Chapter XIX (1)

ARRIVAL OF BISHOP WILSON.--BAPTISM OF
NATIVES.--ORDINATIONS.--VISITATION OF THE UPPER PROVINCES.

The Rev. Daniel Wilson had been consecrated to the See of Culcutta early in this year, and was now approaching the shores of India. It appears that on his appointment to the See, Dr. Wilson had written to Archdeacon Corrie to inform him of that circumstance, and had kindly taken occasion to express a desire that the Archdeacon would for the present continue his services in India. With reference to this estimable prelate the Archdeacon writes

TO HIS BROTHER.

“Dr. Wilson has not yet arrived, but is daily expected. I
know no one more suitable to have been sent among us, but
our expectation must be from God alone. It would cost me a
severe pang were I told I should not be allowed to visit
England again, yet the prospect of remaining here is not
painful to me; and it is chiefly on our children’s account
that I have thought of retiring.... You are not likely to
know, unless I tell you, that Mr. Charles Grant has written
me a very kind letter, stating why I was not called home to
be made Bishop.... I am more than satisfied, for I desire
not the office. I have felt a measure of the responsibility
attached to it; experienced what it is to be set on an high
place ‘as a mark for envy to shoot at;’ and above all, I
know to a demonstration how much more such men as the last,
or the present Bishop can effect, beyond my utmost ability.”

That it might meet his lordship as soon as he should arrive in India, the Archdeacon addressed the following letter

TO THE BISHOP OF CALCUTTA.

“Oct. 2, 1832.

“The news of your appointment to India, reached this
country at the latter end of July, and caused thanksgivings
to ascend from many hearts. Your two kind letters did not
reach me till September 21, so that the time had passed for
addressing a letter to the Cape. This will, we hope, meet
you before the end of this month, on the Sibbald’s entering
the River, and in good health, and without disaster on the
voyage. Our hearty congratulations are offered, and prayers
that your entrance in among us, may be ‘in the fulness of
the blessing of the Gospel!’

“From what you are reported to have said at the Church
Missionary Society’s anniversary meeting, it would appear
that you had been led to expect that arrears of business
await you, to be arranged: I am happy to say that not
a case, that I am aware of, is in arrear; that though
much interesting business connected with our public
institutions, will claim your attention, nothing in the
way of official arrangement remains for your decision. I
am most happy to observe your intention of endeavouring
to preserve health. Our former Bishops no doubt had the
same purpose, but they did not take advice from those
more used to the climate. I shall, please God we meet,
explain to you how both Bishops Heber and Turner brought
on, inadvertently, their own end. There is nothing in
the climate to prevent most constitutions continuing,
with care, to enjoy good health. At the same time, it has
appeared to me that no particular age is more favorable
than another; or that there is any such thing as becoming
inured to the climate, so as to bear exposure at certain
times. Experience teaches us to avoid certain situations
and not to expose ourselves [to the climate] at certain
times, if we can avoid it; and this is all, in my opinion,
that any one gains by long residence here. All this will
soon become familiar to you; and I have no doubt, under
usual circumstances, you will be able to go through all
your duties with comfort....

“I shall say nothing of my own affairs, except that I was
not intending to leave the country this year; and that it
will be my delight, as well as duty, to be assisting in
every way I can.”

On the report reaching Calcutta that the “Sibbald” had arrived in the river, the Archdeacon, as on like former occasions, obtained the use of one of the government vessels, met the Bishop, and conveyed him to Calcutta. His lordship arrived there on the 4th of November, and was installed on the next day.

The Archdeacon was thus relieved from some of those anxieties which were connected with official duties, but he was not without trials of a domestic nature. The ship in which his wife had embarked for England in the middle of December, was wrecked off Coringa, on her passage to Madras, and the passengers only saved by taking to the long-boat. They ultimately landed at Masulipatam, and the fatigue and exposure to the cold which Mrs. Corrie and the other passengers underwent, proved of no lasting detriment to them; but all their luggage was lost.

A letter addressed to his wife soon after her departure from India will give some idea of the nature of the Archdeacon’s occupations at this time:--

“January 6, 1833.

“The last few days have furnished increasing occupation. On
Wednesday I breakfasted with the Bishop, and arranged with
him for the examination of the candidates for Ordination.
I then went to Da Costa, who has been too ill to leave
home, and corrected two proof sheets of Isaiah, in Persian,
and two of the New Testament in Hindoostanee. I returned
home at two o’clock, when the Natives, who read the
Scriptures with me, occupied me till four. On Thursday I
was occupied nearly the whole of the day in writing to G.
on his offence; and in the evening the Bishop dined with
your mother and I, and we talked over Church affairs. On
Friday, there was a meeting of the High School managers, to
appoint Lambrick _pro-tem_, head, and young Thompson second
master. I then went to the examination, of Native Schools
at Mirzapore, the best by far we have had: Dunsmore their
superintendent. This kept me till 2 o’clock. I came home
and found the candidates’ papers for my inspection, which
by close application I got through by dusk. I then went to
A. S. to dinner at six, and from thence to the town-hall,
to the Bible Association general meeting, at half past
7 o’clock, and home at ten. The Bishop took the chair,
Bannerjee spoke well, but too long. Yesterday I wrote two
public letters, and prepared notes of an address which the
Bishop wished me to make to the candidates for Ordination,
and their duties as they related to this country. At four
I went to the Molwee’s, and conversed awhile with about a
dozen natives on John iii., and then came home to dinner.
Now for some fragments. A Moonshee is to be baptised on
Wednesday, who many years ago received a New Testament
at Dacca. He cannot remember the date, but it was from
the Chaplain who was there before S. He has been reading
this, and enquiring at different places; till at length,
convinced of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, he
wishes to take up his Cross. He appears more spiritual than
the Molwee; but you know we must not too readily trust
appearances. He has a wife, who, he says, is persuaded
also, and they have two children.

