helps of any kind to assist me. I therefore set about compiling a grammar, which is now half printed. I got Ram Boshu to compose a history of one of their kings, the first prose book ever written in the Bengali language; which we are also printing. Our pundit has, also, nearly translated the Sunscrit fables, one or two of which brother Thomas sent you, which we are also going to publish. These, with Mr. Foster's vocabulary, will prepare the way to reading their poetical books; so that I hope this difficulty will be gotten through. But my ignorance of the way of conducting collegiate exercises is a great weight upon my mind. I have thirteen students in my class; I lecture twice a week, and have nearly gone through one term, not quite two months. It began May 4th. Most of the students have gotten through the accidents, and some have began to translate Bengali into English. The examination begins this week. I am also appointed teacher of the Sunscrit language; and though no students have yet entered in that class, yet I must prepare for it. I am, therefore, writing a grammar of that language, which I must also print, if I should be able to get through with it, and perhaps a dictionary, which I began some years ago. I say all this, my dear brother, to induce you to give me your advice about the best manner of conducting myself in this station, and to induce you to pray much for me, that God may, in all things, be glorified by me. We presented a copy of the Bengali New Testament to Lord Wellesley, after the appointment,

through the medium of the Rev. D. Brown, which was graciously received. We also presented governor Bie with one.

'Serampore is now in the hands of the English. It was taken while we were in bed and asleep; you may therefore suppose that it was done without bloodshed. You may be perfectly easy about us: we are equally secure under the English or Danish government, and, I am sure, well disposed to both.

'Our church now consists of sixteen members. My eldest son was baptized the last day of December. I believe my second son is converted to God, and I have much to praise God for on their behalf. Mr. Fernandez was baptized some time ago; his son is with us, and, I hope, is seeking God. I have no doubt of the conversion of a German lady, who came hither for her health; her name is Miss Rumohr, from the dutchy of Sleswick, of great part of which her father was proprietor, and a nobleman. Hers, however, is true nobility. She speaks French fluently, but wished to learn English. The governor asked me to give her, now and then, a lesson. I agreed, and have reason to believe that my visits have been blessed. We hope there were ten conversions in Bengal, the last

year.

'W. CAREY.'

CHAPTER VI.

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.

THE life and labours of Mr. Carey were at this time so identified with those of his brethren, that they could scarcely be described otherwise than in combination.

Serampore, Nov., 1801.

'MY DEAR SISTERS,

*

*

'We now form a public family; and we have been blessed with outward things far beyond what any one of us ever expected. Yet we have no private property; and it is happy that we have not, as I believe the existence of the mission depends, in a very great degree, on our never engaging in private trade, or

any thing which shall divide us from the common families of missionaries.

*

I have lived to

'Hitherto the Lord has helped me. see the bible translated into Bengali, and the whole New Testament printed. The first volume of the Old Testament will also soon appear. I have lived to see two of my sons converted, and one of them join the church of Christ. I have lived to baptize five native Hindus, and to see a sixth baptized; and to see them walk worthy of the vocation for twelve months since they first made a profession of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. I have lived to see the temporal concerns of the mission in a state far beyond my expectation, so that we have now two good houses contiguous to each other, with two thousand pounds; a flourishing school; the favour of both the Danish and English governments; and, in short, the mission almost in a state of ability to maintain itself. Having seen all this, I sometimes am almost ready to say, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.'

'Moreover, I have outlived four of my brethren, Mr. Grant, Mr. Fountain, Mr. Brunsdon, and last of all, Mr. Thomas, who died October 13th last. I know not why so fruitless a tree is preserved; but the Lord is too wise to err.

"We live in the most desirable love with one another, and, I think, are of one heart and one soul in the work. I must leave off. Mr. Short, I fear, cannot live long. Mrs. Carey is obliged to be constantly

confined; she has long gotten worse and worse, but fear both of my own life and hers, and the desire of the police of the place, obliged me to agree to her confinement.

'Your affectionate brother,

'W. CAREY.'

'Calcutta, Dec. 2, 1802.

'MY DEAR SISTERS,

'I have an opportunity to write by the Walthamstow, which I must not let slip; especially as a very pious and intimate friend is returning to Europe by her, who will take charge of the letters. He, however, will go to Glasgow, so that you will not see him. I am exceedingly sorry for his removal, though I have no doubt that the leadings of Providence are clear for it, and I also trust that he will be very useful at home. He has not left his like, in every respect, in India; though we have a goodly number of them who fear God, and I trust that that number is gradually increasing. There are few places in foreign settlements blessed like Calcutta, where we have two evangelical clergymen, Mr. Brown and Mr. Buchanan. I have the pleasure of being intimately acquainted with them both, and I believe you will not find many in England who have less bigotry and more friendship. 'I shall give you a little account of Calcutta; perhaps it may be gratifying to you or to some one else. It is a large city, between three and four miles in length, and about one mile in breadth, at a medium. The south part, for about one-fourth of the length, is