Chapter XV (2)

“It seems that the news of Bishop Heber’s death had reached
England overland in August. ‘The Osprey,’ and ‘Barett,’
carry official accounts. We shall now soon hear of a
successor. The head of the Church reigneth, let the earth
rejoice; and may we wait the result in patience. You will
hear that Mr. Mack published, in the ‘Monthly Friend of
India,’ an attack on our Mirzapore friends; very unkind,
and mistaken. It has recoiled painfully on their own head;
for Adam, who is now editor of the Bengal Chronicle, has
taken it up, and ‘John Bull,’ has responded; and the old
sores about Serampore premises, imperfect translations,
and fallacious statements, have all been laid open again.
We have kept silence, though called upon for explanations,
&c. &c., and the storm is a little blown over.... The
time of difficulty in our funds, (viz) the end of our
year, has come on, and I am often much cast down in mind.
Great temptations arise to withdraw, and leave things to
themselves: for few come freely to take a part.... But
is not the cause of missions the cause of Christ? I fear
really for those, who, with the opportunities now afforded,
can overlook that cause. It seems pure selfishness, to be
content that these [natives] should go on in ignorance
and sin, so we get but to heaven ourselves: and it is
often, I doubt, fear for myself, rather than love for the
heathen, that keeps me, in a measure, at the Missionary
helm. But here I must stay: yet after all, if I wear away,
some might feel it then incumbent on them to take it up
more efficiently. Doubtless a principle is at work in this
community, which will lead the population forward rapidly
in knowledge and character generally; and if it be not
rightly directed, those who neglect the present season of
operation will suffer: but I shall not see that time, rapid
as the progress is. New states are plainly no place for a
person who possesses a competency, and can enjoy repose.
India especially, is not a country a man who knows anything
of England would _choose_ to grow old in. Here, in a
peculiar degree, the mind is forced to look off, both from
the Church and from the world, to the Rock, Christ.”

TO THE SAME.

“Feb. 22, 1827.

“We are now more out of the way of such a bustle as we
formerly were subject to, being, (as I think I told you)
fixed in a nice little house at Cossipore; but I fear
falling into the opposite extreme; for when we cease to
do all we ought for the good of our fellow-sinners, we
sin against the law of Christ. Surely, there is as little
peace in retiring, selfish ease, as in bustling ambitious
publicity. I returned a few days since, from Burdwan.
The fields indeed, in that quarter, seems ‘white for the
harvest,’ but both Mr. Perowne, and Mr. Deerr, are obliged
to leave their posts, and seek change of air. Mr. Bowley
is, also, becoming well attended to, about Chunar. Isaiah
lx. 4, 5.[130] has been much on my mind, as applicable to
these two spheres of Missionary labour at this time; and
fear fills my heart, whilst it is enlarged with gratitude
and thankfulness.

“What may be the effect of such a commotion as seems
approaching, on the powers that be, and how we shall
provide for the increased calls for men and money, I know
not. But surely He whom we serve in the gospel of His Son,
can, and will appear for us. Rumours have reached us about
a new Bishop, and men unknown to missionary fame, have been
named. This seems sad: let us in patience wait the event.

“Government has given forty rupees monthly to Chunar
Church; and the same to Gorrikepore Church: and I am not
without hope of getting a monthly salary for Bowley, as
Minister on the Establishment, to a congregation of native
Christian subjects of the Government. Yesterday was the
Bible Society anniversary. An excellent report, drawn up
by Mr. Goode: all our old plans are going on, sometimes
briskly, sometimes heavily. ‘Faint, yet pursuing,’ my
habitual motto.”