“Past 2 o’clock--We have been detained at the Cathedral
till now, and have had a most instructive discourse from
the Bishop, Acts xxii. The Ordination of two deacons
and seven priests altogether, is indeed a new sight in
Calcutta. The Cathedral was crowded, and the service full
of interest. At the Communion afterwards, one hundred and
fifteen attended. Many appeared deeply affected.”

Mrs. Corrie having proceeded from Masulipatam to Madras, the Archdeacon obtained leave to join her there, with a view to arrange for her passage to England by another ship. He was consequently absent from Calcutta until the beginning of March. On the 9th of that month he writes:--

TO HIS WIFE.

“I found things here of a mixed nature; some pleasing, some
painful. Of the pleasing was the baptism of twenty-five
Hindoos in Mirzapore chapel, on the evening I arrived. The
Hindoostanee congregation much increased. A fine youth of
about eighteen, the son of an Englishman, but abandoned
by the father, has with his Mother, sought instruction.
He is dressed as a Mahommedan. Another youth of the same
description, was confirmed, but I have not yet seen him.”

Some particulars of the then state of society, which the Archdeacon communicated in a letter to Mr. Sherer, may not be omitted:--

“March 30, 1833.

“You will learn from other sources the great distress which
prevails through the failure of the great houses here.
One point of retribution I cannot but think is observable
in the recoil of the Free-trade system. They were the
men who maintained the Hurkcaru and India Gazette, to
vilify the Company and to run down the Government; and
just in proportion as they injured the interests of the
Company, their own were injured.... Of public matters you
will, also, hear. We have now a newspaper at Cawnpore, at
Meerut, Agra, and Delhi. The Delhi paper has an article
on the misconceptions of the Natives, shewing how easily
they are led away by rumours, &c.; which seems to point
out the impolicy of these very newspapers. The subject
of Missions is daily gaining ground; yet opposition is
at work underhand. Paine’s ‘Age of Reason’ has been
circulated to a large extent among the educated Hindoos;
and a very plausible work written here, but printed in
England, entitled ‘Christianity of human origin,’ has got
considerable currency.”

It was during the March of this year that the Archdeacon, among others, resigned his office of governor of the Free-School in Calcutta. For a considerable period the affairs of the school had been a source of contention at the Presidency, in consequence of a difference of opinion between the governors and the committee of that Institution, respecting the management of the charity. It was therefore at length agreed that the points at issue should be submitted to the arbitration of the Bishop, it being at the same time understood that his lordship’s award should be final. One portion of the award was that the governors and secretary of the school should resign their office, in order thus to allow of such a reconstruction of the government of the School as might seem calculated to compose the existing differences. The Bishop himself led the way, by resigning his office of Patron; and the Archdeacon readily followed so disinterested an example.

Soon after this, the Bishop of Calcutta decided that the Archdeacon should make a visitation of the Upper Provinces. An application was accordingly made to government for the purpose of obtaining travelling allowances for the occasion; and early in May an Order to that effect passed the Council. Before leaving Calcutta the Archdeacon relates

TO HIS WIFE.

“June 9, 1833.

“The subject of Infant-Schools is to be taken up by the
Bishop. Yesterday most of our friends among the Chaplains
breakfasted with him, and a meeting was resolved on, to
be called next Monday at the Bishop’s. Lord and Lady W.
are full, also, of the subject, and are to give largely,
&c. A central school is to be built, and a Master and
Mistress to be sent for from England; so that the little
one on which you bestowed so much care, and which Mr. U.
let die a kind of natural death, is to be succeeded by
a magnificent offspring (shall I call it?); and Bishop
Turner will yet speak to the place in this way, though
his name be forgotten. A meeting, also, is called to
forward steam-communication, which has been taken up anew
at Bombay; and Lord W. is, also, aiding individually; and
we are to have answers to our Letters in four or five
months, if not to have leave of absence for six months,
with permission to visit Clapham, without loss of pay or
_batta_. Such are the topics of the day.”

