +a return of the fever, I may last a long while; but it is not +for us to boast of the morrow. I am under the same roof +with Martyn. Sabat is within call; and of him you will be +glad to hear that he is far more respectful and careful in his +intercourse with Martyn, than he used to be. He seems to +feel that he has gone the ‘length of his tether,’ and is evidently +anxious to keep on good terms. He seldom omits +doing something in the translations daily; so they proceed +regularly. I am greatly pleased with his corrected Persian +gospels, which I can read with facility; and having read +much of the Shah Nameh, think the style much like that +book. The Hindoostanee New Testament will, I suppose, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</span> +become a standard for future editions. To any one acquainted +with the Hindoostanee of Gilchrist, it will not be very difficult. +I am decidedly of opinion that the style of any translation +for this country, ought to be high rather than low; +as it will be the duty of expounders to understand and explain +it; and one low expression will make the whole appear contemptible. +Hard words, also, when judiciously inserted, +are no great detriment to the sense, whether understood or +not, as I have often found from the children. I have seen +very little of the people here, beside the religious soldiers. +I hear sad accounts from my former flock at Chunar. A +young man, a physician beloved in the Lord, writes me from +thence, that those I thought most staunch among the men, +are fallen into sad drunkenness again; and one of my native +Christians, too, has turned out very ill there. I had fitted +up a small church there, and left it for the use of the serious +men; but it is turned into worse than a ‘den of thieves.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In the letters which follow, will be found many +particulars connected with the studies and habits of life +of Mr. Martyn, which cannot fail to be read with +melancholy interest. Somewhat minute accounts, +too, of the progress of the last illness of that sainted +person, occur in the letters to Mr. Brown, and +which it has not been deemed requisite to omit; for +it can never be thought superfluous to relate “after +what sort” the servants of God “have closed up their +days on earth.”<a id="FNanchor_64" href="#Footnote_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, July 31. 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“You will have received mine of the 14th. which will +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span> +have set you somewhat at ease. Martyn is much affected +by your anxiety about him; but he says, he does not consider +himself in danger; and this morning said, he thought +a month’s silence would entirely restore him. I try all +methods to induce him to leave the translation for a few +months, and sometimes seem to have prevailed; and then +a little refreshment makes him think himself well. The +worst sign seems to be that for a month past he is rather +weaker than stronger. On my first arrival he recruited +greatly for a fortnight, but is now, to say the best, at +a stand. He has agreed to go on the river to try the effect +of change and silence; and as soon as a boat can be procured +will go towards Futtygur. He objects to going to +sea at present, that the cold season here will be beneficial, +and that the damps and fogs of Calcutta would be less so +at this time; and that he is determined to leave this in +February next, in order to get to sea in March. But, the +truth is, he expects the New Testament to be done in Arabic +by that time, and that then he shall be more at liberty. +The state of his health seems this: he is easily fatigued, +and then gets but broken rest, with confused and distressing +dreams. A very little exertion in speaking produces +pains in the chest, with almost total loss of voice, +and almost all these symptoms are produced by the evening +of every day. He is sparing in his food <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, as usual, +but takes sufficient nourishment, although, he says, with +little appetite, but from a sense of necessity. I think you +will consider immediate relaxation necessary, as I do, and +have urged so repeatedly, and in such a variety of ways, that +any one but himself would think I wanted to succeed him +here. But that to me would be one of the painful circumstances +attending his removal. I think the wisdom and +goodness of God evident in my former appointment and in +my present destination. I can do a little in a quiet way for +the furtherance of our common cause, but this large station +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span> +would both occupy my whole time and make my deficiencies +more conspicuous.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 1st. My heart is seldom so much at ease as I +wish it to be when I write to you. Our dear brother will +not believe that he is in any danger; nor is it likely he will +die immediately. A little care makes him feel better, and +now he hesitates about going on the river at present. He +has for some days been from morning till night with Sabat +at the Arabic, getting ready the first seven chapters of +Matthew: when that is done he is going on with Fitrut in +Genesis. I wish it had been convenient for you to come +up; you could have taken him back with you, <i>vi et armis</i>: +but that is past. He speaks of himself as threatened with +consumption, with all the composure others speak of a +legacy; but thinks it is not yet begun in him. The failure +of his voice, and his poor thin frame, make me fear the +worst; and I tell him freely my chief hope of a cure in him is +from a removal from this [place] and cessation from labour +immediately.</p> + +<p>“I can write you of nothing else at present. This subject +occupies most of my thoughts; I dare not dwell upon +the probable issue. But we may ‘have all things and +abound,’ whilst we have our God and Saviour. That hymn +I sang with a heavy heart, when I first left your paternal +roof for Chunar; and daily find it suitable. The ‘sin that +dwelleth in me’ makes my life heavy; and but for the invisible +hand, I should entirely faint, or ‘become a rebuke +unto the foolish.’”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 16, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I am now under Martyn’s roof: you know of my removal +to Agra. On our way thither, we found our brother +so unwell that I applied, and was ordered by the General +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span> +commanding, to remain here for a time to assist him. We +enjoy all the comforts of religious society we can desire. I +am as happy as I can desire to be on earth. Had I been +with you, as you kindly suggest, I could not have been more +so; and, perhaps not so useful. I am thankful no such +temptation offered to detain me in England; the wish to +have been a ‘helper together with you,’ would probably have +prevailed above all others. It is in vain to conceal that my +health has suffered from the climate; and chiefly from imprudence. +The necessity of cessation from labour it imposes +is most painful. I bless God for these sicknesses, above all +His other mercies, as connected with the salvation which is +in Christ Jesus. I trust I know that he is blessed who is +instructed whilst undergoing correction. At times, I have +had such views as I cannot describe, of the excellency of the +rest remaining for God’s people, so as to make me ‘desire +to depart and be with Christ;’ but, these sweet moments +are alas! only of short duration. How does the corrupt +nature emit clouds of vain and vile passions, which obscure +and darken the greater part of my days! Blessed be God +for Jesus Christ!</p> + +<p>“The account of one day will give you a general idea of +our whole manner of life. We usually rise at day-break, +and ride out. Martyn and I breakfast between six and seven +o’clock: then read the scriptures with a Polyglott before us, +and pray. Martyn then goes to his study. I go to see +Mary; and she and Mrs. S. are learning Hindoostanee in +order to be able to speak on religion to their female servants; +and if circumstances favour, to get a school of female native +children. I am their teacher. Mrs. S. has a school of European +children belonging to the regiment. I return to +reading, usually Hindoostanee or Persian. At eleven, my +Christian children come to say the lesson they have been +learning with the native schoolmaster. In the middle of the +day we have a repast; and then resume reading till four, +when the Christian children come again to read in the Hindoostanee +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span> +gospels. In the evening we meet, usually, at Captain +S’s, or Martyn’s, when we sing some hymns, with +reading and prayer before we separate. This is the peaceful +tenor of our way. At the intervals, two days in the week +I visit, and pray with, the sick in the hospitals: on the Sabbath, +public worship; in the morning at the drum-head of +one of three European corps lying here, in rotation; in the +evening of Sunday and Wednesday, we have social worship +with a goodly number of pious soldiers in a public building +fitting up, but not yet ready to open as a church: besides +these [services] once a fortnight there is public worship in +the General’s house. Except the soldiers, all our other English +rank as gentlemen. We have here only these two +classes, except a very few persons in trade.</p> + +<p>“I do not consider myself at home here; and am longing +for Agra, that I may commence more extensive plans among +the heathen. My Christian boys are becoming very dear to +me; one especially is very intelligent and hopeful: they will +be well grounded in principles; and I pray God to give +them spiritual understanding. They come to me with their +little complaints, and their Arab black faces often make me +very merry; nor would I leave the often painful, because +tedious task, of attempting to make them wise unto salvation, +even to be the helper of my beloved Buckworth.</p> + +<p>“I know not if I wrote to you on our leaving Chunar in +May. The native teacher has returned thither; and I +reckon some of the native christians there to be truly spiritual. +I hope to have a large native flock at Agra: there +are few Europeans there, which will leave me more leisure +than I have here. Respecting our brother Martyn, his +health is far from good, his constitution far from strong: +he is going to sea before long, (<span class="allsmcap">D. V.</span>) 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, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span> +he may, ‘One thing I do, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, (Philip. iii. 13, 14.) He has, +with a learned native, finished the translation into Hindoostanee +of the whole New Testament; which is ready to be +sent to the press, when money is supplied. He is going on +with the books of Moses. Sabat has finished the four +Gospels, the Acts, and to 2nd. Corinthians, in Persian and +Arabic, which Martyn compares with the Greek. The Bible +Society helps nobly, and will continue to foster ‘the day of +small things’ among us.</p> + +<p>“It is in my heart to live, if health permits, and to die, +among these people. This, my brother, is my true life, I +find; and often, in the anguish excited by the idea of seeing +you all no more, I use those words, ‘Cease, fond nature, +cease thy strife; and let me languish into life.’ To live to +God is life indeed. I am infinitely unworthy of the place I +fill, and miserably defective in every part of it; but no one +else offers to supply my lack, so that the little I do would +be left undone, were I not where I am. May God keep me +faithful unto death! Yea, faithful is he, therefore I shall +endure: through his power, I shall meet you before the +throne. It matters not, then, where we are for the short +time of our day.”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 17. 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have made three attempts at a report respecting our +brother’s health. On the 15th. he was very lively, and then +talked of not going even on the river. Yesterday he was +weaker, and last night had a violent attack of sickness, +which has not entirely left him yet, and has brought him to +a lamentable state of weakness. What to do I don’t know. +I have urged his leaving his studies and trying change of +air, in every possible way. To-day, indeed, he talks again +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span> +of going on the river, and I hope to keep him in this mind. +Your applications for Arabic have set him to work anew +with an ardour that nothing but death can repress. From +seven in the morning till near or after six in the evening +(save a little interval at mid-day,) he is at work with Sabat, +and Mirza Fitrut. In vain I warn him of the consequences. +Never was any one so inattentive to health, or so unskilful +in sickness. I was up with him much of the former part +of last night: and without somebody he would be worse +from his unskilful applications. He is indeed most tractable +as to meats and drinks, but there my authority over him ends. +He will have told you of the delay occasioned by want of an +Arabic scribe. I don’t know how many copies, but Sabat +says ten, have been attempted of the beginning of Matthew +for you, and have failed. I wrote to Major Wilford lately, +to ask him if he would read and give his opinion of the +Sanscrit Gospels. I have received his answer this morning. +He says, ‘I rejoice to hear of the progress that is making in +the attempt to diffuse the knowledge of the word of God +among the Gentiles, but I lament that hardly anything has +hitherto been done worth notice, to diffuse it among the +Hindoos. Every thing seems calculated for the Mussulmans.... +The Sanscrit translation of the gospels is useless, for +the proud and stubborn Brahmin will never read it. We +want a good translation in Hindee, pure Hindee.... +Where the Missionaries at Serampore have learned the Hindee, +I am at a loss to divine. I hope their assistants do not +understand a word of Persian. With regard to the Sanscrit +translation, I am very unwilling to have anything to do either +directly or indirectly with the Serampore school; but in the +sincerity of my heart I wish them success. It was my intention +to have leisurely erased all the Persian words out of my +friend’s’ (Hunter’s translation, a copy of which I gave Major +W.) ‘version; for I am not in the least afraid to revise his +or any other version, <i>even publicly</i>. It has not been +in my power hitherto (from ill health), and God alone knows +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span> +when I shall be able to resume my studies <i>con amore et spirito</i>.’—Thus +far Major Wilford.”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 4, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Our brother it seems, has told you, he is so well, all +further reports respecting his health are needless. I would, +however, prove how ready I am to comply with your wishes, +though, I hope too, all anxiety respecting Martyn’s recovery +is at an end. It seems he requires only rest. It is to be +hoped, his constitution is not unsound, but has been greatly +tried by his continual exertions. During the last fortnight the +change for the better in him has been very evident, but on +Sunday evening, the pain in his breast returned, sufficiently +to shew him, he must not fancy himself what he once was. +He began to ask, why he should go to Calcutta?—being so +much better; but this feeling of his former complaint, has, I +hope, put all doubts on the subject to flight. Indeed I have +made his leaving the station a condition of my remaining. The +General has consented to my being put in orders to remain here, +till Martyn’s return, and to give Martyn an unlimited leave +of absence. So now, on the 1st of <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> he purposes leaving +this for Calcutta, and is meditating schemes of usefulness +on his way down, and among the native, Armenian, and +Arabian christians in Calcutta. It will be of much importance +that you should see him, and talk with him face to face, +about the translations, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> Sabat, I told you, is much more +on his guard and more respectful towards Martyn, but causes +him great uneasiness, by the slow progress he makes in his +work. It is indeed very trying to our brother, as, without +some change, the translations will hardly ever be brought to +an end. It is needless for me to say anything about the +subscriptions, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> as Martyn writes to you so fully on those +subjects. For my own part, I am anxious, that some translation +should be got ready for circulation in India; there is +yet, none that seems suited to the population we are among; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span> +and my views are chiefly confined to these people; among +these I shall probably live and die, but no extensive good can +flow from the labours of any, till the Scriptures are ready to be +delivered to them. I am therefore more delighted with your +intention of publishing the Hindoostanee gospels, than the +Arabic, whilst I pray you God’s speed with both. About +one fifteenth of the population of this country is Mahomedan, +and of that fifteenth part, not one in five hundred knows +Arabic; but many of them are acquainted with and admire +the Persian, and all of them understand the Moors, as it is +called. Many too of the Hindoos understand it, and a +skilful reader could easily make it understood by all.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 12. Thus far I had written as above, but your frequent +letters from and to Martyn, made me think it unnecessary +to send this. In consequence of your last, Martyn +intends leaving this, as soon as boats can be procured for +himself and Sabat, but it is uncertain when that may be, as +boats are in great request for the General and his suite. +Martyn had frequently expressed to me his opinion respecting +the incorrectness of Sabat’s Arabic, as well as complained +of his slow progress. It is likely, however, that his +work will be found better than your last would suggest: so +few are qualified to criticise Arabic, that probably many of the +objections raised, will be found groundless. I think, however, +dearest Sir, to give the light of life to the population +of India is no small honour put upon your Committee, and +I hope you will put the Hindoostanee translation, Martyn is +bringing down, to the press straightway. We have, during +last week, been often on the river in a borrowed pinnace, +and the effect has been good to us all. Our dear brother +continues to mend, but the length of his life will depend +much on his desisting, or not, from public duties. He +would soon be laid up again, were he to begin to preach. He +would, at all events, take half of the duty last Sunday, but +beside not being heard by half the Regiment, he was obliged +to shorten the service, and with the Faqueers in the evening, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span> +brought on the old pain in his breast. The same employments +as before occupy me, so I have nothing new to write +to you. Our society of soldiers increases, and we are inexpressibly +happy together. Mrs. S. has been unwell, but is +recovering, and indeed we have mercies multiplied upon us +without number. May we have grace to be more thankful.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It may be proper here to state, that the Committee +referred to in this letter, as being instrumental in +giving “the word of life to the population of India,” +was a Committee formed in Calcutta for holding +correspondence with the British and Foreign Bible +Society in England. This corresponding Committee +was definitely organized in August, 1809, having Mr. +Brown for its Secretary; and measures were then +adopted for carrying forward approved translations of +the Scriptures in the Arabic, Persian, Hindoostanee, +and Telinga languages.<a id="FNanchor_65" href="#Footnote_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a></p> + +<p class="tall">That to “live and die among” the people of +Hindoostanee, which is here only expressed as a +probability, had become a settled purpose with Mr. +Corrie, may be gathered from his Journal<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 20th. This day has completed my fourth year in +India. My intention of remaining in India continues the +same, and of seeking the furtherance of the gospel among +the heathen. These Christian children engross much of my +time; but not so much prayer as they ought. I would purpose +to pray more for them. Oh! may I have grace to be +devoted to the ministry! I do determine to be so, the Lord +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span> +being my helper: my determined choice is the doctrine of +Christ and him crucified. O may my affections be more taken +up with God! A variety of circumstances have of late made +me feel that the best of creatures are subject to vanity. I +would complain of none, for the most vain are far preferable +to me; but, O may my soul be more taken up with God! +Draw me, O Lord the Spirit, and I will run after Thee! +Martyn is now going to Calcutta and to sea; and I remain +here for a time. I feel my bodily health far from strong.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And in writing to a near relative, about the same +time, after mentioning the intended departure of +Martyn from Cawnpore, and the consequent changes, +Mr. C. adds,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“These uncertainties make us more and more to feel that +this is not our rest. I do rejoice in the blessed hope of a +rest remaining for the people of God.</p> + +<p>“One of the godly soldiers departed this life last night. +His end was peaceful and blessed. His last words to me, +yesterday morning, were, ‘I desire to depart and to be with +Christ as soon as possible.’ A day or two before, on my asking +him how he was, he said, ‘Waiting to be made free from +corruption and fit for God.’ And at the same visit he said, +‘Blessed Saviour! He has done great things for my soul.’ +His life, for some time past, had been suitable to the gospel. +This is the third who has been taken from the little flock +since we came here. Blessed be God, who raises up one and +another to supply their places.</p> + +<p>“One of the officers has joined himself to our meetings +for worship, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> and is a hopeful and pleasing young man, +and a great encouragement to the poor soldiers, who for a +time were much discouraged by their superiors.</p> + +<p>“We have had several instances of very awful awakenings +of conscience in the prospect of death. One person, a week +or two since, could not contain his feelings in the midst of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span> +the many sick around him, in the hospital, but openly +accused himself, and loudly called for mercy. However, the +generality, alas! are careless, notwithstanding these and +other solemn warnings. A gay, smart young Captain, a +short time since was seized with a fit in a large company, at +dinner, and died during the night. A great crowd attended +his funeral, and all the solemnity and pomp of military +parade attended, but alas! the impression passed away.... +There are indeed a few (and the number is increasing) of +godly people, scattered up and down, who are each a light +in his place.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The references which are found in the foregoing +letter and in the letters which follow, to the “incorrectness +of Sabat’s Arabic,” and to the “rage” of +that unhappy man, “against the moonshees of Calcutta,” +are explained by the circumstance, that just +before Mr. Martyn left Cawnpore, he had received +intelligence from Mr. Brown that the translations of +the Gospels into Persian were considered to be too +imperfect for publication; whilst it was insinuated +that Sabat’s translations into Arabic were but copies +from some old version.<a id="FNanchor_66" href="#Footnote_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> This apparent failure in an +object so near his heart, as the translating of the +Scriptures, occasioned great distress of mind to Mr. +Martyn; and all the evil passions of Sabat were exasperated +by the imputation cast on his learning. In +these letters, may be but too plainly traced the +unrestrained workings of that pride, selfishness and +violence in Sabat which afterwards ended so mournfully, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span> +though not unnaturally, in his apostasy from +the “faith which” always “worketh by love.”</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 4, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Our brother Martyn left this on the 1st for Calcutta, in +better health than for some time, so that, but for the Arabic +translation, he would perhaps not have been persuaded to +leave this at present. Since I wrote to you, I have had a +specimen of the violence of Sabat, and the inexpressible +trouble Martyn must have had with him. It began before +the last letter of yours came, about boat-hire. He began +by writing that Martyn ought to pay for his boat. On +this Martyn referred him to you, but he evidently wished +not to speak to you on the subject. Soon after this, your +last arrived, and Martyn did not tell him the whole of its +contents; at first only said, you were more than ever urgent +for their going down speedily. As the time drew near, he +one day came in, and after much cross-purposes, demanded +to see the order for his going down, or he would not stir; +intimating that Martyn had some sinister motive and interested +purpose in taking him down with him. It is impossible +to convey to you an idea of the aggravating manner +and expressions he used. I lost patience, and told him +plainly, how unchristian his conduct was, and how little +like the gentility he pretended to. Martyn then read him +your letter, which filled him with rage against the Calcutta +moonshees, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, and he determined to set off instantly, and +put them all to flight before Martyn could arrive. This +manner lasted two or three days, when an invitation he had +asked for, came from Baillie,<a id="FNanchor_67" href="#Footnote_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> and away he went to Lucknow, +purposing to return the third day. Instead of returning, +he sent a note to say, he would stay twenty days, or a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span> +month, and would translate and Baillie would inspect; and +so he would come down to Calcutta armed for the contest +with the objectors there. Martyn was hurt at this, and +wrote a statement of the circumstances to Baillie; telling +Sabat also, he should set off as he intended, should go to +sea, and that the disputed translation would remain in suspense; +and of course, as he could not go on with the work, +it was likely his salary would be stopped; adding also, that +his family would be obliged to remove into another bungalow, +as my sister would come here. On this, Sabat wrote in the +most earnest manner, for Martyn not to go without him; +at the same time saying, he should stay four or five days +longer. To this Martyn paid no attention, but set off, and +yesterday Sabat returned, full of rage against him, and +purposing to set off to-morrow or next day to overtake him +if possible, and at all events to procure from you full redress +of his many wrongs. There is little hope that any person +but Martyn, supposing them capable and willing to superintend +Sabat’s translations, could bear with him; and indeed +when the work would be finished by him, it is difficult to +say. His unsteady and haughty temper is likely to prevent +his ever doing extensive good, not to say, that the love of +money has too evident hold of him. He has procured boats. +He is now full of expressions of concern about his wife, who is +within a month of having a child: and indeed his concern is +proper enough, but had he set off as was first agreed, he +might have been now in Calcutta. For my part, I feel +quite alone and a stranger in the midst of this large society. +Parson, you may have heard, is wishing to come here under +the idea, as he says, that I was going away, to leave Martyn +sinking under the duty. I had not thought of so doing; +but heartily glad shall I be to give place to him, as my own +strength is not likely to hold out long under the constant +duties of this station. The folly and dissipation of the +higher sort, cast me greatly down. How to deal with them, +I know not. The church was opened last Sunday, which +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span> +may give me more opportunities with them, than I should +otherwise have had. A few of the poor receive the word +gladly, and they are our joy and crown. Your opinion of +the Native boys, has caused me great disquietude. I was +convinced of danger as to their turning out well, but hoped +not quite so much as you describe. It has made me more +watchful over them: but I shall make a fair experiment with +them. I trust all your family are enjoying good health, and +as much comfort as this world of sin and sorrow will admit of.”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. H. MARTYN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 8, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Yours of the 3rd. from Allahabad, came only yesterday. +We were thankful to hear you had got so far in safety. I +received the enclosed also yesterday, and sent one or two +of less consequence for you to Calcutta. We had a very +large congregation yesterday, beside the morning service +with the 53rd. I have escaped with a severe head-ache this +morning; I trust to be quite well to-morrow. I called at +<span class="lock">R——‘s</span>, <span class="lock">G——‘s</span>, <span class="lock">E——‘s</span>, and <span class="lock">B——‘s</span> this morning, so +am making great progress in my work, I hope; though this +of calling is a very insignificant part of it. I have, since +you left, seen in the life of President Edwards, that he +thought ministers should consider their talent for conversation, +and, if they cannot improve conversation <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, should +stay at home. If I had the least pretension to his usefulness +in the closet, I should be inclined to dwell there. The +gateway to the church shall be put up as you wish; at +present we are busy making Sabat’s house sweet. I have +got the christian children close by the book-room, and hope +to have a watchful and effectual eye over them now.</p> + +<p>“I wrote to Mr. Brown on Thursday, and gave him a particular +account of my opinion of Sabat. I told him, what, +I fancy, I did not tell you in the former cover enclosing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span> +Mr. Brown’s, that on Sabat’s return from Lucknow, he expressed +great warmth about your going without him, and +the subject of your letter to Baillie. It seems he was sorely +hurt at your writing to Baillie on the subject; Baillie had +shewed him the letter, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> He wished me to side with him +in thinking you had treated him as a Hindoo, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> After +many words, I told him, that no other person I knew, would +have borne with him as you have done; and that all the +christians in Europe would think so, if the circumstances +were known. This stopped his violence; and during the few +remaining days he shewed great humiliation, and at parting +<i>seemed</i> much cast down. I hear he had been beating the +<i>dandees</i>,<a id="FNanchor_68" href="#Footnote_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> and they all ran away at Georgemow, but as I +have heard no more, suppose he got off somehow. The +Mirror is come this week as usual; when you arrive, be so +good as <a id="addword1"></a>to order it to come in my name, as I wish to continue +it. There have been enquiries respecting you, from everybody +I have seen, and as many kind wishes for your speedy +return in health.”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 10, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I sent off yesterday by banghee, a correct copy of the +Hindoostanee New Testament, for Martyn at your house; +he has one copy with him beside. I heard from him from +Allahabad on the 3rd., he was going on his way prosperously. +I have sent some letters that came here for him, +to meet him at Patna. Shepherd will be here in a few days. +He was to leave Meerut on the 1st. I have then the whole +range of the Doab.<a id="FNanchor_69" href="#Footnote_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> Our new church was opened, as I +told you, by Martyn, and we had a larger attendance on +Sunday last. The natives are greatly pleased with the bell; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span> +they argue for the antiquity and holiness of their own use of +bells in their temples, from the English also using them. +The Sherwoods are living next door, and have made a gate +into our garden. The continual calls of duty of one kind +or other, leave me very little time with them. I have got +the christian children within call of my window, and entirely +separated from the other parts of the premises. Mary talks +of beginning a school for native christian girls. She can +read the Persian character pretty readily, and we have a +promising half-caste boy, who will be her schoolmaster. We +are progressing, I think, both among the Europeans, and in +our little establishment for the natives; yet, I know not why, +my mind is almost always cast down and without hope. +The select meeting of the poor soldiers is a source of much, +and almost the only refreshment to me. I would desire +greatly to begin a meeting with the 8th Light Dragoons, +where many of the men are hopeful, but I fear my bodily +strength would sink under it, for as it is, I cannot keep +quite rid of a cough and other symptoms of weak lungs. I +know, however, that my Redeemer liveth,—let me quietly +leave all with him, and he will bring it to pass! When +will the chaplains Dr. B. mentioned, arrive? Simeon says, +he can get no chaplains to come out; even worldly men +dread our climate so much, they will not encounter it.”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> + +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_54" href="#FNanchor_54" class="label">[54]</a> +Owen, <abbr title="History">Hist.</abbr> of the Bible Society, <abbr title="Volume 2, pages">Vol. 2. pp.</abbr> 1-32.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_55" href="#FNanchor_55" class="label">[55]</a> +Alluding probably to the successes of Napoleon in Germany, +which terminated in the treaty of Schönbrun.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_56" href="#FNanchor_56" class="label">[56]</a> +Carrier.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_57" href="#FNanchor_57" class="label">[57]</a> +A kind of Police officer.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_58" href="#FNanchor_58" class="label">[58]</a> +Son of the late <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> T. Robinson, of Leicester.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_59" href="#FNanchor_59" class="label">[59]</a> +Pearson’s Memoirs of Dr. Buchanan, <abbr title="volume">vol.</abbr> 2. <abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 211.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_60" href="#FNanchor_60" class="label">[60]</a> +Named <a id="chg4"></a><i>Jounarain Ghoshaul</i>, a resident in Benares.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_61" href="#FNanchor_61" class="label">[61]</a> +Bill of Exchange.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_62" href="#FNanchor_62" class="label">[62]</a> +Mr. Corrie laid the first stone of this Church, on the morning +of Tuesday, April 29, 1810.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_63" href="#FNanchor_63" class="label">[63]</a> +A full account of this religious tumult is given in Bishop +Heber’s Journal.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_64" href="#FNanchor_64" class="label">[64]</a> +Hooker, “A remedy against Sorrow and Fear.”</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_65" href="#FNanchor_65" class="label">[65]</a> +Owen’s History of the Bible Society, <abbr title="volume two, pages">vol. ii. pp.</abbr> 14, 15.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_66" href="#FNanchor_66" class="label">[66]</a> +See Martyn’s Letter to Mr. Brown, dated <abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 10, 1810.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_67" href="#FNanchor_67" class="label">[67]</a> +The English resident at Lucknow.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_68" href="#FNanchor_68" class="label">[68]</a> +Native boatmen.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_69" href="#FNanchor_69" class="label">[69]</a> +The whole country lying between the rivers Ganges and <a id="chg5"></a>Tumna.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER <abbr title="Eight">VIII.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">RESIDENCE AT CAWNPORE.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">After</span> Mr. Martyn had taken his departure for +Calcutta, the clerical duties connected with Cawnpore +devolved upon Mr. Corrie. Some idea of the +varied and laborious nature of those duties will have +been gathered from the foregoing correspondence, +and will have been sufficient to explain the anxiety +with which the arrival in India of additional Chaplains +was made the subject of enquiry. Not the +least fatiguing portions of a Chaplain’s duty were +the long journeys he was repeatedly called on to make, +for the purpose of solemnizing marriages between +Europeans, and administering the Sacrament of +Baptism to their children. Two journeys of this +kind Mr. C. had to undertake within a month +after he had been in the sole charge of Cawnpore:—one +into Bundelcund, the other to Coel, distant at +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span> +least 200 miles up the country. In the latter journey +Mr. C. was accompanied by a young friend; and +under date of <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 20, remarks,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<span class="smcap">Coel.</span> Arrived here this morning, to marry a couple. I +have reason to be thankful that my pride, and angry feelings +have been more in subjection towards the servants this +journey. I have, however, to lament one instance of undue +anger; but, in general, their perverseness has not caused +the impatience and excitement as on former occasions; ‘be +not high-minded, but fear:’ ‘by faith ye stand.’ During +the journey to Mynpoorie, G., expressed, on the whole, +true christian conduct, love of the word of God, and prayer, +and often feeling impressions of his own unworthiness +before God, and the need of the Holy Spirit’s grace, to perfect +him in holiness; which, also, on Sunday evening, he +spoke of, as if he felt their comforting and sanctifying +power. May the Lord God, the Saviour, confirm, strengthen, +and establish him!</p> + +<p>“At Mynpoorie, the proposition for public worship was +readily entertained, and most of the station, (in all fifteen,) +attended at the judge’s house on Sunday. I preached on +the benefit of the scripture history, with some boldness, +and comfort to myself; and there was a great attention +given; and afterwards two baptisms.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It would seem from circumstances noticed in his +Journal, that in consequence of his declining to take +part in some frivolous amusements that were going +on at Coel, Mr. Corrie did not meet with that kindness +and social regard which he might naturally have expected; +and his affectionate spirit seems to have been +somewhat deeply wounded.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“O my God!” he observes, “I bless thee that thou +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span> +didst deign to look upon me, and to call me to the adoption +of a son, through the grace of Christ! I have said +unto my soul, ‘The Lord is my portion in the land of the +living.’ Why should a soul its thirst bemoan, who has a +fountain near? I would not take one step backward to conciliate +their [favour.] ‘Let them return to thee, but return +not thou to them.’ [Jerem. xv. 19.] My soul adores the divine +will in this command. No more would I go to the world. +I have observed much of late, what Newton expresses in the +hymn, ‘Prayer answered by crosses.’ I have been desiring +to be more dead to the world, and the Lord has been pleased +to make it bitter to me.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">His Journal then proceeds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Agra, <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 26th. Arrived here yesterday morning +from Coel. In the morning, on viewing the magnificent +remains of this city, I was not duly sensible of the vanity +of earthly glory. O that my mind were always alive to the +vanity of present things, in comparison of eternal!</p> + +<p>“In consequence of orders from Colonel B., the European +artillery, to the amount of four hundred, attended divine +service in the dewan. I stood on the marble slab which was +occupied formerly by the vizier, when handing up petitions +to the emperor, in the balcony above. Many of the officers +attended; I preached from Malachi iii. 18. I much fear +they did not understand me, but a general attention was +given: in the afternoon, I went out to Nonilla, and baptized +three children; several of the young officers attended, +and kneeled down very devoutly. My heart rejoiced, and +was raised to God for a blessing upon them. To all appearance, +they are such as our Lord, in the days of his flesh, +would have loved; my soul desires their salvation. Oh, that +the Lord would take them effectually in hand! Oh, the +depth of divine wisdom and knowledge! Alas, that these +engaging forms of human nature should be slaves of sin, +and so, objects of the divine displeasure. Just and righteous +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span> +are thy ways, O king of saints! Oh, how I ought to +praise God for the acceptance He gives me among men who +yet are by no means conformed to His word! Oh, may the +good Lord make them willing and obedient, that they may +be blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ; and, may +all their kindnesses be returned a hundred fold into their +bosoms!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Some further particulars of Mr. Corrie’s journey +up the country, as well as of his flock at Cawnpore, +are found in the following letter.</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. H. MARTYN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 21, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I returned last night from Muttra and Agra, and found +your’s of the 3rd instant.... If I were in Calcutta, I +should vote against your preaching every week. If you will +not take rest, dear brother, come away back, and understand, +if you can, from those in power, if I am to be permitted to +remain with you here, or not. At Agra there will be little +labour among the Europeans; some good, I suppose, might +be done among the native christians. I this time visited +the Roman Catholic place. The premises are large, but +every thing going to decay from the covetousness of Angelo. +There is a church of one long room, the roof arched, at the +east end a round recess, like the Mosques of the Mahomedans, +and a picture of the Virgin with a child half as large +as herself, over the high altar. At Agra we had no public +worship on Sunday; there was nobody in garrison, and the +Artillerymen were a far way off. Colonel M. sent after +me a draft for 1600 rupees!!! I suppose he meant to try, +whether a mighty bribe would not prevail to draw me from +our purpose.<a id="FNanchor_70" href="#Footnote_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a> I returned it with thanks, and have heard +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span> +no more of the matter. I have been with Captain P. who +commands the 53rd, and he will send to desire the Regiment +to be marched to Church on Sunday. I hear from C—, that +the society continues to walk in the fear of the Lord, and +are, I hope, multiplying in number. Some new members +are to be admitted to-night, I do not know how many. I +regret to hear, the man of the 8th. you remember, has been +behaving ill since I was here, yet there is one it seems, who +is disposed to come out from among them. He has been +often with C—, so I shall go down as I intended and fixed +with the schoolmaster of the 8th. though the above man was +the first encouragement, and must now be kept at a distance. +I should not forget to tell you, of dear Harrington’s continued +stedfastness, and attention to the men when I am +absent, which is no doubt one reason of their consistency. +S. has invited the religious men to a dinner on Christmas +day. They must be greatly comforted by these circumstances, +no longer constrained to hide themselves through +fear of man. We are all well, blessed be the Lord our Saviour. +May you increase in strength of body, and be +strengthened with all might by the Spirit in the inner man. +Love to all the saints. All here wish you grace, mercy, and +peace.</p> + +<p>“I shall proceed with all care with Mirza. There is no +fear of any further inconvenience. I have resisted; he has +submitted; we are now as before. I have not seen him to-day, +but will, (D. V.,) write fully about him in a few days.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Letters which Mr. Corrie addressed to Mr. Martyn +and Mr. Brown respectively, a week later than the +preceding date, give a pleasing account of the +state of the congregation at Cawnpore; and supply, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span> +also, a specimen of the difficulties with which the +earlier Missionary labourers in India had to contend, +in their efforts to secure translations of the Word of +God into the native languages.</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. H. MARTYN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 26, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Yesterday divine service was appointed at eleven. Few of +the soldiers came, but the body of the church was entirely +filled with the gentry. Colonel and Mrs. W. came, and +brought many of the officers of the 8th. The civilians too, +were all present. We had upwards of fifty at the Lord’s +table:—three complete tables. Among them the above and +Dr. M., Captain and Mrs. E., Mr. G. S. and Harrington of +the 53rd, with many of the soldiers beside the society.... +There were three more admitted to the society on Friday +night. On Sunday one part of the 53rd were marched to +Church. At two, I therefore went to the school-room of +the 8th, and about thirty came. One of them has lately +been several times to the Church: several of them were +disposed to be attentive. S. had a number of the religious +men at dinner. Harrington dined with us, and after dinner +we went over and staid awhile at S.’s. It was a very happy +time.... Mr. G. has been reading Newton on the Prophecies, +and has now Edwards on Redemption. This, with his +attendance yesterday, and general sobriety, looks well. Captain +G. and P. are both unwell; E. is better: I fear his impressions +are gone; B. has been unwell too; perhaps you do +not know him, he is an acquaintance since you left. Indeed, +I have seen them almost all, but have not been at the mess.</p> + +<p>“Yesterday I baptised my little boy by the name of Osman +Daniel.<a id="FNanchor_71" href="#Footnote_71" class="fnanchor">[71]</a> The child afterwards was reading the Gospels +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span> +almost all day. I have not shewn your <i>muvishtee</i> to Fitrut. +He has got to the end of Joshua, and does on an average +more than two chapters a day. Beside that without your +reviewing his work, it will be but little worth; and if he +were doing it by task work, it would be still more incorrect. +The first discontent he shewed was only the usual policy +of an Indian to try how far his influence extended; I took +no notice of it, but positively refused his demands; and for +two or three weeks made no inquiry after him, on which he +came entirely into the old plan. He comes every day, +and we translate a collect or two: and in this way I shall +have the Prayer book, as well as the Bible translated. We +have begun a little work of Mrs. Sherwood’s also, in the +manner of the Pilgrim’s Progress, which I tell him, he shall +receive some gratuity for doing. This seized upon him +instantly, and he would fain have taken the book with him; +but I would not allow that, lest the greater work be hindered.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Mr. Corrie’s private reflections on the religious +services mentioned above, were as follow:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“25th. [<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 1810] A large attendance at church, and +above fifty attended at the Lord’s table. O may their souls +be nourished by grace divine! My own heart all the morning +unfeeling and hard, during the whole of divine worship; +and at dinner on going to S.’s. to see their party of godly +men, and joining in a hymn with them, my soul melted +under a sense of the Lord’s grace and love to me. O may +this impression remain; and may its constraining influence +attend me! Prepare me for my evening work, O Lord the +Spirit, Amen!”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 26, 1810.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I send enclosed a letter to Martyn; if he is gone to sea, +you will peruse it, and send it after him. The account of +Fitrut and the translation, you are concerned in, as much as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span> +he is, and I shall give you an account of our progress from +time to time. We are all here very busy in one way or +other, but with all our bustle we should not be missed +if taken away from the face of the earth. I trust, however, +some seed is sowing, that may spring up another day. The +half-caste lad, I have had now a year, during which, not one +instance of misconduct has come to my hearing. Yesterday +he seriously devoted himself to the work of a Missionary, +after a free choice, on my part, given him, to be a writer, or +any thing else, I could serve him in. He has begun to-day +to learn Latin from Lieut. Harrington, who is teaching one +of the officer’s sons, and an orphan European boy, Latin. +He is now about eighteen; he is reading and writing Persian +too, and learning to translate into Hindoostanee his native +tongue. The other native boys make considerable proficiency. +I keep a strict hand over them.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the first day of the new year, Mr. Corrie +again wrote to Mr. Martyn, but it was chiefly about +private matters. The letter, however, to Mr. Brown, +which enclosed that to Mr. M. is of more general +interest.</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 1, 1811.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I send another note for Martyn. He tells me you must +wait for paper from England before you can print the Hindoostanee. +The late arrivals in our department are not favourable +specimens of their labours at Cambridge and Leadenhall street. +They are frightened, I fancy, by the Twinings,<a id="FNanchor_72" href="#Footnote_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>: but yet +what can they do if men will not offer themselves? During +my late journeys in these parts, I observed the idol-temples +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</span> +and the mosques, in most places falling to decay, and with +little appearance of being frequented. Here and there a +rich underling of some of the Company’s servants has retired +and built a pagoda to commemorate his ill-gotten wealth; +but in general, the spirit and fury of idolatry does not appear. +I have thought much, if the time were but come for +the labourers to enter in, the gospel would not fail to be +attended to. But where are the labourers? At best, I was +never but an under-servant, and now my hands are full of +Europeans: and the Company’s Chaplains will always be so, +unless there were more of them. May we have more of the +spirit of prayer, that the Lord may ‘give the word,’ and +then ‘great shall be the company of the preachers!’</p> + +<p>“I have very little comfort in the work of the ministry +among the Europeans. I consider it always a secondary +consideration, yet how to be doing it more for the heathen, I +know not. At Agra, I suppose there may be greater +opportunities; but Martyn will not hold up many months +under the duties of this station, so I hope to be continued +with him.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following extract from his Journal informs us +of Mr. Corrie’s private occupations and purposes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“January 2nd, 1811. I am much occupied in reading +Greek, and other exercises, tending, I hope, to mutual benefit +with H., but let me not deceive myself in fancying it all duty, +when it is all so agreeable. The children have made considerable +progress during the past year: as much as I could +expect. James has begun Latin, under the express idea of +becoming a teacher of others: and may he have grace to +give himself willingly to this work! I am very much taken up +with schemes for the furtherance of the gospel; but little is +yet done. The Europeans require more time and labour than +I have to give [to them.] Blessed be God for some success +among them. O may they [who fear God] increase in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</span> +number! During the year, my proficiency has been very +scanty: some knowledge of the history of this country, some +proficiency in Hindoostanee; the Hindoostanee catechism: +these are my chief employments, beside my ministry among +the Europeans. I purpose to be more in the study of these +languages, more in writing sermons, more attentive to the +children; to translate the Pilgrim’s Progress, the Prayer +book, and any other work that may be useful to the children. +Lord, direct my steps, and make me an instrument of good +for Jesus’ sake, Amen!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It will be recollected that, in consequence of a +sermon which Mr. Brown preached on New-year’s +day, 1810, an important effort was made to supply +the Christians of Tanjore with Bibles. Encouraged, +it would seem, by the success which attended +that effort, Mr. Martyn, whilst in Calcutta was +induced to occupy Mr. Brown’s pulpit on the 1st +of January, 1811, for the purpose of making “An +appeal on behalf of 900,000 Christians in India who +were in want of a Bible.” This Sermon not only +produced a lasting effect on those who heard it delivered, +but having been printed and widely circulated, +called forth among the Europeans in India, a +strong feeling of sympathy in behalf of the native +Christians, and contributed mainly towards the formation +of an Auxiliary Bible Society in Calcutta. +It is to these circumstances that allusion is made in +the following letter; although the Auxiliary Society +was not actually formed till the 21st of February.<a id="FNanchor_73" href="#Footnote_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span> + +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 28, 1811.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I am much pleased with the idea of an Auxiliary Bible +Society. I wonder the thought had not occurred before. +When we receive Martyn’s sermon I hope we shall be able to +get you help from this [place]. I have mentioned the +sermon in several places, and it will be read here with great +eagerness. We have no support from our new General: he +sets but a very indifferent example to the community, whilst +he is quiet and civil enough in private. ‘To the poor the +gospel is preached,’ and they receive it, though not in great +numbers.</p> + +<p>“I have had five long journeys since November, and expect +to go to Bareilly next week to attend two marriages. At +the other end of the cantonments I have lately begun to assemble +the Light Dragoons on a Thursday evening. At first +many came, and a few still continue to attend. Most of our +Hymn-books are distributed, and numbers of the Bibles, but +few of the New Testaments....</p> + +<p>“I am at present in very good health, and strong to labour. +We have service three times on Sundays, and on Wednesday, +Thursday, and Friday evenings. The distance between +the two European regiments, makes double labour, +but (blessed be God!) it is not labour in vain. And whilst +there is no service that could well be dispensed with I can do +nothing better than patiently ‘spend and be spent,’ while +strength remains. Even now the hospitals are sadly neglected, +but the godly men, and especially Harrington, supply +the lack with great diligence.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Of the journey to Bareilly (about 170 miles distant +from Cawnpore) there is a short notice in Mr. C’s +Journal, dated,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“February 21st. I have had a journey to Bareilly. H. +went with me to Futtyghur. I have reason to bless God for +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span> +preservation from angry tempers during the journey, and +for the much sweet converse I had with H. In riding +along, our manner was to read a sentence from a book, and +to converse upon it; or sing a hymn. In this way weariness +was prevented, and my heart often burned within me. Let +me however watch and pray that the things which I have +wrought be not lost. O, may I never be suffered to faint or +grow weary in the heavenly way! My inward frame and +spirit is sadly prone to this. I have to drag this ‘body of +sin’ along with me. How often would my spirit sit down +to rest; or, wearied with the constant load, yield to the +death! Lord, preserve and uphold me to the end! Amen.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">During the two months following the date of this +extract, Mr. Corrie was chiefly occupied with the +ordinary clerical duties at Cawnpore. Besides these +however, he did not cease to employ himself in urging +on the translation of the Old Testament into Hindoostanee, +which Mirza Fitrut had commenced under +the superintendence of Mr. Martyn; and Mr. C’s correspondence +about this time shews him, also, to have +been actively engaged in furthering the objects contemplated +by the Calcutta Bible Society, and in +collecting subscriptions for it. Thus in a letter to +Mr. Brown, Mr. C. observes,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“April 8, 1811.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I wrote to Fitrut on the receipt of your last. He sends +word, that he is unwell, but will come over soon. I expect +him daily, but suppose he will raise obstacles. The copy +of Martyn’s sermon which Mr. T. sent me, has not been at +home a day since it arrived. Applications from all hands +are daily made for it. The people are astonished at the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</span> +<i>number</i> of Christians in India. Whilst they have been objecting +to conversion, behold a harvest is already gathered! +I have the promise of many subscriptions, chiefly, indeed, +from those who have not much to give; but till I can tell +them all about you in Calcutta, I know not exactly on what +ground to ask for subscriptions.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And, again, in a letter to Mr. Brown, during the +same month<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“By Fitrut’s desire I send you the enclosed. Before +it arrives, you will have determined on his request. He is +now ready to set off, but that I do not choose absolutely to +promise the increase of salary he wishes for. In the meantime, +he is going on translating, and he comes every morning +for an hour or two, to superintend my translations also. +No <i>banghy</i> has yet arrived with sermon <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, but Col. P. +has written to Lieut. L., assistant commissary here, requesting +his aid and exertions for the Bible Society. He sent +a sermon and a copy of the proceedings, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr><a id="FNanchor_74" href="#Footnote_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> Mr. Lumsdaine, +accordingly, is getting subscriptions from his friends. +The general has given 200 rupees, and the plan of the society +is generally approved. The public attention has been +greatly excited, and our friends here thought it advisable to +give the subject all the publicity possible; so yesterday, I +gave notice from the pulpit, that on Sunday next, I shall +preach a sermon on the subject of the Holy Scriptures, and state +the views of the society lately formed in Calcutta, in aid of +the British and Foreign Bible Society in London, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> I had +before waited on Mr. L. and agreed to act in concert. +Thus, more advantage to the cause is likely to arise than we +ever hoped for; we want only copies of proceedings, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, +to gratify the attention thus far excited, before it subsides.</p> + +<p>“The religious men of the 53rd., I understand, mean to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</span> +give each a month’s pay. They say, they have before been +called upon for a month’s pay, to help to carry on the war, +much more will they contribute ‘to the help of the Lord +against the mighty.’ I have great reason for thankfulness +for the acceptance the word of God has among us. The +church is usually crowded in the part allotted to the gentry, +and our societies increase considerably. Even the wild Irish +Roman Catholics of the 8th Light Dragoons, pay great attention, +and the Thursday evenings attendance increases. +A sergeant, his wife, and several others of them, appear in good +earnest seeking salvation. The Company’s Europeans are +the least attentive, and indeed, with a few exceptions, the +Company’s officers are the least constant at church. I have +a Hindoostanee congregation of nine, every morning, and +am going through the Epistles with them. The half-caste +lad I have mentioned, has began to read to them. He continues +to give good hope that his heart is in the work; and +the children also, continue improving. I am often greatly +exhausted from the frequent public services, and feel often +much inward weakness. Should I ever be relieved from +this, I would try to get to sea for a few weeks, just recruit +strength, and prevent the frame from giving way entirely. +I have many thoughts about Benares; if you send the copies +of proceedings to E., I fear he will never distribute them. +You should send some to Robinson. I am desirous to see +the proceedings of Martyn, when you can spare his letter. +You cannot suppose how widowed I feel from his absence.... +Mr. Y. tells me there is a Bible Depository in Calcutta. +Who has the charge of it? I have been applied to +for information about it, but could give none.... To-day, +I have a letter from Martyn dated 19th March, ‘Bombay,’ +containing extracts from Simeon, on <i>not</i> taking fees, +far more pointed than his cautions to P.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">But assiduously occupied as Mr. Corrie thus appears +to have been in furthering every plan that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span> +promised to yield moral benefit to his fellow-men, he +was nevertheless alive, at the time, to the importance +of watching over the state of religion in his own +soul. On the anniversary of his birth-day he +writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“April 10th. This day I am thirty-four. It was the +night I heard of my mother’s death, February 1798, that +I first remember my resolutions made to be religious. Till +the summer of 1801, I went on sinning and repenting, as +I thought; but quite ignorant of the author and finisher of +salvation. In the latter end of that year, my views of scripture +truth became more distinct; and, since then, I have gone on +my way, ‘looking unto Jesus;’ but every year has brought +me, it should seem, only experience of my own depravity. +True, I have experience of ‘the Lord’s mercy,’ too, in that +I am ‘not consumed;’ and the fulness, freeness, and efficacy +of the ‘fountain opened’ to purify my guilty soul is so +fully known to my soul, and my own hope in that ‘blood +shed for the remission of sins,’ so stayed, that my own +guilt does not dismay me, as it otherwise might well do: at +the same time, one propensity after another to evil starts +up so unavoidably, that doubtless, my soul is ‘full of +wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores:’ to Thee, therefore, +O divine Physician, do I turn my fainting eyes. I +come to Thee for healing, that it would please Thee to cast +the salt of Thy grace into this impure fountain, that the +streams may be purified from the noxious qualities, which +now render unfruitful the whole field of the soul. O Lord, +I pray that the overflowings of sin may be restrained; +teach me to watch and pray; quicken me to diligence in this +work, and service; enable me to ‘give attendance to reading, +to exhortation, to doctrine;’ to ‘give myself wholly to +them, that my profiting may appear’ in the edification of +thy people, through the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span> +“June 10th. This day nine years ago, I was ordained a +deacon; and on the twelfth of June, two years after, a priest. +I have sinned grievously in respect of personal holiness; and, +during the last year, also, I fear, as much as ever. I know +not what to do against my strong foe, ‘whose name is legion.’ +The Lord knows I purpose perpetual enmity with every sin; +and, I think, if it were the will of God to take away every +disposition to evil, I should rejoice; but, at the same time, +should require such measures of grace to keep me humble, +as seem out of the way of God’s usual method to bestow. +Indeed, when I feel such a disposition to self-importance in +a very short time, if my evil dispositions are quiet, what +devilish pride should I not be puffed up with, if my heart +were freed from corruption. Blessed be God, I can say, +that no sin hath dominion over me; yet do I not justify +myself: though I am often surprised, and get a spiritual fall, +yet the enemy cannot keep me down: by faith I rise, by +faith I stand; and ‘in the Lord have I righteousness and +strength.’ I have been at Cawnpore about a year; and +since October have had the whole charge: ten are added to +the (religious) society since then; and several are enquiring +after the ways of godliness. Some of the light dragoons, +(especially sergeant R.) are, I hope, seriously impressed. +Gracious God, I praise Thee for these fruits! I have +to mourn my unprofitableness among the better sort. I +think I am not suited to do good by much visiting, and, +therefore, stay at home. I have been employed a great deal +in translating for the children; and Nicholas is very hopeful: +these in all are six, besides those who came yesterday. +God of all grace, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give +me a larger portion of the Holy Spirit’s grace: make me +holy in body, soul, and spirit; ‘holiness becometh thy +house.’ O Lord, my soul is athirst for holiness. Teach +me how to preach holiness through the Spirit, and by the +Saviour! But, I am forbidden by the doctors to preach, on +account of this liver. May I pray the more for the souls +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span> +around me: O for a spirit of grace and supplication! To +Thee, O Lord, have I dedicated myself; at thy table, yesterday, +did I give myself away to Thee; and, though the +watchful enemy robbed me of part of the benefit, yet, I +know, thou hast accepted me: Thou didst sit at thine own +table; it was a season of refreshment to many, as well as to +myself; about fifty attended; in the evening, a large congregation. +I hope soon to establish worship for the Hindoostanees; +James, I trust, is fully bent on this work, +though he has a good deal of youthful levity about him. +Lord, bless all my flock, my dear family, and friends! Bless +my soul, O Lord, and let my soul praise Thee at all times!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following letter to Mr. Simeon, whilst giving +a general outline of the religious condition of Cawnpore, +as presented during Mr. Corrie’s ministrations +at that station, explains also, the lofty, self-denying +principle on which both Mr. Martyn and himself +had decided to waive the accepting of any fee for the +celebration of marriages, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, June 4, 1811.<br> +</p> + +<p>“As your Indian friends are, at this time, widely +separated, I shall not be likely to trouble you with repetition +of intelligence from this quarter, and I know you will +take part in the hopes and fears attending the work of the +ministry in this place. You will, I hope, hear from Mr. +Martyn himself from Persia; the last I heard of him was +from Bombay, March 19th. He had benefited little, or +nothing, from the change. Since his departure, I have had +much encouragement in my work. I began with a very discouraging +impression of my unfitness to stand up in his +place, but the word delivered in weakness, has been attended +with power to several. Ten have been added to the religious +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span> +society, and several are on probation, in one of the European +Regiments; in the other, some good has been done, and +even from among the Company’s Artillery-men (surely the +most hardened against all good, of any set of men I ever +saw) five are become regular attendants at the Lord’s Table. +We might have hoped for more abundant fruit; but that it +was the Divine will I should be laid up a third time with +the liver, and obliged to desist from all labour but the Sunday’s +duty. I am now so affected with mercury, that I cannot +appear next Sunday, but I am happy to say, that for +several days the pains have left me, and I trust the disease +has subsided. I hope the life, thus repeatedly renewed to +me, will be more than ever devoted to the work of the ministry, +for truly I find no life like living to Christ. His +service is perfect freedom and a great reward!</p> + +<p>“My absence from the Irish regiment has been most felt; as +in the English regiment, one of the officers, a nephew of +the late Dr. Elliston of Sidney College, has supplied my lack +of service, by reading <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, having ‘first given himself unto the +Lord.’ We have every Wednesday evening a party of friends, +who take sweet counsel together. It consists, when altogether, +of a Lieutenant of Dragoons and his wife, the Paymaster of +the 53rd and his wife, an Assistant Surgeon, the above +Lieutenant, my sister, and a young lady who is living with +her; we sometimes have beside, another Surgeon and his +lady, who have been brought up among religious people; an +officer on the staff here, and, now and then, a friend from +the country; and there are others, who approve and are +hopeful, though they do not yet care to come out from the +world. When we thus happily meet, we are encouraged to +think, the whole world must speedily bow before the word of +the Lord; but, alas, we return again with the complaint of +Melancthon. The multitude, alas, tread heedlessly the broad +way!</p> + +<p>“You will know of the formation of an Auxiliary Bible +society in Calcutta. It has raised ‘no small stir about that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span> +way.’ Here we have had good success, but the enemy also +has been at work. My application to the Commander of +one of the corps here, was yesterday returned, with many +concessions as to the purity of our motives, but representing +this new association as the most dangerous thing imaginable, +and praying me, and others, to desist from promoting the +objects of it. In two entire regiments, out of the five, we have +been thus hindered, but blessed be God, we have a majority, +even in point of numbers. One undeniable benefit has arisen +from it, even to the English; for after a sermon I preached +on the subject, April 28th, we had a greater number of applications +for English Bibles, than for many months together +before.</p> + +<p>“During this month my school of Christian boys has increased +to nine. I hear them myself twice a day, and find +they learn even quicker than many English boys. Some of +the parents, seeing how desirous I am to retain these +children at school, plague me not a little for money to support +themselves also, saying they must otherwise remove to +some other place, and take their children with them. The +Christian man I left at Chunar, has within these few days +arrived here, having left his charge. The house I fitted up, +is still used for public worship by the Europeans, but no +one pities my poor black flock, so they are again left in the +wide wilderness. A few of them, who have, I trust been +made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted of the +good word of God, attend the service in English, though +they understand nothing of what is said, yet they hear the +name of ‘<i>Jesu Kreesht</i>,’ and, that, they say, ‘is pleasure.’ +At this place there are many Christians of Portuguese descent, +but, in language and manners, quite Hindoostanees. +Through two of my Christian people, who, I trust, are real +Christians, a desire has been excited among them for hearing +and reading the Scriptures. The youth I have mentioned, +of European descent, is with me still, and very promising. +I hope to establish worship in Hindoostanee, in a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span> +month’s time, for the above native christians here, and to +make this lad officiate. If I were able to officiate myself, I +would not set him so forward yet, but our friends here advise +that, considering the difficulty of again putting affairs in +the train they now are, we had better secure the present +opportunity, and hope and pray that the Lord will be with +us, till Martyn’s return, when he will find the way he had +prepared, somewhat carried forward, and may enlarge it +after, as he judges proper. He had addressed himself to the +multitude at large who used to assemble every Sunday evening, +on his lawn, till his health and strength were exhausted. +My health and strength have been brought nearly as low, +though I have a stronger constitution to renew upon; so I set +the above servants to work at the houses of individual Christians, +and now hope to establish a small congregation from +among them, against our brother’s return.</p> + +<p>“From Bombay, M. sent me a part of a letter of your’s, +on the subject of fees, which he desired me to consider. I +beg leave to state a few particulars on that subject for your +information. First, all in the army, below the rank of +Captain, are obliged to use the strictest economy, in order +to maintain a family. A Captain may live without care, +but, if it be considered that he must send his children +to England for education, it will be easily believed, that +every married military man, who has a family, is likely +to be poor to the end of his service, with the exception of +a few, who get staff-appointments, and they are almost the +only ones who are ever able to return home. When we +are sent for to a distance, the expences of travelling are +paid by the parties, which usually costs from forty to sixty +pounds. It is usually the younger officers who marry, for +the old ones almost all live in sin: and indeed from the above +circumstances, together with the few opportunities of religious +instruction, most of the young ones too; and some +have told me plainly, that they could get nobody to marry +them, and if they could, they had not money to give, as was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span> +usually expected by the Chaplains. For these causes, from +the first, I wished to decline being an obstacle in the +way of any. Sometimes young men marry the daughters +of old Indians by native mothers, but though the father +could often give a fee in this case, he has himself sacrificed +conscience to money, and thinks any one would do the same, +and how are we to convince him to the contrary, but by refusing +his money? The civilians who marry, are also usually of +the younger part, and have nothing to spare without borrowing, +which they can do indeed too easily. The elder +civilians are altogether as preposterously paid to excess, and +indeed there are very few of them, who are not in consequence, +so vain, and carry themselves so high, that I know +not how we can shew them the folly of trusting in +these things, but by refusing the opportunities of obtaining +them. On this head, there will he difference of opinion, +but my humble judgment is, to renounce the fee, to convince +them by all possible means, that a man’s life consisteth not +in these things. In so doing, we are not injuring our +successor, because he has a sufficiency of income for all the +purposes that his station in life can require. I suppose you +do not care whether we be able to keep a carriage, or not, +if we should ever return; and suppose we save but enough +to pay our passage to England, the retiring pension is an +abundant provision for our necessities. I suppose, that +even a chaplain marries, and has children, then even he has +plenty to educate them, though his usefulness here may be +thereby confined, and in what situation would it not be so? +I see no motive for receiving fees that ought to be entertained +a moment, but that of taking them to give to the +poor, and such has been the state of things among the +British here hitherto, that the mention of such a motive +would have excited derision, as mere hypocrisy. It has +never been conceived, that a man came to India, except to +make money. After all, dear Sir, we have no such thing +as a regular fee; we are military chaplains, and the general +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span> +could order us to officiate, in any part of the district, there +being no legal impediment: <i>you</i> can recover the accustomed +offering by law; <i>we</i> have no law on the subject, nor do the +soldiers ever, on any occasion, offer a fee. We have indeed +custom on our side, but it is a custom that has made the +name of Chaplain an offence. Would government but appoint +a regular supply of Chaplains, and let any reasonable +fee be appointed, for occasional duties, as a part of their +subsistence, it would be well. O, I wish that some of the +young men around you, did but see the different stations +of India, where numbers of their countrymen are actually +falling into the jaws of infidelity and deism, for the want of +some one merely to remind them of the customs and +opinions of their native land. They come out boys; they leave +the Sabbath and public worship behind them; they straightway +fall into sinful habits, and grow to argue for that, which +they would once have blushed to mention. But what, if the +young clergy knew, and pitied, and were willing to come +over and help us, what could they do whilst the way is shut +against them? Consider, this district contains, I know +not the exact number, but I know twelve subordinate stations, +at each of which, there will be from twenty to forty +English and native Christians in the Company’s service; at +Allahabad, one hundred miles to the east, there are about +two hundred Europeans alone; at Futtyghur eighty miles +to the west, there are at least as many, and at Bareilly not +much less than a hundred. To these places, the Chaplain +of Cawnpore must go, to celebrate marriages, for this is the +only duty he cannot be dispensed with for; but as to all +other religious services, they are left entirely destitute, and +from the long habits of indifference they have been in, +it is not always, even when we do go, that we can have +public worship. O, dear Sir, ought the immense revenues +of this fruitful land to be wholly appropriated to the purposes +of merchandize! Ought the souls of our own countrymen, +not to speak of the natives, to be weighed in the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span> +balance against bales of silk and cotton! Surely this system +will have an end!</p> + +<p>“Mr. Thomason was so kind as to send me some Christian +Observers, with the paper war with the Christian +Advocate.<a id="FNanchor_75" href="#Footnote_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> These are exceedingly interesting to us, and +you cannot confer a greater favour, than by forwarding to +this country, supplies of Christian Guardians, Eclectic Reviews, +Christian Observers, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> We can lend them about, +they are read with avidity, and excite much conversation +about religious books.</p> + +<p>“I hope this will find you renewed in the outer, as well +as in the inner man. The Lord can send by whom he +will, but my soul would mourn to hear, that that candlestick, +which was the means of guiding me into divine +light and peace, was removed from Cambridge. May your +latter days, dearest Sir, be more blessed than the former, +and when heart and strength shall fail, may you have the +assurance in your own soul, that God is the strength of +your heart, as well as the portion you have chosen for ever!</p> + +<p>“If there were to be a quantity of copies of the Christian +Guardian sent out yearly, they would be eagerly purchased +by the religious soldiers, and would be highly useful. The +Christian Observer is above their modes of thinking.</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_70" href="#FNanchor_70" class="label">[70]</a> +Mr. Martyn and Mr. Corrie had agreed to decline all fees for +the solemnizing of marriages, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> The reasons for their decision on +that matter are given at length in a letter to Mr. Simeon, dated +June 14, 1811.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_71" href="#FNanchor_71" class="label">[71]</a> +A little boy who was rescued from death, during a famine, and +brought up by Mr. C.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_72" href="#FNanchor_72" class="label">[72]</a> +Twining was the name of the gentleman who was for expelling +all Missionaries from India. See above <a href="#Page_119"><abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 119.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_73" href="#FNanchor_73" class="label">[73]</a> +History of the Bible Society, <abbr title="volume two, pages">vol. ii. pp.</abbr> 108, and seq.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_74" href="#FNanchor_74" class="label">[74]</a> +The Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society printed 1000 copies of the +first six Reports of the Parent Society, for circulation in India.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_75" href="#FNanchor_75" class="label">[75]</a> +Dr. E. Pearson, Master of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, +between whom and Mr. Simeon, some Pamphlets were exchanged +on the subject of Mr. Simeon’s preaching.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER <abbr title="Nine">IX.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">CAWNPORE—COEL—RETURN TO CALCUTTA.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">The</span> illness which Mr. Corrie mentions in the foregoing +letter, as having ‘obliged him to desist from +all labour, except the Sunday duty,’ now continued +to increase upon him; so that, in the beginning of +July he was not only laid aside from duty, but confined +to the house. From his Journal it appears, +also, that he suffered greatly from the exhaustion +consequent on fever; and that he was much harassed +by impatience and a nervous irritability of temper. +Added to this, Mr. C., states himself to have been +distressed by the ‘mournful view,’ which his mind +took ‘of the desolate state of professing Christians +in India, scattered as sheep upon the hills.’ With +the hope, therefore, of recruiting both health and +spirits, he spent a fortnight or more on the river. +His correspondence at the same time, shews that the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span> +pressure of bodily sickness did not prevent Mr. C., +from occupying his mind with plans for the permanent +welfare of India.</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, July 11, 1811.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Since I wrote to you, I have been entirely laid aside. +A fever seized me, and I thought I was following Des Granges;<a id="FNanchor_76" href="#Footnote_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a> +but after some days, through divine mercy, it left +me, exceedingly weakened, so that although now, in my +own opinion, able to officiate in public, those about me will +not let me.</p> + +<p>“I had a letter from Martyn, dated 24th. April, at Muscat. +He gets no stronger, I fear; but you will have heard from +him yourself: I begin greatly to wish him back again. Since +I have been confined to the house, Mr. Sherwood and Mr. +Harrington have, in turns, read to the people in church of +an evening. I am much gratified by this help; it relieves +my mind greatly. At the same time the numbers fall off. +The <i>preaching</i> of the Cross is the usual means of salvation. +I am well aware that none of my sermons can be compared +with those they read, in point of composition, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> and yet +the people go to sleep under them; and those who shewed +some love begin to ‘wax cold.’ I wish, therefore, to renew +my public work, that ‘through the foolishness of preaching,’ +some may believe and be saved.</p> + +<p>“My Moonshee, as you will expect, is on the way to Serampore, +he left this [place] near a fortnight ago. Fitrut +alarmed him greatly at last, by telling him that he knows +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</span> +Sabat is his great enemy, and that nothing but disgrace and +loss of character will ensue to him. Fitrut is himself gone +to Lucknow, he is at work on the Psalms, having passed +by Esther and Job; he has given in as far as the 37th. +The translation is, in general, very excellent. I hope that +the Psalms, when properly corrected, will be printed separately; +no good will be done to any extent, till the Scriptures +are printed; therefore, God be thanked for the Calcutta +Auxiliary Bible Society! Y. told me of the opposition +to the measure at Madras. ‘It must needs be that offences +come, but woe to that man by whom they come.’ I expect +there will be a ‘Hue and Cry’ raised by the opposers at +home to this society: but it is founded on a rock.</p> + +<p>“I have been thinking much about a representation being +made to somebody or other at home, (perhaps the Archbishop +of Canterbury), on the subject of the want of Chaplains in +India. As everything is in a state of tranquillity here, and +the revenues [are] flourishing, perhaps it might be attended +to. At Allahabad there ought to be a Chaplain, and at +Futtyghur, and at Rewaree and Kurnaul. At Allahabad +there are always two companies of Artillery, and a large +society besides; and at Rewaree, and Kurnaul about the +same. At Futtyghur, one company, and a large society of +Commissioners, Civilians, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> And at Benares, there is +certainly need of a chaplain; there should also, at Cawnpore +and Chunar, be one King’s chaplain, at least at each station, +or an additional Company’s chaplain. I am told how little +likely such a representation would be to produce the desired +effect, but there is no saying. If you, the senior, were to +draw up and sign something of this kind, and send it to the +juniors for their signatures, it appears to me, it would certainly +be attended to, especially if the King should recover, +and the present ministers remain in office.</p> + +<p>“15th. on the river. I have been so out of spirits as not +to be able to write to you as I could wish, so delayed sending +off this. I ought not however to detain the Society’s money. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</span> +I fear a voyage to sea will be necessary to get me quite well. +I was reduced so much that the doctors made me leave off +mercury; but they talk of making me begin again to use it, +three times a day. They say, there is little or no danger in +the complaint; it may be so, but I would have my ‘loins +girded about’ and my ‘lamp burning.’ I lament the falling +off of the people at church, whilst I rejoice I am much comforted +by the faith and love of the helpers supplied to me.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">But notwithstanding the means used by Mr. Corrie +for the recovery of his health, it pleased God +still to afflict him. The medical men accordingly +continued to prohibit his performance of any public +duty for at least six weeks or more. During this +cessation from duty, he took advantage of a summons +to marry a couple at Coel, to perform the +greater part of the journey to that place by boat on +the river, and purposed to spend a short time at Coel +for the benefit of change of air. Many days, however, +had not passed over before Mr. C. took cold, +and his ‘frame began to sink and his spirits to languish.’ +He therefore decided on returning to Cawnpore, +and proposed taking Agra in his way, having +been engaged to solemnize a marriage there. But +before he reached Agra, the fever returned upon +him with great violence, so that he was detained on +the road and reduced to a state of extreme debility. +Some account of this journey is given in a letter.</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</span> + +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Coel, August 27, 1811.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I made a journey by water to this neighbourhood, and +then by <i>dawk</i> to this place. We convened the settlement +for public worship on Sunday, and had evening service with +the family. They are very kind to me, and I hope I help to +remove the prejudices of some against the cause we wish to +serve, by bringing before them sometimes the other side of +the question about missions. The commanding officer here +is an intelligent man; he favours the Bible Society, as you +will know. I have lent him a copy of Martyn’s Hindoostanee +New Testament: he says that he will have it copied +and sent to the Portuguese, drummers, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> He is somewhat +acquainted with Persian and Arabic, and expresses himself +gratified by what he has seen of the translation.</p> + +<p>“I ought to have written to Moonshee before this, but for +a month I have not been near a post-office, except just in +passing Futtyghur. I am greatly benefited by change of air, +and hope my little flock are suffering no lack, through the +kindness of Harrington and Sherwood. But I fear staying +away longer than needful, and am now anxious to be at +Cawnpore.</p> + +<p>“Agra, Saturday, 31st. I have had a severe attack of illness, +which laid me up on the road to this [place]. A whole +day I was in a wretched Bazaar, and learned something of +the value of home and friends to a sick man. But my mind +was undisturbed.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“Lord, I believe thou hast prepared,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Unworthy though I be,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">For me a blood-bought, free, reward</div> + <div class="verse indent0">A golden harp for me.”</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>“I am confined to Colonel Bowie’s quarters, and was only +just able last night to marry the young people. I am sorry +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span> +to find the Bible Society has been so little encouraged here; +but I cannot go out to see people on the subject. The surgeon +here tells me, I must go to sea.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Yet after a few days repose, added to God’s blessing +on the kind attentions of his host at Agra, +Mr. Corrie was sufficiently recovered to allow of his +proceeding on his journey, and before his arrival at +Cawnpore he found himself much recruited in +strength. As, however, he seems now to have been +convinced, that his illness was chiefly to be attributed +to the frequency of his preaching; Mr. C. +considered it to be his duty to resolve to be more +careful in that respect for the future. Still, with reference +to that matter he remarks in his Journal<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I trust it is with a single eye to future usefulness that I +purpose to be more careful of my health, and to be less +engaged in preaching.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">But when he was again settled among his flock +at Cawnpore, Mr. C’s purpose to be “less engaged +in preaching,” was but partially carried into effect. +He writes, for example, under date of</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“18th. <abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> [1811.] I have been thinking of three +separate courses of sermons. First, for Sunday mornings: +to begin with man’s ruin; justification; illumination; separation +from the world; progress in the ‘fruits of the Spirit.’ +Secondly, for the Wednesday evenings: a view of the church +of Christ; its establishment; progress; and final triumph +in the world, notwithstanding the opposition of Satan: a +course from <abbr title="Matthew 16">Matt. xvi.</abbr> 18., on the plan of Edward’s History +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span> +of Redemption. Thirdly: to translate into Hindoostanee, +to be read by James to the Hindoostanees, a Commentary +on Genesis i: on the original state of man; the fall; the +promise in succession, on to the history of our Lord in +the gospels.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And, again, in a letter:</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 10, 1811.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I could put twenty copies of the New Testament into +immediate use, and we go on very lamely without them. +Writing is slow, incorrect, and expensive. Nothing will +be done to purpose, till we get printed copies in abundance. +Three of the pious soldiers are learning Hindoostanee, that +they may, as they say, be able to exhort the heathen. One +of them is a superior young man, and very humble and unobtrusive. +He has long wished to be able to talk with the +Brahmins at a certain pagoda, near the river, where he goes +often; and purposes reading the New Testament to them, +when he can get one.<a id="FNanchor_77" href="#Footnote_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a></p> + +<p>“The Lord adds to us one by one, according to his promise. +Since my return, three have joined the society, and +all walk orderly. Our Hindoostanee worship was well attended +last Sunday. Moonshee Fitrut is come back from +Lucknow; he yesterday gave me the 21st. chapter of Proverbs, +the Old Testament is completed so far. I have given +him a place of abode on the premises, and done every thing +to induce him to go on quietly. This work will, I hope, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span> +be done in three or four months; and, please God to spare +Martyn to put the finishing hand to it, will be the greatest +work, as to utility, ever accomplished on this side <a id="addword2"></a>of India.</p> + +<p>“Beside my other employments, I have now to translate +from Henry’s Commentary on Genesis, which serves as a +Hindoostanee sermon on Sundays. I know nothing else +you will desire to hear of, from this [place.] The miserable +squabbles which disgust the world at this place, I am happy +to know little about. Happy privilege to be ‘redeemed +from a vain conversation,’—to be delivered ‘from the present +evil world!’ O, for more power to proclaim aloud the year +of release! My strength increases, but not a third in the +way of public duty is done, that might be done. I preach +twice on Sundays, and on Wednesday evening; and meet +the society on Fridays. I hope to begin my weekly meeting +with the Dragoons on Thursday next: but I believe it +would be right for me to leave off, in that case, my present +Wednesday evening engagement. But the three hospitals +are sadly neglected; I can only visit those who are very ill. +I dare not preach in the wards: my breast and side are on +fire this morning, from last night’s exertion. Yet, the cold +season being set in, increases my strength, and I have no +expectation but of doing well enough, until the heat +commences again.</p> + +<p>“We have had lately a remarkable instance of the freeness +and fulness of redeeming love, in the case of a soldier’s +wife, who died here. I am collecting a few particulars +which I may send you.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The “particulars” here referred to, do not occur +in Mr. C’s correspondence or Journal; but a notice +of an interview he had with a dying soldier a short +time before the preceding letter was written, may +not be <span class="lock">omitted:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span> + +<p>“Yesterday evening I went to the hospital, to visit J. +He has been ill some time. He considers himself in a decline, +and indeed, seems to be so; he began by saying, that +‘he felt very composed in his mind, looked upon the world +as done with, and no longer any thing to him, and would +be happy, if it were the Lord’s will to take him to Himself.’ +I asked him when he supposed the Lord began to make him +a partaker of His grace? He said, ‘it was at Chunar he +first began to consider, and there he became somewhat enlightened, +but lately his mind had become more confirmed +and strengthened.’ Not wishing him to be deceived, I reminded +him of some improprieties since he left Chunar: +he acknowledged ‘that he had been often led astray, and +found his heart often going wrong; but for these things he +was heartily sorry, and hoped by the grace of God to prevail +against them: indeed, for some months past, he had been +more alive to religion than ever.’ I asked him the ground +of a sinner’s hope towards God: he replied with some cheerfulness, +‘only the Lord Jesus Christ.’ I asked what he +expected Christ would do for him: he said, ‘to save him, +and make him a partaker of salvation with the saints in +glory.’ I pointed out the meaning of the word ‘saint,’ and +asked him ‘if he considered that Christ, if he saved us, +would make us holy, and that heaven was the enjoyment of +a holy God, and therefore, a happy place.’ He said ‘that +even now he was happy only when sin was subdued within +him; and to be freed from sin in heaven, would be complete +happiness.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Amid labours such as these, Mr. Corrie writes:</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 30, 1811.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I am recovering from an illness, that has nearly laid me +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span> +aside, ever since the 24th of April last. The Lord my +healer, I hope I may say, renews my spiritual strength, +as the outer man is brought low. It was brought on by +undue previous exertion. I trust I am taught that this is +not the Lord’s will. Without a miracle, we cannot hope +our flocks will be fed with the bread of life after our decease; +to abide with them is, therefore, most desirable, and +to use the means for preserving health to minister among +them, necessary.</p> + +<p>“You will have heard of the establishment of an Auxiliary +Bible Society in Calcutta. Doubtless the night has passed +away, and the true light is now arising upon India. Mr. +Martyn is gone for change of air, hoping to recover health, +and, perhaps, avoid the threatened beginning of a consumption: +he was at Shiraz, in Persia, on the 26th of June; and +is at work on a Persian translation of the New Testament. +His translation of the New Testament into Hindoostanee, +is just put to the press; we greatly long for this work to +appear. You know, he was assisted by a learned native,<a id="FNanchor_78" href="#Footnote_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> +who passed six years in England, and is well acquainted +with the English language also. The translation of the +Baptist missionaries into Hindoostanee, is really too defective +to be useful to any extent. You will not accuse me of +depreciating their labours: ‘I speak the truth in Christ.’ +I have the greater part of their work. The Christians +about me lay it aside, and prefer the parts of scripture they +have of Martyn’s translation.</p> + +<p>“The above [mentioned] learned native is living on our +premises, and goes on translating the Old Testament; in +any difficult passage he consults me about the meaning. He +has translated to Isaiah, and is now engaged on that book. +This work, please God to spare Martyn to come back to +correct it by the Hebrew, will be a glorious work for Hindoostan +Proper. This part of India is still without a +translation, except that of the Baptist missionaries. Two +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span> +of these missionaries have gone to Agra: I was there lately +and saw them; they had not then got quite settled. The +natives of that quarter are very independent and fierce in +their manners, the Mahomedans especially. You have heard +of the population of India, but can have no idea of its immensity +unless you saw it; so that a man may visit I cannot +tell how many villages of three hundred, four hundred +people and upwards, in a circle of six or eight miles: there +seems, therefore, little need of itinerating according to your +idea of the word; but you may think to how little an extent +all that the whole of the missionaries now in India can do is +likely to be felt. Yet the day, I am certain, has dawned +that will never set till all India shall see the glory of the +Lord.</p> + +<p>“Of my own proceedings, I have little to say; my native +school consists of ten; four of whom can say the whole of +Watts’s scripture catechism (but indeed one of the four has +just left me to go to his friends who live far away). I read +the scriptures and prayers in Hindoostanee with them in the +school-house every morning, and am helped greatly in these +exercises, by the youth I have mentioned, of European +descent. Since September, we have had worship in Hindoostanee; +in church on a Sunday afternoon, fifty or sixty +native Christians sometimes attend, and usually thirty or +forty; my own people have learned to sing translations of +psalms and hymns to English tunes: they are very fond of +them, though I know the poetry is very poor: I hope an +Indian Watts may be raised up ere long, to regulate the +psalmody of the Indian church.</p> + +<p>“You would wish to know what success I perceive in the +midst of our labours. Of the Europeans, about fifteen or +sixteen have been added to our society during the last year: +of the natives, I cannot speak so certainly. One servant of +our own has been piously inclined sometime, and I hope he +is now a decided character; and one, whom you would call a +footman, who used to have all the vanity and foppery of that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</span> +class at home, is become attentive, not only to his employment, +but serious in worship, and diligent in reading at +leisure hours. I have a particular regard for this youth, +and shall greatly rejoice in his turning to God: he is +married, has good natural talents, is of a pleasing appearance; +and though one is often short-sighted and deceived, I fancy +he would make a good missionary, if he had a heart to it, +which I often pray may be granted him.</p> + +<p>“I must not forget to tell you how happy I am at my +beloved sister’s having commenced a school for native christian +girls. She has so far mastered the language as to be +able to read Hindoostanee easily, and to understand it pretty +well. The little girls work as little girls do at home, and +say a lesson, and learn the Assembly’s shorter Catechism, +which I translated long ago, and by frequent corrections +have got nearly worthy of printing. These things were +hardly ever thought of for women in this country: now and +then among the Mahomedans, a woman is found who can +read, but I have not heard that this is ever the case among +the Hindoos.</p> + +<p>“At leisure hours, I am abridging Milner’s Church History, +and have finished the first two centuries, and even translated +about half the first: the scholars I have had so long are +growing great lads, and want something now beyond mere +school-books: one is a promising boy, and the others are as +children at that age usually are.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The expectation which this letter shews Mr. Corrie +to have entertained of his recovery from the +illness, under which he had been suffering during +the preceding six months, turned out not to be well +founded. Although he had latterly been somewhat +more attentive to his health, yet the disease of the +liver now returned upon him with increased severity, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</span> +and altogether laid him aside from public duty. Yet +in a letter to Mr. Simeon, dated early in November, +1811, Mr. C. writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“One expression in it [a letter from Mr. S.] has brought +before me an entirely new train of ideas respecting my duty +in the ministry. You express thankfulness, that you are +enabled to do the little you do now, compared with former +exertions. I perceive it is an inexpressible favour to be employed +in the Lord’s service at all; and instead of being uneasy +at not being able to do more, I ought to be thankful for +some health, and inclination to do something; and when +health is withdrawn, it is as much a duty to <i>suffer</i>, as in +health to do, the Lord’s will. Alas! I seem to arrive so +slowly at proper views of divine things, that opportunity is +gone before properly understood.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">With reference to a friend, who after having decided +on going to India as a chaplain, changed his +mind, as the time for his leaving England approached, +Mr. Corrie adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Mr. L’s family I know, and regret that he has withdrawn +his hand from the plough. It is true, that the pain +of separation from relatives, and dear, dear Britain, can +be known only to those who have endured it; but truly an +hundred-fold recompense attends it. No one can understand +the pangs I endured, at times, between the time when first, +in your rooms, the idea of carrying the gospel to heathen +lands took possession of my mind, and the period of my +leaving England. Yet dear as all the places, persons, and +privileges enjoyed at home still are, I would not return to +them on any consideration I am at present acquainted with. +Here the light of the glow-worm even is splendid, so gross +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span> +is the surrounding darkness; and every stone put into +moral order is so much rescued from chaos.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following extract from Mr. C.’s Journal will +explain the nature of the communings which he held, +at this time, with his own heart<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Sunday, <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 17th. I am prevented this day from +[attending] public worship. O, that I were more alive to +the importance of the ministry, and more fitted for the +sacred duties of it. I do not lament, as I ought, the interruption +of any duty, nor am humbled, as I ought to be, +under the mighty hand of God. I think that the world and +the fear of man have less hold, [of me] but am afraid it is +more from a spirit of misanthropy than faith. I see the folly +of natural men: I feel the best of creatures [to be] miserable +comforters; I fear I despise them, rather than look above +them to God. How deeply do I perceive and feel, that nothing +but the power of God can make me ‘a right spirit,’ +or ‘create in me a clean heart.’ May the Almighty God, +the Lord, whose office it is to quicken the souls of men, renew +my whole body, soul and spirit, and command a blessing +upon those around me, who all need his influence as +much as I do myself; some to be converted, some to be +guided in the narrow way; one and all to be fitted for +heaven!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The continued absence of Mr. Martyn from India, +induced the government to appoint another chaplain +to Cawnpore, without, however, superseding +Mr. M. This, therefore, left Mr. Corrie at liberty +to proceed to Calcutta, for the purpose of +recruiting his health. As, however, it was not unlikely +that the new chaplain might think it his duty +to confine his ministrations exclusively to the Europeans +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span> +at Cawnpore, it became desirable to provide +for the carrying on of those missionary operations for +the instruction of the native christians and others, +which had been originated by Mr. Martyn. The +idea of training up a class of scripture-readers for +that purpose, presented itself to the mind of Mr. +Corrie and his friends at Cawnpore: and in this they +seem to have anticipated a project to the same effect +which had been about that time adopted by the Society +for Missions to Africa and the East, at the +suggestion of their corresponding committee in Calcutta.<a id="FNanchor_79" href="#Footnote_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> +With this purpose in view, therefore, Mr. +and Mrs. Sherwood had for some time been learning +the language of the country, and had been teaching +a class of natives and half-castes to read the Hindoostanee, +that these might become readers of the word +of God to their heathen, as well as to their christian +brethren. It was with reference to this, among other +matters connected with his removal from Cawnpore +that Mr. C. writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. D. BROWN.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 3, 1811.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I do now purpose, D. V. to bend my course to Calcutta, +at the close of the cold weather; which will be just two +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</span> +months from this. A constant head-ache oppresses me, and +makes it necessary to avoid the violence of the hot winds; +but I could not be better even in England, at this season, +than here; and till E. arrives, I cannot move; and he will +not be here till relieved by the Chaplains from below. Your +letter of yesterday rejoiced us all exceedingly—the reading +scheme I had determined to pursue, to the utmost of my +ability. We had prevented your views on the subject, by +measures for continuing the gospel here. One of the +Christian youths that has been with me almost five years, +has been induced of his own accord to offer himself to this +work. He seems truly pious, and labours indefatigably to +qualify himself to teach others. He is about twenty years +of age, and under the management of the Sherwoods will be +one of your first readers. Another of the boys is better +qualified than the above, but is not old enough; he gives +every evidence of seriousness. Another of the boys is as +forward in learning; but I have no hope at present, that his +mind is at all under the influence of what he learns. I have +seen no occasion for any Committee for the management of +this affair. Take the whole management of it yourself; especially +as the less that is said of it among the English the +better. No one can find fault with me, or any individual, +for supporting readers; but the Alarmists would be up in +arms, if they heard of supplies from home, appropriated to +such a purpose.</p> + +<p>“I know not how to account for the story of the Pilgrim. +I was asked about such a book by some Natives, when I was +at Chunar: I think it must be a work of a former Roman +Catholic Missionary, of whom I have heard, and who seems +to have been a true Evangelist. I know the Christians of +Bettiah have a book, written in the way of a Dialogue, in +which the errors of the Brahmins are refuted. The Pilgrim, +by Mrs. Sherwood, I translated in part, but Fitrut got so +angry with it at last, he would not go on; and the copier, +who is a Hindoo, said he should be obliged to give ten +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</span> +rupees in a feast to the Brahmins, to atone for his fault in +writing such a book.... Fitrut is to-day employed on +Isaiah lxiii. He has for some time been very much out of +humour; a perfect comment on the apostle’s words, ‘hateful +and hating.’ I let him fume, till his ill-humour is evaporated, +when he becomes humble. He has been in to-day, to beg +he may go with me to Calcutta. ‘In heaven or in earth, he +has none but me to depend on; and he cannot be happy if +I leave him behind.’ I told him I have no authority to +take him down, and no boat-hire to give him. He said, ‘he +would pay his own boat-hire, if you should not see fit to give +it him, when he got to Calcutta.’ I told him, ‘he must +not expect anything of the kind:’ and so he left me. The +Roman Catholic Priest is over from Lucknow, and seems +greatly altered from last year. He now professes to be desirous +his people should be taught to read the Scriptures; +and I hope we shall get something established under his +inspection. It is true he has little appearance of serious +religion; but he affects at least great indifference to the sign +of the cross, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, and may serve as a drawer of water for the +temple-service. He has taken away a copy of Genesis for +himself, which, he says, he will read and expound in church.