CHAPTER VI.

VISIT TO CALCUTTA--ARRIVAL OF HIS SISTER.

In the beginning of September 1808, Mr. Corrie left Chunar, for the purpose of meeting his sister at Calcutta on her expected arrival from England; and on his way thither he spent some weeks with Mr. Martyn, at Dinapore. Several foreboding expressions occur in Mr. Corrie’s Journal respecting the possible termination of the unsatisfactory state of health in which he found Mr. Martyn. With the purpose, therefore, of relieving that excellent person from the pressure of clerical duty, Mr. C. remained longer at Dinapore than he had at first intended. Of Mr. Martyn, also, he writes,

“He entertains the opinion that he shall die before long; and desired me to tell Mr. Brown that should he die before my return, he trusted he is in the Lord, and happy. He wishes, if it please God, to be spared on account of the translations, but with great earnestness he said, ‘I wish to have my whole soul swallowed up in the will of God.’ He then observed, ‘When I look back, I see nothing that affords me satisfaction: all my consolation flows from the free grace that is in Christ Jesus:--that grace which is now offered to-day, this is alone what comforts my soul.’”

Considering the brotherly affection that subsisted between the two friends, it cannot be a matter of surprise, that when, under these circumstances, the time for parting approached, Mr. C. should have experienced some depression of spirits.

“This morning,” he writes, “was a mournful time with me. I could scarcely express myself from the acuteness of my feelings, but tried to suppress them. I have no idea, however, but that I shall meet him again, if I am spared to return; but O! let me not boast of to-morrow, but learn to die daily.”

When Mr. Corrie reached Calcutta, his joy on meeting a beloved sister was somewhat modified by the intelligence which she brought that one of his letters[46] had been printed in an English periodical. The distress and alarm which this circumstance occasioned Mr. Corrie will be readily accounted for, when it is recollected that a violent dread of Missionary operations in India, had at that time taken possession of the minds of many influential persons, and that a motion had even been submitted to the Court of East India proprietors for expelling from India, all the Christian Missionaries who were then labouring there; and for preventing the circulation of the Scriptures in any of the languages of the East. Nothing could be more probable, therefore, than that the publication of any accounts of Mr. Corrie’s labours among the heathen, would draw down upon him the displeasure of the Indian government. That such, at least, was the persuasion of Mr. C. is plain enough, for in announcing to a relative, the safe arrival of his sister in Calcutta, he adds:--

“I received little of painful intelligence [by her] except the news of my letter to Buckworth being published. I trust he has not published any more of them. I cannot write to him just yet on the subject, lest I should say something that might wound his feelings: he has caused me more grief than any event of late has caused me.”

Soon afterwards he more fully expressed his apprehensions in a letter to Mr. Buckworth himself.

“I heard some time since by a friend, that ‘a letter from one of the Bengal chaplains who came out in 1806,’ had been published, and in the then state of the court of India Directors towards the evangelization of this country, might be of great detriment. Mary afterwards brought me word who the offending chaplain is, and who the friend is that has published his letters. I confess that for a time I felt myself wounded in the house of friendship. In the eyes of the world, pride told me that my character would suffer; and I still expect to see myself caricatured by the Edinburgh Reviewers, or by some such enemies to all serious acknowledgment of God. My brother will say, what is character &c., to being useful to the cause of the gospel? And so say I, if loss of character stand in competition with that cause; but really I am sure there must in my scrawls, written in the fulness of my heart, be ample matter for criticism; and truly the gospel needs not such a sorry assistant; especially if the publication should operate either to my recal, or to restrictions being laid upon me here. So well assured am I, however, of the purity of my much-loved friend in his motives for thus sending me into the world as an author, that I shall love the rod even that smites me by his hand: and he will rejoice that I stand ready to glory in the cross of Christ, and count myself honoured, if thought worthy to suffer shame for His sake. I hope you have not sent any more of my letters to the Christian Guardian; and that if you judge any description of the people or customs, &c. interesting, you will give it as an extract, and without my name and place of abode, further than India. I must absolutely forbid you to publish what I am doing. Let the great day of the Lord make that manifest. I am sure I shall be found an unprofitable servant, and ‘this shall be my only plea, that Jesus lived and died for me.’”

