REMOVES FROM CHUNAR—ARRIVES AT CAWNPORE—ILLNESS OF MR. MARTYN.

“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 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.

“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!”

“March 12, 1810.

“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:

“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.

“In this strange land, God has also supplied several whose letters and occasional visits are a source of great comfort and 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?...

“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.’

“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....

“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?’

“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 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.

“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, &c.; 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.

“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 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[55] to our apprehension; but ‘the Lord reigneth;’ and one thing we cannot but rejoice in, the fall of the man of sin.”

“March 15, 1810.

“I yesterday sent off by banghy[56] 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 of it, and now you must also see it. Our Cutwal[57] 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.”

“April 3, 1810.

“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.

“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 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.[58] 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.[59] 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.”

“Chunar, April 28, 1810.

“Your papers have reached me in safety;—viz. 1st. a report for 1809. 2nd., the Agra books and papers. 3rd., the Bibliotheca Biblica &c. 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 receipt of the Report, I sent it to some acquaintance here. One sent it to a rich Native[60] in the city, who reads English; he has returned it with a Hoondee[61] for 100 rupees, and an address to the Bible Society. I shall, D. V. 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, &c. 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 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!”

“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.”

“May 7th. 1810.

“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 &c. 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 Veni Creator. Two of them gave pertinent answers to some questions on 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 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.”

“May 9th. 1810.

“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, &c., 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 &c.’ 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 doubt endure unto the end. Of the higher classes many individuals are exemplary. A church, or rather chapel, is erecting at Benares,[62] 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.

“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 &c. 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 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[63] 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 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.

“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 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 &c. 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.”

“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!”

“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 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 only pursuit!”

“Cawnpore, July 10th. 1810.

“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, 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.’”

“Cawnpore, July 31. 1810.

“You will have received mine of the 14th. which will 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 &c., 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 would both occupy my whole time and make my deficiencies more conspicuous.

“Aug. 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, vi et armis: 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.

“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.’”

“Cawnpore, Aug. 16, 1810.

“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 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!

“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 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.

“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.

“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, (D. V.) to try sea-air. May God render it effectual to his restoration! His life is beyond all price to us. You know what a profound scholar he is, and all his acquirements are dedicated to the service of Christ. If ever man, since St. Paul, could use these words, he may, ‘One thing I do, &c., (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.

“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.”