In the following month, (March 15) Archdeacon Corrie again visited Burdwan, for the purpose of examining the schools there, and also for making enquiry into the conduct of the head Pundit connected with the mission, who, for some time had been carrying on a system of double-dealing. It appeared that this Pundit had induced no less than thirteen Brahmins (most of them school-pundits) to apply to the Missionary at Burdwan for Christian baptism; and that, as a preliminary step, they had accordingly been receiving daily instruction from the missionary, and evidencing the while a good deal of apparent sincerity and earnestness. At length however, one of the number went to the missionary, and told him, that all that had occurred was mere hypocrisy, and had been kept up at the instigation of the head-Pundit; that the only object they had in view, was to induce, if they could, the missionary to “report them as enquirers after truth;” their notion being, that if that were but once published, they would have the missionary in their power, as they thought that, for consistency’s sake, he must keep up appearances, and so be obliged to continue them in their schools, and pay them their wages.

It has been thought desirable to mention the particulars of this transaction, because a repetition of such or similar attempts to deceive missionaries, may be expected to occur the more frequently, in proportion as the profession of Christianity becomes more common among the natives of India. It does not seem, however, that the Christian missionary need be unduly depressed by the occurrence of such instances of the sad depravity of the native character; for whilst deploring the miserable condition of the deceivers themselves, he will know that even they must have received more distinct ideas of divine truth than they otherwise would have had. For himself, he will learn how little confidence can be placed in any profession of Christianity, which does not originate in a change of heart, by the power of the Holy Ghost. Still, the Archdeacon found some encouraging circumstances connected with the mission at Burdwan. In the report of his visit, he relates:--

“I had some conversation with Manick, a Brahmin who was
baptized on the 16th of December. He had been for some time
employed by different missionaries. I asked him, ‘What he
had seen in Christianity which led him to embrace it?’ he
replied, ‘In the Hindoo _poorans_ and _shasters_ there is
no certainty: one asserts one thing, another, another; but
here is a clear way’--‘In what way in particular?’--‘More
especially in the way of worshipping God: in other systems
a variety of ceremonies and rites must be observed; in this
it is required only to pray to God alone’--‘What have you
learned to pray for?’--‘Daily I pray for pardon of sin;
for this I daily require.’--‘What do you understand by
sin?’--‘Whatever is not according to God’s commands.’ He
then, in answer, repeated briefly the substance of the Ten
Commandments; and said that every one must labour to fulfil
them to the utmost of his power, though no one could do it
perfectly. A good deal more conversation followed.”

The next communication from the Archdeacon shews him to have been still anxious respecting who might be Bishop Heber’s successor. It is addressed

TO MR. SHERER.

“Calcutta, April 7, 1827.

“It is now a year since Providence was pleased to withdraw
our Bishop, and we have no tidings of a successor. We shall
no doubt, hear in due time, but the delay of arrivals keeps
us, also, in ignorance how matters stand with those who
are dear to us in the bonds of nature. Since the beginning
of January, we have continued to reside at Cossipore
chiefly. The quiet, freedom and airiness of the situation
is very agreeable to us; and when a Bishop arrives, I shall
have less occasion to be so frequently in town. The ship
that carries this, carries also Mr. Perowne and family.
His removal just now is very painful, on account of the
mission, as you can well judge. Deerr will reside there;
but declines taking charge of the mission. Mr. Wilson
will go up every month: he has been three times since you
left us; and is very acceptable to the people; and we may
hope the work will go on. Dear Abdool Messeeh is gone to
his rest. A tumour somewhere in the back, of which he
had nearly died two years ago, proved to be a carbuncle,
brought on mortification and death. He always spoke of it
as a boil; and his little medical knowledge proved indeed a
fatal thing to him. But his end was according to the tenor
of his life,--peaceful, intelligent, resigned. His last
sensible breath was expended in singing a hymn, of the kind
and meaning of that in Simeon’s collection, “Lord, remember
me!”[131] An obituary is sent home, which you will no doubt
see.[132] Mr. Reichardt will now have the principal charge
at Mirzapore. His German order and system, is becoming
very important to us. There are three catechists, who
ought to be lectured once a week at least: and an account
kept of their labours for the information of the Society.
Mr. W. seems as if he could not do this. He will talk
and preach from morning to night; but this particularity
seems to him, resting in the letter; but Reichardt thinks
otherwise, and rightly; and will labour also to render
the whole a spiritual service. My sphere, as far as it
appears, is about Benares. There our friends require only
to be led; and I feel I have no power to command. I am
expecting 300 Rupees a month [from Government] for Mr.
Morris, as minister of Chunar. Greenwood is coming down to
the Calcutta Grammar school, perhaps has arrived there;
and Morris can officiate also in Hindoostanee, leaving
Bowley free to itinerate. The Society will be relieved, in
part, by these means, besides in some degree accredited by
Government. Indeed, since I have been in charge, Government
has done every thing I asked. Both Mr. H. and B. and Lord
Combermere, have, in official matters, shewn much kindness;
and I ask nothing else.... The expences of the mission,
of necessity increase, as the work increases. Bowley now
requires three bungalows in different villages, where
influential people have embraced the gospel; and their
neighbours desire, also, to hear more of ‘this way.’ Mirza
Bagir, son of the traveller, Abu Talib Khan, was baptized
last month. Mr. W. Bird was the means of his becoming
acquainted with the Scriptures, and sent him to Bowley for
baptism.”