During the whole of Mr. Corrie’s stay in Calcutta he took up his abode with the Rev. David Brown, from whose counsel and directions he seems to have derived at all times the greatest advantage. To the relative referred to above, he writes on this occasion;--

“We are now under the roof of Mr. Brown. I cannot tell you how much we are indebted to this man of God: he has been, and is to us younger chaplains, a father in Israel. His affection for us exceeds the affection of most fathers for their children. His letters convey the instructions of a Bishop, with the tenderness of a brother. I trust we feel his worth and value it aright.”

Yet Mr. Corrie’s anxiety to get back again to his people at Chunar, did not allow him to remain long in Calcutta. In the letter just now quoted he observes:--

“My few sheep are in the wilderness without a shepherd, and some of whom I hoped better things I hear are gone astray: these thoughts make every place strange to me except Chunar. There is no one thing on earth worth living for, but to be employed in our blessed master’s service, to be ministering in obedience to His will to the spiritual and temporal good of mankind. When my soul ceases to labour after this, life will be no blessing to me. How precious the idea that saints are kept by the power of God! This is the ground on which I build my hope, of perseverance to the end; and I know whom I have believed. He who has given me to know the name of Christ, and to trust therein, will enable me to draw out all the virtues contained in that precious name to support me under temptation, and to enable me to holiness of living.”

Owing, however, to the tedious nature of the passage up the Ganges, Mr. C. did not reach Chunar till the middle of January 1809. On his way, he spent a week with Mr. Martyn at Dinapore, and preached there on Christmas-day 1808. On the following New year’s day, he placed on record his recollections of the past year:--

“Chuprah; on the way back from Calcutta to Chunar. Sunday, Jan. 1st. 1809. I desire to review this year past, as in God’s presence, and to note down His dealings, as I shall give account at the judgment-seat of Christ.

“First, let me note His mercies _ministerial_, in the success of my labours at Chunar; where a society of fourteen are united in the ways of God; second, _personal_, in the preservation of life, and the vouchsafing of excellent health; the bringing my sister, who is now with me, and promises to be indeed a helpmeet for me. Third, _spiritual_, inasmuch as the Holy Spirit is not withdrawn from me; nor has the purpose of living only to God forsaken me: I see that nothing is worth living for, but to live to God. I determine, the Lord being my helper, to live to no other purpose.... I am not so watchful of myself as formerly; but I renew my purposes, would do my first works, and go on unto perfection. I seem, as far as I know myself, kept from the love of wealth; but this is, in some degree at least, from lavishness, which hurries me often into the other extreme: against this, too, do I resolve; and would use this world’s goods as one that must give an account. The work of the Lord among the heathen shall be attended to, with fresh vigour. I can say nothing of the Hindoostanees at Chunar, nor of the Schools; but I hope to do more for them than ever. O Lord, let past mercies be remembered, as a constraining motive to future exertion; and, whilst I would mourn for my sins and short-coming, O keep me in time to come for Christ’s sake. Amen.”

Under the date of Chunar, Jan. 24, 1809, he writes,

“Have been at home ten days, and I trust have not been quite forgetful of the goodness of God, in taking me out and bringing me back in safety: but I feel and deplore my hard heartedness and corruption. On Sunday week resumed duty at Secrole, twenty attended. Here, on Sunday last, five services have renewed something of my former pain in the breast. But, alas! my labours seem all to have been in vain. Not one seems to have stood his ground. My heart is greatly cast down, and would fain shrink from any further trial. Self and worldliness combine to dishearten me from the work of the Lord. O Lord, leave me not, but revive thy work in me for Jesus’ sake! Amen.”

