CHAPTER IV.

SETTLEMENT AT CHUNAR.

Chunar, the first scene of Mr. Corrie’s stated ministry in India, used to be a place of greater importance than it is now that the frontier of the British Empire has been so much extended in all directions. The fortress is spread over the sides of a high rock which is washed by the Ganges; and although the place is not considered unhealthy, yet during some months in the year, the heat at Chunar is intense. The Europeans stationed there, when Mr. C. was chaplain, were all military, and for the most part invalids, who, though unfit for active service, were equal to garrison-duty. Besides those Europeans and some Sepoys, there were a few half-castes of Portuguese extraction, and some native women who followed the army. Without the cantonments was a Hindoo and Mahomedan population amounting to 10,000 or 12,000 souls. The Europeans, also, at Secrole (about twelve miles from Chunar) became afterwards part of Mr. Corrie’s charge; whilst the vast heathen population of Benares, with its cruel and senseless superstitions, opened out a large field for the exercise of missionary zeal and christian philanthropy.

The extracts given below from Mr. Corrie’s journal and Letters, will explain the nature of his official duties, and missionary operations. It will be seen that he had many obstacles to encounter in his efforts to impart the knowledge of Christ to those “who lay in darkness and in the shadow of death.”[30] Among the many trials, too, which his faith had to sustain, not the least will appear to have arisen from the determined hostility to all missionary labours, manifested by the Government of India; in forgetfulness, it may be presumed, of the great truth, that as “the kingdoms of this world are” destined to “become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,” all opposition to the spread of Christianity is hostility to the “King of kings.”[31]

“Sunday, Feb. 22nd. This day I begin my labours at Chunar, and have much reason to adore him who heareth prayer, for smoothing my way, and opening a door of hope that good will be done. I arose at five o’clock this morning and prepared for divine service. At seven o’clock, I went to the place of worship, and found there the effective artillery-men, the garrison invalids, and several of the others, with the Colonel, Captain P., Lieut. A., and the invalid officers D. and H. with some other officers of the Fort. Observed several very attentive. At half past nine o’clock I went to the hospital, and found a table set, and the people very ready to hear, and attentive. Now, O Lord,

“Do thou the gracious harvest raise, And thine alone shall be the praise.”

“Feb. 25th. This evening I went to see the Roman Catholic chapel, a small place of about eight feet square, surrounded with a veranda. A dish with spices, and another with flour, were placed on the altar. A Padre comes occasionally, but he has not been here for the last two years; he has baptized several native women connected with Europeans; but I cannot find that any other natives have been baptized by him.

“Feb. 27th. Yesterday and to-day, I had an opportunity of talking with some poor women, Portuguese Roman Catholics, about Jesus Christ; and found some relief to my own mind in recommending Him to their regard. From one I learned (what indeed I had heard before) that at Bettiah, situate in what used to be the old kingdom of Nepaul, eight days’ journey inland from Chuprah, all the inhabitants are Roman Catholic christians: a padre resides amongst them, and they have a church.

“March 8th. The week has passed with little profit. I received a letter from dear Martyn,[32] which comforted me not a little. On returning from public service, I found some earnestness in prayer to God for my flock; for the Church in India; and her ministers; for my dear relatives; for my former flock, and all who pray for me; but especially for my dear country, her government, her ministers, her people; and for all christians. After dinner I called in the Bettiah-christian,[33] and found him intelligent, and very attentive to his padre. He gave me the history of the creation and fall of man, with a mixture of fable, and some confusion in the connexion. He seems to know nothing experimentally of Christ; and, if I understood him rightly, considers that the sin of Adam, which fell upon his posterity, is removed by Christ; and that now by attending to the sacraments we obtain pardon of sin. God grant me wisdom to deal prudently with him: he appears sincere, but not very humble.

“March 9th. This morning I went to the hospital, in consequence of a message from a native woman, who is desirous of baptism: she appeared anxious to go in God’s way, as she expressed it; and with tears said, that from her heart she desired baptism. On my asking her whether she was a sinner? She replied, That before, or towards God, she was a sinner: but on being further questioned, confessed she did not know wherein she had done amiss, except it were in living in an unmarried state; looking wistfully at the man. I took occasion, from this confession, to speak of the evil of this circumstance, and of the only way of obtaining forgiveness, through the blood of Christ. She promised to keep this word in her heart, and to pray according to my directions. The man appears sensible of the evil of his present habits; and promises that, if the woman lives, he will marry her. I am at a loss how to proceed: to refuse her baptism will evidently be a grief to her; and I hope she is awakened to a sense of her sin. May the Lord direct me!

