from the first day he could command a single fraction not absolutely required for his subsistence, he began to practise that rigid and unreserved consecration of his substance, for which he continued so bright an example through life; and which, though for thirty years he was in receipt of a large income, gave him the privilege and the dignity of dying poor.

The labour requisite for discharging the duties of his present situation, might be deemed sufficient for the time and strength of any common man; but, besides fulfilling these with a diligence and a fidelity reaching to the minutest circumstances, he attempted native education, acquired the dialect of the province in which he lived, daily addressed the idolatrous natives, often travelled considerable distances to preach in English, maintained an extensive correspondence, and withal, laid a broad foundation of oriental grammatical science, by mastering the elements of one of the most difficult and classic languages in the world.

His journal is now continued, by the perusal of which, the reader will be competently informed of his exertions, his encouragements, and his conflicts.

'June 19, 1794. This evening, set out with Mr. Thomas for Mudnabatty, which is to be the place of my residence, and is thirty-two miles north of Malda, in a straight line, but nearly seventy by water, and is upon the river Tanquam.

20-21. We were employed in journeying, and about the middle of the night arrived at Mudnabatty.

22. Set out again for Malda, and, as it was down the stream, arrived there in about fifteen hours.

23. Enjoyed a very pleasant day indeed. I preached twice with much affection; one time from Eph. ii. 13, 'Ye, who sometime were afar off, are brought nigh by the blood of Christ;' and in the evening, from the words, By grace ye are saved.' There was much seriousness among us, and I hope the sabbath has not been in vain.

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23. Had some sweet conversation upon divine things, and affection in praying with dear Christian friends.

24. Employed in sending off my boat, which I intend to meet to-morrow morning. Had some pleasure and pain, I trust of the truly evangelical kind, to-day.

25, 26. Journeyed to Mudnabatty; arrived about two in the afternoon, and spent the day in regulating the concerns there.

27. Employed in the works, but had a pleasant season of retirement. It is now just one year and fourteen days since I left England, all which time I have been a sojourner and wandering to and fro; at last, however, God has provided me a home. May he also give me piety and gratitude!

28. I am at present busily employed in arranging all my people and my affairs, having about ninety people under my management; these will furnish a congregation immediately, and, added to the extensive engagements which I must necessarily have with the natives, will open a very wide door for activity.

God grant that it may not only be large, but effectual! I felt not much spirituality to-day, but had the pleasure of detecting a shocking piece of oppression practised by those natives who managed the affairs of this place before my coming. They had hired labourers for two and a half rupees per month, but when the poor people came to be paid, they deducted two anas* from each man's pay for themselves. I am glad of this detection on two accounts; namely, as it affords me an opportunity of doing justice among the heathen, and of exposing the wickedness of their leaders, one of their oppressors being a Brahmun; and as it so discouraged the poor people from working for us that we could scarcely procure labourers at any rate. This will serve a little to remove the prejudices of the people against Europeans, and prepare a way for the publication of the gospel.

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30. This has been the first sabbath spent at the place of my intended abode. I passed the day in reading and prayer. Found some sweet devotedness to God towards evening, and much concern lest I should become negligent after so great mercies. But if, after God has so wonderfully made way for us, should neglect the very work for which I came hither, the blackest brand of guilt and infamy must lie upon my soul. Found myself desirous of being entirely devoted to God, and disposed of by him just as he pleases. I felt also much concern for the success of the gospel among the heathen.

'July 1, 2, 3. Much engaged in the necessary

* Sixteen anas make one rupee.

business of preparing our works for the approaching season of indigo making, which will commence in about a fortnight. I had on the evening of each of these days, very precious seasons of fervent prayer to God. I have been on these evenings much drawn out in prayer for my dear friends at Leicester, and for the society, that it may be prosperous; likewise for the ministers of my acquaintance, not only of the Baptist, but other denominations. I was engaged for the churches in America and Holland, as well as England; and much concerned for the success of the gospel among the Hindus. At present I know not of any success since I have been here. Many say that the gospel is the word of truth; but they abound so much in flattery and encomiums, which are mere words of course, that little can be said respecting their sincerity. The very common sins of lying and avarice are so universal also, that no European who has not witnessed it can form any idea of their various appearances: they will stoop to any thing whatsoever to get a few cowries, and lie on every occasion. O how desirable is the spread of the gospel!

'July 4. Rather more flat, perhaps owing to the excessive heat; for in the rainy season, if there be a fine day, it is very hot indeed. Such has been this day, and I was necessitated to be out in it from morning till evening, giving necessary directions. I felt

very much fatigued indeed, and had no spirits left in the evening, and in prayer was very barren.

5. Very poorly to-day from being exposed to yesterday's heat, and obliged to be rather more cau

tious; felt little heart for the things of God till evening, when I was much comforted by reading of the fidelity and constancy of Job, in the first two chapters; wished for the same spirit, and afterwards was much enlarged in prayer to God; my soul was drawn out for the success of the gospel among the heathen. Had some pleasant and spiritual conversation with Moonshi, who I hope will lose caste for the gospel, which, with a Hindu of his rank, is a greater sacrifice than life, his being the highest, except the Brahmun. Their strong attachment to caste may appear by the following incident. As I was coming up hither I was in great want of a servant-boy. At a place which we passed through, a poor boy of the shoemaker caste, which is the very lowest of all, so that no Hindu, or even Mussulman of credit, will suffer one of them to come into his house, but they are universally despised, much more than can be conceived, came begging to Moonshi, and said that he had neither food, clothing, nor friends, but was an orphan. Moonshi asked him to come as my servant, and told him that he should have a sufficiency of all necessaries, and, if he behaved well, be taken good care of; but, for fear of losing caste, he refused. Perhaps this is one of the strongest chains with which the devil ever bound the children of men. This is my comfort, that God can break it.

7. Busy all day, but rather more inclined to contemplate spiritual things. This evening was enabled to plead a little with God for the heathen; but it was so flat, and destitute of strong crying and tears, that