In the same letter the Archdeacon mentions an occurrence which will not be read without interest:--

“One of the youths who was to have been baptized on
Whit-sunday, was seized in the street, by his relatives,
and carried home to Bunhoogly. He had been there confined
in a room for fifteen days, threatened, and was to have had
a maddening potion administered to him, but for the cries
and entreaties of his mother, whose love for the fruit
of her womb prevailed over her superstition. The youth
bribed a servant to carry a letter to Bannerjee,[162] and
he with young Henry R. went in a palanquin carriage on
the Berhampore road, on Sunday Evening the 2nd, when the
lad escaped; fled to the appointed place of meeting, and,
getting into the carriage, was brought to Mirzapore. A
rich uncle, one of the Dutts, came on Friday last with a
Brahmin, and tried to coax the lad away again; promising
him all sorts of liberty, and every thing, but leave to
become a christian. The youth stedfastly refused. On
this a complaint was lodged at the Police office against
Bannerjee, charging him with violently carrying off the
lad, but they could not sustain the charge, and the case
was dismissed: and here the matter rests at present. He is
a very intelligent lad of sixteen, but short of his age. I
had an interesting conversation with him on Sunday evening,
too long to write to you, but the substance of it was as
follows: ‘A full conviction of the truth of Christianity.
Its suitableness to mankind as revealing a Saviour, and the
lad’s own individual need of pardon of sin, and of grace
and strength to bear his trials, and to obey God.’ The poor
fellow was very feverish from the agitation he had gone
through. Mr. S. was preparing tea for him, and he slept in
one of S’s room for security. How little we know of such
difficulties in the way of salvation! Our ease and levity
are equal impediments, and perhaps sources of greater
danger.”

The youth mentioned in the foregoing letter was named Brijonaut Ghose, and had been educated at the Hindoo College, but afterwards became a pupil at the Mirzapore school, under Krishna Mohun Bannerjee. There, it appears, he was in the habit of conversing freely with his companions respecting the follies of Hindooism, and this having reached the ears of his parents, they became apprehensive that their son would embrace Christianity, and so forbade his attendance at the school. His absence was not particularly noticed at the time; but on his returning again after some time had elapsed, he stated the reason for his absence, and shewed a greater desire for instruction in the great truths of revelation. The opposition to his attending at Mirzapore, now became more decided on the part of this youth’s parents: they took him to their home, confined him to the house, and had him carefully watched for several days. The youth, however, contrived to escape, and instantly went to Mirzapore; but as the friends of that Institution were, for every reason, anxious not to make converts by stratagem, it was decided that a temporary residence should be provided for the youth, and a Brahmin provided to dress his food, that he might not lose caste. But before a residence could be obtained, the youth was again captured by his relations, and subjected to the treatment which the Archdeacon’s letter relates. So soon, therefore, as ever the youth found himself rescued from the unnatural violence of his parents, he earnestly desired to be baptized. And as there was no doubt respecting his fitness for baptism, so far as concerned his knowledge of the Gospel, and the sincerity of his faith in its promises, there seemed, at first, to be no reason for disappointing his desire; especially as baptism would effect a complete separation of the youth from his relatives, and thus prove a certain protection against their future persecution. To prevent, however, any suspicion that so solemn a rite had been hastily administered, or that the Missionaries had acted from unworthy motives, it was considered better that the baptism of the youth should be deferred. But in the meanwhile the father of the youth obtained a writ of _Habeas Corpus_ from the Supreme Court in Calcutta, calling upon Bannerjee to produce Brijonaut Ghose, and to shew cause why he was detained at Mirzapore or elsewhere. Bannerjee, of course, appeared in Court with the youth, and stated, through the Advocate General, all the circumstances connected with the youth’s history. The Court, however, decided that the parents were the natural guardians of their children, and the youth was therefore ordered to be delivered up to his father. It was in vain that the youth personally expressed his unwillingness to return home, and alleged his dread of the repetition of the violence which he had already experienced: the Court did not feel called upon to interfere until the dreaded violence had been actually offered; and consequently reiterated the order for the boy to be given up to the father. The poor fellow was then seized hold of by his father; but it required considerable exertion to get him out of court. He wept most bitterly, repeated his appeals to the judges, seized hold of the table at which the barristers were seated, and was only dragged away inch by inch.

This unusual scene gave rise, as it will be concluded, to much discussion, and in its probable consequences was of no ordinary importance: it occurred on the day on which the Archdeacon left Calcutta; who in announcing his intended journey to his brother, observes:--

“My visitation out and home, will embrace a circle of
between 2000 and 3000 miles. I have no fear as to health;
and for the rest, I have the word of truth, ‘I will be with
thee in all places whithersoever I shall lead thee.’”

Full particulars of the Archdeacon’s proceedings are contained in his letters to the present Bishop of Calcutta, and in his correspondence with Mrs. Corrie: it is from both these sources that the following information is derived;--

“On the 13th July, 1833, I went to Chinsurah, and found
dear B. on the steps of the Church to receive me. Passed
a peaceful day on the 14th with him. Having been less at
ease for want of repose, I enjoyed Saturday as much bodily
as mentally. On Sunday morning I preached to the soldiers:
and in the evening B.; there was a collection made both
times for the Church Missionary Society of about 100 Rs.
The church in the evening was nearly as full as in the
morning. Captain J. came up to see a friend, and passed an
hour on Sunday with me; he breakfasted with us on Monday
morning; and he and B. came on with me to Bandel. I thought
much of the many partings we have had in these places.
Beloved Mr. Brown came up with Martyn and Parsons and me
to Forsyth’s here in 1806;[163] and again with Parsons and
me in November of that year. M. and Miss C. and I paid F.
a visit here in 1812. Now where are most of these? Their
place others fill. Yet the work of the Lord goes forward!

“I consider my journey now commenced. The weather is
favourable; the wind fair and steady till toward evening,
but not strong; and very cloudy.

