Chapter XIX (2)

“Mr. Smith collected the scholars of the three Hindee
schools at the Mission premises: but from the excessive
heat I was able to attend to only one school. In this
about half the number, (fifteen) are reading portions of
our Scriptures; but the schools have not long been in
operation, and the proficiency of the boys was accordingly
small. In consequence of the detention at Ghazepore, I
was unable to give a Sunday both to Benares and Chunar.
It was agreed therefore that I should preach a Missionary
Sermon at Benares on Sunday. I went by land to Chunar and
am happy to say I found Mr. Bowley perfectly restored to
health, and capable of his usual labours, after having for
several years seemed decaying. There have been no additions
of late to the native congregation, though there have
been several enquirers. Mr. Bowley is at present engaged
in a correspondence with the chief Molwee at Lucknow,
who having, as he concluded, discomfitted Mr. Wolff in
argument, sent his statements to Mr. Bowley, challenging
him to answer them if he could. It is remarkable that he
heads his pamphlet (not printed) _Testimonies to Mohammed
contained in the Christian Scriptures_;--literally, Glad
tidings of Mohammed from the Prophets and the Gospel. The
misapplication of his quotations is glaring; but the fact
of our Scriptures being read, though not quite new, is thus
confirmed.

“On the morning of the 14th we visited the boys’ and girls’
school; in the former are above forty, and I was glad to
find that some fine lads, whom I saw here in 1830, have
found provision at the neighbouring stations as writers,
&c. The present school consists of rather small boys. In
the girls’ school are upwards of sixty; these are much
attended to by the lady of the Adjutant, and exhibited a
very satisfactory proficiency in Scripture knowledge and
the Catechism; besides being well instructed in needle
work. Mr. E. catechises both boys and girls on Sunday
mornings in Church before divine service, when some of
their friends are also present.

“The Church Missionary Association is in beneficial
operation; they raise funds for the support of (I think)
three readers of the Scriptures, and two native schools.
On the whole my mind is much set at rest on some points,
respecting the Mission at Chunar by this visit. The Lord
grant his blessing!

“On Sunday, the 15th September I preached for the Church
Mission at Benares, and 156 Rs. were collected after the
sermon. This, considering that the Chaplain raises about
130 Rs. monthly for the support of the native female
school, was beyond expectation. To faithful labours and
consistent character much of the success of the plans for
assisting the Mission, both here and at Chunar, is to be
attributed. The state of English society, both at Ghazepore
and Benares, is very favourable to Christian projects. May
God raise up, as in due time He no doubt will, suitable
instruments for extending the knowledge of His saving name!
On Tuesday morning I passed an hour at sunrise with the
Missionary brethren in reading and prayer, and came away to
Juanpore in the evening.

“At this place is a pretty little Church in the Gothic
style. There are three principal residents, by whom
chiefly the funds have been raised. Lady William it seems
kindly said to Mr. B. at Allahabad, when told of this
undertaking, that she would pay for glazing the windows;
this has been done and 120 Rs. are owing, besides which
220 Rs. were due for partial pewing. On Sunday, September
22nd, I officiated in this pretty building. The advantage
of having an appropriate place for divine service was
never more manifest than here. In the morning the whole
Christian community assembled, in number thirty-five; of
these fourteen remained to partake of the Lord’s Supper.
In the evening there were twenty present, and about this
number usually assembled on Sundays twice a day, when the
judge, collector, and commanding officer officiate in turn,
reading the service of the Church, and a printed sermon.
These three families meet also for social worship at each
other’s houses on Thursday evenings. There is a Catechist
of the Church Missionary Society at Jaunpore. His name
is Mirza Yusuf Bukir, a son of the celebrated traveller,
Abu Talib Khan. This man resided at Allahabad when Mr. W.
Bird was there, and obtained from him a New Testament in
Persian, and occasionally asked of Mr. Bird explanations
of passages. This led to his conversion. He now instructs
the Christians connected with the native regiment at
Jaunpore, and reads the scriptures to the servants of two
families. Mr. Brown derives assistance from him also in
translating tracts for circulation, when his public duties
allow him any leisure, which is seldom. I had the pleasure
to baptize Mirza’s wife on the 24th, after several years
of refusal to receive the Christian religion. This shews
his perseverance; and all the friends at the station bear
testimony to his consistent piety; though it is thought
he has not sufficient employment where he is, and I wrote
to Dr. C. at Patna on the subject of his being employed
there, to which Mirza perfectly agrees. A youth taught in
the Church Missionary school at Benares will, I expect,
be entertained in the native college at Jaunpore as a
teacher of English. It was at one time in contemplation to
have placed him in a school in connexion with the Church
Missionary Society; but there not being sufficient funds at
disposal, it was determined to have English taught in the
native institution, for here, as every where, the people
are desirous of education in English.