In a communication addressed, in May, to the Church Missionary Society in England, the Archdeacon enters more fully into some of the encouraging circumstances, and prospective difficulties, then attending missions, and which are touched upon in the letter given above.

“Opportunities open on every side for missionary work: but
we cannot meet them. I agree entirely, that the prospect
of good, and not present local patronage, should move us
in attempting new plans; but everywhere the population
is very large, and access to them comparatively easy.
Government has granted to Mr. Morris at Chunar 300 rupees
a month, in consideration of services rendered to the
native congregation; but new openings round that station
call for increased help. One convert baptized last year,
has, from his fisher’s death, become heir of his property
in land: a place of worship is required in his village;
with a school, and a native catechist. A Zemindar, also
lately baptized, possessing property in land in a village
opposite to Chunar, has called for the same kind of aid: a
bungalow is building, and a catechist will reside with him.
Thus success in our labours entails increased expense. We
may hope that Divine Providence will raise up aid; but at
present, we see not how. We may indeed, hope that the days
of indifference on the part of the British are gone by, and
that our Bishops will continue, in succession, to uphold
the work of evangelization; but it seems to me that the
most trying period for all our plans may yet be to come.
Till help be raised up among the natives, or the Government
take up the subject, the work will be up hill: we cannot
expect the natives to join heartily till they taste the
good of what is brought before them; and that will not
be, humanly speaking, till the young now educating, grow
into active life. The Government has given a precedent
at Chunar, of helping to afford instruction to converted
natives; but till congregations are collected, Government,
on the present system, cannot help directly. Fifteen or
twenty years then must pass on this “System of Mendicancy,”
as Bishop Heber well termed it; and as we feel it to be,
in a way which you at home cannot well understand: _you_
address congregations where all acknowledge the duty, and
profess faith in God for its success--_we_ mix with those
who scarcely acknowledge the duty or utility of attempting
the conversion of the heathen, and have no hope of success.
We are encouraged however, to persevere; and I trust that
our faith will be found of a kind more precious than gold
that perisheth, though it be tried, and sometimes as by
fire; and that, after all, chiefly from within.”

During the summer of 1827, the Archdeacon had his equanimity somewhat disturbed by the intelligence that the sermon which he had printed on the death of Bishop Heber, only for circulation among his own friends, and those of the deceased prelate, had been made public in England. With reference to that circumstance, he writes

TO HIS BROTHER.

“I am filled with concern to hear that my sermon has been
reprinted in England. It was intended to be purely private,
and I sent some copies to be distributed privately. It will
be fine game for the reviewers: well, I must be content.
No man ever less sought publicity, or was less fitted for
the trials connected with it. I have been led from one step
to another, and it is singular that those with whom I have
felt most closely united, have seemed least to rejoice in
my advancement from time to time. I have acquainted you
with some of my experience in the school of authority; and
it has made me desire retirement more than ever; yet how I
shall leave this country, except ill-health compel me, I
know not.”