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And in another letter to Mr. Brown, of somewhat +later date, Mr. C. observes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We have been expecting to hear from you about the +reading system, and especially we have been longing for +news about the printing of Martyn’s Translation. Mr. E. +is on his way to this place, and will be here about the 10th +proximo. The work we wish to carry on will, I fear, suffer, +especially among the Light Dragoons. There is a little leaven +evidently implanted there; some of them begin to assemble +for reading and prayer; but they are only as children +beginning to walk, and I see no one to take them by +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span> +the hand: but the Lord will provide. We are got into a +plan that promises well, if pursued. I say <i>we</i>, for you +know my helpers of the 53rd; and Mrs. D. of the Light +Dragoons, has been induced to offer herself to superintend +the school of the Light Dragoons. I have added questions +and scripture proofs to the Church Catechism, which the +children are getting off. At Christmas, we had the children +of both regiments at church, to be catechised, and my +sister gave them tea and cake. We had several to see them, +and it was the most festive day that has been known here. +I am sure I have never felt so attached to any place as this; yet +it appears to me that I should not remain here. The Hindoostanee +worship will be carried on under the inspection of Mr. +and Mrs. Sherwood. The youth I mentioned labours diligently +to qualify himself for instructing the children and women, +and appears more and more devoted to the work in spirit +and in truth. At this time there are on these premises (<abbr title="one">i.</abbr> e. +on Sherwood’s farm) about twenty children learning to read +the Hindoostanee gospels. We are greatly perplexed for +books for them, though no time has yet been lost with them.</p> + +<p>“I am beginning to pack up Martyn’s books; but have +not disposed of his house yet. Indeed I am loth to think +he will not come back to this place; you well know how +much the funds of the Bible Society may suffer if there be +no one here to recommend the subject: and, indeed, the disposition +of the British in these parts, in general, towards the +evangelization of India, will be no little affected by the +opinions held at this large station. This makes me greatly +desire Martyn’s return hither. But have you, or has any one +in Calcutta, heard from him lately? We have begun here +to lose our care for the objects of his journey, in the care +for himself.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Respecting the progress of the translation, Mr. +C. adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Fitrut left me about New-year’s-day, for Benares, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</span> +parted by no means friends. He was at Lucknow, July, +August, and September: in October he came back and went +on well with his work till November 20th, he then came to +say, he wished to go to Benares, I begged him to finish +Isaiah, of which only a few chapters remained. He wanted +to borrow money also, which I refused, as I know he is not +in want, but has many hundred Rupees out at interest. He +went on sullenly till the end of the year, doing only the few +remaining chapters of Isaiah. I wished him to have 100 +Rupees for forty chapters, which he refused: so at length +I was obliged to say, ‘I should expect the whole to be done +in four months’. He then asked, if his salary was not to be +continued till Martyn’s return? I told him, if he would +stay and help me in my Catechisms, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, his pay should be +continued, but that I could not think of going on in the +trifling way he had been doing lately. He then talked of applying +personally to you, with a vast deal of nonsense about +sharing in the profits of the Translation, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> I told him, +you had not sent for him; that he must not expect boat-hire, +or any indulgence from you: and thus we parted. I +have sent him this month’s salary through Mr. Robinson, +but hear nothing further of him or of his Translation. I +have got the whole of the Old Testament from him to the +end of Isaiah, and bound up in small volumes.</p> + +<p>“You will by this time have heard of or seen Mrs. H. +They were here the first Sunday in the New-year. I preached +on the uncertainty of life, not knowing she was in church. +The subject affected her greatly, but she was in a most heavenly +temper of mind. I fear her end is near. May my +end be like hers! O, how little can the world spare such +lovely examples of piety; but he who gave her as a light for +a season, can raise up other more numerous instruments to +shew forth His praise.</p> + +<p>“When we shall be able to leave this I cannot say. +I have five months’ leave of absence from the 10th of February.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</span></p> + +<p>But before Mr. Corrie left Cawnpore, a portion of +his European congregation was called into active +service, by some disturbances in Bundelkund. It +was on the day before Christmas-day that he parted +with the soldiers who were members of “the society,” +so often mentioned; and in recording this circumstance, +he adds that many of them were persons +whose “light so shone before men,” that, he trusted +“glory was brought to God thereby.” He seems +to have been much depressed in spirit on the occasion; +and was made more deeply sorrowful by the +intelligence which reached him early in the following +February, that some of his military friends had fallen +in an unsuccessful attempt to gain possession of Callinger, +an extensive hill-fort, about 150 miles from +Cawnpore. Mr. C’s first impulse, on hearing of this +disaster, was to proceed direct from Banda, (where +he then happened to be) to the scene of action, for +the purpose of attending to the wounded men; but +being unable to obtain any “help for the journey,” +he reluctantly returned back to Cawnpore. He +states himself, however, to have “felt as if he had +neglected his duty; or, at least, had been sadly deficient +in Christian love.” He, therefore, writes, on +the 11th. <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 1812<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I had prepared all to set off into Bundelkund on Monday +[<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 9.] when news came of all being settled.</p> + +<p>“God grant that the impression made on some may be +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</span> +lasting! And, O, may I have grace to give myself to +follow the Lord fully, and to be ready to every good word +and work! I have been considering my unprofitableness +this morning, and have much reason for deep humiliation.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And under date of Friday, <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 13th. Mr. C. +observes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“From the conversation in the Society this evening, it +appears that most of the men had their minds exercised with +thoughts of death during the late march. A. H. sent word +‘that his mind was more refreshed with the considerations +of the grace of God, and love of Christ, than ever he experienced +before; that one morning especially, whilst marching +along, he felt such a hatred and weariness of sin, that +the hope of being speedily removed from the seeing, hearing, +and feeling of it, was highly agreeable to him.’ Here +was real and rational courage.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The chaplain who had been appointed to supersede +Mr. Corrie at Cawnpore, having arrived toward the +end of February 1812, and entered on the duties of +the station, Mr. C. made immediate arrangements for +his journey to Calcutta. He lingered for a short time +in the hope of being able to see some of the soldiers +who were expected back from Callinger, but failing +in this, he left Cawnpore on Friday the 28th of February, +having first placed four native youths and a +native Christian reader under the direction of Mr. and +Mrs. Sherwood. The young person of European +descent, of whom mention often occurs in the preceding +Journal and letters, accompanied Mr. C. to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</span> +Calcutta, in order that he might there follow out the +study of Greek and Latin, with a view to his being +afterwards employed as a missionary. Respecting +the religious condition of the native congregation +which Mr. C., left at Cawnpore, he observes, under +date of March 1, 1812<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“In September last, we began Hindoostanee worship, +which has been attended sometimes by fifty or sixty, but +irregularly, and generally by about twenty-five. I have read +among them Genesis, with the Gospel of St. Matthew. +Left Goon<a id="FNanchor_80" href="#Footnote_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> reading Exodus, and the Acts. I had translated +Henry’s Commentary on many parts of Genesis, which is +left with Mrs. S. Some of the women had learned more or +less of the shorter Catechism, and one the whole of it, and +had been baptized and married: several of the people manifested +great concern at my coming away. I ought to feel +more thankful, and may well have great searchings of heart +on my own account. I have done much duty as to <i>quantity</i>, of +late; but have much cause for humiliation in respect of the +formal manner of doing it. O Lord! enliven me, and let me +be enabled to profit by this journey! Enable me to be a +witness for Thee in every place; and to fit myself for further +usefulness by due observation of Thy providences! Restore +me to health, if it be Thy will, that I may shew forth Thy +praises!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">As Mr. Corrie was now passing through the scenes +of his former labours, some portions of his Journal +are subjoined.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“March 8. Above Mirzapore, last night, when on shore, +I observed a Brahmin at his devotions, and wished to enter +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</span> +into discourse with him. After some questions, I asked +him, ‘What benefit he expected from his devotions?’ +Another Brahmin answered, ‘What but that Narsingha +should supply food to fill his belly.’ I observed, ‘that +many who never made <i>poojah</i><a id="FNanchor_81" href="#Footnote_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> were supplied with food:’ +He said, ‘If any would make <i>poojah</i> he might serve us, +and we would provide for him; but they that lived there by +themselves made <i>poojah</i>, and Narsingha provided for them.’ +But I asked, ‘In the world to come what do you expect +from your devotions?’ To this he answered, ‘Who knows +what will be in the life to come?’ One of my Dandees on +this said, ‘Sahib asks about your Shasters and your religion: +he is a Brahmin among the English as you are: he +marries, says his prayers, and gives to the poor as you do, +if not, why should he enquire about your religion, who else +of the English would enquire?’</p> + +<p>“15th March. I have to-day been officiating to the congregation +in the new Church at Secrole: on going, had felt +thankful for being permitted to worship in this place, and +prayed that it might be indeed a house of prayer. O may +the Lord grant a blessing to his own truth, and bring many +sons unto glory at Chunar! On Wednesday, had public +worship at Church for the English and Hindoostanee; many +attended. I was grieved at the spirit manifested by Mr. —— +and others there. The bitterness of their spirit is what I +lament, and their contempt of all subordination. O may +my own soul be more attentive to obey my Lord in spirit and +in truth! I seldom enjoy nearness to God: I do not walk +closely with him, but suffer company, reading, and undue +indulgence of myself to interfere with time of devotion. +Lord, I beseech thee to enable me to lay aside every weight, +and to run, looking unto Jesus!</p> + +<p>“Sunday, March 22nd. At Chunar, Serjeant Williams’ +wife, on my asking her if she yet knew the way of acceptance +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</span> +with God, answered, ‘It is through Jesus Christ: He +is, indeed, himself the way; and I continue day and night +in the consideration and expectation of his mercy.’ At +Buxar, an old woman who seems in a dying state, on my +asking her how sin could be forgiven, said, ‘Surely in no +way but through the Lord Jesus Christ; He took our nature +upon him, and endured suffering and death for our sins, and +now through the mercy of God we shall be saved.’ I asked +her what she thought of the employment of heaven? She said +‘She should there see the Lord Jesus, and love and worship +him for ever; and that those who do not love and worship +him on earth cannot enter heaven.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a letter to Mr. Brown, dated 6th. of April, +after mentioning several of the foregoing particulars +respecting the state of things at Chunar and Buxar, +Mr. Corrie adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“During the short stay I made at Gazeepore, I could +find never a vestige of dear Martyn’s labours. One man expressed +great love for his former pastor, but lamented that +all are fallen into decay. Perhaps the latent spark may +again be lighted up, if they again come under ‘the joyful +sound;’ but, O, what are they doing at home, that none are +found to come and help us?”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The recurrence of his birth-day was not forgotten +by Mr. C. as an occasion for self-examination and +thanksgiving.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“April 11th. Yesterday, I was thirty-five years old; the day +did not pass unnoticed, though I fall sadly short in the spirit +with which I would serve God at all times. I praise Him who +hath kept me wonderfully of late, so that though I am conscious +of many falls, yet he hath raised me up, and restored +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</span> +my soul, and made me watchful: I have devoted myself +anew to the Lord my Saviour, and hope my conscience +witnesses truly that to me to live is Christ, though in no +one duty do I live as I ought: the heathen especially I +would live and die with. I praise God who renews my +bodily strength: to Him would I surrender myself. +O give me to live more simply by faith in Jesus, and to +live a life of closet communion with the Father and the +Son!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a like happy and watchful spirit, Mr. C. continued +to pursue his journey<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Sunday, April 19th. During the last week, I have +been in the Muta-bangha Nulla,<a id="FNanchor_82" href="#Footnote_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a> the shore on either side +presents a gaudy, flattering view; I have in general been +enabled to keep in mind the harbour of eternity, and trust +to attain to the desired haven through the abounding grace +of God the Saviour. This morning I was a good deal +favoured in prayer; may the savour of thy grace, O Lord, +remain with me! O how much to be desired are thy courts: +how happy the men who, with joyful experience of thy +grace are always praising Thee: one day, O Lord, in thy +heavenly sanctuary, O how will it blot out the remembrance +of all the trials and conflicts attending this militant state.</p> + +<p>“Tuesday. From the very winding course of the stream, +we are not yet at Chinsurah: I hope to reach there this +forenoon: yesterday I was unable to attend to any thing, +and am much the same to-day: the journey thus finishes +miserably. I forget mercies in a manner that ought to +humble me exceedingly, and become in consequence, a prey +to temptation. Instead of being thankful for preservation +<abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, I kick against the hand that upholds me, so that I +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</span> +must close with acknowledging it to be ‘of the Lord’s mercy +that I am not consumed;’ and ‘what shall I render unto +the Lord?’</p> + +<p>“22nd. Arrived yesterday about four at Chinsurah, and +passed the evening with Mr. Forsyth: learned many gratifying +particulars from him respecting the progress of the +gospel; and had much profitable conversation on the signs +of the times. O may I have that preparation of heart which +is from the Lord, that my journey may not be in vain! +Thanks to the Lord, who healeth my bodily infirmities; and +I trust, my spiritual ones also. O may I have grace to give +myself wholly to him!”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_76" href="#FNanchor_76" class="label">[76]</a> +The missionary mentioned in <a href="#Page_49"><abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 49</a>, and who died of fever at +Vizagapatam, July 12, 1810. Hough’s History of Christianity +in India, <abbr title="volume four, pages">vol. iv. pp.</abbr> 265, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_77" href="#FNanchor_77" class="label">[77]</a> +After relating this circumstance, in a letter to Mr. Simeon, +Mr. C. adds, “The Edinburgh Reviewers need not be alarmed, +for he is a man of superior understanding, as well as superior +piety, and will neither profane the temple, nor insult the Brahmins.”</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_78" href="#FNanchor_78" class="label">[78]</a> +Mirza Fitrut.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_79" href="#FNanchor_79" class="label">[79]</a> +Proceedings of the Society for Missions to Africa and the East, +<abbr title="Volume three, pages">Vol. iii. pp.</abbr> 238-242, 426.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_80" href="#FNanchor_80" class="label">[80]</a> +A native Christian reader.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_81" href="#FNanchor_81" class="label">[81]</a> +Worship.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_82" href="#FNanchor_82" class="label">[82]</a> +One of the channels which connects the Ganges with the +Hooghley.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER <abbr title="Ten">X.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">CALCUTTA.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">On</span> the 24th of April 1812, Mr. Corrie arrived +in Calcutta, and took up his abode with Mr. Thomason. +He found his friend Mr. Brown in a very debilitated +state of health. During the preceding six +months, Mr. B’s strength had been manifestly +failing; but now his illness had assumed so threatening +an aspect, that a sea-voyage was recommended +as the only human means, that promised to ward off +the danger of death. Mr. Brown accordingly consented +to make trial of that remedy; and having expressed +a great desire that Mr. Corrie should accompany +him in the voyage, the two friends left Calcutta +early in May, and on the 14th of that month, +embarked on board the Dover Castle, with the intention +to visit Madras. The first effect of the sea-air +was beneficial to both. Respecting his friend, +Mr. Corrie <span class="lock">observed:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</span> +<p>“Mr. Brown, since his coming on board is much recovered, +though still very weak. He has, at times a great deal of his +former wit, and sound sense in conversation. He observed, +that he had generally found considerable scrupulosity attended +with little understanding, and some defect in morality.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">This record is dated on the 17th of May: and on +the 30th, Mr. Corrie writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Many events have taken place since writing the above, +which I would remember. We lay at Saugur till the 23rd. +during that time I was much occupied about Mr. B. and +cabins, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> I had time, however, to get near some of those +around me; our discourse was all upon religion: on the +23rd., we weighed anchor, and went down to the first buoy: +on Sunday the 24th, owing to the confusion attending heaving +the anchor, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, we could not have worship. I employed +myself most of the morning in reading Paley’s Sermons. +Mr. B. was too ill to attend to any thing; about 2 o’clock on +that day, as Mr. B. and I were talking, we perceived the ship to +touch ground; and, after two or three scrapings of that kind, +fairly stick fast: all appeared alarmed on deck; the masts were +ready to go over-board, and the decks began to heave: during +this time the rudder broke off: in about half an hour we +were carried into deep water, but obliged to anchor, the +ship being unmanageable: she was found to leak, and all +hands ordered to the pumps: on her first striking, Mr. B. +quietly observed, “It is the Lord, let him do as seemeth him +good;” then quietly putting on his clothes, we came up into +the captain’s cabin, and remained there all the time: on +Monday, we attempted to float up with the tide, but the +wind failing, the ship went toward the sand, and the anchor +was lost: in consequence of this all became dismayed, and +it was recommended that the Colonel and Lady Elizabeth +Murray, with Mr. B. and myself, should go on board the +pilot schooner; we went accordingly, but here great troubles +awaited us. Mr. B. fainted through fatigue; and as there +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</span> +was only one private cabin, he would not take it, but remained +on deck the whole of that day and night, and till +the evening of Tuesday, when we were taken on board the +Baring: here we had a quiet night, and next day Mr. B. +appeared quite revived; but the following night, having got +chilled in his sleep, he arose very unwell, and from what I +observed, I first began to think he would not recover: on +Friday, we got up to Fulta, where Mr. B. again appeared +better, but having been worse during Saturday night, he +resolved to come to Calcutta on Sunday, where he now is, +in a very weak state, at Mr. Harrington’s. During all these +changes, I have felt little of either hope or fear, pleasure or +pain; the plague of a hard heart has seized me. God grant +me never to think well of myself, till I can feel more of his +hand in my daily history! This insensibility began on +going on board the yacht, where my retirements were interrupted, +and my time broken up; being hourly with Mr. B., +and constantly on the watch to wait upon him, destroyed my +time on board; and now, O Lord, I would return to Thee, +do thou quicken me, as thou art wont! I found the evening +prayers in church very grateful on Sunday, and the sermon +suitable. God! I thank thee for these visits: O enable me +to remember them thankfully! The general temper of Mr. +B. was deep humiliation; the penitential psalms he said +were just suited to him, and often he praised God for his +word, and for the record of his dealings with his saints: +often he said, ‘the Lord’s will is best; His way is best, +His time is best; He doeth all things well!’ He said, +‘a man does not know the wickedness of his heart till he +grows old:’ he had been more sensible of Satan’s attacks +during the last two years than at any period of his life: the +Office for visiting the Sick he often read, and expressed +his feeling of how suitable it was.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Fatigue and exposure to the weather, added to +the want of sustenance proper for an invalid, so worked +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</span> +upon the exhausted frame of Mr. Brown, that notwithstanding +all that medical skill and the attention of +friends could do for him, he closed his mortal career +within about a fortnight of his return to Calcutta. As +regarded Mr. Corrie, his health still required that +he should try the efficacy of a sea-voyage, and +therefore he made arrangements for embarking +for the Isle of France, at the beginning of July. +In the meanwhile, however, he was occupied in +various clerical duties, and paid the last tribute of +affection to his deceased friend, Mr. Brown, by a +funeral sermon preached in the Presidency church. +With reference to this and the circumstances connected +with his intended voyage, Mr. C. remarks<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Diamond Harbour, ship Bengal, merchantman, July +5, 1812. Since my last memoranda, how many striking +events have occurred, and how little, alas, improved!</p> + +<p>“On the fourteenth of June, Mr. B. departed this life. +I have learned, from this event, the absolute necessity of +keeping the mind in a humble, waiting posture. Lord, +may I watch and pray, and have patience to endure, that +I may inherit the promises. I have had frequent public +ministrations; amongst others, preached on the twenty-fifth +in the new church, a funeral sermon for Mr. B., it had the +effect of removing prejudice from the minds of some; the +enmity of —— is too apparent, but he can go no further +than permitted. O Lord, look in mercy on the congregation +at the new church, and take not the light of thy truth +from them! The frequent calls into the heat, with many +interruptions, rendered it needful for me to seek change, +and behold I am here, I think by the will of God. I hope +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</span> +to get rid of the disease of the liver, but the failure of my +lungs, I am conscious of, will not be so easily repaired.</p> + +<p>“I am in the Lord’s hands. Agra seems on all accounts +best fitted for me, presenting less labour among Europeans, +and more opportunities of schools, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> among the natives. +Lord, bring me thither, if it be thy will!</p> + +<p>“July 12th. I have been detained here beyond my +expectations; my mind generally at peace through Jesus +Christ. I have humbled myself, and renewed my repentance, +and trust I am at peace through the blood of sprinkling. +During the week have had many conversations with +P.; and, I hope, with good effect; he has been extracting +the passages that refer to Justification, and said last night, +he is determined to give the subject thorough consideration. +In prayer I have had more freedom than on shore, and have +been led, from reflecting on God’s care of his church, to +pray for the enlargement of it in India.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Whilst detained on the shores of India, Mr. Corrie +received a letter from Mr. Buckworth, which +called forth the following reply<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“July 20, 1812.<br> +</p> + +<p>“A letter of your’s without date, reached me yesterday, +and delighted me much. I have had many apprehensions +respecting your continuance in this ‘vale of tears:‘—fears +for myself and for your flock and family, not for yourself. +I trust that as it is better for us that you should remain; +you will be given to us for a season longer.</p> + +<p>“You and I have both erred in excess of labour; we +know who hath said, “I will have mercy and not sacrifice.” +I do not, however, regret having done what I could. It is +here, I trust, we do not presume in expecting pardon for +our iniquities; and though we might have served our generation +more effectually by simple dependence on the promised +blessing, on quiet unconsuming labour, we may hope when +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</span> +our head is laid low, others shall enter into our labours. +The prospect in this land is indeed very discouraging on this +head. Government continues its determined opposition to +every thing tending to bring the light of the Gospel before +the heathen. It is now, also, a melancholy consideration +that so many of their native subjects, bearing the Christian +name, are left to ‘perish for lack of knowledge.’ +Would to God something might be done on this subject in +the new settlement of the Charter! Surely the religious +public at home, will make an effort to bring the circumstances +of the Indian Church before Parliament.</p> + +<p>“I am highly gratified by the account of your young +friends who have devoted themselves to missionary labour. +‘Say unto them, be strong, fear not.’ How earnestly do I +wish a way were opened for them to this land; how gladly +would I hail them as brethren; but, unless they could come +in some way accredited from home, such is the state of things +here, I could not serve them much. There is no hindrance +cast in my own way, but such as the Gospel meets with +every where; but what I mean is, that very little could be +done to procure the consent of Government to their stay, +unless they had leave from home. By the Charter, the Company +ought to have schoolmasters as well as Chaplains for +their European regiments; could none of the London friends +procure schoolmasters to be sent here? Mr. Thomason is +greatly in want of an assistant in the old church, Calcutta; +could not one of your young friends get ordained, and come +over to us? Whilst Mr. Brown was alive, Mr. Thomason +had help; now he stands alone in Calcutta. Besides, the +‘Society for Missions to Africa and the East,’ want to send +a missionary to Ceylon, a most important field of labour. +I would urge their coming to this land, if a way were +opened, in preference to Africa, because here the natives are +not sanguinary, and the land is under European government; +and also, because though I have lost my health, +and others also, yet I think another who should follow my +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</span> +advice might here live to the age of man, notwithstanding +the difference of climate. Mr. Desgranges destroyed himself; +‘the zeal of God’s house ate him up,’ I think may be +said of this member of Christ, in his measure; and the +same of beloved and honoured Martyn. Notwithstanding +the opposition of Government, a work is working in this +land, which the despisers wonder at, and know not how to +resist. The public sentiment appeared gloriously on the +foundation of the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society; even +those who oppose officially, saying they obey orders from +home, cannot resist the Christian argument in behalf of the +many already baptized. Missions have uniformly been discouraged +by the British government here, yet we find ten +or twelve thousand converts among their subjects; and now +many, very many of our British fellow-subjects here are +awakened seriously to their own state, and to a sense of the +duty we owe them. Some young officers, I know, have +schools in their own house, where they educate the native +christian children they find about them. At every European +station, there are some of these children. One married +officer and his lady have collected about twenty, and pray +with them in Hindoostanee every morning. Let these considerations, +my brother, excite a spirit of prayer for us +here; among your young brethren, at your quarterly meetings, +make mention of our affairs, that we may have a +place in your joint supplications; and God grant that some +of them may be led to offer themselves to the help of the +Lord!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Then, after mentioning some particulars respecting +the state in which he left his flocks at Cawnpore, +Chunar and Benares, and which have already been +related, Mr. Corrie proceeds:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“What a dreary waste from Benares to Calcutta! There +are indeed, several worthy individuals in that place; but</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</span> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“The sound of the church-going bell</div> + <div class="verse indent0">These beautiful plains never heard;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Never sighed at the sound of the knell,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Nor smiled when a sabbath appeared.”</div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="unindent">“Mr. Martyn is in Persia; I heard from him, dated March +20th from Shiraz; he had finished a copy of the New +Testament, and of the Psalms, in Persian, and was employed +on the book of Daniel: he purposes going into +Arabia, to prove specimens of Arabic translation, before his +return. I baptized four converts a few days ago, the fruits +of a Native brother’s labours, who possesses good ministerial +abilities, and promises great usefulness. Of the Baptists, I may +speak in a body. Their chief success is in Calcutta, where +some, in most months, are added to them. They have some +brethren at Agra; some at Dinapore, or Patna (which are +close together,) but I hear of none persuaded by them except +a young officer, who was awakened by some means at +a distance from Christian society, and having none that he +could advise with, wrote to them; and from one step to +another seems now disposed to join them. He has been +persuaded to pause. Their labours in Chinese and Sanscrit +are valuable, because they have proper helps; but their +other productions are inferior. Of those who have joined +them in Calcutta, it is no disparaging of their individual +worth to say that they are mostly of inferior rank. I hesitate +not to say, they prevail by legal considerations for the most +part; and I lament that their prejudices against the Church +of England will not suffer them to take one step beyond their +own narrow enclosure. But may the work of the Lord, as +far as it is His work, prosper in their hands, no less than +in ours: and may we all be found one in Christ Jesus! +For myself, I write this on board of ship in Saugur roads, at +the entrance of the river leading to Calcutta. I am going +to sea on account of a liver-complaint, which has afflicted +me now upwards of three years, and does not give way to +medicine. I am told, it has not yet injured my constitution, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</span> +but ministerial labours completely counteract the effects of +medicine, so that I can only hope for a cure from rest and +change of air. I feel it a duty to try these; and for this +purpose came down from Cawnpore.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Scarcely had Mr. Corrie put to sea, when he again +had to encounter the perils of the deep. Writing +on the 31st July, he remarks<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“On the 27th it began to blow a gale, which continued +the whole day with great violence: and though its violence +abated in the evening, it has been blowing weather ever +since. Yesterday, we were obliged to heave overboard 370 +bags of rice, it having got damaged from the water we +shipped continually, and gave the ship so great a lurch that +we were afraid she would sink, the pumps not being able to +keep her clear. On Monday especially, our danger was +apparent, and my mind was at first a good deal discomposed. +I retired to my cabin, and on a review could say that I have +not wasted my health in self-pleasing, that however mixed +my services have been with sinful motives, yet the furtherance +of the gospel has been my chief aim, and now I am +here seeking renewal of strength, much against my own inclination; +but at the urgent importunities of friends: and if +it please God to restore me, I intend no other work or way +but to serve Him in the gospel of his Son. Such reflections +encouraged me to draw near with faith to God in +Christ. I was favoured with freedom of access, and by +prayer and thanksgiving, was enabled to ‘cast my burden +on the Lord,’ and to hope for and expect the preservation +afforded. I, at the same time, devoted my body, soul, and +spirit anew to the service of God my Saviour; and I do now +renew that dedication, and purpose through thy strength, +O blessed Saviour, to know nothing, and follow after nothing, +but the knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ, and the diffusion +of his blessed truth.</p> + +<p>“August 3rd. The wind still boisterous, and often stormy; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</span> +this destroys our comfort with the poor attendance we +have on board. I endeavour to improve my mind by reading +and conversation with ——, who seems to come more +and more into true notions on religion; may grace be +vouchsafed him, that he may feel their importance, and rest +upon them! During yesterday and to-day we have been returning +to nearly our former way; the wish of putting into +some port has been much present with me, and the hope of +being able to return, without going to the Isle of France, +has made me too anxious. O Lord, give me grace to be +submissive to thine appointments! I know not what is best: +thou, Lord well knowest: O direct, controul, and support +my soul! The sight of the raging sea, which at times made +me feel powerfully the presence and majesty of God, ceases +to have that effect: because others apprehend no danger, I +am ready to conclude there is none, and so live without that +looking unto Jesus which is my duty and my privilege. O +Lord, though to human apprehension danger is not nigh; yet +my life is in thy hands, and thine are all my ways; and in +the practice of these words I desire to live and die. Amen!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Owing to this stormy weather, contrary winds, +and a strong current, the ship made but little way, +for after a fortnight’s sailing, Mr. Corrie found himself +no further on his voyage than the Cacoas islands. +The captain then decided to retrace their course +somewhat, with a view to getting to the westward, +and that object was accomplished so far that toward +the end of August, the ship was slowly working her +way down the coast, and on the 6th of September +entered the Vizagapatam roads. It appears however, +from Mr. Corrie’s Journal, that the prospect of +a long and tedious voyage, and the consequent uncertainty +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</span> +as to the time when he might get back +again to India, often ‘filled his mind with painful +anxiety.’ The return, too, of former pains in his +side, he regarded as being chiefly occasioned by ‘the +want of regular food and exercise.’ These and other +considerations weighed so powerfully on his mind that +for some time previously to coming within sight of +the coast of India, he had decided to abandon the +voyage to the Isle of France, and to ‘disembark at +whatever port the ship might put in.’ On reaching +Vizagapatam he carried that purpose into effect. +This place had then been occupied for about eight +years as a central station by the London Missionary +Society; and was, moreover, a place of much interest +to Mr. Corrie, as being the scene of the labours and +death of Mr. Desgranges, who is so feelingly mentioned +in the foregoing letter to Mr. Buckworth. +Here, therefore, Mr. Corrie remained for more than +a fortnight in the house of Mr. Pritchett, the London +Society’s missionary. During his stay at Vizagapatam, +Mr. C. notes on</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“September 20th. This day six years I arrived in Calcutta: +I scarcely know what to say or think of the time +gone by. I feel myself an unprofitable servant. My coldness +in prayer; my want of love to the Bible; my generally +reading other books in its stead, oppress me with a sense of +guilt. The favour shown me here is very humiliating, being +so much more than I deserve. O God, give me grace to +know and do thy will, and to delight in thy law!”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">Mr. Corrie’s departure from Vizagapatam is noticed +as follows<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“September 23rd. On board the ship Union, leaving +Vizagapatam. Arrived here on the 6th, wrote to Mr. +Pritchett, and went on shore by invitation, in the evening, +to their family worship. I have been hospitably entertained +ever since, at the mission-house, though owing to the lowness +of the place, and consequent heat, I should have preferred +a higher situation. I have observed in general that +the missionaries are men of true piety, and of more candour +than I expected: they receive ten pagodas per month from +Government (a pitiful sum,) for which they officiate as Chaplain +to the station; but do not baptize or marry. They have +public worship in the court-house on Sunday, and at the +house on top of the hill; the attendance is generally good.<a id="FNanchor_83" href="#Footnote_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a> +I officiated at the latter place the two Sundays I was there. +On Sunday last I administered the Lord’s Supper to twelve; +and last night married a couple; baptized eight children, +and preached in the court-house in the evening, and afterwards +administered the Lord’s Supper to six....</p> + +<p>“Though the missionaries are doubtless good men, yet I +see decidedly the advantage men who have been brought up +from youth with attention to learning, have over them. I +suggested a native Christian school, and it will, I expect, +be adopted; and according to my views of the subject, will +supply a door of entrance among the heathen. May I remember +their Christian love, and be excited to imitate it! +May the remembrance of the attention shown me operate to +render me more anxious to deserve it!</p> + +<p>“September 24th. Last night we were obliged to come to +anchor off Vizagapatam. This morning a slight breeze +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</span> +sprung up; and we are now, 4 a. m. losing sight of hospitable +Waltere. My heart, ever cleaving to creatures, viewed +Mr. P’s house several times during the day, with regret at +leaving it.... I know, O Lord, that thy salvation is life +eternal, and that in thy light alone does light and joy appear +to the soul. O Lord my God, lift upon me the light of thy +countenance for the sake of thine Anointed!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following are also extracts from Mr. C’s +Journal<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Sunday, 27th <abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr>—This has been a most unprofitable +day; the temper of those on board seems more removed from +the christian temper than any thing I have seen. A contemptuous +disregard of every thing sacred reminds me continually +of the caution not to cast pearls before swine; yet +let me not suffer sin upon my neighbour unreproved. I have +attempted to pray, and have gone over the usual subjects; +but, alas, with little heart: it occurred to me the increased +number of names I have to mention ought to make me mark +more decidedly the power of God towards me.</p> + +<p>“October 6th,—Below Kedgeree. During the last week, +I was occupied a good deal with some writings of Madame de +Stael; and could not but be thankful for more comfortable +views of religious truth than she can afford: I felt how absolutely +absurd all her theories of happiness are, and how +insane her most exemplary characters. At the same time, I +felt a fear lest any foolish pride of sentiment, or fine feeling, +should tempt me to forsake the fountain of living waters, +and was led to pray with some fervency for a more simple +regard to the word of God, and more attention to it. On +Sunday, the 4th, we fell in with a pilot, and yesterday +evening anchored in Saugur roads. To-day, we are at anchor +below Kedgeree light-house. I have felt much thankfulness +for a safe return to this land. I know not whether or not +my side is well, but feel that I am weaker than formerly; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</span> +easily affected by the heat, and do not soon recover from the +use of medicine. I have, however much reason to adore the +love and kindness of God my Saviour, that this land, once +the land of banishment to me, is become a land of promise. +I return to it not by constraint, but as a home: there are +sisters, brothers, and dear friends in the Lord, to whom my +soul cleaves, and to whom I am welcome. O my God, +surely I owe thee myself, my soul and body!—I have owed +to thee my days; thou hast delivered me from the great +deep, and my soul shall praise thee! My work among the +British, my native schools and teaching, to these employments +I consecrate my days.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the evening of Thursday the 8th October +1812, Mr. Corrie reached Calcutta, and on finding +that Mr. Thomason was laid aside from duty, by an +attack of illness, Mr. C. undertook the services at +the Old Church for a few weeks, until his friend +should be convalescent. It was not his desire, however, +to remain long absent from his own station, +now that his health had been in a great measure restored +to him, and he, therefore, made preparations +for proceeding to Agra. But before leaving Calcutta, +Mr. C. was united in marriage to Elizabeth, +the only child of Mr. W. Myers, a gentleman whose +name has already occurred in these memoirs as +among the friends of the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> D. Brown. Respecting +Miss Myers, the observation of Mr. Thomason +was, in reference to her marriage with Mr. Corrie, +that she was ‘one who entered into all his missionary +views, and was indeed a help-meet for him.’ +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</span> +It was now, also, that the Christian friendship which +subsisted throughout after-life between Mr. Corrie +and Abdool Messeeh, may be said to have commenced; +for the sincerity of Abdool’s profession of the gospel +having by this time been well proved, it was decided +that he should accompany Mr. Corrie to Agra, as a +Scripture Reader and Catechist. An outline of the +history of this remarkable convert to the Christian +faith, was drawn up at the time by Mr. Corrie,<a id="FNanchor_84" href="#Footnote_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> and +has been frequently reprinted; so that it would be +superfluous, in this place, to do more than to supply +such a brief sketch of Abdool’s earlier life, as may +serve for the elucidation of some particulars respecting +him, which are given below. It will be remembered, +then, that Abdool was a native of Delhi; +but that when arrived at man’s estate he accompanied +his family to Lucknow; being all the while a zealous +Mahomedan. From thence he removed to Cawnpore, +where he was so impressed by the preaching of Mr. +Martyn, that he became a candidate for baptism, +accompanied Mr. M. to Calcutta, and was, after due +probation, admitted into the church of Christ, by +Mr. Brown, on Whit-Sunday, 1811. From that time +until he joined Mr. Corrie’s family, Abdool lived in +Calcutta or the neighbourhood, suffering much opposition +from the Mahomedans, but being the instrument +of much good to many of his countrymen.</p> + +<p class="tall"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</span> +At the latter end of November 1812, Mr. and +Mrs. Corrie took leave of Calcutta for Agra, Abdool +with several Christian native children occupying +a boat by themselves. Abdool employed himself +during the journey in teaching the children to read, +<abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, and in composing hymns to native measures. +These he was in the habit of singing with the children +and servants when the party came to anchor +for the night. As also, the journey from Calcutta +occupied many weeks, it was customary to remain +at anchor throughout every Sunday that occurred on +the way; and on those occasions Abdool used to +collect together the boatmen and others on the banks +of the river, and explain the scriptures to them. +On many occasions, too, he maintained arguments +with Brahmins and Romanists on subjects connected +with their respective superstitions; but, as copious accounts +of those disputes are given in the printed +journal of Abdool’s proceedings, it is not considered +necessary to repeat them. The result usually was to +call forth much hostility to Abdool, and to expose him +to personal danger. Thus, from Cawnpore, 17th <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> +1813, Mr. Corrie writes to his brother-in-law<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO J. W. SHERER, ESQ.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>‘We expect to leave this about the 25th; we should have +gone before now, but that Abdool Messeeh is gone to Lucknow +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</span> +to visit his family, and will not return until the 24th. I +was not for his going, nor did he intend to go, but on his +writing from Allahabad, a brother and nephew of his came +over here, and received him with much affection, and told +him, that his father, mother, another brother and three +sisters, with their children, had determined on coming over, +if he would not go to see them; professing also, that all +his family wish to become Christians together with him. +There has been a great stir at Lucknow about his conversion. +A crowd assembled one night about his father’s house +and demanded that he should openly renounce Abdool, or +they should suspect him also of becoming a Christian. He +and the brothers said, they would not renounce Abdool, who +had always behaved kindly, and now wrote to them with +great affection. A tumult ensued, which required the interference +of the Cutwal; and the report was carried to the +Nabob’s son, if not to the Nabob. The great men took the +part of Abdool’s family, and reproved the others; but under +these circumstances, I did not think it advisable for Abdool +to go over, nor would he but for the desire manifested by +his family to cleave to him. This made him determined to +run all risks, and also because his sisters’ husbands threatened +to forsake them, if they came over here; and Abdool +argued it was not right for him to be the cause of their disobeying +their husbands, so he would go to them. Indeed +his whole conduct manifests a great deal of discretion and +good sense, though no superiority in understanding; so that +I fear nothing from indiscretion, and have sent a servant of +my own with him, and hope the Lord will be his defence.</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a letter, however, which Mr. Corrie addressed +soon after this to Lieutenant (now Captain) Peevor of +H. M. 17th foot, he states that Abdool “was obliged +to retreat privately,” from Lucknow, the rage of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</span> +Mahomedans was so great against him. Yet it appears +that “his father, mother, two brothers and two +nephews, had all professed their readiness to embrace +the gospel,” and that the nephews returned with +Abdool to Cawnpore.</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_83" href="#FNanchor_83" class="label">[83]</a> +From the period of their first arrival at Vizagapatam, the Missionaries +seem to have been in the habit of conducting public worship +according to the ritual of the church of England; and proceeded +to translate the English liturgy into the Teloogoo language.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_84" href="#FNanchor_84" class="label">[84]</a> +Missionary Register, <abbr title="volume one, pages">vol. <abbr title="one">i.</abbr> p.</abbr> 261-266.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER <abbr title="Eleven">XI.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">AGRA.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">Mr. Corrie</span> and his party reached Agra on the 18th +of April 1813. There he was made acquainted with +the death of Mr. Martyn. In a letter to Mr. +Sherer, and with reference to that event, Mr. C. +writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We arrived here in good health, and found your letter +containing the affecting intelligence of Martyn’s death:—to +us afflictive, to him happy beyond expression. I thought of +writing immediately, but could find nothing beyond lamentations +to express; lamentations for us, not for him. He was +meet for the “inheritance of the saints in light,”—my master +is taken away from me, O for a double portion of his +spirit! The work of printing and distributing the scriptures, +will henceforth go on more slowly. It is impossible to have +so lively an impression of the importance of supplying the +written word, where people have not intercourse with the +spiritually needy. You all feel for the poor English, because +you now and then talk with them, and have demonstration +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</span> +of their ignorance on eternal things. Thus those +who enter among the heathen have a demonstration on the +subject, which constrains them to pity them, and to exclaim, +‘O that they had but a Bible!’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Shortly after his arrival at Agra, Mr. Corrie enquired +for, and obtained a house, every way suitable +for the residence of Abdool Messeeh. The rent was +agreed upon, and possession in part given, but in the +meantime Abdool’s circumstances becoming known, +the owner of the house, a Mahomedan, departed +from his agreement, and would not accept Abdool +for a tenant. But shortly afterwards a property +called Boottats Kuttra, a court in the middle of the +principal street in Agra, being put up for sale, it +was bought by an English gentleman, who generously +gave it for the purposes of the mission. In +this place Abdool Messeeh regularly conducted Divine +Service twice on Sundays, and once, sometimes twice, +during the week. He had family worship also, daily +with the Native Christians, who resided in or near +the Kuttra. Some account of these missionary proceedings +is given by Mr. C. in answer to a letter +from Mr. Sherer. He writes, on the 8th June +1813<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The plan of a Native Free-School I admire greatly; +and have no doubt of its utility and success. I have been +proceeding on that plan ever since I came to the country. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</span> +James<a id="FNanchor_85" href="#Footnote_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> failed me, and one of the boys, (Simon) through +the wickedness of his parents, is likely to fail me also; yet +I do not despair. Osman is one of the cleverest of any, +in English; Nicholas, most solid; Abdool’s two nephews +are promising, especially the younger, Shumsher Rham. +We have a tribe of younger ones, and a whole host of little +sons of drummers. J. A. is coming, on the first opportunity, +to be my English master for them; which will relieve me +much, both as to time and labour; after two disappointments, +and many attempts, we have at length obtained an old +premise in the city. This is the fourth day we have been in +possession; and a school is already collected there. The +whole city rings with this, to them new doctrine; and copies +of the New Testament are eagerly sought for: not a tongue +moves in opposition; which is a matter both of surprise, +and congratulation. Abdool Messeeh is greatly called +forth; and his heart becomes more and more in the work, +as people come forward. Two or three, indeed many, have +professed their wish to be baptized; but perhaps these +are not the most hopeful, for being most forward. The +subject has now got amongst the English; and they evidently +don’t know what to make of it.... The people in +the city generally speak of the school with great approbation, +and hope it will be made a college. The establishment +for the whole is now, a Molwee 20 Rs.; an Ostad 10 +Rs.; a writer 7 Rs.; and a schoolmaster for the little boys +8 Rs.; besides Durwan 3 Rs.; and about 25 Rs. for the +maintenance of children, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> So that, I fear, I cannot +enlarge much our present establishment.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Although it had hitherto been the unchristian policy +of the Indian government either to discountenance +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</span> +all efforts to raise the moral and religious +condition of their subjects, or to leave them to be +altogether dependent for instruction in the great +truths of revealed religion, on the personal zeal and +narrow resources of a few private individuals, yet a +better state of things appeared now to be at hand. +The various missionary societies, and the religious +portion of Britain at large, regarded the renewal of +the company’s charter to be a favourable opportunity +for pressing upon the attention of the legislature, +the destitute condition of India with respect to the +gospel. This was accordingly done, and the result +was, that during the month of June 1813, the parliament +affirmed the necessity for a Church establishment +in India; voted that it was the duty of England +to promote the moral and religious improvement of +her subjects in India; and that facilities ought likewise +to be afforded to persons desirous of going to +India for the purpose of accomplishing those benevolent +designs. This favourable change in the policy +of government was of course unknown to Mr. Corrie, +when he addressed the following letter:</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. MR. SIMEON.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Agra, June 23, 1813.<br> +</p> + +<p>“What will the new charter bring to light in respect of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</span> +our ‘project,’ as Mr. Cecil used to speak? The desirableness +of some extension of our present establishment, is beyond +all dispute: the most careless among us cry shame on +the want of attention of our governors to this point. If +we had a sufficient establishment of proper chaplains, there +need be little further anxiety about evangelizing India: but +who are to supply the places of Brown, Buchanan, Jeffreys, +and Martyn? It seems almost as if Mr. Carey’s prophecy +were coming true, that God would not employ <i>us</i> in the +work of evangelization. Amidst the great attention we hear +of, excited to the distribution of the scriptures, how comes +it, none of our Brethren offer <i>themselves</i> to come and <i>distribute</i> +the word of life? And what are we, who believe +Episcopacy to be the Order of the primitive church, to do for +duly ordained pastors, from among the native converts? +I write thus freely, my honoured father in the gospel, for +now Mr. Brown and Mr. Martyn no longer bring these +subjects before you, and Mr. Thomason, though he is +nearer the scene of action, has really no more to do with the +<i>natives</i> than you have, nor does Mr. Parson give himself to +this work. Mr. Thomason has more to do as Minister of the +Old Church, Secretary, etc. etc. than one man ought to have, +and this situation must always occupy one: and Mr. Parson +gives himself wholly to the British soldiers, among whom he +is eminently useful.</p> + +<p>“I am now next on the list of Chaplains to be appointed to +Calcutta, and if I must go, there will then be no chaplain out +of Calcutta, to enter into the affairs of the Natives. There +is no town in India, where a person may not be usefully +employed in missionary work, and for superintendance, +Calcutta is a preferable situation, but then there must be +something to superintend. At present, I am in some perplexity +on this subject. God has been pleased to make the +labours of Abdool-Messeeh very acceptable in this place in +general. I yesterday sent off to Mr. Bates a copy of his +journal from March to this time; there are eighteen children +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</span> +at his school in the city, and six candidates for baptism: +the whole city, containing a population of upwards of fifty +thousand, is moved, and very little opposition has appeared; +<i>none</i> that deserves to be called opposition: the Kazee<a id="FNanchor_86" href="#Footnote_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a> +has begun to move against us. I trust we shall give no +occasion for tumult, nor have I the smallest fear on that +head. Martyn’s translation is admired as a composition, +no less than as containing important truth; could he look +from Heaven and see Abdool Messeeh, with the translated +New Testament in his hand, preaching to the listening +throng, and could he know of Mr. M.’s wish to follow +his steps in this work, it would add fresh delight to his +holy soul! Now this prospect of a rising native church +makes one reflect, what is to be done for them. Could +Abdool Messeeh be properly ordained, he is, in my opinion, +for humility, zeal and discretion, most eminently worthy of +the ministry. Fervent and experimental piety with such +matured judgment, I never expected to meet with in a +native of Hindoostan, and such are the sentiments of Mr. +M. and another Christian friend, now with us, respecting +him. But according to my views on the subject, he cannot +with propriety administer the Christian Sacraments; and +my successors would not, perhaps, admit him to their +presence. It seems my duty, to decline all removal, as far +as I may be permitted, and, I trust, I shall be able to do +so, though it would, in many respects, prove a trial both +personal and otherwise. The Armenian bishops, and the +bishops of the Syrians, have occurred to me, if their ordinations +be considered valid.<a id="FNanchor_87" href="#Footnote_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> If I had any suitable helper to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</span> +whom the work might be committed, I should perhaps, +think it advisable to take the privilege of furlough, for +the recovery of my strength, if it please God. The great +quantity of medicine, I was obliged to take, reduced me +much, and the right side is still very tender. I trust in this, +and all my ways, to acknowledge the Lord, and doubt not, +he will guide me aright. May his kingdom come more +fully in my own heart, that I may do his will in all things!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The success which, under the divine blessing, had +so signally marked the labours of Abdool Messeeh +at Agra, was not unattended by correspondent difficulties. +The loss of caste and the consequent destitution +which followed the native converts, required +to be alleviated by supplying them with sustenance, +until some employment could be found for them. +The schools also, which had been established under +the favourable circumstances, mentioned in the foregoing +letters, were necessarily attended with a certain +regular expense. As, therefore, Mr. Corrie’s resources +were altogether inadequate to meet the stated +and increasing demands upon them, he applied to +the Calcutta agents of the Society for Missions to +Africa and the East, to ascertain how far assistance +might be looked for from that Society. He suggested +to them, at the same time, that an auxiliary missionary +society might be formed in Calcutta, which +might aid the work he had in hand, by monthly subscriptions. +He advised, moreover, that a few friends +of missions should form themselves into a committee, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</span> +for the purpose of considering how native converts +could be best employed, and their children be brought +up to trades. The result of this application to Calcutta, +was the formation of an association, and the +collecting of subscriptions to the amount of four hundred +pounds, the express objects of which were to +enable Mr. Corrie to “establish and support native +schools at Agra and elsewhere.” Subscriptions from +private sources also, were not wanting. To a friend +who took an interest in the Agra mission, Mr. Corrie +writes on the 2nd of <abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 1813.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I was far from expecting any separate contribution to +the work here, but do not even wish to refuse it; for sure +I am that of money thus spent, we shall be able to say at +last, ‘what I have given away, remains.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">He then goes on to inform his correspondent, that</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The Sunday (July 25.) before yesterday was the beginning +of our visible edifice. The foundation is, I am persuaded, +laid in Christ. The Hukeem<a id="FNanchor_88" href="#Footnote_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> and Abdool’s nephew, +are both not only enlightened in mind, but informed +also in judgment. The former once led a party to fight for +Islam, consequently his conversion has called forth more of +the spite of the enemy than we before have seen. Several +have told Abdool plainly, that under any other government +they would have risen upon him. I observe without saying +anything to any around. Mr. H. talks to every body in the +same strain, and then tells E. the remarks people make. +Why! I know before hand what such people will say.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</span></p> + +<div class="tall"> +<p>The Hukeem mentioned in the preceding extract, +was a Mahomedan from Bhurtpore, and physician to +the Rajah’s family. His first acquaintance with +divine truth was through the medium of the Pentateuch +in Arabic, which a Romish priest had lent +him some years before the date of the letter just +quoted. Afterwards, meeting with a copy of the +gospels translated into Persian, by Sabat, the Hukeem +became convinced of the truth of Christianity, +but made no open profession of the gospel; +until under the instruction of Abdool, he learned +“the way of God more perfectly,” and was baptised +by the name of Talib Messeeh Khan, on the Sunday +above-mentioned. His baptism occasioned so great +a sensation among the Mahomedans, that Abdool’s +house in the city was for some days a constant scene +of comers and goers. The disciples of the various +Musselman saints came in bodies (sometimes of +upwards of forty) to enquire about the mode of initiation +into the Christian Religion. The eldest nephew +of Abdool was baptised at the same time with +the Hukeem.</p> + +<p>These promising appearances, however, brought +with them correspondent anxieties, so far as respected +Mr. Corrie; for in writing to Mr. Sherer (<abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 18, +1813,) he remarks<span class="lock">:—</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I never before felt the care attending the winning of +souls as now; and never before so entirely felt my own perfect +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</span> +insignificance and folly. While all was only beginning, +there was food for vain glory, and no occasion for suspicion +or watchfulness. Now time has been given for probation, +my rest sometimes departs from me lest Satan should gain +an advantage over us.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Mr. Corrie then goes on to inform Mr. S.:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The Hukeem I baptized proves a man of superior understanding. +He has begun Hebrew, and if he proceeds +as he has begun, will prove a most valuable corrector of the +Hindoostanee Old Testament, which Mirza Fitrut has translated +from the English. He is not, however, so obliging +in his disposition as Abdool Messeeh. The eldest nephew +of Abdool has been, ever since his baptism, quite another +creature,—lively, devoted, and the servant of all. He is on +your fund, as a Reader; and the Hukeem receives for himself +and family 20 R. till he becomes qualified for some office +in the church. To prove the sincerity of the Fakeers, I +hired forty Bigohs<a id="FNanchor_89" href="#Footnote_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> of land, and they have laboured with +readiness for their bread, in clearing, weeding, watching, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> +This has been a present extra expense, but I am told the grain +will produce a return. In consequence of the scarcity, multitudes +of poor are very ill off, and a subscription, at the +suggestion of Mr. F. was entered into for their relief. The +sum amounts to 15 Rs. a day, and Abdool and I are the +Almoners: a more troublesome and unthankful office I was +never engaged in. Two months, it is thought, will put an +end to the present distress. Three Schools, beside the one +at home, are gaining ground. The supply you mentioned +could easily be appropriated, and when something is determined, +I will send down a statement of items. I refrain +at present, lest I should seem to claim what will come as an +offering to the Lord. I feel it would be an honour to live on +bread and water that all might go in this work and way; but +the claims of justice and family demand attention also.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">Occupations of various kinds now so multiplied +upon Mr. Corrie, that his private Journal was but +irregularly kept. The completion of seven years’ +residence in India was, however, too marked an +event to pass unnoticed by him, and he therefore +writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Agra, <abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 19, 1813. To-morrow will complete to me +seven years in India. Many mercies have attended me, and +many instances of God’s gracious dealings, which ought to +be had in remembrance, to His praise, and my own comfort +and encouragement. The death of Mr. Brown, and afterwards +of Mr. Martyn, deprived me of two pillars on whom I +leaned partly for so long a time: and to this hour I feel +my earthly masters to be taken away from me. There is now +none on earth, to whom I look for guidance as to what I +should do in my ministry. For a time this discouraged me; +but the Lord mercifully made my way plain, and his work +here is going on with seeming success. For this work +Abdool Messeeh was raised up, and qualified, and sent of +God. He is eminently humble, teachable, persevering, and +zealous. Two were baptized from the heathen on July 25: +and eight more, with three of their children, on August 25. +There are now many catechumens, and upwards of ninety +children in school, at three places. Keeping the journal of +Abdool’s labours, has interrupted my private journal; though, +after all, they are quite distinct. In general, my mind has +been too much occupied in the outward work. I have lived +too little in the habit of ejaculatory prayer; and contented +myself with very little of spirituality of mind; so that if +success had depended on me, it must utterly have failed. +But the spiritual temple grows up ‘not by might, or by +power,’ but by the Spirit of the Lord. Oh may he carry on +his work within, and enable me to grow up into Christ in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</span> +all things. I have engaged too largely in expences, considering +the natural claims upon me. The schools and native +christians stand me in not less than 300 Rs. monthly; while +building <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> is likely to involve me in debt. The heart of +Mr. B. was, indeed, mercifully disposed to give <i>Kuttra</i>; +and help is promised from other quarters, and I doubt not +but the Lord will provide, since, I think, I seek not my own +vain glory, but His worthy praise and honour. For some +days past, I have experienced a sensible return of the liver +complaint. What this may be the forerunner of, I know +not. It would be a painful trial to cease from labour now, +though that may be needful to try my humility, whilst, Oh +what may it prove to my European flock! Who shall speak +to them, or make known the way of salvation? Lord! direct +me in this matter. Enable me to give myself to meditation +and prayer: and grant me to know and do thy will.... +Praised be thy name, who hast kept me in my purpose +respecting coming to India. The love of souls, more than of +wealth, or earthly honour, I trust, still, through grace, predominates; +and may grace reign in my soul, through righteousness, +unto eternal life, through Jesus Christ.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It was soon after the date of the preceding extract, +that intelligence reached Agra from England, +that it was intended to publish a memoir of Mr. +Martyn; and Mr. Corrie in consequence, addressed +the following letter</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. J. SARGENT.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Agra, <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 1. 1813.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have very lately learned through Mr. Thomason that +you have undertaken to draw up a life of the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> H. Martyn. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</span> +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 prove 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. M. 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. M. in the duties of the station of Cawnpore, when I +took up my abode with him from June till his departure, +October 1st. 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 +<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 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. M’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 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</span> +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 stay, implanted in my heart, and have +influenced, though alas! unsteadily, my after days.</p> + +<p>“From this far country you will however desire other tidings, +if any. The discussions in Parliament respecting the +religious part of the Company’s charter, give me much +pain, as both friends and opposers evidently view the subject +imperfectly. The opposers know full well, or might +know, that if every servant of the Company in India were +a clergyman, so long as we go on as heretofore, it would +not excite an enquiry scarcely from any native; he would +conclude it was the English <i>caste</i>, and there his reflections +would end. On the other hand, it seems premature to +connect the conversion of the natives with an ecclesiastical +establishment, for unless our Bishops should be men, not +only of learning and sobriety, but of zeal, they will never +hold out against the discouragements a residence in this +country presents. Indeed, in this work, a man must engage +with the spirit of those words—“Though the fig-tree +should not blossom;” <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> It is not that the evangelization +of India is a hopeless project, or that to attempt it is attended +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</span> +with political danger; for the story General Kyd +produced in the House of Commons, to shew the danger of +interfering with the natives, is both erroneously stated and +ridiculously applied. The idea of grave ministers of religion +going out to shoot monkeys, would not have been entertained +in any other connexion but as supplying an objection +to Missions. But the young men were not destroyed by the +natives; the elephant on which they rode took fright at +the clamour of lamentation and displeasure raised by the +people on the monkey being killed, and plunged into a +deep place of the river Jumna, when the Howdah on which +they sat getting loose from the elephant’s back, the young +men were drowned. General Kyd would perhaps say, he +had seen Chaplains in India shooting monkeys, and he +should at the same time have the candor to state, that none +of that description made themselves obnoxious to the natives +by their religion, and consequently there is nothing to fear +from an establishment of that kind. The work of evangelization +is however, going on; the instruction of the natives +already bearing the Christian name, opens a way for wide +and lasting benefit. Ever since my arrival and short acquaintance +with this country, it has appeared that natives +will be the great means of converting their brethren. Mr. +Martyn has done what no native could do, and what had +not been done before,—left an idiomatical and faithful translation +of the New Testament in the Hindoostanee language. +This language is known pretty generally by those tribes also +who do not use it in their usual conversation. This city +is near the Mahratta states, and the resort of people from +all parts of India, who all understand the tenor of this +translation, as has been abundantly proved.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="p2 tall">As illustrative of the importance which Mr. Corrie +attached to the having many schools, it may be +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</span> +mentioned, that about the time the foregoing letter +was written, he had it in contemplation to obtain +leave of absence from Agra, with the view to visit +different stations, and to establish schools wherever +it might be practicable. With reference to such a +plan, he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have had it in mind to ask leave of Government, to +go to different stations to institute schools for the Native +christian children. All that would be required would be, private +unlimited leave of absence, with directions to report or +not, as they might think proper. Sir George N. would, I +think, make no objection, if the noble Earl did not; and if +he were put into possession of the real state of things, I +think he would rather encourage. It would be a peculiar +glory on his government to take measures for bettering the +state of the Native christian subjects, as well as of the other +classes of natives; and sure I am that the way in which I +propose to proceed, would excite no jealousy among the +natives, but rather call forth their esteem for our national +character.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">At this time, too, the accounts Mr. C. received +of Abdool’s proceedings at Meerut, (where the latter +was on a visit), were of the most encouraging kind. +He was gratified, also, by the intelligence that Mr. +Vetch was at work at Delhi, among the Armenian +and Portuguese Christians there. The opposition to +missionary labours at Agra, had moreover, for the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</span> +present ceased, whilst the schools were prospering as +much as could reasonably be expected. As however, +any changes among the chaplains would, in all probability, +occasion Mr. C.’s removal from Agra, it became +an object of great solicitude to him that so +promising a state of things should not retrograde, for +want of adequate superintendence and pecuniary support; +and he, in consequence, addressed the following +communication to the Secretary of the Church +Missionary Society, in England<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Agra, E. I. <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 31. 1813.<br> +</p> + +<p>“You are made acquainted through the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Mr. Thomason, +with the labours of Abdool Messeeh, who is engaged as +a Catechist for the Society for Missions to Africa and the +East; and of the success attending them. Since our arrival +at this place in March last, forty-one adults, and fourteen +children of theirs, have been baptized into the faith of Christ, +and all continue to walk in the truth. The prospect of increasing +numbers is very encouraging, and as several of the +converts are men of learning and of some influence, there +seems ground to hope that lasting benefit is intended by our +Almighty and most merciful Father to this place.</p> + +<p>“The want of useful books in their own language will, +however, render the Native converts for a long time in need +of European intelligence and firmness. Though the grace +of the gospel be sufficient for their individual salvation, yet +they are not sufficiently acquainted with the history of mankind, +and especially of the Church of Christ, to enable them +to calculate on the probable consequences of any particular +mode of conduct: nor can they for some time reap the benefits +to be derived from the experience of those who have gone +before them in the good way.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</span> +“I feel, therefore, anxious to call the attention of the +Society of which you are Secretary, to this part of the world; +and to beg, that, if practicable, a Missionary may be sent +over to take charge of this infant church. The place of +worship and the premises now occupied, should with pleasure +be made over in perpetuity for the use of the Mission; +and I think I may affirm, that the friends of religion in this +country would find sufficient support for the person whom +you may send, without his continuing burthensome to the +Society.</p> + +<p>“Among the reasons why a Missionary should be sent to +this country, in preference to any other, I would beg leave +respectfully to suggest two; viz. the teeming population of +India, and the protection of equitable laws, which put it in +the power of a Missionary to do more good with less +personal inconvenience here than in any other heathen +country.</p> + +<p>“The objections raised at home to the evangelization of +India, on the score of political danger, are founded in entire +misrepresentation of the subject. It seems not to have occurred +to either friends or foes of the measure, that there are +none among the natives who have the means, whatever +might be their will, of resisting the British Government. +Almost all the ancient reigning families are reduced to a +state of dependence: nor at any time, did ever the zeal of +the Hindoos lead them to any formidable opposition even to +the intolerant and avowedly proselyting Mahomedans: so +that neither do past experience nor present probabilities oppose +any difficulty in the way of publishing the gospel in +India.</p> + +<p>“Besides, it might well be expected that reflecting men +should discriminate between a senseless attack upon images, +processions, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> and the simple inoffensive statement of Divine +truth. The former might well be expected to rouse every +bad passion of the human mind; the latter will always +command respect if not obedience, whilst the same Divine +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</span> +truth assures us his word shall not return void. Our +method is to state the plain truths of the gospel with +little or no reference to any other system called religion. +By pointing out the Scripture doctrines of man’s fall, +through the transgression of Adam, and his recovery by the +Lord Jesus Christ, which appeals to matters of obvious and +general experience, usually such a sensation is produced as +leads some one or other to examine what foundation he rests +upon; and the result is always, that there is salvation in +none but in God incarnate!</p> + +<p>“Permit me also respectfully to solicit the attention of your +Society to the subject of providing ministers from among +the Native converts: for it seems out of the question ever +to expect a sufficient number of regularly-ordained ministers +from England. The Liturgy of our church translated, has +been of singular benefit in this place: and every circumstance +in the case of a church newly gathered from among +the heathen, demonstrates that the order of our church is +that of the primitive Christian churches. Whatever may be +said in favour of the liberty of people to choose their own +ministers, or in favour of extempore prayer, in a more +advanced state of Christian education and experience, does +not apply in our circumstances: and it follows of course, +that a person who should be the means of planting the +gospel in any city or place, remains the superintendent and +umpire in all cases requiring arrangement. Under this +persuasion it would be painful either to leave a native congregation +without a pastor, or to usurp authority. I would +humbly, however, request advice and help on this head. +Abdool Messeeh seems, for heavenly-mindedness, discretions +and zeal, to be worthy of the ministry: and we are endeavouring +to qualify some promising young Christians in this +place for the ministry, by instructing them in the learned +languages of this country, and in Hebrew: to which we +propose adding the study of Greek, and thus we hope they +may one day be found worthy of Episcopal ordination.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</span> +“The <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Mr. Thomason will forward this: and I trust +no apology is necessary for endeavouring to draw the attention +of the Society, of which you are Secretary, to this +quarter. The opinion of one who resides on the spot, and +whose personal safety, attachments and interests are much +more involved in the subject than any retired Indian, may +perhaps be considered worthy of attention, however insignificant +the writer may be. I may be also allowed to +express anxiety, that the church to which I belong may +take a conspicuous part in the progressive work of evangelization +now going on in this country; since she possesses +facilities above all other Societies, and her ordinances are +best calculated, in my opinion, to ensure edification, and +that the work should not fail in after-generations.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Early in January 1814, Mr. Corrie left Agra on +a visit to Delhi; and was there met by some natives +from Meerut, who were desirous of baptism. One +of these was a Moonshee, in the service of Dr. R., +and who, from conversation with Abdool Messeeh, +and the reading of the translated Scriptures, had +been convinced that ‘Jesus is the Son of God.’ +Another was a Molwee, a native of Rampoor, who +had, in like manner, been led to expect salvation +only through Christ. A third was an aged Birajee, +who possessed great influence among the natives, but +whose faith in the Hindoo and Mahomedan systems +had been completely shaken by the deistical +writings of Cuber, a satirical poet, who lived at +Benares. This Birajee had made many enquiries +respecting the Christian religion, and once thought +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</span> +of joining the Romish sect, but was deterred from +doing so by finding that they used images in their +worship. He had ultimately been brought to a +knowledge of “the truth as it is in Jesus,” by the +perusal of the New Testament, a copy of which, in +the Nagree, he had lately obtained. For the sake, +therefore, of these and other natives, Mr. Corrie +determined on a visit to Meerut. There he had the +satisfaction to find a congregation of from twenty to +thirty Christians, under the direction of Mr. Bowley,<a id="FNanchor_90" href="#Footnote_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a> +assisted by the Hukeem from Agra; and after +due enquiry and examination, he baptized the Rampoor +Molwee and the Birajee, on Sunday, January +30. On the following day Mr. C. baptized also a +native woman, and returned to Agra early in February.</p> + +<p class="tall">It may here be mentioned, that the success with +which it pleased God to mark the labours of Mr. +Corrie and his friends at Agra, made that city a +place toward which those, not unnaturally, looked for +assistance, who were anxious for the spread of the +gospel among the tribes of Northern India. Mr. C. +was therefore, frequently requested to supply, from +among the converts at Agra, scripture-readers, to be +employed at other stations. In answer to an application +of that nature, he <span class="lock">writes—</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO CAPTAIN PEEVOR.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 3. 1814.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have been thinking who I could send you as a reader; +but really fear that none of those at present with me, are fit +for the appointment. It requires some time to make them +acquainted with the Scriptures; and some time for them to +lay aside the old ways of thinking, in which they have been +brought up: so that only one, like yourself, who would bear +with them, rather than expect them to bend in all things to +you, could be intrusted with the care of a very recent convert. +Abdool Messeeh’s nephew is, next to his uncle, the most +deeply humbled of the new converts; and him his uncle +does not wish to part with, at present. I will, however, +when we reach home, write to you further on the subject; +for you must know we left Agra on the 10th of January, and +have been at Delhi and Meerut.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Yet the quick succession in which first one native +and then another had been added to the church at +Agra and elsewhere, was so unusual a phenomenon +in India, that some of the friends of missions seem +to have been apprehensive, lest converts should +have been admitted to baptism, before the sincerity +of their faith and repentance had been sufficiently +tested. On that point, therefore, Mr. Corrie writes +in answer</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. MR. THOMASON.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Many kind and cordial thanks for your cautions respecting +baptism. I have in no instance administered [that sacrament] +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</span> +but where there seemed experience, as well as knowledge, +of the grace of God. Even the youths seem convinced of +sin, and aware of the necessity of avoiding it. But the +further we advance, the more arduous does my post become. +Nothing has occurred to make me doubt the sincerity of +any of the baptized,—but others have tried to deceive. I +wish all the converts could remain with me; but it is no +sin in them that they cannot live without food; and I cannot +maintain them all.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Mr. Corrie then adds, on the subject of scripture +readers<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The Hukeem discovers great reluctance to leave, but at +the request of S. for a native Christian, he goes on Thursday +next, and Abdool Messeeh goes with him on a visit. +He will be in as good hands as here: his son is likely to +prove a treasure. He is quite familiar with the Arabic of +the Koran, is very quick of comprehension, needs seldom +to have a lesson repeated, and is devoted to study. His +frame of body is but weakly; and thus devotedness to learning +is accompanied (as is generally the case) with less appearance +of zeal for others. How few, like Martyn, live +only that they may impart knowledge! This youth appears +a sincere convert. He and two others are, henceforth, to +have a lesson daily in Hebrew. In two months he has +learned to construe the English New Testament; and purposes +acquiring also the rudiments of Greek.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following extracts from letters written about +this time, afford additional evidence of that caution +and godly wisdom, by which Mr. Corrie’s missionary +labours were directed<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO J. W. SHERER, ESQ.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</span> + +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Agra, March 4, 1814.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have little to write to you about, except what is connected +with the affairs of our Church here. The number of +converts and present inquirers on all hands, renders attention +to our concerns necessary that ‘the work should not fail.’ I +do not write down the tenth part of the interesting particulars +that come to our ears from Delhi, Meerut, and the Mahratta +country: all which, though, if considered in respect of +individuals, comprehends but a very insignificant part of the +population, yet shews, I think, that “the report is gone +forth,” and enquiry begins to be made. Labourers also, are, +I trust, springing up, qualified for the work of instruction.... +The Rampoor Molwee seems very disinterested; and is +by far the most clever man we have yet had. The Moonshee, +who accompanied him, is not very superior, but appears sincerely +disposed to impart what he knows; and expresses a +wish to go into the lately-acquired territory, towards the +Seiks, where his family resides. At Delhi, the king’s sons, +it is said, have got a copy of the gospels. Praised be God, +nothing actually wrong has yet appeared in any of the converts, +though it may be supposed that I am sometimes tired +with their complaints and requests.”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO CAPTAIN PEEVOR.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Agra, March 20, 1814.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have by no means been forgetful of your wishes respecting +a reader, but have not yet been able to determine +anything for you. The success attending the word is very +gratifying and encouraging; but it requires time to acquire +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</span> +information sufficient to become a teacher of others; so that +I hesitate even to wish the new converts to leave this [place]: +and for another reason also, [viz.] lest through temptation +or unwatchfulness, anything amiss should appear in them; +when you know how the enemy would triumph. ‘There are +your converts!’ would be the cry. ‘So would we have it!’ +But be assured, it is as much my wish as it can be your’s, +to send the light of the gospel to you as fast as possible.</p> + +<p>“I do not know that our plan of schooling is by any +means the most advantageous. It is simply this:—Before +nine o’clock, the children learn by heart, catechism or grammar, +in the way of question and answer. After that Persian; +and after mid-day, English. This school consists of +Christian children.... The natives are so irregular in their +habits, and so entirely negligent of time, at the same time +so ignorant of the advantages of regularity, and improvement +of time, that they fly off if too much troubled on the +subject. In this work I am often reminded of that passage, +‘Ye have need of patience, that having done the will of God, +ye may receive the promises.’ May we be followers of them, +who, through faith and <i>patience</i>, inherit the promises! +Faith we acknowledge [to be] a heavenly principle, but +often look for patience in ourselves; which, alas, is no more +of ourselves than faith.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Within a short time of the date of this letter to +Captain Peevor, the fall of two of the baptized from +“their stedfastness,” occasioned Mr. Corrie some +distress, although his knowledge of the native character +had prepared him, as has been seen, to expect +that offences would sooner or later come. As +regarded his own experience, however, all outward +trials and perplexities only seem to have led him to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</span> +depend more simply on the divine aid. Thus on the +10th of April 1814, (Easter-day) Mr. C. writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“To-day I have completed my 37th year. An eventful +year the last has been, from the spiritual enlargement of the +Church, both among white and black. Many trials, too, +have sprung up from the same cause; and often I am at my +wits’ end. I find all creatures, in themselves, but miserable +comforters; and I have, at times, a deep, deep feeling of the +disorder and misery introduced by sin; of the strange perverseness +and blindness of my own nature in particular, and +of human nature in general. My own folly and perverseness +appears, in the preference of outward labour and bodily +exercise to spiritual obedience, and mental discipline. Yet, +at times, I have stronger views than I ever had before, of +the excellence of the Divine nature, and the blessedness of +knowing, and being with God. I trust my heart is not +weary of this work, though often groaning in it. God has +raised pecuniary help, but the responsibility attached to it +makes me sometimes wish to decline it. Mr. B. is coming +to help in this work, which I should rejoice in: and the +Molwee, from Rampoor, promises to be a ‘burning and a +shining light.’ My dear wife grows in union of heart and +labour with me; and, on the whole, I have nothing to regret +but my own hardness of heart, whilst I would set up an +‘Ebenezer’ to my covenant God! Amen.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It was at this time that Mr. Corrie, at the suggestion +of Mr. Thomason, addressed a letter to the +committee of the Church Missionary Society in Calcutta, +on the subject of missionary schoolmasters. +In that communication he observed<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Agra, April 6, 1814.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The circumstance lately come to our knowledge respecting +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</span> +the provisions in the Honourable Company’s new charter, +for affording religious instruction to our fellow subjects in +this country, leads me to submit the following considerations +to your notice, to be forwarded [to England,] if you approve, +for the consideration of the Church Missionary Society.</p> + +<p>“The state of those descendants of Europeans, and others +professing Christianity, at the different European stations, +has always appeared to me worthy of attention, both as it +respects themselves, and as a medium through which the +natives in general might be approached, with the greatest +success. There are many persons of the above description +at Berhampore, Monghyr, Bagulpore, Patna, Dinapore, +Buxar, Benares, Chunar, Allahabad, Cawnpore, Agra, +Delhi, Meerut, and other inferior stations.</p> + +<p>“At each of these places, a schoolmaster might be placed +with great advantage. His ostensible, and indeed first duty, +should be to educate Christian children, and to conduct public +worship for native christians. The Divine blessing would, +doubtless, attend the education of these children; and some +of them would be led to choose the work of instruction; +and would go forth among the natives, with tenfold advantage +over any European missionary. As these people are +in general very poor, the schoolmaster must be supplied with +a maintenance, and, together with the christian children, +should give instruction in English to as many children as he +could attend to. The Native christian children might learn +the principles of religion in Hindoostanee; and be farther +instructed in the language of the country, by means of native +instructors, under the superintendance of the European +master; whilst the latter would instruct them in English, +and thus open to them the stores of European learning. +Many of the natives would rejoice in an opportunity of having +their children taught English, <i>gratis</i>; and the necessary intercourse +with a schoolmaster, for this purpose, tends greatly +to remove prejudice, and to prepare the mind for the reception +of Divine truth. At each of the above stations, a way +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</span> +appears to be prepared for the propagation of the gospel; +and a soil made ready, as it were, to receive the seed of christian +instruction, the fruits of which would spread through +the land.</p> + +<p>“The modes of instruction used by our Church are, also, +exactly suited to the state of the people professing christianity +at these places; and they are usually as anxious for +the prayer-book, (translated) as for the New Testament. If +our Society could but supply labourers for this field, doubtless, +on a proper representation of the subject, government +would readily permit them to proceed hither.</p> + +<p>“Their Christian subjects have a claim upon government +for such permission, to say the least: and in this way, +part of their subjects would become attached [to them] no +less from duty, than from interest. The professedly Christian +part of the natives, are as little attached to us as any +other; a sincere lover of his country cannot but wish that +this portion of the population, at least, should be brought +to feel common interest with us. Our civil Institutions +have furnished much new information to the natives, on the +subject of moral right and wrong; and from the increase of +respectability, of late years, in the Honourable Company’s +servants, as well as from the growth of real piety among +them, much religious knowledge is gone abroad; add to +this, also, the considerable distribution of translations of the +Scriptures, in various languages, of late years. From all +this, an attentive observer cannot but conclude, that as the +subject of civil liberty becomes better understood by the +natives, more political danger is to be apprehended from +this quarter; unless it be counteracted by those motives to +contentment, and obedience to the “powers that be,” which +the gospel alone supplies, than from any temperate attempts +at evangelization. Of these attempts, the plan of schoolmasters, +such as our society could approve at the different stations, +as above suggested, seems to me the least objectionable, and to +imply no cause of irritation whatever in the natives. Whilst there +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</span> +is every ground, from reason and Scripture, to expect that +the blessing of God would attend endeavours of this kind.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">As, also, the government of Lord Moira then +professed to have in contemplation some scheme for +the education of the natives of India at large, Mr. +Corrie thought it his duty to write to Sir George +Nugent, to request that the Native christians might +not be overlooked. With reference to that important +matter he observes in a letter</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO J. W. SHERER, ESQ.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“April 21, 1814.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I fear lest the school-plan proposed [by government] +should swallow up all the funds government can spare, in +mere literary objects, and the gospel be left still to depend +on the charity of God’s people. There is nothing in Arabic +or Sanscrit, as at present studied in India, that can enlarge +the mind or prepare it for the gospel: so that if Christians +also are not to be educated, we shall be just where we were.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">But whilst Mr. Corrie was thus busily occupied +with plans for the extension and perpetuating of +divine truth, his health had again begun to decline; +for in writing to his brother-in-law, he concludes +some observations on the state of religion at Agra, +with the remarks<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The care of these things tends greatly to increase the +inflammation in my side, which is as bad as ever it was at +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</span> +Cawnpore, though I trust it will, as hitherto, give way to +medicine.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In this expectation, however, Mr. C. was disappointed. +His illness so increased upon him, that +early in July 1814, a voyage to sea was decided +upon, as the only means likely to prolong his life. +In the letters which Mr. C. wrote to his friends +about this time, he speaks of himself as being greatly +tried at the thought of having “to leave a variety +of hopeful prospects and persons, without knowing +how they would terminate;” and in his Journal +observes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“July 31, 1814. Having been recommended by the medical +men to go to England for the recovery of my health, +application has been made for leave [to do so.] My mind +is, in consequence, much occupied by the subject. Sometimes +it is suggested that I am weary of the work, and +wish to run away from the difficulties which the various +tempers, and wants of the people impose upon me. But certain +it is that my frame is so shattered that these difficulties +agitate me more than can be conceived, and so as to prevent +my gaining strength. On the other hand, I think the +horror I feel at the sea-voyage, with the expence and trouble +attending it, would prevent my undertaking it from +mere self-pleasing motives. I feel, at the same time, so +little ability to benefit the cause of missions at home, that +I see no good, in that view, likely to arise from the journey. +Only a wish to recover strength to serve God in newness of +life, I think, is uppermost, though many base and foolish +thoughts intrude themselves.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Before, however, taking his departure from Agra, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</span> +Mr. Corrie administered the Lord’s Supper to fifty-nine +native communicants, and on the next day +(<abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 18th.) he committed the congregation to the +care of Mr. Bowley and Abdool Messeeh, “amid +many tears on the part of the new converts, and +much sorrow on his own.” Respecting that season +of interest and solemnity, Mr. C. writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The will of the Lord is to be acknowledged in my departure, +no less than in my arrival at this station. During +the preceding sixteen months, seventy-one natives have +received baptism, of whom about fifty are adults; about half +of them Mahomedans, and the other half Hindoos. Of +these, one has been expelled, six have apostatized, four are +gone to their friends, and are, we hope, holding fast their +profession; and others are occupying different stations, as +readers and Catechists: several catechumens remain to be +further proved. I would remark, that exactly in opposition +to the popular opinion among Europeans in India, the more +learned converts, and those who had been Fakeers, caused +us the most anxiety and trouble. In this, as in other +respects, the Lord’s ways are not as man’s ways; and his +gospel will make its way in this country, as usual, first +among the poor and least regarded of mankind.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It remains only to remark, that as the preceding +pages, in connection with the published Journal of +Abdool Messeeh, make it appear, that the moral +results of Mr. Corrie’s short residence at Agra were +neither few nor unimportant; so, it is believed, that +the following observations addressed by him, soon after +leaving Agra, to a friend desirous of information respecting +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</span> +the natives of India, will shew, that his +labours had not been prompted by a blind or indiscriminating +zeal, but were regulated by the enlightened +convictions, and feeling heart, of a Christian philosopher.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The population of India consists of Mahomedans and +Hindoos; though the majority of them are Hindoos. The +common people of both classes, are much alike in habits, +and superstitions. There is little that is social in the +general religious worship of either Mahomedans, or Hindoos; +except at certain festivals, when they resort in crowds +to the place of assembly; and their respective processions +are celebrated in much the same noisy and unmeaning +manner.</p> + +<p>“In different parts of the country there are Durgahs, or +tombs of eminent Mahomedans deceased; which are endowed +with lands, for the support of persons to read the +Koran at them. This is supposed to have a happy effect +on the state of the deceased. At these places, an anniversary +is generally observed, which is attended as a fair, by +the people, no less than to make offerings at the shrine. +There are certain idol temples, also, by making pilgrimages +to which, Hindoos think they benefit deceased ancestors, and +forward their own future happiness. At these tombs and +temples, the priests entertain disciples, who are instructed +in their respective creeds.</p> + +<p>“Except at such places, the generality of Mahomedans +observe the times of daily prayer according to their inclination, +wherever they happen to be. In large Mahomedan +towns, indeed, a few assemble at the Mosques on Fridays: +at Agra, the number, (except on festivals,) was usually six. +The Hindoos, also, make their offerings at the idol-temple, +at the time most convenient to themselves. So that there is +no general appearance of religious observances among them, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</span> +except at the festivals; when the whole country wears the appearance +of a mountebank-show. On these occasions, a portion +of time is given to hear the history of the prophet, or god, +connected with the occasion; and rich individuals unite to +pay a pundit, or learned Hindoo, who reads to them, usually +in the evening, portions of their books, in a chaunting tone +of voice, and explains sentence by sentence, to the audience, +as he goes on. By such means the Mahomedans, especially +the higher classes of them, are acquainted with the principal +names in the Old and New Testaments, and with some particulars +of their history; with the exceedingly gross intermixtures +which are to be found in the Koran. The Hindoo +books, also, contain some stories derived from the books of +Moses, or from ancient tradition, mixed with much fable. +These facts, on which all agree, serve as points on which a +Christian may engage them in conversation, and from which +by rational deduction, he may prove them in error; whilst +the Holy Ghost alone can convert them to the acknowledgment +of the truth.</p> + +<p>“The general habits of both Mahomedans and Hindoos +greatly assimilate. They alike bathe their bodies, under the +idea of rendering themselves more holy in the sight of the +Deity; they alike observe the distinction of caste, and avoid +eating with certain classes of men; they alike revere Fakeers, +or religious mendicants; they alike pay adoration to +the rising or setting sun, the new moon, and to recently-lighted +lamps; and they alike implore, in their prayers, the intercession +of deceased persons, reputed holy; and observe +times and seasons, accounted lucky or unlucky. They +all believe in ghosts and apparitions, and the active agency +of evil spirits. To guard against their influence, they wear +charms: and depend on the aid of some particular patron +god or saint. The more religious enrol themselves as the +disciples of some renowned holy man: and in sickness or +under any calamity, or with a view to obtain some desired +object, they multiply charms, or increase their offerings, at +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</span> +the tomb or temple: make vows, or offer in sacrifice a goat +or a fowl, sometimes a buffalo: and on the day the Mahomedans +commemorate Abraham’s offering up his son, a +camel is sacrificed, the flesh of which is eagerly sought +after as holy meat. Hence the arguments used by Abdool +Messeeh, respecting the necessity of inward purity. The insufficiency +of any mediator, but one that is Divine: the +doctrine of the atonement by the sacrifice of Immanuel: +the happiness of having an Almighty friend, patron, and +protector; and being under the teaching and guidance of +the Holy and good Spirit; were equally applicable to +Hindoos and Mahomedans; and his instructions proved +equally attractive to both descriptions of people.... The +difficulties in the way of improving every class of native +Indians, are greater than any one can suppose who has not +been acquainted with them. They are not, however, of a nature +to demand great bodily exertion or much severe privation. +They arise from causes which require a common measure of +understanding; and an intimate acquaintance with human +nature, as described in holy Scripture.</p> + +<p>“Persons whose intercourse with the natives relates merely +to temporal concerns, can have little idea of their peculiar +habits and prejudices. It is thus that I account for the very +incorrect reports respecting the religious state of the natives +of India, and which have been published in England by some +who resided years among them. I have even known men of +real piety, whose situations led them to much intercourse +with the natives, for mercantile and other temporal purposes, +express it as their opinion that nothing less than a miraculous +interposition could convert them to Christianity. I account +for this from the circumstance, that they find such a disposition +to chicanery and imposition, in the natives, as requires +the exercise of a degree of authority and even of +severity, in men dealing with them, which is unknown in +England.... From having lived always under an absolute, +military despotism, the natives of India, beside that natural +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</span> +propensity to selfishness, which in them is uncontrolled, are +cautious how they offend their superiors; and such they +consider Europeans of almost every rank. They must have +had much proof of the forbearance and gentleness of a +white man, before they will ask questions on any subject, +further than he appears disposed to answer; and they will +be cautious how they answer to his questions, lest they +should unintentionally offend.... This servile spirit does +not give place entirely, even on conversion. It renders much +patience and tenderness necessary in dealing with new converts, +no less than with the unconverted. They have very +little idea of an option being allowed them in things indifferent; +and will often appear hesitating and indecisive, +when their only fear is offending their superiors. So that +the impossibility of benefitting, or improving the moral state +of the different classes of [native] Christians, is asserted by +many of the British, equally with the impossibility of the +conversion of the Heathen.”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_85" href="#FNanchor_85" class="label">[85]</a> +The youth of European descent so often mentioned in Mr. Corrie’s +correspondence. He accepted a clerkship of some kind in the +Company’s service, in preference to becoming a missionary.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_86" href="#FNanchor_86" class="label">[86]</a> +Native judge.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_87" href="#FNanchor_87" class="label">[87]</a> +In a letter addressed about this time to the correspondents in +Calcutta of the Society for Missions to Africa and the East, Mr. +C. recommends them ‘to advise with the society, as to the ordination +of native ministers, without which,’ he adds, ‘the Sacraments +cannot be regularly administered, nor any permanency looked for +in this work.’</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_88" href="#FNanchor_88" class="label">[88]</a> +A native physician.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_89" href="#FNanchor_89" class="label">[89]</a> +The Bigoh or Bigga is less than an English acre.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_90" href="#FNanchor_90" class="label">[90]</a> +Who afterwards became so well known as a devoted and eminently +useful Missionary Clergyman.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.</h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">VOYAGE TO ENGLAND.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">It</span> was on the 18th of August 1814, that Mr. Corrie +left Agra. On his way to Calcutta he paid visits +to his friends at the different stations on the river, +more especially at Chunar and Benares, the scene +of his earliest ministrations in India. Whilst at the +latter place, he received intelligence that Mr. Bowley +and Abdool Messeeh were so discouraged by some +difficulties that occurred soon after his departure +from Agra, that both “were ready to desist from +the work of the Lord.” This occasioned great sorrow +and anxiety to Mr. C., inasmuch as he not only +anticipated the breaking up of the native congregation +which he had been mainly instrumental in gathering +around him; but, also, that it might afford +matter for triumph to the enemies of missions. With +reference to this subject, Mr. C. observed in a letter</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“If Abdool should give up in discouragement, my plans +would be much set aside. But ‘Jehovah Jireh,’ must be +my motto. This perplexity brings me often to my knees, +and therefore I hope will work for my good. An expression +of Mr. Brown, in our last intercourse, often occurs to me:—‘Instead +of praying always and not fainting, we faint +always and never pray, till we find ourselves in a strait.