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CHAPTER VI.

SECTION III.

DR. CAREY'S AFFLICTION-HIS REFLECTIONS UPON THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE MISSION-A CRUCIFIED PERSON RESCUED BY HIS SON, MR. FELIX CAREYTHE WORK IN CALCUTTA-CANNIBALISM IN SUMATRA-THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS LABOURS TO SUCCEEDING MISSIONARIES-DESTRUCTION OF THE PRINTINGOFFICE BY FIRE-SYMPATHY OF OTHER CHRISTIANS-HIS PRESSING ENGAGEMENTS-DEATH OF MR. FULLER-THE MANNER IN WHICH TRANSLATIONS ARE PREPARED-HIS ANXIETY AND ADVICE AS TO THE FUTURE CONDUCTING OF THE MISSION.

In the ensuing section, comprehending a period of seven years, and those some of the most eventful that ever marked the progress of the Baptist mission in India, Dr. Carey's own correspondence was found to be so copious, and so explicit upon almost every topic of which it treats, that nothing devolved upon the compiler, beyond making the appropriate selection. No portion of the work, it is believed, will be found of more various and intense interest.

'August 9, 1808.

'MY DEAR SISTERS,

*

This part of the world is, as it respects divine

We see

things, a vast uncultivated wilderness. thousands and thousands of people wherever we go, and no extent of charity can make us say of one of them, that is a christian.' I am often discouraged when I see the ignorance, superstition, and vice, with which this country abounds, the vast numbers who have not heard of the word of life, the obstacles of various kinds, external and internal, to the conversion of the heathen, the fewness of the labourers, the imperfections that are among them, the comparatively little success which has hitherto attended the gospel, and many other considerations which perpetually occur to my mind. I do not know that I have been of any use to any one, but my mind has been constantly more or less burdened with various painful things.

'When I first came into the country I had to learn a difficult language before I could hope to be of any use, and I had nothing to help me in it. I recollect that after I had preached, or rather thought I had, for two years, a man one day came to me and declared that he could not understand me; and this, long after my flattering teachers had declared that every one could understand me. I feel the impression which that poor man's remark made on me to this day. I laboured long, and saw no fruit. Afterwards the Lord wrought, and several Hindus and others were baptized. Some of these are an honour to the gospel, and some have died in the Lord with triumph on their tongues; but many have pierced us through with sorrows. God has endowed several of our native

brethren with ministerial gifts, and they have been called to the ministry, yet still our solicitude continues.

'I, however, must not complain. I ought rather to rejoice, that to me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace (favor) given, that I should preach among the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.

'I must now give you a short detail of the few occurrences which have taken place since I last wrote. I was married, May the 9th, to Lady Charlotte Rumohr.

'Pray for me, that I may hold out to the end. I am within a week of forty-seven years of age. 'Your affectionate brother,

'W. CAREY.'

'MY DEAR SISTERS,

"Calcutta, August 8, 1809.

"Through great mercy, and in answer to many prayers, I am now in the land of the living, and about to resume my usual employments, after a fever, in which my life was despaired of for a week together.

*

'In the morning my fever increased, attended by a strong delirium. Brother Marshman immediately went to Calcutta, to get, if possible, one of the physicians there to come up. This, however, was impossible. In the absence of Dr. Darling, another medical gentleman was recommended. I was then in a high state of delirium, and had conceived a strong abhor

At this time

rence of every thing relating to war. this gentleman came, and, being attached to the army, was in his regimentals. The sight of a red coat filled me with abhorrence, and I treated him very roughly, and absolutely refused to touch his medicine. In vain did he retire, and put on a black coat. I knew him, and was resolved. I believe this agitation of spirits did me much injury; but just then in came Dr. Darling, in whom I had the most implicit confidence, and who had hastened and came before his time.

'In this populous city there is great encouragement. Ten years ago there was not a person joined to us; now nearly fifty sit down at the Lord's table, and we have several inquirers.

'W. CAREY.'

Dr. CAREY TO Mr. SUTCLIFF.

'Calcutta, Aug. 12, 1809.

'MY DEAR BRother Sutcliff,

'I have been lately brought to the gates of death by a severe fever. I was first seized with it the last Sabbath in June, as I was returning from Calcutta with brother Marshman. For the first two or three days I took medicine according to my own judgment; but getting worse, medical aid was called in from Barrackpore, a military station on the opposite side

the river from Serampore. For several days I took medicine which appeared to answer the designed end; but a delirium, attended with considerable fever, supervened, and for a few weeks together my life was in doubt. One or two days I was supposed to be dying. I believe the medical gentleman (Dr. Darling) who attended me well understood my case, and treated me with the utmost skill; but I believe my life was given back in answer to prayer. From all that I can find, there was a remarkable spirit of prayer poured down upon the church and congregation at Calcutta, on my account; and I have reason to believe that it was not confined to our congregation, but was pretty general among the serious people in Calcutta and its environs. On the Monday, the day after I was taken ill, I put the finishing stroke to the translation of the scriptures into the Bengali language, which some of my friends considered as the termination of my labours. Now I am raised up, I beg that I may be enabled to go on with more simplicity of heart, and more real dispatch and utility, in the work of the Lord.

'We have greater encouragement on the whole than I formerly expected, and I trust that the appearances of a divine blessing are indications of the Lord's intention to carry on his work to a greater extent in this dark land.

'I cannot now say, without referring to written memoranda, how many persons have been baptized at Calcutta; but the number is such as to give us much encouragement. Several others are now on the in

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