In a letter addressed to Mr. Buckworth on the 8th. of Feb; Mr. C. gives utterance to similar feelings of discomfort:--

“Notwithstanding the many objects new to you, with which I am surrounded, I scarce know what to write to you about: it is a time of great spiritual dulness with me; and, owing to the indisposition of the native teacher, the great work we have chiefly at heart seems at a stand. My strength is laid out, in the mean time, among the European soldiers; and, alas, to little seeming purpose ... I am ready to be weary of what appears so hopeless a task as the turning of men, so incorrigible, from the error of their ways: these workings of my mind are too glaringly impious to escape even my half-awakened perception, and the greatest of all opposition I find to spring from my desperately wicked heart: I trust something of self-abasement, for this horribly rebellious spirit, exists at the same time.

“You know all the controversy that has arisen at home respecting missions to this country:[47] there is no knowing what the end of such opposition to Christ’s kingdom will be. We have been in expectation of a visit from the French over land. The late events in Spain may be the means of keeping us longer quiet here. The French would perhaps have established their system of worship where they could have got footing; and any mode of Christianity would have been preferable to the idolatry and superstition that overwhelms this unhappy land. My principal employment now is with a school of Christian native children, five in number: some of them read easily the Holy Scriptures in Hindoostanee; and a gleam of joy sometimes enlivens my mind while hearing them.

“Feb. 15th. Since writing the above, the old native Christian has been enabled to renew his labours; and another christian child is come to school. I have had one of those sudden attacks you happily know little of in England; it has not yet left me; but my times are in God’s hand. I find it is good to be afflicted: my soul returns unto her rest; and, I bless God for a desire only to know and glorify Him: this I think I can say is all in all with me. You will have heard of the Roman-catholic mission established in this country. My Catechist is a fruit of this mission; and four men and four children in my employ besides. They are natives of Bettiah in the kingdom of Nepaul, i. e., the old kingdom of Nepaul; for now the British posterity of Japheth are dwelling in almost every corner of the tents of these sons of Shem; and the old limits of most of the states of this country are in consequence altered.

“One man from the same place passed the whole of your summer with me here; and daily read the Scripture with me; in which he seems to be taught of God. On returning last September, he withstood the Missionary (an Italian) to his face, respecting the praying to saints, bowing to images &c.: he was, in consequence, excommunicated; and, on being taken ill soon afterwards was beset by two agents of the missionary, who sounded threatenings of hell, &c., in his ears; and declared his body should be cast on the dunghill. Distressed, it seems he paid a fine to be restored to the Church, and soon after died. In his last days, he begged some one of his relations to convey his thanks to me, and to commend his children to me. The message is come, and the unfeigned tears of these few Christians here on learning the end of Anselmo, were a striking proof of the sympathizing spirit induced by Christianity, compared with the hard and unfeeling spirit of the heathen. On the map of Hindoostan you see the country of the Seiks; their capital is Lahore. The state consists of a number of independent chiefs, under a nominal head; many of these chiefs have sought our aid against the oppression of their head; and, as the country they inhabit lies in route of any overland invading army, we have sent a force in aid of the petitioners. Two of my young friends (very dear to me in our common Lord) are with this force. The principal matter of interest to us in this expedition is, that these Seiks are, as a nation, Deists.[48] Much superstition, indeed, is among them; but they are neither Hindoos nor Mussulmans; and profess themselves worshippers of one invisible God. Such a state of mind seems favourable to a reception of Christianity; and, may we not hope our intercourse among them may be the means of bringing them acquainted with that only name whereby they must be saved? Martyn is going on, in company with the converted Arabian,[49] in translating the Scriptures into Persian. I have seen the Edinburgh Reviewer’s remarks on the Missionaries[50] and critique on their Journals. It is to be regretted, perhaps, that in some expressions they are open to ridicule; but it is a subject of gratification that in none are they open to reproach. These same gentlemen would gnash their teeth to find Hindoostan, from near Delhi, yea from the Seiks’ country, to Cape Comorin, planted with Christians, who daily pray for the coming of Christ’s kingdom in their lands; and who, in their intercourse with those around them, recommend the gospel of God our Saviour in a way not such as will excite insurrection, but induce veneration and ultimately conversion. A preaching life these Edinburgh reviewers themselves cannot gainsay; and these less enlightened heathen are less disposed than they to withstand it. But little visible effect will appear in our day; the next generation will find a people ‘prepared for the Lord.’

