in God, though mixed with an awful degree of coldness and inattentiveness, to that which, when attended to, has always been productive of the greatest pleasure and satisfaction to my soul.

15. Received a note from Mr. Udney, inviting us all to the factory; to which place we went, and arrived there about twelve o'clock. Found Mr. Udney and his mother very agreeable people indeed, and had once more the happiness of joining in prayer with those who love God.

16. This day I preached twice at Malda, where Mr. Thomas met me. In the morning had much enjoyment, and though our congregation did not exceed sixteen, yet the pleasure that I felt in having my tongue once more loosed, I can hardly describe: was enabled to be faithful, and felt a sweet affection for immortal souls.

'17, 18. Had much serious conversation and sweet pleasure these days. I feel now as if released from a prison, and enjoying the sweets of christian fellowship again. O that our labours may be prosperous, and our hearts made glad to see the work of the Lord carried on with vigour. Surely the Lord is not thus making room for us, and removing every difficulty, without some gracious design! I much desire a spirit of activity and affection.

19. To-day Mr. Udney told me that my salary was to be two hundred rupees per month, and commission upon all the indigo that is sold; and that next year he intended to present me with a share in the works; so that my situation is very eligible. His

manner of conferring these favours upon us (for our situations are alike) was admirable: 'I always,' said he, 'join the interest of those I employ in places of trust with my own; so that no obligation lies upon you whatsoever more than others.' Resolved to write. immediately to the society in England, that they send me no more supplies, as I shall have an ample sufficiency. This gives me great pleasure, as I hope they may the sooner be able to send another mission somewhere; and I should much recommend Sumatra, or some of the Indian islands. If they send to any part south or east of Bengal, it will be best to send them in a foreign ship to Bengal, from whence their passage may be taken in a country ship to any place; and as we have houses here they may stay with either of us till an opportunity offers, which will save much

expense.

CHAPTER IV.

SECTION I.

IMPROVEMENT IN MR. CAREY'S SECULAR CIRCUMSTANCES-COMMENCES HIS ENGAGEMENTS-PROPOSES TO RELINQUISH HIS SUPPORT FROM THE SOCIETYLETTER TO MR. SUTCLIFF.

WE have hitherto met with little in the life of Mr. Carey but discouragement and affliction. The scene is now relieved, and he is introduced to comparative comfort; at least delivered from want, and its consequent humiliation and anxieties. Not that his engagements yielded him any very large return; two hundred rupees per month, which was the salary apportioned him, could have left him but a trifling surplus when the wants of a large family were supplied. Mrs. Carey's indisposition so increased upon her, that she was quite incapable of regulating the domestic economy; nor need any who are acquainted with social life in India be informed, that the peculation of native servants is so universal and unremitted, through all the details of expenditure, that no item is ever excepted from it; and managed, too, with such perfect system and so much subtlety, as to escape detection under the most wakeful superintendence, and to defy all control. Yet, notwithstanding these social disadvantages, he spared from one-third to onefourth of his income for missionary purposes. For,

from the first day he could command a single fraction not absolutely required for his subsistence, he began to practise that rigid and unreserved consecration of his substance, for which he continued so bright an example through life; and which, though for thirty years he was in receipt of a large income, gave him the privilege and the dignity of dying poor.

The labour requisite for discharging the duties of his present situation, might be deemed sufficient for the time and strength of any common man; but, besides fulfilling these with a diligence and a fidelity reaching to the minutest circumstances, he attempted native education, acquired the dialect of the province in which he lived, daily addressed the idolatrous natives, often travelled considerable distances to preach in English, maintained an extensive correspondence, and withal, laid a broad foundation of oriental grammatical science, by mastering the elements of one of the most difficult and classic languages in the world.

His journal is now continued, by the perusal of which, the reader will be competently informed of his exertions, his encouragements, and his conflicts.

‘June 19, 1794. This evening, set out with Mr. Thomas for Mudnabatty, which is to be the place of my residence, and is thirty-two miles north of Malda, in a straight line, but nearly seventy by water, and is upon the river Tanquam.

20-21. We were employed in journeying, and about the middle of the night arrived at Mudnabatty.

22. Set out again for Malda, and, as it was down the stream, arrived there in about fifteen hours.

23. Enjoyed a very pleasant day indeed. I preached twice with much affection; one time from Eph. ii. 13, 'Ye, who sometime were afar off, are brought nigh by the blood of Christ;' and in the evening, from the words, By grace ye are saved.' There was much seriousness among us, and I hope the sabbath has not been in vain.

23. Had some sweet conversation upon divine things, and affection in praying with dear Christian friends.

24. Employed in sending off my boat, which I intend to meet to-morrow morning. Had some pleasure and pain, I trust of the truly evangelical kind, to-day.

25, 26. Journeyed to Mudnabatty; arrived about two in the afternoon, and spent the day in regulating the concerns there.

27. Employed in the works, but had a pleasant season of retirement. It is now just one year and fourteen days since I left England, all which time I have been a sojourner and wandering to and fro; at last, however, God has provided me a home. May he also give me piety and gratitude!

28. I am at present busily employed in arranging all my people and my affairs, having about ninety people under my management; these will furnish a congregation immediately, and, added to the extensive engagements which I must necessarily have with the natives, will open a very wide door for activity.