Chapter VII (1)

REMOVES FROM CHUNAR--ARRIVES AT CAWNPORE--ILLNESS OF MR. MARTYN.

At the end of the year 1809, Mr. Corrie having been directed to remove from Chunar to Agra, made preparations for proceeding to the latter station. In the meantime, however, he suffered so much from the illness mentioned in the preceding letter to Mr. Buckworth, that for three months he omitted to keep any record of his proceedings. On the 3rd of Feb. 1810, he observes:--

“February 3rd. 1810. I have had much searching of heart in
review of my purposes and projects at different seasons of
my life, often purposing diligence in acquiring languages;
at other times my chief desire and labour being wholly in
the immediate duties of the ministry; and, to be altogether
separated from mere visiting society. I perceive myself
to have succeeded in no one scheme; and am to this day
unprofitable and without ability to any good. Long, long
have I known this in theory, but evidently did not think
it of myself. May this sad experience lead me to true
humility and deep contrition; may it lead me to prayer,
and to diligence in the means of grace! The sickness upon
me is more violent than last year, but seems yielding to
medicine; for which I would bless the Lord, and devote
myself to His cause. These two Sabbaths I have been laid
aside from public work, and fear I am not sufficiently
humbled. O, how I ought to thirst after the courts of the
Lord! I think I should greatly regret being kept from the
ministry another Sabbath, but am ready to give up all hope
of success from my own labours. I know this is from a
forgetfulness of the Scripture, and of the power of God.
Lord, awaken a spirit of faith and prayer! The old man goes
on instructing the native women, successfully, in a few
cases, I hope.

“The Roman Catholic padre, with a fair carriage towards me
tries all he can in private to counteract this old man. O,
that I were as in days and months past: and, O, that the
Lord would make His word to prosper among us: and, O, that
He may direct and prosper my way to Agra, and make me there
a blessing for Jesus’ sake!”

The chief circumstances of interest connected with the remaining portion of Mr. Corrie’s residence at Chunar, are related in the following extracts from his letters and Journal. As, however, in those extracts there occur some allusions to an Institution, which about this time sprung up in India, a few words of information will not be out of place.

The patronage which the Marquis Wellesley (then Earl of Mornington) extended to a plan for translating the Scriptures into the languages of the East, had excited the hope that our rule in India would become the means of imparting the knowledge of the true God to millions of our fellow men: but the retirement of that large-minded Nobleman from the government of India, was followed by that determined opposition to the diffusion of the gospel among the natives of Hindoostan, of which so many traces have already appeared in the pages of this Memoir. The consequence was, that notwithstanding all attempts of Dr. Buchanan, Mr. Brown and others, to procure translations and copies of the Scriptures; and though aided in their efforts by grants of money from the Bible Society in England, yet there was a famine of the word of God even among the native Christians of India. This dearth of Bibles seems to have pressed more especially upon the Christians of Tanjore, so that in a sermon preached in Calcutta, on New-year’s day 1810, Mr. Brown was induced to make an appeal on their behalf. The result was that a liberal subscription, headed by General Hewitt, the commander-in-chief, was raised for the purpose of forwarding the distribution of the Tamul Scriptures in Tanjore. Encouraged by the success which attended this effort to procure a larger circulation of the Word of God, Mr. Brown and his friend proceeded to originate measures of larger enterprise. They established a _Bibliotheca Biblica_, an institution which consisted of a “Translation library” and a “Bible repository.” The “library” was intended to contain the Scriptures in the original languages, Lexicons, Grammars, works on Biblical criticism, and generally, all such books as were likely to be useful to translators. The “Bible repository” was designed to contain Bibles and Testaments in all languages, European as well as Asiatic, to be disposed of at moderate prices.[54] It will be seen that with “this judicious and efficient instrument” for good, Mr. Corrie readily united himself.

TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.

“March 12, 1810.

“I cannot recollect how long it is since I was favoured
with a letter from you: so many are the accidents to which
our letters are exposed between Britain and India, that I
attribute the little intercourse we have had to some of
these; and, therefore, add one more to the many letters I
have sent you; and trust to hear of you when opportunity
serves. Sometimes my mind has been deeply affected with
the idea of growing old without a friend, or solace of
declining years. Gray has well described the feelings of
Nature in the lines:

‘On some fond breast the parting soul relies
Some pious drops the closing eye requires.’

“It is the privilege of faith, indeed, to raise the soul
above creature dependencies; and, I bless God that, in
general, I am enabled to say ‘none of these things move
me.’ Still, I cling, with the fondest recollection, to the
hours I have spent with you, and the advances in knowledge,
and I would hope in grace, my soul made in your society;
nor can I endure the thought of our intercourse being at an
end.

“In this strange land, God has also supplied several
whose letters and occasional visits are a source of great
comfort and encouragement to me. I believe the number
of true Christians is increasing among us, and as these
abound ‘the desert will blossom as the rose;’ and this
wilderness shall be glad for them. The only principal
cause of concern is the small advances that are making
towards the evangelization of the Hindoos and Mahomedans.
If you cast your eye over the map, you will perceive the
distance between the different abodes of the Europeans;
and then, suppose even at those stations something may be
doing toward this work, how is the intervening space to be
supplied?...