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On reaching Calcutta, Mr. Corrie found that all +his medical friends concurred in the opinion that a +sea-voyage was absolutely necessary to eradicate his +disorder; but as his wife’s expected confinement did +not allow of his immediate embarkation, Mr. C. employed +himself during his stay at Calcutta, in setting +on foot a school for native christian schoolmasters. +He had an opportunity too, of becoming acquainted +with Bishop Middleton, who had then recently +arrived in India, and of submitting to the consideration +of that prelate, many circumstances connected with +the state of religion in that country.</p> + +<p class="tall">On the 1st January 1815, Mr. and Mrs. Corrie +went on board the H. C. ship Europe, with the intention +of proceeding, in the first instance, to the Cape +of Good Hope. But on arriving at the Cape, Mr. +Corrie was recommended to proceed to England for +the benefit of the colder climate; and with this +advice he considered it his duty to comply. In a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</span> +letter to Mr. Sherer, dated from Cape Town, March +29, 1815, Mr. C. relates<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“This morning I have written to the Adjutant General, +enclosing a medical certificate of the necessity for my going +on. Our own Surgeon N. an old practitioner here, Dr. H. +and Dr. S. the garrison-surgeon, concur in opinion, and +without hesitation on the subject. I ought, I believe, to +consider this as the voice of Providence, and to acquiesce +in it, as I hope I do. But the whole of this dispensation +has proved the greatest trial I ever met with. I cannot +see my way at all in it; and I go on, driven, as it were, by circumstances. +I foresee innumerable difficulties before me, +without one certainty of good to follow, and utterly despair +of profiting myself or others in England. I am called to +walk by faith more than ever: sense is all opposed.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Shortly after the date of this letter, Mr. and Mrs. +Corrie sailed from the Cape for England, and after +a prosperous voyage, landed at Southampton on the +22nd June. Here Mr. C. was made acquainted for +the first time, with the publication of the Journal +of Abdool Messeeh, and the interest excited by it. He +heard also, with sorrow, of the death of Dr. Buchanan. +On reaching London he was visited by several of those +friends who interested themselves with the progress +of the gospel among the Hindoos; and at an early +day attended a meeting of the Committee of the +Society for Missions to Africa and the East, to communicate +to them information on missionary subjects. +He was, also, invited to attend a Committee of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</span> +London Missionary Society, to answer enquiries respecting +their prospects in India. On all these occasions +Mr. C. endeavoured to shew, that from the +co-operation of many pious individuals among the +English in India; from the readiness with which +children were sent to school whenever opportunity +was afforded, and from the eagerness with which +translations of the Scriptures were received by many +among the natives, there appeared to be fair prospects +of good being done among them. He pressed +upon his friends at the same time, the fact, that but +little or nothing had yet been effected in India, for +want of a sufficiency of labourers, and that nothing +would be done without them; that wherever missionaries +thoroughly acquainted with the language of +the country had resided, they found plenty to do, +and that though few of the natives of India in comparison +with the multitude, shewed any concern for +religion, still the number of such as did so, exceeded +the opportunities of instruction.</p> + +<p class="tall">It was a gratifying circumstance to Mr. C. to +observe, from the eagerness with which all persons +with whom he conversed, enquired after the progress +of missions among the heathen, that there had been +a great increase of zeal for the spread of divine truth, +as compared with the state of religious feeling at the +time he left England in 1806. He expressed himself, +also, agreeably surprised to find that the increased +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</span> +regard for sacred things which he observed in +London, was not less visible in his native village +and county; in the more orderly observance of the +Sabbath, and in the attention that was given by the +gentry and clergy to the education of the poor, to +Sunday schools, and to the support of different religious +societies. On the other hand his affectionate +nature was afflicted by hearing of the death of neighbours +and friends; by learning that some with whom +he had formerly “walked in the house of God as +friends,” had turned aside from the simplicity of the +gospel; and by having to witness the many other +changes which the lapse of years never fails to bring +about in families and localities. Deep therefore were +the emotions called forth both in preacher and +hearers, when, for the first time after his return from +India, Mr. Corrie occupied his father’s pulpit, and +urged his surviving neighbours to use the numberless +changes and trials and deaths, that had occurred +since he last addressed them, as a reason for increased +anxiety to secure to themselves an enduring inheritance.<a id="FNanchor_91" href="#Footnote_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a></p> + +<p class="tall">No sooner, however, had Mr. C. somewhat recruited +his health, than he visited his friends, in different parts +of England; taking occasion to plead the cause of missions, +both from the pulpit and at public meetings, +as opportunities occurred. Such portions of his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</span> +time, also, as were not thus occupied, he devoted to +a revision of the Liturgy in Hindoostanee. His +purpose was, if practicable, to carry out with him to +India, a reprint of that important translation, for the +use of the native Christians.</p> + +<p class="tall">In the spring of 1816, Mr. Corrie was engaged +to preach the anniversary sermon for the Church +Missionary Society in London. With reference to +that circumstance he wrote</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO J. W. SHERER, ESQ.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am appointed to preach that sermon, which I would +gladly have avoided: but it was said, ‘That many would be +discouraged if I held back; for that the idea would be, that +the subject [of missions] was not considered so important +by us in India, as it has been represented here.’ I therefore +consented, leaving the issue to God.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Before preaching the sermon, however, Mr. Corrie +availed himself of Mr. Simeon’s judgment and +experience; and in transmitting a copy of the manuscript +to that honoured friend, he observed<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am deeply sensible of its defects. Being anxious to +introduce a number of facts, not, as I think, sufficiently +known, there is too little Scripture quotation; and I feel +it to be wanting in a devotional spirit, though I hope the +relation may occasion a feeling of compassion, and excite to +exertion in behalf of the heathen.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">This hope seems, in some measure, to have been +realized, for the accounts given at the time, state that +this sermon, which was preached on the 30th of April, +and grounded on Isaiah xliv. 20, awakened peculiar +interest.<a id="FNanchor_92" href="#Footnote_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> As, also, it embodies Mr. Corrie’s convictions +respecting the moral condition and responsibilities +of the heathen, and developes the means +which his experience led him to regard as best calculated +to rescue the Hindoo from debasing superstitions; +a brief abstract of the sermon cannot well +be omitted. Let it be observed, then, that Mr. Corrie +purposed in the first instance</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Fairly to meet the objections made against missionary +efforts, as if the present state of the heathen were unavoidable—as +if they were scarcely accountable for their errors,—and +our solicitude on their behalf were therefore superfluous.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">To meet objections of this kind, he goes on to +trace the origin of all false religion, and in this, +observes that</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Intercourse with heathen nations had inclined him to +the opinion, that the original revelation made to our first +parents after their fall, is the ground of all the worship +offered up throughout the world. That the dispensations +of God to Noah and to the Church before him, must have +been known to the family of Noah, and would be remembered +by his immediate descendants; and carried by them +into the different countries, whither they were afterwards +scattered. Hence, it was, he apprehended, that the custom +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</span> +proceeded, of offering sacrifices in worship, by the heathen +tribes of every description, as the only means of pacifying +the Evil Spirit; who, according to their apprehension of +him, is going about seeking whom he may devour.</p> + +<p>“But there are many circumstances in the state of the +idolatrous nations of the east, that discover a still later +acquaintance with Divine revelation, than the time of Noah. +Many coincidences in the fabulous histories of the Hindoos +with the writings of the Old and New Testament, indicate +that the forefathers of that race were not altogether ignorant +of the subsequent circumstances of the church of +God. Their present deplorable ignorance and error, cannot +therefore, be said to arise from any appointment of the +Almighty; but from their wilful neglect of those notices +of his will with which they were originally favoured. The +sins of the fathers are thus, in an especial manner, visited +upon their children. The neglect of parental instruction, +by a just connection between guilt and punishment, involves +their posterity in ignorance, which is the parent of superstition, +and the fruitful source of their miseries and their +crimes. This view of the subject ought, therefore, to be +kept distinctly in mind; that we may not charge God +foolishly with being, in any other way than by the instituted +order of connection between cause and effect, the author of +that blindness of mind, and hardness of heart, which excludes +the heathen from the divine favour. The declaration of +God, by the prophet Hosea, respecting Israel, is true also +of the heathen, though in a subordinate degree: ‘<i>Thou hast +destroyed thyself</i>.’</p> + +<p>“These observations are in a particular manner applicable +to the idolatrous nations of India. In their present circumstances, +viewed by the light of revelation, they evidently appear +‘without God and without hope in the world;’ not only +as they are without Christ, but as their own religious views +and feelings render them totally incapable of enjoying God, +or of participating in the happiness of the heavenly state.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</span></p> + +<p>Then after reciting many of the superstitious +practices of the heathen, and shewing that the efficacy +of any religious rite which they might perform, +was not regarded by them as being, in any moral +sense, dependent on the state of mind in the worshippers; +whilst on the other hand their idea of +sin, being connected with the neglect of ceremonial +observances, and not with moral delinquencies,—they +allowed themselves in all kinds of sensual indulgences, +without any compunctions of conscience +or feelings of shame; Mr. Corrie proceeded to observe<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“How then can we avoid the conclusion, that the religious +views and feelings even, of these miserable men, do, in +the very nature of things, exclude them from the approbation +of God, and incapacitate them for the enjoyments of the +heavenly state? It is impossible that a sinner, going +out of this world, in expectation of any thing corresponding +with earthly honours, amusements or enjoyments, should not +be met by disappointment and shame. It is impossible, that +a soul utterly ignorant of holy, spiritual, and intellectual +enjoyments, should find any place among ‘the general assembly +and church of the first-born; the innumerable company +of angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect.’ Here, +therefore, the christian takes his firm stand against all who +oppose missionary efforts. The heathen, not only according +to the unerring word of God, but by the evidence of facts, +are in a perishing condition. Without Christ, they cannot +be saved. ‘He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that +hath not the Son of God, hath not life.’ And myriads of +these immortal spirits are passing into eternity, whose state +and dispositions prove them to be utterly alienated from the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</span> +favour of God, destitute of spiritual life, and fatally incapacitated +for the enjoyments of a better world. For without +dispositions suited to the enjoyments of the heavenly state, +they could no more comprehend the happiness arising from +them, even if admitted to a participation of heaven, than a +brute can enjoy the pleasures of reason. And unless this +be kept in mind, it can scarcely be hoped, that a due +measure of zeal for the salvation of the heathen will be +maintained among us.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Mr. Corrie then went on to give his reasons for +regarding (1st.) The distribution of the Scriptures +in different heathen languages; (2nd.) The establishing +of Missions; and (3rd.) The education of +youth; as being among the most likely means, under +the Divine favour, to further the rescue of the heathen +from their perilous condition; and he concluded +by earnestly exhorting his hearers to do all in their +power to aid in a work so pressing, and involving +such fearful responsibilities.</p> + +<p class="tall">There seems to be no doubt but that Mr. C.’s +Sermon on this, as his addresses on other occasions, +whilst conveying to the religious portion of the community, +a more accurate conception of the moral +condition of the heathen world, served also to +deepen the convictions of many, that it is a primary +Christian duty to be unwearied in our efforts to bring +the heathen “out of darkness into” God’s “marvellous +light.” It was plain also, from his letters and +communications with friends, that this awakened interest +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</span> +on behalf of missions, acted very beneficially +on his own mind. His experience whilst in India +had been such, that he had to bear up not only +against the ordinary difficulties inseparable from the +missionary life, but also against the hostility of +the government, the indifference of his fellow-countrymen +in India, and the misgivings of even good +men, as to the possibility of converting the heathen. +He had, moreover, in a great measure, to +maintain schools and teachers, and scripture-readers, +out of such resources as his own income and the occasional +contributions of a few Christian friends might +supply. But his residence in England had brought to +his knowledge the encouraging fact, that there were +thousands in his native country, who had become +earnestly desirous of promoting the best interests of +their fellow-subjects in India. With reference to this +circumstance, Mr. Corrie had occasion to remark<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I was frequently favoured to witness the lively interest +expressed, by persons in all ranks of life, with regard to the +state of the heathen. The bare mention of some of the +cruelties and superstitions we daily witness, drew forth tears +of commiseration. The news of a single soul turned from +heathen darkness to the light of the gospel, drew forth +bursts of praise and thanksgiving to the God of all grace +and mercy. Nor were these empty expressions only; for the +abundant contributions throughout Britain, for carrying on +the work of Missions, proved that multitudes were sincere +in those expressions of interest in the cause.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">When, therefore, after a residence of nearly two +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</span> +years in England, Mr. Corrie prepared to return to +his former scene of labour, he carried with him both +a deeper impression of the importance of the work +in which he had been so long engaged, and also, the +cheering consciousness that in such difficulties as +might hereafter occur in his missionary career, he +would be accompanied by the prayers and sympathies +of thousands. Nor could he overlook that additional +encouragement to exertion, which had recently +been supplied by the kind and public manner, in +which his labours at Agra had been commended by +the Bishop of Calcutta.<a id="FNanchor_93" href="#Footnote_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a></p> + +<p class="tall">It may be also here mentioned, that although the +frequent public services in which Mr. Corrie engaged, +had not allowed him repose sufficient to recruit his +health so effectually as could have been desired, yet +he was unwilling to let pass any opportunity that occurred +to promote the cause of missions. Within +a few days, therefore, of his departure from England, +he agreed to attend a meeting of the Committee of +the Church Missionary Society in London, for the purpose +of addressing two missionaries who were about to +proceed to India; and the next day he preached a farewell +sermon at the church of St. Mary Woolnoth.</p> + +<p class="tall">On the 14th of April 1817, Mr. Corrie embarked +on board the Carnatic, Indiaman, with his wife and infant +daughter, and the same day sailed from the Downs. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</span> +There were on board the Carnatic, besides his own +family and those of the two missionaries above mentioned, +upwards of forty passengers, and a detachment +of soldiers. “We have about three hundred souls on +board,” observes Mr. C. in a letter to his father, +“but how to set about attempting their good, it is +difficult to say.” As regarded himself, Mr. C. added<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“A solemn, but not a painful feeling, sometimes fills my +mind on recollecting my father’s house, and the distant prospect +of again beholding it; but the consideration of the +‘house not made with hands,’ quiets every anxiety, and the +sure and certain hope of meeting there may well reconcile +us to temporary separation. I have had many thoughts of +late, about the variety of religious divisions in England, and +see clearly, that most of them arise from excess of spiritual +advantages; and thus the means intended for their good, +become to many an ‘occasion of falling.’ No view of religion +but what affects the heart, temper, and life, is of any +avail for eternity. The great facts of the Trinity in Unity, +the incarnation and vicarious death of the Son of God, the +promise of the Holy Ghost, all these remain true and certain, +though all men should deny them. The influence they +have, therefore, upon my heart and life, is the great thing I +have to attend to. If I do so understand and feel these truths, +as to engage me in private, and influence me in public, the +end for which they were revealed is effected in me; and I +shall be led by them to the issue they promise: otherwise +they serve no good purpose to me.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On approaching Madeira he again wrote to his +father<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“You will be glad to hear that we have proceeded thus +far in safety.... Our ship is in all respects most comfortable, +so that in all things relating to our voyage, we, as yet, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</span> +have only cause for thankfulness. I hope we may be carried +to our desired haven in peace, and that you will hear of our +continued welfare in that far country; and that we may +yet again see each other in the body, to recount new mercies, +and to excite to renewed praises. My mind is kept in perfect +peace; and I am enabled to keep the object of my +calling steadily in view. Less of determination, as to +what I shall do, than on my first going to India, but I trust +a full determination to do what my hand findeth to do, in +its time and season.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a private memorandum, Mr. C. remarks<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“My mind is, I think, more resolutely and deliberately +set upon the work of the ministry in India; more disposed +to spend and to be spent in that service; and to glory in it. I +am in danger from the reasonableness and propriety that appear +to me in so doing: for though it is indeed a reasonable +thing, to offer body, soul and spirit to the Lord’s service, +yet reason cannot enable me to do it. The quickening grace +of the Holy Spirit can alone keep the soul alive to God. +The experience of the Saviour’s love alone, constrains dull +nature, even when regenerated, to activity in saving souls. +O for more experience of a Saviour’s love!</p> + +<p>“May 10th. During the past week, I have had much +thought of life, as a state of endurance, rather than enjoyment. +We endure a ship in order to go to India: a cabin, +in order to attain to a house: medicine, in order to health: +the society on board, because we cannot get away: the inmates, +in hopes of doing them good. In the view of these +circumstances, Oh! how great does the goodness of God +appear, in His long suffering and patience! May it lead me +to a more entire repentance.</p> + +<p>“August 3rd, 1817. Came to anchor in Madras roads, +at nine o’clock <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span> Our voyage has been very favourable, +in respect to weather and speed. At sea, off the Cape, heard +by a vessel, from Bengal, of the death of Mr. Myers:<a id="FNanchor_94" href="#Footnote_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a> this +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</span> +has proved a severe trial to us; but the certainty that he died +in the Lord, prevented us sorrowing immoderately. Thus the +Lord is mindful of us, and lays no heavier burden on us +than we can bear.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Carnatic reached Madras early in August, +and remained there for ten days or a fortnight. +During that period Mr. Corrie and his family were +the guests of his kind friend, the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Marmaduke +Thompson. In a letter written to his brother from +Madras, Mr. C. informs him that</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“There is a growing respect for religion in this place. +Indeed, there are many instances of serious religion throughout +the Presidency, both among the Civil and Military +servants of the Company. The Chaplains have entered +into a regular communication with each other in connection +with the Committee of the Church Missionary Society, +and at some stations things seem wonderfully prepared for +them. At one station where Mr. Spring is, [Tellicherry], +he found that through a native Christian, whom God had +stirred up to read the Scriptures to his neighbours, thirteen +of the heathen were anxious to be baptized, some of whom +have accordingly been baptized. We hear too, that near +Delhi, a company of about five hundred people had collected +to converse on the subject of the Christian Scriptures, +which had been circulated among them, and that they had +resolved to be Christians; although they professed an unwillingness +to associate with the English, on account of +their eating all kinds of food. I hope they will learn the +ways of God more perfectly.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Carnatic sailed from Madras on the 20th of +August, and arrived at Calcutta by the end of that +month.</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_91" href="#FNanchor_91" class="label">[91]</a> +Mr. Corrie’s text on the occasion alluded to, was 1 John <abbr title="two">ii.</abbr> 17.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_92" href="#FNanchor_92" class="label">[92]</a> +See Missionary Register for 1816, <abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 185.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_93" href="#FNanchor_93" class="label">[93]</a> +See Bishop Middleton’s Sermons and Charges, <abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 197.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_94" href="#FNanchor_94" class="label">[94]</a> +Mrs. Corrie’s father.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER <abbr title="Thirteen">XIII.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">RETURN TO CALCUTTA.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">Although</span> Mr. Corrie, at the time he landed in India, +was one of the Senior chaplains in Bengal, and on that +account had a claim to reside in Calcutta, yet as a +junior chaplain had been appointed to the Presidency +during Mr. C.’s absence from the country, it was decided +that the latter should proceed to one of the +out-stations, until a vacancy should again occur in +Calcutta. To Mr. C. was accordingly assigned the +chaplaincy at Benares. Before, however, he proceeded +to that station, he addressed himself to the +work of missions; the natives as usual flocking +around him. In reference to that object, he writes +to his brother<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, <abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 22. 1817.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I find a great progress in public opinion respecting the +spread of the gospel. A Diocesan Committee,<a id="FNanchor_95" href="#Footnote_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> and +School-Book Society,<a id="FNanchor_96" href="#Footnote_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a> and Hindoo College,<a id="FNanchor_97" href="#Footnote_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a> are formed; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</span> +in addition to the Bible Society, and Church Missionary +Committee, before existing; considerable exertions, also are +making to enlarge the Free School,<a id="FNanchor_98" href="#Footnote_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> which now boards, +clothes and educates upwards of two hundred children. +But notwithstanding all these favourable appearances, vital +religion has even more than ever to struggle with; a form +of godliness without the power of it; a scheme of doctrine +approaching to the truth, but still not the truth itself, is +the fashion of the day. True religion does however make +way, though it ‘cometh not with observation.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On Sunday, 12th of October, Mr. Corrie +preached a sermon at the Old Church in Calcutta, on +behalf of the Church Missionary Society. This seems +to have been the first discourse delivered from the +pulpit of the Established Church in India, with a professedly +missionary object;<a id="FNanchor_99" href="#Footnote_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> and was on that account +not without its effect. After the service, a native-convert +was baptized by the name of Fuez Messeeh. +This person had come from Bareilly to Calcutta, and +had been for several months under Christian instruction. +The account which he gave of himself to Mr. +Corrie was, that at the age of eighteen, being disgusted +with the idolatry of the Hindoos, he became +a Mahomedan, and lived so strict a life as to gain +many disciples by his reputed sanctity. That +finding no peace of mind amid the practice of all +kinds of austerities; and having, in the meanwhile, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</span> +heard much of the gospel, he contrived to obtain a +copy of Martyn’s Hindoostanee New Testament; that +he read it, and was led “to know and feel that there +is none other name under heaven, given among men, +whereby he must be saved, but only the name of our +Lord Jesus Christ.”</p> + +<p class="tall">It was on the evening of <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 17, 1817, that Mr. +Corrie left Calcutta for Benares. The following are +extracts from his Journal at this time<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We have in company, Abdullah, baptized in England; +Fuez Messeeh, baptized in Calcutta; Noor Messeeh, baptized +at Agra; a Christian Khidmutgar,<a id="FNanchor_100" href="#Footnote_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a> baptized at the Lall-Bazaar +Chapel [in Calcutta]; Khristnoo, baptized at Agra; +the five Christian youths, under the patronage of the +Church Missionary Society; and several Christian families. +During the 19th and 20th, we had an opportunity +of witnessing two distressing instances of the unfeeling +conduct of the Hindoos, towards the sick and dying. On +one occasion, two women were employed, at the river-side, +filling the mouth of a child with mud. Miss B. asked +them if the child were ill? One of them answered, ‘Yes.’ +Miss B. ‘You are going to kill it outright.’ On which +they began to laugh, and talk with each other; and prosecuted +their work of death. Farther on, a sick man was +laid, with several people sitting round. A young and +handsome Brahmin was attempting to bind a weight round +his neck, in order to sink him in the river, which the sick +man was resisting, with marks of much remaining strength. +Abdullah called out, ‘Take him into some warm place, and +he will recover:’ to which the Brahmin answered, with a +significant nod, ‘Aye, Aye, we will put him into a warm +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</span> +place:’ on which the persons around laughed aloud. On +the evening of the 21st, Fuez Messeeh, whilst walking on the +bank of the river, said among other things, that ‘at times +he experienced such delight in contemplating the love of +Christ, that no relish remained for earthly things.’ Noor +Messeeh, (who appears truly a partaker of the grace of +Christ) joined us; and after some time asked, with seeming +interest, ‘Whether if a person sinned after believing in +Christ, he might hope for forgiveness?’ One of the Christian +youths enquired, ‘Whether if a person did not believe in +Christ, and yet practised virtue, his virtue would be accepted +of God?’ These questions seem to me, to explain the +doctrine contained in the xvi. and xviii. Articles of our +Church. The situation of native Christians, in respect of the +Mahomedans and Heathen, <a id="chg6"></a>point out to them the necessity +of faith in Christ, in order to acceptance with God; and at +the same time, teaches them the inefficacy of a mere profession +of Christianity.</p> + +<p>“Sunday 24th. Our Christian congregation consisted of +seventeen. Fuez Messeeh read first the 116th Psalm, and afterwards +the xvi and xviith chapters of St. John. He was himself +evidently affected by the repeated references to our Lord’s divinity, +and spoke to the others on that subject; and of the +great condescension of the Saviour, in becoming the surety +of sinners; with the love that ought to subsist among +Christians: saying, ‘they ought to be as the eyes in the +head, which though they dwell in two sockets, yet were intent +always on the same objects; and constituted but one organ +of vision.’</p> + +<p>“At Augurdeep. In the evening went into the village, +where is a celebrated Idol temple. Fuez Messeeh entered +into a dispute with a Brahmin, before twenty-five or thirty +people, assembled for poojah (worship.) The Brahmin was +forced at length to confess that Idolatry was inexcusable: +on which an appeal was made to the bystanders, who declared +that the Brahmins led them astray.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</span> +“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 22nd, at Bauglipore. Visited the Roman Catholic +Christians here, whom we found still in great poverty, +and complaining of the neglect of their priests. Gave +Augustine Clementis (who professes to wish for a school +and has several children of his own) ten rupees towards +erecting a shed, and engaging a schoolmaster, with a promise +of further assistance. Left with him, for the use of +the intended school, one copy of the New Testament in +Persian, one copy in Hindoostanee, and one copy of the +Psalms in Persian. Gave him also a copy of the Psalms, +and some copies of family prayers, in Hindoostanee, for +distribution.</p> + +<p>“Buxar, <abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 18, 1818. Had divine service this morning +in English, and baptised an Israelite, aged fifty-five, +who has been long in our military service, and who seems +spiritually alive to the true character of Christ, as the promised +Messiah. In the afternoon had service in Hindoostanee. +Twenty-five adults, beside our own people, attended. +The anxiety manifested by several of the Jews for religious +instruction, is very pleasing; and must, if possible, be +gratified. May the Lord raise up a suitable teacher; and +direct and prosper me in my wishes to erect a place of worship +for them!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">No sooner had Mr. Corrie arrived at Benares, +(<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 26. 1818.) than he projected a missionary establishment +in the neighbourhood of that large and +populous city. The following extract from a letter +addressed to the secretary of the Calcutta Committee +of the Church Missionary Society, will explain the +objects he had in view<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Three native Battalions are usually cantoned here; two +are now at the station. I have been taking measures for +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</span> +the establishment of a school for the younger drummers and +fifers, and for the children of native Christians attached to +these Corps. I have already twenty-four names of children, +whose parents desire that they should become scholars too. +We also, on Sunday [<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 8th.] began Hindoostanee worship, +and about fifteen of the above class attended. For the +school, I have met with a small bungalow conveniently +situated, offered for six hundred rupees. In this bungalow +Mr. Adlington could also reside for the present. I beg, +therefore, that the Committee will consider whether they can +adopt this bungalow and premises for a Missionary residence; +or whether they would wish Mr. Adlington to reside altogether +in Benares; and that premises should be procured +for him there on his return from Agra?<a id="FNanchor_101" href="#Footnote_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a> Let me repeat, +then, that at this place there are immediate calls on the +Society for assistance; and that not merely in the hope of +probable benefit, but from the actual wants of professing +native Christians; whilst many of the natives, Mahomedan +and Heathen, are awakened to discern the importance of +Christianity, and will probably be encouraged or discouraged +by the readiness or otherwise which we manifest in meeting +these wants of our Christian brethren.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Mr. Corrie had the satisfaction to find that the +Committee in Calcutta readily entered into his views, +and authorized him to purchase the premises referred +to in the preceding letter. He was thus enabled to +open a school, to the support of which many of the +European residents at Benares contributed, by +monthly benefactions and subscriptions.</p> + +<p class="tall">Early in February Mr. Corrie visited Chunar, his +first station in India, and where the native church +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</span> +was now under the care of Mr. Bowley. It appears +from the report he sent to the Calcutta Committee of +the Church Missionary Society, that Mr. C. found +the mission at Chunar in a satisfactory state. Under +date of <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 9, 1818, he writes:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“On the 5th instant I went to Chunar: it was rather late +in the evening when I arrived, but I found several of the +converted Hindoos waiting to see me. Next morning at +seven o’clock, about eighty of the native Christians attended +for divine worship. They began by singing a hymn, in the +native measures, on the sufferings of Christians. The regularity +with which they sung, and the earnestness most of +them manifested, greatly affected me. Mr. Bowley expounded +the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins; and concluded +the service with prayer. Among other things, he prayed +for a blessing on the king, and on his nobles in England, +and in India. I mention this not as a proof of Mr. Bowley’s +loyalty, for that was known long before, but to shew how +the labours of such men tend to attach the natives of India +to the British nation, by uniting their most important interests. +At ten o’clock, about one hundred Europeans attended +divine service in English; after which, twelve of +their children were baptized, and eleven marriages celebrated. +At three p. m., the native congregation again assembled to +the number of about ninety adults; when, after evening +prayer, I endeavoured to explain to them and apply the +second Psalm. It appears that the usual number of Europeans +who attend Divine service regularly in English, is about +forty, and the usual number of native Christians who attend +worship in Hindoostanee, is about seventy or eighty. The +number in both congregations has been gradually and regularly +increasing, and testifies of itself to the diligence and +exemplary conduct of Mr. Bowley, and of the blessing +attending his labours. The little I was able, in my short +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</span> +visit, to see of the state of the people, impressed me deeply +with the value of his labours. I knew the degradation of +both European invalids and their native wives and families, +from three years residence among them, and now to behold +so many of them adorning by their lives the doctrine of God +our Saviour, was to me most gratifying, and will be considered +an ample recompence for all their contributions, by +the supporters of our Society. There being but one place +for both the free-school and the congregation to assemble in, +I could not see the scholars at their tasks. Three or four +children of parents, who can afford it, pay half a rupee per +month; with which, together with voluntary contributions +of some of the pious soldiers, Mr. Bowley has provided +wall-shades for evening service, and supplies the lights. I, +also, conversed at Chunar with ten Hindoos, who appear to +be fully convinced of the truth of Christianity, though not +yet prepared to encounter the consequences of an open +profession [of it]. Some of them even join Mr. Bowley +occasionally in prayers. One of them, on being asked, +what he considered the great peculiarity of the Christian +religion? answered, That in every other system of religion, +works were made a condition of justification, but that in +Christianity, only faith in Christ is required; whilst, wonderful +to say, it produced more exemplary holiness than any +other system.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">By a statement which Mr. Corrie put in circulation +at Secrole, dated 11th of March, it will be seen that +he was not unmindful of the duties connected with +that station<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“It having been found on enquiry, that many children of +Christians, chiefly connected with the native battalions, +were without the means of instruction, a school was established +in the lines, in the month of February, for their +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</span> +benefit, which now consists of the following number and +description of scholars:</p> + +<ul> +<li>  4 Adult Christians, learning to read Hindoostanee in the Nagree character.</li> +<li>  2 Adult Hindoos, learning to read English.</li> +<li>  4 Young men, who were educated for a short time in the Orphan school.</li> +<li>  4 Christian youths, who with the last-mentioned, form one class in reading, writing, and casting accounts.</li> +<li>  5 Christian boys, who read the New Testament, and write.</li> +<li>10 Christian boys, learning first lessons in English reading and writing.</li> +<li>  2 Mahomedan boys, learning first lessons in English reading and writing.</li> +<li>  8 Christian girls, learning to read English.</li> +<li>—</li> +<li>39”</li> +</ul> +</div> + +<div class="tall"> +<p>Of the above-mentioned boys, eight, it was stated, +were orphans, or the children of parents who were +too indigent to maintain them; the consequence was +that they had to be provided with sustenance as well +as education. To the school was also attached a +Christian Moonshee, whose office it was to read the +Scriptures morning and evening, to as many Christians +as chose to attend; and on Sundays, to read the service +of the Church of England, and a previously-prepared +exhortation, (both in Hindoostanee) to the native +Christians in the lines, of whom about thirty or forty, +with their children, were in the habit of regularly +attending.</p> + +<p>The object of this statement was to make the European +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</span> +residents at Benares acquainted with the missionary +operations in progress among them, and to +afford them “an opportunity of contributing to the +support of measures, the beneficial tendency of which +they were so well able to appreciate.” The result was +that the schools at Secrole received such an increase +of patronage, as to be almost wholly supported by +local contributions.</p> + +<p>About the middle of March, Mr. Corrie again +visited Chunar. In a letter from Benares, dated +March 24, 1818, he writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I attended at Chunar last week. On Good Friday, we +first had divine service in English, in a barrack; and afterwards +in Hindoostanee, at the Free-school. The number of +communicants after the first service, was seventeen. Of the +native congregation, twenty-seven females and two men remained +to commemorate the death of our Lord. Almost the +whole congregation were in tears during the sermon, in +which Mr. Bowley set before them the Saviour’s sufferings: +and during the communion, the greater number appeared to +be deeply affected, and all of them <a id="chg7"></a>exeeedingly serious and +attentive. There was an evident blessing vouchsafed to us, +and, in my own case, a lively sense of the Divine presence, +which seemed also to pervade the whole congregation. Friday +before, I heard thirty-two native Christians read, who +have within these few months, most of them, and all of +them since Mr. Bowley came to Chunar, begun to learn, +some the Persian, others the Nagree character; and some of +them now read the Scriptures in Hindoostanee, with fluency, +and all of them expressed much delight arising from their +new attainment. Indeed, a remarkable tenderness of conscience +seems to distinguish most of them; and their altered +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</span> +exemplary conduct is the talk of all, and as usual, by some +ridiculed, and by others commended.</p> + +<p>“On Thursday, I catechised the first class in the Free-school, +consisting of seven boys, who not only repeated their +catechism correctly, but answered very intelligently many +questions I asked them, arising out of the catechism. They +also repeated passages of Scripture, which they got off as +tasks, and the whole class repeated verse by verse, the thirteenth +chapter of Proverbs. Some of the children in the +Free-school, and their mothers, who are amongst the +most exemplary of Mr. Bowley’s congregation, are the +families of non-commissioned officers belonging to native +corps now in the field. It must strike every reflecting +mind what a comfort establishments such as that of the +Church Missionary Society at Chunar, must be to Europeans +of the above class. If instead of leaving their wives and +children comparatively unprotected, and exposed to the +temptations of this heathen land, they could place them +where their children might receive education at little or no +expense, and their wives be receiving good instruction, instead +of being left to every wind of temptation, surely much +of the pain arising from separation in time of war would be +alleviated.</p> + +<p>“The school-room being too small to contain the Native +congregation, and encouraged by the Committee’s<a id="FNanchor_102" href="#Footnote_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a> approbation +of my wish to build a larger house for their accommodation, +I desired Mr. Bowley to look out for a proper spot +to build upon. A house and premises, contiguous to the +barracks, the owner refused to dispose of to us; and this led +us to fix upon a spot about two hundred yards further from +the barracks, and on two sides bounded by the Native town. +The possessor, Mr. Turnbull, was applied to for it, and he +begged Mr. G. Robinson to go up and fix a price on it. Mr. +R. accordingly went with me last week and valued the +premises at 500 Rupees. On this being reported to Mr. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</span> +Turnbull, he generously wrote, saying, that he begged I +would accept the ground for the purpose intended. This, I +hope, is a token for good, and may be taken as an encouragement +to proceed.... I think there will be no difficulty in +raising 4 or 5000 Rupees for our intended church.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Mr. Corrie had the happiness to find that these +anticipations were not premature, for on a subscription +paper being put into circulation, the Marquis of +Hastings was pleased to head the list of contributions +by a donation of 1000 sicca rupees, towards building +a church at Chunar.</p> + +<p class="tall">Encouraging, however, as was this improved state +of feeling in favour of missionary labours, there remained +abundant scope for the exercise of christian +zeal. In a letter, addressed to his brother about this +time, Mr. Corrie writes from Benares<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“In a neighbouring district (with the magistrate of which +I am well acquainted) during the last year, two widows were +burned on an average every month; six lepers were buried +alive, or drowned, by their friends; and not less than one +hundred persons destroyed themselves by drowning, in fits of +passion, under the idea that their ghosts would haunt the +offending party. Such being the strength of passion in +them, you will not be surprised that murders are exceedingly +frequent: and, what is worst of all, their religion encourages +these excesses.... The progress of the gospel is +slow, but advancing. The unholy rivalry of some who +differ from us in modes of worship is a stumbling-block to +a few; and it grieves me to be often obliged to spend my +time and my breath in proving the lawfulness of infant-baptism, +and the propriety of baptism by sprinkling. Satan +thus divides, but he shall not finally prevail.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</span></p> + +<p>It was now the will of God to exercise the faith +and patience of His servant, by a no less severe +affliction than the death of an only son. How great +this trial proved to Mr. Corrie, will be seen from his +letter on that <span class="lock">occasion—</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MRS. MYERS.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“April 9, 1818.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Our dearest Grandmama will have heard the melancholy +tidings communicated to Mr. Sherer yesterday. I judged +it best, that, if possible, the heavy affliction should not come +upon you suddenly. Your still bleeding heart will more +severely feel this arrow of the Almighty, winged no doubt +with love, but piercing to the very quick. Our lovely boy +was becoming inexpressibly interesting. He was taken +with a severe attack nearly three weeks ago, which yielded +to strong medicine, though he never was after as before, +but seemed mending, when by some means, he caught a +severe cold. The doctor says it was of the nature of Influenza, +and many in the house have suffered from it. On +Saturday morning we sent for the doctor; medicines did +not produce the wished-for effect, and we had a very restless +night on Saturday. On Sunday morning my heart began +to sink on his account, and the Lord’s prayer in Church +tried both my principles and my feelings.</p> + +<p>“Throughout Sunday, little alteration appeared; but he +rested so well on Sunday night, that the doctor on Monday +morning pronounced him out of danger. About eleven he +altered for the worse. His little sweet countenance assumed +an appearance of eagerness, and about twelve he was manifestly +convulsed, though not strongly. On this, our doctor +called in another skilful medical man, who happened to be at +the station, and new medicines were tried which promised +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</span> +partial relief, and the fond mother began again to hope. +About twelve on Monday night, he was in great pain, and +the work of death was evidently rapidly going on. We +commended him to our covenant God in prayer. I pleaded, +as well as I was able, His promise to be the God of our seed, +as well as our own God. I prayed for the child as a member +of Christ’s mystical body and a branch of the true Vine; +and besought that the suffering child might be remembered +in the suffering Christ. Our prayers were mercifully heard, +and our babe from that time suffered comparatively little. +About five on the morning of the 7th, his soul seemed longing +to mount upward. We again in prayer commended +him to our covenant God, and about half-past five, he +ceased to breathe without a struggle or even a sigh.</p> + +<p>“It seemed to me inconceivable that my mind should +ever have become so confused respecting the truths of Scripture. +During the whole of Tuesday, and on Tuesday night +especially, I became alarmed lest any thing extravagant +should escape me. My God ever graciously kept me from +bringing a reproach on the principles I preach: but O! I +seem only now to have begun to understand many of them. +I now know what is meant by the <i>bread</i> of affliction, and the +<i>water</i> of adversity: I now understand the 38th Psalm in a +way I never did before; and though even at this moment no +one Scripture could I point to, and say that it supports me, +yet, I feel myself on safe ground, and seem secured on +all sides from danger.</p> + +<p>“I hope the bitterness of this death is past to us both, +though our bereavement (as I conceive it ought not) will +never be forgotten. We are constrained to abstract our +thoughts from the lovely object that bound our affections so +fast; and do, we hope, rejoice in his gain, whilst we mourn +our sad loss. My understanding yesterday received a lesson +from Anna. When we sat down to the ceremony of dinner, +she became raving for water. Sometimes it was ‘Dear papa, +give Nana some water.’ Then with a curtsey to nurse, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</span> +‘Please Nan, give Nana some water.’ Then with anger crying +for water; but though our hearts were bleeding for her +distress, we would not give her water for her hurt. Thus, +thought I, our heavenly Father is looking down upon us. +He heard our prayers, our tears for the life of our babe; He +saw our distress, and He doubtless pitied, but for our good, +denies our desires. Oh, may the Holy Spirit send home +the lesson effectually!</p> + +<p>“On entering the pulpit on Sunday morning in heaviness +of heart, when I pronounced the sentence ‘Our Father +which art in heaven,’ it powerfully came to my mind, ‘Is he +less a Father than thou art, that he should not care for thee +and thy child?’ Lord! I believe, help my unbelief!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In acknowledging the christian sympathy of Captain +Peevor, expressed in connection with this domestic +sorrow, Mr. C. writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We try to realize the truths you kindly bring before us; +but it is hard to walk by faith when sense and sight so powerfully +attract the contrary way. We are not, however, +without experience of the grace of our Lord; and hope the +lesson intended may not be lost upon us. One day in this +school of adversity, has taught me more than years of ease +and prosperity.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It was now, also, that Mr. Corrie communicated +with</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Benares, March 14, 1818.<br> +</p> + +<p>“You will see by the date, where I am stationed. The +place is important, on many accounts. It is central, and +near several missionary stations: but we want helpers at +Chunar, my first station in India. Mr. Bowley’s labours +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</span> +have been greatly blessed to the christian part of the population; +who were ‘as sheep without a shepherd,’ till he +went among them. Mr. Adlington is at this time visiting +dear brother Abdool; of whom he writes very favourable +accounts, as to spiritual things; but his bodily health has +greatly declined, and is declining. A few have been added +to the church at Agra; and several bearing the christian +name, seem to have experienced a new birth unto righteousness. +With respect to the public state of affairs, you will +hear of the wonderful events which have taken place here, +during the last six months; by which the whole continent +of India is become subject to British authority.<a id="FNanchor_103" href="#Footnote_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a> Very +critical have been our circumstances repeatedly, at one place +1200 of our troops were assaulted by a greater number of +thousands—at another place, 3,000 of our troops were set +upon by 40,000; and such is the inconstant nature of the +natives of this country, that in either of the above affairs, +had victory declared against us, the whole of India would +have been in a flame. This, then, is the Lord’s doing, and +it is marvellous in our eyes. We have many praying souls +now in our Indian army; and the number is increasing: +and we know that our God is a hearer of prayer.”</p> + +<p>“April 9. Since I began my letter, it has pleased God to +relieve you of the charge we put upon you, respecting our +Infant.<a id="FNanchor_104" href="#Footnote_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> He was removed from our sight on the 7th, and +is now with his Father and our Father, with his God and +our God. I know not how to write about anything else, +but yet I wish not to fill my paper with the expression of +feelings which, no doubt, every one in similar circumstances +experiences. I shall only say, that I seem never to have +known sadness till now.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">This extension of the British rule in India, by +opening out wider fields for missionary exertions, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</span> +rendered, also, the want of labourers more sensibly +apparent. Hence Mr. Corrie writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. MR. SIMEON.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Benares, June 16, 1818.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I write now to acquaint you with the death of one of +our chaplains at Cawnpore on the 22nd instant, that you +may, if possible, get some proper person appointed in his +place. Our honoured friend Mr. Grant, will not be backward +to use his influence, if it can avail—and may God +grant, for the honor of his gospel in these lands, that a true +minister of his word may be sent out. It is inconceivable to +those not on the spot, how much pious <i>well-educated</i> men +may effect, above the usual run, even of pious men who +come out as missionaries. If translations be to supply the +gift of tongues, then those translations ought to come as +near the character of that gift as possible. Now the Serampore +translations all, I fear, fail entirely in idiom and every +recommendation. Of their Hindoostanee translation, I can +speak from some knowledge, that it is calculated to displease +the least fastidious, by the mixture of Persian, Arabic, and +English words in it, as well as by the turn given to many +phrases, from the literal rendering from the English. Thus, +‘on these two hang all the law and the prophets,’ the word +used is literally, ‘suspended as from a peg.’ Such is my +own feeling respecting this translation, that I should abstain +from giving it to an intelligent Hindoo, and no other could +make anything of it; and at this place, we have, in consequence, +nothing to meet the enquiries of the Hindoos, except +a catechism translated by Mr. Bowley, which is read +with avidity.</p> + +<p>“Divine providence is, I hope, opening a door of great +usefulness here, through the means of the Baboo Joy <a id="chg8"></a>Narian—a +kind of Deist, who is about giving up a house, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</span> +£5,000. to endow it as a school, to our Church Missionary +Society. The house in Benares we have actual possession +of, and it is now undergoing a little repair, with a view to +commence a school of general learning, of which Mr. +Adlington will be the superintendent.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The name of Joy Narain will be remembered, as +that of the rich native at Benares, who, some years +ago, sent a letter and a benefaction to the Bible Society.<a id="FNanchor_105" href="#Footnote_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a> +It appears that the same benevolent individual +had at that time formed, also, the design of +building and endowing a free-school, by means of +which the poorer classes of his countrymen might +receive education.<a id="FNanchor_106" href="#Footnote_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> He seems to have gone so far +as to have himself drawn up a plan of the institution, +to have commenced building a suitable house, and +to have offered to pay for the support of a schoolmaster +and assistants; but, from some cause or other, +nothing had been definitely settled up to the time +that Mr. Corrie was appointed chaplain at Benares, +after his return from England. Soon after Mr. C.’s +arrival at that station, however, Joy Narain brought +the subject of the free-school before him; and the +following extract from a letter addressed by Mr. C. +to the committee of the Church Missionary Society, +gives the substance of what passed between Joy Narain +and himself<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</span> +<p>“He proposes giving a large house in the city for a +school, endowing it with 200 Rs. a month, (about £300. +a year,) Mr. Adlington to be the teacher. I suggested to +him to let us have the house on Mr. Adlington’s arrival +[from Agra,] to begin operations; and that for the present +Mr. A should derive his support from the Church Missionary +Society, whilst he (Joy Narain,) should pay for books +and incidental expenses. This seemed to delight him. I +proposed that he should make the Church Missionary Society’s +committee trustees of his endowment; reserving to +himself the approval of their agent, who, if approved of +at the end of one year, should be confirmed for life; or, +during conformity with the rules of the endowment; which, +I proposed, should be for general learning: our Missionary +to be at liberty to receive enquirers after truth, in his private +apartments, after school-hours.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">To these several propositions, Joy Narain cordially +assented, and although at the date of the foregoing +letter to Mr. Simeon, the property was not +legally made over, yet the school-house had been put +into the possession of the Church Missionary Society. +The school itself was opened on Monday, July 17, +1818, under the superintendence of Mr. Adlington; +the second master being a young man, country-born, +but educated in England, and intimately acquainted +with the colloquial language and manners of the +natives. Mr. Corrie observes, however, to the +Committee of the Church Missionary Society<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“To give full effect to this gift of Joy Narain, you must +send us one or two men of as good education as possible, +and as soon as you can find them. The disposition to hear +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</span> +and receive the word, is increasing daily among the natives. +Many of the rich and learned Hindoos, especially of this +city, seem ready to welcome the gospel.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And again to the Committee in Calcutta<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“A man of learning should by all means be sent out to +that school, both to release Mr. Adlington, and to occupy +a post than which there is none more conspicuous in all the +sphere of missionary labour; and, it ought, therefore, to be +supplied accordingly.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It was whilst engaged in watching over the first +beginnings of this Institution, that Mr. Corrie wrote +to his brother,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“July 29, 1818.<br> +</p> + +<p>“This country becomes daily more and more interesting +to the christian. The paramount influence of our government +now seems to hold out some degree of permanency to +our rule; and, in consequence, the natives are less embarrassed +with the fear of the return of former superiors; and +the consequent persecution that would have followed any +attention to our religion. Considerate men among them, +therefore, begin to speak out their dissatisfaction with Idolatry; +and to enquire what better we have to offer them. +This disposition is most providentially met by the institutions +which have risen amongst us of late: and the hand +of God in disposing all things for the spread of His truth, +seems evidently displayed. First, there is the Diocesan +Committee, which confines itself to supplying those only +who understand English, with bibles, prayer-books, and +tracts. Next, the Church Missionary Society, which supplies +the native christians with bibles, and prayer-books in +the native languages: as well as its more direct objects. +Then the School-Book Society, which supplies elementary +books in all languages, for all description of persons; and +then the glorious Bible Society, like the ‘lion which covereth,’ +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</span> +embracing all classes and climes, in the distribution +of the words of life eternal. If to these be added, the +labours of missionaries of different denominations, it will +appear that the kingdom of God is near to India. Of +missionaries, however, we have as yet, but a scanty supply. +May the Lord of the harvest, thrust forth labourers into +India.</p> + +<p>“In the beginning of this month I baptized, at Chunar, +a Brahmin, and a Moonshee, in the presence of the native +christian congregation, and of many Heathen and Mahomedans. +The Brahmin declared that he had visited all the +places reputed holy by Hindoos, from Brindrinath in the +borders of the snowy mountains in the N. W., to Juggernauth +in the lower parts of Bengal, but found nothing on +which his mind could rest, till he heard the gospel at Chunar. +That he found all the Hindoos in error, and plainly +told them so; in proof of his being in earnest, [he] broke off +the Brahmin’s cord, (or, as he called it, ‘the lying cord,’) +before them all. The Moonshee bore a similar testimony +respecting the insufficiency of the Mahomedan faith.<a id="FNanchor_107" href="#Footnote_107" class="fnanchor">[107]</a> Three +more are waiting for my next visit to Chunar in order to be +then baptized.... These are encouraging circumstances; +may God grant us his blessing to improve them to his glory!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">But besides relating such encouraging circumstances +as these, Mr. Corrie’s correspondence contains +many incidental notices, also, of his intercourse +with natives of all classes. Thus on the 18th of +August, he informs Mr. Sherer<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We are going on as usual here, doing a little: ‘unknown +and yet well known.’ Several of the high Natives have +visited me lately; chiefly from the intimacy they perceived +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</span> +Mr. Bird<a id="FNanchor_108" href="#Footnote_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a> had formed with us; but it led, though they +meant it not, to religious discussions. A near relation of +the Rajah of Benares, took away yesterday a Hindoostanee +New Testament, and Hindoostanee Prayer-book, with +evident desire, after a long discussion on subjects connected +with them.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And, again, in writing to the same relative in the +month of October, Mr. C. observes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Joy Narain’s school goes on very well. Many of good +caste and family now come for instruction in English. The +enquiries they make on religious subjects, have led to the +conviction, in several, of the folly of idolatry. Indeed, I +am obliged to refrain at times from talking with them, lest +the whole design should be obstructed by the rapid progress +some of them are making in Christian knowledge.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The school here mentioned, having, by Deed, +bearing date <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 21, 1818, been legally placed +under the control of the Calcutta Committee of the +Church Missionary Society and their successors, +Mr. Corrie was requested by Joy Narain to draw up, +in English, a detailed statement of the plan and objects +contemplated by the school. A draft of the +statement was, in the first instance, [11th <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> +1818.] submitted by Mr. Corrie to the Agent of the +Government at Benares, and was afterwards translated +into several of the languages of the country, and +circulated among the natives of India. As illustrative +of a remarkable moral movement, towards the +maturing of which the subject of these memoirs +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</span> +materially contributed, the document is too important +to be omitted.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The following statement of the object and plan of the +Institution, is published, with a view to engage such support +as may enable the managers to extend to the utmost the +benefits it is intended to convey.</p> + +<p>“1. In this school, four languages are taught, viz. English, +Persian, Hindoostanee and Bengalee.</p> + +<p>“2. For the purpose of affording instruction in these +languages, an English master, as superintendent of the Institution, +is engaged; proper assistance and learned +teachers in the other languages respectively, are also retained.</p> + +<p>“3. It is intended to maintain, as well as educate, a number +of poor boys, who are to be accommodated in the house, as +soon as proper arrangements can be made, and a small daily +allowance will be made to such poor boys as cannot be +received into the house, to such extent as the funds may +admit of.</p> + +<p>“4. The benefits of the Institution to be at the same time +open to all who are desirous of availing themselves of them, +without regard to caste or country; and for this purpose, +teachers, paper, pens and ink, will be provided gratis, for +all the scholars; it being left to the option of such parents +as can afford to pay for their children’s education, to contribute +at their pleasure to the general expenses of the +school, and thereby to extend the benefits of it further to +the poor.</p> + +<p>“5. The primary design of teaching the above languages +being, to enable industrious youths to obtain for themselves +a comfortable livelihood, the first care will be to instruct the +scholars in reading and writing grammatically, and in the +most necessary rules of arithmetic; together with the government +regulations on the subjects of police, and ordinary +affairs: after which such youths as desire further improvement, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</span> +may be instructed in general history, geography, and +astronomy.</p> + +<p>“6. No scholar to be admitted into the school under seven +years of age, except such as are on the foundation, nor any to +be admitted to receive maintenance from the funds who are +above eighteen years. Each scholar to remain in school, if +practicable, at least two years, but no scholar to receive +pecuniary support beyond the period of seven years, nor +above the age of twenty, unless for the pursuit of some +study approved by the managers.</p> + +<p>“7. All the scholars are required to attend regularly every +day, to abstain from all improper language in school, and +to maintain a respectable moral character in society; without +which no scholar can be admitted, or if admitted, be retained +on his ill conduct being discovered.</p> + +<p>“8. The school to be open to all visitors every Tuesday, +and all contributors to the funds to be admitted to inspect +the accounts on the second Tuesday in every month.</p> + +<p>“It being intended to form a library and museum also +connected with the school, as soon as practicable, any +donation of natural curiosities, or of books, in English, or +in any of the languages of India, (especially grammars, +dictionaries, and books of history) will be thankfully received; +and a book will be kept in which the names of +donors will be recorded, with the nature and extent of the +donation.”</p> + +<p class="right">“Benares, 11th November, 1818.”<br> +</p> +</div> + +<p class="p2 tall">At the time the foregoing statement was put into +circulation, there were no less than one hundred and +sixteen scholars in the school; but it had already +become apparent that the monthly sum granted by +the founder, was by no means sufficient to meet the +necessary expenses of the establishment. Joy Narain +therefore, made a formal application to the Governor-General +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</span> +in council for pecuniary assistance, when +Lord Hastings, with the ready attention which he +always manifested for the moral improvement of +India, ordered a regular monthly allowance to be +contributed from the funds of government toward the +efficient maintenance of the school.</p> + +<p class="tall">But the residence of Mr. Corrie at Benares was +now drawing to a close. He received about this +time, an appointment to the vacant Chaplaincy at +Cawnpore; but before he could proceed to that station, +a vacancy had occurred at the Presidency by the +departure of the senior chaplain on sick-leave. This +event was the occasion of Mr. Corrie’s recall to Calcutta. +He accordingly left Benares in December +1818, amid the regrets of a large body of respectable +natives, who had seen so much reason for regarding +him as the friend and promoter of every institution +which was calculated to promote their welfare. It +could not, therefore, but be a matter of gratification +to him, to be followed to Calcutta by the subjoined +Address written in English, Persian, Hindoostanee, +and Bengalee<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center"><span class="smcap">From the Inhabitants of Benares</span>,<br> +<br> +TO THE REV. D. CORRIE.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“For several years past we have entertained a desire, that +no one would indulge in any kind of controversy, and that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</span> +all theological discussion might cease amongst us. For +the attainment of this our desire, Joy Narain Maharaj, +often attempted to establish a school, but was never able to +accomplish his design. When you arrived at Benares, and +kindly engaged the superintendence of a school, in the +which instruction should be afforded in the English, Persian, +Hindue and Bengalee languages, from that time our +wishes began to be realized: seeing that as at all times it is +a difficult thing to collect individuals of different religious +principles, you by your investigation, liberality and kindness, +<abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> caused upwards of 200 to lay aside their religious +prejudices and engage in the same pursuit. Since when, +by the will of God, you were pleased to embark for Calcutta, +your condescension, liberality, and charity; your +kindness, love for the truth, and enmity to deception; +your excellent understanding, convincing knowledge, and +acquaintance with the theological works of the Christian +religion; your Christian-like conduct, your affording instruction +to those desirous of being more acquainted with +the way of salvation by the mediation of Christ, and meeting +the views of the learner; are subjects of daily conversation, +and cause us to admire that prudence which, aloof +from the violence made use of by those of other dynasties, +causes Rajahs, Baboos, great and learned Pundits, Mouluwees, +Moonshees, in fact the great of the city, to court your +friendship. A remembrance of these things occasions much +sorrow, and produces a desire for another interview. Here +we trust that God Almighty will again suffer us to meet, +and that as long as it please Him to retain you in Calcutta, +He will not fail on your account to bless both us and the +school.”</p> + +<p>(Here follow the signatures of Joy Narain and of 266 +other natives of Benares.)</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_95" href="#FNanchor_95" class="label">[95]</a> +Formed in 1815.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_96" href="#FNanchor_96" class="label">[96]</a> +Instituted May 1817.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_97" href="#FNanchor_97" class="label">[97]</a> +Originated by natives in <abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 1816.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_98" href="#FNanchor_98" class="label">[98]</a> +Established in 1789.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_99" href="#FNanchor_99" class="label">[99]</a> +See Missionary Register for 1818, <abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 448.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_100" href="#FNanchor_100" class="label">[100]</a> +A kind of footman.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_101" href="#FNanchor_101" class="label">[101]</a> +Mr. Adlington had gone to Agra to visit Abdool Messeeh.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_102" href="#FNanchor_102" class="label">[102]</a> +The Calcutta Committee of the Church Missionary Society.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_103" href="#FNanchor_103" class="label">[103]</a> +By the termination of the Pindarry and Mahratta wars.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_104" href="#FNanchor_104" class="label">[104]</a> +That of Godfather.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_105" href="#FNanchor_105" class="label">[105]</a> +See above <a href="#Page_149"><abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 149.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_106" href="#FNanchor_106" class="label">[106]</a> +Joy Narain’s own account of the circumstances which led him +thus to consult the good of his countrymen, may be seen in the +Missionary Register for 1819, <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> 416, 417.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_107" href="#FNanchor_107" class="label">[107]</a> +A fuller account of the baptism of these persons is given in the +Missionary Register for 1820, <abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 123.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_108" href="#FNanchor_108" class="label">[108]</a> +The magistrate of the district.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER <abbr title="Fourteen">XIV.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">REMOVAL TO CALCUTTA.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">It</span> was not without regret that Mr. Corrie quitted a +place which he had found (to use his own words,) +“a scene of delightful labour.” In anticipation +of his probable removal from Benares, he had written +some time before</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. MR. SIMEON.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am at a loss to decide how to act should my removal +be determined on by Government. You will see a report of +our Church Missionary proceedings here, no doubt, by Mr. +Thomason. There is a great deal too much said in it about +me, especially should I be removed soon, so as to be prevented +establishing the plans in agitation. But I pray I +may be able to go on in simplicity of mind, in obedience +to the will of God’s providence, and seek nothing for myself; +who am indeed nothing, and deserve to be the +‘off-scouring of all.’ If I were professedly a Missionary, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</span> +and had the same prospect of entrance into this very citadel +of Idolatry, I should consider it a call to live and die in +this place; but as a Chaplain of the Government, am I not +to consider the disposal of Government, as the voice of +providence to me? I can truly say that, in the prospect +of leaving this place, ‘I am oppressed; O Lord, undertake +for me!’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Before proceeding, however, to Calcutta, Mr. C. +visited Chunar, and there administered the Lord’s +Supper to sixty communicants, of whom half were +native Christians. He drew up a plan, also, for the +future guidance of those who were engaged in the +mission at that place and Benares, with a view to +secure regularity and efficiency to their exertions: +and in this he so arranged as to secure the cooperation +of all the parties, for whose guidance his directions +were intended. It may be mentioned, too, in +connexion with the mission at Chunar, that Mr. C. +had employed himself, during his residence at +Benares, in carefully examining and correcting a revision +of Mr. Martyn’s Hindoostanee translation of +the New Testament, into Hindoowee, which Mr. +Bowley had found it necessary to undertake for the +sake of the native population, among whom he laboured; +and which was afterwards printed by the +Bible Society. At the close of the year 1818, +Mr. Corrie commenced his journey to Calcutta. +On the way thither he touched at Buxar, a place to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</span> +which he had frequently paid missionary visits; +and where a great desire had often been manifested +on the part of the Christian inhabitants, to +have a schoolmaster or Missionary located among +them. As a proof of the anxiety which these +Christians still cherished for the advantages of a +stated ministry, there was now placed in Mr. Corrie’s +hands a list of about seventy persons, (chiefly of +the less wealthy class,) who were willing to contribute +certain monthly payments toward building a +church, and the maintenance of a Missionary.</p> + +<p class="tall">On reaching Calcutta, among the first objects of +Mr. Corrie’s care was, the placing under proper +instruction some Hindoostanee youths, who had +accompanied him from Benares. He had for some +time been in the habit of devoting much attention to +their education, with a view to their future usefulness +as teachers; and he now placed them in a school +for Hindoostanee boys, which the Calcutta Committee +of the Church Missionary Society had just +established in that city. With reference to the importance +of such an Institution, Mr. Corrie had long +entertained a decided opinion. In a letter, anterior +to this period, he had observed to Mr. +Sherer,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I see so strongly, and experience also in my connection +with the adult converts, the improbability of finding steady, +judicious pastors, except from among those who have been +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</span> +educated in Christian studies, that I should like to devote +the rest of my days to the instruction of native youths, +with a view to the ministry. That may be better done in +Calcutta than elsewhere, from the greater readiness with +which books may be had, and especially help for the instruction +of others got ready. Besides, future Missionaries will +act with greater effect, aided by well-educated native +brethren. So that in every point of view this appears to be +a prime object, to educate for the ministry.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">As respected himself, it is scarcely necessary to +state that the scene of labour at the Presidency was, +in most respects, widely different from that to which +Mr. Corrie had been accustomed in the provinces. +In a letter to his brother, dated early in 1819, Mr. +C. relates, as a specimen of his <span class="lock">engagements,—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Mr. Parson and myself go on happily in our joint +Chaplaincy. The Bishop is absent at Madras, where, we +hear, he is confirming, in his sermons, all Mr. Thompson’s +labours. He is in many respects a valuable man.</p> + +<p>“I have lately been appointed Honorary Chaplain to the +[Military] Orphan Institution,<a id="FNanchor_109" href="#Footnote_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a> where I officiate every +Sunday Morning soon after six o’clock. At the Cathedral +I read prayers or preach at nine; and the same at eight in +the evening. I take the weekly occasional duties in turn. +I am, also, <i>ex officio</i>, a Governor of the Free School, and +a member of the Select Vestry; who are Trustees of charities +distributed to the monthly amount of 3,411 rupees, among +568 Pensioners.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The connexion with the “Select Vestry” here mentioned, +did not however prove without its difficulties; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</span> +for it happened that Mr. Corrie commenced his duties +at the Presidency before a dispute had subsided, +respecting the mode in which that Vestry was constituted, +and the authority which they claimed to exercise. +It seems to have been the custom for the +members of the Vestry to re-elect themselves annually, +so as to admit new members into their body only as +vacancies occurred by deaths, resignations, or departures +for England. They had customarily, also, +appointed the officers connected with the Church, +now called the Cathedral. But it appears that at +the Easter preceding Mr. Corrie’s connection with +the Cathedral, a certain number of persons opposed +the re-election of the Select Vestry, as being contrary +to the practice usual in England; and the senior +Chaplain, at the same time, claimed the right to nominate +the churchwardens. The Select Vestry, on the +other hand, regarded themselves (and had long been +so recognized by government) as special Trustees for +a Church which had been originally built by private +individuals; and for the due distribution of certain +funds, arising mainly from legacies left for charitable +purposes, and under the administration of the Vestry. +However much, therefore, to be deplored, might be +the animosity and indecorous language, into which +some of the parties concerned in the dispute, seem +to have been betrayed, it cannot be a matter of surprise +that the Vestry, as a body, should hesitate to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</span> +abandon long-acknowledged claims, and to hand over +to other persons, the distribution of certain charities +which they conceived to be legally entrusted to the +Vestry. To such a length, however, had the dispute +respecting this matter been carried, that both parties +complained to the Governor General in Council; and +the Government had given it as an opinion, rather +than as a decision, that the vestry should remain +in possession of its accustomed functions, until the +authorities in England might judge it proper to +interfere. But notwithstanding this opinion on the +part of Government, the opponents of the Vestry +revived the dispute, at the Easter of 1819. Much +correspondence seems to have taken place on the +subject, and many hard words again to have been +used; and Mr. Corrie as one, among others, who considered +it their duty to maintain themselves in the position +which had been thus sanctioned by Government, +became, as a matter of course, the subject of reprehension +on the part of those, who opposed the claims +of the Vestry. Yet it is stated by those who were +in Calcutta at the time, and were also well acquainted +with the facts of the case, that the subject of these +Memoirs was enabled so far to keep apart from the +bitterness of this strife, as to exhibit throughout +“the prudence and meekness becoming the minister +of Christ.”</p> + +<p class="tall">With the exception, however, of passing occurrences +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</span> +such as these, there was but little diversity +in the duties which now fell to Mr. Corrie’s lot, +beyond what may be found in the life of a parochial +clergyman. The history of any one day was, to a +great extent therefore, the history of the succeeding +month; and so on, from month to month: for as it +was not yet certain, whether the senior Chaplain, who +had gone to the Cape, would return to India or not, +Mr. Corrie could not regard himself as more than a +temporary resident at the Presidency, and did not +therefore feel at liberty to engage so actively in the +concerns of several religious societies in Calcutta, +as he afterwards felt called upon to do. But when +intelligence reached India, early in 1820, that +the senior Chaplain had proceeded to England, +and Mr. C. thus became entitled to succeed to +the vacant chaplaincy, he began to lay himself out +for some steady course of missionary labour in +Calcutta and the neighbourhood. One of his first +movements was, to endeavour to collect a native +congregation in Calcutta, by means of Mr. +Bowley, who had come down from Chunar to superintend +the printing of that revised Hindoowee translation +of the New Testament, which has been already +mentioned.<a id="FNanchor_110" href="#Footnote_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a> The ulterior object Mr. Corrie +had in view in this was, to provide a sphere of labour +for Abdool Messeeh, who was expected to reach +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</span> +Calcutta in the spring of 1820, and whose state of +health might probably render it desirable that he +should remain there for the future. Mr. Corrie was, +also, desirous to excite a deeper interest for missionary +objects, among the poorer classes about the Presidency, +in the belief that less attention had hitherto +been given to effect this, than, on every christian +principle, seemed necessary. As having now, also, +undertaken the office of Secretary to the Church Missionary +Society in Calcutta, Mr. C. was in better +circumstances to direct these missionary plans. +Some account of his occupations, is given in a letter +to his sister, who had returned to England<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“May 19, 1820.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Abdool Messeeh is here: I am daily at work with him, +writing a Commentary in Hindoostanee, from six in the +morning till breakfast and after, if I am not called away. +We have got him a house in <i>Meer-jan-kee-gully</i>. It is a +roomy (upper-roomed) house, but out of repair; so we get +it for fifty rupees a month; and here he collects the poor +four times a week. The Church Missionary concerns occupy +me too a good deal; and we are setting up a printing-press +in my go-downs.<a id="FNanchor_111" href="#Footnote_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a> To-day the first sheet of a tract is printing +off, as a beginning.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Soon after the date of the foregoing extract, Mr. +Corrie had an examination of the boys of his Hindoostanee-school, +in the presence of the members of +the Calcutta Committee of the Church Missionary +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</span> +Society, and of such other persons as interested +themselves about missionary objects. His many +avocations did not admit of his undertaking the +superintendence of a larger number of scholars than +that with which the school had commenced; but the +result of the examination proved, that the benefit +derived from being habituated to christian example +and the progress which the boys had made in a +knowledge of the Hindoostanee New Testament, the +Hindoostanee Catechism, and the principles of the +Christian religion in general, were of a very encouraging +nature. Impressed, therefore, with the conviction +that a Christian education was of the greatest +importance as a means to render the natives themselves +efficient instruments of God to their countrymen, +Mr. Corrie welcomed the idea of establishing +a missionary College by the Bishop. With reference +to that circumstance, he wrote to his brother<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am quite sure that all men will rejoice in the establishment +of the College; although learning alone will do but +little. It therefore appears to me more than ever necessary +to maintain strenuously the labours and plans of the Church +Missionary Society. Under these feelings I was led last +Thursday into a long conversation with the Bishop, respecting +Missionary proceedings, in which the Church Missionary +Society and its views were brought forward and discussed. +The Bishop’s chief objection was, that the sending out of +English clergymen as Missionaries, would prevent the East +India Company from making such a provision of Chaplains, +as they ought to make. As far as it goes, the argument is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</span> +just; but I think he ought rather to adopt such Missionaries, +and by pointing out to Government the benefits produced by +them, to draw forth Government support, which otherwise +may not be afforded in any way.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It may not be amiss to mention, that however +much Mr. Corrie might be occupied by matters of +public interest, he did not neglect the charities of +social life. On the contrary, he did not allow his gate +to be closed against any who might have a reason for +desiring to hold communication with him. And, as in +India, persons arriving from England, or visiting +the Presidency were, at that time, regarded as having +an almost unlimited claim on the hospitality of the +residents in Calcutta, Mr. C. was seldom without +his share of such guests. This circumstance, added +to his natural kind-heartedness, gave occasion to one, +who loved him, and who was then under his roof, +to remark, ‘as long as he lives and wherever he +lives, he will have as many people about him as fall +in his way; until every corner be occupied, and he +himself is left without a corner.’ To many of the +younger portion of these visitors Mr. C. was, also, +oftentimes the instrument of great moral good; and +in such cases it was his custom, as occasion served or +might require, to address to them a letter of encouragement +or direction, after they had left him. An +extract from a letter to Capt. Moyle Sherer, H. M. +34th regiment, and who had been on a visit to his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</span> +brother in Calcutta, may serve to illustrate the spirit +of such communications<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, May 27, 1820.<br> +</p> + +<p>“You are by this time settled with your regiment, and +begin to find exactly how the minds of those around you +stand affected to the principles of true religion. Some +painful discoveries will probably have been made, and on +the other hand, perhaps, consolation will have arisen from +unexpected sources. Such is the beginning, especially of a +life of piety. We are apt to wonder that what we see so +clearly to be rational and necessary, is not equally seen by +others when brought before them; and the result is, to make +us feel more experimentally that what we have learned on these +subjects, has not been from man’s teaching, but that God +has been leading us by ways that we knew not. The discovery +of our own inbred sin is what is most distressing at +this stage. Indeed, to the end of life such ebullitions of the +sin that dwelleth in us, occasionally take place, as almost +confound the Christian, and send him back to his first principles; +and it seems as if the whole work of religion were yet +to begin. Yea, how often does this inward enemy impel him +to the very brink of disgrace, and he escapes as by miracle, +from temporal no less than eternal ruin. Such is my experience +up to this day; and now, what with the experience +upwards of forty years have supplied of the world’s insufficiency +to afford happiness, and of the power of sin, unless +God prevent, to work temporal and eternal ruin, the grave begins +to appear a refuge, and I have a deep conviction that +they only are completely blessed who are in heaven. I think +you were quite right in not taking part with the Wesleyans +till you know more of them. By degrees the truly sincere +will draw to you as their natural superior, and you will +be able to direct their reading and to regulate their affairs +far more to their advantage than they can do themselves.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">During the October of 1820, Mr. Corrie was +afflicted by the death of one of the elder of the Hindoostanee +boys, who were in the school under his +care. The youth in question was a Hindoo by birth, +and when a child had been purchased up the country, +from his parents, during a season of scarcity. He +had therefore been under Christian instruction the +greater part of his life. It seems that he died of +consumption, and that during a long illness, he +had afforded satisfactory evidence that he had not received +a Christian education in vain. The death of +this youth was not long afterwards followed by the +removal of the remaining youths, to assist in the +schools at different missionary stations. Before, +however, Mr. Corrie’s Hindoostanee scholars had +been thus dispersed, there had been admitted among +them, for the purpose of receiving instruction in order +to baptism, a Hindoo youth who had been servant to a +converted Moonshee.<a id="FNanchor_112" href="#Footnote_112" class="fnanchor">[112]</a> This youth, when full of the +idea of making the pilgrimage to Juggernauth, had +accidentally fallen in with the Moonshee, and accompanied +him as far as Benares. In consequence, however, +of the conversations, which he held with the +Moonshee on the subject of religion, his faith in +the efficacy of a pilgrimage to Juggernauth had +entirely abated, by the time they reached Benares: +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</span> +and he accordingly returned back to Delhi with the +Moonshee, in the capacity of servant; although he +left his master, after a while, to avoid the scoffs of +his Hindoo acquaintances. He could not, however, +rid himself of the conviction that his master was +right, and became so uneasy under that conviction, +that he quitted his home in search of peace of mind. +Eventually he made his way to Calcutta, and became +an inmate of the Hindoostanee school there, +and in due time was baptised.</p> + +<p class="tall">It may here not be uninteresting to relate, that +after Mr. Corrie became Secretary to the Calcutta +Committee of the Church Missionary Society, he +was in the habit of employing himself as he found +opportunity, in contributing to the pages of a +‘Quarterly Circular,’ which first appeared in 1820, +and contained from time to time, a summary of +‘Missionary Intelligence,’ for the use of Missionaries +and others, at the different stations in India. +Among his contributions to this periodical may be +mentioned a series of papers, containing a ‘Sketch +of the progress of Christianity in Calcutta and in +the provinces of the presidency of Bengal.’ Mr. +Corrie had often been struck by observing the importance +attached by historians to but imperfect +records of former ages, provided those records happened +to bear the marks of authenticity; and he +conceived, therefore, that some future historian of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</span> +the church of Christ in India, might possibly derive +assistance from a notice of such facts and circumstances +as that ‘Sketch’ might be the means of +rescuing from oblivion. It may with truth be added, +that no person then living was better qualified than +Mr. C. to record the more recent occurrences connected +with the history of Christianity in Bengal, +he having himself been not only a careful observer +of all that concerned the progress of true religion in +that Presidency, but also the personal friend of those +men of God, who had immediately preceded him, +and to whose zeal and labours may be traced the first +origin of almost every religious institution in Bengal. +The Calcutta Diocesan Committee of the Society +for promoting Christian knowledge, having +now, also, directed their attention to the translation +of religious Tracts into the languages of India, a +translation into Hindoostanee, both in the Nagree +and Nustaliq character, of “Sellon’s Abridgment of +the Holy Scriptures,” was assigned to the superintendence +and revision of Mr. Corrie. Having been +requested, moreover, by the Committee of the +Calcutta Bible Society, to state for their information, +such particulars illustrative of the benefit attending +the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, as might have +fallen under his own observation, the following was +his reply<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</span> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, 6th <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 1821.<br> +</p> + +<p>“In compliance with your request that I would state any +circumstances within my own knowledge, tending to shew +the good arising from the distribution of the Scriptures +alone, I have endeavoured to call to mind some facts in +corroboration of my general feeling of the good arising from +the measure in question. The benefit arising to professed +Christians is not, I believe, within your contemplation, +otherwise I might say much respecting the benefit the native +Christians on this side of India have derived from the Bible +Society. During the prevalence of the Mahratta power, +many Christians were employed in offices of trust by the +Native princes, chiefly in situations connected with the army.</p> + +<p>“I had, whilst residing at Agra, frequent applications from +Christians of that class, and many of them sent from far, for +copies of the Persian and Hindoostanee translations: to shew +the need they stood in of such supplies, I may just observe, +that a Christian of the class referred to, in the service of the +Burthpore Rajah, on applying personally to me for a copy +of the New Testament, was asked if he had ever perused +the Gospel in any language? he answered that he had never +even seen the Book; and in the figurative language of the +country, added, that ‘he knew not whether the Book was +made of wood or paper.’</p> + +<p>“Among the most remarkable instances of Mahomedans +and Hindoos deriving benefit from the Scriptures alone, the +following occur to me:</p> + +<p>“In 1813, a Mahomedan Hukeem came to me at Agra +from Burthpore, saying, that he had many years before read +the Pentateuch in Arabic, a copy of which had been given to +him by a Roman Catholic priest: that about two years before +the time he came to me, he had obtained a copy of St. +Matthew’s gospel in Persian, from reading of which he had +become convinced of the divinity of Jesus Christ. This man, +with his son, was afterwards baptized.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</span> +“The next instance that occurs to me, is of an aged Hindoo: +this man from reading the writings of Cuber, had been +led to renounce Idolatry, and finding the Law and Gospel +spoken of by Cuber, as divine books, he was for several +years anxious to possess a copy. After several ineffectual +attempts to procure a copy from English gentlemen, he at +length obtained the Gospels in the Nagree character. He +was also afterwards baptized. A third instance of good derived +from the Scriptures alone, was Burukut Museeh in 1813; +he got a manuscript copy of Job, which he perused with +great interest; afterwards he got a copy of the Psalms; then +Isaiah; and finally the New Testament in Hindoostanee. +His exemplary life and happy death are recorded in the +Missionary Register.</p> + +<p>“The only other case that occurs to me, is that of Fuez +Musseeh, baptized in 1817. At seventeen years of age, he +became a Mahomedan purely from the abhorrence of idolatry +expressed in the Koran; he remained upwards of twenty +years a strict and indefatigable disciple of the Koran, living +as a Fakeer and obtaining great honour among his countrymen +for his supposed sanctity. At length, being disgusted +in his own mind with the practices recommended by his +spiritual guides, and wearied with his own ineffectual labours +after holiness, he abandoned all his honours as a Religieux, +and bought from a lady a copy of the New Testament, if +haply he might find in it that rest for his soul he had hitherto +sought in vain from other quarters. He sought, and +found, as his conduct hitherto leads us to think, the object +of his pursuit.</p> + +<p>“I have met whilst residing out of Calcutta, with very +many natives, who from reading the Scriptures, have had all +prejudice against Christianity removed; and some of them, +as Joy Narain Ghossaul, at Benares, have been set upon +many works of benevolence and charity, from their knowledge +of duty as learned from the Bible, though they have +not derived <i>all</i> the benefits to be desired from the copies of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</span> +the Scriptures circulated among them. How far this partial +good is to be appreciated, each Christian will form his +own judgment. As a preparing of the way of the Lord, it +is by no means to be undervalued, and future labourers will +reap the fruit of the precious seed which the Bible Society +has been sowing in India with so much diligence for several +years past.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The memoranda which occur in Mr. Corrie’s +Journal after his return to India, are very few, but +under date of June 11, 1821, he remarks<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have been endeavouring to call my ways to remembrance, +and find enough to be humbled for in the review, +but a difficulty as to how I should speak of it. This difficulty +I wish to account for. Formerly I could write of my +state with ease; lately I have neglected to make memoranda. +I have certainly been much employed in public matters. My +duties as Chaplain, and as Secretary to the Church Missionary +Society,—the schools, the press, leave me very little +time, and that little I find difficult to apply to a good purpose. +My want of retirement prevents the right use of the +little I might have. I am deeply conscious that the evil +propensities of my nature are by no means eradicated; and +I ought to be alarmed that they do not more alarm me. +I feel daily that I sin, and resolve daily against my propensities, +yet daily am more or less overcome. Oh! I desire to +awake to righteousness! I desire to be alarmed; to be +saved from sin, and quickened and made alive to God. O +Spirit of light and love, of power and of a sound mind, +work in me to will and do of thy good pleasure! I see, in +reading the epistle to Titus, that except in such points as +are agreeable to my nature, I am far from the character of a +true minister of Christ.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">There is reason, however, to hope that Mr. Corrie’s +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</span> +ministrations in Calcutta were not altogether in +vain. At any rate, it is well known that his labours +were unceasing, whether regard be had to his duties +as chaplain, or those connected with the Church +Missionary Society, and the superintendence of the +native schools. In the December too, of this year, +he was appointed to preach the sermon at the third +visitation of Bishop Middleton; and in the same +month printed, among the Quarterly Missionary +Intelligence, a biographical sketch of his old friend +Joy Narain, who had died at Benares in November.</p> + +<p class="tall">But that which now more especially occupied the +attention of Mr. C. and others, engaged in conducting +the affairs of the Church Missionary Society +in Calcutta, was the education of the native females +of India. The state of society had until lately, +seemed hopelessly to exclude the native female from +all share in the benefits of education; but the success +which had attended a school set on foot by the +Baptist mission, had induced some friends of religion +in India, to communicate with the British and +Foreign School-Society in England, with a view to +extend the means of instruction to the females of +India, as widely as practicable. Funds were in consequence, +raised for that purpose; and Miss Cooke, +a lady of education and piety, arrived in Calcutta +during <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 1821, for the purpose of devoting herself +to the work.</p> + +<p class="tall"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</span> +It was early in January 1822, that the Calcutta +Committee of the Church Missionary Society, took +measures for the formation of female schools, under +the superintendence of this lady; and such was the +success attending their first efforts, that three schools +were in operation by the middle of February. It +was then thought desirable to bring the subject more +distinctly before the residents in Calcutta, in the +hope that the friends to the moral and intellectual +improvement of the natives of India, might be induced +to assist in carrying on this important and +difficult undertaking: and to Mr. Corrie it was +assigned, to draw up and circulate the following +address:</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">“<span class="smcap">Native Female Education.</span><br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The importance of education, in order to the improvement +of the state of society among the natives of this country, +is now generally acknowledged, and the eagerness of the +natives themselves for instruction begins to exceed the +opportunities hitherto afforded them.</p> + +<p>“But to render education effectual to the improvement of +society, it must obviously, be extended to both sexes. Man +requires a ‘Help-meet;’ and in every country the infant +mind receives its earliest impressions from the female sex. +Wherever, therefore, this sex is left in a state of ignorance +and degradation, the endearing and important duties of wife +and mother cannot be duly discharged; and no great progress +in general civilization and morals can, in such a state +of things, be reasonably hoped for.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</span> +“Such however, with few exceptions has hitherto been +the state of the female sex in this country; but a happy +change in this respect seems at length to be gradually taking +place. A most pleasing proof of this occurred in the interesting +fact, that thirty-five girls were among the number +of scholars, at the last examination of the School Society, in +the house of one of the most respectable natives in Calcutta.</p> + +<p>“The arrival of a lady of judgment and experience, at +such a crisis, for the purpose of devoting her time and +talents to the work of native female education, could not +but be regarded, by all interested in the improvement of +society among the natives of this country, as a most favourable +event.</p> + +<p>“This lady (Miss Cooke) was recommended, in the first +instance, by the British and Foreign School Society, to the +Calcutta School Society; but the Committee of this Society, +being composed partly of native gentlemen, were not prepared +unanimously and actively to engage in any general +plan of native female education. Most of these, however, +have expressed their good-will towards such a plan, and +their intention of availing themselves, as circumstances may +admit, of Miss Cooke’s disinterested services to obtain instruction +for their families.</p> + +<p>“Under these circumstances the corresponding Committee +of the Church Missionary Society have cordially undertaken +to promote, as they may be enabled, the objects of +Miss Cooke’s mission.</p> + +<p>“Miss Cooke will, as she may find opportunity, afford instruction +at home to the female children of the higher classes +of natives; and at the suggestion of an enlightened native +gentleman, a separate school will be attempted, for poor +female children of high caste, with a view to their becoming +hereafter teachers in the families of their wealthy country-women.</p> + +<p>“Miss Cooke has already made sufficient progress in the +acquirement of Bengalee, to enable her to superintend the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</span> +establishment of schools; and having been attended in her +first attempt by a female friend, who can converse in Bengalee, +some interesting conversations took place with the +mothers of the children first collected, in which Miss +Cooke’s motives were fully explained to them. Soon after, +a petition was presented to Miss Cooke, in consequence of +which, a second female school has been established in another +quarter of the town, and a third school has been formed in +Mirzapore, near the Church Mission-House. Thus three +schools are already established under Miss Cooke’s immediate +care, containing about sixty girls; and the disposition +manifested towards these schools by the natives, affords +reason to expect that a wish to have female schools will in +time become general.</p> + +<p>“It is intended therefore, to erect in a suitable situation +in the native town, a school-room, with a dwelling-house attached, +in which an extensive system of female education +may be attempted; and this plan, so peculiarly within their +province, is submitted, with much respect and confidence of +success, to the sympathy and patronage of the ladies of this +Presidency, by the corresponding Committee of the Church +Missionary Society. Whatever assistance may be afforded, +either as donations or monthly subscriptions, will be exclusively +applied to the purposes of female education, and a +report of progress will be submitted, from time to time by +Miss Cooke, for the information of subscribers.”</p> + +<p>“<i>Calcutta, <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 23, 1822.</i>”<br> +</p> +</div> + +<p class="p2 tall">The result of this appeal was, that within a few +weeks not less <a id="addword3"></a>than 3,000 rupees were subscribed for +the furtherance of the object contemplated; the +Governor General, Lady Hastings, and others of the +first distinction being among the most liberal of the +contributors. Nor was it among the least remarkable +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</span> +circumstance connected with this great social movement, +that a highly respectable Brahmin wrote and +circulated a tract, for the express purpose of recommending +to his countrymen the importance of female +education. He urged it also, as the duty of every +parent to rescue thus their female offspring from that +state of degradation, to which (as he proved from +history) the women in Hindoostan were not formerly +subject.</p> + +<p class="tall">With reference to these and similar occurrences, +Mr. Corrie writes to his brother.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, April 19, 1822.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Our missionary engagements are becoming more and more +important; and opportunities for extending our plans more and +more frequent and easy: But with all these [prospects,] a spirit +unfriendly to the gospel is gone forth amongst the natives, +and they are commencing Deistical politicians. Four native +newspapers have started in Calcutta; two in Bengalee, one in +Hindoostanee, and one in Persian. They cannot all stand +long, but they mark the spirit of the times. They are all +under an influence unfriendly to our Church establishment: +but we are getting on with our schools, having now upwards +of four hundred boys, and one hundred and thirty-four +girls, under our Church Missionary Society, within the +boundary of Calcutta; while the Diocesan Committee have +several schools in the suburbs. The youth in these [schools] +will, we hope, grow up with impressions favourable to our +views of things.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On Wednesday, May 26, 1822, Mr. Corrie preached +a sermon at the Old Church, in aid of the Society for +Missions to Africa and the East. The sermon was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</span> +afterwards printed with the fifth report of the Calcutta +Committee of that Society, and contains some +valuable remarks on the advantages connected with +direct instruction in the faith of Christ, over the +education which merely imparts such knowledge as +has reference only to the affairs of this life. One +sentence may here be cited as illustrative of the +great change which the mind of India had undergone, +since the time when Mr. Corrie could labour for the +conversion of the heathen, only at the risk of incurring +the censure of government<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Our Church, with reason we think, calls herself Apostolical: +now, what is this but missionary? And a portion of +missionary spirit has always resided among her members. +Time has been, indeed, when this was regarded by many +rather as a mark of dissent; but now, blessed be God, she +seems to be rising, through all her ranks, to her high and +proper character as a missionary body.