“My bodily strength is considerably renewed; but the
confinement of the boat, equally with _dawk_ travelling,
has prevented my deriving all the benefit I trust I may now
hope for, at least on reaching Cawnpore. I am preparing a
different route to that which we talked of together. By the
one then proposed I could, if health held out, by scarcely
intermitting a day of travelling or visiting schools, reach
Bombay by the middle of March, and then, if a ship be ready
to sail, reach Calcutta by the end of April or early in
May. But unless duty called, Bombay would be out of my way;
and I cannot but own that the spirit of enterprise has much
departed from me. I shall now propose to go from Cawnpore
to Saugor (not included in the former plan) expecting
to be there the second Sunday in November; at Mhow the
first Sunday in December; Neemuch the third in December;
Nuseerabad at Christmas; Agra the first or second Sunday in
January; then Muttra, Delhi, Meerut, Kurnaul, and to the
snowy mountains during April, May and till the middle of
June; return by Meerut, Fettyguhr, and the Ganges, so as
to reach Calcutta in July, or early in August. This would
not make my absence from Calcutta above three months longer
than in the former scheme, and would keep me upon my own
ground; and in the hills I should have useful employment.
But in the view of such a journey I cannot but feel how
appropriate the language of the Apostle is, If the Lord
will? I do trust my resolves are all formed in that spirit,
and I often do feel that a reconciled God is near at hand.
If the Bishop could but make this tour I should expect God
would greatly bless his visits. I find every where some who
seem waiting for the kingdom of God, and a few who love and
live on the Gospel of our Saviour. A marvellous change in
public feeling has certainly taken place among the upper
classes of our countrymen, in respect of the disposition
to favour good plans. It seems a pity that their means
of supporting such plans should be shortened just now. I
was expecting the society of a valued young friend from
Cawnpore to Mhow, when behold! the youth has found for
himself a wife; and the lady cannot travel such long stages
as I must make. I must therefore proceed alone, with my own
thoughts to keep me company. I leave this, D.V. on Monday
evening by land, having left my pinnace here: I intend to
stay over the heat of Tuesday at a staging bungalow; go
forty miles to Futtypore, where are Christian friends; stay
with them till Thursday evening, and proceed to Cawnpore so
as to arrive by Friday to breakfast.

“On the 25th September, I arrived at Allahabad, and on the
26th went to breakfast with the Chaplain; and afterwards
with him visited and examined the school in the fort.
There are twenty boys and eight or ten girls receiving
instruction: of these eight or ten are orphans, and their
schooling is paid for out of the sacramental and other
collections: and also paper, pens, and books are supplied
to the school. The other children pay three and half
Rs. each a month, as remuneration to the teachers. The
proficiency of the children was very moderate, except in
the Church Catechism, in which about twelve of them gave
ready and intelligent answers to questions. There, as at
other stations, the reward-books supplied to me by Lady
William were gladly received. On the 28th, I was unwell,
and obliged to lie by. On the 29th, towards evening I
examined the native girls’ school, where several ladies of
the station met me. By the care of friends here a large
compound close upon the bazaar has been obtained, and a
very commodious school-room erected from funds raised on
the spot. This was the first time the school was used,
nineteen girls were present, all children of Mahomedans! It
is expected that the number of children will not increase.
Of those present ten read with fluency any part of the
Hindoostanee New Testament, and repeated correctly the
Hindoostanee catechism in use. The school is under the
care of an officer’s widow, assisted by a poor woman, who
teaches the lower classes.