It must not be omitted to mention, that with the administration of the diocese of Calcutta, during this vacancy of the see, was connected a more active attention to the operations of the Society for Propagating the Gospel, and of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, than the Archdeacon had before felt called upon to give. To this was added an occasional correspondence with the English functionaries of those Societies. The following communication addressed to the secretary of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, will not be read without interest:--

“Calcutta, Sep. 15, 1827.

“I had yesterday the honour to receive your letter of March
1st., and beg to offer my best thanks to the venerable
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, for its
acceptance of my offers of service, and to yourself for the
obliging manner in which your communication is conveyed.
On the subject of the Native schools, I would respectfully
call your attention to the condition on which I proposed to
transfer the funds to the Society for Promoting Christian
Knowledge; viz. “if the Society for Promoting Christian
Knowledge send out no more Missionaries.” It is with
reference to the superintendence alone any difficulty can
arise. My humble opinion is, that all the Societies in the
Establishment should strive together in the good cause,
and each support as many schools as it can, each at the
same time supplying superintendence for its own schools.
In this way all classes who support our Establishment
will be induced to lend their aid; and it is agreeable to
the constitution of human nature, and not contrary to the
gospel, that each Society should labour to support its own
schools whilst it rejoices in the prosperity of all. The
superintendents being amenable to one Society, whilst the
expenses of the schools are supplied by another, has led,
I must say, to less exertion, and a less strict economy
than would otherwise have been the case; and as in the case
of the Rev. Mr. D’Mello at Howrah, some of his schools
being supported by the Society for the Propagation of the
Gospel, whilst others of them are supported by the Society
for Promoting Christian Knowledge, causes a perplexity
in our proceedings, which the public will not take the
trouble to understand. My purpose, however, in writing now
is not to oppose but merely to put you in possession of
the true state of things here, and my earnest endeavours
shall be directed in conjunction with the other friends
of the Society here, to promote its interests and uphold
the credit it has justly acquired by its long and most
beneficial labours in the cause of pure and undefiled
religion. In its English department it is unrivalled, and
the edification afforded by its lending libraries in this
country cannot be expressed in adequate language.

“There is a circumstance connected with the support of
native schools which has not been prominently brought
forward; viz. the providing of school-books. This is a
source of considerable expense, but without incurring it,
schools are utterly inefficient. The school-book Society
supplies its books to religious Societies at half-price;
these are mostly of a mere elementary character, but
necessary in their place. Besides these, our Diocesan
Committee printed an edition of the discourses, miracles,
and parables of our blessed Saviour, which has long been
expended. The Diocesan Committee’s National schools
have been supplied from time to time with copies both
of the whole New Testament, and of the Gospels and Acts
separately, by the Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society, and
with copies of a catechism on the evidences and leading
doctrines of Christianity, and of Watts’ catechism, and of
dialogues on the events related in the book of Genesis, by
a Mr. Ellerton, from the press of the Church Missionary
Society (all gratis,) in Bengalee. Last week at a meeting
of the Diocesan Committee’s Society for the Propagation
of the Gospel, I submitted to the meeting the necessity
of printing the books most sought after by the Natives,
after the gospels, viz. Watts’s Catechism and Ellerton’s
dialogues, at the press of Bishop’s College. A question
then arose, at whose expense should they be printed, the
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, or the Society
for the Propagation of the Gospel? and this question is
to be discussed next quarterly meeting. In the meantime
the schools will be supplied from the former sources. The
Rev. Mr. Tweddle has been resident since June last in the
Society’s house, connected with the Russypuglah circle
of schools, and is greatly encouraged by the attention
which many of the adult population pay to the subject of
Christianity. Several have professed their desire to be
baptized, but he delays a little to prove their sincerity
and impart further instruction. In that neighbourhood the
desire for schools is very urgent, and all, be it observed,
are willing, I might say desirous, that the Christian
Scriptures should be introduced. The objection to the
Scriptures seems chiefly among the Brahmins and Pundits,
and they counteract, without great care on the part of the
Missionary, the willingness at least of the people to know
something about the Gospel. The wise and the learned among
the Hindoos, as formerly among the Greeks, are, generally
speaking, least disposed to attend to the things which
belong to their peace. To the poor the gospel is preached,
and they will receive it; and as a wealthy native lately
observed to me respecting native female education, ‘We
shall soon be obliged to teach our daughters letters, for
all the poor are becoming more knowing than the rich:’ so
the superiority of character which Christianity produces
in the poor will force the rich to reflect on their ways.
Till then, we shall have to struggle with scanty funds and
poor converts; and how long that may be, God only knows,
but in due time we “shall reap if we faint not.” If you
will have your schools prosper, and produce the fruits
of righteousness, pray send Missionaries; but allow me
to say, other kind of men are wanted here, than would
suit well enough for North America. We want, besides
good character, activity, aptness to learn languages,
and to impart instruction. A Missionary who should come
here merely to impart instruction in English would only
waste his Society’s money, disappoint the expectations of
those who sent him, and expose the ministerial character
to contempt. The natives can perceive, and do admire the
disinterestedness of a man, who can be content with
little, whilst he spends his strength in native labours;
but a clergyman living among a few Europeans at an
out-station, without other employment, would be liable to
be considered as on some account or other disgraced; like
some who have been dismissed the service of government with
a pittance to subsist on.