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">About six weeks only had passed since the delivery +of this discourse, when Mr. Corrie was summoned +to attend the death-bed of the Bishop of Calcutta, +who was called to his rest after but a few days’ +illness. Considering the peculiar circumstances of +India, and the then novelty of episcopal rule in +that country, it could scarcely be expected that Mr. +Corrie, among others, should be able to recognise +the wisdom of every act of Bishop Middleton’s administration, +and the equity of the control which that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</span> +able prelate claimed to exercise over the temporal as +well as spiritual affairs of the chaplains to the East +India Company; but his correspondence abundantly +shows that he could well appreciate the Bishop’s character. +With regard more especially to the cause +nearest his heart—that of missions, Mr. C. considered +it to have derived from the deceased prelate, +exactly that kind of sanction which was then required; +it wanted only official countenance, and the +reputation of orthodoxy. To labour for the moral +improvement and conversion of our heathen fellow-subjects, +used to be regarded as characterising a +party in the church, and as proceeding from a kind +of fanaticism that would endanger the stability of our +oriental empire. But the interest which Bishop Middleton +had taken in the Missionary cause, had given +reason to believe, that official dignity combined +with a high reputation for sound judgment and +secular learning, were not incompatible with the conviction, +that our rule in India had every thing to hope +from the spread of Christianity; and that it was not +fanatical to suppose, that so vast an empire had been +committed to our governance for the noble purpose +of making known the Son of God, to a people who +were ignorant of Him.</p> + +<p class="tall">Within two months of the death of Bishop Middleton, +the Archdeacon of Calcutta fell a victim to +the Cholera; and as that circumstance rendered it +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</span> +necessary for the Government to delegate the administration +of the affairs of the See to other hands, Mr. +Corrie and Mr. Parson were commissioned to exercise +such jurisdiction as by law might be warranted, until +a successor to Bishop Middleton should arrive from +England.</p> + +<p class="tall">In a memorandum, penned about that time, Mr. +Corrie <span class="lock">writes:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 28th, 1822. This day sixteen years ago I first +landed in Calcutta. How altered the state of society! +Then Mr. Brown was senior Chaplain. He had at time +dear Martyn in his house, and received Parson and myself +into his family. Now he and his wife are numbered with +the dead, and all their children returned.... How many +other changes, also, in the state of the religious society +of Calcutta, so that Mr. U. only remains of the friends of +religion in his class of society of that day. How varied has +been the scene of my own Indian-life!</p> + +<p>“In respect of public affairs, great changes, also, have +taken place. In ecclesiastical matters great changes. A bishop +and archdeacon appointed in 1814, and Bishop’s college +has been the result. The subject of missions has thus, by +degrees, become one of acknowledged duty and advantage to +society. The bishop hurried off by sudden death: the archdeacon +taken off not two months after, more suddenly still: Parson +and I appointed to exercise their functions <i>pro tempore</i>. +I would, however, remark especially the state of my own +mind during this long period. I came to India chiefly with a +view to the propagation of the gospel; and that view, I trust +I can say, has not been lost sight of. My time has been +principally devoted to that object. My money, too, has +chiefly gone in that cause. I trust a mission has been established +at Chunar, Agra, and Benares, through my +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</span> +humble means, which will go on, and ‘increase with the increase +of God.’ In Calcutta, the labours of Secretary to the +Church Missionary Society, in addition to my own official +duties, have helped to bring on the loss of strength I am +now suffering under. But I would be aware that the state +of heart is chiefly to be attended to. And here I can see no +one duty so performed, that I dare think of it in the view +of presenting it to God; and were it not that Jesus is the +righteousness and strength of all who believe, I could not +entertain the slightest hope.</p> + +<p>“For about three months, my ancles have swollen occasionally, +with bad digestion, and aching of the limbs +and legs. The doctor says it is the effect of climate; by +which I understand that my frame is debilitated sensibly, +by the heat. He says, rest is the only remedy, and I am +come to Pultah Ghaut<a id="FNanchor_113" href="#Footnote_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a> for rest, and retirement. My +prayer to God is that I may be made fully alive to my real +state, and may not waste away without feeling the tendency +of such a wasting. I desire to have my loins girt about and +my lamp supplied with oil; so that, whenever the bridegroom +is announced, I may be ready to enter in.</p> + +<p>“I desire to be more spiritually minded; and to have +more of a realizing faith, as to the truths I am exercised about +day by day out of the holy word. I would fain see religion on +the increase among us; and have more abundant fruit of the +word. Oh! that the Spirit were poured upon Europeans and +natives! Oh! that the kingdom of Christ were established +in my own heart! more settled in my family; my flock; +and on all around generally. Oh! that the salvation were come +out of Zion. Then should this nation be glad and rejoice; +and He whose name is Jehovah, be acknowledged throughout +the land. Amen.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The debility of which Mr. Corrie here complains +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</span> +had so increased, that the medical men decided that +it would not be safe for him to remain in Calcutta +during the hot weather; and moreover, advised a +long sea-voyage as the best means for recruiting his +impaired health. He did not, however, think a voyage +to be of so much consequence; yet early in February +1823 he quitted Calcutta, accompanied by his family +and Captain Stephen of the Engineers, and went to +reside on the coast, near Juggernaut. For the first +eight or nine weeks of his residence at Pooree, Mr. +Corrie’s health had been greatly restored; but the +anxiety and fatigue which he underwent in attending +the sick-bed of Captain Stephen, who died at +Pooree on the 10th of May, brought on a serious +attack of fever. In this state he attended the funeral +of his deceased friend; but being too unwell to +proceed through the service, he was carried home in +a state of the greatest exhaustion. In the course of +the day, however, Mr. Corrie revived sufficiently to +allow of his writing to Mr. Thomason, an account +of the last illness of Captain Stephen; after which +the fever returned with such violence that for several +days the sufferer was scarcely sensible. The following +is his letter<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. T. THOMASON.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Pooree, May 10, 1823.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The last sad offices having been performed for your beloved +son-in-law, I will endeavour to recal some of the pleasing +expressions which fell from his lips during the last week, +both with a view to the comfort of his friends, and to indulge +myself on a subject which engrosses all my thoughts. My +acquaintance with the dear departed commenced in September +1814, when I saw him almost the whole of every day during +about a week. Again in 1817 and 1818, our intercourse +was renewed both at Ghazeepoor and Benares. He was +then, it is almost needless to say, strictly correct in his +conversation and general conduct, but did not exhibit that +serious impression of divine truth which latterly appeared +in him. When we went on board the schooner, I soon discovered +a marked difference in him in that respect. There +was an evident love of religious exercises, and religious +books; and I observed more than once a serious attention +to private devotion. From that period our intercourse was +unreserved, and his general conversation and remarks, such +as belong to godliness. He joined us regularly in our +morning and evening family worship. He frequently spoke +of his expectation that his illness would end in death, but +we hoped otherwise; and nothing particular, as to his +views in the prospect of such an event was mentioned. +He had never been free from bowel-complaint since we came +together, and during the early part of the week commencing +April 27, he complained of an increase to his disorder +from having taken cold, though no such appearances as +usually attend a cold appeared about him. He kept up as +usual till Friday the 2nd of May, when he did not come to +breakfast with the family, but came out to dinner.</p> + +<p>“On Saturday he did not leave his room. On Sunday I +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</span> +went into his room, and asked if I should join him +in reading the word of God and prayer, since he no longer +could join with us. To this he gladly assented, and began +to speak of the great mercy of God towards him in preserving +him from acute pain, whilst he felt himself sinking +gradually. I read the first lesson for the day, and he made +several remarks on the applicableness of the admonitions to +the spiritual state of the Christian. Being drowsy, from +the opiates administered to allay his disease, he desired me +to defer praying till the afternoon. In the afternoon he +was quite awake, spoke of the mercies of God toward him, +complaining also of his want of gratitude to his God and +Saviour. I spoke to him of what I thought of his state +when at Ghazeepoor in 1814, and especially some remarks +he then made on hymn singing, and expressed my delight +at his now altered feeling, and the ground of encouragement +it afforded him. He said that he had strong convictions +of sin before that time; that he owed much to his +deceased Aunt Stephen, who had tried much to impress his +mind with a sense of religion; adding, ‘I know now why +Christians take so much pleasure in hymn-singing; they +love to dwell upon the ideas conveyed by the words.’ I +may here observe that he several times, since we have been +at Pooree, spoke of his Aunt Stephen, and of all his family, +and the obligations he owed her.</p> + +<p>“To-day he also mentioned his wish to partake of the +Lord’s Supper, before his intellects should become +clouded. On Monday, May 5th, he asked me if I were +prepared to administer to him the Lord’s Supper. As no +time had been mentioned the day before, I proposed to +put off the celebration till next day, when we would make +it a family ordinance; to this he cheerfully assented. I do +not recollect any particulars of what fell from him that day, +but his conversation was always with reference to his dying +soon, and filled with thanksgiving to his God and Saviour +for the comparative ease in which he lay, and especially for the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</span> +hope of heaven which he enjoyed; often exclaiming that it was +all of mercy, and entirely flowing from the Saviour’s merits. +On Tuesday May 6, his mind was confused all the morning +from opiates; about two, <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> seeing him collected, I +asked if he would now have the Sacrament administered? +He said he wished to be more awake and would postpone it till +the morrow; adding, ‘I have committed my all into the +hands of my blessed Saviour, and I can trust him to keep +me sleeping or waking.’</p> + +<p>“On Wednesday he was taken up with some temporal matters, +and wrote the letter which I forwarded to you on that day. +Afterwards Mrs. Corrie and I went into his room, and we all, +I trust, by faith fed on Christ in our hearts, with thanksgiving. +Our sick brother was much alive during the whole +of the service, and read the passages in which the congregation +join, with much clearness and fervor. On going +into his room about an hour after the service, he broke out, +‘Oh, may this dispensation be blessed to my dear Esther, +that she may give herself wholly up to God, and fix all her +love on him alone. She has a deep sense of her own unworthiness, +and I bless God for the piety that is in her.’ +On Thursday May 8th, there appeared no alteration in the +state of his disease. Two surgeons from Cuttack having +arrived, our own doctor brought them to see him. They +went into the next room to communicate their thoughts on +his case, when he heard them agree that nothing could be +done for his relief. On my going into his room after they +went away, he seized my hand with all his remaining +strength, and said, ‘Oh my dear friend, how much am I +indebted to God for placing me at this time with friends, +who do all they can for my comfort, without concealing +their concern that my soul should be prepared for death;’ +adding much on the evil too many medical men are guilty of +in cherishing hopes of life when their patients should rather +be thinking of death, and contrasting the difference of his +present circumstances with what they would have been had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</span> +he gone, on leaving Calcutta, among strangers and irreligious +persons; then adding praise and thanksgiving to God. +On the early part of this afternoon Mrs. Corrie went into +his room, when he presently began to speak to her as for the +last time, praying that her husband might be spared to her, +and her children, and to the church, adding many expressions +of his regard and affection.</p> + +<p>“On Friday, May 9th. On my entering his room early, +and enquiring after his state, he said, ‘I have had a wretched +night, not in body, for I have been easy, but in mind. I +have been thinking of this and that treatment which might +have been used; but it is all wrong, and thus my wickedness +brings its own punishment. I have much tried to repent of +my daily wickedness, and of my wicked life.’ Adding a +good deal on the subject of God’s ordering all our affairs, +and the duty of looking above human agents—and said, ‘O +never did weary traveller desire his home more than I desire +my rest:’ most cordially acknowledging with me the duty +of submission, and joining in prayer for an increase in faith +and patience. Some favourable symptoms appeared, but he +seemed to build nothing on them. For several days we +had an European Sergeant to sit up at night. He has expressed +his surprise at the constant patience our brother +manifested, and told me, that he was much in prayer during +Friday night.</p> + +<p>“On Saturday morning, about half past three, a violent +discharge of blood took place, and again about five. I went +into his room just after the latter, and found him prostrate +indeed.</p> + +<p>“He began at once, ‘O my God, suffer me not to fall from +thee: make my repentance sincere, and let my faith stand +firm—O! accept me, unworthy! for the merits of Jesus +Christ. I am wretched and miserable, let my soul be cleansed +in his blood and presented spotless before thee; bless +my dear wife and children, bless my dear father and mother, +bless you (addressing himself to me,) and your family; and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</span> +God make you a greater blessing than ever to the church, +but don’t waste your life in this country, go home and do +good among the poor. O God! bless all the doctors who +have attended me, and let them not forget their own mortality +amidst these scenes;’ adding prayers for such generally +as he might at any time have had disagreement with. +On my reminding him of our blessedness in having an advocate +with the Father to render these petitions available, he +added strong expressions of the mercy of God towards him, +and of his earnest desire to be at rest with God; adding +‘O God, thou knowest that I love thee,’ and asked me if I +thought it wrong to pray for his dismissal. He spoke of +his temporal affairs as settled, and said he had no anxiety +about his children, the Lord would provide for them. +About 7, on going into his room, I spoke respecting the little +probability when we first met that I should survive him: +he began to pray for blessings for me, adding, ‘Bless the +Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth +all thy sins, who healeth all thy diseases.’ Adding +with emphasis, ‘<i>forget not all his benefits</i>; that he had +been forgetful all his days, but the Lord had shewed him +great mercy.’ From that time he spoke little. Being removed +to another bed, he dosed much from medicine. About +ten, observing him restless, I asked if he wanted anything? +he said ‘No.’ If he retained his peace of mind? He said, ‘His +mind had become very confused.’ And on reminding him +of the ‘Advocate with the Father,’ he faintly added, ‘Bless +God for all the way He has led me,’ or to that effect. About +eleven, seeing him restless, and less of consciousness about him, +I asked him if he knew me, he said, ‘Yes;’ and in answer +to my question, ‘If I should pray for him?’ he said, ‘Yes;’ +but there was no respond to the few petitions I offered +up, and he was no longer sensible. At half-past one, another +discharge of blood took place, which led us to think him expiring; +but the spirit lingered till half-past two, when, we doubt +not, he entered into his much-desired rest. I may tell you, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</span> +though I mean to send a medical statement of the fact, that +the three doctors ascertained after his death, that the liver +was perfectly sound, but the colon had become ulcerated; +and at length, a blood-vessel being eaten through, the discharge +above-mentioned ensued, and brought on dissolution; +but that this must have happened at no great distance of +time, and that no change of climate or treatment, could +have prevented the fatal result. This morning the beloved +remains were committed to their parent earth, in the Pooree +burying-ground. The burying-ground is an enclosed square +on the sands of Juggernauth.</p> + +<p>“Those sands, after almost a year from the Rutt Jattra, +are still strewed with the whitened bones of the wretched +victims of this Indian Moloch, and I indulged the idea, whilst +standing by the grave, that we were taking possession of +the land in the name of Jesus our Lord. Without disparagement +to a few other remains there interred, and of whose +history I know nothing, I <i>knew</i> that we were committing to +the earth the remains of a member of His mystical body; +and will He not bring in the remnant of His elect, and shall +not these, at present, wretched Hindoos, bow to His sceptre, +and confess Him ‘Lord, to the glory of God the Father?’ +Then, instead of that heartless brutality with which idolatrous +remains are treated, decent burial will be given them; +and instead of the howling of jackalls and wild dogs over +their remains, ‘Devout men will make lamentation,’ though +they will not sorrow as ‘those who have no hope.’ These +remarks, dearest brother, are indulged in, rather to ease my +own heart, than to comfort you and your sorrowing family. +I am inexpressibly afflicted for this my brother, but +what is my grief compared with his family’s? I send off +this blotted and only copy, both that you may receive it +within a due time of your knowledge of the afflicting event; +and that no discretion may remain with me as to multiplying +copies. Mrs. Corrie joins me in tender sympathy to all +your house.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</span></p> + +<p>For the remaining portion of the month of May, +Mr. Corrie continued to gain no strength. A +change of air was, therefore recommended, and he +removed to Cuttack, about fifty miles inland. There +it pleased God to recover him surprisingly fast. But +in a letter to Mr. Sherer, dated June 13, 1823, he +observed<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“By the frequent attacks of illness I have of late experienced, +our thoughts are sometimes directed towards you +[in England]; but I must remain another year in order to the +pension. The Lord only knows what time may bring forth. +I feel most reluctant to leave India, and nothing but +necessity shall lead me to leave it at present.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Ten days later Mr. Corrie writes to his brother:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cuttack, Orissa, June 23, 1823.<br> +</p> + +<p>“You will have heard the reason for my being here, so +I will not repeat the history of my ailment. I am, +through Divine mercy, much better, but this enfeebling +climate is not favourable to the recovery of strength, +especially at the age of forty-six. You accuse me of +writing despondingly, I am not aware of any such feeling; +though sickness induces reflection, and ‘it is a serious +thing to die.’ Although my faith in the Redeemer is unshaken, +and affords at times strong consolation, yet the +presence of sin often clouds the view. But I will not fill my +paper with such reflections.</p> + +<p>“On the death of the Archdeacon about two months +after that of the Bishop, Parson and I were appointed +Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The Archdeacon of Bombay +remonstrated against our appointment, and some of the +Chaplains have acted without reference to us. We have gone +on quietly; as in fact, there is little for us to do officially; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</span> +and I should not wonder to see in some of the high church +Reviews, (if opportunity offer) accusations of neglect. +The fact is, the Bishop has no authority whatever beyond +what his personal character may procure him. The late +Bishop laboured all his Indian life, to establish an authority +independent of the local Government. This was resisted covertly +by the Government, and was felt to be a grievance by the +Chaplains. I rejoice greatly in Mr. Heber’s appointment, +and trust it is a token for good to the established church +in India. Nothing short of annihilation as a society, will +be refused him by the Church Missionary Society in Calcutta; +and in truth, everything short of a separate +existence for it, was repeatedly offered to the late Bishop.</p> + +<p>“I should not have entered on this subject, except to tell +you how in the providence of God, I have been affected by +events.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">During Mr. Corrie’s absence from the Presidency, +the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Isaac Wilson arrived from England, and +the Calcutta corresponding Committee of the Church +Missionary Society having thus obtained the aid of +a clergyman, whom they could appoint as secretary, +decided on forming a Church Missionary Association, +as had been done at Madras. Up to this time, +it will be remembered, the concerns of the Society +for Missions to Africa and the East, had been conducted +in Bengal by a Committee appointed originally +from England; so that although the friends of religion +had by this arrangement possessed the means of +substantially contributing to the support of Missions, +yet they had not been formally embodied in a Society. +The jealousy and opposition of Government to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</span> +Missionary operations having now, however, somewhat +abated, it was thought important to take advantage +of the first favourable opportunity that presented +itself, to place the Church Missionary Society on a +more definite footing. The arrival in India of an +episcopally ordained Missionary, who could render +essential aid to an object that appeared so desirable, +decided the corresponding Committee to take measures +for the formation of an Association so soon as +ever Mr. Corrie should return to the Presidency. +This he was enabled to do during the month of July, +and accordingly on the 31st of that month, the best +means for forming such an Association were taken +into consideration. On the 11th of August another +meeting of the corresponding Committee and their +friends was held, at which rules for the conducting +of a Church Missionary Association were provisionally +agreed upon; and with a view to a public meeting +towards the end of the month, copies of the +proceedings of the Committee were in the meantime +printed and circulated for the information of the +subscribers to Church Missions in Bengal. On the +28th of August a public meeting was held, and +the Calcutta Church Missionary Association was +formed, Mr. Corrie being chosen the first President. +In the Report of the proceedings on the latter occasion, +it is stated that</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> D. Corrie, in accepting the office of President +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</span> +of the Association, addressed the meeting in a speech +which breathed an ardent spirit of piety, of affection, and +of zeal for the sacred cause of Missions. It would be +impossible to convey any adequate idea of it by a +cursory mention in this place of the persuasive topics then +so feelingly urged. Suffice it, therefore, to say, that, as Mr. +Corrie himself was deeply affected, so he made a deep impression +upon the whole audience.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The formation of this Association was not, however, +effected without some little opposition, but as +that appears to have arisen from a misunderstanding +of the motives and relative positions of the parties +concerned, and was speedily allayed, it is therefore +here mentioned merely in deference to the truth of +history.</p> + +<p class="tall">Respecting his own affairs Mr. Corrie wrote to +Mr. Sherer, then in England<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, <abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 11, 1823.<br> +</p> + +<p>“We are all, through mercy, quite well. We cannot be +so much alone as my state of body requires, but we are +more alone than when you were here, and our souls and +bodies benefit by it; though I cannot but regret the partial +exclusion it occasions from some of the excellent of the +earth.</p> + +<p>“Of public affairs I can say nothing, except that a Committee +for public Instruction is formed. This was planned +under Mr. Adam’s reign. A picture of him was voted after +Lord Amherst’s arrival, by a great meeting at the Town-hall. +Mr. A. is gone to Bombay in very bad health.</p> + +<p>“Our great man, the Bishop, will soon, we hope, be here. +He will come opportunely for our Missionary affairs, and his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</span> +coming will prove, we trust, a blessing to many. They say +he means to make the senior Chaplain Archdeacon; whether +that means Mr. Shepherd, or myself, I know not, and am +not anxious about it. I should lose in point of emolument, +but the ease would suit me in my present state of health. +I trust I can bless God for an increasing indifference as to +outward things and distinctions.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Jetter, about a fortnight since, baptized a young +Brahmin; and inquirers increase at Mirzapore. The place +is becoming known. It is now, also, assuming a pleasing +appearance.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">According to expectation, Bishop Heber reached +India at the beginning of <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 1823. So soon as +ever it was known that the Bishop had reached +Saugur, Mr. Corrie, as senior chaplain, Mr. Abbott +as registrar of the diocese, and Principal Mill of +Bishop’s College, went down the river in the government +yacht, to conduct his lordship to Calcutta. +On Saturday, <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 18th, the Bishop was installed +in the Cathedral, and on the following Monday was +pleased to appoint Mr. Corrie to the Archdeaconry +of Calcutta. With reference to that circumstance +Bishop Heber wrote to Mr. Williams Wynn.<a id="FNanchor_114" href="#Footnote_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have bestowed the Archdeaconry, much to my satisfaction, +on the senior resident chaplain, Mr. Corrie, who is +extremely popular in the place, and one of the most amiable +and gentlemanly men in manners and temper, I ever met +with.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a letter from Dum Dum, <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 3, 1823, announcing +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</span> +his appointment to the Archdeaconry, Mr. +Corrie also informs Mr. Sherer<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We are miserably off for Chaplains, and you will see +from the date that I am at Dum Dum doing duty there +until we get a reinforcement. I am, however, but weak, +being on the recovery from a fever which was brought on +by going out in the heat, to marry a couple about the +middle of October. I had become quite unfit for the Presidency +duties. The sight of the Cathedral used to make +me ill, from the weak state into which I had fallen; and I +trembled like a leaf in the breeze when I ascended the +steps of either desk or pulpit. At the same time I could +not leave the country, not being entitled to the pension, for +a year to come. I am now relieved from those distressing +occasions, and my mind is eased of a burden. I feel that, +humanly speaking, I may yet be strong here, and do a little +in the Missionary cause.”</p> +</div> + +<div class="tall"> +<p>Nor were these Mr. Corrie’s anticipations with +respect to his health premature; for being now released +from the duties of the Cathedral, he gradually +recovered his strength, and attained to such a healthiness +of appearance, that persons who had not seen +him for some time, could scarcely imagine that he +had been so seriously ill.</p> + +<p>But besides the beneficial change which had thus +been effected in Archdeacon Corrie’s personal condition, +it was no small satisfaction to him to find, +that in carrying on the affairs of the Church Missionary +Society, he could now have the advantage +of the support and direction of his Diocesan. For +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</span> +the difficulties in the way of co-operating with that +society, which appeared insuperable to the late +Bishop Middleton, having been either surmounted +or removed, it became the pleasant duty of the +Archdeacon, to propose that the Bishop of Calcutta +should be respectfully requested to accept the office +of President of the Auxiliary Church Missionary +Society, which was formed in that city, on the 1st +of December 1823. Nor, after the active part which +he had taken in the proceedings of the Society, could +it be otherwise than gratifying to the Archdeacon, +to hear Bishop Heber, on that occasion, publicly +express his lordship’s conviction, that the Church +Missionary Society, in conjunction with others of a +similar nature, had been the means of accomplishing +extensive good.</p> + +<p>For the two months following the occasion here +referred to, Archdeacon Corrie was chiefly resident +at Dum Dum. To his brother he writes from</p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, March 11, 1824.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Our hot season has commenced. During the cold season +we have been residing chiefly at Dum Dum, the Artillery +station, seven miles from the fort, where, since my +preferment, I have done the Chaplain’s duty. Mr. Crauford, +now Chaplain of the Old Church, having friends in the +Artillery regiment, with whom he spends some days every +week, has agreed to take the duties of Dum Dum for the +present, leaving to me the charge of the old church. In +this Mr. Wilson, a Church Missionary, assists me; so that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</span> +I have had, as yet, no relief, except from the occasional +duties of this large place. And indeed, this was all I desired, +as, when not exposed to the sun and consequent fatigue, +I am as well as I am likely, with my nervous frame, +to be anywhere. We must now consider ourselves fixed +here for seven years, should life be prolonged. What may +be necessary for our children in that period, we know not. +Hitherto they have enjoyed good health; and if it please +God to continue it to them, we do not mean to separate them +from us. But we experience in fact, I trust, as well as in +theory, our dependence on a higher power, and are disposed +to do what may be His holy will, as we discover it.</p> + +<p>“Of our public affairs you hear through public channels. +Of private and family affairs I do not like to say much on +paper. The bishop has proved toward myself most disinterested +and kind. Had he been less impartial and less +feeling than he is, I should not now have been here. Repeated +attacks of fever had so weakened me, that I could +not go through my duties; and here no unemployed clergyman +is at hand to help a friend in need. I was therefore, +preparing for a voyage to the Cape, which by draining our +resources would both have kept us low in circumstances, and +would have sent me back to what had proved a distressing +situation. We cannot therefore, but feel the hand of Providence +in the very considerate kindness of the Bishop. +He has met with much annoyance, I fear, in consequence, +from quarters where submission to Episcopal authority used +to be the order of the day; but which, like all order not +founded on Scripture principles, is only submitted to when +on their own side. I do not say that Episcopacy is not +founded on Scripture, but that, <i>all obedience</i> to it does not +rest on the same foundation. I can truly say, I never took +a step in our Church Missionary proceedings which had not +the sanction of episcopal principles.</p> + +<p>“We have now three Missionaries from the Society for +the Propagation of the Gospel. The College has begun +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</span> +operations, and I feel no little satisfaction that the first student +is a youth previously prepared by the Church Missionary +Society. He is given up to the Society for the Propagation +of the Gospel, partly because they have funds +unappropriated, and the Church Missionary Society has +not, and partly because I could not find among our friends +the support I wished for in respect of this youth. Alas! +how much of human infirmity cleaves to us all; for I do +not pretend to be free from it, and others see more, perhaps +than I should like to acknowledge. Our Bishop is the +most free from party-views of any man I ever met with. +In a ruler this is beautiful, and I have felt the benefit resulting +from it. But a few years ago it seemed as if it was +impossible to exercise such a spirit. Certainly Bishop Heber +in those days, would not have been raised to the Bench; +when unlimited submission was the only condition of cooperation. +Some would have given up the Church Missionary +Society, and have resolved all the Episcopal Societies +into the Diocesan Committee. I withstood it, and held what +is now acknowledged, that the Bishop is (such) in his office +alone, and that whenever he sits in committee, he sits as a +private member, and not as Bishop. Hence he can sit in any +Society conducted on episcopal principles. The time indeed +seems approaching when all societies will send out men +of a similar spirit, and then our co-operation will be complete. +The three men, of the Society for the Propagation +of the Gospel, appear truly pious, though as yet they +manifest not that love of prayer and religious exercises +which maintain religion in its power.</p> + +<p>“I long to hear more of you all, but we must be content, +I believe, to endure this longing as a necessary concomitant +of our voluntary banishment. I earnestly wish you +would, as you have opportunity, direct the attention of +young men of piety to this country. Of twenty-six Chaplains +allowed for Bengal, only thirteen are present; the distress +consequently is great, especially in Calcutta. No +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</span> +one of us can be ill, or omit a sermon, without casting +additional labour on men already fully employed, whilst the +Dissenters are in number strong; both exhibiting variety to +draw people, and relieving each other from too much work.</p> + +<p>“Our Government has declared war against the king of +Burmah, and an expedition is ordered against that country. +We have had skirmishing already on the borders, and have lost +some officers. Happily there is no power in the interior to +disturb us at present. Runjeet Sing, the king of Lahore, +is moving on the banks of the Indus; and it is said an army +of observation is forming on the Bombay side, to watch +him. We are all well, and expecting a journey through the +Upper Provinces in company with the Bishop and family, +to commence in June.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Before the time arrived for undertaking the journey +here mentioned as in prospect, Archdeacon +Corrie was called upon to officiate at the ordination +of Christian David, a native of Malabar. This +person had been a pupil of Schwartz, and had for +many years been employed as a catechist in Ceylon, +by the Society for promoting Christian knowledge. +He had proved himself to be so faithful a labourer, +in the Christian cause, that except for some legal +scruple on the part of Bishop Middleton, he would +have received ordination from that prelate in 1821. +He now came to Calcutta, bringing with him the +recommendation of Archdeacon Twistleton, and for +a title, a colonial chaplaincy to which he had been +appointed by Sir Edward Barnes, the Governor of +Ceylon. The day fixed upon by Bishop Heber, for +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</span> +the ordination of Christian David, was Ascension-day +(May 27, 1824,) and on the following Trinity +Sunday, he was ordained priest. With reference +to that most interesting event, Archdeacon Corrie +wrote</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, June 10, 1824.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I had to examine him on such points as a missionary +to the heathen, unacquainted with Western science should +know. The Bishop was so pleased with my questions and +Christian David’s answers, that he has sent a copy of them +to the Archbishop of Canterbury.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">After some observations on private matters, the +Archdeacon then adds:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“All public religious affairs you will learn from the +Missionary Register. A Ladies’ Society for promoting +native female education; Lady Amherst, Patroness!!<a id="FNanchor_115" href="#Footnote_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a> +Who would have dreamt of this a few years ago?</p> + +<p>“We set out next week with the Bishop, but a difficulty +has arisen about my being absent at the same time [with +him] I being <i>ex officio</i> Commissary. This will in all probability +bring us back from Chunar. I have got over the hot +season without a fever, and am now tolerably well, though +constrained to keep in doors. I look forward to coming to +England as a dream of which the reality is barely probable. +O, may we be more in the contemplation of our heavenly home! +I have no reason to be dissatisfied with the world, further +than as sin renders it uneasy to me, sometimes me to it; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</span> +and my children will perhaps be better off by my remaining +here. For the rest, I have but little anxiety; and home is +home, in a Christian, as well as in a worldly sense; nor +shall we be at home until we get to heaven.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The difficulty referred to in the foregoing letter, +as regarded the absence of both Bishop and Archdeacon +from Calcutta at the same time, having been +surmounted, Bishop Heber, accompanied by his +Chaplain, Mr. Stowe, commenced his journey toward +the upper provinces on the 15th of June, 1824. +Archdeacon Corrie, with his wife and children, followed +in a separate budgerow. After three days +voyage on the river, they parted company; the +Bishop and his chaplain proceeding to Dacca, whilst +the Archdeacon and his family passed on by Berhampore, +and Malda, to Bhaugulpore, where they +were to wait for the Bishop. But in the meantime +Mr. Stowe was taken dangerously ill at Dacca, and +died there on the 17th of July.<a id="FNanchor_116" href="#Footnote_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a> Bishop Heber +joined the Archdeacon’s party on the 10th of August, +and proceeded to visit the several stations of Monghyr, +Patna, Dinapore, Buxar, Benares, Chunar, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, in +succession.<a id="FNanchor_117" href="#Footnote_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> When, near Allahabad, the Archdeacon +wrote to his brother<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</span> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 12, 1824.<br> +</p> + +<p>“We have seen much done here in the way of preparation; +but then it is much only as compared with the former +state of things. With reference to what remains to be done, +nothing comparatively has been accomplished. The country +near Allahabad, which the English possessed when I arrived in +Bengal, extended in length about twelve hundred miles, by +an average breadth of one hundred and fifty or two hundred. +That constituted the Bengal Presidency. The Ganges may +be considered a line running through the length of the tract, +dividing it into two parts. Throughout this extent, there +was only one place of Protestant worship [and that] in +Calcutta; and not a <i>building</i> appropriated to worship out of +Calcutta, belonging to the English. There are now in Calcutta +four places of worship in the Established Church; besides the +Mission College, and three Dissenting Chapels. There is +a Church at Dacca, Benares, Chunar, Futtyghur, and +Meerut. Churches are in the course of erection at Agra +and Cawnpore. Whilst at the old stations of Dinapore and +Berhampore, public worship is still performed in an empty +barrack. There are at Monghyr and Benares, dissenting +Chapels, and perhaps at some of the upper stations +also. All this has not been accomplished without considerable +individual exertion, as well as public support: and +though individual piety is still lamentably scarce, yet much +more of public attention to religious observances prevails +than formerly; and also much more of individual piety. +With respect to the natives, when I arrived in the country, +a few converts were found at Serampore; and a few, I believe +existed at Dinapore: nor were there any attempts +[to convert the natives] entered upon beyond those places, +except at Cutwa, where the late missionary, Chamberlain,<a id="FNanchor_118" href="#Footnote_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a> +had settled. Now, we have a few native converts in +Calcutta, at Burdwan, and at Cutwa and its branch in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</span> +Beerbhoom; at Monghyr, Buxar, Benares, Chunar and +Meerut. In each of these places, a few converts are found; +and what will eventually work greatly for the good of the +heathen, some of the Roman Catholic converts, and descendants +of Europeans, who had become quite native in their +habits and language, are attracted by the labours of the +missionaries at those places; and in some of them, as at +Chunar, where the native congregation is the largest on the +side of India, [the Roman Catholics] constitute the chief +part. Besides these, I might mention Meerut, and Futtyghur, +where missionaries are labouring, and some converts +have been gained. Thus where all was darkness, now, here +and there, a glimmering of light begins to appear. But a +reference to the situation of these places on a map, and of +the small number to whom the means of grace have proved +effectual at each place, will shew you how little has yet been +accomplished. How much remains to be done, ere this +people can possess even the means of knowing the way of +life! We are now, as you know, attending the Bishop. +His visit cannot fail to increase the disposition of the British +to help on the work of missions. At Buxar, he sat down +in the hut of the native catechist, and heard the Christians +read; and questioned them in their catechisms; at Benares, +he went in his robes to the Hindoostanee chapel, where Mr. +Morris officiates, and pronounced the blessing; and the +same at Chunar. He has acquired sufficient Hindoostanee +to give the blessing in that language. Also at Benares, he +administered Confirmation to fourteen native Christians, and +afterwards the Lord’s Supper: and at Chunar to fifty-seven +native Christians. He asked the questions and pronounced +the prayer, in Confirmation, in Hindoostanee, and also the +words addressed in giving the elements in the Lord’s Supper. +In the latter ordinance, he was assisted at Benares by Mr. +Morris; and at Chunar by myself. But, in general, I have +not been able to do more than attend him in public; my +state of weakness not allowing of visiting or dining from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</span> +home. Some of the old alarmists still remain, who, by +these proceedings, are silenced if not convinced; and scoffers +are put to shame. The Bishop, also, visits all the missionary +native schools, as he proceeds; and the Missionaries are +greatly encouraged by the interest he takes in their proceedings.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Archdeacon then adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I must say a few words about myself. The season has +not been favourable, as yet, for restoring my strength. We +have had comparatively little rain; and the east wind failed +by the 20th of August. Since then the west-wind has +blown: and now in the afternoon blows hot. The river is +fallen as much as is usual in November. Notwithstanding, I +am greatly stronger than when in Calcutta, and have no +positive disease: at least I think so. We now begin to feel +the coolness at night—the forerunner of the cool season. +Six weeks will bring it here. I then hope, with care, to +recruit, and feel much the goodness of God in allowing me +this hope.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the 27th of November 1824, Archdeacon +Corrie addressed the following letter to Mr. Buckworth, +from Cawnpore<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“You will have heard, from my friends, of the debilitating +effects this climate has at length began to have on my +frame; but I am thankful to be able to say, that I am +better this year than last. Knowing the cooler nature of this +part of the country, at this season [of the year,] the Bishop +kindly invited me to accompany him [on his visitation], and +here we arrived early in October. The latitude is five degrees +higher [North] than that of Calcutta; and, being within +two hundred miles of the Snowy Mountains, is more than +proportionably cooler. Your parish news is very interesting +to me; and the increase of your places of worship must be +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</span> +a source of great gratification to you. If it should be given +me to be your helper in one of these Churches, separate +from occasional duties, some day, it would, I trust, be a +comfort to both of us. But it becomes us more than ever +not to boast, or lay plans respecting the morrow. We have +now passed a fair proportion of the days usually assigned +to man; and besides this, we have both personal experience +of a dying nature. I feel for my own part, how sickness +even may lose the effect of impressing the idea of death; and +have hourly need to pray for more of that quickening Spirit, +who alone makes us and keeps us alive to God and things +divine and eternal. Our situation here is quite different +from yours,—we have no parish annals to record. 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 +arrived on the Sunday morning, after divine service had +begun; (the Bishop having come on the day before) and, as +the Chaplain is sick, 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.</p> + +<p>“You wish to hear tidings of our Bishop; and, from +public sources, you will have heard of the favour he shews +generally to the righteous cause. Of the natural amiability +of the man, it is impossible to convey an adequate idea. +Our children speak of him always as ‘the dear Bishop.’ +I merely mention this to shew how lovely he appears in his +general temper and habits. His conversation is very lively; +and from his large acquaintance with books and men, very +instructive, and tending to improve those he meets with; +whilst he industriously seeks opportunities of public worship, +Sunday and week day; and urges on all the importance +of attending on the means of grace. Surely this +land has cause of praise to God, that such an one has been +placed at the head of affairs here!</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</span> +“At this station, there are about two thousand five +hundred Christians, and the chaplain being sick I remained +here, to do the parochial duties. Having accompanied the +Bishop to Lucknow, where we were entertained by the King +of Oude, I returned hither. The Bishop presented the +King with a Bible, and a Book of Common Prayer, in +the native language; and the King was so taken with +the Bishop, that he begged to have his picture; which +was accordingly taken immediately, by an eminent English +artist, whom the King keeps in constant pay. The +Bishop went on his way to Meerut, Delhi, and Agra; at +the latter place I hope to meet him, about Christmas; I am +now therefore in a sphere I greatly like. On Sunday last +I had two full services; and attended a meeting with the +Dragoon regiment on Wednesday, and with the Foot regiment +last night, and feel no ill effects; by which you will +judge of the bodily strength which is mercifully renewed to +me. I have one of the learned native converts with me; +and he is collecting the few native Christians here, and we +shall, I hope, be useful to them also.”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_109" href="#FNanchor_109" class="label">[109]</a> +Instituted in the year 1782.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_110" href="#FNanchor_110" class="label">[110]</a> +See above,—<a href="#Page_332">p.322</a>.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_111" href="#FNanchor_111" class="label">[111]</a> +A printer and printing-press, sent out by the Church Missionary +Society, had just arrived from England.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_112" href="#FNanchor_112" class="label">[112]</a> +Moonshee Mooneef Masseeh, who was baptised at Chunar in +1818.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_113" href="#FNanchor_113" class="label">[113]</a> +A place on the river Hooghley.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_114" href="#FNanchor_114" class="label">[114]</a> +Journal, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, <abbr title="volume 3, page">vol. 3. p.</abbr> 230, 2nd <abbr title="edition">edit.</abbr></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_115" href="#FNanchor_115" class="label">[115]</a> +“The Ladies Society for Native female education in Calcutta, +and its vicinity,” was formed on the 25th of March 1824.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_116" href="#FNanchor_116" class="label">[116]</a> +See Life of Bishop Heber, <abbr title="Volume two, pages">Vol. ii. pp.</abbr> 217, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_117" href="#FNanchor_117" class="label">[117]</a> +It has not been thought necessary to notice in detail, the many +interesting occurrences which have already been related in Bishop +Heber’s Journal and Correspondence.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_118" href="#FNanchor_118" class="label">[118]</a> +One of the Baptists.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER <abbr title="Fifteen">XV.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<p class="center"> +<span class="allsmcap">CAWNPORE—CALCUTTA—RETURN OF MR. THOMASON—DEATH</span><br> +<span class="allsmcap">OF BISHOP HEBER.</span><br> +</p> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">It</span> was because Archdeacon Corrie did not find +himself equal to the fatigue of travelling, that when +the party reached Lucknow, it was decided, that +instead of proceeding with the Bishop, he should +endeavour to recruit his strength by remaining +stationary for a time at Cawnpore. From that place, +therefore, he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE REV. MR. THOMASON.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Cawnpore, <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 26, 1824.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have been expecting, for some time, to receive a few +copies of the last Report of our Calcutta Church Missionary +Society. I am very desirous of endeavouring to help the +funds; but cannot well make applications without giving +some information as to our plans. I begin to fear that +even if about eight copies were dispatched immediately, +they would not reach me in time, as I am only waiting the +Bishop’s decision as to my movements. I have now done +the duty here, for five Sundays, and expect to be here +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</span> +about three Sundays more. I could much have wished Mr. +Torriano<a id="FNanchor_119" href="#Footnote_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a> to have arrived before I leave, but he will find +his way comparatively smooth. You know I brought Fuez +Messeeh with me from Benares, where he was doing little, and +had fallen ill. He is still prevented by the cough, which has +for some time affected him, from doing all I believe he is +willing to do for the gospel. I have every reason to believe +him to be a partaker of Divine grace; though his talent in +communicating what he knows to others, is not great. He, +on our arrival, brought a few of the families of the Christian +drummers and fifers to our house, for Sunday worship; +and about six of their girls are learning to read Hindoostanee +and to sew, with Mrs. Corrie. About three weeks ago, Mr. +Fisher, Peter Dilsooke and his wife Ruth, with their two +sons came here. They had a chit [letter] from Mr. Fisher, +and I have since written to him, and ascertained that he +thinks well of them as Christians. I have retained him on +ten rupees a month, to teach such Christians [adults] as +wish to learn to read the Scriptures in their native tongue, +and Nagree character, and he has a school in the lines, of +eight adults; and his wife teaches the Christian girls in +our house, their two boys go to the Free School. There +are three native corps here generally. The Christians connected +with them are not fewer than sixty or seventy; and +there are many of a similar class connected with the many +public offices of the field command, besides a considerable +number of poor people of the same description, who resort +to Cawnpore, as the Calcutta of the Upper Provinces. The +native population too, is wonderfully increased since I was +resident here. On the whole, this place calls loudly for Missionary +help; and I greatly hope something may be done, at +least for those who profess Christianity, and understand only +the native language. Already our congregation on Sunday +last had increased to about twenty; and I am writing to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</span> +Chunar for copies of the native catechism, and Nagree +hymns, which are much desired by some of the Christians. +I happily got a supply of the Scriptures in various languages. +Should the Bishop decide on my residing in the +Upper Provinces, these stores will prove invaluable; and +become the means of blessing, I hope, to many. The +duties of a Chaplain, I know from experience, leave him, at +such stations as this, little leisure for extra-parochial engagements. +As I shall have more leisure for such pursuits, +with liberty to remove from place to place, I shall consider +it a peculiar happiness to be the means of establishing +christian worship, for the class of people who are to be +found at every station professing Christianity, and knowing +only the native language.</p> + +<p>“I believe no copies of the ‘Outline of Ancient History,’<a id="FNanchor_120" href="#Footnote_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a> +have been sent to Bombay; will you be so good as +to send twelve or twenty copies to Mr. Farish, as a specimen, +that more may be sent if required? The first class +of native youths, in the Free School here, are reading it; and +get, from the former chapters of the work, such information +on the early religious history of the world, as they +would not otherwise at present obtain. This Free School +will, I hope, prove very useful to this part of the country. +There are ten boys and ten girls already on the foundation, +on the plan of the Calcutta Free School. Many poor +Christian day-scholars, and seventeen natives, are learning +English. There are also, belonging to the Institution, a +Persian and Hindee school, containing together about one +hundred children; who read only the School-book Society’s +books. The young man who is schoolmaster, is a conscientious +man, and attends diligently to the duties of the +school. The divisions you have heard of nearly annihilated +the school for a time; and an opposition school was +opened for day-scholars. This will eventually do no harm. +Competition will produce exertion, and education will be +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</span> +better forwarded. It is wonderful how much a little superintendence +may help on these things, where there is no +selfish end in view, and no seeking of preeminence; and I +cannot but hope Mr. Torriano will prove a great blessing to +this place. 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 lived 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, and who was intimate with Sabat and +Abdool Messeeh, sent his nephew to me, a few days ago, +to make ‘Salaam;’ and 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> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Archdeacon remained still another month at +Cawnpore, and then proceeded toward the valley of the +Dhoon,<a id="FNanchor_121" href="#Footnote_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a> with the intention of spending the hot season +there. He writes to his sister, in a letter dated</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“March 6, 1825.<br> +</p> + +<p>“We left Cawnpore on January 24; were one Sunday at +Futtyghur, and two at Meerut, and are to-day at Muzuffernugur, +three marches N. W. of Meerut, and in sight of the +snowy mountains. At Futtyghur we met dear old Abdool, +who is grown remarkably larger, but is reduced in strength. +At Meerut we enjoyed the society of several excellent persons. +Mr. Fisher has regular service in a fine church, on +the plan of the cathedral in Calcutta, on Wednesdays and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</span> +Fridays, besides the morning and evening service on Sundays.... +I was much pleased with what I saw of Mr. F., +and his labours are blessed.</p> + +<p>“We are proceeding to the Dhoon, a valley on the first +range of hills. We expect to reach the Ghaut<a id="FNanchor_122" href="#Footnote_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a> in five +days, and to be at Dehrah, the head station on the Dhoon, +by next Sunday. We have in company with us, a son of +Mr. Layard of Uffington,<a id="FNanchor_123" href="#Footnote_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a> who has suffered from the climate, +although he has been only a year in the country; but +will, I hope, recover among the hills, as he has no symptoms +of serious illness about him. I am, through great +mercy, quite well. I do not expect, indeed, that my nerves, +never strong, will be ever what they were; still I am well, +have recovered my former appearance and size, and have nothing +to complain of.</p> + +<p>“I have daily more cause for thankfulness in my present +appointment. Being confined to no station, I can go generally +where I am likely to be most useful; and retreat, as +we are now doing, from the violence of the hot winds. The +country acquired by the Nepaul war is likely to be of great +service as a retreat for invalids from the burning plains. +There is a mountain near Dehrah in the Dhoon, which can +be climbed with some difficulty, and has a fine level top +where we can pitch our tent, and have the thermometer at +60° during the month of May. There we expect to pass +the months of April and May, and to descend when the +rains threaten; and so return to the plains. Farther on, +the climate is equally favourable; with a greater range to roam +over; but we are content to take the nearest shelter, as I +have no desire after field sports, and we are happy enough +at home. We have one of the Agra youths, named Amannee, +with us, so that we make a congregation of six, and +enjoy the repose of the sabbath much. We have a couple +of small camel-trunks filled with books, and so carry with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</span> +us food for the mind as well as the body.... Thus you +know all our affairs. Surrounded by temporal mercies, I +trust we are still saying, ‘Whom have we in heaven but +Thee, and there is none on earth, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">To his brother, the Archdeacon writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Dehrah Dhoon, March 30, 1825.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I am so much recruited in strength as to indulge the +hope of some further years of further endeavour for the +good of India. You hear of our public affairs from public +sources, but there are certain discouragements in the situation +of affairs, both as it respects church and state, which +you will not hear, and which it is scarcely worth while to +fill one’s paper with. He ‘whose kingdom ruleth over all,’ +is engaged to make ‘all things work together for good to +them that love Him,’ and with His love in our hearts what +need disquiet us?... Our difficulties in church-matters +arise chiefly from want of cordial union, and from the fluctuating +nature of our Society, which renders it necessary to +begin our affairs anew every few years; and causes the +labour of communicating intelligence to be continually recurring. +But the church generally is, I doubt not, advancing +among us; and we must not grow weary; however, +of necessity, we grow less able to do what we would. In +our Bishop we have all we can have in one man, to unite +us and to help our work by its various instruments.</p> + +<p>“You would be delighted if you could visit us in our +present situation. We are living on the ridge of Kalunga +hill, near where General Gillespie fell ten years ago.<a id="FNanchor_124" href="#Footnote_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a> +The house we occupy is a kind of hunting bungalow, three +miles from cantonments, belonging to the commanding +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</span> +officer here. Leopards in plenty live around us, and some +of our workmen going a few days ago to drink water at a +pool, in a recess in the wood, spied a large tiger on the opposite +side. We, however, have nothing to fear from them; +and now the novelty is over, the day passes in our usual +studies and pursuits, very happily. The children and I ride +on ponies, through the path-ways, early in the morning; +with a few men with large sticks ahead, to frighten away +any thing that might come among us. We have had snow +on the neighbouring hill, within a week, and specks of it +are still visible. We contemplate ascending the second range +of hills, about 8,000 feet above those we now are on; and +to pitch our tent there, during the approaching months of +April and May, where the thermometer ranges, we are told, +between 60° and 70°. Here we are happy to have it, from +twelve o’clock to six, about 80°.... Even this is a relief unspeakable +from the plains, and our nights are cool; the +wind regularly setting-in, in the evening, from the snowy +mountains. I have nothing to say about this people, (who +differ a good deal from the people of the plains,) because I +know but little about them.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In another letter to his brother, dated 6th of April, +Archdeacon Corrie observes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have told G. that our Bishop confirmed about 150 +adult natives, at the different Church Missionary stations +between this and Calcutta; which shows that we labour not +in vain. The progress, though slow, is still a progress, in respect +of the diffusion of Divine truth, in these parts. It will +be an especial care to establish seminaries, at the principal +stations, for the instruction of native christian youths, on as +permanent a footing as we can. Our territories, in this +part of the world, are beginning to be too extensive. We +can scarcely hope to have men, at the head of affairs, always +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</span> +of capacity enough for such a load of government; but He +who ruleth over all, will doubtless use us for some good +purpose, to this benighted land. May those of us who +feel the importance of this subject be up and doing! There +is a general falling off amongst the Hindoos, from their former +system. They have no reverence for the usual forms +of an oath. They set little by the Brahmins generally; +and, except on festivals, and at particularly celebrated places, +their idolatrous rites are fallen into considerable disuse. +The Hindoos, too, much more generally than formerly, keep +the Mahomedan festivals. These facts are noticed by all +the men in office, throughout the country. From this, however, +no good has, as yet, arisen, to the righteous cause. +Though less observant of their own rites, they know nothing +of the gospel that they should value it. Their festivals +resemble an English fair, much more than what we +consider by the word ‘worship;’ and it is not to be wondered +at, that the natural man loves these occasions; or that +a people so circumstanced, should at first turn away from +the humbling, self-denying truths of the gospel, when set +before them.</p> + +<p>“These regions, [the Dhoon] are becoming much resorted to +at this season by the British, on account of the coolness of the +climate. I have a christian youth with me, whom I daily +instruct, and we met here a Brahmin, who has been baptized +by one of the Baptist Missionaries. He would not stay with +his teacher, having been long used to a roving life. He +seems quite convinced of the supreme importance of Christianity. +He reads the scriptures with me; and I hope may +grow in knowledge, and in grace.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">To Mr. Sherer, who had just arrived in Calcutta +from England, in company with the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Francis +Goode, one of the Company’s Chaplains, the Archdeacon +writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</span> +<p class="p2 right">“May 25, 1825.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The arrival of Mr. Goode, after some recent comers, is +a source of much thanksgiving. I can now say, as far as +the church in India is concerned, ‘Lord! now lettest thou thy +servant depart, either to some retreat for a time on earth, or +to the rest which remaineth!’ I speak only in respect of the +prospects of the church at this Presidency, which, from the +several valuable ministers she now possesses, may well do +without so bruised a reed as I am.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Newton,<a id="FNanchor_125" href="#Footnote_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a> you will know, is now the financial secretary +of our Church Missionary Society. He, above all our +Committee, has been with me like-minded, entering with +all his spirit into our concerns, and looking our difficulties +in the face. Having, as I hope, got Mirzapore into some +form, we must go on cautiously; by which I mean, have +our resources in view before we extend our plans. I am +now anxious to get the Female Central School built, and to +extend no more, but rather contract the present scale of +small schools.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It will have been seen that it was in Bishop +Heber’s contemplation, that the Archdeacon should +permanently reside in the Upper Provinces, that by +this means more effectual assistance might be rendered +to the Bishop in administering the affairs of his vast +diocese. It was however, ultimately arranged that +whilst Bishop Heber was visiting Madras and Bombay, +the Archdeacon should proceed to Calcutta. +With this object in view, Archdeacon Corrie left the +Dhoon, in the beginning of June, for Meerut. From +that place he wrote</p> + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“June 25, 1825.<br> +</p> + +<p>“We have been here (as you will have heard through +Mrs. Ellerton) a week. I feel some comfort in the idea of +being a hundred miles nearer to you, but here, I apprehend, +we must stay a month at least. The season has been unusually +warm here. For several years past, the seasons have +proved irregular, but this year the regular hot winds have +been blowing, and the natives anticipate a plentiful production +of the fruits of the earth. We are tied in the meantime; +and on every account I must not expose myself [to +the heat] more than I can help. We are at present in a +bungalow which Parson and his family inhabited most of +the time they were at Meerut. It is in Mr. Fisher’s compound; +and here, I believe, we must stay, for no other place +is to be found. An additional regiment of Cavalry and one +of Infantry, are to be here, so that every corner is filled. +We have been living with the Fishers almost entirely, but +have now got their leave to supply ourselves in this bungalow.</p> + +<p>“Mr. F. is more attended to than any chaplain in the +country, by the upper classes, as well as by the lower; and +has a wide correspondence among conductors, writers, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> +at surrounding stations. He has also a native congregation. +This is doubtless his proper work. A missionary, however, +would not at all interfere with any thing doing here. +It is evidently of God alone, that the few natives professing +christianity have been drawn together and kept together. +Many are reported as prepared for the reception of christianity +at Delhi, and Mr. H. Fisher yesterday went to reside +there, with Anund Musseeh. Anund has been unwell with +the small-pox, and unable to attend Mr. Fisher, for scriptural +instruction, as the Bishop desired; so that his ordination +must be postponed until some more distant period. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</span> +I am anxious to hear from the Church Missionary Committee +respecting Abdool and Bowley, in answer to my letter +of the 14th of April. If I hear nothing I shall bring them +down, considering the Bishop’s wishes sufficient authority.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">To the same relative, the Archdeacon again wrote</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“July 23, 1825.<br> +</p> + +<p>“We purpose leaving this [Meerut] at the end of August, +and shall get down to you speedily. I told you that +the heat affected me, but by keeping quiet, I have avoided +feeling more than languor. I have not yet called on any, +except one or two in the next premises around us. I have +always assisted Mr. Fisher; and kept his flock together +during twelve days he was absent at Lehornupore and Deyrah, +where his son John is. He and his son Samuel had a +narrow escape from drowning, on their return. One of the +mountain-torrents came down suddenly. A <i>Suwarr</i>,<a id="FNanchor_126" href="#Footnote_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a> who +was with them, escaped with difficulty, together with his +horse. Samuel’s horse was carried down a good way, but +both his and Mr. Fisher’s horse, being in better heart than +the Suwarr’s horse, got over. A pedestrian, who attempted +to swim over, was drowned.</p> + +<p>“We have now the rains, but scantily. The natives +begin to say the rains will not be heavy this year.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In accordance with the purpose expressed in the +foregoing letter, Archdeacon Corrie left Meerut on +the 22nd of August. In a letter addressed to Mr. +Sherer, on the 25th of that month, the Archdeacon +remarks<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We left much good at Meerut, and passed our time +pleasantly; and, I hope, not unprofitably.... We are in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</span> +sight of Futtyghur, from whence I shall dispatch this. +Goodness and mercy continue to attend us. The weather +is unusually favourable for us, but the country requires +rain.</p> + +<p>“At Meerut we had a Bible Society Sermon on the 14th, +and a public meeting on the 16th. Considerable interest, +above former years, was excited, and a fair collection made. +Some converts to the cause, also, among the upper classes +of Society.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On his way to the Presidency, Archdeacon Corrie +visited Cawnpore, Chunar, Benares, and other stations +with which he had been before time connected +or acquainted. With regard to Cawnpore, he observed +in a letter to Mr. Sherer, dated</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Allahabad, <abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 12, 1825.”<br> +</p> + +<p>“I wrote to Mr. Thomason, from Cawnpore, about a +native chapel. I am happy to tell you that little, if anything, +will be needed from the [Church Missionary] Society +to accomplish this object. I put a paper into circulation before +I left, and there was enough for present purposes being +raised at the station.</p> + +<p>“On the Sunday, which I passed at Chunar, about +two hundred attended Divine service, of whom about forty +were unbaptized inhabitants of the place, and most of +whom attend every sabbath-day. Some of the scholars +who have received instruction in English, afford the most +pleasing hopes of their sincere conversion.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And in a letter to the same relative, he writes +from</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Benares, <abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 26, 1825.<br> +</p> + +<p>“We are detained here longer than I wished, but I hope +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</span> +to do something for the mission by the delay. Our friends +are each doing what he can in his sphere. They have suggested +that I should write a letter to the Committee, which +might be printed in the Monthly Intelligence, giving some +account of the schools and congregations. I will send such +a letter, and it may be printed or not.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">With reference also to this subject, the Archdeacon +informs his brother in a letter dated</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 11, 1825, above Monghyr.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Mr. H. Fisher, at Delhi—his father at Meerut: Mr. +Torriano, at Cawnpore—have each a native missionary who +labours around them, and instructs especially those natives +who profess christianity. This last class is fast improving, +I would fain hope, in knowledge and character; and thus +they become ‘Epistles of Christ, read and known’ among +the heathens: and the reproach which formerly attended the +gospel is lessening.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Thus wherever the Archdeacon might be, the +subject nearest his heart was, the progress of the +gospel among the heathen.</p> + +<p class="tall">It was on the 25th of October 1825, that Archdeacon +Corrie arrived in Calcutta, on his return +from the Upper Provinces. Among the first things +to which the Archdeacon directed his attention, +were the affairs of the Church Missionary Society, +which he found to be as prosperous as could +well be expected. At the end of the following +month he was gladdened by the ordination of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</span> +his long-tried friend Abdool Messeeh, who, together +with Messrs Reichardt and Bowley, was admitted +into the order of Deacons, by Bishop Heber. The +ordination took place on the 30th of November, in +the Cathedral of Calcutta, and in the presence of a +large congregation, among whom were more than +twenty clergymen. It was remarked by one who +was present on that interesting occasion, that</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Nothing could equal the joy of Mr. Corrie: he appeared +as if he could just then adopt the language of Simeon +of old. He has watched the gradual progress of every +thing: he could remember when matters assumed a far different +semblance.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the 23rd of December the Archdeacon attended +the Bishop at a public examination of the +children educated in the schools maintained in the +Calcutta Ladies’ Society for Native Female +Education; when, during the examination, the +Rajah Boidenauth came forward and presented the +Society with a donation of 20,000 sicca rupees, +toward the erection of a central school. One of the +great objects which the Archdeacon had long had in +view, was thus in the progress of being realized; +and as a preliminary measure, he obtained permission +to place under the Ladies’ Society, those +Female-schools at Burdwan which had hitherto been +supported by the Church Missionary Society.</p> + +<p class="tall">These several causes for rejoicing were not, however, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</span> +without a corresponding draw-back. The hot season +of 1825 had been unusually unhealthy, and among +others who had suffered in health were Mr. and Mrs. +Thomason, especially the latter. This decided Mr. +Thomason to return to Europe early in the spring of +1826. Mr. Sherer, too, having accomplished the +object for which he went out to India, was preparing +to return to his family in England. The Bishop, +moreover, left Calcutta on the 30th of January +1826, for the purpose of holding visitations in +Madras. Under these circumstances Archdeacon +Corrie writes to Mr. Sherer, then on the point of +embarking for England<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 22, 1826.<br> +</p> + +<p>“A feeling of desolation oppresses me, which I try to +shake off, by looking to Him who possesses all fulness, in +order to supply his needy dependents. In P. I lost my +worldly adviser, and in Mr. Thomason my religious +helper: but the Lord liveth. In you, I will not say how +much we seem to have lost; but this much I cannot but +say. There is no possibility of my following you in less +than five years, and what may occur before then, who can +tell? It would be presumptuous to say any of us shall see +that period; and yet there is no doubt a secret hope that +we shall. How I shall part with the mother and the children, +I know not. It seems as if they ought sooner to go +into a more favourable climate, and if it were necessary, I +suppose the necessity would go far to reconcile me to it. +My heart goes with you to Morcott and Colsterworth; may +you be carried to them in health and safety, and may the +peace of God attend your meeting with them! It seems +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</span> +superfluous to say anything about my love for them. They +need no assurance of it; yet it is a relief to write about it.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Some further account of his condition is given by +the Archdeacon</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“March 14, 1826,<br> +</p> + +<p>“We continue much as you left us. The wet has set in, +and the monsoon has been almost constantly against you. +The Bishop was twenty days reaching Madras. This will +delay your progress; but great is our happiness in knowing +that winds and waves obey His will, “whose we are, and +whom we serve.”</p> + +<p>“Our Friday evening [services] have been but irregularly +attended. The Government dinners have, no doubt, interfered; +and next Friday Lady A. has an ‘at home.’ +Shall we ever have ‘the powers that be’ on our side? Yea, +doubtless, it shall be even so.</p> + +<p>“You will know all about Lord A’s recal before this reaches +you. May it please God to send us a Governor who will at +least own his duty in respect of the God of Christians! +The most painful thing in the present administration is, +that our duty as Christians is not recognised. Policy is +avowedly the idol worshipped.</p> + +<p>“I am thankful and happy in my present situation. I +know not what time, if permitted to me, may bring forth, +but I cannot at present conceive of happiness in leaving my +station. A few short years will unite us all, I trust, where +probably natural feeling will be absorbed in relationship to +Christ, but not, I apprehend, be forgotten. In the mean +time, while passing through this ‘valley of Baca,’ let our +correspondence serve as ‘pools of refreshment.’”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, April 11, 1826.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Before this reaches you, we hope you will have received +back our dear Sherer, well in all respects. In this changing +world, we know not what a day may bring forth, but we are +taught that “sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof;” +and, therefore, I will anticipate none of those things, evil +to nature, to which both he on the water and his family on +land are liable, but trust that your meeting has been joyous +and thankful. We go on much as Sherer left us. The +fall of Bhurtpore and peace with Ava,<a id="FNanchor_127" href="#Footnote_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a> leave the country +externally quiet, but in so extended an empire, composed of +such discordant elements, we are less, in reality, settled. Two +native regiments at Bhurtpore refused to go into the +trenches; the business was hushed up, but a discovery was +made of the state of the native mind. The fact is, that +‘the powers which be,’ while they fear the smallest movement +in favour of Christianity, fear nothing when saving +money is concerned. Whereas the native, if he be liberally +dealt with, will give you his caste even, if you do not demand +it all at once. “The Lord reigneth,” must be our +motto; and though we cannot but see what is doing, must +refer ourselves, to His power, providence and grace, to +order all things as shall be for His own glory.</p> + +<p>“Yesterday I completed forty-nine years. Great goodness +have I experienced, great ingratitude am I conscious of; +but great is the mercy of God my Saviour; infinite the +value of Jesus’ blood. Therefore I will hope on, and expect +to be preserved by “the power of God through faith unto +salvation.” “He restoreth my soul for his name’s sake.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</span></p> + +<p>Within a few days of the date of the foregoing +letter, Archdeacon Corrie received the afflicting +intelligence that it had pleased God suddenly to +remove Bishop Heber from this scene of trial, to the +church triumphant in heaven. Appended to a copy +of the letter from the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Mr. Doran which announced +this event, and the circumstances by which +it was accompanied, the Archdeacon wrote</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, April 15, 1826.<br> +</p> + +<p>“By the copy on the other side you will see with what a +heavy stroke God has smitten us; doubtless in mercy, though +we see it not now. Nothing can be added at present to Mr. +Doran’s account. All here is mute astonishment. Public +and individual concern is spread over all. I will send all +the public documents, and will take the first further opportunity +to send more particulars.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">These particulars are too well known to need +repetition in this place, but the following extract from +a letter addressed about that time by the Archdeacon +to his brother, may not be without interest<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“You will hear from other sources of the loss all India +has sustained, in the death of Bishop Heber. My first +impression was to inform Sherer, who, from being so lately +among us, could judge more readily of our feelings on the +occasion. I have printed, and privately distributed, a +sermon preached at the time; and have sent some copies to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</span> +Mr. Pratt. Mr. Robinson [subsequently archdeacon of +Madras,] took some copies to send home, with a sermon of +his own, preached at Trichinopoly, the Sunday after the +Bishop’s death. We cannot but be anxious as to who will +succeed to this see. Our late beloved Bishop was so entirely +a Missionary, that we can scarcely hope to see one +like him; and in respect of temper and beauty of general +disposition, to expect the like of him seems utterly hopeless. +In what I have said of him in the sermon, I have said what +I know his views were on certain points, rather than expressed +my own. Such was the natural amiability of Bishop +Heber’s character, that it was often difficult to say whether he +acted from nature or grace. But whatever might be judged +by some, at times, to be errors of judgment, the general +tenor of his life was so opposed to worldly maxims, and +what the world would have wished him to follow, that there +seems no doubt grace was the ruling influence of his conduct. +The great number of subscribers he obtained for the +society for the Propagation of the Gospel, shews what an +influence he had obtained; and how many he had drawn +over to support the Missionary cause.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The sermon here alluded to, was preached in the +Cathedral Church of Calcutta, on Sunday, April 23, +from Heb. xiii. 7, 8. In a short notice prefixed to +the sermon, the reason for printing it is stated to be +“not any idea of its pretensions to literary merit, +but a sincere desire on the part of the author, to +improve the melancholy occasion of it, to the good +of a community with which he had been connected +nearly twenty years.” The Archdeacon added, +that as “all who approached their late beloved and +venerated diocesan, could not but admire his brilliant +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</span> +conversation, various acquirements, and commanding +talents, it was hoped that, the perusal of the sermon +might tend to recommend, to some at least, the cultivation +of those principles of Christian piety which +spread a charm over all his other great qualities.”</p> + +<p class="tall">The limits within which it is desirable to comprise +these memoirs, do not allow of the insertion here of +the vivid sketch of Bishop Heber’s ministerial life in +India, which this sermon contains, but as, in the +letter quoted above, specific reference is made to the +Bishop’s “views on certain points,” it may be +proper to quote the outline of the doctrines which +the Archdeacon states himself to have “heard the +deceased prelate preach,” on different occasions.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“It was the <i>word of God</i> which he administered. For +man, fallen from God and far from original righteousness, +he preached a full and free redemption by the +blood of Christ—justification by faith—the need of the +Holy Spirit’s grace to incline and enable man to repent, and +to bring forth fruit meet for repentance, persuading man, +by the terrors of the Lord, to flee from the wrath to come, +and by the mercies of Christ, to be reconciled unto God—the +pleasantness of religious ways—the comfort attending +the death of the righteous—the terrors of a judgment-day +to the impenitent, and the rewards of the faithful servant—setting +forth every Christian duty in its relation to Christian +principle, in his own peculiarly lively and impressive +manner.”</p> +</div> + +<div class="tall"> +<p>It is scarcely necessary to add, that Archdeacon +Corrie was among those who met in the Town-hall of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</span> +Calcutta, on the 6th of May, for the purpose of expressing +their deep concern at the loss which India +had sustained in the death of Bishop Heber, and for +devising means by which the memory of the labours +of that man of God might be transmitted to future +generations.<a id="FNanchor_128" href="#Footnote_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a></p> + +<p>On the 18th of May, the Archdeacon, after having +long desired to see such an object accomplished, was +called upon to take part in the ceremonial of laying +the foundation-stone of a Central School for the education +of native females. Four years, it will be remembered, +had now elapsed since female education in +India had been first commenced on a general plan; +but the difficulties in the way of such an undertaking +were apparently so serious, that but few could have +ventured even to hope that such an inroad on Hindoo +prejudice and superstition could have been made, as +that above five hundred females should already have +been brought under instruction in Calcutta and the +vicinity alone. The ground purchased for the site +of the school and other requisite buildings, was in +the centre of the Hindoo population, and about half +a mile to the north of the Church Missionary station +at Mirzapore. The foundation stone was laid by the +Lady Amherst, prayer having been offered up by the +Archdeacon for the divine blessing on the undertaking. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</span> +Many natives (particularly women and +their daughters) were present, on this interesting occasion; +and the Rajah Boidinath Roy, through an +interpreter, congratulated the Lady Amherst on the +success which had crowned the exertions of her +Ladyship and the Ladies of Calcutta; expressing also, +his deep sense of the gratitude which himself and +others entertained for the benefits which might be +expected from the education of his country-women.</p> + +<p>The demise of the Bishop devolved on the Archdeacon +the administration of the affairs of the diocese +during the vacancy of the See. In writing to his +brother he therefore observed<span class="lock">:—</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, June 29, 1826.<br> +</p> + +<p>“We are now residing in the Episcopal house, which +Government allows me to use, as Commissary for the See, +and gives me the Bishop’s salary instead of my own. It is +a new thing to me, to be consulting Burn’s Ecclesiastical +law, Gibson, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> There is, indeed, no power vested in the +Bishop of Calcutta, for Government reserve the decision of +every point to themselves; and the letters patent give no +independent authority. Yet such a man as Bishop Heber +will be applied to from all parts of India, on points affecting +divorce, wills, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, and his opinion will be received as +law: so that such studies as I have mentioned, are not in +vain. The love for antiquity, indeed, which some entertain, +overlooks, I think, too much the present race of men; and +sooner than deviate from ancient modes, would suffer them +to pass out of life in their ignorance; but I have as yet +discovered no ground for such rigid adherence to rules +adapted to the Church in a settled state, and am sure the +early Evangelists did not observe them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</span> +“All things here begin to assume their usual appearance +again, except that our beloved Bishop no more occupies his +seat among us; and that a second Escutcheon, hung up in +the Cathedral, reminds us, that two Bishops have passed +away from among us. My mind seems wearied with +considering what may be destined for our Indian Church. +The work of Missions had assumed a regular form. In +the south of India, regular help, and enough of it, +would give Christianity an almost established form; so many +Natives profess Christianity. May God be gracious unto +the land, and send us a man of a right spirit!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">By the advice of the medical men in Calcutta, the +Archdeacon decided on a journey up the river, as for +as Benares and Chunar. He, therefore, left Calcutta +in the month of July 1826, visiting several of +the out-stations as he passed along. On reaching Benares, +one of the chief objects of his attention naturally +was Joy Narain’s school, in the founding of which +the Archdeacon had taken so much interest. He had +now the satisfaction to find the School in excellent +order; there being in it one hundred and thirty-one +boys under daily instruction. Besides this, he found +that two youths who had been educated in the school, +had been engaged ever since January last, as assistant +English-teachers in the free-school at Cawnpore, +and were giving satisfaction; and that the success +of those youths in thus obtaining a comfortable provision +for themselves, had recommended the school +to the good opinion of the natives of Benares and +the neighbourhood. The Archdeacon found, also, that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</span> +six other schools had been established, in different +parts of the city, in which, among other books, the +gospels were read. With reference to these schools +he observes:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The streets of Benares, being for the most part very +narrow, the boys assemble in long Verandahs, and the +passers-by see and hear all that takes place. This, though +unfavourable for the purposes of a School, yet causes what +the boys read to be heard by many; and sometimes a +hundred people, and upwards, will crowd around, while +the boys are examined, in the previous week’s Exercises: +and thus their knowledge is diffused.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On reaching Chunar, the Archdeacon records in a +memorandum <span class="lock">dated—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Chunar, <abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 17, 1826.<br> +</p> + +<p>“It is twenty years since I reached Bengal, having +arrived in Calcutta on Saturday, <abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 20, 1806. I had +appointed the 20th. <abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> as a day for calling my ways to +remembrance; but have aforetime too much neglected this +duty: and I fear interruption on Wednesday, the Anniversary +of my actual entrance on life in this land. Many +sinful causes have of late years, prevented me from making +Memoranda of the state of my mind, as formerly, but I +have thus deprived myself of the power of calling many +things to mind, of which I ought deeply to repent; and +am constrained to pray, “Cleanse me from my secret faults,” +secret and hidden by forgetfulness from myself. Early in +1819, I arrived at the highest emoluments in the way of +Chaplains. In 1822, I received increased emoluments as a +Commissary for the See; and now enjoy alone, all the +advantages arising from the second vacancy of the See. I +feel decidedly, and painfully, that large means have not +been of advantage to myself, or family. My own soul has +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</span> +gradually lost much of the liveliness I once possessed in religion. +The readiness to labour, the willingness to attend +to the poor, the pleasure of going here and there to serve +others, either officially or of choice, is greatly departed +from me. Increased years, and debility, may have a share +in this indisposition to active duties, but are far from being +the whole cause. I am deeply conscious, also, that the +receiving of so many [persons] from time to time into our +house (though in many cases a mere returning of civilities, +or rather favours previously by us received, and a debt of +gratitude, and in almost every case appearing to be an exercise +of hospitality) yet the numbers at table, consequent desultory +conversation, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> weaken the power of religion in me, and I +seem to myself to have no strength in comparison of former +days. I have many thoughts how far this company and +constantly full table have had a share in my loss of health. +I would especially call to mind, my dulness in secret duties, +and how seldom I can ‘take hold on God.’ I read and +kneel in devotion, but too generally without apprehending or +appropriating any benefit. Deeply humiliating as this is, +I yet bless my Saviour that it is no worse; that He has not +cast me utterly from his presence, nor taken His Holy Spirit +from me. I am conscious of a desire to be ‘as in days +past,’ and of some endeavour after it. But O! I have +much ground to regain; many days to redeem, and fewer +left to work out my salvation in. The cross of Christ is my +only hope and glory. The Lord, I think, knows I desire +to be crucified with Christ; and to have all iniquity taken +away. Lord, work thou in me to do, no less than to will! +Oh! incline and enable my dear partner to bear in mind +more and more, the subjects of our late conversations; that +our own souls and our lovely and beloved children, may be +improved in every grace of the Spirit; and that our light +may yet shine before men, to the glory of our heavenly +Father. Preserve our dear children in health; and O! give +them spiritual healing and blessing. Make us more and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</span> +more one in Christ Jesus. Help me to walk circumspectly, +and to behave in present circumstances as becometh the +gospel of Christ. O keep me from any fall, either in public +or private; and lead me in the paths of righteousness <i>for +thy name’s sake</i>. Other plea have I none: other refuge +have I none. To thee, to thee alone I cleave. A poor +feeble vine, I would cleave to thee as the stem; and in thy +strength alone be strong. Quicken me more and more. +Lead me from strength to strength. ‘Hold thou me up, +so shall I be safe?’ O! forsake not the work of thine +own hands. I am thine, save me. Amen.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">As it was at Chunar that Archdeacon Corrie commenced +his missionary labours, his account of the +state of the native church there may not be omitted. +He writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The congregation of the Hindoostanee worshippers, +is rather on the increase. The day I was there, upwards of +two hundred attended, of whom at least fifty were unbaptized +natives. I conversed with some of the recent converts, +who appear to be really sincere. Among them +some are natives of villages in the neighbourhood, who, at +first, were greatly opposed by their relatives; but retreating +to Chunar, they continued to receive renewed strength and +encouragement, by attending on the means of grace. By +repeating their visits home at intervals, they have at length +overcome prejudice so far, as to be heard with attention, on +the subject of their change; and in one case, the convert +(who is one of several brothers, Brahmins, who are the +principal cultivators in the village) has been acknowledged +by his family, and allowed to resume his place among them.</p> + +<p>“Of those natives who attend Christian worship, one +whole family have become candidates for baptism. The +first of the family who became impressed with the subject +of religion, was the eldest son; about two years ago, he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</span> +proposed himself for baptism, but his father entreated Mr. +Bowley to delay, and he also would consider whether he +should not join the son. Mr. Bowley on this account +recommended delay to the son; he has continued steady, +and now the father and mother, and some other members +of the family, are resolved to embrace Christianity.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the 20th of September the Archdeacon commenced +his journey back to Calcutta. When above +Rajemahl, he wrote</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 4, 1826.<br> +</p> + +<p>“At Benares and Chunar, our friends are greatly improved, +and their usefulness and comforts increased by the +ordination. There is also more of Christian union and love +among them, and their work prospers. We call on the +chaplains and missionaries as we pass along, and on few +besides. We hope to reach the Berhampore river to-day. +We have been mercifully preserved, during our journey on +this uncertain river. By going leisurely, we have not had +an alarm, while most persons we have met with have lost +boats, or been some way annoyed. What lies before me I +know not. I regret not having regularly to preach, for +though ministers are too apt to read the Scriptures for +others, I find it good in any way to be kept close to them.</p> + +<p>“I sometimes long to visit you all; but vain are such +longings, for after all, we are only that to each other which +God makes us. The light of His countenance alone, maketh +whole; and I should have no comfort in leaving my post, +without some more evident necessity than appears at present.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Archdeacon Corrie arrived in Calcutta toward +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</span> +the end of October, and early in the following month +(<abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 12th) was present at the opening of a new +chapel at Mirzapore, in which it was intended to +have the services of the Church of England statedly +conducted in Bengalee. Not long before Bishop +Heber left Calcutta on his last visitation, he had recommended +the Church Missionary Society to make +a pecuniary grant toward the building of the chapel, +and the Archdeacon had laid the foundation-stone +of it during the April of this year; the object +mainly contemplated in the erection of it being, to +afford native Christians and such natives as might be +enquiring after Christianity, an opportunity for attending +the worship of God, conducted in their own +language. On this occasion, a considerable number +of native Christians were assembled within the chapel, +and the doors were thronged by crowds of Hindoos +and Mahomedans, who were attracted to the spot.</p> + +<p class="tall">On the day following, the Archdeacon writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 13, 1826.<br> +</p> + +<p>“From Sherer you will learn our own affairs, and will +know that since he left us we have been up to Benares. +We are rendered uncomfortable in this large house by the +decaying state of some part of the walls; so that our personal +comfort is not increased by the enlargement of our +limits. And so I have found it in every advance in temporal +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</span> +circumstances; something or other connected with it, has +always prevented increase of enjoyment. All true happiness +dwells in the mind: and O, “What shall I render to the +Lord,” that the peace of God, through Christ Jesus, is no +stranger to my breast? Too often, alas, have I had reason +to mourn my backslidings in heart, and temper, and conduct; +but if guilt removed return, the power of the atonement +may, also, be again and again proved.</p> + +<p>“I find myself more a bishop than during the former +vacancy of this See; but here again the passings-by of +some, the reluctance with which others apply for what they +cannot do without, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> might well embitter this temporary +elevation also; but that, I trust, I have learned to forbear +in some measure, and to forgive as I expect forgiveness; +so that no breach has occurred with any of our body. I am +bound both in conscience and consistency to take part in +those measures which have, all along, given offence to some, +whilst they are obliged also to take me with them in their +plans. The reluctance, however, is on their part, for ‘so +that Christ be preached, I rejoice.’</p> + +<p>“Now our cold season is set in, I think with reluctance, +of returning to England. Here, I trust, I am useful in +helping on projects for the good of many thousands; in +England, a small parish would be all I could undertake the +charge of. Nothing, therefore, but decided inability to +remain in India should make me leave it. Our children, indeed, +cannot here fully comprehend that flow of the Christian +affections which the interest taken in all classes at home +calls forth; and whether I shall be able to part with them +and their mother, for three years, to visit England, I know +not. I greatly shrink from such a separation.</p> + +<p>“You will have read the life of Dr. E. D. Clarke, and +will have seen the intense desire with which, when abroad, +he sought letters from home. Now something similar has +always dwelt in me, though wife and children, dear as life, +have consoled me under long silence from home. The life +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</span> +of Clarke is admirably well done. I remember the person of +the biographer, and admired his fine delivery of a sermon +at St. Mary’s [Cambridge]; the subject of it I have forgotten. +But that is a long time ago, he must be getting +old now, and I am following fast after him.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">During this month (<abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr>) it was, that a circumstance +occurred of some interest, as indicative of the +feeling of the native mind, with regard to Christianity. +It appeared that for want of funds, the +Committee of the Church Missionary Society in +Calcutta, were intending to withdraw their missionary +from Culna, a populous town and district +on the west bank of the Hooghly, where schools +had been established. But no sooner were the principal +native inhabitants of the place (who were +chiefly of the Brahmin caste) apprised of that intention, +than they presented a petition in Bengalee, +to Archdeacon Corrie, requesting that the missionary +might be continued with them. Among other +things, they observed that<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“They acknowledged that they formerly entertained some +slight degree of apprehension of our sacred books; but that +in consequence of the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Mr. Deerr making known to +them these our Scriptures, not only had their fears entirely +vanished, but they considered that these books were deserving +of unqualified reception, and highly beneficial; and +on this account, they considered themselves equally benefitted, +and rejoiced, as much as a man born blind when he +receives his sight.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It having been decided to appoint an assistant to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</span> +Mr. Bowley, in the mission at Chunar, Mr. Landeman, +who was born in India, and well acquainted +with Hindoostanee, was the person fixed upon. +Previously, however, to the departure of this gentleman +from Calcutta, a meeting was held (<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 15, +1826,) in the Church Missionary Library, at Mirzapore, +when Archdeacon Corrie delivered an address +to Mr. Landeman, in which he took a brief review +of the circumstances connected with the then state +of missions, and the duties arising out of them. +The whole address was characterised by that large-mindedness, +singleness of heart, and tenderness, +which the Archdeacon was wont to manifest on occasions +like these.<a id="FNanchor_129" href="#Footnote_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a></p> + +<p class="tall">As several months had now passed since the death +of Bishop Heber, the intelligence of the appointment +of his successor, was daily expected to reach +Calcutta. Thus the Archdeacon writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, January 25, 1827.<br> +</p> + +<p>“It seems that the news of Bishop Heber’s death had +reached England overland in August. ‘The Osprey,’ and +‘Barett,’ carry official accounts. We shall now soon hear +of a successor. The head of the Church reigneth, let the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</span> +earth rejoice; and may we wait the result in patience. You +will hear that Mr. Mack published, in the ‘Monthly Friend of +India,’ an attack on our Mirzapore friends; very unkind, +and mistaken. It has recoiled painfully on their own head; +for Adam, who is now editor of the Bengal Chronicle, has +taken it up, and ‘John Bull,’ has responded; and the old +sores about Serampore premises, imperfect translations, and +fallacious statements, have all been laid open again. We +have kept silence, though called upon for explanations, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> +<abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, and the storm is a little blown over.... The time of +difficulty in our funds, (viz) the end of our year, has come +on, and I am often much cast down in mind. Great +temptations arise to withdraw, and leave things to themselves: +for few come freely to take a part.... But is not +the cause of missions the cause of Christ? I fear really for +those, who, with the opportunities now afforded, can overlook +that cause. It seems pure selfishness, to be content +that these [natives] should go on in ignorance and sin, so +we get but to heaven ourselves: and it is often, I doubt, +fear for myself, rather than love for the heathen, that keeps +me, in a measure, at the Missionary helm. But here I +must stay: yet after all, if I wear away, some might feel it +then incumbent on them to take it up more efficiently. +Doubtless a principle is at work in this community, which +will lead the population forward rapidly in knowledge and +character generally; and if it be not rightly directed, those +who neglect the present season of operation will suffer: but +I shall not see that time, rapid as the progress is. New +states are plainly no place for a person who possesses a +competency, and can enjoy repose. India especially, is not +a country a man who knows anything of England would +<i>choose</i> to grow old in. Here, in a peculiar degree, the +mind is forced to look off, both from the Church and from +the world, to the Rock, Christ.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE SAME.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 22, 1827.<br> +</p> + +<p>“We are now more out of the way of such a bustle as +we formerly were subject to, being, (as I think I told you) +fixed in a nice little house at Cossipore; but I fear falling +into the opposite extreme; for when we cease to do all we +ought for the good of our fellow-sinners, we sin against the +law of Christ. Surely, there is as little peace in retiring, +selfish ease, as in bustling ambitious publicity. I returned +a few days since, from Burdwan. The fields indeed, in that +quarter, seems ‘white for the harvest,’ but both Mr. Perowne, +and Mr. Deerr, are obliged to leave their posts, and seek +change of air. Mr. Bowley is, also, becoming well attended +to, about Chunar. Isaiah lx. 4, 5.<a id="FNanchor_130" href="#Footnote_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a> has been much on my +mind, as applicable to these two spheres of Missionary +labour at this time; and fear fills my heart, whilst it is +enlarged with gratitude and thankfulness.</p> + +<p>“What may be the effect of such a commotion as seems +approaching, on the powers that be, and how we shall +provide for the increased calls for men and money, I know +not. But surely He whom we serve in the gospel of His +Son, can, and will appear for us. Rumours have reached +us about a new Bishop, and men unknown to missionary +fame, have been named. This seems sad: let us in patience +wait the event.</p> + +<p>“Government has given forty rupees monthly to Chunar +Church; and the same to Gorrikepore Church: and I am +not without hope of getting a monthly salary for Bowley, as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</span> +Minister on the Establishment, to a congregation of native +Christian subjects of the Government. Yesterday was the +Bible Society anniversary. An excellent report, drawn up +by Mr. Goode: all our old plans are going on, sometimes +briskly, sometimes heavily. ‘Faint, yet pursuing,’ my +habitual motto.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In the following month, (March 15) Archdeacon +Corrie again visited Burdwan, for the purpose of +examining the schools there, and also for making +enquiry into the conduct of the head Pundit connected +with the mission, who, for some time had +been carrying on a system of double-dealing. It +appeared that this Pundit had induced no less than +thirteen Brahmins (most of them school-pundits) to +apply to the Missionary at Burdwan for Christian +baptism; and that, as a preliminary step, they had +accordingly been receiving daily instruction from the +missionary, and evidencing the while a good deal of +apparent sincerity and earnestness. At length however, +one of the number went to the missionary, and +told him, that all that had occurred was mere hypocrisy, +and had been kept up at the instigation of the head-Pundit; +that the only object they had in view, was +to induce, if they could, the missionary to “report +them as enquirers after truth;” their notion being, +that if that were but once published, they would +have the missionary in their power, as they thought +that, for consistency’s sake, he must keep up appearances, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</span> +and so be obliged to continue them in +their schools, and pay them their wages.</p> + +<p class="tall">It has been thought desirable to mention the particulars +of this transaction, because a repetition of +such or similar attempts to deceive missionaries, may +be expected to occur the more frequently, in proportion +as the profession of Christianity becomes +more common among the natives of India. It does +not seem, however, that the Christian missionary +need be unduly depressed by the occurrence of such +instances of the sad depravity of the native character; +for whilst deploring the miserable condition of the +deceivers themselves, he will know that even they +must have received more distinct ideas of divine +truth than they otherwise would have had. For himself, +he will learn how little confidence can be placed +in any profession of Christianity, which does not +originate in a change of heart, by the power of the +Holy Ghost. Still, the Archdeacon found some encouraging +circumstances connected with the mission +at Burdwan. In the report of his visit, he relates<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I had some conversation with Manick, a Brahmin who +was baptized on the 16th of December. He had been for +some time employed by different missionaries. I asked +him, ‘What he had seen in Christianity which led him to +embrace it?’ he replied, ‘In the Hindoo <i>poorans</i> and +<i>shasters</i> there is no certainty: one asserts one thing, +another, another; but here is a clear way’—‘In what way +in particular?’—‘More especially in the way of worshipping +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</span> +God: in other systems a variety of ceremonies and rites +must be observed; in this it is required only to pray to God +alone’—‘What have you learned to pray for?’—‘Daily I +pray for pardon of sin; for this I daily require.’