'You will not wonder to see Serampore at the head of our letters, after what we wrote to you in our last. When unjust suspicions are raised in the jealous mind, they are not easily removed. We find every attempt to go up the country would only irritate government, and expose us to its censure; and more, we have it from good authority that the governor-general in council said that he would send either of us on board ship that should be found in the company's territory.

'We received a letter from brother Carey, Nov. 23rd, saying that they had heard we had arrived, and were afraid they should miss us on the river, or brother F. would have come down, but that now he would set off immediately; that Mr. U. had given up the works at Mudnabatty, and was coming to Calcutta; and that they had taken land at Kidderpore for the seat of the mission, and were beginning to build. Brother C. wrote at the same time to Dr. Roxburg; but all in vain. The fact is, the government will not suffer us to set up a press and colonize in their dominions. This governor Bie plainly told brother M. and me a few days since; at the same time, he told us it would meet with every encouragement and support here; and that, if we opened a subscription toward printing the bible, we should get a very considerable sum. He asked us if we would print any thing else besides the bible.

'Brother Fountain arrived on Saturday, the 9th of November, and was married at Calcutta the Tuesday

following, by Mr. Buchanan, assistant chaplain. Brethren Ward and Fountain set off for Mudnabatty on the 14th, to consult with brother Carey, and, if possible, to bring him to Serampore. We have received a letter from brother Carey since these brethren left us, a part of which I copy.'

"I am really incapable of giving advice in the very important things you mention, but shall just state a few particulars.

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1. I shall be free from Mudnabatty on the 31st of December; so that then no connexion with Mr. Udney can be any hinderance to my joining you.

2. With you at Serampore, we may be unmolested by government, if not protected: here we could only live by connivance.

3. No obstruction will lie in the way of setting

up the press at Serampore: here there may.

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4. In that part of the country there are at least ten inhabitants to one here.

5. Other missionaries may join us there. All this is for settling at Serampore. On the other hand: "1. I have engaged in a concern which is designed for the use of the mission, which involved me in debt three thousand rupees, about two thousand of which will be paid off in a few days; and then I am one thousand rupees in debt, and deserting the place.

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2. When I have paid that, I have not a rupee to on, except by anticipating a year's allowance. 3. An allowance like mine of £100 from the

subsist

society, amounts to only sixty-six rupees per month. At Serampore, house-rent alone will come to thirty or forty. If so, how can we subsist on the rest?

4. Here our church is formed, and God has given us two Europeans as our hire. A considerable number of the natives also have some light, though the conversion of any is uncertain.

5. I am now at a great expense erecting houses and conveniences, planting a garden, &c.; which, with the three thousand rupees, will be entirely lost.

"There are many other considerations which would weigh much with me, were not the case so urgent as it is. Should you, however, think it best for us to remove to you, I will do it.''

Thus far brother Carey. To this I can add nothing now, till we hear from them.

"We have had several letters from brother Thomas since we have been here, and expect he will be down in a few weeks. He is at Soorool, in the district of Beerbhoom: I believe he superintends a sugar manufactory. He expresses a great deal of love to us, and to the cause of Christ. If he had but prudence equal to his zeal and ability, what a useful missionary he would be! I am grieved at the accounts I have heard: but as I know but little, I will say less.

'I wish we may be able to subsist somehow, without engaging in the affairs of this world. There will be no good done if our whole hearts, and souls, and time, and talents, are not employed in the mission.

As the work is not ours, but God's, we hope he will direct us in all our ways to his glory.

'Dec. 13. Yesterday we received a letter from Mudnabatty, in which brother Carey says he is preparing his stuff for removing, but not as one going into captivity. We expect them all at Serampore in about a month. This was none of our contrivance; we did not think of it when we left England: the Lord orders all things after the counsel of his own will. But though things are as it were turned upside down, we are not discouraged. He surely would not have induced Governor Bie to have shown us so much kindness, if he did not design to bless this country with his truth. Why were we not permitted to go up the country and set up the press, and then have been in the power of the governor of Bengal, who would inevitably have sent us home? Governor Bie constantly attends divine worship, and his attention to the truth is serious: we cannot but hope the Lord will bless it to his soul. He is a man of unblemished character, open and familiar in conversation, and of sound judgment and penetration. This flourishing settlement has entirely risen under his care. He appears old, I suppose more than sixty, having been in India more than forty years. He has long wanted a church here, and has gotten a large subscription towards building it. Who can tell what God will do here?

'We sent accounts of the voyage, &c. to England about six weeks ago, which we hope you will receive in due time. A letter from brother Carey to Mr.

Fuller, and one from brother Fountain to you, were sent by the Alligator packet, a fortnight ago. We hope some of the society will correspond with our dear captain. I know not how to speak with sufficient respect and esteem of him. He has lent us one thousand rupees for the use of the mission, without interest. He said he had about £100 he did not immediately want, and he would leave it, for fear we should be short before we could have remittances from England; and some time, when convenient, the society or we are to refund him. He wishes to become a subscriber, if he knew how to send his subscription. He is not certain but he may be in London again next summer, or rather winter, and make another voyage to India: if so, he will send you timely notice. His address is Capt. Benjamin Wickes, sen., Philadelphia.