“I am recovered from another attack of the liver,
much severer than last year’s, and which prevented me
from public duty for three Sabbaths: I reckon these
interruptions as the choicest blessings. The vain mind
is tempted, in full health, to lay up for many years;
but these warnings strongly impress the exhortation,
‘whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.’

“My European flock, as to numbers, has been at a stand
of late: some of them, however, are now grown unto some
stature in Christ; and are a source of great refreshment at
times....

“The old native Christian has improved of late, and some
of the native Christian flock give good evidence of a true
conversion. At times, whilst ministering among these, my
heart overflows with delight; and the simplicity with which
they express themselves is very striking. I only wish the
number of them was greater: for, alas! who, in comparison
hath yet ‘believed our report?’

“I am removed from this station to Agra, once the imperial
city, where are the most splendid remains of fallen
greatness in Hindoostan. One of my dear young friends,
whom I heard of yesterday, says, ‘You are the first who
has been commissioned to preach in that Nineveh repentance
and remission of sins. I see a peculiar honour conferred
upon you by this appointment. May God prosper you!’ My
soul responds, Amen! The Lord grant my entering in among
them, may be ‘not in word only, but in power, and in the
Holy Ghost, and in much assurance.’ Hitherto I have been
prevented from proceeding, but trust shortly to go on my
way, by the will of God, rejoicing. One comfort attending
the journey is, that it will take me by the abode of
dearest Martyn; and with him I shall make some stay.

“We regret deeply that no more chaplains, who would lend a
helping hand, are coming over to assist us. In three years,
I have been preparing myself, I would hope, for greater
exertions, by learning languages, &c.; and have done some
little here towards founding a Christian church; but now,
alas! the work, to human appearance, will be at a stand. My
old deacon wishes to go with me though, and I shall take
him; though at first it seemed better to leave him with
these ‘few sheep in the wilderness:’ but those of them who
are most serious have husbands somewhat like-minded, and,
therefore, are less likely to suffer wrong; and the old man
will be very useful in a new place. Most of the Christian
men go with me, in one capacity or another; though they
are a heavy expense to me. Where we are going, I purpose
to colonize them, if God in his providence shall supply
opportunities. Oh! were you but here to talk over these
subjects with me! You cannot well have a due idea of this
country, nor of our proceedings, unless you were to be with
us; but I must restrain my feelings, and rather give you
some information that will amuse you.

“Two days since, a Brahmin in authority here, and with whom
I have had many disputes, took away a copy of the gospels,
after I had read to him some particulars of the death of
Christ, which impressed him greatly at the time. My removal
has made him very anxious; and sometime ago, when I was
first ordered away, he came, and after many expressions of
concern said, ‘Sir, I have a great favour to beg before
you leave this place; pray cause to be written for me
your account of the first beginning of things, with the
genealogies of the first ages. Before you came, I never
heard these subjects spoken of, and when you are gone, no
one will take the trouble to unfold us any hidden thing.’
He has now the beginning of Genesis, and the four Gospels.
Affairs on the continent have taken a most disastrous
turn[55] to our apprehension; but ‘the Lord reigneth;’ and
one thing we cannot but rejoice in, _the fall of the man of
sin_.”

TO THE REV. D. BROWN.

“March 15, 1810.

“I yesterday sent off by _banghy_[56] De Coetlegon’s
Sermons, and some chapters of Genesis in Persian,
translated by my Moonshee from my Hindoostanee
translations. It is on this account I sent the Sermons,
as the Moonshee would give me no peace until you should
have a specimen of his performance, and give your opinion
whether or no it will be of any use to go on in this
way. The occasion of doing thus much arose from some
Mahomedans about the court at Mirzapore desiring from me
some account of the books of Moses. Mr. Ricketts, the
judge, was passing this, and some people in his train.
They called upon me and immediately expressed a wish to
see some of the translations they had heard I employed
myself about. I produced the epitome done by Gladwin, it
seems, at the request of Mr. Clarke. This they read for an
hour at least, and on going away begged a copy. Afterwards
the Molwhee told the moonshee that the Koran gives a more
particular account of things than our books. To this the
moonshee answered, that what he had seen was a very concise
abridgment, but if he were to see the original he would
forget the Koran. This brought on a violent dispute. To
make good his assertion, the translation you have a copy
of was made, and the remainder of the epitome added. One
chapter was first sent to Martyn, who approved of it,
and now you must also see it. Our Cutwal[57] here is a
Hindoo, and has often, with heat, contended with me about
the comparative authenticity of our books; but on the
prospect of my leaving seems softened, and has of his own
accord begged a copy of the beginning of Genesis and of
the Gospel; which he has got. He often contends eagerly
with the Mahommedans, and puts them to silence by the
arguments he has learnt; and on the riots at Benares a
great concourse of Mahomedans came to him and my moonshee.
One night they continued to dispute until midnight, not
respecting Hindooism and Mahomedanism, but entirely
respecting the Mahomedan and Christian writings. I hope I
am getting better, but not so speedily as last year. My
flock is already as without a shepherd. I have not been
among them for a month. A few came to the house on Sunday
evening, but the exertion on the occasion, though little
more than family worship, has thrown me back.”