—‘What +do you understand by sin?’—‘Whatever is not according to +God’s commands.’ He then, in answer, repeated briefly the +substance of the Ten Commandments; and said that every +one must labour to fulfil them to the utmost of his power, +though no one could do it perfectly. A good deal more +conversation followed.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The next communication from the Archdeacon +shews him to have been still anxious respecting who +might be Bishop Heber’s successor. It is addressed</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, April 7, 1827.<br> +</p> + +<p>“It is now a year since Providence was pleased to withdraw +our Bishop, and we have no tidings of a successor. +We shall no doubt, hear in due time, but the delay of arrivals +keeps us, also, in ignorance how matters stand with +those who are dear to us in the bonds of nature. Since the +beginning of January, we have continued to reside at Cossipore +chiefly. The quiet, freedom and airiness of the situation +is very agreeable to us; and when a Bishop arrives, I +shall have less occasion to be so frequently in town. The +ship that carries this, carries also Mr. Perowne and family. +His removal just now is very painful, on account of the +mission, as you can well judge. Deerr will reside there; +but declines taking charge of the mission. Mr. Wilson will +go up every month: he has been three times since you left +us; and is very acceptable to the people; and we may hope +the work will go on. Dear Abdool Messeeh is gone to his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</span> +rest. A tumour somewhere in the back, of which he had +nearly died two years ago, proved to be a carbuncle, brought +on mortification and death. He always spoke of it as a +boil; and his little medical knowledge proved indeed a fatal +thing to him. But his end was according to the tenor of +his life,—peaceful, intelligent, resigned. His last sensible +breath was expended in singing a hymn, of the kind and +meaning of that in Simeon’s collection, “Lord, remember +me!”<a id="FNanchor_131" href="#Footnote_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a> An obituary is sent home, which you will no +doubt see.<a id="FNanchor_132" href="#Footnote_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a> Mr. Reichardt will now have the principal +charge at Mirzapore. His German order and system, is becoming +very important to us. There are three catechists, +who ought to be lectured once a week at least: and an account +kept of their labours for the information of the +Society. Mr. W. seems as if he could not do this. He +will talk and preach from morning to night; but this particularity +seems to him, resting in the letter; but Reichardt +thinks otherwise, and rightly; and will labour also to render +the whole a spiritual service. My sphere, as far as it appears, +is about Benares. There our friends require only to be led; +and I feel I have no power to command. I am expecting 300 +Rupees a month [from Government] for Mr. Morris, as +minister of Chunar. Greenwood is coming down to the +Calcutta Grammar school, perhaps has arrived there; and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</span> +Morris can officiate also in Hindoostanee, leaving Bowley +free to itinerate. The Society will be relieved, in part, by +these means, besides in some degree accredited by Government. +Indeed, since I have been in charge, Government +has done every thing I asked. Both Mr. H. and B. and +Lord Combermere, have, in official matters, shewn much +kindness; and I ask nothing else.... The expences of +the mission, of necessity increase, as the work increases. +Bowley now requires three bungalows in different villages, +where influential people have embraced the gospel; and +their neighbours desire, also, to hear more of ‘this way.’ +Mirza Bagir, son of the traveller, Abu Talib Khan, was +baptized last month. Mr. W. Bird was the means of his +becoming acquainted with the Scriptures, and sent him to +Bowley for baptism.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a communication addressed, in May, to the +Church Missionary Society in England, the Archdeacon +enters more fully into some of the encouraging +circumstances, and prospective difficulties, +then attending missions, and which are touched upon +in the letter given above.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Opportunities open on every side for missionary work: +but we cannot meet them. I agree entirely, that the prospect +of good, and not present local patronage, should move +us in attempting new plans; but everywhere the population +is very large, and access to them comparatively easy. +Government has granted to Mr. Morris at Chunar 300 rupees +a month, in consideration of services rendered to the +native congregation; but new openings round that station +call for increased help. One convert baptized last year, has, +from his fisher’s death, become heir of his property in land: +a place of worship is required in his village; with a school, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</span> +and a native catechist. A Zemindar, also lately baptized, +possessing property in land in a village opposite to Chunar, +has called for the same kind of aid: a bungalow is building, +and a catechist will reside with him. Thus success in our +labours entails increased expense. We may hope that Divine +Providence will raise up aid; but at present, we see not +how. We may indeed, hope that the days of indifference +on the part of the British are gone by, and that our +Bishops will continue, in succession, to uphold the work of +evangelization; but it seems to me that the most trying +period for all our plans may yet be to come. Till help be +raised up among the natives, or the Government take up the +subject, the work will be up hill: we cannot expect the +natives to join heartily till they taste the good of what is +brought before them; and that will not be, humanly speaking, +till the young now educating, grow into active life. +The Government has given a precedent at Chunar, of helping +to afford instruction to converted natives; but till congregations +are collected, Government, on the present system, +cannot help directly. Fifteen or twenty years then must +pass on this “System of Mendicancy,” as Bishop Heber +well termed it; and as we feel it to be, in a way which you +at home cannot well understand: <i>you</i> address congregations +where all acknowledge the duty, and profess faith in God for +its success—<i>we</i> mix with those who scarcely acknowledge +the duty or utility of attempting the conversion of the +heathen, and have no hope of success. We are encouraged +however, to persevere; and I trust that our faith will be +found of a kind more precious than gold that perisheth, +though it be tried, and sometimes as by fire; and that, +after all, chiefly from within.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">During the summer of 1827, the Archdeacon +had his equanimity somewhat disturbed by the intelligence +that the sermon which he had printed on +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</span> +the death of Bishop Heber, only for circulation +among his own friends, and those of the deceased +prelate, had been made public in England. With +reference to that circumstance, he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am filled with concern to hear that my sermon has +been reprinted in England. It was intended to be purely +private, and I sent some copies to be distributed privately. +It will be fine game for the reviewers: well, I must be content. +No man ever less sought publicity, or was less fitted +for the trials connected with it. I have been led from one +step to another, and it is singular that those with whom I +have felt most closely united, have seemed least to rejoice in +my advancement from time to time. I have acquainted you +with some of my experience in the school of authority; and +it has made me desire retirement more than ever; yet how I +shall leave this country, except ill-health compel me, I +know not.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It must not be omitted to mention, that with the +administration of the diocese of Calcutta, during this +vacancy of the see, was connected a more active +attention to the operations of the Society for Propagating +the Gospel, and of the Society for Promoting +Christian Knowledge, than the Archdeacon had before +felt called upon to give. To this was added an occasional +correspondence with the English functionaries +of those Societies. The following communication +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</span> +addressed to the secretary of the Society for +Promoting Christian Knowledge, will not be read +without interest<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, <abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 15, 1827.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I had yesterday the honour to receive your letter of +March 1st., and beg to offer my best thanks to the venerable +Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, for its +acceptance of my offers of service, and to yourself for the +obliging manner in which your communication is conveyed. +On the subject of the Native schools, I would +respectfully call your attention to the condition on which I +proposed to transfer the funds to the Society for Promoting +Christian Knowledge; viz. “if the Society for Promoting +Christian Knowledge send out no more Missionaries.” +It is with reference to the superintendence alone +any difficulty can arise. My humble opinion is, that all the +Societies in the Establishment should strive together in the +good cause, and each support as many schools as it can, each +at the same time supplying superintendence for its own +schools. In this way all classes who support our Establishment +will be induced to lend their aid; and it is agreeable to +the constitution of human nature, and not contrary to the +gospel, that each Society should labour to support its own +schools whilst it rejoices in the prosperity of all. The +superintendents being amenable to one Society, whilst the +expenses of the schools are supplied by another, has led, I +must say, to less exertion, and a less strict economy than +would otherwise have been the case; and as in the case of the +<abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Mr. D’Mello at Howrah, some of his schools being supported +by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, whilst +others of them are supported by the Society for Promoting +Christian Knowledge, causes a perplexity in our proceedings, +which the public will not take the trouble to understand. +My purpose, however, in writing now is not to oppose but +merely to put you in possession of the true state of things +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</span> +here, and my earnest endeavours shall be directed in conjunction +with the other friends of the Society here, to promote +its interests and uphold the credit it has justly acquired +by its long and most beneficial labours in the cause of pure +and undefiled religion. In its English department it is +unrivalled, and the edification afforded by its lending +libraries in this country cannot be expressed in adequate +language.</p> + +<p>“There is a circumstance connected with the support of +native schools which has not been prominently brought forward; +viz. the providing of school-books. This is a +source of considerable expense, but without incurring it, +schools are utterly inefficient. The school-book Society +supplies its books to religious Societies at half-price; these +are mostly of a mere elementary character, but necessary in +their place. Besides these, our Diocesan Committee printed an +edition of the discourses, miracles, and parables of our blessed +Saviour, which has long been expended. The Diocesan +Committee’s National schools have been supplied from time +to time with copies both of the whole New Testament, and +of the Gospels and Acts separately, by the Calcutta +Auxiliary Bible Society, and with copies of a catechism on +the evidences and leading doctrines of Christianity, and of +Watts’ catechism, and of dialogues on the events related in +the book of Genesis, by a Mr. Ellerton, from the press of +the Church Missionary Society (all gratis,) in Bengalee. +Last week at a meeting of the Diocesan Committee’s Society +for the Propagation of the Gospel, I submitted to the +meeting the necessity of printing the books most sought +after by the Natives, after the gospels, viz. Watts’s Catechism +and Ellerton’s dialogues, at the press of Bishop’s College. +A question then arose, at whose expense should they be +printed, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, or +the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel? and this +question is to be discussed next quarterly meeting. In the +meantime the schools will be supplied from the former +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</span> +sources. The <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Mr. Tweddle has been resident since +June last in the Society’s house, connected with the +Russypuglah circle of schools, and is greatly encouraged by +the attention which many of the adult population pay to the +subject of Christianity. Several have professed their desire +to be baptized, but he delays a little to prove their sincerity +and impart further instruction. In that neighbourhood +the desire for schools is very urgent, and all, be it observed, +are willing, I might say desirous, that the Christian Scriptures +should be introduced. The objection to the Scriptures seems +chiefly among the Brahmins and Pundits, and they counteract, +without great care on the part of the Missionary, the +willingness at least of the people to know something about +the Gospel. The wise and the learned among the Hindoos, as +formerly among the Greeks, are, generally speaking, least +disposed to attend to the things which belong to their peace. +To the poor the gospel is preached, and they will receive it; +and as a wealthy native lately observed to me respecting +native female education, ‘We shall soon be obliged to teach +our daughters letters, for all the poor are becoming more +knowing than the rich:’ so the superiority of character +which Christianity produces in the poor will force the rich to +reflect on their ways. Till then, we shall have to struggle +with scanty funds and poor converts; and how long that may +be, God only knows, but in due time we “shall reap if we +faint not.” If you will have your schools prosper, and produce +the fruits of righteousness, pray send Missionaries; +but allow me to say, other kind of men are wanted here, +than would suit well enough for North America. We want, +besides good character, activity, aptness to learn languages, +and to impart instruction. A Missionary who should come +here merely to impart instruction in English would only +waste his Society’s money, disappoint the expectations of +those who sent him, and expose the ministerial character to +contempt. The natives can perceive, and do admire the +disinterestedness of a man, who can be content with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</span> +little, whilst he spends his strength in native labours; but a +clergyman living among a few Europeans at an out-station, +without other employment, would be liable to be considered +as on some account or other disgraced; like some who have +been dismissed the service of government with a pittance +to subsist on.</p> + +<p>“I might perhaps have omitted to write now, as we have +heard of the appointment of a Bishop; but I am anxious to +afford to those who, like yourself, take an interest in the +Church in India, information respecting the true state of +our affairs. The reviewer of the church in India notices the +many applications to Bishop Heber for Missionaries; and as +an indication of improved feeling among Europeans +here, it is a most gratifying fact; but if it should lead any +to offer himself as a Missionary under the idea that English +services were the chief thing required, and this idea should +not be corrected by those who send him forth, the effect +would be to misapply missionary-funds, and to fill India +with a poor clergy to the saving of a rich Government.</p> + +<p>“Accept, I pray, my unfeigned apology for any thing I +have written which may appear irrelevant or uncalled for. +As far as I know myself, my only desire is to promote the +interests of the Established Church in these lands. I shall +not again intrude myself on your attention; and at the age +of fifty, in a climate like this, and after twenty-one years +service, cannot expect to be of much use to a cause, the prosperity +of which constitutes my chief joy.”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_119" href="#FNanchor_119" class="label">[119]</a> +<abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Josiah Torriano, Vicar of Stansted-Mount-fitchet, Essex, +formerly Chaplain to the E. I. C.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_120" href="#FNanchor_120" class="label">[120]</a> +A school-book written in Hindoostanee, by Archdeacon Corrie.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_121" href="#FNanchor_121" class="label">[121]</a> +A full account of this part of Hindoostan, with views of the +scenery, is contained in “the Himalaya Tourist,” edited by E. +Roberts.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_122" href="#FNanchor_122" class="label">[122]</a> +The mountain-pass at Hurdwar, the entrance to the Dhoon.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_123" href="#FNanchor_123" class="label">[123]</a> +Near Stamford.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_124" href="#FNanchor_124" class="label">[124]</a> +General G. fell at the commencement of the Nepaul war, in an +heroic assault on the fort of Kalunga, on the 30th of October 1814.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_125" href="#FNanchor_125" class="label">[125]</a> +Edward A. Newton, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr> now of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, U.S.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_126" href="#FNanchor_126" class="label">[126]</a> +A horse soldier.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_127" href="#FNanchor_127" class="label">[127]</a> +Bhurtpore was taken by storm on the 18th of January, 1826; +and peace was concluded with Ava towards the end of the same +month.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_128" href="#FNanchor_128" class="label">[128]</a> +An account of the proceedings on that sorrowful occasion is +given in an Appendix to the Life of Bishop Heber.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_129" href="#FNanchor_129" class="label">[129]</a> +The address is given at length in the Missionary Register for +1827, <abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> 489, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_130" href="#FNanchor_130" class="label">[130]</a> +“Lift up thine eyes round about and see, all they gather +themselves together, they come to thee; thy sons shall come from +far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt +see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; +because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the +forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.”</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_131" href="#FNanchor_131" class="label">[131]</a> +The following literal translation of this hymn is given by the +Archdeacon in his memoir of Abdool<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry small"> + <div class="verse indent0">Beloved Saviour, let not me</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In thy kind heart forgotten be!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Of all that deck the field or bower,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Thou art the sweetest, fairest flower!</div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Youth’s morn has fled, old age comes on;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">But sin distracts my soul alone;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Beloved Saviour, let not me</div> + <div class="verse indent0">In thy kind heart, forgotten be!</div> +<div class="poemright">See Missionary Register, 1827, <abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 453.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_132" href="#FNanchor_132" class="label">[132]</a> +Ibid. <abbr title="pages">p.</abbr> 449-453.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER <abbr title="Sixteen">XVI.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="hanging"><span class="allsmcap">ARRIVAL OF BISHOP JAMES—CONSECRATION OF +THE BISHOP’S COLLEGE—DEATH OF BISHOP JAMES—VISIT +TO THE UPPER PROVINCES.</span></p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">Although</span> Dr. James was consecrated Bishop of +Calcutta on the 3rd June, 1827, yet intelligence of +his appointment to that See, did not reach Calcutta +till toward the close of the year. In the meanwhile +questions and difficulties had arisen, which the authority +of a Commissary was not sufficiently recognised +to settle, and the letters of the Archdeacon +contain, in consequence, many expressions of anxiety +for the arrival of the Diocesan. To his brother he +writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have sent home several folios of late about Missions and +other matters: some private to Mr. Sherer, some to Mr. Bickersteth. +If you have any curiosity about such matters, you +may gratify it by referring to those sources; for I am weary +of the subject, though it is getting every day more perplexing, +and deserving of more attention.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The domestic affairs of the Archdeacon were, also, +a source of trial; for the health of his children (especially +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</span> +that of the eldest,) had of late been gradually +suffering from the climate, until it became necessary +to arrange for sending them to England, +accompanied by their mother. In the prospect of +this separation from his family, he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 12, 1827.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Altogether, we concluded that it was the will of God +that they should proceed to England. Wherein we have +decided amiss, the Lord pardon us; for I am painfully certain +that not every movement that comes recommended by +fair appearances, is from above, but often to prove whether +we trust God or not.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And after the day of actual separation had arrived +the Archdeacon writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 14, 1827.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The ship which carries this, sails at the same time with +the ‘Duke of Lancaster,’ which carries my earthly treasures. +I try to think of my children as going to school, and their +Mother going to take care of them. This, in our circumstances, +is duty; but I have known no trial to be compared +to it, except parting with Mary, when I went the first time +to embark at Portsmouth. I cannot, in sober thought, +bring myself to resolve on following them; but much may +arise to render it proper, if not necessary: and as I made +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</span> +no positive resolve on leaving home about returning, I +make none now about remaining here. When our infants +were called away, their Mother and others in their stead +were left. Now all are going; but there is hope, in every +sense, of meeting again. I feel too proud, I fear, of my +children, as most parents perhaps do. Their Mother and I +have enjoyed as much of happiness, as earth affords; and +remembrance of happiness only will follow her: whether ever +to be renewed, He only knows certainly who is engaged +to make all things work together for our good.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The time was now approaching when the Archdeacon +was to be relieved from his duties as Commissary, +for within a month of the date of the preceding +letter, he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS WIFE.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“January 21, 1828.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The Bishop is at length arrived. He was installed +yesterday. On Monday the report of the ‘Mary Anne’s’ +arrival reached us; on Friday [<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 17,] we went down, +Messrs. Eales, Abbott, Mill, Cracraft, Prinsep (the younger.) +We found the ship at Culpee, near to where we met Bishop +Heber. Bishop James resembles him much in appearance +and manner. He is evidently of a kind disposition, and +for my own part, I have much reason to be satisfied with my +reception.</p> + +<p>“I have not ascertained any of the Bishop’s plans, nor +perhaps has he yet settled any. I mentioned the residence +in the Upper Provinces, but he did not think the Archdeacon +could be spared from Calcutta, on account of the frequent +absence of the Bishop.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</span>The bishop, however, expressed a wish that, subject +to his own instructions, his correspondence with the +Chaplains and the Government, should be carried +on by the Archdeacon, but it does not appear that +any plan to that effect was settled. As regarded +himself, the Archdeacon occupied his comparative +freedom from public business, in assisting the chaplains +in their clerical duties, in finishing the translation +of the Prayer-book and the Homilies into +Hindoostanee, and in superintending a translation of +the Prayer-book into Persian by Mr. da Costa. +These were all afterwards printed, either by, or by +the aid of, the Prayer-book and Homily Society. +With reference to these occupations, the Archdeacon +writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS WIFE.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 12, 1828.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have been officiating at Howrah, and the same sermon +enabled me to assist Goode; so that I have not been idle, +and am much the better for it.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And again<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I know not what C. has taken [to England] for you: I +told him to take you a copy of the translations of the +Common Prayer. I send three copies, by this ship, to the +Prayer Book and Homily Society. It is found fault with, as +Martyn’s Testament was; but I care little, as time will bring +to light the labours I have gone through; and those who +can improve it may.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</span></p> + +<p>He adds—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have been much moved by the affection of the Hindoostanee +congregation for John Adlington. He has always +been more disposed to suffer in silence, than to complain; +yet after some time the Native Christians became so attached +to him on account of his ministrations, that one day, +on going to Church, he found a <i>punkah</i><a id="FNanchor_133" href="#Footnote_133" class="fnanchor">[133]</a> hung up for him. +The place for the Communion table being bare, one begged +to be allowed to place a mat on it. Another placed a carpet, +where John stood to minister; and lately one came and +said, he had been so comforted at the Communion, that he +begged to be allowed to present a silver cup, and wished to +know what shape John would have it made in. These are +genuine expressions of Christian Native feeling, beyond what +has appeared here; for Bowley is a great disciplinarian, and +his people are more under awe than John’s flock. These +facts the Hindoostanee Homilies brought to my mind; for +the translation is now read to the people.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It has now to be observed, that as the frequent +correspondence which the Archdeacon maintained +with his wife, during the time that she was absent +from India, affords a kind of Journal of the writer’s +own feelings, and of such occurrences as passed under +his notice, little more for the present is necessary +than to subjoin extracts from his letters to her. +Thus, under date of April 7th, he writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I should tell you that Mr. Deerr had a most interesting +occasion last week, at Culna; he has baptized five persons +there, and another offered himself. The new Christians begged +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</span> +the baptism might take place in their quarter of the large +spreading town. No appropriate building being available, +Mr. Deerr had a table set under a tree, in a large Mango +grove; the table covered with ‘a fair linen cloth,’ and on +it a marble basin full of pure water. The Christians sung a +hymn. About one hundred and fifty assembled. Mr. +Deerr preached from “Hallowed be thy name.” All were +hushed in silent attention; not a sound besides Mr. Deerr’s +voice, except the gentle sighing of the breeze among the +branches. Mr. Deerr hopes a good impression was made. +A little circumstance characteristic of the people must be +added: after the service, an old woman came up to Mr. +Deerr full of bustle, ‘Sir,’ said she ‘one of your Christians +owes me money, command him to pay me.’ Mr. Deerr +said this was not a suitable time for such business. ‘Sir,’ +replied she, ‘if I am not heard in so holy an assembly, +where shall I get justice?’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It might seem an unkindness to his memory to +keep back another portion of the same letter, illustrative +as it is (with many other extracts that might +be given) of that enduring strength of natural +affection, with which the subject of these Memoirs +was so peculiarly imbued.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“This is a day, on several accounts, to be remembered +by us. It is your birth-day; it is also close on my own. +It is a day long to be remembered, too, for the sorrow we +were visited with ten years ago; when our John was removed +from this scene of trial, to behold his Father’s face in +heaven. It is fit that we should call these things to remembrance; +whilst deep humiliation becomes us, before +Him who has been about our path all our days. We have +much, also, to praise him for, both as it respects the past, +and the present. I think of you now as about the Channel, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</span> +approaching your desired haven. How the weather may +have proved, and what the society on board ship, and whether +my children have escaped all accidents, and how your +health has been? These are anxious questions [to which] I +must wait some months for an answer. To what, also, may +await you in England. ‘Is my father yet alive,’ the ‘old +man’ to whom we all owe so much? But why perplex myself +on these accounts? I could not but observe yesterday, +how blessed is the appointment, that time alleviates the +feeling of loss. What agonies did we endure, when our +John was taken away? Of Emily, I confess, I think less, +because I knew her not as you did; but now it seems well, +that they are safely lodged in the Lamb’s bosom, and it +would be unkind to wish them back. O may our two remaining +loves hear the Saviour’s voice, and in their early +youth, know the love and kindness of His heart!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Archdeacon afterwards forwarded to his wife, +the following memorandum<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, Thursday, April 10, 1828.<br> +</p> + +<p>“This day completes my fifty-first year. The last year +has proved very eventful in several respects. The change +in my circumstances by the departure to England of my +wife and children, is great and painful beyond my expectation, +though I anticipated painful things. The change in +the circumstances of the Church Mission, by the sickness of +several, and the defection of others, is painful to a degree. +A blight seems to have come over my temporal prospects; +and much reason is there for self-examination, as to why I +am thus: but I need not go far, nor search long. To my +own soul, at least, the cause is so obvious as to silence all +complaints. If these be not for my individual sin, yet my +sins deserve much more of mortification and shame. In +company, vain words and compliances leave a sense of sin +that would drive me to solitude: solitude cannot be improved +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</span> +without the grace of solitude. Indolence, preference +of amusement to profit, want of delight in the Scriptures; +in public and in private, in the pulpit and in the closet, in +capacity to benefit myself or others, is brought more power +fully home to me, as I advance in life. And will it ever be +otherwise? And how can I meet death in this state? I +know theoretically the fulness, freeness and sufficiency of the +Saviour’s grace, but am I a partaker therein? I can think of +my beloved family without exertion, and follow the intimations +of my wife’s will, though she be far removed from the +knowledge of what I do, or power of contradicting me; +were the love of the Saviour as really in me, would it not +operate in the same way with reference to His will? I know +it would; and pray to be kept from self-deceiving. O, may +I take no rest until I have the evidence of that faith in me +which worketh by love, and overcomes the world, the flesh +and the Devil! I resolve that thus it shall be, the Lord +being my helper.’ Amen.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a subsequent letter the Archdeacon writes to +his wife<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have been very busy since I last wrote. A poor +creature who killed his wife in a fit of jealousy, sent for +me last week; and I visited him several times before the +day, and on the morning of his execution. My dreams for +several nights were of prisoners and fettered captives, imploring +help. The man was a native of Dacca, a Native +christian, spoke English with considerable fluency, and had +acquired, from attending on Michael Rosario, a considerable +knowledge of Scripture: and had not his awful crime called +for more pungent sorrow than he exhibited, he might have +passed out of life with a good name for christian knowledge. +To his own master he hath given an account. The day after +this poor creature left the world, I was startled by a note +from G. saying, ‘<i>his brother was indeed gone</i>!’ We had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</span> +heard, of his (the aid-de-camp) illness, but had no idea he +was in danger: but so it has come to pass. That finely-formed +youth, who was, perhaps, too proud of the personal +advantages God had given him, was seized with fever, and +sunk under the effects, [of it] in a few days, aged twenty-one! +Poor R. G. when he found his brother was in danger, +spoke to him of the Saviour: and the dying youth, it seems, +poured out a prayer, that, for Christ’s merits, he might find a +place in His kingdom. ‘And this,’ says R. G. ‘is the only +ray of light that this dark dispensation affords.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following letter records an interesting passage +in the history of Bishop’s College, Calcutta.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“May 16, 1828.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Yesterday was Ascension day, and it was a ‘high day’ +at Bishop’s College. The consecration of the chapel and +burial-ground took place. All the clergy were invited by +advertisement. The Bishop said that he should be at the +Ghaut,<a id="FNanchor_134" href="#Footnote_134" class="fnanchor">[134]</a> opposite the College, at five o’clock in the morning. +I left home, therefore, at four: Latham and Adlington went +with me. We arrived first; and as the Bishop had said +that his coach would be full, we took advantage of a +dingy,<a id="FNanchor_135" href="#Footnote_135" class="fnanchor">[135]</a> and passed over before him,—but there was no +meeting, or any reception at the Ghaut. We mustered at +Mill’s; and from thence proceeded to the place appointed +for a burying-ground. M. had prepared a shepherd’s +crook, gilt, with an ornamented staff; and this was carried +before us, by a Native christian from Madras, with a coat of +crimson colour, such as you know they wear on the coast. +We then assembled in the anti-chapel of the chapel, and the +Consecration service began; the gilded crook being carried +before us, up to the Communion-table. The ceremony was +then gone through, and M. preached the Sermon from +Malachi <abbr title="one">i.</abbr> 2. ‘From the rising of the sun even until the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</span> +going down of the same, my name shall be great among the +Gentiles, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ In the conclusion, he quoted part of the +prayer used by Bishop Middleton, on laying the first stone; +and pointed to his monument on the wall. I was, perhaps, +the only person present besides himself, who had taken +part in that ceremony. Mr. Schmidt, the Old Church +organist, had been engaged, with his three school-singing +boys, and also a finger organ for the occasion. They +chaunted ‘The <i>Venite</i>,’ ‘<i>Te Deum</i>,’ ‘<i>Jubilate</i>,’ and sang +an Ascension hymn before Communion, and after Communion, +an anthem from the eighth Psalm. The Armenian +deacon was present in his festival robes, which were of +yellow stuff, with a collar worn as our scarf, figured with +large crosses embossed. The Bishop provided a breakfast +in the hall, to which forty persons sat down.</p> + +<p>“May 18th. We are just returned from the Cathedral, +W. and J. Adlington were ordained priests. Henderson +preached the sermon. Dear John, as pale as death; +but he got through without distress. When we commenced +the Communion Service, and I was reading the prayers for +the Church militant, the remembrance of the last ordinations, +and of the beloved Bishop Heber, came so strongly +upon me, that I could scarcely give utterance to the expression +of thanks for those departed in the faith and fear of God +our Saviour: I, however, got through. The whole congregation +were kept the whole time, but only Mrs. James, +and Miss O. communicated, besides the clergy.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In the letters which Archdeacon Corrie wrote +about this time, he frequently mentions the failing +health of Bishop James. Thus he writes in a communication, +dated</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, June 30, 1828.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The Bishop left this place last week, [for the Upper +Provinces.] He continued very ill past Chinsurah. He +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</span> +has constituted me his commissary for this Archdeaconry, +and the other Archdeacons for their’s respectively; and so devolved +everything upon us, reserving only the power of interfering +when he pleases; and that before any definitive sentence +shall be passed, reference shall be made to him. Had +the former Bishops done this, they might both, perhaps, +have been alive still; and had not the present Bishop their +fate before him, he might not have thought of such a measure; +and if there be a real necessity for it, as to a considerable +extent there is, there should be more Indian +Bishops.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">This deputing of the administration of a portion +of the diocese to the Archdeacon, necessarily increased +his occupations; yet his correspondence intimates +that he neither declined to perform ordinary +clerical duty as occasion served, nor to attend to +affairs of missions. Scarcely a month however had +elapsed, ere increased illness obliged the Bishop to +return to Calcutta; and so seriously unwell was he +on reaching that place, that it was not considered advisable +for him to land. Respecting the Bishop’s +state of health, Archdeacon Corrie writes,</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, August 8, 1828.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Bishop James has been, and now is, at death’s door, +from liver complaint. He was affected with it in England, +and this climate has excited the disease, almost to death, +if indeed he survive. He has sent in his resignation of the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</span> +bishoprick, and is gone to New Anchorage to embark on +board the Huntley, for Penang. He told me that his plan is, +to stay awhile at Penang, and go from thence to Bombay, and, +if possible, to New South Wales, and so to England. Thus +we are again without a Bishop, although he will be nominally +so, whilst he remains within the Company’s territories.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">With reference to missions, the Archdeacon adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“A blessing is vouchsafed to Deerr’s labours, beyond +most. He has lately baptized eleven persons, viz. five at +Burdwan, and six at Culna. Our Report exhibits sixty +added to the Church; and since May 1st, fifteen more. +Simon, one of my school-boys, has resigned a salary of +eighty rupees a month, to engage (unsolicited) in Missionary +work. Thus, among many discouragements the gospel +grows among us.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">During the ensuing month the Archdeacon had +occasion to visit some of the stations on the river; +and observes in a memorandum: dated</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Fultah, <abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 18, 1828.<br> +</p> + +<p>“By unexpected circumstances I find myself here, just +twenty-two years since passing a day here on my [first] +arrival in India. How altered for the worse is this place! +How many changes have I seen since then! How altered in +contrast, are my circumstances! A stranger then, wandering, +friendless, and in my own apprehension, poor; for I +understood in England, my salary would be three hundred +pounds a year, and was warned that it would supply no +superfluities. Though this was a mistake as to sterling +amount, and there was something, I apprehend, of a pious +fraud used, to prevent my taking the appointment from temporal +motives;—though I have enjoyed much beyond what +was then contemplated by friends or myself, yet I am still +poor; though, blessed be God, neither friendless, nor without +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</span> +a certain object in life. When I say poor, I mean in +worldly reckoning, for I am rich, in not caring for riches. I +have long seen that they add neither to personal worth, nor +public usefulness; except as used with a single eye, to the +grace and goodness of God in granting them. As to objects, +I now see what is practicable, in reference to the spread of +the gospel in the land, which I was utterly ignorant of +when I came here in 1806; and what reason for thanksgiving +to God is there, that times and circumstances are so +much more favourable now! Then all was untried and uncertain +to a great degree; now the work of Missions is better +understood; success has been in many instances granted +to it, and the duty and probability of success of the work +made, in a considerable degree, manifest.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">At the time the foregoing remarks were penned, +the Church in India had been again deprived of her +chief pastor, by death; although the intelligence of +Bishop James’ decease did not reach Calcutta until +the 17th of <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> In apprising Mrs. Corrie of that +mournful event, and of his preaching the Bishop’s +funeral sermon, in the cathedral on Sunday morning, +<abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 19, the Archdeacon writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I took for a text Job xxx. 23, [“I know that thou wilt +bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all +living.”] I <span class="lock">offered—</span></p> + +<p>“<abbr title="One">I.</abbr> Some reflections on our situation in the world. As +rational creatures, we are subject to a law which we have +broken, in consequence of which death reigns. But a +reprieve is proclaimed, and an offer of escape from the +second death made by Jesus Christ.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="Two">II.</abbr> Christianity can render the prospect of death and +the grave, comfortable—‘a house,’ ‘a home.’</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</span> +“<abbr title="Three">III.</abbr> But it is by self-application that it does so; “<i>I +know</i> that thou wilt bring me to death.”</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="Four">IV.</abbr> And by a determination to live under the influence +of the self-application. “<i>I know</i>,” is experimental, not +mere theory.</p> + +<p>“Application, 1st. Let every instance of mortality around +us, lead us to set our house in order; thus we shall be growing +in capacity for the enjoyments and employments of heaven. +Nor can our conduct, in this respect, fail to have a powerful +influence on our general character, as members of society. +He who thinks not of death, and of preparation for it, cannot +set an example of religious living to others. He who +wilfully postpones the subject, will shun solitude; the concerns +of a future state will be, as much as possible, kept out +of sight, and temporal considerations will be all in all.</p> + +<p>“Finally, with reference to the occasion of my appearing +in this place to-day, to men who live not under the impression +of death and the grave, the removal of one after +another, of the chief pastors of the Church, will appear in +no other light, than the removal of secular persons. The +improvement in the religious condition of our own community +being suspended, and the consequent influence such +improvements might have had on the immortal interests of +the natives, among whom we dwell, being interrupted, and +to a considerable extent postponed,—these will not enter into +the consideration of those, who value not Christianity as the +only ground of a sinner’s hope; the only guide of his judgment +and practice. How many of our countrymen now +proceeding in an irreligious course, might, by the example, +and the exertion of great attainments put forth in the service +of religion, aided by the influence of high station, have +been turned to a life of righteousness! How many of the +youth, among our countrymen at our stations, exposed to +every wind of temptation, with scarcely any controlling +influence, might by such exertions, and such influence, have +been saved from premature death, and rendered heirs of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</span> +everlasting life! These and similar considerations, will not +enter into the calculations of men who live only for the present +world. True Christians, however, whilst they sympathise +with bereaved relations and friends, mourn chiefly +the loss of the immortal interest of mankind, involved in +these, seemingly premature, bereavements. They will pray +that surviving ministers may be enabled to redouble their +diligence and zeal; as their work is no less, and their disadvantages +greater. They will pray that the Lord of the +harvest may send suitable labourers into the great and important +field of labour; and then, whatever may be the +result as to others, our own enjoyments will be heightened, +by conscious attention to the duties which present circumstances +call us to; and we shall be kept in patient continuance +in well doing; waiting for that glory, honour, +and immortality, which the Lord, the righteous judge, +will give to all who love his appearing.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">By the premature death of Bishop James, the administration +of the diocese of Calcutta devolved for +the second time on Archdeacon Corrie; and it could +scarcely be supposed, but that the increased demands +on his time which these changes brought with them, +would to some extent debar him from corresponding +so frequently with his friends, as he might formerly +have been able to do. We find him, therefore, now +observing to his valued friend, the</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">REV. J. BUCKWORTH.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Among the causes of my not writing to you, one is, that +much of what I write home is published, so that you know +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</span> +generally what I am about. This circumstance, also, has +contributed to the difficulty I often find in writing to +friends. The publication of my letters has at times occasioned +me great uneasiness, chiefly on my own account. +You cannot but know how little qualified I am for the public +sphere unto which I have been called. You know, also, +how little in early life I intended it; and, I can truly say, I +have never desired it, and now greatly wish for the shade, +my proper place. Another cause of my unfrequent correspondence +is, the wearisome, inward conflict I endure, with +little or no intermission. I travel, indeed, heavily on the +heavenly way. Few, I think, can be burdened as I am with +the body of sin and death. My views of the plan of salvation +have been clear, I apprehend, from the early part of my +course; and I may thank you, in no small degree for this; +but every now and then, the evil of my heart breaks out, as +it were, more inveterately than ever, and I seem ready to +perish. The text of the first sermon you preached at Stoke, +is my stronghold at this time, Psalm xxv. 11, “For thy +name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.” +It needs infinite mercy, and infinite merit; and <i>both</i> are +manifested in Christ Jesus.... These interruptions, and the +differences which have arisen amongst the religious public +with you, make me fear the latter day glory is not to be +revealed so soon as once was generally apprehended. I see +no reason to differ from Scott’s general view of Scripture +truth; but I observe most of those at home, who contend so +strenuously for the personal reign [of Christ,] and those +here, who have been most dissatisfied with Missionary +matters, are high doctrinal men. Well, the counsel of the +Lord shall stand. His hand goes not forth even now in +vain: where humble men persevere in setting forth the +Saviour, as the sinner’s only hope, some are drawn to Him. +Souls are added to the Church frequently, at almost every +Missionary station; and the Word of God is taking root, +up and down this part of India. Three remarkable instances +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</span> +have lately come to light, of individuals far removed +from each other, in the upper parts of the Presidency, +receiving incidentally the New Testament [translated,] +taking it home, and, after understanding the blessed contents, +calling their friends and neighbours, to hear the +Scriptures read. In one case, the man was murdered; +though it is thought for his wealth, rather than in a way of +persecution. In another case, the man was obliged through +persecution to flee from his native place, and in the third +case, as a brother of some influence in the place, has taken a +decided part in favour of the gospel, it is hoped more good +will result to the neighbourhood. But the labourers are +very, very few; and if larger salaries are [not] to be given +to Missionaries, the number must diminish rather than +increase. It seems as if we must labour more, to raise up +labourers on the spot. This has always been an object with +me; but I have had but little success. Now, indeed, some +young men, born in this country, are coming forward to +offer themselves for Missionary work. The characters of such, +in a natural point of view, are almost always less robust +than that of Englishmen. Their bodies are generally feebler, +and the mind seems to partake of the same. They, however, +assimilate more to the natives; seem to bear with their +feebleness of character, and meet the case of the unconverted +with more readiness than Englishmen can do, from the +entirely different channel in which their ideas flow. It is, +perhaps, never intended that the Indian should equal the +European in energy; and we must be content with things +as the God of nature intended them. My attachment to +the country increases, as my acquaintance with the people, +and, also, the language, becomes more familiar. I must mention, +that during the last year, and with the help of competent +assistants, I have translated and have printed a complete +copy of the Book of Common Prayer. Every letter and +tittle of the Prayer-Book is now clothed in the Hindoostanee +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</span> +language, and will become increasingly useful, as the borders +of our Zion become enlarged.”<a id="FNanchor_136" href="#Footnote_136" class="fnanchor">[136]</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">At the beginning of November 1828, Archdeacon +Corrie set out to visit the Upper Provinces of Bengal. +A Journal of his proceedings is contained in his correspondence +with his wife.<a id="FNanchor_137" href="#Footnote_137" class="fnanchor">[137]</a> Thus he writes from</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Burdwan, <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 8, 1828.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I yesterday, at half past ten o’clock, went to Bogbonar: +Candy and Hammond went with me. I felt relieved on +getting away from Calcutta. At twelve the tide turned. I +had a long look at our sweet Cossipore abode. The Ganges +is unusually full this season, so that by the time I reached +Serampore, the tide turned again. I stopped therefore at +Marshman’s, where Mrs. J. Marshman gave me a kind welcome.</p> + +<p>“Bearers being procured, I set off soon after four o’clock, +for Chinsurah; but it being Kalee-poojah, they were tipsy. +At first, they shouted and joked; afterwards, getting tired, +they quarrelled, and scolded, and, amidst deafening noise, I +did not get to Herklot’s till 8 o’clock.... I set off for +Burdwan, where I arrived before ten this morning. Deerr +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</span> +and his family are well. They have two fine children, a +boy, and a girl, very like each other, and the picture of +health. My mind is kept in a measure of peace. I have +begun the book of Joshua, for travelling reading. I trust +Joshua’s God is with me; and that I go on my way according +to His will.</p> + +<p>“Sunday, 9th. This has been a day of mixed feeling. In +the morning, I met the native Christians at family worship. +There were twenty-two present. There are two sick, and +three absent, making twenty-seven adults, besides children. +A converted Brahmin read 1 Cor. xi.; and Deerr interpreted +what observations I wished to make to them, on the Lord’s +Supper. They seemed to understand. Something also was +said to the women, on the honour conferred on them by the +gospel, in restoring them to their original state, as the helpmeet +of man, and fellow-servants of the Lord. They seemed +to understand, and were very attentive. At ten o’clock, Divine +service in English; about fifteen present. Knowing that +the Bengalee worship was waiting, I did not prolong the +English service beyond half-past eleven—got back to the +Mission-house quarter before twelve o’clock; but the [Bengalee] +worship did not commence till half-past. After a +selection from the morning prayer, and a hymn, Deerr +preached on the institution of the Lord’s Supper. I found +that three men and two women had not been instructed with +reference to the Sacrament, and at my desire they withdrew. +The Lord’s Supper was then administered to ten +men and six women; I read the prayer of consecration in +English. I then pronounced the words in Bengalee, which +I had written down in Roman characters; and gave the +bread, and Deerr the wine. The whole went off, I trust, in +an edifying manner; and, on the whole, thankfulness prevailed.... +One end of my coming was, by this means +to try some, and promote the edification of others. It is +found that being baptized merely, does not prevent return +to caste: partaking of the Lord’s Supper does. In consequence, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</span> +one tried to evade putting the bread into his mouth; +and another, on drinking of the cup, nodded slily to another, +as much as to say (in my interpretation of his look +and manner) ‘We are caught.’ This is sad: but some are +sincere beyond all doubt; and, I may be mistaken in my +judgment of others. Mrs. Deerr and her sister say of the +women, that their carelessness (as it appears to me) is +merely their shyness at the appearance of a stranger. One +thing was very pleasing, they were almost all well-looking +people; clean, and nicely dressed—and gave me the impression +of being the better sort. The two I have mentioned +as sick, are a young Brahmin and his wife. He is +upwards of six feet high, with quite the erect, independent +look and manner of the Brahmin—He is of the highest +caste. One uncle is Treasurer to the Commercial Bank; +and a cousin is the Dewan<a id="FNanchor_138" href="#Footnote_138" class="fnanchor">[138]</a> of the Burdwan Rajah, at one +of his Purgunahs.<a id="FNanchor_139" href="#Footnote_139" class="fnanchor">[139]</a> Notwithstanding the favourable appearances +here, it would be easy for an unfeeling man to +break up the work; and render what is doing, matter of +worldly scorn. The English around are too careless to take +notice of what is doing; and too ignorant of the ways of the +people among whom they dwell, to judge rightly. I have +always been averse to exciting too much attention in them +to missionary work, knowing how easily an ungodly man +might turn it all into ridicule. But from my inmost soul, +I rejoice even in these very imperfect beginnings—I am +sure they are the beginning of better days.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 20th. I am now within four coss [eight miles] +of Benares, on the Calcutta side of the Ganges, waiting for +bearers, who ought to have been waiting for me. You are +made acquainted with my intention of visiting the missions +here. I wrote to you from Burdwan on the twelfth. On +that day I went to Bancorah, and had a rainy and very +tiresome journey on account of the broken road. I received +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</span> +great kindness from Dr. and Mrs. Clarke—Dr. C. laid my +<i>dawk</i>, so as to admit of my resting every night at one of +the stageing bungalows, and I am, thus far, rather refreshed +than otherwise by the journey. I am glad to have travelled +this road; for after having traversed in all directions the +valley of the Ganges, I had no idea of the varied scenery +which borders on it; on the west side, as well as the east. +About one hundred miles from Calcutta, at Bancorah, the +ground begins to rise: the range of hills we saw at Cuttack, +runs on the left hand (going upwards); and you proceed +through an uneven surface of country, (the scenery a good +deal like the Dhoon,) ascending for a hundred miles more. +Then a table-land commences, of nearly another hundred +miles, but abounding in ups and downs; and presenting, +at different points, views such as we saw in the Himalahs; +only by no means on so grand a scale.... At about +three hundred miles from Calcutta, steep ghauts occur; and +by degrees, the traveller gets to the plains you know so well.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 22, 1828. I arrived about twelve o’clock on the +20th at Secrole. On the way from a large ghaut, where I +crossed the river, a new, tall steeple, pointing to the skies, +attracted my eager eyes, as I approached Secrole. You +cannot conceive what a picture the Church is now become. +The inside enlarged by the removal of the internal wall, to +the north, and the south; and the verandah inclosed. A +new pulpit and reading-desk of really exquisite workmanship; +and the front of the organ-gallery of the same; +executed, as the whole has been, under Mr. J. P. Prinsep’s +immediate eye. A well-proportioned stone font, placed +near the west entrance; and the whole arranged with real +taste and propriety. I could fill sheets with all I see and +hear. I will only now add, that the state of this station +affords a striking comment on the sin of despising the day +of small things. I used to come, first to Wheatley’s back +parlour, and meet a few writers and artillery men. We +then got an unoccupied house, and all the station assembled; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</span> +but next week, an alarm was taken: ‘The discontented +would take advantage of our assembling, and fall upon us, +and cut off all the English together.’ General M. would no +more allow the artillery-men to attend. Thomas B. declared +he would not again venture into such a ruinous dwelling; +but strange to say the house is yet standing. We then +assembled in S’s. house, every third Sunday: and after two +more years, I ventured to circulate a proposal for building +a place of worship, out of which, by remarkable progress as +you know, has sprung the present commodious and really +elegant structure. The new Missionaries are not arrived +here yet; nor likely to be here for ten days to come.</p> + +<p>“Chunar, <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 29. To my great joy, the church is +substantially repaired, looks better than ever, and is likely +to stand a century. I yesterday had evening service: the +Church was full; not less than two hundred and fifty people, +including three officers and their families, of the Regulars. +Last Sunday I had service twice at Secrole. P. was here. +To-morrow I purpose having service twice here. This will +testify of my strength; for indeed, not being, by my situation, +called to it, I would not attempt so much, if I suffered +from it.</p> + +<p>“Benares, <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 6th. 1828. Crauford, Wilkinson, Bowley, +Eteson, and Frend have arrived; who, together with +Proby, make seven Padres: and to-day Mr. Adams, of the +London Society, and Mr. Robertson, of the same, came in. +We commenced soon after ten o’clock, and continued till +after two. We. discussed the signs of the times, with +reference to the spread of the gospel among Europeans and +Natives in India. The utility of schools where boys leave +early, and the evidences required in adults, in order to +baptism. Each spoke in turn, and, on the whole, order was +kept; and all seemed gratified. It was admitted, that the +progress of the gospel advances. Many instances were +adduced of its gaining a hold on the native public. One +man, eighteen coss from Allahabad, heard the gospel from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</span> +a Missionary; and received a copy of the New Testament. +He read it at home to his family; his neighbours also came +to hear, till the usual effects began to appear; some siding +with him, others opposing. Lately he came to Mr. Crauford, +to know what he must do. A Fakeer received a +gospel, and sent it to his village in Goruckpore district. +His brother, a Thannadar,<a id="FNanchor_140" href="#Footnote_140" class="fnanchor">[140]</a> had, also, received a gospel +from Mr. Wilkinson. The two brothers now unite in +reading the Gospel, and collect their neighbours to hear. +The raising up of native teachers was also adduced: and the +power of Divine truth, in rendering aged Hindoos active +and industrious in spreading the knowledge of the gospel, +instanced in several cases. Schools were admitted to be of +incalculable value; especially as rendering the visits of the +Missionary welcome to the adults of a village; and, it may +be hoped, in preoccupying the mind with some degree of +useful knowledge; though, as yet, no direct instances of +conversion have come to light in the schools. It was +agreed, that repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord +Jesus Christ, should be required in candidates for baptism: +but it was also agreed, that the fruits of these would appear +in vast variety, and be differently judged of by Missionaries; +so that no one should judge another in the admission +of converts. In the evening, I preached in the Church +from John xvii. 20, 21. “Neither pray I for these alone, +but for them also which shall believe on me through their +word; that they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, +and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the +world may believe that thou hast sent me.”</p> + +<p>“December 12th. Yesterday we passed at the mission +bungalow. Mr. E. from Ghazeepoor also joined us. So that +there were eight padres. The forenoon was passed as the +day before. We discussed the influence the personal character +of a Minister is likely to have on his office; and +agreed to some resolutions on a prayer-union, as formerly +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</span> +set on foot by Mr. Brown. This may prove a blessing to +others also. At dinner, much discussion arose about +recording conversations with natives on religious points; and +the general opinion was favourable to its utility. I was +asked to print my sermon, preached on Wednesday evening. +If I see any prospect of usefulness, I may do so.<a id="FNanchor_141" href="#Footnote_141" class="fnanchor">[141]</a></p> + +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 13th, 1828. This evening, I have experienced +the greatest pleasure in Hindoostanee worship, I can remember +ever to have done. About sun-set, I rode into the +Bazaar, and saw a crowd; and on approaching, I found the +missionaries with Tryloke, raised on the steps of a door; +T. arguing with great seriousness, and perfect calmness of +manner, and the people listening attentively. There had +been levity, it seems, displayed by some of the crowd before +I came; but they were then all serious; and T’s +manner and appearance were very patriarchal. I was much +solemnized by the scene: we then adjourned to the preaching-house. +Charles prayed and read our Lord’s discourse +with the woman of Samaria, with a comment, adding also +some appropriate remarks of his own, and ended with prayer. +Kewal Messeeh, then, commenced a hymn, in Hindoostanee; +and a few joined him. The measure also was Hindoostanee. +The words, and his correct manner, affected me much; and +arrested the attention of many of the hearers. It was to +the effect of “O Jesu, Saviour, God, shew mercy;” and +then instanced several proofs of his power; and the last +verse was an exhortation to trust in that mercy, as the only +safe way of salvation. Tryloke then read a sermon on, +“There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” +He read with animation, but towards the conclusion of his +prayer, his earnestness for his neighbours, and especially for +his own family, was very affecting. He seemed to wrestle +for a blessing upon them. Doubtless these are the fruits +of the Spirit; and God’s presence is evidently with them.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</span> +“Sunday evening, 14th. This forenoon, a full church +at English service. At three o’clock, p. m., Mr. Frend +read prayers in Hindoostanee, with wonderful propriety, +considering the short time he has been in the country. His +pronunciation is distinct, and he would be perfectly understood, +though some words were imperfectly expressed. +After prayers, three adult converts from Hindooism were +baptized by Mr. Bowley. The mother of one of them came +in an agony to church, and also his brother; but he refused +to forego his purpose. After church, the poor woman +seemed more resigned, saying, ‘her son was old enough to +judge for himself; and she did not know what might have +moved him to the step.’ The family live near the church. +Another was a teacher of a school; the third was brought +to the faith of Christ by means of an Indigo planter, and +sent hither for baptism. He gave his mala<a id="FNanchor_142" href="#Footnote_142" class="fnanchor">[142]</a> to Mr. Eteson, +saying, it was once his treasure, ‘but now,’ said he, ‘these +are my treasures;’ referring to a Hindoostanee Prayer-book +and New Testament he had under his arm. After +the baptisms, Mr. Wilkinson preached in Hindoostanee, on +the baptism of the Eunuch. I could not but be very thankful +for the means of instruction thus supplied. I felt how +much better the people of this place were off, in respect of +means of grace, than when I resided here; and, I think, I +was, from my heart, content to sink in the scale; and that +these devoted servants of Christ should become in every way +more useful, and as ministers, more honourable; and may +an abundant blessing follow the instructions afforded here +this day!”</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 25th, 1828. This day has been a day of thanksgiving. +At church, I preached, and administered the Sacrament +of the Supper, with Proby. Thirty-eight attended +the Lord’s Supper, of the English congregation; and I found +Mr. Eteson had above twenty communicants, at the Hindoostanee +Chapel. P. is, at times, all gloom, as if this +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</span> +were a day of vengeance for Benares; and the people were +filling up their measure of wrath. I maintain, that he +would be of an opposite opinion, could he have seen the +place twenty-three years ago. I am much importuned to go +to Goruckpore; and propose leaving this to-morrow night, +by <i>dawk</i>, for that quarter. I go only five stages by +bearers; and then expect to find a buggy the rest of the +way. You will conclude, that at times, I feel anxious +about who may be the next Bishop; and you will, I know, +give me the earliest intelligence you can. The two young +men last arrived promise well; and at times, I am ready to +think that means for forwarding the kingdom of Christ are +rising up around, which may render my services of little +consequence, and then, I should think, I had better withdraw. +But who shall reckon on to-morrow? May we +labour for the things which are eternal; and whether in India +or England, we shall have the presence of the Saviour to +support and comfort us!</p> + +<p>“Goruckpore, <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 29, 1828. On Sunday I preached +twice for Mr. E. In the morning, the singers sang a +psalm-tune I do not recollect to have heard since I left +Colsterworth. It reminded me strongly of early days.... +The band-master was clerk: and is a man of real piety, and +more than common propriety of manners. The singing is +well conducted there. A new church is building, on a plan +supplied by Bishop Heber; but the drain of money, caused +by the Burmese war, has caused all matters which require +money, to go on very slowly, ever since. At nine o’clock +in the evening, I left Mr. E. and came on in a palanquin +towards this place. Through the kindness of Mr. Bird +and Mr. Wilkinson, I had five relays of horses, and a +buggy waiting on the road: so by seven in the morning I +mounted the gig. On the bank of the Ganges, I found Mr. +Bird in a tent, waiting for me, with breakfast ready. We +made a comfortable meal, and he afterwards drove me through +a country, finely cultivated, to Goruckpore; where we arrived +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</span> +just after sun-set. This district has been reclaimed +from the forest nearly, since the English gained possession; +and a quantity of the forest-trees remain, in scattered clumps, +which give a rich appearance to the country. It is in sight, +too, of the perpetual snows; and is seldom scorched as the +plain of the Ganges is. R. B. has a house of the best style +of the Moffusil,<a id="FNanchor_143" href="#Footnote_143" class="fnanchor">[143]</a> surrounded with quite a park.</p> + +<p>“Tuesday, 30th. After breakfast, I set out to explore +the mission-premises here; and was much gratified indeed +with the general appearance. First, came the Christian +houses, situated close to the town; with a field of about +three acres in cultivation before them, towards the high +road. On the north side of this field stands the seminary, +as it is called. A pucka<a id="FNanchor_144" href="#Footnote_144" class="fnanchor">[144]</a> building, with two lower rooms +at the north end; and over them one sleeping room. The +whole verandahed all round, with tasty pillars, in front of +the dwelling part. This forms a most comfortable abode +for a single man. In this will dwell a country lad, named +Raphael, whom I brought up from Calcutta. He seems to +have received religious benefit from Crauford’s Friday +evening catechizing, at the old Church room; and is mentioned +in the last Report of the Church Missionary Committee, +as a missionary student. He came over here with +Wilkinson, from Benares; and you will be glad to hear that +both W. and R. B. are favourably impressed with what they +have as yet seen of him. Next to the seminary, eastward, +across the road, is the Church, at present levelled with the +ground. The last year here was unusually rainy. The +earth became so saturated with rain, that all the wells were +running over; and the sandy soil becoming thus impregnated +with moisture, the foundations of the Church gave +way. R. B. with his usual decision, pulled it all down; +and is now employed in rebuilding it on piles, and on a +broader foundation; intending, also, a less ponderous roof. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</span> +Behind the Church, eastward, is the parsonage; a very +pretty and commodious building. It consists of a lower +room to the west, and one of similar dimensions to the +east; with two rooms on each side; a verandah all round, +and corner rooms to each side: a complete Indian dwelling, +outhouses in abundance; and a fine garden, kept up by the +prisoners sentenced to hard labour. The whole extent of +ground is about twelve acres; which is made over to the +Mission, including the site of the Church. I must not +forget to mention a nice building, nearly finished, intended +for christian girls: and called, in joke, ‘the nursery.’ +Sarah Bowley was to have come here, to take charge of it, +but this plan is suspended, owing to the departure of Dr. +and Mrs. Clarke. Perhaps Bowley and his daughter will +come here, for the hot season; and then the plan will +proceed. All these temporal advantages, the Mission owes +to Mr. B; and it is a matter of thankfulness that he has +notice of being appointed Commissioner here, on the new +system; and will now, (if spared) in all probability, continue +here several years.</p> + +<p>“You will now have some idea of the external state of this +place; but cannot adequately conceive of the beauty of the +situation of this part of India. But now for the better +part. On my going into the Mission-house, all the Christians +collected, old and young; and the room was filled. +I could not speak to them all at once, and so proposed a +hymn. We sang the thirty-fourth of Bowley’s Hindoostanee +translation, and then some from Betteah were introduced, +the children of persons who had received copies of +the Gospels from me at Chunar, and which are kept now as +relics. Raphael, one of my school-boys, is major-domo +of the christian settlement; and shewed it to me with +great glee. The aged Zemindar, and several converts from +Islam, conversed for some time; and two or three Hindoo +devotees sat ‘clothed’ beside us, ‘and in their right mind.’ +On coming away, I saw one of these talking with great +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</span> +earnestness to a fat Fakeer, covered with ashes; he seemed +to be repeating Scripture to him, but I did not stay to hear, +lest I should put an end to the discourse.</p> + +<p>“Wednesday, 31st. This morning at eight o’clock, I +assembled with the Christians at morning prayer in the +school-room. Forty-three were present; of whom about ten +or twelve were boys, of ten or twelve years of age or under; +the remainder adults, male and female. The morning Psalms +were read, in alternate verses, in Hindoostanee. The third +of St. Matthew was then read, and the latter part commented +on by Mr. W.; a hymn was first sung, I should have said, +and all concluded with prayer, by Mr. W. Thus the word +of God grows and increases. About two, p. m. I went again +to the Mission-house, and read the second Homily, and part +of the third, with the Zemindar, and an intelligent young +convert from Islam and a few others. They entered into the +subject earnestly, and much conversation arose out of different +parts of the reading.</p> + +<p>“January 1st. 1829. I, this morning, went on the top of +the house before sun-rise, and had a sight of a peak of the +snowy mountains. It brought strongly to my mind Masoree +Tabea, and the happy days we passed there in 1825: my +heart yearned after our sweet children, and I tried to pray for +them, that this may prove a happy year to them, and that +through all eternity we may rejoice together. We had a +New-year’s day service, with the native Christians; it was +to me, and I believe to several of them, an interesting service; +I spoke to them on life as a journey. I am almost constantly +with you in spirit; and associate you in all my poor prayers, +for mercy, and blessing. To-day news have arrived here of +various movements, seemingly propitious. May divine grace +accompany them to those concerned; and they cannot fail +to prove so!</p> + +<p>“17th. I have told you of all the people I met with, up to +Monghyr. On the 14th, I got to Boglipore, and walked to +the cantonments of His Majesty’s 3rd Regiment, now stationed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</span> +there. They are on the Calcutta side of the old +station, and the distance is considerable. I was rather heated, +and could only leave word with a serjeant, that I would come +up next morning to the school-house. After a while, the +school-master came to my boat, a pious young man who received +the knowledge of the truth under a Chaplain in New +South Wales. He has been the means of drawing eight +others to join in a religious society, and seems an estimable +character. Next morning, at nine o’clock, I went up and +found the commanding officer, Colonel C., at the mess-room; +and five children with parents and sponsors assembled. +The Colonel went with me to the school, where I catechised +the Protestant children, and gave each a little book. He +then went with me to the hospital, where I read prayers; +and exhorted the convalescent, about twenty or thirty in +number. The Colonel then took me, in his gig, to his +bungalow, and introduced me to his wife, and a grown-up +daughter. There was a little son also, who seemed greatly +pleased with a book I gave him. I was much pressed to stay +and dine with the mess, but I had accomplished what seemed +in my power, and declined the civility. I gave a good many +of the tracts and religious books I mentioned, as having been +brought out for me by Mr. Eteson, to the schoolmaster for +distribution.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 22nd. I am near Cutwa. It had been my +intention to go over to Maldah, from below Chandree; but +unexpectedly this river is still open; and the Manjee<a id="FNanchor_145" href="#Footnote_145" class="fnanchor">[145]</a> said, +it would make five days difference, as to the length of the +journey; beside the delay of going over to Maldah: and I +have been long enough absent from Calcutta, at this time. +I hear, also, that the Governor General is about Maldah, +shooting; so that I should have had little comfort in the +visit. At Berhampore, I called on the D’s, Mr. Hill, and +the new Chaplain, Mr. Wintle; but remained only about +three hours: there seemed nothing to detain me. I am +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</span> +expecting to see the V’s., this evening, or early to-morrow, +at Krishnagur, to call at Culna, and perhaps meet Mr. +Deerr, and inspect the schools.... My recreation is drawing +to a close, for the present, for Calcutta has never been a +residence of my choice. On the whole, my journey has +yielded all the pleasure I expected. I have kept free from +colds, and have reaped all the benefit of the change and +variety.... I have met with kindness everywhere; and +seen much of a religious nature, to encourage. From long +acquaintance with the natives, I have also derived amusement, +beyond any other time, from observing their innocent +sports. But alas! their language, even when in sport, is +sadly corrupt. However, I see more and more, how little +those who do not mix familiarly with them can know them. +Their whole conduct may be construed either seriously, or +as in joke, if necessity oblige them to conceal their real +meaning. Christian knowledge is doubtless gaining ground, +wherever Missionaries dwell. At Monghyr, Mr. M. told me +that many natives now come to hear the word regularly. +Mr. Hill, at Berhampore, told me the same. The interruption +they used to meet with seldom occurs; and many +listen attentively to the end of a discourse, instead of going +out and in, as formerly. Still, it is but ‘the day of small +things;’ and, respecting the general population, but a very +few come under the ‘joyful sound.’—I heard, at Monghyr, +of a wealthy farmer, as you would say in England, near +Sheergotty, who received a Hindoostanee New Testament, +from Mr. Bowley, in one of his journies back from Calcutta. +The man read it to his neighbours also; and other +Missionaries, who have since met with him, were delighted +with the love he shewed for the truth. This man has lately +been murdered; it is thought, on account of valuable ornaments +he wore; but the particulars are not known. These +incidental occurrences shew the value of itinerant labourers.”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_133" href="#FNanchor_133" class="label">[133]</a> +A board suspended from the ceiling, and having ropes attached +by which to swing it to and fro, for the purpose of cooling the room.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_134" href="#FNanchor_134" class="label">[134]</a> +Landing-place.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_135" href="#FNanchor_135" class="label">[135]</a> +A small kind of boat.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_136" href="#FNanchor_136" class="label">[136]</a> +It may here be mentioned that the Creed of St. Athanasius, as +translated in this Prayer-book, so attracted the attention of the +learned Mahomedans, and the demand to possess it became consequently +so great, that Archdeacon Corrie was induced to have +several hundred copies of it struck off for separate circulation. One +of those persons, on applying for a copy of the Creed, observed, +“Now we know what you Christians believe.” The Archdeacon on +relating this circumstance stated, also, that nothing could exceed +the bitter enmity against the doctrine of Christ, which the exposition +of divine truth contained in that Creed, seemed to stir up in +the Mahomedan heart.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_137" href="#FNanchor_137" class="label">[137]</a> +Many particulars connected with this Journey, and not contained +in the following pages, may be seen in the Missionary Register +for 1829.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_138" href="#FNanchor_138" class="label">[138]</a> +Chief Minister or agent.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_139" href="#FNanchor_139" class="label">[139]</a> +A large division or district of land.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_140" href="#FNanchor_140" class="label">[140]</a> +A kind of police-officer.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_141" href="#FNanchor_141" class="label">[141]</a> +It does not appear that the Sermon was ever printed.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_142" href="#FNanchor_142" class="label">[142]</a> +Rosary or string of beads.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_143" href="#FNanchor_143" class="label">[143]</a> +Out-stations.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_144" href="#FNanchor_144" class="label">[144]</a> +Brick.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_145" href="#FNanchor_145" class="label">[145]</a> +Steersman.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER <abbr title="Seventeen">XVII.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class="allsmcap">GOVERNMENT RETRENCHMENTS—PLAN FOR A COLLEGE—DEATH +OF MR. THOMASON—ABOLITION OF +SUTTEE—ARRIVAL OF BISHOP TURNER.</span></p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">It</span> was on the 30th of January, 1829, that the +Archdeacon arrived at Calcutta from his visitation of +the Upper Provinces. He found some of his friends +preparing to leave India; and others suffering from +the effects of climate. Among the latter was Mr. +Thomason, who had been returned to India only a +few months, but whose health had altogether given +way. With reference to such changes as were thus +going on around him, the Archdeacon writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“March 10, 1829.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I cannot at present see it my duty to prepare for leaving +India. It is not, as you justly say, a country to grow old +in, but my health is wonderfully renewed, and the work +of missions, instead of becoming plainer, is daily becoming +more difficult. It would appear that ease makes men more +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</span> +fastidious, yet the work does prosper. Piety does, however, +appear now to be more requisite here than in New +Zealand, as you well know that men of mere worldly principles +can scarcely bring themselves to believe, that the +natives of this country need conversion. A person of these +principles going forth as a Missionary, therefore sits quietly +down among the people, and if he superintend a school or +two, thinks he does all that is practicable.</p> + +<p>“Conjecture tires as to who may be our next Bishop, but I +think we might have learned from the past, to ‘cease from +man.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Then with reference to the measures which had, +about that time, been adopted, for the purpose of +revising and curtailing the whole expenditure of the +three Presidencies of India, the Archdeacon adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“All here are in amazement at the turning of all things +upside down, in the service; and know not what to expect. +It is concluded that something is in view with reference to +the renewal of the charter,—but what, no one can conjecture.</p> + +<p>“As yet, we see not in ‘the powers that be’ anything +more favourable to true religion, than formerly. Education +is encouraged, as it has been for some years past; but, as +formerly, entirely from private funds. No hope of aid from +government is held out. The only favourable symptom +that I am aware of, is, that Mr. W. B. is to become a member +of the Committee of Public Education. He has had +experience of the ease with which Christian instruction can +be imparted; and will do all he can to improve the present +system.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Soon after the date of this letter, the Archdeacon +again alludes to the state of public affairs in a letter</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“At present there is great uneasiness throughout every +part of the community. The whole system of civil administration +in the upper branches, is changed, and the most lucrative +appointments cut off. The same duties are performed +by the same men in another manner, and on reduced emoluments. +The army has been reduced two companies in +each Regiment, by which a crowd of young men are made +supernumeraries; and the pay at some places is reduced, +which it is thought is only a prelude to its being reduced +generally. Among the natives great alarm has been occasioned +by an enquiry set on foot respecting all <i>lakhrage</i> +lands, not hitherto rated in the Government books. These +consist of religious endowments and lands granted by +former Governments for services done to the state. These, +in some cases, have been resumed, and no holder of such +estate is certain of retaining it. In the public offices many +clerks have been dismissed, and by the civil arrangements +above alluded to, very many are thrown out of employment. +So that no one of any class or condition is satisfied; and +some parts of the army are all but in a state of mutiny. +The most sober-minded I know of, think the making all these +changes together, injudicious. The necessity of economy +is the reason assigned for all this, but surely the splendid +entertainments given by the Court of Directors in London, +look not much like a necessity for taking from the mere +subsistence of subaltern officers. I try to be silent and to +wait the end. Certainly the personal character of our rulers +seemed to [promise] us brighter prospects as to the encouragement +to be afforded to Christian plans and improvement. +But no—they give liberally of their own substance +to Societies, but not a rupee, or a smile of approbation must +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_449">[Pg 449]</span> +come from Government; so that the “system of Mendicancy” +must continue some time longer.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">With reference to the same subject, the Archdeacon +writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 16, 1829.<br> +</p> + +<p>“A thirst for learning English has discovered itself all +over the country; which no doubt, looks hopefully, as to +improvement. It is dispiriting, however, that we have so few +Missionaries, and next, that the Government shut their eyes +more obstinately than ever against every thing in the shape of +Christian knowledge. In answer to an application for aid to +a school at Meerut, in which Mahomedans, Hindoos and +Christians are taught together, it was said, that it would not +be right to appropriate funds intended for native education to +instruct children of Europeans, <abbr title="one">i.</abbr> e. Indo-Britons. And I +have been applied to for an opinion about the removal of +the Chaplain from Howrah, it not being right, Government +thinks, to supply from funds raised from natives, a religious +establishment for Europeans, except for the Company’s servants. +I am endeavouring, with no little anxiety, you will +suppose, to combat this view of things, and have been +much assisted in the matter by W. B. who is a near neighbour. +I wish you were nearer London, to speak a word to +some of your old friends, now in the Direction, to get a distinct +recognition of the right of native Christians, including +country-born, to a share in the public measures for the improvement +of the country. I have written to P. and shall +write to Mr. A. to ask it, as he may, of Lord E. and the +Board of Control. I am hopeless, yet the abstract right of +the claim might gain a hearing where personal interest is +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_450">[Pg 450]</span> +out of the way; and the Government has always acted on +the principle that the country-born should share.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Yet this settled determination on the part of the +Indian Government, to leave Christianity and Christian +education to shift for themselves, had not the +effect of slackening Archdeacon Corrie’s exertions +to secure by private aid, some of those advantages +for the Christian population, which he had solicited +in vain from public resources. Two months anterior +to the date of the foregoing letter, he had put into +circulation in Calcutta, the outline of a plan for establishing +in that city an Institution, which should +aim at promoting the interests of true religion in connection +with large and liberal education.</p> + +<p class="tall">In forwarding a copy of this outline, he <span class="lock">writes:—</span></p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, August 19, 1829.<br> +</p> + +<p>“By the enclosed, you will see what has been occupying +me, in part, for some time. The class of Indo-Britons, or +East-Indians, as they begin to call themselves, is increasing +very fast. Besides the number in charity schools, there are +not less than five hundred in boarding schools, in this place. +Not above one hundred perhaps can pay, so as to remunerate +the masters; yet they are all descendants of gentlemen. +Hitherto they have generally been idle, and dissipated; possessing +all the vices of both father and mother, without any +of the redeeming points in either. You will conclude there +have always been exceptions. But, within these fifteen +years, a change has been going on; and a great improvement +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_451">[Pg 451]</span> +is becoming visible among that class. Yet they have +hitherto had no bond of union, and stand separate from all +established order. The Dissenters, being more on a level +with them in most respects, and really exerting themselves +for the improvement of this class, would gain the majority +of them ere long. I hope, if we can bring the plan of the +Prospectus to bear, we may succeed in establishing a connecting +link between the Church of England, and these +really Colonists. The lower branch, or a Grammar-school, +is first to be attempted; about twenty thousand rupees are +set down, in shares and donations; and with a like sum in +addition, we shall be able to make a beginning. A master +will be wanted from England. We could, I think give him +£500 a year, and a house, worth here on the lowest scale +£250 more; with a per-centage on any profits that might +arise.... We have a good deal to contend with: first, +our Governor-general, to my great dismay, has all but +avowed that the improvement of the Christian part of the +Indian community is no part of his duty. Next, a most extensive +forgery of Government-bonds has been discovered. +Three hundred thousand pounds, it is said, is not the whole +extent of it. Many who deal in the funds, find they have +bought forged bonds; consequently it is not a good time for +subscriptions. And last, not least, Liberalism prevails +here too, as in England; and will neither do good itself, +nor agree to any scheme proposed by others, if religion be +included. But we must do what we can. O! my heart +sickens at the proceedings of Parliament; and I feel resigned, +at times, to give my bones to India, England being +no longer the land of attraction it was. Another discouragement +to the scheme inclosed is, that it has been declared to +be opposed to Bishop’s College; whereas it will prove a +powerful auxiliary, by supplying youths whose abilities and +dispositions have been tried as students, and candidates for +Missionary work. I am just now, also, much occupied with +a correspondence with Government, on the subject of supplying +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_452">[Pg 452]</span> +religious instruction to Christians not in the immediate +service of Government. I hold that they ought to be +supplied. The correspondence, I expect, will be referred +home. But who cares for religion in high places at home? +and what can the Archbishop do, his office being so little +set by?”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It remains now to subjoin an outline of the Archdeacon’s +views, respecting such a liberal education +on Christian principles as, in his judgment, was calculated +to meet the anomalies and exigencies of the +several classes of British subjects in our vast Eastern +empire. He proposed, then,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“That a College should be founded in Calcutta, in which, +whilst the various branches of Literature and Science should +be made the subjects of instruction, an essential part of +the system should be, to imbue the minds of the youths +with a knowledge of the Doctrines and Duties of Christianity.</p> + +<p>“That this College should be, in every way, conformable +to the United Church of England and Ireland. But as +there are also many in this land who are not members of +that Church, and who are at present completely excluded +from the means of bestowing upon their children a liberal +education, it was further proposed that persons of all persuasions +should be permitted to attend the various classes +in the projected seminary, under certain restrictions, but +without such restraints as should go to interfere with their +religious opinions.</p> + +<p>“That in conducting the Institution, a liberal and enlarged +course of education should be pursued, adapted to +the respective attainments of the Students; the College to +be divided into two departments,—a higher department for +the elder, and a lower department for the younger students.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_453">[Pg 453]</span> +“The system to comprise Religious and Moral instruction, +Classical learning, History, Modern Languages, Mathematics, +Natural Philosophy, Medicine and Surgery, +Chemistry, Jurisprudence, and other branches, as time and +circumstances might admit of and require.</p> + +<p>“The College to be open to the sons of native Gentlemen, +as well as to all denominations of Christians; and to be +divided into two sections, viz., one consisting of those who +should conform in all respects with the regulations of the +Institution, to be designated ‘Members;’ the other section +to consist of those only, who might attend the classes for +the purpose of receiving instruction.</p> + +<p>“The advantages of the Institution to be available for +all Students, with the exception of some theological privileges, +which unavoidably would have to be restricted to +the ‘Members’ of the College: no student, not being a +Member of the College, to be required to comply with any +religious form [of worship], provided he submitted to the +general system of education, pursued within its walls.</p> + +<p>“The benefit of attending any course of Lectures in the +higher branches to be afforded to all who might be disposed +to avail themselves of it, under the preceding and such +other regulations as might be specified.</p> + +<p>“All students entering as ‘Members,’ of the College, to +be required to conform in every respect, to the Doctrines, +Usages and Forms of the United Church of England and +Ireland; and Members of the College only to be received +as resident students within its walls, and these to be subject +to such rules of discipline, and to such an extent, as may +thereafter be agreed and determined upon.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The great principle however, which it was purposed +to embody in the projected College was, that +whilst in a Christian community every system of +general education ought to comprise instruction in the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_454">[Pg 454]</span> +doctrines and duties of Christianity; and whilst, +in the then existing state of society in India, to compel +all students to comply with the forms of Christian +worship, would be to defeat the object which it was +conceived the Institution would effect, yet that in +all education the <span class="allsmcap">WORD OF GOD</span> ought to form an indispensable +element. It was maintained by the +Archdeacon that without this, the acquisition of +other branches of knowledge could neither be conducive +to the happiness of the individual, nor to the +welfare of the state. It was, intended, also, that +the College should expressly have in view the upholding +of the ancient Institutions of England, and +the inculcation of those doctrines and that discipline +which were professedly held and taught by the Established +Church. It was proposed, therefore, that +none should be “members” of the College, who were +not also members of the Church of England; and +that these should, as a matter of course, be required +to be present at Divine Service to be performed +within the walls of the College, and to be instructed +as Church-of-England-men.</p> + +<p class="tall">It was whilst matters of such public importance +engaged the attention of Archdeacon Corrie, that +intelligence of the death of Mr. Thomason reached +Calcutta. In noting that event the Archdeacon +writes to Mr. Sherer<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_455">[Pg 455]</span> +“You will have heard of the Church’s loss in the death +of Mr. Thomason. A blank is made not likely to be soon +filled up. I preached a funeral Sermon last Sunday morning, +(August 9), in his old pulpit, and did him what +honour I could, but far beneath his worth.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Archdeacon had, also, now to encounter a +bereavement which more nearly touched his natural +affections. His father had died during the spring +of 1829; and therefore, he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“August 27, 1829.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Yours of the 6th of May, with Henry’s note enclosed, +came to hand yesterday afternoon. The black seal led me +to forebode the event which the contents of the letter +confirmed. His great age made such an event probable, +and to be looked for; and with the hope that we have that +death to him was gain, we cannot complain, much less +‘sorrow as those who have no hope.’ A great, great blank +is, however, occasioned by my beloved Father’s removal; and +soon the elder branches of his family would be strangers to +those around them on earth, but for the dear charges given +to themselves.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">From his Journal (now so rarely kept) some +insight into the Archdeacon’s private communings is +obtained in the following memoranda<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 11, 1829.<br> +</p> + +<p>“If spared to the 20th, I shall have been twenty-three +years complete in India. Many things of late combine to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_456">[Pg 456]</span> +weigh down my spirits. The defection of Missionaries, and +now of L. who though unwell, would not wish to stay if +well. The inclination of Government, to withhold all aid +from christian ministrations, even among Christians: beginning, +at once, by withdrawing the Chaplain from Howrah. +The death of my father;—and anxiety for my family, +constitute a load of care. I am not constitutionally prone +to despond; but neither can I throw off impressions as some +can. The care therefore, of answering government, and +providing for Howrah ... whilst they have rendered me +anxious, have, also, stirred me up to exertion. Yesterday +in conversation with the Governor-general, I was enabled +to speak freely, yet respectfully I hope, on the duties of +Missionaries. I pointed out to him the different line of +study, and reflection on Missionary callings, required from +that of a Minister to instruct Christians; and the wrong +done to the English societies and the English public, by +employing Missionaries otherwise than as Missionaries: +and appealed to him, that, notwithstanding the duty due to +this Government, whether as an English gentleman he could +wish the mother country to be burdened with the charge +of the religious instruction of India? That, I was quite +certain, that by providing for the support of Christian +instruction, as occasions arose, (on a moderate scale) that +this Government need not be burdened; and, at the same +time, England would be relieved. He said with regard to +Howrah, he would consider more of the matter.”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 19, 1829.<br> +</p> + +<p>“In conversation with Sir Charles Grey,<a id="FNanchor_146" href="#Footnote_146" class="fnanchor">[146]</a> on the subjects +lately started by Government, respecting the duty, or +otherwise, of applying revenues, derived from the natives of +this country to the support of religious worship among +Christian settlers, he said, the anomaly ought not to be +applied to that one subject alone: it commenced in our +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_457">[Pg 457]</span> +taking upon us to govern the country at all. A people of +strange tongue, and customs every way foreign to theirs, +come, and sit down among the Hindoos, and make them pay +for administering laws, to which they had been unused, and +introduce usages abhorrent to their modes of thinking. Now, +if we can do this in one respect, why not in another? And +if in mere political and prudential matters, for their good, as +we say, why not in respect to religion, which we hold to be +the greatest of all good?”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It will be seen that the same important subject had +been adverted to, in a letter, which in the prospect +of the renewal of the East India Company’s charter, +the Archdeacon had recently addressed</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“There are some circumstances in the state of ecclesiastical +affairs here, which it seems desirable your Grace should +be acquainted with before the renewal of the East India +Company’s Charter, with a view to their being put into some +way of order at least, and settled by an acknowledged rule.</p> + +<p>“1. It is not distinctly understood how the law of marriage +stands in this country. It is acknowledged that the +marriage acts have not had, and have not now, any force in +this country; but Bishop Middleton held that this See, being +attached to the Province of Canterbury by Act of Parliament +or the Letters Patent, has become subject to the ecclesiastical +law of England, which requires marriages to be celebrated +by a Clergyman, and within Canonical hours. And +this rule was generally adhered to till the late Bishop consented +to an order of Government sanctioning marriages by +public Functionaries, both civil and military; and directing +them to be registered by the Registrar of the Archdeaconry: +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_458">[Pg 458]</span> +and thus matters stand at present. Some of our first +lawyers say, that marriage by a layman is to all purposes +good; others say, only to some purposes; that it binds the +parties, but confers no right of dower on the widow, or of +inheritance on the offspring. It is of great importance that +some declaration on the subject, by authority, should be set +forth. I know that a good deal of anxiety is at times experienced +by some who have been married by laymen; and +several sons of men of rank and property are among the +servants of this Government, who may eventually be deeply +affected, should any irregularity be discovered in the present +system. Up to March 1828, the Chaplains were on all occasions +applied to, to celebrate marriages, and they had often +long journeys to make for this purpose; but now, unless they +be near at hand, many do not care to send for them, whilst +the sanction of the Government makes no difference whatever +in the law of the case. An easy remedy would be, the keeping +the number of Chaplains always full, taking measures +that Chaplains retiring should be obliged to an early determination +on the point soon after their return to England, +and not, as at present, be allowed to linger on for years, keeping +their places unsupplied. An increase of Chaplains is, I +fear, out of the question; yet would it not be, if but a common +regard for the credit of our religion and the religious welfare +of Christian subjects existed where it should. In many of +the districts of this Presidency, especially in those most favourable +to the growth of indigo and sugar, and in some degree +in all of them, many Christian settlers have fixed themselves. +A District, your Grace will know, is as large as an English +county; and if a Chaplain were appointed at the chief +station, where most of the servants of Government reside, +and where there are generally from five to fifteen families, +they would be at hand to celebrate Christian rites in the +District; and on Festivals, part of the Christians resident in +the District would resort for divine service to the head +station. If want of funds prevented such appointments, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_459">[Pg 459]</span> +the necessity must be patiently submitted to, but from the +ground-rent of the whole country, surely the East India +Company ought to make some reserve for religious purposes +beyond the mere wants of the military. But this is connected +with another point to which I would now entreat +your Grace’s attention.</p> + +<p>“2. Hitherto it was thought here, that only the fewness of +the Christian portion of the inhabitants prevented appropriations +being made from the resources of Government for their +religious instruction: but it is now answered, that Christians +have no claim on Government for religious instruction, and +that in fact it would not be right to appropriate revenue +derived from the natives of this country, to the supplying of +Chaplains to Christian settlers. Now the settler, properly +speaking, (<abbr title="one">i.</abbr> e. persons whose birth-place is in Britain, and +who are still looking to Britain as a home,) are few in +number. There are not above 1000 of that description beyond +the boundaries of Calcutta, and not half a dozen of +them in any one place. They are scattered over the face of the +country. But if by settlers your Grace understand descendants +of Europeans born in this country, and of which class +many of the Indigo-planters, scattered up and down the +country, are, and include in them descendants of private +soldiers by native mothers, and children of all descriptions +of British, and who have been increasing for more than +100 years, it will, I think, appear that the term is not applicable +to them. They are, to all intents, native-born subjects +of this Government, the offspring of the soil. Of this +class there are in Calcutta not fewer than 4000; and at all +the principal stations of the army, and in every place where +Europeans have been stationed, they are to be found from +30 to 300 at each. I have placed the subject in this light +that your Grace may be aware of the true state of the class +I have in view.</p> + +<p>“It is said that European settlers have no claim on this +Government for a religious establishment. I will not stay +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_460">[Pg 460]</span> +to argue that point; but then, I maintain, that these Indo-Britons +are native-born subjects of the British Indian Government, +and, therefore, have a claim on a Government not +only Christian, but proprietors of the land: in fact both +king and landlord. It has been officially announced that +schools in which the children of Europeans (<abbr title="one">i.</abbr> e. perhaps +removed six generations from the European stock,) are taught +together with Hindoos and Mahomedans, have no claim on +the funds appropriated to native education. Shall we then +apply to the British Parliament for an annual grant, as for +Canada? The main object then is to procure from the proper +quarter an acknowledgment of the duty of applying some +part of the revenue of this country to the education and +religious instruction of native Christians, in their proportions, +as to that of Hindoos and Mahomedans.</p> + +<p>“It is only lately it has become known here that the +East India Company’s Charter is to be renewed in the next +session of Parliament, which must plead my excuse for this +intrusion.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It was about this time that Archdeacon Corrie +supplied the place of the Government chaplain at +Barrackpore, in the absence of the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> H. Fisher, +who had proceeded up the country. Except in that +particular, there occurred but little variety in the +occupations of the Archdeacon. His letters, however, +mention his desire for the arrival of the Bishop. +Thus in writing to his brother he <span class="lock">observes:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am by no means at ease in my appointment, from the +increasing ill-will of people who neither do any thing to +purpose themselves, nor will let those alone who are doing +what they can. And if I add, that we have at this time the +hottest weather I have ever experienced in Bengal, having +no cessation day or night, for nearly a week past, and no +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_461">[Pg 461]</span> +immediate prospect of change—the catalogue of ill may +seem complete. But, O! no ill have I experienced, compared +with the least I every day deserve; and much of mercy +remains to mingle in the cup. The departure of my beloved +father from Colsterworth, seemed much to weaken my tie to +England, his death still more. This country may now become +my home for the remainder of my pilgrimage. My +strength is wonderfully renewed, yet I cannot conceive of +any in England, not positively ill, experiencing the lassitude +I am seldom free from. Yet the younger sons of the best +English families, are coming out in this service in crowds, +and even the heirs apparent to titles; such we are told is the +difficulty of providing in any creditable way, for the sons of +the gentry.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Archdeacon adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I know not whether you have time to read Reviews. I +think they are, as far as the facts detailed can be relied on, +the history of Providence, and the last article<a id="FNanchor_147" href="#Footnote_147" class="fnanchor">[147]</a> in the +Quarterly for April, seems on true grounds to forebode much +distress to Britain. This also falls in, I think, with the +prophetic intimations respecting these times. I see no +ground whatever, for the doctrines of a ‘Personal Reign,’ +or a first literal resurrection, but I do think with Scott, +that the witnesses are about to be slain. Mr. Faber’s idea +of <i>trouble at hand</i>, seems just in agreement; though I have +no idea of two Churches being represented by the ‘witnesses.’ +There can be but one true Church; but whether it be the +witnesses <i>continuing</i> to prophecy in sackcloth, still, the result +is likely to be the same; and England now in league +with the Apostacy,<a id="FNanchor_148" href="#Footnote_148" class="fnanchor">[148]</a> must not expect to escape the plagues, +under which it shall utterly perish. Babylon is already +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_462">[Pg 462]</span> +fallen in the purpose of God, and unless England purge +away the leaven that has crept into her, with Babylon must +be her end.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">About the middle of November 1829, the Archdeacon +was released from much anxiety, and depression +of spirits, by the return to India of Mrs. Corrie. +In announcing her safe arrival, he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 30, 1829.<br> +</p> + +<p>“To me the mercy is beyond expression. You can never +know the depression of a separation such as I have experienced. +Death alone could have rendered it more hopeless, +but scarcely less painful: but thanks be to God it is +over, and if it be His will, may no such trial befal me again! +Our anxieties are now about our children. They seem +placed in most desirable circumstances: may the blessing of +God but attend the instructions they receive! Whilst we +cannot but desire that they should acquire useful knowledge, +and not be altogether without the knowledge of the usual +manners of their class in life, our hearts’ chief prayer and +desire of God for them is, that they may become wise unto +salvation.’ ... How precious that promise, ‘I will be +thy God, and the God of thy seed!’ But for this what +could we do for them at this distance? But our God heareth +prayer; He remembereth his ‘covenant to a thousand +generations.’ In reading Deuteronomy, the expression, +‘that it may be well with thee and <i>thy seed after thee</i>,’ supplies +both a stimulus to duty and an encouragement. Whilst +we are about our Lord’s work here, He will be merciful and +gracious to our children.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_463">[Pg 463]</span> +It was now that there occurred an event of great +moral and political importance to India. All the +Missionaries in Calcutta and neighbourhood, had +some months ago presented a memorial to Lord +William Bentinck, respecting the cruel practice of +widow-burning; and Government had been in the +habit of discouraging that revolting superstition +without venturing directly to prohibit it. But, after +satisfying themselves of the feelings of the Native +army and Native community, the Governor General +in Council, took the decisive step of adopting a +Regulation on the 4th of December, to the effect of +declaring “the habit of Suttee, or burning or burying +alive the widows of Hindoos, illegal and punishable +by the Criminal Courts.”</p> + +<p class="tall">Soon after the date of this Regulation, Bishop +Turner, (who had been consecrated in the preceding +May,) arrived in Calcutta. The Archdeacon having +mentioned in a letter to his brother, that the Bishop +preached in the Cathedral for the first time on +Sunday, 13th December, observes</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Bishop Turner seems to come in a spirit of Christian +conciliation. I will not say much lest I should be disappointed. +He is, however, liked, and will be popular in all +probability.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Then after having stated how much the account +which Mrs. Corrie had given of his relatives in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_464">[Pg 464]</span> +England, had “rekindled in him a desire to be again +among them,” the Archdeacon adds,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am however thought, I find, a party man in Church +politics, and it may be so in part, but how far it is right or +not you cannot tell. I have said to H. that it is an easy +matter for you at home to cast your guinea into the treasury +of this or that Society, in the hope that good will +arise from it; but the <i>application</i> of your bounty, is a more +difficult operation. Whether Jesus Christ shall be set forth +in the glory of His grace before the Gentiles, or shall be +made a mere ‘Master of the ceremonies,’ as Hervey<a id="FNanchor_149" href="#Footnote_149" class="fnanchor">[149]</a> expresses +it, to introduce to the Divine presence human merit, +is no indifferent question. And here we have to decide upon +that question, in the application of English liberality. But +indeed, brother, I try to watch over myself in this respect +also; and if I had opportunity, could cooperate with even a +Papist, in the conversion of the heathen. I do think, however, +that what I have done has effected good.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Then with reference to the late Government Regulation +he observes,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“If I should say nothing about the abolition of Suttee, +you would think it strange. Great honour has the Government +gained in this matter. Addresses of congratulation to +Lord W. B., from the European Society, and from the Hindoo +also, and Mahomedan classes, are getting signed by +numbers.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">To his Sister, also, the Archdeacon writes</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 17, 1829.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The glorious abolition of Suttee, will distinguish the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_465">[Pg 465]</span> +present Government, when the discontent arising from retrenchment +will be forgotten.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Then with regard to the expected renewal of the +charter of the East India Company, he adds</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The more general admission of Europeans into this +country seems determined upon; which will help forward +the progress of Christianity, in its remote consequences; +but will probably ruin many in a temporal point of view. +From all I can learn, commerce is a losing concern to the +merchant generally. The mere agent, of course, deducts +his commission from the scanty produce, and thrives. But +what is all this to you, I begin to think, although, indeed, +in its consequences, it may extend even to Morcott. A few +years, I have heard some experienced men say, is likely to +produce a general crash; and then our dividends and pensions +may be put in jeopardy: so that mere selfishness might +make one alive to national affairs; whilst to the Christian +they supply matter for much prayer and solicitude before +God. My favourite theme, inspiration and song, is much +involved in all this progress of things. It may be that in +time of adversity men may consider how much their all depends +on God, and may become more careful of missionary +work, which is so peculiarly His own. We have had days of +ease and outward prosperity, and little heart has been found, +and little of a right spirit, even in those who favour the righteous +cause.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Of the new Bishop of Calcutta, the Archdeacon +<span class="lock">observes—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“He promises to be everything desirable in his station, +and you will be glad to hear that he approves of all my +public acts. I have shewn him, also, a letter which I wrote +to the Archbishop of Canterbury, all of which he approves +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_466">[Pg 466]</span> +and said, that he had nothing to do but to follow up the +views there stated.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Within a month of the date of this letter, one of +those failures in the mercantile world occurred, which +some “experienced men” had anticipated. The +Archdeacon, writing “of general news,” observes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, <abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 8. 1829.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The failure of Palmer’s house has created the most extensive +ruin for a long time experienced. Three millions are +said to be the extent of the debts: they promise to pay half, +but it does not seem [to be] expected. This, with the forgeries +you have heard of, amounting, I am told, to twenty-two +Lacs, have given a lesson of the uncertainty of riches +such as perhaps never occurred, at one time, in any single +community before. It is impossible to enumerate the losses +sustained by individuals. Some reduced from wealth to +nothing; others from a pittance to beggary. Truly ‘riches +make to themselves wings and fly away,’ but this will make +no one, it is to be feared, less eager in the pursuit of them.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">After relating some private matters connected +with the state of society in Calcutta, the Archdeacon +proceeds</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The Bishop held his first Visitation last Wednesday, +the 6th inst. He had appointed me to preach, and afterwards +I was requested by the Bishop and Clergy to publish +the Sermon. The Bishop told me privately that it was the +thing of all others, he should wish to send to England at +this time. I feel grateful for the acceptance, whilst I cannot +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_467">[Pg 467]</span> +but feel, that time and circumstances, and not the +merits of the Sermon, call it forth.<a id="FNanchor_150" href="#Footnote_150" class="fnanchor">[150]</a>... The Bishop seems +bent on conciliation, with more decision than his predecessor.... +He has become Patron of the Calcutta Bible +Society, President of the Church Missionary Society, and +is to preside this evening at a public meeting of the Bible +Association in the Town Hall. He has attended the examination +of schools, at Mirzapore, Mrs. Wilson’s school, the +Female Orphan Asylum, and other Institutions.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 16th. Among the sudden changes which occur +here frequently, not the least unexpected, is the severe illness +of the Bishop’s Chaplain, and the necessity, as the doctors +affirm, of his return to Europe. In consequence, the Bishop +requested as a personal kindness, that we would take up our +abode with him. After two days deliberation, we have +agreed to do so, not without much apprehension on my +part. To keep a conscience void of offence, both towards +God and man, will, I fear, not be easy; but many advantages +may arise from the arrangement, if we can but keep the +even path of duty. The Bishop may be rendered more +happy in his work; and social prayer, which were he alone +must be omitted, will also help to keep up in him, as well +as in us, proper feelings as well as right views. I shall +benefit by his conversation, and learn somewhat of the +altered state of society in England, as all I hear leads me +to conclude. Our mutual official duties may be more readily +effected, and the plans of the various Societies carried +forward.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following notice of passing events, as given +in the same letter, may not be without interest<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_468">[Pg 468]</span> +“You would be delighted to see how crowded the Old +Church now is. Yesterday the Bishop preached there. +The city is now divided into parishes, and each is to have +its own vestry, and care of its own poor. Yesterday a sermon +was preached, and 1753 Rs. collected for the poor of +the Old Church district.... The Bishop has confirmed +317 persons, which, considering that a confirmation was held +in June, 1828, shews a rapid increase of population.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the 18th of February 1830, the Archdeacon +and his wife went to reside at the palace as the +Bishop’s inmates; and the following memorandum, +which occurs under that date, in his private Journal, +does but reiterate the sentiments contained in the +preceding letter<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We have to-day entered on a new course, by taking up +our abode with the Bishop, on his invitation. It has been +the subject of much anxiety with us, and of prayer. The +reasons which determined us to this step are these:—1st. +The Bishop’s kind invitation:—His loneliness from the departure +of Mr. Carter; and the hope that our being here, +may help to keep up the habits of domestic religion to which +he had for some time been accustomed. 2nd. On our own +part, the desire to benefit by his conversation and extensive +acquirements; and to be workers together in the progress of +improvement, both in and out of the Established Church, especially +in the work of missions. 3rd. As it respects our usefulness +in society, we shall be prevented shewing hospitality +to the same extent as formerly; and if it should prevent any +of our young friends, who are aiming at improvement in +personal piety, from visiting us, the change will be unfavourable; +but it will, also, cut us off from much unprofitable +visiting and expence, to which, of late years, we have been +much exposed, and by which I have been much tried. 4th. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_469">[Pg 469]</span> +We shall be much more under restraint than in our own +separate dwelling; but shall at the same time see more of +each other, and for this we have been sighing for years past. +O that we may but be enabled to improve the opportunities +afforded, to our mutual growth in every gift, and especially +in the love of the Saviour, as well as those things which +make for our everlasting peace! For this we are insufficient +of ourselves. May the grace of Christ rest upon us, and +then shall we prosper!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">During the year 1829 an edition of the Book of +Common Prayer in Hindoostanee having been printed +by the Calcutta Corresponding Committee of the +Prayer-Book and Homily Society, under the superintendence +of Archdeacon Corrie, he forwarded a +copy of that important work to England, for the +purpose of having it presented to the public library +in Cambridge. His reason for doing this is thus +stated in a letter, of March 5, 1830,</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have been led to do this from our Bishop taking the +trouble to send a copy to the Bodleian Library at Oxford. +If it be worthy of a place in the one, as the Bishop thinks, +it may be equally so of a place at Cambridge.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The history of a work by means of which the +Services of the Church of England were first made +accessible to the Native christians of Hindoostan, may +not here be omitted, especially as that history has +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_470">[Pg 470]</span> +been supplied by the Archdeacon himself. To the +Secretary of the Calcutta Corresponding Committee +of the Prayer-Book and Homily Society, he writes</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“When I began this edition of the Book of Common +Prayer in Hindoostanee,<a id="FNanchor_151" href="#Footnote_151" class="fnanchor">[151]</a> it was at first intended to have +altered very little from the Compendium, printed by the +Prayer Book and Homily Society in London, but a near +adherence to that model was soon found impracticable. I +will here state, that the above Compendium, which is usually +ascribed to the late <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> H. Martyn, was the fruit of my +own labour fifteen years ago, and that with very inadequate +help. It seems but due to that eminent scholar, that I +should publicly avow this, as his translation of the New +Testament, shows how inferior the Compendium of the +Prayer Book is to his style, and how altogether unworthy of +his fame. The Compendium however, has answered an +important purpose; the want of something of the kind was +so much felt by many native christians, that it was eagerly +adopted by them, and its imperfections even have gained +currency among them.</p> + +<p>“It was at first intended, also to have printed a small +portion only of the new edition, with a view to collect the +opinions of competent persons, respecting the execution; +but the difficulty of obtaining such opinions, from the complete +occupation of the time of every public Functionary in +his official duties, is well known; and the delay that must +inevitably arise on that plan, to the accomplishment of a +work much needed, seemed to urge the necessity of making +the most of present time, and of using the assistance providentially +supplied, whilst it could be had. On this +account the whole of the Book of Common Prayer, including +every part of the Rubric and Articles of Religion, has been +printed. The State Prayers, as they are usually called, are +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_471">[Pg 471]</span> +not included, nor the Psalms: the latter, are printed separately +by the Auxiliary Bible Society, and can be supplied +in that form to congregations prepared to use them. After +the translation was finished, the native assistants were necessarily +retained, till the work should be carried through +the Press: this afforded opportunity for translating the +Ordination Services also, and 100 copies were printed. Of +the whole Book three hundred copies have been printed; and +to 100 copies of these are added the Ordination Services. +These, it may be said, are not likely soon to be brought into +use, but that seems no reason why the mode adopted by our +Church, in these services, and the scriptural sentiments +they breathe, should not be laid open to the natives of this +country. Besides these complete copies, 1000 copies of +the Psalter have been printed for more general distribution. +Owing to my absence from Calcutta, more of the Occasional +Offices were added than is usual in such a Compendium; but +though a little more expence has thus been incurred, the +work is more valuable. One thousand copies, also, of the +Morning and Evening Prayers and Litany, with the occasional +Prayers and Thanksgivings, have been printed in +Nagree, for the benefit of Christians who use only that +character.</p> + +<p>“It seems necessary to state, that some English terms +have been retained, an explanation of them being given in +parenthesis, where they are first used. On this point there +will probably be a difference of opinion, but as the English +terms are familiar to Native Christians connected with the +British; and the words, Sacrament, Baptism, and such +like, derived from the Latin Scriptures, are used by the +numerous Roman Catholic Christians of this country, the +retaining of them in the Prayer Book, is at least useful to +these classes, whilst it is obvious, that the words, Lent, +Whit-sunday, and some others, do not at all explain the +events they are used to distinguish, and a word common to +several classes of christians, and to which they all attach the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_472">[Pg 472]</span> +same meaning, may as well be used as any other, whilst it +tends to unite them by a common phraseology.</p> + +<p>“The assistance I have received from a person brought +up in the country, and well versed in the writers, both in +Persian and Hindoostanee, most esteemed by learned +natives, allows me to hope that the translation, generally, is +likely to bear the test of candid criticism. The chief objection +which I anticipate, arises from the difficulty of +clothing many ideas peculiarly Christian, in popular language. +The natives of this country, at the same time, generally +have the ideas themselves to acquire, and the christian +teacher may therefore as readily explain the meaning of an +appropriate term, as, by using circumlocutions, lower the +standard of the language and keep his people in a low state +of mental cultivation. I will only add that often the attaching +a shade of difference to the meaning of a word, +would lead to a conclusion unfavourable to the translator, +without cause: I am at the same time aware, that improvements +may be made in the work, and hope, if life and opportunity +be vouchsafed, to bring forth hereafter a more +perfect edition.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In the same letter to his brother, which is referred +to above, the Archdeacon states</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Our affairs here go on in one uniform course of public +grumbling, and private discontent. All who are touched +by the retrenchments of Government, think they have +cause to complain, and the army are certainly hardly used. +But I try to have little to say in these matters. Missionary +matters and education, supply sufficient employment without +going into politics. We would fain make faster progress, +but sickness, and obstacles arising from climate, hinder us; +and we must be content to follow the course of Providence, +and not to force it.</p> + +<p>“You will have heard through Sherer, that we have +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_473">[Pg 473]</span> +become part of the Bishop’s household. I find his conversation +very improving: he is naturally cheerful, and our +intercourse is easy and agreeable. A part of his plan is to +constitute his Archdeacons, his commissaries, and to delegate +to them the details of the respective Archdeaconries. I +continue, therefore, a Bishop <i>in partibus</i> still, and having +such opportunities of reference to the Bishop on all occasions, +I am not likely to commit the interests of the church. +The only point on which I differ from the Bishop, is on the +policy of allowing Missionaries to engage in English duties. +This is a far easier employment, than proper missionary work, +and it is, moreover, a misapplication of Missionary funds. +It will also prevent, I fear, the East India Company, from +contributing as they ought, to the support of a ministry +for their christian subjects.</p> + +<p>“I scarcely know what part of our history here will +most interest you. The abolition of Suttee will no doubt +be heard of all over Europe. The last year presented a +return of 800 widows, and upward, consigned to the fire +in this presidency. Of these upwards of 600 took place in +Bengal; so that in this one province the strength of the +practice lay. A considerable sensation has therefore been +felt in Calcutta, but no where else. At Benares, Suttees +have been even prevented, and the poor widow (glad no +doubt) retired quietly home, saying, Such was her fate. +What has been said against the abolition in Calcutta, has +been chiefly by some of the most wealthy. They are not, +however, united; arguments pro and con are discussed +among themselves, with great freedom, and no little acrimony, +and they exhibit the spectacle of a family divided +against itself. I wish you were more of a politician. We +require on the renewal of the East India Company’s charter, +that some further expression of public opinion should be +shown, on the subject of christian education. Years ago, +Mr. Wilberforce obtained that 100,000 rupees should be appropriated +towards the moral improvement of this people +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_474">[Pg 474]</span> +by education. The said sum is indeed appropriated, but it +is to Mahomedan and Hindoo learning, such as it is: now +what is required is, that Christian education should also +have a share of the public support.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following letter to Mr. Sherer, about the +same date, supplies some interesting particulars connected +with the state of society in Calcutta.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We have been now nearly a month in the Bishop’s +house. Our mode of life is as follows: prayers at eight +o’clock, when the bishop sometimes expounds; and again, +also, at half past nine o’clock in the evening. We breakfast +after prayers; have <i>tiffin</i><a id="FNanchor_152" href="#Footnote_152" class="fnanchor">[152]</a> at two o’clock, dinner at +half past six or seven. One evening, (Friday) any person +who is not afraid of the Bible, is welcome to come in at +eight o’clock, and after tea the Bishop reads and expounds, +and dismisses us with prayer. In the season of Lent, the +Bishop catechizes in the Cathedral, on Wednesday mornings, +and preaches in the evening on Fridays. He is frequently +at the Thursday evening lecture. He visited lately with me +at Burdwan, and takes a lively interest in Missions; +preaches in Bishop’s College Chapel, on Sunday evenings, +to the few students and others, and enters much into the +affairs of that institution. A Chapel is commenced at the +free school, and a Mariner’s Church at the custom-house is +preparing, and the building of a Church at Howrah is in +progress. A form of an association for the better observance +of the Lord’s day has been drawn up by the Bishop, and +sent to the Chaplains, and all the dissenting Ministers; and +yesterday, sermons were preached in all the Churches and +Chapels here, on the duty of sanctifying the Sabbath. +From these particulars, you will judge what spirit he is of. +In our habitual intercourse he is cheerful, communicative, +and instructive; and hitherto, all has gone on very happily, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_475">[Pg 475]</span> +with every promise of continuing to do so. Among the +changes the Bishop has brought about is, the establishment +of charitable committees connected with each church. +They have been in operation above a month, and promise +much good, both from the prevention of imposition, and +the right appropriation of charity.</p> + +<p>“The Hindoo College is working faster than its present supporters +wish. The youths are growing up free-thinkers; and +lately, some of them partook of a feast with one of the infidel +christian teachers. The thing got wind, and the parents (one +a Brahmin) became alarmed. An inquiry was set on foot, +and the thing hushed up, but a strict injunction issued, that +religion in any shape should not be mentioned to the pupils. +It has occurred to me that these high and rich Hindoos, +may soon find themselves obliged to urge the Government +to pass a regulation, that loss of caste may not deprive +individuals of property. A pro-suttee party is set on foot. +Radah Cant Deb and others being members. They call +themselves the <i>Dhurm Soubah</i> (which, as you have been so +so long away, I may translate for you) “the righteous association;” +but they have already fallen out about a treasurer: +and strong recriminations are published, which promise little +co-operation among them.</p> + +<p>“O how greatly do we need steady good men at Mirzapore. +The situation of the mission-premises is becoming more and +more important. All the modern reformed Hindoos reside +in that quarter; and a man of fair attainments and attractive +character placed there, might become a mighty instrument +of good. Well: no doubt the right person will be forthcoming +in the right time.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">As explanatory of the labours of Bishop Turner, +mentioned above, it may not be out of place to state, +that of late years European paupers had increased +to such an extent in Calcutta, that not only had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_476">[Pg 476]</span> +the charitable funds in the hands of the Select Vestry +at the Cathedral, become inadequate to meet the +exigencies of the distressed, but frauds had been +practised with such facility on the charitable part of +the community, that it became necessary to provide +for the fuller investigation of the cases of applicants +for relief. To remedy these evils a “Charitable +Society” was formed at the suggestion of the Bishop, +which was carried on by a Central Committee of Superintendance +aided by subordinate Committees, corresponding +in number with the ecclesiastical districts +into which Calcutta was divided.</p> + +<p>It will be seen, also, by the following memorandum, +dated April 10, 1830, that the Archdeacon, +for his part, had not been unmindful of the necessity +of labouring for the public good, though his success +seems to have fallen short of his wishes.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“In reviewing the past year, much cause, both for humiliation +and for gratitude appears. In my own experience, a +sense of defect and failure cannot but be felt. I can see +nothing accomplished either in a public or private view. +Nothing have I attained but to know more deeply that I am +nothing, and must be indebted wholly to grace: yea, to +grace pardoning grievous despite, leaping over opposition, +and ‘carrying off the prey,’ without corresponding effort on +my part to fall in with grace. In public I attempted [to +establish] a school for the country-born. The scheme was +too large; and, in yielding this point to N——, my own folly +appears. I failed also with Howrah, through the opposition +of unreasonable men. But both these objects are likely to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_477">[Pg 477]</span> +be attained by the Bishop: and in this ‘I rejoice.’ Let +good but be effected, and ‘I will rejoice.’ Other schemes +I had in mind for the furtherance and establishment of the +gospel, which are approved by the Bishop; especially the +plan of endowments, in which I hope something may be +accomplished. I have been much tried in respect of Mirzapore. +Expectations from the school baffled and likely to +fail, from the failure (for so it is in fact) of R. Missionary +prospects much clouded, from the lack of instruments. Yet +doubtless the working is advancing, and the gospel is spreading. +These are matters of much thought with me.... +If I could, with propriety, withdraw to a quiet missionary +station, my mind would have what at all times seems best +for it; but to withdraw from a post to which I have been called, +without a clear dispensation leading to it, would embitter +such a plan. I see nothing for it, but patiently to abide in +my present situation, and to wait till affairs indicate what I +ought to do. May I only be preserved from giving offence +in my public or private capacity; and may I have grace to +improve opportunities of working in the service of the gospel!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">But notwithstanding this somewhat dispirited +view of the results of his labours, the hopes of the +Archdeacon respecting the establishing of a school +for the country-born, seemed about to be realized +so soon as that important project was taken in hand +by the Bishop. In a letter which the Archdeacon +wrote on the 23rd of April 1830, he observes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_478">[Pg 478]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I wrote to you some time since respecting a project for a +school in this city. We are still busy about it, and not without +hopes of succeeding in establishing it. Great obstacles, +however, occur. Our Government just now is too much on the +Utilitarian system; which seems to mean, ‘That every one +must do the best he can for himself, seeing that no aid is to +be afforded.’ One thing this will work, which for this country +will prove beneficial, whatever it may prove to Old England—it +will render this country independent of England. +It is well, certainly, that the resources of this country, both +individual and general, should be called forth, and with a +little forbearing care, they might for ages be auxiliary to the +mother-country; but by refusing present aid, unkind feelings +are called forth, and where no obligation is conferred on the +one hand, no gratitude is felt on the other.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The letter in which the preceding observations are +contained, was not finished until the 11th of May, +under which date the Archdeacon adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Nothing further has occurred here worth remarking, +except that a master has unexpectedly turned up for the +Grammar-School. Pray do you ever think of India in a +political point of view? How the charter is constituted, or +whether it can be altered for the better? We seem to want +some attention from home; and I would fain hope we shall +get it now the charter is again to be discussed. We are under +the regulations of the Government as to abode. If one +would establish a school, or promote education in any way, +we are liable to be banished to England, if Government +should not happen to like our project; and, if it does, we +must ask leave to pay the expences out of our own pockets, for +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_479">[Pg 479]</span> +not a Rupee will Government give: and yet in this presidency +alone, seven millions sterling are drawn annually from the +land, and as much more from monopolies of salt, and opium, +and from certain duties! Is none of this to be laid out +otherwise than to promote increased dividends in Leadenhall +Street?”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">An able head-master having thus been obtained +in the person of the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. Macqueen, it was +determined on the 4th of June 1830, to establish +the “Calcutta High School,” on a plan arranged by +Bishop Turner. To provide for the educational +department, it was proposed to raise a sum of money +by transferable shares, which were to bear interest +arising from dividends of profits; the shares to be +paid by instalments, and the proceeds to be vested +in the names of certain Trustees. A Committee of +management and visitors was appointed, and such +regulations agreed upon as were calculated to give +efficiency and stability to the school. But that at +which the Archdeacon chiefly aimed was, if possible +to obtain from Government, or the benevolence of individuals, +an endowment for the School. But the +little prospect there was of assistance from the former +source will be collected from a letter written by the +Archdeacon</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_480">[Pg 480]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“June 17, 1830.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Our increased acquaintance with the Bishop renders us +more at home with him, and we see more to admire in him. +He is by far best suited for this appointment of any who +have occupied it. With more practical knowledge of men, and +of parochial matters than any of them, he has large views of +usefulness; and, with perfect propriety of language, states +them to Government. Had we a man who had any fixed +views of Government at the head of affairs, something effectual +might be accomplished for the religious welfare of India, +but when —— is on one hand, and —— on the other, +of Government, what can be expected but fancies and crudities? +And such seem most of the public acts at present.</p> + +<p>“I may mention to you that in a Report on Ecclesiastical +affairs lately made up by the Finance Committee, the employment +of missionaries generally, without regard to class, +and Roman Catholic priests, was recommended, to prevent +increase of chaplains; and the principle broadly affirmed, +that Government is not bound to supply the means of grace +to any besides the European troops, to which the charter +binds them. This gave opportunity to state other views and +principles, which must have surprised certain persons not a +little. You need not be surprised, should you hear of the +Bishop’s arrival in England a few months hence; as it is +quite evident, that should the Home Government depend on +the information derived from this quarter, nothing will be +done for us in an ecclesiastical point of view; and twenty +more years of this miserable system [will] be perpetrated, +which can only end in confusion almost irremediable.”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_146" href="#FNanchor_146" class="label">[146]</a> +Chief Justice.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_147" href="#FNanchor_147" class="label">[147]</a> +“On the state and prospects of the country.”</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_148" href="#FNanchor_148" class="label">[148]</a> +The allusion is to that legislative alliance with Popery which +marked the year 1829.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_149" href="#FNanchor_149" class="label">[149]</a> +Theron and Aspasio, Dialog. <abbr title="seven">vii.</abbr></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_150" href="#FNanchor_150" class="label">[150]</a> +The text selected on this occasion was 2 <abbr title="Corinthians, four">Cor. iv.</abbr> 5; the purpose +of the preacher was to shew 1st, “What is the subject-matter of a +faithful minister’s teaching;” and 2nd, what “His object and aim +in his labours.”</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_151" href="#FNanchor_151" class="label">[151]</a> +The edition of 1829.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_152" href="#FNanchor_152" class="label">[152]</a> +Luncheon.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_481">[Pg 481]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER <abbr title="Eighteen">XVIII.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="hanging"><span class="allsmcap">DISQUIETUDE CONCERNING THE ANGLO-HINDOO +COLLEGE—DEATH OF BISHOP TURNER.</span></p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">On</span> the 20th of June, 1830, Archdeacon Corrie +left Calcutta in company with the Bishop, with a +view to attend that Prelate in a visitation of the +Upper Provinces. They proceeded, however, only +as far as Chunar, circumstances having decided the +Bishop to defer his Visitation of Delhi and the intermediate +Stations. The Bishop and Archdeacon, +therefore, returned to the Presidency by the latter +end of September. One result of this journey was, +to create a greater anxiety than ever in the mind of +the Archdeacon, that in the contemplated renewal of +the East India Company’s Charter, some more efficient +provision should be made for the spiritual wants +of India, than had hitherto been the case. On that +important subject he writes,</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_482">[Pg 482]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 6, 1830.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The times are troublous both at home and abroad; discontent +is spread through every branch of this service, in +many cases unreasonably, in many the privations actually +inflicted cause much distress. Your political atmosphere +seems very cloudy;—what may follow the death of George <abbr title="Four">IV.</abbr> +we dare not conjecture. It affects my mind especially, with +reference to the renewal of the East India Company’s charter. +‘The Lord reigneth,’ might well serve on this head, as on the +affairs of England; but I have no call to interfere in the +latter, whereas I must plead for India. Do, beloved brother, +look about for aid in this matter; affairs here in +reference to religion are more and more pressing. The +young civilians are now sent out of Calcutta soon after +their arrival, qualified or not, so that at the small stations, +there are more than formerly. You will remember that out-of-the-way +place Azimgurh: there are five civilians, three +young officers, and a doctor, with the usual <i>Cranies</i>:<a id="FNanchor_153" href="#Footnote_153" class="fnanchor">[153]</a> +such is the general increase at our Stations. Now, a Chaplain +at each of such stations, is too much at present to +expect, but such a number as would admit of a Chaplain +from Benares, Gazeepore, or Gorruckpore, visiting the +subordinate stations at stated intervals, might and ought to +be allowed. Instead of this, it is recommended from this +[Government], to reduce the present number of Chaplains <a id="addword4"></a>to +seven, and to secure the occasional services of Missionaries, +of any and every persuasion, and to abolish the Scotch +establishment altogether. Our House of Commons seems +indeed at a low ebb. From what a height of splendour, in +eloquence and lofty feelings at least, is Parliament fallen. +I look in vain for an advocate for poor India, in all that +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_483">[Pg 483]</span> +passes,—at least as reported here. Perhaps a dissolution of +Parliament may bring to light some ‘gem of purer ray;’ +though it is rather to be feared lest India be lost sight of +amidst contending politics at home. I can tell you in confidence, +that our Bishop has represented to the powers +here, that by such a scheme of Church arrangements as +above, Government would recognise Missions, which they +have never done; have no control over the agents so authorised; +and that by a variety of procedure in those employed, +confusion probably would ensue. Whereas if they are +serious in their attempts to extend sound knowledge, by +extending the Church establishment, and taking more pains +than at present to secure fit persons, they might provide a +body of most efficient agents in forwarding the improvement +of the country. I need not tell you, except to refresh your +memory, that were a Clergyman of respectable character +and attainments placed at Krishnaghur, and every other +Sudder<a id="FNanchor_154" href="#Footnote_154" class="fnanchor">[154]</a> Station, the indigo-planters would in time avail +themselves of his services, by coming in with their families at +the Festivals, or receiving occasional visits at their houses; +besides, there might be a school under his own eye at +home. Would not many of the planters be induced to establish +a school each, which the Chaplain would occasionally +visit, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>? All this has been stated to the Governor General, +who at the time is friendly, but is hopeless as to the Court +of Directors. Our Bishop is of opinion that were the subject +taken up judiciously at home, by a person not suspected +of party spirit; and the Bishop of London, and Archbishop, +who are both desirous of India’s religious welfare, were +judiciously instructed how to proceed, and fully and truly +informed of the state of things here,—that the Duke of +Portland, for instance, and many in high places would join +in furthering an extension of Church establishment, <i>along +with other</i> measures. The subject taken up singly, our +Bishop fears, would not find sufficient patronage. I have +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_484">[Pg 484]</span> +said all I can, to urge our Bishop to go home himself. It +would, I know, be a venturing of everything, and myself, +perhaps, durst not, were I in his place, make the venture, +yet circumstances seem to call for it.</p> + +<p>“A controversy has arisen on the subject of missionary +exertions, most unexpectedly. The whole history is in +point. I will send it to you by Captain J. next week. The +missionary of the Scotch General Assembly, and Mr. Hill, +opened a Lecture in a house in the square, opposite to the +Hindoo College: some of the youths attended; the College +council forbad them!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The history here referred to, is too instructive to +be omitted. It appears that not only serious christians, +but the friends of morality and social order +generally, and many of the parents of the students +in the Hindoo College, had become alarmed at observing, +that whilst the system of education pursued +in the College was subverting the pupils’ faith in +Hindooism, it was substituting no other faith instead. +Many of the students, in fact, were becoming +sceptics, others downright atheists. To obviate, if +it might be, the mischievous consequences likely to +result from such an education as that, it was determined +to give the students an opportunity for becoming +acquainted with the evidences of Natural and +Revealed religion. In order to this, Mr. Duff, the +Missionary of the Scotch church, having offered the +use of his rooms for the purpose, Mr. James Hill, +one of the Missionaries of the London Society, began +a course of lectures on the evidences of religion; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_485">[Pg 485]</span> +and many of the students of the Hindoo College +attended. The subjects discussed were exclusively +religious, and were listened to with marked attention. +But no sooner did it reach the ears of the Managers +of the Anglo-Indian College that these lectures were +attended by some of the students, than that attendance +was prohibited by a public order; as if Christianity +were the only religion that ought not to have +a hearing. It was stated at the time, in excuse for +such of the managers of the College as were Europeans, +that they had signed the order of prohibition +with a great degree of reluctance, and only because +some of the parents of the students had required the +council to interfere;—but it was not easy to understand +how the interdicting of those Students from +listening to Christian missionaries, could be distinguished +from an act of religious persecution. With +regard to the principle on which the Hindoo College +was carried on, it was stated by Archdeacon Corrie +in a letter to Mr. Sherer, that at the first interview +which the Archdeacon had with Lord William Bentinck, +he was led to observe to his Lordship that the +College was breeding up a race of Infidels and Philosophers +so called; and that the first petition for a +Colonial council would probably come from thence.</p> + +<p class="tall">The same subject forms a prominent portion of a +letter, in the following month,</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_486">[Pg 486]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 4, 1830.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I wish sometimes I could have an hour’s conversation +with you, for I know not how to set about writing all you +would like to hear. Ram Mohun Roy is a passenger in the +Albion. It is said he is become a Fakeer, and does not +lose caste by this proceeding. He has not called on the +present Bishop. The Hindoo college is working the ruin +of caste; and, unless better principles be insinuated, the +ruin of British interests. Miss B. visited the college last +week, and examined one of the classes in history. She +asked about America, and was informed very accurately of +its form of government, with high commendations of the +limited power of the President; and also of the office being +elective. On being asked if this had always been the condition +[of that country,] ‘It was answered, “That they +were formerly a Colony of England, but that on being taxed +excessively, they had taken upon them the governing of +themselves, as,” said the youth, “we shall one day do.” To +the question, of what religion were the Americans?’ It +was answered, ‘Protestant christians generally, and that +Unitarianism was making rapid progress among them.’ Mr. +Duff, the Scotch Missionary, goes a good deal into the +debating Societies, which these Bengalees have established +lately among themselves. Politics and religion are excluded +from the subjects of discussion, but when discoveries in +science or government happen to come up; France is eulogised +unboundedly, and America; but England, if referred +to, always depreciated. Thus our Rulers are preparing a +scourge for their own backs.... I hope, too, the counteracting +influence is at work. Mr. Duff has a school of +upwards of 200, in the Chitpore road, in the house where +first the Anglo-Hindoo College was held. The Methodist +missionaries have established themselves in that street, a +little below the Nietta Bazaar, and have a school of 115 +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_487">[Pg 487]</span> +Portuguese boys, and also some girls; and are collecting a +Congregation of that class. We have seventy boys at Mirzapore; +and now a regular congregation of upwards of thirty +Christians. Mrs. Wilson goes on as usual; and a school is, +I hope, in a fair way of being permanently established on +the ruins of the Grammar School. It is called the ‘High +school,’ and has ninety scholars, country-born. A very +energetic master is at the head of it. A Mariners’ Church +has been fitted up just behind Fairlie and Co’s. house in the +Strand. The attendance of sailors has not yet been large, +but we hope the place is gaining attention.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Soon after the date of the foregoing Letter, the +Archdeacon was attacked by fever, which almost +incapacitated him for attending to any public duty. +The transition, from the hot to the cold season, was +this year so sudden as to cause great unhealthiness in +Calcutta. The Archdeacon complained, in his correspondence, +of feeling great debility, and an “inefficiency +arising from lengthened residence in that +wasting climate.” It was during this sickness that +the following memorandum was penned<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 21, 1830. I have had much meditation of late +on the inward witness of the Spirit, as a part of christian +experience which few cultivate as they ought. Besides the +acknowledging of the truth of God’s word, there must be +an acquaintance with, and belief of its contents; and the +experience of it as influencing our tempers and every action. +Without this latter, there can be no ‘assuring of our hearts +before him.’ May I be enabled to realise this latter truth, +and persevere in seeking such realising views of God’s mercy +in Christ, as shall enable me to say, ‘He <i>loved me</i>, and +gave Himself <i>for me</i>! With this witness I shall be enabled +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_488">[Pg 488]</span> +to pass on the few years that seem to remain, with more +courage, decision, and usefulness.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It was not till the middle of January 1831, that +Archdeacon Corrie recovered some degree of health. +Then it was that he writes,</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“January 15, 1831.<br> +</p> + +<p>“We are, through God’s goodness, in our usual health +again. I had been ill since the beginning of November +with a cold, and for a time, with fever. The news from +France<a id="FNanchor_155" href="#Footnote_155" class="fnanchor">[155]</a> has given occasion to balls and dinners, and +speeches at the Town-Hall here:—may excesses be prevented, +and may the liberty obtained for Divine truth, be used for +extension through the whole continent of Europe. Doubtless, +‘The time of the end is coming,’ but what its distinct +features will be, I think the Scriptures do not define, except +as to the righteousness and peace that shall prevail. Here +truth advances with slow steps, but it is on the advance, +doubtless.... Missions are every where receiving additions +to their converts, though you know how little as yet +the people can be said to be interested.”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE SAME.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“February 24, 1831.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Missionary work looks more encouraging than I have +ever known it here. The classes are adding to their numbers, +especially in the villages to the south and west of Calcutta: +at a village called Rass-poonjee twelve miles south east, +the Church Missionary Society has a school. I was there +on Monday last with our Missionary ladies. There are +about fifty children, and a new movement appears in sixteen +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_489">[Pg 489]</span> +adults formed into an exercising school to learn to read. +The school-house was filled with people, who listened very +seriously, in several instances, with marks of approbation: +whilst, through a native Christian who understands English, +I set before them the fall of man, and the means of his restoration +to God and happiness.</p> + +<p>“Mrs. C. and I went to Burdwar last week.... We staid +a week with the V’s. Twenty-two of the European residents +attended the communion on Sunday. Among them +your shipmate, M. S. who is judge there. A gratifying fact +was established from considerable observation,—that not an +individual educated in the Mission-schools, has been brought +as a culprit before the magistrate there. The D’s have also +120 girls in four schools. I was grieved to observe that +amongst these favourable appearances there are few instances +of conversion so deep as one could wish. The +natives see the temporal advantage of being under a sahib’s +protection, and though sufferings connected with loss of +caste are, to a degree, unavoidable, other benefits accrue to +them. This is evidently favourable to the general diffusion +of Christian knowledge, but we need greatly, more of the +Holy Spirit’s grace. This has set us on a union in prayer, +after the method proposed by Mr. Brown in 1802. I will +send you soon some of the ‘proceedings.’</p> + +<p>“A newspaper called ‘The Reformer,’ has been set on +foot by natives, in English, of which four (weekly) numbers +have appeared, which I will also send you. ‘The schoolmaster +is abroad,’ but, as I have stated before, the influence +at work in the ‘Reformer,’ and all in that connexion, is +anti-English, and Christian only, as it cannot help being +so.<a id="FNanchor_156" href="#Footnote_156" class="fnanchor">[156]</a> But you will be glad to hear that a lecture on +‘Morals,’ is proposed for the Hindoo College.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_490">[Pg 490]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">Then after referring to some of the religious +movements which have already been mentioned, the +Archdeacon adds,</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“With all these favourable appearances, you will understand +that many perplexities arise in the detail of things. +The truth of that saying often appears—‘that if Christianity +were not divine, its own friends would prove its ruin.’ It +may not appear so manifest at home, but here, where the +contrast between truth and error is so marked, the errors of +those holding the truth work much evil.... Would that +we had some addition to the ‘moral strength,’ as Lord +Wellesley used to call it, of our department! What will +the new Charter produce? He who knoweth the end from +the beginning, is well aware; and knoweth how to overrule +all to his own glory! O for a stronger faith to look within +the veil, and to credit what the Saviour saith both in respect +to one’s self and the world at large! I know not how it is +with you, but I cannot but feel that the evening of life is +drawing on; and the expectation of escaping from these uncertainties +to the possession of eternal realities, is at times +welcome.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The “union in prayer,” to which the Archdeacon +here refers, was the result of a meeting of Clergymen, +held at his suggestion, in the Old Church rooms in +Calcutta, on the 28th of the preceding month, “to +take into consideration the propriety of uniting in +prayer, and engaging others to do so, for the outpouring +of the Holy Spirit.” It seemed to himself, +and others conversant with India, that the state of +religion among professing christians, and the widely +extended ignorance and error of heathen nations, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_491">[Pg 491]</span> +were such as to call forth the sympathies of all who +desired to further the prosperity of the Church of +Christ, and the conversion of the world. Considering, +however, that it is only by the Almighty power and +grace of God the Holy Ghost, that “the whole church +is governed and sanctified,” and that the preaching of +the Gospel is in an age or country made effectual to +the conversion and salvation of those who hear, it +was agreed by the Archdeacon and his clerical +friends, to set apart individually a stated portion of +time for the purpose of praying God “the Father, +that for Christ’s sake, He would pour His Spirit +upon all flesh.” They agreed, also, to engage +their congregations and friends, as much as possible, +to unite with them severally in prayer, at the same +stated time and for the same great object. The resolutions +agreed upon at the meeting were subscribed by +the Archdeacon and the other Clergymen, and were +embodied in a circular, in which also were pointed +out the special objects for which the influences of the +Holy Spirit should be sought. This circular seems +to have been reprinted, and made the subject of +supercilious animadversions in some of the Calcutta +newspapers. Nor was that matter for surprise; +since persons who had deluded themselves with the +belief that science and merely secular education, +were alone sufficient to make man what God would +have him to be, could not be expected to understand +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_492">[Pg 492]</span> +and enter into the convictions of those who regarding +the grace and influence of the Holy Ghost to be +essential to the true civilization of the world, prayed +and laboured accordingly.</p> + +<p class="tall">The allusion by the Archdeacon to the “errors of +those who held the truth,” was called forth by the +circumstance that some in India had been unsettled +by a Treatise on Faith, written by Mr. +Thomas Erskine, a Scotch advocate, and which had +recently reached Calcutta. This book, though of but +ephemeral existence, seems to have produced discussion +at the time, and excited in the Archdeacon +some fears lest it should have diverted the attention +of his friends from the great truths which accompany +salvation. His own reflections on Mr. Erskine’s +opinions are contained in a memorandum, dated</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“April 10, 1831. To-day I have attained fifty-four +years, and of these, twenty-nine spent in the ministry. In +review of the past, chiefly unprofitableness and unfaithfulness +is to be seen. My own defects are certainly becoming +more apparent to myself: the fulness and freeness of the +Gospel become increasingly glorious, and nothing but full, +free, unconditional forgiveness of all sin, and justification +from all things, would meet my case. With reference to +the past year, I do hope some progress has been made. +Much enquiry has been stirred up by Erskine’s view of the +Gospel: I have examined it with much anxiety, but see no +reason to change my former views on that subject. Pardon +is full and free to all who receive Christ, because life eternal +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_493">[Pg 493]</span> +is in Him; and whosoever receives Him cannot fail of life +eternal, yea, possesses it with Him. There may be some +occasion for Mr. E’s charge against some for referring exclusively +to fruits as an evidence of faith. I think I have +met with some who, whilst they acknowledge justification to +be exclusively of faith, yet depend on works to justify their +faith; and thus their dependence, after all, is on works. +Such, as far as I know myself, is not my feeling.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It has here to be stated that Bishop Turner had +quitted Calcutta at the end of September 1830, +with the intention of visiting the other Presidencies. +His Lordship had proceeded overland from Madras +to Bombay, and from thence had gone to Ceylon. +During his Visitation he had maintained a regular +correspondence with Archdeacon C. and seems now +to have been on his way back to Calcutta; for the +Archdeacon writes,</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, April 30, 1831.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Our kind Bishop is not yet returned, but we are expecting +him daily. He left Colombo on the 4th for Jaffna, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> +to Madras; and thence by sea hither. He is much out of +heart with Ceylon in everything but as respects Missionary +work; and he says that the Church Missionary Society +has done, and is doing enough there, to answer all the +expenditure ever incurred by it. I am desiring him back +greatly, the times seeming to call for him here, for which +his wisdom and pious liberality will, I hope, be found just +suited.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_494">[Pg 494]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">Then follow some instructive particulars respecting +the Anglo-Hindoo College.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The Hindoo college you knew when yet in embryo, and +your conclusion of an argument with H. M. is beginning to +be realized, ‘Well, well, build away, and some will come +after you who will use it in a proper manner.’ The mode +proceeded on, has succeeded in detaching many of the +Hindoo youths from religion of every kind. In sentiment +this has appeared for three or four years, it now begins to +appear in practice. At the late East Indian dinner, sixteen +Hindoo lads had bought tickets to go, actually determining +to break through all restraints. This was however prevented; +Sir E. R., Mr. C., and J. Y. were the means of preventing +their young friends from doing this open violence to +Hindoo feeling; but one youth of the Moterjee family has +left his home, and taken a house, determined to live +in European fashion. He was, also, about to marry a +young woman of Portuguese origin, one of the De Rozio +family, but this I am told is put off. The main mover in +the meeting among the Hindoos is D., the poet. Mr. H. +W. became so convinced of the need of morals to the +Hindoo College system, that he proposed a moral philosophy +lecture, and D. as the lecturer. W. B., who is one of the +Committee of Public Education, let his colleagues, who +had consented, know the character of D. and it was agreed +best to postpone the appointment; and now D. is dismissed +from the Hindoo College on a charge, by respectable +Hindoos, of Atheism. He stoutly denied the charge; but +they said, ‘We see your works.’ It is evident the English +I have named, are at their wit’s end. The young men +say, they will no longer be guilty of the hypocrisy +of upholding Hindooism. Christianity they have been +warned against as an English prejudice; and they seem to +hate Christianity and England heartily. Their advisers now +say, ‘Wait for Ram Mohun Roy’s return.’ In the mean +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_495">[Pg 495]</span> +time, some of the youths are gone to other schools. Upwards +of fifty have left the Hindoo College, six are entered +at the High School. Mrs. Wilson has a party daily of from +ten to fifteen who come expressly to read the Scriptures with +her. One begged for an English Testament, Mrs. W. said, +‘You can understand Bengalee better,’ but, said she, ‘I dare +not take a Bengalee one home. An English one my friends +will not suspect, and I can read it at leisure.’ Two come +daily to Mr. Sandys at Mirzapore, professedly to be assisted +in preparing their lessons; but they always also read the +Bible. They are not of the first in wealth; that class seem +to a man opposed to every thing English. Not a movement +in favour of religion in any form is heard of. This has +arisen in a degree, from the part R. and his friends,<a id="FNanchor_157" href="#Footnote_157" class="fnanchor">[157]</a> have +been and are playing. They complain as if they had lost +mighty privileges once in possession, and claim to be employed +by the state, as a matter of right. This I think has +arisen from Government having withheld all patronage from +plans of Christian improvement. The little they are advanced +above former days, is entirely through their own +exertions. Yet two thirds of them are raised above the +station their fathers held, and their pretensions are ridiculous. +With them, however, the enlightened Hindoos seem +disposed to make common cause. They can effect nothing +at present, but the <i>impolicy</i>, not to say the sin, of withholding +christian instruction is now beginning to appear.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a letter to Mr. Sherer of a somewhat later date, +the Archdeacon mentions other incidents connected +with the Hindoo College, which may here be fitly +related.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The Hindoo College,” he writes, “has borne some +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_496">[Pg 496]</span> +fruit, not agreeable to those who planted it. The young +men are many of them licentious to a degree. The more +moral of them are scoffers at all that is good. One very +clever youth, after feasting with his friends on beef, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> +threw the bones into a neighbouring Brahmin’s compound.<a id="FNanchor_158" href="#Footnote_158" class="fnanchor">[158]</a> +The Brahmin and his friends attacked the convivial party, +and a sad <i>fracas</i> ensued. One of the lads comes often to +me, and I am not without hopes of him.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Bishop Turner arrived in Calcutta on the 4th of +May 1831, but he was in a state of health, which +excited much apprehension among his friends. As +also, his health continued to decline after his return +to Calcutta, a voyage to Penang and New South +Wales was recommended, in the hope that his valuable +life might be prolonged; but the rapid decay of +the Bishop’s strength rendered it necessary for him +to abandon all thoughts of leaving home. On the +29th of June a still further change for the worse took +place; so that Archdeacon Corrie writes,</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“July 4, 1831.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I regret to say that our Bishop is in but a very indifferent +state. He came back to us early in May unwell; +and the debility has increased till hope of his continuance +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_497">[Pg 497]</span> +among us is well nigh taken away. His disease is some +internal disarrangement. This was excited into activity by +the fatigue and heat he had to endure whilst on his visitation +of the other Presidencies. He is dying, we fear, of debility, +with occasional paroxysms of short breathing.... I do not +like to give up the hope of his living: though it would seem +unbrotherly under these circumstances, to let a ship go +without acquainting you with our state. To me the loss +would be the greatest I have experienced out of my own +family. The kindness and confidence with which he has +treated me, and the benefit I have derived from his conversation, +must ever be deeply felt. To the Indian Church +the loss will be greater than any yet suffered. He unites +the best qualities of his predecessors, with the knowledge +of the business of a clergyman, in the conducting of schools, +management of charities, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> Just now [three <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>] +his medical attendant reports the Bishop worse. The Lord +be gracious to this land, and bring light out of this +darkness!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Within three days of the date of this letter, the +Indian church was deprived for the fourth time of its +chief Pastor, by the death of Bishop Turner. +Among the Archdeacon’s papers is the following +account of the last illness of the Bishop.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“On Saturday evening, the 2nd of July, the Bishop +first spoke to me as if he were not to remain in India. +After our evening drive I accompanied him up stairs, and +he indicated a wish that I should sit down with him in the +drawing-room. ‘He was going to Penang,’ he said, ‘and +if he did not recover there as he expected, should proceed +to New South Wales. He now had seen enough of the +Diocese to judge of the state of religion generally amongst +us. He thought the state as favourable as, under present +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_498">[Pg 498]</span> +circumstances, he could well expect. He judged too it +would be progressive. There is a sad deficiency of clergy, +but, notwithstanding, many active agents are at work:’ and +he alluded to several laymen, especially officers, of whom +he had spoken, as wisely and diligently attending to schools +in different places he had visited. ‘That no difficulties +manifested themselves, at present, in the administration +of ecclesiastical affairs, and that he should leave India without +anxiety.’</p> + +<p>“2. The Bishop had intended to have crossed the river +next morning, in order to partake of the Lord’s Supper, in +Bishop’s College Chapel. I was afraid he might not be +able; and had made arrangements for the duty at Barrackpore, +in order to remain with him: as I had, indeed, before, +from his saying early in June, after he could not go to +church, ‘these dull Sundays destroy me.’ I had, therefore, +remained at home two Sundays; and though he said +nothing on the subject, I had the satisfaction to see that it +was agreeable to him. On the evening of the 2nd, the +Bishop said, ‘he felt it would be too much for him to cross +the river;’ and he gladly assented to my proposal to have +communion at home, after my return from morning sermon, +in the Old Church. Accordingly, about half-past-twelve, on +Sunday, the 3rd, the Bishop, Mrs. Corrie, and Miss Bird, +assembled in the drawing-room: preparations having been +previously made. It was a very solemn occasion. He was +able to kneel only whilst receiving the elements. After +communicating, Mrs. Corrie left the room, being much +moved, and unwilling to give him pain by shewing it. After +a short pause, the Bishop said, ‘How many blessings have +we to be thankful for?’ ‘I have often enjoyed these ordinances +in administering them, but a person must be in my +circumstances to feel the value of them.’ ‘I have growing +evidence that I know in whom I have trusted:’ and then +went on to contrast the uncertainty attending science, with +the certainty religion supplies. ‘A little knowledge of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_499">[Pg 499]</span> +science,’ he said, ‘makes us confident; but as we advance, +we feel less certainty; whilst the more we advance in religious +knowledge, the greater certainty we attain.’ I here +left the room, and the Bishop continued in conversation with +Miss B. for some time respecting family matters. In the +evening, the Bishop retired, for the first time, before tea.</p> + +<p>“3. On Monday, he did not leave his room; and his +medical attendant being now in the house, I merely saw +him twice, on going into his room to enquire after him. In +the evening he went out in the <i>Tonjon</i>, and spoke to me, on +the bank of the river, about a marriage which he had been +consulted upon; but he was soon tired, and retired to his +room, without coming into the drawing-room.</p> + +<p>“4. On Tuesday, he did not leave his couch. I saw +him early: he was very unwell; and his medical attendant +being constantly with him, I did not go into the room again +till about 4 <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> He then requested me to make known to +Mr. Robertson of Bareilly, the state of weakness into which +it had pleased God to bring him. After which he said, ‘he +enquired not after Mrs. Corrie, but he felt deeply the kindness +she had uniformly manifested.’ ‘He desired his kind +love to her; and that she should be told he felt his obligation.’ +On my saying that, ‘had he been able to come into +the drawing-room, she had hoped to see him in the evening, +and would be glad to come to his room:’ he said with emotion, +‘he thought he would rather be spared.’ ‘He did +not,’ he said, ‘speak much to me on the state of the diocese; +I knew it as well as he did, and in some respects better; and +added, ‘I say with truth, I feel no reluctance to leave things +as they are. There was nothing of importance claiming +immediate attention, and should any difficulty arise, you will +get over it.’</p> + +<p>“The faithfulness of God to His word was referred to by +him; and on my mentioning an expression of the late <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> +D. Brown, on his death-bed, viz. ‘The Lord’s will is best. +His way is best. His time is best.’ The Bishop added, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_500">[Pg 500]</span> +‘that he greatly needed the intercession of his friends, that +such might be his state of mind.’</p> + +<p>“5. In the night of the 5th, [the Bishop] being restless, +the doctor asked, ‘if he would like me to come and sit beside +him?’ On his assenting, I was called; I went to his +bed-side, he took me kindly by the hand and said, ‘he feared +he interrupted me.’ He then began to say, ‘how happy he +should be, could he speak to the natives in their own tongue;’ +and referred to his head-bearer. I offered to speak to him +in Hindoostanee; but the Bishop said, ‘not now, he is +fearfully untutored.’ He spoke a good deal on subjects of +religion, connected with his own state; of the insufficiency of +learning, talents, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, without the blessing of God; +how often God brings about great things by small means; +and instruments we should not have thought of. After +about an hour, he asked me to pray with him; then said, +‘he would try to compose himself to rest.’</p> + +<p>“6. Wednesday, July 6th, was a day of intense and incessant +suffering, from difficulty of breathing. He seemed +unable to attend to any thing; but on Miss B. going into the +room, he desired her to read to him a Psalm, and conversed +about a quarter of an hour on points which occurred in +reading. About 4 o’clock I went into his room: I observed, +that ‘I feared he had had a trying day.’ He said with +emphasis, ‘<i>Very.</i>’</p> + +<p>“On my saying, ‘that when he felt able to attend, if he +would just express his wishes, I should be glad to wait upon +him for prayer:’ he assented. He after some time observed, +in broken sentences, (for his articulation had become indistinct) +‘That we do not arrange matters in religion sufficiently +for ourselves.’ More I could not understand. In +order to keep up the train of thought, I said that ‘our mercy +consists in that the covenant is ordered in all things and +sure.’ He assented, and said, ‘but to those who were +orderly there might be more of joy and peace in believing.’ +I said ‘in great bodily distress, it seemed to me, there could +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_501">[Pg 501]</span> +be little beside a child-like reliance on a father’s care and +love.’ He said, ‘I have an assured hope:’ and added, +‘that we want God to do some great thing for us, that shall +prevent the necessity of humiliation, and closing with +Christ.’ After this I read a hymn, ‘Jesus the way, the +truth, the life.’ He said, ‘that one feeling was universal, it +pervaded all hearts.’ In continuation I read the hymn, +‘This God is the God we adore;’ and then prayed out of +the Visitation of the Sick, ending with the Lord’s prayer, +and ‘The grace of our Lord, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>,’ to which he added a fervent +‘Amen.’ After a pause, the Bishop broke out in prayer: +‘O thou God of all grace, stablish, strengthen, settle us. +Have mercy on all, that they may come to the knowledge of +the truth, and be saved. There is none other name given +by which they <i>can</i> be saved. Other foundation can no man +lay.’ On his ceasing, I added, ‘and this is a <i>sure</i> foundation.’ +On which his feelings were much moved; and the +doctor coming in, our conversation ended.</p> + +<p>“In the evening, it was found that the Bishop’s articulation +had failed. He spoke no more after the above +recorded prayer, expressing feelings amongst the most appropriate +that could have occupied the thoughts of a dying +man. He manifested little, if any, consciousness, during +the remaining hours he lived; breathing the whole time +with great difficulty. About ten o’clock he was helped from +his bed to an easy chair, from which he did not again move; +nor did he appear to sleep, or to get the least repose or +cessation from suffering. His appearance exhibited the +most perfect picture that can be conceived, of patient endurance. +Not a word or a look indicated a wish or a want.</p> + +<p>“7. About half-past-six, he changed for death. I read the +Commendatory Prayer, and we watched for his departure. +About half-past-eight, another change came on to a state of +less suffering, but of more weakness; and the lingering +spirit took its flight, at a quarter before ten on the morning +of the 7th of July.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_502">[Pg 502]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">The Archdeacon appended the following note:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have not inserted the answers I made, on many of the +occasions here referred to. What is in the third person is +the substance of what was said; and the words as nearly as I +could remember them. What are given as the Bishop’s +words, were spoken as written.”<a id="FNanchor_159" href="#Footnote_159" class="fnanchor">[159]</a></p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Having watched over the death-bed of Bishop +Turner, there yet remained to the Archdeacon the +afflicting office of preaching the Funeral Sermon. +This he did on Sunday, July 10th; and one who +was present on that occasion related, that the preacher +was enabled to discharge “with firmness and strength +of voice, though with deep feeling,” the mournful +duty which had devolved upon him. The estimate +which an almost brotherly intimacy with the deceased +enabled the Archdeacon to form of Bishop +Turner’s worth, was thus summed up<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We have left us, in the character of our departed Bishop, +an example of one who sought glory, honour, and +immortality, by patient continuance in well-doing. He +began where the scriptures teach us to begin—with personal +religion. He had low thoughts of himself. He was seriously +affected with a sense of his frailties and unworthiness, and +rested his hope of salvation, only on the mercy of God in +Jesus Christ. He had attained, in a remarkable degree, +the spirit of self-controul; so that he was to a considerable +extent a copy of the great Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, +whose word is “Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly.” +He took Revelation for his guide; and whilst the Tri-une +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_503">[Pg 503]</span> +God of the Bible was the object of his adoration, the will +of God was the rule of his practice.</p> + +<p>“In his peculiar office he came near to the apostolical +standard [given] in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus. Of his +learning, and capacity for perpetuating an order of ministers +in the church, it would require one of a similar measure of +learning and piety to speak, but all could judge that as a +Bishop he was blameless and free from reproach. Moderate +in all his habits and pursuits. Disinterested in a high degree, +and free from all suspicion of the love of money. He was apt +to teach—a true labourer in the word and doctrine—sober +in judgment—wise to solve difficulties—of a compassionate +spirit—and heartily desirous of men’s eternal good.... +The lively sense he had of his own responsibility rendered him +more keenly alive to such defects in any of those under his +authority, as might hinder their usefulness, or do injury to +the cause they had solemnly pledged themselves to serve. +He felt himself bound, therefore, when occasion arose, to +reprove and to rebuke ‘with all authority.’ An assured +hope that in being released from the body, he should be +with Christ, strengthened our departed Prelate to endure +protracted and intense bodily suffering with patience and +fortitude not to be surpassed; till at length, being released +from this strife of nature, he entered into that eternal life to +which he had long aspired!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">With reference to the death of the Bishop, Archdeacon +Corrie also writes,</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 6, 1831.<br> +</p> + +<p>“At first my mind was more stunned, than by any loss +yet experienced. It seemed such a mark of divine withdrawing; +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_504">[Pg 504]</span> +and yet the deceased would have argued the contrary. +He used to say, that ‘designs which took all at +once, seldom held a long course:’ and I desire to draw +this inference,—that seeing the Lord tries us, He will at +length establish us.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">By the demise of Bishop Turner, the Archdeacon +had for the fourth time to administer the affairs of +the diocese. In the letter just quoted he adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am again Commissary for this See, and feel myself +adequate to the charge. The routine of duty is familiar to +me; and I can act with more decision from feeling my +ground.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">At the same time he had to contend alone with +such difficulties as might occur, there being less of +co-operation oftentimes than would have been desirable. +The Archdeacon’s observation on that point +in another letter is, that</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“A Bishop has but to signify his will, and those who do +not like it, will not oppose it; but with a mere <i>Locum tenens</i>, +friends argue and opposers shew themselves. I do +what I can to carry friends with me, and overrule, as I am +able, objectors, or leave them behind. I feel as before and +more than ever, the undesirableness of power, beyond a +small measure. Not to recommend measures of emolument +<abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, to Government, is to ‘act unkindly;’ and to interfere to +prevent abuses is to be an ‘enemy.’ ... But in nothing have I +more to be thankful for, than in the strength given me to +bear these things; persisting at the same time, in the measures +I think right.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">This kind of wear and tear of body and mind, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_505">[Pg 505]</span> +coupled with separation from his children and relatives, +seems to have very much tended to foster a +desire in the Archdeacon to leave India at the first +opportunity that might warrant such a step. His +feelings with regard to that subject, had indeed been +so frequently expressed, in his own correspondence, +and, also, in that of Mrs. Corrie with their children, +that his family fully expected that he would return +to England when the newly-appointed Bishop should +arrive in Calcutta. It was therefore, with reference +to this, that he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 22, 1831.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I yesterday received a letter from Mr. Goode of Clapham: +he had seen you a few days before he wrote, and said +you were expecting that I might be on the way home. I +dare say I write very differently on the subject at different +times. To-day we have had rain, and the thermometer +being only 82°, I feel active; and after all, much of the +want of elasticity experienced, must perhaps be put to the +account of years. I know not whether you read Blackwood, +but the article ‘Christopher North taking a day’s shooting,’ +reminded me of much of the cause of my own ailments. +On buttoning on his gaiters and preparing for the walk, he +found his instep had lost something of its spring. This is +my case, and it would be vain to expect to regain that +spring, in any country or clime.... What I have sometimes +thought of, as to coming home, is to leave this about +January 1833; but circumstances may put it off to 1834, +even if life be spared.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_506">[Pg 506]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">Then with reference to what was called the “Reform +Bill,” and the origin of the “Trinitarian +Bible Society,” the Archdeacon <span class="lock">observes:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“All affairs here appear flat, compared with the spirit-stirring +events that are occurring around you. I, on my +first voyage, attempted a Poem, beginning with something +about, ‘Britain, the glory of all lands.’ Parson got +hold of it, and by his well-deserved raillery cured me of the +only poetical fit, with which I was ever visited. But whether +Britain is to continue the glory of all lands, appears +now to be doubtful. Well: we must look more at the +Church; of which ‘glorious things’ are still ‘spoken.’ +The part of it called the Church of England, is exposed +from within as well as from without. Captain Gordon’s +proceedings, if persisted in, will throw the weight of the +Bible Society into the dissenting interest, by withdrawing +the wrong-heads in the church who adhere to him.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the same subject the Archdeacon observes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We have heard with much concern of the proceedings +of Captain Gordon and his friends in the Bible Society: +to me it indicates the breaking up of the Society, and the +splitting of the religious world into small, powerless parties.... +How it grieves one to see men pass by all the political +patrons, the trafficking beneficiaries, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, and make this +ado about Socinian participation in giving away Bibles! +The whole of their arguments go on the idea of the Bible +Society being the <i>Church</i>, than which nothing can be more +vague: not one act of church-membership is performed +by the Bible Society.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_507">[Pg 507]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">About the same date the Archdeacon writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS SISTER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The sound of most of the controversies which occupy +you at home, reaches us here; and I think there was some +reason for the accusation against many pious ministers, +who make sanctification almost the Saviour: whereas true +and effectual holiness arises from clear views of reconciliation +to God by Christ. Not theoretical views, but that +heart-felt sense of the preciousness of the Saviour, which +only those who experience it can understand, and which +every believer should seek to realize more and more. On the +other hand, we have an instance or two of young converts +entering into this view, so as to go beyond their experience, +and afterwards to become greatly perplexed. May we, +dearest sister, learn more and more of that expression,—‘The +life I live ... I live by the faith of the Son of +God?’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Among the important objects which engaged the +attention of the late Bishop Turner, was that of providing +additional accommodation for public worship; +and by his lordship’s exertions in that respect, arrangements +had been made for building three additional +churches in and about Calcutta. One of these was +designed to be connected with the Free School; so +as not only to enable the whole of the children in +that establishment to attend public worship on the +School premises, but, also, to serve for the accommodation +of the immediate neighbourhood in which the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_508">[Pg 508]</span> +School was situate. Many circumstances, however, +occurred after Bishop Turner’s death to retard the +completion of the Free-School Church, but this +having been at length effected, the Church was +opened on <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 20, 1831, the Archdeacon preaching +on the occasion, from Matt. xviii. 11. The sermon +was afterwards printed; and on mentioning this in +a letter to his brother, the Archdeacon observes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I know the Sermon is worth little but for local circumstances, +and that I have had to contend with some cross-grained +spirits, since the Bishop’s death, to get the Church +opened at all. The Sermon will, I hope, counteract their +misrepresentations with the public.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Some additional and more striking results of education +without religion, began now to attract attention. +Those Hindoo philosophers, as they were +called, who boasted of their desire to rescue their +countrymen from ignorance and superstition, had +begun to take alarm at the freedom with which some +of the natives, who had been educated at the Hindoo +College, were attacking the Brahminical faith and +morals. They therefore, somewhat inconsistently, +resolved to hold no communication with any who +impugned the Hindoo system; and went so far as +to procure the ejection from house and home, of the +native editor of a paper called “The Enquirer,” +because he continued fearlessly to expose Hindooism. +On the other hand, the sceptical and infidel portion +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_509">[Pg 509]</span> +of the Native community, avowed their sentiments +whenever occasion occurred, and acted out their education +without reserve. A curious incident, illustrative +of this state of mind occurred in the December +of 1831. A large importation of “Paine’s Age of +Reason” had arrived from America for sale in Calcutta, +and a native bookseller, by way of experiment, +fixed the price of the book at one rupee. At first, a +few copies only were sold at this low price; but the +work was found so exactly to fall in with the principles +and tastes of the young enlightened Baboos of +Calcutta, that at the end of five days the bookseller +had not a copy of Paine’s blasphemy left, although +the price had been raised to as high as five rupees +the single copy. As was to be expected, moreover, +the same Hindoo liberalists, who persecuted such of +their native brethren as exposed the Brahminical superstition, +were ready enough to avail themselves +of an opportunity to shew their hostility to Christianity. +They accordingly had portions of the “Age +of Reason,” translated into Bengalee, and published +in one of their newspapers; calling upon the Christian +missionaries at large, and on the Archdeacon by +name, to answer Paine’s infidel lucubrations. Several, +however, of the most respectable of the Hindoos +in Calcutta, expressed their disapprobation of this +proceeding, and deprecated all notice of the publication.</p> + +<p class="tall"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_510">[Pg 510]</span> +At Christmas-tide the Archdeacon took part in +the admission of some native converts into the Church +of Christ. It was on the 26th of <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 1831, that +the Chapel at Mirzapore was filled with native +Christians, the children from St. James’ and Infant +Schools, and the friends of missions, from Calcutta +and neighbourhood. Divine service commenced by +the Native Christians singing a Bengalee hymn; +and during Morning Prayer, the Sacrament of baptism +was administered to ten native adults, and eight +native children. At this season, too, it was, that +there was an examination of the schools, and a dinner +provided for the native Christians and their children; +of which the following lively account was given by +the Archdeacon</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS DAUGHTERS.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The christians at the Church-Mission-house, dined all +together on Monday last. There were 190 who sat down +to dinner, as they report of the Lord Mayor’s and other +such feasts; and why may we not say so of this feast, though +they all sat on the ground? They had, moreover, three +courses and a desert. Plantain leaves being placed, one +for each, with a little space between. They then seated +themselves, each behind this plate of Nature’s manufacture. +Then came the cooks, and gave, one, a large spoonful of +rice, another, a portion of vegetable curry. (I should premise, +there was rice enough for each, placed at once, and a +small portion of curry.) This latter being discussed, a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_511">[Pg 511]</span> +portion of meat-curry was then placed beside the remaining +rice,—after this, sweet-meats, and then fruit. When all +were arranged, and ready to begin, Roop, the catechist, +said a grace;—rather too long, I thought, as, I dare say, +thought some of the hungry children. They seemed all +very happy. It was a day of thankfulness to many of us. +Ten years ago, there was not one christian connected with +this Mission; now, of these about one hundred and fifty +are connected with Krishnagur. Some of them residing in +the neighbouring villages, the remainder were guests, connected +with other Missions. All were feasted for about four +pounds, which your papa supplied. There were some English +friends, too, with Mr. Sandys. We all assembled in the +Chapel for worship at twelve o’clock, and it was quite +filled; so that if things prosper, as we hope they will, the +Chapel must soon be enlarged.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Except when occasions like these called the Archdeacon +from home, his time was now chiefly spent +between Calcutta and Barrackpore. He appears, +too, to have continued the custom originated by the +late Bishop, of allowing any friends who might chuse +to attend his family-worship on Friday-evenings; and +to many were those social meetings the means of instruction. +Respecting himself, he observes in a memorandum, +dated</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Barrackpore, April 22, 1832.<br> +</p> + +<p>“On the 10th of this month, I completed 55 years. +Great mercies on the part of God, great ingratitude on my +part, appear in review. Such has been my history throughout. +I do not look on it as a thing of course, but as a +proof of the inveterate nature of human depravity; and as +setting forth the unutterable condescension and love of God, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_512">[Pg 512]</span> +the Saviour. I would not have it continue; whilst I am +sure if left to myself it will continue, and continuing must +exclude me from Heaven. My expectation, and my desire +is, to be saved from sin; and I thank God, through Jesus +Christ, that thus it will be. The prospect before me, if life +be spared, is full of anxiety. I feel very reluctant to quit +India. I had intended to have spent my life here; but +that implied an useful life. My present appointment has +operated to make my defects more manifest. Who would +have thought, when I was glad of release from the duties +of the Presidency, (being from debility unable to perform +them,) that so much publicity would have followed? Who +could have calculated on the Bishops being removed, one +after another? This is the Lord’s doing. If I have not +brought discredit on my religious profession, it is also of +Him. He has hid me in ‘the secret of his pavilion’: I +feel this most sensibly.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Archdeacon’s correspondence shews that the +anxiety here expressed respecting the future, was +much increased by the accounts which reached +India of that turbulent spirit, which now pervaded +England; and which had been called forth and fostered +by unprincipled men; who, in the absence of +arguments, derived from truth and righteousness, in +favour of their schemes of reform, did not scruple to +recommend the use of the brick-bat and the bludgeon. +Thus in writing</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_513">[Pg 513]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“April 25, 1832.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The overland news have reached us up to the 13th +January. Very troublous times seem coming over you. +May the Lord avert or guide the storm, as He surely will! +But who may be swept away in its violence, who can say? +What anxiety you must have experienced about Lucy during +the riots at Bristol! And now again burnings have commenced +in various parts. These things make the prospect +Englandwards very dreary, and add to the natural indecision +of my mind as to what it may be right to do, respecting +having our children here, or going to them. Yet I expect +and confidently believe, that when the time comes our path +will be plain.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">And with reference to the same subject he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The rejection of the Reform Bill by the House of Lords, +seems very disastrous. I think they did their duty, but the +late promotions in the Church look as if the proverb were +about to be realized, ‘Quem Deus vult perdere <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>’ +What can result from the influence of such men but laxity +of doctrine and of practice, and changes in every department? +Change may be required in some things, but they +should be men who fear God and reverence his word, who +make the changes. Well: <i>the Church</i> shall stand to which +we belong. The Rock, Christ, is not to be shaken by these +convulsions.—Yet these troubles in Old England distress +me much, not only for the sake of the land of my fathers, +but as affecting the determination I shall be obliged to come +to, if spared a few months longer, as to return or not return +to you. Sometimes friends here say, I shall have the offer +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_514">[Pg 514]</span> +of becoming Bishop, or one of the Bishopricks of India. +This I do not myself think; or when the thought occurs, it +creates only fear lest the offer should be made.... Ever +since I left college, present duties have required present exertion; +and if I have any reputation for discretion, it is, +because like the owl, I have preserved silence on points on +which I was ignorant. With these true thoughts of myself, +every occasion of publicity has brought me only secret humiliation; +with, at times, overflowing feelings of thankfulness +to God, who ‘out of the mouths of babes ordains +praise.’ But now my secret desire is for privacy. This perhaps, +is at the bottom, after all, of that hankering I feel +after what I always called Home. Though England since +our father’s death, presents no [particular] home to my +mind, the Island generally is home; and should it be the will +of God that I come among you, a small circle will bound my +affections. And yet I should soon love all those whom my +brothers and sister love, and all who have shewn kindness to +the children of our love. But when I should be loosing my +cords and preparing to take down the earthly house of this +tabernacle, I may be in danger of becoming more attached +to the passing scene. So, after all, there is no safety but in +fearing always.</p> + +<p>“All things here continue much as usual, except indeed, +that the great reductions in the army have led to the display +in several parts of the country of a disposition to plunder and +to insurrection. It is not, I apprehend, from dissatisfaction +with this more than with any other government, which +might have been in possession. But it is human nature unrestrained +by the outward or inward influence of Christianity: +and our men in authority will not learn, how much +they owe to the Gospel, even as it respects this life, in restraining +the evil passions of mankind. A small offering to +the idol, of any plunder gained, sanctifies the remainder to +the possessors: and now that so much country is left without +the presence of any military force, why should not the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_515">[Pg 515]</span> +natives help themselves to whatever is within reach? This +is the spirit at work in much of this land.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Meanwhile the preaching of the gospel was not +without effect, for the Archdeacon was able to inform</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“July 7, 1832.<br> +</p> + +<p>“In our mission this year, 108 have been added to the +Church, of whom seventy-two are adults; and there is a +growing willingness in the natives to listen to the Gospel. +We have a converted Jew,<a id="FNanchor_160" href="#Footnote_160" class="fnanchor">[160]</a> also, seeking the welfare of the +lost sheep of the house of Israel; and Mr. Wolff is in the +Punjab on his way hither. He has been imprisoned, bastindoed, +made to work as a slave, and scarcely reached Peshawar +alive; but now Runjeet Singh, hearing of his connection +by marriage with the Governor General, has sent him a +guard of honour; and he who was yesterday literally a beggar, +finds himself treated as a prince.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In the following month the Archdeacon had the +happiness to witness the baptism of one of those +native youths, who have been already mentioned in +connection with the Hindoo College in Calcutta;<a id="FNanchor_161" href="#Footnote_161" class="fnanchor">[161]</a> +and of whom several, by attending the lectures of +Mr. Duff and Mr. Hill, on the Evidences of Religion, +had been led into a belief of the truth of the Bible, +as a revelation from God. The youth in question +was baptised in the Old Church on the 26th of +August, and soon after became a student in Bishop’s +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_516">[Pg 516]</span> +College. The decided preference, however, which +this youth and others evidenced for the Church of +England, seems to have occasioned much annoyance +to many, of whom better things might have been +hoped.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The Baptists,” as the Archdeacon writes to his +sister, “did all they could to prejudice them [the native +youths] against us: so that when the youth referred to, +came to talk over the Baptismal service, all the usual objections +were familiar to him; but he was satisfied with the explanations +so often rendered of them. These,” adds the +Archdeacon, “are little refreshments amidst much to depress +us: for the spirit which is abroad in England, is also +spreading here. Many are not only disposed to favour dissent, +but to discourage the Church. Here, where are no +tithes or exactions to complain of, we might expect to be let +alone. But no: we must be pulled down, if possible, from +the elevation we have gained. Our Governor General and his +Lady have done much towards this, by going alike nearly to +Church and meeting; so Mr. J. Hill publishes a book to explain, +as he professed, the principles of Independency, but it +is in reality a collection of the bitterest things which have +been uttered from time to time, against Establishments in +general, and the Church of England in particular. It has +however, answered his end with few or none; whilst it has +exposed to many the bitterness they would not believe could +dwell under so meek an exterior.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">So again the Archdeacon in writing to his brother +observes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Here we have no tithes, no collection of Church-dues, +to call forth ill feeling. We interfere in no way but in our +religious character, yet this offends.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_517">[Pg 517]</span></p> + +<p>It might truly be said that there was “much to +depress” the spirit of a Christian, when such persons +as Mr. Hill professed to be, could have so carefully +treasured up, to be poured forth as occasion served, +“the bitterest things which had been uttered against +the Church of England;” because such a proceeding +must have given reason for doubting the religious sincerity +of the parties themselves. (Phil. <abbr title="one">i.</abbr> 15; 1 Cor. +xiii. 1-3.) Whatever evils might have been connected +with “establishments in general, and with the +Church of England in particular;” no person with truth +could charge those evils upon that Church in India. On +the contrary, it was impossible to overlook the extensive +good which our Church was at that moment effecting, +in every corner of the Eastern empire; and that by +means of funds as unconnected with the State, as Mr. +Hill himself could have desired. If history and experience +therefore, had not explained, that it was +Episcopacy and not Establishments that called forth +the sad exhibition of Independency of which the +Archdeacon complained, this outbreak of Mr. Hill +and his friends must have appeared most unaccountable. +The Archdeacon therefore, being fully +aware that the question to be decided was, “The office +of the ministry, is it of Christ, or only by the suffrages +and allowance of the people?” reprinted, (but without +any allusion to Mr. Hill’s book,) Hey’s tract on the +three-fold ministry of the New Testament; and as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_518">[Pg 518]</span> +subsidiary to this tract, Dr. Mill printed Chillingworth +on the Apostolical institution of Episcopacy. Both +were eagerly read, and many who scarcely knew the +difference between the Church and dissent, had now +their eyes effectually opened. Amidst such causes +for sorrow, there were counterbalancing occasions for +rejoicing. In the letter to his sister already referred +to, the Archdeacon writes:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am not without fruit in my own sphere. Several +respectable Mahommedans have come most mornings, for +some months past, to read the scriptures with me. Two of +them were baptised about a month since, and two are to be +baptised to-morrow (<abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> 5.) and new enquirers are often +appearing; so that there seems a prospect of a native +Church being gathered from that class, in time.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The baptisms here spoken of as expected to occur, +took place in the mission-chapel at Mirzapore on the +5th of September. One of the parties baptised was +a young person of talent and great respectability, +who had gone through the usual course of education +at the Mahommedan College, with a view to his becoming +a Molwee. The sacrament was administered +by the Archdeacon, who conducted the service in +Hindoostanee. After the baptism, he addressed the +European portion of the congregation, exhorting +them “to take heed, lest whilst the natives of India +were thus entering into the kingdom of God, they, +the professors of the Christian name, should come +short of everlasting life.”</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_153" href="#FNanchor_153" class="label">[153]</a> +Writers.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_154" href="#FNanchor_154" class="label">[154]</a> +Chief station.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_155" href="#FNanchor_155" class="label">[155]</a> +Respecting the revolution which placed Louis Philippe on the +throne.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_156" href="#FNanchor_156" class="label">[156]</a> +Nothing could be worse than the state of the Native press about +this time. Besides papers published in English, there were nine +or ten in the Bengalee language, some of which contained the most +polluting language and sentiments.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_157" href="#FNanchor_157" class="label">[157]</a> +These were the Anglo-Indians, who, for some time past, had +been clamouring for political privileges.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_158" href="#FNanchor_158" class="label">[158]</a> +It will be remembered that animals of the ox-tribe are sacred +among the Hindoos; so that whilst the “feasting on beef” manifested +the greatest contempt for Hindooism on the part of the youths; +no greater insult and profanation could have been inflicted on the +Brahmin than to have ox-bones thrown into his premises.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_159" href="#FNanchor_159" class="label">[159]</a> +Some notices of Bishop Turner are collected in the Missionary +Register, for March and May 1832.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_160" href="#FNanchor_160" class="label">[160]</a> +Mr. Samuel.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_161" href="#FNanchor_161" class="label">[161]</a> +See above <a href="#Page_494"><abbr title="pages"><abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr></abbr> 494</a>, et seq.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_519">[Pg 519]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER <abbr title="Nineteen">XIX.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class="allsmcap">ARRIVAL OF BISHOP WILSON.—BAPTISM OF NATIVES.—ORDINATIONS.—VISITATION +OF THE +UPPER PROVINCES.</span></p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">The</span> <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Daniel Wilson had been consecrated to +the See of <a id="chg9"></a>Culcutta early in this year, and was now +approaching the shores of India. It appears that +on his appointment to the See, Dr. Wilson had +written to Archdeacon Corrie to inform him of that +circumstance, and had kindly taken occasion to express +a desire that the Archdeacon would for the +present continue his services in India. With reference +to this estimable prelate the Archdeacon writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Dr. Wilson has not yet arrived, but is daily expected. +I know no one more suitable to have been sent among us, +but our expectation must be from God alone. It would +cost me a severe pang were I told I should not be allowed +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_520">[Pg 520]</span> +to visit England again, yet the prospect of remaining here +is not painful to me; and it is chiefly on our children’s +account that I have thought of retiring.... You are not +likely to know, unless I tell you, that Mr. Charles Grant +has written me a very kind letter, stating why I was not +called home to be made Bishop.... I am more than satisfied, +for I desire not the office. I have felt a measure of +the responsibility attached to it; experienced what it is to +be set on an high place ‘as a mark for envy to shoot at;’ +and above all, I know to a demonstration how much more +such men as the last, or the present Bishop can effect, +beyond my utmost ability.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">That it might meet his lordship as soon as he +should arrive in India, the Archdeacon addressed the +following letter</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE BISHOP OF CALCUTTA.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 2, 1832.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The news of your appointment to India, reached this +country at the latter end of July, and caused thanksgivings +to ascend from many hearts. Your two kind letters did not +reach me till September 21, so that the time had passed for +addressing a letter to the Cape. This will, we hope, meet +you before the end of this month, on the Sibbald’s entering +the River, and in good health, and without disaster on the +voyage. Our hearty congratulations are offered, and prayers +that your entrance in among us, may be ‘in the fulness of +the blessing of the Gospel!’</p> + +<p>“From what you are reported to have said at the Church +Missionary Society’s anniversary meeting, it would appear +that you had been led to expect that arrears of business +await you, to be arranged: I am happy to say that not a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_521">[Pg 521]</span> +case, that I am aware of, is in arrear; that though +much interesting business connected with our public institutions, +will claim your attention, nothing in the way of +official arrangement remains for your decision. I am most +happy to observe your intention of endeavouring to preserve +health. Our former Bishops no doubt had the same +purpose, but they did not take advice from those more used +to the climate. I shall, please God we meet, explain to you +how both Bishops Heber and Turner brought on, inadvertently, +their own end. There is nothing in the climate +to prevent most constitutions continuing, with care, to +enjoy good health. At the same time, it has appeared to +me that no particular age is more favorable than another; +or that there is any such thing as becoming inured to the +climate, so as to bear exposure at certain times. Experience +teaches us to avoid certain situations and not to expose ourselves +[to the climate] at certain times, if we can avoid it; +and this is all, in my opinion, that any one gains by long +residence here. All this will soon become familiar to you; +and I have no doubt, under usual circumstances, you will +be able to go through all your duties with comfort....</p> + +<p>“I shall say nothing of my own affairs, except that I was +not intending to leave the country this year; and that it +will be my delight, as well as duty, to be assisting in every +way I can.”</p> +</div> + +<div class="tall"> +<p>On the report reaching Calcutta that the “Sibbald” +had arrived in the river, the Archdeacon, as +on like former occasions, obtained the use of one of +the government vessels, met the Bishop, and conveyed +him to Calcutta. His lordship arrived there +on the 4th of November, and was installed on the +next day.</p> + +<p>The Archdeacon was thus relieved from some of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_522">[Pg 522]</span> +those anxieties which were connected with official +duties, but he was not without trials of a domestic +nature. The ship in which his wife had embarked +for England in the middle of December, was wrecked +off Coringa, on her passage to Madras, and the passengers +only saved by taking to the long-boat. They +ultimately landed at Masulipatam, and the fatigue +and exposure to the cold which Mrs. Corrie and the +other passengers underwent, proved of no lasting +detriment to them; but all their luggage was lost.</p> + +<p>A letter addressed to his wife soon after her departure +from India will give some idea of the nature +of the Archdeacon’s occupations at this time<span class="lock">:—</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“January 6, 1833.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The last few days have furnished increasing occupation. +On Wednesday I breakfasted with the Bishop, and arranged +with him for the examination of the candidates for Ordination. +I then went to Da Costa, who has been too ill to +leave home, and corrected two proof sheets of Isaiah, in +Persian, and two of the New Testament in Hindoostanee. +I returned home at two o’clock, when the Natives, who +read the Scriptures with me, occupied me till four. On +Thursday I was occupied nearly the whole of the day in +writing to G. on his offence; and in the evening the Bishop +dined with your mother and I, and we talked over Church +affairs. On Friday, there was a meeting of the High School +managers, to appoint Lambrick <i>pro-tem</i>, head, and young +Thompson second master. I then went to the examination, +of Native Schools at Mirzapore, the best by far we have +had: Dunsmore their superintendent. This kept me till +2 o’clock. I came home and found the candidates’ papers +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_523">[Pg 523]</span> +for my inspection, which by close application I got through +by dusk. I then went to A. S. to dinner at six, and from +thence to the town-hall, to the Bible Association general +meeting, at half past 7 o’clock, and home at ten. The +Bishop took the chair, Bannerjee spoke well, but too long. +Yesterday I wrote two public letters, and prepared notes of +an address which the Bishop wished me to make to the candidates +for Ordination, and their duties as they related to this +country. At four I went to the Molwee’s, and conversed +awhile with about a dozen natives on John iii., and then +came home to dinner. Now for some fragments. A Moonshee +is to be baptised on Wednesday, who many years ago +received a New Testament at Dacca. He cannot remember +the date, but it was from the Chaplain who was +there before S. He has been reading this, and enquiring +at different places; till at length, convinced of the divinity +of the Lord Jesus Christ, he wishes to take up his Cross. +He appears more spiritual than the Molwee; but you know +we must not too readily trust appearances. He has a wife, +who, he says, is persuaded also, and they have two children.</p> + +<p>“Past 2 o’clock—We have been detained at the Cathedral +till now, and have had a most instructive discourse from the +Bishop, Acts xxii. The Ordination of two deacons and +seven priests altogether, is indeed a new sight in Calcutta. +The Cathedral was crowded, and the service full of interest. +At the Communion afterwards, one hundred and fifteen +attended. Many appeared deeply affected.