“March 15th. I went yesterday evening to the barracks; and if circumstances had been favourable, should have married the persons above-mentioned; but find I should have broken military regulations if I had done so. To-day, the man seems unwilling; but the woman expressed dread at the thought of continuing in sin. I have observed, on several occasions, when explaining christian subjects through a native who understands English, that they [the natives] have a great reluctance to speak of Jesus Christ, and never do it till I urge it again.

“March 17th. A letter from dear Martyn dispirits me;[34] as, from the dislike manifested to his schools, I may see how little is to be hoped for: yet we expect opposition; why then should I be dismayed? O my soul! hope in God! Notwithstanding, I have engaged a schoolmaster, and am waiting to see the result. I have employed myself to-day in translating the ten commandments into Hindoostanee, with the assistance of a moonshee. He could not, for a long time, understand why God is called a ‘jealous God.’

“March 18th. A native woman has been with me, expressing her desire for baptism. I made the moonshee read to her the ten commandments; and could not help smiling to hear one Hindoo explain the law of God to another: she exhibits no humility. The Bettiah-christian pleased me much this evening: he mentioned four good works which God approved of; three of which I understood to be faith, love, and obedience to the law. I replied, that if faith was in the heart, all the other good works would follow; if we really believed the love of Christ to sinners, we must love Him in return. He answered, that it was true; and said, If faith is not in the heart, none of the other graces would be there. All this was said with a seriousness and gravity which looked very like sincerity, if it was not really so. A female attending the woman who has applied for baptism, interfering very improperly, was desired to hold her peace. She left the room with marks of great anger, having before exhibited symptoms of uneasiness; especially when the seventh commandment was repeated. So does Satan rage when his strongholds are attacked!

“March 22nd. In conversation with Mooney Lol and Moonshee, on the necessity of making inquiry for ourselves in matters of the soul, I remarked an expression which has dwelt much on my mind: ‘When we have a king of our own to order us in the right way, we will then walk in it.’ This, with other circumstances, convinces me of the impolicy of the Government, in withholding Christianity from the natives. They are tasting of British liberty; but, having no principles to guide them, when they feel their strength, they will expel the British; whereas now, if missionaries were permitted, they would, in two generations, probably all embrace Christianity.

“March 26th. This evening, after conversation with the native woman, I baptized her, with earnest warning not to trust to the outward sign. She said, She had been a sinner, but that she would pray to Jesus, night and day, to make her free from sin, and would be His slave, and serve Him for ever. After the service she cast her eyes up to heaven, and kept them fixed for some time, with an appearance of most ardent supplication. Afterwards I went home with Sergeant M’D., whose wife, though a Roman Catholic, wishes to communicate.

“April 2nd. Yesterday morning I went to the barracks. I asked the native woman whom I lately baptized, whether she prayed? She answered, ‘Yes.’ ‘What do you pray to God for?’ ‘To make me well in this world if He pleases; and if not, to take me to Himself.’ I endeavoured to impress on her the necessity of asking all in Christ’s name; which she seemed to attend to very diligently. The man was impressed. In the evening I went to bury a child; and spoke to three invalids, plainly and at length, on the necessity of winning Christ.

“April 6th. I learned from the Moonshee that the old schoolmaster, in order to keep his scholars from the free school, circulated a report that I should send the children to Calcutta; which, it seems, keeps many back; but this notion, however, is now done away with.

“April 8th. Yesterday the Bettiah-walla came again after an absence of a fortnight. He said he had been unwell; and his appearance bespoke it. He told me that he was poor and helpless without Jesus Christ. To-day he came again, and read, with evident interest, the fourteenth and fifteenth chapters of St. John; especially the promise of being one with God and Christ. The account of the fruitless branches also impressed him; and he confessed that his heart was backward towards God. This morning the children of the school came to me: I was much struck with their appearance, and artless manners. The Bettiah-walla received the ten commandments with reluctance: the second is not in his number. I took several occasions of pointing out to him the name of Jesus, as the only medium of access to God; and observed that we must not pray to saints. At hearing this, his countenance fell. O that the Lord may lead him into all truth!

