prayer, and Mr. Thomas daily instructs them in the scriptures. He has a very large congregation twice on the Sabbath day: he also preaches in the adjacent villages two or three times. There is the utmost cordiality, friendship, and union subsisting between him and brother Carey. One spirit indeed seems to actuate both in the concerns of the mission.'

MR. FOUNTAIN TO THE SOCIETY.

'Mudnabatty, Nov. 11, 1796.

'Brother Thomas delights in doing good to the bodies and souls of his fellow-men. His medical skill is a great blessing to this country. People come to him from thirty or forty miles round, so that there are almost always patients at his doors. He does all gratis. I have seen some of his remarkable cures.

'As to brother Carey, his very soul is absorbed in the work of the mission. His dear friends in England had no ground for their fears, that riches might alienate his heart from that work. He does not possess them. I am persuaded there is not a man who has not learned to deny himself but would prefer his situation when at Leicester to that in this country. But he, like a christian minister, as described in his own publication, considers himself as having solemnly undertaken to be always engaged as much as possible in the Lord's work, and not to choose his own pleasure or employment, or pursue the ministry as a thing which is to serve his own ends or interests, or as a kind of by-work.' He has told me, that whatever

his future circumstances may be, he durst not lay by a shilling for his children, for his all is devoted to God. The utmost harmony and love subsist between him and brother Thomas. They are fellow-labourers in the gospel of the grace of God.'

To MR. SMITH.

December 8.

The first Sabbath after my arrival was a very affecting one. We spent it at brother Thomas's, who had sent for brother Carey to come over and see the people there, as he hoped the Lord had begun to work upon some of their hearts; and indeed we yet hope that is the case. As I have related the particulars of that day to the society, I shall not here repeat them. It is impossible to raise an adequate idea in your mind of what I felt at seeing near a hundred people assembled by sunrise, to whom brethren Thomas and Carey both preached. They heard with great attention, and assembled more numerous in the afternoon, and heard two more sermons. I stayed there near three weeks; a good congregation attends every Sabbath day, though a Sabbath was unknown in this part of India till the missionaries came; nor is it now regarded, save by a few of our neighbours. There is nothing like such an attendance here, as there is at Moypaldiggy, though brother Carey preaches twice every Sabbath, and reads and expounds every morning. In the intervals of preaching to the natives, we have worship in English; at which times we read

sermons, except on those Sabbaths, when we and brother Thomas's family meet together; then we always have preaching. Last Sabbath day we all met together, and besides preaching to the natives, we each of us preached once in English. In the afternoon we celebrated the dying love of Jesus, according to his own appointment; and the next day, being the first Monday in the month, we remained together, and in the evening, united our prayers with those of our dear brethren in England, and other parts of the world, for the coming of the kingdom of Jesus Christ.'

'It sha'nt be said that praying breath

Was ever spent in vain.'

'I think the society, and all who feel for the wretched millions in India, perishing for lack of knowledge, can never be sufficiently thankful to God that brother Carey so cheerfully embarked in the mission. His amazing knowledge of the languages and customs of countries; his assiduity in translating the scriptures, his diligence in preaching, his patience under trials, and his perseverence, though without apparent success, are admirable. He seems every way fitted to lay the foundation of future good in this country. Brother Thomas possesses an earnestness and plainness of address in preaching, that is equalled but by few. But two or three missionaries here can do but little; a request is made for more, and we trust they will be sent.'

U

'MY DEAR SISTERS,

*

*

*

Mudnabatty, April 10th, 1796.

'I know not what to say about the mission. I feel as a farmer does about his crop sometimes I think the seed is springing, and thus I hope; a little time blasts all, and my hopes are gone like a cloud. They were only weeds which appeared; or if a little corn sprung up, it quickly died, being either choked with weeds, or parched up by the sun of persecution. Yet I still hope in God, and will go forth in his strength, and make mention of his righteousness, even of his only.

'I preach every day to the natives, and twice on the Lord's day constantly, besides other itinerant labours; and I try to speak of Jesus Christ and him crucified, and of him alone: but my soul is often much dejected to see no fruit.

"This morning I preached to a number from Eph. iii. 19 To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.' I was much affected; filled with grief and anguish of heart; because I knew they were going to idolatrous and Mahommedan feasts immediately after, this being the first day of the Hindus' year, and the new moon, Ramazon, of the Mahommedans. They are gone, I suppose, to their abominations at this moment; but I hope to preach to them again in the evening. I spoke of the love of God in bearing with his enemies; in supporting and pro

viding for them; in sending the gospel to them; and in saving many of them from eternal wrath.

6

The work of translation is going on; and I hope the whole New Testament and the five books of Moses may be completed before this reaches you. It is a pleasant work, and a rich reward; and I trust, whenever it is published, it will soon prevail, and put down all the shastras of the Hindus.

I am now on my journey to Calcutta, to see Mr. Short, who is very ill with a consumption, and his life despaired of.

'I have received all your letters, to last April; and while I commiserate you in all your distresses and difficulties, I yet praise God to find that you are in the land of the living; and I think, while we complain of the greatest distresses, we must put all to the score of divine mercy, and say, 'It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.' On this side hell-door of hope-praying ground; all these are astonishing expressions, and while there is a propriety in employing them, we have abundant cause for thankfulness.

'Were I disposed to complain, I have enough, both within and without, to complain about. My heart is