“Our dwelling is on the banks of the Ganges. The common mode of travelling is by water, in commodious boats, dragged, when the wind is adverse, like barges. At this distance from home, hospitality to strangers seems to me a peculiar though painful duty, as it breaks in too much upon my leisure. There is no such thing as an inn; and very many of the passers-by are young officers, whose situation is, in general, far from being comfortable. To these I would be especially kind, as being also less noticed by many who judge of the attentions due to them by the wealth and rank they possess. Those youths who are now here join readily in our family worship, and delight me when I hear them repeating the Lord’s prayer after me with seriousness. Dear lads, my heart yearns over them, exposed as they are to every kind of temptation, without a rudder or a pilot. May God take them into His direction!”

Soon after the date of the foregoing letter, Mr. Corrie was again suffering from illness. An attack of fever rendered it necessary for him to place himself under medical care; but throughout the months of February and March, his disorder seems to have yielded so little to the remedies applied, that he was almost laid aside from duty. Thus in his Journal under date of March 19th. he remarks:--

“March 19th (Sunday.) To-day--not in a condition for public worship: so there was none in the morning. A merchant and others came to breakfast; and I had family worship with them. I have been considering my ways, but am, alas I sadly clouded, so that I can remember but little. My impatience respecting the backsliding professors has appeared, as it is, sadly inconsistent: I ought to have pitied and prayed for them more, and felt less anger. I bless God for more composure of mind, and drawing out of soul towards God. I see, however, I have little of zeal for His glory and house. I would have a more single eye in this matter. I would desire my own salvation as a means of displaying the glory of His grace. I would desire the salvation of sinners, that He may be glorified. I would engage in proper means for these ends, with a single intent that I may bring glory to God, and that God may be glorified in me. Let my own personal trials be all sanctified to this end! Give grace, O God of grace, to this end; and the glory shall redound to Thee, through Jesus Christ, the Saviour!”

And again, a fortnight later, he writes:--

“Easter eve. To-morrow the Lord’s Supper is to be administered. Alas, my soul, how many sacred opportunities of this kind have been little better than profaned. Long did I attend the Lord’s Table in my own self-confident spirit, and the same day saw me break the vows I had solemnly made. When this self-confidence was in some measure discovered, the ordinance became more profitable indeed, but the contrary spirit grew upon me; and for some time, I fear, the consecrated elements have been too little considered. Lord! never let me fancy the means any other than the channels of thy grace; but O, enable me to discern the Lord’s body at his Table, and ‘with meek heart and due reverence,’ feed upon Him by faith! My illness, I fear, does not leave me; at least, weakness grows upon me. I seem anxious to live.... I would live to glorify God, too, though he needs not my wretched poor services. I would have my will swallowed up in His. O [Lord] grant me grace to this end, then come life or death, all will be well.

“Easter-day morning, 2nd April. Both in public worship, and afterwards, I trust the Lord was present to heal us: the people were very attentive. I remembered my native land, with sweet recollection, the tabernacle of God, and the communion of saints. For my companions’ and brethren’s sakes will I seek thy good, O Britain, the Zion of the earth! O may these impressions of love and grace remain upon my soul! Enough I see, even in this day’s services, though unusually joyous, to render precious Him who bears the iniquities of his people’s holy things.”

In the beginning of the following month, however, a letter to the Rev. David Brown contains the intelligence that it had pleased God to recover Mr. Corrie from his illness:--

“Chunar, May 11, 1809.

