PREFACE. THE ensuing memoir was composed at the request of the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society. The subject of it was their first and principal agent, by whose instrumentality they sought to confer the blessings of the gospel upon the heathen world. To perpetuate some memorial of his character and labours, appeared a just tribute of their esteem for him; whilst it offered a suitable occasion for renewing the recollection of those events and incidents which marked the origin and early progress of the institution whose affairs they administer. The office of biographer was devolved upon me, it is presumed, from my relationship to Dr. Carey, and from my supposed intimate conversancy with the history of their Eastern Mission. I have endeavoured, throughout the work, to exhibit the christian and the missionary, rather than the philosopher and the scholar. The materials to which I had access were more applicable to this purpose; and it appeared, also, that a work so prepared, would be more accordant with the purposes of such a Society. Dr. Carey has been made, as much as possible, his own biographer. I might have taken the original documents, and have woven them into a tissue of my own; and, instead of tran scribing naked details, and references, personal and incidental, have invested them with a style more brief, general, and covert. But I conceive that the design of such a work is to describe character, and to commemorate labours. To do the former, it is requisite not only to point out its leading constituent elements, but also to mark well the external providential discipline under which they have been consolidated, wrought up, and moulded to their ultimate consistence and perfection. And to appreciate the labours of an individual, we must not only know their nature and their magnitude, but the peculiar trials under which they are commenced and prosecuted. All that I can desire is, that the volume may commend itself to the candid and christian reader, as a whole, without presuming that each part, in detail, will command his approval. And if, when such exceptions are taken, and such deductions made, as those to which I am conscious it may be thought liable, it be found of any religious utility, my labour will be well compensated. Camberwell, May 14th, 1836. E. C. CHAPTER I. SECTION I. His own Account of his Early Life Memorial from his Sister-Brief SECTION II. Page. 1 Editorial Remarks-Various circumstances connected with the Formation 44 CHAPTER II. Review of Difficulties attending the commencement of the Baptist Mission SECTION II. Brief account of the voyage, by Mr. Thomas-Remarks by the Editor- CHAPTER III. SECTION I. 79 98 The unusually trying circumstances of Mr. Carey while in the neighbour- SECTION II. Mr. Thomas's account of his visit to Malda-Invitation of himself and Mr. 126 153 CHAPTER IV. SECTION I. Improvement in Mr. Carey's secular circumstances-Commences his en- SECTION II. Journal-Christian Society-Languages, &c. SECTION III. Letter to his Sisters-Letter to the Society-Letter to Mr. Pearce-Brief SECTION IV. Letters to Mr. Fuller-Female agency-Letter to Mr. Sutcliffe-Letter SECTION V. Letter to Mr. Fuller-Journey into Bootan-Letter to Mr. Fuller-Aspect Page. 296 CHAPTER V. SECTION I. Remarks on the state of the Mission preparatory to its removal to Seram- SECTION II. Letter to Mr. Fuller-Letters to his Sisters-Letter to Dr. Ryland—Mr. 348 372 CHAPTER VI. Letters from the Missionaries to the Society-Remarks on the Progress of SECTION II. Various circumstances, in Letters to his Sisters-To Mr. Fuller and Mr. SECTION III. Dr. Carey's affliction-His reflections upon the advancement of the Mis- SECTION IV. Formation of the Agricultural Society in India-Death of Mrs. Carey- CHAPTER VII. Dr. Carey's declining health and decease-His last Will-Resolution of 397 456 502 542 563 MEMOIR, &c. CHAPTER I. SECTION I. HIS OWN ACCOUNT OF HIS EARLY LIFE-MEMORIAL FROM HIS SISTER-BRIEF NOTICE FROM HIS BROTHER-RECOLLECTION FROM MR. SCOTT. It seems due alike to the social as to the religious interests of our nature, gratefully to commemorate, and diligently to ponder, the lives of men, who, with more than ordinary intensity and success, have consecrated themselves to the welfare of their species. A just exposition of those principles which have mainly governed them, and a faithful record of their developments, by quickening the zeal of other minds, may multiply their influences far beyond the sphere in which they were first exerted, and prolong their effects to succeeding ages. When christian virtues are offered to our view in living exemplifications, and in striking prominence, amidst impediments such as beset ourselves, we are at once reproved for our supineness, and incited to imitation. God himself has condescended to instruct us through this medium; as much, B |