“April 10th, 1807. This day I have completed my thirtieth year. I have been reviewing my birth-day memoranda, and I feel quite abased. Alas! where is the blessedness I experienced some time back; or was I then under a mistake as to my real state? I suspect that much of animal feeling mixed with my former experience, for I think my soul is as fixed as ever, in knowing nothing upon earth but ‘Jesus Christ and him crucified.’ Yet, O my God (for mine thou art) search me! The Lord’s mercies to me are innumerable: if I should attempt to number them, they exceed the minutes of my existence; but alas! my heart is insensible; my affections are as cold as ice: I am become a stone to the fear of death; and the terror of the Lord, rather than the sweet love of Jesus Christ, seems to constrain all my doings. There is not a desire, I think, to keep back a tittle of God’s word. I even feel the time long till the Lord’s day returns, that I may have an opportunity of warning poor sinners: yet when it comes my heart is heavy; and I go with a kind of sullenness and desponding tardiness to God’s work. O that it were with me as in months past! The Lord has marvellously hid me from the strife of tongues, has wonderfully supported my feeble mind, has enabled me to seek the salvation of souls with a boldness unusual to my nature; and has given testimony to the word of His grace in this place. He supports me in solitude, and enables me to spend days alone without weariness: praised be His name! The undivided and glorious Trinity are worthy of my adoration and love. O rather let me go mourning thy absence to the grave than attempt to satisfy my soul with contemptible trash! Yet, in thy manifold mercies, let me taste thy love, and praise thee in the use of all that thou bestowest! The prosperity of Zion is my earnest desire: the conversion of the British and the heathen, the success of my preaching, schools, and private attempts [to do good] are the subjects of my daily prayer. O that the Lord would bless these feeble efforts, would perfect that which belongeth unto me! Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my soul and body: and look with humble hope to be kept by thy power through faith unto salvation.

“Martyn alarms me by expressing a wish for my removal.[35] I feel very reluctant to it; and am enabled to resign myself to God in prayer, even to die here; if, in this way, He will be more glorified.

“April 12th. This evening, I buried the native woman whom I lately baptized; and spoke to the people from 1 Cor. xv. 33. ‘Evil communications corrupt good manners.’ O Lord, grant thy blessing! Let thy promise come, and then shall sinners in great numbers be converted unto thee!”

The following Letter to Mr. Buckworth dated May 22nd, 1807, contains some interesting particulars of which there is no record in the Journal:--

“From the first of January till the beginning of this month, I was much affected by this climate; and did not begin to recover till April. Thanks to a kind Providence, I am now quite well; and have escaped that first attack on arrival, which has carried off four of my fellow-passengers. The effect of this climate was felt as severely by my mind as my body: a listlessness and languor rendered any little exertion a burden: even my devotion was for the most without life or activity; and, alas! little of that lively spirit I, in some poor measure, enjoyed in England, remains with me. I bless God who enables me to live on Christ as my ‘All in All’ and keeps alive in my heart a sense of the value of His favour, and the excellency of the ‘purchased possession.’ The absence of lively feeling I conceive to be occasioned by the want of ‘the communion of saints;’ and I remember, with tears sometimes, those days ‘when I went to the house of God with the multitude of those that kept holy day.’ I am very far, however, from being without marks of the Divine favour: I am enabled to spend weeks alone without weariness; and to find pleasure in those studies which may qualify me for extensive usefulness. We have here about three hundred Europeans, invalids, and officers; of the latter I see little, although we exchange mutual civilities: perhaps, I am not three hours in a week, on the average, in civilized society; though I might be much more if I chose, but find it my duty and privilege to avoid much visiting.

“One Sergeant has embraced the truth in love, I trust; and some others are hopeful. A native, descended from Roman Catholic parents, has been daily with me; and we read the gospel in Hindoostanee together: he is a man of good understanding. When I found him here (February) he had not seen the Scriptures: he now understands much of the general sense of the gospels; and evidences a pleasing spirit of enquiry. I am not at present, however, without fears respecting his real conversion. Should it please God to work effectually in him, the blessing to his poor countrymen might prove incalculable. You will wonder, perhaps, that I do not speak with rapture on the subject of the conversion of the natives; be assured, dearest B., no subject is nearer my heart; and this I feel assured of, that whilst health and strength remain, my life shall be devoted to the furtherance of this work, as well as the more immediate objects of my present appointment. The works of the devil are here manifest, and excite an abhorrence in my soul, which, by the grace of God, will to the last make me labour to destroy them: but the effects of my labours are not, according to human appearance, likely to be immediate. The rising generation seem to be the most likely subjects; and some favoured servant of Christ may, probably, lay my head in the dust, and enter on his labour here among ‘a people prepared for the Lord.’ But ‘they who sow and they who reap shall rejoice together’ in the day of our Lord’s appearing.