“Reached Santipore, July 16th, and expected to be at Culna
by breakfast time. Arrived at Culna by nine. Mr. A. came
down to the boat, and we afterward went up to the Mission
bungalow and staid till evening. Their mode of life is just
what people at home fancy of Missionary life in India; the
house was clean and airy; the children are kept in such
order as Christian children should be, playful yet obedient.

“I was nearly a day sooner than was expected; only two of
the four schools were sent for to be examined, and of them
only the first classes, and a few of the second. There were
forty-one boys: they read with great correctness the 6th of
St. Matthew: and generally gave correct explanations from
notes supplied to each school by Mr. A., explanatory of
what they read. They read with equal correctness Ellerton’s
Dialogues, 5th Ch:, and are expert in their explanations;
the whole of this book the boys had read; it is a great
favourite among the scholars; and a few days since four
youths, who had been educated in these schools, came to Mr.
A. and requested a copy of each of the Dialogues for their
private use.

“Mr. A. has a school of sixteen girls in one of the rooms
of the bungalow; one of them a few months since was, with
her mother’s consent, baptized. There is also an English
class of about thirty; their proficiency was not so
manifest. The teacher is a Mahomedan, who learned English
at some school in the Chitpore road. Mr. A. speaks of a
great and favourable change in the respectable natives
towards him. This appears among other things, in some
wealthy people, who had set up a school in opposition to
one of the mission schools, having, after some conversation
with him on Christianity, given up their school, and sent
the boys to his. Culna is a great mart for grain, so that
tracts are carried from this to many distant parts of the
country, and Mr. A. speaks of strangers, who come to the
market, as desirous of obtaining tracts to carry away with
them. In the evening twenty-one of the native Christians
attended for worship. Mr. A. leads the psalmody with his
violin, just loud enough to keep them in tune; the effect
was very pleasing.

“July 18th.--We crossed the river, after leaving the
mission house, for freer air. Mr. A. came with me. It
reminded me of our visit with the late Bishop, when he had
in like manner crossed the river with us. We spoke of him
with much affection, and especially of the good judgment
displayed in his remarks on Missionary operations. In the
night there was much rain; but yesterday the wind was
fair, and steady without rain, as far as Nuddea. I staid
at the mouth of the Jellinghee an hour, expecting that Mr.
R. might have come from Krishnaghur to the neighbouring
factory to meet me, as I had written to him about my plans
from Chinsurah. He was not come, nor is it of consequence,
as I could not have gone at that time to see the Nuddea
school. We proceeded very slowly, yet reached a point
near the factory with the upper-roomed house. There was
a fine plain covered with growing rice. A clever-looking
young brahmin, in part owner of the field, came up to
make salaam. I engaged him in conversation by setting
the young baboo to ask him questions; no good seemed to
follow; but on the passage “_Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden_,” &c. being read, I observed,
that if the brahmin would admit, that sin is a burden,
it would make him uneasy; so that I feared he would put
away the invitation. He became thoughtful, and left us a
little seriously. The 18th passed rather uncomfortably. I
had called the moonshee, and had just commenced reading
the 1st of Acts with him, when we began to move round and
round! The river had made on both sides a deep indent into
the bank; and the water was boiling like a whirlpool.
After some time the dandies made the side; but the river
ran a perfect sluice. I got on shore, and after two or
three trials the pinnace was dragged with much difficulty
out of this situation. But for a mile, the river ran
with like violence; and I had to walk all that way; the
day was clear and the heat great; I had a chattah, and
walked no faster than the dandies, who were bending to
the earth almost in their endeavour to drag the pinnace
on. I abstained from water though exceedingly thirsty;
and only moistened my mouth with a wet towel, and after
an hour’s repose felt no inconvenience. The river still
ran very strong, and has been very tortuous since passing
the Jellinghee. About twelve a heavy fall of rain came on;
the men fastened the pinnace slightly to the bank; and
all came on board for shelter. This continued till three,
when we set off again, and a strong wind springing up, we
made head against the torrent. The rush through the water
was by no means pleasant; but we were mercifully brought
to a quiet resting-place about half-past-six, P. M.; the
wind died away and we had a cool refreshing night. During
the day at intervals, I had much conversation with the
moonshee on points of religion in which he is interested.
We read also two chapters of the Acts, and conversed much
on the contents. There is little expectation left of our
reaching Berhampore on the 20th, which I much regret. It
is His pleasure, however, who is the God of Providence, as
well as of Grace. The river is now rising rapidly; and as
it has not yet overflowed its banks, we have to contend
against the whole strength of the stream, especially at
every turning. On the 19th our progress was small. About
eight A. M. heavy rain came on, so as quite to obscure the
horizon: this detained us till near noon. We tracked when
the wind lulled; small rain fell till near four P. M., when
the wind rose, but not fair for us. At length at Dewan
Gunge the course became fair, when we fell again upon a
whirlpool; but the wind carried us slowly through, and with
some exertion we reached a point near Cutwa.