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Mrs. Corrie having proceeded from Masulipatam +to Madras, the Archdeacon obtained leave to join +her there, with a view to arrange for her passage to +England by another ship. He was consequently +absent from Calcutta until the beginning of March. +On the 9th of that month he <span class="lock">writes:—</span></p> + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS WIFE.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_524">[Pg 524]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I found things here of a mixed nature; some pleasing, +some painful. Of the pleasing was the baptism of twenty-five +Hindoos in Mirzapore chapel, on the evening I arrived. +The Hindoostanee congregation much increased. A fine +youth of about eighteen, the son of an Englishman, but +abandoned by the father, has with his Mother, sought instruction. +He is dressed as a Mahommedan. Another youth +of the same description, was confirmed, but I have not yet +seen him.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Some particulars of the then state of society, which +the Archdeacon communicated in a letter to Mr. +Sherer, may not be omitted<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“March 30, 1833.<br> +</p> + +<p>“You will learn from other sources the great distress +which prevails through the failure of the great houses here. +One point of retribution I cannot but think is observable in +the recoil of the Free-trade system. They were the men +who maintained the Hurkcaru and India Gazette, to vilify +the Company and to run down the Government; and just in +proportion as they injured the interests of the Company, +their own were injured.... Of public matters you will, also, +hear. We have now a newspaper at Cawnpore, at Meerut, +Agra, and Delhi. The Delhi paper has an article on the +misconceptions of the Natives, shewing how easily they are +led away by rumours, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>; which seems to point out the +impolicy of these very newspapers. The subject of Missions +is daily gaining ground; yet opposition is at work underhand. +Paine’s ‘Age of Reason’ has been circulated to a +large extent among the educated Hindoos; and a very plausible +work written here, but printed in England, entitled +‘Christianity of human origin,’ has got considerable +currency.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall"><span class="pagenum" id="Page_525">[Pg 525]</span> +It was during the March of this year that the +Archdeacon, among others, resigned his office of +governor of the Free-School in Calcutta. For a considerable +period the affairs of the school had been a +source of contention at the Presidency, in consequence +of a difference of opinion between the governors +and the committee of that Institution, respecting +the management of the charity. It was therefore at +length agreed that the points at issue should be submitted +to the arbitration of the Bishop, it being at +the same time understood that his lordship’s award +should be final. One portion of the award was that +the governors and secretary of the school should +resign their office, in order thus to allow of such a +reconstruction of the government of the School as +might seem calculated to compose the existing differences. +The Bishop himself led the way, by resigning +his office of Patron; and the Archdeacon +readily followed so disinterested an example.</p> + +<p class="tall">Soon after this, the Bishop of Calcutta decided +that the Archdeacon should make a visitation of the +Upper Provinces. An application was accordingly +made to government for the purpose of obtaining +travelling allowances for the occasion; and early in +May an Order to that effect passed the Council. +Before leaving Calcutta the Archdeacon relates</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS WIFE.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_526">[Pg 526]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“June 9, 1833.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The subject of Infant-Schools is to be taken up by the +Bishop. Yesterday most of our friends among the Chaplains +breakfasted with him, and a meeting was resolved on, to be +called next Monday at the Bishop’s. Lord and Lady W. +are full, also, of the subject, and are to give largely, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> +A central school is to be built, and a Master and Mistress to +be sent for from England; so that the little one on which +you bestowed so much care, and which Mr. U. let die a +kind of natural death, is to be succeeded by a magnificent +offspring (shall I call it?); and Bishop Turner will yet speak +to the place in this way, though his name be forgotten. +A meeting, also, is called to forward steam-communication, +which has been taken up anew at Bombay; and Lord W. +is, also, aiding individually; and we are to have answers to +our Letters in four or five months, if not to have leave of +absence for six months, with permission to visit Clapham, +without loss of pay or <i>batta</i>. Such are the topics of the +day.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In the same letter the Archdeacon mentions an +occurrence which will not be read without <span class="lock">interest:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“One of the youths who was to have been baptized on +Whit-sunday, was seized in the street, by his relatives, and +carried home to Bunhoogly. He had been there confined in +a room for fifteen days, threatened, and was to have had a +maddening potion administered to him, but for the cries +and entreaties of his mother, whose love for the fruit of her +womb prevailed over her superstition. The youth bribed a +servant to carry a letter to Bannerjee,<a id="FNanchor_162" href="#Footnote_162" class="fnanchor">[162]</a> and he with young +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_527">[Pg 527]</span> +Henry R. went in a palanquin carriage on the Berhampore +road, on Sunday Evening the 2nd, when the lad escaped; +fled to the appointed place of meeting, and, getting into the +carriage, was brought to Mirzapore. A rich uncle, one of +the Dutts, came on Friday last with a Brahmin, and tried to +coax the lad away again; promising him all sorts of liberty, +and every thing, but leave to become a christian. The youth +stedfastly refused. On this a complaint was lodged at the +Police office against Bannerjee, charging him with violently +carrying off the lad, but they could not sustain the charge, and +the case was dismissed: and here the matter rests at present. +He is a very intelligent lad of sixteen, but short of his age. +I had an interesting conversation with him on Sunday evening, +too long to write to you, but the substance of it was +as follows: ‘A full conviction of the truth of Christianity. +Its suitableness to mankind as revealing a Saviour, and the +lad’s own individual need of pardon of sin, and of grace and +strength to bear his trials, and to obey God.’ The poor +fellow was very feverish from the agitation he had gone +through. Mr. S. was preparing tea for him, and he slept in +one of S’s room for security. How little we know of such +difficulties in the way of salvation! Our ease and levity are +equal impediments, and perhaps sources of greater danger.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The youth mentioned in the foregoing letter was +named Brijonaut Ghose, and had been educated at +the Hindoo College, but afterwards became a pupil +at the Mirzapore school, under Krishna Mohun +Bannerjee. There, it appears, he was in the habit of +conversing freely with his companions respecting the +follies of Hindooism, and this having reached the +ears of his parents, they became apprehensive that +their son would embrace Christianity, and so forbade +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_528">[Pg 528]</span> +his attendance at the school. His absence was not +particularly noticed at the time; but on his returning +again after some time had elapsed, he stated the +reason for his absence, and shewed a greater desire +for instruction in the great truths of revelation. The +opposition to his attending at Mirzapore, now became +more decided on the part of this youth’s +parents: they took him to their home, confined him +to the house, and had him carefully watched for +several days. The youth, however, contrived to +escape, and instantly went to Mirzapore; but as the +friends of that Institution were, for every reason, +anxious not to make converts by stratagem, it was +decided that a temporary residence should be provided +for the youth, and a Brahmin provided to dress +his food, that he might not lose caste. But before +a residence could be obtained, the youth was again +captured by his relations, and subjected to the treatment +which the Archdeacon’s letter relates. So +soon, therefore, as ever the youth found himself rescued +from the unnatural violence of his parents, he +earnestly desired to be baptized. And as there was +no doubt respecting his fitness for baptism, so far as +concerned his knowledge of the Gospel, and the +sincerity of his faith in its promises, there seemed, +at first, to be no reason for disappointing his desire; +especially as baptism would effect a complete separation +of the youth from his relatives, and thus prove a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_529">[Pg 529]</span> +certain protection against their future persecution. +To prevent, however, any suspicion that so solemn +a rite had been hastily administered, or that the +Missionaries had acted from unworthy motives, it was +considered better that the baptism of the youth +should be deferred. But in the meanwhile the father +of the youth obtained a writ of <i>Habeas Corpus</i> from +the Supreme Court in Calcutta, calling upon Bannerjee +to produce Brijonaut Ghose, and to shew cause +why he was detained at Mirzapore or elsewhere. +Bannerjee, of course, appeared in Court with the +youth, and stated, through the Advocate General, +all the circumstances connected with the youth’s +history. The Court, however, decided that the +parents were the natural guardians of their children, +and the youth was therefore ordered to be delivered +up to his father. It was in vain that the youth +personally expressed his unwillingness to return home, +and alleged his dread of the repetition of the violence +which he had already experienced: the Court did +not feel called upon to interfere until the dreaded +violence had been actually offered; and consequently +reiterated the order for the boy to be given up to +the father. The poor fellow was then seized hold of by +his father; but it required considerable exertion to get +him out of court. He wept most bitterly, repeated +his appeals to the judges, seized hold of the table at +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_530">[Pg 530]</span> +which the barristers were seated, and was only +dragged away inch by inch.</p> + +<p class="tall">This unusual scene gave rise, as it will be concluded, +to much discussion, and in its probable consequences +was of no ordinary importance: it occurred +on the day on which the Archdeacon left +Calcutta; who in announcing his intended journey +to his brother, observes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“My visitation out and home, will embrace a circle of +between 2000 and 3000 miles. I have no fear as to health; +and for the rest, I have the word of truth, ‘I will be with +thee in all places whithersoever I shall lead thee.’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Full particulars of the Archdeacon’s proceedings +are contained in his letters to the present Bishop of +Calcutta, and in his correspondence with Mrs. +Corrie: it is from both these sources that the following +information is <span class="lock">derived;—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“On the 13th July, 1833, I went to Chinsurah, and found +dear B. on the steps of the Church to receive me. Passed +a peaceful day on the 14th with him. Having been less at +ease for want of repose, I enjoyed Saturday as much bodily as +mentally. On Sunday morning I preached to the soldiers: +and in the evening B.; there was a collection made both +times for the Church Missionary Society of about 100 Rs. +The church in the evening was nearly as full as in the morning. +Captain J. came up to see a friend, and passed an +hour on Sunday with me; he breakfasted with us on Monday +morning; and he and B. came on with me to Bandel. I +thought much of the many partings we have had in these +places. Beloved Mr. Brown came up with Martyn and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_531">[Pg 531]</span> +Parsons and me to Forsyth’s here in 1806;<a id="FNanchor_163" href="#Footnote_163" class="fnanchor">[163]</a> and again +with Parsons and me in November of that year. M. and +Miss C. and I paid F. a visit here in 1812. Now where are +most of these? Their place others fill. Yet the work of the +Lord goes forward!</p> + +<p>“I consider my journey now commenced. The weather is +favourable; the wind fair and steady till toward evening, +but not strong; and very cloudy.</p> + +<p>“Reached Santipore, July 16th, and expected to be at +Culna by breakfast time. Arrived at Culna by nine. Mr. +A. came down to the boat, and we afterward went up to the +Mission bungalow and staid till evening. Their mode of life +is just what people at home fancy of Missionary life in +India; the house was clean and airy; the children are kept +in such order as Christian children should be, playful yet +obedient.</p> + +<p>“I was nearly a day sooner than was expected; only two +of the four schools were sent for to be examined, and of them +only the first classes, and a few of the second. There were +forty-one boys: they read with great correctness the 6th +of St. Matthew: and generally gave correct explanations +from notes supplied to each school by Mr. A., explanatory +of what they read. They read with equal correctness +Ellerton’s Dialogues, 5th Ch:, and are expert in their explanations; +the whole of this book the boys had read; it is +a great favourite among the scholars; and a few days since +four youths, who had been educated in these schools, came +to Mr. A. and requested a copy of each of the Dialogues for +their private use.</p> + +<p>“Mr. A. has a school of sixteen girls in one of the rooms +of the bungalow; one of them a few months since was, with +her mother’s consent, baptized. There is also an English +class of about thirty; their proficiency was not so manifest. +The teacher is a Mahomedan, who learned English at some +school in the Chitpore road. Mr. A. speaks of a great and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_532">[Pg 532]</span> +favourable change in the respectable natives towards him. +This appears among other things, in some wealthy people, +who had set up a school in opposition to one of the mission +schools, having, after some conversation with him on Christianity, +given up their school, and sent the boys to his. +Culna is a great mart for grain, so that tracts are carried +from this to many distant parts of the country, and Mr. A. +speaks of strangers, who come to the market, as desirous of +obtaining tracts to carry away with them. In the evening +twenty-one of the native Christians attended for worship. +Mr. A. leads the psalmody with his violin, just loud enough +to keep them in tune; the effect was very pleasing.</p> + +<p>“July 18th.—We crossed the river, after leaving the +mission house, for freer air. Mr. A. came with me. It reminded +me of our visit with the late Bishop, when he had +in like manner crossed the river with us. We spoke of him +with much affection, and especially of the good judgment +displayed in his remarks on Missionary operations. In the +night there was much rain; but yesterday the wind was +fair, and steady without rain, as far as Nuddea. I staid at +the mouth of the Jellinghee an hour, expecting that Mr. R. +might have come from Krishnaghur to the neighbouring +factory to meet me, as I had written to him about my plans +from Chinsurah. He was not come, nor is it of consequence, +as I could not have gone at that time to see the +Nuddea school. We proceeded very slowly, yet reached a +point near the factory with the upper-roomed house. There +was a fine plain covered with growing rice. A clever-looking +young brahmin, in part owner of the field, came up to +make salaam. I engaged him in conversation by setting +the young baboo to ask him questions; no good seemed to +follow; but on the passage “<i>Come unto me, all ye that +labour and are heavy laden</i>,” <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> being read, I observed, +that if the brahmin would admit, that sin is a burden, it +would make him uneasy; so that I feared he would put +away the invitation. He became thoughtful, and left us a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_533">[Pg 533]</span> +little seriously. The 18th passed rather uncomfortably. I +had called the moonshee, and had just commenced reading +the 1st of Acts with him, when we began to move round +and round! The river had made on both sides a deep indent +into the bank; and the water was boiling like a +whirlpool. After some time the dandies made the side; +but the river ran a perfect sluice. I got on shore, and after +two or three trials the pinnace was dragged with much +difficulty out of this situation. But for a mile, the river +ran with like violence; and I had to walk all that way; the +day was clear and the heat great; I had a chattah, and +walked no faster than the dandies, who were bending to the +earth almost in their endeavour to drag the pinnace on. I +abstained from water though exceedingly thirsty; and only +moistened my mouth with a wet towel, and after an hour’s +repose felt no inconvenience. The river still ran very +strong, and has been very tortuous since passing the +Jellinghee. About twelve a heavy fall of rain came on; +the men fastened the pinnace slightly to the bank; and all +came on board for shelter. This continued till three, when +we set off again, and a strong wind springing up, we made +head against the torrent. The rush through the water was +by no means pleasant; but we were mercifully brought to a +quiet resting-place about half-past-six, <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>; the wind died +away and we had a cool refreshing night. During the day +at intervals, I had much conversation with the moonshee on +points of religion in which he is interested. We read also +two chapters of the Acts, and conversed much on the contents. +There is little expectation left of our reaching Berhampore +on the 20th, which I much regret. It is His pleasure, +however, who is the God of Providence, as well as of +Grace. The river is now rising rapidly; and as it has not +yet overflowed its banks, we have to contend against the +whole strength of the stream, especially at every turning. +On the 19th our progress was small. About eight <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span> +heavy rain came on, so as quite to obscure the horizon: +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_534">[Pg 534]</span> +this detained us till near noon. We tracked when the wind +lulled; small rain fell till near four <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, when the wind +rose, but not fair for us. At length at Dewan Gunge the +course became fair, when we fell again upon a whirlpool; +but the wind carried us slowly through, and with some +exertion we reached a point near Cutwa.</p> + +<p>“I was here strongly reminded of my first visit in 1806, +when I walked through the sun from Dewan Gunge to visit +Chamberlain.<a id="FNanchor_164" href="#Footnote_164" class="fnanchor">[164]</a> The matted bungalow, his first wife’s tomb, +visible as we sat at table, and the delicate little girl, the daughter +of that wife, sitting by him, and his mourning for the +recent loss of his second wife, and the melancholy all these +circumstances cast upon our conversation, were vividly called +to my mind. Then his primitive mode of living, vegetable +curry, and spring water, gave me a feeling of veneration for his +character. I well remember too how in the evening Parson’s +lively conversation cheered him and he came on the next +day with us to Plassey. At parting we sang Chamberlain’s +much used hymn, “O’er the gloomy hills of darkness, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>” +I well remember the energy with which he used to sing. +He is now singing the ‘new song’ in livelier strains, and his +work has not fallen to the ground. The moonshee could +not come on, on account of the rain. It is subject of much +regret to find myself on the evening of the 20th ten coss +from Berhampore by land, and not less than fifteen distant +by water. But I am not conscious of having lost an hour +since I left Chinsurah. If I could have foreseen the obstacles, +which have arisen from the winding course and +strength of the stream and failure of wind, I might have +passed without visiting Culna, but these reflections are now +in vain. May I but have wisdom and strength to improve +such opportunities as may present themselves at Berhampore!</p> + +<p>“I arrived at Berhampore in the forenoon of the 22nd +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_535">[Pg 535]</span> +July, and called on the chief military person and made +known my purpose of remaining over the following Sunday.</p> + +<p>“On Tuesday forenoon I inspected with Col. T. the place +newly appropriated for divine service. It is fitted up with +pews for seventy or eighty of the upper classes, and with +benches for the private soldiers. It is supplied also with two +chandeliers of eighteen lights each, and abundance of wall +shades for evening service.</p> + +<p>“On Wednesday I examined all the classes in the regiment +school, consisting of sixty boys and forty-two girls. +The upper classes read their scripture lesson with distinctness +and propriety, and were pretty ready in Crossman’s Catechism: +this was their chief attainment. In the regimental +library there are between 300 and 400 volumes of a miscellaneous +kind; few treating of religious subjects. To keep +up the library, sergeants subscribe four annas a month, corporals +and privates one. There are 213 subscribers. The +Christian Knowledge Society’s library is confined chiefly to +the hospital. On Thursday forenoon I called on some of the +Civil servants, and on Friday visited the hospital, and read +to and exhorted the more dangerously sick. Mr. M. arrived +to-day; but went at once, being very poorly, to Mr. P’s +house, which is about two miles from the barracks. On +Saturday morning I made some preparation for the following +day. At half-past-six <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span> on Sunday, (the 28th of July) +the regiment was marched to church. There are in the +whole 700 men, of whom about half are Protestants, and +some of these being on duty, those who attend are very +sufficiently accommodated, which was by no means the case +in the place formerly used for their assembling. Mr. M. +was too unwell to assist, so that I had the morning service +on my hands, and the sacrament, of which notice had been +circulated: twenty persons attended. At half-past-three +<span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> about thirty convalescent out of the forty-two sick +assembled in the ward of the hospital. In the evening Mr. +M. read prayers. There were about 150 soldiers present; and +all the pews were occupied as in the morning.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_536">[Pg 536]</span> +“These are the principal events in the way of duty which +occupied me at Berhampore. A station school would be +very desirable for the many poor Christian children, unconnected +with the army; but in the absence of a chaplain, and +from my own inability to endure the exertion, and indeed +from want of time, nothing was done towards such an object. +I had much pleasure in renewing acquaintance with +several I had known up the country; but could benefit them +little, being always made unwell by the morning’s exertion. +The wind has almost quite failed these two days, which renders +the heat more oppressive.</p> + +<p>“There is a mission here of the London Society. Mr. +H. has been at Berhampore several years, and is much respected. +The success among the natives has been very limited; +but he is very diligent in endeavouring to make the +truth known, preaching once or twice a day in their bazaars +and villages.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a letter to Mrs. Corrie dated “on the Ganges,” +August 1st. the Archdeacon, after having given a +detailed account of his equipments, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Now for my companion. He is a baptized Hindoo, of +respectable, though not wealthy connections; was educated +at Mr. Hare’s school; attended first Mr. Derosario, and +afterwards Mr. Duff: became a teacher in Mr. Duff’s school, +and was finally baptized in the Scotch congregation. He is +now on the way to Futtyghur; R. is Judge, and a pious +young doctor M. with him have established a school, and +wish for a native christian teacher. Well: this youth, by +name, Gopy Nath Mundee, was recommended as a schoolmaster; +and to go with me, was thought by pious friends in +Calcutta, a favorable opportunity. A place in the baggage-boat +was assigned him, together with a learned Mahommedan +enquirer, who will thus, I conclude, get a free passage +to the upper provinces. He is reputed wealthy, and asks +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_537">[Pg 537]</span> +nothing but a passage from me. The other youth finds the +pinnace more comfortable than the baggage-boat, (<abbr title="one">i.</abbr> e. the +boat laden with scriptures and tracts, for I have no baggage) +and the second night he coolly proposed sleeping on my +couch in the outer cabin. This I told him would be inconvenient +to me, but that he might sleep in my <i>palkee</i>,<a id="FNanchor_165" href="#Footnote_165" class="fnanchor">[165]</a> on +the top; and there ever since has been his domicile. He is +up as soon as I am, and at first his want of acquaintance +with the peculiarities of our habits was trying to me, but I +had to deal with a christian, and must not offend him. By +degrees we became intimate, and I begin to explain to him +our ideas of propriety. He <i>is</i>, I have reason to believe, a +christian; has taken my observations in good part, and now +I find little to interrupt my comfort, beside what the constant +presence of any except my beloved family would occasion. +I find him especially deficient in scripture knowledge, +and in doctrinal divinity. Hence, of late, every morning +exercise is a lecture on some point of scripture. We, to-day, +commence for morning-worship the Psalms.... +About ten the Molwee comes when he can; and he has also +found out the comfort of the Pinnace; so that he now comes +daily. He reads the scripture in Hindoostanee, with me +first, then he and the Baboo mutually instruct each other. +The Baboo learns Hindoostanee from the Molwee, and the +latter English from the former: but here I am often appealed +to by both. I must add that the Baboo (his age is +twenty) has begun in consequence of previous conversations, +to read the scriptures in Bengalee to the dandies. He offered +to instruct Ameer,<a id="FNanchor_166" href="#Footnote_166" class="fnanchor">[166]</a> but he said tauntingly, ‘O no: I failed +once, and I’ll have no more to do with it.’ To-day we entered +the troublous Ganges. A squall came on soon after +we entered; then a lull, which left us on a sand-bank in the +middle of the river.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a letter to the same, dated <abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 7th, he writes:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_538">[Pg 538]</span> +“Yesterday being very anxious respecting the objects of +my journey, I looked into Bishop Heber’s journal; and I +see more clearly what I have to do. His being a Bishop, +his lively conversations, and especially his coming to confirm, +raised an interest wherever he went, which I can have +no pretension to expect. But at Berhampore, notwithstanding +my inability to go amongst the people privately, all +the station attended Divine service, and instead of ten or +twelve as usual at the Lord’s Supper, twenty attended. For +this encouragement I feel thankful, and trust, as health returns, +I may at the station before me be the means of quickening +attention to the things which belong to salvation. 8th. +Stationary in a jungle, the weather cool, the night again +stormy, the wind still contrary. I had an interesting conversation +after breakfast with the Baboo, explaining to him the +subject of the annual Atonement and year of Jubilee of the +Israelites. We read the xvith and xxvth of Leviticus, and +the corresponding passages in the Hebrews. It is gratifying +to observe the pleasure these discourses give him, and truly,</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry small"> +<div class="verse indent0">Israel in ancient days</div> +<div class="verse indent0">Not only had a view</div> +<div class="verse indent0">Of Sinai in a blaze,</div> +<div class="verse indent0">But saw the gospel too.</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="unindent">I have these few days been studying the Levitical Institutions +with renewed interest and benefit.</p> + +<p>“August 9. Yesterday evening, about ten of the dandies +were led to sit down by us on the top of the Pinnace; +and by keeping the Baboo to interpret what I said to them, +they were detained for an hour, conversing on the subject of +a mediator. By degrees they were led to see that Jesus was +more worthy than their prophet, and they appeared very +serious in their manner.</p> + +<p>“I have been engaged with the Molwee and Baboo in new +arranging the words in the Persian Litany, which is nearly +accomplished. In the evening, four of the dandies again +seated themselves near to us on the poop, and by degrees +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_539">[Pg 539]</span> +they were led again to the subject of a mediator, who could +pay our debt of sin, and procure for us pardon and acceptance +with God.”</p> + +<p>“Reached Monghir on the 17th, in time to give notice +for divine service the next day. Mr. W., the Commissioner, +had returned home only the evening before. His return +was favorable, as he opened his house as on former occasions, +and at half past ten, all the Christians at the station +assembled. At Boglipore, there are not above twenty Christian +residents; at Monghir there are seventy or eighty, it +being a favorite station for invalids to take up their abode. +In reference to the country and climate, the station would be +one of the most desirable on this side of India, the opportunities +of doing good are many. On the opposite side of the +river, is the district of Purneah, where many Indigo Planters +are settled, and visits to that district at suitable seasons +might be made very profitable to the residents. Mr. W. +told me that those invalids who have families are gradually +leaving Monghir, in order to settle where their children can +have gratuitous, or cheap education. A Baptist Mission has +been established here many years. Their Hindoostanee +congregation consists of about sixty of all ages; only fifteen +of these adults have given up caste for christianity; the +remainder are of mixed race. Mr. L. who principally officiates +in Hindoostanee, has a chapel also near the large bazaar, +and, though he had no regard to the court-house when the +chapel was built, the suitors in the court attend in great +numbers. He has sometimes 400 hearers; on Sunday last +about 150 were present. Mr. M. the other Missionary, in +conjunction with his brother-in-law, receives pupils, both +boys and girls. At this time they have twenty-one boys, +and eleven girls. These are most of the particulars which +will I think be interesting to you. On Monday morning +early, a wind from a favourable quarter sprang up, and carried +us round the fort, and we are proceeding not rapidly, but on +the whole favorably. This sudden change of wind prevented +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_540">[Pg 540]</span> +me from writing from Monghir. I hope to send this from +Patna by the end of the week. I have looked over the route +I have to take, with the respective distances of stations. I +shall send a sketch of the journey by land soon.</p> + +<p>“Mr. L. mentioned that he some time ago met at Boglipore, +with one of the hill-men who understands Hindoostanee; +and wishing to know something of the hill language, +he engaged this man to teach him. After a time, he began +to attend seriously to the New Testament, which they read +together; and he seems to have experienced a decided conversion. +This man is very anxious to impart the knowledge +of Christianity to the hill-men, and is preparing to return +as a missionary among them. He has been once, accompanied +by a native Christian; and on giving his people an +account of the new life on which he is entered, was not rejected, +but invited to return and tell them more of this way.</p> + +<p>“On Thursday the 22nd August, we arrived at Patna +about half past one <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> As my stay would be short, I +thought it better to remain in the boat. At that station I +found much to gratify, and to lead to expectation of +good, if proper means are devised. The Chaplain came to +see me on arriving, and I dined with him in the evening; +the conversation was on subjects connected with our work. +He spoke of Wolff’s visit here, and the impression it had +made on several; his own mind was much stirred up to the +consideration of the spread of the Gospel.</p> + +<p>“There is no appropriate place of worship at Patna. +Divine service once in the forenoon, in the court-house, is all +the public duty performed, there being no place fitted for +evening service. A gentleman who has an appointment in +the opium department maintains a boys’ school of about +thirty scholars near his house, in which the Gospels are +read by the more forward boys. He entertains also a pious +Christian youth, educated by Mr. Wilkinson, who assembles +his servants and others for worship on Sundays. The collector’s +lady has two boys’ schools of about thirty each, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_541">[Pg 541]</span> +a girl’s school in which about the same number are taught. +I examined the girl’s school; and besides the junior classes, +who are instructed in catechism, and elementary reading, +there were five who read fluently in any part of the four +gospels (Nagree character):—they repeated the ten Commandments, +the Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer, and gave as +good an account of the fall of man, the promise of a +Saviour, the life and sufferings of the Son of God, and the +purpose of his death, as most children in a Christian +school might be expected to do. These instructions are +given in a great measure by the collector’s lady herself.</p> + +<p>“When leaving Patna on Saturday morning the Church +missionary teacher brought a petition signed by about thirty +householders, Mahommedans, praying for a school. If an +efficient teacher could be supplied by any of the church +societies, here is a fine opening. The population is immense, +and several of the English residents at Patna would +willingly countenance the undertaking. I trust the matter +will not rest till a school be established. I was told by +more than one, that since Mr. Wolff’s conference with the +Mahommedans here, much attention has been manifested +by many of them to the subject of Christianity. Wolff’s +chief disputant is very desirous of obtaining a work in +Persian or Hindoostanee on the evidences of Christianity, +to meet the enquiry excited among the natives. He frequently +comes to a friend in the opium department, and +converses on the subject. This gentleman obtained subscriptions, +and sent to Calcutta for copies of the Persian +Pentateuch, which have been read by the learned natives, +and many copies in Hindoostanee have been taken from the +catechist. He speaks of several respectable Mahomedans, +who occasionally attended the Sunday morning worship conducted +by the native Christian; and the attention he meets +with generally, when he goes out to speak to the people and +distribute tracts, is very encouraging. Some of the families +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_542">[Pg 542]</span> +here meet on Thursday evenings, at each others’ houses to +read a chapter, a sermon, and prayer.</p> + +<p>“A scheme was on foot lately to commence a native college; +but funds are not forthcoming.</p> + +<p>“On the 24th I came from Patna to Dinapore. On +arriving I received a very civil note from General O’H, and +soon after called upon him; he kindly invited me to take +up my abode with him; but I am engaged to Mr. R. At +Dinapore the chaplain labors almost beyond his strength. +On Sunday morning I preached to a large congregation +from the text Matt. xxv. 13. In the evening also the attendance +was good, and I preached again. Next day I was +very weary and staid at home, consulting with R. on some +alterations in the church, and on forming a Church Missionary +Association. On Tuesday morning I examined the +regimental schools, consisting of forty two boys, and nearly +as many girls: and afterwards the station school of forty +one boys and girls of all ages and descriptions, as you may +judge from there being five sepoys among them, one Irishman +also belonging to the artillery. We did not get home +till near ten, having commenced soon after six, both a good +deal fagged. Mr. S. from Patna, and Mr. L. the Commissioner, +had come up to see us. Wilkinson too was come +from Goruckpore for change of air. He has had a severe +illness, and the doctors say he must visit England in order +to complete recovery. I fear the change recommended is +quite necessary. His congregation amounts to 130, and he +speaks of his assistant as quite competent to the charge of +them, and worthy of confidence. If a new missionary +should arrive, he might go there to learn the language; and +he could attend to the one English service on Saturday. I +trust some arrangement of the kind may be accomplished +should Mr. Wilkinson’s departure be unavoidable.</p> + +<p>“They lately lost a little boy of seven months who seems +to have been a very precious child: he was carried off in +twenty-four hours: there was no doctor in the station.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_543">[Pg 543]</span> +“On Wednesday at half past 6 <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span> we assembled in the +Baptistry, and formed a Church Missionary Association. +There were six officers present and many privates and others. +You will see the particulars in the <i>Christian Intelligencer</i>. +There are about 200 natives professing Christianity at +Dinapore. At present Mr. R. employs a pious Drummer, +an East Indian, who assembles them on Thursday evening; +from thirty to fifty attend.</p> + +<p>“After breakfast on Wednesday I came away, being commended +to God in prayer. The wind blew fair and strong +and we reached Chuprah by night. S. and his wife are +at Chuprah at present. I wrote him a note, not intending +to go up, but he constrained me to promise to breakfast +with them the next day, which I did; and the affection manifested +by them was very gratifying to me.</p> + +<p>“On the 30th (August 1833,) the day was oppressively +hot, and the night exceedingly close, so that no relief could +be found any where. I rose weary to a degree. By 4 +o’clock, it being full moon, I set the people off: and when +they were gone, I had a bathe on the deck, and never experienced +the force of the expression so sensibly, <i>As cold +water to a thirsty soul</i>; the refreshment was indescribable. +I thought the next morning to have had a similar enjoyment; +but the night was cool, and the morning breeze +made me shiver, and I was glad to escape from the water. +Such are the changes in this climate!</p> + +<p>“We could not make Buxar on Saturday: but Sunday, +<abbr title="September">Sept.</abbr> 1st, we arrived at mid-day. At 4 <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> I went to +Hindoostanee service, the catechist read the prayers: there +were twenty women and three men present, besides Mrs. M. +and her child; she reads the Scriptures to the women, when +her husband goes on Missionary journies. But few of the +Europeans attend English service in the forenoon: and the +numbers in the Hindoostanee congregation are filled up as +its members are removed by death or otherwise. It is +reported that the station is to be abolished as a Government +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_544">[Pg 544]</span> +post. About twenty children, male and female, of European +invalids are taught to read and write by a sergeant, who +officiates as clerk, for which he has twelve rupees a month +from Government, and the children pay eight annas a +month. Their proficiency was very moderate. The mission +as far as I could judge, languishes at this place, as at +Patna, for want of superintendence by an English Missionary. +A few of the old faces were there; among them Mary +Caroll, an interesting character. She came to my boat this +morning, and enquired after Mem Sahib, and whether I +had taken the pension, and were going from the country, +as she heard. She said if Mem had been here, she should +have got some tea; so I gave her a tea-cup full to take +home with her. She is feeble and failing, but never misses +service, and responded cordially to my remarks on the end +of time, and the love of the Saviour in preparing a place +for his people. At 6 <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> the little chapel was full for +English service, when I officiated to about eighty.</p> + +<p>“After evening service I went across the river with M. S. +and the doctor, and enjoyed a cool refreshing night in his +quiet bungalow. This morning early (the 2nd) I came +over to the pinnace and had much conversation with M. +on the affairs of the Mission, and gave such advice as circumstances +seemed to call for. I left him such books and +translations as I had brought and could spare, of which he +was in great need. I saw also an interesting young convert, +baptized three years ago at Lucknow by Mr. Bowley. His +answers to my questions, on his views of Christian truth, +were very satisfactory. As usual he is forsaken by his +Mahomedan friends, a brother and mother. He teaches a +school here of fifteen Mahomedan boys, who receives Christian +instruction from him. M. came over at 8 <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span> and +we went to breakfast with Colonel Bird. I feel as if my +visit here was very opportune. May the Lord, even our God, +grant his blessing, Amen! I know not how I have omitted +to notice a shock of an earthquake which occurred on the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_545">[Pg 545]</span> +night of the 26th August, between 11 and 12. The +motion continued for hours, and exceedingly alarmed the +whole country. At 20 minutes before 12 it was most +violent; when every window shook, and many houses +cracked: some of the native houses at Patna are thrown +down, and some European so damaged as to require being +rebuilt in part. No shock of so long continuance has occurred +in the memory of man. All were roused, and most +left their houses for the open air. I did not leave my cot; +but Mr. R. came and stood by me for half an hour, occasionally +going to comfort his wife and mother.</p> + +<p>“On the evening of September 3rd, a gale came as we +reached Ghazepore. It blew fresh all the night, but being +from the east we suffered nothing. Mr. T. kindly asked +me up; and, after breakfasting with the Chaplain on the +4th, I came to his splendid abode. It rained hard all the +4th and 5th: in the night my cook and baggage-boats +were swamped at the ghaut opposite the mausoleum. All +the school-books and the Scriptures, which I was taking up +the country, are spoilt. Of my own I lost nothing; but +am detained over Sunday to get another boat. I have +visited the school and shall preach on Sunday.</p> + +<p>“On the morning of the 7th, I examined the regimental +school. There are above 100 boys and girls in one large +room: the greater part are boys, and the girls who attend +are of tender age. The exhibition was on a low scale in +scripture reading and catechism and accounts. The commanding +officer told me he was aware of the comparatively +low attainments of the school-master sergeant; but he had +no one of equally good conduct whom he could substitute, +and he thought good example of great importance to the +children. There are but few sick in hospital at present; +the chaplain told me he visited them weekly, and from cot +to cot. I had the whole service on the morning of the 8th, +Mrs. R. being unwell. In the evening I preached also, and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_546">[Pg 546]</span> +the attendance was very considerable, as I was told is very +usually the case.</p> + +<p>“I arrived at Benares about midday on the 10th; and +on the 11th early went to the Missionaries of the Church +Missionary Society to inspect the endowed school in the city. +There are 149 boys; of these fifty receive instruction in +English. We began to examine them at six, and continued +engaged with them till nine. I enclose a list<a id="FNanchor_167" href="#Footnote_167" class="fnanchor">[167]</a> of the boys, +exhibiting their progress; and in respect of the English I +have much pleasure in reporting most favorably. The +pronunciation of the youths is better than I have found in +any other native school; and the first class is really proficient +in the subjects enumerated opposite their names. A +box of books for schools entrusted to me by Lady W. Bentinck, +supplied some very useful rewards, and the youths +seemed much gratified with them. I regret that from the +extreme heat I was unable to attend equally to the other +department of the school. I merely enquired into the +nature of the instruction they are receiving. They all read +the scriptures in the languages they learn, and the Hindoostanee +teacher would not be satisfied without our waiting to +hear his class repeat a part of the Christian catechism in use. +The school is under the immediate charge of Mr. S., and +the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Mr. Smith has till within the last month frequently +given instruction in the week. The <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Mr. Leupolt has +now undertaken that charge.</p> + +<p>“On the morning of the 12th I visited the female school. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_547">[Pg 547]</span> +There are eighty in usual attendance; but here I was from +the heat obliged to confine my attention to the first class. This +consists of eighteen, of whom thirteen were present. These +read in two places of St. Matthew’s Gospel with readiness in +Hindee. They read also in Genesis, and in a small abridgment +of Scripture History. They answered questions on the +subjects they read intelligently, and shewed a fair acquaintance +with the leading truths of revelation. They repeated +with accuracy the Scripture catechism in use, and finished +with singing together a Christian hymn. This it seems +they at first objected to learn; but now they are fond of +this part of the school-exercises. Specimens of marking +both in English and Hindee were exhibited, which shew +much proficiency.</p> + +<p>“Mr. Smith collected the scholars of the three Hindee +schools at the Mission premises: but from the excessive heat +I was able to attend to only one school. In this about +half the number, (fifteen) are reading portions of our +Scriptures; but the schools have not long been in operation, +and the proficiency of the boys was accordingly small. In +consequence of the detention at Ghazepore, I was unable to +give a Sunday both to Benares and Chunar. It was agreed +therefore that I should preach a Missionary Sermon at Benares +on Sunday. I went by land to Chunar and am happy +to say I found Mr. Bowley perfectly restored to health, and +capable of his usual labours, after having for several years +seemed decaying. There have been no additions of late to +the native congregation, though there have been several enquirers. +Mr. Bowley is at present engaged in a correspondence +with the chief Molwee at Lucknow, who having, as he +concluded, discomfitted Mr. Wolff in argument, sent his +statements to Mr. Bowley, challenging him to answer them +if he could. It is remarkable that he heads his pamphlet +(not printed) <i>Testimonies to Mohammed contained in the +Christian Scriptures</i>;—literally, Glad tidings of Mohammed +from the Prophets and the Gospel. The misapplication +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_548">[Pg 548]</span> +of his quotations is glaring; but the fact of our Scriptures +being read, though not quite new, is thus confirmed.</p> + +<p>“On the morning of the 14th we visited the boys’ and girls’ +school; in the former are above forty, and I was glad to find +that some fine lads, whom I saw here in 1830, have found +provision at the neighbouring stations as writers, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> The +present school consists of rather small boys. In the girls’ +school are upwards of sixty; these are much attended to by +the lady of the Adjutant, and exhibited a very satisfactory +proficiency in Scripture knowledge and the Catechism; besides +being well instructed in needle work. Mr. E. catechises +both boys and girls on Sunday mornings in Church before +divine service, when some of their friends are also present.</p> + +<p>“The Church Missionary Association is in beneficial operation; +they raise funds for the support of (I think) three +readers of the Scriptures, and two native schools. On the +whole my mind is much set at rest on some points, respecting +the Mission at Chunar by this visit. The Lord grant his +blessing!</p> + +<p>“On Sunday, the 15th September I preached for the +Church Mission at Benares, and 156 Rs. were collected after +the sermon. This, considering that the Chaplain raises +about 130 Rs. monthly for the support of the native female +school, was beyond expectation. To faithful labours and +consistent character much of the success of the plans for +assisting the Mission, both here and at Chunar, is to be attributed. +The state of English society, both at Ghazepore +and Benares, is very favourable to Christian projects. +May God raise up, as in due time He no doubt will, suitable +instruments for extending the knowledge of His saving name! +On Tuesday morning I passed an hour at sunrise with the +Missionary brethren in reading and prayer, and came away +to Juanpore in the evening.</p> + +<p>“At this place is a pretty little Church in the Gothic style. +There are three principal residents, by whom chiefly the funds +have been raised. Lady William it seems kindly said to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_549">[Pg 549]</span> +Mr. B. at Allahabad, when told of this undertaking, that she +would pay for glazing the windows; this has been done and +120 Rs. are owing, besides which 220 Rs. were due for +partial pewing. On Sunday, September 22nd, I officiated in +this pretty building. The advantage of having an appropriate +place for divine service was never more manifest than +here. In the morning the whole Christian community +assembled, in number thirty-five; of these fourteen remained +to partake of the Lord’s Supper. In the evening there were +twenty present, and about this number usually assembled on +Sundays twice a day, when the judge, collector, and commanding +officer officiate in turn, reading the service of the +Church, and a printed sermon. These three families meet +also for social worship at each other’s houses on Thursday +evenings. There is a Catechist of the Church Missionary +Society at Jaunpore. His name is Mirza Yusuf Bukir, a +son of the celebrated traveller, Abu Talib Khan. This man +resided at Allahabad when Mr. W. Bird was there, and obtained +from him a New Testament in Persian, and occasionally +asked of Mr. Bird explanations of passages. This +led to his conversion. He now instructs the Christians connected +with the native regiment at Jaunpore, and reads the +scriptures to the servants of two families. Mr. Brown derives +assistance from him also in translating tracts for circulation, +when his public duties allow him any leisure, which is +seldom. I had the pleasure to baptize Mirza’s wife on the +24th, after several years of refusal to receive the Christian +religion. This shews his perseverance; and all the friends +at the station bear testimony to his consistent piety; though +it is thought he has not sufficient employment where he is, +and I wrote to Dr. C. at Patna on the subject of his being +employed there, to which Mirza perfectly agrees. A youth +taught in the Church Missionary school at Benares will, I +expect, be entertained in the native college at Jaunpore as a +teacher of English. It was at one time in contemplation to +have placed him in a school in connexion with the Church +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_550">[Pg 550]</span> +Missionary Society; but there not being sufficient funds at +disposal, it was determined to have English taught in the +native institution, for here, as every where, the people are +desirous of education in English.</p> + +<p>“My bodily strength is considerably renewed; but the confinement +of the boat, equally with <i>dawk</i> travelling, has prevented +my deriving all the benefit I trust I may now hope +for, at least on reaching Cawnpore. I am preparing a different +route to that which we talked of together. By the +one then proposed I could, if health held out, by scarcely +intermitting a day of travelling or visiting schools, reach +Bombay by the middle of March, and then, if a ship be +ready to sail, reach Calcutta by the end of April or early in +May. But unless duty called, Bombay would be out of my +way; and I cannot but own that the spirit of enterprise has +much departed from me. I shall now propose to go from +Cawnpore to Saugor (not included in the former plan) expecting +to be there the second Sunday in November; at +Mhow the first Sunday in December; Neemuch the third +in December; Nuseerabad at Christmas; Agra the first or +second Sunday in January; then Muttra, Delhi, Meerut, +Kurnaul, and to the snowy mountains during April, May +and till the middle of June; return by Meerut, Fettyguhr, +and the Ganges, so as to reach Calcutta in July, or early in +August. This would not make my absence from Calcutta +above three months longer than in the former scheme, and +would keep me upon my own ground; and in the hills I +should have useful employment. But in the view of such a +journey I cannot but feel how appropriate the language of +the Apostle is, If the Lord will? I do trust my resolves are +all formed in that spirit, and I often do feel that a reconciled +God is near at hand. If the Bishop could but make this +tour I should expect God would greatly bless his visits. I +find every where some who seem waiting for the kingdom of +God, and a few who love and live on the Gospel of our Saviour. +A marvellous change in public feeling has certainly +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_551">[Pg 551]</span> +taken place among the upper classes of our countrymen, in +respect of the disposition to favour good plans. It seems a +pity that their means of supporting such plans should be +shortened just now. I was expecting the society of a valued +young friend from Cawnpore to Mhow, when behold! the +youth has found for himself a wife; and the lady cannot +travel such long stages as I must make. I must therefore +proceed alone, with my own thoughts to keep me company. +I leave this, D.V. on Monday evening by land, having left +my pinnace here: I intend to stay over the heat of Tuesday +at a staging bungalow; go forty miles to Futtypore, +where are Christian friends; stay with them till Thursday +evening, and proceed to Cawnpore so as to arrive by Friday +to breakfast.</p> + +<p>“On the 25th September, I arrived at Allahabad, and on +the 26th went to breakfast with the Chaplain; and afterwards +with him visited and examined the school in the fort. +There are twenty boys and eight or ten girls receiving instruction: +of these eight or ten are orphans, and their +schooling is paid for out of the sacramental and other collections: +and also paper, pens, and books are supplied to the +school. The other children pay three and half Rs. each a +month, as remuneration to the teachers. The proficiency of +the children was very moderate, except in the Church +Catechism, in which about twelve of them gave ready and +intelligent answers to questions. There, as at other stations, +the reward-books supplied to me by Lady William were +gladly received. On the 28th, I was unwell, and obliged to +lie by. On the 29th, towards evening I examined the native +girls’ school, where several ladies of the station met me. +By the care of friends here a large compound close upon the +bazaar has been obtained, and a very commodious school-room +erected from funds raised on the spot. This was the +first time the school was used, nineteen girls were present, +all children of Mahomedans! It is expected that the +number of children will not increase. Of those present ten +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_552">[Pg 552]</span> +read with fluency any part of the Hindoostanee New Testament, +and repeated correctly the Hindoostanee catechism in +use. The school is under the care of an officer’s widow, +assisted by a poor woman, who teaches the lower classes.</p> + +<p>“A catechist of the Church Missionary Society is also +stationed here, named David Batavia, originally from Ceylon. +He reads prayers with the Native Christians in the invalid +lines, amounting to from ten to fifteen; and also to about +the same number of christians of the same class in the fort. +He goes about from time to time distributing tracts, and +conversing with the natives about Christianity. His piety +and benevolence are admitted by all who know him, but no +extensive good has yet appeared to result from his labours. +He resides in a house which was given to the Church Missionary +Society, by the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Mr. Crauford, when he was +Chaplain here. The house is well situated for a Missionary’s +residence. On Sunday morning we had Divine Service in +the garrison at six. There is now only one Company of +Artillery here, and of these many are Roman Catholics; so +that only about forty were present: but the conductors and +others connected with the magazine, who with their families +reside in the fort, exceed sixty; and with a few from cantonments +made a congregation of about 100. I preached +in the morning, and in the evening at the circuit bungalow, +where upwards of thirty attended. The partition-wall in this +bungalow is about to be removed, when it will be much +more commodious for public worship than in its present state, +and it is expected more will attend. On Sunday evening +last—those who came late could with difficulty be seated. +The situation of the ground about the fort is below the level +of the Ganges during the rains. The river is kept out by +an embankment, which was this year in danger of giving +way. The ground is thus low for a distance of about two +miles from the fort, where on a rising ground the Military +Cantonments and Civilians’ houses are situated. No Church +could therefore be erected nearer than about two miles from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_553">[Pg 553]</span> +the fort. A vacant space may there be found close to the +circuit bungalow, the nearest point to the fort. So that there +must always be two congregations at this station. Mr. R. +Bird has informed you of the numbers and growing importance +of Allahabad; as a Missionary station it is become +of very great importance. A numerous and wealthy population +reside in the bazars, engaged extensively in trade; +and the town being at the junction of the rivers Ganges and +Jumna, will increase in proportion as the country is prosperous. +The numbers who now resort to the Board of Revenue +and to the Sudder Court will give opportunity of +circulating the glad tidings over all upper India; and Mr. +L’s experience at Monghir has led me to build much on this +resort of strangers.</p> + +<p>“Futtypore, October 3rd. At this station there are only +four government servants; and only one of them married. +The judge and doctor are old acquaintances of mine, and I +am staying a day to break the journey to Cawnpore, where I +hope to arrive to-morrow morning. A school is maintained +by these few residents here, the medical man giving a good +deal of his time to it, and also to a hospital where many sick +poor are attended to: the expense of this is also maintained +by friends on the spot. The population being to a considerable +extent Mohamedan, the school is not so well attended +as is desirable. I visited it this morning: there +were thirty boys present; of these six have made some proficiency +in English under a native, educated in the school at +Cawnpore. His proficiency is very moderate, and his +scholars accordingly come on slowly. They were reading +the 3rd chapter of St. Matthew, having with much patience +and good management been brought to read our Scriptures. +At first much opposition was made to their introduction. +They are aware, they say, that from reading these books +people become Christians. Here as every where the field is +open for Missionary labour.</p> + +<p>“I have here met with an officer who has travelled the route +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_554">[Pg 554]</span> +I mentioned a few days since by Saugor to Mhow, Neemuch, +Nuseerabad, and Agra. I was apprehensive that there +might be dense jungle to pass through, and danger from +malaria; but he tells me the country is pretty well cultivated, +and that there is no jungle to speak of; that the aspect of +the country, moreover, is interesting, much beyond these +level plains. I seem therefore fixed in that plan. I shall +be ready to leave Cawnpore, I conclude, by the last week in +October; and will send before I proceed, a detailed account +of the progress I expect to make.</p> + +<p>“I leave here the young Baboo who accompanied me, and +whose conduct has been uniformly Christian and correct.</p> + +<p>“I arrived at Cawnpore on the morning of the 4th October. +From the wish not to lose time, I had left my boat at +Allahabad and proceeded <i>dawk</i>, as I had to that place from +Benares, via Jaunpore.</p> + +<p>“This mode of travelling made me very unwell, and prevented +for a whole week my taking so active a part as I +otherwise might have done. I was also prevented visiting +Lucknow, which I could have done only by <i>dawk</i>. I wrote +however to Mr. Greenwood for information. He also came +over for a day to Cawnpore, and represented his situation at +Lucknow as pleasant and his prospects as encouraging. He +receives every attention and aid which Christian kindness +can devise, from the chief authorities there.</p> + +<p>“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, by adding the portion where the +communion-table stood, to the body of the building, and +adding another space to which the communion-table has +been removed: and also a small vestry. I was rather late +from the distance of Mr. W’s. bungalow, and this prevented +my mind, in going, from dwelling on the well-known scene, +and by-gone experience. The congregation was full and +attentive, and my mind a good deal solemnized by the service. +So that on returning, the remembrance of Martyn, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_555">[Pg 555]</span> +and the Sherwoods and Mary, with the occupations of that +period, came powerfully to my recollection, and I could not +prevent the tears from flowing rather plentifully. They +were not, however, tears of regret altogether, for joys departed. +A sense of much short-coming in duty mixed in +my feelings; and the forgiving love of God, with the prospect +of all joining in thankful adoration in the realms of +bliss, greatly preponderated. I almost involuntarily began +to sing<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry small"> +<div class="verse indent0">“Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +<p>“The two Chaplains at Cawnpore perform their public +service on Sundays at the riding-school of the Lancers, where +the horse and foot Artillery also attend, and at the church +bungalow, where H. M. Infantry regiment attends, and the +civil servants and other inhabitants of the station. This +duty the Chaplains take alternately. Evening service is +always held in the church bungalow at half an hour after +sun set; and this duty the Chaplains divide between them. +Besides this there is an evening service on Tuesdays at the +Magazine, for the families connected with that department; +on Wednesday evening in the small chapel on Mr. W’s premises, +where many of the riding-school congregation attend, +and on Thursday evening in a large room near the Infantry +barracks. On Sunday evening also there is evening service +in the chapel of Mr. W’s premises.</p> + +<p>“The attendance on these occasions is generally full, +especially at the church bungalow on Sunday evenings, +when a very considerable number of the upper classes, as +well as others, are regularly present. I officiated at all these +places, except the riding-school: being prevented by illness +from going out the Sunday I was at liberty for that service. +On Sunday, the 20th, I preached in the church bungalow in +behalf of the mission here, when 695 Rs. were collected and +100 Rs. sent afterwards, besides some blank tickets, which +would make the collection upwards of 1000 Rs.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_556">[Pg 556]</span> +“There is an establishment at Cawnpore called the Free +School, established and partly maintained by private contributions; +and to which Government allows 400 Rs. a month. +In this there are at present seventy-two children learning +English, of whom eighteen are christians who are boarded +and clothed also from the funds. There is a Persian class, +and also a Sanscrit class. Those who learn English all learn +together according to their proficiency. Several native +youths have become qualified in this school for public offices, +and have obtained situations of considerable emolument.</p> + +<p>“Connected with the mission are four schools, superintended +by different friends, who take an interest in them. +These have each an English class, as well as scholars who +learn Hindoostanee or Persian. About 250 of these boys +assembled in the church bungalow on the morning of the +12th. I was obliged to confine the examination to the English +classes, which occupied us from sunrise till after nine. +The first class of the Free School boys had made the greatest +progress, and their pronunciation of English was very correct; +but the best boys had been provided for in various ways +lately, so that those present had not advanced far. A few +of them had some knowledge of grammar, and could point +out with readiness the position of countries and remarkable +places on the globe. The boys of the magazine school were +next in proficiency, and a class in Hindoostanee read with +admirable accuracy and readiness portions in the Hindoostanee +New Testament, which they at the same time translated. +The <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Mr. C. officiates in Hindoostanee at the +church bungalow, at 4 <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span> on Sundays and Thursdays. +I attended on one occasion; there were six men and six +women, which constitute the chief of his regular congregation. +A catechist, brought up by Mr. Bowley, has been stationed +here about three years. He goes into the bazaar +almost daily to converse with his countrymen on the important +subject of religion. He is spoken of as maintaining a +steady christian character. He officiates as clerk to Mr. C. +and reads the chapter, which Mr. C. expounds after prayers.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_557">[Pg 557]</span> +“I examined the school of H. M. 44th, which is in the +best condition by far of any school I have seen during this +journey: the general reading and knowledge of the English +language, the acquaintance with English history, and accuracy +in dates, the proficiency in geography and arithmetic +of the first class of the boys, consisting of seven, was +exceedingly pleasing. Three of them also read Hindoostanee. +The first class of girls also were very well instructed, +and these classes, as well as the lower ones, were all well +acquainted with the Church Catechism. There were 100 of +both sexes. The school of the Lancers consists of about +seventy; their proficiency was not so good, having been interrupted +by sickness. The mortality of this station has +been great this year, beyond most other seasons. The heat +both for intenseness and continuance has this year been +unusual. The register between July and September exhibits +a list of 224 buried. The children of the regiments have +been carried off to a great amount. On account of this +sickness the duty of visiting the hospital came heavily upon +the chaplains, especially on Mr. W., as these visits were +mostly made during the day, when his colleague was unable +to go out in the heat. A considerable seriousness has been +wrought in the minds of the generality at the station by the +mortality around, in connection with the labors of the +chaplains. The attendance at the Lord’s Table, one of the +Sundays I was there, amounted to 115, of whom ten were +native Christians; and it was said not to be a large communion.</p> + +<p>“The collections on these occasions are liberal, beyond what +is found at most other stations. The subject of missions +for several years past has been brought frequently to the +notice of the congregation, and a box with two openings is +carried round to collect the offerings at the communion;—one +marked <i>Missionary</i>, the other <i>Charitable</i>. The collection +is usually about 200 Rs. and stated congregational +collections are also made. A charitable committee has been +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_558">[Pg 558]</span> +formed some time; also a Missionary committee. The charitable +committee relieves weekly between 400 and 500 +poor: the Missionary committee have in hand now about +10,000 Rs.</p> + +<p>“It is not decided what kind of Missionary Institution +shall be established, or in what manner it is proposed to +conduct it. The want of schoolmasters qualified to teach +English is, however, becoming manifest, and any plan which +would supply this want would be deserving of warm support. +It is not in the first instance a Missionary, so much +as a schoolmaster, that is called for in a variety of places at +this time: men who would teach grammatically on a small +allowance. The free-school at Cawnpore might serve as the +lower branch of such an establishment. At present, as soon +as qualified to earn from 20 Rs. a month and upwards, the +scholars leave school. A plan must therefore be adopted to +retain promising youths till they become sufficiently instructed +to instruct others.</p> + +<p>“I was requested by the Chaplain to state particularly the +condition of the station libraries. During his Government, +Lord Hastings induced the Court of Directors to send out a +library to each station of European troops. These were +mostly supplied according to a list Lord Hastings himself +sent home, and are generally speaking of a useful tendency. +No additions have, however, been made to the list first supplied, +and some additional supplies are greatly needed. In +the Infantry regiment the commanding officer has encouraged +the resort of the soldiers to the reading room, and a considerable +spirit of reading and improvement prevails in H. M. +44th. The soldiers, assisted by the officers, have added, I +believe, to the Government stock; and many of the soldiers’ +wives have benefitted also by the Library:—a circumstance +too unusual hitherto in the army. The appointment of +Librarian, and also the care of the books, was originally +assigned by Government to the Chaplains of stations, but +this order has not been properly attended to.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_559">[Pg 559]</span> +“In the Cavalry Corps at Cawnpore, the public library +has not been encouraged, and on Government determining to +erect a new reading-room, the Chaplains were not consulted +as to the site or dimensions. The situation of the new +reading-room is not considered favorable for the resort of the +soldiers, and no less than 6000 Rs. have been expended, +when a room of half the cost would have equally answered +the purpose. If Government were to republish the order +placing the station libraries under the charge of the Chaplains, +and to order that in all arrangements respecting the +libraries and schools and the rooms for them, the Chaplain +should be of the Committee, it would conduce greatly to +the efficiency of these institutions; and if either from public +or private sources a few suitable books were from time to +time added to the existing stock, it would tend greatly to +keep up a spirit of reading among the soldiers.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">From Cawnpore, the Archdeacon proceeded to +Banda. He arrived at that place on the evening +of Saturday, <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 26, and on the Monday following +received letters from the Bishop of Calcutta, informing +him that it was the intention of the authorities +in England, to appoint him to the Bishopric +of Bombay, which an act passed this year for the +renewal of the East India Company’s Charter, had +enabled his majesty, King William <abbr title="Four">IV.</abbr>, to erect. +The directions of the Bishop also were, that the +Archdeacon should forthwith return to the presidency, +preparatory to his proceeding to England. The intelligence +which the Bishop of Calcutta conveyed, +was altogether unexpected by the Archdeacon, and +occasioned him some embarrassment. The calls +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_560">[Pg 560]</span> +upon his pecuniary resources had of late been +many, what with the charges attendant on the education +of his children, and his wife’s voyages to England, +added to some loss by the failure of a house +of agency. Unless, therefore, government should +provide for the expenses, which a voyage to England, +for consecration, would entail upon him, he could +scarcely avoid contracting some debt for the time; +and that he felt would scarcely be right for him to +risk, at his period of life. These, and other considerations +which were likely to affect the future +welfare of his family, the Archdeacon candidly stated +to the Bishop of Calcutta in a letter from Banda, +in which he further observes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I turn my face toward Calcutta to-morrow, D.V. I had +reached just the border of my former local knowledge, and +should have been very unwilling to give up the prospect +before me had I proceeded much further. I had taken no +measures directly or indirectly towards the attainment of +the honor and responsibility in question; and trust I may +hope that God will guide and second my poor endeavours to +serve the Church according to His will. If then I say I +turn toward Calcutta with some reluctance, it is merely lest +what I have stated should prevent my going to England. +If prevented going, the omission of visiting the remaining +stations would be in vain, and the loss sustained for no good +purpose. For, little as I feel capable of effecting, yet good +will I am persuaded follow these passing visits.</p> + +<p>“Our Church goes on her way, doing what she can; too +secure, perhaps, that her endeavors are generally known and +appreciated. Those who separate from us tell all they do, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_561">[Pg 561]</span> +and seem sometimes to make much of little. To those at +a distance they however seem the only people at work, and +in consequence are applied to for books and for information +on missionary subjects, and for missionaries and school-masters. +Mr. D. for instance, has been applied to, to supply +a teacher at Allahabad; and at Banda he was applied to in +the first instance to supply a teacher at Futtypore. In +visiting the stations, I see almost every one who is disposed +to take an interest in missions, schools, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> They have +almost all been educated in Church-of-England principles +and modes of worship, and would all prefer receiving aid +from us, and remaining connected with the Establishment. +These visits bring them acquainted with what is doing among +their own friends. They will learn where to look for help, +such as they can in all respects approve. In this way +some, who were inclined to good, are led to come forward +openly, and the cause of truth and righteousness gathers +strength. The disposition to establish schools is increasing +everywhere; and if half a dozen teachers could be got at once, +they might be set to work. With reference to this subject +the High School might become an important Institution, +and would be well employed in educating some of the best +boys with the expectation of being useful as school-masters.</p> + +<p>“I must travel to Allahabad by land, which will occupy +about ten days; and then I shall hire a boat to proceed +downwards. A letter is ten days reaching Calcutta from +this; so that a few lines, if you see cause for changing my +course, would meet me at Benares. I could even then return +to Saugor by a more direct route, and pursue the plan +before intended with the loss of not more than a month. I +have made observations in my progress with reference to future +visitations, which I intend to commit to writing with a +view to aid in enabling to do more good.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">To the same prelate he writes<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_562">[Pg 562]</span> +“<abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 12th, 1823, near Gazeepore. On arriving at +Benares yesterday morning, I found your favor of the 5th +inst.</p> + +<p>“At Benares I was not less than 200 miles from the +point whence I returned; I should therefore, had I delayed +at Benares, have been able to march straight to the hills, +without time to accomplish any thing at intermediate stations. +I think therefore you will approve of my coming on +at once to Calcutta, as I am now doing. I could not have +borne so long a journey by <i>dawk</i>. I passed Sunday last at +Chunar, and took part of the duty with Mr. E.; Mr. Smith +officiated twice at Benares.</p> + +<p>“I am happy to state that Messrs. Knorpp and Leupolt +are such proficients in Hindoostanee, as already to be able +to undertake the duties of the native Christian Chapel.”</p> +</div> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_162" href="#FNanchor_162" class="label">[162]</a> +The Native Christian master of the Mirzapore school, and the +person who had formerly been ejected from house and home for editing +the Enquirer.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_163" href="#FNanchor_163" class="label">[163]</a> +See above <a href="#Page_54"><abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> 54, 55.</a></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_164" href="#FNanchor_164" class="label">[164]</a> +See <cite>Martyn’s Letters and Journals</cite>. October 23rd, 1806, for one +or two notices which will illustrate what is here said.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_165" href="#FNanchor_165" class="label">[165]</a> +Palanquin.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_166" href="#FNanchor_166" class="label">[166]</a> +One of the attendants.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_167" href="#FNanchor_167" class="label">[167]</a> +From this list it appears, that the first class (of 9 boys) could +read, spell, and translate Goldsmith’s History of England to <abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 77, +and Scripture Lessons, on the History of Joseph to <abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 14. They +committed to memory the 117th <abbr title="Number">No.</abbr> on Agriculture, and 248th <abbr title="Number">No.</abbr> +on Astronomy, of Blair’s Preceptor. They worked exercises on the +14th Rule of Syntax of Lennie’s Grammar; the Rule of Three; +13th Problem on the terrestrial globe of Goldsmith’s Grammar of +Geography, and were committing to memory the 2nd part of Watts’ +Catechism a second time.</p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_563">[Pg 563]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER <abbr title="Twenty">XX.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="hanging"><span class="allsmcap">DELAY IN HIS NOMINATION TO THE BISHOPRIC—NARROW +ESCAPE FROM DEATH—SUMMONED TO +ENGLAND—VISITS THE CAPE AND ST. HELENA—HIS +CONSECRATION—INTERVIEW WITH THE KING—ARRIVAL +IN MADRAS—VISIT TO TANJORE AND +TINNEVELLY.</span></p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">The</span> Archdeacon arrived in Calcutta, from his visitation, +on the 30th of November 1833. He there +learned, it seems, that his probable destination had +been changed; for in writing to Mr. Sherer, he +<span class="lock">observes—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“You are aware of the intention of those in power, respecting +my being appointed to Madras. I have not sought, +and may therefore, I trust, receive the appointment as from +God, and expect Him to guide and uphold me in the duties +of it. To have gone home without so public a designation, +would, in some sense, have been more agreeable to me; expecting, +as I must, to be often called before the public: but +to have taken ‘sweet counsel’ once more with you and my +family would have been a great gratification. Should the +appointment take place here, it will be like taking a final adieu +of you all, as it respects the life that now is.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_564">[Pg 564]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">It appears, however, that for several months he +received no further communications on the subject of +the Bishopric. Thus he writes</p> + +<p class="center"> +TO HIS WIFE.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 6, 1834.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have received several letters from various quarters on +my rumoured preferment. In the mean time, I hear no +more on the subject. I am not, however, in the least anxious. +I am <i>sure</i> whatever be God’s will must be best. I have no +reluctance to remain here.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Archdeacon was now, in fact, on board a +pilot-schooner, cruising in the bay of Bengal, with +a view to recover himself from the effects of a bad +cold. From thence he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“The renewal of the East India Company’s Charter promises +great and important changes for this country. They are +all intended by the framers of the Bill; without any regard to +religion in any form. How far God will overrule this proceeding +in rulers professedly Christian, remains to be seen. +Certain it is that great changes have already taken place, +in both European and Native Society. In the latter, any +real good has been effected through God’s blessing on +missionary exertions. To this, Government in former days +was opposed; now it is not so: and we require only men +and support, to spread the christian knowledge far and wide; +and we do hope Divine Providence is favouring the purpose, +and will supply the means. As to our European Society, a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_565">[Pg 565]</span> +friend who was with us lately from Madras, says, that in all +the Society, chiefly mercantile, he came in contact with +whilst with me, he saw or heard nothing in general offensive +to christian feeling. This from a stranger, and one capable +of judging, speaks well for Calcutta. Indeed, at this time, +every pulpit in Calcutta, and the adjoining stations, is supplied +with a faithful preacher; and the example of our beloved +Bishop makes even the timid bold ‘to declare the whole +counsel of God.’”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS SISTER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“March 4, 1834.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Before this reaches you, my destination will be fixed. +If not removed from this presidency, it is probable my residence +henceforth will be at Agra, the seat of the new residency, +as next in authority to the Bishop, who will continue +at Calcutta. In either case, the prospect of you and I meeting +again, is removed to a distance I do not like to let my +mind dwell upon. When I recur to Stoke, a thousand overpowering +recollections crowd upon me.... For myself, +my days have passed as a dream. I have had much enjoyment, +but seem not to have accomplished any one thing as I +might have done. I was beginning to anticipate much +enjoyment in the society of Sherer and my brothers, but +that seems to be deferred for a season, if it ever arrive. +The anxieties attendant on domestic life have been comparatively +few. The loss of children I now contemplate as a +gracious appointment, fixing by a process at the time painful, +two olive-branches in the Paradise of God; and if it please +God, that Eliza and the children reach me in safety, no earthly +care will more, I think disturb me. Yet I know cares +will arrive, but as my day is, strength will be vouchsafed.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In the month following the date of the foregoing +letter, Archdeacon Corrie had a narrow escape from +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_566">[Pg 566]</span> +death by drowning. The circumstances attending +the danger to which he was exposed, are thus related +by himself in a letter</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Calcutta, May 6, 1834.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I may mention that on the 22nd ult. J. Jackson and I +set off to go to Ishipore, or the Government powder-mills. +Through the kindness of a friend in the Military Board, the +use of a house there had been assigned me, for two months, +near to our valued friend Major Powney; and we were going +to take possession. We proceeded in a <i>bholiah</i>,<a id="FNanchor_168" href="#Footnote_168" class="fnanchor">[168]</a> with a +fair wind, and had reached opposite the grove, when an +alarm was given that the <i>Bore</i><a id="FNanchor_169" href="#Footnote_169" class="fnanchor">[169]</a> was coming in. John and +I had just time to get from under the cover, when, sure +enough, a foaming breaker was close astern. The first wave +the boat surmounted, but then ‘broaching to,’ as sailors +say, the second wave turned her bottom upwards. John and +I and all the people, ten in number, were plunged into the +deep. I for some time could not rise, and swallowed a good +deal of water, when I providentially became involved in the +sail, by the aid of which I reached the surface; and my +servant (Wahid) who was swimming in search of me, presently +seized my arm and drew me towards the boat, which +was floating up with the tide; and by degrees I got upon her +keel. John had some difficulty also, in reaching the boat; +and we were picked up by a friendly Indigo-planter, who +himself narrowly escaped. He gave me a blanket, which prevented +cold, and at Tittagur, we got from Mr. Bateman, at +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_567">[Pg 567]</span> +the Bishop’s country-house, a change of clothes, and in the +evening we returned by land without suffering any inconvenience +whatever. The news somehow got abroad, and I +have received much sympathy, and more tokens of interest +in my fate than I expected. The danger was imminent, +but was over in a few minutes.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a memorandum penned on the day following +that on which this accident occurred, after reciting +the foregoing particulars respecting it, the Archdeacon +<span class="lock">adds:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“On finding myself below the flood the thought occurred, +‘Is my end come?’ But I do not recollect that any ejaculation +or any cry for help escaped me. Afterward in Mr. P’s +boat there appeared danger from the roughness of the +weather, when I did refer myself to God, to be disposed of +according to His will, without reservation. I have this morning +before day, solemnly called my ways to remembrance +before God, and have solemnly ‘received the Atonement,’ if +I never received it before; desiring to receive Christ as my +sanctification, as well as my righteousness; having proof even +since this event, that unless He sanctify as well as justify +me, I shall remain unholy still.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">During the month of July, Mrs. Corrie and her +daughters reached Calcutta in safety, and in the +meanwhile the Archdeacon had received directions to +proceed to England for consecration. He observed +in a letter addressed, on the 24th of June</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_568">[Pg 568]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“A few days, since, I received from Mr. Grant an official +notice of my nomination as Bishop of Bombay, and desiring +me to come home for consecration at my earliest convenience. +I have received a verbal consent from the +chiefs in authority here also, to send me home on service +with the same allowance I now have, till I enter on my new +appointment.... I will say nothing of the prospect before +me, but that I feel rather depressed than elevated by it. +Bombay is as new to me as it would be to you, except that +I know what it is to bear this climate and people.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It was found, however, that the Indian authorities +had no power to allow the Archdeacon to receive his +present stipend until he should enter on his new appointment. +The reason indeed why the Government at +home could give no definite instructions until now, +respecting the Archdeacon’s movements was, that +although the provisions of the new charter allowed +of his appointment to one of the additional bishoprics, +it decided also that his stipend as Archdeacon +should thereupon cease, and that his allowance as +Bishop should not commence until he actually landed +in India, to exercise the duties of his office there. +But as under such circumstances he felt called upon +to decline the office, it was in contemplation to send +out a bishop from England who, in conjunction with +the bishop of Calcutta, should consecrate the third +bishop in India. The difficulty alluded to having +however been surmounted, the Archdeacon writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_569">[Pg 569]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“August 4, 1834.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I am happy in the prospect of enjoying your society +for a season again. I think we shall correspond with more +intimate, though I scarcely conceive we can with warmer, +feeling than before. My heart has always clung to the idea +of brothers and sister as, next to wife and children, the +strongest tie to earth: and my visit home will, I am sure, +only strengthen this feeling. I wrote to H. in May, of my +expectation of coming home in September. Some rumours +had led me lately to conclude that I might be spared the +journey and voyage; but last week I received a notification +from the Commissioners for Indian affairs, that His Majesty +has granted me a pension of £800 a year, to be drawn only +when deriving no emolument from ecclesiastical preferment +in India. This we conclude Mr. Grant meant as a supply +for the expences of visiting England for consecration. It is +all he can do; and the Court of Directors are altogether so +opposed to the increase of [the number of] Bishops, that +they will afford no aid whatever.... I expect to embark +in October. It was in October last that I was first informed +of the preferment intended for me, but till June last, +had no certainty: and now the difficulties by sea and land, +and especially the separation from family, render the prospect +far from cheering. I do not pretend to be insensible +to the distinction implied in being a bishop, though +heartily glad that no ‘Lordship’ is connected with it in +this instance.<a id="FNanchor_170" href="#Footnote_170" class="fnanchor">[170]</a> I know Indian society well; and know +that from the familiarity with which all in the service mix, +from the Ensign or Writer of six months standing, to the +General or grave Judge of the Circuit, that a man coming +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_570">[Pg 570]</span> +with a title is viewed with much jealousy: and unless, like +Heber, he make himself one with them, whilst every sentence +he utters proves his mental superiority, he will rather be +shunned than sought. As it is, whilst I seek not theirs’ +but them, I may, as in time past, be permitted to do a +little good in my way.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Archdeacon Corrie had made every preparation +for proceeding to England, intending that Mrs. C. +and his daughters should remain in India; but the +health of his wife began so decidedly to fail again, +that the medical men peremptorily decided that her +only human chance of recovery was from a voyage +to the Cape. This unforeseen domestic trial prevented +the Archdeacon from embarking so soon as +was originally arranged; but on the 12th of November +he quitted the shores of Bengal in the ship +“Exmouth.” It pleased God to grant him a prosperous +voyage to the Cape, where he arrived with +his family on the 13th of January 1835. After a +stay there of some days, the Archdeacon embarked +for England, taking with him his eldest daughter, +the rest of his family remaining at the Cape. In a +memorandum dated <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 13th. he remarks<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“We left St. Helena yesterday evening about 7 o’clock, +and have thus far had a fair and favouring wind. On the +11th I went with Anna to visit Napoleon’s grave. The spot +is sequestered, and might well attract his notice in life. He +used frequently to retire, and read under the trees which +now overshadow his tomb. Great was the kindness of the +English Government towards him; but his restless mind +could take pleasure only in troubled scenes. He was a great +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_571">[Pg 571]</span> +instrument in breaking down old barriers to the progress of +Divine truth. May God in mercy supply the means of +establishing His truth, on the Continent of Europe and in +all the earth! I received much civility from the Governor, +His Majesty’s Commissioners and others. Only one Chaplain +in the island, and he sickly. The population is about 5,000. +There is a good deal doing in the way of schools. A Free-school +contains one hundred and twenty boys; Plantation day-school +fifty-five boys, and twenty-two girls. Four evening +schools ninety-two: four girls’ Day-schools, fifty-seven: Hutsgate, +twenty-six. In all, 512 children, of whom sixty-nine are +supported by Government, and sixty-eight boys, and twenty-five +girls by the Benevolent Society. There are about +300 Chinese settlers; industrious, but ignorant. For these +a school-master is to be recommended by His Majesty’s Commissioners. +Mr. Brook, however, told me, that they have +families by the race of mixed blood, and that their children +go to school and become identified with their mother’s class. +The labours of the Chaplain are too much for his health: +another is greatly needed.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On Tuesday April 7, the Archdeacon and his +daughter landed at Dover from the ‘Exmouth,’ slept +at Canterbury, and proceeded the next day to London, +where he was cordially welcomed by Mrs. Wilberforce +Bird, the daughter of his valued friend, the +late <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> David Brown. He remarks in a memorandum, +dated April <span class="lock">12th.—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have been prospered hitherto in all my expectations. +I have endeavoured to pray for pardon and grace to guide +me—all that I have aimed at hitherto, has succeeded. May +I be enabled to receive the good, so as not to be elated and +so grieve the Holy Spirit to leave me to darkness and corruption.... +The views on the way to town were enlivening +on all sides. Multitudes of small, most comfortable +dwellings, well deserving the name of ‘The happy homes of +England;’ besides the stately houses scattered up and down: +whilst increasing buildings at every place, indicate high +prosperity, and give an appearance of comfort that goes to +the heart. But comfort is inseparable from duty, and my +duty seems to call me away from these fair scenes to a +literally and spiritually, ‘dry and barren land.’ May God +but go with me, for he can open springs in the desert.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In obedience, therefore, to the calls of duty, the +Archdeacon did not consider himself at liberty to +remain in England longer than might be absolutely +necessary for accomplishing the object of his voyage. +Within a few days, therefore, of his arrival in London, +he waited upon the Archbishop of Canterbury, +to receive his Grace’s directions respecting such matters +as might be preliminary to consecration. The Melbourne +administration having, however, just at that +time returned to power, the unsettled state of things +consequent upon a change of Ministry, occasioned +some delay in the preparation of the official documents +connected with the defining of the boundaries <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> of the +diocese of Madras, to which see the Archdeacon had +ultimately been nominated. In the meanwhile, the +Archdeacon took occasion to communicate with the +Committees of the religious Societies in connection +with the Church; and had the happiness to receive +from all, the assurance of their willingness to aid +him to the utmost of their power, in furthering his +plans for the good of his future diocese. All the time +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_573">[Pg 573]</span> +that was not taken up by such necessary occupations +as these, he spent with his surviving relations and +friends. His oldest and most valued friend, Mr. +Buckworth, he was not permitted again to meet on +earth; for that servant of God died during the very +week, in which the Archdeacon reached the shores +of England.</p> + +<p>It was whilst visiting his relatives that Archdeacon +Corrie writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS WIFE.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“June 5, 1835.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have now to tell you that the Archbishop has fixed +Trinity Sunday, as the day for my consecration. On the +14th instant, I expect, therefore, if the Lord will, to be +set apart as Bishop of Madras. This news I received yesterday; +and I awoke this morning with such an oppressive +feeling of the case, as to compel me to arise and pray for +relief. The Saviour’s grace can render me even an instrument +of good; and in this consideration alone I find any +thing like repose.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Before returning to London, the Archdeacon +visited Cambridge, and was there admitted to his +Doctor’s degree, by royal mandate, on the 11th of +June. He proceeded to London on the following day.</p> + +<p class="tall">The day appointed for his consecration having arrived, +he was admitted to the episcopate by the +Archbishop, assisted by the Bishops of Lichfield, +Carlisle, and Bangor; the preacher on the occasion +being the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Josiah Pratt. In a memorandum, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_574">[Pg 574]</span> +in which Dr. Corrie noted down the particulars of +the service in which he had been engaged, he remarks<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I awoke in the morning at four o’clock, and set myself +to prayer. I then read in the Epistles to Timothy,<a id="FNanchor_171" href="#Footnote_171" class="fnanchor">[171]</a> and the +Hebrews, with a view to the service before me, and was +enabled to realize in a small degree the pardoning mercy of +God, and to hope for grace in all time to come. I then +asked for mercies suited to my apprehension of my present +state; for relatives and friends; and for the Church of God +at large. During the service at Lambeth, I entered with +some fixedness, into the sentiments expressed in the prayers; +and intend to review them frequently, to bring my vows to +remembrance. When having the robes put on me, the +language of the Church in Isaiah came to my mind, and I +prayed to be clothed with the garments of Salvation, and the +robe of righteousness.</p> + +<p>“Whilst standing before the table in my rochet, I thought +of Latimer, led to the stake in his long shirt; and, I trust, +desired to be found faithful unto death.... On the whole, +I bless God for the grace vouchsafed to me this day, and +only desire that the impression may remain; which past +experience teaches me will not be the case, unless Thou, O +Lord, carry on that, I trust, Thou hast began. ‘Forsake +not the work of Thine own hand,’ for Jesus’ sake, Amen +and Amen.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Soon after his consecration, Bishop Corrie remarks +in a letter to his wife, as he notes also in a memorandum<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am not yet reconciled to my change of signature. The +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_575">[Pg 575]</span> +meaning of the change I understand to be, that those who +are appointed to rule in the church of Christ, take the +name of that portion of His body (He being Head and +Bridegroom of the Church) to which they are, in the +language of Scripture, ‘married.’ If my new name do not +remind me of allegiance, and tend in some degree, to bind +me to obedience, it will not operate as it ought to do. I +find, however, the same old nature still within me, and that +it changeth not with a name. May a new nature, as well as +a new name, be wrought in me!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">On the 18th of June, the Bishop had, by special +appointment, a private audience of the king. The +account of this interview with King William <abbr title="Four">IV.</abbr> +was recorded at the time by Bishop Corrie, and is +too characteristic of that kind-hearted sovereign to +be omitted<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I went to St. James’ at four o’clock,” observes the +Bishop, “and had an interview with the king alone. On +entering his closet, his Majesty came forward, offered his +hand which, kneeling on one knee, I kissed. He then desired +me to sit down; and detained me about half an hour. +Asked, Where I was educated? Where born? How long +I had been in India? My income? Pension? How long +I was going out for? My motives in going? Whether I +had any relatives, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> Saying, amongst other things, +‘that the Indian Bishops ought to have a house: that he did +not like the cutting down of salaries; feared it would bring +back the old abuses; expressed a high opinion of the Indian +servants of government, and much interest in the welfare of +India; wished me health and strength to perform my +duties; told me not to remain in India, if my health failed; +and said he should be happy to hear of a Bishop’s appointment +to Bombay. He then most graciously dismissed me.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_576">[Pg 576]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">On Friday the 18th, the Bishop attended the +Committee of the Society for the Propagation of the +Gospel. The Bishops of Lichfield and Bangor were +present; and at the request of the meeting, the last-named +prelate drew up a resolution congratulatory +of Dr. C. on his appointment to Madras, and expressive +of the good wishes of the society towards +him; after which he took his leave.</p> + +<p class="tall">The next day, the Bishop and his daughter +went on board a steamer at the Tower-stairs and +joined the “Exmouth,” which was then lying +in the Downs, and in which they had secured a passage +to Madras. At four o’clock that evening, +the anchor was raised, and the ship got under sail for +her destination. During the following week, however, +they did not make much way, for on the 26th +of June, the Bishop writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Off Plymouth.<br> +</p> + +<p>“The wind has been contrary, as you will conclude from +the date of this. It is still contrary, but having now sea-room, +the pilot is about to leave us. Farewell, then, to +England, probably for ever; though I have no presentiment +or resolve on that head. And farewell to beloved relatives. +How happy are we in the prospect of dwelling together in the +‘city which hath foundations!’ In this, surely, we who +have lately met are favoured; and truly thankful am I for +this communion with you.</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry small"> + <div class="verse indent0a">“We’ll praise God for all that is past,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And trust Him for all that’s to come.”</div> +</div> +</div> + +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_577">[Pg 577]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">There were on board the Exmouth, several +passengers; among whom were the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> M. Wilkinson +and his family, returning to their missionary +labours in India. Besides passengers, were one +hundred recruits, with their officers, proceeding to +join H. M. 16th regiment of foot. On Sundays, as +the weather permitted, the Bishop was in the habit +of celebrating divine service on deck, and of admitting +daily to family-prayer in his cabin, as many +as chose to attend; whilst Mr. Wilkinson collected +from among the soldiers, a Bible-class of sixteen, +with whom he read the Scriptures every day. In +the evening of the 6th of September, the Exmouth +reached the Cape of Good Hope, where the Bishop +had the comfort of finding his wife’s health greatly +recruited. As, also, the Chaplains at the Cape were +in expectation of Bishop Corrie’s return, they had +prepared their young people for Confirmation, and +he accordingly administered that rite on the 12th of +September, to 150 candidates. On that day also, +his youngest daughter was married to Mr. George +Bird, of the Madras civil service. On the 13th, +the Bishop with his wife and daughter sailed from +Simon’s bay, and reached Madras on the 24th of +October. On the same day, previously to landing, +he recorded the following memorandum<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“After several days of very slow progress, we are now, +through God’s goodness, in sight of Madras, but unable to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_578">[Pg 578]</span> +go in, until the sea-breeze springs up. Uninterrupted +mercies have followed me through the voyage home and hitherto. +Much favour has been shewn to me by many of the +excellent of the earth. Persons in authority have manifested +great civility. Supplies forthcoming in the most ready +manner, and from unlooked-for sources. I trust some +knowledge on various subjects has been acquired by me, and +some increased attention to the holy Scriptures. New duties +now await me, and the prospect often oppresses me, lest I fail. +Keep thy servant from presumptuous sins, and enable me to +walk humbly with thee. Let no elation, on account of +outward circumstances, find place in me; nor depression on +account of conscious inefficiency, prevail to hinder me from +doing what I can! May I be enabled to order my household +in a becoming manner. Prepare my ways, O Lord, +with those in authority; and enable me to act in all things +as the servant of Jesus Christ!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Bishop Corrie having landed at Madras on Saturday +<abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 24, was installed at St. George’s Church, +during the morning-service, on the following Wednesday. +Archdeacon Robinson officiated on the occasion. +For the first few weeks after his arrival in +Madras, the Bishop occupied himself almost exclusively +in making himself acquainted with the state +of things around him. Thus on the 15th of December, +he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have been taken up hitherto in exchanging visits of +civility. I have preached, indeed, in all the churches, of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_579">[Pg 579]</span> +which we have six in Madras, and one at the Mount, six +miles distant. I have, also, visited some of the schools, +and been making myself acquainted with the state of things +here as to religion. It is low enough with respect to the +descendants of Europeans. A district Visiting Society is +much on my mind, as a means of getting at individuals, in a +more direct way than has been attempted hitherto. I think +I begin to see my way in this matter; but feel often much +oppressed. We have several good men amongst the Chaplains; +but I am not yet familiarly acquainted with them, +and our communications are consequently somewhat stiff.</p> + +<p>“Madras is not at all like Calcutta; we live in houses +surrounded by large gardens. Ours stands in between two +or three acres, and is quite private, though in the centre of +the place, and about three miles from the landing-place. +The surf which breaks on the shore all along the coast, is +constantly sounding, and at first attracted our notice; but +it is now become a common thing.</p> + +<p>“The Missions in the south are in much confusion, in +Tanjore, from the caste question; in Tinnevelly from +Rhenius’s separation. I am requested to visit them next +month.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The question of caste here alluded to, was in truth +none other in principle than that which troubled the +Church in the first ages, (Gal. ii. 3, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>) and in +like manner had created divisions and heart-burnings +among the native Christians at Tanjore. Scarcely +had Bishop Corrie arrived in Madras, before he received +a long petition from some of the native priests, +native catechists, schoolmasters and other native +Christians in Tanjore and its vicinity, requesting, +among other things, that the injunctions left by the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_580">[Pg 580]</span> +Bishop of Calcutta respecting the total abolition of +caste, might be somewhat relaxed. It was with reference +to that circumstance, that the Bishop addressed +the following letter to the senior native catechist +at Tanjore<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Madras, <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 29, 1835.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I lately received a letter in the Tamul language, which +has been translated for me, and purports to be from several +Christians, inhabitants of the villages over which you were +formerly Catechist. They express great regret on account +of your removal, and complain of those who are at present +placed by the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> Missionaries to instruct them. It is my +purpose, “if the Lord will,” to visit Tanjore about the middle +of January, when I will endeavour to ascertain what is +the true character of the Catechists complained of, and will +take such measures respecting them as the case may require. +In the mean time, you will be so good as to make known this +my purpose to the parties who wrote the letter. I wish at +the same time, to beg of you, who have so long been a +teacher of the mercy of God to others, to consider anew +the question of caste. Can you hold it as a Christian principle +that God is a respecter of persons, and that those who +are high-born, can, on that account, claim to come first to +the table of the Lord? No man of any caste, who is an +unbeliever, or an immoral person, or profane breaker of any +of the commandments of God, ought to be permitted to +come at all to the Lord’s Supper; and I am certain that +due respect will always be shewn to respectable Christians, +by true Christians who may be inferior to them in temporal +circumstances. But you will not, I think, wish to maintain +that any one can claim precedence in spiritual things, +merely on account of natural birth or any outward distinction. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_581">[Pg 581]</span> +I need not quote to you the scriptures, that in the +Lord Jesus, “there is neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision, +Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free;” but “as many +as received Him, to them gives he power to become the sons +of God.”</p> + +<p>“I pray God that you and others, who are leaders in the +Lord’s army, may candidly consider this point in a purely +Christian view, and without reference to any past proceedings. +I desire to come among you as a peace-maker, and restore +harmony among you if I can. I greatly lament the distress +which many, I hear, are suffering; and if you, who +are leaders, will meet me in the spirit of Christian love, +some of the distress may be removed. Not only, therefore, +in regard to the purity of the Christian doctrine, but from +love, also, to your countrymen and fellow-christians, I hope +you will be for peace.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The separation of Mr. Rhenius at Tinnevelly, +from the Church mission at that place, had occurred +before Bishop Corrie reached Madras. It appears +that early in 1835, Mr. Rhenius had most unjustifiably +published a tract for the purpose of impugning +the government, ritual, and discipline, of the Church +of England, notwithstanding that he stood connected +as a missionary with the Church Missionary Society. +However painful it might therefore be, to that Society, +to dissolve their connection with a person who +had for twenty years zealously laboured as a missionary, +yet, under the circumstances of the case, +they felt bound in consistency, as conscientious +members of the Church of England, to declare that +the relationship which had hitherto subsisted between +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_582">[Pg 582]</span> +Mr. Rhenius and the Society was at an end. In this +decision Mr. Rhenius readily acquiesced, and quitted +Tinnevelly in June 1835, having previously delivered +over all the concerns of the Church-mission there, +to the Society’s representative. Within a few +months, however, Mr. Rhenius thought proper to +return to Tinnevelly, at the invitation of some dissatisfied +catechists; and the natural consequence was, +that the whole mission at that place underwent a +change from a state of organization and peace, to a +scene of strife and disorder. It was with the hope +that some remedy might be suggested for this lamentable +state of things, that the Bishop thought it of +importance that he should ascertain personally what +might be done for peace and order.