“April 3, 1810.

“Your last letter found me very unwell, so much so, that
greatly as I wished, I could not engage in answering it. I
have no fear of being forgotten by you, yet these tokens of
your regard are indeed very acceptable. It seems a weakness
in my nature that makes me cling to creatures as I do; and
the same weakness is the source of what you are so kind as
to call by a softer name.

“It would be a cause of deep regret to me to be excluded
from your ‘Translation library;’ you will really oblige
me by inserting my name among the subscribers, and I will
make an effort to set all straight with you and all the
world. After deducting the amount of the house here, which
I have sold and am to be paid for in August, I do not owe
above 3000 rupees: yet I do owe all I am, and all I ever
shall have in my power, to such purposes as you propose. I
will endeavour first to be just, and then I will glory in
devoting my all to the propagation of the gospel in India.
The doctors say there is no occasion for my going down the
country, but I shall be guided much by Mr. Robinson.[58]
He is near at hand; yet come I shall not without some
alteration for the worse. I have now very little pain, but
am weak and incapable of application. I should rejoice more
in visiting Aldeen than Cawnpore even, for the children are
all very dear to me, and their playfulness delights me. I
hear Martyn has received the packet from you, and has heard
from Mr. Simeon that Cambridge university voted Buchanan,
a D.D. degree.[59] I hear general M. wishes to reside at
Ghazeepore with the 67th. The poor old man has thrown
obstacles in the way of our church till the materials
are likely to be lost, but the congregation increases in
proportion to the general’s opposition. W. has often 30 at
Divine Service, and usually about 20. They sing hymns, and
are generally a very interesting people; though but a few,
as usual, give evidence of any change.”

“Chunar, April 28, 1810.

“Your papers have reached me in safety;--viz. 1st. a
report for 1809. 2nd., the Agra books and papers. 3rd.,
the Bibliotheca Biblica &c. The ‘Translation library’ must
prove highly useful. I have some of the books you have
mentioned--A Golius, Dictionarium Arabicum, Schultens,
Life of Saladin, Stillingfleet’s Origines Sacræ, Wells’s
Geography, and others, which shall be sent down, if
you please; except Golius, which is to be delivered to
Martyn’s care on my arrival at Cawnpore. But the ‘Bible
repository’ delights me. This is beyond all your other
highly meritorious labours, for the benefit of the present
generation. I shall send it round here, if I have time,
but I have only eight days more here, and on my arrival
at Agra will make it public. On receipt of the Report, I
sent it to some acquaintance here. One sent it to a rich
Native[60] in the city, who reads English; he has returned
it with a _Hoondee_[61] for 100 rupees, and an address
to the Bible Society. I shall, D. V. send it off to the
Secretary in due form on Monday, and he may send it for
publication; it appears to me an event that would interest
at home, but you will judge when you see the whole. It
has delighted me highly. I have been this week at Benares
taking leave. E. is not yet arrived. The old gentleman
there is most gracious always to myself, but is a raging
bear behind my back against all our measures. It has called
forth all my little energy to make the poor stand I have
against his influence. The Church has been delayed under
various pretexts twelve months, but the materials were
collected. I made those efforts since March, and at length
got permission to begin last week. Robinson undertook the
superintendence as a last resource--and his offer was
accepted. The gentleman, however, attacked him when the
work was begun, and called me by name, Augustus Brooke, and
the Salmons, fanatics, &c. I fear this will make E. less
forward than he might otherwise have been, but I have left
a few Bibles and Testaments at Wheatley’s for sale: most
are already supplied. Though I have not sold one Bible,
Robinson is anxious to get the Church ready by the time you
arrive. You can find a congregation. Several families and
some individuals spoke out on my coming away, the fulness
of a gracious heart. I often think of an expression in a
prayer of old Carey’s, in the pagoda, ‘that in the evening
of your residence in India you might see the light of truth
shine abroad.’ Your’s and his prayer are, I trust, heard.
There will be a change in European India, yea there is a
change; infidels are beginning to hide their faces, and
the young are growing up at the different stations, with
a reverence for the ways of God. I perceive the married
especially most easily prevailed with. Yesterday, on an
occasion of extraordinary awakening, I, after two or
three visits, administered the Lord’s Supper to a young
Captain and his wife, and the wife of another officer. The
latter had called her husband from a party, and entreated
him to join our worship; he could scarce refuse. She
appears serving God with all her mind, though not with
all understanding: I have just been sending her a book.
It pleases God to continue me still in much weakness, and
no little fear as to my long continuance among you. If I
desire any thing in life but to speak and act and write
for Him, I pray He may graciously disappoint me and hide
from me the evil that would follow; but if He has given me
a desire to glorify Him, I trust He will spare me a little
that I may shew forth His praise!”

