CHAPTER IX.
CAWNPORE--COEL--RETURN TO CALCUTTA.
The 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 pressure of bodily sickness did not prevent Mr. C., from occupying his mind with plans for the permanent welfare of India.
TO THE REV. D. BROWN.
“Cawnpore, July 11, 1811.
“Since I wrote to you, I have been entirely laid aside. A fever seized me, and I thought I was following Des Granges;[76] 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.
“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 _preaching_ 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, &c. 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.
“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 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.
“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, &c. 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.
“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. 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.”
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.
TO THE REV. D. BROWN.
“Coel, August 27, 1811.
“I made a journey by water to this neighbourhood, and then by _dawk_ 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, &c. He is somewhat acquainted with Persian and Arabic, and expresses himself gratified by what he has seen of the translation.
“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.
“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.
“Lord, I believe thou hast prepared, Unworthy though I be, For me a blood-bought, free, reward A golden harp for me.”
“I am confined to Colonel Bowie’s quarters, and was only just able last night to marry the young people. I am sorry 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.”
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:--
“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.”
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
“18th. Sept. [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 Matt. xvi. 18., on the plan of Edward’s History 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.”
And, again, in a letter:
TO THE REV. D. BROWN.
“Cawnpore, Oct. 10, 1811.
“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.[77]
“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, 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 of India.
“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.
“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.”
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 omitted:--
“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.’”
Amid labours such as these, Mr. Corrie writes:
TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.
“Cawnpore, Oct. 30, 1811.
“I am recovering from an illness, that has nearly laid me 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.
“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,[78] 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.
“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 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.
“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.
“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 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.
“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.
“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.”
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, and altogether laid him aside from public duty. Yet in a letter to Mr. Simeon, dated early in November, 1811, Mr. C. writes:--
“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 _suffer_, 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.”
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:--
“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 is the surrounding darkness; and every stone put into moral order is so much rescued from chaos.”
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:--
“Sunday, Nov. 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!”
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 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.[79] 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
TO THE REV. D. BROWN.
“Cawnpore, Dec. 3, 1811.
“I do now purpose, D. V. to bend my course to Calcutta, at the close of the cold weather; which will be just two 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.
“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 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, &c., 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.”
And in another letter to Mr. Brown, of somewhat later date, Mr. C. observes:--
“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 the hand: but the Lord will provide. We are got into a plan that promises well, if pursued. I say _we_, 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 (i. 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.
“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.”
Respecting the progress of the translation, Mr. C. adds:--
“Fitrut left me about New-year’s-day, for Benares, and 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, &c., 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, &c. 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.
“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.
“When we shall be able to leave this I cannot say. I have five months’ leave of absence from the 10th of February.”
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. Feb. 1812:--
“I had prepared all to set off into Bundelkund on Monday [Feb. 9.] when news came of all being settled.
“God grant that the impression made on some may be 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.”
And under date of Friday, Feb. 13th. Mr. C. observes:--
“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.”
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 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:--
“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[80] 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 _quantity_, 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!”
As Mr. Corrie was now passing through the scenes of his former labours, some portions of his Journal are subjoined.
“March 8. Above Mirzapore, last night, when on shore, I observed a Brahmin at his devotions, and wished to enter 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 _poojah_[81] were supplied with food:’ He said, ‘If any would make _poojah_ he might serve us, and we would provide for him; but they that lived there by themselves made _poojah_, 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?’
“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!
“Sunday, March 22nd. At Chunar, Serjeant Williams’ wife, on my asking her if she yet knew the way of acceptance 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.’”
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:--
“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?”
The recurrence of his birth-day was not forgotten by Mr. C. as an occasion for self-examination and thanksgiving.
“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 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!”
In a like happy and watchful spirit, Mr. C. continued to pursue his journey:--
“Sunday, April 19th. During the last week, I have been in the Muta-bangha Nulla,[82] 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.
“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 &c., I kick against the hand that upholds me, so that I 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?’
“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!”
[76] The missionary mentioned in p. 49, and who died of fever at Vizagapatam, July 12, 1810. Hough’s History of Christianity in India, vol. iv. pp. 265, &c.
[77] 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.”
[78] Mirza Fitrut.
[79] Proceedings of the Society for Missions to Africa and the East, Vol. iii. pp. 238-242, 426.
[80] A native Christian reader.
[81] Worship.
[82] One of the channels which connects the Ganges with the Hooghley.