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CHAPTER VI.

SECTION III.

FORMATION OF THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY IN INDIA-DEATH OF MRS. CAREY -PLEASING NOTICE OF RELIGIOUS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENT IN INDIA AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD-RECOLLECTION OF HIS RELIGIOUS AND MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATIONS IN ENGLAND-IS APPOINTED TRANSLATOR OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS-DEATH OF MR. WARD-ELECTION TO THE LONDON LINNEAN, GEOLOGICAL, AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES ACCOUNT OF HIS ACCIDENT AND SEVERE ILLNESS DEATH OF HIS SON FELIX-DEATH OF DR. RYLAND.

IN 1817 there commenced a misunderstanding between the Serampore missionaries and the Parent Society. The latter recommended a new and more satisfactory investment of the mission property; and that, in connexion with the missionaries themselves, a number of gentlemen in England should be associated in the trust. To this the missionaries objected; and issued a declaration from the Danish court of Serampore, expository of their own views, and investing the property accordingly. To the statements and design of this instrument, the society, in their turn, could not feel consentient. Explanations followed, which, though they mitigated the evil and somewhat

arrested its progress, yet left it essentially unsolved. The primary matter of dispute remaining unadjusted, unity of counsel and feeling was impaired; and other economical difficulties supervening, in 1827 the Serampore missionaries and the Parent Institution separated their connexion.

If I were writing the history of the Baptist mission, it might be expected that I should trace out the merits of this controversy, and exhibit its facts and events in detail. But I am writing the life of an individual; and, being convinced that neither his character was affected nor his usefulness compromised, by the views he entertained and the course he adopted, I have not thought it incumbent on me to dwell upon circumstances and renew a dispute calculated to awaken no pleasurable feeling, or serve any useful purpose. Moreover, as from the very origin of this controversy to its last discussion, and throughout all the interests it involved, I, with the brethren with whom I acted, entertained opposite convictions from my honoured relative, and committed myself to a different procedure, I should deem it ungenerous and impertinent to make this memoir the vehicle of my own ideas, or the instrument of my vindication. yond, therefore, the above very brief notice, I willingly abstain from any analysis even of the controversy. Enough has been written by each party, it is presumed, fairly to expound, if not exhaust, all its legitimate topics. If any are of another mind, I leave to them to find an occasion, and select their own mode for reviving it.

Be

Sensitive, and decided too, as Dr. Carey was known to be upon the subject above referred to, the ensuing section will afford abundant evidence, that the difference between himself and his junior brethren did not interfere with the current of his affection towards them, nor render him insensible to the importance of their labours.

To DR. RYLAND.

Serampore, Oct. 23, 1820.

'I bless God I am as healthy as I ever remember to have been. I have, for some time back, had much at heart the forming of an agricultural society in India. Some months ago I had a conversation with Lady Hastings upon the subject, who encouraged me to make an attempt. In consequence of which, I published the inclosed prospectus, and circulated it throughout India. The result is, that on the 14th of September an agricultural society was formed, which consists already of about fifty members. By desire of the society I wrote to Lord Hastings, requesting him to become its patron, to which he acceded. Several of the most opulent natives have joined it; and I hope it will ultimately be of great benefit to the country, and contribute to prepare its inhabitants for the time when they shall beat their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into pruning-hooks.' I am very affectionately yours,

'W. CAREY.'

DR. CAREY TO HIS SISTERS.

'MY DEAR SISTERS,

"Serampore, June 4, 1821.

I have the sad office of informing you of the great bereavement with which it has pleased God to afflict me. My dear wife was removed by death on the morning of the 30th of May. To me the loss is such that earth cannot make it good; but to her the gain is infinite glory and happiness.

A little time ago the king of Denmark sent to brother Marshman, brother Ward, and me, each a letter signed with his own hand, expressing his full approbation of our labours, accompanied with a gold medal for each of us; and in a fortnight afterwards arrived an order to convey to us, for the use of the college, a large house and ground belonging to his majesty, formerly occupied by one of the members of council, to whom an increase of salary was granted as an equivalent.

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'God, who does all things well, however painful to us, has seen good to remove my dear partner to a

better world. I was deprived of her on the 30th of May last. My loss is irreparable. If there ever was a true christian in this world, she was one. We had frequently conversed upon the separation which death would make, and both desired that, if it were the will of God, she might be first removed; and so it was. Her illness was short, and her trust in the Redeemer was sincere and firm.

'Yours, &c.,

'W. CAREY.'

DR. CAREY TO DR. RYLAND.

'MY DEAR BROTHER RYLAND,

'July 4th, 1822.

'I received your most welcome letter a few days ago. The most perfect harmony subsists, as far as I know, between us and the younger brethren, the independents, and the episcopalians, and I believe a divine blessing attends all our labours. I expect to receive two persons into the church to-day, and I believe there is scarcely a month in which there are not additions to more than one church. A great number of excellent pamphlets are printed by one or another in the Bengali, and some other languages, which contribute not a little to the edification of believers, and to the stirring up of a spirit of inquiry in a people whose most prominent feature is apathy. There has also been a great change in the circumstances of the natives themselves. There are now three newspapers printed in the Bengali language, and one in Persian.

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