It may not be uninteresting to mention, that the letter which Mr. Corrie states to have been written by a Hindoo to the committee of the Bible Society, is printed at length in Mr. Owen’s History of that Society, (vol. 2. pp. 36-38.) In transmitting the letter, Mr. C. observed:--

“This native has acquired a considerable fortune, in
some employment under our government, in which it was
necessary for him to read and write in English. On being
pressed by arguments urged for the supreme importance of
Christianity, he excused himself by saying, ‘He thought
if it were so, the British government would have made the
Christian religion known to their subjects in this land.’
This objection he urged in a variety of ways, and here the
discussion ended. On receiving the report for 1809, in
answer to this, he sent an address to the Bible Society,
written by himself, and now in my possession, requesting
that it might be corrected; which was done, retaining his
own expressions as much as possible.”

TO THE REV. D. BROWN.

“May 7th. 1810.

“This morning we left Chunar, and are now on our way to
Cawnpore. I have recovered greatly of late, but now my
sister is fallen unwell, and thus we are kept dependant,
and trust we find it best to be so. On Saturday morning,
Mr. E. arrived, but did not let me know. I however heard
about mid-day, and straightway sent an invitation to our
house. In the evening he came, and next morning Mrs. E.
and the infant; and we have left them this morning in our
former habitation. I preached a farewell sermon yesterday
morning, from Romans x. 1., first: pointing out the meaning
of salvation as including deliverance from danger:--the
danger arising from sin, the necessity of salvation from
sin if we would avoid its consequences, as well as to
make us meet for the inheritance &c. and second: Why I
wished them to be saved, viz., from the consideration of
the misery of Hell, the joys of Heaven and the pleasures
of religion here. There was great attention. I said a
good deal too, in the conclusion, on the strain of my
preaching among them,--that I was aware many did not like
it,--but pointed out the necessity of delivering my own
soul, as well as my desire not so much for their favour
and approbation, considered in itself, but as connected
with salvation. Here I intended my successor should hear
something of my opinion of our works. In the evening,
my little flock were full of expressions of kindness,
and I think it was a season that will be remembered. The
Hindoostanees came in a body, and made loud expressions
of regret at my departure, many of them weeping aloud. In
the evening too I baptized three Caffres, the servants
of a gentleman, and who had for some time been under
instruction. Many were present, and we begun the service by
singing some verses from _Veni Creator_. Two of them gave
pertinent answers to some questions on Christianity; and
on their repeating the creed in Hindoostanee most present
were melted to tears. Mr. G. has, it seems, professed to
the General that he will never go to Benares, unless he is
ordered, and the general has declared he will never order
him. The Church however is going on under Mr. Robinson,
and much interest is excited about it. The military have
desired him to make the building a handsome one, and they
will add to the subscription. Thus in spite of Satan and
those he leads captive, the work of the Lord prospers and
will prosper. I have had packets of letters on leaving, and
am astonished at the kind acceptance my little more than
abstaining from evil has met with. It seems to be a wonder
among them, that I performed my official duty when called
upon; and especially that I should express my readiness
to serve them. Dear Mr. R. is greatly excited of late
towards the best things; his heart has been deeply touched
by the death of his youngest sister, and he is tenderly
alive to the blessedness of those who die in the Lord.
This is a happy event just now, when some of the society
there, (especially one Captain) seem seriously seeking to
secure the better part. They know his Father’s character,
and the advantages he has enjoyed; and also they have
seen him more retired and more attentive to his duty than
most; and they seem now to look to him for information.
We know however, how slow of growth the heavenly plant
is, from the untowardness of the soil it falls into; we
know how many blights and thorns it is exposed to: though
some good appears, we still are not content, but, filled
with hopes and fears, we watch for the event. I told you
I had sent the plan of the library to Major Wilford.
He had not understood me, so I intend writing again. I
enclose his note with the papers, it will give you a more
correct idea of his mind towards this work than I can. I
fear E. will not take any trouble to make known the Bible
Society proceedings. I send a copy of the advertisement
to Wheatley’s shop, where it will be seen by many; and
have left one dozen Bibles, and two dozen New Testaments,
with Mr. E. at Chunar. Dr. W. I find, does our cause good
against his will, by his incivility and grasping after
fees. Do you indeed come up the country? Martyn talks
of my remaining a month at Cawnpore: at any rate I hope
to leave there to conduct you to the imperial city. It
perhaps would be of importance to get Martyn to resign the
service, and give himself to the translating and printing
the scriptures. He will not eat the bread of idleness, and
it is clear his present labours will bring an early period
to his life. I scarce know how to write it, but so it is. I
will give you a faithful account from Cawnpore.”

The following letter, addressed to the Rev. Mr. Simeon of Cambridge, contains a kind of retrospect of Mr. C’s labours at Chunar, and is on that account given at length, at the risk of the repetition of a few circumstances which have been already mentioned.

“May 9th. 1810.

