CHAPTER XIX.

ARRIVAL OF BISHOP WILSON.--BAPTISM OF NATIVES.--ORDINATIONS.--VISITATION OF THE UPPER PROVINCES.

The Rev. Daniel Wilson had been consecrated to the See of 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

TO HIS BROTHER.

“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 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.”

That it might meet his lordship as soon as he should arrive in India, the Archdeacon addressed the following letter

TO THE BISHOP OF CALCUTTA.

“Oct. 2, 1832.

“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!’

“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 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....

“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.”

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.

The Archdeacon was thus relieved from some of 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.

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:--

“January 6, 1833.

“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 _pro-tem_, 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 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.

“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.”

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 writes:--

TO HIS WIFE.

“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.”

Some particulars of the then state of society, which the Archdeacon communicated in a letter to Mr. Sherer, may not be omitted:--

“March 30, 1833.

“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, &c.; 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.”

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.

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

TO HIS WIFE.

“June 9, 1833.

“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, &c. 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 _batta_. Such are the topics of the day.”

In the same letter the Archdeacon mentions an occurrence which will not be read without interest:--

“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,[162] and he with young 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.”

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 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 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 _Habeas Corpus_ 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 which the barristers were seated, and was only dragged away inch by inch.

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:--

“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.’”

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 derived;--

“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 Parsons and me to Forsyth’s here in 1806;[163] 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!

“I consider my journey now commenced. The weather is favourable; the wind fair and steady till toward evening, but not strong; and very cloudy.

“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.

“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.

“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 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.

“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 “_Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden_,” &c. 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 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, P. M.; 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 A. M. heavy rain came on, so as quite to obscure the horizon: this detained us till near noon. We tracked when the wind lulled; small rain fell till near four P. M., 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.

“I was here strongly reminded of my first visit in 1806, when I walked through the sun from Dewan Gunge to visit Chamberlain.[164] 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, &c.” 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!

“I arrived at Berhampore in the forenoon of the 22nd July, and called on the chief military person and made known my purpose of remaining over the following Sunday.

“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.

“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 A. M. 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 P. M. 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.

“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.

“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.”

In a letter to Mrs. Corrie dated “on the Ganges,” August 1st. the Archdeacon, after having given a detailed account of his equipments, &c. adds:--

“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 nothing but a passage from me. The other youth finds the pinnace more comfortable than the baggage-boat, (i. 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 _palkee_,[165] 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 _is_, 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,[166] 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.”

In a letter to the same, dated Aug. 7th, he writes:

“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,

Israel in ancient days Not only had a view Of Sinai in a blaze, But saw the gospel too.

I have these few days been studying the Levitical Institutions with renewed interest and benefit.

“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.

“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 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.”

“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 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.

“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.

“On Thursday the 22nd August, we arrived at Patna about half past one P. M. 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.

“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 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.

“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 here meet on Thursday evenings, at each others’ houses to read a chapter, a sermon, and prayer.

“A scheme was on foot lately to commence a native college; but funds are not forthcoming.

“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.

“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.

“On Wednesday at half past 6 A. M. 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 _Christian Intelligencer_. 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.

“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.

“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, _As cold water to a thirsty soul_; 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!

“We could not make Buxar on Saturday: but Sunday, Sept. 1st, we arrived at mid-day. At 4 P. M. 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 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 P. M. the little chapel was full for English service, when I officiated to about eighty.

“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 A. M. 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 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.

“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.

“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 the attendance was very considerable, as I was told is very usually the case.

“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[167] 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 Rev. Mr. Smith has till within the last month frequently given instruction in the week. The Rev. Mr. Leupolt has now undertaken that charge.

“On the morning of the 12th I visited the female school. 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.

“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) _Testimonies to Mohammed contained in the Christian Scriptures_;--literally, Glad tidings of Mohammed from the Prophets and the Gospel. The misapplication of his quotations is glaring; but the fact of our Scriptures being read, though not quite new, is thus confirmed.

“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, &c. 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.

“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!

“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.

“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 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 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.

“My bodily strength is considerably renewed; but the confinement of the boat, equally with _dawk_ 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 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.

“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 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.

“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 Rev. 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 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.

“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.

“I have here met with an officer who has travelled the route 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.

“I leave here the young Baboo who accompanied me, and whose conduct has been uniformly Christian and correct.

“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 _dawk_, as I had to that place from Benares, via Jaunpore.

“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 _dawk_. 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.

“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, 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:--

“Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song.”

“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.

“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.

“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.

“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 Rev. Mr. C. officiates in Hindoostanee at the church bungalow, at 4 P. M. 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.

“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.

“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 _Missionary_, the other _Charitable_. The collection is usually about 200 Rs. and stated congregational collections are also made. A charitable committee has been 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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

From Cawnpore, the Archdeacon proceeded to Banda. He arrived at that place on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 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 IV., 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 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:--

“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.

“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, 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, &c. 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.

“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.”

To the same prelate he writes:--

“Nov. 12th, 1823, near Gazeepore. On arriving at Benares yesterday morning, I found your favor of the 5th inst.

“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 _dawk_. I passed Sunday last at Chunar, and took part of the duty with Mr. E.; Mr. Smith officiated twice at Benares.

“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.”

[162] The Native Christian master of the Mirzapore school, and the person who had formerly been ejected from house and home for editing the Enquirer.

[163] See above pp. 54, 55.

[164] See _Martyn’s Letters and Journals_. October 23rd, 1806, for one or two notices which will illustrate what is here said.

[165] Palanquin.

[166] One of the attendants.

[167] From this list it appears, that the first class (of 9 boys) could read, spell, and translate Goldsmith’s History of England to p. 77, and Scripture Lessons, on the History of Joseph to p. 14. They committed to memory the 117th No. on Agriculture, and 248th No. 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.