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I go,” he observes, in a Letter to his brother, “at +much personal and pecuniary inconvenience. It will cost +me £100; but my instructions are called for, and I cannot +direct in the dark. I go with much fear and distrust of +myself; but by calm investigation, and taking no hasty +steps, I trust I may effect some good.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">In a memorandum which the Bishop made January +2, 1836, in the prospect of the journey, he states<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have examined the Madras Asylum, both male and +female; and the high school at Vepery. Examined also, +the native girls’ school of the Church Missionary Society. +In all of them a very considerable knowledge of Scripture is +found. I have received Mr. Hickey, as a Missionary to the +Portuguese congregation of the Vepery Mission; and am +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_583">[Pg 583]</span> +endeavouring to bring about a district Visiting Society for +Black Town, and to have the Church-building fund confined +to this Diocese; which seems agreeable to all I have met +with, who wish well to the object. I have taken steps +towards issuing marriage licences. In all this, there is all +the prosperity I could desire: yet never at one period have +my trials been so great. The experience of that Pope, who +is said to have doubted of his salvation, more and more, as +he advanced in the Orders of his Church, till having gained +the highest step, he utterly despaired, sickened and died, +has been much on my mind.... Frequently I awake in +the night with a feeling of dismay inexpressible, as to what +may be the end of myself, and in respect of the objects +contemplated by my office. Intending to visit Tanjore and +Tinnevelly, I am at a loss utterly how to proceed, or what +to attempt. I am indeed oppressed: O Lord, undertake for +me. I will still thank God, through Jesus Christ our +Lord!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It was on the 11th of January 1836, that Bishop +Corrie left Madras on his mission of peace. The +incidents connected with this journey are related in +the following correspondence with his wife and family, +or in occasional memoranda<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“Sadras, <abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 12, 1836. I arrived here at 4 o’clock this +morning, just 11 hours after the Palkee left home, and this +included the passage of the river after I left you, and the +delay at the first stage of nearly half an hour. The bearers +therefore, travel faster here than in our country: they do +not change shoulders so often, but go generally a swinging +step, which is very uneasy. The road lay all the way +within sound of the surf, and here the Bungalow is not +above a gun-shot from the sea. There is one old fort, and +many descendants of Dutch, all very poor; the Bungalow +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_584">[Pg 584]</span> +is in very nice order, and has accommodation for three +parties. A Colonel, his wife, and some children, with an +Ayah,<a id="FNanchor_172" href="#Footnote_172" class="fnanchor">[172]</a> came in about 7; they have two rooms, and I one, +but we see nothing of each other. Notwithstanding the noise +of the bearers, and the jolting of the Palkee, I slept a good +deal, and had a nap after arriving, although a disturbed one. +Fish and eggs were provided for breakfast, and I am as +comfortable as I can be from home; but I feel much a +stranger and very lonely. My thoughts are often with you +all, and heavy thoughts also arise as to the result of my +journey. The more the state of the Tanjore people is +enquired into, the more difficult it appears to deal with them. +Their teachers have countenanced much that is wrong among +them, by administering among them, without reproving +their errors; from which they at length have concluded +themselves blameless; and in looking over the list of charges +urged against them, many seem matters of choice, which +we all observe or not according to taste. May He in whom +alone is wisdom and strength, give me both to perceive and +to know what things I ought to stipulate for, and grace +faithfully to fulfil the same; and may He ‘turn the hearts +of the disobedient’ among them, ‘to the wisdom of the +just!’”</p> + +<p>“Myaveram, <abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 14. I arrived here at half past six, +and having changed my clothes and reposed a little, purpose +giving you a brief sketch of my journey thus far. I am in +the house of Sir Henry Montgomery, the deputy Collector of +Tanjore, but have not yet seen him or his lady. The whole +way I have come is, as to country, not only without interest +but very dreary; partly I suppose, that being along shore, +the sea air is unfavourable to vegetation. The road was to +Sadras firm and good, after that to Pondicherry, partly +sandy, and partly lakes of water, and partly on the very +brink of the sea. Since leaving Cuddalore, at first sandy +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_585">[Pg 585]</span> +and heavy, then stiff soil, but no made road; and it took +twelve hours to travel about thirty-six miles. We crossed four +pretty broad rivers during last night; two of them branches +of the Coleroon, a name renowned in Orme’s account of +Hindoostan, and which I little expected ever to behold. On +two of the rivers are ferry boats, provided by Government, +good and substantial; but all the other boats I have been +obliged to use are both comparatively small and very fragile. +The water has nowhere been deep, though enough to give a +good ducking. The Coleroon even might have been passed +by wading, but the bearers professed fear of Alligators. +The song of the bearers continues the same all the way as +at Madras.</p> + +<p>“One mode of adorning their temples, is peculiar to this +part of India. Near a Hindoo Pagoda on this side Sadras, I +observed a colossal figure of a man seated on a throne. For +a time I could not make out what it could be. Yesterday +morning, the same kind of figure presented itself with a +spearman on each side standing by it, and in front a huge +figure of a horse. Yesterday evening, passing near a shady +grove there seemed to be a row of tigers guarding the +entrance, which in the gloom of the twilight appeared at +first very formidable: and just before I reached my present +position, a row of elephants, and figures of men on horseback, +seemed to guard the entrance to a temple; and +behind were figures as of a flock of sheep. This is all I +have seen new on my way. This place is like a garden in +not quite a wilderness, for the country seems fertile, but +irregularly cultivated; and a pretty lawn with a variety of +flowers in front, gives a lovely appearance, to my eye, which +has seen nothing like it since leaving Madras. I must not, +however, disparage Cuddalore; but it is an old regularly +formed town, with 300 European pensioners scattered about +it, besides the gentry, civil and military. I passed yesterday +from half past 9 till half past 4, gaining useful information +on missionary matters. Contrary to my former experience +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_586">[Pg 586]</span> +on this point. I sleep a good deal during the night, so as to +require no sleep during the day.</p> + +<p>“Twelve o’clock. At breakfast, met Sir Henry and his +lady. They are nice young people, and both seem very +happy and intelligent. They have been here five years, quite +sequestered: he has been eleven years in the service, but +looks considerably younger, with fine speaking eyes. They +go home next year on furlough. They make me very welcome, +and I have a nice apartment, all in the bungalow +style. Tanjore forty miles: I am to be driven part of the +way in the evening. The christian Catechist, and some of +his people have been to see me; about 600 young and old are +under christian instruction.</p> + +<p>“I am not yet half on my way; the distance looks at times +dreary, and the old idea of dragging a lengthened chain, +applies a little to my case. May duty prevail as it ought, +and my chains will feel proportionably lighter! Think of +me when on your knees!</p> + +<p>“Tanjore, January 17. Intending to proceed at bedtime +to Trichinopoly, I leave this for to-night’s post; as +otherwise several days would intervene before you hear +of me again—the distance to Trichinopoly is thirty-six miles. +On Friday I had a busy day with the Missionaries, ascertaining +the number and state of their congregations, accounts of +their proceedings <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> Yesterday I was occupied almost the +whole day with the Nonconformists: at one time, and for +about two hours, the room was quite full of them. It was a +time of great anxiety to me, hearing their objections, and +answering them. The task was not difficult, but the point +I stood upon was the duty of attending the Lord’s Supper, +without regard to who else might be present. I stated that +the bread represents our Lord’s body, and the wine his +blood, which he offered on the cross for our redemption. In +communicating, we are to think only of the Saviour, whose +memorial is before us; and in receiving the bread and wine, +we receive Christ as the author of our salvation. But if I refuse +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_587">[Pg 587]</span> +to receive the emblems of the Saviour because another +has partaken before me, I lose sight of the Saviour, and +treat the bread and wine as common food. This they could +not get over, and I am led to hope, most of them will yield +this point, and if so, I shall have to thank God for having +come. If not I have done what I could in this matter. +Through God’s goodness I am quite well to-day and preparing +to preach in English at half-past ten; and to attend +family service at four <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>—Evening. The congregation in +the morning was about fifty, besides many natives, who understand +English. I have been addressing the native congregation +through Mr. Coombes: may a blessing follow from +above!</p> + +<p>“January 19th. I received yours of the 15th, yesterday, +at Trichinopoly, and sat down to answer it, but was interrupted. +I wrote you from Tanjore most of the particulars +of my visit there. There is nothing to see but the fruits of +Swartz’s labours in two Churches, and the many called by the +name of Christ among the natives. Mr. Coombes is invaluable +there from his knowledge of Tamil, and the right spirit he +manifests. I arrived there yesterday morning soon after +six: every thing was done for my comfort. I went before +breakfast to the Church, which was near, and saw Heber’s +grave, which will long render Trichinopoly a place of interest.</p> + +<p>“Trichinopoly is a large station, with good roads about +it. Both at Tanjore, and there, the chief city is within the +Fort, which at Trichinopoly encompasses a pyramidical hill, +on the top of which is a house of imposing appearance, a +kind of monastery of Brahmins. I write this at a staging +bungalow, half way to Madura. I have here an invitation +from Mr. Blackburn the Judge of Madura; and the Cutwal +has been ordered to shew me all attention. On arriving I +was saluted with the rattling of tom-toms, and four or five +native hautboys and the Tahsildar<a id="FNanchor_173" href="#Footnote_173" class="fnanchor">[173]</a> came after breakfast to +wait upon me with like state. The bungalow stands in a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_588">[Pg 588]</span> +valley surrounded by irregular hills, something like those +at Chunar. The climate is cool, and at night cold. The +cause of so much coolness in this latitude, must rise from +the sea on the east, and the ghauts on the west. I am now +forty miles from the sea, having been verging inland ever +since leaving Cuddalore.</p> + +<p>“Madura, Wednesday morning. I arrived here at two +this morning, and have had some hours quiet sleep in a +fine upper room. I have not yet seen Mr. Blackburn, but +every thing around is in the most comfortable style of an +Indian Judge. The country all around is flat, with a continuation +of irregular detached hills as yesterday. The night +travelling quite unhinges my frame, as the hand-writing +shews. I shall become more steady after a meal. This +place is worth describing, but the post goes to Madras at +eight, so I have not time.</p> + +<p>“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 21. I am now through God’s goodness within +sixty miles of Palamcottah; another night’s run will, proceeding +as I have done, bring me to my journey’s end, outward +bound. I yesterday sent off a letter for you from +Madura. The collector, Mr. Blackburn, was as kind as +possible. He invited the other three civilians to tiffin. +There were two officers with a detachment, at some distance, +and four American missionaries whom I did not see. The +Judge has an infant, whom I am to baptize on my way back, +and there are children of writers, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, desirous of the same. +None of our Bishops came so far south; so that I am the first +who has visited these parts. Alas, how inadequate to meet +public expectation!</p> + +<p>“Mr. Blackburn’s house is one of the best in the country. +To the south of it is a large sheet of water, and a small +island in the midst, with a truly picturesque temple upon +it. Madura is famous in Hindoo Mythology. A grand +festival is to be held on 1st February, when the idol will be +brought from the temple at some distance, and take a sail +on the lake and visit the summer-house on the island. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_589">[Pg 589]</span> +About a lac of people generally collect on the occasion. I +have seen several temples, all in the style of Juggernauth +for size.</p> + +<p>“At Madura, as at Trichinopoly, the temple is within +the fort, and the town is there. The country all along very +interesting, and the population very scanty. In the rains, +the face of the country must be covered with water, it is so +flat; and now there are little streams and rills constantly +occurring. These are fed by the water from the hills to the +westward, and for six years the supply has been very scanty. +This year the rain has fallen plentifully, and crops of all +kind, but principally rice, are abundant. The people are +beginning to gather in the rice. They are at work in a +threshing-place close to the staging bungalow. I feel very +lonely to-day, though in much peace—my mind has been +much with you all during the night.</p> + +<p>“Palamcottah, Friday.—At the end of my journey. I +now begin to look back, and the way seems not so long as +did the distance I have come. I was going on as usual, and +had fallen asleep when the Palkee was set down at two, and +I was told Mr. Tucker was come. He had kindly come out +about ten miles; we returned about two miles, when the +whole body of catechists were standing on each side the way, +and received us with a song of praise. I got out and +thanked them for their congratulations, expressing my wishes +for their prosperity. We then came on a tumultuous cavalcade, +and reached the mission-house at twenty minutes past +four. Mr. Tucker prayed, and I went to rest for two hours. +We breakfasted at eight, after family worship. After that, +ten divisions of catechists and schoolmasters, came in rotation +to make <i>salaam</i>. They marched in, singing a verse of +praise. Flowers were scattered on my head, and gold and +silver stars; some of which I made Joseph gather, when all +were gone, to bring to Anna. The English residents have +been to see me also; you know that bustle rather upsets +than gratifies me. My feelings have rather been blunted than +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_590">[Pg 590]</span> +pleased by all this; and a feeling of my own utter worthlessness +before God keeps me low, as also of unprofitableness +towards men.</p> + +<p>“January 25th. My purpose is to stay here over Sunday +next, to be at Madura on Tuesday; Trichinopoly on +Thursday; and at Tanjore, till the Sunday evening following. +On the Monday, Mayaveram; Tuesday, at Porto Nova; +Wednesday at Cuddalore. Perhaps stay there till Monday +evening. Friday, at Sadras; and on Saturday, February +12th, at <i>Dulce Domum</i>. Such is my purpose: may God of +his goodness dispose accordingly!</p> + +<p>“Yesterday we had morning service in English, and in +the afternoon, in Tamil. I preached both times, the latter +you will judge, by an interpreter—the native congregation +about 500. Mr. Rhenius’s proceedings are of the most injurious +kind. He is either blinded by self-love, or most +miserably misinformed, which must be his own fault; but +I have not time to-day for particulars. We are all going to +dine with Mr. and Mrs. Prendergast; Mr. P. is also here. +Till this moment I have been occupied with about 200 +catechists and school-masters.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The following remarks on the state of the Tinnevelly +Mission, occur among the Bishop’s private +memoranda<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Palamcottah, <abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 28, 1836.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have been here now seven days, and have been endeavouring +to form a distinct idea of the circumstances of +this Mission. It appears, that from the first, expectations +of redress of wrongs have been held out to such natives as +sought aid from the Missionaries. Hence a Vakeel<a id="FNanchor_174" href="#Footnote_174" class="fnanchor">[174]</a> has +been employed at the charge of the mission, to ascertain +particulars of complaint, and to make representations accordingly +to the Tahsildars and in the cutchery<a id="FNanchor_175" href="#Footnote_175" class="fnanchor">[175]</a> of the collector. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_591">[Pg 591]</span> +And this practice has so increased, that Mr. Pettitt +is chiefly occupied in hearing and arranging the temporal +affairs of native applicants. The consequence has been that +whole villages, or the greater part of the inhabitants of some +villages, have “come over,” as the expression is, at once, to +put themselves under Christian instruction ostensibly, but +at the same time, to enjoy the protection referred to. Of +the many thus reported, comparatively few have received +baptism. In one village of 600, only forty are baptized.</p> + +<p>“On enquiring of the assembled inspecting Catechists to-day, +‘How it came to pass, that of so many reported under +Christian instruction, for several years, so few were really +baptized?’—the answer given was, ‘Partly from the inattention +or bad example of the Catechists; partly, that +many being disappointed in their expectations of worldly benefit, +drew back to heathenism; or, having obtained their +object, became satisfied, and were not desirous of baptism.’</p> + +<p>“It appears that little or no distinction is observed in the +treatment of the baptized, and unbaptized. The Catechist +marries the unbaptized when called upon, and also the baptized. +In both cases a charm is put on the neck of the +female, instead of a ring on the finger. The same services +are observed at the burial of the baptized and unbaptized; +except that in the former case, going to the house of the +deceased, and more ceremony is observed. Some do not use +the Church service over the unbaptized, but pray extempore. +Mr. Rhenius in the early part of his Mission, used the service +of the Church of England in baptism; and confirmed some +young persons by the imposition of hands, as directed in our +Confirmation-service; but afterwards omitted our forms +altogether.</p> + +<p>“The children of converts seem not to have been attended +to, after the Scripture rule. Some persons having families, +were reported, by a Catechist, as baptized seven years ago. +Their children, neither then, nor since baptized. It seems +that Mr. Rhenius has sent to all his Catechists and School-masters +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_592">[Pg 592]</span> +to come and pay their respects to the Bishop; and +accordingly a considerable number came after breakfast. +On Mr. Dent having called, I explained that I was the Inspector +of the Church of England’s Missions; and that they +having left it, what had I to do with them? One very +plausibly answered, ‘That they worshipped the same Lord, +and held the same faith, and preached the same Gospel as +before.’ I asked if nothing was said in Scripture of the sin +of schism? They answered, ‘Yes.’ I then said, ‘Was there +no sin, that when one man in a village beat the drum to call +the people to prayers, another should beat the same drum? +When one began to pray, another should begin to pray?’ +They owned this was wrong; but attempted to lay the +blame on the Church Missionary Society’s catechists: but I +observed from the case of the young man who came before +me the other day, (a catechist of Mr. Rhenius’) that he had +owned that he held public worship, at the same time with +the Church Missionary catechist. A long examination of +persons followed, which, with information before received, +led me to address the party as follows:—‘That for fifteen +years past, the word of God had been made known, and +spread abroad in these parts by means of the Church Missionary +Society. That many had become enlightened +with the light of life. That Mr. Rhenius had been supplied +during that time, with funds as a Missionary of the Church +Missionary Society. That having separated from the Society, +he left the place; and that during his absence all was peace +in the mission. That the young man present, who wrote +the letter, stating that the congregations were wishing for +his return, admitted that he did not of his own knowledge +write thus, but that the catechists, who signed the +letter, told him so. That some of the Head-men whose +names were affixed to the letter, told me, ‘that they knew +not that it was a letter of recal, but [thought it] only a +friendly letter of congratulation on his arrival at Arcot. +That one of the inspecting catechists (then present, and now +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_593">[Pg 593]</span> +in Mr. Rhenius’ employment) had confessed having expressed +to Mr. Tucker his sorrow for having signed the letter to Mr. +Rhenius; and that he did not know that it was an invitation +to come back, having read only a part of it; and was not +aware how bad a man David Pillay is:—That a head-man +present, had confessed just now, that if Mr. Pettit would +have let him the land, and the palmyra-trees at Dobnavoor, +for the money he wished (viz. four Rs. instead of ten Rs.) +he would not have joined Mr. Rhenius:—That several other +of Mr. Rhenius’ people present, had owned [to] having been, +at different times, convicted of delinquencies:—That Mr. +Rhenius had been told of the deceits practised upon him, but +he would not believe it of those who invited him back. +These things, in my presence, had been confessed by them: +but he had come back, and all this division had followed. +The Society would therefore never receive Mr. Rhenius again. +That, for myself, I could not but grieve to think, how, in +this way, Satan had prevailed to hinder the success of the +gospel. That now the heathen laughed, and said, ‘The +preachers of the Gospel of Peace, are quarrelling amongst +themselves.’ That for those present, who by deceiving Mr. +Rhenius, and bringing him back, had been the occasion of +this evil, I should pray that God would give them repentance, +that they might seek the pardon of this their great sin, +and not finally perish among the unbelievers.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Bishop adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“In one case of ninety-nine families, in two adjoining +villages, only three families are baptized; and in some congregations +not an individual is baptized.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Two days after the date of this memorandum, the +Bishop prepared to leave Palamcottah. He writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS WIFE.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_594">[Pg 594]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 30, 1836.<br> +</p> + +<p>“My <i>dawk</i> is ordered for to-morrow evening, so that I +begin to think of myself as on my way home again. I +know not well whether any good has been accomplished by +my visit, except convincing the people that the Church Missionary +Society will not abandon the mission. The agents of +Mr. R. had circulated far and wide that such would be the +case. There is no end to the falsehoods propagated by his +agents, and to which he gave indirect occasion.</p> + +<p>“I have seen nothing of the country around, but from just +a little evening’s drive; yet towards the west it is said to be +interesting as to scenery, being towards the Ghauts. I am +no hand at drawing, as you know, but this sketch will give +you some idea of this station.”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 1, Stageing Bungalow.<br> +</p> + +<p>“Fifty-two miles on the way to Madras, and in good +health. Thanks be to God! The dreariness of this place +answers very well to my state of mind, and gives opportunity +for looking back.... Mr. Peet and Mr. Bailey came over +from Travancore.</p> + +<p>“After the Bishop of Calcutta had been there and had plainly +spoken out what reforms were considered necessary for the +clergy, the two Metrans collected a hasty synod of their +Church, and voted in a violent manner that they would have +no reform, nor anything further to do with the missionaries. +In consequence the labors of twenty years seem come to +nothing. It is now, I believe, intended that the missionaries +shall teach and preach as opportunity offers. If +any of the clergy reform, of which they have now some +hope, their way will be plain; but it remains to be seen. +It had become necessary for Mr. Tucker to go over to see +the Resident, and consult with him as to the protection it +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_595">[Pg 595]</span> +may be in his power, or be right for him to afford, to those +who may turn from their errors to the truth. Mr. T. will +not be above a week or ten days after me at Madras.</p> + +<p>“Yesterday, I ordained John Devasagayam, priest. Mr. +Tucker preached, and Messrs. Blackman, Pettitt, Peet, and +Bailey, with Mr. Tucker, joined in the imposition of hands. +The service was all new to me; I had to look out my places, +which took my attention too much off from the sentiments +expressed in the service. It was, however, on the whole a +day of seriousness, and I hope of blessing. John preached +in the evening in Tamil; his text was appropriate, Ephesians +vi, 18, 19. I was told he gave a sketch of his training +under Dr. John, the colleague of good Dr. Rottler at Tranquebar; +and related the circumstances of his conversion, +desired the congregation to pray for him, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr></p> + +<p>“After social prayer with the mission family and the +catechists, I came away at half-past-eight. I arrived +here, fifty-two miles, by nine this morning. By this you +will judge how well these bearers carry; they go three before +and three behind, and their stages are generally about +twenty miles and sometimes thirty; which they accomplish +without seeming at all distressed. To-morrow, d. v. I have +some children to baptize at Madura, and then onward in +the evening towards Trichinopoly, from whence I purpose +writing again.”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“Verully Malay, <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 3, 1836.<a id="FNanchor_176" href="#Footnote_176" class="fnanchor">[176]</a><br> +</p> + +<p>“I am to-day at a stageing Bungalow in the Tondeman’s +country,—the title of an independent prince who retains his +paternal inheritance independent of the Company, in name, +and he is wise enough to be quiet, collect his own revenue, +and live at peace with the lion. Yesterday, I sent off a +letter to your beloved mother from Madura, and which I +hope is before me; but am not certain, as I have come on +pretty quick. I mentioned, in going from hence, a beautiful +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_596">[Pg 596]</span> +lake with a very tasty summer-house, on an Island in the +middle of it,—in front of the Collector’s house at Madura. +Yesterday was the annual Festival of the Idol at Madura; +a float, with a very splendid temple erected upon it, was +prepared on the lake. A gentleman present said it was like +the Chinese Temples erected in St. James’s Park, when the +allied Sovereigns were in England. The Idol was brought +with great noise, and amidst a large concourse of people, +from the Temple in the fort, above a mile distant, and placed +on the float, which was then drawn by ropes, from the shore, +twice round the lake. After a rest, the float was drawn towards +the Island, where the Idol was to pass the evening, and the +Temple and the entire bank of the lake to be illuminated at +night. Vast crowds were going towards Madura, as I came +away, to see the illumination; and all the Europeans were +to be at Mr. Blackburne’s to view the sight. I felt no +inducement to stay. Colonel Maclean was there with the +Tondeman, as resident. Two American missionaries who +were settled at Madura, came to breakfast, and staid till +11 o’clock conversing on missionary subjects. They are +very self-denying and persevering in their labours: I was +much taken with them. Two others of their party were +gone to Ceylon for change, having lost their wives at +Madura, within three months of their landing. I baptized +a child of Mr. Hooper, the Judge, and saw the catechist +of the Propagation Society. There is a branch of the +Tanjore mission here, which has been much neglected of +late years,—the Lord’s Supper has not been administered +during two years past. I saw Mr. Rosen, the missionary of +that Society in Tinnevelly. His sphere of labour is about 20 +miles distant from Palamcottah. He came hither to see me, +and brought me a statement of his mission. He is a Dane +by nation, and a good man, but is deaf and quite inadequate +to be alone.... The people of Tanjore are in a deplorable +state of apathy, and want of spiritual life. I came away +from Madura before 5 <span class="allsmcap">P. M.</span>, and reached my halting-stage +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_597">[Pg 597]</span> +by five this morning, when the bearers being ready, I came +on hither, and am only 20 miles from Trichinopoly. I +expect to be there by nine this evening, and to enjoy a +comfortable bed at Mr. Blair’s, which I rather anticipate; +for three disturbed nights add considerably to the natural +tremulousness of my frame.”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“Trichinopoly, Thursday morning.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I arrived here last night just at gun-fire. Mrs. Blair +is, it seems, so much better as to have gone to the neighbourhood +for change of air, and Mr. B. is with her; but +everything was ready for me here, and I was glad to go at +once to bed. This morning early, I was roused by the +sweet sound of ‘fairy-like music:’ though, to be sure, the +great drum rather dissipated the idea of fairies. The European +barrack is, I find, near; but the most joyous event, +is a letter this morning from Mr. Bainbridge, saying you +are all well.”</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS WIFE.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Tanjore, <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 6, 1836.<br> +</p> + +<p>“You will know, I passed the whole of Thursday and +yesterday, at Mr. Blair’s at Trichinopoly; he seems a very +valuable man. There are fifteen families or so, who meet +together on Tuesday evenings for religious improvement; +and among the soldiers there is a Wesleyan, and a Church +of England Society. In the latter, there are several of the +officers of H. M. Regiment, who meet the men, and read +prayers and a sermon. Finding there were so many pious +people at the Station, I told the Chaplain we would have +service last night. Accordingly, at a quarter past 6, we +assembled in the church: there were not so few as 100 +soldiers, and the church appeared filled, though not crowded, +with officers and their families. My text was Psalm cxxx. 4. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_598">[Pg 598]</span> +A chair was placed for me by the Communion-table, upon +Heber’s grave. I was tired in body, and could feel nothing +on any subject; but it was a very solemn occasion to me, +that he, one of the flowers of human nature, should have +been cut down so seemingly prematurely, and I, a withered +stalk, left and put into his place. Surely God’s ways are +not as man’s ways! From Heber all good of which man +is capable, might have been expected, whilst I can only say, +‘my desire is to the remembrance of Thy name.’—He perfects +strength in human weakness, and by things foolish in +the eye of carnal reason, humbles man’s pride, and causes +it to be acknowledged that the ‘excellency of the power is +of Himself.’ This is my only, but—blessed be God!—my +sufficient consolation in my office. May God make manifest +his strength in my weakness!</p> + +<p>“Did I tell you I went one evening to the Fort at +Palamcottah, and had service with the few artillerymen? +They seemed most attentive, and some of them much moved; +and last Sunday some of them came to Church, though not +ordered, and knelt in prayer, and appeared very attentive. +Who knows but the arrow, shot at a venture, may fix a +saving conviction in them? May it prove so!”</p> + + +<p class="p2 right">“Tanjore, Feby. 7th, 1836.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I have had a very fatiguing morning. At half-past seven +we went to Tamil service; after morning prayer I preached +on the latter part of 1 Cor. xi. Mr. Coombes interpreting for +me. After service the Lord’s Supper was administered to +upwards of 200 Native christians. Among them were three +of the hitherto nonconformists, the most intelligent of the +whole christian community; Pakianaden the native judge, +Warswasyanaden, the native priest; and Thomas, head +catechist. What effect their conformity will have on the +rest, remains to be seen; but my object in coming hither at +this time seems gained. Thanks to God! There is a disposition, +I fear, to require personal apologies from them: if +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_599">[Pg 599]</span> +this is done, more inconvenience will arise; and surely we +should be content, if the <i>principle</i> of caste be yielded by them. +The service was not over till after eleven. I feel that if I +were to attend the afternoon-service, and preach as intended, I +should probably have fever; and, with the journey before me, +I remain at home all the afternoon.</p> + +<p>“Monday. The country generally is uninteresting and +thinly peopled, but all last night we seemed passing through +a town: the fertility of the Tanjore country is proverbial. +Soon after day, we arrived at a village where all was bustle +and activity: it is their Idol festival. A car very much decorated, +and much more in the style of a triumphal car than +any they have in the north, was being dragged through the +street, with frequent discharges of heavy pieces, or fireworks. +The bearers took me down a lane to avoid the crowd, or perhaps +that my <i>feringee</i><a id="FNanchor_177" href="#Footnote_177" class="fnanchor">[177]</a> presence might not offend the god. +I am staying over the day on the border of the Tanjore +country. In the evening cross the Coleroon, and shall reach +Porto Novo by nine or ten. Last night I slept very little—my +thoughts were much with you. Sir H. Montgomery has +sent a peon<a id="FNanchor_178" href="#Footnote_178" class="fnanchor">[178]</a> to attend me through each of the three stages +under him: this civility saves me trouble, and secures what +I may want.</p> + +<p>“Tuesday. Porto Novo. This is a very interesting place, +close on the sea. I proceed to Cuddalore this evening and +from thence, to-morrow, go to Sadras. I shall not probably +write again, as I shall be as soon at Madras as the post.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Bishop reached Madras on the 12th of February, +but not without having suffered from the +fatigue inseparable from so long a journey. He considered +himself, however, to have been amply compensated +for all the expence and exhaustion which he +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_600">[Pg 600]</span> +had encountered, since, if no other good should result, +his visit to Palamcottah and Tanjore had brought to +light the real state of the missions there. With reference +therefore to that subject, he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Madras, <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 17, 1836.<br> +</p> + +<p>“We have many hundred Native christians here, and in +the provinces to the southward, many thousands; but they +are in a most deplorably low state as to true religion.... +In Tanjore, of nearly 5,000 professed christians, scarcely one +is known to be spiritually-minded; and in Tinnevelly, of the +10,000 reported christians, very few indeed are really converted +to God. Of them all, not above 2,000 men, women +and children included, are baptized, though all are treated +as christians. The old missions in that quarter are also in +a low state; and in the most southern point 3,000 descendants +of the first converts have returned to heathenism, +and are more opposed to attempts at their conversion than +those who never heard of Christ.... Afflicting as is the +state of these people, there is no room for discouragement. +We must endeavour to do them good with more simplicity +and diligence. I have heard here of a very characteristic remark +of Bishop Turner. When asked what he thought of +the Tanjore christians? He answered, That he thought the +best way of dealing with them would be, to excommunicate +them all, and begin the work of conversion anew.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The causes which mainly contributed to this state +of things seem to have been, the worldly advantages +and protection connected with the profession of +christianity in Southern India, and the want of a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_601">[Pg 601]</span> +sufficient number of competent missionaries. Worldly +advantages have always been found to call forth the +duplicity of the native character, and to lead them +for unworthy ends to place themselves under christian +instruction.<a id="FNanchor_179" href="#Footnote_179" class="fnanchor">[179]</a> In this case the number of self-seekers +seems to have been so great, that, with every +desire to do so, it became utterly impracticable for a +few missionaries to give adequate attention to every +individual native who might offer himself for instruction. +The employment of, and trusting to, native catechists +became thus unavoidable, to a much greater extent +than under different circumstances could have happened. +Then, as these in their turn betrayed the confidence +placed in them, by practising as much deception +as the pretended catechumens could do; and as +those who visited these localities on behalf of the +missionary societies, could in most cases hold intercourse +with the natives themselves, only through an +interpreter, the inspectors of the mission were the +more easily misled by outward appearances, and interested +representations. It were doubtless no difficult +matter to suggest, that if a greater degree of caution +had been used in the first instance, on the part of +the missionaries, some of the evils which the Bishop +found in operation might have been prevented; but +it is to be feared that the blame must ultimately rest +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_602">[Pg 602]</span> +on that lukewarmness in christians, which has never +yet supplied missionaries in numbers at all commensurate +with the magnitude of the work to be done; +nor funds adequate to the efficient support of the few +missionaries who have gone forth.</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_168" href="#FNanchor_168" class="label">[168]</a> +A row-boat covered at one end.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_169" href="#FNanchor_169" class="label">[169]</a> +The rush of the spring-tide up the river. The elevation of the +wave thus occasioned, is very considerable; and the noise and rapidity +of the rush is appalling.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_170" href="#FNanchor_170" class="label">[170]</a> +It was erroneously asserted at the time that the usual appellation +of courtesy was not to be assigned to the suffragan Bishops +of India.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_171" href="#FNanchor_171" class="label">[171]</a> +Mr. Pratt preached from 1 <abbr title="Timothy two">Tim. ii.</abbr> 1-4; and the Sermon was +afterwards printed by the Archbishop’s command.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_172" href="#FNanchor_172" class="label">[172]</a> +Native nurse.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_173" href="#FNanchor_173" class="label">[173]</a> +Chief Native Revenue and Police Officer.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_174" href="#FNanchor_174" class="label">[174]</a> +A kind of Law Agent.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_175" href="#FNanchor_175" class="label">[175]</a> +Office.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_176" href="#FNanchor_176" class="label">[176]</a> +Addressed to his daughter.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_177" href="#FNanchor_177" class="label">[177]</a> +European.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_178" href="#FNanchor_178" class="label">[178]</a> +Messenger—servant.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_179" href="#FNanchor_179" class="label">[179]</a> +See above <a href="#Page_404"><abbr title="pages">pp.</abbr> 404, 405.</a></p> + +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_603">[Pg 603]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER <abbr title="Twenty-one">XXI.</abbr></h2> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="hanging"><span class="allsmcap">CHURCH-BUILDING FUND—SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR THE +IRISH CLERGY—THE MADRAS GRAMMAR SCHOOL—MEMORIAL +TO GOVERNMENT—PRIMARY VISITATION—DEATH +OF MRS. CORRIE—ORDINATION—DEATH +OF BISHOP CORRIE.</span></p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2 unindent tall"><span class="smcap">On</span> the return of the Bishop from Tanjore and Tinnevelly, +he took measures for securing that certain +subscriptions collected in Madras, toward the building +of churches, and which had hitherto been transmitted +to Calcutta, to the “fund for all India,” +should henceforth be vested in Trustees, and be applied, +under the direction of diocesan and local committees, +exclusively to the wants of the presidency +of Madras. The Bishop, also, in addition to his +other occupations, preached every Wednesday afternoon +during Lent at the church in the Fort, and on +Friday evenings at the Cathedral. In a letter which +relates these circumstances, the Bishop also observes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“April 5, 1836.<br> +</p> + +<p>“A movement has lately taken place among the East +Indian community which indicates improvement. Arrangements +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_604">[Pg 604]</span> +are being attempted for establishing an Indian Missionary +Society. One rule is to be, that no missionary engaged +by them shall receive above eighty Rs. a month, and +as much less as may be. This, originating with themselves, +looks well, but nothing is yet settled, nor any formal announcement +of the Society.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The provisional Committee, however, of this projected +Indian Missionary Society, soon afterwards +issued an outline of their plan of operations, which +was of the so-called liberal dissenting caste.</p> + +<p class="tall">As the story of the persecutions and sufferings of +the Irish clergy, had by this time reached India, it +is scarcely necessary to say that Bishop Corrie sympathised +deeply with those his brethren, in their +afflictions. Thus he writes</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO MR. SHERER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 right">“Madras, July 4, 1836.<br> +</p> + +<p>“I was requested by some friends to call a meeting<a id="FNanchor_180" href="#Footnote_180" class="fnanchor">[180]</a> to +consider on means for relieving the Irish Clergy. A failure +was predicted, but £300 were subscribed in the room, and +sent to the Archbishop of Armagh, by the last ship: £400 +more have been since received by our treasurer; and by the +end of the month we expect to receive in all 10,000 Rs.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The Bishop then goes on to state, that</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“What seems of most importance to this place, is the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_605">[Pg 605]</span> +establishment of a Grammar school. About four years ago +I wrote, or authorised Mr. M. to write, for a master for the +Calcutta High School. Mr. M. and I, when I was at home, +talked over the subject of a master, and he renewed his enquiries, +and found one. Amidst my many new avocations, +the subject had quite escaped me, till I received an official +notice from the High School Committee, that they did not +require a master, and should not receive the one engaged, nor +honour Mr. M’s draft for his passage. At first I was in +trouble, but friends here viewed this refusal as providential +for Madras. The Bishop of Calcutta sent me 1000 Rs. to +pay the passage-money, on the young man’s arrival in the +Juliana. He agreed to remain here, and we fulfilled all his +expectations from Calcutta. On the 1st inst. the school +commenced, near Mr. Tucker’s Chapel, with thirty-three +pupils, and the prospect of not fewer than 100. But salaries +of all grades are lower here than in Calcutta; and instead of +eight Rs. for each boy, as there, we can only charge four +Rs. So that we shall have more to struggle with here. But +the work is, I trust, indeed of God, and will prosper. The +new Roman Catholic Bishop and his Chaplain, had opened a +school near where ours is, and had about forty boys, most +of them sons of Protestants, who will now come to us again.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The school here referred to, is that now called by +the Bishop’s name, and was in fact, the resuscitation +of a school known as the “Parental Academy,” but +which had been closed for nearly two years, in consequence +of the inability of the managing Committee +to meet with a suitable master. On its being +merged in the Madras Grammar School, the former +laws of the Academy were remodelled, and a general +outline of a course of instruction prescribed; the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_606">[Pg 606]</span> +whole being accomplished mainly at the suggestion +or by the assistance of the Bishop.</p> + +<p class="tall">It was also about this time that the attention of Bishop +Corrie, was more particularly occupied by a desire +to aid in abating the hardship which Government imposed +on the christian servants of the Company, both +civil and military, by obliging them to attend at the +religious festivals of heathen and Mahommedans; and, +in some instances, by calling upon them to present +offerings, and to do homage to senseless and impure +idols. Many had been the representations, to the +authorities in England, of the sinfulness connected +with this direct encouragement of idolatry, and the +violence which was thus done to the consciences and +feelings of the public servants of the Government; +not to mention the inconsistency of a compulsory +attendance on an unchristian ceremonial, with that +toleration which Government professed to afford to all +their subjects in the East. Wearied out, as it would +appear, by the importunity of the aggrieved parties, +the Court of Directors, in a dispatch to the Indian +Governments early in 1833, ordered, among other +things</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“That the interference of British functionaries in the interior +management of native temples; in the customs, habits, +and religious proceedings of their priests and attendants; in +the arrangement of their ceremonies, rites, and festivals; and +generally, in the conduct of their interior economy, shall cease.</p> + +<p>“That in all matters relating to their temples, their +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_607">[Pg 607]</span> +worship, their festivals, their religious practices, and their +ceremonial observances, our native subjects be entirely left +to themselves.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">It might have been thought that a dispatch so +plain, and direct in prohibiting any further outrages +on the consciences of christians, would have met +with the ready attention of the local Governments in +India; but as regarded Madras, it does not appear +that a single step was taken to carry this positive +order into effect. After submitting, therefore, for +three years more to this unaccountable clinging of +Government to Mahommedanism and idolatry, it was +resolved by a numerous body of the clergy, civilians, +and military, under the presidency of Madras, to +address the local Government. Accordingly, a Memorial +was drawn up, in which the evils complained of +were enumerated, and the recital of them corroborated +by documentary evidence; and which concluded by +respectfully but earnestly praying, that the instructions +of the Court of Directors might be practically and +universally enforced. This document Bishop Corrie +was requested to forward to Government, but in the +first instance, he had thought it better, as a matter of +courtesy and good judgment, to submit a copy of it to +the Governor, in his private capacity; and in doing so, +the Bishop pointed out to Sir F. Adam, in what respects +the relief prayed for might, as he thought, be +readily conceded. The Governor was at the time +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_608">[Pg 608]</span> +residing on the Nilgherries, but the Bishop’s courtesy +was entirely thrown away, for no notice of +any kind was taken of his communication. In the +month of July, therefore, the Memorial was made +public, and signed by about 200 of our countrymen +of all ranks; and on the 6th of August, the Bishop +forwarded the document to the Governor of Madras +in Council, accompanied by the following letter<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I have the honour to transmit to your Excellency in +Council, at the request of those who have signed it, a Memorial, +together with the original signatures to it, enumerating +instances wherein those whose duty it is to engage in them, +feel themselves aggrieved by practices and orders which seem +to them contrary to the command of God; thereby subjecting +them to the painful alternative of violating the dictates +of their consciences, or incurring the displeasure of the +Government; and praying, that the same toleration and exemptions, +which have been long granted to their Mahommedan +and heathen fellow subjects, may be extended to the Christian +members of this Presidency.</p> + +<p>“It is my duty to state, that I fully concur in every part +of the Memorial, and its prayer: and I earnestly hope, that +it may be thought fitting to concede the full measure of relief +prayed for; and in respect to such part as rests alone with +the Government of India to grant, that your Excellency in +Council will be pleased to transmit the Memorial to the +Right Honorable the Governor General in Council, with your +powerful recommendation in its favour.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">For a length of time this Memorial, like the +Bishop’s former communication, was not honoured by +any reply. Certain rumours, however, were afloat, +to the effect, that angry feelings had been stirred up +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_609">[Pg 609]</span> +in the mind of the Governor in Council. And this +proved to be the case: for (that the whole history +of this transaction may be brought together) it may +be stated, that early in October, the Bishop received +a letter from the Chief Secretary to the Government, +reproaching him in very unbecoming terms, for not +“using his influence to allay the zeal of overheated +minds;” and informing him that both the Memorial +and a copy of that letter had been forwarded to the +Governor-general. A communication like this could +have no other effect throughout India, than to produce +in all who knew the parties concerned, and retained +the feelings of gentlemen, a blush of shame for the +Governor in Council, and the government Secretary. +As regarded the insulted prelate, it had long been a +settled conviction in his mind, that to be truly +civilized a man must be truly a christian; his natural +disposition, therefore, disposed him to pass over this +uncalled-for rudeness, as being but a common-place +manifestation of that want of delicacy and refinement +which characterises every modification of heathenism. +But, holding as he did an official station in the country, +it seemed to him that silence under such circumstances +might be a compromise of the respect due +to his office; and therefore, as soon as the Bishop +learnt that a copy of this letter to him had been +sent to Calcutta, he addressed the following</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD AUCKLAND.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_610">[Pg 610]</span> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“On my return to this Presidency a few days since, I +first learnt that the Right Hon. the Governor of Madras +in Council, had, together with a Memorial on the subject of +religious toleration, thought good to send to your Lordship +in Council, a copy of a letter dated October 11, addressed to +me, and which I had concluded was intended only for the +information of the Memorialists. In that letter the Governor +has been pleased to admonish me as to the duty my office +imposed upon me, with reference to the said Memorial. The +authority of Government to dictate to me as to the performance +of my duties, I entirely deny. I hold myself free to +act on my own judgment, as to what is my duty; and differing +entirely as I do from the Right Hon. the Governor of +Madras in Council, both as to the propriety of granting the +toleration prayed for by the Memorialists, and as to the consequence +of deferring to grant the relief sought, I consider +myself to have strictly been within the line of my duty in +forwarding the Memorial to Government.</p> + +<p>“On this point, however, I need not have troubled your +Lordship.</p> + +<p>“My object is to call attention to the fact, that the +Memorial, which I am told I should have used my influence +to suppress, was prepared and in circulation for approval +or correction, at several of the principal stations of +this Presidency, when I arrived at Madras, in the latter end +of October, 1835. Copies had been printed for more ready +circulation, as I afterwards learnt; and in March last, one of +those copies was put into my hands. Observing that +officers were employed on services in which I have never +known Europeans to be employed in the Bengal Presidency, +I took the liberty to forward privately, early in April last, the +copy of the Memorial sent me, to the Right Hon. the +Governor of Madras, then at the Neilgherries, concluding +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_611">[Pg 611]</span> +that he had the power to grant relief to the military; and +would, when he knew the pain the performance of those +duties inflicted, be disposed to take measures to remove the +occasion of complaint. Of this communication no notice +was taken.<a id="FNanchor_181" href="#Footnote_181" class="fnanchor">[181]</a></p> + +<p>“I observe that some of the Calcutta newspapers accuse +the Memorialists of asking for more toleration than they are +willing to grant to others; and similar opinions may be held +in other quarters. I therefore take the liberty, in the name +of all the clerical subscribers to the Memorial, expressly to +deny this; and I am persuaded that I speak the sentiments +of the lay subscribers also on this point. If the firing a +salute on Christmas day be considered a claiming from the +natives a concession in favour of our religion, let the salute +be discontinued; and if there be any other ceremony of our +religion, on which natives are required to attend (though I +know not of any) let compulsory attendance be forbidden.</p> + +<p>“If the Memorialists have expressed themselves strongly +respecting the object of some of the ceremonies in which they +are liable to be called upon to take part, they express only +their own repugnance to be associated in such ceremonies, +without the slightest wish to impose restraint upon the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_612">[Pg 612]</span> +natives, or to interrupt them in the smallest degree in their +own observances. That Protestants may be exempted from +taking part in proceedings, which imply the violation of +their own peculiar principles, is the only desire of the Memorialists.</p> + +<p>“In the hope that the information now conveyed may +reach your Lordship before the subject of the Memorial is +decided upon in Council, I have the honour <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">This letter was dispatched to Calcutta toward the +end of November, and was courteously acknowledged +by Lord Auckland; but before the official reply to +the Memorial was made public in Madras, and in +which the conduct of that Government to the +Bishop was faintly reprehended, the Bishop was beyond +the reach of further insult.</p> + +<p class="tall">On Friday, <abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 26, 1836, Bishop Corrie held +his primary Visitation in the Cathedral at Madras. +The sermon on the occasion was preached by the +Bishop’s examining Chaplain, the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. Tucker, +Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. The +Charge, after some preliminary notices of what had +been effected by those prelates who had previously +held Visitations in Madras, proceeded to touch upon +the subject of caste among the professedly Christian +natives. On this point the Bishop stated it to be his +decided opinion, that those who were engaged in missionary +labours should require from all natives desirous +of baptism, an explicit avowal, that they regarded all +for whom Christ died as spiritually equal in Christ. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_613">[Pg 613]</span> +The Bishop adverted also to the subject of education, +and spoke of the necessity of uniting religious instruction +with intellectual improvement. He strongly +recommended catechetical instruction, as a means of +great usefulness. As important auxiliaries to ministerial +labours, he mentioned several Societies with +approbation; and suggested with regard to Visiting +Societies, whether paid agency might not be beneficially +employed.</p> + +<p class="tall">The Bishop then alluded to the prospects of +Christianity in India; and whilst recognizing the +good feeling which prompted some persons to desire +that christians of every denomination should unite +to spread the gospel among the heathen, he yet regarded +such an union as impracticable. He noticed, +moreover, the subject of admitting persons into Holy +Orders, and expressed it to be his opinion that a +competent degree of learning should be found among +the general body of the clergy. Although there +might be circumstances under which a Bishop in +India would have to be content with a lower standard +of acquirements in candidates for the ministry, +yet, it was his opinion, that at the very least a +Bishop ought to demand a fair English education, +a thorough knowledge of history, chronology, +the prophetical parts of scripture, and of the evidences +by which the Bible is proved to be the word +of God; besides a full acquaintance with the doctrines +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_614">[Pg 614]</span> +of our Church, and a general knowledge of +the arguments by which its polity may be vindicated.</p> + +<p class="tall">After referring to the age at which the Bishop +wished young persons to be presented for Confirmation, +and mentioning some arrangements and regulations +he hoped to establish respecting the celebration +of marriages, the Bishop concluded his Charge +by putting his Clergy in mind of the great importance +of self-devotion to the work of their ministry.</p> + +<p class="tall">With reference to this meeting of his clergy, the +Bishop observes in a memorandum, dated</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<abbr title="August">Aug.</abbr> 30, 1836. On Friday last I held my first Visitation. +Preparing a Charge was a matter of much anxiety; +especially as the Bishop of Calcutta had entered so minutely, +in his Charge of <abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 1834, into all particulars connected with +ministerial duty, and with the circumstances of this country. +By God’s goodness I accomplished my purpose, and must leave +the result to God. In the evening, the Clergy dined with me, +in number, including some catechists, twenty. I now desire +to consider what may be the proper objects of my journey to +the out-stations. 1st. The encouragement of the pious, by +preaching, conversation, and joining in religious exercises. +2nd. The examination of schools, and confirming the young, +and exhorting them, both before and after Confirmation. +3rd. By endeavouring to set right many points of litigation; +and to establish, if possible, a good understanding between +Chaplains and military Commanders. There is at present +much irritation on that point; and the Government is disposed +to act very arbitrarily towards Chaplains. In all these +attempts, may my sufficiency be of God, and His strength +perfected in my great weakness!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The day following the date of this memorandum, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_615">[Pg 615]</span> +the Bishop prepared to leave Madras for the purpose of +visiting some of the out-stations. The places he purposed +to visit were Wallajabad, Arnee, Arcott, Vellore, +to Bangalore; thence to Bellary, Hyderabad, +Masulipatam, returning down the coast to the presidency. +The following notices of his visitation were +drawn up, after his return to Madras<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I left Madras, accompanied by the venerable Archdeacon +Harper, on the evening of August 31st. Our first visit was +to Wallajabad. Every thing appeared well conducted in +this important Institution.<a id="FNanchor_182" href="#Footnote_182" class="fnanchor">[182]</a> The youths, eighty-seven in +number, with the other members of the establishment, were +assembled for Divine service, and the orderly behaviour, and +cheerful appearance of the boys, manifested that Mr. Hall, +the sub-conductor in charge, deserves the good opinion +which has been entertained of him. He deserves also much +credit on account of his attention to the religious instruction +of the boys.</p> + +<p>“All that seems wanting is a good school-master, with +leisure to the boys from their respective drills for two hours +each day, (which at present is not allowed) for receiving instruction +in reading, writing, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> with a small suitable library, +which might be supplied at very little expense. The good +to be effected by this institution has already begun to appear +in the young men already appointed to Corps. At Vellore +we found a set of the Wallajabad youths attached to the +25th N. I. of whose general good conduct the adjutant +spoke in high terms. Another set was at Bangalore, who +were also well spoken of, and from the 26th N. I. the adjutant +writes, since my return to Madras, ‘the sixteen drummers +and fifers, all protestants, from the depôt at Wallajabad, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_616">[Pg 616]</span> +are the most promising youths of the kind I have ever +yet seen.</p> + +<p>“At Arnee there is no place of worship for the soldiers +to assemble in—a temporary place erected by subscription of +the officers and privates, had lately been blown down. A +small building erected at the expense of the pious soldiers, +and capable of holding only 150 or 200 persons, was used +for the services connected with the Confirmation. The Chaplain +of Arcot attends alternate Sundays, there being no house +at Arnee in which he can reside. He had been indefatigable +and successful in preparing candidates for Confirmation, of +whom seventy-one were confirmed; several being rejected as +too young, and some because of unestablished moral habits. +Should a regiment be again stationed here, a suitable though +temporary building should be erected for public worship.</p> + +<p>“A Temperance Society of about sixty members exists in +H. M. 41st Regiment.</p> + +<p>“At Arcot, the church is small, but in good order. The +interior arrangements are not well done, so that much room +is lost. Thirty-two persons were confirmed, all East Indians, +including a few from Vellore. Here the care of the Chaplain, +as at Arnee, appeared in the intelligence manifested by +the young people of Arcot, beyond those of Vellore. At +Vellore, the whole christian community attended Divine +Service on Tuesday, 6th September. The place used for +Divine service is part of an old palace, which requires being +better fitted up. A school, containing seventy-two children, +including a few natives, is supported by subscription, raised +at the station. At Vellore, is also a congregation of about +125 natives, including a few families of European pensioners, +who are attended to by a native Catechist of the Society for +the Propagation of the Gospel, and assemble in a small, but +neat chapel, belonging to that Society.</p> + +<p>“A peon should be allowed here, to take care of the burying-ground, +which was in a neglected state.</p> + +<p>“At Bangalore, I remained from the 9th to the 20th +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_617">[Pg 617]</span> +September. During that time, I found that the schools +and hospitals of the different Corps, had been regularly +visited by the Chaplains. A Temperance Society is in existence, +containing nearly 200 members. A charity-school for +boys, and another for girls, unconnected with the army, each +containing about twelve scholars, (who are boarded and +clothed also,) are supported by voluntary contributions. A +Friend-in-Need Society is also in operation, in which relief +is provided for sick natives, and money weekly disbursed in +small sums to the needy of that class. The Chaplains have +the superintendance of these institutions, assisted by a Committee +of the resident gentlemen.</p> + +<p>“The regular Sunday services are, one at seven, for one +of H. M. regiments, and the Artillery horse and foot with +the Christians connected with the native troops. At eleven, +a service in the barrack of the regiment, for those who may +not have attended in the morning at church—and one service +at eleven in church, and at quarter past six in the evening +for the station generally. The attendance at these +voluntary services is better than at any station in India. +Ninety-eight persons were confirmed, and there were no less +than 104 communicants.</p> + +<p>“From the inconvenient structure of a barrack-room, as +well as from the associations connected with it, much of the +benefit of Divine service is lost to the troops in the barracks. +I, therefore, at the desire of several of the residents, advocated +the erection of another<a id="FNanchor_183" href="#Footnote_183" class="fnanchor">[183]</a> place of worship, in a situation +more convenient also for the Artillery and Dragoons; and +received considerable support towards the attainment of that +end. A place should also be fitted up in the Fort, where +many Christians connected with the arsenal and public offices +reside, and where one of the Chaplains should officiate one +evening in the week.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_618">[Pg 618]</span> +“A congregation of about forty native Christians assemble +in the church at nine on Sunday mornings, and are +ministered to by a catechist of the Society for the Propagation +of the Gospel.</p> + +<p>“I remained from 23rd <abbr title="September">Sep.</abbr> to <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 3rd at Bellary. +This is a large and important field of labour for a clergyman, +but there has been no Chaplain here for about three years +past; and one consequence appeared in the smaller number of +candidates, compared with the population, for Confirmation. +Of the fifty who were confirmed, about one half were unconnected +with the army. Beside the regimental school, which +is well conducted, a charity school of about forty children is +supported by voluntary contributions at the station, and a +Society is in operation for the relief of poor and sick natives. +About 150 rupees a month are expended in this way. Of +the soldiers of H. M. 55th, I found a few in communion +with the missionaries of the London Missionary Society at +Bellary, and about fifteen or twenty in connection with the +Wesleyan Methodists. Sixty-four persons attended the +communion on Sunday, October 2nd, of whom a considerable +number were from the private soldiers.</p> + +<p>“Since my visit to Bellary, I learn that an officer of the +Brigadier General’s Staff, reads prayers and a sermon in +church on Sunday mornings, and that the attendance is considerable. +The church at this station needs enlarging; and +contributions in aid of the Church-building Fund were set +on foot to assist in meeting the necessary outlay. The presence +of a Chaplain is greatly desired by the residents, and +Ghooty and Cuddapah in this district, should be visited by him.</p> + +<p>“I remained at Hyderabad and stations dependent on it, +from <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 8 to the 25th. Beside the regimental school at +Secunderabad, a station school is maintained by subscription, +in which about forty boys, of whom seven are entirely maintained +by the charity, are educated in English, Teloogoo, and +Hindoostanee—also a large class of Teloogoo boys, and a +few Tamil boys.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_619">[Pg 619]</span> +“At Bolaram, in a school, about fifty boys, Christians, +Mahommedans, and Hindoos, are instructed in English, and +nearly an equal number in Teloogoo; the expences of which +are supplied partly by subscription, but chiefly by the Nizam’s +Government. An English school of about twenty +boys is maintained at the Residency. The Scriptures, in +their respective languages, are read in all the classes.</p> + +<p>“There are two services in church at Secunderabad on +Sundays. The church here, as at Bellary, is far too small +for the European congregation. A subscription in aid of the +Church-building Fund was commenced here. A congregation +of native Christians also assemble in the church on Sundays +at 9 <span class="allsmcap">A. M.</span>: a native Catechist reads prayers, and a prepared +sermon, in Tamil. This congregation consists of +about ninety members.</p> + +<p>“A Society for the relief of poor natives is also in operation +here. About forty sick are usually entertained at a +time till they get well; and, in all, about 150 rupees a +month, expended on the indigent natives. On Wednesday, +the 16th October, 141 natives, including 16 native Christians, +were confirmed; and, on the following Sunday, 110 +communicants attended at the Lord’s Table.</p> + +<p>“At this station, the services of a second Chaplain are +greatly required. Besides one of H. M. regiments, two companies +of Artillery, and the European details of a regiment +of Cavalry, and of four regiments of Native Infantry, with +their schools and hospitals, are to be attended to. In addition +to which, the Christians connected with the Residency, +and some engaged in mercantile pursuits on the one hand, +and Bolaram with its 180 Christians, all Protestants, except +one family, on the other hand, should be visited on alternate +Sundays.</p> + +<p>“Jaulna, also within this district, is a large station, +and should have a Chaplain appointed to it as soon as possible.</p> + +<p>“At Masulipatam I remained from <abbr title="October">Oct.</abbr> 26 till <abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 8th. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_620">[Pg 620]</span> +Here, as at Bellary, there has been no resident Chaplain for +several years. The school in the Pettah, founded by Dr. +Roy, is at a stand; and no means of education are supplied +in the Fort, but by a very aged and nearly superannuated +pensioned sergeant. Prayers are read, and a sermon once on +Sundays, in the Fort Church by the Fort adjutant, and in +the Pettah chapel by a Civil servant.</p> + +<p>“The most urgent desire was expressed here, as at Bellary, +by the principal residents, for a resident Chaplain.</p> + +<p>“On Friday, 4th of November, forty young persons were +confirmed, and on the 6th, upwards of forty attended the +Sacrament. A Chaplain is much needed here, not only on +account of the number of Protestants at the Station, but +also on account of the several out-stations in this, and neighbouring +districts.</p> + +<p>“Passed Sunday, the 13th of November, at Nellore. +About sixty persons attended Divine Service in the Court +House, of whom fourteen remained to receive the Sacrament. +Returned to Madras on November 15th.</p> + +<p>“The number of persons confirmed by me at the +different stations, amounts to 430; and since my return +to Madras, I have confirmed in the Cathedral 139,<a id="FNanchor_184" href="#Footnote_184" class="fnanchor">[184]</a> and at +the Poonamalee 48, almost all of the newly-arrived +recruits, making a total of 617; of whom not above twenty +were native Christians. The remainder Europeans, or descendants +of Europeans.</p> + +<p>“Archdeacon Harper rendered me the most efficient assistance +during my visitation, in inspecting the Registers, and +enquiring into the state of the Churches and burial-grounds +at the different Stations, as well as inspecting schools, and +visiting the sick in hospital. At Bellary and Masulipatam, +the labours of the Archdeacon were very heavy in examining +the candidates for Confirmation, and baptizing many children, +and attending several marriages. Without his aid, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_621">[Pg 621]</span> +my Visitation, imperfect as this my first essay may have +been, would have been far more defective.</p> + +<p>“I have to acknowledge the most ready and obliging +attentions of all the Authorities, both civil and military, +with whom my duties brought me into connection.</p> + +<p>“In general, I found at each station a considerable prevalence +of true religious feeling and practice, especially +among the soldiers of His Majesty’s regiments, and the +Artillery. Temperance Societies are found to be greatly +aiding towards the moral improvement of the army; and +though from human infirmity the pledge is too often broken, +yet many examples of improvement of character, and benefit +to health, appear connected with these Societies, and the +general good of society is forwarded by them.</p> + +<p>“A farther proof of the prevalence of Christian principles, +is the existence of associations for the relief of the native +poor, connected with the several stations. I should have +noticed in its proper place an association of this kind at Masulipatam +also. I have known considerable sums contributed +at different stations, for the relief of native poor on particular +emergencies; but this permanent care for the native +poor, is a manifest improvement in European society.</p> + +<p>“These associations have in every case I am acquainted +with, arisen under the care of a Clergyman, and supply +evidence of the benefit that might arise to the country +generally, were the Ecclesiastical Establishment properly +kept up.</p> + +<p>“The deficiency in the number of Chaplains is greatly +felt, and deeply to be lamented. Not only are several large +stations without the means of grace, but smaller stations +are left without occasional visits of Chaplains, and whole +provinces without any appearance of regard by the Government +for their spiritual and eternal good. I would earnestly +request<a id="FNanchor_185" href="#Footnote_185" class="fnanchor">[185]</a> the attention of the Honourable Court of Directors +to this most important subject.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_622">[Pg 622]</span> +“Sixteen Chaplains only are at their posts, and two are +sick (the Reverend Messrs. Cubitt and Græme.) Besides +the stations now supplied, and those I have enumerated as +calling for Chaplains, formerly there was a Chaplain at each +of the following stations, Poonamatee, Chittoor, Vellore, +Tellicherry, and Palamcottah. The circumstances of most of +these stations are somewhat altered; but connected with +each of them are other stations, which were visited occasionally +by the Chaplains, nearly all of which are now without +the ordinances of religion.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">Besides the information which these notices convey +respecting the Bishop’s proceedings on his Visitation, +many additional particulars of a more private nature +are contained in his correspondence with his wife and +relatives. In several of his letters, he complains of +having had to undergo excessive fatigue, and from +Secunderabad writes to Mrs. Corrie<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“I am desired by Dr. Meikle to ‘keep quiet’ for a day or +two. He says, I have been over-exerting myself, whilst my +feeling is that I do nothing to purpose. May God glorify +Himself in His very poor servant!”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The fact was, that in travelling by <i>dawk</i> from the +banks of the Kistoor to Hyderabad, the journey was +performed chiefly in the night, and the Bishop’s rest +was consequently disturbed at almost every stage, by +natives of rank, who came to pay their respects to +him. When entreated by the Archdeacon to spare +himself, by declining these civilities, the Bishop’s +usual reply was, “When these good people put +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_623">[Pg 623]</span> +themselves to so much inconvenience on my account, +how can I do less than get out of my palankeen, +and exchange a kind word with them?” In a +letter, however, which the Bishop on his return +to Madras wrote to Mr. Sherer, he observes, “I +must not, if spared, make again so hurried a +journey. Time is doing its work with me.” Yet +very soon after this, all thought of his own health +was absorbed in his anxiety respecting that of his +wife, who had become so enfeebled as to render it +necessary that a sea-voyage should be attempted, +as the only human means likely to save her life. +But before arrangements could be made for carrying +this object into effect, she became suddenly worse; +and after two or three days of suffering, died on the +21st of December 1836, in the hope of eternal life +through our Lord Jesus Christ.</p> + +<p class="tall">The Bishop drew up, and printed for private circulation, +a short account of his wife’s last illness. +There are contained in that account, passages of +much interest, but which cannot here be transcribed: +the substance of all is contained in a single sentence +of a memorandum, penned by the surviving mourner +himself, dated</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“<abbr title="December">Dec.</abbr> 24, 1836. When the likelihood of her departure +began to be manifest, the Saviour alone was her only ground +of hope towards God, and that hope sustained her in peace, +though there was nothing of triumph.”</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_624">[Pg 624]</span></p> + +<p class="tall">As regarded his own feelings in connection with +this heavy domestic trial, the Bishop adds<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“My feelings of loneliness are indescribable. All before +me appears blank; I seem cut off from all earthly good. +All this I feel I deserve at the hand of God. He might +justly have cast me into the blackness of darkness for ever. +Just, therefore, art thou, O Lord, in this dispensation which +has laid me so low. Teach me, O Lord, to seek spiritual +improvement in it, and let it prove to me ‘loving correction!’”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">With reference to this mournful event, the Bishop +also observes in the last letter which he lived to address</p> + + +<p class="p2 center">TO HIS BROTHER.<br> +</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“You cannot understand the change it [his wife’s death] +has wrought in every circumstance of my life; and how at +every turn a sense of loss is forced upon me. Yet you have +felt an aching void on the death of our own parents and +near connections, and can judge of the intensity of pain I at +times experience. I will not dwell longer on the subject. +I have everything which Christian faith and hope can supply, +as to the gain my wife has entered upon, but my own sense +of loss prevents, as yet, the consolation I might otherwise +possess.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">The necessary occupations, however, connected +with his official duties, tended, in some measure, to +lessen the Bishop’s keen sense of his bereavement. +Among those duties, not the least engrossing, was an +Ordination of which he had given notice, previously +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_625">[Pg 625]</span> +to Mrs. Corrie’s decease. The Ordination took +place on Sunday the 8th of January 1837. The +candidates who presented themselves for Holy Orders +were missionaries about to be employed by the Society +for the Propagation of the Gospel—three for +Deacon’s Orders and three for Priest’s. Respecting +these candidates the Bishop remarks, in the letter just +quoted, “both Mr. Tucker and the Archdeacon +were well satisfied with their attainments, as they +have just cause to be with their piety.” The Bishop +himself preached the Ordination Sermon, from +Ephes. iv. 11, 12; and took occasion thence to point +out the existence of the ministry, as a distinctly-instituted +Office in the Church of God throughout +all time; explaining, also, the object and end of that +Office, and the solemn responsibility attached to it.</p> + +<p class="tall">It is stated by one who was present on the occasion, +that the Sermon was “marked by lucid simplicity, +pathos, fervour, and power; mingled with +kindly feelings toward other bodies of professing +Christians.” And as the opportunity for witnessing +the admission, at one time, of so many persons into +the Christian ministry, had never before occurred in +southern India, the Cathedral was crowded throughout +all its usual accommodations.</p> + +<p class="tall">During this month, also, the attention of the +Bishop was a good deal occupied with the subject of +a new Church for <i>St. Thomè</i>. In the preceding +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_626">[Pg 626]</span> +June he had addressed a letter to the Society for +promoting Christian Knowledge, stating that</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>“At <i>St. Thomè</i>, the original European settlement in this +place, is an immense population of all classes; Hindoos, +Mahommedans, Portuguese Christians, and very many +East Indians baptised in the Established Church, and many +connected with the Vepery congregation, distant four or +five miles. Bishop Turner, when here, supplied money to +purchase a piece of ground on which to erect a place of +worship: the purchase was made and the ground lies waste. +No further attempt has been made towards providing Christian +instruction for those hundreds who are professedly of +our communion.”</p> +</div> + +<p class="tall">He undertook, therefore, to ask the aid of the +Society above-mentioned, toward building a Church +for this spiritually-destitute population; and was so +sanguine of the success of his application, that toward +the end of January, he visited <i>St. Thomè</i>, +attended by the Archdeacon and the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> W. Taylor, +for the purpose of surveying the ground and +examining localities. He afterwards requested Mr. +Taylor to prepare the heading of a subscription-paper, +the first name appended to which the Bishop purposed +to be that of “A Friend,” with a subscription +of 1000 rupees; that “Friend” having placed +a considerable sum at the Bishop’s disposal. Meanwhile, +the Society in England entered most readily +into his views, contributing from their funds all the +sum he stated to be required: but intelligence of +that liberality was not destined to gladden his spirit, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_627">[Pg 627]</span> +for his earthly career was now fast drawing to a +close.</p> + +<p class="tall">The Bishop, as has been observed, had complained +of great fatigue and exhaustion, when on his Visitation; +but it appears that when at Hyderabad, in +October 1836, he had suffered also from a pain in the +head, which came on suddenly, and was so acute as to +oblige him to have recourse to medical advice. From +that time this pain never left him; and the constant +and peculiar manner in which it affected him, +was only not much noticed because he attributed it +all to the anxiety of mind he had gone through, on +account of his wife. During several weeks, however, +the Bishop had been frequently observed to make +it a matter of supplication at family-prayer, that +himself and household “might be prepared for any +sudden or unexpected events which might await +them; and might be, moreover, enabled to bear all +in a holy temper of mind.” Nor did his petitions +prove to be unseasonable: for on Tuesday, January +31st, when on his way to the Fort, in company with +the Archdeacon, for the purpose of attending there +a meeting of the Committee of the Society for +propagating the Gospel, he was seized with an +unusual giddiness, which prevented him from reading +a paper he had in hand. On reaching the vestry of +the Fort church, he suffered very much from pain +in the head, and sickness, and was altogether so ill +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_628">[Pg 628]</span> +that the Archdeacon (who scarcely ever afterwards +left him) had him conveyed home, and medical aid +sent for. After leeches had been applied to the +head, the Bishop seemed to recover a little from +the state of stupor in which he was found to be on +first reaching his house; but, except at intervals, +he was only partially conscious throughout the four +remaining days of his life. When, however, he +seemed to revive somewhat, he manifested great +pleasure at having passages of scripture read to him. +And even on Saturday <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 4th, (the day before he +died) when sight and consciousness were well nigh +gone, he yet indicated his cordial assent to different +texts of Scripture which his daughter repeated to +him. More particularly when she read Isaiah xii. “I +will say, O Lord, I will praise thee,” <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> he asked +her to recite Cowper’s paraphrase:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + <div class="verse indent0">I will praise Thee every day</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Now thine anger’s turned away;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Comfortable thoughts arise</div> + <div class="verse indent0">From the bleeding sacrifice.</div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Here, in the fair gospel-field,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Wells of free salvation yield,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Streams of life, a plenteous store,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And my soul shall thirst no more.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Jesus is become at length</div> + <div class="verse indent0">My salvation and my strength;</div> + <div class="verse indent0">And his praises shall prolong,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">While I live, my pleasant song.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Praise ye, then, his glorious name</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Publish his exalted fame!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Still is work your praise exceeds</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Excellent are all his deeds.</div> + </div> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Raise again the joyful sound + <span class="pagenum" id="Page_629">[Pg 629]</span></div> + <div class="verse indent0">Let the nations roll it round!</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Zion shout, for this is He,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">God the Saviour dwells in thee:</div> + </div> +</div> +</div> + +<p class="unindent tall">and himself repeated “From the bleeding sacrifice.” +To the text “Behold the Lamb of God;” <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> he +answered “Yes;” and on her adding “Him hath God +exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour;” the Bishop remarked, +“A Prince and a Saviour on <i>all</i> occasions.” +At another time when his daughter read, “I am the +resurrection and the life;” <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> he asked, “Believest +thou this?” Then when 1 John iii. 2, had been +suggested to him, the dying prelate repeated several +times “We shall see Him as He is.” The last +Scripture of which he seemed to be conscious, was +<abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> v. 13. “Blessing, and honour, and glory, +<abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, be unto the Lamb for ever and ever;” and in +this spirit of praise and thanksgiving he appears +to have passed into eternity, for his last words were, +“For ever,”—“For ever.” And so this servant of +Christ entered into rest on the morning of Sunday, +<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 5, 1837, in the 59th year of his age.</p> + +<p class="tall">The <i>post-mortem</i> examination of the body exhibited +a solid <i>coagulum</i> of blood, of the size of a +turkey’s egg, situate on the right side of the brain, +in its substance. The situation and appearance of +the <i>coagulum</i>, when taken in connexion with the circumstance +that the Bishop always felt the pain in the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_630">[Pg 630]</span> +same spot, led the medical men to conclude that the +disease was of some standing: that it originated, in +fact, in the fatigue and anxiety connected with his +Visitation.</p> + +<p class="tall">The remains of Bishop Corrie were interred in +the Cathedral burial-ground, on the evening of the +day of his death. The funeral procession was led by +the scholars of the Madras Grammar School, of which +the Bishop was Patron, and which had been so much +indebted to his fostering care. Then followed +Gericke’s scholars, and the pupils of the Vepery +School; and these were succeeded by a train of +Native Catechists. After them, and immediately +preceding the coffin, came the Archdeacon and +Clergy. The pall was borne by six gentlemen of +rank; and the Governor of the Presidency followed +as Chief Mourner, supported by the Chief Justice, +and the Commander-in-Chief. The Bishop was +deposited by the side of Mrs. Corrie, and within a +few feet of the spot where, six weeks before, he had +stood a widowed mourner over his wife’s remains.</p> + +<p class="tall">On Monday, 6th February, the Governor in Council +issued an Order expressive of his sense of “the +respect which the unaffected piety, benevolence and +exemplary life” of the deceased Prelate “had universally +inspired.” This order appeared in the Government +Gazette on the 7th February;<a id="FNanchor_186" href="#Footnote_186" class="fnanchor">[186]</a> and, on the following +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_631">[Pg 631]</span> +day, a public meeting, at which the Governor +presided, was held in the College Hall, for the purpose +of considering the most appropriate mode of +expressing the feelings with which the late Bishop +was regarded by the inhabitants of the Presidency. +This meeting resolved to set on foot a subscription, +in order to raise funds for erecting a monument in +the Cathedral to the Bishop’s memory: and it was +further agreed that any surplus of the funds raised for +the monument should be devoted to the founding of +scholarships at the Grammar School, to be called +“Corrie Scholarships.”<a id="FNanchor_187" href="#Footnote_187" class="fnanchor">[187]</a> The Committee of the +Madras Grammar School now resolved also, that +their Institution should in future be designated +“Bishop Corrie’s Grammar School.”—Funds having +accordingly been raised sufficient for the purposes +specified, a monument was executed by the skill and +good taste of Mr. Henry Weekes, which is now in +the Cathedral of Madras.</p> + +<p class="tall">Nor were the Calcutta friends of the deceased +Bishop backward to testify their regard for his worth. +For at a public meeting, which was held on the 16th +March, in the Town Hall, Bishop Wilson being in +the chair, it was resolved to solicit subscriptions for +the purpose of erecting marble slabs, both in the old +Church and in the Cathedral, to the memory of the +deceased Prelate; and for the purchase of a Portrait +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_632">[Pg 632]</span> +of him. It was, moreover, resolved to appropriate any +surplus funds derived from such subscriptions, to the +founding of scholarships in the Calcutta High School, +to be called “Bishop Corrie’s Scholarships.”<a id="FNanchor_188" href="#Footnote_188" class="fnanchor">[188]</a> And +all these tokens of respect were in due time effected.</p> + +<p class="tall">In Ceylon, also, a general meeting was called at +the King’s house, Colombo, by His Excellency the +Governor, at which, subscriptions were entered into +for the purpose of erecting a monument to the +Bishop’s memory in St. Peter’s Church, Colombo, and +for founding scholarships, which should bear his name, +in the Grammar School at Madras. Both which +objects were accomplished.<a id="FNanchor_189" href="#Footnote_189" class="fnanchor">[189]</a></p> + +<p class="tall">Thus terminated the earthly labours of the first +Bishop of Madras, after a brief but not unimportant +episcopate, if a judgment may be formed from the +amount of good effected, from the general gloom +which the Bishop’s decease cast over the whole +Presidency, and the respect with which his memory +was cherished. To those who were intimately +acquainted with Bishop Corrie, it will not excite +surprise that his death should have called forth +all the public manifestations of sorrow and respect, +which have here been recited. For after making +every abatement for that human sinfulness and infirmity +from which he was not exempt, there still +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_633">[Pg 633]</span> +remained to him more than an ordinary share of +natural kindness of heart, benevolence of disposition, +and warmth of affection; so that he could not but +be generally beloved. Nor will the reader of these +pages be disposed to question that Bishop Corrie will +long be remembered in India, as the man of God, +through whose instrumentality originated much of +the moral good which, since his time, has been +slowly spreading itself over that land of darkness and +superstition.<a id="FNanchor_190" href="#Footnote_190" class="fnanchor">[190]</a> But chiefly, it is believed, will his +name he held in honour throughout our Eastern Empire, +as one of that small band of heroic spirits who, +in self-devotion to Christ and zeal for the extension +of the Redeemer’s kingdom, manfully struggled +against difficulties and discouragements of which we +can form but an inadequate estimate:—who never suffered +themselves to doubt but that the cause they had +by grace espoused would still go on and prosper, until +“at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and +every tongue confess that He is Lord, unto the glory +of God the Father.”</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 footnote"><a id="Footnote_180" href="#FNanchor_180" class="label">[180]</a> +The meeting was held in the College Hall, at Madras, on the +6th of June.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_181" href="#FNanchor_181" class="label">[181]</a> +The following was the communication here mentioned: “The +accompanying [Memorial] was brought to me a few days since with +a request that I would join in a representation to Government on +the subject of its contents. I have always abstained from taking +part in such representations, being aware that Government may +have good reasons for measures, which the public cannot be acquainted +with; and, in respect of interference with Pagodas, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, I +have the fullest confidence that Government will pursue the course +which appears wise and proper. But with reference to the Christian +military servants of the State, who are occasionally compelled +to do honour to the superstitions of the country, I am persuaded +you will not take amiss my bringing the case to your notice. I have +marked the statements in the printed paper which seem to require +relief, with the instances cited in the Appendix, assured that your +own benevolent regard for the feelings of the Christian soldiery will +bring them all the relief that is desirable.”</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_182" href="#FNanchor_182" class="label">[182]</a> +A school for country-born children, who received a Christian +education, and became fifers, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr> to the Company’s Native troops. +The school was afterwards removed to Arcot.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_183" href="#FNanchor_183" class="label">[183]</a> +About 1000 rupees were, in consequence, collected toward +another building; but it does not appear that since the Bishop’s +time any Church has been erected there.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_184" href="#FNanchor_184" class="label">[184]</a> +The Confirmation in the Cathedral was held on Wednesday, +<abbr title="November">Nov.</abbr> 30, 1836.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_185" href="#FNanchor_185" class="label">[185]</a> +It is satisfactory to know that this request has been attended +to.</p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_186" href="#FNanchor_186" class="label">[186]</a> +See <a href="#Appx1">Appendix <abbr title="One">I.</abbr></a></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_187" href="#FNanchor_187" class="label">[187]</a> +See <a href="#Appx2">Appendix <abbr title="Two">II.</abbr></a></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_188" href="#FNanchor_188" class="label">[188]</a> +See <a href="#Appx3">Appendix <abbr title="Three">III.</abbr></a></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_189" href="#FNanchor_189" class="label">[189]</a> +See <a href="#Appx4">Appendix <abbr title="Four">IV.</abbr></a></p> + +<p class="footnote"><a id="Footnote_190" href="#FNanchor_190" class="label">[190]</a> +See <a href="#Appx5">Appendix <abbr title="Five">V.</abbr></a></p> + +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_634">[Pg 634]</span> +CORRIGENDA.<br> +</p> +</div> + +<ul> +<li>Page 39 line 21, for <a href="#chg1">enable</a>, <i>read</i> unable.</li> +<li> — 48 — 5, <a href="#chg2">at Chunar—at Berhampore,</a> <i>read</i> to Chunar—to Berhampore.</li> +<li> — 59 — 33, for <a href="#chg3">Scirptures</a>, <i>read</i> Scriptures.</li> +<li> — 149 note, — <a href="#chg4">Jounarain</a>, — Joy Narain.</li> +<li> — 176 — — <a href="#chg5">Tumna</a>, — Jumna.</li> +<li> — 298 line 15, — <a href="#chg6">point</a>, — points.</li> +<li> — 304 — 21, — <a href="#chg7">exeeeding</a>, — exceeding.</li> +<li> — 311 — 32, — <a href="#chg8">Narian</a>, — Narain.</li> +<li> — 519 — 2, — <a href="#chg9">Culcutta</a>, — Calcutta.</li> +</ul> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_635">[Pg 635]</span></p> +<h2 class="nobreak" id="APPENDIX">APPENDIX.</h2> +</div> + +<hr class="short"> + +<h3><a id="Appx1"></a><abbr title="One">I.</abbr><br> +</h3> + +<p>The following notice appeared in the Government Gazette of +<abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 7th, 1837<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<p>“With feelings of unfeigned sorrow, the Right Honorable the +Governor in Council, records the demise of the Right <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> the +Lord Bishop of Madras. The Venerable Prelate expired at half +past three o’clock, on the morning of Sunday last. As a tribute +of respect to his memory, the flag of the garrison was hoisted +half-staff-high during the day, and on the funeral procession +leaving his Lordship’s late residence, fifty-nine minute guns, corresponding +with the age of the deceased, were fired from the +Fort battery.</p> + +<p>“His Lordship’s remains were attended to the grave by the +Right Honorable the Governor, the Judges of the Supreme Court, +His Excellency the Commander-in-chief, the members of +Council, all the principal civil and military functionaries at the +Presidency, and an immense concourse of all classes of the community; +desirous of manifesting the feeling of respect which the +unaffected piety, benevolence and exemplary conduct of the +Bishop, had universally inspired.</p> + +<p>“Published by order of the Right Honourable the Governor +in Council.</p> + +<p class="p2 right r2">“(Signed) H. Chamier, Chief Secretary.”<br> +</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<h3><a id="Appx2"></a><abbr title="Two">II.</abbr> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_636">[Pg 636]</span> +</h3> + +<p>On Wednesday evening, <abbr title="February">Feb.</abbr> 8th, 1837, a public meeting was +held at the College, for the purpose of considering the fittest +mode of testifying the regard and respect entertained for the +character of the late Bishop Corrie.</p> + +<p>The Right Honourable the Governor in the chair. The +following resolutions were proposed and carried unanimously<span class="lock">:—</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="hanging">1st.That a subscription be entered into for the purpose of erecting +a monument in the Cathedral at Madras to the memory of +the Right <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> the late Lord Bishop of the Diocese.</p> + +<div class="indent5"> + Proposed by Sir F. Adam.<br> + Seconded by Sir. R. Comyn. +</div> + +<p class="hanging">2nd. That after setting aside a sum sufficient to defray the expences +of the monument, the residue form a fund for the endowment +of scholarships, to be called, “Bishop Corrie’s scholarships,” +in Bishop Corrie’s Grammar school.</p> + +<div class="indent5"> + Proposed by Sir P. Maitland.<br> + Seconded by Mr. Sullivan. +</div> + +<p class="hanging">3rd. That a Committee be formed for the purpose of carrying the +above resolutions into effect, and that it be composed of the +following gentlemen: Sir P. Maitland, Mr. Sullivan, the +Archdeacon, and <abbr title="Colonel">Col.</abbr> Cadell.</p> + +<div class="indent5"> + Proposed by Sir E. Gambier.<br> + Seconded by +</div> + +<p class="hanging">4th. That Messrs. Arbuthnot and <abbr title="Company">Co.</abbr> be requested to undertake +the office of Treasurers.</p> + +<div class="indent5"> + Proposed by the Archdeacon.<br> + Seconded by Captain Dalrymple. +</div> + +<p class="hanging">5th. Thanks to the Chairman (for his kindness in taking the +chair and for his able conduct in it) having been proposed by +Brigadier General Doveton, and seconded by Colonel Waugh, +the meeting was dissolved.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<h3><a id="Appx3"></a><abbr title="Three">III.</abbr><br> +</h3> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_637">[Pg 637]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="hanging">At a public Meeting of the friends of the late Bishop of Madras, +held at the Town Hall, [Calcutta] on March 16, 1837. +It was resolved,</p> + +<p class="hanging">1st. That this Meeting has heard with the deepest regret of the +demise of the Bishop of Madras, and consider it a duty which +they owe to the Church of which he was so distinguished a +member, to raise some token of regard to his character at this +Presidency, which was the scene of his arduous labours, and +his preeminent example for almost thirty years.</p> + +<p class="hanging">2nd. That Subscriptions be solicited for the purpose of erecting +a Marble Slab in the Old Church, near those of his revered +friends Brown, Martyn and Thomason, and a similar one in +the Cathedral; and for painting a likeness of the late Bishop, +to be hung up in the Old Church Rooms.</p> + +<p class="hanging">3rd. That the surplus which may remain after defraying the +expenses of the Monuments and the Portrait, be appropriated +for the purpose of endowing Scholarships in the Calcutta High +School, to be called “Bishop Corrie’s Scholarships,” and that +especial regard be had in the nomination, to eventual preparation +for Missionary labour.</p> + +<p class="hanging">4th. That a Committee be formed of the following Gentlemen, +to see these objects carried into effect, <abbr title="namely">viz.</abbr> to nominate the +Trustees for the above purposes.</p> +</div> + +<div class="indent15 small"> +The Venerable Archdeacon Dealtry,<br> +<abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> H. Fisher,<br> +H. M. Pigou, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr><br> +Major G. Hutchinson,<br> +John Dougal, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr><br> +A. Beattie, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr><br> +C. W. Brietzcke, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr><br> +<abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> R. B. Boswell, Secretary.<br> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_638">[Pg 638]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p>5th. That Messrs. Gisborne and <abbr title="Company">Co.</abbr> be appointed Treasurers, +and those who are friendly to the above design, be requested to +forward their Subscriptions to those Gentlemen as early as +possible.</p> +</div> + + +<p class="p2">Resolution of Committee on 6th April, 1837.</p> + +<p>The Committee, understanding that an excellent likeness of the +late Bishop is in the possession of his friends in England,</p> + +<p>Resolved that the Secretary be authorised to write to the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> +George Corrie, of Catharine Hall, Cambridge, and request him to +obtain a copy of this likeness, executed in the best possible way, +and to have the same suitably framed and transmitted to India +with as little delay as possible.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<h3><a id="Appx4"></a><abbr title="Four">IV.</abbr><br> +</h3> + +<p>At a General Meeting held at the King’s house, Colombo, on +March the 3rd, and again by adjournment on March the 7th, +called by His Excellency the Right Honourable Sir R. W. Horton, +Governor of Ceylon, who presided; it was resolved,</p> + + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 hanging">1st. On the motion of the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> B. Bailey, seconded by C. E. +Layard, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr></p> +</div> + +<div class="indent5"> +<p class="unindent small">That this Meeting cordially approves the objects contemplated +by the Madras Meeting as recorded in their first two Resolutions. +(See above <a href="#Page_632"><abbr title="page">p.</abbr> 632</a>.)</p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 hanging">2nd. On the motion of J. Steuart, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr>, seconded by the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> +Joseph Marsh.</p> +</div> + +<div class="indent5"> +<p class="unindent small">That the following gentlemen form a Committee, to correspond +with the Madras Committee,<abbr title="namely">viz.</abbr></p> +</div> + +<div class="indent15"> +The Honourable Mr. Serjeant <span class="smcap">Rough</span>, Chief Justice.<br> +The <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> <span class="smcap">B. Bailey, Senior</span> Colonial Chaplain.<br> +The <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> <span class="smcap">J. H. De Saram</span>.<br> +<span class="smcap">C. E. Layard</span>, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr><br> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="unindent">and that the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> <span class="smcap">Joseph Bailey</span>, be Treasurer and Secretary.</p> +</div> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_639">[Pg 639]</span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 hanging">3rd. On the motion of C. E. Layard, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr>, seconded by the +<abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. Bailey.</p> +</div> + +<div class="indent5"> +<p class="unindent small">That a plain marble Tablet to the Memory of the Right <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> +<span class="smcap">Daniel Corrie</span>, LL.D. Late Bishop of Madras and Ceylon, +be placed in St. Peter’s Church, Colombo, at an expense not exceeding +thirty pounds; and that the balance of the subscriptions +raised in Ceylon, in excess of such sum, be transmitted +to the Madras Committee.</p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 hanging">4th. On the motion of the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. H. De Saram, seconded by +the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> J. Marsh.</p> +</div> + +<div class="indent5"> +<p class="unindent small">That the Secretary be requested to correspond with the Reverend +the Clergy at the out-stations of Galle, Kandy, Trincomalee, +and Jaffna, on the objects of this Meeting.</p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 hanging">5th. On the motion of the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> B. Bailey, seconded by C. E. +Layard, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr></p> +</div> + +<div class="indent5"> +<p class="unindent small">That the thanks of the Meeting be given to His Excellency +the Governor, for the information he has just given, [respecting +the proceedings in 1825, connected with the founding of a +Singhalese Scholarship in Bishop’s College, Calcutta] and that +he be requested to transmit any further information he may +obtain on the subject, to the members of the Committee, for +the regulation of their proceedings with respect to <span class="smcap">Corrie’s</span> +Scholarships.</p> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p class="p2 hanging">6th. On the motion of J. Steuart, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr>, seconded by C. E. +Layard, <abbr title="Esquire">Esq.</abbr></p> +</div> + +<div class="indent5"> +<p class="unindent small">That the thanks of this Meeting be given to His Excellency +the Governor, for the interest he has taken in the general objects +of this Meeting, and for his able conduct in the chair.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<h3><a id="Appx5"></a><abbr title="Five">V.</abbr><br> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_640">[Pg 640]</span> +</h3> + +<p>The preceding pages bear sufficient testimony to the zeal and +activity of Bishop Corrie, in forwarding every plan for securing a +Christian education to the youth of India. But it is well known +among the deceased Prelate’s friends, that he was in the habit of +translating and compiling school-books for the use of such Hindoostanee +schools as more immediately came under his own +superintendance. It is a matter of regret that the many enquiries +which the Editors of these Memoirs have made, with a view to +obtaining a definite list of the books in question, have been but +partially successful. It may, however, be mentioned that besides +translating into Hindoostanee, Sellon’s Abridgment of Scripture, +Watts’ Catechism, The Assembly’s Shorter Catechism, portions +of Milner’s Church History, <abbr title="et cetera">&c.</abbr>, the Bishop drew up in +English, “A general Outline of Ancient History,” for the use +of the Hindoostanee youth. A third Edition of this “Outline” +was going through the press at the time of the Bishop’s +death; and other Editions have since then been printed. Among +his papers was found, also, a manuscript translation into Hindoostanee +of a brief Church History, by the <abbr title="Reverend">Rev.</abbr> E. Sims, +entitled “Christian Records.”</p> + + +<p class="p4 center">THE END.</p> + +<p class="p4 center"><span class="allsmcap">LEONARD SEELEY, THAMES DITTON, SURREY.</span><br> +</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<h3>Transcriber’s Note:</h3> + +<p>Words may have inconsistent hyphenation in the text. Obsolete and +alternative spellings were left unchanged. Typographical errors noted +in the <a href="#Page_634">Corrigenda</a> were not corrected in the +referenced text. Other misspelled words were corrected.</p> + +<p>Footnotes were renumbered sequentially and were moved to the end +of the chapter. Obvious printing errors, such as partially printed +or missing letters and punctuation, were corrected. Extraneous +punctuation was deleted. Duplicate letters at line endings were removed.</p> + +<p>The following were changed:</p> + +<ul><li>changed “56” to <a href="#chgnumber">“65”</a> in the Table of Contents.</li> +<li>added “to” ... be so good as <a href="#addword1">to</a> order it ...</li> +<li>added “of” ... on this side <a href="#addword2">of</a> India.</li> +<li>changed “not” to “than” ... not less <a href="#addword3">than</a> ...</li> +<li>added “to” ...reduce the present number of Chaplains <a href="#addword4">to</a> seven ...</li> + +</ul> + +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75863 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/75863-h/images/cover.jpg b/75863-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a2555b0 --- /dev/null +++ b/75863-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/75863-h/images/i_002.jpg b/75863-h/images/i_002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..394c06b --- /dev/null +++ b/75863-h/images/i_002.jpg |
