Chapter VII (2)

“I have made three attempts at a report respecting our
brother’s health. On the 15th. he was very lively, and then
talked of not going even on the river. Yesterday he was
weaker, and last night had a violent attack of sickness,
which has not entirely left him yet, and has brought him
to a lamentable state of weakness. What to do I don’t
know. I have urged his leaving his studies and trying
change of air, in every possible way. To-day, indeed, he
talks again of going on the river, and I hope to keep him
in this mind. Your applications for Arabic have set him
to work anew with an ardour that nothing but death can
repress. From seven in the morning till near or after six
in the evening (save a little interval at mid-day,) he is
at work with Sabat, and Mirza Fitrut. In vain I warn him
of the consequences. Never was any one so inattentive to
health, or so unskilful in sickness. I was up with him much
of the former part of last night: and without somebody
he would be worse from his unskilful applications. He is
indeed most tractable as to meats and drinks, but there my
authority over him ends. He will have told you of the delay
occasioned by want of an Arabic scribe. I don’t know how
many copies, but Sabat says ten, have been attempted of
the beginning of Matthew for you, and have failed. I wrote
to Major Wilford lately, to ask him if he would read and
give his opinion of the Sanscrit Gospels. I have received
his answer this morning. He says, ‘I rejoice to hear of
the progress that is making in the attempt to diffuse the
knowledge of the word of God among the Gentiles, but I
lament that hardly anything has hitherto been done worth
notice, to diffuse it among the Hindoos. Every thing seems
calculated for the Mussulmans.... The Sanscrit translation
of the gospels is useless, for the proud and stubborn
Brahmin will never read it. We want a good translation in
Hindee, pure Hindee.... Where the Missionaries at Serampore
have learned the Hindee, I am at a loss to divine. I hope
their assistants do not understand a word of Persian. With
regard to the Sanscrit translation, I am very unwilling
to have anything to do either directly or indirectly with
the Serampore school; but in the sincerity of my heart I
wish them success. It was my intention to have leisurely
erased all the Persian words out of my friend’s’ (Hunter’s
translation, a copy of which I gave Major W.) ‘version;
for I am not in the least afraid to revise his or any
other version, _even publicly_. It has not been in my
power hitherto (from ill health), and God alone knows
when I shall be able to resume my studies _con amore et
spirito_.’--Thus far Major Wilford.”

“Cawnpore, Sept. 4, 1810.

“Our brother it seems, has told you, he is so well, all
further reports respecting his health are needless. I
would, however, prove how ready I am to comply with your
wishes, though, I hope too, all anxiety respecting Martyn’s
recovery is at an end. It seems he requires only rest.
It is to be hoped, his constitution is not unsound, but
has been greatly tried by his continual exertions. During
the last fortnight the change for the better in him has
been very evident, but on Sunday evening, the pain in
his breast returned, sufficiently to shew him, he must
not fancy himself what he once was. He began to ask, why
he should go to Calcutta?--being so much better; but
this feeling of his former complaint, has, I hope, put
all doubts on the subject to flight. Indeed I have made
his leaving the station a condition of my remaining. The
General has consented to my being put in orders to remain
here, till Martyn’s return, and to give Martyn an unlimited
leave of absence. So now, on the 1st of Nov. he purposes
leaving this for Calcutta, and is meditating schemes of
usefulness on his way down, and among the native, Armenian,
and Arabian christians in Calcutta. It will be of much
importance that you should see him, and talk with him face
to face, about the translations, &c. Sabat, I told you, is
much more on his guard and more respectful towards Martyn,
but causes him great uneasiness, by the slow progress he
makes in his work. It is indeed very trying to our brother,
as, without some change, the translations will hardly ever
be brought to an end. It is needless for me to say anything
about the subscriptions, &c. as Martyn writes to you so
fully on those subjects. For my own part, I am anxious,
that some translation should be got ready for circulation
in India; there is yet, none that seems suited to the
population we are among; and my views are chiefly confined
to these people; among these I shall probably live and die,
but no extensive good can flow from the labours of any,
till the Scriptures are ready to be delivered to them. I am
therefore more delighted with your intention of publishing
the Hindoostanee gospels, than the Arabic, whilst I pray
you God’s speed with both. About one fifteenth of the
population of this country is Mahomedan, and of that
fifteenth part, not one in five hundred knows Arabic; but
many of them are acquainted with and admire the Persian,
and all of them understand the Moors, as it is called. Many
too of the Hindoos understand it, and a skilful reader
could easily make it understood by all.