“I know it will be agreeable to you to hear of the
progress I am making, if it may be called progress, in the
appointment I hold. Three years last February, I arrived at
Chunar, with very imperfect views of the nature of the work
I had engaged in; the habits and character of Europeans
undergo an almost entire change, after a few years
residence here, so that our work among the Europeans takes
a different turn from the work of the ministry in England.
We have to argue for the sanctity of the sabbath, the
extensive import of the seventh commandment, &c., before we
can speak of the evil of breaking these commandments. The
necessity of caring about the example we set is decried,
as, say they, ‘those we live among do not own the authority
of the scriptures &c.’ My labours have not, however, been
in vain among the Europeans. A small society among the
soldiers, I left at Chunar, and some of them will no doubt
endure unto the end. Of the higher classes many individuals
are exemplary. A church, or rather chapel, is erecting at
Benares,[62] and though my successor expresses no zeal for
the success of it, I doubt not instruments will be raised
up, and sent forth in due time. I would to God, some of
the many young men around you, were but excited to engage
in this service. As to privations, save that of separation
from dear earthly ties, which is indeed a severe privation,
we have only to fear being lulled into indolence and fatal
security. Our countrymen here ought to be held in high
estimation, and a soul saved in India is indeed a brand
snatched from the burning, whilst it is usually, also,
a valuable member restored to society; for scarcely any
motive, but that which the gospel supplies, can rouse from
the apathy and overwhelming influence of an enfeebling
climate and systematic lust.

“Soon after February 1807, I met with a Native Christian,
who engaged in reading the Hindoostanee gospels with
me, and in September following, we began worship in
Hindoostanee, to the native wives of the soldiers. These
had been baptized by Roman Catholic priests, but were
deplorably ignorant of every christian truth. I began
also with a Moonshee to translate from the books of
Moses; and though I blush often in review of these first
attempts, they were useful in conveying some idea of the
truth, as the Native Christian, by repeated efforts on my
part, gained a correct notion of the subject, and by his
exhortations &c. conveyed it to them. About forty continued
to attend once in the week, and once on the Sabbath, till
last Lord’s day; some of these I trust to meet at the right
hand of the Judge ‘in that day.’ Two of them are truly
spiritual, and many of them unexceptionable in conduct.
The change in those who attended instruction, is manifest
to all. I baptized during my residence at Chunar, two men
and three women; the men and one woman unconnected with
Europeans, and all except one man are walking unblameably.
Beside these, many Roman catholic christians come from time
to time, and several of these are in my service. I have
five christian children also, who are going with me, that
their education may not be hindered by my removal. There
is with me also, a youth about seventeen, whose parents
are the children of Europeans; this lad gives hope that he
is a partaker of the grace of God, and is going with me
for the express purpose of learning the way of God more
perfectly, that he may become a teacher of the christians
here, in general lying in darkness as much as the heathen.
His purpose at present is, ‘according to the language of
each people,’ so that he requires instruction in English
and in the native languages also. My native flock, on my
coming away, expressed their regret by many tears, and
some by loud lamentations. The old teacher goes with me,
as there are many native christians at Agra. I wished to
have left him behind; but circumstances, with the advice of
beloved Martyn, induced me to let him come as he desired.
He will probably soon return. The tumult about missions
has subsided here, though the generality of the English
are as averse to it as ever. A riot took place at Benares
last September, which the alarmists here will no doubt
make all the use they can of, in their reports home. A
quarrel[63] took place between the Hindoos and Musselmans,
in which some lost their lives. Report at first magnified
the number to three hundred, but I have seen a copy of the
official report to government, and the following, you may
depend, is the truth. In the reign of Aurungzebe, a Hindoo
place of worship consisting of a Temple with a sacred Well
within the enclosure, (or church-yard) was seized upon by
the king’s order. The temple was appropriated for Mahomedan
worship, but the Hindoos had still access to the well.
Whilst the Mahomedans were in power, no disputes arose, for
the Hindoos consider the king’s order one road to heaven.
Since the English have had dominion, many causes of
mutual complaint have risen up, from the disrespect shewn
by the different sects to each other in their worship.
The Mahomedans, in their petition to government, state,
that amongst other indignities, the Hindoos had on a late
festival, placed an idol in the pulpit of the temple by
way of contempt, whilst the Hindoos, in their petition,
relate similar instances of disrespect, shewn to them by
the Mahomedans. The immediate cause of the riot was as
follows. An idol being some time since dug out of a ruin, a
Fakeer began to make it the object of his worship. For this
end he built over it a mud shed, and afterwards a thatched
little house, on the border of the disputed ground, where
the Mosque and Well are. A rich merchant at last vowed
before this idol, that if he might but have a child, he
would build a stone house over it: he had a child, and in
building the house, encroached on the ground the Mahomedans
claimed, who straightway collecting, demolished the idol,
and killing cows, sprinkled their blood on many temples of
the Hindoos, and destroyed a sacred pillar. The Hindoos
retaliated, and killing hogs, sprinkled their blood on the
Mosques. To prevent these fancied pollutions there was much
violence on both sides; and five men were killed and many
wounded. The soldiery put an end to the tumult.