“The superstition of this country is of such a complicated kind, that I can say nothing with certainty about it, at present. Almost every person has a different idol; or a different account of the same idol; and the objects of their worship are innumerable. A circumstance that took place yesterday morning, may help to shew you the folly of their worship: its wickedness, in some respects, cannot be named. The fort of Chunar (in which I live) is a fortified hill of about two miles in circumference; the ramparts command an extensive view on all sides, and most mornings I take a walk upon them before sun-rise. It seems, that the first founder of this fort and his tutor are both canonized, and are supposed to preside here still, and are worshipped as tutelar deities. Yesterday morning, at the south end, most remote from the guard-house, I found the firelock, turban, and sacred drinking-vessel of one of the sentinels: a brahmin was placed by the sentry-box, and was observed by me below. I passed on. As I returned, he spoke; but I did not stop. Thinking afterwards that he might be ill, I called a servant, and sent him to see. Now observe. He said that, at three in the morning, he had seen two figures of men approaching, that he challenged them, and that they immediately flew upon him, beat him unmercifully, and, after he was stripped, kicked him off the rampart, ten feet at least (the ramparts were certainly seven feet high). The Jemadar (a native officer) who, with others, was come to his assistance, was very angry with him, and said these figures were the identical founder of the fort and his tutor, who dwell in this part of the fort, and have thrown two sentinels over the parapet for interrupting them: this the brahmin before mentioned believed, and this opinion was current. I asked how this god came to beat him, a brahmin, so sacred a man? He readily answered, That the tutor is not a good, but a bad spirit; and they worship him to keep him from doing them injury. I said to some others, that it was quite plain that even a brahmin himself was not beyond the power of these demons; how then could they expect the brahmins to defend them? They were silent; but evidently not convinced, as they offer goats in sacrifice, and pour out wine in libations, which they fancy the demon eats and drinks. I told them not to be so profuse in their offerings, lest Bhyzoonát should become so wanton as to destroy them all.

“A rich Brahmin told me yesterday that if any one died in Benares, or within ten miles of it, he would undoubtedly go to heaven, though he were ever so great an offender. I told him I would come some night and plunder his house, and then go to Benares, and so secure both present and future riches. He saw my meaning, and said with a smile, ‘there is no need for Sahib to take any money by force; my wealth is all at his feet,’ and so evaded my argument. I could fill volumes with conversations of this kind, but they have no more seeming effect than words spoken to the air; so deeply-rooted is error in their minds, and so congenial are their lying idols to the corrupt nature of man. I should not, however, forget the power of God, nor limit its operation. This I feel sure of, that the young, with means of instruction, will grow up ashamed of their idolatry; and means of instruction are not now entirely wanting. My three dear sons in the faith (young officers who were fellow-passengers) continue to walk in the truth. O, were the British all true Christians, the conversion of the heathen world, humanly speaking, would be comparatively an easy work! The appointment of Chaplain is, in this point of view, important.”

It will be recollected (p. 62), that a short time before Mr. Corrie left Calcutta to proceed to Chunar, he had consulted with Mr. Brown and other friends, as to the means by which they “might best promote the glory of God in the earth,” and that among other means that were deemed likely to contribute towards so noble an object, one was, that each of the parties then present should forward a quarterly report of his ministerial plans and prospects, to Mr. Brown in Calcutta; who, having appended his own observations, should transmit a copy of the combined reports to each individual.[36]

It was considered that a mutual knowledge of the facts and observations which might be accumulated in the course of each other’s labours and experience, would tend greatly to encourage and direct them as individuals, amid the difficulties which the Missionary and Chaplain had then to contend with. The first of these Reports seems to have been made on the 6th of April 1807, but no copy of Mr. Corrie’s communications is met with among his papers, of an earlier date than the Report which is here subjoined.

“Chunar, July 6, 1807.

“The same routine of engagements and employments offers little of variety, either to amuse or profit my honoured brethren; but the idea of being under an engagement to communicate something on this day, has been no little spur to activity, that I might have something to relate to them. The motive I feel to be an unworthy one; but those among whom I am placed may have been benefited from it, and our plan will redound to their benefit at least.

