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PREFACE.

THE ensuing memoir was composed at the request of the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society. The subject of it was their first and principal agent, by whose instrumentality they sought to confer the blessings of the gospel upon the heathen world. To perpetuate some memorial of his character and labours, appeared a just tribute of their esteem for him; whilst it offered a suitable occasion for renewing the recollection of those events and incidents which marked the origin and early progress of the institution whose affairs they administer. The office of biographer was devolved upon me, it is presumed, from my relationship to Dr. Carey, and from my supposed intimate conversancy with the history of their Eastern Mission.

I have endeavoured, throughout the work, to exhibit the christian and the missionary, rather than the philosopher and the scholar. The materials to which I had access were more applicable to this purpose; and it appeared, also, that a work so prepared, would be more accordant with the purposes of such a Society.

Dr. Carey has been made, as much as possible, his own biographer. I might have taken the original documents, and have woven them into a tissue of my own; and, instead of tran

scribing naked details, and references, personal and incidental, have invested them with a style more brief, general, and covert. But I conceive that the design of such a work is to describe character, and to commemorate labours. To do the former, it is requisite not only to point out its leading constituent elements, but also to mark well the external providential discipline under which they have been consolidated, wrought up, and moulded to their ultimate consistence and perfection. And to appreciate the labours of an individual, we must not only know their nature and their magnitude, but the peculiar trials under which they are commenced and prosecuted.

All that I can desire is, that the volume may commend itself to the candid and christian reader, as a whole, without presuming that each part, in detail, will command his approval. And if, when such exceptions are taken, and such deductions made, as those to which I am conscious it may be thought liable, it be found of any religious utility, my labour will be well compensated.

Camberwell, May 14th, 1836.

E. C.

CHAPTER I.

SECTION I.

His own Account of his Early Life Memorial from his Sister-Brief
Notice from his Brother-Recollection from Mr. Scott.

SECTION II.

Page.

1

Editorial Remarks-Various circumstances connected with the Formation
of the Baptist Missionary Society-Fragment of Memoir, &c., from the
hand of Mr. Fuller

44

CHAPTER II.
SECTION I.

Review of Difficulties attending the commencement of the Baptist Mission
-Rejection of the Missionaries from the Earl of Oxford, and the con-
sternation it occasioned-The revival of their hopes, and their re-em-
barkation under circumstances more propitious

SECTION II.

Brief account of the voyage, by Mr. Thomas-Remarks by the Editor-
Selections from Mr. Carey's Journal-Retrospect by Mr. Carey, in a
Letter to the Society-Letter to his Sisters.

CHAPTER III.

SECTION I.

79

98

The unusually trying circumstances of Mr. Carey while in the neighbour-
hood of Calcutta-Letter to Mr. Sutcliffe-His removal into the Sunder-
bunds-The timely hospitalities he receives-Subsequent dejection and
perplexities-He is relieved and comforted by an invitation to Malda

SECTION II.

Mr. Thomas's account of his visit to Malda-Invitation of himself and Mr.
Carey to remove thither-Mr. Carey's Journal continued-Account of
Demoniacs-Journey to Malda, Arrival, &c.

126

153

CHAPTER IV.

SECTION I.

Improvement in Mr. Carey's secular circumstances-Commences his en-
gagements-Proposes to relinquish his support from the Society-Letter
to Mr. Sutcliff

SECTION II.

Journal-Christian Society-Languages, &c.

SECTION III.

Letter to his Sisters-Letter to the Society-Letter to Mr. Pearce-Brief
notice respecting him-Letter to his Sisters-Letter to the Society-
Remarks on Secular Employments-Mission to Africa referred to-
Letter from Mr. Thomas

SECTION IV.

Letters to Mr. Fuller-Female agency-Letter to Mr. Sutcliffe-Letter
from Mr. Fountain to Mr. Fuller-Letter from the same to the Society--
Letter from the same to Mr. Smith, of Eagle-street, London-Letters
from Mr. Carey to his Sisters-Letter to Mr. Fuller

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SECTION V.

Letter to Mr. Fuller-Journey into Bootan-Letter to Mr. Fuller-Aspect
of the Mission, conversation with a Brahmun-Discouragements-
Description of Fruits, &c.-Letter to Mr. Sutcliff-Letter to the Baptist
Missionary Society-Another to the Society-Letter to Mr. Fuller-
The arrival of new Missionaries

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Page.

296

CHAPTER V.

SECTION I.

Remarks on the state of the Mission preparatory to its removal to Seram-
pore-Letters from Mr. Cunninghame-Newly arrived Missionaries-
Letter from Mr. Fountain-Letters from Mr. Brunsdon

SECTION II.

Letter to Mr. Fuller-Letters to his Sisters-Letter to Dr. Ryland—Mr.
Carey and Brethren to the Society-Letter from Mr. Carey and Mr.
Fuller

348

372

CHAPTER VI.
SECTION I.

Letters from the Missionaries to the Society-Remarks on the Progress of
the English Language-Letter from Mr. Carey to Mr. Fuller-Letters
to Mr. Sutcliff-Affliction of Mr. Thomas-Letter to Dr. Ryland . .

SECTION II.

Various circumstances, in Letters to his Sisters-To Mr. Fuller and Mr.
Sutcliff-Baptismal Controversy-Advancement of the work among the
Heathen-Allusion to Sunscrit oration-Remarks on Native labourers-
Opposition from Government

SECTION III.

Dr. Carey's affliction-His reflections upon the advancement of the Mis-
sion-A crucified person rescued by his Son, Mr. Felix Carey-The
work in Calcutta-Cannibalism in Sumatra-The importance of his
labours to succeeding Missionaries-Destruction of the Printing-office
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

SECTION IV.

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 as-
sociations in England-Is appointed Translator of Government Regula-
tions-Death of Mr. Ward-Election to the London Linnæan, Geolo-
gical, and Horticultural Societies-Account of his accident and severe
illness-Death of his son Felix-Death of Dr. Ryland :.

CHAPTER VII.

Dr. Carey's declining health and decease-His last Will-Resolution of
the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society-Notice of life and
last illness, by Mr. Jonathan Carey-Critique upon the literary charac-
ter and productions of Dr. Carey, by Professor Wilson-General review,
with reflections

397

456

502

542

563

MEMOIR,

&c.

CHAPTER I.

SECTION I.

HIS OWN ACCOUNT OF HIS EARLY LIFE-MEMORIAL FROM HIS SISTER-BRIEF NOTICE FROM HIS BROTHER-RECOLLECTION FROM MR. SCOTT.

It seems due alike to the social as to the religious interests of our nature, gratefully to commemorate, and diligently to ponder, the lives of men, who, with more than ordinary intensity and success, have consecrated themselves to the welfare of their species. A just exposition of those principles which have mainly governed them, and a faithful record of their developments, by quickening the zeal of other minds, may multiply their influences far beyond the sphere in which they were first exerted, and prolong their effects to succeeding ages. When christian virtues are offered to our view in living exemplifications, and in striking prominence, amidst impediments such as beset ourselves, we are at once reproved for our supineness, and incited to imitation. God himself has condescended to instruct us through this medium; as much,

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