“May 17. I dispatch this from Allahabad. I heard here from
Martyn, who is in usual health, and with whose company
I hope to be refreshed in eight or ten days, if the
Lord will. This is a large station of Europeans, and is
highly deserving of a chaplain. It is, at present, in the
Cawnpore district. I have several occasional duties as
they are called, to perform for Martyn, and am detained
three days on that account. I may have mentioned, that at
Benares a merchant calls the soldiers and people of his
own description to worship in his house on the Sunday and
once a week; and here an inferior officer in the ordnance
department does the same. He tells me he had last sabbath a
congregation of fifteen. I have lent copies of the Village
Sermons at both places, and they use the Church of England
prayers. But the unhappy pride of rank &c. which prevails
here to an extent you have no idea of, prevents their
influence from reaching far, though they are witnesses of
God, ‘epistles of Christ, known and read of all men.’ Had
we a few more Colonel Proles, (whom I believe you know,)
the presence of more chaplains might be better dispensed
with. He officiates unweariedly, as priest, as well as
prince of the host; and you will be gratified to hear,
that very decided marks of favour from the commander in
chief have been shewn him of late. He is just put into an
important command at Delhi. I have had a more severe attack
again in the liver this spring, from which I am, through
mercy, recovering, and perceive these visitations to be
most merciful appointments; I hope they may be sanctified
to me. I trust your health may be restored by this, or that
at least, you may be continued to keep open the doors of
Trinity Church for many years.”

The spirit of self-devotion in which Mr. Corrie left Chunar to proceed to his new station, may be seen in these letters: in his Journal, also, he repeatedly expresses his desire, that his removal to Agra may be for greater usefulness in the ministry, and “that his profiting might appear unto many.” Very earnest, too, are his expressed prayers, that the Christian youths who accompanied him might by his means be “led to God, through Christ, in holiness of life;” and that he might be “enabled to walk circumspectly, so that the Lord might sanctify his intercourse with them.” And his petition with regard to his own soul was:--

“O Lord, my inmost thoughts inspect, and teach me to know myself as thou knowest me; and not to think of myself above what I ought to think, but to think humbly! O, help me, mighty Lord, and make me a blessing to many!”

Mr. Corrie reached Cawnpore on Saturday, June 2. 1810, and next day, writes:--

“June 3rd. 1810, (Sunday.) I arrived here yesterday
morning. For some days preceding I have been unsettled,
and unable to apply myself to any good purpose. To-day I
have had much sweet conversation with Martyn, but ought
to lament a want of spiritual affection. In prayer dead
and lifeless, unaffected with the importance of what I am
about. O Lord, revive me! This morning I preached to the
8th Light Dragoons, but sadly without feeling myself; and
I fear they too were. O thou, who canst make the dead to
hear thy voice, raise us to a life of righteousness! The
General here is very attentive to religious duties. I love
him for what he does; and pray, as do others, that he may
be blessed in well doing. O Lord, direct my way to Agra,
and make me a blessing there!”

On the following Sunday we find him noting:--

“June 10th. 1810. I have been endeavouring to review my
ways, as connected with the ministry I engaged in this day,
in 1802. I perceive how greatly I have offended against my
engagements, in respect of personal holiness, of motives
in my ministrations, and of intercourse with the world. I
would admire the goodness of God, my Saviour, in hiding me
from the strife of tongues, in bearing with the unhallowed
fire of my public services, in preserving me from returning
to the world. Especially ought I to praise Him for any
acceptance he has given me in my work. I have been made
acceptable to many who know God, and it is no small honour
to be instrumental in building up God’s church. Some are
gone to the grave with hope in the name of Christ, through
my instrumentality, especially Dr. B., and a young man
at Sewstern. On the voyage to India, R. Y. was roused to
consider the instructions a pious father had given him;
and G. V. led to choose the better part. A young man I was
told, was alarmed on account of his sins from the first
sermon I preached at the Old Church, Calcutta. B. at Chunar
is walking in the narrow way: and I hope G. will lay hold
on eternal life. Among the soldiers, I reckon three at
Chunar, who seem truly seeking life eternal, beside many
others more or less hopeful there. But, I fear for them
all; so desperate are their situations, and trying their
circumstances. But, perhaps I ought to bless God above all
for the three native women, viz., the wife of sergeant
W. of William B. and of John W., they seem to be truly
‘partakers of the benefit;’ and may the Lord grant that
James may go on unto perfection. O may the S’s be found
among the happy few; with Mr. and Mrs. Y. now in Calcutta!
I often think I labour in vain; and alas! in comparison of
the world lying in wickedness, what are these few? But,
how far do they exceed any reward I could possibly have
reckoned on, considering my own weakness, inattention and
worthlessness. My God, I bless thee for these! These are
my joy and crown: now, let me watch over my own soul; and,
O thou Spirit of life, and love, and liberty, accomplish
in me complete redemption! Prosper my way to Agra, and
prepare much people to thyself there, for Jesus Christ’s
sake! This evening attended the funeral of Captain W.--H.
M. 53rd. Regiment. The band played before the corpse; and
a more affecting scene I have not witnessed for a long
time. God, I praise thee that I have not been cut down as
a cumberer of the ground. O, teach me so to number my days
that heavenly, holy wisdom may be my _only_ pursuit!”

Mr. Corrie had not been long at Cawnpore before it became apparent that Mr. Martyn’s health was in so unsatisfactory a state, as to render it necessary that he should be relieved from the duties of the station. Mr. C. was in consequence detained there to assist Mr. Martyn. His own account of this circumstance is contained in a letter:--

TO THE REV. D. BROWN.