“My mind has at times, been sorely exercised with temptations to give up all exertion in the cause of Christ, and take my ease like those around me; more especially, about a fortnight since, the improbability of success, the sneers of the world, the dread of singularity, were the chief engines the enemy attacked me with, respecting the Europeans; respecting the Heathen, his suggestions were chiefly, the opposition of government, the extreme ignorance of the natives, the fear of commotions in the country, should I attempt their conversion. These, like fiery darts, were at different times, and in divers ways, cast into my soul, and grievously wounded me. I bless God, whose love is everlasting, that He has rebuked the tempter. I look back as one who has escaped shipwreck, barely with life; and I feel determined, through the grace of Christ, to count not even life dear unto myself, so that I may finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

“We have had divine service regularly every Sunday morning, at sun-rise, in the fort. Our commanding officer has for some time left off attending, though he continues very civil and obliging. He makes ill health an excuse; although he has occasionally been in the fort soon after the time of worship, and without any cause but his own pleasure. Another officer has also left off attending, although for some time after my first arrival, he was regularly among us. Some others have all along been irregular in their attendance, and continue to come occasionally. The gentleman and his wife, I alluded to in my last report, do not go on as I had hoped, though they are very kind, and my only intimate associates. Although he does not enter into my views, he yet talks familiarly with me on the subject of religion, and tells me his own views and feelings respecting it; which, together with their regular attendance on public worship, made me to hope they were under a divine influence. But, oh, the love of this present evil world, is a clog which weighs down the souls even of those who know more of its vanity, than these [persons] at present do.

“Among the common men, I trust some good has been done, although little to lasting benefit, as yet. I mentioned a sergeant of Invalids, who joined himself to me soon after my arrival. He is now in the hospital, and seemingly in the last stage of sickness. He made a profession of godliness in his youth, in England, it seems. He is now greatly alive to the consequences of death. He is become extremely communicative, and in comparison of what he used to be, eloquent. His experience is such a lesson to backsliders, as makes me anxious to communicate it separately, when the final scene may be closed; and, therefore, I shall say nothing more of him here.

“A Serjeant on the pension-list, has, since my last, evinced considerable concern for salvation; and is, I trust, in a fair way. Another Serjeant also reads, and assents to the books I lend him, and I am told, is somewhat reformed in conduct; but still is by no means a hopeful character.

“The native woman whom I baptized, died and was buried, April 12th. The man with whom she lived, is since married, having expressed great concern for his former conduct, and thanks for my admonitions; declaring, at the same time, that he never before was told he was doing wrong, in this respect; and that, for the fifteen years he has been in this country, he had not seen a clergyman, to his knowledge, till I arrived here. Another has put away his native woman; and another is now desiring to be married, but his commanding officer refuses to give permission, on the score of the woman’s character.

“No public worship as yet has been established at the barracks, chiefly in consequence of my health having been very unsettled. I am anxiously hoping to be able soon to have opportunity of speaking to them publicly the word of life. It oppresses me with grief, when I can feel as I ought, that many, perhaps 150, of the number of Invalids, seldom, or never join the public worship. The man who for some time has read prayers in his dwelling on Sunday mornings, continues to do so, being lame, and so unable to come up to the Fort; I fear, however, he is without experience of the love and grace of Christ. On Whitsunday I administered the Lord’s Supper to four. Thus far respecting the Europeans here, whom I consider myself, in a peculiar manner, called to attend to.

“At Secrole, which I visited last week, I found a merchant of real piety, though from his relating of a vision, he is, in my opinion, something enthusiastic. He devotes much time to the relief of poor and sick natives. He, for some time, read prayers on Sunday mornings and evenings, to the few artillery-men in their barracks; till, on his imprudently administering medicine to a sick man, he was forbidden all communication with them. He, however, still reads prayers and a sermon, in his own house, on Sundays, and some join him. One artillery-man, he speaks of, as a true christian. He had not before met with any who could understand him, and had frequent thoughts of writing to Mr. Brown; but feared that his letter would not be welcome. He is a stiff churchman; and when I asked him whether he had read the Missionary Magazine, which I saw in his shop, he started at the idea, and said ‘He never had any connection with Dissenters.’