“A catechist of the Church Missionary Society is also
stationed here, named David Batavia, originally from
Ceylon. He reads prayers with the Native Christians in the
invalid lines, amounting to from ten to fifteen; and also
to about the same number of christians of the same class
in the fort. He goes about from time to time distributing
tracts, and conversing with the natives about Christianity.
His piety and benevolence are admitted by all who know
him, but no extensive good has yet appeared to result from
his labours. He resides in a house which was given to the
Church Missionary Society, by the Rev. Mr. Crauford, when
he was Chaplain here. The house is well situated for a
Missionary’s residence. On Sunday morning we had Divine
Service in the garrison at six. There is now only one
Company of Artillery here, and of these many are Roman
Catholics; so that only about forty were present: but the
conductors and others connected with the magazine, who
with their families reside in the fort, exceed sixty; and
with a few from cantonments made a congregation of about
100. I preached in the morning, and in the evening at the
circuit bungalow, where upwards of thirty attended. The
partition-wall in this bungalow is about to be removed,
when it will be much more commodious for public worship
than in its present state, and it is expected more will
attend. On Sunday evening last--those who came late could
with difficulty be seated. The situation of the ground
about the fort is below the level of the Ganges during the
rains. The river is kept out by an embankment, which was
this year in danger of giving way. The ground is thus low
for a distance of about two miles from the fort, where on
a rising ground the Military Cantonments and Civilians’
houses are situated. No Church could therefore be erected
nearer than about two miles from the fort. A vacant space
may there be found close to the circuit bungalow, the
nearest point to the fort. So that there must always be two
congregations at this station. Mr. R. Bird has informed you
of the numbers and growing importance of Allahabad; as a
Missionary station it is become of very great importance.
A numerous and wealthy population reside in the bazars,
engaged extensively in trade; and the town being at the
junction of the rivers Ganges and Jumna, will increase in
proportion as the country is prosperous. The numbers who
now resort to the Board of Revenue and to the Sudder Court
will give opportunity of circulating the glad tidings over
all upper India; and Mr. L’s experience at Monghir has led
me to build much on this resort of strangers.

“Futtypore, October 3rd. At this station there are only
four government servants; and only one of them married.
The judge and doctor are old acquaintances of mine, and I
am staying a day to break the journey to Cawnpore, where I
hope to arrive to-morrow morning. A school is maintained
by these few residents here, the medical man giving a good
deal of his time to it, and also to a hospital where many
sick poor are attended to: the expense of this is also
maintained by friends on the spot. The population being
to a considerable extent Mohamedan, the school is not so
well attended as is desirable. I visited it this morning:
there were thirty boys present; of these six have made some
proficiency in English under a native, educated in the
school at Cawnpore. His proficiency is very moderate, and
his scholars accordingly come on slowly. They were reading
the 3rd chapter of St. Matthew, having with much patience
and good management been brought to read our Scriptures. At
first much opposition was made to their introduction. They
are aware, they say, that from reading these books people
become Christians. Here as every where the field is open
for Missionary labour.

“I have here met with an officer who has travelled the
route I mentioned a few days since by Saugor to Mhow,
Neemuch, Nuseerabad, and Agra. I was apprehensive that
there might be dense jungle to pass through, and danger
from malaria; but he tells me the country is pretty well
cultivated, and that there is no jungle to speak of; that
the aspect of the country, moreover, is interesting, much
beyond these level plains. I seem therefore fixed in that
plan. I shall be ready to leave Cawnpore, I conclude, by
the last week in October; and will send before I proceed, a
detailed account of the progress I expect to make.

“I leave here the young Baboo who accompanied me, and whose
conduct has been uniformly Christian and correct.

“I arrived at Cawnpore on the morning of the 4th October.
From the wish not to lose time, I had left my boat at
Allahabad and proceeded _dawk_, as I had to that place from
Benares, via Jaunpore.

“This mode of travelling made me very unwell, and prevented
for a whole week my taking so active a part as I otherwise
might have done. I was also prevented visiting Lucknow,
which I could have done only by _dawk_. I wrote however
to Mr. Greenwood for information. He also came over for a
day to Cawnpore, and represented his situation at Lucknow
as pleasant and his prospects as encouraging. He receives
every attention and aid which Christian kindness can
devise, from the chief authorities there.