“Cawnpore, July 10th. 1810.

“I have been upon writing to you daily for a long time,
till at last I know not well what I have to tell you. When
I arrived here, Martyn was looking very ill, and a very
little exertion laid him up. Since then you will know that
I have been ordered to remain here for a time, to assist
him; and he is already greatly recovered. His appearance
is much improved. His rest and appetite much more regular,
and he is altogether better. It will be well, however, if
his former weakness does not return, when he shall again
be left to the whole duties of this large station, for his
frame is by no means suited for strong labour. For myself,
I am well, and as strong as ever I recollect to have been.
If I can but avoid a return of the fever, I may last a
long while; but it is not for us to boast of the morrow. I
am under the same roof with Martyn. Sabat is within call;
and of him you will be glad to hear that he is far more
respectful and careful in his intercourse with Martyn,
than he used to be. He seems to feel that he has gone the
‘length of his tether,’ and is evidently anxious to keep
on good terms. He seldom omits doing something in the
translations daily; so they proceed regularly. I am greatly
pleased with his corrected Persian gospels, which I can
read with facility; and having read much of the Shah Nameh,
think the style much like that book. The Hindoostanee New
Testament will, I suppose, become a standard for future
editions. To any one acquainted with the Hindoostanee of
Gilchrist, it will not be very difficult. I am decidedly
of opinion that the style of any translation for this
country, ought to be high rather than low; as it will be
the duty of expounders to understand and explain it; and
one low expression will make the whole appear contemptible.
Hard words, also, when judiciously inserted, are no great
detriment to the sense, whether understood or not, as I
have often found from the children. I have seen very little
of the people here, beside the religious soldiers. I hear
sad accounts from my former flock at Chunar. A young man, a
physician beloved in the Lord, writes me from thence, that
those I thought most staunch among the men, are fallen into
sad drunkenness again; and one of my native Christians,
too, has turned out very ill there. I had fitted up a small
church there, and left it for the use of the serious men;
but it is turned into worse than a ‘den of thieves.’”

In the letters which follow, will be found many particulars connected with the studies and habits of life of Mr. Martyn, which cannot fail to be read with melancholy interest. Somewhat minute accounts, too, of the progress of the last illness of that sainted person, occur in the letters to Mr. Brown, and which it has not been deemed requisite to omit; for it can never be thought superfluous to relate “after what sort” the servants of God “have closed up their days on earth.”[64]

TO THE REV. D. BROWN.

“Cawnpore, July 31. 1810.

“You will have received mine of the 14th. which will
have set you somewhat at ease. Martyn is much affected by
your anxiety about him; but he says, he does not consider
himself in danger; and this morning said, he thought a
month’s silence would entirely restore him. I try all
methods to induce him to leave the translation for a few
months, and sometimes seem to have prevailed; and then a
little refreshment makes him think himself well. The worst
sign seems to be that for a month past he is rather weaker
than stronger. On my first arrival he recruited greatly for
a fortnight, but is now, to say the best, at a stand. He
has agreed to go on the river to try the effect of change
and silence; and as soon as a boat can be procured will go
towards Futtygur. He objects to going to sea at present,
that the cold season here will be beneficial, and that
the damps and fogs of Calcutta would be less so at this
time; and that he is determined to leave this in February
next, in order to get to sea in March. But, the truth is,
he expects the New Testament to be done in Arabic by that
time, and that then he shall be more at liberty. The state
of his health seems this: he is easily fatigued, and then
gets but broken rest, with confused and distressing dreams.
A very little exertion in speaking produces pains in the
chest, with almost total loss of voice, and almost all
these symptoms are produced by the evening of every day. He
is sparing in his food &c., as usual, but takes sufficient
nourishment, although, he says, with little appetite,
but from a sense of necessity. I think you will consider
immediate relaxation necessary, as I do, and have urged so
repeatedly, and in such a variety of ways, that any one but
himself would think I wanted to succeed him here. But that
to me would be one of the painful circumstances attending
his removal. I think the wisdom and goodness of God evident
in my former appointment and in my present destination. I
can do a little in a quiet way for the furtherance of our
common cause, but this large station would both occupy my
whole time and make my deficiencies more conspicuous.

“Aug. 1st. My heart is seldom so much at ease as I wish
it to be when I write to you. Our dear brother will not
believe that he is in any danger; nor is it likely he will
die immediately. A little care makes him feel better, and
now he hesitates about going on the river at present. He
has for some days been from morning till night with Sabat
at the Arabic, getting ready the first seven chapters of
Matthew: when that is done he is going on with Fitrut in
Genesis. I wish it had been convenient for you to come up;
you could have taken him back with you, _vi et armis_:
but that is past. He speaks of himself as threatened with
consumption, with all the composure others speak of a
legacy; but thinks it is not yet begun in him. The failure
of his voice, and his poor thin frame, make me fear the
worst; and I tell him freely my chief hope of a cure in
him is from a removal from this [place] and cessation from
labour immediately.