“I was here strongly reminded of my first visit in 1806,
when I walked through the sun from Dewan Gunge to visit
Chamberlain.[164] The matted bungalow, his first wife’s
tomb, visible as we sat at table, and the delicate little
girl, the daughter of that wife, sitting by him, and his
mourning for the recent loss of his second wife, and
the melancholy all these circumstances cast upon our
conversation, were vividly called to my mind. Then his
primitive mode of living, vegetable curry, and spring
water, gave me a feeling of veneration for his character.
I well remember too how in the evening Parson’s lively
conversation cheered him and he came on the next day with
us to Plassey. At parting we sang Chamberlain’s much used
hymn, “O’er the gloomy hills of darkness, &c.” I well
remember the energy with which he used to sing. He is now
singing the ‘new song’ in livelier strains, and his work
has not fallen to the ground. The moonshee could not come
on, on account of the rain. It is subject of much regret
to find myself on the evening of the 20th ten coss from
Berhampore by land, and not less than fifteen distant by
water. But I am not conscious of having lost an hour since
I left Chinsurah. If I could have foreseen the obstacles,
which have arisen from the winding course and strength
of the stream and failure of wind, I might have passed
without visiting Culna, but these reflections are now in
vain. May I but have wisdom and strength to improve such
opportunities as may present themselves at Berhampore!

“I arrived at Berhampore in the forenoon of the 22nd July,
and called on the chief military person and made known my
purpose of remaining over the following Sunday.

“On Tuesday forenoon I inspected with Col. T. the place
newly appropriated for divine service. It is fitted up with
pews for seventy or eighty of the upper classes, and with
benches for the private soldiers. It is supplied also with
two chandeliers of eighteen lights each, and abundance of
wall shades for evening service.

“On Wednesday I examined all the classes in the regiment
school, consisting of sixty boys and forty-two girls.
The upper classes read their scripture lesson with
distinctness and propriety, and were pretty ready in
Crossman’s Catechism: this was their chief attainment.
In the regimental library there are between 300 and 400
volumes of a miscellaneous kind; few treating of religious
subjects. To keep up the library, sergeants subscribe four
annas a month, corporals and privates one. There are 213
subscribers. The Christian Knowledge Society’s library is
confined chiefly to the hospital. On Thursday forenoon I
called on some of the Civil servants, and on Friday visited
the hospital, and read to and exhorted the more dangerously
sick. Mr. M. arrived to-day; but went at once, being very
poorly, to Mr. P’s house, which is about two miles from the
barracks. On Saturday morning I made some preparation for
the following day. At half-past-six A. M. on Sunday, (the
28th of July) the regiment was marched to church. There are
in the whole 700 men, of whom about half are Protestants,
and some of these being on duty, those who attend are very
sufficiently accommodated, which was by no means the case
in the place formerly used for their assembling. Mr. M. was
too unwell to assist, so that I had the morning service
on my hands, and the sacrament, of which notice had been
circulated: twenty persons attended. At half-past-three
P. M. about thirty convalescent out of the forty-two sick
assembled in the ward of the hospital. In the evening Mr.
M. read prayers. There were about 150 soldiers present; and
all the pews were occupied as in the morning.

“These are the principal events in the way of duty which
occupied me at Berhampore. A station school would be very
desirable for the many poor Christian children, unconnected
with the army; but in the absence of a chaplain, and from
my own inability to endure the exertion, and indeed from
want of time, nothing was done towards such an object. I
had much pleasure in renewing acquaintance with several I
had known up the country; but could benefit them little,
being always made unwell by the morning’s exertion. The
wind has almost quite failed these two days, which renders
the heat more oppressive.

“There is a mission here of the London Society. Mr. H. has
been at Berhampore several years, and is much respected.
The success among the natives has been very limited; but
he is very diligent in endeavouring to make the truth
known, preaching once or twice a day in their bazaars and
villages.”

In a letter to Mrs. Corrie dated “on the Ganges,” August 1st. the Archdeacon, after having given a detailed account of his equipments, &c. adds:--

“Now for my companion. He is a baptized Hindoo, of
respectable, though not wealthy connections; was educated
at Mr. Hare’s school; attended first Mr. Derosario, and
afterwards Mr. Duff: became a teacher in Mr. Duff’s school,
and was finally baptized in the Scotch congregation. He is
now on the way to Futtyghur; R. is Judge, and a pious young
doctor M. with him have established a school, and wish for
a native christian teacher. Well: this youth, by name,
Gopy Nath Mundee, was recommended as a schoolmaster; and
to go with me, was thought by pious friends in Calcutta,
a favorable opportunity. A place in the baggage-boat was
assigned him, together with a learned Mahommedan enquirer,
who will thus, I conclude, get a free passage to the upper
provinces. He is reputed wealthy, and asks nothing but a
passage from me. The other youth finds the pinnace more
comfortable than the baggage-boat, (i. e. the boat laden
with scriptures and tracts, for I have no baggage) and the
second night he coolly proposed sleeping on my couch in
the outer cabin. This I told him would be inconvenient to
me, but that he might sleep in my _palkee_,[165] on the
top; and there ever since has been his domicile. He is up
as soon as I am, and at first his want of acquaintance
with the peculiarities of our habits was trying to me,
but I had to deal with a christian, and must not offend
him. By degrees we became intimate, and I begin to explain
to him our ideas of propriety. He _is_, I have reason to
believe, a christian; has taken my observations in good
part, and now I find little to interrupt my comfort,
beside what the constant presence of any except my beloved
family would occasion. I find him especially deficient in
scripture knowledge, and in doctrinal divinity. Hence, of
late, every morning exercise is a lecture on some point of
scripture. We, to-day, commence for morning-worship the
Psalms.... About ten the Molwee comes when he can; and he
has also found out the comfort of the Pinnace; so that he
now comes daily. He reads the scripture in Hindoostanee,
with me first, then he and the Baboo mutually instruct each
other. The Baboo learns Hindoostanee from the Molwee, and
the latter English from the former: but here I am often
appealed to by both. I must add that the Baboo (his age is
twenty) has begun in consequence of previous conversations,
to read the scriptures in Bengalee to the dandies. He
offered to instruct Ameer,[166] but he said tauntingly, ‘O
no: I failed once, and I’ll have no more to do with it.’
To-day we entered the troublous Ganges. A squall came on
soon after we entered; then a lull, which left us on a
sand-bank in the middle of the river.”