“October 6. I attended Divine service at the church
bungalow, and stood up once more in Martyn’s pulpit. The
place is a little enlarged, by adding the portion where
the communion-table stood, to the body of the building,
and adding another space to which the communion-table has
been removed: and also a small vestry. I was rather late
from the distance of Mr. W’s. bungalow, and this prevented
my mind, in going, from dwelling on the well-known scene,
and by-gone experience. The congregation was full and
attentive, and my mind a good deal solemnized by the
service. So that on returning, the remembrance of Martyn,
and the Sherwoods and Mary, with the occupations of that
period, came powerfully to my recollection, and I could not
prevent the tears from flowing rather plentifully. They
were not, however, tears of regret altogether, for joys
departed. A sense of much short-coming in duty mixed in my
feelings; and the forgiving love of God, with the prospect
of all joining in thankful adoration in the realms of
bliss, greatly preponderated. I almost involuntarily began
to sing:--

“Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song.”

“The two Chaplains at Cawnpore perform their public service
on Sundays at the riding-school of the Lancers, where the
horse and foot Artillery also attend, and at the church
bungalow, where H. M. Infantry regiment attends, and the
civil servants and other inhabitants of the station. This
duty the Chaplains take alternately. Evening service is
always held in the church bungalow at half an hour after
sun set; and this duty the Chaplains divide between them.
Besides this there is an evening service on Tuesdays
at the Magazine, for the families connected with that
department; on Wednesday evening in the small chapel on Mr.
W’s premises, where many of the riding-school congregation
attend, and on Thursday evening in a large room near the
Infantry barracks. On Sunday evening also there is evening
service in the chapel of Mr. W’s premises.

“The attendance on these occasions is generally full,
especially at the church bungalow on Sunday evenings, when
a very considerable number of the upper classes, as well
as others, are regularly present. I officiated at all
these places, except the riding-school: being prevented
by illness from going out the Sunday I was at liberty for
that service. On Sunday, the 20th, I preached in the church
bungalow in behalf of the mission here, when 695 Rs. were
collected and 100 Rs. sent afterwards, besides some blank
tickets, which would make the collection upwards of 1000
Rs.

“There is an establishment at Cawnpore called the Free
School, established and partly maintained by private
contributions; and to which Government allows 400 Rs. a
month. In this there are at present seventy-two children
learning English, of whom eighteen are christians who
are boarded and clothed also from the funds. There is a
Persian class, and also a Sanscrit class. Those who learn
English all learn together according to their proficiency.
Several native youths have become qualified in this school
for public offices, and have obtained situations of
considerable emolument.

“Connected with the mission are four schools, superintended
by different friends, who take an interest in them. These
have each an English class, as well as scholars who learn
Hindoostanee or Persian. About 250 of these boys assembled
in the church bungalow on the morning of the 12th. I was
obliged to confine the examination to the English classes,
which occupied us from sunrise till after nine. The first
class of the Free School boys had made the greatest
progress, and their pronunciation of English was very
correct; but the best boys had been provided for in various
ways lately, so that those present had not advanced far. A
few of them had some knowledge of grammar, and could point
out with readiness the position of countries and remarkable
places on the globe. The boys of the magazine school were
next in proficiency, and a class in Hindoostanee read
with admirable accuracy and readiness portions in the
Hindoostanee New Testament, which they at the same time
translated. The Rev. Mr. C. officiates in Hindoostanee at
the church bungalow, at 4 P. M. on Sundays and Thursdays. I
attended on one occasion; there were six men and six women,
which constitute the chief of his regular congregation. A
catechist, brought up by Mr. Bowley, has been stationed
here about three years. He goes into the bazaar almost
daily to converse with his countrymen on the important
subject of religion. He is spoken of as maintaining a
steady christian character. He officiates as clerk to Mr.
C. and reads the chapter, which Mr. C. expounds after
prayers.