“Respecting the heathen, I have instituted four schools for the instruction of children; two on each side the Fort. On either side, one for Hindoos, and one for Mussulmans. In one Hindoo school are thirty-seven: in the other thirteen. In one Mussulman school, are twenty-two; in the other sixteen. In all eighty-eight children. Of these a few now know their letters, and I am much exercised in mind respecting the introduction of the Scriptures among them. The Gooroos are quite averse to any books; it has never been the custom, they say, for them to read books; and the Mahomedans have books. I trust the Lord will guide me, and not suffer me to mar his work by my extreme ignorance of the best mode of proceeding. The nearer I approach the work, the greater appears its difficulty, the more I feel my own insufficiency. If any good is done among us, how evidently will it appear to be of God.

“Not having a copy of my last report, I know not whether I mentioned some native Roman Catholic Christians who daily attended me for reading the Scriptures. Only one of four continues to come, and he seems to be in earnest. He has with great reluctance been brought to confess, that at least the purgatory of the Papists, their transubstantiation, and prayer to saints, have no foundation in Scripture. He has read the Gospels through; St. John twice, and we are now going through St. Matthew a second time. He has brought his wife and family to Chunar; and has expressed a wish to instruct his native brethren, if I will find him subsistence. After many expressions of this kind, I told him, that he must consider that the Company give no authority for this; that he must expect no more favour than others, from the British; that I would only support him with necessaries, but should expect his children would be taught to earn their bread; and desired him to reflect seriously on the subject, and make it matter of prayer to God. He has not expressed so much eagerness since this, as before. He, however, has much conversation with the native baptized persons; tells them faithfully of their sin and heathen practices; and I think is himself a true Christian. He yesterday explained to me the Parable of the Sower very exactly, without reference to our Lord’s explanation. It may not be amiss to transcribe a few remarks I have noted down respecting this man’s knowledge of divine truth. I understand him better than he understands me, but I enquire of him the meaning of what I have said, till I find he has caught the idea I wish to convey.

“Saturday, May 16th. The Bettiah-walla remembered very exactly what I explained to him yesterday of our Lord’s discourse with Nicodemus; he, also, remembered very correctly the explanation of the allusion to the brazen serpent, repeating what I had told him of that transaction. On asking him, in what sense must we look to Christ; he answered, Jesus Christ is not now on the cross: but, as He said to Thomas, who seeing the prints of the nails in his hands, cried out ‘My Lord and my God,’--‘Blessed is he that hath not seen, and yet hath believed,’ so it is with our hearts that we must look to Him; and believing that He hath given his blood for us, and having our hearts made clean by His Spirit, we shall not perish, but have everlasting life. He explained John iii. 17. (without being asked) very scripturally, and evidently with a sense of its value.

“May 18th. In the afternoon, I had pleasure in acquiring the Hindoostanee. On asking the Bettiah-walla what was meant by the declaration, ‘No man can come to me except the Father which hath sent me draw him;’ he answered, ‘No one desires to come to Christ unless God enlighten his mind, and dispose his heart.’ On asking him, What is meant by the expression, in John vi. 40. ‘Seeing the Son;’ he replied, ‘Seeing Him in his word, and with our hearts.’ He has had a conversation with a Mahomedan, who concluded with saying that Mahomet was the last prophet. The Bettiah-walla answered, ‘According to their own book Jesus is Noor-Ullah, i. e. the Son of God, that He died, and rose, and went up to heaven, and will come to judgment:’ The Mahomedan consented. Bettiah-walla: ‘Your prophet is sleeping, as you allow; whether is greatest, a sleeping or a living prophet?’ He allowed that the living one was the greatest, and promised to come again to-morrow. The Bettiah-walla answered to my question, ‘How it is that if any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God.’ (John vii. 17.) ‘The Holy Ghost will come upon him and make his heart glad and holy.’”

“On one occasion I discovered him in a fault, which he confessed with tears, making no attempt to conceal it, and I believe has not fallen into it again. It was at a time I perceived him to be much puffed up with his attainments, and would gladly have made him feel the force of the apostle’s words, ‘Let him that thinketh &c.’

“My chief employment has been the study of Hindoostanee, in which however I have made but little progress, from frequent indisposition. My experience has in general been of a very painful kind. Accustomed to enjoy the communion of saints, and the comfort of their faith and love, I know but little, I perceive, how to live by faith. That passage has been the food of my soul for some time past. 2 Cor. i. 22. The name of Jesus has been refreshing ‘as ointment poured forth;’ and in this name, I doubt not finally to triumph.”