“I ought to have made known to you before this, the safe arrival of the Bibles and New Testaments. We have no troops here at present to dispose of them to. The Europeans hereabout will take a few to distribute at prime cost. A fortnight since beloved Martyn passed this by _dawk_.[51] He staid only three days, and you will have heard by this time of his safe arrival at Cawnpore on the 29th. ult. Sabat has left us this morning. The heat of his temper broke out against a washerman who had changed a sheet, but there seems no doubt of the grace of God being in him. He lived with us since the 7th. At Benares, he had intended to pass some days, but about forty persons who had formerly known him, came tumultuously to the boat, and after much confused dispute, he thought it prudent to come on here. We have for some time been engaged about a Church at Benares; a subscription of about 3000 Rupees has been made, and a spot of ground is fixed on. I trust now all opposition is silenced, though not entirely done away. The hearts of some haters of all good have been brought to give money even. One family is highly respectable and regular in religious duties. One young officer has become a new creature. Of the rest, few alas! seem willing to go any further. Martyn wishes for my removal. I did not desire it before he came, now I should have no objection to it. Less labour than is now put forth on, perhaps in all, eighty people, (for the remainder give me no opportunity of labouring for them,) would serve for eight hundred, and if winning souls be our highest wisdom, the more we win, the wiser we shall be accounted. Yet the fear that my Benares congregation would be left without a shepherd, makes me glad to continue. At Chunar, all seem dead and lifeless. Some of the poor women are indeed, growing in grace, and that should not be accounted little. One of them two days since, on asking her in what way she must attain to God’s presence with peace, replied, ‘If I remember the name of Jesus Christ: and repenting of my sins, put my trust in him, I shall doubtless attain God’s presence.’ Several are equally well informed, and Martyn expressed great satisfaction at their attentive repetition of the responses, in prayer &c. Sabat holds my poor old man in utter disdain for his comparative ignorance. Sabat is indeed a very superior man; none of the Moonshees can stand before him. He is most amusing with his logic on all occasions. Some of the gay friends of a pious young officer, asked him if it were not written in Scripture, that men shall become bears? He, in the simplicity of his heart, asked Martyn and myself at Dinapore, before Sabat, if there were such a passage of Scripture? Sabat replied, ‘O if there is such an expression in the word of God, it must be true; and we will prove it by logic.’

“I think I expressed a wish for the tables you mentioned, of Arabic &c. with a copy of the Persian of Matthew when ready. Mr. Myers[52] would send them and they would be highly useful. I am happy to say the complaint I was ill of has quite left me, and I trust it is good for me that I was in trouble. It is good in any way to have the heart separated from this ensnaring world; to be led to have all its fresh springs in God. Would it were more thus with me! I groan being burdened with an earthly, sensual, devilish nature. I wish I could hear oftener of you and your’s. I am in hopes those communications that respect our project may pass through my hands to Martyn; it would cause only one day’s delay. The subject of the conversion of the natives is much more discussed among us. I know two converts to the subject from reading Buchanan’s Memoir which I lent them.

“My Christian School goes on well.

“Beside the Christian children, I have six Christian men, and some families.”

The anniversary of Mr. Corrie’s ordination is thus noticed by him:--

“Saturday, June 10th. This day in 1802, I was ordained a Deacon at Buckden, and on the 12th of June 1804, a Priest, at the same place. To-morrow may suit my purposed season of examination; and I pray God to enable me to this needful work. First, to look over my present spiritual state. Secondly, To examine my views in the ministry. Thirdly, To pray for my Native School. O Lord! vouchsafe a spirit of grace and supplication for Christ’s sake!