In a letter to the same, dated Aug. 7th, he writes:

“Yesterday being very anxious respecting the objects of my
journey, I looked into Bishop Heber’s journal; and I see
more clearly what I have to do. His being a Bishop, his
lively conversations, and especially his coming to confirm,
raised an interest wherever he went, which I can have no
pretension to expect. But at Berhampore, notwithstanding
my inability to go amongst the people privately, all the
station attended Divine service, and instead of ten or
twelve as usual at the Lord’s Supper, twenty attended. For
this encouragement I feel thankful, and trust, as health
returns, I may at the station before me be the means
of quickening attention to the things which belong to
salvation. 8th. Stationary in a jungle, the weather cool,
the night again stormy, the wind still contrary. I had an
interesting conversation after breakfast with the Baboo,
explaining to him the subject of the annual Atonement and
year of Jubilee of the Israelites. We read the xvith and
xxvth of Leviticus, and the corresponding passages in the
Hebrews. It is gratifying to observe the pleasure these
discourses give him, and truly,

Israel in ancient days
Not only had a view
Of Sinai in a blaze,
But saw the gospel too.

I have these few days been studying the Levitical Institutions
with renewed interest and benefit.

“August 9. Yesterday evening, about ten of the dandies were
led to sit down by us on the top of the Pinnace; and by
keeping the Baboo to interpret what I said to them, they
were detained for an hour, conversing on the subject of a
mediator. By degrees they were led to see that Jesus was
more worthy than their prophet, and they appeared very
serious in their manner.

“I have been engaged with the Molwee and Baboo in new
arranging the words in the Persian Litany, which is nearly
accomplished. In the evening, four of the dandies again
seated themselves near to us on the poop, and by degrees
they were led again to the subject of a mediator, who
could pay our debt of sin, and procure for us pardon and
acceptance with God.”

“Reached Monghir on the 17th, in time to give notice for
divine service the next day. Mr. W., the Commissioner,
had returned home only the evening before. His return was
favorable, as he opened his house as on former occasions,
and at half past ten, all the Christians at the station
assembled. At Boglipore, there are not above twenty
Christian residents; at Monghir there are seventy or
eighty, it being a favorite station for invalids to take
up their abode. In reference to the country and climate,
the station would be one of the most desirable on this side
of India, the opportunities of doing good are many. On the
opposite side of the river, is the district of Purneah,
where many Indigo Planters are settled, and visits to that
district at suitable seasons might be made very profitable
to the residents. Mr. W. told me that those invalids who
have families are gradually leaving Monghir, in order to
settle where their children can have gratuitous, or cheap
education. A Baptist Mission has been established here many
years. Their Hindoostanee congregation consists of about
sixty of all ages; only fifteen of these adults have given
up caste for christianity; the remainder are of mixed race.
Mr. L. who principally officiates in Hindoostanee, has
a chapel also near the large bazaar, and, though he had
no regard to the court-house when the chapel was built,
the suitors in the court attend in great numbers. He has
sometimes 400 hearers; on Sunday last about 150 were
present. Mr. M. the other Missionary, in conjunction with
his brother-in-law, receives pupils, both boys and girls.
At this time they have twenty-one boys, and eleven girls.
These are most of the particulars which will I think be
interesting to you. On Monday morning early, a wind from
a favourable quarter sprang up, and carried us round the
fort, and we are proceeding not rapidly, but on the whole
favorably. This sudden change of wind prevented me from
writing from Monghir. I hope to send this from Patna by the
end of the week. I have looked over the route I have to
take, with the respective distances of stations. I shall
send a sketch of the journey by land soon.

“Mr. L. mentioned that he some time ago met at Boglipore,
with one of the hill-men who understands Hindoostanee; and
wishing to know something of the hill language, he engaged
this man to teach him. After a time, he began to attend
seriously to the New Testament, which they read together;
and he seems to have experienced a decided conversion. This
man is very anxious to impart the knowledge of Christianity
to the hill-men, and is preparing to return as a missionary
among them. He has been once, accompanied by a native
Christian; and on giving his people an account of the new
life on which he is entered, was not rejected, but invited
to return and tell them more of this way.

“On Thursday the 22nd August, we arrived at Patna about
half past one P. M. As my stay would be short, I thought it
better to remain in the boat. At that station I found much
to gratify, and to lead to expectation of good, if proper
means are devised. The Chaplain came to see me on arriving,
and I dined with him in the evening; the conversation was
on subjects connected with our work. He spoke of Wolff’s
visit here, and the impression it had made on several; his
own mind was much stirred up to the consideration of the
spread of the Gospel.