“I can write you of nothing else at present. This subject
occupies most of my thoughts; I dare not dwell upon the
probable issue. But we may ‘have all things and abound,’
whilst we have our God and Saviour. That hymn I sang with
a heavy heart, when I first left your paternal roof for
Chunar; and daily find it suitable. The ‘sin that dwelleth
in me’ makes my life heavy; and but for the invisible hand,
I should entirely faint, or ‘become a rebuke unto the
foolish.’”

TO THE REV. J. BUCKWORTH.

“Cawnpore, Aug. 16, 1810.

“I am now under Martyn’s roof: you know of my removal to
Agra. On our way thither, we found our brother so unwell
that I applied, and was ordered by the General commanding,
to remain here for a time to assist him. We enjoy all the
comforts of religious society we can desire. I am as happy
as I can desire to be on earth. Had I been with you, as
you kindly suggest, I could not have been more so; and,
perhaps not so useful. I am thankful no such temptation
offered to detain me in England; the wish to have been a
‘helper together with you,’ would probably have prevailed
above all others. It is in vain to conceal that my health
has suffered from the climate; and chiefly from imprudence.
The necessity of cessation from labour it imposes is most
painful. I bless God for these sicknesses, above all His
other mercies, as connected with the salvation which is
in Christ Jesus. I trust I know that he is blessed who is
instructed whilst undergoing correction. At times, I have
had such views as I cannot describe, of the excellency
of the rest remaining for God’s people, so as to make me
‘desire to depart and be with Christ;’ but, these sweet
moments are alas! only of short duration. How does the
corrupt nature emit clouds of vain and vile passions, which
obscure and darken the greater part of my days! Blessed be
God for Jesus Christ!

“The account of one day will give you a general idea of
our whole manner of life. We usually rise at day-break,
and ride out. Martyn and I breakfast between six and seven
o’clock: then read the scriptures with a Polyglott before
us, and pray. Martyn then goes to his study. I go to see
Mary; and she and Mrs. S. are learning Hindoostanee in
order to be able to speak on religion to their female
servants; and if circumstances favour, to get a school of
female native children. I am their teacher. Mrs. S. has
a school of European children belonging to the regiment.
I return to reading, usually Hindoostanee or Persian. At
eleven, my Christian children come to say the lesson they
have been learning with the native schoolmaster. In the
middle of the day we have a repast; and then resume reading
till four, when the Christian children come again to read
in the Hindoostanee gospels. In the evening we meet,
usually, at Captain S’s, or Martyn’s, when we sing some
hymns, with reading and prayer before we separate. This
is the peaceful tenor of our way. At the intervals, two
days in the week I visit, and pray with, the sick in the
hospitals: on the Sabbath, public worship; in the morning
at the drum-head of one of three European corps lying here,
in rotation; in the evening of Sunday and Wednesday, we
have social worship with a goodly number of pious soldiers
in a public building fitting up, but not yet ready to open
as a church: besides these [services] once a fortnight
there is public worship in the General’s house. Except the
soldiers, all our other English rank as gentlemen. We have
here only these two classes, except a very few persons in
trade.

“I do not consider myself at home here; and am longing for
Agra, that I may commence more extensive plans among the
heathen. My Christian boys are becoming very dear to me;
one especially is very intelligent and hopeful: they will
be well grounded in principles; and I pray God to give them
spiritual understanding. They come to me with their little
complaints, and their Arab black faces often make me very
merry; nor would I leave the often painful, because tedious
task, of attempting to make them wise unto salvation, even
to be the helper of my beloved Buckworth.

“I know not if I wrote to you on our leaving Chunar in May.
The native teacher has returned thither; and I reckon some
of the native christians there to be truly spiritual. I
hope to have a large native flock at Agra: there are few
Europeans there, which will leave me more leisure than I
have here. Respecting our brother Martyn, his health is far
from good, his constitution far from strong: he is going to
sea before long, (D. V.) to try sea-air. May God render it
effectual to his restoration! His life is beyond all price
to us. You know what a profound scholar he is, and all his
acquirements are dedicated to the service of Christ. If
ever man, since St. Paul, could use these words, he may,
‘One thing I do, &c., (Philip. iii. 13, 14.) He has, with a
learned native, finished the translation into Hindoostanee
of the whole New Testament; which is ready to be sent to
the press, when money is supplied. He is going on with
the books of Moses. Sabat has finished the four Gospels,
the Acts, and to 2nd. Corinthians, in Persian and Arabic,
which Martyn compares with the Greek. The Bible Society
helps nobly, and will continue to foster ‘the day of small
things’ among us.

“It is in my heart to live, if health permits, and to die,
among these people. This, my brother, is my true life, I
find; and often, in the anguish excited by the idea of
seeing you all no more, I use those words, ‘Cease, fond
nature, cease thy strife; and let me languish into life.’
To live to God is life indeed. I am infinitely unworthy of
the place I fill, and miserably defective in every part of
it; but no one else offers to supply my lack, so that the
little I do would be left undone, were I not where I am.
May God keep me faithful unto death! Yea, faithful is he,
therefore I shall endure: through his power, I shall meet
you before the throne. It matters not, then, where we are
for the short time of our day.”

TO THE REV. D. BROWN.

“Cawnpore, Aug. 17. 1810.