It may not, perhaps, be considered foreign to the purpose of these Memoirs to relate, that the sergeant of invalids referred to in the foregoing Report of Mr. Corrie’s proceedings, was the son of a dissenting minister at St. Albans, and had been religiously brought up; but that, having cast off the fear of God, he had run a sad career of sin and intemperance, until arrested in his course by the sickness which proved fatal to him. Many short notices occur, in Mr. Corrie’s journal, of the sergeant’s last illness; and a fuller account of him appeared at the time, in the Cottage Magazine. It may suffice, therefore, to state that after the unhappy man had passed through many alternations of terror and despair, in the fearful expectation of a judgment to come, there was reason to believe that he went down to the grave in hope. Respecting the Bettiah-christian and the Mahomedan who are noticed in the Report, some further account occurs in a letter to the Rev. J. Buckworth.

“August 2nd. 1807.

“By a letter received this day, from my sister, I learn the very agreeable tidings of your presentation to the vicarage of Dewsbury. This event takes away indeed, every latent hope that your lot might have been cast in India; but the souls of the people of Dewsbury are of equal value with those of Asia; and I earnestly pray that you may reap a rich harvest of souls as a reward of your labours among them....

“But whilst I am taken up with those whose faces I have seen in the flesh, you are wanting to know how the work of the Lord prospers in India. I can only say that the general aspect of spiritual affairs is pleasing. Were you to ask particulars, I could not, perhaps, satisfactorily tell you why I say so; yet the progress of translation of the holy Scriptures, with the increased numbers of faithful enquirers, is surely matter of hope. I could dwell much on the labours of that dear servant of Christ, Martyn, in translating, and in exerting himself to propagate the knowledge of salvation among Europeans and heathen; but, without an intimate acquaintance with this country and people, much explanation would be necessary. For myself, the climate has so much affected me as to make the retrospect of my life nearly a blank: some fruit, however, has already appeared. Praised be He who ‘giveth the increase!’...

“The native Christian I formerly mentioned, has renounced the errors of Popery, of his own accord, after a good deal of argument in favour of his old opinions. I believe him to be sincere, and that his heart is right with God. Sometimes he seems amused rather than grieved with the opposition of the Jews to our Lord; but this, though it gives me pain, is not so much to be wondered at, from the extreme want of reflection manifested by all the natives. I now allow him support for himself, wife, and two children. He is very ready in reproving and exhorting a class of people, descendants of the Portuguese, who are very numerous in India, and are nominal Christians. He warns them faithfully of the sin and folly of people called Christians, living as do the heathen; and, at my instance, he reads to them the Scriptures very frequently: so that I hope he may be made an instrument of good. By his means, also, a Mahomedan has been brought at least to doubt the divine commission of the lying prophet. This man now frequently comes to me. He has read the Sermon on the Mount (which I happily had by me, translated into Persian, by a Mr. Chambers, now dead) and manifests a very pleasing earnestness in search of truth. Nearly one hundred and twenty children are learning to read, at my expence: the circumstance of being able to read the Scriptures when put into their hands will be of no small advantage; as the custom of the son’s persisting in the business and steps of the father, precludes the multitude from ever thinking the knowledge of letters desirable. Indeed the character in which their sacred books are written is not allowed to be read by any but Brahmins. The written and printed characters are the same; as they have had no printed books till of late; so that in learning they have an advantage over us, as they learn to read and write at the same time, first making the letter with chalk, or in the dust, and then pronouncing it. I have had much pleasure at times in exercising the proficiency of the children. Some of them have countenances expressive of every good quality: the difference of the complexion is forgotten under the impression that ‘of one blood hath God made all the families of the earth.’ A small present delights the little fellows; and they sometimes come up to me with smiling faces, as I pass; and make _salaam_ with great appearance of attachment.

“I have said that appearances are pleasing: you will conclude that I speak comparatively. Alas! I ought to weep day and night at the reflection, that in this small place there are about 10,000, souls ‘sitting in darkness and the shadow of death!’ O that the Lord may speedily open a door for the entrance of Divine light among them! I am learning the native language as fast as my slothful nature, and the unsettled state of my affairs, calling me continually here and there, will let me. My Moonshee can now perfectly understand me: and when I tell him my meaning, he points out the proper word. In this way, besides my reading for instruction, I have translated the history of Joseph; and also to the sixth chapter of Genesis; and have got to the seventh of Acts. These will soon be useless, as better translations will be to be had; but they are of use to the above-mentioned native Christian for himself, and those who listen to his conversation; and these exercises improve myself. I shall begin Persian soon (D. V.) The Hebrew is a key to the Arabic; and Arabic and Persian are so blended with the Hindoostanee, the popular language of this country, that without the knowledge of Arabic and Persian, Hindoostanee cannot be perfectly understood.