“There is no appropriate place of worship at Patna. Divine
service once in the forenoon, in the court-house, is all
the public duty performed, there being no place fitted for
evening service. A gentleman who has an appointment in the
opium department maintains a boys’ school of about thirty
scholars near his house, in which the Gospels are read by
the more forward boys. He entertains also a pious Christian
youth, educated by Mr. Wilkinson, who assembles his
servants and others for worship on Sundays. The collector’s
lady has two boys’ schools of about thirty each, and a
girl’s school in which about the same number are taught.
I examined the girl’s school; and besides the junior
classes, who are instructed in catechism, and elementary
reading, there were five who read fluently in any part of
the four gospels (Nagree character):--they repeated the
ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer, and
gave as good an account of the fall of man, the promise of
a Saviour, the life and sufferings of the Son of God, and
the purpose of his death, as most children in a Christian
school might be expected to do. These instructions are
given in a great measure by the collector’s lady herself.

“When leaving Patna on Saturday morning the Church
missionary teacher brought a petition signed by about
thirty householders, Mahommedans, praying for a school.
If an efficient teacher could be supplied by any of the
church societies, here is a fine opening. The population
is immense, and several of the English residents at Patna
would willingly countenance the undertaking. I trust
the matter will not rest till a school be established.
I was told by more than one, that since Mr. Wolff’s
conference with the Mahommedans here, much attention
has been manifested by many of them to the subject of
Christianity. Wolff’s chief disputant is very desirous
of obtaining a work in Persian or Hindoostanee on the
evidences of Christianity, to meet the enquiry excited
among the natives. He frequently comes to a friend in
the opium department, and converses on the subject. This
gentleman obtained subscriptions, and sent to Calcutta for
copies of the Persian Pentateuch, which have been read
by the learned natives, and many copies in Hindoostanee
have been taken from the catechist. He speaks of several
respectable Mahomedans, who occasionally attended the
Sunday morning worship conducted by the native Christian;
and the attention he meets with generally, when he goes
out to speak to the people and distribute tracts, is very
encouraging. Some of the families here meet on Thursday
evenings, at each others’ houses to read a chapter, a
sermon, and prayer.

“A scheme was on foot lately to commence a native college;
but funds are not forthcoming.

“On the 24th I came from Patna to Dinapore. On arriving
I received a very civil note from General O’H, and soon
after called upon him; he kindly invited me to take up my
abode with him; but I am engaged to Mr. R. At Dinapore
the chaplain labors almost beyond his strength. On Sunday
morning I preached to a large congregation from the text
Matt. xxv. 13. In the evening also the attendance was good,
and I preached again. Next day I was very weary and staid
at home, consulting with R. on some alterations in the
church, and on forming a Church Missionary Association.
On Tuesday morning I examined the regimental schools,
consisting of forty two boys, and nearly as many girls: and
afterwards the station school of forty one boys and girls
of all ages and descriptions, as you may judge from there
being five sepoys among them, one Irishman also belonging
to the artillery. We did not get home till near ten, having
commenced soon after six, both a good deal fagged. Mr. S.
from Patna, and Mr. L. the Commissioner, had come up to see
us. Wilkinson too was come from Goruckpore for change of
air. He has had a severe illness, and the doctors say he
must visit England in order to complete recovery. I fear
the change recommended is quite necessary. His congregation
amounts to 130, and he speaks of his assistant as quite
competent to the charge of them, and worthy of confidence.
If a new missionary should arrive, he might go there to
learn the language; and he could attend to the one English
service on Saturday. I trust some arrangement of the kind
may be accomplished should Mr. Wilkinson’s departure be
unavoidable.

“They lately lost a little boy of seven months who seems
to have been a very precious child: he was carried off in
twenty-four hours: there was no doctor in the station.

“On Wednesday at half past 6 A. M. we assembled in the
Baptistry, and formed a Church Missionary Association.
There were six officers present and many privates and
others. You will see the particulars in the _Christian
Intelligencer_. There are about 200 natives professing
Christianity at Dinapore. At present Mr. R. employs a pious
Drummer, an East Indian, who assembles them on Thursday
evening; from thirty to fifty attend.

“After breakfast on Wednesday I came away, being commended
to God in prayer. The wind blew fair and strong and we
reached Chuprah by night. S. and his wife are at Chuprah at
present. I wrote him a note, not intending to go up, but he
constrained me to promise to breakfast with them the next
day, which I did; and the affection manifested by them was
very gratifying to me.

“On the 30th (August 1833,) the day was oppressively hot,
and the night exceedingly close, so that no relief could be
found any where. I rose weary to a degree. By 4 o’clock, it
being full moon, I set the people off: and when they were
gone, I had a bathe on the deck, and never experienced the
force of the expression so sensibly, _As cold water to a
thirsty soul_; the refreshment was indescribable. I thought
the next morning to have had a similar enjoyment; but the
night was cool, and the morning breeze made me shiver, and
I was glad to escape from the water. Such are the changes
in this climate!