“Sep. 12. Thus far I had written as above, but your
frequent letters from and to Martyn, made me think it
unnecessary to send this. In consequence of your last,
Martyn intends leaving this, as soon as boats can be
procured for himself and Sabat, but it is uncertain when
that may be, as boats are in great request for the General
and his suite. Martyn had frequently expressed to me his
opinion respecting the incorrectness of Sabat’s Arabic,
as well as complained of his slow progress. It is likely,
however, that his work will be found better than your last
would suggest: so few are qualified to criticise Arabic,
that probably many of the objections raised, will be
found groundless. I think, however, dearest Sir, to give
the light of life to the population of India is no small
honour put upon your Committee, and I hope you will put the
Hindoostanee translation, Martyn is bringing down, to the
press straightway. We have, during last week, been often on
the river in a borrowed pinnace, and the effect has been
good to us all. Our dear brother continues to mend, but the
length of his life will depend much on his desisting, or
not, from public duties. He would soon be laid up again,
were he to begin to preach. He would, at all events, take
half of the duty last Sunday, but beside not being heard by
half the Regiment, he was obliged to shorten the service,
and with the Faqueers in the evening, brought on the old
pain in his breast. The same employments as before occupy
me, so I have nothing new to write to you. Our society
of soldiers increases, and we are inexpressibly happy
together. Mrs. S. has been unwell, but is recovering, and
indeed we have mercies multiplied upon us without number.
May we have grace to be more thankful.”

It may be proper here to state, that the Committee referred to in this letter, as being instrumental in giving “the word of life to the population of India,” was a Committee formed in Calcutta for holding correspondence with the British and Foreign Bible Society in England. This corresponding Committee was definitely organized in August, 1809, having Mr. Brown for its Secretary; and measures were then adopted for carrying forward approved translations of the Scriptures in the Arabic, Persian, Hindoostanee, and Telinga languages.[65]

That to “live and die among” the people of Hindoostanee, which is here only expressed as a probability, had become a settled purpose with Mr. Corrie, may be gathered from his Journal:--

“Sept. 20th. This day has completed my fourth year in
India. My intention of remaining in India continues the
same, and of seeking the furtherance of the gospel among
the heathen. These Christian children engross much of my
time; but not so much prayer as they ought. I would purpose
to pray more for them. Oh! may I have grace to be devoted
to the ministry! I do determine to be so, the Lord being
my helper: my determined choice is the doctrine of Christ
and him crucified. O may my affections be more taken up
with God! A variety of circumstances have of late made me
feel that the best of creatures are subject to vanity.
I would complain of none, for the most vain are far
preferable to me; but, O may my soul be more taken up with
God! Draw me, O Lord the Spirit, and I will run after Thee!
Martyn is now going to Calcutta and to sea; and I remain
here for a time. I feel my bodily health far from strong.”

And in writing to a near relative, about the same time, after mentioning the intended departure of Martyn from Cawnpore, and the consequent changes, Mr. C. adds,

“These uncertainties make us more and more to feel that
this is not our rest. I do rejoice in the blessed hope of a
rest remaining for the people of God.

“One of the godly soldiers departed this life last night.
His end was peaceful and blessed. His last words to me,
yesterday morning, were, ‘I desire to depart and to be with
Christ as soon as possible.’ A day or two before, on my
asking him how he was, he said, ‘Waiting to be made free
from corruption and fit for God.’ And at the same visit he
said, ‘Blessed Saviour! He has done great things for my
soul.’ His life, for some time past, had been suitable to
the gospel. This is the third who has been taken from the
little flock since we came here. Blessed be God, who raises
up one and another to supply their places.

“One of the officers has joined himself to our meetings for
worship, &c. and is a hopeful and pleasing young man, and
a great encouragement to the poor soldiers, who for a time
were much discouraged by their superiors.

“We have had several instances of very awful awakenings of
conscience in the prospect of death. One person, a week
or two since, could not contain his feelings in the midst
of the many sick around him, in the hospital, but openly
accused himself, and loudly called for mercy. However, the
generality, alas! are careless, notwithstanding these and
other solemn warnings. A gay, smart young Captain, a short
time since was seized with a fit in a large company, at
dinner, and died during the night. A great crowd attended
his funeral, and all the solemnity and pomp of military
parade attended, but alas! the impression passed away....
There are indeed a few (and the number is increasing) of
godly people, scattered up and down, who are each a light
in his place.”