“I might perhaps have omitted to write now, as we have
heard of the appointment of a Bishop; but I am anxious to
afford to those who, like yourself, take an interest in the
Church in India, information respecting the true state of
our affairs. The reviewer of the church in India notices
the many applications to Bishop Heber for Missionaries; and
as an indication of improved feeling among Europeans here,
it is a most gratifying fact; but if it should lead any to
offer himself as a Missionary under the idea that English
services were the chief thing required, and this idea
should not be corrected by those who send him forth, the
effect would be to misapply missionary-funds, and to fill
India with a poor clergy to the saving of a rich Government.

“Accept, I pray, my unfeigned apology for any thing I have
written which may appear irrelevant or uncalled for. As
far as I know myself, my only desire is to promote the
interests of the Established Church in these lands. I shall
not again intrude myself on your attention; and at the age
of fifty, in a climate like this, and after twenty-one
years service, cannot expect to be of much use to a cause,
the prosperity of which constitutes my chief joy.”

[119] Rev. Josiah Torriano, Vicar of
Stansted-Mount-fitchet, Essex, formerly Chaplain to
the E. I. C.

[120] A school-book written in Hindoostanee, by Archdeacon
Corrie.

[121] A full account of this part of Hindoostan, with
views of the scenery, is contained in “the Himalaya
Tourist,” edited by E. Roberts.

[122] The mountain-pass at Hurdwar, the entrance to the
Dhoon.

[123] Near Stamford.

[124] General G. fell at the commencement of the Nepaul
war, in an heroic assault on the fort of Kalunga, on
the 30th of October 1814.

[125] Edward A. Newton, Esq. now of Pittsfield,
Massachusetts, U.S.

[126] A horse soldier.

[127] Bhurtpore was taken by storm on the 18th of January,
1826; and peace was concluded with Ava towards the
end of the same month.

[128] An account of the proceedings on that sorrowful
occasion is given in an Appendix to the Life of
Bishop Heber.

[129] The address is given at length in the Missionary
Register for 1827, pp. 489, &c.

[130] “Lift up thine eyes round about and see, all they
gather themselves together, they come to thee; thy
sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall
be nursed at thy side. Then thou shalt see, and
flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be
enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall
be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles
shall come unto thee.”

[131] The following literal translation of this hymn is
given by the Archdeacon in his memoir of Abdool:--

Beloved Saviour, let not me
In thy kind heart forgotten be!
Of all that deck the field or bower,
Thou art the sweetest, fairest flower!

Youth’s morn has fled, old age comes on;
But sin distracts my soul alone;
Beloved Saviour, let not me
In thy kind heart, forgotten be!

See Missionary Register, 1827, p. 453.

[132] Ibid. p. 449-453.