“We could not make Buxar on Saturday: but Sunday,
Sept. 1st, we arrived at mid-day. At 4 P. M. I went to
Hindoostanee service, the catechist read the prayers: there
were twenty women and three men present, besides Mrs. M.
and her child; she reads the Scriptures to the women,
when her husband goes on Missionary journies. But few of
the Europeans attend English service in the forenoon: and
the numbers in the Hindoostanee congregation are filled
up as its members are removed by death or otherwise. It
is reported that the station is to be abolished as a
Government post. About twenty children, male and female,
of European invalids are taught to read and write by a
sergeant, who officiates as clerk, for which he has twelve
rupees a month from Government, and the children pay eight
annas a month. Their proficiency was very moderate. The
mission as far as I could judge, languishes at this place,
as at Patna, for want of superintendence by an English
Missionary. A few of the old faces were there; among them
Mary Caroll, an interesting character. She came to my boat
this morning, and enquired after Mem Sahib, and whether I
had taken the pension, and were going from the country,
as she heard. She said if Mem had been here, she should
have got some tea; so I gave her a tea-cup full to take
home with her. She is feeble and failing, but never misses
service, and responded cordially to my remarks on the end
of time, and the love of the Saviour in preparing a place
for his people. At 6 P. M. the little chapel was full for
English service, when I officiated to about eighty.

“After evening service I went across the river with M. S.
and the doctor, and enjoyed a cool refreshing night in
his quiet bungalow. This morning early (the 2nd) I came
over to the pinnace and had much conversation with M.
on the affairs of the Mission, and gave such advice as
circumstances seemed to call for. I left him such books and
translations as I had brought and could spare, of which
he was in great need. I saw also an interesting young
convert, baptized three years ago at Lucknow by Mr. Bowley.
His answers to my questions, on his views of Christian
truth, were very satisfactory. As usual he is forsaken by
his Mahomedan friends, a brother and mother. He teaches
a school here of fifteen Mahomedan boys, who receives
Christian instruction from him. M. came over at 8 A. M. and
we went to breakfast with Colonel Bird. I feel as if my
visit here was very opportune. May the Lord, even our God,
grant his blessing, Amen! I know not how I have omitted
to notice a shock of an earthquake which occurred on the
night of the 26th August, between 11 and 12. The motion
continued for hours, and exceedingly alarmed the whole
country. At 20 minutes before 12 it was most violent; when
every window shook, and many houses cracked: some of the
native houses at Patna are thrown down, and some European
so damaged as to require being rebuilt in part. No shock of
so long continuance has occurred in the memory of man. All
were roused, and most left their houses for the open air. I
did not leave my cot; but Mr. R. came and stood by me for
half an hour, occasionally going to comfort his wife and
mother.

“On the evening of September 3rd, a gale came as we reached
Ghazepore. It blew fresh all the night, but being from the
east we suffered nothing. Mr. T. kindly asked me up; and,
after breakfasting with the Chaplain on the 4th, I came to
his splendid abode. It rained hard all the 4th and 5th: in
the night my cook and baggage-boats were swamped at the
ghaut opposite the mausoleum. All the school-books and the
Scriptures, which I was taking up the country, are spoilt.
Of my own I lost nothing; but am detained over Sunday to
get another boat. I have visited the school and shall
preach on Sunday.

“On the morning of the 7th, I examined the regimental
school. There are above 100 boys and girls in one large
room: the greater part are boys, and the girls who
attend are of tender age. The exhibition was on a low
scale in scripture reading and catechism and accounts.
The commanding officer told me he was aware of the
comparatively low attainments of the school-master
sergeant; but he had no one of equally good conduct whom
he could substitute, and he thought good example of great
importance to the children. There are but few sick in
hospital at present; the chaplain told me he visited them
weekly, and from cot to cot. I had the whole service on the
morning of the 8th, Mrs. R. being unwell. In the evening I
preached also, and the attendance was very considerable,
as I was told is very usually the case.

“I arrived at Benares about midday on the 10th; and on
the 11th early went to the Missionaries of the Church
Missionary Society to inspect the endowed school in
the city. There are 149 boys; of these fifty receive
instruction in English. We began to examine them at six,
and continued engaged with them till nine. I enclose a
list[167] of the boys, exhibiting their progress; and in
respect of the English I have much pleasure in reporting
most favorably. The pronunciation of the youths is better
than I have found in any other native school; and the first
class is really proficient in the subjects enumerated
opposite their names. A box of books for schools entrusted
to me by Lady W. Bentinck, supplied some very useful
rewards, and the youths seemed much gratified with them. I
regret that from the extreme heat I was unable to attend
equally to the other department of the school. I merely
enquired into the nature of the instruction they are
receiving. They all read the scriptures in the languages
they learn, and the Hindoostanee teacher would not be
satisfied without our waiting to hear his class repeat a
part of the Christian catechism in use. The school is under
the immediate charge of Mr. S., and the Rev. Mr. Smith has
till within the last month frequently given instruction
in the week. The Rev. Mr. Leupolt has now undertaken that
charge.

“On the morning of the 12th I visited the female school.
There are eighty in usual attendance; but here I was from
the heat obliged to confine my attention to the first
class. This consists of eighteen, of whom thirteen were
present. These read in two places of St. Matthew’s Gospel
with readiness in Hindee. They read also in Genesis, and
in a small abridgment of Scripture History. They answered
questions on the subjects they read intelligently, and
shewed a fair acquaintance with the leading truths of
revelation. They repeated with accuracy the Scripture
catechism in use, and finished with singing together a
Christian hymn. This it seems they at first objected
to learn; but now they are fond of this part of the
school-exercises. Specimens of marking both in English and
Hindee were exhibited, which shew much proficiency.