“I examined the school of H. M. 44th, which is in the
best condition by far of any school I have seen during
this journey: the general reading and knowledge of the
English language, the acquaintance with English history,
and accuracy in dates, the proficiency in geography and
arithmetic of the first class of the boys, consisting of
seven, was exceedingly pleasing. Three of them also read
Hindoostanee. The first class of girls also were very
well instructed, and these classes, as well as the lower
ones, were all well acquainted with the Church Catechism.
There were 100 of both sexes. The school of the Lancers
consists of about seventy; their proficiency was not so
good, having been interrupted by sickness. The mortality of
this station has been great this year, beyond most other
seasons. The heat both for intenseness and continuance
has this year been unusual. The register between July and
September exhibits a list of 224 buried. The children of
the regiments have been carried off to a great amount. On
account of this sickness the duty of visiting the hospital
came heavily upon the chaplains, especially on Mr. W., as
these visits were mostly made during the day, when his
colleague was unable to go out in the heat. A considerable
seriousness has been wrought in the minds of the generality
at the station by the mortality around, in connection with
the labors of the chaplains. The attendance at the Lord’s
Table, one of the Sundays I was there, amounted to 115, of
whom ten were native Christians; and it was said not to be
a large communion.

“The collections on these occasions are liberal, beyond
what is found at most other stations. The subject of
missions for several years past has been brought frequently
to the notice of the congregation, and a box with two
openings is carried round to collect the offerings at
the communion;--one marked _Missionary_, the other
_Charitable_. The collection is usually about 200 Rs.
and stated congregational collections are also made. A
charitable committee has been formed some time; also a
Missionary committee. The charitable committee relieves
weekly between 400 and 500 poor: the Missionary committee
have in hand now about 10,000 Rs.

“It is not decided what kind of Missionary Institution
shall be established, or in what manner it is proposed to
conduct it. The want of schoolmasters qualified to teach
English is, however, becoming manifest, and any plan which
would supply this want would be deserving of warm support.
It is not in the first instance a Missionary, so much as
a schoolmaster, that is called for in a variety of places
at this time: men who would teach grammatically on a small
allowance. The free-school at Cawnpore might serve as the
lower branch of such an establishment. At present, as soon
as qualified to earn from 20 Rs. a month and upwards, the
scholars leave school. A plan must therefore be adopted
to retain promising youths till they become sufficiently
instructed to instruct others.

“I was requested by the Chaplain to state particularly the
condition of the station libraries. During his Government,
Lord Hastings induced the Court of Directors to send
out a library to each station of European troops. These
were mostly supplied according to a list Lord Hastings
himself sent home, and are generally speaking of a useful
tendency. No additions have, however, been made to the list
first supplied, and some additional supplies are greatly
needed. In the Infantry regiment the commanding officer
has encouraged the resort of the soldiers to the reading
room, and a considerable spirit of reading and improvement
prevails in H. M. 44th. The soldiers, assisted by the
officers, have added, I believe, to the Government stock;
and many of the soldiers’ wives have benefitted also by
the Library:--a circumstance too unusual hitherto in the
army. The appointment of Librarian, and also the care of
the books, was originally assigned by Government to the
Chaplains of stations, but this order has not been properly
attended to.

“In the Cavalry Corps at Cawnpore, the public library has
not been encouraged, and on Government determining to
erect a new reading-room, the Chaplains were not consulted
as to the site or dimensions. The situation of the new
reading-room is not considered favorable for the resort
of the soldiers, and no less than 6000 Rs. have been
expended, when a room of half the cost would have equally
answered the purpose. If Government were to republish
the order placing the station libraries under the charge
of the Chaplains, and to order that in all arrangements
respecting the libraries and schools and the rooms for
them, the Chaplain should be of the Committee, it would
conduce greatly to the efficiency of these institutions;
and if either from public or private sources a few suitable
books were from time to time added to the existing stock,
it would tend greatly to keep up a spirit of reading among
the soldiers.”

From Cawnpore, the Archdeacon proceeded to Banda. He arrived at that place on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 26, and on the Monday following received letters from the Bishop of Calcutta, informing him that it was the intention of the authorities in England, to appoint him to the Bishopric of Bombay, which an act passed this year for the renewal of the East India Company’s Charter, had enabled his majesty, King William IV., to erect. The directions of the Bishop also were, that the Archdeacon should forthwith return to the presidency, preparatory to his proceeding to England. The intelligence which the Bishop of Calcutta conveyed, was altogether unexpected by the Archdeacon, and occasioned him some embarrassment. The calls upon his pecuniary resources had of late been many, what with the charges attendant on the education of his children, and his wife’s voyages to England, added to some loss by the failure of a house of agency. Unless, therefore, government should provide for the expenses, which a voyage to England, for consecration, would entail upon him, he could scarcely avoid contracting some debt for the time; and that he felt would scarcely be right for him to risk, at his period of life. These, and other considerations which were likely to affect the future welfare of his family, the Archdeacon candidly stated to the Bishop of Calcutta in a letter from Banda, in which he further observes:--