“Sunday, June 11th. Have been considering my ways; and respecting my personal experience, it is but too apparent that I have for some time laboured under a spiritual decay. The commencement of it seems to have been soon after this time last year, when my spirit began to faint in outward duties; and I hurried away from them to Calcutta. The Lord does not leave me; and I trust will not leave me; yet, O my soul, fear being given up to work iniquity. Much reserve, I am aware, in my outward conduct is worn off: respecting this, I would hope the needless scrupulosity I indulged is going; yet connected with my private experience, I would be jealous over myself with a godly jealousy. Frivolousness and levity in tongue and action, I would watch against. Lord, instruct me, and teach me in thy way! In the ministry, I have failed greatly in respect of searching out the lost sheep of Christ’s flock; nor have I a proper sense of the hurt and hinderance arising from this negligence. Lord, grant me a due sense of the Saviour’s dying love, and of the soul’s worth! I think I do attempt the edification of those who come in my way; and have less fear of shame and reproach for Christ than once I had. I find a growing facility in speaking Hindoostanee; and I trust of late more earnest intention of seeking opportunities of propagating the Gospel. My views in coming to India I would hope are not altered; to live and die here; and to spend my strength and substance in this land is, I think, my purpose. The little children are becoming very interesting to me. O, that they may become partakers of the grace of God in truth! My native servants I would try to make wise unto salvation, and often am earnestly engaged in instructing them. Lord, grant me sincerity and simplicity in dealing with these; and enable me to repent of my sins, to ‘do my first works;’ and ‘leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, go on unto perfection.’ I feel how entirely it is Thy work to accomplish this in me, then grant me thy Holy Spirit graciously for Christ’s sake. Amen!”

With what sincerity of spirit, this recital of his inward resolves and feelings was penned, may be gathered from the renewed activity with which Mr. Corrie’s restored health was devoted to the employment of every means within his reach, that was calculated to extend the knowledge of Christ. To Mr. Brown he writes early in June 1809:--

“I have at length begun the Arabic and Hebrew; and with the help of the Arabic, Hebrew and Hindoostanee, hope to get a correct Hindoostanee version of the Psalms for the black flock. The 51st Psalm they are learning by heart.”

Similar notices of his application to the study of the Oriental languages occur, also, in Mr. Corrie’s letters, about this time, to Mr. Martyn. Yet the external circumstances with which himself and fellow-labourers in the work of the Lord, were all this while conversant, were far from encouraging. In the letter to Mr. Brown quoted above, Mr. Corrie complained:--

“My harp has long been ‘hung upon the willows.’ Every thing around us bears the image of spiritual death. What little profession there was among us, has issued in nothing that appears decisive.”

And a few weeks later, after recording in his journal that he “had often experienced the Divine Presence and grace,” whilst lecturing in public “on the Epistle to the Galatians,” Mr. C. adds:--

“I am, nevertheless, cast down greatly with the little appearance of good working among us: the soldiers seem hardened to all addresses I make: the old native Christian has not been lively of late. When not living near to God, I seem afraid of the doctrine of grace, as it is called; when my soul is deeply affected with divine truth, I can trust God with the consequences of His own declarations.”

Whilst having thus to lament the spiritual apathy around him, Mr. Corrie did not on that account slacken his exertions toward hastening on the day, when “the stream of Ganges shall roll through tracts adorned with Christian churches, and the holy hymn be heard beneath the shade of the tamarind.” Accordingly he writes to the Rev. Charles Simeon:--

“Aug. 2, 1809.