The references which are found in the foregoing letter and in the letters which follow, to the “incorrectness of Sabat’s Arabic,” and to the “rage” of that unhappy man, “against the moonshees of Calcutta,” are explained by the circumstance, that just before Mr. Martyn left Cawnpore, he had received intelligence from Mr. Brown that the translations of the Gospels into Persian were considered to be too imperfect for publication; whilst it was insinuated that Sabat’s translations into Arabic were but copies from some old version.[66] This apparent failure in an object so near his heart, as the translating of the Scriptures, occasioned great distress of mind to Mr. Martyn; and all the evil passions of Sabat were exasperated by the imputation cast on his learning. In these letters, may be but too plainly traced the unrestrained workings of that pride, selfishness and violence in Sabat which afterwards ended so mournfully, though not unnaturally, in his apostasy from the “faith which” always “worketh by love.”

TO THE REV. D. BROWN.

“Cawnpore, Oct. 4, 1810.

“Our brother Martyn left this on the 1st for Calcutta,
in better health than for some time, so that, but for
the Arabic translation, he would perhaps not have been
persuaded to leave this at present. Since I wrote to
you, I have had a specimen of the violence of Sabat, and
the inexpressible trouble Martyn must have had with him.
It began before the last letter of yours came, about
boat-hire. He began by writing that Martyn ought to pay
for his boat. On this Martyn referred him to you, but he
evidently wished not to speak to you on the subject. Soon
after this, your last arrived, and Martyn did not tell him
the whole of its contents; at first only said, you were
more than ever urgent for their going down speedily. As
the time drew near, he one day came in, and after much
cross-purposes, demanded to see the order for his going
down, or he would not stir; intimating that Martyn had
some sinister motive and interested purpose in taking him
down with him. It is impossible to convey to you an idea
of the aggravating manner and expressions he used. I lost
patience, and told him plainly, how unchristian his conduct
was, and how little like the gentility he pretended to.
Martyn then read him your letter, which filled him with
rage against the Calcutta moonshees, &c., and he determined
to set off instantly, and put them all to flight before
Martyn could arrive. This manner lasted two or three days,
when an invitation he had asked for, came from Baillie,[67]
and away he went to Lucknow, purposing to return the third
day. Instead of returning, he sent a note to say, he
would stay twenty days, or a month, and would translate
and Baillie would inspect; and so he would come down to
Calcutta armed for the contest with the objectors there.
Martyn was hurt at this, and wrote a statement of the
circumstances to Baillie; telling Sabat also, he should set
off as he intended, should go to sea, and that the disputed
translation would remain in suspense; and of course, as he
could not go on with the work, it was likely his salary
would be stopped; adding also, that his family would be
obliged to remove into another bungalow, as my sister
would come here. On this, Sabat wrote in the most earnest
manner, for Martyn not to go without him; at the same time
saying, he should stay four or five days longer. To this
Martyn paid no attention, but set off, and yesterday Sabat
returned, full of rage against him, and purposing to set
off to-morrow or next day to overtake him if possible, and
at all events to procure from you full redress of his many
wrongs. There is little hope that any person but Martyn,
supposing them capable and willing to superintend Sabat’s
translations, could bear with him; and indeed when the
work would be finished by him, it is difficult to say. His
unsteady and haughty temper is likely to prevent his ever
doing extensive good, not to say, that the love of money
has too evident hold of him. He has procured boats. He is
now full of expressions of concern about his wife, who is
within a month of having a child: and indeed his concern is
proper enough, but had he set off as was first agreed, he
might have been now in Calcutta. For my part, I feel quite
alone and a stranger in the midst of this large society.
Parson, you may have heard, is wishing to come here under
the idea, as he says, that I was going away, to leave
Martyn sinking under the duty. I had not thought of so
doing; but heartily glad shall I be to give place to him,
as my own strength is not likely to hold out long under the
constant duties of this station. The folly and dissipation
of the higher sort, cast me greatly down. How to deal
with them, I know not. The church was opened last Sunday,
which may give me more opportunities with them, than I
should otherwise have had. A few of the poor receive the
word gladly, and they are our joy and crown. Your opinion
of the Native boys, has caused me great disquietude. I was
convinced of danger as to their turning out well, but hoped
not quite so much as you describe. It has made me more
watchful over them: but I shall make a fair experiment with
them. I trust all your family are enjoying good health, and
as much comfort as this world of sin and sorrow will admit
of.”

TO THE REV. H. MARTYN.

“Cawnpore, Oct. 8, 1810.