“I turn my face toward Calcutta to-morrow, D.V. I had
reached just the border of my former local knowledge, and
should have been very unwilling to give up the prospect
before me had I proceeded much further. I had taken no
measures directly or indirectly towards the attainment of
the honor and responsibility in question; and trust I may
hope that God will guide and second my poor endeavours to
serve the Church according to His will. If then I say I
turn toward Calcutta with some reluctance, it is merely
lest what I have stated should prevent my going to England.
If prevented going, the omission of visiting the remaining
stations would be in vain, and the loss sustained for no
good purpose. For, little as I feel capable of effecting,
yet good will I am persuaded follow these passing visits.

“Our Church goes on her way, doing what she can; too
secure, perhaps, that her endeavors are generally known
and appreciated. Those who separate from us tell all
they do, and seem sometimes to make much of little. To
those at a distance they however seem the only people at
work, and in consequence are applied to for books and for
information on missionary subjects, and for missionaries
and school-masters. Mr. D. for instance, has been applied
to, to supply a teacher at Allahabad; and at Banda he was
applied to in the first instance to supply a teacher at
Futtypore. In visiting the stations, I see almost every one
who is disposed to take an interest in missions, schools,
&c. They have almost all been educated in Church-of-England
principles and modes of worship, and would all prefer
receiving aid from us, and remaining connected with the
Establishment. These visits bring them acquainted with what
is doing among their own friends. They will learn where to
look for help, such as they can in all respects approve. In
this way some, who were inclined to good, are led to come
forward openly, and the cause of truth and righteousness
gathers strength. The disposition to establish schools is
increasing everywhere; and if half a dozen teachers could
be got at once, they might be set to work. With reference
to this subject the High School might become an important
Institution, and would be well employed in educating some
of the best boys with the expectation of being useful as
school-masters.

“I must travel to Allahabad by land, which will occupy
about ten days; and then I shall hire a boat to proceed
downwards. A letter is ten days reaching Calcutta from
this; so that a few lines, if you see cause for changing my
course, would meet me at Benares. I could even then return
to Saugor by a more direct route, and pursue the plan
before intended with the loss of not more than a month. I
have made observations in my progress with reference to
future visitations, which I intend to commit to writing
with a view to aid in enabling to do more good.”

To the same prelate he writes:--

“Nov. 12th, 1823, near Gazeepore. On arriving at Benares
yesterday morning, I found your favor of the 5th inst.

“At Benares I was not less than 200 miles from the point
whence I returned; I should therefore, had I delayed at
Benares, have been able to march straight to the hills,
without time to accomplish any thing at intermediate
stations. I think therefore you will approve of my coming
on at once to Calcutta, as I am now doing. I could not have
borne so long a journey by _dawk_. I passed Sunday last at
Chunar, and took part of the duty with Mr. E.; Mr. Smith
officiated twice at Benares.

“I am happy to state that Messrs. Knorpp and Leupolt are
such proficients in Hindoostanee, as already to be able to
undertake the duties of the native Christian Chapel.”

[162] The Native Christian master of the Mirzapore school,
and the person who had formerly been ejected from
house and home for editing the Enquirer.

[163] See above pp. 54, 55.

[164] See _Martyn’s Letters and Journals_. October 23rd,
1806, for one or two notices which will illustrate
what is here said.

[165] Palanquin.

[166] One of the attendants.

[167] From this list it appears, that the first class (of
9 boys) could read, spell, and translate Goldsmith’s
History of England to p. 77, and Scripture Lessons,
on the History of Joseph to p. 14. They committed
to memory the 117th No. on Agriculture, and 248th
No. on Astronomy, of Blair’s Preceptor. They
worked exercises on the 14th Rule of Syntax of
Lennie’s Grammar; the Rule of Three; 13th Problem
on the terrestrial globe of Goldsmith’s Grammar of
Geography, and were committing to memory the 2nd
part of Watts’ Catechism a second time.