“A door of usefulness has been opened ‘among those of mine own nation’ at Benares, where I have been enabled to attend every third Sunday, and now materials are collecting to build a place of worship with, by subscription. Some of the principal people there oppose the measure by their private influence, though they have given money for the work. The report of the death of one of the chaplains above, renders me anxious, lest I should be removed before this scheme is accomplished; but I know the accomplishment of it rests not with me. I now confine my public engagements to the mornings, except one service in Hindoostanee on Sunday evenings. I have mentioned a native Christian who reads and expounds the lessons on these occasions, so that my labour is but small when he is present. Just now, he is at Benares, with a view, if possible, to establish Christian worship among a number of Portuguese and native Christians, who reside in various capacities there. He goes from house to house among them, but has hitherto had little success. Only three attend worship. I may remind you, [that] he conducts public worship according to our Church form, translated. The Gospels we have, and I have translated the principal particulars of the Old Testament history. I may mention that the wisdom of God is manifest here, in recording the faults of the Old Testament saints. A maxim among all classes of Natives, seems to be, that every person, by obeying his own religious guide, will attain eternal blessedness, and several of the Mahomedans have been offended, at my asserting that Moses, Abraham, David &c., were sinners: the proving these saints to have been sinners by nature, as ourselves, overturns this conceit and makes them to seek out a Saviour, who is himself in no need of salvation. To this point, when I have opportunity, I always bring a Mahomedan, carefully avoiding disrespectful mention of his Prophet. The Hindoostanee women attend, though not in such numbers as at first, yet regularly, and I have no doubt some of these most despised of the human race, will be found at the right hand of the Judge, in the great day. A few evenings since, a poor blind creature caused my heart to joy exceedingly, by her artless commendation of the Redeemer; any praise of myself might have arisen from servility, but, the epithets she applied to our Lord, could have been learned only from the Scriptures. For some time much of my attention has been directed to the education of some native christian boys. Watts’ first Catechism they can repeat, and a prayer for morning and evening in private; two of them have begun Persian and make quick progress: there are in all five, from seven to twelve years old, and some younger children will soon be admitted. I am attempting to introduce our own mode of teaching, and when at home, hear them twice a day.... No pains have been spared by the Italian Missionaries, at Bettiah to frighten, or allure my old teacher from me, and one man, who had learned the way of God more perfectly here, and on going back refused to pray to saints, &c., was excommunicated and grievously persecuted until his death, which took place soon after. The uproar about Missions has been heard of here, but no one feels any of the alarm expressed at home. I hear occasionally, from some friends at Malda, of Mr. M. who has very poor health; some poor helpless creatures have lately received baptism there. You will not suspect me of depreciating his labours, by this expression; those among whom I myself minister, are as despicable as human beings can well be. Their influence on the general cause can be none, their individual souls are precious.”

Mr. Corrie had now been three years in India, and it will have been seen that those years had not been spent in self-indulgent inactivity, or had been unfruitful in great moral results. Yet he writes:--

“Sept. 20th. 1809. This day completes my third year in India; and though I could write a journal of events that would set me off in the eyes of men, I know myself to be an unprofitable servant. I have reason to cry, ‘Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God;’ from the blood of souls! The perverseness of the natives draws out my perverse temper. I perceive my mind of late too much taken up with the dignity religion inspires the mind with, raising it above the petty cares and mean jealousies of an earthly mind: yet, O let me never be high-minded but fear. I desire to renew my dedication of myself, my all to God; to purpose greater exertion and more labours among whites and blacks. Lord, I pray thee, grant an increase of spiritual influence, that I may go on from grace to grace! O, let me not faint nor tire, for Jesus’ sake, Amen!”

The following letters to his Christian friends, bear witness that Mr. Corrie was enabled, in some measure, to carry out the desires and purposes which his Journal records.

REV. D. BROWN.

“Chunar, Oct. 12. 1809.

“I have had our meeting service this morning. Cold myself and lifeless and stupid. I wonder the people attend at all, they are so little excited to run the Christian race.

“The Christian Native School goes on as well as it can. The children, sometimes nine in number, are reading the Scriptures in Hindoostanee. I have nearly finished a corrected edition (about the 4th) of the history of creation, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the children of Israel, Joshua, Samuel, David, Solomon, the division of the Tribes, Elijah, Elisha, the Acts of the Apostles, the first Epistle of John. Four of the children have Watts’ first Catechism perfect, with prayers for morning and evening. Two of these have begun Persian Grammar, on a new plan of my own, after the English mode of question and answer. We have ten Christians about us with whom I read and pray, most mornings, in Hindoostanee. One youth appears truly pious and reads and explains the Scriptures, admirably to others, most evenings after dark. A few of the Hindoostanee Women appeared [to be] guided by the fear of God,--perhaps four or six. The others complain of hearing nothing but severe language, and told the Native teacher lately [that] ‘as he was paid for instructing them, he ought not to deal so severely with them! He told them, he was not paid to flatter them.’