“In order, too, to translate accurately, you know, the knowledge of Hebrew and Greek is necessary. You would be astonished at the subtilty with which the Hindoos (I mean learned Hindoos) argue on religious points. A rich man of this place one day visiting me, we entered into a discussion respecting one of their incarnations of the deity. The incarnate God, from their account, married many wives, had many children, &c. and when I observed that these things could not be the actions of God, assigning my reasons, &c. he readily answered, that the deity having taken to himself a human body, these actions were the actions of the man, and the godhead residing in him had no part in them; that I acknowledged Messiah ate, drank, slept &c., which were as little the actions of God, as those related of Krishnoo. I answered, that the body being the instrument of the soul, needs refreshment to support it in its labours; but that the body cannot accomplish any of its desires without the concurrence of the spirit that actuates it; so that this multiplying of wives, and other acknowledged sinful actions, would not have been accomplished by Krishnoo without the animating spirit. He at length left me, something in anger.

“I have written this at different intervals, which may apologize for its blots and inaccuracies: but why should I make apologies to you? With what inexpressible tenderness does the remembrance of the sweet counsel I have taken with you, return at times! I can now, in my mind’s eye, view the roads we walked together, the houses we visited, the companies we frequented;--the hymns we sang together, the petitions we joined in at the throne of grace, are many of them fresh in mind; and, when I am in tolerably good spirits, they delight me exceedingly.

“But, my general experience is of a more painful nature: doubts and temptations press hard upon me. The enervating effects of the climate make all my graces wither; and I go on rather in the spirit of sullen obstinacy than under the influence of the constraining love of Jesus.

“I hope you have written to me. Think of a solitary being, on the top of a hill ninety feet above the level of the water, without a creature near to speak a word of comfort, or to suggest a word of advice; and you will not think an hour thrown away that may support and animate his soul in the pursuit of ‘a kingdom that cannot be moved.’”

The anniversary of the day on which Mr. Corrie arrived in Calcutta, is marked by the following entry made in his journal,

“September 20th, 1807. On this day of the month last year, I arrived in Calcutta from England. I have determined, through grace, to keep new-year’s-day, my birth-day, days of ordination, and of my arrival in India, as days of examination into my state and views. On reviewing the memoranda connected with this day, I find great cause for thankfulness and praise. What I proposed, in the first place, in coming to India, was the propagation of Christianity amongst the heathen. I had little idea of the difficulties attending this work; yet, blessed be God! I have not lost sight of it. Four schools will, I trust, prepare many for reading the word of life, when it is ready for distribution. The native Christian has profited greatly by the New Testament: he appears truly pious; and his desire to instruct others, whilst, I hope, it proves his own sincerity, will, no doubt, be beneficial to many. My prayers, also, have been answered as it regards this place. One is departed in peace: one or two others are, I hope, impressed; most are attentive; and favour is shewed me by all. I have experienced much mercy in restoration to health; and especially in the restoring to me the joy of God’s salvation; and the Lord continues to ‘defend me with His favour as with a shield.’ I feel in danger from the love of the world; yet, I hope, I shall be able to overcome it. I have often dedicated my all to God; and I do again now devote my all, especially _myself_ do I give up. I ought to have made greater proficiency in the Hindoostanee; but I trust, through the power of Christ, to be more assiduous for the future.”

[30] Luke i. 79.

[31] Rev. xi. 15; xix. 16.

[32] See the Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, vol. ii, p. 21.

[33] Mr. Corrie relates (below, p. 73.) in what way, his acquaintance with this Bettiah-christian commenced.

[34] See Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, vol. ii. p. 28, 29.

[35] On account of the effect which the heat of the climate seemed to be producing on Mr. Corrie’s health. See JOURNALS AND LETTERS OF HENRY MARTYN, vol. ii. p. 42.

[36] Journals and Letters of Henry Martyn, vol. ii. p. 41. See some of the like quarterly communications from Mr. Brown, printed in Wilkinson’s Sketches of Christianity in North India, pp. 145 and 169.