“Yours of the 3rd. from Allahabad, came only yesterday.
We were thankful to hear you had got so far in safety. I
received the enclosed also yesterday, and sent one or two
of less consequence for you to Calcutta. We had a very
large congregation yesterday, beside the morning service
with the 53rd. I have escaped with a severe head-ache this
morning; I trust to be quite well to-morrow. I called at
R----‘s, G----‘s, E----‘s, and B----‘s this morning, so
am making great progress in my work, I hope; though this
of calling is a very insignificant part of it. I have,
since you left, seen in the life of President Edwards,
that he thought ministers should consider their talent for
conversation, and, if they cannot improve conversation &c.,
should stay at home. If I had the least pretension to his
usefulness in the closet, I should be inclined to dwell
there. The gateway to the church shall be put up as you
wish; at present we are busy making Sabat’s house sweet. I
have got the christian children close by the book-room, and
hope to have a watchful and effectual eye over them now.

“I wrote to Mr. Brown on Thursday, and gave him a
particular account of my opinion of Sabat. I told him,
what, I fancy, I did not tell you in the former cover
enclosing Mr. Brown’s, that on Sabat’s return from
Lucknow, he expressed great warmth about your going without
him, and the subject of your letter to Baillie. It seems he
was sorely hurt at your writing to Baillie on the subject;
Baillie had shewed him the letter, &c. He wished me to
side with him in thinking you had treated him as a Hindoo,
&c. After many words, I told him, that no other person
I knew, would have borne with him as you have done; and
that all the christians in Europe would think so, if the
circumstances were known. This stopped his violence; and
during the few remaining days he shewed great humiliation,
and at parting _seemed_ much cast down. I hear he had
been beating the _dandees_,[68] and they all ran away at
Georgemow, but as I have heard no more, suppose he got off
somehow. The Mirror is come this week as usual; when you
arrive, be so good as to order it to come in my name, as I
wish to continue it. There have been enquiries respecting
you, from everybody I have seen, and as many kind wishes
for your speedy return in health.”

TO THE REV. D. BROWN.

“Cawnpore, Oct. 10, 1810.

“I sent off yesterday by banghee, a correct copy of
the Hindoostanee New Testament, for Martyn at your
house; he has one copy with him beside. I heard from
him from Allahabad on the 3rd., he was going on his way
prosperously. I have sent some letters that came here for
him, to meet him at Patna. Shepherd will be here in a few
days. He was to leave Meerut on the 1st. I have then the
whole range of the Doab.[69] Our new church was opened,
as I told you, by Martyn, and we had a larger attendance
on Sunday last. The natives are greatly pleased with the
bell; they argue for the antiquity and holiness of their
own use of bells in their temples, from the English also
using them. The Sherwoods are living next door, and have
made a gate into our garden. The continual calls of duty
of one kind or other, leave me very little time with
them. I have got the christian children within call of
my window, and entirely separated from the other parts
of the premises. Mary talks of beginning a school for
native christian girls. She can read the Persian character
pretty readily, and we have a promising half-caste boy,
who will be her schoolmaster. We are progressing, I think,
both among the Europeans, and in our little establishment
for the natives; yet, I know not why, my mind is almost
always cast down and without hope. The select meeting of
the poor soldiers is a source of much, and almost the
only refreshment to me. I would desire greatly to begin
a meeting with the 8th Light Dragoons, where many of the
men are hopeful, but I fear my bodily strength would sink
under it, for as it is, I cannot keep quite rid of a cough
and other symptoms of weak lungs. I know, however, that my
Redeemer liveth,--let me quietly leave all with him, and
he will bring it to pass! When will the chaplains Dr. B.
mentioned, arrive? Simeon says, he can get no chaplains to
come out; even worldly men dread our climate so much, they
will not encounter it.”

[54] Owen, Hist. of the Bible Society, Vol. 2. pp. 1-32.

[55] Alluding probably to the successes of Napoleon in
Germany, which terminated in the treaty of Schönbrun.

[56] Carrier.

[57] A kind of Police officer.

[58] Son of the late Rev. T. Robinson, of Leicester.

[59] Pearson’s Memoirs of Dr. Buchanan, vol. 2. p. 211.

[60] Named _Jounarain Ghoshaul_, a resident in Benares.

[61] Bill of Exchange.

[62] Mr. Corrie laid the first stone of this Church, on
the morning of Tuesday, April 29, 1810.

[63] A full account of this religious tumult is given in
Bishop Heber’s Journal.

[64] Hooker, “A remedy against Sorrow and Fear.”

[65] Owen’s History of the Bible Society, vol. ii. pp.
14, 15.

[66] See Martyn’s Letter to Mr. Brown, dated Sept. 10,
1810.

[67] The English resident at Lucknow.

[68] Native boatmen.

[69] The whole country lying between the rivers Ganges
and Tumna.