“I have lately been looking into the Arabic and Hebrew, but I entirely despair of making any proficiency in them. The Hebrew I shall go on with. Even by the help of the Lexicon, I gain great pleasure in observing the roots and their connection with the languages around us. If ever you pray for me particularly, pray that I may _endure_ to the _end_: that _patience_ may _hold out_: that I may be faithful _unto death_. May richest grace be multiplied to you and your’s.”

TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.

“Nov, 1. 1809.

“I often turn a look of regard towards highly favoured Britain, and a tear starts whilst I bid it a long adieu; but to a weary pilgrim any lodging is welcome, any place of abode agreeable; so in Hindoostan, my weary head shall rest, and my longing soul mount up from hence to meet her redeeming God. There, my brother, we shall meet; till then, let our willing feet, our heads, and our tongues be employed in spreading the Saviour’s glorious name.

The Saviour! O what endless charms Dwell in the blissful sound!

Your sermon referred to would have suited my people here. In much weakness and fear, indeed, I have been among them. The Evening Lectures I told you of exhausted me entirely; and conspired with other circumstances to bring on a liver complaint, from which, I sometimes think, I am not quite free: but I am able to endure my labour.

“You expect to hear of my black flock. My native teacher is, at this time, laid up with Asthma: his notions of divine truth grow more clear daily. Some of the Hindoostanee wives of the soldiers have, also gained good information on christian subjects; and from forty to sixty regularly attend public worship on Sundays, and once in the week. I have nine Christian men and women, and six children about me; with these I read and pray in Hindoostanee every morning I am at home. One lad of them appears truly pious; he has been with me most of the time I have been here; he reads and prays in the evenings with the others generally.

“One night lately I heard him expounding part of the sixteenth chapter of St. John with much feeling and propriety. I have the charge of him entirely; I begin to love him, and think his disposition gentle and well-inclined: he always attends at meals for his portion. The other servants, at times, I hear tell him he is become an Englishman; and seem to envy him not a little.... I could fill sheets with the conversations I frequently have with the natives. Several promising appearances in individuals, have come to nothing. I am, therefore, glad that I have not written any thing about them.

“There has been a serious disturbance here (and it is not now quite over) between the Mahomedans and Hindoos. The former destroyed a pillar, long an object of superstition amongst the Hindoos: on which account the latter carried swine and slaughtered them in the Mosques. One hundred and forty have lost their lives; but not all from religious difference, many taking occasion of the affray to gratify private revenge.[53]

“I can say nothing of my prospects: all you can picture of the difficulties attending this work is far short of the reality. I can only say, to live and die in this work, or to labour until I can do no more, is my not hasty purpose, formed, I trust, on no self-sufficient grounds, but on the grace, mercy, and comfort of an unchanging God and Saviour.

“I am writing a little daily in Hindoostanee, Persian, Arabic, or Hebrew. My school employs me two portions of the day. I am cheered sometimes with the hope, that I am educating Missionaries; but it seems hardly possible they should escape the pollutions around them.”

[46] That dated Aug. 2, 1807.

[47] The controversy alluded to grew out of the publication of Dr. Buchanan’s Memoirs on the Expediency of an Ecclesiastical Establishment for India.

[48] See Ward, View of History, &c. of the Hindoos. Vol. II., book 7, ch. 4.

[49] Sabat. For some account of this person, see Buchanan’s “Star in the East.” pp. 23. &c. He afterwards apostatized, left the British territory in India, and went into the service of some of the native princes; but in some quarrel that occurred he was suspected of treachery to his patron, was put up into a sack and cast into the sea.--Hough’s “History of Christianity in India.” vol. 4. p. 389.

[50] An article in the Edinburgh Review for 1808, entitled “Indian Missions,” written by the late Rev. Sidney Smith. At the head of this article are given the titles of the principal controversial pamphlets, which appeared at that time on the subject of Missions to India.

[51] Post. Mr. Martyn was then on his way to his new station at Cawnpore.

[52] Mr. Corrie’s future father in-law.

[53] A more particular account of this affair is given below, in a Letter to Mr. Simeon.